Founder and leader of Glorious Word Power Ministries International,Reverend Isaac Owusu-Bempah, has firmly denied allegations that he prophesied Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s anointment to assist the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in retaining power.
Owusu-Bempah clarified that certain individuals, advocating for the Vice President’s candidature, have been spreading rumours that he issued a prophecy endorsing Dr. Bawumia as the NPP’s ideal choice for the flagbearer position.
“Some are going about saying that I, Rev. Owusu-Bempah, say that God has chosen Dr Bawumia to come and lead the NPP and that he is the rightful candidate to help the NPP break the 8.
“They claim I, Owusu-Bempah, gave that prophecy. I plead with everyone watching me; I know the media is recording this and the whole of Ghana is watching me. I have not made such a statement anywhere. I’ve not said it in my church or anywhere.
“So if you watch YouTube and see some people having such discussions that I made such a prophecy to President Akufo-Addo that they should bring Dr Bawumia to lead the NPP and help break the 8, it is not true,” Reverend Bempah told his congregation in a video sighted by GhanaWeb.
On Saturday, November 4, 2023, the National Patriotic Party (NPP) is scheduled to convene a national delegate congress. The purpose of this congress is to choose a flagbearer who will lead the party into the 2024 presidential election.
The candidates vying for this prestigious position include Vice President Dr. Bawumia, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Francis Addai-Nimoh, and Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto. On the pivotal date of November 4, one of these individuals will be elected as the NPP’s flagbearer, setting the stage for the forthcoming presidential race in 2024.
A Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana’s School of Languages, Professor Kofi Agyekum, has condemned MP for Bibiani Anhwiaso, Alfred Obeng-Boateng, over his decision to persuade New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates with money ahead of the party’s primaries.
Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Bibiani Anhwiaso Constituency, Alfred Obeng-Boateng, has made it clear that he is fully willing to financially support delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to secure the party’s parliamentary ticket for the upcoming 2024 general election.
In a widely circulated audio clip broadcasted by Sompa FM, the MP revealed that he had previously allocated substantial amounts, up to GHC3,000 per delegate, during the previous primaries.
He further emphasized his readiness to match or exceed any financial offers made by his competitors to gain the favor of the delegates in the upcoming selection process.
“I knew from day one that upon all the resistance I faced during my coming (into office), this time people will regroup more forces, pull their resources together and fight one person.
“So knowing all this, I know everyone’s financial strength; I know everyone’s financial limit here. So I know how much they can easily pull without being worried about it. When you have say a million Ghana cedis, you can give away GHC1,000 each without flinching.
“So we are about to go for primaries with about a thousand-two hundred delegates, the other time we paid around GHC3000 minimum per person and the primaries is coming again,” the MP said.
He stressed that he has deliberately set aside funds in US dollars to shield himself from the effects of inflation and is ready to provide up to GHC20,000 to each of the 2,200 delegates within the constituency to ensure his nomination for the party’s parliamentary ticket.
“I am telling you that the money I will use for the primaries is in dollars and that money has been secured long ago, I must be frank with you. That is money I am not touching under any circumstance.
“So I laugh seeing all that they are doing, I have dollars there for that primaries. What I can tell my delegates is that I will pay more than double of what anyone who will contest me will offer them, they should take that from me. If they come together and decide to pay GHC10,000 per delegate I will pay more than that.
“Whatever they pay, even if they pay GHC20,000 I will pay more than GHC20,000 because I know how much I have put there; I know how much I have reserved. That is why I saved in dollars so that the money will not lose value,” he noted.
Reacting to his comments in an interview on Peace FM, Professor Kofi Agyekum noted that it is unwise for political ambitions to run on one’s ability to distribute money to electorates.
According to him, such an unfortunate trend will only prevent credible people from running the affairs of the country.
“The man who are we talking about, it found it very annoying. Oh yes. If you say that you have gathered dollars and that the some people paid 1,000 and I paid 3,000. This time round, I’ve heard they will pay 10,000. I will pay 20,000.
So I asked, those who are going to vote, how many are they. So I asked Kwame and he was like the man will pay about GHS 40 million. So if you have wisdom, and you don’t have this money to share to people, you can’t enter politics,” he said.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), founded on July 28, 1992, has produced three flagbearers since its creation.
The centre-right and liberal conservative party in Ghana with the symbol of an African elephant has, however, held six elections to select its flagbearer.
During the 1992 Congress, the NPP elected Albert Adu Boahen as its first-ever flagbearer. He garnered 1,121 votes, representing 56.60 percent of the total votes cast.
He competed against five others, namely: Dr. Dsane Selby, John Agyekum Kufuor, Dr. Safo-Adu, J.A Addison, John Kwame Koduah. Peter Ala Adjetey who announced his presidential ambition, did not contest as he withdrew from the race.
Boahen lost to the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Jerry Rawlings, but received 30.4% of the votes cast.
In 1996 and 1998, the NPP held another congress. Six individuals contested in both congresses, and John Agyekum Kufuor emerged victor in both with 1,034 votes (51.99%) and 1,286 votes (64.60%) respectively.
In his second attempt, Kufuor contested against Albert Adu-Boahen, J.H Mensah, Dr. Jones Ofori-Atta, Dr. Kwame Safo Adu and Dr. Dsane Selby.
During the 1998 congress ahead of the 2000 general elections, Kufuor stood against Kofi Apraku, Mr Kwame Kodua, Malik Alhassan Yakubu and Joseph Henry Mensah.
No individual stood against John Kufuor ahead of the 2004 general elections as he sought to retain his seat after his 2000 general election victory.
John Agyekum Kufuor
Prior to the 2008 general elections, a super delegates conference was convened to streamline the seventeen aspirants who had thrown their hats into the ring.
The list of contenders included notable figures such as Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Mr. Kwabena Agyepong, Professor Mike Oquaye (a former Speaker of Parliament), Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, Mr. Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, Mr. Daniel Kweku Botwe, Mr. Alan John Kyerematen, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (the current President of Ghana), Papa Owusu Ankomah, Mr. Boakye Kyeremanteng Agyarko, Dr. Kobina Arthur Kennedy, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Alhaji Aliu Mahama (then Vice President), Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, and Mr. Felix Kwesi Owusu-Adjapong.
The super delegates conference involved 2,326 delegates representing the 230 constituencies. Of these votes, 2,285 were deemed valid, while 8 were rejected.
Alan Kyerematen and Nana Akufo-Addo
Ultimately, Nana Akufo-Addo emerged as the frontrunner with 1,096 votes, accounting for 47.9% of the total votes cast.
The NPP held its congress in 2010 to determine who leads the party ahead of the 2012 general elections. The number of aspirants dropped drastically. Five contenders stood. Nana Akufo-Addo, Frimpong-Boateng, Alan Kyerematen, Isaac Osei and John Kwame Kudua slugged it out.
Nana Akufo-Addo once again took the lead and was elected NPP’s flagbearer with 83,517 votes, representing 78.89% of the votes cast.
Akufo-Addo lost the 2012 presidential race to another NDC presidential aspirant, John Dramani Mahama who was vice to Atta Mills during his administration.
Prior to the 2016 general elections. Only three candidates competed this time. Francis Addai Nimoh, Nana Akufo-Addo and Alan Kyerematen competed.
After voting, Nana Akufo-Addo, secured 117, 413 votes, representing 94.35 per cent to become flagbearer.
This time around, the NPP’s flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, won the 2016 general elections. He beat John Dramani Mahama.
In 2020, Nana Akufo-Addo went unopposed as he sought to retain his seat, which he did by beating John Mahama.
Mahama and Akufo-Addo
Now, the NPP is yet to elect its flagbearer for the 2024 general elections.
The NPP held its second superdelegates conference on Saturday, August 26, to trim down the number of its aspirants from 10 to 5.
On the ballot, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong appeared first, followed by former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen in the second position. Essikado-Ketan MP Joe Ghartey came in at number three, Energy Expert Kwadwo Poku at number four, and Dr Afriyie Akoto, former Minister for Food and Agriculture took the fifth position.
10 NPP presidential aspirants
Also, former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyepong was sixth on the ballot, Former member of Parliament for Mampong Constituency Addai-Nimo took the seventh slot, followed by former Trade Minister Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku at number eight. Mr. Kyerematen Agyarko, a former Energy Minister, was number nine and lastly, the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at number 10.
Following the conference, some individuals such as Alan Kyerematen and Boakye Agyarko stepped down from the race.
Four aspirants remain and they will slug it out at the party’s primaries to be held on November 4.
The candidates are Vice President Dr Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Afriyie Akoto and Addai-Nimo.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Energy Minister, has called on members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to put in diligent effort by engaging in nationwide party mobilization to secure a third victory over the National Democratic Congres (NDC) and its candidate, John Mahama.
The Minister’s rationale behind this appeal is rooted in his belief that John Mahama’s track record offers little to benefit the Ghanaian populace. He emphasized that none of the NPP flagbearer aspirants have previously served as President, unlike former President Mahama, who has a dismal track record.
Dr. Prempeh made these remarks during a meeting with delegates from his Manhyia South constituency on Friday, October 27, 2023, in preparation for the NPP Flagbearer elections scheduled for the following day.
He acknowledged that the challenging global economic situation has resulted in governments facing declining popularity, which the NPP has not been immune to.
Dr. Prempeh urged NPP members to convey the party’s accomplishments to Ghanaians, especially in light of these adverse conditions, in contrast to the NDC’s track record, which did not have to contend with similar external shocks.
“We have to let the Ghanaian people know that, we haven’t made their lives all-rosy, we admit there are difficulties, but we are fixing the challenges.
Another opportunity to continue the work we doing is better than giving a man whose ambition is just to complete his second term to equal the record of his predecessors,” he said.
The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South encouraged the delegates of Manhyia South to regard the upcoming event on November 4, 2023, as an internal party exercise. He emphasized the importance of conducting the exercise without animosity, discord, or antagonism among party members.
“After the Presidential Primaries, we must come together, work together, hold together and defeat the NDC again,” he said.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially disclosed the polling locations for its upcoming presidential primary, for November 4, 2023.
This primary election is intended to select a flagbearer to represent the party in the forthcoming general elections in 2024.
The primary will take place in each of the 16 regions of the nation, marking a significant step in the party’s democratic process.
Notably, the presidential primary is a four-candidate race, with the following individuals vying for the NPP’s nomination: Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Member of Parliament for Assin Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie, former MP for Mampong Francis Addai-Nimoh, and Central Region’s Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
It is worth noting that former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, initially declared his intention to run as an independent candidate following the Special Delegates Conference in September.
This decision was made in response to perceived intimidation from his supporters and marks a unique development in the NPP’s electoral landscape.
The polling locations for the ruling New Patriotic Party‘s (NPP) November 4, 2023 presidential primary have been made public.
A flagbearer to represent the party in the general elections of 2024 will be chosen by an election held in each of the 16 regions of the nation.
In the four-horse race, the vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, MP for Assin, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie, former MP for Mampong Francis Addai-Nimoh, Central Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, and former Agirc Minister are contesting.
After the Special Delegates Conference in September, former Minister of Trade and Industry Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen announced his intention to run as an independent, citing intimidation from his supporters.
Check the voting centres below:
NPP NOVEMBER 4, 2023, PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION- REGIONAL EXECUTIVES VOTING CENTERS S/N REGION CONSTITUENCY VOTING CENTER
Approximately 634 delegates from the Akan Constituency are poised to participate in the upcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries scheduled for November 4.
The delegate count encompasses a diverse range, comprising 10 Council of Elders, one Founding Member, 17 Constituency Executives, 36 Electoral Area Coordinators, and 570 Polling Station Executives.
Mr. Abdul Sataru Merigah, serving as the Akan NPP Constituency Secretary, shared this information during an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kadjebi, Oti Region.
The Kadjebi-Asato Senior High School (KASEC) has been designated as the venue for the event, and Mr. Merigah urged all delegates to ensure a peaceful and harmonious process. In his words, “The election is a family affair; let us remain united after November 4.”
Mr. Frank Worlanyo, a delegate, expressed the necessity of rebranding the Party by advocating for non-Akan individuals to assume leadership roles within the NPP for the 2024 elections. He argued that this move would help dispel the perception that the NPP is primarily an Akan party.
Mr. Eric Hehemekpe, the Freetown Electoral Area Coordinator, emphasized the importance of transparency and a fair election, given that it is an internal party affair.
He stressed that such measures would contribute to party unity, diminish animosity, and reduce the likelihood of post-election divisions, ultimately strengthening the Party’s efforts to secure victory in the upcoming election.
The latest Global Info Analytics Survey indicates that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is poised to secure the majority of votes in 13 out of the 16 regions in the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer race.
While he maintains a strong position across many regions, maverick politician Kennedy Ohene Agyapong leads in the Ashanti and Central regions.
The Oti Region sees an 80 percent split between Dr Bawumia and Mr Agyapong. In the Western region, they have a close competition, with Bawumia at 31 percent and Agyapong at 29 percent.
Vice President Bawumia achieves a significant lead in the North East region with 90 percent support.
However, the survey suggests the possibility of a runoff election as none of the candidates is expected to reach the required 50 percent-plus threshold for a first-round victory.
The survey, conducted from October 2 to 11, covered 4,311 NPP delegates from all 275 constituencies. The NPP is scheduled to hold its presidential candidate election on Saturday, November 4, in preparation for the 2024 general elections.
Prominent New Patriotic Party (NPP) member, Gabby Otchere-Darko, has affirmed the party’s commitment to wholeheartedly support the victor of the upcoming presidential primaries scheduled for November 4.
These elections are part of the party’s preparations for the 2024 general elections.
The contenders for the NPP’s presidential ticket include Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong, Former Member of Parliament for Mampong Francis Addai-Nimoh, and former Minister of Food and Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto.
In his statement, Mr. Otchere-Darko expressed the belief that the new leadership, upon ascending to power, would not only uphold the party’s tradition and principles but also draw valuable lessons from past experiences.
This learning process, he noted, would be essential for making the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition even stronger and more effective in fulfilling its core mandate of leading and serving responsibly in the development of Ghana.
He emphasized that the party’s ultimate mission is to establish a prosperous society that offers opportunities and dignity to every child born in the nation, regardless of their background.
Gabby Otchere-Darko assured party members and supporters that the NPP, as it has done historically, will coalesce around the newly elected leader once the party makes its choice.
The statement concluded with a prayer for unity and the realization of the party’s goals.
Below is his full statement
“An environment that is not safe to disagree in is not an environment focused on growth – it’s an environment focused on control.” – Varun Singhal
This is why we love and admire the New Patriotic Party. The quote above represents the NPP. So, if you are a member or sympathiser, don’t be disillusioned by some of the unfettered expressions of harsh views, however critical, jaundiced or ungrateful they may sound.
In spite of all the challenges it is facing, the NPP must stay true to its motto: “Development in Freedom.”
The NPP, if its critics may admit, has persevered to develop our nation even under the most challenging of economic situations of recent years. With the harsh cost of living crisis, the anger and resentment of the people are understandable. But, the efforts being made to keep public services going and funding development projects should also not be lost on us.
The NPP tolerates and even encourages dissent, including ones most caustic and undeserving. Some of those who were only yesterday, major beneficiaries of the party’s electoral fortunes and were tasked with the leadership responsibilities of helping the President deliver on his mandate, can be heard today leading to a crescendo what sounds like a chorus of doom.
This may give the impression of disunity. But, no. It is what it is. It is what the NPP has always been, especially in periods of transition. Today, it is heightened and amplified by the speed and distance at which sensational news flies. Free expression is, indeed, the blood that flows through the veins of the Elephant.
In fact, when the party was being formed over three decades ago, the other symbol or motto they considered at the time and nearly settled on was “Ti Koro Nko Agyina”, meaning a constructive meeting of minds calls for heads of varying perspectives.
It is who we are. The NPP is a party of activists and not spectators. It is a family of active and not passive voices.
As some of us fade naturally off the scene in this exciting transition and a new set takes over, we know for sure that this new crop of leadership will not only continue with the tradition and its principles, but will, even more importantly, take positive, instructive lessons from the negative experiences of recent years, the commissions, as well as, the omissions, and use all that to make the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition even stronger and better in fulfilling the party’s core mandate: which is to lead and serve responsibly in developing Ghana with enterprise and in freedom, with compassion and an even greater sense of urgency.
Ours is to be the lead enablers in the national mission of establishing a prosperous society of opportunities and dignity for every child born of this land, regardless of his or her background. Let us never forget that.
Finally, November 4 is just around the corner. The NPP that we know, once the party speaks and a new leader, with his new direction, is chosen, the Party will rally around him and support him and the cause of the collective. To this and all, we continue to pray…
The Ghana Police Service has apprehended an individual, as seen in a viral video, making threats to disrupt and prevent people from voting in the forthcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer elections in the Assin Central Constituency.
The arrested individual, identified as Ibrahim Iddrissu Shummah, is currently in custody and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
This development was communicated in a statement released by the police on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
In the meantime, the NPP and the GPS have reached an agreement regarding the election procedures for the upcoming NPP presidential elections scheduled for November 4, 2023.
The NPP has consented to the Ghana Police Service assuming full responsibility for maintaining security during the elections.
In a meeting involving both parties, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, the Chairman of the Presidential Election Committee for NPP, urged the police to take appropriate action against individuals involved in any misconduct during the elections.
“We are authorizing you to take absolute control of all the processes that you regulate during normal elections in this republic. We have made several guidelines which are a matter of common consent and we have worked out the dynamics in such a way that we are working together we are saying this to assure you that the regulations that the candidates have all signed are going to be the blueprint of the process, and anyone who disregards this should be dealt with and we want to establish that this country is a lawful nation.”
In the meantime, the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has called for collaboration to ensure the effective fulfillment of their responsibilities.
The campaign team of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has contested the results of a Global Info Analytics survey, which suggests that Vice President Dr. Bawumia is leading with 43.5% of delegates’ votes in the upcoming New Patriotic Party’s presidential race on November 4.
According to the survey, none of the candidates in the race, including the frontrunner Vice President Bawumia, has garnered the required majority of over 50% of the votes for an outright win.
Additionally, the survey indicates that Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has gained substantial support, securing 23.5% of delegates’ backing.
These findings suggest that the NPP race may be more closely contested than initially expected, with 18.3% of delegates yet to make a decision.
During an appearance on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday, October 26, in response to the survey findings, Sammy Awuku, the spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia’s campaign team, expressed their belief that Dr. Bawumia’s popularity remains strong.
He pointed out that, following the withdrawal and resignation of former presidential aspirant Alan Kyerematen, several key members of Kyerematen’s team have declared their support for Dr. Bawumia. According to Awuku, this development should strengthen the Vice President’s support base rather than diminish it to the reported 43.5%.
He contends that this should actually bolster the Vice President’s support base rather than cause it to decline to 43.5%.
For this reason, Mr Awuku noted that “any polls that predict that the Vice President will get less than 75% on the 4th of November – trust me is not any credible poll,” he said.
He emphasized that their team is confident in their candidate’s ability to secure a substantial victory, aiming for a range between 75% to 80%.
He stated that their team has diligently conducted its campaign efforts throughout the country, actively disseminating the candidate’s message of unity, with the goal of ensuring the New Patriotic Party retains power in the 2024 election.
“We entered into this race clearly knowing our red, yellow and green. As we speak today, I can tell you that we are working towards a 75% to 80% win on November 4, and I would be surprised to see the Vice President get anything below 75%,” he maintained.
“Any polling that for me, puts Dr Bawumia below 75% I will not treat it seriously,” he reiterated.
Meanwhile, the campaign team supporting former Food and Agric Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, is expressing optimism that their candidate will deliver a major surprise in the race.
Dr. Prince Amuzu, the spokesperson for the team, believes that their candidate’s campaign message strongly resonates with the delegates.
In addition, George Obeng Antwi, who serves as the spokesperson for the Addai-Nimoh campaign team, confidently asserts that Mr. Nimoh will ultimately emerge victorious. He points out that his candidate faced unfavorable odds during the super delegates conference but managed to advance to the final four aspirants. Consequently, he holds reservations regarding the Global Info Analytics survey results concerning his candidate.
“We cannot go by the polls because we do not know who they interviewed. We are very certain that Mr Addai-Nimoh will be victorious. People are tired and want to see a new face lead the country,” he said.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Ghana Police Service have come to an understanding regarding the election procedures for the upcoming NPP presidential elections set for November 4, 2023.
The NPP has consented to entrust the police service with full authority over security arrangements during the elections.
At a meeting involving representatives from both parties, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, the Chairman of the Presidential Election Committee for the NPP, urged the police to address any individuals who might engage in misconduct during the elections.
“We are authorising you to take absolute control of all the processes that you regulate during normal elections in this republic. We have made a number of guidelines which are a matter of common consent and we have worked out the dynamics in such a way that we are working together and we are saying this to assure you that the regulations that the candidates have all signed are going to be the blueprint of the process, and anyone who disregards this should be dealt with and we want to establish that this country is a lawful nation,” Mr Oquaye said.
In the meantime, the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has also emphasized the importance of collaboration to ensure the effective discharge of their responsibilities.
He assured the NPP of enhanced security during the primaries.
“We want to assure you that on November 4, we are going to give you an overdose of security and it will be excellent and awesome and all we require from you is your support to ensure that the police will do their work.”
On the other hand, Samuel Tetteh, the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations at the Electoral Commission, also indicated that preparations are well underway to guarantee a smooth election process.
“We know that this is an important election, not only for the NPP but also for the EC and the country as a whole, and we need to prepare adequately to make sure that the elections are conducted successfully and so far the engagements gone well and we expecting a successful election on November 4 and we are not leaving any stone unturned.”
Alan Kyerematen, having resigned from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on September 25, 2023, has officially declared his intention to run as an independent presidential candidate in the 2024 elections.
His decision to leave the NPP was driven by his concerns over unfair treatment and allegations of intimidation during the party’s superdelegates elections.
Kyerematen expressed apprehension that these issues might resurface in the NPP’s forthcoming election to determine the party’s flagbearer.
Meanwhile, there are calls from some NPP leaders to explore avenues for Alan Kyerematen’s return to the party’s ranks in preparation for the 2024 polls.
1. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader and MP for Suame Constituency
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, in making the call, emphasised the fact that Alan is a valuable asset and that the NPP shouldn’t lose him, stating that he was willing to explore every option, no matter how slim, to achieve this.
“I think that every effort must be made, even if it’s a one percent possibility. Let’s see what comes out of it. We are talking about Alan’s situation, where we are saying that let’s still engage if he comes back.
“To go into specifics will be a difficulty; it may hamper the reconciliation I’m suggesting. It’s possible to bring him back,” he said in an interview with Joy News.
2. Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye, chairman of NPP presidential election committee
Prof. Mike Ocquaye described Alan Kyerematen as a “man of excellence” and lamented the loss of such a valuable party member.
He stressed the importance of engaging Kyerematen to return, recognising that politics is a numbers game and that Kyerematen’s inclusion would strengthen the party.
“He is a fine gentleman. I’m sorry that today, we don’t have him but like the Majority Leader said, we will need to engage him because politics is a game of numbers and he (Alan) is a man of excellence.
“The party will engage him in all possible ways because the Akans say ‘nsamanfo koraa pɛ wɔn dodoɔ na ateasefoɔ’ to wit; even ghosts love their numbers, how much more the living,” he made this call in an interview with Metro TV.
3. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Chairman of the NPP Council of Elders
In reference to Alan Kyerematen, Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, who serves as the Chairman of the Council of Elders of the NPP, described him as a “prodigal son” and conveyed that the party would extend a warm welcome should he opt to rejoin.
Owusu-Agyeman underscored the significance of party unity and the value of numerical strength in the realm of politics.
“If he wants to come, the rules are very clear. He has said openly that he has resigned; if he wants to come back, he has to reapply. The rules are in Article 3. So he would have to do that.
“He’s welcome to come; we need the numbers; a party is made up of numbers; we’re not pushing anybody away. All of them are coming over. I’m not a priest but there’s something called a prodigal son; if you go out and you want to come, you’re welcome.
“And I don’t think he’s going to—with his butterfly—be the one who’s going to ‘revolutionarise’ political thinking and political activities in this country. He must come back. If he has erred, we will look at it, consider it, and bring him back,” myjoyonline.com quoted him to have said in an interview.
4. Kennedy Agyapong, NPP flagbearer hopeful
Kennedy Agyapong, a contender for the NPP’s flagbearer position, has made a commitment to reintegrate Alan Kyerematen into the party should he secure the flagbearer nomination.
Agyapong stressed the paramount importance of unity within the NPP and appealed for the support of Alan’s followers in achieving this goal.
“All Alan supporters here, I want you to support me because I want unity.
“And if you vote for me and I become the flagbearer, I assure you that I will bring Honourable Alan Kyerematen back to the party,” Ken, who is the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, said to NPP delegates in the Tamale South and Tamale Central constituencies in the Northern Region.
Deputy Defence Minister, Kofi Amankwa-Manu, has criticized the NPP’s fractious state, where members are constantly at odds, engaging in internal disputes, and hurling insults at each other.
He confidently attested to this claim based on his significant involvement in the NPP during his time as a student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
” It has become pretty chaotic when I listen to some of the things going on. My entire adult life has been dedicated to the NPP. I was once the youth wing president back in school. So all that is going on is very un-NPP,” Mr Kofi Amankwa-Manu told the media.
As of the latest reports, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), one of Ghana’s leading political parties, finds itself in a state of internal turmoil and division.
The party, which had previously been known for its strong unity and cohesion, is now grappling with a multitude of challenges that threaten its stability. Key among these issues is the deepening factionalism within the party, with prominent members openly at odds, engaging in internal disputes, and even hurling insults at each other.
This internal strife has not only led to a fractured party but has also eroded public confidence in the NPP’s ability to govern effectively.
Additionally, the NPP is facing criticism over its handling of the country’s economic challenges. The government’s management of public debt and fiscal policies has come under scrutiny, leading to concerns about the country’s financial stability.
International rating agencies have projected that Ghana’s public debt may rise to alarming levels, further undermining the party’s credibility.
Moreover, the NPP has been accused of failing to address critical issues affecting the country, such as unemployment, inflation, and social inequality.
These challenges have contributed to growing dissatisfaction among the populace and have put pressure on the party to take decisive action.
As the NPP grapples with these internal and external challenges, its leadership faces the daunting task of rebuilding trust, fostering unity, and implementing effective policies to address the nation’s concerns. The party’s ability to navigate these turbulent waters will significantly influence its future in Ghana’s political landscape.
Ama Serwaa, who claims to be a member and delegate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has noted that the current economic conditions the country is facing have affected her nutrition.
During an interview on TV3, Ama Serwaa revealed that she was able to eat fufu twice daily when she was financially sound, but due to hardships, she finds it difficult to eat fufu once a day.
“I am hot, I used to eat fufu two times daily, but as of now, I am even struggling with one,” she said.
For this reason, she has decided to auction her vote to the highest bidder. According to her, the decision stems from the low or no impact of interventions taken by government that are aimed at ensuring the wellbeing of citizens.
“So for me whoever pays the highest has my vote because we don’t see them after elections. No one is ready to sacrifice for the country, all of us want something to survive on.”
NPP delegate, Ama Serwaa says she’s unable to afford her usual 2 fufu meals a day because of financial constraints.
Ama Serwaa, who claims to be a member and delegate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has announced that she is willing to sell her vote in the upcoming party’s flagbearership election set for November 4, 2023.
During an interview on TV3, Ama Serwaa revealed that her financial hardships have become so severe that she can hardly afford to have one meal a day, in stark contrast to her previous situation when she enjoyed two meals daily, including fufu.
“I am hot, I used to eat fufu two times daily, but as of now, I am even struggling with one, so for me whoever pays the highest has my vote because we don’t see them after elections,” she is quoted to have said.
On the back of the disappearing act by politicians, she stressed: “no one is ready to sacrifice for the country, all of us want something to survive on.”
NPP delegate, Ama Serwaa says she’s unable to afford her usual 2 fufu meals a day because of financial constraints.
The NPP flagbearership race features four contenders: Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central; Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; and Francis Addai-Nimoh.
The NPP has scheduled the election to choose its new leader on November 4, 2023, as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s successor.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the frontrunner in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership contest, has accused his rivals of resorting to a smear campaign against him, fueled by their looming defeat.
As the party aims to make history by electing him as the flagbearer and securing a third consecutive presidential term, Dr. Bawumia claims that his opponents have been attacking his character and spreading false information to win over delegates.
The Vice President identified three specific instances of these lies and vehemently refuted them, emphasizing the need to debunk and counteract false claims.
He expressed concern that his rivals are determined to undermine his reputation and sow discord within the party, describing their approach as “if you miss the ball, don’t miss the man.”
During his tour of the Northern Region, Dr. Bawumia addressed NPP delegates and denied accusations of bribing constituency chairmen with cash and pickup trucks prior to the Super Delegates Conference.
He also refuted allegations that he planned to prevent polling station executives and electoral area coordinators from voting in future presidential primaries and that he aimed to ensure that all sitting NPP Members of Parliament ran unopposed.
“They say I have given all constituency chairmen 275 constituency chairmen, a hundred thousand Ghana Cedis and a pick up. Have you seen any pick up here for your chairman? This is just a ridiculous lie. Then they say I will not allow, in the future, polling station executives and electoral area coordinators to vote in presidential elections. I mean how can this happen? It’s not possible for me to stop polling station executive and electoral area coordinators from voting. This was a National Conference decision. And I was very supportive of expanding the electoral college to allow polling station executives and electoral area coordinators to vote. And by the grace of God they will continue to vote…That lie must be put to rest.
Although Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia did not explicitly mention any names, it appears that his primary rival in the race, Kennedy Agyapong, is the one being targeted. Mr. Agyapong has been vocal in labeling accusations of vote-buying against Dr. Bawumia.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has scheduled November 4, 2023, for the election of a flagbearer for the 2024 Presidential Elections. Dr. Bawumia secured a convincing victory in the Super Delegates Conference election and is widely expected to win the upcoming election.
A Kia truck loaded with beer has rammed into the New Patriotic Party (NPP) office at Oko Dan in the La municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
The devastating crash on Tuesday, October 24, has resulted in the death of one person and left another critically injured.
According to an eyewitness, Dzifa Amegah, the accident occurred because the driver lost control of the vehicle, primarily due to a brake pad malfunction.
“When the incident occurred, we went inside, and we realized a woman who sells rice close by had had her legs damaged. She had chairs on her, so we removed the chairs and brought her out. She was still alive. We realized there was a kenkey seller who was also trapped under the vehicle. When we tried to save her, a police officer tried to stop us, but we ignored him. We lifted the vehicle up using a jack and brought her out, but she was already dead,” Dzifa Amegah said.
Currently, fire service and police personnel are at the scene to manage the situation.
A member of the Public Relations Department of the Ghana National Fire Service, ADO1 Alex Nartey, is quoted to have told Citi News that, “Our control room received a call about an accident on the Labadi station road. We quickly came and upon arrival, they realized that they had to call their rescue team to augment the process. It was a truck full of beer that had run through the NPP office at Labadi killing one person in the process and critically injuring another.”
“Our men were able to help in rescuing the casualties involved. As of now, the operation has been successful. My condolences to the family of the bereaved. We will advise people to be very cautious to avoid such incidents during the festive season,” ADO1 Alex Nartey said.
One person has been confirmed dead after a Hyundai truck crashed into the New Patriotic Party (NPP) office at Oko Dan in the La Municipality of the Greater Accra Region. The accident was as a result of a brake pad malfunction, as reported by eyewitnesses.
Kwame Baffoe, commonly referred to asAbronye DC and serving as the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is gearing up to lead a 36-day march aimed at conveying appreciation to the president and his administration.
This procession, organized under the banner of the Patriotic Forum for Accountable Governance (PaFFAG), is scheduled to take place in Accra, commencing on December 1, 2023, and concluding on January 5, 2024.
In a letter dated October 23, 2023, and addressed to the Ghana Police Service, as reported by GhanaWeb, Abronye clarified that the primary objective of this march is to express gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government.
The group underscored that the government merits recognition for its management of the COVID-19 pandemic and its efforts in steering the nation’s economic recovery following the pandemic’s impact.
“We are writing to request permission to hold a peaceful procession in Accra from 1st December 2023 to 5th January, 2024, the purpose of this procession or assembly is to express our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency President Akufo Addo for sustaining the nation through Covid-19 pandemic and setting the nation on a path of economic recovery,” parts of the letter read.
“We have carefully selected 37 bus stop to Jubilee House as the route for this demonstration due to its visibility and accessibility. We assure you that we will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of all participants and the general public,” it said of the chosen route.
“We would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with a representative from the police department to discuss our plans in more detail and address any concerns or questions you may have,” it concluded.
Kennedy Agyapong, a flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been questioned over his chances of uniting the ruling party should he win the party’s presidential primaries slated for November 4.
Ahead of the much anticipated contest that features Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Agric Minister Dr Afriyie Akoto and former Mampong MP, Francis Addai-Nimoh, Mr Agyapong has engaged in a number of banter with some members of the NPP.
Among the individuals he has had fierce disagreements with is the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Mr. Kennedy Agyapong threatened Chairman Wontumi with his “showdown” comment. In response, Chairman Wontumi threatened to cause the arrest of flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong if he “threatens” his life again.
The two are yet to smoke the peace-pipe, despite calls for calmness by prominent individuals in the party.
Mr Agyapong also accused the party of looting the country’s resources. Days later, he noted that he had been taken out of context by the media and did not mean to accuse the party.
With all these in mind, an X user @Oh_Menua is curious to find out how Mr Agyapong will unite the party in future as he continues to dent the reputation of its members.
“How will Hon Hon Ken unite the NPP if he wins Nov 4 after all the bickering, name-calln , accusatxns, attacks? Count the no. of MPs, NPP Executives toes Ken has stepped. Evn the Presi and the vice were not spared.”
The user is pondering on how the Assin Central MP will convince members of the party to campaign for him ahead of the 2024 general elections should he be elected flagbearer.
“Qtn is how will he convince them to campaign for him,” the user asked.
How will Hon Hon Ken unite the NPP if he wins Nov 4 after all the bickering, name-calln , accusatxns, attacks? Count the no. of MPs, NPP Executives toes Ken has stepped. Evn the Presi and the vice were not spared . Qtn is how will he convince them to campaign for him
Meanwhile, Mr Agyapong has issued a warning to the party ahead of the presidential primaries. He noted that he will ditch the party’s campaign in 2024 if the insults to him by some of the members of the NPP don’t stop.
“I’m telling you, if they continue the way they are going , big no. If they go the way they are going, when I lose, I will go back to America. You say you can win, win without Ken Agyapong.
“Let Adomako Baafi and all those guys go and do the campaign. You think I’m a fool to spend my money for these young guys to insult me? If they stop, fine. If they don’t, then count me out,” Ken Agyapong emphasized during an interview with Home Radio.
A dramatic scene unfolded when Kennedy Agyapong, a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), met with delegates from the Tamale North and Sagnarigu constituencies in the Northern Region.
During the meeting, Ken Agyapong, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, made allegations that certain party chairpersons had received over GH¢100,000 and brand-new cars as inducements to support a particular candidate.
However, Ken’s claims were challenged by the NPP constituency chairman for Sagnarigu, who insisted that he did not receive any incentives to support the vice president.
In response, Ken Agyapong presented pictures of some party chairpersons apparently receiving money and vehicles as evidence to support his claims. This revelation was met with enthusiastic cheers from the delegates.
Ken then displayed the evidence on his phone, causing most of the delegates to stand up and rush to view the visuals. Some of them appeared visibly surprised as they examined the evidence presented by the NPP presidential hopeful.
a prospective New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has strongly asserted that the party’s electoral successes are intricately linked to his involvement and contributions.
In an interview with Tamale FM, the Assin Central Member of Parliament disclosed that, despite financial incentives to step aside from the race, he remains unwaveringly loyal to the party.
He maintains the conviction that the NPP’s electoral prospects would suffer significantly without his active participation.
“…without me, the NPP can’t win elections. Do you know how many people are begging me? You know, the money that they’ve offered me to step down? If I step down, we will lose. With the sacrifices the party people have made, I cannot selfishly take that amount of money and leave them to their fate,” he stated.
Kennedy Agyapong conveyed his worries about the party’s possible neglect of him, underscoring the interdependence of their achievements.
“How can NPP dump me? If they dump me, they will go into opposition. We all need each other.”
He also exposed his resolute commitment to avoid being used and cast aside by the party, a fate that has befallen individuals in the past.
“You see, NPP will always want to use you and dump you. I will not allow them to dump me anymore; I won’t do it. I will not sacrifice for NPP, for my children, my family, and generations to be humiliated,” he declared.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has in a candid revelation made a striking claim that his pivotal role within the party is so recognised that there have been attempts to financially incentivise him to withdraw from the flagbearership contest.
Speaking on Tamale FM, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central disclosed that several individuals within the party have approached him, offering significant sums of money to relinquish his bid.
However, Agyapong insists that acceding to these requests would be tantamount to abandoning the party at a critical juncture.
Agyapong, known for his forthrightness, did not mince words as he underscored his indispensability to the NPP’s electoral prospects.
“…without me, the NPP can’t win elections,” he affirmed. “Do you know how many people are begging me? You know, the money that they’ve offered me to step down? If I step down, we will lose. With the sacrifices the party people have made, I cannot selfishly take that amount of money and leave them to their fate,” he added, highlighting his commitment to the party’s cause.
Agyapong further reflected on the possibility of being sidelined by his party, cautioning against the perils of such a move.
“How can NPP dump me? If they dump me, they will go into opposition. We all need each other,” he asserted, hinting at the mutual dependency between him and the party.
Drawing from the experiences of others who have felt exploited and subsequently disregarded, Agyapong voiced a stern resolution to avoid a similar destiny.
“You see, NPP will always want to use you and dump you. I will not allow them to dump me anymore; I won’t do it. I will not sacrifice for NPP, for my children, my family, and generations to be humiliated,” he stated emphatically.
These revelations have thrown a spotlight on internal dynamics ahead of the NPP primaries, hinting at underlying tensions and the high stakes involved in the jostle for the flagbearer position.
A tense situation unfolded during a meeting in Tamale on Saturday, October 21, 2023, involving presidential aspirant Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and Alhaji Dagoma, theNPP Constituency Chairman for Sagnarigu, along with his delegates.
As part of his tour in the Northern Region, the aspirant convened with delegates from the Sagnarigu and Tamale North constituencies in Tamale.
During the gathering, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong claimed that the constituency chairmen had been offered GHC100,000 each to influence their votes in the special delegate conference.
This accusation didn’t sit well with the outspoken Sagnarigu chairman, known for his straightforward approach. In response, he immediately requested the microphone and addressed the delegates, vehemently asserting that the presidential aspirant was spreading baseless falsehoods.
Chairman Dagoma said, “The man is telling lies. He is lying. I am the chairman of the constituency. I voted in the superdelegates conference, and nobody gave me GHC100,000 to vote. I will not accept such lies from somebody who wants to lead this party.”
The response by the no-nonsense chairman attracted loud applause from the delegates, prompting a few supporters of the aspirant to start casting insults at the delegates.
It was reported that tempers went so high that the elders had to intervene to calm the situation, and the meeting was hurriedly concluded by the presidential aspirant.
NPP has responded to concerns from potential applicants by extending the deadline for proxy applications for its November 4, 2023, flagbearer primaries.
William Yamoah, the Secretary of the Presidential Elections Committee of the NPP, announced this extension.
The new deadline for submitting proxy applications is now Monday, October 23, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., affording all stakeholders sufficient time to meet the application requirements.
Originally, the party had set October 13, 2023, as the initial deadline.
Mr. Yamoah outlined the process for submitting proxy applications, emphasising the need for applicants to provide proof of their absence or inability to be physically present at the voting centre.
Supporting documentation, such as an affidavit or a declaration from a Commissioner of Oath, is required.
Proxy applications can be delivered in person at the NPP Headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra, or sent directly to the Secretary of the Presidential Elections Committee via email at yamolliam@yahoo.com or through WhatsApp at +233 540466684.
It was also highlighted that the proxy list would be publicly accessible for verification, and any suspicions of false declarations could be challenged and referred to the relevant national institution for further investigation.
Notably, only delegates eligible to vote in the main Congress on Saturday, November 4, 2023, will beentitled to vote by proxy.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rescheduled the closing date for proxy application submissions regarding its forthcoming November 4, 2023 primaries to Monday, October 23, 2023, by 5:00 p.m.
This extension was granted in response to concerns expressed by potential applicants, with the aim of providing all stakeholders in the forthcoming presidential elections with ample time to fulfill the application requirements.
Initially, the party had set Friday, October 13, 2023, as the deadline for the submission of proxy applications pertaining to the flagbearer race scheduled for November 4, 2023.
To successfully complete a proxy application, applicants are required to provide evidence of their absence or the reason they cannot be physically present at the voting center.
“This extension is in response to concerns raised by prospective applicants and is intended to afford all stakeholders in the upcoming presidential elections ample time to meet the application requirements,” it added.
This includes supporting documentation in the form of an affidavit or declaration from a Commissioner of Oath for each proxy application.
Proxy applications can be submitted either in person at the NPP Headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra, or directly to the Secretary of the Presidential Elections Committee via email at yamolliam@yahoo.com or through WhatsApp at +233 540466684.
The Secretary of the Presidential Elections Committee of the NPP underscored that the proxy list will be publicly accessible for verification, and any suspected false declarations may be challenged and referred to the appropriate national institution for further investigation.
It’s essential to note that only delegates eligible to vote in the main Congress on Saturday, November 4, 2023, will have the right to cast their votes by proxy.
The General Legal Council (GLC) has welcomed over 1,000 newly trained lawyers into the Ghana Bar during its 60th enrollment ceremony.
Each year, the GLC holds an official gathering to enroll and admit candidates who have successfully passed the professional law examination conducted by the Ghana School of Law, following the certification of their results.
This event marks the certification of the new lawyers, allowing them to officially begin their legal careers in Ghana.
Prominent members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) were in attendance during the 60th enrollment and admission to the Ghana Bar, held at the Accra International Conference Centre on Friday, October 20, 2023.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and former Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowotuom, was among the distinguished NPP figures who were called to the Ghana Bar during this 60th enrollment ceremony.
Sammi Awuku, the former National Organiser of the NPP and current Director General of the National Lotteries Authority, was also admitted to the Ghana Bar during the ceremony.
Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the NPP Member of Parliament representing Old Tafo, has joined the ranks of the Ghana Bar after being formally enrolled during the ceremony.
A member affiliated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is allegedly implicated in a financial fraud case, purportedly deceiving a vulnerable Ghanaian and fraudulently obtaining a substantial amount of GHC8,000 from him.
The victim, who remains unidentified, shared his account with the media, detailing his encounter with Frank Cudjoe, also known as Cocoa Sika, the NPP chairman for Bia West.
This encounter reportedly transpired in 2022 when the victim, recovering from an illness contracted in Libya, relocated to Ghana.
The victim stated that upon his return, the company responsible for bringing him to Ghana encouraged him to initiate an independent business venture.
Driven by aspirations to establish a cement enterprise, he crossed paths with Cocoa Sika and engaged in transactions to acquire the necessary goods.
Regrettably, subsequent to making payments, the victim alleges that Cocoa Sika has evaded fulfilling the agreed-upon arrangements, responding with excuses and instructing the victim to apprehend an employee associated with him.
“I was in Libya, but I came back to Ghana because I wasn’t well. The company that brought me to Ghana treated me until I recovered. After my recovery, they said they would like me to work in Ghana and asked about the business I wanted to pursue. I expressed my interest in selling cement, and they instructed me to obtain an invoice and return to collect a cheque to start the business. The person provided me with a three-day deadline to pick up the items. However, since 2022, he has been evasive. His current demand is that I should arrest an employee working with him, or he won’t provide the cement. He alleges I should apprehend the employee for theft. The person in question is the NPP chairman in Bia West, known as Frank Cudjoe, also referred to as Cocoa Sika.
During a confrontation, the victim questioned this directive, only for Cocoa Sika to allege that the said employee had engaged in theft, despite no prior business interactions between them.
However, after making payments, the victim alleges that Cocoa Sika failed to honor the agreed-upon arrangements, offering excuses and advising the victim to apprehend one of his employees.
In response, the victim questioned this directive during a confrontation, prompting Cocoa Sika to assert that the said employee had engaged in theft, despite no prior business interactions between the victim and the employee.
Frustrated by the lack of progress in resolving the matter, the victim sought assistance from third parties, including the district woman organizer, where Cocoa Sika stipulated a deadline to provide the promised goods.
“I reported the issue to the district woman organizer, who spoke to him. He assured her that he would provide the goods soon. However, after the deadline passed, I made several attempts to contact him, but he was unresponsive. I sent him a voice note to express my dissatisfaction, and he informed me that due to my voice note, he would no longer supply the goods. I informed my company about the situation, and they tried to contact him, but without success,” he added.
The deadline passed without delivery, prompting the victim to convey his displeasure via a voice note.
In response, Cocoa Sika defiantly asserted that no one could take any action against him.
The victim stated that he has reported the case to the police, but Cocoa Sika has shifted the blame onto his employee, maintaining that the employee, and not he, should be held responsible.
“I reported the matter to a police commander, and he was summoned to the police station. Nevertheless, he insisted that the police should arrest his employee. The police instructed me to go and arrest the employee working with him, and he has asserted that no one can take any action against him,” he added.
The Greater Accra Regional Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Amorse Blessing Amos, has suggested that selling Ghana to business tycoon, Elon Musk will be a prudent course of action than re-electing the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming 2024 elections.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Amos argued that it is imperative to vote the NPP out of power due to their failure in improving the nation’s conditions.
He referred to a recent open letter, wherein it was asserted that the eight years of NPP governance had caused significant harm to the nation. The letter contended that a complete recovery would demand a span of 30 years.
“In his extensive commentary, Frimpong-Boateng has conveyed the opinions of experienced economists he has engaged with. According to them, the damage inflicted upon our economy by the NPP is so significant that it may require approximately 30 years to fully rectify.”
“You took only eight years to cause 30 years’ destruction, and you are still asking for breaking the eight, then it is better we sell Ghana to Google and Elon Musk. They have money to buy the whole of Ghana, so that we will know that we have been enslaved. And with the help of God, it will not happen,” he added.
He stressed that it is evident to any rational observer in Ghana that the populace is enduring significant hardships, also the NPP administration has acknowledged its inability to alleviate the country’s economic struggles.
“In fact, no sane person in Ghana today will say that Ghanaians are not suffering. In fact, the president himself said that Ghanaians are suffering, and he is hoping whoever will take over will eliminate us from the economic hardship.
“This means that, for him, he has admitted that whatever he can do, he has done it and he couldn’t see any better results,” he said.
Mr. Amos expressed hope that a change in leadership would bring relief from these economic challenges.
The state of the Ghanaian economy has garnered significant attention in recent months due to a downturn marked by soaring inflation, a devaluing currency, and an overall deterioration in the quality of life, exacerbated by a high cost of living.
The government has consistently attributed this economic decline to the repercussions of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
As a response to these challenges, the government sought a US$3 billion loan from the IMF last year.
The first tranche of this loan, amounting to US$600 million, has already been credited to the government’s account.”
National Patriotic Party chairman (NPP) for Bia West Constituency in the Western Region, Frank Cudjoe, faces allegations of defrauding a financially challenged young Ghanaian man of GHC8,000.
The young man expressed his interest in venturing into the cement business. Consequently, he entrusted a GHC8,000 check to the Member of Parliament (MP), aspiring to obtain the cement for resale.
However, he stated that from 2022 till this present day, the NPP MP has been continually evasive, showing no indication of refunding his money or fulfilling his promise to supply the cement.
“I expressed interest in selling cement. So a company I was working with instructed me to liaise with a cement vendor to obtain an invoice, which I would present to them for a check to purchase the cement.”
“Following their instructions, I acquired the invoice and submitted it to them in Accra, after which they issued a check made payable to the vendor. The vendor initially promised to provide the goods within three days but repeatedly postponed the agreed-upon dates, never delivering the items for me to sell. Despite my company’s attempts to contact the vendor, he continually claimed that the items were on it way, a situation persisting from 2022 up to this present time,” the young man explained to the media.
Responding to a question by the host to mention the name of the cement vendor, the young man opened up to mention the Frank Cudjoe’s name.
He also mentioned all the attempts he made to get the attention of some NPP members to help retrieve his money but it yielded no results.
“Frank Cudjoe, the NPP chairman for Bia West, is the individual in question. I engaged in a conversation with the district women’s organizer of Bia West, seeking her assistance. She reached out to Frank to discuss the matter on my behalf, yet he has not reimbursed the money.”
Former National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peter Mac Manu, is confident that the Party has the potential to positively impact Ghana within the span of just 12 months.
“Twelve months from now is enough for the NPP to change the fortunes of the nation for the better,” Mr. Mac Manu, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), in an interview, at Peduase, Eastern Region.
Speaking to the media during an interview in the Eastern Region at Peduase, Mr. Mac Manu emphasized that the NPP has the capability to bring about significant improvements in the nation within a year.
He noted that various sectors of the economy have been steadily recovering from recent challenges, instilling in him a sense of optimism for the future leading up to the 2024 General Election.
Mr. Manu pointed out that the performance of the Cedi has been commendable, and key areas like education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and industrialization have witnessed substantial advancements.
As Chairman of Cocobod and the former NPP National Chairman, he expressed his positive outlook on the Party’s prospects to fulfill its “breaking the eight” agenda in the upcoming elections. He urged NPP members to set aside their differences and concentrate on their shared objectives.
Mr. Manu further encouraged NPP supporters to actively communicate the Party’s transformative achievements to the general public.
The extended duration for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer election process has been criticized by the Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
He believes this extended period contributes to the party’s internal divisions.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) officially opened nominations for its flagbearer election on May 26, 2023, following discussions during the National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Council meeting on April 3, 2023. While nominations concluded on June 24, 2023.
In an effort to reduce the number of aspirants, a Super Delegates’ Conference took place between June and August.
Subsequently, the party is set to conduct the flagbearer election on November 4, 2023, spanning an additional three months.
Numerous members, supporters, and flagbearer aspirants of the NPP have expressed concerns about recent developments within the ruling party.
These concerns have been attributed to factors such as “intimidation” and “manipulation” and have led to the resignation of a founding member, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, who now plans to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election.
Speaking to the media, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu pointed out that the prolonged flagbearer selection process may be a contributing factor to the current challenges facing the party.
“These issues are coming up, because the programme to elect a flagbearer has been expansive. It’s been made to span for a very long time, and I never imagine that we are going to go this way. Some of us were arguing that this whole thing ought to have been held earlier and the time span also shortened. But we are in a democratic party. You may float an idea, but if the majority thinks otherwise, the majority will have their way. So, we are where we are. But I think I must admit, it is shaking the party a bit, but we will sail through,’’ he stressed.
He mentioned that the extended timeline was a matter of debate, with some members suggesting an earlier and shorter process.
However, the democratic nature of the party led to the current schedule. Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence that the party would overcome them.
The party’s leadership is actively working to address these issues and bring unity. An emergency meeting is planned, involving key figures in the party, to discuss and resolve the matter.
The Majority Leader mentioned that this meeting would involve the council of elders, central party leaders, former and current presidents, parliament members, major stakeholders, and pioneers of the party.
“The Chairman of the Council of Elders called and wanted us to have an emergency meeting involving the component parts of the upper echelon of the party; the council of elders, of course the central party itself, the former and current presidents and Parliament and other major stakeholders of the party and some of the pioneers of the party…u bring them on board …we are looking at not too huge a number may be 9 to 11, to address the matter.’’ Mr. Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu revealed.
Some alleged National Patriotic Party (NPP) thugs with hostile intentions invaded the studios of UTV on Saturday, October 7, 2023, abruptly halting the live broadcast of the weekly United Showbiz program.
Their presence and agitated voices in the studio caused the production to come to a halt shortly after the host of the show MzGee’s introduction of the program.
Some guests like minister Sonnie Badu who had prepared to be on the show had to return back home immediately to save his life from any possible Mayhem.
“However, a video featuring one of the show’s well-known guests, talent manager and entertainment pundit, Mr. Logic, has gone viral on social media, revealing him as he hurriedly sought refuge under a table in a control room.
“The video was aired on the show following the intrusion, and his fellow colleagues in the studio could be heard teasing him.
Despite being in the midst of it all, Mr. Logic asserted that he would continue criticizing the NPP unless they compensate him for enduring such a state of fear.
“I have said that if the NPP does not compensate me, I will speak against them continually until they arrest me. I will say things against them they cannot handle, Mr Logic stated “
Meawhile the video below has more captured by the UTV’s CCTV camera.
The 16 accused persons who invaded the United Television (UTV) studios at Tesano in the Greater Accra Region on October 7, 2023, have been convicted and sentenced to a fine by the Achimota District Court.
A group affiliated with the NPP stormed the UTV studios during the live broadcast of its entertainment program, United Showbiz, shortly after it commenced.
The show then abruptly went off air while commercials filled the screen. The group trooped in to demand the removal of musician Kwame A-Plus, from the programme for tearing up a letter said to be from the communication wing of the NPP.
Videos of the incident went viral on social media with many condemning the intrusion, while others questioned the state of security at the media house.
Hours later, the Police in a statement announced that it had arrested 16 persons involved in the incident.
They were subsequently charged with being on the premises for unlawful purposes and arraigned before court today, October 16, 2023.
The accused persons pleaded guilty to the charge against them. They were, therefore, convicted on their own pleas and sentenced to a fine of 200 penalty units each which amounts to GH₵ 2,400.00, and in default 3 months imprisonment.
They were also ordered by the Court to sign a bond to be of good behaviour for 6 months in default 6 months imprisonment.
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has distanced itself from the invasion of UTV studios by some of its members last Saturday, October 7, 2023.
In response to the brouhaha, the leadership of the New Patriotic Party has rendered an apology to UTV, noting that it would cooperate with the police to investigate the matter.
Director of Communications for the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah, who engaged the press noted that the party did not sanction anyone to go and disrupt the United Showbiz programme.
He is quoted to have said “We think that the attack is unacceptable, and it’s condemnable.”
A prospective flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has urged party delegates in the Western Region to disregard advice from certain corrupt leaders within the party when making their decisions in the upcoming primaries.
Speaking at a rally in Takoradi, which marked the conclusion of his high-profile Health Walk event, Mr. Agyapong emphasized that these leaders are compromised in their ability to critique the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) due to their own involvement in corrupt practices.
Mr Agyapong also accused some NPP leaders in the Western Region of undermining his campaign efforts during the Super Delegates‘ conference, where he did not perform well.
Supporters of Ken Agyapong danced and sang to show their support for his victory in the November 4th Primaries, expressing their belief that he is the more qualified candidate to lead the NPP.
Addressing his supporters at the rally, Mr. Agyapong cautioned them against making the mistake of voting for aspirants who might lead the party into the opposition.
“In the upcoming election, as we head towards it, if you’re a polling station executive, (or) chairman, you have only one vote. The electoral area coordinator has one vote, the constituency executive has one vote, and the chairman for regional executives, all of them have one vote.
“During the super delegates’ election, some received GH¢100,000, while others were given cars and some received 60,000 cedis. As we approach another election, it’s expected that similar practices will occur.
“I want to convey a message to the delegates who are listening to me: if any candidate approaches you and can provide you with 100,000 cedis, vote for those candidates, not Kennedy Agyapong.
“If you have the means to compensate the chairmen…for the delegates and the polling station people, are they are not humans, they are taking them for a fool by using and dumping them,” he said.
He added “Every delegate listening to me should take GH¢100,000 from them, if not they shouldn’t vote for them, I give them the chance if they are able to give all the delegates, everyone GH¢100,000, they should vote for them.”
A candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer position, Kennedy Agyapong, has issued a stern caution to his party in anticipation of the presidential primaries scheduled for November 4, 2023.
During an interview on Skyy Power FM on October 13, 2023, Agyapong noted that he would frustrate the party instead of exiting should the primaries be characterised by electoral malpractices and violence.
He clarified, “It is not true. Condition wise, I won’t leave; I will remain, but I will frustrate you. Yes, I will frustrate you heavily.
“What I am saying is that in the upcoming election, if they don’t repeat the chaos and violence we saw on August 26, then I do not have a problem. Whoever wins, I will support.
“But if they repeat the events of August 26, I will give them a showdown, and there’s no two ways about it,” he said.
He confidently stated that he outpaces Alan Kyerematen, a former NPP member who has recently departed from the party to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections.
He added “I am a very fair-minded person; I am not asking too much. If nobody is beaten, the votes proceed decently, and Dr. Bawumia wins, I will support. But if there is chaos and violence… I have built my system so that I will get my results, and nobody can cheat me in the elections, so I am only asking for fairness.
“The camping that they went to do at Kingstel Hotel, the same place where we took security there in 2016. This time they should go and camp people…if they want unity, they should stop such things because, for me, I am worse than Alan, oh yes, I am hinting to you that I am worse than Alan if there is no fairness, I will give them a showdown.”
Kennedy will vie for the NPP flagbearer position, alongside three other competitors, namely Dr. Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh.
The NPP has scheduled November 4, 2023, as the date for selecting a new leader to succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the head of the party.
Former Member of Parliament for Obuasi East under the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Edward Ennin, has voiced his disapproval of attempts to lure Alan Kyerematen back into the party.
The former trade minister had resigned from the NPP, announcing his candidacy as an independent candidate for the 2024 elections.
During an interview on Neat FM on October 10, 2023, the former MP accused specific party members of thwarting Alan and compelling him to leave the party.
Ennin alleged that there might have been a deliberate effort to undermine Alan within the NPP, assuming his departure would be inconsequential.
“And the things that they have done to Alan, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and all of them, they knew what they were doing and I think it was a planned effort to frustrate the man just to leave the party, thinking that he was nobody and his absence wouldn’t affect anything.
“But now they have realized that his absence won’t help them but rather affects them… it is now a case of taking a certain decision without thinking about it, and now you want to use a different approach to reverse it.
“If they don’t take care, the next election will be one party versus an independent candidate who will go to a second round,”he said.
Alan Kyerematen officially severed ties with the party following his involvement in the super delegates’ elections. Kyerematen, a prominent figure within the NPP, found himself placed behind Kennedy Agyapong and vice president, Dr. Mahamudu in the election results.
He cited unfairness and alleged intimidation against his agents as reasons for his departure.
However, party leaders, including National Chairman Stephen Ntim and Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader, are eager to engage in discussions with Kyerematen to persuade him to reconsider his decision and return to the NPP.
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Presidential Elections Committee has announced that the presidential primaries scheduled for November 4th will take place in the party’s constituencies throughout the country.
Professor Michael Oquaye, who chairs the Committee, stated that each constituency will have a designated polling center for the elections.
With over 200,000 NPP delegates set to participate, the November 4th election aims to select the party’s Presidential Candidate for the 2024 election. Professor Michael Oquaye offered assurance that the elections will be conducted in a free and equitable manner.
“The Electoral Commission will also be fully in charge of the process, in fact, it’s going to be like any other national election. Every constituency, there will be a centre in it and for that matter, the EC will go about the process of conducting the elections. What this means in effect is that no authority, no person, whether by way of a party person will be part of the process of conducting the elections,” Professor Michael Oquaye said.
On September 22, the Presidential Elections Committee of the party unveiled the guidelines for the upcoming November 4 primaries. These primaries are set to occur in all 276 constituencies across the nation, as well as at the Party Headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra.
In a statement released in Accra, the committee detailed the procedures and regulations governing the primaries, which will determine the party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 general election.
Four individuals are contending for the presidential candidacy, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, former MP for Mampong Francis Addai-Nimoh, and former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie.
Founding member of the New Patriotic Party,Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has urged President Akufo-Addo to resign from office if he is unable to fulfil his duties as president.
During a press conference on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, on the topic “The State of Ghana,” Dr Tamakloe expressed his disappointment in the president and his handling of current economic happenings, citing that it poses a threat to the safety of our democracy.
“If you can’t do the work, resign. Just resign and go away
“The Akufo-Addo I knew and had numerous dialogues and demonstrations with is not the Akufo-Addo ruling now.
“How do ministers hoard staches of cash in foreign and local currencies in their homes, acquire properties in prime areas of Accra and other parts of the country, drive the most luxurious cars, leave extravanganty and expect our youths, who remain largely unemployed, to remain satisfied? he fumed.
Hitting his hands on the table on which he sat, the founding member of the NPP warned that any government that takes power by the next polls should hold the current government accountable for its dealings as far as physical cash and properties are concerned. “will be my number one enemy.”
“Anybody who takes over this country after this government (smashing his hand against the table) if he fails to let this particular government account for what he has done in terms of property and physical cash will be my number one enemy” the disgruntled Dr Nyaho added.
Also speaking alongside Dr Nyaho was former national security adviser Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah, who expressed worry over the government’s nonchalant posture towards the cry of ordinary Ghanaians.
The retired military chief urged the government to make its governance appealing to deter military interventions in light of the recent rise in military takeovers in the sub-regions and elsewhere.
“See whether those who have been overthrown see did they deserve to be overthrown. I don’t encourage the military to take over power; no, I don’t encourage that.
Chairman of the Presidential Elections Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Professor Michael Oquaye, has announced that the party’s Presidential Primaries on November 4th will take place in the party’s constituencies nationwide.
Every constituency will have a polling center for the elections, and over 200,000 NPP delegates will participate to choose the party’s Presidential Candidate for the 2024 election. He assured that the elections will be conducted in a free and fair manner.
“The Electoral Commission will also be fully in charge of the process, in fact, it’s going to be like any other national election. Every constituency, there will be a centre, and for that matter, the EC will go about the process of conducting the elections.
What this means in effect is that no authority, no person, whether by way of a party person will be part of the process of conducting the elections,” Professor Michael Oquaye said.
The Presidential Elections Committee of the party released guidelines for the November 4th primaries in a statement issued in Accra. These guidelines detail the procedures and rules for the primaries, which will determine the party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 general election.
There are four individuals contending for the presidential slot: Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, MP for Assin Central Kennedy Agyapong, former MP for Mampong Francis Addai-Nimoh, and former Agric Minister Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie.
A political historian at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Samuel Adu-Gyamfi, has called on residents of the Ashanti Region to demand more accountability from politicians to ensure their fair share of development.
Speaking to the media he expressed dismay that despite the region’s history of overwhelming support for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the party had taken its loyal voters for granted.
He found it concerning that, even after seven years in power, the Akufo-Addo government had failed to complete significant projects in its stronghold.
“I think Asante should begin to show the NPP the red card. Sometimes when we look at the region, some people think we are referring to those who are Asante, so Asante refers to the language and the people. But, when we look at Asante as a region, we are looking at Fante, Ewe, Dagomba- all other groups who are in Asante as a region,” he added.
This frustration arises as residents in the region grow increasingly discontented with the government’s unfulfilled promises and the abandonment of critical projects.
Notable among these abandoned projects are the Mother and Baby Unit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), phases two and three of the Kumasi International Airport expansion project, phase two of the Kejetia-Central Market redevelopment project, and various sinohydro projects.
In addition to these, residents are demanding the completion of projects like the Afari Military Hospital, Sewua Hospital, Kumawu Hospital, KNUST Hospital, Fomena Hospital, and the Krofrom Market, among others, which have remained unfinished for years.
With the Akufo-Addo government’s second term coming to a close, residents worry that even the newly initiated projects, such as the Boankra Inland Port and Suame Interchange, may suffer a similar fate due to time constraints.
“They have been loyal and consistent in delivering the vote for the NPP, but they have not specifically tied that to development, and they have not made such demands openly and frankly to the NPP as a party. They must insist on this time around and make sure that when the NPP per adventure comes to power, and they refuse to deliver, they are penalized accordingly. If they do not begin to show them red cards and yellow cards, they are always giving them the green card to allow them to have the potential to come to power.
“Nana Akufo-Addo went into how many elections before he became president? Three times. The first time when all other regions were oscillating left and right, Asante was consistent. The second time, Asante was consistent. The third time, Asante has become like the faithful wife to the NPP, even if they are playing the buffoonery.
“This does not bring development because politics and governance must be tied to development. It is not just about forming political parties and winning power and coming to drink tea and then having big rallies. It is not about because we are Asante, or we are this and therefore, we must vote for the NPP. That’s absolutely nonsensical. The region needs development. It is lagging behind in many things roads, poor infrastructure and all that and the NPP must be blamed because they were supposed to have translated the votes of the NPP into development. They have taken the people for granted. They feel that rain or shine, they will queue and vote for them as a party,” he stated.
Furthermore, communities in the region continue to express dissatisfaction with the state of their road networks, including areas like the Manso enclave, Kwabre East, Bosomtwe Ahafo Ano South West, Ahafo Ano South East, Atwima Kwanwoma, and Ejisu.
Professor Adu-Gyamfi emphasized that changing their voting patterns could be a powerful way to make the NPP government take the region’s concerns seriously.
He encouraged residents to demand accountability and development in exchange for their loyalty, stressing that the region’s need for development transcends party lines.
He urged residents to break the pattern of unswerving support for the NPP and expressed disappointment with the lack of development in the region, despite its consistent electoral support.
He called on residents to hold the government accountable through protests, demonstrations, public discussions, and open speeches to ensure that their votes translate into real development for the region.
Chairman of the Presidential Election Committee for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye, has mentioned the potential for the party leadership to seek the return of Alan Kyerematen.
Prof. Mike Ocquaye expressed regret over the NPP’s loss of such a valuable figure, describing Alan as a fine gentleman. He emphasized the importance of engaging Alan Kyerematen in order to harness his abilities, recognizing that politics relies on numbers.
During a sideline interview at the One Week Observation of the late Theresa Kufuor with the media, prof. Ocquaye stated,“he is a fine gentleman. I’m sorry that today, we don’t have him but like the Majority Leader said, we will need to engage him because politics is a game of numbers and he (Alan) is a man of excellence. The party will engage him in all possible ways because the Akans say ‘nsamanfo koraa pɛ wɔn dodoɔ na ateasefoɔ’ to wit; even ghosts love their numbers, how much more the living.”
He acknowledged that challenges lie ahead but affirmed the party’s determination to overcome them, stating, “there are always difficulties on the road. There are times that you have to bend the curve. There are times where you will reach a junction. There are times when you go through valleys. There are times you have to climb hills. We shall deal with all of them and we shall be well.
Background:
A prominent member of the NPP, Alan Kyerematen, resigned from the party on September 25, 2023, to run as an independent presidential candidate.
He cited the NPP’s transformation and stated that the party had been taken over by a select group of leaders, government appointees, power brokers, and unscrupulous party members.
As a result, he decided to contest the 2024 general elections as an independent presidential candidate.
The National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Stephen Ntim, has issued an unequivocal apology to the management of UTV following the unauthorized intrusion of the station’s studios by a group of enraged party supporters.
On Saturday, October 7, 2023, during a live broadcast of the program “United Showbiz,” a faction of NPP members forcefully entered the UTV studios, demanding the removal of Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, who regularly appears as an analyst on the show.
Their discontent stemmed from A Plus tearing apart a letter from the NPP leadership to the management of UTV, which had requested a reform of the United Showbiz panel.
Chairman Ntim, clearly disapproving of the actions of the NPP youth, made a public appearance at the studios of Peace FM on Thursday, where he openly criticized their behavior.
In his apology, Chairman Ntim assured that the party’s leadership would take measures to prevent the recurrence of such regrettable incidents.
“On behalf of the party, I’m rendering an unqualified apology to the management of Despite media, to you Kwami Sefa Kayi and all Ghanaians for what happened. The NPP tradition does not countenance such misbehaviour as we are noted to be disciplined people.
“I want to assure you that going forward the party leadership will ensure that no such reprehensible act is repeated. We will be guided by discipline in our actions, you can count on us,” Chairman Ntim told Host Kwame Sefa Kayi in an interview.
He added: “You know me, there have been several incidents where I have been provoked but I never reacted and always maintained my cool and this is the sort of quality I want to transcend to party members from the National to polling station levels. I want everyone to have self-control in our political discourse.
“Internally, we will put measures in place to ensure that this sort of behaviour does not reoccur. This assurance goes to all media houses across the country.”
NPP National Chairman, Stephen Ntim, apologizes to Dr. Osei Kwame Despite and Despite Media following the invasion of UTV by NPP thugs#UTVGhanapic.twitter.com/GkUi6lmqNC
Ghanaian media personality, Kwami Sefa Kayi, has expressed his concern about the growing complacency among the leadership of both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regarding the behavior of the youth associated with their respective parties.
In his conversation with the media, Mr Kayi highlighted that the lack of discipline and accountability towards certain Ghanaian youth has allowed them to act without restraint.
“Concerning the issue of the youth, two youths from NDC and the NPP, one goes by the name Ernest Kofi Owusu Bempah is NPP, one is also Amos Blessing Amorse is NDC and excuse me to say they are fooling. Owusu Bempah is spearheading a group, #fixingthecountrymovement which aims to picket at former president Mahama’s office,” he added.
His remarks were prompted by recent actions taken by two youths affiliated with the NDC and the NPP.
Ernest Kofi Owusu Bempah, who is associated with the NPP, announced the establishment of an advocacy group and their plan to conduct a nationwide campaign across all 16 regions of Ghana.
The central objective of this campaign is to spotlight and promote the significant achievements of President Akufo-Addo’s administration.
In response to this, Amos Blessing Amorse, a regional youth organizer within the NDC, issued a letter where he warned that if Owusu Bempah’s group resorts to violence, they should be prepared to cover the expenses for their coffins and graves before picketing at the residence of the former president, John Dramani Mahama.
Mr Amorse added, “in the event Owusu Bempah and his group remain nonchalant and attempt anything close to what they have announced, they should pay for their coffins and graves before they come.”
Mr Kayi expressed deep disappointment that these statements and warnings from both groups have been circulating for approximately a week, yet there has been no condemnation or response from the authorities.
He questioned whether authorities were waiting for a harmful incident to occur before addressing these issues.
Mr Kayi further stressed the urgency of rectifying the situation, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration for the betterment of the country.
“It’s been over a week and I haven’t heard any NPP leader or NDC’s leader speak against this and we have kept quiet and watching. I am sure if we dont speak against this and something bad comes out of this we will end up blaming each other. How can a regional youth organizer make such threats in a letter asking protestors to bring their coffins along,” he added.
Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called upon the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to ensure alignment between the party’s stance and the positions held by its officials regarding the recent assault on UTV by certain party members.
During an interview on Peace FM, the minister emphasised the need for the party’s leadership to take corrective measures against officials who have expressed support for the attack, despite the party’s official condemnation of it.
“If the party is punishing people for behaviour inconsistent with the laws of the party or the nation and a member of the party expresses support for such behaviour, I believe it is something that the leadership should also look at.
“Because there must be consistency in the party’s approach. Just as there is consistency in the approach of the party and government in condemning the incident, it is the same way I believe the party leadership should also make sure that there is consistency between those positions and the views expressed by the members of the party,” he stated.
The minister underscored that although party members are entitled to hold varying perspectives on the issue, it is the responsibility of party officials to uphold the party’s official stance on matters. Those who fail to do so should face appropriate consequences.
Background
A group of NPP members stormed the studios of UTV during the broadcast of United Showbiz on Saturday, October 7, 2023, demanding the regular pundit of the show, Kwame Asare Obeng alias A Plus.
The group, said to be unhappy with A Plus shredding a letter by the leadership of the NPP to the management of UTV calling for a reform of United Showbiz, is said to have assaulted some staff of the media company before making their way into the studios.
Subsequently, the police disclosed the apprehension of 16 individuals linked to the assault. This event has garnered broad condemnation from political activists and diverse critics who have characterised it as a direct assault on both media freedom and freedom of speech.
In a statement by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), as issued by its Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, the party has unequivocally denounced the incident. It emphatically stressed that the party neither authorised nor supported the attack on UTV.
Host of UTV’s popular morning show, Adekye Nsroma, Yaa Konamah, has contradicted claims suggesting that the network received a letter from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regarding the alleged politicisation of the prime-time entertainment show, United Showbiz.
According to her, UTV never officially received any communication from the NPP.
Instead, she clarified that the letter in question had been circulated by the party.
The controversy began when a group of individuals believed to have ties with the NPP disrupted a live broadcast of United Showbiz, objecting to what they perceived as the show’s politicisation.
The group alleged that a letter sent by the NPP to address their concerns had been torn into pieces by one of the show’s panelists, A Plus.
Despite an apology issued by the station, the NPP maintained that they had indeed sent a letter to UTV to express their concerns about the alleged politicization of the show.
However, Yaa Konamah, visibly agitated, stated that the purported letter was never received by UTV’s management.
“That letter, they circulated it. Our management has remained silent on it, but you circulated the letter without giving it to the general manager you addressed it to. Call Kennedy Osei Asante and ask him if he ever received the letter; he didn’t.
“And for your information, the leaders of the NPP came to apologise. In public, they attacked us and later came to apologise. The said letter was never sent to the general manager of Despite Media and UTV. And so, the section of the public saying we gave the letter to A Plus, we didn’t,” she said.
The hostess also stated that although the purported NPP’s actions were supported by the law, the hostess of ShowBiz’s move did not prevent the pundit A Plus from tearing up the letter.
“Granted per adventure, Miss Gee (the hostess) didn’t alert A Plus that it was a confidential letter, but the letter was circulating in the public and what crime has he committed that he tore a letter belonging to someone?” she added.
She continued: “Morally, he didn’t show respect but there was nothing wrong; it wasn’t defamatory… Legally, what offence did A Plus commit for tearing the purported letter into pieces? Give us a breathing space, for you’re suffocating us too much.”
The UK chapter of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially endorsed Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia as their choice to lead the party in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
This announcement came following a closed-door meeting held in Accra, Ghana, on August 25, 2023, where the NPP UK branch leadership, led by Chairman Kingsley Adumattah Agyapong, convened for a special electoral college session.
During the meeting, the branch party executives unanimously voiced their support for Bawumia’s candidacy.
“We believe the vice president, amongst all other candidates, is the one who can lead the NPP to retain power and break the eight-year cyclical change of governance,” said Agyapong while stressing the importance of continuity in the party’s developmental initiatives.
“The candidature of Bawumia is strategically important and the right move to break the eight,” he said, highlighting the consensus reached among the majority of members.
The decision to endorse Bawumia followed a comprehensive evaluation of all candidates and extensive discussions with the general membership in the UK.
The branch executives, including the first vice chairman, Alex Appiah Mensah, branch secretary, Otuo Acheampong, and branch women’s organiser, Patricia Achiaa Boakye, reaffirmed their dedication to securing a resounding victory for Bawumia on November 4, 2023.
In response to the endorsement, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia expressed his gratitude to the NPP UK branch for their ongoing support.
“I am deeply appreciative of the confidence and trust the NPP UK branch has placed in me. Together, we will continue the good developmental programmes and initiatives for the betterment of our country,” he said.
The UK branch leadership had previously expressed their appreciation to Bawumia for his active involvement in the NPP International Women’s Conference 2023 held in London. They also reiterated their unwavering commitment to supporting the government and the president.
On Monday, October 9, 2023, the Police Service met the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Election Committee and representatives of flagbearer hopefuls.
Present at the meeting were Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, Spokesperson for the Election Committee, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, former National Organiser for the NPP, Sammi Awuku, among others.
The meeting enabled the parties to discuss and strategize security arrangements for the ruling party’s upcoming Flagbearer Elections scheduled for November 4, 2023.
In a public notice via its social media platform, Facebook, the Police noted that discussions during the meeting centred on the safety of the flagbearer hopefuls, supporters, and the general public, as well as the security of the entire electoral process.
The police pledged their commitment to providing adequate security, resources, and intelligence to ensure law and order during the entire period.
Four individuals are vying for the flagbearer position. They are Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is considered a front-runner, and Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, who is projected to give the Vice President a run for his money.
The remaining two are former Agriculture Minister Dr Afriyie Akoto and former Mampong MP Francis Adai-Nimo.
National Youth Organiser of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has confirmed that the individuals who stormed the studios of United Television in Accra during its popular live entertainment show are indeed affiliated with the party.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s show, Ekosiisen, on Monday, October 9, Mr Mustapha openly acknowledged their connection to the NPP but clarified that the party did not endorse or support the actions of these young men, who included constituency youth organizers and a Deputy Greater Accra Youth Organiser.
“OB, I can’t be on this platform and claim that I don’t know them. All those in the video I know them. And I can confirm that some of them are constituency youth organisers, and one is a Deputy Regional Youth Organiser [Greater Accra]. They are my guys that I work with, and so I cannot deny their bona fide membership of the New Patriotic Party. As for that, I cannot lie on this platform. They’re NPP members that I work with, and I can state emphatically that I know them” he noted.
“OB, truthfully I wasn’t in the know of the action these young guys took. I only had a call when the incident happened, and when I asked they explained what transpired.”
“It was not a premeditated plan that we sat and agreed on. That’s not the case”, adding that, “As the National Youth Organiser, I take full responsibility for what happened. They are my guys who went to conduct themselves inappropriately.”
A group affiliated with the NPP stormed the UTV studios during the live broadcast of its entertainment program, United Showbiz last Saturday, October 7, 2023, shortly after it commenced.
The show then abruptly went off air while commercials filled the screen. The group trooped in to demand the removal of musician Kwame A-Plus, from the programme for tearing up a letter said to be from the Communication wing of the NPP.
Videos of the incident went viral on social media with many condemning the intrusion, while others questioned the state of security at the media house.
Hours later, the Police in a statement announced that it had arrested 16 persons involved in the incident. Subsequently, institutions such as the Ministry of Information, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the National Media Commission (NMC) condemned the attacked, noting that free expression and freedom of the media must be fiercely protected.
According to the GJA, some individuals managed to escape as “30 hooligans attacked the studios of the Accra-based private television station”.
In response to the brouhaha, the leadership of the New Patriotic Party has rendered an apology to UTV, noting that it would cooperate with the police to investigate the matter.
Director of Communications for the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah, who engaged the press noted that the party did not sanction anyone to go and disrupt the United Showbiz programme.
He is quoted to have said “We think that the attack is unacceptable, and it’s condemnable.”
The Ministry of Information has strongly condemned the unauthorised intrusion on UTV studios that occurred during a live broadcast on Saturday evening by some members said to be part of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
A press statement signed by the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and copied to JoyNews on Sunday, October 8 said, “the right to free expression and the freedom of the media are key pillars of our democracy and must be fiercely protected.”
Mr. Oppong-Nkrumah also stated that the Ministry reported the incident to the Ghana Police Service when the Media Monitoring Centre was alerted to an unauthorized intrusion into the studio by a group of individuals seeking to voice their discontent with the content of the live program.
“The Police subsequently arrested 16 persons at the premises of UTV, and investigations are currently ongoing,” the statement added.
The Minister used the opportunity to “encourage the media, especially broadcast media show hosts and panelists, to do their utmost to help promote national cohesion even as they exercise their fundamental freedoms.”
The attack on UTV has triggered widespread condemnation among the Ghanaian populace, prompting calls for swift and decisive action to hold those responsible accountable.
In response, the Ghana Police Service has already apprehended 16 individuals implicated in the attack.
This incident unfolded during the broadcast of the United Showbiz program. As the show commenced, an abrupt and disruptive commotion disrupted the proceedings, leaving viewers both surprised and concerned.
The broadcast abruptly went off the airwaves, replaced by commercials, but subsequent online videos shed light on the unsettling disturbance. A group claiming affiliation with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) reportedly stormed the UTV studios during the live broadcast. Their primary demand was an apology from one of the panelists, A-Plus, accompanied by threats.
In the aftermath of the incident, the show’s host, MzGee, issued an apology to the viewers for the disruption.
Alleged NPP thugs have stormed the studios of UTV to attack Kwame A Plus and other guests ahead of the UnitedShowbiz program. pic.twitter.com/KKQDEN6yuU
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), the ruling political party, has made it unequivocally clear that it neither sanctioned nor authorized the intrusion of UTV studios by certain individuals who claimed to be affiliated with the party.
These individuals disrupted a live television show in protest against remarks made by one of the panelists during the broadcast. The swift action of the police resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals who were allegedly involved in this incident.
Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications for the NPP, asserted in an interview with Citi News that the party is committed to collaborating with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those responsible for the disruption are held accountable for their actions.
“The party did not sanction anyone to go and disrupt the United Showbiz programme as was reported. We have moved swiftly to make an apology to them [UTV], and we are going to cooperate with the police to investigate the matter. We think that the attack is unacceptable, and it’s condemnable,” he said.
In the meantime, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has strongly condemned the attack on UTV’s studios and has called upon the Ghana Police Service (GPS) to take legal action against the assailants.
In a statement released on Sunday, the GJA expressed its concern, stating that approximately “30 hooligans attacked the studios of the Accra-based private television station,” and, although the Police successfully apprehended some of the perpetrators, others managed to evade capture.
NPP thugs are in the studio of UTV to attack Kwame A Plus for tearing a letter the NPP wrote to UTV to stop using the United Showbiz programme to attack the government.
