The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is asking suffering Ghanaians to blame the myriad of economic hardships on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and not the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta.
The National Communications Officer of NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, reminded Ghanaians to lay the blame on the president and not his debilitating finance minister while reacting to calls for the removal of the minister.
He spoke on Accra 100.5 FM’s mid-day news on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.
He explained that the finance minister is not the appropriate person to blame for the current economic hardships Ghanaians are experiencing under the watch of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) administration.
“The financé minister could not have taken many of the decisions in running the country’s economy without the approval of the president,” he said.
He was categorical to say that Ghana’s major problem is the president.
He argued strongly that it is the president that had a social contract with the people of Ghana and not the finance minister.
“It is the president who has breached the social contract he had with Ghanaians and not the finance minister,” he said.
“In 2016 at the time inflation was high during the NDC’s administration as compared to what is pertaining under the watch of the current president was low.
“He then had the guts to ask the then-president to resign.
“So, he should also do the honourable thing by resigning,” Mr Gyamfi stressed.
He noted that the president is in control but not in charge because he is blinded by greed and selfish interest.
The country is at a crossroads because of the failure of the president to assert his authority, he again said.
According to him, Ghana’s economy is in this state because the president refuses to listen to sound advice.
Dr Wereko Brobby, who made these remarks in a Neat FM interview monitored by GhanaWeb, added that Akufo-Addo and his appointees are doing the same things he (Akufo-Addo) criticised the NDC government for when he was in opposition.
“(The country) is in this current state because of stubbornness. Because from the beginning, we at Alliance for Change used to criticise the NDC for the size of their government, accusing them of squandering the country’s resources with the number of ministers they had appointed.
“Now, this my brother (Akufo-Addo) comes to power, and the 85 ministers of Mahama we were complaining was too much, [he] increased it to 125. So, is this progress?
“When we spoke about it, he said that the number of his ministers is insignificant but what matters is their output. This means that we criticised the NDC only to come and do worse than they did. This is why we are where we are today… If you decide not to take the advice on things we have spoken about, this is what happens. Today, inflation is over 40 percent, and it will be worse,” he said.
The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has been spotted in parliament as the house considers a motion by the Members of Parliament on the opposition side for the removal of Ken Ofori-Atta as the Minister of Finance.
The National Democratic Congress MPs filed a motion in parliament on October 25, 2022, to be debated and voted on 14 days after its receipt by the Speaker of Parliament.
Upon the maturity of the period, the house is considering the motion moved by the NDC MPs, and they have hoped that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs would support their call.
This expectation is based on the fact that some weeks ago, some 80 NPP MPs took a historic stance when they called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to immediately sack Ken Ofori-Atta over his poor performance.
The MPs stated in their press conference that should the president fail to do this, they would begin boycotting government business in the house, including the reading of the 2023 budget statement and economic policy.
This call has since been placed on hold after the president met with the NPP MPs and urged them to give the Minister of Finance time to complete some pressing government business, including his IMF request.
But ahead of the hearing of the motion for a vote of censure against Ken Ofori-Atta, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, wrote a letter to its MPs, directing them to stay away from the vote.
In the statement dated November 9, 2022, the national leadership said that “While the National Executive body acknowledges the prevailing socio-economic conditions in the country and the need for urgent remedial interventions, it is our utmost position that the demand of the NDC-led Minority Caucus is ill-intended and aimed at derailing government’s efforts at resolving current socio-economic upheavals.
“The leadership acknowledges that the Minister for Finance is the leader of government’s negotiation team with the International Monetary Fund. Considering that negotiation with the IMF is nearly completed, the National Executive body of the Party strongly believes that the removal of the lead person spearheading the negotiation may adversely impact the progress made thus far.”
On the day of the vote of censure, the NPP MPs, led by the MP for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, stated in an interview that while they are bent on getting Ken Ofori-Atta out, they would not support the motion of the NDC MPs for a vote of censure against the minister.
“We are here to reiterate that, however much you heard us speaking that based on the intervention of the president, we will have to see the minister of finance do his work, read budget, see through appropriation and then the president will act.
“Over the days, we have heard the finance minister speaking and his speaking has influenced majority of us in the caucus, not only to state that we are back to the original position that we took, and that position is that the minister of finance must not be the one to read the budget, and must not be the one that would do the appropriation.
“We are here to tell you this morning that this will be very soon for you to see, the position of us and we are going to be positively defiant about that posture until that action is taken. However, we are not going to support the cause of the NDC in the chamber this morning.
“The cause of the NDC is premised on falsehood, propaganda and reasons that are not justifiable. Their position might look like ours but is not the same,” he said.
The presence of the NPP General Secretary in parliament is therefore believed to be a sort of ‘supervisory’ one to ensure that the NPP MPs go by the directive for them to stay away from the vote of censure to take out the embattled Ken Ofori-Atta.
A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, has berated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the current hardship in the country.
According to him, Ghana’s economy is in this state because the president refuses to listen to sound advice.
Dr Wereko Brobby, who made these remarks in a Neat FM interview monitored by GhanaWeb, added that Akufo-Addo and his appointees are doing the same things he (Akufo-Addo) criticised the NDC government for when he was in opposition.
“(The country) is in this current state because of stubbornness. Because from the beginning, we at Alliance for Change used to criticise the NDC for the size of their government, accusing them of squandering the country’s resources with the number of ministers they had appointed.
“Now, this my brother (Akufo-Addo) comes to power, and the 85 ministers of Mahama we were complaining was too much, [he] increased it to 125. So, is this progress?
“When we spoke about it, he said that the number of his ministers is insignificant but what matters is their output. This means that we criticised the NDC only to come and do worse than they did. This is why we are where we are today… If you decide not to take the advice on things we have spoken about, this is what happens. Today, inflation is over 40 percent, and it will be worse,” he said.
Dr Wereko-Brobby added that the failure of the government to stabilise the nation’s currency and the prices of petroleum products is the cause of the hardships in the country.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has urged his colleague MPs of the majority caucus to support a vote of censure against the finance minister filed by his side, the minority.
Sam George’s call comes after the national leadership of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) directed all their MPs to abstain from a scheduled vote of censure targeted at embattled Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
The party has thus ordered the Majority Whips to ensure that no member of the Caucus participates in the exercise expected to take place today, Thursday, November 10, 2022.
The directive was contained in a November 9, press statement signed by General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong.
Reacting to this, the Ningo-Prampram MP said the vote of censure against the finance minister will be a test of honour for the NPP MPs.
He added that the action the majority caucus MPs will take will determine whether they are truly honourable men and women, myjoyonline.com reports.
“Today, it is a matter of honour. It is a matter of the title we so fight for. So, they (NPP MPs) must earn their title, today.
“This is a call to the 137 on the majority side. Earn your title. Else we will not call you honourable members of the rest of the term.
“We will refer to you by your regular names because you are going to show Ghanaians that you lack honour,” he is quoted to have said in an interview with Metro TV on Thursday.
“Ghana is at the crossroads today. Today Parliament has the opportunity to distinguish itself and ensure that we are masters of our own craft and ensure that we care about the people we represent,” the MP added.
Speaking on 3Music TV, the ‘Non-Living Thing’ artiste mentioned that the message he preached in his ‘Dumsor’, ‘Inflation’, and ‘Masses’ songs during John Mahama’s tenure are issues that persist to date and that he is not moved to compose another song.
“What I said he [Nana Addo] should ‘toaso’, I stand by it because I think I benefitted from Free Education directly and I have the right to say I endorse that because this is directly.
“My mom has these girls we’ve been supporting. At first, she would call, asking me to help. I am not saying it is much but just the fact that I am not even hearing that, it came from that place and I was specific about what I was endorsing,” he disclosed.
His statement rides on the back of Ghanaian comedian DKB, who shades him for the song ‘Happy Day’, which he composed in 2020 for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, endorsing him for president.
DKB’s video captured Sarkodie’s lyrics, “If today I am sleeping with lights in my house and my children can go to school for free, forgive me, but Nana, continue (Toaso).”
The aforementioned lines formed part of Sarkodie’s lyrics for the ‘Happy Day’ song, which featured Kuami Eugene.
Some persons described the song as an endorsement of Nana Akufo-Addo because of the ‘Nana Toaso’ phrase that the ruling party and Nana Addo used for their campaign.
Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has said he is determined to move the motion of vote of censure to get the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta removed from Office, on Thursday November 10.
He explained that the Minority will need the support of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament to achieve their desire to remove the Minister.
The Tamale South lawmaker said any move by the NPP lawmakers to rescind their quest to get Mr Ofori-Atta removed will hurt Ghana’s democracy by weakening the oversight role of Parliament.
Admittedly, he said, the National Democratic Congress Lawmakers do not have the required number, two thirds, to push their motion through hence, will need the support of the NPP MPs who earlier called for the sacking of Mr Ofori-Atta, to achieve that.
“I’m determined to move the motion of censure,” he said while speaking at the political dialogue series organized by Media General on Wednesday November 8.
He added “Admittedly, the Minority MPs, standing alone, may not achieve the two thirds number and so when the Majority said they will support us, it was comforting. If they chicken out, it will weaken Parliament, it will weaken oversight role of Parliament and the minister will run riot.”
He added “Anywhere in the world, Mr Ofori-Atta should have been gone by now, taking full responsibility for what has happened.”
The Speaker admitted the motion which was filed by Asawase Member of Parliament Muntaka Mubarak and dated October 24, 2022.
The opposition lawmakers believe the Finance Minister has failed in managing the economy.
In tweet, North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said ” In compliance with Article 82 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the NDC Caucus in Parliament has successfully filed a motion for his immediate removal.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu earlier said in Parliament after the Speaker’s ruling was challenged by Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin that “The Speaker has ruled, and we must show respect to the Speaker. If there are any disagreements with the ruling, they know what to do.
“Ordinarily, any civilized democracy in the world, you don’t even need a motion for the Minister of Finance to go home.
“He, upon self-appraisal of where he has led the country and economy to, in all conscience, will bow out and save the nation. So, we have brought a competent motion.”
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Director, Richard Ahiagbah, has downplayed the growing discontent with the Akufo-Addo government, which has been reflected in polls and recent protests.
Speaking on The Point of View, Mr. Ahiagbah maintained that Ghana’s economic crisis has external causes because “the whole world is not going in the right direction.”
A recent poll by Global Info Analytics has indicated that 77 percent of Ghanaians believe the country is heading in the wrong direction.
This comes amid crippling inflation and fuel prices that have left many Ghanaians frustrated.
But Mr. Ahiagbah remarked that “I think polling in this environment is biased, to begin with, because people’s emotions are in a certain place, so you are going to get a predictable outcome.”
“What is really of consequence is the effort and the commitment of the government that is in power who for some reason is caught up in this global economic downturn,” he added.
But responding to Mr. Ahiagbah on the show, the organiser of the recent ‘Ku Me Preko’ protest, Martin Kpebu slammed the NPP communicator’s remarks.
Mr. Kpebu told him: “don’t ever say that in public again because the more you say people are being emotional, the more people will come at you.”
“Our savings, your money in the bank or under your bed, over 60 percent of its value is gone, and you say people are being emotional?”
Pressure group, OccupyGhana (OG), has petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to probe allegations of a wealthy businessman who attempted to bribe some 80 lawmakers of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) who were calling for the resignation of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
The allegation was first made by Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
According to OccupyGhana attempting to bribe MPs is an attempt to influence the conduct of the lawmakers in the course of their official duties which is a potential corruption offence that falls within remit of the Office of Special Prosecutor.
The group wants a probe into the claim and if the allegations are established to be true, proceed to prosecute.
Some 80 NPP MPs at a press conference called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to fire Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
However, after a meeting with the President, they backtracked and gave the Minister time to prepare the 2023 budget and also finish his engagement with the International Monetary Fund.
It’s a question that begs for an answer – whether or not the Ghanaian people will give the New Patriotic Party (NPP) another chance to govern the country when electorates go to the polls in 2024 taking into cognizance the economic hardship that has engulfed the citizenry under the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addowho is serving his last term in office.
A number of names have been mentioned as flagbearer hopefuls with a few confirming their willingness to lead the party to ‘break the eight’. One is Kwabena Agyepong, a former General Secretary of the party who also served as Press Secretary to former president John Agyekum Kufuor between 2001 to 2006.
Taking his turn on The Delay Show aired on November 5, 2022, monitored by GhanaWeb, the civil engineer expressed optimism that he is the man to lead the NPP regardless.
“Considering how Ghanaians are wailing and complaining about hunger; Ghanaians are dejected under NPP and now you’re here as a member of the NPP asking to be voted for. Do you think Ghanaians will listen to you?” asked Deloris Frimpong Manso (Delay)who sought to probe the feasibility of Mr. Agyepong’s aspiration.
“They will listen to me,” said the politician. “First and foremost, we need to know that we need someone who would speak the truth always to Ghanaians. We cannot spend what we do not have. Our budget is always in deficit; we need to cut our coats according to the size of cloth we have. We need to be truthful to Ghanaians. For instance, if we cannot construct new roads and put together a proper maintenance review. We like constructing new things without providing any form of maintenance for the old ones.”
Sounding audacious, Agyepong who has been instrumental in the success of the NPP emphasized that it is imperative to ensure value for money and selflessness.
“The value system in this country has disappeared, it has collapsed. Those are the changes I believe it is time for a new dawn, a new dimension, and a new direction. It is very important that we drive that kind of change in this country and let people know that being in office doesn’t mean enriching yourself; rather, you’re there to serve,” he remarked while promising a lean government.
“Appointees go for vetting and you see chiefs in their full regalia escorting him to vetting. They create the impression that there’s something juicy to lick. We have become enablers. That has to stop.
“I will have no time for that kind of thing because I have no time for materialism. I will be very different, very tough. The constitution says we should have 19 ministers. I will not exceed that.”
In the last couple of months, a section of Ghanaians have been calling for the resignation of President Nana Akufo-Addo following record inflation and the government’s handling of the economic crisis.
The president has admitted that times are hard economically and that his government is working assiduously to provide relief to the citizenry.
These views were contained in his October 30, 2022 address to the nation on the state of the economy.
Kwabena Agyepong who served as Press Secretary to former president John Agyekum Kufuor between 2001 and 2006 has said he declined a ministerial appointment offered to him by his boss after serving for almost six years.
The decision to not accept the appointment, according to Kwabena Agyepong was informed by the quest to exit from the administration and focus on some other equally important activities.
“It was fine,” he said in response to whether or not it was a peaceful exit. “I just felt I had to leave politics, so, although the president called me and offered me a deputy ministerial position, I respectfully declined.”
Sharing his work experience with the former president, Mr. Agyepong told Deloris Frimpong Manso on The Delay Show that his boss was indeed a diplomat.
“Mr. Kufuor is a very quintessential diplomat and democrat. He worked with the IGP the previous government appointed for over six months when he assumed office. Persons who occupied some of the key positions experienced same. He did so just to get a smooth transition,” the former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) remarked.
Meanwhile, Agyepong has said he never acquired any property during his tenure as Press Secretary to Mr. Kufuor.
Establishing that the desire to do politics was borne out of passion, selflessness, and service to the country, Agyepong expressed optimism in becoming president of Ghana as he readies to contest in the NPP presidential primaries.
“Our budget is always in deficit; we need to cut our coat according to the size of cloth we have. We need to be truthful to Ghanaians for instance if we cannot construct new roads and put together a proper plan review. We like constructing new things without providing any form of maintenance for the old ones.
“The value system in this country has disappeared, it has collapsed. Those are the changes I believe it is time for a new dawn, a new dimension, and a new direction,” Mr. Agyepong said while underscoring the need to serve instead of amassing wealth to the detriment of the Ghanaian people.
Private legal practitioner Samson Lardy Anyenini has challenged New Patriotic Party(NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) to name a businessman who allegedly tried inducing them with money.
According to him, the disclosure is the surest way to prove that the Members of Parliament indeed returned the money to the unnamed businessman and repelled him as they claim.
Member of Parliament(MP) for Asante-Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi first disclosed on Accra based Joy Fm that the said businessman came to Parliament to meet with NPP MPs who had publicly called on President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo to sack the finance minister Ken Ofori Atta.
The NPP MP added that the wealthy businessman sought to ‘mediate’ in the impasse between the MPs and the Finance Minister and attempted to give them money which they rejected.
But speaking on Newsfile on Joy News, on Saturday, November 5, 2022; the lawyer wondered why the lawmakers allowed such a businessman to walk away after committing a crime of attempted bribery.
He argued that the narration of the MPs raises doubts over whether they actually returned the money to the said businessman.
“So, there was an offer and there was received. This is a transaction that resulted in a crime. At what point did any of these MP’s realise that they needed to return these envelopes as they have been telling us?
“How should we come to a point of believing them that they in fact returned these envelopes? Did they? How many took it and how many returned it? What the MP’s have dealt with so far, leaves me in a position to believe that they are not being frank,” he said.
Anyenini further stated that the unwillingness by the lawmakers to blow the cover of the businessman attempting to corrupt them further cast doubts on their narration.
“Let us all dare them to name this businessman. If they do not, let us not believe them that they took the money and returned it. Indeed we are right that they [NPP MP’s] took the bribe and engaged in a corrupt conduct,” he added.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia Saturday received a rousing welcome at the Hogbetsotso Festival of the Anlo State in the Volta Region.
The enthusiastic crowd chanted New Patriotic Party (NPP) songs to welcome the Vice President and his entourage to the 2022 festival, which marks the 60th anniversary of the Hogbetsotsoza.
This year’s celebration is on the theme: “60 years of Anlo Hogbetsotso Za: Uniting for development, sustaining our unique cultural commonwealth for future generations”.
Also present at the festival were the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the Ga King, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.
Other chiefs and personalities from the Volta Region and diasporans also graced the historic ceremony.
The Vice President called for togetherness for rapid socio-economic development.
Hogbetsotso is celebrated in November at Anloga, which is the traditional and ritual capital of the Anlo State.
The Festival unfolds Ewe history and brings to play the memories of legendary exodus and heroic acts of men of boldness and their mystical powers that liberated the Ewe-Dogbo people from the rule of tyrant King of Kings-Torgbui Agokorli of Nortsie in Togo.
Hence, Hogbetsotso is derived from the word ‘Hogbe’ or ‘Hohogbe’-the day of exodus – the moment in time when the Ewes in the Dogbo quarter of the walled city of Nortsie in Togo, escaped from the tyrannical ruler Agorkorli by walking backwards.
In order to commemorate the exodus and the bravery of their traditional rulers who led them on the journey, the people commemorate the annual festival of the Exodus – “Hogbetsotsoza”.
Thirty-six states from the Anlo Traditional Area are participating in this year’s celebration.
National Youth Organiser of governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Salam Mustapha says the widespread disaffection by Ghanaians against government in the wake of heightened economic difficulties is evidence that Ghanaians hold the governing party to high standard as compared to the opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC).
Following recent unprecedented hikes in prices of fuel, transportation, food and general cost of living, Ghanaians have expressed displeasure and angst at government as political watchers say the prevailing economic conundrum narrows the chances of the NPP to win the next election.
There have been reports of booing at both the President and Vice President at public functions as a demonstration of disapproval of the management of the economy.
But reacting to the recent booing incidents and general expression of frustration and displeasure amongst Ghanaians, the National Youth Organiser of the ruling party said Ghanaians hold the NPP in high esteem and expect more of the party as compared to the opposition NDC, a reason there is widespread uproar amidst the current economic challenges.
Speaking in an interview on A1 Radio in Bolgatanga monitored by MyNewsGh.com, he argued that Ghana’s economy was growing significantly until the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia and post-COVID-19 challenges.
“It [booing] gives me a different impression. I think the Ghanaian people have higher expectations of the NPP. They believe that we are more capable and they hold us higher than the NDC. If they [Ghanaians] feel that we are letting them down of a sort, it is natural to protest,” he said.
He described the acts of booing at government officials by some citizens as politically contrived acts perpetrated by elements of the opposition National Democratic Congress.
A Chairman hopeful of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), in the Greater Accra Region, Mr. Joseph Ade-Coker has boldly stated that he can match his opponent in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) boot for boot to win massively in the next general elections in 2024.
He said the NDC needs a courageous person like him to lead the battle and amass votes for the party to be at the helm of affairs in the country.
Interacting with NDC delegates during his campaign tour, Mr. Ade Coker said, “I have demonstrated that l have the courage to fight the NPP, they should also watch the posture of the NPP, they have been telling us that they are going to break the eight-year jinx, …If that is the case, the NDC needs a very courageous, bold and articulate person to be able to lead them in the battle in the Greater Accra region, which always determines the winning votes of the NDC. They should vote for me, I have come to you with a message and with a plan.”
The incumbent Greater Accra regional Chairman of NDC said the calibre of regional executives the delegates will elect internally will determine the party’s chances in the 2024 general elections.
“The calibre of people you elect tomorrow will determine the success of the NDC going into the 2024 general elections. If you elect people who are not mature, competent, tried and tested, the results will be GIGO, Garbage in Garbage out,” he warned.
He further advised delegates to desist from being influenced by money and enticing goodies.
The NDC is expected to elect its regional executives on November 12-13, 2022, to steer the affairs of the party.
The Nation Council of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appointed members and chairpersons to serve on the party’s standing and ad hoc committees.
In a press release dated November 3, the appointment by the National Council was in line with the party’s constitution.
“Pursuant to Article 10(3)(6) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constitution, the National Council, at its meeting held on October 5, 2022, and upon further consultations with relevant stakeholders, appointed the following persons to serve on the Standing and Ad hoc Committees of the Party,” parts of the release read.
The appointed members are to serve on the party’s finance, constitution and legal committees; organisation; research; disciplinary and communication committees.
The finance committee will be chaired by Abankwa Sekyere; the constitutional and legal committee by Frank Davies; the organisation committee by Lord Oblitey Commey; the research committee by Osei Bonsu Amoah; the disciplinary committee by Kwasi Amoako-Atta and the communication committee by Nana Akomea.
Lawyers of Gregory Afoko and Asabke Alangde, the two persons standing trial for the death of New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama, have filed a notice of appeal to challenge the order of the High Court to open their defence.
The application is seeking the intervention of the Court of Appeal, the second highest court of the land, to overturn the decision by the High Court that a prima facie case has been established against them.
Afoko and Alangde are being accused of the acid incident which allegedly killed the NPP Regional Chairman on May 20, 2015. They have pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy and murder.
On June 14 this year, State Prosecutors closed their case after parading 16 witnesses, but lawyers of the accused persons filed a submission of no case to answer on the grounds that, the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses have not established a prima facie evidence against them.
Ruling on the submission of no case on Friday, October 7, the court presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Efua Merley Wood, said the elements of prima facie evidence have been established by the prosecution.
The court also ruled that, for the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses to be believed, it would be fair to hear from the accused persons.
Justice Merley Wood, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court Judge, ruled that the court is satisfied that the prosecution has made sufficient evidence that requires the accused persons to open their defence.
EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that, due to the pendency of that appeal, the directive for Afoko to open his defence on November 2 has been deferred to November 16, by which time the appeal would have been determined.
He noted that the measures needed time to take effect and had been properly included in the 2023 budget.
He stated that “the policy announced by the president in his address did not take effect immediately” in an interview with Angel FM on the Anopa Bofo Morning Show.
The details of what was said, including the suggestions made, would be made explicit in the 2023 budget.
The 2023 budget would include the specifics of the reforms.
The President in his address mentioned 12 policy measures targeted at tackling the cedi depreciation and putting the economy back on the track to recovery.
As part of the measures outlined, President Akufo-Addo pledged to restore debt sustainability by reducing debt to GDP to 55%, restoring macroeconomic stability through an IMF programme and tackle the high cost of living by stabilizing prices of petroleum products.
He also promised that there will be no hair cuts to treasury bill holders as well as a plan to reduce the importation of commodities like rice, poultry and vegetable oil.
The above-mentioned measures according to the NPP communicator will be catered for in the 2023 budget.
Asante Krobea commended the president for taking that bold step including the decision to slash budgeted discretionary expenditure by 30% and cutting down government appointees salaries by 30%.
He re-emphasized the president’s call for traders to be measured in their profit margins.
“As a patriotic citizen you don’t take advantage of a crisis to profiteer”, he pleaded.
Days after a group of New Patriotic Party, NPP, Members of Parliament openly demanded the removal of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Attaand Minister of State at the Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen from office, it has emerged that four major statutory payments have been released.
The payments were confirmed by Charles Adomako-Mensah, NDC-MP for Afigya Kwabre North Constituency in the Ashanti Region.
He was answering a question by the host of Good Morning Ghana on Metro TV, Randy Abbey on developments after their October 25 demand via a press conference at the precincts of Parliament.
The four payments made so far are in respect of Common Fund (Quarters 1 and Two), MPs Moni Monitoring and Evaluation (Second quarter), Q1 and Q2 of District Common Fund as well as the Disability Relief Fund to districts.
After confirming the payments individually, the MP added: “That is true, it is true. The payments were supposed to come and there were delays, and it has been paid. It is true.”
Reacting to a shocked co-panellist in the person of Kwesi Pratt, the MP added: “Uncle Kwasi, these are statutory payments, there were delays fortunately they have been paid, thank God, they have been paid…they’ve been paid because they have to be paid.
“I am not too sure if it was because of the demands …the fact that it was after but I am not too sure if it was because of the demands,” he stressed.
“Oh Randy, delays in Common Fund payments are not something new,” Adomako-Mensah added.
The demand for Ofori-Atta’s removal sent shockwaves in the polity with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo hurriedly arranging a meeting with the disgruntled MPs.
Their demand was premised on the tanking Ghanaian economy headed by the embattled minister but a deal was reached.
Under the deal, Ofori-Atta is allowed to stay in office to conclude initial talks with the International Monetary Fund and also present the 2023 budget and oversee the passage of its appropriation before Akufo-Addo decides on his fate.
A founding member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has criticized President Akufo-Addo for failing to mention the menace of corruption and illegal small-scale mining in his address to Ghanaians on the hardship in the country.
In an XYZ TV interview monitored by GhanaWeb, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe said that the country was losing a lot of money because of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and the president failing to mention it is telling.
He added that corruption, which the president also failed to mention, is the main cause of the hardship Ghanaians are currently facing.
“One thing that was surprising is that the president didn’t talk about galamsey when he was addressing the nation. He should have taken the opportunity to touch on the sensitive areas that have run the economy down.
“Because just as the Asantehene was saying the last time, the gold that comes out of our soil appears to be smuggled out. Our water bodies and forests are just being destroyed for nothing.
“He also failed to touch on corruption which shocked me. Because I can tell you that 70 percent of the problems we have now are because of corruption. And if that is put right, this country will have no problem. There is corruption from top to bottom; that was what I was expecting the president to address,” he said.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during his address on Sunday, admitted that times are hard economically and that his government is working assiduously to provide relief to the citizenry.
He stressed in an address on the economy that his administration was ready to work towards restoring and resetting the economy on the path of progress and stability.
These views were contained in his October 30, 2022, address to the nation on the state of the economy.
“For us, in Ghana, our reality is that our economy is in great difficulty. The budget drawn for the 2022 fiscal year has been thrown out of gear, disrupting our balance of payments and debt sustainability, and further exposing the structural weaknesses of our economy.
“We are in a crisis; I do not exaggerate when I say so. I cannot find an example in history when so many malevolent forces have come together at the same time,” he added.
“But, as we have shown in other circumstances, we shall turn this crisis into an opportunity to resolve not just the short-term, urgent problems but the long-term structural problems that have bedevilled our economy.
“I urge us all to see the decision to go to the International Monetary Fund in this light,” he stressed.
According to Bridget who buys and sells cement, there has been an increase in price up to GH¢30.00 in the last three months.
A host of Ghanaian businesses fear closing down amidst the current economic hardship that has witnessed a hike in price.
Also, the lack of price control has led to overpricing by some manufacturers and distributors in our market space.
The tweet sighted by GhanaWeb read: “Are you people not tired? How can you increase cement again to 95 cedis? @NAkufoAddo pretend to be in charge and let things work. Our businesses are collapsing! How can cement price go up by more than 30 cedis since August? how?”
Meanwhile, Nana Addo has assured citizens that plans are underway to revive the economy.
Speaking in his national address on Sunday, October 30, he referenced how the New Patriotic Partymanaged to properly handle the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana at a time when developed nations were struggling to contain it.
“When I said, at the height of the COVID pandemic, that we knew what to do to bring the economy back to life, but not how to bring people back to life, it was not said in jest.”
He further assured: “We had done it before, and we were on course to doing it again. Ghana’s economy grew by a remarkable 5.4% in 2021, signifying a strong recovery from the 0.5% growth recorded the previous year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Read the post below:
Are you people not tired ? How can you increase cement again to 95 cedis? @NAkufoAddo pretend to be in charge and let things work. Our businesses are collapsing!
How can cement price go up by more than 30 cedis since August? how?
Police in Tepa in the Ahafo Ano North district of the Ashanti region has arrested Tepa-Danyame New Patriotic Party(NPP) Polling station Chairman for murder.
Kwaku Seidu alias Kukrudu believed to be in his 50s shot his wife over a disputed family land he attempted to sell to settle his debt and provide money for the family upkeep a week ago.
Kwaku Siedu’s two wives, upon hearing their husband’s decision, reported him to the Danyame Zongo Chief Nana Mazua.
Provoked by the action taken by his wives, the NPP chairman pulled a short gun in front of the Zongo Chief in his Palace and shot one of his wives identified as Sister Adwoa dead right in front of his family members while settling the misunderstanding between them.
Frederick Nyamekye, assembly member for the Danyame electoral area said angry community members provoked by the NPP Chairman’s action, almost lynched him. He was, however, saved by the timely intervention of the police from the Tepa district command.
He is currently under arrest and admitted at the Tepa government hospital for treatment under police surveillance following the assault.
The lifeless body of the deceased mother of three is deposited at the hospital’s morgue for preservation.
Manasseh Azure Awuni has demanded the identity of a businessman who reportedly moved in to negotiate the intra-party demand for Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, to be removed from office.
Citing a steep economic decline, some 80 plus lawmakers from the ruling New Patriotic Party, NPP, demanded Ofori-Atta’s removal as a minister but stood down the demand after a meeting with the president on two conditions.
It has emerged, however, that a businessman had tried to influence the calls for the minister’s sacking.
It is the identity of the said businessman that the investigative journalist is demanding from the ‘breakaway’ NPP MPs who were led by Andy Appiah-Kubi, MP for Asante Akim North.
In two tweets posted on November 1, Manasseh demanded answers on the who, what and why of the ‘transaction.’ “Who is that corrupt businessman who bribed or attempted to bribe the NPP MPs to make a U-turn on Ken Ofori-Atta’s sacking?
“The 80+ NPP MPs must come clean on the back of Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s revelation. Who’s that businessman? What did he give them?
What Majority Leader said about unnamed businessman
Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, revealed in an interview with Joy News that a renowned businessman tried to influence the decision of the majority caucus of Parliament over their demands for Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s sack.
According to him, he was informed that the businessman came to Parliament to meet some members of the majority caucus on the matter to intervene for Ofori-Atta but was sent packing.
He, however, added that he could not confirm whether the businessman offered the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) bribes.
“I [am] not privy to whatever inducement that people are offering… I [was] told on authority that some businessman came here and tried to do something. He is a wealthy businessman that I know.
“I was told that he came here and tried to mediate in his own way. What he thinks the problem is and tried (to mediate). That is all that I know.
“But he was repelled by the people. I am told he was informed not to involve himself. That is all that I know; I don’t know of another thing,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said in the interview monitored by GhanaWeb.
An attempt by unknown people to crucify the Ghana National Gas Company Limited CEO Dr. Ben K. D. Asante has started to fall flat as the internal wrangling within the New Patriotic Party in the Western Region heightens.
Plot
The faceless group, according to sources familiar with this development contracted some New Patriotic Party (NPP) youth to lead a demonstration against Dr. Asante, accusing him of failing to give them jobs at the state agency.
The party members, some of whom were wielding placards nearly marred the celebration of the Kundum Festival at Atoabo on Sunday (October 30) as they attempted to express their grievances over internal matters within the Ellembelle Constituency, the source said.
What appeared more worrying, the source said was the grave disrespect these youth showed to Awulae Amihere Kpayinli II, the paramount chief of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, Hon Kennedy Agyapong, the Board Chairman of Ghana Gas, Hon Freddy Blay, Board Chairman of GNPC, Hon Catherine Afeku, MMDCEs, and at the climax of the most revered festival in Nzemaland.
Intervention
But it appears that the plot backfired as the intervention of the rank and file of the party at the time avoided what had been described as a very embarrassing situation. The conduct by the youth group has since been condemned.
“Although the incident was unfortunate, the few party members were trying to make a point concerning continuous discrimination against them based on internal party differences by some officers of Ghana National Gas Company Limited whose responsibility is to ensure access to job opportunities by qualified persons without any discrimination”, a statement released by the NPP in the Ellembelle Constituency read.
“We wish to assure the aggrieved persons that their issues have been discussed with the Board Chair and CEO of the Company and are being addressed accordingly. The Party in Ellembelle Constituency is therefore calling on aggrieved members to stop calling for the removal of the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Gas Company Limited with immediate effect since he cannot be blamed for rather the party officers within ellembele who are equally officers of the Ghana National Gas Company in the Western Region.”
Apology
“By this release, we are rendering an unqualified apology to the CEO of Ghana National Gas Company Limited, Dr. Ben Asante, who has contributed to the development of the Ellembele District since taking office in 2017 for the attempt by the aggrieved persons to drag his name into disrepute.
We also wish to use this medium to apologize to Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III, the Paramount Chief of Eastern Nzema Traditional Area as well as the District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, Hon. Kwasi Bonzoh for disregarding his intervention to stop the unfortunate incident. It is our strongest conviction that the Party will overcome the challenges and even emerge stronger to capture the Ellembelle Constituency Parliamentary seat for the New Patriotic in the 2024 General Election”, the statement concluded.
The Evalue Ajomoro Gwira branch of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) is urging the rank and file of the party and the general public to disregard calls for the dismissal Dr. Ben Asante as Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Gas.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, the party said that it has been impressed with the works of Dr. Ben Asante and shuddered to understand the calls being made by some executives of the Ellembelle branch of the party.
Evalue Ajomoro Gwira NPP noted in its statement that the delivery of key developmental projects have been a feature of Dr Ben Asante’s reign as CEO of Ghana Gas.
According to the party, under Dr Ben Asante’s leadership, there have been employment and scholarship opportunities for indigenes of the Evalue Ajomoro Gwira constituency.
The party surmised that the claims being made against Dr Ben Asante are borne out of vile tribalism which must be rejected and condemned.
“Evalue Ajomoro Gwira Constituency has had her fair share of CSR projects, recruitments, scholarships, internships and national service opportunities under the leadership of Dr. Ben Asante with support from our former MP, Hon Catherine Abelema Afeku.
“Support for traditional authorities since 2017, especially in the conduct of quarterly traditional council meetings, and Kundum festival celebrations is worth mentioning.
“Ghana Gas is now a household name in our Constituency due to the visionary leadership of Dr Ben Asante in decentralizing opportunities for the three Nzema Districts in terms of jobs, CSR projects and recognition. This was not the case prior to 2017.
“It is very worrying for a true party person to call for the head of Dr Ben Asante just on the bases that he is not an Nzema,” parts of the statement read.
The party also scolded some disgruntled youth who staged a demonstration against the Ghana Gas boss during this year’s Kundum celebrations at Atuabo on Sunday, October 30, 2022.
The party says the decision by the youth to ignore counsel from eminent personalities at the durbar to press ahead with the protest is outright disrespectful and an affront to the values and norms of the party.
“What is more worrying is the grave disrespect these youth showed to Hon Kennedy Agyapong, the board Chairman of Ghana Gas, Hon Freddy Blay, board Chairman of GNPC, Hon Catherine Afeku, MMDCEs and Awulae Amihere Kpayinli II at the grand durbar of the climax of Atuabo Kundum festival at Atuabo on Sunday, 30th October, 2022.
“After several hours of the engaging party leadership of our neighbor Ellembelle Constituency, the youth still went ahead to demonstrate, which nearly marred the beauty of the festival. This is alien to Nzema NPP and must be condemned.”
President Akufo-Addo and his government do not respect public opinion, Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu has observed citing recent pronouncements by the president.
Iddrisu stated in an interview on Joy FM, on October 31, 2022, that it was unacceptable that a president who is on record to have pleaded with voters to try him will turn out to be disrespectful of public opinion.
His comment was in respect of Akufo-Addo’s retort earlier his month that he was not moved by threats of some people to vote against the New Patriotic Party, NPP.
“President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s biggest headache is, he is just disrespecting public opinion and he does so at his own peril. This is the first time I am seeing a government just simply not respect public opinion…
“He has forgotten that he used to beg, that vote for me, try me. They’ve voted for you, they’ve tried you now you are saying that you are not going to hold people’s hand into a ballot room?” Haruna Iddrisu asked rhetorically.
What exactly did Akufo-Addo say?
The president was answering a question by an OTEC FM journalist over threats by people of the two areas to vote against the NPP. “No problem, no problem,” Akufo-Addo is heard saying.
He continued: “I am saying people make those kinds of threats, me, they don’t frighten me. Somebody votes for you, somebody supports you, it is because they want you to do things for them, so I understand that.
“There is no need for people to say if I do not do it, this or that. That is your own problem. Of course, I will fulfil my promises.
“But if it so happens that you decide to vote for the NDC, that is your problem, that is not mine. Nobody will hold your hand to thumbprint for any candidate, the most important thing is that I understand the responsibility and we will deal with it,” he stressed.
This is because the actor who was an astute promoter of NPP’s ‘4 More To Do More’ campaign in the last general elections has in the last few weeks been on “fire” – giving it back to back to the government for the country’s current economic distress.
His outspokenness, however, seems to come with a price he is paying by receiving threats.
“I have experienced my fair share of threats, insults, trolls and attacks, but I am unperturbed because seriously, I can’t control how people feel about me,” he told Graphic Showbiz in an interview.
According to the actor, there is always a price to pay for an act one indulges in and he is ready for that.
“God is with me in all that I do, so I shall not be moved. In life, you need to stand for something or you fall for anything,” he said.
Prince David Osei noted he has always been enthusiastic about good governance and had been calling out successive governments since late President Atta Mills’ administration.
“I am not someone who is easily pressured. I live by my own rules. I believe in integrity and value for humanity. I have always been outspoken since the era of the late President Atta Mills. I am first a citizen, before a party lover and an aspiring politician.”
“I stood on political platforms to campaign for my party NPP and H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, pleaded, persuaded, convinced Ghanaians to accept NPP’s 4 More To Do More, so it is just rational to speak for the same people when things aren’t going the way we all anticipated amid global economic issues,” he added.
Prince David Osei started giving a hint about his displeasure with the NPP government last year.
He however attracted attention when he threatened to stage a demonstration against the government if things didn’t change in a post on his social media pages early this month.
He gave more impetus to his criticisms of the government when he asked the President to be humble and seek help to change the economic fortunes of the country.
But while all these may seem too harsh coming from one who campaigned for NPP, Prince David Oseisaid his ultimate goal is to see a better Ghana for all citizens irrespective of their political affiliation.
“The NPP faithful are rather happy I spoke up and it’s a big inspiration to them. I interact with the streets always, so I know the atmosphere every time. Sometimes, they give me a message to put out there since they know I have the voice and platform,” he stated.
In addition to the country’s economic woes, the actor is also not happy with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, saying “the ministry responsible for the creatives has failed us.”
The last few years have not been good for the Ghanaian movie industry but, according to Prince David Osei, things are getting better with Akwaaba Magic on DStv and ROKGh also on DStv financing local productions and content.
“We all are a little busy, especially the upcoming ones. We are filming series and movies.”
Moving away from movies, Prince David Osei said he is now concentrating on his Pdo Travel and Tours Limited and planning a trip dubbed ‘London/Jamaica Fiesta’ in December with Kalybos as a way of building stronger bonds with their fans.
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, leading member of the ruling New Patriotic Party, NPP, has commented about President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s October 30, 2022 address on the economy.
Gabby is particularly excited about the move by government to curb import of some products whiles booting local production capacity of same.
“Government is targetting the ff products: rice, poultry, vegetable oil, tooth picks, pasta, fruit juice, bottled water and ceramic tiles, to curb imports and boost local production,” part of a tweet he posted on October 31 read.
It continued: “Measures must be stringent but well timed to work. President gives a hint of “review” in 6 months.”
Akufo-Addo addresses nation on economic headwinds:
President Akufo-Addo admitted that times are hard economically and that his government is working assiduously to provide relief to the citizenry.
He stressed in an address on the economy that his administration was ready to work towards restoring and resetting the economy on the path of progress and stability.
These views were contained in his October 30, 2022 address to the nation on the state of the economy.
“For us, in Ghana, our reality is that our economy is in great difficulty. The budget drawn for the 2022 fiscal year has been thrown out of gear, disrupting our balance of payments and debt sustainability, and further exposing the structural weaknesses of our economy.
“We are in a crisis, I do not exaggerate when I say so. I cannot find an example in history when so many malevolent forces have come together at the same time,” he added.
“But, as we have shown in other circumstances, we shall turn this crisis into an opportunity to resolve not just the short-term, urgent problems, but the long-term structural problems that have bedeviled our economy.
“I urge us all to see the decision to go to the International Monetary Fund in this light,” he stressed.
On other issues, he updated citizens on progress made with IMF negotiations and also efforts to stabilize the economy in the midst of rapidly depreciating currency and galloping inflation.
Hopeson Adorye, the unsuccessful New Patriotic Party candidate for Kpone Katamanso, accused Martin Kpebu, a private attorney, of being demonic in his recent public lobbying against the government.
Hopeson Adorye claims that the lawyer is disguising a political purpose behind a neutral persona in order to forward his agenda to run as the opposition National Democratic Congress‘ parliamentary candidate for the Kpandai Constituency.
“Are you aware that he is running in the Kpandai Constituency?
Yes, Kpandai’s NDC parliamentary candidate.
Do you know that he has met Mahama and that everything has been resolved?
While appearing as a guest on Oman FM’s Boiling Point show, Hopeson Adorye made some allegations.
He however added that the New Patriotic Party will be ready to thwart the diabolic political agenda of Martin Kpebu.
“The thing is if you want to speak be bold and come out as an NDC member, don’t pretend to be a neutral person,” he added.
Lawyer Martin Kpebu has become a staunch critic of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government amidst the current economic hardship in the country.
Mr Kpebu has commenced a campaign calling for the president’s resignation and as part of his advocacy, the legal practitioner is organising a demonstration against the president.
The demonstration dubbed ‘Kume Preko Reloaded’ is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 5, 2022, in Accra.
In a recent interview on Neat FM, Martin Kbepu justified his call for the president’s resignation saying “what Ghanaians can do to get the president removed is to organize demonstrations. The police have given me permission for the ‘Kumi preko reloaded’ demo next Saturday, November 5. It starts from the Obra Spot at 7:00 am; every Ghanaian should make it a point to be there.
“If the president does not resign by then, we demonstrate and present him a petition that we have had enough of him, and he should step down,” he added.
The address by the president will be his first major speech on the current state of the Ghanaian economy which has over the past weeks seen a significant rise in inflation among others.
Hopeson Adorye makes vile allegations against Martin Kpebu, cites alleged plot to be NDC MP
On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, the New Patriotic Party, led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP, government experienced turmoil as the majority of the NPP caucus in Parliament pushed for the dismissal of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
Following unsuccessful attempts to persuade President Akufo-Addo to act on their demand to fire his cousin, more than 80 members of parliament decided to publicly demand that Ofori-Atta be fired.
Following their announcement, there was a large meeting at Jubilee House that, according to reports, was contentious and heated, followed by over twenty meetings between members of the majority caucus of Parliament and other interested parties, as confirmed by Nana Ayew Afriyie, the MP for Efiduase Asokore.
The major fallout from all these meetings was that Ken Ofori-Atta was placed on borrowed time and that a decision about his future would be made after he is done presenting and overseeing to the appropriation of the 2023 budget statement and sealing a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The latest action by the NPP MPs came on the back of several calls for the President to sack Ofori-Atta.
The calls have often been met with excuses, justifications or defensive posturing by the President on why his cousin will continue to man the post.
Here are five of those reasons
Akufo-Addo satisfied with Ofori-Atta’s performance
In the view of President Akufo-Addo, the recent economic challenges are not entirely the fault of Ofori-Atta but rather due to external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
The president is convinced that until COVID struck, Ken Ofori-Atta was leading the country’s economy on the right path and that he cannot be blamed for the current woes.
“I came to office in 2017 when we were under an IMF programme. This same Ken Ofori-Atta was able to manage the economy for the first three to four years. We were then one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. We had an average growth rate of 7% a year.
“For someone who has been able to do all these, how do I turn my back on him? For me, his performance has been excellent. That is why I have great difficulty in understanding what is going on,” the President told Kumasi-based OTEC FM in an interview.
“I do not accept that criticism because the reasons why we got into the situation we find ourselves in have very little to do with us. In fact, the IMF confirmed this,” President Akufo-Addo posited.
IMF Deal
In the meeting with the aggrieved majority MPs, President Akufo-Addo is reported to have told the MPs to allow Ken Ofori-Atta seal a bailout plan for the country with the IMF before he is kicked out.
Reports and media statements by some persons who attended the meeting were that the president is convinced a deal could be reached with the IMF in three weeks and a decision will be made afterwards.
NDC’s Otukonor bares it all; talks about NDC polls, economy, others
Incumbent NDC Deputy General Secretary, Peter Boamah Otukonor bared it all when he sat with Nimatu Yakubu Atouyese on GhanaWeb’s Election Desk ahead of the NDC’s General Elections in December 2022.
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2023 Budget
With just a few weeks left for the 2023 budget to be presented to Parliament and the public, the preparation of the budget is at the concluding stages and with Ken Ofori-Atta being the one who has supervised the process, the president deems it fit to allow him continue in the role until the budget is presented.
Speaking to Oyerepa TV, the Member of Parliament for Efiduase Asokore, Nana Ayew Afriyie, stated that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has promised to act in a manner that will not require the MPs to come back to him.
He said “He [Akufo-Addo] promised us this way, after the end of the budget it won’t be necessary for us to come to him because of what he would do about the finance minister, because by then, there will be no need to come back to him.”
Family relations
According to critics, President Akufo-Addo is unwilling to relieve Ken Ofori-Atta of his post due to the relationship they both share.
Ken Ofori-Atta is among the relatives of Akufo-Addo who are holding government positions and the president is reported to be loyal to his family members hence the unwillingness to sack Ken Ofori-Atta.
As stated by Eugene Antwi the Member of Parliament for Subin, the president is being blinded by his relations with Ofori-Atta.
“New Patriotic Party, (NPP) is running a democracy and not a family dynasty. I do not think it is too much to ask the President to ask two people to step aside from his government,” he added.
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Data Bank investment in campaign
The Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim alleged this week that President Akufo-Addo in a cabinet meeting told some ministers who wanted Ofori-Atta out that, his cousin used Databank to finance his campaign and for that reason, he is not going to fire him.
“We are the representatives of the people. The minority leader didn’t do a press conference. He told the chairman of the business committee that, as representatives of the people and as duty bearers, we must move a motion to call for the head of the finance minister.
“So, if our brothers in the majority [caucus] believe in this, what they should do is to support the call by the minority leader and the motion by the minority leader for the dismissal of the finance minister”.
He continued: “I see their press briefing as long overdue. If they meant well, the day they went to a cabinet meeting and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo pointed to them: ‘And you want me to sack my finance minister? When he was sponsoring my campaign, where were you?’ … was the day we were expecting them to come out with such a statement”.
But now, he pointed out, “they came to correct the communication outside to say that he [Ken Ofori-Atta] performed in the first three years and that’s why he’s [President Akufo-Addo] not sacking him”.
“This is not what he [the president] told them in the cabinet [meeting]”, Mr Ibrahim insisted, noting: “The reason why Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo doesn’t want to change Ken Ofori-Atta is that Ken Ofori-Atta used his Databank to support his campaign to become president and, therefore, the finance ministry is a compensation for the finance minister and that’s why he’s not sacking him”.
“He [the president] said this to them [majority caucus] in the cabinet [meeting]. The ministers were there and he threatened them. You didn’t come out with such a statement”.
How the NPP stronghold of Ashanti Region is evolving into a center for economic protests.
Undoubtedly, the Ashanti Region plays a significant role in the election success of the governing New Patriotic Party, NPP, but in recent weeks and months, it has emerged as a focal point for unrest over economic hardship.
The region experienced a spike in political unrest long before the economy-related protests, ranging from the infrastructure deficit to the failure to keep political commitments.
Before that, the Mampongteng Chief threatened to lead a protest against the government over the abandonment of infrastructure projects in the area.
Then there was also the Ashanti youth group so-called that threatened to campaign against all MPs in the region because the region was not benefiting from their presence in the legislature.
In the past week, the region has hogged national headlines with business people issuing threats over an economic crunch that the government insists it is not entirely blamable for and which it is working assiduously to resolve.
GhanaWeb looks at four instances where the Ashanti Region has protested against the government for economic reasons.
“At this moment, we are running at a loss. All our capitals are in a ditch,” Nana Yaw Agyeman, the Deputy Secretary of the importers association in Kumasi, told Citi FM.
“The inflation is killing us. It is collapsing all our finances, collapsing all our capital, and we cannot sit down for our capital to drain like that,” he said confirming the group of about eight was mobilizing members to begin the strike next week.
Traders lock up shops
Two weeks ago, the busiest business enclaves in the region became ghost towns after traders locked up their shops in protest of harsh economic conditions.
A GNA report stated: The traders, most of whom deal in fast-moving consumer goods closed their shops on Monday, October 10, 2022, in protest of what they described as an unfavourable tax regime and the free fall of the Ghana cedis.
The closures left the Pampaso and PZ areas, considered the busiest enclave in the Kumasi central business district empty while many traders who had come from near and far from Kumasi to buy some of these items were left stranded, the report added.
It took the intervention of the Asantehemaa, Nana Yaa Konadu for the traders to agree to reopen their shops.
The week after, the Ghana Union of Traders Association, GUTA, also embarked on a similar protest in solidarity with those in Kumasi. Their one-week planned closure also last two days after the Ga Mantse intervened.
Akufo-Addo booed at Adum
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s convoy suffered boos and jeers from bystanders in the Ashanti Region as they made their way through an area reported to be Adum.
Despite being a stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party, NPP, Akufo-Addo’s convoy received uncharacteristic hoots, boos and jeers as it made its way through the Central Business District of Kumasi on October 17.
As seen in videos shared via social media, some traders lined up along the stretch of the road booed away as the president and his convoy passed through the Adum Market to inspect the progress of work on the Kejetia/Central Market Project Phase II.
The booing of the president’s convoy has largely been attributed to the current state of the Ghanaian economy and the general economic hardship in the country.
Protest against GRA tax regime
Management of the Ghana Revenue Authority, GRA was forced to call for a meeting with business operators in the Central Business Districts (CBDs) of the Ashanti Region after a tax standoff.
The meeting of October 11, 2022, was called after business operators embarked on a sit–down strike over the duplicate payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) on products sold in the Kumasi metropolis.
The business operators also complained about the GRA’s decision to assign tax officers to the offices of the business operators to ensure tax compliance and payment of the VAT among others.
With the above, and with Accra having held a single protest action against the harsh economic environment, it is safe to state that the electoral stronghold of the NPP is becoming the hub of economic protests.
Dr. Stephen Amoah acknowledged that Ghana’s economy is in poor health but expressed optimism that the nation would develop if the correct decisions and policies were put in place. He was speaking on Peace FM’s “kokrokoo” show.
He said that imports from abroad were ruining the economy.
The MP was therefore of a strong conviction that Ghana will see great strides only when the nation stops the importation of agricultural produce and other items.
“People are complaining and they have the right to complain . . . the country has common areas of disturbing [I will say] interest [in quote]. We have basic problems that we have to admit, as a country, that NPP/NDC have all goofed.”
“Our economy has ulcer from times immemorial till date because we import everything and that has affected employment. It has affected our currency performance. It has affected everything. Not until we get to the stage where any agricultural produce or product, we shouldn’t import. We have no justification,” he stated.
“We need revolution in our minds. We must change . . . we should be committing ourselves to the cause of this country to benefit everyone along the social stratification, whether poor or rich, young or old, dwarf or giant.”
Prince Kwame Amoabeng, known by his stage name as Jeneral Ntatia, has disclosed that he finds himself in the middle of the opposition, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the ruling party, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) political struggle.
Speaking with Abrantepa on E-Forum, the comic actor disclosed that his support for the NPP had people from the opposition attacking him. His comments about the abysmal performance of the ruling party, he said, have also triggered backlashes from the NPP and the NDC as well.
“But if you know in your heart that you haven’t gone for any money, you are bold in your heart to tell the truth.
“The funny part of the whole thing is, when it started, you get people from the opposition attacking you, and then you tell the truth and have those within the party (NPP) come at you. So now, you are in the middle. Whether to go left or right,” he disclosed.
Conceding that the nation was going through a hard time, the performer unveiled that its leadership under the president needed to get the country fixed.
“You don’t say too much when it comes to how the country is being governed. It’s not good, and what isn’t good needs to be discussed. It’s spoilt, and we need to fix it.
“We have to get to the point where we should be able to support something and still criticise it when it’s not going well,” he added.
He furthermore stated that the days when individuals kept quiet because they supported a particular political party have come to an end.
“The era where people wake up and say, I am with this particular person, whether it’s going bad or good, they still want to stick to that particular side, I think we have to do something about it, and that’s where we want to get to.
“When you support something, and the thing is not going well, and you tell the truth that it’s not going well, it’s bad,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jeneral Ntatia is expected to be part of the crew staging ‘Are We Safe’ at the National Theatre on October 28, 2022, at 4 PM and 8 PM. The comedy show features Clemento Suarez, Foster Romanus and other comic actors.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Protection Agency, Kofi Owusu Hene, a.k.a. Kofi Kapito, has bemoaned the current state of his party, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking in a Neat FM interview monitored by GhanaWeb, Kofi Kapito accused the party’s leadership and council of elders of looking on unabated as some members, including President Akufo-Addo and his appointees, destroy the image of the party through their actions.
He also bemoaned the failure of the NPP government to address the challenges Ghanaians are facing and the recent utterances of the president against persons who have been criticising his government.
“… today, [the] president is telling his critics that he is unconcerned whether people vote for the NPP or not. I think he was not feeling well that day and so I will forgive him.
“But what I am trying to say is that when it comes to the party (NPP), as they have been saying in their hometown that they will [not] sit for Okyeman to be destroyed, I, Kofi Kapito, will not sit aloof for the NPP to be destroyed,” he said in Twi.
He went on to commend the NPP Members of Parliament (MPs) who demanded that President Akufo-Addo sacks the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, for his poor management of the economy.
“God bless Eugene Antwi Antwi. God bless Patrick Boamah. Andy Appiah-Kubi, all of them, have done well for their courage to take this step,” he added.
A Governance Expert Professor Baffuor Agyeman-Duah has said he supports the call by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament to the President to sack his Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry Charles Adu Boahen.
Prof Agyemang Duah said he personally made this call in the past when the economy started deteriorating.
Speaking in an interview with TV3’s Alfred Ocansey on the Ghana Tonight show, the CEO of the Kufuor Foundation said “I will be a hypocrite if I say I don’t agree [with the calls] because personally, I have made this call over the past several months since the economic started nose down.”
Pressure is being mounted on President Akufo-Addo by some Ghanaians including his own Members of Parliament, to sack the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and Mr Adu Boahen.
The Majority caucus in Parliament have threatened to boycott the presentation and debate on the 2023 budget statement if President Akufo-Addo does not remove Mr Ofori-Atta and Adu Boahen.
The NPP MPs believe that the prevailing economic situation in the country does not make it right for the two gentlemen to remain in office hence the President must ask them to go.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, October 25, a lawmaker for Asante Akyem North, Andy Appiah Kubi said “We are unhappy with the developments in the country, we consulted our constituents who also expressed same sentients.
“We want the President to remove Ken Ofori and Chares Adu Boahen.
“We are by this medium communicating our strong desire that the President changes the Minister of Finance and the Minister of State in the Finance Ministry without further delay.
“We want to serve notice, and notice is hereby served that until such persons as aforementioned are made to resign or removed from office, we members of the Majority Caucus here in Parliament will not participate in any business of Government by or, for the president by any other Minster.
“We hope that those of us in the back bench and members of the Majority caucus will abide by this prayer.
“We are saying that if our request is not responded to positively, we will not be present for the budget hearing neither will we participate in the debate.
A Deputy Director of Communications of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Kamal Deen Abdullah, has clapped back at the party’s Former Deputy General Secretary, Nana Obiri Boahen after the latter described the National Chairman, Stephen Ntim as a timid soul.
Nana Obiri Boahen, has criticized the approach used by the National Chairman, Stephen Ntim in handling the agitations of some NPP MPs asking for the dismissal of Ken Ofori-Atta and Charles Adu Boahen.
He said in an interview with Okay FM that the never-before-seen action of the MPs could create political instability if not handled well.
Obiri Boahen stated that he expected the NPP chairman to have held a crunch meeting with the party leadership and its steering committee and informed them about how dire the situation was rather than issuing a holding statement.
“This is not the usual NPP and NDC politics on who did this or who did that. This is a very serious national issue that goes down to national stability of the country and western democracy. It is scary. Nothing like this has happened before in Ghana ever since Don Diego Di Azambuja landed in Ghana.
“It’s nearing 100 out of 138 MPs if you just add 20. And the chairman of the party says…what are you coming to do? Stephen Ntim what are you coming to do? If you are a timorous soul; please get out of politics. If you don’t have courage; exit politics. Stephen Ntim as the chairman of the party….this thing is scary for the party.
“The statement you issued; you have said you will hold a crunch meeting with the National Executive Committee and steering committee this Friday to inform them about the development. You said in your statement that ‘party leadership will control’… what will you control? What is coming is scary,” he said.
But Kamal Deen Abdullah who’s also a spokesperson for Chairman Stephen Ntim, responding to the comments by Nana Obiri Boahen in an interview on Okay FM took exception to the description of Chairman Ntim as “timid” saying it does not define who he is.
Urging Nana Obiri Boahen to retract the word, Kamal Deen Abdullah described Chairman Ntim as a bold and courageous person but as an experienced politician, he (chairman) also applies diplomacy and tact in handling issues when necessary for positive results.
“Chairman Ntim needed to engage with the disgruntled MPs to ensure there’s peace in the party and government. He needed to handle the matter using a good approach that will prevent further tension in the party and government and that is exactly what he did.
“Chairman Stephen Ntim believes is jaw-jawing it is not always that one has to be confrontational. We have governance to take care of, we have a party to take care of, and also a parliament to take care of. There are certain things you have to look at the timing and get your actions right. He acted well and at the right time.”
Kamal Deen Abdullah added that the Stephen Ntim led-National Executive body has a way of strategizing to ensure there’s always peace and unity in the party and further urged party members to be patient with leadership and believe in them to lead the party into victory in 2024 elections.”
On Tuesday, October 25, about 80 NPP MPs held a press conference to demand the dismissal of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen.
They argued that new persons when appointed to take the place of the duo will bring back the needed confidence in the economy which is struggling.
The Member of Parliament for the Asante-Akim North Constituency, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, who spoke on behalf of the MPs threatened to boycott the 2023 budget reading and debate if President Akufo-Addo fails to dismiss the two ministers.
But the NPP in a statement signed by Stephen Ntim said it was engaging with the government, the Parliamentary Group, and other stakeholders and called for calm.
The president subsequently held a meeting with MPs and party leadership where it was agreed that the duo especially Ken Ofori-Atta is allowed to stay in office to conclude negotiations with the IMF.
The Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano North on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sulemana Adamu Sanid, has dragged the ruling of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to the Supreme Court.
The MP is seeking the apex court’s interpretation of the ruling of the Speaker on the matter of absenteeism by his three colleagues.
The three MPs are Sarah Adwoa Safo, Kennedy Agyapong, and Henry Quartey of the Dome Kwabenya, Assin Central, and Ayawaso Central constituencies, respectively.
According to a report by graphic.com.gh, the Ahafo Ano North MP, Sulemana Adamu Sanid, is seeking the Supreme Court’s interpretation on the matter because he disagrees with the verdict of the Speaker of Parliament.
The report added that the NPP MP said he wants “the Supreme Court to clarify the operationalisation of Article 97 (1) (c) to be sure if the ruling by the Speaker of Parliament was in consonance with the 1992 Constitution.”
Andy Kwame Appiah-Appiah, who is counsel for the MP, said his client believes that a determination has already been made by the Court of Appeal, being the precedence as was in the case of Kwaku Asare [Kwaku Azar] vs. Attorney General.
He is said to have said that in such an instance, as has been determined to have been the case of the three absentee MPs, an “automatic vacation of the seat” should apply and that the only job for the Committee of Privileges in Parliament is for the affected MP(s) to explain why they were absent.
He added that the only work, in this matter, that the Privileges Committee – which looked into the absenteeism of the MPs -, had to play was to look at the “reasonableness or otherwise of the explanation without more,” as mandated by the 1992 constitution.
In his ruling on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, Alban Bagbin concluded his 18-page report by stating that parliament should receive the report of the committee and have its contents debated upon.
This was however not pleasant news to the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who immediately got up to challenge the Speaker of Parliament, describing his ruling as “unfortunate.”
The majority caucus in parliament has reversed course and stated that it completely supports Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in his decision to remain in office until President Nana Akufo-Addo decides to act on the caucus’ prior call for the minister to be fired.
On Thursday, October 27, 2022, Deputy Majority Whip Habib Iddrisu made the following statement to the media: “At the end of the day, we all came to the conclusion that we have agreed to the request of the president” for the caucus to grant Mr. Ofori-Atta permission to complete his talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as to present the 2023 budget in November of this year and finally move the motion for the approval of the appropriation bill.
“So, the entire majority caucus agreed to the request of the president to allow the finance minister to continue with the negotiation with the IMF and also the request of the president to make the finance minister present the 2023 budget”, he said.
Mr Iddrisu added: “So, because of that the leadership, led by the majority leader, Hon Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, led a delegation yesterday – I was part of it – and we communicated to the president that his request has been accepted by the majority caucus and that we allow that the finance minister should continue with the negotiations with the IMF, the finance minister should come and present the 2023 economic statement and budget of the president of the Republic of Ghana and also, to move the motion for the appropriation bill”.
“So, at the moment, the entire majority caucus, the 138 of us, are all behind the finance minister to continue with the negotiations with the IMF, to come and read the budget statement to us and also move the motion for the approval of the appropriation bill for the 2023 budget. So, that is the stand now”, he indicated.
“The statement has been made clear that: ‘Yes, we do respect our president, we have heard the request and appeal of the president and the majority caucus is fully behind the finance minister”, he stressed.
The caucus, led by spokesperson Andy Appiah Kubi, MP for Asante Akyem North, issued the ultimatum within the precincts of parliament on Tuesday, 25 October 2022 when the house resumed sitting after a long recess.
He told the parliamentary press corps: “We are members of the majority caucus of the parliament of Ghana and we, here so, present; represent a greater number of the said caucus”.
“My name is Andy Appiah Kubi and I am only here as the spokesperson for the majority group – without more”, he caveated.
Mr Appiah-Kubi continued: “We have had occasions to defend allegations of conflict of interest, lack of confidence [and] trust against the leadership of our finance ministry”, however, “the recent developments within our economy are of great concern to the greater majority of the members of our caucus and our constituents”.
“We have made our grave concerns [known] to the president through the parliamentary leadership and the leadership of the party without any positive response”, he revealed.
“We are, by this medium, communicating our strong desire that the president change the minister of finance and the minister of state at the finance ministry, without further delay, to restore hope to the financial sector and reverse the downward trend in the growth of the economy”, the group demanded.
“The summary of our concerns lead to a plea that the Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta and the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Mr Charles Adu-Boahen, be removed from office. We pray that this prayer would be carried to the presidency”.
The caucus then threatened: “Meanwhile, we want to serve notice, and notice is hereby served that until such persons, as aforementioned, are made to resign or removed from office, we, members of the majority caucus here in parliament, will not participate in any business of the government by or for the president by any other minister”.
“We hope that those of us at the backbench and members of the majority caucus will abide by this prayer”, the group added.
“We are saying that if our request is not responded to positively, we will not be present for the budget hearing nor will we participate in the debate”, Mr Appiah-Kubi stressed.
Also, the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) had demanded that President Akufo-Addo reassign Mr Ofori-Atta and Mr Adu Boahen if he cannot dismiss them.
The pro-government pressure group said in a press statement that the two ministers are to blame for the poor performance of the Ghana cedi in relation to other international trade currencies.
“The Minister of Finance and the Minister of State at the Ministry, Ken Ofori-Atta and Charles Adu Boahen, must be reassigned,” the group demanded.
AFAG’s demand came a few days after media personality and comic Kwaku Sintim-Misa, alias KSM, asked Mr Ofori-Atta to resign.
He said this in a tweet where he claimed to be giving advice to Mr Ofori-Atta.
The award-winning comic posited that President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is cousins with Ken Ofori-Atta, has no desire to sack him from office for a more competent person to assume it, even though it is the best for Ghana’s ailing economy.
“Advice to Ken Ofori-Atta. Bra [brother] Ken, it is obvious the President cannot and will not fire you,” Mr Sintim-Misa began.
“Please do him and Ghana a favour and respectfully resign for a competent financial manager to take charge,” he advised.
According to the TV show host, the resignation of the Finance Minister will be followed by restored confidence in Ghana’s economic recovery.
“I am sure that the financial markets will react positively to the news,” is how he put it.
Also, another entertainment personality, Lydia Forson, recently said: “It makes absolutely no sense that Ken Ofori-Atta is still the finance minister,” and queried: “How?”
“He’s lost the confidence of the people!” she argued.
The clamour for Mr Ofori-Atta’s head come on the back of the cedi’s very poor performance against the US dollar.
Bloomberg has named the Ghana cedi as the worst-performing currency in the world.
At the time of KSM and Lydia Forson’s tweets, one needed more than 15 cedis to obtain a dollarin Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Recently, the United Kingdom’s Finance Minister Kwasi Kwarteng was sacked and subsequently their Prime Minister, Liz Truss, also resigned.
A section of the Ghanaian public have asked why this is not common in Ghana.
President Nana Akufo-Addo, last week, said Mr Ofori-Atta has been an excellent handler of the Ghanaian economy and, thus, sees no reason to sack him as being clamoured for by his critics.
Speaking to OTEC FM in the Ashanti Region on the first day of his four-day official working tour of that part of Ghana, Mr Akufo-Addo parried criticisms that his cousin is to blame for Ghana’s return to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for help since he mismanaged the economy.
The president said he takes full responsibility for Ghana’s return to the IMF since he took the decision as the head of state.
He argued that the same Ofori-Atta was able to manage an IMF-programmed economy that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) inherited in 2017 to become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world with an average annual growth rate of 7%.
The president, thus, wondered, how he could cut ties with Mr Ofori-Atta as finance minister.
The president said he has a lot of difficulty understanding the clamour for Mr Ofori-Atta’s exit, since, he noted, even the IMF confirmed that the causes of the current economic situation in Ghana are global in nature rather than a result of internal mismanagement.
“It is very easy for people to say we went back to the IMF due to mismanagement of the economy. I do not accept that criticism because the reasons why we got into the situation we find ourselves has very little to do with us. In fact, the IMF confirmed this.”
Calls for the sack or the resignation of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, have been relentless over the past few weeks, with even Members of Parliament (MPs) of his own party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), joining the calls.
One of the names that have come up as a possible replacement for Ken Ofori Atta should President Akufo-Addo heed the calls for his sack or should he resign from his post, is Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah.
Even though Dr. Assibey-Yeboah has been an ardent critic of the Akufo-Addo government, some Ghanaians including broadcaster Paul Adom-Otchere have said that he (Assibey-Yeboah) is considered as the favourite among the rank and file of the NPP to replace Ken Ofori-Atta.
Dr. Assibey-Yeboah has, on a number of occasions, criticised the implementation of a number of policies of the Akufo-Addo government, including the Free Senior High School and the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy). Prior to Ghana returning to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout, Dr. Assibey-Yeboah warned of harsh economic conditions and therefore called on the government to resort to the Fund at an earlier time ahead of its July 1, 2022 decision.
Who is Dr. Assibey-Yeboah?
Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah is a Ghanaian politician and member of the 6th and 7th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana (from 2013 to 2021), representing the New Juaben South Constituency in the Eastern Region on the ticket of NPP.
He is a Christian and was born on March 2, 1974. He comes from Obo-Kwahu, a town in the Kwahu South District of the Eastern Region of Ghana.
During his term as an MP, Dr. Assibey-Yeboah served as the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament. During his tenure as chair, he led many engagements toward sound economic indicators of government and was noted for demanding accountability from the government. He was also a member of the Sports Committee of the 6th Parliament.
Before venturing into politics, Dr. Assibey-Yeboah was a lecturer between 2009 and 2010 at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), a senior economist at the Bank of Ghana between 2011 and 2012 and a lecturer at the Ghana Technology University College from 2011 to 2012.
He had also previously worked as a lecturer at the University of Tennessee and as an adjunct faculty at Milligan College – both in the United States of America. He was also a board member of the ADB Bank Ghana from August 2018 – 2021.
He is a member of the American Economic Association.
Educational background of Dr Assibey-Yeboah
The former MP attended Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, Legon and the Ghana Secondary School, Koforidua, where he obtained his GCE Ordinary Level and GCE Advanced Level, respectively.
Dr. Assibey-Yeboah holds a BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Economics degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He also holds an MS (Agricultural and Resource Economics) from the University of Delaware, USA.
He also holds an MA and a PhD, both in Economics from the University of Tennessee, USA specialising in International Macroeconomics, Monetary Economics and Econometrics.
Some of his research work has been published in reputable journals, including the Economic Record, the International Journal for Finance and Economics, the Journal for International Trade and Economic Development, and The North American Journal of Economics and Finance.
President Akufo-Addo reportedly met with the top hierarchy of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) over the demands by some of the party’s Members of Parliament for the dismissal of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
According to a report by Asempa FM, the president met with the Chairman of the NPP, Stephen Ayensu Ntim; the General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Koduah, the National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye and other national executives of the party.
Also, present at the meeting were at least three regional chairmen of the party, whose members are allegedly pushing for the sack of Ofori-Atta, including the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Bosiako, a.k.a. Chairman Wontumi; the Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, a.k.a. Abronye DC; and the Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Divine Otoo Agorhom.
The report indicated that the officials met the president on the fourth floor of the Flag Staff House in the late afternoon on Tuesday, October 25.
Officials of the government, privy to the details of the meeting, who spoke to Asempa FM on the condition of anonymity, told their presidential correspondent, Elton John Brobbey, that the president could not make a decision because there was no petition before him.
Elton Brobbey said that the officials indicated that news of the demand of the NPP MPs came as a surprise to the presidency.
He added that the officials had told him that the president was only going to make a decision on the matter if the petition signed by the NPPs who are calling for the sack of Ofori-Atta is presented to him.
“One issue that run out through all the conversations I had with the officials was that there was no petition before the president communicating the decision of the 80 MPs for the president to sack Ofori-Atta,” he said in Twi
He reiterated that even though there has been meeting and press conferences, no official petition has been sent to President Akufo-Addo.
Although he has not clearly stated it, President Akufo-Addo has, however, given a roadmap on the possibility of taking action on a demand made on him by some Members of Parliament.
The call by the 80 New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, was for the president to sack the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.
As surprising as the news has been, particularly since the minister is a member of their party and this is the first time any such thing has happened in the country, it has already brought up suggestions on who could take over as the country’s finance minister.
In an earlier GhanaWeb story, three names have come up for the job: Dr Mark Assibey Yeboah, Professor Gyan Baffour, and Kwame Pianim.
GhanaWeb further places the spotlight on these individuals to understand what they bring to the job, in the instance that they get it.
Below is a profile of Professor Gyan Baffour:
Prof George Yaw Gyan Baffour is currently the Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission and Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Finance.
He is a former Member of Parliament who represented the Wenchi Constituency from 2005 to 2021. He was a professor at Howard University in Washington DC from 1993 to 2021.
He is an economist, a banker and an insurer.
Being an economist, Professor George Gyan Baffour has mainly sat on parliamentary committees that relate to his field, which include the Special Budget Committee, the Education Committee, and the Poverty Reduction Committee, and he was once the Acting Chair of the Special Budget Committee.
The ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor appointed Prof George Gyan Baffour as the Director General of the National Development Planning Commission in 2002. It was during his time that he established the first system for overseeing and assessing the rate of national development.
He oversaw the development of the coordinated program for the Economic and Social Development of Ghana.
Prof George Gyan Baffour is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Economists of Ghana. He was a member of various boards, including the Bank of Ghana (2005-2008), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research of Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) from 2003 to 2005.
He has a PhD in Industrial Relations from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a post-Doctorate Diploma from Harvard University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a Bsc (Hons) in Economics from the University.
Prof George Gyan Baffour is currently a Senior Policy Advisor to the Finance Minister, focusing mainly on Sustainable Development Goals and climate change mitigation financing.
He is the UN Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data Ambassador in the UN’s SUN movement focal person for Ghana and Executive Committee Excom Member representing Central and Eastern Africa.
He was appointed Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of Ghana in March 2005. As a Minister For Planning, he was the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on SDGs.
The action came after a news conference by a number of parliamentarians from the ruling New Patriotic Party who had specifically urged that Ofori-Atta and Charles Adu Boahen, the minister of state for finance, be replaced by the president.
Seeing that their current number of 137 members is not enough to achieve the two-thirds threshold to remove the embattled minister, the deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, called on the over 80 NPP MPs to join them in the vote of censure against the minister.
Below are the seven points for which the Minority want Ofori-Atta censured:
a. Despicable conflict of interest ensuring that he directly benefits from Ghana’s economic woes as his companies receive commissions and other unethical contractual advantages, particularly from Ghana’s debt overhang
b. Unconstitutional withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund in blatant contravention of Article 178 of the 1992 Constitution, supposedly for the construction of the President’s Cathedral.
c. Illegal payment of oil revenues into offshore accounts, in flagrant violation of Article 176 of the 1992 Constitution.
d. Deliberate and dishonest misreporting of economic data to Parliament
e. Fiscal recklessness leading to the crash of the Ghana Cedi which is currently the worst-performing currency in the world
f. Alarming incompetence and frightening ineptitude, resulting in the collapse of the Ghanaian economy and an excruciating cost of living crisis
g. Gross mismanagement of the Ghanaian economy which has occasioned untold and unprecedented hardship
The motion of censure is expected to be filed today when the House convenes for business. The Minority have released a document that bears the signatures of an overwhelming majority of their members.
President Akufo-Addo will meet the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament who want the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta be relieved of his duties.
The meeting will take place this evening, Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 6:30 pm.
The NPP MPs argued that their attempts to get the administration take steps to assist their constituents in light of the failing economy had been ineffective.
Thus, on Tuesday, October 2022, the NPP organized a news conference to express their unhappiness and demand the resignation of Charles Adu Boahen the Minister of State for Finance, and Ken Ofori-Atta.
Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, the Member of Parliament for the Asante-Akim North Constituency and spokesperson for the disgruntled Majority group, told the media on Tuesday that sacking Ofori-Atta and Adu Boahen will help restore confidence in Ghana’s economy.
“The recent development within the economy is of major concern to our caucus and our constituents. We have made our grave concern known to our president through the parliamentary leadership and the leadership of the party without any positive response.”
“We are by this medium communicating our strong desire that the president changes the Minister of Finance and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry without further delay in order to restore hope to the financial sector and reverse the downward trend in the growth of the economy,” he added.
Several Ghanaians had mounted pressure on President Akufo-Addo to remove Mr. Ofori-Atta from office in light of the country’s current economic predicament, which has compelled government to seek support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
On Tuesday, October 25, about 80 Members of Parliament within the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP)were reported to have signed a petition demanding the removal of Ken Ofori-Atta as finance minister.
The group, through a press conference, also demanded the removal of Charles Adu Boahen, who serves as a Minister of State at the finance ministry; a close ally of Ken Ofori-Atta.
The MPs explained that their position follows several concerns over the poor management of the economy, which has forced the government to seek IMF assistance.
The group added that should the president fail to heed to their call, they will no longer do business with the government nor support the 2023 budget.
The MP for Asante-Akim North, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, who introduced himself as the spokesperson for the Majority Caucus, said that several concerns raised on economic management have been sent to government, but are all yet to yield the intended results.
In the wake of the development, some Ghanaians on social media have lauded the confidence of the majority MPs.
Although President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has on numerous occasions backed down against calls to change his finance minister, the pressure now appears to be mounting from within his own party.
Some citizens have also already concluded that the president would likely not dismiss Ken Ofori-Atta, basing their assumption on the close family ties Akufo-Ado has with the finance minister.
While this is yet to come to fruition, GhanaWeb Business has compiled a list of potential candidates who are likely to be the best replacements if Ken Ofori-Atta is taken off the job at the Ministry of Finance.
Dr Mark Assibey Yeboah
Dr Assibey-Yeboah is a former Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament. During his tenure as chair, he led many engagements toward sound economic indicators of government.
He has also earned himself a reputation for being an economic guru among his peers.
Prior to Ghana returning to the IMF, Dr Assibey-Yeboah warned of harsh economic conditions and therefore called on the government to resort to the Fund at an earlier time ahead of its July 1, 2022 decision.
He also cast doubts on the government’s ability to raise the projected GH¢6.9 billion revenue target from the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), insisting they would not be able to realise the intended target – a prediction which came to be.
Dr. Assibey-Yeboah holds a BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Economics degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He also holds an MS (Agricultural and Resource Economics) from the University of Delaware, USA.
He has earned an MA and a Ph.D. both in Economics from the University of Tennessee, USA specializing in International Macroeconomics, Monetary Economics and Econometrics.
Dr Assibey-Yeboah has worked in various capacities, locally and abroad. He has served as lecturer at the University of Tennessee, USA and worked in a similar capacity as an Adjunct Faculty at Milligan College, Tennessee-USA.
The former lawmaker has also served as a senior economist at the Bank of Ghana and has been a lecturer at the Ghana Telecom Technology University College and Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
Professor Gyan-Baffour
Prof. George Yaw Gyan-Baffour is a Ghanaian development economist. He was in charge of the former Ministry of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
He is credited for the introduction of Ghana’s first Monitoring and Evaluation mechanism which was used for assessing the progress of national development and dubbed the ‘Annual Progress Report’.
Despite the ministry no longer being in existence, the mechanism continues to be used in the monitoring and evaluation tool of Ghana’s development agenda.
He also supervised the preparation of the Coordinated Program for the Economic and Social Development of Ghana (2002-2012), which is a constitutional requirement for the President of the Republic of Ghana.
Prof. Gyan Baffour is also credited for leading the team that prepared Ghana’s first compact under the Millennium Challenge Account.
Prior to leaving for the USA to further his education, Prof. Baffour worked at the Ministry of Industrial Science and Technology from 1974 to 1984.
He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Economists of Ghana and has served on various boards of institutions, including the Bank of Ghana.
He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in Industrial Relations; a Post Doctorate diploma from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government; an MA in economic policy from University of Wisconsin, Madison; a BSc. (Hons) degree in Economics from the University of Ghana.
Kwame Pianim
Kwame Pianim is not a stranger when it comes to finance and economic management in Ghana.
The renowned economist is a management and investment consultant who has served in various capacities in government and the private sector.
He served as an Economic Research Officer of the United Nations-USA, from 1964 to 1970.
He was the Acting Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning from 1970 to 1972 and served as Deputy Managing Director of Ghana Aluminum Products Limited, Tema. He was also Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Marketing Board from 1978 – 1979.
The veteran economist also served as the Chairman of Ghana Financial Services Limited at Bayport Financial Services Limited and was the Chairman of the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC).
Kwame Pianim attended Achimota Secondary School and holds a B.A. Double Honors in Economics and Political Science from the University of New Brunswick, Canada (1963) and M.A. in Economics from Yale University (1964).
With additional files from the Chamber of Independent Power Producers
Dr. Ernest Addison
Dr. Ernest Kwamina Yedu Addison is an economist and the 15th Governor of the Bank of Ghana.
He attended the Methodist College and the Mfantsipim School for his primary and secondary education. Dr. Addison then proceeded to the University of Ghana and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from 1982 to 1986.
From 1987 to 1989, he obtained an M.Phil in Economics and Politics from the University of Cambridge in England and later a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Economics from McGill University in Canada.
Before he was appointed Governor of the BoG, Dr. Addison served as the former Director of Research at the Bank of Ghana from 2003 to 2011, as well as an Economist at the African Development Bank.
He specializes in financial policy and economic management.
One person has been injured and at least one vehicle has been set on fire following a dispute over a piece of land in Central Dzorwulu, Accra.
The police in a Facebook post on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 , indicated that the burnt car belonged to two men who hired some thugs to destroy a four-bedroom flat.
“The Police responded to the scene to restore calm. Police later had information that one of the vehicles belonging to the suspects, Nana Owusu Banahene and James Quainoo, run into a ditch and was attacked by a mob who pelted them with stones, injured one of the suspects, James Quainoo, and set his car ablaze,” the police added.
The thugs in an attempt to flee from the police whilst executing the assigned task entered into a ditch.
Information gathered by the police shows that before the demolishing began, the perpetrators attacked the occupants of the house.
On Monday, October 24, 2022, a video which saw a middle-aged man driver bleeding profusely in the middle of the streets went viral on Twitter.
A voice was heard from the video stating that someone had been shot.
However, the police have thus far established that nobody was shot during the incident as per what has been circulated.
The law enforcement body, have also stated that the two culprits are in police custody.
In the meantime, while efforts are being made to apprehend all of the other culprits, the injured suspect is receiving medical care at the hospital.
Also, the police has asked the public to maintain calm adding that it is in control of the situation and would update the public on any development.
“The Police are in control of the situation and calm has since been restored. We, therefore, wish to urge the public to remain calm. Further developments will be shared in due course,” the police added.
One of the main contenders in the main opposition race for the 2020 National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) flagbearership race is urging his supporters to rally behind former president John Dramani Mahama for the position of flagbearer for the 2024 general elections to wrestle power from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to Prof Joshua Alabi, former president John Dramani Mahama is the toast of the people hence the need to support him to wrestle power from the governing New Patriotic Party.
Prof Alabi, a former rector of the University of Professional Studies in Accra came second in the last NDC flagbearer race and subsequently became the campaign manager for the NDC in the 2020 general elections.
Mr Alabi announced his decision not to contest the former president in an interview on Accra 100.5 FM’s evening news programme on Monday, October 24, 2022.
He said there is a need for the rank and file of the party to rally behind the former president to come and save the country from the current economic doldrums that the NPP has imposed on Ghanaians.
He explained that the NDC has a track record of economic recovery adding that in the defunct Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era, the government that birthed NDC, all efforts were made to regain economic recovery which is what the NPP has come to power to throw away.
He added that from the look of things Ghanaians will not forgive the NDC if it fails to wrestle power from the NPP come the 2024 general elections.
He admitted that the signs are clear on the wall but the NDC as a party needs to work hard to ensure victory.
He noted that the only candidate who can ensure the NDC’s victory is the former president who is tried and tested.
He was of the view that the former president stands tall when it comes to the management of the economy stemming as he decried the way the NPP’s economic management team has woefully failed in the management of the economy.
He also charged that the NPP’s failure to manage the economy has led to the economic challenges many Ghanaians are facing today.
Some eighty Members of Parliament (MP) belonging to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have called for the sacking of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
They also want the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen, removed from post.
According to the legislators, the aforementioned members of the Executive have proven to be incapable of handling the Ghanaian economy which is currently in tatters.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, October 15, 2022, Asante-Akim North MP, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi said “we are communicating our strong desire that the President should change the Minister of Finance and the Minister without further delay in order to restore hope into the financial sector and reverse the downward trend in the growth of the economy.”
He noted that push has come to shove as the concerns of the Majority Group which were tabled before its leadership to the President, have yielded no positive results.
The Majority Group now adds their voice to the many Ghanaians calling for Mr Ofori-Attato be replaced by a more competent individual.
Pressure now mounts on President Akufo-Addo, who has indicated that he has no plans of sacking the current Finance Minister.
The President has explained that Mr Ofori-Atta has proven himself worthy of managing the economy. He cited Ghana’s growth in 2017 to argue that he finds no basis to replace the Finance Minister.
“I came to office in 2017 under a stringent IMF programme. This same man was able to manage the affairs of our economy in such a way that in my first term, we were one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. An average growth rate of 7% which allowed us to initiate programmes such as Planting for Food and Jobs,” he said.
“So somebody who has been able to do that. The current difficulties are not his fault. So how do I do it (sack him)? What will be the basis? What will be the rationale,” he further interrogated.
Ghana is currently battling a high inflation rate of 37.2% as of September, 2022. Also, the local currency continues to lose its value against major trading currencies.
A dollar is trading at about GH15. All these have happened under the watch of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
Meanwhile, Mr Ofori-Atta has encouraged Ghanaians to remain calm as the country engages the International Monetary Fund for an economic recovery programme.
He expects that the local currency will begin to appreciate once a deal is agreed upon.
In a press release dated October 24, 2022, the group bemoaned the ongoing decline of the dollar, attributing it to bank swindlers, and urged the government to take action to reverse the trend.
They provided a list of potential solutions to the economic crisis, placing particular emphasis on the need for Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister, to resign even though the president is unwilling to do so.
“Mr President, also critical is the mass belief by Ghanaians that the minister of finance is doing very little to shore up confidence in the market. Nonetheless, but arguably so, there is a broad perception of him not doing much, coupled with his attack on the IMF.
“The finance minister believes that going to IMF has a dire effect on the economy and that Ghana won’t seek any support from the IMF. AFAG finds it inconsistent of him, therefore, to lead the IMF negotiations or remain in office now that the government is seeking a bailout,” the AFAG statement read in part.
“The minister of finance and the Minister of State at the Ministry, Ken Ofori Atta and Charles Adu Boahen must be reassigned,” their first resolution read.
AFAG also wants president Akufo-Addo to produce an economic recovery programme because they believe that the International Monetary Fund, IMF, support alone will not solve the current crisis.
“Over the period, you have not also addressed the country. We find this highly unusual based on how in the past, you have fostered cooperation from Ghanaians through your frequent addresses during the covid crisis.
“We will need you to reduce anxiety in the system and let Ghanaians know the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’,” the statement added.
He adds that President Akufo-Addo will lead a three-day cabinet meeting over the coming weekend and will address the nation in due course.
FULL AFAG STATEMENT: Mr PRESIDENT, SPEAK & ACT NOW
The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) is a public interest advocacy group that shares a lot of centre-right positions on issues that are often in sync with the ideological philosophy of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Over the years, AFAG has been quiet out of goodwill toward Government. However, given recent developments, we are forced to depart from our current position on national development.
Mr President, it is our considered opinion that the current speed of the cedi depreciation is borne out of the mischief of speculators and is purely artificial.
Although it will reflect various challenges with the balance of payment due to post covid and Ukraine, there is some panic buying, a lack of confidence and a high degree of uncertainty in the financial market.
Mr President, there is a particular conspiracy theory that points to the central bank’s supervision of the forex market as weak. It is believed that high-placed persons in the central and commercial banks with profit motives auction dollars at an interbank rate, cheaper to the black markets, who then sell it on the market at very high speeds.
It is also the belief that people in business in the subregions are contributing to the volatile situation by coming into Ghana to sell their currency and buy dollars for cheap in Ghana, and after that, sending it to their countries (where dollars are pretty expensive). Mr President, this is among others.
Mr President, also critical is the mass belief by Ghanaians that the minister of finance is doing very little to shore up confidence in the market. Nonetheless, but arguably so, there is a broad perception of him not doing much, coupled with his attack on the IMF.
The finance minister believes that going to IMF has a dire effect on the economy and that Ghana won’t seek any support from the IMF. AFAG finds it inconsistent of him, therefore, to lead the IMF negotiations or remain in office now that the government is seeking a bailout.
Mr President, it is time to present an economic recovery plan to the nation. IMF intervention would not be enough to salvage the situation.
Over the period, you have not also addressed the country. We find this highly unusual based on how in the past, you have fostered cooperation from Ghanaians through your frequent addresses during the covid crisis. We will need you to reduce anxiety in the system and let Ghanaians know the “whys” and “hows”.
RESOLUTION:
● The minister of finance and the Minister of State at the Ministry, Ken Ofori Atta and Charles Adu Boahen must be reassigned
● some forex restrictions targeted at persons undermining the system, from the central bank through the commercial banks to the unlicensed forex operators
● investigate the banks and prosecute officials engaged in forex trading
● impose import restrictions on selected items
● engaging multinational companies and business ventures contributing to the capital flight.
● restricting the forex export to a certain level, at least in the next six months.
● Ensuring traders who export US dollars from Ghana annually have imported about an equal amount to the country.
● Encourage Ghanaians to understand why the current rates are artificial and how they will trade at a loss when the market settles, and the cedi benchmarks to the US Dollar at its real value.
The National Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has called on President Akufo-Addo to reassign his appointees to help address the economic challenges facing the country.
According to Nana B, reshuffle is long overdue.
“I can boldly say our leaders have done their best but we all know that ideas are not in one person’s head, therefore there should be a reshuffle to see what they will also bring on board to help solve the current economic situation in order to break the 8, come 2024.
“let’s change the narratives because Some Drastic Decisions Must Be Made ASAP, Some Drastic Changes Must Be Made ASAP, Some Drastic Measures Needed ASAP, Breaking The 8 Is A Must”, he said.
A popular traditional priest, Okomfuo Kyei (real name, Nana Yaw Kyei), has been elected as the new Chairman of the National Democratic Congress in the Adansi Asokwa constituency of the Ashanti Region.
According to a report by the Ghana News Agency, the new chairman unseated the incumbent chairman, Godwin Anumley Dogodzi, with a vote tally of 436 to 285.
The report added that after he was confirmed, Nana Kyei pledged to work hard to win the constituency seat for the NDC in the 2024 general elections.
He further called on all members of the party to unite towards the task ahead, adding that it would take unity and determination to recapture power from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Other executives elected were Joseph Ankomah as vice chairman, Lawrence Osei Adarkwa as secretary, Amidu Raman Razark as assistant secretary, and Kwabena Ebo as organiser.
The rest were Moses Appenteng, treasurer; Isaac Semirika, youth organizer; Madam Mavis Adjei, women organizer; and Julius Dzekpey Mawuli, communication officer.
The NDC held its constituency elections across the country on Saturday, October 22, 2022.
There were, however, over 15 constituencies that did not hold their elections due to some unresolved election details, including incomplete voter registers.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) delegates in the Ablekuma South constituency gave their incumbent chairman, Geoffrey Atakli Banini, a shock when they voted against him in the recently held constituency elections.
With a new favourite for the slot, the delegates gave their votes to Wisdom Nii Amoo Dodoo, a man believed to be a favourite of the Member of Parliament for the area, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije.
After hours of waiting, due to several recounts of some of the results, the Electoral Commission representative pronounced Wisdom Dodoo the winner with a vote tally of 983, as against Banini’s 635.
Speaking to GhanaWeb right after the declaration, the newly-elected chairman said he would use his unifying personality to foster unity in the party.
He also called on all persons who had lost their various bids for election to focus on helping the NDC wrestle power in 2024.
“I’ll say better luck next time, but just so you know, I am a unifier and so I will bring all of them on board so we work towards 2024,” he stated.
On how he feels about his victory, Wisdom Dodoo said it is a great feeling, and he hopes to capitalise on it to help the NDC win the national election of 2024.
He added that the NDC intends to save Ghanaians from the poor governance of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) with a target of 25,000 more votes.
“I feel great about this victory, and I thank everyone. You know that the NPP has not been performing so we will work towards 2024 to ensure victory in Ablekuma South and the whole of Ghana.
“We are targeting about 25,000 more votes than the ones we had the last time,” he stated.
Speaking to GhanaWeb, the Ablekuma South MP, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, explained that what happened in the elections in his constituency is a confirmation of the mandate of the people.
“In the 2020 elections, the people of Ablekuma South spoke eloquently, giving Okoe Vanderpuije 61% victory. And so, when the people speak, and you’re a member of the executive and you don’t listen, they will show you the exit. That is simple and short.
“So, we have members of the executive who, of late, have not been working with the MP. So, the delegates and the people of the grassroots made a decision, and the decision is that they love their MP, and they want their MP to continue to work for them, and they want a team that will work with the MP.
“This election is not only a foretaste, but a mandate that will go out for anybody who wants to stand in the way of the NDC; we are ready,” he stated.
Below is the full list of results from the Ablekuma South elections:
Chairman
Geoffrey Atakli Banini 635
Wisdom Nii Amoro Dodoo 983
Vice Chairman
Theophilus Allottei Myers 719
Paul Ardey Codzoe 889
Secretary
Robert Quaye 805
Peter Agbeli 814
Deputy Secretary
Benedict Nii Yao Crabbe 710
Eugene Kwaku Wiafe 914
Organiser
Alfred Addotey Allotey 1013
Albert Pangbot 510
Deputy Organiser
Rochester Botchwey 708
King Archiemore Rockson 118
Treasurer
Richard Tagoe 653
Robertson Nii Kpakpo Mensah
Deputy Treasurer
Rahinatu Issifu 735
Paul Kwame Mensah 875
Youth Organiser
Daniel Kwaku Ofori 80
Theophilus Isaac Quaye 102
