Police Service conspiring against my wife – Bill Tehoda

Exactly three years after the former Deputy Commander in charge of the Commercial Crimes Unit of the Ghana Police Service was arrested for her alleged role in the disappearance of about one kilogramme of cocaine, her husband believes she was used as a scapegoat to hide the real perpetrators.

The cocaine saga began when a Circuit Court trying a suspect, Nana Ama Martins, for possessing 1.029 kilograms of cocaine realized that the substance had turned into baking soda when it was retested at the Ghana Standards Authority.

DSP Gifty Mawuenyaga Tehoda was indicted in the matter and was dismissed.

She subsequently sued the Ghana Police Service for wrongful dismissal and asked the Human Rights court to order her reinstatement.

The husband of the beleaguered Police officer, Bill Kwesi Tehoda in an interview with Citi News said the allegations against his wife are false.

He vouched for her innocence saying, “the fact on the ground is that she has no idea about that at all; she doesn’t know anything about it because it was a false allegation.”

Mr. Tehoda alleged that the Police are conspiring against his wife because she has so far maintained a clean record since she joined the Police service.

“The fact is that somebody did that thing and that person wants to cover things up and blame it on her,” he insisted.

Mr. Tehoda narrated that his wife has been very traumatized since the incident, adding that “it’s something that came as a blow to all of us, his family members and her very close friends.”

He was however hopeful that since the case is still in court, “we will have something good out of that.”

By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
https://twitter.com/osamidan

We suspect foul play – KKD’s family

The family of media  celebrity Kwesi Kyei Darkwa say they suspect foul play in the circumstances leading to his arrest.

A family member who spoke to Citi News on condition of anonymity disclosed that the complainant was forced to press charges against KKD by a third party.

KKD was arrested on Sunday at the African Regent Hotel for alleged indecent assault of a 19-year-old girl.

He admitted that KKD had consensual sex with the complaint.

“There is a whole lot of mischief. We all live in Ghana and we know how celebrities are sought after as far as getting them incriminated. We think it is a case of blackmail because what will a 19-year-old girl be doing with a 50 year old guy in a hotel room. Why did she follow him to the hotel room in the first place. It was some boys who came to make the first complaint and the police told them to bring the lady,” he explained.

According to him the complainant on reaching the police station told police officers on duty and some cell inmates that she was not going to press charges against KKD.

“When the lady came she said it to the hearing of the police and some cell inmates that I don’t want to press charges against KKD and she was being impressed on. It is surprising that later on she had to change her statement and all that. We think there is a little bit of foul play,” he stated.

He continued that the allegation of indecent assault was questionable adding that “people next door in the hotel could not hear screams and there are no dresses torn and they came down.”

Meanwhile, KKD will be arraigned before court on Tuesday following the late arrival at the court on Monday.

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By: Franklin Badu Jnr/citifmonline.com/Ghana

NDC has no ideology – Konadu

Former first Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings has said that the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has no ideology.

According to her, the ideology she started and built with her husband Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings has been mislaid in the party.

The party, on its website, describes itself as a “Social Democratic Party that believes in the equality and the egalitarian treatment of all persons with respect to their social, cultural, educational, political, religious and economic relations in a Multi-party environment.”

“The Founding Father of the party is Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings upon whose vision and leadership the Party was established,” it said.

But Nana Konadu in an interview with TV3’s Nana Aba Anamoah aired on Christmas Day, thinks otherwise.

“Are we a social democratic party? Are we? I don’t think so,” she noted.

The former first lady, out of frustration left the NDC to form the National Democratic Party (NDP) prior to the 2012 elections.

Listen to Nana Konadu in the attached audio.

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PPP Christmas message: Spare us cedi depreciation in 2015

The PPP wishes to convey its special greetings to all Christians and Ghanaians in general as we mark the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebration of the birth of Christ brings with it great lessons of giving, sacrifice and selflessness. The story of the birth of Christ talks of God giving his only begotten Son to become our Saviour and Redeemer.

We wish to remind all Christians in particular and Ghanaians in general of the relevance of giving, sacrifice and selflessness especially on the part of public servants including members of the NDC administration.

The current political leaders should use their talents to give back progress and development to the people and save us from the economic hardships experienced in 2014. They should provide education and job opportunities and not more illiteracy, poverty and joblessness among the youth.

We need salvation in 2015 from cedi depreciation, corruption, incompetence and mismanagement. The Ghana Cedi recorded one of its worst depreciation in the year 2014. Already the rating agency, FITCH, has warned that the Cedi would start deprecating again if the government does not quickly reach an agreement with the IMF.

The PPP wishes to remind the NDC government that we need salvation from another year of economic hardship. The government should implement a free and compulsory education programme for all Ghanaians from Kindergarten to Senior High School as means of a major transformation of our economy. The President and the NDC government should spend proceeds from our oil deposits to fund this education policy as a means of an equitable distribution of our national resources. This should be the most significant gift that we can get from the numerous natural resources God has given to this country.

We should remain wide Awake!

Kofi Asamoah-Siaw

National Secretary

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Greenstreet questions Sam George’s qualification for Presidency job

wheelchair-bound CPP politician and Lawyer apparently needed “elevation to see the Better Ghana”.

Greenstreet had told the President and delegates of the ruling party :“Nobody is feeling your better Ghana” when he delivered his party’s solidarity message to the NDC at the party's 8th Congress at the Baba Yara Stadium in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi – stronghold of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

George’s Facebook comment following the open criticism by Greenstreet has been interpreted as an attack on persons living with disability forcing him to apologise to PWLDs.

In an interview with Morning Starr host Kafui Dey on Monday , Greenstreet said although he accepts the Presidential Staffer’s apology, he does not believe he is qualified for the current position he occupies.

“I think I’ve heard that he has apologised, once he’s apologised we can move on. Just that, I think he is inappropriate for the position he holds, and I don’t think he conveys the right kind of seriousness that the government claims it wants to represent,” he remarked.

Greenstreet, however cautioned:“We are all brothers in the struggle and so when you say things like that it’s as though you want to hurt the person and so the person takes it personally.

So he should remain where he is and continue to enjoy. Maybe he is also enjoying the gifts that have been shared".

Source: Ghana/StarrFMonline.com/103.5FM

© Copyright 2014 | STARR FM | All Rights Reserved
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Mills was a great role model – Agyenim Boateng

Presidential Staffer, James Agyenim Boateng has described the late President John Mills as a “leading light” and a "great role model".

According to Agyenim Boateng who served as deputy Information minister under the late law professor, even the adversaries of the late President could acknowledge his fine nature.

“Prof JEA Mills was a leading light and a great role model. Even his adversaries acknowledge his simplicity, humility, honesty and integrity,” the aide to the current vice president wrote on his twitter account.

Professor Mills died in July 2012 at the 37 Military Hospital while still serving his first term as President of Ghana.

He is credited for appointing many young people in the ruling National Democratic Congress to serve in his government.

Source : Ghana/StarrFMonline.com/103.5 FM

Mahama von gov ' t enttäuschend gewesen – Samia

The Chair person the Convention peoples party, Samia Nkrumah expressed their disappointment in the Mahama-led administration.

She says however, that disappointment the KPP Beyound the power and the Governments of the former Kufour.

"How many Ghanaians, I think we're all disappointed.

"But our disappointment and the CPP goes Beyound this NDC Government or the previous Government of NPP", the former said MP Starr with the host Bola Ray on Thursday.

According to her, the country is not developed, because the path of development chosen by the leaders at the helm of affairs of wrong.

"The way we have chosen to develop is wrong. Ghana should go back to its independent past, past an independent Ghana; like us with the first Republic, "she noted.

From their point of view until the country of initial development model by her father introduced, the first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, will the nation round in circles without any actual development.

 

Krachie East Assembly in dire financial crisis

The Krachie East District in the Volta Region is in dire financial crisis following the alleged misappropriation of a GHc2million loan contracted by former District Chief Executive (DCE).
Due to this, the District Assembly Common Fund is currently being used to service a loan that was allegedly contracted by the former DCE for the Dambai market project.
Mr Michael Gyato is alleged to have taken the loan in 2008 from SSNIT to construct a market and used the District Assembly’s Common Fund as collateral to repay the loan.
The market is yet to be completed and the current DCE, Peter Wuranyi Yao says the Assembly will collapse without external help.
“Part of the work has been done but the structures are still uncompleted. When I came I saw that we are paying from the District Assemblies’ Common Fund it means the market was mortgaged with the District Assembly Common Fund.
“When you look at it, our people within Krachie East don’t get development from the District Assembly Common Fund because the whole chunk of money is taken by SSNIT… as at now we are still owing GHc1.6million.”
He noted that he made a formal complaint during the Public Accounts Committee hearing in Ho where the Chairman of the committee instructed external auditors to audit the district assembly’s accounts.    
The former DCE, who is said to have contracted the loan, has denied misusing any funds. Mr Gyato told Joy News he went for the said loan but never used it.
He said the facility, which was contracted seven years ago, was not a bad one because “the essence of the facility is for us to build a market sell it to individuals, by charging rent on the market and then we release it to them and then we send the money back to SSNIT.”
Mr Gyato stressed that there was no way to get that facility without a mortgage and that is why they used the District Assembly Fund.
The former DCE for Krachie East said the money was given in tranches and the first tranche was released and they “had one year moratorium to do this project and dispose of it and get the money back to SSNIT.”
He accused the NDC government of awarding the project to a different entity at a higher cost which delayed the moratorium.
In a separate development, Municipal and District Assemblies have been tasked to find ways of generating their own incomes and stop over relying on government to provide funds for their projects.
According to the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) too many projects have stalled in the local assemblies because of the delay or lack of funds.  At a media briefing to reveal findings on citizens monitoring of projects by MMDA’s, speakers noted assemblies must find innovative ways of generating incomes.

NPP sends seasonal greetings to Ghanaians

We are at the end of yet another year and we from the NPP wish to extend seasonal greetings to all Ghanaians.
This year has been a difficult one for many Ghanaians; yet, the ambience of the season should not only provide a period of respite but also should stimulate expectations for a brighter future.
It is important that irrespective of our political persuasions, we all rededicate ourselves to building a very prosperous and peaceful Ghana; that we commit ourselves to fighting our political battles with genial and conciliatory dispositions.
The season should provide a period of togetherness for families; it should also be a period of sharing and expression of love; a period for forgiveness and building bridges of unity; and a period for reflections. Let us all enjoy the occasion but let’s do so responsibly, bearing in mind that we are not only celebrating a festive season but also marking the transition into a new year.
On behalf of the NPP, I wish all Ghanaians a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
…signed…
Paul Afoko
National Chairman

I will never return to NDC – Nana Konadu

Former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings has served notice that she will not return to the fold of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC). 

She noted that the conviction with which she joined the NDC is lost and although her husband may have extended that hand of invitation out of a good heart, her return to the party should not be envisaged.

“You join something with conviction. He might have said it with a good heart but you join something with conviction. When those convictions are no more there, what is the point?”  

Mrs Rawlings also mentioned that under no circumstances will she escort her husband to functions of the NDC saying, “even if I found it interesting, I will not escort my husband.”

Her husband and founder of the NDC, former President John Rawlings at Saturday’s NDC congress appealed to his wife to consider returning to the party.

He nonetheless acknowledged that his wife cannot be entirely blamed for taking the decision to leave the party they both toiled for.

But speaking to TV3 News, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings said she will never return to the NDC under any circumstance.

She stressed that the conviction she had in serving the nation on the ticket of a new political party “is still there; it’s still relevant. I worked to build the party.”

The former first lady alluded to the fact that although the NDP is smaller than the NDC, she will stick to the former because the latter has been desecrated and taken over by robbers.

 “…when you build your house, you build it because you want to live in it; you want your friends, your family to be there but you will find that robbers have taken over your house, the house has been desecrated. In some way and you have a chance to move into a smaller house; if you want to stay in there; that is your problem.”

The former first lady left the NDC after her attempt to lead the party failed.

In 2008, she contested the late President John Mills during the party’s presidential primaries but lost woefully; a situation which many believed informed her decision to establish her own party; the National Democratic Party (NDP).

She however, failed to contest on the ticket of the NDP in the 2012 elections after the Electoral Commission (EC) disqualified her as a Presidential candidate.

Mrs Rawlings has since been very critical of NDC government and has on several occasions questioned the management of the affairs of the nation.

She has given indications of contesting the 2016 Presidential elections on the ticket of the NDP.

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Mahama must apologise for "incurable myopia" comment - CPP.

The Convention people's Party (CPP), is furrowed on apology from President Mahama over his response to the party's solidarity message at last Saturday's NDC delegates ' Congress.

The President told delegates that the CPP's message delivered by its General Secretary smacked of "incurable myopia".

Hey what reacting to declarations by Ivor Greenstreet that nobody is feeling the better Ghana agenda promised by the NDC government.

The CPP has condemned the President's comments.

It's Deputy Communications Director Ernesto Yeboah in interview with Starr news said the President must apologize to the party.

"It what not for him to insult Green Street and the people of Ghana, it what on him to assure US that he is worthy of our mandates," Yadav told Starr FM's Papiss Daf Abdullah.

He added that "to the extent that he showed the lack of understanding and depth, only showed that the President does not understand how the country is he going and what is supposed to be doing."

"For people need to assume that the politics of insult has been given some acceptance by the President, it is in order for him to apologise because his comments offends the sensibilities of the people of Ghana and it offends the sensibilities of the disability federation

Ivor saga: Mahama's "selective myopia" comment "wicked cut" – Akomea

The main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the name-calling of CPP General Secretary Ivor Greenstreet by members of the governing party for his blunt criticism of the President and the Government.

Ivor Greenstreet said directly to President John Mahama and Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur that: “You don’t care”.

“Nobody is feeling your better Ghana”, Greenstreet shouted when he delivered his party’s solidarity message to the NDC at the party’s congress at the Baba Yara Stadium in the Ashanti regional Captial, Kumasi on Saturday.

He said: “…Currently nobody, I mean nobody is feeling your better Ghana. Continuous ‘dumsor dumsor,’ corruption from top to bottom, left right inside out, and all the challenges you are facing [are] suffocating the Ghanaian people.”

“We would have thought that perhaps you may have used an occasion like this to discuss policies, programmes and solutions to all the difficulties we are facing as a nation, but no, you chose today to share your Christmas gifts with each other.

“Ghanaians are not happy at all. This ‘bronya’ is dry. Too too dry,” he told the President, adding: “The most painful thing of all is that you don’t care.

“NDC continue, we are watching you, Ghana is watching you, do what you want to do, we also know what we’ll come and do…make sure you’ll elect executives who will be able to steer your parties affairs when you are in opposition. Boys abr3,” he bellowed.

The wheelchair-bound Politicians has been called names and criticised by leaders and supporters of the NDC after his bluntness. President John Mahama said Greenstreet was suffering from “incurable selective myopia”.

Majority Leader Alban Bagbin also said he believed Greenstreet was possessed by some demons, which caused him to be “so emotional”, while presidential staffer Sam George wrote on his Facebook wall that: “Ivor Greenstreet apparently needs elevation to see the Better Ghana.”

Condemning the name-calling, the NPP in a statement issued Monday signed by Communication Director Nana Akomea, said: “…We are disturbed by the terrible insults heaped on the General Secretary of the CPP, Ivor Greenstreet, in the aftermath of his solidarity message.”

“He has been told he needs to “elevate” himself, a direct reference to his disability, which makes him wheelchair-bound. He has also been told he needed psychiatric help. He has also been accused of possession by demons.

The questions for us are as follows:

• Does one need an elevator to see ‘dumsor-dumsor’ or the calamitous fall in the value of the cedi?

• Does one need to stand on one’s feet to see the horrible hardship that Ghanaians are in today or the unspeakable corruption around us?

“The wicked cut of all to Mr. Grenstreet came from the President himself. Even though the President said he was exercising restraint on the matter, he diagnosed Mr. Greestreet as suffering from “incurable selective myopia”; that Mr. Greenstreet was motivated by partisan quest to win power, that he was wearing politically tainted lenses that made him difficult to see reality.

"So we ask, is criticism today equated to not seeing reality?

“What about all the criticism that President Mahama had made in opposition to national welfare issues such as the NHIS, LEAP, NYEP, and the proposal for the Savannah Development Fund, among others?

“How about the other criticism of government performance from labour, the clergy, civil society organisations, international newspaper, magazines and even from the NDC itself?” the statement asked.

 

I’m not returning to NDC – Nana Konadu

Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings has stressed she is never returning to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Her husband, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings subtly appealed to her at the 8th national delegates’ congress of the ruling party to consider a comeback.

“Let us invite our mother Nana Konadu to come back home," he said. "I hope she can hear us, I hope she can see us.”

However, the leader of the 31st December Women’s Movement has turned down the invitation, saying the main reasons why she walked out of the NDC to be an integral part of the National Democratic Party (NDP) still remain.

“Even if I find it interesting I will not escort my husband there… The conviction I had in going to some other place is still there and still relevant,” the former vice chairperson of the NDC told Accra-based TV 3.

Speaking to journalist, Nana Aba Anamoah, she said “I had been busy the whole day. I had not heard," adding that Mr Rawlings "knows better" when it comes to her resolve not to return though his appeal may have emanated from "a good heart".

“I worked to build [NDC]," she pointed out. “But even when you build a house, you build the house because you want to live in it...and you find that robbers have taken over your house and the house has been desecrated in some way and you have the chance to move to a smaller house somewhere, if you are not staying there, then that's your problem.”

Nana Konadu had wanted to lead the NDC when she contested late president John Evans Atta Mills in 2008 in the presidential primaries, but lost. She crossed carpet thereafter to lead the NDP, however, she was unable to contest the 2012 elections because the Electoral Commission disqualified her.

NDC polls: I don’t regret stepping down – Hudu Yahaya

Hudu Yahaya has said he does not regret stepping down from the governing party’s national delegates’ congress held Saturday in Kumasi.

The Chairman-aspirant withdrew from the race at the last minute. He was contesting incumbent Dr Kwabena Adjei, former Minister of Trade and Industry Dan Abodakpi and eventual winner of the contest Kofi Portuphy.

Yahaya, a former General Secretary of the party, in a statement said though he was confident of victory at the congress grounds, he took into consideration the greater good of the party, based upon the advice of elders within the party, thus his decision to step down.

“It is a decision we have taken collectively and we do not regret it,” he stressed in the statement.

According to him, his decision was aimed at clearing a wrong perception that Northerners were taking over the party since both he and President John Mahama come from that part of the country.

He said the perception became even more widespread after the election of two Northerners as Youth Organiser and Women Organiser respectively.

Source: Ghana/StarrFMonline.com/103.5fm

Nana Konadu has embarrassed Rawlings – Ephson

Meinungsforscher Ben Ephson wurde beschrieben, wie peinlich die ehemalige First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings Entscheidung eine Anforderung von ihrem Ehemann in der NDC dienen herunterdrehen.

Der ehemalige Präsident Rawlings bat die NDC-Führung, seine Frau zur Party zurück nach brechen Weg im Jahr 2012 bilden die National Democratic Party einzuladen.

Führende Mitglieder der NDC, einschließlich der Mehrheitsführer im Parlament Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin und neu gewählten nationalen Organisator der Partei Kofi Adams begrüßte den Vorschlag.

Aber Mrs. Rawlings hat in einem Medien-Interview mit TV3 lehnte die Einladung von ihrem Ehemann.

"Auch wenn ich finde es interessant, dass ich nicht mein Mann es begleiten wird... Die Überzeugung, die ich hatte bei der Jagd auf einen anderen Platz immer noch da und noch relevant ist", sagte der ehemalige Vize-Vorsitzende des der NDC Accra-basierte TV-3.

Gespräch mit Starr News in einem Interview, sagte Ephson Frau Rawlings Reaktion eine Peinlichkeit für die ehemaligen militärischen Herrscher.

"Mrs. Rawlings Entscheidung, die sie nicht zurückgeben würde ist peinlich, der Ehemann und Kofi Adams.

"Entlassen NDC sie? Sie ist erwachsen, sie ist schon über 60, entschloss sie sich zu Fuß entfernt von der Partei, dass ihr Ehemann gegründet... sie ist gegangen und die Partei die Wahl gewann".

 

“Too much” corruption in NDC - Nana Konadu laments

Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings has bemoaned the festering corruption in the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The former vice chairperson of the ruling party said the development, coupled with other issues, have put her off the “umbrella” family and will not want to associate herself with them.

On the issue of corruption, the founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement told Accra-based TV3 that “it is too much.”

Nana Konadu crossed carpet to join the National Democratic Party (NDP) over her inability to lead the party that her husband, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, founded ahead of the 2012 elections.

She surmised that sitting president John Dramani Mahama has lost the fight against corruption, despite the latter’s assurance that he is on top of the campaign against the menace and will not care whose “ox is gored.”

“We will go after them… no matter whose ox is gored…we shall continue to fight corruption and will not be deterred by anybody,” Mahama told his Council of State members Monday.

However, the ex-First Lady feels such promises are mere rhetoric, calling on Mahama to demonstrate it.

“Let’s live by examples,” Nana Konadu told journalist Nana Aba Anamoah.

She has, however, rejected a plea by Rawlings to consider an NDC comeback.

“Even if I find it interesting, I will not escort my husband there… The conviction I had in going to some other place is still there and still relevant,” Nana Konadu pointed out.

 

Asiedu Nketia embodies NDC rot – Josiah Aryeh

National Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Dr Josiah Aryeh has said the rot within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will continue to exist so long as its General Secretary remains in office.

He said: “From my personal perspective of standpoint, the basic rot in the party in the form or embodiment of General Mosquito [Johnson Asiedu Nketia] is still there” which will affect the fortunes of the party.

Johnson Asiedu Nketia was re-elected for the third time as General Secretary of the NDC over the weekend.

But after the party’s national delegates’ congress, there have been concerns that the NDC will struggle to hold onto power as the new crop of executives will be unable to effectively work together.

Some of the elected executives have however rejected this assertion.

But Dr Aryeh, who together with the wife of NDC founder, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings defected from the NDC to form the NDP says the woes of the governing party are not yet over.

He claimed that Asiedu Nketia is running down the NDC while the silent majority helplessly looks on.

According to him, Ghanaians are keenly watching to see whether Asiedu Nketia will be reined in.

“There are other people who might of course prevail over him, but it remains to be seen whether the man might be reined in or might see the light of reason and change his stance or he is going to carry on in his own way,” he remarked.

Dr. Aryeh pointed out that he will always be a pure critic of the party he once served saying, “whether rationality, truth, honesty or integrity will prevail at any stage, some of us will come up because some of us, we are pure critics.”

He said it widely known that “there are opinions in the party that are diametrically opposed but we would want to hear the majority opinion.”

He charged NDC members who are part of the silent majority to speak up against the vices of their General Secretary saying, “if there is a silent majority in the party that doesn’t condone that, then we must see them.”

The NDP’s General Secretary, told Citi News that President John Mahama swore an oath to do good to all men but his party, the NDC “is not doing good to Ghanaians and they are not even being fair to people.”

According to him, despite his years of toil for the party, he worked “free of charge; I run around the whole of this country and about on three occasions, I nearly died.”

“If I had died, I would have died in vain and these are people who would have happily danced on your grave because for all that you did for them, they don’t appreciate at all,” he fumed.

 

I stepped down to avoid ethnic politics – Hudu Yahya

A former National Chairman aspirant of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Hudu Yahya has explained that his decision to withdraw from the race was to avoid what he calls ethnic politics.

Alhaji Hudu Yahya who was among the four aspirants seeking to lead the NDC as its National Chairman pulled out from the race at the last minute to support the eventual winner, Kofi Portuphy.

Hudu Yahya’s explanation comes less than twenty-four hours after some irate youth of the NDC in the Tamale metropolis threatened to burn his house for pulling out of the race.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Alhaji Hudu Yahya insisted that his decision was in the best interest of party and its future.

He said: “one of the reasons was the fact that if I am elected national chairman of the NDC, together with the president and flagbearer,” it will mean that we have “the two topmost leaders of the party from the same region, something those in opposition to my candidacy saw as being interpreted as a hijack of the party by Northerners.”

“I was also emphatic and countless occasions that my election as chairman of the national democratic congress isn’t an all die be die affair and that the party’s interest remains paramount.”

Despite the huge resources invested in his campaign, Hudu Yayha said his decision was thoughtful  and “deference to the charter and council of elders of the NDC.”

“It is a decision we have taken collectively and we do not regret it. The NDC party is bigger than any single individual and nobody’s interest should override that of the party. We are happy with the decision taken and we are going to bring our knowledge and expertise to bear on the work of current executives to restructure the party and ensure a resounding victory for NDC in 2016,” he added.

He however apologized to his supporters, members of the NDC and delegate “who might have been let down by my decision to step down”

“I wish to call on all our supporters to come together and support the new executives to ensure victory for our party,” he further added.

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By: Godwin Allotey Akweiteh/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @AlloteyGodwin

You need experiences of outgone executives – Mahama tells Portuphy et al

President John Mahama has appealed to the outgoing NDC national executive not to hesitate in putting their expertise at the disposal of the new members who were elected at Saturday’s national delegates' conference.

National Chairman Dr. Kwabena Adjei and National Organiser, Yaw Boateng Gyan, lost their positions to Kofi Portuphy and Kofi Adams respectively.

In statement signed by Presidential Spokesperson Ben Dotse Malor, the President asked the experienced party members to share their knowledge and advice to assist the new executives and the party in moving the government’s agenda forward.

Below is the full statement

President Mahama congratulates newly-elected Executives of the National Democratic Congress

President John Dramani Mahama has congratulated all the newly-elected Executive officers of the National Democratic Congress, (NDC), following the conclusion of the 8th National Delegates’ Congress in Kumasi, in the early hours of this morning. 

“I have called our new party Chairman, Mr. Kofi Portuphy, and congratulated him on winning a fair and democratic fight,” stated President Mahama, who is the leader and flagbearer of the party.  “I have also conveyed, through him, my congratulations and very best wishes to all the other members – both retained and newly-elected – who will now form a new solid leadership to provide an even more effective organisation for our great party, so that all Ghanaians can benefit from the skills, commitment and expertise we have to offer.”

The President has equally extended his immense gratitude to all the outgoing national executives of the NDC.  “Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Yaw Gyan and others who have been replaced are committed social democrats and lifelong NDC stalwarts, and we must thank them very much for all the sacrifices and contributions they have made for the sake of the party and for Ghana,” President Mahama stated.  He added that these experienced party colleagues will still be needed to share their knowledge and advice to assist the new executives and the party in moving the Government’s agenda forward. “We have a lot to do for Ghana, and a lot to offer Ghanaians now and in the years to come. Only the best will do and we will strive to offer the best.”

The President commended Alhaji Hudu Yahaya for the great maturity he displayed in standing down from the Chairmanship contest in the larger interest of the party.

President Mahama also extended his congratulations to all members of the National Democratic Congress – at home and abroad - on the successful delegates’ conference that has concluded peacefully, smoothly and successfully in the Ashanti Regional capital.  He urged all members of the party to rally together quickly behind the new executives, in a renewed spirit of unity, dedication and commitment, so that the party can become stronger, better, and more effective in delivering excellent governance and prosperity to the people of Ghana, based on integrity, vision and patriotism.

Ben Dotsei Malor

Head of Communications and Presidential Spokesperson

Office of the President,

Accra. 

NDC has a fantastic team - explained ASIEDU Nketiah

Undefeated General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has given a thumbs up to party delegates for electing a "fantastic team" to steer the affairs of the NDC.

The just ended NDC's delegates' congress in Kumasi registered two significant casualties. National Chairman of the party, Dr. Kwabena Adjei lost his position to his vice Kofi Portuphy, whilst the incumbent national organiser yaw Boateng Gyan lost out to Kofi Adams.

But in Mr. ASIEDU Nketiah's analysis, the current leadership is just a reshuffle of the old stock. Majority of those elected were part of the previous executive, it is just the position that have changed, he explained.

Kofi Adams for instance what the Deputy General Secretary and Mr Kofi Portuphy served as a Vice Chairman of the party.

Nonetheless, "it is a fantastic team. I am looking forward to working with them", he stated.

Hey able, that he has no smog working with any of the elected executives, especially Mr. Kofi Adams as many perceived them to have a frosty relationship.

But after congress, he said the party would have embarked on a "reconciliation process" to unite the party and "hit the road running" as 2016 beckons.

To him, his dedication to his work as well as discharging his duty religiously helped him to retain his position.

Mr. ASIEDU Nketiah who is popularly known as General Mosquito described the 82% votes he obtained to beat his sole challenger as the worst results in his last three outings. According to him, he garnered 83% and 93% respectively in his last two contests.

NDP hasn’t considered returning to NDC – Josiah Aryeh

The Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Dr Josiah Aryeh has said the NDP has not yet considered joining its mother party, the NDC.

The former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings left the NDC two years ago to form the NDP, a year after the Kumasi Congress that elected the late President Mills as flagbearer.

Mrs Rawlings formed the party in 2012 after she lost the flagbearership race of the NDC in 2012. Speaking at the NDC congress Saturday, former President, Jerry Rawlings called on the party to consider recalling Mrs Rawlings to join the NDC.

“Let us invite our mother Nana Konadu to come back home. I hope she can hear us, I hope she can see us but then again, can you blame her? he said.

He said although his wife left the party in 2012 to form her own party, she cannot be blamed for her decision to leave. However, Dr Aryeh, in an interview with Citi News said it has “never been on the NDP’s agenda” to return to the NDC.

He said if the NDC has considered calling the NDP back , the party[NDP] members have to hold a meeting and collectively agree as to whether to return or not.

“…We believe in plurality of opinions and we have to take decisions collectively. If it comes to a particular point where we must take a decision, we will take that decision collectively democratically. If former President thinks that is the way to go…his opinion is respected…we have to also consider it within a meeting and come to a collective decision,” he stated.

You need experiences of outgone executives – Mahama tells Portuphy et al

President John Mahama has appealed to the outgoing NDC national executive not to hesitate in putting their expertise at the disposal of the new members who were elected at Saturday’s national delegates' conference.

National Chairman Dr. Kwabena Adjei and National Organiser, Yaw Boateng Gyan, lost their positions to Kofi Portuphy and Kofi Adams respectively.

In statement signed by Presidential Spokesperson Ben Dotse Malor, the President asked the experienced party members to share their knowledge and advice to assist the new executives and the party in moving the government’s agenda forward.

Below is the full statement

President Mahama congratulates newly-elected Executives of the National Democratic Congress

President John Dramani Mahama has congratulated all the newly-elected Executive officers of the National Democratic Congress, (NDC), following the conclusion of the 8th National Delegates’ Congress in Kumasi, in the early hours of this morning. 

“I have called our new party Chairman, Mr. Kofi Portuphy, and congratulated him on winning a fair and democratic fight,” stated President Mahama, who is the leader and flagbearer of the party.  “I have also conveyed, through him, my congratulations and very best wishes to all the other members – both retained and newly-elected – who will now form a new solid leadership to provide an even more effective organisation for our great party, so that all Ghanaians can benefit from the skills, commitment and expertise we have to offer.”

The President has equally extended his immense gratitude to all the outgoing national executives of the NDC.  “Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Yaw Gyan and others who have been replaced are committed social democrats and lifelong NDC stalwarts, and we must thank them very much for all the sacrifices and contributions they have made for the sake of the party and for Ghana,” President Mahama stated.  He added that these experienced party colleagues will still be needed to share their knowledge and advice to assist the new executives and the party in moving the Government’s agenda forward. “We have a lot to do for Ghana, and a lot to offer Ghanaians now and in the years to come. Only the best will do and we will strive to offer the best.”

The President commended Alhaji Hudu Yahaya for the great maturity he displayed in standing down from the Chairmanship contest in the larger interest of the party.

President Mahama also extended his congratulations to all members of the National Democratic Congress – at home and abroad - on the successful delegates’ conference that has concluded peacefully, smoothly and successfully in the Ashanti Regional capital.  He urged all members of the party to rally together quickly behind the new executives, in a renewed spirit of unity, dedication and commitment, so that the party can become stronger, better, and more effective in delivering excellent governance and prosperity to the people of Ghana, based on integrity, vision and patriotism.

Ben Dotsei Malor

Head of Communications and Presidential Spokesperson

Office of the President,

Accra. 

Arrest: DCOP Boakye’s men seize 9 Azorka boys

The Kumasi regional police command has vowed to deal with nine of the Tamale-based Azorka Boys who were arrested for attacking police officers on duty.

Largely acknowledged by the party as action troopers, the Azorka Boys are infamous for their machoism during party gatherings.

The Azorka boys who had constituted themselves into security guards at the ongoing national delegates’ congress of the governing National Democratic Congress at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi clashed with riot police personnel detailed to provide security at the event.

Nine of the boys were subsequently arrested after the confrontation and were kept in police custody yesterday, Luv News Erastus Asare Donkor reported.

He said some of the police personnel sustained injuries following the attack.

The Azorka Boys were however granted bail today after the founder of the Azorka Boys, and Tamale Regional Chairman of the NDC, Sofo Azorka stood surety for them.



Sofo Azorka

Meanwhile, the Azorka Boys are blaming the police for initiating the confrontation.

Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kofi Boakye earlier in the week assured the public that in order to ensure a smooth and incident-free event, he has deployed about 700 personnel to provide security in the Ashanti regional capital, especially at the congress grounds.

He said his men would not countenance any unruly behavior from anyone under his jurisdicti

Ghana needs courageous political leaders not talkers; NPP GS tells NDC

The General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, says politicians cannot continue to engage in conduct that scares away good people from politics.
He said the culture of insults, propaganda and pure lies only serve to poison the political atmosphere in the country.
“Sadly…recent happenings in the country have brought about despair, despondency and with it, a crisis of confidence in politicians and political authority,” he told delegates of the governing NDC who converged at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to elect party leaders.

Read the full speech below:
NPP SOLIDARITY MESSAGE
THE PRESIDENT,
THE VICE PRESIDENT,
FORMER PRESIDENT,
CHAIRMAN, GENERALSECRETARY,
NANANOM, DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY AND ALL OTHER PROTOCOLS OBSERVED.
I bring you fraternal greetings from the next president of the republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, National Chairman Mr. Paul Afako and the general membership of the NPP.
The NPP and NDC are the two political parties that have had the opportunity to govern Ghana since the inception of the 4th Republic and in all probability; this situation is likely to prevail into the near future.
It therefore goes without saying that the level and quality of discourse and interaction between the two parties in particular and with other political parties in general should be guided by a deep sense of maturity and nationalism. Sadly, to the contrary, recent happenings in the country have brought about despair, despondency and with it, a crisis of confidence in politicians and political authority.  Our media landscape has been inundated with the use of intemperate language, propaganda, insults, and pure lies which serve only to poison the political atmosphere.
We cannot continue down this road and scare good people away from the opportunity to serve our country in dignity. As politicians, we have a duty to lead by example by upholding and respecting the virtues and values of society. Tolerance, decency and discipline must guide the way we interact with each other. As leaders, we have to blaze a path worth emulating by celebrating our diversity, restoring hope and also demonstrating a high sense of maturity in order to restore confidence and trust the good people of our dear nation will have in democratic governance.
Needless propaganda
As you have your conference today, we of the NPP hope you will elect a leadership that will ensure that the discourse between our two political parties will be elevated beyond needless propaganda, outright lies, pure insults and total disrespect, and rather hold aloft the beauty of our Ghanaian cultural values that put premium on decency,respect,truth and fellow-feeling.
Politics is a serious enterprise, the centerpiece of which should be the welfare of the underprivileged. We cannot afford to expend our energies over trivialities that have absolutely no bearing on the socio-economic well-being of our citizens.
Failed promises
It is with a heavy heart that I stand here before you. At the beginning of this year, the president H.E John Dramani Mahama assured all Ghanaians that 2014 was going to be a “TRANSFORMATIONAL YEAR”. However, events over the past 12 months have paralyzed businesses, caused pain, depression and general despondency. The results of recent AFROBAROMETER survey graphically illustrate/confirm the level of degeneration.
The bedrock of political leadership
Political leadership must be seen as a privilege to serve society. Indeed, political leadership has to be anchored on pillars of SELFLESSNESS, SACRIFICE and SERVICE”. What Ghana needs now is a political leadership that is COURAGEOUS, COMPETENT and COMPASSIONATE. What we require now is less talk and more action.
The re-orientation of the political class and the populace at large must be our top-most priority. We need to revive the spirit of love for our country.
The current waste of our nation’s meager resources must be checked in order to ensure that every pesewa is well-utilized for the benefit of the ordinary Ghanaian.
Election 2016 and beyond
In our common objective to ensure a smooth electoral process in 2016 and beyond, we call on the NDC to support the NPP in the drive to get a FRESH and MORE CREDIBLE VOTERS’ REGISTER so we can be guaranteed a sane political environment to fulfill the vision ONE GHANA AND SECURE OUR COMMON FUTURE.
In conclusion
On behalf of my Chairman, Presidential candidate, Elders and entire NPP family, we wish you a successful election. SHII 2016……AKYI ANYA!!!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE ATTENTION AND MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.

You are suffocating Ghanaians- Ivor Greenstreet slams NDC

General Secretary of Convention People’s Party, Ivor Kobina Greenstreet has mounted a scathing attack on the ruling NDC for undertaking choking activities instead of bettering the lives of Ghanaians.
Delivering his goodwill message at the ongoing national delegates’ congress of the ruling National Democratic Congress in Kumasi, he accused the governing party of riddling itself with corruption from the least to the highest position.
For this and many other reasons, he declared without fear or fervour, that the promised better Ghana agenda by government is yet to be felt by Ghanaians.
“Currently, nobody, I mean nobody, n-o-b-o-d-y, nobody  is feeling your better Ghana,” he said amidst booing from the crowd.
He drummed home the “Continuous dumsor, dumsor (light outs), corruption from top to bottom, left, right,  inside out, and all the challenges you are facing, but it is suffocating the Ghanaian people.”
In what pundits would describe as a courageous move, Mr. Greenstreet mocked at the essence and timing of the congress. He preferred the day is used to deliberate on problems confronting the nation and how to surmount them.
“Ghanaians are not happy at all, this Bronya (Christmas) is dry, too, too dry. The most painful thing of all is that you don’t care,” he underscored.
“NDC continue. We are watching you. Ghana is watching, do what you want to do, we also know what we will come and do.”
There were solidarity messages from other political parties including the New Patriotic Party, Peoples’ National Convention, and Progressive People’s Party.
About seventy (70) candidates are vying for the available 15 national executive positions at the party’s delegates' congress on Saturday December 20 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium at Kumasi. About 4600 delegates are expected to cast their ballots to elect the NDC’s leadership for the next four years.
Listen to Mr. Greenstreet below

NDC is a party that delivers when it promises – John Mahama

President John Mahama has told delegates of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to ignore anybody who tells them Government is not doing well.

“Government is making remarkable achievements,” he told the cheering crowd at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, venue for the party’s delegates’ congress to elect party leaders.

The President assured that "Government is steadily delivering, and credibly so, on the mandate it was given by the people of Ghana". 

The government’s achievements “are there to see. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” he emphasised.

He catalogued development projects being undertaken by the government, citing the Police hospital expansion project, the Wa regional hospital project, the 600-bed hospital at the University of Ghana, 500-bed military hospital in Kumasi, 5 polyclinics in Brong Ahafo Region and various CHPS compounds.

President Mahama also referred to the establishment of two universities in the Volta and Brong Ahafo Regions consistent with the promise of the late President John Atta Mills to back his point that the NDC delivers on its promises.

More soon.

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