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Tag: Johnson Asiedu Nketia

  • Don’t rush into contesting Tamale Central seat – NDC Chairman urges members 

    Don’t rush into contesting Tamale Central seat – NDC Chairman urges members 

    Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has urged members of the National Democratic Congress to exercise restraint from discussing and announcing their intentions to contest the Tamale Central seat, which has become vacant following the demise of its Member of Parliament (MP), Alhaji Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.


    He shared the words of caution while lauding the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision not to contest in the Tamale Central by-election.


    “I beg our party members not to rush into contesting the Tamale Central constituency. Let’s stay calm and not disrupt the funeral rites of our fallen heroes. The party will meet after the funeral and set timelines to get a replacement for the late Murtala Mohammed,” he said.


    Speaking at the final funeral rites of the late Dr. Murtala Mohammed at his family house in Tamale on Tuesday, August 12, Asiedu Nketia described the NPP’s move as one that demonstrates political maturity.

    “We thank our brothers in the NPP for declaring that they won’t contest us in Tamale Central,” he said.


    Constituents in the coming weeks will have the opportunity to elect an individual to represent the area in Parliament, following the passing of the Member of Parliament, Alhaji Hon. Dr. Murtala Mohammed, in the August 6 helicopter crash.


    On Monday, August 11, the New Patriotic Party declared its intention not to participate in a by-election in the area. According to a statement signed by NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the decision was taken by the Party at a National Steering Committee meeting held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Party Headquarters pursuant to Article 10(10)(1) of the Party Constitution.


    According to the statement, this will be the party’s better way of honoring Dr. Murtala Mohammed and the other crash victims.
    “In arriving at the decision, the Party considered many factors, including the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat has become vacant and the possibility of a further polarization of the country at this critical time.


    The NPP is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to a competitive processes in search of a replacement for the departed MP. The Party believes that the tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections in the country should be avoided.


    It is the considered view of the Party that the greatest tribute that the NPP and the rest of the nation can pay in honour of the departed, is not only to win the fight against Galamsey but also to ensure a smooth and peaceful replacement for the good people of Tamale Central.


    Consequently, the NPP hereby announces that when the Electoral Commission of Ghana opens nominations for the Tamale Central by-election in line with Article 112 (5) of Ghana’s Constitution, the Party will, in accord with the national interest, not take part in the contest,” a part of the statement read.


    Background


    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier reported that its air force helicopter Z9, which took off on August 6 morning at 0912 hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi, was off the radar. Hours later, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, confirmed the unfortunate demise of the 8 individuals comprising three crew and five passengers.


    The deceased are Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.
    Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna—two out of the eight who perished in the August 6 helicopter crash—have been buried in accordance with Islamic Tradition, Custom and Practices.They were buried following the arrival of the DNA results on Saturday, August 9.


    On Sunday, August 10, Muslim Jannaza prayers were offered at the forecourt of State House. Following that, the deceased were buried at the Military Cemetery, Accra. The Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, led the prayers.


    President John Dramani Mahama and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin attended the prayers, which were also attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, and institutional heads, among many other Ghanaians.


    At the burial site, President Mahama used the opportunity to thank all who were present and showed their sympathy to the family and the country as a whole. He also expressed gratitude to the family for their patience in ensuring the DNA tests are carried out to aid the identification of the two deceased.


    “Today is not a day for talking; I want to thank you for your sympathy. I want to thank the two families for their patience. I want to thank the family for accepting my decision for the two brothers to be buried here. The families are free to visit anytime they want to do so,” he added.


    Meanwhile, Minister for Health Minister Akandoh and the Inspector General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, on Sunday, August 10, received the DNA results for the remaining six deceased in the August 6 helicopter crash.


    They received the results at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). Engaging the media, the Health Minister noted that the results have been received earlier due to the expedited efforts put in by the government.


    On Friday, 15th August, an inter-denominational state funeral will be held for the remaining six individuals who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident.

  • NDC will investigate all political violence since 2016 – Asiedu Nketia

    NDC will investigate all political violence since 2016 – Asiedu Nketia

    National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has promised to tackle political violence that has troubled the nation since 2016.

    During a press briefing, he pledged that an NDC government would investigate such incidents thoroughly and ensure those responsible face justice.

    “All this violence, right from 2016 to date, will be properly investigated, and our electoral system and democracy will be cleaned of these violent things,” he stated emphatically.

    Mr. Asiedu Nketia specifically called out Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, urging him to focus on addressing alleged violent actions linked to his party’s parliamentary candidates and members.


    “He [Afenyo Markin] should go back to his region and take stock of his parliamentary candidates who have been shooting and killing people, his party people, who have been shooting and maiming people across the country,” Mr. Nketia said.


    He firmly cautioned anyone planning to misuse their power in the final weeks before the elections, assuring that an NDC government would hold them accountable.

    “Anybody who is thinking about abusing these three weeks, abusing his power during these three weeks to create any problem, must know that there will be consequences for him after they take over,” he cautioned.

  • Court gives Asiedu Nketia 24-hour ultimatum to provide excuse duty in defamation case

    Court gives Asiedu Nketia 24-hour ultimatum to provide excuse duty in defamation case

    The High Court in Accra has given lawyers representing Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), 24 hours to submit a medical excuse justifying his absence in a GH¢ 20 million defamation case filed by former Auditor-General, Professor Dua Agyeman.

    Asiedu Nketia allegedly made comments implying that Prof. Dua Agyeman fabricated audit reports, leading to his dismissal by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG).

    Asiedu Nketia, who has not appeared in court since the case began in October 2018, was supposed to commence his defense on July 1 but failed to appear, citing illness.

    His legal team requested a brief adjournment today (July 3) due to traffic delays preventing timely submission of the medical excuse.

    Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay expressed dissatisfaction with the excuse, remarking that despite adverse weather conditions, the court was still in session.

    She ordered Asiedu Nketia’s lawyers to submit the medical excuse by tomorrow morning (July 4).

    The case has been adjourned to July 5, 2024.

    Prof. Dua Agyeman seeks various declarations that the statements made by Asiedu Nketia were slanderous and defamatory, requesting an injunction against further defamatory remarks, retractions, apologies, and compensation totaling GH¢20 million for reputational damage.

  • Mahama deserves credit for digitalization, not Bawumia

    Mahama deserves credit for digitalization, not Bawumia

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, disputes giving credit to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the introduction of digitalization in Ghana.

    According to Nketia, the roots of digitalization trace back to former President John Mahama, emphasizing Mahama’s role as the Minister for Communication when the clamor for digitalization began.

    In an interview on JoyNews’ Personality Profile on December 15, Nketia asserted that the initiative to separate the ministry for post and telecommunication, creating opportunities for expansion in the telecommunication and ICT sector, happened under Mahama’s leadership. He referred to Mahama as the “grandfather of this whole digitalization,” highlighting Mahama’s investments in laying ICT infrastructure.

    “These two portfolios were separated because there was an opportunity for expansion in the telecommunication and the ICT sector. So John Dramani Mahama was actually the grandfather of this whole digitalisation – go and check the records and his investments in laying the infrastructure for ICT in this country,” he said.

    Nketia emphasized the continuity of governance traditions, acknowledging the utilization of infrastructures by succeeding governments.

    However, he criticized Bawumia’s claim to ownership of digitalization in Ghana, asserting that Mahama, as the infrastructure creator, deserves credit.

    Nketia clarified that true digitalization occurs when one person establishes the infrastructure, and another person utilizes it for a specific purpose. He argued that if Mahama, the infrastructure creator, is not in a position to utilize it, Bawumia should not claim ownership when building upon it.

    Nketia questioned Bawumia’s expertise in ICT and digitalization, asserting that Bawumia was brought into the economic fold not for his expertise in these areas but for his role in managing the economy.

    Mr Nketia alleged that Bawumia’s economic role under President Kufuor was responsible for the economic successes of that time.

    However, Mr Nketia claimed that since Bawumia’s assumption of the role, the economy has deteriorated.

    He criticized Bawumia’s handling of the E-levy, stating that Bawumia is now distancing himself from the policy, which was initially presented as a solution for generating funds to pay contractors and arrears.

  • If the EC fails to conduct the election, we will do it ourselves – Asiedu Nketia

    If the EC fails to conduct the election, we will do it ourselves – Asiedu Nketia

    Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has assured the party’s supporters that the scheduled presidential and parliamentary primaries will proceed as intended on Saturday, May 13, 2023

    He said the party has already taken steps to resolve a court suit brought against it by one of its three presidential aspirants, Dr Kwabena Duffour, which sought to prevent the party from the said elections. 

    Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Friday, May 12, 2023, the NDC’s chief scribe said, with the court case dealt with, all was set for the party to hold their internal elections.

    He also commended Dr Duffour and his team for taking steps to withdraw the court case they initiated against the party.

    Mr Asideu Nketia, however, urged party members to use the party’s internal structures to resolve any issues they may have with the party before resorting to the court.

    He said the party has elaborate structures to deal with all issues regarding internal elections and that it was right for party members to exhaust such structures before going to the court.

    He further indicated that although the party had entered into an agreement with the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct its internal elections for them, they party also reserves the right to use its own mechanisms to conduct the said elections if the EC fails to do so.

    He said the party today [Friday, May 12, 2023] held a Zoom meeting with its executives and have come into conclusion that the internal elections remains an internal affairs of the party and no other external party.

    He said the party engaged the EC to conduct the election since the EC was a neutral party, however, the party will not allow itself to be taken hostage by EC.

    Mr Asiedu Nketia also admonished aggrieved party members who resort to court not to add the EC as a party to their suit since the party has granted the EC an indemnity concerning their internal elections.

  • ‘Ostracised’ Anyidoho says he will vote in upcoming NDC primaries

    ‘Ostracised’ Anyidoho says he will vote in upcoming NDC primaries

    Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has stated that the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, cannot prevent him from casting his vote in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries.

    According to the founder of Atta Mills Institute: “6th of May technically we were supposed to be voting a week from today to elect flagbearer and our parliamentarians. I will vote in my capacity as a former national officer and a former appointee. I have a new voter’s ID card and let Asiedu Nketia come and remove my vote from the ballot box.”

    He said this when he spoke to journalists at the sidelines of the 10th Eastern Presbytery Synod 2023 at Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana Amenuveve Congregation held in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital.

    The NDC former deputy General Secretary said the party Chairman has failed to produce any evidence that he has been sacked and that he is still a bonafide member of the party, hence he will take part in the upcoming primaries scheduled to take place on May 13, 2023.

    He explained that “Secondary on that score I am supporting Dr Kwabena Duffuor in the Presidential primaries. I am not supporting John Mahama and that is one of the reasons why they said they have sacked me from the party because I have said I won’t support John Mahama, I am not a slave to John Mahama and I refuse to be a slave to him.”

    Mr Anyidoho emphasised that Dr Duffuor’s competency in managing the economy far outweighs that of former President John Dramani Mahama.

    “Dr Duffuor was the Finance Minister under John Evans Atta Mills so he worked with President Mills. I worked with him and I know what Dr Duffuor stands for in terms of building the economy that President Mills built.

    He said: “32, 34 months single digit inflation, the introduction of the single spine, clearing of the arrears, Infrastructure expansion, three public Universities in three and half years, health facilities all over, I believe that Dr. Duffuor has the potential by training, by competence, by experience both in public and private life.”

    The Founder of Atta Mills Institute further urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to take a keen interest in the letter which was written by Dr Duffuor’s campaign team concerning a fraudulent register for the upcoming primaries.

    According to him, if the concerns raised by the Dr Duffuor campaign team are not immediately addressed before Saturday, May 13, it will have dire consequences and discredit the EC Chairperson as a bad person or a fraudster.

    He said though it is the NDC Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who is perpetrating the ‘fraudulent’ register, he will turn around to blame the EC when the issue comes up and it is exposed.

    Mr Anyidoho threatened that if the concerns raised are not ironed out before next week, he will proceed to the court and put an injunction on the election.

  • Asiedu Nketia advises EC on proposed CI

    Asiedu Nketia advises EC on proposed CI

    The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia says the use of the Ghana Card as sole proof of eligibility for prospective voters in the next general election has its own challenges.

    He says the EC’s decision to exclude other forms of identification in the voter registration exercise will not resolve the challenges confronting the election management body in terms of protecting the integrity of the electoral roll.

    Speaking in an Interview with Joy News’ Blessed Sogah on The Pulse, Mr. Asiedu Nketia said, “people who are holding Ghana Card also has its own challenges even if every Ghanaian has it. Do you know mad people have the right to get the citizen’s card? Do you know that undischarged bankrupts have the right to own a Ghana card?

    “So you want to issue the card to a mad person and when he presents it at the registration center you can’t stop him, but a person who is active and alert and who doesn’t have the card cannot participate in the elections?

    “So look, one source of identification document is good, but don’t let us misuse it. Let us go gradually and make sure that we have come to a point where there is no backlog,” he said.

    The NDC Chairman was reacting to the justification offered by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa when she addressed Parliament over the proposed Constitutional Instrument (CI) on electoral reforms ahead of the 2024 general election.

    She indicated that the use of the Ghana Card is to protect the integrity of the voters register.

    She added that it will also prevent unqualified persons from influencing elections in the country, thus “having a say on who should govern our country.”

    Meanwhile the opposition NDC says it will not back down in its “operation save our democracy” as Mr. Nketia says Members of Parliament on the NDC ticket have been directed to kick against the CI.

  • Son of Asiedu Nketia joins Tano South NDC Parliamentary race

    Son of Asiedu Nketia joins Tano South NDC Parliamentary race

    A son of NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Charles Asiedu, has declared his intention to contest in the party’s Tano South parliamentary primaries.

    The former NDC Organizer for the Ahafo Region said his contributions to the party’s electoral fortunes in the region and the constituency make him the best candidate for the position.

    Although the other 4 persons are lacing their boots to join the race, Asiedu believes his constant touch with the people in the area will get him the position.

    If successful, Charles will replace Dr Hanna Bisiw who has been the parliamentary candidate for the area since 2012.

    In an interview with Myxyzonline.com, the youth activist said “I am always here with the people and they know me to be a vibrant party person who has served them in different capacities.”

    His aim is to maximise the NDC’s fortunes in Tano South and serve as an agent of development that will transform lives in the area.

    Charles Asiedu has been a two-term branch organizer who rose through the ranks to become a Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Organizer of the NDC.

    He is the immediate past Ahafo Regional organizer for the party.

    Asiedu was the National Campaign Coordinator for Dr Hanna Bisiw’s campaign for the position of National Women’s Organizer in 2018 and 2022 when she was re-elected.

    Asiedu holds a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership and Governance from the University of Ghana Business school.

    He also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies (PR) from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).

    He has a certificate in Political Leadership and Party Organisation from the Ghana Institute of Social Democracy (GISD).

    Charles Asiedu’s areas of expertise are communication, political marketing and branding, research, governance, strategic planning and human resource development.

  • NDC is not fragmented at all; we are a very united party – Asiedu Nketia

    NDC is not fragmented at all; we are a very united party – Asiedu Nketia

    Contrary to claims that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is divided following the reshuffle of its Leadership in Parliament, National Chairman for the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, says the party is united.

    According to him, the reactions being seen as a result of the reshuffle are normal and should be expected after any change, citinewsroom.com reports.

    He added that the majority of NDC faithful have accepted the change in the party’s parliamentary leadership.

    “The NDC is not fragmented at all; it’s still a very united party. The truth about every decision is that every change comes along with new gainers, so you will definitely have some reactions.

    “But the change has been welcomed by the majority of NDC members across the country, I guess even here [UK]. The reshuffle has brought some new excitement on the front of NDC,” Asiedu Nketiah is quoted to have said while addressing NDC supporters in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

    The national chairman also explained that the party’s change in parliamentary leadership was long overdue.

    “This leadership ought to have been reshuffled around March 2021. I explained to Ghanaians that, because of our court case, we didn’t feel like proceeding with that work. And I indicated clearly that it was a work in progress and that somewhere along the line, we will come out to indicate to Ghanaians who our next leadership will be.

    “And so I’m surprised that people were surprised about the move. In fact, we were running late for the changes,” he added

    The change in the leadership of the minority caucus of Parliament has led to some confusion in the NDC, with some members of the party, including some Members of Parliament, saying that the party’s parliamentarians should have been consulted before the move.

    The NDC leadership has appointed the former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, as the minority leader in the 8th Parliament of Ghana’s Fourth Republic. He replaced the MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu.

    According to the NDC, Kofi Armah Buah, MP for Ellembele, will take over as the Deputy Minority Leader.

    While Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Adaklu, will replace Asawase MP Muntaka Mohammed as the Chief Whip.

    Ahmed Ibrahim, MP for Banda, has been maintained as the First Deputy Minority Whip, while Comfort Doyo Cudjoe-Ghansah, MP for Ada, is the Second Deputy Minority Whip.

    Some MPs of the party have petitioned its National Executive Committee (NEC) to suspend the appointment of the new leadership of the party in Parliament.

    The NDC MPs, including Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka (MP for Asawase), Dominic Ayine (MP for Bolgatanga East), and Cletus Avoka (MP for Zebilla), who are calling for the suspension, argue that the appointment was not made by any of the party’s decision-making structures but was imposed by just a few people.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Asiedu Nketia hints at ‘powerful’ Haruna Iddrisu going unopposed

    Asiedu Nketia hints at ‘powerful’ Haruna Iddrisu going unopposed

    National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia very certainly supports Haruna Iddrisu, the former minority leader, to win the Tamale South party nomination.

    Asiedu Nketiah said the four-time Member of Parliament (MP) had become so powerful in his constituency that it would even be surprising if he is contested at all when the primaries are held later this year.

    “The outgone Minority Leader, Honourable Haruna Iddrisu, he is so powerful in his constituency, he is almost always not contested at all. I have my doubts whether anybody will contest him,” Asiedu Nketiah told party faithful during a meeting in London last week.

    The one-time General Secretary was addressing concerns that the January 23 changes to the party’s leadership in Parliament was going to affect some of the replaced leaders at the upcoming primaries.

    “They will not be impacted by the changes, one of the ousted persons, Dr. Avedzi (former deputy Minority Leader) is not going to Parliament again,” he explained.

    On the case of Mohammed Muntaka-Mubarak, Asiedu Nketiah said despite recent challenge he was facing, “we didn’t think that this change will affect his fortune one way or the other and so we felt this is the best time to undertake these changes.”

    He stressed that the advantages of expedition outweighed the concerns that were being raised about the timing.

    NDC rings changes in parliamentary leadership

    The NDC, through its General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, wrote to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to announce the replacement of three members: the Minority Leader, the deputy Minority Leader, and the Minority Chief Whip.

    The NDC picked Ato Forson to replace Haruna Iddrisu as leader of the Minority Caucus.

    Other changes included Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembele, who is the new deputy Minority Chief Whip.

    While Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Adaklu, will replace Asawase MP Muntaka Mohammed as the Chief Whip.

    Ahmed Ibrahim, MP for Banda, has been maintained as the First deputy Minority Chief Whip, while Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, MP for Ada, is also retained as second deputy Minority Chief Whip.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Asiedu Nketiah draws Bagbin into reasons for Minority reshuffle

    Asiedu Nketiah draws Bagbin into reasons for Minority reshuffle

    National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has given another reason for which the party reshuffled its leadership in Parliament.

    Having earlier defended the decision to ring the changes amid the backlash from some Members of Parliament, the former party General Secretary revealed at a party gathering in London that a key reason was lack of cooperation between the outgone leadership and Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament.

    He explained that there was no need to fight to elect a Speaker from the party yet turn round and be giving the Speaker problems at a time even the Majority Caucus maintained a cordial relationship with him.

    What Asiedu Nketiah said:

    “My priorities in Parliament, is to see our parliamentary caucus working together and also cooperating with the Speaker of Parliament.

    “Why did we struggle to get an NDC person elected as the Speaker of Parliament? There are certainly some advantages and those advantages can be tapped into when your leadership is cooperating with the Speaker,” the National Chairman stated.

    He continued: “So we cannot have a situation where the NPP leadership is cooperating with the Speaker while our leadership the NDC have challenges in cooperating with the Speaker.

    “If you are given a party whose leadership in Parliament is not working together what will you do? You make the changes or you resign and I am not ready to resign.”

    Asiedu Nketiah was addressing the NDC UK/Ireland Chapter during a visit to London where he accompanied former president John Dramani Mahama for a public lecture engagement at Chatham House.

    General Mosquito as he is referred to, also stated that the party held consultations contrary to the view out there, but that it was the national executives who eventually took the decision because they are clothed with the capacity so to do.

    Bagbin appoints Asiedu Nketiah to PSB

    Asiedu Nketiah is a member of the Parliamentary Service Board (PSB), a position that he assumed when Bagbin became speaker.

    Speaker Bagbin has routinely gotten into heated exchanges especially with Member of Parliament for Asawase Mohammed Mubarak-Muntaka, who incidentally was very influential in the processes that led to the election of Bagbin into office on the morning of January 7, 2021.

    Bagbin had cause to ‘threaten’ Muntaka in November 2022 when they clashed over the procedure Bagbin wanted to adopt in a Censorship Motion brought by the Minority against Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.

    Muntaka during proceedings on November 11 vehemently disagreed with Bagbin’s decision to refer the censorship motion to a committee, interrupting him a number of times much to Bagbin’s chagrin

    “Mr. Speaker, I come to second the motion with the clear indication that any attempt to move this matter to a committee will be a travesty of justice done to the chamber of this House.

    Then the Speaker retorted again: “Hon. Members, I direct that all that the Minority Chief Whip has said after I have told him to withdraw and apologize, be expunged from the records. I so direct. Hansard expunge everything from the record.

    “Minority Chief Whip, you’ll have a difficulty in catching my eye again,” reference to getting to speak again during the session.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • God will punish you; bad man – NDC Chairman attacks Asiedu Nketia

    God will punish you; bad man – NDC Chairman attacks Asiedu Nketia

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) constituency chairman for Tamale South, Alhaji Abdul Rauf, has descended on the National Chairman of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, following the changes made to the Minority leadership in parliament.

    To him, the party failed to consult members and national executives before reshuffling; a situation he says does not augur well for the party.

    He is, therefore, asking the party to rescind its decision or face their wrath.

    Although the decision is coming from the national executive body of the party, Alhaji Rauf has blamed Mr Nketia for the development.

    According to him, he supported Mr Nketia’s bid to become chairman and so wondered why he has been unfair to Northerners.

    “We were warned that Asiedu Nketia will destroy the party if he becomes the national chairman, and the changes he has made clearly show. I know that Asiedu Nketia dislikes Northerners and this development proves that indeed he dislikes us,” he noted.

    Alhaji Rauf was speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso NsemWednesday following the party’s decision to change its leadership in Parliament.

    Meanwhile, Mr Nketia said the election 2024 will be fought on the economy and thus the party had the obligation to put its best foot forward.

    He said the party’s campaign message ahead of the polls will be heavy on the economy, hence the decision to reshuffle its leadership in Parliament.

    But chairman Rauf has said that he and his constituents will not accept the decision of the national executive to replace Mr Iddrisu.

  • You must put your best foot forward to win the debate – Asiedu Nketiah on Minority reshuffle

    You must put your best foot forward to win the debate – Asiedu Nketiah on Minority reshuffle

    The Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has indicated that reshuffling its leadership in Parliament aligns with the party’s agenda ahead of the 2024 elections.

    According to him, the 2024 elections will basically be around the economy therefore there is a need for the party to put finance and economic experts around the people to ensure they are able to the community to Ghanaians to do things better.

    He added that the party made the right decision with regard to the new leadership, as the party must put its best foot forward to win the elections.

    “The 2024 election is going to be fought around the economy, so the debate is basically going to be about the economy. So, if you are a serious party fighting to win an election, you must put your best foot forward to win the debate.”

    “You can’t just tell people that the economy is in shambles when you have not been able to put your experts there to be able to communicate to Ghanaians how you will do things better. So, this is the point where we need our finance and economic people around, and that is why we put them there,” Citinewsroom quoted Asiedu Nketiah.

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced changes in its leadership in Parliament.

    According to the party, the decision is in the ultimate interest of the party.

    In line with prioritising the economy, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who is a former deputy minister for finance, has taken over from Haruna Iddrisu as the new minority leader. Ellembelle MP, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, will replace James Klutse Avedzi as Deputy Minority Leader.

    Kwame Agbodza becomes the Chief Whip for the opposition side and will be deputised by Banda MP Ahmed Ibrahim and Ada legislator Comfort Doyo Ghansah, respectively.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Backbenchers anger, 2024 elections: The confirmed and reported reasons behind NDC’s parliamentary ‘coup’

    Backbenchers anger, 2024 elections: The confirmed and reported reasons behind NDC’s parliamentary ‘coup’

    Haruna Iddrisu’s spell as leader of the National Democratic caucus in Parliament came to an end on Tuesday, January 24, 2022 when the Asiedu Nketiah-led national executives announced that it had rang changes in the leadership of the minority caucus.

    From January 2017, Haruna Iddrisu has served as the face of the NDC in Parliament but a palace coup as it could be described has seen him and two others being replaced in the minority leadership.

    Even within the NDC, the decision which was signed by General Secretary Fifi Kwetey has shocked many as they had no idea what the executives were planning.

    As confirmed by Murtala Muhammed, the members of the Minority caucus had no prior discussion with the party’s leadership about the decision to oust Haruna Iddrisu, Muntaka Mubarak and James Klutse Avedzi and replace them with Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Kwame Agbodza and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah respectively.

    The decision has spurred heated discussions and GhanaWeb highlights the confirmed and reported reasons behind the move by Asiedu Nketiah and his cohorts.

    Party Restructuring

    According to the National Chairman of the party Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the move is part of a process of restructuring that has been going on for the past year.

    “We started more than a year ago, we started at the branch level. We have since done elections in about 40,000 branches and then from there we proceeded to the constituency level. We are done largely with all the constituencies, we have done regional elections and we just completed our national election and the next is to look at our leadership in Parliament. That is what we have just done,” he said.

    Election 2024

    Asiedu Nketiah also explained that the alterations are necessary to keep the party in the driving seat for the 2024 elections.

    “We know for instance that going into election 2024, the economy is going to be the major battle ground and so many of the debates will focus on the economy. So you better put your best man in economy forward that is what we have done.

    “We also looked at energy. You know the petroleum and electricity challenges, so we needed to settle on Kofi Armah Buah, our former minister to be the Deputy Minority Leader.

    “The other area is infrastructure, Kwame Agbodza being our man in infrastructure should play a key role that generally is what informed the changes,” he added.

    Regional Balance

    Asiedu Nketiah also said that the party wanted to ensure that there is regional representations in its leadership in Parliament .

    He stressed that, “the Change has nothing to do with the performance of the leaders at all. What it has a lot to do about is that the environment is changing, so if you are a football coach and the team you are facing and the game style they are adopting is not in keeping with the players you have put out there, you will do yourself a lot of good.”

    Reported Reasons

    Whereas Asiedu Nketiah has made mention of the above reasons, GhanaWeb has also discovered some factors that might have influenced the decision to oust Haruna Iddrisu and his cohorts from the leadership.

    Party elements, backbenchers unhappy with Haruna and Muntaka in hung parliament

    Within the minority caucus and the party, there is a feeling that the impact of the hung parliament is not being felt and that is largely due to the decisions and indecision of Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mubarak.

    GhanaWeb sources indicate that Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mohammed were the main targets of this move and that the others were just collateral damages.

    An NDC source told GhanaWeb that majority of the backbenchers in Parliament have not been satisfied with the how the ousted leadership have handled issues in Parliament.

    There is a feeling within the backbenchers that Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mubarak have in certain situations like the vetting and passing of the ministers particularly Ken Ofori-Atta as Finance Minister, appeared to have adopted a stance contrary to the viewpoints of the backbenchers and the leadership of the party have been made aware of the growing disaffection.

    Muntaka’s position had become untenable

    According to reports, from the moment Muntaka sparred with Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament and followed up with that explosive interview on Joy News, his position became untenable.

    Reports say that the party’s hierarchy was furious with the conduct of Muntaka Mubarak and coupled with his struggles back in his Asawase constituency, the party thought it wise to relieve him of his role to make him focus on his dealing with those issues.

    Asiedu Nketiah settling scores with Haruna Iddrisu

    This narrative is being pushed largely by Paul Adom-Otchere and Titus Glover. According to them, Asiedu Nketiah is using his office to victimize Haruna Iddrisu who did not back in the national chairmanship elections.

    It will be recalled that Haruna Iddrisu issued a rejoinder to a statement by Ahmed Ibrahim, the Deputy Minority Chief Whip that the caucus had settled on Asiedu Nketiah as their choice for the chairmanship position.

    There is also a feeling within the NDC that Haruna Iddrisu was becoming too powerful and had to clipped before he became a threat to the interest of the those in decision-making positions.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Mahama, Asiedu Nketiah orchestrated shakeup in Minority caucus – Ben Ephson

    Mahama, Asiedu Nketiah orchestrated shakeup in Minority caucus – Ben Ephson

    The Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch Newspaper, Ben Ephson says former President John Mahama and the NDC’s National Chairman, Aseidu Nketiah orchestrated shakeup in the leadership of Minority caucus in Parliament.

    This comes on the back of the opposition NDC making changes to its leadership in Parliament with the appointment of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as the new Minority Leader.

    The former Ranking Member of the Finance Committee of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Essiam replaces Hon. Haruna Iddrisu.

    Dr. Ato Forson is to be assisted by MP for Ellembele, Kofi Armah Buah who has been appointed as the Deputy Minority Leader.

    Speaking in an interview on Starr News with Naa Dedei Tettey on Tuesday January 24, 2023 the pollster indicated that the reasons provided by the party do not justify their actions.

    “I think that it is the working of former President John Mahama and Aseidu Nketia and I am going to wonder how the minority caucus is going to be. I suspect politically Mr. Aseidu Nketia and John Mahama’s handiwork. Are they saying that before 2020 these economic issues were not there?

    “No, I don’t think so, you see when you give this reason. You are creating the impression that before 2020 and even before these changes Haruna and the leadership have not acquainted themselves well enough in dealing with these issues? Or is it an issue of trying to have total control over minority or minority issues in parliament?” Mr. Ephson quizzed.

    He continued: “When you say there are going to be economic issues in 2024, can’t Ato Forson advise Haruna on the way forward. Or they think that Haruna cannot be nodding at everything they say because economic issues have been in the forefront in the run up issues in 2020 elections.”

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of the opposition NDC, Asiedu Nketiah has said the change of leadership of the Minority caucus in Parliament is part of the party’s reorganization process.

    According to him, there are key areas Parliament will center its debates on ahead of the 2024 election which has informed the eventual changes in the leadership of the Minority.

    “It is the continuation of our re-organization exercise to reposition the party for the 2024 elections. So, it’s the continuation of the process which was started a year earlier from branches through to constituency to regional and national. We’ve now come to the reorganization on the form in parliament.

    “The thinking is that going into 2024 the debate is going to be principally on the economy and so we need to put our best foot forward so we can match the NPP in that area. That’s why we chose Ato Forson to lead the charge as Minority leader and then Armah Kofi Boah our expert in energy which is also going to feature prominently and then Kwame Agbodza is our person on infrastructure,” he told Starr FM Midday News with Naa Dedei Tettey on January 24, 2023 Tuesday.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • ‘Mahama’s 2nd coup d’etat’ – Presidential staffer reacts to Haruna Iddrisu’s removal as Minority Leader

    ‘Mahama’s 2nd coup d’etat’ – Presidential staffer reacts to Haruna Iddrisu’s removal as Minority Leader

    Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe, an executive assistant and head of social media at the Office of the President, has alleged that the replacement of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, as Minority Leader, was orchestrated by ex-President John Dramani Mahama.

    In a tweet shared on Friday, January 24, 2023, Teiko Tagoe also alleged that the removal of Haruna Iddrisu had the support of the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.

    “John Dramani Mahama’s second coup d’etat in NDC leadership in Parliament, with the ultimate support of Chairman Asiedu Nketiah. Interesting times ahead,” parts of the tweet read.

    The NDC appointed the former deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, as the minority leader in the 8th Parliament.

    Other changes included, Kofi Armah Buah, MP for Ellembele, who is the new deputy Minority Chief Whip.

    While Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Adaklu, will replace Asawase MP Muntaka Mohammed as the Chief Whip.

    Ahmed Ibrahim, MP for Banda, has been maintained as the First deputy Minority Chief Whip, while Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, MP for Ada, is also retained as second deputy Minority Chief Whip.

    The new changes were contained in a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, from the National Democratic Congress. The letter was signed by NDC General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Major shake-up has nothing to do with performance – Asiedu Nketia on Haruna, Muntaka dismissal

    Major shake-up has nothing to do with performance – Asiedu Nketia on Haruna, Muntaka dismissal

    National Chairman for the National Democracy Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has cleared the air on the removal of Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mubarak as the Minority Leader and Minority Chief Whip, respectively.

    He says contrary to public speculations, the decision has nothing to do with the performances of the two.

    Rather, “what it has to do with is the changing environment, the changing times and the changing field,” he said in an interview with JoyNews monitored by The Independent Ghana on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, the day both persons were relieved of their posts.   

    The Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu, is no longer the leader of the Minority Caucus in parliament. Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak, has also been relieved of his position.

    According to a letter from the NDC to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, announcing the decision, MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, Cassiel Ato Forson, is now Minority Leader.

    The Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi, has also been replaced with Kofi Armah Buah.

     

    MP for Adaklu Constituency, Kwame Governs Agbodza, is now the Minority Chief Whip, who will be assisted by Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyo-Ghansah who remain Deputy Chief Whips of the party. 

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • I won’t sacrifice our 25-year friendship over NDC contest – Asiedu Nketia to Ofosu Ampofo

    Newly-elected National Chairman of the opposition NDC Johnson Asiedu Nketia says he will not throw away his long-time relationship with Samuel Ofosu Ampofo in the name of internal party elections.

    General mosquito, as he is popularly known, ousted Mr Ofosu Ampofo to become the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Chairman.

    During the 10th National Delegates Congress, Asiedu Nketiah secured 65.17% of the votes to eliminate competition at the ongoing 2022 National Delegates Congress of the Party.

    I won’t sacrifice our 25-year friendship over NDC contest - Asiedu Nketia to Ofosu Ampofo

    The lead-up to the contest was fierce and witnessed scathing attacks from all sides.

    During his final speech as National Chairman on Saturday prior to the election, Mr Ofosu Ampofo alluded to not being bitten by a mosquito that can be seen.

    It turned out he was going to be given a whipping by General Mosquito.

    Mr Ofosu Ampofo left the election grounds two hours before the announcement of the results and did not return until the elected officers were sworn into office.

    However, during his swearing-in speech, Asiedu Nketia expressed his willingness to safeguard the friendship he has built with his former boss and friend for over two decades.

    “I will like to thank, most importantly, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo who has been my friend for 25 years. I value the friendship, so I don’t think we are going to sacrifice that friendship because of this contest,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo got 2,892 votes representing 33.81% of the votes cast.

    About an hour to the end of the collation, Mr Ofosu Ampofo was spotted leaving the stadium in his vehicle.

    But General Mosquito insisted that this election calls for unity among the party’s rank and file toward victory in 2024.

    According to him, this is the only way Ghana’s economic crisis can be lessened.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • NDC was never clueless about 2020 election results – William Ahadzi

    The Director of Research for National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr William Ahadzi, has said the party was never clueless about the 2020 election results.

    According to him, the system the party used for the collation of results got jammed, they, therefore, turned their attention to the manual collation which intends delayed making them not able to submit full results to the court.

    His comments came after he was asked whether the NDC were clueless about the 2020 election results.

    Speaking on JoyNews The Probe on Sunday, the Research Director explained that “We were never clueless.

    “We introduced a system that got jammed when it was supposed to collect the data and so we switched quickly to the alternative which is manual collation.

    “But the speed with which you want to collect data is important if you want to go to court. And the manual data which takes a lot of time wasn’t complete before we went to court.”

    Mr Ahadzi continued that the party was having some of the results of the election when it went to court for an election petition even though it was not 100% results.

    He expressed that blame should not be apportioned on the immediate past executives of the party for the misappropriation of results since it was not their fault but the fault of the system.

    Recently, there has been a leaked tape in which the past General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia revealed that the party did not have enough evidence to contest the 2020 general election results.

    In the tape, Asiedu Nketia was heard explaining to party faithful that the Director of IT failed to electronically collate the evidence the party needed to contest the outcome of the presidential election.

    This made the New Patriotic Party (NPP) demand an unqualified apology from the NDC to Ghanaians and the Supreme Court for wasting their time during the 2020 election petition.

    Meanwhile, NDC’s Director of Legal Affairs Abraham Amaliba has said the party will not apologise for the 2020 election petition.

    Mr Amaliba said the party’s decision to contest the 2020 election results was justified, thus the demand for an apology is unnecessary.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • NDC Congress: Asiedu Nketia unfit to contest due to statement on leaked tape – Victor Smith

    Following comments made by the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, a leading member of the party has declared him unfit to contest in the upcoming National Delegates Congress.

    With less than 24 hours to the National Delegates Congress of the largest opposition party, former Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Victor Smith has demanded that Chairman hopeful, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, resigns from the race.

    According to him, Asiedu Nketia’s comment that suggested that the National Democratic Congress did not have adequate evidence but went ahead to challenge the 2020 presidential results betrayed the trust and secrecy of the party.

    “You are indicting a former President who was our flagbearer at the time, why must you even go to the contest? Personally, if I did not want the good of the party, I would have taken the issue to court on this one. Asiedu Nketia cannot contest this one. In fact, he should be disqualified or sanctioned from the party,” Victor Smith stated.

    Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam on Friday, he said the General Secretary’s statement is unpardonable and therefore, he is unfit to contest in the party’s national congress.

    Mr. Smith explained that ‘General Mosquito’s’ action is anti-party conduct, which has embarrassed the party or brought the party into ridicule or contempt.

    For which he said “this man cannot take part in our elections. In my opinion, he should be sanctioned. if he wasn’t contesting and somebody went to speak about it, he would have sanctioned the person,” he said.

    It would be recalled that in a leaked tape, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia was heard explaining to party faithful that the Director of IT failed to electronically collate the evidence the party needed to contest the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

    He said the NDC had no collated results, and thus their lawyer Tsatsu Tsikata rejected the first set of documentation which the party was seeking to rely on to challenge the Electoral Commission’s declaration in Court.

    In his remarks, ‘General Mosquito’ further alleged that the NDC’s National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, was the brain behind the party’s inability to effectively collate its results.

    Source: Myjoyonline

     

  • Mahama, Asiedu Nketiah have destroyed NDC – Koku Anyidoho

    Former Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has accused former President John Mahama and General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia of destroying the party, per the latter’s latest revelation.

    According to Koku, the duo have abused the NDC constitution in their bid to control the party.

    Mr. Asiedu Nketiah, who is challenging incumbent National Chairman Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo for the position, has revealed that there was some misunderstanding after former President Mahama through the former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, proposed that the Director of Elections and Director of IT should be appointed after the presidential primaries.

    He explained that the proposal was purposely made because the flagbearer should be able to have a say in who he would like to work with in that regard.

    In the audio believed to have been leaked, Asiedu Nketiah said that the proposal did not go well with the National Chairman, Ofosu-Ampofo, who at the time expressed his displeasure.

    Asiedu Nketiah also alleged that the chairman had also said that he could do as he pleased in his capacity as chair until the flagbearer election is held and John Mahama cannot stop him.

    “Former President Mahama sent Julius Debrah (the former chief of staff during Mahama’s administration) to plead with the party leadership not to appoint a director of elections and a director of IT until the party completes its presidential primaries because the flagbearer of the party must have a say on who becomes the director of elections and the director of IT. As soon as Julius finished speaking, Ampofo said he considers the submission offensive to him and his authority as the leader of the NDC party,” Asiedu Nketiah alleged.

    “Ampofo said that Mahama can only become the leader of the party after the flagbearer election has been held. Until then, he [Ofosu-Ampofo] remains the only leader of the party, and so he can do as he pleases as he [Mahama] cannot stop him because he [Mahama] is an ordinary party member of the NDC,” Asiedu Nketiah added.

    Asiedu Nketiah explained that this comment caused some misunderstanding between the Mahama and Ofosu camps.

    “The position of Ofosu-Ampofo brought about a serious misunderstanding at the meeting. The meeting thus became a fight between the Mahama faction and the Ofosu Ampofo faction. I [Asiedu Nketiah] sat down quietly and listened to all that was going on,” Asiedu Nketiah added.

    But commenting on the matter on Kasapa 102.5FM/Agoo TV on Thursday, Koku Anyidoho stated that it’s important that Mr. Mahama and Asiedu Nketiah are stopped in their tracks now from further destroying the great NDC party.

    “Look at what Asiedu Nketiah is telling us—that John Mahama sent Julius Debrah to the National Executive Committee (NEC) that they should reserve some positions and when he becomes flagbearer he will appoint those people. Since when? Which article in the NDC constitution gives that power to Mahama, who at the time was yet to be elected a flagbearer? I say confidently that John Mahama and Asiedu Nketia have destroyed the NDC. When I say this, I’m tagged as “anti-John Mahama. I’m not anti-Mahama; I’m pro-NDC and will always seek the interest of the party.”

    “I didn’t see Rawlings abuse the NDC, I didn’t see John Evans Attah Mills abuse the NDC constitution. So why should I allow John Mahama to abuse the NDC constitution? Asiedu Nketiah in the tape was telling us that the 2020 election was for Mahama and so he had a right to make appointments in the party. Since when did an election belong to an individual and not rather for the party? Since when did the NDC election become John Mahama’s election? Mahama and Asiedu Nketiah have acted in ways that have destroyed the party, today, Asiedu Nketiah has exposed John Mahama and himself.”

  • FLASHBACK: E-Levy not needed now, imposition is sign of insensitivity – Asiedu Nketia

    Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, the general secretary of the NDC, said that it was unnecessary for the government to impose a tax on mobile money transactions.”E-Levy is not necessary at this time, I contend.

    John Asiedu Nketia, the general secretary of the NDC, said: “I am not saying perpetually electronic transactions should not be charged in the future…but presently, in such difficult times, it is a mark of insensitivity to apply this tax.

    Read the full story originally published on November 29, 2021, by peacefmonline

    NDC’s Johnson Asiedu Nketia says the introduction of the electronic levy (E-Levy) on mobile money (MoMo) and other digital transactions by the government in the 2022 budget is absolutely “needless”; for now.

    He said the recent hardship on Ghanaians with the E-levy introduction will worsen the situation after the government failed to fulfill its heaven-on-earth promises.

    To him, perhaps in the future when the economy is stable, the E-levy can be reintroduced.

    “E-levy is not needed now, that is my argument. I am not saying perpetually electronic transactions should not be taxed in future….but currently, in such challenging times, it is a mark of insensitivity to impose this tax,” NDC’s General Secretary, John Asiedu Nketia said in an interview with NEAT FM.

    E-Levy To Widen Tax Net

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, last week, announced that the government intends to introduce an electronic transaction levy (e-levy) in the 2022 budget.

    He said this was to “widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector”.

    Reservations About E-Levy

    But several Ghanaians have expressed concern over the proposal.

    They said the introduction of the levy in the 2022 Budget would compound the high cost of living in the country.

    E-Levy Details

    The proposed levy, which will come into effect on 1 February 2022, is a charge of 1.75% of the value of electronic transactions.

    It covers mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances. The originator of the transactions will bear the charge except for inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient. There is an exemption for transactions up to GH¢100 ($16) per day.

    According to the finance minister, the total digital transactions for 2020 were estimated to be over GH¢500 billion (about $81 billion) compared to GH¢78 billion ($12.5 billion) in 2016. The huge growth in just five years.

    Difficult Times Currently

    However, the move has been criticized by many people, with some saying levies were taking all their earnings and making the cost of living very high.

    The NDC, together with some opposition parties, appear to be in that bracket.

  • We’ll together build a more formidable NDC for victory 2024 – Asiedu Nketia

    Aspiring National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has reiterated his pledge to build a more formidable NDC, which will become more attractive to win the 2024 elections convincingly.

    General Mosquito, as he is affectionately called, says the NDC, under his leadership as chairman, if he wins the December 17 national congress, will actively engage all elected executives and influential persons within the party to rejuvenate the grassroots base.

    Mr Nketia, who is currently on a campaign tour of the Western region, has been engaging footsoldiers, party influencers across the length and breadth of the country as well as delegates.

    He has also promised, among others, to revive the NDC Heroes Fund to serve as a sustainable means of supporting party functionaries, who suffer disabilities in the course of their duties or their dependents in the event of death.

    “My objective, at this stage in my political life and love for the NDC, is to colleague national executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to work hard and build the party into a more formidable, attractive, and modern organization”, he emphasised.

    He said: “The NDC, I am optimistic will be the party of choice, especially the youth, women, the vulnerable in society and people from all walks of life and background.”

    Speaking to delegates in various constituencies in the Western Region, Mr Asiedu Nketia assured the party executives that he will do more than before and will join them in their constituencies to sell the good message of the NDC, come 2024.

    He said the NDC has no choice than to present former President John Dramani Mahama as its leader for the next elections and, therefore, called for hard work from all supporters, sympathisers, and executives of the party.

    Mr. Asiedu Nketia, who has already toured the regions of the north, is receiving overwhelming responses from party members, some of whom wait deep into the night to engage him directly.

  • We’ve not declared support for Asiedu Nketia’s chairman ambition – Minority

    Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu has clarified that his side in Parliament has not declared support for Johnson Asiedu Nketia who seeks the chairmanship position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    It was earlier communicated by Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, that the NDC Caucus supports the candidature of Mr Asiedu Nketia, the current General Secretary of the Party.

    Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, who is also the Member of Parliament for Banda, made the comment at the launch of the election campaign of the aspirant on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

    However, the Tamale South MP explains that “ the Leadership of the Caucus never met on the matter and have not taken any decision on the matter.”

    Mr Iddrisu also noted that neither has the Caucus met to deliberate nor taken a decision on any candidate contesting any position within the Party, therefore, has urged the rank and file and the public to disregard the purported statement made during the launch.

    The Minority leader further explained that such a decision cannot be taken since the Leadership of the Caucus “has no position on any of the candidates vying for the respective positions in the Party.”

    According to him, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim’s attention has been drawn to the matter and “has since rendered an unqualified apology to the entire Caucus.”

    “We further wish to urge all Members of the Caucus to refrain from making such comments in the immediate future,” Mr Iddrisu entreated.

    The chairmanship race

    Mr Nketia, who has been the NDC General Secretary for the past 17 years, believes he is now experienced, trustworthy and fearless to serve as the chairman of the party.

    He will go up against the incumbent chair, Ofosu Ampofo, who seeks to lead the NDC to victory in the 2024 general elections.

    Aspirants for the various national positions of the party are expected to file their nomination on November 5 and 6, 2022.

    Successful candidates will be vetted on November 9-10, 2022, while November 12 and 13 will be set aside for appeals ahead of the Women and Youth Conference on December 10 and a National Conference on December 17, this year.

    On the other hand, the Council of Elders of the Party has called for calm and decorum between the two contestants in the chairmanship race.

    “In the interest of party cohesion, internal discipline and long-term stability, the Council urges all contestants to regional and national positions, especially the incumbent national chairman and General Secretary, to be circumspect in their campaigns by adhering to ground rules discussed and agreed upon,” it said.

    “These include the use of decorous language, refrain from media attacks, breach of confidentiality and misrepresentations of decisions taken in relation to past actions of leadership,” the Council added.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • ‘Akufo-Addo won power on lies, the economy has exposed them’ – Emmanuel Allotey

    Former Parliamentary Candidate for NDC in Anyaa Sowutuom, Emmanuel Adortey Allotey has faulted the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the worsening economic situation in the country.

    He says the Akufo-Addo administration has failed to turn around the economy as promised in the build-up to the 2016 election because it lied its way into power.

    The fundamental struggles of Ghana’s economy have remained since the NPP took office under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government, and the indicators appear to be unfavourable.

    He mentioned that the NPP’s constant attribution of the economic mismanagement to the NDC during its campaign was indicative that it was taking the citizenry for granted.

    Speaking with Kwaku Owusu Adjei on Adwenekasa on Accra-based Original FM 91.9, Mr. Allotey said that, “I think right from the onset, the foundations were established on deception. And when you build something on deception, within a matter of time, it is going to collapse. So basically, they came into office riding on lies. They came into office pretending that somehow they were going to reduce taxation and at the same time increase expenditure. So right from the word go, they were deceiving the people.

    “Right from the beginning, they absolutely lied to the country, especially when they made it look as if the whole of the problem was simply about the question of mismanagement when they knew it was not.”

    Emmanuel Adortey Allotey explained that the financial resources at the disposal of the NPP should reflect in the output of its various flagship programs but, unfortunately, that has not been the case.

  • General Mosquito, Ofosu Ampofo eyeing 2028 NDC flagbearership – Ephson

    Pollster, Ben Ephson says the opposition National Democratic Congress’ Chairman Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and current General Secretary Asiedu Nketia are both lacing their boots to lead the NDC as flagbearer in the 2028 election.

    According to him, he has picked intelligence that the NDC will want an Akan to lead the party in 2028 hence Aseidu Nketia’s move to contest Ofosu-Ampofo for the chairmanship.

    “If you are chairman at least you will put in place structures towards 2028 because post-2024, you will be in charge having conducted primaries for potential delegates. And as chairman who have worked within the party at the highest levels, National Executive positions, they will know the way about people they have nurtured along the line to control triggers, which will ensure that people who will support them are in positions to be able to help them,” he explained on Morning Starr with Francis Abban Friday.

     He continued: “If it has not happened doesn’t mean that it cannot happen. When I heard the Intel I kept it in my pocket and for Asiedu to step up means a lot. Because normally you will see Asiedu will want to stay where he is and help the candidate most likely John Mahama or if Duffuor wins.”

    Meanwhile, the General Secretary for the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia has officially declared his candidature for the chairmanship position of the NDC.

    “Yes I have the intention of picking up a form to contest the chairmanship position when nominations are opened,” the NDC scribe told Accra Fm Thursday, 13th October 2022.

    According to him, he best fits the position as he’s gained vast experience as a politician to occupy the chairmanship position of the largest opposition NDC.

    “I participated in the struggle against the military dictatorship in this country, after which I came to Parliament. I was there for 12 years and chaired several committees.”

    “I tasted executive positions by being the Deputy Minister in charge of Agriculture. I have served as Board Chairman, among others.”

    “I am confident that with my experience I will be a good leader and example to my party,” he added

  • Asiedu Nketia should have been sacked from NDC after 2016 election – Koku Anyidoho

    Former deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has said that the outgoing General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, should have been sacked from the party after the 2016 election.

    According to him, Asiedu Nketia, who was the party’s National Campaign Director in the 2016 elections, should have been sacked because he was mainly responsible for the NDC losing that election.

    In a tweet shared on Tuesday (October 12), Anyidoho added that Nketia was responsible for the loss of the Tain parliamentary seat even though the constituency is a stronghold of the NDC.

    “Asiedu-Nketiah should have been SACKED from NDC at the end of the 2016 General Election, when, as GS & National Campaign Manager, he was viciously responsible for the disgraceful loss of his TAIN constituency – a very safe NDC Seat. His evil antics shall no longer be tolerated,” the tweet Anyidoho shared read.

    Meanwhile, Johnson Asiedu Nketia has officially declared his intention to contest for the chairmanship position of the NDC.

    Mr. Nketia made the declaration in a joint interview on Accra100.5FM and CTV morning shows, today, Thursday, October 13, 2022.

    “Yes, I have the intention of picking up a form to contest the chairmanship position when nominations are opened,” the NDC scribe told joint hosts Emmanuel Quarshie (The Hitman) and Nana Out Darko.

    Mr. Nketia also debunked assertions that the General Secretary position might be weakened when he hangs his boots from that role.

    The NDC goes to congress on the December 17, 2022.

  • I won’t seek re-election as NDC’s General Secretary – Asiedu Nketia

    Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has disclosed that he is bowing out.

    According to Mr. Nketia, who is popularly known as General Mosquito, his body cannot take the toll of being the scribe of the NDC again.

    “Age plays a major role in everything. This job of a General Secretary involves a lot; your time, energy, among others.”

    “I have considered all these, and I am of the firm view that I won’t contest again. What I am saying is that, I won’t seek re-election as General Secretary,” Mr. Nketiah said.

    Mr. Nketiah, who became NDC General Secretary in 2005, believes it’s time for him to make way for others to take over the administration of the party.

    The NDC is expected to go to congress on December 17, 2022 to elect new national officers.

    Relatedly, the Director Elections of the NDC, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has accused the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) of using money to win the 2020 general elections.

    According to him, the NPP had outspent the NDC by a ratio of about 1:1000 in the Parliamentary elections in order to win the seats they currently possess in Parliament.

    In an interview on Accra based Joy FM, he alleged that the NPP shared money to some electorates on the eve of the elections.

    “I believe we won 142 seats, five of them are in court now, and it was through violence. You saw what happened in Techiman, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Sefwi Wiawso and all those other places because of the violence that was deployed.

    “And then again the NPP outspent us by a ratio of maybe about one to a thousand, because we know the money we made available to our parliamentary candidates for example. It’s not up to 100,000. It’s not even up to 50,000, but you heard an NPP Vice Chairperson saying that she was given 1 million, just her alone.

    So they outspent us absolutely. They had so much cash, and that is why we’re in this crisis. They spent money, they opened the vaults. You’d be surprised to know that in some of the Northern, Savannah regions on the eve of elections bullion vans actually came to pack and money was being disbursed,” he said.

    According to him, the election statistics show that even despite an NPP win, the NDC has gained more grounds among the Ghanaian electorates and is poised to take power in the upcoming 2024 General Elections.

    Source: pulse.com.

  • Asiedu Nketia accuses EC of seeking to change electoral laws

    General Secretary, National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, is claiming that his outfit is not convinced about the explanations given by the Electoral Commission, EC, on the use of Ghana Card for continuous voter registration.

    He accused the Commission of aiming to change the existing law on elections in the country following a proposed Constitutional Instrument (C.I) by the Commission for the continuous registration exercise.

    Speaking on Joy News’ ‘PM Express’ show, General Mosquito, as he is known in Ghanaian politics said “this whole idea of trying to throw dust into the eyes of the Ghanaian public that the law is for continuous registration is completely false.”

    He stated that Ghana’s electoral laws do not provide two separate provisions for registration.

    “The same law that will provide for registration can be used for continuous registration, it can be used for limited registration and a total overhaul of the register.

    “Going by the history of the Electoral Commission, nobody is convinced if EC just comes out without anything in the law and then to tell us that, believe us, we are going to use it for continuous registration. What happens if they use it for something else?“ Asiedu Nketia quizzed.

    He noted that the proposed C.I, when it is passed will imply that “all the laws based on which the previous registers have been done, are all going to be repealed.”

    When asked by the host, whether the NDC is suspecting the EC wants to change the law by doing away with the 2020 register, the Chief Scribe said “yes, by their history.”

    In explaining his position, Johnson Asiedu Nketia said, “We have been here before… EC has used a health insurance card as a document in registering to build a previous register. That matter was closed and we had a register intact, then somebody goes to court that the Heath Insurance card cannot be used to identify Ghanaians for the purpose of registration … the court ruled and EC was compelled to go back and deleted all the names of people who registered with health insurance card,” he said.

    About the C.I.

    Per the new C.I, the EC is seeking to make the Ghana Card the sole form of identification for eligible voters who want to get onto the electoral roll.

    The C.I has been referred to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament. By convention, the committee is chaired by a member of the Minority group.

    Source: Ghanaweb