The claim that Ashanti Region has been left out of the ministerial appointments is completely premature and mischievous since there has not been any from other regions like Upper West,Oti and Western North.
All these strategic ministries are still up for grabs.
1.Lands and Natural Resources
2.Defence
3.Works and Housing
4.Sports
5.Interior
6.Foreign Affairs
7.Health
8.Communications
9.Environment,Science and Technology
For those of you who don’t know,Ashanti is not like any other region.
There are a lot of traditional and customary protocols that must be obeyed before political appointees are named in the Ashanti Region.
The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has initiated the interview process for applicants aiming to serve as Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Ashanti region.
The exercise forms part of the new government’s commitment to competence, dedication and visionary leadership at the local government level.
A section of aspirants waiting for their turn to be vetted
The interview is scheduled to take place within three days and it is structured to cover all 43 metropolitan, municipal, and district areas in the region.
The first day is focused on applicants from 11 MMDAs, with 88 aspirants undergoing the rigorous vetting procedure.
Throughout the process, 343 applicants will present their qualifications, leadership skills, and vision to the selection committee.
The NDC’s leadership in the region has stressed the importance of the exercise, viewing it as a vital step in identifying leaders capable of effectively implementing the party’s development agenda at the grassroots
Candidates are expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of the socio-economic dynamics in their areas and propose practical strategies to address issues such as unemployment, infrastructure, sanitation, and access to education and healthcare.Source:myjoyonlune.com
President John Dramani Mahama has announced a new slate of ministerial nominees as part of his vision for governance.
Among the key nominations, Haruna Iddrisu, a former Minority Leader in Parliament and seasoned politician has been designated to lead the Education Ministry.
Governs Kwame Agbodza has been nominated to head the Roads and Highways Ministry, a sector critical to infrastructure development and national connectivity.
In the agriculture sector, Eric Opoku has been tapped as the Minister for Food and Agriculture-designate. Known for his extensive experience in rural development, Opoku is expected to spearhead initiatives aimed at boosting food security and supporting farmers.
For the newly created Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment, NDC Youth Organiser Opare Addo has been nominated as its inaugural head. The ministry aims to prioritize youth-focused policies and programs to address unemployment and foster innovation among Ghana’s young population.
Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare has been nominated to head the Ministry for Trade and Agribusiness. Her role will involve strengthening Ghana’s trade relations and promoting agribusiness as a key driver of economic growth.
Ahmed Ibrahim has been nominated to lead the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs while Emelia Arthur has been nominated to head the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
African Electoral Institute(AEI) has released its report on the 2024 general election, with recommendation for Electoral reforms in transmission and collation of electoral results.
According to AEI,the general conduct of the 2024 general election in Ghana, held on Saturday,7th December,was peaceful, with well-measured conduct from all stakeholders.
Besides that, despite some incidents of electoral violence,the overall security situation was good.
However,as a results of the reported violence in a number of constituencies by their volunteers,AEI calls for the amendment of electoral laws to address the collation and declaration standoff that has led to the petition of some election results.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Amend Electoral Laws in Transmission of Pinksheets and Collation: Amend electoral laws to address the collation and declaration standoff. For example, the Pinksheet in each polling station should be scanned directly to region or national, and an independent body, such as the district court, should be a copy of each Pinksheet from each polling station.
2. Increase Transparency: Ensure constituency certified collated results are pasted on the collation centre wall as prescribed by C.I 127. A copy of the Pinksheet from each polling station should be transmitted to the EC regional and national headquarters for preservation in case the collation centre and political parties lose their copies.
3. Enhance Security: Ensure that the security operations at collation centres should be tight to avoid invasion and takeover by unauthorized persons, leading to the breakdown of collation and declaration.
4. Promote Inclusivity:The EC should prioritize;
1. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)when granting accreditation, especially those specializing in electoral and democratic governance.
2. The Media should be granted comprehensive and wide accreditation to monitor eletions.This is crucial because CSOs and the media play a vital role in promoting transparent and accountable electoral processes due to their grassroots presence, ultimately leading to more credibility and integrity of the elections,and for the EC to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
The African Electoral Institute(AEI),is advocating for extra security enforcement at collation centres ,after every general election to avoid the reoccurrence of violence.
The appeal is contained in its report on the 2024 general election released on Thursday,16th January,2025.
The full report is reproduced below;
AFRICAN ELECTORAL INSTITUTE (AEI) REPORT ON THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GHANA.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The African Electoral Institute (AEI) observed the 2024 general elections in Ghana, which took place on December 7, 2024. Despite being denied accreditation by the Electoral Commission (EC), AEI deployed volunteers across all regions, except Bono East, to monitor the elections.
The following political parties and independent candidates successfully secured spots on the ballot for the 2024 presidential election:
New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP)
Ghana Freedom Party (GFP)
Ghana Union Movement (GUM)
Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG)
National Democratic Party (NDP)
Convention People’s Party (CPP)
National Democratic Congress (NDC)
All People’s Congress (APC)
Additionally, four independent candidates also made it onto the ballot:
Kofi Koranteng
George Twum Barima Adu
Nana Kwame Bediako
Alan Kyerematen
METHODOLOGY:
AEI volunteers observed the elections in four core areas:
General Conduct of the Elections: Volunteers monitored the overall conduct of the elections, including the behaviour of electoral stakeholders.
Security Situation: Volunteers observed the security arrangements at polling stations, including the presence of security personnel and incidents of violence.
Function of Electoral Equipment: Volunteers monitored the functionality of electoral equipment, including the Biometric Verification Device (BVD) machines.
Presence of Political Party Agents: Volunteers observed the presence of political party agents at polling stations and their level of participation in the electoral process.
KEY FINDINGS:
1. Peaceful Elections: The general conduct of the elections was peaceful, with well-measured conduct from all electoral stakeholders.
2. Security Incidents: Despite some incidents of electoral violence, the overall security situation was good. Volunteers reported violence in several constituencies, including:
2.1. Nsawam Agogyari constituency in the eastern region where there were disputes as to which candidate has emerged winner of the parliamentary election.
2.2. Okaikwei Central Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, where the collation centre was attacked and everything destroyed just at the tail end of the collation.
2.3. Aprontu Akontombra in the Western North Region were a voter insisted to carry a bag into the polling booth.
2.4. Tolon constituency in the Northern region was one death was recorded. Our volunteer at the collation centre nearly got stabbed, and his mobile phone was snatched from his hands.
2.5. Damango constituency also recorded electoral violence, and the EC office was burnt down.
2.6. Fanteakwa constituency in the Eastern region also recorded violence based on parliamentary results.
On security and electoral violence, the AEI’s Electoral Security Department pinned down Bawku in the Upper East Region, as a flash point due to the simmering conflict in Bawku that exacebated immediately before the election; but Bawku rather was election violence free per our volunteer’s report.
Also, volunteers reported that the security personnel at the polling stations were the Ghana Police, Immigration, and Fire Service, and their name tags were properly stamped on the uniforms and they were very professional and civil.
The military was not at the poling stations, but at Okaikwei Central Constituency, the military was sighted in their war tanks on the Abeka road.
Electoral Equipment: The incidence of electoral equipment malfunction was significantly lower compared to the registration exercise. Notably, the only recorded breakdown occurred in the Sisala West constituency, where a Biometric Verification Device (BVD) machine was reported to be non-functional.
Presence of Party Agents: The presence of political party agents was a notable concern. The African Electoral Institute (AEI) observed that many political parties, despite being on the ballot, failed to deploy agents to protect their interests on election day. This was evident during the registration and transfer exercises, where only a few parties had skeletal agents present. In specific instances, AEI volunteers reported that:
At Tampoe primary school in Jirapa, only NDC, NPP, and Independent candidate Alan’s agents were present.
At Pulima primary school, only NDC, NPP, and LPG had agents.
In Bia West, NDC, NPP, GUM, and CPP had skeletal agents.
The absence of party agents from smaller political parties was a recurring theme throughout the elections. This lack of representation raises concerns about this recurring pattern by these political parties making them a weak link in the democratic process noting them as only interested in Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meetings and having just their names on ballot papers but ignore mostly other important portions of the electoral process.
Most of the issues regarding Pinksheets in most of the electoral disputes regarding recollation could have been largely resolved if these “minor political parties” had their agents and their Pinksheets could have also been relied on.
AEI is therefore suggesting that these parties may not have the necessary infrastructure or personnel to participate effectively in our democratic process.
CONCLUSION:
The 2024 general elections in Ghana were largely peaceful, with some incidents of electoral violence.
The Electoral Commission’s decision to deny accreditation to numerous civil society organizations (CSOs) was a disappointing move. This denial hindered the ability of these organizations to effectively monitor the elections, ensuring transparency and accountability African Electoral Institute volunteers witnessed this firsthand, as they only encountered CODEO representatives at polling stations, while most stations had no CSO presence at all. This lack of CSO oversight raises concerns about the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.
AEI calls for the amendment of electoral laws to address the collation and declaration standoff that has led to the petition of some election results.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Amend Electoral Laws in Transmission of Pinksheets and Collation: Amend electoral laws to address the collation and declaration standoff. For example, the Pinksheet in each polling station should be scanned directly to region or national, and an independent body, such as the district court, should be a copy of each Pinksheet from each polling station.
2. Increase Transparency: Ensure
constituency certified collated results are pasted on the collation centre wall as prescribed by C.I 127. A copy of the Pinksheet from each polling station should be transmitted to the EC regional and national headquarters for preservation in case the collation centre and political parties lose their copies.
3. Enhance Security: Ensure that the security operations at collation centres should be tight to avoid invasion and takeover by unauthorized persons, leading to the breakdown of collation and declaration.
4. Promote Inclusivity:The EC should prioritize;
1. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)when granting accreditation, especially those specializing in electoral and democratic governance.
The Media should be granted comprehensive and wide accreditation to monitor eletions.This is crucial because CSOs and the media play a vital role in promoting transparent and accountable electoral processes due to their grassroots presence, ultimately leading to more credibility and integrity of the elections,and for the EC to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The African Electoral Institute (AEI) observed the 2024 general elections in Ghana, which took place on December 7, 2024. Despite being denied accreditation by the Electoral Commission (EC), AEI deployed volunteers across all regions, except Bono East, to monitor the elections.
A voter approached a volunteer at polling station to ask questions…
The following political parties and independent candidates successfully secured spots on the ballot for the 2024 presidential election:
New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP)
Ghana Freedom Party (GFP)
Ghana Union Movement (GUM)
Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG)
National Democratic Party (NDP)
Convention People’s Party (CPP)
National Democratic Congress (NDC)
All People’s Congress (APC)
Additionally, four independent candidates also made it onto the ballot:
Kofi Koranteng
George Twum Barima Adu
Nana Kwame Bediako
Alan Kyerematen
METHODOLOGY:
AEI volunteers observed the elections in four core areas:
General Conduct of the Elections: Volunteers monitored the overall conduct of the elections, including the behaviour of electoral stakeholders.
Security Situation: Volunteers observed the security arrangements at polling stations, including the presence of security personnel and incidents of violence.
Function of Electoral Equipment: Volunteers monitored the functionality of electoral equipment, including the Biometric Verification Device (BVD) machines.
Presence of Political Party Agents: Volunteers observed the presence of political party agents at polling stations and their level of participation in the electoral process.
KEY FINDINGS:
1. Peaceful Elections: The general conduct of the elections was peaceful, with well-measured conduct from all electoral stakeholders.
2. Security Incidents: Despite some incidents of electoral violence, the overall security situation was good. Volunteers reported violence in several constituencies, including:
2.1. Nsawam Agogyari constituency in the eastern region where there were disputes as to which candidate has emerged winner of the parliamentary election.
2.2. Okaikwei Central Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, where the collation centre was attacked and everything destroyed just at the tail end of the collation.
2.3. Aprontu Akontombra in the Western North Region were a voter insisted to carry a bag into the polling booth.
2.4. Tolon constituency in the Northern region was one death was recorded. Our volunteer at the collation centre nearly got stabbed, and his mobile phone was snatched from his hands.
2.5. Damango constituency also recorded electoral violence, and the EC office was burnt down.
2.6. Fanteakwa constituency in the Eastern region also recorded violence based on parliamentary results.
On security and electoral violence, the AEI’s Electoral Security Department pinned down Bawku in the Upper East Region, as a flash point due to the simmering conflict in Bawku that exacebated immediately before the election; but Bawku rather was election violence free per our volunteer’s report.
Also, volunteers reported that the security personnel at the polling stations were the Ghana Police, Immigration, and Fire Service, and their name tags were properly stamped on the uniforms and they were very professional and civil.
The military was not at the poling stations, but at Okaikwei Central Constituency, the military was sighted in their war tanks on the Abeka road.
Electoral Equipment: The incidence of electoral equipment malfunction was significantly lower compared to the registration exercise. Notably, the only recorded breakdown occurred in the Sisala West constituency, where a Biometric Verification Device (BVD) machine was reported to be non-functional.
Presence of Party Agents: The presence of political party agents was a notable concern. The African Electoral Institute (AEI) observed that many political parties, despite being on the ballot, failed to deploy agents to protect their interests on election day. This was evident during the registration and transfer exercises, where only a few parties had skeletal agents present. In specific instances, AEI volunteers reported that:
At Tampoe primary school in Jirapa, only NDC, NPP, and Independent candidate Alan’s agents were present.
At Pulima primary school, only NDC, NPP, and LPG had agents.
In Bia West, NDC, NPP, GUM, and CPP had skeletal agents.
The absence of party agents from smaller political parties was a recurring theme throughout the elections. This lack of representation raises concerns about this recurring pattern by these political parties making them a weak link in the democratic process noting them as only interested in Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meetings and having just their names on ballot papers but ignore mostly other important portions of the electoral process.
Most of the issues regarding Pinksheets in most of the electoral disputes regarding recollation could have been largely resolved if these “minor political parties” had their agents and their Pinksheets could have also been relied on.
AEI is therefore suggesting that these parties may not have the necessary infrastructure or personnel to participate effectively in our democratic process.
CONCLUSION:
The 2024 general elections in Ghana were largely peaceful, with some incidents of electoral violence.
The Electoral Commission’s decision to deny accreditation to numerous civil society organizations (CSOs) was a disappointing move. This denial hindered the ability of these organizations to effectively monitor the elections, ensuring transparency and accountability African Electoral Institute volunteers witnessed this firsthand, as they only encountered CODEO representatives at polling stations, while most stations had no CSO presence at all. This lack of CSO oversight raises concerns about the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.
AEI calls for the amendment of electoral laws to address the collation and declaration standoff that has led to the petition of some election results.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Amend Electoral Laws in Transmission of Pinksheets and Collation: Amend electoral laws to address the collation and declaration standoff. For example, the Pinksheet in each polling station should be scanned directly to region or national, and an independent body, such as the district court, should be a copy of each Pinksheet from each polling station.
2. Increase Transparency: Ensure constituency certified collated results are pasted on the collation centre wall as prescribed by C.I 127. A copy of the Pinksheet from each polling station should be transmitted to the EC regional and national headquarters for preservation in case the collation centre and political parties lose their copies.
3. Enhance Security: Ensure that the security operations at collation centres should be tight to avoid invasion and takeover by unauthorized persons, leading to the breakdown of collation and declaration.
4. Promote Inclusivity:The EC should prioritize;
1. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)when granting accreditation, especially those specializing in electoral and democratic governance.
2. The Media should be granted comprehensive and wide accreditation to monitor eletions.This is crucial because CSOs and the media play a vital role in promoting transparent and accountable electoral processes due to their grassroots presence, ultimately leading to more credibility and integrity of the elections,and for the EC to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
The Constituency Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Atwima Nwabiagya South, Mr. John Kwame Duodu, popularly known as Sir John has urged members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to take responsibility for their actions and inactions ahead of the just concluded 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections and stop blaming others for the abysmal performance of the Party..
Mr. John Kwame Duodu aka Sir John
According to the Ashanti Regional TESCON Patron, the NPP’s failure in the 2024 General Election was as a result of their own mistakes and that it is about time the Party did candid self-introspection and correced their wrongs ahead of the 2028 elections.
Sir John’s comments come in the wake of the post-election blame games and finger-pointing going on among the rank and file the New Patrioti Party.
He emphasized that it is important for the entire hierarchy of the NPP, especially leaders who were entrusted with positions in the erstwhile Nana Akuffo Addo and Bawumia government to acknowledge their shortcomings and work towards redemption rather than shifting the blame onto others.
Sir John
His statement is a call to action for the Party to engage in a holistic soul-searching and rectification of their mistakes in order to move forward in unity devoid of tendencies that have the potential to cause disunity and more harm to the Party.
As the NPP begins to pick up the pieces and plan for the future, Sir John reminded all Party faithfuls that true growth and progress can only be achieved by acknowledging and learning from the Party’s past mistakes.
Caution against Early Declarations
The vociferous NPP leader also strongly criticized Party members who have begun declaring their intentions to run for various national, regional and constituency positions at this early moment the Party’s wounds are still fresh.
‘It’s premature for these Party leaders who ought to know better to be concerned with the positions they envisage to occupy in the upcoming internal elections instead of helping the healing and reorganization process in the aftermath of the Party’s unprecented defeat’, Sir John opined.
Sir John intimated further that the Party needs to focus and reflect on the painful defeat, reassess its strategies and rebuild the Party’s structures before going into next internal elections.
He stated that rushing into the impending leadership contests without properly addressing the issues that led to the Party’s defeat in 2024 would certainly be counter-productive.and may yet again spell doom for the Party in 2028.
Sir John applauded the establishment of the regional reconciliation committees to address the post-election issues and promote unity within the Party.
He stressed that the move is a sure way by which the Party can address the internal rivalries and wranglings and help in maintaining cohesion and unity among the rank and file.
DMB Applauded for His Statesmanship
The Deputy National Organiser of Friends of Bawilumia ‘2008’ applauded the Party’s 2024 flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for conceding defeat timeously in the 2024 presidential election and saving the nation from potential ekction violence.
According to Sir John, Dr. Bawumia’s decision to concede defeat early was a bold move, motivated by his desire to maintain peace and stability in Ghana.
Sir John’s praise for Dr. Bawumia’s actions highlights the need for politicians to always demonstrate statesmanship and put the interests of the nation above their personal interests and ambitions.
Appreciation to NPPs Campaign Teams
Concluding his statement, Sir John expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Party’s campaign teams, from the national level to the polling stations, despite the Party’s unexpected defeat.
He acknowledged the tireless efforts and dedication of the campaign team at the various levels of the Party for working relentlessly to promote the Party’s vision and ideals.
He praised them for their commitment, perseverance, and sacrifices, which, in spite of the outcome, demonstrated the true spirit of the NPP.
Sir John’s appreciation extended to every individual within the NPP fraternity who contributed to the Party’s campaign, from the national executives to the grassroots supporters.
He emphasized that their hard work and loyalty are the backbone of the Party and will be crucial in rebuilding and repositioning the Party for future election victories.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene is a medical professional and youth leader with expertise in healthcare, governance, and public service.
He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Ghana, a Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science degree from UDS, and an MBA from Accra Business School.
Currently the NDC Ashanti Regional Secretary, he has held various leadership roles, including serving as President of NAHSAG and NUGS, where he championed student welfare and advocacy at the national level.
Act now to stop attacks by NDC thugs on innocent people, else we’ll mobilise our members to defend ourselves – Ashanti NPP Organiser to Police
Source: tntnewspapergh.co
The Ashanti Regional Organiser for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Francis Adomako, popularly known as Francois, has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, and his men, especially in the Ashanti Region, to act proactively to stop the persistent attacks on innocent people and state properties by National Democratic Congress (NDC) thugs.
According to him, the police service and other security agencies have sat on the fence for far too long to allow NDC members to continue to take the law into their own hands after the 2024 general election.
Speaking to “The New Trust” newspaper on Tuesday, 14th January 2025, the industrious Ashanti Regional NPP Organiser said this was their (NPP members) final notice to the police service and other security agencies that if they continue to sit down unconcerned to stop the attacks on innocent people and state properties by NDC members, they will also mobilise their members to defend themselves.
He said instead of the NDC leadership to advise and call their members to order and let them wait for jobs from Mahama’s 24-hour economy promise, they are silent.
Francois asked, “Why can’t NDC members wait to get jobs from the implementation of Mahama’s 24-hour economy but are rather bent on attacking and sacking innocent Ghanaian workers from their workplaces?”
Dr.Francis Adomako aka Francois
It is therefore,the backdrop, Francois renewed his called on
nananom, pastors, imams, zongo chiefs, the media and leaders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to rise up and speak against the attack on some people and the destruction of state properties by some members of the NDC.
According to him, Ghanaians have spoken and President John Mahama has won the 2024 presidential election, with the NDC having an overwhelming majority in Parliament.
“l believe it should end there. Today you see NDC youths entering organisations and sacking all workers and destroying properties but no one is talking about it. Unfortunately, even NDC leaders have kept quiet and these youths have taken the law into their own hands and doing what pleases them,” he pointed out.
Francois, who doubles as the Dean of all Regional Organisers, expressed worry that the NDC youth are destroying public properties, destroying NPP properties and threatening public officials in their various workplaces.
The Ashanti NPP Organiser added, “I don’t think this is right. The NDC government has promised a 24-hour economy and we are all waiting for the government to create employment for its teeming youths and not to go about it this way.”
Dr. Adomako, therefore, called on the NDC leadership to speak to their youths, else the NPP would retaliate.
He questioned the whereabouts of the security agencies, the Peace Council, chiefs, civil society organisations, the media and development partners.
“Let’s start talking and let’s put a stop to it. What is going on doesn’t help anyone. Even national service personnel are being chased out of offices and everyone is quiet; this is not helpful,” he added.
