Former president,John Dramani Mahama has stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will not compromise in its effort to gain power during the general elections of 2024.
On his campaign visit for the party’s flagbearership contest, he informed party supporters in the Tain and Banda constituency in theBono East Region that the NDC will prioritize the polling places in its effort to ensure its mandate after the vote.
Mahama, who is seeking a fourth straight shot at the presidency, use two controversial phrases in Ghana’s political phraseology to drive home the seriousness the NDC will deploy in 2024.
“I have no doubt that NDC will win the 2024 elections. So, the vote will be a do or die affair and we will be matching them boot to boot at the polling station.
“When the time comes, we will take names of polling station agents and I plead that we need educated persons who can do at least arithmetic, so, that you can decipher what we really got and to ensure the biometric details match the number of papers in a ballots box.
“It is not about who is older in the party. We need a knowledgeable person who can be trained to undertake the task. You can bring your wards who are educated to be trained for the purpose,” he stressed.
Mahama, who will come up against four other competitors said the NDC planned to have its own collated results by midnight of December 7.
“With that, when voting ends at 5 pm, we will be able to declare our victory by midnight. We would have our results. We won’t sleep on the evening of 7th December till we have assured ourselves of victory,” he added to massive applause.
On Live TV, John Dumelo renewed his attack on political rival and former friend Fred Nuamah, declaring that his best man was a liar.
Dumelo who is set to contest with Nuamah for the parliamentary slot of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency said it was Nuamah rather who had expressly pledged to back his bid to contest for the seat he lost narrowly in 2020.
“We are not friends, as we speak now, we are not friends. We haven’t been friends for a couple of weeks now,” he told MzGee, host of the United Showbiz programme on UTV.
“At no point did I tell Fred that I am not contesting in Ayawaso West Wuogon, at no point,” he before adding that all claims that he (Dumelo) had opted against running were untrue, incluing one attributed to Yaw Sakyi
“That is a lie. I never had a conversation with Yaw Sakyi about Fred Nuamah. Never, I can never give Fred Nuamah my blessings, when he knows I am coming to contest in Ayawaso West Wuogon,” Dumelo added.
Dumelo described Fred’s decision to release his campaign flyer hours after attending his February 3 private birthday bash as a betrayal and a stab in the back for someone he has known for over 20 years.
“I am contesting and he will lose the primaries, if you speak to the delegates, they all want John to come back to continue the good work he is doing. As for Fred coming, I don’t know his motivation. That is the point.
“He is a liar, I never said I won’t come back, I didn’t give him my blessings. But he, Fred, does he deserve my blessings? That he should go to Ayawaso West. Can he face NPP?” Dumelo quizzed.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has directed its Members of Parliament (MPs) to ensure that they attend all parliamentary sittings and not to embark on any travel that will affect their attendance in Parliament.
This directives, the party said, were in solidarity with its Caucus in Parliament to fight against what the party termed as “the obnoxious Constitutional Instrument the Electoral Commission is seeking to lay before Parliament.”
The party has also recalled its MPs who have travelled with immediate effect.
A statement issued and signed by the General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, said the party at its Functional Executive Committee (FEC) meeting held in Accra last Tuesday, issued the directive and resolved that the period from the evening of that day to March 31, 2023, has been declared as “Operation Save Our Democracy.”
In line with that, the party in the statement also directed all its parliamentary aspirants in constituencies where the party has sitting MPs to suspend their campaign activities as any breach of the directives shall attract severe sanctions.
It further asked all the party’s regional and constituency executive to ensure strict compliance with the directives.
It stated that dates for the filing of nominations, vetting of parliamentary aspirants and parliamentary primaries remained unchanged.
The party last month from February 22 to 24, 2023 opened nominations for its presidential and parliamentary primaries.
Acoording to statistics from the NDC’s Elections Directorate indicated that a total of 872 persons picked forms for the party’s parliamentary primaries in 249 constituencies out of the 279 with the highest number of aspirants from the Greater Accra Region of 143 and 105 in the Ashanti region.
Presidential
Those who picked forms for the presidential primaries were former President John Dramani Mahama; a businessman from the Weija-Gbawe Constituency of the party, Ernest Kwaku Kobeah, former Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Kojo Bonsu and a former Minister of Finance and former Governor of Bank of Ghana, Dr Kwabena Duffuor.
Per the timetable of the elections issued by the party in January, 2023, aspiring presidential and parliamentary candidates are to submit their completed nomination forms between March 20 to 22 before vetting would commence on March 27 to 29.
There would also be a window for appeals on the outcome of the vetting process between March 30 to April 6 before the election on May 13.
The two elections would be held on the same day on Saturday, May 13, 2023 in all the voting centres in all the 276 constituencies including Santrokofi-Apkafu-Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) in the Oti Region.The NDC headquarters would also constitute a voting centre.
Frozen constituencies
The party has also put on hold the picking of nomination forms in 27 constituencies with regard to the parliamentary primaries to allow for further engagements with key stakeholders to ensure that the primaries in those areas would lead to outcomes that would favour the party’s performance in those constituencies, according to a statement issued by Mr Kwetey last month.
According to Abraham Amaliba, head of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team,President Akufo-Addois no more traveling in fancy private jet due to lack of funds.
He alleged that the President was able to fly in luxurious private jet due to Covid funds made available by the World Bank to assist nations in managing the economic difficulties they were experiencing in the course of the pandemic.
According to the legal practitioner, the use of Covid funds to finance the President’s travels is one piece of evidence of the mismanagement of the funds by Ghana.
Mr Amaliba was speaking on TV3‘s New Day during a discussion on President Akufo-Addo’s reply in his sessional address to Parliament on Wednesday, March 8 to assertions that government has misused Covid funds.
According to the NDC representative on the show on Friday, March 10, theCovid funds were what the president “used to finance his lifestyle”.
Asked by host Berla Mundi if the decision by the President was not as a result of incessant calls, especially by the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for accountability, Mr Amaliba retorted: “Did we start crying today?”
For him, he believes government no longer has enough to continue to rent the “luxurious” private jets for the President’s international travels.
Mr Amaliba added that President Akufo-Addo should rather thank his stars that he is still the President of Ghana because other countries have chased out their leaders from office for the same “infractions”.
All parliamentary members’ campaigning has been put on hold by theNational Democratic Congress (NDC) until March 31, 2023.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) on March 7, 2023,according to a statement issued by the party and signed by its National Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
It further noted that the decision is in solidarity with the Minority Caucus in Parliament and is dubbed “Operation Save Our Democracy”.
Per the directive
All campaign activities in all constituencies with sitting NDC MPs are hereby suspended.
2) All sitting NDC MPs, shall be required to attend all Parliamentary sittings. 3) No NDC MP shall undertake any travel that will affect his or her attendance in Parliament.
4) Any MP who has travelled is hereby recalled immediately.
5) All regional and constituency executives and aspirants are directed to ensure strict compliance with the directives herein.
6) All parliamentary aspirants, are hereby directed in their own interest, to strictly adhere to these directives as a breach of same shall attract severe sanctions.
The statement further noted that the dates for the filing of the nominations, vetting of parliamentary aspirants, and parliamentary primaries shall remain unchanged.
According to Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, Senior Professor in Political Science at theUniversity of Ghana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) must invest in creating a perfect manifesto if it wants to gain political power.
This, he says, will help the party address its past failures whilst meeting the present needs of the ordinary Ghanaian.
“They need a strategy, workable strategy that will help them deal with the lingering challenges that confronted the party in the last elections.
“They need a manifesto and by manifesto; I am talking about a manifesto which will resonate with the people. That is, it syncs with the interest of the ordinary on the street, everybody and the other end is your message,” he said.
His comments were in response to a question posed by host of JoyNews Today, Aisha Ibrahim, on strategies former president
must use to help realise his ambition of winning the 2024 elections.
The political scientist explained that the strategies must include resources to mobilise people to galvanise support and sell their messages.
He stressed that the times the country is confronted with require messages which would give hope to the people.
Dr Asah-Asante added that “these are some of the basic things they need to do but to do that they need to hit the ground, take data and begin to analyse the data and put them along the lines. I am talking about what you want to begin to use them for your manifesto and tease them out for messaging.”
He said the circumstances surrounding the last elections and present conditions in Ghana are different and it is therefore, important the party reviewed its policies.
“If you look at the economy, I am not sure at that time, that was the nature of the economy, for which reason they do a manifesto that will suit the present circumstance. Today things have changed so they need to do a tweak on the manifesto to be able to bring it alive with the current realities on the ground.
“You are also looking at unemployment figures. I am not sure they stand the same. You need to work on that issue of infrastructure, are we seeing more for which reason you need a certain number to augment what already exists in the system,” he said
He reiterated that “they need to look at their manifesto one more time and make the necessary changes to suit the changing circumstances at the time, they can’t say that they would use the same thing and then use it for their campaign. That would be obsolete at birth when they go to the elections.”
A former national organizer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Yaw Boateng Gyan, claims that he was not invited to the campaign launch for the party’s flagbearer former president John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, he would have honoured any such invitation if it had been extended to him even though he belongs to a different camp in the internal contest.
“I did not attend because I was not invited. If I was invited, I would have honoured the invitation. He is a former president, he has been a former leader of the party and we have worked with him before so if he wants to be the flagbearer I would have sat through the event if I was invited, listen to what he has to say and congratulate him,” he told Okay FM in an interview.
Despite not attending the event, Mr Boateng Gyan said he monitored Mr Mahama’s address at the launch through the media.
He noted that while the former president deserves commendation for admitting to his mistakes while he was in power. The address Boateng Gyan said, was overreaching as Mahama spoke as if he had already been elected as flagbearer of the NDC.
Mahama, former Mayor of Kumasi – Kojo Bonsu, a businessman based in the United Kingdom – Ernest Kobea and former Finance Minister – Dr Kwabena Duffour whom Mr Boateng Gyan has thrown his support behind have all filed to contest for the NDC’s flagbearership.
According to Yaw Boateng Gyan, Mr Mahama cannot be the best candidate for the NDC going into the 2024 presidential election due to his performance record.
He said while the former president is quick to tout his infrastructure record, Ghana currently needs a leader that is economically inclined to deal with its challenges hence his support for the former Minister for Finance.
Ghanaian actor and politician, John Dumelo has expressed his displeasure with Ghana’s 66th Independence Day Celebration amid the economic downturn.
According to the 2020 parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, the current state of the country does not make it favourable to commemorate such an event.
He said this in his tweet on Monday, March 1, 2023.
The actor has since called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to call off the event earmarked to observe the day Ghana gained independence.
He added that calling off the celebrations and marking the day with a televised address from the President will help save money for the country.
“Greetings @NAkufoAddo, respectfully we are in hard times, can you please cancel all state, regional, and district Independence Day celebrations? You can do your usual ‘fellow Ghanaians’ broadcast on tv. This will save us millions of cedis. Thanks so much,” he requested.
Ghana’s 66th Independence Day celebration will commence on Monday, March 6, 2023.
The celebration which would be under the theme: “Our Unity; Our Strength; Our Purpose”, would be honoured by thousands from across the country and the world.
The day is scheduled to be marked with national and regional activities including the main ceremony which will be held in the Volta Regional capital of Ho.
During the launch of the event, the Chairman of the National Planning Committee, Lord Commey, disclosed that the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló would grace the parade as the special guest of honor.
However, President Akufo-Addo together with some dignitaries are also expected to be at the event where he will deliver an address.
Greetings @NAkufoAddo, respectfully we are in hard times, can you please cancel all state, regional and district Independence Day celebrations? You can do your usual “fellow Ghanaians” broadcast on tv. This will save us millions of cedis. Thanks so much.
He said some party members who are not happy with what the NPP has done NDC members and want the party to pay them back in similar fashion should they win power in 2024, should not think like that and instead prioritise the overall interest of the party.
“There is no need to seek for political power to repeat NPP’s mistakes,” he said.
Former President Mahama made the remarks while launching his campaign bid to contest the flagbearer role of the NDC in Ho in the Volta Region.
He was of the view that there is no need to come to power with the mindset of vindictiveness as it has been done by the Akufo-Addo-led administration.
A former president, John Dramani Mahama, has for the umpteenth time blamed the Akufo-Addo-led administration for the country’s economic woes.
Mr Mahama indicated that despite the hard work of his administration, Ghanaians decided to vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2016 general elections due to the “lofty” promises by the then opposition party in hope that their problems will be resolved.
However, they have been disappointed by theAkufo-Addo government, he said.
Speaking during his campaign launch to contest in the presidential primary of theNational Democratic Congress(NDC) ahead of the 2024 general elections, in Ho on Thursday, March 2, Mr Mahama said “This government has been clueless and in many ways callous the unthinkable has happened and our country today is broken on all fronts, Ghana is bankrupt.
“We are saddled with debts we simply can’t pay, we have suffered the global humiliation of defaulting on our debts and being downgraded by all credit rating agencies to the lowest level ever seen in our history”
He added “Our economy is in the worst ever shape with suffering and pain on an unprecedented level.”
He further said he does not take his decision to contest in the flagbearer elections of the NDC lightly.
In his view, the 2020 general election is the most important and defining poll in the Fourth Republic hence his decision to contest.
Speaking at his campaign launch in Ho on Thursday, March 2, he said “For the 2024 elections which I consider to be the most important and defining poll of our time, I have not taken this step lightly, it has been the product of months of prayer, broad consultations and sober reflections.
“I have searched my sole and paid close attention to your voices, to your daily struggles and to your present national predicament.”
He added “At this stage, Ghana demands experience not experiment, Ghana demands togetherness and not divisiveness, now is the time for the bravery of heart and clarity of purpose.”
In an effort to represent theNational Democratic Congress (NDC) as the party’s nominee in the general elections of 2024, the former president John Dramani Mahama will launch his campaign today, March 2, 2023.
‘Building the Ghana we want together’ will be the theme for launching his campaign which will take place in the Cedi Auditorium at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, in the Volta Region.
Aside from the former president, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, a former Finance Minister, Kojo Bonsu, a former Mayor of Kumasi, and Ernest Kobeah, a 43-year-old businessman based in the United Kingdom, are all running for the job.
The party is anticipated to conduct its presidential primaries on May 13, 2023.
After losing the previous two elections in 2016 and 2020, John Mahama intends to run for president again in the 2024 polls.
The former President, however, is confident that he has what it takes to assist the nation out of its current economic crisis.
Mahama’s former campaign manager, Joshua Alabi, and some Regional Chairmen of the National Democratic Congress picked up presidential nomination forms on his behalf.
Observers are backing calls for Mr. Mahama to go unopposed in the NDC’s upcoming presidential election.
Although the rules of the NDC permit an open contest for all qualified members of the party, allowing Mahama to go unopposed they believe will save the party both resources and time.
A political scientist and lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Abdul Jalilu Ateku, says he does not foresee any significant threat to the victory of Mahama in the NDC’s primaries.
Dr. Ateku anticipated that the former President will win by a landslide victory in the internal polls.
He said none of the presidential hopefuls who have declared their intentions to contest on the ticket of the opposition NDC comes out stronger than Mr. Mahama.
But the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said it is not perturbed about the decision of John Dramani Mahama to run for president.
Director of Communications for the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah said the party is not worried about a man who has no track record to show when he was president.
“We have beaten him twice, so you just conclude for yourself if we are afraid of him. It is all mathematical, and we have defeated him twice. He is even afraid to plainly declare whether he is going to contest or not. We are ready for him.”
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticized the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for resisting the new Constitutional Instrument (CI) proposed by the Election Commission (EC).
The NDC is kicking against the EC’s proposed CI through which it intends to make the Ghana card the sole identification document for voter registration.
They have argued that the new CI if passed will disenfranchise majority of Ghanaians from registering for voter cards.
In an interview with Bernard Avle on the Point of View, the Director of Research and Electionsof the NPP, Evans Nimako expressed concerns over the NDC’s penchant for challenging measures aimed at sanitising the country’s electoral system.
Mr. Nimako said he cannot fathom the fears of the NDC if the CI is passed by Parliament.
“My little worry about the NDC is that anytime there are any arrangements that seek to sanitise the registration exercise of the EC, they tend to disagree. We saw this when the new EC decided to put in place the new voter registration management system. They disagreed to the extent that they went to court and they failed.
“I’m not saying they shouldn’t challenge or bring alternatives. We have on a number of occasions disagreed with the EC. I don’t see their fears, but the question is, what does the NDC stands to lose if the EC at this point decides that we want to have a CI that will take away this whole issue about the guarantor system that gives us so much trouble,” he said on the Point of View.
The NPP’s Director of Research and Elections advised the NDC to return to the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) in order to have extensive discussions with the other political parties on the way forward.
“The NDC should eat their humble pie and come to IPAC so that we can have a discussion there so that we will not take this whole long time to discuss this issue,” he encouraged.
Mr. Nimako called on Ghanaians especially politicians to support the EC to deliver on its mandate.
“I think that the EC’s arrangements to have a CI that will allow only those who will want to have their names onto the register to use the Ghana cards must be supported by all,” he urged.
The 2020 parliamentary candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, John Dumelo has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to call off events earmarked for the observance of Ghana’s 66th Independence Day celebrations.
The actor in a Twitter post sighted by GhanaWeb premised his call on the current state of economic affairs in the country. According to him, calling off the celebrations and marking the day with a televised address from the president will help the country save money.
“Greetings @NAkufoAddo, respectfully we are in hard times, can you please cancel all state, regional and district Independence Day celebrations? You can do your usual ‘fellow Ghanaians’ broadcast on tv. This will save us millions of cedis. Thanks so much,” he requested.
Ghana’s 66th Independence Day celebration falls on Monday, March 6, 2023.
The day is scheduled to be marked with a national and regional activities including with the main ceremony to held in the Volta Regional capital of Ho.
President Akufo-Addo is expected to be at the event where he will deliver an address.
An aspiring flagbearer of the oppositionNational Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, launched his campaign by paying a visit to the party’s Greater Accra Regional caucus.
The visit was aimed at seeking the permission of the regional executives to embark on a regional tour to share his vision and aspirations with the delegates of the party in the region.
Dr Duffuor and his entourage were received by the Regional Chairman, Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore; the Regional Secretary of the party, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, and other top officials of the party in the region.
Ahotor, pension scheme
The former minister of finance and former governor of the Bank of Ghanastated that over the years, the party’s grassroots had been neglected despite continually pushing the agenda of the party.
He, therefore, pledged to enhance the grassroots through his Ahotor project, an economic empowerment programme that would offer employment opportunities to the youth and the grassroots in order to win the 2024 general election.
In a similar vein, Dr Duffuor pledged to institute a pension scheme for the party aged who had served the NDC loyally over years.
That, he believed, would motivate their children to join the party and take up the mantle of championing the interests and aspirations of Ghanaians.
Dr Duffuor pledged to put up appropriate regional and constituency offices in areas that lacked proper party structures.
“When I went round the country, I was saddened because we were having our meetings in classrooms and churches while the other party had offices; we are bigger than them so that should not be the case,” he said.
He noted that during the 2016 and 2020 general elections, the party had some challenges in the collation of results which partly contributed to their loss and vowed to establish a secured real-time electoral mechanism that would monitor the elections.
Maximise votes, itinerary
Mr Moore stated that the party’s goal was to maximise votes in the Greater Accra because it was a decisive region and as such would lay down foundations for fair competition between aspirants.
He, therefore, urged all aspirants to run a clean campaign devoid of insults and badmouthing because, at the end of the internal elections, it could be used against the party in the general election.
Mr Chaie noted that the visit was a sign that the Duffuor campaign understood the structures and hierarchy of the party at the regional level.
He, therefore, advised them to create and submit a comprehensive itinerary that would outline how they intended to visit the various constituencies and branches in the region.
On Tuesday, February 28, Speaker Alban Bagbin was justified in ordering the withdrawal of twoMembers of Parliament‘s remarks and submissions.
Incidentally, the two MPs were from the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and they were ordered to retract statements directed at a common subject, that is Jean Mensah, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Jean Mensa along with the Chief Executive Officer of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Prof Ken Attafuah and the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, appeared before the House to defend the sole use of the Ghana Card as proof for registration of new voters.
The NIA, who are in charge of the issuance of the cards have raised logistical constraints which the Minister of Finance has assured is being addressed.
For the EC chair, her submissions were to explain how and why the particular card was chosen for new registrations as per the Constitutional Instrument (CI), the EC has laid before Parliament.
As the EC boss was making her point, the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, could be heard describing her remarks as shameful.
This infuriated members of the Majority Caucus, who were up in arms, demanding that the MP withdraws his comments. This caused some commotion in the House for about a minute.
The Minister for Defence and MP for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, who was being chastised by the Speaker, for being out of order could be heard saying: “Mr Speaker, I’m protesting. You cannot invite somebody into your house and insult the person. Mr Speaker why? He is misbehaving too much.”
Bagbin then directed his anger at Murtala and told him that his comments were unparliamentary.
“Honourable Murtala Muhammed, it has long been ruled in this House that the use of the word ‘shame’ is unparliamentary… the guests we have are here to answer to an invitation by this House. The best we can do is to listen to them.
“Again, Honourable Murtala Muhammed, I call on you to withdraw the shame, shame,” Bagbin said.
Murtala Muhammed, before withdrawing his comment, argued that his comments were not made through the microphone and thus cannot be recorded as official.
But Bagbin insisted that during meetings of the committees, every comment made is recorded even if it is not made through a microphone.
The action of the Speaker drew him some applause from members of the Majority Caucus.
Watch the Murtala retraction below:
The Bongo MP in speaking on the floor on the same issue, cited a similar instance of disenfranchisement in the neighbouring Ivory Coast where some citizens were segregated for reasons of being non-citizens which situation he claimed created mayhem.
“Mr Speaker, on elections matters; consensus is key. Côte d’Ivoire is just by us here. By virtue of the fact that laws were passed to create the impression that others were not citizens, it created problems in Côte d’Ivoire.
“Afari Gyan handed over to Charlotte, Charlotte gave it to you, this country was in one piece. If this country goes to war, because of this, it will be on your head,” he cautioned.
However, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin ordered that the particular statement be retracted and expunged from the hansard.
Former President John Dramani Mahama announced on February 28, 2023, through a social media post that he will launch his campaign for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer position on March 2, 2023, in Ho, Volta Region.
The event will take place at the Cedi Auditorium, located at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHIA), and the theme of the launch is “Creating the Ghana we want together.”
Mahama will be contesting against three other candidates for the NDC flagbearer position. They includeDr. Kwabena Duffuor, a former finance minister; Kojo Bonsu, a former mayor of Kumasi; and Ernest Kwaku Kobeah, a 43-year-old businessman based in the United Kingdom.
The NDC began accepting presidential candidate nominations on February 22, 2023, and closed it on February 24, 2023. According to the Party’s timetable, submission and filing of nomination forms for the flagbearer position will take place from March 20 to March 22, 2023.
The vetting of aspirants will be conducted from March 27 to March 29, 2023. Aspirants who have issues with the vetting process will have the opportunity to appeal from March 30 to April 6, 2023.
The NDC’s presidential primaries are expected to take place on May 6, 2023. Parliamentary aspirants will be required to pay a GH¢5,000 nomination fee, and the filing fee is set at GH¢40,000.
The NDC is Ghana’s largest opposition party and will elect a flagbearer to contest the 2024 presidential election.
The Electoral Commission (EC) chair, Jean Mensa, has received a severe warning from the National Democratic Congress(NDC) in the North to ensure fairness in the 2024 general elections.
The EC has stated that it’s taking steps to make the Ghana card the only document for registration.
But the party says the steps taken by the EC chair are a recipe for chaos and has thus served notice that the party will not tolerate it.
These comments were made at Yendi in the Northern region by the Regional Organiser of the party, Abdallah Baba Zee, when the party embarked on a health walk in the Yendi constituency.
“We the NDC are sending a word of caution to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission to be very careful about the steps she is taking. The EC is seeking to use the Ghana Card as the only document for the limited registration. The constituency center is the only place for registration. We are sending a strong warning to the EC chair that we will not sit down for such to happen. It has the potential of disenfranchising many Ghanaians, and we will not accept it,” Abdallah Baba Zee said.
Three people have picked nomination forms to contest for the primaries of the NDC in the Yendi constituency.
The Regional Organiser commended the Regional Chairmen and the 137 MPs who supported former President John Dramani Mahama in the picking of nominations.
He however admonished the constituency executives for purpose of unity in the party not to openly support any of the aspirants and also urge the aspirants to be decorous in their campaign messages.
“I want to admonish the constituency executives here in Yendi not to openly throw their support for any of the aspirants as this could affect the unity in the party. Again to the aspirants, I want to caution that as you go about your campaign, please be mindful of your language. This is an internal election, and we will surely need one another in the general elections. Let’s use language that is not divisive but preach peace and unity,” he said.
The Constituency Communications Officer for NDC in the Yendi constituency, Adam Halid, said the health walk is to re-energize the base of the party for 2024.
He said the party is poised to win the Yendi seat for the NDC and slammed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for its woeful performance.
“We are re-energizing the party to get ready for 2024. We are very poised to win the seat. The NPP has woefully failed the good people of Yendi. The president himself came and took the Overlord of Dagbon Yaa Naa to the Dagbon state senior high school to cut the sod for the Yendi water project, for three years now, nothing is happening,” he said.
On his part, Fataw Osman Jofa who is in the race again preached peace and unity among the aspirants.
He promised to fix the Yendi water project within six months if he wins.
“I want to call on my brothers who have also picked nomination forms to please let there be peace and unity among us. Our biggest concern is to win the seat from the incompetent government of the NPP.
“I want to say that the president has failed the good people of Yendi because the former President John Dramani Mahama was almost done with the documents of the Yendi water project and this president has failed to deliver. He cut the sod on three different occasions but nothing is being done. When I get the chance, I want to assure the good people of Yendi that within six months we will fix the water challenges,” he said.
In Ghana, people of all ages compete to represent their numerous constituencies inparliament, and being a legislator is a big deal.
But while some people are dying to enter the legislative house, others are getting out voluntarily. As the major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party have already begun processes in preparation to battle for victory in the 2024 general elections, some sitting lawmakers have chosen to not seek re-election.
Some of them say they have done enough and the time has come to step aside for other people to serve, while others want to run for president.
Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu
Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu
Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs who represents the people of the Suame constituency in the Ashanti Region has indicated that he will not seek re-election. He is currently serving his seventh term in the legislative house after entering in 1996.
2. James Klutsey Avedzi
James Klutse Avedzi
The Member of Parliament for the Ketu-North constituency is retiring from lawmaking. He is serving his fifth term in parliament. He was the former Chairman of the Finance Committee in the parliament of Ghana from 2009 to 2017. He is currently the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of parliament and also the immediate past Deputy Minority Leader for the NDC in parliament.
3.Benjamin Komla Kpodo
Hon. Benjamin Kpodo
He is the Ho central Member of Parliament. He entered parliament in 2013 but reports indicate that he is not seeking re-election.
4. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
The Member of Parliament for the Assin-Central constituency entered parliament in 2000 and has retained the seat since. He is retiring from parliament because he wants to contest the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearership race to become president.
5. Cletus Avoka
The NDC Member of Parliament for Zebilla Constituency announced during an NDC Youth Wing meeting and dinner ceremony that he will not seek re-election.
He served in the first parliament from 1993 to 2005 before losing the seat to the late John Ndebugri at the time the constituency was known as the Bawku West constituency.
In 2009, he re-entered as the second MP for the Zebilla constituency.
Cletus Avoka was also the MP for Garu Tempane from 2000 to 2004. In the year 2000, he won the general elections as a member of parliament for the Garu-Tempane constituency of the Upper East Region of Ghana. He won as an independent candidate in that election for the Upper East Region.
He would have served his constituents for 24 years in parliament by 2024, so he thinks the time to allow another person to represent the people of Zebilla is now.
The Director of Research at theInstitute of Economic Affairs(IEA) Dr John Kwakye has asserted that Ghana needs a vibrant third force to eliminate the duopoly of New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The NPP and the NDC have dominated political power since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1992.
Although other political parties such as the Convention Peoples Party(CCP), Peoples National Convention (PNC) Prphressive Peoples Party (PPP) and others have participated in elections in the Fourth Republic they have not been able to garner the needed votes to enable them to form a government.
This has led the NPP and NDC to dominate the space at the presidential and parliamentary levels.
In a tweet, Dr John Kwakye described the NPP and the NDC as incompetent parties in the management of the economy.
He said “We need a third force in Ghanaian politics to uproot the incompetent NPP-NDC duopoly.”
We need a third force in Ghanaian politics to uproot the incompetent NPP-NDC duopoly.
— J. K. Kwakye (@JohnKwabenaKwa1) February 26, 2023
Former Director of Communications for the oppositionNational Democratic Congress, has questioned the popularity of the party’s 2020 presidential candidate, former PresidentJohn Dramani Mahama; as being touted by his supporters.
According to some supporters of Mr Mahama, the former president based on his popularity with the Ghanaian electorate should have been allowed to run unopposed in the NDC’s upcoming primaries.
But speaking on Top FM’s Final Point talk show hosted by Kwabena Owusu Agyemang (Governor), Solomon Nkansah who is part of the Dr Kwabena Duffour campaign team dared the former president to leave the NDC and contest as an independent candidate if he is that popular.
“It is the NDC that is popular than any individual within the party. No individual who is a member of the party is more popular.
“Jerry Rawlings who is the founder of the party led the campaign of late President Mills but the NDC still lost. If he was that popular, he could have led the party to power,” he said.
“He should go independent. If he is popular than the party, he should go independent and let’s see,” Solomon Nkansah added.
The NDC on Friday, February 23, 2023, closed nominations for its flagbearership contest slated for May 13, 2023.
Former President John Mahama, Dr Kwabena Duffour and two others picked nomination forms to contest in the race.
Whereas Mr Mahama is deemed by some members of the NDC as the party’s presumptive flagbearer based on his popularity, Solomon Nkansah believes the former president’s brand is suffering from diminishing returns.
He posits that Dr Duffour remains the ideal candidate to win the NDC power going into the 2024 presidential election.
The groups, made of Okada riders, farmers, traders and beneficiaries of John Dumelo’s benevolent works in the district, said they wanted him as their representative in Parliament after the 2024 elections.
John Dumelo, an actor, farmer and politician, contested the 2020 parliamentary elections at the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.
His performance was one which was hailed by many political analysts although he failed to secure a seat in the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Bulley Harrison, Caretaker of a factory being built by John Dumelo, received the token on behalf of the actor and promised to relay the information to him.
Dzamesi Lawrence, a leader of Okada riders in Likpe, said they called on the caretaker to present the token due to John Dumelo’s absence.
He said the developmental projects and lives touched on in the district formed the basis for their support.
Tsatsu Godwin, a resident of Lolobi, noted that John Dumelo’s representation of the area in Parliament would give the area the development it needed for years.
Miss Abdullah Salamatu, a trader, said Mr Dumelo had a lot of plans for the youth and women, and it would be a disservice on their part to allow him to represent a different Constituency in Parliament.
She said John Dumelo’s commitment to seeing that everyone benefitted in society was there for all to see.
Ghana News Agency’s checks revealed that although the Party has opened nominations for the presidential and parliamentary aspirants, Mr Dumelo is yet to pick his nomination form as well as declare the Constituency.
A former governor of the Bank of Ghana and potential National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential nominee,Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, has said that if elected president, Ghana’s faltering economy will experience a significant turnaround within two years.
He said this after receiving the nomination forms picked up on his behalf on Thursday.
The National Democratic Congress is set to elect its flagbearer on May 13, 2023.
Already, four persons have picked up their nomination forms. Apart from Dr. Duffuor, the rest are former President John Dramani Mahama, former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu and a businessman, Ernest Kwaku Kobeah.
Dr. Duffuor after receiving his nomination form, which was picked up by the NDC Women’s wing in the Ashanti Region, touted the NDC’s achievement and indicated that the Nana Addo-led government has worsened the economy.
He promised to revive the economy if he is given the nod.
“The place for the eagle is not the land but the sky. The eagle will soar again, Ghana will soar again. Our government, if voted for, will bring the economy back within two years. The first year will be a resurrection year and the second year, will be a complete recovery in 2025,” he said.
He further criticized the governing New Patriotic Party for its continuous borrowing and the worsening inflation.
“When we left office, the cedi was performing better. When we were leaving office the total public debt was GH¢35 billion. Now, it’s over GH¢600 billion. We can do better,” he added.
Dr. Duffuor was appointed the Governor of the Bank of Ghana in 1997.
In his era as Governor, Dr. Duffuor restructured Government accounts at the Bank of Ghana and led the implementation of both fiscal and monetary policies.
He was named one of the four best Central Bank Governors in the World at a World Bank meeting in 1999.
Prior to the elections on May 13, 2023, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has suspended the parliamentary primaries in 27 constituencies.
General Secretary Fiifi Kwettey did not give any reasons for the suspensions in two separate releases on February 21 and 22, 2023.
“The National Democratic Congress wishes to announce…that all is set for the opening of nominations for the election of its Presidential candidate and Parliamentary Candidates for the 2024 General Elections.
“As such, effective, midnight of 22nd February, 2023, Nomination Forms for Parliamentary candidateswill be accessible to all persons for purchase on the official website of the party; www.ghanandc.com,” portions of the press statement said.
The General Secretary explained in the statement that the decision to suspend the parliamentary primaries in 27 constituencies was taken by the Functional Executive Committee (FEC).
NDC supporters in a festive mood at previous party functions. Source: Facebook/@OfficialNDCGhana
The first list contained 23 constituencies but on Wednesday, February 22, four new constituencies were added to the suspension list.
Here are the 27 constituencies where the opposition has suspended the parliamentary primaries in alphabetical order:
Adansi Asokwa
Afram Plains South
Ahafo Ano North
Ahafo Ano South West (Aduagyman)
Akontombra
Akwatia
Amasaman
Amenfi East
Asante Akim Central
Assin North
Ayawaso Central
Ayensuano
Binduri
Bosome Freho
Efutu
Evalue Gwira
Fomena
Gomoa Central
Gomoa East
Manhyia South
Manso Adubia
Odododiodio
Offinso North
Pusiga
Sekyere Afram Plains
Subin
Tarkwa Nsuaem
The NDC released another statement on February 22, 2023, announcing suspensions in 4 more constituencies.
The Parliamentary Minority caucus is still committed to its stance that none of the ministerial nominations should be approved.
The Minority had stated on Monday that they will not approve any of the nominees selected by President Akufo-Addo to fill some vacant positions in government.
The decision followed a directive by the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Kwetey, for Minority members on the Appointments Committee to reject all the nominees.
A section of the public had, however, hoped that the position of the Minority will be altered after participating in the two-day vetting process and particularly grilling some of the appointees for long periods.
The Majority caucus in Parliament on Tuesday also appealed to the National Democratic Congress as well as the Minority caucus to rescind the decision not to approve the new ministers.
Addressing the media, the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh appealed to the NDC and its members in Parliament to support the approval of the ministerial nominees.
“I just want our colleagues to understand that for the sake of unity, and the desire for us to forge a working relationship, this is their major decision. In terms of the fact that they are coming into leadership, this is the first time more or less they are going to make such a significant decision”.
But speaking to the media on Tuesday, Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, said their position remains the same.
The Adaklu MP added that their decision was based on principles and not personal interest.
“We stated earlier initially that it has nothing to do with the personalities. We also stated that it was based on principles and that the country’s debt levels were unsustainable and government should find a way of realigning ministries.
“As we speak there is no movement in terms of our decision not to support at this stage, so nothing has changed in our position about approval or disapproval of the nominees.”
The nominees vetted include Bryan Acheampong, who will head the Ministry of Food and Agriculture replacing Dr Afriyie Akoto who resigned to pursue his presidential vision; Stephen Asamoah Boateng will also oversee the affairs of the Chieftaincy Ministry.
The rest are OB Amoah, the MP for Akwapim South now Minister of State at the Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development Ministry and Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, MP for Karaga now Minister of State designate at the Finance Ministry.
TheNational Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Minority has reiterated its call for the dismissal ofKen Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, for alleged incompetence in the management of the economy.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, speaking at a press conference in Accra, said: “The President must spare Ghanaians the agony of waking up tomorrow to see Ken Ofori-Atta still in charge of the economy.”
The press conference was held on the back of a directive from the NDC that the party’s minority parliamentary caucus should not approve the president’s ministerial nominees.
The party attributed its decision to the economic hardship Ghanaians were facing and the large size government.
Dr Forson said the NDC minority caucus would participate in the vetting of the President’s ministerial nominees but would not subscribe to a consensus vote at the level of the appointments committee.
This, he said, would ensure that the matter was brought before the full House for a vote to be taken in secret.
“We in the Minority wish to make it clear that we remain committed to ensuring greater scrutiny and will spare no effort to protect the public purse,” he said.
“In line with this, we are taking part in the vetting process so that at the very minimum, we can scrutinize the president’s decision in bringing up those nominees.”
Dr Forson said Ghana was currently going through the worst economic times in its history, stating that six years of economic mismanagement by the Akufo-Addo regime had rendered life unbearable, in fact, almost impossible, for millions of Ghanaians who struggle daily to make ends meet.
“Many people struggle to afford even one meal a day. The situation in respect of feeding in Senior High Schools across the country is even more disturbing,” he said. “We are burdened with unsustainable debt. Currently, standing at over GHS 600 billion representing about 103 per cent of our gross domestic product (GDP), this is the highest level of indebtedness in the 4th Republic.”
He said inflation was galloping at hyper levels, and that Ghanaians were confronted with daily price increases beyond the reach of majority of the people.
Touching on the size of Government, Dr Forson urged the President to take immediate steps to reduce the number of political appointees at the Office of the President.
He appealed to the President for reduction in the number of Ministers from the current 86 to 65.
The Minority Leader also advocated the merger of Ministries, citing the merger of Information and Communication, Transport and Railways; Chieftaincy and Tourism; and Sanitation and Local Government.
He also asked for the immediate reduction in the number of political appointees at the Office of the President.
He made the long-awaited disclosure on February 21 after meeting members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament at his residence in Accra.
GhanaWeb sources say even though not all the MPs were present at the said meeting, it was intended to assure Mahama of their support in upcoming party primaries.
Mahama assured the lawmakers that he will contest for the flagbearership contest and that an official announcement of his bid should be expected soon, the source added.
Two MPs have since confirmed that they were part of the said meeting. The MP for Wa Central Constituency, Rashid Pelpuo confirmed Mahama’s declaration whiles Clement Apaak of Builsa South tweeted the development.
“JM met with us, NDC MPs, earlier today (21/2/2023) at his office. He informed us of his intention to contest to be Flagbearer of the NDC and ultimately the Presidency. We assured him of our full and unflinching support. #JM2024!” his tweet read.
Mahama’s political roots date as far back to the days of Ghana’s independence when his father served in the Nkrumah government.
He is reputed to be one of the most thoroughbred politicians of the Fourth Republic having served from the local level (Assembly) through to becoming a Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
Mahama held deputy minister and ministerial portfolios under the Rawlings government before rising to become vice president under John Mills and president when he took over from Mills then won his first full term in 2012.
He has been widely expected to contest for the presidency come 2024 as he seeks a final term in office on the back of two straight defeats to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2016 and 2020.
The New Patriotic Party(NPP) officials in the Navrongo Central district have stated that they will work tirelessly to reclaim the parliamentary seat from the National Democratic Congress in the general elections of 2024 to honor of late local MP Kofi Adda, of blessed memory.
Marking the one-year anniversary of the passing of the former Aviation Minister, the NPP executives in the constituency say the soul of Kofi Adda would not rest well if they do not honour him by winning the Navrongo Central seat for the NPP.
Kofi Adda died at the Legon Hospital on October 14, 2021, after a short illness and was buried in his hometown of Pungu in the Upper East Region.
The remembrance day was marked by a procession to his tomb, the laying of wreath and a special lecture at the C.K Tedam University of Technology and Applied Science.
Wife of the late Kofi Adda, Victoria Acheampong Adda remembered her husband as a loving and hard-working man that has contributed immensely to the Navrongo Central and must be honoured by peaceful elections in the NPP.
“So I say to the NPP, let peace reign within your ranks and I pray for successful elections and God knows the heart of man and I pray for the best.”
The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu also called for unity among the executives and the supporters of the party in the constituency to win back the seat from the NDC.
“His wish before he died was to see everybody and that is what we have started doing so that we can all come together to win back the seat from the NDC.”
Joseph Adongo who is the Municipal Chief Executive for the Kassena-Nankana East District also declared his intentions to contest the primaries to lead the party in the constituency in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
The National Communication Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has demanded that Dr. Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, be charged with fraudulently printing more than GH45 billion for the government.
In a tweet shared on February 9, 2023, Sammy Gyamfi said that the Bank of Ghana has violated the Bank of Ghana (Amendment) Act, 2016 (Act 918) by printing money above the allowed threshold without the approval of parliament.
He added that, that action by the central bank is criminal, as such, Dr. Ernest Addison and another individual who is involved in the illegality should be dealt with by the law.
“This statement from the BoG is an admission of criminality and can suffice as a confession statement. The governor of the BoG and all those culpable are candidates for criminal prosecution under section 67 of the ACT 612 for violating section 30 of ACT 612 as amended by ACT 918,” parts of the tweet read.
The NDC national communications officer was reacting to a justification by the central bank on its decision to print over GH¢40 billion for the government to finance the 2022 budget which is above the required threshold and needs the approval of parliament.
According to the BoG, it was left with no option but to support the government because it’s (the government’s) access to International Capital Marketwas closed and the domestic market was also struggling.
In a statement issued on Thursday, February 9, 2023, the central bank posited that its action was not wrong since the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2018 which was suspended by the Parliament of Ghana, had not been reinstated.
The statement by the BoG comes after it was heavily criticized by some Ghanaians after a Bloomberg report indicated that it printed GH¢41.9 billion for the government in 2022.
Broadcaster, Dr. Randy Abbey, who was reacting to the Bloomberg report, said that the BoG, which is supposed to be regulating the country’s financial sector, appears to be breaking all the rules in the sector.
“The level of seeming recklessness and lawlessness, and irresponsibility when it comes to the operation of the central bank and the lack of transparency is getting worrying,” he said.
A former presidential candidate and steadfast member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sylvester Mensah, finds it encouraging to see Sophia Akuffo, a former chief justice, picketing outside the Finance Ministry in support of pensioners and other private bondholders.
Mr Mensah in a Facebook said he deduces from the CJ’s statements that she understood the voluntary nature of opting onto the DDEP,
He, however, believes the former Chief Justice only sought to articulate some of the issues “in an effort to bring clarity to how we got here, and government’s inadequate share of the burden of domestic debt restructuring.”
“She also articulated the government’s arrogant posture and the vain threat of sinking together if bondholders refuse to participate.”
The former NHIA Boss expected the former Chief Justice to have gone further to say there is a lack of confidence in the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, “whose poor management and self-interest in the reckless borrowing over the past 6 years have brought Ghana to the edge of a cliff.”
“How do we re-fuel our bus for the same bad and reckless driver, who has driven us into a ditch to drive us “safely” home? Change the driver, Mr. President!”
“We applaud former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo for her discerning and distinguished voice in these deeply troubling times in Ghana. It is entirely predictable that NPP apologists and grassroots attack dogs would be unleashed to devour her, but to no effect: Ghanaians have been awoken from their slumber by the super incompetence of the worst government in Ghana’s post-independence history,” he added.
Popular actor and film producer Fred Nuamah has declared his candidacy for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency seat in the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
During the 2020 general elections, celebrated actor, John Dumelo contested for the seat on the ticket of the NDC but failed to secure the needed votes thus losing out to Lydia Seyram Alhassan of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
It is currently unclear if Mr. Dumelo is eyeing the seat again.
Fred Nuamah, who is also a film director is best known for his role in the movie ‘The Game’.
He is the founder and CEO of Ghana Movie Awards & Ghana TV series awards, an annual award show that recognises excellence in the Ghanaian film industry.
Ato Forson, Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Essiam, formally started his duties as Minority Leader on February 7, 2023 when Parliament resumed sitting after the Christmas break.
“I was told the night before. It’s a decision that the party had made so they were informing me not for me to make a choice as to whether I’m going to accept it or not to accept it. But I took it like a call to duty.
“In fact, it shook me, it took me by surprise. But what I told you earlier is that I adapt so easily and that’s my biggest strength, it doesn’t take me a couple of minutes to adapt so I sat back and said ‘hey…’” he said on PM Express programme on Joy News on February 8.
He also spoke extensively about how he did not wish for the job, suggesting that it had been given to him because of the party’s own considerations which he believes were justified.
On his relationship with Haruna Iddrisu, the former Minority Leader, Ato Forson said it remained cordial and that Haruna was the first person he contacted when he received news of the party’s decision.
“Let me put it this way, if there is any person in this House who has worked so hard for Haruna Iddrissu and worked for him, I don’t think there will be two people more than me. My loyalty to him is unquestionable.
“I’ve loved him; in fact, I’m a product of his leadership because he gave me room to work and to excel. It’s not every leader that will give his ranking the opportunity to excel at that magnitude,” he stressed.
The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has argued that government should put more of an emphasis on providing better policies and initiatives in Zongo communities than just food.
“We in the NDC seek to bring something that can lift the Zongo communities; so just as our Imam said, we have gone beyond sharing of rice and sardines. If you want to do something to help Zongo communities, educate their children,” Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah said this in a speech at Kobreso, a community in the Offinso North District of the Ashanti Region,
He was at a fundraising ceremony organized by the Ghana Muslim Mission in the area to build a technical school and a clinic.
At the event, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah also emphasized that the NDC has a great love for Zongo communities across the country which is why the party established the Islamic Education Unit at the Ghana Education Service in 1987 to introduce the secular subjects pursued under the national curriculum into the Islamic schools and also started major educational projects under the elsewhere NDC administration.
He however revealed that the narrative has changed under the current NPP government as it has abandoned all educational projects in Zongo communities that were started by the NDC.
“We promised to build Islamic schools, but whiles you do that, you also need to find where to train Islamic teachers, that is why we built Islamic Training College at Wenchi in my District. For that reason, in the last campaign, we promised to continue that project but since we left office, all plans and documentation have been abandoned to date”. National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah chided.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership has stated that the party will focus its efforts on ensuring that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) governs the nation effectively.
According to the National Chairman of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, all members of the party must support the agenda following the resolution of the issue of the leadership change in Parliament.
The party has indicated that the challenges confronting the reshuffle of the Minority leadership in Parliament have been addressed after a meeting among the national executives, the Council of Elders and the Minority caucus on Monday.
Speaking to the members of the caucus, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah urged the new leadership to work assiduously.
“We are going to refocus on the issue of bad governance in the country including works on the National Cathedral. We’ve cautioned the new leadership that, the record of the performance of the old leadership serves as a yardstick to the measurement of their own performance.”
Chairman of the Council of Elders for the NDC, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu said the party must win the next polls.
“From the reception the new leaders have received, this is not the beginning but the end of the meeting. The excitement shows that the issue has been resolved. There is no problem now. Our problem is to win the 2024 election.”
The meeting which took place at the DF Annan Auditorium in Parliament had stalwarts of the party including the Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and his General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, among others present.
Others at the meeting included former Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi, and former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adzaho.
“You can see from the enthusiasm that the challenges that arose from the announcement of the new leadership of our Caucus have all been resolved”, Johnson Asiedu Nketia added.
He claimed that the regional economy required rescue since it was in trouble.
Inaction is not an option in the face of calamity, according to John Dramani Mahama, hence the NDC is ready to assist in the salvage effort. Time is running out, so it’s imperative that you take action right away.
Read the full story originally published on February 7, 2022 by 3news.
Mr. Mahama noted in a statement on Monday, February 7 that there is no dispute that the Ghanaian economy is in deep crisis, a crisis he said is marked by huge budget deficits, an unsustainable public debt, rising inflation, a rapidly depreciating currency, ever-rising cost of living and a loss of confidence by both domestic and international investor communities.
The effects of these he said, have been severe hardships and suffering for the people of Ghana, especially those within vulnerable groups. As a result of the horrendous low point we have now reached, it is very clear that urgent intervention is required to avert a total collapse of the economy.
Therefore, “We in the NDC stand prepared to aid in the salvage effort because inaction is not an option in the face of disaster. The clock is ticking very fast and the time to act is now”
Below is his full statement…
There is no dispute that the Ghanaian economy is in deep crisis, a crisis marked by huge budget deficits, an unsustainable public debt, rising inflation, a rapidly depreciating currency, ever-rising cost of living, and a loss of confidence by both domestic and international investor communities.
The effects of these have been severe hardships and suffering for the people of Ghana, especially those within vulnerable groups. As a result of the horrendous low point we have now reached, it is very clear that urgent intervention is required to avert a total collapse of the economy.
Yet, President Nana Akufo-Addo and his Head of the Economic Management Team, rather appallingly, remain nonchalant in the face of this serious crisis and have limited their response to the imposition of very harsh and regressive tax measures, one of which is the E-Levy, which has been roundly rejected by the people of Ghana.
Like one drowning and yet clutching at a mere straw to stay afloat, this government has banked all its hopes on the E-Levy, which, given the gravity and depth of the problems that have beset our economy, is neither adequate nor viable as a sustainable response to the crisis. In the face of this serious crisis, government has also resorted to unhelpful political posturing over suggestions on how to stem the downward spiral, ensure discipline and help the economy to recover.
It is painfully obvious that beyond the ill-conceived E- Levy, the Akufo-Addo administration has no viable or credible plan of action to get us out of the current economic doldrums into which they have plunged us; meanwhile, there can be collective buy-ins from the Ghanaian people, development partners and the investor community that are being ignored.
How come we do not have a much needed Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan that would lay down a firm blueprint for fiscal consolidation in the face of a worsening economic situation?
As I have indicated previously, the government must as a matter of urgency, borrow a leaf from our sound approach toward the challenges we faced in 2015. We immediately convened the Senchi Economic Forum at which we tapped the brains and expertise of a wide variety of knowledgeable people and stakeholders and built a consensus on our economic plan going forward.
The knowledge shared at Senchi crystallized into our Homegrown Fiscal Consolidation Programme, which we eventually presented to the IMF for support. The IMF agreed entirely with our homegrown strategy whose implementation restored stability to the economy and laid the strong foundations that this government, just as the World Bank in 2016 forecasted, profited from between 2017 and 2020.
But for the profligacy and also the reckless election related expenditure in 2020, which undermined all the progress that had been made, our economy would not have taken the catastrophic nose-dive it has taken and left us all reeling under hardship. The Akufo-Addo administration in 2020/21 received and misapplied the largest windfall or bailout in Ghana’s history: a $1 billion concessional facility from the IMF, another $1 billion in SDR allocation, $430 million from the World Bank, $250 million from the Stabilization Fund, Gh¢10 billion from the Central Bank. This amounted to a total of about Gh¢33 billion.
It is a pity that today, the NPP’s entire economic plan hinges on the passage of an E-levy expected to raise a little over Gh¢6 billion. How did we arrive here?
The government must swallow what is left of its pride and create a platform for urgent and constructive dialogue among stakeholders with the view to fashioning out a robust set of policy responses to the economic challenges before we get to the point of no return.
We in the NDC stand prepared to aid in the salvage effort because inaction is not an option in the face of disaster. The clock is ticking very fast and the time to act is now.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated that issues relating to the reorganization of the Minority leadership in Parliament have been settled.
This comes after a meeting between the National Executives, the Council of Elders of the NDC, and the Minority Caucus in Parliament on Monday, February 6, 2023.
The meeting which took place at the DF Annan Auditorium in Parliament had stalwarts of the party including the Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and his General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, among others present.
Others at the meeting included former Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi, and former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adzaho.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah said the concerns raised have offered the party the opportunity to establish a framework for the running of the Minority caucus in Parliament.
“You can see from the enthusiasm that the challenges that arose from the announcement of the new leadership of our Caucus have all been resolved.”
The Chairman also disclosed that the party has learned some key lessons from the row that accompanied the announcement of the reshuffle and has led to the formulation of a framework to determine the leadership of the Caucus in the future.
“The challenges that we have been through in the few days have produced very beneficial results and it has led to the formulation of a framework for leading our Caucus in Parliament
“One of the takeaways from this meeting is for us to go and quickly expedite action for the formulation of a framework of leading our Caucus in Parliament in the future.”
Meanwhile, one of the petitioners who called for a suspension of the reshuffle for further engagements, Dr. Dominic Ayine said the group will support the new leaders in the discharge of their duties.
Cassiel Ato Forson replaced Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader on January 24.
Muntaka accepts Minority leadership reshuffle
In a related development, the former Minority Chief whip, Muntaka Mubarak, has finally accepted the decision by the National Democratic Congress to reshuffle the Minority leaders in Parliament.
His decision comes after former President John Dramani Mahama intervened and held discussions with the Member of Parliament for Asawase.
In a Facebook post, the former Chief Whip wrote “to all our supporters within and without. I had a lengthy meeting with my big brother, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday evening over the parliamentary reshuffle. I want to, first of all, thank him for his words of advice and encouragement to me as a younger brother”.
“His Excellency’s intervention has brought an end to all the brouhaha associated with the reshuffle.”
“We are in the interest of our party NDC. We need to move on as a party and channel all our energies towards the 2024 elections.
“I thank all our chiefs, Queen Mothers Imams, and supporters for your prayers and solidarity. I pray for Allah’s guidance in all our affairs. Long live NDC long live Ghana,” he concluded.
Muntaka Mubarak, the former Chief Whip of the Minority in Parliament, has succumbed to the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) plan to reshuffle the Minority’s front bench.
The reshuffle affected him (Muntaka Mubarak), the then leader of the caucus, Mr Haruna Iddrisu and the Mr James Klutse Avedzi, also the then Deputy Minority Leader.
However, the Asawase MP who was unhappy with the decision says he has accepted it in the interest of the party.
In the Facebook post on Monday, February 6, the former Minister for Sports thanked former President John Mahama for intervening in the matter.
According to him, the intervention has brought an end to all the misunderstanding that surrounded the reshuffle.
“To all our supporters within and without. I had a lengthy meeting with my big brother, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday evening over the parliamentary reshuffle.
“I want to first of all thank him for the words of advice and encouragement to me as a younger brother.
“His Excellency’s intervention has brought an end to all the brouhaha associated with the reshuffle.”
He thus urged the rank and file of the party to focus their energies towards election 2024.
“We are for the interest of our party NDC. We need to move on as a party and channel all our energies towards 2024 elections.
“I thank all our chiefs ,Queen Mothers Imams, supporters for your prayers and solidarity. I pray for Allah’s guidance in all our affairs. Long live NDC long live Ghana,” he concluded.
Last month, the NDC replaced Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu with Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle also replaced Ketu North MP, James Klutse Avedzi as the Deputy Minority Leader while Kwame Governs Agbodza replaced Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak as the Minority Chief Whip.
This, led to some differences over what the aggrieved NDC MPs described as “lack of consultation.”
Meanwhile, the party leadership will later today meet with all the Minority MPs to introduce the new leadership to them.
According to Mr. Worlanyo K. Siabi, CEO of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), the government is still owed 14 million Ghana cedis for free water that was provided to various water distribution businesses in the various Metropolitan and Municipal District Assemblies (MMDAs).
The Chief Executive Officer of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), Mr. Worlanyo K. Siabi, stated during the Public Account Committee hearing that a total of 37 million Ghana cedis for water systems managed under community management, of which GHS22 million has been disbursed to the MMDAs.Cardi B in court after failing to complete community service for strip club assault
Speaking to Class 91.3 FM, the Accountant at the Kitampo Water Supply System, Mr Seth Asamoah Afriyie, said the indebtedness of public institutions to the various utility companies is collapsing their operations.
He lamented that out of a total debt of GHS569,000, GHS368000 is owed by state institutions that have still not paid since 2020.
At a press conference on the Auditor-General’s report on the Covid funds, the National Communications Officer of the NDC, Mr Sammy Gyamfi, told journalists on Wednesday, 1 February 2023: “The Auditor-General also noted that in line with update No.6 of the President’s address to the Nation of 9th April 2020, non-governmental organisations and individual private water sellers provided free water services to their clients and customers at the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies from April 2020 to December 2020 and submitted a total bill of GH¢37,609,791.71 for 2020.”
“However, a review of COVID-19 free water bills at the Community Water and Sanitation Agency by the Auditor-General disclosed that there were no actual water bills generated and submitted to the Agency by the NGOs and Private Individual Water providers to support their claims.
“The Auditor-General could not verify the bill and validate the dubious payment of GH¢37,609,791.71 by the Ministry of Finance to these NGOs.”
The Managing Editor of The Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has described as reckless the removal of the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu by the leadership of the National Democratic Congress.
He said the NDC has created room for speculation amongst the party’s political opponents.
“This is a reckless move, absolutely reckless move. So what have you achieved? You have created conditions for all manner of speculations. I was listening to some of my friends in the NPP discuss this matter, come and see, it’s like they have won a bonanza.
“One of them actually went to the extent of saying John Mahama directed this move because he has a rift with Haruna, he wants to show Haruna some sense. This is not true, John Mahama was not comfortable with this move,” Mr. Pratt said on the Alhaji and Alhaji show on Radio Gold.
He described the popularity of the MP for Tamale South as legendary adding that his removal will affect the fortunes of the party up north.
“His popularity is legendary and anytime he has been touched, there have been repercussions. He is not God, he is not all-knowing, he is not omnipotent, he is not omnipresent, he can be removed. But if you want to remove him there are things that you have to do knowing the political circumstances. Were those things done?” the Editor of the Insight Newspaper asked.
According to him, though the outgoing Minority Leader has his shortcomings, he is the primus inter pares in the Northern region.
“Haruna Iddrisu may have all his faults, but he is the primus inter pares [first amongst equals] in the Northern Region. I have been to Tamale on many occasions, I went to school in Tamale, and I know Tamale fairly well. This is a man who comes to Tamale and he doesn’t drive a car. I have seen him riding just an ordinary bicycle moving from place to place holding caucuses in the streets, and playing cards with members. I have seen him on a motorbike going to funerals and so on,” Mr. Pratt noted.
There have been some disagreements amongst the Minority caucus after the party replaced Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu with Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle also replaced Ketu North MP, James Klutse Avedzi as the Deputy Minority Leader while Kwame Governs Agbodza replaced Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak as the Minority Chief Whip.
Some MPs signed a petition to reject the decision of the party over lack of consultation. Another set of MPs also petitioned the leadership of the NDC to ignore calls for the reshuffling to be reversed.
The Council of Elders of the NDC subsequently called on both sides to cease fire.
The MP for North Tongu, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called the controversy surrounding the leadership transition in the minority caucus a pointless diversion.
According to him, the focus of the National Democratic Congress and its MPs should be on helping find solutions to the numerous challenges the people of Ghana are facing.
Ablakwa said that the issue surrounding the change in the minority leadership has overshadowed important national issues including the debt exchange programme and corruption allegations in the government’s COVID-19 expenditure, as well as the construction of the National Cathedral of Ghana.
“If you look at the current situation in our country, we are in a very turbulent chaotic time. We are really in crisis and we see what is happening with the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, where so many people have been forced to take haircuts… we have an avalanche of corruption reports, look at the Auditor Generals’ Report on COVID-19, look at our own exposé.
“The Ghanaian people expect us to be focused on those matters, to offer leadership, to be their voice because that is why they sent us to Parliament.
“So, the point I am making is that, this is a needless distraction,” the MP said in a JoyNews interview monitored by GhanaWeb, on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
Ablakwa, therefore, called on his colleague National Democratic Congress MPs to finalize the matter on their leadership and move on to national issues.
“So, some of us have been urging colleagues that we have to quickly close ranks, deal with this matter expeditiously and move on to the national issues,” 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.
The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has refuted assertions that the party is divided following the change in its parliamentary leadership.
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.
The Member of the Parliament for Afigya Kwabre North in the Ashanti Region, Collins Adomako-Mensah has lamented the impact of the new minority leadership in parliament, branding it as an incompetent and weak working force.
The lawmaker claims that the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) current leadership are not qualified enough to manage a country if power is ever transferred to them, because in his opinion, they are incapable compared to the previous leaders.
Speaking in an interview on Wontumi TV, the MP asserted that the nation is experiencing an economic crisis and needs competent and good leadership to manage its affairs rather than what he perceives to be weak leadership in the minority’s recent reshuffle.
“I always say that for the NDC, their problem is that they’ve been in government before. That’s their biggest problem. Now that Ghana is having a debt exchange programme because of an economic crisis, everybody knows that the economy is weak. Can you imagine handing a weak economy to weak leadership?
“How can we hand a weak economy to weak leadership? Because as we speak, we don’t even know who the minority leader is? “…then it won’t be a matter of debt exchange but rather double debt exchange. It will be chaotic, how do you do this?” he lamented.
The NDC, through its General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, wrote to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to announce the replacement of three members of its leadership in the House: 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 are Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembele, who is the new deputy Minority Leader.
While Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Adaklu, will replace Asawase MP Muntaka Mohammed as the Minority 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.
Today, Tuesday, January 31, the National Executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will meet with members of the Minority Caucus to discuss the changes made to their leadership in the legislature.
The meeting comes after the resistance that greeted the reshuffle which saw Haruna Iddrisu removed as Minority Leader and replaced by Dr Cassel Ato Forson.
Tuesday’s meeting is expected to explain to the caucus reasons behind the reshuffle and get the support of all aggrieved Minority MPs.
There has been a division among members of the group following a reshuffle of its leadership by the national executives of the NDC.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with the leadership after his appointment, the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson assured of a collaboration with the former leaders of the caucus to deliver on their mandate in Parliament.
“We have just come out of a very successful meeting with the leadership of the party. We are going to deliver on our mandate. ”
“And as has been agreed with the leadership of the party, there will be a series of activities that will be undertaken beginning from today. We will have our maiden meeting with our leadership and the party leadership on Tuesday,” he added.
As part of the leadership changes, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle also replaced Ketu North MP, James Klutse Avedzi as the Deputy Minority Leader while Kwame Governs Agbodza replaced Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak as the Minority Chief Whip.
A Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Koku Anyidoho believes that the latest comments by the National Chairman of the NDC Johnson Asiedu Nketia on why the changes to the Minority Leadership, is implicating the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin for being the brain behind the action.
Mr Asiedu Nketia has stated that the NDC cannot accept a situation where New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament cooperate with Speaker Alban Bagbin when NDC lawmakers are not doing same even though Mr Bagbin is from the NDC.
Addressing the NDC UK/Ireland Chapter during a visit to London after accompanying former president John Dramani Mahama for a public lecture engagement at Chatham House, Mr Nketia said “My priority 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 a Speaker of Parliament?
“There are certainly some advantages and those advantages can be tapped into when your leadership is cooperating with the speaker. So we cannot have a situation where NPP is cooperating with the speaker and our NDC leadership has challenges with the speaker and 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 about to resign.”
Earlier, Mr Asiedu Nketia explained the decision to make the changes saying, that the key topics that come up for debates lately centre on the economy, energy and infrastructure.
To that end, he said the party felt it necessary to get their best men who are on top of these issues forward.
He told said on Tuesday, January 24 that “The debates and the other discussions will focus on the economy so you need to put your best man in the economy forward, that is what we have done.
“We also looked at energy. These petroleum and electricity challenges and so we needed to settle on Kofi Armah Buah, our former Energy Minister to be the deputy minority leader and then the other area is infrastructure, Kwame Agbodza being our man in infrastructure should play a key role. So that generally is what informed the changes.”
Commenting on this, Mr Anyidoho tweeted that “listen to Asiedu-Nketiah making a complete nuisance of himself in London, as he tries without success to disengage from the mess he has sunk himself in.
“He is implicating Speaker Bagbin – as being the brain behind the silly attempt to forcefully remove Haruna and co. He is hot.”
Mr Anyidoho added “What level of co-operation is he talking about? We know Bagbin put Mosquito on the Parliamentary Services Board (PSB). Is it because Haruna and co are refusing to ‘co-operate’ for dirty deals to be done that’s why they want to change and bring more pliant people to manipulate?”
A national chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has pressed opponents to explain the strategy utilized by the national leadership when replacing the leader of the Minority Caucus in Parliament.
A number of the critics and opponents of the manner in which the change was effected, said even though the party has the right to ring changes, there was a problem with the lack of consultation and engagements.
One of opponents is Mohammed Muntaka-Mubarak, Member of Parliament for Asawase and immediate-past Minority Chief Whip, said the decision was taken by a few personalities instead of going through the National Executive (NEC) and Functional Executive Committees (FEC).
“I have heard also some people are questioning the method, and I ask them, let them tell me the method which we have flouted. Such decisions have never been taken at National Executive Committee meetings or Functional Executive Committee meetings.
“There are consultative processes that get the list and the list is announced. So, if anybody is asking for the minutes or NEC or FEC that approved that decision, let them produce the minutes of NEC or FEC that approved their own appointment, so we can them produce the minutes of the NEC or FEC that endorsed their removal.
“So, the decisions have been taken and these are the decisions of the NDC,” he stressed.
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.
The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, provided a second explanation for the party’s decision to change the composition of its parliamentary leadership.
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.
A former deputy secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has encouraged former president Mahama to defend himself against the charge that he was partially responsible for the change in Minority Caucus leadership.
The largest opposition party has made changes to its leadership in Parliament with the appointment of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as Minority Leader.
The party has also appointed MP for Ellembele, Kofi Armah as Deputy Minority Leader and Adaklu MP, Governs Kwame Agbodza as the new Minority Chief Whip, respectively.
But the party’s latest appointment is clearly very unpopular among the NDC faithful, especially the Minority Caucus, with many of the MPs claiming they are shocked by the move as they were not consulted. Some have proceeded to file a petition asking the party to rescind the decision.
The National Chairman, Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey and ex-President John Mahama have been accused of being behind the shakeup, an exercise some have described as a coup that will cause huge disunity among NDC MPs and could also affect the party’s electoral fortunes.
Commenting on the issue in an interview on Ghana Kasa show on Kasapa 102.5FM/Agoo TV Friday, Koku Anyidoho urged the former president not to remain silent over the allegation leveled against him.
“What will bring finality to this matter is that the ex-President must speak, he ought to clear his name. He shouldn’t put out a statement on Facebook or Twitter. Ex-President Mahama, we want to hear your voice on this matter which portends a disaster for the party. What is happening within the NDC is apocalyptic chaos, cataclysmic and the ex-president has been accused of being partly responsible, hence he must certainly speak.
“Ex-President Mahama is a member of the Council of Elders of the NDC and his name together with that of Asiedu Nketia and Fifi Kwetey has been mentioned specifically in relation to this matter. He cannot remain silent. The two are talking, they won’t change their mind and the chaos in the party is escalating. The ex-President is the only one who has not spoken, he ought to make his voice heard. It is very important that he speaks to clear his name.”
The High Court in Accra has ordered the former National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and a former Deputy Communications Officer, Anthony Kweku Boahen, to open their defence to charges.
The two were charged in 2019 with conspiracy to cause harm following a leaked audio tape in which they were alleged to have plotted to harm the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and the Chairman of the Peace Council.
Both are also separately facing a charge of assault on a public officer, but have pleaded not guilty and been granted bail.
In the course of the trial, the prosecution called three witnesses to give evidence towards the proof of their various charges. But, after the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons through their lawyers, each filed a submission of no case to answer on November 24, last year.
They contend that the prosecution’s witnesses were unable to prove the charges against them, so the court should acquit and discharge them.
Ruling on the submission of no case on Thursday, January 26, Justice Samuel Asiedu, now a Justice of the Supreme Court sitting as an additional High Court judge, said a prima facie case has been established against them by the prosecution.
According to the judge, there is evidence on the record in respect of the charges brought up against them, and the court is satisfied that, given the evidence before it, it is fit and proper that the accused persons are called upon to open their defence.
By Court
“The court has examined the evidence which has been placed before it by the prosecution vis-à-vis the charges which the accused persons are facing and the court has come to a conclusion that there is evidence on record in respect of the charges brought up against the accused persons.
“This is not the stage for the court to review the evidence and make pronouncements as to the guilt or innocence of the accused persons. The court is satisfied that given the evidence before it, it is fit and proper that the accused persons be called to enter upon their defence.
“In this regard, the court adopts the statement of the law espoused in Asamoah and Another vs. The Republic (supra) to the effect that: ‘There is no rule of law or procedure which gives an accused person the automatic right to make a submission of no case to answer at the close of the prosecution’s case in a criminal trial.
“In a summary trial, it is at the discretion of the Judge to determine whether or not a prima facie case has been made out against the accused persons, having regard to the evidence adduced.
“Where there is cogent evidence against the accused a trial Judge did not have to waste time inviting counsel for the accused to make a submission of no case…An appellate court only has to ascertain whether, at the close of evidence in support of the charge, a case was made out against the accused sufficiently to require him to open his defence.
“Furthermore, the standard of proof the prosecution bears at the stage of the trial before the appellants open their defence is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt. See Tsatsu Tsikata v The Republic [2003-2004] SCGLR 1068.”
“For the above reasons, the court said, “the submission of no case to answer is hereby overruled. The accused persons shall open their defence accordingly.”
Charges
The accused persons have been charged with the offence of conspiracy to cause harm contrary to sections 23(1) and 69 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, (Act 29), as amended. This charge appears in count one of the charge sheet.
The 1st accused has also been charged, in count two, with the offence of assault on a public officer contrary to section 205(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, (Act 29). Likewise, the 2nd accused has also been charged.
The National Chairman and leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah is leading a delegation to the United Kingdom to attend a lecture to be addressed by former President John Dramani Mahama.
The event is billed to take place at the Chatham House, United Kingdom, on Friday, 27th January 2023.
Other members of the delegation include the Director of International Affairs of the NDC, Comrade Alex Segbefia, Deputy National Women Organizer, Comrade Abigail Elorm Akwambea, and the Deputy Treasurer of the party, Comrade Vida Addae.
A statement issued by the party said, “The lecture, which will be under the theme: ‘Africa’s strategic priorities and global role’, will among other things discuss the prospects for economic recovery and growth on the African continent in light of recent debt crisis that has compelled African countries including Ghana to seek debt treatment under the G20 Common Framework”.
Mr. Mahama, the statement said, will share with his audience his ideas and insights on the key economic and governance reforms required for economic stability and prosperity across Africa.
“The Former President and distinguished statesman shall be sharing with his audience his ideas and insights on the key economic and governance reforms required for economic stability and prosperity across Africa. He will also discuss priorities for regional integration and Africa’s role and responsibilities in global economic governance,” the NDC added in the statement.
The party noted that as part of the visit, the team together with the former President will hold a meeting with the UK/Ireland Chapter of the NDC.
“The team together with the Former President shall hold a meeting with the UK/Ireland Chapter of the NDC as part of this visit,” the NDC added in the statement.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by the leadership of the minority caucus in Parliament, says it will on February 7, 2023, embark on a public hearing followed by a roadshow to sensitise Ghanaians on the government’s expenditure on COVID-19 and the current economic crisis.
According to the party, it will engage both the finance and health committees on the public hearing to explain the implications of the COVID-19 expenditure.
The move comes on the back of some infractions cited in the Auditor General’s report on the government’s COVID-19 expenditure.
This was disclosed by the newly appointed minority leader in Parliament, Dr. Ato Forson, when he addressed the press on January 26, 2023.
“We wish to assure the people of Ghana that as part of our engagements with the finance and health committees, we have agreed to do a public hearing on the audit of the COVID-19 expenditure beginning on the 7th of February 2023.”
“At that point, we will pay due diligence to the duties given to us as the people of Ghana. Finally, we will also embark on a roadshow, where we will galvanise the people of Ghana, and educate them on the meaning of what this economic crisis is going to take us through,” Ato Forson noted.
The Auditor General’s report stated that over GH¢21 billion was mobilized for the fight against COVID-19 but only GH¢5.5 billion was used on health.
The balance was however utilized on budget line items such as government programmes on Free SHS and LEAP, among others.
In addition, some of the funds were spent on unapproved expenditure or purchases that are yet to be delivered.
The report by the Auditor General thus recommended that such amounts are recovered to the state.
For the first time since his party, the National Democratic Congress(NDC), replaced him as Minority Leader, the outgoing Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has made a statement.
Haruna Iddrisu, on the other hand, has not addressed issues concerning the appointment of new minority caucus leaders.
The Member of Parliament for Tamale South, in his first pronouncement, was reacting to alleged statements he made on social media about his removal.
In a side social media post, Haruna Iddrisu was lashing out over his removal, saying that his spirit can never be tamed.
But in a statement that he issued on Thursday, January 26, 2023, Haruna Iddrisu said that he has never been on social media and hence did not share the post.
He said that the posts were created by persons who wanted to sow division in the NDC.
“I, therefore, entreat the general public, particularly the rank and file of our great NDC Party, to ignore the posts with the contempt they deserve.
“The creation of the (social media) accounts and the posts therein are mere attempts by detractors to sow seeds of discontent within the hierarchy of the Party and to smear my person but they shall definitely FAIL. I have no doubt that the truth will always prevail,” parts of the statement read.
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 who 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, he 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.
This was contained in a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, from the National Democratic Congress, dated January 23, 2023.
