TIG Post

Tag: Election 2020

  • EC creates missing names list for registered Ghanaians not on electoral roll

    The Electoral Commission (EC) says it has made provision for registered Ghanaians whose names are not on the electoral roll to vote on Election Day.

    Outside the certified voters register which has in excess of 17 million voters, 830 persons who successfully registered could not find their names on the register.

    These persons have been put on a missing names list and are spread across 338,622 polling stations.

    They will however be allowed to vote using manual verification.

    Of the 830 persons, 542 were inadvertently omitted from the register.

    The Commission says it identified the anomaly after a thorough audit of the register reconciling the end of day registration reports with the figures contained in the register.

    The end of day report contains the actual number of voters registered by the close of each registration day.

    Also, on the missing names list are 233 registered voters who were initially placed at the wrong polling stations.

    The list also contains 55 persons who upon the audit were placed under the exceptions list but have successfully challenged their status at the High Court.

    The Chairperson of the Commission, Jean Mensa, earlier said the problem of missing names was mainly due to unintentional human and administrative errors.

    There had been complaints from some registered persons that they could not find their names on the register during the voter registration exercise.

    Most of the complaints came from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) but the EC described their concerns as unfounded.

    NDC had claimed it had detailed reports to back claims that the EC deliberately deleted the names of registered voters from the register but never released the alleged evidence.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • NDC will win 60% of parliamentary seats on December 7 Mahama

    Mr John Daramani Mahama, the flagbearer of National Democratic Congress (NDC) has assured supporters of the party in Yendi and Ghana as a whole that NDC will win 60% of seats in Parliament on December 7, 2020.

    John Mahama gave the assurance at a rally in Yendi as part of his tour of Northern Region.

    He said when the NDC was in power, it put up a pharmacy block at the Yendi Municipal hospital, constructed 14 CHPS compounds in various communities in Yendi constituency, built a three-storey lockable stores building in Yendi to improve the economy of the people, a modern lorry park on the Yendi-Gushegu road, Construction of the Eastern corridor road, which gave the youth employment.

    He announced that the next NDC administration will introduce the Big Push agenda to create employment, a manifesto that would convince Ghanaians to vote for NDC to win 60 percent of seats in Parliament.

    He said the NDC government will establish a farmer mechanization centre in Yendi with 15 tractors, combine harvesters and other farming inputs for farmers and urged them to register for the tractors to plough for them and pay only after harvesting their crops.

    He said the Free Senior High School Education was good and nobody would change it, but to make it better, that was why the NDC government considered building 200 Community Day Schools that were abandoned by the NPP government.

    He said private schools would also benefit from the Free SHS education and would do away with the double track, if they return to power.

    Mr John Mahama said they had three major projects for Yendi, made up of a new hospital, under the Big Push, design and expand the Yendi water system and create employment for the youth in police service, Forestry Commission amongst others.

    He promised that his next government would adequately equip the security to curb crime wave in the country.

    Source:www.gna.org.gh

  • NSS boss vows to ensure culprits who attacked him are punished

    The Parliamentary Candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Yagaba-Kubori Constituency, Hon. Mustapha Ussif has indicated that the attack on his residence will not be made to slide.

    A statement signed by his aide and copied to MyNewsGh.com said that they will allow the law to take its course and that people found culpable will be made to face the music.

    “The distasteful act this evening will not be left to slide, the law will be applied fully without fear or fervor. Nevertheless, we entreat all supporters and loved ones to stay calm and focus, for the dead cow always struggles before its last breath. Victory is written all over the Constituency as our works are available for all to see and testify to,” the statement said.

    The statement said the incident has since been reported to the Police and expects further actions to be taken in the coming days not to only punish the culprits but also to serve as a deterrent to avoid such attacks on December 7.

    “The NPP in the Constituency have reported the case to the police and all injured persons are currently receiving treatment.”

    The statement blamed the attacks on the current Member of Parliament who is alleged to have instigated his followers.

    “Let me place on record that, Hon. Tanko directly instigated the attack at a community engagement at Tantala. At this engagement, he incited his followers to attack Hon. Mustapha Ussif when he returns to his residence at Yagaba from his campaign. This unparliamentary act was captured on video which accompanies this release.”

    Source: My News GH

  • Electoral Commission director dies few days to Election 2020

    Barely a week to the December 2020 polls, the Asunafo North Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) in the Ahafo region, Madam Martha Osei Agyemang has died creating a vacuum.

    The 36-year-old who died at the Wenchi Methodist Hospital where she was on admission receiving treatment according to sources available to MyNewsGh.com left behind a child

    Reports suggest Madam Martha complained she was unwell due to stress at her workplace in view of the workload at her office following the impending polls.

    She, however, decided to see her personal doctor at Wenchi in Bono Region for which she left Goaso on Wednesday.

    It was gathered that she was getting well and had planned her return to work until news broke out this weekend if her demise.

    According to Ahafo Regional Director of the Electoral Commission John Appiah Baffoe who confirmed her death on a local radio station, Madam Martha was committed to her duty.

    The body of the deceased has been conveyed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.

    Source: My News GH

  • 3 NDC executives involved in near-fatal car accident

    Three National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives in the Eastern Region have been involved in a near-fatal accident while returning from a campaign tour in the Afram Plains area.

    The executives, Hackman Kabore, Regional Organizer, Richard Etornam Nyarko, Deputy Regional Organizer, and Michael Akorli, Deputy Regional Communication Officer, were en route to meet the National Chairman, Ofosu Ampofo when their vehicle reportedly veered off the road after hitting an unmarked bumpy stretch.

    The vehicle somersaulted five times and landed in a ditch.

    The Executives sustained injuries and were rushed to the Atibie Government Hospital for first aid and later referred to Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua.

    However, their vehicle is badly damaged.

    Their accident follows several other accidents involving NDC supporters and executives in the past few weeks.

    Just two days ago, November 27, a KIA truck full of NDC supporters was involved in a near-fatal accident at Brohane junction in the Tain district of the Ahafo Region. 

    The supporters, numbering about 150, were said to be travelling for a party programme at Kabruno at Banda Central when the truck they were travelling in burst a tyre, causing it to somersault and eventually throwing the occupants into a nearby gutter.

    The victims were conveyed to the Nsorkor Hospital, but, patients had to be administered treatment on the floor as the hospital run out of beds due to the large numbers. 

    Two persons are said to be in critical condition and have been referred to the Techiman Holy Family Hospital.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • NPPs Abronye involved in an accident

    The Bono Regional Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe known as Abronye and his campaign team have escaped death in an accident.

    Although the information about the accident is scanty, MyNewsGh.com can report that Abronye and his entourage were returning from a rally organized at Atuna on Sunday in the Jaman South Constituency when they were involved in an accident.

    The accident is said to have occurred on the Berekum-Drobo road.

    As at the time this website was going to press, we could not confirm if there were any casualties recorded in the accident.

    This year’s political campaigns have recorded a number of road accidents with some of the political parties losing their party members.

    Source: My News GH

  • John Dumelo has only distributed 20 laptops – Lydia Alhassan

    The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, has challenged her competitor, John Dumelo to make public the list of the 500 students who have benefited from his one student, one laptop policy.

    John Dumelo at a debate forum organized by TV3 for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Parliamentary Candidates ahead of the December 7, elections stated that 500 students have already received laptops from his camp in his bid to improve education in the constituency.

    “The distribution of over 4000 Laptops continues. This is by far the biggest investment in education ever to happen in Ayawaso West. So far, we have distributed 500 laptops to students in the constituency and we are still motivated to share the remaining 3,500 laptops,” Dumelo said.

    However, Lydia Seyram Alhassan who was also touting her achievements in the educational sector called out John Dumelo for claiming that he has distributed 500 laptops to students in the constituency.

    She, therefore, challenged the National Democratic Congress’ candidate to provide the list of the students who have benefited from his scheme.

    “He is talking about laptops; he should give us the list of people he has distributed the 500 laptops to. He has given less than 20 laptops and I can confirm that,” Lydia Seyram Alhassan said at the debate forum that was monitored by GhanaWeb.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Election 2020: NCCE receives 1m Euros grant from EU

    The European Union (EU) has presented an amount of 1 million Euros to the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) ahead of the December polls.

    The presentation which was done on Thursday, November 26, 2020 is aimed at helping the NCCE intensify public education as well as be responsible for the prevention of electoral violence on December 7.

    The NCCE has been tasked by the EU to provide security for most vulnerable areas in the country, especially the Northern part of Ghana.

    The Commission, according to Madam Acconcia has been equipped with the necessary tools needed to resolve disputes peacefully during and after the elections.

    Speaking at the launch of the contract, EU Ambassador to Ghana, Diana Acconcia said, “The programme I have been honoured to launch today will provide 1 million Euros to the NCCE to coordinate joint efforts to sustain peace and prevent electoral violence. The programme will address various security threats in the most vulnerable Northern regions of Ghana.”

    The Deputy Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education, Samuel Akuamoah, promised that the Commission will be vigilant in the vulnerable regions to prevent violent extremist groups from operating in the country.

    He also assured the EU of making good use of the resources made available to them, adding that the outcome of the project will be great.

    Mr. Akuamoah called on Ghanaians, Civil Society Organisations and other relevant institutions especially the security institutions to collaborate with the NCCE to work efficiently.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • The Herald Ghana: Only free and fair election can guarantee post election peace

    Ghanaians two weeks from now on December 7, will be going to the polls to elect a new president and Members of Parliament.

    The main thrust of democracy is that it confers on the people the power to elect their leaders.

    However, free and fair elections practice is more often than not, undermined by political actors. These actors often do everything to subvert the will and the wishes of the people.

    Ghana since 1992, when the country ushered in the fourth republican dispensation, has had a fair share of election violence due to the mistrust of the system and this year, will not be an exception.

    A free and fair election is a prerequisite for peace, before, during, and after the election. Violence during elections or after announcements of election results is largely due to the perception that the election was rigged.

    Rigging of elections must therefore be avoided in this year’s election, in order to avert violence and breach of peace!

    The people’s choice should be allowed to prevail. This is where the Electoral Commission (EC), comes in.

    This newspaper is of the opinion that, the Jean Mensah-led Commission must tread the path of its predecessors, who ensured that, Ghana came out of seven elections successfully.

    As we approach December 7, there is every reason to remind the election management body that, the faith of the country lies in their hands, their action and decision before, during, and after the polls, is critical to the survival of the country.

    Beyond superintending over the conduct of the general elections, it behooves on the electoral body to ensure a free and fair election, else this country risks plunging into crisis.

    Ghanaians, should make their choice freely, without any hindrance. And every vote must count.

    Source: The Herald

  • 2020 Special Voting: 5,947 to vote in Upper East Region

    Out of 660,181 registered voters in the Upper East Region, a total of 5,947 voters will take part in the 2020 Special Voting on Tuesday, December 1.

    They include the election officers, security agencies and the media practitioners who would be working on December 7.

    Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Bolgatanga, Mr Worlanyo Mensah Tegah, the Deputy Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) disclosed that the special voting would take place in all the 15 district offices of the Commission, however, Bolgatanga Central would be divided into two making the total voting centres for the special voting 16.

    Breaking the statistics down, the Deputy Regional Director noted that Bolgatanga Central, which would have two polling stations for the special voting had 416 and 415 voters respectively while Navrongo Central had 622.
    A total of 739 would be voting in Bongo, 529 in Bawku Central, 157 in Binduri, 105 in Bolgatanga East, 393 in Builsa North, 156 in Builsa South, and 543 in Chiana-Paga.

    The rest include: 106 in Garu, 565 in Zebilla, 167 in Tempane, 533 in Pusiga, 465 in Talensi and 36 in Nabdam.

    Mr Tegah disclosed that 1,496 polling stations would be used on December 7, for the elections and the directorate had received all the election materials and added that the Commission was prepared to deliver on its mandate on the election days.

    He disclosed that some election officials had already received training while a few more were undergoing orientations.

    He said measures were in place to ensure that all the prescribed protocols to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease pandemic were strictly adhered to and added that COVID-19 ambassadors had also been trained in that regard.

    Mr Tegah, therefore, urged the public to cooperate effectively with the election officials and the security agencies on the elections to ensure a peaceful and violence-free election.

    He further warned the youth not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to foment trouble on the Election Day and added that the law would deal with any miscreants who tried to disrupt the conduct of the elections.

    Source: GNA

  • 123 candidates contest 34 Greater Accra parliamentary seats

    One hundred and twenty-three parliamentary candidates are vying for the 34 parliamentary seats in the Greater Accra Region, the Ghana News Agency has gathered.

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are contesting in each of the 34 Constituencies; the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) contesting for 15; Convention Peoples Party (CPP) eight; the Peoples National Convention (PNC) six seats; and the National Democratic Party (NDP), six.

    Others are: the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) six; the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) is contesting for two; All Peoples Congress (APC) one; and some independent candidates.

    According to Electoral Statistics obtained by the Ghana News Agency, in ten of the Constituencies – Bortianor-Ngleshie, Shai-Osudoku, Sege, Ashaiman, Tema Central, Ablekuma South, Okaikwei South, Okaikwei Central, Ayawaso North, and Ayawaso East, only the NPP and the NDC are contesting.

    The Political Party breakdown indicates that GUM is contesting for seats at – Weija-Gbawe, Anyaa-Sowutuom, La Nkwantanang/ Madina, Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma North, Ablekuma West, Odododiodoo, Ledzokuku, Krowor, Tema East, Tema West, Kpone Katamanso, Adentan, Ningo-Prampram and Ada.

    The CPP – Weija-Gbawe, Anyaa-Sowutuom, Okaikwei North, Odododiodoo, Tema West, Adentan, Sege and Ada.

    The PNC – Weja-Gbawe, Anyaa-Sowutuom, Dome-Kwabenya, Ayawaso West Wuogon, Ablekuma West and the La Dadekotonpon.

    The LPG – Dome-Kwabenya, Ayawaso Central, Ablekuma West, Korley Klottey, Ningo Prampram and Ada.

    The NDP – Tema West, Amasaman, Ayawaso Central, Ablekuma Central, Kpone Katamanso and Ada; the PPP – Domeabra-Obom and the Amasaman; and the APC – Weija-Gbawe.

    Eight Constituencies – Trobu, Dome-Kwabenya, Ayawaso Central, Ayawaso West Wuogon, Ablekuma Central, La Dadekotopon, Kpone- Katamanso and the Ningo-Prampram have the presence of Independent candidates.

    The 34 Constituencies in the Greater Accra Region are: Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma North, Ablekuman West, Ablekuma South, Ada, Adentan, Amasaman, Anyaa-Sowutuom, Ashiaman, Ayawaso East, Ayawaso North, Ayawaso Central and the Ayawaso West Wuogon.

    Others are: Bortianor-Ngleshie, Dome-Kwabenya, Domeabra-Obom, Korley Klottey, Krowor, Kpone Katamanso, La Nkwantanang/Madina, La Dadekotopon, Ledzokuku, Ningo Prampram, Odododiodoo, Okaikwei Central, Okaikwei North, Okaikwei South, Shai-Osudoku, Sege, Tema East, Tema West, Tema Central, Trubo, and Weija-Gbawe.

    Source: GNA

  • Akufo-Addo has used four years to build what NDC destroyed in 8 years Bawumia

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said that Ghana has over the past four years witnessed dramatic development following the prudent policies introduced by the Akufo-Addo administration.

    He pointed out that the economy has picked up from the destruction it suffered under the Mahama administration.

    He said during a presentation on Thursday, November 26 that “what the NDC destroyed in 8 years Nana Akufo-Addo has corrected in four years and even added more”.

    To that end, he said while delivering the address that Ghanaians should vote for the current president in the December 7 elections.

    “I am here to paint to you a broad picture of what we have done over the last four years and how each of them connects to a central theme. Everything we have successfully done over the last four years has been designed to make an impact on real people, on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Ghanaians from all walks of life.

    “Our stewardship over the last four years would mean nothing if we have not impacted on the lives and livelihoods of the broad mass of Ghanaians.

    “As we review how far we have come and the progress we have made with the mandate you gave His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP government over the last years, I am confident that you will come to one conclusion if you have not done so yet, that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is the safest pair of hands into which we can entrust our mandate,” he said at the Nation Building Updates.

    Source: 3 News

  • Are they confused or they think we have short memories? Bawumia on free SHS debate

    Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed shock over claims by former President Mahama that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) introduced the free Senior High School education policy.

    According to the Vice President, he is not sure whether the leadership of the NDC is confused or assumes Ghanaians have short memories.

    Delivering a presentation on â€œa case for 4 more years to do more for you” Thursday November 26, 2020, Dr. Bawumia said it is shameful that the party that bastardised the free SHS policy when it was introduced by President Akufo-Addo, will now be fighting for credit.

    “They said it was a hoax, a 419 promise.  They said if he had GH¢2billion they would not spend it on free SHS. They said free SHS would collapse the education system.

    “The NDC run over 40 adverts against free SHS. But the visionary Nana Akufo-Addo stuck to his guns and has successfully implemented the free SHS policy.

    “Today, the NDC is saying they started free SHS! “Awurade Nyankopong!” he added.

    The Vice President explained that although the NDC in a bid to prevent the implementation of the policy took the matter up at the Supreme Court, that promise to Ghanaians by the NPP has been fulfilled.

    According to him, the government has not only alleviated the suffering of parents, but the targets set for the policy have also been exceeded.

    “So far, we have invested over GH¢3.2 billion to implement free SHS, resulting in over 1.2 million teenagers being in secondary school now, looking forward to better opportunities in life.

    “For their parents and families, this has translated into GH¢2.2 billion in savings. That is money that the State has put back into the pockets of Ghanaians all across the country.”

    Dr Mahamudu Bawumia used the opportunity to urge all Ghanaians to be mindful of the clueless stewardship of former President John Mahama prior to the election of the NPP government in 2016 so as not to jeopardize the progress made by not retaining the NPP.

    “We ask you to give us four more years because our government, borne out of the NPP, under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has kept faith with you, Ghanaians, by delivering on the commitments we made to you.

    “We are on track, having significantly delivered on our mandate,”  the Vice President said.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Ghana has recorded the lowest cedi depreciation under Akufo-Addo Bawumia

    The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has said Ghana, under the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, recorded the lowest depreciation of the cedi since 1992.

    The former deputy governor of the Central Bank said although the COVID-19 pandemic has affected economies all over the world the Akufo-Addo government has ensured a low inflation rate thereby impacting the strength of the cedi positively.

    “In four years, we have stabilised the economy. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, which has impacted all economies in the world, we have reduced inflation, and inflation continues to fall. We have doubled economic growth in the first three years, we reduced the exchange rate depreciation. The exchange rate depreciation has been relatively stable. Ghana has recorded the lowest rate of depreciation [of the cedi] in the last 28 years in 2020.

    “Notwithstanding COVID and its implications and notwithstanding that this is an election year, Ghana in 2020 has seen the lowest depreciation since 1992,” he noted.

    According to him, “the average depreciation of the cedi over the last four years, which is at 7.3% is the lowest for any first-term government since 1992. We significantly reduced the deficit.”

    He was speaking at the Nation Building Updates on Thursday, November 26, 2020.

    The Nation Building Updates is a weekly event organised by the Ministry of Information to provide updates on key government projects undertaken by the government.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Bawumia makes a compelling case for re-election of Akufo-Addo

    The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has made a strong case for the retention of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in office ahead of next month’s election.

    At a characteristic, data-ladden presentation Thursday night [November 26, 2020] at the University of Ghana in Accra, Dr. Bawumia told the Akufo-Addo government’s story, taking his audience and Ghanaians through a trajectory of the challenges Ghanaians faced under former President John Mahama, the “dire” economic conditions the Akufo-Addo government inherited from the Mahama-led NDC, the key promises the NPP made in 2016, the successful programmes and interventions in the last four years by the Akufo-Addo government, as well as its vision beyond 2021.

    Economic challenges under Mahama

    Dr. Bawumia set the tone for his presentation by recalling the mismanagement of the economy and its accompanying harsh conditions that had hit the country under the administration of former President Mahama.

    “I am aware you need no reminders of the dire economic conditions at the time we came into office. You lived and breathed it, and bore the human cost of the economic mismanagement that was visited upon us by the Mahama-led NDC government,” Dr. Bawumia said.

    The Vice President reminded Ghanaians about the many challenges, which included: growing unemployment leading to the formation of Unemployed Graduates Association, the effects of four years of ‘dumsor’ which led to job losses, high electricity tarrifs, collapsing NHIS and ambulance service, lack of basic facilities like textbooks and chalks in public schools, cancellation of nursing and teacher trainee allowance, backlog of unemployed nurses, non payment of teachers, burdensome taxes and what he said were series of scandals.

    “It was clear that the Mahama-led NDC government had lost its way, failed Ghanaians, and did not have any idea how to get us out of the ditch it has driven us into.”

    Akufo-Addo govt’s 2017-2021 governance blueprint

    Dr. Bawumia noted that having been overwhelmingly voted for by Ghanaians in 2016, the Akufo-Addo government set out to roll back the human cost of the economic mismanagement by the previous government and to create the foundation for an inclusive, prosperous Ghana.

    The Vice President added that the Akufo-Addo government’s vision was broadly anchored on seven objectives, which he said were to: “stabilise and grow the economy, transform the economy, create jobs, especially for the youth, modernise, digitise and formalise the economy, make development inclusive and protect the vulnerable, fight corruption and create a safe, secure environment for citizens and businesses to thrive.”

    Promises fulfilled by Akufo-Addo in 4 years

    Having stated the Akufo-Addo government’s governance blue print for its first term, Dr. Bawumia then provided in detail, how the government has achieved its seven six stated objectives and how they have positively impacted on the people.

    On the first policy objective, which was to stabilise and grow the economy, Dr. Bawumia noted that before Coronavirus devasted the world’s economy this year, the Akufo-Addo Addo government had achieved it objective of stabilising and growing the economy it inherited from the NDC.

    “Prior to the Coronavirus pandemic which has impacted all economies in the world, we established the economy. We reduced inflation, doubled economic growth in our first three years, reduced the rate of exchange rate depreciation; the exchange rate depreciation stabilized with Ghana recording the lowest depreciation in the last 28.”

    “We have also reduced the fiscal deficit (pre covid-19), improved our external payments position, which is stronger today than it was in 2016 (notwithstanding the pandemic). Interest rates are on the decline in line with decline inflation expectations.

    The Vice President also referenced the clean up of the “mess in the financial sector that we inherited,” including government’s decision to pay up to 50,000 to all customers of affected Fund Management Companies on “compassionate grounds”.

    “We took the decisive decisions to avoid the collapse of the financial sector, save the deposits of 4.6 million depositors and save jobs. Thus far, government has spent GH¢21 billion to clean up the sector. 99% of depositors of the affected banks, microfinance and savings and loans companies have been fully settled.”

    The Vice President noted that the impressive performance of the Akufo-Addo government, led to Ghana becoming the investment destination of choice in West Africa and has led to new opportunities for Ghanaians and businesses.

    “The relatively strong performance of the economy, among other things, led to Ghana becoming the destination of choice for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in West Africa according to the 2019 World Investment Report by UNCTAD.”

    Just two days ago, Bloomberg reported ad follows: “Ghana was one if the first countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to lower interest rates to counter the virus shock and its economy has performed better than forecast even as the pandemic stalled activity and the oil price slumped.”

    Transforming the economy beyond stability

    Dr. Bawumia said the Akufo-Addo government did not only seek to stabilize the economy, but they also took steps to transform the nature of the economy by improving agriculture productivity to reduce dependence on food import, add value to raw materials through industrialisation and reduce the cost of energy and of running businesses and industries in Ghana.

    “These we have achieved through Planting for Food and Jobs, Planting for Export and Rural Development and Rearing for Food and Jobs. PFJ has led to a 71% increase in the national production of maize and 34% in paddy rice. Yields per hectare of maize, rice, and soybean have also increased significantly and we now export 19 different food items, including maize, to the rest of ECOWAS countries.”

    “Again through One District One Factory and Strategic Anchor initiatives, we are adding value to our raw materials through industrialisation. In four years, 76 companies are in operation and a total of 107 1D1F factories are also under construction. We expect every district to have a factory in the next 2 years.”

    “We have also abolished or reduced 15 taxes and levies to reduce the burden of taxes on businesses and individuals. This is unprecedented in the history of economic management in Ghana.”

    “We have also reduced electricity tarrifs for residential, business and industrial customers. No government in the history of Gjana has reduced electricity tarrifs in net terms during its term of office.”

    Jobs for the youth

    Vice President Bawumia said, the Akufo-Addo government took the “bull by the horns” to address the major unemployment challenge the youth faced during Mahama’s administration.

    “In 4 years, we have created over two million jobs in the formal sector, including and through government programmes such as NABCO, (100,000 jobs to unemployed graduates), NEIP, and Planting for Food and Jobs.”

    “We have also hired nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers, recruited new teachers, police officers, and many others in the public sector after many years of employment freeze under the previous government.”

    Modernised and digitised economy

    Dr. Bawumia also highlighted the fulfillment of the objective by the Akufo-Addo government to modernise, digitise and formalised the Ghanaian economy, which he said was largely informal.

    He revealed that when they came into office, “Over 90% of Ghanaians had no unique identity, there was no working address system, over 70% of the bankable public had no bank accounts, most transactions were cash based, less than 10% had Tax Identification Numbers, and clearing goods at the port, obtaining a driver’s license, passpirt, renewing your NHIS card, purchasing electricity units, obtaining birth certificates,” and many others, were manual and became breeding grounds for corruption as bribes were demanded.

    He said the Akufo-Addo government “made the strategic decision to address these chronic problems by digitising the Ghanaian economy as well as the prices of delivery of many government services to increase government revenue, eliminate corruption and ultimately provide public services to citizens more efficiently and more conveniently.”

    Dr. Bawumia noted further that with the successful issuance of digitised national ID cards to 15.5m Ghanaians in 4 years, the implementation of mobile money interoperability, digital address system and the digitisation of various government services, the Akufo-Addo government has made significant strides in its digitisation agenda.

    Inclusive development

    Dr. Bawumia also showed in detail how the Akufo-Addo government has addressed the exclusion of many communities and citizens from the “proverbial national cake”.

    He said in fulfillment of his promise to build a Ghana that works and gives each and every one opportunities, President Akufo-Addo has spread infrastructure development projects to every district in the country, and has also introduced many all-inclusive interventions, which everyone is benefiting such as Free WASSCE and BECE exams registration, ambulances for every constituency, one village one dam for farmers in the north, Coronavirus relief package for electricity and water, Free SHS and TVET, among many others.

    Elections 2020 and beyond

    Dr. Bawumia stated unequivocally that President Akufo-Addo has delivered on his 2016 promises and appealed to Ghanaians to give him 4 more years to continue with his good works and move Ghana ahead.

    “We ask you to give us four more years because our Government, borne out of the NPP, under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo , has kept faith with you, Ghanaians, by delivering on the commitments we made to you.”

    Dr. Bawumia said President Akufo-Addo has been able to restore in 4 years, what Mahama and the NDC destroyed in 8 years, and he deserves another 4 years to continue to stimulate economic growth, support industrialisation, accelerate agriculture modernisation, consolidate 1D1F and the implementation of Free SHS and TVET.

    “On December 7, remember that we have achieved together, and what, we can achieve together over the next four years, and vote to retain Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as President, and for NPP MPs, all of whom are number 1 on the ballot, so we can deliver once again on our mandate.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Vote ‘boom boom’ for Lydia Alhassan – Akufo-Addo shakes Ayawaso West Wuogon

    The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, visited the Ayawaso West Wuogon in a mini-rally held in his honour.

    The President in His address asked the electorate the be discerning and make informed decision in the upcoming elections.

    Heralding the various achievements of his administration, he admonished constituents to consider the well though-out policies by the NPP such as free SHS, provision of ambulances and the digitization of the economy and vote the party.

    He stated that unlike the NDC flagbearer who is making empty promises, he has a track record of honouring his promises.

    “I’m asking all of you to go out on December 7 and vote massively for Lydia Alhassan and the NPP. The NPP has a track record of delivering and I’m assuring you that we will do more for you if you give us four more”.

    “Vote boom boom for the NPP and Lydia Alhassan”, Akufo-Addo told the charged crowd that massed up at the American House in East Legon, Accra.

    The rally had in attendance Alan Kyeremanteng, Roads Minister Amoako-Attah, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Foreign Affairs Minister, Prof. Adu Gyamfi , Board Chairman for NHIS, Mr. Boateng Gyenfi, Chairman for EXIM Bank, among others.

    Source: Peace FM

  • You can only vote on December 1 if youre on Special Voting List EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) says it has published the names of voters who would be voting in the Special Voting exercise on December 1, 2020.

    A statement issued by the electoral body said the list has been published on their website.

    It said the publication of the list will allow the voters to know the polling stations to vote to ensure a smooth exercise.

    The statement further indicated the voters on the Special Voters list will get the opportunity to only vote on December 1, 2020.

    Failure to vote on the said date would mean that the voters would not vote on December 7, 2020.

    The list includes personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) formerly BNI, the Police Service, Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and the Information Services Department.

    The rest are the National Ambulance Service, Customs Service, Prisons Service, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), and the National Media Commission (NMC).

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Election 2020: Security agencies to march for peace today

    As parts of efforts to assure the public of their readiness for the upcoming elections, the various security agencies will embark on a nationwide march today, November 26, 2020.

    Code-named TAFIA-LAFIYA, the walk is expected to start at 6 am and end at 12:00 in the afternoon.

    The peace march will further provide assurances to the public, that security is guaranteed and that anything that poses a threat to the peace of the nation will be stamped out.

    As a result of the march, some major roads in Accra and other regional capitals will be closed to traffic within the period.

    The security services comprise the Police Service, the Armed Forces, Prisons Service, National Fire Service; Immigration Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, the National Intelligence Bureau together with the National Ambulance Service.

    The Ghana Police Service in a statement urged the public to cooperate and bear with them.

    “Due to the march, there will be vehicular traffic and diversions on streets of the areas earmarked, at certain times of the morning. However, security personnel will be deployed to manage the traffic and diversions,” a statement from the Ghana Police Service noted. In the Greater Accra Region, for instance, the parade will move on the following routes:

    Route 1: Independence Square Liberation Rd. 37 N1 Weija Kasoa Oboom Road Amasaman Sowutuom N1 37 Giffard Road;

    Route 2: Independence Square Ako Adjei Int Circle Tesano Achimota Pokuase Nsawam Amasaman Aburi Frafraha Madina Legon;

    Route 3: Independence Square Osu La Nungua Lashibi Sakumono Comm19 Spintex Road Tetteh Quarshie East Legon Adjiriganor Ashaley Botwe:

    Route 4: Independence Square Accra Central James Town Agbogbloshie Korle Bu Saprobic Dansoman Kaneshie Circle Nima Adabraka; and

    Route 5: Tema areas: Michel Camp Gbetsele Afienya Dahwenya Tsopoli Ningo Prampram Kpone Tema New Town Ashaiman.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Vote Akufo-Addo out for creating massive unemployment Mahama

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has created massive unemployment with his bad leadership style, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has said.

    He noted that over the few years that Mr. Akufo-Addo has been in office, several jobs have been destroyed by his administration.

    He cited the way and manner in which the banking cleanup exercise was undertaken by the government as one of the, in his view, poorest ways of handling a crisis of that nature.

    He said to the people of Navrongo during his tour of the Upper East Region that “This is the greatest political sakawa that has ever happened,”
    “This government has destroyed more jobs than it has created. The only job they can point to is NaBCo, and yet they have destroyed more than 10,000 jobs in the bank sector.”

    He referred to the way and manner GN Bank was treated as one of the wasy Mr Akufo-Addo used in destroying businesses and jobs.

    “All the GN banks used to have staff in them all over the country. Today where are those staff? They are all sitting at home,” John Mahama said.

    Source: 3 News

  • Ill not give you space if youre not properly identified – Tuubo to Police

    Retired Superintendent Peter Lanchene Tuubo, an ex-Executive Secretary to former Inspector-General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu, has declared on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM that, he will not entertain any security personnel without proper identification in his constituency during the December 7, 2020 polls.

    The Wa West NDC parliamentary candidate told host, Kwabena Agyapong, that any special task force assigned for the 2020 polls without proper identification will ridicule the country.

    He asked Ghanaians to learn lessons from the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency and how some security persons were unprofessionally used to intimidate people.

    Ghanaians he opined must kick out the governing NPP because they have politicized the security agencies.

    “The Ayawaso West Wuogon incident was a sign that showed the Ghanaians the need to vote out the NPP government. We have protected the democracy and we cannot anyone to destroy it,” he said.

    The retired police said the government must not use the security agencies to intimidate people, harass their opponents and cause commotion in the country.

    “Every security personnel should be properly identified. If I am a parliamentary candidate and you come to my constituency, and I realize you are not properly identified, I will not give you the space. The power of the people is more powerful than any bullet and any gun.”

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Election 2020: Don’t rely on Free SHS, even Nkrumah was overthrown – Kwesi Pratt to NPP

    Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has said the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) shouldn’t think their Free SHS policy is their trump card into the December elections.

    The NPP is upbeat about their Free Senior High School (SHS) policy giving them victory during the general elections on Monday, December 7.

    The party believes, with the successful rollout of the policy, their candidate, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will be granted a second term in office.

    But Mr. Pratt has asked the NPP not to bank their hopes on the free education policy.

    He explained that free education is not the main incentive to influence the votes of Ghanaians in favour of a particular candidate.

    Speaking on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, he chronicled events in the history of Ghana where political parties promised free education but it didn’t translate into votes.

    To him, winning an election has got a lot to do with the choice of the electorate of a suitable candidate than it has to do with who introduced or implemented the free education programme.

    “They are the first political party that didn’t only promise but also showed how they were going to raise the money. The Convention People’s Party also brought about this policy in the year 2000…but nobody voted for them. So, when you take a critical look at it, it doesn’t mean necessarily you will be voted for because the pioneers were not even voted for.”

    “From the 1950s, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah introduced free compulsory basic education; enrollment in Secondary schools went up about nearly 1000 percent in the space of five years and so on but he was even overthrown,” he said.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Allow party agents to protect ballots – NCCE

    The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has advised political party supporters not to mass up at polling stations after voting.

    They should also not usurp the duties of accredited polling agents and create unnecessary tension at polling stations.

    Mr Patrick Asare, Head of Programmes of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Asante-Akim South Municipality, who gave the advice, said it was the civic duty of the electorate to observe all the electoral rules for a successful election.

    He was speaking at a meeting of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) as part of efforts to ensure a peaceful election in the Municipality.

    Representatives of political parties, clergy, Muslim leaders, police and the assembly attended the meeting.

    Chaired by the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr Fredrick Agyemang, the Committee was formed by the NCCE to allow key stakeholders to discuss issues concerning the upcoming election.

    Mr Asare called for political tolerance and urged the leadership of political parties to show the way for the followers to emulate.

    He entreated the parties to put Ghana first in their activities and reminded them that their actions and inactions could trigger violence in the country.

    Mr Gaston Defoe, the Municipal Director of the NCCE, asked the members of the IPDC to show commitment to the mandate of the committee in resolving electoral issues amicably and expeditiously.

    He said Ghana had a reputation to protect as one of the most stable democracies in Sub-Saharan Africa and called on stakeholders to ensure a peaceful election.

    The NCCE, he noted, would continue to engage the public on political tolerance and urged the clergy and Imams to join the campaign by using their platforms to preach peace ahead of the elections.

    Mr Fredrick Agyemang, Chairman of the IPDC, said every well-meaning Ghanaian had a stake in the election and that it was important for all to commit to a peaceful election.

    Source: GNA

  • CNS educates new SHS graduates on how to vote

    Crusaders for National Salvation (CNS) has sensitized graduates of the free Senior High School (SHS) policy on how to vote ahead of the December 7 national elections.

    The group urged the graduates who would be going to the polls for the first time to adhere to the education provided to them so their ballot papers do not stand the risk of being rejected when counted.

    Speaking at the launch at Asikam in the Abuakwa South Constituency last Sunday, the Executive Director for CNS, Nana Kofi Fredua advised the fresh graduates who were beneficiaries of the free SHS policy from the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led administration to vote the New Patriotic Party (NPP) when they get to the polls.

    The Executive Director opined “if it had not been the NPP and the free SHS policy, a lot of you would have remained Junior High School (JHS) leavers if the NDC was to be in power”.

    He, therefore, called on the graduates to vote massively for the NPP to continue the free SHS policy else he added “should John Mahama and the NDC win power, they will terminate the policy and that will cut the dreams of their brothers and sisters who are yet to benefit from the policy short”.

    On his part, the Chief of Akyem Asikam, Osabarima Owusu Asante also underscored the need for the graduates to vote en masse for the NPP to advance the free SHS policy. He urged the graduates to advise their colleagues who could not attend the sensitization to make NPP their choice when time is due for the voting.

    The chief thanked the group for giving him the honour to extend an invitation to him to attend the programme. Other executive members of the group include Collins Broni, Julius Okyere, Seth Antwi, Ebenezer Abrokwa and Eric Quansah.

    Source: hotfmghana.com

  • NCA rejects claims it plans to disrupt internet, broadcast signals on Election Day

    The National Communication Authority (NCA) has refuted claims that it intends to cause disruptions in media broadcast and internet service on December 7, 2020.

    This comes on the back of media reportage attributed to the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, suggesting that the NCA is scheming to interfere with broadcasting signals and internet connectivity.

    In a statement, the NCA asked the public to disregard the “misleading” publication because it has no basis.

    “The National Communications Authority (NCA) has taken note of remarks on the online news portal Ghanaweb, dated 22nd November 2020, and attributed to former President John Mahama in which he claims the NCA might shut down the internet on Election Day, 7th December 2020. The NCA hereby advises Ghanaians to disregard the remarks as completely unfounded”, portions of the statement read.

    Additionally, the NCA also described as “wholly false”, accusations in a separate publication that were attributed to a Deputy Communication Minister, Ato Sarpong, who blasted the NCA for allegedly taking Abusua FM off-air before an interview with Mr. Mahama.

    The Authority, in furtherance, expressed worry over allegations that it orchestrated the break in transmission experienced by Accra-based Joy FM during the airing of a documentary on the NLA on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

    “Finally, a break in transmission of a documentary by Accra-based station, Joy FM, which was, apparently, experienced on multiple digital platforms on the night of 18th November 2020, was also erroneously attributed by some to deliberate interference by the NCA”, the statement added.

    The NCA explained that, as part of its mandate, it has licensed several categories of service providers to deliver
    internet connectivity to Ghana and thus does not have access or “keys” to any of these networks, and therefore cannot remotely shut the internet down.

    It, therefore, stated that” “the Authority has not directed any of its licensees to shut the Internet down on Election Day as claimed in the news report, and there is no intention to do so. The NCA does not have the capability to block, jam or interfere with broadcasting signals. As a telecommunications and broadcasting regulator, and in line with global best practice, the NCA has frequency spectrum monitoring equipment whose ability is limited to receiving signals and detecting their source, but not to jam them.”

    About NCA

    The National Communications Authority, (NCA), was established by an Act of Parliament, Act 524 in December 1996, which has been repealed and replaced by the National Communications Authority Act, 2008 (Act 769).

    The Authority is the statutory body mandated to license and to regulate electronic communication activities and services in the country.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • High Court orders EC to respond to disqualification suit by Gane

    An Accra High Court has ordered the elections management body in Ghana, the Electoral Commission (EC), to respond to a suit challenging the disqualification of an independent Presidential aspirant, Marricke Kofi Gane.

    The court gave the EC up to Tuesday, November 24 to respond to the suit.

    Mr. Gane, who is one of the five disqualified presidential aspirants, sued the EC to challenge the decision to disqualify him.

    The EC disqualified him on the basis of alleged forged signatures on his nomination forms.

    Dissatisfied by the decision, Mr Gane sued the EC in court.

    In ordering the EC to respond, the High Court also said Mr. Gane and the lawyers of the EC must reappear at the Criminal Court 2 Division of the High Court for the case to be heard.

    Source: 3 News

  • A vote for Akufo-Addo is a vote for better future of the younger generation – Abronye DC

    Kwame Baffoe Abronye, Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has urged electorates to retain President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in power to secure a better future for the younger generation.

    According to him, the NPP has demonstrated it is ”the only party that builds the future of people” through the implementation of good programs, policies, and social interventions that had inured to the benefit of the citizenry.

    This, he said, warrants President Akufo-Addo to be given another term in office to continue his agenda for the country.

    Chairman Abronye was speaking at a durbar organised by the various professional groups in the Berekum West Constituency to canvass for more votes for the parliamentary candidate Hon Kwaku Agyenim Boateng and President Akufo-Addo ahead of the elections.

    He admonished the various groupings in the Party to eschew every element of complacency and put in hard work in order to secure a resounding victory for the party in the 2020 General Elections.

    Present at the durbar were the Regional Secretary Kofi Ofosu Boateng, 1st Vice Chairman Mr Joseph Mensah, 2nd Vice Chairperson Doris Asoma, Financial Secretary Mr Henry Oppong, Deputy Organizer Kofi Darko, Communications Director Asare Bediako Seth among other bigwigs in the party.

    Source: Peace FM

  • See the uniforms Police Officers will wear on Election Day (PHOTOS)

    The Ghana Police Service has warned its officers who wear unpermitted clothing for election duties on December 7 that they will be subject to disciplinary proceedings.

    The Police in a statement said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr James Oppong-Boanuh has also directed that no Police Officer wears a beard, except those who have been advised by medical officers not to have a close shave.

    However, plain-clothed officers of the Criminal Investigations and Police Intelligence Departments (CID and PID) will wear their approved overt and covert uniforms with their ID cards readily available for identification.

    The directives from the IGP follow public enquiries on the police uniforms to be used for this year’s Presidential and Parliamentary Elections after a video made the rounds showing Police Officers seated on a Police Armoured Vehicle.

    Speculation on social media suggested that the occupants of the Vehicle were vigilantes but the Police insist the speculations are untrue and unfortunate. 

    “The persons seen in the video are sworn officers of the Ghana Police Service, who were engaged in special operations of a route march in the Upper East region. The brown uniform and headgear worn by some of them are training apparel,” the statement said.

    “In view of public enquiries on the police uniforms to be used for this year’s Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, the Inspector-General of Police Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh has directed that all Police Officers wear the traditional police uniforms which are in the colours of blue-black, black and police camouflage; be it office or operational wear with the appropriate headgear for police duties. Plain clothe officers of the Criminal Investigations and Police Intelligence Departments (CID and PID) will, however, wear their approved overt and covert uniforms with their ID cards readily available for identification.

    “The IGP has further directed that no Police Officer wears a beard, except those who have been advised by medical officers not to have a close shave, supported by “Excused Shaving” document.

    “The public should note that any Police Officer who wears any unpermitted clothing for election duties would be engaging in professional misconduct, which is subject to disciplinary proceedings”.

    Read the entire statement below;

    PRESS RELEASE

    VIDEO SHOWING POLICE ARMOURED VEHICLE GP 2619

    1. The attention of the Police Administration has been drawn to speculations that a video showing Police Officers seated on the Police Armoured Vehicle with registration number GP 2619 is a video of Vigilantes. The speculations are untrue and the Administration considers them unfortunate.

    2. The persons seen in the video are sworn officers of the Ghana Police Service, who were engaged in special operations of a route march in the Upper East region. The brown uniform and headgear worn by some of them are training apparel

    3. In view of public enquiries on the police uniforms to be used for this year’s Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, the Inspector-General of Police Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh has directed that all Police Officers wear the traditional police uniforms which are in the colours of blue-black, black and police camouflage; be it office or operational wear with the appropriate headgear for police duties. Plain clothe officers of the Criminal Investigations and Police Intelligence Departments (CID and PID) will however, wear their approved overt and covert uniforms with their ID cards readily available for identification.

    4. The IGP has further directed that no Police Officer wears a beard, except those who have been advised by medical officers not to have a close shave, supported by “Excused Shaving” document.

    5. The public should note that any Police Officer who wears any unpermitted clothing for election duties would be engaging in professional misconduct, which is subject to disciplinary proceedings.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • NDC supporters mass up at Police Headquarters to protect election materials

    Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Friday massed up at the Upper East Regional Police Headquarters in Bolgatanga to demand a padlock.

    The padlock they explained was to secure the room where election materials are being stored ahead of the elections.

    The election materials are said to have arrived earlier Friday morning and were eventually stored in a room at the police headquarters.

    The NDC supporters said a standard procedure where each political party provided a padlock for the security of the election materials was being ignored though it had been allowed during the previous elections.

    The Upper East Regional police argued that if the political parties were allowed to provide a padlock for the security of the room, then it would not be easily accessible in case there was an emergency situation like a fire outbreak.  

    But that did not go down well with the NDC youth who threatened to spend the night at the premises of the police headquarters if their demand was not met.

    Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr. Donatus Akamugri managed to calm the youths by setting up a meet with the Regional Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service in the Upper East region to see how best the situation will be resolved.

    The Regional Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service in the Upper East, Gyan Kofi assured the group he was going to take full responsibility for the election material until the said padlocks arrived.

    “Gyan Kofi has assured us that he will sleep at the place with his men and watch over the place. So tomorrow morning we will be back, He will then lead us to the Regional Police Command to make sure the right thing is done

    “We do not have any problem with the police, our problem is to ensure that the ballot papers are not tempered with,” he said.

    Mr. Akamugri however cautioned the Police not to fail in coming through with their promise of doing what is expected or face a crowd of dissatisfied NDC youth supporters.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • GPCC cautions pastors against prophesying outcome of 2020 polls

    Chairman of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Reverend Professor Paul Frimpong Manso has cautioned Christian leaders against prophesying the outcome of the December polls.

    According to him, such prophecies are a recipe for chaos ahead of the election.

    Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso who spoke at a forum organized by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs said “we as clergies are not to give prophecies on winners of 2020 polls. We have seen what is happening in America. Elections in this country are won solely on campaigns, convincing people to vote, after which the Electoral Commission declares winners.”

    He further explained that such prophecies have the tendency of causing commotions in the country.

    “We of GPCC have not sanctioned such things. We are not a party to this. And we believe that continuous prophecies of winners will bring confusion. Have we thought of situations where people do not win elections, especially after their pastors have assured them of victory? That alone can bring confusion, so we are appealing to the clergy not to get involved in politics.”

    “How can God say that candidate A will win and the same God will tell another pastor that candidate B will win? It is confusing, totally ridiculous,” he added.

    He said most of the pastors behind such prophecies cannot be traced under any recognisable umbrella body.

    “Unfortunately, these things are attributed to the charismatic and pentecostal churches, and the irony of it is most of these people are not known.”

    Desist from prophesying about election 2020 Kontihene

    Nana Oboaman Bofotia Boamponsem II, Kontihene of the Sunyani Traditional Council, earlier made the same call urging religious leaders to desist from prophesying the outcome of the upcoming polls.

    He said such prophesies are bound to cause political tension in the country since every political party is eager to win.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Election 2020: EC outlines measures for announcement of results

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has mandated the Returning Officer to announce results of Election for a Constituency after first summing-up the total number of votes cast for each candidate at all polling stations in the constituency.

    Outlining measures for the collation of results at the Constituency Collation Centre, the EC in its Election 2020 Guide to Voters manual available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra mandate the Returning Officer to count all votes cast including votes cast on special voting day.

    Mr Kwame Amoah, EC Greater Accra Regional Director, told the GNA that Returning Officers were the sole authority to declare the winner for the Parliamentary Election at the end of every collation in the constituency at the Constituency Collation Centre.

    The Returning Officer is also under the obligation to announce the collated provisional results in respect of the Presidential Election at the Collation Centre and forward same to the Commission.

    After the announcement, the Returning Officer will endorse the results of the election on the Writ of Election (forms 1A and 1B) and forward it to the District Officer.

    In addition, a copy of the Constituency Summary Result Sheets (Forms 1D and 10) duly endorsed by the Returning Officer and Collation Agents should be sent to the District Electoral Officer and a copy posted in a conspicuous place at the Constituency Collation Centre.

    The EC also stressed that before the Regional Collation Officer publically announces the Presidential Election Results for the region, he or she must first collate the constituency results by adding the total number of votes cast for each candidate as seen on the Presidential Election Results Summary Sheet (Form 10) for all the various constituencies in the region.

    After the announcement, the RCO will send a copy of the Presidential Results Summary Sheet (Form 12) to the Chairperson of the Commission, while a copy is posted at the Regional Office of the Commission.

    Source: GNA

  • Election 2020: 6,000 troops to be deployed Ghana Armed Forces

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says it will deploy some 6,000 troops to complement allied security agencies to maintain peace and order in the upcoming general elections.

    Asides from the deployment of the troops, logistics from the Ghana Navy and the Ghana Air Force would also be deployed for the elections.

    “The GAF will deploy over 6,000 troops from December 4, 2020, and withdraw them on December 15, 2020, if there is no run-off. However, if there is a run-off, the withdrawal will be on January 10, 2021,”

    This was revealed by the Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Godwin Azera of the Lands Operations Unit of the GAF during a media sensitization held at the Burma Camp.

    The deployment from the GAF will complement the 67,974 personnel forming the national security task force for the upcoming elections.

    According to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Godwin Azera, the deployment of the GAF troops would take effect from December 4 to December 15, 2020.

    Ghanaians will on December 7, 2020, go to the polls to elect a President and Members of Parliament as part of a four-year constitutional mandate in a general election.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • President visits torched Odawna pedestrian shopping mall

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Wednesday took a tour of the Pedestrian Shopping Mall at Odawna, near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange in Accra, which was razed by fire at dawn.

    “This is really sad. It is a big tragedy,” President Akufo-Addo remarked after accessing the damage and the huge loss to shop owners and traders at the Mall.

    He said the authorities were in the process of identifying and compiling the details of the victims to inform how government could provide assistance to them to restart their businesses.

    “We would see what government could do to begin the process of rehabilitating the people,” he said.

    The President disclosed that government had started the process to ensure that all the markets in Accra were rewired to forestall fire outbreaks.

    He urged the authorities to keep the people informed about the steps government was taking to alleviate their plight.

    Madam Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, the Executive Director of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), told the President that her office had begun the process of providing financial support to the traders and shop owners affected.

    She said the Municipal Chief Executive of Klottey Korle, Nii Adjei Tawiah, was providing the data of affected traders who were expected to receive some assistance to commence their businesses by next week.

    Source: GNA

  • Opoku-Agyemang visits Odawna Market fire scene

    The Vice-Presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has visited the Odawna market to solidarize with the traders who lost their wares and stalls in the fire outbreak early Wednesday morning.

    She assessed the extent of damage the fire had caused while listening to their harrowing stories.

    Prof Opoku-Agyemang called for assistance for the victims in the “restoration and rehabilitation process.”

    The Odawna market near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange in Accra was gutted by fire at around 1 am on Wednesday, 18 November 2020.

    Personnel from the Ghana Fire Service and the Ghana Police Service were on the scene fighting the inferno and protecting lives and property.

    The cause of the fire is unknown.

    However, most traders in the market have completely lost their wares to the fire.

    Source: Class FM

  • Infrastructural deficiency affecting livelihood of fisher-folks – NDC

    Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Running-mate has said the lack of infrastructure was negatively affecting the livelihood of fisher-folks in the country.

    She said most fishermen and fishmongers were compelled to preserve their landings by saltation and smoking and those that should not even be preserved that way.

    Prof Opoku-Agyeman addressing party supporters at Kpando Torkor as part of her tour of the Volta Region, said she appreciated the toil that the fishermen and fishmongers went through to provide for all Ghanaians since she was a beneficiary of their hard work.

    She added that fisher folks were a special group of people who did not need government intervention in training their children to take up after them in their line of profession and that the little they needed was the provision of appropriate infrastructure to be appreciated.

    “They are not asking for much except facilities to preserve what we all eat” Prof Opoku- Agyemang stressed. She said the NDC party had in the past proven to be the most caring government and that infrastructure such as landing beaches, schools and hospitals were testaments to that effect.

    “We are a government that cares and the infrastructure we have built speaks for itself.”

    She said politics was not about arrogance but rather advancing the course of every society and the government should be responding to the needs of the people by filling the gaps in infrastructure.

    “Politics is not about being arrogant, being insulting, being prosecuted, tearing families apart…it’s about bringing all of us together”, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang added.

    Mrs Della Sowah, NDC Member of Parliament, Kpando appreciated the people of the Constituency for their continuous support to the party.

    She said the NDC party had and would always have developmental plans for the people of Kpando and all that the party needed was their massive votes in the upcoming elections.

    Mrs Sowah said there were plans to ease the burden on the fisher-folks in the fishing community of Torkor in the next NDC administration.

    Source: GNA

  • NDP to extend maternity leave to six months

    The National Democratic Party (NDP) is promising to extend maternity leave for all workers from three months to six months to enable women have enough time to nurse their babies adequately.

    According to the NDP, the current arrangement where women were given only three months paid leave, was not the best for mothers to have enough time to nurse and bond with their babies in a comfortable manner.

    This was contained in a yet-to-be launched manifesto of the party for the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

    Currently, maternity leave for nursing mothers is three months, many have called for its extension for mothers to have adequate period to nurse their babies especially as experts advised that six months exclusive breastfeeding for babies was the best to ensure healthy and intelligent children.

    The NDP manifesto also promised to set up a cancer and kidney trust fund to provide financial and logistical support for patients, to alleviate the plight of people who were diagnosed with those diseases.

    The NDP in its manifesto said it had a comprehensive package to give the health sector a facelift, if given the nod come December 7, and mentioned the Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound, as one of the areas to receive a major boost.

    Source: GNA

  • NPP-NDC Jamestown clash: Police accused of arresting only NDC supporters

    A Minority Member of Parliament has accused the police of being selective in its handling of a recent clash between supporters of the two main political parties at Jamestown.

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Odododiodido, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has said all the two persons who have been picked up by police following the violent clash on Sunday are all members of the party.

    He said although supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are involved in the incident, they are walking free.

    “As I speak to you, those who started the violence are walking free and two of our [NDC] boys have been arrested and have been kept in police cells since yesterday,” Mr Vanderpuye told Joy News on Wednesday.

    On Sunday, October 30, 2020, the supporters of the two main political parties clashed during a peace walk within the Odododiodio constituency.

    In several viral videos, the supporters can be seen hurling bottles at each other amidst firing of gunshots.

    Twenty persons got injured in the melee and the NPP office in the constituency was vandalised.

    Police say two persons have so far been arrested over the incident.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Charge, prosecute and jail riotous party members & supporters – Kweku Baako tells Police

    Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako Jnr. has frowned on the acts of impunity involving political party members and supporters.

    On Sunday, October 25, 2020, a fight broke out between supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    The supporters were seen, in a video that has gone viral, hurling stones and other objects against each other.

    They reportedly belonged to the camps of the incumbent Odododiodio MP, Nii Lante Vanderpuiye and the NPP Parliamentary candidate Nii Lante Bannerman.

    Speaking on Wednesday’s edition of ”Kokrokoo” on Peace FM, Kweku Baako called on the Police to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators irrespective of their political party affiliations.

    According to him, the culture where members and supporters belonging to political parties, with specific mention of the NPP and NDC, stir riot and go scot free must end with immediate effect.

    Using the Odododiodio violence as a case study, the seasoned journalist said, ”whether they’re NPP or NDC, charge them. Take them to the law court. Let them face trial and if the evidence is sustained, jail them according to law . . . The arrest, the charging, the prosecution, the conviction and sentence; we need some of those things going forward as a way of helping each other”.

    “I feel we’re weak at the enforcement of the electoral laws and even the national laws. It’s part of the issue that is sowing the seeds for impunity. We have to close our eyes sometimes to the party colors of the perpetrators but arrest them, send them to court, try them and sentence them,” he asserted.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Your assurance you wont sack me needless Amidu hits back at Mahama

    Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has stated that he does not need assurances from Former President John Dramani Mahama that he would not be sacked if he wins the 2020 polls.

    He argues that the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (959) governs the situation and is, therefore, needless for anybody to assume airs about what she or he will do with the Office or Martin Amidu when she or he wins the elections.

    “As the Special Prosecutor, I do not need assurances from anybody of leaving me in Office when she or he wins the elections. The Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (959) governs the situation. In any case, the position of Special Prosecutor is not one of servitude but of service. It is, therefore, needless for anybody to assume airs about what she or he will do with the Office or Martin Amidu when she or he wins the elections”

    According to him, the Office is an independent statutory anti-corruption agency and must be respected as such notwithstanding who for the time being holds the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

    Reacting to recent comments by Mr Mahama on the matter he said “Any Ghanaian worthy of putting himself forward as Presidential candidate for the upcoming elections should know the content of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) by now. He must know by now that under section 4 of Act 959, except as otherwise provided for in the 1992 Constitution, the Office is not subject to the direction or control of a person or an authority in the performance of the functions of the Office even when the Office acts upon the authority of the Attorney- General to initiate and conduct the prosecution of corruption and corruption-related offences. It is also clearly stated that the Board of the Office shall not interfere in the day-to-day functions of the Office. This independence of the Office in the performance of the functions of the Office is reinforced when Act 959 gives the Special Prosecutor full authority and control over the investigation, initiation and conduct of proceedings under subsection (1) of section 3 which spells out the functions of the Office”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Even if you appear on the ballot with Angel Gabriel you’ll still lose Mahama told

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has been told in the face that he stands no chance in winning the 2020 polls even if he appears on the ballot paper, Archangel Gabriel.

    The Suame Constituency Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Mustapha Owusu has stated categorically that the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Suame Francis Dodovi and the independent Parliamentary candidate for Suame Constituency Mr George Prempeh known as Bashaka will also lose miserably in the upcoming general elections.

    Some residents in the Suame Constituency including members of NPP and NDC have questioned why the Majority leader Hon Osei Kyei Mensah was protected by the party to go unopposed during the NPP Parliamentary primaries.

    But the Suame NPP Constituency Organizer Mustapha Owusu in an interview with Kumasi based Pure FM Osei Kwadwo claimed the NDC party has two candidates contesting the majority leader in parliament in the December 7 general elections.

    According to him, Independent Candidate contesting the Suame seat Mr George Prempeh known as Bashaka has been sponsored by NDC to support the NDC Parliamentary Candidate Francis Dodovi but Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu will win massively.

    “Mr George Prempeh aka Bashaka should stop deceiving the good people of Suame that he is a member of the great elephant party (NPP). We know him as NDC sympathizer. NDC is sponsoring him with the intention to help the party to win Suame seat and increase John Dramani Mahama votes” he explained.

    He added that “the NDC Suame Parliamentary Candidate Francis Dodovi and the Independent Candidate should appear on the ballot paper with Angel Gabriel picture, they will still lose”

    Source: My News GH

  • Asesewa ECG staff chased out of office by NPP supporters over alleged sabotage

    Some angry members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at Asesewa in the Eastern Region have chased out the staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and locked the offices.

    They accused the Company of intentionally cutting power supply just when the Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia was about to address a campaign rally at the Asesewa market on Tuesday evening.

    The irate members besieged the ECG premises and ordered the workers to vacate their offices because they suspected the workers were on a mission to sabotage the NPP campaign in the area.

    A worker who spoke to JoyNews said they dragged them from their offices onto the compound and locked the main entrance.

    He narrated that the stranded workers had to scale the walls, leaving behind their vehicles and other properties before they could go home.

    Explaining what led to the power cut, the worker who pleaded anonymity said the Asesewa district has its source of power distribution from a substation at Akyem-Tafo, hence the Asesewa office could not have deliberately interrupted power supply when the Dr Bawumia was billed to address his party.

    He stated that a team had to trace the source of the power cut to Boti where a tree branch had fallen on the main distribution cable.

    According to him, even though the challenge was immediately rectified after the Vice President left, some communities are yet to have power restored.

    A leading member of the NPP in the Upper Manya Krobo constituency, Philip Mamphey, however, disagrees with the explanation of the ECG.

    According to him, the act to cut power supply anytime the NPP holds a rally has become one too many.

    “As for electricity, the can be emergency outages most of the time. But this is not the first time this is happening in the Upper Manya constituency, In 2012, the same thing happened and in 2020 it has happened again.

    “And so the community and our party people have suspected that this is a deliberate act t make our party unpopular and disrupt the programme. And that is unfair,” he said.

    When contacted, Eastern Regional PRO of ECG Mary Eshun Oppong confirmed the locking of the offices.

    The ECG staff have since reported the case at the Asesewa Police station.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Stop taking credit for cashew development, you deceived farmers – Mosquito ‘bites’ Akufo-Addo

    The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has chided President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over his failed promises to the people of Bono Region, particularly cashew farmers.

    According to Asiedu Nketia, President Akufo-Addo knows nothing about cashew development saying he could hardly differentiate a cashew tree from that of mango.

    He recalled a festival in the run-up to the 2016 election in Suma Ahenkro of the Jaman North District, then-candidate Akufo-Addo promised to raise the price of a bag of cashew when voted into office.

    The NDC General Secretary while addressing communities in the Banda constituency of the Bono Region as part of his campaign tour, stated that President Akufo-Addo deceived Cashew farmers with his sweet promises just to win power.

    “In 2016, a bag of cashew sold for GHC900 and Akufo-Addo promised a higher price when elected. Sadly, a bag of cashew will hardly sell for GH¢200 today. This is a total cheat. It is only an NDC government that cares about Cashew Development,” he said.

    On the part of the NDC, Hon. Asiedu Nketiah said the next NDC government under President John Mahama will establish a Cashew Development Board in the league with COCOBOD to restore and determine cashew prices in the interest of farmers.

    “Cashew Development Board will improve the wellbeing of Cashew farmers and it will bring money to the cashew farmers pocket under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama.”

    The NDC General Secretary has spent a considerable number of days touring his home region with his team which includes, NDC spokesperson on local governance, Mohammed Kwaku Doku, Fred Agbenyo, Deputy Director of International Relations and Brogya Genfi, former Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer.

    Source: My News GH

  • President Akufo-Addo advises Ghanaians against electoral violence

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has advised Ghanaians to avoid political violence, and express themselves through their votes on Election Day.

    President Akufo-Addo who was speaking during a Regional Campaign tour of the Odododiodoo Constituency in Accra, said anyone who engaged in violence and intimidation, had nothing to offer Ghanaians in the first place.

    He said as a country, there was the need to ensure collective efforts for peaceful election.” Africa and the entire global community is watching us.and they should see that we are disciplined,” the President said.

    He expressed joy at seeing a great gathering of Ga Chiefs, Elders and people, adding that it signalled increased cooperation among the Ga people.

    President Akufo-Addo said his government would do everything within its power to promote progress and unity among Gas, while he remained in power and urged Gas to strive towards living peacefully with each other saying, “Most importantly, we need peace in Accra during these elections. An election is a chance to make your choice of governance through voting, it is not a fight,” he said.

    In attendance were; Chiefs and Elders of Ga Land, as well as a large crowd of NPP party supporters and sympathizers, amidst a lot of dancing singing and display of NPP party colours.

    Source: GNA

  • Odododiodio Violence: Nii Lante Vanderpuiye has been paid back with his own coin Political Analyst

    Political Analyst, Dr. Kwasi Amakye-Boateng has highlighted views that the violence that erupted in the Odododiodio constituency is payback to the incumbent Member of Parliament for the constituency, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuiye.

    He indicated that recent violence is in response to the MPs alleged involvement in the 2016 election violence in the constituency.

    On 25th October, 2020, there were clashes between sympathizers of the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress during a peace walk in the Odododiodio constituency which left about fifteen (15) persons injured.

    Dr. Boateng, however, believes that this incident is a repeat of history. He told Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, “I think it is payback time as we are going into the same things of yesterday. We all know Nii Lante Vanderpuiye acted violently last election year and was supposedly moving from polling station preventing people supposedly not from the constituency from undertaking the voter registration exercise. Some of the people say it is payback time and this will not change”.

    A peace walk by supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) turned violent in Jamestown in the Odododiodio constituency on Sunday, 25th October, 2020.

    In a number of video clips widely shared on social media platforms, it showed supporters of the two main parties throwing bottles as well as hauling stones and insults at each other.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has released the list of election violence-prone areas in all sixteen regions of the country. The Odododiodio constituency has been identified as one of the flashpoints going into the 2020 elections.

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Ghana not back to HIPC Oppong Nkrumah

    Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has debunked claims that Ghana has once again been ranked in the category of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC).

    According to him, the numerous publications making rounds on social media purporting that the country has returned to HIPC is false and fake news.

    Speaking at the Nation Building Updates on Tuesday in Accra, the Minister noted that because the country is approaching a general election in December, there is a deliberate attempt to discredit the work government has done since assuming office in 2017 to revive the economy.

    He said “there are suggestions being spread particularly on social media that Ghana has been declared HIPC again and I am sure you would have noticed that a lot of persons are sharing materials on social media that the IMF or World Bank has declared Ghana HIPC or listed Ghana as one of the HIPC countries and it is a suggestion that the economy is not as good a shape that we claim it is.

    “For the avoidance of doubt and because we have also mentioned that we are aware that some persons in the weeks ahead of the elections will seek to spread a lot of false information and fake news, it is important to quickly respond to it right here and right now. Categorically, we say to you it is not true that Ghana has been declared HIPC or has been added to the list of HIPC countries,” he added.

    The HIPC was a group of 39 developing countries with high levels of poverty and debt overhang who qualified for financial assistance from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other multilateral, bilateral and commercial creditors between 1996 and 2001. It was designed to ensure the reduction in the debt levels of poor and indebted countries.

    This the Minister emphasized that the HIPC was a programme limited to a particular point in time that Ghana and a number of African countries applied, benefited, exited and was done with it.

    “The publication out there list the countries that participated and qualified for it. Currently, there is no HIPC programme for any country to qualify for so if anybody is spreading that and adding to it a narrative that suggests that Ghana is now a highly indebted poor country and has been listed on an IMF or World Bank publication as such.

    However, the Minister encouraged the general public to disregard such publications. He also admonished the media to be circumspect and thoroughly conduct background checks before publishing news items.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Ill take care of NABCO recruits Mahama promises

    Former President John Dramani Mahama says he will provide sustainable jobs for Ghanaians if he wins the December polls.

    According to him, the NDC manifesto team has done a comprehensive analysis of the job gap in the public sector which will inform job opportunities if they come back to power.

    “The security services also revealed several opportunities. Ghana National Fire Service, 30,136; Ghana Immigration Service 3,522, Ghana Prison Service, 7,925; Ghana Police Service 35,020 vacancies and many more. Together with the private sector, we will create real jobs, not temporary and artificial jobs, so that people can live dignified lives.

    “If you have been engaged under NABCO, I say to you that you belong to Ghana and not to any individual or group. You deserve permanent jobs like all citizens. The welfare of workers is also key to our national progress and prosperity,” the NDC flagbearer said when he addressed professional groups on Monday.

    He stressed: “We plan to amend the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766) to allow workers who lose their jobs suddenly such as COVID-19 did to many private-sector workers to be paid allowances while they search for new opportunities. Also, workers who have contributed between ten (10) to fifteen (15) years will be allowed to use their contributions as collateral to access mortgage loans.

    “And where applicable waivers on vehicle imports will be granted to facilitate productivity. After long years of work, the day of retirement will come. Come it will. We know the formal sector has the tiered pension which must be enhanced. We have already committed to paying pensioners an annual thirteenth-month bonus. But how about the informal sector? This is why the next NDC government will introduce a new Pension Scheme for organised groups in the informal sector.”

    Source: Starr FM

  • NDC has disappointed you for 28 years; give NPP a chance – Bawumia urges Afram Plains constituents

    Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has made a passionate appeal to constituents of Afram Plains North and South constituencies in the Eastern Region to reconsider their voting pattern after consistently voting for the NDC without corresponding development to show.

    The two mainly island constituencies have been voting for the NDC – both Parliamentary and Presidential – since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1992.

    At durbars in Donkorkrom in Afram Plains North and Ekye Amanfrom in Afram Plains South constituencies on Monday, traditional rulers in the area lamented their long neglect, as well as the deplorable state of the constituencies.

    Speaking at the two durbars, Vice President Bawumia wondered why the two constituencies, which have been so loyal to the NDC is lagging in terms of development.

    “For twenty-eight years, you have voted for the NDC and you have been loyal to them but there is nothing to show here for all the support you gave them even though they have been in government for years,” Dr Bawumia said.

    “In all these 28 years, the MPs have been NDC MPs and they could not get their NDC governments to bring development to the people of Afram Plains, especially under the last NDC government which lasted 8 years in office.”

    “The NDC has done nothing for Afram Plains and they cannot point to any substantial development they have brought to the people. The evidence is out there and Nana has confirmed it.”

    Dr Bawumia noted that unlike the NDC, the ruling NPP is a party which believes in all-inclusive development, and has, therefore, spread development projects to many parts of the country, including Afram Plains where electricity has been expanded to rural communities, as well as the construction of chips compounds and mechanical boreholes.

    Dr Bawumia added that the Akufo-Addo government has already earmarked development projects for Afram Plains, including the provision of tractors to the district assembly to enable farmers, who constitute the majority of the constituents, to rent them at affordable rates to improve on their farming.

    The Vice President noted that in view of the fact that the NPP has brought about national interventions such as Free SHS, Planting for Food and Jobs, Zongo Development Fund, One Constituency One Ambulance, among others, which everyone is benefiting, as well as showing good faith to Afram Plains, it is about time the constituents said no to the NDC.

    “It has been 28 years of neglect and disappointment by the NDC. This year, let the NDC know that enough is enough,” Dr Bawumia stressed.

    “We urge you to give the NPP a chance and you will see the difference between the NPP and the NDC.”

    “You need a member of Parliament who can represent you well and lobby for more developments for you. So, I urge you to vote for Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP MP for the much-needed development of Afram Plains.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • NPPs decision to pay rent for youth in second term laudable – Expert

    Sustainable development expert, Michael Ebo Amoah has described the decision by the current government to pay rent for young people in their second term as laudable.

    This he noted would be of help to the youth who struggle to raise funds to rent.

    To him, if the NPP can implement this, then it will go a long way to help the youth in extremely difficult situations.

    The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has promised to pay the rent advance of Ghanaian youth in its second term.

    The move, according to a member of the NPP communication team, Nana Akomea would in the short term cushion the Ghanaian youth from the problem of high rent and long rent advance.

    “Government will in effect pay the rent Advance for you, and you pay the rent monthly to the scheme”.

    “In effect then, the NPP government in its next term will eliminate the big problem of rent advance facing the youth and indeed many other Ghanaians,” Nana Akomea announced on Monday, during a press conference in Accra.

    He said the next NPP government would implement the move through the National Rental Assistance Scheme a new, novel, and a revolutionary scheme that would among other things provide low-interest loans to eligible Ghanaian youth solely to enable them to pay for rental accommodation.

    The rent advances, Akomea explained would be paid directly into the bank accounts of beneficiary landlords and it would target Ghanaian youth in both formal and informal sectors, with identifiable or regular income.

    The beneficiary youth would repay the loans on a monthly basis.

    Beyond the payment of rent advances, Akomea stated that the government would set up seed capital of ¢100 million, which would also serve the purpose of leverage to attract additional investment from the private sector.

    Reacting to this, Mr. Ebo Amoah said the scheme is good adding, ”the scheme that the NPP has promised to introduce is laudable. If they can do it well, it is laudable. The youth have several problems including accommodation and jobs. To raise one year in Accra for accommodation is difficult.”

    He also believes the Ghc100 million the party has promised to inject in the scheme is great news since, in his view, it will help in solving some of the challenges the youth are going through.

    Meanwhile, he has argued that it would be prudent for the government to ensure that Ghanaians are able to afford the affordable housing projects initiated by the government.

    He explained the Sustainable Development Goals require governments to embark on affordable cities and good accommodation but successive governments have failed to embark on these initiatives.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • 2020 polls: Stay away from polling stations Election taskforce to private security firms

    The National Election Security Task Force has warned private security outfits to stay away from polling stations on December 7, 2020.

    According to the Director of Operations at the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Dr. Sayibu Pabi Gariba, only uniformed personnel deployed by the state security agencies will be entertained at the polling stations on election day.

    Speaking at a forum organized by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Gariba indicated firmly that, election management will be solely handled by EC officials and officers deployed by state security agencies.

    “These duties shall be performed by uniformed personnel of all the security agencies. Anybody who is not in uniform is unauthorised private security agencies are not part of it [election management].”

    The Ghana Police Service has begun training its officers who will be deployed for election-related duties in December 2020.

    The Service will also provide adequate Personal Protective equipment to deployed police officers.

    This is to ensure the safety of all personnel who will be required to work, according to the Service.

    The Inspector-General of Police, James Oppong-Boanuh, together with members of the Police Management Board, has also held a meeting with the leadership of the various political parties to discuss security during the 2020 general elections.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • We are not recruiting EC cautions

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has cautioned the general public against the publication of fakes that it is recruiting data collection officials.

    The EC in a statement on Monday, October 26 said it has noted with concern a publication circulating on social media announcing job opportunities for some 50,000 young persons for data collection purposes.

    The said publication, according to the elections management body, “is not from the Electoral Commission of Ghana neither is the Commission recruiting persons for data collection.”

    The Commission entreats the general public to disregard it.

    Source: 3 News

  • ‘Leave polling centers after voting’ Minister to Ghanaians

    The Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah has appealed to the electorate to leave the polling centers after voting in order to maintain peace and stability during the 2020 general elections.

    He made the admonition during a community youth Peace durbar held by the Ashanti Region Office of the National Cadet Corps of Ghana (NCCG) in Kumasi on Saturday, October 23.

    Mr Osei Mensah pointed out that hanging around polling stations could trigger arguments between supporters of different parties with its attendant possibility for violence.

    “I will like to appeal to you to exercise your franchise and leave the scene peacefully to your homes and await the results, as that way will prevent violence.”

    Mr Osei Mensah cautioned that the government will not tolerate any form of intimidation and political thuggery against any person during the elections.

    “We need to prove to the world that Ghana is still an outstanding example of democracy,” he insisted.

    The Regional Minister is confident that the step taken by the national peace council will form a pivotal component to develop and facilitate a mechanism for conflict prevention, management and resolution in order to build sustainable peace in the country.

    He assured the people of the region that nothing untoward will occur during the elections because all mechanisms are in place to combat any unwelcomed situation especially at the areas cited as election violence hotspots.

    The event held in collaboration with the National Peace Council was under the theme, “One people; one nation.”

    The Ashanti region coordinator of the Cadet Corps Cadet Flight Lieutenant Gideon Obeng Manu pointed out that the event aligns with its core mandate to train a disciplined youth, loyal to their nation.

    “We believe in patriotism and commitment to a national course. This event was to sensitize the youth on violence and to let our leaders see that we the youth, stand for peace as elections draw closer,” he indicated.

    Gideon Obeng Manu also disclosed that his command is considering replicating the peace campaign across major busy convergence points across the Ashanti region to reinforce its quest for responsible and nonviolent conduct before, during and after the elections.

    Source: Starr FM