Power Sector, My Greatest Challenge…No More Promises - Prez Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has said the most disturbing area of governance that takes up most of his time and attention as president is the power sector. According to him, as close as the country was towards solving the problem of ‘dumsor’, there was still a gap even though there have been some major improvements with supply. He was answering a question on his numerous failed promises to end the energy crisis. Speaking at his Annual Flagstaff Meet The Press on Tuesday, the president said rather lightheartedly that he had learnt not to make any predictions again on the energy crisis facing Ghana. He would prefer the “technical people” tell Ghanaians when a panacea will be found for the crisis. “I believe that in the next eh!, let me not predict, in the next short while, we will be able to overcome the problem of load shedding. I have learnt to leave it to the technical people to talk about and they are having a major press briefing tomorrow [Wednesday]," he stopped shy of promising. President Mahama indicated that the press briefing by the technical people will touch on a scheduled routine maintenance that Atuabo Gas Plant is set to undergo, adding that gas will stop flowing for them to re-tune the plants. “…they (technical people) will inform Ghanaians where we are currently in respect of resolving the power crisis permanently…We now as a result of the work we did have sufficient generation, the major problem now will be to provide the fuel and so we need to resolve the issues to do with the West Africa Gas Pipeline,” he said. He noted that his government is doing all it could to permanently stop the load shedding management which have been a problem in this country for years but have always been managed and not solved totally. “We need to forecast on our demand for power generation to prevent future misfortunes as we have today, and that is my target as a president,” he indicated. He however advised Ghanaians especially, ministries to pay their electricity bills to help government solve the energy crises facing the country.

Source: Elizabeth Semiheva/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

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