Former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo has cautioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to desist from pointing fingers at her for the party’s loss in the area.
In an interview with JoyNews, she noted that she played no role in the defeat, adding that it is illogical for her to be held responsible.
She mentioned that the party has been unfair to her despite her twelve years hard work, sacrifices, and devotion, expressing disappointment over being overlooked and unappreciated for her contributions.
According to Adwoa Safo, she finds no interest in contesting for the Dome-Kwabenya seat but hinted that her decision could change if her father intervenes.
She highlighted the strong legacy she has built for her constituents, confident that her impact will be remembered for years to come.
“Before the recent primaries I had many issues going on internally. I was branded as unpopular, I was branded ungrateful to the party. I was branded as somebody the people will appall. The people will reject, the people are not willing to see my face in the constituency. So it was a party decision and they brought all the machinations that they had at their disposal to make sure we kick Adwo Safo out by hook or crook.
“Forgetting that you will be the delegate album that you will manipulate but at the end of the day you will present the candidate to the larger picture which is the larger electorate. And somebody who has become unpopular, somebody who has been so unfaithful to the party. I was supposed to be present at our campaign rallies in the constituency and so our defeat is caused by my absence. I don’t see the logic in this.
“Considering what I have been through, considering how I have been treated in the constituency, despite my devotion, despite my sacrifices, despite my hard work, how I have been treated, I don’t think so I won’t. It will take my father to change my mind. I have done twelve years and I have left a good legacy for the constituency. I will not contest Dome-Kwabenya. I am moving forward. I am looking at other bigger things,” she added.
She alleged that some party officials deliberately sabotaged her who believed they had been treated unfairly by her.
Despite her attempts to reconcile, she believes their actions played a significant role in her electoral defeat. On January 27, 2024, Adwoa Safo lost the NPP parliamentary primary to Mike Oquaye Jnr., CEO of the Free Zones Authority, who won with 1,194 votes.
She placed second with 328 votes, while Sheela Oppong Sakyi secured just over 100 votes, finishing third.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Dome-Kwabenya constituency, Mike Oquaye Jnr., has applauded the success of the recent Homowo community clean-up exercise, which took place on July 2, 2024.
The event, held at Dome Crossing, was spearheaded by Oquaye Jnr. following a directive from Ga Mantse, King Nii Tackie Tsuru II.
The clean-up initiative saw a remarkable turnout of volunteers who dedicated their time to enhancing the cleanliness of their environment.
This collective effort was part of the preparations for the upcoming Homowo festival, a significant traditional celebration for the Ga people.
In a Facebook post following the exercise, Mike Oquaye Jnr. expressed his heartfelt thanks to the volunteers for their commitment and hard work.
“We were joined by an amazing group of dedicated volunteers who came together to clean and beautify our streets and public spaces,” he wrote. “It was truly inspiring to see everyone’s enthusiasm and hard work as we prepare for the upcoming festive celebrations.”
He highlighted the importance of sustaining such communal efforts to ensure a lasting positive impact on the community.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every person who rolled up their sleeves and joined us in this effort. Let’s keep up this great work and continue making a positive impact on our community!” he added.
The clean-up exercise is a testament to the community’s dedication to maintaining a healthy and pleasant environment, reflecting the spirit of unity and cooperation in Dome-Kwabenya.
As the Homowo festival approaches, the clean-up initiative not only beautifies the area but also fosters a sense of pride and collective responsibility among residents.
Angry residents near the Dome Parakou Estate Junction blocked a major road to protest a poorly constructed drainage system installed months ago.
The residents claim the construction was inadequate, leaving them vulnerable to flooding whenever it rains heavily. They report that the substandard drainage causes their homes to flood, resulting in property damage.
“It was around 3:30 am that the rain started and the rainwaters came and flooded everywhere. I am a mechanic and I am lucky that there were no cars here when the flood came else it would have spoilt them.
“The contractor working on the bridge is to blame. The bridge is too small, he should have raised it and so we are begging the government to let him raise the bridge just like it has been done at Alajo and Achimota,” a resident, Enoch Sarpei told Channel One TV‘s Samuel Ackom.
The Municipal Director for Ga East of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Seth Kofi Osei Kissi, noted that efforts to educate the residents about the risks and to encourage them to relocate have been ongoing but met with resistance.
“I had a distress call around 5:30 am that residents of Christian Village, a community at the boundary between Dome-Kwabenya and Okaikoi North have blocked the road with containers and barrels and cars were not moving meanwhile that place is a busy point and so there was heavy traffic there in the morning. It took the intervention of one NADMO man who engaged the people before they could move things and allow traffic to follow.
“We have gone there to educate them that the rains will be heavy this year and so they should move away from there because when it rains, it floods there up to window level but they are still living there.”
Homeowners and residents residing in the Agbogba Cosway area within the Dome Kwabenya constituency in the Greater Accra Region have taken it upon themselves to address the deplorable state of the road extending from the Agbogba Police Post intersection to the Academic City University intersection.
Having endured substandard road conditions for an extended period without government intervention, the 350 residents and homeowners decided to initiate construction efforts independently, utilizing their own financial resources.
Pooling together an amount close to GH¢80,000, the community members have engaged the services of a contractor to undertake the necessary road improvement works on their behalf.
An Executive Member of the Resident’s Association of Agbogba Cosway, Jerry Odotei, expressed disappointment in the government’s lack of attention to the community’s infrastructure development needs.
He highlighted the adverse impact of the dilapidated road on residents’ health, emphasizing that their vehicles had suffered damage due to the poor road conditions.
Mr. Odotei explained that despite their numerous attempts to draw the government’s attention to the road’s condition, all efforts had proven futile. Consequently, the community mobilized funds to address the issue independently.
“Our road is part of the ECOWAS Highways, which was constructed to a certain point. The Agbogba Police Post intersection to the Academic City University intersection was neglected. We have been complaining to get it fixed, but all efforts have proved futile,” said Mr. Odotei.
He disclosed that the community raised GH¢45,000 in the initial phase of mobilization and an additional GH¢32,000 in the second phase.
With these funds, they have hired a contractor to begin the road repair work, starting with the use of a grader and the purchase of necessary materials.
Mr. Odotei emphasized that there is more work to be done and called on individuals and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to provide assistance in addressing the overall road conditions in the community.
The Residents’ Association of Agbogba Cosway made a plea for help, expressing their sense of neglect by the authorities.
“All our vehicles are now faulty due to the bad roads, and we have been cut off from other communities including Ashongman Estates, Kwabenya, Ashaley Botwe, and beyond. So we decided to fix the roads ourselves by mobilizing some funds. In the first mobilization, we got GH¢45,000, and in the 2nd phase of mobilization, we had GH¢32,000. This morning we hired a grader and bought some stones. The contractor is working on the road.”
“We still need help; we have been neglected,” the Residents’ Association of Agbogba Cosway appealed.
A community health nurse in Bonkro, Eastern Region, Yunbow Michael Jordan, has assisted a pregnant woman to deliver in a tricycle due to a lack delivery bed available at the CHPs compound facility.
On December 29, 2023, Justina Kwame, 32, arrived at the facility, intending to give birth. Unfortunately, the lack of a delivery bed led Nurse Yunbow Michael Jordan to transport her to Maame Krobo clinic.
Surprisingly, labor commenced around 10:00 am during their journey. Undeterred by the challenging circumstances, Nurse Yunbow Michael Jordan successfully delivered the baby boy in the tricycle.
Post-delivery, both mother and newborn were promptly transferred to Maame Krobo clinic for further medical attention.
Nurse Jordan shared the challenging situation, explaining, “they came to Bonkro to deliver, but we don’t have a delivery bed, so we were taking her to Krobo when labor set in, and I had to deliver her in the tricycle. We didn’t have water and other delivery items with us, but we managed. When we reached the next community, we requested water to keep both mother and baby clean.”
This incident highlights the healthcare challenges faced by communities in the Afram Plains South Area, characterized by poor roads and insufficient access to health facilities and midwives.
Nurse Yunbow Michael Jordan, a BSc. Public Health student nurse at Wisconsin International University College, has a history of such delivery interventions.
In 2018, he assisted a pregnant woman in labor while en route to Dome, a remote community in the area, underscoring the persistent challenges in the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
Statistics from the Eastern Regional Health Directorate reveal alarming figures of maternal deaths. In 2021, 89 institutional maternal mortalities were recorded, and between January to September in 2022, 62 cases were reported.
Expressing deep concern over the high number of maternal mortality in the region, the Eastern Regional Health Director, Dr. Winfred Ofosu, emphasized the significant social implications for families and communities.
He highlighted the ripple effect on children left orphaned, husbands losing wives, and the overall societal impact.
Dr. Ofosu stressed the link between maternal deaths and high disability rates among women. Each maternal death, he noted, is associated with approximately 15 more women experiencing various forms of disabilities resulting from pregnancy or childbirth complications.
To address this pressing concern, the Eastern Regional Health Directorate of Ghana Health Service launched the “Zero Tolerance for Maternal Deaths” initiative in 2022, under the theme “Stop Preventable Maternal Deaths and Disability.”
Dr. Ofosu emphasized that many maternal deaths are preventable, pointing to issues like blood shortages in health facilities, and delays in transporting and referring pregnant women due to poor road networks and inadequate ambulances.
In recognition of Emmanuel Ofosu-Acheampong’s professionalism and bravery, the Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Kwame Asuah Takyi, has promoted him to the rank of Assistant Immigration Control Officer I (AICO I).
When a young female student was believed to be being kidnapped while traveling by public transportation (Trotro) from Nsawam to Dome in June 2023, AICO I Emmanuel Ofosu-Acheampong of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), stationed at the Kasoa Command in the Central East Region, acted on his gut feelings and prevented the kidnapping.
The Comptroller-General honored the courageous officer on behalf of the National Immigration Management Committee, according to a formal statement signed by Chief Superintendent Amoako Atta, the Head of Public Affairs.
Mr. Takyi expressed his respect for the officer’s alertness and prompt action in saving the young student from the alleged abductors.
He continued by expressing his surprise at the news’ viral nature across so many media channels.
“Notwithstanding the risks involved on a busy road, the Officer, AICO I Emmanuel Ofosu-Acheampong acted responsibly and timely, garnering commendation from the public, security experts and opinion leaders nationwide,” the Comptroller-General said.
Mr. Takyi asked the newly promoted Officer to continue setting a good example wherever he goes and to raise the GIS flag even higher.
He counseled him to take courage from the promotion and keep up his discipline.
“Don’t let this elevation get into your head and become arrogant but rather be humbled and continue to be a worthy ambassador of the Service,” he advised.
AICO I Emmanuel Ofosu-Acheampong received a promotion in addition to a plaque, certificate, and citation in honor of his bravery.
Some traders at the DomeMarket in Accra have admitted to overpricing their products in order to stay in business in the wake of the current economic crisis.
They disclosed this during an interaction with the Independent Ghana’s Jessie Ola-Morris, who paid a visit to the market on November 20, 2022.
The visit followed speculation that some traders are taking advantage of the economic crisis to price their products at exorbitant rates in order to make more profit.
Ghana’s economic woes continue to worsen unabated, despite various measures taken by the government to curb inflation and mitigate the hardships. Inflation remains high, and the prices of fuel and other essential commodities continue to surge.
A (25-litre) gallon of vegetable oil, which was selling for GHC360 at the beginning of the year, was increased to GHC600 in October and is now going for GHC1,000 and over. A bag of 5kg rice which was previously sold at GHC40 at the beginning of the year is now GHC105 and above.
Latest statistics from the Ghana Statistical Service indicate that the national Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) for the country reached a startling 40.4 percent rate in October 2022.
The hikes in fuel prices and the poor performance of the cedi against major currencies are the main contributing factors to the hikes in food prices.
As an import-driven economy that largely relies on international currency such as the U.S dollar ($), demand for such currencies has peaked in recent times, weakening the local currency (i.e the Ghana Cedi). The dollar, which used to sell at GHC5.87 at the beginning of the year, is now selling at GHC113.11 (interbank rate) and GHC114.85 at the forex bureau.
Amidst the hardships, traders have been accused of compounding the woes of the ordinary Ghanaian by overpricing their products in order to make enormous profits.
During a visit to Dome Market, some traders refuted the claim, however, others also conceded to overpricing their products in order to stay in business.
A baby diaper retailer, Auntie Yaa, who asserted that traders are not to blame for the development, explained factors that largely affect the pricing of products.
She used herself as an example to demonstrate how the cost of transportation heavily influences her pricing strategy.
Auntie Yaa mentioned that she buys a pack of diapers at GHC100 from the wholesale shop and slaps an amount of GHC10 on each pack to cover the operational cost, which includes the cost of transport and other expenses involved in getting the products to their final destination (i.e the Dome Market).
“[After] I deduct these expenses from the GHC10 I’m able to make a profit of GHC5 from each pack, then I’m okay,” she said.
She was however baffled over the fact that the prices of the products are not stable on the market: “You make a purchase today and the next day you go back to the market to buy the same product and the price has shot up drastically, that disturbs us a lot,” she lamented.
Her other concern was with how some traders hoard their products and sell them later at exorbitant prices when demand is high. She, thus, called on the government to implement measures to curb such activities.
Another trader, Mary Oforiwaa, did not mince words about the fact that some unscrupulous traders are taking advantage of the free market to overprice their products.
“Undoubtedly, times are hard and when we lament we are told Ghana is not the only country facing an economic crisis but I think we traders are part of the problem. We are doing what we like. Even with transportation that is regulated by GPRTU, every driver has his (/her) own fare they charge, so the government is not solely to blame for the hardships. And with traders, we also price our products how we like,” she said.
Proposing a solution, she called on the government to implement a strategy adopted by the Rawlingsregime. Recall that during the Rawlings administration some traders hoarded their products with the intention of selling them later at higher prices when the demand was high. However, the former President found this out, went for the products and conducted a clearance sale on them.
Going down memory lane to her youthful days, she mentioned that “growing up I witnessed the Rawlings regime and during that time, if you hoard your products with the intention of selling them later at an outrageous rate, Rawlings comes for the goods and sells them cheaply – ‘Donkomi’ (to wit clearance sale) – but this government has been dormant in this regard and as a result, everyone is doing what they like,” she said.
“But I believe things will go according to how it’s supposed to be when the government adopts the late former president’s strategy,” she said.
“There are traders who also have to consult other traders before they issue prices for their goods, and all these are not helping,” she lamented.
Kwabena Asiedu Nketiah, the third trader who spoke to the Independent Ghana, acknowledged that he prices his products at exorbitant rates, however, he attributed the development to the cedi-dollar depreciating rate and gross economic mismanagement by the government.
“Looking at the rate at which prices of products are increasing these days it’s above normal but then the dollar-cedi rate affects the prices. We import the products with dollars, so when the cedi falls against the dollar, the prices of our products also go up,” he added.
Additionally, he explained that overpricing the products was the only way to stay in business. According to him, traders risk losing their capital if they do not toe this line.
“With business, it is wrong to wait for your old goods to finish, go for another one before you increase the price of your products. You’ll run at a huge loss if you do that. The moment you hear of a price increment, you instantly have to adjust your prices to the new rate otherwise, you’ll collapse your business,” he said.
Ghana operates a free market. A free market is one where voluntary exchange and the laws of supply and demand provide the sole basis for the economic system, without government intervention. A key feature of free markets is the absence of coerced (forced) transactions or conditions on transactions. Consequently, traders largely decide how their products are priced.
We (the Independent Ghana) discovered that some traders are taking advantage of Ghana’s liberal market to overprice their products.
To curtail this, Martha Ofosuhemaa, another trader, suggested that the government should be keen on consulting manufacturers and market women regarding regulating the prices of products on the market.
She believes the solution to addressing the exorbitant rates at which goods are priced largely lies with manufacturers and market women.
If the prices of every product are embossed on its packaging, this will significantly help in regulating them to make them affordable, she noted.
“Take coke for instance, if the manufacturer writes on the label that the small bottle should be sold at GHC 3.50 pesewas, we traders will go for it and know that that is how we are supposed to sell it so we will,” she said.
“Government should also speak to the market women. I believe if such consultations and negotiations are held regularly, the prices of products on the market will drastically reduce,” she added.
Overpricing in one sector of the economy affects all other sectors since they are interrelated. Astronomical hikes in fuel prices influence transport fares, which in turn affect the prices of products on the market. This comes back to bite the ordinary Ghanaian since it escalates the cost of living. Consequently, Ghanaians continue to lament over the hardships and have on various occasions appealed to the government to roll out measures to check these developments on the market.
In recent times, government appointees have not been spared for either their poor performance or involvement in corrupt acts.
Even though there have been several dismissals by Akufo-Addo since he assumed office, Ghanaweb compiles a list of some government appointees who have been sacked in the last quarter of 2022.
Sarah Adwoa Safo
In July, 2022, Akufo-Addo relieved Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo, of her position as Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection.
Director of Communications at the Office of the President, Eugene Arhin, in a July 28, 2022 statement, indicated that the termination of her appointment was in accordance with Article 81 (a) of the Constitution.
“In accordance with Article 81 (a) of the Constitution, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has revoked the appointment of Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabena, as Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, with immediate effect.
“The Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, will continue to act as caretaker Minster for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, until such a time that President Akufo-Addo appoints a substantive Minister,” the statement read.
Her dismissal came at a time when Parliament was debating her continuous stay in the house after absenting herself for more than 15 sitting days without approval from the Speaker of Parliament.
Aside from the above, she was absent in her role as the Gender Minister as she was out of the office for a very long time after she requested an extended leave of duty.
Customs boss, Col. Damoah
On August, 2022, president Akufo-Addo asked the Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (rtd), to hand over his duties to the acting deputy commissioner.
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the president, Nana Bediatuo Asante, the notice of handing over was due to the expiration of his contract on October 13, 2021.
The dismissal of Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (rtd) came at the time he was being investigated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, for his role in corruption-related acts involving Labianca Company Limited.
A finding from the Office of the Special Prosecutor dated August 3, 2022, and titled: “Report of Investigation into Alleged Commission of Corruption and Corruption Related Offences involving Labianca Group of Companies and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority indicated among other things that the frozen foods company owner used her position to evade taxes.
Initially, while reacting to the report, the customs boss said any attempts by the Special Prosecutor to bring him down will not work.
“Three days ago a report purported to be coming from the Office of the Special Prosecutor trying to indict the Deputy Commissioner of Operations and myself [but] anybody who has read that report very well will know the basis of that,” he said while addressing some Senior Customs officers at a retreat in Kumasi.
“And luckily for Me, God is always on my side, before that report came that person had made a comment to some people who had come to tell me [that] he [Special Prosecutor] was going to publish that will discredit me…and I sent people to go and tell him that he is a small boy and I am older than him, I have lived a meaningful life and if he attempts to destroy me it won’t be easy for him. People have tried and I have survived and this one too I will survive it,” Col Damoah added.
Prof Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa
Prof Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, The Director General of Ghana Education Service is the latest victim of the sacked appointees.
Prof Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa was sacked by the President on October 17, 2022.
In a letter dated October 17, 2022, and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo terminated the appointment of the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa.
This brought the appointment of the GES boss, who was appointed in 2017, to an end.
According to ges.gov.gh, Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa was appointed as Acting Director-General by President Akufo-Addo in April 2017, and he assumed office on May 15, 2017.
He was subsequently confirmed as Director-General in October 2017.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya Sarah Adwoa Safo has bagged a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Procurement Law and Policy from the University of Nottingham.
She took to her Facebook page to announce this achievement with the caption, “What God cannot do does not exist.”
The lawyer who was the first Minister of State in Charge of Public Procurement in Ghana before her reappointment as Gender Minister has been away from the country for some months now.
Due to her long absence, the president revoked her appointment as Minister for Gender and Children.
The Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has reassured residents that the selected projects within her constituency to be completed within a year.
The legislator, during her tour in the Ga East Municipal Assembly, said: “the contract period for the roads is a year, the bridges six months or less. We are very hopeful that the contractors will do a good thing and work within the time frame. But there is a lot I know that is coming in this year.â€
She also applauded authorities for amicably resolving disputes arising from the breakdown of houses and properties to pave way for redevelopment projects.
She reassured residents whose areas have not received projects to not be worried as ongoing projects are in the pipeline.
Among the projects include Taifa Gye Nyame drains construction, Taifa Bankyease drains construction, Taifa Obohene Down drains construction, Kaiser Valley (Dome-Taifa Link Road) drains construction, Dome Crossing drains construction, Culvert and Proposed Footbridge Construction at Dome Hamburg School Area, Kwabenya road boundary, Abokobi-Teiman, Abokobi-Agbogba Road Construction, and Pantang Landfill-Agbogba road construction.
