First issue discussed was on the President's dismissal of three High Court judges following an expose by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas. Issues surrounding the Oslo property in Norway and Minority's claims that the Foreign Affairs Ministry is inflating figures; $3.5 million now going for of $12 million was also highlighted.
On Monday, December 17 there was drama on the floor of Parliament when the Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey attempted to move the appropriation bill for the purchase of a new Ghana mission building in Oslo, Norway but was confronted by the MP for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who raised concerns claiming government had inflated the price of the building it intends to use as a Chancery by over $8 million. Following the incident, the ministry issued a statement claiming it had not made any payment for the building even though an offer had been made, an offer they have rejected.
However, after calls by the minority demanding a national probe into the matter, President Akufo-Addo while addressing journalists at his media encounter said the allegations of price inflation in the purchase of the said property were baseless and that he would not be stampeded into instituting an inquiry into them. The controversy surrounding this issue seems unending as CSOs have all waded into it.
Discussions also focused on the President’s encounter with the media and reactions from journalists and Ghanaians alike. Described as the worst ever media engagement in the history of Ghana, the President was massively criticized for denying journalists the opportunity to ask ample questions though he could create enough time to read a long enough speech to the house. Aside that, CSOs came out condemning the President for some of the responses he gave to questions asked by the media.
The UNIPASS deal, medical drone and other trending topics also featured in Saturday’s edition of Newsfile.
