The Leader and Founder of Overcomers Royal Ministry Worldwide at Abrepo-Bronikrom in the Bantama Constituency of the Ashanti Region, Prophet Dr. Eric Osei Frimpong, has advised the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, not to amend the 1992 Constitution to enable him to serve another term.
He believes that any attempt to do that could plunge the nation into chaos, leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties.
Prophet Dr. Eric Osei Frimpong
Prophet Dr. Frimpong gave the advice in an interview during the Christmas celebration.
According to him, having served a first four-year term already, Mr Mahama should just concentrate on his second term alone and leave the political scene.
He (John Mahama), after his second term, could offer technical support to young politicians.
Prophet Dr. Frimpong said with the overwhelming majority in Parliament empowering him (Mahama) to take bold decisions of his wish without the interference of the opposition, he should be careful and focus on how to meet the expectations of the people and nothing else.
Besides, he advised the new government strongly against politics of convenience that undermines the principles of democracy.
“Mr. Mahama should resist all actions that could jeopardise democratic growth, emphasising the need to preserve the dignity and respect for him (Mahama), having previously served his people well,” he stressed.
On the Christmas celebration, Prophet Dr. Frimpong said the year 2025 could be good and prosperous only if Ghanaians adopted principles of hard work and honesty in their homes, workplaces, churches, among other places.
He said no government would ever put food on the table of any Ghanaian except “you work hard to get your daily meals.”
Prophet Dr. Frimpong said he is not a prophet of doom; his prophecies are directed by God.
He said things would be tough for the new John Dramani Mahama in the first two years but things would be better later.
He continued, “We should all put our political differences aside and rally behind the new government for the sake of peace and development.”
He finally prophesied that prominent persons would lose their lives in the year 2025; hence, we must pray harder for God’s interventions.
The Head Pastor of the Caravan of Prayer Outreach Ministry at Gyinyase in the Asokwa Constituency of the Ashanti Region, Apostle Johnson Ackah Braimah, has bemoaned the violence and turmoil that broke out after the 2024 general election.
According to him, it needs to be addressed with immediate effect to ensure the needed peace in the country.
He said such actions are unacceptable and go against the ultimate values of peace, unity and respect for life.
Apostle Ackah Braimah
Apostle Braimah told this paper that the need for Ghanaians to help preserve peace that has been the defining feature of the country’s democratic processes cannot be overemphasised. The advice has come after Ghana had democratically elected a new President, but there have been reports of seizing state properties by the allies and sympathisers of the incoming government.
He explained that using violence and destruction to express political disapproval damages society’s most vulnerable citizens and also threatens democracy.
According to Apostle Braimah, the role of leaders goes beyond seeking power. “It involves guiding your followers with wisdom, promoting peace and ensuring the well-being of every Ghanaian,” he added.
He said in order to maintain justice and safeguard peace, the security agencies must be firm in their action against troublemakers and treat them like criminals, regardless of their political affiliations.
He said the newly elected government needed a sound mind to work for the interest of the nation and any attempt to thwart its plans must seriously be uprooted.
In his special Christmas message, Apostle Braimah urged all Ghanaians to make the celebration Christ-centred but not a funfair.
“The season is a time for spiritual renewal and joyful anticipation as well as a period to reflect on Christ’s hope, peace and promise of reconciliation,” he stressed.
He said Jesus Christ is a peacemaker, forgiver of sins, kind, etc. Therefore, as his true followers, we must also ensure that we abide by all these guiding principles.
This portal has been inundated with calls from some members of the Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Council following a story headlined “Deep cracks in NPP over parliamentary appointments”.
The story, which was sourced from Kumasimail.com, made some allegations against the General Secretary of the NPP, Lawyer Justin Frimpong Kodua; the National Chairman, Mr. Stephen Ayesu Ntim, among others, for being responsible for denying the Ashanti Region key parliamentary appointments in the 9th Parliament, which is expected to be inaugurated on Tuesday, 7th January 2025.
Justin Frimpong Kodua,NPP General Secretary
According to some council members, who are saddened by the turn of events, especially attempts by some selfish individuals to blackmail the General Secretary and other national executives, after their proposed list didn’t go for consideration at the national level.
“You can’t sit only in Ashanti Region, nominate your preferred people without proper lobbying in the rest of 15 regions as well as the National Steering committee and council members and expect it to work. Why should anyone put blame on the General Secretary and the National Chairman on the decision taken by the National Steering committee of our party endowed with experienced people?
And what stops other regional representatives from the Ashanti Region to lobby and convince National Council members to reverse their decision but turn back to blame Justin Frimpong Kodua, Henry Nana Boakye and others?” a council member, who sat through the Ashanti Regional council meeting, fired back at critics.
Bawumia, Akufo- Addo,Ntim,Kodua,Afenyo Markin
The Ashanti Council members, who are not happy about the turn of events, have therefore asked Ghanaians, especially NPP members, to disregard the false accusations and rather rally behind the current minority leadership.
Papa Yaw Asare Bediako, Asokwa constituency secretary of NPP writes
Read the above story
The Ashanti region decided on minority chief whip over deputy minority leader
Interesting times in Ashanti region
And it says Ashanti regional executives
Which of the executives is complaining
We shd be thanking the General sec , the National chairman’ and the rest from elevating us from Minority whip to deputy minority leader
God bless you @Justin Koduah NPP GS @~Steve Ntim and team
Background:
Deep cracks in NPP over Parliamentary appointments
The Ashanti Regional executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have expressed anger and disappointment, accusing Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party’s General Secretary, President Nana Akufo-Addo, and Stephen Ntim the national chairman of sidelining the region in recent parliamentary leadership appointments.
According to a reliable source within the regional council, tensions flared during a recent meeting of Ashanti NPP Members of Parliament (MPs), where 39 elected MPs from the region resolved that the Minority Chief Whip position should be allocated to the Ashanti Region.
Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie was reportedly nominated for the role, but the decision was overridden by the party’s national leadership through President Nana Akufo Addo Justin Frimpong Koduah source alleged.
The source further revealed that the regional council meeting was attended by key figures, including the party’s Vice-Presidential candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh.
Concerns were raised about the safety of the party’s parliamentary majority, particularly in constituencies like Frank Annoh-Dompreh’s Nsawam-Adoagyiri seat, which some believe remains vulnerable.
Despite these discussions, the National Council is alleged to have reneged on its initial agreement to allocate the Minority Chief Whip position to Ashanti. Instead, the role went to a candidate aligned with Afenyo-Markin and the Central Region, fueling accusations of betrayal.
“Neglect of Ashanti Region”
The executives argue that the Ashanti Region, which has consistently delivered the highest number of seats for the NPP in general elections, has been marginalized in both developmental projects and leadership appointments.
“Ashanti is saying, just give us one leadership position in the parliamentary setup, but they have refused. How many seats did the Central Region deliver to the NPP in the last election?” one angry executive lamented.
Blame Directed at Akufo-Addo and Party Leadership
The executives squarely blamed President Nana Akufo-Addo, Justin Kodua, and National Chairman Stephen Ntim for the alleged betrayal. They contend that the neglect of Ashanti in developmental projects and party leadership positions has demoralized the party’s grassroots in the region, contributing to the party’s current opposition status.
“We are in opposition because President Akufo-Addo has neglected the Ashanti Region in terms of development, and now, you deny us top positions in the parliamentary leadership. This conduct is unacceptable,” a source added.
Call for Action
The executives have vowed to demand accountability from the national leadership, insisting that the Ashanti Region deserves fair representation in leadership roles within the party. Some have even hinted at mobilizing grassroots protests to express their displeasure.
As tensions simmer, this internal party wrangling threatens to deepen divisions within the NPP ahead of the 2024 general elections, with the Ashanti Region—traditionally the party’s stronghold—at the center of the storm.
below is the full list of Parliamentry appointments made by the party.
NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY CONSTITUTES AN ELECTION REVIEW COMMITTEEDownload
Source: www.kumasimail.com
The Ashanti Regional executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have expressed anger and disappointment, accusing Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party’s General Secretary, President Nana Akufo-Addo, and Stephen Ntim the national chairman of sidelining the region in recent parliamentary leadership appointments.
According to a reliable source within the regional council, tensions flared during a recent meeting of Ashanti NPP Members of Parliament (MPs), where 39 elected MPs from the region resolved that the Minority Chief Whip position should be allocated to the Ashanti Region.
Dr.Bawumia, Akufo-Addo,Ntim,Kodua and Afenyo
Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie was reportedly nominated for the role, but the decision was overridden by the party’s national leadership through President Nana Akufo Addo Justin Frimpong Koduah source alleged.
The source further revealed that the regional council meeting was attended by key figures, including the party’s Vice-Presidential candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh.
Concerns were raised about the safety of the party’s parliamentary majority, particularly in constituencies like Frank Annoh-Dompreh’s Nsawam-Adoagyiri seat, which some believe remains vulnerable.
Despite these discussions, the National Council is alleged to have reneged on its initial agreement to allocate the Minority Chief Whip position to Ashanti. Instead, the role went to a candidate aligned with Afenyo-Markin and the Central Region, fueling accusations of betrayal.
“Neglect of Ashanti Region”
The executives argue that the Ashanti Region, which has consistently delivered the highest number of seats for the NPP in general elections, has been marginalized in both developmental projects and leadership appointments.
“Ashanti is saying, just give us one leadership position in the parliamentary setup, but they have refused. How many seats did the Central Region deliver to the NPP in the last election?” one angry executive lamented.
Blame Directed at Akufo-Addo and Party Leadership
The executives squarely blamed President Nana Akufo-Addo, Justin Kodua, and National Chairman Stephen Ntim for the alleged betrayal. They contend that the neglect of Ashanti in developmental projects and party leadership positions has demoralized the party’s grassroots in the region, contributing to the party’s current opposition status.
“We are in opposition because President Akufo-Addo has neglected the Ashanti Region in terms of development, and now, you deny us top positions in the parliamentary leadership. This conduct is unacceptable,” a source added.
Call for Action
The executives have vowed to demand accountability from the national leadership, insisting that the Ashanti Region deserves fair representation in leadership roles within the party. Some have even hinted at mobilizing grassroots protests to express their displeasure.
As tensions simmer, this internal party wrangling threatens to deepen divisions within the NPP ahead of the 2024 general elections, with the Ashanti Region—traditionally the party’s stronghold—at the center of the storm.
below is the full list of Parliamentry appointments made by the party.
NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY CONSTITUTES AN ELECTION REVIEW COMMITTEEDownload
Source: www.kumasimail.com
President Akufo-Addo’s aide-de-camp recovers after collapsing during State of the Nation Address
Colonel Isaac Amponsah, the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Akufo-Addo, has fully recovered after collapsing during the President’s final State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Friday.
President Akufo-Addo during the incident
Col. Amponsah collapsed midway through the address but received immediate medical attention on-site before being transported to the 37 Military Hospital for further evaluation.
A source at the Jubilee House has confirmed that he has been discharged and is resting at home.
Although the exact cause of the collapse has not been officially confirmed, medical professionals have suggested it was likely due to stress and prolonged standing.
Col. Amponsah has served as President Akufo-Addo’s ADC since the promotion of his predecessor, Bismark Onwona, to Major General.
Before assuming this role, he worked as an instructor at the Military Training Academy and with the Defence Intelligence Unit of the Ghana Armed Source:citinewsroom.com
Kwabena Frimpong, an Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Management expert, has proposed comprehensive safety reforms to prevent tragedies like the recent Kantamanto Market fire.
He emphasized the need for electrical audits, emergency preparedness training for traders, and improved waste management systems as crucial steps to mitigate fire risks in Ghana’s markets.
The devastating 2 January fire at the West Africa’s biggest secondhand clothing hub, left traders and business owners with significant losses. Eventhough some traders have started rebuilding their shops, Mr Kwabena Frimpong stressed the urgent call for action.
Kwabena Frimpong
He noted in a statement that factors such as electrical faults, flammable materials, improper waste management, and limited safety infrastructure often contribute to such incidents. Frimpong also raised concerns about the possibility of arson, highlighting motivations ranging from financial struggles to land development ambitions.
Frimpong recommended structural upgrades to markets, incorporating fire-resistant materials, accessible hydrants, and clear emergency exits. He also advocated for forming market safety committees to oversee safety measures and liaise with authorities. Additionally, he urged market stakeholders to enhance security by employing round-the-clock personnel and installing monitored CCTV cameras to deter malicious activities.
Read the full statement below
For Immediate Release
Statement on Kantamanto Market Fire: Addressing Causes, Prevention, and Recovery
As an Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Management expert, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the traders and business owners who have been severely affected by the fire that devastated parts of the Kantamanto Market on January 2nd,2024. The loss of livelihoods, goods, and years of hard work is a tragedy not only for the individuals involved but for the entire nation.
Likely Causes of the Fire
Based on initial observations and general market dynamics, fires of this nature are often caused by a combination of:
Electrical Faults: Poor wiring systems, overloaded circuits, and lack of routine maintenance are significant contributors to market fires.
Flammable Materials: Markets like Kantamanto often have high concentrations of flammable goods, such as textiles, cardboard, and plastics, which exacerbate the spread of fire.
Improper Waste Management: Accumulated waste can act as fuel for fires, making them harder to control.
Limited Safety Infrastructure: Inadequate fire extinguishers, absence of fire hydrants, and poor access for fire services delay response times and amplify damage.
Incident of Arson use;
Arson is the intentional act of setting fire to a property, such as a building, vehicle, or other structure. Eventhough, it’s serious crime that can result in significant property damage, injury, or even loss of life but people are still involved by one of these reasons as their motivation;
a. Insurance scam: The market owner might be struggling financially and see arson as a way to collect insurance money.
b. Rebuilding and renovation: By burning down the old market, the owner might be able to rebuild and renovate, potentially increasing the market’s value or attracting new customers.
c. Land development: The owner might want to redevelop the land for a more lucrative purpose, such as building apartments, offices, or a shopping mall.
d. Competition elimination: In a highly competitive market, one owner might use arson to eliminate rival businesses and gain a monopoly.
e. Desperation and frustration: In some cases, an owner might feel overwhelmed by debt, regulations, or other challenges, leading them to make a desperate and destructive decision.
A thorough investigation will provide a definitive cause, but these factors should inform immediate preventive action.
Recommendations for Future Prevention
To mitigate the risk of such incidents recurring, I propose the following measures:
Electrical System Audits: Conduct comprehensive inspections of market wiring and implement modern, fire-resistant electrical systems.
Emergency Preparedness Training: Equip traders with basic fire prevention and firefighting knowledge, including how to use extinguishers and identify early fire hazards.
Improved Waste Management: Establish regular waste collection and disposal systems to minimize flammable materials within markets.
Infrastructure Upgrades: Redesign markets with fire safety in mind, including clear emergency exits, fire-resistant building materials, and accessible hydrants.
Market Safety Committees: Form committees to oversee safety measures, conduct periodic checks, and engage with authorities for improvements.
Preventing Incident of Arson usage:
To safeguard their investments and prevent incidents of arson, all markets nationwide should consider implementing the following measures:
a. Employing 24/7 self-sponsored security personnel or Engage the Ghana Police Services to ensure constant protection.
b. Installing and maintaining high-quality, monitored CCTV cameras to deter potential threats and aid in investigations.
Words of Encouragement
To the traders and business owners who have lost their livelihoods, I want to emphasize that this is not the end of your story. Your resilience has been tested, but I believe that with the support of the community, government, and private sector, you will rise again. Challenges like these, though painful, provide an opportunity for renewal and growth.
A Call to Action
This incident underscores the urgent need to prioritize safety and preparedness in all our public spaces and markets across the country. I call on all stakeholders, including government, market associations, and individual traders, to work collaboratively to create a safer environment for everyone.
By taking these proactive steps and measures, market stakeholders can significantly enhance security and create a safer environment for traders and customers alike
Together, we can turn this tragedy into a catalyst for sustainable development and a model for fire safety in markets across Ghana.
Signed,
Kwabena Frimpong
Msc Occupational Safety, Health & Environmental Management
Having entered the chamber of Parliament in 2012 for the first time as the representative of the people in Asokwa Constituency, Hon Patricia Appiagyei set out to do one thing and that was to seek for the betterment of the people in her area and Ashanti as whole.
Currently, Hon Patricia Appiagyei holds the enviable record as the most experienced amongst the female Members of Parliament on the side of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Work Ethic:
Her diligence as the people’s representative in Asokwa speaks for itself having won four elections in a row with the newest 4th term mandate set to begin on the 7th of January, 2025.
Steering Committee and National Council Meetings:
An impeccable source tells this reporter that with the 7th December verdict from Ghanaians in mind, the NPP steering committee as well as National Council members met to discuss its leadership composition and how they should shape themselves up for the next four years as a minority group in Parliament.
Both forums agreed that since the NDC, the now Majority Party in Parliament had not clearly shown which leadership they would be bringing to the house, it was important that the NPP caucus stick to its current leadership and adjust itself when the need arises.
Hon.Patricia Appiagyei aka Mama Pat
Details:
At the National Council meeting of the NPP, the source said about 80% of the members were for no change, including Boakye Agyarko and Dan Botwe, who spoke.
Their solid arguments appealed to many as against those who wanted a change in leadership.
Both argued that the party takes its time to review the new Parliament and get to know the caliber of leadership the NDC will have before they decide on changing its leadership.
This meant that the old leadership headed by Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin should be maintained as the party takes time to study the dynamics of the new parliament.
This position, our impeccable source stated received a near-unanimous support at the meeting.
Misguided Elements:
From this information, one can conveniently say that it is disingenuous for certain characters in the NPP to single out particular personalities such as the Asokwa MP and General Secretary and the National Organiser for blame.
In fact, the source revealed that the Council was guided by the ultimate interest of the party and not the parochial interests of individuals.
It would be wisdom therefore that as the party considers its current position, reasonable balance as well as experience and stability in Parliament is placed higher in the scheme of things, at least, as the 9th Parliament sets off.
This would mean that with time, when it becomes necessary for a review of leadership, the National Council could meet and decide appropriately.
Sell-Out:
It is important to note that those who are now espousing their so called Ashanti credentials and seeking to tell the world that they are the true blue descendants of Okomfo Anokye were the same proposing that rather than holding firm to the deputy minority leader position it is sacrificed for a deputy Chief whip accolade.
This was after they had failed to dethrone Afenyo Markin, having proposed that the Minority leader status should go to the Eastern Region young man who holds sway over the Ofoase- Ayirebi seat as MP.
So if truly these misguided elements love Asanteman as they claim, why did they propose at Council and Sterring Committee meetings persons who have no roots in Ashanti?
So why push so hard to settle for less for Ashanti when you can get the whole for your people! Source:Michael Ofosu-Afriyie
At a time when the rank and file of the NPP are grappling with the pain of the party’s biggest electoral defeat, and with a committee set up to investigate the factors behind this loss, it is disheartening that some elements within the party are more focused on tarnishing the image of the NPP Running Mate for the 2024 elections, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO.
Their strategy is straightforward: give the dog (NAPO) a bad name to justify hanging it. These detractors believe that discrediting NAPO, especially in the Ashanti Region the party’s stronghold will serve their political motives.
This sinister agenda is being driven by two Members of Parliament; one male from the Eastern Region and the other, female from the Ashanti Region. They allege that NAPO is solely responsible for the NPP’s poor performance in the just-ended elections, using the Ashanti Region as their basis. This claim is not only absurd but also laughable. By the numbers, the Ashanti Region delivered the largest number of votes for the NPP in 2024: 1,366,823. While this is a drop from the 2020 figure of 1,795,824 a difference of 429,001 votes, it raises critical questions. Any well-meaning NPP member should be concerned as to why these voters who ordinarily would have voted for the NPP stayed away from the polls, rather than unfairly pinning the blame on one individual.
If NAPO is to be blamed for our defeat, then by that logic it must also be acknowledged that, despite any alleged shortcomings, he secured the highest number of votes for the NPP because according to these detractors, he was supposed to deliver Ashanti Region. Indeed, he delivered, judging from the NPP’s overall national average. In fact, according to a recent data released, votes of first-time voters were won by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia with 51.6% as against John Mahama’s 39.3% and it was Ashanti that helped to deliver first time voters for DMB. Does it make sense to attribute the party’s defeat, including its poor performance in the parliamentary elections, to NAPO alone? The logic defies reason and smacks of a shallow understanding of political dynamics.
In the coming days, these malicious, vile, unconscionable predators led by the Eastern Region MP, whose obsession is controlling the party in that region and beyond, and the female Ashanti MP, have enlisted a known political prostitute and an opportunist named Ababio Kumi aka Adentan Kumi to spearhead a smear campaign against NAPO. He has been asked to do this by forming teams to tour every nook and cranny of the region to poison the minds of party stakeholders ahead of the visits by the NPP committee to unravel the causes of the NPP defeat. Kumi and his team per their dastardly stratagem, are expected to conscientize the party grassroot and induce them to say “NAPO is the cause of the NPP’s dropped performance in the Ashanti Region”
What makes this smear campaign even more ludicrous is Kumi’s own track record. He is on record to have repeatedly denigrated the NPP’s 2024 Flagbearer, calling him an incompetent manager of the economy and openly supporting Alan Kyerematen’s “Movement for Change.” His political volte face has rendered him irrelevant, and his involvement in this character assassination attempt is clearly, to revive his dead political prospects within the NPP. It is said that the message is only as good as the messenger!
The NPP’s defeat in 2024 was a collective one and we all have to own it. We should stop the needless blame games. It is imperative that we focus on collective and dispassionate solutions rather than engaging in baseless attacks on individuals. NAPO’s name should be made to rest.
Ashanti Region Must be on the lookout! The Nonsense must stop!
Nana Appiah Ohemeng
NPP Member, Akrofuom Constituency, Ashanti Region
