Member of Alan Kyerematen’s campaign team, Collins Owusu Amankwaa, has emphasized that although the Kumawu seat has traditionally belonged to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the party cannot afford to be complacent.
The former lawmaker says the party must put all measures in place to ensure that they retain the seat.
He said it was for this reason that several senior party officials, including Alan Kyerematen, joined the President and his Vice to campaign for the party’s candidate in the May 23, 2023, by-election.
”Kumawu is a traditional NPP stronghold. But we must not become complacent. I believe the party will keep the seat. However, as a party, we must not become complacent, as this could lead to serious problems.
“That is why Alan had campaigned alongside the President, his Vice, and other senior members of the party. Alan is well-known in Kumawu and has a large following there. He has really campaigned for the NPP’s candidate, and we are confident that we will win tomorrow.”
He bemoaned that “one of the independent candidates, Kwaku Duah, who was a member of the NPP is contesting, and his presence in the election caused some inconveniences, and he managed to use propaganda to convince people to vote against the NPP.”
That was why the party needed to step up its campaign to ensure we won the election. It isn’t over until it is. It is a traditional seat, but if we do not secure everything required for victory, we may be caught off guard.”
He was speaking to Kwabena Agyapong on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm.
The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has alleged that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is engaged in vote buying at the ongoing Kumawu by-election.
Mustapha Gbande says that although the electoral area has been a traditional stronghold of the governing party, it has barely experienced any developmental project.
As a result, the NPP has made vote buying their go-to approach since they have nothing to show for their prolonged years of being in power.
According to him, the party knew before hand that they were heading into the by-election with a bad fate.
“We’re dealing with a traditional NPP stronghold. But if you look at the antecedent of developments, in terms of government interventions, the NPP today led by Nana Akufo-Addo have nothing to show in that constituency.
“You’re dealing with a government that’s coming into a by-election at its stronghold with a bad fate. They’re not thinking about development.
“They keep on with their sloganeering approach and engaged in vote buying. They are sharing money. They are engaged in vote buying and sharing of goodies,” he said on JoyNews’ AM Show on Tuesday.
Mr Gbande alleged that the Chief of Staff, the Regional Chairman of the party, some appointees and others have trooped in to influence vote outcome by sharing monies.
He added that this has become their resort due to fear of losing the seat.
Meanwhile, the politician has expressed optimism about the chances of the opposition NDC snatching the seat from the NPP.
This, he said is underpinned by what the NDC has achieved in the constituency, adding that the party has goodwill.
The Kumawu by-election is currently ongoing in the Ashanti Region. Gunning for the seat are the NDC, NPP and two independent candidates.
Although known to be a powerhouse of the NPP during elections, statistics show that although the party keeps winning, the vote figures are steadily reducing.
However, both caucuses would like to claim victory in this one to strengthen their support in the currently hung parliament.
All contesting candidates in the Kumawu bye-election scheduled for today, May 23, 2023, particularly the two major political parties in the country, the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are poised for victory in the elections.
As part of arrangements, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has deployed all 47 MMDCEs in the Ashanti Region, a good number of MPs, and Deputy Ministers as polling agents for the ongoing Kumawu bye-election.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is also underscoring its high stakes in the by-election by fielding high-ranking party officers and MPs to give the polls a close watch.
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is a polling agent for the NDC, and so is the Municipal Chief Executive for Asante Akyem Central, Robert Kwakye a polling agent for the NPP.
Robert Kwakye in an interview with Adom News’ Nana Boakye Yiadom said the strategy is to help ensure victory and preserve tradition for the party, maintaining that the NPP’s stranglehold on the Kumawu seat is not about to change.
Kumawu is the NPP and NPP is Kumawu, he said, explaining that is the reason no other party has been successful in the constituency.
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), along with two independent candidates are today Tuesday, May 23, battling it out for the Kumawu parliamentary seat.
Ernest Yaw Anim is the NPP candidate, the NDC is fielding Kwasi Amankwaa, while two independent candidates both go by the name Kwaku Dua.
No less than 34,800 persons were registered as voters in the constituency during the 2020 general elections.
President Akufo-Addohas expressed sympathy for those who claim they cannot see the fruits of his administration’s efforts.
According to him, “We have done the work already and those who have eyes to see can see our positive works. But those who cannot see our good works, I am sorry, I cannot help them”.
The president made the comments during the New Partiotic Party’s (NPP) final rally ahead of the highly-anticipated by-election in the Kumawu Constituency of the Ashanti Region.
He told party faithful that he will hand over power to a successor from his party when his tenure expires in January 2025 citing the work that the administration has put in since 2017.
“We shall hand over to NPP presidential candidate in 2024,” the president stressed to cheers from the teeming crowd.
The pro-government Daily Guide’s reporter at the rally said in his May 22 report that the presiddent also compared the reasons his government went to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout as against why the NDC wnet to the global lender in 2015.
He said whiles external shocks of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war forced his government to the IMF, the NDC government went to the IMF because of gross mismanagement in political office.
The Kumawu by-election
Voters will choose a replacement for their Member of Parliament, Philip Atta Basoah, who died on 27th March this year while still serving his 3rd consecutive term.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is represented by Ernest Yaw Anim, whiles Kwasi Amankwaa is the NDC candidate. There are two independent candidates with the name Kwaku Duah also in the race.
Kumawu has been a beehive of political activity in the last week with big wigs from the NDC and NPP holding rallies in the constituency to canvass for votes for the vacant seat.
The EC has issued a notice that it is ready for the vote on Tuesday.
Communities in Kumawu in the Ashanti region have been abandoned by President Akufo-Addo, according to the National Democratic Congress'(NDC) Deputy General Secretary in charge of Operations, Mustapha Gbande.
According to him, for President Akufo-Addoto resort to campaigning even under the funeral of the late MP means the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has lost touch with their stronghold.
The Kumawu by-election follows the death of the MP for the constituency who was buried on Saturday.
The leadership of the NDC and NPP have been in the constituency supporting and campaigning for their various candidates.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Gbande stated that Ghanaians will see either a victory of the NDC or an overwhelming appreciation and unprecedented votes from the Kumawu by-election.
“They have taken the people for granted though it is their stronghold and the NDC went into that constituency with a clear cut message of good will. We have been loyal to them. HE. John Mahama was here briefly within four hours and left. My national chairman and general secretary of the party have left the campaign since and our message has been very simple.
“The track record of this government is so poor when it comes to projects. We showed them an example of the projects at Sir John’s village that after the people went on demonstration to call on the government to do their roads before they come for Sir John’s funeral. They move the machines there right after the funeral, they move the machines back. The same scheme is what they are planning to execute here,” Mr. Gbande stated
He continued: “So clearly our expectations in this election have been met partially, that one the government has lost popularity, two the government has lost touch with its own people, three even in their stronghold Nana Addo has abandoned these communities. These people voted massively for them and it is a good thing for the NDC going into 2024.”
The Kumawu Constituency will in less than 24 hours hold a by-election to elect a new Member of Parliament following the unfortunate passing of the incumbent MP.
The late Philip Basoah, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), passed away on Monday, March 27 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after being admitted for a serious illness.
According to Solomon Basoah, the brother of the deceased MP, Philip Basoah was discovered unconscious in his room on March 24 and was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he unfortunately passed away four days later.
On May 20, the late Philip Basoah, representing the Kumawu constituency in the Ashanti Region, was laid to rest.
As the Electoral Commission prepares to conduct the by-election within the next 24 hours, several candidates are vying to replace Philip Basoah in parliament.
Ernest Yaw Anim
Ernest Yaw Anim emerged as the chosen candidate to represent the party in the Kumawu constituency seat after securing 195 votes, surpassing his rivals, including Ama Serwaa and three others.
As the candidate, Ernest Yaw Anim has been assigned the number one position on the ballot paper.
Confident in his abilities, Ernest Yaw Anim aims to unite party members in the constituency and secure a victory for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming by-election. The Kumawu Parliamentary seat has traditionally been held by the NPP.
Ernest Yaw Anim is widely regarded as the frontrunner and is expected to win the support of the Kumawu Constituency.
Akwasi Amankwa
Akwasi Amankwa, popularly known as ‘Tom Cee,’ has been officially nominated by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to run as their parliamentary candidate in the upcoming by-election on May 23, 2023.
Akwasi Amankwa is believed to be the brother of Dr. Kwabena Duffour, a former Finance Minister.
On the ballot paper, Akwasi Amankwa has been assigned the second position.
With this nomination, Akwasi Amankwa aims to lead the NDC and contest for the parliamentary seat, bringing his experience and perspective to the campaign.
Independent Candidate Kwaku Duah
Kwaku Duah has chosen to run as an independent candidate. In 2020 he contested the deceased MP election.
Mr Duah came second in the 2020 contest with a total valid vote of 11,698, representing 39.96% of the total votes, as against Mr Basoah who won the race with 14,960 valid votes, representing 51.11%.
He is seeking to join parliament as an independent candidate on May 23 after the by-elections.
Kwaku Duah is number 3 on the ballot paper.
Kwaku Duah
Another candidate bearing the name Kwaku Duah joined the contest as an independent candidate for the Kumawu Constituency.
Relatively unknown to the electorate until the declaration of his intent to contest in the election, Kwaku Duah is seeking to join parliament as the MP for Kumawu Constituency.
President Akufo-Addo on Saturday, 20 May 2023 bid farewell to the late New Patriotic Party(NPP) MP for Kumawu, Philip Basoah.
Basoah died on Monday (27 March 2023) while receiving treatment at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
A host of dignitaries, including Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Second Lady Samira Bawumia, as well as the former trade minister Alan Kyerematen, Dr Kwabena Duffuor and MPs attended the funeral.
President Akufo-Addo has said that he is confident he will hand over power to a New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate in 2025 following the upcoming general elections.
The president is reported to have made the comments during the NPP’s final rally ahead of the highly-anticipated by-election in the Kumawu Constituency of the Ashanti Region.
The pro-government Daily Guide led their May 22 edition with the banner headline “I’ll hand over power to NPP – Nana.”
Akufo-Addo is by his comment suggesting that the NPP will win the 2024 election and by that ‘break the 8’ – a terminology that the party has coined as it aims to win a historic third consecutive term in office under the current constitution.
The last time the president spoke about handing over, he expressed the wish to hand over to an NPP successor at a prayer and thanksgiving service at the National Mosque in Accra after the party’s National Leadership elections.
In the recent past, agric minister Bryan Acheamponghogged news headlines when he claimed that the NPP was never going to hand over power to the NDC warning that the party will match the main opposition if they try any foolishness.
The Kumawu by-election
Voters will choose a replacement for their Member of Parliament, Philip Atta Basoah, who died on 27th March this year while still serving his 3rd consecutive term.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is represented by Ernest Yaw Anim, whiles Kwasi Amankwaa is the NDC candidate. There are two independent candidates with the name Kwaku Duah also in the race.
Kumawu has been a beehive of political activity in the last week with big wigs from the NDC and NPP holding rallies in the constituency to canvass for votes for the vacant seat.
The EC has issued a notice that it is ready for the vote on Tuesday.
President Akufo-Addo has urged people in the Kumawu constituency to cast their ballots for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate in Tuesday’s by-election.
The two main political parties, NPP and National Democratic Congress (NDC) are on a drive to annex the seat.
With the highly anticipated by-election inKumawu set to take place in about 24 hours, top political party bigwigs in the NPP and NDC have intensified efforts in their bid to ensure their candidate wins the seat.
While a former President, John Dramani Mahama is making a strong case for the NDC, President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia are convincing delegates to vote for their party’s candidate.
The two independent candidates in the race have also vowed to cause an upset.
The atmosphere at Kumawu on Sunday, 21st May 2023 was a politically charged one as the NPP embarked on a massive rally.
Speaking during the NPP’s final rally in the constituency held on Sunday, May 21, the President who endorsed Ernest Yaw Anim urged the constituents to vote for him.
“The replacement for Philip Basoah is handsome, humble, and kind-hearted and is ready to serve you. He has united all members of the party in this constituency. Ernest Yaw Anim deserves to do the job. He’s number one on the ballot paper, place your thumb on where you see him, we don’t want any deceptive candidate“.
On his part, the Vice President touted the achievements of the NPP and reminded the constituents of the projects they will miss if they vote for the NDC’s candidate.
“Vote for the NPP’s candidate to go to parliament to bring development to the constituency. The NDC should know that we haven’t forgotten the dumsor era. Do you want us to experience dumsor again?” he asked.
The NPP parliamentary candidate for Kumawu, Ernest Yaw Anim also urged the constituents to avoid complacency and go out in their numbers to vote massively for him in order to ensure a resounding victory.
“Let’s all go out in our numbers to vote massively for me to win,” he urged.
The NPP’s rally was led by President Akufo-Addo, his Vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and other NPP stalwarts including a former Trade Minister and a flagbearer hopeful of NPP, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, former Agric Minister and a flagbearer aspirant, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, NPP’s National Chairman, Stephen Ntim amongst others.
There is a heavy security presence in Kumawu as dozens of security personnel have been deployed to the area ahead of the by-election.
The four contestants include Ernest Yaw Anim of NPP, NDC’s Kwasi Amankwaa and two independent candidates.
The National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye popularly known as Nana B, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the approach taken by Joseph Yammin, the National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Nana B claims that Joseph Yammin has neglected his responsibilities as an organizer by focusing too heavily on social media activities rather than engaging on the ground.
Speaking in an interview with Okay FM on May 19, 2023, Nana B highlighted Yammin’s lack of knowledge about Kumawu’s by-election.
He questioned Yammin’s familiarity with the local polling stations, electoral areas, and even the chiefs in Kumawu. He further challenged Yammin to name ten towns in Kumawu, suggesting a lack of deep understanding of the constituency’s intricacies.
“Joseph Yammin is not really understanding his job.
“For Joseph Yammin, he doesn’t even know all the electoral areas in Kumawu, ask him how many polling stations are in Kumawu and electoral areas in Kumawu, he doesn’t know. Ask him if he knows any chief in Kumawu. Ask him, what is the name of Sekyeremanhene…ask him to mention ten towns in Kumawu, he doesn’t know, so for him ignore him,” he said.
The NPP national organizer also criticized Yammin for making serious allegations on social media without proper evidence. Nana B referred to a recent incident where Yammin claimed to have seen a vehicle carrying ammunition heading towards Kumawu ahead of the by-election.
According to him, he considers the allegation a cause for concern, as it could potentially spread fear and panic among the public, therefore, Yammin should be invited by the police for questioning to clarify the basis of his claim.
“I saw him posting on social media that he has seen a car with ammunition heading toward Kumawu, I think this is a serious allegation and he must be invited by the police for questioning because he is causing fear and panic. Are you a serious organizer? Which organizer organizes or mobilizes on social media; he needs to be serious….my brother Yammin should be serious about the work. You are the national organizer of the biggest opposition party; you don’t just come on social media to say anything at all,” he added.
Nana B’s remarks reflect the ongoing rivalry between the NPP and the NDC, the two major political parties in Ghana. Both parties are gearing up for a by-election on May 23, 2023, in Kumawu following the demise of the sitting MP, Philip Atta Basoah.
The candidature of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) primaries has been confirmed by aides, groups and supporters except for the man himself.
The closest he came to a declaration was a social media post titled “IT IS POSSIBLE,” and to say generally that the NPP can retin power beyond the cyclical eight years – that is, break the eight.
Bawumia has, however, made a public pronouncement on Saturday, May 20, 2023, during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Sekyere in the Sekyere Kumawu District, Adom News reports.
A report filed by Ohemeng Tawiah read in part: “His comments followed a question by the Chief of Sekyere, Nana Osei Kwabena Onini Pobi II for the Vice President to clear rumours he (Vice President) could be in the race to lead the NPP.
“In response, Dr Bawumia said he had thought and prayed about it and concluded that indeed when nominations open, he will be in the race.”
Bawumia is believed to have wide support of Members of Parliament (MPs) and within the rank and file, he will come up against other heavyweights like former trade minister Alan Kyerematen and Assin Central lawmaker, Kennedy Agyapong.
Most of the candidates are in Kumawu to support the NPP’s candidate in Tuesday’s parliamentary by-election, Ernest Yaw Anim.
Social media platform Twitter was set ablaze with comments from two members of the leading political party in the country.
Two Members of Parliament were throwing jabs at each other on social media platform Twitter as they sought to make points backing their preferred presidential candidates.
It started with Builsa South MP, Clement Apaak’s usual jab at the Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in a May 18, 2023 tweet.
The Builsa South MP shared a GhanaWeb link to a story of some farmers saying the NPP should not elect a liar as its presidential candidate. Apaak captioned his post: “It’s now obvious that Bawumia’s reputation as a LIAR is common knowledge!”
The post which did not sit well with Nsawam Adoagyiri MP, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, a pro-Bawumia lawmaker and Majority Chief Whip; who hit back before Apaak staged a comeback.
Annoh-Dompreh: “Dr. Your feeble jabs can not tickle us, not in the least. We remain focused on the ball. DMB. we are possessed, JM’s nightmare & Ghana’s darling boy!.”
Apaak: “Hon. Dompre, Dr. Bawumia is NOT a flagbearer yet, so what you describe as my feeble jabs are only teasers. The main show will commence if your Galamsey party makes the Lying One your flagbearer. Good news is that I won’t sweat listing pages of his lies, Google will assist me!”
The NDC on May 14 declared Mahama winner of its presidential primary and its candidate for the 2024 elections.
The NPP is yet to hold its congress to elect a flagbearer for the 2024 polls, Bawumia is seen as a frontrunner along with former trade minister Alan Kyerematen and Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong.
The deceased Member of Parliament for Kumawu, Philip Basoah will be buried today, Saturday, May 20, 2023.
He died on Monday, March 27 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he had been on admission for a serious ailment.
According to a report by the brother of the late Kumawu Member of Parliament, Philip Basoah, Solomon Basoah, his brother was found unconscious in his room on March 24 and was rushed to the hospital where he passed four days later.
Some Members of Parliament are expected to be present at the funeral to bid farewell to their colleagues and to support and commiserate with the family of the deceased MP.
According to Citinewsroom.com, Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah said, “The chief mourner, Kumawuhene, Barima Sarfo Tweneboah Kodua II has confirmed to us [NPP] that the funeral is happening on Saturday. All things being equal, our brother will be laid to rest, and we wish that his soul will be at peace. And we will carry on with whatever activities we have to undertake to make sure his legacy is firmly planted”.
Just after the burial, the Electoral Commission (EC) will conduct the Kumawu by-election on May 23, 2023.
Ahead of that, the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party are campaigning in the constituency for the votes of the people.
The NPP for instance started some infrastructural activities in the constituency a few days ago. Some of the town’s roads were asphalted and work is also progressing steadily at Woraso, Bodomase, Besoro and Kumawu-Effiduase highways.
The National Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party(NPP) Stephen Ntim has urged the good people of Kumawu not to vote for any other candidate except the party’s candidate in the by-election, Ernest Yaw Anim to become the Member of Parliament for the area.
Ahead of the by-election slated for May 23, 2023, one of the independent candidates, Kwaku Duah who chose to run independent against the deceased MP in 2020, is going round the constituency telling the constituents that he’s also an NPP member who they should vote to represent them in Parliament.
But Chairman Stephen Ntim who is in the Kumawu constituency vigorously campaigning for the NPP candidate has told the electorate that Ernest Yaw Anim is the only candidate that the party recognizes and supports, who must be voted for.
“The NPP knows only Ernest Yaw Kumi and he’s the one the party is presenting. Vote massively for him to become the MP. Don’t listen to any other candidate who claims to be NPP member. If the independent candidate claims to be a true NPP member, he wouldn’t have abandoned the party at this crucial period to pursue his parochial interest. Yaw Anim is the right man for the job who will serve you very well and the party will support him to bring you the needed development.”
Chairman Ntim described Yaw Anim as a very hardworking, energetic, intelligent young politician and a unifier who will not disappoint the people of Kumawu if he should be given the opportunity to lead them.
Meanwhile, the arrival of the NPP National Chairman, Stephen Ntim in the Kumawu constituency has galvanized the grassroots of the party who are campaigning vigorously to ensure the party retains the parliamentary seat.
He arrived in Kumawu with other National Executives, including Mr. Danquah Smith-Butey, National 1st Vice Chairman, National 3rd Vice Alhaji Masawuud, Nana B, National Organizer, Dr Charles Dwamena and host other top NPP members.
The Kumawu by-election is being held following the death of the former MP of the area, Philip Basoah at the age of 53 at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on March 27.
Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu (Esq), has campaigned for the adoption of an electronic voting method in parliament.
Sosu believes that incorporating e-voting systems in parliament will facilitate prompt decision-making on the floor and improve the accessibility of voting records for various MPs on specific Bills, legislations, and subjects, similar to practices in other jurisdictions.
According to Sosu, this technological advancement will significantly contribute to the well-being of the House members.
He emphasized the need for parliament as an institution to review its internal mechanisms and procedures to ensure the swift passage and resolution of critical Bills and businesses.
“The time has come for Parliament as an institution to review its internal mechanisms and procedures to ensure speedy passage and resolution of critical Bills and businesses on the floor of the House, and ensure readily available data on records of votes of each MP”.
“This will also guarantee improved health and wellbeing of members, especially aged members, and ensure members are decorous during decision-making at all times.”
Parliament has historically devoted excessive hours to the consideration of Bills and legislations on the floor, with recent debates on the contentious e-levy bill serving as a vivid example.
Sosu further explained that an e-voting system would shed light on the functioning of Members of Parliament, enabling constituents to better understand and appreciate the positions and perspectives of their elected representatives on various subjects.
These remarks were made by the Madina MP during a stakeholders dialogue session, aimed at promoting participatory democracy and reviewing his performance over the past two years.
Aspiring presidential candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP),Hon. Joe Ghartey, has urged the party delegates to elect a seasoned and reliable candidate for the 2024 general elections.
He said that the party needed someone who was loyal and also had compassion to lead the party. The former Minister of Railways Development, while talking in an interview with Sir John on Fox morning drive on Tuesday as part of his tour of the Ashanti Region, monitored by The Chronicle, urged the delegates to do the needful by voting him if they wanted the party to break the 8 years myth.
Joe Ghartey explained that he had been a member of the NPP since 1992 when the party was formed, and had since touted the ideals and campaigned for the party to move the country forward.
He indicated that Railway Transport was his priority and it was intention to focus on transportation infrastructure to develop Ghana. He stressing that as a country “we must always strive to go forward and not backwards.”
Speaking to the media, Joe Ghartey stated that the Justice for All programme he initiated had decongested Ghana’s prisons.
He said the introduction of the Justice for All programme had reduced the number of remand persons in Ghanaian prisons to 9% from 33%
“Justice for All” was a programme which, among other things, moved the court into the prisons to grant relief to people who were unjustifiably incarcerated. Today, I say this to praise the Lord, that only 9% of our inmates are remand prisoners,” Joe Ghartey educated listeners of Angel FM.
He explained that the decision to introduce such a life-touching programme was realised after visiting theKumasi Central Prison, where he saw that the place was overcrowded, during which he met a young lady who had been jailed in very unfortunate circumstances.
He added that “other African countries like Kenya have adopted the programme to help reduce the number of remand prisoners in their prisons in their countries.”
The lawmaker affirmed that these initiatives made him happy, because it was all about making a difference wherever he found himself in serving the people.
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has set November 4, 2023 for its presidential primary to select a flagbearer for the general elections in 2024.
Former Attorney General and Minister for Justice Joe Ghartey will face former Agric Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Former Trade Minister, Mr. Boakye Agyako, former Energy Minister; Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, Mr. Kwabena Agyapong, former General Secretary of the party, Mr. Francis Addai-Nimoh and Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku alongside the Vice. President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who have all declared their intention to contest in the upcoming presidential primary to seek the mandate to lead the party ahead of the 2024 polls.
Following the death of Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumawu, Philip Basoah, residents of the area will vote in a by-election on May 23, 2023, to choose a new representative.
While everything now seems set for the election, a development in the names of two out of the four candidates who have been approved by the Electoral Commissionto contest in the election has got political watchers now paying closer attention to the contest.
Prior to the announcement of the notice of poll by the EC, the contest had already generated interest as the elected candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ernest Yaw Anim, was expected to face stiff competition in the bid of his party to retain the seat.
His closest contenders include a former member of the party in the constituency, Kwaku Duah, who chose to run independently against the deceased MP in the 2020 election.
Mr. Duah came second in the 2020 contest with a total valid vote of 11,698, representing 39.96% of the total votes, as against Mr. Basoah who won the race with 14,960 valid votes, representing 51.11% of the total votes.
Aside from having to contend with Kwaku Duah, who has also decided to contest again in the upcoming election, the NPP also has to worry about the candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Kwasi Amankwah, who some believe may be able to take advantage of the situation and grab a win, even though the Kumawu Constituency is traditionally an NPP seat.
However, in what some people believe to be a move sponsored by the ruling NPP, another candidate also bearing the name Kwaku Duah has joined the contest as an independent candidate.
Relatively unknown to the electorate until the declaration of his intent to contest in the election, some critics believe the young independent candidate, who hails from Bodomase, is being sponsored by the NPP in a clever strategy to derail the prospects of the leading independent candidate.
Per the rules of the EC, independent candidates, when it comes to their appearance on the ballot paper, only have the advantage of “first come, first serve” after the position of candidates representing registered political parties is determined.
Thus, come May 23, the two Kwaku Duahs will appear in consecutive order at the bottom of the ballot paper.
Strikingly, the new Kwaku Duah chose a dove as his symbol on the ballot paper, just like the senior Kwaku Duah.
Other candidates in the race for the Kumawu by-election are candidates of the Convention People’s Party and the Liberal People’s Party, bringing the total number of contenders to six.
Director of Communications for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has stated that the newly-elected flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, will not keep his pledges if elected president in 2024.
According to him, Mr Mahama’s victory speech delivered after the NDC’s presidential and parliamentary primaries, was unconvincing and an attempt to whitewash his under-performance during his tenure in government.
“Everything the former president said yesterday [Monday] cannot be trusted. Nobody will be able to hang their hat on it. Because if you measure his performance in the past and what he’s saying, you ask the simple question, why didn’t he do these things the first time?” Ahiagbah stated while speaking journalists on Tuesday.
Mr Mahama on Monday, May 15, officially addressed party members and the nation at large, outlining some of the plans and policies he intends to implement if he wins the 2024 election.
Among other things, the former president promised to speed up investigations into the killing of late journalist, Ahmed Sualeto ensure that justice is served.
But Mr. Ahiagbah says based on the history of previous killings that were not fully dealt with under Mahama, he cannot be trusted on this promise.
“Under him [John Mahama] J. B Dankwa died. Samuel Ennin died under him. Now suddenly he’s able to investigate the death of Ahmed Suale. What happened to Ennin? What about J.B. Danquah’s death? Why was it not investigated if it was that simple to just investigate that in a broad stroke?” Mr Ahiagbah quizzed.
It is unclear if Mr. Ahiagbah’s mention of Samuel Ennin was in reference to the late Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, who was killed in 2007 under the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor. Meanwhile.
Mr Mahama also promised to reinstate the licenses of some of the banks that were ‘unjustly’ revoked by the NPP government.
But Mr. Ahiagbah does not think the former President can keep this promise either.
Speaking on the same show, the special aide to former president John Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari advised that the NPP communicator be disregarded.
She said the NPP is only on an endless mission to taint Mr Mahama’s reputation.
“We live in a government that has failed entirely to deliver on any promise they ever made to the good people of Ghana. He [Richard Ahiagbah literally speaks from the left and right of his mouth, and I think all he thinks about is how to make President Mahama look and sound unconvincing,” she said.
Madam Mogtari stressed that the NDC was much better at running the country since they fulfilled most promises made to Ghanaians.
“We are actually where we are, and we have so many Ghanaians, young and old, who are listening and paying rapt attention, who are actually watching and waiting to see just what Mr Mahama has to offer tells you one thing; that Mr Mahama has proven himself resilient enough.
“Mr Mahama has had occasion to indicate that he didn’t say that everything was perfect under his watch. But, go back and search the Corruption Perception Index. We were doing much better. Go and check the press freedom. We were doing much better.
“Check the Ghana Integrity Initiative report. We were doing much better. In terms of even your media freedom, we were doing much better. In terms of tolerance, taking responsibility, leadership, and equity we were doing much better,” she noted.
Meanwhile, a Political Marketing Strategist, Dr. Tutu Boahene says the results of the just-ended NDC primaries indicated that John Dramani has improved his support base.
“When you check the statistics, not just the percentage, which is the 98.9%, but the various constituencies and the numbers that were coming, he [John Mahama], has actually gathered a lot of support in some of these areas. In fact, for you to get an absolute figure of about 2,880 from Ashiaman, that is very powerful.
“And even though we know that Ashiaman is a strong area for the NDC, it tells you that the delegates went for him. And if the voting pattern in these areas is anything to go by in terms of the representation on the ground, then obviously we would expect that it is going to be a straight win probably for the NDC come 2024,” he said.
Political Communications Lecturer at UniMAC-GIJ, Dr. Paul Ezuah, has asked flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama to go gently with the promises he’s making ahead of 2024 general elections.
The former President in his victory speech on Monday reiterated a litany of promises he says he wants Ghanaians to hold him to if they vote him to become President in 2025.
Mr Mahama among others, promised to run the leanest but most efficient government under the fourth republic by appointing not more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers. Work to abolish the payment of Ex-gratia and cut out waste and ostentation in Government.
He also promised to give anti-corruption state institutions unfettered space to operate – The days of the Clearing agent must come to an end on January 07, 2025.
Speaking to Starr News, Dr. Paul Ezuah said even though this is to be expected in political seasons, John Mahama should hasten slowly given a recent history of unfulfilled promises.
“Looking at how he spoke about the whole thing, it is good. But let us be mindful that we are in Ghana where we have in the past had promises being made everywhere and very little is fulfilled. So for me, I will advise that he’ll hasten slowly as far as promises are concerned because we have the benefit of hindsight and we also know what has happened before even in the NDC and NPP.”
“The electorate in Ghana do not really fancy promises, they want the work to be done for them to see that the right thing is being done. So, on one hand, I will say that it’s good but he should tone down a bit on the promises because if he doesn’t fulfill it, it will be counter-productive as far as the 2024 election is concerned,” Dr. Paul Ezuah added.
A disqualified National Democratic Congress(NDC) flagbearer aspirant, Kojo Bonsu, has urged party members to work together in order to support the mission to save Ghana from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The former Kumasi Mayor who failed in his bid to become the flagbearer of the opposition NDC said former President John Mahama’s landslide victory is a clear warning to the ruling government that the NDC together with millions of disappointed floating voters shall cause change at the polls in December 2024.
Mr Bonsu also called on Dr. Kwabena Duffour who withdrew from the flagbearership contest to consider the great value he adds and to join forces with the party to wrestle power from the nation-wrecking NPP.
“Now that our elections are over, first, I wish to congratulate H.E John Dramani Mahama for emerging victorious at the end of the day. His landslide victory is a resounding and clear warning the ruling government that the NDC together with millions of disappointed floating voters shall cause change at the polls in December 2024
“I also call on my senior comrade. Dr. Kwabena Duffour to consider the great value he adds and join forces with the party for us all to wrestle power from the nation-wrecking NPP.
“Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the electioneering process and the outcome of the election itself, we must now all join the rescue mission of liberating our mother Ghana from the modern-day imperialism and colonialism practiced in a benevolent democracy under this NPP government.
“What is ahead of us is far bigger than any spilled milk. We cannot afford to lose any single effort going into the 2024 general elections and we must be relentless in our united pursuit of victory. Together, we shall be invincible.”
Member of Parliament for New Juaben South Constituency in the Eastern region who doubles as the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Michael Okyere Baafi has stated that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is the best candidate to become Ghana’s next President.
He said the era where flagbearership position in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was a preserve for Akans is over.
According to him, it is now time for other tribes to also take over to lead the party as presidential candidates and to ascend the presidential seat.
Mr. Okyere Baafi explained that the NPP is made up of members from different ethnic groups and religions, therefore, appropriate for anyone qualified to lead the party regardless of his or her background.
“What I want to say is that, with the direction of the country, it is not only one community which makes Ghana. We have Ashantis, we have Ewes, we have Gas, we have Krobos and Bonos in Ghana. Some of all these tribes are Members of NPP which means the era where only Akans lead the party is over. Now we need people from all these tribes listed to also lead the party to become president” Okyere Baafi said.
Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi made this comment when speaking at the official launch of “Women Delegates For Bawumia” in Koforidua, the Eastern regional capital.
Okyere Baafi described as deceitful and untenable claims that Ghana is a Christian-dominated country therefore a Muslim cannot become president.
“They say Ghana is a Christian country so some say a Muslim cannot lead the country. This is where I want to speak briefly on. For all those contesting the election, the only one who can be president is called Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. Among the aspirants the only one who can lead the party into victory, his name is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia”.
He continued, “Some Christians who want to deceive you that they are the majority so won’t vote for Muslim must cast their minds to Nigeria. In Nigeria, Muslims are majority but the President is a Christian. In Senegal, Muslims are majority but the President is a Christian. Listen very well! A country with diverse tribes means everyone could become president in future”.
He said Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has demystified the myth that Muslims cannot fellowship with Christians in church, and has set a standard that will become a yardstick for every Muslim who wants to be President.
“Christians must listen. For the first time, we are going to have a Muslim as President to serve as standard to every Muslim who dreams to be President. Dr.Bawumia will be the first Muslim to bring that standard because most Muslims don’t enter Churches to fellowship but we have a Muslim (Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia) who attends all-night services, a Muslim who goes to conventions, a Muslim who attends retreats, a Muslim who worships with Christians such a Muslim will become standard”.
He added “So henceforth, every Muslim who wants to be president will follow the standard. He must be a Muslim who can enter into churches, he should be a Muslim who can attend retreats, that is the paradigm shift brought to Ghana by Dr. Bawumia. He is setting a standard for everybody who is a Muslim who wants to become a president, for the first time he has set the standard for all of us. So don’t let anyone deceive you. Dr. Bawumia is well experienced, he has the will-power, he has the expertise, he has knowledge and wisdom to move Ghana forward.”
“Women Delegates for Bawumia” is a new political group within the ruling NPP made up of female delegates who have declared support for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to become flagbearer of the party in 2024.”
The theme for the Women Delegates for Bawumia is “The Strength of a Woman, the force behind Bawumia.”
The launch was attended by female delegates of the NPP from all 33 Constituencies in the Eastern region.
The National Coordinator of “Women Delegates for Bawumia” Maame Esi Davenport said the aim of the group is to secure 80% female delegates’ votes for Dr. Bawumia.
This she said will be done through a vigorous campaign strategy trumpeting the achievements of the Akufo Addo/Bawumia-led government.
She touted the competence of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in leading the country describing him as an able and exceptional Vice President whose involvement in politics has changed the face of Ghanaian politics.
She stated that Dr. Bawumia’s experience in both the private and public sectors adds to his credentials as the best presidential material.
She averred that Dr. Bawumia has been instrumental in the Akufo Addo-led government’s policy interventions impacting positively the country
Maame Esi Davenport debunked propaganda by opponents that Dr. Bawumia is new in NPP stating that “he has been with the NPP for decades, worked so hard for the NPP to win power through his economic lectures that exposed the incompetence of John Mahama led government” therefore deserves to lead the party.
On women empowerment, she said Dr.Bawumia has demonstrated in many ways his commitment to empowering women to take leadership roles to change society, using his Wife the second lady Samira Bawumia as an example.
The period of Akans holding the flagbearership post in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is over, according to Member of Parliament for New Juaben South Constituency in the Eastern region and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi.
According to him, it is now time for other tribes to also take over to lead the party as presidential candidates and to ascend the presidential seat.
Mr. Okyere Baafi explained that the NPP is made up of members from different ethnic groups and religions, therefore, appropriate for anyone qualified to lead the party regardless of his or her background.
“What I want to say is that, with the direction of the country, it is not only one community which makes Ghana. We have Ashantis, we have Ewes, we have Gas, we have Krobos and Bonos in Ghana. Some of all these tribes are Members of NPP which means the era where only Akans lead the party is over. Now we need people from all these tribes listed to also lead the party to become president” Okyere Baafi said.
Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi made this comment when speaking at the official launch of “Women Delegates For Bawumia” in Koforidua, the Eastern regional capital.
Okyere Baafi described as deceitful and untenable claims that Ghana is a Christian-dominated country therefore a Muslim cannot become president.
“They say Ghana is a Christian country so some say a Muslim cannot lead the country. This is where I want to speak briefly on. For all those contesting the election, the only one who can be president is called Mr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Among the aspirants the only one who can lead the party into victory, his name is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia”.
He continued, “Some Christians who want to deceive you that they are the majority so won’t vote for Muslim must cast their minds to Nigeria. In Nigeria, Muslims are majority but the President is a Christian. In Senegal, Muslims are majority but the President is a Christian. Listen very well! A country with diverse tribes means everyone could become president in future”.
He said Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has demystified the myth that Muslims cannot fellowship with Christians in church, and has set a standard that will become a yardstick for every Muslim who wants to be President.
“Christians must listen. For the first time, we are going to have a Muslim as President to serve as standard to every Muslim who dreams to be President. Dr.Bawumia will be the first Muslim to bring that standard because most Muslims don’t enter Churches to fellowship but we have a Muslim (Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia) who attends all-night services, a Muslim who goes to conventions, a Muslim who attends retreats, a Muslim who worships with Christians such a Muslim will become standard”.
He added “So henceforth, every Muslim who wants to be president will follow the standard. He must be a Muslim who can enter into churches, he should be a Muslim who can attend retreats, that is the paradigm shift brought to Ghana by Dr. Bawumia. He is setting a standard for everybody who is a Muslim who wants to become a president, for the first time he has set the standard for all of us. So don’t let anyone deceive you. Dr. Bawumia is well experienced, he has the will-power, he has the expertise, he has knowledge and wisdom to move Ghana forward.”
“Women Delegates for Bawumia” is a new political group within the ruling NPP made up of female delegates who have declared support for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to become flagbearer of the party in 2024.”
The theme for the Women Delegates for Bawumia is “The Strength of a Woman, the force behind Bawumia.”
The launch was attended by female delegates of the NPP from all 33 Constituencies in the Eastern region.
The National Coordinator of “Women Delegates for Bawumia” Maame Esi Davenport said the aim of the group is to secure 80% female delegates’ votes for Dr. Bawumia.
This she said will be done through a vigorous campaign strategy trumpeting the achievements of the Akufo Addo/Bawumia-led government.
She touted the competence of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in leading the country describing him as an able and exceptional Vice President whose involvement in politics has changed the face of Ghanaian politics.
She stated that Dr. Bawumia’s experience in both the private and public sectors adds to his credentials as the best presidential material.
She averred that Dr. Bawumia has been instrumental in the Akufo Addo-led government’s policy interventions impacting positively the country
Maame Esi Davenport debunked propaganda by opponents that Dr. Bawumia is new in NPP stating that “he has been with the NPP for decades, worked so hard for the NPP to win power through his economic lectures that exposed the incompetence of John Mahama led government” therefore deserves to lead the party.
On women empowerment, she said Dr.Bawumia has demonstrated in many ways his commitment to empowering women to take leadership roles to change society, using his Wife the second lady Samira Bawumia as an example.
A Deputy Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ernest Owusu Bempah has stormed Kumawu in the Ashanti Region to campaign for NPP parliamentary candidate in the byelection.
He was accompanied by Sekyere and Asawase women’s organizers as well as Andy Owusu, the adviser to NPP Chairman for the Ashanti Region Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wutumi).
After visiting several drinking establishments and ghettos in Kumawu, Oyoko, and Besoro, he was greeted enthusiastically by the youth of Kumawu.
He later stormed the Kumawu community park to watch the finals football game organized by the parliamentary candidate.
The by-election to elect a new Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumawu Constituency in the Ashanti Region is slated for May 23, the Electoral Commission (EC) announced.
It followed the death of the former MP of the area, Philip Basoah at the age of 53 at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on March 27.
Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the national secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to prepare for an intense contest in the general election of 2024.
Mr. Kwetey, who was overseeing the Korley Klottey Constituency elections, praised the Party’s primaries as being “so far, so good” and noted that the general election of 2024 will be fascinating, necessitating the NPP’s need to go into “overdrive” in preparation.
The primaries, according to the general secretary, are crucial for getting ready for the 2024 election.
“Once we know who the leader of the Party is going to be, we know who majority of our parliamentary candidates are going to be, the Party now gets into the business of strategising towards 2024,” he stated.
Parliamentary aspirants for the Korle Klottey Constituency were Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, Madam Meredith Naakai Lamptey-Addy and Nii John Coleman.
At the end of the race, Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings emerged winner.
With just a few days to hit the election ground for the much anticipated National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential and Parliamentary primaries, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is urging their opponents to hold an election devoid of hooliganism or violence.
The General Secretary of NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong said the government wants a peaceful atmosphere and will not countenance illegality.
Mr Kodua Frimpong thus asked national executives of NDC to ensure all grievances raised by parties involved in the primaries are addressed fairly.
“We have also seen the injunction filed by Dr Duffuor, we are urging the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to have a critical look at it.
As a government, we are more committed towards having a peaceful atmosphere in the country, and we will not let people take the laws into their hands.
We want successful primaries, we don’t want any tension, hooliganism or any form of activities the constitution frowns on. At the end of the day, we want them to have credible primaries,” the General Secretary of the NPP stated in an interview with Citi TV.
Dr Kwabena Duffour who is a flagbearer hopeful of the party has filed a suit against the party following what he says are some discrepancies his team has identified in the party’s voters register to be used for the exercise.
In a writ filed at an Accra High Court, Dr Duffour indicated that the party failed to provide the required photo album register five weeks before the elections as stated in the party’s rules.
He stated that a partial photo album register was given to his team on May 4, a few days before the elections rather than in March when they had submitted a request for one.
“The Plaintiff adds that to their utmost surprise, upon verification, it was found that the number of constituencies on the hard drive given to his representatives was 220 in number as opposed to the alleged number of 228 constituencies indicated by Defendant,” he stated.
“The Plaintiff adds further that an initial verification of the said 220 constituencies on the hard drive given to his representatives by the 2nd Defendant established basic errors and inaccuracies that render the Photo Album Register inaccurate and unreliable for a free, fair and credible election.
Dr Duffour added that despite his request for a postponement of the elections until a full photo album register is secured, the party has failed to heed his request.
However, the lawyers for the NDC have urged an Accra High Court to dismiss what they say is a frivolous and incompetent case filed by flagbearer aspirant, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor.
They also described the case as one not grounded in law.
“We submit that the plaintiff’s suit is incompetent and therefore ought to be dismissed in limine. Again, the plaintiff has not been able to demonstrate on the face of his pleadings and affidavit that it is just or convenient for the Honourable Court to grant the injunction that he seeks.”
Former President, John Dramani Mahama has advised Ghanaians to refrain from placing their hopes in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for a better economy.
Speaking to National Democratic Congress delegates in the Wa East constituency in the Upper West Region, Mahama claimed that the NPP is not capable of changing Ghana’s fortunes within the remaining one and a half years left for it to leave power.
Mahama opined that the NPP has been in power for almost seven years hence has nothing new to offer.
He thus advised Ghanaians not to expect any miracles from the NPP.
“We have experienced NDC’s administration- after Professor Evans Atta-Mills, I took over from him making it 8 years. And we have experienced NPP for almost 7 years. They are left with one and a half years more, no miracle is going to happen. What they have done is all that they can do, they are not going to add anything to it. So anybody thinking that there will be a miracle is just tickling himself and dreaming. What you have is all there is, there’s going to be nothing more,” Mr. Mahama said.
Mahama’s comments come at a time when the government is engaging the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $3 billion bailout to help restore the ailing economy.
The government has also rolled out policies and programs aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability.
The government has expressed hope of securing the Paris Club financing assurances within the shortest possible time to enable the $3 billion support from the IMF. The Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah, assured that discussions towards securing the bailout support from the IMF have been fruitful.
Mahama’s criticisms of the NPP’s ability to revive Ghana’s economy come amidst the ongoing debate about the country’s economic future.
Member of Parliament for the Dome Kwabenya Constituency, Adwoa Safo, has stated that despite the hardships and obstacles that the party is facing, theNew Patriotic Party(NPP) remains focused on the country’s prosperity and growth.
According to her, the party will not fail its members despite these challenges.
In a Facebook post where she shared a picture of herself and the chief of Staff, Frema Opareshe captioned;
“The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is all we have and it remains the sole platform and vehicle through which the Prosperity and Development of our dear Country Ghana will be realised.”
As Ghana’s political landscape heats up in anticipation of the upcoming general elections, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are preparing for their internal primaries. With the NDC’s primaries set to take place on May 13, 2023, party members are gearing up for what promises to be a hotly contested race.
However, two long-serving members of parliament have declared that they will not be seeking reelection, signaling a transition in leadership and providing an opportunity for new faces to emerge within the party.
1. Cletus Apul Avoka
The Member of Parliament for the Zebilla Constituency, Cletus Apul Avoka, has expressed his intention to retire from parliament and subsequently did not file to contest in the upcoming primary.
Avoka’s current tenure in parliament marks his final stint in the legislative chamber unless he reverses his decision and contests for the Zebilla parliamentary seat in 2024.
At the close of the nomination period on March 22, 2023, seven individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds had submitted their nominations, aspiring to replace Avoka and represent the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 parliamentary elections for the Zebilla constituency.
The seven aspirants who have thrown their hats into the ring are Dr. Simon Batamya Aseno, Bernard Wintimah Azumah, Lawyer Maxwell Ziyerley Agbambilla, Ebenezer Alumire Ndebilla, Nelson Ndebah Ndebugre, Abukura Asumda, and Agbango Simon Ayande.
2. James Klutse Avedzi
The incumbent Member of Parliament for Ketu North is also set to retire from parliament ahead of the 2024 elections. Avedzi has been a prominent figure in the House since the fourth parliament and has won five consecutive terms since then. Edem Agbana, the former deputy national communications officer of the NDC, has filed together with others to contest for the seat.
These retirements reflect a changing landscape within the NDC’s parliamentary representation and present an opportunity for new faces to emerge and contribute to the party’s agenda.
The forthcoming internal primaries will be crucial in determining the candidates representing the NDC in the 2024 general elections.
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Liberal Party Ghana, Kwaku Marfo has stated that his party will likely win the 2024 presidential election if the National Democratic Congress presents former President John Dramani Mahama as its candidate.
His view is contrary to the recent report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) which has predicted a win for Mr Mahama in a recent report.
“With how we are resolved to win the 2024 elections, if the NDC presents former President Mahama as their candidate the election will be a cool chop for the Liberal Party. So I don’t believe in the survey. Because, now Ghanaians have been enlightened about the fact that both NPP and NDC have turned Ghana into a business avenue.”
The United Kingdom-based organisation has projected a win for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) after the 2024 General Election.
The projection was contained in their April 2023 Country Report on Ghana which was published on Friday, April 28, 2023.
It explained that the loss of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) will be underlined by anti-incumbency sentiment and economic issues allied with cost of living.
But according to Kwaku Marfo, the LPG led by Percival Kofi Akpaloo rather stands a better chance of winning the election if former President Mahama contests on the NDC’s ticket.
A flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has indicated that the farmers who are from the northern regions will not hesitate to vote for him as the flagbearer of the party.
According to him, he met with these farmers, and they shared testimonies on the impact he has made in their lives as Minister for Food and Agriculture, hence why they will vote for him to become the party’s flagbearer in November 2023.
“Most of these farmers I met in the Upper East, Upper West, and Savannah regions are also delegates and party constituency executives. The one million farmers are the ones who will bear witness to me. Just go to any farmer and ask about the impact I have had on their lives when I was Minister for Food and Agriculture. And they will confess to you; they will tell you. They will vote for me to win,” citinewroom.com quoted Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto as saying.
The former Food and Agriculture Minister is contending with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, Francis Addai Nimo, and Alan Kyerematen to contest the NPP’s flagbearership race.
The former president and flagbearer hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has described President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo as a leader who doesn’t listen to advice.
According to him, he [John Mahama] has offered good advice to the president on projects and policies, but he refuses to take it.
“I always advise the current president to forge a consensus behind whatever you are doing. When he introduced the free SHS, I said, hold a stakeholder consultation so that you can implement it properly because there are challenges, and since then, they’ve refused. Today, free SHS is not working properly. When NDC was in office, our children all used to go to school at the same time. Today, when they come back after four weeks, you have to get a teacher and pay the teacher to continue to teach them so they don’t forget what they learned in school. And this has all become a challenge,” he said.
Mahama added that he told the president to hold a consensus forum to find answers to the country’s current economic challenges, but that too, hasn’t been heeded.
“Look at the current economic crises we are going through, life has become so hard, and when things were not going well, I advised this president to hold a consensus forum as we did at the Senchi Conference and bring everybody together to have them contribute their little quota so that you will have a fair idea on which way forward you have to go and also to carry the nation along with you. They have since refused to do it,” he added.
To him, the NDC is a party that governs by consensus.
“We will govern by consensus to bring all Ghanaians on board with whatever we do. At any one time, we will tell Ghanaians the truth. If Ghanaians know what the truth is, they will understand the challenges the government faces, and they are willing to cooperate. But if you continue to deceive them, things are not going well; instead of telling Ghanaians the truth, they keep blaming Mahama,” he reiterated.
The former president has been on a nationwide campaign, meeting with the party’s officials and delegates ahead of the upcoming NDC primaries slated for May 13, 2023.
A flagbearer candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto has said that majority of farmers want him to become Ghana’s next president.
Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said majority of NPP delegates who are farmers benefited from the policies and programmes he initiated during his tenure as the Food and Agric Minister.
Speaking to journalists in Accra, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto says his track record makes him the clear favourite.
“Most of these farmers I met in Upper East, Upper West, Savannah regions are also delegates and party constituencies executives. The one million farmers are the ones who will bear witness to me. Just go to any farmer and ask about the impact I have had on their lives when I was Minister for Food and Agriculture. And they will confess to you, they will tell you. They will vote for me to win,” Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said.
Dr. Akoto officially resigned to focus on his Presidential ambition as he wants to lead the New Patriotic Party into the 2024 general elections.
He served as a Member of Parliament for the Kwadaso Constituency in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region for two terms.
In Parliament, he held the position of Deputy Ranking Member and subsequently the substantive Ranking Member for the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs until 2017 when he was appointed the Minister for Food and Agriculture.
The former Food and Agriculture Minister is in fierce competition with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, and Francis Addai Nimo who have declared their intention to contest in the party’s flagbearership race.
The others include former MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey, former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyapong, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, and former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko.
The NPP has set November 4, 2023, for its presidential primaries to select a flagbearer for the general elections in 2024.
However, if more than five candidates file to run in the primaries, the party will call a Special Congress on August 26.
The nomination period for the presidential primaries will begin on May 26 and end on June 24, 2023.
Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu has cast aspersions on the integrity of NPP flagbearer hopeful, Mr. Boakye Agyarko over some unsavoury comments made by the latter.
This stems from comments made by the two two years ago over who to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 general elections.
The Majority leader on the matter advised that it would be beneficial for their party not to choose an Akan as flagbearer.
“Inwardly, I know I have the competence to lead the party but it is wise that after two Akans – former President Kufuor and current President Akufo-Addo to present a flagbearer candidate with different ethnicity. I think it is not good for a party that has been accused by some of being overly Akanistic in nature. But not everybody would agree with me and that is the beauty of democracy”, he said.
In response, Mr Boakye Agyarko, a former Energy Minister, said he was disappointed with Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu since he was bringing “noise into the party”.
“I am totally disappointed with the Majority leader. Are you the one going to bring this noise into the party? I use to remember conversations I used to have with him, whiles I was based in the USA, on the phone all the time. You let some of our children ‘some bloody fool bring such noise into the party,” Mr Boakye Agyarko said.
Two years later in a rebuttal while speaking on Angel FM Kumasi, the Majority leader suggested that the unsavory words used by Mr Agyarko do not make him fit to be a leader.
“You insult by telling the Majority Leader what he is saying is bloody fool talk. Is that the hallmark of a leader?” Hon Osei-Kyei-Mensah is quoted by GhNews to have quizzed.
“Boakye Agyarko sat on Oman FM and described what I said as bloody fool talk. I said I didn’t want it, but the same Boakye Agyarko says he wants to lead the party so we should vote for him. Is he telling us what he is doing is not engaged in bloody fool talk? Is it, not idiotic talk for him to say we should vote for him?” Hon Osei-Kyei-Mensah further stated.
On Monday, May 8, some youth in theKaraga District of the Northern Region demolished properties owned by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the area.
The reason for the destruction is suspected to be a result of the arrest of some youth of the town over their alleged involvement in the murder of a sub-chief of Karaga, Issahaku Adam.
The chief who is one of the sub-chiefs under the new Karaga Naa, Kar Naa Natogmah Abdulai was attacked and murdered on April 6.
In total, three persons were arrested to assist with investigations.
A sub-chief believed to be in his late 50s, Issahaku Adam, was on Thursday night, April 6, shot dead by some unknown assailants in Karaga in the Northern Region.
According to the police who confirmed the incident to Citi News, the killing is in connection with the Karaga chieftaincy dispute.
The sub-chief reportedly went to the Karaga Palace to pay homage and on his return, was shot by some unknown persons.
National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has called for unity among party members.
He said unity remained the most important element that the Party needs towards Election 2024.
He said with a united front, the Party was assured of a resounding victory in the 2024 elections.
Salam Mustapha was speaking at the Bono Regional Youth Conference and Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) Orientation programme organised by the Regional Youth Wing of the Party in Sunyani.
It was attended by National, Regional, and Constituency executives, the youth wing, TESCON members, and some party faithful across the region.
Mustapha urged the Party members not to be disappointed of things they had not been able to obtain from the Party but must try and leave a legacy by ‘breaking the eight’ for future generations to know that historic achievement was attained in Ghana’s political history during their time.
He noted that if they continued to work together everyone was going to have his/her due reward because the most important thing now was for the Party to claim victory in the upcoming elections.
Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, the NPP Director for External Affairs, reminded the youth about the responsibility ahead to help the Party win next year’s election.
He said the NPP youth wing had a long-standing tradition and anytime the wing was active the Party won an election, saying there was a high responsibility on them going into the 2024 election.
Nana Ayeh urged TESCON members to redefine their role in the Party by spending time to be abreast with the Party’s achievements and programmes and propagating to the people to help it break the eight.
Paul Apraku Twum-Barimah, the Dormaa East Member of Parliament, charged the youth to work hard because the Party was going to rely on them to deliver the mandate in 2024.
The Greater Accra Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Executives have described former Attorney-General, Mr. Joe Ghartey, as hardworking and capable.
The Executives showered praise on Joe Ghartey during a meeting in Accra last Thursday when announced his decision to run for NPP flagbearership position.
The presidential aspirant presented a strong case for himself taking the Regional Executives through the work he had done as the Attorney-General, as Second Deputy Speaker and as Minister for Railways Development.
He said these positions in law and order, Parliament and infrastructure development had prepared him for the position of President. On law and order, he said a country which does not practice the rule of law cannot develop. Equality before the law he said was critical. Joe Ghartey stated that as Attorney General he not only believed in law and order but he also practiced using the law as a tool for social and economic engineering.
He said he was of the firm view that being an experienced legislator and a former Deputy Speaker he was confident that he would as President develop a good working relationship with Parliament for the benefit of the country.
On railways development he said he was glad he was given the opportunity to manage what is arguably the most difficult infrastructure sector to manage. Joe Ghartey explained the by January 2020 the passenger lines form Takoradi to Tarkwa and Accra to Tema were operational.
He said their operations were closed due to COVID. The restrictions did not allow for the trains to run at full passenger capacity and therefore operating the trains was not sustainable.
In any event the decision had been taken to change all the old lines so it was decided that the service be halted.
Mr Ghartey said the development of the Western Line was ongoing and the Tema to Mpakadan line was almost complete. He said that railway development would be a key part of his development agenda when elected as President.
Mr Joe Ghartey mentioned other sectors that would receive attention by his government which he said would be lean and efficient with a maximum of 60 Ministers.
Hon Joe Ghartey recounted his long association with NPP Greater Accra. He said he was so active that during the first term of Hon Jake Obetsibi Lamptey as Greater Accra Regional Chairman he was appointed Chairman of the Greater Accra Disciplinary Committee.
Hon Joe Ghartey said from 1992 he had always worked tirelessly in the Greater Accra Region for the Party. Contributing resources at all levels and to several constituencies.
He therefore requested the support of the rank and file of the party.
On their part, the Greater Accra Regional Executive were unanimous in the fact they knew Joe Ghartey and they were aware that he was hardworking and competent and wished him the best.
The Ada Traditional Councilissued severe warning to political party activists, to keep off the Songor salt mine site.
According to the Ada chiefs, some political party actors have over the years used influence peddling, and their actions are instigating some indigenes of Ada against private salt mining firm, Electrochem Ghana Limited.
At a press conference addressed by the Mankraloof the Ada Traditional Council, Nene Obichere Agudey III, said a series of stakeholder consultations have taken place, and at the tale end of the consensus, some individuals break ranks with agitations.
Traditional leaders believe their acts are derailing the progress of the communities that are expected to benefit from the natural resources of the land.
“We want to warn all political parties, especially the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to stay clear of the Ada-Songor lagoon development. We believe the security services are able to speak to issues of breaches if any and maintain law and order and also able to determine whether there have been excesses in their operations.”
Nene Obichere Agudey III, assured that “our doors are always opened to continue engagement with all well-meaning Ada youth.”
Former Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress NDC, Samuel Koku Anyidoho says he will vote during May 13th presidential primaries and work as agent for Dr. Kwabena Duffuor.
Koku Anyidoho was expelled from the party in 2021 after the disciplinary committee of the NDC found him guilty of misconduct and anti-party behaviour.
However speaking to the media in Koforidua at the sidelines of event which he was guest speaker, Koku Anyidoho described his so called dismissal from the party as mere persecution which is not grounded in law therefore null and void.
He believes, he is still a bonafide member of the NDC hence he will take part in the upcoming primaries.
“Today is 6th of May technically we were supposed to be voting a week from today to elect Flag-bearer and our parliamentarians. I will vote in my capacity as a former national officer and a former appointee. I have a new card and let Asiedu Nketia come and remove my vote from the register.”
Koku Anyidoho declared support for Dr. Kwabena Duffuor adding he will serve as agent for him in the primaries.
“Secondary on that score, I am supporting Dr. Kwabena Duffuor in the Presidential primaries. I am not supporting John Mahama and that is one of the reasons why they said they have sacked me from the party because I have said I won’t support John Mahama, I am not a slave to John Mahama and I refuse to be a slave to him.”
Mr. Koku Anyidoho emphasized that Dr. Duffuor’s competency in managing the economy far outweighs the former President John Dramani Mahama.
“Dr. Duffuor was the Finance Minister under John Evans Atta Mills so he worked with President Mills I worked with him I know what Dr. Duffuor stands for in terms of building the economy that President Mills built.”
“32 , 34 months single digit inflation, introduction of single spine, clearing of the arrears , Infrastructure expansion, three public Universities in three and half years, health facilities all over, I believe that Dr. Duffuor has the potential by training , by competence, by experience both in public and private life,” he said.
Mr. Koku Anyidoho further urged the electoral commission address concerns raised by campaign team of Dr. Duffuor on delayed release of voters register.
According to him, if the concerns raised by the Dr. Duffuor campaign team is not immediately addressed before Saturday 12th May, 2023 there will be legal consequences.
Meanwhile, aspiring Presidential candidate in the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Dr. Kwabena Duffuor says the May 13 Presidential Primaries must be free ,fair and transparent to ensure unity after the elections.
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor therefore stated that concerns over delay in release of the voters register by the Election Committee of the NDC to the Electoral Commission must be addressed immediately.
Speaking on Agoo FM in Nkawkaw Friday evening to wrap up his 4-day campaign tour to the Eastern region Dr.Kwabena Duffuor said inaccessibility to the compiled register a week to the polls is disturbing.
He backed his campaign team’s petition to the Electoral Commission on this regard.
“Today is 5th May, we are are going to the polls on 13th May but we have not received the register which is going to be used for the election. So my campaign team is demanding for the release of the register .We have written to the party so we are waiting for them. There are rules and regulations about any election. My name could be conspicuously missing during the day of the election, what will I do in that situation. Am I going to fight or what, no! Reason we want to get access to the register to ensure that all qualified delegates are on the register,” Dr. Duffuor lamented.
Dr. Duffuor added “Why is the register not out ? If this happened in National elections and it is just a week ahead what would they have done. We are not litigating we just want to have access to the register to ensure every qualified delegates name is on the register so we go to the polls to vote fairly and peacefully. I am praying that they do the right things.”
Nonetheless, he called on his supporters to remain calm and be peaceful to ensure unity in the NDC after the election to enable the party defeat ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 general election.
Former Finance Minister and Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Duffuor is contesting the Presidential Primaries with former President John Mahama and former Mayor of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Kojo Bonsu.
As the 2024 general elections draw nigh, more projections for a win for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) troop in.
Among the recent individuals to declare victory for the NPP is former head of monitory at Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu.
In an interview with Peace FM on its “Kokrokoo” programme, Mr Owusu said the winner of the elections has already been chosen by God and that there isn’t much the main opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) can do about it.
“Nana Akufo-Addo has broken the record already. He will hand over to his own party…The 2024 elections have already been decided…God has already chosen the one who will lead this country,” he said.
According to him, he would not have been disturbed should Mahama have been chosen by God to lead the country due to his experience, but that is not the case, he said.
To buttress his point, he reiterated that “NPP will win the next 2024 elections, come what may”.
Prior to this, the Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong noted that by all means, the NPP will remain in power come 2025.
His statement met stern opposition from the NDC who described the MP’s words as “treasonable”.
On the matter, the Police is said to have they find no fault with Mr Acheampong’s comment, however, advised that politicians refrain from inciting the public to engage in violence in the next polls.
The Nasara Coordinator for the Atebubu-Amantin Constituency of the Bono East Region, Hamza Mohammed, has allegedly been assaulted by suspected party thugs.
The suspected thugs numbering three reportedly without any provocation attacked Hamza Mohammed around 9:00 pm on Friday, May 5, 2023, in front of the Agricultural Development Bank in Atebubu.
With his clothes stained with blood, he was rushed to the Atebubu Government Hospital for treatment.
Speaking on the incident to GhanaWeb via phone, he disclosed that he was on the phone when one Okacha approached him and gave him a hefty slap.
He added that two others, Dandunia and Awilo also pounced on him and started beating him with a belt and wire and even put pepper spray in his eyes.
According to him, they accused him of seeking to organize a reconciliation meeting between the MCE for Atebubu-Amantin and the constituency executives on the blind side of the party leadership.
“I was speaking on the phone on Friday night when I saw Okacha approaching me so I thought he wanted to have a conversation with me but he rather slapped me and questioned who gave me permission to organize a reconciliatory meeting. As I struggled with him, Dandunia and Awilo joined him and started beating me with a police belt wire and even put pepper spray in my eyes.”
Arrest
Although a report has been made to the police, no arrest has been made at the time of filing this report.
Cracks in the party
GhanaWeb can confirm that there are cracks in the party in the constituency and the national leadership is making frantic efforts to patch up the differences to reclaim the seat from the NDC in the 2024 elections.
The aspiring flagbearer of the NDC, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, has denied receiving any sponsorship from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to destroy the NDC, which he contributed to building.
He disclosed this when addressing the party’s delegates in Adansi Asokwa Constituency in the Ashanti region as part of his four-day campaign in the Ashanti region.
Dr. Duffuor, however, urged the party supporters, particularly the delegates, to disregard the destructive campaign his opponents are sharing with party members.
“I funded the NDC, so I’m NDC, and nothing can change my love for NDC. The NPP destroyed my banks and tried to collapse every business under my control. I want to tell you that the NPP has hurt me more than any other member of the party. The NPP can never use me to destroy the NDC. My main aid is to return NDC to power to make Ghana better,” Dr. Duffuor reiterated.
He pleaded with the party supporters to vote for him to lead the party into election 2024 on Saturday, 13th May 2023, in the presidential election by thumb-printing #3 on the ballot paper.
Residents of Nimain Accra have given the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly a 30-day deadline to repair all of the community’s dilapidated roads and abandoned projects.
The residents who held a demonstration on Thursday, May 4, say the Nima community has been neglected for long.
The residents clad in red bands and holding placards walked through the principal streets of Nima to express their anger over the state of their roads and infrastructural challenges in the community.
The spokesperson for the Concerned Nima Residents, Alhaji Issah Maiga said the government must come to their aid immediately or face their wrath.
“We are petitioning the government through the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly to as a matter of urgency give the Nima Highway a befitting facelift that it deserves, refurbish all bad roads linking the Nima Highway and complete theKawu Kudi Hospitalto benefit our soccer team”.
“We are therefore giving the authorities a 30-day notice to do the needful else we shall continue with the demonstration.”
A member of the New Patriotic Party‘s (NPP) publicity team, George Ayisi, has said that the $170 million granted loan will aid government focus on addressing national challenges.
Even though majority of Ghanaians are not happy with the borrowing habit of the government, Mr. Ayisi believes the government is on the right path.
“There are times you find yourself in a precarious situation that you may need some little push to stabilize your position and then have proper focus to deal with the situation properly.”
Bernard Oduro, a member of the NDC opposed Mr. Ayisi’s statement.
“From the financial economy point of view, it is not wrong to go into debts.”
Responding to Mr. Oduro, Mr. Ayisi said; “I disagree with him(Bernard Oduro) for claiming I’m defending the government for no good cause even though I’m not surprised at that.”
“There are certain areas that government will invest in that will generate phenomenal returns,” he added.
On May 2, 2023, parliament approved an amount of $910.6 million loan at an emergency sitting in the absence of about fifteen minority members.
The majority chief whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh has stated that the vice president Dr Mahamadu Bawumia has called for support from theNew Patriotic Party(NPP) members of parliament (MPs) ahead of elections.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh described the action of the vice president as a respect for the NPP lawmakers.
He expressed the appreciation on behalf of the Majority to Dr Bawumia.
For & on behalf of the Majority Caucus, I wish to express our profound gratitude for the numerous support and particularly your wonderful show of respect to us by your decision to seek for our blessings as you decide to lead our great party towards the 2024 General elections.. pic.twitter.com/FgRWoku6f0
— Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh (@FAnnohDompreh) May 3, 2023
In a tweet, the Nsawam Adoagyiri Lawmaker said “For and on behalf of the Majority Caucus, I wish to express our profound gratitude for the numerous support and particularly your wonderful show of respect to us by your decision to seek for our blessings as you decide to lead our great party towards the 2024 General elections.”
Mr Annoh-Dompreh earlier said that Dr Bawumia was the man for the job.
In a tweet ahead of the Dr Bawumia’s address at the Harvard University, he said “(He) is the man for the job.”
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Bosiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has accused an independent candidate in the Kumawu constituency, Kwaku Duah of being a “greedy individual” who lied to the electorates and has stabbed the NPP in the back.
According to Wontumi, Kwaku Duah had initially claimed that he was contesting the 2020 parliamentary elections as an independent candidate because of the lack of development in the constituency, which he blamed on the then-sitting Member of Parliament, Philip Basoah. However, after Basoah’s death, Duah’s decision to still run as an independent candidate, could at best be described as an act of betrayal.
He added that after Basoah’s death, Kwaku Duah had no reason to continue contesting as an independent candidate.
“After the death of Basoah, there is so much development in the community …these are the things that the 2020 independent candidate, Kwaku Duah…he claimed that he was an NPP member who was alleging that because of Basoah, there is no development so that is why he was contesting as an independent candidate to convince people.
“But now that Basoah is dead. Initially, he said it is because of Basoah that he contested, but after his death, he shouldn’t have contested as an independent candidate, but after his death and you still insist that you want to contest as an independent candidate, then it means that what you told Kumawu is all lies. You are a greedy person, who lied because NPP opened nominations, you couldn’t come forward to beg for forgiveness, but still, he is moving around that he is an NPP member,” he said.
Chairman Wontumi, added that he has declared that Kwaku Duah is no longer a member of the NPP.
“As the regional chairman, I am declaring that he is not an NPP member, all NPP members report to me, and I am the servant to all the NPP members. Kwaku Duah is no more an NPP member, he is like Judas Iscariot,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kwaku Duah has vowed not to step down no matter the juicy offer from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to him, his decision to contest the seat is to save the future of the youth in the constituency who supported him from day one when they challenged him to contest in 2020.
Asked on Kumasi-based Angel FM if the leadership of the NPP had approached him to step down, Kwaku Duah sharply replied, “It won’t work, they have been calling but that is not going to work”.
Affirming his stance, Kwaku Duah stressed that the NPP is going to get a shock of their lives as there is going to be a replica of what happened in the Fomena constituency where the independent candidate was declared the winner.
“I want to make it clear that, what is happening in Kumawu is a replica of what happened in Fomena in 2020”, he said.
Former general secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyepong has remarked that no one can claim to be the party’s principal funder because the party has been sponsored at various times by different people for various reasons.
This is in response to a recent back and forth with Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, over the latter’s claim that he supported the party with a US$3m loan in 1992.
Kwabena had earlier disputed the claim citing the logistical challenges that he was privy to in 1992 and the unfavourable political conditions at the time.
In the wake of confirmation of the transaction by a partner of the Assin Central MP, Mr. Oppong Bio, Agyepong has conceded that he may have been oblivious to certain details but that it was immaterial to the extent that the party is supported by all members with the capacity so to do.
Kwabena Agyepong and Ken Agyapong
“He mentioned the names of persons including President Kufuor, indicating that President Kufuor led them to take a loan for Adu Boahene’s campaign. President Kufuor is alive and so is Kwame Mpianin…I don’t want to go further into the matter.
“If you claim certain things happened and some persons are aware, it is possible. But don’t go about bragging that you initiated it and paid off a loan for campaigns in 1992.
“There are a lot of people who have supported the party in one way or the other”, he said.
The prime minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, is in Ghana for a two-day state visit.
The Japanese Prime Minister is expected to hold a bilateral talks with President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.
The Asian country seeks to deepen her strong economic ties and further promote business and investment relations in Ghana, being one of the leading economic centres in West Africa.
Japan has been supporting Ghana’s infrastructure development, especially roads, to improve the country’s transport connectivity.
The Asian country has high hopes for Ghana, which hosts the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to play a critical role in promoting regional integration and trade facilitation.
The development of the bilateral relations cannot be discussed without acknowledging the achievements of Dr Hideyo Noguchi, a Japanese who had played a vital role in the healthcare sector of both countries.
Japan is contributing to the health and medical fields in Ghana and the West African sub- region through the establishment of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and technical cooperation.
The country has also supported Africa’s efforts to achieve peace and stability under the New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa (NAPSA).
The Japanese Prime Minister’s visit will provide an opportunity for the two countries to discuss ways to maintain peace and stability in the Sub-region.
As the country holding the G7 Presidency, Japan is also committed to carefully listening to the voices of African countries.
A business associate of Kennedy Ohene Agyapong of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. William Oppong Bio, has supported the presidential flagbearer hoepful’s claim that he obtained a loan to finance the party’s 1992 campaign.
Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, a candidate for the NPP flagbearership, disputed Kennedy Agyapong’s assertion that he and his business partner obtained a $3 million loan to settle debts incurred by the NPP after the 1992 general elections.
But Mr. Oppong Bio, Kennedy Agyapong‘s partner and a witness, has spoken about the incident in an interview with Kumasi-based Sompa FM.
Kwabena Agyapong (left), Kennedy Agyapong (right)
He mentioned that the loan was obtained through Cal Bank, which was then run by Fred Oware, who is now the chief of staff at the Office of the vice president’s office.
“We paid the debt. When they went for the money and we lost the 1992 and 1996 elections, everyone ran away from it so we paid it; our company paid.
“The circumstances at the time caused our company to pay. Fred Oware, who is now at the vice president’s office, was the managing director at the time, and when they heard NPP had contracted a loan there, he had to hide it on our company account. That’s how it came about,” he said.
He added that the likes of Kwabena Agyepong may not have been privy to the matter because he was young at the time.
“It was what caused Fred Oware to lose his job and why Rawlings wanted to imprison him. It is a very big issue. At the time, some people were young and would not have known about it. Even today, does all of us know what is happening in the NPP?” he questioned.
Kennedy Agyapong, who is now the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has been touring the country and engaging with delegates of the NPP ahead of the party’s upcoming primaries to elect a flagbearer.
In various interactions with the delegates, the MP has sought to highlight his contributions to the establishment and growth of the party, including financing its activities over the years.
The campaign team for Alan Kyerematen who is contesting for the flagbearer slot of the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) has stated that the former trade minister’s goal is to give unemployed youth who benefited from Akufo-Addo’s free Senior High School Program jobs.
The ‘Alan for President 2024’ campaign team noted that former President John Agyekum Kufuor gave Ghanaians a free maternal health programme, President Nana Akufo-Addo continued the tradition with free senior high school and Mr Kyerematen would crown those policies with jobs.
Speaking at a health walk in Accra on Saturday, 29 April 2023, dubbed ‘Aduro Wo So’, to wit, ‘it’s your turn’ that was used to kick-start Mr Kyerematen’s campaign in the Greater Accra Region, spokesperson Buaben Asamoa, said the babies who were born as a result of former President Kufuor’s free maternity healthcare programme are the beneficiaries of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s free senior high school programme (Free SHS).
“The vast majority of the beneficiaries of theFree SHSwere babies born in 2007 to 2008,” he stressed.
‘’So, it’s the turn of Alan Kyetematen to create jobs with his Ghana Transformation Agenda (GTA),” he declared.
It is the expectation of Mr Asamoa that some one million jobs will be created pursuing through Mr Kyerematen’s GTA for the beneficiaries of the Free SHS.
He said the GTA is key for the development of Ghana’s economy.
Mr Kyerematen, addressing the crowd at Mantse Agbonaa, after walking through some principal streets in the commercial business district, said his quest to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is to create a financially sound political party, where party executives could be paid salaries at end of the month.
According to him, this is the only way to create a political party that is sound to sustain the country’s democracy.
He bemoaned the divisive tendencies in Ghana’s political terrain and pledged to offer a change
Former Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has claimed that the government will need to raise about $10.5 billion by the end of the year to save the economy from collapsing.
Giving a breakdown, he explained that the government plans to receive $3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and bilateral or multilateral donors each.
However, he noted that the government is currently unable to determine where exactly it would raise the remaining $4.5 billion to ensure full recovery.
“The expectation is that 3 billion (dollars) will come from the IMF. Another 3 billion (dollars) from bilateral and multilateral donors. The other 4.6bn (4.5bn) sic. Government has no clue where that will come from. We are in distress, major economic distress. We have gone beyond an economic crisis,” he told JoyNews.
With respect to receiving support from the IMF, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, asserted that Ghana would only be able to access the money in July of this year.
He did not provide reasons for this assertion, however, he said “I do not foresee an IMF closing until July 2023.”
Government has failed to meet the deadlines it has provided to receive assistance from the Fund. Government had predicted March but failed to see to it.
The Fund is currently unable to release the funds to Ghana due to the country’s inability to receive financial assurance from creditors who are to provide assurances they will restructure its debt as a condition of signing off on the loan.
According to the IMF, until this is done, it would not be able to provide the credit facility.
In view of this, economic experts are projecting that Ghana would receive assistance from the IMF by May this year.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has said a memorandum of understanding with official creditors and an agreement in principle on Eurobond restructuring are expected by July, with a 2030 Eurobond partially guaranteed by the World Bank included in the restructuring.
Ghana began formal engagements with the IMF in July 2022 and reached a staff agreement in December of that year.
