Isaac Amoah

 

Chief Convener for the Ashanti Heritage Front (AHF), Hon Collins Owusu Amankwah says there is enough evidence that the ongoing feud between the Techiman and the Manhyia Palace is being fueled by elements within the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In a press release Thursday morning, the former Manhyia North MP said the NDC was subtly using tribal sentiments to achieve a devilish agenda against Asanteman.

Collins Owusu Amankwah

He said the group finds it necessary to address this development since it poses a significant threat to the peace and cohesion of our nation.

Hon Amankwah stated that throughout history, Ghana has enjoyed a stable and peaceful environment, with tribal issues not being a notable concern.

Details:
However, he posited that the NDC has targeted the Ashanti Region, the stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in these elections, with reckless abandon.

Their strategies, he disclosed have escalated to disheartening levels, including bribing voters, inciting religious tensions, issuing threats of violence, and now, fostering tribal division.

The recent actions taken by the NDC, Hon Amankwah stated have not spared the leaders of the Asanteman, who have endured insults and abusive language as part of this divisive agenda.

The NDC, he observed has taken their malicious campaign further by trying to pitch the Asantes against the Bonos.

“A troubling incident occurred during the recent visit of the revered King of Asanteman, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, to Techiman, where hoodlums from rally of NDC attacked some mourners”, Hon Amankwah disclosed.

Ongoing Lawlessness:
Since that unfortunate event, Hon Amankwah said that there have been reports of attacks on vehicles at the Techiman station in Kumasi.

“We wish to unequivocally state that these attacks did not receive the endorsement of Manhyia, the seat of Asanteman”, the Chief Convener stressed.

He added that, “such actions are neither sanctioned by Manhyia nor reflective of the values upheld by Asanteman”

“We strongly condemn these attacks and have substantial reason to suspect that the NDC may be behind them in an attempt to create discord between the Bono and Asante communities for their political gains”, Hon Amankwah alleged.

Caution:
The AHF Chief covener urged the NDC to cease sharing inflammatory news items from the past that serve only to incite division and disrupt the nation’s tranquility.

He suspects that the intention by the NDC is to exploit this situation to create confusion within the country.

“We must hold the NDC accountable for this reckless behavior and work collectively towards ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections”, Hon Amankwah rallied.

He added that it is evident that the NDC, having failed to present a credible program for the country is resorting to tribalism, division, and chaos.

He however assured that nation will endure and thrive so that the peoples in the two communities could continue to prosper.By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi

Seasoned Journalist, Kweku Baako says not even his corpse will ever vote for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ show, has made his stance clear on this year’s December presidential election involving 12 candidates.

He established who among the candidates his vote will go to on Saturday, December 7.

Seasoned Journalist, Kweku Baako

According to him, the contest is between two candidates, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party and John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress but stressed John Mahama will never have his vote.

“He (Mahama) is like a brother; I like him. I admire him but he won’t get my vote. He’s never gotten my vote and he knows that. What I like about him is that he accepts that I cannot vote for him,” Kweku Baako told Kwami Sefa Kayi on Wednesday, December 4.

He emphasized the NDC is “not a party I can reconcile myself with inspite of the fact I have great friends in that party,” adding “even my own corpse won’t vote for NDC”.

The Elephant To Retain Presidency

In a related development, Mr. Baako, in a Facebook post yesterday predicted victory for the New Patriotic Party and their flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

“When I looked into my crystal ball two weeks ago, it seemed like a runoff in the presidential race, with the Elephant securing a majority of seats in Parliament,” Baako remarked, referring to the NPP’s electoral symbol.

He continued; “But this morning’s picture suggests the possibility of a first-round triumph for the Elephant in the presidential election. These are just observations from my crystal ball. To clarify, I am neither a prophet nor a pollster.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi

 

Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah aka COKA writes

The 419 people are involved, so please be cautious. They have been calling, claiming Napo says I should assist with transportation for 80 people to travel north to vote. When they called, I was sitting next to Napo.

This morning, another person called, saying Chairman Ntim asked him to organize some people from Accra to Kumasi and wants my assistance. Please watch out for election fraudsters. Coka, I care.

 

By Felix A. Baidoo, A Freelance Journalist

A few days into the 2024 general elections, the political parties and independent candidates are eagerly winding up their campaigns and implementing the various strategies and plans they have been using in campaigning to attract Ghanaian voters.

To win in such an election depends on the kind of campaign messages put together, strategies and plans used to reach out to their target audience who are usually supporters of other political parties and sometimes flouting voters who need to be convinced before voting for a particular party or candidate

Despite getting the best manifestoes and all other policies the political parties want to use as their campaign message, Ghana’s general elections are always won by the party which is able to use the smartest strategies to communicate their ideas and manifestoes to the electorate across the country.

This does not matter what you tell your supporters in the party’s “Strong Holds” which usually give the political parties a huge number of votes during such elections.
Role of manifesto

Before every general election, the various political parties, independent candidates usually come out with their manifestoes outlining the various policies and initiatives they would be implementing when elected into office as a government.

The manifesto usually paint a picture of the vision and strategies expected to be implemented by the candidate or the political party in question.
Calibre of Candidates

Aside from the party or candidate’s manifesto, the most important factor most people consider before voting for a party is the calibre of the person selected as the party’s flagbearer.

This is where many factors such as educational background, integrity, creativity and innovativeness of the person, personality, political experience, temperament, maturity and ability to solve challenges among others.
Based on this, political parties are supposed to be very careful in selecting a Flagbearer to avoid picking someone who can easily be “Insulted due to his past records.”

Ghanaians will vote in three days to select a President and Members of Parliament for the various constituencies across the country.
What to watch

In the past, many people considered the state of the nation’s economy, state of security, availability of electricity and other resources among others before voting but the trend has changed with modern era.

Some of the new issues many people consider before voting are the manifesto of the party or candidate, state of education development, infrastructure, security, the calibre of the person leading the party, and the past records of the candidates (very critical factors in their past positions).

It is worth noting that the substance in the messages of the political parties could attract groups to campaign for a particular political party.

The past records of the political parties, for example in Ghana, it is easy to compare past records of the two leading political parties; the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress(NDC) due to the fact that they have been in power since the fourth republic.

It therefore prudent for me to appeal to all Ghanaians not to allow their emotions to drive them to vote for a particular political party but rather spend some sometime contemplating the importance and benefits of policies these candidates are promising the electorate.

For example, there is the need for the electorate to consider which of the parties has a pro-poor related vision that can benefit the majority of Ghanaians irrespective of where they are located, religion, ethnic background, social status,

Finally, it would like to appeal to all Ghanaians to avoid mistakes made in the past by just voting for candidates they were visionless but were voted for because some Ghanaians were angry and so were punishing a political party for something some of its leaders they think went wrong forgetting that if the vote for visionless candidates, it is as dangerous as driving a vehicle which does not have light.
“Let’s us make this election the most peaceful since the rest of the world is watching us all.