Salaries of soldiers and police officers have been tripled to raise their standard of living, according to the Ministry of Defence.
As part of the discussion on the president’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Minister of Defense,Dominic Nitiwul, stated that the government had throughout the years made sufficient investments in the nation’s security system.
“Mr Speaker, for the Armed Forces in particular, the salaries of the armed forces have been more than tripled. It is the same thing with the police service and the same thing with the other security services because a hungry soldier is an angry soldier. That is why it is important that our security services are well taken care of.”
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joseph Osei-Owusu has meantime encouraged Ghanaians to abstain from voting in any future hung parliaments.
The Bekwai MP believes the situation has made the current legislature less efficient as compared to the seventh Parliament.
He wants Ghanaians to vote massively for either the NPP or NDC in the 2024 general elections to give one political party an overwhelming majority in the House.
“It is affecting governance generally. I am saying that next time Ghanaians should vote more. If they want the NPP to be the Majority, they should give them more votes. If you want NDC to be the majority give them more votes. This one is affecting governance very badly.
“The seventh Parliament, probably because of the numbers, passed the highest number of laws since 1993, we passed over 100 laws. This Parliament is our third year, but I doubt we have passed even 10 laws. The level of cooperation that I saw is no longer there.”
Former member of parliament for Akwatia in the Eastern Region, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, has changed his district to Nima in the Greater Accra Region.
He has started making plans to run in the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) parliamentary primary for the Ayawaso East constituency.
Naser Toure Mahama, a sitting NDC member, is the target of his efforts.
According to Baba Jamal, he has resided in Nima for many years and purchased his first home there, despite the fact that he comes from Akwatia, where he was initially elected as a representative to Parliament on the NDC ticket.
Sounding ironic and deciding not to talk about the sitting MP, even though he has sent out signals that Naser Toure Mahama is “unknown” by the media, not vocal in Parliament and not known by his constituents, Baba Jamal said it was his intention to fight for what is due Nima and the entire Ayawaso East constituency if given the opportunity by NDC delegates and he goes ahead to win in 2024.
His plan is to root for development projects in Nima located in the heart of Accra.
”I don’t think Nima is receiving what it deserves as a constituency,” he said in a radio interview on Accra based Okay FM, monitored by Graphic Online on Friday morning (Mar 19, 2023).
Baba Jamal, who is a legal practitioner is currently a Deputy Director in charge of Legal Affairs for the NDC.
He served as MP for Akwatia from Jan 2013 to Jan 2017 and also served as a deputy minister.
John Dramani Mahama is set to commence a tour of the Bono East Region today, Friday, March 10, 2023.
To directly campaign and engage with National Democratic Congress branch and constituency executives, the former president Mahama would visit all eleven of the area’s electoral districts within two days (NDC).
Confirming his decision to contest the NDC presidential primaries at the University of Health and Allied Sciences(UHAS), Ho, Mr. Mahama noted among others that he is coming before the party’s delegates “in all humility, and in response to calls from my party and the generality of the people of Ghana, to offer myself, to serve this country and its people that I love so dearly.”
According to Mahama, in the quest to lead the NDC to the 2024 polls, he is in no doubt about the enormity of the task ahead, “owing to the level of damage done to our country by this government.”
From the Bono East Region, the John Mahama Campaign will continue to the Bono and Ahafo’s regions.
Mr. Mahama is being accompanied on the tour by the Convener of the John Mahama Campaign, Professor Joshua Alabi, former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, Campaign Spokesperson, Joyce Mogtari, former NDC appointees, former MPs, former Ambassadors, Regional, Constituency and Branch Executives of the party.
Actor Fred Nuamah has disclosed that his colleague actor turned politician, John Dumelo, once disclosed to him that he would not contest the Ayawaso West Wuoguon NDC parliamentary seat.
With many puzzled over why two best friends, Fred Nuamah and John Dumelo would contest in the Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the former has said he is surprised the latter backtracked on a decision to not contest.
According to Fred who was Dumelo’s best man when the actor married in 2019, he will not step down because Dumelo initially had no intention to join the Ayawaso West Wuogon contest; rather, he eyed another constituency.
“Frankly, it’s late to step down. My brother informed me and a lot of people that he was not going to contest the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency again. He gave me his blessings when I made up my mind to contest.
“Truthfully, I am surprised about his u-turn because it was evident and crystal clear that he was not going for the Ayawaso seat anymore and rather invested in Guan/SALL,” Graphic Showbiz quotes Fred Nuamah to have said in an interview with the newspaper.
In early February, Fred Nuamah made his intention public by announcing his bid with posters on his social media pages. This made some wonder if that was an indication that Dumelo would focus elsewhere considering that they are friends, GhanaWeb observed.
Dumelo, however, tweeted on Sunday, February 26, 2023, that “After extensive consultation with my God, my family and our party faithful in Ayawaso West Wuogon. This is the second coming.”
The actor who is also a farmer contested for the Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary seat and won on August 24, 2020, but lost to NPP’s Lydia Alhassan during the December 7, 2020 polls. His decision to contest again after Nuamah announced his ambition has put a spotlight on the constituency again ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Some have urged the two to find a way to resolve the matter. They have argued that it would be better for one of them to step down and support the other. Others, on the other hand, have posited that once it would be a healthy competition, there is no need for one to step down.
Nuamah maintained in his interview that Dumelo should rather “honour his word when he said he won’t contest the seat and, therefore, throw his support behind me. Besides, the argument that my brother made history for the NDC doesn’t hold for me. Our party has been performing quite well in that constituency in previous elections before he contested the last elections.”
He continued: “We have even won the presidential votes in Ayawaso before. We always come close to winning the parliamentary; we only lose it by some small margins. So, all the previous candidates, including John Dumelo, did well, but the ultimate is to win and not close a gap or place second.”
The NDC has set May 13, 2023, as the date for both its presidential and parliamentary primaries. According to the party, parliamentary candidates will be required to purchase a form for GH¢5,000 and pay a non-refundable filing fee of GH¢40,000.
Presidential candidates will be required to purchase a form for GH¢30,000 and pay a non-refundable filing fee of GH¢500,000.
Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has alleged that the Akufo-Addo-led government printed about GHC 54 billion to fund its activities between the period 2022 and the first quarter of 2023
He said this is one of the factors that have largely contributed to the economic crisis currently being experienced.
“Ghana is witnessing hyper inflation largely because Mr President your government allowed the Bank of Ghana to print GHC50 billion for the year 2022 and another GHC 4 billion in the year 2023 first quarter.
“Mr President let it be noted that this expenditure financed public expenditure on your over bloated government expenditure,” he stated.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament after President Akufo-Addo delivered the 2023 State of the Nation’s, the Minority Leader dismissed the government’s claim that the current economic crisis is not its doing.
During his address, President Akufo-Addo had alluded that COVID-19 and the Russian-Ukraine war were the leading factors hampering economic development in the country.
Baffled by this claim, Cassiel Ato Forson , accused the government of plunging the country into an economic crisis.
“Our position is that Inflation is currently rising, monetary policy rate is at 280%. Ghana cedis has depreciated by 20% in January alone, Mr President unemployment is exceedingly high and as we speak, lending rate is at 40%.
“Our economy is in falters largely because it is self- Inflicted and your and government have failed to act and this is the true State of our nation,” he added.
All parliamentary members’ campaigning has been put on hold by theNational Democratic Congress (NDC) until March 31, 2023.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) on March 7, 2023,according to a statement issued by the party and signed by its National Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
It further noted that the decision is in solidarity with the Minority Caucus in Parliament and is dubbed “Operation Save Our Democracy”.
Per the directive
All campaign activities in all constituencies with sitting NDC MPs are hereby suspended.
2) All sitting NDC MPs, shall be required to attend all Parliamentary sittings. 3) No NDC MP shall undertake any travel that will affect his or her attendance in Parliament.
4) Any MP who has travelled is hereby recalled immediately.
5) All regional and constituency executives and aspirants are directed to ensure strict compliance with the directives herein.
6) All parliamentary aspirants, are hereby directed in their own interest, to strictly adhere to these directives as a breach of same shall attract severe sanctions.
The statement further noted that the dates for the filing of the nominations, vetting of parliamentary aspirants, and parliamentary primaries shall remain unchanged.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Minority Caucus has urged the Government to treat the shortage of childhood vaccines in the country as a national emergency.
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ranking Member, Parliament Health Committee and NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Juaboso, addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps on Tuesday in Accra said the shortage of vaccines for the six childhood killer diseases could best be described as a disaster, which was highly unacceptable.
“Let me state that every child in this country per the 1992 Constitution has the right to good Heathcare,” he stated
He said in some areas, it was even a crime for Government Officials in-charge of health to sit aloof to allow the shortage of vaccines in the country.
He said it was unacceptable for Government Officials in-charge of health to look on while vulnerable children were getting infected with diseases that could easily be prevented or avoided.
Mr Akandoh said there were two main ways of financing vaccines for children in Ghana, adding that of the 13 vaccines, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) was co-financing about 10 of them while the Government of Ghana was to finance the other three.
He said even with that, the Government of Ghana was still defaulting.
He said GAVI believed that the children could not be punished because of the mistakes of politicians and even though Ghana was owing, GAVI was still supplying those 10 vaccines.
“Now we as a country, we are supposed to 100 per cent procure about three of them (the vaccines), which include the vaccines against tetanus, poliomyelitis and measles and with these three we are defaulting.
“One very important thing we must all take note of is that GAVI, which is co-financing about 10 of these vaccines is considering withdrawing completely.
“So, if we cannot finance only three, can we finance 13 of them? GAVI is considering withdrawing from co-financing because we claim we are at a middle-income status. So, if we cannot finance only three, and it gets to a point where GAVI withdraws, we will be in deep troubles.”
He said Parliament passed the National Health Insurance allocation formula every year, and that there was an allocation in the National Health Insurance formula for the purchase of vaccines.
Mr Akandoh said when the formula was submitted to this House for 2022, an allocation of about GHS72 million was made to procure vaccines.
He said the Health Committee of Parliament invited the Minister responsible for Health and some other agencies, including the National Health Insurance Authority, and that at the said meeting, the Authority made it categorically clear that GHS72 million had been released.
“It beats my imagination that after the release of the GHS72 million, there are shortage of vaccines in this country,” he said.
“We started recording measles in this country around October, 2022, for about four clear months ago. This is an emergency situation, this is a clear failure of Government.”
He blamed the Health Minister and the Government for looking on over the past four months while the country still did not have vaccines in its system.
Adding that this was unpardonable, because in the planning for vaccines procurements and its deployment, and that they were supposed to plan.
Mr Akandoh mentioned that the House looked at the allocation for vaccines for 2024 in 2023, and that they looked at the vaccine’s allocations for 2023 in 2022, saying “so why have we run short of these vaccines”.
He said the shortage of vaccines in the country was highly unacceptable, especially so when these vaccines were not over-the-counter medications, where people could walk in and buy these vaccines.
He said the vaccines were sensitive and highly protected by organisations and states; “So, if you don’t have the vaccines, all the children in this country are at a very high risk”.
He noted that due to the instability in Ghana’s northern neighbor, Burkina Faso, there had been influx of refugees from that country into northern Ghana, and that children such as refugees who were not fully vaccinated against the six childhood killer diseases were likely to carry such diseases into Ghana
He said the issue of vaccines for the six childhood killer diseases was a sensitive matter and therefore a national emergency.
“What we are expecting at the end of the day is that the Minister announces that they have taken deliveries of the vaccines and for that matter tomorrow they are starting the distributions of these vaccines,” Mr Akandoh stated.
The opposition National Democratic Party (NDC) has reacted to President Akufo-Addo’s assertion that he inherited a catastrophic economy from the previous NDC government led by John Dramani Mahama.
At the just-ended 66th anniversary commemoration of Ghana’s independence held at Adaklu in the Volta Region on Monday, March 6, 2023, the president said he inherited a severely-challenged economy, whose rate of growth, at the time, was the lowest in over two decades.
In response, the Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC, Godwin Ako Gunn, stated that the president does not comprehend economics if, after seven years in office, he continues to place the responsibility on his predecessor.
If the president cares to know, the NDC lost power in 2016 and he assumed office in 2017.
“So what is the rationale in still blaming your predecessor for the mess you have created because of your mismanagement?”
The president must have some sort of myopia, according to the NDC’s deputy national communications officer, for him to have said that.
He asserts that the president is contrasting apples with oranges.
He emphasized that what had happened during the president’s reign was clearly black and white.
According to Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, Senior Professor in Political Science at theUniversity of Ghana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) must invest in creating a perfect manifesto if it wants to gain political power.
This, he says, will help the party address its past failures whilst meeting the present needs of the ordinary Ghanaian.
“They need a strategy, workable strategy that will help them deal with the lingering challenges that confronted the party in the last elections.
“They need a manifesto and by manifesto; I am talking about a manifesto which will resonate with the people. That is, it syncs with the interest of the ordinary on the street, everybody and the other end is your message,” he said.
His comments were in response to a question posed by host of JoyNews Today, Aisha Ibrahim, on strategies former president
must use to help realise his ambition of winning the 2024 elections.
The political scientist explained that the strategies must include resources to mobilise people to galvanise support and sell their messages.
He stressed that the times the country is confronted with require messages which would give hope to the people.
Dr Asah-Asante added that “these are some of the basic things they need to do but to do that they need to hit the ground, take data and begin to analyse the data and put them along the lines. I am talking about what you want to begin to use them for your manifesto and tease them out for messaging.”
He said the circumstances surrounding the last elections and present conditions in Ghana are different and it is therefore, important the party reviewed its policies.
“If you look at the economy, I am not sure at that time, that was the nature of the economy, for which reason they do a manifesto that will suit the present circumstance. Today things have changed so they need to do a tweak on the manifesto to be able to bring it alive with the current realities on the ground.
“You are also looking at unemployment figures. I am not sure they stand the same. You need to work on that issue of infrastructure, are we seeing more for which reason you need a certain number to augment what already exists in the system,” he said
He reiterated that “they need to look at their manifesto one more time and make the necessary changes to suit the changing circumstances at the time, they can’t say that they would use the same thing and then use it for their campaign. That would be obsolete at birth when they go to the elections.”
The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, according to certified economist Bernard Oduro Takyi, is the only one who can assist Ghana in overcoming the current obstacle preventing it from receiving the $3 billion bailout from theInternational Monetary Fund (IMF).
According to him, the only obstacle remaining before the government can convince the IMF board that Ghana’s debt is manageable and the $3 billion bailout should be approved is the Chinese government, which is now the only obstacle.
“The Chinese government is going to drag its feet and will not meet Ghana over the money we owe them. What they are likely to do is demand control of key assets of Ghana because we have failed to honour the agreement, we had with them.
“The only way out is for the government to fall on the Otumfuo. It took Otumfuo for Kufuor to get debt cancellation. The only way out is for the Otumfuo to lead the delegation anybody else forget it, it won’t wash.
“The Otumfuo’s seat goes beyond the country… in Africa, he is one of the most respected monarchs. He can speak to Buckingham Palace for the King of England to intervene for Ghana. If any other person leads Ghana’s delegation will not wash,” he said in Twi in an Onua TV interview, on Thursday.
Oduro Takyi, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who has defected to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), added that the last person to be leading the country to seek reprieve for its international debt is the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.
He explained that international lenders to Ghana including China see Ofori-Atta as the cause of the problems in Ghana and they will not be willing to sit with him to discuss the country’s debt.
The government of Ghana started engaging external debtors with the view to getting debt cancellation, especially from the Paris club of creditors.
China holds a third of Ghana’s external debts amounting to $1.7 billion out of a total of $5.7 billion.
Ken Ofori-Atta, according to a Joy News report, told Svenja Schulze, the German Development Minister that China has committed to a bilateral negotiation.
“The big elephant in the room is China as in how they will comport themselves in the comparability of treatment because China wants to do bilateral. We would be visiting China by the end of the week to really discuss how they can envelop as quickly as possible,” he said.
Svenja Schulze on her part assured of German support in helping Ghana to get fair treatment at the Paris club.
Majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has raised concerns as to why the minority in parliament is shying away from the use of the Ghana Card when former president John Mahama endorsed it after acquiring one in his home town.
According to the majority leader, John Mahama said he believed in the Ghana card system as it has integrity and can be relied on.
He, therefore, described the Minority opposing to the use of Ghana as the sole documentation for registration as something beyond understanding.
“…after the issuance of the Ghana card to former president John Dramani Mahama, he said today he has seen and he believes that this system has integrity and can be relied on, now you people (NDC) are shying away from it and they are saying that we can’t use it. It is beyond comprehension,” Kyei Mensah Bomsu said.
The Minority in Parliament rejected the justifications given by the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) for the new CI seeking to make Ghana card the only identification for voter registration.
Chairperson for the EC, Jean Mensah on Tuesday February 28 2023 told Parliament the new CI is to safeguard the sanctity of the electoral process devoid of foreign interference.
Mrs. Jean Mensah also justified the scrapping of the guarantor system. When questioned about the existence of the same system for Ghana card registration, the EC boss argued that, that system is more robust.
Addressing the media, Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson asked the EC to adopt the NIA system following the claim of the chairperson.
“We are quite sure many of you followed and reported on events in the Chamber last night, which showcased our opposition to an attempt by the Jean Mensah-led Electoral Commission to introduce a Constitutional Instrument before Parliament.
The said C.I, the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Instrument, 2022, seeks to make the Ghana Card the sole document for the registration of voters onto Ghana’s electoral roll.
“What Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution requires, is evidence of citizenship and not evidence or proof of identification. Any evidence of citizenship should therefore qualify a person to be registered. That is why under the current C.I 91 as amended by C.I 126, Ghanaian Passports and guarantor system are allowed as evidence of citizenship,” Mr. Forson stated.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has fervently pleaded with Ghanaians to elect the NDC to power in the 2024 presidential elections in order to reinstate him as their leader.
Mahama declared that he will run for president of Ghana again because he is the person the nation needs to lead it at this time while speaking on Thursday at the beginning of his campaign to be the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He continued by saying that he is the steady hand Ghana needs to emerge from its current economic difficulties and that, along with the populace, he will create the Ghana that every Ghanaian desires.
“For the 2024 election which I consider to be the most important and defining poll of our time, I have not taken this step lightly. It has been a product of months of prayer, broad consultation and sober reflection. I have searched my soul and paid close attention to your voices and to your daily struggles, and to our present national predicament.
“At this stage, Ghana demands experience, not experiments… Ghana does not need a try-me-too leader. Ghana demands togetherness and not divisiveness. Now is the time for bravery of heart and clarity of purpose.
“I’m ready and able to be the kind of president that Ghanaians are looking for. I’m not the kind of leader that derives pleasure or smiles at my country’s failings, even the failings of my political opponents. As far as I’m concerned, there is no vindication to be derived from the suffering of the Ghanaian people.
“I’m offering myself for public office at this time because I appreciate the enormity of the task ahead owing to the level of damage this government has done to our country. And I also know that such a mountainous task requires a steady, unifying, and experienced hand to build the “Ghana we want together”.
“And as I said, this is no time for experimentation. Ghana at this point does not need a try-me-too leader,” Mahama reiterated.
I thank you, sincerely, for answering my invitation to attend this campaign launch. I am delighted by this opportunity to engage with you, the good people of Ghana, once again.
I am greatly humbled to be addressing all of you present here, the millions glued to your television and radio sets, and those tuning in via the internet in Ghana and across the world. Thank you for sharing your morning with me. I do not take this for granted. Thank you.
As I drove onto the campus of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, built during the tenure of our Great Party, I could not help but feel a sense of fulfilment that the dream and vision of our late President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has been actualized in a most beautiful way.
The Volta Region retains a towering significance in the history of our great party the NDC. Our founder and former President Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings of blessed memory, whose courage and vision inspired the formation of the NDC, hailed from this region.
Other stalwarts, dead and living, like Security Chief, Captain Kojo Tsikata, Literature Icon and former Chairman of the Council of State Professor Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor, Former Speaker Edward Doe Adjaho, Ambassador Dan Abodakpi, former Transport Minister, the late Dzifa Aku Attivor, and many others too numerous to mention, are all natives of this region, and have toiled tirelessly to build our great party the NDC and our beloved nation, Ghana. It is no coincidence that we are holding this launch here as a tribute to the many illustrious sons and daughters of the Volta Region who have toiled and continue to work tirelessly for our great party.
The English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1817 wrote a famous poem titled “Ozymandias”. This was a cautionary tale about a ruler who was so full of pomp, arrogance, and a deluded sense of self-importance. One is struck by the poet’s description of the clueless ruler as he goes on to boast: “My name is Ozymandias; King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” Tragically, according to the poem, when one looked around for these so-called works, one saw nothing except the decay. This poem mirrors our present national circumstance in a most uncanny way.
Fellow country men and women; my brothers and sisters, I thank Professor Joshua Alabi, the Convenor of my Campaign Committee, a formerVice Chancellorof the University of Professional Studies, Accra, and an aspirant in the 2019 Presidential primaries for picking my nomination forms last week. I also wish to thank the hundreds of party supporters who accompanied Professor Alabi to perform that task on my behalf. By that action, I have officially joined the race to contest for the flagbearer slot of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2024 elections, which I consider to be the most important and defining poll of our time. I have not taken this step lightly.
It has been the product of months of prayer, broad consultations, and sober reflection. I have searched my soul and paid close attention to your voices, to your daily struggles, to our present predicament. At this stage, Ghana demands experience, not experiments! 4 Ghana demands togetherness, not divisiveness! Now is the time for bravery of heart and clarity of purpose. Six years ago, despite our best efforts, the people of Ghana entrusted the management and administration of this country into the hands of the NPP.
They did so in the hope that the many mouth-watering promises made to them would translate into meaningful action that would mark an improvement in their living conditions and the general wellbeing of our country. Six years on, those hopes have been dashed. Instead of the prosperity and progress that was promised, the last six years have been, perhaps, the most difficult and challenging period in our history. This government has been clueless and, in many cases, callous. The unthinkable has happened and our country is broken on all fronts.
Ghana is bankrupt. We are saddled with debt we simply cannot pay, and we have suffered the global humiliation of defaulting on our debts and being downgraded by credit rating agencies to the lowest levels in our history. Our economy is in its worst ever shape, with suffering and pain on an unprecedented scale. Hyperinflation and an ever-increasing price of basic items including food have all combined to inflict unbearable pain on millions of Ghanaian households. Parents are being forced to make hard choices between seeking prompt health care for their sick children and providing meals with their meagre resources for families. 5 Our middle class stands the real risk of being wiped out on the back of an obnoxious debt restructuring programme.
The poor who depend on the middle class for employment and sustenance are on their own and uncertain of their fate. Our aged pensioners have not been spared either. In the past few weeks they have been compelled to stage public manifestations in defense of their livelihoods even in their elderly state.
Who would have thought that Ghana would come to a juncture where a government would mete out such shabby treatment to our senior citizens whose only crime is that they put their life savings in what is considered the safest financial instruments in the world – Government Bonds. We are at this most depressing phase in our history where our economy has been destroyed because of the systematic mismanagement, misguided and clueless policy choices, and incompetence of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia.
While our people struggle to keep their heads above water, government officials continue to exhibit high levels of greed, corruption, arrogance of power, dishonesty, blatant state capture and conflict of interest. Unsurprisingly, no one in this NPP government wants to take responsibility for anything, including their flagbearer hopefuls, most of whom were part of their Economic Management Team. They continue to lay blame for their economic disaster on external factors whose relationship with our present sorry circumstances are at most tenuous.
We all know that this economic collapse has been years in the making just as we know it was entirely avoidable. Amid all the suffering, the government remains obstinate and refuses to back down from the costly missteps that led us here in the first place.
They continue to waste the precious little we have on dodgy and misguided projects, programmes and on a bloated government. As they tighten the noose on the helpless citizenry by piling on more taxes and expropriating our money through measures like the domestic debt exchange, government offers no semblance of genuine sacrifice on its part. The national decay of the last six years has not been limited to the economy. It extends to all aspects of our lives. Our hitherto trusted state institutions today stand as pale shadows of themselves, undermined, and politicized to the point that they consider themselves an extension of the governing New Patriotic Party.
The youth see no future in their country of birth. They see no silver lining at the edge of the clouds, which often appears dark and gloomy, with no ray of sunshine seeping through. Who is to blame them when after years of struggling to earn an education, they are condemned to unemployment and acute lack of opportunities? 7 If not remedied, through my agenda to Build The Ghana We Want Together from 2025, some graduates and post-graduate degree holders may hit the pension age and never employed in their entire lives, save for national service. It should worry us deeply that the average young Ghanaian would grasp any opportunity to flee the despondent climate under which they live in favour of even the most menial jobs in other countries.
We have always had our people going in search of greener pastures abroad, but the current mass exodus of active workers and professionals is profoundly worrying. The loss of all hope that anything good can come out of this country or that any available opportunities will be equitably shared among our people has accounted for this. For some sections of our population, the unravelling of our national fabric and the collapse of our economy under this government forms sufficient basis to dismiss all public office holders and politicians, both in government and out of government, as the same.
Some have lost all hope in the democratic experiment and believe it is no better than other forms of governance. These are the predictable effects of the betrayal of the people’s trust by the President, his Vice and crop of officials. I wish I could say this in a more pleasant way, but you are the better judges. Our present state and its effects on our people trouble me a lot. 8 This is why, as you have observed, at every significant wrong turn taken by government, I have, with the benefit of experience, provided alternative solutions and even offered the expertise and knowledge of some of my party’s members to help get us out of the challenges.
This is because there is an increasing gap right now between the Ghanaian society and Ghana’s political system. And it is one of the reasons why a change has become absolutely necessary. Off course, I know how to deliver that badly needed change because, during the last three to four years, I have studied our problems, I have continued to listen to each and every one of you, and to a variety of scholars and experts – I can say with full confidence that I learned a lot during the period and I am ready to be the President Ghanaians are looking for.
In our present state, it is no longer sufficient to sit on the sidelines and offer suggestions, which are most likely to be ignored. I am therefore coming before you, in all humility, and in response to calls from my party and the generality of the people of Ghana, to offer myself, to serve this country and its people that I love so dearly, by first putting myself up for election in the NDC Presidential Primaries.
There are many who say that my words, just before leaving office in 2016, that posterity will be my judge, have proven prophetic in the face of the disastrous performance of the NPP government and their harrowing dismantling of our country’s prospects. I am not the kind of leader who derives pleasure from or who can smile at our failings — even the failings of my political opponents. 9 As noted by Otto Von Bismarck, a wise man learns from the mistakes of others.
As far as I am concerned, there is no vindication to be derived from the sufferings of the Ghanaian people. I am offering myself for public office at this time because I appreciate the enormity of the task ahead owing to the level of damage done to our country by this government.
And I also know that such a mountainous task requires a steady, unifying, and experienced hand to build the Ghana we want together. This is no time for experimentation. Ghana at this time does not need a “try me too” leader. Our country urgently needs a leader with an unwavering desire to get things done in a no-frills, no thrills, business-like manner. Not one enamored with sloganeering, excessive partisanship, personal comfort, and shallow populism. Ghana’s next leader should exercise sound judgement and be able to make the right calls and at the right time. A leader who accepts responsibility and works to fix the problem and not shift blame onto others.
The leader should be one whose heart is filled with compassion for the people and who has the humility to connect with and understand the needs of the people he serves. Our country requires a visionary leader who would build a prosperous and progressive Ghana for all Ghanaians and not a few. We, in the NDC, will not run a government of slogans; instead, we will run a government of action. 10 A leader should be held accountable for his promises to the people. Your word should always be your bond. Ghana’s next leader should exercise sound judgement and be able to make the right calls and at the right time.
Such a leader must have the humility and presence of mind to take responsibility for what has gone wrong and be willing to act timeously to get the numerous problems resolved. He should be a leader whose heart is filled with compassion for the people and who has the humility to connect with and understand the needs of the people he serves.
He should not be a leader who views the public purse as a family heirloom or even the mandate given him to govern as the manifestation of a birthright. A leader who has his sights on leaving a legacy for posterity. With all the humility I can muster, I believe I possess these qualities and that I am uniquely placed, having sat back the past few years to take stock of our country’s path. I am aware of the extent of work that awaits the next government.
There is so much to fix; there is so much to repair; and there is so much to heal. But I am set and ready! Very ready, to Build The Ghana We Want Together with you. Our mission is to get out of the current nightmare. And to get out of it together, reaching to one another, listening to one another, providing hope for all.
Working with a pool of experienced, talented, and passionate men and women, and with many others from non-political backgrounds including the private sector and civil society who simply want the best for Ghana and who desire to transform our country and its people, it can and will be done. The first order of business will be to reset our country to its default settings as envisioned by the founders of the 4th Republic.
A nation of peace and prosperity, built on the principle of integrity, justice and equity, respect for human rights and personal freedoms, a leadership of modesty and humility that forges consensus and carries the people along in the implementation of its policies and programmes. At the top of our priorities as the new government in 2025, God willing (Insha Allah), is to restore stability and inclusive growth to the economy.
This we will do by bringing the various indicators under control to relieve Ghanaians of their suffering. We will strictly enforce prudence and responsibility in the management of public finances by cutting out waste and ostentation, which have become common place under this administration. Together, we will build the Ghana we want. We shall restore faith in our almost collapsed financial system and embark on sweeping reforms at the Bank of Ghana. We shall actively pursue policies to ensure robust local participation in our banking, financial, telecommunications, mining, agriculture, agribusiness and manufacturing sectors. 12 This will be anchored on our plan to grow the economy and create sustainable employment for our youth.
We will make investments in productive sectors of the economy like agriculture, industry, technology, digitilisation and tourism to spur growth and generate jobs for the teeming youth who continue to lose hope by the day. With the limited fiscal space, we are likely to inherit because of the mismanagement of the economy under NPP, a new NDC Government will give priority to continuing and completing abandoned and ongoing projects rather than rushing to commence new ones. I shall assemble and operate the leanest but most efficient government under our fourth republic. We will reduce, significantly, the size of government.
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. I will initiate and undertake the most far-reaching constitutional, political and governance reforms under the fourth republic aimed at restoring confidence in our democracy and governance systems while making life easier and better for our people. In response to the concerns and calls from many of you, I will initiate and undertake the most far-reaching constitutional, political and governance reforms aimed at restoring confidence in our democracy.
We will continue and bring to conclusion the constitution review process began by President Atta Mills including a review of the controversial article 71 to reduce the number of office holders, and remove the disparities in privileges and emoluments vis a vis the public and civil service. The payment of ex-gratia to members of the executive under Article 71 will be scrapped.
The necessary constitutional steps to abolish that payment will start in earnest in 2025. I will also begin the process to persuade other arms of government to accept same. Issues pertaining to the excessive powers of the President, proper separation of powers, strengthening of parliament, restoring true independence to the judiciary, independent and quasi-independent state institutions and depoliticizing them will take centre stage.
With renewed vigor, we will work to restore confidence in all institutions of state, so that our people will see their institutions working for them as they should with utmost professionalism and non-interference from political actors. We must, for instance, end the chaos that now characterizes the Computerized School Selection and Placement System for BECE graduates. As a first step, we should allow students to only complete their applications for SHS after they receive their BECE results.
They will be in a better position to know their actual grades and match them with the cut-off grades and raw scores of the senior high schools they wish to be admitted to. 14 This will moderate expectation, ensure effective demand based on real results and address uninformed demand. It will also root out corruption and blatant discrimination from the process.
Fellow country men and women, the time has come for Ghanaians to receive proper accountability from those they elect to political office. This accountability can only be achieved by a new party in government. I promise Ghanaians, that I shall investigate how public funds were expended and this includes the Covid-19 Audit and the findings from the Auditor-General’s reports over years.
We must clean the Augean stables and rid them of the filth and corruption. The anti-corruption will be given unfettered space to do their work. The days of the infamous ‘clearing agent’ will be well and truly over. But to ensure efficiency and professionalism at this endeavor, institutions of state would be empowered to be independent in their work. State owned enterprises will not be a gravy train for political apparatchiki. We shall re-introduce the hallmark of my previous administration – tolerance for criticism and the creation of a conducive atmosphere for the media to do its work without the fear of threats, harassment, and possible assassination. I have heard many of my party supporters say that the next NDC government must also exact its pound of flesh. My brothers and sisters, I daresay, there is no use fighting for political power, if it is only to come and repeat the same mistakes of the NPP administration that have brought our dear nation to this sorry state.
We must therefore engage our grassroots to work together with us to build the Ghana we want. To be able to achieve all the above, we must see different personalities and backgrounds. We must not see NDC and NPP. We must not see Ga, or Ewe or Akan or Dagomba. We must not look to religious differences. We must look to ourselves. We must look to Ghana. One united people.
You and I, hand in hand and working together. In Building The Ghana We Want Together, it will take grit. It will take determination. But we have what we did not have before – the benefit of hindsight and reflection from afar, and the benefit of experience – to improve upon our successes and avoid our mistakes. As I roll out my campaign for the flagbearer slot of the NDC and subsequently during the national elections, I will engage as many of you in the public as possible and interface with various interest groups to tap into your views on how to fashion the Ghana we want. As observed by Aldous Huxley “experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you.” In the coming days, we will be having conversations about our country.
But more important, we must put into action the plans that we would conceive together. It will not be easy. It will take grit. It will take determination. It will take tears. It will take sacrifice. I promise you I will share that pain and sacrifice with you. And above all I promise you hard work. I want to assure you, my fellow Akatamansonians that I have heard your concerns on how to further strengthen our party. I will certainly make you proud by addressing your needs, as we work to position the party to be more responsive to your needs. We shall build the most formidable political party that every Ghanaian will be happy and proud to associate with. Remember it was the NDC that provided the most road and water projects, educational, health and telecommunications infrastructure for you, across the country. Remember it was the NDC that considered it prudent to build an airport in the Volta Region when the naysayers opposed and ridiculed it. Too much has happened to us as a people. But we have a duty to ourselves to learn from history and chart a path accordingly.
“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things” are the wise words of Ronald Reagan that I subscribe to. The next government would not be about me. It would not be about forming a cadre of family and friends to enrich themselves at the expense of our people. It would be about you. In all humility, with a rekindled spirit, renewed energy, and sharpened vision to help save our dear country, Ghana, I formally announce my candidacy and launch my campaign. I am proud and honoured that our NDC family, young and old, men and women, from all over the country is supporting me.
I am humbled by your love, and I hope you know I love you all! I must also thank the diverse group of individuals who continue to voluntarily donate towards my campaign. Some of you – students, professionals, traders, okada riders among others – voluntarily set up platforms to mobilise funds to support my campaign. Thank you very much.
I am John Dramani Mahama, your proven servant leader. I ask you to bless me massively with your trust, and your votes on May 13 and subsequently on 7th December 2024 and I will return your generosity with hard work.
Ghana needs experience, not experiments! Ghana used to be the shining light on the continent. I am of the strongest conviction that we can attain those heights again. I believe it. We will lead by example. As I conclude, I wish to thank my wife, Lordina, who has been my dependable partner on my political journey. Thank you all. Akpe ka ka ka!! Let’s win this together!!!
According to former president, JohnDramani, the Ghana needs an experienced administration to lead it out of its current economic woes.
According to him, he can no longer sit on the sidelines and proffer solutions but get involved in the governance of the country owing to the level of damage prevailing in the system.
“At this stage, Ghana demands experience not experiment,” he noted, stressing “Ghana does not need a try me too leader.”
He told an NDC gathering at the launch of his presidential campaign that he’s sat back and taken stock of the extent of work ahead and assured: “I’m ready and able to be the kind of president that Ghanaians are looking for.”
Former president John Dramani Mahama has hit the ground running in a bid to lead the main opposition NDC in the 2024 general elections.
The former leader is currently launching his campaign for the Flagbearer slot at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Sokode near Ho.
Dr. Kwabena Duffour, a former Finance Minister, Kojo Bonsu, a former Mayor of Kumasi, and Ernest Kobeah, a 43-year-old businessman based in the United Kingdom, are all jostling for that slot in the opposition party.
The party is billed to conduct its presidential primaries on May 13, 2023.
A former president, John Dramani Mahama, has for the umpteenth time blamed the Akufo-Addo-led administration for the country’s economic woes.
Mr Mahama indicated that despite the hard work of his administration, Ghanaians decided to vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2016 general elections due to the “lofty” promises by the then opposition party in hope that their problems will be resolved.
However, they have been disappointed by theAkufo-Addo government, he said.
Speaking during his campaign launch to contest in the presidential primary of theNational Democratic Congress(NDC) ahead of the 2024 general elections, in Ho on Thursday, March 2, Mr Mahama said “This government has been clueless and in many ways callous the unthinkable has happened and our country today is broken on all fronts, Ghana is bankrupt.
“We are saddled with debts we simply can’t pay, we have suffered the global humiliation of defaulting on our debts and being downgraded by all credit rating agencies to the lowest level ever seen in our history”
He added “Our economy is in the worst ever shape with suffering and pain on an unprecedented level.”
He further said he does not take his decision to contest in the flagbearer elections of the NDC lightly.
In his view, the 2020 general election is the most important and defining poll in the Fourth Republic hence his decision to contest.
Speaking at his campaign launch in Ho on Thursday, March 2, he said “For the 2024 elections which I consider to be the most important and defining poll of our time, I have not taken this step lightly, it has been the product of months of prayer, broad consultations and sober reflections.
“I have searched my sole and paid close attention to your voices, to your daily struggles and to your present national predicament.”
He added “At this stage, Ghana demands experience not experiment, Ghana demands togetherness and not divisiveness, now is the time for the bravery of heart and clarity of purpose.”
In an effort to represent theNational Democratic Congress (NDC) as the party’s nominee in the general elections of 2024, the former president John Dramani Mahama will launch his campaign today, March 2, 2023.
‘Building the Ghana we want together’ will be the theme for launching his campaign which will take place in the Cedi Auditorium at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, in the Volta Region.
Aside from the former president, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, a former Finance Minister, Kojo Bonsu, a former Mayor of Kumasi, and Ernest Kobeah, a 43-year-old businessman based in the United Kingdom, are all running for the job.
The party is anticipated to conduct its presidential primaries on May 13, 2023.
After losing the previous two elections in 2016 and 2020, John Mahama intends to run for president again in the 2024 polls.
The former President, however, is confident that he has what it takes to assist the nation out of its current economic crisis.
Mahama’s former campaign manager, Joshua Alabi, and some Regional Chairmen of the National Democratic Congress picked up presidential nomination forms on his behalf.
Observers are backing calls for Mr. Mahama to go unopposed in the NDC’s upcoming presidential election.
Although the rules of the NDC permit an open contest for all qualified members of the party, allowing Mahama to go unopposed they believe will save the party both resources and time.
A political scientist and lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Abdul Jalilu Ateku, says he does not foresee any significant threat to the victory of Mahama in the NDC’s primaries.
Dr. Ateku anticipated that the former President will win by a landslide victory in the internal polls.
He said none of the presidential hopefuls who have declared their intentions to contest on the ticket of the opposition NDC comes out stronger than Mr. Mahama.
But the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said it is not perturbed about the decision of John Dramani Mahama to run for president.
Director of Communications for the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah said the party is not worried about a man who has no track record to show when he was president.
“We have beaten him twice, so you just conclude for yourself if we are afraid of him. It is all mathematical, and we have defeated him twice. He is even afraid to plainly declare whether he is going to contest or not. We are ready for him.”
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticized the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for resisting the new Constitutional Instrument (CI) proposed by the Election Commission (EC).
The NDC is kicking against the EC’s proposed CI through which it intends to make the Ghana card the sole identification document for voter registration.
They have argued that the new CI if passed will disenfranchise majority of Ghanaians from registering for voter cards.
In an interview with Bernard Avle on the Point of View, the Director of Research and Electionsof the NPP, Evans Nimako expressed concerns over the NDC’s penchant for challenging measures aimed at sanitising the country’s electoral system.
Mr. Nimako said he cannot fathom the fears of the NDC if the CI is passed by Parliament.
“My little worry about the NDC is that anytime there are any arrangements that seek to sanitise the registration exercise of the EC, they tend to disagree. We saw this when the new EC decided to put in place the new voter registration management system. They disagreed to the extent that they went to court and they failed.
“I’m not saying they shouldn’t challenge or bring alternatives. We have on a number of occasions disagreed with the EC. I don’t see their fears, but the question is, what does the NDC stands to lose if the EC at this point decides that we want to have a CI that will take away this whole issue about the guarantor system that gives us so much trouble,” he said on the Point of View.
The NPP’s Director of Research and Elections advised the NDC to return to the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) in order to have extensive discussions with the other political parties on the way forward.
“The NDC should eat their humble pie and come to IPAC so that we can have a discussion there so that we will not take this whole long time to discuss this issue,” he encouraged.
Mr. Nimako called on Ghanaians especially politicians to support the EC to deliver on its mandate.
“I think that the EC’s arrangements to have a CI that will allow only those who will want to have their names onto the register to use the Ghana cards must be supported by all,” he urged.
Dr Kwabena Duffuor has promised to install a real-time vote compilation system for the National Democratic Congress in the 2024 elections so the party can monitor the results as they trickle in instantly.
The former Bank of Ghana Governor, who is one of four flag bearer aspirants of the NDC, told journalists during his presidential declaration event that he intends to change the party’s vote-monitoring and results-compilation system during general elections.
Asked how he plans to do that, the former finance minister said: “Real-time”.
“You know real time?” he asked his questioners, explaining: “As you vote, we’ve a system that’ll pick it”.
In December last year, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the then-general secretary of the party, who was aspiring to the national chair slot at the time, revealed to some party delegates in the Ashanti Region during his campaign for the internal polls that the biggest opposition party was unable to collate results in the 2020 polls because an IT system installed by the Chairman at the time, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, who lost his re-election bid, crashed after just five regional results were entered into it for processing.
In a leaked audiotape, Mr Nketia is heard telling his audience: “I totally understand if anyone says I’m partly to blame for the collation fiasco because all those people undertaking the process were reporting to me but the bit of it is that there were people tasked to do that job”.
He continued: “Mr Ofosu-Ampofo’s so-called ‘robust’ and ‘strong’ IT system he had installed for the collation of results crashed after just five regional results were entered into it for processing”.
“So, that is the truth of the matter”, Mr Nketia noted.
Following the mishap, Mr Nketia said: “We then decided to manually collate the pink sheets”.
Again, he said “the Chairman took over the whole process and brought in some university students to put some documents together”.
However, he recalled: “When it was time for me to mount the dock, it was clear the results they gave me to back our case in court would have brought me nothing but shame and disgrace”.
“We could not have gone to court with those documents as evidence”, he asserted.
“We then carried those same documents to Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, the lawyer, for perusal.
After studying the documents, he called us the following day to say if that was the evidence we were taking to court then he wouldn’t be part of the case and suggested we find a different lawyer to represent the party in court since there was no way he was going to be part of it”, Mr Nketia recounted.
“That is why I told the court we didn’t bring any results when I was asked to produce the evidence”, Mr Nketia explained to his audience.
The Supreme Court, eventually, threw out the petition and upheld the results declared by Electoral Commission Chair Jean Mensa.
Mr Nketia promised that should he become the next chairman of the NDC, “I intend to make sure this collation fiasco never happens again”.
An aspiring flagbearer of the oppositionNational Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, launched his campaign by paying a visit to the party’s Greater Accra Regional caucus.
The visit was aimed at seeking the permission of the regional executives to embark on a regional tour to share his vision and aspirations with the delegates of the party in the region.
Dr Duffuor and his entourage were received by the Regional Chairman, Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore; the Regional Secretary of the party, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, and other top officials of the party in the region.
Ahotor, pension scheme
The former minister of finance and former governor of the Bank of Ghanastated that over the years, the party’s grassroots had been neglected despite continually pushing the agenda of the party.
He, therefore, pledged to enhance the grassroots through his Ahotor project, an economic empowerment programme that would offer employment opportunities to the youth and the grassroots in order to win the 2024 general election.
In a similar vein, Dr Duffuor pledged to institute a pension scheme for the party aged who had served the NDC loyally over years.
That, he believed, would motivate their children to join the party and take up the mantle of championing the interests and aspirations of Ghanaians.
Dr Duffuor pledged to put up appropriate regional and constituency offices in areas that lacked proper party structures.
“When I went round the country, I was saddened because we were having our meetings in classrooms and churches while the other party had offices; we are bigger than them so that should not be the case,” he said.
He noted that during the 2016 and 2020 general elections, the party had some challenges in the collation of results which partly contributed to their loss and vowed to establish a secured real-time electoral mechanism that would monitor the elections.
Maximise votes, itinerary
Mr Moore stated that the party’s goal was to maximise votes in the Greater Accra because it was a decisive region and as such would lay down foundations for fair competition between aspirants.
He, therefore, urged all aspirants to run a clean campaign devoid of insults and badmouthing because, at the end of the internal elections, it could be used against the party in the general election.
Mr Chaie noted that the visit was a sign that the Duffuor campaign understood the structures and hierarchy of the party at the regional level.
He, therefore, advised them to create and submit a comprehensive itinerary that would outline how they intended to visit the various constituencies and branches in the region.
An unidentified philanthropist has donated GH¢100,000 to the Greater Accra Regional Office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to help it offset its outstanding rent.
This was made known by the Regional Chairman, Nii Ashie Moore, when one of the flagbearer aspirants of the party, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, visited the regional office to seek their blessing on his intended tour of the region.
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor had gone to meet the executives of the NDC in the Greater Accra Region ahead of his intention to lead the party as its flagbearer.
While addressing the Duffuor team, the Regional Chairman, Nii Ashie Moore, expressed his joy that the former Minister of Finance had decided to visit them that day, describing it as a special day.
He explained that before the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana showed up at their offices, a philanthropist in the party had come to donate GH¢100,000 to them.
“As we sit here today, you also coming here has brought luck. One of the philanthropists within the region has come to dash us GH¢100,000 a while ago, to aid us pay our rent arrears, that’s why today is a special day. As I’ve said, you’ve also come so since you’re also here, we know that the blessings will be double-double,” he said.
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor is in the race to become the NDC flagbearer with three others: former president, John Dramani Mahama; former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu; and a businessman based in the United Kingdom, Ernest Kobeah.
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joseph Osei Owusu (Joe Wise) is concerned about the conduct of some members of the House.
According to him, there is a vast difference in the level of decorum between when he joined Parliament and now.
He said that if this is not controlled, members of Parliament will turn Parliament into a place that could be likened to a ‘boxing ring’ in the near future.
“The level of decorum I observed when I joined [Parliament] and what I observed today, there is a vast difference. If you ask me, it is a bad reflection on young people coming into the chamber. I am afraid that if we don’t curb it now, in the next two or three parliaments, we will not have a parliament; we will have a boxing ring,” Joseph Osei Owusu said.
In an interview with TV3, he stated that the party has the responsibility to groom people to become their representatives in the NDC parliament, referring to the number of youth who have picked up forms to contest parliamentary seats within the NDC.
“Sometimes the parties even go out to recruit people who have not demonstrated that they have the intellectual and social capacity to be public officers; because they are popular, they can win the seat. That appears to be the only consideration that parties give to people who are going to contest the seats.
“The parties which have the responsibility to groom people before they become representatives – they are not doing anything.
Unfortunately, it appears to me that those who are vile in their choice of language, those who are rude in their attitude towards their opponents and sometimes internal opponents, and those who can make the most catching comments about others are gaining more popularity, and they are being put in front,” he said.
The Greater Accra Regional National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership have given their approval for NDC flag bearer candidate Dr. Kwabena Duffuor to start his national tour in the area.
This comes after he successfully picked up a flagbearership nomination form to contest the vacant position of the party.
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, a former Minister of Finance, and a former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, has expressed optimism about his chances of winning the flagbearer race of party.
He has also indicated in several interactions that he is the best man to bring Ghana out of its current economic challenges, adding that he once stabilised the economy as minister.
In lieu of that, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor paid a working visit to the regional executives of the NDC in the Greater Accra Region to announce his intentions to run as flagbearer, and to also seek their blessings to tour the region.
“Last Thursday, I was so delighted, but at the same time, I was humbled when thousands of our members – grassroots, particularly women, picked up forms and delivered the forms to me, saying that ‘we want you to contest for the flagbearership of the NDC.’
“It was an honour, but I was humbled. I’ve accepted to contest, that’s why we are here today. Colleagues, ours is a great party; it’s a very big party, bigger than the other groups,” he said.
In his response, the regional chairman, Nii Ashie Moore, expressed hopes that whoever gets to lead their party will deliver victory for the NDC in 2024.
He was also excited that the candidate had decided to begin his tour in the Greater Accra Region, adding that a win in that region is a decisive one.
“You have distinguished yourself to the max. we are one family, this is an internal election. Our target is the NPP. Our target is to maximise the votes of Greater Accra, because we see Greater Accra Region as a decisive region when it comes to politics. When we win Greater Accra, we know we will form the next government.
“I pray to the Almighty God that all of you who have put up yourself there to lead our political party, to lead our country, at the end of the day, one of you will be made a flagbearer of our party,” he said.
While wishing Dr. Kwabena Duffuor well, he prayed that at the end of the contest, all the factions in the party will work towards unity.
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor’s tour of the Greater Accra Region will be the first in a series across the country.
Some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Jaman South have accused the MP for the Constituency of abusing funds allocated for development projects in the area.
Seen as development agents at the constituency level, Members of Parliament (MP) are expected to use their share of funds, including the District Assembly Common Fund and Social Intervention Fund (SIF), among others, to support pro-poor development activities in the communities to the benefit of the people.
But according to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Jaman South, their National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP, Williams Okofo-Dateh, is doing the opposite.
They allege the MP is engaging in financial malfeasance and corrupt acts with approved project items or money by directorates of the assembly not disbursed. A situation, they said, is killing the development agenda of the municipality.
Hayford Techie, Jaman South constituency Deputy Organizer of the NPP
At a press conference in Drobo, Hayford Techie, Jaman South constituency Deputy Organizer of the NPP, accused Mr. Okofo-Dateh of colluding with suppliers to divert funds meant for the vulnerable, and school buildings at Anukunano, Miremano, and other communities, which is against the Procurement and Financial Management Acts, thereby depriving the people of the expected benefit.
“He (MP) has taken money to procure 600 bags of cement and 20 trips of sand to construct classroom blocks for the people of Anukunano, but our checks from the site indicate that after almost two years of taking that money, only 1,200 blocks have been molded. Again, Hon Okofo-Dateh has taken money for the Kwadwobadukrom project with virtually nothing to show for it,” he alleged.
A trip of sand and the blocks were on site near the dilapidated Anukunano MA JHS when JoyNews visited the cashew farming community.
Abandoned blocks and sand at Anukunano
Mr. Techie said the MP also took over 70,000 Cedis from the MP’s share of the common fund to purchase food items for the vulnerable in society during the 2021 Christmas celebration, however, their checks indicated “the items were diverted to party executives as Christmas gifts instead of the vulnerable in society”.
The NPP also alleged that 39,000 cedis the MP collected from the GETFUND meant for the purchase of about 300 bags of cement and 4 trips of sand to Miremano Islamic Primary, Ampenkro Asratoa M/A JHS, and Adamsu R/C JHS has still not been supplied despite inflating the prices of the items to about 15%.
The Jaman South NPP constituency secretary, Samuel Obeng Takyi, further alleged that building materials worth 20,000 cedis for the Miremano Islamic School resulted in a cash donation of 12,000 cedis to the school instead.
Anukunano MA JHS block
He explained that the MP, since coming into office, also took 60,000 cedis from his share of the social intervention fund to organize a football competition with 10,000, 7,000, and 3,000 cedis as prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd teams.
The competition, however, did not end as a result of alleged security concerns.
“One would have expected that if the competition didn’t end as expected, the 20,000 cedis award should have been paid back to where the money was taken from, but for almost two years now the money is nowhere to be found, all as a calculated vehicle to loot from the people”, Mr. Obeng Takyi alleged.
When contacted, the Jaman South Municipal Chief Executive, Andrews Bediako, corroborated the claims made against the MP, Okofo-Dateh, adding that there are invoices and receipts to show that monies duly paid to the MP ends up not being used for the intended purposes with many abandoned projects in the communities.
Jaman South Municipal Chief Executive, Andrews Bediako
“He (MP) went to some churches to say that I have refused to sign the 2022 documents to enable him to provide items to the vulnerable. I was around, so I showed the 2021 beneficiary list to them, which included NDC constituency executives”, he said and added that the 2022 beneficiary list is even worse.
To remedy the situation, Mr. Bediako said he has control over those that come to him, adding, “I have written to the education and health directorates in charge of the GETFUND and the SIF not to make payment without my knowledge, else I will involve the NIB, whom I am already inviting to investigate these issues”.
He emphasized that the money is not the MP’s money that he can spend at will, hence he will not allow him to shortchange the people of Jaman South.
The party called all stakeholders, including the media, audit service, NIB, and opinion leaders, to get involved and join them to serve as watchdogs to funds received by the MP and hold him accountable.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Jean Mensa will be hauled before Parliament’s Privileges Committee if she fails to appear before the House as directed by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin last week.
Mr. Bagbin requested the presence of Mrs Mensa at the insistence of the Minority Caucus who say they are opposed to the Constitutional Instrument (CI) currently before the House that seeks to make the Ghana Card, the sole document for voter registration.
The NDC MPs said the EC’s Chairperson does not have respect for Parliament, hence her refusal to be present in the House to answer questions on the CI.
However, the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, has debunked the assertion.
According to the Commission, the Chairperson had been invited for an election observer mission in Nigeria, therefore her two deputies had to represent her in Parliament.
The statement added that “For the attention of the General Public, the EC received a letter from Parliament on Wednesday 22nd February 2023 inviting the Commission to brief the leadership of the House on the draft Cl on the registration of voters on Thursday 23rd February 2024”.
However reacting to the news that the EC Chairperson is not within the jurisdiction and may not be able to appear before the House, a ranking member on the Interior and Defense Committee of Parliament Mr James Agalga, indicated that the action of Jean Mensa is contemptuous.
“We have a Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and we are talking about very serious matters affecting the integrity of the compilation of the voters register that is very crucial. And so for the head of that body not to turn up before Parliament without first all to giving us a reasonable excuse as to why she wouldn’t attend, raises serious questions. The counterpart of the EC, in this case, the NIA was represented by its boss so why do you think that we should tolerate the EC?
“And we are saying that Jean Mensa has been very consistent in not turning up or responding to invitations from the House. She is the person who bears ultimate responsibility and so we require her personal attendance before the House so that whatever assurances are given will come from her own mouth,” he said.
On the question of what may happen if the EC Boss doesn’t appear, Mr Agalga told host of JoyNews’ The Pulse Blessed Sogah that “you cannot treat Parliament like that. Parliament represents, if you like, the soul of our democratic experiment, the people’s representatives.
“I have indicated to you that her continuous absence is contemptuous. First of all, the assurance has been given that she would appear. If she doesn’t, seriously speaking, we will escalate our actions to include the referral of Jean Mensa to the Privileges Committee to be dealt with for contempt of Parliament.”
The Electoral Commission (EC) chair, Jean Mensa, has received a severe warning from the National Democratic Congress(NDC) in the North to ensure fairness in the 2024 general elections.
The EC has stated that it’s taking steps to make the Ghana card the only document for registration.
But the party says the steps taken by the EC chair are a recipe for chaos and has thus served notice that the party will not tolerate it.
These comments were made at Yendi in the Northern region by the Regional Organiser of the party, Abdallah Baba Zee, when the party embarked on a health walk in the Yendi constituency.
“We the NDC are sending a word of caution to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission to be very careful about the steps she is taking. The EC is seeking to use the Ghana Card as the only document for the limited registration. The constituency center is the only place for registration. We are sending a strong warning to the EC chair that we will not sit down for such to happen. It has the potential of disenfranchising many Ghanaians, and we will not accept it,” Abdallah Baba Zee said.
Three people have picked nomination forms to contest for the primaries of the NDC in the Yendi constituency.
The Regional Organiser commended the Regional Chairmen and the 137 MPs who supported former President John Dramani Mahama in the picking of nominations.
He however admonished the constituency executives for purpose of unity in the party not to openly support any of the aspirants and also urge the aspirants to be decorous in their campaign messages.
“I want to admonish the constituency executives here in Yendi not to openly throw their support for any of the aspirants as this could affect the unity in the party. Again to the aspirants, I want to caution that as you go about your campaign, please be mindful of your language. This is an internal election, and we will surely need one another in the general elections. Let’s use language that is not divisive but preach peace and unity,” he said.
The Constituency Communications Officer for NDC in the Yendi constituency, Adam Halid, said the health walk is to re-energize the base of the party for 2024.
He said the party is poised to win the Yendi seat for the NDC and slammed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for its woeful performance.
“We are re-energizing the party to get ready for 2024. We are very poised to win the seat. The NPP has woefully failed the good people of Yendi. The president himself came and took the Overlord of Dagbon Yaa Naa to the Dagbon state senior high school to cut the sod for the Yendi water project, for three years now, nothing is happening,” he said.
On his part, Fataw Osman Jofa who is in the race again preached peace and unity among the aspirants.
He promised to fix the Yendi water project within six months if he wins.
“I want to call on my brothers who have also picked nomination forms to please let there be peace and unity among us. Our biggest concern is to win the seat from the incompetent government of the NPP.
“I want to say that the president has failed the good people of Yendi because the former President John Dramani Mahama was almost done with the documents of the Yendi water project and this president has failed to deliver. He cut the sod on three different occasions but nothing is being done. When I get the chance, I want to assure the good people of Yendi that within six months we will fix the water challenges,” he said.
In Ghana, people of all ages compete to represent their numerous constituencies inparliament, and being a legislator is a big deal.
But while some people are dying to enter the legislative house, others are getting out voluntarily. As the major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party have already begun processes in preparation to battle for victory in the 2024 general elections, some sitting lawmakers have chosen to not seek re-election.
Some of them say they have done enough and the time has come to step aside for other people to serve, while others want to run for president.
Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu
Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu
Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs who represents the people of the Suame constituency in the Ashanti Region has indicated that he will not seek re-election. He is currently serving his seventh term in the legislative house after entering in 1996.
2. James Klutsey Avedzi
James Klutse Avedzi
The Member of Parliament for the Ketu-North constituency is retiring from lawmaking. He is serving his fifth term in parliament. He was the former Chairman of the Finance Committee in the parliament of Ghana from 2009 to 2017. He is currently the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of parliament and also the immediate past Deputy Minority Leader for the NDC in parliament.
3.Benjamin Komla Kpodo
Hon. Benjamin Kpodo
He is the Ho central Member of Parliament. He entered parliament in 2013 but reports indicate that he is not seeking re-election.
4. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
The Member of Parliament for the Assin-Central constituency entered parliament in 2000 and has retained the seat since. He is retiring from parliament because he wants to contest the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearership race to become president.
5. Cletus Avoka
The NDC Member of Parliament for Zebilla Constituency announced during an NDC Youth Wing meeting and dinner ceremony that he will not seek re-election.
He served in the first parliament from 1993 to 2005 before losing the seat to the late John Ndebugri at the time the constituency was known as the Bawku West constituency.
In 2009, he re-entered as the second MP for the Zebilla constituency.
Cletus Avoka was also the MP for Garu Tempane from 2000 to 2004. In the year 2000, he won the general elections as a member of parliament for the Garu-Tempane constituency of the Upper East Region of Ghana. He won as an independent candidate in that election for the Upper East Region.
He would have served his constituents for 24 years in parliament by 2024, so he thinks the time to allow another person to represent the people of Zebilla is now.
The Director of Research at theInstitute of Economic Affairs(IEA) Dr John Kwakye has asserted that Ghana needs a vibrant third force to eliminate the duopoly of New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The NPP and the NDC have dominated political power since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1992.
Although other political parties such as the Convention Peoples Party(CCP), Peoples National Convention (PNC) Prphressive Peoples Party (PPP) and others have participated in elections in the Fourth Republic they have not been able to garner the needed votes to enable them to form a government.
This has led the NPP and NDC to dominate the space at the presidential and parliamentary levels.
In a tweet, Dr John Kwakye described the NPP and the NDC as incompetent parties in the management of the economy.
He said “We need a third force in Ghanaian politics to uproot the incompetent NPP-NDC duopoly.”
We need a third force in Ghanaian politics to uproot the incompetent NPP-NDC duopoly.
— J. K. Kwakye (@JohnKwabenaKwa1) February 26, 2023
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) opened nominations for its presidential and parliamentary candidates for the 2024 general elections on February 22.
According to a timetable released by the Party at its Functional and National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, submission and filing of nomination forms would take place from Monday, March 20, 2023, to Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
The vetting of the aspirants would be held from Monday, March 27, 2023 to Wednesday, March 29, 2023.
After the vetting, aspirants who have issues with the vetting process would have the opportunity to appeal from March 30, 2023 to April 6, 2023 after which the election would come off on May 13.
In addition, the parliamentary aspirants will pay GH¢5,000 as their nomination fee while the filing fee is pegged at GH¢40,000.
Interestingly, some new faces in the party have picked nomination forms to contest as parliamentary candidates in various constituencies across the country.
We, at Pulse Ghana, chronicled seven (7) of these new candidates and the constituencies they are contesting in.
Edem Agbana: The former National Deputy Youth Organizer has picked up nomination forms to contest as parliamentary candidate for Ketu North.
He is hoping to succeed the outgoing Ketu North MP, Mr. James Klutse Avedzi.
Mr. Edem Abgana explained in a lengthy Facebook post why he did not run for any position in the party’s upcoming national elections, despite being persuaded by many party opinion leaders.
Edem Agbana
According to him, he took the decision after the 2020 general elections after consulting several elderly people in the party.
“It was not an easy period of waiting for God. Fast Forward, God gave us the signs that we needed, and we took a decision NOT to contest for a national position this year.
“Many people were disappointed, I was summoned by some elders and leaders of the party, and I needed to answer many questions. Fast forward, here we are, I didn’t pick forms for any national executive position. I am very grateful to the NDC for the opportunity to serve as DNYO.
“We started working on the next project – to represent the people of Ketu North as the Member of Parliament. The enormity of the work ahead scared me at the beginning, but there is something about God, when He gives you a direction, He makes provision for you,” he revealed.
Charles Asiedu: The son of NDC’s Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia will be contesting to become the Parliamentary candidate for the Tano South constituency.
He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Organisational Leadership and Governance from the University of Ghana Business School. He is also a product of the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
He has a certificate in Political Leadership and Party Organisation from the NDC’s Ghana Institute of Social Democracy.
Charles Aseidu
Dr. Titus Beyuo: The former General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is contesting the primaries in the Lambussie-Karni Constituency in the Upper West Region.
He said the decision to come to this was taken after a prolonged period of introspection and extensive consultations with family, friends and critical stakeholders.
Dr. Titus Beyuo
Baba Sadiq Abdulai: The CEO of 3 Music Network, has announced intentions to contest for a parliamentary seat in the general elections come 2024.
Sadiq will be contesting as a Member Of Parliament candidate for the Okaikoi Central Constituency on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
Baba Sadiq Abdulai
Linda Assibi Awuni: The engineer has announced her decision to contest the primaries of the NDC in the Adentan Constituency.
In a statement announcing her intent, the KNUST alumni said her quest was “borne out of my resolve to ensure a better leadership for the Adentan Constituency and Ghana under H.E. John Dramani Mahama in 2025 and beyond.”
Mrs Awuni believes her contribution will be geared towards helping the opposition party secure election victory in 2024.
Linda Assibi Awuni
Emmanuel Kojo Jones-Mensah: The young businessman has picked up nominations to contest in the Keta Constituency in the Volta Region.
“I have officially picked up [forms for] the upcoming NDC parliamentary in Keta slated for May 13,” he stated.
“In coming to the decision to enter the parliamentary race, I have taken cognisance of the current state of the underdevelopment, alarming poverty level, youth unemployment, failing educational standards and general decadence of Keta Constituency, to which there is urgent need for paradigm shift.”
Emmanuel Kojo Jones-Mensah
Fred Nuamah: Actor and business mogul Fred Nuamah is seeking to contest the National Democratic Congress’ parliamentary slot for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.
He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Movie Awards, an annual award show that recognises excellence in the Ghanaian film industry.
As the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) heads to its Presidential and Parliamentary primaries, quite a significant amount of youth have shown interest in taking up the mantle to lead.
Thirteen aspirants have filed their nomination to contest some big wigs in the party to bring new ways of governance in the various constituencies they seek to represent.
It is unknown the reason behind the numbers, but recent protests by the youth in Ghana against those in authority have empowered the youth to be more active in their criticism.
This maybe the reason why the youth in the party have decided contest to change the narrative and provide better lives to the constituents they seek to represent.
Here are the bold candidates in their prime who are ready to go up against big names in the party on May 13, 2023.
Emmanuel Kojo Jones-Mensah
The 32-year-old is an entrepreneur and philanthropist born in Accra. He seeks to win the Keta Constituency seat being occupied by Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey.
Emmanuel Kojo Jones-Mensah
Education: London Metropolitan University LLB, Business Law (2009 – 2011); Coventry University MBA, Oil & Gas Management ( (2011 – 2012) and Rushford Business School, European Professional Doctorate (EDP-EU) (2022).
He is the Chief Executive Officer of Empire Domus Group Ltd, KJM Trading LTD and serves as the Director of Dominion Int.Petroleum Ltd.
Kwame Obeng Adjinah
Mr Obeng Adjinah, another entrepreneur, plans to secure the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai seat, being occupied by New Patriotic Party’s Alfred Obeng for the NDC.
A flyer of Kwame Obeng Adjinah indicating that he will be contesting the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Constituency seat
He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Land Economy from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
He also holds a Professional Executive Master in ADR from University of Virgin Islands and Pulse of Africa (GGA).
Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu
Baba Sadiq, 37, has a similar ambition as Mr Obeng Adjinah. He also wants to win the Okaikoi Central seat from Patrick Yaw Boamah of the NPP, for the party.
The founder of 3 Media Networks Limited who is a trained media, communications and sustainability specialist and entrepreneur has 17 years of working experience.
He has made a huge impact in the music industry, where his company, 3 Media Networks Limited acknowledges well-deserving artists.
Eric Edem Agbana
Deputy National Deputy Youth Organiser, Eric Edem Agbana, will also be contesting in the upcoming primaries. The 29-year-old is set to contest for the Ketu North parliamentary seat.
Eric Edem Agbana
Mr Agbana is a Fellow of the prestigious School of Transnational Governance of the European University Institute, Policy Analyst and Social Entrepreneur with interest in helping Startups and Non-Profit Organisations to build sustainable business models.
He is also the NDC’s manifesto spokesperson on Youth Development. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Economic Policy Management and is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Administration, Leadership and Governance.
Lamtiig Abugri Apanga Esq.
The private legal practitioner, believed to be below the age of 40, seeks to contest Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaanev for the Nabdam seat.
Lamtiig Abugri Apanga Esq.
The lawyer has since 2017 provided legal services to the party. He served on the Protocol and Accreditation Committee of the NDC during the National Delegates Conference held in Accra, 2022.
Mr Apanga holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelors of Law (LLB) from the University of Ghana. Again, he holds HND Marketing from Takoradi Polytechnic (Takoradi Technical University).
Alhassan Sayibu Suhiyini
The Tamale North legislator hopes to retain his seat. The 43-year-old made his first appearance in Parliament in 2016.
Alhassan Sayibu Suhiyini
Mr Suhuyini is working on a PHD in Public Administration. He is expected to complete it in 2024.
Dela Goldheart
Amelia Amedela Amemate, popularly known as Dela Goldheart is a Ghanaian Gender activist and feminist. Dela is among female candidates who will be contesting in the upcoming primaries.
Dela Goldheart
She served notice of contesting the NDC parliamentary primaries in the Anlo Constituency of the Volta Region in a Facebook post.
Dela is a product of the University of Ghana. She was one of the aspirants for the 2012/2013 Student Representative Council (SRC) Presidential elections and she was popularly known as Ame Ame, a nickname coined from her full name.
She has embarked on various philanthropic works. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and as of the time of filing this report, was pursuing a PhD in Gender.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
42-year-old Ablakwa is also working on retaining the North Tongu seat for the third time. He won the North Tongu seat in 2012, 2016 and 2020.
North Tongu Mp, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Mr Ablawa who has been a key critic of the National Cathedral project has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Philosophy (2006), an MA in Communications and Public Relations (2017), as well as Master of Science in Defence and International Politics (MDIP) (2019).
He once served as Deputy Minister of Information and Education under the previous NDC government.
John Dumelo
39-year-old, actor turned politician, John Dumelo, has also not relented on his quest to be the next MP for the Ayawaso West Wuogon. He is set to mount a spirited comeback as some residents in the Guan District have supported him with a token of GHC 5,500 for his filing fee.
John Dumelo
Mr Dumelo obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
He had his basic education at the Christ the King School in Accra. He attended Achimota School, was part of the Drama Club and also won the Fliers Guy in Mo-TOWN prize.
He is currently a farmer and politician.
Samuel Nartey George
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, who made his first appearance in Parliament in 2016 also wants to retain his seat for the second time.
Samuel Nartey George
The 37-year-old who hails from Ahwiam, Old Ningo, has a Bsc. Degree in Agricultural Engineering (Soil & Water Engineering) (2005), Bachelor Of Law Degree (Llb) (General Law) (2015), and an Executive Masters (Dissertation) (Conflict, Peace & Security) ( 2020).
He once served at the Office of the President as a Communications Specialist.
Francisca Mawufemor Adjei
Francisca Mawufemor Adjei will slug it out with Joycelyn Tetteh; the incumbent MP for North Dayi.
Francisca Mawufemor Adjei
She has held various portfolios in the party including the Branch women organiser for Ayawaso central constituency (Freeman hostel branch), from 2004 -2012, a Branch member in the Odododiodo Constituency from 2012, among others.
She also worked with the Electoral Commission as an officer during the 2012 voter registration.
The CEO of Franca’s Kitchen and Francisca Mawufemor Adjei Foundation has a Degree and Masters in Communication from the African University College of Communications.
Yayra Vera Hayibor
Another female aspirant to look out for is Yayra Vera Hayibor who is in the race for the only orphan seat in the Volta Region; Hohoe. Yayra Vera Hayibor is a product of Mawuli school where she completed her secondary education in 2007.
She is an alumnus of the University of Ghana and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Theatre Arts in 2014.
She proceeded to study law at the University of Strathclyde in 2015 and graduated with a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Law and Sustainable Development. Her Master of Law thesis has been published on the challenge’s worldwide website.
Yayra is currently pursuing a PhD in Law, with focus on Labour and Immigration law at the University of Glasgow Law School and on the Work on Demand research team.
Prince Benson Mankotam (Out)
Mr Mankotam would have made it on the list but for his sudden withdrawal. In a Facebook post on February 24, 2023, he announced his decision not to pick up forms to contest.
According to him, the decision was made after considering several factors post the declaration of intent.
On January 21, 2023, Mr Mankotam announced his intention to contest for the Senya East seat.
Despite his withdrawal he noted that “the right choice is to send the elephant back to the bush.”
Meanwhile, on Friday, February 24, 2023, the NDC officially closed all nominations.
Actor turned politician, John Dumelo, has officially launched his campaign to contest for the second time in the NDC primaries.
Taking to Facebook to make the announcement, he said: “After an extensive consultation with my God, my family and our party faithfuls in Ayawaso West Wuogon! This’s the second coming.”
He will be contesting for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency seat.
The celebrity cum politician made this known on Sunday, February 26, 2023.
Speaking in an earlier interaction with MyJoyOnline.com on Saturday, the actor said he had been engaging the party’s delegates and other stakeholders about his ambition.
According to him, his priority is to engage party delegates before going to formally announce his candidature.
Declaring his interest in a Facebook post on Sunday, he said his decision follows “extensive consultation” with God, family and party faithful in the constituency.
In 2020, John Dumelo contested the Ayawaso West Wuogon seat against the NPP’s Lydia Alhassan.
Despite his loss, he was praised for putting up a competitive fight.
His announcement brings to a total of three aspirants in the upcoming primaries in the constituency.
Earlier, the CEO of the Ghana Movie Awards, Fred Nuamah also announced his intention to contest the seat.
This came after a former Vice President of the University of Ghana SRC, Moses Baafi Acheampong, had announced his intentions early on.
Shortly after declaring his intention to contest the parliamentary primaries on Monday, the past student leader, Moses Baafi Acheampong, told MyJoyOnline.com that he has been nursing the ambition since his days as a student activist.
According to the lawyer cum pharmacist, he is unhappy about the huge development deficit within the Constituency despite the ‘hegemony’ of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has set 13th May, 2023, for both presidential and parliamentary primaries.
This was announced by the General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, at the party headquarters in Accra on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
According to the party, parliamentary candidates will pick a form at a cost of GH¢5,000.00, and pay a non-refundable filing fee of GH¢40,000.00.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim Swedru in the Eastern Region, Kennedy Osei Nyarko has said Vice President, Dr. Mahammudu Bawumia poses a threat to the main opposition National Democratic Party (NDC).
Kennedy Osei Nyarko is convinced former President John Dramani Mahama is no competition for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, when it comes to debating on national issues.
He said, “Dr Bawumia continues to be a nightmare and albatross on the neck of the NDC.”
“He has always taken the biggest opposition party on policies and on innovative ideas implementations. No wonder they will not stop at anything to attack and denigrate him. He is the nightmare of the NDC. We want someone who will take the fight to the opponent and not the one who will rather fight the one fighting the opponent,” Kennedy Osei Nyarko wrote on his official Facebook wall.
“It seems that Dr. Bawumia is a problem for his political rivals. I’ve been involved in Ghanaian politics for a very long time, and I can attest that Dr. Bawumia is one of our country’s top communicators. He is coherent, articulate, and laser-focused.”
He added: “He makes economics very simple. He is able to reduce very complicated issues, so, I see why he represents a problem and a challenge for some people. I think the town hall meeting was a useful exercise.”
Both presidential and parliamentary nominations were opened for interested aspirants to pick forms on 21st February, 2023.
Chairman of the Elections Committee, Kakra Essamuah at a media engagement after the closing of nominations, announced that four aspirants have picked forms to contest the upcoming flagbearer race.
He mentioned former President John Mahama, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, Kojo Bonsu and Ernest Kwaku Kobeah.
According to Mr. Essamuah, applicants are expected to receive endorsements from all 275 constituencies before filing between 20th to 22nd March.
He has, however, indicated that nominations for the parliamentary elections are still ongoing and expected to close by midnight Friday.
Meanwhile, the freeze on 27 constituencies across the country is still active until further notice.
A former general secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Titus Beyuo, has said that he has been an official member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since 2013.
According to him, he started as a student politician and was part of student unions while at the University of Ghana. However, he remained neutral because of the leadership positions he held.
“I became a card-bearing member of the NDC in 2013. Some NDC members, when they heard that I was standing on the ticket of the NDC were shocked because I was very hard on the NDC. But I needed to stay neutral because of the leadership roles I held. The only party card I have ever held is NDC,” he said on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Friday.
Dr Beyuo disclosed this after he picked forms to contest in parliamentary primaries of the NDC in theLambussie-Karni Constituency in the Upper West Region.
He said the decision was taken after a prolonged period of introspection and extensive consultations with family, friends and critical stakeholders.
“Arriving at this decision was an uphill task, but the support and encouragement received from my family, traditional leaders in the Lambussie Traditional Council, party leadership at the national, regional, constituency and branch levels, and friends during the consultative process, made this less difficult,” he stated.
Dr Beyuo has, therefore, promised to wrestle power from the New Patriotic Party and contribute to the developmental agenda of the next NDC government for the people of Ghana and Lambussie.
The poorest people are bearing the burden of food inflation because the cost of the cheapest items at supermarkets has increased by an astounding 21.6% in only one year.
According to a Which? survey, the cost of value items has been rising more rapidly than total grocery inflation, which was 15.9% across all major supermarkets.
This includes the average cost of milk, which increased by 26.1%, and the increase in price of pork sausages at Asda from 80p to £1.27.
Other big price increases include Sainsbury’s muesli rising from £1.20 to £2.25, and tins of sliced carrots up 63% from 20p to 33p at Tesco.
The price of cheese went up by 23.8% overall, but some individual examples surged by as much as 96.6%.
The findings suggest those who are likely to be already struggling to feed their families and pay their bills during the cost-of-living crisis are being hit disproportionately with the sharpest food increases.
In comparison, branded goods rose by 13.2% over the year, own-label premium ranges were up 13.4% and standard own-brand items increased 18.9%.
The average price of milk has risen by a staggering 26.1%
However, Which? found the discounters were generally still cheaper than their competitors.
Sue Davies, Which? head of food policy, said: ‘It’s clear that food costs have soared in recent months, but our inflation tracker shows how households relying on supermarket value ranges are being hit the hardest.
‘Supermarkets need to act and Which? is calling for them to ensure everyone has easy access to basic, affordable food ranges at a store near them, particularly in areas where people are most in need.
‘Supermarkets must also do more to ensure transparent pricing enables people to easily work out which products offer the best value and target their promotions to support people who are really struggling.’
A former governor of the Bank of Ghana and potential National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential nominee,Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, has said that if elected president, Ghana’s faltering economy will experience a significant turnaround within two years.
He said this after receiving the nomination forms picked up on his behalf on Thursday.
The National Democratic Congress is set to elect its flagbearer on May 13, 2023.
Already, four persons have picked up their nomination forms. Apart from Dr. Duffuor, the rest are former President John Dramani Mahama, former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu and a businessman, Ernest Kwaku Kobeah.
Dr. Duffuor after receiving his nomination form, which was picked up by the NDC Women’s wing in the Ashanti Region, touted the NDC’s achievement and indicated that the Nana Addo-led government has worsened the economy.
He promised to revive the economy if he is given the nod.
“The place for the eagle is not the land but the sky. The eagle will soar again, Ghana will soar again. Our government, if voted for, will bring the economy back within two years. The first year will be a resurrection year and the second year, will be a complete recovery in 2025,” he said.
He further criticized the governing New Patriotic Party for its continuous borrowing and the worsening inflation.
“When we left office, the cedi was performing better. When we were leaving office the total public debt was GH¢35 billion. Now, it’s over GH¢600 billion. We can do better,” he added.
Dr. Duffuor was appointed the Governor of the Bank of Ghana in 1997.
In his era as Governor, Dr. Duffuor restructured Government accounts at the Bank of Ghana and led the implementation of both fiscal and monetary policies.
He was named one of the four best Central Bank Governors in the World at a World Bank meeting in 1999.
The transition from social media fame to the ‘halls of power’ has been a smooth one for many ‘socialite-turned-politicians’.
Perhaps, it is because their celebrity status puts them a step ahead of potential competitors, with ‘fame’ being the catalyst.
Also, the drive for an increased youth participation in governance in recent times has turned the political culture into a vibrant one, thereby making it attractive for some celebrities to participate.
This trend was not the same in the past, as politics was largely dominated by full-time politicians, businessmen, or ex-military generals.
However, it is interesting to note that a number of celebrities are contesting party primaries to represent the opposition National Democratic Congress in Parliament.
Seeking a total overhaul, these individuals are not only pushing for a change in their various constituencies, but also a change in the seat of the presidency.
Real Estate mogul cum socialite, Emmanuel Kojo Jones-Mensah, is eyeing the Keta seat.
Kojo Jones whose wedding took Ghana by storm sometime in 2022, is expected to ease his path into the legislative house on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
Even before the contest, the aspirant started embarking on some developmental projects such as the construction of bridges in the constituency.
The Keta Constituency seat is currently occupied by Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey.
Mr. Gakpey took over from Richard Quashiga who opted out after serving in the 7th parliament.
Another aspirant to look out for in the impending parliamentary primaries of the opposition NDC is businessman and showbiz investor, Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu.
Popularly known in the entertainment circle as Baba Sadiq, the young entrepreneur is eyeing the Okaikoi Central seat.
The seat which has been occupied by Patrick Yaw Boamah of the governing New Patriotic Party for a while now has remained with the party since the constituency was created.
Baba Sadiq is however counting on his experience, youthfulness, and plans for the constituency to annex the seat should he get the nod to carry the flag of his party.
The constituency has a large number of Zongo population, mostly youthful, and these political pundits believe could play to the advantage of Baba Sadiq.
Joana Gyan Cudjoe, Keche’s wife
Ghanaian business executive, Dr. Mrs. Joana Gyan-Cudjoe is set to contest the Amenfi Central Constituency seat under the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
Joana who is married to singer Keche Andrew announced her intentions in some flyers capturing the new entry of parliamentary candidates of the party.
In an Instagram post that first announced Joana’s presence in Ghana’s political scene, she wrote: “Vote for me please.”
The Amenfi Central Constituency parliamentary seat is currently occupied by the NDC’s Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah.
Joana Cudjoe described herself as a “Mother for all” adding that “Amenfi Central needs you”.
The business owner’s motto “growth and development” labels her as the right candidate for the position.
Fred Nuamah
Popular actor and movie producer, Fred Nuamah, has announced his intention to contest the National Democratic Congress’ parliamentary slot for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.
During the 2020 general elections, celebrated actor, John Dumelo contested for the seat on the ticket of the NDC but failed to secure the needed votes thus losing out to Lydia Seyram Alhassan of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
It is currently unclear if Mr. Dumelo is eyeing the seat again.
Fred Nuamah, who is also a film director is best known for his role in the movie ‘The Game’.
He is the founder and CEO of Ghana Movie Awards & Ghana TV series awards, an annual award show that recognizes excellence in the Ghanaian film industry.
Celebrated Ghanaian actor, farmer, and politician, John Dumelo will be another candidate to watch in the impending parliamentary primaries for the opposition NDC.
The actor created a lot of buzz in the 2020 elections by contesting for the Ayawaso West Wuogon seat. He however lost to the incumbent Lydia Seyram Alhassan.
Mr. Dumelo, a first-timer, however, gave his opponent a run for her money.
According to reports, Ghanaians might witness a rematch in 2024 as Mr. Dumelo has reportedly decided to have another bite at the cherry in the same constituency.
This development is despite reports that Dumelo set his sights on the yet-to-be-created Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) constituency in the OTI region.
Mr. Dumelo had set camp in the area engaging in a number of projects including the distribution of farming implements to constituents.
But the latest development has disclosed that Mr. Dumelo might just stick to the Ayawaso West Wuogon where he will go head-to-head with another actor Fred Nuamah who has already thrown his heart into the race
An influential member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former minister Rojo Mettle Nunoo has admitted that he worked as an unofficial party agent in the Election Commission’s “strongroom” during the 2020 elections.
In an interview on Citi FM (February 23) Rojo recounted his footprints serving the NDC at the EC strongroom in successive elections.
“I am a citizen of this country, I believe in good governance, I have represented the NDC from 1992 in the strongroom, I did the same in 1996, 2000 and 2004, I ended up in court and ended up in the Supreme Court in that petition,” he told host Umaru Sanda.
He recounted serving the NDC in the 2008 election in the strongroom, which process led to John Evans Atta Mills winning power on his third attempt.
Rojo added that his absence in the EC strongroom inn 2016 was due to illness but that he was back in there for the 2020 elections despite not being accredited.
“2020 in spite of my ill-health, I had no accreditation but I entered the EC to defend John Mahama and being a critically present person in the conduct of that election in the strong room, he elected me to become a witness in the petition,” he added.
When Mahama filed a petition after the 2020 election, Rojo was one of three witnesses who appeared before the Supreme Court. Due to ill-health, he presented his evidence via video conference.
The court unanimously dismissed the petition paving the way for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to serve his second and final term which expires in 2025.
Ahead of the 2024 polls, Mahama has been tipped as the presumptive flagbearer of the NDC with one of his main challengers being Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, a former Minister of Finance.
Rojo, happens to be one of the key members of the Duffuor campaign team.
The National Women’s Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Hanna Bisiw, has slammed Gloria Huze for picking up Dr. Kwabena Duffuor’s presidential nomination form in the name of the party’s Ashanti Region Women’s wing.
In a statement copied to GhanaWeb, on Thursday, February 23, 2023, Bisiw Louisa said that the action taken by the Ashanti Regional Women’s Organiser, Gloria Huze, was totally intolerable.
She added that no executive of the party can use the wing of the party for their personal businesses.
“My attention has been drawn to a deplorable and unacceptable action by the Ashanti Regional Women’s Organiser, Gloria Huze, in the upcoming Flag bearer race.
“She is on record to have led a delegation to pick up the nomination form for a Presidential Candidate Aspirant in the name of the Ashanti Regional Women’s Wing.
“I vehemently and categorically disassociate the wing from her conduct and wish to state emphatically that her conduct is not in any way a representation of any parts of the wing either in the Ashanti Region or across the other 15 regions in the country,” parts of the statement read.
The National Women’s Organiser added that the disciplinary committee of the NDC’s women’s wing has been notified about Gloria Huze’s action and will take the necessary steps to bring her to book.
Gloria Huze, together with some staff of NDC presidential hopeful, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, picked his nomination for the party’s presidential primaries, which is scheduled for May 2023, on Thursday at the party’s headquarters in Accra.
Read the full statement below:
NATIONAL WOMEN’S WING ISSUE A STATEMENT ON ASHANTI REGIONAL WOMEN’S ORGANISER PICKING FORMS FOR DUFFOUR
DISCLAIMER
My attention has been drawn to a deplorable and unacceptable action by the Ashanti Regional Women’s Organiser, Gloria Huze, in the upcoming Flag bearer race.
She is on record to have led a delegation to pick up the nomination form for a Presidential Candidate Aspirant in the name of the Ashanti Regional Women’s Wing.
I vehemently and categorically disassociate the wing from her conduct and wish to state emphatically that her conduct is not in anyway a representation of any parts of the wing either in the Ashanti region or across the other 15 regions in the country.
The women’s wing will sanction any such persons who seek to use the mandate of the wing to run individual businesses.
The disciplinary Committee of the women’s wing have been duly notified. The necessary steps shall be taken for the greater good of the wing and interest of the party.
Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, has disclosed that the entire Minority Caucus in Parliament is solidly behind the presidential candidature of John Dramani Mahama.
He told Oyerepa TV on February 22, that all 137 National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs were in attendance at a meeting held earlier this week to pledge their support for the former president.
Asked whether all NDC MPs were in support of Mahama’s bid to lead the NDC into the 2024 elections, he responded: “Absolutely, all Members of Parliament on the ticket of the NDC were all present…
“… and on behalf of all of us, our new leader Hon. Ato Forson made a resounding declaration of total support for his candidature and it was followed by a resounding applause followed by a standing ovation.”
According to him, “the brother of a possible contender was introduced at the meeting because he is also a Member of Parliament and he declared his support,” he added without naming the said MP.
Mahama declares bid, picks nomination forms
Mahama’s formal intention to run for a third consecutive shot at the presidency was reported when a number of NDC MPs confirmed after a meeting that he was going to contest.
On February 22, forms were picked on his behalf by Prof. Alabi and regional chairmen amid fanfare. Mahama is expected to address the media in due course to formally announce his bid.
Mahama’s political roots date as far back to the days of Ghana’s independence when his father served in the Nkrumah government.
John Mahama, a political thoroughbred
He is reputed to be one of the most thoroughbred politicians of the Fourth Republic having served from the local level (Assembly) through to becoming a Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
Mahama held deputy minister and ministerial portfolios under the Rawlings government before rising to become vice president under John Mills and president when he took over from Mills then won his first full term in 2012.
He is widely expected to contest for the presidency come 2024 as he seeks a final term in office on the back of two straight defeats to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2016 and 2020.
National Democratic Congress members visited the family home of Christian Atsu, the late Black Stars winger.
For the family’s one-week preparation for the observation, the NDC gave them 30 cartons of water and GHC 2000 during their visit.
Osman Ayariga, Ruth Dela Sedoh, Amos Blessing Amorse, Gideon Hammond,Mohammed Judah, Nath Tetteh, and a large number of other members of the delegation were led by the party’s National Youth Organiser, George Oppare Addo.
After expressing their condolences in the book set up in Christian Atsu’s honour, NDC representatives promised to assist the family in making funeral arrangements.
The NDC officials, after signing the book of condolence, opened it for Christian Atsu pledged to support the family in planning the funeral.
Christian Atsu was found dead on the morning of Saturday, February 18, 2022, at the site of his collapsed apartment more than a week after a devastating earthquake hit parts of Turkey and Syria.
Christian Atsu played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and four other African Cup of Nations tournaments.
In all, Christian Atsu made 65 appearances and scored 10 goals for the Black Stars from 2012-2019.
Meanwhile,Christian Atsu’s one-week observation has been scheduled for Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Accra.
A former Greater Accra Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Ade Coker, has urged the party’s flagbearer candidates to support John Mahama’s candidacy without mounting an opposition.
According to him, the former President should not be sidetracked since he is the only candidate who has the potential to assist the NDC in regaining power.
Speaking on Thursday on Accra-based Atinka TV, he asserted that Mahama should be elected president by popular vote rather than through a contest, adding that the other contenders could declare their candidacies at a later time.
“My advice to those who would be contesting is that, even though they have gone for forms and we have been talking to them, I believe that they should look at the larger picture of the NDC.
“We do not want a situation where by the time we finish, we are divided.
We do not want that. There is room for everybody in the party and at the appropriate time, we can consider them”, the former Greater Accra Regional Chairman said.
Mr Coker’s comments adds to the widespread endorsement Mahama has garnered following the announcement of his bid to contest in the 2024 presidential elections on the ticket of the NDC.
So far, the former President is ahead of his contenders – former Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor and former Kumasi Mayor, Kojo Bonsu.
The NDC will hold its presidential and parliamentary primaries on Saturday, May 13 to elect a new flagbearer as well as parliamentary candidates across the various constituencies.
Meanwhile, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it is prepared to face former President John Dramani Mahama, following his decision to contest the 2024 presidential election.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the NPP’s Director of Communication, Richard Ahiagbah, said his outfit is not intimidated by Mahama’s intentions.
According to him, Mr Mahama did not give a good account of himself while in office, but rather subjected Ghanaians to untold hardship; including the one-time power fluctuations, termed ‘dumsor’.
An Aide to former President John Mahama says the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) do not stand a chance in winning the 2024 elections it criminally destroyed the national economy.
According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, his boss comes with a vision that will make reckless borrowing and mismanagement of the economy a thing of the past.
Former President John Mahama announced his comeback bid after picking forms on Wednesday to contest the flagbearership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“Former President Mahama wants to restore this nation’s economy to health. The reckless borrowing, deliberate mismanagement and criminal ways of public resources will be a thing of the past.
“NDC government will carry out far-reaching governance, political and economic reforms for it to be impossible for a government to destroy the country ever again at the extent the NPP has done,” he said.
He added that former President Mahama will in the coming days engage Ghanaians on public platforms to spell out his new vision and his reason for a comeback.
“But even before he does that, even a toddler knows that this NPP government, is simply not an option in this election and that the criminal destruction of our economy that Bawumia has supervised is sufficient reason to boot them out at the earliest opportunity come 2024.”
Meanwhile, the Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah says the former President is indecisive and has nothing new to offer.
“We’ve defeated the person twice so we are not afraid of Mahama. Those visions he had vanquished the economy. We won’t allow him to come and repeat it because he has nothing new,” he said.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr Titus Beyuo has resigned from post.
According to close sources, his resignation is to pave way for him to contest the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Lambussie Constituency of the Upper West Region.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the medical practitioner said his decision to venture into politics has been influenced by his desire to better the lot of locals in the Lambussie Constituency.
According to him, the Constituency is pregnant with a lot of prospects and therefore the need for a ‘stronger representation on the national stage’.
He however, noted that the decision to transit from his professional practice into partisan politics was not an easy one.
Nonetheless, Dr Beyuo said the support of his family, close associates and other prominent people helped him to finally decide on his political ambitions.
“Arriving at this decision was an uphill task, but the support and encouragement received from my family, traditional leaders in the Lambussie Traditional Council, party leadership at the national, regional, constituency and branch levels, and friends during the consultative process, made this less difficult”, the doctor said.
An appeal for funds from the former GMA Secretary to help his campaign
He added that he believes in the ideologies of the National Democratic Congress, while touting the prospects of the Lambussie Constituency.
“I am fully persuaded that the social democratic governance of the NDC holds the key to the alleviation of extreme poverty, provision of healthcare to all, restoration of the economy and above all ensuring fairness and equity in the distribution of the national cake.
At the Lambussie Constituency level, an endowed border district to Burkina Faso with rich cultural heritage, with hardworking and peaceful people, rich human resource, needed for developments, is lagging.
“We remain a district without an inch of tarred roads (other than the transnational road connecting to Burkina Faso) and worse performance in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Upper West Region.
“The district needs stronger representation on the national stage and a stronger advocate to act as a catalyst to speed up developmental initiatives and this is what I seek to offer”, portions of the statement read.
While apolgosing to those who may have been disappointed in his decision, he indicated that he has picked his nomination forms to contest the Lambussie seat, after submitting his resignation to the Ghana Medical Association.
“I count on the support of all to guarantee victory in the upcoming elections.
“It is my firm belief that the grace of God will abound to me as I make this switch from a professional and academic career into frontline politics. I need your prayers and continuous support. God bless us all!”, the statement concluded.
Dr Beyuo is a consultant obstetrician, gynaecologist and an epidemiologist. He is also a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS).
In a related development, the Acting Volta Regional Director of Health, Dr Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, has also set his sail to contest the NDC parliamentary primaries in the Keta Constituency.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will hold its presidential and parliamentary primaries on Saturday, May 13, 2023, to elect a new flagbearer as well as its parliamentary candidates for the 2024 elections.
Per the schedule announced by the party on January 18, aspirants are expected to pick their nomination forms at the party’s headquarters at Adabraka or access them via the party’s official website.
Parliamentary aspirants will be picking their forms from Monday, 20th February to 24th February at a fee of GH¢5,000; and later submit them at a fee of GH¢40,000 between March 20 to March 22.
This will be followed by the vetting of aspirants from 27th March to 29th March, 2023.
Incumbent MP for the Okaikwei North Constituency has received support from a National Democratic Congress (NDC) group in her bid to seek re-election.
Theresa Lardi Awuni who is the incumbent MP formally declared her intentions to contest the upcoming parliamentary primaries.
The MP in a statement said she believes having served her constituents well, looking for another opportunity to continue to solve their problems is in the right direction.
“I strongly believe my track record in the constituency puts the NDC in the best position to win in 2024, with the theme of my campaign being ‘Forward Together’.
“It is a message of focus, unity and single-mindedness with respect to capturing the presidency and parliament decisively in 2024”, she said.
It continued, “If re-elected, I will continue to prioritize the needs of our party and work diligently to advance our platform and policies.
“I believe that my experience as an incumbent Member of Parliament has given me a unique perspective on the challenges facing our party and the country, and I am confident that I can continue to be an effective advocate for our platform and our party”.
A copy of Theresa Lardi Awuni’s statement of intent
Following her declaration, the supporter’s group, which identified itself as ‘Friends of Theresa Awuni’, handed over the cash to the MP to support her campaign activities.
According to them, they are impressed with her performance, and therefore their decision to rally behind her.
Reacting to the gesture, the MP expressed her gratitude and reiterated her resolve to make the constituency a better place; while helping the NDC to also make inroads in the 2024 presidential election.
In the last election in 2020, Theresah Awuni beat the New Patriotic Party’s Fuseini Issah, to snatch the seat for the NDC for the first time.
This drew a lot of attention to the constituency, making it a talking point amidst widespread commendations for her resilience and historic victory.
Awuni’s triumph also earned her plaudits from gender activists who praised her exemplary determination and unwavering fighting spirit.
A number of young people on both sides of the political divide, that is in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are eyeing seats in the legislature come 2024.
The hurdle at this stage is to scale the party primaries before they go into real battle come December 2024 to secure a seat in Parliament.
One such aspiring lawmaker is Charles Asiedu.
On a good day, he will pass off as another young activist in the NDC who is seeking to replace the retiring MPs and or one seeking to wrestle a seat from the NPP for his party.
Charles it so happens is the son of the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
Who is Charles Asiedu?
a. Charles only recently declared his intention to contest in the party’s Tano South parliamentary primaries.
b. He is a former organizer of the party in the Ahafo Region
c. He is seeking to replace Hannah Bissue (current Women’s Organizer) who has been NDC’s candidate in the constituency since 2012, winning it once.
d. Charles will come up against four other contenders according to information available to GhanaWeb.
e. Prior to his regional organizer position, Charles served as two-term branch organizer before becoming a deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Organizer.
f. He has a close relationship with Dr Hanna Bissiw’s serving as her campaign manager for the successful National Women’s Organizer bids in 2018 and 2022.
Charles (arrowed) joined by Hanna Bissiw and other NDC activists during a protest in Techiman
g. Charles holds a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership and Governance from the University of Ghana Business school. He is also a product of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).
h. He has a certificate in Political Leadership and Party Organisation from the NDC’s Ghana Institute of Social Democracy (GISD).
i. Charles Asiedu’s areas of expertise are communication, political marketing and branding, research, governance, strategic planning and human resource development.
In an interview with Accra-based myxyzonline.com, the youth activist said “I am always here with the people and they know me to be a vibrant party person who has served them in different capacities.”
Whether he scales the party primaries and makes it past the December 7, 2024 post, like they say, time will tell.
Some assembly members in the Tamale South Constituency have bought the nomination forms for the Memberof Parliament for the area, Haruna Iddrisu, pledging to pay for the filing fee in the coming days to get the MP retained for the 6th time as the NDC parliamentary candidate.
They are Lamashegu North Assemblyman, Alhassan Major and Jakara Yili electoral area assemblyman, Alhaji Ibrahim Tijani, Nakpan Zuo, Datoo Yili Nyohani North amd South and many others.
“We want to show our unclenching support to our dear MP for Tamale South, Hon Haruna Iddrisu by purchasing the Nomination Form for him to be retained as our MP for Tamale South for the 6th time”, the assembly members told journalists after announcing to the party executives in the constituency.
“Hon Haruna Iddrisu has demonstrated on countless occasion his desired in the development Tamale South Constituency and Ghana as a whole. He has demonstrated that in the following areas; Education, Roads, Extension of Electricity, Extension of Water, Employment, Human development…”, they added.
The assembly members said they were however organizing for the filing fees of GHC 40,000 after completion of the form.
They also reminded the good people of Tamale South Constituency “not to leave what is in hand for the one in the leg”, adding that they “shall comb round all the constituency to canvas support for our dear MP”.
Haruna Iddrisu is the first MP to win the Tamale South Constituency after it was created from then Gukpegu Sabonjida Constituency in 2004 and has since represented the people.
It is expected that the MP is most likely to go unopposed, which was stated by the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak may be in for a stiff contest in a re-election bid as reports reaching the Independent Ghana indicate that some branch executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Constituency, have gathered resources to sponsor a candidate against the incumbent Member of Parliament in the party’s upcoming parliamentary primaries.
The group according to a 3news.com on Tuesday, February 22, 2023, picked up nomination forms for Mubarak Masawudu to contest Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak for the party’s slot in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
“We the undersigned branch executives have contributed an amount of GH¢5,000 as the fee for picking up the parliamentary nomination form for Masawudu Mubarak.
“We came about this decision based on the enormous contribution of Masawudu towards building a formidable NDC in the Asawase Constituency,” Abubakar Ahmed Ibrahim, branch secretary for Asawase B-LINE, stated at a press conference.
According to the executive’s their preferred candidate will provide the right leadership to the people of the constituency to bring about growth and development.
“Masawudu through his youth empowerment programme has successfully secured a meaningful sustainable job for some of the youth of Asawase Constituency. This aligns to his overall goal of building the human capital base of the constituency.
“We are convinced that when given the nod, Comrade Masawudu through his youthful empowerment programme will eradicate the long-standing financial struggle the branches go through, rendering them ineffective.
“The policies and programmes that Comrade Masawudu espouses assures us that when he becomes the parliamentary candidate and subsequently the Member of Parliament for Asawase, the constituency will undoubtedly witness the total transformation she deserves,” the group said.
Mohammed Muntaka has been in parliament for five consecutive terms as MP for Asawase, one of the seats held by the NDC in the Ashanti Regional stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party.
A 43-year-old businessman based in the United Kingdom, Ernest Kobeah, has picked his nomination form to contest in the flagbearership race of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He picked the form briefly after the former president, John Dramani Mahama picked up his forms at the party’s headquarters to contest the flagbearship race.
“I am here to pick nomination forms and you know the NDC, will always bring a surprise. So, I am the new one to bring all the surprises in the NDC. I also want Ghanaians to know that the NDC, we support democracy and we will build a new Ghana for anyone to live in,” he said when he picked his form.
The National Democratic Congress opened its nominations for the election of its Presidential candidate and Parliamentary Candidates for the 2024 General Elections.
So far, two flagbearer hopefuls have picked their nominations; John Mahama and Ernest Kobeah.
Kwabena Duffuor, former Finance Minister and Kojo Bonsu are expected to pick up their forms on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
Two prominent members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who have declared their intentions to contest in the upcoming Presidential primaries will file their nominations on Thursday, February 23, 2023.
The two are; Former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor and former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu.
This, was revealed by the Chairman of the Internal Elections Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Kakra Essamuah, who shared the itinerary for Thursday, February 23.
Dr Kwabena Duffuor is expected to pick his form first in the morning then later Kojo Bonsu.
On Wednesday morning, Joshua Alabi picked up the forms on behalf of the former president, including those of the national chairmen of various regions.
This was barely 24 hours after he declared his intention to run for president in the 2024 general election on the ticket of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr. Mahama made the formal announcement when he met with the Minority caucus at his Cantonment office on Tuesday.
Joshua Alabi presented a Cheque of GHc30,000 as a nomination fee.
He expected to pay an amount of GHC500,000 as filing fee.
The election is expected to take off on May 13 in various constituencies across the country.
According to reports, the 16-year-old student took the knife out of their bag before stabbing the instructor in the middle of a lecture.
The attack happened at a private school in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, near Bordeaux (Picture: Metro.co.uk)Police outside the private Catholic school (Picture: AP)Police rushed to the scene this morning (Picture: AFP)
While the motive is yet to be established, LeMonde reported they may have been suffering from mental health issues.
Neither the attacker, nor the victim have been named by authorities.
Pap Ndiaye, the French education minister, confirmed he was on his way to Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
He said in a statement on Twitter: ‘Immense emotion following the death today of a teacher at Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin high school in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
‘My thoughts go to their family, colleagues and students.’
Pyrénées-Atlantiques senator Frédérique Espagnac said she ‘totally condemns this act of violence against a teacher’.
Meanwhile, local prosecutor Jerome Bourrier confirmed a murder enquiry has been opened.
French government spokesperson, Olivier Véran, told reporters during a press conference the government would support educators across the country in the wake of the incident.
‘I can hardly imagine the trauma that this can represent,’ he said.
