Mexican mayor killed a day after taking office

The mayor of a municipality in Mexico was slain by armed men inside her home on Saturday -- one day after taking office.

Gisela Mota Ocampo was sworn into office Friday to lead Temixco, a city of nearly 100,000 people 60 miles south of Mexico City.

The attackers entered her house Saturday morning while her family was present and killed her in the doorway, said Alberto Capella, Morelos state security commissioner, at a press briefing.

Police pursued and exchanged gunfire with the armed men, killing two of them, he said. Two adults and a juvenile were arrested and will be prosecuted, said Javier Perez Duron, Morelos attorney general.

The Morelos state government issued a statement praising Mota Ocampo as "an honest and committed public servant" and calling the attack "a challenge that organized crime launched against the constitutional and democratic order."

"The government of the State of Morelos states categorically that we will not compromise or give a single step back in building a secure entity, in peace and harmony," the statement said.

Morelos state is known for drug cartel activity. Several years ago, a 14-year-old assassin for a drug cartel created international interest with his on-camera descriptions of killings he'd committed.

Credit: BBC

Today’s democracy can’t fight corruption - Rawlings

Former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings has rallied Ghanaians to rejuvenate the revolutionary spirit to combat corruption, greed and selfishness or risk derailing our political and social cohesion.
The leader of the June 4 1979 uprising and the 31^st December 1981 revolution said: “The colour of the democracy especially from the period of 2000 appears to lack the will, the capacity and the ability to fight corruption.”
The former President, who spoke at a ceremony to mark the 34^th anniversary of the 31^st December revolution on Thursday, described as a source of national pain, the loss of the spirit of defiance that could contain greed and selfishness and which has led to the institution of vice and corruption in the country.
Recalling the rationale behind the revolutions, Flt Lt Rawlings said:
“The colour of these revolutions contained a strong element of justice, truthfulness and freedom and the spirit of defiance to contain wrongdoing. We should be asking ourselves what happened especially from the year 2000.
“…The significance of this ceremony, as simple as it is, should never be lost on us. It should serve as a constant reminder of where we were and where we are. It should serve as a constant reminder of what led to the revolt of June 4 1979 and serve as a constant reminder of the 31^st December Revolution.”
Other speakers at the parade and lighting of perpetual flame event, which took place at the Revolutionary Square in Accra, included Nii Dodoo Nsakie, Otublohum Mantse, who reminded the audience, comprising cadres, members of the public, traditional rulers and some government officials that the revolution occurred to restore transparency, accountability and selfless leadership.
Nii Nsakie who is also the Acting President of the Ga Traditional Council, charged Ghanaians to use the commemoration to remind themselves of the need to be open and transparent at all levels to ensure that the peace and stability we enjoy is sustained.
The National Democratic Congress constituency chairman for Keta, Dr. Kofi Djokoto recalled the spirit of selflessness that heralded the revolution and challenged all to hold leadership accountable. He enjoined Ghanaians to embrace the spirit of patriotism and equity and to demand efficiency and compassion from those who govern us.
“The spirit of the revolution must be rejuvenated and resuscitated,” Dr. Djokoto asserted.
Earlier wreaths in honour of the fallen heroes were laid on behalf of the People ofGhana, the security services, the cadre corps, traditional institutions, farmers and fishermen and the youth.
The perpetual flame was lit by a triad of police officers at the request of Flt. Lt Jerry John Rawlings.

The full text of the former President’s address is published below.

FULL TEXT OF WHAT PRESIDENT RAWLINGS SAID AT 34^TH ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY OF THE 31^ST DECEMBER REVOLUTION

The significance of this ceremony, as simple as it is, should never be lost on us. It should serve as a constant reminder of where we were and where we are. It should serve as a constant reminder of what led to the revolt of June 4 1979 and serve as a constant reminder of the 31^st December Revolution.”
Ladies and gentlemen, from what I can see, it appears that the colour of this democracy is very different from the colour of the democracy we knew from 1982 to 1992 and also very different from the colour of the democracy we knew from the constitutional period of 1992 to 2000.
The colour of these revolutions contained a strong element of justice, truthfulness and freedom and the spirit of defiance to contain wrongdoing. We should be asking ourselves what happened especially from the year 2000. The colour of the democracy especially from the period of 2000 appears to lack the will, the capacity and the ability to fight corruption. I keep harping on this issue and I will continue to do so.
The colour of this democracy seems a little too different from what we used to know, from the spirit of defiance that could contain the greed, the selfishness that has given rise to so much corruption and pain in this country. I keep reminding ourselves of the colour of the revolution. It is extremely important that we do everything possible to capture that spirit before it becomes too late. I keep saying that the people of this country are peace-loving people and it is important that we do not take that peace loving nature of Ghanaians for granted.
In a few months we will meet again to light the flame of June 4^th. Let us hope that some colour that we identify with, that is discernible with the revolution will begin to show. We need to rejuvenate the spirit to fight corruption, the spirit to contain greed, selfishness, otherwise ladies and gentlemen, we may not be able to reach our destination.
The time has come for us to start looking at those who profited from the change of the colour, starting from 2000 and those who are profiting from that change in colour. Ladies and gentlemen, Niimei, Naamei that’s all I have for you on this somber occasion.

Credit: Joy News

BNI arrests ex-NHIA boss Sylvester Mensah

The former Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Sylvester Mensah who was arrested by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) Friday morning has been transferred to the facility’s regional headquarters for further interrogation.
It is not clear what his charges are and when he would be released, a close associate of Mr. Mensah told myjoyonline.com.
Mr. Mensah tendered himself to the BNI on the New Year Day, January 1, after seven armed BNI operatives stormed his residence at Tse Addo near Trade Fair in Accra today’s dawn.
Mr. Mensah was not home when the armed men invaded his residence.
They however proceeded to search his house and manhandle his security man, our sources claimed.
It is also not clear if his arrest has anything to do with a fraudulent case being investigated by the BNI in which five officials of the NHIA have bee arrested.
Some 17 persons have also been cautioned and granted bail by the BNI.
The investigations began six months ago at the instance of the President John Mahama and according to the BNI, many of the medical facilities have been falsifying documents and submitting bloated claims to the NHIA, and in some cases colluded with officials of the NHIA to defraud the Authority.
But a source at the NHIA has played down reports of the arrests.
The source told Myjoyonline.com the directors of the Authority have been invited for routine interactions with officials of the BNI.
He conceded that even though there have been such interactions between officials of the two institutions  in the past, this interaction appears to be comprehensive.
The source said some of the key issues being discussed include;
1. The Accreditation/credentialing process: What processes a health facility goes through to become a service provider of the NHIA.
2. Provider tariffs: How tariffs for providers are calculated and what tariffs apply to the various provider levels under the NHIS.
3. Claims: How claims are vetted/processed. What ingredients go into claims vetting and how monies are paid to providers after claims vetting, operation of the NHIS Claims Processing Centres etc.

Credit: Joy News