General News of Saturday, 24 August 2019

Source: peacefmonline.com

I’m used to your ‘incompetent tag’ - Mahama jabs Bawumia

Former President John Mahama has said he is not bothered by Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s consistent referral to him as “The Incompetent One”.

“He calls me ‘The Incompetent One’. That really doesn’t bother me”, the flag bearer of the main opposition for the 2020 elections told his audience on social media during an interactive Facebook Live session on Thursday, 23 August 2019.

Commenting on the decision by Mr Mahama to stage a second comeback, Dr Bawumia said in October last year that: “I hear ‘The Incompetent One’ says he wants to come back. He wants to come and do more damage as if he didn’t do enough damage. Well, we’re waiting for him. Oh my God”.

Dr Bawumia made the comment when he spoke at a meeting with Metropolitan and Municipal District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Accra.

Mr Mahama, however, said his many years of being in politics has taught him to be civil in his language, adding that he would not go the way of Dr Bawumia.

“I’ve been in politics or in public service since 1996 and that is almost 23 years ago. I believe that we must always be responsible in our discourse and we must be civil in the way we address each other. And, so, I’m not a person who will go deriding anybody. I try to maintain the discourse at a level where people will listen and the discerning Ghanaian will make a choice and, so, it doesn’t matter who is uncivil to me or who abuses me or who throws insults at me.

“I know he calls me ‘The Incompetent One’ or something like that but it doesn’t really bother me. I think the people of Ghana are discerning and they can tell the contribution that I’ve made to our public service since I’ve been in politics. I will continue to respond as civilly and courteously as possible and I think that it’s for all politicians to learn. Politics need not be dirty.

We can play politics at a level that allows people who have the competence to come into it. It’s when it descends into insults that makes people who have the capacity to come and help run our public services want to stay away from politics and, so, let’s make it clean so that everybody can come in and participate”.

Every government must take responsibility - Mahama takes subtle swipe at Nana

Volume 90%

 

General News of Monday, 1 October 2018

Source: dailyguideafrica.com

2018-10-01

Free SHS to go! - Mahama threatens

Former President John Mahama has reiterated his aversion to the free Senior High School (SHS) policy, saying it will come under review if elected as president in 2020.

He hinted of the possible scrapping of the policy to allow for consultation before its reintroduction.

Former President Mahama said a proper timetable would be drawn after national consultation on the policy.

But President Akufo-Addo, who interacted with the Ghanaian community in Washington DC on Friday as part of his visit to the United States for the United Nations (UN) for the 73rd General Assembly, said free SHS policy has come to stay, warning that any attempt to tinker with the system by the future NDC administration would spell doom for the country.

Game-changer

“I am alarmed by this concept of review. This is because anytime our political opponents try anything of this sort; it leads the policy in question into coma. We all remember the NHIS One-Term premium payment review pledge. Not only did the review not materialize, but they also succeeded in degrading the policy,” the President declared.

He continued, “I honestly suspect reviewing the free SHS policy means collapsing it. But I doubt the Ghanaian people will allow this brilliant policy to be collapsed by anyone.”

Free SHS policy, he said, is a game-changer in the country’s development drive, explaining that Ghana needs an educated workforce.

According to Mr. Mahama, who has not hidden his disdain for the policy since the Akufo-Addo administration introduced it in 2017, the double-track system under the free SHS policy does not make sense.

Excessive Resources
Speaking to NDC supporters in Cape Coast as part of his tour of the Central Region ahead of the party’s presidential primaries, Mr Mahama explained that the introduction of the free SHS policy was ill-timed.

Under the policy, which was a major campaign promise of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), enrollment in secondary education has increased to 200,000.

Interestingly, the previous Mahama administration, during the 2016 electioneering campaign, trumpeted that he would fully start the free SHS policy if re-elected, raising questions about his sincerity.

He wondered why the current Akufo-Addo administration had committed excessive resources to the educational sector.

Former President Mahama also attributed the failure of the policy to the inability of the government to assemble experts and stakeholders at a national conference to deliberate on the policy.

Mr. Mahama disclosed that congestion in classes was evidence of the ill-planned free SHS policy, saying “Our NPP friends, they don’t listen to advice, they think they know everything.”

He criticized the double-track system that has been devised to ease congestion in schools to promote quality teaching.

“We just finished vacation. Children have been at home for nearly three months. It is time to go to school you say you have to stay at home for nearly 41 days and let your friends go.

“After 41 days, they will come home and sit down; it doesn’t make sense,” the former president, who is lacing his boots to contest the 2020 polls, added.

Nana Shocked

According to President Akufo-Addo, the Ghanaian people should be alarmed by the proposal of the NDC and its presidential aspirant, John Dramani Mahama, to review the free SHS policy which ensured that 270,000 more Ghanaian children gained access to senior high schools in 2017 and 2018.

The President said at the town hall meeting that the determination by some elements in the NDC to “review the free Senior High School policy, if voted into office, only means the eventual collapse of the policy.”

Explaining the rationale for the introduction of the free SHS policy, he stressed that prior to the implementation of the policy, an average of 100,000 Ghanaian students dropped out of school at junior high school level annually because their parents could not afford it.

“This obviously cannot be the level of education we dream of giving to our young generation in order for them to compete in the labour and ideas generation market that are excellently represented by continents such as Asia, America, Latin America, Europe, etc.,” he said.

“The decision, therefore, to implement the free SHS policy was a big decision because of its effect on our finances; I was particularly subjected to a lot of public ridicule.”

Naysayers

“The ‘policy is a hoax,’ the bearer is a liar, ‘it is undoable, ‘we need more time’, ‘it’s not a good idea, are just some phrases used, but this, obviously, is the nature of our politics so we understood.”

Double Track

As a result of the increase in enrollment, the President disclosed that his administration found a creative and innovative way of absorbing the large number of students, while at the same time putting in place a working plan to expand the existing infrastructure.

“I have always been encouraged by the attitude of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who took a decision on the grounds that empowerment of the young generation through education was very critical in nation-building even when there are challenges. He held the view that even though there were challenges, there was the need to still introduce the policy (Accelerated Development Plan for Education),” he said.

The President continued, “I naturally ascribe to the same school of thought that there may be few challenges, i.e. the high number with the introduction of Free SHS, and the high deficit in infrastructure at that level, nevertheless it is opening the gates for more young persons to have access. That’s exactly what we have done by introducing the double-track system.”

President Akufo-Addo insisted that there was absolutely nothing unusual about the double-track system, since it has worked very well in many countries that have practised it effectively.

To guarantee the success of the system, the President revealed that over 8,000 more teachers are being recruited to cater for the shortfall in teaching personnel.

General News of Friday, 14 September 2018

Source: kasapafmonline.com

We’re disappointed in Ga Chiefs – Kofi Annan's family

The family of the late UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has expressed disappointment over the fact that no Ga Chief attended the burial service for the departed global icon despite the event being held in Accra.

According to the Head of the Kofi Annan’s family, Nana Kofi Brewuo III, who is also Otumfuo’s Tudwene, they find it very difficult to understand why not even a single Ga Chief made it to the event which took place on their land.

Ghana’s illustrious son who died on August 18 aged 80 at his home in Switzerland after a short illness was laid to rest on Thursday September 13, after a state funeral attended by some world leaders, diplomats and traditional authorities among others.

He was buried at the new Military Cemetery at Burma Camp and was accorded military honours including a 17 gun- salute.

The current head of the world body, Antonio Gutteres, attended the funeral in Accra. Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa was also present including other African heads of state such as Alassane Dramane Ouattara of Ivory Coast, George Weah of Liberia, Hage Geingob of Namibia, and Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger.

Ghanaians from all walks of life have been filing past and paying their last respect to the global icon whose body was laid in state since Tuesday after it arrived from Switzerland on Monday.

Speaking to Akwasi Nsiah on Kasapa News, Nana Kofi Brewuo III stated that being custodians of Accra land, the Ga chiefs had no excuse absenting themselves from the all important solemn ceremony which was held on their land even if they were not officially invited.

“We were shocked and sad that not a single Ga Chief attended the funeral service when the event was held on their land. The Chiefs didn’t need a special invitation to attend the funeral. It was open to all, apart from where the Heads of State sat which was strictly by invitation, there was enough space to accommodate other dignitaries, but no Ga chief showed up. Kofi Annan always resided in Accra whenever he was in Ghana, even if the organizers did not invite the Ga chiefs, they could themselves being the custodians of the land ask why they were not invited when the event was to be held on their land."

"They could have just called the organizers to inform them that they’ll be coming so that they could be catered for, but unfortunately no Ga chief made any such move. All the other chiefs who attended the funeral informed the planning committee of their intention to come and so they were properly taken care of by the government. Even we the family, government took very good care of us,” Nana Kofi Brewuo III said.

 

General News of Monday, 10 September 2018

Source: dailyguideafrica.com

Auditor General snubs Akufo-Addo over GH¢640m contractors’ audit

Reports about the Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo running a one-man-show at the Audit Service are gaining ground, as it has emerged that he has ignored a directive from President Akufo-Addo to audit the liabilities of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to contractors as of December 31, 2016, for them to be paid.

The Auditor-General, who has received money he requested to carry out the audit from the exchequer, says that nobody can force him to do his job.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that in August 2017, Cabinet requested an audit of the liabilities of MMDAs as of 31 December, 2016, prior to the payment of contractors, who executed projects at the assemblies at the cost of over GH¢640 million.

The Ministry of Local Government drew the attention of the President to the huge indebtedness of the assemblies to the contractors who agitated for their monies.

The Auditor-General was said to have asked for budget to carry out the exercise and duly submitted GH¢1,346,856 which was released by the Finance Ministry as far back as February, 2018.

Seven months after the release of the money, no audit has been conducted, but the Auditor-General indicated to the President that the money should be returned to the Consolidate Funds.

A reminder from the Audit Service Board and the Senior Minister for Mr Domelevo to do the needful was ignored.

Loggerheads

There are allegations that the Auditor-General has decided not to take the inputs of the Audit Service Board since he considers that as interference or being subjected to the direction and control of another person or authority.

He has since failed to heed the advice of the board to audit the liabilities of some 213 MMDAs for government to pay GH¢640,147,537.95 to the contractors.

DAILY GUIDE has gathered that the Auditor-General claims to be waiting for a letter from the President to conduct the audit.

MMDA’s Debts

The contractors have over the past months expressed their anger over the unpaid monies which they say is negatively affecting them, as the banks and other creditors are breathing down their necks for their monies.

Mr. Domelevo’s refusal to carry out the task stems from the fact that he sees the decision of the Audit Board to remind him as taking instructions from others contrary to Article 187(7) (a) of the 1992 Constitution.

Auditing Budget

Information revealed that the office of the Senior Minister was to coordinate the auditing of the 213 MMDAs.

On August 18, 2017, there was a meeting between the Audit Service, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and Financial Forensic Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (FFU/CID) of the Ghana Police Service over the matter.

According to sources, officials at the meeting concluded that the Audit Service has the capacity to conduct the audit and subsequently asked the Auditor-General to submit a budget for the exercise.

On August 22, 2017, the Auditor-General submitted a budget to the Ministry of Finance through the office of the Senior Minister.

On 9th February, 2018, the Ministry of Finance authorised the Controller and Accountant-General to release an amount of GH¢1,346,856.00 to the Audit Service per the budget presented by the Auditor-General.

Neglect

The paper is reliably informed that when the Board approached Mr Domelevo over the matter, he retorted that he would not audit the liabilities under the control of any person or authority.

He, therefore, asked the Board to inform the Office of the President to return the money to the Consolidated Fund.

DAILY GUIDE has learnt that Mr. Domelevo claims the President should write directly to him and not through the Cabinet or Senior Minister.

The paper gathered that the development has not gone down well with the Audit Service Board since Mr Domelevo has conducted similar audits without any letter from the President.

 

General News of Sunday, 9 September 2018

Source: mynewsgh.com

Deputy Minister hooted at, nearly beaten and chased away from public function

Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Kingsley Ato Cudjoe was hooted at and nearly beaten by some angry youth of Ekumfi Eyisam in the Central Region on last Saturday, MyNewsGh.com can report.

It took the timely intervention of the Ekumfi District Chief Executive (DCE) Bernard Paa Grant and some security officers to save the situation as the youth with life-threatening objects almost gave the appointee the beating of his life.

The Deputy Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area was embarrassingly whisked away to save his life as the youth almost engaged in what could have best been described as a nasty brawl.

MyNewsGh.com reports understand it all started when the MP was invited to address a durbar of chiefs and people of Ekumfi Eyisam at their annual Akwanbo Festival yesterday September 8, 2018

However, the moment he mounted the podium to speak the youth who used to engage in galamsey in Tarkwa in the Western Region started to hoot at the MP and asking him when he is going to provide them with jobs.

They could not understand why they should be thrown out of jobs when the government under president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has not given them jobs.

The minister ended his speech abruptly and boarded his vehicle in an attempt to leave the venue but the angry youth crossed him and started hitting his vehicle with their hands.

This action of the youth angered the DCE who is a native of the town to alight from car to confront the angry youth.

Disappointed by the action of the youth, Mr Bernard threw his hands severally in an attempt to slap some of them for their ‘stupid’ conduct but was blocked from doing so.
This has led to the youth incurring the wrath of the chiefs and elders of the town.

According to an opinion leader who spoke to MyNewsGh.com, they are going to summon the youth to appear before the chiefs to be queried and sanctioned accordingly for disgracing the town.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW
https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Deputy-Minister-hooted-at-nearly-beaten-and-chased-away-from-public-function-683460?jwsource=cl

World News of Friday, 7 September 2018

Source: bbc.com

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's presidential front-runner, stabbed at rally

 A front-runner in Brazil's presidential election, Jair Bolsonaro, has been stabbed during a campaign rally.
The far-right politician was attacked in the city of Juiz de Fora in the south-eastern state of Minas Gerais.
He underwent surgery for injuries to his liver and intestines but is now stable, his son said.

The controversial politician, who has outraged many in Brazil with racist and homophobic comments, has performed strongly in recent polls.

Polls suggest he would get the most votes in next month's presidential elections if former president Lula da Silva fails in his attempt to overturn a ban on him standing.

How did attack unfold?

Footage of the incident shows Mr Bolsonaro making a thumbs-up gesture and being held aloft by supporters when he appears to be stabbed with a knife.

He then doubles over with pain and his supporters quickly lower him to the ground and bundle him into a car.

After the attack, his son Flavio initially tweeted that the wound was "only superficial", but he gave a more sombre assessment two hours later.

"Unfortunately it was more serious than we had expected," he wrote. "The perforation reached part of the liver, the lung and the intestines. He lost a lot of blood, arrived at the hospital with a (blood) pressure of 10/3, almost dead. His condition now seems stabilised. Pray, please!"

Police say a suspect has been arrested. He was named as Adelio Obispo de Oliveira. Mr Bolsonaro's backers see him as a strong leader who would crack down on crime.

The 63-year-old, who is representing the Social Liberal Party (PSL), is followed by millions of Brazilians on social media, and many refer to him as the "Brazilian Trump".

He also supports loosening gun control laws, and is backed by millions of evangelical Christians for his uncompromising anti-abortion stand A former army captain, Mr Bolsonaro entered politics in the 1980s to defend the rights of military personnel.

What has been the reaction?

Mr Bolsonaro's electoral rivals have all condemned the stabbing. Fernando Haddad, who is expected to replace Lula da Silva on the Workers Party ticket, said the attack was "absurd and regrettable".

Speaking in the capital Brasilia, President Michel Temer said such an attack was "intolerable" in a democratic state and that he hoped Mr Bolsonaro recovered soon.

"Tolerance is a part of democracy. It is a part of the rule of law," he said.

The president's predecessor, Dilma Rousseff, warned that the attack cannot go unpunished "because it must serve as an example so that it doesn't happen to any other candidate".

Who is backing him?

Mr Bolsonaro's backers see him as a strong leader who would crack down on crime.

The 63-year-old, who is representing the Social Liberal Party (PSL), is followed by millions of Brazilians on social media, and many refer to him as the "Brazilian Trump".

He also supports loosening gun control laws, and is backed by millions of evangelical Christians for his uncompromising anti-abortion stand.

How did he become a presidential contender? A former army captain, Mr Bolsonaro entered politics in the 1980s to defend the rights of military personnel.

Brazil had just returned to democracy, and in 1989 held its first free presidential election.

Few imagined at that time that he could become a serious contender in a presidential poll. But the collapse of the Workers' Party government and the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff two years ago revealed the extent of political divisions in the country.

Brazil had just returned to democracy, and in 1989 held its first free presidential election.

Few imagined at that time that he could become a serious contender in a presidential poll. But the collapse of the Workers' Party government and the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff two years ago revealed the extent of political divisions in the country.

Mr Bolsonaro's outspoken rhetoric and his defence of law and order appealed to many who blamed the left for corruption and the economic crisis.

In 2011, he told Playboy magazine that he would be "incapable of loving a gay son" and that he would rather see such a son of his "die in an accident".

In 2015, he was fined for saying in a newspaper interview that Congresswoman Maria do Rosario was "not worth raping; she is very ugly".
He is currently being investigated for alleged racism over derogatory remarks he made about Afro-Brazilians.

General News of Friday, 7 September 2018

Source: Starrfmonline.com

Free SHS: Akufo-Addo gets Africa Leadership University award

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been awarded by the Africa Leadership University with the Nelson Mandela Africa Leadership University award, for the implementation of the ‘Free Senior High School’ policy.

The founder of the University, Fred Swanika, identified four reasons for which the academic institution decided to award the President.

Speaking at the award dinner to present the citation, he stated that, “Education is the most powerful weapon that can be used to change the world.” President Akufo-Addo he said, is an embodiment of the statement above by virtue of his policy of free SHS which is currently underway in Ghana.

The second reason for the award, he said, is because of the President’s belief in the youth of Ghana and those of the African continent as a whole.

The third rationale behind the award is the persistence of the President in that he did not give up after running for office twice and losing on both attempts. Rather he still took the step and gave it a third try that eventually succeeded. The last reason behind the award, according to Swanika, is the President’s belief in African self-reliance.

Graca Machel, wife of the late South African president, Nelson Mandela, read the citation. The citation stated as follows; “In recognition of his extraordinary commitment to education by implementing free universal education in Ghana, African Leadership University recognise the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, for his exemplary leadership.”

In his response, Mr. Akufo-Addo said he is delighted to receive the Nelson Mandela African Leadership University award. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the education of the children of Ghana and Africa’s self-reliance remains at the forefront of his vision as President.

Mr. Akufo-Addo noted that Nelson Mandela was a leader who before he became the icon that we all recognize, said certain things about the world, and when he had the opportunity of leadership, his deeds matched hundred percent all his thoughts he expressed before he became a leader.

The President said he is looking forward to following after the Mandela example as he leads Ghana, “So that one day Ghanaians may be able to say in a small little drop that I was that kind of a leader, someone who matched his words to his deeds.”

African Leadership University (ALU) is pioneering a fresh approach to higher education in the 21st century; offering accredited undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education programmes in a unique and imaginative way.

By integrating students’ learning with the real world, empowering students to take ownership of their own learning, equipping each student to think entrepreneurially, and employing the most engaging and inspiring teaching methods, ALU is pioneering a new take on higher education and leadership development.

ALU develops skills in its graduates to ensure they will remain relevant even as the world changes.
It also develops its students intellectually, provides them with work experience, and develops their “whole” being.

ALU is opening campuses around Africa that will ultimately train 3 million entrepreneurial, ethical leaders for Africa and the world by 2060. Although based in Africa, ALU welcomes students from all around the world to its campuses.

One campus is currently open on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius (known as the African Leadership College) and a second one is in Rwanda.

ALU was founded in 2013 by renowned Ghanaian educationalist Fred Swaniker. Mrs. Graça Machel, serves as Chancellor of the University.

General News of Thursday, 6 September 2018

Source: ghanaweb.com

ADI cautions minority over US$2 billion bauxite deal

The Alliance for Development and Industrialization (ADI) has released a statement admonishing the minority in parliament cold response to government’s decision to let China mine the country’s bauxite in exchange for US$2 billion worth of infrastructure for Ghana.

The initiative by the Akufo-Addo led government has been met with as much opposition as it has been met with applause.

In fact, it has dominated news waves for weeks unend as media portals attempt to explain the details of the barter to the public.

In a statement issued by ADI, the group described as unfortunate “the letter written by the Minority to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to stop the Akufo-Addo government from securing a Chinese facility to embark on a robust infrastructural development in the country.”

Among other, the statement detailed the benefits of the deal to the country’s economy and how and appealed to the International Monetary Fund to pay no heed to the opposition’s letter.

Below is the full statement.

ADI cautions minority over US$2b bauxite deal

The Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo ’s plans to allow a Chinese company, Sinohydro to start mining some of the massive reserves of bauxite lying beneath the Atiwa forest in the Eastern region has provoked an unprecedented backlash from the minority in Parliament.

Ghana is blessed with the world's third-largest reserves of bauxite, the raw material for aluminium, which the government is keen to reap the benefits of by engaging in forward sale with the Sinohydro.

Sinohydro is expected to build the country infrastructure worth US$2 billion and in exchange, mine the country’s bauxite. The US$2 billion infrastructure includes roads, bridges, interchanges, hospitals, housing, rural electrification, in exchange for Ghana’s refined bauxite.

However, this laudable initiative which is expected to mitigate against any risk has been welcomed by opposition from the minority in Parliament after it approved the deal last month.

The opposition NDC opined that under the current agreement with the IMF and the fact that an agreement with such a quantum of money could adversely affect our debt stock, the IMF should, as a matter of urgency, stop the Akufo-Addo government from going into this agreement with the Chinese entity.

Acknowledging the receipt of the letter by the Minority in a letter dated August 30, the IMF’s Ghana Representative Natalia Koliandina stated that even though the definition of government debt in the Technical Memorandum of Understandings has not changed, since the inception of the program, the IMF needs time to properly comment on the Minority’s request.

The Alliance for Development and Industrialization (ADI) considers the letter written by the Minority to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to stop the Akufo-Addo government from securing a Chinese facility to embark on a robust infrastructural development in the country, very unfortunate.

We are asking the IMF not to waste much time on the letter written by the minority since this US$2 billion Sinohydro deal would not added up to the debt stock of this country.

This is not the first time government has engaged the Sinohydro for this kind of transaction. In 2007, the government engaged Sinohydro for the construction of the Bui dam in an exchange of the country’s premier commodity, the cocoa.
The country has benefited immensely from Bui dam as it continues to feed the national grid for the supply of electricity with 400 megawatts.

Ghana also uses some of its commodities as forward trading. Every year, the country gets a syndicated loan of almost US$1.5 billion using our cocoa as a guarantee. This helps the country to improve on its balance of payment, support the cedi as well as increase our reserves.

The same transaction can be extended to other minerals such as iron ore, silver, copper among others.

ADI is of the view that this is purely a barter trade deal which is intended to improve on our poor infrastructure in the country.

By this, We are asking the IMF to treat the letter written by the Minority with all the contempt it deserves

The Akufo-Addo administration saw the need to take steps to deal with the deficits seen in terms of our infrastructural development. The administration looked for an alternative that would not impair further Ghana’s debt stock.

The Akufo-Addo Government decided to enter into a barter agreement with the Chinese Government by securing US$2 billion in exchange for our bauxite. Dubbed the Infrastructure for Bauxite barter agreement, Ghana is to receive US$2 billion while using bauxite/alumina/aluminium to pay for the amount received. The deal is with Sinohydro of China.

The first tranche of US$500 million will cover a significant number of roads across all the ten regions. It is worth mentioning some of the road networks which will see construction when the first tranche of the money comes; PTC Interchange, Takoradi,Tamale Interchange,New Abirem-Ofoase-Akim Oda road, Atebubu-Kwame Danso-Kojokrom road,Accra City roads,Kumasi City roads,Jasikan-Dodo Peppesu-Nkwanta road, Tutulega-Sandema-Wiase road, Lawra-Han-Tumu road and Cape Coast City roads.

The above-named roads are but a few of the road projects which will be captured by the US%500 million tranche which will come before the end of the year.

Thanks.

 

General News of Wednesday, 5 September 2018

Source: todaygh.com

World Bank angry at Ghana

The World Bank (WB) is angry at Ghana’s Parliament and for that matter government of Ghana.

This is because in spite of the millions of dollars invested in the conservation of the Atewa Forest Reserve; it has proceeded to release the natural reserve for bauxite mining.

But, the WB avers that Ghana stands to lose a valuable worth of wildlife if the reserve is mined.

According to the WB, the overall goal for its million-dollar investment in the Atewa Forest Investment Programme (FIP)-financed activities in Ghana is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, while reducing poverty and conserving biodiversity.

Ghana’s FIP Programme was designed in 2012 with three components being implemented by World Bank, African Development Bank and IFC.

These projects were designed to work together in a pragmatic, landscape level approach, managed by the ministry of lands and natural resources to reduce pressure on forests through an integrated landscape approach.

The Multilateral Development Banks’ (MDB’s) components were also geographically positioned on the ground to avoid overlap and duplication.

According to a WB letter to Ghana dated August 9, 218, last year alone the country’s effort at rolling back the increasing deforestation and forest degradation received a huge boost with the launch of a five-year project targeting forest-rich communities in two regions—Western and Brong-Ahafo.

The US$5.5 million project also funded by the World Bank has been piloted in 51 communities and it involves providing the people with sustainable alternative livelihood, adoption of climate smart practices and strong extension service support to farmers.

It also targeted those whose activities pose danger to the climate—illegal chainsaw operators, charcoal burners, illegal small-scale miners and farmers.

The Forestry Commission, in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility, an affiliate of the World Bank, is also sponsoring a high forest bio-diversity conservation project in the Atewa Forest Reserve.

And this multi-million cedi project is primarily aimed at protecting major rivers— Densu, Birim and Ayensu—which all take their sources from the Atewa forest reserve and flow into the Weija Dam, which provides the water requirements of residents of the western part of Accra.

It is also designed to restore the forest cover of the reserve and serve as a poverty reduction strategy.

Under the project, over 20 communities bordering the three rivers have been mobilised and supplied with coconut and bamboo seedlings for planting along the banks.

About 10,000 coconut and bamboo seedlings have so far been supplied to communities including Kibi, Adadientem, Ahwiniase, Akwadum, Apapamu, Asikamu, Nsutam, Odumase, Potrase and Sakyedumase.

The World Bank in November 2013 also sponsored an international summit on saving the Atewa Range Forest Reserve at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel in Accra, on the theme: “Atewa Forest, A Heritage At A Cross Road, What Future?”

The letter reminded Ghana that delegates at the two-day summit agreed that in view of the importance of the Atewa forest reserve in terms of its water, agriculture, biodiversity, ecosystem services and the mineral resources, the ministry of lands and natural resources should- as a matter of urgency- designate Atewa Range Forest Reserve as a National Park.

Equally, the summit agreed that in the short-term, the government of Ghana should abrogate all mineral ore prospecting licenses in operation and respect the mining laws and guidelines by ceasing all future mining plans for Atewa.

The letter further averred that the adverse effects of mining bauxite in the Atewa forest reserve far-outweighed its benefits.

It would be recalled that the recent mid-year budget review, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, stated that Ghana’s infrastructure deficit, which was in the region of US$30 billion, would be adequately tackled with the agreement that will see government leverage the country’s bauxite deposits.

Following that intention, Parliament passed into law the Ghana Bauxite Integrated Aluminum Industry Act, 2018, which is the legal framework to take opportunity of the vast bauxite resource available to help in economic development of the country.

One of such actions to close the infrastructure deficit is the Sinohydro bauxite – infrastructure barter deal between Ghana and China worth US$ 2 billion to mine bauxite at Nyinahin.

This is as part of an earlier memorandum between Ghana and China where Ghana was only going to leverage 5% of our country’s bauxite resources to the Chinese who are giving us $15 billion over a period.

General News of Wednesday, 5 September 2018

Source: 3news.com

Duffour, son and 15 others sued over unibank collapse

The largest shareholder of defunct uniBank, Dr. Kwabena Duffour and 16 others including his son, alleged to be shareholders and interested parties have been dragged to the high court over the collapse of the bank.

Nii Amanor Dodoo, who is in receivership of the five collapsed banks – Beige Bank, Construction Bank, The Royal Bank, Sovereign Bank and UniBank, – to form the consolidated bank filed the suit Tuesday, September 4.

Mr. Dodoo wants the court to make a declaration that transactions in the then uniBank “resulting in the Unlawful Loans, the Unlawful Advances, and the acquisition of assets in the names of shareholders, their related interests and/or persons related to the shareholders, are unlawful”.

He is also praying the court to declare that directors of the bank acted in breach of their duties and should be liable for the collapse of the bank.

Mr. Dodoo further wants the court to declare the shareholders jointly liable for the repayment of the amount of GHS 5,712,623,145 given to uniBank Ghana Ltd by the Bank of Ghana.

More soon...

General News of Wednesday, 5 September 2018

Source: citinewsroom.com

Ghana card has come to stay no matter the resistance - Bawumia

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has once again taken on critics of the National Identification card also known as Ghana card, saying their criticisms won’t force government to halt the process which has already begun.

“The issuance of cards has started this year and should be completed next year. There are those who have developed well-honed capacity to resist change and to kick against innovation, but the Ghana card has come to stay,” Dr. Bawumia said on Wednesday.

The National Identification Authority started rolling out the Ghana cards earlier in 2018 beginning with the presidency, parliament and some selected dignitaries.

It is expected to roll out mass registration soon.

But the Minority in Parliament boycotted the exercise over NIA’s restricted identification process.
Currently, the NIA only accepts a passport or a birth certificate as proof of citizenship per the law that regulates their work.
Third parties are also allowed to verify or authenticate the identity of people who do not have the above requirements.

The Minority had mounted pressure on the NIA to include the voter’s ID card as a proof of Ghanaian citizenship for the issuance of the Ghana card, but the NIA is adamant.

Speaking at day two of the Ghana Economic Forum held in Accra, Bawumia called for an end to the resistance to the cards.

He stated that the card will enhance the digitization of the economy and will serve as an e-passport for ECOWAS travel among others.



“It will also be an e-passport for ECOWAS travel and soon the data for other identity cards such as the NHIS, SSNIT and so on can also be captured on the Ghana card. So once the mass registration begins we will encourage everybody to get theirs.”

The Vice President again said the National Identification card will help ease problems Ghanaians go through in acquiring passports.

“With the Ghana card for example, passport applications would become the easiest of applications because all the information that we require for the Ghana card is exactly the same information that they would require when you are applying for the passports. So we expect that by the end of next year when we’ve completed the issue of the cards, then all you would need to apply for your passports is just to give your national ID number,” he added.

Some NDC officials have even read political meanings into the decision by the NIA not to accept voter ID cards as a form of identification for the acquisition of the card.

Kufuor backs use of voter ID for Ghana Cards

However, former President John Agyekum Kufuor also backed calls for the National Identification Authority (NIA) to accept voters ID card as a proof of Ghanaian citizenship for the issuance of the Ghana card.

Speaking to journalists in Accra after he was registered, Mr. Kufuor said it is necessary for the voters ID card to be added as a form of identification.

“It should be added,” he said, explaining that “if voters ID card is not incorporated in this then when it comes to citizens going to make a government where would you be?”

“How would you say truly you also have power in your thumb to make or unmake a government? So voters ID card should be part of it,” he added.

Re-examine Ghana card concerns – Rawlings to NIA, others 

Former President Jerry John Rawlings also asked various stakeholders including the National Identification Authority, the Minority and Majority caucuses in Parliament, to discuss concerns raised about the registration process for the Ghana card.

This, he believes will “bring sanity into our democratic process and ensure that all eligible Ghanaians benefit from the process.”

General News of Monday, 9 April 2018

Source: Starrfmonline.com

 Peter Abum Sarkodie, CEO of Environmental Protection Agency

It has emerged that the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency Peter Abum Sarkodie failed his interview with the Civil Service Commission which tested his knowledge before taking the job.

The report of his performance during the interview has now been submitted to President Akufo-Addo nearly eight months after he assumed the position in a substantive capacity, Starrfmonline.com has gathered.

President Akufo-Addo, according to StarrFMonline.com sources, has invited Mr. Sarkodie, who is a former lecturer, over the incident. He is reported to have submitted his responses to the Presidency.

Confirming the development to StarrFMonline.com Monday, Mr. Sarkodie said he is challenging the results of the civil service commission and is hopeful that he will be vindicated.

“That issue has cropped up for some time now and the presidency is trying to deal with it. The fact is I’m challenging the results and hopefully we will hear the current development by tomorrow. The President has already met me over the issue and I’m confident it will be addressed amicably,” he said.

Meanwhile, Starrfmonline.com sources say the President is likely to ask Mr. Sarkodie to continue with his job despite the report by the commission.

There is growing controversy over the EPA position following claims by Assin South Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyepong that a highly placed presidential staffer is lobbying the position for his brother.

Starr News sources say tension appears to be brewing between the Environment minister Dr. Kwabena Frempong Boateng and Mr. Sarkodie following some changes being effected by the EPA boss.

Mr. Sarkodie was appointed to the position in July 2017. He was a Senior Lecturer in Analytical Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Science Education of the University of Education of Winneba, Mampong Campus in the Ashanti Region before his appointment.

For more news go to Starrfmonline.com.

General News of Monday, 26 March 2018

Source: Myjoyonline.com

Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul

A member of the opposition National Democratic Congress has sued the government over the controversial Ghana-US military cooperation agreement.

Yaw Brogya Gyamfi, who is the Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser is asking the highest court of the land to, among other things, set aside the agreement that was ratified by Parliament on Friday.

The writ filed on Monday, March 26, 2018 has the Attorney General Gloria Akuffo and Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul as the first and second defendants.

According to Mr Gyamfi, the two government appointees breached several laws in their bid to have the controversial Ghana-US military agreement ratified.

He is demanding nine reliefs from the court including;

“A declaration that the Minister of Defence acted in contravention of articles 58 (1), 75 and 93 (2) of the 1992 Constitution when he laid or caused to be laid before Parliament an unexecutive draft of the supposed defence cooperation agreement for ratification under Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution."

The NDC member said neither the Executive of the legislature has the power to enter or ratify a treaty that seeks to oust the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in matters of interpretation of international agreements.

Even though the agreement was ratified on Friday amidst drama and chaos, Mr Gyamfi wants the justices to annul the agreement.

The Minority walked out of Parliament claiming it will not have anything to do with the agreement. The Majority, nonetheless, went ahead to ratify same

Per the agreement, Ghana has entered into a collaboration with the US military which would allow the latter unfettered access to some facilities.

The deal will also allow for military training activities between the armies of the two countries.

The West African country is expected to earn some $20 million as part of the agreement, an amount the US Ambassador Robert Jackson has described “as a good return.”

General News of Saturday, 24 March 2018

Source: citifmonline.com

 play video 

The controversial US military base deal was ratified without the approval of the Minority

Parliament on Friday night, March 23, 2018, approved the controversial Ghana-US defence cooperation agreement which seeks to provide the United States access into the country to camp its military forces.

The approval was done by only Majority Members of Parliament because the Minority staged a walkout during the debate on the Floor of the House.

It appears the House was bent on getting the agreement through before it rises for recess.

“This House adopts the report from the joint committee on defense and interior,” the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye said after the approval.

Prior to staging the walkout, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, spoke for close to 17 minutes giving a litany of reasons why they believe the agreement should not be ratified by Parliament.

Cabinet approves MoU

Ghana’s Cabinet had agreed to provide the US’ military troop a place near the Kotoka International Airport, and also give them unhindered access to some key installations following a Memorandum of Understanding between the government of Ghana and the US government.

The MoU was laid before before Parliament on Tuesday recommending to Parliament to ratify the agreement, but it was rejected by the opposition in Parliament.

With the agreement ratified, it means that the US troops will among other things be exempted from paying taxes on equipment that are brought to Ghana as well as use Ghana’s radio spectrum for free.

The troops and their equipment will also have unhindered access to the US forces and their equipment.

Although many Ghanaians have expressed resentment over the clauses of the agreement, the Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, said the agreement is in the best interest of Ghana.

The Government has consistently explained that it was only respecting the existing Status of Forces Agreement with the US signed since 1998 and reviewed in 2015, under the previous NDC administration.

But the NDC Minority has downplayed this argument saying the agreement as existed in the past, did not have the same clauses like the current one that gives the US unlimited access to Ghana’s military facilities.



The US Embassy in Ghana has also explained that it is only planning joint security exercises with Ghana, which will require that US military personnel are allowed access to Ghana’s military facilities, and that they are not building a military base.

“The current Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the United States of America and the Republic of Ghana is approximately 20 years old. It does not cover the current range and volume of bilateral exercises and assistance. This year, the United States of America is investing over $20 million in training and equipment for the Ghanaian armed forces. Ghana is also once again preparing to train U.S forces – as it did in 2017. The United States and Ghana are planning joint security exercises in 2018, which require access to Ghanaian bases by US participants and those from other nationals when included,” a statement from the US Embassy said.



Minority blocks report

The Minority on Thursday blocked the laying before Parliament, the report of the Joint Committee on Defence and Interior and Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, on the agreement seeking to ratify the hosting of US military troops in Ghana.

It was however laid today, Friday, March 23, 2018, and subsequently approved late hours on the same day.

‘Protests today, expect more Wednesday’

Earlier today [Friday], a number of protesters who tried to gain access to Parliament to kick against the anticipated approval of the deal were prevented from entering the House.

The main entrance of the House was shut with strict access checks being conducted for members of the public and workers seeking to enter.

The protesters however chanted slogans and songs outside the House.

The leader of the protesters, a suspended CPP executive member, Ernesto Yeboah, who was dissatisfied with Parliament’s decision, said they posed no threat to the security of the House.

“Are we holding guns? So on what basis are we disallowed from entering Parliament to have a sight of the proceedings in Parliament? They have absolutely no basis to restrain us from entering to have a sight of the proceedings. We are going to enter, we are going to sit down, we are going to observe the rules of Parliament.



Hosting US soldiers will trigger terror attacks – NDC

The NDC at a news conference on Thursday, said Ghana could become a target for extremists if the agreement was allowed to go through.

The General Secretary of the party, Asiedu Nketia, who said this indicated that a ratification of the agreement will send wrong signals which could subsequently make Ghana vulnerable to attacks.

‘We’ll review deal in 2021’

He indicated that, the deal, if ratified by Parliament, will be suspended and reviewed by the NDC if it returns to office in 2021.

“We wish to state here and now that if President Akufo-Addo and his NPP administration proceed to ratify the agreement despite protests and public sentiments, the NDC administration which will assume the reins of government in 2021, will suspend the agreement and initiate a far reaching review.”

‘You can’t compare ‘military base’ deal to Gitmo 2? – Ablakwa

Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had said that the previous John Mahama administration’s handling of the hosting of the two Ex-Guantanamo Bay detainees in Ghana, cannot be compared the current government’s handling of the proposed US military camp in the country.

This is in spite of the fact that the Supreme Court declared that agreement illegal because it wasn’t approved by Parliament.

Some Ghanaians had questioned the Minority’s moral right to take on government seeing the controversy that surrounded the hosting of the ex-Gitmo two who have now become a burden for the government.

But speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Ablakwa refuted these claims, insisting that unlike this current deal, the previous government consulted key stakeholders, including political party leaders before sealing the Gitmo two agreement.

General News of Friday, 23 March 2018

Source: classfmonline.com

 

Dr Stephen Opuni, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) will appear at an Accra high court today, Friday 23 March 2018, to answer charges of causing financial loss to the state.

Dr Opuni, businessman Seidu Agongo and AgriCult Ghana Company Limited, are facing 27 charges of willfully causing financial loss of GHS217million to the state, through three separate fertiliser supply contracts between 2014 and 2016.

The contracts were GHS43.1million (2013/2014 cocoa farming season), GHS75.3million (2014/2015 cocoa farming season) and GHS98.9million (2015/2016 cocoa farming season) totalling GHS217million through sole-sourcing, the state claimed, adding that procurement procedures for sole-sourcing were not followed.

According to the charges, the consignments of Lithovit Foliar were produced locally, contrary to an agreement between COCOBOD and AgriCult Ghana Company Limited that it be sourced from Germany.

Also, the Attorney General claims the fertilisers were manufactured without registration, thereby, flouting the Plants and Fertiliser Act 2010.

Related Articles:

General News of Friday, 16 March 2018

Source: Myjoyonline.com

Dr. Stephen Opuni, charged with causing financial loss to the state.

Dr Stephen Opuni was appointed boss of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) by former president John Mahama in November 2013, a role he assumed after serving at the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) as CEO.

His five-year tenure at FDA was a heated one. He came against many companies, seized many goods and destroyed same in the name of public safety, and pharmaceutical giant, Tobinco bore the most severe of his brunt.

Tobinco accused the FDA of witch-hunting and had to petition President John Mahama to intervene in the impasse.

Dr Opuni following these events was removed from the FDA by the president and to the surprise of many appointed to head COCOBOD.

But like the FDA, the trained medical doctor’s tenure at COCOBOD was fraught with many allegations of corruption and mismanagement of the sector that employs millions and generates revenue for the country.

The General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) and the Industrial Commercial Workers Union (ICU) launched a scathing attack on the leadership of COCOBOD and its CEO accusing him of presiding over corruption.


ICU Secretary-General, Solomon Kotei

GAWU and ICU believed that corruption at COCOBOD was affecting the production of cocoa in the country, but some staff at the Board jumped to their boss’ defense, debunking the claims.

But things took a turn after the New Patriotic Party government assumed power.

During the transition period, it was alleged that Dr Opuni was shredding documents in his office, an allegation we have not independently confirmed.

Member of Parliament for Assin North, Kennedy Agyapong alleged in a radio interview that Dr Opuni was doing so in order to thwart moves by the new government to investigate him.


Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin North

Revelations about his salary, a staggering GHS 70,000 ($17,500) set tongues wagging with many vocal sections of the public describing the salary as excessive and immoral, especially for the head of a struggling sector.

The controversies surrounding Dr Opuni were many.

When the new NPP administration took office in January 2017, one of the first people it sacked was Dr Opuni.

A letter dated January 12, 2017 and signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, asked Dr Opuni to hand over to Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who is the representative of the President at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Dr Opuni was asked to hand over by 5 PM the next day.

On February 21, 2017, Dr Opuni’s assets were seized by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) froze his bank accounts pending conclusions into investigations of fraudulent transactions during his tenure.

These investigations went on for the most part of the year and in November the new COCOBOD boss hinted in an interview that his predecessor was going to be arraigned before court.

Joseph Boahen Aidoo alleged that Dr Opuni had conspired with some top officials of COCOBOD to siphon cocoa cash.


Joseph Boahen Aidoo, COCOBOD CEO

He observed that the previous management of COCOBOD succeeded in ‘looting’ the state of several millions of dollars, including a whopping $400 million from the $1.8 billion syndicated loan for the 2016/2017 crop season, which the NDC administration is reported to have expended during the transition period – between December 20, 2016 and January 6, 2017.

But the bombshell was dropped last week when the State slapped Dr Opuni with 27 charges including causing financial loss to the state.

Among other things, the former CEO has been accused of abetment of crime and defrauding by false pretense.

Between January 2014 and November 2014, he, according to the State, abetted Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Ltd to defraud COCOBOD of some GHS43,120,000.

Again, between November 2014 and November 2015, Dr Opuni conspired with Agongo and Agricult to defraud COCOBOD of GHS75,289,314.72.

According to the State, Agongo presented to COCOBOD a proposal to supply Lithovit Foliar fertilizer from Germany to farmers on their cocoa farms for the 2014/2015 cocoa season, a claim he knew was false at the time of making it.

Also, between October 2015 and March 2016, a similar incident the State said happened which led to COCOBOD being defrauded of some GHS98,935,974.50.

Dr Opuni has also been charged with contravention of the Public Procurement Act, manufacturing fertilizer without registration, money laundering and corruption by public officer.

The case is being handled by the Chief State Attorney, Evelyn D. Keelson for the Attorney General and will be called on March 23, 2018.

But the National Democratic Congress is not happy with the development. The party says it will rally behind the embattled former COCOBOD boss.

Describing the charges as made-up, the party's Organiser Kofi Adams said the NDC executives and the farmers whose lives have been transformed through Dr Opuni’s leadership will rise to his defence.


Kofi Adams, NDC National Organiser

The party believes strongly that Dr Opuni is being witch hunted.

But the Attorney General disagrees. Gloria Akuffo said she is only carrying out her mandate as stipulated by law.

“By the time we finish the hearing, we will know if I am witch-hunting or that they [27 charges] are justifiable,” she said.

As one of the first public officials to be prosecuted by the State, Dr

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Image copyrightAFP

Image captionGary Cohn was director of the National Economic Council under President Trump

US President Donald Trump's top economic adviser Gary Cohn is resigning, the White House has said.

It is the latest in a series of high-profile departures from President Trump's team.

There has been speculation that Mr Cohn, a supporter of free trade, was angered by Mr Trump's plans to impose tariffs on aluminium and steel imports.

In a statement released by the White House, Mr Cohn said it had been "an honour to serve my country".

The 57-year-old former president of the Goldman Sachs bank had helped Mr Trump push through his sweeping tax reforms late last year.

• The people around Donald Trump
• Why Trump is hanging tough on trade
• Trump: EU makes business 'impossible'

Why has Mr Cohn gone?

Gary Cohn and President Trump were never believed to be close.

Mr Cohn wasn't specific about the reasons, saying in a statement it had been "an honour to serve my country and enact pro-growth economic policies to benefit the American people, in particular the passage of historic tax reform".

Once that mission had been achieved, a number of differences may have prompted the departure, including the possible looming trade tariff war and his differences on that issue with trade adviser Peter Navarro and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Mr Cohn had reportedly set up a meeting between Mr Trump and business executives who opposed the tariffs move. But Mr Trump pulled out of that meeting and on Tuesday reportedly asked Mr Cohn in the Oval Office to back the tariffs publicly. Mr Cohn did not answer, sources told Bloomberg.

In August last year, Mr Cohn had also criticised Mr Trump over his reaction to a far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, saying the administration "can and must do better". He was reported to have drafted a resignation letter after the event.

What has the White House said?

An official said: "For several weeks Gary had been discussing with the president that it was nearing time for him to transition out."

The exact departure date had yet to be determined.

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In a statement, Mr Trump said: "Gary... did a superb job in driving our agenda, helping to deliver historic tax cuts and reforms and unleashing the American economy once again.

"He is a rare talent and I thank him for his dedicated service to the American people."

And the markets?

Analysts were pointing to the resignation of Mr Cohn, a free market advocate, as one reason behind a drop in shares across Asia on Wednesday. The Nikkei was off 0.77% and the Hang Seng 1.1%.

Rick Meckler of LibertyView Capital Management told Reuters that Mr Cohn was "very credible" and the resignation announcement "certainly causes short-term downward pressure".

The dollar continued its retreat against the yen, down from 113 at the start of the year to 105.6 on Wednesday.

Does this herald a new direction?

Analysis by Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington

Gary Cohn was a bit of a stranger in a strange land. He was a Democrat in a Republican White House; an economic globalist working for a president who campaigned on economic nationalism. Now, it seems, Donald Trump's protectionist bent has pushed the top administration economic adviser to the exit.

This was not an unexpected development. By many accounts, there had been a contentious White House fight over whether to impose sweeping sanctions on US steel and aluminium imports - a tug-of-war that was settled, precipitously, by the president himself last week.

There were the rumours that Mr Cohn was only sticking around to see last year's tax bill over the finish line, after his extreme discomfort following the president's warm words about some of the white nationalist marchers involved in violent clashes in Charlottesville last August.

Mr Cohn was reportedly viewed by many Trump loyalists in the White House as an unwelcome interloper. Some on the outside, particularly in the financial world, welcomed him as a moderating influence - along with son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka.

Now the former is leaving and the latter two seem greatly weakened. All this could mark a sharp new direction in White House policy.

What's the trade tariff dispute about?

Last week, Mr Trump announced he would be imposing steep tariffs on steel and aluminium imports - 25% and 10% respectively. He is yet to sign them into effect.

He has regularly argued that other countries have been "taking advantage of" the US on trade for decades.

Trading partners reacted angrily. The EU, which says the steel and aluminium tariffs could cost it €2.8bn ($3.48bn; £2.5bn) a year, has now drawn up a $3.5bn hit list of retaliatory tariffs.

There are now fears of a global trade war. Mr Trump said on Tuesday: "When we're behind on every single country, trade wars aren't so bad."

But there is disquiet at his proposals even among members of Mr Trump's Republican party.

House Speaker Paul Ryan was one of those urging Mr Trump to have a "smarter" plan that was "more surgical and more targeted" and avoided the "unintended consequences" of a trade war.

Who will replace Mr Cohn?

Mr Trump tweeted that he would pick Mr Cohn's replacement "soon".

"Many people wanting the job - will choose wisely!" he added.

Media captionTrump: 'Everybody wants to work in the White House'

Possible candidates mooted by US media include Peter Navarro and Larry Kudlow, a conservative commentator and 2016 campaign adviser.

President Trump tweeted that there was no chaos at the White House but there were "still... some people that I want to change".

Who else has left the White House this year?

A number have gone, adding to the string of senior figures who have left since Mr Trump took office.

Hope Hicks - Mr Trump's press secretary quit a day after testifying to a congressional panel investigating Russian influence on the 2016 election, telling them she had occasionally told "white lies" for her boss

Rob Porter - The White House staff secretary resigned after two of his ex-wives publicly accused him of physical and emotional domestic abuse

Andrew McCabe - The FBI deputy director was forced out amid repeated criticism from Mr Trump that he was impartial in the Russia investigation

• The White House revolving door: Who's gone?