Accra, November 12, 2024 – The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) is pleased to announce the formation of a 5-member Committee tasked with overseeing nominations for the prestigious PRINPAG Awards this year. These annual awards spotlight excellence in print and online journalism throughout Ghana, promoting originality, innovation, and editorial independence among media professionals.
The Committee members are as follows:
Sir Ben Asorrow (Chairman) Mr. Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri (Secretary) Lawyer Ken Agyei Kuranchie (Member) Mr. Awudu Mahama (Member) Mr. David Tamakloe (Member)
This committee has been entrusted with the responsibility of nominating winners across various award categories, adhering to the criteria established by PRINPAG’s National Executives. Through their dedicated efforts, the awards maintain the highest standards, recognizing the accomplishments of journalists who demonstrate integrity and professionalism.
The highly-anticipated 2024 PRINPAG Awards Ceremony is scheduled for December, where selected nominees will be acknowledged for their exceptional contributions to the industry. In light of this, PRINPAG urges all members to show their support for the Committee’s work, acknowledging its crucial role in upholding the integrity and prestige of our Awards.
Furthermore, members are advised to settle any outstanding financial obligations to PRINPAG to ensure their good standing within the Association and eligibility for potential recognition.
Let us join together in celebrating media excellence and contributing to the success of this year’s Awards.
Signed,
*Leorge Wilson Kingson
Executive Secretary
*0244822034
*PRINPAG
The Supreme Court of Ghana has by a 5-2 decision ruled that the Speaker, Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four seats as vacant is unconstitutional.
At a brief sitting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo said the Speakers declaration cannot hold.
Gertrude Torkornoo and Alban Bagbin
According to her the reasons for the verdict would be provided on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
“By court in a majority decision of five two, Lovelace Johnson JSC and Ahmadu Tanko JSC dissenting on the issue of jurisdiction, the plaintiff’s action succeeds the full reasons and orders of the court shall be filed with the registrar by close of date, tomorrow, 13th, November 2024 the is the judgment of the court” the Chief Justice said.
Background
On 17 October 2024, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, declared four parliamentary seats vacant with just two months remaining until the election in December.
The legislators affected by the declaration are Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah of the NDC, representing the Amenfi Central constituency in the Western Region; Andrew Amoako Asiamah of Fomena in the Ashanti Region; Kojo Asante, NPP MP for Suhum in the Eastern Region; and Cynthia Morrison of the NPP, representing Agona West constituency.
Their seats were declared vacant because they announced their intention to contest the December election as independent candidates in their respective constituencies.
This declaration means that Ghana’s hung parliament, which previously gave the governing New Patriotic Party a slight upper hand, with the support of independent MP Andrew Amoako Asiamah, will now shift towards the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Following this, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has filed an injunction application at the Supreme Court in response to the Speaker’s declaration.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has failed to submit a statement of case in the Supreme Court regarding the legal dispute over vacant parliamentary seats.
There was a notable absence of representation from the Speaker’s side in court proceedings on Monday, November 11.
The case involves the eligibility of certain Members of Parliament to retain their seats after declaring their intention to run as independents.
The court had previously directed the Speaker to file the required documents by Wednesday, November 6, following a request for an extension by his legal representative, Thaddeus Sory.
Mr. Sory had cited the need for additional time to consult with the Speaker and gather necessary instructions, emphasising the importance of a well-prepared submission.
Alban Bagbin
However, despite this allowance, no statement was filed by the set deadline, raising questions over the Speaker’s position in the matter.
Meanwhile, Attorney-General Godfred Dame argued before the court that the Speaker’s involvement was unnecessary, as the Attorney General’s office was authorised to handle matters involving constitutional interpretation on behalf of public officers.
He urged the Supreme Court to proceed with hearing the case, stating that further delays would only prolong the issue and hamper effective legal proceedings.
The ongoing case seeks clarity on the constitutionality of retaining parliamentary seats when MPs declare independence or switch allegiance before an election.Source: Ernest K. Arhinful
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has once again adjourned the house indefinitely on Thursday, November 7, after Members of Parliament (MPs) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) failed to attend the session.
The Speaker announced that without the presence of the NPP MPs, the house could not meet the quorum needed to make decisions, besides, there was no business before the house, thus preventing any legislative action from taking place.
The absence of the NPP MPs from Parliament came as a setback for the anticipated emergency sitting, which had been convened to address pressing national issues.
Speaker Bagbin expressed disappointment over the situation, highlighting that the absence of the NPP members rendered the session ineffective and forced the indefinite adjournment of Parliament.
“Matters that they wanted us to handle, which I admitted for consideration from the business committee, are not on the Order Paper and in fact, there is no order paper for today because the business committee could not meet due to the absence of the people who requested for the recall.”
“As you can see one side of the House is completely empty. In view of this, we have a quorum to sit but we have no business before us to transact. In the absence of that, there is no other authority that can put business before you that you have not adopted to transact.”
“In view of the failure of the business committee to sit, as a result of the refusal of those who requested a recall to show up, we are compelled to once again adjourn the sitting of the house. Knowing the challenges we are facing, it is not advisable to be adjourning from day to day. So, I will proceed once more to adjourn the meeting indefinitely,” he stated.
Following the adjournment, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus, criticised the NPP MPs, accusing them of causing financial loss to the state.
Dr. Forson pointed out that resources were allocated to recall Parliament for the emergency sitting, only for the NPP members to fail to attend.
He stressed that this action wasted taxpayer money and deprived citizens of potential legislative progress.
Dr. Forson urged the NPP MPs to act responsibly, noting that their absence not only disrupted parliamentary proceedings but also undermined the institution’s credibility.
He further called on Parliament to consider measures that would prevent similar occurrences, emphasising the need for accountability and commitment from all MPs in fulfilling their duties to the nation.Source: Ernest K. Arhinful
PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TO: ALL MEDIA HOUSES
DATE: 6TH NOVEMBER, 2024.
*
The African Electoral Institute extends its warmest congratulations to the people of the United States of America on the successful conclusion of their 2024 presidential election. As a civil society organization based in Ghana, we commend the dedication shown by American citizens in exercising their democratic rights and responsibilities.
The African Electoral Institute applaud the electoral institutions of the United States for their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the democratic process. The successful administration of this election demonstrates the resilience of American democratic institutions and their continued role in setting global standards for electoral processes.
The peaceful conduct of this election serves as an inspiration to emerging democracies worldwide and reinforces the United States’ position as a beacon of democratic values. We particularly commend:
The high level of citizen participation in the electoral process
The transparency demonstrated throughout the voting and counting procedures
The robust electoral infrastructure that enabled millions of Americans to cast their votes
The professional conduct of election officials across all fifty states
As fellow advocates of democratic governance, we look forward to continued cooperation in promoting democratic values and principles to strengthen society globally.
We extend our congratulations to the president-elect and wish the American people continued prosperity under their new leadership.
SIGNED
Joshua Adjin-Tettey
Director of Communications and External Relations*
0540904550
Engr. Judge Hasford Quartey
Deputy Director of Communications and External Relations.
0547510174
Ex. WO1 Alhaji Yussif Mahamah
Electoral Security Department
0243311965
About Us:
African Electoral Institute ( AEI) is a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) founded to deliver sustainable electoral solutions to Emerging and Developed Democracies to strengthen, augment, and build electoral stakeholders capacity and participation on electoral issues through electoral education on voter’s rights and freedom, electoral research, election monitoring, election observation, election results collation, election security awareness and training of polling agents and elections directors underscoring the fact that “elections are won at the polling stations’’ and the participation of all identifiable electoral stakeholders in an electoral process such as Political Parties, Governmental Institutions, underpinning transparency and accountability for a free, fair, and credible elections in Africa and the wider world.
We are on: africanelectoralinstitute.com
X: @AFRICAN ELECTORA
Lindedin: African_Electoral_ Institute
The Chairman of National Media Commission (NMC) and veteran media practitioner, Mr. Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, has urged all media houses and journalists across the country to help protect the peace of the country by desisting from pronouncing the supposed winner of the December 7 general election.
Mr Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo,NMC Chairman,Lawyer Paul Adu Gyamfi, Ashanti Regional Media Advisory Committee chairman among others in a chat after the forum.
“Ghana is the only country we have, and we can never sacrifice the peace we’re enjoying for anything. So NMC’s advice to all journalists in the country is that let’s wait for the Electoral Commission to make the final declaration of the results,” he said.
Mr. Ayeboafo, who is also a lawyer and associate professor, made the passionate appeal at a day’s “Media Forum for Election 2024” organised by the Ashanti Regional Media Advisory Committee (ARMAC), in collaboration with NMC.
It was held at Longford Event Centre at Odeneho-Kwadaso on Tuesday, 5th November 2024.
The purpose of the forum was to equip participants to combat issues such as disinformation, misinformation, fake news, hate speech, etc. ahead of the December polls.
The NMC chairman tasked the media to take the biggest responsibility to ensure that Ghana is stable after the December polls. He reminded media practitioners that people are not interested in who reported an incident first but the one who reports it accurately and fairly.
A section of the participants
“Let’s stay objective as journalists. Let’s be mindful of our choice of words in the lead up to the general election,” he stressed.
Mr. Ayeboafo also advised media practitioners to always double-check any information to avoid spreading misinformation, disinformation and fake news.
Besides, the NMC chairman advised media practitioners to take personal safety critically in all their endeavours.
”Don’t sing the praises of your media house employers, especially those who are politicians for their political gains to lose their integrity as journalists. Let’s protect our profession in order not to allow politicians to mislead us because they’re not wiser or more intelligent than us,” he added.
“With few days to the December polls, let’s all play our roles effectively without taking sides but rather gather the facts as they are for the public to judge in their decision-making,” he emphasised.
On his part, the Chairman of Ashanti Regional Advisory Committee, who doubles as former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Lawyer Paul Adu Gyamfi, stressed the need for media practitioners to report accurately devoid of misinformation and disinformation.
According to him, the need for the media to play its role effectively to ensure violence-free general election cannot be overemphasised.
“Please don’t rush to report that someone has won the election but wait for the official declaration by the Electoral Commission. Be very careful of your reportage so as to help Ghana move forward after the December polls,” he advised.
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana chaired by Mrs Jean Mensa is fully committed to ensuring free, fair and transparent elections to ensure that anyone who will be declared winner will merit it whilst the losers will accept defeat honourably.
Mr.Osei Nsiah, Ashanti Regional EC Director speaking at the Forum
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Commission, Mr. Osei Nsiah, who gave the assurance, said the EC desired that Ghana’s peace is kept intact before, during and after Saturday, 7th December 2024, general election.
Mr. Nsiah gave the assurance at a day’s “Media Forum for Election 2024” organised by the Ashanti Regional Media Advisory Committee (ARMAC) of the National Media Commission (NMC) held at Longford Event Centre at Odeneho-Kwadaso on Tuesday, 5th November 2024.
Mr.Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, NMC Chairman and other dignitaries
The purpose of the forum was to equip participants to combat issues such as disinformation, misinformation, fake news, hate speech, etc. ahead of the December polls.
According to the Ashanti Regional EC boss, the Commission has nothing to hide and has always involved all major stakeholders, especially the contesting political parties in all the processes. He, therefore, entreated all Ghanaians, especially the media, to disregard the false information about a section of politicians.
Mr. Nsiah stated unequivocally that there was no way the Commission could rig the election for any political party or candidate. Neither is it possible for anyone to inflate the printing of the ballot papers.
He, therefore, cautioned Ghanaians, especially the media, not to fall into this era of technology where anyone can just sit somewhere and print and dump supposedly EC ballot papers and call them for coverage for the reason best known to them.
He indicated that the EC is always able to track and identify foreign materials because of special serial numbers, coupled with their training.
Mr. Osei Nsiah, therefore, called for the support of the media and other stakeholders to ensure accurate reportage before, during and after the elections.
He also entreated the media across the country to study and understand the processes of the EC well so as to appreciate them and inform their readers, listeners and viewers with the rightful information.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), who doubles as the Ashanti Regional Editor of Ghanaian Times, Mr. Kingsley E. Hope, stressed the need for his colleague journalists to shun disinformation and misinformation, especially in the run-up to the December polls.
He used a number of examples to remind journalists why they should be extra vigilant in order not to fall for disinformation, misinformation and fake news. ”Let’s always double-check our information before publication,” he added.
As part of efforts to promote gender equality, the Ghana Chapter of the Africa Women Leaders’ Network, has organized a town hall meeting in Kumasi to address women’s participation in political leadership. The programme was in partnership with the Canadian High Commission. Its focus was to promote inclusive governance and sustainable development, with the theme, “Promoting Women’s Political Leadership through Dialogue”.
The African Women Leaders’ Network, established in 2017, serves as a continental platform to energize women’s leadership of Africa towards lasting peace and sustainable development in all sectors and at all levels, building on, and working with, existing women networks with the support of the African Union and the United Nations. It is anchored on six pillars. These are, political participation, peace and security, financial inclusion, young women leadership, empowering rural women and socialization mobilization.
The Network currently has over 500 members and continues to grow exponentially. Ghana is the 31st Chapter that was launched on 9th November 2022. The Ashanti Regional Dialogue Session in Kumasi was the first to be organized in three selected regions in the country and brought together, gender activists, women involved in active partisan politics, parliamentary aspirants from the various political parties, persons with disability and queen mothers. In an address the Chief Executive Officer, of the Ghana Chapter of the Africa Women Leaders Network, Dr. Charity Binka, emphasized that promoting women leadership is about creating an environment where their voices will influence policies, governance and decision making at the highest level.
“Promoting women leadership is not simply about having women in political spaces, it is also about creating an environment where their voices influence policy, governance and decision making at the highest level. Dialogue has proved as one of the most powerful tools at our disposal to use for that purpose. It allows us to challenge our bidding norms, dispel myths and bridge’s the gap between aspirations and action.
The 2024 elections is more than a contest for power, it is an opportunity for Ghana to demonstrate its commitment to gender equality in political representation. We cannot speak about governance without including women at their decision making table.
It is not just leadership, its about development. We are asking government, political parties, Civil Soceity Organizations, private sector to step up their efforts to make sure women are included.
We must foster an environment where women can strive in peace and burdened by the width of discrimination. The media has a role to play by shaping public perceptions moving beyond stereotypical protrayance of women in politics to showcasing leadership abilities, resilience and tangible challenges they bring to formidities
. As we approach election 2024, we challenge ourselves to move into meaningful action where women leadership is not only encouraged but celebrated”, Dr. Binka explained.
During a panel discussion to drum home the need for continuous training and support for women who aspire to take on political leadership positions, the Queen mother of Fankyenebra, Nana Akua Afriyie Owoabrempong urged women to eschew the erroneous impression that women are their own enemies.
“I don’t agree with people who say women are their own enemies. For me, they are wrong and it’s not true. Because in fighting for political or any leadership position, the challenges men go through, women also face the same. I don’t see why they say women are their own enemies. Men stand against their own men, they fight themselves, sometimes they blackmail themselves and whatever is done to a man is also done to a woman, I don’t see why we think women are vulnerable and we need help from others . If you are a man or woman and aspire to be a leader, stay focused.
One thing, you must stand for is to be focused and you will get there because being a politician is not an easy task.
It requires hard work. If you are a women and you are given an opportunity to serve, don’t Lord yourself over others but rather do it well to prove naysayers wrong by bringing out the best in you towards development. Women are not their own enemies”, Nana Akua Afriyie Owoabrempong emphasized.
The Chief Executive Officer of Proactif Global, Nathaniel Akwasi Oduro encouraged women who aspire to be capable leaders to avail themselves for training to take up the task.
”Ladies especially, the Gen Z’s need to realize that whatever position they aspire for comes with a work. So they need to avail themselves for training to get the experience.
My advice to the women Parliamentary Candidates is that, we’ll not vote for you just because you are a woman but on the basis of how well you can explain the policy of the party you are representing, market yourself well. So I urge you to learn, read and explain policies properly. We don’t want to push you there and you are not able to perform. So that when you get there we can support you to perform better”. Mr. Oduro implored.
In the Ashanti region, a total of 14 females from the two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress have filed their nominations to contest for the parliamentary seats in their respective constituencies.
The Speaker of Parliament has issued a communique recalling Members of Parliament to sit on Thursday, November 7, with arrangements specified in the notice sent out on Thursday, October 31.
According to the Speaker, the recall is made pursuant to Article 112 (3) of Ghana’s Constitution and Standing Orders 5 and 53, allowing the Speaker to summon Parliament as needed in the public interest.
The session will commence at 10 a.m. at the Accra International Conference Centre, the temporary venue for Parliamentary sittings while the main House undergoes renovations.
Although specific agenda items have not been disclosed, the recall suggests that urgent national matters may be under consideration.
Members are expected to arrive in Accra promptly to address pressing issues affecting the nation.
This announcement follows Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to indefinitely adjourn parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, October 22, after a contentious day in the Chamber.
Tensions were high as Members of Parliament from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) clashed over which caucus holds the majority.
Additionally, Speaker Bagbin referenced a communication from the Supreme Court, which directed him to stay his prior ruling that declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
In a subsequent development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday, October 30, dismissed a stay application filed by the Speaker, upholding its initial directive.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has accused Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin of violating procurement laws by hiring Thaddeus Sory as a lawyer for the Parliamentary Service without the necessary approvals.
A letter from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) recently emerged, rejecting a request to single-source Sory@Law, Thaddeus Sory’s firm, as Parliament’s solicitor on retainer.
Speaking to JoyNews’ Kwaku Asante following Wednesday’s Supreme Court hearing, Mr Dame labelled the Speaker’s actions as unlawful.
“It was a matter that was properly brought up because as I indicated to the court, the procurement of all goods, works and services of any person with public funds must be with the approval of the public procurement authority. So it’s a matter that is very important and indeed we raised it,” he said.
Alban Bagbin and Godfrey Yeboah-Dame
Mr Dame argued that constitutional cases should not involve personal interests and emphasised that the Speaker’s role does not entitle him to legal representation on a personal basis.
“As I said, in the constitutional case, there’s nothing like a person of an interest. What interest does the Speaker of Parliament have in the interpretation of the Constitution? So there’s no interest, no personal interest of the Speaker of Parliament, and that’s the point that I sought to make.”
Mr Dame argued that in constitutional cases, the primary concern is the true and accurate interpretation of the relevant constitutional provisions, rather than any individual’s personal interest.
He emphasised that it is, in fact, the Supreme Court’s proper interpretation of the Constitution that holds the utmost importance.
“As I said, I have always tolerated the Speaker of Parliament and his representation, even though I know it’s not lawful. And of course, it is not an attempt to prevent the Speaker from having a representation. If the Speaker wants to have a lawyer, the Speaker must procure the lawyer lawfully.”
The A-G stated that compliance with procurement laws is required at all levels, noting that his own office, as well as former Chief Justices, sought PPA approval for external legal services.
“The Attorney-General, even when he’s seeking the service of a lawyer to represent the government in cases outside the country, in foreign courts, goes through PPA approval all the time. Even the Chief Justice, the former Chief Justice, who was using the services of Thaddeus Sory had to go to PPA approval,” Mr Dame said.
He further argued that the Speaker’s actions breach the PPA Act, stating, “A breach of the PPA Act constitutes a crime and my contention is that you cannot use a crime to defend a clear, unconstitutional action by yours. So, indeed, you are engaged in an unconstitutional action, and you are using the commission of a crime to further that unconstitutionality, that is wrong.”
When asked why he did not raise the issue further in court, he explained, “That’s up to the courts. I do not quarrel with the court at all when the court decides to either defer a ruling or maybe decide not to rule on it. And, of course, all rights are also reserved for us to take it up further.
