Month: January 2012

The Director of Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Member of Parliament for Manhyia, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has urged government to as a matter of urgency improve the condition of service for staff of the Electoral Commission.

According to him, there is the need to perk –up the conditions service for the EC staff who work in one of the sensitive institutions of state, as their salaries are nothing to write home about.

Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo show on Wednesday, Hon. Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, stated that the committee which was constituted to look into the lapses that characterized the recent District Assemblies election recommended the improvement of working conditions for the EC staff which has not been implemented yet.

He said information available to him indicates that there is brewing tension and unrest among the EC staff over their exclusion from the Single Spine Pay policy, which is currently enjoyed by public sector workers.

The vocal Legislator, disclosed that he was aware some of the EC staff were contemplating embarking on strike action to press home their demands for improved conditions, and called on government to take immediate steps to meet their demands and avoid a strike action, as that would be costly to the state especially as Ghana is in an election year.

Hon. Dr Opoku Prempeh added that improving their condition of service now would serve as a morale booster for the EC staff to delivery efficiently in the upcoming general elections and beyond.

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The Member of Parliament (MP) for Okere and parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the general elections, Dan Botwe and the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Akuapem North, George Opare-Addo, who is also the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s parliamentary candidate for Okere have together assured that they would carry out clean electioneering campaigns that would not affect peace in the constituency.

The two political heavy weights made the pledge at a grand durbar to climax this year’s Odwira festival of the chiefs and people of Adukrom-Akuapem in the Akuapem North district over the weekend.

The MP, Dan Botwe requested highly placed chiefs to continually entreat all politicians to conduct clean campaigns and adhere to electoral rules to ensure a successful election.

DCE Opare-Addo on his part also pledged his campaign team’s commitment to avoid any act that would disturb the peace of Okere.

The two politicians were commended by the gathering for their assuring words.

Earlier on, the chief of Adukrom, Osuodumgya Otutu Kono III urged politicians to desist from insults and personal attacks on their opponents and rather campaign on issues.

He noted that Ghana is a peaceful country and nothing must be done to destroy the peace that the country is currently enjoying.

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The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, Fritz Baffour, has donated 17 sewing machines to 17 newly trained seamstresses in his constituency to equip and make them self sustaining as they begin their own businesses.

The machines valued at GHS 17,000 was presented to them after the Chairman of the Mamprobi Dressmakers Association, Francis Mensah Boafo requested the MP to support the new dressmakers.

Hon. Fritz Baffour while presenting the machines stated that he was happy to have been part of efforts aimed at ensuring the development of the young women and further promised support for his constituents emphasizing that the role of women in nation building could not be undervalued and further called on men to accord them the needed respect.

He urged the recipients not to be ashamed of their profession and asked them to put the tools provided for them to good use.

The Chairman on his part thanked the MP for his kind gesture and timely support and encouraged the beneficiaries to work hard to improve their lives by becoming self sustaining.

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The National Democratic Party (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Odododiodioo Constituency, Mr Nii Tackie Kommey, has called on politicians to base their electioneering on issues and not lies and fabrications.

He said the 2012 General Election would not be won by aspirants whose supporters would be able to insult their political opponents but by those who would be able to present good policies and programme to the electorate.

Addressing NDC delegates at Sempe, Accra, on Friday, Mr Kommey asked the people not to be deceived by the lies being peddled against him by his political opponents that he had not lived up to expectation.

The MP said he had played a role in the provision of a new female ward, generator and a water tank for the Ussher clinic, and refurbishment of the maternity home at Palladium, donated GHC 5000 to support the construction of classrooms at Richard Akwei Memorial School.

Mr Kommey said he ensured the release of GH¢ 5,900 from the GETFund to support a project at Ayalolo cluster of schools and contributed funds towards the rehabilitation of the James Town Police Station

He asked the delegates to vote for him in the NDC primary for the constituency, to enable him retain the seat for the party.

The MP said he would place emphasis on the education of the youth in Information Communication Technical and technical and vocational training to make them marketable on the job market when he wins the 2012 parliamentary polls.

Mr Kommey said his performance in the constituency remained unquestionable making him the only competent aspirant for the Odododiodioo seat.

He said: “I have fulfilled all the promises I made to the Constituency and the rest are on the way”.

The MP appealed to the delegates to desist from any action that could disunite the party and said “the fight is not against Kommey but against the opposition NPP.”

“You must ensure that people at the grassroots, especially who have attained 18 years and above to register, when the Electoral Commission commences the new voters’ registration exercise so that they can vote for NDC”.

GNA