NDC To Avoid Abuakwa By-Election As A Mark Of Respect For Slain NPP MP?

As a mark of respect to the memory of the slain Abuakwa North Member of Parliament, Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, and his family, the governing National Democratic Congress is considering staying away from the yet-to-be declared vacant seat at Abuakwa North and the ensuing bye-election, The aL-hAJJ has gathered. Functionaries of the ruling party, this paper have been told, are distraught by the gruesome murder of the genteel former deputy Minister of Women and Children Affairs under the John Kufuor administration. A dependable source close to the National leadership of the party told The aL-hAJJ that, “the unfortunate incident has dealt a big blow to our fledgling democracy and we think as a responsible political party it will not be fair on our part to be engaged in any struggle to snatch the seat from our main opponents, the NPP.” “The circumstances under which JB died is very disheartening and as a party, we think it will be proper to accord his memory with respect by staying out of the bye-election occasioned as a result of his death,” the source noted. Asked if the party was not chickening out because of fears it will not make any impressive headway in the bye-election, the NDC kingpin, who does not want to be named, said “there is no doubt that Abuakwa North is an NPP stronghold, but looking at our performance in the 2012 election and the number of development projects our government has channeled to that constituency, there is no doubt that we can win the seat. We have contested bye-elections in all NPP strongholds since 1992, but this particular one the circumstance leading to the death of the NPP is not only regrettable but, also painful.” He added that “life is not only about politics…aside politics there is life. Have you thought of how the family of the late MP will feel should we engage the NPP in a fierce political battle in a bid to snatch the seat from them? The atmosphere in that constituency is a charged one and not conducive for the kind of politics we do in our part of the world so the best way to restore calm in that area and to honor our late brother, in our opinion, is to stay off the election.” The Abuakwa North NPP MP was murdered at his Shiashie residence in the wee hours of Tuesday, February 9, 2015 by assailant(s) believed to have used a ladder to have access to his bedroom before stabbing him several times, according to the police. On Thursday, the police arrested a young man, Daniel Asiedu, whom they suspect was responsible for the MP’s killing, and have since launched a search for what they say were his accomplices. As a result of the vacancy created by the death of MP, The Electoral Commission will in the coming days announce a bye-election in the Abuakwa North constituency in accordance with article 112 (5) of the 1992 constitution as amended. Article 112 (5) provides that “whenever a vacancy occurs in Parliament, the Clerk to Parliament shall notify the Electoral commission in writing within seven days after the vacancy occurred, and a by-election shall be held within thirty days after the vacancy occurred” Various political parties are expected to participate in the impending bye-election, however, the NDC, sources say, will not contest the election. According to the source, the party’s leadership is yet to meet and take a final decision on the matter, but “discussions we have had among ourselves indicate that we might stay out of the election as mark of respect for the late MP and his family.”

Source: The Al-Hajj

2016, A Straight Fight Between NDC & NPP...No Serious Impact By Other Political Parties

NPP and NDC       A political science lecturer at the Methodist University College, Dr. Owusu Bonsu has predicted that the 2016 election battle scheduled for November 7, 2016 is a straight fight between the largest opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). He insisted the 2016 election does not foresee any other political party making any serious impact to push the election for run-off. But a renowned pollster, Mr. Ben Ephson has professed that the election of Mr. Ivor Greenstreet as the Flagbearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) has the tendency to push the 2016 election for re-run with 7 percent of the total votes. He explained that Mr. Ivor Greenstreet is well connected to the grassroots and can pull a surprise in the 2016 election. But commenting on Okay Fm’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, Dr. Owusu Bonsu said he believes Ivor Greenstreet can use the various disable groups in the country to his advantage and win sympathy votes but added all depends on the effective campaign the party will embark on. “I believe the 2016 election battle is a straight fight between the major political parties [NPP and NDC]; I don’t think the other political parties can make serious impact in the 2016 election. Until all the break-away p[arties emerge to form a formidable party, I don’t think CPP can make any serious impact in Ghana politics,” he asserted. He however asserted that the CPP delayed in choosing its Flagbearer as it should have been done a year ago to patch up any difference which may arise especially as the party is yet to elect its parliamentary candidates. He therefore advised the CPP Flagbearer, Ivor Greenstreet to immediately reach out to those who lost to him in the contest and forge a united front by assigning roles to the losers in his campaign team.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com.gh/E-mail: bigdallas1985@gmail.com

Flagstaff House now ‘dumping ground’ for non-performing ministers – NPP activists

A member of the communication team of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Nana Boakye a.k.a Nana B has accused President John Mahama of turning the seat of government, the Flagstaff House into a ‘dumping ground’ for ineffective ministers or those accused of wrong doing.

According to him, the alacrity with which such ministers are reassigned to the Office of the President which is now a safe haven, is very worrying and unacceptable.

President John Mahama in his latest reshuffle on Monday reassigned Interior Minister Mark Woyongo who has come under a lot of public flak lately to the Presidency as Minister of State.

Mr Woyongo was criticized heavily for publicly stating that he was not privy to details surrounding the acceptance into the country of the two ex Guatanamo Bay Cell detainess, whose presence in Ghana has sparked a lot of controversy. Several political experts were of the view that he goofed in his answer, hence losing his position in the latest reshuffle has come as no surprise to many.

Contributing to a discussion on Peace FM Tuesday, Nana Boakye recountered how President Mahama was quick to reassign former Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah to the Office of the President in the wake of his alleged acts of corruption during Ghana’s participation at the 2014 World Cup tournament.

“This trend is very worrying, you’ll recall that soon after Ghana’s world cup debacle where Hon. Afriyie Ankrah reportedly ensured the wanton dissipation of the tax payers money, President Mahama took him from the sports ministry to the Office of the President, at a time Ghanaians were calling for his prosecution.  Why does the president re-assigns such appointees to the Presidency, for what… for them to continue the same mess they were doing” he asked?

Nana Boakye added: “A reshuffle is in the offing, and that will be done by Ghanaians during the November 7 Presidential election. Ghanaians will reshuffle President Mahama out of office as punishment for the hardship he has made us suffer.”

Source: Kasapafmonline.com

In 295 Days Nana Addo Will Be Declared Prez...Bawumia Declares

The Running mate to the New Patriotic Party flagbearer for the 2016 general elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has declared that the party's flagbearer, Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo will be elected president of the Republic in just about 295 days. "Judging from the people present here and their commitment, i am left with no doubt that the new Patriotic Party will assume power in the upcoming general elections," Dr Bawumia said. Speaking at the fund raising ceremony of the Ashanti Regional Branch of the New Patriotic Party at the Baba Yara stadium, he reiterated that the Mahama-led NDC administration has failed to make life comfortable for Ghanaians and judging from the way things are going, there is no hope for the people of this country. However, he said, "when the New Patriotic Party assumes power come 2016, we will restore hope to the people of Ghana and also clean up the mess the NDC government has created. "In this regard, I entreat all Ghanaians to vote massive for the New Patriotic Party during the elections," he added. The ceremony which started very late saw quite a number of party faithfuls in attendance. Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Mr.Bernard Antwi Bosiako expressed his appreciation to the National leadership of the party for gracing the occasion and also supporting them to achieve their purpose. Though the number is quite significant, all tickets were sold and that was our core target, he noted. In attendance was the flagbearer of the party, Nana Addo Danquah Akuff- Addo, Acting National Chairman Mr.Freddie Blay, Acting General Secretary who doubles as the National Organizer and Operations Director for the 2016 general elections, Campaign Manager Peter Mac Manu, Minority Leader Hon.Kyei Mensah Bonsu among others.

Source: Isaac Owusu/Hello FM

To NPP Members, Akufo Addo Never Errs...He’s A Saint Before Their Eyes - Gen. Mosquito

General Secretary of NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah

Apart from Jesus Christ who was perfect in his ways on earth, the General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has sarcastically rated the 2016 Presidential Candidate of NPP, Nana Akufo Addo as having similar traits. According to General Mosquito as he is affectionately called, Nana Akufo Addo is considered a saint in the eyes of the NPP and so every mistake under his leadership should be attributed to others and not him. The NDC Chief Scribe’s made this remark when he was asked to comment on the NPP’s insistence for a new voters’ register despite the decision of the Electoral Commission to maintain the current voters’ register for the 2016 election. Making mockery of the NPP’s three times Flagbearer, Asiedu Nketiah on Okay Fm’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show said that “under Nana Addo, NPP has never accepted defeat and so this is their normal practice; leave them alone”. “He (Nana Addo) has never admitted any wrongdoings in his life; he is a perfect being and so allow them to continue with the insistent demand for a new register without admitting that they have a problem”, he mocked. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com.gh/E-mail: bigdallas1985@gmail.com

I Made A Mistake...Multiple Registration In Ashanti Not 200,000 - EC Boss

Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei The Electoral Commission of Ghana has clarified that the number of suspected multiple registrations in the Ashanti region is not 200,000 as earlier stated by the Chairperson of the commission. According to the commission the figure is rather for total registrations for the region in 2014. Mrs. Charlotte Osei has thus corrected the figure for suspected multiple registrations for the Ashanti region as being 14,651. The opposition New Patriotic Party questioned the basis upon on which Mrs. Osei arrived at the earlier figure from the party’s stronghold. Responding to the decision of the EC to maintain the existing electoral roll for the November polls, campaign manager for the NPP, Mark Manu slammed the EC boss for the factual inaccuracies. “She (Charlotte Osei) made the bold statement that the EC has identified in Ashanti region alone, 200,000 names which are on the multiple registration list…this disclosure is again very strange. “The EC in its response to the NPP claimed in page 23 that 150,000 names had been identified as multiples nationwide. How is it possible therefore for the EC to identify as much as 200,000 names in the Ashanti region alone?” He queried. The NPP cited this and a number of other reasons to accuse the EC boss of towing the propaganda line of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC). “The NPP hereby serves notice that, it remains totally dissatisfied with the response from the EC and reiterate its conviction that only a new credible voter’s register will guarantee us free, fair and transparent elections” the former party Chairman added. However, in an earlier interview on Morning Starr with Robert Nii Arday Clegg, the EC boss admitted she mixed up the figures concerning multiple registrations in the Ashanti region. “I made a mistake with the figures and I think it’s really important that we clarify it and we put it on record. With regard to the suspected multiple registrations which are on the exception’s list. “For the Northern region for instance we have…about 83,000 people registered and we have suspected multiples of 8169, Upper West region; 24,000 registered with suspected multiples of 2,279 still in the process of adjudicating. Volta region; 52,000 plus registrations with suspected multiples of 4,000, Western Region; 91,000 registrations, suspected multiples of 7,000 plus. Central Region; 92,000 registrations, with suspected multiples of 5,968. Greater Accra; 162,000 registrations, suspected multiples of 11,555, Upper East region; 35,849 registrations suspected multiples 2977. “Eastern; 93,000 registrations, 5,490 suspected duplicates, Ashanti region; 200,559 registrations not multiples and 14,651 suspected multiples, it’s still the highest but it’s not 200,000. And then Brong Ahafo is 89,000 registrations 6,964 suspected multiples” the EC boss explained. She added, “But again, to be clear the multiple registrations are not in the actual register. They are on an exception’s list and as we adjudicate and take a final decision then they are either deleted totally out or the ones that pass the test of credible, legitimate registrations are now added to the register.”

Source: Starrfm

Hanna Tetteh’s Former Campaign Manager Defects To NPP

A defeated National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary aspirant in the Awutu Senya West Constituency of the Central Region has defected to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) citing underdevelopment in the constituency. Captain Owiredu Asuako who challenged Foreign Affairs Minister, Hanna Tetteh in the NDC primaries said the constituency lacks the needed development and he believes the NPP and its parliamentary candidate, George Andah will bring that development. Speaking to Citi News Captain Owiredu Asuako who was campaign manager for Madam Hanna Tetteh in the 2012 election argued that the NDC has lost touch with the people. “I wanted to stand as a parliamentary candidate, not that I’m weaker; the issue is that I’m seeking for development for the people of Awutu Senya. As at now, the group that I wanted to lead did not mind me.” He said when he compared his vision for the constituency to that of NPP’s George Andah’s adding that “it was talking about development” hence his decision to partner him. “I’m just looking for somebody who can partner me to develop my people. The present MP has not been in touch with the people as compared to other MPs who come around every weekday or weekend to talk to the people and listen to them,” the defected NDC member added. Hanna Tetteh during the NDC parliamentary primaries in the area in 2015 won by 97% of the votes as against her main contender Captain Owiredu who had a paltry 2.4% of the votes.

Source: citifmonline.com

I’m Eyeing “Incident-Free, Fair” Contest With You - Nana Addo Tells Mahama

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo is looking “forward to a healthy, incident-free, democratic, free, fair and credible contest” with President John Mahama in the 2016 elections. In a congratulatory message to President Mahama on his election as the Presidential candidate for his party, the NDC, Nana Addo said "electing representatives of the people in a Republic such as ours is key to deepening our democratic values". President Mahama was given a 95.1% endorsement by members of his party at the primaries which was held over the weekend. Bearing in mind the fact that he will be clashing with President Mahama during the 2016 elections, Nana Addo hopes it will be a 'free, fair and credible' contest. "This is to congratulate President John Dramani Mahama on his election as the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (“NDC”) for the upcoming presidential elections in 2016. I look forward to a healthy, incident-free, democratic, free, fair and credible contest in 2016. Electing representatives of the people in a Republic such as ours is key to deepening our democratic values. In that regard, I commend the members, officers and the executives of the NDC for organising and participating in this essential democratic exercise to elect their presidential candidate as well as parliamentary candidates for the various constituencies across the country. I hope lessons from last weekend will help all of us to appreciate the need to strengthen our electoral process and enhance the quality of our democracy" he stated.

Source: Peacefmonline.com

Mahama's Administration Living On Borrowed Time... - Sammy Awuku

peacefmonline.com National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Sammy Awuku says the 'No' votes for President John Dramani Mahama in the NDC Primaries signifies a "damning verdict" of the party supporters against his candidacy in the 2016 general elections. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Sammy Awuku noted that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) grassroots have lost confidence in the current Mahama administration and given a hint of his defeat in next year's elections. “The 'No' votes against President Mahama are a damning verdict of the NDC supporters against him” and this result proves that the “NDC grassroots are disappointed with the government…I am convinced that the NDC is living on borrowed time.” He recounted that President John Mahama recorded the highest numbers of 'No' votes in his strongholds. First on the list is his home region - the Northern Region - followed by Central Region where Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur hails from and Volta Region which is the party's stronghold. “The highest number of ‘No’ votes was recorded in the President’s home region. That’s the Northern Region. That’s 10190 and this is their official breakdown to us. That’s the President’s home region; the Northern region where he played tribal politics. That’s where the people voted No more…The second highest 'No' vote that President Mahama got was from the Volta Region. That is the biggest stronghold," he stated. Sammy Awuku cast doubts about President Mahama's popularity with the NDC because to him, the party's Presidential elections result is a reflection of his poor governance. “President Mahama contested against a ghost candidate. The one he contested did not exist. ‘No’ didn’t campaign. ‘No’ didn’t appoint DCEs who paid delegates on his behalf. ‘No’ doesn’t have a car, bicycle or motor. ‘No’ didn’t go anywhere in Ghana. It sat at one place on the paper. NDC pitched President Mahama against a ghost candidate; No. Yet, the ‘No’ which didn’t go anywhere or pay money, the No got 5 percent against President Mahama in his own party!”

  Source: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

We’ll teach Mahama a big lesson if he ‘snubs’ Doe-Adjaho- Volta boys

Members of the Volta Youth For Development, the group pushing for the selection of Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho as running mate of President John Mahama for the 2016 election, have vowed to teach the President a bitter lesson if their request is not granted.

Speaking on Atinka FM news on Wednesday , Prosper Fofo Ndekor, Chairman for the Group, said the Volta Region has done a lot for the National Democratic Congress over the years with little benefit in terms of proper development . According to him, the best reward for the people of the Region is for the party to nominate one of their own for the seemingly vacant slot.

“We will teach the President a big lesson if he does not nominate Doe- Adjaho as the party’s running mate ahead of 2016 election,” Fofo Ndekor warned.

He debunked claims that the group had been contracted by the Speaker of Parliament to do his bidding, adding that, they were embarking on the move out of conviction.
The group has released a statement , outlining reasons why the current Vice President, Amissah- Arthur must be dropped.

Below is the full statement:

We the members of Volta Youth For Development demand from President mahama to select the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Doe Adjaho as his running mate to secure victory for the party in the 2016 elections.

The fact is, Ghanaians have seen Amissah Arthur to be very incompetent as the Vice President to President Mahama and so, our believe which has sprung out of a research is that, his pair again with President Mahama as his running mate can only reduce the votes of NDC drastically.

Secondly, with the continous strong support of NDC by Voltarians despite our continous neglect by the NDC when it comes to development and ministerial position assignments, we as a result deem it fit for the President and all the national executives of the NDC party to atleast "console our soul" with this running mate position.

Eventhough Hon. Doe Adjaho has no hand in our demand, we have chosen to nominate him to be considered for this position because we see him as the best out of all the voltarians in NDC which has also been proven through another research of ours with respective to a majority of voltarians in and out of the Volta region.

We hope our request will be given a consideration by the leadership of NDC.

Thank you and may God be praised always

Godwin Kwami Nanedo, (CHAIRMAN)

Prosper Fofo Ndekor, (Secretary)

Dedziasa Elorm, (Member).

000

• Source::Ghana/Atinkaonline/Isaac Nuamah Yeboah

NDC Primaries: The Big Shots Who Lost- Full List.

The Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries of the ruling National Democratic Congress has ended with some bigwigs of the party falling and others taking over. Below is a list of MPs who will not be on the public payroll in 2017. Casualty Constituency E T Mensah Ningo/Prampram Georgina Nkrumah Aboah Asikuma Odoben Brakwa Francis Adu Blay Kwofie Prestea Huni Valley George Arthur Amenfi Central Abudu Nelson Daboya/Mankarigu Dr. Alhassan Ahmed Yakubu Mion Nii Armah Ashietey Korle Klottey Abu Samson Lawra constituency Emmanuel Nii Ashie-Moore Adenta Dr. Mustapha Ahmed Ayawaso North Ameen Salifu Wa East Francis Kojo Arthur Gomoa West Anthony Christian Dadzie Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese Alfred Agbesi Ashaiman Joe Gidisu Central Tongu. Simon Edem Asimah South Dayi Abukari Sumani Tamale North George Loh North Dayi

Source: peacefmonline.com

Source: peacefmonline.com