Ghana Votes

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Ghana Elections 2012 Daily News Review - 31st May, 2012

Today's review of the dailies begin with news from the Daily Graphic that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary candidate for Okaikoi North in the Greater Accra Region, Mr. Patrick Yaw Boamah, has suggested to the Electoral Commission to acquire more equipment  to create more voting centers for future elections. In his opinion, the verification of voters to be introduced for the first time in the nation's general elections was likely to slow down the voting process hence the need for additional voting centers to help reduce tension, violence, long queues and encourage more people to vote. The paper quoted this under the heading EC urged to create more voting centres.


We are also informed by the Chronicle that EC obeys Supreme Court orders…registers prisoners to vote. The Central Regional Director of Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs. Philomena Adusei has said that only 35 prison inmates qualified in the region to undertake the biometric voters' registration exercise which started on Tuesday. She  gave the  breakdown as Ankaful Main Prison,11,Ankaful Annex ,12,Winneba,9 and Efutu 3 inmates, while  Osamkrom Prison nil. As at 11:30 am 11 inmates had registered.


Away from that, the Daily Graphic informs readers that the Progressive  People 's Party  will be  the first  political party to launch its 2012  National Campaign at Elmina  in the Central Region on Saturday  to showcase its  readiness to wrest political  power in this year's  general  elections .Recently , the National  Democratic  Congress and the New Patriotic  Party launched  their  regional  campaigns  at Ododiodoo constituency in the Greater Accra  region, but  are yet to launch  their  national  campaigns  for election 2012. The paper revealed under the headline PPP launches national campaign on Saturday.


More calls for peace in the upcoming elections as Daasebre Professor Oti Boateng, Omanhene of New Juabeng Traditional area, has appealed to all Ghanaians to spread the message of peace as the December polls draw near. According to the Ghanaian Times, he said Ghana has been on oasis of peace in Africa, hence the need to preserve the peace and tackle the developmental gaps in education, health, agriculture and other aspects of national life.


Daily Graphic  similarly reports that Suhum Imam advocates clean December elections, adding that Alhaji Hudu Idrisu, Imam of Suhum in the Eastern  Region, has called on Ghanaians  to do  everything  possible  to ensure  clean  and peaceful  Presidential  and Parliamentary elections. He told  the Ghana  News Agency  in an interview  that  it was  important  for the citizenry  to take  precautionary  measures against  any action that would  undermine  national  peace and stability before, Minister, during  and after the general election.


From the same paper, the Islamic Foundation for peace and Development (IFPAD) has called on stakeholders in the political assembly to commit themselves to maintain peace as the December elections draws nearer. They have also called on the government to as a matter of urgency to release the necessary funds to enable the Electoral Commission (EC) prepare adequately for the forth coming elections.


Finally on peace call, the Kumasi Metropolitan Steering Committee of the  National African Peer Review  Mechanism- Governing  Council (NAPRM-GC) has urged party leaders, supporters  and the citizenry  in general  to avoid  speeches  and actions likely to disrupt  Election 2012. It reminded  the various  parties  that  all their campaigns, rallies and other political activities, they  should  abide  by the parties' Code of Conduct  before  and during  the election to consolidate political stability.


We move onto news from the political scene and the Ghanaian Times reveal that ER NDC founding members appeal to Rawlings. The Eastern Regional Founding Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has appealed to the former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings to re-consider his decision not to join the party's electioneering campaign for the December elections. In a press release signed by the six surviving members, they reminded the former President Rawlings of the support they gave him during his eight years as the President of the nation.


In another development from the same paper UFP man joins Nduom. Mr. Jerry Quansah, Greater Accra Regional Secretary of United Front Party (UFP), on Tuesday announced his defection to the Progressive People's Party (PPP).He said his resignation from the UFP was unconditional and provided him with a bigger platform to showcase his creative ideas as well as the vision for the country.


News from the Ghanaian Times indicates that Northern Region inaugurates Council. A 13-member council mandated to evaluate the weekly political barometer of the Northern region and whip the Political Parties Code of Conduct has been inaugurated. Dubbed:"Monday Civic Campaigns Council (MCC) report,"the body comprises five regional chairmen of the political parties.


We draw the curtains on today's review with the Daily Graphic's report that NDC is poised to wrest Abirem seat .The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary  candidate  for the Abirem  constituency , Ms. Mavis  Ama Frimpong , has  reiterated her determination to wrest  the parliamentary  seat  from  the New Patriotic  Party (NPP) which  has been  holding  it since 2000.Ms. Frimpong , who is also  District Chief  Executive  for the Birim North  District  in the Eastern  Region , stated this in an interview  on her chance  of winning   the  2012 parliamentary  elections.


 

This daily news review is compiled by African Elections Project (AEP) Media Monitoring Centre, Accra, Ghana.

Follows us on twitter @Ghanaelections

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Two Prisoners registered in VR


Two prisoners from the Ho prisons in the Volta Region have been successfully registered in the Biometric Electoral Roll. Ms Emma Dilys Sawyerr-Laryea, Volta Regional Director of Prisons told the GNA that only the two had the requisite identification papers to qualify for registration.    
 
Mr Emmanuel Abeam Danso, Ho Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, corroborated the number saying indications were that the prisoners without the identification papers failed to get two people to guarantee their identities.   
  
He said in some cases some parents of inmates did not want to identify themselves with the prisoners.
 
Source: GNA

Inmates begin registration at the Tarkwa prisons

Out of the two hundred and seventy eight inmates in the Tarkwa prisons, fourteen have successfully been registered under the biometric registration exercise. The registration process started at 8:00 am.     

Mr Edwin Opera, Deputy Electoral Officer in charge of Tarkwa Nsueam, revealed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, when he supervised the registration process for the inmates at the prisons premises.     

He said the inmates registered produced the required identity cards approved by the electoral commission were above 18 years.     
Chief Superintendent Eric Amu Wistberg, Officer in Charge of the Tarkwa prisons, said though the electoral commission gave the inmates opportunity to register as voters most of them were not able to produced the necessary identity cards.   
  
He added that most inmates whose age ranged between 18 to 45 years in the prison were sentenced for stealing adding that with Tarkwa and its neighboring towns being a mining community, many of the youth did not want to acquire riches by toiling.     

Mr Wistberg warned the youth to desist from such negative acts and rather concentrate on their education or trades to enable them become responsible adults in future.   


Source: GNA

EC registers 23 inmates at Ankaful Prisons

Twenty three inmates of the Ankaful Prisons were registered in the biometric voters' registration exercise for prisoners, on Tuesday. Eleven inmates were registered at the Ankaful Main prison whilst twelve were registered at the prison Annex.
     
Explaining the reason for the low number, Mrs. Philomena Edusei, Central Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), said the inmates were requested to provide some form of identification or documentation since most of them used fake names.
      
She said only 23 of the prisoners were able to provide identification whilst none came from the Ankaful Maximum prisons.
      
Journalists were not allowed to enter the premises to observe the exercise, which was conducted by the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem EC, with four party agents present from different political parties.
     
Mrs. Edusei said the exercise was successful and that all the inmates whose names were earlier submitted to the EC had been registered, hoping that the number would increase another time the exercise is carried out.
         
Meanwhile, she said nine inmates were registered at the Winneba prisons whilst three were registered at Awutu Camp prisons and none at Osamkrom Prisons in Gomoa East.


Source: GNA

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Ghana Elections 2012 : SMS POLL - Job Creation as Highest Voter Priority

 
 
24 May 2012


Education and Healthcare come next as national priorities
by Nicholas Fleming

 

Accra, Ghana – Thirty-eight percent (38%) of Ghanaians say job creation should be the priority of the next President, with 20% prioritizing education and 14% choosing healthcare as their top area of concern. Other possible priorities were fighting corruption (11%), food/fuel prices (10%) and roads (7%).

 

 

This national poll comes at a critical time, with main political parties preparing their manifestos for the 2012 presidential elections. The message is clear: the main priority for most Ghanaians is economic growth and job creation. One might have expected that with the Ghanaian Cedi down 21% in the past year, the pain of rising fuel and food prices would have swayed the population, but data reveal that more than anything, voters want a way to get more money in their pockets.

 

The survey was conducted by Voto, a non-profit polling service with offices in Accra and Tamale. With its motto "More Voices, Better Choices," Voto is committed to helping stimulate a dialogue between Ghanaians and their government through regular surveys of voter opinion. This survey was a pilot, and there will be more carried out over the course of this presidential election.

 

The survey was administered over SMS with 314 respondents older than 18 years old, from May 22nd to 24th 2012. The margin of error of this survey is 5.5%, 19 times out of 20. For more information about Voto, or to participate in future surveys, please contact: info@votomobile.org, 020-461-3232, or visit: www.votomobile.org.


Ghana Elections 2012 Daily News Review - 29th May, 2012

Today's newspaper review begins with news from the Ghanaian Times which brings to our knowledge that Chief Superintendent David Eklu, the Ashaiman Divisional Police Commander has pledged the determination of the police to ensure peace and stability during Election 2012. Chief Supt Eklu who made the pledge at a meeting with representatives of the various political parties and other stakeholders in the municipality said the police would count strongly on their support and cooperation to bring about the desired peace and stability in the area.

In a related issue, the District Chief Executive for Gomoa West, has appealed to citizens of Gomoa to comport themselves throughout the campaign for the December polls as they did during the biometric voter registration. He said unlike other areas where the centers for the exercise virtually became boxing rings, no adverse report was received from any of the registration centers in the two Gomoa districts. The Crusading Guide quotes him as saying "make December polls also peaceful"

Similarly Ghanaians have been asked to be advocates of peace as the Apostolic Administrator of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese of the Catholic Church, Most Rev. Matthias Kwabena Nketsiah, has urged Ghanaians to be advocates of peace now, during and after the December general elections. According to the Crusading Guide, Most Rev. Nketsiah said 60% of Ghanaians are Christians and expressed concern that on both the television and radio stations only "factionalism and enmity are highly preached contrary to the peace the nation requires".

The national chairman of the Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healers Association,Torgbi Massa Alowonu has appealed to the members of the association to unite and pray for absolute peace in the December election. "Let us all do our best to pray to God and also to invocate the spirits of our dear ancestors for a peaceful election in December," he said. The Ghanaian Times on page 12 reveals this in the headline Traditional Healers Association prays for peaceful election.

The Daily Graphic under its banner Security Services, stakeholders embark on peace march informs readers that members of the security services and major stakeholders defied an early morning downpour to embark on a joint security service peace march to drum up national cohesion and sustenance of peace and stability for election 20102. The paper adds that service personnel from the police, prisons, immigration, fire service, and civil society organs such as political parties, the media, and the electoral commission re-assured the populace of the security agencies preparedness for a peaceful election when they went through some selected principal streets in the metropolis from the police Headquarters, Pedu Junction to the Jubilee Park (Victoria Park) amid brass band music from the police band.

News from the Daily Guide indicates that OAD Calls for Peace, saying that the Organization for African Development (OAD) has urged Ghanaians to allow peace to prevail as the nation prepares for the 2012 general elections in December. According to the president of OAD, Bonaventuer  Aguissi the organization is basically promoting  peace among  the people of  Ghana  to ensure  violence-free elections.

In a related development the Crusading Guide states that Bishop Charles Agyin-Asare, Presiding Bishop of the Word Miracle Church International (WMCI), on Sunday implored Ghanaians to resolve to conduct the December polls in a peaceful manner, in order to emerge as a united nation after the declaration of the results. Bishop Agyin-Asare said even though Ghanaians were passionate about choosing a leader, they must not allow themselves to be divided by the upcoming elections. The paper reports this with the quote let's come out of the elections a united nation. 

Ahead of the December polls political parties have been urged to refrain from making defamatory statements. The Klomahefalor (Krobo State Defender), Nene Odeopeo Azago Kwesitsu, has made a passionate appeal to the leaders of the political parties to refrain members within their parties from making statements that would lead to chaos and anarchy as the country goes to the poll in December. According to the Daily Graphic, this, he said was because most of such statement emanated from young politicians, especially the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In a similar story and from the Daily Guide, the Nasara Club of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appealed to all politicians to accept to play by the rules of fairness, decency and responsible conduct. This, it said, was the only way to grow the country's multi-party democracy and stave off confusion and needless tension. The paper reports this with the headline NPP group calls for decency and responsible conduct on the part of politicians. 

Also from the Daily Graphic is a report that NR takes steps to ensure decent electioneering. A council of eminent person has been inaugurated in Temale to monitor and oversee activities of political party players to ensure sanity in the campaign towards the December polls. Known as the Civil Campaigns Reports Council, members would come up with strategies that would ensure that the metropolis, considered as one of the political hotbeds in the country witnesses very peace political campaign that would lead to an incident- free election in the area and the rest of the Northern Region.

The Ghanaian Times also informs us that WILDAF launches 'Vote for Women Campaign', adding that a project  dubbed: 'vote for women campaign' , was launched in Accra on Thursday by the Women in Law  and Development  in African (WILDAF) to canvass for votes for women to contesting this year's parliamentary election. The campaign also aims at adopting practical strategies.

The Daily Guide brings to our notice that at long last, the biometric registration of inmates of the country's prisons takes place today, the first time ever, but not without challenges as many are left out of the exercise, causing consternation in the security facility. Many of the prisoners have complained about what they regard as a selective registration of inmates blaming the short coming on the prison officials. The paper captures this with the headline Prisoners cry foul over selective Biometric.

Away from that, we move on to activities from the political parties and the Daily Guide tells us that the flag-Bearer of the  New  Patriotic  Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, received a rousing  welcome at almost every  community he went   to in the  Bawku  Municipality in the  Upper East  region. This  was on the first  day  of the  second  round  of  his  listening tour  of the  region. The paper quotes him as saying 'Better Days Ahead'.

The Daily Graphic also reports that Nana, Bawumia address youth forum. The Flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party, NanaAddo Dankwa Akuofo Addo, rounded off his campaign tour of the Northern Region on Saturday with a youth forum in Temale which was aimed at gauging the expectation of the youth. The paper adds that though intended to be a youth forum, event which was held at the forecourt of the veterans Association of Ghana Building, turned out to be mini rally as party supporters from all walks of life thronged the venue to share the euphoria.
 
Mr. Kofi Akpaloo, the flag-bearer of Independent People's Party, has reiterated his commitment to transform Ghana into an industrial nation when elected as the President. He told a cross section of  the people in Ho on Wednesday that he has been given the assurance by God that come December 7,this year President Mills would hand over power to him, the Ghanaian Times reports. 

Closing the chapter on today's newspaper review is news from the Daily Graphic which indicates that a deputy minister of Information, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has charged the youth of the country never to make the mistake of voting for property owning democrats to rule the country. According to him, property owning democrats like the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had no scruples and principles and would mortgage the cause of the nation for their individual selfish gains. The paper states this under the banner 'don't vote for property owing democrats.'

This daily news review is compiled by African Elections Project (AEP) Media Monitoring Centre, Accra, Ghana.
Follows us on twitter @Ghanaelections


Thursday, May 24, 2012

Ghana elections 2012 : Biometric voter registration of prisoners on May 29 - EC

The Electoral Commission (EC) on Thursday fixed Tuesday, May 29th for Biometric Voter Registration of eligible prisoners across the country.

In a statement to the Ghana News Agency signed by the Acting Director of Public Affairs, Mr Christian Owusu-Parry said the Commission has instituted measures in consultation with the Ghana Prisons Service for registration teams to be cited at each of the forty-three prisons in the country.

According to the EC, political parties have been advised to contact EC Regional Directors in their respective regions to make the necessary arrangements to enable their agents observe the registration exercise at the prisons.

The EC at the end of the 40-day nationwide Biometric Voter Registration exercise announced deferment of registration of prisoners until further notice to give the prison authorities ample time to resolve issues regarding the true identities of some of the inmates.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Parliamentary Aspirant calls on EC to spread mopping up exercise

The Dome-Kwabenya New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Aspirant has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to gauge critical areas where technical challenges of the Biometric Voter Registration exercise affected most people.     

This Ms Sarah Adwoa Safo said would facilitate the spreading of the mopping up exercise to ensure that every Ghanaian who had attained the voting age and qualified to vote were not unnecessarily disenfranchised. She said even though the exercise was successful, some people could not register as a result of some technical challenges.        

Ms Safo was addressing polling station officers and agents in the constituency who manned the various registration centres during the exercise to show her appreciation for the commitment and hard work they exhibited during the period.         
She pointed out that any technical ineptitude on the part of the EC must not disenfranchise legitimate voters and therefore, the need to expand the mopping up exercise to cater for those that could not register.       

"The party and I are indebted to you for the great deal of commitment and zeal that you demonstrated and by dint of your hard work we made a significant improvement by hitting 125,439 as against the under 100,000 recorded over the last registration. This speaks volumes of your unflinching support and commitment you showed during the exercise."       

Ms Safo told the teeming crowd over how elated that she had been in seeing them display such high level of commitment and expressed the hope that similar commitment would be made on the December 7 polls.     
  
She pointed out that some of the policies being envisaged by the NPP such as the free Senior High School would establish Ghana as a literate society where every Ghanaian would be able to participate in the analysis of Government policies and assess its performance.      
 
"The inner city development projects will bridge the gap between the lower income earners and the middle income earners," Ms Safo added.       
Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, General Secretary of NPP commended the officers and agents for the good work done and said the constituency provided accurate reports and increased the voter numbers to more than 125,000. He urged them to show more commitment to ensure that the party wins the election.

Source: GNA

DFP merges with NDC

The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday merged at a ceremony in Accra. This was contained in a joint statement signed by Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of NDC, and Mr Bede A. Ziedeng, former General Secretary of DFP.      

It said: "We are happy to announce that on March 22, 2012, at an NDC, NEC meeting and based on earlier recommendations by the Council of Elders of the party, approval was given for the merger, which means that the merging of the two political parties has been fully consummated and the family is re-united".    
  
The statement said under the merger arrangements, all persons who were originally members of the NDC, before leaving to form the DFP, would revert to their former status as party members of the NDC as at the time of their departure.      

It said however, in order to enjoy and exercise all the rights and privileges of party membership, they would be required to pay all arrears of dues on restoration to their former status of membership, while those who came from other political parties other than the NDC would be entitled to register as new members in order to join the NDC.     

The statement said the second arrangement under the merger is "in order to facilitate integration into the NDC, there is to be co-option of at least two members of the NEC of the DFP and the NEC of the NDC while at the Regional and Constituency levels, there is to be co-option of at least one DFP Executive Committee member into the NDC."    

It called on all former DFP members who were desirous of going along with its leadership to quickly integrate to give full meaning to the merger. The statement said: "Let us be conscious of the fact that this year's election is very crucial and all hands must be on deck in order to ensure a resounding victory."

 
Source: GNA

Priest urges politicians to avoid hate speeches

Reverend Gabriel Atidoo, Vicar General of the Diocese of Navrongo Bolgatanga on Sunday called on politicians to seek guidance from God as they engaged in political campaign towards election 2012. He enjoined politicians to give their electorates clear campaign messages that would convince them to vote for them.     

Reverend Atidoo gave this advice when he celebrated mass at the Bolgatanga Sacred Heart Cathedral, on behalf of the outgoing parish priest, Most Reverend Moses Akebule, who is on transfer to the Bishop's Office.   
  
He said the daily verbal attacks on the airwaves by politicians could breed violence and hatred and asked Ghanaians to pray to God to choose a leader who can manage the affairs of the country. He also urged the youth to refrain from acts that would lead them into electoral violence.    
 
Making reference from the day's reflections, he asked Ghanaians to emulate the apostles who continued in prayers after Judas abandoned the ministry and his consequent death. He said the apostles never fought among themselves but prayed for the right slot for the group to continue their work in the ministry.
    

Source: GNA

Minister asks chiefs to lead crusade for peace during elections

Mr Chris Kpodo, Deputy Foreign Minister on Tuesday urged chiefs and queen-mothers to lead a crusade towards peaceful elections this year. He said such a crusade should focus on the youth.     
Mr Kpodo made the appeal at a durbar of the chiefs and people of Anlo in honour of the new Indian High Commissioner, Mr Rajinder Bhagat and his wife at Keta. He said the youth needed to be told that it was only through sustained peace and planning that the challenges confronting them could be overcome.     
They should therefore rebuff politicians and persons who might seek to manipulate them to cause violence. Mr Kpodo commended the people, particularly the youth of the area for remaining peaceful and urged them to maintain the atmosphere which is in their own interest.     
Mr Kpodo and the High Commissioner visited the Keta Government Hospital where he commended parents in the area for taking good care of their kids as evidenced in the almost empty 50 bed children's ward. Mr Bhagat said the Keta Municipality had benefited immensely from the Indian government support, including an Eye Clinic at the Hospital.     
Mr Baghat, and Togbe Sri, III, Awomefia of Anlo   exchanged gifts at his Palace where the High Commissioner pledged his commitment to sustain the bond, which had existed between the Anlos and the High Commission.

Source: GNA

Let your campaign be devoid of personal attacks - Vice President Mahama

Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday appealed to members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) not to resort to any sort of personal attacks in their campaigns leading during Election 2012.      

He said the NDC Government had performed creditably well in the past three-and-a-half years to the admiration of all Ghanaians and would therefore win the elections in the first round. Vice President Mahama made the appeal at a joint press conference by the NDC and Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) to consummate merger talks that had started between them over a year ago.  
On October 8, 2011, the DFP held an expanded extra ordinary conference where they proposed a merger with the NDC that they had broken away from after series of disagreements.       

Subsequently, the joint press conference which attracted Vice President Mahama, Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, Life Patron of DFP, Nii Okaija Adamafio, Chairman of DFP, Mr Bede Ziedeng, General Secretary of DFP, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of NDC and other Ministers of State and Regional Executive Members of both parties was to mark the accomplishment of the discussion.     
  
After the press conference, DFP now ceased to be a legal political party and most of its members would now be co-opted into the National Executive Council of the NDC at all levels.      

Vice President Mahama urged NDC members to avoid retaliation even in the face of verbal attacks from their opponents adding "We in NDC are having our disagreements and I will like to call on all of you not to allow those sentiments to go beyond solution."       
He said it was not true that President John Evans Atta Mills had acquired a new set of official vehicles, more expensive than those they inherited from the previous government and called on members to be wary of the falsehood that was sent out to discredit the performance of government.       

Vice President Mahama denounced the falsehood being peddled out that President Mills had been sleeping at the Flagstaff House, adding "There is no iota truth in that assertion." Mr Asiedu Nketia said this year's election was crucial and therefore, needed the contribution and good performance of every party member to achieve that goal adding, "Every hand must be on deck to ensure a massive win for our party."       

He warned NDC members against discriminating against former DFP members in their day-to-day activities as DFP was no longer a recognised party in the country. Mr Ziedeng expressed happiness that they were back to the fold of the umbrella party and cautioned party members to work assiduously towards a vintage performance in the forthcoming elections in December.


Source: GNA

Ghana Elections 2012 Daily News Review - 23rd May, 2012

News making the headlines in today's review includes a merger between the National Democratic Congress and the Democratic Freedom Party. The Ghanaian Times reports this under the headline NDC, DFP formalize merger and adds that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) formally merger as one party at a ceremony in Accra yesterday. The merger, which was the outcome of a joint committee of the two parties set up on the initiative of President John Atta Mills, thus makes the DFP, defunct. With the caption DFP back to its roots, the Daily Graphic adds that after seven years of recession and months of comeback talks, the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has finally re-united with its roots, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in a deal that is expected to boost the fortunes of the NDC in the December general election. Unity talks between the two parties had been initiated in 2011 and, having finally clinched the NDC is expected to benefit from about 27,889 votes garnered by the DFP presidential candidate in the 2008 polls, Mr. Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi, all things being equal. The Daily Guide in addition states in under the headline NDC Swallows Obed's DFP that a team of NDC bigwigs, led by Vice President John Mahama, ushered in the former chairman of the NDC, Obed Asamoah and other members of the DFP who broke away in 2007 after falling out with the founder of the party, former President Jerry John Rawlings.

Away from that, we move onto updates on Nana Konadu's claim of the NDC logo and both the Daily Graphic and the Chronicle report under the quote NDC logo not property of Konadu-cadre group that some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Brong Ahafo Region have stated that it was the late Alhaji Kwadwo Maama Adam, the former Regional Organizing Assistant of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, who suggested the use of the umbrella as the logo of the NDC. They said they were, therefore surprised at attempts by the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to distort the facts about the origin of the logo and registering the said logo as her intellectual work.

Latest updates on the recent biometric exercise from the Ghanaian Observer and the Heritage indicate that the Parliamentary candidate for Dome/ Kwabenya Lawyer Sarah Adwoa Safo has called on the Electoral commission to carefully gauge critical areas where the technical challenges of the biometric registration exercise affected most and spread the mop up to ensure that every Ghanaian who has attained the voting age and therefore qualified to vote are not unnecessarily disenfranchised. She said even though the entire exercise has been substantially successful, a lot of people have also not registered as a result of some technical challenges that nearly plagued down the entire exercise.

The Daily Graphic states that CPP, PNC must sacrifice positions and merge - says Bauh Inusah. Mr. Bauh  Inusah, Brong Ahafo Regional  Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC), has  called on the leadership of the Convention People's Party (CPP) and the PNC to sacrifice their positions and merge. Speaking  in an interview  with  the Ghana News Agency (GNA)in  Sunyani he noted that  the unwillingness of some high ranking members of the two parties to relinquish their positions and the  employment of divide and rule tactics were contributory factors to the stalling of the merger talks.

From the same paper readers are informed that Shama NPP aspirant seeks votes.The New Patriotic Party Parliamentary Candidate for the Shama constituency, Mr. J.C Garbrah, has asked for the support of his constituents to win the constituency seat come the December elections. Interacting with some of his constituents at Shama in the Western Region, he said 'I need your votes to win the parliamentary seat in order to implement the good ideas I have for the people.

We are informed by the Chronicle that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has refuted allegations by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the government of President Mills is corrupt and incompetent. Abu K. Kassangabata, District Chief Executive for Nadowli in the Upper West Region and a member of the government communication team, has debunked the allegation, saying the NPP was aware of the achievement of the NDC government over the last three years, and that knowing it would be difficult for them (NPP) to win power in the December elections, have resorted to lies to deceive the electorate.

Ahead of December elections, Daily Graphic informs readers that Campaign on Election 2012 to be launched. Operation 'Get Involved Platforms', a political civic education advocacy campaign to whip up enthusiasm in Election 2012 will be launched in Ghana on May 29TH. The project being  sponsored by STAR-Ghana, a multi-donor  pooled funding mechanism (Funded by DFID, DANIDA, EU and USAID)to increase the influence of civil society, is being implemented by Socioserve-Ghana(SSG), a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in the Asuogyaman  District.

The New Crusading Guide similarly reports that Freedom Power Lectures…on Election 2012, adding that as part of its contribution to enhance quality political discourse in the country, the Centre for Freedom and Accuracy (CFA) would launch a new initiative in June dubbed-FREEDOM POWER LECTURES 2012.The CFA seeks to use the lectures to reduce the insults and personality attacks that always characterized electioneering campaigns to make the 2012 General Elections more of an issues based.

In a related development, Christian Council inaugurates group for elections 2012.The Christian Council of Ghana in the last two decades has been a part of the democratic growth and development of Ghana.It has contributed in diverse ways to the peace, credibility of the ballot box and the electoral process through monitoring and observation engagement with decision makers; all in a collaborative effort with other stakeholders especially faith- based organizations.

Sekou: Give Nana Addo a chance to prove himself quotes the New Statesman that a former boss of the National Youth Authority, Sekou Nkrumah, yesterday asked Ghanaians to give the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo,a chance to ascend the nation's presidency  to ascertain whether or not he can deliver the goods. The son of Ghana's first president who campaigned for President Mills in 2008 attributed the problems confronting the failure of the Mills-Mahama led NDC government, calling on the electorate to show the NDC the exit in the December polls.

We end today's review with news from both the Daily Dispatch and the Ghanaian Times that indicate that the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Alexander Asum-Ahensah, has cautioned teachers and students to refrain from turning the classrooms into political arena, as the nation prepares for December poll. They should rather prepare themselves for the roles that might be assigned them by the Electoral Commission on the day of the election, to ensure a peaceful, fair and transparent poll. He quotes under the Daily Dispatch and the Ghanaian Times headline don't turn classrooms into political arena'.


This daily news review is compiled by African Elections Project (AEP) Media Monitoring Centre, Accra, Ghana.
Follows us on twitter @Ghanaelections

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Ghana Elections 2012 Daily News Review - 22nd May, 2012

As we begin today's review of the newspapers, news from the Chronicle reveals that Rawlings could lead NDC to defeat – activist. The continuous attacks on the Rawlingses by some leading personalities in the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) have sparked concern within the Akatamansonians, with a member of the communication team warning such acts could spell doom for the party in the 2012 polls. According to Prince Komla Bansah, a member of the communication team of the NDC, without the presence of the former first couple of the land on the campaign trail of the NDC, the chances of the umbrella family winning the December polls was very slim. "We shun the Rawlaingses at our own peril," he noted.
Also from the Chronicle is news that indicate that Vice President John Dramani Mahama has made a passionate appeal to the good people of Ghana to, as a matter of urgency, give President John Evans Atta Mills another four years to implement the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government's "Better Ghana Agenda." Speaking at the climax of the (Aboakyir) Live Deer Hunting Festival at Winneba on Saturday, John Mahama told the large crowd that it was imperative for Ghanaians to give President Mills a second chance, because former presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor spent eight years in office, adding that such an opportunity would offer Ghanaians a better platform to make comparisons. The paper informs us under the headline Give Mills another four years.
We are informed by the Ghanaian Times and the Daily Graphic that Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has appealed to Ghanaians to vote massively for the party in this year's polls since the government has lost focus. This, he said, would enable the NPP to continue with its pro-poor and social intervention programmes to alleviate the plight of Ghanaians, describing the current socio-economic situation in the country as "not encouraging". Both papers quoted him as saying NDC Has Lost Focus.
We are told again by the Ghanaian Times that PPP has best policies for the youth – Devine. Mr. Devine Nkrumah, National Youth Coordinator of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), has said his Party had the better policies for the youth than all other political parties clamoring to rule Ghana. Mr. Nkrumah said this during the inauguration of new executives of the Progressive Youth Movement (PYM) for the Polytechnic Nurses Training College, School of Hygiene and E.P University College.
In other reports, the New Crusading Guide reveals under the quote Don't fall for NDC's propaganda. Beleaguered politician and son of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah – who was removed from office as the acting National Youth Council boss by the leader of the National Democratic Congress and President of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills – has now decided to pitch camp with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).Seeing this decision by Sekou as strange, the Minister for Works and Housing, Mr. Enoch Teye Mensah, has in a sharp reaction, described the move by the former as "joke of the century".
Away from that, Labour Council cautions EC to stay neutral in 2012 elections. The Ghanaian Times informs readers that, the Agona District Council of Labour has cautioned the Electoral Commission (EC) to stay neutral in officiating the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The council said any show of support by EC officials for any party could spell doom for the country.
Another report from the same paper brings to our notice that the Greater Accra Regional Inter-Party Dialogue Committee has called on all political parties to abide by the code of conduct for political parties, to ensure free, fair and non-violent election in December. This was disclosed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra at the weekend, by Mr. Prosper Largble, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, after the second Greater Accra Regional Inter-dialogue meeting in Accra at the weekend.
 In Daily Graphic readers are informed that Women contestants for 2012 elections low-Gender activists. Gender activists have bemoaned the fact that only 35 women have so far won parliamentary primaries to contest the December 2012 parliamentary elections in 28 constituencies. They  contended that  although the ruling  National Democratic Congress (NDC) was yet to complete elections in some  parts  of the  country, the situation was not likely to improve  significantly , and therefore , called on the electorate to vote  massively for female aspirants in the areas where women were contesting to ensure  that  they were all elected into parliament.
Ahead of the December polls, the Omanhene of Gomoa Akyempim, Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II has suggested to the Electoral Commission to publish the list of registered voters constituency by constituency to prevent rigging in the December 7 general election. The Omanhen noted that political parties would be scared to attempt rigging if they realized that the public had been made aware of the number of voters registered in each constituency.
In relation to Skirt and blouse voting the Ghanaian Times and the Daily Graphic informs that group roots for Victor Smith. A group in the Abuakwa North Constituency of the Eastern Region had decided to support Mr. Victor Smith the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the constituency, in the December elections. The group recently decided to vote 'skirt and blouse' in the December election and has now adopted the name 'Mpuntuo Papabi kuo '(development association) in support of Mr. Smith who they claimed was more development-oriented.
In other news the Daily Graphic indicates that Mrs. Samira Bawumia, wife  of the New Patriotic  Party (NPP) presidential running  mate, Dr. Mahamadu  Bawumia, has  stressed the need for the party  to  focus  on issues, rather than going  what  she called' the  National  Democratic  Congress' way  of attacking personalities. Under the quote NPP must focus on issues she  reminded  the youth  that a better Ghana could  not  be guaranteed under the NDC and asked to have  faith  in the NPP  to  help change  the fortunes of the Nation.
Meanwhile, the paper also quotes the Acting Chief Justice as saying be fair in adjudication of electoral disputes – Ag Chief Justice .The acting Chief Justice, Justice William A. Atuguba, has advised judges and magistrates to be fair and transparent in the adjudication of electoral-related disputes. Such a disposition, he stated would assure Ghanaians that the judiciary was in position to defend and enforce the constitutional rights of qualified voters.
Updates on the biometric exercise indicate that the Gomoa West Electoral Officer, Mr. Stephen Bertino Baabereyir, has urged media practitioners to stop making Ghanaians perceive the just ended Biometric Voters Registration (BVR) as violent exercise.
Speaking   to the Ghana News Agency at Apam on the success story of the exercise in the District, Mr. Baabereyir said it was unfortunate that some media practitioners had decided to concentrate their reports on some few challenges that the exercise faced.
Again, the Brong  Ahafo  Regional Superintendant  of the Assemblies of God  Church (AGC), Rev. Emmanuel  Kwasi  Mensah  has  called on the  clergy not to use  the pulpit to advance  the course of any political party. He has therefore, charged them to remain neutral in their deliberations   to insulate the Church from engaging in partisan politics.
In ending today's review the Daily Graphic  reveals that a justice of the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Jones Dotse, has  advised judges and magistrate to strictly apply the requisite  sanctions against persons found guilty of electoral offences. He said by strictly applying the needed sanctions against such people, the use of machomen to cause electoral violence in parts of the country would be consigned to history and the number of people who engaged in double registration would be reduced to the barest minimum. 
This daily news review is compiled by African Elections Project (AEP) Media Monitoring Centre, Accra, Ghana.
Follows us on twitter @Ghanaelections













Campaign to whip-up enthusiasm in Election 2012 to be launched

Operation "Get Involved Platforms," a political civic education advocacy campaign to whip-up enthusiasm in Election 2012 will be launched at in Ghana on May 29.     
The project being sponsored by STAR-Ghana, a multi- donor pooled funding mechanism (Funded by DFID, DANIDA, EU and USAID), to increase the influence of civil society, is being implemented by Socioserve-Ghana (SSG), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in the Asuogyaman District.     
In a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Ms Rita Ntoso, SSG Programme Manager, said the Get Involved Platform seeks to strengthen the pillars of Ghana's democracy and ensure free, fair and violence-free elections.    
She said SSG in collaboration with the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), and Rite 90.1FM, a local radio station, would also use the platform to promote issue-based campaign during the upcoming 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.     
The project to be launched at Brekumanso Durbar Grounds near Asamankese in the Lower West Akim District, would bring together representatives of all political parties and traditional religious leaders.    
Others institutions to participate in the platform, are State Agencies such as the Ghana Police Service, National Commission for Civic Education and the Electoral Commission, to address electorate on pertinent issues regarding the upcoming polls.     
According to Ms Ntoso, the project aims at promoting issue-based campaigning and voting as well as creating a platform, for aspiring Members of Parliament to engage in healthy debate so that the electorate would assess their capability and vision.    
She commended officials of National Democratic Congress, New Patriotic Party, Convention Peoples Party, and People's National Convention and Progressive People's Party for their cooperation and support.     
The project is being implemented in Asuogyaman, Lower Manya, Fanteakwa, Nsawam Adoagyire, Suhum, Ayensuano, Kade, Lower West Akim and Nkawkaw  constituencies in the Eastern Region.

Source: GNA

Leaders of CPP and PNC must sacrifice positions and merge-Inusah

Mr Bauh Inusah, Brong Ahafo Regional Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC), has called on the leadership of the Convention People's Party(CPP) and the People's National Convention to sacrifice their positions and merge.     
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, he noted that the unwillingness of some high ranking members of the two parties to relinquish their positions and the employment of divide and rule tactics were contributory factors to the stalling of the merger talks.     
The regional PNC secretary noted that as members of the Nkrumaist tradition, they shared a common goal and vision, whose stakes and objectives stood to be actualized by the availability of the rich human resources base of the two parties.     
Mr Inusah appealed to the national executives of the PNC and the CPP to fast track efforts at merging the two parties to put them in a solid position to contest the 2012 general elections.    "There is a letter from the CPP to the national executives of the PNC in Accra to the effect that the CPP had indicated they would enter into unity talks with the PNC after CPP's congress.     
"We are yet to see the manifestation of this statement", he stated, adding, "both the NPP and the NDC still waste time engaging in politics of insults. They are not well focused in fulfilling and tackling critical issues of development. Democracy is about expressing ideas through development and this is what the NPP and NDC are not doing, thus, drawing the country's development backward".     
The regional secretary said the regional leaderships of the two parties were asking for an alliance because it was the cry of many Ghanaians that without the merger neither the PNC nor the CPP could win the elections.     
"They (PNC and CPP) know it themselves. It's the cry of the people at the lorry parks and the market places for change", he stated, adding that, the CPP and the PNC in Brong–Ahafo had agreed to merge and that all the necessary modalities had been worked out.     
"The National Executive Council (NEC) of the PNC during the last congress in Sunyani mandated the party to go into unity talks, so we in the region do not need any approval from the national executives of both parties. Madam Samia Nkrumah of the CPP also added her voice to the call for unity so we don't need any agreement from the leaderships", he emphasized.     
On the use of a common and an appropriate symbol for the two Nkrumaist parties after a merger, he appealed to the leadership of both parties to consider either uniting the cockerel and the coconut or getting a new symbol to represent both parties.
 
Source: GNA

“Stars of Volta” to promote peaceful elections

Renowned musicians and people in the entertainment industry in the Volta region are to use music and comedy to preach peace before, during and after the December general elections.     
The project christened, "Stars of Volta Preach Peace" would see musical stars including "Tony D", Israel Maweta, Raps Ziggy, Stella Ganyo, Togbe Edinam Ansah and Mama Grace tour all district capitals to perform "peace musical concerts."     
Mr Zapp Mallet, experienced Sound Engineer and Mr Kwame Senyo, a Broadcast Journalist would also be part of the team to "win people for peace." Mr Anthony Dagbey, popularly known as "Tony D" Executive Director of Tony D Musical Productions and Organizer of the event told the GNA that the concerts would be free.     
He said government appointees and parliamentary aspirants have the opportunity to use the platform to pledge to be peaceful and promote national unity in all activities towards the elections.
He said the event would also serve as social entertainment and help educate on the role of individuals in ensuring peaceful electioneering.

Source: GNA

Handle cases of electoral malpractice with dispatch – Justice Dotse

Justice Jones Dotse, a Supreme Court Judge, has urged judges and magistrates to handle cases of electoral malpractices brought before them with dispatch.                                 
He said they should send clear and powerful signal to those out there to cheat and create confusion that they could not have their way and that the state had invested so much to promote transparency and fairness of the country's electoral system and this needs to be protected.           
He said it should not be lost on them that delays in dealing with electoral disputes could undermine confidence in the electoral regime and embolden offenders to persist in the wrong doing.           
Justice Dotse was speaking at a day's training on adjudicating electoral disputes in respect of the biometric voter registration, for judges and magistrates in Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions, at the Anita Hotel at Akyawkrom in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality.          
The programme was organized by the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) and with funding from the Department for International Development (DFID) brought together 56 participants.          
Justice Dotse, who is also the Chairman the JTI Board, said the training the forth in a series is meant to help the judges and magistrates to better appreciate their roles under the Constitutional Amendment (CI 72) that specifically relates to the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) and came into force on February 21, this year.          
He said it was unfortunate that the CI came out late and did not receive enough publicity saying that in part accounted for the reported violence that characterized the just ended voter registration.          
Justice Marful Sau, a Justice of the Court of Appeal and Director of JTI, said the biometric voter registration, the first of its kind in Ghana, is primarily targeted at securing clean and reliable electoral roll, one of the pillars for ensuring a transparent, free and fair elections.          
He said the CI 72 has created four specific offences and prescribed the punishment for these and appealed that they make a careful study of the charge sheet brought before their courts and the CI before assuming jurisdiction.          
He drew attention to the similarities between the CI and registration offences under PNDC Law 284, which are still in force and said infractions under CI 72 should attract sanctions prescribed by that enactment while those charged under the PNDC Law must receive punishment provided under that law.          
Justice V.C.RA.C Crabbe, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, noted that disputes are likely to occur during the upcoming general elections and there was the need for judges and magistrates to know the law in order to make effective decisions.

Source:  GNA

Monday, May 21, 2012

Kwaebibirim NDC against moves to replace DCE

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Executives in Kade and Akwatia constituencies, as well as the youth of the party in the two constituencies, have condemned moves by some Regional executives to have the Kwaebibirim District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Emmanuel R.A Osae, replaced.
    

They noted that, even though Mr Osae was still at post and not removed from office, the regional vetting committee of the NDC in Koforidua on March 11 vetted a number of persons for his position.  They expressed their disappointment at the vetting in a massive demonstration at Kade at the weekend and described the move as illegal in a statement issued to the press.

    

The demonstrators carrying placards, some of which read "No Osae no vote", and "Does Evelyn Korang own the party in the District?" declared total support for Mr Osae. They marched through the principal streets of Kade, and ended up at the party office where they presented a copy of a petition meant for the NDC regional executive to the Kade constituency chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Shido.
    

Madam Korang is the NDC regional women's organizer who they accused of masterminding the moves to have the incumbent DCE removed. The demonstrators called on the party to sanction all members of the vetting committee attempting to usurp the power and authority of the President through their illegal actions.
    

They affirmed their total support for the DCE, a true citizen of the district with both parents from the area, and acknowledge his good works for both the NDC and the district. They explained that since his appointment as DCE, Mr Osae had succeeded in unifying the district bringing the two constituencies of Akwatia and Kade closer in building the party in the district.
     

"It is worth noting the many development projects he had embarked upon like electricity, water, roads and many others within his short stay in office as DCE". The group cautioned all those who for their selfish interests continued to undermine the DCE and was going about spreading false information about him to desist from such "wicked activities".
     

They said they would continue to support the DCE in his good work in ensuring that the NDC grew stronger in the Kwaebibirim District. The GNA has learnt that five persons from the Kade constituency were vetted for the position of Kwaebibirim DCE in Koforidua on May 11.
     

Their names were given as Madam Faustina Addo (who contested the parliamentary election in 2000 on the ticket of the NDC but lost), Mr Anthony Obeng Afrani, Teacher Tinkorang, Mr Emmanuel Ampofo and Mr Agyei Yeboah.



Source: GNA

“Party agents play a pivotal role in Elections” Bortey

Mr Eric Bortey, Eastern Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has stated that party agents play a pivotal role in elections and that any attempt to eliminate them would be highly suicidal for Ghanaian politics.    

He said polling or party agents enhanced transparency at the polling centres during registration exercises and voting itself and that nothing should be done to underrate their importance in the country's political process.    

Mr Bortey, who was speaking at a Media Forum to mark World Press Freedom Day in Koforidua, said it was therefore unfortunate that a political heavyweight like Dr Paapa Kwesi Nduom, should be calling for the abolishing of party agents.    

He indicated that the case where party agents caused problems in polling stations were because the political parties that recruited them failed to give them accurate training and so the focus must be on how they would be trained to be able to play the expected role.    

Mr Bortey reiterated that party agents complemented the roles of the Electoral Commission (EC) and the NCCE and needed a proper training in the code and conduct of elections as well as that of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) to know what to do and how to handle conflicts at the centres.    

The Eastern Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), organized a Media Forum on the global theme "Media freedom has the Power to Transform Society" and a symposium on Climate Change adaptation.   

It was sponsored by the Media Capacity Building Centre of the African Adaptation Programme (AAP) on Climate Change. The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Victor Smith, in a speech read on his behalf, said the Ghanaian media was generally acknowledged as one of the freest on the African continent.   

This, he said, underscored the protection offered to the media by the Constitution. Mr Smith noted, however, that the performance of the media and how it was using that power and freedom entrusted to it remained a critical question to many public spirited persons.     

He urged the media to appreciate that freedom goes with a responsibility and obligation that cannot be overlooked. Mr Edmund Quaynor, the Regional Chairman of the GJA, urged journalists to shift from reported speeches to reports on developmental issues that remained a challenge to a large section of the populace, especially in the rural areas.    

He said this would truly give the reflection of the country to politicians and also help to shape the debate for issues-based campaigns. He expressed the hope that the celebration of the Press Freedom Day would galvanize the media into action.    

As part of the Symposium, members of the GJA in the region were educated on climate change effects on the environment and how the media could help to create awareness for adaptation in Ghana and beyond.



Source: GNA

Ghana Elections Daily News Review - 21st May, 2012

Today's newspaper review opens with news from the Daily Graphic on updates of the just ended biometric voter registration exercise. With its caption EC to display provisional register in August, the paper reveals that the Electoral commission (EC) has decided to display the provisional biometric voters register for the 2012 election in August this year, a senior EC official has said. This affords prospective voters the opportunity to check the personal details which they provided during the 40 –day exercise.

News from The Chronicle and The Heritage indicate that the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), has congratulated the National Executive and members of the Convention People's Party (CPP) on successfully organizing their just-ended national delegates' conference. With the headline CODEO lauds CPP, both papers added that CODEO commended in particular "the peaceful and violence-free manner in which the congress was held."

Similarly, members of the tertiary students charter of the Convention People's Party (TESCHART-CPP), Kumasi Polytechnic, have sent a message of congratulations to Dr. Abu Sakara Foster  for not only winning the election but offering himself as an instrument  to lead CPP in the December polls. The Daily Graphic adds that "We promise to stand solidly behind him and do our best to ensure victory for the party in order to transform the country's fortunes", the group stated.

Away from that, the Heritage informs us that the Greater Accra Regional Inter-Party Dialogue Committee has called on all political parties to abide by the code of conduct for political parties, to ensure free, fair and non-violent election in December. This was disclosed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra over the weekend by Mr. Prosper Largble, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Director of National Commission for Civic Education, after the second Greater Accra Regional Inter –party dialogue meeting in Accra over the weekend.

The Ghanaian Observer brings to our knowledge that the National Youth for Peace (NYP) has entreated the youth in the country not to allow politicians to use them as tools to foment trouble during the upcoming general elections. The NYP is a social advocacy group with the aim of promoting peace and social responsibility among the youth and the society at large. The paper states this under the headline don't allow Politicians to instigate you-NYP.

We move on to news from the political party environment as The New Statesman reports that Sekou joins NPP. One of the sons' of Ghana's first President, Sekou Nkrumah, is set to join the campaign of the opposition New Patriotic Party as part of his contribution to help kick out the ruling National Democratic Congress from office on December 7, 2012 when Ghana goes to the polls. The paper further reports that Sekou believes the main opposition party cannot win the 2012 elections on a silver platter and therefore needs to involve individuals and group of persons who are not from the Danquah-Busia stock in their campaigns to attract floating voters and members of the NDC who have fallen out with the party, saying, "I think that one would give more confidence to the platform.

The Chronicle also reveals that the flag-bearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), last Friday, declared that the December 7 general elections would present the opportunity for the party and Ghanaians to rediscover their pride and put Ghana once again, on the path of development and prosperity. The NPP presidential candidate stated emphatically that the years of distress and despondency, which had come about as a result of the corrupt administration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, led by Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, had brought to Ghanaians would be a thing of the past, stressing that Ghanaians would once again experience a good life and success which God had ordained. The paper quotes him as saying 2012 is our time.

The paper in a similar report states that Ghanaians can't afford four more years under NDC –Dr. Bawumia, adding that the New Patriotic  Party (NPP) Vice  presidential  candidate , Dr. Mahamadu  Bawumia , has warned that Ghana's economy would  totally  collapse if the  current  administration of the National Democratic  Congress (NDC) is not  voted out in the December elections. He said  Ghanaians  cannot  survive  for more  years under the leadership of the NDC administration, and it must  therefore, be  shown  the exit  in the  upcoming elections.

Still on the NPP campaigns, the Daily Graphic reports that the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party for the December elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has declared that he would not allow the quest for political power to drive him into making promises that he cannot fulfill. He told a forum of the tertiary Education students' confederacy (TESCON) the youth wing of the NPP at Kumasi Polytechnic that the various promises he had made were carefully thought out and analyzed, and the conclusion reached was that they were attainable. The paper quotes him in the headline Promises are attainable-Akufo –Addo

Finally on the NPP, the Daily Graphic informs readers that the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Mfantseman West Constituency in the Central Region, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, has described the forthcoming general elections as crucial. He has, therefore, called on members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to work hard to recapture power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Away from the NPP we move on to some updates on the claims on the NDC logo as the member parliament (MP) for Jirapa Constituency in the Upper West Region, Dr. Francis Bawaana Dakura , has asked the former first lady, Nana Konadu  Agyemang Rawlings,to reflect on her claim to the party's logo by denouncing her intended action. The Daily Graphic captures this in the headline Nana Konadu must reflect on claims and adds that he said the Rawlingses must not see the NDC party as a personal property but as a collectively owned entity bigger than the aspirations and ambitions of any particular individual.

Similarly the Daily Guide indicates that Konadu paid GH¢50 and adds that emerging  details  about  the registration  of the  red , white , black  and green  umbrella logo  of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) indicate that former  First Lady  and wife  of the NDC founder, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, paid GH¢50 for the Logo. Though  officials of the  copyright Office, especially  the administrator, Yaa Attafua were  tight –lipped in giving  details  about  the registration of the  NDC logo, a highly –placed source at the office has given  vivid details of how Mrs. Rawlings 'grabbed' the umbrella symbol in 2010 by paying  the required amount  of GH¢50

We close the chapter on today's newspaper review with news from the heritage which indicates that Youth demonstrate against NDC executives. Some concerned youth and Assembly members in the Kwaebibrem District of the Eastern region last Friday May 18,2012 staged a demonstration on the Principal streets of Kade, the district capital and accused the National Democratic Congress(NDC) Eastern regional Executives of racism and tribalism. The demonstrators accused the Eastern Regional Women's organizer of the party, Evelyn Korang of allegedly being behind a plot to unseat the Kwaebibrem District Chief Executive (DCE), Emmanuel  Reginald Aboagye Osae.

This daily news review is compiled by African Elections Project (AEP) Media Monitoring Centre, Accra, Ghana.

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Youth asked to avoid doing dirty work for politician

Right Reverend Francis Amenu, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P) Church, on Saturday urged young people to shy away from doing "dirty work" for politicians in the forthcoming elections.       

He asked them to instead, be discerning and support only politicians, who would present positive plans and programmes for the development of the country.    

Rt. Rev. Amenu said this at the launch of volume II video and audio album entitled, "Agbe nye nusi ne woe," (in Ewe), meaning Life is what you make it, by the Ho East Presbytery Christian Youth Builders (CYB) of the E.P Church at the weekend.       

He advised the youth not to lose their lives for people who would want to create confusion and chaos in the country. The clergyman said: "You have a lot to live for so you must preach and ensure peace at the elections so that the country will remain united for you to enjoy in the future".    

Rt. Rev. Amenu commended the Ho East Presbytery CYB for producing the album, and said the church would continue to create avenues for the youth to make meaningful contributions to the country.       

Mr Henry Ametepe, Deputy Volta Regional Minister, asked young people to embrace peace and eschew negative tendencies. He praised members of the CYB for putting their energies into productive use, and advised them to compose and perform more songs to promote Ghanaian cultural heritage.

     

      

Source: GNA

Political parties asked to abide by code of conductPolitical parties asked to abide by code of conduct

The Greater Accra Regional Inter-Party Dialogue Committee, has called on all political parties to abide by the code of conduct for political parties, to ensure free, fair and non-violent election in December.      

This was disclosed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra at the weekend, by Mr Prosper Largble, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Director of National Commission for Civic Education, after the second Greater Accra Regional Inter-party dialogue meeting in Accra at the weekend.   

The meeting discussed the political parties' code of conduct, and reviewed the just ended nationwide biometric registration exercise, and the way forward. Mr Lagble said Ghana needed a credible and independent umpire, and a level playing field, to ensure free and fair elections.    

He said that issues raised in the code concerned democratic imperatives, campaigning, out of campaigning activities, elections, activities after declaration of results, and enforcement and implementation of the code.     

Mr Largble said political parties and their candidates were asked to abide and observe all rules and regulations relating to the elections. He said they were also reminded of their right to convey their views to the electorate without hindrance, and equal access to state owned media.

Mr Largble said that political parties were advised to educate their followers to desist from defamatory, inflammatory and foul language, and avoid attacks on their political opponents. He said: "They were advised also to educate their agents/party workers and followers not to obstruct, disrupt, or break-up meeting or rallies, destroy, remove, temper with paraphernalia, logos, symbols and handbills of political opponents."      

Mr Largble said members of political parties were advised not to carry arms and other offensive weapons to rallies and other major public events, and to adhere strictly to the public order Act (Act 491) of 1994, by informing the police in writing at least five days before the organization of any public event. He said" "They were urged not to taunt, insult and humiliate opponents when they are defeated at elections, and celebrate victory with decorum."

     

 

 

Source: GNA

 

 

Labour Council cautions EC to stay neutral in 2012 elections

The Agona District Council of Labour has cautioned the Electoral Commission (EC) to stay neutral in officiating the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The Council said any showing of support by EC officials to any party during the elections could spell doom in the country's eagerness to deepening it democratic dispensation.   

Mr Francis Odoom, Chairman of the Agona District Council of Labour, made this known at the quarterly meeting to discuss matters affecting welfare of the members at Agona Swedru on Friday.    The Chairman said the workers and entire population are eager to see EC conduct free and fair elections so that the nation could continue its economic policies and programmes.   

Mr Odoom also cautioned government officials to guard against any utterances that could create political turmoil, during, before and after the elections. He warned opposition leaders to caution their supporters to be circumspect with their language at platforms to solicit for votes.   

Mr Odoom appealed to the Controller and Accountant General Department to release pay slips of workers in time for them to known their actual salaries they earn. He asked the government to stop "inconsistent salaries being paid every month to the workers, adding that workers always go to the bank to see different figure lodged into their accounts".  

Mr Samuel Kweku Dugan, Central Regional Secretary of Trade Union Congress (TUC), urged workers to embrace the new three tier pension scheme introduced by the government. He said the Union would hold congress in August this year to elect a new Secretary General of TUC and also review its activities for the next four years.

 

                                


Source: GNA

 

 

Two Agona Chiefs condemn vain promises of politicians

Two Divisional Chiefs of the Agona Nyakrom Traditional Council have advised politicians to avoid making promises that would be difficult to fulfil. They said it is very disturbing and disheartening after politicians fail to honour promises, especially those involved the improvement of their living condition.      

Nana Ampim Darko V, Chief of Agona Kwanyako and Nana Kobina Botwe II, Adontenhene of the council, gave the advice when Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Presidential candidate of Progressive Peoples Party, paid separate courtesy calls on them at their palaces in Agona Swedru and Kwanyako respectively.     

They chiefs slammed politicians for such unfortunate behaviours and appealed to them to end them to enable the people develop their confidence in them. Nana Darko said the people do not know what is "political talk", "adding that time has come for politicians to bite what they can swallow in order not to deceive Ghanaians".     

The tour of Agona West and East formed part of second tour of Dr Nduom in the Central Region within three weeks. Nana Darko cautioned supporters of PPP not to engage in any acts that could spark of violence in the coming election and urged Dr Nduom to revisit the idea of establishment of the workers brigade to increase food production when given the nod.   

Nana Botwe, Swedruhene expressed concern about poor road networks in the Agona West Municipality especially Agona Swedru saying that roads under construction in the town have been abandoned.    

Dr Nduom called on Ghanaians to vote PPP for him to improve economic and social well-being of the people adding that education, water sanitation, health and road construction would be top priorities when given him the nod. The Presidential candidate said job creation would also be one of the cardinal points since many Ghanaians youth especially unemployed graduates to reduce poverty and hardship.

 

                

Source: GNA

PPP is best youth-focused party in Ghana - Coordinator

Mr Devine Nkrumah, National Youth Coordinator of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), has said his Party had the better policies for the youth than all other political parties clamouring to rule Ghana.    

Mr Nkrumah said this when speaking during the inauguration of new executives of the Progressive Youth Movements (PYM) for the Polytechnic, Nurses Training College, School of Hygiene and E.P. University College.      

He said the PYM had come to stay adding that the PPP had the capacity to tackle the massive youth unemployment in the country. He called on the youth to vote the PPP into power to redeem the country from the incapable hands of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).      

Mr Godwin Sadzi, PPP Volta Regional Chairman, appealed to the students at the event to go out to market the ideals of the PPP to others. He said the PPP's 10 point political platform, including providing energy for industrialization and rapid development, better health care and cleaner environment, job creation and the provision of quality education for every Ghanaian child were achievable.     

Mr Sadzi said victory over corruption would release money for national development on all fronts adding that rumours about the PPP going into an alliance for the December polls were preposterous and that the Party would send the elections into a second round and prevail.

 

    

Source: GNA

 

 

Friday, May 18, 2012

Ghana Elections 2012 : Students Must Make All The Difference In Election 2012

STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS (NUGS)  ON 15TH MAY, 2012 ON THE OCCASION OF THE  NATIONAL STUDENTS' DAY


Students across Ghana are marking the National Students Day today, May 15. The National Students Day provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their contribution towards national development, take note of where we have fallen short and strategize on how we can make a difference.

The nation has benefited tremendously from student activism. Notable among these are the various roles of the student movement in the independence and anti-colonial struggles, as well as the post independence struggles against authoritarian regimes and the consequent demands for the nation's return to democratic rule.

As can be seen, students have always been major stakeholders in the quest for change in the country. The 1992 Constitution, the "Akosombo Accord", to the GETFund, and other very important milestones this country has achieved had noteworthy contributions from the students of this country. The various demonstrations to kick against ill IMF policies, astronomical increases in facility user fees and pressures on military regimes to return to democratic rule were all championed by the student front. The history of this country surely cannot be recorded without mentioning the crucial role students have played.

But these are worthy achievements of yesterday. And so we need to ask ourselves what today too can do for tomorrow? And so even as we celebrate the gains made by our predecessors, there are troubling issues today that beckon us to rise up and determine how history will judge us. The ever rising cost of tertiary education coupled with the decline in its quality, lack of infrastructural and logistical support for the growing needs of the student community gives impetus to question the legitimacy of the status quo.

By our continued silence and indifference, we are sowing the seeds of a bitter harvest, one that threatens our efforts at arriving at our educational goals and casts a blur on the certainty of a successful career. With seeming inevitability we are nearing a critical juncture where the demands for getting a decent education in this country cannot be met.

Surely, the relevance of the student community will soon be questioned if we do not change our ways to suit the demands of the times.

As we approach the 2012 General Elections, the role of the student becomes even more crucial. Students are the elite in society; we have the widest intellectual base to assess government policies critically and offer a recommended path where need, we have the capacity to broaden the debate on policy issues, but all we have done is to remain silent while the politicos insult and assault each other – an unfortunate development which is gradually tearing the nation apart. We have moved into a state of unconsciousness, hoping that all the unpleasantness will vanish into thin air when we wake up. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen, it's getting worse by the day – we witnessed snapshots of it during the biometric registration exercise.

One thing however is clear; that we (students) cannot continue to ignore the call by the good people of Ghana to rise up and actively impact policy making in the country. And that is why I find the idea that NUGS should not meddle in the affairs of the governance of this country very reprehensible. Students have played a key role in shaping the direction of policy in the past and will continue to play a key role in that fight now and in the future. NUGS is very optimistic than students can effect political change even in the short term.

And so what is the role of the student in ensuring that the outcome of the 2012 General Election is positive;
Impact Public Policy Positively:
The paramount issue for us as students should not be which party wins an election; it should not matter if power shifts from one party to the other. Our major concern should be how policy will be formulated, and what impact it will have on us. As students our key role here should be to shape government policy. We have to contribute to public discussions, publish articles, undertake campaigns to support positive policies and kick against ill ones.

Abstain from Violence and Destructive Tendencies:
The catastrophic proportions of casualties inflicted on the African continent have been perpetrated by politicians, using the students (particularly tertiary students) as a conduit. The case where students are used as pawns in the hands of politicians should be at thing of the past. What we need to be doing as students is, harnessing and investing our energies into productive ventures.

Abstaining from extreme partisan politics
We need to at all times commit ourselves to democratic principles and ideals such as those against corruption, poverty, hunger, tribalism and illiteracy. The advent of TEIN and TESCON has polarized the activities of students on campus. We need to eschew the tendency of becoming extremely partisan. Don't get me wrong, TEIN and TESCON are healthy for the good of our democracy provided they do not avail themselves as vehicles for political vendetta. At that point individual reasoning ceases and group-think sets in. The advice is that we do not lose our individuality in the crowd.

•Devoting much time for academic excellence and flee from the exigency for money
Our generation is one that loves materialism. However placing the cart before the horse is dangerous phenomenon. The best we can do for Mother Ghana is to avail ourselves for the pursuit of academic excellence. We live in the age of the paper and pen, and only the prepared mind will prevail. We must learn to make the most out of the present, for the future awaits the student who can match his/her competencies to the opportunities in the corporate world.

CONCLUSION
Let us not forget that those who took to the streets yesterday with many participants being brutally beaten and maimed by the law enforcement agencies were not protesting on their own behalf: they were not the ones who would have faced the brunt of the policies they fought so fiercely against – they fought for the next generation.

Today must serve as a clarion call to all students to wake up and take responsibility for the peace of this country especially during the upcoming elections. We must learn to condemn all destructive political activities, irrespective of which party perpetuates it. We must be the ones who separate the "wheat from the chaff" and the "propaganda from the truth". Above and beyond what is convenient for this generation of students, there is a moral obligation to confront all vile activities head-on, to stand for the truth even if the heavens will fall and have the courage to call sin by its right name.

God bless us all.

Peter Kwasi Kodjie
(President-NUGS)


Courage Kwasi Nobi
(General Secretary-NUGS)



Ghana Elections 2012 Daily News Review - 18th May, 2012

Today's newspaper review opens with a call on an extension of the biometric registration exercise by CODEO. Daily Guide reports that the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to extend the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise. The paper uses the headline Extend biometric registration – CODEO, in reporting that the organization said high incidence of equipment break-down and suspension of registration in some areas justified an extension of the exercise in those areas. The Chronicle also captures this in the headline Lapses in voter registration justify extension – CODEO, adding that the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has stated that the many challenges that beset the just-ended Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise could affect the integrity of the final register.

Away from the biometric registration investigations conducted by The Heritage have reveal that the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the body mandated with the civic responsibility of educating the populace, was side-stepped by the  Electoral Commission (EC) in series of voter education conducted in the 230 districts across the country during the recent Biometric Registration Exercise. The funds allocated for voter education by the EC was rather used to engaged and train and pay over 6,000 voter educators, a job which could have been easily executed by the NCCE. The paper reports this under the caption Electoral Commission dumped NCCE.

We move onto news from the political scene and the Ghanaian Times inform readers under the banner NDC does not deserve a second term-Anthony Karbo saying that Mr. Anthony Karbo, National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on the youth to throw out the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of power in the December polls. He said considering the performance of the NDC government since it assumed office three and half years ago, the nation would be in serious crises if the NDC retained in power.

Another report from the same paper reveals that Mr. Kofi Akpaloo, founder and flag -bearer of the Independent People's Party (IPP) on Wednesday, said his bid to be President of Ghana was not a mere sensational move, but was fired by a strong desire to solve the country's problems. The paper quotes him as saying "my bid for Presidency is no melodrama"; he said the IPP had cogent plans for all spheres of nation building to take the growth of the country, now sluggish, into a sprint.

The Daily Graphic similarly reports that IPP to create thrifty economy. The founder, leader and presidential  aspirant  of the Independent  People's  Party (IPP), Mr. Kofi Apaloo, has  promised Ghanaians  that  his party will create that money  is put  in the  pocket of citizens through  credit  facilities and social benefits. He said  as president for 2012, he  had pledged GH₵20 child  benefit  per month GH₵50 unemployment  benefit per  month  minimum wage  of GH₵1  per  hour  and a start –up  package  for at least 1,000 companies every year.

Still on political parties,we are told by the same paper that Nduom woos  fishermen, fishmongers. The  flag-bearer of the Progressive People's Party, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom,  has called on fishermen  and fisher mongers to pledge their  votes  to the PPP  which  is capable of delivering to their  satisfaction, as well as meet  the general well being of Ghanaians. He said the PPP was capable   of implementing good policies to provide increased supply of premix, good sanitation, health road infrastructure and jobs for the coastal dwellers.

Again, the next New Patriotic Party administration will introduce  a development  fund  for the Zongos and other  deprived  communities  in urban  Ghana to confront  the socioeconomic challenges  which  the inhabitants face, the 2012 Presidential  Candidate of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has promised. Under the headline Akufo-Addo to introduce Zongo dev't Fund, the Daily Guide adds that the fund, he called  the inner-city Development Fund, this  critical  social  policy  for urban  regeneration forms  part of the NPP manifesto  commitments , as well as efforts to build  a society of opportunities in Ghana , he hinted.

In other developments, the Daily Guide informs us that thousands of New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters in the Ashanti region will today, Friday, 18 May 2012 thronged the Kumasi Polytechnic campus to catch a glimpse of the party's flag-bearer Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo. The NPP presidential candidate is expected to take part in the programme of the Ashanti Regional youth wing of the party which would be attended by other NPP bigwigs across the country.

Nana Addo advises NPP members against voting 'skirt and blouse' how the new Statesman reports that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party and his running mate, Mahamudu Bawumia, received tremendous reception when they visited the Kade constituency of the Eastern Region on Tuesday. They were in the area for what party officials described as "restoration of hope". The duo met the Kade Zongo community and later addressed a large gathering at the Kade durbar grounds. They also addressed cheering crowds at Pramkese, Akyem Techiman, Asuom, Abaam and Abodom.

In the New Weekend Crusading Guide, we are informed that visually impaired want manifestos in Braille and adds that visually impaired persons in the Central Region have kick-started a campaign to promote peace ahead of the December general elections. The campaign dubbed "The Disable Peace Train" will carry-out vigorous advocacy on the need for peace throughout the region and some parts of the country.

The paper further updates us on the speech made by the Ex-President saying Fresh attacks on Rawlings The simmering verbal attacks on Ex-President Rawlings by some young members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, for his constant criticism and name calling of the ruling NDC government has been rekindled by the Nii Lanteys', Alfred Agbenyos' and the Ablakwas' of the party who appeared to be infuriated by Mr. Rawlings' recent statement at the 30th anniversary of the 31st December Women's Movement in which he referred to some NDC members as traitors. Ex-President Rawlings in his speech at the function also accused the NDC government of monetizing the political space which according to him had further eroded the principles of integrity and accountability upon which virtues the party won their elections.

Other news from the paper indicates that the Ameer and Missionary In-Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, Dr. Malvi Abdul Wahab Bin Adam has expressed optimism that despite the violence that characterized pockets of constituencies during the biometric voter registration exercise, this year's presidential and parliamentary elections will be peaceful. Dr. Maulvi Wahab made the statement at the 50th Upper West Regional conference of the mission in Wa. The paper quotes him as saying 2012 elections will be peaceful.

The Daily Guide adds that the Director of the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Sunyani, Rev. Fr. George Kyeremeh has deplored the disrespect some people continue to show to those in authority, especially the Presidency. According to him, "After elections whosoever is declared the winner by the Electoral Commission (EC) becomes the father of the nation and must be respected by all as the first gentleman of the land. The Paper reports under the headline Respect those in authority.

Apostle Opoku Onyinah, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, has advised Ghanaians to have confidence in the Electoral Commission (EC), which has supervised five elections in the Fourth Republic. Speaking at the opening of the church's 13 extraordinary general council meeting at the Pentecost University College in Accra, the chairman said, "The EC has proved itself to be capable of organizing elections and Ghanaians trust that they can deliver". The Daily Guide quotes him as saying "The Electoral Commission has performed creditably in all past elections and we appeal to them to be more vigilant in the discharge of their constitutional mandate. They should build upon the good reputation they have built for themselves over the years."

Still in the same paper we are told that Gabby goes to town on Mills. The Executive Director of the Danquah Institute has stated that the local economy has been managed by President John Evans Atta Mills and how the high ground of visionary and component economic management can be seized again. In a statement, Gabby Otchere-Darko said "Let no one attempt to fool you. Don't be distracted by frustrations of the Rawlingses; nor talk about electoral violence. Don't be tricked by any attempt to revive the debased debate on drugs, God-fearism, morality, arrogance, character. While these topics make the election 'exciting', since none of the main candidates is all stranger to us, we should protect the political space from being hijacked by the apostles of diversionism.

Finally in today's review, the Ghanaian Observer reveals that Independent Parliamentary Candidate Registers 2000 for Skill Summit. An independent parliamentary candidate for Suame Constituency in the Ashanti Region. Mr. Hayford Osei Bempa has registered 2000 school drop outs within the constituency to participate in a skill acquisition summit as part of strategies to convince the electorate in the constituency to vote for him to represent them in parliament. The skill acquisition summit, which is being sponsored by Mr. Osei Bempa will take place at Bremeng Pentecost and afford participants the opportunity to receive training on how to prepare liquid soap, bathing soap, balm, tie, and dye, rashes cream, and many more skilled training at no cost.

This daily news review is compiled by African Elections Project (AEP) Media Monitoring Centre, Accra, Ghana.

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