Famous Quotes From Alice in Wonderland

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Photo: University of Ghana students reject NDC sachet water

Students of the University of Ghana are said to have rejected sachet water branded with the logo of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to reports, the NDC campaign team came to the campus Saturday evening with trucks loaded with the sachet water to distribute to the

Monday 28 November 2016

One village, one dam slogans won’t wash – Mahama

 President John Mahama has challenged the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to come clean on its promise to build one factory in every district and other similar campaign promises.

According to the President, NPP’s campaign of “one something, one something” is an empty promise at best.

The President was addressing a rally at

NCCE warns Electorates; don’t take Kalyppo to Polling Station

The Ashanti Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) Mr. Alhassan Yakubu has appealed to Ghanaians to desist from taking Kalyppo fruit juice which has become politically tainted to polling stations during December 7 polls.

According to him, this could spark political violence which could mar the electoral processes and derail the nation’s democratic gains. 

Speaking during a public sensitisation programme in Kumasi he further warned that

Odike spotted at NPP Campaign

 Former presidential nominee for the United Progressive Party (UPP), Akwasi Addai Odike, has been spotted at the New Patriotic Party’s Western Regional Rally at the Sekondi Methodist Park. Odike stepped down from the presidential race after his party took him to court for

Mahama to win by 52% – Ben Ephson

 Pollster Ben Ephson has predicted a first round victory for President John Dramani Mahama in the 2016 elections.

According to Mr. Ephson, his latest poll indicates the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate will win by 52.4% while

I want to serve Ghanaians – Nana Addo

The Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo Addo has said his quest to become Ghana’s next president is not borne out of a desire to loot the nation’s resources, but to serve. “I am not coming into office to loot the national kitty;that is not why I entered politics.I entered politics so that I can serve this country with the knowledge,  wisdom and little strength that the Almighty God has given me so that we can push Ghana to a deserving destination full of jobs, wealth and health.”

Speaking at the NPP’s regional rally in the Western Region, Nana Addo appealed to electorates to choose him , saying “my greatest plea is that

'People are voting for change' - BNI tells Mahama

Ephson’s real poll puts Nana 8% ahead of Mahama, But…

The Daily Statesman can report that the outcome of the latest research conducted by the Bureau of National Investigations on the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections predicts a one-touch victory for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, with a clear NPP majority in Parliament.

This latest BNI survey is consistent with an earlier one they did, except the high number of undecided voters in the earlier one has dropped considerably.

Like the BNI survey, the Daily Statesman can further report that the actual poll conducted by researchers for Ben Ephson, Editor of the Daily Dispatch, also predicts but a slim one-touch victory for the opposition leader.

But consistent with nearly all the polls out there, Ben Ephson's real poll results have Nana Akufo-Addo maintaining an 8 percentage point lead over the incumbent, President John Dramani Mahama.

However, the Daily Statesman has learnt that the results that his researchers on the field brought are not likely to be what he may be sharing with the public this week.

According to very reliable sources, Mr Ephson had been impressed upon by the sponsors of the polls, largely funded by First Lady Lordina Mahama, to claim that the election will be very close, but per his expectations and calculations, President Mahama is going to win with 50.2%.

His polls, according to evidence shared by those who work with him and very unhappy about the machinations going on, give Nana Akufo-Addo 51.90%, nearly eight percentage points ahead of the incumbent, President John Dramani Mahama.

The poll, which they said has a margin of error of 2%, had only 43.65% of those polled saying they would vote for John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress.

According to the polls, President Mahama and the NDC are losing the elections mainly because of the economic hardship, escalating unemployment, corruption, arrogance of power and the general wind of change blowing in the country.

The latest BNI poll gives Nana Akufo-Addo 52%, six percentage points over President Mahama who is predicted to receive 46% of the popular votes on December 7.

For the entire parliamentary elections, the BNI research suggests the NPP is likely to get 144 seats, with the NDC losing its current majority to secure 131 seats.

According to the BNI, in addition to winning its traditional strongholds of Ashanti and Eastern Regions, the NPP is on course to winning the

My Government opened doors for NPP Organisers to Marry – Mahama

 President John Mahama has urged the youth never to fall for the lies and empty promises being made by the largest opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to vote for the party in the upcoming December 7 elections.

According to him, the youth of the country will have themselves to blame if they repose trust in the NPP as the party has no plans to improve their living conditions of the youth when it assumes power.

President John Mahama was speaking at Tarkwa Nsuaem in the Western Region on Saturday as part of his campaign tour with a little over a week to the polls which has been

APC ‘executive’ confesses stealing NPP Manifesto

The suspended General Secretary of the All People’s Congress Razak Opoku has disclosed that his party stole the 2016 manifesto of the opposition New Patriotic Party.

This was revealed on 3FM’s Sunrise morning show hosted by Winston Amoah on Monday. He was reacting to obvious rift in the party as two executives declared their support for the opposition NPP, while the flag bearer is set to endorse the candidature of the governing NDC’s John Dramani Mahama. 

Allegations 

Razak Opoku who insists the APC manifesto was stolen from

NDC has failed us – Anlo Beach residents

 Some youth of Anlo Beach, a settler community in the Shama constituency of the Western Region, say they have lost hope in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the December 7 polls.

According to the disgruntled youth, the inhabitants have been voting for NDC for years, but have nothing to show for it, not even clean water to drink.
They expressed their disappointment to Citi FM’s Samurais, a pre-election constituency watch team who were in the Western Region to speak to residents about what would inform their voting choices.

The other team, known as the Delta Squad covered the Northern sector of the country.
Anlo Beach residents told the Samurais that they have been left in the state of hopelessness as government has failed to provide them with potable water.
They are compelled to drink water from dilapidated wells, which they say is too salty for human consumption.
The Samurais took a few minutes journey on a canoe, from Shama beach to the migrant community with 31-year-old George Kpovi, who indicated he was highly disillusioned.
He said he and his colleagues may not vote in the December polls.
According to him, the settler community voted for NPP once in 2004; but the Kufuor administration also did nothing for them.

Mr. Kpovi said they returned to NDC in 2008, and

Professor Gyampo denies 'NDC will win' comment

 A fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof Ransford Gyampo, has denied reports he said the New Patriotic Party can only come close to winning power after changing its flag bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo.

He is also reported to have said the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and President John Mahama will win the 7 December polls, although he wishes they do not.

On a purported secret audio recording, a voice alleged to be that of Dr Gyampo’s is heard saying: “I am not trying to undermine anybody, but whether you like it or not, me I don’t like the NDC to win; but you will win that one, I know honestly. I know because you know how to win elections, OK. o me, I know, so when I say it, you don’t have to antagonise me. The NPP is crumbled, that, not everyone knows, NPP will come, maybe after

NDC to hire experts to train members

 Barely a week to the conduct of the December 7 polls, President John Dramani Mahama has hinted of plans to train members of his party to properly cast their votes.
Speaking at a campaign rally at Wassa Akropong in the Western Region, President Mahama said the exercise is to ensure the party gains a wider margin of valid votes cast.

He explained that, after the training, sample of ballot papers would be given to their members to enable them train others.
“This year, I want us to widen the gap. The law states that you can only win with

Vote ‘kleptomaniac’ Mahama Out – Amidu

Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Martin Alamisi Amidu has pointed out that the only constitutional means for Ghanaians to retrieve the GH¢51.2 million judgement debt from businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome is to vote the current government out on December 7, 2016.

He said he, as an individual, is resorting to the law courts for the retrieval of the payment to Mr Woyome but will entreat Ghanaians to vote for a new president if they want the money back. 

“I entreat fellow citizens once more to read between the lines and come to their own justified conclusion that the only way the Republic and the people of Ghana can get their looted Woyome money back is to vote out this kleptomaniac looter Government and

Hassan Ayariga sacks executives for endorsing Nana Addo

The founder of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga has sacked his General Secretary, Razak Kojo Opoku and running mate Emmanual Carl Barterls from the party for endorsing presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo for the December 7 polls.
Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Ayariga explained that the two ceased to be members his party since last Friday and urged Ghanaians to disregard any statement coming from them.

“I don’t have a vice presidential candidate. What we have now is the leader and founder of the APC and that is me. Mr. Bartels and the General Secretary were relieved of their duties last Friday and they are aware of that so they are not

Akufo-Addo, Bawumia are Liars - Omane Boamah

 Flag bearer of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo and his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, are serial liars, Communications Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah has said.

Dr Boamah, at the Meet The Press series in Accra on Monday, 28 November catalogued a series of “lies” which he said had been told by the two opposition politicians against the Mahama administration.

On 9 December 2014, he said Nana Akufo-Addo “lied about the cost of the Kasoa Interchange and insisted it had been inflated,” when he delivered the Alhaji Aliu Mahama memorial lecture. “Not even facts to correct the obvious misinformation from an NPP – not NDC minority ranking Member of Parliament on roads and

"That girl, Adjoa Sarfo is a big liar" - Zita Okaikoi

A former Minister for Tourism of Ghana and former Ambassador to South Africa, Zita Sabah Okaiko. has described Dome-Kwabenya’s Member of Parliament Adjoa Sarfo as a liar.

Addressing members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at a rally at the Dome Market Saturday, Madam Okaikoi asked the people of Dome- Kwabenya to neglect the lies of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and stop voting for them. She hinted that

Pollsters must stop making false predictions – Veep

Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has called on pollsters publishing results of pre-election polls to desist from making false predictions. Vice President Amissah-Arthur made the call at the inauguration of a Boys Dormitory block for the Enyan Abaasa Technical Institute in the Ajumako-Enyan –Essiam District of the Central Region. The school, which was started by the community in 1989, was given final approval in 2010 to operate as a Day Secondary School.

The visit formed part of the second phase of the Vice President’s campaign tour of the Central Region. Vice President Amissah-Arthur was accompanied by

NDC will use journalists for blood sacrifice - Owusu Bempah

The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has plans of sharing ritual monies to journalists and some key stakeholders within Ghana’s electoral process to do their bidding in the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections, Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah, founder and leader of the Glorious Word Ministry International, has said.

According to him, journalists and other persons who fall prey to what he described as a “demonic” attempt by the NDC to rig the elections – through the sharing of “thank you gifts” – will lose their lives after the elections because their souls will be used

Mahama bringing ‘DSTV’ to Ghanaians – Omane Boamah

The Minister of Communications, Dr. Omane Boamah, has touted government’s achievement in attaining a 100 percent digital migration in the country.
According to him, the migration process is almost completed, adding that, it will give Ghanaians the opportunity to experience better picture and sound quality as well as more channels to watch.

Government few years ago commenced the process to switch television broadcasting platforms from analogue transmission to digital, but has postponed the deadline several times.
Speaking at the Meet the Press session in Accra on

Ben Ephson’s polls come straight from his ‘big belly’ – A Plus

 Controversial hip-life artiste, A Plus has taken a swipe at pollster, Ben Ephson, saying the latter’s polls come from his big belly .

Mr Ephson has predicted that

I didn’t endorse Mahama for monetary gains - Henry Lartey

 The Flagbearer of the Great Consolidated Popular Party, Henry Hebert Lartey has laughed-off suggestions he endorsed President John Dramani Mahama for monetary gains.

Dr. Lartey who announced his support for the ruling National Democratic Congress at a press conference in Kumasi on Sunday says he took the decision because of the projects and policies introduced by the John Mahama administration to improve life of Ghanaians.

Social media, especially WhatsApp has been agog with messages Dr. Lartey was financially induced with at least GH ¢20,000 to throw his weight Presidential candidate of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama.

But Dr Lartey shoved-off attempts by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the GCPP to stop him from responding my questions on allegations he took money from the ruling NDC.
When he did, he described the allegations as

Ayariga endorses Mahama to retain Seat

The disqualified flagbearer of the All People's Party Dr Hassan Ayariga has endorsed president John Mahama for the December 7 elections.
At a press conference in Accra, attended by some Regional and National executives, Dr Ayariga announced his unflinching support, his vote and that of his followers for the incumbent president with just eight days to go for the elections.

His endorsement was predictable. The dismissed General Secretary of the party Razak Opoku had given a hint that the APC leader will announce his support for the NDC candidate.
He together with the APC running mate Emmanuel Carl Bartels had announced their endorsement for the New Patriotic Party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday claiming it was a unanimous decision taken by the national and regional executives of the party.

"The National Executive Committee, the ten regional executive committee and

CDD, IEA, EIU polls more credible than Ephson's - Nana Akomea

 The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will place much premium on election polls done by “credible” institutions such as the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and the like than polls done by individuals like the Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch newspaper, Ben Ephson, Communications Director of the NPP, Nana Akomea has said.

This follows Mr Ephson’s prediction that President John Mahama and the governing NDC will win the 7 December election with 52.4 percent while the NPP’s three-time presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, will garner 45.9 percent and the five other presidential candidates collectively bagging 1.7 percent of the total votes cast.

Reacting to Mr Ephson’s findings on Class91.3FM’s 12Live news programme on Monday, 28 November, Mr Akomea told Regina Borley Bortey that: “We take every poll in our stride. OK. Every poll that is made, we just take a look at it, if there’s something in it that makes sense to us, we take it. If there’s something in it that doesn’t make sense, we leave it like that.”

“There have been many polls including polls by CDD, IEA, EIU and all of these polls from credible institutions have reported that Akufo-Addo is way ahead. Even recently there was a poll by the University of Ghana Political Science Students Association or something and they also put Akufo-Addo way way ahead. We look at it and if there’s something that we can learn from it we take it and move ahead. If today Ben Ephson too has done a poll and he is saying Akufo-Addo is behind, we don’t have a problem.

Asked if Mr Ephson’s findings do not dampen the NPP’s spirit, Mr Akomea said: “Not at all, in fact it encourages us. The polls that have been done by institutions, not an individual, institutions like the IEA, like the CDD, like the EIU, those are institutions, not one individual. They all say that we are ahead so if one individual says we are behind, we done have a problem. I would place much weight on an institution than an individual because if the poll is by an institution, the likelihood of bias is reduced. A poll done by an institution as against an individual, I will place much weight on a poll done by an institution,” he added.



OccupyGhana® warns SSNIT against funding Woyome Deal

OccupyGhana® has noted that its last Press Release on the above-matter has been met with silence from government officials, and two farcical denials of there even being an agreement: one by Woyome and another by Mr. Selby, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Transport. We have rebutted this by posting the agreement on our website.

Our further review of the documents since that Press Release reveal even more disturbing facts that Ghanaians must know about, one of which is this:

The Government has issued a directive to SSNIT to use our pension funds to acquire a 24% stake in this phantom Woyome project.

The documents in our possession show that

Western Region to become an oil hub for West Africa – Akufo-Addo

The 2016 presidential candidate of the NPP has assured the people of the Western Region that his government will develop the region into an oil services hub if he is given the nod on December 7.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo explained that this will be done by positioning the Western Region as an efficient centre for the support of the oil industry in the West African region, which will result in the relocation of the headquarters of Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) to the region.
Nana Akufo-Addo made these known on Sunday, November 27, 2016, when he addressed yet another mammoth rally at the

Saturday 26 November 2016

President Mahama's lateness angers Envoys

 President John Mahama's late turn-up to an event yesterday in Accra did not go down well with members of the diplomatic corps.

The event was the commissioning of the New Lavender Hill faecal treatment plant by Mr Mahama.

Even though proceedings were scheduled to commence at 8:00am according to invitations sent out by the Corporate Communications Team of Zoomlion Company Limited, managers of the faecal treatment plant, the president and his entourage of ministers arrived at the venue at about 12 noon.

Members of the diplomatic corps, notable amongst them the Head of the European Union Delegation to Ghana, William Hanna, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ron Strikker, and Australia High Commissioner, Andrew Barnes, had arrived for the event before 8:00 am, thinking the programme would start on time so they could attend to other things for the day.

But, that was not meant to be as the president who was the main man for the day was nowhere to be
found for close to four hours.

The diplomats were visibly frustrated and were seen glancing at their watches every second and complaining amongst themselves about the delay of proceedings.

At a point, they woke up apparently to leave when

NHIS has challenges but not collapsed - CEO

 The head of the National Health Insurance Authority has debunked claims the scheme is on the verge of collapse or has collapsed.
Mr Nathaniel Otto said the Scheme has challenges but cannot by any stretch of the imagination say the scheme has collapsed. 

"A collapsed health system or health finance system is a pseudo name for saying there are challenges that have to be resolved.
If that is the intention of the criticism we agree. The NHIS has challenges but it has not collapsed," he said at a press conference Friday.
His comments come in the wake of criticism by the opposition New Patriotic Party that

Bawumia sympathises with family of deceased aide

 Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, running mate to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Flagbearer, Nana Akufo Addo on Friday paid the family of his late aide, Kwabena Boadu to commiserate with the bereaved family.

The NPP vice Presidential candidate shocked by the

My first budget will capture DKM Refund – Akufo-Addo

The Presidential candidate Of the New Patriotic Party Nana Akufo-Addo says his government will investigate issues surrounding the tier-two pension funds and the DKM scandal.

According to him, it is befuddling that

KNUST grabs $1M grant to produce Palm Weevil Larvae on large scale

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is embarking on a fight against protein deficiency in Ghana by using Palm  Weevil Larvae, locally known as ‘Akorkono’.
The University has received $1 million from the Bill Clinton Foundation and 112,000 Canadian dollars from the Grand Challenges Canada Foundation to start the project.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso announced this during the 2016 founders’ day special Congregation in Kumasi.
These palm larvae, a delicacy in some rural parts of Ghana, grow in dead palm trees.
" Akorkono is one of the edible insects and

””Veep panicking over Election Poll - Dr Baah

 Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur’s comment that opinion polls threaten Ghana’s democracy is because those polls spell doom for the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in December’s polls, political science lecturer Dr Richard Amoako Baah has said.

Mr Amissah-Arthur, during the commissioning of a 550-bed boys’ dormitory for the Enyan Abaasa Technical Institute in the Central Region on Friday November 25, said poll surveys prepare party supporters for only one outcome and should the actual results from

‘Troublemakers’ on Election Day will be dealt with – Police

The Police have served notice that they will deal ruthlessly with persons who try to ferment trouble in the country on Election Day, December 7, 2016. Speaking to senior police officers and the media in the Ashanti Region, the Regional Police commander, COP Kofi Boakye assured that the Police will ensure maximum security on the day.

“The Police are going to work without intimidation. In spite of the name calling we are going to do what they have been doing since the inception of this fourth Republic. Let it be told that

Kwabena Boadu was loved by everyone – Samira Bawumia

Samira Bawumia, wife of New Patriotic Party (NPP) vice-presidential candidate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has described the late Kwabena Boadu as an intelligent, hardworking young man who was liked by everyone.

Mr Boadu was the press aide to her husband. The 29-year-old died at Wa in the Upper West Region during a campaign tour with Dr Bawumia.

“Yesterday was a very sad day for all of us. My husband's press secretary, Kwabena Boadu, passed on. He was an intelligent, hardworking young man and

NPP will imprison us if they win - Minister


Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Barbara Serwaa Asamoah has expressed fears a New Patriotic Party (NPP) government will witch-hunt key NDC officials if it regains power in the December 7 elections. She has, therefore, called for a massive vote for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to retain power.

Ms Asamoah was speaking at a mini-rally at Gomoa Afransi in the Gomoa Central Constituency on Friday, November 25 as part of

Friday 25 November 2016

Dumsor drove me to UK – Slim Buster

Ace choreographer and musician, Slim Buster, has for some few years been out of the country and missing in the Ghanaian entertainment circles. His fans, especially on social media, who could not keep up with his absence started asking questions of his whereabouts.

In an interview with Sammy Flex, host of AM Pluzz on Pluzz 89.9FM, Slim Buster stated that he left Ghana for the UK, where he stayed for quite awhile – because he could not bear the pressure of the power outages (Dumsor) that hit the country a few years ago.

He added that the cost of fueling his cars, home, studio and power plant was

It saddens me Upper West no longer backs NPP - Akufo-Addo

The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has appealed to the electorate in the Upper West Region to reunite, once again, with the NPP and help push the party into the Jubilee House on 7 December.

Addressing a rally at Wa, the regional capital, Nana Akufo-Addo stated: “Whenever I’m in Upper West, I feel a strong emotion of sadness.”

According to him, “This region (Upper West) gave to our party, and, to our country, some of its greatest leaders – Chief S.D Dombo, B.K Adama, Abaayifa Karbo, Jato Kaleo and Mumuni Dimbie. These were outstanding Ghanaians who are the base of our tradition. They gave their lives in the struggle for freedom and democracy in Ghana.”

However, “today, the Upper West Region is no longer following in their tradition”, with the NPP receiving some 30 per cent of the popular vote in the 2012 election.

“I have come to appeal to you. This December, on the 7th, in two weeks’ time, let us reunite Upper West with its tradition and the great figures that came from here, and set the country onto the path of progress and prosperity,” he said.

With the mainstay of the majority of residents of the region being farming, Nana Akufo-Addo assured them that if elected president, his government would provide active support for the nation’s farmers, as well as irrigation facilities. The “1-Village-1-Dam policy will transform the fortunes of the region and its people, and turn it into a potential bread basket for the country”.

He said: “We are going to create the conditions for year-round farming, stressing: “If Burkina Faso can do it, so can we also do it in the Upper West Region and create prosperity and jobs for our people.”

Nana Akufo-Addo stressed that the increase in agricultural productivity, through the provision of improved seedlings, subsidised fertilisers, and extension services, amongst others, will boost significantly agricultural production, and create jobs and prosperity, and thereby

Government owes mining firms GH¢280 million - Chamber of Mines

Government owes mining companies over 280 million Ghana cedis in Value Added Tax as at the end of last year, a report by the Ghana Chamber of Mines has revealed.
Though the Value Added Tax Act of 2013 stipulates where the deductible tax of an individual or business exceeds the expected amount; the excess should be refunded within thirty days, the report indicates otherwise.

According to the Ghana Chamber of Mines Annual report 2015,  refunds of credits are allowed only after an audit has been completed, posing a barrier to the payment of the statutory fund.
It takes about nine months before VAT credit is audited and

Visually-impaired voters to vote without aides in December Polls

Visually-impaired voters will be able to vote for their preferred candidates in next month’s elections without interference by aides in next month’s elections.

It follows the introduction of tactile jackets to facilitate the voting process for visually impaired.

Voters with visual impairment say they have over the years been unable to choose for themselves the people they want to vote for.

There are reports of some aides thumb-printing for candidates other the ones directed by the owner of the vote.

The secrecy of the ballots is also compromised in a breach of the law.

Thanks, however, to the Electoral Commission and the

Nduom, Konadu, Mahama accuse EC of Rigging

Three political parties taking part in this year’s presidential and parliamentary election have said they are confident the results will not be free and fair.

A joint statement signed by Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, flag bearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP); Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, flag bearer of the National Democratic Party (NDP); and Dr Edward Mahama, flag bearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC) said: “We … wish to put on public record that the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary elections will not be free and fair.”

“We make this point strongly believing that we have a responsibility as leaders of these three political parties to bring into sharp focus a number of issues that have happened that defeat our expectation or aspiration as a country to hold free and fair elections. Free and fair elections do not happen on voting days. They happen only if a number of things are in place and are guaranteed for the benefit of the all the players,” the three flag bearers said.

Below is the full statement:

STATEMENT ABOUT THE 7 DECEMBER 2016 ELECTIONS BY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES OF THE NDP, PNC AND PPP

We the presidential candidates of the Progressive People’s Party, the People’s National Convention and the National Democratic Party wish to put on public record that the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary elections will not be free and fair. Free and fair elections can take place when certain conditions are met. It is not limited to the electorates queuing up on 7th December, 2106, casting a ballot and for a person to be declared a winner.

We make this point strongly believing that we have a responsibility as leaders of these three political parties to bring into sharp focus a number of issues that have happened that defeat our expectation or aspiration as a country to hold free and fair elections. Free and fair elections do not happen on voting days. They happen only if a number of things are in place and are guaranteed for the benefit of the all the players.

First of all political parties and candidates must be given a fair opportunity to campaign and send their messages to the electorates for informed choices to be made. 

The three of us have had a terrible experience of spending close to six weeks in court litigating against the unnecessary attempted disqualification of our candidature as part of a deliberate scheme to frustrate our efforts in this election. 

This has brought us untold hardships financially, emotionally and taken energy and precious time from our campaigns. The Electoral Commission (EC) decided to utilise the regulations guiding the conduct of the 2016 elections as an oppressive tool to punish and deny us equal opportunity to campaign during the critical times of the campaign season. 

If a party in a competition loses six weeks of campaign time whilst spending on legal fees that where not budgeted for but occasioned by a frivolous scheme designed to frustrate and deny us fair opportunity to participate in the elections, how can anyone say that this election is and will be free and fair?

Secondly, we would expect under normal circumstances that, the Electoral Commission will be a fair and impartial referee whose only interest would be to comply with the provisions of the CI 94 which conduct will ensure certainty and predictability in the processes leading up to the elections. 

As we speak, the EC has been inconsistent in the supply of information to the political parties on the number of voters registered for the special voting exercise. The new allegation that the Ghana Police
Service is adding more names to the special list, long after the deadline passed is disturbing to say the least. The question is which other groups of people have been allowed to add to the list after the deadline?

The EC has clearly disregarded the relevant portions of CI94 (regulation 23) to have entertained the latest applications from the Police Service. 

If the rules of the game can be twisted and turned by the referee as and when it pleases, can we then say that the elections will be free and fair when we do not know what illegal steps will be taken in the process leading up to the elections? Some of our parliamentary candidates have been disqualified without due process. 

We are also aware that

Bawumia's Aide wrote this about death

Kwabena Boadu, the press aide of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia - the New Patriotic Party vice presidential candidate - pieced together a note about death before passing on.

He was found dead in his hotel room on November 24, 2016. Read his thoughts about death:


DEATH! (SPECIALLY MADE FOR EVERYONE SPECIAL) 
November 5, 2010 at 6:59 p.m

DEATH

I most often think about death! Yeah I do, it’s one of my pastimes, thinking about death! I don’t know about you but unlike me, I know many who are just scared to hear the word - ‘death’! I don’t know why though, maybe it’s because you yourself know you would end up in hell and so don’t want to hear of the event which would forward you to your final destination; maybe it’s because you think this world is good that you don’t want to imagine not being part of it or maybe you are afraid because others are afraid of it.

But well whether you like it or not, very soon you would die! Hahahahahaha! Well sorry but this isn’t so funny for some of you but it is the truth; you would die soon! And please don’t stop reading at this point because that won’t prevent you from death! Anyway, sorry if I got you scared but why should we be scared of death? It’s something which would happen to everyone, no one can escape it so why should we be scared of it?

I think about death for many reasons. First of all, I think about the death of my family members and friends like you. I think about all the good times and experiences I have had with some of you and think about the near future when you would not be around or when my family would not be around.

I think and fantasize about how I would be informed of your death and how I would react; for some of you, I know other friends would post – Rest In Peace on your Facebook walls and that is only when I would realize that you would no longer be there to chat with or no longer there to comment on my status or like it!

For others especially those who are close to me, I know that it would be a sudden phone call in the night or very early morning, which would break the news to me of your death; and it would be only then that I would realize how you would no longer be there to answer my call and how I can no longer send messages to you and wonder if I should delete your contact or if I should keep it as a living memory of the sort of friend you were. Huh! My heart is beginning to get heavy! But truly, I think about all these things.

Most importantly too, I fantasize about the one-week anniversary of your death and especially your funeral and how I would come and display ad give a heavy donation which would leave everyone bemused. I imagine the sort of cloth I would come in and the convoy of cars which would convey me there and how I would be weeping when you are finally lowered 6 feet under the ground and when you are covered with earth with the Preacher man saying ‘dust to dust’ and all the kind of things they say!

So yes, I think about your death and try to get myself prepared for it! I even think about the posts I would make on facebook about your death; well sorry if I have finished planning your death, burial and funeral but I can’t really stop myself from doing it. Am sure by now, most of you would have stopped asking the question – ‘is he normal?’ to saying ‘he is not correct’!

Well, I also think about my death! As someone who has had a brace with death on a few occasions, I have come to realize that I can be called anytime; so I think a lot about my own death! I think about how shocked some of you would be when news reaches you of my death at a young age of 96-105; how some of you would weep uncontrollably and how some of you would wish you even had the opportunity of exchanging your life for me. I know! I know many of you would even want to die so you can join me in death too, after all, the things I did to you in life.

I know that many of you wouldn’t believe it until you see me being lowered into my own specially built mausoleum after I have been embalmed which would mean that unlike you, my body would stay for years without getting rotten; thus denying the termites the luxury of having me for food; the good thing is that with you around, the termites won’t really starve!

I think about how grand my funeral would be! In fact, if anyone denies me a grand funeral, that person won’t have it easy at all! I would deal with that person well well. I think about all the announcements that would be made on CNN, BBC and all and the big Bill Boards which would be erected in my honor!

But I also think about one thing, I think about staging my death before death does it himself. I want to stage my death one of these days; so anytime you hear about it be careful; I guess I have to take lessons from Amina.

I want to stage my death so that I can see the reactions of all of you! And what would be said about me; I want to see for my eyes how indifferent people would be to the news of my death; this brings me to a point. I have close to 630 friends on Facebook, yesterday was my birthday and only 150 wished me a happy Birthday, so where were all the other 480? After all, I have done for them?

How ungrateful can people be; just saying happy birthday is even difficult for them! So you see, even with my life, people are still able to show me such ingratitude, how much more when I die? That’s why I want to stage my death so that I can scare one by one those who show less concern on the issue of the death by not only revealing myself to them at odd places and times but also giving them a hot chase! That way, they would not only be scared but I would have left a lasting legacy in their minds! They would hardly forget me for a full day!

Again, I want to stage my death; so that I can see how people would want to come ad display at my funeral! Those who never wanted to speak to me would even come ad behave like they were the best of friends with me; what hypocrisy?

I would want to see those who would come to my funeral to chase girls; I can imagine how insensitive people can be! I would want to see those who would come there specifically to eat and drink at my family’s expense; and how people would run when I slowly lift myself from the bed on which I have been laid and start chasing people all over!

But the question I mostly ask myself is does one know when it is about getting to his/her death? And how what happens at the exact point of death. I have heard that before one dies, the person would often have dreams where he or she would find him or herself interlacing with dead people and that when you start having those dreams, it means you are about to die.

In order to prevent this, therefore, I have made a very conscious decision not to dream again; so as not to see any dead people! How am I able to do this? Simple, by waking up at hourly or two-hourly intervals during my sleep, I prevent myself from going into a deep sleep that would lead me to dream.

To every rule there is an exception so to prevent myself from seeing the dead people just in case I dream, I keep my brains filled with everything aside dead people! And before I go to bed, I plan the dream I would want to dream just in case I have to dream! With this, I have been able to keep myself from seeing dead people in my dreams.

For those of you who have not done similar things like me, though, I pity you because if you have been having dreams where you see yourself with dead people then please note that very soon, very soon, it will come. I don’t want to scare you anymore!

Again I have heard that few days before you die, you would become very friendly and very good. Two solutions appeared most prudent, when I heard about this; 1. Either I stopped being good and friendly so that death would stay a long way from me; or that I become constantly good and friendly, there would thus be no sudden change in my attitude which would cause death to look in my direction.

With these two solutions, I knew that death would stay far away from me and close to some of you. But choosing not to be good and friendly would mean certain hell for me on the judgment day so I choose the other solution, and that is the reason why I am this good and friendly! That is why all of you wish you had my traits of friendliness and goodness!

Why did I write this note? I don’t even know! But I wanted to thank some special people in my life and special people who have helped me in my life and great people whose friendship I cherish so much! I didn’t want to write it straightforward, as it wouldn’t make it interesting for me; so I decided to write something , and this is what came up!

First on the list of mentions is the woman no woman can take me away from – my mom, Georgina Baffoe and Nana yaa (my kid sister), my Grandmum, my Aunties and Uncles and cousins and all!

Then those great friends I have had who have helped me so much in various points in my life or with whom I have shared or continue to share great moments; it is people like you who make life worth living - in no particular order –

Sammi Awuku, Angela Aheto, Rebecca Delong, Gloria Akpene, Akyena Benjamin, Alla Mensah, Emmanuel Kwasi Afriyie, Christian Kwabena Ansah, Festus Matey, Collins Dakurah, Nyamekye Nkrumah, Kingsley Owusu Anom, Enoch Sarpong, Dorothy Oforiwaa, Heartwill Tamakloe, Festus Owusu (Fela) Ernesto Yeboah, Hannarich Affum, kofi Dzifa Jewel, Mckeown Amponsah, Nelson Awuku, Rebecca Donkor, Edem Amoah, Joseph Amoako Yorke, Aggrey Korsah, Hamza Suhuyini,
Emmanuel Peprah, Leticia Aduhene, Richard Boahene, Matthew Fosu Gyeabour, Felix Acheampong, Kwadwo Addo Dankwa, Godfred Boakye, Enoch Agyekum, Fatawu Mohammed, Swala Abubakr, Ernest Brobbey, Eugene Amoah, Sackey Kow Akyen, Josiah Aubin, Muni Montia, Florence Abban, Olivia Jehu Appiah, Egya Kojo Botwe, Charles Dorman, Kobby Gomez, Kwaku Boakye Nimako, Papa Annan Nana adwoa, Nana Fredua ofori Atta, Sam Ellis,Nana poku Sikadwa etc. etc. if I forgot any name I should have mentioned, please note that it wasn’t as a result of malice; it’s due to something which like death is part of every human's life!

To the friends I have gotten to know because of facebook, you have added much more to my life than I thought I would get by signing on to facebook and

Effutu Chiefs apologise to Nana Addo over ‘Simpa Panyin’ comment

The chiefs and people of Winneba in the Central Region have rendered an unqualified apology to the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, for accusing him falsely of making derogatory remarks against people of the area.

At a press conference organised by the traditional leaders at Effutu on Thursday, November 24, the Tufuhene of Effutu, Neenyi Otuboa Siripi II, in a statement read on his behalf by the Adontenhene of Effutu, Neenyi Gyete Gyankuma II, called on Mr Akufo-Addo to apologise for using the term “Simpa Panyin”, allegedly against the people of the area.

However, “it has since come to the attention of Nananom that the alleged tape upon which we made our earlier demands is of dubious quality and cannot be verified”, the traditional body said, adding: “Upon further scrutiny, we have realised that Nana Akufo-Addo has never said

Harrughana Attah must respect the memory of Aliu Mahama

The Alhaji Aliu Mahama Foundation has called on Ghana’s Ambassador to Namibia and Botswana to stop the “irritating and backward” claims that the late Vice President was discriminated against by the New Patriotic Party because he was a northerner.

Ambassador Attah, who used to be a staunch NPP leading personality in an earlier statement stated that Nana Akufo-Addo told him that a non-Akan will not lead the New Patriotic Party.

“I do recollect very clearly, as if it happened only yesterday, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo invited me to his office at Ridge near the offices of the Electoral Commission. I honoured the invitation, not knowing what to expect. The outcome was one of the most revealing encounters I have ever had with a Ghanaian politician. He raised a number of issues and

Government award Woyome deal despite Scandal - OccupyGhana

OccupyGhana says it has discovered a GH¢35 million contract awarded to embattled businessman, Alfred Woyome, although the dust is yet to settle on a scandalous judgement debt awarded to him.

Mr Woyome is yet to refund a GH¢51.2 million judgement debt he obtained from the state which according to the Supreme Court was acquired through unconstitutional and invalid contracts between the state and Waterville Holdings Limited in 2006 for the construction of stadia for CAN 2008.

Despite the apex court’s ruling, the businessman is currently fighting the retrieval of the money by the state, claiming among other things, that he earned it.

In a statement issued Thursday, the pressure group said it “is shocked, outraged and appalled to discover that while the nation is still reeling from the effect of the Alfred Woyome judgment debt scandal, and the stalled and hesitant attempts by the Attorney-General to execute the judgment of the Supreme Court, the Government of Ghana has, on the blind side of Ghanaians, entered into a ‘confidential’ and potentially lucrative agreement with Woyome, acting through one of his companies, Anator Holding Company Limited.”

OccupyGhana explains that Anator Holding Company is one of the companies that has filed a suit claiming to be the owner of two of Woyome’s properties that the Government has to attach in the execution of the judgment.

“That matter is still pending and unresolved,” OccupyGhana, which is composed of astute lawyers and other professionals, said in the statement.

Background 

Woyome sued the state in 2009 for what he claimed to be a wrongful termination of the contract by the erstwhile Kufuor administration.

The contract, Woyome averred, was for him to raise money for the construction of stadia for the CAN 2008 tournament which was held in Ghana.
He secured a default judgment in 2010 after the then Attorney General Betty Mould Iddrisu failed to prosecute the case.

Even when the court had asked that only the first tranche of 17 million cedis be paid to the businessman until after the case had been concluded, officials of government went ahead to pay all three tranches.

A 2010 audit report made adverse findings about government officials involved in the payment made to Mr Woyome.

Mr Woyome recently filed a suit in the apex court seeking a review of an earlier decision that would have allowed former Attorney General, Martin Amidu, to cross-examine him over a controversial ¢51 million judgment debt.

The former Attorney General had initiated the proceedings to retrieve the money paid the businessman.

Read below OccupyGhana's full statement. 

24th NOVEMBER, 2016

OCCUPYGHANA® PRESS STATEMENT

WOYOME AGAIN! GH?35 MILLION CONTRACT DISCOVERED: OCCUPYGHANA® EXPOSES GOVERNMENT

OccupyGhana® is shocked, outraged and appalled to discover this: That while the nation is still reeling from the effect of the Alfred Woyome judgment debt scandal, and the stalled and hesitant attempts by the Attorney-General to execute the judgment of the Supreme Court, the Government of Ghana has, on the blind side of Ghanaians, entered into a “confidential” and potentially lucrative agreement with Woyome, acting through one of his companies, Anator Holding Company Limited.

This same Anator Holding Company, in the current proceedings in court, is one of the companies that has filed an interpleader, claiming to be the owner of two of Woyome’s properties that the Government has finally managed to attach in execution of the judgment. That matter is still pending and unresolved.

We have seen a Framework Agreement dated as recently as 21st December 2015, for Anator Holding to “develop deep seaports (including) industrial parks and green townships” in Ghana.

The Agreement is signed by Woyome as Executive Chairman of Anator Holding Company Limited, and the then Minister for Transport, Dzifa Aku Attivor. That Agreement was entered into on the basis of a non-binding scantily drafted Memorandum of Understanding entered into between the same Woyome company and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority on the same subject on 28th August 2015. 

The Framework Agreement with Ghana is expressed to have been entered into so that Woyome’s company can raise an initial financing of US$8.5M just for feasibility studies. In other words, Woyome is relying on the country’s goodwill to raise financing for a sweetheart deal that he has entered into with the GPHA and is possibly shopping around banks all over the world for money, on the back of this agreement.

That bogus Agreement was signed with the express approval of Cabinet, as conveyed by a letter signed by the Chief of Staff from the Office of the President, dated 16th December 2015. It is instructive to point out that the Agreement was signed on the same day that the Cabinet approval was received by the Ministry of Transport.

We have seen how Woyome operates. He hit us for GH¢51.2M that he did not deserve, on the basis of a non-existent contract. Our Government and its lawyers, either unconcerned or guilty of complicity, sat back when Woyome went to court and obtained a default judgment against us. 

Even though Mr. Martin Amidu has obtained judgement for the people of Ghana, we are struggling to recover that money from him, and this same Anator Holding is battling to stop us from selling at least two of Woyome’s properties to pay the debt.

It, therefore, beggars belief that

5 injured in Wulensi NDC, NPP clash


At least 5 people have been injured in clashes between the supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Wulensi constituency in the Nanumba South District of the Northern Region.

The clashes occurred in a village called Tinangeria in the constituency.

According to an eyewitness, the clashes were sparked over the parliamentary candidate for the NPP in the Wulensi constituency, Thomas Donkor Ogaajah’s holding of a rally in the community.

He said they were confronted by some NDC supporters who unhappy with the ongoing rally ongoing by the opposition party.

“Instantly they started throwing stones at us and

Thursday 24 November 2016

3 Polls reveal Nana Addo will win 2016 Elections

New opinion polls conducted by three different bodies tip the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to win the December 7, presidential election in the first round.

According to the polls conducted by GN Research, 51 percent of Ghanaians are confident that the flag bearer of the NPP is the best candidate to address unemployment, health and

Vigorous campaign not hindering governance duties – NDC

The National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) aggressive campaign strategy ahead of the December polls is not negatively affecting its governance responsibilities, the NDC Deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho, has said.

According to Mr. Anyidoho, party and government officials involved in the campaigning reserve at least two days a week for administrative work.

The NDC has been engaged in a multi-pronged campaign effort nationwide headed by

Confusion rocks Sekondi Nursing School over allowance disbursement

 Some students of the Effia-Nkwanta nursing and midwifery training school in Sekondi, Western region are angry with authorities of the school over the disbursement of the recently reinstated allowance.

A female student who spoke to Starr FM’s Western regional Correspondent Emmanuel Ohene Gyan on condition of anonymity said several students did not receive their allowances due to insufficient funds.

She said due to the lack of funds, the vice principal of the school Mrs. Rose Addai had to ballot yes and no with those picking ‘Yes’ receiving their allowances while those who picked ‘NO’ were left with nothing.

Information gathered indicates that majority of the students who did not receive their allowance were
second year students.

“The second year students are saying that
Togbe Afede XIV, Paramount Chief of Asogli Traditional area in Ho, Volta region has been elected the new President of the National House of Chiefs.

Togbe Afede, who is a business mogul, was also the immediate past president of the Volta region House of Chiefs.

He replaces the Wulugu Naba Pugansoa, Naa Professor John S. Nabila, who has ended his term of office.

Togbe Afede who is also the

Martin Amidu, former Attorney-General and lone crusader to retrieve Ghana’s ‘stolen’ money from Alfred Agbesi Woyome has castigated President John Mahama for openly defending Alfred Woyome after the Supreme Court had ordered that Woyome be allowed to reveal how he spent the money He said it is unfortunate that the President who has sworn constitutional oath of office to uphold and defend the Constitution of Ghana granted interview to the press and condemned the decision of the Supreme Court to allow Woyome to appear before it to give details of how he spent the money wrongfully paid to him, He alleged that, regarding the way the President has started ‘intimidating’ him (Amidu), he would not be surprised if the President uses his executive powers to stop the Supreme Court from going ahead to allow Woyome to give details of how he spent the state money. “The conduct of the President convinces me as a senior and foundation member of the governing NDC that he would do everything

NPP targeting 50% of popular vote in Northern Region– Akufo-Addo

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party Nana Akufo-Addo is optimistic he will secure at least 50% of the popular vote in the Northern region come the December 7 elections.

Speaking at a rally in Tamale over the weekend, the former attorney general noted the region has never failed the main opposition and was confident they will go all out to give him their mandate.

Nana Akufo-Addo noted that the one region for which the NPP’s votes have appreciated in every election is the Northern region, evident in the party increasing its parliamentary seats it hold in the region from 3 in 2008 to 10 in 2012.

This, he stressed, is indicative of the fact that

Martin Amidu descends on President Mahama

Martin Amidu, former Attorney-General and lone crusader to retrieve Ghana’s ‘stolen’ money from Alfred Agbesi Woyome has castigated President John Mahama for openly defending Alfred Woyome after the Supreme Court had ordered that Woyome be allowed to reveal how he spent the money

He said it is unfortunate that the President who has sworn constitutional oath of office to uphold and defend the Constitution of Ghana granted interview to the press and condemned the decision of the Supreme Court to allow Woyome to appear before it to give details of how he spent the money wrongfully paid to him,

He alleged that, regarding the way the President has started ‘intimidating’ him (Amidu), he would not be surprised if the President uses his executive powers to stop the Supreme Court from going ahead to allow Woyome to give details of how he spent the state money.

“The conduct of the President convinces me as a senior and
President John Mahama has asked the electorate to renew his mandate at the polls in order to complete projects he has started including the Eastern corridor road.

According to the President, the project which connects the North to the South through the Volta region will open the country and stimulate economic activities.

The project which has been ongoing for a while has stalled due to financial challenges.

However addressing a rally at Garu on his tour of the Upper East region, President Mahama assured the final phase of the project will be completed in his second term.

“I have come before you humbly to ask for your votes to be re-elected to continue the good work that we have started. All of us know the work that we have been doing over these 4 years. We started working on the Eastern corridor road project; we have done several segments of them. It’s left with the last segment from Nankpanduri to Kulungungu through Garu Tempane.”

He disclosed funding has been secured for that purpose and a contractor will soon move to site to commence work.

“As I speak we have done the design of that road and

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Supreme Court permits Martin Amidu to cross examine Woyome


 Anti-corruption campaigner, Martin Amidu, will be allowed to question NDC financier, Alfred Agbesi Woyome in court.

The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday morning that

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Video: Samira Bawumia replies Mahama in equal measure

 We see you but we see incompetence and corruption; Samira Bawumia replies  President Mahama