Ntim pledges to resolve NPP internal wrangling

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May 6, 2024
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The National Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Stephen Ayesu Ntim, has reaffirmed his commitment to addressing internal party conflicts as the party prepares for the December polls.

Recent events, particularly disputes leading to some party members running as independent candidates ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections, have caused dissatisfaction among party members.

Speaking at a rally in Ejisu, Mr. Ntim assured supporters that decisive steps would be taken to resolve such issues in the interest of party unity.

“I do not want issues of independent candidature to plague our party,” Mr Ntim stated, as he wooed the electorate to vote for the NPP’s Kwabena Boateng in today’s by-election at Ejisu.

“And it is obvious that such individuals are closest members of our great party. But I can assure you that when Kwabena Boateng is elected MP for Ejisu, our national leadership will ensure that all internal issues in the various constituencies will be resolved,” he added.

For his part, President Akufo-Addo, who joined the campaign trail, called out former NPP MP turned independent candidate, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, refuting the latter’s accusations of rigging ahead of the Ejisu by-election.

Addressing the charged crowd, President Akufo-Addo expressed indifference towards Aduomi’s departure from the party, urging the Ejisu electorate to dismiss his claims of electoral manipulation.

He further questioned the fairness of Aduomi’s rigging allegations, given his prior victories under the NPP banner.

“In 2008, when he defeated the incumbent MP, who was even a Cabinet Minister, did the NPP rig the elections for him? So why does he now allege that we will rig the elections just because he has been defeated by someone else? Is this fair?” he asked.

The President also raised concerns about hidden influences on the independent candidate’s campaign, implying the interference of undisclosed entities aiming to wrestle the seat from the NPP.

“We oppose any independent candidate whose background is unknown to us. We’re uncertain if influential figures are influencing their decisions. We refuse to accept this. It’s not something we’ll tolerate,” he stated.

Source: dailystatesman.com.gh

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Politics

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October 13, 2024
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2 minutes Read

COKA urges SDA members to participate in Dec polls

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.

Politics

goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
October 13, 2024
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2 minutes Read

NDC has lost touch on political grounds – Atta Akyea

Samuel Atta Akyea, the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, has observed that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is losing its political footing, hence the shift away from traditional political rallies towards what he termed “spiritual rallies.”

Speaking to a lively gathering during the NPP running mate’s tour in the Eastern Region, Mr Atta Akyea dismissed recent prophecies from certain religious leaders regarding the upcoming elections as mere human predictions rather than divine declarations.

He stated: “It is disheartening to see the NDC lean on spiritual interventions rather than engaging with the electorate on substantive issues.”

He criticized the party for its reliance on prophecies, and urged Ghanaians to focus on the pressing issues that affected their daily lives, such as the economy, education, and infrastructure development. “Elections are determined by the will of the people through the ballot box, not by spiritual declarations,” he emphasized.

The MP referenced a particular prophecy that purportedly predicted victory for the NDC, noting that the same prophet had previously insulted former President John Mahama. “It is shameful that Mahama cannot see through these lies,” he remarked, urging voters to remain discerning, and not to place undue faith in such predictions.

Mr Atta Akyea called for political engagement rooted in the realities of governance, stating, “We must outline concrete plans for Ghana’s future rather than rely on spiritual assurances. The democratic process remains the legitimate way to choose our nation’s leadership.”

He encouraged Ghanaians to remain optimistic about the prospects of strong governance under the leadership of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh. He reiterated his belief that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was the best choice for the country, particularly highlighting the need to preserve the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, which he claims the NDC threatens to undermine.

“We must work hard to ensure victory in the 2024 elections,” he urged party supporters, stressing that Mahama’s political comeback is improbable. “He is on a spiritual holiday and cannot return to the presidency,” he quipped, urging continued support for his predecessor and current party leadership.

He called for unity and focus within the NPP ranks.