Fear not; we are not in Ghana for revenge - Guantanamo Bay ex-detainees speak

The two Guantanamo Bay ex-detainees, who presence in Ghana has provoked outrage among a section of public, have indicated that they are not in Ghana for revenge.

In their first radio interview since they arrived in Ghana, the two, ahmud Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby, also denied belonging to terrorist groups.

Stressing that they had been illegally and unjustifiably detained by the Americans in Guantanamo Bay for several years, they two said their priority now was to live in Ghana quietly and peacefully and to get their lives back on track.

“We have been wrongly arrested for 14 years without any charge against us. We have suffered but we are not looking for revenge. We want to leave in Ghana quiet and peacefully. And we want to put our lives together,” they told Accra-based Unique FM.

Although many Ghanaians have expressed anger and displeasure at their presence in Ghana out of fear that they could attract extremists to the country, the two still went ahead to express gratitude to their hosts.

They described Ghanaians as nice and hospitable people, adding that they were excited to be in the country.

“We are very happy for the warm reception that Ghana is known for. Ghanaians are very good people. We are very excited to come to Ghana because we know some of the things about Ghana.

“We are not part of any group for example Al-Qaeda or other things, we don’t belong to any part of them. We are healed, we want to leave very normal lives. Allah bless you and the people of Ghana,” they said.

- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/56089-fear-not-we-are-not-in-ghana-for-revenge-guantanamo-bay-ex-detainees-speak.html#sthash.RnavvXZb.dpuf

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

Nana Addo is my friend, Mahama isn't – EC Boss

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission has revealed that the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is a close friend.

Speaking on Morning Starr Monday, Charlotte Osei told host Nii Arday Clegg that she has no friendship with President Mahama but has known Nana Addo for many years.

“Is John Mahama my friend? No, I have met him in the course of work, have I met Nana Addo, Yes, he actually is my friend...but I do know both of them.

“With Nana, being a young lawyer, I have known him for many years,” Mrs. Osei said.

Mrs. Osei who was the former head of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) was appointed by President Mahama as EC boss in June last year to replace Afari Gyan who retired after 22 years as EC head.

The opposition NPP and pressure group ‘Let My Vote Count Alliance’ have accused the EC boss of bias after several calls for a new voters’ register were rejected by the EC.

Both the NPP and the LMVCA have vowed to challenge the decision of the EC in court.


Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM

Mahama To Address Press Tomorrow

President John Dramani Mahama will hold a press conference at the Flagstaff House tomorrow (Tuesday). The press conference is expected to take off at 11 am. A statement from the Flagstaff House asked media houses that submitted requests for accreditation to attend the conference, to pick their accreditations from the Information Services Department (ISD) from 2pm on Monday. It further directed media houses to “take along Staff ID or Press Card for identification purposes.” “All accredited journalists are to note that they are requested to arrive and be seated before 10.30am. Ghana Television and Radio Ghana will provide live feed to interested television and radio stations,” the statement added. It is unclear which issues the President will address during the press conference.

Source: Peacefmonline.com

Controversial Bus Branding: AG Submits Report

Citi News sources at the Presidency indicate that the Attorney General has submitted her report to the Chief of Staff on the controversial GHC3.6 million expended on re-branding the 116 Buses. Government’s decision to spend some GHC3.6 million on re-branding the buses angered many Ghanaians, with the majority questioning how that outrageous expenditure could be approved under the watch of the President. Following the backlash that government received from the public the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah hurriedly ordered an investigation into the contract. Mr Debrah directed the Attorney General “to review the contract and associated payment(s).” A letter to the Attorney General dated December 17, 2015 asked her to revert to the Chief of Staff with her findings by close of day December 22. It is however not clear as to the exact findings of the AG, but the sources at the Presidency say the Flagstaff House intends to act strongly on the report. While some advertisers have pointed out that government massively overpaid for the re-branding others have suggested that the state could have generated Ghc500,000 monthly if it had allowed the buses to be re-branded with commercial advertisement. Meanwhile a detailed pro-forma invoice for the re-branding of the buses revealed that stickers on each bus cost Ghc11, 000. The pro-forma invoice dated 17th July 2015, and signed by the Accounts Officer of Smarttys Management and Productions and copied to the Ministry of Transport, put the total cost of branding for each bus at Ghc30,420.00. Smarttys Management and Productions is owned by Selassie Ibrahim, an actress cum entrepreneur and TV personality.

Source: citifmonline.com