A former director of elections for theNational Democratic Congress (NDC), Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has declared his intention to run for the party’s general secretaryposition.
He declared that in order to unify the party, engaging unhappy cadres and party members is his top priority.
Mr Ankrah asserted that the party, particularly those party members who felt abandoned in the past, needs to be united at this point.
“The general approach is to bring everybody on board. I know so many people. You know it’s not as if there is a deliberate attempt to sideline anybody, it’s just an evolution of the party and even the society.
“We are both physical and spiritual beings so you don’t want to have very key strategic people walking around with bitterness. Of course there is some bitterness which is unfounded.
“If you are harbouring bitterness in your heart for no reason, you will die, but people who genuinely feel they’ve been neglected there is a way to bring them back and bring the spirit of the party back. That is what wins elections and it is going to be a major thing and I’m well positioned to do that,”he added.
The NationalDemocratic Congress (NDC) says the case involving galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang, must not be trivialized.
According to a Deputy General Secretary of NDC, Peter BoamahOtokunor, government must handle the issue with the seriousness it deserves.
This comes on the back of an accusation by the lawyer for Aisha Huang, Nkrabea Effah Dartey that the media is overstretching the substance of the case involving the Chinese national.
In a media interview, Mr. Boamah Otokunor stressed that the issue has not been blown out of proportion.
“I have read commentaries from NPP members and the lawyers defending her that this is not any matter and that, the issue is being blown out of proportion. Look at the crisis the country is going through and the challenge of suffering the worst currency depreciation in the history of this country. Gold is the solution to this problem, but Aisha Huang is doing all manner of things to our mining laws, but because NPP is in power, she is being defended.”
Peter Boamah Otukunor added that Aisha must be dealt with in accordance with Ghana’s laws.
“What we are demanding now after finding out that, Aisha Huang is still in the country is the proper application of the law in dealing with her. She must be prosecuted”, he added.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary hopeful, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has rallied the youth of the party towards a unity of purpose agenda to secure victory in the 2024 general elections.
He charged the atmosphere of the well-attended 6th-anniversary rally of the NDC Youth Network of the National Democratic Congress in Walewale in the North East Region.
Elvis Afriyie Ankrah focused his presentation at the event on the Role of Youth in Nation building, the historical antecedents of the NDC and the way forward for the National Democratic Congress, and how the Party can salvage the Country.
Recalling his days as a student leader as SRC President at Legon and NUGS Coordinating Secretary, he indicated how time and preparation merged so fast.
“It is amazing how so quickly as student leaders, himself, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Hon. Baba Jamal, and others went on to assume national leadership positions,” he said.
He charged the youth to continuously prepare, learn, adapt, be creative and consistently guided by the love of the country as they would soon be in charge of critical positions in the country before they know it.
The charismatic former Minister of State and Director of Elections of the NDC charged the entire participants to cheers and applause when he carefully traced the history of the PNDC/NDC revealing the landmark achievements in nation building.
According to him, apart from the era of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, any other monumental infrastructure and policy have been initiated and implemented by the NDC.
He cited the 1992 Constitution, Local Government and Decentralization, Infrastructure development, District Assembly Common Fund, Rural water programs, Rural electrification, among others.
He added that the Youth should be proud of this rich tradition and be inspired to do more for this Country as future leaders.
In his presentation, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah showed the progressive gains the NDC has made in both parliamentary and Presidential polls after 2016.
For instance, the NDC made more than one million in additional Presidential votes and increased its parliamentary count to 137. He indicated the party can do more and eventually win the next presidential elections come 2024.
Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress(NDC), Peter Boamah Otokunor, has lampooned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over his recent comment on Chinese galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang.
President Akufo-Addo, it will be recalled, stated in an interview earlier this week that he was uncertain about the purported ‘deportation’ status of the notorious Chinese national.
Speaking in an interview on Stone City Radio in Ho during his tour of the Volta Region, the president said: “… I am not still sure whether she was, in fact, deported or whether she fled the country the first time and has now come back or whatever. There still seems to be some uncertainty about it.
But speaking to the media on the sidelines of an NDC press conference on September 15, Otokunor described the president’s state of unawareness as one too many and of great concern.
“…I wonder how somebody who is supposed to have been deported and the president admitting that she has been deported. The senior minister, if you want the prime minister Osafo-Maafo saying that she has been deported, all of a sudden the president is playing dumb and saying that he doesn’t know that the woman has been deported.
“I think that it is becoming one too many and it is becoming a worrying trend. You have a sitting president who always says that he is not aware of decisions he himself has undertaken.
“The President has issued executive instrument and he says he is not aware. He has written letters of authority and he says he is not aware. Corruption appears under him and everybody is talking about it and he says he is not aware.
“Today, Aisha Huang, he is saying that he is not aware that Aisha Huang was deported. Very soon he will say that he is not aware he is the president of this country and I think we should be worried. We should be concerned,” Otokunor said.
His comments are similar to earlier ones made by Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr who said on the September 14 edition of Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme:
“There have been all kinds of interpretations to what the President said in that interview in the Volta region. There are those who are saying the president merely is talking about his own memory capacity and he is saying that he cannot remember what really happened. Whether the woman fled on her own accord or that she was deported.
“If that is the case, it is still a source of worry. You have a president who can forget such live issues and [it] actually expose his memory weakness. It is worrying in any democratic institution.
Meanwhile, Aisha Huang has been denied bail together with her three accomplices. They have been remanded in custody for two weeks.
Speaking to the media on September 15, Mr Otokunor suggested that the nolle prosequi that allowed her release in 2018 was submitted in court while speaking with the media outside of a press conference for the NDC.
He asserted that gold was the solution to the Cedi’s depreciation, but the resource has been given to Aisha Huang and her exploitation schemes.
Mr Otokunor stated that she has further been emboldened to carry out her activities as a result of funding she gives the NPP with – a reason why the governing party was defending her.
Otukonor warned that citizens would not sit aloof for the NPP to take them on a fools ride.
“We are suffering one of the worst currency challenges in the history of this country. Gold has the solution to this problem. They are not paying taxes on the galamsey. She is smuggling the gold.
“She is doing all manner of things against our law and because NPP is in government and maybe they claim she’s their financier, they are defending her and they want all of us to follow suit.
“I mean all of us cannot be fools in this country. If perhaps they have been deceived by Aisha Huang because she has given them some pittances or because Bawumia went cap in hand begging them for money and she led them to go and raise funds for their campaign, that doesn’t mean we the citizens of this country must sit down and allow them to rip the nation off,” he said.
Asked if he had any basis for his claim about Ms. Huang being a financier of NPP, he said “I mean if she is not a financier of the NPP, I wonder how somebody who is supposed to have been deported and the president admitting that she has been deported.
Otokunor further berated the president over his state of unawareness on the ‘deportation’ status of Aisha Huang.
He described the president’s attitude as one which has become one too many and of great concern.
“…I wonder how somebody who is supposed to have been deported and the president admitting that she has been deported. The senior minister, if you want the prime minister Osafo-Maafo saying that she has been deported, all of a sudden the president is playing dumb and saying that he doesn’t know that the woman has been deported.
“I think that it is becoming one to many and it is becoming a worrying trend. You have a sitting president who always says that he is not aware of decisions he himself has undertaken.
“The President has issued executive instrument and he says he is not aware. He has written letters of authority and he says he is not aware. Corruption appears under him and everybody is talking about it and he says he is not aware.
“Today, Aisha Huang, he is saying that he is not aware that Aisha Huang was deported. Very soon he will say that he is not aware he is the president of this country and I think we should be worried. We should be concerned,” the deputy NDC Chief scribe said.
Meanwhile, Aisha Huang has been denied bail together with her three accomplices. They have been remanded in custody for two weeks.
Okoe Boye advised Agbana to conduct research before criticising, and clarified at the contract was signed with four newly promoted clubs not only Nsoatreman.
He continued that the objective of the deal is to increase NHIS membership in the areas where the teams are based.
He explained on Asempa FM that the objective is to use the operational money to facilitate registrations in the regions.
The clubs that have partnered with NHIS include Nsoatreman FC, Samartex, Tamale City, and Kotoku Royals.
“Agbana is a young man like myself. I’m not 60 years to act like I’m old enough to advise him but I’d like to let him know that it helps a lot to be slow to judge and be very quick to get the details,” he said.
“Yesterday’s sponsorship is a partnership between National Health Insurance and four football clubs. The new entrants. What we did was that we looked at the operational monies we send to districts and said instead of the general of going to the market, focus on the area these teams are in and drive up membership. Cover all footballers on the team, all technical team, their wives, their children, minimum of ten thousand of their supporters. This time instead of paying allowance for our workers and feeding and fuel, we are handling the processing fees for the ten thousand,” he added.
The NHIS have signed a five-year deal with each club.
Edem Agbana implied in a Facebook post that the newly promoted side earned the sponsorship because the team owner, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, and other board members are parliamentarians on the ruling government’s ticket.
“It appears every member of this government wants to leave a legacy of scandals. The latest is Dr Oko Boye. How can a scheme suffocating financially give sponsorship to a privately owned football club? Is it because Nsoatreman FC is owned by Ignatius Baffuor Awuah, NPP MP for Sunyani West, and Employment Minister? The board chairman is Majority leader and Suame MP, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu. On what merit did the team qualify for such support if not for its owner? Shameless folks in government, always looking for the opportunity to USE state resources for their private benefits? I’m highly disappointed in OKO BOYE!!”
Actress Xandy Kamelhas recalled how life went bitter following the death of his father, Henry Ford Kofi Kamel, a Ghanaian politician who served as the Volta Regional Minister and the Member of Parliament of Beam.
Henry Kamel who was a people’s person died on December 25, 2012, during a party he had organized to celebrate his re-election as an MP, this is according to his first child, Xandy Kamel.
According to Xandy, her father did not die a natural death considering the circumstances surrounding his sudden demise.
“I have two other siblings and then my mum and dad. My father passed away in 2012.
“My father was elected to parliament in 2004. I first came to Accra with my father, I am his eldest child…I was a very calm girl but I changed after my father’s death. Some people believe that my father handed over the wild trait to me. There were so many issues after his death, his family took my mother to court over his properties but we won the case. They could have killed us all.
“My father died in office as an MP. He served from 2004 to 2012. He won the election in the year he died. He died during his election party, he was just seat, with no signs of illness and just died. It wasn’t from blood pressure, they killed him, they took his life. That is my belief…the autopsy didn’t show that he had any sickness,” the actress disclosed in an interview on Mahyease TV Show.
Xandy’s father was a memberof the National Democratic Congress (NDC). His daughter has disclosed that her life changed for the worse when he passed away leaving behind three children and a wife.
“When my father died I was an Immigration officer in Kumasi…my father died on 25th December, his birthday was December 21…I had spoken to him just 30 minutes to an hour to his death…it was a serious blow to me,” she said.
The outspoken actress in an interview monitored by GhanaWeb stated that her beloved father had so many plans for herself and her siblings.
The late Henry Ford Kofi Kamel encouraged his children to pursue higher education but after his death, his eldest daughter quit her job and finally landed in the movie industry.
Former president John Dramani Mahama has reassured Ghanaians that issues relating to ex-gratia payments will be addressed by the following National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
He asserts that changes must be made to the 1992 Constitution, which serves as Ghana’s ultimate legislation, in order to address the rights of officers covered by Article 71.
Speaking at a meeting with NDC lawyers, the former President assured that if the NDC is given the nod in 2024, the review process of the constitution which commenced during the period of late President Atta-Mills will continue.
“The next NDC government must commit to the implementation of the review of the 1992 Constitution, which was begun by President John Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory.
“This review should among others aim at reforming the judiciary and tackle head-on issues on ex-gratia payments and other matters of Article 71 emoluments,†Mahama stated.
In recent years, arguments have surfaced about the number of officials who benefit from the ex gratia payments and whether there is a need for the payments at all.
After Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, a former Council of State member, refunded monies paid to him as ex gratia, many have criticised public office holders as to whether they deserve the monies paid to them.
Togbe Afede XIV who served as a member of the Council of State, an advisory committee to President Akufo-Addo between 2017 and 2020, while refunding the money stated that “I returned the ex gratia money not because I did not need money. In fact, at that particular time, I needed money very badly to meet various family obligations.
“But I truly believed that the money was not deserved. It was inappropriate for what I will emphasize again was essentially part-time work.â€
In 2017, however, Ghanaian lawyer, Elikplim L. Agbemava, went to the Supreme Court seeking clarification on some of the benefits enjoyed by the Article 71 officeholders.
He wanted presidential staffers who benefit from salaries, allowances, and privileges like the Article 71 officeholders, to be stripped of such gratuities, claiming it “is inconsistent with Article 71 and therefore unconstitutional.â€
The project is aimed at helping the grassroots of the party to be financially stable to run their operations efficiently in preparedness for the party recapturing power in the 2024 general elections.
The beneficiary constituencies are Sekyere Afram Plains, Sekyere Kumawu, and Asante Akyem North.
Each of the constituencies received 100 plastic chairs, four canopies, and a sound system amounting to GHS90,000.
The Project Manager, Mr Abass Osabutey, presented the items on behalf of the former Finance Minister at separate ceremonies held at the constituencies in the region.
He said the equipment would be rented to generate revenue for the party at the constituency level.
According to him, the revenue that accrues will be used to finance party activities and support the party’s grassroots members.
Beyond that, he inaugurated a committee to ensure the smooth management of the equipment.
The executives of the party, who received the equipment, expressed gratitude to Dr Duffuor for the Ahotor project.
They said it will help the party at the grassroots level.
The Constituency Chairman for Asante Akyem North, Mr Ibrahim Siedu, commended the former Finance
As part of its ongoing membership drive and restructuring efforts in the Eastern Region, the National Leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) paid a working visit to the Lower Manya and Yilo Krobo districts yesterday, August 26.
The visit follows a recent standoff between local residents and the Energy Company of Ghana (ECG), which led to the latter cutting off electricity to certain districts for a number of weeks.
Having followed developments in the Krobo enclave and interacted with the Chiefs and people of the area, the party has become aware of the longstanding impasse between residents and the ECG over the installation of prepaid meters, which not long ago degenerated into violent protests, leading to loss of lives in process.
The party’s leadership stated they are appalled at how the simple process of installing prepaid meters for residents in these communities has been badly managed by the Akufo-Addo government, the Ministry of Energy and Management of the Electricity Company of Ghana. “We hold the view that the military-backed forced installation of prepaid meters in the area without proper community engagement and sensitization was completely unnecessary,” parts of the statement read.
In the statement, the NDC raised concerns about the consequences of the recent crisis.
“The recent crisis has brought economic activities in the Krobo area to a halt and exacerbated the hardships the people in the area are already reeling under. Hospitals were forced to shutdown leading to loss of lives, while schools, businesses and households all bore the brunt of the nearly one month freeze on electricity supply to these areas,” it said.
“The NDC condemns in no uncertain terms government’s high-handed approach to resolving these issues and the brutalities meted out to innocent citizens in the area by the military. And we sympathize with the residents of these communities who have been at the receiving end of such mistreatment by the government through its agents.
“We call on government to as a matter of urgency withdraw all military personnel who have been deployed to the Krobo area in order to ease the unnecessary tension and give way for citizens to go about their normal lives freely.
“The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government must change its modus operandi and adopt a humane approach in addressing the “Krobolandâ€- ECG crisis,” the statement added.
Late Highlife musician AB Crentsil will be buried on November 5, 2022, in Ewoyaa, near Saltpond in the Central Region.
This was made known at the one-week memorial of his passing which was held at the Bethel Methodist Church, Tema Community 8 on Saturday, August 13, 2022.
A family member, Joseph Kofi Quainoo, who announced the funeral and burial plans, said a wake keeping and thanksgiving service will be held on November 4 and 6 respectively.
The Highlife star died at The Bank Hospital, Accra on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.
The memorial service was characterised by the singing of a series of hymns, a biography of the deceased and brief eulogies from selected guests.
Many sympathisers, friends and family converged at the Bethel Methodist Church and later at the Community 8 Park in Tema to celebrate the life of Highlife great, AB Crentsil.
Also in attendance are political figures mostly from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Former President John Dramani Mahama was in attendance to mourn the late AB Crentsil, who he described as a personal friend.
Mr Mahama was accompanied by the General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NDC, Joseph Ade Coker, some Members of Parliament including, Isaac Ashai Odamtten,( Tema East), Joseph Tetteh, (Kpone Katamanso) and other officials of the party in the Tema East, Central and West constituencies.
Also present are a number of musicians and officials of the Musician Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and other players in the creative industry including, Diana Hopson, Bice Osei Kuffour (Obour), who is also MD for Ghana Post, Rex Omar, Ahuma Ocansey, Clement Bonney, known in showbiz circles as Mr Beautiful, Kwasi Kyei Darkwah (KKD), Bessa Simmons, Lady Talata, Smart Nkansah among others.
Biography
Alfred Benjamin Crentsil, known in local and international music circles as AB Crentsil, was born to Alfred Benjamin Crentsil Snr and Esi Yaaba on January 15 1943 at Prestea in the Western Region.
He had his formal elementary school education at the Bedu Addo Methodist Primary and Rev. Cleveland Middle Schools.
After his middle school education, he was apprenticed as an electrician, following in the footsteps of his father who was himself an astute electrician, employed in the service of the Railway Company in Takoradi.
However, this venture was short-lived, because his interest in music, which seed was planted at the tender age of 13 years while in Middle School under the tutorship of his mentor, Mr. Tandoh, gradually superseded any interest he had developed in the trade he was engaged in.
In no time, he abandoned the trade and engaged all his energies in pursuing music as a career. AB Crentsil quickly mastered the rudiments of guitar playing and readied himself to play in live bands.
He was profoundly gifted in the art of music composition and vocals. With these harnessed talents tucked under his armpit, he joined his first band, Strollers Dance Band which was based in Takoradi, in 1968. Subsequently, he played in other bands such as Lantics in Takoradi and El Dorados at Aboso.
He was a founding member of the Sweet Talks Band which was based at the Talk Of The Town Hotel in Community No. 2, Tema, alongside seasoned musicians such as Smart Nkansah, the late Jewel Ackah and Pope Flynn. He formed his own band the Ahenfo Band in 1982.
AB Crentsil had 25 albums to his credit: some of his songs which caught both local and international attention are Papa Samo, Landlord Abodwese, Devil, Osokoo among others.
AB Crentsil was baptised into the Methodist Church from infancy and remained in the faith until his demise. For a good part of the fifty-two (52) years that he lived in Tema, he worshipped at the Bethel Methodist Church at Community No. 8, Tema.
AB Crentsil left behind his beloved wife Elizabeth and eight children.
Popular Kumawood actor Nana Yeboah, known in real life as Felix Nana Yeboah, has vowed never to enter the National Cathedral being constructed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in fulfilment of a promise made to God.
Akufo-Addo after being sworn into office as President of the Republic of Ghana stated that he made a covenant with God to build him a cathedral during his campaign.
The president also revealed that the project was not going to be financed with public funds but the contrary appears to have happened following revelations made by some leading members of the opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC).
Speaking on Ghanaman TV on the “Show Kanawu†monitored by MyNewsGH.com, comedian Nana Yeboah said the money being used to build the cathedral must be channelled into different projects like the construction of roads, vowing that he will never step his foot there upon completion.
“Even if you build that chapel, I, Yeboah Asiamah will not enter. It is wrong for you to say you are building a cathedral. Totally wrong! How is it possible for somebody from afar to travel all the way to Accra before he can access the temple and worship?†Nana Yeboah asked.
“Use the money to construct roads instead so that people can attest to the fact that you are indeed developing the country. How can you take such an amount to build a church? I will never enter it,” he added.
General Secretary, National Democratic Congress (NDC), JohnsonAsieduNketia, 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.â€
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.â€
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.â€
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.
On the occasion of their tenth anniversary, Sam George went all out to declare his love for the woman who has stood with him through thick and thin.
The MP again shared three of his favourite photos with his beautiful partner who he described as his best friend.
“10 years ago today, we made a vow of forever before GOD. It has been a journey of love, affection but most importantly friendship. To my best friend, mother of my kids, wife of my youth, personal Ayigbe Toffee, let’s do the next 10 with even more swag and grace,” he captioned the photos shared on his social media platforms.
Ghanaian actor and party faithful of the National Democratic Congress(NDC), Mr Beautiful, has stated that his colleagues who supported and endorsed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been put to shame considering what he described as a woeful performance of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The actor in a recent interview on Metro TV called out Agya Koo, Matilda Asare, Kalybos and other celebrities who he claim misled the public with the NPP’s message of hope during the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections that witnessed the party’s flagbearer being voted into office.
The die-hard supporter of the NDC and former president John Mahama, however, noted that political differences should not create enmity between celebrities.
“Forever and ever, I will involve myself in politics because, in your house, there is politics. Everywhere you are there is politics. I buy fuel and pay my children’s school fees. Therefore I will rally behind someone who I know can rescue the nation.
“The fact that we support different football clubs doesn’t make you my enemy. You are simply not mature. So, nothing can stop me. I will encourage each and everyone,” he stated.
According to the popular actor, his single decision to endorse the NDC back in the 2012 general elections paved way for his colleagues to openly campaign for political parties.
“When I came out in 2012 and openly supported His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, it paved way for the likes of Agya Koo, Matilda Asare and others to support this government (NPP) in 2016.
“These people, Agya Koo, Matilda, Kalybos should all bow their heads in shame because the party they supported has failed. Look at what the man I supported, Mahama, did for the nation,” he added.
Compiled as part of the 30th anniversary of the NDC, the launch was attended by the Chairman, the General Secretary and members of the Council of Elders of the party.
Also present were the Regional and Constituency Executives, members of the diplomatic corps and supporters of the party.
Former National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary aspirant for Nkwanta South, Richard Manuribe has described the recently-inaugurated project in the Northern Regional Capital, Tamale as a flyover and not an interchange as claimed by the government.
He said several debates had established that the infrastructure was not an interchange as suggested.
He added that the government had subsequently also admitted that the infrastructure does not qualify as an interchange.
“As to whether it is an interchange or a flyover, that debate has been settled.
“You saw desperate attempts by people in government to christen it an interchange,†Richard Manuribe stated in an interview on Peace FM.
The late President John Evans Atta Millswho died on July 24, 2012, was buried at the Asmodwee Park near the former seat of government, Osu Castle in the Greater Accra Region.
In a letter dated 15th July 2022 and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of CODA, the General Secretary of the NDC said the party will not be participating in the event because the invitation is at the instance of CODA and the Atta Mills Institute; the latter being a private divisive organization, well known for its fabrications and abusive language and which appears to have been formed to serve as a vehicle for the NDC’s political opponents to sow seeds of confusion in the minds of Ghanaians and obliterate the enviable legacy of late President Atta Mills.
The party said it is ready to review its stance if CODA is ready to meet it and members of the late President’s immediate family to review the arrangements for the commissioning of the park to give it the national character its deserved and to ensure it reflects the true purpose and outlook of the Asmodwee Park.
Below is the full text of the NDC’s response to CODA
The Chief Executive
Coastal Development Authority (CODA)
Accra.
Attention: Mr. Jerry Shaib
Dear Sir,
RE: INVITATION TO COMMISSIONING OF ASOMDWEE PARK
We have sighted invitations to a ceremony to commission the Asomdwee Park, the burial place of President John Evans Atta Mills who died in office on July 24, 2012.
The invitations are in the name of an Atta Mills Institute and the Coastal Development Authority (CODA) “under the distinguished patronage of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo”.
We presume CODA to be the funding agency for the refurbishment of the Park whose said commissioning is slated for July 24, 2022, and is separate from the 10th anniversary commemorative events being organized by the NDC.
2. We wish to state that the Asomdwee Park was conceived as a possible final resting place for deceased Presidents and Vice Presidents.
The fact that late President Atta Mills is so far the only dignitary buried there does not change its non-political purpose.
Indeed, the facility was developed by the National Security Office during the tenure of H.E John Dramani Mahama and remains a National Monument as well as a place of pilgrimage to honour the memory of dignitaries buried there.
It was designed to be managed by the national security office with access authorized only by that office. While it is in order for the Government of Ghana to organize functions at the facility and invite persons to same, it is, in our candid view, wholly inappropriate for any private entity to be given an office at the location, directly or indirectly conferring on it a role as overseer even to the extent of issuing invitations in the name of the state.
3. It is our position that no privately owned NGO should be clothed with such powers as to issue invitations bearing the National Coat of Arms.
4. We are concerned about the posture and activities of an Institute that has assumed for itself some form of mythical ownership of the name John Evans Atta Mills, three times NDC flag bearer and President of Ghanaians 2009- 2012.
That Institute appears to be serving as a vehicle for our political opponents to sow seeds of confusion in the minds of Ghanaians and obliterate the enviable legacy of late President Atta Mills, a man of peace who was elected unto office on the ticket of the NDC.
It would be a shame, as the invitation purports, for President Akufo Addo to be associated with a divisive organization, well-known for its fabrications and abusive language, Let us be clear, the Institute in question has been on a collision course with the NDC party on whose ticket Prof. Atta Mills contested and won the 2008 election and became President.
For your information, its founder has been dismissed from the NDC. An unfortunate impression should not be created that the Institute is being used by the Presidency and the enviable Coastal Development Authority (CODA) to spite the Atta Mills family, former President John Mahama and the entire NDC for that matter.
5. Any commissioning of the refurbished Asomdwee Park should in all sincerity, be a truly national affair befitting the stature and character of Prof JEA Mills, a man of peace who devoted his Presidency to the cause of national unity.
The commissioning should be a national affair not just by invitation, but by the participation of key stakeholders, not usurpers, in the planning process.
6. Given the above, we kindly request that you withdraw the invitations to the advertised function and meet with the NDC of which Prof. Atta Mills was leader up to the time of his untimely death, and alongside his immediate family, review arrangements for the commissioning event which will reflect the true purpose and outlook of the Asondwee Park.
Until that is done, the NDC will not participate in the proposed Commissioning event on the strength of invitations issued by the Institute.
All persons associated with the NDC have been duly notified of this binding decision.
Renowned broadcaster, Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, has alleged that more than 90 per cent of Ghanaian politicians save dollars they acquire abroad.
According to Captain Smart, the politicians who are both from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are afraid of saving their dollars in Ghanaian banks because it will raise suspicions.
Smart, who made these allegations during his Maakye programme on Onua TV, monitored by GhanaWeb, added that Ghanaian politicians are saving some $3.4 billion in banks in Switzerland alone.
“I can tell you on authority that if you take 100 NDC politicians, 98 of them save out of Ghana. They save out of Africa, they save in Switzerland, France, the US and the UK. You can ask Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko. If you also take 100 NPP politicians, 99 of them save out of Africa. You can ask Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who saves at the Bank of America.
“Do you know that Ghanaian politicians do not save dollars in Ghanaian banks? Because the dollars they earn are huge, they never want to save in Ghanaian banks for people to see how much they are wealth.
“If you are a foreigner and you want to save in Switzerland, the minimum deposit you should have is US$ 500,000… The last time I checked, we have over 3,000 Ghanaians saving in banks in Switzerland, and out of this 80% are politicians… If you check the amount of money being saved by Ghanaian politicians in Switzerland, it is almost $3.4 billion,†he said in Twi.
Captain Smart further stated that the fact that the government of Ghana is seeking a $ 2 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund and that the same politicians who are governing the country are saving over $3 billion in Switzerland alone shows their level of hypocrisy.
He added that the money saved by politicians in Africa in Switzerland is what the Swiss government uses for the development of their country.
Also, the broadcaster suggested that if the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, really wants to fight the menace of corruption in the country, he should trace these monies and retrieve those that were illegally acquired for the development of the country.
The courtesy call led by Dr Bernard BNA Yartey, the CEO of Lakeside Village, was to officially invite the outspoken political leader and some party executives and also seek their blessings.
The NDC scribe commended the organizers of the event, Lakeside Village and Net Village for the initiative.
He said the media plays a vital role in nation-building, and it was appropriate to set a day aside to dine and network with them.
The Lakeside Village boss said “We thought through and realized how important the media is, so we decided to come up with this dinner gala.
“It is not an award ceremony, the media all over the world go through a lot of stress, resulting in the death of many. There will be a lot to eat and drink on the evening, we believe it will go a long way to destress them and bring them together to network in a relaxed atmosphere.”
Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has cautioned the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be measured in their hope that the 2024 election year is a done deal and that they will by all means win power.
According to him, it will take hard work and vigilance from the party to pull off the magic wand in the election year.
In a post on his social media handle, Franklin Cudjoesaid the government can turn things around before 2024 consequently giving the NDC a run for its money.
His comment comes on the back of the recent rising cost of living and an economic downturn which has compelled the government to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund.
“Meanwhile the major opposition party, the NDC should not assume 2024 is a done deal. Harder work, a very different path to the current one and VIGILANCE. The NPP may turn things around by 2024,†Franklin Cudjoe tweeted.
Ahead of the 2024 elections, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has vowed to break the 8-year power cycle jinx under the Fourth Republic, where power changes hands every eight years between the NDC and NPP.
The NDC is lacing its boots to upend the governing party in 2024 in the wake of an economic crunch.
