Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong has disclosed the identity of the man suspected to be involved in the Tracey-Mzbel sugar daddy feud.
The man, whose name has been concealed from the public, is rather preferred to be called ”Papa No” as Tracey Boakye in one of her rivalry episodes described him.
Since then, ”Papa No” has featured in both the entertainment and political arena.
There were however arguments about the identity of the man in question and the only thing made clear was that he is a prominent political figure and a wealthy man.
Well, all eyes were on Hon. Kennedy Agyapong to dig deep into the matter and establish the truth to Ghanaians; and as expected, the NPP MP did not disappoint.
He has satisfied the curiosity of most Ghanaians by shockingly claiming that Papa No is former President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the businessman cum politician, Mr. Mahama is the man that Tracey is involved with and he has allegedly bought two houses for the actress, one at Lakeside and another at East Legon where she currently stays.
The MP disclosed that former President Mahama bought Tracey’s house at East Legon for 450000 dollars.
The former President is also alleged to have financed Tracey’s restaurant and done a lot of good things for her.
Kennedy Agyapong also claimed that the actress has been blackmailing Mr. Mahama because she has given what is believed to be some damning videos and pictures of Mahama to some journalist to expose him if he doesn’t do her bidding.
He wondered how Ghanaians could look up to Tracey Boakye and her likes, by regarding them as celebrities and role models.
To him, ”these are cheap, cheap, cheap celebrities they call themselves in this country”.
”You call these celebrities? Ghana, you have a problem. You have these cheap ladies as your celebrities and role models? Then we have a problem in this country”, he exclaimed.
Mr. Agyapong vowed to fight for the former President saying Tracey is an ingrate and threatened to release the scandalous activities of the unidentified journalist in possession of John Mahama’s videos if he dares make them public.
”Upon all that the man has done for you; is this how to repay him?” he queried her.
Musician Mzbel has disclosed that former president, John Dramani Mahama has had a conversation with her as regards the altercation with actor and film producer Tracey Boakye.
The 40-year-old singer mentioned on Peace FM’s Entertainment Review, Saturday, that Mr. Mahama advised her but was tight-lipped when asked about details of her interaction with the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“He has advised me. I’ve heeded to his counsel and that’s why I’ve said I won’t post anything NDC on my page,” she remarked in local dialect Twi as monitored by GhanaWeb. “And I believe I’m not the only person he’s spoken to; I believe he’s spoken to a lot of people who are involved in this issue.”
According to Mzbel, the controversies associated with her brand appear to be affecting the NDC hence her decision to not post anything associated with the party on her social media platforms again.
“I’m worried,” she responded when asked if she thinks her banter with Tracey Boakye is making the NDC look bad. “That is why I’ve decided not to post anything NDC on my page because it will attract a lot of insults. So, the best I can do for my party is to stay out. If I’m to do something, I’ll execute it behind the scenes.”
The musician, in casual apparel with a headgear and sunglasses to match, continued: “There are some prominent people who admired both of us. They are disappointed that even if there had to be this scuffle, the timing is wrong. It gets me worried.”
It would be recalled that the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) suspended Tracey Boakye after she feuded with Mzbel. The actress who is also known to be a supporter of Mahama had in series of video clips launched scathing attacks on Mzbel over their relationship with a married man.
Speculations were rife ‘the man’ [translated in Twi as ‘papa no’] at the centre of the controversy was a former president but Mzbel says her preference cannot be same as Tracey’s.
“Honestly, I have no idea the kind of man Tracey Boakye is talking about,” Mzbel said in an interview with Graphic Showbiz. “The men I date are not her type and I wonder why she would say she has snatched my boyfriend from me.”
“My man likes slim ladies and she is not slim. If she claims she has taken over my boyfriend who provides everything for her why is she still not okay but is saying things that I have no idea about?” a puzzled Mzbel asked.
Address To The Nation By The President Of The Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, On Updates To Ghana’s Enhanced Response To The Coronavirus Pandemic, On Sunday, 16th August, 2020.
Fellow Ghanaians, good evening.
Today is the fifteenth (15th) time, since the virus came to our country some five (5) months ago, that I have come to provide you with the status of our co-ordinated efforts to defeat COVID-19. I must thank you, again, for welcoming me into your homes, and I must repeat how proud I am to be your President in these difficult times. I appeal to all of us to continue in our individual and collective efforts to help contain the spread of the virus in our country.
We have been through several phases of the fight against the pandemic, we have put in place restrictions to our everyday lives, indeed, of which some still remain, and we have gradually moved to restoring normalcy in some aspects of our lives. Over the last few weeks, the cap on the number of persons going to church and mosque has been lifted, albeit with strict social distancing; our final year students in university, senior and junior high schools have returned to school to write their final examinations; and the Electoral Commission has just completed the successful compilation of a voters’ register ahead of the conduct of the 2020 general elections in December.
On behalf of the people of Ghana, I congratulate warmly the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, her two Deputies, Dr. Eric Asare Bossman and Mr. Samuel Tettey, and the entire Commission for the efficient, safe, transparent nature of the registration exercise, where, for the first time in our nation’s history, Ghanaians were provided with daily updates of the numbers of eligible voters registered, together with specific age, gender, regional breakdowns, and breakdowns of identity documents. All eligible voters were given the unfettered opportunity to register, a process that was fully embraced by the mass of the citizenry. Of course, there were genuine and understandable concerns about conducting such a complex exercise, involving millions of citizens, at this time. But, at the end of the day, Ghanaians did their civic duty, by going out to register, having found that the process was overwhelmingly orderly, peaceful and safe.
However, there were those who expressed various degrees of hysteria and negativity towards the exercise, with some, who swore heaven and earth to resist the compilation of the register at the peril of their lives, ending up registering. There were also those who offered delicate, personal sacrifices in the event of the register, again, ending up registering. And, there were those who claimed that, in the midst of a pandemic, the registration exercise should not be conducted, with some warning of an “explosion” in our case count and very high numbers of deaths, should the exercise go ahead. By the grace of God, the work of the Electoral Commission, and the effective measures put in place by Government, these prophecies of doom did not materialise. There were, nonetheless, deeply regrettable, isolated incidents of violence, which I condemn unreservedly, and which I expect the Police to deal with without fear or favour, but the exercise was generally peaceful.
The Ghanaian people have, by the conduct of this exercise, demonstrated our commitment, once again, to consolidating our status as a beacon of democracy on the continent and in the world. The professional Jeremiahs and naysayers, who seek, cynically, to make a profitable industry out of spreading falsehoods, fear and panic, stoking divisive, ethnic sentiments, underestimate the resolve and the determination of Ghanaians to build a united, democratic, peaceful, prosperous, and happy Ghana. We will continue to work hard to prove them wrong.
Fellow Ghanaians, when I delivered Update No. 14, some three (3) weeks ago, I indicated that a closer look at the data points to the fact that we are steadily on the path towards limiting and containing the virus, and, ultimately, defeating it, and requested all of us to pay particular attention to the number of active cases.
As at 24th July, the number of active cases, i.e. persons with the virus, stood at three thousand, three hundred and seven (3,307). As at Saturday, 15th August, three weeks later, the number of active cases stands at one thousand, eight hundred and forty-seven (1,847). This is a clear indication that Government policies are working.
Currently, there are no recorded COVID-19 cases in the North East, Savannah, Upper East and Upper West Regions, and I charge their residents to do everything possible to maintain that situation. Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Eastern, and Western continue to be the Regions with the highest number of active cases. Thus far, a total of forty thousand, five hundred and sixty-seven (40,567) persons have recovered from the virus. This means our recovery rate has improved from eighty-nine-point five percent (89.5%) to ninety five point one percent (95.1%) in three weeks. Our death rate continues, mercifully, to be low at zero-point five percent (0.5%). Happily, there are no backlogs of tests at any of our testing centres, meaning that situational reports are up to date. Indeed, tests results that used to take weeks are now available within forty-eight (48) hours. We have, so far, conducted four hundred and twenty-seven thousand, one hundred and twenty-one (427,121) tests.
These statistics undermine, as unfounded, the claim that Ghana has lost the battle to defeat COVID-19. There can only be one simple reason for this baseless assertion, and that is political expediency. But, as I have said before, do not begrudge those who make such statements, they need to make them to continue to try to stay relevant.
Our health workers will forever be in our debt, for the dedication they have put in to ensure these impressive statistics. We can help them even further by continuing to adhere to the social distancing and hygiene protocols we have instituted to stem the tide of infections.
I have been encouraged by the results of a recent survey conducted by the Ghana Health Service into the use of face masks at selected locations in Accra in the month of August. It revealed that the overall intention to use face masks at the sites surveyed was very high, with eighty-two percent (82%) of persons surveyed possessing a mask. I believe we can do even more, and reach one hundred percent (100%). However, the same survey demonstrated that only forty-four-point three percent (44.3%) of those who have the mask use them correctly. I urge each and every one of us to wear our masks, and do so correctly anytime we leave our homes. It is the new normal requirement of our daily existence until the virus disappears.
Our phased approach towards returning our lives to normal, through the strategic, controlled, progressive, and safe easing of restrictions, will, thus, continue. Most final year university students have already completed their examinations, and, by 18th September, SHS 3 and JHS 3 students would have finished their respective final examinations of WASSCE and BECE.
As a result of reports I have recently received that some final year JHS students were going hungry, in complying with COVID-19 protocols, I have just instructed the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection to begin preparations to ensure that, as from 24th August up to 18th September, all five hundred and eighty-four thousand (584,000) final year JHS students, and one hundred and forty-six thousand (146,000) staff, both in public and private schools, be given one hot meal a day. This is to ensure full observance of the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Through online learning portals, almost all continuing students in our Universities have completed their studies for the academic year. The exceptions are the University of Cape Coast, the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Technical Universities, and some other Colleges. After extensive stakeholder consultations, the decision has been taken for continuing students in these tertiary institutions to return to school, on 24th August, to finish their academic year.
Just as was done for final year students who returned to school, Government, through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, will ensure that all these tertiary institutions are disinfected. Universities will be equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment, and those with their own hospitals and clinics will have isolation centres to deal with any positive cases. All other institutions, without their own clinics and hospitals, will be mapped to health facilities. There will be no mass gatherings and no sporting activities. Religious activities, under the new protocols, will be permitted. Social distancing and the wearing of face masks must become the norm on campus.
The Ministry of Education continues to engage the Ghana Education Service (GES) and all relevant stakeholders to conclude discussions on the modalities surrounding the reopening of our pre-tertiary schools. I will communicate, in due course, the decisions that will be reached from these consultations. You can be rest assured that I will always take into prime consideration the safety and wellbeing of our children, teachers and non-teaching staff in the decisions that will be taken, because I am determined to ensure that the education of our children is not unduly disturbed by this pandemic
I know many still ask when our borders, especially our international airport, Kotoka International Airport, will be open. Under my instructions, the Ministry of Aviation, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Airports Co. Ltd., have been working, with the Ministry of Health and its agencies, to ascertain our readiness to reopen our airport. I want to ensure that we are in a position to test every single passenger that arrives in the country to avoid the spread of the virus. The outcome of that exercise will show us the way, and determine when we can reopen our border by air. I am hoping that, by God’s grace, we will be ready to do so by 1st September.
Until further notice, our borders, by air, land and sea, remain closed to human traffic. For Ghana residents stranded abroad, special dispensation will continue to be given for their evacuation back to Ghana, where they will be subjected to the mandatory quarantine and safety protocols. Beaches, pubs, cinemas and nightclubs are still to remain closed until further notice.
The limit on the numbers of persons who can attend conferences, workshops and award events, has now been lifted, subject to the maintenance of social distancing amongst participants, fresh air ventilation of the premises, and a two-hour limit for each session.
I know that the pandemic has adversely affected many lives and livelihoods. It is for this reason that Government has implemented several measures such as free water and electricity, and funding to support small businesses, and tax reliefs, amongst others, to cushion the effect of the pandemic. We are not providing freebies, we are providing critical help to households, families and businesses, in the midst of this pandemic, because we care. It is my conviction that, in times of crises, it is the duty of a responsible and sensitive Government to protect the population, and provide relief.
Fellow Ghanaians, let us remember at all times that this phased opening up of our country continues to put an obligation and responsibility on each one of us to remain vigilant, and respect the enhanced hygiene, mask wearing and social distancing protocols that have become part and parcel of our daily routine. They are proving to be effective, so let us employ them wholeheartedly. That is the way we can restore, as quickly as possible, the blessings of normalcy for which we all yearn. There is no room for complacency, we must be very much on our guard, because some countries have experienced spikes after recording major achievements in containing the spread of the virus. We should not go down that road. Social distancing, enhanced hygiene and wearing of masks are obligatory for each one of us.
Anuanom, mesrɛ mo, nhyihyɛ aa yayɛ ɛfa masks noho, mondiso. Sɛ wofri efiye aa, hyɛ mask. ɛno ena ɛbɛbɔ yɛhu ban, ama yetumi apam yareɛ efri yeman mu.
Anyɛmimɛi, minkpa nyɛ fai, gbejianɔ ni wɔto kɛha masks ɛɛ, nyɛ yeanɔ. No ni baa wawɔ, ni wɔnyɛ wɔ shwie hela nɛɛ kɛjɛ wɔ man nɛɛ mli. Gamɛi ni yɛn ye Homowo, minha nyɛ fɛɛ afi oo afi.
Fellow Ghanaians, the remarkable nature of us, the Ghanaian people, the first colonised people in sub-Saharan Africa to gain their freedom and independence from foreign rule, is manifesting itself again. In the midst of the pandemic, we have been able to compile a voters’ register, arguably, the most credible voter register in our history; our democratic institutions continue to function effectively; there continues to be vigorous public debate on issues of public policy; respect for the rule of law continues to be central to our governance; our economy, despite the severe shocks of the pandemic, is proving to be resilient, and is poised for rapid recovery; our agriculture is performing so that, despite the disruptions of the pandemic, food is still abundant in our markets; and the virus itself is being fought systematically. Indeed, a stronger, healthier Ghana is being built before our very eyes, and the great majority of Ghanaians can see it. Let us continue down this path, so that the dreams of freedom and prosperity that inspired the great patriots, who founded our nation, can find expression in our generation.
We can do it, so let us continue to work hard towards attaining our goal.
This too shall pass! For the Battle is the Lord’s!!
Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says his ‘Papa no’ comment in Parliament on Friday was not meant to offend anybody.
According to him, the comment was made in jest.
“If you say something in jest, you do not mean it seriously,” the Ofoase Ayirebi MP said.
It found its way onto the floor of parliament as the House approved the Agyapa Royalties Limited agreement.The phrase ‘papa no’ has become popular on social media after actress Tracey Boakye used it repeatedly to describe a married man she claims she and musician Mzbel are in the same relationship with.
“Mr Speaker, I want to encourage my colleagues on the other side. I want to encourage my good friend who just spoke (John Jinapor). In my hometown, we will say, ‘Papa no.’ ‘Papa no.’ I want to encourage ‘Papa no’ to take some time and follow the structure of this conversation and support,” the Ofoase Ayirebi MP told the House.
Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu demanded he withdraws the comment else they won’t recognise him as a minister, and referred to him as ‘Maame no’. He does not understand why the minister will introduce popular phrases being used on social media in the house.
“You come to parliament to employ those words used on social media, we take strong objection to it. If you don’t withdraw, we won’t recognize you today as minister. We will not. Do what you will do,” Haruna Iddrisu said.
“From today, we won’t recognize you as minister of this republic. And we will not accord you any respect as minister. Let’s throw it to the dogs. What do you take us for? So, ‘Papa no’ accepted. But from today, we will not
“We will give you a name. We will give you a name. And we are serving notice, he was elected just like you. And his constituents respect him. Because you people use ‘Papa no’ on social media. We know what it means. We will match you. You have lost my respect as Minority leader from today. We will match with you. We too, we will call you ‘Maame no,” Mr. Iddrisu added.
Eventually, First deputy Speaker of Parliament Joe Osei Owusu ruled that sleeping dogs should be allowed to lie.
“The honourable minority leader’s anger, I pretended to overlook it because I think it’s in the spur of the moment. And knowing this house, tomorrow, we will get over it. But some insist on making an issue over it.
“I don’t think we will gain anything as a house by pretending this is new. And the threats don’t come to anything. So, the house will proceed,” he said.
The debate on the deal continued after that. Eventually, the Minority MPs walked out of the house in protest of the deal. But the majority went ahead to approve it.
After the approval was given, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah told the house; “Mr. Speaker, earlier, I was trying to catch your eye to request that the use of my expression which caused apprehension on the other side be expunged from the record. I didn’t mean it to offend anybody. It was in jest. And if anybody took offence to it, the records should reflect that it’s been expunged,” he said.
The debate on the deal continued after that. Eventually, the Minority MPs walked out of the house in protest of the deal. But the majority went ahead to approve it.
After the approval was given, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah told the house; “Mr. Speaker, earlier, I was trying to catch your eye to request that the use of my expression which caused apprehension on the other side be expunged from the record. I didn’t mean it to offend anybody. It was in jest. And if anybody took offence to it, the records should reflect that it’s been expunged,” he said.
Nigerian prophet, leader and founder of The Synagogue Church of All Nations, Temitope Balogun Joshua who’s well-known by many as TB Joshua has prophesied about Ghana’s upcoming 2020 general election. According to him, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by former President John Dramani Mahama will win the presidential election.
Not only did he talk about NDC winning the election, but he also added that the shock of it will cause the death of two (2) prominent and well-known members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to the founder of Nigeria’s megachurch, not only has he seen this vision one but many. And he has other junior pastors who have seen the same vision.
He went on to admonish Christians in Ghana and around the world to intercede on behalf of the death that proceeds winning the election. But with the winning of the election, he added, nothing can change about that.
The Electoral Commission has revealed that the mop up exercise scheduled for the 8th and 9th August will take place at its District Offices and not registration centres as expected by the public.
Speaking on the Morning Starr Thursday, the Director of Public Affairs for the Electoral Commission, Sylvia Annor said the EC has taken the decision to conduct the mop up exercise at the district offices.
Madam Annor has also urged eligible voters who are yet to register to go out and register since today, Thursday, August 6th is the last day for the voters registration exercise.
“I’d like to appeal to all qualified persons who haven’t registered yet to go to their various registration centers and register because today happens to be the last day, even though there’s a mop-up exercise on 8th & 9th.
“Initially, we decided to do a blanket mop-up but knowing the situation on the ground and the fact the numbers are diminishing, we decided to do it at the district offices,” She told sit-in host Lantam Papanko.
At least 15.1 million Ghanaian voters have been registered as of Saturday, August 1, 2020.
The figure means that the EC has already crossed its projected 15 million mark.
This will account for the significant portion of the projected 17 million figure of Ghanaians currently over the age of 18.
Statistical analysis has revealed that the opposition National Democratic Congress has a slight edge over the ruling New Patriotic Party in the upcoming December elections.
Data by the Governance Research Bureau shows that the NDC must put in a little effort to win the upcoming December polls but the NPP will have to do much more than the NDC to retain power.
Speaking on the Morning Starr on Thursday, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante of the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana said the data reveals that “if both parties would all work towards the average module in 2020, it’s likely to go into a run-off but the NDC has a close edge.”
Dr Asah-Asante added that research has shown that if any party wants to win elections, that political party must have appealing conversations around the economy.
Dr. Ezekiel Nii Nortey Senior Lecturer, Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Ghana added that “the thing is, people have lost their jobs during this pandemic so if you don’t initiate policies that can cushion them, it goes against you but if you are able to provide policies to cushion them, they see you as a listening government.”
Dr Nortey added that there are three components to enable any of the political parties to win an election in Ghana.
He said “You must do well in your stronghold, your opponent’s stronghold and in the swing regions,” adding that “even the way this government deals with the pandemic could change the dynamics during elections.”
A reporter with the Daily Graphic in Koforidua, Damalie Emmanuel Pacome, has been attacked by students of Bright Senior High School in Akyem Kukurantumi.
The students holding Knives, cutlasses, sticks and stones chased the Journalist who was in the school to verify reports of attacks on invigilators by the students.
They reportedly accosted and seized his mobile phone in the school. Sensing danger, the Journalist took to his heels for safety but was pursued for about 15 minutes by the mob of students from the school towards the Kukurantumi township.
Some of the students reportedly jumped on a motorbike to cross the Journalist on the way and hit him several times with sticks, seized his bag and attempted to lynch him but a Commercial driver rescued him into his vehicle.
The Journalist is visibly injured with cuts on the face and part of the body.
The journalist has lodged an official report at the Kukurantumi Police station where he has been issued Police Medical forms for treatment at the Community Hospital at Akyem Kukurantumi.
Starr News Eastern Regional Correspondent Kojo Ansah reports that the students were heard saying “we have paid Ghc6000 bribes each you Journalists want us to fail. We will beat you up”.
Background
Some candidates of the ongoing West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination clashed with invigilators at Bright SHS in Akyem Kukurantumi over alleged intimidation.
The Swift intervention by Armed Police Personnel from Akyem Tafo and Some BNI officials helped restore calm Thursday Morning.
According to the students, the special deployment of external invigilators supervising the examination have been very strict disallowing them to even go out to urinate. The students say the situation is affecting them psychologically hence unable to write the exams
Meanwhile, there is similar tension building up at Only Believe Senior High Technical School, a private school in Akyem Kukurantumi over similar alleged intimidation.
Little over 1000 candidates are sitting the exams in the school. Some of the students on Wednesday protested against the situation
The Ministry of Aviation has debunked claims that Ghana’s border entry points will be reopened next week. They have labelled the suggestions as false, and urged that they be disregarded by the public.
This follows news circulating on various social media platforms claiming ‘government was considering reopening’ Ghana’s borders in the wake of the coronavirus-induced closures to human traffic.
According to a circular issued and signed by the Public Relations Officer at the Aviation Ministry, Madeleine Insaidoo, the sector minister, Joseph Kofi Adda has in no way stated, granted an interview or issued a press release to that effect for the reopening of the country’s borders.
“The Ministry wishes to inform the general public that the above news item is false and that no point in time has Hon. Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister for Aviation stated this in any interview or press release. So, it should be disregarded,” the circular read.
For now, Ghana’s borders will remain closed to human traffic despite government’s resolve to repatriate some stranded Ghanaians citizens from abroad in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, earlier on June 16, 2020 at the Ministers press briefing, disclosed that some 856 Ghanaians citizens who had been stranded abroad due to the pandemic have since returned.
Citizens returning from abroad and foreign nationals with Ghanaian residence permits will be subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine period, should they show symptoms of the virus. .
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has unveiled the first Volkswagen vehicle to be assembled in Ghana, following the establishment of the VW assembly plant in Ghana.
At the unveiling ceremony, held at the Kempinski Hotel, on Monday, 3rd August 2020, President Akufo-Addo expressed his delight at the decision taken by Volkswagen “to assemble a number of its brands right here in Ghana, not only for domestic use, but also for the West African market.”
It will be recalled that on Thursday, 30th August 2018, at the invitation of the President, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, paid a brief visit to Ghana, where an agreement was reached between Government, Volkswagen and its Ghanaian partner for the assembly, and, ultimately, the production of VW vehicles in the country.
According to President Akufo-Addo, there were many who expressed doubts about the feasibility of such an assembly plant being established in Ghana; and there were those who, for narrow, partisan considerations, described this announcement as nothing but a hoax, which would never see the light of day.
“Two years on, we have confounded the doubting Thomases, and I am happy to be here this morning to launch, officially, the first Volkswagen vehicle that has been assembled in our country. It is a good day for Mother Ghana,” he added.
VW’s presence in Ghana, President Akufo-Addo noted, has been facilitated by Government’s bold move to develop the Ghana Automotive Development Policy, under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, with generous fiscal incentives.
“It is gratifying to note that VW is going beyond the ‘Beetle’ to assemble in Ghana other brands, namely Tiguan, Teramont, Amarok, Caddy, Polo and Passat. Volkswagen means ‘The People’s Car’, so I am expectant that the brands being assembled in Ghana will not only be affordable, but also be of the highest quality,” he added.
The President assured Volkswagen Ghana that Government will continue to support the company in diverse ways to ensure the sustainability and profitability of this venture in Ghana.
To this end, he indicated that the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare has issued, recently, a new directive to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and, indeed, to the Public Procurement Authority, to give first preference to the acquisition of locally assembled vehicles, when public funds are used to buy vehicles.
“Additionally, the Minister for Finance, in his excellent Mid-Year Budget Review Statement to Parliament, indicated that Government is going to establish an Automobile Industry Development Support Centre, which will, amongst others, co-ordinate the technical processes for licensing domestic vehicle assemblers and manufacturers, and monitor, also, their compliance with industry regulations and standards,” he said.
“It is worth noting that, already, a Ghanaian owned company, the Kantanka Group, is in possession of a license to undertake auto-assembly operations in Ghana. I believe the development and modernisation of the industry present a “win-win” opportunity for both foreign and local companies engaged in the industry value chain,” he said.
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