Category Politics

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• September 10, 2024
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• 2 minutes Read

Ghana’s democratic evolution ushers in new dawn of development — President Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says the significant improvement in the country’s democratic dispensation, particularly under the Fourth Republican Constitution, has ushered in a new dawn of participatory governance.

“The voices of women, youth, and marginalised groups, which were often silenced during the years of military rule, are now heard loud and clear,” he noted.

Addressing the Ghana Bar Association’s (GBA) annual conference in Kumasi, the President said that the inclusive political landscape had brought all identifiable groups on board, with Parliament becoming more representative and civil society more engaged than ever before.

Ghana has witnessed one of the longest periods of democratic rule under the Fourth Republic, after the First, Second and Third Republican Constitutions were torpedoed in military coups in 1966, 1972 and 1981, respectively.

Since 1992, the country has emerged as the beacon of democracy in sub-Saharan Africa, upholding the rule of law to the letter to enhance political stability and sustainable growth.

The country’s democratic credentials are at stake as Ghana goes to the polls on December 07, this year, in an election described by political pundits as one of the most keenly contested General Elections.

The polls come at a time when the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, is reeling from a fractured union and declining democratic tenets, following the spread of violent extremism and military coups, especially in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.

In the run up to the elections, President Akufo-Addo has assured the populace of a peaceful, fair, and transparent exercise.

“Elections are not merely a democratic ritual; they are the very lifeblood of our political system. They are the mechanism through which the people exercise their sovereign will, choose their leaders, and hold them accountable,” he stated.

The President was optimistic the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) would retain power, elaborating the successes chalked in various sectors of the economy over the last seven years.

“The NPP’s path to victory is through a robust defense of its exceptional, proven track record in office and the continuing modernisation of Ghana’s future, championed by our excellent presidential candidate and his dynamic running mate,” he remarked.

Source: GNA

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• September 10, 2024
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• 3 minutes Read

We are committed to peaceful, fair elections – EC

The Electoral Commission (EC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring peaceful and fair elections in the upcoming December polls, stressing that its reputation is on the line.

At the launch of Citi FM and Channel One TV’s 2024 General Elections coverage in Accra on Tuesday, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, Deputy Chairperson of the EC in charge of Corporate Services, assured the public of the commission’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of electoral integrity.

Dr. Asare emphasized that the EC and its officials are under scrutiny from both the country and the international community, and that failure is not an option.

“The commission is fully committed. Our reputation is on the line. We know many people. Mr Avle and I used to be in the LPU together. He used to be my Sunday school teacher. We’ve known each other for many, many years. So, I will find it very, very strange for him to hear that I got an opportunity to do something for my country and I didn’t do it right. Our reputations are on the line. We have family members; we have friends like everyone else.

“When I used to be at Legon, every year I’m teaching over 2000 students. So I know many people and I think all these people will be counting on me that the great work I did, I was teaching at the University of Ghana, I should be able to replicate that and the commission is fully committed and we, the noise we hear, we know that we’ll do a good thing and we know the good Lord out there will also ensure that he blesses the work of our hands.”

“So, we know, come December 7, the processes I outlined, we only need the parties to have their agents at the polling stations and when the counting is done, everything will be done clearly. So, the commission will make sure that we deliver another successful election,” Dr Bossman Asare underscored.

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) also called on the police to take stringent action against individuals who commit electoral offences during the upcoming 2024 General Elections.

National Coordinator of CODEO, Albert Arhin emphasised the need for accountability and strict enforcement of electoral laws to ensure a free, fair, and credible election process.

Mr Arhin highlighted the detrimental impact of electoral offences on the democratic process and urged the EC to punish offenders to serve as a deterrent to others.

“Impunity is so much that is why wrongdoing is still ongoing…When people are apprehended, they should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others,” he stated.

Source: citinewsroom.com

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• September 10, 2024
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• 2 minutes Read

NPP is in good shape to win December 7 Election — Bawumia

The Vice President and Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, says with barely three months to the December elections, the narrative has changed with the NPP now having the momentum to win the December 7 Election.

He said about a year ago, his opponents were so confident of victory, but with 89 days left for the elections, the electoral indicators were favouring the NPP to cruise to victory on December 7 polls.

Vice President Bawumia, who was addressing party supporters at the NPP’s headquarters in Accra, after filing his nomination forms to contest the December Presidential Election, said the elephant Party was in good shape and moving to victory in this year’s elections.

“The elections is about ideas, and not fighting, those who don’t have ideas resort to fighting.

“My vision is to uplift and transform Ghana,”Dr Bawumia assured.

The NPP Flagbearer said the NPP Government had outperformed the NDC in almost every sector and highlighted some of the policy interventions and infrastructural development implemented by the Akufo-Addo-led government.

The Majority Leader of Parliament, Mr Afenyo Markin, said the NPP was an inclusive Party that provided opportunity for everyone to excel, irrespective of religious or ethnic backgrounds.

Mr Markin, thus, charged the rank and file of the Party to unite behind the Flagbearer and work extra hard in the constituencies, electoral areas and polling stations for victory in this year’s elections.

Mr Daniel Botwe, the National Chairman of the Bawumia Campaign, entreated the Party supporters to eschew complacency and work hard to realise the vision of winning the December polls.

He said the Party had men and women of integrity and thus, urged them to conduct decent and idea-based campaign.

The gathering at the Party’s headquarters attracted the wife of the Flagbearer, Mrs Hajia Samira Bawumia, NPP Running Mate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh and his wife, Mrs Ablade-Prempeh, National Chairman of the Party, Stephen Ayesu Ntim, the General Secretary, Mr Justin Kodua Frimpong, and party supporters.

Source: GNA

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• September 10, 2024
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• 2 minutes Read

Lariba Abudu withdraws from Walewale NPP primary

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• September 8, 2024
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• 2 minutes Read

EC rejects NDC’s request for forensic audit of voters register

The Electoral Commission (EC) has rejected the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) request for a forensic audit of the voters’ register.

The denial was disclosed by Dr. Omane Boamah, the Director of Elections for the NDC, following an emergency meeting with the EC in Accra on Friday.

The meeting was convened by the NDC after the party identified what it described as widespread discrepancies in the register during the recent exhibition exercise.

In a statement to journalists, Dr. Boamah commented, “We believe that the same entity that created the problem should not be the one to resolve it. This is why we have referral systems in the healthcare sector.”

“The EC must agree if the EC has nothing to hide and we don’t want to believe they have anything to hide. The EC must agree to an independent body to audit this. It has happened before. And let me speak on authority that the UNDP is ready and willing to provide the support only if the electoral commission will write to request for this support.”

“This is not the first time I have suggested this at IPAC,  about two months ago, I suggested this, and the electoral commission will not budge. Look, development partners are interested in chipping in here and there for such an audit to take place.

“It is obvious, abundantly obvious, that the NDC has the capacity to assist. And we are saying that you can bring experts from the various political parties.”

“…They have not accepted the independent forensic audit, expectedly. It’s not all doctors who readily refer. It’s not all workers who readily when issues are above them, refer. Some of them wait until bridges collapse. Some of them wait until patients are even on the verge of dying before they push them.

“You would have loved that the electoral commission accepted this. Unfortunately, the Electoral Commission did not. However, it doesn’t take away the fact that a forensic audit is what it will take to assure Ghanaians because we have listed these problems,” stated.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• September 8, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

Bawumia, Mahama to file nomination forms tomorrow

The Vice-President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the opposition leader and flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Former President John Dramani Mahama will file their nomination forms for the upcoming presidential elections tomorrow, Monday, September 9, 2024.

The Electoral Commission (EC) will be receiving nomination forms from presidential aspirants from Monday, September 9 to Friday September 13, 2024.

The nomination forms will be accepted between 0900 hours and 1200 hours, and again from 1400 hours to 1700 hours each day during the nomination period.

More than 30 presidential aspirants, including independent candidates picked nomination forms to contest the presidential elections.

The Ghana News Agency has gathered that Dr Bawumia together with his Running Mate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Party’s National Chairman and General Secretary, the Majority Leader in Parliament, and a few NPP leaders will file the nomination forms at about 0900 hours on Monday.

Former President Mahama and his Running Mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, are expected to file their nomination forms at about 1400 hours.

Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the spokesperson for the Mahama campaign, said the event was very significant to the campaign, focusing on inclusivity and economic recovery.

“This is a momentous occasion for the NDC as we gear up to build the Ghana we want together. Our campaign focuses on jobs, accountability, development, and a better future for all Ghanaians,” she said.

Dr Bawumia is expected to address Party sympathisers and the public after filing his nomination at the Party’s headquarters Monday morning, Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary, NPP, said in a statement.

“Members of the Party and the general public are invited to be part of this historic moment of Possibility in Ghana’s Next Chapter,” the statement added.

The Electoral Commission opened nomination forms for both presidential and parliamentary aspirants on August 2, 2024.

The filing fee for presidential candidates is set at GH¢100,000, with a reduced fee of GH¢75,000 for female candidates and persons with disabilities.

Eligible Ghanaian voters will go to the polls to elect the President and Members of Parliament on December 7, 2024.

Source: GNA

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• September 8, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 3 minutes Read

NPP presidential ticket capable of helping Ghana – Okatakyie Prof Amanfi VII

Okatakyie Prof Amanfi VII, the Paramount Chief of the Asebu Traditional Area in the Central Region has commended the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for presenting two competent pair of hands in Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the party’s 2024 presidential ticket describing the ticket as an ideal ticket for Ghana.

According to the Chief, who is also a lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), both Dr Bawumia and Dr Prempeh are hardworking and results-oriented leaders with great passion for the development of this country.

He expressed full confidence in the NPP presidential ticket to deliver the public good.

“We pray that God protects them and their work, granting them peace. In the remaining three months before the election, we hope for good news, and I believe it will happen.

“As for Napo, he has done a lot for Ghana, and now that he is the Vice President, we pray he will fully support Dr Bawumia in this election. Their efforts will help Ghana stay strong.

Looking at what they have done for the country, shows they are capable of helping even more.

“We thank God for bringing them together, and I believe, in the end, people will see the good work they have done for the country,” he said. “The entire NPP government should support these two so they can accomplish even more.”

He emphasised the need to allow the Electoral Commission (EC) to carry out its duties independently, as this will benefit the country. “When we constantly criticize the EC, it creates unnecessary pressure. We should let them do their job because they know what they’re doing. I’m not pointing fingers at any political party, but we must all give them the space to fulfil their responsibilities effectively, ”he added.

The Paramount Chief was speaking at his palace on Friday, September 6, 2024, during a courtesy call on him and his elders by the Vice Presidential Candidate of the NPP, Hon. Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as Napo, who is on a campaign tour in the Central Region.

Accompanied by Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Hon Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Chairman Danquah Smith Buttey, Hon. Egyapa Mercer and Henry Nana Boakye, the NPP Vice Presidential Candidate visited the Assin North Constituency, Assin Central Constituency and the Abura Asebu Kwamankese Constituency.

While touching on the projects and programmes undertaken by the NPP particularly infrastructure projects and the Free SHS, Napo assured the chiefs and people of these constituencies that the next NPP government under Dr Bawumia would see to the continuation and completion of all such interventions.

He also rallied support for the Presidential Candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and the various parliamentary candidates of the party comprising Charles Opoku for Assin North, Godfred Nti Anawu for Assin Central, and Kobin Eric Nyanteh for the Asebu Kwamankese Constituency.

Source: myjoyonline.com

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• August 26, 2024
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• 2 minutes Read

NDC calls me a liar, at least I’m not Government Official 1 – Bawumia

The Presidential Candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has responded to accusations from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) branding him a liar.

Speaking at a media engagement on Sunday, August 25, Dr Bawumia dismissed the tag, suggesting they stem from his ambitious vision for Ghana’s future.

“People call me a liar, and I say at least I’m not called a murderer, as my boss [President Akufo-Addo] was called, or I’m not called a drug dealer, or even I’m not called Government Official 1,” he said referencing allegations previously made against former President John Mahama in the alleged airbus bribery scandal.

Dr Bawumia argued that the accusations against him arose from his forward-thinking approach and belief in Ghana’s potential to match the achievements of developed nations.

He emphasised the need for a mindset shift in the country, advocating for a belief in the possibilities of technological advancement and economic growth.

“Fundamentally, I believe Ghana can do exactly what is happening in the developed world, in the advanced countries. I believe we can leapfrog technology. And for us to do this, we must have this mindset of possibilities. That is why I’m saying, ‘It Is Possible’,” he said.

He subsequently criticised the NDC for what he perceives as a defeatist attitude, accusing the party of having an “impossibility mindset” that limits Ghana’s development.

“When other countries are going to Mars, why would you think earthly things are not possible?” he quizzed.

Nonetheless, the NPP flagbearer acknowledged that some of his proposed policies might seem futuristic and difficult to grasp initially, leading to skepticism and accusations of dishonesty.

He, however, insisted that his plans are grounded in a belief that Ghana can achieve significant advancements, provided the nation adopts a proactive and optimistic mindset.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• August 26, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 3 minutes Read

Mahama clearly doesn’t understand banking sector clean-up – Bawumia

Vice President and 2024 Presidential Candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has taken a swipe at former President John Mahama, suggesting that he lacks an understanding of the 2017 banking sector clean-up.

The Vice President said this at a meet-the-press encounter on Sunday, August 25, where he responded to comments made by Mr Mahama about the exercise that led to the collapse of several financial institutions in the country.

The NDC flagbearer for election 2024 has among other things promised to take a second look at the financial institutions that were closed down and restore the licenses of some of them where necessary.

Mr Mahama has questioned why the government could spend so much to close down institutions that could have been supported to stand on their feet with less considering that they were employing a huge number of people.

But Dr Bawumia, who’s shocked at Mahama’s promise, stated that the government’s action saved the deposits of 4.6 million bank customers by that intervention.

According to him, many of the banks had engaged in serious breaches such as extending loans beyond legal limits, misusing capital, and investing in private properties.

“We saved the deposits of 4.6 million bank depositors who really were going to lose their deposits if those banks were not saved. I don’t understand whether the former president has taken his time to understand the banking sector. Some atrocious things and this is why these banks had to be saved.

“They were not collapsed, they were merged into other banks and no banking depositor lost 1 cedi, everybody maintained. But very bad things happened, some of the banks broke all the rules and extended loans way above the single obligor limits.”

“They were given, in some cases 1 billion by the Bank of Ghana to help them out of the mess and they only got deeper into the situation. Other banks were given capital to save the situation, and they used that money to set up Capital Bank, instead of rescuing the problem that they had. They took the money from the central bank and set up another business which also collapsed. Some took money and invested in private properties.”

“So, it was against this background the governor came to report, and this was one of my nightmares in the last eight years. Most people didn’t understand how close we were to a collapse of the entire banking system. This is how we had to merge many of these banking sectors into other banks and we saved 4. 6 million depositors.”

In Dr Bawumia’s view, the banking sector was almost collapsing culminating in the merger of some banks to prevent a complete crisis.

He wants Mr Mahama to acquaint himself with the full details of the crisis by reading the reports of the Receiver and the Bank of Ghana before commenting.

“I’ll ask the former president if he hasn’t read, to go and read the receiver’s report or the BoG’s report and acquaint himself before making any further comments on matters he clearly doesn’t understand.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• August 25, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 3 minutes Read

Ghana needs an upgrade, not reset- Bawumia

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice-President and 2024 presidential candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party, yesterday stated emphatically that the country’s development trajectory had reached a stage that called for an ‘upgrade’, instead of a ‘reset’, as being espoused by former President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress.

According to Dr. Bawumia, the country’s economy, which is “rebounding,” requires continued growth and expansion, and not a reversal of the gains achieved under the current NPP administration.

“Ghana does not need a reset; it needs an upgrade. Our economy is on the path to recovery, and we must build on the gains we’ve made to ensure a brighter future for all Ghanaians,” he stated during an encounter with the media.

Touching on the state of the nation before the Akufo-Addo administration took over, Dr Bawumia noted that although more work remained to be done, the country could not afford a return to the days of the Mahama administration and its concomitant serious challenges.

The Vice-President recalled that before the NPP assumed office, the country had endured over four-year power crisis, popularly known as ‘dumsor’, adding that unemployment was skyrocketing while the banking sector was on the brink of collapse.

Social intervention programmes, he added, were struggling while the country was teetering on the edge of economic ruin.

He said the assumption of power of the Akufo-Addo government had led to stabilizing power supply, safeguarding depositors’ savings in the banking sector, introduction several pro-poor policies, revamping the health sector, improving infrastructure, and transforming education in the country.

Dr. Bawumia acknowledged the media’s role in promoting democratic governance, and praised the NPP’s contributions to media freedoms, such as the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law and the passage of the Right to Information Act.

“The media is an important ally in our national development agenda and our quest to expand the frontiers of democratic governance in Ghana,” he remarked.

Dr. Bawumia’s media engagement followed the successful launch of the NPP’s 2024 Manifesto. He said Ghanaians deserved a clear understanding of his vision for the country.

According to his campaign team, the media interaction was part of a series of activities aimed at deepening the dissemination of the 2024 Manifesto, and placing it within the context of the national conversation.

Touching of the NPP’s 2024 Manifesto, unveiled last week in Takoradi, Dr Bawumia said the document had provided a detailed plan to sustain economic recovery, reduce the cost of living, stabilise the currency, create jobs, among others.

“We have outlined comprehensive economic proposals to sustain the rebounding economy, reduce the cost of living, stabilise the currency, empower businesses, reform the tax administration, and create jobs,” he emphasized.

Dr. Bawumia detailed his 14 key commitments to Ghanaians, including expanding public infrastructure, improving healthcare, and transforming Ghana into a world-class digital economy. He reiterated that the path forward involves building on existing successes rather than starting over.

Dr. Bawumia reaffirmed his commitment to prioritising job creation and business empowerment, saying that was central to his agenda if elected President in 2024.

He added that his administration would focus on fostering economic growth through business support and sustainable job creation.

“My focus will be on jobs and businesses. We must stabilize the economy and create an environment where businesses can thrive, which will in turn generate more jobs for Ghanaians,” he said.

He reiterated his commitment to creating at least one million high-tech, digital jobs over the next four years, capitalizing on Ghana’s burgeoning digital economy, poised for transformative growth, and supported by reliable data connectivity and expanding digital infrastructure.