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Month: May 2011

Tetteh Chaie rubbishes Herbert Mensah’s claim

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie has rubbished claims by Herbert Mensah a friend of the former first family (Rawlingses) that President John Evans Attah Mills is spending between a whopping 90 million Ghana cedis to prosecute his campaign for the presidential candidate slot of the NDC.

According to Mr Mensah, security tapes and other intelligence that he together with the Rawlingses have gathered indicate that President Mills intends to share this huge sum of monies among party delegates to woo them to vote for him in the upcoming NDC Congress during which the party’s flag bearer will be elected for the 2012 elections.

The ruling National Democratic Congress will go to Congress in July 2011, to elect its Presidential candidate for the 2012 election, a contest which promises to be keenly contested between President John Attah Mills, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and Dr Spio Garbrah.

Contributing to a discussion on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem show, the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central Theophilus Tetteh Chaie stated that the allegation against President Mills is totally baseless and must be treated with the contempt that it deserves.

He said it was preposterous for anyone to think that President Mills who is well known for his modest live style will expend such huge sums of monies to prosecute his campaign.

“Just before Parliament goes on recess, the government of Ghana had to contract a loan of 85 million dollars from a financial organization just to enable us build more educational infrastructure, knowing Professor Mills, if he had such monies he would have used it to develop Ghana’’ he said.

Hon. Tetteh Chaie deplored the accusation and counter-accusation among the campaign teams of the contestants as it does not auger well for the unity of the NDC party which is cardinal for winning the 2012 elections.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

NDC are toying with the education system – Catherine Afeku

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Evalue – Gwira Catherine Afeku, has accused the ruling NDC party of toying with the education of Ghanaian pupils with the manner in which it has gone about abolishing the shift system.

According to her, the NDC government led by the Mayor of Accra Dr Alfred Vanderpuye has rather worsened the delivery of quality education for Ghanaian pupils with the abolishing of the shift system in the capital city.

The shift system which was introduced in several public schools in Accra some decades ago allows pupils to attend school in two streams (morning and afternoon) a situation which educational experts argued was unfavorable as some pupils became increasingly truant.

The Chief Executive Officer of Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in assumption of power in 2009 promised to put an end to the shift system by August of 2011, by constructing several schools to absorb the many school children in the public schools, a pledge he is on course to redeem.

Contributing to a panel discussion on e.tv’s Breakfast TV show, the Member of Parliament for Evalue – Gwira, Catherine Afeku criticized the government for sacrificing quality education for the pupils by hurriedly abolishing the shift system when the government had not made adequate preparation to accommodate the pupils.

She noted that the rush in abolishing the shift system has resulted in more schools being overcrowded with about a hundred (100) pupils in a class, a situation which to a large extent denies the pupils of quality education.

“How can one teacher teach a class of about a hundred children, how effective will the teaching be? The overcrowding may also be harmful to the children’s health when there is an outbreak of a communicable disease’’ she said.

Hon. Catherine Afeku added that the government would have been applauded if it started the abolishing process gradually with the provision of tents as a temporal measure for the pupils.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Dan Botwe: I can’t see the NPP in opposition for another 4 years

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

It will be suicidal for the New Patriotic Party to remain in opposition for another four years, Member of Parliament for Okere in the Eastern Region, Dan Botwe has said.

According to him, the NPP must do everything within its power to kick the ruling party out of government and to wrestle Ghanaians from the current state of depravity.

Speaking to Joy News’ Eastern Region correspondent Benjamin Tetteh, the MP made a clarion call to all members of the party to put their hands on deck and to bring the party back into power in 2012.

“We must do everything possible to win 2012 elections. I cannot think of anything beyond that. Because if we don’t win I cannot see our party being in opposition again between 2012-2016,” he said.

He said the country risks retrogressing further if the party loses the election.

He explained the NPP has every chance to win the 2012 election adding, he will shudder to think of the reverse in 2012.

“Thanks to God, Ghanaians too have had the chance to compare our record with that of the NDC and so far everything points to the fact that Ghanaians will reject the NDC in 2012,” he said.

Meanwhile, the party is considering an alliance with minority parties in the Parliamentary election.

Director of Elections and Research of the NPP, Martin Adjei Mensah said the party might consider horse trading with other parties for their mutual benefits.

Currently the party is liaising with officials of outstanding constituencies yet to take their turn in the Parliamentary primaries but Mr Mensah believes everything will go on smoothly.

Ursula doesn’t scare me – Fritz Baffour

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The NDC Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, Hon Fritz Baffour says he will give fire brand NPP parliamentary candidate Ursula Owusu a sound thrashing at the 2012 parliamentary polls.

Ms Owusu’s overwhelming victory at the recently held NPP parliamentary primaries has sparked-off predictions that the largest opposition party is set to reclaim the Ablekuma South seat from the ruling NDC.

However, speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Hon Fritz Baffour said he welcomed the competition, but was confident of beating the FIDA International Vice President in December 2012.

In another developmnent, Hon. Fritz Baffour says the decision by former first lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to challenge President Mills for the NDC Presidential ticket for the 2012 is “problematic.”

Hon Baffour said Mrs Konadu has the right to contest for the flagberership slot of the party but argued that it is against the normal convention in politics where sitting Presidents are allowed to run unopposed.

“It’s against the convention; normally in politics when you have a sitting President and he is going again people do not contest him. There is nothing that stops her from contesting…but with this I totally disagree.

“My problem is that Jerry John Rawlings, a man i admire a great deal because i believe he stands for something, now if he makes criticisms and the criticisms then metamorphose into a spot for his wife then people will say what’s happening?”.

Source: citifmonline.com

Samia Nkrumah advocates amalgamation of CPP and PNC

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

Ms. Samia Nkrumah, Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP) Member of Parliament for Jomoro, has appealed to the CPP and the People’s National Convention (PNC) to merge towards Election 2012.

She said that the two parties that are being driven by the principles, policies and ideologies of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President, should unite and become a force to reckon with in the 2012 General Election.

Ms. Nkrumah, who made the call when she visited Cape Coast to canvass support for her bid for the CPP National Chairman position, asked the two parties to adopt new strategies and send clear messages to Ghanaians, to consider them as a preferred choice in the next General Election.

She stressed that the PNC and CPP could win power if members stayed connected and constantly communicated with Ghanaians, especially those at the grassroots.

Ms. Nkrumah asked CPP and PNC to convince Ghanaians why the two parties should be entrusted with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the country.

She called on the parties to ensure transparency and accountability in their activities, particularly the management of their finances at all levels.

The CPP Central Regional Chairman, Mr. Kwame Adu Ansah, said the CPP would work hard to win more seats in Parliament and advised sympathizers to resolve their differences and unite for the progress of the party.

Source: GNA

NDC must stop cheap propaganda with May 9th Fund – O.B Amoah

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

Former Deputy Sports Minister and Member of Parliament for Aburi/Nsawam, Osei Bonsu Amoah says the National Democratic Congress (NDC’s) claim that the national chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) misappropriated funds meant for families of victims of the May 9 stadium disaster is just cheap propaganda which should be treated with utmost contempt.

He says Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey has nothing to do with the funds because the one in charge of the fund is Mr. J.S Addo, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana who is also Chairman of the May 9 Stadium Disaster Relief Fund Management Committee who is still around.

The NDC in a statement issued in Accra, Monday May 9, urged anti-corruption agencies in the country to probe Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, who was then Minister of Presidential Affairs, over his handling of the donations meant for families of victims of the May 9 stadium disaster.

The NDC believes Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister for Presidential Affairs when the disaster occurred, must account for the money.

However speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday 9th May 2011, O.B Amoah states that he is utterly dismayed at NDC’s calculated attempt to drag the name of Jake Obetsebi Lamptey in disrepute by blaming him ten years after the horrific incident.

O.B. Amoah disclosed that the committee each year, renders accounts to the government on how the funds are disbursed to the families of the victims.

He recounts as the deputy sports minister in 2005, the committee rendered accounts to him covering how much money they had earned and spent.

O.B Amoah urges the NDC to rather invite Mr. J.S Addo, because he will be the right person to render accounts as the Chairman of the Fund.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Magic ring won elections for President Mills – Dominic Nitiwul

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Bimbila, Dominic Nitiwul, has alleged that President John Evans Attah Mills won the 2008 elections of with the help of a ring he wore on his finger during the electioneering campaigns.

According to the MP he has empirical evidence that the ring worn by the then candidate Mills was not an ordinary ring but a magical one that spiritually helped him to win the 2008 election but stopped wearing it immediately after he won the elections in 2008 to become the President.

Hon. Dominic Nitiwul who made the claim on Metro TV’s “Good Morning Ghana” show on Monday May 9th during a panel discussion said an impeccable source within the ruling NDC government made the revelation to him and also told him the source of that magical ring.

He was however not willing to make more disclosure about the said ring only to add that he was awaiting an official response from the government after which he will make more public disclosures.

“Every Ghanaian who keenly followed President Mills and his campaign during the 2008 elections would recall that he wore a suspicious “magical ring” on his finger but took it off just after he became president’’ he said.

The Bimbilla MP, who claims to know the source of the ring, however refused to reveal it, promising to reveal the source of the magical ring at the appropriate time.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Konadu’s campaign team must stop vile campaign – Adu Asare

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Adentan, Kojo Adu- Asare, has cautioned spokespersons of the Konadu for 2012 campaign team, against their consistent vitriolic attacks on President John Evans Attah Mills as the party readies itself for its national congress.

He said the Konadu campaign team is doing the former First Lady a great disservice with the kind of politics they are doing which may result in an irreparable damage done to the image of the former First lady.

The MP’s concern follows an allegation made by Mr Herbert Mensah, a loyalist of the Rawlingses, that President Mills and his campaign team has gathered a whopping 80 to 90 million Ghana Cedis to be used to bribe party delegates to vote for President Mills in the impending NDC national delegates congress in July during which the party’s will elect its Presidential candidate for 2012 elections.

Speaking on Peace FM’s Moring Show ‘’Kokrokoo’’ on Monday 9th 2011, the Member of Parliament for Adentan, Kojo Adu- Asare, who called for the investigation of the allegation however called for the cessation of ‘hostilities’ among the two campaign teams to avoid the deepening of the cracks in the party.

He noted that spewing of baseless allegation against President Mills and his campaign team, by the Konadu Camp may have dire consequences for the NDC party in the near future as the 2012 election approaches.

‘’ In the situation that Nana Konadu wins the primaries she will have to rally the entire NDC party behind her for the 2012 elections which is a much bigger task, how is she going to achieve that with this negative campaign being waged’’ he asked?

Hon. Adu- Asare further stated that the aftermath of the congress must be of great importance to all committed NDC members since that will to a large extent determine the electoral victory or defeat of the NDC in the 2012 general elections.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Parliament to probe May 9 Disaster Funds

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The Member of Parliament for Suaman, Stephen Ackah says Parliament will cause an investigation into how the proceeds of the May 9 Disaster fund have been dispensed so far when Parliament re-convenes.

The May 9 Disaster Fund was established in 2001 to cater for the dependants of the victims of the May 9 Disaster which occurred after a grueling match between two of Ghana’s glamorous clubs Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak during which over 120 soccer funds died after a stampede at the stadium.

Lots of Ghanaians from all walks of life and other cooperate bodies contributed various sums of monies to the fund, and the MP is of the view that reports that dependants of the victims have been neglected by Trustees of the Fund, and monies misappropriated must be thoroughly investigated to ensure accountability.

Speaking to ghanamps.gov.gh, the Member of Parliament for Suaman who is also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Youth and Sports, Stephen Ackah, states that as Chairman of a committee responsible for the growth of sports it is incumbent on the committee to show concern and take immediate steps to verify the truth or other wise of the allegations.

“This is a good case for us to pursue as a committee, we have to ensure that every pesewa of this money spent is duly accounted for, since the fund was raised for a specific purpose’’ he said.

Touching on the 10th anniversary of the May 9 disaster which falls today, 9th May 2011, Hon Stephen Ackah, who describes the incident as the darkest day in the history of Ghanaian sports believes that a lot of education has been done and the necessary measures put in place to avert the re-occurrence of the horrible incident.

He sympathized with the affected families and assured them of government’s commitment to continue ensuring the welfare of the dependants of the victims.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Workers of Western Steel Company will receive salaries

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

The Employment Ministry says it will intervene in the plight of workers of the Tema-based Western Steel Company who fear they may be denied their salaries because of a forced closure of the firm.

The Minister ordered the closure over recent safety violations which have been blamed for one death and several injuries.

The company has up to the end of the month to upgrade its working conditions to an acceptable standard, and the workers’ union has expressed fear their salaries which are already in arrears may not come through at all because of the shutdown.

But Employment Minister E. T. Mensah told Joy News the workers’ union should first verify the claim and not simply rely on hearsay.

He said if it turns out that the company is determined to deny the workers their salaries, the ministry will make an intervention to ensure the workers are not denied their due.

According to him, the closure of the factory was not the making of the workers but lapses on the part of management. Workers therefore cannot bear the brunt of the closure.