Prez Mahama Hits Back At Yvonne Nelson... (READ)

It is not a secret that President John Mahama is not a fan of the beautiful Ghanaian actress/model and director Yvonne Nelson, who was recently named amongst 300 most influential women in the world. Yvonne like many Ghanaians has been extremely critical of Mahama’s administration, especially, in the area of energy. When one googles the combination “Yvonne Nelson + John Mahama”, the first thing that pops up is the Yvonne Nelson led #DumsorMustStop campaign. Although the president and his sympathizers believe that the actress’ campaign was engineered and financed by the major opposition party (NPP), Yvonne and many Ghanaians believe otherwise. Yesterday, 29th November being the President’s birthday, Yvonne Nelson and many Ghanaians took to social media to give the President their best wishes amongst other wishes. Mahama upon receiving Yvonne’s tweet decided to reply, but with a huge bag loaded with subtle insults, in the process calling the accomplished actress and director “purposeless”. Read Yvonne Nelson’s tweet and Mahama’s reply below.

Source: http://talkbackgh.com/

I Have No Envy Or Bitterness Against Prez Mahama – Amidu

Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Martin Amidu says he has nothing 'personal' with the ruling government and President John Dramani Mahama. According to him, "I consciously engage in reflective thinking and practice in my conflict dynamics and the practice of law. I therefore get surprised when I am accused of hating or envying anybody in conflict". In an article titled "I Have Nothing Personal – Envy, Bitterness Or Anger - Against The Government Or The President By The Grace Of The Almighty God", Martin Amidu further indicated that "I disagree and I have disagreed with the NDC Government on matters of constitutional principles, beliefs, values and policy issues but never on personal matters. I served the PNDC from February 1982 to 7th January 1993 before serving under the NDC1, 2 and partly in NDC3. I have been unable to discard principles, and values I have internalized and lived with since my childhood and through my adult socialization over the years including the 31st December Revolution to adapt to the new disvalues of the NDC Government since 2009". "In my whole life I have never courted praise or approbation in playing out my character. I would rather stand for what I believe to be the truth even if it means I stand alone. No insults or name calling will change that after more than 64 years of my existence. I should be able to tell my maker when I get out or up there or wherever it may be, that I served Him or Her to the best of my ability; I served the Holy Catholic Church to the best of my human ability; I served my nation truly and served my people. I shall not commit the major sin of envying or hating or being bitter against any creature of God Almighty or Allah. Always Grant me that Grace oh Lord!" he concluded. Read full article below I HAVE NOTHING PERSONAL – ENVY, BITTERNESS OR ANGER - AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OR THE PRESIDENT BY THE GRACE OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD: BY MARTIN A. B. K. AMIDU  “Apart from his being a team player, Mr. Amidu is also bold and fearless, and a fighter when necessary.” – Vice-President (Prof.) John Evans Atta Mills, 5th September 2000 Conflict does not reside in the person but in the interaction so it should never be personal Conflicts do not reside in persons, they reside in the interaction or what we say in communication in conflict studies – the conflict is in the between and not in the persons in conflict. Unfortunately while conflict is a pervasive and inevitable phenomenon of social life very few people have the learning and training to disaggregate the human emotions generated by conflict from the real issues in controversy. So we call a violent conflict in the north, “a guinea fowl war”, forgetting the underlying basis of an intractable conflict. I normally try to be informed by matters of principle, belief, values and norms in waging conflict with anybody. I consciously engage in reflective thinking and practice in my conflict dynamics and the practice of law. I therefore get surprised when I am accused of hating or envying anybody in conflict. Of course it is trite in conflict studies and research that blaming is a dynamic of conflict which satisfies emotions and escalates conflicts. Unfortunately constituents of people in conflict worsen and escalate them with unproductive tacit interventions than the persons in direct conflict. I do not allow emotions to becloud my judgment of conflict analysis and dynamics. As a matter of history and fact there is no basis for the blame and attributions ascribed to my disagreements on principles and/or values with the NDC Government. Working for John Mahama’s interest without his knowledge        Former President Rawlings had a few days before the 2007 Christmas asked his then personal assistant, Victor Smith, to invite me for a conversation. We discussed amongst other matters the prospects of the NDC in the coming Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The then Hon. John Dramani Mahama, was the preferred choice but there were doubts whether Candidate Mills had indeed formally spoken to him about being his running mate and made any offer. We concluded that former President should speak to Mr. Mahama directly on the matter to clear the air once and for all. I was assigned the task of going abroad as an emissary of former President Rawlings to reiterate to a longstanding friend of mine who had assumed the Presidency of another country that Mr. Mahama was a preferred and competent candidate. With a return ticket arranged by Victor Smith which I picked up at the airport on the day of my departure, 26th December, 2007, I went abroad and returned on 30th December 2007. I did not meet former President Rawlings on my return because of the season’s festivities. When we eventually met close to the middle of January 2008, I learnt that things had not gone well on the former President’s visit to Mr. Mahama’s residence in my absence. Nonetheless my mission for going abroad had been accomplished. I learnt from the President abroad that Candidate Mills had himself visited and mentioned Mr. Mahama as a possibility which I confirmed as instructed by President Rawlings. It was subsequent to this return meeting that the former President bounced Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu’s name on me for the first time as a potential running mate. As I was not available to attend the burial and funeral ceremony of Madam Memunata, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu’s very respectful, irreplaceable and beautiful deceased wife on 30th December 2007, I had to look him up upon his return from Wa to explain my absence. I informed him about the mishap that had taken place when former President Rawlings had sort to hold a conversation by visiting Mr. Mahama’s residence and asked him as a senior brother to have a word with Mr. Mahama to render an apology to former President Rawlings. I also spoke to Mr. L. K. Molbila to team up with Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu to find a way of bringing harmony between the former President and Mr. Mahama. I relayed the same message to Hon. Moses Asagah (at the Veterans Club House opposite the Ghana Immigration Service) whom I learnt was a classmate to Mr. Mahama at Ghanasco. I agreed to run with Candidate Mills on 3rd September 2000 only after he had secured Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu’s personal concurrence for me to run with him. Alhaji Iddrisu knows the full facts and story of how I behave strictly in accordance with our customary tradition in this matter at the time. I had no ambition to be Vice-President or President since I lost the elections with Candidate Mills in December 2000. The NDC had decided at a meeting Chaired by Dr. Obed Asamoah in Kumasi that Candidate Mills’ next running mate must be both a northerner and a Muslim. I am Roman Catholic by baptism and confirmation. It would not have been feasible with me, for Candidate Mills to have nominated me again as his running mate for the 2008 elections even if he had decided to pick a northern Christian again. President Rawlings if he wishes may confirm that when Dr. Tony Aidoo and I were invited to meet him in London, arriving the morning of 10th to 16th May 2002, I had no ambition to be running mate to Candidate Mills. Former President Rawlings made efforts in December 2002 for me to take up an international appointment for four years beginning 2003 which could not materialize because of my other very personal family commitments that did not permit me to leave Ghana for that long. Election 2008 and Government 2009- beyond    Eventually Candidate Mills nominated Mr. Mahama as his running mate over Alhaji Mohammad Mumuni. I played my part in the 2008 campaign by leading the team to the Upper East Region’s campaign as Mr. Molbilla was unavailable at a point in the campaign. I contributed financially to each constituency and the regional party headquarters for the campaign as well. The results in the Upper East Region were exceptional for the NDC. When I reluctantly joined the Mills/Mahama Government in 2009 I had no problem with the Vice-President except the manner in which he and Oteng Adjei sought to push my hand in agreeing not to prosecute the E. O. Group case by getting President Mills to grant an executive consent to the Group to sell their shares and for me to grant them indemnity from prosecution. I stood my ground and refused to grant the indemnity as the Attorney-General. Any other disagreements were on professional grounds and never personal. I always told Prof. Mills that: “I will never do anything to-day which I cannot defend tomorrow when I am out of office.” When I appeared before the National Reconciliation Commission I was alone. Out of Government in January 2012 I declined all persuasions to go abroad at Government expense for the impasse to blow over. After Mr. Mahama succeeded President Mills in July 2012 I received Sule Gariba on 23rd August 2012 as an emissary from President Mahama inviting me to the Kumasi congress ostensible upon the advice of former President Rawlings. On 24th November 2012 I received Alfred Mahama, the President’s senior brother, who was led by Chris Dugan to my house with a message from the President. I have also received other emissaries who claimed to have been sent by the President after the 2012 elections. On Monday 1st July 2013, to give but one example, Chris Dugan again brought one Ali Seidu to introduce to me as an emissary of the President who was to liaise with me when necessary. It turned out that Mr. Seidu whom I had not known until then was from Bawku. (A quick cross-check by telephone on his identity after they had left established that he was the son of my late very bosom friend generally known as Seidu “Country” of Bawku-Natinga with the addition that his mother, whom I knew, was at that moment living with Alhaji Awudu near the Rev. John Teye Memorial Institute on the Achimota-Pukuasi road). I never saw him again. On each occasion I was candid on the need for the President to run a transparent and accountable government in accordance with the core values of the NDC as condition precedent for my unflinching support and participation in his Government. I saw President Mahama’s Presidency as icing on the cake after the contributions of Mohammad Mumuni and myself to the NDC’s efforts to come to power and wished him to uphold the values of the NDC and not let our collective efforts to be in vain. Being my true self I disagree and I have disagreed with the NDC Government on matters of constitutional principles, beliefs, values and policy issues but never on personal matters. I served the PNDC from February 1982 to 7th January 1993 before serving under the NDC1, 2 and partly in NDC3. I have been unable to discard principles, and values I have internalized and lived with since my childhood and through my adult socialization over the years including the 31st December Revolution to adapt to the new disvalues of the NDC Government since 2009. Dr. Ambomaje, in a recent article on the internet reminded me of the character testimonial that then Vice-President Mills who had been a personal friend of mine for over 30 years at the time gave me on 5th September 2000 when he introduced me to the public at the NDC Headquarters thus: “Prof. Mills described Mr. Amidu as someone who shared his personal values, adding that his nominee has character, integrity, experience and sound judgment. ‘Apart from his being a team player, Mr. Amidu is also bold and fearless, and a fighter when necessary,’ he said. Prof. Mills said he saw in his former student as ‘someone who will work for the ordinary people of this country, not the powerful with a high sense of social justice, fairness, and above all truthfulness.’” Cows do not beget goats. My late (English basic education illiterate) father, GC 13131, Sergeant-Major Amidu Kanjarga, then of The Gold Coast Regiment was described as follows when he was awarded the Military Medal on 10th June, 1948:  “During the period under review, 16th November, 1944 to 15th February, 1945, Sergeant Amadu (sic) Kanjarga, whilst acting as Platoon Sergeant in the Arakan, displayed powers of leadership, and initiative far above average….His conduct in all respects demonstrated African leadership and gallantry at its highest.” – Citation in respect of the award of the Military Medal to GC 13131 Sergeant-Major (then Sergeant) Amadu (sic) Kanjarga, 81st (WA) Division, Reconnaissance Bn. (The Gold Coast Regiment: Ceremonial Parade and Investiture,10th June, 1948.) Everybody who has known me from childhood through Half Assini, Takoradi, Lawra, Bawku, where I attended primary and middle school to Tamale Commercial Institute, later known as Tamale Commercial Secondary and now Tamale Business Secondary School, to Navrongo School and the University of Ghana will attest to the fact that I have not changed in my leadership role of always insisting on justice and fair play for the ordinary person at all times. I am just living out my character. I am informed that President Mahama was also fortunate to have followed my steps to Commonwealth Hall and if he has done his home-work well he should know from V-Mates that Martin Amidu is tenacious in his principles, beliefs and values, no matter whose ass is gored. I served former President Rawlings dedicatedly throughout the years of the Revolution and democracy because whatever his human faults and failings he was committed to and enforced ideals to which I was also committed.  His pluses were more than the minuses. Even though I knew Professor Mills long before I met former President Rawlings, I did not get to know Mills’ disagreeable side or our friendship blinded me from seeing them until I joined his Government. As for President John Dramani Mahama I did not know him until he joined the NDC 2 Government after the 1996 Elections and became Deputy Minister of Communications. My attention was drawn to him when he almost privatized the Graphic Corporation and I had to write a very strong memorandum calling the Government’s attention to the fact that if we commercialized and privatized all the State Owned Media Houses as he had championed the letter and spirit of provisions of the Constitution on State Owned Media and their role under the Constitution will be rendered nugatory. I did not press the point as was my usual style and forgot about the whole matter because I believed sincerely that he did not intend to violate the Constitution deliberately. Conclusions In my whole life I have never courted praise or approbation in playing out my character. I would rather stand for what I believe to be the truth even if it means I stand alone. No insults or name calling will change that after more than 64 years of my existence. I should be able to tell my maker when I get out or up there or wherever it may be, that I served Him or Her to the best of my ability; I served the Holy Catholic Church to the best of my human ability; I served my nation truly and served my people. I shall not commit the major sin of envying or hating or being bitter against any creature of God Almighty or Allah. Always Grant me that Grace oh Lord! Martin A. B. K Amidu

Source: Peacefmonline.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