The director of legal affairs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abraham Amaliba believes that there are some mischievous persons whose objective is to erode successes chalked so far by the party.
Mr Amaliba’s comment follows a second injunction that has been filed against the party’s upcoming primaries on Saturday, May 13. It is the second to hit the primaries, with the first filed by presidential aspirant Dr. Kwabena Duffour struck out by the high court after he withdrew his injunction application.
Reacting to the latest suit on Joy FM’s Midday News on Friday, Mr Amaliba said the party has not officially been served with the writ.
Describing it as mischief, the legal practitioner stressed that the NDC remains united ahead of its internal elections.
“I would want to think that there are people who are engaging in mischief. And that is what is at play but the party is united. If you want to measure the strength or unity of the party, talk to the grassroots. They are yearning for this election to come off.
“There are a few miscreants who want to, as it were, thwart the efforts of the party, but generally the party is united,” he said on Friday.
On Tuesday, a presidential flagbearer hopeful, Dr Kwabena Duffour filed an injunction application against the party following what he said were some discrepancies his team had identified in the party’s voters register to be used for the exercise.
Two days later, an Accra High Court struck out his injunction application after asking his lawyers to withdraw the case.
There was singing and dancing among some NDC supporters following that decision, however, their joys were short-lived as the party comes up against another injunction application.
Edgar Asamoah Boateng is seeking the High Court’s order to prevent the party’s presidential and parliamentary primaries from taking place.
He alleges that the lack of an adequate photo album of qualified voters has caused significant animosity and hostility within the party. Should the writ be officially served, Mr Amaliba said the legal team will take a decision.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has allegedly been hit with another injunction to suspend their upcoming primaries scheduled for May 13.
A member of the party, Edgar Asamoah Boateng is seeking a High Court order to prevent the party from proceeding with its presidential and parliamentary primaries on Saturday.
In his statement of claim, the plaintiff, said to be a party member of the party in Abuakwa North in the Eastern Region, expressed his surprise at what he sees as lack of a voters’ register being provided to his representatives, as well as to all other aspirants, including presidential contenders.
He alleges that the lack of an adequate photo album of qualified voters has caused significant animosity and hostility within the party.
This comes hours after an Accra High Court struck out Dr Kwabena Duffour’s injunction application against the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s presidential and parliamentary primaries.
It followed an application by his lawyers to have the case withdrawn.
Dr Duffuor’s campaign team had alleged it has not been furnished with an accurate list of persons who are supposed to participate in the May 13, Presidential and Parliamentary polls.
The request was made in court earlier in the day when the case was called for hearing.
There was no opposition from NDC’s legal team and that of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Today, Edgar’s lawyers are praying the court for “an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the Defendants/Respondents, its officers or agents or otherwise howsoever from holding the primary elections for the Nomination of Presidential and Parliamentary Candidates of the National Democratic Congress Party on 13 May 2023 pending the determination of the suit herein as per grounds deposed to in the accompanying affidavit and for any further orders the Honourable Court may deem fit.”
Presidential aspirant in the upcoming National Democratic Congress (NDC’s) primaries, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, caused an earthquake in the party by seeking an injunction to suspend the elections.
However, the ‘earthquake’ has been assuaged by his decision to withdraw the injunction; a situation which has paved way for the elections to come off as scheduled.
On Friday, May 12, 2023, an Accra High Court, struck out Dr Kwabena Duffour’s injunction application against the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s presidential and parliamentary primaries.
It followed an application by his lawyers to have the case withdrawn.
The request was made in court earlier in the day when the case was called for hearing.
There was no opposition from NDC’s legal team and that of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Dr Duffuor’s campaign team had alleged it has not been furnished with an accurate list of persons who are supposed to participate in the May 13, Presidential and Parliamentary polls.
He, therefore, wanted the court to put the elections on hold and have the party engage candidates on a road map toward drawing up an accurate list of voters.
The NDC however contended that it has so far rectified most of the errors that have been identified by Dr Duffuor’s team.
Lawyers for NDC thus urged the High Court to dismiss the application.
They insisted that the suit as filed was frivolous and incompetent.
They also described the case as one not grounded in law.
“We submit that the plaintiff’s suit is incompetent and therefore ought to be dismissed in limine. Again, the plaintiff has not been able to demonstrate on the face of his pleadings and affidavit that it is just or convenient for the Honourable Court to grant the injunction that he seeks.”
Fifi Kwetey, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that the requests put forth by Dr. Kwabena Duffuor’s team have been addressed.
Mr Kwetey explained that the primary demand of the presidential aspirant was for access to a delegates’ list, which has now been resolved.
He shared this information while responding to questions from journalists at the Accra Court Complex following the hearing of Dr. Duffuor’s case on May 12, 2023.
“Yes, it’s been satisfied. The delegates’ list is the main, primary document that we are depending on and this list has been ready, made available to all the contestants,” he stated.
Fifi Kwetey also stated that with that done, they, as a party, concluded ahead of the withdrawal of the case by the lawyers of the former Minister of Finance, that there was no case at all.
He also expressed his gratitude at the fact that the Duffuor team decided to unilaterally withdraw the case.
“So, really, as far as we are concerned, there was no case to begin with, but we are happy they decided to withdraw it,” he added.
Earlier, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor filed a case in court on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, for an interlocutory injunction on the NDC primaries slated for Saturday, May 13, 2023.
He cited anomalies with the NDC’s electoral album for his suit, following it up with a petition to the Electoral Commission. But on Friday, his lawyers withdrew the injunction case.
A leading member of the NDC, and candidate for the Flagbearer position of NDC, Mr Kojo Bonsu has urged parties contesting in the upcoming primaries to explore
An official release from the Kojo Bonsu campaign team said: “I am calling on my senior brother Dr Kwabena Duffour who is also a flagbearer aspirant for the NDC to withdraw the lawsuit from the court and make himself available to the Council of Elders, National Executives and the Election Directorate to deliberate and settle on an amicable solution to the current concerns of the election processes currently facing our great Party ahead of the Presidential / Parliamentary primaries scheduled for May 13, 2023.”
The release added “I believe the issues at stake can be resolved internally and amicably in unity.
“I urge Dr Duffour to exercise patience and look at the interest of the party at large as I know he means no malice or trouble but rather expects the right things to be done for a smooth election which is devoid of any obstacles for all to have a level playing ground.
“I also urge the National Executive to engage and continue to deliberate with stakeholders in order to resolve the concerns and help the election directorate to run a free, fair and transparent Presidential /Parliamentary primaries.”
Mr Bonsu pointed out that “lastly, I also call on our former president, former flagbearer who is also an aspirant to join the call for unity and amicable resolution of the current issues ahead of the Primaries.
“Long live the NDC, long live Ghana and may the Almighty bless and grant us a peaceful election now and a resounding victory in 2024.”
Former president John Dramani Mahama has received strong support from influential party members in the run-up to the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) presidential primaries set for May 13, 2023.
With aspirations to lead the NDC into the 2024 general elections, Mahama’s campaign has gained momentum as prominent party members rally behind him.
The media complies six influential NDC members who have declared their unwavering support for Mahama, citing his experience and economic expertise as key factors.
1. Stan Xoese Dogbe
One of Mahama’s staunchest supporters is Stan Xoese Dogbe, his special aide and lead on media affairs. Dogbe, a one-time journalist with Joy FM has been an ally of Mahama since way back.
He was a presidential staffer under Mahama’s presidency. He also runs the Woezor TV station which has been televising most party activities and Mahama’s campaigns across the country.
2. Professor Joshua Alabi
Joshua Alabi was the Campaign Manager for Mahama in the 2020 general elections, he led a team that submitted Mahama’s 2024 nomination forms. He was a one-time competitor against Mahama when he run in 2019 against Mahama to become flagbearer.
He finished a distant second and was appointed campaign lead. This gesture underscores the collective confidence Mahama and the party have in the abilities of the former university Vice-Chancellor.
3. Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang
Naana Opoku-Agyemeng gained national prominence as an education minister and then in 2019 as Mahama’s running mate. She has since become an influential figure in the Central Region of Ghana.
She is usually seen with the former president with talk that she will be retained as running mate if Mahama emerges as flagbearer.
4. Dr. Valerie Esther Sawyer,
Dr. Valerie Ester Sawyer a former Deputy Chief of Staff, has emerged as a strong advocate for Mahama’s candidacy.
She was among those responsible for submitting his nomination forms, highlighting her belief in his ability to lead the NDC.
6. Julius Debrah, Julius Debrah, a former Chief of Staff of Ghana, is another prominent supporter of Mahama. Having worked closely with the former President during his tenure, Debrah’s endorsement further reinforces the strength of Mahama’s campaign.
As the NDC gears up for its highly anticipated presidential primaries, Mahama’s growing support base places him in a favorable position. With a united front and the backing of influential party figures, he aims to lead the party’s charge into the 2024 general elections.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will host its sixth elective delegates congress on May 13 since it was founded in 1992.
The party unanimously settled on Jerry John Rawlings as its candidate in the processes leading to the 1992 and 1996 elections.
JJ went on to handpick his then vice, John Evans Atta Mills as candidate for the party’s 2000 election in the famous Swedru Declaration. Mills lost the 2000 election.
Mills will go on to contest for three primaries, winning each by a landslide even though the third victory did not lead to an election because he died before the 2012 polls were held.
When Mills died, his Vice President at the time, John Dramani Mahama was elected by the party with months to the 2012 elections. Mahama pulled over 95% of the votes and went on to win the presidential elections.
As an incumbent in the lead up to the 2016 elections, Mahama was not contested instead the party opted for a system where all registered members of the party participated in an acclamation that returned over 93% ‘YES.’
Mahama’s biggest test in a flagbearer race was in 2019 in the run up to the 2020 elections.
He came up against five party stalwarts and one outsider in the race to be on the ballot paper. In the end, Mahama prevailed with a landslide 95% win as the others scrambled with less than 5% of total votes cast.
Three persons traveling with former President John Dramani Mahama on his campaign tour of the Savannah Region have been injured in an accident.
The victims include a TV3 Journalist, Christopher Amoako. For now, it is unclear yet how the accident occurred.
The three sustained varied injuries following the accident which happened at Dartotili, a suburb of Tamale in the Northern Region on Thursday.
The two other victims are the Savannah Regional Communications officer of the National Democratic Congress, R.A. Jelil, and one other person only identified as Samed.
The team was returning from East and North-East Gonja Districts and heading towards Yapei and Daoboya in the Central and North Gonja Districts, but could not reach their destination.
The injured have since been conveyed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital For medical attention.
The former President was pictured attending to one of the victims, Christopher Amoako of TV3, who was lying on the floor.
A total of 106 candidates have been cleared to contest the NDC parliamentary primaries at various constituencies in the Ashanti region.
The party finished the vetting of all the parliamentary aspirants in the region on Tuesday 09, ahead of the conduct of the elections on May 13, 2023.
The vetting of candidates for the Fomena constituency was put on hold following a directive from the national office of the party.
Out of the total number of candidates cleared, seven are going unopposed.
They are Samuel Aboagye- Obuasi East, Joseph Azumah – Akrofouom, Samuel Prempeh Jnr – Bekwai and Kwasi Amankwaa – Kumawu.
The rest are Shamudeen Mohammed Kamil – Old Tafo, Hamzah Swallah – Manhyia North and Ebenezer Ekow Aidoo – Asante Akim Central.
Fifteen females are among the candidates contesting for the elections in the region.
The Ejura Sekyeredumase constituency has the highest number of five candidates contesting the elections.
Dr Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC told the Ghana News Agency that no aspirant was disqualified during the process.
He said the party was satisfied with the outcome of the vetting process and the quality of people who submitted themselves to contest the primaries in the various constituencies.
The atmosphere for the campaigns in the region had been relatively calm, except for the Asawase constituency where the supporters of the two main contenders, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the incumbent, and Mubarick Masawudu, have been trading derogatory utterances in their campaigns.
A special Aide to former President John Mahama says a post on social media attributed to her is fake.
Joyce Bawa Mogtari says the post is from a clone account created in her name.
In the said post, Joyce Bawa Mogtari is said to have called out Ashantis “for their unnecessary egos.”
This is said to be in relation to Dr Kwabena Duffour’s suit against the National Democratic Congress’s upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 13.
But in a Facebook post on Wednesday, the former Deputy Transport Minister denied the said post and has thus asked the citizenry to ignore same.
According to her, the government is behind a number of clone accounts for political opponents to cause public outrage for them.
“As soon as they announced a government initiative to curb the spread of fake news I knew that this infamous government had discovered a new scam! Clone the accounts of political opponents and set them up for attacks or create disaffection.
“Hopefully even though I am grateful for the swift manner in which people shared the fake tweet for my personal attention, I wish that people would rather discount, discredit or report the fake tweets instead of sharing same across platforms knowing same to be false, fake and disinformation,” she posted.
A former Deputy Minister of Transport and special aide to ex-President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, has dismissed a fake social media post that attributed tribal remarks against the Ashanti people to her.
She said the post was shared from a clone account and had nothing to do with her. She also accused the current Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government of being behind the creation of such accounts to tarnish the image of political opponents and sow discord among Ghanaians.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, May 9, 2023, Mogtari wrote that,
“As soon as they announced a government initiative to curb the spread of fake news, I knew that this infamous government had discovered a new scam! Clone the accounts of political opponents and set them up for attacks or create disaffection.”
She thanked those who quickly noticed the fake tweet and alerted her, but urged them to,
“discount, discredit or report the fake tweets instead of sharing same across platforms knowing same to be false, fake and disinformation.”
Mogtari is a Ghanaian lawyer and politician who served as the Deputy Minister of Transport from 2013 to 2017 under Mahama’s administration. She is also his official spokesperson and a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The oppositionNational Democratic Congress(NDC) is convinced that the presidential and parliamentary elections slated for May 13, 2023 will take place as planned.
This comes on the back of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) indicating that it cannot supervise the NDC’s Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries slated for Saturday May 13, 2023.
The EC says it’s unable to organize the polls because of injunction by one of the Presidential hopeful Dr. Kwabena Duffour.
The Former Finance Minister in his suit against the party says there are some discrepancies his team has identified in the party’s voters register to be used for the exercise.
According to the EC, until the legal issues are resolved it cannot be involved in the polls.
However, in a press statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, Fifi Kwetey urged the party members and the people of Ghana to remain calm as the Party, through its legal team, works to resolve the temporary challenge.
“The National Democratic Congress (NDC), further to a court action on the part of one of the presidential aspirants, wishes to assure presidential, parliamentary aspirants as well as members, supporters, and sympathizers, that the party is taking all legitimate and legal steps to pave way for the presidential and parliamentary primaries on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
“It will be recalled that Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, one of the three presidential aspirants, on Tuesday filed a suit against the party seeking to injunct the primaries,” Mr. Kwetey stated.
He continued: “While urging calm among our rank and file, we wish to assure that the party as at April 20th, 2023 had made available the full Delegates List to all presidential candidates in line with our commitment stated in our guidelines that, this Primary Document, would be furnished to all presidential candidates.
“The party is therefore confident that, this temporary challenge will be quickly overcome to pave way for the holding of the primaries on schedule.
“It is our expectation that we shall all put the larger interest of our great party ahead of all considerations, knowing that the good people of Ghana are eagerly looking up to our party, come December 7, 2024, to rescue this nation from the current national collapse.”
John Dramani Mahama, the former President of Ghana, has pledged to create a favourable environment for anti-corruption institutions to clamp down on corrupt officials if he wins the upcoming presidential election.
Mr. Mahama has stated that corrupt government officials will be discouraged from engaging in corrupt practices during his tenure.
Speaking to delegates in Lambussie in the Upper West Region, he reiterated that corrupt individuals will be punished regardless of their political affiliation under the next National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
Mr. Mahama emphasized that he would allow anti-corruption institutions to function independently and that he would not interfere or shield anyone who engages in corrupt activities.
He stated that anyone who is caught stealing public funds will face the full force of the law, whether they are in his government, past governments, or the previous government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“It doesn’t matter whether you belong to our government or past governments, if you steal the people’s money we will deal with you. If elected as President, I will allow anti-corruption institutions to work. Nobody should come and call me to save them when they catch you. Any person whether in my government or outside my government or in the previous NPP government, if the anti-corruption institutions are dealing with you that is your business because we must save this country,” Mr. Mahama said.
Former National Democratic Congress(NDC) Northern regional communications officer, Hardi Pagzaa and Mumuni Osman have been fined GH3,600 by the District Court in Tamale for attacking a Radio Presenter at Dagbon Radio, Tamale.
The two who on Monday 8 May, were arrested and kept in police custody for two days appeared before the court on Wednesday.
The accused persons who were charged on four counts pleaded guilty to all charges.
The charges include; Conspiracy to Commit Crime to wit Assault, Assault, Unlawful entry, and Threat of Death.
The 4th Count of Threat of Death was however later withdrawn by the Prosecution.
The defence counsel told the court that the accused persons have shown remorse and prayed for a non-custodial sentence.
Before his ruling, the Judge cautioned the defendants not to repeat such unlawful acts. He further urged hosts of political shows and their guests to be circumspect in their pronouncements and actions.
The magistrate noted that such acts have the tendency of igniting conflicts, citing the Rwanda genocide and its devastating impact on citizens as an example.
The court then sentenced the accused person to a fine of 300 penalty units, amounting to 3,600 or in default, serve 18 months in prison.
On May 3, a radio presenter with a Tamale-based Dagbon FM, Sadiq Gariba was assaulted verbally and physically by a former NDC Northern Regional Communications Officer, Hardi Pagzaa during a live radio program.
In a video that went viral on social media, Mr. Pagzaa andOsman were seen storming the studio of Dagbon FM. The two men held up the presenter who was at the point hosting a show and threatened to slap him if he makes a comment.
The incident happened on World Press Freedom Day.
The host then stood up and in the process went out of the studio with the attackers.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has announced its decision to withhold its services to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its primaries slated for May 13, 2023.
The EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, made this known today after she met agents of all the three flagbearer hopefuls of the NDC; John Mahama, Dr Duffuor, and Kojo Bonsu.
According to the EC Chair, her outfit will only supervise the upcoming primaries after the current legal issues hovering around the primaries are resolved to prevent being cited for contempt.
“Yesterday we were served with an Application for Interlocutory Injunction seeking to restrain the Commission from supervising the conduct of the Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries due to the alleged anomalies with the register.
Gentlemen, in order that we are not cited for contempt, the Commission has taken the decision not to supervise the conduct of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections until after the determination of the case by the court,” the Chairperson of the Commission, Madam Jean Mensa is quoted to have said by JoyNews.
EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa
Dr Kwabena Duffour has filed an interlocutory injunction application against the party’s upcoming primaries.
Dr Duffuor wants the primaries halted over some alleged discrepancies his team has identified in the party’s voters register.
In a writ filed at an Accra High Court, Dr Duffour indicated a partial photo album register given to his team on May 4, 2023, by the party recorded the number of constituencies at 220 as opposed to the alleged number of 228 constituencies currently being indicated.
He stated that verification of the 220 constituencies established basic errors and inaccuracies that render the Photo Album Register inaccurate and unreliable for a free, fair and credible elections.
Ahead of the suit, Dr Duffuor requested for a postponement of the elections until a full photo album register is secured.
Meanwhile, responding to the claims, Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, says the accusations levelled against the party have no basis.
One of the three presidential aspirants of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Bonsu, has faulted the leadership of the party of the decision to rally their support behind former President John Dramani Mahama.
According to Mr Bonsu, who once served as the Mayor for Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, it is against the party’s rules for its Executives to declare support for a candidate running for a position.
“I’m doing a decent campaign. My issue is that the party has rules and the election regulations say that when you are an executive, you cannot support one person because you are part of the leadership of the party.
“But these things they are doing are wrong. Someone who wants a position would place his/her sticker alongside his contender and that’s not fair. Everybody is doing what they like, is that democracy,” he quizzed in an interview with Kumasi-base OTEC FM on Tuesday, May 9.
Former President John Mahama, former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor and Mr Kojo Bonsu want to participate in the 2024 Presidential elections on the ticket of the NDC.
Despite the current situation in the party, Mr Bonsu says he remains resolute in his efforts to emerge victorious.
According to him, such endorsement does not win elections as the NDC failed to win the 2016 general elections albeit millions showed support.
“I’m not discouraged, no way. I’m still focused, I’m a serious person. It doesn’t discourage me because, during the 2016 elections, there was a big rally in Accra, millions of people were there but after the elections were over, we lost over one million votes.
“So things like this do not frighten me,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Duffor has filed an interlocutory injunction at an Accra High Court to halt the primaries scheduled for May 13, over “faulty voters register.”
Flagbearer aspirant for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Kojo Bonsu is worried about some anomalies which he says exist in the party’s voter register.
His concerns come in the wake of a writ filed at an Accra High Court by Dr Kwabena Duffour indicating 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.
The former Finance Minister asked the party to postpone its upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 13.
Mr Bonsu shares this sentiment. In an interview on Kumasi-based OTEC FM, the former Kumasi Mayor stated that this will provide ample time to fix the problem in the party’s electoral roll.
“They have to postpone the date of the election and rectify it [the alleged anomalies in the album]”, he said on Tuesday evening.
Per his assessment, the party risks being slapped with more legal actions if it neglects this concern and proceeds with the May 13 poll.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said that its presidential and parliamentary primaries will go ahead as planned on Saturday, May 13, 2023, despite a legal challenge by one of the flagbearer hopefuls, Dr Kwabena Duffuor.
According to Aseidu Nketiah, the party has followed proper procedures and adhered to the constitution throughout the electoral process.
Speaking in an interview with Okay FM, on May 9, 2023, Asiedu Nketiah stated, “Whatever we do, there are measures that we follow, and also the elections are also in accordance with the constitution unless the party decides otherwise for its internal elections. And so far, in all the procedures and measures that we have implemented, we haven’t faulted in any way or gone against any law.”
Responding to complaints about access to the delegate list as earlier reported by one of the flagbearer hopefuls, Dr Kwabena Duffour, he stated that after the vetting process, every candidate was provided with a delegate list, dismissing any claims suggesting that individuals were denied access.
“I heard of people complaining about not getting access to the delegate list, but after the vetting, we gave everyone a delegate list, so all of them have a delegate list… so if anybody claims not to have a delegate list, that is not true,” he said.
He further dismissed any suggestions of postponing the elections due to grievances related to the photo album of the delegates, stating, “For this NDC presidential and parliamentary primaries, people have raised issues about it, and I needed to respond to them. But first of all, I want to assure all Ghanaians and NDC members that the elections will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023. As I speak there is nothing that restricts the elections so all candidates should prepare for the elections.
“…Nobody can tell us that the photo album that we are doing, which is not even part of the guidelines, he hasn’t received them so because of it we should postpone the elections. You can say such things, but because there is no basis to it, we will also just listen,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, has filed an interlocutory injunction against the primaries slated for Saturday, May 13, 2023.
The lawsuit specifically named as respondents the General Secretary of the NDC, the Director of the Elections Directorate, along with fellow flagbearer hopefuls John Dramani Mahama and another contender, Kojo Bonsu.
According to the writ, the defendants have been commanded to enter their appearance within eight days of being served with the legal documents.
The writ added that failure to comply with the order may result in a judgment being passed in their absence without further notice.
Dr. Duffour alleged certain irregularities in the party’s voter register and concerns regarding the integrity of the upcoming primaries, prompting him to seek legal intervention.
As Ghana’s political landscape heats up in anticipation of the upcoming general elections, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are preparing for their internal primaries. With the NDC’s primaries set to take place on May 13, 2023, party members are gearing up for what promises to be a hotly contested race.
However, two long-serving members of parliament have declared that they will not be seeking reelection, signaling a transition in leadership and providing an opportunity for new faces to emerge within the party.
1. Cletus Apul Avoka
The Member of Parliament for the Zebilla Constituency, Cletus Apul Avoka, has expressed his intention to retire from parliament and subsequently did not file to contest in the upcoming primary.
Avoka’s current tenure in parliament marks his final stint in the legislative chamber unless he reverses his decision and contests for the Zebilla parliamentary seat in 2024.
At the close of the nomination period on March 22, 2023, seven individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds had submitted their nominations, aspiring to replace Avoka and represent the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 parliamentary elections for the Zebilla constituency.
The seven aspirants who have thrown their hats into the ring are Dr. Simon Batamya Aseno, Bernard Wintimah Azumah, Lawyer Maxwell Ziyerley Agbambilla, Ebenezer Alumire Ndebilla, Nelson Ndebah Ndebugre, Abukura Asumda, and Agbango Simon Ayande.
2. James Klutse Avedzi
The incumbent Member of Parliament for Ketu North is also set to retire from parliament ahead of the 2024 elections. Avedzi has been a prominent figure in the House since the fourth parliament and has won five consecutive terms since then. Edem Agbana, the former deputy national communications officer of the NDC, has filed together with others to contest for the seat.
These retirements reflect a changing landscape within the NDC’s parliamentary representation and present an opportunity for new faces to emerge and contribute to the party’s agenda.
The forthcoming internal primaries will be crucial in determining the candidates representing the NDC in the 2024 general elections.
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Liberal Party Ghana, Kwaku Marfo has stated that his party will likely win the 2024 presidential election if the National Democratic Congress presents former President John Dramani Mahama as its candidate.
His view is contrary to the recent report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) which has predicted a win for Mr Mahama in a recent report.
“With how we are resolved to win the 2024 elections, if the NDC presents former President Mahama as their candidate the election will be a cool chop for the Liberal Party. So I don’t believe in the survey. Because, now Ghanaians have been enlightened about the fact that both NPP and NDC have turned Ghana into a business avenue.”
The United Kingdom-based organisation has projected a win for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) after the 2024 General Election.
The projection was contained in their April 2023 Country Report on Ghana which was published on Friday, April 28, 2023.
It explained that the loss of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) will be underlined by anti-incumbency sentiment and economic issues allied with cost of living.
But according to Kwaku Marfo, the LPG led by Percival Kofi Akpaloo rather stands a better chance of winning the election if former President Mahama contests on the NDC’s ticket.
The aspiring flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, has dismissed claims he is not on good terms with members of the party in the Northern Region.
According to him, all the parliamentary members of parliament are his brothers, and he believes Haruna Iddrisu and his colleagues will be the next generation to lead the party.
Speaking in the Northern region as part of his campaign tour ahead of the May 13 elections, he cautioned party members against making conspicuous voice recordings within party meetings and leaking, as it brings division in the party.
“…I know some people like conspiracy theories. This one doesn’t like this one; this and this one are quarrelling; count me out. I have no enemies in the Northern region; all of them are my younger brothers. Hudu Yahaya and Co. started it, and then we are the next generation after Hudu and Co., and I know that Haruna and all of them are the next generation after us. We will finish and hand over power to them, and they will lead us.
“…So let us be together. Those who have been putting us in conspiracy theories, hiding and recording tapes, and insulting everybody—if you are a true NDC member, what you are doing is rather dividing the party, not uniting it.
“And so we are united, and there is no problem between us, and we are going to work together, win the election 2024, and we are going to put Ghana back on its feet,” he said during his tour.
Former President John Dramani Mahama is on a national campaign tour to seek votes to lead the NDC into the 2024 general elections.
The former President, who has gone through vetting and the balloting process of the NDC, is number one on the ballot paper for the party’s presidential primary slated for May 13.
John Mahama would be contesting the party’s flagbearership with a former Chief Executive Officer of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu, and a former Minister of Finance and Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, who occupy the second and third positions, respectively, on the ballot paper.
The former president and flagbearer hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has described President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo as a leader who doesn’t listen to advice.
According to him, he [John Mahama] has offered good advice to the president on projects and policies, but he refuses to take it.
“I always advise the current president to forge a consensus behind whatever you are doing. When he introduced the free SHS, I said, hold a stakeholder consultation so that you can implement it properly because there are challenges, and since then, they’ve refused. Today, free SHS is not working properly. When NDC was in office, our children all used to go to school at the same time. Today, when they come back after four weeks, you have to get a teacher and pay the teacher to continue to teach them so they don’t forget what they learned in school. And this has all become a challenge,” he said.
Mahama added that he told the president to hold a consensus forum to find answers to the country’s current economic challenges, but that too, hasn’t been heeded.
“Look at the current economic crises we are going through, life has become so hard, and when things were not going well, I advised this president to hold a consensus forum as we did at the Senchi Conference and bring everybody together to have them contribute their little quota so that you will have a fair idea on which way forward you have to go and also to carry the nation along with you. They have since refused to do it,” he added.
To him, the NDC is a party that governs by consensus.
“We will govern by consensus to bring all Ghanaians on board with whatever we do. At any one time, we will tell Ghanaians the truth. If Ghanaians know what the truth is, they will understand the challenges the government faces, and they are willing to cooperate. But if you continue to deceive them, things are not going well; instead of telling Ghanaians the truth, they keep blaming Mahama,” he reiterated.
The former president has been on a nationwide campaign, meeting with the party’s officials and delegates ahead of the upcoming NDC primaries slated for May 13, 2023.
Dr Kwabena Duffour, a flagbearer candidate for the National Democratic Congress, has filed a lawsuit against the party over what he claims are errors in the party’s voters registration to be utilized for the election.
Dr Duffour alleged in a writ filed at an Accra High Court that the party failed to deliver the required picture album register five weeks before the elections, as specified in the party’s rules.
He added that his team received a partial photo album register on May 4, a few days before the polls, rather than in March, when they requested one.
“The Plaintiff adds that to their utmost surprise, upon verification, it was found that the number of constituencies on the hard drive given to his representatives was 220 in number as opposed to the alleged number of 228 constituencies indicated by the Defendant,” he stated.
“The Plaintiff adds further that an initial verification of the said 220 constituencies on the hard drive given to his representatives by the 2nd Defendant established basic errors and inaccuracies that render the Photo Album Register inaccurate and unreliable for a free, fair and credible elections.”
Dr Duffour added that despite his request for a postponement of the elections until a full photo album register is secured, the party has failed to heed his request.
Thus, he is asking the court to grant an interlocutory injunction to restrain the party and sued persons – General Secretary, Election Director, co-contestants John Mahama and Kojo Bonsu, and the Electoral Commission – from holding the elections scheduled for May 13.
This is “pending the production of a complete and accurate photo album register and delivery of same to the Plaintiff and other Presidential aspirants of the National Democratic Congress at least five weeks ahead of the elections as per grounds deposed to in the accompanying affidavit and for any further orders the Honourable Court may deem fit.”
This comes after Dr Kwabena Duffuor, on May 9, asked the party to postpone its upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 13.
The party rejected the plea, while some officials accused his team of bad faith.
As the National Democratic Congress(NDC) prepares for its presidential and parliamentary primaries on May 13, 2023, several candidates face little to no competition.
These are candidates whose win is most certainly guaranteed as they are either running unopposed, there are however expected to be declared winners in lieu of being sole aspirants.
Haruna Iddrisu
Former Minority Leader of the current parliament of Ghana, Haruna Iddrisu is set for a for a sixth consecutive term in parliament having joined the contest for the NDC’s parliamentary ticket for the Tamale South Constituency ahead of the 2024 general election.
With a rich history and political influence acquired as a result of his long years in the NDC and parliament, Haruna is expected to shake off competition from his only contender, Bawa Abdul Fatawu on Saturday.
For the MP who has spent almost 19 years in parliament, he is one of only few incumbent MPs whose win is guaranteed beyond their party’s parliamentary primaries.
Clement Apaak
Dr Clement Apaak is currently in his second term as member of parliament for Builsa South in the Upper East Region.
His contesting the NDC primaries with no opposition.
Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba
Lydia Akanvariba is one of few female candidates guaranteed a win the NDC’s upcoming primaries.
She is a first-time MP representing the people of Tempane in the Upper East Region and is running unopposed.
Isaac Adongo
Incumbent MP for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo has no opponent in Saturday’s primaries.
He is MP for a second term and is seeking a third term to represent the constituency.
Murtala Mohammed Ibrahim
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed is seeking a third term as MP for Tamale Central after making a come back to the house in 2020 having lost the seat after his first term.
He is unopposed in the upcoming primaries.
Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini
Tamale North MP, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini goes into Saturday’s internal party polls as unopposed.
He is currently serving his second consecutive term as MP for the area.
Daniel Nsala Wakpal
Daniel Wakpal is the incumbent MP for Kpandai Constituency.
The first term MP is seeking to extend his stay in parliament and is guaranteed the NDC’s parliamentary ticket going into the contest unopposed.
Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui
She will have to worry about the 2024 election because she is contesting the NDC’s upcoming primaries unopposed.
She first won the Awutu West Constituency seat in 2020 and is seeking a second term.
Cassiel Ato Forson
Former Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is currently a major force in the NDC.
The current minority leader is in his fourth term and is running unopposed in the primaries for the NDC ticket in the Ejumako Enyan Esiam Constituency.
Daniel Ohene Darko
Daniel Ohene Darko is the incumbent MP for Denkyira West Constituency.
The first term MP is contesting the NDC primaries unopposed.
Emilia Ankomah
Former Municipal Chief Executive for Denkyira East, Emilia Ankomah is once again making an attempt at entering parliament having previously failed on more than one occasion.
The former MCE was the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for Upper Denkyira East in 2016 and 2020 and will go in the party’s race unopposed.
Nurien Shaibu Migyimah
Shaibu Nurien is getting a free pass to contest the 2024 parliamentary election on the ticket of the NDC in one of the constituencies held by the ruling New Patriotic Party.
The Assin Central seat has been under the belt of Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who is now moving on to contest for the NPP’s presidential primaries, for five consecutive parliamentary terms.
Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah
Member of Parliament for Ellembelle Constituency, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah is going into the NDC’s primaries unopposed.
The current deputy minority leader is doing his fourth term in parliament and is hoping to extend it to a fifth.
Robert Wisdom Cudjoe
Robert Wisdom Cudjoe is a first term Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni Valley Constituency.
He gets a free pass in the upcoming NDC contest with no opponent to contend with.
Isaac Adjei Mensah
Isaac Adjei Mensah has been elected MP for Wassa East Constituency three consecutive times on the ticket of the NDC.
He will be unopposed on Saturday.
Eric Afful
Eric Afful has been in parliament on the NDC’s ticket since 2012 and is seeking to extend his stay in 2024.
He will be running unopposed for the NDC’s Amenfi West parliamentary ticket.
Dr Emmanuel Okumi Andoh
Dr Emmanuel Okumi Andoh run for the Ahanta West parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NDC in 2020.
He is making another attempt again after suffering a defeat in the 2020 general election. His bid to become the NDC parliamentary candidate is without contest.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa was one of the youngest people to enter the parliament of Ghana in 2012.
After three consecutive terms, the now matured MP is going into the 2023 parliamentary primaries of the NDC in the North Tongu Constituency unopposed.
Charles Agbeve
Charles Agebve is a second-term MP for Agotime-Ziope Constituency in the Volta Region
He is likely to achieve his third term in parliament with his bid to represent the NDC receiving no contest.
Ashanti Region
In the Ashanti Region which, a stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party, a number of candidates will be running unopposed in Saturday’s parliamentary primaries.
Their constituencies are mostly safe seats of the NPP thereby limiting their chances in the general elections.
The candidates going unopposed are Samuel Aboagye who will run for the Obuasi East Constituency, Joseph Azumah for Akrofuom and Samuel Prempeh Jnr for Bekwai.
The rest are Kwasi Amankwah who will contest the Kumawu by-election, Shamudeen Mohammed Kamil for Old Tafo and Hamzah Swallah in Manhyia North.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama has slammed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for borrowing excessively.
Mr Mahama said when he was leaving office in 2016, the debt of Ghana was GHS120 billion with projects to show for it.
However, he said, at the moment, the debt is almost GHS600 billion with no projects to show.
Interacting with delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Sissala West as part of his campaign to be elected flagbearer of the party, on Tuesday, May 9, Mr Mahama said ” When we were leaving office the debt was GHS120billion. Today, it is almost GHS 600 billion but with no infrastructure projects to show for.
“At least we should have clean drinking water, a hospital built, and infrastructure but unfortunately, that is not the case.”
He further said Ghanaians are calling for the NDC to return to office.
“Ghanaians are asking the NDC to come back because they have realized that what they were told about the NDC, they were all lies,” Mr Mahama said.
Head of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Elections Commission, Kakra Essamuah, has stated that the party will soon publicly address concerns raised about the accuracy of the party’s voter data by flagbearer aspirant, Dr Kwabena Duffuor.
This comes ahead of Saturday’s flag bearer and parliamentary primaries.
Subsequently, he said, a press conference has been scheduled for Thursday to communicate officially to the public and to allay any possible fear.
At the time of filing this story yesterday, the party’s Elections Commission had scheduled a meeting with all representatives of the various contestants to agree on the modalities and to address any perceived anomaly.
It followed doubts raised by team Kwabena Duffuor about the integrity of the party’s electoral process ahead of Saturday’s primaries, expressing worry about the accuracy of the voter data.
Contestants
Dr. Duffuor will face-off with former President, John Dramani Mahama, and one-time Chief Executive Officer of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu, on Saturday in the flagbearaship.
Following the concerns raised, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor’s campaign team has requested that the relevant stakeholders, including key actors within the party, engage in a roundtable to address the issues promptly.
Statement
“The team emphasises the importance of resolving these matters to ensure a transparent and fair election to avoid any potential pitfalls that may have severe consequences,” a statement issued by the campaign team said.
The campaign team has raised concerns over what it perceives as anomalies in the voter register provided by the NDC Electoral Commission for next Saturday’s presidential and parliamentary primaries.
The team called for the issue to be addressed to ensure a transparent and fair electoral process.
The statement signed and issued by a member of Dr Duffuor’ s campaign team, Kofi B. Kukubor, said the concerns were first expressed in a letter dated April 17, 2023, when the campaign team requested access to the voters register, which serves as the basis for determining the eligibility of voters in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries.
Analysis
The statement added that following the said concerns, on May 2, 2023, a meeting was held at the NDC party headquarters, during which some information regarding the voter’s register was disclosed to Dr Kwabena Duffuor’s team.
However, upon conducting a preliminary analysis of the information provided, the campaign team discovered what they deemed to be excessive anomalies within the register.
A former Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, has urged the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) delegates to nominate John Dramani Mahama as the party’s flagbearer for the 2024 elections.
The NDC, will on Saturday, May 13, hold its presidential and parliamentary primaries across the country to elect a flagbearer and parliamentary candidates for next year’s elections.
In a statement, Dr. Spio-Garbrah described formerPresident Mahama as the best person to lead the country out of its current economic mess.
According to Dr. Spio-Garbrah, Mr. Mahama’s political experience places him ahead of other flagbearer hopefuls to rescue the country from the current economic crisis and bring relief to Ghanaians.
Dr. Spio-Garbrah also admonished the NDC leadership to adopt new and radical economic measures that would help to dramatically change the current sad global narrative of Ghana.
“The current worsening economic circumstances of our country under the failed Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration demands that individuals and groups such as the NDC adopt new and radical economic measures that would help to dramatically change the current sad global narrative of Ghana. Among many other elements of change, Ghana needs urgent and speedy rebranding, along with an IMF bailout.
“The hope in the message of a “Ghana Beyond Aid” has been swallowed up by the dark and brackish waters of our Galamsey Waterloo, the monumental tourist attraction of a National Cathedral, “Large Hole in the Ground”, and the flights of luxurious fancy and expensive Imperial-style jetting at the Presidency.”
On May 13, 2023, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will hold its presidential and legislative primaries to choose the party’s nominees for the 2024 general elections.
Ahead of the primaries, former finance minister Dr. Kwabena Duffour is seeking to unseat the party’s three-time presidential candidate and former president, John Dramani Mahama.
Anticipations are high as political stalwarts await the choice of the party by the delegates after Saturday’s election.
The media has compiled five top NDC gurus who have declared their support for Dr. Kwabena Duffour ahead of the elections.
1. Former Communications officer of the party, Solomon Nkansah.
He believes that John Mahama has nothing better to offer again after leading the party into opposition for two consecutive times.
According to Nkansah, the current economic crises require a financial specialist to clean up the mess created, and Dr. Kwabena Duffour is the best candidate for the job.
2. Former Ablekuma South MP, Fritz Bafour.
According to him, Dr. Duffour wields all the qualities the flagbearer of the party must possess, and he is the best candidate for the position. Bafour made this known to Joy News after Dr. Duffour went through the vetting process on March 23, 2023.
3. Rojo Mettle-Nunoo, a former Deputy Health Minister, and member of Dr. Kwabena Duffuor’s campaign team. Mettle-Nunoo believes that Dr. Duffuor is the best man to lead the NDC into the 2024 general elections.
According to him, the only person with the ability to rescue Ghana from the economic mess it finds itself in is Dr. Duffuor.
4. Former national organizer of the NDC, Yaw Boateng Gyan has been a regular fixture in Duffuor’s travels and engagements with party members across the country.
He was part of the individuals who escorted and supported Dr. Kwabena Duffour to file for his nominations at the party headquarters on March 23, 2023.
Gloria Huze, together with some staff of NDC presidential hopeful, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, picked his nomination for the party’s presidential primaries, which is scheduled for May 13, 2023, at the party’s headquarters in Accra.
In addition, Former Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Samuel Koku Anyidoho. Despite being expelled from the party in 2021 for misconduct and anti-party behavior, Koku Anyidoho has promised to work as an agent for Dr. Kwabena Duffour.
In the lead-up to Ghana’s highly anticipated 2024 general elections, the two major political parties, NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), are gearing up to wrestle or retain power. As the NDC readies itself for the upcoming primaries, the former finance minister is fancying his chances of clinching the NDC’s flagbearer position.
However, it remains to be seen if he can translate these endorsements into votes come May 13, 2023.
Former Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress NDC, Samuel Koku Anyidoho says he will vote during May 13th presidential primaries and work as agent for Dr. Kwabena Duffuor.
Koku Anyidoho was expelled from the party in 2021 after the disciplinary committee of the NDC found him guilty of misconduct and anti-party behaviour.
However speaking to the media in Koforidua at the sidelines of event which he was guest speaker, Koku Anyidoho described his so called dismissal from the party as mere persecution which is not grounded in law therefore null and void.
He believes, he is still a bonafide member of the NDC hence he will take part in the upcoming primaries.
“Today is 6th of May technically we were supposed to be voting a week from today to elect Flag-bearer and our parliamentarians. I will vote in my capacity as a former national officer and a former appointee. I have a new card and let Asiedu Nketia come and remove my vote from the register.”
Koku Anyidoho declared support for Dr. Kwabena Duffuor adding he will serve as agent for him in the primaries.
“Secondary on that score, I am supporting Dr. Kwabena Duffuor in the Presidential primaries. I am not supporting John Mahama and that is one of the reasons why they said they have sacked me from the party because I have said I won’t support John Mahama, I am not a slave to John Mahama and I refuse to be a slave to him.”
Mr. Koku Anyidoho emphasized that Dr. Duffuor’s competency in managing the economy far outweighs the former President John Dramani Mahama.
“Dr. Duffuor was the Finance Minister under John Evans Atta Mills so he worked with President Mills I worked with him I know what Dr. Duffuor stands for in terms of building the economy that President Mills built.”
“32 , 34 months single digit inflation, introduction of single spine, clearing of the arrears , Infrastructure expansion, three public Universities in three and half years, health facilities all over, I believe that Dr. Duffuor has the potential by training , by competence, by experience both in public and private life,” he said.
Mr. Koku Anyidoho further urged the electoral commission address concerns raised by campaign team of Dr. Duffuor on delayed release of voters register.
According to him, if the concerns raised by the Dr. Duffuor campaign team is not immediately addressed before Saturday 12th May, 2023 there will be legal consequences.
Meanwhile, aspiring Presidential candidate in the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Dr. Kwabena Duffuor says the May 13 Presidential Primaries must be free ,fair and transparent to ensure unity after the elections.
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor therefore stated that concerns over delay in release of the voters register by the Election Committee of the NDC to the Electoral Commission must be addressed immediately.
Speaking on Agoo FM in Nkawkaw Friday evening to wrap up his 4-day campaign tour to the Eastern region Dr.Kwabena Duffuor said inaccessibility to the compiled register a week to the polls is disturbing.
He backed his campaign team’s petition to the Electoral Commission on this regard.
“Today is 5th May, we are are going to the polls on 13th May but we have not received the register which is going to be used for the election. So my campaign team is demanding for the release of the register .We have written to the party so we are waiting for them. There are rules and regulations about any election. My name could be conspicuously missing during the day of the election, what will I do in that situation. Am I going to fight or what, no! Reason we want to get access to the register to ensure that all qualified delegates are on the register,” Dr. Duffuor lamented.
Dr. Duffuor added “Why is the register not out ? If this happened in National elections and it is just a week ahead what would they have done. We are not litigating we just want to have access to the register to ensure every qualified delegates name is on the register so we go to the polls to vote fairly and peacefully. I am praying that they do the right things.”
Nonetheless, he called on his supporters to remain calm and be peaceful to ensure unity in the NDC after the election to enable the party defeat ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 general election.
Former Finance Minister and Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Duffuor is contesting the Presidential Primaries with former President John Mahama and former Mayor of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Kojo Bonsu.
A potential flagbearer candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, is still depressed about the demise of his enterprises at the hands of the NPP, which is currently in power.
According to him, this is one act that has hurt him more than anything in his entire life.
He made these remarks while addressing party delegates at Adansi Asokwa in the Ashanti Region on claims of being sponsored by the NPP for the upcoming primaries.
“I founded the NDC so I’m NDC and nothing can change my love for NDC. The NPP destroyed my banks and tried to collapse every business under my control. I want to tell you that the NPP has hurt me more than any other member of the party.
“The NPP can never use me to destroy the NDC. My main aid is to return NDC to power to make Ghana better,” Dr Duffuor stated.
uniBank of which Dr Duffuor was a major stakeholder collapsed in 2018 after the Bank of Ghana (BoG) revoked its license as part of the financial sector cleanup.
At the time of its collapse, the government claimed the bank was insolvent and that the Directors and shareholders engaged in illegal transactions by giving out unlawful loans and advances as well as the illegal acquisition of assets in the name of related interests.
Dr Duffuor in November 2021 petitioned parliament to seek the restoration of the license due to which the Speaker, Alban Bagbin directed the formation of a seven-member committee to probe the collapse.
As the 2024 general elections draw nigh, more projections for a win for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) troop in.
Among the recent individuals to declare victory for the NPP is former head of monitory at Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu.
In an interview with Peace FM on its “Kokrokoo” programme, Mr Owusu said the winner of the elections has already been chosen by God and that there isn’t much the main opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) can do about it.
“Nana Akufo-Addo has broken the record already. He will hand over to his own party…The 2024 elections have already been decided…God has already chosen the one who will lead this country,” he said.
According to him, he would not have been disturbed should Mahama have been chosen by God to lead the country due to his experience, but that is not the case, he said.
To buttress his point, he reiterated that “NPP will win the next 2024 elections, come what may”.
Prior to this, the Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong noted that by all means, the NPP will remain in power come 2025.
His statement met stern opposition from the NDC who described the MP’s words as “treasonable”.
On the matter, the Police is said to have they find no fault with Mr Acheampong’s comment, however, advised that politicians refrain from inciting the public to engage in violence in the next polls.
Former President John Mahama has accused government of sabotaging Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson.
He said the government is behind the Supreme Court’s injunction against the MP.
Mr Mahama said government manipulated the apex court in order to get the numbers to pursue its business in Parliament.
According to him, such acts and conducts are an affront to the country’s growing democracy.
The NDC flagbearer hopeful thus described it as a “gross injustice” to the people of Assin North.
“We have seen the cardinal sin of the 4th Republic which is the disenfranchisement of the people of SALL. For one whole term, they have not had a member of parliament. Let’s put that aside, the people of Assin North elected a person to represent them in Parliament.
“This government has manipulated the judiciary in such a way that they have injuncted the MP for Assin North. So even though he is the elected member, he cannot perform the duties of an MP.
“That is a gross injustice and an affront to the country’s growing democracy.
“But I want to assure the people of Ghana and James Gyakye Quayson, who is our MP for Assin North, that when NDC comes to power, we will clarify that constitutional provision that compels them to give up their foreign citizenship before they contest elections. A country’s human resource is its best resource,” he said at Tamale while addressing the NDC faithful on Sunday, May 7.
Mr Mahama has thus promised that the next NDC government will clarify the constitutional provision which bars persons with dual citizenship from holding political positions in Ghana.
“We happen to have three million of our citizens abroad, they have acquired skills and different talents. Why must we have a law that bars them when we have a dual citizenship law?
“We will clarify it, so they can come and stand for parliamentary seats and hold offices in Ghana, they don’t have to give up their other citizenships to be able to hold office,” he assured.
The Supreme Court in a majority 5-2 decision, on Wednesday, April 13, ruled that Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson, can no longer perform Parliamentary duties.
This is until the determination of the substantive case filed against him at the Supreme Court.
A Cape Coast High Court in July 2021 nullified the election of Mr Quayson after it found he owed allegiance to Canada at the time of filing his nomination forms to contest the polls.
Michael Ankomah Nimfah, a resident of the constituency who filed this election petition in January 2022, initiated another action at the Supreme Court.
He urged the Court to give effect to the Cape Coast High Court Judgement and prevent a further breach of the constitution by restraining the MP.
A plea the apex court granted despite opposition by the embattled MP’s legal team.
The Nasara Coordinator for the Atebubu-Amantin Constituency of the Bono East Region, Hamza Mohammed, has allegedly been assaulted by suspected party thugs.
The suspected thugs numbering three reportedly without any provocation attacked Hamza Mohammed around 9:00 pm on Friday, May 5, 2023, in front of the Agricultural Development Bank in Atebubu.
With his clothes stained with blood, he was rushed to the Atebubu Government Hospital for treatment.
Speaking on the incident to GhanaWeb via phone, he disclosed that he was on the phone when one Okacha approached him and gave him a hefty slap.
He added that two others, Dandunia and Awilo also pounced on him and started beating him with a belt and wire and even put pepper spray in his eyes.
According to him, they accused him of seeking to organize a reconciliation meeting between the MCE for Atebubu-Amantin and the constituency executives on the blind side of the party leadership.
“I was speaking on the phone on Friday night when I saw Okacha approaching me so I thought he wanted to have a conversation with me but he rather slapped me and questioned who gave me permission to organize a reconciliatory meeting. As I struggled with him, Dandunia and Awilo joined him and started beating me with a police belt wire and even put pepper spray in my eyes.”
Arrest
Although a report has been made to the police, no arrest has been made at the time of filing this report.
Cracks in the party
GhanaWeb can confirm that there are cracks in the party in the constituency and the national leadership is making frantic efforts to patch up the differences to reclaim the seat from the NDC in the 2024 elections.
The former Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has stated that he will serve as a representative for Dr Kwabena Duffuor in the incoming presidential primaries.
Mr Anyidoho was expelled from the party in 2021 after the disciplinary committee of the NDC found him guilty of misconduct and anti-party behaviour.
However, speaking to the media inKoforidua at the sidelines of an event which he was guest speaker, Mr Anyidoho described his dismissal from the party as mere persecution which is not grounded in law, therefore, is null and void.
He believes he is still a bonafide member of the NDC, hence he will take part in the upcoming primaries.
“Today is 6th of May technically we were supposed to be voting a week from today to elect Flag-bearer and our parliamentarians. I will vote in my capacity as a former national officer and a former appointee. I have a new a new card and let Asiedu Nketia come and remove my vote from the register.”
Mr Anyidoho declared support for Dr Duffuor, adding that he will serve as agent for him in the primaries.
“Secondary on that score, I am supporting Dr Kwabena Duffuor in the Presidential primary. I am not supporting John Mahama and that is one of the reasons why they said they have sacked me from the party because I have said I won’t support John Mahama, I am not a slave to John Mahama and I refuse to be a slave to him.”
Mr Anyidoho emphasised that Dr Duffuor’s competency in managing the economy far outweighs former President Mahama.
“Dr Duffuor was the Finance Minister under John Evans Atta Mills so he worked with President Mills I worked with him I know what Dr Duffuor stands for in terms of building the economy that President Mills built: 32, 34 months single digit inflation, introduction of single spine, clearing of the arrears , Infrastructure expansion, three public Universities in three and half years, health facilities all over, I believe that Dr Duffuor has the potential by training, by competence, by experience both in public and private life,” he said.
Mr Anyidoho further urged the Electoral Commission to address concerns raised by the campaign team of Dr Duffuor on delayed release of voters register.
According to him, if the concerns raised by the Duffuor campaign team are not immediately addressed before Saturday 12th May, 2023 there will be legal consequences.
Meanwhile, Dr Duffuor says the May 13 presidential primary must be free, fair and transparent to ensure unity after the elections.
The aspiring flagbearer of the NDC, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, has denied receiving any sponsorship from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to destroy the NDC, which he contributed to building.
He disclosed this when addressing the party’s delegates in Adansi Asokwa Constituency in the Ashanti region as part of his four-day campaign in the Ashanti region.
Dr. Duffuor, however, urged the party supporters, particularly the delegates, to disregard the destructive campaign his opponents are sharing with party members.
“I funded the NDC, so I’m NDC, and nothing can change my love for NDC. The NPP destroyed my banks and tried to collapse every business under my control. I want to tell you that the NPP has hurt me more than any other member of the party. The NPP can never use me to destroy the NDC. My main aid is to return NDC to power to make Ghana better,” Dr. Duffuor reiterated.
He pleaded with the party supporters to vote for him to lead the party into election 2024 on Saturday, 13th May 2023, in the presidential election by thumb-printing #3 on the ballot paper.
The National Democratic Congress’ aspiring flag bearer,Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, has stated that he endured hardships under the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
This comes on the back of a skewed campaign by his opponents that he has received some form of sponsorship for his bid to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
However, the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana(BoG) has flatly denied the allegation.
According to him, he has not received any sponsorship from the NPP to destroy the NDC which he contributed to building.
He disclosed this when addressing the party’s delegates in Adansi Asokwa Constituency in the Ashanti region as part of his four days campaign in the Ashanti region.
Dr. Duffuor however urged the party supporters particularly the delegates to disregard the destructive campaign his opponents are sharing to party members.
“I funded the NDC so I’m NDC and nothing can change my love for NDC. The NPP destroyed my banks and tried to collapse every business under my control. I want to tell you that the NPP has hurt me more than any other member of the party. The NPP can never use me to destroy the NDC. My main aim is to return NDC to power to make Ghana better,” Dr. Duffuor reiterated.
He pleaded with the party supporters to vote for him to lead the party into election 2024 on Saturday 13th May 2023 in the presidential election by thumb printing #3 on the ballot paper.
Former President, John Mahama has lauded Dr. Clement Apaak, Member of Parliament for Builsa South, for his immense contributions towards the development of the country, especially the education sector.
The aspiringNational Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer disclosed this while on a campaign tour in the Upper East Region which started on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
During his two-day visit, Mr. Mahama embarked on canvassing for voteS from the delegates in the various constituencies.
Addressing the Builsa South constituents at the Rawlings Park in Fumbisi, Mr. Mahama also commended Dr. Apaak for his dealing accurately with issues on education in the country.
“Thank you for lettingClement Apaak go unopposed. He is one of our best Members of Parliament. If you take the top ten MPs on our side he is one of them. He’s being our main spokesperson on education and deals with the issues very well,” the former President added.
Mr. Mahama has visited other regions and is expected to receive an overwhelming endorsement from the party’s delegates to the May 13, 2023, presidential primaries.
The highly contested NDC primaries will take place in all 275 constituencies across the country on May 13, 2023.
The Northern Region’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked its former communications officer, Hardi Pagzaa, who allegedly assaulted a Dagbon FM journalist earlier this week, to apologize.
This was made known by the NDC’s Northern Regional Secretary, Mohammed Abdul-Salam in an interview on Eyewitness News.
Mr. Abdul-Salam said that the reported attack on the journalist, Sadiq Gariba came to the leadership of the party in the region as a surprise and therefore triggered a decision where he was admonished to render an apology to both the journalist and the radio station.
Mr. Abdul-Salam told the host of Eyewitness News, Umaru Sanda Amadu that, Hardi Pagzaa was scolded and made to understand that the party will not countenance any attempts by any member or leader to dent its image publicly.
“If we have proven evidence of anybody putting the party’s name in a bad light and bringing the party to the public domain for ridicule, we will not hesitate to apply the full rules and regulations of the party because giving us bad light tarnishes the party’s image, and we will not allow that.”
Mr. Abdul-Salam further clarified that Hardi Pagzaa isn’t a current executive of the party in the region.
“The conduct is not of our communications officer. This person is not any executive, he contested an internal election and lost, and he is not even a member of our communications team.”
The attack on the Tamale-based Dagbon FM and the journalist was captured in a video which has gone viral on social media.
The attack occurred on World Press Freedom Dayon Wednesday, May 3, and has since attracted widespread condemnation from different quarters including the Ghana Journalists Association.
The Ministry of Information also called for investigation and prosecution following the attack on the journalist.
Residents of Nimain Accra have given the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly a 30-day deadline to repair all of the community’s dilapidated roads and abandoned projects.
The residents who held a demonstration on Thursday, May 4, say the Nima community has been neglected for long.
The residents clad in red bands and holding placards walked through the principal streets of Nima to express their anger over the state of their roads and infrastructural challenges in the community.
The spokesperson for the Concerned Nima Residents, Alhaji Issah Maiga said the government must come to their aid immediately or face their wrath.
“We are petitioning the government through the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly to as a matter of urgency give the Nima Highway a befitting facelift that it deserves, refurbish all bad roads linking the Nima Highway and complete theKawu Kudi Hospitalto benefit our soccer team”.
“We are therefore giving the authorities a 30-day notice to do the needful else we shall continue with the demonstration.”
A group identified as an anti-LGBTQ+ campaigners are rooting for some Members of Parliament from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the party’s parliamentary primaries.
The group called the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, an umbrella body for a number of organizations championing the passage of the Anti-gay bill has thrown its support for 7 Members of parliament sponsoring the bill.
In a statement by the Executive Secretary/National Spokesperson of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, Lawyer Moses Foh-Amoaning, he urged delegates within the constituencies of these Honourable Members of Parliament to vote massively to keep them in their seat and to help them steer the passage of this all-important bill.
“The Coalition publicly prays for them to be maintained in their constituencies as Members of Parliament to continue the godly works they are doing for their constituency and the nation. Therefore, we ask all delegates within the constituencies of these honourable members of parliament to vote massively to keep them in their seat as they help steer the passage of this all-important bill.
“We are enjoined by the Holy Scripture in Nehemiah 2:18 and encouraged by Zachariah 4:6-9, that the by the help of the Lord and the joint-support of all and sundry, victory shall be secured for these Seven (7) honourable members of parliament who have worked tirelessly to bring the bill to its current status in parliament, where it has now been placed before the plenary for full debate,” portions of the statement said.
The seven NDC MPs led by Sam George are spearheading the passage of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and the Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021 which seeks to criminalize LGBTQ activities by establishing proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values, outlawing LGBT-related activities, and protecting and supporting children.
The others include Ho West MP, Emmanuel Bedzrah; South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor; Krachi East MP, Helen Adjoa Ntoso; La Dadekotopon MP, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah; Kpando MP, Dela Sowah and Tamale North MP, Alhassan S. Suhuyini.
The report on the Anti-LGBT bill was laid before the house on Thursday, March 30, 2023, by the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and is expected to be debated and approved when the house returns from recess.
Aspirant flagbearer of the oppositionNational Democratic Congress(NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, has stated that the large reduction in Ghana’s cocoa production is concerning, given that the commodity represents the foundation of the economy.
Ghana achieved a historic feat of more than 1.14 million tons of cocoa production, about 45% increase in the 2020/2021 crop season.
However, dropped significantly in the 2021/2022 crop season though COCOBOD was yet to provide official figures.
The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) recent report said cocoa production during 2021/2022 dropped in the two world leading cocoa countries – Cote D’Ivoire (-6%) and Ghana (-34%) owing to multiple factors including devastating effect of swollen shoot disease and climate change.
Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has forecasting about 750,000 tons of cocoa production in the 2022/2023 crop season higher than the 2021/2022 production.
According to Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, his sources indicate Ghana may not meet this target for the season.
He said current happenings in the cocoa sector will ultimately affect the economy and cocoa farmers.
“Our leaders have failed us. What I am hearing is that Ghana may not be able to get 500,000 metric tons of cocoa this year. In 2010/2011, we had one million metric tons. We decided to sustain the gains and increase it so we become number one producer of cocoa in the world. We came up with a policy to distribute 20 million free cocoa seedlings to farmers annually. It was captured in the 2011 budget and we started implementing it. So hearing that we may not get 500,000 metric tons saddens me. It means cocoa farmers are going to suffer”.
Dr. Duffuor stated that “NDC is going to win the election at all cost and when we assume power, we will resume the distribution of 20 million free cocoa seedlings annually so we beat Ivory Coast to occupy the top spot as world largest producer of cocoa. We can’t let the cocoa industry collapse. It is the backbone of the economy”.
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor said this when addressing delegates of the NDC in Akim Manso in Asene Manso Akroso constituency in the Eastern region as part of his 4-day campaign tour.
At Upper West Akyem Constituency, Dr. Duffuor assured Cocoa farmers in the area that the next NDC government will help bring to life an abandoned 48-million-dollar Jute Factory at Adeiso.
The factory established by an Indian group call Ganges in partnership with government in 2008 sits on a 12-acre size land at the Upper West Akyem District.
When completed would be the largest jute factory in Africa with a monthly capacity of 600,000 sacks. This would have reduced Ghana’s $215million annual spending on importation of jute sacks to about $70 million.
Again, the factory was expected to provide job opportunities for 2,000 people.
Successive governments after President Kuffuor made efforts to ensure the project is completed for operationalization of the factory, however, the Akufo-Addo led government has failed to pay attention to the final stage of completion leaving the fledging factory to rot in the bush.
Chiefs, cocoa farmers and youth in the area continue to demand state attention to the factory but to no avail.
The campaign team of NDC presidential aspirant, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, is accusing the party of abhorring intentions to rig the NDC presidential primaries.
Per a letter written to the General Secretary of the NDC from the Duffuor campaign team, there seems to be a pervasive feeling that attempts are being made by certain paid persons within the Elections Directorate of the NDC, to rig the upcoming presidential primaries in favour of a certain candidate.
According to the Duffuor team, those persons engaging in obvious underhand activities, are not believing the extent to which the Duffuor-mania is buzzing all over the regions as the former Finance Minister continues to make solid engraving in-roads, hence the attempt to do the unthinkable.
Not prepared to allow any form of thievery nor rigging, the Duffuor Campaign Team, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, fired a warning letter to the General Secretary of the NDC vis-a-vis the non-citing of the Delegates List/ Voters Register that is to be used for the May 13 elections.
This letter which was very blunt, stated emphatically the legal ramifications of not making available the Voters Register per the Guidelines and Regulations of the NDC.
It is quite obvious that keeping the Voters Register away from the Duffuor camp is to prevent them from having enough time to do a thorough auditing of the register ahead of the election.
“We are too smart for this type of archaic childish rigging formula and so they can never use it to steal our victory” Kofi Kukubor, a member of the Duffuor Campaign Team has said.
Indeed, the letter to the General Secretary was signed by the same Kofi Kukubor, and he is very empathetic that the Duffuor Team shall not accept any attempts to use underhand tactics to rig the election in favour of any candidate.
“In fact, we are so principled that we shall not even accept any agenda to rig the elections in favour of us. We are confident of winning hence our commitment to ensuring that the right things are done”.
It is very baffling how 9 days before the elections, the voters register is still not available to even the a particular Presidential candidate.
Obviously, there are very good reasons why the election should be postponed for all the right and proper things to be done so as to ensure a free and fair voting process.
There is also credible information that some individual delegates have written to their constituency Chairmen demanding the registers to confirm if their names are on it.
From all indications, there is a looming legal process to place an injunction on the election because of the very dangerous nature of the current situation.
It was eye-saw at the premises of Tamale-based Dagbon-FM, a subsidiary of Class Media, when a former Deputy Northern Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), stormed the premises with a ‘macho man’ and attacked a presenter who was live on air.
Mr. Sadiq was hosting his political talk show in Dagbanli dubbed Panpantua on Class Media’s Dagbon FM when the visibly angry former Deputy Communications Officer, Iddrisu Hardi Pagazaa, stormed into the studio with a macho man to attack him while the programme was broadcast live on Radio and Facebook.
The attack coincidentally happened on World Press Freedom Day when Ghana dropped to 63rd on the Press Freedom Ranking by Reporters Without Borders.
“Sadiq [host] what have I done to you?” Mr. Pagazaa is heard quizzing the presenter in Dagbanli before aggressively holding him by his neck and off his seat.
“Let me hit him just once… You see this man, don’t joke with him, else you’ll die” the macho man was also heard on live radio threatening to beat the presenter before Mr. Pagazaa stopped him.
A fisticuff then ensued amongst them as the presenter attempted to set himself free.
“We are live and I don’t want us to spoil items in the studio, if you know you are a man, let’s go out and fight one-on-one,” Mr. Sadiq was also heard in the exchanges which were carried on live radio.
The NDC Communicator was unhappy that the presenter was constantly using an audio recording of him campaigning for Alhaji ABA Fuseini, MP for Sagnarigu while framing him up for public ridicule.
In the viral audio, Mr. Hardi Pagazaa is heard urging Sagnarigu Constituency delegates of the NDC to vote for Alhaji ABA Fuseini because he was the only candidate among the other candidates contesting the NDC primaries in the constituency to have openly stood and supported the Andani Royal Family during the critical moments of the defunct Dagbon chieftaincy crisis.
The presenter has since been critical of the comments of Mr. Pagazaa, drawing his anger.
A media development and rights advocate, Leatrice Naa Kwarley Richardson urged the media in Tamale to suspend all political talk shows in protest against the attacks.
She told GhanaWeb on Thursday that the media must begin to boycott persons or political parties that continuously attack them.
Madam Naa Kwarley blamed management of media houses for doing little to protect their staff from the constant attacks.
“Most of these politicians treat our media guys with gross disrespect because management does nothing to address abuse when it happens.
They use the platforms and take its moderator for granted because they assume it’s for useless people without no future,” she said.
The General Manager of Yendi-based Sankara Radio, Mohammed Shaharan Suhuyini called for the immediate arrest of Mr Pagazaa.
“Tamale is not an Island. This harassment must not go unpunished,” he said.
Government has expressed sincere gratitude for the media’s substantial contributions to the country’s growth.
The government in a statement issued by Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day on Wednesday May 3 called for stronger emphasis on economic rights, considering the recent global challenges.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day is on the theme ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a driver for all other human rights.”
“The media has been instrumental over the years, in highlighting various rights that require attention for full enjoyment.
“The work of the media also in highlighting instances of abuse of some rights by sections of society has led to redress in many instances. We urge the media to remain resolute on this path.
“The quest to have all citizens fully access their economic rights is yet to achieve full effect especially as the world faces dim economic forecasts following recent global challenges.”
“While urging the Media in Ghana to keep the spotlight on all human rights, we encourage an even sharper focus on efforts to ensure that the economic rights of citizens are fully actualized,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, a former Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) president, Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, has urged the media to prioritise the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, given the devastating impact the canker is having on the environment.
The Veteran Broadcaster made the call at an event held in commemoration of the International Press Freedom Day held on May 3, 2023, at the Ghana International Press Centre (GiPC) in Accra.
During her speech, she called on all media houses to join in the fight and ensure the menace is significantly brought to a halt.
“I believe all media houses should continually highlight the challenges until the menace is brought to a minimum,” she said.
This comes on the back of recent revelations about how Ghana’s mining sector is being exploited.
First, was a documentary aired by Al Jazeera dubbed “Gold Mafia.” It was revealed in this piece that gold worth $40 million is smuggled out of the country annually.
Second is the leaked Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) report authored by Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng that exposed a number of government officials as either being involved in galamsey or interfered in the galamsey fight during his tenure as chairman of the defunct Committee.
Madam Afenyi-Dadzie during the gathering acknowledged the media’s important role in highlighting the dangers. She, however, bemoaned how the fight has become tough due to ‘powerful’ figures engaged in the menace. That notwithstanding, she urged the media not to give up the fight.
“The media played and is still playing its role in raising concern about the dangers of galamsey which threatens our existence as a people. Subsequent developments have shown that the beneficiaries of galamsey are very powerful and will not easily give up irrespective of the danger to our water bodies and environment.
“On this occasion, it is relevant to remind ourselves that based on the happenings we know now, the agenda to stop galamsey should be treated as a major existential threat that should go beyond the coalition that first highlighted the menace,” she added.
Galamsey’s impact on the environment
Illegal Mining also known as galamsey over the years has had a devastating impact on communities where such activities go on. It is also destroying the country’s virgin forests and water bodies.
At a press briefing held at the Information Ministry on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, John M. Allotey, stated that thirty-four (34) of the country’s forest reserves are under threat to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Majority of these reserves under threat, he said, were in the Ashanti region.
He noted that out of the 16 regions of the country, seven have been experiencing some form of illegal mining.
Gospel singer, Nacee has stated that former president, John Dramani Mahama is a huge fan of his work and also values his creativity.
Nacee has composed over three popular campaign songs for the former president.
Despite the controversies surrounding Nacee’s campaign songs which many have termed as an endorsement, he details how it all began with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President John Agyekum Kufuor.
“I started with campaign songs way back in 2000, President Kufuor’s time and I don’t even recall the song…in 2008. I toured Ghana with Nana Addo. We were running under the slogan ‘Believe In Ghana’ with a host of musicians. It was Nana Addo who took me to Tamale for the first time,” the singer disclosed in an interview with Kofi TV in April 2023.
His friendship with Mr. Mahama has birthed some of the most popular elections songs that have stuck on the minds of citizens.
“It was in 2012 when I became friends withPresident Mahama and it seems I was with both parties (NPP and NDC). In 2012, it was ‘John Mahama Dey Be’ and in 2016, we made ‘Onaapo’. In 2020 we did ‘Mahama Okada’, I love cartoons and that inspired the song.
It was a song I wanted kids to equally love…the words I said, in the beginning, don’t have any meaning…one thing about Mahama is that he loves my creativity level. Mahama is a nice person who makes things flow.
I will be so stupid to trade my friendship with Mahama for money or cars. They teach you how to fish,” the versatile musician shared.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) claims that the government is not doing enough to improve the situation of Ghanaians in its national communications officer.
Sammy Gyamfi claimed that the current economic crisis is unfairly affecting the populace.
He claimed that as a result, anyone who asserts that the economy is recovering has no regard for Ghanaians and their suffering.
On Thursday, April 27, Mr. Gyamfi encouraged the government to focus on saving the economy rather than obtaining unauthorized credit during an appearance on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen program.
He claimed that, rather than using catchphrases, that was the government’s current most essential responsibility.
“We must speak the truth which reflects the hardship the country faces. Today, if anyone tells you that all is well, it means the person is insulting you and that the person does not respect you.
“To say that things are getting better is to insult the insensibilities of suffering Ghanaians whose living conditions keep worsening by the day.”
National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi
Ghana is currently before the Bretton Woods Institution for a $3 billion bailout.
As a result, government has renegotiated its domestic debt and is on course with foreign partners as well.
However, critics of government have argued that the government went to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) late.
As a result, the country which is struggling with its worst economic crisis in a generation, secured a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in December for a $3 billion loan, though asking lenders to provide financing assurances is a condition for the IMF’s board to sign off the programme.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has given a strong indication that it is willing to help Ghana secure the balance of payments bailout from the IMF.
According to the Chinese government, it has an obligation to ensure the Ghanaian economy does not collapse.
The Economic Intelligence Unit has noted that the current economic hardship and fall in standard of living will cause electorates to abandon the New Patriotic Party (NPP) come 2024.
In its latest assessment, the EIU has projected a change in government – where the ruling party hands over power to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“Our baseline forecast is that economic hardships, the fallout from debt restructuring and poor governance will create an anti-incumbency wave and push the electorate to seek change.
“The NDC therefore stands a strong chance of winning the 2024 presidential poll,” parts of the report read.
Also, the NDC is tipped to have the “majority” in Parliament.
The 8th Parliament is a hung Parliament
The London-based analyst reiterated that the shift in power shall be “driven by anti-incumbency sentiment and public discontent with the current government over worsening living standards.”
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong, has also communicated that the NPP will work tirelessly to ensure the NPP retains power.
The recent report however does not indicate whether whoever stands as flagbearer for the NDC could increase or thwart the party’s chances.
In EIU’s previous report, it did indicate that the opposition party can revitalise the prospect of victory with a fresh presidential candidate. But that projection was quashed by the National Communications Officer of the party, Sammy Gyamfi, who said former President John Mahama remains the best candidate.
Meanwhile, EIU expects “policy to continue to focus on ensuring macroeconomic stability,” irrespective of who retains power.
Also, it anticipates that the new government “will face similar economic challenges to those its predecessor did” however, the “overall political stability will be maintained, as Ghana’s main parties and citizens have faith in the country’s well-established democratic institutions and confidence that any transfer of power will be fair”.
In the upcoming presidential primaries, Eugene Boakye Antwi, the member of parliament for Subin in the Ashanti Region, has warned New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates not to tamper with what he described as Christian or Akan votes.
The former Deputy Minister of Works and Housing explained that the NPP, for a long time has derived its political strength and support from Christian or Akan-dominated areas across the country.
He argued that it is important that delegates of the party do not tamper with that trend.
“Delegates shouldn’t do anything to antagonize that base because if the base refuse to vote, you are out of office,” he said.
Speaking in an interview with Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV, Eugene Boakye Antwi said that there are about 12 polling stations in his constituency where the NPPalways trails behind the NDC.
He added that this is because those areas are non-Akan-dominated areas.
He, therefore, cautioned the party against electing candidates who will be detrimental to the base of the NPP.
“The empirical evidence is that we derive our political power, support, authority, and existence from Akan-dominated or Christian-dominated areas of this country, and it’s a fact. Check our current numbers in parliament and you would establish that most of the MPs from the Majority Caucus emerged from Akan-dominated areas. So, why do you want to elect a candidate who will be detrimental to your base?” he quizzed, while speaking with the morning show host, Kwesi Parker-Wilson.
The Subin MP also dismissed claims that his analysis is centered on tribalism, insisting that “in our current politics, we cannot rule out ethnicity or religion.
“People are only making hypothetical analysis that electing Bawumia as flagbearer will weaken the base of the NDC in Muslim communities. The NDC appreciates that Ghana is a Christian-dominated country, reason they elected a Christian as their flagbearer,” he added.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has assured members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the party will retain power beyond the two terms of president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo which ends in 2024.
Bawumia, widely rumoured to be interested in succeeding Akufo-Addo as party flagbearer and president in January 2025 told supporters in the Ayawaso Central Constituency weeks back that the NPP as a party of ideas will win the 2024 polls and by that ‘break the eight.’
‘Break the Eight’ is a terminology that the NPP has adopted for its 2024 election, referring to retaining political power beyond the eight years that each party has spent before being voted out under the 1992 Constitution.
Bawumia took potshots at the former president John Dramani Mahama, who is expected to lead the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2024 labeling Mahama a policy-less politician despite being in politics for the past three decades.
“So, don’t worry, by the grace of God, we are going to break the eight. We know who the opposition is, we know the way forward, we will fight with our record and our vision, and that is a vision I know the people of Ghana are going to buy into. The NPP is a party of ideas,” Bawumia stressed.
Bawumia is seen as a frontrunner in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership race slated for later this year, even though he has yet to openly declare his candidature, senior aides have assured that he will run to lead the NPP into election 2024.
John Mahama is currently touring the country seeking the National Democratic Congress (NDC_ flagbearership nod to lead the party into the 2024 polls. He will come up against Kwabena Duffuor and Kojo Bonsu in a primary slated for May 13.
Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has criticised the appointment of party faithfuls into the Electoral Commission.
He described as politically sinful the appointment of politically exposed persons as Commissioners of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana.
According to the opposition MP, the appointment of two commissioners who his party, the National Democratic Congress have alleged have strong ties to the ruling New Patriotic Party is devilish to the letter and spirit of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
“It’s politically unholy & Constitutionally Demonic for our EC to be populated by NPP party apparatchiks such as Jean Mensah, Bossman Asare, Dr. Serebuor, Mr. Tetteh, Dr. Atuahene who’re all dye in the wool elephants,” he wrote in a Twitter post sighted by GhanaWeb. There has been uproar against two of three newly sworn-in commissioners of Ghana’s Electoral Commission by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
According to the opposition National Democratic Congress, Dr Peter Appiahene and Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani, have deep roots in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and therefore cannot guarantee the neutrality and impartiality of the country’s electoral management body.
According to the NDC, Dr Appiahene has been a patron of the NPP student wing at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) since 2017, and was a member of the party’s 2020 National Research and Data Analysis Team. The NDC expressed concern that his appointment to the EC would hamper public confidence in the institution and undermine the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections in Ghana.
The NDC also alleges that Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani is an activist of the ruling party, and that her immediate family has deep roots in the NPP. The party contends that her appointment to the Electoral Commission would compromise the neutrality and impartiality required of a member of the institution.
However, pro-government and New Patriotic Party elements have refuted the claims by the NDC.
In their defence, government and officials of the NPP maintain that the two officers have no power to influence election results while others have sought to dissociate the two from the NPP.
Meanwhile, the NDC has petitioned the Council of State to rescind its advice to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the recent appointment of the said commissioners.
