Author: Phoebe Martekie Doku

The results of the flagbearer elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will be officially announced by the Electoral Commission (EC) at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, confirmed to Keminin Amanor of TV3 that the commission will release its report on the election proceedings and present it to the party.

“We will declare the results at the Accra Sports Stadium,” he stated.

Voting concluded at 2 PM on Saturday, with participation from over 200,000 delegates.

The contestants included the Member of Parliament for Assin Central Constituency, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and former MP for Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimoh.

One of the leading contenders, Kennedy Agyapong, expressed his readiness to support the eventual winner of the poll. He shared this commitment shortly after casting his ballot at the Pentecost Worship Center in Assin Fosu.

The Police Service has apprehended a delegate at a polling station in Kasoa for contravening the established regulations governing the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries.

The individual was arrested after capturing a photograph of their cast vote, an act considered a breach by the party.

The NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, had previously emphasized the importance of enforcing this directive through police action.

At present, the presidential primaries have concluded, and the counting process is ongoing nationwide. The winner will be officially announced following the compilation of results.

The NPP’s presidential contenders include Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh.

NPP Presidential Primaries: One person has been arrested by the police at Kasoa for flouting electoral regulations; he took a snap of the vote he casted#ElectionCentral pic.twitter.com/9kwa7926SI

— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) November 4, 2023

A recent poll conducted by Global InfoAnalytics indicates that the Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, is the sole presidential aspirant within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who stands a good chance of defeating the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, in the 2024 general elections.

In an interview on Citi TV’s Big Issue, Mussa Dankwah, the Executive Director and Head of Polls at Global InfoAnalytics, emphasized that Agyapong has the highest likelihood of winning the 2024 elections among all NPP candidates.

“The poll says Kennedy Agyapong,” Dankwah said when asked who has the best probability of defeating Mahama.

When asked about the candidate with the best probability of defeating Mahama, Dankwah unequivocally mentioned Kennedy Agyapong.

In a separate poll conducted by the Institute of Research Innovation & Development at Kumasi Technical University, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia emerged as the frontrunner in the NPP flagbearer race.

The poll indicated that Bawumia has a strong chance of securing a significant victory in eight regions. It’s worth noting that Bawumia won the NPP Super Delegates Conference on August 25, with Mr Agyapong finishing in the second position.

In contrast to these poll results, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Godfred Dame has expressed his belief that Mahama lacks the qualifications to defeat any NPP candidate presented in the 2024 polls.

The NPP is set to hold a crucial election in which over 200,000 delegates across the country will vote to elect a presidential candidate for the 2024 election.

The Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s Elections Committee, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye, has given his assurance that any issues raised concerning the party’s presidential election will be resolved in a cordial manner.

During a visit to the Dome-Kwabenya polling center on Saturday, Professor Oquaye acknowledged the possibility of errors and expressed the party’s commitment to addressing them if they are brought to the attention of party leadership.

He noted, “You try to make one change or correction on the computer, and then it affects other things, so there can always be mistakes. We are learning and growing in all of these elections.”

Professor Oquaye further emphasized that the committee has been receptive to queries and will provide responses to all of them.

“The committee has tolerated queries all along, and we will provide an answer to every query,” he added.

Several concerns have been raised regarding the credibility of the delegates’ register, with some pointing out issues and calling for necessary corrections.

On Friday, November 3, supporters of Ken Agyapong in the Awutu Senya East constituency of the Central Region threatened to boycott the primary, believing that the voter album had been altered.

There have been reports that a number of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) could not locate their names on the NPP’s album list. In the case of Member of Parliament for Shama, Erickson Abekah, his name was absent from the register, and he was asked to step aside until rectification.

In response to these concerns, Justin Frimpong Kodua, the General Secretary of the NPP, stated that the party had written to the Electoral Commission to request that MPs and MMDCEs, whose names were not included in the album list in their respective constituencies, be allowed to vote.

The former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie has received a “sympathy vote” from a delegate in the 2023 New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s presidential race.

The delegate, identified as Charlotte Bolabi, expressed her intention to vote for Dr. Akoto Afriyie out of concern that he might otherwise receive zero votes in her constituency.

In an interview with GHOne TV, Madam Charlotte revealed her initial plan to vote for Kennedy Agyapong but changed her decision after learning of Dr. Akoto Afriyie’s situation.

She explained, “I’m now going to vote, but I will go with Dr. Afriyie Akoto. If I don’t vote for him, no one else will. Everyone is voting for Bawumia or Showdown (Kennedy Agyapong), so I want to vote for him. I had wanted to vote for Showdown (Kennedy Agyapong).”

Madam Charlotte also acknowledged the rumors of money distribution and anticipated receiving her share once she encountered her constituency coordinator.

She said, “I have heard that they are sharing envelopes, but I’m yet to receive mine. Once I see my coordinator, I will get mine.”

The NPP primaries is currently taking place in over 277 constituencies, with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, as the leading candidates.

While the process has generally been peaceful, it has been marred by allegations of vote-buying, with delegates openly admitting to receiving cash from the camps of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Kennedy Agyapong.

Reports suggest that delegates in the La Dade Kotokopon constituency claim to have received GHC450 from the vice president’s camp.

In a viral video, a delegate named Sir Collins explained that he chose to vote for Kennedy Agyapong because he found the amount offered to be more substantial than that of the vice president.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the disparity in resources and support, particularly the fact that Dr. Bawumia, who aspires to be the party’s flagbearer, offered GH¢400 each.

Another delegate, Samed Nuhu, confirmed receiving money from both Bawumia’s and Kennedy Agyapong’s camps but urged fellow delegates not to let these financial inducements influence their decisions.

He pledged to vote for the person he believed would best serve the party’s interests. Nuhu revealed that he voted for Bawumia and received an envelope but expressed disappointment that the amount was not substantial.

He commented,“I have finished voting and gone for my envelope but the money isn’t much. The process has been cool and without hitches. The people are also conducting themselves well so its going on smoothly. I also took an envelope from Ken. I didn’t fight for it but they give it to me. I have not opened the envelopes yet”, he said.

Stay tuned on our live updates page for ongoing coverage of the election.

I have realised no one is going to vote for Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto so I am voting for him – delegate#ElectionHub #NPPDecides pic.twitter.com/wmLz7XagCz

— GHOne TV (@GHOneTV) November 4, 2023

In a show of unwavering support for an aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s flagbearer position, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the well-known political figure, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, was joined by a group of delegates at a local polling station.

Accompanied by a group of fellow party members, their unified demonstration included fervent chants and vocal support for Bawumia’s candidacy.

This display of unwavering support underscores the considerable importance of Dr. Bawumia’s campaign for the NPP’s flagbearer position, as it garnered vocal backing from influential party members, including Ursula Owusu Ekuful.

The enthusiastic chants heard included “We are winning yoyo yoyo, we are winning yayaya, no challenger, Bawumia we are winning.”

The NPP is currently in the process of conducting a momentous election to determine its flagbearer for the upcoming 2024 general elections, taking place on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

This election assumes significant importance as it aims to break away from the established eight-year election cycle pattern in the nation.

Four candidates are vying for the highly coveted flagbearer position: Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Member of Parliament Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Food and Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie, and former MP Francis Addai-Nimoh.

Stay tuned on our live updates page for ongoing coverage of the election.

MP for Ablekuma West, Ursula Owusu Ekuful and several delegates chant in support of Dr @MBawumia at the Liberty Park polling station in Dansoman.

| Visit https://t.co/vain7jnUh3 for more updates. #NPPDecides pic.twitter.com/yRM9w7EeMV

— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) November 4, 2023

The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah-Dame, has thrown his support behind Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer position, citing Bawumia’s integrity, intellect, and experience as essential qualities to break the eight-year cycle of power in Ghana.

During an interview with Citi News’ Hanson Agyemang on Saturday, November 4, 2023, Yeboah-Dame emphasized that Dr. Bawumia is the sole candidate capable of leading the NPP to victory in the 2024 presidential election.

“Bawumia has the integrity, he has the intellect, he has the experience, and he has the vision to lead the NPP to victory in 2024 and to break the eight,” Yeboah-Dame affirmed. “He is the only candidate who can do it.”

Yeboah-Dame lauded Bawumia’s track record as Vice President, underscoring his pivotal role in implementing crucial government policies.

Dr. Bawumia is among four candidates competing for the NPP flagbearer nomination. The other contenders include Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, former Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and former Mampong MP Francis Addai-Nimoh.

Over 200,000 NPP delegates nationwide cast their votes on Saturday to select a presidential candidate for the 2024 election.

In the meantime, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia expressed his confidence in winning the NPP presidential primary on Saturday, November 4, 2023, while acknowledging that the ultimate outcome rests in the hands of God.

“I’m reasonably confident of winning,” Bawumia said after casting his ballot at the NPP Headquarters, adding, “But it’s in God’s hands.”

Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed his strong belief in his ability to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to success in the 2024 elections.

He conveyed this confidence during an interaction with the media at his residence in Accra, in anticipation of the NPP’s flagbearer election.

Dr. Bawumia underscored his extensive engagement with party delegates throughout the country, emphasizing that he represents the NPP’s best opportunity to secure victory in the upcoming presidential election.

He reiterated the core messages of his campaign, highlighting his long-standing commitment to the party, his pivotal role in the 2012 election petition, and his contributions as Vice President.

“By the grace of God, l have brought my campaign, the visits to the NPP delegates in their constituencies to an end. Every constituency has been a home for me for the past 15 years, and for this particular campaign, my mission was simple; to let the delegates know why I represent the NPP’s best chance of breaking the 8 in next year’s presidential election if I am elected the party’s flagbearer,” Dr. Bawumia said.

Dr. Bawumia emphasized his dedication to party unity and called for a campaign characterized by respect and inclusivity. He expressed his determination to unite all party members and stressed the importance of presenting a united front.

In the upcoming election, Dr. Bawumia will face competition from Francis Addai-Nimoh, Kennedy Agyapong, and Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie.

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has stated that his potential election as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer will redefine the party’s image, showcasing its inclusivity in the 2024 general election.

He believes it will also counter the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s propaganda labeling the NPP as an “Akan party” and help propel the party to victory in 2024.

Dr. Bawumia made these remarks during a press event at his residence in Accra, where he interacted with journalists and bloggers to garner their support and publicity for his campaign across the 275 constituencies.

He views the upcoming election as a test of grassroots sentiment and emphasizes his extensive experience working with the NPP grassroots for over 15 years.

“My election as NPP flagbearer for election 2024 will neutralise the NDC’s propaganda against our Party,” the NPP presidential hopeful said at a press soiree at his residence in Accra on Thursday.

He highlighted his roles as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo’s running mate in 2008, and his service as Vice President of Ghana since 2017.

Dr. Bawumia positions himself as a grassroots candidate and the best choice to break the eight-year election cycle for the ruling party. He emphasizes the importance of unity, issue-based campaigns, and a civil tone in his campaign.

“I have worked with the grassroots of the party for more than 15 years,” he said, and recounted his days as the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana to the time he was selected as candidate Nana Akufo-Addo’s running mate in 2008.

He expresses hope that his election as flagbearer will enable him to unite other candidates and their supporters to form a cohesive front for the 2024 general election.

The NPP’s presidential primaries are set to take place on Saturday, November 4, 2023, with a total of 204,144 delegates, including 563 proxy voters, participating.

“I’m more of grassroots candidate than the establishment candidate,” Dr Bawumia stated.

The election will be conducted in 277 voting centers across the 275 constituencies, and the candidate receiving over 50 percent of the votes will become the party’s flagbearer for the 2024 Election.

The Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has informed Parliament that the National Security Ministry plans to release all eight individuals arrested in Garu following disturbances in the area.

Military forces were deployed to the community and reportedly mistreated residents after allegations that National Security operatives had been attacked.

Subsequently, eight people were arrested and detained, with the area’s MP, Albert Akuka Alalzuuga, claiming he was denied access to his constituents who were in custody.

“I want to inform the House that steps have been taken to ensure that these gentlemen are released and taken back to Garu,” he assured.

Meanwhile, the youth of Garu and Tempane are demanding the immediate release of their detained peers and have threatened to withdraw public services in the two communities if their demands are not met.

Despite a court remanding the eight individuals, Mr. Afenyo-Markin confirmed that steps have been taken to secure their release.

He noted that the Upper East Regional Minister and other stakeholders had visited the detainees and found them in good spirits, without complaints of mistreatment.

The Minority in Parliament expressed their reservation, stating that they cannot confirm whether the detainees’ rights were violated while in custody and will await their release to assess their treatment.

“In fact, if you are still in custody, you can’t be complaining or say whatever you want to say when your captors are still there. Let’s hold on when they are out, we will find out whether they were maltreated or not,” said Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza.

Mahama Ayariga, the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, has voiced strong criticism against the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, for establishing the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF) without obtaining parliamentary approval.

He further called on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to withdraw their support for the fund, labeling it as both “unconstitutional and illegal.”

In a letter addressed to both institutions, Mr Ayariga pointed out that the GFSF was formed through “mere guidelines” and placed under the administration of an “illegal and unconstitutional body known as Ghana Amalgamated Trust Plc (GAT).”

He also expressed concerns about the “opaque and legislatively unauthorized management and disbursement mechanisms” associated with the fund.

Mr Ayariga cautioned the World Bank and IMF that they would be violating the Ghanaian Constitution if they endorsed the GFSF.

In his words: “I write to request the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) country offices in Ghana not to lend your support to the unconstitutional and illegal attempt by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning (Mr. Ken Ofori Atta) to establish a Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF) using mere guidelines and putting it under the administration of an illegal and unconstitutional body known as Ghana Amalgamated Trust Plc (GAT) based on opaque and legislatively unauthorized management and disbursement mechanisms.”

Ayariga also expressed dismay at the Finance Minister’s apparent disregard for the ongoing legal proceedings, noting that he had initiated legal action to challenge the legality of GAT and its activities. Despite this, GAT and the Ministry of Finance were proceeding with their plans, which Ayariga described as an “illegality on a very large scale.”

“I write to request the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) country offices in Ghana not to lend your support to the unconstitutional and illegal attempt by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning (Mr. Ken Ofori Atta) to establish a Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF) using mere guidelines and putting it under the administration of an illegal and unconstitutional body known as Ghana Amalgamated Trust Plc (GAT) based on opaque and legislatively unauthorized management and disbursement mechanisms.

“The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank will be acting in clear violation of the Constitution of Ghana of 1992 if they lend their support to this arrangement or are in any way party to it.”

According to Ayariga, the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF) lacks parliamentary approval and employs a fraudulent structure intended to deprive the owners of local indigenous banks of their property rights. He further argued that the operational framework of the GFSF is designed to circumvent constitutional scrutiny, which is mandated by Ghana’s constitution.

Read below the statement by Mahama Ayariga

Ghana Financial Stability Fund

THE COUNTRY HEAD
WORLD BANK COUNTRY OFFICE
ACCRA
GHANA

THE COUNTRY HEAD
IMF MISSION OFFICE
ACCRA
GHANA

Dear Sirs,

UNCONSTITUTIONALITY AND ILLEGALITY OF THE OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF THE GHANA FINANCIAL STABILITY FUND AND ADMINISTRATION BY GHANA AMALGAMATED TRUST (GAT)

I write to request the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) country offices in Ghana not to lend your support to the unconstitutional and illegal attempt by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning (Mr. Ken Ofori Atta) to establish a Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF) using mere guidelines and putting it under the administration of an illegal and unconstitutional body known as Ghana Amalgamated Trust Plc (GAT) based on opaque and legislatively unauthorized management and disbursement mechanisms. It is a scheme with the potential to deprive private indigenous bank owners the ownership of their assets in these banks after his mismanagement of the financial sector has rendered these banks vulnerable. And it has not been subjected to parliamentary oversight and scrutiny.

I refer to the publication by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP) dated 22nd August 2023 which indicates that the Government of Ghana (GoG) has established a Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF). The Fund is expected to be funded by the Government of Ghana and the World Bank/IMF as its major donor. In the said document, the MoFEP is indicating that it will seek to offload an amount of about $750 million to Ghana Amalgamated Trust (GAT) Ltd to be the main agency responsible for disbursing such funds.

On 3rd March 2022, as a member of the minority in Parliament, I brought an action at the Supreme Court of Ghana to challenge the legality of GAT and the fraudulent activities of GAT and its operations in the case of Mahama Ayariga v. Attorney General & Others (Suit No. J1/20/2022). The issue is currently pending.

It is therefore strange that GAT and MoFEP, knowing well that the case is still pending in court will still want to undertake an illegality this time on a very large scale.

Unconstitutionality of GAT

1. The Ghana Financial Stability Fund(GFSF) lacks parliamentary approval and has a fraudulent structure intended to deprive owners of local indigenous banks of their property rights. We believe GAT is a well-orchestrated scheme to acquire private banks which have been rendered vulnerable by the bad policies of the Finance Minister and who might desperately go for lifeline support from GAT.

2. GAT was sponsored by the Government of Ghana as a limited liability company under the Companies Act, 2016 (Act 992). The Minister of Finance in 2019 had an arrangement with GAT, as the sponsor and with NTHC as trustee shareholder in GAT which arrangement allowed NTHC as trustee to hold shares in GAT on behalf of Government.  We have contended in court that this is an unconstitutional scheme to transfer public funds to private ownership without the requisite parliamentary approval.

3. Article 192 of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana states categorically that a “public corporation shall not be established except by an Act of Parliament.” Article 179 recognizes the setting up of public corporations as commercial ventures.  The current arrangement by which the Government of Ghana seeks to use NTHC Ltd to hold shares in GAT for a commercial venture offends the Constitutional requirement, which vests Government with the authority to only engage in a commercial venture through the medium of a public corporation enacted by an Act of Parliament.

4. Government cannot, in seeking to evade parliamentary oversight, indirectly incorporate a company and nominate a private entity to hold its shares in the company on behalf of the Government under a so-called trusteeship arrangement. This offends the 1992 Constitution.

5. In paragraphs 217 to 220 of the Government’s Economic Policy and Budget Statement of 2020, the Minister of Finance sought to explain the circumstances under which GAT was formed and approval was sought from Parliament for him to issue a sovereign guarantee to enable GAT, which is a limited liability company whose shares are held by a non state entity, to raise GHS800 million. When the Minister was unable to raise funds through a bond, he requested Parliament to approve GHS800 million for the “initial capitalization of GAT for its investment in the four (4) participating banks”.

6. The Constitution, in Article 181 (1) makes provision for Parliament, by a resolution supported by the votes of a majority of all the members of Parliament, to authorize the Government to enter into an agreement for the granting of a loan out of any public fund or public account. And after the agreement is entered into, it shall not come into operation unless it is laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of Parliament.

7. Parliamentary approval of a loan out of the public funds is a two-staged process. The process begins with the authorization by Parliament of the entry into the agreement by the parties. After the agreement has been entered into, Parliament then gives its approval for the agreement to become operational on the terms and conditions presented to parliament.

8. The Minister of Finance, in failing to obtain Parliamentary approval for the agreement to become operational on stated terms renders the agreement so entered into between the Minister of Finance and GAT unconstitutional, thereby making the whole transaction null and void.

The legality and constitutionality of GAT and the arrangement to put the GHC800m under GAT are the subject of the suit in Mahama Ayariga v. Attorney General & Others.

“Operational Framework of the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF)”

The Ministry of Finance in a document entitled “Operational Framework of the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF)” stated that “The conclusion of Phase 2 of the DDEP has further impaired the balance sheet of banks and other participating financial institutions. To help mitigate the impact of the GoG debt operation on the financial sector, GoG is establishing the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF) to provide solvency and liquidity support for the financial sector as needed.”

The document further states that “VII. An initial allocation of US$750m, consisting of US$250m loan facility from the World Bank/IDA and US$500m from the GoG, has been earmarked for the solvency window of the GFSF.”

The document added that it is “the operational framework of the GFSF” and “sets out in detail the set up of the fund including the sources of funding, PFIs eligibility criteria for accessing the fund, the terms and conditions, and governance arrangements of the fund, among others.”

The document is clear that “The GoG is accordingly allocating budgetary resources for the establishment of the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF) to minimize the adjustment burden on the financial sector, particularly, banks, and insurance companies over the medium-term, and to avoid any systemic financial crisis.”

The document indicates that “The GFSF is being operationalized through two windows: a Solvency window (Fund A) and a Liquidity window (Fund B).”

“The Solvency window is expected to provide recapitalization support to financial institutions whose solvency is adversely impacted by the DDEP and to help restore them to full compliance with minimum regulatory capital requirements in the shortest possible time and no later than the end of the ECF programme.
16. This window will be designed as two distinct but complementary sub-funds (Fund A1 and Fund A2) under the GFSF, reflecting financing support from the World Bank/IDA (Fund A1) and from GoG directly (Fund A2).”

The document reveals that “For state-owned financial institutions, there will be direct investment from Government. With privately owned institutions, there will be an indirect investment through the Ghana Amalgamated Trust (GAT). This is to minimize any direct GoG involvement and ownership in any of these institutions.” (Emphasis added).

It is indicated in the document that “GAT will serve as the Secretariat for Solvency Fund A2 and will setup ring-fenced operational framework, approved by the MoF, to guide its operations. GAT will also hold in trust for the Government, GoG’s investment in the privately owned financial institutions. As part of its roles, GAT will conduct investment analysis, recommendations, due diligence, post investment monitoring and report to the IC.”

Unconstitutionality and Illegality of the “Operational Framework of the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF)”

A combined reading of articles 175, 176 178 and 179 of the Constitution of Ghana requires that the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF) be established by a express Act of Parliament with clear legal stipulation regarding its administration and mechanisms for disbursing the funds and how the funds should be recovered.

It is illegal and unconstitutional to seek to establish such public funds by mere administrative guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Finance is seeking to use opaque and unscrutinized (by Parliament) mechanisms that will be clearly open to their absolute discretion in clear disregard to the arrangements contemplated by the Constitution of Ghana 1992.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank will be acting in clear violation of the Constitution of Ghana of 1992 if they lend their support to this arrangement or are in anyway party to it.

Article 175 of the Constitution provides for the establishment of public funds by an express Act of Parliament. Article 176 provides for funds received on behalf of the public to be paid into the Consolidated Fund or a fund established by or under the authority of an Act of Parliament. Article 178 then details the proper legal mechanisms for withdrawal of money from public funds. The mechanisms provided for in the “Operational Framework of the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF)” is an unintelligent attempt to evade legal and constitutional scrutiny as mandated by our constitution.

Please accept considerations of my highest regards.

Thank you

Mahama Ayariga Esq. MP
Bawku Central

1. Governor, Bank of Ghana
2. Attorney General and Minister for Justice
3. Speaker, Parliament of Ghana
4. President, Association of Bankers

A shell licensee, Vivo Energy Ghana, has teamed up with the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and Health Nexus Network to initiate a road safety campaign project dedicated to promoting and improving the physical and mental well-being of commercial vehicle drivers in the country.

Named the “Fit2Drive Wellness Programme,” it is also structured to uphold optimal health and safety standards on the roads.

This initiative comes on the heels of the successful launch and implementation of the “STOP, THINK & DRIVE” road safety campaign.

Following the recent launch, participating drivers received free occupational health assessments from a team of health professionals at the Neoplan Station in Accra. These assessments were aimed at addressing basic occupational health conditions associated with their profession, with the ultimate goal of reducing road traffic accidents.

Rationale: Joseph Kankam, the Health, Security, Safety, Environment, and Quality Manager of Vivo Energy Ghana, delivered a speech on behalf of the Managing Director.

He stressed the critical importance of the well-being of commercial drivers, not only for their personal health but also for the safety and success of their operations.

Recognizing that the demands of the job could take a toll on drivers’ health and wellness, the “Fit2Drive Wellness Programme” was devised to promote holistic well-being and instill a sense of responsibility and awareness among commercial drivers.

As part of this wellness program, the company plans to collaborate with various transport unions to organize fitness sessions for drivers at selected bus terminals.

These sessions are intended to enhance drivers’ physical and mental well-being, thereby reducing the risk of accidents caused by fatigue or health-related issues.

He called on stakeholders to support this initiative, which prioritizes the health and well-being of drivers, ensuring they are physically and mentally fit to navigate the roads safely.

“We believe that investing in the wellness of our drivers is essential for fostering a safer and more efficient transportation system,” he emphasized.

Cardiovascular accidents: Dr. Elvis Forson, the Chief Executive Officer of Health Nexus Network, highlighted the significant role played by risk conditions such as hypertension and diabetes in causing road accidents in the country.

He urged drivers to be mindful of their health and emphasized the importance of seeking regular and timely medical attention to prevent unforeseen health issues while on the road.

“Among the many reasons attributed to road traffic accidents is the failing health of drivers. Cardiovascular conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and their complications such as strokes, heart attacks, and increased fatigue are direct risk factors for road accidents as they lower the productivity of drivers and even result in permanent disability,” he explained.

Partners: Dr. Ofori-Boadu, the Director of the Institutional Care Division of the Ghana Health Service, advised commercial drivers to undergo regular check-ups at approved health centers to stay informed about their health status for safe driving.

He stressed the utmost importance of drivers being mindful of their health conditions and adopting a healthy lifestyle to ensure the safety of road users, emphasizing the need for regular check-ups and health screening to prevent complications.

Superintendent Joseph Appiah of the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) encouraged drivers to have regular eye check-ups and get sufficient rest to restore their energy before embarking on further trips.

He urged drivers to comply with road safety regulations to avoid accidents and legal issues.

Daniel Wuaku, the Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the National Road Safety Authority, acknowledged the reduction in recorded road accidents and commended all stakeholders for their roles. However, he stressed the authority’s commitment to working with any stakeholders to support the national road safety cause.

The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Kyea, has emphasized the importance of unity as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) prepares for its presidential primaries.

Speaking to the media in Parliament, the legislator stressed that the primary adversary is the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), underscoring the necessity of a collaborative effort to achieve victory, regardless of the winning candidate.

Furthermore, he asserted that any presidential candidate with divisive intentions should not be deemed fit to lead the NPP. Atta Kyea also pointed out the overwhelming support for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as evident on the ground.

The NPP, currently in power, is diligently gearing up for its polls scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023, to select a flagbearer for the 2024 general elections.

This critical poll will involve the participation of over 200,000 party delegates and is regarded as a vital step in breaking the party’s eight-year election cycle challenge.

Out of the initial 10 flagbearer hopefuls, the party has narrowed the field down to four aspirants who are competing to succeed President Akufo-Addo.

The Director of the Counselling Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Dr. Phyllis Tebuah Osei, has been honored as the queen mother of Amonukuma Ekroful, located in the Anomabo Traditional Area within the Central Region.

During the enstoolment ceremony, ACP Osei, who was also recognized as the United Nations Female Police Officer for 2019, received the title of Nana Ama Kwentsiwa I.

Before her current position, Nana Kwentsiwa served as the Unit Commander of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) at the Ministries Police station and as the Deputy National Coordinator for DOVVSU.

In a recent durbar held at Amonu Kuma Ekroful, Nana Kwentsiwa and a mining surveyor named Anthony Andoh were enstooled as Odikro with the stool name Nana Sekyi VI.

The procession to the durbar grounds featured the two riding in palanquins, greeted by cheers from their subjects and well-wishers, including senior security personnel.

Following their enstoolment, both Nana Kwentsiwa and Nana Sekyi took oaths of allegiance to the local community.

Nana Kwentsiwa expressed her commitment to promoting education and sports in the area. She pledged to enhance educational opportunities and establish by-laws aimed at reducing truancy and encouraging learning among the youth in the community. She also urged men and boys to support young girls in their pursuit of education, emphasizing the importance of abstaining from sexual relationships with them.

Nana Sekyi, the Odikro, emphasized the significance of peace and unity for the development of the region, urging the town’s residents to actively contribute to the area’s progress and growth.

On November 21, Gregory Afoko, the farmer alleged to be involved in the death of the New Patriotic Party’s Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama, will face a fresh examination of his murder plea.

This marks the third time in eight years that Afoko’s plea on murder and conspiracy will be addressed due to a previous hung jury.

The retrial, which started at the beginning of the 2023/24 Legal Year, has been assigned to the Criminal Court ‘2,’ presided over by Justice Maries-Louis Simmons for a fresh start.

Mr Afoko, along with Asabke Alangde (who has already been convicted and sentenced to death for conspiracy), has appeared in court twice since the retrial was assigned.

The two individuals have been held in connection with an acid attack in May 2015, which led to the death of the New Patriotic Party’s Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama.

Mr Afoko, in particular, has been in custody for the past eight years since his arrest in May 2015.

In April of the current year, a seven-member jury returned a 4-3 verdict for Afoko, who stood trial for conspiracy and murder.

The outcome led to a hung jury, prompting a retrial as ordered by the then trial judge, Justice Afua Merley Wood, who was sitting as both a Court of Appeal judge and a High Court judge at the time.

Since the hung jury verdict in April 2023, Afoko’s requests for bail have been denied on two occasions, once at the Criminal Court 2 in June and again at the Human Rights Division in October.

According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, a new jury is expected to be empaneled on November 21 to address the case.

The first trial of Afoko began in 2016 but was terminated due to the arrest of the second accused person. The second trial commenced in 2019 before Justice Merley Afua Wood, who has since retired as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.

The case is now assigned to Justice Marie-Louise Simmons for a fresh start. The case is related to an incident in May 2015, where the deceased, Adams Mahama, suffered severe injuries after a substance suspected to be acid was poured on him in front of his house in Bolgatanga.

He later died from his injuries at the Bolgatanga General Hospital.

The prosecution’s brief facts of the case state that the accused individuals formed a youth group to protect those perceived to be against Nana Akufo-Addo.

On May 20, 2015, they allegedly laid an ambush at Mahama’s residence with a substance suspected to be acid and attacked him when he returned home.

Adams Mahama’s wife also sustained burns while assisting her husband. The post-mortem report cited shocked lungs and extensive acid burns as the cause of Mahama’s death.

The Director of the Ghana School of Law has clarified that, according to customary laws in Ghana, a man cannot make a claim to his wife’s self-acquired property under any circumstances.

He cited a Ghanaian customary law principle that prevents a husband from enjoying his wife’s self-acquired property.

According to him, a wife’s personal property is considered her family property, and in the event of her death, her family will take control of it, removing it from the husband’s claim.

He quoted J.B. Danquah regarding customary laws in Ghana to support his argument.

“Our system of succession bars the husband from the enjoyment of his wife’s self-acquired property. For a wife’s personal property is as a whole her own family property and when she dies, her family will take all of it from her husband’s control,” Mr. Barima Nana Yaw Kodie Oppong quoted J.B. Danquah on customary laws in Ghana.

“And it makes sense because let me ask you, if your wife – touchwood – were to die, and family members come to you, ‘Oh our in-law, we have come to take assess of our wife. Did she also build a house somewhere?’ and you say ‘ah Opanin, have you not heard of Article 22 before, or PNDC law 111 and the like? This is my wife’s property and I have a share in it.’

“Just attempt this exercise or because you don’t want your wife to die, just on dissolution make this argument. Depending on where you come from the insults will be in grades. You dare not,” he said.

During an interview on JoyFM’s Super Morning Show on November 3, the Director of the Ghana School of Law emphasized that, under customary law, a marriage is not a joint venture.

Therefore, it is considered an abomination for a man to attempt to lay claim to his wife’s property at the end of a marriage, whether through death or dissolution.

He illustrated the scenario where family members inquire about the wife’s property after her passing, and the husband responds with legal references, such as Article 22 or PNDC law 111. He pointed out that attempting this argument would result in varying degrees of insults, depending on the cultural context.

He further explained that it is culturally unacceptable for a man to lay claim to his wife’s property, as marriage is not viewed as a joint venture in customary law.

According to his view, the man’s responsibility is to provide for the wife and children, if any, with no corresponding duty on the wife’s part to do the same.

Pollster Ben Ephson has stated that a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has significantly diminished his chances of leading the party due to his behavior, particularly his public statements.

Mr Ephson believes that NPP delegates are aware that Ghanaian swing voters may not vote for Ken in the presidential election because of his perceived lack of “maturity.” Consequently, they are unlikely to select him as the party’s flagbearer.

He made these remarks during an interview on Kofi TV on Thursday, November 3, 2023.

He added that Ken Agyapong lost a substantial portion of his supporters when he threatened to have a “showdown” with President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during the NPP’s Special Delegates Conference in August 2023.

Mr Ephson explained, “You think the delegates are not wise? Many of them would elect a candidate who would appeal to swing voters. On the night he did the showdown thing, I called him and told him that he had cut away 10 percent of his support.

“If people are saying your agent has been locked or attacked what has that got to do with the president and the vice president of the country? Floating voters would want a candidate who can act maturely. This is not maturity; this is somebody who is following his heart,” he said in Twi.

He also highlighted that the behavior displayed by Ken Agyapong during the incident did not reflect maturity and was not in line with what floating voters typically seek in a candidate.

Kennedy Agyapong had confronted President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Bawumia during the special delegate congress, where he expressed his dissatisfaction with the handling of his agent at a voting center.

He believed that associates of the vice president were responsible for these actions.

“President Akufo-Addo, I swear God, I will give you a showdown. Vice president, I will give you a showdown. You’ve chased away my agent for him to hide in a room, we shall see. You will hear what will happen. I swear God, I will challenge President Akufo-Addo anytime.”

With Alan Kyerematen out of the race, Kennedy Agyapong now has an opportunity to challenge Dr. Bawumia directly, as well as indirectly challenge President Akufo-Addo, as many have speculated that Akufo-Addo supports the vice president’s bid to succeed him.

The NPP’s presidential primaries were scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023, with four candidates, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh, competing to become the party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 elections.

A political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Abdul-Jalilu Ateku, has expressed his view that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) requirement for flagbearer aspirants to sign an agreement not to resign from the party if they lose in the primary is legally questionable.

He argues that an aspirant could still choose to resign if they perceive the elections as not being conducted in a free and fair manner.

All four aspirants participating in the NPP’s flagbearer election have adhered to this commitment after discussions with the National Council of Elders and the aspirants.

In an interview with Citi News, Dr. Ateku emphasized the importance of the party conducting a free and fair election on November 4 to ensure that all candidates are satisfied with the election’s outcome.

“If political parties want to keep people, then they must do things that will make the party attractive, rather than trying to force people. So, if the NPP is asking contestants to sign an undertaking so that they will not leave. I think it’s something that will not hold.”

“People will still leave if they do not organize credible elections. And people lose and they realize that they lost because someone procured the elections fraudulently, people will leave, and they cannot do anything about it,” he added.

Dr. Ateku’s comments come as the NPP prepares for its presidential primaries on Saturday, November 4.

The four aspirants, namely Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Former Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former MP for Mampong Francis Addai-Nimoh, and Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, have all signed the commitment.

This decision was reached during a meeting between the National Council of Elders and the aspirants.

Addressing the press after the meeting, the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Koduah, explained that the aspirants have also agreed to accept the primary election results, promote peace and unity, and support the winner of the primary.

“We were able to get all the four aspirants to sign an undertaking and in summary, they are to accept the primary results, and promote peace and cohesion,” Koduah said. “If they don’t win, they will not resign from the party and, support the winner of the primary.”

Additionally, they have committed to ensuring and enforcing the party’s established mechanisms and adhering to the specified timelines until the results are declared, while respecting the decision of the party’s delegates.

In a proactive move to prevent a recurrence of party members breaking away from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) following the presidential primaries, the party has requested all four aspirants to commit to a stringent legal agreement.

This means that Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Addai Nimoh, and Dr. Afriyie Akoto are bound by this agreement and cannot resign from the party in case any of them loses the elections.

This initiative is a response to the precedent set by Alan Kyerematen, who resigned from the party and formed a new movement after finishing third in the super delegates’ elections.

Addressing the press at the Alisa Hotel on Thursday, November 4, the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, affirmed that the commitment would be enforced.

“The New Patriotic Party today has had a very successful meeting involving all the major stakeholders in the party including President Akufo-Addo and former President Kufour.”

“At the meeting, all four aspirants were made to sign an undertaking to the effect that they would not resign from the party should they not win the elections. They have also signed an undertaking to support the winner of the party to win the 2024 main elections”, Mr Kodua said. 

Mr. Kyerematen had announced his departure from the party on Monday, September 25, 2023, and his intent to run as an independent presidential candidate in the 2024 polls in Accra.

In his resignation speech at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, he alleged that the NPP’s special delegates conference was biased in favor of a specific candidate, whom he did not name.

In response, the NPP issued a statement, signed by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, expressing its intention to address all concerns raised by Mr. Kyerematen and outline a course of action for the future.

The General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has issued a stern warning, asserting that any candidate attempting to influence delegates during the presidential primaries will face consequences.

This measure, he explained, is aimed at ensuring a fair and transparent process on November 4.

Speaking to JoyNews, the General Secretary emphasized that security personnel will be ready to apprehend party officials who engage in attempts to bribe delegates.

He stated, “If it (inducement) happens within the perimeters where we are going to have the elections, definitely the police will arrest anyone who tries to induce anyone to vote for him.

“Anyone who makes an attempt to take a photo in the ballot box or show his ballot paper will also be arrested by the police.”

Mr. Justin Kodua Frimpong emphasized that while it might seem absurd for any aspirant to attempt to bribe the more than two hundred thousand expected delegates, inducement or any form of vote-buying will not be tolerated.

He assured that the outcome of the elections will be determined solely by merit, stating, “I believe the elections on Saturday will be determined based on merits and how aspirants have been able to sell their message to the delegates.

“For us as a political party together with the committee our focus is to make sure we have a successful and transparent election.

“In matters of strategies and how an aspirant will run his campaign, we leave it to them. They have to decide which strategy they are going to use but I can assure you money will not determine who will win the election on Saturday”.

Meanwhile, a total of 203,439 delegates are set to participate in the NPP’s presidential elections, scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023.
The election, which will determine the party’s flagbearer for the 2024 general elections, will take place in constituencies across all 16 regions of the country.

The contenders include Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, MP for Assin Central Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Minister of Food and Agriculture Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie, and former MP for Mampong Francis Addai-Nimoh.

Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, the former Minister of Trade and Industry, has also declared his intention to run as an independent candidate after resigning from the party following the Special Delegates Conference.

The National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Stephen Ntim, has issued a strong call to the entire membership of the NPP, urging them to unite behind the party’s new leader and flagbearer after the presidential primaries scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023.

Mr. Ntim emphasized that unwavering support for the party’s new leader post-primaries is essential to achieving the NPP’s goal of “breaking the 8” and securing a third consecutive term in office during the December 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

Addressing the media at a joint press conference held by the NPP’s National Executive Committee and Council of Elders at the Alisa Hotel on Thursday, November 2, 2023, Mr. Stephen Ntim asserted, “It is evident that what stands in the way of the [NPP] to a third consecutive electoral victory is ourselves, our actions, and our inactions.”

“The way forward is for us to deal decisively with the widespread indiscipline, apathy, and general indifference in the Party. I want to call specifically on the four flagbearer aspirants who are all capable of leading the NPP to commit to working as a team to ensure victory, even if they fail to win on Saturday.

“Rallying behind the eventual winner on Saturday is a necessary condition for our success in 2024 because it has the effect of promoting unity and healing the wounds that the internal contest has opened up. We must reconnect with our passion to serve, which was the driving force behind the exploits of our forebears,” the NPP National Chairman stated.

“We must undertake to let go of personal differences and disagreements. In other words, we must each prioritize the larger interest of the Party ahead of our hurts and egos. To emerge from Saturday united and poised for victory, I must be able to say to myself that the battle ahead is not about me, though I am the National Chairman of the Party.

“We must each look at the bigger picture, bearing in mind that the grand pursuit of the New Patriotic Party is generational, and our task is to build on the gains we have inherited. Our singular mandate is to add on, not to take away or undermine our inheritance”.

He called on the four flagbearer aspirants to commit to working as a team to ensure victory, even if they fail to win on Saturday. Rallying behind the eventual winner, Mr. Ntim explained, is crucial for party unity and healing the divisions that the internal contest may have caused.

Furthermore, Mr. Ntim stressed the importance of setting aside personal differences and prioritizing the larger interests of the NPP over individual concerns. He emphasized that the NPP’s collective mission is generational, and their responsibility is to build upon the party’s achievements, not undermine them.

Mr. Ntim also warned against indiscipline within the party, indicating that the NPP leadership, in conjunction with the Steering Committee, will take a strong stance against actions or inactions that could jeopardize the party’s generational mandate and its goal of winning the 2024 elections.

In terms of economic recovery, Mr. Ntim highlighted the steps taken by the Akufo-Addo government to revive the economy, acknowledging that the state of the economy will play a pivotal role in the 2024 election campaign. He expressed optimism that the ongoing economic recovery efforts would provide a strong foundation for the party’s campaign, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Mr. Ntim stated, “The 2024 general elections will be fought on many fronts, especially the economy. But we know we will win the battle on the economy because our capacity, commitment, and record show that we have what it takes to regenerate the economy from the ruins of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war that threw the entire global economy out of balance.”

He also mentioned positive economic indicators, including declining inflation rates and stabilized currency values, which he believed would benefit the party’s campaign efforts.

The NPP is set to elect its flagbearer for the December 2024 general elections on Saturday, November 4, 2023, and this event marks a significant transition as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has led the party for the past 16 years.

Four aspirants are vying for the position, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Kennedy Agyapong, and Francis Addai Nimoh.

The National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) candidate for the Ketu North Constituency, Eric Edem Agbana, has expressed that the party isn’t concerned about the prospect of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, becoming the New Patriotic Party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 election.

In Agbana’s perspective, Dr Bawumia’s shortcomings and lack of competence outweigh his strengths, and therefore, there’s nothing in his candidacy that should cause apprehension for the NDC.

He stressed that Dr. Bawumia is a familiar figure to the NDC, and they are well-acquainted with his track record, which doesn’t work in his favor.

Additionally, Mr Agbana pointed out that Dr Bawumia’s role as the leader of the Economic Management Team hasn’t resulted in favorable economic outcomes, citing soaring levels of debt and economic difficulties.

Mr Agbana concluded that, among the contenders vying for leadership in the governing party for the 2024 elections, Dr. Bawumia is the NDC’s least formidable opponent.

In summary, Mr Agbana believes that Dr. Bawumia’s performance doesn’t pose a substantial challenge for the NDC in the upcoming elections.

He stated, “I have told people that Dr Bawumia is just a replica of President Akufo-Addo because Dr Bawumia is the head of the Economic Management Team and he has said that on countless occasions and his boss [President Akufo-Addo] has also confirmed that he has given him that leverage to act because he has so much confidence in him, and look at his performance with the economy. We are experiencing unprecedented levels of debt and it is about to crash.

“So what is it about Dr Bawumia that will scare us in the National Democratic Congress? For me, if there is any candidate among the four of them who is easily beatable and will help us, it is Dr Bawumia because we know him and we know what he is capable of doing and so there is nothing about Dr Bawumia’s candidature that should scare anybody.”

The Health Committee’s Ranking Member, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has urgently called for an investigation into the closure of the Renal Unit’s Outpatient Department at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

His appeal is prompted by mounting concerns surrounding the denial of vital healthcare services and the financial burdens faced by patients in need of life-saving dialysis treatments.

Addressing the parliament, Akandoh stated,”I, therefore, call on this house, with your guidance, to call the Minister Responsible for Health to come to this house and clarify why the outpatient department of the Renal Unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital remains closed and what measures have been instituted to ensure that the facility is reopened as soon as possible”.

He further implored the government to contemplate either fully subsidizing the cost of dialysis for Ghanaian patients or, at the very least, bridging the financial gap between the current fee of GHS380 and the planned increased charges.

His argument rested on the belief that such measures would alleviate the financial strain on patients and ensure their unimpeded access to essential life-saving dialysis treatments, thereby upholding the government’s commitment to delivering accessible and affordable healthcare services to all citizens.

Akandoh emphasized,”The Minister of Health and the hospital’s administration must, as a matter of priority, address this situation.

“The denial of essential healthcare services is a severe violation of patients’ rights and a breach of public trust. We implore the government to work diligently with the hospital to rectify this situation and uphold its commitment to providing accessible and affordable healthcare services to all citizens.

“The prompt reopening of the Renal Unit’s outpatient department and the provision of essential subsidies are crucial to ensure that healthcare services remain accessible and affordable for all citizens.

In conclusion, he fervently prayed that the Parliament of Ghana would demand a swift, transparent, and equitable resolution to this issue.

He believed that such a resolution would provide relief to the patients who have endured this ordeal and restore faith in Ghana’s healthcare institutions.

The Chief Executive Officer of Afribiz Group and founder of Jane’M Salon and Spa, Janet Sunkwa-Mills, initially found the idea of working as a salesperson at Nestlé Ghana unattractive because she aspired to a more prestigious role.

Having recently earned a master’s degree in Marketing, she had hoped for a position like Brand Manager, but was offered a sales role, which she initially considered beneath her.

However, she changed her perspective based on advice from Nestlé’s Managing Director in Ghana, who emphasized the importance of understanding the practical aspects of consumer engagement through sales.

“I’m like, sales? I didn’t feel like it was lofty. You have to go and sell Ideal milk and Maggi? I was like, oof! Alright”, she divulged.

According to her this experience was pivotal in her journey to becoming a successful marketer.

Despite her initial reservations about the sales role, she recognized the significance of learning to connect with consumers through face-to-face interactions, which theory alone could not provide.

“He said, until you learn how to sell a tin of milk, you cannot be in marketing, i.e. you can do the education part of it, but the practicality of the solution brings you face to face with your consumer”, she disclosed.

She faced challenges related to driving, but she was encouraged to learn, as it was a fundamental skill for her sales position.

The experience of driving a large car while engaging in sales taught her resilience and adaptability.

Janet stressed the importance of valuing salespeople, as they are essential in generating revenue for companies. She noted that without salespeople, marketers would have no role, highlighting the critical nature of sales in any organization.

She encouraged individuals with master’s degrees in marketing to consider starting their careers as salespeople, as it provides valuable insights into consumer behavior and practical marketing solutions.

“So when I went to the interview, there was a lady there who asked me, do you know how to drive? And I said no, I don’t know how to drive. And she said, go and learn how to drive. So immediately after school when I started working, they enrolled me in the then McAshley Driving School. So I learned how to drive through a driving school”, she revealed.

“In my first job as a salesperson at Nestlé, I was given a huge car, an American Chevrolet, and when I sat in it, you wouldn’t even see that I was in it. It was that big. But you know, it was challenging yet so exciting, because you’re sitting in the car, nobody is seeing you, yet you’re honking and driving through everything. It taught me how to be tough”, she shared.

Janet’s journey at Nestlé began as a salesperson and later progressed to a sales administrator, offering her an understanding of business aspects such as profit margins and distribution costs.

This experience was foundational for her role as a Brand Manager, which was her ultimate goal.

In conclusion, Janet emphasized the importance of starting as a salesperson when pursuing a career in marketing, as it offers a well-rounded perspective and enhances one’s ability to succeed in loftier positions like Brand Manager.

The Leader of the Movement for Change, John Alan Kyerematen, has stated that Ghana is in need of a transformational leader, not just another political party.

Speaking to the media he emphasized that it’s time for Ghanaians to shift their focus away from affiliations with traditional parties like the NPP and NDC.

Instead, he encourages the selection of leaders who possess a vision and practical ideas to lead the country towards a better and safer future.

Mr Kyerematen’s decision to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 general elections is aimed at uniting individuals from diverse professional, educational, religious, ethnic, and other backgrounds who are committed to the vision of transforming the nation for the benefit of future generations.

He discusses his objective to establish a platform for a power-sharing arrangement through a government of national unity under his leadership during the ‘first volunteer activation forum’ in Kumasi.

The forum’s purpose is to educate and train young people on how to engage new members in the movement and secure their votes in the upcoming general elections.

Over four thousand youth volunteers from the Ashanti region attended the forum, demonstrating their eagerness to support John Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change campaign.

Mr Kyerematen, who presented his ideas clad in a yellow T-shirt featuring the monarch butterfly logo, emphasizes his commitment to transformational and unifying leadership.

He points to his past achievements as evidence that he is well-positioned to become the next President of Ghana, highlighting his contributions to the country’s development during his tenure as Trade Minister in President Kuffour’s government.

Mr Kyerematen believes that involving ordinary citizens in decision-making is crucial, as it has been lacking in the country’s governance. He envisions an inclusive decision-making process during his presidency.

He calls attention to the fact that despite thirty years of rule by the NPP and NDC, there has been minimal improvement in the lives of the people.

He urged Ghanaians to carefully evaluate the current state of the country, look beyond party affiliations, and select leaders capable of reshaping the nation’s fortunes.

Mr Kyerematen announced plans to replicate the ‘volunteer activation forum’ in all 16 regions to cultivate a group of young men and women who are forward-thinking and dedicated to creating new leadership for the next generation.

A midwife at the Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Madam Regina Amponsah, has cautioned women against placing mobile phones near their breasts, as this practice may contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer.

She emphasized the potential dangers of this habit, as the vibration from the phone could generate heat in the breast area, which, if prolonged, might lead to the development of breast cancer.

Madam Amponsah shared these insights during an interview with the media in Dormaa Ahenkro, Bono Region, following an event marking the culmination of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October at the hospital.

The event was a collaborative effort between the hospital and the George Gyewu Family Foundation, aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer, screening, and examination services.

Madam Amponsah also highlighted other risk factors for breast cancer, such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, and the use of anti-aging pills containing hormones, particularly among women.

She expressed concern about the lack of a mammogram at the hospital, making it challenging for women in the area who need screening for suspected cases of the disease. They must be referred to the Regional Hospital in Sunyani for accurate detection, confirmation, and diagnosis.

She appealed to individuals and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to support the hospital in acquiring a mammogram to provide quality services to the local population.

Additionally, she stressed the hospital’s commitment to expanding breast cancer education through various channels, including churches, community gatherings, local radio stations, and one-on-one interactions, to disseminate information and reduce the number of breast cancer cases.

Madam Amponsah urged women to be vigilant for signs and symptoms of breast cancer, such as hardened lumps, unusual discharge, and rashes on the breast or nipples, and seek prompt medical attention and treatment if any of these warning signs are detected.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed its reservations about the Electoral Commission’s decision to conduct the recent limited voter registration exercise at the district level. However, the party has stated that it does not oppose the upcoming exhibition of the voters’ register.

The Electoral Commission recently announced its plans to exhibit the provisional voters’ register from November 3 to November 7 at all 38,622 polling stations across the country.

During an interview with the media, the Deputy Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande, remarked, “It is not about being happy. Why centralize registration for people to go through stress? The EC made the registration cumbersome.”

Despite these concerns, Mr Gbande emphasized that the NDC does not intend to engage in further disputes with the Electoral Commission regarding the voter register exhibition exercise.

Instead, the party is determined to focus on understanding the electoral landscape to secure victory in the upcoming elections.

“That is the NDC’s position as far as this exercise is concerned. We have no objections to the exhibition they want to do. We will follow through, get people verified, and then we can move on to the district assembly elections.”

The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has emphasized that the NPP’s track record in reviving and enhancing Ghana’s economy is unparalleled.

During a press conference held to discuss the logistics for the NPP’s presidential elections on November 4, Kodua highlighted that in terms of economic management, the NPP outshines the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He remarked, “When it comes to managing Ghana’s economy, our opponents do not have a comparable record. It is the case that today, the NDC feels emboldened because COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War have eroded the gains we made immediately upon taking over on 7th January 2017.”

“When it comes to managing Ghana’s economy, our opponents do not have a comparable record. It is the case that today, the NDC feels emboldened because COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War have vanquished the gains we made immediately upon taking over on 7th January 2017.”

Mr Kodua also commended the economic and managerial acumen of former President Kufuor and the current President, Akufo-Addo.

Under President John Agyekum Kufuor, from 7th January 2001 to 7th January 2009, the NPP pulled Ghana’s economy out of the stagnation the NDC left. Again, under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, we grew the economy on average 7 percent from another NDC stagnation for three consecutive years before the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s War in Ukraine. The truth is that we are fixing the economy, and soon, the hardships of today will be history. The assurance to Ghanaians that we will regenerate the economy is manifest in our record.”

A prominent member of Kennedy Agyapong’s flagbearer campaign, Alex Tetteh, has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) and party leaders to guarantee a just and transparent process in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer election set for November 4, 2023.

During an interview on Okay FM on November 2, 2023, he stressed the importance of conducting the election without irregularities, warning of potential consequences if the process is marred by problems.

Mr Tetteh highlighted the significance of upholding the NPP’s reputation, as it serves as an example to other political parties of a peaceful and democratic election.

He stated, “When NDC voted, they didn’t record any form of violence, and others are looking up to us and NPP, so they should let the voting process become smooth for us to unite afterward. Because if it doesn’t go smoothly, we will never agree, and Ken’s team will not allow such things to happen.”

He continued “When Ken wins, we need Bawumia, and similarly, Bawumia also needs Ken, so they shouldn’t do things that will bring division among us. If they want the thing to be fair, all of us will agree, but if they do not want it that way, we will never agree because everyone has his or her preference.

“We should make it fair play for everyone to go and vote and go home, but if you try to tamper with the results, that won’t be possible. Ken has said that if they joke, what will come will be worse, and they know him already,” he added.

He went on to emphasize the interdependence of both Kennedy Agyapong and Vice President Dr. Bawumia, suggesting that their cooperation is crucial for the party’s unity. Tetteh urged for a level playing field for all voters and cautioned against any attempts to manipulate the results.

The NPP has scheduled November 4, 2023, for the election of a new leader to succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The race includes four contenders: Kennedy Agyapong, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh.

The Majority Chief Whip in Parliament, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has revealed that a substantial 95 percent of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament have pledged their support for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming Presidential election.

The elections, scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023, will involve over 200,000 delegates from across the country.

This highly anticipated exercise will select a flagbearer to represent the NPP in the 2024 General Elections and will be conducted in each constituency across all 16 regions of the country.

Expressing his confidence in Dr. Bawumia’s victory in an interview, Annoh-Dompreh stated, “We know it is a foregone conclusion; Dr. Bawumia is going to win hands down. It used to be around 80 percent, but now it’s even higher, hovering around 95 percent. Our focus now is to ensure that after Saturday, we progress into a united front.”

The NPP presidential primaries on November 4 will feature four aspirants, including Dr. Bawumia and Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, who are the frontrunners.

A recent poll conducted by the Institute of Research, Innovation & Development at Kumasi Technical University indicates that Dr. Bawumia stands a strong chance of securing victory in eight regions, with 71.1% of NPP delegates believing he has a higher likelihood of breaking the eight-year cycle.

The other two contestants are former Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and former MP for Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimoh.

The aspirants have collectively agreed not to resign from the party if they lose the primary, as decided in a meeting with the National Council of Elders.

A member of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team, Frederick Opare-Ansah, has contradicted claims that Alan Kyerematen was a favored candidate of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

During an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Citi TV’s Face to Face program, Opare-Ansah clarified, “Alan is not a Kufuor loyalist, not in the way people have assumed since 2007.”

He went on to elaborate that in the 2007 NPP flagbearer race, Papa Owusu-Ankomah was considered the establishment candidate, and Kyerematen entered the scene later.

Mr Opare-Ansah firmly maintained that Kufuor remains a steadfast member of the NPP and does not endorse Kyerematen’s departure from the party.

“I have always been Kufuor, I served under Kufuor. I have not served in Nana Addo’s government,” Opare-Ansah said. “I am an Akan and I know millions like me in NPP who are not following Alan anymore. No, I don’t believe so. Kufuor is a true true elephant person.”

Opare-Ansah also asserted that Kyerematen left the NPP because he was dissatisfied with his third-place finish in the party’s super delegates conference.

He regarded Mr Kyerematen’s allegations of unfairness as exaggerated and pointed out that it was Mr Kyerematen’s agents who initiated a disturbance at one of the conference centers.

“From what I heard, he was unhappy about the position he received, but that, in my opinion, shouldn’t have been the way he chose to exit the NPP,” Opare-Ansah said. “I have also listened to what happened, and in fact, the attack was initiated by his agent going out of his way to take on a function that is not his own.

“For example, if someone shows his ballot, it is not the responsibility of an agent to stop him from putting it in the box; it is a matter for the EC and the police who are there.”

Kwabena Kwakye, a member of Kennedy Ohene Agyapong’s campaign team, who is vying for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer position, has alleged that former Suhum MP, Frederick Opare-Ansah, parted ways with their campaign after certain demands he presented were rejected by their candidate.

As part of a series of revelations aimed at discrediting Opare-Ansah’s recent criticisms against their candidate, Ken’s team has released images and information suggesting that Opare-Ansah’s motivations are rooted in bitterness.

Kwabena Kwakye disclosed that Opare-Ansah played a pivotal role in the early stages of Ken’s campaign, particularly during the strategy development phase.

He recounted an initial meeting at Ken Agyapong’s residence in Assin Fosu, where Opare-Ansah delivered a presentation on his laptop, outlining reasons why Ken would be a strong contender for the presidency and highlighting his advantages over other candidates.

“When Hon Ken decided to contest for the presidency, the first brainstorming meeting we attended at his home in Assin Fosu … you Hon Opare-Ansah were the one who did the presentation on your laptop in one of the halls of Hon. Ken Agyapong.

“You did a presentation outlining why he would win including his advantages. You stated that Bawumia is not his equal,” Mr Kwakye stated during a presentation his Boiling Point program on Ken Agyapong’s Oman FM.

During this presentation, Opare-Ansah had notably emphasized that Vice President Bawumia was not on par with Ken Agyapong.

However, following the brainstorming session, Opare-Ansah reportedly made certain demands, including a monthly salary of $10,000 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, which were rejected by Kennedy Agyapong.

Subsequently, Opare-Ansah disengaged from the campaign and eventually aligned himself with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign.

“We had not even setup a team and you went to ask for your salary of $10,000 a month plus a land cruiser as a campaign team member,” he alleged.

Kwabena Kwakye pointed out that they had noticed Opare-Ansah’s disengagement from their campaign platform, which led to his removal. Two weeks later, Opare-Ansah was heard on radio praising Dr. Bawumia.

This rift between Opare-Ansah and Ken Agyapong had been ongoing, with Ken Agyapong alleging that Opare-Ansah harbored bitterness after not being appointed as campaign manager for the MP.

Opare-Ansah has been vocal in recent interviews, expressing strong criticism of Agyapong and asserting that Ken’s threats hold no weight, further predicting Ken’s loss in the NPP primaries on November 4.

Opare-Ansah had also made allegations that Ken Agyapong had requested $500 million in annual contracts to support Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy, an accusation that Ken Agyapong vehemently denied, claiming instead that he was offered $800 million to withdraw from the race.

Kennedy Agyapong is running for the NPP flagbearer position alongside three other contenders: Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh.

The NPP has scheduled the primary elections for November 4, 2023, to select the successor to Akufo-Addo as the party’s leader.

A contender in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential race, Kennedy Agyapong, has stated that religion has done more harm done good to Ghana’s development.

In an interview uploaded on Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV on Youtube, he pointed out that certain behaviors and actions of individuals affiliated with Christian, Muslim and religious bodies have needlessly introduced pressure and drama to the country.

Mr. Agyapong highlighted that people often criticize politicians for failing to act in the country’s best interest. 

According to him, politicians are engaging in inappropriate or unethical behavior without being held accountable as a result of the decline in moral values within religious bodies.

However, he emphasized the need to shift this narrative and place responsibility on “Christians, Muslims, and religious bodies” as the initial source of blame for enabling certain political actions.

He argued that there was a time when religious teachings instilled a fear of involvement in corruption and immoral activities.

“I will blame politicians but I will blame Christians or religious bodies first. Feel free to vote for me or not; just as you hold politicians accountable for their perceived failures, it’s essential to acknowledge that Christians, Muslims, and religious bodies have also fallen short in their contributions to the country.

“The teachings and values that once guided our lives have evolved, and the moral compass of today is quite different from what it used to be. Therefore, if you are critical of politicians, it’s equally important to muster the courage to scrutinize the role of Christians and religious institutions.

“In the past, serving a man of God was a source of great joy and a means to spiritual guidance. However, today, that sentiment has waned due to the decline in the quality of religious teachings,” he added.

Mr. Agyapong contended that a significant number of Ghanaians remain unemployed because they have relied solely on prayers, neglecting the pursuit of employment due to beliefs propagated by certain religious leaders.

The Member of Parliament for Assin North further asserted that it is high time these religious leaders  prioritize living in accordance with biblical teachings and to steer clear of personal interests.

A group of traders at the Agona Swedru Market have called on Ghanaians to rally behind Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawmia, in the upcoming New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential contest.

The market women emphasized that Dr. Bawumia has unequivocally demonstrated his superiority as the most qualified candidate among the contenders, and they firmly believe he is the only individual capable of achieving a more prosperous Ghana.

They stressed the need for Ghanaians to cease criticizing the Akufo-Addo-led government for not doing enough for the country.

They pointed out the significant impact of the Free SHS program introduced by Akufo-Addo, highlighting that it has allowed many children attend school for free as well as lightened the financial burden on parents.

Furthermore, the market women commended Akufo-Addo’s assistance to Ghanaians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People who claim that Akufo-Addo has achieved nothing, who introduced free education? Akufo-Addo supported Ghanaians during the Covid-19 crisis. We, the women of Agona Swedru Market, pledge our votes for Bawumia. Fellow Ghanaians, please vote for Bawumia this Saturday because he truly comprehends the challenges facing our nation. He possesses all the essential qualities to make Ghana a better place,” they stated.

The market women pledged their support for Bawumia and urged all Ghanaians to vote for him in the upcoming election, emphasizing his understanding of the citizens’ needs and his capability to make Ghana a better place.

During his address to delegates in the Upper East Region, Dr. Bawumia asserted his suitability to lead the party through the 2024 General Election.

Addressing delegates in the Upper East Region, Dr Bawumia stated that is  the ideal leader to guide the party through the 2024 General Election.

He encouraged delegates and his enthusiastic supporters to follow his lead in the flagbearer election, highlighting his extensive experience as President Akufo-Addo’s running mate in two prior successful elections, making him the most appropriate candidate to secure victory in the 2024 general election for the NPP.

Dr. Bawumia emphasized his extensive experience as President Akufo-Addo’s running mate in two successful past elections, making him the most suitable candidate among the flagbearer aspirants to secure victory in next year’s general election for the NPP.

“President Nana Akufo-Addo and I have won two elections. First, we won the 2016 election, and then we also won the 2020 election. So if you need someone to break the 8 then you need the aspirant who knows how to win.

“In the upcoming days, there will be lies upon lies. But let’s ignore the lies and go and vote for me to become the flagbearer for us to break the 8,” Dr Bawumia said.

The NPP will choose its flagbearer for the forthcoming 2024 elections on Saturday, November 4, with four prominent party members competing for the position.

The election will be conducted across all 16 regions of the country, representing a significant milestone in the party’s democratic process.

The presidential primary features a spirited competition among four candidates, each vying for the NPP’s coveted nomination.

These contenders are Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Member of Parliament for Assin, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie, former MP for Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimoh, and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who hails from the Central Region.

Vote massively for Dr. Bawumia to continue social intervention programs – Agona Swedru Market women #UTVNews pic.twitter.com/gI4DuPWGzA

— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) November 1, 2023