The current leadership of Seventh-Day Adventist Church DO NOT have any solid grounds to demand for the change of date for this year 2024 general election due to the following facts:
In 1996, the general election was conducted on Saturday, 7th December.
The SDA Church did not opposed to the date at that time. They fully voted on that day.
In 2008, the general election was conducted on Sunday, 7th December.
All Christians who worship on Sundays fully voted on that day.
In 2012, the general election was conducted on Friday, 7th December.
All Muslims of the various Islamic Sects vote on that day.
2024 is NOT the first time a general election would be conducted by the Electoral Commission on Religious Worshipping Days.
Moreover, Ghana is a Secular State not a Jewish State.
Economist and Professor of Finance, Prof Godfred A. Bokpin, has stated that the government’s incessant imposition of taxes is a lazy approach to raising revenue, essentially leaving citizens financially repressed.
Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews, he explained that although no one is against raising more money to support the economy, Ghanaians are feeling the pinch of paying new taxes introduced unpredictably.
“This is state-sponsored robbery. This is robbery that leaves the citizens financially repressed. It should not be accepted. I think in Ghana, we have allowed too many wrongs in this country,” he noted.
Prof Bokpin
Prof Bokpin said that it is important to explore optimal ways of raising revenue without compromising the ability of households to meet their needs and the private sector to remain competitive.
“Nobody can tell us that the only way out is to impose more taxes and taxes, as we have done. The more we impose taxes, the real effect in scaling up or our tax revenue to GDP ratio is not seen,” he told the host, Samson Lardy Anyenini.
This is a small open economy. We have more than 27 different tax handles. That is not the only thing. If since 2020 the taxes we have imposed, if you estimate the compliance cost to the taxpayer, it’s huge, configuring systems virtually every six months, there is no predictability,” Prof Bokpin said.
The Economics lecturer said that the government should work harder to generate revenue for the people it aims to build the economy for.
“Are we not building it (economy) for Ghanaians? Are we not building it for Ghanaian private-sector businesses? What happens if by the time we achieve macroeconomic stability, half of Ghanaians have gone into poverty and have no way of reversing that? What economy is that? At the centre of it all are people and businesses.”
“The banking sector spends millions of dollars to configure their system to allow the charging of E levy. Check the manufacturing sector, they pay so much and disruption to their production line just to fix their tax stamp or something. Virtually every six months, there’s some level of disruption to planning, and to the production process. My considered view is that what Ghana is doing is not taxation,” he added.
In January 2024, the government requested the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to liaise with the two power distribution companies to transfer Value Added Tax (VAT) generated from consumers who have exceeded their lifeline power consumption.
In a press release, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta directed that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) work with GRA to implement VAT on households that have consumed power above the maximum consumption level specified for block charges for the lifeline unit effective January 1, 2024.
On January 19, the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr Yaw Baah, said that labour cannot accept the imposition of the 15% Value Added Tax on lifeline electricity consumers as it is inimical to workers’ welfare.
He wondered how the government thought it wise to further yoke the suffering worker, despite all the hardship, with the new tax.
“This country called Ghana, and all the resources we have, now the government doesn’t see anywhere else to tax; they are taxing our electricity also. Tomorrow they will tax our water, and we are not going to sit down for that to continue. That’s why I’m saying you are going to have a baptism of fire; we need to fight it until this thing is cancelled,” Dr Baah said
The Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal Assembly in Ashanti region, through the able facilitation of the Hon. Michael Amoah Awuku,has completed the construction of spacious lorry terminal for commercial transport operation at Nkawie.
It is a District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DCF) project, built with a contract sum of Four Hundred and Eighty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH 480,000).
The terminal,has been equipped with a conference hall, offices, a washroom, 60-seating capacity waiting area for passengers, parking pavilion for commercial vehicles, a 10-seater toilet facility.
An ambulance bay ,has also been built by the Assembly at Nkawie,the Municipal capital.
Hon.Michael Awuki AMOAH and his entourage during the projects inspection tour
Construction of a rehabilitated slaughter house (DDF project) with a contract sum of GH256,000 and a 20 -seater BOT toilet with 4 bathrooms have also been put up by the assembly in the same community.
Ongoing projects include; one- storey 6 unit bungalow (Internal Generated Fund Project) with a contract sum GH 420,000) for departmental heads of the assembly at Toase, 26 shops (DDF project, contract sum GH999,000) at Toase.
Other Achievements are; town roads ongoing at Akrofuom, a maternity ward completed at Asakraka, a nursing training college project ongoing at Abuakwa, construction of shops ongoing at Dadease and construction of an emergency culvert ongoing at Abuakwa- Agogo.
Hon Michael Amoah Awuku on Thursday 18th January, 2024 inspected all the above mentioned projects.
Briefing the media, the MCE, said he was touched by the quality of work done by the contractors.
According to him,all the projects were new, adding that the Assembly and for that matter government, has executed so many developmental projects in the Municipality
The MCE, however, lamented that critics are not satisfied with the many interventions rolled out by government in the area, owing to the bad nature of most of the roads in the district.
He assured that, the assembly was doing its best to ensure that bad roads in the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality are fixed.
Hon. Michael Amoah Awuku promised to carry on with the good works and do more for the good people of Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality.Source:Enock Akonnor
The wife of the 2024 National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer, Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama, has emphasised the importance of unity within the NDC at a gathering of party functionaries from the Bono East region.
She urged everyone to put aside any past grievances and come together as a united front to face the upcoming election.
“Please let bygones be bygones,” Mrs Mahama said at a get-together she hosted on Friday for the Bono East regional and constituency executives, reminding them that unity is indeed strength.
The former first lady of Ghana, encouraged the party executives and members to take the ‘Building the Ghana we want together’ message of their leader, John Mahama, and the NDC to every corner of the country during the campaign.
She also stressed the need for hard work and commitment from the party’s executives and supporters to achieve success and victory in the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
Mrs Lordina Mahama
As the crowd listened to her words, Mrs Mahama’s passion for the party and their cause was evident. Her speech was a rallying cry, igniting a sense of unity and determination for the executives and supporters.
Mrs Mahama, who hails from Ampoma and Jema in the Kintampo South constituency, is also scheduled to host and meet all one thousand, one hundred and fifty-two (1,152) branch executives.
The Minister of Energy and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Manhyia South Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly called Napo, has been commended by the Kumasi Metro Director of Education, Mr. David Oppong, and the Principal of St. Louis Teacher Training College, Madam Monica K. Mensah, for his continuous support to the provision of quality education in Ghana.
According to them, the Minister deserves commendation for his frequent donations of educational materials to schools, renovation of school blocks and his diverse support over the years to ensure provision of quality education.
Dr.Mathew Opoku Prempeh making presentation to St.Louis College Principal
They gave the commendation at separate donation ceremonies on Friday,19th January 2024, when Napo made donations.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh, accompanied by his constituency executives and other leading members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), first made a donation of 150 lecture hall chairs to St. Louis Teacher Training College at Mbrom in Kumasi.
The Principal of the college, Madam Monica K. Mensah, received the items on behalf of the college. She was full of praise for Dr. Opoku Prempeh, who is a former Minister of Education, for his consistent support to the college.
She stated that Napo had supported the college with so many educational materials, among other support. “On behalf of St. Louis Teacher Training College, I wish to commend you for your continuous support to us to ensure provision of quality education to our future teachers. We’re forever grateful to you,” she added.
In a related news, a short donation ceremony was held on the same date on the premises of St. Louis Demonstration Junior High School (JHS).
Mr, David Oppong, Kumasi Metro Director of Education receiving the items from Napo
This time round, the Manhyia South MP donated 14,000 exercise books to all basic school pupils within the Manhyia South Constituency. In addition to that, he donated 20 tables and chairs specifically to the teachers at St. Louis Demonstration JHS.
The items were received on behalf of the schools by Mr. David Oppong for onward distribution to the pupils. Mr. Oppong, who heaped praises on Napo, revealed that the donation was the 20th time he (Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh) was making a similar presentation to support teaching and learning in the area.
He said Napo had also supported their Teachers’ Awards ceremonies twice. According to him, many pupils or students, especially those from poor homes, still come to school without having educational materials, hence the donation of exercise books was timely.
Mr. Oppong said there is empirical evidence that provision of educational materials improves the standard of education or provision of quality education, stressing that “educational materials are essential in teaching and learning, so we’re appealing to the central government, NGOs and other stakeholders to continue to support our schools.”
“The Manhyia South MP has done a lot to support us but we still need his support to ensure the painting of some schools which have solid structures but are in dire need of painting,” he added.
On his part, Dr. Opoku Prempeh said he would continue to do whatever possible to ensure provision of quality education to all schools in the area. According to him, the NPP Government is very committed to the provision of quality education, hence the introduction and implementation of various interventions to ensure that no child is denied quality education.
He commended the teachers for their contributions and encouraged them to continue to excel in all their endeavours.
A group of women in the Bawku township on Friday, staged a protest, alleging brutality by military personnel against residents.
In a video, hundreds of women were observed chanting, “We don’t need them [the military], we want them out.”
The protest was sparked by reported incidents on Thursday evening when soldiers allegedly entered the Bawku township and discharged firearms indiscriminately, resulting in casualties.
filed photo of soldiers
“We have not been able to verify the number of people that are injured. After the military fired, some of the people have dispersed, and some of them are still there protesting and the injured have been taken to the Vineyard Hospital,” one resident told Citi News in an interview.
A screenshot of the demonstrators
It was reported that unknown gunmen fired into a group of people at the community centre on Wednesday, resulting in the death of two persons, while four others were injured.Source:Citi Newsroom
The campaign promise of using 100 days or less to fix challenges facing the Country has become noise in the ears of Ghanaians due to the lack of honesty and commitment on the part of Politicians over the years.
A lot of things have gone wrong with the governance of this Country especially under the 4th Republic but sadly many people out of cowardice or due to their selfish interest have decided to remain mute or silence over national issues.
The NPP and NDC only embrace the Truth when it favours their political agenda but completely Reject and Fight same when it undermines their respective chances of winning and maintaining political power. In opposition, Politicians embrace the Truth but in power reject and fight it, and this dishonest attitude is one of the weaknesses of Ghana’s democracy.
The collective focus should rather be on Ghana First regardless of which party or President is in power. That’s why H. E. Nana Akufo-Addo told us to be Citizens not Spectators. However, those who decided to be Citizens (including NPP members and Non-members) by way of Speaking Truth to Power such as calling for major changes and reshuffle of Appointees are unfortunately ignored by the President.
Razak Kojo Opoku
Now, who is in charge of running the economic affairs of the Country, is it IMF/World Bank, Ken Ofori-Atta or the Economic Management Team led by the Vice?
It could even be possible that, the Vice-President and 2024 Presidential Candidate of the NPP might not have been actively involved or consulted on most of the decisions undertaken by the Akufo-Addo-led Government.
Again, it is possible the Vice may not be happy with certain decisions made by Akufo-Addo’s Government, and definitely such decisions would require a Honeymoon Period to either cancel or review such policies/decisions when elected on 7th December 2024.
In fact, anyone within the NPP who will challenge this assumption is emphasizing to Ghanaians that, the Vice-President and 2024 Flagbearer of the NPP fully approved all the decisions of Akufo-Addo’s Government, which I don’t think and believe to be true.
In short, John Mahama is being honest with his request for a Honeymoon Period should he win the 2024 Presidential election.
However, majority of Ghanaians will only agree to the honeymoon request by any President after 7th January 2025 largely based on the Conduct of that particular government within the first 60 Days in Office.
The size, budget, policy direction and expenditure of the next government will be the key déterminants as to whether Ghanaians will support the requested Honeymoon Period or not.
We have been told by President Akufo-Addo, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, IMF and World Bank that, “Ghana has turned the Corner” but I honestly don’t know the particular Corner that Ghana has turned.
Is it a left Corner or right Corner because the prevailing economic reality on the ground is NOT supporting the arguments being put forward by IMF, World Bank, President Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta that “Ghana has turned the Corner”.
I just want them to know and understand that we are still in the process of turning the corner. We can only confidently state that, “Ghana has turned the Corner” when the current state of the economy corresponds to the pockets and purchasing power of the majority of Ghanaians.
The best we can say to Ghanaians ahead of 2024 general election is that, “the economy and its indicators are normalizing, getting better and with time everything will be fine therefore Ghanaians should be patient with the NPP”.
We can only defeat the opponents of NPP in the 2024 general election if we stay honest, humble and truthful with the economic Facts and Data.
I personally doubt the credibility of the inflation figures put forward by the Ghana Statistical Services (GSS) especially from September – December 2023.
Within the period of September – December 2023, prices of goods and services were rising coupled with the implementation of some taxes yet we are told by Ghana Statistical Services that inflation rates are coming down. I don’t know how they came up with such vodoo inflation figures.
Majority of NPP members are happy because it is favoring the government but in sincerity NPP would have easily questioned the credibility of the recent inflation figures (September – December 2023) if they were in opposition.
With Ken Ofori-Atta and IMF still in charge of running the economy of Ghana, the chances of NPP in 2024 is at greater risk.
As far as I am concerned, any government after H. E. Nana Akufo-Addo deserves a Honeymoon Period of at least 12 months to right the ‘wrongs’ of the current government and put things in proper order.
The following issues highlighted below deserve a Honeymoon Period by the next President and his vice preferably a Bawumia-led government in 2025 or a future Presidency of Kennedy Agyapong to address them:
Debt Exchange Programme and IMF Conditionalities for the $3 Billion Loan Facility.
The Domestic Debt Exchange Programme(DDEP) affecting Pensioners, Bondholders from Individuals to Corporate Entities, and the Suspension of Payments on Selected External Debts of Ghana’s Government is a very, very, very serious issues that the next President of the Republic of Ghana has to deal with. Even the next President under NPP Government WILL face this pending HEAT in 2025,2026 and beyond.
Recently, Ghana has won a moratorium with official creditors on debt payments until May 2026. The payments owed on $5.4 billion of bilateral obligations would be repaid by Ghana in 16 and 17 years’ time. Ghana is also expected in March 2023 to reach a deal with Eurobond Investors to revamp the $13 billion debt.
Would Ken Ofori-Atta who is negotiating these arrangements still be in office in May 2026 through to 16 and 17 years?
Ghana Government owes Power Producers Billions of Cedis.
If this issue is not properly negotiated, Dumsor will definitely come back to further hurt the economy under the next government.
The Ghana Road Fund owes Contractors Billions of Cedis
General Audit of All Contracts and Procurement Breaches by Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies(MDAs/MMDAs).
One of the most disturbing trends in our body politics and governance under the 4th Republican Constitution is how some CEOs, Ministers, MMDCEs and other Government Appointees allegedly hijack contracts/procurement procedures and resources under their respective outfits to their benefits using:
(a). their own existing companies
(b). new companies established
(c). Companies belonging to close associates
This bad attitude is seriously undermining governance, transparency, and limiting general opportunities for all.
Review and Suspension of Non-performing Policies under Akufo-Addo’s Government and other previous Government.
Review and Suspension of Nuisance Taxes and E-levy imposed by Ken Ofori-Atta and the Finance Ministry/Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA) especially the recent senseless VAT on domestic consumption of Electricity.
Review of the Galamsey Policy of Akufo-Addo’s Government.
Review, Maintain and further Improve the Free SHS Policy introduced by Akufo-Addo’s Government.
Critically Assess, Investigate and Review the Performance of the Officials of Bank of Ghana including the Board, Governor and his Deputies especially the Printing of monies without Parliamentary Approval.
Significantly pay equal attention and supervision to the Development of every Constituency and Region as a whole regardless of whether they voted for NPP, NDC or an Independent Candidate in accordance with the Presidential Oath of Ghana.
It is important to conclude that, the next government and President of the Republic of Ghana After 7th January 2025 would need a Honeymoon Period of at least one year to put things in order first before Citizens can fully start holding the President and government accountable to their campaign promises.
The Ashanti regional executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have announced that former President John Dramani Mahama is set to embark on a two-day campaign tour in the Ashanti Region commencing from January 24, 2024.
At a press conference held on Thursday,18th January 2024, at the party’s regional secretariat, the Regional Secretary of the party, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, said the flagbearer of the NDC would engage with traders, organised labour, artisans, students, among others, to share his vision, listen to the concerns of the people, and gather feedback directly from the grassroots.
Nana Akwasi,Dr.Frank Amoakohene and other NDC Executives
“We anticipate a highly productive and interactive series of events that will foster a stronger connection between the NDC and the people of the Ashanti Region,” Dr. Amoakohene stressed, adding that “Building the Ghana We Want Tour is not just a campaign; it is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and our belief in the power of dialogue.
Former President John Mahama
The NDC flagbearer, before the tour, will lead a “24-hour economy walk and retail campaign” in the region to explain to Ghanaians the significance of the initiative promised by him.
“As you may recall, we previously made an announcement in December which unfortunately had to be postponed due to the district level elections in some electoral areas. However, we are pleased to confirm that a new date has been set, which is Wednesday, 24th January 2024,” he disclosed.
“The walk will be led by H.E. John Dramani Mahama alongside the National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the national executives, and our dedicated regional executives headed by the Regional Chairman, Augustus Andrews Nana Akwasi,” he added.
The planned walk, Dr. Amoakohene said, would start from Aboabo Post Office and pass through Aboabo Pelele to On-the-ran to Manhyia Hospital and proceed to Alabar Street, Kejetia Roundabout, Hello FM, A-life, Asafo overpass, Labour Roundabout, and end at the Jubilee Park.
He said, “The NDC, under the leadership of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, is committed to the vision of a 24-hour economy.
This vision is driven by the pressing need to address unemployment challenges across various sectors of the economy. We believe that transitioning to a 24-hour economy will unlock immense opportunities for businesses and individuals.”
He described those who are against the policy as “enemies of our economic liberation” who do not have the youth at heart, since the policy has come to provide Jobs, adding that “elsewhere workers earn additional salaries by taking up additional jobs through this 24-hour shift system.”
Dr. Amoakohene indicated, “The 24-hour economy initiative aims to create a vibrant and dynamic economic landscape that operates round the clock. By doing so, we anticipate a surge in job opportunities across sectors such as manufacturing, services and technology.
This initiative will not only provide employment for our youth but also contribute significantly to the economic growth of the region.”
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced the final aspiring candidates to contest in the party’s upcoming parliamentary primaries.
The announcement follows a report by the National Parliamentary Appeals Committee (NPAC) and the National Parliamentary Vetting Committee (NPVC) regarding the eligibility of aspirants to contest in the parliamentary elections.
The crucial meeting took place on Wednesday, January 17, at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.
The NEC, in conjunction with party bigwigs including the flagbearer, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Chairman Stephen Ayesu Ntim, former Chairman Freddie Blay, Chief of Staff Frema Osei Opare, and the former General Secretary, John Boadu among others were present at the meeting.
The meeting also devised modalities for the organisation and execution of the parliamentary elections scheduled for January 27.
In a press statement signed and released by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong on Wednesday, NEC announced the final list of aspirants to compete in the party’s primaries scheduled for January 27.
NEC emphasised that the decision was made after careful consideration and thorough discussions on the report received by NPVC and NPAC.
About 400 persons obtained forms to participate in the NPP Parliamentary race, with 376 undergoing the vetting process.
Following the deliberation by the NEC, 17 aspiring candidates were disqualified from contesting in the party’s January 27 parliamentary primaries.
Additionally, 326 candidates qualified for the parliamentary primaries, three aspirants stepped down from the race, 29 individuals went unopposed, and one aspirant’s application is under court process.Source: Prince Adu-Owusu
I have become aware of a statement issued by the National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party, Mr Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as ‘Nana B’, on an incident that took place during the party’s vetting of Parliamentary Aspirants in the Ashanti Region, held at the Dr. Bawumia campaign office at Asokwa, Kumasi, on January 3rd, 2024.
Richard Ofori-Atta aka Tomtom
In his statement, Nana B described as false, media reports which suggest that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Bernard Antwi Bosiako, popularly known as ‘Chairman Wontumi,’ acted in a manner that shows disrespect to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, during the vetting.
Nana B
Nana B went ahead to state: “As the Chairman of the Vetting Committee, I can recall a little misunderstanding that ensued between the Regional Chairman and the Manhyia South Constituency Organizer in which I was committed in resolving.
However, in my capacity as the Chairman for the committee, I did not witness any such conduct by the Regional Chairman that sought to disparage or lower the authority of our revered and highly respected King during the conduct of our work as a Committee.”
Having carefully read Nana B’s statement, which is full of blatant lies, I am calling on him to retract and apologize by close of today, Thursday, January 18, 2024, else I will come out with the full facts tomorrow, Friday, January 19, 2024.
I must add that we were about 40 people in the vetting room and the facts can not be hidden.
Signed:
Richard Ofori-Atta,
(Tom Tom)
NPP Manhyia South Constituency Chairman, NPP
