Some bigwigs in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have eulogised the party’s National Youth Organiser, George Opare Addo for his good works since coming into office.
Mr Opare Addo, popularly referred to as Pablo, was sworn into office in 2018.
Minority leader and MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, is among the NDC MPs who have endorsed the National Youth Organiser, who is seeking a second term in office.
Mr Iddrisu noted that just as his role expects, Mr Opare Addo has been the medium that breaches the gap between the grassroot supporters, mostly the youth, and the leadership of the party.
He noted that Pablo ensured that the leadership of the party had ample time to interact and discuss their future and the future of the current opposition party while in Tamale for a political event.
“Pablo, I should thank you. My MP said yesterday, you just didn’t receive them well but you gave them room to share their thoughts and experiences with the gallant youth of our party. We remain grateful for the opportunity and for the gesture. And to Pablo on behalf of the parliamentary wing of the party, let me thank you profoundly; one for the Tamale Northern Region, my own region for this ceremony of grooming and seeking to develop the capacities,” he said.
Another NDC MP likened the administration of Pablo to that of “an army of sheep led by a lion”. According to the MP, such an army “can conquer an army of lions led by a sheep.”
For most of the NDC MPs, Mr Opare Addo has remained “selfless” as far as the party is concerned.
These appellations were showered on Mr Opare Addo at the National TEIN Capacity Building Boot Camp held in the Northern Region.
In his speech, Pablo expressed the words of a true leader, encouraging all to persevere and be determined to get the work done for the greater good of the NDC.
“Courage is not the one who shouts the loudest. Courage is not the one who portrays himself that I am courageous. But courage is getting the job done at every cost and making sure that there are no complaints. We are getting the job done, and I trust you will also go and get yours done,” he stated..
Mr Opare Addo is hopeful of retaining his position when the party, on December 10, 2022, elects its new batch of national executives.
He is optimistic that his works would prove his worth and show his capabilities to provide more successes for the NDC.
Should he be given the nod, the NDC is expected to benefit from 10 projects under his tutelage.
Mr Opare Addo among other things, wants to provide quarterly fuel allowances for constituency Youth Organizer, set up financing for Youth Wing Members running for District Assembly elections, operationalize the Youth Wing command center with digital infrastructure for volunteers for operation 24/7.
The fourth and fifth items on his to-do-list are to reassemble a National Youth Operation wing ahead of the 2024 elections and provide Megaphones and information packed flash drives for each constituency youth organizer ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The remaining projects to be executed under the leadership of Mr Opare Addo are “print T-shirts and other Paraphernalia for constituency youth organizers; provide a motorbike for each youth organizer and the deputy to increase grassroots mobilization by December 2023; provide cars to deputy regional youth organizers and regional youth organizers without functioning cars; provide a National TEIN Coordinators Vehicle under the auspices of the TEIN secretariat and establish the “Support The Youth Fund” with seed money for constituency Youth organizers.”
A member of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) and representative for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has questioned the party’s current youth leadership.
According to the MP, the current youth leadership of the party has become too passive and has failed to rally the youth of Ghana to demonstrate against the corrupt Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.
Speaking in a Good Morning Ghana interview monitored by GhanaWeb, Sam George added that the failure of the current NDC youth leaders is the reason why he will be supporting Brogya Genfi, a national youth organiser hopeful, in the upcoming national executive elections of the party.
“I have seen leadership in diplomacy, one that engages in press conferences than actions. I want to see leadership of courage. I want to see a leadership that begins to raise the temperature of this country, galvanizing the youth front of our nation and saying to them that we need to demand better of the kleptocrats in government, the thieves in government, those who are running down and destroying the future of this country.
“This youth leadership is interested in press conferences, Akufo-Addo, at 50, did kumepreko… and that is why I support Brogya Genfi. I believe in the courage and fire of leadership that Brogya represents. And I believe that he will bring about a sterling turnaround in the next two years,” he said.
“We want to see a youth leadership that will raise the temperature in all 16 regions and make demands of this government. Demand accountability from this government. Enough of the press conferences. A youth wing that will open up the intellectual debates on campuses,” he reiterated.
The party’s national elections are slated for Saturday, December 17, 2022.
Candidates will be contesting for various positions, including the National Chairman, National Vice-Chairmen, General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary, National Organiser, and Deputy National Organiser, as well as the National Treasurer and Deputy National Treasurer.
Others are the National Communications Officer and Deputy, the National Women’s Organiser and Deputy, the National Zongo Caucus Coordinator, and the National Youth Organiser and Deputy.
The current National Youth Organiser of the party, George Opare Addo, is expected to face stiff competition from Brogya Genfi in the National Youth Organiser race.
In preparation for its Congress on December 17, 2022, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has made public the list of candidates running for several executive positions.
The elected candidates will represent the party in the elections of 2024.
The hotly disputed national chairmanship will be held by the current chair, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the current general secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, a former member of parliament, Nii Armah Ashiety, and Samuel Yaw Adusei.
According to a statement made by the NDC, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah will appear second on the ballot, while Mr. Ofosu Ampofo will appear third.
Dr. Sherry Ayitey, a former minister of fisheries and aquaculture, will compete against seven other people for the role of vice chairman.
=, the party’s current national communications officer, is the only candidate.
The current National Women Organiser, Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw, will square off against Margaret Ansei in an effort to keep her position.
Read below the list of candidates vying for various positions:
CHAIRMAN
SAMUEL YAW ADUSEI
JOHNSON ASEIDU NKETIA
SAMUEL OFOSU AMPOFO
NII ARMAH ASHIETEY
ELVIS AFRIYIE ANKRAH
FIFI FIAVI KWETEY
DR. PETER BOAMAH OTOKUNOR
DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY
FRANCIS LANME GURIBE
CATHERINE DEYNU
BARBARA SERWAA ASAMOAH
GBANDE FOYO MUSTAPHA
KWAME ZU
BRADI PAUL OPATA
EVANS AMOO
NATIONAL ORGANIZER
JOSHUA HAMIDU AKAMBA
HENRY OSEI AKOTO
MAHDI MOHAMMED GIBRILL
SIDII ABUBAKARI
SOLOMON YAW NKANSAH
CHIEF HAMILTON BINEY NIXON
JOSEPH YAMMIN
DEPUTY NATIONAL ORGANIZER
KOBBY BARLON
HABIB MOHAMMED TAHIRU
ELIKEM ERIC KEVIN KWAME KOTOKO
ALHAJI YAW KUNDOW
COMMUNICATION OFFICER
SAMMY GYAMFI
DEPUTY COMMUNICATION OFFICER
GODWIN AKO GUNN
ADONGO ATULE JACOB
MALIK BASINTALE
KWAKU BOAHEN ANTHONY
MOHAMMED NAZIRU
YOUTH ORGANIZER
BROGYA GENFI
GEORGE OPARE ADDO
DEPUTY YOUTH ORGANIZER
OSMAN ABDULAI AYARIGA
RUTH DELA SEDDOH
BRIGHT NUDOKPO HONU
SULEMANA ABDUL KARIM
MOHAMMED ABUBAKARI SADIQ GOMBILLA
KABIRU AHMED
ERIC DADSON
PENDILOCK OWUSU ASARE
OBED OPINTAN
JUDE SEKLEY
ABASS ZULKARNAIN KAMBARI
HON. ALHAJI BABANLAMIE ABU SADAT
MAMAH MOHAMMED COLE YOUNGER
ABDUL-AZIZ MOHAMMED
YAKUBU MAHMUD MUDI
NEC MEMBERS
EPHRAIM NII TAN SACKEY
PEREZ FERNANDEZ ARMAH LARYEA
ISSAHAKU ISSAH ADEL
REV. IRENE SENA AGBLEKE
ABDULLAH FARRAKHAN ISHAQ
MALIK ADAMA
VICTORIA KUMA-MINTAH
EMMANUEL EWOENAM YAO ADZOME-DZOKANDA
CECILIA N. ASAGA
EBENEZER EFFAH HACKMAN
NAJAWA ALHAJI ISSAH
STEPHEN LADZEDO
ANITA ANNAN
RANSFORD CHATMAN VANNI-AMOAH
THOMAS AYISI KUMAH
WONDER VICTOR KUTOR
MOHAMMED MAMUDU
ARABA TAGOE
FAMOUS KWESI KUADUGAH
Ghana’s request that private pensions forfeit some interest payments on government bonds to help it restructure debt and qualify for $3 billion of International Monetary Fund (IMF) support has received short shrift from local funds.
The West African country on Monday started offering domestic bondholders fresh local-currency bonds that won’t pay interest before 2024 in exchange for their existing debt.
But private pension funds, which held about 5.5% of domestic bonds as of the end of August, say the deal isn’t acceptable and want the government to discuss new terms.
“The proposal as put forth by the Minister of Finance is inferior to market expectation and will destroy the savings of Ghanaians and further undermine market confidence,” the Chamber of Corporate Trustees, an umbrella body for private pension trustees, said in a statement Tuesday.
“This is why we reject it outright.”
The West African economy launched a portal Monday where domestic bondholders can apply until Dec. 19 to replace about 137 billion cedis ($10.4 billion) of existing debt with new bonds maturing in 2027, 2029, 2032 and 2037.
Interest on the new bonds will not accrue until 2024 to reduce the country’s debt burden. Investors won’t receive annual coupon payments in 2023, 5% in 2024 and 10% from 2025 onward, according to the Ministry of Finance.
The pensions’ pushback could derail a debt-exchange program aimed at reducing Ghana’s debt burden and interest payments so it can qualify for IMF support.
Representatives of the Washington-based lender are in Ghana to complete talks with authorities in a mission set to end on December 13. Ghana and the organization, which have been in discussions since July, have said they are targeting an IMF staff-level agreement this month on a three-year program of as much as $3 billion.
The country had 393.4 billion cedis ($29.9 billion) of debt at the end of June, and debt-serving costs equivalent to 68% of tax revenue over the same period, according to budget data.
Ghana’s cedi, the world’s worst-performing currency against the dollar this year, has lost 53% of its value, increasing the cost of servicing the loans.
The list of all qualified aspirants for national executive positions in the upcoming National Democratic Congress (NDC), scheduled for December 17, 2022 congress has been released.
In all, there are 81 aspirants with a total of 14 positions being contested.
Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo will come up against three others including the incumbent General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, but watchers have described it as a two-horse race.
With respect to the General Secretary contest, it is among three known faces in the NDC, the incumbent Deputy General Secretary, Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Elections of the NDC, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah and Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, a former MP.
The only aspirant whose position seems secured is Sammy Gyamfi who is unopposed for the National Communications Officer position which he currently holds.
Some other tough battles will be the Youth Organiser slot where incumbent George Opare Addo will come up against Brogya Genfi while Hanna Bissiw will face a challenger in Margaret Ansei for the Women’s Organiser portfolio.
The complete list of aspirants is produced below:
CHAIRMAN
SAMUEL YAW ADUSEI – 1
JOHNSON ASEIDU NKETIA – 2
SAMUEL OFOSU-AMPOFO – 3
NII ARMAH ASHIETEY – 4
Youth Organiser for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo is expected to retain his position when the party elects its new batch of national executives on December 10, 2022.
This is because, Mr Opare Addo has provided a list of projects he will undertake if given the nod.
In total, the NDC is expected to benefit from 10 projects under the leadership of Mr Opare Addo.
Mr Opare Addo among other things, wants to provide quarterly fuel allowances for constituency Youth Organizer, set up financing for Youth Wing Members running for District Assembly elections, operationalize the Youth Wing command center with digital infrastructure for volunteers for operation 24/7.
The fourth and fifth items on his to-do-list are to reassemble a National Youth Operation wing ahead of the 2024 elections and provide Megaphones and information packed flash drives for each constituency youth organizer ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The remaining projects to be executed under the leadership of Mr Opare Addo are “print T-shirts and other Paraphernalia for constituency youth organizers; provide a motorbike for each youth organizer and the deputy to increase grassroots mobilization by December 2023; provide cars to deputy regional youth organizers and regional youth organizers without functioning cars; provide a National TEIN Coordinators Vehicle under the auspices of the TEIN secretariat and establish the “Support The Youth Fund” with seed money for constituency Youth organizers.”
The main opposition party will in some two days hold its National Delegates Congress, in Cape Coast.
Nine positions are up for grabs but the aspirants–nine times the number of portfolios available–will slug it out on December 17, in Accra.
The positions available for grab are Chairman, Vice-Chairman, General Secretary, Organiser, Communication Officer, Women’s Organiser, Youth Organiser, Zongo Caucus Coordinator and National Executive Committee members.
One of the talked about portfolios is the Youth Organiser. This is because the heart of the Party lies with the youth and the Youth Organiser is responsible for organising the youth wing of the party.
Mr Opare Addo will be going up against the Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser, Brogya Genfi, his closest contender, whom he beat, during the 2018 National Delegates Congress.
A former president of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has urged citizens to donate money to help organize the 10th National Delegates Conference of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The conference, slated for Saturday, December 17, in Accra, is to elect national officers to steer the Party’s affairs for the next four years.
In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday, Mr Mahama said about 9,000 constituency, regional and national executives, being accredited delegates, would have to be transported to Accra and accommodated for the conference.
“The Party needs your support to fund this congress,” he said.
“I am inviting 500,000 willing Ghanaians, NDC supporters, sympathisers, and friends to donate a minimum of 10 Ghana cedis each to help us fund the congress. You don’t have to be a member of the NDC to donate.”
The donation should be made via MoMo number 059 860 4199 or pay into the NDC Congress Account at the GCB Bank, into Account Number: 13-9113-00-00-837.
“If you want to arrange other forms of support, please send me an email- [email protected],” former President Mahama said.
Youth Organiser for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo, has been tipped to retain his position when the party elects its new batch of national executives on December 11, 2022.
In some two days, the main opposition party, NDC will hold its National Delegates Congress, in Cape Coast.
Nine positions are up for grabs but the aspirants–nine times the number of portfolios available–will slug it out.
The positions available for grab are Chairman, Vice-Chairman, General Secretary, Organiser, Communication Officer, Women’s Organiser, Youth Organiser, Zongo Caucus Coordinator and National Executive Committee members.
One of the talked about portfolios is the Youth Organiser. This is because the heart of the Party lies with the youth and the Youth Organiser is responsible for organising the youth wing of the party.
In his bid for the re-election, he has released a set of projects and policies he intends to roll out when given the nod.
The projects outlined by the Youth Organizer dubbed 2022 and beyond include;
Provide quarterly fuel allowances for constituency Youth Organizer.
Set up financing for Youth Wing Members running for District Assembly elections.
Operationalize the Youth Wing command center with digital infrastructure for volunteers for operation 24/7.
Reassemble a National Youth Operation wing ahead of the 2024 elections.
Provide Megaphones and information packed flash drives for each constituency youth organizer ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Print T-shirts and other Paraphernalia for constituency youth organizers.
Provide a motorbike for each youth organizer and the deputy to increase grassroots mobilization by December 2023.
Provide cars to deputy regional youth organizers and regional youth organizers without functioning cars.
Provide a National TEIN Coordinators Vehicle under the auspices of the TEIN secretariat
Establish the “Support The Youth Fund” with seed money for constituency Youth organizers.
Mr Opare Addo will be going up against the Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser, Brogya Genfi, his closest contender during the 2018 National Delegates Congress.
He polled 523 votes to beat Brogya Genfi, who got 396 votes.
Among the two candidates, the current Youth Organiser is considered the favorite.
His good works have been identified by many including the Coordinator of the Tertiary Educational Institutions Network (TEIN) of the NDC in the Savannah Region, Jacob Nwaangu Gbelinyari.
He described Opare Addo as “humble, respectful, accommodating” and above all “one who is very committed to the NDC and his assigned duties.”
Since 2018, when he assumed office, Mr Opare Addo has worked to maintain the party’s good reputation.
In 2020, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) blamed the NDC for the fire outbreaks that happened in the country’s capital.
The NDC Youth Organiser, stood his ground, arguing that that NDC has no intention to burn market facilities which were constructed when they were in power.
He shepherded a protest at Odumase Krobo in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region, where the NDC youth called on government to find the root cause of the fire outbreaks.
In the same year, with “Our Heritage”, the Youth Organiser started a social media promotion of elite NDC members, reminding Ghanaians that the biggest opposition party has the men to work.
Mr Opare Addo has also charged the party to be critical of government activities, which he believes will not augur well for the country’s development.
The issue of illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey”, as well as macro economic variables such as unemployment have been of major concern to him.
Also, he opposed the introduction of the Electronic Transaction Levy, also known as E-levy, which is to widen the tax net of the government.
Holding the assertion that the E-levy would exacerbate the worsening economic conditions of citizens, he led the “Yentua Demonstration” which took place in February this year.
Mr Opare Addo is currently seeking a possible amendment of the party’s constitution, an undertaking many grassroots are pleased with.
The current state of the constitution prevents Constituency Executives from voting at Regional Conference and main National Delegates Congress.
A proposal by a committee from the Youth Wing under his leadership, if approved, will allow all other youth representatives to become fully-fledged Constituency Executives; making them eligible to vote.
It is reported that the youth wing of the party are pleased by his work, therefore, are willing to provide him a second term to guide the opposition party to victory in the 2024 general elections.
Already, Mr Opare Addo has stressed that the NDC will leave no stone unturned to ensure victory is theirs in order alleviate Ghanaians from their current challenges.
“The NDC will win the 2024 Presidential Elections & the Youth wing under my leadership will stop at nothing to make it happen. We are the NDC Youth Wing. We are the Green Army. We are Power Ready and We are Power Hungry,” he tweeted on October 2, 2022.
The Minority in Parliament says it will not accept government’s proposed debt restructuring programme as announced.
According to the Caucus, the policy is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to proceed.
The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, said this at a press conference on Monday, December 5.
He said his side will use every legitimate means to oppose the move.
“Let me state without any fear of contradiction that the form and structure of the debt restructuring announced by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta this morning are unacceptable to us and we simply will not accept it.”
The Tamale South lawmaker also questioned why the 2023 budget was silent on this policy.
“I want to ask how come this debt restructuring was not included in the 2023 budget,” the outspoken politician added.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta on Sunday, December 4, announced the government’s domestic debt exchange programme.
These measures include some exemptions and external debt restructuring parameters that will be implemented.
Per his release, treasury bills and individual bondholders will not be affected by this exercise.
However, domestic bondholders will be compelled to exchange their instruments for new ones.
“Existing domestic bonds as of December 1, 2022, will be exchanged for a set of four new bonds maturing in 2017, 2029, 2032 and 2037.
“The annual coupon on all of these new bonds will be set at 0% in 2023, 5% in 2024 and 10% in 2025 until maturity.
“Coupon payments will be semi-annual,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta assured us that there will be no haircuts on the principal of bonds.
An aspirant for the National Executive Committee membership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Wonder Victor Kutor, is predicting that the party will be in political office for at least 16 years if it wins the 2024 general elections .
He said there is no doubt the NDC will form the next government, judging from the abysmal performance of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
According to Kutor, the NDC is not just going to win the 2024 elections on the back of the failure of the NPP but on account that Ghanaians appreciate them as the best managers of the economy, for which reason they would want their comeback.
Speaking to journalists after interacting with delegates in the Eastern Region over the weekend, Wonder Kutor expressed the view that, it is only an NDC government that is able to change the lot of Ghanaians.
He pointed out, for instance, the massive infrastructural developments which dotted the country under former President John Dramani Mahama, as evidence of his assertion.
He added that many of these projects were transformational in the life of the Ghanaian and reflected in the economy.
“The NDC has proven to be the party to transform Ghana and this time when it returns to power, Ghanaians will not like the party to leave power and I am sure we would be in power for 16 years,“ he said.
Wonder Victor Kutor, who is contesting with 18 other aspirants, likened the 16 years of NDC in power to his own sixteenth position on the ballot, saying it is a good sign.
To achieve this however, he said there is work to be done which is why he is putting himself up to be able to get these results.
As former parliamentary candidate aspirant for the Anlo constituency, Victor Kutor, said he is battle-ready to aid the comeback of the NDC, if given the nod as the National Executive Member.
“My vision and strategies for the party in going into 2024 elections has a great tendency of recapturing power from the inept NPP government because election 2024 is a must win for NDC, which will see us be in power for the next 16 years,“ he stressed.
The NDC will hold its national delegates congress later in December 2022.
There have been rumours that Koku Anyidoho, Dela Coffie, Yaw Boateng Gyan, and other disgruntled party members are supporting the current National Chairman, Asiedu Nketia, who is challenging him for the position.
For collaborating with those who do not represent the National Democratic Congress’s interests, the Chairman has been branded a traitor.
To him, the propaganda will not wash and there is a need for his opponents to rethink their ways.
“It is a figment of their own imagination. Under no circumstance will I take people who have been ousted from the party to be part of my campaign team. I ended my campaign in the Greater Accra Region Yesterday and about 10 to 15 constituency Chairmen were following me as members of my campaign team. I don’t lack people who will campaign for me who are bonafide members of the NDC…Those contesting me should not hide behind people and say that Koku Anyidoho, Yaw Boateng Gyan, Dela Coffie, and Allotey Jacobs are regular panel members on Ahotor FM which is a radio station which belongs to me. None of them have been a panelist on my radio station,” he said.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is targeting more parliamentary seats in the Ashanti Region ahead of the 2024 elections, according to re-elected Regional Chairman Augustus Nana Kwasi Andrews.
Nana Kwasi however believes this can be achieved in the ruling party’s stronghold with a united and formidable front. The party has already presented lawmakers from Asawase, New Edubiase, Sekyere Afram Plains and Ejura.
“After my victory [in the Regional Delegates’ Conference], I called all the aspirants and we have resolved to stay united. This time we want to increase our votes in 2024; and we have more seats to snatch in the Ashanti Region, that is my focus for now”, he told dailymailgh.com after a thanksgiving service at a catholic church in Ejisu on Sunday (November 27).
“We are seeking to bring everybody on board [for the task ahead]”, I am blessed with a more focused team and we shall make it happen. The NDC will win the polls without any bloodshed”, he added.
NPP not an option
Nana Akwasi also took on the Akufo-Addo-led administration for the country’s economic woes which he says has been run into a “ditch”.
“They [NPP] labeled John Mahama as incompetent but what was the exchange rate then and what is the situation now? The prices of petrol products are killing businesses in Ashanti Region. But I must say that the suffering Ghanaians now know that former President Mahama is the best alternative and we shall make it happen under my leadership.”
The event was heavily attended by former government appointees, former MPs, and other party bigwigs. The catholic church prayed for the team and wished them well in their endeavours.
Delegates’ Elections
Augustus Nana Akwasi Andrews was retained after the November 13 polls.
The elections which saw 61 aspirants contesting the various positions, gave Andrews 637 votes, beating his main contender lawyer Evans Amankwa, who polled 572.
A former deputy communications officer Alexander Asafo Agyei suffered defeat after contesting his boss, Abass Nurudeen for the communication officer post.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded the immediate release of its supporter, Seth Osei-Asiedu, popularly known as Kwaku Rafiki.
Rafiki was reportedly picked up by the security agencies in the early hours of Thursday following a purported Twitter post on November 6.
In the tweet, it was stated that that customers of commercial banks may not be able to access funds owing to a recent downgrade by a rating agency, Fitch.
The NDC claims that its supporter is being held in unlawful detention and that no one knows where he is.
In a recent press conference, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa indicated that the NDC would aggressively pressure President Akufo-Addo if Kwaku Rafiki is not released within the next 24 hours.
The family of the NDC activist’s client still do not know where Seth Asiedu is being held, according to Sammy Gyamfi, the activist’s attorney.
He continued by saying that no warrant had been obtained to search his room.
Some NDC officials on their way to the Police headquarters to enquire about the arrest of Kwaku Rafiki.
The father of Kwaku Rafiki, Kofi Asiedu in a distress call to JoyNews narrated circumstances leading to the arrest of his son.
“We heard people banging on our door. Open, Open! and then we were like who are those people? May be it was armed robbers, so we decided to go and look but they were banging. They even wanted to break in and then I just enquired and I saw that they were some three macho policemen.
“I asked them what has happened and they said no, they are not going to say anything until we open the door. We insisted but later on, we opened but when we opened, they were just asking where is the Itel phone? So we were like which Itel phone and they started searching. Later on, they saw the Itel phone with my boy in his room and they picked it and said you are the guy, let us go.
“I joined them and asked for the warrant. They said that they are from the National Security, and for them, they are not showing any warrant.
“When they brought him to the National security office and we enquired, they said they had taken him to the CID headquarters… we were trying to know the reason but we just got the information that he made a social media post regarding the banking sector issues. We are now looking for his whereabouts,” he stated.
Meanwhile, #FreeKwaku has been trending on Twitter since the arrest of Seth Asiedu. Many Ghanaians have called for the release of the NDC supporter and condemned the manner in which the young man was picked up.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has said that Ghanaians made a mistake by voting out his government in the 2016 presidential elections.
According to him, in spite of the achievements of his government, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was able to convince Ghanaians that he was incompetent, which led to his being booted out of office.
Mahama, who made these remarks while addressing constituency and regional executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper West Region, added that Ghanaians are now suffering the consequences of the wrong choice they made in 2016.
“Whatever happens in this country affects everybody. When we make a wrong choice, it affects us not today, but tomorrow and tomorrow next, and next year and the year after.
“We made that wrong choice in 2016. Despite everything we did, the people of Ghana were convinced that we were incompetent, and so they voted against us. And the effects of that decision in 2016 are continuing to follow us every day till now,” he said.
Mahama also said that Ghanaians should not accept the excuses of the government that the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic are what caused the hardship in the country.
He implied that the government’s poor management is causing unprecedented hardships for Ghanaians.
The former president, therefore, urged the executives of the party, from the polling stations to the national level, to work hard to rescue Ghanaians from the current NPP government.
The chief executive of the Atta-Mills Institute, Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has said the general secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketiah is not fit to be the national chairman and leader of the party.
Anyidoho’s comment follows a tweet he posted on Monday which read, “I saw Asiedu Nketiah jubilate when NDC led by John Mahama lost in 2016. I can’t forget the trauma I suffered seeing my general secretary rejoice because John Mahama had led the NDC to defeat.”
Anyidoho indicated that the NDC general secretary has no moral right to aspire for the top post of the party.
“I use to be his deputy for four years and I don’t think he is fit to become chairman and leader of the NDC,” Anyidoho, the former deputy general secretary of the NDC, exclusively told Asaase News.
“This is not about John Mahama per-say, John Mahama is an individual and the NDC is bigger than John Mahama.
“All I am saying is that Asiedu Nketiah does not have what it takes to be chairman and leader because Article 25 of the NDC constitution, as we are in opposition today, whoever is chairman, is also leader until we have a flagbearer,” he added.
Anyidoho has in the past accused Nketiah of orchestrating the defeat of the party in 2016.
In a series of tweets on 3 October 2022, Anyidoho revealed that the 65-year-old seasoned politician, popularly referred to as General Mosquito made sure the NDC lost the Tain constituency.
He stated in his tweets that Nketiah undermined every NDC Chairman he has worked with including the late Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Kofi Portuphy, and Samuel Ofosu Ampofo.
Anyidoho also threatened to expose Asiedu Nketia adding that “the day Asiedu Nketia becomes Chairman of the NDC, would be the burial date of the party”.
He further asked Asiedu Nketia; “Where is the land President Atta-Mills bought for the construction of the NDC school?”
A general secretary aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has descended heavily on the media in Ghana, describing it as being overly considerate of the government of the day.
He explained that the contribution of the media has added to the current mess that the country is facing, as it has refused to be as critical as it is supposed to be, at least in terms of how it performed in the NDC era of governance.
Speaking in an interview on GhanaWeb TV’s Election Desk with host Edward Smith Anamale, the former Deputy General Secretary of the NDC stated that the media in Ghana today has been pampering the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.
“The reason we are in this state is because a lot of media people have pampered this government; a lot of media people. When they started messing around, instead of media people speaking the truth to them, the media people became gatekeepers.
“So, things that if half of it happened under NDC, they’ll come out strongly, at a point they said if they want to talk then it is because they want to be the devil’s advocate. Really? You are only a devil when it’s about the NPP? What devil’s advocate? Facts are facts,” he stated.
Elvis Afriyie Ankrah further stressed that if only the media in Ghana could be half as critical as it was of the erstwhile NDC government and stop the ‘false equivalents’ between the two governments, it would put the incumbent on their toes to deliver better.
“The same way that NDC was held to account when we were in power, if half of it had been done to NPP today, we won’t be where we are today, but because they know that when they mess up, when (sic) comes to show, media people will be asking funny questions and trying to be doing false equivalents; NDC and NPP are the same. We can never be the same,” he stated.
An aspirant for the General Secretary position of the largest opposition party in Ghana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has cautioned his party members not to think that the general elections of 2024 will be just a walk in the park.
Elvis Afriyie Ankrah explained that if people are of the view that the NDC will come by an easy win in the next general elections, then they have failed to understand who their main opponent, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are made of.
Speaking to GhanaWeb’s Edward Smith Anamale on Election Desk, the former Director of Elections of the NDC indicated that it would be a great deceit for people to think his party would easily win the general polls of 2024.
“I have a vision, I have a track-record, I have experience. The 2024 elections is not going to be that easy the way people are making it look like we’ve won already (sic), no. I know the NPP and if you don’t know the NPP then you’d be deceiving yourself; I know them very well,” he said.
Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, who is also a former Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, further put himself forward as the right candidate to help the party go head-to-head with the NPP and win.
This, he said, is because he understands the dynamics of their game better and can therefore, bring his experiences to bear, ensuring that the NDC gets a deserved win.
“And so, you’d need somebody who is tough, who is seasoned, who understands them, who has been at the battle front before and who has done it with the track-record and that is where I come in. And that’s my message to the delegates,” he said.
The aspirant also spoke about a number of other issues, including his assessments of the performance of the incumbent NPP government as compared to what the erstwhile NDC government did.
Justice Yeboah, a staunch member of the National DemocraticCongress, has raised serious concerns about the National Chairman of the party, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo regarding matters that have to do with the suspension of Koku Anyidoho, a former Deputy General Secretary of the NDC and other infractions of the party’s directives.
Koku Anyidoho served as Head of Communications under the Presidency of John Atta Mills from 2009 to 2012 and currently the Founder and President of the Atta Mills Institute.
According to the NDC stalwart, Justice Yeboah has written a letter asking the leadership of the party to revisit and probe into how Mr. Anyidoho was suspended as he accuses the National Chairman of breaching a directive by the party’s Council of Elders.
“I write in reference to the Council of Elders’ release dated October 26th, 2022, with reference number NDC/HQ/VOL2/07, with focus on paragraph five which reads; ‘…the use of decorous language, refrain from media attacks, breach of confidentialities and misrepresentations of decisions taken in relation to past actions of leadership. I am by this letter bringing to your attention that, the National Chairman’s campaign camp is in serious breach of this directive.
“First, Koku Anyidoho, a suspended member of the party, is persistently attacking the person of Mr. Asiedu Nketia, alleging that, his suspension from the party was a unilateral decision by the General Secretary. I respectfully request the Council of Elders to issue a statement on the said decision and stating as to whether or not it was a collective decision or a unilateral one as claimed by Mr. Anyidoho. Again, I want Chairman Ampofo as the leader of the Party to publicly state his position on Anyidoho’s suspension”, he calls the attention of the leadership to these issues among others.
Read letter below:
House No GW- 0910-5340
Oxygen Street
Oduman Junction Accra
The Chairman
Council of Elders
National Democratic Congress
P.O. Box 5825
Accra-North.
November 18th, 2022
Dear Sir,
REQUEST FOR ACTION
I am a Ghanaian and a card bearing member of the National Democratic Congress with membership number E330260030 in good standing, and a supporter of Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia (General), a contestant for the National Chairman position of the National Democratic Congress.
I write in reference to the Council of Elders’ release dated October 26th, 2022, with reference number NDC/HQ/VOL2/07, with focus on paragraph five which reads; ‘…the use of decorous language, refrain from media attacks, breach of confidentialities and misrepresentations of decisions taken in relation to past actions of leadership.”
I am by this letter bringing to your attention that, the National Chairman’s campaign camp is in serious breach of this directive.
First, Koku Anyidoho, a suspended member of the party, is persistently attacking the person of Mr. Asiedu Nketia, alleging that, his suspension from the party was a unilateral decision by the General Secretary.
I respectfully request the Council of Elders to issue a statement on the said decision and stating as to whether or not it was a collective decision or a unilateral one as claimed by Mr. Anyidoho. Again, I want Chairman Ampofo as the leader of the Party to publicly state his position on Anyidoho’s suspension.
These, in my estimation, will restrain the supporters of Aseidu Nketiah from coming out to explain what transpired at the Functional Executive Council (FEC) meeting that led to Koku’s suspension. For if it persists, we shall be forced to do whatever we can to defend Aseidu Nketiah with evidence to clear his name.
Someone might be tempted to argue that Chairman Ampofo knows nothing about what Koku Ayindoho is doing. But I hold a contrary view. And here is my reason.
That, Koku Anyidoho’s interview on Kingdom FM, calculated to attack the integrity of Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, was aired by the two radio stations belonging to the National Chairman, namely Ahotor FM and Radio 1.
It is my humbly appeal that the National Chairman comes out to distance himself from these unwarranted attacks by Anyidoho and sanction the one who authorized his stations to pick that feed from Kingdom FM as proof of his innocence. Else, it will be difficult for well-meaning supporters of Aseidu Nketiah to accept that Chairman Ampofo knows nothing about the persistent attacks by Anyidoho. To me, this will prevent others from attacking him (Chairman Ampofo) going forward.
Secondly, Koku Anyidoho and some other close confidant to Chairman Ampofo like Azubila have been peddling falsehood against Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia on both traditional and social media. They claim that Mr. Nketiah failed to show sympathy by not mourning with Chairman Ampofo when he lost his mother. Examples are marked Exhibit 1 on the pen drive and Exhibit 1B on the attached documents. The fact is, I am personally aware of the attempt made by Mr. Asiedu Nketiah to go and greet Chairman as customs demands but Chairman said he was busy at the time. Meanwhile, the one-week observation is yet to be observed, so why has chairman kept mute on this matter all these while?
I respectfully demand that, if the action by our National Chairman was not a deliberate strategy to block Aseidu Nketiah, so that he will use it as his campaign message to score political points, he should come out and clear the air that Mr. Nketiah made an attempt but just that he (Chairman Ampofo) was not available at that time and he thought he could do so at the one-week observation of the funeral.
Thirdly, Alistair Tahiru Nelson, a PPP activist who engineered the infamous Montie 3 that put the party in serious attack in 2016, is now a new found friend of our respected National Chairman. He has in recent times been insulting everybody including President Mahama, the Speaker of Parliament and the respected General Secretary. Audio evidence is marked Exhibit 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the pen drive.
Furthermore, Emmanuel Azubila Salam, who pretentiously uses Adam GH on social media and with WhatsApp number 0544418072, is a close person to our National Chairman. This person has been writing despicably about the General Secretary. Even though he cowardly does not add his name, thankfully, one can only post on WhatsApp page only with one’s phone number. All the despicable write-ups I have investigated point out that he is the originator of those write-ups. Examples of his numerous writeup are marked Exhibit 6, 7, 8 and 9.
More so, Bennard Oduro Takyi, popularly known as BOT, a recent converted NPP member who claims to be the spokesperson for Chairman Ampofo has also made it his duty to insult and peddle falsehood against General Mosquito. This is mostly done on a radio station that belongs to the Chairman, called Ahotor FM. The videos are many such that I could not copy them for your perusal. Fortunately, the links are still available on Ahotor FM facebook wall.
It beats my imagination that a chairman who has served the party all these years can hire these character assassins to assassinate or even malign the character of Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia.
The chairman himself, in his recent advert, is claiming that President Mahama and the Council, which you chair, tried to persuade the General Secretary from contesting him. In reference to the above release by you on 26th October 2022, I will be happy to know your position of such video. Knowing very well that his excellency, President Mahama, would not come out to say it is not true even if what he said is not the truth. Chairman’s video is marked Exhibit 10 on the pen drive.
In the same video, Chairman claimed that his own party members recorded him and sold it to the NPP. As far as I am concern, there was no investigation conducted on that the case. If Chairman has any report, I need a copy because I am an interested person since Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer removed me from the communication platform as a result of the said recording.
Again, Chairman’s supporters are casting aspersion on me that General planted me to record Chairman for him (General) meanwhile I was not even present at the said meeting.
If this is allowed to persist, I will be compelled to put out the report I also had from other quarters.
The ranking member of the Works and Housing committee of parliament, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, has cautioned private developers against buying the Saglemi Housing Project from the government.
According to him, the project will be taken from them when the NDC government assumes power if they go ahead to acquire it.
“We the minority are stating our position very clearly that we wouldn’t want any private developer to come in at all. In 2025 we are very confident that the NDC will form the next government, so any private developer that will partner the government to complete this project, project will be taken from them because it should remain affordable and the mortgage system.”
On November 13, 2022, the minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso Boakye, revealed that the government has decided to wash its hands off the Saglemi housing project to allow a private developer refurbish the housing units and sell them to potential owners.
The Saglemi housing project was started in 2012 under the NDC government to build 5000 housing units at affordable prices.
The project was meant to give Ghanaians affordable housing in a bid to bridge the housing deficit in the country.
However, the minority is against this development stating that they will resist any attempt by government to profit from poor taxpayers unduly as the government has not explained why the project should not be given to the public or civil service but instead of some faceless people.
Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawa Mogtari has underscored that the judiciary works effectively when there is no attempt to influence judges.
According to her, the certainty of justice delivery is assured when a judge equally refuses to be manipulated.
“Thank you, Sir! The Hon Toffee was duly elected by the good people of Jomoro and same has been affirmed by the Court! The judicial system certainly works where a Judge, lady or gentleman refuses to be manipulated and remains blind to influence, justice will certainly be done!” she wrote in a Twitter comment responding to a reaction by NPP member, Gabby Asare Octhere-Darko to an earlier post she made.
Joyce Bawa Mogtari earlier made a post celebrating a High Court decision dismissing a suit challenging the election of the Member of Parliament for Jomoro.
In response to the post by the former president’s aide, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko described the ruling as refreshing in its implication that the justice system remains fair.
“Congrats! It is refreshing to be amply reminded that the legal system works! That, Lady Justice remains blind,” Mr Otchere-Darko wrote.
The opposition National Democratic Congress has been accusing the bench of being bias against the party.
Some NDC members have cited the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the party’s petition against the 2020 presidential election result to back their claim.
However, the Sekondi High Court on Monday, November 21, 2022, dismissed a petition against the NDC Member of Parliament for Jomoro.
The case which had been ongoing for close to two years was decided when the court, presided over by Justice Dr. Richmond Osei Hwere dismissed the case on grounds that the MP was eligible to contest.
The court held that she lost her Ivorian citizenship at the very time she acquired her Ghanaian citizenship, thus, there was no merit in the petition seeking to annul her election on the basis of her having dual citizenship.
The petition was filed by one Joshua Emuah Kofie, who was challenging the eligibility of the MP to contest as a representative of the people in the constituency on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He submitted that she had multiple nationalities, including American and Ivorian citizenships, which is against the 1992 Constitution.
While the court determined that she did not have Ivorian citizenship at the time of filing and contesting in 2020, the MP denied having American citizenship.
Top guns of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), were in attendance at the Sekondi High Court when the verdict of the election petition case involving Member of Parliament, Dorcas Affo-Toffey was delivered.
The case which had been ongoing for close to two years was decided when the court presided over by Justice Dr. Richmond Osei Hwere dismissed the case on grounds that the MP was eligible to contest.
The court held that she lost her Ivorian citizenship at the very time she acquired her Ghanaian citizenship, thus, there was no merit in the petition seeking to annul her election on the basis of her having dual citizenship.
GhanaWeb checks indicated that about half a dozen Members of Parliament were around to lend their support to their colleague. Among them were Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, James Agalga, Teddy Nana Yaw, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe and Emmanuel Armah Buah.
The embattled Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson – who is also battling a citizenship case – was also in attendance.
Other party bigwigs present included Kofi Totobi Quakyi and former Attorney General Marietta Brew-Oppong.
The petition which the victorious MP described later as ‘frivolous’ and a ‘distraction’ was filed by one Joshua Emuah Kofie, who was challenging the eligibility of the MP to contest as a representative of the people in the constituency on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He submitted that she had multiple nationalities, including American and Ivorian citizenships, which is against the 1992 Constitution.
While the court determined that she did not have Ivorian citizenship at the time of filing and contesting in 2020, the MP denied having American citizenship.
The case has been in court for over 20 months since she was elected to represent the people of the Jomoro constituency.
The hard economic times are now being reflected by the dwindled offerings in church, former President John Mahama has observed and urged Christians to pray for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and him for “rescue” Ghana from the current “suffering”.
At the 175th-anniversary thanksgiving service of the E.P Church in Ho, Volta Region, Mr Mahama urged Christians to be generous with the little they have since times are hard.
“We must always spread Christian love, especially in this time, when money doesn’t like noise”, he told the church, stressing: “Especially, at this time when we all agree that times are hard”.
“This is the time we must show our Christian charity by loving our neighbours as ourselves”, Mr Mahama urged.
“And, so, whatever little you have to share, you should share with your neighbour”, he told Christians.
Using an appeal for funds event at the church as the litmus test of the economic hardships, Mr Mahama pointed out: “I mean, we could tell the hardship in the system from the appeal for funds”.
“When it was GH¢2,000, madam chair and a few people came and donated. Then it came down to ¢1,000, then to ¢500, then to ¢200 and ¢100”.
“And when it got to the silver collection, ¢1, ¢2, the place was full, it shows that the pocket was not too good”, he observed.
He then told the church, which had on its schedule, a prayer session for Christians in Pakistan: “After we pray for Pakistan, Moderator should also say a special prayer for me and for the NDC so that, in some year that is just coming, luck will smile on us, God will smile on us and give us the power to come and rescue this country from the suffering we are going through”.
Ghana is currently experiencing an economic crisis which President Nana Akufo-Addo has acknowledged, forcing him to address the nation on Sunday, 30 October 2022 about measures being put in place by his administration to fix the problem.
Former President John Dramani Mahama will today engage Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in the country over Ghana’s prevailing economic crisis.
The meeting will afford the 2020 flagbearer of the NDC the opportunity to listen to the perspectives of CSOs on the challenges and possible solutions for the governance deficits and economic challenges confronting the country.
The said meeting will come off at 10:30 am at the Miklin Hotel, East Legon.
The second largest cocoa producer is currently experiencing economic crisis acknowledged by President Akufo-Addo in his national address on the economy last month.
Ghana is negotiating a program of up to $3 billion with the International Monetary Fund(IMF).
Top guns of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), were in attendance at the Sekondi High Court when the verdict of the election petition case involving Member of Parliament, Dorcas Affo-Toffey was delivered.
The case which had been ongoing for close to two years was decided when the court presided over by Justice Dr. Richmond Osei Hwere dismissed the case on grounds that the MP was eligible to contest.
The court held that she lost her Ivorian citizenship at the very time she acquired her Ghanaian citizenship, thus, there was no merit in the petition seeking to annul her election on the basis of her having dual citizenship.
GhanaWeb checks indicated that about half a dozen Members of Parliament were around to lend their support to their colleague. Among them were Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, James Agalga, Teddy Nana Yaw, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe and Emmanuel Armah Buah.
The embattled Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson – who is also battling a citizenship case – was also in attendance.
Other party bigwigs present included Kofi Totobi Quakyi and former Attorney General Marietta Brew-Oppong.
The petition which the victorious MP described later as ‘frivolous’ and a ‘distraction’ was filed by one Joshua Emuah Kofie, who was challenging the eligibility of the MP to contest as a representative of the people in the constituency on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He submitted that she had multiple nationalities, including American and Ivorian citizenships, which is against the 1992 Constitution.
While the court determined that she did not have Ivorian citizenship at the time of filing and contesting in 2020, the MP denied having American citizenship.
The case has been in court for over 20 months since she was elected to represent the people of the Jomoro constituency.
The current political climate in the NDC after the just-ended regional elections nationwide paints a picture of a silent revolution slowly unraveling in the party of Rawlings.
As far as I can tell, there’s a growing realization by Mahama’s heaps of rabid followers that they might have been completely and utterly duped by the bubble they’ve been living in.
Oh yeah, until today, everyone thought Mahama had the NDC flagbearership slot in the bag – but now, that’s not the case. The pendulum swung too far in the other direction in the regional executive elections – The stunning wins by relatively unpopular candidates in regions like Greater Accra, Central, Western and Volta make the case that, the NDC is ready to move on without Mahama.
In the Ashanti Region, where the NDC status quo and the Mahamacult waged a campaign of vilification against the incumbent chairman, Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi still weathered the storm and came out victorious against all the odds. The same scenario played out in the Western and Northern Regions.
On the whole, the so-called anti-Mahama candidates fared slightly better than those who had the covert backing of the former President.
Of course, given the fall of most of the preferred candidates of Mahama, and the drubbings suffered by them in the regional elections, coupled with the fact that the trend looks likely to continue in the forthcoming national executive elections, it is clear the center of gravity of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the party crown may pass on from old king to a new one ahead of election 2024.
Crucially, what this loud and clear repudiation of Mahama allies really tells us is that the NDC rank and file are beginning to get it. Some have already seen the light, others now think there is a bit of a chance they could weather a tricky change in the main aim of politics: away from cult following and towards working really hard for a viable alternative to Mahama.
In other words, the Mahama elephant in the room needs to be hauled from the shadows and painted in bright colors so we can all as activists finally talk about the damage he has wrecked in the cold light of reality – The NDC keeps losing and losing and losing under his leadership – Essentially, the NDC can’t win with him in the helm of affairs.
This is why the party needs to move on and get behind a leader that can close the deal in 2024. It’s time for major electoral changes – we need someone who can score over 50% in the next elections. A winnable candidate, not just a flagbearer – A leader that will make the NDCelectable once again.
He may still be popular in the National Democratic Congress(NDC), but then, a move away from Mahama’s leadership appears to be gathering momentum.
A former Eastern Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mark Oliver Kevor has been elected to lead the party as its Chairman in the region for the next four years.
Mark Oliver Kevor beat stiff competition from four other aspirants including the incumbent chairman, John Owusu Amankra, the vice chairman, William Atamudzi, a former Chairman, Bismarck Tawiah Boateng and Basil Ahiable.
For the First Vice Chairmanship position, Ransford Owusu Boakye overcame competition from 4 other aspirants.
Incumbent Eastern Regional Secretary, Cudjoe Adukpo failed in his bid to retain his position after succumbing to Baba Jamal Konneh a former regional director of elections.
The National Communications Director of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi who administered and ushered the new officers into office charged them to work hard and put the interest of the party first in achieving victory in the next elections.
Mark Oliver Kevor addressing the delegates indicated that “the focus of the party now is to unite and wrestle power from the governing New Patriotic Party come December 2024.”
After several hours of engagements with senior party members, regional executives, aspirants, and the Electoral Commission of Ghana, the National Elections Task Force of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has begun procedures to commence the Eastern Regional elections despite a court injunction.
The decision to move ahead with the elections was arrived at following a last-minute meeting with the Electoral Commission at their head office in Koforidua.
Officials of the Electoral Commission after the meeting subsequently arrived at the Koforidua Technical University, where the elections will be taking place.
Interestingly the Eastern Regional Chairman of the party, John Owusu Amankra popularly known as Jowak who issued a statement acknowledging receipt of the injunction and its subsequent suspension of the election was, however, missing during all the engagements.
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a member of the governing NPP, has paid a glowing tribute to the late Finance Minister, Professor Kwesi Botchwey.
In a tweet, the NPP stalwart indicated the deceased NDC cadre’s leadership and commitment to the structural changes to the country’s economy in the late 80s were remarkable.
He said, Professor Botchwey’s deeds some decades ago, are still having an impact currently.
“Former finance minister Kwesi Botchwey is dead – his leadership and commitment to the structural changes to our economy in the late 80s were critical and the impact still with us today.
“May he rest in perpetual peace”, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko tweeted.
Kwesi Botchwey died at the age of 78 after a short illness at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra on Saturday, November 19.
As part of his political career, he served in the Rawlings’ Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) – military regime – and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) – civilian regime – as the Secretary for Finance and Minister of Finance and Economic Planning respectively.
He was described as the longest-serving finance minister in Ghana’s history.
Prof Botchwey attended Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School before proceeding to the University of Ghana to pursue an LLB. He was at Yale Law School for his LLM and graduated from the University of Michigan Law School with his doctorate.
Prof. Kwesi Botchwey served as an advisor to World Bank on the 1997 World Development Report.
He had vast expertise in economic management as he was a member and Chairman of IMF‘s Group of Independent Experts who conducted the first-ever external evaluation of the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility under the Fund.
Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for the late scholar, especially from his close associates and sympathizers of the National Democratic Congress.
Former finance minister Kwesi Botchwey is dead – his leadership and commitment to the structural changes to our economy in the late 80s were critical and the impact still with us todqy. May he rest in perpetual peace. https://t.co/iRYmXlUfQW
The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Richard Ahiagbah has said the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has destroyed an agenda by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to misinform the public on the Ghanaian economy.
Mr Ofori-Atta appeared before the 8-member ad hoc committee to answer allegations made against him by the Minority in Parliament.
He told the committee among other things that he does not believe that the allegations carry any weight.
On the allegation of deliberate misreporting of economic data to Parliament, he said it is completely not true.
“Since I took office in 2017, I have served the country with integrity and honesty.
“Under my leadership at the Ministry of Finance, there have been significant improvements in the accurate reporting of public finances.
Vote of Censure Paper (1)
Reacting to the presentation by the Finance Minister, Mr Ahiagbah said in a tweet that “It took only 34 pages of evidence…to dismantle the grand NDC agenda to misinform Ghanaians about the state of our economy. Now let’s work together to serve the people.”
He added “The NDC reduced everything in their quest to censure KOA, to politics. Zero evidence, just politics. Sadly, it’s becoming a pattern with the NDC to reduce everything to politics. Recall the 2021 Election petition. Evidence wins.”
Aspiring National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has reiterated his pledge to build a more formidable NDC, which will become more attractive to win the 2024 elections convincingly.
General Mosquito, as he is affectionately called, says the NDC, under his leadership as chairman, if he wins the December 17 national congress, will actively engage all elected executives and influential persons within the party to rejuvenate the grassroots base.
Mr Nketia, who is currently on a campaign tour of the Western region, has been engaging footsoldiers, party influencers across the length and breadth of the country as well as delegates.
He has also promised, among others, to revive the NDC Heroes Fund to serve as a sustainable means of supporting party functionaries, who suffer disabilities in the course of their duties or their dependents in the event of death.
“My objective, at this stage in my political life and love for the NDC, is to colleague national executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to work hard and build the party into a more formidable, attractive, and modern organization”, he emphasised.
He said: “The NDC, I am optimistic will be the party of choice, especially the youth, women, the vulnerable in society and people from all walks of life and background.”
Speaking to delegates in various constituencies in the Western Region, Mr Asiedu Nketia assured the party executives that he will do more than before and will join them in their constituencies to sell the good message of the NDC, come 2024.
He said the NDC has no choice than to present former President John Dramani Mahama as its leader for the next elections and, therefore, called for hard work from all supporters, sympathisers, and executives of the party.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia, who has already toured the regions of the north, is receiving overwhelming responses from party members, some of whom wait deep into the night to engage him directly.
The Eastern Regional National Democratic Congress delegates conference, which was originally scheduled for November 19, 2022, has been slapped with a court injunction.
In a letter sighted by Citi News with the heading, Notice of Interlocutory Injunction Eastern Regional Conference, signed by the regional chairman, John Owusu Amankra and copied to all constituency chairmen in the region and all media houses, the party indicated that the regional office has been served with a writ of summons from the court placing an interlocutory injunction on the regional conference.
“We are therefore by this means communicating to the entire region, particularly the delegates, that the regional conference is on hold and shall not be held on November 19 till further directives from the NDC legal team. We apologize for the inconvenience caused”.
In the writ “the plaintiff Fia-Tes Valentine Confidence by the motion prayed for an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants, their agents or privies whatsoever from organizing, convening and conducting or convening the Eastern Regional Conference of the National Democratic Congress to be organized, convened and conducted at the Koforidua Technical University on the 19th day of November 2022, pending the determination of these applications.”
“The affidavit in support of the plaintiffs indicated that the party fixed the 19th day of November 2022 to hold the Eastern Regional Conference at Anagkazo Bible and Ministry, Mampong Tutu, and that for no justifiable reasons, some unseen hands in the party have alleged a change in venue from Tutu Akwapim to the Koforidua Technical university. That I am advised by counsel verily believing the same to be true, that this does not auger well for our young democracy. If after a decision has been settled upon by the majority of us, just a few members of the party could not change it. That a grant of the application would ensure that at the end of the day, after the court makes a determination, no party is shortchanged to enjoy the fruit of the judgement”.
The Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, says elements within his own party are behind his leaked audio tape, based on which he is currently standing trial.
Speaking in a yet-to-air exclusive interview on Adom TV, the embattled Chairman told host, Daakyehene Nana Yaw Asante, that the leaked audio is an evidence of how cruel the NDC can be when they want to destroy one of their own.
Substantiating his claims, he said the in-house traitors secretly recorded his comments in a closed door meeting and leaked the recording to the New Patriotic Party for him to be prosecuted.
According to him, he has been to court on seventy separate occasions as a result of the internally orchestrated treachery.
“When NDC wants to disgrace you, they first tag you as anti-Mahama. My own party folks recorded me at a meeting that I held with the party, with the people and went to sell the recording to the NPP, for which reason I’m standing trial. I’ve been to court 70 times”, he stated in a trailer to the yet to air interview.
In addition to tagging an individual as anti-Mahama, he said some elements within the party can travel all length to cause disaffection for someone they do not like.
The interview will be aired on Saturday, November 19 at 10:00pm on Adom TV’s weekend current affairs programme, Sɛdea Ɛteɛ Nie.
Meanwhile, ahead of the airing of the interview, some supporters of the NDC have expressed disgust over the comments of the party’s National Chairman.
According to his critics, his sentiments are unnecessary, as they will wreak more havoc for himself and the party at large.
Others have however sympathized with him, and expressed solidarity with the alleged treachery he was subjected to.
In their view, the revelations by the NDC Chairman is understandably from a place of pain, and therefore he should not be chastised.
Currently, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo’s role as the NDC’s National Chairman is also being threatened by the decision of the party’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia to unseat him.
In what has been described as the main contest in the party’s upcoming national delegates election, Mr. Asiedu Nketia is frantically taking steps to take control of the party as National Chairman ahead of the 2024 general election.
Touching on this development, Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo stated in the yet-to-air interview that, the move by Asiedu Nketia to unseat him is politically inexpedient.
According to him, notable personalities within the party, including the party’s Council of Elders and the NDC’s 2020 flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, all made efforts to prevent the contest, but to no avail.
The upcoming national delegates conference will however take place on 10th December, 2022, in the Ashanti Regional capital of Kumasi.
Eligible party delegates will elect a new crop of executives to man the affairs of the party at the national level for the next four years.
The Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, says elements within his own party are behind his leaked audio tape, based on which he is currently standing trial.
Speaking in a yet-to-air exclusive interview on Adom TV, the embattled Chairman told host, Daakyehene Nana Yaw Asante, that the leaked audio is an evidence of how cruel the NDC can be when they want to destroy one of their own.
Substantiating his claims, he said the in-house traitors secretly recorded his comments in a closed door meeting and leaked the recording to the New Patriotic Party for him to be prosecuted.
According to him, he has been to court on seventy separate occasions as a result of the internally orchestrated treachery.
“When NDC wants to disgrace you, they first tag you as anti-Mahama. My own party folks recorded me at a meeting that I held with the party, with the people and went to sell the recording to the NPP, for which reason I’m standing trial. I’ve been to court 70 times”, he stated in a trailer to the yet to air interview.
In addition to tagging an individual as anti-Mahama, he said some elements within the party can travel all length to cause disaffection for someone they do not like.
The interview will be aired on Saturday, November 19 at 10:00pm on Adom TV’s weekend current affairs programme, Sɛdea Ɛteɛ Nie.
Meanwhile, ahead of the airing of the interview, some supporters of the NDC have expressed disgust over the comments of the party’s National Chairman.
According to his critics, his sentiments are unnecessary, as they will wreak more havoc for himself and the party at large.
Others have however sympathized with him, and expressed solidarity with the alleged treachery he was subjected to.
In their view, the revelations by the NDC Chairman is understandably from a place of pain, and therefore he should not be chastised.
Currently, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo’s role as the NDC’s National Chairman is also being threatened by the decision of the party’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia to unseat him.
In what has been described as the main contest in the party’s upcoming national delegates election, Mr. Asiedu Nketia is frantically taking steps to take control of the party as National Chairman ahead of the 2024 general election.
Touching on this development, Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo stated in the yet-to-air interview that, the move by Asiedu Nketia to unseat him is politically inexpedient.
According to him, notable personalities within the party, including the party’s Council of Elders and the NDC’s 2020 flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, all made efforts to prevent the contest, but to no avail.
The upcoming national delegates conference will however take place on 10th December, 2022, in the Ashanti Regional capital of Kumasi.
Eligible party delegates will elect a new crop of executives to man the affairs of the party at the national level for the next four years.
The Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, says there were attempts by party bigwigs to halt Asiedu Nketia’s decision to unseat him.
In a yet-to-air interview on Adom TV, he told host, Daakyehene Nana Yaw Asante, that the party’s 2020 flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, and other prominent NDC figures made efforts to stop the contest between himself and the party’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia.
According to him, even though the move by Asiedu Nketiato unseat him is politically incorrect; the efforts to talk him out of the decision proved futile.
“As far I’m concerned, Asiedu Nketia’s decision to contest me was not necessary. This move is a wrong move. It is not a politically correct decision. And there were moves by the Council of Elders. His Excellency, John Dramani Mahamahimself made moves to stop it”, he said in a trailer to the yet-to-air interview.
The interview will be aired on Saturday, November 19 at 10:00pm on Adom TV‘s weekend current affairs programme, Sɛdea Ɛteɛ Nie.
Meanwhile, ahead of the airing of the interview, some supporters of the NDC have expressed disgust over some comments by the party’s National Chairman.
In the yet-to-air interview, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo, said elements within his own party are behind a leaked audio tape, based on which he is currently standing trial.
The embattled NDC Chairman said the leaked audio is an evidence of how cruel the NDC can be when they want to destroy one of their own.
Substantiating his claims, he said the in-house traitors secretly recorded his comments in a closed door meeting and leaked the recording to the New Patriotic Party for him to be prosecuted.
According to him, he has been to court on seventy separate occasions as a result of the internally orchestrated treachery.
“When NDC wants to disgrace you, they first tag you as anti-Mahama. My own party folks recorded me at a meeting that I held with the party, with the people and went to sell the recording to the NPP, for which reason I’m standing trial. I’ve been to court 70 times”, he stated in a trailer to the yet to air interview.
In addition to tagging an individual as anti-Mahama, he said some elements within the party can travel all length to cause disaffection for someone they do not like.
But according to his critics, his sentiments are unnecessary, as they will wreak more havoc for himself and the party at large.
Others have however sympathized with him, and expressed solidarity with him in relation to the alleged treachery claims.
In their view, the revelations by the NDC Chairman is understandably from a place of pain, and therefore he should not be chastised.
Currently, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo’s role as the NDC’s National Chairman is being threatened by the decision of the party’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia to unseat him.
In what has been described as the main contest in the party’s upcoming national delegates election, Mr. Asiedu Nketia is frantically taking steps to take control of the party as National Chairman ahead of the 2024 general election.
The upcoming national delegates conference will take place on 10th December, 2022 in the Ashanti Regional capital of Kumasi.
Eligible party delegates will elect a new crop of executives to man the affairs of the party at the national level for the next four years.
Former Ashanti Regional Minister, John Alexander Ackon has chastised the governing New Patriotic Party over how poorly it has managed Ghana’s economy.
He is concerned about how the cost of fuel and the depreciation of the cedi has worsened the lives of Ghanaians.
Mr. Ackon said economically, Ghanaians are suffering due to the astronomic prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas and transport fares.
He added that economic indicators under this NPP government is the worst ever witnessed.
Speaking at the just ended regional Executives elections of the NDC, the former Ashanti Regional Minister described the NPP as only good at “breaking the economy but cannot break the 8.”
Mr. John Alexander Ackon observed that the hikes in transport fares for instance has slowed the pace at which people from Obuasi do business in Kumasi.
“No doubt prices of goods and services have gone up, transport fares are killing Ghanaians. Currently, traders from Obuasi to Kumasi have to pay 60 cedis on transport fares, continuous hikes in price of fuel is crippling businesses”, he observed.
According to him, the NPP government has crippled many Small and Medium-scale Enterprises.
Mr. Ackon said Agric Minister’s short term measure in dealing with hikes in food prices is “childish.”
For him, it is a clear indication government is short of ideas to address the current economic woes.
“Transporting food to the Ministry to sell is wrong, is it feeding Ghana or is Accra or Ministries, is it feeding Adabraka or is feeding Kaneshie, their ideas is gone, is finished, ” he said.
The former Ashanti Regional Minister in comparing the previous government to the current administration, said the NDC is the best.
The Central Regional Secretariat of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has directed aspirants in the race for the National Executives Committee elections to seek the approval of the secretariat before embarking on their campaign activities in the region.
The Secretariat has observed with great concern that some national aspirants are meeting Constituencies in the Central Region for a campaign engagement without prior permission from the regional party leadership.
Thus, the party has issued a directive in a statement dated November 17, 2022, signed by Gabriel Nii Kommey Adams, the Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress.
Below is the full statement:
We bring you warm greetings and compliments from the Central Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
We wish to congratulate all National Aspirants who were successful at their vetting and have been duly cleared by the National Vetting Committee to contest the upcoming National Executive Committee Elections for various positions in the party.
Incidentally, the Regional Party Secretariat has observed with great concern that some National Aspirants are meeting Constituencies in Central Region (CR) for a campaign engagement without prior permission from the Regional Party Leadership.
Consequently, the Regional Party Secretariat wishes to bring the following directive to the notice of all National Aspirants and all Constituency Chairmen in the Central Region:
1. That all National Executive committee aspirants are advised to notify the Regional Party Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Central Region, through the Regional Secretary, with full details of their profile and planned campaign activities in the Region (CR). This should include possible dates for entry and exit.
2. That all National Executive committee aspirants are advised not to engage any constituency in the region unless explicit permission is granted by the Regional Party Secretariat.
3. All National Aspirants who adhere strictly to this directive will be granted permission to engage delegates in the region and an officer from the Regional Executive Committee will be assigned to assist in his or her campaign tour of constituencies in the Central Region.
4. That all National Executive committee aspirants are advised to make provisions to meet with the Regional Executive committee as part of their planned campaign touring activities in the Region (CR).
5. Furthermore, all Constituency Chairmen and Secretaries, shall be notified to request from National Executive aspirants evidence of permission granted by the Regional Secretariat before granting any constituency engagement with aspirants.
6. Failure on the part of any Constituency Chairman to adhere to this directive shall result in disciplinary actions.
7. All Constituency Chairmen are to ensure that this information gets to the attention of all delegates in their respective constituencies with immediate effect.
On behalf of the Regional Executive Committee of the Central Region Branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), I welcome all National Executive Committee aspirants into the Central Region and wish them good luck as they prepare to run successful campaign tours in the Central Region.
After facing a tough time from three solid contenders in his quest to retain the seat, Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi has still emerged as the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition NDC.
The incumbent regional chairman, Nana Kwasi who secured 637 votes scored against his contenders like Evans Amankwah who also had 572 votes, Yaw Owusu Obimpeh 137 votes, and Enoch Amoako Nsiah 4 votes.
After being declared winner, Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi thanked delegates for the trust reposed in him and called for unity.
Reiterating his commitment to making sure the party gains power in 2024, the re-elected chairman urged members to dissolve the various camps and fight in unity to secure power in 2024.
“No particular person won, and nobody lost. We’ve all won it together. Now that we’ve won, let’s dissolve all camps like camps A, B, C, etc, and get united.
Fighting in unity is the only means through which we can retrieve power from this incompetent NPP government with ease,” he said.
1422 out of 1354 delegates cast their votes on Sunday. The regional election which was initially characterized by a lot of interruptions started late around 2:20 pm, and as a result, ended around 10:41 pm.
Meanwhile, the final results of the election were stated as follows:
ZONGO CAUCUS:
Tijana Abdul Mummin 282
Osman Naziru Hamza 631 (Winner)
Sumaila Amin 334
Omar Farouk Gado 53
DEPUTY TREASURER:
Prince Atta 729 (Winner)
Bamba Adam 334
Hajara Mohammed 288
TREASURER:
Hopeson Kwaku 669
Marvin Philip Norman 680 (Winner)
DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER:
Amo Kamel 869(Winner)
Bernard Kusi Poku 188
Patrick Attua 295
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER:
Alex Kwaku Asafo Agyei 443
Abass Nurudeen 909 (Winner)
DEPUTY ORGANISER:
Bashiru Amissa Dombiri 353 (Winner)
Seidu Alhaji 101
Abban Bilson Yeboah 232
Acquah Kwabena 183
Anyas Ibrahim 126
Robert Owusu 169
Isaac Ofori 115
Joe Tetteh 72
The Police Service has captured another suspect as part of its investigations into the disturbance that marred the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ashanti Regional Executives election on November 13, 2022.
Bashiru Atta’s arrest on Tuesday, November 13, brings the number of persons apprehended to four.
On Monday, Yahya Shaibu Tia, Fati Ibrahim, and Husien Yakubu were arrested.
They are accused of being part of a group that assaulted a police officer, as well as sprayed pepper from a device onto some delegates.
The trio were arraigned before the Atwima Akropong District Court after their arrest on Monday.
After the court hearing, Fati Ibrahim was granted bail with three sureties; however, the remaining two have been remanded into police custody.
Meanwhile, Bashiru Atta is yet to be put before the court of law.
The fight that broke out last Sunday also resulted in injuries to one of the perpetrators. According to reports, two individuals who were injured have received medical attention.
Over 1,200 delegates of the NDC gathered at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to elect new regional executives.
A former Minister of Transport, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, has stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) needs an astute General Secretary to steer its affairs to win the 2024 elections.
According to the former Ketu South MP, the implementation of systems to effectively monitor activities before, during and after the general elections is key to securing victory.
Addressing party members after the vetting and balloting of nominees at the party headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Kwetey said his contenders played key roles for the NDC in the 2020 elections but completely failed in their respective roles and lack the competence to lead the party to victory in 2024.
“My two colleagues, I am contesting, one of them was in charge of the elections as director of elections and the other was the deputy general secretary in charge of operations. So those two were clearly in the heart of the operations, and they failed in their jobs. They both slept on their job.”
“One of them was even unable to ensure that the collation of results was done on time and so if you fail, you cannot blame the opponents for stealing the election,” Mr Kwetey said.
The NDC will elect its national executives on December 17 after electing regional and constituency executives.
The General Secretary of the United Front Party (UFP), Listowel Nana Kusi Poku, has praised the major opposition political party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), for the successful regional elections it held across the country on Saturday, November 12, 2022.
Speaking in an XYZ TV interview monitored by GhanaWeb, Listowel Kusi-Poku said that the smoothness of the election shows that the NDC is ready for the December 7, 2022 polls and it (the NDC) will win the elections.
He, therefore, urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his New Patriotic Party government to start preparing their handover notes.
“The success of the elections the NDC held shows that Akufo-Addo and the NPP must start preparing to leave office if they have not started already. He (Akufo-Addo) should also reimburse all the monies he has stolen because we are going to chase him for it.
“So, he should start packing his things out of the Jubilee House,” he said in Twi.
At least 712 candidates contested for various regional executive positions in the NDC in all 16 regions of Ghana except the Bono East, Ahafo, and the Eastern Regions, where the elections were partially suspended.
The positions contested include those of chairman and vice chairman, secretary and deputy secretary, organizer and deputy organizer, treasurer and deputy treasurer.
The remaining positions are Communications Officer and Deputy, Women’s Organiser and Deputy, the Zongo Caucus Coordinator, Youth Organiser and Deputy Youth Organiser.
In the Greater Accra Region, Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore beat incumbent regional chairman Ade Coker to become the new chairman of the party.
The party is set to hold its national executive election on Saturday, December 17, 2022.
A former Minister of Youth and Sports under the erstwhile John Dramani Mahama administration, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has stated that there was never such a thing as Guinea fowls flying out of Ghana.
According to him, the propaganda and exaggerations that have been told around the guinea fowls, which were part of the government’s Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Agency (GYEEDA) initiative, were all false.
Explaining a point to GhanaWeb TV’s Edward Smith Anamale on the Election Desk, the aspirant for the General Secretary position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said that they were all untruths.
“So, we actually restructured it but by then, the issues were already there but the focus was on those issues and of course, there were exaggerations; things like guinea fowls flying. There was nothing like that; absolutely nothing like that. Those were some of the exaggerations that occurred,” he explained.
The police have arrested one more suspect in connection with the disturbances which occurred during the Ashanti Regional National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives’ election held on Sunday, 13th November 2022.
The arrest of suspect Bashiru Atta brings to four the total number of persons arrested over the disturbances.
Meanwhile, accused persons Yahya Shaibu Tia and Fati Ibrahim who were earlier arrested were on Monday, November 14 arraigned before the Atwima Akropong District Court.
Accused Yahya Shaibu Tia was remanded into police custody to reappear before the court on November 21, 2022, while Fati Ibrahim was granted bail with three sureties.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth Forum has thrown its weight behind the former director of elections of the party, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, for the party’s general secretary position in the upcoming national executive elections.
In a statement issued by its secretary, Osman Iddrisu Banpuori, the forum said that Afriyie Ankrah through his service to the party has proven that he is the right man for the job.
The group added that Afriyie Ankrah, a former minister for sports, is the only person among the persons who will be contesting for the general secretary position who can assure the party’s victory in the 2024 elections.
“The forum is imbibed with his strategy, charisma, and commitment to service for the party as well as his enviable vision that seeks to pull all party members along which we hope would give our great party a resounding victory come 2024.
“In preparations into the 2024 election, the party needs a GENERAL SECRETARY that people can rally behind, approach and rely on to deliver victory for this great party and we are convinced beyond every reasonable doubt that Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has these pedigrees to soldier the party into victory.
“The Youth Forum is convinced that Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has the impeccable track record to become the next NDC chief scribe. With what we know you are capable of doing, we have at the back of our minds that it would be a one-touch victory if you are finally voted into office,” parts of the statement, read.
The youth, therefore, urged delegates of the party to vote massively for Afriyie Ankrah in the December 17, 2022, national executive elections of the party.
Afriyie Ankrah is expected to face stiff competition from the ex-Deputy Minister of Finance and former Propaganda Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey and the current Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Dr. Peter Otokunor.
Over 63 percent of participants in a poll conducted by GhanaWeb in October 2022 said that the current Director of Elections of the NDC should be the replacement of the outgoing General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, a former Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has recalled some good memories of working together with the first Vice Chancellor of the University for Professional Studies (UPSA), Prof. Joshua Alabi.
Recalling how, together with Prof. Alabi, who was at the time the Campaign Manager of the NDC, they worked at trying to win power for the party, he explained that one of the things that worked for him was knowing his place.
He told GhanaWeb’s Edward Smith Anamale in an interview on Election Desk that although it was clear to many people at the time that he, Elvis, was the one seemingly doing all the work, he did not allow any of that to get to his head.
He said he knew his place and played his part accordingly.
“He was then the Pro-Vice Chancellor of UPSA and so he had to juggle the two and so at certain times, when he was on holidays, then he’ll join the campaign full time but during school time, he wasn’t full time. So, I was virtually running but we had a very solid relationship.
“I reported to him morning, evening every day – morning, evening. And there’s a lesson in that; loyalty, because people were saying now you are in charge and I said No, I was not appointed Campaign Manager,” he said.
Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, who is eyeing the position of General Secretary of the NDC in its pending December 17, 2022, congress, reiterated that, unknown to him, it would all pay one day.
He narrated how one day, when he was seeking a job at the UPSA, having been in the good books of Prof Joshua Alabi, it paid off very well for him.
“He is my boss and it paid off because after that election, then in 2005, I contested for and won as the Deputy General Secretary at the Koforidua Congress.
“So, when we came back, I was put in charge of operations, and we were in opposition – we had been in opposition from 2000 and I believe that you must always work; earn your keep, so I applied for a job at the UPSA and on the panel, of course, was Prof. Alabi, who I’d been loyal to.
“Of course, I was qualified, but can you imagine if there had been a frosty relationship and I had been arrogant and disrespectful to him that now I’m in charge, I’m sure I wouldn’t have had that job,” he explained.
The Police have arrested three suspects and pursuing others over violentdisturbances caused during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ashanti Regional Executives Election on November 13, 2022 in Kumasi.
A statement from the Police said the three suspects and their accomplices were involved in different offences, including an assault on a Police officer, spraying pepper from a device on some persons at the Centre and engaging in a fight resulting in injuries to one of the perpetrators.
The suspects are Yahya Shaibu Tia, Fati Ibrahim and Husein Yakubi, alias Jarlune.
The statement said they were in custody assisting investigation while efforts were underway to get their accomplices arrested to face justice.
The incumbent Oti Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Kwadwo Gyapong, has been retained by delegates at the Party’s regional elections held on Sunday.
In the election held at the Kyabobo Recreational Centre at Nkwanta in the Oti Region, Mr Gyapong polled 162 votes to beat his main contender, Mr Fato Kwame Nicholas who had 154 votes.
A total of 326 delegates voted and determined the fate of the 41 contestants who vied for 15 positions of the Party.
Mr Maxwell Owusu Siaw and Mr Kpebu Kofi Francis, who both contested unopposed, are the Vice Chairmen while Mr Lemboe Gabriel Samora polled 148 votes for the Secretary slot.
For the Deputy Secretary, Mr Abraham Boafo, went unopposed, while in the Regional Organizer post, Mr Sulemana Abdul Mumuni won with 181 votes.
Dr Fred Adams Alpha polled 109 votes to win the Deputy Organizer slot.
The Regional Treasurer position was won by Mr Addo Kwaku Prosper who polled 157 votes.
Mr Kuni Ogaja Evans won the Deputy Treasurer position with 144 votes.
The Youth Organizer slot went to Mr Eklu Cletus who polled 20 votes while Mr Dzre Foster with 13 votes won the Deputy Youth Organizer slot.
Madam Magyam Pauline polled 14 votes for the Women Organizer position and Madam Dunyame Mary Mensah also won the Deputy Women Organizer position with 11 votes.
For the Zongo Caucus Coordinator, Mr Gabasa Abubakar won with 161 votes, while Mr Mobarak Abdul Karim with 198 votes won the Communication Officer position.
Mr William Ntoso Mensah polled 121 votes to win the Deputy Communication Officer position.
Mr Gyapong, in a victory message, asked all winners and losers to remain united as a family, and urged all to re-energised for hard work to wrestle power from the New Patriotic Party-led government in 2024.
A coalition of other Eight Executive Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from across all Eighteen (18) constituencies of the Volta region are calling for a united and stonger leadership front ahead of election 2024.
The group at a press briefing during the Volta Regional Delegates Conference of the party in Ho, Saturday, noted that the NDC needs each and everyone now more than ever to wrestle power from the NPP government.
The group christenened as VEM Forum (Volta Executive Members Forum) is thus urging the new crop of the party’s leadership in the Volta region to take steps to reconcile and bring all party folks on board to deliver victory for the party in 2024.
In a statement read by Bright Yaw Sachie on behalf of members, the group said, “regional aspirants must know that we all belong to one family. Therefore, the outcome of the elections today should not bring division but rather uniting together for the rescue mission in 2024.”
The group is also calling on the NDC to involve them more in the party’s activities in ensuring a well coordinated campaign for the elections.
“Other 8 members have been neglected for too long -they only use us for elections as if we are election machines but that must stop.”
“Therefore, we are urging the new regional aspirants that will emerge winners to involve us in the new administration because we have a role to play to rescue power from the clueless NPP government,” the group urged.
According to the group, the country is now at a crossroad amidst unbearable living conditions to which only the NDC can offer a solution.
To ensure electoral success for the party in 2024, VEM Forum has outlined a number of activities including campaign activities in market places, regular press engagements and door-to-door campaign across the Volta region.
The group also placed a further call on youth in the Volta region to join their train to canvass votes for the National Democratic Congress.
A former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, has urged members of the National Democratic Congress to ensure that the NDC wins the 2024 elections, otherwise the party will disintegrate.
Speaking at the NDC’s Volta Regional Delegates Conference in Ho on Saturday, the former MP for the Avenor-Ave constituency now Akatsi South, called on party members to sacrifice to ensure the party achieves its target in the next elections.
“We are a social democratic party, we put people at the centre of what we do so please I beg you, colleagues I beg you, we have to win the 2024 elections otherwise NDC will be disintegrated, let’s sacrifice for this party for once,” Mr Doe Adjaho said.
Mr Doe Adjaho also has charged members of the party to be united and remain focused as the current economic crisis is not sufficient to guarantee the party a victory in the 2024 general elections.
“The statement is that we should not be complacent as a party. The mid-term elections in the United States have taught us that hardship alone, inflation and the economy cannot win an election…So let us not be complacent.”
“Hardship is a factor, and cost of living is a factor, but it is not sufficient. We have to work hard, we have to be united and present a united front in this region and in the party,” Doe Adjaho said.
A private legal practitioner and a member of the National Democratic Congress, (NDC), Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo has warned party members to eschew complacency and work hard towards victory in the 2024 elections.
Speaking on Citi TV on Sunday, Mr Kpakpo Samoa Addo said the NDC’s biggest enemy ahead of the 2024 general election is not the New Patriotic Party but complacency.
“I have always said that our biggest enemy for 2024 is complacency,” Mr Samoa Addo said, adding that the party must shun massive rallies and adopt the Jehovah’s Witness’ approach of evangelism to woo new members and convince die-hard NPP supporters to choose the NDC and ditch the NPP in 2024.
Mr Samoa Addo warned that the current economic challenges are not enough to hand victory to the NDC, but hard work, sacrifice and vigilance will ensure that the party is victorious in 2024.
His comments echo that of the former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, who on Saturday charged members of the NDC to be united and remain focused ahead of the next general elections.
Speaking ahead of the NDC’s Volta Regional Delegates Conference in Ho, the former MP for the Avenor-Ave constituency now Akatsi South, urged members of the NDC not to be complacent and work hard towards the elections in 2024.
He also called on members of the party to desist from wooing delegates with money and favours for votes ahead of the general elections in 2024.
“The statement is that we should not be complacent as a party. The mid-term elections in the United States have taught us that hardship alone, inflation and the economy cannot win an election…So let us not be complacent.”
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) after months of internal party processes successfully held its Regional Executives elections over the weekend.
With the exception of the Bono East, Ahafo and Eastern Regions where the polls were put on hold by the Functional Executive Committee of the party over some yet-to-be-resolved issues, the exercise was organized in the remaining 13 regions during the three-day event which began on Friday, November 11 through to Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Elections in the Eastern Region will be held next weekend. That of the Bono East and Ahafo regions will be determined later according to the party.
While some incumbents retained their positions, others failed in their re-election bids giving new entrants the opportunities to run the affairs of the party at the regional level.
Following the declaration of results across the regions where elections took place, below is the outcome of the NDC regional executives elections.
GREATER ACCRA REGION
Chairman
1. Michael Tetteh Kwetey – 297
2. Kobina Ade-Coker – 222
3. Kojo Obeng Berkoh – 4
4. Emmanuel Nii Ashie-Moore – 327
5. Thomas Mustapha Ashong – 147
Rejected – 1
Vice Chairman
1. William Vinyo
2. Ibrahim Mahama Jajah
Secretary
1. Theophilus Tetteh Chaie – 720
2. Victor Quarshie Adonoo – 281
Deputy Secretary
1. Patricia Naa Akuyea Addy- 481
2. Baba Abu Abdulai – 306
3. Godwin Mahama Ayaba – 212
Rejected – 1
Organiser
1. Anthony Nukpenu – 595
2. Fiifi Taylor – 404
Rejected – 1
Deputy Organizer
1. Ibrahim Musah- 84
2. Kabu Saint Emmanuel – 121
3. Dickson Mawuko Lekey – 102
4. Gambo Abdulai Zam-Atu – 691
Rejected – 1
Valid votes – 998
Treasurer
1. Mohammed Norgan – 593
2. Akunkel Mbilla Regina Samira – 404
Rejected : 1
Valid vote 997
Deputy Treasurer
1. Kennedy Hedoe – 607
2. Augustine Edem Viduku – 230
3. Amegashie Abla Happy – 156
Rejected – 2
Valid votes – 993
Communication Officer
1. Jerry Johnson – 527
2. Emmanuel Nii Ayitefio Abola Mettle-Nunoo Jnr – 470
Deputy Communication
1. Simon Kweku Tetteh – 486
2. Lawrence Roland Arthur-Atitiani – 135
3. Tony Addison Dodoo – 377
Zongo Caucus Coordinator
1. Ismaila Horoya Ali – 411
2. Mualim Alhassan – 294
3. Stephen Mohammed Ashkar – 240
4. Muhammed Liman Nii Noi Nortey – 54
Rejected – 2
Valid vote – 999
OTI REGION
CHAIRMAN
1. John Kwadwo Gyapong – 162 ELECT
2. Fato Kwame Nicholas – 154
VICE CHAIRMAN
1. Maxwell Siaw
2. Francis Kpebu – unopposed
SECRETARY
1. Dennis Ofori Asiedu – 45
2. Gado Yakubu Ninsaw – 121
3. Lemboe Gabriel Samora -148 ELECT
DEPUTY SECRETARY
1. Abraham Boafo – unopposed
ORGANIZER
1. Michael Jojo Botwe – 91
2. Sulemana Abdul Mumuni – 181 ELECT
3. Tanko Mohammed Abubakar – 46
DEPUTY ORGANIZER
1. Agbeko Emmanuel – 101
2. Dr. Fred Adams Alpha – 109
3. Julius Ahotor – 64
4. Peter Kwaku Tadri – 40
Deputy Youth Organizer
1. ABDUL HAKEEM MAHAMA-28
2. ERNEST DZEPE-7
3. SAMUEL AMOAH-14
4. MARTIN WOKU ANLIMAH-2
5. MATTHEW ANNAN BASSAW-2
6. BERNARD OTOO JANNOR-6
7.COLLINGTINN.E.MACLEAN-0
