Former President John Dramani Mahama says he is grappling with accepting the demise of Hanny Sherry Ayittey, a former Minister for Health, as well as Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The family of Sherry Ayittey, 75, announced her death through a press release issued on Saturday, July 22.
“The head of the family, Nii Kofi Ayittey of Akwetey Nantan, Osu Alata, announce with deep sorrow the death of their beloved daughter and sister, Hon. Hanny Sherry Ayittey, on July 22, 2023.”
In a Facebook post on Sunday, July 23, Mr Mahama described her demise as a “shocking loss.”
In his words, “‘Aunty’ Sherry was an active stalwart of our great party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and served as Vice Chair of the party. She was also one of the key leaders of the 31st December Women’s Movement.”
He commiserated with the bereaved family, noting that the NDC mourns its “collective loss.”
“Rest In Perfect Peace, Aunty Sherry,” he added.
Further details about Sherry Ayittey’s passing will be provided by the family at a later time.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has described as outrageous news regarding some millions of dollars and cedis stolen from the home of Water and Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.
It has emerged that two house helps of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are currently facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in a series of thefts that occurred at the minister’s home in Abelemkpe, Accra, between July and October 2022.
The accused are 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei.
Reacting to the news broken by several tabloids, the former President in a tweet on Friday, July 21, questioned the Sanitation Minister’s rationale for keeping such huge amounts of money in her home even it was acquired legally.
“$1m + €300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Minister’s home? Scandalous!! Even if genuinely acquired, why keep millions of hard currency at home?” he quizzed.
Owing to this incident, he questioned the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, hinting that the president has failed to set a good example for his public officers.
“Will @NAkufoAddo ever set a good example for public office holders in his administration?” he asked.
Millions stolen
Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis per a report from The Chronicle.
The accused are said to have also stolen personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000.
Patience has been accused of going solo in stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, belonging to Daniel Osei Kuffour.
Three other individuals have also been charged in connection with the theft being investigated.
29-year-old plumber, Benjamin, is accused of dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000, whereas Kweku Botwe, a 65-year-old trader, has been charged for dishonestly receiving GH¢50,000.
The third, Malik Dauda, 23, who is unemployed, is said to have dishonestly received GH¢1 million.
All five accused appeared before an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Judge Susana Ekuful on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
The court granted Sarah bail in the amount of GH¢1 million, and two sureties are required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar.
The bail conditions are however subject to review as Judge Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge at the time.
During her briefing, Judge Susana Ekuful disclosed that Patience, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody. However, Sarah, being a breastfeeding mother, was granted bail.
The prosecution revealed that Patience, also known as Maabena, had previously worked as a house help for the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffour and his wife, Cecilia Abena Dapaah. Similarly, Sarah had also served as a house help for the couple.
The alleged thefts came to light in June of the current year when the complainants reported the incidents to the police after discovering missing cash and personal belongings.
Patience was caught red-handed as she had used a duplicate key to open and enter the couple’s room. Mr. Kuffour apprehended her upon returning home, having noticed that the room was unlocked and hearing suspicious noises from inside.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of the stolen items and money in possession of Patience and her associates.
It is alleged that the accused used the stolen funds to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a 3-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.
The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, to allow for further investigations.
Former President John Dramani Mahama was among the many dignitaries who paid their last respects to the late Ghanaian playwright Professor Ama Ata Aidoo at the fore court of the State House on Thursday, July 13.
In his tribute to the former Education Minister, Mr Mahama described Prof Ama Ata Aidoo as a candle whose light inspired many, including himself.
He said: “I have had the privilege of being one of the millions of mirrors across the globe that reflected the light that she, as the prime source, inspired and freely gifted the world.”
Her literary works, he recalled read like a primer as they were on the lips and ingrained in the minds of every school-going boy or girl in secondary school. Among her classic works, The Dilemma of a Ghost and Changes are Mr Mahama’s favourite.
Full tribute by former President John Dramani Mahama
My tribute to the late Professor Ama Ata Aidoo ~~
“There are two ways of spreading light,” says the celebrated American writer Edith Wharton, “to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
Aunt Ama was the candle, and I have had the privilege of being one of the millions of mirrors across the globe that reflected the light that she, as the prime source, inspired and freely gifted the world.
Her literary works read like a primer: they were on the lips and ingrained in the minds of every school going boy or girl in secondary school. Among her classic works, The Dilemma of a Ghost and Changes were two of my favourites.
Anyone who had the pleasure of reading them was immediately hooked and immersed in a roller-coaster of emotions that only the best of literature can give.
The first time I had a close interaction with Aunt Ama was when I was Vice President and I was launching my own book, “My First Coup D’état.”
I had always appreciated her literary prowess, but my own book project made me appreciate Aunt Ama even more. Writing my book was an extremely tasking endeavour given that I had to combine with my office duties with this project. But Aunt Ama is not one to be easily satisfied.
When I hosted Ghanaian writers at my residence, she not only honoured my invitation but remarked, “I hope you are on your second book” to which I responded that I was too busy. She didn’t accept that but said, “you are never too busy to write a book.”
It always gave me a sense of great pride that she once served under our political tradition under the leadership of the late President Jerry John Rawlings in charge of Education.
Being the passionate, humane person that she was, she could not accept that even in those arduous days of economic recovery, we could not make education free for all, thus causing her to resign from the position.
It is on hindsight, perhaps, not surprising that, when Ghana transitioned into the 4th Republican Democracy, President Rawlings oversaw a new Constitution that made provision for education, once the resources and required structures had been put in place, to be free – beginning from the basic level, through secondary to the tertiary.
The words of Irving Berlin echoes even strongly: “the song is ended, but the melody lingers on.” Aunt Ama, your voice lingers on. I can still hear your call for me to do my second book. You will be happy to learn that I have started.
You are gone today, but I will complete the second book as you requested. Thank you for your service to our nation, to your continent and to the world.
May your journey to the afterlife be filled with peace, love, and light, and may your memory live in our hearts eternally.
One of the many individuals concerned about the activities of charlatan prophets in the country is former President and flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama.
Mr Mahama, no longer able to bear the adverse effect such individuals pose, such as defrauding and endangering the lives of Christians through hazardous directives, has called on the Christian Council rise to the occasion and address the canker.
The former president, while delivering a speech at an induction service at the Tanoso Assemblies of God Church over the weekend, entreated the Council to take pragmatic steps which would weed out the false prophets.
He advocated for a stern scrutiny of practices in the Christian community to ensure ethical conduct within the church.
Until such imposters are gotten rid off, Mr Mahama fears the Christian community would continue to see a decline in its number.
Meanwhile, the former president has entreated Christians to remain vigilant in order to fish out the false prophets from the true men of God.
Former President John Dramani Mahama was in Ilorin in the Kwara State of Nigeria on Thursday as a Special Guest of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers.
Mr Mahama addressed the Institution’s 53rd annual national conference, which started on June 19, 2023.
Speaking at the Conference on “Asset Valuation as a global anti-corruption Tool”, the statesman entreated Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers to reinforce the unique value proposition of Africa and espouse cherished and touted African values in valuation mechanisms.
“Professionals must measure their relevance beyond a mere regulatory anchor that insists people use their services.
“Do not get me wrong – regulation is critical to promote sustainable cohesion, growth, and development. However, professionals must always ask if people will voluntarily request their services if there is no regulatory requirement.
“I am encouraging your Institution to take up the challenge and embark on a massive outreach to engage Nigerians. Professionals have often assumed that being technically competent is enough to sustain their relevance,” he added.
Efforts to address corruption in Nigeria have been ongoing. The country has established anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.
Additionally, Nigeria has signed and ratified international anti-corruption conventions and implemented domestic legislation to combat corruption.
However, despite these measures, the fight against corruption in Nigeria remains challenging.
Factors such as weak institutional frameworks, lack of transparency, political interference, and inadequate enforcement have hampered progress in combating corruption effectively.
The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has promised victory for the party in the Assin North by-election slated for Tuesday, June 27.
He said the imminent victory of the party would be a testament to the government’s abysmal economic performance and urged the people to retain Mr. James Gyakye Quayson as their Member of Parliament to accelerate development.
At a rally to canvass votes for the party at Assin-Bereku, he called on the people not to fall prey to NPP’s promises and vote-buying tricks.
“Our victory in 2024 starts from here and is ordained by God. I’m of the strong belief that God will make the NDC victorious in this by-election.
“God has given the authority to you the people of Assin North to end the economic impunity and leadership paralysis exhibited by the government,” he stated.
Mr. Mahama said the NDC was unperturbed by the vile political propaganda against Mr. Quayson to reduce the NDC’s minority in parliament as he could not be jailed when Nana Appiah Mensah, popularly known as NAM 1, the Chief Executive Officer of defunct Menzgold, a gold dealership firm, was walking freely.
Later, at a similar rally in Assin-Gangan, they promised to complete all abandoned road construction and bridges linking key communities to ease commuting challenges associated with it.
“In the next NDC administration, we shall complete the Senchiame-Gangan-Basafi-Ningo road, which has been stalled for political reasons. We will also construct a bridge on the river to link the district to Twifo-Praso.
Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communication Director, said the government’s crippling performance in agriculture was yet another story of a government that had failed to honour its campaign promise to the people.
He said the NPP promised to modernize the sector to ensure that the standard of living for farmers improved greatly, adding that the situation was getting even worse.
“There are far-reaching implications for such a poor growth performance for both the economy and the citizenry”, he noted.
Mr Gyamfi observed that the agriculture sector continued to provide the greatest employment opportunities for the majority of the country’s workforce, attracting substantial part of foreign exchange earnings and must be given the attention to help alleviate poverty.
Businessman and politician, Kojo Bonsu, has revealed that he will jump at the opportunity to be John Dramani Mahama’s vice should it be offered.
The contender in the just-ended NDC presidential primaries stated that he is not perturbed about his loss in the primaries hence, will do anything and everything possible to see Mahama win the 2024 polls.
The former Mayor of Kumasi was speaking to Daniel Oduro on The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV.
In the interview, the politician said that he will be glad to work with the flagbearer of the NDC, John Mahama if he believes that he is fit to be his running mate.
“His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has the prerogative and if he believes that Kojo Bonsu can do it, why not? We are united and I’m going to give him my all to support him well.
“So, when he chooses me as his vice, bingo! And we are going to work in tandem to make everything work very well,” the politician said.
Kojo Bonsu, however, added that, if no such opportunity arises, he will move to wherever National Democratic Congress believes his expertise is needed and do his very best.
Asked if he has any position he prefers should the NDC recapture power in 2024, Kojo Bonsu said he is ready to serve in whatever capacity and thus has no preferences.
“I wouldn’t want to choose any portfolio. The party knows me, the party knows what I can do. Wherever they put me and see that I have the expertise to do it, I would love to do it,” he added.
Kojo Bonsu contested John Dramani Mahama in the just-ended NDC presidential primaries with the latter polling over 98 percent of the votes cast to emerge as the party’s flagbearer.
The politician also served as a Mayor for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly under the NDC flagbearer, John Mahama’s administration from 2013 to 2016.
For a better future for Ghana, John Mahama has implored leaders to take inspiration from the events of June 4.
In a Facebook post on Sunday June 4, 2023, the former President stated that it is regrettable that the fight for justice and accountability resulted in the loss of lives.
“Forty-four years ago today, our nation was gripped by a conflagration- triggered by a fight for justice and accountability. Regrettably, lives were lost.
“We honour the memory of all who were involved in the catastrophic events of June 4, 1979. Their sacrifices paved the way for the democracy and constitutional governance we enjoy today,” M. Mahama stated.
He continued: “June 4 birthed the principles of probity and accountability. The events of that uprising must spur those of us in positions of leadership today to work selflessly and tirelessly towards a brighter future forGhana and uphold the legacy of those who came before us.
“Let us commemorate this important day with utmost respect and gratitude.”
Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Greater Accra Region, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, has accused the regional chairman, Emmanuel Ashie Moore, of withholding funds meant for the transportation of delegates during the party’s primaries.
Theophilus Tetteh Chaie stated that Moore was solely responsible for the disbursement of the funds, and delegates have raised concerns about not receiving the promised money.
These funds were provided by former President John Dramani Mahama ahead of the parliamentary and presidential primaries.
The amount promised to delegates was GH¢40 for transport after voting.
“Well, these are monies for delegates, and there was a channel for distribution. What I’m saying is that the resources were not distributed by the regional treasurer. It was the regional chairman who did the disbursement. The resources were put into our account, and it happened that the resources were withdrawn.
“And it is the party’s regional chairman who disbursed the money, so the regional executives do not hold that responsibility. In effect, it should be the treasurer who should be held responsible. But since it is not the treasurer who distributed the money, why must we suffer for the disbursement of the money?” citinewsroom.com quoted the NDC’s Secretary in the Greater Accra Region.
Some voting centers experienced chaos during the NDC primaries due to the delegates not receiving the expected GH¢40 including Ningo Prampram constituency.
In the Sefwi Wiawso Constituency of the Western North Region, delegates threatened to boycott the primaries if they were not given the money.
Former President John Dramani Mahama is participating in the 2023 Korea-Africa Business Summit – a two day summit happening in Seoul, South Africa.
He is the keynote speaker at the summit, which coincides with the African Union Day celebration on May 25, 2023.
The summit according to the Korea-Africa Foundation provides a “valuable venue for enabling rich and in-depth discussion” around several key issues including Finance 4.0, Innovation and Youth Entrepreneurship, Trade, Industrialisation, Energy and Resources.
The Foundation will host an Africa Night to commemorate the Africa Day celebration as part of the Summit programme.
The Korea-Africa Foundation was established as an affiliate of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs to serve as a platform for collaboration between the private and public sectors, and also to strengthen exchange and cooperation with African countries.
President of the Foundation, Ambassador Woon-Ki Lyeo, says the Foundation considers President Mahama’s presence and participation “a steppingstone for ennobling the partnership between Ghana and Korea.”
FormerBuilsa North Member of Parliament Timothy Awuntirim has stated that all initiatives accomplished by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were launched by Ex-President John Mahama.
According to the former MP, all of the construction projects claimed by the NPP government began during the NDC era.
Speaking on Joy Prime’s morning show, the former MP indicated that the Akufo-Addo-led government has failed to initiate new projects considering the amount of money borrowed internationally.
He said former President Mahama was able to construct more facilities with the available resources, even though the amount borrowed was less than that of the NPP government.
Aside from the Tamale interchange, which he considers an overpass, the Akufo-Addo administration has only completed projects started by the NDC.
“The Pokuase interchange cost less than $100 million. We sourced the funding, and they came and continued. The Nungua interchange was awarded in 2012. Tell me a single project that you people started and finished. So, if we hadn’t started that, you cannot boast of a project that you started from the foundation,” he claimed.
In 2017, the government inaugurated the One District, One Factory (1D1F) project, which seeks to create massive employment opportunities, particularly for youth in rural and semi-urban communities, thereby reducing poverty.
The former MP argued that no factory has been built since the initiation of the project.
“You haven’t built because you said that you were supporting private sector development. You were supporting private sector firms to revamp them, but that doesn’t mean that you’ve built the factory.”
Timothy Awuntirim also debunked claims by the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia, that the country experienced five years of ‘Dum So’ under the NDC administration.
According to him, a party governs for four years, not five, and therefore Bawumia’s comments are false.
He blamed the NPP government for the current economic crisis, which he said was a result of ‘reckless’ spending of funds.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has once again faulted government for what he deems as an unjust banking sector clean up exercise meant to shut down a targetted number of financial institutions.
The banking crisis in Ghana led to the revocation of the licenses of more than 400 financial institutions that were licensed under Act, 2016 (Act 930) by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) between 2017 and 2020.
According to Mr Mahama, the flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress, a number of these licenses were revoked out of malice.
Speaking at the 7th Ghana CEO Summit and Expo on Monday, May 22, 2023, the former president said “Indeed for some of these banks, there was no problem – purely politics or personal vendetta.”
“One bank was shutdown solely because its principal shareholder was being investigated for corruption in a case involving a state enterprise,” Mr Mahama said but failed to identify the institution he made mention of.
The Central Bank conducted an Asset Quality Review of banks in 2015 and 2016, which identified several indigenous banks facing significant challenges.
These challenges including high levels of non-performing loans, undercapitalization, and weak corporate governance led to a the banking sector cleanup, which saw BEIGE, Sovereign, Construction, uniBank (owned by former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor), and Royal Bank merged to form a new entity known as Consolidated Bank of Ghana.
Also more than twenty financial institutions including UT Bank which was owned by Prince Kofi Amoabeng, had their licenses revoked and given to a receivership.
Among other things in his delivery today, the former president suggested that the banking sector cleanup exercise is shrouded in secrecy as government spent more than the estimated amount of GHS4 billion but failed to provide the reason for this.
“I cannot till this day understand why a GHS4 billion problem was made to cost the taxpayers GHS25 billion. These banks were asked to capitalize to GHS400 million and if there were even 10 of them, that would be GHS4 billion and yet with the closure of banks, we incurred a public debt of GHS25 billion guaranteeing depositors account,” he said.
Following the recapitalization of the banks and a new capital requirement, the number of banks in the country reduced from thirty-six to twenty-three.
While delivering his acceptance speech in Tamale a week ago, Mr Mahama registered his interest in providing the opportunity for experience banking hands – thousands of them who were laid off to secure their careers back once again and “move from the menial jobs that they were forced into with the closure of the indigenous banks.”
“As a further assurance as far as practicable, and not note, as far as practicable, licenses that were unjustly canceled by this government will be restored,” he first made the allegation.
According to Mr Mahama, one of the objectives of the next NDC government will be to promote robust local participation in the banking and financial, telecommunication, tourism, mining and agric and manufacturing sectors to grow the economy and create sustainable employment for the youths.
But in the interim as the NDC remains in opposition, he has entreated the government to “be apolitical in how it deals with businesses.”
“It must create an environment where it allows businesses no matter their political ethnic or other colorations to thrive,” the former president noted.
Dr. Kofi Amoah, a philanthropist and economist, congratulated John Mahama on his selection as the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) flagbearer ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The businessman has however posited that John Mahama’s 14 major promises which were contained in his post-election victory speech held at the University of Development Studies earlier this week lacked the fine details that Ghana needs to prosper.
He thus called on the former president to as soon as practicable outline in detailed form how he plans to achieve the promises he has made.
According to Dr Amoah, politicians get away with many promises in the lead-up to elections without giving citizens an idea of how these promises will be achieved and the timelines within which the promises will be actualized.
Commenting via his verified Twitter handle, Dr Amoah said: “CONGRATS TO PREZ MAHAMA 4 WINNING THE NDC FLAG BEARERSHIP. His 14 promises fall short of the needed n necessary deviation Ghana deserves. Promises that show HOW to accomplish them, ie financial plans, loans? Sir, we need a BUDGET proposal, balanced or not.”
In a follow-up interview to understand his viewpoint, Dr Amoah told GhanaWeb that a clear blueprint of how the many promises politicians make to Ghanaians will be funded or achieved is critical to the development of the country.
“This is what Ghana needs from her presidential hopefuls to help us cut the umbilical cord of empty promises that are not properly vetted for authenticity, practicality and doability, what the Americans call the “Ways and Means”, Dr Amoah explained.
Making references to the past to buttress his point, Dr Kofi said “ The sweet litany of promises our politicians, hitherto, have made to get elected quickly metamorphose into big loans as the source of funding these promises … a pot of funds that also fulfils the insatiable bellies of the corrupt, exaggerated project costs, high flying junkets and a spattering of 18th century looking school buildings, clinics and hospitals without the sustainable plans for well-paid medical staff and necessary equipment, badly constructed roads and boastful flyovers and bridges contracted to foreign companies….
“Ghana is broke and it’s going to take a few years to recover from the yoke of debt payments. It’s therefore critical that a truthful and transparent focus is made and presented to the electorate for their buy-in so that there will be no surprises as to how to move from the deplorable state we presently find ourselves.
I did not expect candidate Mahama to have produced his detailed proposal at his “victory” speech but since he has outlined his promises to underpin his roadmap, we expect him to also present his support Ways and Means approach as soon as practicable.
There are obviously going to be other candidates and Third Force Groups to compete for power and they must all be prepared to provide the details of their financial plans and the Ways and Means of their Rescue and Restoration programs for media and other analyses.
Ghana cannot keep travelling the same Road into the Ditch…
We must jettison our penchant for the leaders who promise freebies and progress without serious work…
By selecting these leaders we have all become enablers of our own demise.
I hope we have learned our bitter lessons and as such we will now all collectively vow to only follow the leaders who propose for us a believable, possible and practical ROAD TO SUCCESS, with its thorns and potholes visible but also with the hope and likelihood of Redemption, Renewal and Progress.
CONGRATS TO PREZ MAHAMA 4 WINNING THE NDC FLAG BEARERSHIP
His 14 promises fall short of the needed n necessary deviation Ghana deserves
Promises that show HOW to accomplish them,ie financial plans, loans?
Former president Mahama is seeking re-election to lead the country once again and has promised to do a litany of things, including appointing only 60 ministers and deputy ministers when he wins power.
He has also promised to return the banking licences of banks that were affected in the banking sector clean-up and also instigate the murder of journalist Ahmad Suale among many promises.
Political Communications Lecturer at UniMAC-GIJ, Dr. Paul Ezuah, has asked flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama to go gently with the promises he’s making ahead of 2024 general elections.
The former President in his victory speech on Monday reiterated a litany of promises he says he wants Ghanaians to hold him to if they vote him to become President in 2025.
Mr Mahama among others, promised to run the leanest but most efficient government under the fourth republic by appointing not more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers. Work to abolish the payment of Ex-gratia and cut out waste and ostentation in Government.
He also promised to give anti-corruption state institutions unfettered space to operate – The days of the Clearing agent must come to an end on January 07, 2025.
Speaking to Starr News, Dr. Paul Ezuah said even though this is to be expected in political seasons, John Mahama should hasten slowly given a recent history of unfulfilled promises.
“Looking at how he spoke about the whole thing, it is good. But let us be mindful that we are in Ghana where we have in the past had promises being made everywhere and very little is fulfilled. So for me, I will advise that he’ll hasten slowly as far as promises are concerned because we have the benefit of hindsight and we also know what has happened before even in the NDC and NPP.”
“The electorate in Ghana do not really fancy promises, they want the work to be done for them to see that the right thing is being done. So, on one hand, I will say that it’s good but he should tone down a bit on the promises because if he doesn’t fulfill it, it will be counter-productive as far as the 2024 election is concerned,” Dr. Paul Ezuah added.
The nominee for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has assured citizens that his administration will work to restore investor faith in the country’s economy.
He added that he will ensure that more foreign investors are attracted to Ghana’s manufacturing sector.
John Mahama also promised to be transparent in matters relating to Ghana’s public debt and budget deficits.
Delivering his formal acceptance speech at the University of Development Studies (UDS) on Monday, May 15 after his victory in the presidential primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), he said “Together with my team we will enhance investor confidence in our country to attract domestic and foreign investors, especially in the manufacturing industry. This we will do by being transparent and not concealing economic data such as the budget deficit public debt, and our net international reserves.”
The former president noted his government will create a tier banking system that will boost Ghana’s financial sector.
“We will restore indigenous Ghanaian investments in the finance and banking sector and we will create a tier banking system that will serve various segments of the market.
“We will give the opportunity to experience banking hands who were laid off needlessly to secure their careers once more and move away from the menial jobs that they were compelled to take.
“As far as practicable the banking licenses that were unjustly canceled by this government will be restored,” he said.
In an unforgettable moment of joy, Former President John Dramani Mahama, brimming with excitement, showcased his remarkable dance skills as he readied himself to deliver his acceptance speech at the Auditorium of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale on Monday afternoon, May 15, 2023.
The former president’s energetic dance routine, onlookers understood, was an expression of his sheer joy at being re-elected as the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
A multitude of party executives, delegates, members, and supporters, alongside friends and family, gathered at the Auditorium to witness Mahama deliver his acceptance speech.
Before taking the podium, Mahama enthralled the audience with his astonishing dance moves, clad in a white smock and brandishing a horse tail.
With the enchanting melodies of traditional music from northern Ghana guiding his steps, he swayed and twirled to the rhythm.
Amid thunderous cheers and applause, Mahama moved his body to the resounding beats emanating from traditional drums bouncing off the walls of the auditorium.
He was enveloped by a traditional dance group as he danced his heart away, eventually taking his seat where his wife, Lordina Mahama, awaited him, beaming with pride.
The spectacle didn’t end there. Following in Mahama’s footsteps, was his running mate for the 2020 general elections, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who also gracefully displayed her own captivating dance moves flanged also by the dancers.
During his acceptance speech, Mahama expressed gratitude to the NDC delegates and supporters for their unwavering confidence and trust.
He outlined his vision for Ghana’s development and made a promise to deliver a brighter future for all Ghanaians if elected as president once again.
His re-election as flagbearer for the NDC marks Mahama’s second bid for presidency since leaving office in 2017. On May 14, 2023, he emerged victorious in the NDC’s presidential primaries, securing a staggering 98.9% of the total valid votes cast, triumphing over his sole contender, former KMA boss Kojo Bonsu.
His next challenge lies ahead as he prepares to face the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the main rival party, who are yet to hold their primaries and select a formidable candidate for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Notably, Mahama boasts an impressive background as a communication expert, historian, writer, and former member of parliament and minister of communication. He is also the first vice president to assume the presidency following the sudden demise of his predecessor, John Evans Atta Mills, in 2012.
Additionally, he is the first Ghanaian head of state to be born after the country’s independence in 1957.
Former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has expressed profound gratitude to delegates of the party for voting “massively” for him in the just-ended primaries.
During his acceptance speech delivered at the University of Development Studies (UDS), in Tamale on May 15, 2023, he said his victory is an indication that delegates chose experience over experiment.
“Thank you for your votes of confidence and for your unshaken conviction that I am the most suitable person with the experience and vision to lead our party the NDC to victory in 2024.
“You have chosen experience with vision over experiment and I’m confident that in December 2024 , Ghanaians will make that choice that puts us back on the path of building the Ghana we want together,” he said.
Mr Dramani Mahama on Sunday, May 14, 2024, was declared flagbearer of the NDC after the party held its much anticipated presidential and parliamentary primaries across the country.
He contested with former Mayor of Kumasi, Mr Kojo Bonsu after two other contenders, Dr Kwabena Duffuor and Ernest Kwaku Kobeah pulled out of the race.
At the end of the elections, Mr Mahama had garnered 98.9% of the total votes while Kojo Bonsu won only 1.1% of the votes.
While thanking party members for their overwhelming support during the primaries, the leader of the party pledged to lead the NDC to “a resounding victory come December 2024,” and further entreated party members to continue to support him until victory is attained.
“To you the kingmakers of the NDC, I say thank you for electing me with a resounding 297, 306 which constitutes 98.9% of the total valid votes cast. This margin of victory is deafening and resounding and emphatic, and it is indicative of the unwavering singular intent of the NDC to win the 2024 elections.
He further preached unity among party members, entreating them to work together for the good of the party and the country in general.
“From today, right here, in the hall of the UDS, I declare that the internal competition for the flagbearership position is over. We must win the [2024] election to enable us to build the Ghana we want together.”
In order to achieve victory, he said the party needs to “flip the coin from competition to cooperation.”
“We need cooperation to build a better Ghana. I am, therefore, calling for cooperation among all elected candidates and aspirants, he said.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership has stated that it will address all outstanding issues in four constituencies in the Ashanti Region in order to pave way so internal elections.
Delegates in the Manhyia South Constituency did not take part in the NDC’s presidential and parliamentary primaries held over the weekend following some unresolved issues.
Fomena, Adansi Asokwa, Manhyia South and Mampong constituencies did not take part in the parliamentary elections, but delegates in these areas only took part in the presidential elections.
The party indicates that it will take the necessary steps to conduct internal elections in these constituencies before the end of 2023.
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi speaking to journalists during his monitoring of the elections on Saturday said the Ashanti region will be a deciding factor in the 2024 general elections.
He noted, “We have a year and a half before the general elections, and this is the first time NDC, we have conducted our primaries early. I can assure the good people of Ashanti Region especially Manhyia South that by the end of the year, we would have resolved that issue. It’s not only Manhyia South, we are having Adansi Asokwa, Fomena and Mampong. These constituencies were on hold for the parliamentary, but we will surely conduct the elections in these areas.
“The message is that we are going to take over Ashanti Region, and we are going to get maximum votes that will make former President John Mahama become the next president of Ghana in the 2024 general elections. Ashanti Region will be the deciding factor in that regard. And Insha Allah, we are going to get more seats. The signal is good that we are coming to power”.
A political scientist at the University of Winneba (UEW), Dr Isaac Brako, has said that the overwhelming victory of the former President, John Mahama, in the just-ended primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) makes it possible to recapture power in the 2024 general election.
Speaking on Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV and monitored by Ghanaweb, the political scientist said the former president’s grip on the NDC party and the victory margin in the primaries make him a force to reckon with in the 2024 general election.
“If somebody says the general election is going to be easy, that will be untrue. Both parties must work hard. Anybody who wants to underrate the chances of the former president will do so at his own risk. So all of them will have to work hard,” he said.
When asked if the return of the John Mahama could be a reality, Dr. Brako said it is possible.
“It is possible, but it will heavily rest in the message they sell out. The public is looking out for certain things. And whatever they are looking out for is embedded in the various campaign messages. What was your performance in your first administration? What are you going to say differently that will cause the public to trust you with power again,” he added.
To him, the NDC must invest in their messages to make them attractive enough to the public.
“You must be able to craft an effective message that is attractive,” he continued.
Background:
The opposition National Democratic Congress elected former President John Dramani Mahama as its flagbearer for the 2024 presidential election on May 13, 2023.
In a landslide victory, the former president polled 297,603 (98.9%) against his contender, Kojo Bonsu who polled 3,181 (1.1%) in the election.
The Electoral Commission’s returning officer made the declaration in the wee hours of May 14, 2023.
John Dramani Mahama became president of Ghana ahead of the 2012 general election after succeeding his boss, John Evans Atta Mills, following his demise.
The NDC later put John Mahama up as its presidential candidate in the 2012 presidential election, where he clinched victory over his closest contender, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party.
John Mahama lost power in 2016 to Nana Akufo-Addo and subsequently failed to recapture power in 2020 when he was elected flagbearer of the NDC.
Ahead of the 2023 presidential primaries, John Mahama enjoyed wide endorsement within the NDC and was presumed to be the party’s flagbearer in waiting.
Ahead of the election, Dr Duffuor, who is a former finance minister under the erstwhile NDC administration led by John Evans Atta Mills, had sought an interlocutory injunction against the party from going ahead with the election.
At the hearing of his application in Accra High Court, barely 24 hours before the election, Dr Duffuor’s lawyers informed the court that they had been instructed by their client to withdraw the application.
Later, at a press conference on Friday, Dr Duffuor announced his resignation from the flagbearership contest.
The elected flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has urged the party members to concentrate on guiding Ghana out of its current crisis.
Mahama said this in hi victory speech delivered minutes after he had been declared winner of the presidential primares of May 13,2023.
Below is the full statement by Mr. John Mahama
Fellow Akatamansonians, and the good people of Ghana.
A while ago, the results of the 2024presidential primaries was officially declared.
I am humbled by the overwhelming vote of confidence reposed in me by the party.
I want to thank God for bringing the NDC this victory. Traversing the country for all these days, weeks and months without any fatalities can only be by God’s special grace.
My profound gratitude goes to the delegates of our party for their warm welcome, active engagement, and participation during my tour.
In your usual astute manner, you turned up in your numbers, across the country, to vote in our party’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
I also want to thank Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Mr. Kojo Bonsu for their contest. My appreciation also goes to Mr. Ernest Kobea who pulled out to support me in this contest. Their taking part in this primary has cemented our party’s enviable record as the most democratic political tradition in the country.
Let us disagree to agree, but let us keep our collective sights firmly on the supreme objective of the NDC leading Ghana out of the current abyss the country is in.
I also ask for cooperation among all elected parliamentary candidates and their respective aspirants and supporters in the constituencies. Our party is the winner because there are no individual winners and losers in this intra-party contest.
I want to thank my campaign and operational teams for keeping their focus and delivering a clean campaign.
I thank our donors and financiers for your support; the media for propagating our message and all our religious and traditional leaders who prayed on our behalf for the peace and success we have achieved today.
On Monday, at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, I will join a teeming number of the rank and file of the NDC and Ghanaians in general, to deliver my formal acceptance speech.
See you in Tamale.
May God bless us all, and I thank you for your kind attention.
In the ongoing NDC primary, Kojo Bonsu, a candidate for the party’s flagbearer position, has conceded defeat to former President John Dramani Mahama.
Voting has long ended but counting of ballots and collation in the presidential race is yet to end. Election officials expect to conclude the entire exercise by 10pm.
In a Facebook post, the former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu said he has called John Mahama to congratulate him on his landslide victory in the presidential primaries.
While the party is yet to officially announce polling results, John Mahama’s side is predicting at least a 98% win in the election.
“I have placed a call to H.E. John Dramani Mahama to congratulate him for the landslide victory. Just as I’ve indicated throughout my campaign, regardless of the outcome of this election I’ll continue to serve the NDC party,” he said in a Facebook post.
Kojo Bonsu was John Mahama’s only contender in the NDC presidential primary following former Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Duffour’s abrupt withdrawal from the race on Friday citing electoral irregularities.
Provisional results so far point a lopsided contest, with former President John Mahama sweeping virtually every constituency votes.
Some delegates from the Sefwi Wiawso Constituency in the Western North Region have threatened to boycott the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential and parliamentary elections.
These delegates say they have been exempted from a GHS40 package meant for transportation.
The delegates said executives of the party in the constituency are scheming to deny them the said amount which is supposed to be given to them to aid their movement to their various voting centres.
According to the delegates, it’s the responsibility of the party to see to their transportation, however, they received support from former president, John Dramani Mahama which they say has been held on to by some party executives.
“The constituency executives just want to take the money and if they don’t release that money, we are not going to vote,” one delegate said.
The Western North regional secretary for the NDC, George Ofori Danquah however denied the allegations and explained that the said amount will be given to them in addition to what the party would have given them as transport fare.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will host its sixth elective delegates congress on May 13 since it was founded in 1992.
The party unanimously settled on Jerry John Rawlings as its candidate in the processes leading to the 1992 and 1996 elections.
JJ went on to handpick his then vice, John Evans Atta Mills as candidate for the party’s 2000 election in the famous Swedru Declaration. Mills lost the 2000 election.
Mills will go on to contest for three primaries, winning each by a landslide even though the third victory did not lead to an election because he died before the 2012 polls were held.
When Mills died, his Vice President at the time, John Dramani Mahama was elected by the party with months to the 2012 elections. Mahama pulled over 95% of the votes and went on to win the presidential elections.
As an incumbent in the lead up to the 2016 elections, Mahama was not contested instead the party opted for a system where all registered members of the party participated in an acclamation that returned over 93% ‘YES.’
Mahama’s biggest test in a flagbearer race was in 2019 in the run up to the 2020 elections.
He came up against five party stalwarts and one outsider in the race to be on the ballot paper. In the end, Mahama prevailed with a landslide 95% win as the others scrambled with less than 5% of total votes cast.
The former president and flagbearer hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has described President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo as a leader who doesn’t listen to advice.
According to him, he [John Mahama] has offered good advice to the president on projects and policies, but he refuses to take it.
“I always advise the current president to forge a consensus behind whatever you are doing. When he introduced the free SHS, I said, hold a stakeholder consultation so that you can implement it properly because there are challenges, and since then, they’ve refused. Today, free SHS is not working properly. When NDC was in office, our children all used to go to school at the same time. Today, when they come back after four weeks, you have to get a teacher and pay the teacher to continue to teach them so they don’t forget what they learned in school. And this has all become a challenge,” he said.
Mahama added that he told the president to hold a consensus forum to find answers to the country’s current economic challenges, but that too, hasn’t been heeded.
“Look at the current economic crises we are going through, life has become so hard, and when things were not going well, I advised this president to hold a consensus forum as we did at the Senchi Conference and bring everybody together to have them contribute their little quota so that you will have a fair idea on which way forward you have to go and also to carry the nation along with you. They have since refused to do it,” he added.
To him, the NDC is a party that governs by consensus.
“We will govern by consensus to bring all Ghanaians on board with whatever we do. At any one time, we will tell Ghanaians the truth. If Ghanaians know what the truth is, they will understand the challenges the government faces, and they are willing to cooperate. But if you continue to deceive them, things are not going well; instead of telling Ghanaians the truth, they keep blaming Mahama,” he reiterated.
The former president has been on a nationwide campaign, meeting with the party’s officials and delegates ahead of the upcoming NDC primaries slated for May 13, 2023.
South Tamale Former minority leader and MP Haruna Iddrisu has endorsed former president John Dramani Mahama’s bid to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as its flagbearer.
Haruna was joined by a number of MPs from across the Northern Region at a campaign stop for John Mahama on May 8, 2023.
Haruna stressed that it was time for Mahama to return to the presidency with the focus on saving the country and the economy as well as save jobs and inspire young Ghanaians.
“It is John Mahama’s time, his time to lead the NDC, his time to lead and save this country and save the economy of Ghana and save jobs and inspire hopes in the youth of our country.
“It is the time for John Mahama to rescue Ghana and rescue the Ghanaian economy,” Haruna Iddrisu emphasized to rapturous aplause.
The NDC enters homestretch for campaigns towards its May 13 presidential and parliamentary primaries expected to take place nationwide.
The presidential primary will pitch Mahama against former finance minister Kwabena Duffuor and former Kumasi mayor Kojo Bonsu. The former president is, however, expected to win the race by a large margin.
Delivering remarks at the Tamale South rally, Mahama reiterated that party faithful will be catered for when the NDC returns to power.
He has made that point and the issue of decentralizing their campaigns and policing of the 2024 polls a keen plank of his campaigns across the 14 regions as he prepares to cover the remaining two regions in the coming days.
“We are also going to reward you and so any branch that gets the target votes that we are going to give, all the nine-member executives, we are going to give you a very handsome reward so that we can work hard.
“If we are hiring school feeding caterers, our women organizers too know how to cook, we will come and take our women organisers and you also go and cook for the primary school children and make some money for yourselves and so you are going to get your fair share of everything the country has to offer,” John Dramani Mahama said.
Ningo Prampram MP, Samuel Nartey George, has told former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor, who is campaigning to be elected flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), that former President John Dramani Mahama is not his match in the race for the NDC presidential candidate ahead of the 2024 elections.
Sam George stated that Mr. Mahama was a Vice President and President of Ghana who accomplished a lot, in contrast to Dr. Duffuor, who served as Finance Minister under the Mills/Mahama administration.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer hopeful, Dr Kwabena Duffuor
Sam George said on Tv3 on Monday, May 8, that even if Dr Duffuor wins, he will depend largely on Mr Mahama’s successes to campaign in the 2024 general elections.
“In the very unlikely event, in the 0.0001per cent probability chance that he becomes the flagbearer of the NDC, whose records is he going to campaign on? Is it not John Mahama’s records? Mr Duffuor has no record. He was the Minister in the government when John Mahama was the Vice President, Monkeys play by sizes. he cannot compare himself with Former President Mahama.
“President Mahama has a track record as president, he has a track record as an appointee of Mr Mahama’s government because Mr Mahama and President Mills formed the government and appointed him.
“Everything he has achieved or claimed to have achieved was at the direction and behests of Prof Mills and Mr Mahama,” Sam Goerge who is also seeking reelection as lawmaker said.
John Dramani Mahama, a former President of Ghana and a presidential aspirant for the NDC
He added “When it comes to records, Mr Mahama took over the reins of government at a time when we had only one oil field and bequeathed three oil fields to this government.
“In the area of education, Mr Mahama started construction of one hundred and twenty-three blocks, of Community Day Senior High Schools, forty-five of them were completed before he left office, and the rest were at various stages of completion.
“Under President Mahama you saw universities built. If you are talking about President Mahama as vice president and as president, you have the University of Health and Allied Sciences in the Volta Region, the University of Energy and Natural Resources in the then Brong Ahafo Region then you have the university in Somanya that President Mahama found the money for.”
Former President John Mahama has accused government of sabotaging Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson.
He said the government is behind the Supreme Court’s injunction against the MP.
Mr Mahama said government manipulated the apex court in order to get the numbers to pursue its business in Parliament.
According to him, such acts and conducts are an affront to the country’s growing democracy.
The NDC flagbearer hopeful thus described it as a “gross injustice” to the people of Assin North.
“We have seen the cardinal sin of the 4th Republic which is the disenfranchisement of the people of SALL. For one whole term, they have not had a member of parliament. Let’s put that aside, the people of Assin North elected a person to represent them in Parliament.
“This government has manipulated the judiciary in such a way that they have injuncted the MP for Assin North. So even though he is the elected member, he cannot perform the duties of an MP.
“That is a gross injustice and an affront to the country’s growing democracy.
“But I want to assure the people of Ghana and James Gyakye Quayson, who is our MP for Assin North, that when NDC comes to power, we will clarify that constitutional provision that compels them to give up their foreign citizenship before they contest elections. A country’s human resource is its best resource,” he said at Tamale while addressing the NDC faithful on Sunday, May 7.
Mr Mahama has thus promised that the next NDC government will clarify the constitutional provision which bars persons with dual citizenship from holding political positions in Ghana.
“We happen to have three million of our citizens abroad, they have acquired skills and different talents. Why must we have a law that bars them when we have a dual citizenship law?
“We will clarify it, so they can come and stand for parliamentary seats and hold offices in Ghana, they don’t have to give up their other citizenships to be able to hold office,” he assured.
The Supreme Court in a majority 5-2 decision, on Wednesday, April 13, ruled that Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson, can no longer perform Parliamentary duties.
This is until the determination of the substantive case filed against him at the Supreme Court.
A Cape Coast High Court in July 2021 nullified the election of Mr Quayson after it found he owed allegiance to Canada at the time of filing his nomination forms to contest the polls.
Michael Ankomah Nimfah, a resident of the constituency who filed this election petition in January 2022, initiated another action at the Supreme Court.
He urged the Court to give effect to the Cape Coast High Court Judgement and prevent a further breach of the constitution by restraining the MP.
A plea the apex court granted despite opposition by the embattled MP’s legal team.
To commemorate Ghanaian workers today, former President John Dramani Mahama has entreated the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to approve Ghana’s request for a $3 billion credit facility in the shortest possible time.
In a Facebook post, the former president noted that it has become imperative that the IMF steps in in order to protect Ghanaian workers.
According to him, further delay may translate into Ghanaian public workers not receiving salary from the government.
“If the Fund does not act urgently, the government would struggle to meet its responsibility of paying workers.
“The situation of our teeming unemployed youth is exacerbated by the government’s inability and unwillingness to pay crucial social protection funds such as LEAP, GETFund, NHIL, and DACF,” portions of his statement read.
He noted that the current rate of unemployment is the worst ever recorded and workers cannot suffer another blow.
“This being the case, government workers – teachers, health workers, civil servants, and security personnel – continue to shoulder the additional burden of an expanding population.
“This desperate state of unemployment comes with extra demands on the time and energy of existing workers and sadly deprives their families of their presence at home.
“The truth, however, is that our nation cannot continue this disastrous path; a path where government deprives the youth of opportunities to work and refuses to secure the investments of retirees because of its reckless mismanagement of the economy leading to the collapse of businesses including Ghanaian-owned banks,” he added.
Despite the current challenges, Mr Mahama urged Ghanaian workers to remain gallant and hope for a better future.
He asserts that the better future “will protect the investments of retirees, restore and revamp collapsed businesses and banks, create genuine jobs and ensure that our statutory vehicles that offer protection to the vulnerable in society are not cruelly starved of funds.”
He indicated that hope cannot be lost as “you (workers) are the backbone of our country, and you epitomize the Black Star of hope and honour, so proudly extolled in our national anthem.”
“It is your steadfastness and dedicated service to our dear nation that has kept us afloat amid our present economic turbulence.
I salute you, Ghanaian Workers, for inspiring us to be resolute and work toward Building the Ghana we want Together,” he concluded.
The Minority in Parliament has supported former PresidentJohn Mahama and his assertions on the cocoa industry.
John Mahama claims the country’s cocoa sector is on the verge of collapse because of the mismanagement of the sector by the government.
Addressing party supporters and branch executives at the start of his two-day campaign tour of the Western North Region, Mr Mahama said the government’s failure to adjust the producer price of cocoa annually delayed payment of farmers for cocoa beans combined with other factors to destroy the sector.
Ghana Cocoa Board(COCOBOD) refuted claims by the former that the cocoa sector in Ghana has collapsed. It described such statements as misleading and detrimental to the cocoa sector, which forms the foundation of Ghana’s economy.
Reacting to this development, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Eric Opoku accused COCOBOD of peddling falsehood.
“Ghana COCOBOD must know that they cannot seek refuge in lies to cover the havoc they have wrecked on the cocoa sector, the untold hat ships unleashed on the Ghanaian cocoa farmer and the crass incompetence, mismanagement, recklessness and insensitivity demonstrated so far.”
The Minority accuses President Akufo-Addo’s government of worsening COCOBOD’s plight from the state where it met it.
“In 2017, the NDC handed over a prosperous and thriving cocoa industry with buffers in the cocoa stabilization fund, farmers’ welfare fund, depreciation fund, farmers’ housing fund, and others including GH₵29 million set aside for the rolling out of the cocoa farmers pension scheme envisaged under the P.N.D.C.L 81.
“Shockingly, the Akufo-Addo’s government has dissipated all these buffers within 6 years, leaving nothing for the industry to lean on in times of difficulties.
“Again, the Board has been incurring losses since Nana Addo assumed office. COCOBOD is yet to explain why the cocoa industry cannot be profitable under the Nana Addo/Bawumia government. Available records indicate the following; Year Losses GH₵’million 2017 395.0 2018 78.2 2019 320.6 2020 426.0″
The group went ahead to tout the NDC’s records in the cocoa sector.
“In the entire four-year period of President John Mahama, producer price of cocoa was increased by 124.1 per cent (from GH₵212 in 2013/14 to GH₵475 in 2016/17) contrasted with 68.4 per cent in the last six years under Nana Addo (from GH₵475 in 2017/18 to GH₵800 in 2022/23).
It must be noted that the highest jump in producer price in the last two decades happened under John Mahama in the 2014/15 season (from GH₵212 to GH₵345 – 62.7%).”
Former President John Mahama has blamed Ghana’s high debt on the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta’s alleged taste for loans.
According to the former statesman, the Finance Minister is unable to stay away from acquiring loans for the country due to the commissions he reportedly receives from every transaction.
“On every loan, he has a commission. That’s why he likes loans,” Mr Mahama said during a meeting at the Obogu Lorry Station as part of his campaign tour ahead of the 2024 general elections on Friday.
He also asserted since the entire Akufo-Addo-led government benefit from the deals, the president is unable to relieve the Finance Minister of his responsibilities despite calls from the opposition and some Ghanaians.
Mr Mahama observed, insisting that is the reason why the Finance Minister continues to stay in office even when NPP MPs have called for his resignation.
The presumptive Presidential Candidate of the NDC also alleged that Mr Ofori-Atta pockets commissions from the loan agreements.
“They benefit from the loans,” he said on Friday.
Per reports, over GH¢450 billion of loans contracted by the ruling party since assuming office in 2017.
Due to the continuous presence of Mr Ofori-Atta at the Finance Ministry, Mr John Mahama is of the notion that the government is running a ‘family and friends’ business with the state coffers.
Meanwhile, government is working on restructuring its debt to win a credit facility worth $3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order the economy currently in crisis.
Former president, John Dramani Mahama has advised the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu to resign after he publicly acknowledged that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) does not function anymore.
According to the health minister, he no longer uses the service and prefers to pay for his medical treatment.
According to him, treatment given to NHIS card holders at the various facilities is below par, complaining bitterly that patients who are unable to pay are being denied access to medical services.
Responding to the Minister’s admission of failure, the former president said Mr Agyemang Manu must resign.
“He himself has admitted that he has failed. He has not been able to grow the NHIS and he says it has failed… he has no business being the minister for health. He should resign”,
Mr Mahama said to wild applause at a meeting with branch and constituency executives of his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Sefwi Adobokrom, in the Bia East Constituency.
Providing some more detail, Mr Mahama said NHIS cards are being turned away from most health facilities because government is not paying their claims.
“Health facilities have not been paid since last year for services provided to cardholders. How do you expect them to continue treating them?” he quizzed.
Many have questioned the Minister’s public complaints instead of taking responsibility to make the Scheme functional.
A social media commentator, sharing her thoughts on the minister’s statement said, “he appears to be talking like an outsider who is merely observing the situation without any ability to effect change within the system”.
If the NHIS is not functioning as it was before, who should take responsibility, Mr Mahama continued, restating his position that Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu must resign.
“It is unacceptable for a Minister to act as a passive observer on the sideline. The collapse of the Scheme occurred during his tenure and under his leadership. Accepting that the system is not working should be accompanied by a resignation.”
Former President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to resuscitate the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) if elected again as president.
Mr. Mahama says the once vibrant refinery is gradually collapsing under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
Speaking to NDC delegates in Ashaiman to wrap up his campaign in the Greater Accra Region, John Mahama said he will ensure TOR returns to its former glory.
“Since we (NDC) left office, TOR has never processed crude oil again. I remember before we left office, we sent to TOR the first batch of Ghanaian crude oil from our own oil fields for TOR to process.
“That oil sat there for several years, eventually, they discounted the oil and sold it out without processing it. I can assure you, when NDC comes back, TOR will stand on its feet again,” he said.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has said the Akufo-Addo government is now on a taxation spree after promising to move the country from taxation to production.
The president recently assented to three newly passed tax bills passed by parliament on Friday, 31 March 2023.
The Excise Duty Amendment Bill 2022, the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill, 2022; the Ghana Revenue Authority Bill 2022 and the Income TaxAmendment Bill 2022 are meant to rake in GHS4 billion for the country annually.
Their passage was critical to getting the IMF board’s approval to access the Fund’s US$3 billion extended credit facility to bailout the economy.
Speaking to delegates in the Trobu constituency, as part of his tour in the Greater Accra Region, the former president said taxation has become commonplace for this government which promised to produce more and tax less.
“Prices at the various supermarkets have skyrocketed; the government has reneged on its promise of moving away from taxation to production, to the extent that even betting is taxed”, the former president observed.
“Almost everything is taxed now,” he bemoaned.
He blamed the economic crisis on the Akufo-Addo government’s voracious appetite for borrowing.
“The country wouldn’t have been in this economic mess if the government had not engaged in excessive borrowing”.
“We are now seeking for debt forgiveness from external creditors,” Mr Mahama said.
TheEvalue-Ajomoro-Gwira constituency chairman, wife, the constituency secretary, and the organizer have all been suspended for suspected indiscipline and violating party rules during former president John Mahama’s regional trip.
According to the party, a group of party supporters wearing the T-shirt of the constituency Chairman’s wife hooted at the sitting Member of Parliament during the campaign tour, causing embarrassment to former President Mahama, the dignitaries present, and the party as a whole.
The party says the Chairman’s wife, who is seeking to become the Parliamentary Candidate for the constituency, should have known better and ensured that those wearing her T-shirt conducted themselves well to avoid such incidents.
The Chairman, Secretary, and Organizer have also been held responsible for their failure to ensure compliance with party directives and protect the party from public ridicule. The party has cited Article 48 of its constitution in justifying the punitive measure against them.
“Additionally, you would recall that in the lead-up to his tour, a circular was issued from the regional Secretariat to you, cautioning that no aspirant should be allowed to use the platform so created to campaign for him or herself.”
The embattled party members have been referred to the region’s National Disciplinary Committee for further action. The decision to suspend them has caused a stir within the party, with many questioning the severity of the punishment and the impact it could have on the NDC’s electoral fortunes in the constituency.
Former president, John Dramani Mahama has made light-hearted remarks about how his first day in office would be if he is sworn in as President of Ghana.
He asserts that he will hit the ground running because he is acquainted with the presidency having been the first occupant of the current location.
“7th January 2017, I showed Akufo-Addo around the Flagstaff House, where he will sit, his vice president, cabinet office, his meeting and conference rooms, I am the one who showed him around.
“So, I was asking a question, on 7th January 2025, who will show John Mahama around the Flagstaff House?” he asked party faithful at the St. Martins Secondary School in Nsawam.
Mahama was there as party of his National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearership campaign which was in the region during the week.
“I opened Flagstaff House and I am the first president to have worked from there, it is true it was built by president Kufuor but I was the first president to stay at Flagstaff House.
“So, after my inauguration, I will drive straight to Flagstaff House and start work,” he said to cheers from the supporters.
John Mahama campaign tour | Interacts with Nsawam Delegates || WoezorTV live https://t.co/VFlCLeRXe3
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) April 12, 2023
It has emerged that former President John Dramani Mahama did not condemn the people of Ashanti Region for their loyalty to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as claimed.
Presidential staffer, Nana Hesse Ogyiri, in a Facebook post on Thursday shared an artwork with UTV’s logo which said: “Don’t be like Ashanti Region. They are emotionally attached to the NPP that they don’t even think before voting for them.
“Your party and your son has led Ghana into a ditch, be bold to vote against them. Be different. Come back to the NDC in 2024 and we wont neglect you this time,” it added.
Aide of John Mahama, Joyce Bawah-Mogtari has refuted the claims made by the presidential staffer.
She entreated the general public to disregard the news, describing it as fake.
“Wait a minute: Treat with utmost contempt,fake news headlines being churned out by a desperately unscrupulous government that has absolutely nothing to show for itself than to hide behind faceless lies and propaganda against notable political opponents!” she said.
Also, a search on the Accra-based TV station’s social media platforms revealed a similar artwork but with different details.
The April 11, 2023, artwork read: “By God’s grace we have the experience, we didn’t buy it in the store, we didn’t learn it in school, it is God who gave us the opportunity to gather that experience. Don’t worry about what some people are saying, it is God’s will, I attend church and when I pray God speaks to me and God has said this is the time for NDC, he has given us power. If God decides no one can change it.”
Former President John Mahama has expressed optimism that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will win the 2024 elections.#UTVNewspic.twitter.com/eqqryJgI8V
Former President John Mahama completed his regional tour of the Eastern Region on Thursday and is expected to start the Greater Accra Regional tour almost immediately.
Former President John Dramani Mahama says his ‘do-or-die’ comments have been twisted by his political opponents.
Mr Mahama said his comments were not intended to incite violence in the 2024 general elections.
According to him, he only meant that the 2024 polls is crucial for the NDC and the party will not joke with it.
Mr Mahama, addressing NDC faithful in the Eastern Region on April 12, said his political opponents have twisted his words to court disaffection for him.
“We are not going to joke in the upcoming 2024 general elections. That’s why I said it’s a do-or-die affair. I made these comments and some people have twisted my words saying I meant we will be butchering and killing people with cutlasses and guns.
No, that’s not the ‘do or I die’ I meant. Do or die means the election is very crucial one for NDC to win, so we will not joke with it. It doesn’t mean that we will beat people with sticks and kill them,” Mr Mahama clarified.
Already, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Police Service to arrest him for allegedly making treasonable remarks.
The National Organiser of the party Henry Nana Boakye popularly known as ‘Nana B’ said the NPP wants the CID to arrest the National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia.
According to him, Mr Asiedu Nketia has also made comments that portend great danger to the peace and stability of the country.
He said the two personalities wield influential positions in the country and as such any dangerous comments from them could jeopardize the country’s security.
Nana B thus wants the CID to work on the petition with alacrity as any further delay could cause a “great danger” to the country.
Former President John Mahama has asserted that he is the only candidate who the current government’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) fears, and that as a result, he ought to be chosen to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the impending general elections in 2024.
Mahama reaffirmed his confidence in his abilities to lead the NDC to victory in the polls while addressing NDC delegates in the Somanya Constituency on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
“I wouldn’t have contested if I was sure that my contenders for the NDC presidential slot could stand against the NPP and win the 2024 general elections, but we cannot take the risk. The only person the NPP fears amongst NDC members is me, John Dramani Mahama,” he said.
Mahama went on to accuse the NPP of being unable to sleep when they hear his name, hence their call for a new face to lead the NDC. He also dismissed calls for a change in leadership within the NDC, saying it was none of their business.
“They [NPP] are unable to sleep when they hear my name. That’s why they have been calling for a fresh person. Are you the ones to tell us what we should do? It’s none of your business, I believe God has given us the power already,” he said.
The NDC is expected to hold its presidential primaries on May 13, 2023, with Mahama and other prominent party members expected to contest for the position of flagbearer.
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed the highest optimism of beating the NDC hands down in next years Presidential elections.
The party led by whoever emerges as the winner of the presidential primary, will defeat former President John Mahama at the polls again, General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua has said.
According to him, even though the National Democratic Congress is yet to elect a flagbearer, the NPP knows former President Mahama will emerge winner of that internal race so, the NPP is poised to defeat him for the third time.
Addressing party supporters after a health walk through the principal streets of Mpraeso on Saturday, 8 April 2023, Mr Kodua said the Akufo-Addo government will fix the economy before the 2024 elections.
“Akufo-Addo has stated that the NPP has the men to turn the economy around. We are confident that by the end of the year, the economy will be in good shape. We just need your support because the alternative is worse, it is empty and hopeless”, he said.
Mr Kodua noted: “Whoever we elect as the flagbearer for the NPP will defeat John Mahama in the 2024 elections. They are yet to elect a flagbearer but we know it is Mahama who will win eventually.”
The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Stephen Ntim, has accused the John Dramani Mahama-led administration of employing more presidential staffers than necessary.
He said the Mahama government employed more presidential staffers than this government, including three wise men.
According to him, this government on the hand has listened to calls by Ghanaians to reduce its government size rather than give needless positions.
Speaking at a press conference, he said, “The NDC has been promoting the view that this government has appointed people to needless positions and is paying them for doing nothing. It must be stated for the record that many of the workers at the Presidency are public sector employees. Today, out of the 995 workers at the Presidency, 658 (66%) are public sector employees.
“The NDC government had more presidential staffers than this administration. Whiles, we have 44 presidential staffers and 1 Minister of State at the Presidency, the Mahama-NDC Administration had 61 presidential staffers, 6 Ministers of State, and the 3 “wise men,” he added.
He said Akufo-Addo is maintaining a dynamic team of ministers and appointees to deliver his mandate.
“Therefore, it is not true that the government has ignored calls to reduce its size. Instead, the government has been listening to Ghanaians, establishing a more robust control mechanism to manage expenditure while maintaining a dynamic team of ministers and appointees to deliver on its mandate,” he said.
Aspiring Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has announced an award scheme that will reward branches and constituencies of the party that work hard to increase the party’s parliamentary and presidential votes in 2024.
Mr Mahama who has been insisting during his tour of various constituencies that his 2024 campaign will be anchored by the branches, says the award scheme is intended to both set targets for the constituencies and encourage them to meet the targets.
“We are going to institute a reward system for constituencies and branches. We’ll give every constituency a target and if you meet the target and exceed it, the branch and constituency will be rewarded”, he announced to wild cheers from the executives.
Mr John Mahama is currently on a three-day tour of the 23 constituencies in the central region, campaigning ahead of the NDC’s May 13, 2023, presidential primaries.
According to him, the award scheme and branch-level campaign will be supported with the needed campaign materials and logistics.
He also cautioned constituency and regional executives against keeping campaign logistics and other resources, denying the branches where the real work of canvassing for votes take place.
Former President Mahama says, he will decentralise his 2024 campaign, much more than he did in 2020, working together with the branches and constituencies to engage, mobilise and canvass for the votes.
The former president has visited six other regions already, including the Volta, Bono East, Bono, Ahafo, Ashanti and Western regions.
Former President John Mahama will be vetted for the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s flagbearership contest today.
The vetting is expected to commence at 10 am and the party’s headquarters in Accra.
This is according to publicity material issued by the Mahama communications team.
Ahead of the exercise, the Chairman of the elections committee of the party, Kakra Essamuah has said the committee will thoroughly vet the aspirants on their qualifications for the position, ideologies and vision for the party.
“I think this has been a wonderful experience. They came to file their nominations, and you can see that it was an exciting ceremony.
“The next step is the vetting; the presidential will take place on Tuesday and the parliamentary vetting, will be the next two weeks probably the first week of April. We are working towards that,” he said.
The other aspirants are former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor, a former Kumasi Mayor, Kojo Bonsu and businessman Ernest Kwaku Kobeah have successfully filed their nominations.
The party ended the filing of nominations for all flagbearer aspirants hopefuls last week.
Dr. Zenator Agyemang-Rawlings has said that her father, the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, would have challenged all National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs to take a “lie detector” test over the approval of ministerial appointees.
Her comment comes after a section of the minority voted to confirm six appointees of President Akufo-Addo as Ministers in a secret ballot on Friday, 24 March 2023.
Some Ghanaians have expressed disappointment in the Minority for approving the ministers to join the already over bloated government.
Some high ranking NDC members like former President John Mahama, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the party’s general secretary Fiifi Kwetey, a leading member Prof Joshua Alabi among others have all condemned the action of their members who betrayed the party by voting YES in the secret ballot to approve the nominees.
Adding her voice to the many that have expressed shocked and disappointment, Dr Agyemang-Rawlings in a Facebook post said “on Friday night, I felt this deep pain that maybe it was perhaps better that he [JJ Rawlings] was not alive to witness what had happened to the NDC. But then again, I thought perhaps had he been alive he would probably have challenged all of us to go and swear on Antoa or dared us to take a lie-detector test!”
Alas! She noted the Founder is no longer with them, “but we have come too far to destroy our own legacy! We must course correct, immediately!”
“We need to return to the values and principles on which this party was built including honesty, accountability, integrity, discipline and commitment to our nation, Ghana,” the Klottey Korle MP added.
According to Dr Agyemang-Rawlings due to the tension and suspicion on the day of the secret ballot, she had to record her vote, although not appropriate, as prove that she voted against the approval of the nominees as the party had directed them to.
She said she took the decision to do so, so that she is not wrongly accused one day of being part of those MPs who betrayed the party and Ghanaians.
Read details of her full statement below:
The I in the Collective!
The NDC took a decision to vote against the President’s nominations on principle. We needed President Akufo-Addo to avert his mind to the bloated size of his government/cabinet to show the commitment of the Executive to reduce its expenditure as the government struggles with unsustainable debt.
If you disagree with a position the party and leadership have taken, have the courage of your convictions and speak up! It is cowardice and treachery to hide within the collective to pursue your individual parochial agenda!!! For the first time, I was forced to keep evidence of my votes to protect my integrity and my name!
I’m still reeling from the outcome of the secret ballot in the House on Friday. I’ve sat with the sad realisation that the unfortunate side of being part of a collective is the collective shame that comes with the actions of a few unknown faces whose actions affect everyone.
In the Chamber, when the back and forth was done, the voting began amidst threats to annul your vote if you were caught displaying your ballot paper.
My sister MP, Angela Alorwu-Tay and I, began a discussion on how to ensure that we had evidence of our votes. The last time there was a secret ballot, the women in our caucus were falsely accused en bloc of having betrayed the NDC. Some unscrupulous person even used my picture and that of a number of colleagues as part of that ludicrous headline at the time. We had no intention of allowing our integrity to be attacked again!
The idea of taking a photo of my vote was so alien to me but given the high level of suspicion and finger pointing already in the public domain, I realised it was imperative to take such a drastic measure to protect my integrity, “in the interest of probity and accountability (in the words of the late President JJ Rawlings).”
As the time drew closer for me to vote and I felt the increasing tension in the room, and I decided to put my camera on video mode.
I knew it was risky taking my phone into the booth, because there was a chance that the Speaker might chastise me openly. I told my colleagues sitting in my section what I was going to do and why. I got to the voting booth and nervously lifted my phone to record my hand ticking the ‘No’ column, feeling so annoyed that I was having to subject myself to this! When I got to my seat, I checked the video to make sure it had captured my vote, and then informed my colleagues that it had worked! I then suggested that they do same, for their own protection.
I must admit that I was still shocked by the results. I was crestfallen! But even the knowledge of my evidence of how I voted, did not bring me the relief I had hoped for. People were looking up to us, and we had let the side down.
As I’ve enquired about the possible reasons for what happened, I’ve concluded that we are looking at a situation of different interests converging in a single outcome. So, what is the solution to this wicked problem?
As a party, we have been drifting from our principles and values not-so-slowly, and I guess this is a wakeup call that this drift can no longer be ignored or brushed under the carpet. It took a handful of people and a single iceberg to sink the titanic and with it, many innocent persons drowned or froze to death.
As I type and share this, I’m cognisant of the usual abuse that some people are happy to hurl at anyone who dares, however I know that my reticence on this matter will be even more damaging!
My father continued to advise and chastise the party in the face of sometimes outright abuse from his own, but he remained true to his convictions. I still remember vividly when from his hospital bed, he asked me how the people in my constituency were doing in the lead up to the 2020 General Elections. Even when he was a few days away from his own death, he was still worried about Ghana! On Friday night, I felt this deep pain that maybe it was perhaps better that he was not alive to witness what had happened to the NDC. But then again, I thought perhaps had he been alive he would probably have challenged all of us to go and swear on Antoa or dared us to take a lie-detector test!
Alas! Our Founder is no longer with us, but we have come too far to destroy our own legacy! We must course correct, immediately! We need to return to the values and principles on which this party was built including honesty, accountability, integrity, discipline and commitment to our nation, Ghana!!
Former deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has stated that he holds nothing against former president John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, he has nothing against him but his only problem is the way he disrespected the late President of the republic Prof. John Evans Atta Mills.
Koku Anyidoho explained that John Mahama refused to listen to his advice to renovate Asomdwe Park, the gravesite of president Atta Mills, as a sign of respect to the former statesman.
He continued that it took an appeal to president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to rebuild the Asomdwe park to befit a burial ground for the late president.
Speaking in an interview with Neat FM, on March 23, 2023, Koku Anyidoho explained: “I don’t have a problem with him, my only problem with John Mahama is that …President Mills appointed you as running mate, so when he died, Ghanaians voted for him (John Mahama) to become president …which respect did you give to president Mills?
“You couldn’t build Asomdwee park and it took me to go on my knees to beg president Akufo-Addo to build the Asomdwee park before president Akufo Addo built the park and commissioned it.”
It may be recalled that Koku Anyidoho, in April 2021 alleged that John Mahama hated him because of his loyalty to the late President John Evans Atta Mills.
He was also suspended by the Functional Executive Committee of the NDC over some conduct that breached the party’s constitution.
According to former president John Mahama, 60 ministries and deputies are sufficient to manage the country.
He asserted that this will guarantee the effective use of Ghana’s limited resources for the benefit of all citizens.
According to him, this will also curb the disparities in privileges enjoyed by political officeholders and citizens.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s 2024 Presidential Candidate hopeful said this is part of amendments that he will make to the 1992 constitution.
“We plan to take up and conclude the constitution review process that started underPresident John Evans Atta Mills. The reforms will include a review of the controversial Article 71,” he said.
“I still believe that in this crisis period, Ghana can be managed with not more than 60 ministers. And to cut down on the number of officeholders and remove the disparities in privileges and emoluments.”
Mr Mahama said this at a programme organised on Wednesday, March 22, on the theme “Financing political campaigns in Ghana we want: A case for more transparent and broad-based citizen participation.”
He had earlier announced that if elected President in the 2024 general elections, he will assemble a government made up of only 60 ministers and deputy ministers.
“I shall assemble and operate the leanest but most efficient government under our fourth republic. We will reduce, significantly, the size of the government,” he explained.
“As I announced in my Ghana We Want address at UPSA late last year, I will form a government of less than sixty (60) ministers and deputy ministers of state.”
Former President John Dramani Mahama has thrown a challenge to the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum to enhance educational systems rather than shutting down schools to solve current problems.
He asserts that the Minister’s first duty is to assist students in getting better grades rather than to close down their institutions.
Mr. Mahama thus asked the Minister to resign if he does not have any solutions to the country’s educational problems.
“Help them achieve better results and provide better education for the children, but don’t you dare close schools. The Minister for Education should resign if his only solution to a problem is to close schools,” he said.
Addressing branch executives of NDC earlier on Sunday, March 19, at Adudwama in the Ahafo Ano South East Constituency, the former President said the Minister does not have any power to close down schools.
It would be recalled that the Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum challenged the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) and Principals of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to improve their educational outcomes or stand the risk of having their institutions closed down.
Dr. Adutwum explained that a school with a consistent zero to ten percent pass rate should put together intervention programmes to ensure that majority of their students will find opportunities for further studies, rather than becoming a liability to their parents and society due to their inability to pass their exam.
The Minister said that closing down such schools would help save the nation from the huge financial losses being incurred by the government on such schools.
The Bosomtwe lawmaker said in such a situation, the affected students would be redistributed to other nearby schools, so they could continue their education.
Former president John Dramani Mahama and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently had a public meeting.
The two were present during the funeral service for Black Stars footballer Christian Atsu, which was held on March 17 in Accra on the front lawn of the State House.
President Akufo-Addo, the last guest to arrive before the programme officially kicked off went across the dais to greet other guests present before taking his seat.
Mahama and his son Sharaf were among the first he greeted but it is his firm handshake with his predecessor that has gotten people on social media excited.
The particular photo as shared on Mahama’s Facebook timeline showed the two men in a tight handshake whiles looking into each others faces.
Commenters are employing jovial interpretations whiles others are making political predictions from the photo.
It had received over 120 comments at the time of filing this report.
On Saturday afternoon, John Dramani Mahama, a former president, will start a three-day campaign tour across the Ashanti Region.
This is the first phase of the former president Mahama’s campaign in the Region, according to his spokesperson, Mrs. Joyce Bawah Mogtari.
Mr Mahama will be visiting and interacting with branch and constituency executives in 20 of the 47 constituencies.
Mrs. Mogtari also disclosed that Mr. Mahama will on Tuesday join the royal families and people of the Savanna Region for the coronation of the newly enskinned Yagbonwura before returning to Accra.
When former President John Dramani Mahama arrived at the burial site of late Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu, there were raucous cheers for him.
Sharaf Mahama, a football player, and his father John Mahama were warmly welcomed by the crowd when they arrived.
Prior to taking his seat, John Mahama made introductions to the dignitaries in attendance as well as the family of Christian Atsu.
To pay their final respects to Atsu, Mahama and his son Sharaf also made their way past the coffin.
When the body of Christian Atsu was first discovered on February 16, 2023, John Mahama paid glowing tributes to him.
“We all held our breaths, and we prayed as we heard the miracles of people pulled out of the rubble. We prayed that ours would be one of those miracles, too. Alas, it was not to be. But in all, we give thanks to the almighty God for giving Atsu to us even for the short 31 years of his life.
“At this time, Lordina and I extend our deepest condolences to his family and the football fraternity in Ghana,” he shared on Facebook.
Christian Atsu passed in February after his lifeless body was recovered from the rubble of his collapsed apartment in Hatay following an earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6, 2023.
Theformer Ghanaian International in his 7 years international career played at the World Cup and help Ghana finish second in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, in which he won the best player of the tournament.
According to former president John Mahama, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo constantly assigns blame for Ghana’s economic woes to someone or something else other than himself.
The NDC flag bearer candidate claimed that the president often looks for a scapegoat rather than accepting responsibility for his “recklessness” while addressing branch and constituency executives of the party at Jema in the Kintampo South Constituency.
In his state of the nation address to parliament on Wednesday, 8 March 2023, the president, for the umpteenth time, blamed the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war for Ghana’s economic woes.
The president, once again, blamed the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war for the troubles of the Ghanaian economy.
President Akufo-Addo insisted his government was steering the nation to prosperity before the twin global crises, stressing: “We have not been reckless in borrowing and spending.”
Mr Mahama, however, said it was high time Mr Akufo-Addo acted as a true leader.
“The first principle of leadership is responsibility”, Mr Mahama said, explaining:. “You must take responsibility for every situation and work to solve it”.
He said: “If you are a leader who is always looking for somebody to blame, you will never be able to solve problems”.
“What is more reckless than what he and his finance minister have done”, the former president wondered.
He said even the World Bank warned the government about its reckless borrowing but was ignored.
“Even the World Bank told them that you are risking going into debt distress because of too much debt, and they refused to listen. Today, exactly what they were warned against is what has happened. And you will not take responsibility?” he asked.
