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DEEP DIVE
Ghana’s 'Paralympic Team' decided to pull off the ultimate disappearing act in Norway, and it’s a saga straight out of a thriller. This story unfolded over the weekend. But it’s too dramatic too not let you in.
CHAPTER 1 – FOR THE VANISHING
First off, these guys managed to score visas from the Norwegian Embassy in Accra to join the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon in Oslo. They touched down in Norway on April 25, 2024, but instead of hitting the track, they vanished into thin air.
They ghosted the event and dipped. Trying so hard not to say run away. Out of the eleven members, not a single one registered for the marathon. Only Nana Antwi got nabbed trying to sneak into Sweden on a one-way train ticket. Seriously, dude?
Meanwhile, the team's coach, George Gyamfi Gyasi, tragically passed away at Oslo University Hospital after collapsing just days after their arrival. As if things couldn’t get any crazier. Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter. Is it? Now, Norway’s got their eyes peeled, hunting these absconders like it's the next big manhunt. Read more
CHAPTER 2 - ANGER & DENIAL
National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah isn’t taking this lightly. He’s alerted Western Diplomatic Missions and the European Border Coast Guard agency to catch these guys. It’s gotten so bad that Ghana’s Ministry of Youth and Sports is acting like Pontius Pilate, washing their hands clean and telling Ghanaians, “Please oo, we don’t know anything about this one!” According to them, the Ministry usually, they get formal requests to assist with visas and travel for official events, but this time, they were left in the dark. Read more
CHAPTER 3 - PACK YOUR THINGS AND GO HOME
Adding to the chaos, the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) suspended officials for faking documents to secure those visas. They’ve handed this hot mess over to the police for a full-blown investigation. Embassies are now on high alert, double-checking any visa requests from supposed athletes to avoid another fiasco.
This scandal is blowing up, and it’s not just about these missing team members. It’s threatening to mess up future opportunities for real athletes needing visas for international competitions. Read more
🚑 The $34M Ambulance Mystery
So, North Tongu's MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is stirring the pot again with some eyebrow-raising revelations. He is saying, days before leaving office, Ken Ofori-Atta, our former Finance Minister, allegedly approved a $34 million deal for spare parts for 307 ambulances.
According to Ablakwa, the beneficiary, Service Ghana Auto Group Limited, got incorporated only a year after the original ambulances were bought. No competitive bidding here, no bargaining like our mothers taught us. Just a handpicked, sweet deal.
Ablakwa’s exposé suggests that this was a grand ‘lootocratic’ conspiracy with the outgoing Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu. Apparently, these two former ministers decided to exit with a bang by approving this questionable transaction. Ablakwa claims they have caused enough financial loss already, but this might just be the cherry on top. 🍒
In his Facebook post, Ablakwa mentioned that the finance minister instructed the Controller and Accountant-General to release $10 million, which was quickly processed and received by Service Ghana Auto Group Limited.
The amount approved translates to over $113,000 per ambulance for spare parts. Ablakwa pointed out that this is more than what a new, fully equipped modern ambulance would cost. So, why sign a deal for spare parts when you could get brand new ambulances for the same price or even less? 🤔
Ablakwa's also says he checked with Mercedes Benz ambulance dealers worldwide show that the deal doesn’t add up. Ablakwa promises to dig deeper into the company and its directors, hinting at more revelations to come. Check out the full story.
🚗 Hold Your Coins! No Transport Fare Hike... Yet
Your wallets can breathe a little easier today. The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana just pulled a major U-turn on their planned 15% transport fare hike that was supposed to hit us today🚦
Last week, rising fuel prices and the skyrocketing cost of spare parts had the drivers ready to up their fares. But after a serious huddle, they decided now’s not the right time to hit us with more bad news.
David Agboado, the smooth-talking Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Drivers Association, was like “We’ve all seen the prices going up – fuel, spare parts, you name it. But we figured dropping this fare hike bomb right now would just make things worse for everyone. So, we’re hitting the brakes,” he said. 🛑 Awwwnnn, seems like the concerned drivers asociation is really concerned about us.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) was like, “Chill out, everyone! Keep calm and pay the same old fares.” They want commuters to ignore any hike announcements for now. 📢
David also had a message for his fellow drivers: “Stay cool, guys. We decided on this together for everyone’s good. The right time will come for fare hikes, but it’s not today. So, keep charging the old rates and don’t get mad. Read more
K.T. Hammond vs. The Manufacturers
There’s a showdown brewing in the world of cement, and it’s heating up faster than a kiln. Our Trade and Industry Minister, K.T. Hammond, has thrown down the gauntlet against cement manufacturers who are trying to block a new Legislative Instrument (L.I.) aimed at regulating cement pricing. 🏗️🔥
What happened was, on Tuesday, July 9, K.T. Hammond laid down the L.I. in Parliament, and ever since, cement manufacturers have been shaking in their boots. They’re not too thrilled about this new regulation and have been running around trying to rally support to block it. But K.T. is standing firm. 💪
During a lively chat with the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry, K.T. spilled the tea. Apparently, some bigwigs are attempting to sway Members of Parliament to block the L.I. from becoming law. KT is like, “nice try, but not happening! 🚫🧱 “When it is laid, it is laid,” he declared. So, cement manufacturers better get used to it. 🏛️ Check out the full story
Africa's Got Money Issues – Akufo-Addo Wants It Fixed, ASAP!
President Nana Akufo-Addo is calling out all African leaders to stop the continent's massive cash leakage. At the AU Mid-Year Coordination meeting in Accra, he was talking about how illicit financial flows are robbing Africa of funds that could seriously boost development.
He didn't sugarcoat it – we need to clamp down on these dodgy dealings now. The Mbeki Commission flagged this issue back in 2011, yet we're still bleeding money.
Akufo-Addo has a slick idea: instead of parking 30% of our reserves in foreign banks, let's keep that dough in African banks. This would not only beef up our financial systems but also drive economic growth right here at home. Check out the full story
QUICK BYTE
Former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo is back in the spotlight, calling for the Audit Service Board to be scrapped. "This board is like that one annoying group project member who does nothing but insists on controlling everything," Domelevo probably thought (or said, but we’re paraphrasing here). Read the constitution, and you’ll see the Auditor-General is supposed to be a free bird, not a caged parrot," Domelevo said. (Again, not his exact words, but close enough.)
The Board has the power to recruit staff for AG and in his eyes, this is like giving your nosy neighbor a key to your house. Read more
Here’s something that’ll make you rethink your career choices: Guy Quecy, a popular TikToker, recently revealed that his daily earnings from TikTok can surpass three months' salary at his regular job. Yes, you read that right. One day on TikTok > three months at a 9-to-5. 😲💸Makes you wonder if it’s time to start perfecting those dance moves and viral challenges, huh? 🎶🕺 Read more
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is all set to hand over the keys to a brand-new housing project for the Ghana Police Service. 🚓🏡
This 320-unit project, which kicked off back in 2018, includes seven blocks of two-bedroom apartments and thirteen blocks of three-bedroom apartments. Each block contains sixteen apartments. It comes with a multipurpose sports facility, a kindergarten school, and other cool residential amenities. Read more
The Ghana Hoteliers Association is heating up! They’re ready to take legal action against the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for unpaid debts after the 13th African Games in Accra. 🏨💸 Hoteliers only received 20% of the agreed amount. They’re chasing the remaining 80% like it's the last jollof at a wedding! Read more
Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam is set to drop the 2024 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament tomorrow. Expect updates on government projections and the impact of the recent IMF balance of payment support. Read more
The Volta River Authority (VRA) has alerted the Chiefs and residents of Mepe about a minimal spillage this year. Despite reassurances, Togbe Korsi Nego IV and other leaders are worried about the potential impact. especially because last year’s call for a proactive committee to handle future spillages seems to have gone unanswered. The inter-ministerial committee set up has yet to engage with the affected communities. Read more
FACT OF THE DAY
The greatest year-round time difference on Earth is a whopping 26 hours? It’s true! Between Baker and Howland Islands (UTC-12) and the Line Islands of Kiribati (UTC+14),
Say you were a twin and lived on Baker Island, and your other twin lives on the Line Islands. While you are still celebrating your birthday on a Monday, your twin already celebrated their birthday a whole day earlier!
In fact, when it's 11:00 PM on Monday in Baker Island, it's already 1:00 AM on Wednesday in the Line Islands.
Traveling from Baker Island to the Line Islands means you don’t just skip ahead by two hours—you leap forward a whole day and then some!
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