Month: August 2013

Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Emmanuel K. Agyarko has taken a swipe at one of the founding members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr. Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe for calling for the resignation of the party General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.

He expressed surprise at the attitude of the NPP stalwart saying Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe seems not to hear or see anything wrong with the ruling NDC party, but in recent times has found it very necessary and without hesitation to speak on the media in relation to issues affecting the party.

The former Ambassador to Serbia, Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe demanded the immediate resignation of the party’s General Secretary Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie who was convicted of intentional criminal contempt for bringing shame to the party.

He said the level of scolding that was heaped on Mr Owusu Afriyie by the Supreme Court is enough humiliation that should make him resign honourably.

However contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo show on Monday, Hon. Agyarko disagreed with the call by Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe adding that he has not shown any semblance of balance in his pronouncement on political issues in recent times.

’’ We are not saying the NPP are angels and as such nothing wrong goes on in the party, but there are worst things happening in the NDC party that he should also speak to ’’ he said.

He wondered what is preventing Dr. Tamakloe from commenting on the corruption laden GYEEDA report which has become the most topical issue of late.

Hon. Agyarko noted that as a leading member of the NPP, nothing stops Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe from petitioning the National Council of Elders or National Executive Council (NEC) of the NPP to address internal party matters.

Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov.gh

Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West, Ursula Owusu has highly extolled Lawyer Ayikoi Otoo, former Attorney-General during erstwhile President Kufour’s administration for the superb defence tactics he put up at the Supreme Court, resulting in the court freeing but fining his clients; General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie and youth activist of the party, Hopeson Adorye.

Hon. Ursula Owusu, speaking on Peace FM’s flagship programme “Kokrokoo” on Thursday, commended the Counsel for the duo who appeared before the Supreme Court to defend their contempt charges, for calming tempers down in the courtroom and alleviating the sentences of his clients.

On Wednesday, Lawyer Nii Ayikoi Otoo, successfully pleaded with the Judges to temper justice with mercy and therefore rewarded himself with a birthday gift from the bench when the court decided not to impose any custodial sentences on the two NPP gurus.

Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, also called Sir John, together with Hopeson escaped being sentenced to prison for making contemptuous comments about the court as they were summoned by the Justices presided by Justice William Atuguba.

But due to the legal prowess of the former Attorney-General, they were rather fined GHC 5000 and GHC 2000 respectively, and also asked to sign a bond to be of good character for six and three months or in default serve six or three months imprisonment correspondingly.

According to Hon. Ursula Owusu, Ayikoi Otoo demonstrated before the court “advocacy at its best” and therefore deserves to be praised for his intervention. She also lauded the bench for stamping its authority and doing its best to whip members of the public who contravene the law into line.

The one-time FIDA-International President, also called on Parliamentarians to see the recent disciplinary action against some politicians as a wakeup call to exercise their authority and serve as a check on the Executive arm of government.

To her, the legislative arm of government should take a cue from the Judiciary and work assiduously to nip corruption in the bud.

“We have seen the judicial authority at work. Let us, as Parliamentarians, also exercise our functions as the legislative authority and exercise our oversight responsibility well over the Executive. We can do better to put things right,” she noted.

Peacefmonline.com

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkwanta North, Mr. John Oti Bless has denied reports that he is on the wanted list of the Volta Regional Police Command.

In an interview with Citi News Mr. Bless stated that: “nobody has declared me wanted.”

The Volta Regional Police Commander, ACP Fred Agyapong Asare had indicated that the service was writing to the Speaker of Parliament, asking for the MP to be handed over to the Police for investigations. This was in connection with the MP’s alleged involvement in the burning of 5 government vehicles by some NDC youth in the constituency.

But according to Mr. Bless, he had just returned from Cape-coast to Accra when he received the information that some youth were involved in violence in the region.

He also stated that his intervention prevented the youth from burning the district assembly building. He however cautioned anyone with the intention of tarnishing his image to desist from doing so.

“This will not go anywhere to spoil my record because I have a very clean and genuine record. So whoever thinks that, he is going to do this to drag my name in the mud will never succeed,” the MP said.

The Deputy Minister for Interior, James Algalga has said Ghanaians must put the interest of the country ahead of partisan political interest as the country awaits the verdict of the Supreme Court in the 2012 election petition case.

He said Ghanaians have a major role in ensuring a peaceful nation in spite of the security measures being put in place by the security services especially after the highest court of the land gives its ruling.

The Deputy Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Builsa North, was contributing to a discussion on Citi FM’s news and current affairs programme, The Big Issue.

He noted that the interest of the state must be ultimate as against the interest of a political party since the existence of political parties will mean nothing when Ghana is in turmoil.

Ghanaians eagerly awaits the verdict of the Supreme Court on the 2012 election petition case which is expected to be announced on the 29th August 2013.

The Petitioners, the NPP Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo Addo, his Running Mate, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia and the NPP Chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey are in court challenging the results of the presidential elections which saw the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) candidate, President John Mahama declared winner.

Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov.gh

MP for Kwabre East, Hon. Kofi Frimpong has advised the youth in the area to eschew violence in any form and embrace peace and unity whiles advising them not to allow politics to polarize the country.

He made the call during the launch of a Peace campaign project initiated by the Kwabre East Constituency Youth wings of the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party at Mamponteng.

Hon. Frimpong lauded the youth for the intention of maintaining the peace in the district and appealed to them to educate their fellow colleagues on the need for us to sustain the peace adding that we are all one big family and should not allow politics to divide us as a people.

He however called on the police service to be alert and firm after the verdict in order to forestall any disruptions.

The Police Commander for the district, Sup. Bismark Agyapong also assured the public that the service is very ready to deal with any bad situation that might arise as a result of the ruling and also added his voice to the call on the youth to be law abiding citizens.

The two political parties were represented by top ranking officials in the constituency and they all assured the gathering of their preparedness to accept the verdict of the outcome of the election petition before the Supreme Court and also pledged to educate their followers on the same matter.

Ghanamps.gov.gh

Member of Parliament for Nkwanta North, John Bless Oti has said the continuous imposition of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives in some parts of the country will stall development in those areas.

He said grassroots supporters as stakeholders in local politics and to a large extent are in a better position to tell which nominee would be efficient and accepted by inhabitants, must be consulted in the selection of MMDCEs to superintend over such area.

The selection of nominees to the various MMDAs by President John Mahama in the past few months has sparked agitation across the country with some of the nominees being rejected at polls simply because of their previous dealing with the people which the assembly members deemed to have been disrespectful.

The Nkwanta North District witnessed for angry NDC youth who went on a rampage destroying three vehicles after the out-going DCE for the area Paul Levin Dzato’s name came up for re-nomination.

The youth accused Mr Dzato of being a member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and treated them with contempt during his tenure as DCE.

Speaking to Ghanamps.gov.gh, Hon. John Oti Bless stated that the local people whose lives will be impacted negatively or positively by the nomination of a particular DCE must not be left out in the decision making process, adding that political power is derived from grassroots supporters.

He said all that the grassroots supporters who are not gunning for any position want from party executives and appointing authorities is their recognition and respect by way of them being involved in such activities.

Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov.gh