Stephen Ntim, the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has pledged to reconcile Independent Candidate Kwabena Owusu Aduomi with the party.
Aduomi, a former three-time NPP Member of Parliament for the constituency, chose to run as an Independent Candidate in the Ejisu by-election due to what he perceives as the NPP’s failure to address critical concerns about the existing delegates’ list, which he believes compromises the integrity and fairness of the party.
Mr.Stephen Ayesu Ntim
Some NPP members accused him of betrayal and suggested he had defected to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Aduomi refuted these claims, emphasising that he still holds the support of NDC backers.
Speaking in an interview with Citi News, Mr Ntim expressed worry about the two candidates from the same party competing against each other.
“Yes, it is worrying because the two main competitors, Aduomi and Kwabena Boateng belong to the same fold, family. We should not be looking at jubilating, I’m not jubilating. My focus now is on how to bring the Aduomi factor back to the fold, bringing him back to the family.
“So that in December when we are going to face the real political opponents, we are going us a unified NPP front. It shouldn’t be difficult at all. Whatever it is, we are going to reach out. As a national chairman, I’m promising you, we will take up the mantle and reach out to him.”
The Electoral Commission (EC) has been asked to cause the arrest of Dr Kingsley Nyarko, Member of Parliament for Kwadaso for allegedly giving a white envelope to electoral officers during the Ejisu by-election.
The Second Vice Chairman for Suame Constituency of New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Richard Asante, described such act of removing a “fat” white envelope from his right pocket for the electoral officers as a criminal act and a disgrace to democracy.
Screenshot of the viral video
Speaking to the media, Mr Asante described it as a sign of injustice and unfairness for the EC to sack the two officials who were in receipt of the white envelope suspected to be money, without taking an action against the MP.
According to him, the commission has authority at all the polling centers in the Ejisu Constituency’s by election,therefore, has all legal right to cause the arrest of any person who violates the electoral rules including the MP.
Mr Asante ,also deemed it as a shameful act for the police officers at the polling station for their inability to arrest Dr Kingsley Nyarko after the act.
The NPP Vice Chairman asserted that the Kwadaso MP, would have vacated his seat by now after the media supported the claim with videos if it has occured in a developed country.
Mr Asante, therefore, called on Speaker of Parliament to institute a committee to probe into the matter since such act seeks to put the house into a public ridicule.
The Electoral Commission (EC) says it has withdrawn two of its officials amid allegations of bribery.
In a press release signed by Samuel Tettey during the ongoing Ejisu by-election, the Commission said its attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media depicting one of the polling stations.
The Deputy Chairman in Charge of operations said the video from the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station with code F311503, showed “a gentleman approaching the table and dropping an envelope on the table manned by the presiding Officer and the Ballot Issuer.”
The EC said it “has taken immediate steps and has withdrawn the two temporary staff while investigations take place.”
“The Commission upholds the principles and values of integrity, truth and transparency. These values are reinforced during the training of all temporary staff,” it added.
Mr Tettey reiterated that “the Commission will not countenance acts which cast a slur on the integrity of the institution and will not hesitate to sanction its officials who violate the law.”
The EC also promise to make public a report on the incident in due course.
Kwabene Owusu Aduomi, the independent candidate in the Ejisu by-election, has vowed to incite bloodshed if any group of individuals tries to tamper with the election’s integrity.
Speaking at a small gathering at the Ejisu Zongo lorry station on Sunday, Mr. Aduomi questioned the rationale for bringing purported NPP-affiliated vigilante groups into the Ejisu area.
“I know they will never dare to bring their violent tactics here in Ejisu Zongo polling station. The areas they have planned to rig the election by picking ballot boxes among other things through which they have imported vigilante boys outside the Ejisu constituency, not this Zongo can they try their violent rigging action. This is Zongo where men are in charge’’ he said.
“Anyone who will dare to undermine the integrity of the election through violence “ono naa obete ne piiga‘’ to wit “the person will not go free” Aduomi warned.
“Already I have said Ejisu is the hometown of Yaa Asantewaa, descendants of Yaa Asantewaa don’t fear blood. We don’t fear but we don’t cherish violence lets hold free and fair elections. It doesn’t show glory to anyone who will say he will cheat in the election. It is village language, to say the least, allow the will of the electorate to prevail in electing who they want” he added.
He “urged the constituents to vote massively for him to continue the good work he started in the constituency which has stalled after he was rejected in the 2020 New Patriotic Party parliamentary primary” while campaigning in front of a sizable audience.
“I’ve been labeled as an NDC man, but everyone here in Ejisu Constituency knows that I’m an NPP member,” he clarified. I’m running as an independent because I believe Nana Addo’s leadership has failed to advance equity within the party.
in response to President Nana Akufo Addo’s assertion that Aduomi has lost his identity since he is unsure of whether he is an NDC or NPP member.
“I’m loved by the NDC because I fairly represented their interest in the Ejisu constituent when I served them as the Ejisu Member of Parliament. That is why I have won their heart. Any way NDC people are also human I will not shy away from them. When you serve well as an MP for your constituency your constituents will forever support you in anything and that’s what I’m enjoying now” he added.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced its readiness for Tuesday,30th April,2024 by-election in Ejisu, Ashanti region.
Following the unfortunate passing of the Ejisu Member of Parliament, John Kumah, the EC declared the by-election to fill the vacant seat, scheduled for April 30.
Dr Serebour Quaicoe, Director of Electoral Services at the EC, assured that all necessary materials were ready and would be distributed at dawn.
Dr Quaicoe emphasised that officials had undergone thorough training to ensure a smooth process and underscored that the election is set to follow the standard hours, starting at 7 am and ending at 5 pm, as applicable to general elections.
He noted that the results will be declared at the coalition centre, which will be located at the Catholic Church in Ejisu.
“If you come to Ejisu District Office you will realise that we have packaged all the materials in the ballot boxes. We are ready to take off but we’ve decided that we will start the distribution at dawn. So everything is available all officials have been trained and we are ready to deploy the materials to the venue.”
Dr Serebour Quaicoe
“Every general election starts at 7 am and ends at 5 pm and they apply to by-elections too…The result will be declared at the Coalition Centre. We are using the Catholic Church in Ejisu,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the EC has dismissed allegations of collusion with a political party to manipulate the outcome of Tuesday’s by-election in Ejisu.
The claims were made by the campaign team of Independent Candidate Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, who accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of engaging in ballot stuffing.
In response to these accusations, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Benjamin Bannor Bio, has assured all parties involved that the EC will maintain transparency and integrity throughout the electoral process.
He urged candidates to trust the system and provide effective agents who are well-versed in the electoral process to safeguard their rights.
Mr Bio emphasized that the EC’s primary goal is to ensure a credible poll that accurately reflects the will of the voters. He encouraged candidates to have faith in the commission’s ability to conduct a fair and transparent election.
“As a commission, we are going to do what we do best. We are going to demonstrate to the general public what the commission has, thus a system that’s so transparent and verified that at the end of the exercise, the results that will be declared will be the true desire of the people who voted.
“And to the candidates, I’m advising them to trust the system and provide agents who are very effective, who know the process, who can defend their rights. But not bringing anyone noisy and loud and you think you have a good agent,” he stated.
Over two thousand children born with cleft lip and palate have benefited from corrective surgeries to fully integrate into society devoid of stigmatisation.
For mothers who are visiting the Cleft Clinic for the first time, the fear of the unknown as to whether such deformities in their babies could be corrected is obvious.
Anxiety could be seen in the eyes of mothers of babies with cleft lip and palate.
But that is soon to change when mothers whose children have already undergone surgeries share their experiences with them
Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO Smile Train with Mrs. Nkeiruka Obi, Vice-President and Regional Director for Africa
MOTHERS
For Amina, her first thought on seeing her grandchild was for him to die, “when I saw my grandson I wished he died because I was disturbed with the deformity but when I came to here and saw other babies with severe deformities and those with their corrective surgeries performed I felt relived, she narrated.
Oh her part, Akosua Adwutwumwaa laments her child’s condition meant she had to stay indoors with him forever, “I didn’t know how I will go to public places with my son so all I kept telling myself was to stay indoors but when I was referred to KATH and the pictures of other babies I saw I knew help was in for my son and finally when the surgery was performed and I saw my child my joy knew no bounds, narrated elated Akosua
Dr Solomon Obiri Yeboah, Head Cleft Multidisciplinary Clinic KATH
Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth does not form properly during pregnancy.
A combination of genetic and environmental factors affecting mothers lead to the defect.
Here at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Cleft Multidisciplinary Clinic, over 5000 cases have seen with over 2000 surgeries performed within the 20 years of establishment.
It sees 35 cases every Clinic day and an annual case figure of 450.
HEAD OF KATH CLEFT UNIT
Head of the Team, Dr Solomon Obiri Yeboah says the issue of stigma is a bane they are battling with and more advocacy is needed
“We are aware of all the social stigma parents and the children go through, some are even sacked from the communities they live in, but we have social workers who go to the communities to embark on advocacy so gradually we are trying to break the stigma”
Cost of surgeries
The cost of performing the corrective surgery runs into thousands of dollars.
The Ghana Cleft Foundation and Smile Train, both NGOs have been financing the cost of the surgeries carried out at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
Dr Obiri-Yeboah believes it was high time the Ministry of Health through the NHIA enrolled Cleft care on the scheme as it is done for babies with hernia
“It is expensive for these surgeries to be done, thankfully here at KATH we have donor support so all surgeries are performed free of charge”
However Dr Obiri Yeboah believes NHIA should enrol cleft care on the scheme, “just like hernia for kids are covered by NHIS, cleft care should also be enrolled so mothers in other parts of the country do not travel to KATH to benefit from the free surgeries”
To improve Cleft care in Ghana and for that matter Africa, Smile Train is financing the establishment of the first ever Cleft Leadership Centre for Africa at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
President of Smile Train Sussanah Scheafer echoed the importance of the Cleft Leadership Centre and its significance for cleft care
At Smile Train, we believe not only in financing the corrective surgeries but also capacity building of the health care professionals she noted
“This Cleft Leadership Centre here at KATH is the first on African soil and it will be a hub of excellence to have the ability to treat tougher cleft cases, capacity training for the Multidisciplinary professionals and provide avenue for more comprehensive cleft care for the patients, she disclosed.
The Cleft Leadership Centre I expected to be completed and handed over to the Ministry of Health and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital by close of 2024
Lawyer Kwabena Boateng, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate for the Ejisu by-election, has made a passionate appeal to the electorate of the Ejisu Constituency to stand with him and the NPP to retain their majority in Parliament by voting for him as the next Member of Parliament for Ejisu.
“I appeal to you to stand with me and the NPP to retain our majority in Parliament and also protect the legacy of our late honourable John Ampontuah Kumah. Let us honour his memory by continuing the work he started and advancing the principles of development, integrity and service that he exemplified.
The above was contained in a statement issued by Lawyer Kwabena Boateng on Monday,29th April 2024.
Lawyer Kwabena Boateng, therefore, urged voters to cast their votes early and fulfil their civic duty before going about their daily activities. “Your vote is your voice and together we can make a difference that will resonate for generations to come,” he reminded them.
The full statement reads:
Lawyer Kwabena Boateng writes…
As the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary candidate for the upcoming by-elections on Tuesday, April 30, I am humbled and privileged to address you at this crucial moment in our constituency’s history.
I extend my heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency the President, the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, CEOs, National, Regional, and Constituency Executives, as well as party faithfuls from across the nation, for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this campaign period. Your dedication to our cause has been instrumental in shaping our collective journey towards a brighter future for Ejisu.
I am particularly grateful for the privilege of receiving the Presidency in Ejisu Constituency to finalize our campaign efforts. This opportunity underscores the importance of our mission and the significance of our collective aspirations for progress and development in our beloved constituency.
As we approach Election Day, I urge every voter in Ejisu Constituency to remember the importance of their vote. Your decision at the ballot box will not only determine the outcome of this by-election but also shape the future trajectory of our constituency and our nation as a whole.
I appeal to you to stand with me and the New Patriotic Party to retain our majority in Parliament and protect the legacy of our late Honorable John Ampontuah Kumah. Let us honor his memory by continuing the work he started and advancing the principles of development, integrity, and service that he exemplified.
On Election Day, let us rise early, cast our votes, and fulfill our civic duty before going about our daily business. Your vote is your voice, and together, we can make a difference that will resonate for generations to come.
Thank you once again for your unwavering support and commitment to our shared vision for Ejisu Constituency. Together, let us forge ahead with confidence, unity, and determination towards a brighter future for all.
The independent candidate in the upcoming Ejisu by-election, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, has refuted claims that he has shifted his support to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Addressing the media after concluding his campaign activities, Mr Aduomi emphasised that he enjoys significant support from NDC members, attributing it to his past work as a Member of Parliament.
He vehemently denied assertions labeling him as a traitor to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for aligning with the NDC.
“I am not an NDC member. The NDC people like me because of the work I did that benefited them. Where have they seen me wearing NDC colours?
“The NDC people want to vote for me because I am going independent and because of the work that I did for the constituency.”
“I am not a traitor and NPP should rather solve all issues bothering all members of the party and should not favour some people against others.
“That bogus elections that they said they held at the polling stations, if the president has the party and the Ejisu constituency at heart, he will ensure that the issues that the people brought will be solved.”
Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate, has urged constituents in Ejisu to prioritise continuity and progress by voting for the party’s candidate, Kwabena Boateng.
During a final campaign rally before the Ejisu by-election on April 30, Bawumia cautioned against diverting votes to independent candidates, suggesting that such actions could inadvertently benefit the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its leader, John Mahama.
Highlighting the slim margin in parliament, with the NPP holding 138 seats against the NDC’s 137, Bawumia emphasised that every vote mattered in securing a stronger mandate for the ruling party.
However, the former MP has rejected the assertion, insisting that NDC members love him because of his past works in the constituency that benefited them.Source: Myjoyonline.com
As the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary candidate for the upcoming by-elections on Tuesday, April 30, I am humbled and privileged to address you at this crucial moment in our constituency’s history.
I extend my heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency the President, the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, CEOs, National, Regional, and Constituency Executives, as well as party faithfuls from across the nation, for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this campaign period. Your dedication to our cause has been instrumental in shaping our collective journey towards a brighter future for Ejisu.
I am particularly grateful for the privilege of receiving the Presidency in Ejisu Constituency to finalize our campaign efforts. This opportunity underscores the importance of our mission and the significance of our collective aspirations for progress and development in our beloved constituency.
As we approach Election Day, I urge every voter in Ejisu Constituency to remember the importance of their vote. Your decision at the ballot box will not only determine the outcome of this by-election but also shape the future trajectory of our constituency and our nation as a whole.
I appeal to you to stand with me and the New Patriotic Party to retain our majority in Parliament and protect the legacy of our late Honorable John Ampontuah Kumah. Let us honor his memory by continuing the work he started and advancing the principles of development, integrity, and service that he exemplified.
On Election Day, let us rise early, cast our votes, and fulfill our civic duty before going about our daily business. Your vote is your voice, and together, we can make a difference that will resonate for generations to come.
Thank you once again for your unwavering support and commitment to our shared vision for Ejisu Constituency. Together, let us forge ahead with confidence, unity, and determination towards a brighter future for all.
