Monthly Archives: June 2024

News, Politics, Topstory

CHRAJ to investigate EC following IMANI’s petition

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The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has accepted to investigate the Electoral Commission’s (EC) conduct in the retirement and disposal of some election-related equipment.

This follows a petition from IMANI Ghana after citizens expressed grave concerns over the EC’s handling of the nation’s scarce resources in the discharge of its duties.

In response, CHRAJ has asked IMANI to provide it with information relating to the allegations to assist with investigations.

“Kindly make the said information available to the Commission within ten days upon receipt of this letter to allow for expeditious investigations,” portions of the statement read.

Read full statement below:

 

 

News, Politics

Lord Paul Boateng to speak at UPSA annual leadership lecture 2024

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Member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom (UK), Rt Hon Lord Paul Yaw Boateng, will this morning address a public lecture, as keynote speaker at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).

The 2024 annual leadership lecture is designed to provide an intellectual platform for distinguished speakers from around the world to examine and discuss critical global and national issues pertinent to society and proffer suggestions for Ghana’s sustainable development.

Themed “Fulfilling the Promise – The Challenge of Leadership: Moving from Rhetoric to Delivery”, the event is open to the public and is expected to draw a wide audience from academia, industry, politics, traditional authority, and civil society.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with Lord Boateng on the critical issues facing leaders today and the practical steps needed to fulfill the promise of leadership in transformative ways.

Past distinguished speakers at the UPSA Annual Leadership Lecture include Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambers, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, and renowned economist Kwame Pianim.

About the Lord Paul Boateng

Lord Boateng, Boateng was born in Hackney, London, of mixed Ghanaian and Scottish heritage, is a globally renowned diplomat, lawyer, and politician. He holds extensive experience in government and public service, having served in various high-level positions in the UK government and played significant roles on the global front.
He was the first person of African descent to serve in a British cabinet when he was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2002 and later Minister of State for Police and Prisons.

In 2005, Lord Boateng returned to Africa as the UK’s High Commissioner to South Africa and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative to the Africa Commission. He played a pivotal role in promoting cooperation and development in the region.
Beyond government, Lord Boateng has held significant positions in the corporate sector, including as Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee of the Ghana International Bank.
He also chairs Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor, a development utilities advisory company that supports underserved communities in Africa and Bangladesh.

Lord Boateng is passionate about community relations, youth development, and the performing arts.

He is the current chair of the Church of England’s Archbishops Commission on Racial Justice and Co-Chair of the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission. He also serves on the board of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Ballet Rambert.

News, Politics

Pace set for NDC’s resounding triumph in Madina – Fauzia Sorogho

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A Branch Women Organiser of the opposition National democratic Congress (NDC) in South London, Fauzia Amadu Sorogho has urged the members of the party in the Madina Constituency to work hard and secure victory for the party in the next presidential and parliamentary elections on december 7, 2024.

He said the amicable resolution of issues between the MP for the area, Hon. Frances Xavier Sosu and his contender during the last primary, Prince Moses Zakari must urge all party members to rally support for the party’s activities in the constituency and ensure the MP retains the seat.

In a statement, Fauzia, a daughter of a former MP for Madina, Alhaji Bukari Amadu Sorogho, commended the party executives for working to unite the party.

Below is the statement;

“Pace Set for NDC’s Resounding Triumph in Madina!

As a proud member of the Madina Constituency, I am thrilled to witness our constituency blazing the trail for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2024 elections. The amicable resolution of issues between Hon. Frances Xavier Sosu and Hon. Prince Moses Zakari is a testament to our party’s unwavering commitment to peace and unity.

Hon. Prince Moses Zakari’s selfless decision to step down and prioritize the greater good of the NDC is a shining example of leadership, sacrifice, and dedication to our party’s success.

His courage has inspired a united front in Madina, and we are grateful for his instrumental role in uniting our constituency for victory 2024. To his team, we say thank you for making this difficult decision easier.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our constituency executives, council of elders, and former member of parliament, Hon. Sorogo, for their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in creating a stronghold for the NDC in Madina.

Honorable Sorogo, your leadership and commitment to our party’s growth and development are truly inspiring.
Your tireless efforts and negotiations with Zak to achieve this successful reconciliation, with the interest of the party at heart, have played a major role in this great achievement.

We also acknowledge the instrumental role played by Mr. Fuseni Chokosi in achieving this unity and the conflict resolution team, comprising Captain Sanda, Professor Joshua Alabi, and others, for their exceptional skill and diplomacy in resolving the issue peacefully.

To the youth of Madina, we urge you to emulate the exemplary leadership demonstrated by our senior members. Let us work together to ensure a resounding victory for the NDC in 2024. We must put aside tribal and religious politics and unite for the greater good of the NDC.

Madina has shown us the way, and victory is assured. Let us follow suit and ensure a triumphant 2024 for the NDC. Thank you, Madina, for leading the charge! Together, we shall emerge victorious and build a brighter future for all.

Branch executives, ward executives, constituency executives, let us rally for victory in Madina! We shall triumph! Long live the NDC, long live Ghana!

Writer: Fauzia Amadu Sorogho
South London Branch Women Organiser
UK-Ireland NDC”

News, Politics

Mahama promises to restore 10 banks collapsed by Akufo-Addo Gov’t

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Former President  and flag bearer of the National Demoratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama has promised to bring back the banks that were collapsed by the Akufo-Addo government under the ministerial leadership of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

Mr Mahama said the financial institutions would be given back to their owners after an “unbiased assessment.”

From 2017 to 2020, 10 banks owned by Ghanaian businesspeople were collapsed by the Bank of Ghana.

UT Bank and Capital Bank were first taken over by GCB Bank in a purchase and assumption agreement.

Seven others: The Sovereign Bank, The Beige Bank, Premium Bank, The Royal Bank, Heritage Bank, Construction Bank, and UniBank had their licences revoked and placed under the Consolidated Bank Ghana.

Former presidential candidate Paa Kwesi Nduom’s GN Bank also got degraded to a savings and loans firm and later collapsed.

As a result of the banking sector reforms, the Bank of Baroda willingly folded up and exited.

Also, six banks merged.

First Atlantic Merchant Bank Limited and Energy Commercial Bank merged into one; OmniBank Ghana Limited and Bank Sahel Sahara Ghana merged; and First National Bank and GHL Bank Limited also merged.

 

Ghana now has 23 functional universal banks in the country.

Also, 347 microfinance institutions, 39 finance houses and 53 fund management companies were collapsed in that same financial sector clean-up exercise.

Urging the youth to vote out the Akufo-Addo government and make him the next president in the upcoming elections, Mr Mahama, in a recent Facebook Live conversation, urged Ghanaians to “exercise your franchise by voting for me, John Mahama, on 7th December and for the National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate in your constituency,” noting: “As your selfless, truthful, experienced, and visionary leader, I need your vote to reset Ghana. I assure you I will work with you to build a country of shared growth and prosperity.”

Explaining what he meant by resetting Ghana, Mr Mahana saidHe stressed, “I will repair the dangerous damage to our country’s economy and people.”

He then promised: “Businessmen and women who government apparatchiks have given raw deals will have their say and can be assured of restoration.”

Specifically, Mr Mahama indicated: “After a thorough and unbiased assessment, collapsed banks and financial institutions shall be restored.”

He also promised to “provide decent and well-paying jobs through my 24-hour economy initiative.”

“Let me be clear: I am utterly appalled and disappointed by the unprecedented unemployment rate we are seeing today,” Mr Mahama stressed.

To the youth, the NDC flagbearer said: “While I agree with your justifiable anger and disappointments, I urge you to keep hope alive. Have faith in God and the power of your thumb. Ghanaians are in search of hope, hope they can believe in! Hope with the assurance that Ghana will be reset onto the path of progress and prosperity.”

“Hope, knowing they can live in safe neighbourhoods and earn a living if they study hard, work hard, and live as law-abiding citizens. This is what Ghanaians are yearning for, and this is precisely what the NDC and I are presenting to you in this election of 2024.

 

 

 

Source : Classfmonline

News

NIA strike leaves applicants stranded in Ashanti Region

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The indefinite strike by staff of the National Identification Authority (NIA) has left numerous applicants in the Ashanti Region stranded, unable to access essential services.

The strike, which began on Monday, June 10, 2024, was announced on Sunday by the Public Services Workers Union, citing poor conditions of service and the government’s failure to address negotiation delays and institution-specific allowances.

The union noted that it had postponed an initial strike notice in March 2024, following the intervention of the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations.

Despite this, the government’s lack of progress in the negotiation process has compelled the union to proceed with industrial action.

As a result, all NIA offices, including district, regional, and premium centres, have ceased operations, leaving applicants frustrated and in limbo.

Many had travelled from distant areas, urgently needing the Ghana card, but are unable to do so due to the strike.

In interviews with the media, affected applicants expressed their distress, highlighting the critical importance of the Ghana card for various activities and how the strike will severely impact their plans.

Applicants are now urging the government and relevant authorities to address the NIA’s concerns promptly.

They fear the effects of the strike will only worsen with time.

 

Source: Myjoyonline.com

News

Dumsor Vigil: NAPO must stop the arrogance and give Ghanaians stable power – Osei Akoto

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The Minister for Energy, Dr matthew opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO, has come under intense pressure following a recent street protest in Accra against erratic power supply in the country.

Demonstrators who joined Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson on Saturday, June 8,  called for an immediate end to the power crisis that has plagued the country for several months.

The outages, known as #Dumsor, have affected people and businesses across the country, including students.

Actress Yvonne Nelson, who led a similar protest in 2015, led the demonstration, calling on the government to fix the problem.

Despite feeling unwell, Nelson joined the protesters, who wore black and red shirts and held placards reading “Ghana deserves better, fix #Dumsor”, “#Dumsor is killing our dreams”, and “No more darkness, no more excuses”.

The protesters, who held a 7-hour vigil from the University of Ghana to the Tetteh Quarshie roundabout, demanded an end to the power crisis, which they say has become unbearable.

Yvonne Nelson said a viral video from a public hospital where the lights had gone out in the labor and admission wards, leaving mothers and newborns in the dark, had motivated her to mobilize people for the protest.

Henry Osei Akoto, one of the convenors of the protest said the vigil was meant to tell the president to “carry our light and give it to us”.

“We are demonstrating today to tell the Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh to stop the arrogance  and give us stable power to ensure that businesses are running well,” Akoto Osei told XYZ News.

He said Ghana needs only 750 megawatts of power, but the government has failed to provide it.

Students who joined the protest said the situation had become worse, with power outages affecting their studies and exams. Business owners, including cold store operators and metal smiths, also complained that the power crisis was affecting their businesses.

The convenors of the protest submitted a formal letter containing their demands to the president and expect a change soon. Otherwise, they vowed to take further action to put pressure on the government to fix the power crisis.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics, Topstory

Vote for change to save our country – Mahama urges Ghanaians

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Former President John Mahama, the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has declared that the upcoming election is a choice between Ghana’s progress and the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) administration.

He emphasized that the December 7 polls present an opportunity for a “course correction” from the country’s current trajectory, which he described as “disastrous”.

“This election is like no other. It is an election between Ghana and the New Patriotic Party administration. It is an election for change to reset Ghana’s narrative and effect a course
correction from our disastrous trajectory,” stated Mahama who was addressing Ghanaians via his social media platforms.

Dubbed ‘Mahama Conversations’, the live digital session by the opposition leader on Sunday, June 9, was to interact with the Ghanaian youth.

Charging the youth to vote for a change on December 7 due to the economic downturn and wanton dissipation of public resources, said a vote for him and his NDC would bring about a new dawn that would “relieve our people from the hardship and poverty inflicted by President Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia’s reckless administration.”

” That change will put Ghana back on a path of progress and prosperity, enabling us to build the Ghana we want,” he added.

Mahama also promised that an NDC government would put Ghana back on the path of progress and prosperity, creating well-paying jobs for the youth through initiatives like the 24-hour economy and other policies outlined in the NDC manifesto.

As the election season heats up, Mahama’s words are likely to energize the NDC base and appeal to undecided voters seeking an alternative to the incumbent government.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics

My 24-hour economy policy is the answer Ghana’s challenges – Mahama

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The 2024 flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has stated that his proposed 24-hour economy initiative is the solution to addressing Ghana’s financial and economic challenges.

Speaking during a special live broadcast themed ‘Mahama Conversations,’ the former president emphasised that this initiative is crucial for overcoming the country’s current and future difficulties.

Mahama explained that the 24-hour economy would create an enabling environment for businesses, companies, and government agencies, leading to increased job creation and higher employment rates.

He stressed that this initiative would be instrumental in boosting economic activity and fostering growth across various sectors.

Highlighting the benefits, Mr Mahama asserted that the 24-hour economy would significantly improve the standard of living for many Ghanaians.

By promoting continuous economic engagement, he insisted that the initiative aims to strengthen the overall economic framework and provide more opportunities for the populace.

“The 24-hour initiative is the answer for now and in the future. It will create an enabling environment with deliberate policies for businesses, companies, and government institutions to operate 24/7 in a three-eight-hour shift system.

 

Source: Myjoyonline.com

News, Politics

Franklyn Cudjoe spills beans; explains why he has ‘fallen out’ with Akufo Addo

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Franklyn Cudjoe spills beans; explains why he has ‘fallen out’ with Akufo Addo

He writes
Some friends in government are asking how it is “I fell out” with my friend, President Nana Addo, as they have noted I “attack him a lot these days.” I will provide a brief response .

To start with, I have deep respect and admiration for President Nana Akufo-Addo for his decades-long investment in pushing the boundaries of freedom from totalitarian rule. And when he became president, he had not hidden his admiration for my person in meetings sometimes to my pleasant discomfort. 😀.

For instance, the President had some flowery compliments for youŕs truly on November 25, 2017, at the birthday event of one of my respected lawyer friends. “I saw Franklin Cudjoe as I was coming in. And I heard the statement, ‘Now, the most important man in Ghana.’ And I had a feeling he was going to say ‘Franklin Cudjoe.’ Only to hear that it was me that he was talking about. Because he [Franklin Cudjoe] is certainly the most important man in Ghana.”- President Akufo-Addo.

Yes, my able lieutenants, Bright Simons Selorm Branttie Kofi Bentil, and I were invited by Nana and his small team of advisers to discuss the feasibility of the Free SHS programme way before Nana won elections in 2016. We disagreed with the free for all approach, but we provided detailed analysis projecting enrolment figures and financial outlays into 2020.

l am so disappointed and angry with him and spare no chance to criticise him for sitting aloof for his ministers and some CEOs of State Enterprises to run the economy aground, destroy our pristine rivers and forests through illegal mining, engage in crookish multi-million dollar procurement scams ( SML,PDS, KelniGVG, 5G network license Frontiers Health Covid-19 [ only 25% of all funds received applied directly to covid-related interventions]. A few years ago, 85 % of all procured contracts bypassed the GIFMIS system that could have tracked cooked scams, Veŕy generous GENSER gas deal to party financiers and very, very poor decisions in the oil sector.. ..losing Ghana almost $30bn in the Aker oil deal. Just look at what the CEO of the Trade Fair Centre has done to the centre, supposedly under superior management. These are just a few of your grave sins, my friend Nana Addo. I haven’t even added the SALL debacle to the list.

Now Nana’s legacy is that he supervised the most fiscally wreckless economy since independence and leaves us with humongous debts to last a lifetime and succeeded in literally cutting us off from borrowing from the international markets What irks me the most is his cantankerous Cathedral project with a hole waiting for God’s possible fresh annointing. It will never happen before he leaves the office.

So yes, Nana Addo was my friend, and only true friends can tell each other bodly in the face the truth. Nana, your legacy is ruined.

We can be friends again when l read your memoire apolosin̈g for taking us on a bumpy ride to your hell’s kitchen.

Now Bawumia is struggling to dance around the economy, the adulterared fuel responsible for the jerky movement of the vehicle you drove, and he is hoping to takeover the reins of the damaged vehicle he lavishly praised as the safest ever since Henry Ford’s

God be with him.

Share this widely for those small boys and girls in the NPP who think they know us well.

News, Politics

Police release Awutu Senya East NDC Parmiamentary candidate after intense pressure, protest

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The National Democratic Congress NDC has condemned the arbitrary arrest and detention of the Awutu Senya East Parliametary candidate of the party, Naa Koryoo Okunor under the directives of faceless top government officials.

It says no amount of intimidation out of desperation will cow the NDC.

The party says it’s base is rather energized, angry and ready to face off with the NPP in any attempt to manipulate processes ahead of the December 7 elections

Find below write up by National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi on the politically motivated arrest

1. Comrades, it is very clear that the NPP-controlled Police service has no reasonable or justifiable cause to be detaining the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the Awutu Senya East Constituency.

2. The claim of a discrepancy in her first name is totally false.

3. Attached is a picture of the PC’s Ghana Card which bears the name “Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor”.

4. Also attached is a soft copy of her campaign poster, which bears the same name “Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor”.

5. Also, attached are pictures of the license, permit and other documents covering the gun that was found in her car, which all bear the name “Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor” (save that on the license the last letter “o” of her middle name “Koryoo” was omitted by the police officer who filled it”.)

6. What then is Naa Koryoo’s crime? Is it now a crime to procure and register/license a gun in your name for personal protection? A gun she has not fired at anybody?

7. What did the NPP-controlled police do in the case of Hawa Koomson, who actually fired a gun at a voter registration center?

8. This same Hawa Koomson has threatened Naa Koryoo at gun point on four (4) different occasions, according to her lawyers. This is why she was compelled to buy and register a gun in her name for her protection.

8. What a load of nonsense from the Dampare-led Police. Is this the transformation of the Ghana Police Service that IGP Dampare promised Ghanaians – that a Parliamentary Candidate of the NDC will be detained overnight by the Police for a reason as flimsy and trivial as this?

9. The leadership of the NPP-controlled Police must bow down their heads in shame for allowing themselves to be used by the despotic Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government against innocent civilians.

10. We in the NDC will not be intimidated or cowered by this disgraceful and oppressive conduct of the Police. The demand for the release of Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor continues today. #FreeKoryooNow #ResistOppressorsRule

News, Topstory

Dumsor: Ghanaians don’t deserve bad governance – Actress Yvonne Nelson ready for protest against power outages

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Actress Yvonne Nelson is leading a protest against the power crisis in Ghana, collaborating with civil society groups, associations, professional bodies, and individuals to urge the government to address the issue.

Ghana has been experiencing power outages, known locally as #Dumsor, for several months, despite the government’s denial of an energy crisis.

The term #Dumsor refers to the frequent and unpredictable power cuts that have affected many people and businesses across the country, with lights going off without notice for the past three to four months.

Some Ghanaians have been complaining that their household appliances have been damaged due to the frequent power outages, while others have lost their businesses.

However, the government claims that the situation is not a power crisis, but rather a minor issue with some transformers.

But many energy experts disagree with the government’s assertion.

In April this year, President Akufo-Addo ordered the suspension of electricity exports to neighboring countries.

For decades, Ghana has been supplying electricity to Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Samuel Atta Akyea, explained that the President’s decision was made “in the interest of the Ghanaian people.”

Atta Akyea acknowledged that the decision may have consequences, but prioritized the needs of Ghanaians.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics

NDC group issued one-week ultimatum to re-instate suspended Amenfi Central executives

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A group of National Democratic Congress (NDC) members in the Amenfi Central Constituency  in the Western region are protesting against the suspension of four of their executives for misconducts

They describe the decision, taken at the national level, on grounds that they have been engaging in anti-NDC activities, harsh.

They observed that the action taken, could potentially affect the fortunes of the party in the upcoming December 7, elections

Addressing a press conference at Manso Amenfi today, the group of concerned branch executives, issued a one-week ultimatum for the re-instatement of all those affected to make room for dialogue to address any concern raised.

The four are, Constituency Chairman Mr. Raphael Andoh Kwaw, Constituency Organiser Mr. Richmond Aleke, the Women Organiser Madam Grace Kwaw and her deputy Madam Janet Fynn.

“the action by General Secretary, Hon. Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey and the entire national leadership is unacceptable since it could reverse the gains and Victory of the NDC party in the Amenfi Central” they emphasized