Month: April 2011

The Member of Parliament for Okiakoi South Nana Akomea says there is general lack of confidence in the Mills led government by a huge section of Ghanains including leading members of the ruling National Democratic Congress(NDC) party.

According to the MP, a significant number of NDC supporters led by EX President Jerry Rawlings does not believe in the ‘Better Ghana Agenda’’ that President Mills has promised Ghanaians.

President Mills last week stated that he remains focused and committed to delivering his electoral promises and nothing is going to distract him from achieving his goal.

His comment has been interpreted by political analyst to be a sharp response to the barage of criticizms from former President Rawlings.

Ex President Rawlings has variously attacked President Mills and his government accusing them of incompetence and superintending over corruption.

Contributing to a panel discussion on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show on Friday, 8th April, 2011, the Member of Parliament for Okiakoi South Nana Akomea, states that the general dissastisfaction of the performance of the NDC government is reflected in the utterances of persons like President Rawlings and Dr Spio Garbrah and the actions of the footsoldiers.

He notes that this has led to the sitting President of Ghana for the first time in history being challenged at his own party congress to elect a presidential candidate.

Nana Akomea says the criticisms of President Mills is so severe and intense that he (President) is constrained to come out and assure Ghanaians that he remains focused on governing the country.
‘’I feel sorry for President Mills, the man is constantly under attack from no other than his own party members, his statement is merely a cry for help’’ he said.

However the Deputy Minister of Communications, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa who was also on the programme commended President Mills for his resilience in the face of a sustained attack.

He noted that President Mills is on course to delivering the Better Ghana Agenda and nothing is going to stop him from doing that.

Story by: Kwdawo Anim/ghanamps,gov.gh

Lawyer for the 15 persons who were last Tuesday acquitted and discharged by a Fast Track High Court in connection with the murder of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, has said comments on the ruling by a retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Francis Kpegah are mischievous, ambivalent, inconsistent and politically motivated.

He said Justice Kpegah, had, through his public utterances and conduct, demonstrated clearly his sympathies for the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and his belief that anything and everything concerning the party must be worshiped.

Following the ruling by the court presided over by Justice E. K. Ayebi, the retired Supreme Court impugned the integrity of the presiding judge, arguing the ruling which freed the 15 was nothing but a travesty.

Describing Justice Ayebi’s decision as a “bad ruling,” Justice Kpegah, speaking on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana Programme Tuesday, said there was enough evidence to warrant the conviction of the suspects and yet the presiding judge let them walk free.

“They should not have been acquitted…someone must be held accountable for this [murder of Ya-Na]. …there is enough evidence against them,” he asserted.

But Mr Atta Akyea said Justice Kpegah’s arguments flew in the face of the law and ought not to come from a retired Supreme Court Judge.

Quoting from Justice Kpegah’s own 1993 ruling on a case, the Republic versus Adu-Boahene, the lawyer said the retired judge “discussed the burden on the prosecution [to] prove beyond all reasonable doubt,” its case against the accused, but was now seeking to lower this legal bar simply because the case involves the NDC government.

Mr Atta Akyea, who is also the NPP Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, told Joy News’ Israel Layea that if a prosecution parades before a court of law, witnesses who have given testimonies on three different cases – Wuaku Commission, Yidana trial and the trial of Mbadugu and others – and their testimonies are as contradictory as they are inconsistent, how can anybody expect that the evidence given by such witnesses can be reliable, credible and honest and based on which the court can reach a verdict that favours the prosecution.

“The testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were so discredited and manifestly unreliable, that, according to law, it will not even be safe for you to leave such discredited evidence to the jury to pronounce on it. So what is he (Justice Kpegah) talking about? Has he actually read the decision? he asked.

Responding to Justice Kpegah’s call for a commission of inquiry to be set up to conduct fresh investigations into the 2002 incident that lead to the killing of the Overlord of Dagbon, Mr Atta Akyea said that call by itself was a tacit admission on the part of Justice Kpegah that the evidence presented by the prosecution in court was insufficient to convict the suspects.

He said the fact that prosecution, after closing its case, came back to court asking to be allowed to introduce fresh evidence into the case demonstrated clearly the lack of diligence and the shoddiness of the entire prosecution process.

In his opinion, the 15 accused received resounding justice and politicians who wish to exploit the unfortunate murder of the Ya-Na for parochial electoral purposes are entitled to do so, but they must remember that justice is dispensed by judges in accordance with law and due process and not at the behest of politicians.

Joy News

All is set for this year’s hang paragliding festival which comes off from the 21st to 25th April 2011 at Kwahu in the Eastern Region.

The event which is held annualy during the Easter festivities over the last six years has brought together a host of Ghanains from all walks of live to witness the wonderful spectacle.

The Hang paragliding is a recreational and competitive flying sport. A paraglider is a free-flying, foot-launched aircraft. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing, whose shape is formed by its suspension lines and the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wings.

The passengers are flown across the Kwahu range which gives them the opportuinity to see the aerial view of the Kwahu mountains, which is a first time life experience for most Ghanains.

Speaking on Adom FM on Wednesday 6th April, 2011, the Minister of Tourism and Member of Parliament for North Dayi, Akua Sena Dansua stated that her Ministry is in touch with the Ghana Airforce to be on stand by for any eventualities that may occur, even though an incident free event is expected.

She said the revenue acrued after the event continues to improve over the years even though government spends more on the event as it foots the bill of the pilots who are flown down from abroad, a situation which comes as a huge cost to government, and called on the private sector to come in and sponsor the event.

Hon. Akua Sena Dansua stated that in the near future local pilots will be trained to fly the aircraft which will reduce the burden on government.

She called on all Ghanaians to patronise the all exciting event promising fun and effective security of any persons who visits the venue.

Story by :Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

The Member of Parlaiment for Nsuta Kwamang Beposo, Kwame Osei Prepeh says he is opposed to Ghana granting asylum to the beleagured Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo.

He says President Gbagbo’s stay in Ghana will be a source of worry as he can easily forment trouble in Ivory Coast using Ghana a neighbouring country as a base.

The Ivorian Leader has come under fierce attack from pro Ouattara forces who have conquered the Capital Abidjan and has beseiged the official residence of Laurent Gbagbo forcing him to seek refuge in the basement of his official residence.

He was earlier reported to have asked his military heads to broker a deal by lobbying for his exit from Ivory Coast as he surrender power to the internationally accepted President elect, Alhassan Ouattara.

But in a swift turn of events,he refuted reports that he intends to exit power, saying he is still in power and does not intend to go anywhere.

Speaking on e.tv’sBreak fast TV show onWednesday 6th April, 2011, the Member of Parliament for Nsuta Kwamang Beposo, Kwame Osei Prempeh urges President Mills to call his friend President Gbagbo to quit power to end the fighting between the Ivorian army and the pro Ouattara forces which has claimed the lives of over a thousand Ivorians.

He notes that President Gbagbo’s exit from power now and a plea for immunity may prevent him being hauled before the International Criminal Court where he may be charged for war crimes against humanity.

“The International Criminal Court was not establish for only African Leaders to be prosecuted, but block heads like Gbagbo give themselves up so easily to be prosecuted’’ he said.

He adds that the United Nations should ensure through legitimate means that the once very peaceful Ivory Coast returns to its former glory and continue with its development.

Story by: Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Lower Manya MP Michael Teye Nyaunu has accused President John Atta Mills, elected to office on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), of pursuing an agenda which is likely to send the NDC into opposition and bring the opposition Convention People’s Party (CPP) back to power.

The NDC MP indicated that the Mills-Mahama government has deliberately placed people of CPP extraction in key government positions all in a bid to nurture them back to power.

“What is the root of his Excellency the president,-CPP, where does the vice president come from- CPP, what of the minister of finance – CPP, and other ministers.

“Nobody has to tell us this, we see the NDC giving way gradually to the CPP, we know what we’re talking about and that is the worry of all of us. So if we see that people of CPP origin who helped us in one way or the other are rather being given more important positions than those who founded the NDC, do you think we shall be happy people?” he told Citi News.

The Lower Manya MP revealed that Party members expressed serious disappointment and resentment about recent developments in the country during a tour of most parts of the country he undertook recently.

“People are not happy at all,” he told Citi News, “and definitely the former President would also not be happy”, in reference to former President Rawlings’s withdrawal of support for President Mills’ second term bid. He fully supports Mr Rawlings’s stance.

According to the NDC’s Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser, Mr. Rawlings told some regional and constituency executives in a closed door meeting at Kumasi on Monday April 4, that he would not support President Mills’ second term bid.

The private meeting has been interpreted by some of the party executives as a subtle campaign strategy for Mrs. Rawlings who has admitted publicly that she intends running against President Mills in the party’s presidential primary.

Hon Nyaunu, who sees Mr Rawlings’s action as long overdue, told Citi News in an interview that the ruling NDC has suffered a lot of defection into the main opposition NPP and the CPP since President Mills became leader.

Meanwhile, a group advocating support for the re-election of President Mills-Friends of Atta Mills for 2012-has expressed disappointment with Mr. Rawlings over his comments.

Organiser of the group, Gabriel Agah pleads with the Rawlingses not to split the front of the party.

“We want to beg them that they should allow us to worship the party with or without them. For now, President Mills is the President, they should tone down. (NPP flagbearer) Akufo-Addo has started campaigning so they should allow President Mills to finish his eight year term so that the party would be stronger.

“If care is not taken, the NDC would go into opposition at the next election.
“Former President Rawlings must desist from inciting members of the party against the current leadership because some of the things he’s going round saying would eventually affect the party”, he added.

Source:citifmonline