The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unanimously endorsed the nomination of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as Running Mate to John Dramani Mahama. 

Mr Mahama, in a tweet shortly after the endorsement, said, “Naana Jane is God-fearing, a distinguished scholar, a conscientious public servant and a role model.” 

This is the second time the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and Minister of Education will be partnering former President Mahama on the ticket of the NDC for a major election. 

Before her selection, several names were mentioned as potential running mates which included Julius Debrah, former Chief of Staff; Dr Kwabena Duffour, former Finance Minister and Governor of Bank of Ghana; Mr Kwame Awuah Darko, former Chief Executive of Tema Oil Refinery and BOST,  Kojo Bonsu, former Mayor of Kumasi; and Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, the NDC Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey Constituency. 

Earlier, the former President had submitted the name of his preferred running-mate to the National Executive Committee and the Council of Elders of the party for scrutiny. 

The party through its General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, in a statement, indicated that the NEC and the Council of Elders of the party were preparing to deliberate on Mr Mahama’s choice for running mate. 

Meanwhile, former President Mahama is expected to make an official announcement of his running-mate to the public on March 7, 2024. 

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unanimously endorsed the nomination of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as Running Mate to John Dramani Mahama.

Mr Mahama, in a tweet shortly after the endorsement, said, “Naana Jane is God-fearing, a distinguished scholar, a conscientious public servant and a role model.”

This is the second time the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and Minister of Education will be partnering former President Mahama on the ticket of the NDC for a major election in 2024.

Before her selection, several names were floated as potential running mates which included Julius Debrah, former Chief of Staff; Dr Kwabena Duffour, former Finance Minister and Governor of Bank of Ghana; Mr Kwame Awuah Darko, former Chief Executive of Tema Oil Refinery and BOST,  Kojo Bonsu, former Mayor of Kumasi; Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, the NDC Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey Constituency.

The former President submitted name of his preferred running-mate to the National Executive Committee and the Council of Elders of the party for scrutiny.

The party through its General Secretary, Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, in an earlier statement, indicated that the NEC and the Council of Elders of the party were preparing to deliberate on Mr Mahama’s choice for running mate.

 In addition, the former President Mahama is expected to make an official announcement of his running-mate to the public on March 7, 2024.

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Counseling the NDC Council of Elders

Dear Seniors,

I wish to salute you for all your dedication and sacrifices for our party over the years. I read on social media that our flagbearer John Mahama will be meeting with you on March 7, 2024 to discuss his options for running mate.

I am an ordinary party foot soldier who lays no claim to experience and knowledge on matters of our party but I wish to plead with all of you to act in the best interest of our party. You have a responsibility to save our collective future.

Our flagbearer needs your expert guidance on the major decision of running-mate and I am praying that you will rise to the occasion.

I have noticed that supporters of our mummy Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman have taken their campaign for her to be retained to another level in the last few weeks. I even read a news story suggesting that she is already confirmed.

My checks indicate that John Mahama has yet to disclose the list of persons he is considering. I know you are experienced enough to discern the attempt to stampede all of you in the direction of Prof. Naana by a few shameless individuals.

I have nothing against Prof. Naana. She is a wonderful and admirable person whose profile makes me feel proud to be a foot soldier of our party. But the more I think about her as our running mate, the more I wonder whether our interest as a party is in staying in power for long or only interested in the remaining one term of John Mahama.

We have before us an opportunity to choose a running-mate with a succession plan in mind, and I doubt very much if at 76 years of age now, Prof Naana can carry us forward after John Mahama.

I have also observed that several major newspapers including Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times have all placed Prof. Naana on their front pages showcasing her as the chosen running-mate. I don’t believe Prof. Naana is behind such recklessness.

She would not do such a thing. Those behind the publications have attacked the reputation of our Council of Elders who are yet to know who John Mahama has in mind.

Creating the impression in the press that the Council of Elders has received a list from John Mahama is erroneous and dangerous for the future of the NDC.

I feel scandalized by the publications because I am convinced that the publications are intended to scandalize you the members of our Council of Elders.

Never in the history of our party has a purported running-mate been confirmed before the meeting of the Council of Elders; never in the history of our party have few individuals hidden behind their access to resources to hijack the duties of the legitimate structures of the party; and never in the history of our party has the party itself been disrespected as we are witnessing now.

But I know that you the members of the Council of Elders are all knowledgeable and noble statesmen and women with tremendous experience. I pray that you rise above any special interests and give us the rank and file, a younger firebrand running-mate upon whose shoulders our long-term fortunes as a party will rest.

Your reputation and credibility are under attack and if you succumb to the mafia tactics and political machinations being deployed, the young people in our party will not forgive you.

Close to 70% of our voting population is in the youth cohort. Most of them are disillusioned by what appears to be deliberate mismanagement of our economy by power holders.

Most of them want someone they can relate to, someone who shares their frustrations and can inspire them to an optimistic future. Our youth wish you to choose a running-mate that reflects their worldview and aspirations. Let’s not disappoint them to disappoint ourselves.

Even from my less vantage point, I know that many well-meaning Ghanaians across diverse backgrounds in our society have expressed interest in seeing the NDC choose a younger running mate.

In it all, let us be careful not to dent the hard-won reputation of the good Professor, whose calm nature is very assuring and disarming.

The decision is ultimately John Mahama’s but trust me, people in his circle have been playing all manner of games to shift any future blame to the party and especially you the Council of Elders. We the foot soldiers demand you see through the veil and avoid the traps. Finally, whatever names are submitted to you, please demand a thorough intelligence report to ensure your reputations are not sacrificed.

My elders, please be reminded that John Mahama was a beneficiary of wise decisions by Professor Mills, so he cannot act in a manner inconsistent with the strategy that paved his way to the presidency.

Let’s not make the vice presidency a stepping stone into political oblivion. This requires that the decision for a running mate must be guided first and foremost by a deliberate succession strategy.

In effect, the decision is for John Mahama to choose who he can best work with, as much as, it is about the state in which he wishes to leave our party when he completes his tenure in office.

Please forgive a poor ordinary foot soldier for trying to counsel a whole council of elders, but I write this piece for two reasons.

First to save the integrity of our Council of Elders as well as the party, and second to call out the faceless people who think they can hide behind the media to throw dust into the eyes of the unsuspecting public.

It is not everyone in the public that is unsuspecting, some of us are quite alive to all the scheming and machinations. We shall speak openly if pushed to the wall.

But be rest assured that I shall return in the coming days.

The Worried NDC Foot Soldier

Former President, John Dramani Mahama says education is crucial to the country’s development since the sector attracts a greater chunk of budgetary allocations by every government.

He said the sector continuous to produce human resource capital for accelerated development, thus it is heartwarming when individuals complement the government’s efforts to educate the youth.

Mr Mahama said this on Saturday at the 40th Anniversary of the enstoolment of Togbe Dzegblade IV of Adaklu Kodzobi in an address delivered on his behalf by Mr Kwame Agbodza, the Member of Parliament for Adaklu.

He commended Togbe Dzegblade for setting up an educational fund to help brilliant but needy students in the area.

The former President entreated students to take advantage of the Fund to upgrade themselves.

He said before the political dispensation, chiefs were at the forefront of leadership who ensured the development of their communities.

Mr. Mahama said Togbe Dzegblade’s stay on the stool for 40 years without chieftaincy disputes that translated into the rapid development of the community was commendable and congratulated him for the feat.

Togbe Gbogbi Atsa V, Paramount Chief and President of the Adaklu Traditional Council said Togbe Dzegblade had helped to shape the fortunes of Adaklu across all spectrums of development.

“I commend you for your hard work and excellent demonstration of neighbourliness that have helped to establish and maintain peaceful coexistence with other traditional areas,” he stated.

Togbe Dzegblade, in his welcome address, gave a catalogue of development projects undertaken by the community without the government’s assistance.

They included a 20-seater water closet toilet, classroom blocks, pipe-borne water and a one-storey Information Centre.

The Education Fund would not only support brilliant students, but also those in apprenticeship and skills training, he said.

He said he would soon establish a Centre for Fabrication and Crafts Construction to sharpen the talents and skills of the youth interested in those fields.

Professor Kenneth Egbadzor, the Head of the Agriculture Science Department, at Ho Technical University, who chaired the function, reminded the youth that the path to success was education and entreated them to prioritise it no matter how rough it might be.

Solidarity messages were delivered by the National Democratic Congress, the University of Health and Allied Sciences, chiefs from other traditional areas, and religious leaders.

An 11-member board was inaugurated to run the Togbe Dzegblade Education Trust Fund.

Mr Mahama donated GHC10,000 in support of the Fund whilst Mr Agbodza also donated GHC5,000 in addition to the GHC20,000 he had earlier donated.

Present were Mr Ganyaglo, a former Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Mr Phanuel Kade Donkor, former DCE for Adaklu, heads of tertiary institutions and leaders of political parties.

Agboti Yao, a renowned artiste from Togo, entertained the gathering with good music.

Savannah Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Sulemana Iddrisu has appealed to sons and daughters of the region not to turn it into a breeding ground for violence and tension all in the name of attending funerals.

Mr Sulemana said before politics there were Kagbenye (descendants of Ndewura Jakpa), hence partisan politics should not destroy the beautiful bond between them.

It would be recalled that on Sunday, February 25, 2024, there was a scuffle between NPP and NDC supporters at the final funeral rites of the late Queen mother of Busunu, Busunuwuriche Azara Seidu at Businu, a suburb of West Gonja in the Savannah Region where security personnel had to fire warning shots to defuse tensions and ensure law and order.

Some high-profile politicians from the two sides, like former President John Dramani Mahama, the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema-Opare, the Member of Parliament of Damongo, Abu Jinapor, and the Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jebril including some former government appointees were all in attendance at the funeral when the confusion broke out.

Recounting a similar incident between supporters of NPP and NDC during the seventh-day funeral rites of the late Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Sulemana Bore Essa II at Damongo where he (Sulemana Iddrisu) single-handedly intervened and restored peace, he bemoaned such occurrences and appealed for calm and unity among both parties’ supporters.

“What do we gain as NPP and NDC supporters? Or is politics superior to Kagbenye; if not, let’s revisit the unity and peace of our forefathers. It’s shameful and very embarrassing for us to allow others to come in and cause the problems and disappear and our name is smeared with all the negative tags.”

Professor Kalamonia maintains, “We have seen how politics has divided and destroyed families in some other regions and we shouldn’t allow that to happen to us here because we are Kagbenye” he insisted.

He added that, as a party Chair, he believes in fairness and wouldn’t allow any bad blood in the name of politics.

He, however, warned the first National Vice Chairman of NDC, Sofo Azorka not to repeat the alleged transportation of vigilante boys known as ‘Hawks’ [Azorka’s Boys] in NDC party T-shirts to funeral grounds in the region to create chaos.

He commended the Savannah Regional Chairman of NDC, Seidu Imoro for distancing himself from the incident as a true son of the Kingdom who also believes in fairness.

In recounting the incident at Busunu, Mr Iddrisu Sulemana said, “Assuming you were seated before our team arrived, why were they chasing almost everybody away but allowed Azorka who came with a bus full of people from Tamale? The former president couldn’t say a word because his people embarrassed him. And what happened was a total embarrassment to us all”, Mr Sulemana Iddrisu lamented.

Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu further stated that the event which was allegedly turned into a political event by the NDC gave way to the display of such uncalled-for behaviour instead of praying for somebody’s, Mother, or sister’s departed soul.”

Mr Sulemana expressed dismay at seeing how his opponents continue to turn the funerals of high-profile sons and daughters in the region into political campaign platforms.

“As you can see, the NDC party’s colours were all over and their leaders were very comfortable watching and smiling. No. Let’s learn as people and protect our image as a family”, Prof Kalamonia appealed.

He also appealed to the leadership of both sides to put measures in place to curtail any future occurrences in the region.

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The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has maintained Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election.

According to JoyNews sources, the names that have come up as possible running mates include the former Chief of Staff – Julius Debrah, former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu, the NDC Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey constituency – Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings and Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.

John Mahama has submitted names to the National Executive Committee and the Council of Elders of the party for scrutiny.

The NEC and the Council of Elders of the party are preparing to deliberate on Mr Mahama’s choice for running mate but a highly placed source has confirmed to JoyNews that the former president will nominate Prof Opoku-Agyemang to partner with him for the 2024 general elections.

Speaking to JoyNews‘ Parliamentary correspondent, some MPs expressed their support for Prof Opoku-Agyemang’s nomination to partner with Mr Mahama in the December general elections.

The NDC MP for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed said; “I think all the names you have mentioned are capable than Dr Bawumia but I really don’t think it will make any sense changing the running mate we used in the 2020 elections. 

He said it was very clear that there were some impacts being made by the running mateship of Prof Naana Jane and it wouldn’t make no political sense to replace her.

“I really don’t think there will be any changes. I will be shocked if there are any changes and the only way there could be a change is if Prof Naana says she is no longer willing to contest,” he told Kwaku Asante.

On her side, the Deputy Minority Whip, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah also backed the running mate position of Prof Opoku-Agyemang.

She remarked, “Why should it be another name? …. She was supporting way back before she came to the limelight. People were supporting behind and she was part of those people.”

Mrs Cudjoe-Ghansah stated that it is time for women to lead, emphasising that it starts from the vice president position.

“I believe the choice of a female running mate shows a commitment to gender equality and participation in leadership. John Mahama has made it and he’s going to do it again.

“We couldn’t get the general elections because of one or two reasons and this time, he’s going to name her again and have the first female vice president for Ghana,” she said.

The NDC MP for Kintampo North constituency, Joseph Kwame Kumah also backed the call to retain Prof Opoku-Agyemang as the running mate.

“I’m a gender activist, and I’m very sensitive when it comes to gender. For me, our mother Naana Jane did marvelously well.”

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region has condemned President Akufo-Addo over what they describe as a “deliberate omission” of flood victims during his recent State of the Nation’s Address (SONA) to Parliament.

According to the group, the glaring oversight of the 40,000 vulnerable victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage reflects a “deliberate lack of empathy and commitment to the well-being of the countrymen.”

In a statement released on February 29, the NDC urged President Akufo-Addo to promptly address the issue and prioritise the needs of those affected by the flood disaster and tidal waves.

They further demanded that, the President takes immediate steps to provide relief aid, rehabilitate affected communities, and implement sustainable measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Press release below:

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The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has paved the way for a potential presidential running mate for its flagbearer, John Mahama.

Speaking to JoyNews, the Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande stated that the party is ready to listen to those endorsed for the job.

He explained that voting at meetings to arrive at a decision has consistently been part of the NDC custom, emphasising that if it becomes necessary at any level, it will be proposed by the General Secretary and the National Chairman.

“That doesn’t just put so much pressure on the flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, knowing very well that with this announcement out, those who are very interested in partnering with him will scale up their lobbying skills,” he said.

This comes after the former president presented names for consideration to the NEC and Council of Elders.

The decision of the two bodies will bring finality to the choice of the running mate at a meeting scheduled for March 7, 2024.

However, persons interested in the job are at liberty to lobby.

“If you aspire to be a flagbearer, you go around and campaign; the same principle applies to the running mate.

“So a lot of people are interested; this is our season to be consulted, they have to call us and speak to us so that we arrive at the best choice. So the choice would be in the interest of the party,” he explained.

He dismissed the claims that allowing people to lobby the NEC for the running mate position would encourage monetisation of the electoral process.

“Who told you that when lobbying somebody, you carry money around and lobby the people? No, in NDC you lobby, you speak to individuals, you sell your visions, you have to carry your CV on your back,” the NDC Deputy General Secretary said.

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The Minister of Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahir Hammond, has declared that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will remain in opposition indefinitely.

Speaking to Citi News after the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Tuesday, February 27, Hammond emphasized that despite the economic challenges, the country is on the path to recovery.

He asserted that the NDC habitually rejects proposals from the NPP out of jealousy and ignorance, urging Ghanaians not to be swayed by NDC propaganda.

KT Hammond expressed confidence that per the president’s speech, the country will rebound to its normal state under the leadership of the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

While questioning the attendance of the NDC’s flagbearer at the 2024 State of the Nation Address, Hammond suggested that Ghanaians should support the NPP to keep the NDC in opposition.

“Considering the crisis we have all spoken about and considering all that we’ve come to know, the NPP government has done pretty well and from what the government is saying, I think the country will massively back Vice-President Alhaji Bawumia.

“Don’t fall for the propaganda of those guys in the NDC, don’t fall for their propaganda at all. Why did they start shouting and why did former President John Mahama decide to attend for the first time State of the Nation’s Address.”

“Mind you, I’m not sure if he’s ever attended in the eight years of President Akufo-Addo’s government. Former President John Mahama decided never to attend. Today, he came in there, I’m not sure what is it that he was signalling, but I tell you the good people of Ghana are going to make sure that the NDC sits in opposition till thy kingdom come.”

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has today received a formal communication from its flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, regarding the nomination of his running mate.

This is in accordance with Article 45 of the NDC Constitution.

In response to this communication, the party’s Council of Elders will meet at 11:00 on Thursday, March 07, 2024, to deliberate on this significant matter.

Subsequently, the National Executive Committee will meet at 14:00 on the same day to further consider the nomination.

The venue and logistical details for these meetings will be communicated directly to all participants in due course.

The NDC said they are confident that the running mate will bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and dedication to our campaign.

Below is the full statement

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Deputy National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary has vowed to resign if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is able to show a dam site under its One village One dam policy.

According to Mustapha Gbande, the policy was nothing short of a political gimmick through which money was spent.

Speaking on Adom FM Burning Issues, Mr Gbande noted the policy led by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and former Minister for Special Initiatives, Hawa Koomson did not see the light of day.

“They told us they were going to construct dams but never did and shared the monies among themselves and party faithful. They took excavators to the sites and dug shallow holes which cannot even be seen now. I will resign if they are able to even show me one of the dams they built,” he stated.

The One Village One Dam Policy under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication (IPEP) Programme aimed at improving agriculture, renewable energy, and rural electrification development.

President Nana Akufo-Addo during the 2016 election campaign, promised to build a dam in villages of the three regions of the north, via a well-planned irrigation policy.

He said a robust irrigation policy “one-village-one dam” will make Ghana crop all year round and eventually become a net exporter of most foodstuff.

However, most of the dams have dried up because they reportedly cannot hold enough water.

Some farmers have revealed that they leave the water for their animals to drink and are unable to farm during the dry season as the programme intended.

Play the video above for Mr Gbande’s comments:

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has pointed fingers at the predecessors of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), alleging that they disrupted Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s efforts to propel Ghana’s industrialisation.

In a press release marking the 58th anniversary of the overthrow of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the NDC described the event as a dark day in Ghana’s history.

The party stressed that the ousting of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah remains a sombre memory for Ghanaians, symbolising a setback in the nation’s journey toward progress and development.

“The National Democratic Congress today joins Ghanaians in commemorating 58 years after the unfortunate overthrow of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

“On 24th February 1966, President Nkrumah was ousted from office through Ghana’s first-ever coup d’etat. That day will be remembered as Ghana’s day of shame, as the coup truncated Nkrumah’s transformational vision which he had set in motion for the accelerated development and industrialization of our country,” an excerpt of the statement said.

The party also contended that the inaugural coup in the country disrupted Dr. Nkrumah’s transformative vision, which he had initiated for the accelerated development and industrialisation of the nation.

According to the NDC, the coup was executed by security personnel under the active orchestration of the forebears of current leaders, closely collaborating with their foreign paymasters.

“This nation-wrecking act was followed by a deliberate agenda by the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition to obliterate the memory of Nkrumah by attacking his works and legacy. Despite their determined efforts to rewrite history, the memory of Kwame Nkrumah lives on, and his legacy remains unparalleled,” the statement added.

Below is the full statement

The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama is promising teachers in various Senior High and Tertiary Schools a WiFi Zone.

This, he said will facilitate their research works.

The NDC flagbearer in a meeting with teacher trainees said his government will give them decent accommodations.

Mr. Mahama was responding to requests by teacher trainees at the Savanna College of Education, as part of the Building Ghana agenda.

These trainees tabled a number of challenges they expect fixing should the NDC win the December polls.

Addressing them after their inputs, John Mahama indicated that, the provision of a WiFi Zone for Senior High and Tertiary School should be paramount in any development and it is captured in NDC’s Educational policy captures that

John Mahama further assured of improving rural education situations through decent accommodations.

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Member of Parliament for Yapei-Kusawgu, John Jinapor has revealed plans to wrestle all parliamentary seats held by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Savannah region.

The seats, he said includes the Damongo seat held by his brother and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor.

The ruling NPP won three of the seven seats held by National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the region in the 2020 general elections.

The opposition party is therefore working to win back the three seats to consolidate their control in the region.

The former Energy Minister said NDC flagbearer, former President John Mahama will win in the region to prove the superiority of the NDC in region.

Though he admitted winning all seats in the Savannah region will be a herculean task, Mr. Jinapor said NDC is correcting the wrongs in the previous elections.

He spoke to Nana Yaw Gyimah on the sidelines of “Building Ghana Tour” of the Savannah Region.

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Wa West Member of Parliament (MP), Peter Lanchene Toobu, has opened up on the downside of his political career after leaving the Ghana Police Service.

The former Executive Secretary to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has revealed he lost a lot of friends after deciding to join politics.

The astute former Police Superintendent has said his decision was borne out of passion to contribute to the human and socio-economic development in Wa West.

“To serve your nation in a different capacity as a member of Parliament is one thing I have always wanted the opportunity to to speak about and advise people. I lost so many friends.

“Commissioners called me and some were like, you don’t have to do this. You are the I. And I was even hoping that if I became IGP, you continue to serve me. I said, I’ve done three already and I think that it’s time for me to also do something new. And this is a call. It doesn’t matter what you do,” he said.

But many did not take that lightly, especially because of his political affiliation.

“The family is core in our lives. If family calls, have respect that the is calling is to put me in the in the perspective that is national in character, that they want me to become a member of Parliament and to serve them.

“So I responded to that call positively, and I lost a lot of friends because the people were like, oh, now he’s NDC. We used to be friends. I don’t support the NDC party. So he’s no longer my friend, right? And I felt so sad. And people say, oh, now he’s NDC. I didn’t know that he could even become part of this party,” he disclosed in an interview on Accra-based 3FM.

According to him, he had paid his dues in the Police Service and needed to focus elsewhere.

“People come to the office of the IGP and it’s like, God put you here to help me. I was so shocked that you did this to me without even knowing me. I said, I am an administrator and I sit in the highest office. What I do is to ensure that police operations strive well in the field. People who are in the field running helter-skelter trying to bring crime under control.

“When I find myself in the office, I should play my role to the point that you will feel very comfortable in the field. And that is exactly what I was doing. I don’t need to know. You physically know I need to know you per record and your records will handle said that you are encouraged out there to work. When I left, a lot of them got disappointed,” he added.

However, Mr Toobu said he is grateful to God new friends have come his way in his political endeavour.

“As I lost many, I gained many. So I think that as a politician for the past three years, I’ve made some very new friends and I’ve consolidated my hold on some old friends who believe that. Listen, it’s all about the vision of people and change, right?

“Where do you want to go? To ours. Where do you want to go in your own life? How do you influence society with the little time that you have in this world, after how many years I was going to leave? Time is running against us. All of us should rise up and do something for this country. Don’t wait and say tomorrow. Procrastination is the thief of time,” he stated.

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Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama has criticized the government, stating that the six new Regions created by the administration exist only in name.

He expressed disappointment that the expected development in these regions has yet to materialize.

During a meeting with traditional authorities at the Jakpa Palace, Mr Mahama made a solemn promise to prioritize the development of the new regions if elected. He highlighted his disappointment in the government’s decision to discontinue the Damomgo Water Project.

Mahama emphasized the importance of tangible development initiatives in the newly created regions and pledged his commitment to ensuring their progress if given the opportunity to lead.

The “Building Ghana Tour” of the NDC aims to take the concerns of the public to feed into the party manifesto for the upcoming election.

The tour of the Savana Region, made its first stop at the Jakpa Palace where there was a meeting with the Yagbonwura
and the Savannah Regional
House of Chiefs.

In a speech read on his behalf, Yagbonwura, Bii-Kunuta Jewu Soale I, admonished the Former President to seek to deal with issues of underdevelopment, poverty and unemployment among the youth.

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The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on February 24 marked the 58th anniversary of what they deem the “unfortunate” overthrow of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

In a statement signed by the National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah on Saturday said that the day of Dr. Nkrumah’s ousting would forever be remembered as Ghana’s day of “shame.”

The party contended that the inaugural coup in the country disrupted Dr Nkrumah’s transformative vision, which he had initiated for the accelerated development and industrialisation of the nation.

According to the NDC, the coup was executed by security personnel under the active orchestration of the forebears of current leaders, closely collaborating with their foreign paymasters.

“This nation-wrecking act was followed by a deliberate agenda by the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition to obliterate the memory of Nkrumah by attacking his works and legacy. Despite their determined efforts to rewrite history, the memory of Kwame Nkrumah lives on, and his legacy remains unparalleled,” part of the statement read.

The NDC stressed that the country should never again succumb to such actions of “treachery, that have set our nation back and rolled back the clock of progress by several years.”

The statement further urged Ghanaians to reject individuals whose mission is not to pursue the path of democracy for the upliftment of citizens but rather their selfish quest for historical revisionism and the recognition of their ancestors.

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The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has expressed concern over the actions of the government regarding their mandate to manage the country’s mineral resources.

According to him, government colluded to manipulate the controversial $12 million Agyapa Deal, undermining the interests of the Ghanaian people.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, February 24, Mr Gyamfi reiterated the NDC’s stance that the special purpose vehicle was and continues to be detrimental to the welfare of Ghanaians.

He explained that the fundamental objective of the deal was to sell the nation’s mineral royalties at an unreasonably low and undervalued price.

“If you do the analysis of what they sort to do, we were virtually given our gold resources for $200 dollars per annum when today, prosperity has shown that the price is $2,000 and above so clearly, this was a reap off and was going to deprive future governments of critical mineral royalties for the development of this country,” he said.

Throughout their advocacy against the Agyapa Deal, Mr Gyamfi stressed that the NDC maintained a principled and patriotic stance, aligning with the concerns of Ghanaian citizens.

This, he said led to the party boycotting the flawed approval process in Parliament, and “that is why our then flagbearer who is still our current flagbearer backed then promised to abrogate the Agyapa Deal if he had been elected in 2020.”

Mr Gyamfi emphasised that what the NDC is shocked and dismayed about is the revelation by the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng who before the Public Account Committee of Parliament disclosed that the government spent $12 million on the botched deal.

“That is what we are shocked and totally scandalised by and we are very clear in our minds that this so-called expenditure is nothing but naked robbery, naked thievery, naked corruption and an abuse of the public purse,” he stressed.

The NDC Communications Officer insisted that these payments amounted to willful financial loss to the state, constituting a crime under the country’s laws.

Mr Gyamfi stressed that the funds must be recovered, and those responsible should face legal consequences rather than going unpunished.

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The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has said the enthusiastic reception of his 24-hour economy proposal has unsettled the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

During a national policy dialogue held on February 22 and February 23 at the Peduase Lodge, the NDC scrutinized its policy proposals, particularly the 24-hour economy, to align with the aspirations of Ghanaians.

In his address to the gathering on February 23, Mr. Mahama criticized the NPP campaign team for attacking his proposal.

He noted that, while some key NPP members argue that the 24-hour economy lacks clarity, others claim it is already in operation.

Mr. Mahama remarked, “The widespread acceptance of the 24-hour policy appears to have sent the NPP campaign into a tailspin, leading to a frantic effort to attack it through calumny and disinformation in the last few days.”

Asserting his commitment to his promises, Mahama mentioned his intention to reduce the size of the government if elected president, a move he claimed forced his opponent, Bawumia, to make similar promises despite being a part of the current administration.

“I note that my longstanding pledges to substantially reduce the size of government by having much fewer Ministries, Ministers and appointees, abolish the payment of ex-gratia, scrap taxes like the e-levy and carry out far-reaching constitutional and governance reforms, have compelled my opponent to promise the same despite being front and center of the poor governance under which all these ills have taken place. I mean business on my promises and intend to keep them.”

He criticized the NPP flagbearer for attempting to distance himself from the economic challenges, emphasizing that leadership demands accountability.

“There is no room in leadership for excuse-making and flight from responsibility. You cannot make grandiose promises about the economy in 2016 only to be put in charge, run it down, push all of us into suffering and hardships and turn around to say you were only the mate of a reckless driver and, therefore, you should be excused from blame.”

Mahama said he has a better and measurable performance as Vice President than the current Vice President and NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

“Not only do I have a much better and measurable performance record in both my role as Vice President and Head of the Economic Management Team, and later as President, than my leading contender in this year’s elections, I also have a record of taking responsibility. The same cannot be said of my opponent” he stated.

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Former President John Dramani Mahama on Friday reiterated his vision for a brighter future for Ghana.

In a keynote address he delivered at the NDC LAB Policy Dialogue held at the Peduase Valley Resort in Aburi, Eastern region, Mr. Mahama underscored the National Democratic Congress (NDC’s) commitment to implementing bold policies aimed at addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges and fostering inclusive growth.

Mr. Mahama highlighted the urgency of the current economic crisis facing Ghana, citing alarming statistics on unemployment and worsening living conditions.

He criticised the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration for its mismanagement and ineptitude, which he argued had exacerbated the country’s economic woes.

“The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reported on Wednesday this week that unemployment keeps rising and currently stands at a staggering 14.7%, as nearly 1.4 million young people aged 15 to 35 were unemployed in the first three quarters of 2023 alone. This is, by every account, a very harrowing situation.

“Worsening living conditions, unbearable hardships, a spiralling cost of living, high inflation, rising inequality, a widening gap between the haves and the have-nots, a steep erosion of the purchasing power of Ghanaians, an unsustainable public debt, massive debt defaults, a failing currency, and astronomic budget deficits tell the tale of a catastrophic economic meltdown, which is the result of shocking mismanagement and ineptitude by the Akufo-Addo/ Bawumia administration.

“Compounding our miserable circumstances as Ghanaians are astonishing levels of governmental corruption and plain thievery of our resources, severely weakened and heavily politicised governance institutions serving the NPP rather than the national interest, and, more importantly, the insufferable arrogance of power.

“This is not the Ghana we subscribed to. Without a doubt, this current iteration of our country requires urgent rebuilding anchored on our collective aspirations with workable, progressive, and sustainable policies,” he said.

In response to these challenges, Mahama outlined what he called a comprehensive strategy for economic recovery and governance reform, emphasising the importance of a resilient governance structure anchored on ICT uptake and innovation, which would drive job creation and economic growth.

He unveiled several key initiatives, including a “Digital Jobs Initiative” aimed at creating 300,000 skilled employment opportunities for young people.

Mahama also announced plans to establish a FinTech Growth Fund to support indigenous companies in the digital economy and launch a “Coding for Employment Programme” to train one million coders.

Mahama’s address also highlighted the NDC’s commitment to addressing infrastructure deficits through the completion of abandoned and uncompleted government projects.

He emphasised the party’s readiness to govern, citing ongoing efforts to collect data on infrastructure projects and develop implementation frameworks for policy proposals.

Mahama concluded his address by reiterating the NDC’s pledge to build a Ghana that reflects the aspirations of its citizens, and expressed confidence in the party’s ability to deliver on its promises and protect the integrity of the electoral process in the upcoming elections.

The Jakpa Palace and Gonjaland are preparing to give the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, a massive welcome on Sunday, February 25th, as he pays a working visit to Damongo.

This will be the first time the former president will be visiting the Jakpa Palace after he attended the outdooring of Yagbonwura Bii-Kunutu Jewu Soale I as the Overlord of Gonja about a year ago.

Mr. Mahama will address a durbar that will be attended by all paramount chiefs, divisional chiefs, sub-chiefs, and traditional leaders of all tribes in the Savannah Region under the invitation of Yagbonwura Bii-Kunutu Jewu Soale I to honour him.

He will also hold an engagement with professional bodies as well as traders at the Damongo lorry station and Larabanga.

The news of John Mahama’s visit to Damongo has sent a lot of excitement across the Savannah Region, as many people prepare to join their chiefs to give him a mammoth welcome home.

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will today start, February 22 start its two-day strategic Policy Dialogue ahead of the December 7 polls.

The event is been organised in collaboration with the NDC Social Democracy LAB.

Scheduled for Thursday and Friday, February 22 and 23, 2024, respectively, it aims to deliberate on key policy priorities for the upcoming elections.

It will take place at Peduase in the Eastern Region.

Over 200 experts are expected to participate in the Dialogue, representing various sectors including party structures, the Minority Caucus of Parliament, and thematic groups from the NDC Social Democratic LAB.

These groups encompass areas such as Human Development, Finance and Economy, and Governance.

Central to the discussions will be the concept of a 24-hour economy, with a focus on policy proposals aimed at transforming and rebuilding Ghana.

The dialogue serves as a crucial step in the development of the NDC’s 2024 Manifesto, laying the groundwork for a strategic and efficient government poised to take office in January 2025, a statement issued by organisers, noted.

The NDC flagbearer, John Mahama is expected to deliver a keynote address on Friday, outlining the party’s vision and priorities for the upcoming elections.

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama is set to lead a two-day strategic Policy Dialogue ahead of the December 7 polls.

The event is been organised in collaboration with the NDC Social Democracy LAB.

Scheduled for Thursday and Friday, February 2 2 and 23, 2024, respectively, the event aims to deliberate on key policy priorities for the upcoming elections.

It will take place at Peduase in the Eastern Region.

Over 200 experts are expected to participate in the Dialogue, representing various sectors including party structures, the Minority Caucus of Parliament, and thematic groups from the NDC Social Democratic LAB.

These groups encompass areas such as Human Development, Finance and Economy, and Governance.

Central to the discussions will be the concept of a 24-hour economy, with a focus on policy proposals aimed at transforming and rebuilding Ghana.

The Dialogue serves as a crucial step in the development of the NDC’s 2024 Manifesto, laying the groundwork for a strategic and efficient government poised to take office in January 2025, a statement issued by organisers, noted.

The former President is expected to deliver a keynote address on Friday, outlining the party’s vision and priorities for the upcoming elections.

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ketu North, Edem Agabana has expressed confidence in securing a significant lead in the polls in this year’s parliamentary elections.

According to him, he will not only win due to his personal attributes but largely due to the strong support of the party in his constituency.

In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem Wednesday, Edem Agbana noted that he wouldn’t have the same level of confidence if he were to contest in another constituency.

“I am confident that on December 7, I will win the elections in Ketu North with a wide margin not necessarily because of what I bring to the table but because of the goodwill of the party. If I contest in another constituency, I wouldn’t have this kind of confidence. The dynamics are different and those constituencies don’t have the goodwill of the people,” he said.

Watch video below:

The Constituency Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Manhyia South, Alhassan Mustapha who was declared wanted by the police has been released on bail.

This follows charges related to his recent conduct.

Mustapha faced charges of Offensive Conduct conducive to a breach of peace and making threats of death, stemming from a viral video where he made inflammatory remarks.

In the video, Mustapha challenged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and warned of potential violence if they were to interfere with the elections.

The arrest was prompted by concerns over the video’s potential to incite unrest in the December elections.

However, Mustapha has been granted bail by the police, allowing him to await further legal proceedings outside of custody.

Despite the charges, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, Augustus Nana Kwasi said Mustapha has done no wrong.

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised the Electoral Commission (EC) for what it describes as disregard for public concerns by initially suggesting the elimination of indelible ink in the 2024 Election.

This criticism follows the EC’s decision to reverse its stance in the upcoming general election.

Speaking during the launch of The Multimedia Group’s 2024 Election Coverage, the Deputy Electoral Commissioner in charge of Corporate Services, Dr Eric Asare Bossman said the decision was necessary in building trust and consensus ahead of the December polls.

“After listening to the discussions, we have heard the concerns of the general public, we have heard the parliamentarians, we have heard the concerns of the NPP and the NDC and civil society members so we have concluded that if by using the ink people will have more trust in the process, why not?” he quizzed on Monday.

But Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande believes that the Commission should not have ignored the concerns of Ghanaians when it first hinted at the move to remove that layer of security in elections.

National Coordinator for Coalition of Domestic Election Observers Albert Kofi Arhim welcomes the decision to maintain the use of the indelible ink.

He, however, believes it will be in the right direction for the General Elections should be held in November.

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The Manhyia South constituency organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region, Mustapha Alhassan, is scheduled to appear at the police headquarters today.

This was after he was declared wanted over a viral video in which he was threatening electoral violence ahead of the December election.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the summons, the party’s regional executives will be accompanying Mustapha Alhassan to the police station with a legal team.

The NDC’s Ashanti Regional Secretary, Dr. Frank Amoakohene in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem that the party is fully prepared to handle any legal proceedings at the police headquarters.

He disclosed their readiness to take decisive action, including initiating the arrest of the NPP official Mustapha Alhassan, who was also present on the show.

“We are going with our lawyers, and we are ready for whatever legal tussle. If we need to file a counter-complaint for them to arrest the NPP official, we will do the same, and if we need to perform a citizen’s arrest and bring the NPP official to the police, we will do that” he said.

He stressed the importance of maintaining the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, adding that Mustapha Alhassan should not be prejudged in this matter.

In his view, Mustapha Alhassan is a victim of misreporting because he was responding to his co-panelist but did not mean anything he said

“From our investigations and checks, the officer was only serving notice to the NPP official that anybody who rigs the 2024 elections is only preparing a platform for blablabla… and so it was a response to the NPP official, and we can’t be prejudicial condemning someone without hearing him out” Dr. Amoakohene added.

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The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region has criticized the police for declaring Alhaji Mustapha Alhasan, its Manhyia South Constituency Organiser wanted.

The party perceives this move as an exaggerated response and a diversionary tactic from the country’s current challenges.

Alhaji Alhasan came under police scrutiny following his inflammatory remarks captured in a widely circulated video.

In the video, he vehemently dared the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and vowed they will resort to violence to ensure the victory of the NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.

The police after several failed invitations declared the NDC man wanted for prosecution

However, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, Dr. Frank Amoakohene accused the police of bias.

He clarified that, Alhaji Alhasan’s comments were provoked by inflammatory remarks made by an NPP member during a conversation.

Dr. Amoakohene also questioned the reasoning behind singling out the party’s well-known Manhyia South Constituency Organiser for the police’s wanted notice.

“It is an exaggeration, and it can be likened to killing a farmer with a sledgehammer. And this is just a purported action to divert the attention of Ghanaians from the hardship that is going on in the [country], because it takes two to tango, and it takes two to have a conversation. It was a conversation between an NDC person and an NPP person. They managed to get the video out which has the NPP person’s comment edited out of the video, and then now you declare an officer wanted without having to resort to the institution to produce the officer.”

“So if you know you can find the person, then you should publish the person’s name without associating him with the NDC but if you want to associate him with the NDC then you should come to the regional leadership that we have come across a video from an officer of the party and the police would want to have a conversation with him. Then the regional leadership can produce the officer for you. But you have attached the NDC to the officer, you didn’t come to the regional leadership and yet declared him wanted on social media. But from my understanding, you only declare someone wanted when the person cannot be found or the person has gone into hiding. This is an officer that you in the police you know, and he is a tailor to most of the policemen, and it is not as though he is even a stranger or somebody you don’t know,” he noted.

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 Good afternoon distinguished friends from the media.

On behalf of the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), I would like to thank you for honoring our invitation at such short notice.

You are warmly welcome to our headquarters for this all-important press conference.

2. In recent weeks, we have keenly followed ongoing proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, on the report of the Auditor-General on Public Boards, Corporations and other Statutory Bodies for the period ended 31 December, 2022.

3. The ongoing PAC hearings, have brought to the fore, some very disturbing issues that border on corruption and abuse of public funds by certain state institutions. Of particular interest to us, is the latest revelation about the colossal expenditure made by the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) on the botched “Agyapa” Royalties deal.

4. Ladies and gentlemen, during the Committee’s consideration of the report of the Auditor-General on the accounts of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) for the period ended 31 December 2022, the Chief Executive Officer of MIIF, Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng disclosed that a humongous amount of USD$12 million was spent on the botched “Agyapa” Royalties deal.

5. When the matter was probed further, the CEO of MIIF stated that, this colossal amount was spent on the setting up of the stinky “Agyapa” Royalties vehicle, the payment of consultancy fees, the rental of office space and the processes leading to the Initial Public Offering towards the listing of “Agyapa” Royalties on the London Stock Exchange.

6. The Ghanaian public was taken aback by these disclosures, which add to the never-ending list of corruption scandals that continue to plague the nation under the watch of President Akufo-Addo and his corrupt protégé, Alhaji Bawumia. For us in the National Democratic Congress, this disclosure did not come as a surprise. We are on record to have stated that the “Agyapa” Royalties deal was yet another phoney scheme cooked by the corrupt and nepotistic Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government, for the sole purpose of appropriating the mineral royalties of the country for themselves in perpetuity.

7. Ghanaians would recall, that during the intense public debate on the infamous “Agyapa” deal, the NDC took a principled position to stand with the people of Ghana. We kicked against the whole “Agyapa”arrangement on grounds that, the country’s mineral royalties had been grossly undervalued under the opaque deal and that same was going to deny future governments and generations mineral revenues that are critical to the development of the country.

8. Consequently, the NDC Minority Caucus in Parliament staged a walkout when the “Agyapa” deal was presented to Parliament for approval. Sadly but unsurprisingly, the corrupt ruling New Patriotic Party used their numbers to approve the sleazy deal, in spite of the huge public outcry over the lack of value for money that the deal presented.

9. The Flag-bearer of the NDC, and God willing the next President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, vowed to cancel the fraudulent Agyapa Royalties deal if he won the 2020 General Elections, a position that has not changed.

Several Civil Society Organisations, including IMANI, ISODEC, the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), IDEG, ASEPA, ACEP, among others, kicked against this rip-off called Agyapa, based on sound arguments and alternative proposals.

As you are all aware, all the constructive suggestions of these groups were ignored by the corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government who were hellbent on stealing our mineral royalties.

10. Subsequently, the Office of Special Prosecutor established in its Corruption Risk Assessment Report that, the “Agyapa” deal was fraught with procurement rigging, statutory breaches, potential money laundering and inimical to the interest of the nation. Eventually, the chilling details of the OSP’s report coupled with sustained pressure from the NDC and civil society, compelled the President to shamefully beat a retreat and refer the deal he had already granted Executive approval for, back to Parliament for reconsideration, pending the the 2020 General Election.

11. My brothers and sisters, throughout our struggle against the “Agyapa” heist, we never knew and never imagined, that the ruling NPP government had spent a whopping $12 million on the deal. With each passing day, and as the clock ticks to 7th December, 2024 for Ghanaians to kick this irredeemably corrupt government out of office, the countless skeletons in their closet of corruption keep unfolding before our very eyes.

12. We in the NDC are completely appalled by the decision of the corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government, to spend this colossal amount of money on the “Agyapa” scam, which never saw the light of day. It is unconscionable and in fact, the height of cruelty, that the government engaged in this naked thievery and brazen abuse of the public purse, at a time our beloved nation was battling the COVID-19 pandemic and Ghanaians were already reeling under excruciating hardships. This is very sad and disheartening.

13. Friends from the media, the OSP established beyond every reasonable doubt, that the “Agyapa” deal violated the Public Procurement Act, the Public Financial Management Act and the 1992 Constitution, thus, rendering the entire transaction null, void and of no effect.

14. The most startling revelation by the OSP in its Corruption Risk Assessment report on the “Agyapa” scam, was the fact that some illegal payments were made to certain entities.

These entities include Databank, a company which was founded and is still owned by Ken Ofori-Atta, a cousin of President Akufo-Addo, the immediate-past Finance Minister, who has been promoted to the position of Senior Presidential Advisor on the economy and Special Envoy on international investments and the Capital Markets.

The OSP also found that, similar illegal payments were made to Africa Legal Associates, a law firm belonging to Gabby Otchere Darko, another cousin of President Akufo-Addo. All these payments were found by the OSP to be unlawful, hence null and void. Yet, till date, these illegal payments, which did not give the country any value or benefit, have not been retrieved by the state.

15. My brothers and sisters, we all know what good this colossal amount of USD$12 million, which is equivalent to GHS153 million Ghana cedis (i.e 1.5 trillion old Ghana cedis) could have achieved in Ghana’s bankrupt economy if it had been put to judicious use.

• This money could have sufficed to pay the cost of several months of treatment for all kidney patients in Ghana, nineteen (19) of whom died painfully, following the shameful closure of the Renal Dialysis Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching hospital for several months last year, over government’s GHS4 million indebtedness.

• This colossal amount of money, could have been used to provide childhood vaccines to protect innocent babies from dying of childhood killer diseases due to shortage of essential vaccines.

• This USD$12 million which the country has lost to sheer corruption, could have procured textbooks for basic school children who have gone five years without curricular-based textbooks, after the introduction of a new curriculum.

• Ladies and gentlemen, USD$12 million could have paid the allowances of National Service Personnel in Ghana who have not been paid for four months now.

• Also, this huge amount of money, could have been used to create thousands of jobs for NABCO beneficiaries who have been sent home after they were promised permanent employment.

• Again, this colossal amount of money, could have been used to provide potable drinking water, or several CHIP compounds or schools for thousands of Ghanaians in deprived communities of the country.

16. Sadly but very characteristic of the selfish and greedy Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, they have distributed all this money among themselves, under the guise of expenditure on the botched “Agyapa” deal. We are totally disgusted by this wanton dissipation of public funds on a needless and useless venture by a government that rode on the back of an anti-corruption campaign into power, with the promise to protect the public purse.

17. My brothers and sisters, where did we go wrong? What crime have we committed to deserve this kind of treatment from our own leaders? Why are we being subjected to a constant abuse of our meager state resources by the ruling NPP government, at a time many cannot even afford one square meal a day and at a time, our nation is faced with economic bankruptcy, marked by debt default, an all-time high unemployment rate, high interest rates, high inflation rate and unprecedented hardships? What crime have we committed to deserve this treatment?

18. The penchant of this corrupt NPP government to hide behind crafty schemes such as the “Agyapa” deal, to steal from the people of Ghana is just too much. If it is not about mortgaging future mineral royalties into a phoney offshore entity called Agyapa, then it is about the dubious payment of $2 million dollars to a sham entity called Ai Skytrain Ltd, for so-called sky trains which have never materialised. From the PDS thievery to the unconscionable Ameri Novation agreement, all the way to the stinky SML scandal, this government has been relentless in their greedy pursuit to fleece the state coffers. Ghanaians have had enough of this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP administration, which has earned the dubious distinction as the most corrupt government under the Fourth Republic.

19. Today, Ghanaians are suffering because the meager resources of the country which are supposed to be put to judicious use for the benefit of all Ghanaians, have been hijacked by the greedy, selfish and corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government and their accomplices in the ruling New Patriotic Party. This is why today, students are suffering; teachers are suffering; nurses are suffering; doctors are suffering; market women are suffering; drivers are suffering; mates are suffering; Okada riders are suffering; engineers are suffering; pastors are suffering; journalists are suffering; Spare parts dealers are suffering; women are suffering; men are suffering; “boys boys” are suffering; “girls girls” are suffering; children are suffering; and all of us are suffering. We are suffering because of the unprecedented corruption we are witnessing under Akufo-Addo and his corrupt protégé Bawumia. It’s as simple as that.

20. Fellow countrymen and women, the “Agyapa” scam clearly amounts to wilfully causing financial loss to the state, and the culprits of same must not go unpunished. We in the NDC, and all well-meaning Ghanaians, repose huge trust and confidence in H.E John Mahama, to pursue and retrieve for the state, public funds that have been lost to looting schemes such as this “Agyapa” scandal, the PDS scandal, the “BOSTGATE” scandal and other acts of naked thievery by officials of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government and their party apparatchiks.

21. H.E John Dramani Mahama has demonstrated both in government and out of government, that he detests corruption, and will never condone corruption, nor shield perpetrators of corrupt acts. He has stated clearly, that the days of the corruption clearing agent, will come to an end on January 7, 2025 when by the grace of God, he assumes office as President. He has said and demonstrated before, that the sword of the fight against corruption will cut both ways under his government, whether you are a member of his government or not.

22. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about our main opponent in the upcoming 2024 general elections. I am talking about Alhaji Bawumia, the failed Vice President and Chair of the Economic Management Team, the clueless drivers’ mate and discredited Flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party, who has proven to be not only dishonest but also very corrupt.

This is the man who orchestrated the stinky PDS scandal by deliberately and illegally relaxing the condition precedent requirement of a Bank Guarantee, thereby aiding PDS to defraud Ghanaians to the tune of GHS1.5 billion in electricity tariffs alone. According to the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Ghana lost a whopping $2 billion dollars as a result of this scam.

Again, this is the man who was named in the Anas Number 12 investigations and fingered in the Galamsey Economy documentary by Kwesi Nyantakyi and Charles Adu Boahen respectively, as a collector, arranger, fixer and receiver of “appearance fees” (bribes).

This is the man who attempted to steal ten (10) containers of rice belonging to a Ghanaian businessman for Ramadan donations, through his Director of Administration. As we speak, the said Director of Administration is currently being prosecuted by the OSP. Yet, he still works at the office of the Vice President till date.

This is the man who continues to lie through his teeth to Ghanaians without any restraint nor shame. I can go on and on.

23. Ladies and gentlemen of the press, the fact is, “appearance fee” merchant Bawumia is corrupt and cannot be trusted to fight corruption. The only way Ghanaians can get to the bottom of the litany of corrupt acts and scandals involving officials of this government including Bawumia himself, is for the good people of Ghana to resoundingly boot the NPP out of office on 7th December, 2024.

In so doing, our surest bet of exacting genuine accountability, will be to vote overwhelmingly for H.E John Dramani Mahama and the NDC, to enable us pursue true accountability which has been missing in our national affairs in the last seven (7) years.

24. My brothers and Sisters, I have the full blessing of H.E John Dramani Mahama to inform you and by extension the good people of Ghana, that the next NDC government will investigate the stinky $12 million “Agyapa” scam, retrieve all illegal payments made under same, and ensure that all the perpetrators are prosecuted.

The day of accountability is fast approaching, and no one found culpable will be left off the hook by the next NDC/Mahama government. This is a solemn pledge and our charge to keep, when by the grace of God and the Ghanaian people, the NDC assumes the reins of government in 2025.

25. We call on the Ghanaian electorate not to allow President Akufo-Addo and his corrupt cabal of family and friends, to install as President, their puppet (Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia), whose sole mission is to cover-up the many ills of this remarkably corrupt administration and insulate wrongdoers including himself, from prosecution.

26. We are absolutely confident that the good people of Ghana will rise to the occasion and reject corruption, nepotism, impunity, arrogance of power and economic mismanagement come 7th December, 2024. Enough of the corruption; enough of the thievery; enough of the abuse of the public purse, which continues to impose untold hardships and suffering on the nation. Enough is enough!

Thank you for your attention ladies and gentlemen, and may God bless our homeland Ghana.

SIGNED. SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ. NATIONAL COMMUNICATION OFFICER

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said it will thoroughly probe the $12 million spent on the Agyapa deal and prosecute individuals found culpable.

The NDC Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi announced this at a press briefing on Monday, describing the amount as senseless.

He said the deal was fraudulent and accused government and its associates of misappropriating the funds.

“My brothers and sisters, I have the full blessing of H.E John Dramani Mahama to inform you and by extension the good people of Ghana, that the next NDC government will investigate the stinky $12 million ‘Agyapa’ scam, retrieve all illegal payments made under same, and ensure that all the perpetrators are prosecuted. The day of accountability is fast approaching, and no one found culpable will be let off the hook by the next NDC/Mahama government.”

“This is a solemn pledge and our charge to keep when by the grace of God and the Ghanaian people, the NDC assumes the reins of government in 2025,” he stated.

He further called on Ghanaians to vote massively for Mahama and the NDC to enable them hold the Akufo-Addo administration accountable for its alleged corruption.

“We call on the Ghanaian electorate not to allow President Akufo-Addo and his corrupt cabal of family and friends, to install as President, their puppet (Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia), whose sole mission is to cover-up the many ills of this remarkably corrupt administration and insulate wrongdoers including himself, from prosecution.”

The CEO of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng, last week disclosed that the government spent $12 million on the failed Agyapa royalties deal.

Mr Koranteng made the revelation when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament.

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The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has described its flagbearer, John Mahama as incorruptible.

In this regard, he believes the former President is the best bet to lead Ghana in order to protect the public purse.

Addressing the NDC’s Moment of Truth presser on Monday, Mr Gyamfi emphasised it is important for Ghanaians to vote for Mr Mahama in the upcoming December 7 polls.

“H.E John Dramani Mahama has demonstrated, both in government and out of government, that he detests corruption, and will never condone corruption, nor shield perpetrators of corrupt acts.

“He has stated clearly, that the days of the corruption clearing agent, will come to an end on January 7, 2025 when by the grace of God, he assumes office as President. He has said and demonstrated before, that the sword of the fight against corruption will cut both ways under his government, whether you are a member of his government or not. John Mahama is incorruptible,” he stated.

He averred the NDC flagbearer stands tall when it comes to the fight against corruption unlike his main contender, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

“Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about our main opponent in the upcoming 2024 general elections. I am talking about Alhaji Bawumia, the failed Vice President and Chair of the Economic Management Team, the clueless driver’s mate and discredited Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, who has proven to be not only dishonest but also very corrupt,” Mr Gyamfi added.

He criticised the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration for their failure to fight corruption head on after almost eight years in power.

“We call on the Ghanaian electorate not to allow President Akufo-Addo and his corrupt cabal of family and friends, to install as President, their puppet (Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia), whose sole mission is to cover up the many ills of this remarkably corrupt administration and insulate wrongdoers including himself, from prosecution.

“We are absolutely confident that the good people of Ghana will rise to the occasion and reject corruption, nepotism, impunity, arrogance of power and economic mismanagement come 7th December 2024. Enough of the corruption; enough of the thievery; enough of the abuse of the public purse, which continues to impose untold hardships and suffering on the nation. Enough is enough,” he stressed.

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed its disappointment in the government on the $12 million spent on the controversial Agyapa deal.

The NDC has lamented the money could have been used to resolve critical and pressing national issues.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, NDC National Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi explained the $12m could have been used payments for the treatment of kidney patients some of whom died as a result of the recent closure of the Renal Dialysis Unit at Korle Bu over the government’s indebtedness.

Mr Gyamfi argued that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government have occasioned a financial loss to the state by making these payments.

He stated that Ghanaians were taken aback by the government’s decision to spend a whopping $12 million on the abandoned Agyapa deal.

The NDC bemoaned that these payments come at a time the government has failed to procure textbooks for basic schools, five years after introducing a new curriculum, while National Service Personnel have also not received their allowances for several months.

The party further alleged that certain “selfish and greedy” persons in the incumbent government shared the money among themselves under the guise of the failed “Agyapa” royalties arrangement, at a time young people under the NABCO program have been sent home without any employment.

The outspoken politician has therefore vowed that the NDC will investigate and retrieve all payments made in the name of the collapsed deal and other similar arrangements when voted in the 2024 General Elections.

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The National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised concerns about why state resources are constantly being exploited by government. 

Sammy Gyamfi said, the country’s meagre natural resources are sold and revenues generated are distributed among family and friends of government, implying that very few individuals benefit from resources at the expense of the nation.

As such, despite the hardworking nature of the ordinary Ghanaian, the standard of living remains high which makes it difficult to afford basic resources.

Speaking at the latest NDC series dubbed: Moment of Truth in Accra on February 19, he quizzed “My brothers and sisters, where did we go wrong? What crime have we committed to deserve this kind of treatment from our own leaders?

“Why are we being subjected to constant abuse of our meager state resources by the ruling NPP government, at a time many cannot even afford one square meal a day and at a time, when our nation is faced with economic bankruptcy, marked by debt default, an all-time high unemployment rate, high interest rates, high inflation rate and unprecedented hardships? What crime have we committed to deserve this treatment?”

The NDC communications officer accused that the New Patriotic Party government  of engaging in corrupt practices by developing schemes including the Agyapa deal, sky trains , SML contract to steal from the state.

“The penchant of this corrupt NPP government to hide behind crafty schemes such as the “Agyapa” deal, to steal from the people of Ghana is just too much.

“If it is not about mortgaging future mineral royalties into a phoney offshore entity called Agyapa, then it is about the dubious payment of $2 million to a sham entity called Ai Skytrain Ltd, for so-called sky trains which have never materialised. 

“From the PDS thievery to the unconscionable Ameri Novation agreement, all the way to the stinky SML scandal, this government has been relentless in their greedy pursuit to fleece the state coffers.

“Ghanaians have had enough of this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP administration, which has earned the dubious distinction as the most corrupt government under the Fourth Republic,” he added.

 Mr Gyamfi stressed that this situation has inflicted suffering on the Ghanaian people and individuals across all sectors, facing dire economic hardship

“Today, Ghanaians are suffering because the meager resources of the country which are supposed to be put to judicious use for the benefit of all Ghanaians, have been hijacked by the greedy, selfish and corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government and their accomplices in the ruling New Patriotic Party. 

“This is why today, students are suffering; teachers are suffering; nurses are suffering; doctors are suffering; market women are suffering; drivers are suffering; mates are suffering; Okada riders are suffering; engineers are suffering; pastors are suffering; journalists are suffering; Spare parts dealers are suffering; women are suffering; men are suffering; “boys boys” are suffering; “girls girls” are suffering; children are suffering; and all of us are suffering. 

“We are suffering because of the unprecedented corruption we are witnessing under Akufo-Addo and his corrupt protégé Bawumia. It’s as simple as that,” he added.

3 robbers jailed 60 years

Bawumia presents campaign team to NPP NEC

The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region is currently engaged in a meeting to address the threats of electoral violence made by one of its members.

Alhaji Mustapha Alhasan, the party’s Constituency Organizer for Manhyia South, has been declared wanted by the Ashanti Region Police Command due to his provocative remarks.

A viral video captures Alhaji Mustapha Alhasan passionately challenging the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and issuing threats of violence should they attempt to manipulate the elections.

In the video, he goes to the extent of suggesting the possibility of engaging in violent confrontations, even if it entails resorting to fatal measures, to safeguard the victory of the NDC’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the NDC in the Ashanti Region is heeding the call from the Crime Office of the Central Command to present Mustapha Alhassan.

They have expressed their intention to present Alhaji Alhasan on Tuesday for further investigation.

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The Mahama 2024 Campaign team has denied any knowledge and involvement with a group calling itself “Social Democratic Forum”.

This comes on the back of a statement from the group which indicated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is over-relying on Alan Kyeremanten and his butterfly Movement for political gains in the Ashanti Region.

But a statement signed by aide to the NDC flagbearer, Joyce Bawah Mogtari has said the group is not in any way affiliated to the party.

But the Mahama 2024 Campaign said that they have no affiliation with the
said group, which is unknown to the NDC.

“This non-existent group is yet another creation of the NPP, who are in panic mode due to growing discontent in the Ashanti Region against their misrule, economic mismanagement, corruption, nepotism, and arrogance o

The team added the focus of the NDC and the Mahama 2024 Campaign is to organise and mobilise for the December elections with our message of Building the Ghana we want together.”

Read the full statement below:

Amenfi Central National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate, Joana Gyan Cudjoe, has dismissed claims of resigning from the race.

In a statement, the wife of famous musician, Keche Andrew admonished supporters and constituents to disregard the rumour.

Admitting there are ongoing issues, the businesswoman expressed optimism they will be resolved to enable her represent her people in parliament in the upcoming December 7 polls.

“I am confident that with your continued support and the grace of the Almighty, we will overcome these challenges and emerge stronger together. I look forward to continuing our journey towards progress and prosperity for all,” her statement read in parts.

Meanwhile, she has cautioned all persons spreading baseless allegations to cease their actions immediately or face the full rigour of the law.

Madam Cudjoe’s candidacy has been met with opposition from some constituents.

A former member of the NDC Elections Committee in Amenfi Central, Gyedu Frimpong has asserted the businesswoman is not qualified to contest because she is alien to the party in the constituency.

Also, incumbent MP, Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah wants the party to investigate allegations of fraud against the candidate.

However, a former MP, George Arthur has rubbished all allegations against her noting that, they are just a grand scheme to denigrate the image of the Parliamentary candidate.

Read the full statement below:

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The Volta Regional National Democratic Congress (NDC) has debunked claims by Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia about the construction of a fish landing site in Keta.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer according to the NDC made the claim during his recent public lecture held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).

In a statement, the party described the act as unfortunate and a deliberate attempt to deceive people of the Volta Region for political gains.

“Such deceptive tactics [would] not only undermine the trust of the electorate but also demonstrate a lack of respect for the people of our region and their right to accurate information,” portions of the statement signed by the Communication Officer, Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze read.

The NDC has urged Dr. Bawumia to desist “from spreading falsehoods any time they [NPP] have the opportunity to address the public.”

“It is deeply disappointing but not surprising that the NPP Flagbearer would as usual resort to spreading palpable lies and misinformation to score political points, especially about a region as vital to our nation’s socio-economic fabric as the Volta Region”, the statement added.

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Below is the full statement

The Volta Regional Communication Office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) wishes to address and debunk a misleading claim made by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President and Flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) during a public lecture held in the auditorium of the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) on February 7th, 2024.

Contrary to the bold assertion made by the NPP Flagbearer in paragraph 31, page 16 of his presentation, there is no evidence to support his government’s establishment or existence of a fish landing site project within the prominent town of Keta or anywhere else in the Volta Region.

This deliberate misrepresentation of facts by the ruling party’s flagbearer is not only misleading but also demonstrates a blatant disregard for the truth.

The mention of a fish landing site for Keta was earlier made on November 7th, 2019 at the Hogbetsotso Festival of the Anlos by Dr. Archibald Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, during a speech he delivered on behalf of the President.

Subsequently, in October 2020, some community engagements were held in Keta by the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, the Volta Regional Minister, Representatives from the Transport Ministry and the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA) to create some awareness about the said project.

Also, Friends of the Nation, together with some representatives of the Keta Municipal Assembly, also held some community engagements at Kedzikope in March, 2023 about the potential benefits of the project should it become a reality.

It is deeply disappointing but not surprising that the NPP Flagbearer would as usual resort to spreading palpable lies and misinformation to score political points, especially about a region as vital to our nation’s socio-economic fabric as the Volta Region.

Such deceptive tactics not only undermine the trust of the electorate but also demonstrate a lack of respect for the people of our region and their right to accurate information.

The people of the Volta Region deserve honest and transparent leadership, not false promises and deception aimed at gaining political advantage, attributes that have notoriously become typical of a vice president who has woefully failed as Chairman of the Economic Management Team (EMT) to keep the country’s economy on a sound footing.

We call on the ruling NPP and Dr. Bawumia specifically to always accord the good people of Ghana some modicum of respect by refraining from spreading falsehoods any time they have the opportunity to address the public.

We also urge the media and the public to remain vigilant and scrutinize the claims made by all political leaders, ensuring that only the truth prevails going into the 2024 Elections.

The NDC remains committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and honesty in governance. We will continue to expose and challenge any attempts to mislead the public for political gain, and we call on all well-meaning citizens to join us in our quest for a more truthful and equitable Ghana.

SIGNED:

SORKPA KAFUI AGBLEZE
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
VOLTA NDC

Communication Director of the National Democratic Congress in the Ashanti Region has taken a swipe at President Akufo-Addo’s announced shake up in his government.

Abass Nurudeen described those appointed as ‘injury time ministers’ and a waste of human capital resources.

He claims the seven years of economic mess created by the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administration cannot be redeemed within few months to the 2024 general election.

President Nana Akufo-Addo on Wednesday announced a major reshuffle of his ministers for the first time since assuming office in January 2017.

In all, 13 current ministers of state, including 13 deputy ministers and two regional ministers, were affected by the reshuffle.

But Abass Nurudeen believes the reshuffle was unnecessary and , describing it as a waste of resources’.

He said the only reshuffle to rescue the country from the economic mess created is a vote against the NPP in the 2024 general election for former President Mahama to return to the presidency.

Abass Nurudeen indicated that, Mr. Mahama, has the antidote to repair the country, describing the party’s ‘Big Push’ economic policy as a game changer.

With 10 billion dollars for infrastructure development, reviving collapsed businesses, pushing small and medium enterprises and stabilising the cedis, he believes the economy will be revived.

The NDC communicator called on Ghanaians to unseat the NPP in this year’s general elections.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Amenfi Central constituency in the Western Region, Peter Kwakye-Ackah, has sent an important message to the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah wants the party to investigate allegations of fraud leveled against the parliamentary candidate, Dr. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, a businesswoman and the wife of Keche.

This follows opposition from members of the party in the constituency claiming she is not fit to be their Member of Parliament.

She has been alleged to have committed forgery, with a petition on the matter referred to the national committee.

“NDC leadership should investigate the allegations leveled against her because it’s very important for us. I know many things, but I won’t talk about it. People have raised issues on her credibility. It will be in order for the party and even the media to take it up and investigate so that we can all know the truth” he said in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem Wednesday.

In his view, failure for the party to probe the matter will spell doom for the NDC.

“Our opponents, NPP, are ready to pounce on these things and use them against us during the December elections. There are a lot of allegations against her. The party should rather go to the CID headquarters and investigate the matter. Else, it will bring trouble, in that if these things are hanging on you, then it’s a problem for the party.”

The two-time MP for Wassa Amenfi Central was defeated in the NDC parliamentary primaries held on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

He lost to Dr. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, a businesswoman and the wife of Keche Andrew, a member of the music group Keche.

Joana Gyan Cudjoe emerged victorious with 756 votes beating incumbent MP, Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah, who followed closely with 575 votes.

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General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fiifi Kwetey has argued that, Ghana needs an experienced leader to steer the country out of its current economic turmoil.

According to him, Ghanaians opted for a “try me” President and running mate in 2016, whose leadership has resulted in a complete catastrophe for the country.

Addressing a press conference in Accra, Fiifi Kwetey claimed Ghanaians are eager to oust the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government from power in the upcoming December 7th elections.

“The NPP has done enough damage to the destruction of livelihoods. There is no time for a trial and error President because Ghana is in a deep hole and Ghanaians are suffering. Ghanaians opted for a Try Me president in 2016 and the verdict has been a total catastrophe,” he said.

The General Secretary of the NDC believes his party flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama is the most suitable candidate to lead Ghana out of its current challenges with his experience as a former President.

“It is a notorious fact that John Dramani Mahama is the experienced, trialed, and tested visionary nation builder and the leader Ghana needs to fix the mess and the avoidable socio-economic hardships that NPP has visited on the good people of Ghana. Ghanaians cannot wait to see the back of this incompetent NPP government from office come December 7, 2024,” Mr. Kwetey said.

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has reacted to President Akufo-Addo’s announcement of a new set of ministerial nominees.

According to them, the reshuffle is needless and will have little impact on the nation and its wobbling economy.

Speaking to Adom News, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed argued that, the reshuffle is too late because Parliament will need about two months to vet the appointees.

He revealed that, information reaching him indicates that Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta will be appointed as a senior economic advisor at the presidency, therefore, the President’s reshuffle is a “charade”.

“Some appointed MPs will need about two months for vetting because it can’t just happen suddenly. So it means that some of them would have taken office sometime in March or May and they need a lot of time to adjust themselves to the work they are doing. I am getting the information that Ken Ofori-Atta will be appointed as a senior economic advisor at the presidency. Hence, the designated finance minister’s hands will be tied because he will be reporting to Ken. If that is true then the reshuffle is just a charade they don’t want to leave power,” he said.

Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor also speaking on the issue said he is disappointed in the manner in which the reshuffle was done.

According to him, it is “confusing” to relieve one of his duties and then reassign them.

He also believes the Finance Minister-designate, Dr. Mohammed Adam Amin Anta cannot turn the economy around before December.

“I have a problem with the manner of the appointments. I think the President should have listed the minister that he was relieving of their duties, then list those he was reassigning and not mix them. So on what basis are you reassigning someone whom you have relieved of his duties? It’s such a confusing thing to do. I don’t think this new team will perform any better. I also doubt if Amin can turn things over by December,” he told Adom News.

The President Akufo-Addo in a press release on Wednesday, February 14, categorized the sacked ministers, those reassigned, and newly appointed.

The Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has been nominated as the new Finance Minister to take over from Ken Ofori-Atta who served in office for seven years.

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Good afternoon, ladies, and gentlemen of the media.

His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress has been on the Building Ghana Tour. So far, he has visited eleven (11) out of the sixteen (16) regions of Ghana with his vision and message of hope. Specifically, he has visited the following regions: Volta, Northern, Upper East, Bono East, Bono, Ahafo, Western, Western North, Central, Ashanti and Eastern.

As General Secretary of the NDC, I have accompanied President Mahama on some of these Tours in pursuit of the quest to build the Ghana we want together with Ghanaians.

Some of the assurances our flagbearer has given to Ghanaians on the Building Ghana Tour that resonate with the immediate needs and aspirations of our diverse demographic groups across the nation include:

1. Economic Revitalization and Tax Reform:
   • Scrapping draconian taxes imposed by this NPP government (e.g., E-Levy, port charges, betting tax).
   • Increasing government’s share of profit and revenue from natural resources to fund development and reduce tax burdens.
2. Anti-Corruption and Governance:
   • Adopting a comprehensive approach to fight corruption at all levels.
   • Warning the NPP against dubious contract agreements such as the SML contract.
   • Abolishing the payment of ex-gratia to members of the executive under Article 71 and persuading other arms of government to accept the same.
   • Initiating far-reaching constitutional, political, and governance reforms to restore confidence in our democracy.
3. Job Creation and Industrialization:
   • Implementing the 24-hours economy vision for Job creation
   • Establishing a Western Industrial Development Enclave.
   • Creating well-paying jobs through various initiatives, including completing abandoned projects and establishing factories based on ecological advantages.
   • Establishing factories across the country based on ecological areas’ comparative advantages (e.g., Pwalugu tomato factory, meat factory for Wulugu and Zuarungu, cocoa, cashew, tomato, and other food processing plants).
4. Agriculture and Rural Development:
   • Reviving the cotton industry and supporting cotton farmers to grow cotton for export.
   • Establishing Farmers’ Co-operatives and service centers with technical and financial support in every region.
   • Establishing Farmers’ service centers in each district and providing 15 tractors each to support farmers.
   • Investing in irrigation projects across various regions.
   • Pursuing restructuring and using the Ghana Exim Bank and the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund to finance irrigation projects in the Accra plains- Ningo Prampram, Dodowa and Ada. Kamba in the Upper West Region, Kpli and Dekpor-Weta-Afife enclave in the Volta Region, Amate in the Eastern Region, Mpruem in the Central Region, Nasisa, Libga and Paga Zaa in the Northern Region among others.
   • Completing the Pwalugu dam and setting up land/irrigation canals to absorb the spillage from the Bagre dam from Burkina Faso during their annual spills
5. Infrastructure and Development Projects:
   • Building the Tamale Airport cargo service center for the export of agricultural produce.
   • Completing the Pwalugu dam and other critical infrastructure projects.
   • Reviving construction of Cocoa roads in cocoa-growing communities and completing the Eastern Corridor Road project.
   • Completing all abandoned projects started and uncompleted by the NPP government.
   • Constructing an airport in the Upper East Region

6. Education and Health:
   • Abolishing the Teachers’ Licensure exams and incorporating the exams into the main academic work as well as improving the quality of education at the Teacher training colleges
   • Supporting housing schemes for teachers and implementing salary increments for those in rural areas.
   • Continuing the National Apprenticeship Program
   • Establishing a modern dialysis center and constructing an airport in the Upper East Region.
   • Improving the Free SHS programme.
   • Scrapping the QUOTA SYSTEM for admission in Nursing and Teacher Training Colleges to increase enrolment.
   • Ensuring prompt posting of trained health and teaching professionals
   • Implementing an additional 20% basic salary for teachers in rural communities.
   • Adding teacher accommodation to basic schools.
   • Establishing a modern dialysis center in the northern zone of Ghana.
   • Working with Teachers Associations to Support the Housing Scheme for teachers on flexible terms
7. Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development:
   • Working closely with chiefs and other stakeholders to protect the forest reserves of the country.
8. Industrial and Economic Policies
9. Creating a Western Industrial Development Enclave to expand industries and create well-paying jobs.
10. Continuing the National Apprenticeship Program and ensuring prompt posting of trained health and teaching professionals.

So far, these assurances encapsulate the vision John Mahama presents for Ghana, emphasizing his focus on sustainable development, job creation, anti-corruption measures, and significant improvements in the education and health sectors.

 A few days ago, the Flagbearer of the failed New Patriotic Party, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia outdoored what he described as the next chapter at the auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra, UPSA.

Entering the campus of the UPSA for his speech, I hope the NPP flagbearer recognized and appreciated the solid transformation IPS, now UPSA underwent under the visionary NDC government of President Mills and President Mahama and with the leadership of Professor Joshua Alabi, then Vice-chancellor of the University. This is the true meaning of we have the men and women of substance. Not the NPP kind.

In that very auditorium of the UPSA, the credible, visionary, experienced, incorruptible, nation builder John Dramani Mahama delivered his ground-breaking speech on “Building the Ghana We Want” about seventeen (17) months ago in October 2022. That epochal address was a sequel to Mr. Mahama’s alternative policies-laden “Ghana at Crossroads” speech in May 2022.

This means twenty-one (21) months ago whilst Mahama was espousing alternative policies in the hope that the government would listen to bring relief to suffering Ghanaians, Bawumia and his NPP so-called solid Economic Management Team were busy destroying Ghana’s economy, impoverishing Ghanaians and sinking many Ghanaians into great suffering.

You may recall Mahama’s promise to abolish the e-Levy in May 2022 against the resistance and stubborn impedance from the NPP government and legislators. And you may also remember the following assurances from President Mahama that he will:

• Get Ghanaians out of the mess the NPP has created and provide hope for all.

• Strictly enforce prudence in the management of public finances by cutting out waste and ostentation and ensuring the Bank of Ghana plays by the rules. Not the malpractices we have seen where the Bank of Ghana has become a money printing machine, intoxicating the government with seigniorage thereby accelerating inflation to a high of 54%.
• Restore faith in our almost collapsed financial system and embark on sweeping reforms at the Bank of Ghana.
• Actively pursue policies to ensure robust local participation in our banking, financial, telecommunications, mining, agriculture, agribusiness, and manufacturing sectors. 
• Operating the leanest but most efficient government under our fourth republic with sixty (60) ministers and deputy ministers of state in addition to drastically reducing staff at the bloated presidency – You know what? I Guess if Mahama had mentioned 50 in his October 2022 address at the UPSA, the copycat Bawumia would have gone for 40 and if he had proposed 40, Bawumia would have opted for 30. 

And do you recall the Vice President, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia promising NPP delegates during their presidential primaries – in Awutu Senya East Constituency of the Central Region – that he will allocate at least ten (10) appointments to party members in each of the 275 constituencies if he became president?  The primaries are over so his promise to the NPP delegates is dead. Alhaji Bawumia Ghanaians are not going to fall for your lies!

Ladies and gentlemen, I submit to you that long before the NPP flagbearer began thinking about the future, Mahama had thought. Hence no amount of political chicanery can save the NPP come December 7, 2024.

Mr. Mahama has also in the past assured Ghanaians that he will initiate and undertake the most far-reaching constitutional, political and governance reforms to restore confidence in our democracy in addition to abolishing the payment of ex-gratia to members of the executive under Article 71 and persuading other arms of government to accept same.

Let us face the truth! The NPP promised heaven whilst Ghana was on earth under Mahama and has delivered hell to every Ghanaian except their close families and friends. And so how can you trust the NPP going forward? I mean how? Can you trust a party that sharply criticized and condemned $1 to Ghc3.9 and is now serving you with an exchange rate of $1 to Ghc12.6?

Ladies and Gentlemen, with the round condemnation and disappointing reception Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia’s speech has received both in traditional and social media, we would have ordinarily let Ghanaians stick to their own negative verdict on the vice President’s address.

However, because he peddled many lies, we are duty-bound to set the records straight. Moreover, we must bring to the attention of Ghanaians grave character and capacity failures that we believe must not be glossed over if trust is to be restored again in political leadership across the partisan spectrum.

The following are six critical deficits Dr Bawumia is suffering from, which make him unfit for leadership, unlike John Dramani Mahama.

1. Vision Deficit

A true servant leader must be endowed with clarity of vision and ability to see far.

John Mahama who came from the Kwame Nkrumah stock, molded by Jerry John Rawlings and inspired by Professor Atta Mills has proven to have so much of the clarity of vision of his illustrious predecessors.

It takes a visionary to work closely with Prof. Mills to establish the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant. This single infrastructure has represented a massive game-changer within the energy ecosystem of the country.

It takes a visionary to make the far-reaching investments in health infrastructure like the UGMC, the Ridge Hospital, the Ga East Municipal Hospital, the Shai Osudoku Hospital etc. that became so critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It takes a visionary head of economic management team to have the far-sightedness to establish a stabilization fund as part of the oil revenue funds. That stabilization fund became a savior to the visionless Bawumia-led economic team when COVID struck in the year 2020.

It takes a visionary to establish a sinking fund to be used for the repayment of the remainder of the first Eurobond ($750 million) Ghana contracted under President Kufour. In nearly 8 long years during which the NPP government has had access to a total resource envelope of over 800 billion Cedis, the Bawumia-led economic team cannot point to one dollar left in any fund to take care of the strangulating debts we have to be paying soon from 2025.

It takes a visionary leader to construct over 900 km of rural fibre optic backbone, connecting 120 communities in all, from Ho to Bawku with a link from Yendi to Tamale.

This superlative vision is acknowledged even if grudgingly by NPP’s own minister for communications, Ursula Owusu, as the biggest telephone infrastructure on which government digitalization efforts are run.

It takes a visionary leader to also build a 300 km metro fibre optic network within the Tema-Accra enclave that offers Wi-Fi and internet services to the public and institutions.

Not to forget about the vision to invest in other robust digital infrastructure – 4G LTE, the National Data Centre, the Accra Digital Centre, and several electronic applications. including the e.services.gov.gh platform which Bawumia renamed Ghana.gov.

Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia boasts about digitalization when he has no idea how these vital investments came about. He must understand that digitalization is not just about buying foreign software and installing them on infrastructure built by the NDC.

How can a Vice President lower himself to speak as if merely buying a mobile phone is all that is needed to make and receive mobile calls even if the telecommunication companies have not built critical cell sites?

How can Bawumia compare licensing private entities laying fibre to the actual investment done by the JM-led NDC, in the laying of altogether over 1,500km fibre optic cable and all the other projects and systems put down by previous NDC administrations?

The complete lack of vision of Dr Bawumia’s-led economic team can be seen in the way they spoke a lot about making a shift towards export yet have supervised the situation where importation has rather reached astronomical levels.

The paucity of vision can also be seen in the shocking fact that very little has been done by this government to increase the power generation capacity of Ghana – a vital prerequisite for any economic transformation.

It takes a visionary leader like JM to set up ESLA Fund, Ghana Exim bank, get GPHA and Ghana Airport Company to build great balance sheets and leverage such to raise billions of dollars for massive expansion.

In doing so, John Mahama was showing he was ahead of the curve and if Bawumia had any humility, he would have learned and not superintended over the most monumental and reckless borrowing which has today, brought Ghana the shame of not being able to pay her debt and reduced us to an object of ridicule all over the world.

In addition, it was Mahama’s vision and toil that yielded 960,000 metric tonnes of cocoa production. Today, cocoa production has declined to below 500,000mt. How this clueless and visionless Bawumia can even have the audacity to boast about bold solutions beggars belief. We submit to you that Bawumia has a massive vision deficit and cannot be compared to Mahama in any way, shape or form.

2.      Responsibility Deficit

A true leader takes responsibility for his words and works. He does not take the credit for good things done and seek to blame others for the things that are not good. President Mahama took over from President Mills. He could have chosen to create the impression that the single spine salary policy, the implementation of which, caused massive problems for the economy, was a policy he disagreed with.

Instead, like a true leader who has honour, truth and sense of responsibility, he took full responsibility for all previous decisions and braved the storms that the single spine brought – particularly the storm which led to about 70% of all our taxes being used for public sector wages in 2013. It was this expenditure storm that John Mahama described in the analogy of the meat being down to the bones which the Bawumia-led NPP deliberately continues to misrepresent as economic mismanagement.

Dr Bawumia is running away from what he clearly views as not very good policies of the very government he serves in as Vice President.

Has he even had the humility to apologize to the country for those policies? John Mahama demonstrated a high sense of responsibility. Bawumia demonstrates he has a massive Responsibility Deficit.

Such a person does not have the character to lead our nation.

If Bawumia has shown that he can literally stab Nana Akufo-Addo in the back by way of running away from poor policies while taking credit for the good things done, who else is Dr Bawumia not able to betray and throw under the bus? If you can betray the man who overlooked other very qualified party officials to pick you an outsider who was not even a party person as running mate, then no one is safe under Bawumia. A Judas cannot be entrusted with the leadership of Ghana.

President John Dramani Mahama took full responsibility for Dumsor even though Dumsor was neither caused by him nor President Mills but has been the problem of successive governments failing to ramp up energy supply to match up with the demand. President John Dramani Mahama blamed nobody and went ahead and resolved the energy crisis, one whole year before he left office.

What has been the reaction of Bawumia to the unprecedented economic collapse? What he cannot blame Nana Akufo-Addo for, he will find another scapegoat – COVID-19 cum Russia-Ukraine war and President John Dramani Mahama. Do not be surprised if very soon he blames COVID-19, Russia-Ukraine war and Mahama for the Black Stars’ catastrophic AFCON performance in Cote d’Ivoire.

Ladies and gentlemen, COVID-19 came along in the year 2020. However. the economic problems began as early as 2019 when budget deficits reached 7% when the cedi depreciated by nearly 13%, when Debt to GDP started rising sharply – Debt to GDP was already above 60%.

This failure to take responsibility shows Dr Bawumia has not got the humility to accept when he is wrong. If you cannot take responsibility for your poor policy decisions which antedated COVID, Ghana cannot be safe in your hands.

3. Credibility Deficit

If there is a single area where Alhaji  Bawumia has the biggest character deficit, it is the arena of credibility and trustworthiness. And we all know the critical value of trustworthiness in life and in leadership in particular. A few rhetorical questions will suffice.

How can you be trusted:

• When you proclaim yourself as the leader of a Solid Economic Management Team and yet land the economy in the total collapse we see today?
• When you proclaimed in 2012 that when the fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you, only to turn around in 2019 when the currency was fast depreciating that you made that statement rather in 2014 when the fundamentals were weak when the records show that you made the statement in 2012 at a time the fundamentals were relatively stronger?
• When you proclaim that you will move the economy from taxation to production only to heap myriads of taxes on suffering citizens?
• When you proclaim that your so-called solid economic management team has stabilized the cedi/dollar rate and locked the dollar and left the padlock with the IGP only for the cedi to break jail right from 2019 when it depreciated by nearly 13% and now pushing towards 13 Cedis to the dollar?
• When you boasted that under your economic leadership, Ghana will see growth and growth and growth and jobs and jobs and jobs only for Ghana to experience unprecedented levels of unemployment in recent memory?
• When you boldly claimed that no village or community in Ghana will have water or toilet problems within the first 18 months of being elected?
• When you still claim in February 2024 that Dumsor was fixed by you when you yourself admitted back in 2016 in the premises of Multimedia that John Mahama fixed Dumsor but should not be praised?
• When you declared, we don’t have to borrow for roads, the money is here. All we need to do is to toll the roads and we will get money to build all the roads we need”?
• When you promised that all SHS students would receive free tablets in the year, 2023?
• When you deliberately lie to the people of Cape Coast in 2020 that a brand new harbour was being built for them?
• When on your own free will, you promised that the NPP government would start constructing roads with concrete instead of asphalt?
• When you promised the construction of 16 model schools for Zongo communities in all the 16 Regions (in the presence of His eminence, the National Chief Iman)?

The examples of the deliberate lies are too numerous to exhaust.

Friends from the media, on the issue of the NPP flagbearer’s deceptive promise to scrap some taxes, let us critically examine the obtuse logic that he is canvassing.

Essentially, this is what he is saying to the people of Ghana:

“I know that together with President Akufo-Addo we have imposed several draconian taxes on you, but endure them for the next ten months while I continue in office as Vice President on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party and as Chairman of the Economic Management Team.”

After enduring the hardships imposed on you by my government and party, you can vote for me to be President on the ticket of the NPP, and I promise to scrap just three of the about 40 taxes we have imposed on you in the last eight years.”

Think seriously about this, ladies, and gentlemen.

This is why we insist that a vote for Bawumia is in reality just a third term for Akufo-Addo.

Ladies and gentlemen, this so called promise comes from the same men who have used flattery to deceive you with their promise to move Ghana from taxation to production. The Vice President’s previous promises to reduce the tax burden on Ghanaians, not to tax our mobile money wallets, and to lower import duties on spare parts are just a few of the promises that have turned into lies. This same man suddenly thinks Ghanaians have a short memory and is once again promising to scrap taxes to hoodwink the Ghanaian electorate.

Should we remind him that Ghanaians still remember his instrumental role in crafting the obnoxious E-levy policy, as was confirmed publicly by the then Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and Mr. John Boadu, their former General Secretary?

We still remember his important role in the recent IMF negotiations. His actions have resulted in the implementation of the Emissions Levy, which many consider useless, and the imposition of VAT on previously exempt items.

We in the NDC have always opposed the draconian taxes imposed on Ghanaians by the insensitive Akufo-Addo and Bawumia government. We and our gallant Members of Parliament have always stood on the side of the suffering Ghanaian people and businesses.

Our advice to the Vice President is that if he has indeed turned a new leaf and has seen the light, like Saul on his way to Damascus, he should show genuine contrition by first apologising to Ghanaians and then join the NDC to scrap these taxes now and not in the future. The Ghanaian people cannot live through another day of these suffocating taxes, let alone ten good months.

The time to scrap the crippling and draconian taxes that the NPP has imposed on suffering Ghanaians is now!

How is it possible to trust a Vice President who has shown no penitence or remorse about deliberately lying and conning the people of Ghana. A man who believes that leaders can continue to fool all the people all the time.

A man whose words cannot be trusted, is a man who is not FIT to lead!

Who will entrust his business in the hands of a man who cannot be trusted to tell the truth? If it is terrible to entrust a private property or business into such a hand, imagine the greater tragedy of committing Ghana and her 30 plus millions of citizens and her future into the hands of a Man whose words are worth very little and who does not understand the meaning of Credibility and Trustworthiness.

4. Gratitude Deficit

A true leader acknowledges the contributions of his predecessors. True leaders understand that leadership is like a relay race and he or she builds the new by acknowledging and appreciating what contribution was handed over to him. Mills/Mahama-led NDC acknowledged that the N1 Highway was the accomplishment of the Kufuor-led NPP even though the entire work was virtually done during the tenure of Mills/Mahama.

Mills/Mahama-led NDC similarly did not take any credit for the building of the Bui Dam even though their administration even borrowed additional money to see to the completion of the project.

When eventually the Bui Dam was being commissioned, President Kufuor was invited and duly acknowledged as the leader whose government secured the finance for the dam. This gratitude is a mark of a secure leader. Bawumia sadly alsohas massive gratitude deficit.

It takes someone who does not show gratitude:

• To claim that the Tema to Akosombo (now Mpakadan) rail line was the achievement of the NPP government when all records show that the financing was secured in 2016, one year before the Nana Addo/Bawumia came into office. Cabinet and Parliamentary approvals were also fully finalized before John Mahama left office in January of 2016.
• To claim that Dumsor was not resolved before the coming of the NPP in 2017 when Bawumia himself publicly declared that John Mahama should not unduly be happy for solving the energy crisis because he was the one who brought it in the first place. Nana Poku of the NPP, an energy expert, publicly stated that JM-led NDC solved the problem of Dumsor.
• To claim that the NPP government introduced the online passport application system when the truth is that the online application system was launched under John Mahama in December 2016.
• To claim that the card was nothing to write home about until Jan 7, 2017. Dr Bawumia deliberately ignoring the significant contributions of the NDC/Mahama administration in developing the GhanaCard system to what it is today. That by 2016, the Mahama administration had: Passed the law that makes the Ghana Card the sole document for identification purposes  for any transaction (L.I 2111); Collected biometric and demographic data on about 16 million Ghanaians; Processed about 4.7 million cards; Distributed about 900,000 cards; Procured 9 million blank cards
• Upon assumption of office in 2017, Dr. Bawumia constituted a three-man committee headed by Prof. Ken Attafuah, to review the contract and implementation of the Ghana Card system.
• The committee established the facts enumerated above which is contained on page one (1) of the report and recommended the use of the existing database to continue from where the NDC left off. Indeed, the NIA boss Prof. Ken Attafuah told Parliament that the contract that was signed by the NDC/Mahama administration with the Margins Group, is the same contract that is being implemented today.
• Clearly, this government only came to continue the implementation of a system that had already been developed by the NDC/Mahama government, as a continuation of what was started under President Kufour and continued by President Mills of blessed memory. The Ghana card credit must therefore be shared by all successive governments who have contributed to where we are today. Bawumia does not even credit his boss, Akufo-Addo. Even though he is in disguise just a third term of Nana Addo, we need to call him for trying to play a fast one on the nation by conveniently throwing his boss under the bus. We see your Game and will not be fooled.

If Dr Bawumia finds it difficult to acknowledge and show gratitude to what a predecessor government has done, why is Ghana surprised that he pretends not to know the following solid accomplishments that he and Nana Akuffo Addo inherited upon coming into office:

• Sinking Fund that had $250m for the repayment of the remainder of the first Eurobond ($750 million) Ghana contracted under Kufour.
• Ghana Infrastructure and Investment Fund of $270m
• Stabilization Fund of $250m which the government fell on when COVID broke in 2020.
• ESLA Fund of 3 billion Cedis per year ; Cocoa output of 960k Metric Tons
• Gross international reserves of $6.2b
• Balance of Payment Surplus
• Two new oil fields that accounted for the 8% growth the NPP chalked in 2017
• Ghana Exim Bank that became the vehicle to fund its 1D1Fs
• The Canadian Finance to the Agric Sector that NPP used for the Planting for Food and Job
• The Buffer Stock that became crucial for the planting for food and jobs
•  $637 million of the $937 million IMF deal was inherited and drawn down by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government
• The massive stock of energy infrastructure, Health infrastructure, educational, transport, and water infrastructure- in short the biggest legacy of infrastructure bequeathed to any administration in the history of the 4th republic and possibly the most since independence.

An ungrateful person calls all the above an economic mess left behind.

What a massive Gratitude Deficit. Bawumia is clearly not fit for leadership. John Mahama’s ability to acknowledge what work was previously done makes him very fit for leadership.

5. Competency Deficit

Competence must be the hallmark of a true leader. He must possess the capacity to accomplish a lot even with minimal resources. That is exactly what Ghana saw when John Mahama was in charge of the economic management team and later became the president of the republic.

It takes competence to bring inflation from 21% down into single digit and keep it consistently there for 33 long months- the longest period in the 4th republic and possibly since independence.

Incompetent Bawumia as head of economic management team, could barely keep inflation in single digit for any appreciable period and supervised same going all the way up to 54%, when all over Africa, no serious country experienced any such level of inflation.

It takes competence to accomplish the record of high growth Ghana saw under JM as head of the economic management about team. 8% in 2010 before oil. 14% in 2011 with non-oil standing at 8%. Another 9 % in 2012 as well.

The highest growth rate under Bawumia was fully attributable to the two oil fields handed over to the NPP by the Mahama-led NDC.

It takes competence to achieve cocoa output of 1 million MT as seen in the year 2011 and almost repeated by the agric sector in 2016 under JM. Under incompetent Bawumia, cocoa production is now about half of that quantum.

It takes competence to get a B+ rating that Ghana recorded in 2012 when John Mahama was head of the economic management team. Under incompetent Bawumia, our rating is now D- Junk status. An Absolute Disgrace! A proud nation brought onto her knees by a Disastrous Economic Management team led by a man who talks big but delivers very little.

In 8 years when he served as head of economic management team and president, total debt accrued stood at about 110b cedis, from about 10b at close of 2008 to 120b at the close of 2016. With this relatively small quantum of resources, Ghana can point to arguably the most massive infrastructure investments seen in our country in the 4th republic. In the whole of 2016, not even one cedi was received from the BOG, yet inflation was brought down to 15.4%, T. Bill rate down to 16%, Debt to GDP stood at 57%, Non-oil GDP was 4.3%, budget deficit at 6.1%, capital expenditure as a percentage of GDP at 4.2%, while the cedi depreciated by only 9.6%. It was in that same year, that the foundations were established for the 8% GDP growth NPP came to inherit in 2017; incidentally the highest growth of their 8 year mandate. Growth has never come close to that since 2017.

Contrast this level of competence with the tragic incompetence of the “Big Talking” Bawumia.

Between July 2020 to Dec 2020 alone, the Bawumia-led economic team accessed not

less than 30 billion cedis resource during Covid. That alone represents virtually the whole of borrowing done in the first four years of the Mills/Mahama government when the foundations were laid for the astronomical legacy of infrastructure investment we see today. The 30 billion cedis represents a little over one third of the total debt accrued in eight long years of the Mills/Mahama administration. Despite getting this collosal amount when it was just left with 6 months to end their first term, the Bawumia-led group managed to achieve zero GDP growth; left an unprecedented budget deficit of 15% when the rest of africa did not see this level of economic and fiscal calamity.

The economy never recovered from this level of recklessness; no wonder we have subsequently seen Debt rising to over 600 billion cedis; inflation hitting 54%, debt to GDP over 100% which have stripped us completely naked and now left Ghana crawling before international investors like dust eating earthworms. The Crowning Shame of the much-acclaimed Solid Team under the so-called economic messiah! Tweaaaaa!!!!!!!!

6. Experience Deficit

Need I say more? It is a notorious fact that John Dramani Mahama is the experienced, tried and tested visionary nation builder and leader Ghana needs to fix the messy and avoidable socioeconomic hardship and pain the NPP government has visited on Ghanaians.

Therefore, Ghanaians cannot wait to sack this incompetent and clueless NPP government from office on December 07.

The NPP has done enough damage to families through the destruction of livelihoods (Financial Haircuts, unprecedented unemployment etc.)

There is no time for Trial and Error, because Ghana is in a deep hole and Ghanaians are suffering. Ghanaians opted for A “Try Me” candidate and Running mate in 2016 and the verdict has been catastrophic.

Ghanaians already know that John Mahama as Chairman of the Economic Management Team under President Atta Mills achieved single digit inflationary rate for over 30 continuous months and a GDP of over 14% in 2011. Even when the economy faced serious head winds, President Mahama quickly restored the economy to good health such that Ghana’s economy was predicted to grow and did grow at above 7% in 2017. Three (3) active oil producing fields. Note that John Mahama had access to revenue from only one oil field. Nevertheless, he handed over revenue from three (3) oil fields because Mahama added two more fields (TEN and Sankofa) before he left office. This is what experience and vision does and this is the experience Mahama is bringing to address the challenges Ghana is facing.

Ladies and gentlemen, the economy the NPP inherited from the experienced John Dramani Mahama in 2017, provided 100% funding of Government’s budget, without recourse to the Eurobond market. But by 2018, the economy came under pressure due to NPP’s economic mismanagement. As a result, they resorted to borrowing from the Eurobond market until the economy gave up the ghost. This is what led the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme – the cruel haircuts.

The Cedi is currently exchanging for US$1 to GH₵12.6 when it was just  GH₵4.2 in John Mahama’s time due to Mahama’s prudent and innovative management of the economy. The national debt has ballooned from GH₵120billion to over 600 billion Ghana cedis.

Fellow Ghanaians, we need a man with vision and experience to fix the mess. John Dramani Mahama is that man with the experience required to fix this mess and take Ghana to the next level of progress and prosperity.

The Illusion of Change – Akufo Addo’s Government Reshuffle

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,

Just before this presser, news of a supposed government reshuffle came in, and we must say we are once again highly disappointed in this government. Even though disappointment in this government has become the norm, we were at least expecting some level of change amidst Dr. Bawumia’s promise to govern Ghana with only 50 ministers. But what do we see? A continuation of the status quo that has plagued our nation’s progress.

In an era where the clamor for efficient governance and fiscal prudence has never been louder, the recent reshuffle by President Akufo Addo starkly reflects a government in disarray, obstinately disconnected from the realities of its people. Despite the vociferous appeals from Ghanaians, civil society, the clergy, academicians, and think tanks to trim the bloated size of government—a glaring drain on our nation’s scarce resources—this administration has once again turned a deaf ear.

The insistence on maintaining a government apparatus comprising so many ministers is not only a slap in the face to the Ghanaian taxpayer but a testament to an entrenched culture of profligacy, cronyism, and a disturbingly myopic view of governance. This unwieldy government size, under the guise of facilitating development, has instead catalyzed an era marked by inefficiency and unfulfilled promises.

Enter Dr. Bawumia, the Vice President and the freshly minted flagbearer for the NPP, who now promises a government of only 50 ministers. This pledge starkly contrasts the current administration’s excesses and rings hollow in the face of his longstanding defense of this governmental bloat. Dr. Bawumia’s sudden pivot, amidst the economic turmoil our nation endures, is emblematic of a desperate ploy for votes—a deception that the Ghanaian people can see through with clarity.

Today’s reshuffle by President Akufo Addo, rather than offering a beacon of hope for a leaner, more efficient government, has instead upheld the status quo. It is a profound disappointment and a missed opportunity to heed the people’s calls for change. This action—or rather, inaction—underscores a blatant disregard for the nation’s plea for governance that puts the people’s welfare above political expediency.

It is particularly disheartening to witness the recycling of ministers who, over the past seven years, have demonstrated a stark inability to propel our nation forward. This reshuffle, far from being a strategic realignment, is merely a superficial rearrangement of pieces on a board, with no real intent to address the systemic failures that plague our governance.

Dr. Bawumia’s slogan, “It Is Possible,” now begs the question: If indeed it is possible, why not now? Why the wait, if not for political convenience at the expense of national welfare? This reshuffle could have been a moment of bold leadership, a signal of a genuine commitment to reform. Yet, it stands as a testament to a government marking time, lacking the vision or the will to implement the drastic changes Ghana so urgently requires.

As the NDC, under the distinguished leadership of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, we reaffirm our commitment to the people of Ghana—a commitment to deliver governance that is not only efficient and lean but also transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of every Ghanaian.

The December 7th elections present an opportunity for the people of Ghana to voice their verdict on this administration’s failures. It is a chance to embrace a future under a leader who not only understands the gravity of the challenges we face but possesses the proven track record, the integrity, and the vision to overcome them.

This reshuffle, much ado about nothing, underscores the urgent need for change—a change towards a government that respects its mandate to serve, not to squander. A government of action, not mere words. The NDC stands ready to usher in this new dawn for Ghana

CONCLUSION

Ladies and gentlemen, as we have laid bare before you today, the choice we face in the upcoming elections is not merely a choice between two individuals. It is a choice between two futures. On one hand, we have the path that perpetuates the status quo, a third term for Nana Addo marked by unfulfilled promises and a vision that falls short of our grandest dreams. On the other, we have the path championed by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama—a path that promises to rekindle the flame of hope, to rebuild the foundations of our great nation, and to propel us into a future where every Ghanaian, regardless of their background, can dream of a better tomorrow and see that dream become a reality.

John Mahama’s vision for Ghana is not just a series of policies and promises. It is a call to action—a call to believe in the possibility of change, to remember the strength that lies in our unity, and to recognize the power of our voices and our votes to shape the destiny of our country.

Therefore, I stand before you, not just as the General Secretary of the Great NDC, but as a fellow citizen of Ghana, to issue a clarion call to every Ghanaian: let us rally behind a leader who has demonstrated time and again his commitment to our welfare, his dedication to our progress, and his unwavering resolve to lift Ghana to new heights of glory.

Let this election be more than just a political contest. Let it be a referendum on the kind of Ghana we want to build for ourselves and for generations yet unborn. Let us choose hope over despair, action over inaction, and progress over stagnation. Let us choose John Dramani Mahama, a leader who embodies the best of our values, our aspirations, and our dreams.

With 297 days to go until the Presidential and Parliamentary elections, let every conversation, every debate, and every moment be an opportunity to advocate for a vision of Ghana that is rooted in progress, inclusivity, and justice. Let us work tirelessly, not just to secure a victory for John Mahama, but to secure a victory for every Ghanaian who dreams of a better tomorrow.

Fellow Ghanaians, your vote is your voice. It is the most powerful weapon you wield in the fight for your future. On December 7, 2024, I urge you to vote for John Dramani Mahama. But beyond casting your vote, I urge you to become an ambassador of change, to spread the word, to ignite the hearts of your neighbors, friends, and family with the promise of what Ghana can become under the leadership of a man who has not just the vision, but also the experience, the integrity, and the heart to lead us forward.

Together, let’s make history. Together, let’s choose a future that reflects our highest ideals and aspirations. Together, let’s vote for John Dramani Mahama and, in doing so, let’s take the first step towards building a Ghana that shines as a beacon of hope, prosperity, and unity for all of Africa and the world.

And finally, when you cast your vote for John Mahama and our parliamentary candidates on December 7th, dear fellow Ghanaians, rest assured that every single vote will be accounted for. We are committed to ensuring that your votes are not only counted but also fiercely protected. Your voice matters, and together, we will safeguard the integrity of our democratic process.

The time for action is now. The future is in your hands. Let’s rise up and make it a reality.

God bless you all, and God bless our beloved Ghana.

The Minority in Parliament has condemned President Akufo-Addo’s recent ministerial reshuffle, branding it as uninspiring and overdue.

NDC MPs criticized the reshuffle, stating that it does not effectively address the current economic hardships facing the nation.

In a press release from Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, they denounced the president’s handling of governance, expressing skepticism that the reshuffle would alleviate the profound economic difficulties linked to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his Economic Management Team.

“It is also too little too late, coming barely nine (9) months to the exit of the government. Neither will it solve the suffering and hardships confronting the people of Ghana as a result of the bad governance and massive uncontrolled corruption of the Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Bawumia’s government.”

“These injury time reserves, who have been on the bench for more than seven years without warm-up, cannot make any meaningful impact in the remaining nine (9) months to salvage the sinking ship and the massive economic mess created by Alhaji Bawumia and his economic mismanagement team.”

The Minority also emphasized that President Akufo-Addo’s tenure has been marked by excessive spending and the depletion of state resources.

“The tenure of this government has been characterised by excessive borrowing, unsustainable debt, an economic crisis, high appetite for taxes, poor governance, reckless and wasteful expenditures, siphoning of state resources into private pockets of government appointees, as well as state capture by family and friends of the President and his Vice.”

After months of public pressure, President Akufo-Addo has finally made adjustments to his government.

These changes come a month after the resignation of former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen and Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who stepped down to concentrate on their political campaigns.

In accordance with the 1992 Constitution, the President formally notified the Speaker of Parliament of the government’s new composition on Tuesday, February 7.

New individuals have been appointed to ministerial positions, while others have been reshuffled to different ministries.

Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislators will push for the removal of some nuisance taxes through a private member’s bills.

This follows Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia‘s pledge to among other things, abolish the electronic transactions levy, emissions tax, the proposed 15 per cent Value Added Tax on electricity, and other taxes introduced by the incumbent government.

According to Dr Forson, if Dr Bawumia is honest about his intentions when the private member’s bill is introduced on the floor of Parliament, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs will support it.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on February 13, he argued that the majority’s position on the matter will confirm whether or not the NPP flagbearer was honest.

“All the taxes that we have opposed, we will make an attempt to get the government to remove them.

“In fact, now that the Vice President himself has come to confirm to us that they don’t want the taxes, we have already said on the floor, he is only copying what the NDC is saying.

“I have said on the floor and the hansard will bear me out that the next NDC government will remove this [taxes]. I have said this. I am the first person,” he told host, Evans Mensah.

When asked why he would not wait for the next NDC to remove these taxes, the Minority leader said “Why should we wait? Ghanaians are struggling.

“The only reason why this tax is still effective and your good self and my good self and the ordinary Ghanaian is paying this tax is that the NDC is not in office.”

He stressed that the NDC was more concerned about the welfare of the populace than the governing party, therefore, in their first few months in office, they would scrap all the taxes which have overburdened the population.

“In fact, if the NDC is in office and if Ghanaians vote for us, by December, our first budget before Easter, we will remove all these taxes. But now we are not in office. This is a government that is in office; they have said that they will remove it in 2025. To show good faith to the people of Ghana, we urge them to come and remove it.”

“We have to compel them and that is what it is. We have to compel them to remove these taxes because it is not easy,” he added.

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Private legal practitioner and a communications team member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Twum Barimah has dismissed claims by the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia that the Akufo-Addo led government solved the country’s power crisis also called, ‘dumsor’.

According to him, the erstwhile Mahama administration solved ‘dumsor’ before it exited power in 2016.

Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Tuesday, Mr. Twum Barimah said the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) cannot claim credit because the NDC was tirelessly working during the turner of former President John Mahama to salvage the situation.

He also quizzed the NPP to provide evidence of what their government did to solve the nation’s power crisis.

“After President Mills, all his successes make it look like they are the best at everything. The NDC administration was working to solve the dumsor crisis. The biggest problem at that time was electricity generation so we needed more power. The NPP should acknowledge the NDC even if they also did something to solve the crisis when they came to power.

We should tell each other the truth. The NPP should tell us what they did to solve the dumsor that they are claiming. Even as of 2016 before President Akufo-Addo was sworn in, there was nothing like dumsor. It ended before the elections, the matter has been solved and power was on,” he added.

Watch video below:

The Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has said the NDC government initiated the implementation of the Ghana Card as early as 2016.

To him, the current NPP government merely carried forward the system established by the Mahama administration.

He stated that in 2016, during the tenure of the Mahama government, biometric and demographic data were collected from approximately 16 million Ghanaians, resulting in the processing of about 4.7 million cards.

Mr. Gyamfi mentioned that, around 900,000 cards were distributed by the Mahama administration before leaving office in 2016.

In response to Dr. Bawumia’s recent address to the nation, he accused him of intentionally overlooking the significant contributions made by the NDC/Mahama administration to the development of the Ghana Card system.

Read below portions of Sammy Gyamfi’s speaking notes on Dr Bawumia’s address to the nation

THE GHANA CARD LIE

• *Dr. Bawumia deliberately ignored the significant contributions of the NDC/Mahama administration in developing the GhanaCard system to what it is today.
• It is important to note, that by 2016, the NDC/Mahama administration had:

1. Passed the law that makes the Ghana Card the sole document for identification purposes  for any transaction (L.I 2111)
2. Collected biometric and demographic data on about 16 million Ghanaians

iii. Processed about 4.7 million cards

1. Distributed about 900,000 cards
2. Procured 9 million blank cards

• Upon assumption of office in 2017, Dr. Bawumia constituted a three-man committee headed by Prof. Ken Attafuah, to review the contract and implementation of the Ghana Card system.
• The committee established the facts enumerated above which is contained on page 1 of the report and recommended the use of the existing database to continue from where the NDC left off.
• Indeed, the NIA boss Prof. Ken Attafuah told Parliament that the contract that was signed by the NDC/Mahama administration with the Margins Group, is the same contract that is being implemented today.
• Clearly, this government only came to continue the implementation of a system that had already been developed by the NDC/Mahama government, as a continuation of what was started under President Kuffour and continued by President Mills of blessed memory.
• The Ghana card credit must therefore be shared by all successive governments who have contributed to where we are today. Note that Bawumia does not even credit his boss, Akufo-Addo…

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The parliamentary ambition of Joana Gyan Cudjoe, the wife of the famous musician Keche Andrew, appears to be dwindling.

This follows opposition from members of the party in the constituency claiming she is not fit to be their Member of Parliament.

A former member of the NDC Elections Committee in Amenfi Central, Gyedu Frimpong maintained that, the businesswoman is not qualified to contest because she is alien to the party in the constituency.

 The Chairman explained that, although Madam Cudjoe hails from Amenfi Central, she does not vote in the constituency.

“Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s documents prove that she is a native of Amenfi Central but she does not vote here. She is not an NDC member here. The woman owns two party cards, which is against the party’s rules. We have warned the party to be very careful about the things they are doing because we don’t know her” he said in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem on Tuesday.

Mr. Frimpong claimed Mrs. Joana Cudjoe is a “dishonest person” who is not supposed to lead them in the constituency.

Going forward, he appealed to the national executives of the party to carry out thorough investigations to unveil the truth.

Meanwhile, former MP for Amenfi Central, George Arthur on the same show, implored her supporters to disregard rumours about Joana Cudjoe.

He rubbished all allegations against her noting that, they are just a grand scheme to denigrate the image of the Parliamentary candidate.

“Those who are alleging are behind the sitting MP and are doing so because they hate her. They are only making baseless allegations against her. Even issues of her forged ID cards are untrue. They purposely want to denigrate and destroy the lady,” Mr. Arthur stressed.

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As the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama, continues with his “Building the Ghana We Want” campaign tour, there is jostling in the south by key party bigwigs to catch his eye for the vice-presidential slot.

The latest name to pop up in the list of contenders is the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, who could be considered to partner the NDC flag bearer for the 2024 elections

The latest twist is in spite of the fact that former Minister of Education, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who partnered former President John Dramani Mahama, in the 2020 election, remains a big contender for the position.

The names of other possible contenders being tossed around include former Chief of Staff to President Mahama, Julius Debrah; an economist, Dr Nii Moi Thompson, Member of Parliament for Asunafo, Eric Opoku; and lately retired Police Commissioner, Nathan Kofi Boakye.

Mr Mahama, who is expected to announce his running mate later this month or early March, is facing intense lobbying from various power blocs within the party and interested stakeholders across the country.

But party insiders say the NDC flag bearer will most likely stick to the choice of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, a native of the Central Region, which has proven a decisive area in presidential elections.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s chances appear to have been boosted when the special aide to the flag bearer of the NDC, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, advocated the re-selection of a female running mate for her boss in the 2024 polls.

“The NDC has a constitution that stipulates the rights to who runs with any flag bearer at any given time, directing the decision of the flag bearer. I’m sure he has a whole gamut of individuals to choose from, and I have no doubt in my mind that Naana Opoku-Agyemang will still come up for enormous considerations,” Mrs Bawa Mogtari said at the launch of the Obaasima Academy in Accra.

Togbe Afede

But lead advocate for the Change Makers Forum, a group of professionals aligned to the centre-left political orientation seeking to affect leadership with advocacy, Ivan Tsidi Akrobortu, emphasised the seriousness and potential impact of the outcome of the NDC’s choice of running mate, and urged the flag bearer to go for the respected paramount chief.

For the group, Togbe Afede is a perfect choice for the NDC flag bearer who can bring his expertise in finance, economy, banking and entrepreneurship to bear on the country’s economic management.

“Togbe is ready to abdicate his stool in fulfilment of the constitutional requirement once he is selected as the running mate to the NDC flag bearer,” Mr Akrobortu said.

The group added that the running mate must be capable of navigating current and future challenges, avoiding a repeat of past economic struggles, and contributing to economic growth.

 The running mate, as a potential acting President, should have a strong bond with the flag bearer, capable of understanding the President’s mindset, providing honest feedback based on data and facts, and analysing government policies effectively.

Traditional authorities

Already, traditional authorities in the Asunafo South of the Ahafo Region have recommended their Member of Parliament, Eric Opoku, for the position.

But Mr Mahama had emphasised the significance of following a clear and structured procedure in selecting the most suitable individual to join him on the NDC ticket.

 In November last year when he met supporters of the party in the Bono East Region, Mr Mahama gave a hint that his running mate was likely to be someone who had served in his government as a minister and discharged his or her duties effectively.

He added that his running mate must be a humble person who had the interests of the people at heart.

The December 7 poll will pit Mr Mahama, who governed from 2012 to early 2017, against the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who holds the ticket for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

This is the fourth time Mr Mahama, who enjoys overwhelming support in the NDC, will run for the top job of the country, which is one of Africa’s most stable democracies.

He came second to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2016 and 2020.

Jubilee House

Analysts say the choice of a suitable running mate to the flag bearer is crucial to the success of the opposition party’s ride to the Jubilee House, the seat of government.

The role of a running mate is pivotal; it extends beyond the ceremonial to the strategic, potentially shaping the electoral landscape of the country.

For many, the current economic challenges have made the opposition NDC attractive and the party has enjoyed a smooth campaign so far.

The upcoming presidential vote is expected to be keenly contested.

No party has ever won more than two consecutive terms, and the country is in the grip of an economic crisis that has driven up the cost of living and caused the cedi to tumble.

Mr Mahama, the then Vice-President, came to power in July 2012, replacing President John Atta Mills who died in office.

He won the election later that year.

He has been seeking the opportunity for a second and final term since 2016.

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The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has opposed the proposal for the general elections to be held in November 2024.

He explained that the proposed change of date for the general elections is not feasible as the Electoral Commission has not exhibited its preparedness.

“We in the NDC do not find the proposal of a change in date from December to November as feasible nor helpful and we will not be supporting same as we do not believe that this is being proposed in good faith”, he said while addressing a Minority Caucus workshop at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho.

Mr. Mahama explained that failure to table this year’s election calendar as of February 2024 and the fallouts of the December 2023 District Level Elections indicate the Commission is not ready for the constitutional exercise in November, instead of December 2024.

“Over a month into the election year, something as basic as the calendar of activities for the year has not yet been prepared by the Electoral Commission”, he lamented.

He urged the Commission to organize its house to ensure a credible, fair, and transparent elections in December as has been done since the inception of the 4th Republic.

This he said would avert unfortunate incidents such as the logistical shortfalls seen in the District Level Elections in December 2023.

Mr. Mahama asserted that the move to change the date for the general elections is part of a grand scheme being deployed by the government to rig the elections in favor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He said the governing party is sensing the clamour by the Ghanaian citizenry for a change of government hence adopting strategies to “undermine the credibility of the elections”.

Former President John Mahama says no member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) can be exonerated from Ghana’s present economic challenges.

According to him, all those who contributed to the country’s current situation are now trying to distance themselves from the mess.

Speaking during a town hall meeting in Tamale as part of his “Building Ghana Tour” on Thursday, the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) said that people are now claiming they were not given the authority to implement solutions to the economic challenges.

“All of them they inside, Jack Toronto and all his small brothers are part of the mess that we are going through.

“None of them can escape responsibility, none of them because they have all been a part of this. They all sat in cabinet together, they all took those decisions together. Anytime they were going to borrow from the Eurobond market, they approved it in Cabinet.

“They sat in cabinet and approved it. In six years, you went and borrowed 13.5 billion dollars and you did nothing with it so today, you can’t come and tell us you are not part of it,” he said.

Mr Mahama maintained that all NPP members are accountable for the economic challenges facing the country, and Ghanaians will hold them responsible for the hardship and debts incurred.

He assured that the next NDC administration if voted in the upcoming 2024 general elections, will work to turn around the economy.

“They must go home and learn their lessons. NDC is coming back by winning this election and we have the men and women that are going to restore this country’s economy and finances to a healthy condition,” he said.

The NDC flagbearer for the 2024 elections emphasised that the NPP administration inherited a thriving economy and criticised Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiah for attempting to avoid responsibility for his role in the economic management.

“You inherited an economy that was doing well; it is you, by your mismanagement, your clueless Finance Minister, and your clueless head of the Economic Management Team who now want to run away from economic issues to become the champion of digitalisation; it is they who have created this mess,” Mr Mahama stressed.

He refuted the NPP’s claim that the country is turning the corner, stating that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has declared Ghana’s debt as unsustainable and in a distress situation.

“The good thing that our friends in the NPP have is that they know how to talk, they are very good talkers, they are good at sowing propaganda and they believe that at any time they can talk and convince the good people of Ghana.

“But we are wiser now, all the things they did, the promises they made, they have not kept even one of them,” he said.