Ghana Post Elections

  The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central constituency, Mahama Ayariga, says the Minority Caucus will oppose the new revenue bills currently before Parliament. Mr. Ayariga indicated that, unlike the approval of the ministerial nominees where a secret vote was used, a headcount will be conducted to determine whether the new tax bills should be accepted or not and that will help in the rejection of the bills.  “It is going to be a voice vote where if you are not satisfied, we call for a division and then there will be a headcount and the matter will be determined, and I am very confident that all our members will be in the House and vote in line with our position to vote against the bill.” Mr. Ayariga disclosed. “You will stand and be counted and everybody including your constituents will be watching and so if you don’t go with your constituents, they will see and measure you accordingly,” he further explained. Mr. Ayariga stressed that the Minority would have been considera...

  The Presidential Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has announced an award scheme that will reward branches and constituencies of the party that work hard to increase the party’s parliamentary and presidential votes in 2024. Mr. Mahama, who is currently touring the twenty-three constituencies in the central region, announced that his 2024 campaign will focus on rewarding hardworking branch and constituency executives. "We are going to institute a reward system for constituencies and branches. We’ll give every constituency a target, and if you meet the target and exceed it, the branch and constituency will be rewarded", he announced to wild cheers from the executives. According to him, the award scheme and branch-level campaign will be supported with the needed campaign materials and logistics. He has, however, cautioned constituency and regional executives against keeping campaign logistics and other resources, denying the ...

  The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio, has dismissed claims regarding the government’s unpaid debt of 2.3 billion to Green Ghana Seedling providers after the tree planting exercises. The minister stated, "There is no such thing as a $2.5 billion debt; even the funds allocated by the government for Green Ghana were not that much. What we actually owe our seedling providers is an amount of 28 million, which will soon be cleared." Speaking after a site monitoring tour of some Green Ghana seedlings planted in selected areas of Accra on Tuesday, he assured the seedling providers that talks are already underway with the Finance Ministry to settle all Green Ghana debts owed and that he will personally ensure that these conversations are fast-tracked. He also assured Ghanaians and taxpayers that all monies invested into procuring Green Ghana seedlings have been judiciously utilized, as most of the seedlings planted during the 2021–2022 Green Ghan...

  China’s Minister for Finance, Mr. Liu Kun says the Chinese Ministry is willing to help Ghana secure the balance of payments bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to him, the Chinese government has an obligation to ensure the Ghanaian economy does not collapse and this is due to the confidence the people of China have in the long-term economic prospects of Ghana. “We know that these are short-term challenges which we as responsible creditors remain committed to resolving.  The long-standing and prosperous relationship between Ghana and China imposes on us, a responsibility to help. Chinese authorities have confidence in Ghana’s economic management and its long-term economic viability.” Mr. Kun also added that “ China believes in promoting debt sustainability and sustainable development.” Mr. Liu Kun made the comments when Ghana’s Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta led a delegation to engage China over a $1.7 billion debt. The Ghana delegation is made up ...

  Director of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) International Relations Directorate, Alexander Segbefia, says President Akufo-Addo’s appointment of a known New Patriotic Party activist to the Electoral Commission’s board is dangerous for the country’s democracy. On Monday, President Akufo-Addo swore in Dr. Peter Appiahene, Salima Ahmed Tijani and Rev Akua Ofori Boateng as new members of the commission. Pictures and videos have since gone viral alleging in particular that Dr. Peter Appiahene is a popular activist of the NPP and has been engaged in TESCON activities at the University of Energy and Natural Resources. Speaking on the issue on JoyNews’ PM Express, Mr. Alex Segbefia noted that taking into consideration the referee role the EC plays in Ghana’s elections, it is unfortunate to have a well-known partisan activist sitting on the board. He said Dr. Appiahene’s past would henceforth colour every utterance or decision he makes while on the board, further casting doubts on ...

  Former President John Dramani Mahama has indicated that if elected President in the 2024 general elections, he will assemble a government made up of only 60 ministers and deputy ministers to run the country. “I shall assemble and operate the leanest but most efficient government under our fourth republic. We will reduce, significantly, the size of the government,” he explained. This, Mr. Mahama believes will ensure the efficient use of the country’s limited resources for the betterment of all Ghanaians if given the nod. According to him, this will also curb the disparities in privileges enjoyed by political officeholders and citizens. The National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s 2024 Presidential Candidate hopeful said this is part of amendments that he will make to the 1992 constitution. “ We plan to take up and conclude the constitution review process that started under President John Evans Atta Mills. The reforms will include a review of the controversial Article 71,” he said “I ...

  President Akufo-Addo has sworn in three new members of the Electoral Commission (EC). In a short ceremony held on Monday, March 20, at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo inducted into office Dr Peter Appiahene, Salima Ahmed Tijani and Rev Akua Ofori Boateng. According to President Akufo-Addo, even though their work will be subject to strict scrutiny by the general public, “ that, however, should not scare you and, indeed, let no one try to cow you into submission.” “On the contrary, let this expectation of the Ghanaian people spur you onto great heights and above all the works of the will of the Ghanaian people is upheld ,” he added. After the swearing-in, Dr Appiahene who spoke on the members’ behalf said they are ready to deliver and contribute to strengthening Ghana’s democracy. “We are, therefore, aware of the massive responsibilities and tasks that come with it. “We want to state that we are poised and more prepared to deliver and contribute to the development of our de...

  The Member of Parliament for Tamale South Constituency, Haruna Iddrisu, says no candidate can unseat him in his constituency. According to the former Minority Leader, to be elected as an MP for five consecutive times means his constituents are happy with the work he is doing, and he has no doubt that he will win the elections again for the sixth consecutive time. Mr. Iddrisu made this assertion when he presented his nomination forms to renew his mandate as the National Democratic Congress candidate for the Tamale South Constituency at the party’s constituency office over the weekend. The former Minority Leader pledged his commitment to amass about 90,000 votes for any of the aspirants who will emerge to lead the NDC in 2024. He said he will work hard with the incoming flagbearer of the NDC to take the mantle from the current government. Although no one has shown interest yet in competing against Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, according to the Tamale South Constituency Chairman, Sulemana Abd...

  Former President, John Dramani Mahama has asked the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum not to shut down any school in the country. According to Mr. Mahama, it is the ultimate responsibility of the Minister is to help students to achieve better results and not shut their schools. Hence, if he can’t do so, then he should resign. “Help them achieve better results and provide better education for the children, but don’t you dare close schools. The Minister for Education should resign if his only solution to a problem is to close schools,” he stated. Mr. Mahama made this statement on Sunday, March 19, at Adudwama in the Ahafo Ano South East Constituency whiles addressing some branch executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). It would be recalled that the Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum challenged the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) and Principals of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to i...

  Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says the country will save $4.8 billion annually from the ‘Gold for Oil’ policy which began this year. According to him, the ‘Gold for Oil’ policy which is now in its third month is already yielding a positive impact and is expected to cause a reduction in prices of petroleum products at the pumps from March 16, 2023. Dr Bawumia who was speaking at the commissioning of a new head office for the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company in Accra said the country will make an annual savings of $4.8 billion to accelerate economic development. “The savings in foreign exchange when we do this will be an annual savings of $4.8 billion every year and that means the oil importing companies will not be going to the Bank of Ghana looking for $4.8 billion to buy oil,” he said. BOST is mandated to build a strategic reserve of stocks of petroleum products to meet a minimum of six weeks of national consumption from the Gold for Oil policy. According to the...

  Former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, is confident that he will win the flagbearership race of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He expressed optimism that the party’s delegates will vote massively for him to lead the party in the 2024 general elections. According to him, the delegates will choose a competent person to lead the party. “Well, you go into a contest to win, so I’m in the contest hoping to win, and I know that God will bless me to win this contest,” Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said. According to Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, he’s not worried that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is in the race adding that he does not have any advantage over him and the other hopefuls. “The incumbency of the Vice President does not worry me at all, it doesn’t give any advantage over others. The party people know who is who. You just have to make sure that they know you are in the race. Most of our delegates are rural people, they benefitted from Planting for Food a...

  An High Court in Accra has dismissed a defamation suit filed by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, against the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong. In a ruling today, March 15, the Court presided over by Justice Eric Baah, a Court of Appeal judge sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court Judge, dismissed the case for lacking merit. According to the judge, although the words spoken against Anas were factual and capable of defamation, he could not prove same. “From the above, I hold that the plaintiff is a blackmailer who uses blackmail to extort money from his opponents and people he does not like. "What the plaintiff is doing is not investigative journalism but investigative terrorism,” the presiding judge, who awarded cost of GH¢50,000 against Anas said. Background In 2018, Investigative journalist Anas, filed a defamation suit against Mr.Kenedy Agyapong, , asking the High Court to award aggravated damages to the tune o...

  Former President, John Dramani Mahama has stated that the next National Democratic Congress (NDC) government will not immediately begin new projects but will instead, complete those that have been abandoned. According to John Mahama, the country’s economic situation will not allow the government in waiting to start new projects. Speaking to delegates in the Tano North constituency as part of a campaign tour in the Ahafo Region, Mahama, a flagbearer aspirant of the NDC, said that when the party takes office, it will ensure that all abandoned infrastructural works are completed. “With the economic crisis that we currently have, by the time the NDC comes into power in 2025, we are still going to have a restricted fiscal space because of the economic difficulties. A new NDC will not be in a hurry to start new projects. What we will do is that the projects that have been ongoing and have been abandoned and uncompleted, we will take an inventory of all of them and with the little resou...

  Thirty-one aspirants, comprising 30 males and a female, have picked nomination forms to contest the upcoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary primaries in the Upper West Region. Out of the number, 23 are new entrants while the remaining eight are sitting Members of Parliament (MPs). According to the Upper West Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress, Mr Issah Kantagyere, so far, the sole female parliamentary aspirant is from the Jirapa Constituency, with Wa Central and the Nadowli-Kaleo Constituencies recording the highest number of aspirants at four each, while the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa (DBI), Sissala West, and Nandom constituencies had two aspirants each, being the constituencies with the lowest number of aspirants. The rest are Wa West, Wa East, Jirapa, Lawra, Lambussie, and Sissala East constituencies, with three aspirants each. The NDC opened nominations from 22nd February to 24th February 2023 to allow persons interested in contest...

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will keep a close eye on the 2024 general elections. Speaking to delegates in Sunyani East and West, John Dramani, a flagbearer hopeful of the NDC for the 2024 elections, said the party will train all polling stations ahead of the elections. “Persons selected as polling agents must be vigilant and ensure that all ballot papers are counted and call the party office later and disclose the figures the party secured. The figures will be uploaded into the system so by midnight, the party will have all results. All polling agents will be trained”, he said. According to Mr. Mahama, that the party will put in place adequate safeguards to ensure that all results are collected on time. He reiterated his call on executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) across all levels of the party to work hard between now and December 2024 to ensure that the NDC’s victory in the polls is emphati...

  A former Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, has criticized the Electoral Commission for its move to discard the guarantor system for the continuous voter registration exercise. According to Mr. Afari-Gyan, the contention of the EC that the guarantor system was not robust and, therefore, the Ghana Card should be the sole means of registration was untenable. He asserted that, as far as the National Identification Authority (NIA) allowed the guarantor regime in the registration for the Ghana Card, nothing prevented the EC from doing same for the voter registration exercise and making that system more robust as it wanted it. “What prevents the commission from instituting, in the upcoming constitutional instrument (CI), a guarantor regime as robust as or even more robust than the one being used by the NIA for doing the Ghana Card?” he queried. However, according to the Chairperson of the EC, Jean Adukwei Mensa, the use of the Ghana Card as the sole regis...

  Over 3,000 construction sector workers have been laid off due to conditionalities being imposed on Ghana by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to the General Secretary of the Construction and Building Materials Workers Union of TUC Ghana, Mr. Richard Asamoah, government made this known through a formal communication to construction companies that it will not honour payment for work done. “Synohydro, the company working on the Takoradi Interchange, called us into a meeting today and told us of the decision to lay off workers. They explained that government has communicated to them that they won’t be honoring payments for work done because of the IMF deal the country is about signing,” Mr Asamoah said. He continued by saying that, this decision by government has compelled companies to suspend works being done currently, and have begun laying-off some workers According to him, Contracta, the company working on the Takoradi market circle, has laid off 121 worke...

  The Member of Parliament for Assin Central and flagbearer aspirant in the governing New Patriotic Party, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has slammed the Electoral Commission (EC) over its decision to use the Ghana Card as the sole document for registration for the 2024 general elections. The new Constitutional Instrument (CI) seeks to see the elimination of the guarantor system for all first-time registrants to the country’s electoral register. In a media interview on Sompa FM in Kumasi, the MP indicated that the new CI laid in Parliament by the Electoral Commission is “bogus”. According to Mr. Agyepong, it makes no sense that the Ghana Card would suddenly be raised above the Ghana Passport in determining the identity of citizens. ‘’I am against it. Ghana has people taking bogus decisions. We have a whole Ghana passport, but you (EC) claim that to register to vote you can’t use it to register as a voter. What makes me know that I am a Ghanaian? It is my passport”, he said. His comments c...

  Former President John Dramani Mahama has accused the New Patriotic Party of turning Independence Day celebrations into a jamboree. Speaking at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Professional Forum Dinner and Awards Night in Accra on Sunday, March 5, Mr. Mahama justified his decision not to attend the event since 2018. “I just came from the Volta Region, and just when I was leaving, they were preparing to celebrate Independence Day. I have stopped going to Independence Day because it has become a party jamboree. I went to Tamale, and they told GBC to take the camera off me, they bussed their supporters in and filled the whole stadium. “When I got into the stadium the place was quiet, I went and sat, they gave me some corner somewhere, I went and sat there and they occupied the dais. When any of them came [the supporters] shouted . He continued by saying that ; “I don’t want to be part of this party jamboree. Independence is a solemn national celebration that is celebra...

  The Communications Director of the governing New Patriotic Party, Richard Ahiagbah, says former President John Dramani Mahama lacks the capacity to lead Ghana again as its president. According to Mr. Ahiagbah, despite the economic challenges currently facing the country, the former president’s past records indicate that he can’t manage the economy any better. “ people will always sojourn out of this country, when people go, they will come back. If he’s making that as a basis to show that he has the capacity to reverse it, nothing in his records shows that he can. There’s no proof to substantiate what he’s saying”. “The statistics show that he has no capacity that he claims he has to make this economy work. He never grew the economy one inch when he had the chance to be President. He cannot talk about the economy, he cannot talk about people leaving this country. Now he wants to come again, we have to let him know that we kicked him out, and he’s no longer eligible by his pe...