President Akufo-Addo’s long-serving driver, Dr Gerald Joseph Addo, has clinched the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidacy for the La Dadekotopon constituency.
He secured 664 votes, surpassing his main rival, Solomon Kotey Niikio, who garnered 555 votes.
The National Executive Committee of the NPP authorised a primary in La Dadekotopon following the resignation of the elected parliamentary candidate, Dr Joseph Tetteh, citing personal reasons.
His decision to contest in the primary came after Dr Joseph Tetteh’s resignation.
Having served as President Akufo-Addo’s driver for over two decades, Addo expressed his readiness to serve the constituency.
Recently, Addo made a significant contribution to the party by donating an office complex located on Ako Adjei Road.
This move was seen as timely, as the party lacked a permanent office space, forcing executives to operate from rented premises.
, Dr Gerald Joseph Addo
During the donation, the President’s driver emphasised his commitment to supporting the NPP’s quest to regain the La Dadekotopon seat from the NDC.
His gesture was lauded by party members as a demonstration of his dedication to the party’s cause.
The NPP’s loss of the La Dadekotopon seat to the NDC’s Rita Naa Odoley Sowah in the 2020 election heightened the party’s determination to reclaim it in the upcoming polls.Source: Ernest K. Arhinful
A former Afigya Kwabre South Constituency Chairman in the Ashanti Region, Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, has made a passionate appeal to the rank and file of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to redouble their efforts in campaigning for the party’s parliamentary candidate for the upcoming Ejisu By-election, Lawyer Kwabena Boateng.
COKA advised members of the NPP, especially those in the Ejisu Constituency, not to sleep till Lawyer Kwabena Boateng is elected MP to replace the late Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah on Tuesday, 30th April 2024.
Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah and Lawyer Kwabena Boateng
COKA made the appeal after a unity walk on Saturday, 27th April 2024, through the principal streets of Ejisu to rally support for the party’s candidate.
COKA addressing NPP supporters after the Unity Walk.
He stressed the need for the rank and file of the party to put everything behind them and unite for victory
He, therefore, encouraged all members to embark on an aggressive door-to-door campaign in order to convey the good message of the NPP to every electorate in the constituency.
“Tuesday’s by-election should be a-must-win for the NPP, so let’s all rally behind lawyer Kwabena Boateng vigorously to ensure that he wins with a wide margin,” he pleaded.
COKA was of the view that Tuesday’s by-election is of great importance to the NPP as far as parliamentary business is concerned so they should all come on board, bring resources together and make sure the NPP retains Ejisu seat.
He cautioned the electorate to be mindful of their choice of words which he believes can jeopardise the fortunes of the by-election.
The by-election became necessary as a result of the sudden demise of the NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Ejisu, Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah, who was also a deputy finance minister.
FINAL COMMUNITY DURBAR AND RALLY FOR LAWYER KWABENA BOATENG (NEXT MP, EJISU)*
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Dear Patriots, you are specially invited to The New Patriotic Party’s Final Community Durbar and Rally for Lawyer Kwabena Boateng in the *Ejisu Constituency.
Special Guests of Honor
– H.E Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo – President of the Republic of Ghana.
– H.E Mahamudu Bawumia -Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and Flag bearer of the NPP.
– Hon. Stephen Ntim – National Party Chairman
Date : Sunday 28th April, 2024
Fumesua Zone
Venue: Kwamo Astro-Turf
Time : 1:00 PM Sharp !
Kwaso Zone
Venue : Onwe Park
Time: 3:00 PM Sharp!
Ejisu zone
Venue : Ejisu, Bonwire Station
Time: 5:00 PM
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the Director of Communications for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s Campaign, has confirmed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is progressing according to schedule in selecting its running mate.
Aboagye further revealed that Dr Bawumia has a clear preference for his running mate.
Amidst concerns about potential delays and their ramifications, calls have been made for the NPP to disclose its choice for the running mate position promptly.
However, in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Mr Aboagye offered reassurance, stating that the party remains on track with its internal timeline and could unveil the running mate at any moment.
“We are very much within the timeline. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was elected barely six months ago and so we still have time. If you recall, his nomination in 2008 was done somewhere in August.”
“So, for us in the NPP, we are very much within our timelines. It can be tomorrow, it can be next week it can be next month, it can be three days from now.
The flagbearer at this point is very clear in his mind who his running mate is going to be and when he is ready, he is going to announce that,” he stated.Source:Abigail Arthur
The former Member of Parliament ( MP) Ejisu constituency in the Ashanti region,who doubles as independent candidate for upcoming Ejisu By-election, Engineer Kwabena Owusu Aduomi campaign team,has exposed the governing New Patriotic Party,(NPP) leadership desperate attempts to take credit for the construction of Bonwire Market among others solely financed by Aduomi.
. Speaking at a press conference on Friday,26th April,2024,the Campaign Coordinator for Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, Mr.Isaac Boafo said “Ejisu will make a resounding statement on Tuesday, reaffirming our commitment to democracy and justice.
NPP knows that their candidate stands no chance in this by-election and for which reason they have resorted to telling wicked lies and digging dirt on Hon Owusu Aduomi”.
Mr.Isaac Boafo addressing the Media
According to him,the pinnacle of deceitfulness lies in the NPP’s audacious claim that the Bonwire market project, personally financed by Hon Owusu Aduomi, is somehow a Middle Belt Development Project.” Let us set the record straight: Middle Belt market projects are not under the purview of Members of Parliament; they are typically awarded to contractors through formal procurement processes’..
He pointed out that “It is essential to note that when Hon Owusu Aduomi concluded his tenure in parliament, the Bonwire market project was merely at its foundation stage. However, his unwavering dedication to the welfare of his constituents compelled him to allocate substantial financial resources towards its completion.
To insinuate that this project falls under the umbrella of Middle Belt Development Projects is not only misleading but a deliberate attempt to diminish Hon Owusu Aduomi’s significant contributions to the community. It is a disservice to the constituents of Bonwire and Ejisuman and a blatant distortion of the truth”.
He said the facts speak for themselves: Hon Owusu Aduomi’s personal investment and tireless efforts have propelled the Bonwire market project and others within the constituency towards fruition, benefiting the local economy and enhancing the livelihoods of countless individuals.
He therefore, urged voters not to be swayed by political rhetoric or manipulated narratives.” The truth prevails, and it is imperative that we acknowledge and honor Hon Owusu Aduomi’s genuine commitment to community development”.
The full statement reads”Ladies and gentlemen of the press,
We have convened this morning to address the alarming and reckless behavior exhibited by Chairman Wontumi, the NPP, and certain government officials leading up to the Ejisu by-election. It is with grave concern that we bring to light the nefarious schemes concocted by the NPP in their bid to manipulate Tuesday’s by-election.
Among the diabolic plans orchestrated by the NPP are:
Ballot box stuffing, a blatant attempt to undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
Allegations of bribing Electoral Commission officials to compromise on voting day, a despicable act that strikes at the heart of democracy.
Utilization of military personnel to intimidate strongholds of Hon Owusu Aduomi, a clear abuse of power aimed at suppressing the will of the people.
Deployment of police officers from different regions to seize control of ballot boxes, a flagrant violation of electoral norms.
Threats of power outages during vote counting, a cowardly tactic to sow confusion and undermine transparency.
Utilization of macho men to forcibly snatch ballot boxes from New site and smaller towns, a brazen assault on the sanctity of the electoral process.
Transporting over 500 SHS students to vote in an attempt to manipulate the outcome of the election, a shameful exploitation of young voters.
Admission by NPP leadership at a critical meeting of their intention to resort to electoral fraud, demonstrating a blatant disregard for democratic principles.
Unfounded attempts to tag Hon Owusu Aduomi as an NDC sympathizer to incite discord among constituents, a baseless and malicious tactic.
We issue a stern warning to the NPP that we will fiercely defend our ballots with every fiber of our being. Despite their desperate attempts to subvert the democratic process, Ejisu will stand firm and resolute on Tuesday.
Furthermore, we condemn in the strongest terms the wasteful expenditure of state resources for vote buying. It is reprehensible that such resources are not allocated to address the pressing challenges facing our community.
Ejisu will make a resounding statement on Tuesday, reaffirming our commitment to democracy and justice.
NPP knows that their candidate stands no chance in this by-election and for which reason they have resorted to telling wicked lies and digging dirt on Hon Owusu Aduomi.
The pinnacle of deceitfulness lies in the NPP’s audacious claim that the Bonwire market project, personally financed by Hon Owusu Aduomi, is somehow a Middle Belt Development Project. Let us set the record straight: Middle Belt market projects are not under the purview of Members of Parliament; they are typically awarded to contractors through formal procurement processes.
It is essential to note that when Hon Owusu Aduomi concluded his tenure in parliament, the Bonwire market project was merely at its foundation stage. However, his unwavering dedication to the welfare of his constituents compelled him to allocate substantial financial resources towards its completion.
To insinuate that this project falls under the umbrella of Middle Belt Development Projects is not only misleading but a deliberate attempt to diminish Hon Owusu Aduomi’s significant contributions to the community. It is a disservice to the constituents of Bonwire and Ejisuman and a blatant distortion of the truth.
The facts speak for themselves: Hon Owusu Aduomi’s personal investment and tireless efforts have propelled the Bonwire market project and others within the constituency towards fruition, benefiting the local economy and enhancing the livelihoods of countless individuals.
Let us not be swayed by political rhetoric or manipulated narratives. The truth prevails, and it is imperative that we acknowledge and honor Hon Owusu Aduomi’s genuine commitment to community development.
A former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ejisu Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Mr Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, has urged all Ghanaians, especially the constituents of Ejisu, to totally ignore the hatred and false claims against him by Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, who is also a former Ejisu MP.
According to Mr Aduomi, the falsehood being peddled by Mr Osei-Adjei that he (Aduomi) has never been a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is born out of sheer hatred against him, because he defeated him in the party’s primary some years back.
Kwabena Owusu Aduomi
He added that from that time to date, Mr Osei-Adjei has never said anything good about him.
Aduomi’s comment follows claims made against him by Mr. Osei-Adjei on Kumasi-based “Asanteman 107.3 Radio”. He was interviewed by Sir Mike.
During the interview, Sir Mike asked Mr Osei-Adjei, “Are you surprised by the decision of your colleague, Owusu Aduomi, to contest the Ejisu by-election as an independent candidate?”
Responding to the question, Mr Osei-Adjei said, “I’m not surprised because from day one, I’ve always said Aduomi is not an NPP member. My intelligence revealed that some party executives secretly managed to do a party card for him to contest me in the primary, but I decided not to contest again to avoid confusion.”
But, in response, Mr. Aduomi said he was neither selfish nor greedy but was only responding to majority of people in Ejisu, who are calling on him to come and continue his good works as former MP for the area in 12 years.
“Akwasi Osei-Adjei has nothing to show as former MP for Ejisu. He was MP for Ejisu and former Foreign Affairs Minister. What did he do? Why are the people of Ejisu and nananom not calling on him to contest the seat because of his good achievements? I’m calling on all Ghanaians, especially the people of Ejisu to ignore him,” he declared.
According to Mr Aduomi, since the formation of NPP in 1992 when he was in Tamale, he started supporting the party in many ways.
‘If he says I’m not an NPP member, let him (Osei-Adjei) come out and tell Ghanaians which political party I belong to!” he pointed out.
“I even donated an amount of 10,000 old cedis to him when I was the Regional Director of Highways when he was MP. What did he use the money for?” he asked rhetorically.
He said his decision to contest as an independent candidate is due to the failure of the leadership of the party, from the regiona to national level, to resolve illegal polling stations and coordinators’ elections, resulting in the current internal wranglings among the rank and file of NPP.
According to him, the disputed internal Ejisu NPP primary is still in court, because the party has blatantly failed to resolve the matter after setting up the Cecilia Abena Dapaah-led committee.
“Unfortunately, up to date, the report is still not known and you expect me to offer myself to contest on the party’s ticket with delegates handpicked by someone without the approval of majority of the party supporters? No, Aduomi doesn’t want to benefit from illegal polling stations and constituency elections; hence, my decision to contest as an independent candidate in response to the calls by nananom and residents,” he added.
He continued, “I’m a civil engineer; I work. I’m not going to Parliament because I want money. If I want money, I won’t go. I want to go to Parliament because I want to help my people the way I started and want to continue; it’s not about money.”
The former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ejisu Constituency in the Ashanti Region, who doubles as an independent parliamentary candidate for the upcoming Ejisu By-election, Engineer Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, has predicted that he will win the by-election on Tuesday, 30th April 2024.
Kwabena Owusu Aduomi
Even though he was very confident of a massive victory, he didn’t give a margin of victory. “I can tell you that with the kind of massive support I’m currently enjoying from nananom, market women, drivers, among other electorate, because of my good works as a former MP for 12 years, the voters are determined to vote for me to come and continue my good works,” he said with confidence.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, 25th April 2024, ahead of the by-election, Aduomi commended the people of Ejisu for their show of support in appreciation of the good things he did for the constituency and what he is still doing, even though he is currently not an MP.
He is credited for lobbying for massive road infrastructure for the constituency when he was the MP. He also helped to ensure improvement in healthcare, including the construction of markets and mechanised boreholes in the Ejisu Constituency during his 12-year tenure as MP and as Deputy Roads & Highways Minister for four years during President Akufo-Addo’s first term in office.
According to him, most of the projects, such as the construction of markets and mechanised boreholes, were personally financed … due to inadequate funds.
“l believe politics is all about emphasising and improving the welfare or well-being of your people,” he said.
Concerning why he didn’t contest on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after the demise of the incumbent MP, Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah, Owusu Aduomi said his decision was informed by the Ejisu polling station executive elections that were marred by irregularities. According to him, that elections would have been deemed unacceptable in any serious democratic society.
He added that instead of adhering to democratic process, the late MP of Ejisu, with the assistance of the regional executives of the NPP, arbitrarily handpicked individuals to fill key positions—a blatant disregard for the party’s constitution and its fundamental principles.
The issue has rightfully stirred vehement protests from concerned party members and stakeholders across the nation. The issue has even found its way into the courts for adjudication, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for redress.
“My decision to contest the by-election as an independent candidate underscores my unwavering commitment to upholding democratic values and ensuring transparency and accountability within the party. By refusing to participate in an ostensibly flawed process, I’m sending a clear message that integrity and fairness must prevail, even at the expense of personal political aspirations,” he stressed.
He, therefore, appealed to the electorate of Ejisu to go out in their numbers and vote No.4 for him on Tuesday for their own betterment.
As part of measures to spiritually and physically protect and safeguard the transparency and true reflection of the Ejisu by-election, the campaign team of Hon. Kwabena Owusu Aduomi , who is contesting as independent candidate,has sacrificed a ram to the gods of River Oda seeking their protection of the election.
The group is seen in a viral video performing the sacrifice tasking the gods to deal with whoever will attempt double voting, stealing votes, intimidating or attacking Hon. Aduomi spiritually or physically should be dealt with by the gods.
The campaign team,had earlier on alleged that the camp of Lawyer Kwabena Boateng was Illegally stockpiling ballot papers at Kwmao Executive Lodge and raised alarm about the treacherous attempt by the NPP leadership who are trying to destabilize the true reflection of the election results in their favour.
Video attached below;
“The elections will be conducted on Tuesday,30th April,2024 whoever will try to rig the elections, the slaughtering sheep represent him or her, those will supervise the election and will try to rig the election in favour of any other candidate, or any security personnel who will try to help to rig the election, the gods should deal ruthlessly…as they laughter the sheep.
Source:amn@amnewsworld.com
Our respected party leader and flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, the next President of our beloved Republic, HE Lordina Mahama, Niimei, Naamei, Nananom. Togbey ooo Mama ooo, Council of Elders, Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, the National Chairman, the General Secretary, the entire leadership of the National Democratic Congress, from the national through the regional, constituency to the wards and branches, to our devoted, hardworking and teeming supporters and sympathisers, many who have travelled from across the country, to you all I extend my deep appreciation for endorsing my nomination and for accepting me, again.
Prof.Jane Nana Opoku Agyemang
To my family, colleagues, and friends, all those who have sent me volumes of moving letters and voice and written notes and songs and prayers of support since my nomination, accept my undying gratitude.
My plea is for all of us, bound by a shared vision to see our country take a turn for the better, to work towards realizing that vision.
HE Ayebida President Mahama, please allow me to address you directly: As I stated in my brief acceptance note on March 7, 2024, by renominating me you have demonstrated your remarkable consistency and unwavering commitment to inclusivity and innovation. I have heard you share with the public your rationale for choosing me, again. I have found that very touching. Thank you very much; as the Gonjas express it with meaning: ansan kushun.
I see your choice as an affirmation of your belief in the capabilities of the Ghanaian woman.
I will repay your abiding confidence with loyalty, understanding and a devotion to duty.
My output, going forward, by the Grace of God, will continue to demonstrate what the world knows already, that women are also capable of high achievements; that we do so with that reservoir of strength, determination, and mental acuity that only those who are noble and far-sighted can comprehend and contend with.
I will share in our collective successes and, share responsibility for our setbacks if any.
And, at the time of reckoning, HE John Dramani Mahama, I will not, in the advancement of self-serving ambition, declare to the world that I was only the driver’s mate.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, before I go on to other important matters, please let me state my understanding of where we are as a country and the implications of what lays ahead, as clearly as I can manage it: the election ahead of us is not about making history, although that is important. It is not about returning a former president back to power, or about producing the first woman vice president, historical and exciting though they are. It is not only about bringing the National Democratic Congress to power although that is indispensable in our current circumstances.
It is about winning the elections for a purpose that goes beyond those enumerated above. The purpose is the opportunity to hold our country together, again; to heal Ghana; it is about the chance to pull Ghana from the precipice of destruction, of normalizing corruption, of incomprehensible greed, from deep despair. The election ahead is about hard work and abiding sacrifice. It is to embrace everyone in building a Ghana that functions, again.
It is to work towards a Ghana where citizens have confidence and hope and are determined to regain their independence of thought and agenda. We must work towards a Ghana that at the very least, can feed itself; where the law truly works; where there is shared prosperity; where democracy has not become a fluke; where people are not abused and where the necessities of life are not denied the majority or eventually, anyone. It is a chance to work hard towards a country where citizens do not feel disrespected, intimidated, or ignored because of the way they vote or the language they speak. The victory we seek as a party is to invite everyone to the onerous task of rebuilding a broken Ghana, of restoring hope, in a manner that the NDC is capable of doing through their history and achievements.
My brothers and sisters, we are not in ordinary times. This is not news.
Some of us have been around for a while and have experienced the to-and-fro of politics in Ghana.
But never have we experienced the levels of greed, unbridled arrogance, unrestrained impunity, sheer dishonesty, barefaced hypocrisy and compassion displayed by this incumbent government over the past seven years and more.
The task ahead is formidable, much more than it was four years ago.
I remain inspired by the fact that, as a people, we have faced terrible situations before. Check our history. Please don’t begin with the Fourth Republic or the struggle for independence, important though they are. Go hundreds of years back. In those hard times, our forefathers and foremothers did not throw up their arms in despair. They fought back; they resisted, they sacrificed, they persevered; they brought back hope where there was none; they picked up the broken pieces and carefully, strategically, sewed them back, and they left for us a legacy of selflessness, patriotism, and pride. It’s our turn to leave the same and even better to our future generations. Giving up is not an option.
Across the political divide, across social and professional groupings, among the youth, you hear of complaints and stories concerning state capture, where this government has chosen to use its power not in the broader interest of all Ghanaians but to favour a small clique. What is that?
John and I have agreed, that whoever has participated in the plunder of the state must be held accountable. This is not a threat; it is a promise, premised on the wishes of our citizens across the various political and social divides, and hinged on the principle of accountability.
Let us face the facts: The promotion of ethnocentric elitism masquerading as intellectualism; nepotism cloaked as know-how; weakness strutting as courage; and crony capitalism masked as development in freedom; shameless hypocrisy acting as objectivity… these never served a country determined to make progress at any level.
Rather, the most significant achievement of these things has been a country in near insolvency, its natural resources such as water and land and environment in rebellion, a people harassed and intimidated into numbness and as some say cynically, bribed into silence.
I envisage a report of the administration of HE John Dramani Mahama on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress which justifies his return. The report would have no reference to the following:
A multi-million-dollar dugout; I don’t know about you but the image I get looking at the trench is that of a hole in utter shock that anyone could believe it was intended as a thanksgiving gift to the Almighty, Invisible, God Only Wise
A free SHS at war, with the battle fought on the grounds of food, shelter, space, calendar, teaching and learning materials, or those who spend a couple of weeks at school and several months idling at home; past questions instead of textbooks and science equipment, or an atmosphere that suppresses learning.
Free water and electricity to a few that turns out to be the most expensive for all.
Such a report would not find:
Covid-19 money is shared for partisan political campaign purposes, while people die from a lack of support at our health facilities
An Agyapa-like manifesto under the NDC led by JDM
It would not include:
A president clearing malfeasance and writing love letters to prejudge a bad situation
It would not find:
Unemployment has jumped from 8 to 14% (check out the actual numbers), a GDP that has gone AWOL or a cedi that refuses to be tamed. Or,
Weak efforts to hide the truth of dumsor.
The report would not include:
Scandals surrounding the PDS; Australian Visas; Kelni GVG; Bost Contaminated Fuel; excavators and ‘aboboyaa’ tricycles that can fly swifter than guinea fowls (nkonfem); or the loss of some GHS 60.8 at a central bank, or Unfulfilled promises of one village one dam; one million dollars per constituency per year; 350 secondary schools from scratch and too, too many betrayals
It would not see:
A tracker in hiding, too embarrassed to expose its plagiarized content
In truth, such an investigation would not reveal over 100 scandals, and counting, during the tenure of the NDC under JDM
What would the report say about the NDC under JDM?
After exhausting the list of clinics, hospitals, medical centres, expansion of existing universities, polytechnics turned technical universities, brand new universities focused on current and projected national needs; Mahama Schools, popularly called E-Blocks constructed from scratch; a debilitating shift system in education painstakingly and effectively abolished; tens of education expansion projects at all levels; textbook ratio at the primary level from one book to three children to four books per child, and yes, even the over-supply of chalk…
It would highlight new roads, the harbours, railway lines, the ayalolo buses, the lack of intimidation of opposing voices, serious investment and practice to enable a digitized economy and society, the report would go on to point at housing projects including the famous Saglemi complex and those happily razed to make room for a presumed cathedral, journalists not hounded into exile…need I add more?
The report would find that once upon some years ago, the blame for power outages was placed at the doorsteps of the president and the minister for energy. The report would find a president who solved the energy crisis he inherited and a minister who did resign on principle. The report would tell of a timetable for load shedding, provided to respect the dignity of citizens and acknowledge their right to plan and also to learn the truth of our situation with energy.
The report would contrast the existing arrogance in leadership with that of the respectful JDM, who builds the children and youth by offering quality education, serious, adaptable training, lasting skills, who opens up the economy to create more space for jobs and for self-actualisation. It would highlight a JDM who does not line up desperate, young people in the heat of the tropical sun, to march and salute him as head of state, for jobs that have no head, tail, or future.
The report would explain the foundations of the policies of the NDC that thrive on consensus building- from observation, study, analysis through vigorous debates that tolerate all views, to an agreement on the options at hand and end with well-thought-through implementation plans. The benefits of such an approach inure to all—nation, community, and individual, necessarily in that order.
The report would highlight, going forward, the critical processes that would lead to innovations and flexibilities of the brave, timely and intentional intervention of a 24-hour economy as proposed by HE Mahama after consulting widely with stakeholders and citizens across the country. I am not surprised at all that many significant labour groups, businesses and individuals have embraced the concept.
It is a vision anchored on the firm belief that with the right policies and incentives in place, we can inspire a new generation of enterprises to adopt a multi-shift work system and wider participation in the economy, thereby ushering us into a new golden era of Ghanaian industry. Obiara beye bi. By the time the policy is in full flight, we will see how from the vegetable seller to the miner; from the smallest hamlet to the crowded cities; from the farmer to the fisherfolk; from the young couple to the single parent; everyone will come to see and apply the benefits of a 24-hour economy for national, group and individual advancement. Please come join us in our town hall meetings and other programs to learn more about this incredibly effective strategy. Do not fall victim to those who have realized that having failed in sloganeering and packaging, they have exhausted their strategies and therefore resort to deception and destruction. We are particularly pleased to see, as evidenced in credible polls, that this visionary policy has caught on and resonated with the public, especially our young people.
I know for a fact that the nation builder, John Mahama, who is not an economist, will deliver this economic model. He thinks through what he says and considers advice; he is confident enough to amend his views when confronted by working alternatives. He does not rush with decisions that have serious effects on the lives of others. John Mahama does not shoot from the hip.
A 24-hour economy will demand that we pay special attention to skills training – “Nsaano edwuma.”
That is why we are serious about continuing with the critical reforms and the improvements we made in our technical and vocational training institutions, to ensure that we equip our young people with the technical skills necessary for a thriving economy.
“Nsaano edwuma” also means equipping our youth with TECH skills so that they are ready to participate in our economy and in the global remote economy.
So, as we mentioned several times during the 2020 campaign, we intend to implement the ONE MILLION CODERS PROGRAM, which sets an ambitious and attainable goal to train over a million of our youth in coding, data science, and other tech fields. The potential for this pool of young people to contribute to Ghana’s GDP is enormous, and Insha Allah, it shall happen— live.
Definitely, we will pay special attention to issues and challenges faced by women in all walks of life.
That is part of the reason we proposed extended maternity leave, in line with one of H.E President Mahama’s 2020 election promises. And in the 2024 manifesto, the flexibility offered within the context of a 24-hour economy must hold special attraction for women, for obvious reasons.
Women entrepreneurs must have access to capital for the entire sector to boost their businesses. That is why we will actively pursue the establishment of a Women Development Bank to nurture and grow women-owned, women-led businesses. Women must become millionaires too, through hard work, as the men do. Women do not need hands outs. We need a hand up. Women of Ghana are capable to managing the bank 100%. The bank will take care of the small-scale businesswomen—such as those hawking or anyone who does not depend on huge capital to run her business.
I envisage its board, including trading associations and cooperatives, fully represented and making decisions and being accountable to its members. Anaa? Aloo wonyee??
And the world knows what we do with our resources when women prosper. We do not leave our children and the wider families behind. There is better stability and peace at home; most will demand less “chop money.” All these add up to make a nation, a party, groups and individuals at peace. Surely, this is what Kwegyir Aggrey must have observed when he made his famous statement about the far-reaching effects of the education of women.
And, if you have any doubts about this, remember Esther Ocloo. What brilliance, what innovation, what a display of entrepreneurship! She showed the way; let’s revive the dream and hope and actions of our hero and heroine entrepreneurs as models. Let’s stop killing their dreams because some of us are too lazy, too envious, too lacking in original ideas or have capacities that are also too low to match their results. How do we preach entrepreneurship, encourage its study and propose its practice, and then turn around to make waste of the efforts of successful entrepreneurs? If you decide you don’t like the owner, think of their worker who may be a member of your community, political party, or church. We must move to the level of encouragement, appreciation and support of those who participate in the private sector, regardless. Their efforts at nation-building trickle down to all groups.
We will also undertake the modernisation of our markets, which remain special and dominant places for many women in the economy. Market women deserve the benefits of a clean, modernized marketplace. It must not end with the beautiful Kejetia or attractive Kotokoraba and allied markets.
My fellow Ghanaians across the political divide, please, please, please, I am not about to burst into a James Brown song! Let’s show some respect to our citizens.
So, the lights are not stable and because someone has not told us there is dumsor it means there’s none. So, the Electoral Commission is struggling to defend its credibility and until the commission tells us that the missing equipment means nothing, everyone should believe that there are not issues to worry about. Hey! What is that? How did disrespect grow such wings?
Actions that impoverish and disenfranchise do not necessarily translate into feeblemindedness in the angry, the hungry and the oppressed. On the contrary… again, check out the details in history.
EC, I address you directly: it is in the national interest, and in your own interest, that you make transparent what has been and is going on at your establishment. The truth will not be suppressed. You cannot be so independent as to disregard the people who validate your existence. That does not exist anywhere.
A word to the wise is in Assin North.
This administration has all but given up. Worse, they will not consult; they will not engage; they will not review.
Womo ntie obiaa.
Womo beko no saa
Amanfo nso ne womo be pem so saa
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, my brothers and sisters, fellow Ghanaians, Ghana requires a different environment, and urgently so. Therefore, the Ghanaian voter is presented, again, with the experienced, humble, focused, and truthful John Mahama, who has always consulted, out of respect and out of the conviction that knowledge does not reside in the head of any one person. The condescending sees this as a sign of not having original ideas. The unpretentious see it as a sign of understanding the foundations of democracy, which is consensus building, the clearest signpost to sustainable peace. I see it as a sign of strength, and I feel privileged to work with him.
Consensus building should be the fulcrum of any progressive, positive project. It has already been demonstrated to us how, without such a foundation, the Ghana Without Aid has turned to Ghana Without Compass.
The choice is clear; let’s make it on December 7 this year.
Corruption is rampant in too many government and non government institutions; sadly, those institutions meant to check on corruption have been significantly weakened. We must strengthen the institutions and we will do just that when the NDC comes to power from January 2025, God willing.
It is our duty to ensure that our sources of wealth are not given away to obscure entities shrouded in opaque deals. We must not arrive at a destination where our national assets and natural resources are treated by some as if they were assets of their own creation, to be willed forever to relatives and friends.
We must be passionate about justice, about the protection of our environment, about protecting our differently abled citizens. We must be passionate about institutions that are responsive to our collective needs. We must be passionate about stamping out corruption.
Let no one tell us otherwise, not even those who have so alienated themselves from reality as to be impervious to the truth—the truth of women delivering on the floor, of children waiting for a benevolent person to advance much-needed vaccines, of young children learning in dangerous circumstances; of teachers threatened and parents intimidated from their core functions of caring for their own children; of those who can no longer afford healthy and once generally affordable meals euphemistically called “face the wall” and “kofi broke man”, or of elderly citizens who must picket for their own money. What is that?
Let no one tell us that the culture of silence has become the norm, let no one tell us that eight persons were shot in cold blood because they had gone to exercise their civic responsibility of voting, and that it was all right for a member of parliament to call them criminals; or that it is okay for SALL to have no representative in parliament for four years under a democracy because someone whimsically decided hours to the elections that they could not vote for a parliamentary candidate. And please don’t tell us that the Bank of Ghana, rather than defending itself from accusations of breach of procedure, can choose to label those who raised the matter publicly as hooligans who should have followed procedure.
And at the time of accounting to the people, let no one pretend that they have more human rights than those they have consciously disenfranchised and those to whom justice has been shamefully denied.
When those otherwise loud voices we assumed spoke for the voiceless have gone into self-imposed silence, and deafness and blindness, should we honestly be surprised at the high levels of cynicism if not downright mistrust of leaders? Of our youth in despair?
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, our country is not sitting pretty. Things have gravely deteriorated. We all agree to that. It is high time we came together to do the hard work, to build, again, regardless how daunting. All is not lost.
Our beloved country can rise again; Ghana will rise again and this time, not to slack.
That is politics; not insults or filthy language, not disrespect or fear, not violence or greed; not abuse of power or hypocrisy.
Politics is about fighting injustice, hunger, hopelessness, arrogance, selfishness, unbridled greed, corruption, state capture, disrespect of fellow human beings.
In this fight, we don’t need private armies, mercenaries, destructive ammunition, or, in Ghanaian parlance, “by heart talk” or wanton ruining of hard-earned reputations. That is not politics; it is jealousy hoisted on cowardice.
We need the armour of principles, selflessness, of compassion, of truth, of sacrifice, all these rooted firmly in using power in the service of those who give it to us
Politics is to imagine a better community, a better constituency, a better region, a better Ghana; all of us building the Ghana we want, together.
The time for us to rise as a nation is now.
Let us walk and work towards a victorious election that goes beyond political triumph, towards a transformed Ghana, where equality thrives; where equity is paramount; where merit counts; where opportunity is not a privilege, where justice is just; and where our sons and daughters can aspire to any height without the fetters of bias or limitation.
To every person who has lost or is losing hope, our youth as a collective and specifically, indispensable constituencies made up of young women and girls—the professionals and those who remain unemployed, our friends in the media, wherever you are and whatever you do, drivers, food processors, chop bar operators; factory workers, market women, hawkers and spare part dealers; kayayee, artisans, gardeners and galamsyers or coconut sellers and cleaners and apprentices and babysitters, and many, many more—I address you last because you are very special to me: come, I open my arms to welcome each one of you to partner with the NDC to envision and craft and roll out a future of limitless prospects; a future where your dreams and those of your children are attainable, your voices are constructive, where your lives matter.
