If you fumble my funds, you will cough it up!

It’s mid-week already? Can’t believe it! Can you? Of course, you can! You ankasa if you had your way like you’re in Friday already😂😂

But since this is Wednesday, here’s Wednesday’s news:

• National: Seems Asantehene is the only galamsey fighter.

• Economic: World Bank’s got Ghana on a tight budget leash – no room for chopping nyafu nyafu

• Economic: Land Commission officials out here playing 'finders keepers' with land that’s supposed to benefit all Ghanaians.

• Entertainment: “Who’s your guy?” Spyro fighting temptations left & right

• Fact of the Day: What is a single strand of spaghetti called?

• National: The onion traders at Adjen Kotoku thought they were moving up in life when they left Agbogbloshie, but it’s not going well.

• National: Minority fires shots at Addo Dee and Bawumia.

• Crime: When a flex about dad’s wallet ends in a stabbing at O’Reilly, the police pay a visit.

• National: CSOs call out Cabinet for leaving Ghana’s anti-corruption CoPO Bill on ‘read’ since 2008.

• National: Mahama’s on a mission to make sure that GHS 500 million for drought relief doesn’t turn into party favors for NPP buddies.

• National: Speaker calls out MPs funded by galamseyers - we’re just waiting for names to drop.

• National: “Hurry up before Lithium becomes yesterday’s news!” That’s Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu shouting.

QUICK BYTE

• Nobody keeps an eye on you harder than a caterer at a wedding reception trying to make sure the food reaches the 150 guests the host paid for. That’s basically the World Bank with Ghana’s funds right now. Robert Taliercio O’Brien, the World Bank Country Director, just reminded everyone that they’re not here to play when it comes to the misuse of funds. In a tone that’s as serious as a class teacher when you forget your homework, O’Brien made it clear: if any money goes missing, Ghana better be ready to cough it up. Want the deets in full? Check out the Deep Dive section.

• We’re at a house party when someone spills a drink on the floor. Everyone sees it, but only one person grabs a mop and handles the mess. That’s Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in the fight against galamsey. While everyone else is standing around, the Asantehene is out here mopping up illegal mining like it’s a stain on his brand-new sneakers. Dr. Ken Ashigbey, the guy who’s been shouting about illegal mining for years, is all about it saying, “Finally, someone’s doing something!” Get the 411 in the Deep Dive section below

• Alhaji Masa Wudu, the big boss of the Onion Sellers Association, is crying out to the government. Why? He’s frustrated because while his onion squad fully committed to this relocation to Adjen Kotoku, the tomato and yam sellers are still chilling back at Agbogbloshie. Meanwhile, he’s seeing shege dealing with roads that are more cratered than the moon with transport delays turning fresh onions into rotten regrets. Let’s not even start on the lack of basic amenities—like, can a seller get a tent and a chair? So, here’s the big question: when the government told these traders to pack up and move to Adjen Kotoku, did anyone think about the roads? Or did they just draw a map and call it a day? Because right now, it feels like a broken promise, with the onion traders left wondering if they’ll ever see the “promised land” they were sold on. Only time—and hopefully some road repairs—will tell. Read more

• The Minority in Parliament is calling for a major cleanup after finding out that some Land Commision officers have been dishing out plots of land in the Northern Region like party favors – all without the proper approval. Alhassan Suhuyini, the Ranking Member of the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, is not having it. He’s like, “Nah, fam, this isn’t just a small slip-up; this is a full-blown land heist!” The Minority is fuming, and they’re demanding heads roll and the full tea spilled – they’re asking the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to drop the entire list of who got these illegal land leases and who was behind it. Cos how can you clean up the mess if you don’t know who tracked mud through the house in the first place? Read more

• Spyro got real on the ‘gram, spilling the beans about how fornication (yup, that big ol' F-word) used to be his kryptonite. He loved it! But every time he did it, he’d get hit with this massive wave of guilt. Our guy didn’t just sit around feeling guilty, though. Nah, he started praying harder than someone in church on 31st night, asking for the strength to resist those late-night WYD and you up texts. Results? He eventually cut off all the girls in his life, dodging clean girls who are way too friendly. Promoters though, are like the devil on his shoulder, always trying to push him back into the mix. But hey, Spyro’s made up his mind—he’s saving that bed for one and one only. Read more

• One day, you’ll be sitting on your porch, sipping some cool sobolo, and all around you, the once lush green trees are now stumps, and the rivers are brown sludge. Well, the Minority in Parliament is saying that with the way galamsey is going, we’re heading to that one day, and they’re not having it. They want President Akufo-Addo to get on TV and tell us exactly how he plans to save our environment before it’s too late. They’ve labeled the President a “lame duck” who checked out ages ago and accused the Vice President of focusing more on winning an election than actually doing something about this mess. Read more

  PS: You do realise that if the trees go, and the rivers dry up, there will be no cool Sobolo to sip, right? Got ya!😅😅

• Godwin and Edward, two Form Three students, were flexing about their dads’ bank accounts when things got heated—like really heated. Before anyone could say, “Chale, chill,” Godwin allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed Edward. Yeah, that escalated quickly. Now, the whole school is on edge. Apparently, the late Edward had some gang boys on the outside who were ready to pull up and settle scores. But the police stepped in and took Godwin along with them to the station. Parents are out here shaking in their boots, especially one Mr. Gabby Galley, who practically teleported to the school when he heard the news. Meanwhile, the big shots from GES and the Ledzokuku Assembly have rushed in. GES head, Stephen Abamfo is promising an Oscar-worthy investigation, so hopefully, the school can return to being a place of books and not beef. Read more

• We have a friend who promised to bake a cake since 2008, but here we are in 2024, and the oven hasn’t even been preheated. That’s what’s happening with Ghana’s Conduct of Public Officers (CoPO) Bill. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the ever-vocal OccupyGhana are fed up with Cabinet’s foot-dragging, calling them out for sitting on this crucial Bill like a dragon on a golden egg. Let’s rewind: The CoPO Bill, first introduced over a decade ago, was supposed to be Ghana’s secret weapon against corruption—But despite promises from President Akufo-Addo and the Attorney-General, the Bill is still chilling on the sidelines. What’s the hold-up? According to the CSOs, Cabinet is claiming that the existing laws are “good enough,”. Some people are whispering that the real reason is fear—fear that the Bill might shine too bright a light on some shady dealings, especially given the recent buzz around unexplained wealth. In other words, it seems some people don’t want their skeletons to come out. Read more

• Mahama was out there, channeling his inner watchdog at a rally in Ayorya, Kintampo South. He wants the NPP to know that any funny business with the GHS 500 million meant to ease the drought in Northern Ghana will not fly. Mahama’s got beef with the whole setup, pointing out that the last time there was a cash splash for COVID relief, it was like watching a magic trick – funds vanished into thin air, leaving everyone asking where the cash went. Now, he’s demanding that this time around, the distribution process be as transparent as the water in our rivers (before galamsey, of course) He’s even suggesting local chiefs get in on the action, so there’s no funny business with the money. Read more

• Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is pushing Parliament to fast-track Ghana’s lithium deal, saying the global lithium craze is no joke. With electric cars and renewable energy making lithium hotter than ever, he’s worried Ghana might miss the party if we don’t act fast. He does want us to go out with a solid plan though. Kinda like trying to snag the best deal on Black Friday – you want to be quick, but you also want to make sure you’re getting the best value for your money. Read more

DEEP DIVE

Otumfuo fights Galamsey

When it comes to fighting galamsey, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is leading the charge while others are still figuring out how to lace up their boots. Dr. Ken Ashigbey is out here singing Otumfuo’s praises, pointing out that he’s the only one actually doing something about illegal mining, holding his chiefs accountable and making sure actions speak louder than words.

Now, compare that to the government, which seems to be doing a whole lot of nothing. Dr. Ashigbey pointed out how the government’s response to galamsey is like when you tell your little brother to clean his room, and he just shoves everything under the bed. Remember the Akonta Mining mess? The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources said it was illegal, but then the President turned around at a Catholic priests’ conference and said, “Nah, it’s all good.” It’s giving mixed signals, and honestly, it’s like watching someone say they’re fasting while sneaking meat pie and energy drink.

But Otumfuo isn’t about that life. Dr. Ashigbey is practically begging other leaders to take notes because if others don’t follow, we’re looking at an ecological disaster bigger than the mess left after a wild party.

Dr. Ashigbey is ready to rally the troops – civil society, lawyers, religious bodies, everyone – to join the fight. It’s like we’re forming the Avengers, but instead of battling Thanos, we’re taking on galamsey. The clock is ticking, and if we don’t act now, we’ll be left with nothing but memories of what Ghana’s beautiful landscapes used to look like. Read more

The World Bank is Watching

The World Bank’s got their eyes on Ghana’s funds, and they’re not letting anything slide. Robert Taliercio O’Brien made it clear that any misused money will need to be paid back – no excuses. The World Bank isn’t out here punishing governments but is keeping private firms in check to make sure nobody’s pocketing what isn’t theirs.

So if any money goes missing, and they ask, we better not start coughing and acting suddenly like we forget how to speak.

O’Brien was quick to point out that corruption is like that annoying fly at a picnic – it’s everywhere, even in his own country. But instead of swatting at it aimlessly, the focus is on using the power of justice and accountability to keep things in check.

The World Bank’s role in Ghana’s COVID-19 response came under the spotlight when an Auditor-General’s report raised a few eyebrows. But after a deep dive audit, it turned out that the $430 million the World Bank dished out was actually used properly, following all the rules.

Even with that cleared up, the World Bank isn’t taking its eyes off the pot. Former World Bank Country Director Frank Pierre Laporte had already given the thumbs-up on the fund’s usage back in June 2023. But they’re still cooking up a plan to avoid any future messes. As Ghana navigates the sometimes choppy waters of financial management, having the World Bank’s watchful eyes on deck is like having an expert navigator – making sure we don’t end up stranded on the rocks of corruption. Read more

CHECK OUT WHAT’S TRENDING

• Speaker “advises” MPs to stop collecting galamsey money for campaign

• Job Vacancies see a decrease

• Ghana to host Angola at Baba Yara tomorrow

NEWS SOURCES

Today’s stories are curated from:

1. www.myjoyonline.com

2. www.citinewsroom.com

3. www.norvanreports.com

4. www.channel1new.com