Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has outlined a list of incomes on which private schools in the country are expected to pay taxes as a statutory obligation.
It said apart from the normal school fees charged, profit on levies such as development levy, extra classes, bookshops, canteen, transportation, sale of uniform, evening classes, which was not charged directly under the regular school fees, were to be taxed.
Mr W.C. Sefah-Agyebeng, Assistant Commissioner in charge of training, who announced this at a day's workshop for private school proprietors in Accra, said fees charged during vacation classes, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) donations, external support for the school, gifts and grants were also not exempt from taxes.
His announcement generated a heated debate between the proprietors and the IRS officials with the proprietors arguing that they did not make profits on the list of items mentioned.
Mr Sefah-Agyebeng, however, allayed the fears of the proprietors, saying that "the items we have listed will not be taxed unless the school had made gains out of any of them".
He said the IRS had embarked on the public education exercise to stress the need for private schools and other companies to file their tax returns on an annual basis.
The workshop was on the theme: "Your tax returns: A fair way of assessing your income tax".
He said the IRS would be compelled to enforce the law if the proprietors refused to give full declaration of their income and expenditures at any specified period of the year.
The Assistant Commissioner said there were penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for those who refused to honour their tax obligations and urged the proprietors not to do things that would make them fall foul of the law.
Mr Sefah-Agyebeng said it was also an obligation on the part of the employer to file tax returns for each member of staff at the end of every year.
"After doing so, the employers are also expected to give a copy of what has been presented to the IRS to the employee to verify the correctness of the amounts indicated against his/her name," he said.
That, he said, was to allow the employee to satisfy himself/herself that what was deducted by the employer had been duly paid to the IRS.
He said it was also an offence on the part of any employer to under-declare or make false declarations to the IRS.
Mr Sefah-Agyebeng said those who were caught to be aiding and abetting would also not be spared.
The participants expressed gratitude to the IRS for the education and asked for regular education on tax returns and obligations.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
KOTOKO FAILED ON TACTICS — BAAH-NUAKO (GRAPHIC SPORTS, BACK PAGE)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
Disappointment swept through the ambitious Asante Kotoko team last Sunday as they were hit with the unpleasant reality of playing the return CAF Confederation Cup tie against Nigeria’s Dolphins in Kumasi minus three of their trusted warriors including captain Emmanuel Osei Kuffour.
Kuffour, Osei Kwame Jr and Dan Acquah have attracted multiple yellow cards in the competition and are effectively ruled out of the second leg.
A real performer on the field, Kuffour is the master inspirer of the team that has many young players, and his absence cannot be taken lightly.
Confirming this in an interview with the Graphic Sports, club communications director, Kwame Baah-Nuako, said the situation was a challenge for Coach Bashir Hayford to vary his tactics in order to give the team the revenge they would crave for.
Mr Baah-Nuako, who spoke on phone from his base in Accra, was particularly not impressed with the technical approach of the team in the match against Dolphins in which they slumped to a 0-2 defeat.
“It was always a difficult match for us because of the coach’s game plan to be on the defensive”, the communications director said.
He said on realising the line-up for the team which featured Samuel Inkoom, Harrison Afful, Prince Anokye and Dan Acquah at the back four, with two other defence players, Osei Kwame and George Asare sitting in front of them, what came into his mind was that the team was too defensive-minded.
“This is not the style of Asante Kotoko and I was not surprised that Dolphins dominated the middle and put pressure on us for a greater part of the game especially in the second half”, Baah-Nuako said.
According to him, what he knew was that once a while, a defender was put in front of the back four, and not two defenders. “The coach adopted this strategy in the match against Wikki Tourists in Bauchi and it worked for us”.
The communica-tions director also had some verbal punches for the referee for contributing to the defeat of Kototo, saying, “that is Africa for you”.
Yet, Mr Baah-Nuako also blamed the players for relaxing after Dolphins’ first goal, perhaps thinking that one-goal deficit was okay for the team.
“The players were becoming comfortable with the one goal during the dying minutes of the game and we paid dearly for it”, the communications director stated.
But was full of hope for the team in the return leg. “Listening to radio commentary and other information from my colleagues who were in Nigeria, Dolphins is not the side that should qualify at the expense of Kotoko”.
Kotoko, he said, had scaled through challenges bigger than the Dolphins situation and was confident that the team would qualify for the next stage.
Disappointment swept through the ambitious Asante Kotoko team last Sunday as they were hit with the unpleasant reality of playing the return CAF Confederation Cup tie against Nigeria’s Dolphins in Kumasi minus three of their trusted warriors including captain Emmanuel Osei Kuffour.
Kuffour, Osei Kwame Jr and Dan Acquah have attracted multiple yellow cards in the competition and are effectively ruled out of the second leg.
A real performer on the field, Kuffour is the master inspirer of the team that has many young players, and his absence cannot be taken lightly.
Confirming this in an interview with the Graphic Sports, club communications director, Kwame Baah-Nuako, said the situation was a challenge for Coach Bashir Hayford to vary his tactics in order to give the team the revenge they would crave for.
Mr Baah-Nuako, who spoke on phone from his base in Accra, was particularly not impressed with the technical approach of the team in the match against Dolphins in which they slumped to a 0-2 defeat.
“It was always a difficult match for us because of the coach’s game plan to be on the defensive”, the communications director said.
He said on realising the line-up for the team which featured Samuel Inkoom, Harrison Afful, Prince Anokye and Dan Acquah at the back four, with two other defence players, Osei Kwame and George Asare sitting in front of them, what came into his mind was that the team was too defensive-minded.
“This is not the style of Asante Kotoko and I was not surprised that Dolphins dominated the middle and put pressure on us for a greater part of the game especially in the second half”, Baah-Nuako said.
According to him, what he knew was that once a while, a defender was put in front of the back four, and not two defenders. “The coach adopted this strategy in the match against Wikki Tourists in Bauchi and it worked for us”.
The communica-tions director also had some verbal punches for the referee for contributing to the defeat of Kototo, saying, “that is Africa for you”.
Yet, Mr Baah-Nuako also blamed the players for relaxing after Dolphins’ first goal, perhaps thinking that one-goal deficit was okay for the team.
“The players were becoming comfortable with the one goal during the dying minutes of the game and we paid dearly for it”, the communications director stated.
But was full of hope for the team in the return leg. “Listening to radio commentary and other information from my colleagues who were in Nigeria, Dolphins is not the side that should qualify at the expense of Kotoko”.
Kotoko, he said, had scaled through challenges bigger than the Dolphins situation and was confident that the team would qualify for the next stage.
Monday, April 28, 2008
POLICEMAN INTERDICTED FOR AIDING SUSPECT (PAGE 44)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE Police Administration has interdicted a serving sergeant who allegedly smuggled a hacksaw blade to a suspected armed robber who was in police custody to aid his escape.
The police would not name the policeman but gave the name of the suspect as Eric Alfred Zieme.
The suspect, described by the police as a notorious criminal, once made an attempt to escape from lawful custody and they believed the hacksaw blade was only meant to assist him to make another move to escape.
The Ashanti Deputy Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bright Oduro, said in an interview that the interdiction of the sergeant was without prejudice to the outcome of the service enquiry into his conduct.
He said the sergeant had been released on bail pending the outcome of the service enquiry.
Zieme has been on remand in police custody for some time now following various robbery charges against him.
He was on the wanted list of the police until he was arrested upon a tip-off.
The police shot one of his legs to prevent him from escaping during investigations into some of his activities.
That was when he was leading police investigators on a search mission for some of his accomplices and the arms used in his operations.
THE Police Administration has interdicted a serving sergeant who allegedly smuggled a hacksaw blade to a suspected armed robber who was in police custody to aid his escape.
The police would not name the policeman but gave the name of the suspect as Eric Alfred Zieme.
The suspect, described by the police as a notorious criminal, once made an attempt to escape from lawful custody and they believed the hacksaw blade was only meant to assist him to make another move to escape.
The Ashanti Deputy Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bright Oduro, said in an interview that the interdiction of the sergeant was without prejudice to the outcome of the service enquiry into his conduct.
He said the sergeant had been released on bail pending the outcome of the service enquiry.
Zieme has been on remand in police custody for some time now following various robbery charges against him.
He was on the wanted list of the police until he was arrested upon a tip-off.
The police shot one of his legs to prevent him from escaping during investigations into some of his activities.
That was when he was leading police investigators on a search mission for some of his accomplices and the arms used in his operations.
NANA YEABOAH — BOFOAKWA'S RISING DEFENDER (NSEMPA, BACK PAGE)
By Kwame Asare Boadu
ONE of the rising stars in the National Division One league no doubt is 19-year-old George Awisi-Yeboah of Bofoakwa Tano.
The player, better known as Nana Yeboah, is a no-nonsense defender whose intimidating presence puts fear in many attackers.
He is nicknamed Song after the great Cameroun captain Rigobert Song.
He plays in central defence and is ripe for any of the national teams.
The defender says he has a two-year contract with Bofoakwa.
He told Graphic Nsempa that he would decide the next move after the expiry of his current contract.
He played for Topsymore, Division One side before joining Bofoakwa.
Nana Yeboah said it was refreshing that the Division One league was receiving very good attention and added that he was determined to help Bofoakwa return to the premiership next season.
ONE of the rising stars in the National Division One league no doubt is 19-year-old George Awisi-Yeboah of Bofoakwa Tano.
The player, better known as Nana Yeboah, is a no-nonsense defender whose intimidating presence puts fear in many attackers.
He is nicknamed Song after the great Cameroun captain Rigobert Song.
He plays in central defence and is ripe for any of the national teams.
The defender says he has a two-year contract with Bofoakwa.
He told Graphic Nsempa that he would decide the next move after the expiry of his current contract.
He played for Topsymore, Division One side before joining Bofoakwa.
Nana Yeboah said it was refreshing that the Division One league was receiving very good attention and added that he was determined to help Bofoakwa return to the premiership next season.
DRIVER ARRESTED OVER DEATH OF LABOURER (PAGE 54)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE Kumasi police arrested and questioned the driver of a Nissan Urvan bus, Moses Duah, over the killing of a sanitation labourer of Freko FD Limited, Baba Salifu, alias Sualey, who was in charge of the Kejetia Bus Terminal.
Mr Seth Ofori, a security co-ordinator of Freko FD, told the Daily Graphic that Sualey was hit and killed instantly by the Urvan bus, which was being driven by Duah in the night of April 4, 2008 while Sualey was conveying a heap of rubbish he had cleared at the terminal around 11 p.m. to the refuse dump.
He was crossing the dual carriage in front of Adehyeman Gardens to dispose of the rubbish on the other side of the road when the accident occurred.
The police confirmed the arrest of Duah and said he had been released on bail, pending further investigations.
Mr Ofori appealed to drivers to always try to ensure the safety of passengers and members of the general public in and around the Kejetia Bus Terminal.
He said the staff of the company were working at the peril of their lives but said a little care on the part of drivers could make the difference in preventing avoidable accidents.
The security co-ordinator noted with concern that in spite of the risk involved in the execution of their duties, the public looked down on the staff of the company and accused them unnecessarily of harassment of traders and extorting monies from them.
He appealed to the general public to co-operate with Freko security personnel and employees to ensure absolute protection of the general public by ensuring the safety of all categories of users of the terminal,
He expressed the condolences of the management and staff of the company to the bereaved family. Sualey has since been buried.
In another incident, the Kumasi police are investigating the circumstances in which a macho-man by name Kwasi Owusu allegedly assaulted John Elu, a security man of Freko FD company, and attempted to snatch a rifle from a police officer who came to the rescue of the security man.
Three machomen, on April 10, 2008, were seen urinating in the open at the terminal instead of a urinal provided at the place.
When Elu questioned them they pounced on him.
A police sergeant went to the scene and tried to intervene but Owusu allegedly attempted to snatch the rifle from the policeman.
Elu re-organised himself and quickly went to the aid of the policeman after the other two had taken to their heels. Owusu was over-powered and arrested.
The company’s security co-ordinator, Mr Ofori, urged members of the public to be vigilant and report people with questionable character who loitered around the terminal.
THE Kumasi police arrested and questioned the driver of a Nissan Urvan bus, Moses Duah, over the killing of a sanitation labourer of Freko FD Limited, Baba Salifu, alias Sualey, who was in charge of the Kejetia Bus Terminal.
Mr Seth Ofori, a security co-ordinator of Freko FD, told the Daily Graphic that Sualey was hit and killed instantly by the Urvan bus, which was being driven by Duah in the night of April 4, 2008 while Sualey was conveying a heap of rubbish he had cleared at the terminal around 11 p.m. to the refuse dump.
He was crossing the dual carriage in front of Adehyeman Gardens to dispose of the rubbish on the other side of the road when the accident occurred.
The police confirmed the arrest of Duah and said he had been released on bail, pending further investigations.
Mr Ofori appealed to drivers to always try to ensure the safety of passengers and members of the general public in and around the Kejetia Bus Terminal.
He said the staff of the company were working at the peril of their lives but said a little care on the part of drivers could make the difference in preventing avoidable accidents.
The security co-ordinator noted with concern that in spite of the risk involved in the execution of their duties, the public looked down on the staff of the company and accused them unnecessarily of harassment of traders and extorting monies from them.
He appealed to the general public to co-operate with Freko security personnel and employees to ensure absolute protection of the general public by ensuring the safety of all categories of users of the terminal,
He expressed the condolences of the management and staff of the company to the bereaved family. Sualey has since been buried.
In another incident, the Kumasi police are investigating the circumstances in which a macho-man by name Kwasi Owusu allegedly assaulted John Elu, a security man of Freko FD company, and attempted to snatch a rifle from a police officer who came to the rescue of the security man.
Three machomen, on April 10, 2008, were seen urinating in the open at the terminal instead of a urinal provided at the place.
When Elu questioned them they pounced on him.
A police sergeant went to the scene and tried to intervene but Owusu allegedly attempted to snatch the rifle from the policeman.
Elu re-organised himself and quickly went to the aid of the policeman after the other two had taken to their heels. Owusu was over-powered and arrested.
The company’s security co-ordinator, Mr Ofori, urged members of the public to be vigilant and report people with questionable character who loitered around the terminal.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
ASSEMBLY TAKES STEPS TO SOLVE ACCOMODATION PROBLEM OF POLICE (PAGE 20)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Manso Nkwanta
THE Amansie West District Assembly has initiated action to address the accommodation problems facing the police in the district.
Already, the assembly has renovated an old building for use by the district police commander, while a district police headquarters has been constructed at Manso Nkwanta, the district capital.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Ben Kwakye-Adeefe, made this known at the handing over of the commander’s residence at a ceremony at Manso Nkwanta.
He stated that the assembly was committed to addressing some of the problems facing the police, especially accommodation, to enable them to have the peace of mind to work in the district.
He said the assembly had also renovated the police barracks at Manso Nkwanta and was constructing new offices at Detain and Keniago for the police personnel.
Mr Kwakye-Adeefe further disclosed that next year, the assembly would construct police stations at Antoakrom and Ahwerewa.
He gave the assurance that efforts were underway by the assembly to purchase a pick-up and a motorbike for the District Security Committee to facilitate its work.
The DCE lauded the good work of the security committee, especially with regard to the settling of disputes between the mining companies and some farmers.
The Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Seth Oteng, commended the assembly for its initiative and expressed the hope that other district assemblies would learn from it.
He appealed to the public to co-operate with the police to combat crime in the district.
ACP Oteng assured the assembly that the police would take proper care of the facilities provided them in the district.
The chief of Manso-Brofoyedru, Nana Kwabena Antwi, who represented the Omanhene of the Manso Nkwanta Traditional Area, Nana Bi-Kusi Appiah, noted that the police were not enemies of the public but partners in development.
He, therefore, stressed the need for the people to co-operate with them so that security would improve in the area.
THE Amansie West District Assembly has initiated action to address the accommodation problems facing the police in the district.
Already, the assembly has renovated an old building for use by the district police commander, while a district police headquarters has been constructed at Manso Nkwanta, the district capital.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Ben Kwakye-Adeefe, made this known at the handing over of the commander’s residence at a ceremony at Manso Nkwanta.
He stated that the assembly was committed to addressing some of the problems facing the police, especially accommodation, to enable them to have the peace of mind to work in the district.
He said the assembly had also renovated the police barracks at Manso Nkwanta and was constructing new offices at Detain and Keniago for the police personnel.
Mr Kwakye-Adeefe further disclosed that next year, the assembly would construct police stations at Antoakrom and Ahwerewa.
He gave the assurance that efforts were underway by the assembly to purchase a pick-up and a motorbike for the District Security Committee to facilitate its work.
The DCE lauded the good work of the security committee, especially with regard to the settling of disputes between the mining companies and some farmers.
The Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Seth Oteng, commended the assembly for its initiative and expressed the hope that other district assemblies would learn from it.
He appealed to the public to co-operate with the police to combat crime in the district.
ACP Oteng assured the assembly that the police would take proper care of the facilities provided them in the district.
The chief of Manso-Brofoyedru, Nana Kwabena Antwi, who represented the Omanhene of the Manso Nkwanta Traditional Area, Nana Bi-Kusi Appiah, noted that the police were not enemies of the public but partners in development.
He, therefore, stressed the need for the people to co-operate with them so that security would improve in the area.
NEWLY CREATED DISTRICTS IN ASHANTI FACE CHALLENGES (PAGE 20)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
Ghana’s decentralisation programme is touted as one of the best, if not the best, in the whole of the African continent.
In fact, some African countries have had to come here to learn from our experience because they have seen the programme as tried and tested.
From the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) days that the decentralisation programme was launched, something positive had come out, and perhaps the future looks even more brighter for the nation.
President Kufuor recently created five new districts in the Ashanti Region with the view to accelerate the pace of development of the communities. This was done in line with the decentralisation process.
Creation of new districts is very important. Clearly, it has the potential to advance the cause of development and to a very large extent, address poverty.
But they also come with a lot of challenges, which need commitment, hard work and dedication from the people to complement what the government puts in place to achieve the ultimate objectives.
It is in this regard that the new districts, Sekyere Afram Plains, Afigya Kwabre, Atwima Kwanwoma, Offinso North and Adansi Central, would be putting in place effective measures to lift themselves up the development ladder as they take off.
It is a fact that successive governments played some key parts in bringing some level of development to the communities within the newly created districts.
Under the current government for instance, the rural communities in the region have seen development, perhaps unseen, in any other government of the country.
One can talk about roads, water, electricity, health and schools, just to mention a few. But the stark reality is that those are not enough to lift the communities from the poverty, disease and deprivation to expected heights.
In the new district of Sekyere Afram Plains for instance, the situation leaves much to be desired. The Afram Plains section of the district lacks several amenities, which poses a lot of challenges to the new district assembly.
The roads are virtually in a bad state. Sometimes, people travelling from the Afram Plains to Kumasi and Effiduase have to go through Atebubu in the Brong Ahafo Region before connecting. The distance thus becomes very long, and passengers have to pay more, apart from the other inconveniences.
Water is also a problem. A number of the communities do not have potable water for drinking, which poses problems for their health.
Even in districts like Afigya Kwabre and Atwima Kwanwoma, which are close to Kumasi, one can find serious developmental problems that need serious efforts to address.
Not long ago, when I was travelling through sections of the Atwima Kwanwoma District, I asked whether the national cake was being fairly shared. Poor roads infrastructure prevailed and any first visitor may not believe the area is so close to Kumasi.
Similar situations prevail in the other three districts, but it is refreshing that at least, the new districts were allocated part of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund to kick-start their development process.
Infrastructure for the district capitals is also lacking. New offices for the decentralised departments must be provided if the assemblies are to operate on a sound footing.
Besides, residential accommodation for officers posted to the districts is also required. Provision of those infrastructure need huge sums of money and it is clear that government resources alone cannot meet the demand.
The people must, therefore, rekindle their communal spirit to complement the government’s effort.
In the Sekyere Afram Plains District for instance, a number of the people have provided residential accommodation for some of the officers who would be working in the district capital, Kumawu.
This is what we expect from other districts so that officers of the decentralised departments would be attracted to their new places of work.
It is regrettable the way communal spirit has waned in many communities in the region. I believe that the chiefs would have to do something about that attitude because the new districts must progress at all cost.
Ghana’s decentralisation programme is touted as one of the best, if not the best, in the whole of the African continent.
In fact, some African countries have had to come here to learn from our experience because they have seen the programme as tried and tested.
From the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) days that the decentralisation programme was launched, something positive had come out, and perhaps the future looks even more brighter for the nation.
President Kufuor recently created five new districts in the Ashanti Region with the view to accelerate the pace of development of the communities. This was done in line with the decentralisation process.
Creation of new districts is very important. Clearly, it has the potential to advance the cause of development and to a very large extent, address poverty.
But they also come with a lot of challenges, which need commitment, hard work and dedication from the people to complement what the government puts in place to achieve the ultimate objectives.
It is in this regard that the new districts, Sekyere Afram Plains, Afigya Kwabre, Atwima Kwanwoma, Offinso North and Adansi Central, would be putting in place effective measures to lift themselves up the development ladder as they take off.
It is a fact that successive governments played some key parts in bringing some level of development to the communities within the newly created districts.
Under the current government for instance, the rural communities in the region have seen development, perhaps unseen, in any other government of the country.
One can talk about roads, water, electricity, health and schools, just to mention a few. But the stark reality is that those are not enough to lift the communities from the poverty, disease and deprivation to expected heights.
In the new district of Sekyere Afram Plains for instance, the situation leaves much to be desired. The Afram Plains section of the district lacks several amenities, which poses a lot of challenges to the new district assembly.
The roads are virtually in a bad state. Sometimes, people travelling from the Afram Plains to Kumasi and Effiduase have to go through Atebubu in the Brong Ahafo Region before connecting. The distance thus becomes very long, and passengers have to pay more, apart from the other inconveniences.
Water is also a problem. A number of the communities do not have potable water for drinking, which poses problems for their health.
Even in districts like Afigya Kwabre and Atwima Kwanwoma, which are close to Kumasi, one can find serious developmental problems that need serious efforts to address.
Not long ago, when I was travelling through sections of the Atwima Kwanwoma District, I asked whether the national cake was being fairly shared. Poor roads infrastructure prevailed and any first visitor may not believe the area is so close to Kumasi.
Similar situations prevail in the other three districts, but it is refreshing that at least, the new districts were allocated part of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund to kick-start their development process.
Infrastructure for the district capitals is also lacking. New offices for the decentralised departments must be provided if the assemblies are to operate on a sound footing.
Besides, residential accommodation for officers posted to the districts is also required. Provision of those infrastructure need huge sums of money and it is clear that government resources alone cannot meet the demand.
The people must, therefore, rekindle their communal spirit to complement the government’s effort.
In the Sekyere Afram Plains District for instance, a number of the people have provided residential accommodation for some of the officers who would be working in the district capital, Kumawu.
This is what we expect from other districts so that officers of the decentralised departments would be attracted to their new places of work.
It is regrettable the way communal spirit has waned in many communities in the region. I believe that the chiefs would have to do something about that attitude because the new districts must progress at all cost.
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