NDC in shock, big shot resigns

The National Democratic Congress says it is yet to come to terms with the shocking resignation of the party's 2nd National Vice Chairman Alhaji Said Sinare from the party.

Alhaji Sinare did not give any reasons for his resignation saying "I have resigned and that is all. I'm not gonna talk about it".

He however said those who wish to know why he resigned should ask another guru in the NDC, Mr. Ato Ahwoi.

But Mr. Ato Ahwoi told Joy News he has no idea what Alhaji Sinare was talking about.

Alhaji Sinare said he is not going to join any other political party because he is not a stomach politician.

"I am not going to join anybody's campaign trail. I'm not stomach politician", he told Joy News.

He told the Joy FM's Super Morning Show host, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah that he was hurt but will not go further.

He said he ought to have resigned from the party long ago because he won primaries in 1999 and was not given the nod.

According to him, the NDC will definitely win the December elections so to take such a decision only buttresses the extent to which he is hurt.

Alhaji Sinare is one of the party's pillars especially in the Zongo communities.

His resignation is therefore seen as a major blow to the party.

The First Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah said everything possible must be done to bring Alhaji Sinare back to the party.

He said "Alhaji is a big brother and so if he is hurt the proper thing to do is give him a hearing".

He said he did not have a clue as to what the reason for his resignation could be.

The resignation he said can have a psychological impact on the party and its chances.

Responding to suggestions that the dissociation of the party from comments made by the former first lady created some disunity within the NDC, Afriyie Ankrah said "there is absolutely nothing wrong with disagreeing with someone".

He said although he joined the NDC because of his admiration for former president Rawlings, there were times when he disagreed with him (Rawlings).

Electoral Commission launches Revision of Voters Register

The Electoral Commission on Monday launched the revision of the voter's registration for the December 2008 elections with a float through the principal streets of Accra.

The main objective of this exercise was to offer Ghanaians who have turned 18 years an opportunity to register to vote in the 2008 general elections and also give chance to other eligible Ghanaians who could not register in the previous registration exercise to enable them to register to vote.

The float, which took off at exactly 1100 hours amidst Brass band music started from the EC headquarters through Adabraka, New Town, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, business streets of Accra and finally ended at the Press Centre around 1400 hours.

Mr. Christian Owusu Parry, the Acting Director for Public Affairs at the Electoral Commission said the float was also being organised in the regional capitals to create awareness and encourage active participation.

He advised against double registration, stressing, "anybody who is found registering again has breached the law and will face a jail term." He called on registered voters who have their voters ID card missing to report to the various district offices of the EC across the country to get a replacement and added that already registered individuals who have changed residence not to register but rather report to the Commission get their names transferred to enable them to cast their votes.

Mr Owusu said the Commission had extended the days from 10 to 11 days to give students and workers the opportunity to use the weekends to register.

The registration exercise, expected to take place at specific centres in each electoral areas will begin from Thursday July, 31 to Sunday August 10, 2008. Qualified citizens can apply for registration in person from 0700 hours (7:00 am) up to 1800 hours (6:00pm) each day including weekends.

Source: GNA

Suspend National ID registration - Mahama

GNA - Dr Edward Mahama, Peoples National Convention (PNC) Presidential candidate, on Thursday urged Government to suspend the National Identification registration until the December elections were over.

He said registering people for voting simultaneously with the registration of a National Identification, could confused people by undertaking one exercise and leaving the other.

"It is likely that people may register for the National ID but may not register for voting and that could deter people from casting their votes," Dr Mahama told the GNA in an interview.

The PNC leader said it was not proper for government to do the two registration exercises simultaneously and said: "why did the government choose to do the National ID registration now even though it had been planned a long time."

Dr Mahama said the idea of National Identification was a good one, however a PNC led administration would put in place a single system that would be used for the purposes of a National ID, voter identity as well as use such identification system to ensure effective tax system in the country.

He called on Ghanaians to vote the PNC into power since it was the only political party that could help the country have real change and hope for the future.

Source: GNA

I will use age advantage to win elections – DFP leader

Mr Emmanuel Ansah Antwi, presidential candidate of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), on Monday said he had the zeal, enthusiasm and the energy to bring change and restore national hope and confidence to Ghanaians.

He said just as late President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah used his youthful exuberance to win independence, he (Antwi) would also use his comparatively young age of 43 to win the December 2008 election to bring economic emancipation to the country.

Mr Antwi said this when he paid a courtesy call on Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli Traditional Area, in Ho.

He said as a young man, he is motivated to achieve much for himself and the youth of the country and urged the electorate to vote for the DFP.

Mr. Antwi said his government would use sports and culture to discover talents in the country's youth, which would be harnessed for socio-economic development.

He said one of DFP's principles is equitable distribution of national resources and promised that his government would use revenue from the oil for the benefit of all.

"We will use the oil money to develop the agricultural sector with its success trickling down to education, health and other sectors".

"The situation where few people enjoy and majority wallop in poverty will be a thing of the past under the government of DFP," he said.

Dr. Obed Asamoah, Life Patron of the party, described the DFP as peaceful and a God fearing party and urged the electorate to reject all violent parties and vote for the DFP.

He said the DFP's "green revolution" policy would bring hope and happiness to all especially farmers and people in the agricultural sector.

Togbe Afele II, Divisional Chief of Ho Hliha who represented Togbe Afede, advised all political parties to be peaceful in their campaigns and tolerate each other for peaceful co-existence.


Source: GNA

NPP running mate slot: Nana Addo under siege

As the promised August 14 date for the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to name his running mate fast approaches, the flag-bearer has come under intense pressure from some leading members of the party, some parliamentarians and other party faithful as to who should get the nod.

Credible sources within the party told the Daily Graphic that following in the July 3 edition of this paper which named the Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama, as the frontrunner in a three-horse race, the flag-bearer had come under intense pressure

Housing, Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, and the Chief Director at the Ministry of Health, Lepowura Alhaji Mohammed Nuru Deen Jawula, as the two best outsiders.

But, today, even though the Daily Graphic can report that Hajia Mahama is still ahead, the race appears far from settled.

The lobbying going on within NPP circles is so intense that many have advocated a compromise candidate outside the highlyrated ones.

Others, however, argue that if the party should at all cost go for a woman running mate, then it should consider personalities such as Mrs Gifty Menyi-Dadzie, Ms Joyce Aryee, Mrs Oboshie Sai Cofie and Mrs
Gladys Asmah.

The flag bearer himself is so excited about the warm and tumultuous reception he is receiving from his campaign tour of the three northern regions and political insiders believe he will settle for someone from that part of the country.

When the Daily Graphic contacted a number of regional chairmen of the party, they expressed various views on the issue.

The Eastern Regional Chaiman of the NPP, Mr Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng, expressed the hope that the flag-bearer would look at regional and religious balance and nominate his running mate accordingly.

In his view, having Nana Akufo-Addo, a Christian from the south, as the flag-bearer made it prudent to select a Muslim from the north to balance the ticket.

He said all the names that had emerged as possible running mates were good materials for the party and so the flag bearer, in consultation with the party leadership should agree on a nominee.

"In all of this, I urge the flag-bearer to listen to the people on the ground and their feelings towards the running mate issue," he said in the telephone interview.

The Northern Regional Chairman, Alhaji Alhassan Addo, said, "As the father of the party in the region, I will be happy if the running mate is selected from the north."

He was of the opinion that such a move would help the NPP to retain power and continue with its good programmes.

He, however, hinted that the party would meet formally and address the issue of who could best partner Nana Akufo-Addo to win the election.

The Western Regional Chairman, Nana Owusu Ankomah, also expressed the wish that the running mate not only come from the north but he/she should be Muslim as well.

He further argued that such a person should come from an ethnic grouping where there was no strife.

"The moment you pick a person from one conflict area, the other group will not support him/her," he stated.

On the question of a female running mate, he said much as he had nothing against that move, he was concerned because women were their own enemies, adding: "I am wondering whether a female running mate will get support from her female colleagues."

The Central Rpgional Chairman, Mr Danquah Smith, said the region was not against the running mate from north. He noted, however, that "it is time we got out of the narrow view of getting a flag-bearer either from the south or north and the running mate from the north or south", saying that such stance would not help the country.


Source: Daily Graphic



 

CPP will win elections but NPP will beat NDC - Nduom

The flag-bearer of the Convention Peoples' Party (CPP) Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom says his party will win the December elections but the NPP will beat the NDC.

Giving tentative figures likely to be announced at an unnamed polling station, he said "when the votes are counted and put on the table, they will say NDC 200, NPP 250, and CPP 1,000".

He was speaking at the launch of the party's manifesto in Accra on Tuesday, July 22, 2008.

Dr. Nduom said the NPP and NDC had failed the country because while the CPP left adequate power in 1966, the nation was now faced with acute power crisis.

He said the CPP left a working railway system which had been mismanaged and crashed.

"We produced corned beef, we produced sugar, we produced matches and put up a radio called 'Akasanoma', we produced sacks in which we put our cocoa and led a united country in which ethnic consideration was secondary to being a Ghanaian", he preached.

Launching the Manfesto, Dr. Nduom said the document will bring hope to Ghanaians.

Outlining what he called a "ten-point agenda for change you can feel in your pocket", he said a CPP administration will create a just and disciplined society.

"We will take power from the president and give to the people so that they elect their own District Chief Executives", he stated.

The CPP flag-bearer said his government will strengthen Parliament by taking away the provision that allows ministers to be appointed from the House.

That he said will make the Legislature more independent.

Education, he said will be given a boost with an expansion of educational infrastructure and the GETFund put to good use.

The CPP will also introduce free and compulsory and continuous education from kindergarten to Senior High School level.

According to Dr. Nduom, having been Energy Minister before, he knew how to fix the country's energy problems to make sure that Ghana becomes a net exporter of power.

On health, he said his government in the first hundred days will ensure a clean nation in order to deal with opportunistic diseases like malaria.

Emergency care policies for him, will be pursued aggressively to save lives "because too many lives are lost" unnecessarily.

"If you believe in the justness of our cause, if you believe that we too must be free to manage our own affairs and our own country, if you believe that we too given the opportunity can achieve great things for our country, if you believe that no foreigner no matter how sincere he is can make greater sacrifices for our country than we can to improve her, then your duty is to join CPP at the general elections" he surmonised.

credit : joyonline

Lobbyist Group want Aliu retained as Veep

A lobbyist group calling itself Forum for National Equity (FNE) on Monday proposed the selection of Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama as running mate for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufu-Addo, Flag bearer of New Patriotic Party (NPP).

"The Vice President Aliu Mahama has shown beyond reasonable doubt that he has great love and respect for all Ghanaians irrespective of gender, religion or tribe. If the talk about the best man for the job is to be realized, then a capable and experienced hand like Aliu would go a long way for a perfect complement for Presidency."

A statement signed by Mr Prince Bagnaba Mba, President of FNE copied to the media in Bolgatanga said it was convinced that Nana Akufo-Addo, was the best man to serve as the next President of Ghana in the forthcoming December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The forum said the political atmosphere clearly showed that the NPP Presidential Candidate was enjoying overwhelming support from the electorate following the Government's development projects throughout the country.

Mr Mba said Alhaji Aliu acted responsibly and serving under President Kufuor demonstrated humility in his role as Vice President throughout the Party's two terms in office, adding that Alhaji Aliu had been nurtured well to handle all situations as a politician.

The statement paid tribute to Alhaji Aliu and said he understood the purpose of accountability, had a clean record and the needed impetus and commitment to ensure that Ghana was a better place to live.

"As a co-pilot, his rich experience at the highest level of national service has proved the Vice President as a man of loyalty and his partnership with Nana Akufo-Addo would not only give the NPP a landslide victory but ensure effective good governance for the best of Ghana," the statement added.

Source: GNA

EC can't rig polls -- Afari-Gyan

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, has noted that the credibility of the December presidential and parliamentary elections will not be determined by the commission alone but also on how all the stakeholders tackle their shared responsibility.

He said that responsibility was shared by the EC, the ruling government, the political parties, the security agencies, the media, the electorate and the entire civil society.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic over the weekend, Dr Afari-Gyan said the elections would cost the country GH¢42 million but cautioned that the money alone was not enough to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.

Though the details of the budget were not readily available, the EC boss pointed out and added that what would ensure free, fair and peaceful elections were the collective resolve to obey the rules and the vigilance of all stakeholders.

"I can assure you that we at the commission will play our role, but we need the complementary effort of all to ensure free and fair elections because it is a collective responsibility," he said, adding that if we did not do that "we will fall short of what are genuinely free and fair elections".

On the possible causes of disputed elections, Dr Afari-Gyan listed abuse of incumbency, multiple registration and voting, intimidation and several other forms of electoral malpractices and asked, "Is it the commission or the parties which ask their supporters to attempt any such malpractice?"

He said, for instance, that it was important that the ruling government did not abuse its incumbency by using state resources to support any candidate, while all concerned should resolve to play by the rules.

He said the political parties and their candidates must adhere to their parties' laws and code of conduct and respect one another.

Ordinary citizens too, Dr Afari-Gyan said, had roles to play, stressing that a lot of infractions of the law were committed by the people and "we must guard against that".

"We are all expected to register only once and vote only once and if all of us are prepared to play our roles, we will have very successful elections," he added.

He said the security agencies must also play their roles effectively and possibly adopt a zero tolerance for violence.

"It has been done elsewhere and I can't see any reason it cannot be done in Ghana," he charged.

So far, he pointed out, the media had not been biased, saying that in his view there was equitable access to the media.

"I think we are going to have very good elections; the signs are there, as we are dealing with some electoral issues early," he confidently stated.

On the right collation of the results, Dr Afari-Gyan pointed out that the process began with the Returning Officer, explaining that the structure of the EC was such that before the results reached the EC Head Office, many people along the chain would have already seen them.

He said members of the commission were the last to see the results, since they would be known at the polling stations, in the constituencies, districts and regions before they got to the commission at the national level.

"Therefore, if any member of the commission tells you that he can rig an election for you, tell him he is a liar," he stressed.

"If you have to worry about manipulation and rigging, then you must be worried over what happens at the polling station and at the level of the Presiding Officer because that is where results originate. By the way, if you also want to influence presiding officers, then there are 22,000 of them throughout the country," he stated.

Dr Afari-Gyan, however, gave the assurance that election results would be collated and announced timeously because the EC was operating a system which was very verifiable, saying, "We can determine at every stage what is happening.

"The fact that we did it at Pru and four other places to reconstruct the figures and announce the right winners and losers is proof of this."

credit : joyfm

December 7 General Election - Register Reopens July 31

The Electoral Commission (EC) will reopen the voters register for the supplementary registration of eligible voters from Thursday, July 31, to Sunday, August 10, this year, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the commission, has disclosed.

The supplementary registration is to allow those who have turned 18 and have not registered, as well as anybody who is over 18 but has never registered, to register.

Dr Afari-Gyan announced this when he and his deputy, Mr Sarfo Kantanka, visited the offices of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) in Accra Friday.

Earlier, the two officials had met the Managing Director of the group, Mr Ibrahim Awal, in his office, where they  held discussions on how the group could co-operate with the EC during the forthcoming elections.

The subsequent encounter with members of the Editorial Conference of the Daily Graphic is part of the company's policy of engaging key stakeholders within governance institutions to share their thoughts on critical issues confronting the country.

In frank discussions, the EC chairman said the register was in pretty good shape and that "if we ensure that the reopening of the register is done transparently, we will have good elections".

The registration exercise would take place in about 5,000 electoral centres and it is estimated that at most about a million people would register.

"This is supplementary registration to update the register and not a fresh exercise to call for the reopening of all centres," he told the Editorial Conference.

He said the commission would exhibit the register by the middle of September and by the end of that month receive nominations for both the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Dr Afari-Gyan explained that reopening of the voters register, originally scheduled for May this year, was delayed due to "a lot of unforeseen circumstances as a result of changes in methodology of the electoral process".

He explained that though the commission had put in place adequate measures to run the electoral calendar uninterrupted, the procurement process had been more difficult than anticipated.

He gave the assurance that the EC had acquired enough working materials but added that "we need to do a lot of training to get our workstations in place".

He said it was erroneous for a section of the populace to argue that the electoral calendar, the registration exercise and the filing of nominations were running late.

"We are late according to our own plan because there is no law which obligates the commission to do nominations at a specific time," Dr Afari-Gyan stated.

He said although the commission was not obligated to give the voters register to any political party, it would, in its own way of engaging the parties, send them electronic copies of the register. "What the law requires us to do is to publicly exhibit the register," Dr Afari-Gyan stated.
He gave the assurance that the commission would ensure a thorough cleaning process to come up with a clean register for the elections.
On whether prisoners would be allowed to register, Dr Afari-Gyan explained that "the law does not allow us to register them by virtue of the fact that they are inmates".

He said apart from right issues, there were difficulties associated with the exercise of registering prisoners.

On ROPAL, Dr Afari-Gyan said the commission had done considerable work on its implementation but cautioned that there was more work to be done in making it acceptable to all.

He said, for instance, that registration centres were not in place and that because ROPAL allowed every Ghanaian everywhere to register and vote in public elections, things had to be structured in a well defined manner before implementation. "It is not a programme to be rushed through," he cautioned.

On the request by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that some polling stations located within the Accra Business District be closed because nobody resided there, Dr Afari-Gyan said the petition was before the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) for resolution.

He, however, said upon close examination, the claim by the NDC was partly true and partly false because while some people lived in those areas, others who only went there to do business also registered and voted there and such names therefore had to be expunged from the said polling stations.

"As a result, we cannot close the stations because if you do that you disenfranchise some people," he said.

He said the commission was prepared to accommodate grievances concerning the register, saying, "Once we know there are names on the register which should not be there, we will act accordingly."

As to whether the national identification exercise and the reopening of the voters register would not encounter any difficulties, Dr Afari-Gyan expressed optimism that they would have no problems.

Source : Daily Graphic

CPP launches manifesto

The Convention People's Party will launch its manifesto on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 in Accra under the theme "New Dawn, New Vision".

The manifesto, which is based on the unbridled CPP principles of Equity, Social Justice, Rule of Law and Pan-Africanism would be launched by the party's Flagbearer, Papa Kwesi Nduom.

The party's 10 point agenda which has virtually become the hand book of the Flagbearer is an integral part of the manifesto.

A statement issued by the party yesterday said the highlights of the 10 point agenda include the creation of just and discipline society, reforming of state institutions to meet the challenging trends of modern day governance, reducing the size of government, the sponsoring of amendments to the Constitution to enable election of all District Assembly members, the strengthening and sponsorship of changes to abolish aspects of the constitution that allows Ministers of State to serve as Members of Parliament and quality free and compulsory education for all Ghanaian children from Kindergarten to the Senior High School.

Other speakers at the function would include CPP Chairman, Ladi Nylander, leading member, Agyeman-Badu Akosa, Manifesto Committee Chairman, Nii Moi Thompson and others.

Auctioning of the manifesto would be done by a representative of the UK branch of the CPP with support from other party executives.

Members of the CPP Council of Elders as well as some leading personalities in the Nkrumaist family like Alhaji Asoma Banda, Lt. Gen. (rtd) Emmanuel Erskine, Professor George Payin Hagan and others would be gracing the occasion.

Also representatives of political parties and the Diplomatic Corps are expected to attend the launch.

Identifiable groups like the Ghana National Association of Teachers, the Trades Union Congress, Association of Ghana Industries the Ghana Private Road Transport Union and their likes would also be at the programme.

Institutions like the Institute of Economic Affairs, Centre for Democratic Development, Fredrich Ebert Foundation and the academia are expected to send representatives to the programme, the statement said.

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Jawula must go - says Civil Service HeadA

The Head of the Civil Service, Mr Joe Issachar, has said he expects Alhaji M. N. D. Jawula, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, to resign his post for appearing in New Patriotic Party (NPP) regalia at the party's rally at Kasoa last Sunday.

In reaction to the controversy stirred by Alhaji Jawula's appearance and formal introduction at the rally, Mr Issachar told the Daily Graphic that if the director failed to resign by next week, the Civil Service Governing Councils (CSGC) would take "appropriate action" against him.

Mr Issachar said the Code of Conduct for Civil Servants, as well as the 1992 Constitution, frowned on active engagement in party politics by civil servants and added that Alhaji Jawula's action last Sunday was a flagrant disregard for the rules.

He said civil servants were expected to provide impartial, objective and professional advice for successive governments and that once an official displayed affiliation to a par¬ticular party, he was deemed to have lost that impartiality, objectivity, professionalism and neutrality.

"As soon as you start developing deep roots for a political party, you cannot remain in the service," he said.

The Head of the Civil Service said he was sure that Alhaji Jawula, with his more than 30 years' experience in the Civil Service, knew the implications of his actions and would resign quietly to continue with politics.

He said the CSGC would meet next week and if at that time Alhaji Jawula had not done the right and honourable thing by resigning, it would be forced to take action.

He explained that it was only the council which could take action because Alhaji Jawu¬la belonged to Category A in the Civil Ser¬vice, which is made up of directors, chief directors and heads of departments.

"The rule is that if you belong to Category A and you offend the code, it is the governing council which can take action against you," he said.

Mr Issachar said he sensed that Alhaji Jawula had already initiated moves to resign, adding, "There was a meeting last Tuesday which he was expected to attend but he did not and he did not offer any explanation for his absence."

"That meeting had been arranged long ago; in fact, long before he appeared on the NPP platform," he added.

He noted that in some countries such as France civil servants who were interested in politics were given leave of absence to engage in politics, but said in Ghana the system had not developed to that level.

"It will be dangerous to allow that to happen," he added.

NDC not running away from the PNDC - Mahama

Mr. John Dramani Mahama, running mate to Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, Flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Wednesday said the NDC was not running away from the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era. "The NDC accepts responsibility for the bad or good things that happened during the PNDC era," he said on Wednesday at a press soir=E9e he organized for the media in Sunyani as part of his 10-day tour of the Brong Ahafo Region.

Mr Mahama said the NDC admitted that there were excesses in that regime "which we have condemned and the leader of the PNDC, Jerry John Rawlings has apologized to the nation on many occasions". He said: "We must also accept that we would not have a country today called Ghana if the PNDC had not come during that period, in that, by 1982 Ghana was growing at a negative rate of -8 per cent and when it adopted the Economic Recovery Programme to lift the country out of its collapsed state, Ghana continued to record a growth of eight per cent by 1986 and the growth has since been positive." He said that, for people to say that the NDC embraces the good things in the PNDC and shied away from the negative things of that regime was the abuse of history.

"In fact, I read history for my first degree and for France to continue to celebrate annually the Marseilles Day, which was the French Revolution where the Guillotine was used to chop people's head off showed that no country had a rosy history all along. "The PNDC era is part of our history and during that time, hard decisions were taken to put the country back on the path of growth. "It was through the efforts of the PNDC that we now have a constitutional rule which is working....It is out of the excesses during the PNDC era that we now have a positive approach in fighting human rights abuses thus getting Ghana fast ahead of other countries. "I was never a member of the PNDC but I can stand up for events during that era." He said the PNDC, as a military government, did not need the mandate of the people for what it did.

Mr Mahama said today's young ones who were about voting age did not see the horrible state of Ghana in the late 1970s and early 80s to which Ghana had sunk. He said those who had seen and experienced the horrible state of Ghana at that time and the level it had risen to, instead of applauding the PNDC's achievement, were blinded by political colourings and describe the PNDC era as monstrous. However, there are some who perpetrated economic atrocities against the State and are now arrogating angelic platitudes to themselves, when they were doing worse things to the people now than the PNDC did. Mr Mahama said the genuine love and enthusiasm that both the young and the old were displaying to the NDC on its campaign trail were so convincing that "our opponents cannot stand the truth, honesty and humility and above all the deeper love NDC has for Ghanaians under the slogan, 'Mills - I care for you'".

Source:GNA

NPP outdoors Flag-Bearer and Parliamentary Candidates with rally

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday held a well-attended rally at Kasoa in the Central Region to formally outdoor the Party's Flag-Bearer, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo and parliamentary candidates for Election 2008.

Supporters of the Party turned out in their numbers not just to renew their faith and loyalty, but also to send a strong signal to the other contesting political parties that, they indeed have a real battle on their hands.

Clad in party "T" shirts and other NPP paraphernalia, they started massing on the streets and the rally grounds amidst dancing to brass band music, beating of the gong-gong, whistle-blowing and shouting of slogans before noon.

As President John Agyekum Kufuor and the man hoping to take over from him, come January next year, drove in, the crowd responded with deafening cheers, waving of flags and wriggling of waists to the Party's adopted campaign song, Filippa Barfi's "Go - Go - High". All the 16 NPP Presidential aspirants, who lost the contest to Nana Akufo-Addo, were there to demonstrate the unity of the Party. President Kufuor, introducing his Party's new Leader, said the coming poll was about nothing but institutional leadership, a choice of which political party could provide the right leadership to help the country to continue on the path of progress.

The NPP, he said, within the past seven-and-a-half years had proven to be a party of vision and this has transformed the fortunes of the nation.

The result has been that, Ghana was now a model of good governance and has become the toast of the international community. President Kufuor also spoke of the massive infrastructure development that had taken place under the watch of the NPP Government and expressed confidence that the Party would be returned to power by the electorate.

He gave high marks to the Government for the job done and said he did not expect Ghanaians would make the political mistake of voting for another party to roll back the progress the country was making. He called on the people to ignore the propaganda of their political opponents against the Party's Flag-bearer, adding that they had intentionally chosen to be silent and to maintain their cool in the face of provocations for the sake of national peace and unity. Nana Akufo-Addo condemned "politics of divide and rule" and promised that if elected, he would ensure the unity of the country. He declared that he was seeking for political power not to make money for himself but to serve the country and said Ghana was now on the threshold of prosperity due to the pragmatic policies of the Kufuor administration. Adding that his Government would build its achievements to take the nation forward.

He praised President Kufuor for his exemplary leadership, dedication and productive work. The economy at long last is beginning to work and Ghana has become the admiration of the international community, he said.

Mr Peter Mac Manu, National Chairman, asked the Party's members to rise above petty differences and to use the Party's structures for the resolution of whatever problems they had. Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama; Mr Allan Kyerematen; Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku; Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo and Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, all losers at presidential primaries of Party, were among the Speakers at the rally. 13 July 08

Source: GNA

NDC determined to wrestle power from NPP

Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said that the Party's determination to wrest power from the New Patriotic party (NPP), in this year's election would not be achieved on silver platter.

He has therefore called on the executives, supporters and the rank and file of the party to adopt effective and pragmatic measures to enable the party to be victorious in the upcoming December 7 polls. Professor Mills was inaugurating a 24-member Executive of the Ashanti Regional branch of the NDC Zongo Caucus in Kumasi on Saturday. The occasion was under the theme "Uniting Zongo People under One Umbrella".

He said the party would not sit down unconcerned for the NPP and the Electoral Commission (EC) to rig the election and therefore asked the Commission and other stakeholders to ensure transparency in the election.

The NDC Flag bearer blamed the ruling party for not fulfilling its campaign promises to improve the living conditions of Ghanaians and urged all Ghanaians to give the party the mandate this year to rule the country.

Professor Mills observed that the people of Zongo Communities have been neglected over the years and assured them that the party would give them the protection and guidance when voted into power. Dr. Kwabena Adjei, National Chairman of the Party advised all eligible voters to register when the Electoral Commission opens the voters' register to enable them to exercise their franchise. Mr Baba Jamal, General Secretary of the Party, emphasized the importance of the on-going National Identification Exercise in the country and urged them to register.

Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Party said the people in the Zongo's must be accorded the necessary respect and dignity as Ghanaians.

Alhaji Baba Yahaya, Regional Coordinator of the Caucus said the establishment of the group was to mobilize all people in Zongo communities to support the NDC in its campaign effort.

Alhaji Gado Sulemana, a staunch member of the NDC in the Asawase Constituency urged members to unite as one people to enable the party to win the election this year.

Source: GNA

Avoid “Skirt and Blouse” voting-DCE

Mr. Wilberforce Owusu Ansah, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima-Mponua has advised supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to desist from voting against the party's Parliamentary Candidates in their respective constituencies during the December poll.

He said voting for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the party's flagbearer without voting for their own parliamentary candidates will do a lot of harm to the party in the upcoming general elections.

The DCE gave the advice when he met the Chiefs and the people of Kyekyewere near Nyinahin in the District, during a familiarization tour.

Mr. Owusu Ansah reminded the District Assembly of its responsibilities to provide cement and roofing sheets to communities to construct their own school blocks, teachers' accommodation and places of conveniences.

He warned that, the law would deal with any one found destroying or removing posters of any Parliamentary Candidate in the District.

The DCE assured the people that Nyinahin-Kyekyewere road would be awarded on contract.




Source: GNA

"Breakaway NPP" Rejects NPP Offer

THE REFORMED Patriotic Democrats (RPD) has rejected advances by eminent members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to let go its decision to contest the December elections as a political party. Mr. Kwabena Adjei, alias Bambaata, founder and interim national chairman of RPD alleges that Mr. Apenten Appiah Menka, chairman of the Council of Elders of NPP in Ashanti Region, led some NPP personalities to attempt to dissuade him against the formation of the RPD.

The NPP Elder, at a meeting at his residence last May, is said to have suggested that Bambaata discards the idea of forming a party with the intention to contest the 2008 elections. The said meeting held over two days was initially to ascertain whether it was true that Bambaata had actually formed a party, and when he (Appiah Menka) realized the truth, they tried to dissuade him (Bambaat) to discard the idea.

Bambaata claims he rejected their offer, though he did not give details about the offer, saying "they (NPP) cannot break our (RPD) front." He added that the RPD is not for sale.

According to Bambaata, a similar thing happened in 2004 when as the national chairman of the United Youngsters Convention (UYC), he attempted to break away from the NPP. He said he was summoned to various meetings at the residencies of President Kufuor and Mr. Francis Poku. The outcome of the said meeting at the then Security Minister's residence was for him to submit expenses so far made for a possible reimbursement. Copies of the expenses are said to have been given to Mr. Francis Poku, the Chief of Staff and Kwabena Agyepong, then the Presidential staffer.

One Dr. William Asamaoh Ntim, the General Secretary of the UYC, accompanied Bambaata at the said meetings. When The Chronicle reached him for confirmation of the story, Dr. Ntim admitted going to the President's residence with Bambaata to discuss purely private issues which he cannot explain now.

According to Bambaata, Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie, alias Sir John, was privy to the said meeting. Bambaata, however, claims that up till now, he has not been reimbursed by the NPP as promised.

He explained that even though he agreed to the offer in 2004 on realization that the time was too short to go into the 2004 elections, the NPP reneged on its promise and the situation cannot be said to be the same today. "I don't even need the money".

The RPD founder said he had to refuse the offer this time round because the RPD has a programme and an agenda and that it had come to stay and to make a positive impact on the electoral process. "More so, I know they (NPP) would not honour their promise even if I agree to back out," he said.

Bambaata claims there have since been a number of attempts by agents of the NPP to dissuade him, citing the recent meeting at Appiah Menka's residence as one of them. According to him, the other meeting was with the NPP General Secretary, Nana Ohene-Ntow and then Mr. Gabby Otchere Darko, the Editor of The Statesman and a known close aide of Nana Akuffo-Addo, the NPP flag bearer.

Nana Ohene-Ntow is on record on Joy FM to have said that Bambaata made "unreasonable demands" when he met him on the issue.

Gabby, who attended the inauguration of the RPD in Kumasi, is said to have made clandestine moves recently to dissuade Bambaata from pursuing the coming elections, with the excuse that the RPD could not make any impact in the elections.

Meanwhile, Mr. Appiah Menka has confirmed that he met some leaders of the RPD but declined to make further comments, saying the issue had long been disposed of.

When reached on phone, lawyer Owusu-Afriyie declined to comment because he did not want to dabble in such matters. He said, even though he did not recollect any such meeting taking place, Bambaata might have benefited if there was a "gentleman's agreement" and stated that the NPP was prepared to accept Bambaata back into its fold.

Source: Chronicle.

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IEA set-up 11-member Presidential Debate Committee

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA Ghana) on Wednesday set-up an eleven member Presidential Debate Committee (PDC) with a mandate to organise Election 2008 Presidential Debate.

The committee is headed by His Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson, Catholic Archbishop of Cape Coast with Odeneho Gyapong Ababio II, President of the National House of Chiefs, Shiekh O. N. Shaributu, National Chief Imam and Maulvi Waham Adams as members,

The other members are Mrs Doris Acheampong, Greater Accra Regional Director of the National Commission of Civic Education; Dr Rose Mensa-Kutin, Convenor of Network for Women's Rights in Ghana; Mrs Jean Mensa, IEA Administrator; Mr Kofi Owusu, Director of Programmes, Joy FM; and Mr Ransford Tetteh, President of the Ghana Journalists Association. The rest are, Mr William Ampem Darko, Director General of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and Dr Yaw Baah, Director of Research Trades Union Congress.

Outdooring the members, at a media briefing in Accra, Brigadier Francis Agyemfra (Rtd) of the IEA said the debate is fixed for October 15 and November 12 respectively for the Northern and Southern sectors. Tamale would host the Northern Sector debate, while Accra hosts the Southern sector, the IEA said on Tuesday.

He said it formed part of IEA's efforts to deepen and consolidate multiparty democracy and promote issue-based campaigns during the Election 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary process.

He said the Presidential Debates sought to provide a forum for the candidates to come together on a single platform to dialogue and discuss their visions, policies and programmes to enable the electorate to make an informed choice as to who should govern the nation.

"What is not so well-known is what they stand for and how they intend to govern the country if elected to the high office of the Presidency.

"The Presidential Debate will therefore introduce an issue-driven approach and dimension to the electioneering campaign to enable the campaign to move away from one of personalities, acrimony, insults and attacks which have become the norm of African electoral campaigns," he

said. The Election 2008 Presidential Debates would be unique from previous debates facilitated by the IEA, in that, it would be in two parts.

The first part would consist of a questionnaire which had been administered to the flag bearers for their written responses. Questions cut across key policy issues received from various organisations such as the Trades Unions Congress, Ghana Medical Association, Ghana Employers' Association, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, Ghana National Traders and Dressmakers Association, Ghana National Association of Teachers, Ghana Registered Nurses Association, Women in Law and Development in Africa, National Union of Ghana Students, National Association of Local Authorities, Ghana Bar Association, and Ghana Federation of the Disabled.

The rest are the Association of Ghana Industries, ActionAid, Private Enterprise Foundation, Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association.

The Institute would compile the responses from the flag bearers into a pamphlet and circulate them nationwide. Their responses will also be published in the newspapers.

This, the IEA believed, would further stimulate and provoke debate and discussion of the policy issues raised.

The second part consists of two live debates to be organised in Tamale and Accra at which two moderators would pose questions to the flag bearers.

The debates would be covered live on major radio and television networks throughout the country and on the internet. The debates will also be covered by the international press.

Source: GNA

NPP NEC given 24 hour ultimatum

The Tema West Constituency branch executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has given its National Executive Council (NEC) a 24-hour ultimatum to announce the date for the constituency's primaries.

Mr Paul Azure Sampana, Chairman of Tema West Constituency of the party, issued the 24-hour ultimatum on Wednesday.

"If we don't receive a favourable response within 24 hours, we would organize and conduct our own primaries and introduce the winner to the party on July 13, at the party's rally at Kasoa".

He added that even though the NEC has planned to introduce all 230 parliamentary candidates of the party for the December election at the Kasoa rally, Tema West has nobody to represent them due to unnecessary delays of the primaries.

Mr Sampana alleged that the NEC was trying to suppress the will of the polling station chairpersons to hold the primaries, explaining that, with the exception of Tema West, primaries have been held in all the constituencies in the Greater Accra Region.

According to Mr Sampana, the NEC called him on telephone asking him to postpone the primaries which was scheduled for May 25, adding that the NEC has failed to communicate the date for the primaries or acclamation as promised.

He said even though the two aspirants, Mr Abraham Osei Aidoo, the incumbent Member of Parliament who has represented the constituency since 1996 and Mrs Irene Naa Torshie Addo, Deputy Ghana Ambassador to the United States passed the vetting, they do not understand why the hierarchy of the party were deliberately preventing the constituency from holding the primaries.

"It is in the interest of the party that primaries are held according to the party's constitution" noting that "it is unfortunate that people are interpreting the constitution to suite their own selfish interests, such people must know that the party is like a pyramid therefore they can't take decision for the constituency".

The Constituency Chairman promised that the constituency executive and the polling station chairpersons would leave the party should the NEC fail to give a date or accept the aspirant who would emerge winner, when the primaries is organized without their consent.

Mr Sampana lamented that while some party members have threatened to banish him from the constituency, some officials have also threatened to assault him should he step his foot at the party's office as they claimed he was delaying the primaries.

Source: GNA

Nana’s Charm Offensive In The VR

Nana Akufo-Addo has appealed to the people of Volta Region to change the negative perception they have about the NPP and embrace the party as the nation goes to the polls in December. Speaking to large section of traditional rulers in the Volta region, the NPP presidential candidate said the time has come for the people of the Volta Region to reconcile with the NPP in ensuring a massive victory in the elections.   He said, since the NPP is hugely represented in the rest of the regions, it would be a healthy development if the people of the Volta Region made an effort to join that good company. In appealing to the electorate in the area, he assured the people that the NPP is ever ready to work with the people in the Volta Region in enhancing socio-economic development in the region. This, he stressed, is because he believes in the politics of national unity, irrespective of one's ethnic background.
He called on them to rally behind the NPP in the party's bid to win Election 2008 and appealed to them to reject political parties and their leaders who preach negative propaganda, lies and deceit about the NPP. These political parties and politicians, he said, believe that politics is about divide and rule among innocent Ghanaians. Those people, he maintained, ought to be ignored because they have nothing to offer Ghanaians by way of development and prosperity.



The NPP, he said, had embarked on several development projects in the area and on that basis, he stated, it was only natural that the region reciprocated that gesture in voting for the NPP to enable the party continue with its development agenda for the Volta Region. He noted that the party had, since the year 2001, built 56 Junior High Schools in the Adidome and surrounding areas and hoped to continue by developing the Central Tongu Constituency. He committed himself to building a public university in the Volta Region and any other region in the country without one in an effort to deepen the quality of education in the country as well as make it accessible to all social classes.
He emphasized that he would also make sure that secondary school education is made free throughout every part of the country. The economy, he said, was on the verge of brighter economic prospects, owing largely to the discovery of the finest quality of crude oil in commercial quantities in Ghana.and appealed to the people to vote for the NPP, under whose tenure the discovery was made so that the NPP can put its proceeds to efficient use and develop every part of Ghana, including the Volta region.   

DR. NDUOM’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS THE CPP’S NATIONWIDE MEMBERSHIP DRIVE IN JULY AS HE CONTINUES UNITY TOUR ASPIRANT

The CPP National Campaign moves into high gear in July following a productive all-day meeting on Saturday, June 28th to review the results from the second quarter. Members of the CPP Central Committee, National Campaign Team and Presidential Campaign Team led by the Chairman of the Party, Mr. Ladi Nylander and the Flagbearer, Dr. Nduom participated in the review session.

The CPP plans to get its legendary organization magic firmly in place by the middle of September in preparation for a massive national campaign rally to be held on Sunday, September 21st which is the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's birth date.

In this regard, July has been set aside as the national membership drive month. The Flagbearer, Dr. Nduom set the agenda rolling on July 1st by launching the New Voters Campaign at the Accra Polytechnic. The Campaign aims to register thousands of new voters (18 – 22 years of age), disillusioned voters and others. On July 1st about 1000 young men and women were registered and issued with official CPP membership cards. Dr. Nduom will promote this New Voters Campaign throughout the country. The CPP is targeting new voters, disillusioned voters and floating voters to propel it to win more than 35% of the presidential votes to be in the runoff and win 100 parliamentary seats.

The Presidential Campaign will be in the Central Region for programs in Elmina, Komenda and Kissi on Saturday July 5th and Ajumako on Sunday July 6th. On Monday, Dr. Nduom's National Unity Tour to bring CPP faithful together will be in Kumasi on Monday July 7th where all regional, constituency executives and parliamentary aspirants in the Ashanti Region will meet him. A press conference will be held after the meeting which is to take place at 9.00 am at the GNAT Hall in Kumasi.

The Team will return to the Central Region on Tuesday, July 8th for stops in Gomua East and Mfantseman East constituencies. On Wednesday evening July 9th, Dr. Nduom will visit homeless young people including kayayei at the center of Accra.

On Friday, July 11th, Dr. Nduom will participate in the Youth Explosion program at the Trade Fair Site. Dr. Nduom will move to the Tain and Yeji constituencies in Brong Ahafo on July 12th and then move to the three northern regions until the 14th of July.

The Presidential Team will be in the Eastern Region (Afram Plains constituencies) on the 16th and 17th. The Team will be in the Volta Region where durbars are expected to be held in Mafi Kumasi and Sogakope on the 20th and Juapong on the 21st.

The CPP is expected to launch its Manifesto on July 22nd. For the rest of the month, the campaign will focus on completing the membership drive throughout the country. Throughout the July tour, "Edwumawura", "Yeresesamu" and "Change You Can Feel in Your Pocket" will be explained and popularised. Dr. Nduom will also introduce CPP Parliamentary Candidates wherever he goes.

Source: Campaign Committee - Nduom for President

No winner at Suhum NPP Primary for the second time

The Suhum Constituency branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has once again failed to elect a parliamentary candidate as the two aspirants each tied with 51 votes each at the primaries held at Suhum on Wednesday.

The aspirants are Mr Fredrick Opare Ansah, incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) and Mr Bryan Acheampong, an Information Technologies expect.

Speaking to the press, Mr Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng, Eastern Regional Chairman of the Party, described the situation as unfortunate. He said a new date would be set for another round of primaries.

He denied any knowledge of allegations that Mr Opare Ansah had camped some 40 delegates at an unknown destination since last Saturday.

Mr Amoabeng cautioned that the regional secretariat would not hesitate to sanction any aspirant found to have camped delegates prior to the primaries.

He said a report of the Suhum situation would be sent to the national executive committee for a new date to be fixed for the next primaries.

Mr Amoabeng urged aspirants and their supporters to remain calm till a candidate is elected to represent the constituency.

Source: GNA