• +233 20 230 9497

Month: April 2011

Nana Konadu is not a winnable candidate – Haruna Iddrisu

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

Communications Minister, Haruna Iddrisu has said he doubts if former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings is capable of leading the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to victory in the 2012 elections.

Speaking on Joy FM’s flagship programme Newsfile Saturday, he said, although she was popular within the NDC party, there is no way the nation would accept her as the president of Ghana.

“I do not have faith in the electoral fortunes and success of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings in a general election in Ghana,” Mr Iddrisu argued, citing Ghanaians dislike for presidential dynasty for his contention.

Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings early this week announced her intention to contest President Mills at the party’s congress scheduled for July 8, this year.

But the Communications Minister said it has been proven that the possibility of a sitting president getting a renewed mandate is very high, citing 1996 and 2004 when former presidents Rawlings and Kufuor won the respective elections when they were retained by their parties.

Mr Iddrisu however said President Mills was unperturbed by the decision of Mrs Rawlings to contest him.

“Mills is not afraid of nothing, the President is not perturbed, he is not worried at all, indeed, he welcomes the contest and he is ready for the contest… So let nobody think President Mills is afraid of a contest from Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.”

Mr Iddrisu who opposed former President Rawlings’ opened criticism on President Mills said although he recognised the tremendous contributions of the Rawlingses to the formation and electoral fortunes of the party, he pleaded, “Let the founder [Mr Rawlings], Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and everybody, at least respect the office and the authority of the president.”

But contributing on the same programme, spokesperson for the Rawlingses, Kofi Adams, gave the strongest indication yet, that there was no turning back on Mrs Rawlings’ decision to contest President Mills.

He said Mrs Rawlings was motivated to challenge Prof. Mills by the groundswell of support she enjoyed from the grassroots and the numerous calls on her by some top party members to lead the party to the 2012 general elections.

“We (Mrs Rawlings’ supporters) are being told that you may not stand but we want to see the next step whether indeed you are preparing to do it, because we are being told that you just want to get some persons to wake up to what is expected of them. So if indeed you really want to do it, we want to see a move. That made her to take that step [to resign her position as the NDC National Vice-Chairperson],” Kofi Adams pointed out.
Communications Minister, Haruna Iddrisu has said he doubts if former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings is capable of leading the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to victory in the 2012 elections.

Speaking on Joy FM’s flagship programme Newsfile Saturday, he said, although she was popular within the NDC party, there is no way the nation would accept her as the president of Ghana.

“I do not have faith in the electoral fortunes and success of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings in a general election in Ghana,” Mr Iddrisu argued, citing Ghanaians dislike for presidential dynasty for his contention.

Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings early this week announced her intention to contest President Mills at the party’s congress scheduled for July 8, this year.

But the Communications Minister said it has been proven that the possibility of a sitting president getting a renewed mandate is very high, citing 1996 and 2004 when former presidents Rawlings and Kufuor won the respective elections when they were retained by their parties.

Mr Iddrisu however said President Mills was unperturbed by the decision of Mrs Rawlings to contest him.

“Mills is not afraid of nothing, the President is not perturbed, he is not worried at all, indeed, he welcomes the contest and he is ready for the contest… So let nobody think President Mills is afraid of a contest from Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.”

Mr Iddrisu who opposed former President Rawlings’ opened criticism on President Mills said although he recognised the tremendous contributions of the Rawlingses to the formation and electoral fortunes of the party, he pleaded, “Let the founder [Mr Rawlings], Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and everybody, at least respect the office and the authority of the president.”

But contributing on the same programme, spokesperson for the Rawlingses, Kofi Adams, gave the strongest indication yet, that there was no turning back on Mrs Rawlings’ decision to contest President Mills.

He said Mrs Rawlings was motivated to challenge Prof. Mills by the groundswell of support she enjoyed from the grassroots and the numerous calls on her by some top party members to lead the party to the 2012 general elections.

“We (Mrs Rawlings’ supporters) are being told that you may not stand but we want to see the next step whether indeed you are preparing to do it, because we are being told that you just want to get some persons to wake up to what is expected of them. So if indeed you really want to do it, we want to see a move. That made her to take that step [to resign her position as the NDC National Vice-Chairperson],” Kofi Adams pointed out.

Balado Manu wants reports of tax evasion by gov’t officials probed

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South, Stephen Balado Manu, is demanding investigations into reports of some ministers and other high ranking government officials evading taxes while others refuse to be searched at the Kotoka International Airport.

He says the allegation must not be glossed over by government but thoroughly investigated and the culprits brought to book.

There have been several reports in the past of some ‘’big shots’’ in the ruling government refusing to pay taxes on goods they have imported at the various ports while others have declined to be searched by Immigration officers at the Airport.

The Ghanaian Times newspaper reported on Wednesday that the arrival hall of the Kotoka International Airport has of late witnessed what appears to be confrontation between some government officials and staff of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service ( CEPS).

The paper said, the story was worse with those using diplomatic passports who flatly refused to be searched or pay any duty and insisted on being given baggage concessions.

This action clearly contravenes President Mills’ directive that all government officials must subject themselves to search at the airport whenever they travel.

Contributing to a panel discussion on e.tv Friday 15th April, the Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South, Stephen Balado Manu, stated that President Attah Mills should demonstrate how principled he is by conducting a full scale investigations into the report.

‘’ It is not enough for President Mills to subject himself to a body search at the airport in the full glare of the public, while his directive is flouted with impunity by his own appointees’’ he said.

He noted that President Mills’ directive has previously been disobeyed by his employees including his directive that his appointees declare their assets, “the President must be tough on his appointees and ensure that they don’t go contrary to his instructions” Hon Balado Manu said.

Story by: Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Break away party to emerge after NDC congress – Amasa Namoale

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for La-Dadekotopon , Nii Amasa Namoale has predicted the formation of a breakaway party from the NDC if results of the up-coming NDC National Congress in July 2011, does not favor some persons in the party.

Even though the MP failed to mention those individual who will form that party, he stated that the NDC party has the history of disgruntled people leaving the party to form their own immediately after a major party event.

He further cited the Swedru declaration which resulted in Goozie Tandoh and others forming the Reform Party while the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) was also formed by Dr Obed Asamoah and other party officials immediately after the Koforidua Congress in 2006.

Hon. Nii Amasa Namoale’s prediction follows the resignation of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings as the Vice Chairman of the NDC to enable her contest President John Evans Attah Mills during the impending July Congress.

Some political analysts have claimed that Nana Konadu’s action will have dire consequences for the unity of the NDC as it will deepen the cracks in the party.

Speaking on e.tv Ghana’s Breakfast TV show, the La Dadekotopon MP, expressed confidence that should any persons decide to break away from the NDC again, the other parties such as the DFP will return to the NDC fold to form a united front to win the general elections in 2012.

He said Nana Konadu’s decision to challenge President Mills at the congress clearly demonstrate the deepening of democracy in the ruling NDC party.

Nii Amasa Namoale, added that he has no doubt in his mind that with the on-going completion in the party, President Attah Mills will emerge as the Presidential candidate and handsomely win the 2012 general elections.

Story by: Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Sports minister hopeful IOC ban will be lifted

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The Ministry of Youth and Sports and Member of Parliament for Ketu North is confident the International Olympic Committee’s ban on Ghana will be lifted at its next general meeting slated for Durban, South Africa in July.

This comes after the ministry informed the IOC of amendments to sections of the country’s existing sports decree which violated the IOC Charter.

The SMC Decree 54 which was used by government to elect new officers of the Ghana Olympic Committee last year breached the IOC Charter.

This led to the international body banning the country from taking part in any of its activities.

But, Youth and Sports Minister Kofi Humadi says he expects the ban to be reversed.

The minister said Ghana has done enough for the ban to be lifted, and was confident by July the ban will be no more.

Source: Joy News

Peace Council must be proactive – Dan Botwe

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Okere and former General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dan Botwe has urged the National Peace Council to be proactive and forthright in condemning political parties that breach the agreed road map to peace towards the 2012 general elections.

Mr Botwe noted that though the Peace Council has been instrumental in maintaining the peace the country is enjoying there is the need to ensure that the laid down processes for peace are respected by all parties.

The Member of Parliament disclosed this during a panel discussion on Metro TV’s good morning Ghana, a current affairs program.

The National Peace Council yesterday met with representatives of political parties to deliberate on the roadmap for peace in the upcoming general elections.

The meeting, sponsored by the U.N.D.P was attended by representatives of all political parties except the NPP and the CPP.

Mr. Botwe however regretted the inability of the party (NPP) to attend the meeting but hoped the there were good reasons for their absence.

Ghanadistricts.com/ Ghanamps.gov.gh/Kwame Danso Acheampong

I will campaign for Nana Konadu if…… Teye Nyaunu

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The NDC Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo Michael Teye Nyaunu says he is poised to campaign for former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings when he is assigned a role in her campaign activities.

He says Nana Konadu has a wealth of political experience that makes her well equipped to govern the country if she is voted into power.

Ghanaians on Thursday 14th April woke up to the much anticipated news of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings resigning her position as Vice Chairperson of the ruling NDC party.

Her resignation, according to her, is to enable her contest the party’s flagbearership slot for Election 2012.

The Former First Lady in a two paragraph letter to the party’s General Secretary dated April 13, 2011, Nana Konadu was emphatic that her resignation will enable her respond to numerous calls on her to contest the flagbearership of the NDC when nominations are opened.

The NDC’s National Executive Committee at a meeting last Friday, April 8, held at the Trade Fair Centre, La, Accra decided it must have a presidential candidate by the first week of December this year, and instructed that all executives intending to contest the post ought to first resign to be eligible to file nominations.

Speaking to ghanamps.gov.gh, Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo Michael Teye Nyaunu congratulated Nana Konadu for her bold step taken in the course of making history in Ghanaian politics as the first ever politician(woman) to contest a sitting president.

He says contrary to objections by section of Ghanaians, he sees nothing wrong with Nana Konadu challenging incumbent President Professor Attah Mills.

“I have absolutely no qualms with Nana Konadu contesting President Mills, if sitting parliamentarians who work in the second arm of government are keenly contested, why can’t a sitting President be challenged’’ he asked?

Hon. Michael Teye Nyaunu who many regard as a sympathizer of the Rawlings’s notes that her desire to contest the party primaries is to enable her keep the NDC part intact and on track, as the party has come under siege from the CPP elements in the ruling party, a development that has led to the government veering off from the NDC ideals.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Minority Leader is ignorant: Procurement Authority Boss

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The Head of the Public Procurement Authority, Samuel Sallas Mensah has described as untrue claims by the Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu that the authority is overseeing the award of dubious government contracts nationwide.

Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu told Citi News on Tuesday that the award of government-sponsored road contracts and other projects have become a major avenue for NDC Government officials to loot Ghana’s resources.

He blamed the procurement authority for such a situation and indicated that the authority under the NDC government is not performing its functions properly.

However, Mr Salas Mensah in an interview with Citi News dismissed the allegations.

Mr Sallas Mensah, who is a former chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, noted that the Minority leader’s comments clearly indicate that he is ignorant about the work of the Public Procurement Authority.

“I totally disagree with him; it seems he doesn’t even know the work of the public procurement authority. We don’t even award contracts here. We don’t award contracts for government, we are a regulatory body. We see to the transparent procurement of government goods and services in this country”.

The head of the Procurement Authority added that his outfit has performed creditably under his leadership and cannot be faulted or dragged into political games.

“Since I took over the running of this authority a year ago, I think my administration has been one of the most transparent administrations in running of this authority. We don’t even interfere in the procurement of any goods, services and works of all the agencies in this country. It is only when there is an emergency or bizarre circumstance that they come to us for special approval”.

Source: citifmonline.com

Aqua Vitens has performed poorly – Bagbin

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing and MP for Nadowli West Alban Bagbin, has stated that even though Aqua Vitens Rand has failed to perform as expected, government is yet to take a decision on whether to abrogate its contract.

The Minister told Joy FM’s Super Morning Show host Bernard Saibu on Wednesday that, among numerous targets, the company was expected to reduce the non-accountable water produced by the Ghana Water Company from about 48 per cent as at 2000 to 26 per cent by now, but “unfortunately, it is now a bit over 51 per cent.

“From the evidence on the ground and also from the players on the field, Aqua Vitens could not achieve most of the targets that were set for it. The main reason why Aqua Vitens were brought in was to improve performance management to make sure that the water systems were attractive to the private sector, to take up the areas that the private sector could perform better and to allow the public sector to handle the rest”

He however commended the company for doing well in service areas such as data management, information and customer service.

“But the main issues of being able to manage the water that is produced, reduce the water that we cannot account for – due to leakages and nonpayment of bills by various agencies -, they performed negatively,” the minister said.

Mr Bagbin also debunked media reports that the government is intent on abrogating the company’s contract.

Government’s contract with Aqua Vitens ends in May this year but, “government has not, and I want to repeat that government has not taken any such decision,” to abrogate the contract, the Minister asserted.

The Minister has therefore urged stakeholders to offer strategies that can be used by government to solve the water situation going forward.

Ho West MP denies assaulting Propanganda Secretary

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The NDC Member of Parliament for Ho West Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, has dismissed accusation that he assaulted the Propaganda Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ketu South Constituency at a regional meeting on Tuesday.

Sylvester Kafui explained that during the meeting to declare support for President Mills’ candidacy, he rose to ask for an amendment to a motion being moved by the party executives for mass endorsement of President Mills, but attracted the wrath of the MP who attempted to drag him out of the meeting hall.

He added that after the meeting he was confronted by Mr. Bedzrah who held him by the shirt, shook him violently tearing his shirt buttons in the process and threatened him to leave the meeting grounds if he didn’t want to co-operate.

But speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem show on Wednesday 13th 2011, the NDC Member of Parliament for Ho West Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, refuted the entire allegation made by the Propaganda Secretary.

The MP said Kafui showed gross disrespect by interrupting the Regional Minister who was speaking at the time and he only asked him to walk out if he could not wait for the Regional Minister to complete his submission.

According to the MP, Kafui walked up to him after the meeting and told him he is a disgrace of an MP but he did not react, adding that there was no reason for him to attack his colleague over the issue and that people have the right to support whoever they want to.

Meanwhile the Volta Regional Minister Joseph Amenowode who was at the meeting described Sylvester Kafui as the “most dishonest person on earth” for saying that he was prevented from talking at the meeting.

The Minister said he personally called Kafui to express his concerns and his concerns were that the party executives should listen to dissenting views.

The Regional Minister however did not deny or confirm whether Mr. Bedzrah attacked Sylvester Kafui after the meeting.

Story by: Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Don’t be deceived by huge crowd; Aowin MP urges Mills

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The NDC Member of Parliament for Aowin, Mathias Kwame Ntow has cautioned President John Evans Attah Mills and the ruling NDC party in general not to be deceived by the huge crowd that has met the president on his regional tours across the country.

According to the MP, huge crowds at political events do not necessarily translate into electoral votes.

President Mills has been met with huge crowds wherever he visited ever since he started a national tour to inspect and commission developmental projects that have been executed since he assumed power.

Sympathizers and propagandist of the ruling party have interpreted the large number of people who gathered to receive the President in Kumasi, the stronghold of the opposition NPP to mean an electoral breakthrough which will result in the NDC for the first time garnering significant votes in the Ashanti Region.

Speaking on e.tv’s Breakfast TV show, the Member of Parliament for Aowin, Mathias Kwame Ntow stated that political history in Ghana has clearly shown that the huge numbers that attended rallies did not translate into electoral votes.

“If huge numbers at rallies guarantee votes, then NPP and the CPP would have won the 2008 general elections, see the big crowd that attended CPP rallies, and what was the percentage of votes they got’’ he asked?

He stated that the President must not be complacent by the huge support he received across the country but strive to ensure that the wellbeing of Ghanaians is improved by delivering more developmental projects.

‘’ The President must ensure that the many projects for which sods are being cut now are fully completed as that will guarantee him being voted into power for a second term’’ he said.

Story by: Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh