TIG Post

Tag: CPP

  • Akufo-Addo should initiate Negotiation on Niger coup – CPP

    Akufo-Addo should initiate Negotiation on Niger coup – CPP

    Chairman of the Political Affairs Committee of the Conventional People’s Party (CPP), Kwame Jantuah, has advised President Akufo-Addo to strongly oppose the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to Niger.

    The ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff has declared their determination to use all available means to restore constitutional order in Niger.

    During a two-day extraordinary meeting held in Ghana, the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff discussed the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force in the Republic of Niger.

    In a session with high-ranking officers, Ambassador Abdul Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, explained that while diplomatic engagement with the military rulers in Niger remains ongoing, any further defiance by the junta could prompt a response to protect the regional bloc’s principles, involving contingency plans.

    Speaking on the Weekly Review segment of the Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Mr. Jantuah, the Political Affairs Chairman of CPP, cautioned against the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force in Niger.

    “May I ask a question, what is the interest of Ghana, is the interest of Ghana in Niger Ghanaians? Is that what it is because right now the price of onions has gone up. Some of the trucks are stacked at the border. Are you saying, sometimes you don’t seem to understand it, onions, tomatoes can we not grow them here?

    “Listen to President Obasanjo when he talks about this particular issue, it is because of the intransigence of our leaders, who are not able to do what they are supposed to do that is creating this. Look in Ghana here, our government should thank the people, the people don’t want these kinds of things, the people don’t want a coup. But the people are suffering and people believe in the thumb,” Mr. Jantuah stated.

    He questioned Ghana’s vested interest, underscoring economic challenges and potential repercussions.

    Jantuah emphasized that a military invasion of Niger might result in adverse consequences for supporting nations as well.

    He warned about the risk of retaliatory missile strikes and referred to the insurgency along the Bawku border.

    He urged President Akufo-Addo to take a stand against military intervention, given Ghana’s history with coups, and advocated for a diplomatic approach instead.

    “The missiles won’t start flying in Niger, all the countries that have come together to attack them and the others who are defending them will throw missiles into your country. Remember Bawku and we have insurgence on that border. When the people start coming and taking our gold deposits we are in big trouble.

    “They should think about this clearly, and let me end by saying President Akufo-Addo should be one President in the midst of all to say no, Ghana has experienced coups and coups haven’t helped us, yes, but this isn’t the way to go. Let’s negotiate.”

  • Cecilia Dapaah’s guilt can only be proven by court – Lawyer Jantuah

    Cecilia Dapaah’s guilt can only be proven by court – Lawyer Jantuah

    A private legal practitioner and Head of Political Affairs for the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Kwame Jantuah, has stressed the importance of upholding the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” in the case involving the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah.

    Speaking to the media on August 11, 2023, Mr Jantuah stated that despite the allegations and the significant amount of money involved, adding that Cecilia Dapaah’s guilt can only be determined by a court of law.

    He pointed out that Dapaah is currently contesting the charges in court and therefore should not be prematurely accused of theft.

    Mr Jantuah explained, “At the present moment, Cecilia Dapaah is innocent until proven guilty, especially with the amount of money we are talking about. And remember, there is a case in court where she has taken it to court for the stealing of money that she says is her property.”

    He further elaborated that while certain amounts of money in question have been linked to specific sources, others remain unaccounted for.

    His comments underscore the importance of allowing the legal process to unfold before passing judgment.

    Cecilia Dapaah has been at the center of a controversy in recent weeks after it was revealed that substantial amounts of money had been stolen from her Abelemkpe residence.

    The ongoing trial involves seven individuals who are accused of being involved in the theft from Dapaah’s home and that of her husband.

    Jantuah’s reminder about the presumption of innocence highlights the need for a fair and thorough legal process to determine the truth of the matter.

  • CPP aims to empower women and overcome psychological barriers

    CPP aims to empower women and overcome psychological barriers

    Chairperson of the Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP), Nanahemaa Akosua Frimponmaa Sarpong Kumankuma, announces the party’s plan to implement a strategy aimed at empowering women to overcome psychological and mental obstacles.

    “Today’s women must face challenges and bottlenecks to thrive under this current global dispensation,” Nanahemaa Kumankuma explained. 

    She noted, “The way we see gender roles is formed and perpetuated by our interactions with our social environment. Our perceptions about these roles unconsciously influence how we value the contribution of individuals around us”.  

    The CPP Chairperson stated this at a stakeholder engagement organized by the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office, which is a platform rolled out for state and non-state actors to address national issues. 

    Speaking on the topic, “The Path of Women Entrepreneurs: Challenges and Prospects,” Nanahemaa Kumankuma, who is the CPP Election 2024 Flagbearer Hopeful, stressed that women have a lot of potential that could be harnessed to scale up national development. 

    She explained that Articles 17 (1) and (2) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution guarantee gender equality and freedom of women and men, girls and boys, from discrimination based on social or economic status, among others. 

    She, therefore, urged women to pick up the tools and break the glass ceilings, stressing that efforts for gender equity would continue to be a mirage if “women failed to confront the issues. 

    She noted, however, that issues of concern include Inequality in access to social protection for the marginalized, vulnerable, and poor. 

    “Inequalities in the burden of extreme poverty, education, skilled training gaps, and excess maternal mortality; and Unequal access to socio-economic power and justice, including lack of respect for and inadequate protection and promotion of women’s human rights. 

    “Inequalities between women and men in the sharing of power and decision-making at all levels, as well as dealing with all kinds of conflicts, insecurities, and threats against women,” she said. 

    She stated that the Ghanaian woman, when given the opportunity, could make lots of gains for the family and nation. 

    According to her, women formed much of the population, saying that more women must endeavour to take up leadership roles to help fine-tune the needs of the public. 

    Nanahemaa Kumankuma also said it was time for women to learn to be entrepreneurs, stressing that only three percent of the entire population were employed in government institutions, a situation she said could be remedied if people acquired skills to be self-reliant. 

  • CPP to soon fix screening dates for presidential aspirants

    CPP to soon fix screening dates for presidential aspirants

    General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Yaa Jantuah, has clarified that only two out of the five individuals who showed interest in the presidential position have submitted their forms within the filing deadline.

    She mentioned that the vetting committee is yet to schedule a date for reviewing the two potential candidates before the party’s delegates’ congress.

    With a focus on revitalizing the CPP prior to the 2024 general elections, Jantuah stated that the party aims to secure the presidency as part of its well-designed plan to alleviate the economic difficulties faced by Ghanaians.

    She strongly believes that the CPP will have a significant impact in the 2024 election, prompting the party to commence its procedures ahead of the usual timeline.

    “We are focused on capturing the presidency in the 2024 general elections. We will soon fix a date to vet our presidential aspirants,” she noted.

  • Memorial Park made for tourism, not to honour Dr Nkrumah – CPP

    Memorial Park made for tourism, not to honour Dr Nkrumah – CPP

    The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has expressed discontentment with the refurbishment of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, suggesting that it was primarily driven by economic benefits rather than genuine respect for Ghana’s first president.

    The General Secretary of the CPP, Nana Yaa Jantuah, conveyed these concerns in an interview with the media.

    She highlighted the party’s longstanding commitment to upholding Dr. Nkrumah’s ideals and legacy but expressed disappointment at being excluded from the planning committees and the subsequent unveiling of the renovated park.

    Jantuah further alleged that President Akufo-Addo intentionally manipulated significant dates and memories associated with Dr. Nkrumah since assuming office to align them with the Busia-Dombo tradition, which the CPP finds objectionable.

    She highlighted the alteration in the design of the GH¢2 note from a banknote featuring Nkrumah’s image to a coin as an example.

    The CPP representative also criticized the decision to rename Nkrumah’s birthday as Founders’ Day, while designating September 21 as Nkrumah Memorial Day.

    She interpreted these actions as further attempts to marginalize Ghana’s first president.

    “Dr. Kwame Nkrumah emerged from a political party, namely the CPP. However, we were neither invited to contribute to the renovation committee nor consulted in any capacity for the event. We could have provided relevant materials for the Nkrumah library,” Jantuah lamented.

    Nana Yaa Jantuah expressed her disappointment with the president’s emphasis on rejuvenating the Dr. Nkrumah Memorial Park without considering the political party that Dr. Nkrumah championed during his presidency.

    The CPP continues to be dissatisfied with what they perceive as a lack of regard for Dr. Nkrumah’s legacy.

    They believe that the renovation should have been approached in a different manner, taking into account his significant contributions and the ideals of his political party.

    “Have you seen this president (Akufo-Addo) say anything good about Dr. Kwame Nkrumah? He’s always projecting his tradition [Busia-Dombo] over Dr. Kwame Nkrumah,” she added.

  • CPP General Secretary calls for national funeral for Kwame Nkrumah

    CPP General Secretary calls for national funeral for Kwame Nkrumah

    The General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah, has expressed concerns about the lack of recognition for the legacy and contributions of Ghana’s first president, Dr. Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah.

    Speaking to the media on Wednesday, July 5, she stated that it is disappointing that Dr. Nkrumah has still not received a national funeral, unlike other former presidents of Ghana.

    “It’s been 50 and more years since the late president died and no one is talking about it. After his corpse was flown to Ghana and a small ceremony was made for him, it ended there.

    “Ghana has not held a national funeral for the first president who gained independence for the country,” she added.

    To revive and honour Dr Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah’s legacy, she suggested that successive governments should pay tribute to him by prominently featuring his name and image exclusively on the country’s currencies.

    This proposal aims to ensure that his significant contributions to Ghana’s history and independence are remembered and celebrated.

    “If you want to resurrect him, put his face on our currencies and make July 1 a Republic Day because his toil has brought us this far.”

    She further expressed her discontent, stating that it is unfounded for the government to allocate funds for renovating Dr. Osagyefo’s residence when his efforts have not been regarded.

    The CPP General Secretary’s remarks come after President Akufo-Addo commissioned the newly renovated Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, making it accessible to the public from today, July 4, 2023.

    The park, which is located on the coast of Accra, was built by the late Jerry John Rawlings in 1990 in honour of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President. It was subsequently opened to the public in 1992.

    Since its construction, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park had not seen any revamp.

    On July 19, 2022, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, cut sod for the commencement of the rehabilitation and redevelopment of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum.

    This was after the government in 2018 secured a US$40 million loan facility from the World Bank through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to strengthen the tourism environment.

    Now in its upgraded state, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park houses a presidential library, an audio-visual fountain which incorporates captivating visuals and synchronised music, an upgraded road and drainage network among others.

    Historical records indicate that Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, passed away in 1972 due to prostate cancer. His death occurred in Romania, where he had been living in exile.

    Following his death on April 27, 1972, the body of Kwame Nkrumah was transported to Guinea, where he had been appointed as a co-president prior to his passing.

    His corpse was later flown back to Ghana in a special Guinean Air Force plane.

    Ever since his death, his corpse has been embalmed and preserved at the mausoleum, designed by Don Arthur.

    The mausoleum also houses his wife Fathia Nkrumah.

  • PNC and CPP no longer exist – Former PNC General Secretary

    PNC and CPP no longer exist – Former PNC General Secretary

    The People’s National Convention (PNC) and Convention People’s Party (CPP) said to followers of the Nkrumah ideology have been described as “dead” by former General Secretary of PNC, Atik Mohammed.

    “Nkrumahism” focuses on African unity, social justice, economic self-reliance, and the empowerment of the African people.

    It is rooted in Nkrumah’s vision of an independent, united, and prosperous Africa, free from colonialism and imperialism.

    According to Mr Mohammed, these two political parties have failed to achieve any great feat since the two major political parties; New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) took over the helm of affairs.

    He lamented over the absence of the two parties in Parliament. He is of the firm opinion that the two parties engage in daily squabbles rather than looking at ways to make them more relevant in the society.

    Mr Mohammed made his views known while discussing the aftermath of the Assin North by-election which saw no candidate from both parties contesting the elections on ‘Kokrokoo’ show on Peace FM on Thursday morning.

    “What shows that a party is in existence? As we talk now, they have no representation in Parliament. They don’t even participate in elections. They, on daily basis, are fighting themselves and when you ask them what is the basis for the fight, their reasons are just unnecessary,” he told host, Kwami Sefa Kayi.

    “They are both dead,” Mr Mohammed added.

    Mr Gyakye Quayson on Tuesday, June 27, beat his closest contender, Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Assin North by-election by obtaining 17,245 votes out of the total valid votes of 29,962, representing 57.56 per cent.

    Mr Charles Opoku, on the other hand, garnered 12,630 of the votes cast, representing 42.17 per cent while Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) secured 87 votes.

    Tuesday’s election was marked by electoral malpractices such as bribery and vote-buying, as well as the arrest of some recalcitrant who posed as security officers.

  • CPP remains Ghana’s most powerful political party – Nana Akosua Sarpong

    CPP remains Ghana’s most powerful political party – Nana Akosua Sarpong

    Current Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah, has stated that her party was and continues to be the best in Ghana.

    The CPP Chairperson conclusively added that no other political party in Ghana has been able to match or outdo Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah’s CPP in terms of development.

    To buttress her position, Nana Akosua Sarpong referred to the quality road networks (the motorway linking Tema and Accra Mall) the CPP government provided when they were in power.

    She was speaking on Election Desk with Etsey Atisu on GhanaWeb TV.

    “CPP is still the greatest party in Ghana. Do you know why? Nobody has matched our efforts. You see the motorway, till today, is the only road that really really has stood the test of time and it was done under the CPP government.

    “Even though it was concrete, cement, after almost 60 years now, if there are potholes, they just use bitumen, ordinary coal tar to fill it and that’s the kind of factory we have,” she said.

    The CPP flagbearer hopeful also chastised successive governments for allowing the country to deteriorate to its current state of unavailability of running factories.

    “Something as basic as sugar that we all consume. Something even as basic as pencil, go to the pencil factory in Kumasi; it’s there and abandoned,” she added.

  • CPP chairperson files nomination to contest flagbearer position

    CPP chairperson files nomination to contest flagbearer position

    The Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Frimpomaa Akosua Sarpong Kumankumah has filed nomination to contest the upcoming flagbearer race of the Party. 

    The Chairperson was the first among four candidates that had picked nomination forms to file her forms at the Party’s headquarters in Accra on Monday evening. 

    Accompanied by some members of the Party, Nana Kumankumah presented her forms to Wing Commander Patrick Sorborjor, the Chairman of the CPP Congress Committee in the presence of members of the Committee. 

    Nana Kumankumah was the running mate to Dr Abu Sakara, who contested the 2012 presidential elections on the ticket of the CPP. 

    She was subsequently voted as Chairperson of the CPP in 2020 and has occupied that position till date. 

    Speaking to journalists after filing her forms, Nana Kumankumah said she was confident that members of the CPP would vote for her to lead the Party for the 2024 presidential elections. 

    She expressed optimism that she would be able to break what she described as the ‘monopoly’ enjoyed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress since the commencement of the 4th Republic.  

    She said her vision was also to ensure that the Party won seats in Parliament, adding that she had identified some constituencies that the Party could win with the right strategies in place. 

    “I am the woman of the century for the youth of this nation. I am here because I believe in Ghana. I have taken up this mantle to ensure that I give the youth an alternative vehicle to vent their frustration in a constructive way,” she said. 

    The CPP is expected to hold its presidential primaries in Tamale in the Northern Region from 29th to 30th July 2023. 

    The elections would be followed by the constituency primaries, which the Party said would be announced in due course. 

    The Party currently does not have representation in Parliament. 

    In the 2020 presidential elections, the CPP garnered 12, 200 votes, representing 0.93 per cent. 

    Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, who represented the Party in the 2020 presidential elections, is not contesting the Party’s upcoming primaries. 

  • IMCIM report: The inconsistencies are not very pleasant – CPP

    IMCIM report: The inconsistencies are not very pleasant – CPP

    General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Yaa Jantuah, has expressed some concerns about the leaked report authored by former Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng. 

    She says there are a lot of inconsistencies in the report.

    “I’m confused because reading through the report, I find a lot of consistency. There’s something that’s not making up,” she said.

    Her major concern was with the date the Professor was asked to present the report (.i.e 2019) and when the report was finally released (i.e 2021). 

    “At what point did all these things [events in the report] happen? If it happened in 2019, why are we not getting a report dated 2019 with a memo on it to the Cabinet, copying the President and everyone involved. Truly this is not the best,” she said.

    She further argued that the report in question cannot represent the perspective of the Committee since it entails a lot of ‘I’s which indicates that the report was written from the Professor’s point of view.

    “And when I was reading the report, I saw a lot of ‘I’ ‘I’ which means that the report was written by a person but a report covering an issue with the magnitude of galamsey should not be written by a person. It should be written by a team with the Secretary doing the minutes and compiling the report

    Additionally, she questioned why the Professor did not release the report or speak up when various allegations were being peddled against him in the past but waited till now before speaking up.

    “Someone might even say it is sour grapes because at the time when he was being accused when he was the Minister, the best thing he could have done was to resign, disassociate himself from the claims and expose those being exposed now. So that everyone will know that he’s not part,’ she added.

    It is in view of these that she contends that there are discrepancies in the report that urgently need to be investigated.

    “It means there’s a problem with the report that we have to interrogate. The inconsistencies are not very pleasant,” she added. 

  • CPP to elect flagbearer on 12 June

    CPP to elect flagbearer on 12 June

    The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has announced plans to elect a flagbearer on 12 June to lead the party into the 2024 presidential elections.

    The decision is in accordance with the party’s constitution, which states that when the party is in opposition it would elect its flag bearer two years before the general election.

    A statement issued by the CPP on Tuesday (21 March) called on persons who desire to lead the CPP to avail themselves when the party opens nominations.

    “At a central committee meeting held on 20 March 2023, the Convention People’s Party (CPP) has determined to hold its flagbearer elections by 12 June 2023.

    “The decision to go by the constitutional provision was overwhelmingly agreed by all members present at the Central Committee which is the highest administrative decision-making body of the party,” the CPP statement said.

    Below is the full statement:

  • Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament files nomination to contest Ellembelle seat

    Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament files nomination to contest Ellembelle seat

    Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the deputy minority leader in parliament, has submitted his nomination documents to run for the Ellembelle seat a fifth time.

    After ousting the outgoing NPP Chairman Freddie Blay, who was then the Convention People’s Party‘s representative in Parliament, Armah-Kofi Buah first won the Ellembelle seat in 2008.

    Speaking to Citi News after filling his nomination form at Ayinase which was marked with a massive float by supporters to the Ellembelle NDC office, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said his motivation to contest the seat again is because the people want him to continue the good works he has been doing in the constituency.

    “The last seven years of governance has been a disaster. Almost every development project we’ve tried has come to a stop. I believe that I have earned the right to be in a position to help the District to develop, so that is why I’m running again. Look at the enthusiasm and the support base and I believe the people of Ellembelle want me to continue the good works I have been doing, and I’m proud to serve them,“ he said.

    Although two other persons have their posters in town to contest the sitting MP, the Ellembelle NDC constituency Chairman and other executives told Citi News they are supporting Armah-Kofi Buah because of how well he has changed the face of Ellembelle in a positive light since he became an MP.

  • Ghana is now on autopilot – CPP

    Ghana is now on autopilot – CPP

    The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), according to the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has no strategy in place to modernize and advance the nation.

    In its message to mark Ghana’s 66th independence anniversary, the party noted that the Nana-led administration had put the country on autopilot.

    “Today, Ghana under the NPP Government has no Plan in place to develop this nation, they have put the Country on ‘Auto Pilot’ and only use Adhoc measures as and when they deem fit.

    Today Ghana has run to the IMF for an economic bailout, there is an IMF supervisor at the Bank of Ghana to give us instructions on our fiscal instructions, we are being asked by the IMF to reduce our debt and unfortunately, Ghanaians are bearing the brunt of this exercise under a strange and Alien Scheme called the Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP).”

    It said the country cannot honour its financial obligations to contractors.

    It averred that there is nothing to celebrate this year and asked Ghanaians to boycott the celebration.

    “As a Country, we cannot even honour our financial obligations to local and domestic contractors, vendors, suppliers, interest payments on loans taken, etc., so what are we celebrating, there is nothing to celebrate because we in the CPP believe that we have been made economic captives, who are reeling under the subjugation of poverty and Economic control.

    We should come together as a country to boycott the Independence Day Celebrations because the Akufo Addo-led NPP government’s actions have eroded the meaning of what Ghana Independence Day stands for. This is the time for a sober reflection towards getting some solutions to our problems as a nation.

    Indeed, the Nana Akufo Addo Government has made the toil of our fathers very meaningless, as we ask Ghanaians to boycott the Celebrations, we are urging all comrades in the CPP to do same as solidarity with the people of Ghana.

    It is laughable that a Government that has been touting a ‘Ghana Beyond AID’ is the one chasing the IMF for Economic Bail Out. It is also sad that a government in dire need of financial support is not ready to downsize government and reduce expenditure. We should with all our strength and might boycott the Independence Day Celebrations.

    The CPP is asking if is it worth it for the Nana Akufo Addo government to use the taxpayer’s money to remunerate cronies, family members and political hangers-on sitting on Government payroll.

    It has become obvious that the CPP is the only Party that has the blueprint to salvage this Nation from this economic quagmire we find ourselves in. When voted for in 2024 we will reshape the destiny of this nation, and showcase a new leadership style of Commitment, Concentration and Selflessness, bringing back the Confidence of the Ghanaian in every sphere of our lives.”

  • Economic Hardship: Ghana needs national consensus on solutions

    Two former presidential aspirants and a private legal practitioner have called for a national consultative dialogue to find lasting solutions to the country’s economic challenges.

    The Government, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, have attributed Ghana’s economic hardship mainly to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

    Dr Abu Sakara Foster, the Convention People’s Party (CPP) Presidential Candidate in the 2012 elections, Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah, an Independent Presidential Candidate in the 2020 elections, and Mr Martin Kpebu, a private legal Practitioner, in a discussion on a local television station on Saturday said the country needed a consensus to surmount the challenges.

    Dr Abu Sakara, who is the Founder of the National Interest Movement – a non-partisan civil society platform, said Ghana had reached a point where the ideas of political parties alone could not solve its challenges.

    He said: “Drastic situation requires drastic measures, and we need to call for a national meeting to build consensus on, which way to go. We must accept and admit that no one group of people in Ghana can solve the problems.”

    “We have a crisis, and we must first contain it by accepting that it’s a collective work to solve the situation. We must come together, build consensus, face reality and come up with long term plan,” Dr Abu Sakara, emphasised.

    He called for a fundamental reform to the constitution to bind Governments to go by the country’s long-term national development plan for inclusive and sustainable growth.

    On governance, he called for a shift from the attitude of “borrowing to spend” to having a prudent and fiscally disciplined economy that invested in agriculture and manufacturing.

    “We must grow the economy through agriculture and manufacturing and adjust trade and investment policies into these areas. There must be an underlying conveyor belt to transition small-scale farms and agribusinesses into medium-scale and large-scale in the long term,” the Agronomist said.

    Also speaking on reforms, Mr Yeboah said the time had come for Ghana to make changes to the 1992 constitution, which he noted had some defects that Government in power exploited to their advantage.

    “We need to change the constitution, until the constitution is changed, we can’t develop. The NDC (National Democratic Congress) and the NPP (New Patriotic Party) are benefiting from the defects in the Constitution,” he said.

    Mr Kpebu called for a constitutional process to remove both President Nana Akufo-Addo and his Vice, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, from office, stressing that they had failed to fulfil the Article 36 requirement of the constitution.

    Article 36 (1) states that: “The State shall take all necessary action to ensure that the national economy is managed in such a manner as to maximize the rate of economic development and to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every person in Ghana and to provide adequate means of livelihood and suitable employment and public assistance to the needy.”

    Mr Kpebu said: “The President and the Vice President should go, and there should be a buffer of experts constituted to support the Speaker of Parliament who will then take over as President because he is from the other side of the political divide.”


    “We need a Kumepreko demonstration and then Parliament takes up from there. One third of MPs (Member of Parliament), let’s make the efforts to remove Akufo-Addo from office otherwise it will be an indictment on all of us,” the private legal practitioner said.

    The Government has admitted to the economic hardship and confident that measures taken and the ongoing negotiations with the IMF for a loan support programme would help alleviate the sufferings of Ghanaians in the shortest time possible.

    Source: GNA

  • GSE attains full membership status with World Federation of Exchanges

    Confidence in the Ghana Stock Exchange from both investors and issuers has further received a major boost as the market attained full membership status with the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE).

    WFE is the leading industry group for exchanges and clearing houses (CCPs) across the globe, and is widely considered the gold standard for best practices in regulated securities and derivatives markets – representing more than 250 market infrastructures across well-established and frontier markets.

    The umbrella-body comprises some 59,400 listed companies with a cumulative market capitalisation in excess of US$122.94trillion at the close of 2021.

    Describing the best practices which WFE brings to the table in an exclusive interview with the B&FT, the Exchanges’ Managing Director, Ekow Afedzie, said the comprehensive scope of assessment and subsequent adherence to best practices by WFE members offers assurance to the exchanges themselves, and stakeholders who interact with them, of their commitment to the highest standards of fiduciary responsibility.

    “Becoming a full member does not mean we are perfect, but means that the highest possible standards are being applied. Not only is what we are doing good enough for Ghana, but it shows that what we are doing also meets the minimum global best practices – and that is a very high standard in running a stock market,” the GSE’s MD stated.

    Consequently, investors and issuers can rest assured that their positions will not be compromised, as beyond the national regulator there is a higher authority to appeal to.

    Chronicling the GSE’s journey, Mr. Afedzie said it is the culmination of years of hard work and bears testimony to the quality of products and procedures available at the Accra bourse.

    “This is another milestone chalked up by the Exchange following our formal affiliation in January 2020. Becoming a full member of the WFE is a testament of our commitment to adhering to the highest international standards and best practices which are embodied in the WFE,” he said of the umbrella-body.

    The GSE’s position at the WFE will ensure wider benefits – including capitalising on the depth of research, networking and technology available at the Federation.

    “We will have access to helpful materials; and if you want to mark yourself against the best, you will have to measure yourself against what they have. And you can only do that when you know what they have, then you can strive to measure where you are. It is an all-round package,” Deputy MD, Abena Amoah added – noting that it will not be one-way traffic as the GSE has much to teach its peers.

    “There is a lot of interest in how we set up our fixed income market with friends from Morroco, Uganda and other markets who are all very eager to learn, so we also have things to teach them; the models that worked and things like that,” she explained.

    The GSE’s managers reiterated the Exchange’s focus on positioning itself for the medium-term, when the current economic downturn passes, as it focuses on a variety of products, sustainability and education.

    Assessment

    Mr. Afedzie further explained that the development came after a series of rigorous assessments of the GSE’s application – as captured in its candidacy paper – as well as a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as the wider economy, the nation’s financial sector, capital market and operations of the stock exchange.

    Other factors considered included the financial standing of GSE, ease of market access, listing admission, details about trading, risk assessment, AML/CTF, investigating abnormal trading and the economy, and the variety of listings.

    The assessment process also saw a team from the Federation interact with key stakeholders from the Ministry of Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bank of Ghana (BoG), Central Securities Depository (CSD) as well as some brokers and issuers.

    In addition to its membership of the WFE, the GSE is also a member of the International Capital Markets Associations, and equally has running MoUs with various exchanges in order to achieve its goals.

    Founded in 1961, the Federation has maintained its mandate of contributing to the development, support and promotion of organised and regulated securities markets in order to meet the needs of the world’s capital markets in the best interests of their users.

    Currently, 37 percent of its members can be found across the Asia-Pacific region, 43 percent in Europe, Middle East and Africa, with 20 percent in the Americas.

    Source: BnFT

  • Let’s merge to take up reins of government – CPP chairperson urges PPP

    The Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Akosua Sarpong Kumankumah, has extended a hand to the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) urging it to consider a possible merger to enable them to take up the reins of government.

    While paying glowing tribute to the founder of the PPP, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, Nana Sarpong Kumankumah said the enthusiasm to give Ghanaians a third viable political party, which led to the inauguration of the PPP, was still relevant as it was 10 years ago.

    “Come home and let’s together fight this humongous evil that is in this country making sure our children do not get what they deserve. Come home and let’s with unity go to the Jubilee House and take over governance and make sure that the youth of this country have a better alternative. Come home,” she emphasised.

    She said the “CPP is ready, you are ready, let’s all come together,” she emphasised.

    In a solidarity message at a rally to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the PPP last Saturday at Elmina in the Central Region, Nana Sarpong Kumankumah said it was only with a united front that a third force could take up the seat of governance and give Ghanaians and particularly the youth a better alternative.

    The event held at the Nana Kobina Gyan Square in Elmina was attended by members and sympathisers of the PPP across the country.

    It was on the theme: “10 years of progressive focus to bring change in Ghana’s Democratic Governance-The Way Forward.”

    Commendation

    The CPP chairperson commended the founder of the PPP for the immense impact he through the PPP had made on the country’s political landscape, saying she was certain that things would have been different if Dr Nduom was part of the political campaign in 2020.

    She said while there had been issues which, undoubtedly, caused the founder of the PPP to start the PPP as a possible third alternative party, there was the need to build bridges to build a formidable party capable of taking the reins of government.

    Nana Sarpong Kumankuma said Dr Nduom had the spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, saying Dr Nduom had proven that he was a great political asset.

    She said his presence should ignite the spirit of Dr Nkrumah and propel them to unity to win power.

    Efforts by the Nkrumahist parties to merge into a formidable political force has faced a lot of challenges making them unable to make any meaningful impact in the country’s recent general elections.

    Source: Graphiconline

  • CPP relishes merger with PPP to ‘break the eight’

    Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has called on the Progressive people’s Party (PPP) to merge with the CPP to win the 2024 general election.

    Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah, said the eight years of “electoral football” between the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party had impoverished the populace, hence the need for a merger to ensure a return to Ghana’s development trajectory through the time-tested ideals of the CPP and PPP.

    Nana Sarpong Kumankumah made the appeal in a solidarity message at the  PPP’s 10th Anniversary at Elmina in the Central Region on Saturday.

    It was on the theme: “10 Years of Progressive Focus to Bring Change in Ghana’s Democratic Governance – The Way Forward.”

    She restated the critical need for the CPP and PPP to lay to rest their systemic ideological differences and unite to save the country from the economic doldrums.

    The CPP Chairperson regretted the internal deep-seated squabbles that led to the unfortunate exit of Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom from the party to form the PPP.

    She touted Dr Nduom’s immeasurable contributions to the rank and file of the CPP and said if he were to been with CPP for the 2020 polls, the narrative could have been different.

    “… But you know that the enemies of progress will go all out to ensure people who mean well for the country will not have their intentions realised,” she said.

    “Nonetheless, I want my presence here to ignite the spirit of Dr Nduom, which is the same as Dr Kwame Nkrumah, for us to merge. I am asking in all humility that all members of the PPP, your intentions are noble and as to why you left, we understand. Come home!”

    Nana Kumankumah added that a unified front was the only panacea to unseat the governing NPP that had “failed to meet the aspirations of Ghanaians.”

    Although the CPP could not make significant strides in previous elections, the masses were calling for the return of the party into governance, but the fragmentation, wrangling, and bickering were hindering its intended mission to move forward, she said.

    She expressed disappointment over the disunity and bickering within the CPP and appealed to its leading members not to sit on the fence but to support in reviving its fortunes in the 2024 polls.

    “We must work hard to organise the party and eschew all personal ambitions to ensure its progress, which I strongly stand for.”

    The PPP in 2013 began talks with the CPP and the Peoples National Convention (PNC) for a possible merger.

    It broke away from the CPP after its leader, Dr Nduom was accused of creating disunity in the party.

    The CPP, a centre-left party, formed by Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, has performed poorly in elections since the advent of the Fourth Republic.

    Source: GNA 

  • CPP has never been the 3rd force in Ghana’s politics – Dr. Smart Sarpong

    A Senior Research Fellow at Kumasi Technical University, Dr. Smart Sarpong, has refuted assertions by some factions in Ghana that the Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP) is the third force in the country’s political landscape.

    He explains that for any political party to become the third force behind the two leading parties, the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party(NPP), it must be able to amass at least 5 percent of votes in national elections.

    Speaking in a TV3 interview monitored by GhanaWeb, on Monday, the political scientist added that the only political party that has come close to being the third force in Ghana’s political space is the Peoples’ National Congress (PNC) under the late former President Dr. Hila Liman.

    “Apart from Dr. Liman in 1992, who provided a third force on the ticket of PNC, there hasn’t been any third force in the republic. The last Nkrumahist to have provided a third force was Dr. Hila Liman.

    “Third force is not merely placing 3rd in any election we hold with any count of votes or any percentage of votes. You need to do at least 5 percent or more of the votes that will be counted and Dr. Hila Liman did 6.7 percent.

    “As for CPP, it has never been the third force, let us put that on record. After His Excellency Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, CPP has virtually disappeared. All through the years coming down to the recent election, you and I know that we do not have a 3rd force,” he said.

    “Nobody should think that a third force is just coming and getting something and placing 3rd. You need to work and enter into the plus 5 percent mode, then Ghanaians will feel that you have organized yourself a little and you need a little push,” he reiterated.

  • CPP to strengthen base for 2024 elections with massive mobilisation

    The Convention People’s Party (CPP) is embarking on an expanded national mobilisation to ensure that the base of the party is strong and capable of securing seats in Parliament and winning elections.

    For a start, the party is ensuring that it has at least 17 polling station executives and 13 electoral area officers who would form the base of the party in each constituency to dedicate themselves to preaching the policies and programmes of the party and elect constituency executives as well.

    The National Organiser of the CPP, Yirimambo Moses Ambing, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in Accra, said the mobilisation programme was the product of introspection the party organised after its 2020 polls performance.

    He explained that it was clear from interaction with party members across the country that the base of the party must be widened at the polling station and electoral areas so that these executives, together with the parliamentary candidate, could secure more votes and seats.

    “With this mass recruitment exercise, we will have nearly 34,000 polling station executives and when we add the electoral area numbers to it, the party’s members will be big. With this, if each member can get five voters, the party will be making a great stride come 2024. We will definitely spring a surprise,” Mr Ambing indicated..

    Piloting.

    He noted that when it became clear that the party members wanted to have that expanded executives at the local level during the introspection, the national executive piloted the same across 12 regions just to find out if it was empirically feasible..

    Mr Ambing said the party hierarchy was overwhelmed with the interest and participation of members for the expanded base programme and noted that “the success of the piloting is an indication that the members at the grassroots want to own the party and drive its success”..

    He explained that the report of the successful piloting had been documented together with all the findings and would be placed before the Central Committee of the party for their perusal and green light so that it would be rolled out..

    ICT.

    He said the party had already developed a template form for the mobilisation and would also train some of the executives to ensure that they appreciate the nitty-gritty of the new programme and be in a better position to shepherd the process to a successful end..

    Mr Ambing, who took the Daily Graphic round an office where computer servers and monitors had been set up, said it was capable of taking the database of at least eight million members, including their names, pictures, voter identification numbers, polling stations and constituency numbers..

    Members.

    He appealed to the members of the party who had been sitting on the fence to join the current executive in the mobilisation programme, noting that they should take up positions at either polling station or electoral areas and work assiduously to secure a resounding victory..

    He said the prospects for the party to win elections were bright but the realisation of this feat would require all hands on deck..

     

  • CPP to strengthen base for 2024 elections with massive mobilisation

    The Convention People’s Party (CPP) is embarking on an expanded national mobilisation to ensure that the base of the party is strong and capable of securing seats in Parliament and winning elections.

    For a start, the party is ensuring that it has at least 17 polling station executives and 13 electoral area officers who would form the base of the party in each constituency to dedicate themselves to preaching the policies and programmes of the party and elect constituency executives as well.

    The National Organiser of the CPP, Yirimambo Moses Ambing, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in Accra, said the mobilisation programme was the product of introspection the party organised after its 2020 polls performance.

    He explained that it was clear from interaction with party members across the country that the base of the party must be widened at the polling station and electoral areas so that these executives, together with the parliamentary candidate, could secure more votes and seats.

    “With this mass recruitment exercise, we will have nearly 34,000 polling station executives and when we add the electoral area numbers to it, the party’s members will be big. With this, if each member can get five voters, the party will be making a great stride come 2024. We will definitely spring a surprise,” Mr Ambing indicated.

    Piloting

    He noted that when it became clear that the party members wanted to have that expanded executives at the local level during the introspection, the national executive piloted the same across 12 regions just to find out if it was empirically feasible..

    Mr Ambing said the party hierarchy was overwhelmed with the interest and participation of members for the expanded base programme and noted that “the success of the piloting is an indication that the members at the grassroots want to own the party and drive its success”..

    He explained that the report of the successful piloting had been documented together with all the findings and would be placed before the Central Committee of the party for their perusal and green light so that it would be rolled out..

    He said the party had already developed a template form for the mobilisation and would also train some of the executives to ensure that they appreciate the nitty-gritty of the new programme and be in a better position to shepherd the process to a successful end..

    Mr Ambing, who took the Daily Graphic round an office where computer servers and monitors had been set up, said it was capable of taking the database of at least eight million members, including their names, pictures, voter identification numbers, polling stations and constituency numbers.

    Members

    He appealed to the members of the party who had been sitting on the fence to join the current executive in the mobilisation programme, noting that they should take up positions at either polling station or electoral areas and work assiduously to secure a resounding victory..

    He said the prospects for the party to win elections were bright but the realisation of this feat would require all hands on deck.

    Source: Graphiconline.com

  • Why I voted against 1992 Constitution – Sekou Nkrumah explains

    Dr. Sekou Nkrumah, one of the sons of the first President of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has explained why he voted “No” in a referendum that approved the 1992 Constitution.

    On April 28, 1992, Ghanaians went to the polls to vote for a new Constitution to mark the end of the military regime of the late President Jerry John Rawlings, which started in 1981.

    The results indicated that the majority of the citizens voted “Yes” and by that had chosen democracy, that was how the Fourth Republic was born.

    The results were; 3,408,119 voting ‘YES’ with 272,855 voting ‘NO.’ In percentage terms, 92.59% wanted a new Constitution whereas 7.41% were against it.

    After three decades of political stability in Ghana, Sekou Nkrumah, has been recounting how and why Ghana has reached such height in its democratic dispensation.

    Explaining his decision to vote against the new Constitution of Ghana in 1992, the son of Kwame Nkrumah, who was a one-time member of the opposition NDC said, at the time, he was reluctant and could not comprehend why Rawlings, who came into power through a military coup, would want to “buy” eight more years in the new democratic Ghana.

    According to Sekou, he also voted “No” against the Constitution in 1992 because of the “indemnity clause that sought to protect Rawlings and his PNDC cohorts.”

    “I could not understand why those who fought for probity and accountability, cannot face the music?” Dr. Nkrumah said in a post on his Facebook timeline on Thursday, April 28, 2022.

    He said, those calling for constitutional reforms should take into consideration the views of the two dominant political parties (NPP and NDC).

    “If these two parties who have shared power in the past 30 years do not want constitutional reforms, then it is going to be a long long struggle to achieve reforms.

    “It will mean a lot of pressure from political activists, civil society etc and even then without penetrating the two main political parties, it will be a tall order,” Sekou Nkrumah noted.

    To Kwame Nkrumah’s son, Ghanaians should be proud in celebrating the 1992 Constitution which has created political stability for the past three decades.

    “We as a nation should be proud celebrating 30 years of constitutional rule. For three decades now we have enjoyed political stability, as we move forward towards our fight for economic freedom,” he stressed.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • CPP to hold local level elections

    The Convention People’s Party (CPP) will hold its polling station, electoral area and constituency elections from June to July 2022 to position the party ahead of the 2024 general election.

    The party has also slated the months of August, October and December 31, 2022, for the elections of its regional, national officers and flag bearer of the party respectively.

    The timetable for the local elections of the party was made known by the Central Committee of the party at a press conference held at its headquarters in Accra last Monday.

    The party could not give the time for which nominations for the elections would be opened and the cost of the nomination forms but said it would be made known in due course.

    Membership drive

    The National Chairperson of the CPP, Nana Frimpomaa Sarpong-Kumankumah, who addressed the press conference also announced that the party had began its membership drive across the country to woo the youth into its fold to rejuvenate the party to enable it to capture political power in the 2024 general election.

    In line with that the party said it was going to come out with electronic membership forms to enable all who were interested in joining the party to have access to the forms wherever they were.

    She, therefore, called on the Ghanaian youth to take over their country by vying for positions in the CPP.

    “The membership drive is aimed at bringing every Ghanaian on board to own and manage the party from the polling station, constituency, regional and national levels,” she stated.

    She said the party had also opened its offices across the country for the registration of new members to woo the youth into the party with a membership form sold at GH¢5 to make everyone interested in charting a new course for the country and be part of the governance system of the country.

    Nana Sarpong-Kumankumah, therefore called on Ghanaians, especially the youth to join the ranks of the party to help restore Ghana to its past glory.

    She noted that it was the CPP that gave birth to the nation Ghana and laid a solid foundation for its socio-economic transformation until the 1966 coup that truncated the forward march of the country.

    She said the reorganisation was, therefore, to let Ghanaians join the party to effect the kind of changes they wanted to see in the country per the constitution of the party.

    Nana Sarpong-Kumankumah said the 2024 general election was for the CPP and the party was poised through its reorganisation to capture political power to bring about the ” true changes” that Ghanaians wanted to see.

    Policies

    The CPP national chairperson said the party when voted into government would put in place comprehensive policies and programmes that would turn the economic fortunes of the country around and empower the youth to earn decent incomes and to live dignifying lives.

    ” We would rule Ghana based on the principles and vision of our founder, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who is the first President of this country who said the black man and woman was capable of running his or her own affairs”, she stated.

    The 2020 running mate of the party, Prof. Emmanuel Yaovi Bobobee, who also spoke to the media, said the CPP was the only party that did not have any region or constituency as its stronghold but was open to all Ghanaians no matter their social, economic, religious and ethnic backgrounds.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • CPP has made no decision to support EC’s new voters register – Kwesi Pratt

    Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has refuted claims that the Convention People’s Party (CPP) supports the compilation of a new voters register by the Electoral Commission (EC).

    The new voters registration exercise is scheduled to begin on June 30 this year and will last for 38 days across the nation.

    Meanwhile, there is a strong opposition against the EC’s decision for a new register as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and other individuals have dragged the Commission to the Supreme Court seeking several declarations over the registration exercise.

    The NDC placed before the Supreme Court two reliefs with one being that the court should direct the EC to include the voters ID card in the registration process and the other relief they sought was for the court to determine whether or not it is constitutional for the Commission to hold the registration exercise.

    The party, however, dropped their relief about the constitutionality of the EC’s decision to conduct the exercise and is now praying the highest court of the land to determine whether or not the decision to abandon the voters ID card as an identification document for the impending mass registration exercise is constitutional.

    Other parties are also praying the court to hear the case on whether or not the EC should compile a new voters’ register.

    Following all these lawsuits, the EC is poised to conduct the exercise and a publication in the Daily Graphic on Monday, June 16 indicates that six political parties including the CPP have thrown their weight behind the EC.

    Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, Kwesi Pratt stated the reports that the CPP is solidly behind the EC to compile the new register is a complete falsehood.

    He stated emphatically that there has been no such attempt by the CPP.

    “I am a member of the Central Committee of the Convention People’s Party. I am Chairman of the Logistics Committee of the party. The party has never taken any such decision. Yes, the party has not taken any decision to support the compilation of a new voters register,” he exclaimed.

    “So, how come CPP has been drawn into this whereas CPP hasn’t said any such thing?” he further questioned.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Savannah regional chairman of CPP dead

    The Savannah Regional Chairman of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), Mr Mahama Alidu has passed on.

    Mr Alidu passed away on Monday, 20 April 2020 in Accra.

    He is expected to be buried on Tuesday in his hometown of Daboya in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region, according to a statement signed by the Savannah Regional Organiser of the party Mr Mohammed Saani.

    Mr Alidu was elected in October last year to lead the party in the region.

    In his victory speech, he promised to collapse the two major political parties, the NDC and the NPP, in the region and further change the mindset of the youth in the region.

    The late Chairman is survived by a wife and 3 children.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com