Kyebi Apapam (E/R), Oct. 16, GNA – Nana Mbiah I, Mponuanohene of Akyem Abuakwa State, has appealed to the country’s security agencies to collectively help in ensuring free, fair and violent-free elections in December. He tasked the Ghana Immigration Service, in particular, to be vigilant and prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country, to make Election 2012 peaceful. Nana Mbiah made the call at a durbar to climax a two-week Ohum festival of the chiefs and people of Kyebi Apapam, at the weekend. Nana Mbiah cautioned chiefs, assembly members and other people, who were selling Okyeman lands without proper documentation, to stop the practice. The chief, said as part of his traditional role, he inspected boundaries of stool lands at Adoagyiri, Ntoaso, Sakyikrom, Fankyenekor, Anoff, Duayeden-Nyanaoase, Kofi Kwei, Danso, Djafoakwah, Akroso, Osebo, Nwanta and Esuso, all in the Akyem Abuakwa State. He appealed to the Police to check sand winning, which had destroyed land at Teacher Mante, Govinakrom, Pampamso, Krokese, Kofi Kwei, Obregyima, Anoff and Adoagyiri, also in the area. He commended the media for reporting on socio-economic activities in the Akyem Abuakwa State. GNA...
Nsawam (E/R), Oct. 16, GNA – Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, former Eastern Regional Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been elected as the Nsawam/Adoagyiri Parliamentary Candidate for the NPP. He polled 366 votes to beat Lawyer Seth Wiafe Danquah who had 116 votes at the primaries held on Sunday. Mr Annoh-Dompreh in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after the election, said when given the nod he would ensure that all children of school-going age are enrolled to support the free SHS vision of the Flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. He called on the executive members of the party to take the campaign more seriously by highlighting on the free education policy to woo supporters for the party. He appealed to the people in the area to vote massively for him and Nana Akufo-Addo so as to develop the newly created constituency. Mr Charles Dokyi Kesse, NPP Chairman for Nsawam/Adoagyiri, commended the constituency executives for the peaceful manner the election was conducted and asked supporters of the party to take the same steps during the December 2012 Election. Alhaji Ismail Zakariya, NPP Aburi-Nsawam Constituency Secretary, said there was the need for unity among the supporters of the victor and the loser saying the NPP is one party and all should come together to ensure victory. GNA...
Pusiga(UE) , Oct 16, GNA - Assembly Members for the Pusiga District Assembly in the Upper East Region on Tuesday confirmed Mr Abugbila Awuni Alhassan , the President’s nomine as the District Chief Executive(DCE) for the area. The endorsement which was conducted by the Electoral Commission, did not last more than 10 minutes and saw all the 21 assembly members confirming the President’s nominee. Swearing the new DCE into office, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo said he was highly impressed about the overwhelming endorsement of the DCE and said it demonstrated unity among the Assemblymen in the house and entreated them to give him maximum cooperation to steer the affairs of the area. He also admonished the DCE to run an open door policy` and not to discriminate, stressing "welcome and listen to everybody irrespective of their political affiliations”. Mr Woyongo indicated that the creation of the new districts would bring governance and development to the doorsteps of the people because it would have its own resources including the District Assemblies Common Fund, District Development Facility, among others to develop on its own instead of relying on the Bawku Municipal Assembly. “One thousand Ghana Cedis had already been paid into your account to start operation and more will follow. All these will be translated to the development of your District. It took a lot of lobbying and efforts for this dream to be realized. You must therefore work in unity to ensure development”, the Minister stressed. He promised the newly created Assembly of 100 poles of Streetlights and Public Address Systems and impressed upon the people in the area to vote the National Democratic Congress to power to continue with its good work. The DCE-elect commended the Assembly members for the confidence reposed in him and entreated them to eschew all negative tendencies that usually drew the development of most districts backwards. In the Upper East Region the four newly created Districts are Pusiga, Binduri, Builsa South and the Nabdam Districts. GNA...
Accra, Oct 16, GNA – Madam Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, Executive Director, ARK Foundation on Tuesday called on the mass media to promote the “Grandmothers Speak for Peace Documentary" as part of their corporate social responsibility towards a peaceful general election in Accra. She made the call at the media launch of a 15-minute documentary featuring 20 grandmothers whose ages range from 59 to 89 years sharing their views on the importance and benefits of peace before, during and after the December polls. Madam Dwamena-Aboagye said the documentary which was an initiative of the ARK Foundation was aimed at creating a platform for grandmothers to add their voices to the call for peaceful elections and to sensitize the general public on the dangers of conflict and wars. Mrs. Margaret Kutsoasi, a grandmother who launched and featured on the documentary said that some of them had experienced wars and that “it was not a pleasant experience”. The grandmothers said: “We could not sit unconcerned in this crucial period of our democratic development and allow our sons to destroy the country just for political power....our sons and grandchildren must give peace a chance in their campaign”. The messages on the “Grandmothers Speak for Peace Documentary,” cautioned politicians not to kill the very people they want to help with their words, actions, and guns. They also called on all to be patriotic, peace makers and peace keepers before, during and after the December polls. The documentary is being funded by STAR-Ghana a multi- donor pooled funding mechanism (Funded by DFID, DANIDA, EU and USAID) to increase the influence of civil society for a peaceful election. GNA...
Anum-Apam-Nuamakrom (E/R), Oct. 16, GNA – Barimah Nuamah Larbi Asare III, Chief of Nuamakrom, a suburb of Anum-Apapam in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region has urged the youth to endeavour to take their education serious. He said education is the key to national development and the surest way for them to become useful citizens, adding that, “it would also help you to get a better job or employment. Barimah Larbi Asare gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Anum-Apapm-Nuamakrom after he had been enstooled as chief of Nuamakrom, at the weekend. The Chief, who is also the Executive Director of Black Ark Mining Company in Accra, succeeded his late elder brother Nana Kwabena Nuamah II, who died last year. He called on the government to reconsider registering all small-scale miners to enable the youth in the mining areas to have jobs to prevent them from engaging in illegal mining (galamsey). Barimah Larbi Asare said his company had employed over 50 youth in the area. He swore the oath of allegiance to Barimah Amarko Darko Ampem, Kyebi Gyaasehene and the Krotihene of Kyebi Apapam, Baffour Ansah and the people of Nuamakrom. GNA...
Accra, Oct. 16, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday said government have achieved tremendous gains towards strengthening the local government and decentralization sector since assumption of office in 2009. He said the party in its 2008 Manifesto promised to strengthen the sub-district structures, which has been fulfilled by the passage of Legislative Instrument 1967, changing the Unit Committee from a geographical to a functional concept. The Unit Committees jurisdiction has now been made coterminous with that of the electoral area, and reduced the membership from 15 to five. “We promised to hold a National Stakeholder Conference on Decentralization to drive the decentralization programme. “We have done that, which culminated in the Decentralization Policy Framework and the National Decentralization Action Plan, which were launched in November 2010,” he said. President Mahama outlined the NDC government’s achievement in the local government and decentralisation sector in a speech read on his behalf, during the launch of Best Local Governance and Decentralization Journalist of the Year Award Scheme in Accra. The Award scheme was also to whip-up the interest of Ghanaian Journalists in the area, to raise awareness among the populace on issues about decentralization. President Mahama said the promise to strengthen and provide logistics for Assembly Members had also been kept by the provision of over 9000 motor bikes and 170 four wheel station wagons to all Assembly Members and an orientation programme for all of them. The President said the NDC government had also fulfilled the promise to publish the resources transferred from the Central Government to the District Assemblies. He said this publication in the newspapers has enhanced transparency and created means for more effective monitoring mechanism of the annual allocations to both District Assemblies Common Fund and the District Development facility, among several others. Mr Ben Hagan, Secretary to the Cabinet, who chaired the function, said the Award Scheme would further serve as a form of motivation to journalists in the country in their quest to educate and inform the public and highlight various efforts that were being made by stakeholders to achieve the objectives set out in the policy and the Action Plan. Mr Blight Blewu, General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) congratulated the IMCC for the foresight and urged journalists to take advantage of the scheme to achieve the goal. The Award Scheme was initiated by the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralization (IMCC) to encourage and acknowledge Ghanaian journalists to report on issues concerning decentralization and local governance in the country. The scheme, “Best Journalist in Local Governance and decentralization Reporting” would be an annual event incorporated into the GJA annual awards and would follow the laid down policy and procedure of the GJA. For the first year, the winner would receive a television set, a laptop, an internet modem and a cash prize of GHC2,000, which would be reviewed periodically. The IMCC with membership from the Ministries of Local government and Rural Development; Food and Agriculture; Health; Education, Justice and Attorney General, among others, was composed by Government to pursue the agenda of the New Decentralization Policy and Framework and the new National Decentralization action Plan launched in November, 2010. The policy sought, among other things, to provide conceptual clarity on what decentralization means within Ghanaian context. It also provided guidelines on the concepts of local level democracy and development. GNA...
Accra, Oct. 16, GNA - Mr Claude Maerten, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Ghana, on Tuesday said the Union would not monitor the December 2012 general elections. The Union has observed that Ghana has developed internal structures and has the capacity to organize free, fair, transparent and credible elections without the monitoring of the international community. He also noted that due to the maturity of the nation’s electoral processes, institutionalization of democratic structures and cooperation among the political parties Election 2012 would as usual be peaceful and successful. Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Mr Maerten said the Union is however providing technical assistance to the Electoral Commission for the discharge of its duties. “Ghana has come a long way in the organization of its elections and I believe it can be done again”, he said. The Union used the occasion to express its appreciation to the Norwegian Nobel Committee for its decision to award the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize to the EU as a body for its advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe and the rest of the world. “We thank the Norwegian Nobel Committee for acknowledging the EU’s most important results: the successful struggle for peace and reconciliation and democracy and human rights”, he said. He said the Union had played a major role in transforming Europe from a continent of war in the olden days to a continent of peace and stability. Mr Maerten, who is also the French ambassador to Ghana, intimated Ghana and the rest of Africa could only develop if they could concentrate on peace building. He pledged the commitment of the EU delegation to Ghana towards helping to promote peace, rule of law and prosperity in Ghana. Present at the ceremony were the Ambassadors of Spain, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, Germany and the Czech Republic. GNA...
Nkroful (W/R), Oct. 16, GNA – The people of Ellembelle constituency in the Western Region, have been asked not be swayed by rumours, calculated to destroy the image of Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, a Deputy Minister for Energy and Member of Parliament (MP) for the area. Mr. Daniel Adea-Kaku, National Democratic Congress (NDC) propaganda Secretary for Asasetre Zone in Ellembelle, made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), at Nkroful. He said democracy in Ghana has advanced, and politics of blatant fabrications to dint the character of political opponents to win votes, must be strongly condemned. Mr Adea-Kaku appealed to the people to vote massively to retain Mr. Buah in Parliament, in the December polls, because he has worked hard to bring development to the constituency. Earlier, a group demonstrated to express its displeasure over allegation by political opponents of the MP that he had an affair with a married woman. They group said it was a desperate attempt by some politicians to blemish the character of the MP. GNA...
Bekwai (Ash), Oct. 15, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Aaron Ofei, has appealed to Ghanaians to accept to voluntarily donate blood to help prevent avoidable deaths. He said the availability of safe blood at the health facilities held the key to achieving the millennium development goals (MDGs) on health saying it would significantly assist in reducing maternal deaths, save anaemic children and accident victims. Dr Ofei said this at the launch of the 33rd national health week celebration of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Medical Students Association at Asante-Bekwai. The event provided the platform to rally people in the Municipality to give blood in support of the hospitals. The response was quite encouraging as 40 among the gathering readily donated their blood and there was also free medical screening while others were given medication. Those, whose cases were complicated, were referred to the Bekwai Government Hospital and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for further checks and treatment. Mr Noah Asante Manu, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said there was the need to intensify the blood donation campaign to bring on board more voluntary donors. He said people must appreciate to donate blood as service to humanity and they must do this without expecting anything in return. Dr Nana Yaw Manu, Medical Superintendent of the Bekwai Hospital, said it was not true that blood received from donors is sold to patients. He said the stipend collected by the facilities is only to take care of its treatment and screening to ensure safety. Mr Cephas Avoka, Vice President of the Federation of Ghana Medical Students Association (FGMSA), said as part of activities marking the week, there would be outreach programmes in all the districts across the nation to convince people to donate blood. GNA...
Kumasi, Oct 15, GNA – The youth have been urged to uphold peace and avoid doing anything that could mar the upcoming December 7 general elections. Mr Opoku Agyeman Prempeh, Executive Director of Centre for Moral Education (CEMED), said the youth should be inspired by the recent meeting between former President Jerry John Rawlings and Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), to be tolerant of each other, regardless of ethnic, religious or political affiliation. He said the historic meeting should send strong message to all about their concern for the unity and stability of the nation. This must not be missed on the youth, who are the country’s future. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi, Mr Opoku Agyeman said the youth needed to accept responsibility and ensured that the nation had successful polls. Again, he said the youth have to conduct themselves well and refuse to allow themselves to be manipulated by anybody out there to cause mischief and confusion. Under no circumstance, he said, should they yield to overtures from self-serving politicians to commit acts that could jeopardize the country’s future. He repeated the resolve of his organization to continue working hard to educate and inculcate in the young people good moral values to enable them grow into responsible adults. GNA...
Accra, Oct.15, GNA - Mohammed Abu, unemployed, who allegedly collected sums of money totaling GH¢ 13,150 from some people, under the pretence of enlisting them into the Police Service, was on Monday remanded by a circuit court in Accra. He was believed to have introduced himself to traders, security guards and shop owners in Accra as a senior Police officer with the responsibility of enlisting people into the Police Service. Abu was charged with falsely pretending to be a public officer, six counts of defrauding by false pretences and three counts of fictitious trading, contrary to section 135 of Act 1960/29. He pleaded not guilty and would re-appear before court on October 24, 2012. Chief Inspector Charles Chester told the court presided over by Mrs Patience Mills-Tetteh that said the complainants were traders and private security officers. He said the accused introduced himself to his victims as a Deputy Superintendent of Police, working at the third floor of the Police Headquarters, and was tasked to recruit drivers into the Police service. Chief Insp Chester said in June 2012, the accused collected GH¢ 3,100, GH¢ 3,170, GH¢ 1,200, GH¢ 1,000, and GH¢ 400 from Mohammed Yussif, Moses Anibaturo Nabare, Ishmael Dadzie, Robert Dadzie and Isaac Golightly respectively to recruit them into the Police service. The prosecution said the accused also collected from the victims two passport sized photographs each, photocopies of driver’s licenses, educational certificates and result slips. Chief Insp. Chester said the accused approached Bernard Tetteh, a security officer, at the Judicial Service and collected GH¢ 400 to auction a motor bike for him from the Police Headquarters. The prosecution said the accused also introduced himself to other victims as Chief Inspector Adams stationed at the Visa Fraud Unit, Police Headquarters, and collected three Sony digital cameras each from Isaac Golightly and Kojo Asante Danso valued at GH¢ 1,450 and GH¢ 1,200. Chief Insp. Chester said the accused collected a camera and two Samsung mobile phones from Splendy Okla valued at GH¢610 and promised that the unit Commander would give him money for payment. The prosecution said Abu after committing the various crimes went into hiding at “One Stone” Guest House at Tabora, a suburb of Accra. Chief Insp. Chester said on October 9, 2012 at about 18hours, the accused was spotted at graphic road, Accra, by the complainants and they immediately arrested Abu and handed him over to the Police. The prosecution said when a search was conducted on the accused at the Police station, a recruitment application form with serial number NOROO7O1711 bearing the name Aminu Mohammed, two mobile phones, GH¢ 620 and a toy pistol. He said a further search by the Police at the “One Stone” Guest House room where he was lodging, revealed eight copies of recruitment form with the same serial number NOROO7O1711 on them, 13 blank Police extract forms, three copies of birth certificates, copies of testimonial, copies of results slips and educational certificates of the applicants. The prosecution copies of dismissal letters of two Policemen namely Constable Seth Quaye and Constable Stephen Baffoe as well as three passport size photographs of prospective applicants were also found. GNA...
Accra, Oct.15, GNA – The National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture on Monday announced the Minimum Guaranteed Price for rice, maize and soya beans for the 2012-13 crop seasons. The farm gate price for an 85-kilogramme bag of paddy rice is GH¢ 50.00 whiles the price for a 100-kilogramme of maize was GH¢ 60.00. Mr Eric Osei Owusu, NAFCO Chief Executive Officer who made the announcement in Accra, added that the farm gate price for a 100-kilogramme bag of soya bean had been pegged at GH60.00. The price is a little bit lower than the 2011-12 crop season for soya bean which was GH¢ 70.00. Mr Owusu explained that the price differential for soya bean over the previous years was due to better farming practices that were implemented by the farmers during the planting season. He said the practices included improved seeds and fertilizer application. Mr Owusu explained that the Company had focused on the three crops (rice, maize and soya bean) due its contribution to Ghana’s food security and nutrition. He said as NAFCO matured, it would include other staple food crops to the existing portfolio. The Minimum Guaranteed Prices are considered by the Post-Harvest Committee and approved by the Board of NAFCO which the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, serves as the Chairman. For the 2011-12 crop seasons, the farm gate prices were: GH ¢40.00 for paddy rice (85 kilogrammes), GH ¢50.00 for maize (100 kilogrammes) and GH¢70 for soya bean (100 kilogrammes). GNA...
Accra, Oct. 15, GNA – Mr Richard Koranteng and Mr Stephen Mintah, both students were at the weekend, adjudged joint first prize winners in the Western Union Back to School Promotion that spanned from 3rd to 30th of September 2012. For their prize they each received GH¢ 2,000.00. The second prize of GHC¢ 1,000.00 was awarded to Ms Comfort Dei and Ms Elizabeth Yaa Boadiwaa, whiles the third prize of GH¢ 500.00 was given to Mr Kevin Asare and mr Matthew Ogbonu, all loyal customers of the Western Union. Other customers were given consolation prizes. The Western Union one of the leaders in global money transfer business across the globe had over the years rewarded millions of customers with exciting promotions in Ghana and other African countries. The promotion had become an annual flagship held with the aim of supporting basic education. Customers were given the chance to be part of the over 95 lucky customers to share in the GH¢ 25,000.00 scholarship prize by filling out coupons which were later entered into a draw. The draw was held in both the northern and southern sectors and 96 customers were selected. GNA...
Koforidua, Oct. 15, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Eastern Region on Sunday organized parliamentary primaries in all the five newly created constituencies to elect candidates to contest the December polls. At the Akyem Oda Constituency, Mr William Kwaito Agyapong, emerged winner after defeating two other candidates, Mr Larry Kwaku Attafuah, who polled 68 votes and Mr Kofi Diawuo who obtained 14 votes. Ms Abena Osei Asare was elected to contest the Atiwa East Constituency after obtaining 155 votes to defeat two men, Mr Ernest Adade who got 77 votes and Mr Kwabena Nkansah who managed to get 78 votes. At the Fanteakwa Constituency, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Kwabena Amankwah Asiamah, polled 326 votes to defeat Mr Kofi Asare Lartey, former Constituency Chairman of the party, who got 249 votes. The MP had lost an initial primary to Mr Kofi Agyekum Arafat early this year who is now contesting at Fanteakwa West. At Akyem Swedru, Mr Kennedy Osei Nyarko, was elected by popular acclamation as he was the only who person who filled his nomination to contest. The Eastern Regional Youth Organizer of the NPP, Mr Frank Annor Dompreh, obtained 366 votes to defeat former MP, Mr Seth Wiafe Dankwa, who polled 116 votes to contest the Nsawam-Addoagyiri seat. After the elections, all the defeated candidates pledged their support to the elected candidates to ensure that they win the seats for the party come December. The Eastern Regional first deputy regional chairman of the party, Alhaji Omar Bodinga, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), congratulated all the candidates and urged them to work hard to bring glory to the party in this year’s general election. He also commended the defeated candidates for showing high sense of democratic maturity and urged them to make themselves available during the campaign to ensure that the NPP wins all the newly created seats in the region. GNA...
Accra, Oct. 15, GNA - A proponent of the Akuafo Cheque system under which farmers are paid with a special cheque for the purchase of cocoa has thrown his weight behind the demand of cocoa farmers that the payment system in its original form should be brought back. In a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday, Dr Michael Gbordzoe, who said he and three others submitted proposals for the Akuafo Cheque system to the erstwhile Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), defended the merits of the system in its original form and said the gains must not be lost. "The significant advantages that the farmers have gained through the Akuafo Cheque payment system should be defended and not thrown away," he said. The Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Shea-nut Farmers Association should do everything legally possible to exert pressure on the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the current Government to put measures in place now to entrench the original Akuafo Cheque payment system to the advantage of the farmers and the nation Ghana and not allow this to be manipulated by the Licensed Buying Companies. Dr Gbordzoe said the rationale behind the introduction of the Akuafo Cheque payment system included the failure or inability of COCOBOD to pay the cocoa farmers for cocoa and the acute liquidity problems prevailing at the time leading to the withdrawal of the 50 cedi notes from circulation. "Even if the PNDC could mobilize funds from any sources at that time to pay the farmers for their produce, the banks would be left with serious and acute-to-chronic liquidity problems if the COCOBOD were to embark on cash payments." If cash payments were effected, most farmers would put their sums of money 'under their pillows' or elsewhere at home and would not necessarily or willingly go to banks to save their money. Farmers are now being paid in cash and with the Akuafo Cheque system. Dr Gbordzoe said paying through the cheque system implied also creating savings accounts for the farmers, preferably with the Agricultural Development Bank or other Ghanaian-owned banks, with long term advantages for the farmers and the banks. "The farmers' cheque payment system would also contribute in a way to the capitalization efforts of the banks since the farmers would not normally withdraw all their monies from the bank within a short period of time," he said. The system was also to eliminate the tremendous influence of middlemen associated with cash payments by buying agents leading to the farmers getting less net earnings for their produce. Dr Gbordzoe said most of these factors were still relevant today, especially liquidity factors, net earnings for the farmers for their produce, reduction of the influence of middle men associated with local or foreign controlled Buying Agents or Companies, and speculation on the commodities associated with cash-flows. GNA...
Kumasi, Oct. 15, GNA – Government would roll out appropriate social pension schemes to provide income security for those who are unable to contribute to any social security schemes. Mr Moses Asaga, Minster of Employment and Social Welfare, who made this known at the weekend, said the scheme would be implemented side by side with strengthening of existing social security schemes. He was speaking at the Third Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the SSNIT National Pensioners Association (NPA) held in Kumasi. Mr Asaga gave the assurance that the Government would pursue a national development agenda that prioritises the realization of citizens’ rights and entitlements and which enhances Ghana’s democratic development. “As a Government that believes in social democracy, issues relating to the creation of a solid protection floor for working people are a core focus for us”, he said. “Promoting decent work and enhancing social protection schemes is consequently very high on the development agenda of my ministry.” Mr Asaga said the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare was currently engaged with the Ghana Health Service to mainstream services for the elderly into the Health Delivery System at the community level. “The engagement is also looking at the best ways of integrating nutrition issues of the elderly into the programme of work of the Ghana Health Service”, he added. Mr Edward Ameyibor, General Secretary of SSNIT NPA, said the Conference was organized to provide the platform for more pensioners to get involved in decision-making process of the Association and to make the activities of the Association more visible in the regions. The participants adopted a 15 bullet-point resolution aimed at improving the welfare of its matters. The resolutions included the establishment of a Charity Fund by the National Executive Committee to assist pensioners in emergency medical situations. “The NPA intends to pursue these demands vigorously with the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning”, it said. The resolution also said “the NPA looks forward to consolidating our relationship with the Public Services Workers Union and HelpAge Ghana, to whom we are affiliated, so that together we fight for a life of dignity for older persons and pensioners.” “NPA appeals to the Trades Union Congress to support genuine demands for pensioners under the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) scheme and to always add their voices to our concerns”, it said. It said the “NPA appeals to the government to consider allocating money from the Consolidated Fund to cushion the meagre monthly allowances of SSNIT pensioners, as being enjoyed by Ghana Government Pensioners (Cap30)”. The resolution said that the NPA believed that the issue of corruption in the public service could be effectively tackled through adequate, secured and more rewarding pensions and called on political parties to cool down the political temperature. The resolution urged the parties to place issues of old people and pensioners high in their manifestoes and address how their lots could be improved. GNA...
Accra, Oct. 15, GNA – The Electoral Commission (EC) on Monday set-out acts and inactions that may constitute electoral offences in Election 2012 and called on the political parties and other democratic stakeholders to respect the laws or face the consequences. The offences include: to make or publish, by written or spoken word or by song, a false statement about the personal character of another candidate or the conduct of a political party; and to excite enmity against a person, group of persons, or political party on grounds of religious, ethnic, professional, regional, or political affiliation. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, the EC Chairman, explained that a careful examination of the offences indicated that an election official, a polling agent, a party official, a candidate, a voter, or any member of the general public could commit an election offence. “To give or receive money or something of value as a means of inducing a person to vote, or not to vote, in a certain way; to use or threaten to use force or violence against a person or group of persons; and to inflict or threaten to inflict physical or spiritual injury or harm on a person. “A person found guilty of an election offence may be fined or imprisoned or both. For some offences, a person may also be qualified from voting in subsequent elections or from holding public office,” he stated. Sanctions includes a fine not exceeding 500 penalty units; or imprisonment not exceeding two years; or both fine and imprisonment; and five year disqualification. A list of the Election 2012 offences obtained by the GNA indicates that to organize or train a group of persons in the use of force or violence for election purposes, to compel or induce a candidate to withdraw his or her candidature; and to canvass for votes or seek to find out how a person intends to vote within 500 metres of a polling station. To remove any notice lawfully exhibited in connection with an election; to intentionally destroy a ballot paper or any form related to an election; to impede, or prevent a voter from freely exercising his or her right to vote as an offence; and to take to a polling station anything that reveals the candidate or party you intend to vote for. Others are to forge, print or be in possession of a ballot paper without lawful authority; to tamper, or attempt to tamper, in any way with the contents of a ballot box; to misconduct yourself as an election official; and to impede, or prevent a voter from freely exercising his/her right to vote. To force somebody to vote in a particular way; to put anything other than a ballot paper into a ballot box when an election is in progress; to vote in the name of another person-living, dead or fictitious; and to vote or attempt to vote if you are not qualified to do so. To attempt to vote before the poll officially opens, or after it closes; to have your name in the voter’s register of more than one polling station. GNA...
Accra, Oct. 15, GNA – The Supreme Court will on October 19th deliver judgment in the case in which a businessman is challenging the authority of the Electoral Commission (EC) to create 45 new constituencies. The Court on Monday gave respective counsels the opportunity to argue their cases out. Mr Godfred Yeboah–Dame told the court that the EC owed Ghanaians the explanation as to why they did not publish the modalities and criteria for the creation of the 45 new constituencies. According to Mr Yeboah–Dame, the creation of the constituencies was not a simple matter, adding there were certain guidelines the EC should have followed. “The EC could have come out to tell us the reason for which a particular constituency was divided. It only went ahead to publish the list of the 45 new constituencies, but declined to give reasons for which they arrived at that decision,” he said. Mr James Quarshie-Idun, who represented the EC, noted that although Article 47 of the constitution spelt out the modalities to be used in demarcations, Article 48 remedy the issues concerning demarcations. According to him, a party aggrieved over the demarcation would have to appeal to a three member panel set up by the Chief Justice. Mr Cecil Adadevoh, who represented the Attorney General and Mr David Annan, who acted as a friend of the court relied on their statements of case. The court presided over by Mr Justice William Atuguba had other Justices on the panel to include Ms Rose Owusu, Ms Sophia Adinyira, Professor Dateh Baah, Mr Anin Yeboah, Mrs Vida Akoto Bamfo and Mr Sule Gbadegbe. Mr Ransford Frances and his lawyers are praying the Supreme Court to declare the Constitutional Instrument 78 as unconstitutional and therefore null and void. This was after the court had dismissed a writ for an interlocutory injunction filed by lawyers of the plaintiff seeking to prevent Parliament from passing the C.I. 78 that was intended to give legal backing to the creation of the 45 new constituencies. The businessman was challenging the power of the EC to go ahead with the creation of new constituencies without first laying it before Parliament, a Constitutional Instrument indicating clearly the mechanism, formula or modalities by which it intended to undertake that exercise. On July 16 this year, the plaintiff proceeded to the SC praying it to perpetually restrain the EC from laying before Parliament any Constitutional Instrument creating new constituencies or revoking the Representation of the People (Parliamentary Constituencies) Instrument, 2004 [C.I. 46], until it lays before Parliament a Constitutional Instrument which clearly sets out the processes to be adopted by the EC. GNA...
Akyawkrom (Ash), Oct 15, GNA – The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has elected Madam Ama Pomaa Boateng as it parliamentary candidate for the newly created Juaben Constituency. She polled 155 votes to beat off the challenge from her four other contestants at the party’s delegates congress held at Akyawkrom. They included Stephen Agyei Wiredu, who had 36 votes, Francis Owusu, 82, Madam Abena Pokuaa, 67, and Alexander Oworae, three votes. Madam Pomaa Boateng pledged to work together with the members and supporters to deliver the seat to the NPP on December 7. She said she was not going to disappoint them and that their target was not just to win but achieve that by a wider vote margin. Mr Fredrick Fredua Anto, the Ashanti Regional Chairman, called on the party’s loyalists to intensify their electioneering campaign to ensure massive victory. He described the performance of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in government as abysmal and urged Ghanaians to vote it out. He said it was worrying that social interventions introduced by the Kufuor Administration were all now in a mess and near collapse. He mentioned among these interventions - the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Capitation Grant, free maternal health care, free busing of school children, the cocoa mass spraying and fertilizers. Political parties, he said, are elected into power to provide social services and make life better for the people, but this had been lacking over the last four years. That was why the electorate must vote for change. Those who were defeated promised to stand with Madam Boateng every step of the way to bring victory to the NPP. GNA...
Abesim (B/A) Oct. 15, GNA – Barimah Kumi Acheaw II, Chief of Abesim in the Sunyani Municipality at the weekend advised the youth to be more discerning in order not to sell their conscience to politicians for monetary gains. He entreated them to rather concentrate on how they could use their exuberances healthily and obtained better jobs to fend for themselves and their families. Addressing thousands of enthusiastic New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters at the official launching of the Sunyani East Constituency campaign at Abesim, near Sunyani, Barimah Acheaw II asked the youth to think about their future and vote wisely. He alerted them that some selfish politicians would approach and entice them with monies and gifts ostensibly to use them as a tool to foment trouble. Barimah Acheaw II, who is the Kyidomhene of Dormaa Traditional Council, told the youth to remember what they had gone through for the past years and boldly ignore politicians who might use them to cause confusion. “These politicians will have nothing good to offer you and if you allow them to sway your minds for their individuals political ambitions you will definitely suffer the consequences at the long run”, he stated. Barimah Acheaw commended Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani East for putting the Abesim main lorry park in a good shape. He said though traditional rulers were barred from engaging in active partisan politics, the Abesim traditional area would not hesitate to support politicians whose agenda was to facilitate accelerated national development. Mr. Kwame Osei Prempeh, MP for Nsuta Kwamang noted with concern that the bane of Ghana’s democratic governance was vote buying. He said because the government could not fulfill its 2008 utopian campaign promises, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would deliberately approach the electorate with monies and other juicy items to win their votes. “Those monies are state resources so you can take them but make sure it does not influence your voting pattern”, he told the ecstatic supporters. Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh said when the NDC came to power in 2009 there was not a single school in the Municipality, which held classes under trees because of the massive infrastructural development in schools during the eight-year NPP administration under former President Kufuor. The MP for the area advised the constituents to retain him come December 7th to enable him complete on-going projects in the area. Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, former MP for Sunyani West, Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin South, Mr. Kofi Jumah, MP for Asokwa and Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah MP for Afigya Sekyere took turns to address the crowd. Their messages were all centered on the NPP’s implementation of the free Senior High School education. Mr. Adu Asare, Sunyani East Constituency Chairman of the NPP, advised supporters of the party to conduct themselves well and guard against inflammatory statements that could mar the elections. GNA...
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