Parties Oppose Nomination Fee

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday, 29 September 2008
Political parties in the country have protested against the nomination fees announced by the Electoral Commission for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in December.

The EC, in a statement issued yesterday and signed by Mr Albert Kofi Arhin, Director of Elections, fixed the nomination fee for the presidential candidates at GH¢5,000 and that for Parliamentary candidates at GH¢500. But the parties say "the figures are too high".

A joint petition from the parties titled "Increase in nomination fees" and sent to the EC, which was received by David Kanga, a Deputy Commissioner, asked the EC to consider the current inflation rate before fixing the fees.

Mr Thomas Nuako Ward-Brew, flag-bearer of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), who spoke on behalf of the other parties, said they are asking the EC to consider the current economic situation by using the 18 per cent inflation rate to fix the fees.

He said in 2004, the nomination fee for Presidential candidates was fixed at ¢20 million (GH¢2,000) while that for Parliamentary candidates was ¢500,000 (GH¢50).

This year, he added, "the EC has increased the whole thing ten fold".

He said; "The EC is not a revenue-generating body, neither is it a tax imposing agency.

"We think the current nomination fees are very astronomical".

Asked whether the EC was bound by law to inform political parties about fixing of nomination fees, Mr Ward-Brew said "we are the major stakeholders. In 2004, we, together with the EC, discussed the fees at the Inter- party Advisory Committee (IPAC) Meeting".

"This time around, the EC did not consult us and that is why we are asking them to reconsider their decision.

"We all wish to see a free, fair, transparent, credible and successful election and the EC should not make things difficult for us."

The parties which were signatory to the petition included the DPP, NDC, PNC, NPP, CPP, URP, GCPP and Egle Party.

Dr Kwabena Agyei represented the NDC, Emmanuel Wilson, the PNC, Antwi Agyei, NPP and Kwabena Domfeh, the CPP.

The rest were Kofi Wayo for the URP, Dan Lartey for the GCPP and Alhassan Benneh for the Egle Party.

CPP's new campaign strategy

By William Yaw Owusu

Wedneday September 24, 2008
THE Convention People’s Party (CPP) is to split its campaign into four groups to enable it work effectively towards ensuring a resounding victory in the December poll.

Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom flag-bearer of the CPP who disclosed this to the Times soon after outdooring Dr Abu Sakara, a scientist as his running mate on Sunday said he would lead the first group to embark on a nationwide tour.

He said the second group will be led by Dr Sakara with the CPP National Executives and his wife Yvonne, leading the two other groups in the campaign.

Dr Nduom said the enthusiastic support offered the CPP by the electorate at the outdooring of Dr Sakara was an indication that “the CPP is now a force to reckon with in Ghana’s current political dispensation.

He said “the CPP has been reborn and we are now one of the leading contenders of Election 2008.”

Dr Nduom said “everywhere we go the people are yearning for a genuine change and they know that the CPP is the only alternative in the forthcoming election”.

He said “Edwumawura and Yeresesamu” slogans are catching on with the electorate and we will surely form the next government to bring happiness to the people”.

He further said we have the track record and we are going to build upon it”.

Dr Nduom said the selection of Dr Sakara as his running mate indicated that the CPP has confidence in the development of the youth, adding “we are going into this election with a united front and we will make a very good impression

Nduom's Mate

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday September 22, 2008
For the Convention People’s Party (CPP), it was a dream crowd. Yesterday’s rally qualified to be called mammoth rally held at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra was to introduce Dr Abu Sakara, 50, an agricultural scientist, as Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom’s running mate for Election 2008. it was also to celebrate the 99th birthday of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, founder of the CPP and Ghana’s first president. The occasion also launched the party’s national campaign for the December poll.

As early as 8 am, party members and supporters from all over the country thronged the Obra Spot, venue of the event which had been decorated with CPP colours of red, white and green amid singing, dancing and chanting of the party’s slogans.

The event finally got under way at about 1:15 pm, with poetry recitals from two young boys who extolled the virtues and visions of Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

Party gums took turns to address the enthusiastic crowd, but it was Samia Nkrumah, daughther of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who electrified the atmosphere when she took the microphone.

The convoy of the presidential aspirant finally arrived at 2:22 pm with Dr Abu Sakara in the lead, closely followed by Dr Nduom who were all in different open-top vehicles.

As the two gestured the now popular ‘Yeresesamu’ sign of the party, literally means “we are changing things, the crowd went wild

The police had it tough controlling the crowd,

Dr Nduom lifted Dr Sakara’s right hand at exactly 3:54 and declared: “he is a running mate who is the best person there is”. He explained: “We are an agricultural country and Dr Sakara has the expertise to transform this sector.”

Dr Sakara, accepting the nomination, declared “the task ahead of us is an awesone challenge but we will do everything possible to ensure a resounding victory for the CPP in December”.

He saw his nomination as “a great honour for the youth and we should all move together to make the CPP form the next government for a prosperous nation”.

Dr Sakara warned other political parties not to underestimate the CPP, saying “we have the will to win this year’s election.

“The CPP has a plan for the task ahead. We are resilient. We are going to fight with ideas and this will bring the change that every Ghanaians is yearning for.”

Dr Sakara later released white doves into the sky to signify the CPP’s commitment to ensure a peaceful election in December.

Dr Nduom, before addressing the crowd, invited Bright Akwetey, DrW.K. Akufo nd Dr Kwaku Osafo, all defeated presidential aspirants in the party’s congress in December last year, to join him.

He told the crowd that the presence of his former contestants and the support that he enjoys from all of them were clear indications that the CPP had been reborn.

“In the past we contested an election with a divided front but things will be different in December 2008. We will go to the Flag-Staff House to work hard to ensure a prosperous Ghana”.

The flag-bearer promised that “when the CPP gets the mandate its government will, within 100 days, revive the meat factory in Zuarungu, near Bolgatanga, the Upper East Region.

He also promised a free compulsory and continuous education from the basic level to the senior high school level.

Dr Nduom further promised to sponsor a bill that will make the office of district chief executives an elective position.

He said the NDC and the NPP did what they could to develop the country but it was not enough. “It is time for the CPP to take over to bring real development,” he said.

He promised the establishment as well as the revival of industries and steps to ensure that farmers have a market for their produce. He will also add value to made-in-Ghana products.

Dr Nduom assured all civil and public servants of the CPP’s commitment to ensure that they were well motivated to help the development of the country, saying “we will make sure you get what you deserve”.

Ladi Nylander, chairman of the CPP, said the party was capable of leading Ghana into a prosperous nation, adding: “We have a proven track record and we will build on it”.

Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, General Secretary of the CPP, urged the electorate to vote wisely in the December poll saying “the CPP is here to create jobs as we did in the early days”.

Kosi Dede, the Publicity Chairman said the party was the most organised political group in the country. “We have our manifesto. The others have launched their campaign without their manifesto. How are they going to address the problems of the country?”

He asked the NDC to stop using the ‘Yeresesamu’ slogan which he said was brought by the CPP. He also asked the NPP to stop using the slogan “we are moving forward” since the CPP was the originator of that catch phrase.

Samia Nkrumah on her part said the CPP was back to make sure that the vision and teachings of her father were strengthened and the social needs of the people addressed.

Dr Vladamir Antwi Danso a leading member of the party, said “we hate the dichotomy of the NPP/NDC syndrome. CPP is the only party that was formed. All others were mushroomed”.

B.K. Senkyire, a member of the party said the NDC and the NPP had developed the country without considering the welfare of the people.

“There was a human face to the policies and programmes of Dr Nkrumah but the NDC and lately the NPP have made several unfulfilled promises.

The leadership of the party and the flag-bearer and his running mate later cut a cake to signify the 99th birthday of Dr Nkrumah.

Poll task force identified flash points

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday September 17, 2008
THE Greater Accra Regional Electoral Security Task Force says it has identified certain areas in the region where political activities in the run-up to the December general election may pose security threat.

“For security, reasons, I cannot mention the flash points but I can assure you that the security agencies are working hard to bring every situation under control and ensure that the election is held in a peaceful atmosphere,” said DCOP James Oppong-Boanuh, the Regional Police Commander and chairman of the task force at the second meeting of the task force in Accra yesterday.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the police, Military, Air Force, Navy, Prisons, Fire Service, Electoral Commission, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, Bureau of National Investigations, Regional Co-ordinating Council and the Information Services Department.

Representatives of the Immigration Service and the National Commission for Civic Education, which are also members of the task force were not present.

DCOP Oppong-Boanuh said the task force would interact regularly with the political parties in order to create a conducive atmosphere for the election.

“We are going to be transparent in our dealings with the political parties. We will be non-partisan and we urge all parties to collaborate with us to make the conduct of the election very successful.”

He said, “Every aspect of our work will go out to the parties and the public at large so that they will appreciate what we are doing to maintain law, order and peace in the election.”

“We will hasten investigations into election-related incidents and will not shield any body who flouts the rules and regulations.”

He urged the people particularly the political leaders and their sympathisers not to engage in what he called “fanning the flames” in the media and appealed to them to always help the police to investigate any matter brought up.

He said the region and the country at large have enough security personnel to handle any challenges in the course of the election adding, “providing security for the election does not only involve the police but also all other security agencies.”

DCOP Oppong-Boanuh however said that private security would not be part of the security arrangement for the election.

He urged the public to go about their daily activities without fear and to report people whose activities are likely to disturb the electoral process.

Bawumia: Fee-free 2nd cycle education is do-able

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday September 13' 2008
DR Mahamudu Bawumia, running mate of the New Patriotic Party has promised that free education at the senior high school will be implemented in no time when the NPP is retained in office in the December election.

“The free education initiative is so dear to the heart of Nana Akufo-Addo, our flag-bearer who has promised to implement it as quickly as possible”.

Dr Bawumia who until recently was a Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana said this in an interview on Monday when he paid a familiarisation visit to the office of the New Times Corporation in Accra to acquaint himself with activities of the corporation.

Dr Bawumia said investing in education is the most prudent way of positioning the country for an accelerated growth and development saying “we should not undermine the effort to promote quality and affordable education in this country.”

He said the next NPP administration will work hard to find the needed funds to support the free education initiative and added “When the NPP came into office in 2001, it did not need oil revenue to implement the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education.”

Dr Bawumia said apart from education, the next NPP administration will pay more attention on the National Health Insurance Scheme, transportation agriculture, particularly cocoa production and more importantly further stabilization of the country’s economy.

He also said the NPP will form close partnership with the industrial sector to create more employment avenues for the people.

“The issue of unemployment should not be interest to everybody and the NPP sees it as a major challenge which needs to be tackled head on and bring happiness to our people”.

Dr Bawumia further said “the NPP campaign will continue to raise issues I have enumerated above with the hope helping to solve them when hopefully we retain power”.

“We want to stay focused on our campaign messages. I believe in the NPP’s vision that is why I am offering myself to serve my nation even better”.

Bawumia advises electorate: Don't entertain vicious politicians

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who until recently was a Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana has been selected as the running mate of ruling New Patriotic Party candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the December general election in Ghana.

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday September 9, 2008.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) running mate for the December election, says the time has come for the electorate to ignore what he called “politicians who are bent on hiding behind the election to distabilise the country”.

“The country is on the verge of an economic breakthrough, so we should not allow these few politicians to disrupt the peace and programmes towards the creation of a better Ghana for us all,” he advised.

Dr Bawumia, who until recently a Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana said this when he paid a familiarisation visit to the offices of the New Times Corporation in Accra yesterday.

The NPP running mate, who was accompanied by John Boadu, NPP national youth organiser, and Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Executive Director of the Danquah Institute, is currently visiting the various media houses to acquaint himself with their work.

Dr Bawumia said: “this year’s election is about the determination of our future as a people. We are going to decide whether we should move forward or go backwards.

“We should know that the country’s future is at stake in this election and the NPP is committed to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process to further consolidate our democracy.”

He said the NPP administration had been able to put in place sound economic policies and programmes which were capable of withstanding external shocks, adding “it is very clear that we have delivered a major transformation of the economy”.

He said “in the past, all the indicators pointed to a downturn. We were using about 22 per cent of our export revenue to pay interests on debts. But now, our economy is described as on the frontier of an emerging economy”.

Dr Bawumia said the government had built a solid foundation and the economy was not dependent on the International Monetary Fund.

“In the midst of the turbulence, we have been able to demonstrate economic competence and the NPP deserves to be retained in office to continue the economic progress,” he urged.

On the railway sector, Dr Bawumia described the revamping of the sector as a priority of the next NPP government, and added “if we are going to industrialise, then this sector should play a vital role”.

He said the pledge by the flag-bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo to make education at the senior high school level free of charge was real, explaining “if President Kufuor under severe constraints was able to make education at the basic level free, then why not Nana Akufo-Addo when the economy is showing signs of progress”.

He said “under Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration, the NPP will approach development with a sense of urgency and ensure equity in the distribution national resources”.

On how well he is doing on the political terrain, Dr Bawumia said: “I have been well received everywhere I go, and this tremendous support encourages me that there is hope for this country”.

He said “if people think my entry into politics is to tell lies, attack personalities and trade insults, then they will be disappointed. I have come on board to ensure a healthy political discourse and tackle the issues at hand”.

John Boadu, commenting, commended the media for helping to consolidate the country’s democracy and promised the electorate that the NPP would not let them down when elected.

Mr Kofi Asuman, Managing Director of the New Times Corporation, urged politicians to be mindful of utterances and acts that have the tendency to disrupt the peace of the country.

Mr Enimil Ashon, acting Editor of the Ghanaian Times, the flagship paper of the corporation, assured all political parties that the paper would continue to be fair and objective towards the development of the country.

NDUOM GOES FOR ROSARY...Praying for a miracle in Election '08

Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom is the Presidential hopeful of the Convention People's Party (CPP)for Ghana's Election 2008


By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday September 4, 2008
DR Paa Kwesi Nduom, flag-bearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), says he has got himself a rosary that will help him work towards the miracle that people say he would need to win the December Presidential election.

“As a devout Catholic, I already have a rosary and pray over it everyday. I know that once the heavens help those who help themselves, I will continue to work very hard and the miracle will surely come on December 7.

Speaking in a telephone interview from Gomoa Mpota, where he is currently on a working visit, Dr Nduom said “at our congress on December 17, last year, where I was elected the flag-bearer, I promised to build a strong and independent CPP capable of winning an election and I am happy to say that we are getting there”.

He said “ I will make the CPP proud in December. I have been without stop to every corner of this country and the electorate are enthusiastic and excited about the CPP.

He said the CPP’s message of “ Change you can feel in your pocket” as well as the “Edwumawura” slogan is settling down well with the electorate adding “they have appreciated our effort and are now asking us not to let them down”.

Dr. Nduom said the party is now overwhelmed by the response of the electorate following the launch of its membership drive campaign and added “we are now finding it difficult keeping up this ever whelming demand administratively”.

Touching on unity in the CPP, Dr Nduom said “the electorate are now demanding an independent CPP capable of winning an election and the party executive is collaborating with me to ensure discipline for the task”.

He said if anyone wants to support any other party he or she is at liberty to do so.We do not want them to remain in the CPP and cause confusion”.

On the situation on Ellembelle Constituency, where the party executives are in a tussle with Freddie Blay the incumbent, MP over who should represent the area in the parliamentary election, Dr Nduom said “I have confidence in the new national executive and we should give them the chance to solve this problem”.

He said “the CPP must be commended for always giving everybody who flouts the party’s constitution the chance to explain himself or herself saying “I am confident the party will deal with any circumstance appropriately”.

On political intolerance and violence, the CPP flag-bearer said “the CPP will be the last party to do anything that will destroy the peace that we are currently enjoying”.

He said “the CPP is a party of peace we struggled and won independence for Ghana and suffered a lot. We will always do the right things to ensure that there is peace in the country.

“What is happening in the northern region, I am afraid, if we do not take steps to stop it, can spill over to the south as well”.

Dr Nduom said “if I were the flag-bearers of both NPP and the NDC, I would stop whatever I am doing and rush to the north to calm down the tension.”

“I am looking forward for the opportunity to go to the north to preach peace and political tolerance to the people.”

CPP launches manifesto for the disadled

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday September 2, 2008
THE Convention People’s Party (CPP) took its campaign for the December election to a new level when it launched a braille verson of its manifesto for the visually impaired yesterday.

A braille is a system of printing for blind people in which each letter is represented as a raised pattern which can be read by touching with the fingers.

In attendance at the launch in Accra yesterday were the leadership and members of the various associations of persons with disability as well as the leadership and some leading members of the CPP.

Launching it, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, flag-bearer of the CPP regretted that all political parties had failed to adequately address the needs of persons with disability.

He said “we are the only party to launch a real version of our manifesto in the Braille verson so that our brothers and sisters who are disadvantaged will know the plans that the CPP has for them.”

He said the party’s ten point agenda captioned “change you can fell in your pocket” has also been turned into a Braille form for them to make informed choices in the December poll.

“We want the electorate to know the difference between the CPP and all the other parties. We are all aware that it is only the CPP which is capable of offering a change that the people can believe in.”

Dr Nduom said the CPP’s manifesto which revolves around self determination, Pan Africanism and social justice has been accepted by the electorate and said “we will continue to campaign to win the election.

Yaw Ofori Debrahs president of the Ghana Association for the Blind said the CPP’s gesture is a demonstration of their commitment to people centred leadership that they are promising.”

Samuel K. Asare, president of the Ghana Association for the Deaf said “we are always left out in the electoral process but it is time for the politicians to put us in their plans.”

A representative of the Ghana society for the Physically Disabled said, “this initiative of the CPP shows that the party is committed to making us part of the electoral process.

Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, General Secretary of the CPP who himself is disabled in his welcome address said issues of persons with disability should be non partisan.

He said the CPP represents the poor and the vulnerable and will fight for them at any time.

I’ll focus on education - Nana Akufo-Addo

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday September 1, 2008
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flag-bearer of New Patriotic Party (NPP) reiterated his commitment to prioritise education when elected as the next President.
"Education is the key to the development of this country. In developed countries like North Korea and Malaysia, illiteracy has been eliminated so education must be the priority of every government," he said.
Nana Akufo-Addo was addressing a well attended rally at Bukom in the Odododiodio Constituency of the Greater Accra Region on Friday.
The NPP campaign team had joined the chiefs and people of Ga to celebrate the annual Homowo, a festival for the Ga State.
The NPP flag-bearer who spoke in both Ga and English said the the time has come for every child in the country to get the chance to receive free and quality education to help in the elimination of illiteracy in the society.
Nana Akufo-Addo said through education, industrial development and creation of jobs would be achieved, adding that ‘we have to encourage and give our attention to the younger generation to make them very responsible in the future.’
"Most of the working class in Ghana are below 35 years, so we need a policy that would ensure a youthful and skilled human resource base," he said.
He mentioned some of the achivements of the NPP since it took over from the NDC in 2001 and urged the electorate to continue to support the NPP to retain office in the December poll to continue the development of the country.
Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated the NPP’s commitment towards ensuring a free, fair credible and peaceful election and called on other political parties to also show similar commitment.
"It would not be right to shed blood in the election. Ghana is seen as the beacon of hope for Africa and we should all do our best protect the peace that we are enjoying” he added.
He dismissed allegations that the ruling NPP is planning to rig Election 2008 and said ‘we will continue to campaign vigorously to get the electorate to vote for us.’
Sheikh I. C Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister said NPP won 11 out of the 13 seats in the Region in 2004 and would definitely win all the seats in Election 2008.
Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson, Mayor of Accra said Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) would soon construct a modern boxing gymnasium in the area to develop the sport.
Mr Samuel Odoi-Sykes, former National Chairman of NPP said Nana Akufo-Addo is politically experienced than all the contesting flag-bearers for Election 2008.
Other party stalwarts including Peter Mac Manu and Laud Commey, National Chairman and National Orgeiser respectively took turns to preach the NPP’s achievement.
A giant billboard of Nana Akufo-Addo was unveiled at Bukom square to promote the party's campaign in the constituency whilst a minute silence was observed in memory of the late Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, for Speaker of Parliament and a leading member of NPP.

Bawumia urges Muslims to support NPP

Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia is the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Ghana and now the Vice Presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party in Ghana


From William Yaw Owusu, Takoradi

Wednesday August 20 2008
Dr Mahaumud Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party running-mate for the December general election has urged Muslim communities to embrace the policies of the NPP, and support the party to retain office to ensure a continuous accelerated development of the country.

He also urged them to always pursue peace, and avoid being abused by ‘selfish and unscrupulous’ politicians to foment needless trouble that could mar the December general elections,and undermine the nation's peace and stability.

Dr Bawumia was addressing the Muslim community at the Central Mosque in Takoradi on Friday after being introduced to them Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP flag-bearer, ahead of the official outdooring which took place yesterday during the party's mammoth rally at the Takoradi Polytechnic Park on Sunday.

The introduction of Nana Akufo-Addo's running mate was greeted with wild jubilation from the heavily attended worshippers.

Dr Bawumia, a banker and economist , explained that the nation's economy is doing well, and said it was at the threshold of a ‘breakthrough’ adding ‘we should do well to keep the NPP in office because returning the opposition NDC would reverse the forward march’.

"Let's support the NPP to retain power to continue building the economy. We want to transform the economy to ensure equal access to quality health care and education. Come along with the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo and myself for the economic transformation and total development of the nation in freedom," he stated, amidst thunderous applause from the people.”

The gathering who could not hide their joy, as they sang songs of praise to express their happiness and appreciation to Nana Akufo-Addo for the selection of "one of them" as his running mate.

Ealier in the day, Dr Bawumia joined Nana Akufo-Addo to pay a courtesy call on Osabarima Nana Kweku Binnah III, Paramount Chief of the Shama Traditional Area when they made a stop-over in the town ahead of their entry into the twin city for their party's Annual Delegates' Conference.

The Omanhene appealed to politicians to be guided by civility and decorum in their campaign activities, and avoid confrontations with their political opponents to ensure peaceful and incident-free elections in December.

They also visited the leadership and members of the Takoradi branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union of the Trades Union Congress, to interact with them and to find out the problems and challenges confronting them in their work.

GT Shares Sale Cash Expected This Week - President

By Samuel Amoako & William Yaw Owusu, Sekondi

Monday, 18 August 2008
PRESIDENT, J.A. Kufuor said on Saturday that 900 million dollars will be transferred into the economy this week, following the approval by Parliament of the sale of 70 per cent, Ghana Telecom shares to telecommunication giants, Vodafone.

He also announced that the integrated aluminium industry revolving around VALCO which was bought back by the government for 20 million dollars, is now attracting international offers of over 200 million dollars for partnership.

President Kufuor was speaking at the opening of the 16th Annual Delegates Conference of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) here on Saturday.

He said with the Eurobond that the government raised on the London Stock Exchange having been oversubscribed by more than three million dollars, "Ghana now walks tall on the international capital market".

He said plans are far advanced to modernise the road infrastructure by dualising all major highways, including the Accra-Kumasi, Accra-Aflao and Accra Elubu, adding, "When I say this, it is not an empty boast. We have already got the money".

On the railway sector, President Kufuor said "the workers know that the problem is not from the NPP government".

The government, he said is rather helping to revamp the sector after securing 90 million dollars from a consortium of mining companies, the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority and the Timber Board to enable them to raise the needed capital for the development of the sector.

He said there are also offers from China and the United Arab Emirates to assist the sector and appealed to the workers to exercise patience.

"Surely, we are achieving the middle income status by 2015 and by 2020, the sky will be our limit".

President Kufuor assured the nation that the NPP will lead Ghana’s forward march into prosperity considering the programmes it has initiated over the years.

Under his watch, he said, Ghana’s image is soaring and the nation is on the crest of very auspicious wave.

He said the party’s flag-bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, is certain to succeed him and take the country further.

He said it is important for Ghanaians not to forget that the NPP government inherited a tottering economy which has since been stabilised and consistent, adding, "The next government under our flag-bearer will accelerate growth.

He said the NPP has Ghana’s best candidate in Nana Akufo Addo whom he described as a competent person capable of helping to solve Ghana’s problems.

President Kufuor said the NPP’s ticket of Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr Mahamadu Bawunia, former deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana, as the running mate, is surely going to win the election to retain the NPP in office.

He said, "It is important for all of us to support the ticket firmly and work wholeheartedly and with commitment to secure the mandate of the electorate and have the party retained in office".

President Kufuor also waded into the argument as to whether or not the parties contesting the election should compare their track records, saying, "I support the view the people should be able to assess all the parties to be able to make informed choices".

"How do you attend a critical interview without your C.V. (Curriculum Vitae)?", he asked.

The President said the NPP will tell its success story to the electorate to seek their mandate.

MAHAMUDU BAWUMIAH OUTDOORED

By Samuel Amoako & William Yaw Owusu, Sekondi

Monday, 18 August 2008

DR Mahamudu Bawumia, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana was yesterday outdoored as the running mate of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party at a mammoth rally at Takoradi to climax the party’s national delegates conference.Image

It was an atmosphere of joy, jubilation, and excitement as Nana Akufo-Addo raised Dr Bamumia’s left hand and said "this young man is an achiever whom the party has selected to support me to present a solid ticket for the December poll".

At this juncture the crowd which was comparable to that of the outdooring of Nana Akufo-Addo at Kasoa on July 13th, responded with shout, "Nana-Bawumia, Go,go-high".

The NPP flag-bearer said Dr Bawumia has a concrete credentials in economic management adding, "the NPP has made a wise decision by selecting a Muslim running mate from the northern part of Ghana to support a Christian flag-bearer to accelerate the country’s development.

Speaking in both English and Twi, he said: "We are going to build on the solid foundation laid by President Kufuor and we invite everybody to be part of this".

The teeming mass of party supporters and sympathisers at the congress

Nana Akufo Addo said the NPP is the only political party with a credible programme for the development of the country and the vision outlined will be achieved under his presidency.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Bawumia said the December election is about the determination of the future of Ghanaians and urged the electorate not to be deceived.

He said President Kufuor has been able to stabilise the economy and "I will assist Nana Akufo Addo to continue with the good work of President Kufuor."

He said despite the continuous crude oil price hikes, the government has been able to withstand the pressure with sound economic policies, adding, "we have displayed economic competence".

Earlier when President Kufuor addressed the crowd he said, "I am happy and feel fulfilled that I have been able to achieve something for Ghana and Nana Akufo Addo and Dr Bawumia will continue from where I left off."

He said the NPP has an unfinished agenda and urged the electorate to vote for the NPP to enable it to complete the agenda.

He said, "the party has a destiny to fulfil by leading Ghanaians out of enslavement to true freedom and justice."

Touching on the Western Region, the President said the government has secured a $65 million to construct a warehouse with 100,000 tonnes capacity at Kejebil near Apowa in the Ahanta West District.

Other people who addressed the crowd included party stalwarts, Vice President Aliu Mahama, Interior Minister Kwame Addo Kufuor, Party Chairman Peter Mac Manu, General Secretary Nana Ohene Ntow, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Kennedy Agyepong, Joe Baidoe-Ansah, Kojo Balado ‘Manu, Mrs Gifty Kusi, Laud Commey, and Mrs Gladys Asmah.

As early as 10 a.m. people, clad in NPP colours thronged the Takoradi Polytechnic Park where the rally was to start at 3 p.m.

By 2 p.m. the place was filled to capacity with some enthusiastic supporters standing by the roadside to await the arrival of President Kufuor, Nana Akufo Addo, Alhaji Aliu Mahama , Dr Bawumia and other leading party functionaries.

At exactly 4.31 p.m. Nana Akufo Addo entered the rally grounds in an open-topped vehicle acknowledging cheers from the crowd. He was closely followed by President Kufuor who sat in his car waving to the crowd.

Ace actress, Grace Omaboe, popularly called ‘Maame Dokono’ electrified the already charged atmosphere when she compared President Kufuor to the biblical Moses and Nana Akufo Addo to Joshua who have come to liberate Ghanaians just as Moses and Joshua did to the Israelites.

Musical legends, Nana Kwame Ampadu and C.K. Mann sent the crowd in a frenzy with some of their old hits while hip-life artists such as Wutah, Praye, K.K.Fosu and Castro, also showed the stuff they are made of.

GCPP Not Satisfied With Outcome Of Voters Reg. Exercise

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday, 14 August 2008

The Great Consolidated Popular Party says it is not satisfied with the outcome of the just ended voters registration exercise.

"If you take a critical look at the conduct of the Electoral Commission in this exercise you could see that it was incompetent and inconsistent," Glover Owusu, Publicity Secretary of the GCPP told the Times in an interview yesterday.

He said "from day one, it was very clear that a lot of eligible voters were going to be disenfranchised and the EC did not take any steps to rectify these problems".

He said as a result of the mishap, the EC should have extended the exercise to more than a week and not the two days that it could grant.

"The GCPP visited a lot of registration centres and witnessed long queues but it was very clear that a lot of the people are not going to get registered."

He said "complaints by registration officers about shortages of registration materials and the frustrations encountered by the people to be registered summed up how the EC messed up the whole exercise."

Mr Owusu further accused both the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress of compounding the EC’s problem in the exercise by causing confusion saying "the EC should have checked them".

"We are all preaching peace but looking at the two parties’ behaviour in the just ended exercise one does not need to tell the authorities to beef up our security for the main exercise in December."

He said many supporters who left the GCPP to join both the NDC and NPP are coming back to their fold saying "our flag-bearers’ popularity is soaring and we will make an impressive showing in December".

Asked whether the GCPP would be able to contest the December poll, following the EC’s declaration that it did not recognise the party’s national executives, Mr Owusu said "we are going to contest the election, our flag-bearer is filing his nomination in November."

He also accused the EC of an alleged sabotage of the efforts of Mr Dan Lartey the GCPP flag-bearer saying "in any event that we organise we send invitations to the EC and they do not honour the invitations".

E.C. WARNS OF PROSECUTION

Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan is the Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday, 07 August 2008
ALL ineligible people who have registered in the ongoing limited voters registration exercise will be prosecuted, says the Electoral Commission (EC).

"All those who abused the electoral process must be punished and the EC will not hesitate in calling for their prosecution after this exercise," Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the commission, said in Accra yesterday.

He was delivering the keynote address at an Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) forum under the theme: "Towards a peaceful and credible Election 2008".

The forum, the first in a series to be organised by IDEG, attracted participants from the various political parties, civil society organisations and youth groups, among others.

Dr Afari-Gyan said: "Those parents who are lying about the ages of their children and the politicians who are pushing minors to register should know that the commission will do a careful assessment of the exercise and call for immediate sanctions to be applied against all culprits."

He asked the public and all stakeholders, especially political parties, to help the EC to track down those involved in undermining the electoral process.

Under PNDC Law 284, a person found guilty of an election offence may be fined or imprisoned, or both. For some offences, a person may, in addition, be disqualified from voting in subsequent elections or from holding public office.

He said: "At every given moment there is an allegation of deliberate wrong-doing on the part of the EC whenever there is shortage of registration materials, but the fact is that those materials are meant for genuine and eligible voters."

Dr Afari-Gyan said the long queues being witnessed at the various registration centres are as a result of the lack of understanding that sections of the public have of the electoral system.

Long queues being witnessed at the various registration centres are as a result of the lack of understanding that sections of the public have of the electoral system.
"The majority of people who queue at the centres are those who have already registered but are there to replace their cards," he said.

He said for instance that in situations where an electoral officer was able to separate people who were at the centre to replace their cards from first time voters, it was clear that the queue for first time voters was very short.

"If we are encountering problems in the exercise we should all accept responsibility and not shift the blame to the doorstep of the EC because the EC alone cannot ensure a credible, free and fair election."

As to whether the exercise should be extended, Dr Afari-Gyan said the "political parties cannot go to the media to make that request. They should come to us so that together however, we can decide the next line of action.

"Currently, the EC does not have any problem with funds to support its operational budget. It is the developmental budget which we sometimes struggle to get from the government", he said.

Reacting to a concern as to whether the limited registration centres were not affecting the exercise, the EC chairman said, "we carefully assessed the 2,500 workstations before embarking on the registration and we made available about 1.2 million registration cards to be distributed in all the centres and if there are genuine voters we will see to them at the appropriate time."

He said to prevent the current situation of people queuing to register, the EC will work out plans in the near future to make it possible for people to register on a continuing basis saying, "we have to build our capacity to be able to do this."

He also touched on issue ranging from the roles of the commission, judiciary, political parties, media and the electorate are expected to play to ensure free , fair and credible elections.

Justice S.O. Lamptey, a retired Supreme Court judge, who chaired the function, said the time had come for all stakeholders including the political parties and the EC, to work together to ensure the enforcement Article 42 of the Constitution which deals with the representation of the people.

"At any given time the blame is put squarely on the EC even though the commission did not ask ineligible voters to participate on an electoral exercise."

Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, Executive Director of IDEG, in introductory remarks, urged political parties and actors to guard against utterances that have the tendency to undermine the peace and stability of the country.

Let's ensure a peaceful poll - Adjei-Barwuah

By William Yaw Owusu

Dr Baafour Adjei-Barwuah, former Ghana’s Ambassador to Japan has asked political parties and political actors to guard against acts and utterances that have the tendency to bring chaos in the country during the December poll.

“Ghana has become some kind of a test case or benchmark for measuring the level of democracy practice in Africa. If we falter or fail to hold on to this landable achievement everybody would probably be forgetting about Africa,” he cautioned.

Dr Adjei-Barwuah was speaking to the Times in an interview in Accra on Thursday.

He said “the level of respect and expectation that the international community has for Ghana demands that we conduct this election devoid of acrimony so that we will not waste this opportunity” to further consolidate our democracy”.

He said this year’s general election would focus on which party has been able to move Ghana to an appreciable level of economic growth and development adding “the track record of all the parties would be carefully assessed by the electorate.

Dr Adjei-Barwuah who was one of the 17 presidential aspirants at the December 22, congress of the New Patriotic Party won by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, said the ruling NPP is confident of resounding victory saying ‘we want the results to be uncontestable”.

He said “the NPP is not going to be coast on the governments performance. We will rather intensify our campaign to get the people’s mandate with the hope of improving upon it.

Dr Adjei-Barwuah said “a good proportion of the electorate would accept t hat Nana Akufo-Addo among all the presidential candidates has what it takes to do things differently”.

He said the electorate now have confidence in the NPP led government due to the implementation of good programmes and projects.

“The opposition parties will accept that the NPP is not as abusive as they want the world to believe and I am sure t hat the discerning elect orate have now drawn between the lines”.

He said the NPP would seek the peoples mandate to consolidate the gains made under President Kufuor’s administration, saying “the December poll will determine whether we want to move forward or backwards as a nation.”

British/French initiative to boost basic education

By William Yaw Owusu

Friday August 1, 2008
A British/French initiative to improve access to basic education across Africa is to take off by 2010 commencing in Ghana.

The initiative will be start as a pilot project in Ghana before its replication in other African countries.

It will make it possible for schools to be built and furnished, as well as provide learning materials to facilitate government’s effort of ensuring high quality education at the basic level.

This was disclosed by Caroline Coles, Managing Director of Piscara Learning, a United Kingdom-based company spearheading the initiative, jointly announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and President Nicholas Sarkozy in London in March.

The scheme will also involve multinational corporations worldwide. They will be asked to move financial contributions to compensate their activities on the environment.

Piscara will by 2015 through the initiative have provided educational infrastructure and learning materials for schools in Ghana at basic and second cycle levels.

Under the initiative companies will invest funds into the Piscara, African Children Education project which will be used to build the schools.

It will further provide high quality teacher training, leadership training management and curriculum support for the schools as well as emphasise on technical and vocational skills and training in order to ensure the sustainability of educational programme.

Mrs Coles said “it is an ambitious project which is putting about 16 million children from Africa in school between 2020 and 2015.

She said she had already conferred with officials of the government of Ghana including the Minister of Education Science and Sports saying “a good number of schools will be identified, improve on their infrastructure, build new one and turn them into model schools.

“There will be enough schools for every child to attend and we will facilitate the ICT revolution by providing laptops and computers for the children to get on board.”

Mrs Coles further said “quality and access to education should be standarised so that every child will have access to quality education.” Dr Baafour Adjei-Barwuah, Ghana’s former Ambassador to Japan who assisted in gathering the project implemented in Ghana said “this is the best undertaking we can get to sustain our educational infrastructure and development”.

He said the initiative will focus on the delivery of employable skills adding “this is the direction in which our educational sector should take because our economy needs skilled labour”.

Dr Adjei-Barwuah said the government would encourage the initiatory of the projects to support the educational sector adding “if is a wonderful opportunity for us to strengthen the effort to ensure high quality education in the country”.

Parties launch code of conduct...for Election '08

Pastor Mensah Anamoa Otabil is the General Oversear of the International Central Gospel Church


By William Yaw Owusu

Friday July 25, 2008
A Political Parties’ Code of Conduct 2008, to be used as a guide in ensuring free, fair and credible elections in December, was launched in Accra yesterday.

Put together by the leadership of nine registered political parties, in collaboration with the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), the code which is an improvement over those prepared for the 2000 and 2004 elections, seeks among other things, to ensure a level-playing field, tolerance and pluralism for all parties contesting the election.

At the same ceremony, a committee made up of representatives of the parties and civil society organisations tasked to see to the enforcement of the code was also inaugurated under the chairmanship of Rev Dr Fred Degbe, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana.

Launching the code Pastor Mensah Otabil, General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church who gave the keynote address, advised political parties not to see elections as “a game of life and death.”

“They must allow the priorities of our nation and the welfare of its people animate their thoughts and actions so that in pursing their party’s interests, the national interest remains pre-eminent.”

Pastor Otabil said “a significant challenge we face in our national growth relates to the predictable sense of insecurity we face in the run up to all our elections since 1992. It has been 16 years and four elections, yet our national apprehension during elections remains”.

He said factors such as “some reactive measures” of the Electoral Commission, threatening language of politicians, sensationalism of the media as well as the ‘vampire’ attitude of the electorate towards politicians are responsible for the sense of unease that the country faces.

“Pride in our political associations has become a critical obstacle to forging a national unity, identity and promoting a clear national vision”.

“After leading the emancipation effort on our continent and embracing a new democratic dispensation, Ghana has a rare opportunity to model a new way of governance for Africa. To do that our political parties and other stakeholders must actively pursue best governance practices.”

Pastor Otabil further said political discourse should represent a contest of ideas, strive to live by ethics of fairness, equity and good judgement, and treat sensitive issues of national importance with sobriety and respect for the opinions of others.

“We should resist the temptation to exploit the high level of illiteracy in our nation for cheap political advantage.”

He said, “We are now 51 years as a nation and as we grow in age, it must show in our maturity. We must leave our children behaviours behind and increasingly act with more wisdom, decorum and restraint.”

Pastor Otabil said “to subordinate partisan interests does not imply the erasure of a political party’s unique value and ideology”.

He said to make the intentions of the code real, parties must first “face up to behaviours, norms and practice within our parties that must change and create a willingness in the minds of our party leadership and members to move beyond insults to the discussion of ideas”.

Nana Ohene Ntow, General Secretary of the NPP in his address pledged his party’s resolve and commitment to ensure that the December poll is peaceful and credible.

“As the party in power, it is the obligation of the NPP to ensure that the electoral process is not tampered with. We are totally committed to the protection and entrenchment of democracy in Ghana and we will do nothing to compromise the outcome of the election.”

Dr Kwabena Adjei, National Chairman of the NDC, urged all parties and stakeholders to play by the rules for “true democracy to thrive”.

“The NDC will play by the rules and engender fair competition for purposes of the stability of the country.”

Brig. Gen. Francis A. Agyemfra (rtd), a Senior Fellow of the IEA, said “the 2008 general election would be unique in terms of its competitiveness and the possibility of such intense competition degenerating into violence cannot be played down”.

He said the committee to enforce the code would be replicated in all the regions and called on all its provisions in order to safeguard the relative peace and tranquility of the country.

The parties that signed the code are the NPP, NDC, CPP, PNC and DFP. The others are the Egle Party, United Love Party, United Renaissance Party and the Ghana National Party.

Disabled accuse political parties of neglect

By William Yaw Owusu & Fabian Reinbold

Friday July 25, 2008
The Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) and the disability community have criticised some political parties for being insensitive to the cause to ensure that the welfare of persons with disability is properly taken care of.

At the launch of “The disability agenda for Election 2008”, in Accra on Wednesday, to discuss how best the political parties could take up the issue of persons with disability, only the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Convention People’s Party (CPP) and he Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) out of the numerous registered political parties sent representatives to the forum.

Samuel Kwasi Asare, President of the GFD bemoaned the rate at which political parties have kept mute over the welfare of persons with disability in their campaigns and manifestoes.

“We have more than 15 registered political parties in this country but looking at their response to our issues we believe we have a long way to go”.

He said even though there is the persons with Disability Act 2006, Act 715, the governing council that would make the act effective has still not been inaugurated by the government.

Mr Asare said most of the issues raised in the disability agenda for the election have been catered for in the Disability Act but the continuous disregard for issues of persons with disability by politicians “has compelled us to ask them to tell us what they have for us should they win the election.”

Yaw Ofori Debrah, President of the Association for the Blind said persons with disability want to be included in the governance of the country saying “we have competent people who can take up positions in governance but we are always left out and what they plan for us has always been an after taught”.

“If we get the chance to be there we would be able to influence policies in our favour and we are calling on all political parties to include us in their manifestoes”.

“Mere pronouncements and promises are not enough. We are pleading with you that we are an important constituent in the political landscape. Give us what is due us.”

When the political parties took their turns to address them, Thomas Nuako Ward-Brew, flag-bearer of the DPP, who was the first to speak said “society should not have waited until such people raised their voices. We should have acted long ago”.

He said we are wasting enormous resources on politics instead of channeling some of these resources to see to the welfare of persons with disability and to ensure accelerated development.

Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Chairman of the NPP Manifesto Committee said the ruling party “is fully committed to the body and spirit of Act 715 which will bring some relief to persons with diability.”

He said “there are a lot of follow ups in the Act which are under serious consideration”, adding “our manifesto which is yet to be launched has more room for persons with disability.”

“The NPP believes strongly that persons with disability should be given the opportunity to contribute to the development of this great country.”

Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, General Secretary of the CPP said “issues of the welfare of persons with disability should be handled in a non-partisan manner”.

He said the CPP manifesto launched on Tuesday dwells on issues of persons with disability, adding “people with disability should consider the CPP a faithful partner as far such issues are concerned”.

A representative from the United States of America International Development Agency (USAID), sponsors of the programme, urged political parties to help in the creation of an enabling environment for such persons to enable them to play an effective role is the development of the country.

The Disability Agenda for the election dwells on disability rights, social life, employment, education health and governance.

D.P.P. SUES I.E.A.... And 4 Political Parties

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday, 24 July 2008
The Democratic People’s Party (DPP), has filed contempt proceedings at an Accra High Court against the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the leadership of the four political parties with representation in Parliament for "wilfully and deliberately defying and ignoring the pendency of a motion for interlocutory injunction’.

The substantive motion, filed on November 14, last year, is seeking a declaration that the Dutch Institute of Multi-Party Democracy (IMC) of the Netherlands and the IEA funding the NPP, NDC, CPP and PNC is illegal and unlawful and contravenes the constitution and political parties law 2000, Act 574.

In an ex-parte motion for contempt jointly filed yesterday by the DPP and its First National Chairman, Gyebi Mensah Tettey, the plaintiffs claimed "the defendants are interfering with a pending judicial proceeding thereby undermining the rule of law, showing disrespect to the administration of justice and bringing into disrepute the good standing integrity of the court".

The four parties were cited together with the IEA for contempt because the DPP claimed "they have actively participated in the illegality being perpetrated by the IEA and have contravened certain provisions of the Constitution."

The DPP in the substantive suit, also wants an order by the court to compel the defendants to respect the laws and Constitution of the country and to ensure a level-playing-field for all political parties in the December general election.

In the supporting affidavit, the DPP claimed that in January 2003, the IEA executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dutch Institute of Multi-Party Democracy (IMD), Netherlands; the NPP, NDC, PNC and CPP under which the IMD started providing cash and making other contributions to the said registered parties which have representations in parliament.

"Starting from July 2003, the sum of 4,500 dollars was paid to each of the four registered political parties and by the end of July 2008 the total sum to be received by the parties would be 270,000 dollars."

The DPP further claimed that apart from the cash, the parties received computers, office furniture, equipment and air-conditioners and also benefited from capacity programmes and sponsored trips abroad provided by the IMD.

"Meanwhile, there were 12 parliamentary by-elections in several parts of the country and with the exception of the NPP and NDC, the CPP and PNC could not take part in most of the said exercise".

The DPP averred that the Dutch IMD-IEA funding for the four political parties is illegal and unlawful adding, "It violates section 24 and 25 of the Political Parties Law 2000 (Act 574)."

The applicants stated that the IMD-IEA programme discriminates against the remaining registered political parties, undermines transparency and the existence of the principle of level playing-field as well as the introduction of unfairness into the country’s electoral process and generates manipulation into the system.

"The DPP is seeking a declaration that the Dutch IMD-IEA attempt to restrict its definition of a registered political party to parties with membership in Parliament is at variance with the definition of political parties Law 2000 (Act 574) and the registration of political parties constitutes the only benchmark recognised under the law".

"The DPP wants an order to compel the four parties to refund to the Electoral Commission the total sums of monies they have unlawfully received from the scheme," the affidavit stated.

CPP launches its manifesto

Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Presidential hopeful for the Convention People's Party displaying a copy of the party's manifesto

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday July 23, 2008
THE Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP) yesterday became the second political party after the Peoples’ National Convention to launch its manifesto for the 2008 general election.

The colourful ceremony held at the Coconut Groove Regency Hotel in Accra was attended by CPP stalwarts and sympathizers from all over Ghana.

Launching the 96-page document dubbed “New dawn, new vision,” Dr Pea Keri Doom, CPP flag-bearer said “in 1957 there were excitement enthusiasm and a high spirit of patriotism as Ghanaians basked in the glory of living in a newly independent country. In 2008 Ghanaians are crying for something new, different, inspiring and a leadership of the people from them that will break the back of poverty and lead to prosperity for all.

He said the manifesto “is promising a new dawn that is refreshing and promises a leadership that is committed to a sense of urgency to tackle national development.”

A Doom said “our community based campaign enabled us to enter into a variety of communities in the regions, interact with key stakeholders, listen and learn from the public in order to test our strength and appeal and this has been a serious, comprehensive and fulfilling campaign so far.”

He said in all the areas visited key issues such as unemployment, corruption and a caring government among others have been raised by the electorate adding “what Ghanaians want are the basic - a job that will pay a living wage, a roof over the head. Good drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, a good education for their children, good health and freedom to be what they choose to be”.

Dr Doom said for instance that since the CPP government under Dr Nkrumah was overthrown there had not been any meaningful attempt by subsequent governments to bridge the developmental gap between the southern and northern parts of the country.

“It has been made very clear to us that Ghanaians want change. Moreover, they want an alternative to the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party. They know ad have experienced what the two have to offer and they are not just looking for any kind of change, they want a change they can feel in their pockets”.

He urged CPP sympathizers to work hard to ensure a resounding victory for the party saying “the campaign for the Flagstaff House should not be about noise, songs dances and which party can bus a huge crowd to rallies. We must show that we are ready to administer the affairs of the country from day one when we assume office.”

Dr Doom said the CPP lies on the foundation of three principles - social justice, self-determination and Pan Africanism and would pursue it vigorously when voted into office in the December poll.

The CPP’s 10 point agenda captured the manifesto include the creation of a just and disciplined society, improve performance of government, give power to the people and strengthen parliament to perform its legislative duties effectively.

Others are the provision of quality education for every Ghanaian child, provide abundant energy for industrilisation and rapid development, provision of better healthcare and cleaner environment, attack crime, narcotics drug trade and corruption, creation of homecoming secreta not as well as the creation of jobs.

The CPP believers that if the 10-point agenda is pursued vigorously, it will ensure accelerations of the country from a developing to a developed nation

Dan Lartey calls on Chief Imam

Mr Dan lartey is the founder and Presidential hopeful of the Great Consolidated Popular Party in Ghana

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday July 19 2008
THE flag-bearer of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) Dan Lartey, has urged the electorate to reject both the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress in the December poll because of what he called “their politics of insult and division.”

“The utterances of some officials of both the NPP and the NDC are threatening the stability of this country and the time has come for the electorate to vote for the GCPP to bring unity and peace needed for the country’s development.”

Mr Lartey gave the advice when he paid a courtesy call on the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu at his residence in Accra on Thursday.

He had led a team of GCPP national executives to the Chief Iman’s residence at Fadama to introduce himself as the flag-bearer of the party for the December poll and solicit the spiritual leaders’ support for the election.

Speaking in Gas Mr Lartey said “Islam is playing a significant contribution in the development of the country and nobody seeking political office can ignore those practicing the Islamic faith.”

He stressed the need for religious tolerance in the country saying “whether you are a Christian ort Muslim we are all one people. We should rather not allow politicians to divide us out forge ahead in unity for the healthy growth of the country.”

Mr Lartey said a GCPP Administration would introduce free and quality education and ensure that every child goes to school adding “I will introduce a policy that will ensure that parents who flout the free education policy are prosecuted in a law court.”

He also promised to ensure equitable distribution of state resources for greater prosperity.”

“The other parties are making empty promises but the GCPP would keep to its promise of harnessing the potential natural and human resources to the benefit of every Ghanaian.”

The GCPP flag-bearer said the party would field parliamentary candidate in all the 230 constituencies saying “we will shock the major parties in December.”

The Chief Imam speaking through an interpreter promised to follow the GCPP flag-bearer in prayers in his political endeavours saying “it is my wish t hat a good leader takes over after the election.”

He later offered a special prayer for Mr Lartey and his entourage.

Anxiety over Tema West NPP primary

NPP logo

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday July 19 2008
Some New Patriotic Party polling station chairperson in the Tema West constituency have made a fervent appeal to the party executives at the regional and national level to as a matter of urgency fix a date for the primary to be held.

They claimed that the silence by the regional executives of the party over a definite date on which a primary is to be held to select a candidate for the party is fuelling speculation that one of the two aspirants is being favoured for the ticket.

The contest is between Abraham Osei-Aidoo, the incumbent MP and majority Leader and Irene Naa Torshie Addo, a lawyer and Deputy Head of Mission at the Ghana Embassy in the United States.

Paul Azure Sampana, Tema Wes Constituency Chairman at a news conference yesterday said the electorate in the constituency had waited too long to see their parliament any candidate as well as make preparations towards serious campaigning.

He said almost all the constituencies have selected their candidates. We all expected ours to be done before the outdooring of our flag-bearer but this was not instead those responsible for fixing the date have remained adamant as if we do not have any serious business ahead of us.”

Mr Sampana said as a result of the delay, the attempt to campaign vigorously to retain the seat is being hampered adding “some of the pooling station chairpersons are even threatening not to take part in the effort to get the youth registered when the voters register opens”.

“We want the primary held immediately so that we can have enough time to campaign vigorously.”

When contacted, Irene Naa Torshie Addo said the delay in holding the primary principles of the NPP.”

“A petition against me which the executives claimed was accounting for the delay in holding the primary has been dismissed as frivolous and unmeritorious and Mr Peter Mac Manu, our National Chairman has since said there is going to be primary in Tema West.”

She said “When I ask for the date for primary, Mr Mac Manu told me that my contender is leading a parliamentary delegation to Malaysia for 10 days but this does not stop the executives from fixing a date for the primary.”

She said there were other constituencies where candidates were selected in absentia, citing Dome Kwabenya where Prof. Mike Ocquaye won the contest in the absence of Ajoa Safo, daughter of Apostle Kwadwo Safo of Christo Asafo.

“We will wait for my contender to come back from his trip but a date must be fixed so that we all know our fate”, saying “if all others had dates for primaries, why are they hiding it from Tema West.”

“The executives are being unfair to me. They are making things appear as if they are on the side of one the contenders, but the constitution of the NPP is superior than any member in the party.”

When contacted on telephone, Mr. Osei-Addo dismissed the delegation that the party executives are favouring, saying “I do not fix dates for primaries to be held.”

NPP has managed economy well - Dr. Apraku

Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku is the Campaign Director of the Ruling New Patriotic Party in Ghana

From William Yaw Owusu, Kasoa

Wednesday July 16, 2008
Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Campaign Director of the New Patriotic Party on Sunday stated that the NPP administration has been able to manage Ghana’s economy better than any other government in is 51 year history.

“Since assuming office in 2001, the NPP has demonstrated beyond all doubts that it is the best manager of the country’s economy and when we talk about the ability to manage the economy of this country, the National Democratic Congress has no chance.’

Dr Apraku said this when he took his turn to address a mammoth rally organised by the NPP to outdoor Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the party’s flag bearer.

The NPP also used the occasion on Sunday to introduce the party’s parliamentary candidates who have been selected so far to contest the December pool.

Dr Apraku said “the huge crowd gathered here today in an indication of the believe that the people have in our flag-bearer and this great party,” adding “Ghanaian have noticed that the NDC is a big threat to the fortunes of the country’s economy and that is why they desire to see the got the chance to rule the country, adding that “the NPP had to declare Ghana HIPC in 2001 in order to make up for what was host.”

He said “the NPP administration has been able to bring inflation down and stabilize our economy”, adding “Ghana has been accepted worldwide due to our prudent management of the economy and the consolidation of our democracy.”

Yaw Osafo-Maafo, a former Minister and a member of the Akufo-Addo campaign team asked the electorate to compare the performances and records of all political parties before casting their ballots.

“Election is about comprism of records and I know that when it comes to performance the NDC is nowhere near the NPP

Dan Kwaku Botwe, former General Secretary and the NPP parliament any candidate for Okere urged all those who have turned 18 years to take advantage of the impending reopening of the voters registration exercise to register to vote in December.

Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mohama who spoke in Dagbani urged the people to continue to have confidence in the NPP administration by retaining the party in office in the December poll.

Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, NPP campaign chairman said the only way for the NDC to compete with the NPP is to tell lies to the electorate.

“Initially they claimed our flag-bearer was taking drugs. Now they are saying he is not a lawyer. But I can assure you that Nana Akufo-Addo does not take alcohol nor smoke neither does he use drugs. He is a qualified and competent lawyer.”

NDC accuses government of extravagance

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday July 16, 2008
The National Democratic Congress yesterday accused President J.A. Kufuor and his NPP administration of “becoming intoxicated with power” and “exhibiting extravagant lifestyle.”

“About seven and half years ago, when President Kufuor assume office, we had reason to believe that he would adopt modesty, that had become the personal trait of all our political leaders but to the dismay of every objective Ghanaian, our president has shown that in terms of egoism he over shadows all our past leaders.”

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, deputy General of the NDC said this at a news conference in Accra yesterday to respond “to events that have taken place in this country under the Kufuor Administration.

He claimed “on July 3, at the National awards day, the President exhibited the most repentant part of his personal trait by creating “the order of the star and eagles” award as the highest national award and shamelessly awarded himself."

Flanked by to party executives of the NDC including National Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei, said the invoice on the medals from the manufacturers showed that Ghana ordered 515 insignia and medals in various categories at the cost of 740,000 pounds sterling.

“What President Kufuor be-decked himself alone is now known to ¢600 million and ordering about twice the medals needed for other categories of awards to be kept for the next President and other award winners in the future is pure ex-post facto rationalization.”

Mr Ankrah alleged that the procurement of goods and services in the name of the president’s successors had become “one significant hallmark of the Kufuor Presidency,” adding “why on earth does the President enter into contracts and procure goods that would be delivered when he has ceased to be in office?”

He also said the government had failed to submit to parliament the full account of the 25 million dollars earmarked for the celebration of Ghana’s 50th anniversary celebration .

Mr Ankrah further said a future NDC government reserves the right to review the sale of the country’s 70 per cent shares in Ghana Telecom saying “the whole transaction has been shrouded in secrecy.’

He promised a review of the National award scheme to ensure that “the choice of people to be honoured in more participatory and non-partisan,” and commended those in the NDC who declined to take the awards.

Dr. Kwabena Adjei for his part urged the media to continue the fight against what he termed “corruption and property owning democracy.”

Alhaji Hudu Yahaya, former General Secretary and a leading member of the NDC said the party’s MPs were doing their best in the house but were not given the needed attention to correct some of these defects in governance.

GCPP accuses IEA of discrimination

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday July 16,2008
The Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) has declared its intention to join the suit in which the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP) is taking the Institute of Economic Affairs to court for an alleged discrimination.

In the run up to Election 2008, the IEA has been organizing series of debates for flag-bearers of only four political parties to share their vision fund policies with the public.

The IEA’s reason for dealing with the four political parties is that, the parties: New Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress, Convention Peoples’ Party and the Peoples’ National Convention are the only parties in the country with representations in parliament.

But Mr Dan Lartey leader and founder of the GCPP says “what the IEA is doing is against our constitution.”

He was speaking in Accra on Monday after he had led a team pay a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah III and his elders at the Ga Mantse Palace.

He used the occasion to also introduce himself as the flag-bearer of the GCPP for the December poll.

He claimed that once the IEA is using the Ghana Political Parties Programme (GPPP) to solicit funds from the Netherlands to organise programmes for the political parties, the institute needed to involve all registered political parties in its activities.

Mr Dan Lartey said “the IEA is creating the impression that there they are the only body or institution in the country that can influence the political process and by so doing they have allowed foreign influence in our political landscape.”

He said “the IEA’s contention that only parties with representation in parliament will be engaged in their activities cannot be right and that is why we are partnering the DPP to institute legal action against the institute.

“I have asked my lawyers to join the suit and it will be heard any moment from now.”

Kasoa Hosts NPP

President Kufuor of Ghana introducing his sucessor Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the December 7, Election in Ghana




the crowd of New Patriotic Party supporters at Kasoa


By William Yaw Owusu & Salifu Abdul Rahaman

Monday, 14 July 2008
Kasoa, in the Central Region, was yesterday thrown into a state of frenzy when the New Patriotic Party held a mammoth national rally to formally introduce Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the party’s flag-bearer for Election 2008.

The ruling party also used the occasion to introduce some of its parliamentary candidates for the December 7 poll.

As early as 6 a.m. party supporters clad in NPP colours, most with T-shirts embossed with the picture of the flag-bearer and parliamentary candidates had started thronging the Kasoa Old Market, the venue for the rally, amid cheers, singing and dancing.

By 11 a.m. the entire Kasoa town had been drowned in NPP colours and the venue packed, awaiting the arrival of President J.A. Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo.

The road from Accra to Kasoa had also been decorated with NPP paraphernalia.

The rally ground was decorated with NPP colours and two giant billboards of the flag-bearer as well as two huge balloon elephants, the party’s symbol.

By 10 a.m. every inch of space at the rally ground had been occupied and supporters and sympathisers ignored the heat under the scorching sun, drumming and dancing to await the arrival of the flag-bearer and President Kufuor who both arrived at exactly 4:15 p.m.

The flag-bearer, wearing a beautiful smock designed in NPP colours, was the first to enter the rally ground closely followed by President Kufuor wearing white linen designed in NPP colours.

The security agencies who were there in their numbers had it tough controlling the crowd which had spilled over into the main Accra-Cape Coast highway.

The two leaders were cheered by the ecstatic crowd and they in turn waved back.

The crowd was so thick that when President Kufuor mounted the platform, obviously elated he remarked: "I have been in politics for over 40 years but have never seen a crowd like this one in my life."

President Kufuor who spoke in Twi, later anointed Nana Akufo-Addo as his successor by taking a party flag and symbolically handing it over to the flag-bearer to signify the transfer of leadership of the party.

When Nana Akufo-Addo took his turn, he asked for a minute’s silence to be observed to offer prayers and thanks to God for the peace that the country is currently enjoying.

Vice President Alhaji Alui Mahama, and a host of other dignitaries, including the party’s executives, Ministers of State and former Ministers, took turns to address the crowd on the policies of the NPP government and the need to retain the party in office.

They spoke in many languages, including English, Akan, Dagbani, Hausa and Ewe

Presidential Debate Committee inaugurated

By William Yaw Owusu

Friday July 11, 2008
THE Presidential debate to be organized by the Institute of Economic Afffairs in October and November will not include flag-bearers who do not have representations in Parliament, Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson, Chairman of the Committee to plan the debate has said.

“However, another platform will be created for the other parties and aspirants as and when they formally file their candidacy with the Electoral Commission to contest the December poll.”

With this development, only the flag-bearers of the Convention People’s Party, Nation al Democratic Congress, New Patriotic Party and the People’s National Convention are expected o debate each other in Tamale for the Northern Sector in October and Accra for the Southern Sector in November.

At the inauguration in Accra on Wednesday of an 11-member planning committee drawn from public, professional religious and civil society organisations Cardinal Turkson said “no substitute would be allowed to speak or make a presentation on behalf of the flag-bearer.”

He said “to avoid needless controversy and perceptions of bias, uniform guidelines with respect to time and other matters would be laid down well in advance of every debate.”

He said there will be two moderators for each debate and the caucus of national party chairmen will make some inputs into the final programme for the debate.

Cardinal Turkson said “there will be a ballot before the debate begins to determine which candidate answers first and seating arrangements.”

He said they are expected to answer questions from the moderators and will get the opportunity to critique each others policies and each aspirant will get three minutes to do self introduction and what he stands for.

He said the debate which is expected to last for about two and half hours will be telecast live both radio and television and each aspirant will be provided with 15 invitation cards including security defail.

At question time, Cardinal Turkson said that “in engaging in this healthy contest of ideas, the candidates submit themselves and their party manifestoes to the critical assessment and evaluation of the electorate, thereby proving that the mandate that the candidate seek are derived from the electorate.”

Mrs Jean Mensah, Administrator of the I.E.A said the selection of members of the planning committee was carefully done to ensure a successful debate.

DPP to field candidates in all constituencies

Lawyer Thomas Nuako Ward-Brew is the founder and Presidential hopeful of the Democratic Peoples' Party in Ghana

By William Yaw Owusu

Friday July 11, 2008
The Democratic Peoples’ Party says it has completed the selection of about 150 parliamentary aspirants to be registered by the party to contest the December poll on its ticket.

Mohammed Salisu Sulaimana, General Secretary of the DPP in an interview with the Times yesterday said “we have resolved to field candidates in all the constituencies and this is just the beginning of many things to come."

He said the DPP has received requests from aspirants in all the constituencies in the Northern region except Mion where a candidate is yet to be selected while in the Upper east and West Regions two constituencies each are yet to select candidates.

He further said that 60 per cent of the candidates have been selected to contest in Ashanti, Western and Central Regions respectively while the Volta Region has selected about 45 per cent of its candidates.

“We are hoping to select candidates for the whole Greater Accra Region by the end of this months so that they can support us to intensity our campaign.

He said all the candidates selected so far, about 70 per cent are youth, adding the DPP wants to position the youth to enable them to take over the political landscape of this country.”

The West generation has undermined the youth politically but the DPP will offer them the platform to assert their political rights.”

Mr Sulaimana also condemned the recent punishment matted out to drivers by some military personnel saying “I know this was done with the endorsement of the military command but an individual who though he could instill some military discipline in the drivers.”

He also urged the drivers to be law abiding saying “there is too much indiscipline on our roads but this kind of punishment leaves much to be desired.”

PNC Flag-Bearer Interacts With Road And Building Contractors

Dr. Edward N. Mahama is the Presidential hopeful of the Peoples' National Convention in Ghana

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday,July 07, 2008
The flag-bearer of the Peoples’ National Convention, Dr. Edward N Mahama on Friday interacted with members of both the Association of Road Contractors and Building and Civil Engineering Contractors to learn at first hand the problems within the sector.

The forum themed "The Construction industry and Election 2008", is the first in a series of fora being organised by the ASROC and ABECEG to get the flag-bearers of the political parties to share their opinion and plans for the industry with the public.

In his address, Dr. Mahama said a PNC led government would wipe out the bureaucracy in the award and payment of contracts to ensure accelerated growth of the industry.

"There is too much in the system and this is breeding corruption. I am aware that before an applicant gets a job, that contract would have gone through over 100 signatures".

He said the time has come for those in authority to revive what he called "the we can do it" attitude in the citizenry in order to put aside the attitude of always waiting for foreigners to do things for the country.

"The Public Works Department were able to build Job 600—with Ghanaian Civil Engineers so why can we not do it this time around. Ghana must learn to pull her own weight".

Dr Mahama said award of contracts in the construction industry "should go to professionals and not just anybody", adding "in these days in Ghana anybody is a contractor and this is hugely accounting for the shoddy jobs we see everyday".

"A PNC administration will have a national programme in which the construction industry will feature prominently and we will strictly live within it.

The PNC flag-bearer further said in his administration, people with technical skills will get huge salaries than those who are unskilled saying "we have to make our education practical and not theoretical.

Mr Twumasi Mensah, National chairman of ASROC, in an introductory remark said "we have suffered a down turn of the industry because we lack the needed funds and do not get paid for work done on time.

He also expressed concern about the influx of foreign contractors whom he said "are now taking over the smaller contracts which the local contractors are capable of executing".

Edward Amanor, Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional branch of ABECEG, in a closing remark urged all members in the construction industry to come together to present a common voice to the authorities to ensure a better future for the industry.