A lecturer from the University of Ghana’s Political Science Department, Dr. Alidu Seidu has pushed for electronic voting to be used as part of legislative voting system improvements.
According to him, doing so will serve the dual purposes of aiding in the monitoring of MPs’ voting patterns on specific matters, such patterns may later be examined for various motives.
Dr. Seidu advanced further that the vote in the case of a secret ballot should be stored electronically in a remote server but that same should be declassified at a later date.
“Moving forward there is the need to have an electronic voting system, so that when the MPs are going to vote, they’ll call their names and they’ll vote, which is stored remotely and not displayed at that material moment until when the need arises for people to look at it, then it is produced. That’d be good.
“In other jurisdictions, we can tell the track record of MPs, including Congressmen and how they vote and on what issues. And so, it becomes even a campaign message for them,” he explained on the PM Express programme on Joy News (March 27).
He stressed that for the MPs, such a record becomes a basis on which they can make a case to their constituents during elections, because they can say they are a champion on so and so issue.
Other guests on the show were lawmakers Kofi Adams (NDC, Buem) and Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed (NDC, Tamale Central).
Adams in addressing the issue of vote reforms said: “Even if (the vote is) not public, we should put a system in place so that how each member votes on any issue would be recorded. So that when there is a need to enquire into it, we can enquire into it.”
Murtala also agreed with the suggestion and asserted that doing so with the view to later declassifying will mean that MPs who want to vote against their party whip will reconsider their actions.
The NDC has recently been hit by a vote rebellion in which its MPs voted to approve eight nominees of president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo against express orders of the party and a three-line whip by their leadership.
The party is currently on a hunt for MPs who defied the party’s orders with the view to punishing them.
In the next three weeks, the World Bank’s Public Sector Reform for Results Projects (PSRRP) will deliver two enormous industrial printing machines to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, said the arrival of these machines would help the Passport Office to clear all outstanding backlogs within a week.
“It is imperative to indicate that these giant industrial machines have the capacity to print about two thousand passports within an hour,” Madam Ayorkor Botchwey stated on the floor of Parliament in her response to a question by Mr William Okofo-Dateh, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Jaman South.
The MP asked the Minister about the steps being taken by the Ministry to reduce the huge backlog of processed passport application forms since 2022.
Madam Ayorkor Botchwey said the steps being taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to reduce the backlog of printed passports were improving the capacity of passport printing machines and increasing the capacity to vet completed applications.
She said the Passport Office’s inability to print all processed applications within the stipulated time frame last year, as she had indicated on several numerous platforms was largely due to supply chain challenges, which was a result of COVID-19 pandemic and most recently, the Russia-Ukraine war.
“Fortunately for us, Mr Speaker, the Ministry took delivery of three hundred thousand passport booklets in October, 2022,” she stated.
“Mr Speaker, I am pleased to inform this august House that with the number of booklets supplied, the backlog cases reduced from over 120,000 in October 2022 to 22,698 by December 2022, but for the frequent breakdown of our printing machine, all the backlogs would have been cleared.”
She said it must be noted that completed applications go through various levels of vetting to ensure that only eligible applicants were issued with the Ghanaian passport.
Adding that to this end, the Passport Office had increased the number of vetting staff, who were also tasked to do extra hours occasionally, including working on weekends to clear outstanding passports yet to be printed.
“Mr Speaker, whilst efforts are underway to clear the backlogs, Passport Application Centres, particularly those in Kumasi and Accra have been saddled with the phenomenon of uncollected passports,” she said.
“Even though applicants are usually informed through text messages that their passports have been printed and sent to the various Passport Application Centres, a lot of passports are yet to be collected.”
Madam Ayorkor Botchwey said the Ministry recently issued a public announcement and some applicants did turn up and collected their passports.
She said the Ministry would continue to course such announcements to be made periodically.
“I wish to use this opportunity to apologize to our compatriots who are yet to receive their passports and also to assure this august House and the entire citizens that the Ministry has put in place enough measures to prevent a future occurrence of this unfortunate incident and promise smooth and efficient service delivery,” she stated.
She also assured the House that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration continuous to give urgent applicants for passports the utmost attention that it requires.
Member of parliament for the Jomoro Constituency in the Western Region, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has detailed how the two years of court proceedings regarding her nationality have had an impact on the residents and development of her district.
The MP said some investors she contacted refused to come and invest in Jomoro because she was in court in the first two years of her tenure.
Madam Affo-Toffey gave these explanations in an interview on Onua FM’s drive time show Efie Ne Fie with Dr. Prekese on Thursday, March 30, 2023.
The Sekondi High Court in November 2022 dismissed a petition that sought to challenge the eligibility of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP).
That meant Dorcas Affo-Toffey could continue to be an MP and continue to represent the people of Jomoro in Parliament.
The court said per her application and subsequent issuance of a Ghanaian passport, she automatically lost the Ivorian nationality.
The court held that per Ivorian laws, immediately the MP acquired a Ghanaian passport, she automatically ceased to be an Ivorian and therefore there was no need for her to have formally renounced her Ivorian citizenship as argued by the petitioners.
Reacting to the issue, Madam Affo-Toffey explained that Jomoro can boast of several natural resources that when utilized, can create several employment opportunities not only for the people in Jomoro Constituency, but also the entire country, yet poverty is rampant.
“My constituency has two different areas. The coastal area and farming area and we are blessed as constituency. We have oil, cocoa, coconut, rubber, cassava and others but we have bad roads in some areas, bad telecommunication networks which I have been able to solve – unemployment and electricity challenges in some small towns,” she explained.
The MP added that “on schools, we have just two SHSs, one was built by Nkrumah and the one was done during NDC era. Some communities were cut off from the rest…but we get cocoa from there. They carry sick people on a stretch”.
She explained that due to the nature of poverty in the area, she started contacting some investors in the US for them to come and create jobs in Jomoro but these investors did not come because of the court case.
“I travelled to the US and met two huge companies who were willing to come and invest in Jomoro but they said, we are coming because of you and you are in court so we cannot come. So the court petition did not help me at all. It did not help me and my people. They would have done a factory for both coconut and cassava processing. The frustrations were too much but I am not perturbed and discouraged”.
Madam Affo-Toffey said “you are in Parliament but you do not know what will happen next. The court for two years did not help the development of me and my people”.
Commenting on her achievements despite the court petition which delayed development, the MP said “every witch is afraid of me because my people pray for me always because of what I have been able to do for them in these few years despite the court petition”.
“I have given over 350 SHSs students educational material such as mattresses.I have given over 200 tertiary students scholarship to study, I have built CHPS compound for some communities, I supplied pharmaceuticals to clinics, hospital and CHPS compounds, I have done over 600 desks to school….My target is to do over 2,000. I have the carpenters who manufacture them in the constituency. On water project, there were schools that pupils walk kilometres to drink water and return to school. I have provided them with potable water. My target is to do something for every community. I have decided to do the rest by the end of the year”.
Madam Affo-Toffey added that “I am building a 6-unit classroom block for one of the communities. I have done a bridge …three of those bridges…but the one in a place called Mitica is the best because since the inception of the town, no one has been able to go there with a car but I have done it. I don’t think even if my common fund for four terms cannot pay that for the Mitica Bridge but I have done them all”.
Some executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region have fought off claims that they wore military uniforms on a campaign tour of former President, John Mahama.
Vice Chairman, Capt Rtd John Kwame Jabari says what they wore were only camouflage dresses which they will continue to wear.
This is in response to police invitation for the wearing of what they describe as military uniform for a campaign tour.
Captain Jabari says they will continue to wear the shirts to party functions.
“I rebuke that we were not in a military attire, we were in a camouflage dress. Because as a former military officer I know a military attire if I see one and I will never wear one because I am out of the service”, he said.
Captain Jabari who led some party executives to honor an invitation from the police added, “we will continue to wear it until a competent court tells us we can’t wear it”.
They include; Captain John Kwame Jabari, the First Vice Chairman, Baah Acheamfour, the Deputy Secretary and Seth Atanga, the Deputy Youth Organizer.
The rest are Treasurer, Marvin Philip Frazer Norman, and two others.
In a picture that has gone viral, some party executives are pictured in green camouflage outfits with the inscription “Green Army” embroidery on the right side. On the left side is the name of the individual wearing them.
They cite instances where similar camouflage dresses worn by certain members of the public have been ignored, claiming that their invitation is an attempt to intimidate the NDC.
“I have given you people evidence of celebrities and other politicians wearing camouflage and none of them have been invited”, he said.
All six persons have since honored the police invitation. Caution statements of all the suspects were taken and granted bail by the police as investigation continues.
Former President John Mahama has stated that the new Constitutional Instrument (CI) being proposed by the Electoral Commission (EC) will leave many Ghanaians disenfranchised.
He says more than two million eligible voters will be disenfranchised in the 2024 elections, per the Electoral Commission’s (EC) proposal to scrap the guarantor system when acquiring a voter identification card.
Speaking at Kasoa as part of his three-day campaign tour of the Central Region, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer aspirant said “Up till now many people have not been able to register for the Ghana Card and those who have registered are yet to receive their cards”, he observed and asked all to endeavour to acquire the cards.
The EC has proposed a new Constitutional Instrument (CI) to be passed by Parliament to scrap the use of passport or guarantor system and allow only the Ghana Card for the acquisition of the new voter ID to be used in the 2024 general elections.
According to Mr Mahama, the NDC has consistently cautioned the EC to exercise restraint for the National Identification Authority (NIA) to provide the Ghana Cards for those who have already registered, but all these have fallen on deaf ears.
“We are still telling the EC that if they should go ahead with the proposal, they are going to disenfranchise a whole number of Ghanaians, and the estimate is that about two million people are eligible but do not have their cards.”
He therefore urged party supporters and Ghanaians who were yet to receive their cards to follow up at the NIA offices to ensure their cards were retrieved.
Mr Mahama said the old CI allows for a guarantor system and that was the position of the NDC.
Aspiring Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has announced an award scheme that will reward branches and constituencies of the party that work hard to increase the party’s parliamentary and presidential votes in 2024.
Mr Mahama who has been insisting during his tour of various constituencies that his 2024 campaign will be anchored by the branches, says the award scheme is intended to both set targets for the constituencies and encourage them to meet the targets.
“We are going to institute a reward system for constituencies and branches. We’ll give every constituency a target and if you meet the target and exceed it, the branch and constituency will be rewarded”, he announced to wild cheers from the executives.
Mr John Mahama is currently on a three-day tour of the 23 constituencies in the central region, campaigning ahead of the NDC’s May 13, 2023, presidential primaries.
According to him, the award scheme and branch-level campaign will be supported with the needed campaign materials and logistics.
He also cautioned constituency and regional executives against keeping campaign logistics and other resources, denying the branches where the real work of canvassing for votes take place.
Former President Mahama says, he will decentralise his 2024 campaign, much more than he did in 2020, working together with the branches and constituencies to engage, mobilise and canvass for the votes.
The former president has visited six other regions already, including the Volta, Bono East, Bono, Ahafo, Ashanti and Western regions.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed gratitude to Ernest Kobea for supporting him by withdrawing from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer competition.
Kobea who was one of four members of the NDC to pick presidential nomination forms, announced his withdrawal from the race on Wednesday, March 29
The party has scheduled Saturday, May 13 on which to go to polls to elect the man to lead its presidential campaign in next year’s elections.
Four persons including Mr Kobeah had picked nomination forms to contest the primaries. They have all since been vetted.
On Tuesday, March 28 when he faced the Vetting Committee, Mr Kobeah was asked to return with some documents.
He was, however, full of praise for the Committee members, describing the brief process as “successful”.
“There is no issue,” he told journalists after facing the Committee.
“Just [that] I need to come back tomorrow [Wednesday]. Everything is fine and successful.”
His withdrawal leaves Mr Mahama,Dr Kwabena Duffuorand Kojo Bonsu as the aspirants awaiting the Vetting Committee’s report for clearance or otherwise to contest the primaries.
Commenting on his Facebook page,Mr Mahama said “Balloting has been done for the May 13 presidential primaries and John Mahama is No.1 on the ballot.
“I thank you all for your dedication, support and prayers through it all, thus far. I also want to thank my younger brother, Ernest who has not only stepped down from the contest, but has declared his support for me.”
Samuel Koku Anyidoho, a former deputy general secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has recounted his distasteful experience with the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), formerly Criminal Investigations Department (CID), five years ago.
Mr Anyidoho was arrested in 2018 for allegedly plotting a coup against Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2018.
Marking five years after the event on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Koku Anyidoho, in a tweet expressed gratitude to God for being released without any charges.
He also thanked members of his party and Ghanaians for their support during his arrest.
“This was how I was arrested and released five years ago. My book is underway and will be an interesting read. God be praised.
“Exactly five years ago today, I was released from BNI cells for supposedly plotting to overthrow the Akufo-Addo Administration. All charges dropped bcos I committed no crime. To God be the glory & thanks to ALL NDC members & Ghanaians who cried for me. Thanks to my dad & family,” parts of the tweets read.
Background:
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service picked up Koku Anyidoho, on Tuesday, March 27, 2023, for inciting civilians to launch a coup d’etat against the Akufo-Addo government and was charged with treason.
He was arrested at the Press Centre in Accra, where he and several other opposition leaders belonging to the Progressive Forces, were holding a news conference to condemn the government for signing a security cooperation deal with the United States of America.
Anyidoho’s arrest followed indications by the then Minister of Information, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, that Ghana’s security agencies must invite the NDC politician over his comment.
The former NDC deputy general secretary, in an interview on Happy FM, on Monday, March 26, said: “Somebody should tell Nana Akufo-Addo that history has a very interesting way of repeating itself.”
“On January 13, 1972 a certain Col. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong led a movement that removed the Progress Party from power. Busia was the Prime Minister and Akufo-Addo’s father was a ceremonial president. Somebody should tell Nana Akufo-Addo that history has a very interesting way of repeating itself.
“There’ll be a civil revolt. There’ll be a people’s movement. During President John Mahama’s tenure didn’t we receive similar threats from the likes of Let My Vote Count and OccupyGhana?”
“There’ll be a civilian coup d’etat; there’ll be a social revolution and the movement is starting on Wednesday. He [Akufo-Addo] will be fed up at the presidency,” Anyidoho said.
He was subsequently released, on March 29, 2018 with no charges.
A National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for 2024, John Mahama, has characterized the Akufo-Addo-led administration as a governmentthat shirks accountability.
According to him, accepting responsibility is a mark of good leadership, a quality that is lacking inPresident Akufo-Addo.
“What is making it difficult for them to govern is that they are not people who listen to advice. They never accept their mistakes, so they are not able to learn from their mistakes. Notwithstanding the poor state of Ghana’s economy, still they are not accepting responsibility.“Nothing can be fixed if the leader cannot take responsibility,” he insisted.
Speaking to branch and constituency executives of the NDC in the Awutu Senya East and West Constituencies on Tuesday, Mr. Mahama who is campaigning to lead his party to the 2024 presidential election said: “When you listen to them, they say it is not their fault. Are they saying it is the fault of Ghanaians? Who went for all those loans? It was them. Yet whenever you tune in to the news, they say it was Covid-19 that caused our problems. They say it was Russian-Ukraine that caused them.”
He expressed surprise that the President did not follow his example but continues to refuse to accept responsibility for the woeful state of the nation.
“When President went to parliament to deliver the State of the Nation Address, I thought he would accept responsibility the way I did when we had an energy crisis in this country. I did not cause it; it was caused by lack of addition to our (power) generation for many years. So, it got to a time, our demand had exceeded our ability to generate power” he explained.
“I went to Parliament. I did not say I did not cause it. I said you elected me to take responsibility, so I take responsibility for it, and I will fix it. That is what leadership is about. This is a President who cannot take responsibility and if you can’t take responsibility, you can’t fix anything” he said to wild cheers.
President Mahama is on a three-day ‘Building the Ghana we want together’ campaign tour of the twenty-three constituencies in the Central Region.
Businessman Ernest Kobeah has pulled out of the NDC presidential race.
This was made known on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at the party’s headquarters in Accra.
In an interview on JoyNews earlier this month, Mr Kobeah explained that he entered the race to create opportunity as well as set an example for the youth not to be intimidated.
He was at the NDC Headquarters yesterday for his vetting.
After submitting his documents among other requirements for the process, Ernest Kobeah was asked to return today for the final lap.
However, on his return today, the aspirant has withdrawn from the race.
According to JoyNews’ Samuel Mbura, the decision was borne out of Mr Kobeah’s intention to throw his weight behind contender John Mahama.
Meanwhile, Mr Mahama went through his vetting process on Monday, March 27.
After his session, John Mahama indicated that the country’s financial stability is at the heart of his campaign to lead the NDC.
According to him, government has demonstrated that it is incapable of running affairs for which reason he is launching another bid to become the NDC candidate in the 2024 election.
Ernest Kwaku Kobeah, one of the four potential flagbearer candidates for the National Democratic Congress(NDC), has been directed to return before the screening panel on Wednesday to complete the procedure.
He was one of two aspirants who appeared before the Vetting Committee on Tuesday, March 28.
Former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor took about one-and-a-half hours to go through the vetting process.
However, businessmen Ernest Kobeah took less than an hour.
“There is no issue,” he told journalists after the process was said to have been put on hold.
“Just [that] I need to come back tomorrow [Wednesday]. Everything is fine and successful.”
He expressed happiness about the reception given by the Committee, noting that “they welcomed me and talked to me like father and son”.
He is expected to present some documents for the vetting to complete.
Meanwhile, former Kumasi mayorKojo Bonsu will take his turn on Wednesday, March 29.
Presumptive candidate John Dramani Mahama was at the party headquarters on Monday, March 27 for his vetting.
Former National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Techiman South, Adjei Mensah has indicated that some MPs will continue to be lured into taking bribes as much as long as inequality exists in the House.
He asserts that because of the financial hardships certain MPs, particularly those who are in the minority or who are members of the opposition party, are experiencing, they would continue to exchange their votes for favors.
“We have to situate the issue in its right context. With the way we conduct our politics in this country, such issues will continue for as long as we don’t change things. When you are demanding something from God and you don’t get it, if the devil offers it you, you have to take it.
“Parliament is not a church; we do not go to parliament to worship God. We go to fight for power. The Akans have a saying that when things become critical in your quest for power, sell your mother to acquire the power and when you get the power, use it to get your mother back… Money is now an underlying factor in our politics,” he stated on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen.
The former MP was commenting on the voting conducted in parliament on Friday, March 24, 2023, when some members of the minority caucus defied a directive by their party and voted for the approval of some six ministers nominated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The incident has led to allegations of inducement and bribery being made against the MPs who voted in violation of the directive by the opposition party during the secret balloting.
But according to the former NDC MP, members of the minority caucus who are impoverished and are victims of inequality cannot feed on loyalty to their party.
“There is someone who knows that the majority will by all means pay something to them ahead of their primaries and such a person knows very well that he will be saying goodbye to parliament if he refuses to accept such an offer.
“So, if by the grace of God, something is being offered to you, you are claiming party loyalty or whatever. We don’t eat that loyalty. If because of loyalty you won’t accept it that is your choice. But you are going to come home to live that kind of miserable life that former MPs live,” he stated.
Asked by the host if members of the House do not work with principles, the former Techiman South MP retorted saying “Massa, if you can eat principles, go and eat it.”
The National Democratic Party’s (NDC) deputy general secretary, Mustapha Gbande has made claims that NDC lawmakers who supported president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-nominations Addo’s for cabinet positions accepted bribes.
He claims that the aforementioned MPs who marketed their services in order to undermine the party will not escape punishment because they will endure heavenly repercussions.
He added that the MPs will spend all the money they took on hospital bills, that they will suffer and also face the wrath of God.
Speaking in an interview with Neat FM on March 27, 2023, he stressed: “You see, when NPP is giving you food, they will make it beautiful but under it is poison. What they are doing is getting a stand to destroy you.
“Nobody in the NPP can come and give me a bribe, because when you try it, I will do a press conference. I will prefer to work with an empty stomach and serve my party until the day that God will answer our prayer.
“…when they finished, the director of communications of the NPP went on the radio to say that the minority MPs, some of them have decided to commercialize their services and Bryan Acheampong was boasting of controlling the minority in Parliament…those individuals by now, they have regretted their actions.
“What will you profit if you betray a man, have everything on earth, and have no God? What they have done, if God doesn’t punish them, human beings will punish them.
“What I’m saying is that they will not spend that money and go scot-free, they will pay hospital bills. You can’t betray the will of the people…if the investigations does not expose them, God will punish them. They won’t see peace, you don’t betray people like that.”
Prior to the vetting of ministerial nominees by the Appointments Committee of Parliament, the NDC had issued a directive to its MPs to reject the nominees in demand for a reduction in the size of the current government.
However, when the House conducted a secret ballot on the nominees, all six got overwhelming votes despite the equal numbers on both sides of the House.
The outcome of the voting process has led to accusations of treachery being made against the minority MPs.
Some members of the caucus have since taken to social media to express their disappointment with the result while others have sought to claim their innocence.
Former Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu and his Chief Whip, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, have been exempted from the yet-to-be completed list of loyal MPs belonging to the National Democratic Congress.
It is reported that the party’s General Secretary, Fiifi Kwetey, is compiling a list of NDC MPs who adhered to the leadership’s directive to reject the six ministerial appointees presented by President Akufo-Addo.
On March 24, out of the 135 NDC MPs, 116 voted against the approval of K.T. Hammond, 98 opposed Bryan Acheampong’s approval (the least opposition), Stephen Asamoah Boateng garnered 122 “No” votes.
Mohammed Amin Adams received 117 “No” votes, 120 NDC MPs voted against Osei Bonsu Amoah’s approval and 123 rejected the ministerial nomination of Stephen Amoah.
About 39 MPs are said to have betrayed the NDC. Ahead of the secret ballot voting, the Minority pledged to reject the nominees as part of efforts to reduce the size of the government to reflect the current economic challenges.
So far, the identities of 46 loyal NDC MPs have reportedly been released by Mr Fiifi Kwetey via Whatsapp.
Kobla Mensah Wisdom Woyome (South Tongu MP), Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui (Awutu Senya West MP), Ernest Henry Norgbey (Ashaiman MP), Edward Abambire Bawa (Bongo MP), Yusif Sulemana (Bole Bamboi MP), Richard Kwame Sefe (Anlo MP) and Yao Gomado (Akan MP) are among those viewed as loyalists.
The Tamale South and Asawase MPs’ names are yet to appear on the said list.
It is being speculated on social media that the duo went against the party’s directive out of spite over the change of leadership in Parliament.
It’s public knowledge that this traitors are from Haruna and Muntaka’s camp.. They and their faithful are trying to hit hard the NDC leaders that overthrown them without notice..
At the beginning of the week, it was reported that some ‘traitor NDC list’ circulated on social media. Reacting to the news, former President John Dramani Mahama urged all and sundry to reject the said “fake” list.
“I am urging all NDC supporters to ignore it,” he said while engaging delegates at Kanokoare during his tour of the Ellembelle Constituency in the Western Region on Sunday, March 26, 2023.
Meanwhile, it is believed that Mr Fiifi Kwetey is yet to add about 51 names to the ‘loyal NDC list.’
Reports making round is that General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fiifi Kwetey, has released a list of NDC MPs who did not betray the party during the approval of President Akufo-Addo’s ministerial nominees.
On Friday, March 24, 2023, the Minority failed to halt the approval of six ministerial nominees (K.T. Hammond, Brian Acheampong, Amin Adam, O.B. Amoah, Stephen Amoah and Asamoah Boateng) as directed by the party as part of efforts to reduce the size of the current government.
Out the 135 NDC MPs in Parliament, close to 40 are said to have approved the nominees.
According to sources, Fiifi Kwetey, who together with other party leaders have condemned the recent incident, has provided the identities of 46 NDC MPs who adhered to the party’s directive via Whatsapp.
The said list is however incomplete as it is believed that about 38 NDC MPs betrayed the party. More names of loyal MPs are expected.
Below is the list of the 46 loyal NDC MPs:
Kobla Mensah Wisdom Woyome – South Tongu MP
Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui – Awutu Senya West MP
Ernest Henry Norgbey – Ashaiman MP
Edward Abambire Bawa – Bongo MP
Yusif Sulemana – Bole Bamboi MP
Richard Kwame Sefe – Anlo MP
Yao Gomado – Akan MP
Richard Gyan-Mensah – Gomoa West MP
Geoffrey Kini – Nkwanta South MP
James Klutse Avedzi – Ketu North MP
Kwame Governs Agbodza – Adaklu MP
Andrew Dari Chiwitey – Sawla-Tuna Kalba MP
Mark Kurt Nawaane – Nabdam MP
Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor – South Dayi MP
Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah – Ellembelle MP
Peter Kwasi Nortsu-Kotoe – Akatsi North MP
Ablah Dzifa Gomashie – Ketu South MP
Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings – Klottey-Korle MP
Angela Oforiwa Alorwu-Tay – Afadjato South MP
Theresa Lardi Awuni – Okaikwei North MP
Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah – Ho West MP
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa – North Tongu MP
Cassiel Ato Baah Forson – Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam MP
Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze – Central Tongu MP
Della Sowah – Kpando MP
Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed – Tamale Central MP
Bernard Ahiafor – Akatsi South MP
Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah – Amenfi Central MP
Clement Abas Apaak – Builsa South MP
Joseph Appiah Boateng – Afram Plains South MP
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare – Techiman North
Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo – Shai-Osudoku MP
Kofi Iddie Adams – Buem MP
John Oti Bless – Nkwanta North
Sampson Tangombu Chiragia – Navrongo Central
Peter Lanchene Toobu – Wa West MP
Agnes Naa Momo Lartey – Krowor MP
Betty Nana Efua Krosbi Mensah – Afram Plains North
National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Joseph Yamin, has declared that the party will take all necessary steps to ensure that the minority members who supported the president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s ministerial picks are removed.
He claims that after those responsible are removed, the party would take action against them to dissuade others from engaging in similar behavior.
“We won’t create a platform for you to be able to get to the house, only for you to turn against the actions and directives. We will not stop until we fish out who and who [did that] and if we find out, it’s going to be a step to deter others. We sometimes behave as if we are the only political party in this country,” the media quoted him.
Joseph Yamin also added that the party will not create an opportunity of the MPs only to turn down directives of the party as he recounts the case of NPP MPs calling for the removal of Ken Ofori-Atta yet obeyed the directive of the party not to partake in the censure motion.
“I remember that when the NPP MPs decided that the finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta should step down, the Minority supported their claim, and a decision was to be taken on the floor of Parliament. A directive from the head office of the NPP to the very MPs who said that the finance minister should resign asking them to go by the party’s position, and they did.”
Parliament approves all six nominees, two Supreme Court Justices:
Parliament on Friday, March 24 approved all six ministerial nominees as well as the nominees of the supreme court of President Akufo-Addo after a heated debate, 24 hours prior, and a tense voting process.
Final results declared by Speaker Alban Bagbin showed that all nominees got more votes than the minimum of 138 votes required because out of the 275 eligible voters, there were three absent.
Some Members of Parliament (MPs) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) did not adhere to the decision of the party to vote against the approval of the nominees.
Kobina Tahiru Hammond (MP for Adansi Asokwa) was approved as the Minister of Trade and Industry and Bryan Acheampong (MP for Abetifi) as the Minister of Food and Agriculture.
Other nominees who were approved include Stephen Asamoah Boateng, as Ministry of Chieftaincy; Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State (Ministry of Finance), and Osei Bonsu Amoah, Ministry of Local Government.
Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, was also approved as the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.
The Supreme Court nominees who were approved include George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.
The head of the political science department at the University of Ghana,Dr. Seidu Alidu, claims that the subject is misconstrued if the National Democratic Congress (NDC) members of parliament are simply labeled as traitors for not voting down the President’s nominees for ministerial positions.
According to him, many factors have to be taken into consideration to determine the reasons that influenced the defecting MPs to vote in the way they did.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, he explained that while outsiders may just simply view it as the MPs defying the orders of the party, it could be more than just that.
“You’re looking at relationships individual MPs have had with other MPs across the divide, but you’re also looking at group interests. So the group interests, the MPs operate in caucuses so we have Volta caucus, Eastern caucus, Ashanti caucus, Northern caucus, Muslims, Christians and all those things.
“So you have a member of parliament who is NPP and he has been nominated as a minister and he fellowships at the same church with you, he’s in the same caucus with you, you’re from the same region with him, and you know that he can dispense patronage to you when he becomes a minister.
“You’re in opposition you need a very bad road in your constituency to be fixed for you to win re-election, he has assured you he will do it for you, can you look him in the eye and vote against him?” he said.
He also added that the close friendships that some MPs have cultivated with MPs from across the political divide sometimes also affect the way they come to a decision in cases like these.
“Some of them are in-laws, some of them are very good friends even though they’re from the same divide, they sit together they eat together, when they’re out of parliament they’re together, they do a lot of things together.
“And then the personal interest, you see the NDC has opened up nominations, people need money to file, people need to justify their inclusion through projects, people need a lot and then somebody promises you ‘if you’re able to do this I’ll give you that.’
“So Evans, our analyses have focused largely on the formal institutions, the constituency, the party interest, the national interest. But we cannot also ignore that informal dynamics that occur daily among MPs and sometimes which are even stronger than some of the party, state and constituency interest,” he said.
Dr. Seidu Alidu further stated that the defecting MPs may have voted the way they did as a protest against certain actions taken by the party or by the party’s leadership in recent times.
Thus, while these MPs may have lacked the courage to raise their objections during group consultations with party leadership, felt the need to register their displeasure by breaking rank during the secret balloting.
“People may not be happy with a lot of things that have happened in the party or something that has happened in the party. When you engage them they won’t tell you, but they will have to prove to you that they’re not happy by the way they vote.
“And in national elections, protest votes do occur, and when protest votes occur what you need to do is to find out why people are protesting or defying the party three-line whip and then see how you can engage them,” he said.
“The MPs are so close that the Majority side knows some of the people who are disillusioned and disaffected and have challenges or don’t like what their leadership is doing or what their party is doing and the NDC knows on the NPP side those people.
“So sometimes it is very [easy] for them to just go straight to them, take advantage of their disappointments, offer them something that will make them very happy or to prove to them that they’re not happy with their leadership and they’ll go,” he added.
Meanwhile, he has urged that cool heads prevail and that the party leadership foment trust within the party’s rank and file to prevent a repeat situation in the future.
“So I think … that cool heads must prevail. There’s still a lot that’s supposed to happen up to the end of this parliament and 137-137 is more about the definition of politics – compromise and consensus building – you will have to create that element of trust within your rank and file, and that will give you the impetus to engage the other.
“Identify the people with the challenges in your rank and file and know how to bring them on board, other than that the other side will identify them and work with them,” he said.
He noted that should the NDC decide to witch-hunt the defecting MPs, it will “deepen mistrust and suspicion in the party,” and this would affect the party’s chances of reclaiming victory in the upcoming general elections.
Korle Klottey MP, Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, has joined scores of NDC MPs condemning the ‘betrayal’ of some MPs within the Minority Caucus who voted in favour of the approval of six ministerial appointees of the Akufo-Addo led administration, despite the party’s decision not to support their approval.
A unanimous ‘No’ vote by the NDC MPs would have rendered the appointments void since they had more numbers than their opponents on the day the votes were cast, however, after the secret ballot, all six appointees had garnered Majority votes to pass them from the position, indicating that some MPs broke rank and voted a ‘Yes’ against the party’s directive.
This move by the ‘anonymous’ MPs has been described by the party as a grave act of betrayal.
In a Facebook post, the Korle Klottey legislator, who is yet to come to terms with the results of the secret ballot, recounted how she painstakingly sent her phone to the voting booth to record her vote as evidence to protect her integrity, although she knew very well the implications of being caught. The effort , however, came to naught since some MPs decided to pursue their personal interests.
“I’m still reeling from the outcome of the secret ballot in the House on Friday. I’ve sat with the sad realisation that the unfortunate side of being part of a collective is the collective shame that comes with the actions of a few unknown faces whose actions affect everyone.
“I knew it was risky taking my phone into the booth, because there was a chance that the Speaker might chastise me openly. I told my colleagues sitting in my section what I was going to do and why. I got to the voting booth and nervously lifted my phone to record my hand ticking the ‘No’ column, feeling so annoyed that I was having to subject myself to this! When I got to my seat, I checked the video to make sure it had captured my vote, and then informed my colleagues that it had worked! I then suggested that they do the same, for their own protection.
“I must admit that I was still shocked by the results. I was crestfallen! But even the knowledge of my evidence of how I voted, did not bring me the relief I had hoped for. People were looking up to us, and we had let the side down,” she added.
She noted that her father would have challenged the MPs from the Minority Caucus to swear an oath or subject themselves to a lie detector test to prove themselves of no betrayal.
“My father continued to advise and chastise the party in the face of sometimes outright abuse from his own, but he remained true to his convictions. I still remember vividly when from his hospital bed, he asked me how the people in my constituency were doing in the lead up to the 2020 General Elections. Even when he was a few days away from his own death, he was still worried about Ghana! On Friday night, I felt this deep pain that maybe it was perhaps better that he was not alive to witness what had happened to the NDC. But then again, I thought perhaps had he been alive he would probably have challenged all of us to go and swear on Antoa or dared us to take a lie-detector test!
“Alas! Our Founder is no longer with us, but we have come too far to destroy our own legacy! We must course correct, immediately! We need to return to the values and principles on which this party was built including honesty, accountability, integrity, discipline and commitment to our nation, Ghana!!” she added.
She further questioned why those who were opposed to the party’s decision did not speak up before the vote.
“The NDC took a decision to vote against the President’s nominations on principle. We needed President Akufo-Addo to avert his mind to the bloated size of his government/cabinet to show the commitment of the Executive to reduce its expenditure as the government struggles with unsustainable debt.
“If you disagree with a position the party and leadership have taken, have the courage of your convictions and speak up! It is cowardice and treachery to hide within the collective to pursue your individual parochial agenda!!! For the first time, I was forced to keep evidence of my votes to protect my integrity and my name!” she lamented.
The member of parliament for Tema East, Isaac Ashai Odamtten, has expressed his disappointment in the outcome of the secret
He has described the approval of some ministerial nominees by his colleague National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs, as betrayal.
According to him, their action is even more painful because it’s from within adding that they (minority) defied the orders of the party to disapprove new appointees of president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Odamtten in a Facebook post, however, noted that it was a lesson learnt.
“The most painful form of betrayal is when it comes from within. But we’ll take it as a lesson and keep moving.”
Meanwhile,the Tema East is not the first to express disappoinment in some of the NDC MPs. Some members of the minority side in parliament have criticised the unknown pepetrators and accused them of being in bed with government.
Parliament approves all six nominees, two Supreme Court Justices:
Parliament on Friday, March 24 approved all six ministerial nominees as well as the nominees of the supreme court of President Akufo-Addo after a heated debate, 24 hours prior, and a tense voting process.
Final results declared by Speaker Alban Bagbin showed that all nominees got more votes than the minimum of 138 votes required because out of the 275 eligible voters, there were three absent.
Some Members of Parliament (MPs) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) did not adhere to the decision of the party to vote against the approval of the nominees.
Kobina Tahiru Hammond (MP for Adansi Asokwa) was approved as the Minister of Trade and Industry and Bryan Acheampong (MP for Abetifi) as the Minister of Food and Agriculture.
Other nominees who were approved include Stephen Asamoah Boateng, as Ministry of Chieftaincy; Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State (Ministry of Finance), and Osei Bonsu Amoah, Ministry of Local Government.
Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, was also approved as the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.
The Supreme Court nominees who were approved include George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.
It appears the camp of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has not recovered from the shock of being betrayed by some MPs who voted in favor of the six ministerial appointees of President Akufo-Addo, against the party’s decision.
Many party faithfuls have outrightly condemned the act.
One MP who seems deeply hurt by the move is North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has on various occasions called out the ‘traitor’ MPs over the act.
In his latest post, he has challenged the MPs who defied the party’s decision to step forward.
“No one is convinced that these fifth columnists acted in good conscience, with honourable intentions, and in the national interest. If they did, why are they hiding in rat holes and afraid to publicly own up and defend their treachery?” he said.
In the post, he rendered an unqualified apology to all Ghanaians who felt heartbroken by the betrayal of the said MPs.
“We are deeply sorry. As heart wrenching as this episode has been, we fervently pray that the good people of Ghana and our loyal party members would not give up on us. Please find a place in your hearts to forgive us; and watch us work extra hard like never before, and with the purest of integrity as we seek to regain your trust and save our dear country, particularly in this period of self-inflicted economic crisis,” he said.
He added that “the traitors should have mustered courage and exhibited a modicum of sincerity during our numerous strategy sessions by informing us that they disagreed with our fundamental objection to President Akufo-Addo’s misguided penchant for an obscenely bloated government.”
“The damage these Judases and Esaus have done to our party’s brand and public trust in our caucus may take decades to repair. As we struggle to rebuild public confidence in the NDC, may the treacherous elements be exposed and may the Good Lord forgive them their trespasses,” he added.
He further lamented the impact this grave act of betrayal can have on the party.
“If we cannot be trusted in opposition when crumbs are at stake, how do we expect the Ghanaian people to send us into government where we shall be entrusted with all of Ghana’s resources? If privileged party elites conduct themselves in this manner at the top, what are we inviting our party agents at the branches to do on December 7, 2024 when they are tempted?
He, however, commended the NDC MPs who stood with the party and voted against the six appointees.
“I must, however, salute the over 90 gallant NDC MPs who refused to bow to Baal and kept faith with the suffering masses. It is worth pleading with Ghanaians to at least recognise that a clear majority of NDC MPs did not participate in this grand betrayal — that should offer some compensation and some genuine hope.
“May I conclude by soberly requesting all colleagues on both sides of the House to reflect on the epic happenings in the British House of Commons some four centuries ago which led to the historic dissolution speech of Oliver Cromwell on 20th April, 1653 as reproduced below.
Lamenting further, he asked the MPs to exit the NDC since they want to be in bed with the current government.
“It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
“Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter’d your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?
“Ye sordid prostitutes, have you not defil’d this sacred place, and turn’d the Lord’s temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress’d, are yourselves gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!”
Evidence of how some members of the minority caucus in parliament voted to determine the fate of six ministers nominated byPresident Akufo-Addohas surfaced online.
A video circulating on social media shows how Tamale Central Member of Parliament,Ibrahim Murtala Mohammedvoted in compliance with a directive by the National Democratic Congress against all six nominees.
“This is how I voted. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed…this one No, No, No, No, No, this one No…this is how I voted and I record,” a voice purported to be that of the Tamale Central is heard in the video of an individual ticking through the nominees’ list.
Prior to the vetting of the nominees by the Appointments Committee of Parliament, the NDC had issued a directive to its MPs to reject the nominees in demand for a reduction in the size of the current government.
However, when the House last Friday conducted a secret ballot on the nominees, all six acquired overwhelming votes despite the equal numbers on both sides of the House.
The outcome of the voting process has led to accusations of treachery being made against the minority MPs.
Some members of the caucus have since taken to social media to express their disappointment with the result while others have sought to claim their innocence.
Former President John Mahama will be vetted for the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s flagbearership contest today.
The vetting is expected to commence at 10 am and the party’s headquarters in Accra.
This is according to publicity material issued by the Mahama communications team.
Ahead of the exercise, the Chairman of the elections committee of the party, Kakra Essamuah has said the committee will thoroughly vet the aspirants on their qualifications for the position, ideologies and vision for the party.
“I think this has been a wonderful experience. They came to file their nominations, and you can see that it was an exciting ceremony.
“The next step is the vetting; the presidential will take place on Tuesday and the parliamentary vetting, will be the next two weeks probably the first week of April. We are working towards that,” he said.
The other aspirants are former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor, a former Kumasi Mayor, Kojo Bonsu and businessman Ernest Kwaku Kobeah have successfully filed their nominations.
The party ended the filing of nominations for all flagbearer aspirants hopefuls last week.
Dr. Zenator Agyemang-Rawlings has said that her father, the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, would have challenged all National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs to take a “lie detector” test over the approval of ministerial appointees.
Her comment comes after a section of the minority voted to confirm six appointees of President Akufo-Addo as Ministers in a secret ballot on Friday, 24 March 2023.
Some Ghanaians have expressed disappointment in the Minority for approving the ministers to join the already over bloated government.
Some high ranking NDC members like former President John Mahama, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the party’s general secretary Fiifi Kwetey, a leading member Prof Joshua Alabi among others have all condemned the action of their members who betrayed the party by voting YES in the secret ballot to approve the nominees.
Adding her voice to the many that have expressed shocked and disappointment, Dr Agyemang-Rawlings in a Facebook post said “on Friday night, I felt this deep pain that maybe it was perhaps better that he [JJ Rawlings] was not alive to witness what had happened to the NDC. But then again, I thought perhaps had he been alive he would probably have challenged all of us to go and swear on Antoa or dared us to take a lie-detector test!”
Alas! She noted the Founder is no longer with them, “but we have come too far to destroy our own legacy! We must course correct, immediately!”
“We need to return to the values and principles on which this party was built including honesty, accountability, integrity, discipline and commitment to our nation, Ghana,” the Klottey Korle MP added.
According to Dr Agyemang-Rawlings due to the tension and suspicion on the day of the secret ballot, she had to record her vote, although not appropriate, as prove that she voted against the approval of the nominees as the party had directed them to.
She said she took the decision to do so, so that she is not wrongly accused one day of being part of those MPs who betrayed the party and Ghanaians.
Read details of her full statement below:
The I in the Collective!
The NDC took a decision to vote against the President’s nominations on principle. We needed President Akufo-Addo to avert his mind to the bloated size of his government/cabinet to show the commitment of the Executive to reduce its expenditure as the government struggles with unsustainable debt.
If you disagree with a position the party and leadership have taken, have the courage of your convictions and speak up! It is cowardice and treachery to hide within the collective to pursue your individual parochial agenda!!! For the first time, I was forced to keep evidence of my votes to protect my integrity and my name!
I’m still reeling from the outcome of the secret ballot in the House on Friday. I’ve sat with the sad realisation that the unfortunate side of being part of a collective is the collective shame that comes with the actions of a few unknown faces whose actions affect everyone.
In the Chamber, when the back and forth was done, the voting began amidst threats to annul your vote if you were caught displaying your ballot paper.
My sister MP, Angela Alorwu-Tay and I, began a discussion on how to ensure that we had evidence of our votes. The last time there was a secret ballot, the women in our caucus were falsely accused en bloc of having betrayed the NDC. Some unscrupulous person even used my picture and that of a number of colleagues as part of that ludicrous headline at the time. We had no intention of allowing our integrity to be attacked again!
The idea of taking a photo of my vote was so alien to me but given the high level of suspicion and finger pointing already in the public domain, I realised it was imperative to take such a drastic measure to protect my integrity, “in the interest of probity and accountability (in the words of the late President JJ Rawlings).”
As the time drew closer for me to vote and I felt the increasing tension in the room, and I decided to put my camera on video mode.
I knew it was risky taking my phone into the booth, because there was a chance that the Speaker might chastise me openly. I told my colleagues sitting in my section what I was going to do and why. I got to the voting booth and nervously lifted my phone to record my hand ticking the ‘No’ column, feeling so annoyed that I was having to subject myself to this! When I got to my seat, I checked the video to make sure it had captured my vote, and then informed my colleagues that it had worked! I then suggested that they do same, for their own protection.
I must admit that I was still shocked by the results. I was crestfallen! But even the knowledge of my evidence of how I voted, did not bring me the relief I had hoped for. People were looking up to us, and we had let the side down.
As I’ve enquired about the possible reasons for what happened, I’ve concluded that we are looking at a situation of different interests converging in a single outcome. So, what is the solution to this wicked problem?
As a party, we have been drifting from our principles and values not-so-slowly, and I guess this is a wakeup call that this drift can no longer be ignored or brushed under the carpet. It took a handful of people and a single iceberg to sink the titanic and with it, many innocent persons drowned or froze to death.
As I type and share this, I’m cognisant of the usual abuse that some people are happy to hurl at anyone who dares, however I know that my reticence on this matter will be even more damaging!
My father continued to advise and chastise the party in the face of sometimes outright abuse from his own, but he remained true to his convictions. I still remember vividly when from his hospital bed, he asked me how the people in my constituency were doing in the lead up to the 2020 General Elections. Even when he was a few days away from his own death, he was still worried about Ghana! On Friday night, I felt this deep pain that maybe it was perhaps better that he was not alive to witness what had happened to the NDC. But then again, I thought perhaps had he been alive he would probably have challenged all of us to go and swear on Antoa or dared us to take a lie-detector test!
Alas! Our Founder is no longer with us, but we have come too far to destroy our own legacy! We must course correct, immediately! We need to return to the values and principles on which this party was built including honesty, accountability, integrity, discipline and commitment to our nation, Ghana!!
A National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) has admitted that some of his colleagues were bribed by the ministerial nominees prior to the secret ballot on Friday, March 24.
There has been general disappointment within the rank and file of the largest opposition party after its MPs failed to reject the six ministerial nominees of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo despite a directive from the party leadership to do so.
After a heated debate on the report of the Appointments Committee on Thursday, March 23, the motion was put to secret voting the following day.
All the nominees eventually sailed through much to the chagrin of the NDC and its leadership.
Speaking on the matter on TV3‘s The Keypoints on Saturday, March 25, Cape Coast South MP George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan said some of the Majority MPs told them in the face that “some of our people have been bought”.
He said this matter was taken seriously by the leadership of the Minority Caucus and some of his colleagues were approached and interrogated.
The former Deputy Finance Minister said some of the culprit NDC MPs denied and said “all sort of things”.
For him, there is no doubt that bribery took place prior to the voting process.
“I don’t know how much they gave them but I don’t think what they gave them will solve their problems,” he fumed, condemning the seeming treachery by his colleague MPs.
He has called for investigations into the incident, saying if not unravelled some of them will no longer engage in any voting process in the House.
Prior to the votes on Friday, the Minority was confident of having some members of the Majority on its side, given a precedent that saw the election of the Speaker of Parliament in 2021.
Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson had told journalists that his caucus was ready for the secret ballot but the Majority was rather running away from it. This was after the Speaker had suspended sitting to meet leadership of the House.
He was taken aback by the outcome.
“Once again, I want to express my disappointment, but I am also grateful for the efforts of those who worked to represent our collective vision for a better Ghana,” he wrote on Saturday. “Let us continue to strive toward a brighter future.”
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaakhas written a letter to some of his colleagues in parliament.
In a letter addressed to the “traitors”, which was shared on social media, on Sunday, Dr Apaak accused the MPs of betraying the National Democratic Congress (NDC) members and Ghanaians.
He added that the said MPs will pay for the insults that are being meted at innocent NDC parliamentarians because of their action.
“I pray you are found out and publicly shamed, but even if you are not found out, your conscience will forever haunt you.
“The pain and agony your treachery has caused millions of party supporters and Ghanaians is upon your head.
“You will pay for the tears and sorrow of all those you have betrayed. You will pay for the insults, name calling and false accusations your treachery has brought upon innocent colleagues,” parts of the later read.
“May you never find peace until you confess, repent and ask for forgiveness,” Dr Apaak’s letterconcluded.
Parliament approves all six nominees, two Supreme Court Justices:
Parliament on Friday, March 24 approved all six ministerial nominees as well as the nominees of the supreme court of President Akufo-Addo after a heated debate, 24 hours prior, and a tense voting process.
Final results declared by Speaker Alban Bagbin showed that all nominees got more votes than the minimum of 138 votes required because out of the 275 eligible voters, there were three absent.
Some Members of Parliament (MPs) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) did not adhere to the decision of the party to vote against the approval of the nominees.
Kobina Tahiru Hammond (MP for Adansi Asokwa) was approved as the Minister of Trade and Industry and Bryan Acheampong (MP for Abetifi) as the Minister of Food and Agriculture.
Other nominees who were approved include Stephen Asamoah Boateng, as Ministry of Chieftaincy; Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State (Ministry of Finance), and Osei Bonsu Amoah, Ministry of Local Government.
Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, was also approved as the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.
The Supreme Court nominees who were approved include George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has urged NDC supporters to disregard a list of Minority MPs claimed to have betrayed the party in the approval of ministerial appointees, on social media.
Interacting with delegates at Kanokoare during his tour of the Ellembelle Constituency in the Western Region on Sunday (26 March), Mr Mahama described the list as “fake”.
“And so, I am urging all NDC supporters to ignore it”, Mr Mahama said.
The Minority caucus has been heavily criticised for breaking rank to pass all six ministers appointed byPresident Akufo-Addo.
Commenting on the issue Mr Mahama urged disgruntled NDC supporters to remain resolute ahead of the 2024 polls as there “are little battles we have to fight before we go into the main battle. And that is one of those we fought a few days ago”.
“So, you don’t throw the baby away with the bathwater. I urge you all to remain calm because we need them at this crucial moment”, the former President said.
Parliament approves all six nominees, two Supreme Court Justices:
Parliament has approved all six ministerial nominees appointed by President Akufo-Addo after a heated debate on Thursday, March 24th, and a tense voting process on Friday, March 25th. Final results declared by Speaker Alban Bagbin showed that all nominees got more than the minimum of 138 votes required, as there were three absentees out of the 275 eligible voters.
Below are the final figures for each nominee:
Total eligible 275
Absentees = 3
Total valid votes = 272
Hon KT Hammond, Minister for Trade and Industry
Yes = 154 No = 116 Rejected = 1 Abstention = 1
Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture
Yes = 167 No = 98 Rejected = 1 Abstention = 3
Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
Yes = 147 No = 122 Abstention = 3
Mohammed Amin
Yes = 152 No = 117 Rejected = 1 Abstentions = 2
Osei Bonsu Amoah
Yes = 149 No = 120 Abesmtion = 2
Stephen Amoah, deputy minister of Trade and Industry
Yes = 146 No = 123 Abstentions = 3
There is currently a debate on whether or not to take a vote on the remaining two Supreme Court justice nominees appointed by Akufo-Addo. Out of the four appointed, two have been approved, leaving George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.
The National Democratic Congress‘ (NDC) decision to vote to approve all six of President Akufo- Addo’s for ministerial positions, according to North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has harmed the reputation of the NDC.
He said the damage may take decades to repair.
In a tweet, he said “The damage this judas and Essaus have done to our party’s brand and public interest in our caucus may take decades to repair.
“As we struggle to rebuild the NDC may the treacherous elements and may the good Lors forgive them their trespasses.”
The party has also condemned the decision by some of its MPs to throw principle to the wind and pursue their parochial interest by voting for the ministerial nominees.
The party said the action of these renegade MPs only betrays the express will of the NDC and “constitutes a massive stab in the back of the good people of Ghana”.
The party said members, particularly leadership of the Caucus, who stayed true to the principles of the party must be highly commended.
“We will stop at nothing to identify them and publicly laud them in due course,” said a statement issued by the General Secretary,Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
“Their loyalty and patriotism will not be forgotten.”
The party said irrespective of the “betrayal”, it continues to join forces with the millions of its supporters, and indeed Ghanaians, who are not happy with the bloated government of Akufo-Addo-Bawumia.
“Undoubtedly, our country currently faces the biggest economic meltdown in living memory,” it said.
“It is therefore unpardonable for any person, not to talk of a Member of Parliament who believes in the ideals of the NDC, to lend support to the ongoing recklessness by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government.”
Former General Secretary of the NDC, Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has hit back at leaders of the party who have accused some NDC MPs of treachery following the outcome of the secret ballot which led to the approval of six new ministerial appointees of President Akufo-Addo.
He contends that the MPs did no wrong but rather showed that they cannot be controlled by the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
In a series of tweets shared on Friday, Anyidoho added that the presence of Asiedu Nketiah was what annoyed the MPs the most and made them vote in favour of the government.
“How can the approval of Ministers be considered as treachery? Were we not excited when some NPP MPs helped us win the speakership? Was that also treachery from the NPP? Why do some people think they have more sense than others?
“So, is it Koku Anyidoho who influenced the voting pattern in Parliament today – such that the presence of Asiedu-Nketiah in the Chamber rather infuriated the MPs? Why do some people think that we are all stupid and will follow commands that don’t make sense?
“You Asiedu-Nketiah, you are still shamelessly serving on the Parliamentary Services Board and collecting ur fat allowances, and you think you can intimidate MPs who won Seats without ur input?” parts of his tweets read.
Parliament approves all six nominees, two Supreme Court Justices:
Parliament on Friday, March 24 approved all six ministerial nominees as well as the nominees of the supreme court of President Akufo-Addo after a heated debate, 24 hours prior, and a tense voting process.
Final results declared by Speaker Alban Bagbin showed that all nominees got more votes than the minimum of 138 votes required because out of the 275 eligible voters, there were three absent.
Some Members of Parliament (MPs) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) did not adhere to the decision of the party to vote against the approval of the nominees.
Kobina Tahiru Hammond (MP for Adansi Asokwa) was approved as the Minister of Trade and Industry and Bryan Acheampong (MP for Abetifi) as the Minister of Food and Agriculture.
Other nominees who were approved include Stephen Asamoah Boateng, as Ministry of Chieftaincy; Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State (Ministry of Finance), and Osei Bonsu Amoah, Ministry of Local Government.
Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, was also approved as the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.
The Supreme Court nominees who were approved include George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.
Ghana’s biggest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) appears to be bleeding over what it describes as “betrayal” of some NDC Members of Parliament.
The party was taken aback on Friday, March 24, 2023, after the six newly appointed Ministers and Deputy-Minister designates were approved by Parliament through a secret ballot.
Contrary to the NDCs expectations, all six garnered majority votes although the Minority Caucus had a full house and the Majority Caucus was short of two members who were not present to cast their votes.
What breaks the party’s heart is the fact that the NDC group in Parliament prior to the vote had announced a principled position not to approve any new ministers until President Akufo-Addo has taken steps to significantly reduce the size of his government.
However, it appears the announcement did not sink in with some members as they refused to toe the party line.
Reacting to the development, NDC General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey expressed his utmost disappointment.
“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken notice of the outcome of a vote on new Ministerial nominees on the floor of Parliament, yesterday, 24th March, 2023. Ghanaians would recall that the party issued a directive to the Minority Caucus in Parliament to reject the new Ministerial nominees a few weeks ago. This was in alignment with the pervasive view of Ghanaians that this moment of economic crisis and financial haircuts, calls for the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to show by example that it is willing to reduce its expenditure by downsizing its government among other things.
“We note however, that some Members of Parliament on the side of the NDC Minority for reasons known to themselves, elected to place their parochial interest ahead of the interest of Ghanaians,” the statement said.
Mr Kwetey further noted that: “The party, on behalf of all Ghanaians, condemns this conduct in no uncertain terms, as it not only betrays the expressed will of the party, but the desire of the Ghanaian people and constitutes a massive stab in the back of the good people of Ghana. The party wishes to reaffirm its principled position for President Akufo-Addo to downsize his bloated government and reset his priorities to reflect the difficult times Ghanaians find themselves in.”
Additionally, he commended the leadership of the Minority caucus in Parliament and Members of Parliament who stayed true to the expectations of the party and the Ghanaian people.
“We will stop at nothing to identify them and publicly laud them in due course. Their loyalty and patriotism will not be forgotten. It must be noted that, the National Democratic Congress as a body corporate, has multiple structures, represented by elected and appointed officers who are expected to act in the supreme interest of suffering Ghanaians, particularly the over six (6) million supporters of the party. The party as a corporate entity therefore bears no liability for the deviant action of the few self-seeking Members of Parliament who betrayed the collective cause of the party and the nation.
“Undoubtedly, our country currently faces the biggest economic meltdown in living memory. It is therefore unpardonable for any person, not to talk of a Member of Parliament who believes in the ideals of the NDC, to lend support to the ongoing recklessness by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government,” he said.
“The NDC shall continue to hold the government accountable for the socio-economic quandary that our country finds itself and present our superior alternatives to Ghanaians in our bid to rescue the soul of our nation. We are not oblivious of the fact that, the road to rescue will at a point become rough, howbeit such obstacles only strengthen our resolve to achieve the rescue mission. We shall leave no stone unturned in our quest to bring our dear nation out of our present economic doldrums,” he added.
The John Agyekum Kufour Foundation CEO has reacted to the approval of the six new ministerial appointees, following Friday’s secret ballot.
He said he is not surprised that some NDC MPs after declaring their intention not to approve the ministers ended up voting in favor of all the six.
Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah said he was optimistic that the Akufo-Addo-led government will come out victorious.
“Personally I wasn’t surprised at the outcome because normally in such circumstances, you’re going to find out that the wheeling and dealing on the floor of Parliament on both sides and across, eventually will determine the outcome.
“The outcome doesn’t surprise me. I knew that the government side will win,” he said when speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday.
Prof Agyeman–Duah partly attributes the NDC’s approval of the appointees to what he describes as excessive power vested in the executive arm of government.
According to him, this makes it easy for government to influence those who may oppose its initiatives.
Following the resignation of some ministers in pursuit of presidential ambitions, the President made new appointments even though there were criticisms of a bloated size of government.
After a prolonged vetting process on Friday, Parliament debated whether or not to give the said appointees the nod after vetting them.
The leadership of the NDC in a statement cautioned its MPs not to approve any of the appointees.
It requested that all who had travelled should make sure they are available for the voting process.
The Minority Caucus indicated a strong opposition to the approach, saying government ought to cut down on expenditures and not exacerbate the current trends of an economic downturn by introducing new Ministers.
However, on March 24, after hours of disagreements and a brief suspension, Parliament finally approved all ministerial nominees.
This does not surprise the co-founder of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana).
Prof Agyemang-Duah said the Majority Caucus was aware that should they delay the process, they could convince some of the opposition MPs to join their course.
He told host Samson Lardy Anyenini that it was to be expected that such a situation was going to happen.
“When the Majority side decided to suspend the voting, they knew what was happening, and they knew that if they delayed the process they were going to be able to get some other guys from the other side to join them. This is what you should expect,” he said.
Meanwhile, the public including some experts have expressed disappointment at the NDC MPs for failing to stay through to their course.
Member of Parliament for La Dadekotopon, Rita Odoley Sowah, reportedly missed her late father’s burial just to be in parliament to partake in the secret ballot on President Akufo-Addo’s six new ministerial appointments.
The House had an extended sitting as it considered the votes on the inconclusive report of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, on the nominations of some six persons as ministers and one deputy minister.
Although the Minority MPs from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had clearly stated that they would reject the nominations, the results, as announced by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, showed a different picture.
In the end, all the nominees got approved by parliament, with all of them receiving majority votes. It is worth noting that the House had 136 MPs on either side.
Reacting to this, NDC member, Dzifa Gunu, used the opportunity to celebrate the La Dadekotopon MP for sacrificing so much for the party, although their intentions were not met.
“On Thursday, whilst your late dad was laying in state to be buried on Friday, you were in Parliament because you were responding to a call to service.
“Friday, the final day of your late dad’s funeral, you spent less than 3 hours at the church service, you couldn’t stay to even watch his coffin being carried to the cemetery, you left for Parliament House.
“At a point, the Regional Chairman called me to enquire if you were in parliament, indeed you were in parliament for the rest of yesterday.
“Unfortunately, sadly, your sacrifice was in vain, the reason why you couldn’t fully be at your own dad’s funeral didn’t materialise,” he wrote.
Although the NDC MPs have stated on several occasions, including during debates ahead of the vote, that they would reject the nominees because the government needs to rather downsize, when the results were declared, it showed a sharp contrast.
All the six ministerial nominees were approved by majority votes, with many describing the move as a betrayal from the NDC MPs, especially when there were 136 of them on either sides of the House.
The MPs for Madina, Tamale North, and North Tongu, Francis-Xavier Sosu, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa respectively, have also since put out cryptic messages, registering their disappointments.
The House also approved the nominations of two Supreme Court justices.
The leadership of the NDC is yet to issue a statement on the outcome of this vote.
This is how the MPs also voted on the day for the ministers:
Total eligible 275
Absentees = 3
Total valid votes = 272
KT Hammond, Minister for Trade and Industry
Yes = 154 No = 116 Rejected = 1 Abstention = 1
Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture
Yes = 167 No = 98 Rejected = 1 Abstention = 3
Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
Yes = 147 No = 122 Abstention = 3
Mohammed Amin, Minister of State at the Presidency
Yes = 152 No = 117 Rejected = 1 Abstentions = 2
Osei Bonsu Amoah, Minister of Local Government and Decentralization
Yes = 149 No = 120 Abstentions = 2
Stephen Amoah, deputy minister of Trade and Industry
When the Members of Parliament from the Minority side (National Democratic Congress MPs) walked into the Chamber of Parliament on Friday, March 24, 2023, they went in with one profound message: we will reject the ministerial nominees of president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Their reasons were that the government of the day, led by Akufo-Addo, was already too crowded and there was the need for it to rather be cut down.
The leadership of the NDC party had also sent the same communication to the MPs not to approve the six ministerial appointees and the two remaining Supreme Court judges’ nominees.
As an affirmation of this direction, arguments ahead of the vote on Friday, from the NDC MPs, all clearly indicated their resolve to cause the change for which many voted for a hung parliament: to keep the government properly in check.
But then things went sideways very quickly after the Members of Parliament cast their secret votes later that evening.
Surprisingly, and in what many have described as a betrayal by the NDC MPs, all the nominees of the president were approved by the House by an outright majority.
The results were declared by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, after extended sitting on Friday, March 24.
Disappointed in the turn of events, some three MPs from the Minority side: Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, North Tongu; Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, Tamale North; and Francis-Xavier Sosu, Madina; put out some very cryptic messages.
Shared on their social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp), the MPs, through their messages, showed indications at their surprise and disappointment in the turnout of the votes.
Here are their messages below:
This is how the MPs also voted on the day for the ministers:
Total eligible 275
Absentees = 3
Total valid votes = 272
Hon KT Hammond, Minister for Trade and Industry
Yes = 154 No = 116 Rejected = 1 Abstention = 1
Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture
Yes = 167 No = 98 Rejected = 1 Abstention = 3
Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
Yes = 147 No = 122 Abstention = 3
Mohammed Amin, Minister of State at the Presidency
Yes = 152 No = 117 Rejected = 1 Abstentions = 2
Osei Bonsu Amoah, Minister of Local Government and Decentralization
Yes = 149 No = 120 Abesmtion = 2
Stephen Amoah, deputy minister of Trade and Industry
Former President John Dramani has expressed utmost disappointment over the outcome of the secret ballot which resulted in the approval of the six new ministerial appointees.
This comes after all six appointees were approved in Parliament on Friday, March 24, 2023, after a secret ballot was conducted.
Some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Parliament have been accused of woefully disappointing the party since they did not vote in accordance with the party’s “principled position not to approve any new ministers until the President has taken steps to significantly reduce the size of his government.”
Based on this, there were high expectations that the Ministers will not be approved. However, contrary to these expectations all six ministers were approved despite the Minority Caucus having a full house and the Majority side being short of two members.
Many members of the party including North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini, have all expressed their disappointment over the outcome of the secret ballot. Latest to join the protest is former President John Mahama.
Taking to Twitter he said: “A couple of weeks ago, our NDC group in Parliament announced a principled position not to approve any new ministers until the President has taken steps to significantly reduce the size of his government. This position was supported by a broad section of Ghanaians and public advocacy groups.
“Unfortunately, Ghanaians were sorely disappointed yesterday when several members of the Minority for some parochial and personal interest voted against the principled position adopted by the party. I am also disappointed,” he said.
He added that “those responsible for this betrayal must do some serious soul searching and learn to place national interest over personal interest.”
He further lamented President Akufo-Addo’s refusal to cut down on the size of his government, promising the next NDC government will not toe that line.
“Equally disappointing is the President’s refusal to seize the opportunity to realign and downsize his bloated government when the NPP flagbearer hopefuls and the Chieftaincy minister resigned. Clearly in this time of crisis and excruciating hardships, President Akufo-Addo, his NPP administration and some of our MPs are out of tune with the mood of the Ghanaian people.
“I still believe, as I said in Ho recently, that in this time of crisis, government can still run efficiently with not more than 60 ministers. For our grassroots members and all Ghanaians who are disappointed by this insensitivity, I urge you not to despair. 2024 offers us an opportunity to work hard to defeat this reckless government that seeks to destroy our democracy and the very livelihoods of Ghanaians- an opportunity for us to work and build the Ghana we all want from January 07, 2025,” he added.
Angry supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress have expressed dissatisfaction over the outcome of the secret ballot on the approval of six ministerial nominees by the House on Friday, March 24, 2023.
Despite the equal numbers on both the minority and majority sides (136 apiece) on the day, all six ministerial nominees got more than the minimum 137 votes when a secret balloting was conducted. It emerged that NDC MPs had actually voted for all the nominees.
Mortified and angered by the decision by some members of the caucus to break rank in voting against the directive of the party’s leadership, the NDC members are expressing their thoughts via social media.
Having been directed by their party to reject the nominees on the basis of the size of the government in the face of the country’s current economic crisis, the minority members remained clear about their objection against the approval of the nominees during the debate by the house on the matter.
However, the secret balloting proved otherwise.
For some members of the NDC, the result of the vote is a clear act of betrayal while others believe it is an embarrassing spectacle which casts a dent on the entire caucus.
Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Mustapha Gbande , says the Minority MPs who voted in favour of the ministerial nominees must be dealt with.
After hours of deliberation, Parliament approved the nominations of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-new Addo’s ministers.
After the exercise was suspended, the Minority caucus in Parliament insisted on voting on President Nana Akufo-Addo’s ministerial nominees that day
The NDC has asked all of its members not to vote in favour of the nominees.
But after a secret vote, all the nominees were approved despite the absence of three MPs from the majority side in Parliament.
The outcome of Thursday’s vote indicates several members of the Minority voted for the approval of the ministerial nominees.
In a Facebook post, the Deputy General Secretary of the NDC Mustapha Gbande said “there is a need to launch an intense investigation to get names of those who voted against the minority decision. Such MPs must be taken out of Parliament.”
The approval implies that Adansi Asokwa MP, K.T Hammond is now theMinister of Trade and Industry with the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Stephen Amoah serving as his deputy.
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong is also the substantive Minister for Food and Agriculture while Stephen Asamoah Boateng is the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, MP for Akuapem South, who was a Deputy Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, is now a Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development.
Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, the MP for Karaga, and the immediate-past Deputy Minister of Energy is now a Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.
Founder and leader of Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Akua Donkor has disclosed why she believes she is the best person to redeem Ghana from the current economic situation.
She says she is the richest politician in the country, and can manage the economy given the wealth she has acquired. In an interview on Happy 98.9 FM’s “Epa Hoa Daben” socio-political talk show, Akua Donkor said she has the required qualities to adequately manage Ghana’s economy and improve the current state of the country.
“I’m richer than Mahama and Akufo-Addo,” she boasted. “And I can manage the economy better than they have.”
Akua Donkor criticized other Ghanaian politicians, accusing them of being torn between the two major political parties in Ghana – the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). She claimed that all other parties in Ghana are not legitimate and are affiliated with either the NDC or NPP.
“They’re all in it for the money and share it among themselves,” She alleged. “But I’m the only genuine independent politician in Ghana. I’ve done everything solely with my hard-earned money. I’ve filled out and signed documents and paid my dues. I fend for my people and take good care of myself as well.”
Akua Donkor further claimed that she has built houses and hired hotels for some of her supporters, using her own money.
“So if I’m able to do all these things, who among the Ghanaian politicians have more money than I do? They all squander state money, but I spend my own money, and they also spend my money through the taxes I pay.”
Akua Donkor expressed confidence that she could become Ghana’s next president and manage the economy more effectively than Mahama or Akufo-Addo.
The Minority caucus in Parliament is demanding that the voting onPresident Akufo-Addo‘s candidates be completed today.
After Speaker Alban Bagbin suspended the session because neither side could agree on how to vote for the confirmation of four Supreme Court Justices, as well as Ministers and Deputy Ministers nominated by President Akufo-Addo, there was an uproar in Parliament.
The Majority demanded that voting for the Supreme Court Justicesand the Ministers be done concurrently, but the Minority insisted that voting and counting be done separately.
The Majority also demanded that MPs from their side openly display their vote, but that was immediately shot down by the Minority who demanded that voting be done in secret.
The Minority led by Cassiel Ato Forson vehemently rejected the proposal of the Majority and urged the Speaker to allow MPs to vote in secret.
Speaking after the sitting was suspended, the Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson insisted that they will not have the voting any other day than today.
“We want the voting today, Friday, March 24, 2023, and not any other day. We urge those on the Majority side to return to Parliament immediately, so we vote.”
“We are ready with all our MPs and want the voting right away.”
Prior to the vetting of the newly nominated ministers on Monday, February 20, 2023, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) directed the Minority group not to approve them, describing their appointments as an insensitive move that would increase the government’s expenditure in the midst of an economic mess.
The nominated ministers include the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T Hammond as the Minister for Trade and Industry with the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Stephen Amoah serving as his deputy.
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong, was also appointed as the Minister for Food and Agriculture.
Stephen Asamoah Boateng was appointed as the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs among others.
The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Eastern Region has refuted claims that it prevented one of its members from submitting his nomination forms.
According to Jeff Tetteh Kavianu he has been unable to submit his documentation because the leadership has purposefully shut its office, and refused to return his calls.
However, the NDC’s Regional Secretary, Baba Jamal Konneh, tells Citi News that the party has no intention of barring any aspirant from running.
“The NDC needs power, and so we don’t want a situation where someone will feel that we treated him unfairly. We want that kind of unity and cohesion to wrestle power from the NPP so we are actually trying our best. We have entreated everyconstituency election committee to treat every aspirant fairly without trying to be biased.”
He also stated that if the former lawmaker so desires, he may seek intervention at the national level.
“The party has a hierarchy, so he can go to national executives and talk to them. We work on the instructions of national so if they ask us to take his forms we will because we have no option. We are here to serve everybody”, he added.
Ahead of Friday March 23, 2023’s parliamentary sitting, Leadership of the New Patriotic Party, is urging all its members in the House not to miss the day’s sitting.
A statement signed by the General Secretary, Justin Kodua, said: “following the outcome of the proceedings of Parliament on Thursday, March 23, 2023, [leadership] hereby urges all members of the Majority Caucus to be present at the House to fully participate in all parliamentary proceedings and voting scheduled for the day.”
On Thursday, leadership of the House failed to reach a consensus on the approval of six persons nominated by President Akufo-Addo for appointment as Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Minister.
During this sitting, the First Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Appointment Commitment, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, moved a Motion on the floor of the House, for the nominees to be approved.
Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, advocated for the nominees to be approved despite
He acknowledged hearing his colleagues on the Minority side complain about the ‘bloated’ number of Ministers, however, he contended that the high numbers were as a result of the new regions which were not present during previous tenures.
He, therefore, urged Members of the House to approve the Ministerial Nominees to enable them to help the President to prosecute his agenda for the nation.
Mr Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader, who seconded the Motion, noted that all the Nominees except Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng were sitting Members of Parliament (MPs).
The Deputy Majority Leader said he believed the Nominees had the qualities to make in roads in their respective sectors.
Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader and Ranking Member on the Appointment Committee in Parliament, said the position taken by his side of the House to reject the six Ministerial Nominees were based on principles and that in the midst of the current economic challenges facing the country, there was the need for the President to cut down the size of the Government.
Thus, entreated the House to disapprove the appointment. Following the back and forth, the Speaker adjourned the day’s sitting and said the House will vote on the matter today, Friday, March 24, 2023.
It is against this background that leadership of the NPP is entreating its members not to miss the day’s sitting.
“The Party continues to appreciate the efforts of the Majority Caucus in getting the business of the House done despite its latent challenges.
“The leadership of the Party entreats the Majority Caucus especially, the Whips to ensure that no member of the Caucus absent himself or herself from the House on Friday, March 24, 2023, to get Government Business accomplished in the supreme interest of the country,” the statement said.
“The Party is committed to supporting and rallying behind the government in achieving the desired economic transformation for the good people of Ghanam,” the statement added.
Today, Friday March 24,John Dramani Mahama, an aspirant for the NDC presidential nomination, begins a three-day campaign tour in the Western Region.
He will be interacting with branch and constituency executives from all seventeen (17) constituencies of the region to sell his message of growing the party and its structures beyond its present state, mobilising resources to help canvass aggressively for votes to win the 2024 elections and about his agenda to build the Ghana we want together.
Mr. Mahama is entering the Western Region from Ashanti where he visited and interacted with executives from twenty (20) out of the forty-seven (47) constituencies in the region.
The John Mahama Campaign was launched at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) near Ho, after which the aspiring presidential candidate proceeded to tour the Volta, Bono East, Ahafo and Bono Regions.
Friday’s tour, according to Spokesperson Joyce Bawah Mogtari, will start from Daboase in the Wassa East Constituency through Shama and Mpohor, ending the day in Kwesimintsim.
The fate of President Akufo-Addo‘s new appointments will be discussed in Parliament today, Friday, March 24.
This occurs after the house delayed a discussion on the report for more than five hours so that members might convene a joint caucus meeting.
Although members on both sides of the house were not in support of the directive, the Speaker stood by his position.
“We agree to disagree, at the end of the day, my decision is that we will debate [the report on Thursday] and take the decision on Friday. I have listened to your submissions, I will permit three from each side of the caucus, ten minutes per person and we will take the next step. My proposal is that we take the decision on Friday, but we will do the debate on Thursday,” the Speaker stated.
Prior to the vetting of the newly nominated ministers on Monday, February 20, 2023, theNational Democratic Congress (NDC) directed the Minority group not to approve them, describing their appointments as an insensitive move that would increase government’s expenditure in the midst of an economic mess.
The nominated ministers include the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T Hammond as the Minister for Trade and Industry with the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Stephen Amoah serving as his deputy.
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong was also appointed as the Minister for Food and Agriculture.
Stephen Asamoah Boateng was appointed as the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs among others.
Meanwhile, the Minority has threatened to vote against the newly appointed ministers and deputy ministers.
Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson outlined some basis for the group’s position.
“We stand with the people of Ghana, and we are urging our colleagues from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to stand for Ghana and not to stand for their colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the nominees are our colleagues, but the principle is that it’s not about them, it’s about the republic of Ghana. They may be our colleagues and friends and relatives, but it’s not about them. I call on you to look them in their faces and vote against them for the republic of Ghana. For the future of our country,” he said.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu however appealed to the house to consider the approval of the nominees.
“I will just plead that we approve the ministers,” he appealed.
A total of 75 aspirants have successfully filed nominations to contest the upcoming NDC parliamentary primaries across the 18 constituencies in the Volta Region, the party said in a statement on Thursday.
“Submission of nomination forms ended peacefully at all the Constituency offices on Wednesday, March 22,” the statement signed by Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Secretary of the NDC, said.
Out of the number, 15 are females.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu and Mr Charles Agbeve, MP for Agotime Ziope are going unopposed.
The statement said two sitting MPs, Dr James Klutse Avedzi, MP for Ketu North, and Mr Benjamin Kpodo, the Ho Central MP, have declared not to seek re-election.
Meanwhile, the Ketu North Constituency has the highest number of eight aspirants, who have successfully filed their nominations to contest the parliamentary primaries.
Ho Central has seven candidates, Anlo and Hohoe with six aspirants each and South Dayi with two candidates, Mr Rockson Dafeamekpor, the incumbent and Mr Kwame Prosper Ofosu.
The Regional Secretariat of the party has since set April 3 to 5 to vet all the 75 Parliamentary Aspirants ahead of the main contest.
The NDC has set May 13 for the Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries across the various constituencies in the country.
Dr. Kwabena Duffour, a former finance minister, has submitted his nomination papers required to run as the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) flag bearer.
Dr. Duffour was surrounded by supporters when he delivered the documents to the party’s Accra headquarters.
“The grassroot, the foundation of our party should be resourced, should be made stronger than it is now so that they can fight the elephant to go into the bush,” he said.
The forms were received by NDC General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey in the company of some party executives.
The NDC officially will close nominations for both Presidential and parliamentary contests today.
According to the party, the exercise has been peaceful so far without any incidence.
Chairman of the NDC’s Elections Committee, Kakra Essamuah said the vetting for the flagbearer aspirants will take place from March 28 to 29.
Subsequently, the elections to find a flagbearer will come off on May 13, 2023.
An astute member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who is also eyeing the enviable slot of the party’s flagbearer, Kojo Bonsu, has decried the amount as presidential filing fees for the party.
The NDC recently announced a GH¢500,000 filing fee for all persons hoping to contest the party’s impending primaries to elect a new flagbearer.
So far, four names: John Dramani Mahama, Kojo Bonsu, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, and Ernest Kobeah, have picked up nomination forms, with a number of them accordingly going through their filing processes.
However, the former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, believes that the charge is just too much.
“It is a lot of money. I do not support it. Does it mean that if I do not have that amount of money, but I have the capacity and I’m competent enough to run for the leadership of the party, I can’t contest? And this is a social democratic party?” he said to journalists when he filed his nomination forms on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, a report from citinewsroom.com said.
He, however, told his supporters that they should be rest assured of his intentions to go through with this, knowing that he is not backing down.
He also said that, unlike the last time he made an attempt to be the NDC’s flagbearer in 2018, this time, he would not disappoint his constituents.
“You got it all wrong. The last time (2018), I did not go further to pick and file a nomination, but today, I have paid GHC 500,000. Do you think I will drop and let it go? I am not that rich. So, I will contest, and my chances are very bright”, he said.
In 2018, Kojo Bonsu backed down on his decision to run for the NDC slot, announcing that he would rather support whoever emerged victorious at the end of the primaries.
Ghanaian musician, Denning Edem Hotor, popularly known as Edem, has stated that he was only conducting a social experiment when he shared flyers indicating that he was venturing into politics.
According to the VRMG boss, he sought to admonish partisanship and fan apathy with such posts.
Earlier on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Edem shared a flyer with the official colours and logo of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), hinting at offering details at 4 PM on Wednesday.
Wednesday morning, he shared another flyer with the official colours and logo of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and his image again, prompting bemusement.
At 4:38 PM Wednesday afternoon on Twitter, the ‘Nyedzilo’ hitmaker explained the flyers.
“Social experiment!!!” he captioned a picture of him laughing, head thrown backwards, the official colours and logos of the NDC and NPP behind him.
On his image was the inscription: “Edem Goget’em. I love you Ghana.#NoVex.”
He proceeded to ask four questions: “1. Are Ghanaians tolerant of divergent views in politics, and do media houses verify facts on information gotten before making it news?
“2. Are people excited to see more young people take up political positions?
“3. How do individuals of diff[erent] political parties react towards each other? Do people’s political views influence their attitudes, behaviours, & decision-making?
“4. Does intolerance, bias, & prejudice affect individuals and their interactions with others who have different political views?”
In the three-part tweet, he concluded with a “Fun opinion!!
“Followers of both parties [NDC & NPP] should use the same energy to support creatives on social media and both parties are invited to #Edemfest23 [dancing emoji].
“I need same energy for my upcoming songs [smile emoji],” he said. “Those [who] unfollow[ed] me on party line, abeg follow [me] back [laughing emoji].”
“I love you all [Ghana flag emojis],” he concluded.
He, however, seized the moment to announce his impending annual event ‘Edemfest’ which has been scheduled for November 2023.
According to former president John Mahama, 60 ministries and deputies are sufficient to manage the country.
He asserted that this will guarantee the effective use of Ghana’s limited resources for the benefit of all citizens.
According to him, this will also curb the disparities in privileges enjoyed by political officeholders and citizens.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s 2024 Presidential Candidate hopeful said this is part of amendments that he will make to the 1992 constitution.
“We plan to take up and conclude the constitution review process that started underPresident John Evans Atta Mills. The reforms will include a review of the controversial Article 71,” he said.
“I still believe that in this crisis period, Ghana can be managed with not more than 60 ministers. And to cut down on the number of officeholders and remove the disparities in privileges and emoluments.”
Mr Mahama said this at a programme organised on Wednesday, March 22, on the theme “Financing political campaigns in Ghana we want: A case for more transparent and broad-based citizen participation.”
He had earlier announced that if elected President in the 2024 general elections, he will assemble a government made up of only 60 ministers and deputy ministers.
“I shall assemble and operate the leanest but most efficient government under our fourth republic. We will reduce, significantly, the size of the government,” he explained.
“As I announced in my Ghana We Want address at UPSA late last year, I will form a government of less than sixty (60) ministers and deputy ministers of state.”
A former mayor of Kumasi and a candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer position, Kojo Bonsu, claims that despite the fierce competition, he will continue to run for the NDC presidency.
In the race set for May 13, the flagbearer aspirant will face strong competition from former President John Mahama and former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor.
Mr. Bonsu declared his intention to run in the party’s Presidential primaries in 2018, ahead of the 2020 general election, but then dropped out and threw his support to the winner of the primaries.
However, the aspirant running for the second time says he is ready to lead the NDC in the upcoming general polls.
“The last time, I didn’t go further like this coming all the way to pick up nomination forms and filing. I have paid GH¢500,000, do I have to drop for this money to go? No way, I am not that rich, but my chances are very bright. I know what I am doing. It’s all about how you are able to do your things and how you are organized.”
He did, also, criticize the party for the approved nomination fee of GH¢500,000.
“I don’t support the nomination fees because it’s a lot of money. So, if I didn’t have that money and I had the acumen and competence to run the leadership of the party, does it mean that I can’t do it? And we are a social democratic party. I am a branding expert, and everybody knows that, so I am going to rebuild and rebrand the party.”
Addressing journalists after the submission of his nomination form, Mr. Bonsu said, “I want to thank my team for having time to come and receive me today. I appreciate all that you have done. It’s one party in the NDC, we have to do things together, the common enemy we are all looking for is not any individual in the party.”
National Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC),Sammy Gyamfi, maintains that Ghana’s economy was in ruins long before COVID-19 appeared.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Russia and Ukraine are to blame for Ghana’s economic crisis, according to the Akufo-Addo administration.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva earlier confirmed that COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war had a negative impact on the nation’s economy.
Sammy Gyamfi, however, claimed that the IMF chief was being diplomatic with the truth about the true state of the Ghanaian economy when he appeared on Citi TV’s Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu.
He claimed that the IMF managing director massaged the numbers because he didn’t want to endanger the government’s efforts to restructure its debt as part of the bailout, hence the massaged facts regarding the economic crisis.
The NDC’s National Communications Officer reiterated that the economy was broken before the outbreak of COVID-19.
“The economy was worse before COVID-19 came in, even before COVID-19 our economy was broken. It’s not what the IMF or World Bank says, it’s about what the facts say. The IMF is like a doctor, doctors have a certain duty of care to their clients. They will tell you reasons for your sickness but in a diplomatic way and well-dressed manner”.
He maintained, “right now that we have gone to IMF for a bailout, they are our doctor, and we are the patient. They will definitely not say something that actually reflects the reality, knowing that it can hamper the bailout and economic recovery programme we are seeking from them. They were being diplomatic. In diplomatic settings, it’s very normal. If you listen to what these external players are saying, you will be deceived. You need to examine things for yourself, before COVID-19 what was the state of the economy?”.
Mr. Gyamfi asserted that the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be used as a justification by the government for the woes of the country slamming the government for spending money on wasteful ventures.
“They [NPP government] had more resources to transform this country than any government sinceDr. Kwame Nkrumah’s tenure. Yet have wasted these funds on needless and useless ventures such that today they have very little to show for the unprecedented resources they had. These and many falsehoods were presented by President Akufo-Addo in his state of the nation address,” the National Communications Officer of NDC pointed out.
According to him, the local currency had depreciated by close to 13% against the dollar before COVID-19 describing as false claims that the economy was on a good trajectory before the pandemic.
“Before COVID-19, our cedi had depreciated against the dollar by close to 13%. That claim that we were on a good trajectory before COVID-19 is false,” he stated.
National Democratic Congress’ (NDC’s) national communications officer, Sammy Gyamfi, said it is a false claim that Ghana’s economy was thriving prior to theCovid-19 pandemic.
He indicated that the economy was beginning to show signs of weakness before the pandemic.
His remarks follow those of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who noted in his state of the nation address (SONA) on March 8 that Ghana’s economy was doing well before the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war broke out.
The managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to the president, even acknowledged that Ghana’s economy was doing well before the pandemic.
He said, “I have said, and the Managing Director of the IMF has also said, our economy was doing well until covid 19, and Russia Ukraine war.”
But speaking on the Big Issue on TV3 Wednesday, March 22, Sammy Gyamfi said “These are people who are allergic to the truth. Before Covid, the government was already spending recklessly.
“Before Covid what did the government have to show for the borrowing? Before covid, the economy was nothing to wrote home about.”
He further attributed Ghana’s problems to wastage and corruption by the government.
National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has reiterated calls on the government to cut down on its expenditure in the wake of the current economic crisis.
“Mr. President cut down on the waste, the waste in your government is too much. They told us two years ago that they were going to cut expenditures yet we see an increase in waste” he said.
Speaking to TV3 on Wednesday morning (March 22, 2023), Mr. Gyamfi cited the National Cathedral project as one of the “wasteful expenditures” of the government that needs to stop.
“The government is wasting the public purse on a needless National Cathedral. Do we need a national cathedral in the midst of this economic crisis?”
“Cut down on the bloated size of the government and we can make huge savings,” he added.
He also called on government to eschew corruption and punish persons involved in corrupt practices.
