The former Deputy Minister of Transport and special aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari,has expressed her disagreement with a tweet from Ghanaian media personality, Nana Aba Anamoah.
The said tweet featured a photo of an NDC-branded vehicle with a caption that read, “In 2012, by this time, the NDC was distributing this car on the Legon campus. Ironically, none of the male students got one.”
In a clear expression of disagreement with the content and intent of the tweet, Bawah Mogtari conveyed her disappointment with Nana Aba Anamoah’s post and raised questions regarding the underlying purpose of the tweet.
She stated, “What’s the intent? Shame NDC ladies under a disguised tweet because some are being criticized for their silence in the face of today’s hardship & poor leadership? This shouldn’t be coming from you, my sister. An avoidable tweet!”
Rapper and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Black Avenue Musik, D-Black, has strongly criticized the Ghana Music Right Organization (GHAMRO) and the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), labeling them as ineffective organizations.
He expressed deep frustration over GHAMRO’s failure to distribute royalties to musicians, which has had a detrimental impact on the financial well-being of artists, including himself.
D-Black highlighted the lack of accountability within GHAMRO and MUSIGA as a significant obstacle hampering the progress of the music industry and placing many musicians in challenging circumstances.
During an interview on JoyPrime’s Celeb Biz Show, he vented his frustration at GHAMRO for failing to pay his royalties and called for greater transparency and accountability within these organizations.
“If I will speak bluntly, I would say that the structures that are in place for our music industry are terrible. GHAMRO is a terrible organization. There’s no accountability. I don’t know how much revenue I’ve made from GAMRO in my 13 years in the music industry,” he fumed.
“They’ve attempted to [pay the royalties], but there’s no accountability. You can’t tell me, oh, this is what we are giving everybody. It doesn’t make any sense. When we receive our royalties from outside of the country, you get reports.”
He further disclosed that in foreign countries, records of the performance of songs are readily available, but the situation is different in the case of Ghana.
He further indicated that GHAMRO refused to accept assistance from foreign organizations to aid their operations.
“In New Zealand, the song was played 77 times between the months of May and August. On Spotify on, Apple Music, all this data is there. I know companies that are ready to come and assist Ghana for free, to set up organizations to track our music and disburse our royalties properly. GHAMRO refused to do so for whatever reason. I don’t know.”
In an interview with Oyerepa FM, he said “Some people planned to form their own parties after losing internal primaries. Alan is the most gentleman you will find in this country and I support Alan 100%”.
He also dismissed claims that Alan Kyerematen’s resignation from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is targeted at taking the party into opposition in 2025.He said those claims do not make sense.
He said “It is not for me to answer this question,” he said when asked about the claims before adding: “you really think that Alan, who has toiled and suffered and made money and served, will seek to take NPP back to opposition, does it make sense at all?
“You think myself, as a Muslim, will support Alan for seeking to take us to opposition? Have you heard this before, let us be fair to the facts,” he said in an interview outside the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra on September 25.
On the day of Alan Kyerematen’s announcement of his resignation from the NPP and his intention to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections, the NPP National Executives convened a press conference. During this conference, they issued a stern warning to party members who expressed support for Alan, cautioning that such individuals would automatically forfeit their membership within the party.
It’s worth noting that Abubakar Saddique Boniface was the sole high-ranking party member present at the event, as numerous pro-Alan MPs had distanced themselves from his independent candidacy bid.
Musician Black Sherif is set to make a significant debut at the highly anticipated Afronation music festival, which is scheduled to take place later this year in Nigeria.
The festival recently unveiled its artist lineup for the upcoming third edition, and Black Sherif is notably featured as one of the headline performers.
This year’s Afronation festival is slated for December 19th and 20th, and it holds special significance as it marks the festival’s inaugural edition in Nigeria, following two successful previous editions held in Ghana. The festival is poised to illuminate the iconic Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.
Renowned for his emotionally resonant music, Black Sherif will be sharing the festival stage with several prominent figures in African music, including Burna Boy, J Hus, Flavour, and Seyi Vibes.
This lineup promises an unforgettable experience for all attendees. Afronation has gained a reputation for its grand celebration of African music and culture, drawing music enthusiasts from various corners of the world.
It provides a unique platform for artists to showcase their extraordinary talents, making it a much-anticipated event on the continent’s music calendar.
The Greater Accra Regional Branch of the National Peace Council has made an appeal to the government for support in its efforts to promote peace and tolerance within the region.
Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman, a member of the National Peace Council, Greater Accra branch, has expressed concern that since 2017, none of the council’s programs in Greater Accra has received financial assistance from the government.
“It is baffling to think that the seating allowances of the eminent members of the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council are in arrears for over a full year,” Alhaji Khuzaima, who is also the Executive Secretary of the Tijjaniya Muslims Movement of Ghana (TMMG) and a founding member of the Christian-Muslim Forum for Dialogue and Mutual Relations, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Tema.
Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman highlighted that the nature of the National Peace Council’s work often necessitated discretion in their peacebuilding activities and community initiatives. He explained that their movements were typically unannounced unless absolutely necessary.
The peace council’s preferred approach was to collaborate quietly with partners until the goal of peace was achieved. He emphasized that they played a crucial role in preventing conflicts and possessed the necessary skills, experience, and manpower to ensure peaceful outcomes.
Alhaji Khuzaima used examples from various places and communities in countries like Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Chad to illustrate the importance of peace. In these areas, the presence of bandits, economic challenges, religious tensions, and political unrest had created conditions where even something as simple as food vending became perilous, limiting the basic freedoms and livelihoods of the affected populations.
Mr Khuzaima said, “To think of the fact that some people can’t even roam around their communities freely and safely in some parts of West Africa is just enough reason for a Ghanaian to thank God for the blessings of fresh air and the ability to purchase fresh and clean water anytime and anywhere in Ghana.”
Mr. Khuzaima emphasized the significance of recent developments in West Africa, particularly the transitions from democratic governance to military rule in some areas. He stressed that Ghanaian politicians should take heed and learn from these events, recognizing the power of the masses. The public’s support or disapproval of any form of governance could potentially present a significant challenge, highlighting the importance of responsive and accountable governance in maintaining stability and democracy.
“Peace, to all of us, means the freedom to breathe, live, pray, and work for your future with dignity and respect while upholding your moral values without fear of intimidation, injustices to yourself, your family, or your loved ones,” he stated. “Peace is achieved when we ensure that the concerns and welfare of every citizen are guaranteed by the state or community,” he noted.
Independent presidential hopeful, Alan Kyerematen, has addressed a well-known letter penned in 2008 by the late B.J. da Rocha, who was then the chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In the letter, Mr. da Rocha expressed the view that Alan Kyerematen should be allowed to exit the party if he desired, as he was considered a disruptive force within the organization.
According to a Ghana News Agency report from that period, the chairman, B.J. da Rocha, believed that in addition to being a “disruptive factor in the party,” Alan Kyerematen was also regarded as “a stumbling block and loose cannon” within the organization.
“The party has an election to win. We should concentrate our efforts on the task ahead and let him go his way in peace,” Mr da Rocha said in the GNA report.
Alan Kyerematen has provided a detailed account of the events surrounding his confrontation with the late chairman regarding his approach to resolving tensions at that time.
“I had just met Da Rocha in Accra on my way to Kumasi and when I arrived, he had already an granted an interview (i.e. issued a statement), calling me a disruptive factor.
“When I had the opportunity, I confronted him frontally and asked him if he was serious at all because I felt as an elderly person, he should have known better.
“I told him he acted in bad faith. Later on, he called consistently to apologise before his death,” he disclosed on Accra-based UTV on September 26.
The previously mentioned statements by B.J. da Rocha have reemerged in light of Alan Kyerematen’s second resignation from the NPP on Monday.
Alan Kyerematen’s decision to run as an independent candidate was announced on September 25 when he officially severed ties with the NPP. This decision came after his withdrawal from the NPP’s flagbearer race, which reportedly stemmed from challenges encountered during a Super Delegates Conference held within the party in August 2023.
In his official statement regarding his resignation and independent candidacy, Alan Kyerematen explained, “Under the circumstances and given the context, I am honorably resigning from the New Patriotic Party to contest the high office of the presidency in 2024 as an independent presidential candidate.”
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I have not seen and heard @AlanKyerematen like this because he spoke passionately as he feels he's been wronged and story twisted to cause him disaffection He says BJ Da Rocha apologized to him before his death
Former Trade Minister Alan Kyeremanten has revealed that he did not formally inform Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, about his departure from the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He characterizes this decision as a personal one, emphasizing that he did not feel compelled to notify anyone because he operates independently and does not take instructions from others.
“I went to a contest, and after my review of the contest, I decided to exit the party. I don’t have to inform anyone.
“I am an established man, and I don’t take instructions from people. I might look younger, but I’m an elderly man,” he said on Accra-based UTV.
Alan Kyeremanten officially announced his resignation from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on September 25, 2023. He cited the reason for his decision as feeling that the political party no longer required his services.
“Under the circumstances and given the context provided, I wish to use this platform to announce that I am honourably resigning with immediate effect from the New Patriotic Party to contest for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana in the 2024 General Elections, as an Independent Presidential Candidate,” he said in his speech.
Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen had asserted that the party had been “seized by a select faction of Party leaders, elders, and clandestine power brokers among government appointees.”
He made these statements during his announcement of departure from the NPP, declaring his intention to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election.
However, during a press conference held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, refuted these claims, emphasizing that they were untrue.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the leadership of the Party equally disagrees with assertions made by Kyerematen on page eight (8) of his resignation address that ‘the Party has been hijacked by a selected group of Party leaders and elders, and government appointees behind the curtain power brokers’.”
“Guided by facts and data, the leadership of the Party disagrees entirely with this assertion. Historically, the selection of flagbearers for political parties in Ghana had been the preserve of a privileged few until the New Patriotic Party took the bold decision to decentralize the process by expanding its electoral college to enfranchise some One Hundred and Six Thousand, Five-Hundred and Ninety (106,590) delegates in 2010.”
“Currently, about Two Hundred Thousand (200,000) delegates would be voting to select the Party’s next flagbearer relative to the estimated One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-Eight delegates (1,998) who did same in 1992. Clearly, the quantum leap to Two Hundred Thousand (200,000) delegates in 2023 underscores the decentralization of power to all Party stakeholders and defeats the assertion that the Party has been hijacked by a privileged few”.
He further added that “In reference to Kyerematen’s concerns, which include allegations of intimidation against his supporters, it is noteworthy that certain government appointees, including cabinet ministers, who openly declared their support for him are still at post and have never been intimidated,” he stated.
The President of the Ghana Psychological Association, Dr. Collins Agyemang, has emphasized that the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders among Ghanaians should serve as a significant wake-up call for the country.
Speaking on TV3’s “Ghana Tonight” show on Monday, September 25, 2023, Dr. Agyemang commented on statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ghana Psychological Association regarding the rising number of individuals grappling with mental health issues in Ghana.
According to these statistics, approximately 13% of Ghanaians are living with mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders.
Dr. Agyemang stressed that the current challenging economic conditions make it imperative for Ghanaians to prioritize their mental well-being.
“Certainly, it is a wakeup call for Ghana and now more than ever, given the economic conditions as well as some of the challenging moments we live in, we need to give this a careful attention,” he stated.
“That particular percentage according to WHO is about 2.4 million Ghanaians, and for me that is GDP that we are losing. Imagine if all these 2.4 million Ghanaians are adults of the working class, then it tells you the effect this will be having on our community.
“Let also imagine these mental illnesses, some perhaps may be suicidal. Now we are told to every suicide death, about 135 different people around these people get affected one way or the other,” he analyzed.
He also pointed out that mental illnesses, such as depression, can have a ripple effect, affecting numerous people around those who are suffering.
“In the case of suicide, for instance, for every suicide death, approximately 135 individuals in the vicinity are affected in one way or another,” he explained.
Dr. Collins Agyemang particularly highlighted depression as one of the most common mental health disorders in Ghana.
He attributed this prevalence to the difficulties and crises people face, compounded by limited awareness among Ghanaians about recognizing the early signs of a crisis, which often leads to delayed detection of depression.
“In Ghana, depression is one of the commonest that you can find. And is largely because when people go through difficult situations, when people are hit with crisis and given the limited knowledge that majority of Ghanaians have regarding the onset of crisis, a number of Ghanaians end up getting depressed. And it is usually at the advance stage that we get to know that indeed this person is getting depressed,” he added.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called upon all ministers and government officials to emulate the example of former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, by highlighting the accomplishments in their respective sectors.
General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong issued this directive on Tuesday, September 26, as the party officially responded to Mr. Kyerematen’s resignation.
“On assumption of office of the NPP in 2017, under the leadership of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, I was appointed as Minister for Trade and Industry in the first term of the NPP administration, and was retained in the same position by the President in his second term,” he told a group of supporters at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.
“During the past six years, I led the introduction and implementation of some of the most innovative and successful programmes of the NPP, including the establishment of the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative, the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with the Headquarters of the Secretariat in Ghana, the development of new strategic anchor industries including the Automobile Assembly and Component Manufacturing, the establishment of Business Resource Centres and Technology Solution Centers all over the country, to provide comprehensive business development solutions to MSMEs, the introduction of the new Integrated Customs Management System (UNIPASS) which has significantly enhanced mobilization of government revenue, the establishment of Industrial Parks including the flagship Greater Kumasi Industrial City and Special Economic Zone, the development of a National Export Strategy with a target of achieving export revenue of $25 Billion by 2030, and last but not the least, the introduction of Business Regulatory Reforms and a Public Private Dialogue mechanism, to facilitate Government’s interaction with the private sector.
“In spite of the limited budget put at my disposal during my tenure as cabinet minister, I was able to deliver significant achievements for the government and my country,” he pointed out.
Mr. Kyerematen, while announcing his decision on Monday, September 25, cited significant achievements during his nearly seven years of service in President Akufo-Addo’s government.
During his tenure, he spearheaded several innovative and successful initiatives, including the One District One Factory (1D1F) program, the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Ghana, and the development of strategic anchor industries such as the Automobile Assembly and Component Manufacturing sector.
He also played a key role in the creation of Business Resource Centres and Technology Solution Centres across the country and the implementation of the Integrated Customs Management System (UNIPASS).
In response to Mr. Kyerematen’s resignation, General Secretary Kodua Frimpong urged all sector ministers and government appointees to promote their remarkable achievements, just as Alan Kyerematen had done.
“The party further urges all sector ministers and other government appointees to start propagating the unprecedented achievement in their sectors just like Alan Kyerematen has done.”
Regarding Mr. Kyerematen’s resignation, Mr. Kodua Frimpong addressed some of the claims and emphasized the party’s dedication to retaining power to achieve the “breaking the 8” objective.
The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has urged for a “prompt” inquiry into the apprehension of certain individuals by the police on Thursday, September 21 during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest.
Furthermore, the Council is insisting “that anyone found culpable should be subjected to the full extent of the law to restore confidence in our democratic system.”
These demands were articulated in a press release issued on Tuesday, September 26, and endorsed by the General Secretary of the Council, Rev. Dr. Cyril Fayose.
The incident in question pertains to the tumultuous commencement of the three-day #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest.
Due to a dispute between the police and the organizers, Democracy Hub, concerning a court application to halt the protest, the police had issued a warning against any gathering for the demonstration.
However, despite the warning, over 50 individuals defied the order with the intention of marching to the government’s headquarters for the planned picketing. They were subsequently detained but later released.
Reports indicated that those who were arrested encountered mistreatment while at the various police stations where they were held.
The Christian Council has strongly criticized the “unprofessional” behavior of the police.
The campaign team members of Alan Kyerematen in the Northern Region have shifted their allegiance to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in anticipation of the New Patriotic Party’s National Delegates Conference scheduled for November.
This development comes on the heels of Alan Kyerematen’s resignation from the NPP, which he announced during a press conference on Monday.
During a subsequent press conference held in Tamale on Tuesday, Chabite Moses Moye, an administrator from Alan’s campaign team in the region, expressed their surprise and disappointment at Kyerematen’s decision to leave the New Patriotic Party.
He stressed that their support for Alan Kyerematen had been closely tied to his affiliation with the NPP, and with his departure from the party, he had also severed ties with his support base in the region.
The group now firmly believes that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the best candidate to lead the NPP into the 2024 election, following Kyerematen’s resignation. Therefore, they have resolved to back Bawumia’s candidacy.
“All signs show that the vice president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who is also contesting will win. We have to work for the party. We will surely work with him and make sure that he gets the nod and continue to work for NPP to win power in 2024,” he stated.
He emphasized the team’s unwavering support for the NPP and their commitment to not betray the party for Alan’s personal agenda. He criticized Alan for not competing in the party’s contest, accusing him of betraying his loyal supporters.
“We are concerned, former supporters of Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen’s presidential candidacy of NPP are here today to express our profound disappointment with Mr Kyerematen. We as individuals have steadfastly believed in Alan within our party. We have diligently supported his campaign and believe in his potential to lead NPP.
However, Alan chose to withdraw from the race without prior notice, citing isolated incidents of violence after our special delegates’ conference. This decision has caused us unnecessary hardship because we firmly believed that the grassroots firmly supported him. We were shocked and dismayed when he withdrew from the November presidential election. We can only describe this action as cowardly and a betrayal of his loyal supporters. Today, we prioritize the party; our support for him was based on the NPP and not an individual. We were taken aback by his resignation from the NPP, and some of us were disappointed. We will remain loyal to our party, the NPP.”
The NPP, during a subsequent press conference, accepted Mr. Kyerematen’s decision.
The Ministry of Works and Housing has urged a collaborative effort among all stakeholders to tackle the growing issue of flooding throughout the country.
This call comes in response to the escalating flood risk in the capital city and other urban centers, which has had a detrimental impact on numerous individuals, causing damage to their livelihoods, properties, and infrastructure.
In a statement released in Accra on Tuesday, the Ministry expressed empathy for the hardships endured by many as a result of flooding and conveyed its solidarity with those affected.
The Ministry reiterated its unwavering commitment to addressing this challenge and called upon stakeholders to unite with them in the mission to construct a more resilient nation, one that safeguards the lives, livelihoods, and properties of all Ghanaians.
The Ministry has appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to conscientiously fulfill their respective responsibilities in development control by preventing the construction of buildings in waterways, wetlands, drainage areas, and flood-prone regions.
Additionally, the Ministry has requested that the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Ghana Highway Authority, and Urban Roads pay greater attention to the maintenance of roadside drainage systems, ensuring their efficient functioning.
“This proactive approach will help prevent blockages in drainage systems that contribute to flooding during heavy rainfall,” emphasized the Ministry.
Nigeria‘s two largest labor unions are gearing up for an indefinite strike set to commence next week in protest of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
This crisis emerged following the government’s decision to eliminate a popular yet financially burdensome petrol subsidy, as confirmed by union leaders on Tuesday.
In May, President Bola Tinubu faced mounting pressure from these unions to reverse his decision, which terminated a decades-old subsidy responsible for maintaining low fuel prices but also straining government coffers.
Consequently, prices across various sectors, including food, transportation, and electricity, have experienced substantial increases, especially given the widespread reliance on petrol generators for power.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Nigeria, representing the country’s largest labor groups, have jointly declared their intention to initiate the strike on October 3rd.
In a joint statement, union leaders emphasized their commitment to a comprehensive shutdown until the government addresses the demands of both Nigerian workers and the broader population.
They lamented the government’s failure to engage in meaningful negotiations or reach agreements on the severe repercussions stemming from the regrettable petrol price hike, which has inflicted widespread suffering on workers and the masses.
While urging the unions to continue negotiations rather than resorting to strikes, the government cautioned that such actions would further harm an economy already grappling with double-digit inflation, foreign currency shortages, and reduced oil production.
President Tinubu, meanwhile, defended his two major reforms, eliminating the subsidy and implementing foreign exchange controls.
He argued that although these changes might entail short-term hardships, they are essential to attract investments and bolster government finances in the long run.
President Joe Biden has announced the inaugural members of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement on Tuesday, with acclaimed actor Viola Davis among them.
Davis will play a pivotal role in advising the U.S. government on strengthening connections with African communities.
This move underscores Washington’s commitment to emphasizing the significance of the African region and addressing the challenges posed by China and Russia to American interests in this increasingly vital area.
The decision to establish this council was first revealed in December of the previous year during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, a gathering aimed at deepening Washington’s relations with the African continent.
The council’s responsibilities encompass a wide spectrum of topics, including enhancing ties between African communities and the United States, fostering trade and investment, and facilitating educational exchanges.
Judd Devermont, the National Security Council’s Senior Director for African Affairs, elaborated on these matters in discussions with reporters.
The council will be chaired by Silvester Beaman, the Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, who delivered the benediction at President Biden’s inauguration in 2021.
In addition to Viola Davis, notable members include Patrick Gaspard, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress think tank; C.D. Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation and global head of social impact for PepsiCo; and Almaz Negash, the founder of the African Diaspora Network, among others.
Viola Davis achieved an impressive milestone this year by winning a Grammy for her audio recording of her memoir, “Finding Me,” which earned her membership in the exclusive group of EGOT winners with an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony award.
The White House, in a press release, lauded Davis as “a revered artist, activist, producer, philanthropist” who has worked on various initiatives, including efforts to combat child hunger in the United States.
As the United States seeks to strengthen its position as a reliable partner to African nations, it faces competition from China, which has expanded its influence through financing infrastructure projects on the continent and beyond.
Meanwhile, Russia, after hosting its inaugural Africa summit in 2019 and deploying troops in Ukraine, has been exerting increased efforts to gain influence and pursue business opportunities in Africa, where its Wagner mercenary group remains active.
Kenya is set to commence the construction of a nuclear power plant in 2027, according to recent assurances from authorities.
The planned 1,000MW facility, a long-standing project, aligns with Kenya’s goals to transition to cleaner energy sources and boost energy production.
Similar announcements regarding the imminent start of this venture have been made in the past.
The acting CEO of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, Justus Wabuyabo, informed Kenya’s Business Daily newspaper that the agency is presently engaged in site evaluations and finalizing preparations to initiate the bidding process for the plant’s construction.
Mr. Wabuyabo stated that the plant’s construction is slated for Kenya’s coastal region and is expected to span six to ten years, with the earliest operations of the first plant anticipated by 2034.
However, some Kenyans have expressed concerns, contending that a nuclear plant is unnecessary, citing doubts about the country’s capacity to manage nuclear waste.
“We have enough resources for hydro, geothermal, solar, and wind power. Worse, I do not think we have the capacity to ensure the safety of a nuclear power plant or clean-up when a disaster strikes,” one X, formerly Twitter, user said.
Currently, South Africa stands as the sole African nation engaged in commercial nuclear power production. Several other African countries, including Rwanda and Egypt, have initiated plans to embrace nuclear energy, with Egypt currently in the process of constructing a $30 billion (£24 billion) nuclear power plant.
The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has denied allegations that the party has been taken over by a specific group of individuals.
During a press conference held on Monday, September 25, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen resigned from the party and announced his intention to run as an independent candidate.
In his resignation statement, Alan asserted that a particular faction of party leaders, elders, and behind-the-scenes power brokers had effectively seized control of the party.
In response to Alan’s claims, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Koduah, addressed the matter during a press conference on Tuesday, September 26, and refuted these allegations.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the leadership of the Party equally disagrees with assertions made by Mr. Kyerematen on page eight (8) of his resignation address that ‘the Party has been hijacked by a selected group of Party leaders and elders, and government appointees behind the curtain power brokers’.”
“Guided by facts and data, the leadership of the Party disagrees entirely with this assertion. Historically, the selection of flagbearers for political parties in Ghana had been the preserve of a privileged few until the New Patriotic Party took the bold decision to decentralize the process by expanding its electoral college to enfranchise some One Hundred and Six Thousand, Five-Hundred and Ninety (106,590) delegates in 2010.”
He added, “Currently, about Two Hundred Thousand (200,000) delegates would be voting to select the Party’s next flagbearer relative to the estimated One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-Eight delegates (1,998) who did same in 1992. Clearly, the quantum leap to Two Hundred Thousand (200,000) delegates in 2023 underscores the decentralization of power to all Party stakeholders and defeats the assertion that the Party has been hijacked by a privileged few”.
Additionally, he dismissed Mr. Kyerematen’s allegations of intimidation against his supporters, highlighting that government appointees, including cabinet ministers who openly declared their support for him, are still in their respective positions.
“In reference to Mr Kyerematen’s concerns, which include allegations of intimidation against his supporters, it is noteworthy that certain government appointees, including cabinet ministers, who openly declared their support for him are still at post and have never been intimidated,” he stated.
Former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen, has stated that decisions regarding Ghana’s economy were primarily made by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta during his tenure in the government and Cabinet.
He explained that while Cabinet members could offer suggestions, the ultimate responsibility for managing the economy rested with the Finance Minister.
In an interview with the media Mr Kyerematen stated, “What I am saying is that the Minister of Finance is in charge of the economy. I can only make a contribution. The final decision depends on him. I cannot take responsibility for decisions made by the Finance Minister. So if you say I was in government and things went south, I cannot answer for that.”
Alan Kyerematen officially resigned from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on September 25, 2023.
He cited his belief that the party no longer required his services as the reason for his departure.
In his resignation speech, he announced his intention to contest the presidential election in the 2024 general elections as an independent presidential candidate.
“Under the circumstances and given the context provided, I wish to use this platform to announce that I am honourably resigning with immediate effect from the New Patriotic Party to contest for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana in the 2024 General Elections, as an independent presidential candidate,” he stated.
One of Ghana’s notable cultural and historical sites has succumbed to the severe weather conditions after enduring years of abandonment.
The ancient mud mosque in the Savannah Region, Bole Mosque, which had withstood centuries of history, has ultimately been brought down following heavy rains.
Primarily constructed from mud, the religious site dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Authorities have suggested that the damaged mosque could potentially be restored with the help of local individuals familiar with its architectural style and construction techniques.
Meanwhile, residents have been advised against demolishing the remaining portions of the mosque to construct a new one.
In addition to neglect and termite damage, the use of modern materials like cement during repairs and maintenance has been identified as a contributing factor to the mosque’s collapse.
The mud Mosque had served as a living testament to the intricate tapestry of Ghana’s cultural and historical heritage.
Similar to the renowned Larabanga Mosque in Tamale, the Bole Mud Mosque possessed a distinctive architectural design.
However, despite its undeniable significance, the mosque had steadily deteriorated over time, besieged by neglect and the unrelenting forces of nature.
The presence of wooden poles around the mosque not only served as protection but also played a crucial role in providing structural support to the building.
The Bole Mosque is renowned for its distinctive architectural design, reminiscent of the famous Larabanga Mosque in Tamale.
It incorporates mud construction supported by frameworks of wooden poles, with short protruding poles buried into buttresses, lending the mosque its unique appearance.
This architectural style reflects neo-Sudanese influences that contributed to the establishment of predominantly Islamic communities in northern Ghana, particularly in the Wala and Gonja states.
Similar mud mosques with neo-Sudanese architectural elements can be found in neighboring West African countries, notably Mali.
The lifeless boy of a man, has been discovered in a deserted washroom at Awutu Bawjiase Methodist School in the Awutu Senya West District of the Central Region.
According to sources, the unused restroom is among the facilities constructed by the Coastal Development Authority in the Bawjiase area.
An eyewitness, Kwame Abanga, mentioned that a friend informed him about a person found hanging in the vacant public restroom.
Upon receiving the information, he quickly rushed to the site and confirmed the man’s hanging.
“At approximately 7 to 8 pm, a friend informed me about the incident, suspecting foul play. Another acquaintance called and reported that while attending to his needs, he saw the man hanging in the abandoned toilet facility.
He further added, “I am aware that the deceased was unemployed… We are all awaiting updates from the Police following their investigations.”
The cause of the man’s death remains undisclosed, and the police have initiated an investigation into the incident.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed its acknowledgment of Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen’s decision to resign from the party.
During a press conference on Tuesday, September 26, the NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Koduah, conveyed the party’s respect for Mr. Kyerematen’s choice while expressing disappointment regarding the absence of prior notification to the party’s leadership before the public announcement.
Koduah characterized Mr. Kyerematen’s decision as “pre-meditated,” given the manner in which he chose to resign through a press conference.
He noted that the party believes his decision to announce his resignation via a press conference without prior communication to the party suggests that he had made an irrevocable decision to leave the party.
“The disappointing part is the mode in which he resigned from the party, which was through a press conference, without prior notice to the party. The party wants to believe that his decision to hold a press conference to resign, without first informing the party, suggests that he made a pre-meditated irrevocable decision to resign from the party.
“It pre-emphasises that when the Chairman of the party, [Stephen Ntim], on behalf of the party had a meeting with him after the August delegates conference in an attempt to bring all the ten aspirants together, he didn’t portray any sign of resigning from the party, let alone going independent.
“The NPP acknowledge Mr Kyerematen’s contributions to our party’s growth and development over the years. We respect his decision and extend our gratitude for the services rendered to the NPP and mother Ghana,” the General Secretary of NPP underscored.
Koduah further highlighted that Mr. Kyerematen had not shown any sign of resigning from the party when he met with the party’s chairman, Stephen Ntim, on behalf of the party after the August delegates conference, where the party aimed to bring all ten aspirants together.
In concluding, the General Secretary of the NPP recognized Mr. Kyerematen’s contributions to the party’s growth and development over the years, reiterating their respect for his decision and extending gratitude for his services to the NPP and Ghana as a whole.
On Monday, September 25, the former Trade and Industry Minister officially resigned from the NPP and declared his intention to contest the 2024 elections as an independent candidate.
Mr. Kyerematen cited alleged division within the NPP and reported hostile attacks on himself and his supporters over the past decade as reasons for his departure.
The Minister of National Security, Kan Dapaah, has filed a lawsuit against Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the convener of the #FixTheCountry Movement.
Barker-Vormawor had alleged that National Security and other government officials met with him in 2021, offering him money to silence his activism.
These allegations were made after Barker-Vormawor and others were released by the police following their arrest on September 22 for staging a demonstration in Accra, breaching a restraining order secured by the police.
In the lawsuit, Kan Dapaah is seeking a declaration from the court that Barker-Vormawor’s statements are defamatory.
Additionally, he is demanding the recovery of Ten Million Ghana Cedis (GHC10,000,000.00) as General Damages, which includes Aggravated and/or Exemplary Damages for Defamation due to the words spoken by Barker-Vormawor.
Kan Dapaah is also seeking an apology and retraction of the defamatory words, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining Barker-Vormawor from making similar or other defamatory statements against him.
Barker-Vormawor had claimed that he was offered a tempting sum of $1 million and lucrative government positions to halt his activism, which was critical of the government. He insisted that he possessed evidence to support his claims but has not yet made these files public.
The Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly is partnering with the Department of Urban Roads to repair a bridge that collapsed at the Akweteman Pentecost Church during last Friday’s, heavy rainfall.
This bridge’s partial collapse significantly contributed to the extensive flooding in the area.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Okaikwei North, Boye Laryea, in an interview with the media explained that a new and improved bridge is anticipated to be completed within a month.
“Yesterday we gave the Urban Roads a full report of what has happened. So there and then they also followed it up and came and realized that something quickly has to be done. So yesterday the instruction was that we close that route and they started working on the drawings because according to them they need to change the whole architecture of that place. So we have made an alternative route. So I am sure that by Thursday, the drawings will be ready for work to commence,” he stated.
In the meantime, the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMeT) has issued a warning that whenever rainfall exceeds 50 millimeters in the capital city, Accra, flooding is likely to occur.
This advisory follows the heavy rainfall experienced last Friday, which resulted in extensive flooding in various parts of Accra.
Areas such as the Tema Motorway, Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, Kaneshie, North Kaneshie, Alajo, Adabraka, Accra Central, Tema, Tema station-Accra, Osu, and others were severely affected by nearly an hour of intense rainfall. The flooding led to the submersion of many homes and vehicles, overflowed drainage systems, and exacerbated road potholes.
Joseph Portuphy, the Head of Forecasting at the GMeT, explained during an interview with the media that the recorded rainfall during the event was 78 millimeters, which explained the widespread flooding in the city.
“If we have a rain above 50 millimetres within two to three hours Accra will be flooded and that was what happened,” he stated.
He cautioned that Accra would encounter difficulties whenever rainfall exceeded the threshold of 50 millimeters.
The government has fallen short of its seven-day deadline to establish a temporary connection for vehicles at the damaged Doli bridge in Bole, within the Savannah region.
On Tuesday, September 19, the Minister of Roads and Highways had announced that the government would ensure road connectivity within seven days.
However, even though equipment and boulders have been transported to the site, actual construction work has not commenced, seven days after the announcement.
Consequently, travelers between southern Ghana and the Upper region, as well as other destinations, are still forced to undertake an additional journey of over 250 kilometers, passing through Sawla-Fufulso and Techiman to reach their intended locations.
The Doli bridge collapsed on Sunday, September 17, 2023, following prolonged heavy rainfall.
In the meantime, the Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibril, has been visiting the numerous individuals displaced by flooding in Buipe, the capital of the Central Gonja District in the Savannah Region.
According to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), the flooding resulted from torrential rains that led to the overflowing of the Black Volta River.
The flooding began on Sunday, September 17, and has since escalated. While NADMO has provided temporary shelter for some of the displaced individuals at a school in Buipe, government relief assistance is still pending.
The National Cardiothoracic Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has inaugurated the observance of the 2023 World Heart Day (WHD) with a plea for the government to implement free heart treatment.
Speaking in Accra on Monday, Professor Mark Tettey, Acting Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, KBTH, emphasized the need for Ghana to establish programs and policies ensuring that every Ghanaian, from newborns to the elderly, can access heart disease care without incurring charges.
He pointed out that the fees patients pay for treatment are insufficient to cover the costs of repairing, replacing, and maintaining the equipment used in treatment. He stressed that constantly seeking funds to acquire new equipment is unsustainable.
World Heart Day is celebrated annually on September 29th to raise awareness about the importance of adopting lifestyles that promote heart health. This year’s theme is “Use Heart, Know Heart.”
Professor Tettey underscored that managing heart disease is prohibitively expensive, making it inaccessible for most Ghanaians. For instance, the diagnostic and treatment costs for a heart attack can amount to no less than GHC 40,000, while heart surgery is estimated at no less than GHC 80,000. He called for solutions to reduce the high cost of treatment, ensuring that poverty does not deny Ghanaians the heart care they need.
He emphasized that heart diseases affect people regardless of their socioeconomic status, emphasizing the significance of prioritizing heart health. The heart, he noted, is the body’s most intricate, potent, and crucial organ, influencing a person’s longevity and overall well-being. He urged individuals to adopt lifestyles that promote heart health, including healthy eating, daily exercise, and stress management.
Professor Tettey highlighted the environmental factors affecting heart health, such as air pollution. He noted that air pollution is responsible for 25% of cardiovascular deaths worldwide, with seven million people succumbing to heart diseases caused by air pollution. He also mentioned the adverse health effects of improper disposal of mercury during illegal mining (galamsey), which is linked to conditions like hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrhythmias.
He called for efforts to reduce air pollution and harmful practices damaging nature, which, in turn, negatively impact human health.
Professor Tettey urged the public to prioritize heart health, undergo regular check-ups for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, and follow prescribed treatment when diagnosed.
On World Heart Day, the National Cardio Thoracic Centre, KBTH, will dedicate Friday, September 29th, to provide care and treatment for all types of heart ailments.
Alan Kyerematen has firmly refuted the assertions made regarding his association with former president John Agyekum Kufuor, asserting that they are inaccurate.
Specifically, he has contradicted the allegations that it was the former president who introduced him to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), clarifying that this is untrue.
Speaking to the media, he emphasized that, in actuality, his political identity is not intertwined with the former president, despite the widespread claims made over the years.
“People don’t know me. My political capital has nothing to do with President Kufuor… my political career has nothing to with Kufuor and if you ask him, he will confirm this. When he has to sometimes talk about it, then he is sad because people have said things about him he knows nothing of that he brought me but when he became president in 2001, the first appointments he did… I told him that I didn’t want to become a minister,” he said.
Political capital is one’s influence, trust, and goodwill that a political leader or entity possesses, often as a result of their actions, achievements, and public perception.
Alan Kyerematen provided further insight into his decision to decline a ministerial appointment from President Kufuor and the rationale behind his choice.
He elucidated that he turned down the ministerial offer because he believed it was not the right time for him to assume such a role. He felt that his skills and expertise could be better utilized elsewhere at that point in time, and he wanted to focus on other avenues where he could make a meaningful impact.
This decision was driven by his desire to contribute effectively to the development of the country and to pursue opportunities aligned with his vision and goals.
“I told him I didn’t want an appointment from but that some of us worked hard to bring him to power and so we should be able to stay behind so that when he is doing something that is not right, we can have the courage to tell him,” he added.
Alan has officially resigned from the NPP and is spearheading a “Movement for Change” with the goal of vying for the presidency in Ghana’s 2024 general elections.
President Akufo-Addo, has encouraged Global Africans to invest in Africa, particularly highlighting the significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He noted that the AfCFTA presented an opportunity for the continent to attract investments for industrial development and transformation.
“Like the vision of our forebears, the AfCFTA sets the stage for Africa’s industrialization and transformation. What is required now is for our respective governments and businesses to show bold leadership. We need coherent and complimentary strategic actions by governments and businesses.
“The right mix of policies and strategies for exports, value addition to raw commodities and a greater sense of purpose to ensure a robust intra-Africa trade, to drive agricultural growth, economic diversification and the much-needed industrialization of the continent.
“As the saying goes, nothing succeeds as much as success. If we work at it, if we stop being beggars and spend Africa’s money inside the continent, Africa would not have to ask for respect from anyone, we will get the respect we deserve,” president Akufo-Addo said.
The Africa Prosperity Network (APN), in partnership with the African American Institute (AAI), has introduced the Global Africa Network.
This platform aims to mobilize the Global African (African Diaspora) community, providing them with access to funding opportunities to invest in Africa.
The launch of the Global Africa Network took place during the inaugural Global Africa Forum, held on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly in New York. The forum’s theme centered on “Mobilizing Global Africa Investments to Boost Intra-African Trade.”
This forum, which occurred on September 21st, brought together various African policy and business leaders, as well as prominent Global Africans. During the event, leaders emphasized the importance of Global Africans actively participating in Africa’s development.
Leaders at the forum identified specific areas of investment, including the manufacturing sector, pharmaceutical industry, agriculture sector, and a newly established $1 billion AfCFTA adjustment fund, aimed at supporting productive sector investments.
Kofi Appenteng, President and CEO of the African American Institute (AAI), pointed out three critical actions that African governments should take to create an environment conducive to attracting funds from the Global African diaspora networks.
These actions include facilitating easier travel, providing pathways for residency and citizenship for non-citizens, and simplifying real estate acquisition for investors.
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), emphasized that economic integration is crucial for Africa’s peace, security, and prosperity.
He advocated for a mindset of “Africa without borders” to promote unity and investment on the continent. Otchere-Darko urged Global Africans to invest in Africa, highlighting the potential for profitability.
The Global Africa Network was officially launched to serve as a platform for Global Africans to engage with African leaders, establish partnerships with the African private sector, and facilitate investments in Africa. Membership is open to Diasporan associations, fund managers, investment brokers, and asset managers.
The Africa Prosperity Network, the African American Institute, and the UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa will collaborate to manage the network’s activities and engagement with the African continent.
The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, also known as Nana Bee, has contested several of the assertions made by former party member Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen in his resignation statement.
Nana Bee suggested that Kyerematen may have fabricated or embellished some of his reasons in an attempt to make them more appealing to the Ghanaian public.
“For me some of these assertions are not backed by facts,” Mr Nana Boakye saidon Monday, September 25.
“They are not backed by evidence, so I think that yes he intended to leave so certain reasons must be orchestrated and conjured so that he will hang these personal decisions, the rationale behind it on the orchestrations and conjecturings.”
The former NPP National Youth Organiser responded to the earlier announcement made by the former flagbearer hopeful of the party, where he declared his resignation and intention to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming elections.
Mr. Kyerematen cited that the NPP has undergone significant changes since he first joined the party in 1992.
“I joined the New Patriotic Party at the very beginning of its establishment as a Founding Member, believing in its core values and the long-standing traditions of its antecedents, predicated on fairness, equity, probity, accountability, and transparency,” he told his supporters in the presence of some journalists at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.
“I have devoted the best part of my professional career to serving the Party, and I still believe in the vision of the founding fathers of the Party.
“However, the NPP as it exists now has very little resemblance to the Party that I joined in 1992 and helped to nurture.
“The Party has been hijacked by a selected group of Party leaders and elders, government appointees, ‘behind the curtain power brokers’ and some unscrupulous Party apparatchiks.”
Mr Nana Boakye challenged Mr Kyerematen’s claims.
“I think the party has been very faithful to Hon Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen. The party has been extremely appreciative for his services.”
In his view, the former minister should acknowledge that there is a growing wave of support for a new leader within the party.
“That is democracy. When the people decide, they decide.”
An Associate Professor of Political Marketing at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Kobby Mensah, believes that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is unlikely to achieve their goal of winning a third consecutive term in office.
He holds this opinion due to the departure of former influential member, Alan Kyerematen, who resigned from the party and plans to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections.
According to Prof. Mensah, Kyerematen’s decision significantly diminishes the NPP’s chances of ‘breaking the eight’. He emphasized that Kyerematen’s strong ties to the Ashanti Region, a crucial constituency for the NPP, could lead to a split in votes between him and the NPP.
This split, coupled with his existing following within the party, may affect the NPP’s ability to secure the 75 percent or more votes they need to win elections.
“Clearly, if NPP was really serious about ‘breaking the eight’ and there was any significant possibility, I think that his departure to become an independent candidate actually nails that chance of them ‘breaking the eight’,” he stated.
In response, Kyerematen has announced plans to launch his campaign, focusing on policies based on the Great Transformational Plan (GTP), a major policy initiative from his time in the NPP primaries.
“Apart from the fact that he has significant following within the NPP itself, he is from the Ashanti [Region], a crucial constituency for the NPP and, for that matter, where perhaps his following is quite strong
“I don’t see how NPP with Alan Kyerematen’s candidacy and the possible intense competition in terms of campaigning, don’t forget campaigns have effect in elections’ outcomes. If he is able to mount a very rigorous, compelling campaign, I suspect the Ashanti will be one of the significant areas that is going to have a very heavy intensive campaigning
“And that means that he could possibly chip away significant amount of votes to deny NPP the 75 percent and above that perhaps they need to win elections.
“So, I think it is really a big blow to the NPP especially in the Ashanti Region.”
The ex-Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, has openly expressed his views on what he perceives as unjust removals of Kwabena Agyapong and Paul Afoko from their leadership roles within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Kyerematen, who recently resigned from the NPP to pursue an independent presidential campaign, spoke passionately about the influence of sycophantic behavior in the party’s internal politics during an interview with the media.
“Kwabena Agyapong and Paul Afoko were victims of sycophantic behaviour within the party,” Mr Kyerematen said on Tuesday, September 26.
He argued that sycophancy and unquestioning loyalty to the leadership were significant factors in the regrettable removal of capable and competent individuals like Agyapong and Afoko. According to Kyerematen, both individuals were removed without a fair due process or the opportunity to defend themselves against the allegations.
Mr Kyerematen’s remarks followed his departure from the NPP, driven in part by his aspiration for a more inclusive and transparent political landscape. He stressed that the NPP needed to embrace a diversity of opinions and ensure that internal processes were fair and open.
Furthermore, he highlighted that the NPP should learn from past mistakes and truly prioritize serving the people. According to him, Ghana needs a political party that encourages healthy debates and allows dissenting voices to be heard.
Former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyapong, was suspended in 2015 along with the party’s former National Chairman, Paul Afoko, and former National Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe, for misconduct.
Kwabena Agyapong was found guilty of violating Article 3(d) of the party’s constitution, which mandates members to uphold the party’s decisions, and he was also accused of unilateral actions without proper consultation with or seeking authorization from the NEC.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Mpraeso, Davis Opoku Ansah, has stated that the 20-plus New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) who initially supported Alan Kyerematen in the Special Delegates Conference will not rally behind his movement.
Speaking to the media, he stated, “I would not say that political parties do not or will not have differences. There may be differences, I mean factions here and there, people taking sides, forming into a faction and all of that, but the ability to come together in an internal political context shows how strong your party is. And for me, that commitment is there.”
“And I know that over 20 MPs who supported Alan Kyerematen have all resolved that we solemnly believe in the NPP, and we are going to follow the NPP and we are going to represent power again. And we are going to work tirelessly to ensure that the NPP wins power again in 2024. None of the MPs that support Alan Kyerematen will follow him in his movement but we wish him well.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Opoku, who was a supporter of Mr. Kyerematen, has also distanced himself from the latter, who resigned from the NPP to contest the 2024 general elections as an independent candidate.
Affectionately called OPK, Mr. Opoku, in a statement, expressed his disappointment over Kyerematen’s departure from the party, assuring of his unwavering commitment to the NPP and its vision for Ghana.
Mr Kyerematen, addressing a gathering at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel on Monday, September 25, announced his resignation from the NPP and also declared his intention to run for the presidency as an independent candidate.
“I have noted with grave dismay the decision of Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, a man whom I have known for the last 17 years of my political life and had the privilege of working closely with, to resign from our party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and contest as an Independent Candidate in the 2024 general elections. The decision is profoundly disappointing. It is a disheartening departure from the principles of party loyalty and unity, which are fundamental to our democratic process.”
“The NPP has always thrived on the strength of its agreement and the collective support of its members. I express my unwavering commitment to the New Patriotic Party and its vision for Ghana. With its proven track record of good governance and development, despite the challenges, I firmly believe that our party, the NPP, remains the best choice to lead our nation forward in the 2024 elections and beyond,” OPK said in a statement,” he stated.
A notorious car thief has been lynched by a mob in Awutu Bosomabena, Central Region located within the Awutu Senya District of the Central Region.
While his accomplice has been apprehended by the Awutu Breku District Police Command.
According to sources the deceased was accompanied by another suspect as they seized a Hyundai i10 taxi bearing registration number GE 5718-22 in Nsawam.
These suspects, residents of Nsawam, are said to have a recurring method of engaging taxi drivers from Nsawam and subsequently snatching their vehicles in the Awutu vicinity of the Central Region.
However, the tables turned on this ill-fated occasion when the pair hired a taxi driver from Nsawam and attempted to steal his vehicle near the vicinity of Awutu Bosomabena village.
As they assaulted the taxi driver, he urgently sounded an alarm, prompting nearby residents and farmers in the area to rush to his aid.
“They boarded the taxi from Nsawam, but when they got to the Awutu area, one of them told the driver he was picking up some of his belongings. Then, quickly, one of the suspects attacked the driver in the front seat, holding him by the throat.
“Some Okada boys rushed to the scene after the driver screamed for help. The deceased rushed into the bush but was caught and beaten to death. The police were quickly called in for the body of the deceased. That area where the incident happened is a hotspot for robbery, so the people are alert,” an eyewitness revealed.
Political scientist, Dr. Etse Sikanku has expressed concerns over Alan Kyerematen‘s departure from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), suggesting potential repercussions for the party due to his decision to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential elections.
Mr Kyerematen resigned from the NPP after withdrawing from the party’s November presidential primaries, citing irregularities during the super delegates conference.
Dr. Sikanku notes that while Kyerematen may not take all NPP supporters with him, he does have followers who may continue to support him, potentially impacting the NPP’s prospects.
Meanwhile, veteran journalist Paul Adom-Otchere predicts that as the 2024 election campaign intensifies, voters may forget about Kyerematen. Adom-Otchere suggests that if Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia becomes the NPP’s flagbearer, the election will primarily be a fierce battle between Bawumia and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.
“I can tell you that by the time the campaign hits a crescendo, if Dr Mahamudu Bawumia becomes the NPP’s candidate, with the kind of campaigning he does, which he’s going to do, when the campaign reaches a crescendo, and it’s John Dramani Mahama versus Dr. Bawumia, people will even forget that Alan Kyerematen is contesting.
“It’s going to be a stiff election, it’s going to be brutally fought. And nobody will remember that there’s a third candidate. I can assure you of that, but we still need time to see how Alan’s campaign will pan out.”
Co-convener of Democracy Hub, Felicity Nelson, has expressed criticism regarding Alan Kyerematen’s decision to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections under the banner of the Movement for Change.
Mr Kyerematen, a former Trade and Industry Minister, resigned from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on September 25, citing an unfair playing field in the party’s flagbearer race.
He has since announced his intention to contest the 2024 elections as an independent candidate, with a commitment to establish a non-partisan governance structure for national development.
However, Felicity Nelson has raised doubts about Kyerematen’s ability to accomplish his objectives, particularly due to his involvement in the current government and what she perceives as a lackluster performance during his tenure as Trade and Industry Minister.
“I don’t know what Alan stands for, I don’t know what he represents, I think he failed to make a mark as a minister because he was part of this government that we are complaining against and he never took a stand and spoke against the government. So I am sorry if I am struggling to see what it is he is going to provide that is different.”
“Just because you are saying you don’t belong to either NPP or NDC does not necessarily make you an angel,” she said. “That does not mean anything to me. I am asking what Alan’s track record was as a Trade Minister, and what he did to fix our balance of trade deficit. I have been struggling to see what his message was even when he was campaigning to lead the NPP,” she added.
Following Alan Kyerematen’s resignation from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on September 25, 2023, the leadership of the NPP in the Ashanti Region has issued a directive to all regional chairpersons in the 47 constituencies.
They are instructed to promptly remove all promotional materials associated with Kyerematen, including posters, banners, and campaign paraphernalia, from their party offices.
In a memorandum dated the same day and signed by Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, the party stressed that Kyerematen’s promotional materials are no longer relevant within the party offices due to his resignation.
The directive emphasized the need for fairness in removing these items from the party’s offices, given Kyerematen’s decision to forfeit his membership.
Alan Kyerematen’s departure from the NPP came a month after he withdrew from the party’s flagbearer race. He has since announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election as an independent candidate.
Mr Kyerematen explained during a media engagement on Monday that his decision aims to provide the NPP an opportunity to partake in a government of national unity, while reaffirming his commitment to the founding principles of the party.
Spotify’s CEO, Daniel Ek, has revealed that there will be no complete ban on AI-generated content within the music streaming platform.
Earlier this year, the platform removed a track featuring AI-cloned voices of Drake and The Weeknd.
In an interview with the BBC, Ek states that there are valid applications of AI in music creation. However, he emphasizes that AI should not be used to impersonate human artists without their consent.
He anticipates that the debate over AI in music will continue for many years. Ek categorizes AI use into three “buckets”:
Tools like auto-tune that enhance music, which he finds acceptable.
Tools that mimic artists, which he opposes.
A middle ground where AI-created music is influenced by existing artists but doesn’t directly impersonate them, which remains a contentious issue.
“It is going to be tricky,” he said when asked about the challenge the industry was facing.
While Spotify doesn’t impose a complete ban on AI in all forms, the platform does prohibit the use of its content to train machine learning or AI models capable of creating music.
Increasingly, artists are expressing concerns about AI’s role in the creative industries. Irish musician Hozier, for instance, mentioned that he would contemplate taking action against the perceived threat of AI to his profession. He questioned whether the technology truly qualifies as “art.”
In the case of the song “Heart on My Sleeve,” which featured cloned versions of Drake and The Weeknd’s voices without their awareness, it was removed from Spotify and other streaming platforms in April. Its creator, Ghostwriter, later attempted to have the track nominated for a Grammy award but was unsuccessful.
“You can imagine someone uploading a song, claiming to be Madonna, even if they’re not. We’ve seen pretty much everything in the history of Spotify at this point with people trying to game our system,” Mr Ek said.
“We have a very large team that is working on exactly these types of issues.”
In May, the Financial Times revealed that Spotify had removed thousands of tracks due to the discovery of bots artificially inflating their streaming numbers.
Daniel Ek also addressed Spotify’s substantial investment in podcasts, including those featuring prominent individuals like Michelle and Barack Obama, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. However, neither of these podcasts has been renewed.
The deal with Harry and Meghan reportedly amounted to $25 million (£18 million) and resulted in only 12 episodes being delivered over two and a half years. A Spotify executive recently made disparaging remarks about the work ethic of the royal couple.
“The truth of the matter is some of it has worked, some of it hasn’t,” said Mr Ek of the firm’s decision to “challenge Apple” as the market-leading podcast platform by taking on a lot of new creators.
“Five years ago Spotify was nowhere in podcasting.”
Perez Medcare Hospital, where Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, was reportedly taken, has clarified that the singer was brought to their facility already dead. In a statement shared on their Instagram page on Monday night, the hospital refuted rumors suggesting that the singer died within their premises. They also denied claims that Mohbad had been admitted to the hospital.
The statement mentioned, “The management of Perez Medcare Hospital has noticed the dissemination of false and misleading information on certain social media platforms, claiming that Mr. Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (AKA Mohbad) passed away at our medical facility.”
“We consider it pertinent to put on record that at about 04:30pm on the 12th of September 2023, the lifeless body of Mr. Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (AKA Mohbad) was brought to our medical facility and our medical team immediately sprang into action and after assessment, it was discovered that there was no sign of life, no central or peripheral pulse, no heartbeat, no recordable vital signs and his pupils were fixed and dilated.
“On attempting CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), rigor mortis (stiffening of some parts of the body in relation to death) was observed and the persons who brought him to our facility were informed that it was a case of BID (Brought in dead).
“Upon enquiry about the circumstances leading to the emergency, our team was informed that the deceased was being treated at home by a nurse and that she administered injections on him.
“Our team thereafter advised that the body be taken to the nearest Government Hospital where he can be deposited in the morgue.
“Let it be known that Mr. Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (AKA Mohbad) was not a patient of Perez Medcare Hospital and was never admitted at our hospital at any material time whatsoever.
“Also, the nurse who was said to be administering treatment on him at home is not a staff of Perez Medcare Hospital and the video of the medical facility circulating In the media space in which the late Mr. Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (AKA Mohbad) is seen alive and receiving treatment is not Perez Medcare Hospital.”
TV host and media figure Serwaa Amihere has questioned Alan Kyerematen’s campaign pledges as he vies for the presidency. She noted his prior influential role in the government and his sudden emergence with new ideas for national progress.
These comments follow Alan Kyerematen’s resignation from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and his independent presidential candidacy announcement.
In a twitter post on September 25, Serwaa Amihere stated, “Alan was a part of this government. A cabinet minister too, but he all of a sudden has fresh ideas for the country.”
Her comments add to the chorus of reactions both online and offline regarding Alan Kyerematen’s political aspirations and his future in Ghana’s political arena.
Alan Kyerematen had been among the top five candidates in the presidential race and was poised to participate in the final selection on November 4, 2023. However, he secured the third position on the ballot list after receiving less than 100 votes out of over 900 cast during the August 2023 Special Delegates conference.
He trailed behind Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong. On September 25, 2024, Alan Kyerematen announced his decision to sever ties with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and launch a new political movement called the “Movement For Change.”
Alan Kyerematen’s choice of the monarch butterfly as his political symbol carries deep symbolism, representing transformation and change in the realm of Ghanaian politics.
The monarch butterfly is known for its striking black and orange colors and is associated with transformation, rebirth, and renewal. This resonates with Kyerematen’s political journey and aspirations. His decision to run as an independent candidate marks a significant departure from his longstanding association with the NPP, and the monarch butterfly symbolizes his quest for political change and growth.
The monarch butterfly’s strength and endurance parallel Kyerematen’s determination to uphold his convictions and principles. Just as the butterfly sustains its beliefs during its remarkable migration, Kyerematen seeks to stand by his ideals in pursuit of a better future for Ghana.
The choice of black and orange in the symbol carries its own significance. Black represents mystery and power, emphasizing the enigmatic nature of Kyerematen’s departure from the NPP. However, it also hints at the mixed emotions and potential conflicts surrounding his decision. On the other hand, the vibrant orange symbolizes Kyerematen’s passion for change, creative approach to politics, and his goal to uplift the spirits of the Ghanaian people.
Overall, the monarch butterfly symbolizes Kyerematen’s political transformation and renewal, embodying resilience, spirituality, and unwavering trust in the pursuit of a better future. His choice of this symbol reflects a fascinating blend of color psychology, mirroring the complexities of his political transition.
As the 2024 elections approach, Alan Kyerematen’s political journey with the monarch butterfly as his symbol will be closely watched, as it represents a powerful transformation in Ghana’s political landscape.
Alan John Kyerematen, a prominent member of Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Minister for Trade and Industry, made a surprising decision. He has announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming elections. This move represents a significant juncture in the 67-year-old’s political career, given his long-standing and impactful involvement with the NPP.
During a press conference held in Accra on Monday, September 25, Mr Kyerematen expressed his belief that despite his unwavering dedication and substantial contributions to the party over the years, his efforts have not received due recognition. He further underscored that his continued association with the NPP could potentially worsen existing tensions and divisions, similar to the circumstances that led to his resignation from the party in 2008.
Ebo Anderson Jnr., the pioneer of Kizomba Dance in Ghana, known as Kizomba King, has made a striking revelation, stating that dance is the sole means through which Ghanaian music can outshine Nigeria’s.
Kizomba King’s remarks come amidst an ongoing debate regarding why the Nigerian music industry surpasses its Ghanaian counterpart. Some attribute this discrepancy to Nigeria’s larger population, while others point to a shortage of talented musicians in Ghana.
In an exclusive interview with Citi News, Kizomba King firmly stated, “When dancers are accorded the same level of respect as Ghanaian musicians, the music industry will surpass Nigeria’s.”
The originator of Kizomba Dance in Ghana, however, underscores that the key to success for the Ghanaian music industry lies in dance. He contends that Ghanaian dancers are among the world’s finest but do not receive the same recognition as musicians.
“To enhance the Ghanaian music industry, dance should receive the attention it deserves. The lack of emphasis on dance is one of the reasons why the industry is facing challenges. The day Ghanaian dancers would be elevated to the same level as the musicians, the Ghanaian music scene would exceed that of Nigeria.”He said
Kizomba dance, introduced to Ghana in 2008 by Ebo Anderson Jnr, popularly known as Kizomba King, has gained widespread acceptance and affection among Ghanaians.
A founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision taken by former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen, to leave the party.
During an interview on Eyewitness News with Citi FM, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe voiced his belief that Kyerematen’s chances of winning the 2024 elections as an independent candidate are slim, and he found the timing of the resignation to be inappropriate.
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe argued that Kyerematen’s extensive tenure within the Akufo-Addo government could potentially hinder his presidential aspirations as an independent candidate. This is because he might be perceived as having been complicit in the perceived misconduct among government appointees.
“Winning an election as an independent candidate will be a huge problem for Alan because all the appeals that he has made particularly to the youth will not wash and the reason is quite simple. He has been with the Akufo-Addo’s government for almost seven years and the time that Alan should have left that government, he didn’t.
“Alan should have left the government particularly when he realised the rot going on in the party and that would have automatically turned him into a leader in the future but he didn’t do that.”
Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe further criticized the current condition of the NPP and its leadership. He articulated his belief that the party has strayed from its original principles, permitting the proliferation of detrimental elements.
He cited problems such as selfishness, incompetence, tribalism, arrogance, and greed that have infiltrated the party.
“If we were running our party like it is done in the USA or Britain, these things would not have happened. Our party is full of selfishness, incompetence, tribalism, arrogance, and greed and that is what has brought us here today. Our part was not like this years back or else I would not have been part of it.”
Alan Kyerematen formally declared his resignation from the NPP during a press conference at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel on Monday, September 25. He unveiled his plan to establish the Movement for Change and run as an Independent Candidate in the 2024 elections.
Mpraeso’s Member of Parliament, Davis Opoku Ansah, has stated that the more than 20 New Patriotic Party MPs who backed Alan Kyerematen in the Special Delegates Conference will not support his new political direction.
Speaking to Citi News, he said, “I would not say that political parties do not or will not have differences. There may be differences, I mean factions here and there, people taking sides, forming into a faction and all of that, but the ability to come together in an internal political context shows how strong your party is. And for me, that commitment is there.”
“And I know that over 20 MPs who supported Alan Kyerematen have all resolved that we solemnly believe in the NPP, and we are going to follow the NPP and we are going to represent power again. And we are going to work tirelessly to ensure that the NPP wins power again in 2024. None of the MPs that support Alan Kyerematen will follow him in his movement but we wish him well.”
“I have noted with grave dismay the decision of Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, a man whom I have known for the last 17 years of my political life and had the privilege of working closely with, to resign from our party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and contest as an Independent Candidate in the 2024 general elections. The decision is profoundly disappointing. It is a disheartening departure from the principles of party loyalty and unity, which are fundamental to our democratic process.”
“The NPP has always thrived on the strength of its agreement and the collective support of its members. I express my unwavering commitment to the New Patriotic Party and its vision for Ghana. With its proven track record of good governance and development, despite the challenges, I firmly believe that our party, the NPP, remains the best choice to lead our nation forward in the 2024 elections and beyond,” OPK said in a statement,” he stated.
Music, media entrepreneur, and politician Baba Sadiq has revealed that, each December, Ghanaian event organizers allocate nearly $3.5 million exclusively for Nigerian artists.
Baba Sadiq shared this information in anticipation of the inaugural Guinness Accravaganza, a multifaceted celebration of black culture and magic in Accra.
The event took place at the newly established Barndoor Beer Garden on September 20, 2023, and featured prominent figures from Ghana’s tourism, creative, and cultural sectors.
Among the participants were PaJohn Bentsifi Dadson (founder of Bentsifi/Native Adventures), Abdul-Samed Sadiq (Digital, Ecommerce, and Culture Manager at Guinness Ghana), Anabelle Mckenzie (Director, Year of Return), Kennedy Agyapong Jr (Co-founder, Afrofuture), Mariam Agyeman-Buahin (Marketing Consultant), and Sadiq Abdulai Abu (Founder, 3Music TV | Full Circle Management).
Discussing the challenges faced by event organizers in securing sponsorships, Baba Sadiq remarked:
“From the beginning of the year If you look at the budget allocated to the tourism sector alone it can’t cater for the whole year, but they can’t complain for fear of being victimised…they know they’re struggling but wouldn’t say it…look, in December alone events in Ghana ship in over 3.5 million dollars on Nigerian talents alone.”
Baba Sadiq, also a parliamentary aspirant for the Okaikoi Central constituency under the NDC banner, mentioned that event organizers are actively exploring alternative funding avenues for their events.
In early September, Shatta Wale had initially announced that the Freedom Wave Concert would take place on December 25, 2023. A promotional flyer shared on social media outlined a series of events scheduled to start on Wednesday, December 20, and conclude on December 25.
However, shortly thereafter, the president of Bhim Nation, Stonebwoy, announced his own end-of-year concert on December 22 at the same venue.
Expressing his displeasure with this turn of events, Shatta Wale took to social media to voice his frustrations. He accused Stonebwoy and his team of attempting to undermine his show, which had been held at the Accra Sports Stadium for the previous two years and was set to feature Medikal.
Speaking to GhanaWeekend, the manager of the ‘’Ayoo’’ hitmaker Sammy Atuoba Baah better known as Sammy Flex confirmed the cancellation of the concert by indicating:
“As a result of this brouhaha, Shatta Wale has decided to cancel the Freedom Wave Concert altogether.”
Sammy Flex quickly stated that there are no plans to stage the concert elsewhere for now “The show has been cancelled until we receive a positive update from the National Sports Authority (NSA).”
University of Ghana’s political science lecturer, Professor Ransford Gyampo, recommends that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should acknowledge Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen‘s resignation as he is unlikely to return to the party. He believes that even if the party attempts to persuade him to reconsider his decision, Kyerematen is resolute in his departure.
Kyerematen announced his resignation from the New Patriotic Party on Monday, September 25, with the intention to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential elections.
During an interview on The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Citi TV, Prof. Gyampo criticized the party for its failure to address the concerns raised by Mr. Kyerematen following the August primaries.
“I think that the decision has already been taken, the party must come to terms with it. We warned the party, did research, did the analysis and predicted, that if some of the things he complained about which he warned the party against were not handled well, then he could break away. And that will not augur well for a party that is interested in breaking the 8. But it appears that the party, just like the government doesn’t listen. Alan is a goner, he’s gone, and he will not return to the NPP,” Professor Gyampo asserted.
He anticipated that the former Trade and Industry Minister’s departure would impact the party, as it could potentially draw away a portion of the NPP’s support base.
“They [NPP] should quickly put in place measures that will minimise the impact because whether you like it or not the man [Alan] is going to take away some support base from the party. If you want to break the 8, you cannot go into this contest with this particular incident if you don’t put in place measures. He will give them a run for their money,” he predicted.
The political science lecturer pointed out that Mr. Kyerematen has not jeopardized his political future by resigning from the party.
“I don’t think it’s a political suicide, given the events he narrated as causing the decision that he took. It appears that there was no way he was going to be able to surmount the challenges that were confronting him within his own party. He said he wants to serve in the highest capacity as the president of the land. It clearly shows given the narration he gave that his party was not going to give him the chance. He still has that ambition, so the best thing he had to do was to take the decision he has taken just so he can be able to serve the country,” he stated.
Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ernest Owusu-Bempah, has expressed concern over how internal criticism within the party is sometimes used by opposition voices. In response to the recent #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest in Accra, Owusu-Bempah accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of orchestrating the protest with the intention of destabilizing the government.
“NDC claims the government hasn’t done anything and massed up to go and overthrow the government at Jubilee House.
“What is going on is disgusting to them… to the extent that Ghanaians have forgotten what John Mahama came to do. The blame lies with our own people. The attitude our own people are showing to this government is the root cause,” he lamented during a grassroots meeting in the Ashanti Region on September 24.
He emphasized the critical importance of the NPP securing political victory in the upcoming 2024 general elections, even as the party prepares for the November 4 presidential primaries.
The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests were organized by Democracy Hub, a group of young individuals advocating for government action to address economic challenges and combat corruption. They have consistently asserted their political neutrality and independence, staging both online and on-ground activities to highlight their concerns despite facing unlawful arrests by the police and heavy police presence on the second and third days of their protests.
Meanwhile, the NPP faces a significant setback following Alan Kyerematen’s announcement on September 25 that he was resigning from the party and would be running as an independent presidential candidate.
“Whether we like it or not, we cannot allow the NDC to come to power… The future is at stake and the party is at the crossroads, at a crescendo, this is the time to fight and rescue the party,” he added.
With Alan Kyerematen’s departure from the race, the four remaining aspirants in the NPP presidential race are Kennedy Agyapong, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, former Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and former MP Francis Addai-Nimoh.
The victor of the primary will assume the role of the party’s leader, succeeding President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Additionally, they will lead the NPP in the upcoming 2024 General Elections.
"God will Judge the government" – Angry Protester voices out her frustrations.#INDNews Supreme Court | Partey | The NPP | Sneaker Nyame | M.anifest | Rawlings | Mercy Eke | Blueface #AlanSpeakspic.twitter.com/zthrIrdPYZ
A former member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, has expressed his enduring commitment to the party’s founding principles despite his recent resignation and decision to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections.
Speaking to supporters and the media at the Movenpick Hotel in Accra, he emphasized that his choice to contest independently should not be perceived as a destructive force.
Kyerematen further conveyed that his independent candidacy aimed not to harm the party but to provide it with an opportunity to participate in future national unity governments.
“My decision to contest [the 2024 elections] as an independent candidate will not destroy the party,” he said on Monday, September 25, “but rather provide the party an opportunity to participate in the government of national unity in the future.”
He exhibited confidence in his chances of winning the elections and assured supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that he would serve as a president for them as well.
His withdrawal from the NPP occurred exactly 20 days after he pulled out of the party’s presidential race, despite initially being a frontrunner in the primaries.
This decision came following the super-delegates’ conference on August 26, where Kennedy Agyapong secured second place after Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Mr Kyerematen withdrew, citing intimidation of his supporters and partiality within the party leadership toward other contenders.
Leadership subsequently initiated investigations into his claims, with the NPP expected to respond to his recent resignation as a founding member and decision to contest independently.
The National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has responded to former New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful Alan Kyerematen’s decision to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections.
In a post shared on X, on Monday, September 25, 2023, Sammy Gyamfi expressed empathy for Alan but pointed out that Alan had played a role in the challenges currently faced by Ghanaians and couldn’t distance himself from them. He emphasized that, in his view, both Alan and the NPP lacked innovative solutions and, therefore, should be rejected by the electorate.
“The point has to be made forcefully, that Alan is not a viable alternative to the failed incumbent NPP government as a cabinet minister responsible for Trade and Industry and a member of the Economic Management team from 2017-2023, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen actively participated in the destruction of the economy into the mess it is today.
“Under his watch, the Komenda Sugar Factory was abandoned to rot for almost six (6) years. Growth of the manufacturing sector declined significantly and businesses were suffocated by the bad policies of his Ministry and government leading to several job losses,” parts of the post reads.
Additionally, Sammy Gyamfi highlighted that Alan Kyerematen’s departure from the NPP was primarily driven by his significant loss at the party’s special delegates conferences.
“Would Alan have resigned from the NPP if he had been treated fairly by the NPP in their ongoing Presidential primaries?
“Clearly, it is the pain of rejection by the super delegates of the NPP and the intimidation and harassment of his supporters which is fueling Alan’s latest decision and not any superior passion to help heal the partisan divisions in the country. But it is too late for Alan to jump ship now. Alan is not and cannot be the solution to the very mess he participated in creating!” he added.
Alan Kyeremateng, announced his decision to leave the NPP and also contest as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential elections at a press conference in Accra, on Monday, September 25, 2023,
He said that even though it was his wish to become president of Ghana on the ticket of the NPP, the party has now been hijacked by ‘unscrupulous party apparatchiks’.
“The NPP as it exists now has very little resemblance to the Party that I joined in 1992 and helped to nurture. The Party has been hijacked by a selected group of Party leaders and elders, government appointees, “behind the curtain power brokers” and some unscrupulous Party apparatchiks.
“… I wish to use this platform to announce that I am honourably resigning from the New Patriotic Party to contest for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana in the 2024 general elections as an independent presidential candidate,” he said.
A member of the Democracy Hub pressure group’s Communications Team has announced their intention to organize further street protests.
Solomon Wise made this known during an interview with the media on Monday, September 25, just two days after participating in a three-day demonstration known as #OccupyJulorbiHouse.
He stated, “We are going back,” indicating their intention to continue their protests.
“We are going back, we are not giving them rest,” he added, though it is unclear whether he was referring to authorities in power or the police.
Solomon Wise criticized the police for their handling of protesters during the initial day of the protest on Thursday, September 21. He described the police response as problematic and called for a review of the police curriculum used for handling demonstrations.
Wise also recounted being taken into custody and stated that they were asked to strip naked, which they resisted.
He criticized the police for allegedly acting on the orders of their superiors and politicians rather than using their own judgment and intelligence.
“When you watch the way they handled us from Thursday up till Saturday, especially on the day of Thursday, the Day of Shame, for me, I would like to advocate the police curriculum that is used to train the police at demo should be really looked at,” he demanded.
During the protest, there were moments of relative success on Friday and Saturday, as the protesters were allowed to march toward the government’s headquarters, albeit with certain restrictions.
“We demanded that we are not going to remove our dresses, so the police were actually acting on the whims and caprices of their superiors and superiors also are acting on the whims and caprices of politicians and the police is not reasoning on their intelligence no more.”
He emphasised: “And at that state, we see the police as enemy of the state because they are no more using any intelligence to work with.”
However, tensions flared on Saturday as confrontations with the police escalated. The protest was eventually addressed by Convenor Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
Solomon Wise also disclosed that his phone was allegedly stolen by the police during the course of the protest.
During the protest, there were moments of relative success on both Friday and Saturday, with the protesters being permitted to march from their assembly point at the 37 Lorry Station toward the government’s headquarters. However, their progress was halted in front of the 37 Military Hospital.
On Saturday, there was a tense situation as the protesters faced attempts to encircle and contain them, which escalated tensions and nearly led to chaos.
The protesters ultimately remained at the Akuafo Intersection until they were addressed by the Convenor of the protest, Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a statement addressing the resignation of former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen, urging party members to remain calm.
In a statement released by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong on Monday, September 25, the party acknowledged Kyerematen’s decision to resign and contest as an independent presidential candidate in the 2024 general elections.
The party advised its members to await an official address regarding Kyerematen’s resignation, scheduled for 14:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the Party headquarters.
Alan Kyerematen, in a press conference in Accra on Monday, announced his resignation from the NPP to run as an independent presidential candidate in the 2024 elections.
This marks his second resignation from the NPP, the first being in 2007 before his return. Kyerematen cited the mistreatment of his supporters and the perception that his contributions were no longer valued in the party as reasons for his decision.
He also accused the NPP leadership of favoring one particular aspirant in internal elections.
The NPP leadership’s statement urged party members to remain calm and await further information on the situation.
“Persons associated with me are treated with disdain and outright outcast,” Mr Kyerematen who placed third in the super delegates conference of the NPP held on August 26 said.
He alleged that the NPP leadership had manipulated internal elections to favor a specific candidate.
