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Tag: Franklin Cudjoe

  • Election of Speaker and Deputies is a plus for Ghana’s democracy – Franklin Cudjoe

    Franklin Cudjoe, the Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of IMANI Africa, has described the election of the Speaker of Parliament and his two deputies as a plus for Ghana’s democracy.

    Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), was on Thursday, elected the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.

    Whilst Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Andrew Asiamah Amoako, an Independent Member of Parliament for Fomena were elected First and Second Deputy Speakers respectively.

    Mr Cudjoe in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the election of the three men would go a long way to help address the issue of winner takes all in the body politics of the nation; stating that “somehow, this has been cured”.

    “The election of these three persons have managed to put our democracy in a better light in terms of the constitutionality of winner-takes-all politics.

    “At least these elections have evenly balanced if you like the whole idea that only the winner must take all. We are grateful for what should have been constitutionally done, but it has been naturally done for us.”

    With regards to Mr Bagbin’s election, Mr Cudjoe said: “I think that basically, the lead up to his nomination and the eventual election is a testament to the rancorous nature of our politics, he knows very well what to do, having been there since the last 28 years or so.

    “And he is the only person who can bring the warring side (for the lack of a better term) together and pursue the agenda for the country.”

    The Chief Executive Officer intimated that just after Mr Bagbin’s election, there was the exhibition of cooperation among MPs; after the pandemonium, which was also an attestation of the need for the MPs to work together.

    “I think it is the truest definition of the President’s call on Parliament to work together and make compromises as well,” Mr Cudjoe stated.

    He said whatever happened, the election of the three men were clearly an attestation of the President’s call in his earlier State of the Nation Address (SONA), that MPs should keep compromising and work together.

    Mr Cudjoe added that it was the most immediate and truest form of the definition of what the President want Ghanaians to articulate.

    Source: GNA

  • The entire current EC is a pale shadow of Charlotte Osei – Franklin Cudjoe

    Founding President of IMANI-Africa has fired back at critics who have slammed him for his fierce criticism of Jean Mensa, the Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC).

    Franklin Cudjoe has come under verbal attack for criticising the competence of the Electoral Commission following the outcome of the 2020 polls.

    He had slammed the EC after it admitted that the were errors in the declared results for the presidential polls.

    He further described the former EC boss, Charlotte Osei, as a better EC chair compared to Jean Mensa.

    Some persons especially from the NPP have taken him to the cleaners but to these individuals, Mr. Cudjoe says he criticised the former EC chair when he felt some of her decisions were not the best.

    But he believes the former EC chair is far better than the “incompetent” Jean Mensa.

    “Turns out some people think everyone has an autopilot brain. Yes, I criticised Charlotte when some of her decisions were troubling, but compared to the brave bare lies, tender rigging re biometric machines, shameful procurement gigs, and shambolic basic math errors that has generated a crisis of confidence, the entire current EC is a pale shadow of Charlotte! Eat it!! IMANI shall be releasing its own report and recommendations on the conduct of this EC. Enjoy your Sunday.”

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Free SHS alone can boost NPPs votes by 500k Franklin Cudjoe claims

    President of Policy Think Tank IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe has said that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is the luckiest political party going into the 2020 election.

    The IMANI Africa boss acknowledged that the Free SHS policy will be a game-changer for the governing New Patriotic Party.

    In his estimation, the NPP has about five hundred thousand votes from the beneficiaries of the most touted policy, Free SHS.

    Mr. Cudjoe who made this known said although there are allegations of corruption that have become an albatross on the neck of the President and some members of his government, first-time voters do not care about these allegations.

    The IMANI Africa President said, “The NPP is very lucky. Free SHS is the game-changer for them. Potentially they have at least 500k Free SHS votes. These first-time voters care less about corruption”.

    Source: My News GH

  • Ofori-Atta, Adu-Boahen must recuse themselves from Agyapa deal – Franklin Cudjoe

    President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has called for Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and one of his deputies, Charles Adu-Boahen, to recuse themselves from the Agyapa deal.

    The deal has been temporarily suspended following a corruption risk assessment by the Office of Special Prosecutor that found numerous infractions of law about the deal.

    Franklin Cudjoe told Citi News on Saturday that calls for the resignation or dismissal of the Finance Minister over the matter is a bad call.

    “So I think right from the onset, the Finance Committee did a thoroughly shoddy job. Either they decided to be sleepy on the job or decided not to pay attention to the basic evaluation mathematics. We could have avoided this shame. We have entered this deal badly and I think the call on the Finance Minister is not necessarily proper.

    “I rather wish he together with Charles Adu-Boahen recuse themselves from the deal. The president has enough other competent men to put together the deal and then they can be approached at later stages after widely consultative stages,” Mr Cudjoe is quoted in a Citi News report.

    There have been many proposals for the dismissal of the Minister of Finance over the Agyapa Minerals Royalties deal.

    Presidential Running Mate of the PPP, Mr Asamoah Siaw, said Mr Ofori-Atta engaged in “conflict of interest, bid-rigging and violation of procurement rules” in his attempt to transfer Ghana’s mineral royalties into private hands under the guise of creating value for natural resources.

    The deal is expected to be taken back to Parliament next year for the issues raised about the deal to be resolved.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Both NDC, NPP scored satisfactorily fair on IMANIFesto Franklin Cudjoe

    Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has moved to quell the political interpretations being given to the 2020 IMANIFesto assessment report.

    The IMANIFesto initiative by the policy think tank analyses the status of implementation of pledges contained in the manifesto of the ruling party.

    It also assesses the feasibility of manifestos presented by political parties before elections and the impact of their promises on the livelihood of citizens.

    In the latest IMANIFesto report on the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, IMANI scored the administration 56.77%, three-points higher than it scored for the National Democratic Congress in 2012 under John Dramani Mahama.

    Following the release of the final scorecard for the governing NPP on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, NPP and government communicators have sought suggest that the NPP performs better than the NDC.

    But in a swift rebuttal on Thursday, November 5, 2020, Franklin Cudjoe said although the NPP obtained a high percentage point than the NDC, both parties obtained the same rating.

    “In 2016, NDC’s 540 promises were final score-carded 53% by the IMANIfesto assessor. In 2020, NPP’s 510 promises were final score-carded 56.77% by the IMANIfesto assessor. Both parties performed ‘satisfactorily fair’ on the IMANIfesto scale,” he wrote on social media.

    Meanwhile, the Deputy Information Minister, Pius Hadzide, has criticised the methodology used by IMANI on grounds that it fails to incorporate the views of the public in its assessment.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Franklin Cudjoe commends Akufo-Addo for coronavirus management

    Founder and President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe has showered praises on President Akufo Addo and his government for their well handling of the Covid-19 pandemic as a result of which the case count still stands low.

    In a social media post sighted by GhanaVanguard.com, Franklin wrote; “In all honesty, the Nana Addo-led government has managed covid-19 well in terms of cases. Active cases have almost vanished.”

    The fierce critique of governments in Ghana, however, cautioned Ghanaians to not be complacent; having seen the case count on a steady decline.

    Franklin Cudjoe further raised an issue of national interest as he calls for accountability from those in charge of the covid-19 relief funds as to how procurements have been done as well as how the fund is been used.

    He also called on government to release the details of the company that is doing the Covid-19 test at the Kotoka International Airport and how the company got the contract.

    “But, we will also need some accountability on how covid procurement had been done and funds have been used. Also, which company is conducting the tests at our airport? How did it get the contract?” he wrote.

    Source: ghanavanguard.com

  • NDC is title holder for Okada legalisation – Franklin Cudjoe

    Franklin Cudjoe, President of policy think tank, Imani Ghana has said the vision of legalising and regulating the use of bicycles and tricycles for commercial purposes remains an undisputed brainchild of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    While stating his support for regulation of the Okada business, he wittily noted in a tweet that “Okada legalisation and regulation is good. NDC remains the “title holder” for the vision…”

    However, in the name of fairness and to avert the possible wrath of some members of the NPP he added that; “I will be talking about good things the NPP is doing. But Okada dier NDC afa.”

    His reactions come on the back of heated national conversations about the legalization of the Okada business which was resurrected by former president John Dramani Mahama.

    During a campaign tour in the Volta Region, the former president who is seeking re-election is quoted to have promised that, “But in our law, it says Okada is illegal but Okada is a reality, it has come to stay, you can’t stop it, and, so, I’ve suggested and I say when we come into office, we will legalise Okada but we will regulate it.”

    This received tons of criticisms from the public, particularly members of the ruling NPP government. However, in an unexpected turn of events, the Transport Minister, Kwasi Ofori Asiamah in an interaction with some media personnel revealed that government has already begun stakeholder consultations to decide on whether to review the law banning the commercial use of motorcycles or implement it.

    “We as a government know that this is a matter that we need to take our time to confront the people, come out with their views and that, will determine the law that should be put in place,” Mr Asiamah stated.

    The final phase of consultation on the legalisation of the business has been scheduled to take place in October, 2020.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • ‘NPP may win 2020 elections if 70% of 2020 mid-year budget is achieved’- Franklin Cudjoe

    Founding president and Chief Executive Officer [CEO] of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe has said that the New Patriotic Party [NPP] may win December 7th, 2020 elections if they are able to achieve 70% of the mid-year budget that was read in parliament this week.

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta presented the 2020 mid-year budget review and supplementary estimates for the financial year in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, 2020.

    The presentation was done in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).

    Ken Ofori-Atta’s presentation touched on key economic indicators such as growth rate, primary balance, budget deficit, revenue and expenditure targets among others.

    On Saturday, July 25th, 2020, Mr. Cudjoe on Facebook wrote:

    ‘But seriously, if the government delivers 70% of the promises in the mid-year budget before the elections, only God can stop from setting sail.”

    “Vela Damus.”

    Already some Ghanaians have expressed doubt as to whether the 2020 mid-year budget can be achieved. We wait comfortably until December.

    Source: opera.com

     

  • Franklin Cudjoe Praises Bawumia

    The founding president of the Imani Center for Policy Education has heaped praises on the Vice President of this great country, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on TV3’s Saturday morning show. Mr Franklin Cudjoe is known to be an ardent critic of the government so it his hailing of the Vice President of Ghana, comes as a bit of a surprise. Well there’s an adage in twi which translates into ‘he who performs well, deserves praise’.

    According to Franklin Cudjoe, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia deserves praise for ‘elevating’ the office of the Vice President. In his estimation, the office of the Vice President, hitherto Bawumia, was a ‘silent’ one as little was ever heard of or from that office. In fact before Mahumudu Bawumia’s occupying of the office of the Vice President, it was not taken as seriously as it is today.

    Although he doesn’t necessarily agree that an occupant of the Vice President’s office must be one with high educational credentials, he does agree that the Vice President must have a fair knowledge of Economics. He agrees that Dr Bawumia’s indepth knowledge on the Economy has helped shape and improve the discourse and debate on the economy.

    Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is an economist and former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana whose extensive knowledge on economic matters and constant critique of the John Mahama led administration, gave the NDC ‘headaches’ in the lead up to the 2016 general elections. The victory of the New Patriotic Party in the 2016 elections can, to an extent, be attributed to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s influence.

    Do you agree with Franklin Cudjoe’s assertion of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia? Kindly leave your opinion in the comment box below. Don’t forget to like and share.

    Source: opera.com

     

  • What positive change have you brought to sanitation sector? – Franklin Cudjoe queries minister

    President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, is challenging the Sanitation Minister to explain to Ghanaians the positive impact she has added to her ministry in the last 2 years since her appointment.

    According to Mr. Cudjoe, Madam Cecilia Dapaah, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources is reported to have said newly selected running mate for the National Democratic Congress, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang adds nothing to the fortunes of the NDC.

    Mr. Cudjoe in his post stated though the minister’s comment is debatable, he tasked her to rather explain to Ghanaians what she has added to the Sanitation ministry in her capacity.

    “I just watched the Minister of Sanitation say Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang adds nothing to the fortunes of the NDC. We can debate that. It is a healthy debate.

    But what has the Minister added to our sanitation positively after almost two years in power? 80% of a clean Accra as her ministry alleged two days ago? What about the mountain of taxes that prevent private sector participation in waste management in Ghana.”

    He blamed the slow progress made in the Sanitation ministry in the last years because the sector has not been friendly for private sector participation.

    “Currently, a compactor truck imported for transporting waste attracts an import duty of 5% on the Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of compactor. It also attracts NHIL levy (2.5%), GetFund Levy (2.5%); Special Import Levy (2%), ECOWAS Levy (0.5%), Exim Levy (0.75%), Processing fee (1%) and AU Levy (0.2%), which add up to 9.45% of the CIF value. In addition, the sector also pays Import VAT of 12.5% on top of these taxes.”

    Mr Cudjoe further entreated Madam Cecilia Dapaah to focus on these issues which he describes as ‘urgent’ matters.

    “So, madam minister of sanitation- please focus and deal with these urgent matters too.”

    Read the full statement below:

    I just watched the Minister of Sanitation say Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang adds nothing to the fortunes of the NDC. We can debate that. It is a healthy debate. But what has the Minister added to our sanitation positively after almost two years in power? 80% of a clean Accra as her ministry alleged two days ago? What about the mountain of taxes that prevent private sector participation in waste management in Ghana.

    Currently, a compactor truck imported for transporting waste attracts an import duty of 5% on the Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of compactor. It also attracts NHIL levy (2.5%), GetFund Levy (2.5%); Special Import Levy (2%), ECOWAS Levy (0.5%), Exim Levy (0.75%), Processing fee (1%) and AU Levy (0.2%), which add up to 9.45% of the CIF value. In addition, the sector also pays Import VAT of 12.5% on top of these taxes.

    Currently, the waste industry operates at a profit margin of 20% (From the existing data in the cost buildup of the various landfill sites). However, this profit margin is reduced to 7.5% since they treat 12.5% of their revenue as output tax. In addition to that, the sector also absorbs the non-deductible combined 5% import NHIL/GetFund levies which further reduces their profit margin to 2.5%.

    One Professor Mariwah recently asked me and others in a webinar I moderated that,” how do such companies accumulate enough capital to reinvest in waste collection trucks and other machinery as well as invest in Research and Development (R&D) to improve waste management in the country?”

    Ama Ofori-Antwi, Executive Secretary of ESPA recently said to me and others on the webinar, “Upon taking up this role as Executive secretary with ESPA, I can say confidently 22 companies have collapsed since 2014 to date; we are providing essential service in this country meanwhile we are not getting any support whatsoever; if the government is indeed serious about the private sector been the engine of growth, then the government needs to look at us”

    So, madam minister of sanitation- please focus and deal with these urgent matters too.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Franklin Cudjoe laments unavailability of modern recorders at the Supreme Court

    Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe has lamented the lack of modern recorders at the Supreme Court of Ghana.

    His comment comes after the highest court threw away his attempt to join two cases which are asking the court to stop the Electoral Commission (EC), from compiling a new voters’ register in the country.

    The Supreme Court’s Justice Baffoe Bonnie, in his ruling on Wednesday, 24 June, 2020, said the policy think tank, Imani Africa and other civil society organisations that had attempted to join the two cases against the compilation of a new register are not neutral.

    Mr. Franklin Cudjoe who had earlier expressed dissatisfaction in the ruling, has also been speaking about his experiences in the courtroom yesterday, as he monitored the proceedings.

    According to him, until yesterday, he never knew the Lordships at the Apex Court physically write down notes whenever lawyers are in defense.

    “I didn’t know that Supreme Court Judges physically pen write notes while Lawyers advocate. So you hear, “please can you repeat what you said?”, he revealed.

    Mr. Cudjoe has since indicated he would like to help mobilize some funds to purchase modern recorders to be sent to the Supreme Court as according to him, the manual ways of doing things at the courthouse slow proceedings.

    “Kinda slows down proceedings except when they ‘battle’ Lawyers. I’d like to help by raising Amicus funds to buy modern recorders. Or, I wouldn’t be neutral?”, he wrote on Facebook as sighted by Ghana Guardian.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • Stop the fooling and find yourself a job – Wontumi tears Franklin Cudjo apart

    Bernard Antwi Bosiako, the Ashanti regional chairman for the New Patriotic Party ( NPP) popularly known as Chairman Wontumi has made certain unpleasant comments about Mr Franklin Cudjo, the Cheif Executive Officer of IMANI on his Petition on the new voter’s register which begun yesterday.

    Chairman Wontumi said Franklin Cudjo is his friend but if he is fooling he will be direct about that and will not massage the truth to favour his friend.

    He added that he does not even know the job description for Franklin Cudjo. He  just wants attention for himself or probably he is trying to test the Electoral Commission and Ghanaians.

    Still explaining matters to listeners he said Mr Cudjo is probably talking about his family and not Ghanaians in his Petition on the new voter’s register.

    He offered Mr Cudjo a job in planting saying Mr Cudjo is jobless that is why he is doing unnecessary things. He has to get himself a job because idleness is causing him to fool around.

    Source: operanewsapp.com

  • Hot Evidence: Impeachment against EC boss initiated. Franklin Cudjoe supports her removal

    Contrary to the belief that Jean Mensa will be a free woman to do her job, she was haunted by the courts over the week to present legal basis of rejecting Old Ghana Voter’s Identification Card as an authentication to compile the New voter’s register within this month.

    She returned from the court to meet a document which has initiated her likely impeachment and removal from office as the boss of the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

    The document which has found itself in the media circles has stated some strong questions which failure to answer, will spark a similar instance that sent Mrs Charlotte Osei out as the Electoral Commission Boss. Charlotte Osei was thrown out on many basis. Notably among them was breach of procurement protocols which the current Electoral Commission Boss has also been accused of.

    Strongly linked in the letter is Franklin Cudjoe’s IMANI Ghana which has provided strong evidence to the group to help put Mrs Jean Mensa out of office.

    Below is a copy of the Document containing the series of questions begging for answers or resigning from office.

    Source: opera.com

  • It is not your business to tell us how to use our data Franklin Cudjoe to Telecoms Chamber

    Founding President of the Policy think tank, IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe has taken a swipe at the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications for advising the public on how to use their internet data during the lockdown period.

    According to him, it is not the business of the Chamber to direct consumers on how to use their data on videos and other fun activities during this lockdown period.

    He opines that the Chamber should rather have as its business how fighting regulators on what describes as  ”their offensive wasteful interventions such as the 50% hike in CST( tax).

    His comments follow a 10 point document issued by the Telecommunications Chamber urging Ghanaians to be guided by the way they use mobile data.

    The chamber, among others, called on the populace to avoid unnecessary video calls and also limit the amount of data they use within digital rush hours such as 9am and 11am as well as 7pm and 11pm.

    The document discourages the sending of bulk emails, leaving applications active when not in use, avoid sending large bulk files among others.

    ”It is not the business of the Telecoms Chamber to be telling consumers how to use their data on videos and other fun activity during this lockdown period,”

    ”It is the surest way to keep psychologically safe. They should battle the regulators on their offensive wasteful interventions such as the 50% hike in CST( tax) and we will all be fine. We love the Chamber nonetheless!” he wrote on Facebook.

    Source: ABCNewsgh.com

  • NPP has done more on the economy than it has highlighted – Franklin Cudjoe

    The Founder of policy think tank, Imani Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has indicated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has done more on the economy than it has highlighted.

    Speaking on the PM Express television programme on Joy News on Tuesday evening [February 11, 2020], Mr Cudjoe said the NPP was understating its achievements after Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia rendered an account of NPP manifesto promises delivered and delivering.

    Mr Cudjoe appeared on the television programme as part of the analysis of the 78 per cent manifesto promises fulfilled as put out by Vice President Dr Bawumia in Kumasi on Tuesday.

    Mr Cudjoe observed that there were significant commonalities between the Imanifesto work his outfit did in tracking government performance and what government did.

    According to Mr Cudjoe, the government has done more than what Dr Bawumia presented on Tuesday and encouraged the government to revisit the Imanifesto, which according to him shows more achievements.

    “If you look at the area of the economy for instance, we at IMANI believe government has done fantastically well and that ought to be highlighted “, he said.

    “I think they [NPP] have done far better in infrastructure than they think they have” Mr Cudjoe noted.

    The Townhall meetings create avenues for government officials to discuss with participants government policies by using a combination of graphs, tables and text to provide evidence to buttress claims that the Akufo-Addo administration had largely delivered on most of its promises.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh