The Combined Kejetia Traders Association has vehemently refuted claims made by the Managing Director of the Kejetia market, Kofi Duffour, that they refused to pay for the renewal of the market’s insurance cover.
According to the association, its members have paid for approximately 18 months, but management failed to renew the insurance policy after it expired in November 2020.
Kofi Duffour had asserted that the inability to renew the premium was due to the traders’ refusal to pay.
However, the traders countered this claim, stating that over 9,600 members contributed GHS 6.70 each to facilitate the renewal during that period, yet the renewal was never completed.
As a result, the Kejetia market has been without insurance coverage since November 8, 2020.
In March 2023, a portion of the market was damaged by fire, but due to management’s failure to renew the policy, they were unable to reclaim the proceeds needed to repair the affected section.
Speaking on the Orange Sunrise, Reuben Ameh, Secretary of the association, noted that no trader would pay for the premium again unless management accounts for the funds that were previously collected.
“I can state with authority that we will not pay a dime. You’ve taken money from us for a specific purpose and failed to use it for that purpose and you still expect us to pay. If you don’t account for that money, I’m sorry, but we will not pay,” he told host Alfa Ali.
Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene has dismissed claims that Regional Police Commander DCOP Frank Abrokwa was transferred due to the chaos during the Council of State elections.
Speculation arose that DCOP Abrokwa was removed because of his improper handling of the incident, which occurred while he was overseeing the police team at the election venue.
The chaos erupted when a group of heavily built men forcibly entered the venue, overturning tables, damaging ballot boxes, and scattering essential voting materials.
This disruption forced officials from the Electoral Commission (EC) to halt the election process.
The unrest is believed to have been triggered by the unexpected defeat of Yaw Owusu Obimpeh, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, who was widely anticipated to win.
As a result, some speculated that this incident accounted for DCOP Abrokwa’s transfer.
However, in an interview on the Orange Sunrise, Dr. Amoakohene clarified that the transfer was merely coincidental, as the commander had already been processed for relocation prior to the incident.
Meanwhile, DCOP Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe has been appointed to replace the former commander in the region.
The Ashanti Regional Minister expressed his commitment to collaborating with the new commander to ensure peace and stability in the area.
President John Dramani Mahama has appointed energy strategist and finance professional Edmond Kombat as Deputy Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR). Marking a critical step toward revitalising Ghana’s only state-owned refinery.
Edmond Kombat, a lawyer and founding chairman of Edkom Group, brings a wealth of experience in energy policy, financial markets, and corporate strategy to his new role. He previously served as Special Assistant to the Managing Director of TOR. He helped secure $110 million in investments and implemented operational reforms that reportedly saved Ghana $300 million.
Upon his appointment, Edmond Kombat expressed gratitude to President Mahama, acknowledging the trust placed in him. He expressed his profound gratitude to H.E. President John Dramani Mahama for entrusting him with the position of Deputy Managing Director of the Tema. He said it was a show of confidence by His Excellency.
TOR has faced operational and financial struggles in recent years. The refinery operates well below its installed capacity of 45,000 barrels per day due to outdated infrastructure. It also operates irregular crude supply, and a mounting debt burden, which has reduced its competitiveness against imported petroleum products.
Kombat has consistently advocated for structural reforms and new investments to restore TOR’s position as a “symbol of national pride” and a “beacon of operational excellence and financial sustainability. A backbone of Ghana’s downstream energy sector.”
His appointment aligns with the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the country’s energy security amid fluctuating global oil prices and increasing local fuel consumption.
Edmond Kombat underscored the importance of teamwork, innovation, and collaboration to ensure TOR’s long-term sustainability. “I am strongly committed to playing my part in helping to turn the vision of H.E. John Mahama of a robust and self-reliant energy sector into reality. I am confident that with teamwork, innovation, collective vision, and resilience, we can, together, reposition TOR,” he said.
Industry analysts have noted the refinery’s pressing need for capital investment to modernise its infrastructure. Africa’s refining capacity remains constrained, with the continent’s total output estimated at 3 million barrels per day. This meets just over half of the demand, according to the African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA).
Edmond Kombat is expected to prioritise improving crude procurement processes. He is also to prioritise optimising refinery operations and securing fresh funding streams during his tenure. His background as co-founder of the Institute for Energy Security (IES) positions him to advocate for policy reforms aimed at boosting Ghana’s energy resilience.
His global experience spans advisory roles for energy firms in South Africa, Tanzania, and Mozambique, alongside financial analysis work at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in London. Kombat holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Harvard University, where he was an Edward S. Mason Fellow, and is a licensed stockbroker with the Ghana Stock Exchange.
As Ghana confronts rising fuel demands and external oil market volatility, stakeholders view Edmond Kombat’s appointment as a strategic move to drive TOR toward efficiency, financial stability, and greater energy independence.
The Director General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Felix Gyamfi, has expressed shock at the scale of payroll fraud within the institution, describing it as “criminal, immoral, shocking, grim, and despicable.” Speaking on PM Express, he stated that since assuming office 15 days ago, he has collaborated with the presidency to uncover the extent of the issue and implement corrective measures.
“although I arrived 15 days ago at the NSA, we had had hints of what was going on. So at the back of this appointment, we had started preparing what we had to do. So right from day one, we wanted to know who is where and what numbers ought to be paid,” he said.
The revelation of over 80,000 suspected ghost names on the payroll has raised concerns, with Gyamfi confirming that the Minister of Finance and the Controller and Accountant General requested actual numbers from the National Service Authority. He emphasized that a thorough headcount had been conducted to validate the figures. “We have had to go through several pathways to make sure that the numbers that we have there are valid or come close to what people are actual.” he stressed.
Despite identifying 98,000 individuals on the payroll, Gyamfi revealed that some payments are still being withheld pending verification. “Yes, 98,000. We are still going to hold on with some payments. “… in the subsequent days, other people will be paid. But we are still going to hold on with certain payments to check and make sure that these people are there,” he stated.
The Director General noted that existing safeguards could have prevented the fraud if they had been properly enforced. “There are not a lot of issues There are people in conflict areas that I have to check and make sure that they actually haven’t fled. And then all the safeguards were there. If they had allowed the safeguards to work, we wouldn’t have been here, ” he remarked.
Gyamfi disclosed that the consultant had made several attempts to alert the previous National Service Authority leadership to the issue but was ignored. He said, “the consultant tells me he has written countless numbers of letters to the former Director General, asking him to allow him to do this. And then somehow his concerns were not listened to.”
He attributed the failures to poor leadership, stating, “If you have the right leadership that is decisive and firm, you wouldn’t have reports of this manner. And that is what every Ghanaian should look up to me. I will lead with integrity and these things will be a thing of the past very soon.”
To enhance security and prevent further fraud, Gyamfi emphasized that the National Service Authority’s system will undergo a comprehensive audit by top firms , and the report put out for everybody to see.
Additionally, Gyamfi proposed a collaboration with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to cross-check service personnel numbers, stating, “The universities wouldn’t like to lie to G-Tech, but somehow they were lying to National Service.”
With ongoing investigations by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Gyamfi assured that a full report will be submitted to the President. “there is an investigation going on, a report will be given to the President. I would not want to speak in a manner that will pre-empt the findings of this investigation.” he affirmed.
A security consultant, Richard Kumadoe, has described the ongoing payroll fraud within the National Service Authority (NSA) as a widespread issue in the public sector. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Kumadoe addressed concerns over the 80,000 suspected ghost names on the National Service Authority payroll, which President Nana Akufo-Addo has directed the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) to investigate. He asserted that the task is a “simple assignment” for the NIB, given their presence across the country.
“The BNI has offices across the whole space in Ghana. What they can do if they want to escalate it… they pick their registrar within a specific period, and they do a headcount with the help of the National Service District Office,” Kumadoe explained.
He outlined a step-by-step approach for uncovering fraudulent entries, stating that authorities should reconcile the number of graduates each year with payroll records from the Registrar General, as well as field documents from the National Service Secretariat.
He said, “They will look at the payroll coming from the Registrar General. Then they will pick [up] some field documents from the National Service Secretariat. Then they will look at the total number of people graduating in a year. Then they will look at the payroll coming from the Registrar General.”
“And so by the time you do the headcount by the district, you reconcile with the actual payment being made out from the controller and accountant general… By the time you get to the National Service Secretariat, you are clear which areas to do the reconciliation and where the red flags will be coming from.”
Kumadoe emphasized that the issue extends beyond the NSA, noting, “This issue about payroll fraud is quite rampant in the public sector space.”
He further explained that the challenge in tackling the problem lies in the political implications, as funds from these ghost names could be used to support political activities. “The challenge has always been that some of this money can be used for political party funding activities. So the rare people you need to help you clean out the books, they don’t,” he stated.
Addressing whether the ghost names on the National Service Authority payroll belong to real individuals or are entirely fictitious, Kumadoe remarked, “Not just the NSS. In some other public institutions, they put some other people on the payroll who have never been to those offices. And they pay them at the hands of the man.
Or they do not exist at all. In the case of the NSS, my suspicion is that there are large numbers of people who do not exist. And they create an unbalanced payment flow for them.” He suggested that a structured baseline approach could help eradicate these fraudulent payments, recommending thorough reconciliation efforts at the district, regional, and national levels.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has warmly welcomed the new regional Police Commander, DCOP Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe, during a brief meeting at the Regional Coordinating Council.
DCOP Teye Cudjoe takes over from the former regional Police Commander, DCOP Frank Abrokwa, who was transferred to the police headquarters in Accra following the violent incidents during the Council of State election in Kumasi.
DCOP Abrokwa was in charge of the police team at the election venue when the chaos erupted but was unable to properly manage the situation.
The violence began when a group of heavily built men forcibly entered the venue, overturning tables, damaging ballot boxes, and scattering essential voting materials.
This disruption forced officials from the Electoral Commission (EC) to halt the election process.
The unrest is believed to have been triggered by the unexpected defeat of Yaw Owusu Obimpeh, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, who was widely anticipated to win.
In light of these, DCOP Teye Cudjoe has been called upon to replace the dismissed commander immediately.
DCOP Teye Cudjoe was the Central North Regional Commander before taking over from COP Frank Abrokwa
The Minister therefore expressed his eagerness for a strong collaboration with the new commander to maintain stability and foster a secure environment for all within the region and the country at large.
The Combined Kejetia Traders Association has expressed excitement over plans to renovate a portion of the Kejetia market that was ravaged by fire nearly three years ago.
The fire incident displaced over 50 traders, leaving their businesses in a precarious situation.
Many victims were rendered jobless and have struggled to rebuild their livelihoods since then.
Despite the efforts of the traders and their leadership to urge authorities to address the damage, progress had been slow.
However, the new Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has assured that steps will be taken to immediately address the issue.
He made this announcement following a working visit to the market on Tuesday, February 11.
“Work will soon begin on rehabilitating the Eastern Wing, which was damaged by fire on March 15, 2023, and has since been left unattended,” he stated on Facebook.
This announcement has been warmly welcomed by the leadership of the Combined Kejetia Traders Association.
In an interview with Orange Business News, the association’s Secretary, Reuben Ameh, lauded the minister for the initiative.
He believes it will significantly revive the hopes of the affected traders and enhance business activities in the area.
However, Mr. Ameh criticized the minister for not personally informing the traders about the upcoming repair works, which will temporarily impact some of their trading activities.
He believes that direct communication from the minister could have made the eviction process easier, rather than relying on announcements made by trader unions.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has pledged to remove all traders illegally occupying the entrance of the Kejetia Market.
This initiative aims to decongest the city center and ensure smooth business operations.
Following a visit to the market, the Minister shared on his Facebook page that he identified significant management challenges requiring immediate attention.
He noted the importance of clearing these traders from improper trading spaces to facilitate free movement, especially during emergencies.
“Immediate steps will be taken to clear encroachers at the entrance of the facility to ensure smooth movement for traders and enhance safety, particularly in emergency situations,” the statement read.
The Minister also plans to renovate the Eastern Wing of the market, which has remained dormant since a fire incident nearly three years ago.
“Work will soon begin on rehabilitating the Eastern Wing, which was damaged by fire on March 15, 2023, and has since been left unattended,” he stated.
He further announced plans to address the ongoing fire incidents in the market.
His office will convene a meeting on the pressing issues facing the market on Thursday, February 13.
He reiterated that the well-being and safety of traders, along with the smooth operation of Kejetia Market, remain a top priority.
Ghanaian musician Article Wan has come to the defence of dancehall artist Shatta Wale in the music industry. Urging the public to separate his talent from his personality. According to Article Wan, Shatta Wale’s immense contributions to the Ghanaian music industry should not be overshadowed by his controversial nature.
The Ngege hitmaker considers Shatta Wale his godfather in the music industry. He has emphasized that talent and achievements deserve more recognition than personal controversies.
“I think it’s about time we forget the artiste’s character and focus on pushing their talent regardless,” he stated.
He further acknowledged the challenges of managing strong personalities in the music industry. He also noted that some stakeholders tend to sideline artists they find difficult to control.
“Handling somebody who is too characteristic is difficult. If they realize they can’t control the person, then they pack the person,” he added.
Article Wan also stressed that an artiste’s character is an integral part of their brand identity. He also stressed that audiences should learn to differentiate between an artiste’s work and their personal conduct.
“When I see some kinds of talents, I see the character and know that the character is not good, but I feel the character is a part of the job,” he explained.
Last year, Article Wan dismissed claims that he had lost relevance in the music industry. And he assured fans that he remained a strong force in Ghanaian music. He clarified that his brief hiatus was a deliberate strategy to redefine his brand and adapt to current industry trends.
Despite the challenges in the music scene, the Solo crooner remains confident in his craft and continues to advocate for the recognition of raw talent over personality-driven narratives.
Article Wan’s Frustration Over Music Industry Challenges
Ghanaian musician Article Wan previously voiced his frustrations with the music industry, citing a lack of support, sabotage, and the influence of gatekeepers who manipulate the system. He revealed that he feels suppressed within the industry.
It was stated by the Solo hitmaker that Ghana is holding him back, making it difficult for him to release his work independently. The need for collective support was emphasized, as it was mentioned that some key figures have ignored him. Which he described as unfair
The existence of gatekeepers in the industry, who are believed to have the power to sabotage an artiste’s career, was also addressed by him.
He however refused to comment on whether there was ever a deliberate agenda to sabotage him. Although he admitted that what he has observed so far is concerning.
He also shared personal experiences of struggles in the industry, despite talent and hard work, were shared by the musician.
“Let’s be realistic, people have got their favourites. If you are not part of team A, when they are doing something, maybe selecting you will be their second option, you will never be their first option,” he added.
Gratitude was also expressed by Article Wan for the unwavering support from his fans. And gratitude for the continued success of his music, despite the obstacles faced.
He therefore acknowledged that divine intervention played a role in his musical journey, and the ability to continue producing music was credited to God. He also accentuated that in Ghana, many artists struggle to remain relevant after a hit song. However, collaborations with artists such as Patapaa and Joey B have contributed to his ongoing success. He added that his music has even gained traction in Russia.
“I thank my God in heaven because God has helped me with production. In Ghana, after one hit song, and it passes, that’s it for you. But I featured some hot songs after which included Patapaa, Joey B, and all these hits are coming from me and even making waves in Russia,” he said.
Despite these industry setbacks, optimism and appreciation for his career progress were reaffirmed by Article Wan.
