COKA urges SDA members to participate in Dec polls

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October 13, 2024
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A former Afigya Kwabre South Constituency Chairman of the NPP, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, has called on the leadership of the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) to encourage its members to participate in the upcoming December 7 elections, which coincidentally falls on a Sabbath this year.

In a statement, COKA expressed concerns that this scheduling could potentially disenfranchise a significant segment of the electorate.

COKA highlighted the SDA community’s considerable size, stating that the church has a membership of over 800,000, with a youth demographic representing about 70% of this figure. He emphasized the importance of these numbers in shaping the electoral outcome, noting that in past elections, political parties had won with margins as narrow as 50,000 votes.

He indicated that “while the Sabbath holds significant spiritual importance for Adventists, it is essential to remember that the Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, not the other way around”. He urged church leaders to reconsider their stance, and actively promote voting among their congregants. “The SDA numbers can make a change in the 2024 elections. We must not leave them out of this crucial democratic process,” he insisted.

COKA commended the church leadership for taking proactive steps by petitioning Parliament and the Electoral Commission regarding the matter. “I think the leadership of the church has done well to engage with these bodies to lobby for a future change in the law,” he noted. He expressed hope that the legal framework could be revised to allow elections to be held on the first Tuesday of November, thereby accommodating all religious groups.

The push for legislative change is gaining traction, with various stakeholders, including political parties, acknowledging the need for a voting schedule that respects the diverse beliefs within Ghanaian society. “All parties agree that measures must be put in place to ensure that in the 2028 elections, the law is adjusted to favor all religious groups,” COKA remarked.

He added that by mobilizing SDA members to vote, the church could significantly influence the outcome of the elections, reinforcing the importance of civic engagement within faith communities.

He called on all stakeholders to prioritize the participation of every citizen, regardless of their religious observances.

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Politics

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December 10, 2024
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3 minutes Read

Bawumia urges NPP members to avoid blame game

The Vice-President and Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December 7 general elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on party’s rank and file to embrace unity, and avoid internal blame as they seek to rebuild the party after the 2024 general elections.

He has, therefore, emphasised the need for collective action to build a formidable force ahead of the 2028 general elections.

The NPP Presidential Candidate garnered 4.65 million votes, falling nearly 1.7 million votes behind the National Democratic Congress’ flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, who secured 6.3 million votes. The party also suffered substantial losses in the parliamentary elections.

Speaking at his residence during a meeting with parliamentary candidates and party sympathizers from the Klottey Korley, Anyaa-Sowutuom and Weija-Gbawe constituencies, Dr. Bawumia urged members to eschew blame, and rather focus on mobilization for the party’s greater good.

Dr. Bawumia attributed the NPP’s recent electoral challenges to voter apathy within its ranks, stating that a significant number of party supporters did not cast their ballots in the elections. He described that development as a wake-up call, and encouraged party members to remain optimistic about the future.

“We cannot afford to let apathy or blame divide us. Instead, we must unite and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity, and this is what will propel us forward as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead,” he said.

The Vice-President also highlighted the importance of maintaining faith in the party’s vision and in divine guidance, urging members not to despair. “As a party, we have overcome numerous challenges in the past, and I am confident that with hard work and faith in God, we can achieve even greater success,” he said.

Dr. Bawumia assured the gathering of the party’s commitment to addressing all concerns, and called on members to actively engage their communities. He stressed that the NPP’s vision for Ghana’s development could only be realized through the collective efforts of its members and supporters. He further reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the party’s structures, and strategising for a strong comeback in the next electoral cycle.

“We handed over this election to the NDC. The analysis shows that their numbers didn’t change; ours decreased by 40 percent. We just didn’t vote,” Dr. Bawumia stated, emphasising the need for collective responsibility rather than finger-pointing.

The Vice-President told party members that the current setback should not derail their focus on the future. “United we stand, divided we fall,” he stated, adding that faith in God’s plan should guide the party’s outlook. “We may not understand whatever we go through, but let’s trust in God. I know we are sad and in pain, but God knows best,” he added.

Dr. Bawumia reiterated that party faithful must stop the blame game, warning that it could be detrimental to the party’s prospects. “Blame can destroy the party. Let us come together, unite, and look towards the future,” he appealed.

He encouraged members to prioritize the collective good over personal ambitions. “At this stage, we are looking forward to building the party again. It is not about individual benefits but the party,” he said.

Politics

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December 10, 2024
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3 minutes Read

More attacks by NDC thugs

Tensions remain high across parts of Ghana as youth supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) continue their attacks, days after the Electoral Commission (EC) declared the results of the 2024 general elections. The attacks, which began immediately after Dr. Bawumia’s concession statement, have been marked by a series of destructionand looting targeting state institutions.

According to reports, irate youth, suspected to be members of the NDC, yesterday stormed the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), the head office of the Ghana National Gas Company Limited (GNGCL) at Airport Residential Area in Accra to allegedly demand a takeover.

Others also attacked Greater Accra Regional Office of the Electoral Commission (EC) amid growing frustration over the delayed declaration of the Ablekuma North parliamentary race results.

At the GPHA office, per eyewitness account, there were reported scenes of disruption as a group of individuals, believed to be affiliated with the NDC, gathered near the premises, chanting slogans and expressing dissatisfaction with President Akufo-Addo’s government.

In a video, the youth were captured attempting to forcibly open the main gate to the premises. This action comes despite calls from NDC National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi for supporters to celebrate their victory in the presidential and parliamentary elections with moderation.

Another visual footage from the showed NDC supporters entering the Greater Accra EC building, where they caused damage to some louvre blades and other property. The protest followed the refusal of police to allow the demonstrators onto the EC premises.

In addition to the disruption at the EC office, the protesters earlier blocked roads in the area, leading to temporary traffic disruptions. The police quickly intervened, forcing the protesters to clear the roads.

The unrest stemmed from the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the Ablekuma North race, one of the most fiercely contested constituencies in the 2024 elections. Both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had laid claim to victory, fuelling the stand-off.

Meanwhile, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed deep concern over the reports of lawlessness and violence allegedly perpetrated by members of the National Democratic Congress.

In a statement on Faceboook, Dr. Bawumia called on the president-elect, John Dramani Mahama, to act decisively to curb these incidents and ensure peace and stability across the nation.

Dr. Bawumia criticised what he described as a wave of attacks targeting state institutions, public offices and private individuals. He alleged that NDC supporters had besieged collation centres with weapons, forcefully declared NDC parliamentary candidates as winners in some constituencies, and looted state properties.

“These wanton acts of lawlessness and brutality have been extended to state institutions and public offices, looting and stealing state properties in the process. Some public offices were forced to close for business,” Dr. Bawumia stated. He also expressed concern over threats to private homes and properties of individuals, including death threats, which he described as a “bizarre twist” to the post-election violence.

Dr. Bawumia urged President-elect Mahama to demonstrate leadership and statesmanship by reining in his supporters to preserve the nation’s peace and unity.

“I would like to remind President Mahama that he has won an election; he has not staged a coup d’état. He has a responsibility to contribute to protect life and property,” Dr. Bawumia said. He warned that if the violence continued, individuals might be forced to take defensive actions, which could escalate tensions.