Tag Archives: NDC

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We’re against shifting election date to November – NDC

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has kicked against the proposal by the Electoral Commission to change the election date from December 7 to November 7.

The proposal was raised during the recent Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held on Monday, January 22, 2024.

The Electoral Commission not only suggested a shift in the election date but also recommended that election days be designated as national holidays.

But the Director of Elections and IT for the NDC, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, rejected the proposal, expressing the party’s strong opposition to any alteration in the established election timeline.

In response to the proposal, Dr. Omane Boamah emphasized the party’s commitment to maintaining the current election date and urged the Electoral Commission to embark on a comprehensive review of the electoral process.

He stressed the importance of inclusive and proper dialogue to address any concerns or improvements needed in the electoral system.

Despite the NDC’s firm stance against changing the election date, Dr. Omane Boamah highlighted the party’s willingness to engage in discussions about voting on prayer or worship days.

He provided details to support the argument that voting on prayer or worship days does not adversely affect the overall turnout of the elections.

Below is Dr Omane Boamah’s response

On IPAC matters, for the avoidance of doubt:

1. We (NDC) do not support the November date for elections.

2. ⁠Instead of cherry-picking, we (NDC) call for a comprehensive review of the electoral process through inclusive and proper dialogue; we already submitted our proposals to the EC.

3. ⁠On voting on prayer/worship days, we (NDC) are open to discussions.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

 

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Ashanti NDC to stage 24-hour economy mega walk January 24

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The Ashanti Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has scheduled next Wednesday, January 24, 2024, a procession through the Central Business District of Kumasi to sensitize the public on the expected impact of the 24-hour economy proposal promised by John Dramani Mahama if he wins the next general elections.

The peaceful walk intended to target people within the Central Business District of Kumasi, is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.

Ashanti Regional Organizer of the party, Isham Yaw Alhassan, who announced this at a press briefing, said the exercise will start from the Aboabo Post office, through Bantama High Street, KATH Roundabout, Kejetia Roundabout, Adum Pampaso, Prisons Roundabout, Aseda House Street, Asafo Interchange, Labour Roundabout and end at the Jubilee Park, where series of speeches shall be made to bring clarity to what the policy proposal entails.
According to Isham Alhassan, it has become necessary for the party to scale up activities to defuse desperate attempts by the governing New Patriotic Party to mislead the people in its stronghold about the potential for job creation, economic growth and improvement in security.

He noted that though there is no doubt what even the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, Dr Yaw Baah describes as a ‘game changer’ but because of the misinformation being spread by the NPP, which has already disappointed its support base, the NDC is compelled to reach out to the masses to explain for the buy in and support for NDC’s 2024 flagbearer.

The NDC Ashanti regional organizer, added that, John Mahama’s track record in Ashanti and by extension, Ghana as a whole, stands tall and assured that he is committed with his resolve to bring all hands-on deck to first restore hope, salvage the economy to create opportunity for jobs for the youth.

 

 

By: Isaac Nana Appiah/ myxyzonline.com// Gh

 

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Poor implementation of Free SHS declining standards in Varsities – NDC W/Organiser

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The NDC Women’s Organiser for the Eastern Region, Shirley Naana Osei Ampem has said the implementation of the pro-poor education policy, the Free SHS, has been problematic since its inception under the Akufo-Addo administration.

He said the numerous challenges that have characterised the government’s flagship programme has badly affected the performance of its beneficiaries in the country’s universities.

Speaking to Prince Minkah on TV XYZ breakfast show, Dwaboase, the vociferous women leader said the government erred by not consulting widely before implementing the policy in 2017 and as a result affected the academic performance of the students who graduated from most of the second cycle institutions into universities.

She argued that the programme should have been implemented after enough infrastructure had been secured for the millions of students to enjoy.

“The NPP implemented Free SHS poorly and as we speak the performance of these students in the various universities is nothing good to write home about,” Naana Ampem stated in Akan.

To her, the bad policies of the NPP government have gravely affected millions of Ghanaians and the free SHS is a classic example of how the men at the helm of affairs are bereft of ideas and must be voted out in the December elections.

Urging Ghanaians to believe in NDC flag bearer, John Mahama, she assured that the party leadership had taken notice of the numerous challenges of Ghanaians including the economic meltdown under the NPP government and are prepared to solve them when votes to power.

Unsatisfactory Performance

In May last year, the Deputy Ranking of Parliament’s Education Committee disclosed that there had been concerns among tutors about the performances of the beneficiaries of Free SHS in public universities.

Dr Clement Abass Apaak said the performance of the students had sparked agitations from some lecturers who were seeking to propose an entrance exam module for students who had enrolled under the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

He explained further in an interview with Joy News that the agitation was informed by the abysmal academic performance of students under the programme in the universities.

This, he said was disclosed by lecturers at the various university campuses.

According to him, the said students passed their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) with good grades but were struggling to cope academically in the universities.

“You can call a few of my colleagues who are still at the universities, lecturers, and ask them about the quality of students who are coming through these days. They will tell you that the quality is unsatisfactory,” Apaak added.

 

By Henryson Okrah| Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics

NDC’s Araba Tagoe to be buried this weekend

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The late National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Araba Tagoe, will be laid to rest this weekend.

According to the funeral arrangements, there will be no wake. Her body will be laid in state at the Family Residence, at Kawanupaado in Cape Coast on Friday, 19th January 2024 for filing past.

Burial Service shall take place at the St. Frances De Sales Catholic Church this Saturday after which mourners shall converge at the Cape Coast Sport Stadium for the funeral rites.

Former President, John Dramani Mahama, his 2020 Running Mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, NDC National Executives, MPs former appointees, the Western regional branch of the NDC among other sympathizers are expected to join the mourners.

Araba Tagoe, firebrand and radical party member, well known for her forthrightness, brevity and commitment towards grassroots mobilization of the party, died on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital where she was on admission.

She was a staunch supporter of Sekondi Hassacas, and was twice the NDC Deputy Women’s Organiser for Western Region.

The Thanksgiving Mass is slated for Sunday 21 January 2024 at the St. Frances De Sales Catholic Church, Cape Coast.

 

 

 

 

By:Afia Owusu/ myxyzonline.com/ Ghana

News, Politics, Topstory

NDC condemns attacks Northern regional party treasurer; refers officer involved to FEC for sanctions.

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The National Democratic Congress has condemned the physical attack on the Northern Regional Treasurer Hajia Shamima Yakubu, by one of the party executives in the region over the weekend.

It has since referred the party executive involved in the assault to the Functional Executive Committee for investigations and sanctions.

According to a statement issued by General Secretary, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, the victim who was hospitalized has been treated and discharged.

“The NDC takes a very serious view of the conduct of the party officer responsible for the assault, and at the next meeting of its Functional Executive Committee meeting, measures would be taken to address the matter thoroughly to leave no doubt in everyone’s mind that the party does not approve of unlawful acts of assault and battery” – the statement emphasized

The statement also denied media reports claiming the incident happened in the presence of a national executive member of the party.

“There was not a single national executive member present at the meeting at which the Regional Treasurer was assaulted” – it emphasized.

It assured the rank and file of the party of the party’s determination to ensure that all its members adhere strictly to the long-cherished practices that have made NDC internal politics as it put it, “the enviable attraction of teeming millions of the people of Ghana, and from which we draw the confidence of being the next government in waiting”

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We won’t sleep till Jean Mensah reluctantly declares NDC as winner of 2024 elections – John Mahama

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Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his party’s resolve to diligently police every ballot and every stage of the counting process till the Electoral Commission finally declares the results.

According to John Mahama the vigilance before, during and after the 2024 elections, will be unprecedented.

“I can assure you, that all of us will be polling agents and this election will be the most policed election in the history of our country” he empathized.

The former President, who was speaking at community engagement at Dodze in the Ketu North Constituency as part of his two-day tour of the Volta region, has been consistent with his party’s position that, the NDC will no longer resort to the Supreme Court to settle political disputes but will protect every single ballot and collation at the Polling Stations.

Mr Mahama, optimistic of a resounding victory said there is ample reason to believe government is bent on manipulating the process through the Electoral Commission (EC) to subvert the will of the people but his party is not going to sleep till EC Chair, Jean Mensa, as he put it, ‘has the unpleasant duty’ of declaring the NDC as the winner of the 2024 elections.

” We will not sleep until the until the final vote is cast, constituency and regional tally is done; we will not sleep until the final collation in the strong room and we will not sleep until Madam Jean Mensah has the unpleasant duty of declaring NDC as the winner of the 2024 election” he stressed.

On commentaries by stakeholders recommending the use of Courts to settle disagreements, the NDC 2024 flagbearer, obviously referencing the bitter experience from the 2020 Election petition case, in which the Supreme Court virtually shielded EC Chair Jean Mensah from scrutiny after declaring the Presidential results thrice, said “that will never happen again”.

” I not going to the supreme Court again because I know I am not going to lose. The supreme Court will not give me justice” he explained.

News, Politics

Vigilance is the only way to outwit NPP’s rigging agenda – John Mahama

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The 2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has tasked the rank and file of the party to remain extra vigilant and copiously track all election related activities to block any grand scheme in the offing to rig the December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

According to him, this is the surest way of outwitting the New Patriotic Party, NPP’s agenda to continue stay in power.

John Mahama who was addressing party officials, former appointees, MPs and supporters as part of his 2-day #BuildingGhanaTour of the Volta region, noted that governing party, which has now been exposed for ” their expertise in deceptive branding” know after the abysmal performance under Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo that, the only alternative is to rig the election to continue their mess

“The NPP is still same as we have known. The only way to kick them out is to be vigilant to ensure every single ballot counts” he advised.

The former President, who has been mobbed in the communities visited in NDC’s stronghold further urged the party to be very critical in the selection and training of Polling station agents who shall police the ballot on the D-day.

” I urge the party leadership and the MPs to be particular about who is appointed as polling station agents. It is not only being literate but people must be trained to understand the election process. The Electoral processes is now sophisticated than it was in 1996. And so we must be intentional about it” he intimated.

Mr. Mahama admitted that though opinion polls suggest he is already in the lead and most likely to win the 2024 elections, the road ahead will still be difficult.

He therefore challenged MPs to personally take interest in all electoral processes and related activities in their constituencies and the regional at large.

” I agree with earlier suggestions that the presidential ballots should be counted before the parliamentary. This will prevent MPs from leaving the polling station after their ballots are counted” he stressed.

News, Politics

8 killed in 2020, a ‘day of infamy, an indelible blemish on Ghana’s democratic credentials’ – Mahama

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Former President, John Dramani Mahama has described the killing of eight innocent people during the 2020 polls, as an indelible blemish on Ghana’s democratic credentials.

The 2024 flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who has vowed to institute an ivestigariin to prosecute perpetrators still walking about freely says the sad incident, obviously sanctioned by the state, will forever be remembered as Ghana’s day of infamy, over the last 32 years of constitutional rule.”

Mr Mahama whonwas responding to President Akufo a Addo’s jab for not congratulating him since his ‘re-election’, expressed disappointment and suprise at President Nana Akufo-Addo’s silence over “the use of thugs and rogue elements within the security agencies to disrupt elections in some parts of the country.

The former President has described the President Akufo-Addo’s silence as saddening and unconscionable.

It will be recalled that several appeals to government, assurances by Ministers of Defence and the Interior during their appearances before Parkiaments vetting Committee in 2021 and a formal petition to the Ghana Police Service by the NDC to investigate the incident has been shelved theee years on

The NDC has vowed to bring those behind the extra JUDUCIAL killings are brought to book if it wins the December 7, 2024 elections

 

 

 

By: Odeefuor Berchie/myxyzonline.com

News, Politics

Next NDC Government will resource Geological survey to explore more minerals

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Former President John Mahama has pledged to adequately resource Ghana Geological Survey and other agencies to scale up exploration for other potential minerals in large quantities for commercial use.

According to the NDC 2024 candidate, Ghana is blessed with natural resources and it’s incumbent on future governments to tap them for maximum benefit, after lessons learnt from previous agreements that have not inured to the benefit of the nation.

“Resource the Geological survey to conduct explorations across entire country so that when the foreigner come for mining then we can have a good bargaining chip” he said.

Mr Mahama who was speaking at Abura Asebu Kwamankese on Day One of his tour of the Centeal region further noted… ” We don’t do the exploration ourselves and after they have done the explorations, they then apply for the mining lease and that gives us little to take home”

Per the current arrangements according to John Mahama, Ghana only enjoys only 3% of royalties which hitherto was pegged between 6-12%.

“Ghana only gets 10% free carried interest, 3% royalties and cooperate income tax of 35%” he lamented.

John Mahama assured that the next NDC government will change the narrative so posterity will be glad of the investment from minerals proceeds in their communities.

“Our youth should be able to identify a particular developmental projects gotten from these mined natural resources mined in their communities” he said.

In a brief remark, the Omahene of Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK), Okakaben Aidan Andoh X expressed worry about the high employment rate within his jurisdiction.

According to him his traditional area is endowed with natural resources including Lithium.

Government is already under pressure to abrogate the Lithium agreement with only 13% stake for Ghana, signed recently, because critics strongly believe it’s a complete rip off

News, Politics, Topstory

‘Don’t sit on the fence, get out and vote’ – NDC rallies Ghanaians to participate in tomorrow’s district elections

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The opposition National Democratic Congress is rallying Ghanaians to fully participate in the District Assembly elections scheduled to take place tomorrow, 19th December, 2023.

The call comes amidst fears about a possible record low turnout following the very poor publicity towards this year’s exercise.

A statement signed by NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia acknowledged apathy towards the elections over the past few years but says the current situation, has been compounded by certain government decisions which have further weakened the capacity of the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to deliver, thereby diminishing public interest in governance at the local level.

“As we speak, almost all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies have been put into a state of financial distress by the failed Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government. The current financial state of majority of MMDAs today is a reflection of the state of mismanagement that our economy and country as a whole has witnessed under the current government.’ he noted
The NDC National Chairman further explained that as a result of the obnoxious and anti-development Capping and Realignment policy of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) is being diverted for other purposes. This situation has left many of these MMDAs highly encumbered and incapable of undertaking any meaningful development at the local level.”
“In most cases, between 20% to 50% of the IGF of various Assemblies is capped, while in some instances, everything including market tolls, toilet fees and mortuary fees are taken by central government, leaving the Assemblies with nothing.” he emphasized.
He expressed regret at the development which has left many MMDA’s virtually bankrupt because Common Fund payments are in arrears for several quarters and cannot undertake developmental projects at the local level.
He however assured, that come 2025 the next NDC government will make frantic efforts to reverse the trend.
This among other bold steps shall include
1. Empower Assemblies to generate and retain more internally-generated funds to finance their operations and other activities.
2. Complete the operationalisation of sub-district structures (Town and Area Councils and Unit Committees) with the allocation of a percentage of the Assemblies revenue to fund micro projects within their jurisdiction.
3. Reduce drastically the number of Ministers and redirect the savings made to pay allowances to Assembly members and

4. Reverse the current trend of recentralisation of award of District-level contracts to ensure real devolution of power to the districts.

Find below the full statement

 

News, Politics, Topstory

Next NDC government will scrap BETTING, E-Levy, COVID, other nuisance taxes – Mahama

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2024 Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama has promised to scrap nuisance taxes overburdening Ghanaians if he wins the next general election.
According to the former President, even the free water and electricity government promised households during the COVID pandemic, it has made a U-turn to levy Ghanaians.

For him, it’s simply a reflection of desperate measures adopted to stay afloat after recklessly spending resources with impunity.

“There are no jobs and the little people are earning from betting, you are taking it away from them. Water and electricity government claims we consumed for free, we are being levied to pay back. When we (NDC) come, we will abolish the E-levy, BET tax, COVID and all other nuisance taxes” he emphasized.

Mr. Mahama who is on a tour day tour of the Western Region was addressing a Town Hall meeting with Chiefs and people of Apowa in the Ahanta West Constituency.

This is not the first time the former President has made such pledges.

It will be re called that in the wake of the recent public outcry about the high cost of dialysis treatment, Mr Mahama added his voice to calls for the abolition of import taxes on medication and kits.
Mr Mahama said at an event to mark 2023 United Nations International Day for the Aged. ….. “The explanation I have read from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital cites the increase in taxes and duties of materials for dialysis treatment as the main reason for their decision to hike the price by a hundred percent. As an immediate measure, I call on the government to exempt medication and kits for dialysis treatment from taxes and duties to maintain this critical lifeline for patients whose survival depends on these treatments”.

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Next NDC government will support housing scheme for teachers, other salaried workers – John Mahama

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Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his promise to build affordable houses for salaries workers.

The former President who was in a two-day tour of the Western North region said teacher and other pubic servants are assured of his commitment to bridge the housing deficit gap to eliminate the phenomenon of sleepless nights over how to house families after retirement.

Speaking at Debiso in the Bia-West constituency as part of his Building Ghana tour, John Mahama said ” by the time you will retire at age 60, government would have helped you build at least a two bed room apartment at a place of your choice”

He added, “the deduction will be done from your salary so it does not put undue financial burden on you”.

On his usual humorous way of explaining things, Mr. Mahama said “you won’t go back to your family house and be litigating with cousins and nieces over family facilities and or where to lay your head after years of serving the nation and time to have a peaceful mind to reflect’.

According to the latest data by the Ghana Statistical Service, about six (6) million out of the 33 million Ghanaians need housing.

The 2021 Population and Housing Census data on structures, housing conditions and facilities as presented by the GSS puts Ghana’s housing deficit to 1.8m.

 

 

 

By:Wisdom Hededzorme/myxyzonline.com/Ghana