Ghanaians across the country, especially the residents of Sekyere Afram plains constituency in the Ashanti region,have been urged to totally disregard the false and bogus accusations by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against Mr.George Akom,the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2024 Parliamentary candidate for the area.
The call was made by the Concerned Citizens of Sekyere Afram plains in a statement jointly signed by Boakye Yiadom and Wisdom Akrotia Buer.
Mr.George Akom
According to the group, the allegations levelled against Mr.George Akom, are part of NDC’s old tactics to tarnish the hard won reputation of Mr.Akom,in order to deceive the electorates to renew their mandate.
The full statement is attached below;
GEORGE AKOM IS CLEAN IGNORE NDC’s FALSE AND PROPAGANDA ABOUT HIM – CONCERNED CITIZENS OF SEKYERE AFRAM PLAINS DISTRICT
We, the Concerned Citizens of Sekyere Afram Plains District want to bring it to the attention of the general public, that the so called communique by Sekyere Afram Plains Constituency NDC is false and it must considered as mere propaganda to tarnish the had won reputation of the NPP’s Parliamentary Candidate for Sekyere Afram Plains Constituency, Mr. George Akom. We want to emphasize that the old antics by NDC to use propaganda to win elections in the Constituency is a thing of the past.
We the citizens of the district want to state that we hold the Parliamentary Candidate of the NPP in high esteem because of his personality in terms of high level of integrity he had exhibited in all his human endeavours.
We wont sit down for because of political expediency to tarnish his image for no reasons other than to give political advantage to their Candidate who is known to be an alien to the land of Sekyere Afram Plains District against our own and the blood of the land.
Coming to the substantive issue, we want to find out from the authors and the NDC if George Akom has shared any money in the district, and which start- businesses were the monies meant for, and how does he come in when it comes to the distribution of funds to such start – up businesses?
If the NDC doesn’t have any information for their campaign in the district, they should not use propaganda as their last resort.
We the people of Sekyere Afram Plains District know who we want and the one who can represent us in Parliament very well, which many have settled on our own and the native of the district, Mr. George Akom who we trust and cherish.
If there is any legal action they want to take, they can do so, but not to hide behind cheap politics to spoil the good name of an innocent and respectable person like George Akom.
We want to stress that those who signed the NDC’s communiques are known people who have charged the Parliamentary Candidate of the NDC to make her win the seat and are doing everything possible to save their heads from shame.
We want to place it on record that Mr. George Akom is very solid and going about his campaign successfully and nothing can distract him.
Signed by :
Boakye Yiadom – 0243251960
Wisdom Akrotia Buer- 0244132900
The Paramount Chief of Prang in the Pru West District of the Bono East Region, Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III, has reiterated that he owes the Akufo-Addo administration some gratitude for considering Prang in the distribution of the national cake.
According to him, Prang now merits the status of a district capital compared to the previous years.
Nana Kwadwo Nyarko II
Nana Akufo-Addo
Nana Nyarko, who stated this recently in an interview with “The New Trust” newspaper, noted that Prang can now boast of a district and a factory (IDIF), construction of inner roads, improvement in water accessibility, construction of a new building for its District Assembly, as well as the Bono East Regional office of Urban Roads, among other interventions.
The ongoing Agenda 111 hospital project
The chief asserted that chieftaincy is about lobbying and bringing the needed development to the doorsteps of people, which is totally different from the olden days when chiefs lived and danced in palanquins which had a little impact on the lives of their people at the end of the day.
The Pranghene, who doubles as a former Council of State member under the Rawlings administration, explained that inasmuch as he had been praising the Akufo-Addo administration for its contributions towards the transformation of Prang, he would similarly praise any future administration if it executed projects at Prang.
Turning his attention to the ongoing Agenda I11 Hospital project in the district which is near completion, Nana Nyarko pleaded with the President to complete and commission it before this year’s general election.
He said the completion of the project (Agenda 111 Hospital) in particular would help the people in the area to access quality healthcare.
According to him, it is painful to see patients being transported in ambulances from Prang to Atebubu, Mampong or Kumasi on referral.
He said he had been visiting the site to see the progress of work and also encourage the workers, adding that he was impressed with the progress of the work so far.
“The Agenda 111 Hospital project is very dear to my heart and, as a chief, I have to offer all my assistance so that it is completed to afford my people quality healthcare,” he stressed.
A former Canadian Minister of Industry (in charge of Digitalisation, Science & Technology) and President of the Treasury Board, Canada, Tony Peter Clement, has advised developing nations to adopt Ghana’s ambitious digitalisation agenda.
According to him, the Government of Ghana has succeeded in using the digital revolution, ensuring accountability and transparency in all sectors of the local economy.
Clement and Dr. Bawumia sandwiched by others
Peter Clement was addressing the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA Forum 2024) held in Accra, where he spoke on the topic: “The Future is Digital: Advancing New Solutions for a Better World.”
The well-attended conference was organised by the Co-Chair of the Democrats Union of Africa, Louisa Atta-Agyemang (Mrs), who doubles as Ghana’s National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Deputy Chief Executive responsible for Operations.
Tony Clement referenced the Mobile Money Interoperability and the biometric national identification systems as some of the prudent measures that have strengthened Ghana’s economic growth.
He underscored the need for developing nations to go the extra mile and bridge the rural and urban digital divide and also enhance cybersecurity.
Tony Clement PC further pushed for effective public-private-partnership in accelerating Ghana’s digital revolution.
Mobile Money Interoperability
In May 2018, Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia officially launched the Mobile Money Interoperability system through the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhlPSS).
The system deepens financial inclusion and promotes cashless transaction in Ghana, which serves as a viable vehicle for financial intermediation, through which businesses and individuals can accept mobile money from other network users seamlessly.
The system is eliminating the complexities and inconveniences associated with transfers across the various mobile money networks operated in the country.
These challenges include difficulties in opening bank accounts, high costs in maintaining a bank account relative to customers income levels and financial literacy.
The system creates convenience and ropes mobile money users into the financial ecosystem and further enables customers to transfer funds from one mobile money wallet to another across all networks.
The system reduces the cost of initiating transactions across networks as customers no longer need the services of a third-party payment provider.
Customers are able to send and receive money directly from one another irrespective of the network they are on, allowing them more convenience and security..From Nana Akua Afriyie, Kumasi
Nana Dwamena Akenten II, the Paramount Chief of Offinso Traditional Council in the Ashanti Region, has stressed the need for all hands to be on deck for the development of the area with unity.
According to him, without unity, no meaningful development could be achieved; hence, there is the need for all Ghanaians, especially those in the area, to come together and work hard for the betterment of Offinsoman, Asanteman and Ghana as a whole.
The revered chief gave the advice when he managed to settle a long-standing disagreement between two royal families (Akokodease and Ahyaem) at his palace at Offinso on Sunday, 11th August 2024.
The settlement meeting, which was personally facilitated by the paramount chief, was attended by over 200 members of the two families. It was heartening when the families agreed to be one without division.
Nana Dwamena Akenten II
Nana Akenten said, “From today onwards, there is no more Akokodease or Ahyaem family because you’re all royals. You’re all now Offinso Asona (Adeyie) royals.”
Nana Akenken was very grateful to Nana Owusu Kwarteng II, the Dumanafohene and all chiefs in the area for their continued support for peace and unity in the area.
Abusuapanin Atta Kwabena thanked the paramount chief for his intervention which had brought finality to the misunderstanding between the two families.
He promised that both families would live in peace and support his administration to succeed.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as Napo, the running mate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has been commended for demonstrating political maturity worthy of emulation.
Mr. Patrick Kwame Frimpong, the Presiding Member (PM) of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), who is also the elected Assembly Member for the Krofrom East Electoral Area within the Kumasi Metropolis, has lauded Dr. Opoku Prempeh after he had personally met the chiefs of Nzema to apologise to them over his recent comment about Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Napo
In an interview on Tuesday, 13th August 2024, Mr. Frimpong, who is also the Dean of Ashanti Regional Conference of Presiding Members Association and former NPP second vice-chairman for the Manhyia Constituency, said Napo’s comment was met with widespread condemnation.
He said even though he had publicly rendered an unqualified apology through a statement, a group of concerned citizens from Nzema Maanle and some chiefs in Nzema insisted that Napo must personally come before them to apologise.
Napo, therefore, used his visit to the Nzemaland on Friday to officially apologise to the chiefs and to ask for their blessings according to several media reports.
The KMA PM said that was a step in the right direction on the part of Napo.
He also cautioned Ghanaians, especially the youth, to desist from threatening people, especially politicians, not to step on their lands over comments they deem disrespectful.
”Inasmuch as I’m cautioning politicians and all Ghanaians to desist from insults, abusive language, name-calling, among other distasteful comments, the youth in particular must also desist from unnecessary threats,” he stressed.
Besides, he praised Nzema chiefs for accepting the apology of Napo. He, therefore, called on the Christian Council, the National House of Chiefs, the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), teacher unions, among other associations, not to sit down unconcerned but rather speak out their minds so as to develop the country well for the betterment of all.
By:Prof. Peter Twumasi
Of all the Ghana’s constitutionally mandated and equitable distribution of government services to the citizenry, it is only the FREE SHS policy that has touched all households in Ghana, be it rural district like my Ahafo Ano South West District (Mankranso) in Ashanti Region or in the city like Accra Metropolis in the capital.
In the past, Ghanaians who through no fault of theirs but happened to be residents in our rural communities or born into poor families automatically became excluded from education. Think of talents that have been lost through such unfair policies.
I remember growing up at the Abroye Farmhouse near Abodease in the Mankranso District, no indigene of our community came in contact with a college graduate. All teachers were ordinary people’s teachers, and their students hardly passed their educational level. This, I raised in my 2019 book, “RISING FROM THE FARMHOUSE”.
Today, thanks to His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government’s FREE SHS POLICY; almost every household in my farming District pride themselves with SHS graduates. And many have reached university level for the first time over generations. This educational transformation of the citizenry has never happened since the birth of Ghana in 1957.
Knowledge is power. And that is why I believe the best ever, and best way to invest the nation’s resources is through education.
I therefore commend both political parties, NPP and NDC, for agreeing to unite around education to give every Ghanaian education free of charge up to the UNIVERSITY LEVEL. IT IS indeed POSSIBLE if we bind our strength together and go on this great path of national transformation.
Others may worry about the cost, and some the availability of infrastructural and human resources, but I believe that where THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS WAY (Referencing motto of my Alma Mater, Kumasi Academy).
The best ever policy brought up for discussion by the NDC prior to 2024 General Election is their intent to make FREE EDUCATION UP to the University Level. I commend their leadership, and encourage them to be bold to make it FREE for the entire duration of the public university education (not only at the first year).
Ahafo Ano South West District (Mankranso) stands for EQUAL EDUCATION FOR RURAL AND URBAN DUELLERS UP TO THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL. Our contribution of cocoa, timber and gold to the national kitty should be invested in this policy.
God bless our Homeland Ghana and make us great and strong.
Prof. Peter Twumasi
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST, Kumasi
*Abroye Farmhouse, Abodease – Mankranso, Ahafo Ano South West District, Ashanti Region
Ghanaians across the country, especially first time voters and students,have been cautioned not to allow themselves to be deceived by the 2024 Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC),who doubles as the former President of the Republic of Ghana,Mr.John Mahams.
Dr.Keskine Owusu-Poku,who gave the warning in an article copied to The New Trust Newspaper,said trusting Mahama for a job as a Nurse is like investing in a Ponzi scheme.
His comments follows the promised by Mr Mahama to recruit trained nurses,who are still at home after completion of their courses and promise to provide free tuition for first -year University students in Ghana etc.
In made a reference from an article published by Modern Ghana online ahead of 2020 general election heading “Scrapping Nursing Trainees allowance:KNUST NDC TEIN lauds Prez Mahama”.
The full article is attached below;
Trusting Mahama for a job as a Nurse is like investing in a Ponzi scheme – Dr. Keskine Owusu Poku
In an attempt to explain the cancellation of nursing allowances in 2014, Mr. Mahama disingenuously claimed that he cancelled the trainee allowance to make room for expansion in training facilities for nurses and also recruit more nurses.
Dr. Keskine Owusu Poku
In as much as he has demonstrated inconsistencies overtime on this subject, Mr. Mahama’s excuse is a lazy rationale just as it is untruthful if one critically examines the post-cancellation of allowance events . https://www.modernghana.com/news/531621/scrapping-nursing-trainee-allowance-knust-ndc-tein-lauds-pr.html
Two questions are important for probing his claim:
A. After the cancellation in 2014, was there any recruitment of nurses? If yes, how many?
B. After the cancellation in 2014, was there any expansion in training facilities for nurses? And, what was the nature of this expansion, if any and where were they done?
Mr. Mahama’s claim for the cancellation of nursing training allowance contradicts the records and facts when he was president.
First, Mr. Mahama is on record to have left a backlog of nurses over a 4 year period. This practically means that no recruitment of nurses officially happened under him from 2013 to 2016. https://citinewsroom.com/2019/06/govt-begins-recruitment-of-2012-2016-trained-but-unemployed-nurses/
Secondly, assuming the first claim is wrong, post the cancellation of the allowance in 2014, how many nurses were employed in 2014, 2015 and 2016? What is the record of expansion his government did in nursing training colleges? If indeed the cancellation was to make room for recruitment and expansion, we should see higher numbers of recruitment between 2014 and 2016. No record of such has been identified.
Lastly, in the run-up to the 2016 elections and with the pressure from the opposition NPP and students, his government rushed to nursing training colleges to make ‘table-top’ payments. While it was an afterthought, it showed the lack of policy credibility and consistency, exposing the policy poverty in the decision to cancel the allowances. https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/politics/politics/201610/293999.php?storyid=100&
On the other hand, the Nana Addo government has shown consistency in recruiting nurses and other health professions year on year to date. While allowances for trainees do delay, there has been consistency in the payment.
It will therefore be easy to suggest that John Mahama cannot be trusted by nursing trainees as his years of presidency gave nursing trainees a raw deal both in the lackadaisical attitude towards recruiting them after school and the inconsistencies surrounding the logics of cancelling allowances and ‘somewhat’ making an unprincipled u-turn.
For nursing trainees, a comparison of the NPP and NDC on their records of building and investing in hospital infrastructure (which will be their working place) and facilities, showing consistency to the welfare of students, expanding nursing training facilities, and the consistency in employing nurses will be cardinal in deciding who to vote for.
Anyone who objectively does an analysis on job creation, payment of allowances, expansion of health infrastructure and investment in health generally will come to this singular and firm conclusion that a Bawumia-led NPP government can be trusted to complete and continue the good legacy of Nana Addo in the health sector while creating his own legacy.
Mahama is an expensive risk that must be avoided by nurses and other medical professionals based on his recent history at the presidency. To the nursing students, Mr. Mahama can be likened to an expensive ponzi that is waiting to explode in their faces.
On Tuesday, 31st July, 2024, the Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana which commenced 11th June, 2024, was adjourned sine die. Parliamentary debates and discussions on a wide range of issues and policies were held during the Meeting to advance Ghana’s development and deal with urgent domestic concerns.
Bills Passed
The National Roads Authority Bill, 2024, which, among other things, establishes the National Roads Authority as a single organisation in charge of planning, development, maintenance, and administration of the national road network, was one of the major Bills passed during this Meeting.
The purpose of the new Authority is to improve road management nationwide in terms of efficiency and oversight by merging three separate agencies: the Ghana Highway Authority Department of Feeder Roads and Department of Urban Roads into one entity. The objective is to enhance the overall efficacy of road management and guarantee the provision of superior service within the transportation industry.
During the Third Meeting, Parliament also passed the National Service Authority Bill, 2024.With the passage of this Bill, the National Service Authority is established as a corporate entity with the legal authority to create and carry out national service policies and programmes.
The main goal of the Act is to enable the Authority to generate internal funds to supplement government efforts in creating employment opportunities for the youth. The Act will also empower the Authority to mobilise and post qualified individuals to undertake national service in areas of national priority for national development and encourage youth entrepreneurship through the national service programme.
Parliament also passed the Ghana Civil Aviation Bill, 2024, which is set to replace the existing Ghana Civil Aviation Act, 2004 (Act 678) as amended.
This new legislation establishes the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as an autonomous body responsible for aviation safety and security in the country. The Act empowers the GCAA to operate independently, with new governance measures that enhance transparency and accountability.
RT.Hon.Alban K Bagbin
The legislation introduces stricter safety and security regulations, such as prohibiting flights over sensitive areas like military zones and forbidding flying practices that could endanger lives.
It also provides a legal framework for the GCAA to manage air navigation services in the Accra Flight Information Region until the establishment of the Ghana Air Navigation Services Agency. This new law aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, promoting safety and efficiency in the aviation sector
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority Bill, 2024, was also passed during the Third Meeting. The rationale for this legislation is to improve the regulation of commercial activities related to shipping in Ghana by amending the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 1974 (NRCD 254). The Act is to shield regional companies from the abusive tactics of global shipping corporations. To ensure fair pricing and transparency in the port charge determination process, the Act addresses the unfair and excessive charges imposed on traders using Ghana’s ports and borders.
The new law will strengthen regulatory oversight, enable the GSA to adjust to new trends in the shipping and logistics industry and safeguard the interests of shippers and shipping service providers. Positioning Ghana as a preferred transit trade channel for landlocked neighbours like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the Act aims to increase the sector’s contribution to national revenue.
The icing on the cake in legislation for the Third Meeting was the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill, 2024, which marks a significant advancement in the country’s efforts to promote gender equity.
The Act seeks to remedy the historical gender disparities in Ghana’s socio-cultural, political, economic, and educational domains. The government is required by this Act to guarantee “progressive equitable representation of women” in governance, public office, and decision-making positions.
In keeping with the Sustainable Development Goal on gender parity, the Act sets specific targets for women’s participation: 30% from 2024 to 2026, 35% from 2027 to 2028, and 50% by 2030. Additionally, it aims to increase women’s involvement in both the public and private sectors of the economy.
The Act forbids discrimination based on gender and mandates that constitutional bodies and security services provide equal opportunities for women.
After years of development, on 30th July, 2024, the Parliament of Ghana, presided by an elated Rt Hon Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, unanimously passed this Bill.
The Rt Hon Speaker urged Members of Parliament to strive for a just society and underscored the need for true equity as well as their dedication to enforcing the new law. Advocates for gender equity celebrate the passage of this Bill, which marks a major turning point in Ghana’s legislative history.
Reconstitution of Parliamentary Committees
During this Meeting, Parliament reconstituted some of its Committees in accordance with the new Standing Orders by realigning their membership and mandates. In constituting the Committees, the House was guided by Article 103(4) of the 1992 Constitution which provides that every Member of Parliament shall be a member of at least one of the Standing Committees.
Mid-Year Budget Review
Further, the Minister for Finance, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, appeared before the House and delivered the 2024 Mid-Year Budget Review. The Minister said that the economy of Ghana has proven to be remarkably resilient, growing at a rate of 4.7% in the first quarter of 2024.
In terms of fiscal performance, he indicated that the government will not be looking for additional funding because they are making significant efforts to be more effective, deliberate, and strategic to firmly establish fiscal consolidation and vigorously support growth. According to Dr Adam, the government is pursuing growth in the debt restructuring space within the framework of fiscal restraint and debt sustainability.
30th Anniversary Activities
The Third Meeting was not all about law making as Parliament hosted a soccer match dubbed “The Democracy Cup”, in commemoration of 30 years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy in Ghana under the Fourth Republic.
This event which will be marked annually, had its inaugural edition taking place at the Accra Sports Stadium and featured a titanic clash between Ghana’s two most successful clubs, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak.
The porcupine warriors emerged victorious, defeating Hearts of Oak 2-1 to clinch the maiden Democracy Cup. Kumasi Asante Kotoko S.C. will have the opportunity to represent Ghana in a friendly match against DC United, a professional soccer club based in Washington, USA. In the curtain-raiser, a classic squad of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Parliamentary Service staff stunned a group of former Black Stars players with a 3-1 victory.
Prior to this event, the Speaker led a team to hold a public forum in Techiman and a mock parliament in Sunyani. In Kumasi, the Speaker paid a courtesy call on his Royal Majesty Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II which was followed up with a public forum and a mock parliament at the Great Hall of KNUST.
Walk Out
During this Meeting, there was a tense moment where the Marshall walked out the Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, from the Chamber on the orders of the Rt Hon Speaker. Dr Afriyie was walked out for making comments deemed disrespectful,
following the Rt Hon Speaker’s comment on the President’s communication on the nomination of two persons as Justices of the Supreme Court. The situation brought to the fore the importance of maintaining decorum and respect within Ghana’s Parliament.
Brief from EC Chairperson
As Ghana gears up for the 2024 general elections in December, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa, was in Parliament to brief and assure the representatives of the people on the Commission’s preparedness to conduct free, fair, and transparent polls.
Public Hearing of Committees
The Appointments Committee, Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Assurances held public hearings in the exercise of Parliament’s oversight responsibility.
Conclusion
Parliament has since proceeded on recess, and there is a sense of anticipation for the upcoming Fourth Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament which promises to be a period of engaging debates, collaborative efforts and consensus building focused on the national interest.
Issued by the Media Relations Department, Parliament of Ghana
