Top stories from the Newspapers for 17th April, 2012 are as follows;
1. Ken Agyapong in hot waters likely to face treason
2. Multiple Biometric Registration 3,800 to be prosecuted
3. Govt considers registration of Ghanaians in missions abroad
4. Accra command to deploy more officers to registration centres
Most of the newspapers this morning cover the story about Kennedy Agyapong's arrest. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong is likely to face charges of treason for allegedly inciting supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to foment trouble and declaring war. The MP was yesterday invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to assist in investigations into the statement he is alleged to have made on an Accra radio station , Oman FM last Friday. The Daily Graphic uses the headline Ken Agyapong in hot waters likely to face treason –charge. In giving further information about the report, the Chronicle uses the headline 'Police arrest Ken Agyapong', adding that A Cloud of tear gas live bullets and water canon could not disperse the crowd of mainly New Patriotic Party supporters massed up in front of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police headquarters in Accra. The Daily Guide brings to our notice that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the adjoin Police Headquarters blocks virtually turned into a war zone yesterday evening after the security agents fired live bullets , tear gas canisters and sprayed pepper into the eyes of New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters who had thronged the place following the arrest of Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin North. The paper adopts the headline Kennedy Arrested, which is similar to that of The Ghanaian Times that states Agyapong Arrested. The police yesterday placed Mr. Kennedy Agyapong member of Parliament for Assin North in the Central Region under investigations for comments he made which the police describe as treasonable. The New Crusading Guide also employs the same headline in informing readers that the NPP man is reported to have threatened on Oman FM that he was going to organize supporters of his party to defend themselves based on what he perceived to be failed security on the part of the law enforcement agencies with regards to protection of his party folks from attacks by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) party supporters.
Away from the arrest of Kennedy Agyapong, we resume reports on the biometric registration with The Daily Dispatch's report that Tema EC records 105,028 Biometric voter registration. Mr. Gabriel Manu , the Tema Metropolitan Electoral officer has disclosed that during the first phase of the Biometric Registration exercise a provisional figure of 105,028 prospective voters registered in the metropolis.
Other developments on page 16 of the same paper indicates that Multiple Biometric Registration 3,800 to be prosecuted -pg16.As at the close of the biometric voter registration last Sunday (April 15) there were voter credible reports that more than 3,800 persons had been identified as having registered more than once. In fact, according to the chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, one person had registered as many as five times. Quite a few had also reportedly registered on three occasions.
The New Crusading Guide states on page 3 that EC Decries registration violence. The reported pockets of violence that characterized the first and second phase of the ongoing biometric registration exercise have been condemned in no uncertain terms by the Electoral Commission-the constitutionally mandated body that oversees the electoral process in the country-saying that there is no need for a simple and beautiful exercise like voter registration to be marred with violence. Speaking on the topic" Election 2012:Ensuring Peace and Credibility: The Pole of Religious Bodies, Electoral Commission, Politicians, Security Services and the Media," at a forum organized by the Department of Ecumenical and Social Relations of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana(PCG),Faith Congregation, Madina Estate in Accra Sunday, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC),Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, pointed out that the biometric registration was a new system to ensure a clean and credible voter register for the December,2012 general elections .
Now on Religion, the Ghanaian Times reports; Religious leaders must speak out -pg 3.The General Overseer of Jesus Generation Ministries, Rev. Nana Anyani-Boadum ,has bemoaned the silence of the major religious leaders on the political violence characterizing the ongoing biometric registration exercise in the country. He warned that their failure to break the silence could lead to political conflict and turmoil in the run-up to the general elections.
Daily Guide further reports; Presby Moderator wants Election Date changed.The Moderator of the General Assembly Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Reverend Professor Emmanuel Marty has urged the Electoral Commission(EC) to seriously consider shifting the election period from December to November. This he said is due to the fact that the period of transition is too short and could worsen if there happens to be a run-off as it happened in the 2008 election.
PPP urges EC to be firm on political parties, the Daily Graphic's page 16 headline reports. The Progressive People 's Party (PPP) has challenged the Electoral Commission (EC) to implement its law and laid down criteria to determine which political parties truly exist and are of good standing. According to the flag bearer of PPP for the 2012 presidential elections , Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom political parties are mandated by the laws of the country to have national regional and constituency structures in order to be considered parties of good standing.
The Electoral Commission (EC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are considering the possibility of registering Ghanaians in Ghana's mission abroad.The Vice –President , Mr John Dramani Mahama made this known on Sunday when he addressed Ghanaians in China at the Ghana's Mission in Beijing , attracted Ghanaian students, workers and business people. The Daily Graphic on page 17 informs us of government's intentions to register Ghanaians in missions abroad.
The Accra Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service is to deploy more officers particularly to areas that recorded violence during the first two phases of the ongoing biometric voter registration exercise. The Daily Graphic states Accra command to deploy more officers to registration centres adding that the move is to ensure that the exercise is devoid of violence which was reported in some parts of Accra.
The Chronicle's states on page 12 that NPP guru condemns bussing of voters. Mr. Joseph Amankwaah a leading member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Atwima-Nwabiagya Constituency in Ashanti region, has Constituency in Ashanti region has condemned the bussing of eligible voters to register at targeted registration centres. He said the way the ruling National Democratic Congress(NDC) big guns are conducting themselves in the on-going biometric voter registration in some parts of the country was appalling.
Away from the registration, the Ghanaian Times indicates that Nana Addo reiterates commitment to improve living conditions. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2012 election has reiterated his commitment to improve the living conditions of Ghanaians , if given the mandate. He has assured Ghanaians that the NPP through its programmes and policies would create jobs and other opportunities for the people.
Other reports on page 11 of the same paper reveals that Bright Akwetey launches campaign in Northern Region. Mr. Bright Akwetey , a flag bearer aspirant of the Convention People's Party (CPP) has appealed to Northern Regional delegates of the party to give him the nod to lead to victory in the 2012 general election. He said he has what it takes to win power for the CPP and turn the fortunes of the country around.
We end the day's review with the Daily Graphic's news about Ghanaians being asked Not to toy with current peace. Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Professor Oti Boateng has called on all Ghanaians to ensure that peace prevails in the country. He said peace was a non –negotiable basic requirement for any country's development and must, therefore not be toyed with or taken for granted.
This daily news review is compiled by African Elections Project (AEP) Media Monitoring Centre, Accra, Ghana.
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