CPP working to win more seats in Central Region

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) says it is certain of winning at least five parliamentary seats in the Central Region in the  December 7 Polls.

   Mr Ato MacClean, the CPP Regional General Secretary, speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the Party was adequately prepared for the challenge and he would leave no stone unturned to achieve it.

   Mr Maclean, however, declined to mention the targeted constituencies with the notion that certain political parties may capitalise on it to invest more resources into those areas.

   Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, in 2004, won the only seat the CPP ever had in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Constituency of the Central Region, since the inception of the fourth Republic.

   He said the Party had put in place different strategies and adequately resourced its candidates to undertake grassroots engagement to canvass for votes, which would ultimately help them to achieve their target.

   “In 2012 there was not much campaign done by the CPP but now we have decided to contest vigorously,” he said. “This time around, the CPP is not going to allow the other political parties to have a field day.”

   Though the CPP was not engaged in flamboyant and visible campaigning due to limited resources compared to the other parties, they were engaging voters at the grassroots, he revealed.

   Mr MacClean said CPP was promising Ghanaians massive economic transformation based on a programme of social and economic development foundation, using Science and Technology to revolutionise agriculture and industry.

   He said the CPP, when given the nod, would transform the economy by investing in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools to make it accessible to every Ghanaian.

   This, he said, was something no political party was championing and, therefore, urged Ghanaians to vote for the CPP.

   He said the CPP would revamp the railway sector and make it more viable, invest in energy and ensure that the issue of load shedding became a thing of the past.

Electoral Commission Educates Electorate On Voting

The Electoral Commission (EC) says it has put in place mechanisms to ensure that electorates cast their vote freely in the December 7 elections.

It would also, per their constitutional mandate, ensure that the votes of the electorate pass the litmus test of being counted.

According to ECs Guide dubbed: “What You Should Know,” persons who could not locate their voters ID card on the Election Day could be assisted by the Name Reference List Officer at the polling centres to find their names on the voters register to enable them to vote.

The guide says that those whose bio data could not be identified by the verification device could still vote by going through a manual verification process once their details are on the register and their bar codes had been scanned by the Biometric Verification Device.

It noted that ballot papers that do not have the validated stamp of the Commission will not be countered and cautioned the electorate to cautiously examine their ballot papers to make certain that it had the validated stamp of the Electoral Commission on it.

The EC also stated that the electorate had not only the right to insist that their ballot papers are stamped with the Commission’s validated stamp but also has the right to request for a new ballot paper if the one issued to them has on it any mark other than that of the Commissions’ validated stamp.

After voting, voters are directed to fold up their ballot papers vertically first and then horizontally to avoid their thumbprints making another imprint on another candidate or any part of the ballot paper which may cause their ballot paper to be rejected.

The guide also directed that a voter who, after thumb printing and before putting his or ballot paper into the ballot box, realises that he or she had made a wrong choice, made a multiple choice, torn the ballot paper or done anything that may cause the rejection of the ballot paper, can request for a fresh ballot paper to re-exercise his or her franchise.

The EC said preferential treatment would be given to the vulnerable to enable them to exercise their franchise freely and fairly.

The Commission explained that they have put in place mechanisms to provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services to improve accessibility to services and facilities by the disabled; this may include providing printed material in different formats or font sizes and the use of ductile ballot jacket to aid them to make their choices.

Stop Lying

THE NEW Patriotic Party (NPP) yesterday sharply responded to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) saying that it does not understand why Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Communications and other government officials continue to tell lies to Ghanaians about the glaringly hard economic situation they have created in the country.

According to the party, it was shocked by the fact that Dr Omane Boamah and the John Dramani Mahama-led administration are still spewing out lies adding that these are enough testaments that truly, “the NDC party and government are masters in lies, deception and propaganda.”

In a press statement, the NPP minced no words: “Omane Boamah, the current Minister for Communications, is following in this NDC tradition of lies and deception.”

NDC’s Docket Of Lies

Recalling the numerous lies propounded by the incumbent government, the NPP said the NDC lied to the IMF/World Bank in 1999 which made Ghana pay a penalty of $32 million.

“ln the 2008 campaign season, their lies reached their peak. They published bank accounts of NPP stalwarts which turned out to be fabrications. At the parliamentary vetting in 2008, NDC nominee after nominee begged for forgiveness for these lies they had told Ghanaians in 2008,” it indicated, adding that an NDC deputy minister for Information instructed public servants to twist facts and tell lies to make the party and the government look good.”

“An NDC Minister for Communications on Joy Fm ‘News File’ warned his colleagues to refrain from being candid as this made the work of NDC communicators difficult. From 1992 up till this year, NDC was the only political party in Ghana that officially had a Propaganda Secretary.”

Corruption

Averring that the dubious nature of the NDC government is “typified by President Mahama himself,” the NPP said the president told Ghanaians in 2013 that the election petition had no effect whatsoever on the government whereas “in 2016, he tells Ghanaians that the petition caused him to lose one year!

“He told the BBC in 2016 that he had never received a bribe. It turned out that at least on one occasion, he received a bribe of a Ford four-wheel drive in 2012.”

The opposition party continued that President Mahama gave Ghanaians over a dozen dates for dumsor to be over, even prophesying in church before God. However, the challenge continued for four years making dumsor now an international word for load shedding,” the party underscored.

Inability To Produce Cost

Recalling that Dr Omane Boamah claimed Nana Akufo-Addo lied about the cost of the Kasoa interchange and the 2015 presidential diaries, the NPP yelled, “Omane Boamah should simply tell Ghanaians what value for money audit was done for the Kasoa lnterchange. “

It continued that Omane Boamah denies the costing for the 2015 presidential diaries, “but he doesn’t tell Ghanaians the cost. While claiming others are lying, neither Omane Boamah nor the NDC government  up till today – over one year after the diaries have been published – told Ghanaians what the cost of the diaries are! So who is lying?”

Bloated Hospital Projects

The NPP and Nana Akufo-Addo have claimed that the cost of the Ridge Hospital expansion is bloated.

“It is indeed, strange that the 600-bed Teaching Hospital at Legon negotiated by the University of Ghana is cheaper than the 400-bed Ridge Hospital expansion.  That there was bloating in the cost of the Ridge Hospital expansion is not in doubt. Omane Boamah should just publish the result of the value for money audit done by the Crown Agents Company on the Ridge Hospital expansion,” NPP charged.

Suspension

It said Dr Bawumia, in March 2015, demonstrated with documents that Ghana had been suspended by the African Development Bank for non-payment of debts.

Dr Bawumia had also insisted that government had borrowed the equivalent of $37 billion, but he was vehemently attacked by Omane Boamah.

“Dr Bawumia has shown that the practice of calculating national debt by simply using the current exchange rate is deficient and does not measure the true value of the borrowing contracted,” the party posited.

Job Creation Propaganda

The NPP noted that the NDC’s record in job creation has been criminal, explaining that the National Youth Employment Programme – a vehicle fashioned to bring relief to young job seekers – was turned into a vehicle for gargantuan corruption and stealing of the taxpayer’s monies, using it to siphon over $100 million dollars.  Despite the loud mouthing, “millions of Ghanaian youth today are looking for jobs.”

Ignorance On Display

The party continued that the Communications Minister’s remark that the NPP had not offered any alternatives to Ghanaians was born out of malice.

“Just in Bawumia’s presentations alone are a wealth of solid, well thought-out alternatives that will propel Ghana to an upper middle income country in a generation,” it noted.

Corrupt Deals Versus “JM Toaso” Slogan

The NPP finally questioned the ‘JM toaso’ call on Ghanaians by Omane Boamah after the numerous shady sole-sourced contracts by the government. Among these are the Woyome Waterville,  Bankswitch, GYEEDA, SADA, Smarttys, $63,000 monthly rent paid to cronies, Guantanamo terrorists, 4-year dumsor, ‘killer’ vehicle insurance, electricity and water bills, AMERI and Karpower contracts, CDB loan, STX, Brazil airlift, declining agriculture and industry, state equipment handed to the president’s brother and the collapsing NHIS, among others.

“Give the suffering Ghanaian a break, Dr Omane Boamah,” the NPP fumed.

NPP Snubs NCCE Presidential Debate

The New Patriotic Party says it is already preoccupied with lot of equally important things that it would not sacrifice any for Tuesday’s debate by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).

Nana Obiri Boahene, Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, told 3FM News the party would not “put much premium” on the debate.

“Do you think it is a crucial debate?” he shot back at the anchor, Kwakye Afreh Nuamah when he tried to know why the party refused to participate. Many people have wondered why the presidential candidate of the largest opposition party, Nana Akufo-Addo is not taking part in a debate being organized by a state institution.

President John Mahama and the remaining five candidates would be at the event, but many have been longing to see Akufo-Addo and Mahama on the same platform.

The NCCE said several discussions were held with Akufo-Addo’s handlers but they would not move.

“Why do you insist Nana Akufo-Addo should be part of the debate?” Obiri Boahene retorted “We have our own progammes and activities for the year and we decided not to attend, what is wrong about that?”

The Deputy General Secretary was emphatic, “we are not interested. We have a lot of things to do”.

Nana Akufo-Addo is currently in Banda in the Brong Ahafo region.

He further pointed out that the debate is “much ado about nothing”, adding, “if the NCCE is doing a debate those who think they can afford to attend, so be it…why do you make noise over such things. I appall some of these things.”

But a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Jonathan Asante Okyere believes the NPP shot itself in the foot when it declined the invitation. “It is quite unfortunate for the NPP to assume such a position…I want to be charitable…it smacks of arrogance on their part,” he assessed.

He suspects political strategists advising Nana Akufo-Addo may be thinking the candidate has already won the 2016 election, which makes the debate unbeneficial.

In his analysis, some elites in society would want to have Akufo-Addo and Mahama debate each other on key issues on the same platform to enable them assess the two, because the December 7 presidential election would largely be a two-horse race.

Delve Into Issues That Would Better Lives Rather Than Woyome's Case - Minister Urges Media

Government has vowed to collect every penny that was wrongly paid to anybody, including businessman, Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome.

It will also ensure that the state 'purse' is saved to ensure judicious spending and from further borrowing.

The Minister of Communications Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, said this in Accra yesterday, when his ministry took its turn at the Meet-the-Press series.

Flanked by his deputies, Ato Sarpong and Felix Ofosu Kwakye, as well as Presidential Staffer, James Agyenim-Boateng and George Loh, Member of parliament for North Dayi and member often Government communications Team, the Minister said government was determined "to collect a dime wrongfully paid."

He described as unfortunate, the misinterpretation, and twists associated with the Attorney Generals quest to collect the money from Mr. Woyome.

Explaining that "the 51 million was not paid under the guise of President Mahama," he said it was time people appreciated efforts being made by the government to ensure that the money was refunded to the state.

Dr. Boamah said government had also ensured that those implicated in corruption-related cases were investigated, and some put before court to serve as deterrent to others.

He commended the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Mrs. Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, for saving the country colossal amounts of money which would either have gone into the drain, or as cost that could had gone against the stated.

He urged journalists to delve more into issues that would better the lives of the people rather than on Woyome's case.

I'll Open A Sardine Factory If You Vote For Me - Accra Mayor

National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma South constituency in the Greater Accra region is promising to build a sardine factory at Chorkor, a suburb in the community.

According to Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye, the initiative is part of efforts to create jobs for constituents should he be elected the Member of Parliament for the area.

Mr. Vanderpuye who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) made the promise during a campaign rally over the weekend.

He indicated that, history will be made when Chorkor, a fishing community in the Ablekuma South constituency begin the production of locally made Sardines.

“I have told you people over and over again that the Chorkor Sardine will be made and produced in Chorkor. The whole of Accra will eat the Chorkor Sardine” he told the cheering crowd.

The Accra Mayor indicated that, majority of the locally made sardines will be exported to generate more revenue for the fishermen.

He also revealed that, a part from millennium schools being built in every town, a vocational institute will be established to decrease unemployment in the society.

“We are not done yet with the construction of the millennium city schools because we will support and create more jobs for the youth by constructing a vocational school in Korle Gonno, to assist them in enhancing their skills in vocation” he stressed.

Okoe Vanderpuye promised of more road construction in the towns if the Mahama-led government is retained in power.

“We are going to connect the old Winneba road to the Chemu lagoon to ensure smooth and quick movement to other neighb

We Will Retrieve Every Pesewa From Woyome – Gov’t

The President John Mahama-led government is committed to retrieving the controversial GHc51 million judgment debt unlawfully paid to embattled businessman, Alfred Agbesi Woyome.

This according to the Minister of Communications, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah is because the NDC government has a better record in retrieving illegal monies including Mr. Woyome’s.

Currently, former Attorney General, Martin Amidu is hoping to orally examine Mr. Woyome at the Supreme Court to determine how he plans to pay back the money because according to Amidu, government does not want the money retrieved.

Mr Amidu had accused government of deliberately preventing him from pursuing Woyome but Dr Omane Boamah at the Meet the Press session on Monday assured that government will not relent its efforts to retrieve the money.

“President Mahama’s unwavering to retrieving every pesewa paid illegally to any individual including Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome, entities or countries continue unabated.

President Mahama has demonstrated the will to protect the public purse and this finds expression in the over one billion dollar saving achieved just because the Attorney General’s department adhered to his publicly known that they should defend such cases and indeed has been defending them,” he added.

Omane Boamah also hinted that government has saved the state from incurring close to one billion dollars in judgment debt payments.

“President Mahama’s government has fought cases of judgment debts and potential judgment debts more vigorously than previous governments.

In less than four years we have successfully defended and saved Ghana over one billion dollars and these include cases involving Balkan Energy Ghana Limited, Sweater and Source, China Jinlin among others. In tackling the problem head on, President Mahama set up the sole commission of inquiry to investigate payments from public funds arising from judgment debts.”

Prez Mahama Predicts NDC Will Win Ken Agyapong’s Seat

President John Dramani Mahama says he has a premonition that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will annex the Assin Central seat from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He said that inkling gives him the confidence that come December 7, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong will lose the seat.

In the last two elections, the NDC represented by Alex Antwi-Boasiako has lost to the incumbent firebrand Member of Parliament; in 2012 by a little over 3, 000 votes.

The ruling party will be represented this year by Dr Kofi Blankson, who is the current Municipal Chief Executive for Assin North.

“There is something happening in Assin Central that gives me confidence that[come] 7th December, there will be surprises here,” President Mahama told a rally on Monday, November 28 on the first day of his two-day tour of the Central Region.

He asked the chiefs and people of Assin Manso to give him a second mandate as he is qualified under the constitution for that.

According to him, the constitution gives every president two terms and all presidents – except John Atta Mills who died in office – under the Fourth Republic have been given two terms. He, therefore, asked the people to vote massively for him on December 7.

Arrest Akufo-Addo If You Have Evidence - Karbo Dares Gov’t

A deputy Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has dared the Mahama-led government to immediately arrest the flagbeaerer of the party, if indeed they have evidence that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is guilty in the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) drill ship saga.

Anthony Abayifa Karbo, responding to remarks by the Minister of Communications, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah indicating that Nana Akufo-Addo failed to defend the country over the drill ship saga a decade ago, could not fathom why the NDC was concentrating on Nana Addo’s role in the drill ship saga when their own members have been indicted in various corruption scandals.

“This minister and his cohorts claim that Akufo-Addo is complicit in the matter. These people have been in power for 8 years and have never been able to invite and question Akufo Addo to hear his side of the story.

“Now let’s grant that the judgment debt commission is right. Get the police to invite Akufo Addo and arrest him but they (NDC) cannot because they have no legs to stand on because of their corrupt activities” he stressed.

Speaking at the Meet the Press session in Accra on Monday, Dr. Omane Boamah accused Akufo-Addo of not defending the state hence the sale of the drill ship.

“Talking about judgment debt, Nana’s failure to defend Ghana’s interest in the case of the Ghana National Petroleum Drillship’s matter Discovery 511 also has serious implications and brings into sharp focus his personal lack of commitment, dexterity and competence to pursue the interest of the state and the tax payer. And this is why we have maintained that it serves no fruitful purpose if we play political football with judgment debt.”

Dr. Omane Boamah at the event touted President John Mahama’s achievements in fighting corruption and preventing further judgment debt payments in Ghana.
A leaked draft Judgement Debt Commission report in 2015, accused Nana Addo of causing financial loss to the state in the sale of the GNPC drill ship.

The ship was sold by the Kufuor administration to defray a 19.5 million dollar judgment debt owed Societe-General Bank in 2001, when Nana Akufo-Addo was the Attorney General.

The report further stated that Nana Addo’s failure to effectively defend the state led to the judgment debt.

But Mr Karbo who is also the Parliamentary Candidate for Lawra constituency believes the NDC attempts to tarnish the image of Nana Addo with the scandal should be backed by evidence if they are serious about tagging him as a corrupt person.

“The NDC has no evidence to back their shallow claims against Nana Addo. But in their camp, there is so much evidence to back their corrupt practices. I can tell you that not even a guinea fowl has been cited for corruption in the NPP” he maintain

Scientific Polls Show I’ll Win ‘One Touch’ – Prez Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has said there is every indication he will win the 2016 presidential elections in the first round of polls, obviating the need for a run-off.

Speaking with Ural Radio, a local radio station in the Upper East Region, he explained that he was confident of victory because “we will be able to achieve a first round victory…” insisting: “There is no event that we will be going into a second round; from what I am seeing scientifically, plus or minus any margin of error, we will make 50 per cent plus.”

He added that the NDC is “looking at issues of concern to people in different regions and so the campaign message is tailored to address the concerns we find in any particular region and the response we have got is very enthusiastic”, saying: “Wherever we go, I have been warmly welcomed.”

Mr Mahama also assured that the Tamale Airport would contribute significantly to the growth of the economy.

Stop The Frivolities...Let's Deal With 'Bread And Butter' Issues - Chief Of Staff Tells NPP

Mr Julius Debrah

The Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah has stated that the ruling National Democratic (Congress) would stick to the rules of the game and not spend time and energy on things that might endanger the peace of the nation.

He said the NDC as part of its principles would campaign devoid of frivolities, insults , unnecessary attacks and unwarranted insults, but deal with issues that will lift the people out of poverty, develop the nation and create opportunities.

At a meeting with members of the clergy from various churches across the country including the Council of Independent Churches (CIC), Aglow International, Full Gospel Men's Fellowship, the SDA, National Catholic Secretariat , Anglican Diocese among others , he said the Mahama led NDC is committed towards a fair playing field to ensure a successful elections.

Mr. Julius Debrah is on day 2 of his 5-day tour of the Greater Accra region.

He is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on the traditional authorities, Opinion leaders, interact with party supporters as well as engaging artisans and professionals with a bid to shore up massive votes for President Mahama and the NDC.

"The NDC would invest it's energies on how the good people of Ghana would have money in their pockets, roof over their heads and how to get 3square meals a day , and not on irrelevant arguments and insults," the Chief of Staff stated.

He submitted that the NDC would rather spend time and resources to explain the issues in the manifesto , which had the potential of changing the living conditions of the people and create the desired opportunities for all.

Mr. Julius Debrah cautioned supporters of the NDC to desist from acts of violence and hooliganism and focus on winning the December elections on a clean sheet.

He indicated that politics is exchange of ideas and not fighting, thus the need to express our views in the spirit of peace and understanding and not be hostile towards one another.

The Chief of Staff is accompanied by leading members of the NDC including Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi, madam Faustina Nelson, Deputy Communications Minister Hon. Ato Sarpong and presidential staffers Mawusi Dzirasa and Emilia Arthur.

The rest are deputy general secretary of the NDC Koku Anyidoho, Greater Accra regional Minister Nii Laryea Afortey Agbo, the greater Accra regional coordinator Sylvester Mensah, Greater Accra regional chairman Joseph Ade Coker among others.

Brigitte Rallies Traders And Fisher Folks To Vote Out NDC

Brigette Dzogbenuku

Vice Presidential candidate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Miss Brigette Dzogbenuku, has urged Makola market women, and Chokor fisher-folks to vote for the PPP in the December 7 polls instead of the one-way voting for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Madam Brigette Dzogbenuku made the appeal at a one-day campaign tour of the Greater Accra Region, with her campaign train making whistle stops at Makola Market, the Slaha and Chorkor communities.

In all the areas she visited, Madam Dzogbenuku called on the electorate to vote massively for the PPP for jobs and economic growth of the people of this country.

Accompanying Madam Brigette and her team was the wife of the party’s flag-bearer, Mrs. Yvonne Nduom, her son, Dr. Nana Kweku Nduom and wife, Esinam Nduom and the PPP parliamentary aspirant for Chorkor-Mamprobi constituency, and some party faithful(s).

Madam Brigette revealed that although it has been the trend of the people in the area to vote for NDC, it will be wise this time around to give Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and the PPP a four-year term to enable him serve Ghanaians.

“After four years, you will not say you are in Ghana you will say you are in heaven,” she added.

The PPP vice presidential nominee noted that her party seeks the opportunity to implement an efficient agenda for accelerated development through an incorruptible leadership, education, health care and jobs.

For her part Mrs. Yvonne Nduom urged the women to vote for PPP, adding that the party’s educational policy of free, compulsory and continuous Junior and Senior High school will be beneficial to them.

According to her, a PPP government will fight for high quality education for all Ghanaian children and free, compulsory, continuous from kindergarten to the end of Senior High School just as it happens in countries like USA, UK and other advanced countries.

According to her, “many girls drop out of school because of teenage pregnancy, stay in the same vicinity with their kids who grow up and follow in the steps of their predecessors.

However, PPP’s educational policy will put a stop to this, and provide avenue for the young girls to attend school at least to the senior high level, she affirmed.

Mrs. Nduom said among the seven presidential candidates contesting the presidential election on December 7, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom was the most trustworthy and the one with the right team to lead Ghana to attain its development goals.

She assured the electorate that if Dr.Nduom is elected President, Ghanaians would not regret, as he would implement result-oriented policies to bring the economy back on its path of progress.

She observed that Ghana under a PPP government will implement feasible policies aimed at making the economy solid to compete globally.

“When you vote and your electricity bills run more than your salary, then it is a wasted vote. She affirmed that Dr.Nduom was the right person to rescue Ghanaians from the grips of poverty.

Visually Impaired Persons To Cast Ballot With Ease On Dec 7

All visually impaired persons who qualify to vote in this year’s general elections will have unhindered access to cast their ballot at all the polling stations across the country.

Although the Electoral Commission provided tactile ballot jacket for in the last general elections, some persons with visual impairment claimed they were disenfranchised due to the absence of tactile ballot jackets at some polling stations.

But the Head of Gender and Disability at the Electoral Commission, Abigail Nutakor, told 3News Tuesday the Commission has procured enough tactile ballot jacket for all polling stations to enable those with visual impairment cast their vote unhindered.

What is tactile ballot jacket?

She described the tactile ballot jacket as a cardboard folder with raised dots arranged numerically to represent the positions of each of the candidates on the ballot paper. Besides each numerical arrangement is a corresponding window, which is big enough to accommodate the thumb for voting.

The tactile ballot jacket has been designed to easily identify the top with a notch to avoid a mix up in the event it is turned upside down. Users are also guided with a perforated edge of the ballot paper to identify the top as well.

Blind or partially sighted voters independently slot the ballot paper into the tactile folder and with the help of the numerically arranged raised dots, select they their preferred candidate and consequently cast their vote by thumb printing in the window provided. Two tactile jacket for each polling station

Ms Nutakor said each polling station will have two tactile ballot jacket in the December 7 elections, explaining that one will be for the presidential and the other for the parliamentary election.

She said the jackets for the parliamentary election are made constituency-specific, which she said will be dependent on the number of candidates on the ballot paper. That of the presidential election will be standard across the country since the presidential candidates are the same throughout the constituencies across the country.

Meanwile, Ms Nutakor says physically challenged persons are who turn up to cast their votes will not be obliged to joins queues at the various polling stations

Nana Addo Renews Pledge To Volta Region

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has renewed the pledge to bring fast-tracked development to the Volta Region.

“I will never let you down,” he said, given the assurance that the “new leaf of relationship” between the Region and the NPP would result in exploration of oil, construction of a harbour and a landing site with storage facilities at Keta.

Nana Addo was addressing the first regional rally at Aflao in the Ketu South District of the Region on the theme: “The role of the Voltarian and the change agenda for jobs.”

He reiterated the commitment of the next NPP government to re-direct the capital expenditure of the country by establishing a factory in every district and giving every constituency a million dollars.

Nana Addo also promised to revive the National Health Insurance Scheme and implement the free Senior High School policy.

“I promise to implement each of these. We are building a new Ghana where promises are worked out for the progress of the people…we are embarking on a new path of development and progress and you must all ride on the back of the elephant for victory in 2016,” he said.

Nana Addo said President Mahama: “Can see the stool shifting under him and [resorting] to tribal politics but we in NPP are turning away from tribal politics and politics of yesterday.”

Alhaji Mahumudu Bawumia, NPP Vice Presidential Candidate said a new Ghana would be given birth to in a few days to see the restoration of leadership of integrity and restoration of allowances to teachers and nurses.

Madam Otiko Afisa Djaba, Women’s Organiser of the NPP said Nana Addo was not coming into power for himself but for the people and said he was the only one who could transform the country’s economy.

Mr Sammy Awuku, NPP National Youth Organiser expressed gratitude to the Region for “showing love to the NPP” and said this year’s election was a fight for the youth and survival of the country and asked the electorate to go out and vote massively for the NPP.

Mr Peter Mac Manu, NPP National Campaign Manager said he was excited that the Region had accepted the “agenda for change” and said the signs were clear on the walls for change and asked the people to help the NPP protect the ballot.

Mr Peter John Amewu, Regional Chairman of the Party said the Region remained committed to its “Operation Eagle Eye” on Election Day and reminded the electorate to be vigilant at the polling stations.

Nana Addo introduced parliamentary candidates of the Party in the Region to the electorate and urged them to vote for them.

NPP Storms Tamale With Regional Rally

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will rock Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, with its regional rally today.

The Volta Region witnessed a massive turnout of party supporters in the purported National Democratic Congress (NDC) ‘World Bank.’

The Northern Region rally will see bigwigs of the largest opposition political party in attendance to hype the ‘Change is coming’ message to the electorate.

NPP dignitaries expected to grace the occasion include the party’s flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and some other national party executives.

The main streets of Tamale have been beautifully decorated with NPP paraphernalia awaiting the arrival of party stalwarts in the region.

The Northern Regional Communication Director of the NPP, Abdul Kudus, told DAILY GUIDE that Nana Addo is expected to come from the Upper East Region today to join the rally.

According to him, the party aims at sending signals to the ruling party that it (NPP) has a manifesto that will improve the lives of Ghanaians.

He indicated that the NPP is poised to capture majority seats in the Northern Region.

Mr. Kudus posited, “Some people have actually volunteered to campaign for us; that shows the level of the need for change.”

He urged the police to be professional and perform their duties well during the rally so that the Northern Region does not get any negative reportage.

He advised motor riders and supporters to be careful on the road and also avoid anybody who tries to provoke them during the rally.

NPP Doing The Same Thing They Did To Nkrumah To John Mahama - Spio

Dr. Ekow Spio Garbrah

 

The Trade and Industry Minister has taken a swipe at the biggest opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) by describing their actions and utterances as akin to that of their forebears, the United Party (UP).

According to Dr. Ekow Spio Garbrah, the NPP is attacking President Mahama's unparalleled achievements as far as infrastructural development is concerned because that is the same thing they did to the Nation's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

". . we know their traits and they are doing all they can to destroy President Mahama and his achievements because it is these same people who in 1966, together with the American CIA overthrew Kwame Nkrumah's government and destroyed over 300 industries he set up.

"Their sole aim was to tell the people of Ghana that Nkrumah had done nothing. And I tell you honestly that the NPP has the attributes of the UP tradition. They have only metamorphosed in name and not character," he told Kwame Nkrumah Tikesie on OKAY FM.

Spio Garbrah further traced the various transformations in name of the political tradition till the present one, NPP, and called on all Ghanaians to disregard all the negative and baseless assertions being made against the person and administration of President Mahama.

"They began by calling themselves the United Party (UP), then Progress Party (PP), later the Popular Front Party (PFP) and now the New Patriotic Party (NPP) so they have always changed in name but their character and members remain," he claimed.

Dr. Ekow Spio Garbrah made this statement on the back of a promise by the Presidential Candidate of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo to build one factory in each district and also one dam in a village across the length and breadth of Ghana, should he be voted into power as President.

". . we would have been far ahead by this time, we assembled many things including radio sets, refrigerators, we had the Nsawan Cannery where we canned fruits and vegetables. We had a glass factory and a sugar factory . . . all these were run down by the UP tradition, now NPP, so we must be wary when we hear them talk about 'one district, one factory' because it is deceitful."

To him, the only hope to this country at this moment is President John Dramani Mahama because he is leading the way to revamp all the factories that were destroyed.

" . . he is the one who has been able to put life in the Komenda and Asutwari Sugar Factories after the forefathers of the NPP ruined them over forty years ago," he said.

65,000 To Vote Under Special Voting On December 1 - EC

A total of 65,001 voters are expected to cast their ballot under special voting on December 1, 2016, according to the Electoral Commission.

The media list is made up of 871 personnel alongside 23,567 security services officials and 40,563 election officials, the Head of Communications at the EC, Mr Eric Kofi Dzakpasu, told Accra-based Asempa FM.

Special voting is a special dispensation under the electoral laws that allows registered voters who will not be able to present themselves at their polling stations on voting day as a result of the roles they will play in the elections to vote on a date before the rest of the electorate vote on the date set for the elections.

The category of people who are allowed to do special voting are security personnel, officials of the EC and journalists.

On Monday, November 14, 2016 the Supreme Court dismissed a case intended to pin the Electoral Management Body to declare results of the Early Voting ahead of the main polls slated for December 7.

I Will Govern For Everybody – Akufo-Addo

The Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, has promised to govern for everybody, if elected.

He said his government would efficiently manage the nation’s resources to create opportunities for the people to live dignified lives.

Nana Akufo-Addo, addressing supporters of his party at Akyem-Wenchi, during an election campaign tour to woo voters, said he was not going to betray their trust.

He could not deceive them - would not let them down and that he was sincere in his election promises.

He told the enthusiastic crowd that his ‘one district one factory’ policy would bring jobs and wealth to the people.

Nana Akufo-Addo called on his supporters to remain focused and to reach out to every voter, to help them to understand why they should give their votes to the NPP on December 07.

They should knock from door-to-door to get the people out to vote massively to bring the party back to power.

He introduced the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for the area, Ms. Ama Sey, and appealed to the people to support her to wrest the Akwatia seat from the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Mahama Knows He Has Lost – Akufo-Addo

The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says President Mahama is very much aware of the fact that he has lost the 2016 presidential election because of his abysmal record in office and the economic hardships and suffering he has imposed on the Ghanaian.

According to Nana Akufo-Addo, the President’s determination to hang onto power at all cost is not borne out of his desire to improve on the well-being of Ghanaians, rather, because of the perquisites and benefits of office for himself, his family and close associates.

The NPP flagbearer noted President Mahama’s desperation, with 21 days to the holding of the December 7 election, will reach new heights through the announcement of plethora of phantom promises to the Ghanaian electorate.

One such desperate move on the part of the President, Nana Akufo-Addo recounted, is the decision to restore the allowances of nursing training students, albeit it partially.

The NPP flagbearer noted that despite President Mahama’s opposition to the restoration of the allowances all these years, “he has decided to pay the allowances, with a few days to the elections. This smacks of desperation, with no iota of sincerity. It is an election year gimmick.”

On the contrary, the NPP flagbearer noted he is seeking the mandate of the Ghanaian people “so I can use the little wisdom and knowledge God has given me to help create jobs, wealth, progress and prosperity for Ghanaians. I’m not seeking the high office of the land so I can steal from the people or line my pockets with the monies of Ghanaians. That is not why I am running for President.”

The NPP flagbearer made this known on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at Adukrom, in the Okere constituency, when he began a 4-day tour of the Eastern Region.

Nana Akufo-Addo noted that “the wind of change that is blowing across all parts of the country is in favour of the NPP. Because of this, and the perks associated with the high office of the land, President Mahama and his functionaries are going round the country peddling a lot of lies about me and the NPP.”

These lies, according to the NPP flagbearer, will be in the form of “the NPP not liking a particular tribe or religious grouping, or that we are going to drive a particular ethnic group away from Ghana. These are all lies. Don’t pay heed to it.”

He stressed that, “Ghanaians are looking for a competent government to come into office to solve the many problems they are being confronted with. Ghanaians want a government that will do a job for them, and not that will rule with propaganda. We don’t manage a country with propaganda, lies and deceit.”

Ghana, a country which was the envy of the entire continent, under the 8-year leadership of President Kufuor, is now in tatters, according to Nana Akufo-Addo.

He, therefore, appealed to residents of Adukrom to “help me and help push the NPP into jubilee house, so we can create jobs for all Ghanaians, as well as bring progress and prosperity to the country. Ghanaians are suffering too much. Ghana is not a poor country. We are going to develop this country and rapidly ensure prosperity for all Ghanaians.”

Nana Akufo-Addo assured residents of Adukrom that “we in the NPP have the men and women who can give this country a 1st class government, and help create jobs, and bring progress and prosperity to all.”

Having announced the rapid industiralisation of the country’s economy, 1-District-1-Factory’ policy, the diversification of Ghana’s agriculture, the true implementation of the Free SHS policy, the revival of the collapsed NHIS, and the establishment of a Zongo Development Fund, amongst others, Nana Akufo-Addo has assured Ghanaians that these policies will be implemented to the letter when he is given the mandate to serve Ghana in the December 7 election.

He reiterated that “we in the NPP will not make promises we cannot keep. When we said we were going to implement the NHIS, the late President Mills and the NDC said it could not be done. However, President Kufuor did it. Likewise, I am telling Ghanaians that Free SHS policy, amongst others, will be truly implemented to the benefit of all.”

“I am not one to make promises I know I cannot keep, all in the name of getting votes. I have too much love and respect for Ghanaians to make promises which I cannot fulfill. I will never do that,” he assured.

Nana Akufo-Addo, on day-1 of his campaign tour of the Eastern Region, also visited the Ayensuano (Amanase, Asuboi and Teacher Mante), Lower Manya Krobo (Odumase Krobo, Somanya, Kpong) and Asuogyaman (Atimpoku) constituencies.

CPP Backs NPP; Raises Alarm Over ‘Unmarked’ Pink Sheets

The Convention People’s Party (CPP), has said it is against the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to print excess pink sheets which will not have serial numbers embossed on them.

The political parties, especially the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed concerns with the EC’s decision to print some three thousand excess unmarked pink sheets for replacement purposes, even though the Commission has explained there will be remarkable differences between the marked and unmarked ones.

Speaking to Citi News, the Convention People’s Party’s ( CPP) Communications Director, Kadir Abdul Rauf Issifu, emphasized the need for the Electoral Commission (EC), to ensure that it follows due process in the printing of pink sheets.

“It was established that, about 3,000 pink sheets did not have serial numbers. You do not expect the Convention People’s Party to say that we do not see anything wrong with it.

The Electoral Commission should ensure that due process is adhered to. The rules set out in CI 94 should be strictly adhered to. In doing that, we have to ensure all pink sheets have serial numbers,” he said.

The New Patriotic Party had earlier requested for an emergency meeting of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), over what it described as an illegality; the printing of pink sheets without serial numbers. The NPP said it identified the anomaly when it visited Aero Vote, the company contracted to print the pink sheets for this year’s elections.

The party in a statement copied to citifmonline.com, said it was surprised the company said it had been directed to print the sheets without the serial numbers. “The Electoral Reforms Committee report, recommended that Serial Numbers must be embossed and be unique to each polling station.

This has been stated in the law governing the 2016 general elections, CI 94,” it said. “Since then, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission has said publicly that, Pink Sheets will have serial numbers.

We are therefore surprised to be told at the final hour of printing by those contracted to print, that they have been instructed by the same Commission not to bother putting serial numbers on the pink sheets,” it added.

However, the Electoral Commission (EC) suddenly dismissed these allegations describing them as false claims. Describing the allegations as regrettable, the Commission said the NPP would have been better served raising concerns with it rather than “rush to the media with unfounded claims of non-existent plans to manipulate election results.”

Mahama Isn't The Kind Of Northern President We Want – Bawumia

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Running Mate to Nana Akufo-Addo, has stated that what matters is leadership that advances the interests of the people and that even though it cannot be denied that the President is from the North, his leadership with its attendant incompetence, corruption which has worsened the plight of many a Ghanaian, is not the type of Northern Presidency northerners want and can be proud of.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia made these comments in Kaleo in the Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency of the Upper West Region, on Saturday, in obvious response to comments the President also made in the Upper West a day earlier.

“President John Mahama tells us that he is our Northern brother; that he is our Northern son and so we should vote for him. He told us this in 2012 and he is back in the Upper West Region and he is spreading the same message, that he is our Northern President.

But we have a Northern President who presides over the looting of funds meant for the development of the North, we have a Northern President who presides over the lack of feeding grants for senior high schools in the north, we have a Northern President who is cancelling teacher and nursing training allowances and we have a Northern President who is presiding over so much corruption in this country”, he said.

Dr. Bawumia observed that Northerners will not be reduced to people who should only be happy because they have a fellow Northerner as President even though the leadership of that Northerner continues to pile up suffering after suffering on Northerners and said that what Northerners want is leadership that solves their problems and leadership that works for all of Ghana including the people of the North.

“So you can just not tell me that simply because you are a Northerner, I should keep you in office to continue to make me suffer. We will not suffer just to keep President John Mahama in office.

We want someone to come to office to solve our problems, not somebody who sits in office and says I am a Northern President so I am going to let them steal your SADA money, cancel your Teacher and Nursing Training Allowances, collapse the National Health Insurance Scheme and not provide any services for your socio-economic advancement; that is not the type of Northern President we want.”

“We want a President of vision, integrity and a President who is honest and a President who will get up and do the work for all the people of Ghana including the people from the 3 Northern Regions”, he added.

The NPP Vice-Presidential Candidate remarked that not only had John Mahama brought untold suffering on Northerners and failed to show the needed commitment to developing the North and all of Ghana, his leadership had also damaged the Northern brand with corruption and a bad record over all.

“I will rather have a President who advances the interest of the people of the North, I will rather have a President who does things that puts us forward, and that is why we are asking for change.”

“Yes John Mahama is our brother but he has failed us completely. In fact northerners never used to be known as corrupt people. We were always poor but we had integrity, we had honesty and we could never be pointed at as being corrupt.

Today we are being pointed at, that brand is being tarnished by President John Mahama who by the way is the worst performing President in the history of the 4th Republic, you can look at the economic data”, he noted.

Don’t Stop Ghanaians In Togo From Voting - IGP

Ghana’s police chief John Kudalor has told security personnel along Ghana’s borders not to frustrate Ghanaians living in Togo from crossing over to vote in the 7 December polls.

Addressing journalists during a day’s visit to the Volta Region, which is known to be the stronghold of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Inspector General of Police said: “I don’t think the Togolese have any mandate to come and vote here, but you know the long-standing history between the Volta Region and Togo. All that we are saying is that any Ghanaian is free to stay anywhere and work. So, if you are even living outside the African continent and you are duly registered and your papers are ready, you can fly in, nobody can stop you at the airport. In the same wise, if you find yourself in a country within our borders, I don’t think anybody should be prevented.”

“The security agency would ensure that everybody who is supposed to vote or who is to have easy access to and from the country across the borders [is] … allowed to vote. If you have any problem with anybody, it should be at the polling station; to see that he is not duly registered, he is coming to be an imposter or unlawfully voting.

The IGP’s concerns about Ghanaians in Togo taking part in the country come just a day after the presidential candidate of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo appealed to Togolese to stay off Ghana’s elections.
Speaking to party supporters in Aflao in the Volta Region, which shares borders with Togo, Mr Akufo-Addo, who speaks very fluent French, told citizens of the francophone West African country that they can support Ghana’s democratic process by staying away from Ghana’s elections.

The NPP has always accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) whose stronghold is the Volta Region, of constantly smuggling Togolese into Ghana’s jurisdiction to vote during elections.

The people of the Volta Region share a common language (Ewe) with the Togo while a lot of Ewe-speaking Ghanaians also crisscross the border for daily business activities. Some of them too have families on either side of the border. It is, therefore, difficult to distinguish between a Togolese and a Ghanaian from that part of the country. The situation has, thus, given rise to intense suspicion between the NDC and the NPP, especially in every election year and 2016 has not been any different.

Earlier this year, the vice-presidential candidate of the NPP, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, said Ghana’s electoral roll was contained the names of about 76,000 Togolese smuggled into the country by the NDC to register as Ghanaians so they could take part in the elections. The NDC has constantly demanded evidence from Dr Bawumia in connection with that allegation.

The NPP also recently launched a campaign dubbed “operations eagle eye” that aims to stop all Togolese from taking part in Ghana’s elections.

STATEMENT: MFWA Condemns Prez Mahama...Comments Ethnocentric & Highly Divisive

Over the weekend, while campaigning in the Upper West Region, the President of Ghana and leader of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), His Excellency John Dramani Mahama opted to use very ethnocentric and divisive campaign language.

The President, while addressing party supporters in Lawra as part of his campaign tour of the Region, made comments to suggest that the New Patroitic Party (NPP) only “uses northerners” to win power and “dump” them afterwards.

The President alleged that if vice-presidential candidate of the NPP Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia decides to contest as presidential candidate in the NPP, he is likely to be rejected by the party.

He then went on to cite the NPP presidential race in 2008 in which 16 other candidates contested the then vice-president of the erstwhile President Kuffour administration, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, for the Presidential candidacy of the party.

President Mahama also allged that unlike the NPP, the NDC gives everyone the chance to ascend to the high office including northerners and it is that opportunity in the NDC that has made it possible for him to become president after the demise of the late President, John Evans Atta Mills.

The MFWA considers the comments of President Mahama highly divisive and unfortunate and condemns same in no uncertain terms. As a leader of the country, President Mahama is expected to act in ways that will unite rather than divide the people of this country.

The MFWA therefore calls on the President to publicly apologise for his comments. We take this opportunity to urge other political figures to avoid the use of hate speech, ethnocentric and divisive comments in their political campaigns.

God Make Ghanaians Vote For Me - Nduom Prays

My name is Papa Kwesi Nduom, born at Elmina in the Central Region specifically, from Teterkessim. My grandparents are from and lived in Elmina, Senya Breku, Gomoa Dago and Tarkwa. My parents were both primary school teachers. I am where I am today by the Grace of God and through the diligence of my parents and hard work. I am a Roman Catholic. I respect other religions but mine is Christianity. My life has been guided by my faith, family values and public service.

I know that many Ghanaians believe that it is God who determines who should lead this nation. Therefore, before I go any further, I wish to pray to God Almighty, the Maker of Heaven and Earth to touch the hearts and minds of all Ghanaians, give them life, good health as I continue to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Angels and Saints to make it possible for the people to vote for me Papa Kwesi Nduom on December 7th 2016 to become the next President of the Republic of Ghana.

I am pleased to have this opportunity given to me and the Progressive People's Party (PPP) by the GBC and its collaborators to tell the people of Ghana what the nation and all of its people will gain by voting into office a PPP Administration led by me, Papa Kwesi Nduom and our Parliamentary Candidates.

My presentation is based on the PPP Policy Document which was officially launched during our Convention on Saturday, July 16, 2016 and the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

The Party I lead, the Progressive People's Party is a forward looking, inclusive political party dedicated to making our nation Ghana great and strong and all of its people prosperous. We believe in 'Ghana First, Everyone Else Second'.

We are a people made poor by bad governance practices and a leadership prepared to accept less than what our God-given, abundant natural resources must provide. To be direct, Ghanaians have wasted their votes on leadership who have disappointed them. On December 7th, the people have another chance to vote for inclusiveness, unity, competence, practical experience and incorruptible leadership by voting for Papa Kwesi Nduom. That will be a vote which will bring many, many blessings to our nation.

A few weeks ago, we created a Presidential Policy Team (PPT) to prepare now so that we are ready to work for Ghana from day one. When Ghanaians get to meet or members and experience their competence, they will agree with us wholeheartedly the fact that this party, PPP, has available, qualified and experienced men and women - bankers, teachers, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs etc - we will offer as part of an inclusive team to take charge of Ghana in January 2017 and make it a better nation for all its citizens.

Our focus unique in Ghanaian politics- job creation through competent, incorruptible leadership. No political party in Ghana, not the NDC or the NPP has been so bold and clear about its focus.

As written in our Policy Document, "... the PPP seeks the opportunity to implement an efficient Agenda for Accelerated Change that is built on Incorruptible Leadership, Education, Healthcare and Jobs.

"We believe in Ghanaian excellence. We believe in Ghanaian prosperity. We believe in all of the Ghanaian people. Our pact with you is that, once elected, we will fight for dramatically accelerated developmental progress. We will fight to move Ghana away from the maintenance of mediocrity, the culture of indiscipline, the constant failure of leadership, the cruelty of resource mismanagement and the tragedy of low expectations for developing African nations such as Ghana."

The PPP is asking for your votes so that we can create an inclusive, united Ghanaian society – TEAM GHANA. It is this new national unity that will reinvent Ghana. We, promise to build one solid Team Ghana by re-inventing our Ghanaian selves, our attitudes and our way of life. The PPP has emerged with the courage to stand up and say we are not just here to give empty promises to win power.

All the presidential candidates are talking about job creation but there is only one DOER when it comes to jobs, jobs, jobs....

Edwumawura,
Papa Kwesi Nduom

Kennedy Agyapong Begs IGP

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has apologized profusely to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for attacking his person.

The NPP Legislator during a political discussion used various unprintable words on the IGP for failing to arrest supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who allegedly attacked the home of NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

A video of him insulting the IGP has since gone viral on social media with several of his political opponents calling on the police service to deal with him.

But the NPP MP speaking on Oman FM on Thursday called on the IGP to forgive him for the unprintable words used on him.

“I want to apologise to the IGP for the attacks on him…he is a friend from Tema but you know in the heat of things, such things can happen…so he should forgive me…I have called but because I have changed my number, he has not been picking but he should please forgive me…,” he appealed.

The NPP firebrand politician also said he would as part of the steps to rendering an unqualified apology to the IGP visit him in his office to demand forgiveness.

Ken Agyapong blamed the attacks on the IGP on the recent death of his mother who he said might have made him confused while on set.

Nana Addo’s house was attacked by NDC sympathizers who were on a health walk in Greater Accra region.

This led to clashes in front of his house which led to the firing of warning shots in his vicinity.

After 8 Years And GHC248 Bn, 1 Interchange Is Not Enough – Bawumia

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Running Mate to Nana Akufo-Addo, has chided the John Mahama – NDC administration for celebrating the construction of one interchange and trumpeting its mediocre record in the last eight years, especially when a comparative look at the performance of the Kufuor-NPP administration shows that with far less resources, it did much more than the current government.

Referring specifically to the cacophony of noises that has surrounded the commissioning of the Circle Interchange, Dr. Bawumia noted that the NPP with GHC20 billion was able to institute several social intervention programmes, undertake major transformational projects in all sectors and in all parts of the country as well also build eight interchanges in eight years.

Speaking at the St. John Bosco College of Education in Navrongo on Thursday, Dr. Bawumia wondered how a government which had had over GHC248 billion in resources could be in such a jubilant mood over one interchange they had put up also in eight years.

“Can you imagine, with GHC248 billion, they have collapsed the economy, they have created hardships, they have created high unemployment, our Northern schools cannot get feeding grants in the senior high schools and we have major challenges in this economy  and today they want us to be happy because they have built an Interchange at Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

“With GHC248 billion, they have been able to build only one interchange in eight years. With only GHC20 billion, the NPP built eight interchanges in eight years so they cannot try and hoodwink us by saying they have constructed Kwame Nkrumah Interchange”, he said.

Moving into the inherent corruption and incompetence that had bedevilled Ghana under the NDC, Dr. Bawumia revealed to the astonishment of the students gathered that Circle Interchange costs almost ten times what was spent on the Tetteh-Quarshie Interchange.

The Tetteh-Quarshie Interchange was constructed for around US$9 million while the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange was constructed for 75million Euros (around 82 million dollars)

“The Kwame Nkrumah Interchange costs almost 10 times what the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange cost and we are definitely not impressed because it is not enough ”, he indicated.

Dr. Bawumia urged the students of the St. John Bosco College of Education to work actively to ensure the defeat of the NDC in the upcoming election and noted that with the NDC, Ghanaians will never witness the true benefits of their taxes and resources as the NDC has decided to prioritise corruption and not the wellbeing of the people.

“We are going to get rid of this corrupt government. With this government when you say Teacher Training Allowances, they say there’s no money; when you say Nursing Training Allowances, they say there’s no money but when you say Woyome, then there’s money, GYEEDA, Bus Branding, then there’s money. Every corrupt scheme they find money but when it comes to money for the social and economic wellbeing of the people, then there’s no money”, he added.

Dr. Bawumia toured the Navrongo Central and Chiana-Paga constituencies on the 3rd day of his Upper East Regional Tour which has already seen him tour the Bongo, Nabdam, Talensi, Bolgatanga Central and Bolgatanga East constituencies.

Election Rigging Allegations ‘Absurd Nonsense’ - Mahama

President John Mahama has rubbished claims by his political opponents that the Electoral Commission (EC) is scheming to rig the upcoming presidential elections for him.

Some New Patriotic Party (NPP) executives, have on different platforms, claimed there’s a grand scheme to ensure President Mahama’s re-election. But the President at a rally in Funsi in the Wa East Constituency of the Upper West Region, rubbished those claims, describing them as absurd nonsense. “…If you notice, in the run up to the election, there has been a consistent criticism of the Electoral Commission.

Indeed they have said the most unspeakable things about the Chairman of the Electoral Commission and that is all preparing the minds of their supporters for when they lose so when they lose they can blame the Electoral Commission as not being neutral.”

“Some of them have gone to the extent of saying the Electoral Commission is preparing to rig the elections for John Mahama. What absurd nonsense? Ghana’s Electoral system is one of the best in the world. Note my words, not in Africa, in the world because it has inherent instruments for guaranteeing its integrity.”

Stop harrasing EC Boss

This is not the first time the President has strongly defended the Electoral Commission and its Chairperson, Charlotte Osei. He did same in April this year [2016] when he called on political parties to stop harassing the Chairperson and rather cooperate with the Commission to purge the voters register.

“We have some political parties that have a tradition of haranguing and just harassing the commission and I think that must stop. Leave the commission in peace to do its work, it’s done it before, so let them do the work,” he charged.

His plea followed calls from pressure groups including the opposition NPP , for the Chairperson to implement reforms recommended by the Supreme Court.

Northern Students Being Fed with Maggot Infested Food Under Mahama - Bawumia

“What saddens me is the issue of feeding grants for our schools. Today feeding grants for the Northern Schools have been in arrears for over 14 months.

The Children are being fed on Maggot infested food, how can we sit and watch this situation continue? We have a so called Northern President who is in charge of the whole Ghana but Northern students in schools are suffering and starving”.

These were the words of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Running Mate to Nana Akufo-Addo in Zuarungu Moshie in the Bolgatanga East Constituency of the Upper East Region on Wednesday.

Dr. Bawumia, who before visiting the Bolgatanga East Constituency had toured the Talensi Constituency earlier in the day, criticised President John Mahama for merely paying lip service to the plight of Northerners and Ghanaians in general and for virtually shirking responsibility on key issues that affect the livelihoods of the people.

Touching on the regrettable plight of Northern Senior High School Students currently, Dr Bawumia said that the situation was one that particularly made him sad and wondered how someone who doesn’t fail to remind people of his Northern Roots, can orchestrate and preside over such an unfortunate situation; a situation that has lasted for over three terms.

“Many Headmasters are dodging suppliers because they cannot pay the feeding grants and we have a Northern President who says we should vote for him but who presides over this sad situation”, Dr. Bawumia added.

The current Mahama government has refused to pay Feeding Grants to Schools in the three Regions of the North since the first term of last Academic year despite several appeals from School Authorities, Parents, Students and the populace in the North including Chiefs.

The situation has meant that students are fed on small rations of food which are mostly of poor quality as suppliers have refused to supply Schools until the debts that have been accumulated are cleared.

The current crisis as a result of the government’s refusal to fulfil its responsibility has gotten so bad that many suppliers are now threatening to drag Authorities in various Northern Schools to court to retrieve their monies, while some Authorities have also been left with no choice but to find food which is not in the best conditions for their students, rather than watch them starve.

In addition, the government has refused to pay subsidies to the schools for two terms and this has worsened an already bad situation.

Touching on other issues which had worked against the progress and development of the North in the last 8 years, Dr. Bawumia mentioned the infamous SADA loot, where officials of the John Mahama government basically pilfered the resources meant for development in the North through various shady schemes.

“Aside this situation, we have a President who presides over SADA, where our monies supposed to be used to develop the North was stolen”

“Should we vote for John Mahama again?” he asked;  a question which received a thunderous ‘No’ from the residents gathered.

Dr. Bawumia urged the people of the North to reject the NDC and its Presidential Candidate as their record over the last 8 years was one of corruption, incompetence and suffering.

“When John Mahama comes and he will be here soon. When he comes and says we should vote for him because he is our brother, we should say No.

We are not going to vote for him because he is piling suffering on our people. He is bringing disgrace to the people of the North. We were never known for corruption and he is destroying our brand”, he stated to loud cheers.

Dr. Bawumia also visited the Bolgatanga Central Constituency on Wednesday.

“I Will Never Say ‘Vote For Me Because I’m Your Tribesman’”- Akufo-Addo

The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has stated that, unlike President Mahama, he will never tell the people of his home region to vote for him simply because he hails from there.

According to Nana Akufo-Addo, he has and will never campaign along the lines of ethnicity and tribalism, but, will rather campaign on the basis of competence, coupled with programmes and policies that will return Ghana onto the path of progress and prosperity.

Nana Akufo-Addo made this known on Thursday, November 17, 2016, whilst campaigning in Osino, the Fanteakwa South constituency of the Eastern Region, on the 3rd day of his 4-day tour of the Eastern Region.

It will be recalled that on November 10, 2012, at a mini-rally in Zualerigu in the Upper East Region, President Mahama called on Northerners to vote for him “because I am a northerner.”

Four years on, Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has been reinforcing the President’s unfortunate statements in his campaigns in the North, urging the people of the 3 Northern Regions to vote for President Mahama, because “it will be extremely difficult for a Northerner to get to the Presidency again if President Mahama loses.”

These statements, according to the NPP flagbearer, do not have any place in a democracy, and are messages that will only come from persons and political parties who have no campaign message for the electorate, and will prefer to set tribe against tribe in order to win an election.

“I am not appealing for your votes not on the basis that I am from the Eastern Region or from Okyeman. No. I am appealing for your support so I can go into office and implement the programmes and policies I have outlined all throughout my campaign, and before you today, so we can bring progress and prosperity to all in the country,” he said.

He continued, “Someone went to the Northern Region and his sole message to the people was that ‘vote for me because I’m a northerner’. However, it is under his tenure that the people of the North have witnessed unprecedented levels of poverty. That is not the kind of job I want to do.”

Revival of NHIS

Outlining some his policies to the people of Fanteakwa South, Nana Akufo-Addo stated that if we are to make any meaningful progress in nation-building then Ghanaians have to be healthy.

According to him, the last NPP government, led by President Kufuor, introduced the NHIS to remove the constant fear of falling ill under the inhumane Cash & Carry system.  However, he noted that it has been painful to watch the NDC government, over the last 7 years, do its best to collapse the NHIS.

The Mahama government, Akufo-Addo stated, has created so much instability in the system, so much so that Ghanaians no longer have confidence in the scheme.

“I am coming to revive the National Health Insurance Scheme, which ensured that the poor in society gained access to healthcare without the financial burden which used to be associated with healthcare delivery (under the cash and carry regime),” he said.