Transport Minister Resigns Over MMRT Rebranding Scandal

Information available topeacefmonline.com indicates that Minister of Transport, Dzifa Attivor has resigned over the Metro Mass Rapid Transit Bus scandal. According to a statement signed by her Personal Assistant, Egypt Kobla Kudoto, the Minister of Transport can no longer continue with her duties and has accordingly submitted her resignation letter to the President, John Dramani Mahama. Issue Government has spent about GH¢ 3,649,044.75 on the Re-branding of 116 buses for the Metro Mass Rapid Transit (MMRT) imported to improve the transport system in the country. Re-branding for each of the buses cost GH¢31,457.28, leading to a total of GH¢3,649,044.75 for the 116 buses, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu quoted figures from the 2015 annual report on the Petroleum Funds. But the Transport Minister, Dzifa Ativor in her response to the claim by the Minority Leader said she did not have the details of the re-branding at hand and promised to make it available to the House at a later date. Below is the full statement: Hon Mrs Dzifa Attivor, Minister of Transport wishes to inform the good people of Ghana that, as the Minister with oversight responsibility for the activities of the Metro Mass Transit (MMT), she has tendered in her resignation as Minister due to the current issues surrounding the branding of the 116 buses. She further wants to take the opportunity to thank her Party for the opportunity offered her to serve, first as Deputy Minister of Transport under the late President JEA Mills, and later the substantive Minister. Mrs Dzifa Attivor also wishes to thank the President sincerely for the honour to serve in his government. She has already communicated this decision to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama through the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah. Signed Egypt Kobla Kudoto Personal Assistant

Source: Peacefmonline.com

EC Boss Should Have Been At IEA Election Lecture To Learn From The Nigerian Experience - Mrs Rawlings

Founder and flagbearer of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings has reiterated the need for a credible voters' register. Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings called for a new register, stressing that the register is a panacea for Ghana's porous elections. “I think we should have credible register…history teaches people that you learn from other people’s examples. You don’t sit down and pretend you know it all. So, you pick from places where they have experienced certain things, how they’ve done it, how you can improve yours and then you act on it." In an interview with Peacefmonline.com at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) 25th Anniversary Lecture on Free and Fair Elections in Africa, Nana Konadu advised political parties to desist from busing people to polling stations to do the bidding of the paymasters. According to her, "busing people whether they’re Ghanaians or not, busing people whether they’re registered voters or not; may be one of the ways that they want to twist things but I think that if you like your country enough, they will learn the right thing and correct them.” Nana Konadu further expressed concerns over the absence of Ghana's Electoral Commissioner Charlotte Osei at the IEA lecture. The lecture hosted Nigeria's immediate past Electoral Commissioner Prof. Attahiru Jega to share his experiences that led to free and fair elections in Nigeria on March 2015. Present at the function were NPP Flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; suspended NPP General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong; the former Chief of Staff, Nana Ato Dadzie; former Commissioner of CHRAJ, Prof. Emile Short among other dignitaries, but Ghana's EC Boss couldn't make the occasion. Addressing the absence of Mrs. Charlotte Osei, Nana Konadu held that the EC Boss should have been present to learn from the Nigerian experience. “I think it would have been good if she had the time to be present at least to listen to the questions that were being asked and then the answers that were going to be given.”

Source: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

NPP Members Pop Champagne To Kwabena Agyepong’s Suspension [PHOTOS]

Some supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) greeted the news about the suspension of their General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong with loud cheers and celebrations at the party headquarters in Accra. The National Executive Committee which took the decision on Thursday, also suspended the Second Vice Chairman Sammy Crabbe indefinitely.  Citi News’ Franklin Badu Junior who was at the party’s headquarters when the NEC ruled on the matter reported that about thirty supporters were popping champagne and wine, jubilating over the development. “A lot of champagne popping at the NPP headquarters at Asylum down. I can see about thirty supporters of the party popping champagne, some with powder, jubilating upon hearing that the party’s General Secretary, Kwabena Agyyepong and the Second Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe have been suspended.  “Some party members started shouting, screaming and pouring champagne immediately after the decision was announced- a sign that what they wanted for the party’s General Secretary and the Second Vice Chairman had received a stamp from the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC),” he said. He further stated that some party loyalists chased Agyepong out of the party headquarters with brooms after the decision was taken. This is not the first time Agyepong has met stiff opposition from NPP loyalists at the party’s headquarters. He was earlier confronted with a more violent actions which led to an attack on his vehicle after he brought to the notice of persons present at the party’s steering committee meeting, an application for interlocutory injunction. Persons present at the meeting Some bigwigs within the party, including Nana Addo, Haruna Esseku, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu among others were present at the meeting that saw the suspension of the two. Reports indicate that John Boadu, who is the NPP’s National Organiser is likely to take up Agyepong’s position.

Source: citifmonline.com

Kwabena Agyapong And Crabbe Suspended Indefinitely By NPP

Snippets of information reaching Peacefmonline.comindicates that, the General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong and Second National Vice Chairman Sammy Crabbe, have been suspended indefinitely by the National Executive Committee of the NPP. Media reports earlier indicated that the Disciplinary Committee of the NPP recommended a 15 months suspension for embattled General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong, and an indefinite suspension for its second vice chairman, Sammy Crabbe. Peace FM News' Naana Ntiri who is at the party's headquarters reports that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the opposition New Patriotic Party has upheld the decision by the party's Disciplinary Committee; and went further to commit both to an indefinite suspension. NEC met today to take the decision on whether to affirm the decision of the Disciplinary Committee at the party's headquarters in Asylum Down Accra. The suspensions follow a petition brought forth by some NPP members who accused the General Secretary and the second Vice Chairman of undermining the party’s authority after the suspension of National Chairman, Paul Afoko. Their utterances are believed to have emboldened the petitioners, Chris Arthur, Former TESCON-KNUST President; Adreba Kwaku Abrefa Damoa, London; Kwabena Afum Dankwa, London; and Kwame Baffoe, NPP Regional Youth Organiser, Brong Ahafo to demand sanctions against the two. Earlier today, Director of Communications of the NPP, Nana Akomea, denied reports that the DC has made recommendations for Kwabena Agyapong’s suspension in an interview with Peace FM's Kwami Sefa Kayi. The petitioners stated in their petition filed November 4, 2015 that; “Kwabena Agyepong has rubbished, and keeps rubbishing the suspension of Afoko from his chairmanship. This in our view is an act of mischievous contempt for the authority of the Party as a whole, including its elders, its leadership, and its structures.” However, even before today’s NEC meeting, some groups like the Ashanti Youth Association, Young Executives Forum of NPP, Ashanti Market Women Association and other pro-NPP groups warned the party to back off the decision to suspend Kwabena Agyapong or risk disintegrating the party ahead of the 2016 elections. Kwabena Agyepong and Sammy Crabbe will now join Paul Afoko as national officers who have been suspended by the party in less than three months. Some political observers had warned that sidelining such figures will deepen the party’s internal strife, but others disagree. It remains to be seen how these suspensions will affect the electoral fortunes of the NPP; if indeed it can.

Source: Alex Ofei-Kwayisi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana and Naana Ntiri/Peace FM News

Angry NDC Youth In Tamale Burn Inusah Fuseini Billboards

A purported dismissal of Alhaji Ibrahim Seidu from office as the Deputy Director of Feeder Roads Department sent some youth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Tamale Central Constituency on rampage on Wednesday. The youth who were protesting after hearing that the Civil Service had written a letter dismissing Alhaji Seidu popularly known as Engineer, took to the streets and destroyed posters and billboards of their Member of Parliament and Minister of Roads and Highways, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini Alhaji Ibrahim Seidu was a key challenger to incumbent Alhaji Fuseini in the November 21 NDC parliamentary primary in the Tamale Central Constituency.He lost the elections to Alhaji Fuseini. The destruction of property has generated tension in the area and especially at Tishigu, a suburb in the constituency where Alhaji Fuseini lives in Tamale. Meanwhile, heavily armed policemen have been deployed to maintain law and order. A source close to Engineer Ibrahim's campaign team confirmed that the Engineer has been served with a dismissal letter.

Source: Daily Graphic

We Don’t Need Any ‘Mugabe’ – Hassan Ayariga

The 2012 Presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC) says his party is tired of always presenting one candidate who according to him has no vision for PNC. Hassan Ayariga, who was referring to his contender Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama as the ‘Mugabe’ of the party, said when he (Dr Nasigrie Mahama) once again becomes the presidential candidate of the party, he will only end up dividing the party. “My contender is bringing division in the PNC and so I will be worried if he is elected as the presidential candidate of the party when we go to congress” he said. The 7th National Delegates Congress of the PNC will be held in the Upper West Region from December 11 to 13, 2015, in memory of late party stalwarts Alhaji Imoro Egala and President Hilla Limann. The National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan says the party has completed all the processes necessay for the successful two-day congress. He disclosed that the Electoral and Nominations Committee of the party, acting on its mandate, conducted balloting for all the aspirants on December 3, 2015 at the party headquarters in Accra. This follows the picking of nomination forms, filing and vetting of all aspirants to enable the party to go to congress as a united group. At the end of the largely successful balloting exercise, Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama and Dr Abdulai Hassan Ayariga, in that order, will contest the party’s presidential candidate slot. But speaking on Asempa FM Wednesday, Dr. Hassan Ayariga stressed that he is poised to bring unity in the party and therefore will not allow anyone to destroy the party as Dr Nasigrie Mahama did when he was the flagbearer of the party some time ago. He said when Dr. Nasigrie Mahama was elected as the flagbearer of the party, he showed no leadership skill ‘but only enjoys being a flagbearer with no vision’. “My only problem I have with my contender is the division he brought into the party in 2008, 2012 and now. When he was the leader and flagbearer of the party, his conduct brought the party into disarray because some people in the party intentionally campaigned against me”. Asked by show host, Kwadwo Asare Baffour Acheampong (KABA) what he intends brining on board, the 2012 Presidential candidate indicated that aside 'good' policies, he will rebrand and turn around the fortunes of the party. “The NPP and the NDC is successful because they are committing fully as far as resources are concerned and I intend doing more than that to see the PNC rise on its feet again” he stated.

Source: Adom News

Impeach Prez Mahama If... - Ade Coker Charges NPP

Peacefmonline.com Ade Coker In the wake of the erratic power and water supply to communities across the nation, it may be obvious that many Ghanaians have already started counting the days of the Mahama administration. With some people ready to kick President John Dramani Mahama out of the Flagstaff House, others believe he deserves a second term in office to remedy the economic situation of Ghana. But no party wants the government voted out of power than the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). In respect of this, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ade Coker has challenged the NPP to do everything within their power to oust the incumbent government. According to him, if the NPP believe the President has engaged in any act of misconduct; the party should "impeach" him. Addressing his comments to the NPP Central Regional Secretary, Kwamena Duncan, a panelist on the Wednesday edition of Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Ade Coker stated emphatically that the NPP should not hesitate to expose the President. “Go and impeach him. He’s there for you to impeach him. He’s there for your people to impeach him.” Ade Coker however touted the achievements of President John Mahama stressing that no matter the efforts by the opposition party to dent the character of the President; Ghanaians will retain him in office during the 2016 general elections. “President Mahama will be retained by the good people of Ghana...If wishes were like horses, beggars would ride," he stated.

  Source: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

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

“Console Our Soul” With Doe Adjaho As Running Mate - Volta Youth Demand From Prez Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama and Rt. Hon. Doe Adjaho The pressure on President John Dramani Mahama to choose his Running Mate has been deepened by a group calling itself Volta Youth For Development (VYFD) in the Volta Region. Volta Youth For Development upon the NDC’s constitutional requirement has demanded from President John Mahama to select the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Doe Adjaho as his Running Mate to secure victory for the party in the 2016 elections. According to the group, per their research, Ghanaians have seen Amissah-Arthur to be very incompetent as the Vice President to President Mahama; believing that the Vice President pair again with President Mahama for the 2016 general elections can only reduce the votes of NDC drastically. The Volta Youth again stated that the NDC has neglected the Voltarians when it comes to development and ministerial position assignments despite their continuous strong support for the party; hence the clarion call on the President and all NDC executives to console them with the Running Mate position. The pressure group however indicated that Rt. Hon. Doe Adjaho has no hand in this demand, but they 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 been proven through a research of ours with respect to a majority of Voltarians in and out of the Volta Region,” the statement stated. Read The Full Statement From Volta Youth For Development: MAKE DOE ADJAHO THE RUNNING MATE-VOLTA YOUTH FOR DEVELOPMENT We the members of Volta Youth For Development demand from President Mahama to select the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. 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 continuous strong support of NDC by Voltarians despite our continuous 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 at least “console our soul” with this running mate position. Even though Rt. 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 been proven through a research of ours with respect 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 our party, NDC. Prosper Fofo Ndekor (Chairman) 0264852353 Godwin Kwami Nanedo (Secretary) 0244754709 Dedziasa Elorm (Member) 0262121984.

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

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