Member of Parliament for Keta constituency in the Volta Region, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, has disclosed it cost him a whopping GH¢1.4 million to run his campaign for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary primaries which took place across the country on Saturday, 13 May 2023.
According to the lawmaker, politics has become expensive and not an easy enterprise to fund.
Speaking on Talk of the Nation on Class91.3FM on Tuesday, 16 May 2023, Mr Gakpey said “It cost me GH¢1.4 million to run the campaign.”
Asked by show host Klem Setumte if the money was from his own resources, he said “From my own funds, friends and family”.
Mr Gakpey explained further, “Now posters are very expensive, the economy is hard” and quizzed rhetorically “Do you know how much an A0 poster costs now? One is GH¢20, GH¢25 that one is even impression…do you know how much T-shirt costs now? GH¢45, and then, do you know how much fuel costs? You have to empower teams to go house to house, it’s not an easy task and then [on election day], you have to convey all the people to the election ground, how to feed them and all that, it’s not an easy task.”
He continued that “Politics is expensive, campaigning is expensive, but the resources are from multiple sources, genuinely, that is what is happening, campaigning cost, it’s not an easy task”.
He added that “conveying 1,200 people to a ground to vote and feed them and all that, and then radio advert and all that, is not an easy task, I must be sincere with you, politics is becoming a very expensive business now.”
Asked about his motivation for wanting to be a parliamentarian when it has to cost him this much, Mr. Gakpey noted that his motivation is to save lives.
“My motivation is to save lives and people that’s it so that your name will remain in the books that you also saved lives because I [have] human-centered policies for my people. So money is not everything, caring for the aged, the needy ones are things you can see. If you ask me the benefits of this to me, it is that I see my people being healthy, I see my people being happy that I’ve impacted their lives.”
Director of Communications for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has stated that the newly-elected flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, will not keep his pledges if elected president in 2024.
According to him, Mr Mahama’s victory speech delivered after the NDC’s presidential and parliamentary primaries, was unconvincing and an attempt to whitewash his under-performance during his tenure in government.
“Everything the former president said yesterday [Monday] cannot be trusted. Nobody will be able to hang their hat on it. Because if you measure his performance in the past and what he’s saying, you ask the simple question, why didn’t he do these things the first time?” Ahiagbah stated while speaking journalists on Tuesday.
Mr Mahama on Monday, May 15, officially addressed party members and the nation at large, outlining some of the plans and policies he intends to implement if he wins the 2024 election.
Among other things, the former president promised to speed up investigations into the killing of late journalist, Ahmed Sualeto ensure that justice is served.
But Mr. Ahiagbah says based on the history of previous killings that were not fully dealt with under Mahama, he cannot be trusted on this promise.
“Under him [John Mahama] J. B Dankwa died. Samuel Ennin died under him. Now suddenly he’s able to investigate the death of Ahmed Suale. What happened to Ennin? What about J.B. Danquah’s death? Why was it not investigated if it was that simple to just investigate that in a broad stroke?” Mr Ahiagbah quizzed.
It is unclear if Mr. Ahiagbah’s mention of Samuel Ennin was in reference to the late Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, who was killed in 2007 under the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor. Meanwhile.
Mr Mahama also promised to reinstate the licenses of some of the banks that were ‘unjustly’ revoked by the NPP government.
But Mr. Ahiagbah does not think the former President can keep this promise either.
Speaking on the same show, the special aide to former president John Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari advised that the NPP communicator be disregarded.
She said the NPP is only on an endless mission to taint Mr Mahama’s reputation.
“We live in a government that has failed entirely to deliver on any promise they ever made to the good people of Ghana. He [Richard Ahiagbah literally speaks from the left and right of his mouth, and I think all he thinks about is how to make President Mahama look and sound unconvincing,” she said.
Madam Mogtari stressed that the NDC was much better at running the country since they fulfilled most promises made to Ghanaians.
“We are actually where we are, and we have so many Ghanaians, young and old, who are listening and paying rapt attention, who are actually watching and waiting to see just what Mr Mahama has to offer tells you one thing; that Mr Mahama has proven himself resilient enough.
“Mr Mahama has had occasion to indicate that he didn’t say that everything was perfect under his watch. But, go back and search the Corruption Perception Index. We were doing much better. Go and check the press freedom. We were doing much better.
“Check the Ghana Integrity Initiative report. We were doing much better. In terms of even your media freedom, we were doing much better. In terms of tolerance, taking responsibility, leadership, and equity we were doing much better,” she noted.
Meanwhile, a Political Marketing Strategist, Dr. Tutu Boahene says the results of the just-ended NDC primaries indicated that John Dramani has improved his support base.
“When you check the statistics, not just the percentage, which is the 98.9%, but the various constituencies and the numbers that were coming, he [John Mahama], has actually gathered a lot of support in some of these areas. In fact, for you to get an absolute figure of about 2,880 from Ashiaman, that is very powerful.
“And even though we know that Ashiaman is a strong area for the NDC, it tells you that the delegates went for him. And if the voting pattern in these areas is anything to go by in terms of the representation on the ground, then obviously we would expect that it is going to be a straight win probably for the NDC come 2024,” he said.
Political Communications Lecturer at UniMAC-GIJ, Dr. Paul Ezuah, has asked flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama to go gently with the promises he’s making ahead of 2024 general elections.
The former President in his victory speech on Monday reiterated a litany of promises he says he wants Ghanaians to hold him to if they vote him to become President in 2025.
Mr Mahama among others, promised to run the leanest but most efficient government under the fourth republic by appointing not more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers. Work to abolish the payment of Ex-gratia and cut out waste and ostentation in Government.
He also promised to give anti-corruption state institutions unfettered space to operate – The days of the Clearing agent must come to an end on January 07, 2025.
Speaking to Starr News, Dr. Paul Ezuah said even though this is to be expected in political seasons, John Mahama should hasten slowly given a recent history of unfulfilled promises.
“Looking at how he spoke about the whole thing, it is good. But let us be mindful that we are in Ghana where we have in the past had promises being made everywhere and very little is fulfilled. So for me, I will advise that he’ll hasten slowly as far as promises are concerned because we have the benefit of hindsight and we also know what has happened before even in the NDC and NPP.”
“The electorate in Ghana do not really fancy promises, they want the work to be done for them to see that the right thing is being done. So, on one hand, I will say that it’s good but he should tone down a bit on the promises because if he doesn’t fulfill it, it will be counter-productive as far as the 2024 election is concerned,” Dr. Paul Ezuah added.
The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has called for cooperation in the NDC after the party held its much anticipated presidential and parliamentary primaries.
He stated that he has received a call from Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, congratulating on his win.
Sharing this via a tweet, the former president of Ghana said that the former Minister of Finance, together with the former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, have each called him to celebrate his win with him.
Both Dr. Kwabena Duffour and Kojo Bonsu have called to congratulate me for my 98.9% victory in Saturday’s presidential primaries.
“Both Dr. Kwabena Duffour and Kojo Bonsu have called to congratulate me for my 98.9% victory in Saturday’s presidential primaries.
“The contest is over. Cooperation is what we need to build #TheGhanaWeWant,” he tweeted.
John Mahama received an overwhelming endorsement in the just-ended presidential and parliamentary primaries of the NDC, polling a total of 297,603 votes representing 98.9%.
Ahead of the Saturday, May 13, 2023, elections, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor announced a last-minute withdrawal from the race.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama has stated that former finance minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor, has congratulated him on his victory in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) just ended presidential primaries.
He also said Mr Kojo Bonsu has also done the same thing.
Mr Mahama tweeted “Both Dr. Kwabena Duffour and Kojo Bonsu have called to congratulate me for my 98.9% victory in Saturday’s presidential primaries. The contest is over. Cooperation is what we need to build #TheGhanaWeWant.”
Both Dr. Kwabena Duffour and Kojo Bonsu have called to congratulate me for my 98.9% victory in Saturday’s presidential primaries.
Mr Mahama polled 297,603 representing 98.9% of the total valid votes emerging as the flagbearer-elect of the NDC while his contender Kojo Bonsu managed to 3,181 representing 1.1% of the total votes.
Mr Kojo Bonsu congratulated him even before the official declaration by the Electoral Commission (EC).
“I have placed a call to H.E John Dramani Mahamato congratulate him for the landslide victory. Just as I have indicated throughout my campaign, regardless of the outcome of this election, I will continue to serve the NDC party, thank you” he tweeted.
Dr Kwabena Duffuor withdrew from the race on Friday, May 12 after stating that “My concerns that the party is not ready to conduct free and fair election is evident for all to see. Taking part in such would be akin to knowingly drinking from a poisoned calabash.
“After consulting with my support base nationwide, I have been left with no choice but to withdraw from the Presidential election as I cannot contest in an election which is blatantly fraught with irregularities regardless of all my efforts to draw attention to same.”
The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region has said that it will meet with the defeated Parliamentary aspirant forEjura-Sekyedumase who was captured in a viral video showering cash during the party’s parliamentary and presidential primaries.
Even before the invitation from the party, the former aspirant, Juliana Kinang -Wassan had been summoned to appear before the office of the Special Prosecutor to answer some questions.
Citi News has learned that the meeting by the party’s leadership with the former aspirant will seek to point out what the constitution of the party says about her conduct.
Madam Kinang-Wassan was seen in a widely circulated video raining cash on delegates, party supporters, and bystanders upon arrival at the voting centre at Ejuraon Saturday.
Her conduct caused a major stir at the voting centre with voters abandoning voting booths to grab a note from the MP aspirant.
The notes ranged from as low as 5 Ghana cedis to as high as GH¢100 notes.
Her conduct has been severely condemned by a section of the public with some calling on her to be sanctioned by the party.
NDC Parliamentary Candidate, Lambussie Constituency, Dr. Titus Beyuo, says while he did not face detractors working against him from within the party, the tribal card was played against him.
He noted that his tribe and origin as well as some fabrications were being turned into weapons to undermine his bid to lead the NDC in the Lambussie constituency.
According to him, what worked in his favour were his youthfulness and his message which resonated with the youth who went on to champion his cause.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, he said, “I faced peculiar situations in my area because there were tribal issues where people wanted to play the tribal card and therefore they assassinate your character.
“And Evans, if there’s a lesson I’ve learnt, I just told my colleagues my next medical lecture I’ll tell my medical students instead of doing a DNA test, if you really want to know your parents, your paternity or stuff, just pick up a political party card and attempt to contest for a position and your history will be traced to you, both the truth and the lies.
“You know people fabricated all sort of things against me that were not real, but the critical thing is to focus. Do you have message to deliver? Yes. What was our message? Advocacy is lacking, I am coming from a district that is very deprived, that is not getting its share of the national cake, and what is needed there is a strong leader, one with a capacity to do proper representation, one with the capacity to advocate for development in the area. And I think my constituents bought this over tribal sentiments.”
He said it was about time people looked beyond tribal sentiments and other related factors and instead focused on the competencies and message of those seeking to lead them in politics.
According to Dr. Beyuo, his constituents analysed his message and capabilities and deemed his more resonant with their needs thus his victory.
“If there is a lesson I’ve learnt from this, it is that politicians must begin to realise as His Excellency John Dramani Mahama stated, the delegates are the kingmakers, and they appreciate and know what is good, and they know what they want.
“The era where you just attack someone’s character and their personality and use that to get votes is long past. They’re sifting between the messages they receive, they ananlyse it, you see people who are not educated to a very high level but they understand the issues more than one would expect and that is what I encountered here,” he said.
The Member of Parliament of Asawase, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak has reiterated the significance of uniting the rank and file of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after the just-ended primaries.
The lawmaker believes many contenders, especially, incumbent legistors are aggrieved by how some executives allegedly connived to get them voted out.
In view of that, he has called on the newly elected flagbearer of the party, John Mahama to hit the ground running in addressing these concerns.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, Mr Mubarak said this resolution phase will be a contributory factor of the party’s victory in the 2024 election.
“He [John Mahama] must meet all 137 sitting MPs not in large groups but in smaller numbers to listen to people. There is some disease we need to cure, I am of strong belief that if that disease is not cured it could cause problems for us.
“There are a lot of people that have dipped their noses and fingers into constituencies and His Excellency must hear people’s verdicts and complaints,” he said.
Mr Mubarak said after this series of engagements, Mr Mahama should relegate individuals who will be fingered for conniving to vote out MPs.
According to him, it will be the surest way to eradicate resentment and bring about unity.
“So that after talking to these 137 MPs and you get a clear indication that specific individuals’ names have been mentioned on several occasions, this campaign for 2024 election, let them take a back seat. Don’t let them lead any campaign because if they do, the antagonism will continue and one thing about politics is that People don’t forgive.
“They may keep quiet but they are looking for an opportunity to strike because they believe that even in these times of difficulty, see what they’re doing, then if we get the power they may do worse because at that time they may have political authority,” he explained.
The failed presidential hopeful for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Bonsu, has called for unity and cooperation among party members post the party’s presidential and parliamentary primaries.
He has called on the party to rally support for the elected flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama for a victory in the 2024 general election.
This was contained in a letter signed by Kojo Bonsu.
In the statement, he said that despite the circumstances that came up before the primaries and the outcome, it is time for the party to focus on winning the 2024 general election.
“Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the electioneering process and the outcome of the election itself, we must not all join the rescue mission of liberating our mother Ghana from the modern-day imperialism and colonialism practiced in a benevolent democracy under this NPP government,” the statement said.
It added that winning the 2024 election is the ultimate prize of the party, and that calls for a relentless effort from party members.
“What is ahead of us is bigger than any split milk. We cannot afford to lose any single effort going into the 2024 general election and we must be relentless in our united pursuit of victory,” it added.
Kojo Bonsu, after the primaries, pulled 1.1% of the total vote cast which translates into 3,181 votes whereas the former president, pulled 98.9%, translating into 297,603 of the total vote cast.
The National Democratic Congress(NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has indicated that if he is elected the next president of Ghana he will ensure that ministers and other appointees are exempted from ex-gratia.
The former president during his acceptance speech after his election as the flagbearer of the NDC, said he will not repeat the mistakes of the NPP government.
He said he will not bloat his government size.
Speaking at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, Mr. Mahama said he will appoint less than 60 ministers in his next government to protect the public purse.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, our nation is still at the crossroads with crippling debt, and an inefficient and wasteful government. We cannot continue this pathway. It is a betrayal of the people, as a leader, to keep doing things the same way when the results leave them poorer”.
“I am committed to operating an effective government with not more than sixty (60) ministers. These Ministers together with other appointees of the government will not be entitled to ex-gratia payments after their tenure, as they will commit to that undertaking even before the necessary constitutional amendments, including a review of the controversial Article 71.”
Mr. Mahama in March 2023, during his campaign launch at the Cedi auditorium at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho in the Volta Region first disclosed his decision to assemble not more than sixty ministers and deputies should he win the 2024 presidential elections.
On Monday, May 15, 2023, the office of the United States Attorney announced that Ghanaian social media influencer,Mona Faiz Montrage, also known as Hajia4Reall, is officially the subject of a six-count prosecution in a Manhattan Federal Court.
The socialite was extradited from the United Kingdom to the US for allegedly swindling older, single American men and women in a romance scam to the tune of over US$2 million.
According to the statement, Mona4Reall appeared in court on Monday, May 15, 2023, for her alleged involvement in a series of schemes that targeted vulnerable people who lived alone.
The New York Post news portal stated that the socialite pleaded not guilty to the charges, and is set to be released in the coming days on a $500,000 bond with GPS tracking via an ankle monitor.
Her lawyer, Adam Cortez, confirmed to The Post that Mona received money from several others who were swindled by scammers in her network, and that she is charged with wire fraud, money laundering, receipt of stolen money, and conspiracy.
If convicted on the top charge, Montrage could face up to 20 years in prison.
According to court documents, she was involved with a group of con artists from West Africa from at least 2013 through 2019.
The scammers would trick victims into transferring money to them under false pretences, such as to help move gold to the US from overseas, to resolve bogus FBI investigations, and payments to help fake US Army officers in Afghanistan.
Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement shared by the New York Post said, “Thanks to the efforts of our law enforcement partners, Montrage was arrested abroad and has been brought to the United States to face justice. These scams can be both financially and emotionally devastating for vulnerable victims.”
Cortez said his client can only travel in certain parts of New York and New Jersey pending her case.
Read the full indictmet document as shared by the Department of Justice”
In an unforgettable moment of joy, Former President John Dramani Mahama, brimming with excitement, showcased his remarkable dance skills as he readied himself to deliver his acceptance speech at the Auditorium of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale on Monday afternoon, May 15, 2023.
The former president’s energetic dance routine, onlookers understood, was an expression of his sheer joy at being re-elected as the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
A multitude of party executives, delegates, members, and supporters, alongside friends and family, gathered at the Auditorium to witness Mahama deliver his acceptance speech.
Before taking the podium, Mahama enthralled the audience with his astonishing dance moves, clad in a white smock and brandishing a horse tail.
With the enchanting melodies of traditional music from northern Ghana guiding his steps, he swayed and twirled to the rhythm.
Amid thunderous cheers and applause, Mahama moved his body to the resounding beats emanating from traditional drums bouncing off the walls of the auditorium.
He was enveloped by a traditional dance group as he danced his heart away, eventually taking his seat where his wife, Lordina Mahama, awaited him, beaming with pride.
The spectacle didn’t end there. Following in Mahama’s footsteps, was his running mate for the 2020 general elections, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who also gracefully displayed her own captivating dance moves flanged also by the dancers.
During his acceptance speech, Mahama expressed gratitude to the NDC delegates and supporters for their unwavering confidence and trust.
He outlined his vision for Ghana’s development and made a promise to deliver a brighter future for all Ghanaians if elected as president once again.
His re-election as flagbearer for the NDC marks Mahama’s second bid for presidency since leaving office in 2017. On May 14, 2023, he emerged victorious in the NDC’s presidential primaries, securing a staggering 98.9% of the total valid votes cast, triumphing over his sole contender, former KMA boss Kojo Bonsu.
His next challenge lies ahead as he prepares to face the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the main rival party, who are yet to hold their primaries and select a formidable candidate for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Notably, Mahama boasts an impressive background as a communication expert, historian, writer, and former member of parliament and minister of communication. He is also the first vice president to assume the presidency following the sudden demise of his predecessor, John Evans Atta Mills, in 2012.
Additionally, he is the first Ghanaian head of state to be born after the country’s independence in 1957.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership has stated that it will address all outstanding issues in four constituencies in the Ashanti Region in order to pave way so internal elections.
Delegates in the Manhyia South Constituency did not take part in the NDC’s presidential and parliamentary primaries held over the weekend following some unresolved issues.
Fomena, Adansi Asokwa, Manhyia South and Mampong constituencies did not take part in the parliamentary elections, but delegates in these areas only took part in the presidential elections.
The party indicates that it will take the necessary steps to conduct internal elections in these constituencies before the end of 2023.
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi speaking to journalists during his monitoring of the elections on Saturday said the Ashanti region will be a deciding factor in the 2024 general elections.
He noted, “We have a year and a half before the general elections, and this is the first time NDC, we have conducted our primaries early. I can assure the good people of Ashanti Region especially Manhyia South that by the end of the year, we would have resolved that issue. It’s not only Manhyia South, we are having Adansi Asokwa, Fomena and Mampong. These constituencies were on hold for the parliamentary, but we will surely conduct the elections in these areas.
“The message is that we are going to take over Ashanti Region, and we are going to get maximum votes that will make former President John Mahama become the next president of Ghana in the 2024 general elections. Ashanti Region will be the deciding factor in that regard. And Insha Allah, we are going to get more seats. The signal is good that we are coming to power”.
Former Finance Minister and one-time presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Kwabena Duffuor, has firmly denied allegations that he plans to quit from the party and start a new party of his own.
Dr Duffuor in a statement expressed his commitment to the NDC and called for unity ahead of the 2024 general elections.
“I have become aware of some concerns from the rank and file of the NDC, that I intend to leave the NDC to form another party. I wish to state that I have no such intentions and remain committed to the NDC as I have always been.
“The NDC is my home as it is for us all, and I will always remain loyal to our party. Let us come together towards the cause of victory for our party and progress for our nation. The NDC belongs to us, and we have a charge to keep its flame burning. So let us get to work”.
“If there is anything more I have gained from this period, it is a deepening of my love for this great party from the stories of people I was privileged to meet on the campaign trail. As such, I remain committed towards the cause of the NDC as I have in times past, for as long as our quest for a better Ghana endures.”
Dr Duffuor withdrew from the NDC presidential race citing irregularities with the voters’ register and the photo album.
His withdrawal came on the same day he withdrew his suit against the party that sought to stop the party from proceeding with Saturday’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
Below is the full statement by Dr Kwabena Duffuor
I REMAIN WITH THE NDC-DR. KWABENA DUFFUOR
I have become aware of some concerns from the rank and file of the NDC, that I intend to leave the NDC to form another party. I wish to state that I have no such intentions and remain committed to the NDC as I have always been. The NDC is my home as it is for us all and I will always remain loyal to our party. Let us come together towards the cause of victory for our party and progress for our nation. The NDC belongs to us and we have a charge to keep its flame burning. So let us get to work.
When I joined the race for the flagbearership of the National Democratic Congress, I was motivated by a desire to see our party thrive as the political party of choice for every Ghanaian. Today, that motivation remains unchanged. Like many before me, I understand that the collective good of our party overrides our personal goals and desires.
The internal contest of ideas we engage in is simply a means to a common end to build upon the hard-on legacy we have come to meet. But if there is anything more I have gained from this period, it is a deepening of my love for this great party from the stories of people I was privileged to meet on the campaign trail. As such, I remain committed towards the cause of the NDC as I have in times past, for as long as our quest for a better Ghana endures.
As Ghana’s leading opposition party, the Ghanaian people are looking up to us to deliver the much-needed political change this country needs. This would require us to upscale our vigilance and insist that the right democratic processes are followed before and during the 2024 elections. It was in the spirit of this that I insisted that we address the challenges that were fraught with our voters register and photo album, which resulted in my withdrawal from the presidential race.
If we are to succeed as a party in reaching our political goals, we cannot afford to compromise on our founding ideals of probity and accountability. Those virtues are the torch that guides our party and gives purpose to all we do. Without them, we will lose our identity and our ability to hold others accountable in similar circumstances.
As part of my contribution to the party’s reorganization agenda, I launched the Ahotor Project to strengthen our grassroots and ensure they are financially independent and can work effectively ahead of election 2024. I remain committed to the continuity of this project and look forward to more of such engagements with our party base. The story of the NDC is a story of ordinary people coming together to challenge broken systems of cronyism.
It is a story underscored by a movement of Ghanaians, resolute in building a country where they could all belong. These origins cannot be taken for granted. In a time of widening inequality and economic despair, we must set the pace for collective development. We are who we are because of the strength of our roots and must continue to build the NDC from the ground up. It is the key to our future and the engine of the Ghanaian Dream.
God bless the NDC and our nation Ghana and make her great and strong.
Incumbent MP for the Bolgatanga East Constituency, Dr Dominic Akuritenga Ayine, has advised his constituents to avoid “skirt and blouse” voting.
That, he said, could become inimical to the fortunes of the party in the area. Dr Ayine who polled 292 votes out of 416 to be retained as the Parliamentary candidate of his constituency said winning with more votes should be their focus.
His contender , Dr Emmanuel Abeireinya garnered 121 votes and the presidential and Mr John Mahama former President of the NDC pulled 412, and Kojo Bonsu three . Dr Ayine, thanked all delegates and his contender Dr Abeireinya and his supporters.
He reiterated an earlier call made to the NDC membership in the constituency that the election was an eternal contest and should be devoid of insults and intemperate language. He thanked the constituency executives , who indicated had a constitutional mandate to organize the election and said the NDC’s victory in 2024 depended on the branches and in 2012 when the NDC was in court it was made clear and for a successful election to take place depended on the polling stations.
Dr Ayine thanked the Electoral Commission, the District Commander of Police and his men for security and peaceful election, as well as the media. Dr Emmanuel Abereinya in a statement thanked the delegates and his supporters and pledged his support to the winner.
Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), General Asiedu Nketia, has stated that money no longer determines who wins a seat in the party.
Speaking after the declaration of the results for the presidential primaries on Sunday dawn, Mr. Nketia expressed confidence that the party now has the men and women to ensure overwhelming victory in the 2024 general elections.
He commended the party delegates on the quality of candidates who were elected in the just-ended parliamentary primaries.
He said, “Money does not decide who gets the vote in [the] NDCanymore. We heard stories about big men, potentially rich men who could win elections; they all could not win in spite of their wealth and riches and the stories we heard about what they were intending to distribute, but we are happy that so far, the quality of candidates that have been produced in this election gives us confidence that we will go into 2024 and win presidential and win a significant majority in Parliament, and also deliver on the charge of rescuing this country.”
“We are not going to say we have the men; we want the men to prove themselves for you to say that ‘yes, NDC, you have the men’…” he added.
On Saturday, May 13, 2023, the NDC elected parliamentary candidates to represent the party in the 2024 election.
The party also elected former President John Dramani Mahama as its flagbearer for the 2024 elections.
Mr Sampson Tangombu Chiragia, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for the Navrongo Central Constituency has congratulated Mr Simon Akibange Aworigo, the Parliamentary Candidate-elect (PC-elect) for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the area.
“I wish to congratulate my brother, Mr Simon Aworigo on his election as the 2024 Parliamentary Candidate for Navrongo Central Constituency,” he said in a statement.
Mr Chiragia polled 447 votes and lost to Mr Aworigo who got 475, pledged his “Unflinching support to Mr Simon Aworigo and urge all my supporters to support him unconditionally.
“As we prepare for the 2024 general election, I will continue to support the Constituency executive, the Parliamentary Candidate to ensure that we retain the seat in the 2024 general election,” he said.
Mr Chiragia emphasized that the NDC could not afford to lose the Navrongo Central seat to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and called for support for the PC–elect to enable the NDC retain the seat.
“To my teeming supporters, I am overwhelmingly grateful for the love you have shown me throughout this election process.
“To my other colleagues who couldn’t equally make it into the Office, congratulations. I indulge you to let us all support Mr Simon Aworigo to retain the seat for the NDC in the 2024 general election.
“We shall work together to win the seat again, and an overwhelming endorsement for Former President John Dramani Mahama in the 2024 general election, to form the government in 2025,” Mr Chiragia said.
Apart from Mr Chiragia and Mr Aworigo, Mr Pius Ayemva Avio and Jacob Paarechuga Anankware also contested the primaries and polled 135 and 88 respectively.
Parliamentary Candidate-elect for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Builsa North Constituency of the Upper East Region, Mr James Agalga, says the contest among aspirants in the just ended primaries has reactivated and repositioned the Party for power in 2024.
He, therefore, urged Party delegates and supporters to close their ranks and focus on the elections in 2024, as there was no individual winner or loser in the just ended primaries.
“The winner in this contest is the National Democratic Congress. As for the primaries, it is nothing but a spring board to success for the Party in the upcoming elections,” he said.
Mr Agalga, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, who was re-elected as the Parliamentary Candidate for the NDC in the 2024 general elections, said this in his victory address to delegates and supporters of the Party.
“The fact that there was competition here, I can say we have been able to reactivate the Party and positioned it in the manner that makes us prepared and ready to retain the seat and also deliver victory for Former President Mahama in the 2024 elections.”
Mr Agalga, who is the incumbent MP for the area and the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Select Committee of Parliament, polled 547 votes to beat Mr Simon Awog-Badek and Professor Godwin Awabil who polled 165 and nine votes respectively.
Seventeen incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will not be able to represent their constituencies in the 2024 elections, as a result of losing the parliamentary primaries.
Whiles some lost to newcomers in the race, others succumbed to former MPs or serial aspirants.
1. Hajia Nasira Afrah (Sekyere Afram Plains) defeated incumbent Alex Adomako, who came third in race.
2. Charles Bawaduah polled 535 votes (Bongo Constituency) to defeatincumbent Edward Bawa lost with 509 votes.
3. Nelson Kofi Djabab, who had 441 votes (Krachie East) beat incumbent Wisdom Gidisu who lost with 257 votes.
4. Attah Issah who polled 801 votes (Sagnarigu constituency) defeated Alhaji A. B. A. Fuseini who had 330 votes.
5. Dr. Ekow Kwainoo who had 329 votes (Ekumfi Constituency) defeated incumbent Abeiku Crentsil who had 149 votes.
6. Sebastian Fred Deh with 332 votes (Kpando Constituency) defeated incumbent Dela Sowah who had 281.
7. Emmanuel Boam who had 474 votes (Pru East) ousted Dr Kwabena Donkor who had 371.
8. Frank Afriyie who won with 631 votes (Afadzato South) defeated incumbent Angela Alorwu-Tay who polled 225 votes.
9. Maxwell Kwame Lukutor with 597 votes (South Tongu Constituency) ousted Wisdom Kobena Woyome who had 562 votes.
10. Nikyema Alamzy polled 488 votes (Chiana-Paga) to defeat incumbent Thomas Addah Dalu who lost with 300 votes.
11. Simon Akibange Aworigo, with 475 votes (Navrongo Central) ousted incumbent Sampson Tangombu Chiragia who had 447 votes.
12. Mustapha Amadu Tanko who had 935 votes (Bia West Constituency) ended, effective January 2025, the tenure of Augustine Tawiah who polled 452 votes.
13. Joana Gyan Cudjoe who had 756 votes (Amenfi Central) ousted incumbent Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah who had 575.
14. Dr. Titus Beyuo for Lambussie Constituency. He won the primary by some 446 votes defeating his biggest contender, Edward Dery, a former MP for the area
15. Thomas Winsum Anabah for the Garu Constituency. He defeated an incumbent MP to clinch the seat. He polled 250 votes against the closest contender’s 246 whiles the incumbent got 160 votes.
16. Sophia Karen Edem Ackuaku (Domeabra-Obom MP but switched to Ayawaso Central)
The National Democratic Congress(NDC) claims that the results of its Presidential and Parliamentary primaries on Saturday demonstrate that the party is capable of winning the 2024 election.
National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah says the calibre of individuals elected shows the NDC is hungry for victory.
The NDC has once again elected John Mahama as its presidential candidate and parliamentary candidates to represent it in the various constituencies in the 2024 polls.
The party organised its primaries over the weekend nationwide.
Speaking at the declaration of the presidential results,Johnson Asiedu Nketiahsaid the NDC is ready for battle.
“We are happy that so far the quality of candidates that have been produced in this election gives us confidence that we will go into 2024 and win the presidential and win a considerable majority in Parliament and also deliver on the charge of rescuing this country. We are not going to say we have the men. We want the men to prove themselves for you to say that yes, the NDC has the men”.
17 incumbent Members of Parliament lost their bid to contest in the 2024 polls.
Mahama won the flagbearership race with 98.9 percent.
“I am humbled by the overwhelming confidence reposed in me by the party. I want to thank God for bringing the NDC this victory. Traversing the country for all these days, weeks, and months without fatalities can only be by God’s special favour”.
“My profound gratitude goes to the delegates of our party for their warm welcome, active engagement, and participation during my tour. In your usual astute manner, you turned up in your numbers across the country to vote in our party’s presidential and parliamentary primaries,” Mr. Mahama said after the election.
Alhassan Bashir Alhassan Fuseini, also known as ABA Fuseini, is one of this nation’s wittiest and loudest legislators.
The Member of Parliament for Sagnarigu has earned the moniker “king of proverbs” throughout his twelve years in office since practically every submission he has made contains a proverb.
However, Atta Issah defeated the incumbent MP for Sagnarigu in the recently held NDC parliamentary primaries on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
The defeat means that ABA Fuseini will not be returning to parliament in 2025 but Ghanaians will have a hard time forgetting this proverbial man.
Below is a list of 10 significant proverbs we would remember ABA Fuseini by:
1. When a Lion is fond of patronizing the market, it will be treated like a puppy.
2. My brother, tattered clothes are better than nakedness.
3. A man who has died in the market, needs no announcement for his funeral.
4. When you see a pregnant goat in the market, it means there are a lot of problems in the house.
5. A man floored in the market square by a pregnant woman, has no reputation to protect.
6. The testicle that will degenerate into a hernia, it will be spotted from the first day it is seen.
7. You have to chase the Hyena before you blame the goat.
8. The man who is supposed to do his nightly duties blames errant mosquitoes when he fails.
9. A man who can’t carry his load blames his headpan.
10. You will not see guinea fowl flying and its offspring will be walking.
On Monday, May 15, 2023, National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama is scheduled to formally deliver his acceptance speech at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale.
In the presidential primaries, the former president won convincingly. He received 297,603 votes, or 98.9% of the total number of votes cast, against Kojo Bonsu’s 3,181 votes.
In a statement, Mr. Mahama praised his rivals for their work and urged harmony and renewed vigor in the run-up to the 2024 elections.
“Let us disagree to agree, but let us keep our collective sights firmly on the supreme objective of the NDC leading Ghana out of the current abyss the country is in.
I also ask for cooperation among all elected parliamentary candidates and their respective aspirants and supporters in the constituencies. Our party is the winner because there are no individual winners and losers in this intra-party contest,” John Mahama said.
The former President disclosed that he shall officially deliver an acceptance speech on Monday.
“On Monday, at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, I will join a teeming number of the rank and file of the NDC and Ghanaians in general, to deliver my formal acceptance speech,” the statement announced.
Edem Kofi Kpotosu, the Ghana Education Service’s (GES) Volta Regional Human Resource Manager, has been chosen as the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for Ho Central in the next polls.
He outperformed six opponents, leaving Dr. Robert Doh, the closest rival, with a 42 vote deficit in the primary on Saturday.
Mr. Kpotosu spoke with the media and claimed that the reason the delegates chose him was because they wanted a candidate with experience who could carry out the party’s goals and “bring change.”
“The delegates of Ho Central have spoken, they need somebody who will do the work”, he stressed.
He, therefore, promised to increase the electoral fortunes of the NDC in his jurisdiction and ensure the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) records a decline in its voting pattern.
“I want to promise the Ho Central Constituency [NDC] and the entire country that the votes of the NDC are going to go up and the NPP’s votes will decline.
Even little children that you see in the corners are crying that Edem Kofi Kpotosu should be voted for and the masses have heard them and they have voted for me. It is going to reflect in the national elections”, he said.
He lauded the delegates for not allowing money to influence their voting decision and deciding to go for competence over money.
Mr Kpotosu assured of uniting the party ahead of the 2024 general elections to ensure a resounding victory for the NDC in the Ho Central Constituency.
He competed in the primary with Raphael Kobla Korda, Selorm Dey, Kasu Delali Kofi, Stanley Nelvis Glate, Emmanuel Kafui Dzamefe, and Dr. Robert Doh.
The National Chairman of theNational Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has expressed satisfaction over the Ghana police’s contributions towards the party’s just ended elections.
In a remark after the party’s primaries on Saturday dawn, the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah said: “We can rely on your professionalism when we approach the next elections”
He thanked the Ghana Police Service for displaying the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and sense of duty in the weekend polls held by the largest opposition party.
He indicated that the orderly electoral process recorded no security breach insisting the police were effective in the discharge of their duties in the primaries.
Meanwhile, Police have arrested eight (8) suspects throughout the country for various election-related offences and disturbing the peace during the Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries of the NDC held on Saturday, 13th April 2023.
The suspects, Yaro Burdove, Harrison Martey, Imoro Ibrahim, Arkoli Mensah, Nyarko Richard, Prince Lomotey, Hamidu Dramani, and Bejando Emmanuel, were arrested at their various voting centres across four constituencies in the country.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, a former deputy minister of communication, has been re-elected as the opposition National Democratic Congress’s parliamentary candidate in the Abura Asebu-Kwamankese seat for the 2024 elections.
In the NDC primaries that just took place on Saturday, May 13, 2023, the former Deputy Minister received 830 votes to emerge victorious.
His contender on the other hand, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, received 571 votes.
Though Mr Kwakye Ofosu won the party’s 2019 parliamentary contest, he lost in the 2020 general elections.
He is however optimistic of winning in the 2024 elections on the ticket of the NDC.
A National Democratic Congress (NDC) aspirant, Edem Agbana, has said that he won the election and will not succumb to a run-off election although there are reports that he tied with another candidate.
Mr Agbana is one of eight candidates who ran in the NDC parliamentary primaries in the Ketu North Constituency.
Edem was initially declared the winner by a single vote, but upon two recounts, the EC discovered 3 ballot papers that were not stamped.
2 of the 3 unstamped ballots were cast in favour of Edem Agbana whilst 1 unstamped ballot was cast in favour of John Adanu.
The nullification of the 3 unstamped ballots would have left both Edem Agbana and John Adanu with 358 votes each, creating a tie.
Edem Agbana in an interview however insists that the unstamped ballots would not nullify those votes “so far as those ballots have serial numbers that show that they were drawn from the EC’s ballot booklet”.
Edem said, “Nothing will change in Ketu North. There will never be a run-off in Ketu North so far as I am the candidate”.
“How would you say the votes are nullified after you issued the ballot papers without stamping them, yet it is clear the ballot papers are yours and there was no over-voting,” Edem quizzed.
Edem Agbana and 7 others were seeking to replace Dr James Klutse Avedzi on the ticket of the NDC to represent the Ketu North constituency in the 9th Parliament of the 4th Republic.
Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the national secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to prepare for an intense contest in the general election of 2024.
Mr. Kwetey, who was overseeing the Korley Klottey Constituency elections, praised the Party’s primaries as being “so far, so good” and noted that the general election of 2024 will be fascinating, necessitating the NPP’s need to go into “overdrive” in preparation.
The primaries, according to the general secretary, are crucial for getting ready for the 2024 election.
“Once we know who the leader of the Party is going to be, we know who majority of our parliamentary candidates are going to be, the Party now gets into the business of strategising towards 2024,” he stated.
Parliamentary aspirants for the Korle Klottey Constituency were Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, Madam Meredith Naakai Lamptey-Addy and Nii John Coleman.
At the end of the race, Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings emerged winner.
The Police have arrested eight suspects throughout the country for various election-related offences and disturbing the peace during the Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) held on Saturday, 13th May 2023.
The suspects, Yaro Burdove, Harrison Martey, Imoro Ibrahim, Arkoli Mensah, Nyarko Richard, Prince Lomotey, Hamidu Dramani and Bejando Emmanuel, were arrested at their various voting centres across four constituencies in the country.
Specifically, suspect Yaro Burdove was arrested during the elections at the Ningo Prampram Constituency for taking a photograph of his ballot paper in the polling booth and also attempting to take photographs of the ballot of other voters, while Harrison Martey and Imoro Ibrahim were arrested for engaging themselves in an unlawful fight at a voting centre at the same constituency.
Suspects Arkoli Mensah and Nyarko Richard were arrested for disturbing the peace by engaging themselves in an unlawful fight at a voting centre during the voting process at the New Juaben South Constituency in the Eastern Region.
At the Mfantseman Constituency in the Central Region, suspect Prince Lomotey was arrested at the voting centre for personation, while at a polling station in the Atebubu-Amantin constituency in the Bono East Region, suspects Hamidu Dramani and Bejando Emmanuel were arrested for causing violence.
Five of the suspects are currently on Police inquiry bail, while the three others are in custody assisting the ongoing Police investigation.
Juliana Wassan, an NDC Parliament candidate, showers money on delegates.
— The Independent Ghana (@independent_gh) May 13, 2023
Meanwhile, the attention of the Police Service has been drawn to a viral video in which Madam Juliana Kinang-Wassan, one of the Parliamentary aspirants for the Ejura Sekyedumase Constituency, is seen spraying money at a crowd during the elections at Ejura Sekyedumase, in the Ashanti Region. A dedicated legal team is currently scrutinising her conduct in the video to establish whether there are elements of election-related crime to warrant Police intervention or otherwise.
The Police has assured the public of its commitment towards ensuring, peace, security, law and order at all times.
The delegates made the decision to provide their support to newcomers they believe will have the tenacity to carry the party to victory in the constituencies in the general elections of 2024.
Della Sowah, a member of parliament for Kpando, was defeated by Sebastian Deh, who received 332 votes overall, by a mere 51 votes. In the 2019 primary, the former defeated the latter.
Maxwell Kwame Lukutor cut short Kobena Mensah Woyome’s effort to keep serving as the South Tongu residents’ representative.
He polled 597 votes against Mr. Woyome’s 562 votes.
Delegates were convinced that Frank Afriyie is a better candidate to maintain the Afadzato South parliamentary seat for the NDC, hence, voted against the incumbent, Angela Alorwu-Tay.
Mr. Afriyie was heavily endorsed with 631 votes, while Madam Alorwu-Tay managed to poll 225 in Saturday’s primary.
A number of showbiz personalities have recently entered the political sphere.
Arising from the May 13National Democratic Congress(NDC) parliamentary promaries, a number of showbiz personalities are one step from entering or returning to the lawmaking chamber.
Below are profiles three of them:
Baba Abdullai Abu Sadiq, Okaikoi Central
Popular entertainment investor, Abdullai Abu Sadiq popularly known as Baba Sadiq, the former CEO of 3 Music CEO won parliamentary elections for the Okaikwei Central constituency.
Official results showed that Baba Sadiq secured 682 votes against his closest contender, Nadine Issah Salifu who had 267.
The other two contenders, Fred Nii Tetteh and Judge Hasford Quartey had 118 and 94 respectively.
Keche Andrew’s wife wins slot
Joana Gyan Cudjoe, the wife of popular Ghanaian musician, Keche Andrew won in the Amenfi Central constituency toppling the incumbent MP for the area.
She polled 756 votes out of the total votes cast whiles the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah polled 575 votes.
Other aspirants include Daniel Appiah, Dr Karl Mark Arhina and Elijah Jones Appiah.
She is founder and CEO of Golden Empire Legacy Limited, which company manages her husband.
Dzifa Gomashie
Former actress Dzifa Gomashie won her primaries by a big margin the Ketu South Constituency of the Volta Region.
Madam Gomashie, who is a sitting MP, polled 1545 votes whiles her contenders Fogah Nukunu and Jimm Morti got 913 votes and 26 votes respectively.
Ebi Bright, Tema Central
Actress Ebi Bright also won the primary for the Tema Central Constituency, which vote was held at Presco Park, Tema Community 4.
She polled 520 votes against her contenders, Courage Makafui Nunekpeku and Carl Owuompesika who polled 409 and 38 respectively.
She gets a second shot at the seat having lost to the incumbent in 2020.
Ms Bright is also a social worker, talk show host, and media producer.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) delegates have once more chosen former president John Mahama to lead the party into the 2024 presidential election.
Certified results by the Electoral Commission (EC) show Mr Mahama polled an overwhelming 297,603 votes representing 98.9% of the total valid votes cast at the end of the NDC primaries on Saturday.
His closest contender, the former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu, polled a paltry 3,181 representing 1.1%.
The other contender in the NDC flagbearership race, former Finance Minister in the Mills regime, Kwabena Duffour, pulled out on Friday.
This is the fourth time John Mahama will be leading the NDC into an election.
Then Vice President John Mahama who took over from President John Evans Mills when the latter died while in office in July 2012, went on to win the election later that year.
As an incumbent, he first lost to then New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in 2016, becoming the first President to serve only one full term.
He won the flagbearership race in February 2019 with an overwhelming endorsement of 95% votes to represent the NDC in the 2020 election but he lost to incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo who was declared the winner of the Dec. 7, vote with 51.59%, ahead of the DNC candidate who received 47.37%.
Mr Mahama challenged the outcome at the Supreme Court, arguing that Akufo-Addo’s votes in some polling stations were padded, pushing him above the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff.
He lost the court challenge.
Once again, delegates of the opposition party in a decisive outcome in 2019 gave the former President the go-ahead to lead the party as its flagbearer into the 2020 polls. Once again he lost.
In many recent interviews, Mr Mahama has said that with the benefit of hindsight, he has realised his mistakes and wants another opportunity to better lead the country.
Mr Mahama told journalists after casting his vote on Saturday that, “his [Duffour’s] withdrawal at the last minute does not change anything, I just voted, there are many delegates going to vote, the result will still be what it is and I expect it to be a landslide.”
He continued, “There is no disunity in the party, absolutely not. One contender was dissatisfied with the process, it doesn’t mean there is disunity in the party.
“NDC is a family and all of them are part of that family, as long as they are willing to come together and let us work toward 2024 I don’t think there is any problem, the party will make overtures.”
On Friday, May 12, Dr Kwabena Duffour formally pulled out from the NDC flagbearership contest.
Addressing a presser, the former governor of the Bank of Ghana stated that his decision was based on his grievances with the processes, especially the voters register, which he thought did not guarantee free and fair elections.
He explained that the exercise was marred by a lot of irregularities; a situation that was not resolved by the leadership of the party.
Last four years, Kojo Bonsu similarly pulled out during the race.
Reports coming in is that some delegates at Asawase Constituency in the Ashanti Region are taking pictures of their ballots in the ongoing National Democratic Congress’ primaries.
These individuals sources say had their mobile phones seized by police officers around or Electoral Commission officers.
However, one delegate who had his phone seized by an EC officer, thus after taking the picture, aggressively went to attack the EC official for his phone.
Voting finally commenced at Asawase Constituency around 11:30am has been very smooth.
It was earlier reported that delegates had been camped.
Last night, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, a flagbearer aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), made the decision to withdraw from the race.
This came after he filed an interlocutory injunction on Tuesday to halt the party’s primaries, citing discrepancies in the voter register.
However, he later withdrew the lawsuit following discussions with the Council of Elders, with the assurance that his concerns would be addressed.
Speaking to journalists in Accra on Friday, Dr. Duffuor listed several reasons for his withdrawal after an intense campaign across the party’s constituencies in recent months.
Unacceptable breach of faith by Council of Elders/Party: The flagbearer aspirant said the party and the Council of Elders acted in bad faith after promising to work on the irregularities he raised prior to the primaries.
Failure by the party to set up a technical committee: Dr. Duffuor explained that the Council of Elders failed to set up a technical committee to look into the issues he raised.
“At the meeting chaired by the former Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho, all stakeholders at the meeting agreed that the party Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah would immediately set up a technical team comprising the technical representatives from the 3 presidential aspirants and the party’s election committee to determine how soon the irregularities with the voters register could be resolved in readiness for the Presidential primaries”.
No show of committee’s report: He also mentioned that he was also assured of a committee’s report to determine the next line of action after the committee was set up.
Executives rushed to organise press conference: The former Bank of the Bank of Ghana lamented that after his meeting with the Council of Elders, the hierarchy of the party hurriedly organised a press conference indicating that all materials have been dispatched to the various constituencies without resolving the issues he raised.
“However, despite the assurances given to myself and my team by the Chairman of the Party, the executives of the party, in an act of complete and unacceptable breach of faith, went ahead to convene a press conference announcing that the elections would go ahead tomorrow, without having resolved the concerns surrounding the voters register as decided at the meeting of the Council of Elders”.
Voter’s register characterised with irregularities: A disappointed flagbearer of NDC noted that the executives of the party distributed the ballot papers to the constituencies without the involvement of his team.
“Taking part in such will be akin to knowingly taking part in a poisoned calabash,” he said.
Read below a full statement by Dr. Kwabena Duffuor
Emmanuel Kafui Dzamefe, a marketer, is optimistic about his chances of winning the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary in the Ho Central Constituency, located in the Volta Region.
He believes that he is the leading candidate among the seven aspirants competing in the primary. Dzamefe attributes his confidence to his capabilities, life achievements, and other factors that set him apart from the other contenders.
“Among the seven of us, I will say boldly that I am the front-runner, I am peerless in terms of life achievement. If you profile all of us, I think that I am way ahead of the other contestants”, he said in an interview with Joy News at the election center in Ho.
He said he gained some experiences in the previous elections which he brought to play during his campaign and hopes it would lead him to victory.
Mr. Dzamefe who was an assembly member added that the delegates have assured of giving him the nod to represent the NDC in the 2024 parliamentary elections as he had served them well and deserved to be rewarded.
“It is my time, I have served them longest and so it is time for them to reward me appropriately and that is the feedback I am getting. It is wonderful”, he concluded.
The Ho Central Constituency in the Volta Region has attracted a diverse group of candidates for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary.
Alongside Emmanuel Kafui Dzamefe, other aspirants include Raphael Korda, an engineer; Selorm Dey, a Chartered accountant and lawyer; and Kasu Delali Kofi, a former branch executive and teacher.
The remaining candidates in the race are Stanley Nelvis Kwasi Glate, a former Constituency Secretary and Lecturer at the Ho Technical University; Robert Kofi Doh, a medical doctor; and Edem Kofi Kpotosu, who serves as the Volta Regional Human Resource Manager for the Ghana Education Service.
Voting is currently underway at the Ola Senior High School assembly hall, where 2,270 delegates are expected to participate in selecting the NDC parliamentary candidate for Ho Central.
Voting has commenced at the Adentan constituency as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) kicks off its parliamentary and presidential primaries.
Over 2,700 delegates are expected to exercise their voting rights at the De Youngsters School Center, with some already casting their votes.
The race for the Adentan seat is highly competitive, featuring three strong contenders. Incumbent Member of Parliament Mohammed Adamu Ramadan faces formidable opposition from former Minister of Gender Nana Oye Bampoe Addo and dynamic youth activist Linda Awuni.
Each candidate has expressed confidence in their ability to secure victory.
The Adentan constituency holds a distinctive record of not re-electing a political party for more than one term in parliament, adding further intrigue to the contest.
Despite the intense competition, the voting process has been proceeding smoothly, and the entire exercise is anticipated to conclude peacefully.
Voting by delegates in the Asawase Constituency as part of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) primaries has hit a snag.
Per reports, delegates are being camped, hence the delay.
“…We have not started voting, and you know the Asawase delegates are aged, they are been refused access to seat on a chair, so they are sitting on the floor. The incumbent MP has also camped delegates and they are not here. We just don’t know why they haven’t started voting, no communication, nothing,” Ghanaweb reports.
Also, some elderly delegates have been compelled to sit on the floor, as they have been denied access to the chairs at the voting center.
Although the voting area has been set up for the process, it has not yet begun, and there is a lack of communication regarding the reasons for the delay.
One of Ghana’s longest-serving members of parliament, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka is seeking to serve the members of his constituency for the sixth time.
Masawudu Mubarak a businessman is hoping to unseat the five-time MP.
Over 356,000 delegates are expected to participate in the National Democratic Congress‘ (NDC) primaries happening today.
The internal elections to select a presidential candidate and parliamentary aspirants which started at 7am is scheduled to end at 4pm.
Each voting center has been limited to utmost 1200 delegates. There is a total of 420 voting centers across the country.
Currently, just two individuals are vying for the flagbearership position. They are former President John Dramani Mahama and former Kumasi Mayor, Kojo Bonsu.
The number reduced to two after former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor withdrew from the race on Friday evening over alleged inaccuracies with the party’s voters register. He earlier filed an interlocutory injunction against the primaries but later pulled out the case.
275 constituencies will take part in the presidential elections while 259 constituencies partake in the parliamentary elections.
Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), announced that 47 parliamentary aspirants have already been declared candidates for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
These candidates applied to represent the party and were unopposed, subsequently passing the vetting process.
According to the NDC rules, they have been granted a direct pass to the 2024 elections. As a result, parliamentary primaries will not take place in the constituencies of these 47 candidates, as they are already considered elected candidates.
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Isaac Adjei Mensah, Wassa East MP, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, Charles Agbeve, Agotime-Ziope MP are among the unopposed candidates.
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, has raised concerns about the internal challenges within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in preparation for its presidential and parliamentary primaries on May 13.
In an interview with Okay FM on May 11, 2023, Evans Nimako accused the party’s Chairman, Asiedu Nketiah popularly known as General Mosquito of displaying a bias against one of the former presidential aspirants, Dr. Kwabena Duffour.
“If they will take time and settle their house matter, I think it will help them, but I don’t believe that the position that the national chairman has taken helps because as a national chairman, you are supposed to be neutral and listen to both sides and decide on the appropriate solution. But what he (Asiedu Nketiah) is doing, it is like he has taken sides against Duffuor.
“Someone who has been your finance minister before and you people also believe that he is one of the financiers of the party, but now you are accusing him of being a bad person, it is up to them,” he added.
Evans Nimako urged the party to seek guidance from the NPP if they lack an understanding of resolving such situations.
“For us the New Patriotic Party, we wish them well and if they will look at what we are doing and learn from us, it will help them. I will plead, all of us go to the IPAC meetings, so, if there is something, they can feel free and consult us and we are also ready to help them out,” he said.
On Friday evening, Dr Duffuor announced his withdrawal from the presidential race.
He attributed his decision to some inaccuracies with the voters register.
Prior to that, he withdrew his interlocutory injunction application filed at an Accra High Court to suspend the primaries happening today.
The National Democratic Congress(NDC) will today, Saturday, May 13 choose a flagbearer and parliamentary candidates for the 2024 general election.
This follows the withdrawal of the injunction case filed by one of the three flag bearer aspirants, Dr Kwabena Duffuor.
However, Dr Duffuor did not only withdraw the case, but also pulled out of the presidential primary, leaving the contest now in a two-man race between former President John Dramani Mahama and former Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive, Kojo Bonsu.
In withdrawing from the elections, the former Minister of Finance yesterday evening in a press conference explained that his decision was based on his grievances with the processes leading to the party’s upcoming primaries; especially the voters register.
He said the exercise had been marred by a lot of irregularities; which had not been resolved by the leadership of the party.
He, therefore, announced that he would no longer vie for the flagbearership of the NDC. However, he would still keep in touch with the grass roots.
“As at this time, the party has begun distributing the ballot papers to the various regions and constituencies without our involvement. I wish to reiterate my commitment to the party and grass roots however, my concern that the party is not ready to conduct free and fair elections is evident for all of us to see.
“Taking part in such an event will be akin to knowing drinking from a poisoned calabash. After consulting with my support base nationwide, I have been left with no choice but to withdraw as I cannot contest in an election blatantly flawed with irregularities regardless of all my effort to draw attention to the same,” Dr Duffour said.
Court action
This came hours after Dr Duffour withdrew the suit he had filed against the NDC following what he said were some discrepancies his team had identified in the party’s voters register to be used for the exercise.
Last Monday, he dragged the party to court, praying that the election should not be held until a complete register was delivered to his camp and the two other presidential aspirants at least five weeks ahead of the election.
The writ said a sizeable number of the eligible voters had no photographs exhibited on the voters register, making it impossible to conduct any meaningful verification exercise on those affected.
He also alleged that the number of constituencies on the hard drive given to his representatives was 220 as against 228 constituencies.
The litany of allegations also included the fact that there were inaccuracies that rendered the photo album unviable for a free, fair and credible election, and that an exceptional list of 74,799 people had been created to take part in the election, while 3,910 eligible voters in the 220 constituencies had been disenfranchised.
However, when the court sat yesterday, his counsel, Opoku Amponsah, said he had instructions from his client to discontinue the case.
“The discussions came up this morning for which reason I could file the necessary processes,” he told the court.
The judge, Mariam Afful, subsequently struck out the application as withdrawn.
Election
Consequently, the elections are expected to go ahead this morning across the country.
The Electoral Commission (EC), which initially declined to supervise the polls due to the injunction process served on the body, has agreed to conduct the polls.
The Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, who made this known to the Daily Graphic, said the commission would go ahead to supervise and conduct the election.
Otherwise, the NDC stated at a news conference yesterday that it would resort to an internal mechanism to conduct today’s election, if the EC declined to supervise it.
The presidential primary will take place in 275 out of the 276 constituencies initially earmarked for the polls except in the Manhyia South Constituency, which will not vote in the parliamentary primaries too.
The parliamentary primaries will, however, be held in 212 constituencies, with 16 put on hold, and 47 going unopposed.
The head of the Elections Committee of NDC, Kakra Essamuah, told the Daily Graphic that a total of 356,624 delegates of the party were expected to vote in the election.
Delegates
They comprise branch, constituency, regional and national executive, former national executive, sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), former MPs and government appointees, NDC-appointed Article 71 Office Holders, and metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives that served under the party’s government.
The rest are NDC-appointed former deputy and ministers of state, former Ambassadors and High Commissioners, former Members of the Council of State, presidential staffers who fall under Article 71 of the Constitution, foreign chapters and members of the NDC Professional Forum.
Some 692 aspirants are contesting the parliamentary primaries, and three in the presidential primary.
With Dr Duffuor’s withdrawal, the two remaining flag bearer aspirants are a former Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu, and former President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the breakdown, 259 constituencies will fully participate in both the presidential and parliamentary primaries.
Sixteen constituencies will participate in only the presidential and not the parliamentary, while Manhyia South would not take part in the election at all due to some internal dispute.
With barely twelve hours to the much anticipated National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential and parliamentary primaries, one of the major contenders in the Presidential race, Dr Kwabena Duffuor has pulled out of the race.
He made this known during a press conference on Friday, May 12, 2023, explaining that the party is not ready to conduct a free and fair election.
He said the exercise has been marred by a lot of irregularities; a situation which has not been resolved by the leadership of the party.
On the back of this, he, therefore, stressed that he will no longer vie for the flagbearership of the NDC; adding he’ll still keep in touch with the grassroots.
“As at this time, the party has begun distributing the ballot papers to the various regions and constituencies without our involvement. I wish to reiterate my commitment to the party and grassroots, however my concerns that the party is not ready to conduct free and fair elections is evident for all of us to see,” Dr Duffour said.
“Taking part in such an event will be acting to knowing drinking from a poisoned calabash. After consulting with my support base nationwide, I have been left with no choice but to withdraw as I cannot contest in an election blatantly flawed with irregularities regardless of all my effort to draw attention to the same.”
This comes hours after Dr Duffour withdrew the suit he had filed against the NDC following what he says are some discrepancies his team has identified in the party’s voters register to be used for the exercise.
At the court, the NDC contended that it has so far rectified most of the errors that have been identified by Dr Duffuor’s team.
Lawyers for Dr Duffour withdrew the case on his behalf and the court struck out the injunction application they had filed.
Meanwhile, the NDC primaries will come off on Saturday as scheduled.
Eleven constituencies in the Ashanti Region have been declared ‘Hotspots’ by the Regional Secretariat of the NDC, as it prepares for Saturday’s primaries.
The 11 ‘Hotspots’ are among 46 Constituencies in the region, where the flagbearer contest will take place. However, the Manhyia South Constituency has been declared ineligible to take part in the exercise.
Regional Organizer of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, Isham Alhassan Bonsu, disclosed this to GBCNEWS in Kumasi.
Ashanti Region has 47 Constituencies, the largest in the country. The elections which are in two parts, electing parliamentary and presidential hopefuls, will take place concurrently in most of the constituencies except a few of them.
Constituencies such as Mampong, Adansi Asokwa, Fomena, Obuasi East, Manhyia South, Kumawu and Tafo will take part in only the flagbearer polls because they are either presenting an unopposed parliamentary aspirant or there are unresolved issues among the party members.
In all, about 6,000 delegates from all the 6,737 branches of the party, and 1,425 constituency and regional executives, former ministers and deputy ministers of state, Council of Elders Members among others constituting 62,054 electoral colleges, are eligible to vote in the two elections in the region.
For now, only the Manhyia South Constituency has been stopped from taking part in both the parliamentary and flagbearer contest due to a Court Injunction. This means 46 Constituencies will participate in the polls with about 76 Parliamentary aspirants cleared to contest.
The Kumawu Constituency already has its parliamentary candidate for the upcoming by-election later this month and also next year’s election.
In an interview with GBCNEWS at the Regional Secretariat in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional Organizer of the NDC, Isham Alhassan, said apart from two Constituencies with minor disagreements over the delegates’ list which he is certain will be amicably resolved in time, all the approved Constituencies are set to undertake the exercise.
According to the Regional Organizer, 11 Constituencies have been declared as ‘Hotspots’ with the potential of violent misunderstanding for which the Police have been asked to take charge to avert any disturbances.
Mr. Alhassan said a special arrangement has been made for delegates from the hinterlands as well as members of the Seventh Day faith to vote.
Mr. Alhassan assured that as a Party determined to win next year’s Presidential and Parliamentary elections, the NDC’s regional executives have resolved to create a level playing field for all the contenders to reduce to the barest minimum, any acrimonies if any, to present a united and formidable front toward achieving the set goal for 2024.
He, therefore, appealed to all the interested individuals and groups within the party in the region to ensure mutual trust, respect and confidence in the measures put in place for the success of the primaries.
The Regional Organizer said even though the official schedule for the elections is between 7 am and 4 pm, polls could close at any time within the period and results declared only if every eligible delegate has voted.
During a press conference on Friday, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), announced that 47 parliamentary aspirants have already been declared candidates for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
These candidates applied to represent the party and were unopposed, subsequently passing the vetting process.
According to the NDC rules, they have been granted a direct pass to the 2024 elections. As a result, parliamentary primaries will not take place in the constituencies of these 47 candidates, as they are already considered elected candidates.
“We have 47 aspirants who have already been declared candidates for our 2024 elections. We have seen other places where people are contesting unopposed candidates by going to court to seek an injunction to prevent the parliamentary elections. There is not going to be parliamentary elections in those places because our candidates have already been elected by law,” Mr Asiedu noted.
Among them is North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Meanwhile, the NDC Chairman said the primaries would not be conducted in 16 constituencies, stating that these constituencies need special attention.
He said that “the party’s preparation in those constituencies is not complete, so, we have decided to put them on hold. After the main elections, we will appraise each constituency and deal with the specific issues there to pave the way for the elections.”
The NDC primaries will proceed as planned on Saturday. This decision comes after Dr. Kwabena Duffour, a flagbearer hopeful, withdrew the lawsuit he filed against the party on May 9.
Dr. Duffour cited discrepancies in the party’s voters’ register as the reason for his team’s withdrawal. The Accra High Court had previously dismissed Dr. Duffour’s injunction application after his lawyers chose to withdraw the case.
The Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has expressed his disappointment in the Electoral Commission for charging to supervise internal political party elections.
According to him, the EC is a state institution, while the internal elections of the various political parties are of public interest. For this reason, the NDC stalwart believes that the supervision must be free.
“We have taken a position before that if the internal party primaries are public elections then, the Electoral Commission is under obligation to conduct those elections for the party free of charge without any charge to the political party.”
“Because if it’s a state institution that has a constitutionally imposed duty to perform as far as our party is concerned, then why should they be charging us?” he quizzed
Mr. Asiedu Nketia also mentioned that the EC has made it clear that internal elections are not part of their constitutional obligations, hence any help sought from them must be paid for.
“So we have been paying for all those services including the current one,” he said.
According to him, internal elections will continue to remain the responsibility of the NDC.
However, he added that they involve the EC to promote neutrality and credibility, and therefore if at any point the EC feels hindered to supervise the elections, the NDC will still be in good standing to proceed.
“At any point in time when we get to the point where the neutral party we have engaged to help us select our candidates becomes challenging or unavailable, we reserve the right to resort to our own means of selecting our candidates,” he said.
The NDC is set to conduct its presidential and parliamentary primaries on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Voting is set to begin at 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Ahead of the elections, the party has had to resolve some internal issues.
One of them was the lawsuit by flagbearer aspirant, Dr Kwabena Duffour to stop the process.
But on Friday, May 12, an Accra High Court struck out Dr Duffour’s injunction application after his lawyers withdrew the case.
The party chairman has commended Dr Dufuor for choosing to resort to the party’s internal structures instead.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), has commended Dr Kwabena Duffour for withdrawing the injunction suit filed against the party’s upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries.
According to chairman of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the decision by the aspiring flagbearer proves his commitment to the progress of the party.
“ I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr Duffour for good showmanship of statesmanship and the love for the party by withdrawing this case and resorting to the internal processes of the party, to seek resolutions to problems that have emanated in this process,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday’s polls, he encouraged all party members to take a cue from Dr Duffour by resorting to internal party structures should they have any concerns.
“I would like to recommend that path to all party members who may feel aggrieved by anything in the party, that the best thing to do is to resort to internal party processes to find solutions. When that solution is not found then you may go outside the party structures. So we commend the Duffour’s team for resorting to internal party processes to find solutions,” he said on Friday.
Earlier today, an Accra High Court struck out Dr Duffour’s injunction application against the NDC presidential and parliamentary primaries after his lawyers withdrew the case.
On May 9, Dr Kwabena Duffour filed a suit against the party following what he says are some discrepancies his team has identified in the party’s voters’ register to be used for the exercise.
In a writ filed at an Accra High Court, Dr Duffour indicated that the party failed to provide the required photo album register five weeks ahead of the elections as stated in the party’s rules.
He stated that a partial photo album register was given to his team on May 4, a few days ahead of the elections rather than in March when they had submitted a request for one.
Another member of the NDC who was also seeking a High Court order to prevent the party from proceeding with its primaries has also withdrawn the case.
Edgar Asamoah Boateng earlier today applied for the suspension of the May 13 presidential and parliamentary primaries due to similar concerns with the voters’ register.
In his statement of claim, the plaintiff alleged that the lack of an adequate photo album of qualified voters has caused significant animosity and hostility within the party.
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the NDC, Fiifi Kwetey, says all is set for the conduct of the polls.
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who had filed an injunction application in the High Court to halt the party’s upcoming primaries has decided to withdraw the case.
Edgar Asamoah Boateng had sought the suspension of the May 13 presidential and parliamentary primaries, citing concerns about the unavailability of a voters’ register for his representatives and other aspirants, including presidential candidates.
The plaintiff claimed that the absence of a comprehensive list of qualified voters has led to increased tension and discord within the party.
Dr. Kwabena Duffour’s injunction application against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding the party’s presidential and parliamentary primaries has been struck out by the Accra High Court.
The decision came after Dr. Duffour’s lawyers requested to withdraw the case. His campaign team had raised concerns about not receiving an accurate list of eligible participants for the May 13 polls.
During the court hearing, there was no opposition from the NDC’s legal team or the Electoral Commission (EC). The NDC’s General Secretary has stated that preparations for tomorrow’s elections are complete.
General Secretary for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has noted that should the Electoral Commission (EC) be unable to supervise its upcoming Primaries, its Electoral Directorate will take charge of matters.
He made this known on Friday while addressing the press in less than 24 hours to the much awaited Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
“If for any reason the Electoral Commission is unable to be present tomorrow to supervise this election, the Elections Directorate of the NDC will take full charge,” he said.
The Functional Executive Committee of the party on behalf of the National Executive Committee of the party passed this resolution.
The Electoral Commission earlier announced that it would not be supervising the party’s parties due to an injunction application filed by one of the presidential candidates, Dr Kwabena Duffuor.
But on Friday morning, Dr Duffuor withdrew his injunction application. However, few hours later, it was reported that a fresh injunction has been filed by one Edgar Asamoah Boateng but that has also been discontinued.
The EC is yet to comment on the recent happenings so far. The Electoral Commission is mandated to enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of elections and referendums.
Over 356,000 voters expected to participate in the upcoming primaries which will start from 7am and end at 4pm.
Each voting center has been limited to utmost 1200 delegates. There is a total of 420 voting centers across the country.
275 constituencies will take part in the presidential elections while 259 constituencies partake in the parliamentary elections.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) held a press conference to address challenges likely to face its primaries slated for Saturday, May 13, 2023.
On Friday morning, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, a presidential aspirant withdrew his injunction application to have the party’s presidential and parliamentary election suspended.
Few hours later, it emerged that another injunction application has been filed against the party by one Edgar Asamoah Boateng. Per reports, that injunction has been discontinued.
Former Chief Executive of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng has recounted a compelling story that showcased the invaluable support he received from former Speaker of Parliament, Doe Adjaho, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Asiedu Nketia.
He recalled appearing before a Parliamentary Audit Committee, which had summoned him over allegations of engaging in sole sourcing and bypassing procurement procedures.
In an interview with Accra-based TV3, Prof Frimpong-Boateng explained that his actions were driven by a sense of urgency and the need to save Korle-Bu. He admitted to being desperate at the time and believed that drastic measures were necessary. During the committee meeting, he found unexpected allies in General Mosquito and Doe Adjaho, who came to his rescue. Despite accusations of deviating from proper processes, they argued in his defense, emphasizing the significant cost savings he had achieved for the country. Their stance was that while the process may not have been ideal, he had ultimately saved the nation a substantial amount of money. As a result, Prof Frimpong-Boateng was allowed to proceed without further repercussions.
In August 2007, Prof Frimpong-Boateng held a press conference where he revealed some remarkable achievements in cost reduction and financial management during his time at Korle-Bu. He mentioned that prior to his appointment, the hospital was spending ¢18 billion on sutures, whereas he was able to procure the same quantity from India for ¢450 million. This decision alone resulted in savings of over ¢17 billion for the hospital and the nation as a whole. Additionally, he successfully negotiated better deals for CSSD tapes, significantly reducing the hospital’s annual expenditure from ¢2.4 billion to a more manageable amount. These cost-saving measures allowed the hospital to utilize the tapes for three years. Prof Frimpong-Boateng also took pride in the hospital’s ability to generate its own funds, enabling the construction of a new administration block at a cost of ¢8.6 billion.
Overall, Prof Frimpong-Boateng’s account highlights the challenging circumstances he faced during his tenure, as well as the support he received from unexpected quarters. It sheds light on his determination to make necessary changes for the betterment of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the nation as a whole, ultimately leading to significant cost savings and improved financial management.
