Former President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that his entry into politics was never part of his plans, as he initially resisted the path due to his father’s traumatic experiences in the political arena.
Speaking at the Cedar Mountain Chapel of the Assemblies of God Church in East Legon, Accra, Mahama recounted how his father, Emmanuel Adama Mahama, was imprisoned for two years following the overthrow of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. This, he said, deeply affected his father’s outlook on politics, leading him to abandon it entirely and focus on business.
“And so because of the narrations that he had given about the trauma he suffered in prison and the setbacks he suffered as a result of his politics, my mind was, I will not be a politician. But God said, who are you to decide? I will do with you what I want. And the rest is history,” Mahama stated.
Reflecting on his childhood aspirations, Mahama shared that he never considered a political career and instead had simple ambitions.
“I mean, if you ask me what do you want to be in future, I didn’t say I want to be a doctor or a lawyer. At one time I wanted to be a fireman. Because I like their uniform and the red fire trucks they used to drive,” he said.
“Then another time I wanted to be a State Transport Company driver. Because you sit in the car from Tamale to Accra, the way he’s driving it, it looks nice.”
Despite his reluctance, Mahama acknowledged that divine intervention had shaped his journey, leading him to serve in various leadership roles, including President of Ghana.
“God has kept pushing me in the direction that he wants me to go. At every point, I have been reluctant to follow that trajectory. For instance, politics, I was reluctant to go into politics.”
Mahama, who is a member of the Assemblies of God, was unable to attend the church’s thanksgiving service on January 26 in honour of the late Madam Deborah Wengam, mother of Reverend Stephen Wengam, General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, as he was outside the country.
During his visit, he expressed his desire to be an instrument of change for the nation.
“My prayer is, God use me as your instrument. It is you who brought me to this place. It is you who will let me serve your purpose. And the purpose is to serve my fellow Ghanaians and make sure that we’re able to turn the fortunes of this country around and make everybody’s life better.”
Reverend Wengam commended Mahama and his wife, Lordina, for their unwavering support during the construction of the Cedar Mountain Chapel. He also highlighted Mahama’s significance within the Assemblies of God community, noting that he is one of four Presidents the church takes pride in.
As part of the service, Rev. Wengam led a team of pastors to pray for Mahama.
Spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Tano North Constituency, Dr Gideon Boako has cautioned the youth against engaging in political violence.
He stating that “no politician is worth the sacrifice of your blood.”
Speaking at a peace walk and talk event in Duayaw Nkwanta on Saturday, November 16, Dr. Boako emphasised the importance of prioritising personal safety and community well-being over partisan interests.
He reminded the youth that politicians “come and go,” but the future of their community should remain paramount.
The event, organised by the Tano North local council of churches, aimed to foster peace and unity ahead of the 2024 elections. It attracted participants from various political parties, community leaders, and traditional chiefs, underscoring a shared commitment to a peaceful electoral process.
Dr. Boako urged the youth to focus on maintaining harmony, adding that no political ambition or allegiance is worth the risk of violence or bloodshed.
Ahead of the polls, several politicians including the presidential candidates such as Dr Bawumia, John Mahama and Alan Kyerematen, have entreated all and sundry to seek peace when they go out to cast their ballot.
In the 2020 general elections, several lives were lost and investigations are still ongoing.
John Dumelo, actor and politician, has attributed the recent stabilization of agricultural produce prices to the beneficial rains.
He noted that the increased rainfall has led to higher yields for farmers, which is reflected in the current market conditions.
Dumelo emphasized the importance of government investment in irrigation systems to ensure year-round agricultural productivity.
His comments were made in response to the Minister of Food and Agriculture’s announcement that a box of tomatoes now sells for GHC400-500.
Posting on X, Dumelo stated, “The prices will continue to decrease. Many farmers are currently harvesting due to the rain providing a water source. We will soon have an excess supply. It’s not complicated. What we need to invest in are robust irrigation systems that can sustain farms and provide food for the nation year-round. That’s when we will see price stability.”
Franziska Giffey, a former mayor and ex-federal minister, who is now a top economic official in the city, was attacked at a library event in Berlin on Tuesday. A man came up from behind and hit her with a bag that had something hard inside, according to the police.
Giffey went to the hospital because his head and neck hurt, and the police said he got medical help there. The police took a 74-year-old man into custody and searched his house. They said the police knew who the suspect was, but they didn’t say why the suspect did it.
“Wegner said that if someone attacks politicians, they are also attacking our democracy,” according to the German news agency dpa. “We won’t put up with this. ” We will not support violence, hate, or stirring up trouble, and we will keep our democracy safe.
Giffey said on Instagram that we live in a country where everyone can say what they think because it’s free and democratic. But there is a definite boundary. And that is hurting people who have a different opinion, for any reason, in any way.
“She said we need to stand against them breaking the rules that society has set. ”
Later on Wednesday, Giffey, with bodyguards, talked to reporters in Berlin and said she was feeling okay. She also said that it’s important for leaders to be able to move around freely in the country.
The party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s candidate got hurt while campaigning in Dresden last week. They had to have surgery.
The police arrested four people, who are 17 to 18 years old. They believe this group also attacked a Greens party worker before attacking Matthias Ecke. Officials said that at least one of the teenagers is connected to far-right organizations.
On Tuesday, a 47-year-old Green Party member was attacked by two people while hanging election posters in Dresden.
The events have made politicians in Germany very tense.
Both the ruling and opposing political parties are saying that their members and supporters have been experiencing a lot of physical and verbal attacks lately. They want the police to increase their protection for politicians and election rallies.
In February, the German Parliament reported that there were 2,790 attacks on elected officials in 2023. Members of The Greens were affected more than others in 1,219 cases, followed by the far-right AfD in 478 cases and the SPD in 420 cases.
In January, angry farmers stopped the vice chancellor, Robert Habeck, from getting off a ferry for hours. And last week, an angry crowd blocked the car of the vice president of the German Parliament, Katrin Goering-Eckardt, from leaving an event in Brandenburg. Both Habeck and Goering-Eckardt are members of The Greens party.
Nancy Faeser, Germany’s federal interior minister, said that they had a meeting with the country’s 16 state interior ministers to talk about violence. They are thinking about making the laws stricter to punish people who do things that go against democracy.
A lot of bad things have happened in the eastern part of the country, where Scholz’s government is not liked by many people. The Interior Ministry in Saxony has reported 112 crimes related to the election, including 30 against elected officials.
Major political parties have said that AfD is connected to violent neo-Nazi groups and is creating a scary political atmosphere. One of its leaders, Bjoern Hoecke, is currently in trouble for using a Nazi slogan that is not allowed.
The political party Alternative for Germany, which is against immigration and European unity, is likely to win more votes in the European elections and also in the elections in Saxony and two other eastern German states in the fall.
A 47-year-old provincial politician from Japan, Ryutaro Nonomura, has captured the internet’s attention after an emotional press conference where he tearfully tried to explain his extravagant use of public funds.
Nonomura, elected to the assembly in Hyogo, western Japan in 2011, is under suspicion for misusing 3 million yen (17,000) of official allowances, primarily on 195 trips to four locations in one year, including 106 visits to the same hot spring resort, all without proper documentation.
The footage of Nonomura’s press conference, where he wailed, banged his fists, and sobbed while giving unclear excuses, has been widely circulated on television chat shows.
During the three-hour event in Kobe, he expressed his passion for societal change through his role as an assembly member, repeatedly asking, “Don’t you understand?”
Social media users reacted strongly, with some questioning his suitability as a member of society, let alone an assembly member.
One Twitter user asked, “Is he alright as a member of society, let alone a member of an assembly?” while another compared his behaviour to that of a crying elementary school student.
Nonomura’s emotional outburst has garnered significant online attention, with one YouTube video of the incident reaching over 600,000 views by Wednesday afternoon.
Renowned politician and actor John Dumelo emphasized his preference for politics over business, highlighting the potential for wider-reaching change in the political arena.
Dumelo asserted that if faced with a choice, he would opt for politics due to its ability to effect change across a broader spectrum of society compared to business endeavours.
Explaining his viewpoint, Dumelo noted that as a politician, he could enact policies and initiatives that could positively impact a vast number of people, especially the youth.
In contrast, as a businessperson, decision-making is often confined to a specific group or target market, limiting the scope of influence.
Dumelo expressed optimism about the transformative power of good policies and initiatives in Ghana, believing that through effective governance, the nation can create a better future for its youth and society at large.
“I will choose politics over business if pushed to the wall because, as a politician, you can effect change easily compared to a businessperson. Your decision-making as a businessperson is limited, but as a politician, your decisions reach a mass audience through national policies,” stated John Dumelo, underscoring his commitment to making a meaningful impact through political avenues.
A 14-year-old boy was responsible for hitting a South Korean lawmaker with a rock. He was sent to a mental health facility on Friday, as the police keep looking into the attack.
Last Thursday, a member of the ruling party, Bae Hyunjin, was attacked. This happened shortly after another man stabbed opposition leader Lee Jae-myung in the neck. This raises more worries about the harsh and divided political discussions in the country.
Police talked to the young suspect at the hospital while his parents were there. They will keep asking him questions to find out more. Cheon Young-gil, who works at the Gangnam district police station in Seoul, shared this information.
South Korea’s rules say that if doctors and police agree, a person who might be mentally ill can be sent to the hospital for up to three days to make sure they don’t hurt themselves or others.
Cheon did not want to talk about the suspect’s health after the attack on Thursday in southern Seoul. South Korean media said that people who know the boy but want to stay unnamed, said that he was getting help for feeling very sad.
Cheon said that the suspect was taken to the hospital quickly because of his age and health, but didn’t give any more details. He said if the boy’s parents agree, the police can ask the hospital to keep him there for more than three days.
The police spoke with Bae on Friday at the hospital where she was getting treatment. Bae’s office shared pictures of her coat and sweater with blood on them. People say these were given to the police as proof.
The reason for the attack was not immediately known.
Bae was chosen in 2020 and is considered a close friend of President Yoon Suk Yeol. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office promised to do a deep investigation of the attack. Politicians from both Yoon’s party and the liberal opposition have criticized the attack as an attack on the country’s democracy. “Our politics are not on the right track anymore. ” We all agree that we should stop the hateful politics, but we still use harsh language towards our opponents. The old-fashioned style of politics that only appeals to the most extreme supporters is still going strong, according to Jung Kwang-jae, a spokesperson for the People Power Party.
In South Korea, politics is very divided. People have different opinions based on their age, beliefs, and where they live. The arguments between political parties are getting worse before the upcoming elections in April. The elections are seen as a way to see if Yoon is popular. He has low approval ratings and the opposition controls the National Assembly, so it’s hard for him to do what he wants.
The security camera video showed the person who attacked Bae. They wore a gray hat and a mask and talked to Bae before hitting her with a small rock. He kept hitting Bae with a sharp tool, even after she dropped to the ground. She fought off the attacker by herself, using her arms to push him away and grabbing his wrist. Then, someone else came out of a door and tried to help.
The leader of the other group, Lee, was in the hospital for eight days after he was attacked. He talked about the attack on Bae and said that his scar hurts again because of this terrible event. He also said that he hopes she gets better soon.
Lee almost won the 2022 election, but Yoon won. The person who attacked Lee said he did it because he didn’t want Lee to become president.
South Korea has experienced more attacks on politicians lately.
In 2022, Song Young-gil, who was the leader of Lee’s Democratic Party, was attacked by a man with a hammer during a rally to support Lee’s campaign for president. The song needed stitches but didn’t get seriously hurt.
In 2006, a man attacked Park Geun-hye, who was a conservative opposition leader, with a box cutter during an election event. Park, who later became president in 2012, had to get 60 stitches to close an 11-centimeter (4-inch) cut on her face.
Sammy Awuku, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Akropong constituency, has shared experiences of politicians being targeted for financial assistance under false pretenses.
According to Mr Awuku, many politicians are approached for financial aid, and while some requests are genuine, others are fraudulent attempts to extract money.
He recounted an incident where an individual sought funds for his wife’s funeral, and Mr Awuku, having been a victim of deception before, asked for proof. The individual provided an obituary as evidence.
He gave in and supported the man, only to find out that he had fabricated his wife’s demise.
“Someone printed a poster of his wife’s obituary, not knowing it was not true. He came to me. I asked when it was because during my time as a youth organizer, people took advantage of me, so I used science and data.
“He was lucky and got to trick me. A month later, I saw him and asked why he was no longer in black, just a short period after his wife’s burial. He was with someone, and the individual asked him when his wife passed. He told his friend that it is not everything I have to tell you.
“I was like, what, your own friend? Later, his friend called and told me that his wife had not passed,” he said.
Senior partner and co-founder of Africa Legal Associates (ALA), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, clarified in an interview that despite perceptions of him being a politician, he does not identify as one.
He stated that he harbors no aspirations for political office and lacks interest in pursuing a political career.
Instead, Mr. Otchere-Darko expressed a preference for formulating strategies for others to lead, rather than taking on a leadership role himself.
“… I prefer to strategise rather than to be the one to lead. I’m not swayed by titles. I am swayed by getting the job done. A lot of people describe me as a politician, but I am not. I think sometimes my wife doesn’t believe I am not,” he said.
“I have never been a politician. I have been a journalist. I have been a public figure, I believe in a political ideology and I push it. But it doesn’t make me a politician,” Mr Otchere-Darko added.
Our paths crossed for the first time in 2006 at the University of Ghana, specifically Commonwealth Hall. I had gone to ‘City’ to see a course mate of mine. He walked in, said a few words and checked out. My course mate would later reveal to me that the gentleman had started the journey of aspiring to lead the students front as the SRC President. Legon has often been littered with young, vibrant and ambitious young men and women with a desire to lead the students front. Some of them had gone on to have great political careers. It’s a long list. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, Rt. Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Freddie Blay and more come to mind. The Political careers of these gentlemen started long before they became the popular names we heard on radio and television. The University of Ghana served as a platform for them to nurture their leadership skills to hit the ‘road’ after school.
I thought it was always great to test one’s mettle for a leadership position and that it was really up to him (Sammy) to push that agenda if he so wished. Months later, I saw his posters pop up all over campus. To the best of my recollection as a student of the Premier University, a strong ‘City’ affinity appeared to give student leaders who vied for positions a cushion for success. They were good at mobilizing the brothers on election day and be supportive of the entire campaign process. When they found a candidate good enough from their quarters, they rallied around the individual with unmatched support. There was a challenge he would however have to surmount. Lord Koranteng Hammah.
A Charismatic, vocal, populist, magnetic, eloquent speaker. He was the man Sammy had to get past for the ultimate. In Lords corner was DM Ofori-Atta, another top guy. A duo who could arouse the emotions of the student’s body and get them onside. A duo that gave the school authorities one hell of a time in dealing with the needs and wants of students. How I vividly recall that night on the campaign front when Hammah and DM visited Sarbah Main Hall, my Hall of residence at the time, and electrified the place with their presence. Readers who were students of the Hall would not forget that night quickly. At a point in his speech, Hammah took out a white handkerchief from his pocket, akin to Kwame Nkrumah, and made that famous statement. ‘They are few, but we are many.’
The entire electoral campaign was so intense that a decision was taken by the school authorities to literally discontinue the process. The wishes of Sam, Hammah and others to lead the students front did not materialize. They probably got on with their lives after all that intense campaign to pursue other dreams I reckon. Well, that was what I thought. Sam had other ideas though. The Legon saga was not going to end a dream.
A few years down the line, I bumped into him at the compound of one of the Media Houses in Accra where he had appeared as a guest on a political program representing the New Patriotic Party. I got into another office at that station and the lads in there were incidentally glued to that Political program. He spoke with a lot verve and strongly. He articulated his views in a clear and dispassionate manner and seemed to be on top of a lot of issues. I just watched.
He would appear on many political shows subsequently and gradually appear to be winning the hearts and minds of many especially the Youth. He would later vie for the National Youth Organiser position and win the elections in 2014 with 471 votes. Now this was at the time the NPP was in opposition with many party faithful especially the Youth disillusioned with the outcome of the 2012 election petition and looking for that young and dynamic voice who could rally the numbers together with the support of the National Organiser. Enter Sammy Awuku.
Together with then National Organiser John Boadu who later transitioned to hold the General Secretary’s position, the duo would comb the hook and crannies of this country to solicit for votes and mounted multiple platforms with then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo. He would earn all kinds of names and titles in the process. Some he has maintained till this day. Capo appears to be the defining one.
For me, what defined Sam’s political career was the presser he addressed early on the 9th of December, 2016 with the election results filtering in. A young, confident and assertive Awuku told the world at a presser by the Youth Wing of the party that with over 80% of the votes counted, the NPP had a sizeable lead and called on the Electoral Commission to declare the party victors in the election. He was not forcing the hand of the Electoral Commission in declaring the results. He seemed to have the numbers we were all waiting for. He knew something that many didn’t know. We know what happened later that day. Madam Charlotte Osei would announce the results in favour of the NPP.
Many young political guys appear to come out rude, disrespectful or worse after aligning with parties in power. I have seen and met loads of them across the Political divide. Some who could not afford three square meals speak with embarrassing levels of arrogance and crass. Not Sam. Polite, respectful and accommodating. He appears to have time for anyone and everything. And oh, we have crossed paths on multiple occasions since.
Our paths crossed for the first time in 2006 at the University of Ghana, specifically Commonwealth Hall. I had gone to ‘City’ to see a course mate of mine. He walked in, said a few words and checked out. My course mate would later reveal to me that the gentleman had started the journey of aspiring to lead the students front as the SRC President. Legon has often been littered with young, vibrant and ambitious young men and women with a desire to lead the students front. Some of them had gone on to have great political careers. It’s a long list. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, Rt. Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Freddie Blay and more come to mind. The Political careers of these gentlemen started long before they became the popular names we heard on radio and television. The University of Ghana served as a platform for them to nurture their leadership skills to hit the ‘road’ after school.
I thought it was always great to test one’s mettle for a leadership position and that it was really up to him (Sammy) to push that agenda if he so wished. Months later, I saw his posters pop up all over campus. To the best of my recollection as a student of the Premier University, a strong ‘City’ affinity appeared to give student leaders who vied for positions a cushion for success. They were good at mobilizing the brothers on election day and be supportive of the entire campaign process. When they found a candidate good enough from their quarters, they rallied around the individual with unmatched support. There was a challenge he would however have to surmount. Lord Koranteng Hammah.
A Charismatic, vocal, populist, magnetic, eloquent speaker. He was the man Sammy had to get past for the ultimate. In Lords corner was DM Ofori-Atta, another top guy. A duo who could arouse the emotions of the student’s body and get them onside. A duo that gave the school authorities one hell of a time in dealing with the needs and wants of students. How I vividly recall that night on the campaign front when Hammah and DM visited Sarbah Main Hall, my Hall of residence at the time, and electrified the place with their presence. Readers who were students of the Hall would not forget that night quickly. At a point in his speech, Hammah took out a white handkerchief from his pocket, akin to Kwame Nkrumah, and made that famous statement. ‘They are few, but we are many.’
The entire electoral campaign was so intense that a decision was taken by the school authorities to literally discontinue the process. The wishes of Sam, Hammah and others to lead the students front did not materialize. They probably got on with their lives after all that intense campaign to pursue other dreams I reckon. Well, that was what I thought. Sam had other ideas though. The Legon saga was not going to end a dream.
A few years down the line, I bumped into him at the compound of one of the Media Houses in Accra where he had appeared as a guest on a political program representing the New Patriotic Party. I got into another office at that station and the lads in there were incidentally glued to that Political program. He spoke with a lot verve and strongly. He articulated his views in a clear and dispassionate manner and seemed to be on top of a lot of issues. I just watched.
He would appear on many political shows subsequently and gradually appear to be winning the hearts and minds of many especially the Youth. He would later vie for the National Youth Organiser position and win the elections in 2014 with 471 votes. Now this was at the time the NPP was in opposition with many party faithful especially the Youth disillusioned with the outcome of the 2012 election petition and looking for that young and dynamic voice who could rally the numbers together with the support of the National Organiser. Enter Sammy Awuku.
Together with then National Organiser John Boadu who later transitioned to hold the General Secretary’s position, the duo would comb the hook and crannies of this country to solicit for votes and mounted multiple platforms with then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo. He would earn all kinds of names and titles in the process. Some he has maintained till this day. Capo appears to be the defining one.
For me, what defined Sam’s political career was the presser he addressed early on the 9th of December, 2016 with the election results filtering in. A young, confident and assertive Awuku told the world at a presser by the Youth Wing of the party that with over 80% of the votes counted, the NPP had a sizeable lead and called on the Electoral Commission to declare the party victors in the election. He was not forcing the hand of the Electoral Commission in declaring the results. He seemed to have the numbers we were all waiting for. He knew something that many didn’t know. We know what happened later that day. Madam Charlotte Osei would announce the results in favour of the NPP.
Many young political guys appear to come out rude, disrespectful or worse after aligning with parties in power. I have seen and met loads of them across the Political divide. Some who could not afford three square meals speak with embarrassing levels of arrogance and crass. Not Sam. Polite, respectful and accommodating. He appears to have time for anyone and everything. And oh, we have crossed paths on multiple occasions since.
I was in Koforidua to cover the NPP delegates election as a media person in 2018 when he aspired for the position of National Organiser. I recall interviewing him before the vote. His message was poignant. He had set himself the task of leading the NPP to glory in 2020 as the lead organiser and he was going to make that happen if given the nod. The results of that election were announced at dawn the following morning. He walked to our stand (Class 91.3fm) and respectfully engaged us. I asked him a simple question centered on how quickly he was rising in the party. At 3:36am, he smiled and responded courteously. ‘For God and country. This is only part of the process. I together with my other executives have a responsibility of helping the party retain power and that is the ultimate, he stressed.’
Sam may have since moved on to work with the Youth Employment Agency as Board Chairman and National Lotteries as Chief Executive but his influence and relevance is not lost on the Party faithful. His political ambitions are clear. Next step, Parliament. He is vying for the Akwapim North seat, a traditional NPP seat in the 4th republic. Agyare Koi Larbi, Lawyer William Ofori Boafo and Nana Dokua Bissue have held the seat since 1996. Looks like a done deal from what I gather. If the numbers I saw on the 4th of August for the Ofie Walk is anything to go by, then he is in a comfortable lead. He is a grassroots man delivering on multiple fronts in the constituency and beyond. To get the sitting MP Nana Dokua move out and contest another seat in Accra (Okaikoi North) tells a story. He is the man of the locals.
His works must have culminated in landing the job as Campaign Manager of Dr Mahamadu Bawumia ahead of the NPP Presidential Primaries. You don’t get such top jobs everyday if you are not cut out for the position. I have no idea how the Vice President settled oh him as his campaign capo. What I do know however is that Sam is a go getter, a man of the people and a man who can work the electoral numbers for victory. In recent times when the campaign has became a bit too intense with salvos being fired from opposing camps, he has dealt with them with tact and finesse with his comments and behind the scenes diplomacy. Indeed, Hon Ken Agyepong has since revealed that following his showdown comments, a telephone conversation was facilitated by Sammy for the two(Hon Agyepong and Dr Bawumia) to iron out any issues that may have arisen.
He has already gone past the Special Delegates conference as Capo with over 66% of the votes for candidate Dr Bawumia. Can he get past November 4th and put the icing on the cake on December 7th, 2024? On the evidence of his works, it must be tough to bet against him leading his candidate to glory. Time would tell.
The writer, Kwame Dwomoh-Agyemang is a Communications and International Relations Professional and an Adjunct Lecturer at African University College of Communications, Pentecost and Knutsford Universities.
I was in Koforidua to cover the NPP delegates election as a media person in 2018 when he aspired for the position of National Organiser. I recall interviewing him before the vote. His message was poignant. He had set himself the task of leading the NPP to glory in 2020 as the lead organiser and he was going to make that happen if given the nod. The results of that election were announced at dawn the following morning. He walked to our stand (Class 91.3fm) and respectfully engaged us. I asked him a simple question centered on how quickly he was rising in the party. At 3:36am, he smiled and responded courteously. ‘For God and country. This is only part of the process. I together with my other executives have a responsibility of helping the party retain power and that is the ultimate, he stressed.’
Sam may have since moved on to work with the Youth Employment Agency as Board Chairman and National Lotteries as Chief Executive but his influence and relevance is not lost on the Party faithful. His political ambitions are clear. Next step, Parliament. He is vying for the Akwapim North seat, a traditional NPP seat in the 4th republic. Agyare Koi Larbi, Lawyer William Ofori Boafo and Nana Dokua Bissue have held the seat since 1996. Looks like a done deal from what I gather. If the numbers I saw on the 4th of August for the Ofie Walk is anything to go by, then he is in a comfortable lead. He is a grassroots man delivering on multiple fronts in the constituency and beyond. To get the sitting MP Nana Dokua move out and contest another seat in Accra (Okaikoi North) tells a story. He is the man of the locals.
His works must have culminated in landing the job as Campaign Manager of Dr Mahamadu Bawumia ahead of the NPP Presidential Primaries. You don’t get such top jobs everyday if you are not cut out for the position. I have no idea how the Vice President settled oh him as his campaign capo. What I do know however is that Sam is a go getter, a man of the people and a man who can work the electoral numbers for victory. In recent times when the campaign has became a bit too intense with salvos being fired from opposing camps, he has dealt with them with tact and finesse with his comments and behind the scenes diplomacy. Indeed, Hon Ken Agyepong has since revealed that following his showdown comments, a telephone conversation was facilitated by Sammy for the two(Hon Agyepong and Dr Bawumia) to iron out any issues that may have arisen.
He has already gone past the Special Delegates conference as Capo with over 66% of the votes for candidate Dr Bawumia. Can he get past November 4th and put the icing on the cake on December 7th, 2024? On the evidence of his works, it must be tough to bet against him leading his candidate to glory. Time would tell.
The writer, Kwame Dwomoh-Agyemang is a Communications and International Relations Professional and an Adjunct Lecturer at African University College of Communications, Pentecost and Knutsford Universities.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
The families of four incarcerated Tunisian politician are urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to examine claims of political persecution, while their legal representative is appealing to the EU, UK, and US to impose sanctions on President Kais Saied’s administration.
President Saied faces allegations of imprisoning over 20 individuals solely for criticizing his policies and of engaging in severe repression against black migrants.
This call for international intervention comes on the heels of the recent arrest of Abir Moussi, the leader of the opposition Free Constitutional Party.
A dominant figure in Malawian politics for more than four decades, John Tembo, has died in hospital in the capital, Lilongwe, at the age of 91, his family says.
He became an MP aged 27 in 1960 in the run-up to the country’s independence from the UK.
He went on to be regarded as former President Hastings Banda’s right-hand man and Mr. Tembo’s niece, Cecelia Kadzamira, was hired as the government’s official hostess in lieu of a first lady.
John Zenus Ungapake Tembo was Malawi’s first finance minister after independence in 1964 and went on to serve in various other cabinet roles during his career.
He also had a stint as head of the central bank and was regarded the most influential member of government during Dr. Banda’s 30-year rule.
Popularly known by his initials JZU, his most prominent role was being part of a three-member presidential council that ruled Malawi between 15 October and 8 December 1993, when the then-ageing Dr. Banda underwent brain surgery and was deemed incapacitated.
Following a referendum in June 1993, Malawi abandoned single party rule and in historic multiparty elections the following year, Dr. Banda and his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) lost power.
This paved the way for Mr. Tembo to emerge as a prominent opposition figure, heading the MCP. He contested and lost presidential elections in 2004 and 2009 – both times to Bingu wa Mutharika.
He stepped down as MCP leader in 2013, replaced by Lazarus Chakwera who went on to become president in 2020.
Mozambique’s police chief, Bernardino Rafael, has refuted allegations of officers being involved in attempts to assassinate politicians in the run-up to the local elections scheduled for October.
The mayors of Nampula province, Paulo Vahanle, and Quelimane, Manuel de Araújo, both members of Mozambique’s primary opposition party, the former rebel group Renamo, have claimed to have survived assassination attempts. They have accused police agents of carrying out these attacks.
However, speaking over the weekend, the police chief dismissed these accusations as unfounded and false. He suggested that political parties fabricated these claims to divert attention from their own inadequacies in terms of policy proposals.
Furthermore, he pointed out that such allegations could have negative consequences for the politicians and parties making them, as the same police officers they accuse are also voters.
Bernardino Rafael affirmed that Mozambique’s police force is fully prepared to ensure order and security during the upcoming electoral process.
Police in Kenya have questioned a member of parliament over claims of funding bandits in the country’s northern Rift Valley region.
Pokot South MP David Pkosing was arrested on Thursday evening by officers from the Serious Crimes Unit and released hours after interrogation.
His lawyer says the MP will appear before detectives on Friday morning for further questioning.
Mr Pkosing is the first politician to be probed by authorities over the banditry menace that has left more than 100 civilians and 16 security officers dead in the past six months.
Kenya’s military will on Friday join police units in an operation against bandits and cattle rustlers in the restive northern region. “Operation maliza uhalifu” will disarm those illegally armed in the area.
A voluntary disarmament exercise ended on Thursday after a three-day ultimatum issued by President William Ruto lapsed.
Attempts by previous administrations to disarm the heavily armed bandits operating with impunity have failed.
The government has declared the prevailing security situation in the north a national emergency and imposed a 30-day dawn-to-dusk curfew in the region.
At the centre of the perennial attacks by bandits is the lucrative meat trade. Thousands of cattle are stolen every month and driven hundreds of kilometres away for slaughter or sale in the local and international markets.
Ethnic rivalry instigated by politicians and competition for natural resources are also factors behind banditry.
Analysts say the government should prioritise sustainable solutions like dialogue and improving the economic well-being of communities who have faced historic marginalisation.
Sammy went to the Ghana Law school where he was very as the SRC president. He was called to the bar on 5th October 2018.Sammy Gyamfi contested for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) position of National Communication Officer in November 2018 where he won massively beating his contender Fred Agbenyo.
According to him, the main focus of the initiative is to produce more foodstuffs, especially rice( from the Guan district and Northern parts of Ghana), tomatoes, onions and maize from other parts of the country.
After launching the initiative, John Dumelowas hopeful that the initiative would reduce our rice, tomatoes, and onions imports by 50% in the next 6 years.
He called on all to join hands to make the initiative work.
,”I’m happy to launch the “Operation Feed Ourselves” initiative this morning. The main focus of this initiative is to produce more foodstuff especially rice( from the Guan district and Northern parts of Ghana), tomatoes, onions and maize from other parts of the country.
“Another important aspect is to urge Ghanaians to add value to what we produce and consume Made in Ghana products. Hopefully this initiative will reduce our rice, tomatoes, onions imports by 50% in the next 6 years. Lets us all join hands to make this work,” the actor posted on his Facebook page.
He added that, “It’s a great time to be a farmer. God bless you and God bless Ghana. #operationfeedourselves”
Ghanaian statesman and politician, Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe has revealed that, but for the intervention of the NPP MPs, Ghana would have been on the verge of experiencing a military intervention.
According to him, the call for the dismissal of the finance minister whipped away the plot.
He advised the president to learn from this development as the actions of the NPP MPs are unprecedented.
“Those who made this intervention have saved the 4th republic. We were getting close to military intervention but the MPs actions yesterday totally wiped it off and I think the country should learn from that as well. Akufo-Addo, as I know, will definitely make attempts to change their minds, if they instead allow that, then they will be most hated people in this country or on the political landscape,” he said in an interview with TV3’s Big Issue show.
Speaking on the call for the dismissal of Ken Ofori-Atta, Nyaho-Tamakloe indicated that it did not come to him as a surprise even though it was long overdue.
He added that what the NPP MPs did shows clearly that our democracy can be on course if we want.NPP MPs saved the country from an upcoming coup d’état – Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe
Ghanaian statesman and politician, Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe has revealed that but for the intervention of the NPP MPs, Ghana is on the verge of experiencing a military intervention.
According to him, the call for the dismissal of the finance minister whipped away the plot.
He advised the president to learn from this development as the actions of the NPP MPs are unprecedented.
“Those who made this intervention have saved the 4th republic. We were getting close to military intervention but the MPs actions yesterday totally wiped it off and I think the country should learn from that as well. Akufo-Addo, as I know, will definitely make attempts to change their minds, if they instead allow that then they will be most hated people in this country or on the political landscape,” he said in an interview with TV3’s Big Issue show.
Speaking on the call for the dismissal of Ken Ofori-Atta, Nyaho-Tamakloe indicated that it did not come to him as a surprise even though it was long overdue.
He added that what the NPP MPs did shows clearly that our democracy can be on course if we want.
Bobi Wine, a former pop sensation from Uganda who is now a politician, claims he was detained in Dubai over the weekend after travelling there to take part in a concert.
He claims that throughout his 12-hour detention at the airport, he was questioned about his political affiliation, personal history, and family.
He was later released without charge and the concert, whose proceeds were meant to benefit African migrants in the Gulf country, was later cancelled.
Mr Kyagulanyi has blamed Uganda embassy officials for the cancellation of his music concert
“The information I have is that the Ugandan embassy in Dubai influenced the cancellation of this concert because maybe if I was able to return these girls back home then the government of Uganda will be slapped in the face,” he told the BBC’s Newsday programme.
He added: “I have performed in Dubai many times for the last 15 years but this show was cancelled, and the cancellation was not adequately explained.”
Mr Kyagulanyi participated in last year’s presidential election which he lost to the incumbent Yoweri Museveni.
Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa in the Ashanti Region, Kobina Tahir Hammond, has revealed that as an up-and-coming politician, he used to stay in his lane.
His comment followed a harsh critique he delivered on the youth following an incident where President Akufo-Addo was booed.
A section of the crowd at the Global Citizen Festival at the Black Star Square on September 24, clapped and chanted ‘away, away’ when Akufo-Addo mounted the stage to deliver an address.
KT Hammond is among public officials who chastised the youth for engaging in insulting attitude. He described them as empty heads and people who cannot govern even if given the opportunity.
Challenged that he also started off as a young politician, he retorted: “When I started off as a young man, was that how I was doing it? When I was a young man like you, I stayed in my lane. I stuck to my lane.
Asked whether the president had to attend the event at all, he replied: “I don’t know about that, about the movement of the president, about whether he was advised to go or not. It is not the issue. What we are talking about in the end we saw the President there.
“Whatever was going on there, I did not know, I hadn’t heard of it before, we are hot, we don’t know about everything going on. The President owns the nation and so he goes there. But that does mean you should hurl abuse?”
The booing incident: Exactly what happened?
Thousands of patrons were at the Black Star Square to witness the concert that had a number of local and international artistes performing.
As host of the event, the president was called upon to give his remarks, which happened to be a prepared speech that lasted over six minutes.
The booing happened when he started his speech saying: “The whole world is in Ghana today.”
What started initially as people showing their disapproval of his presence on the stage, turned into loud clapping and chanting of the words: “away, away…,” the president, however, stayed the course and delivered his full speech.
As if that was not enough, people on social media latched on to the development to mock the president.
Global Citizen is the world’s largest movement of action takers and impact makers dedicated to ending extreme poverty NOW.
The voices of millions of Global Citizens around the world are driving lasting change towards sustainability, equality, and humanity by taking action every day.
The Global Citizen Festival started as a music festival where fans take actions to end extreme poverty in order to earn free tickets to attend.
