Speaking to Citi Business News after Tropical Cable and Conductor Limited acquired one of the vehicles of Kantanka Automobile, the General Manager of Kantanka, Francis Kudjordjie was optimistic the electric vehicle will reduce the use of fuel in Ghana when outdoored.

Ghana could see its first electric car, locally produced in the country as automobile company, Kantanka Automobile prepares to test its electric power-driven car by end of 2018.

According to company, the move is aimed at leapfrogging its operations in the industry, to be competitive and profitable.

Speaking to Citi Business News after Tropical Cable and Conductor Limited acquired one of the vehicles of Kantanka Automobile, the General Manager of Kantanka, Francis Kudjordjie was optimistic the electric vehicle will reduce the use of fuel in Ghana when outdoored.

“About three years ago, we came out with the first prototype of electric cars. The following year, we developed on it. We have three different modules of electric cars which has undergone test and have passed,” he announced.

He stated that the company is now outlining plans to market the cars since it is new to the Ghanaian market.

“We are now moving up to the commercialization of the electric cars which by the end of the year or early next year, we will be rolling out and we are very sure and hopeful that with the introduction of the electric cars, it will be a mover for the nation”.

Touching on how it will reduce fuel consumption, Mr. Kudjordjie such cars will only require charging to move.

“We have already being complaining about fuel increases. With the electric cars coming in, we believe that it will cut down demand for fuel and move the nation forward”.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of Tropical Cable and Conductor Limited, Dr. Tony Oteng Gyasi has charged government to outline a policy that will compel state agencies to buy locally produced cars.

He argued that such a policy will boost the manufacturing subsector of the economy to grow.

“I think that this is where our industrial policy comes in. We should have policies with definite targets, definite numbers, specifics saying that if you have a company in Ghana, you should purchase your vehicles from the Ghanaian manufacturer, that is the only way we can grow the manufacturing subsector in Ghana” he said.

Source:by Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

STATEMENT MADE ON THE FLOOR OF PARLIAMENT ON JULY 23, 2018 ON THE BATTERING OF A CUSTOMER BY A POLICE OFFICER AT THE MIDLAND SAVINGS AND LOANS BANK AT SHIASHIE BY HON. SARAH ADWOA SAFO, DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE WOMEN CAUCUS OF PARLIAMENT.

Mr. Speaker, citizens of this country on Friday, 20th July, 2018 witnessed a very horrific scenes in a video circulating in the social media that many of us are yet to come to terms with.

Mr. Speaker, in the video, a Police Officer armed with an assault rifle was seen violently battering a woman and her baby multiple times on the head, first with an umbrella, and then with his fist. The Officer continuously slapped and punched her and attempted to drag the woman violently out of the building, paying little attention to the woman cries for help and that of a baby the woman was carrying.

Mr. Speaker, a close observation of the video revealed that not much was done by the Officials at the incident scene, except that a man who appears to be an employee asking the woman to give him the baby. The man was also heard promising to give the woman GHȼ250, which was reported later to be the amount she had wanted to withdraw from the bank.

Mr. Speaker, according to media reports, the incidence took place at the Shiashie branch of Midland Savings and Loans Company in Accra where the woman, identified as Madam Patience Osafo, had gone to withdraw her money she had deposited with the Bank. The Police Officer, who was identified as Lance Corporal Frederick Amanor, was the Police Officer on guard duties at the bank.

Mr. Speaker, this very unfortunate incident as captured in the video was unacceptable and defies logic as there was disproportionate show of power. Though, the video did not reveal what might have occasioned the incidence, it is difficult for anybody to fathom what might have occasioned such a brutality from the Police Officer.

To quote our President, His Excellency Nana Akuffo Addo, “policemen are meant to protect citizens, not to assault citizens.” The Police Service as citizens’ refuge cannot become unsafe haven for the citizens. Not now and ever! The actions of the Police Officer is irreconcilable with our democratic values, respect for human rights and human dignity and our resolve as country to ensure that the rule of law reign supreme in potential conflict situation no matter the provocation.

In many of our discourses on development, Microfinance or Savings and Loans Companies have become a symbol of compassion and women economic empowerment in many developing countries including Ghana. It is very unfortunate that this incidence attempts to depict that symbol in a manner that is not of compassion, and which disregard the plight of our women or the vulnerable in society and the dignity of womanhood.

The Women Caucus join H.E the President, the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection and the general public to condemn the actions of the Police Officer involved. We wish to also register our disappointment in the staff and bystanders at the Branch of the Midland Savings and Loans Company at Shiashie whose actions and inactions propelled the assault.

The Caucus calls for justice for the woman. The Caucus joins President Nana Akufo-Addo and other well-meaning Ghanaians to support fully any sanction the Police administration will take against the Police Officer to serve as a deterrent to other recalcitrant officers who assault citizens instead of protecting them.

Above all, I call for the investigations to be transparent and the public updated through this august House. We also call on the Hon. Minister for Gender Children and Social Protection to also take steps to ensure that the requisite medical needs of the woman are met to enable her recover.

Mr. Speaker, the person or the Whistleblower who circulated the video requires the protection of the State. This august House has passed the Whistleblower Act of 2007 (Act 702) and the recently passed Witness Protection Act of 2018 to assist whistleblowers in matters such as this.

I urge the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the Ghana Police Service and other investigative body to ensure that these laws guide them in their investigations so that the Whistleblower does not suffer any victimisation or attack from any unscrupulous or disgruntled persons or groups.

To conclude, Mr. Speaker, with your indulgence, I wish on behalf of the Women Caucus to extend our sympathies to Madam Patience Osafo and her families and to assure them that the Caucus will support her to get justice. We also wish her speedy recovery from whatever injury she might have sustained from the incident

I thank you Mr. Speaker for the attention and the opportunity once again.

Source: Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo

The Chairman of the Kantanka Group known in real life as Apostle Dr Ing. Kwadwo Safo, together with the CEO and the entire management of Kantanka Automobile Company are finally set to launch the company’s first Showroom and Service Centre on Friday, 3rd of August 2018 in Achimota.

Kantanka Automobile Company specialises in the manufacturing of vehicles that meets the challenging nature of the Ghanaian terrain. The vehicles manufactured ranges from SUVs (Onantefo), Pickups (Omama), Mini SUVs (K71) and Saloons (Mensah and Amoanimaa) respectively.

The new Showroom and Service Centre of the company is located at Achimota, Adjacent FBN Bank. The centre will be a new sales point where potential buyers can easily purchase the proud made in Ghana vehicles, and also for their routine service checks aside the manufacturing point at Gomoa Mpota, in the Central Region.

Source: oilcitytoday.com by Koo Phante Drkay