Don’t trade insults and threats in 2012 elections - Moderator

The Former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, The Very Reverend Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso has exhorted political leaders and their supporters to stop trading insults and threats before, during and after the December elections to ensure peace in the country. "We expect our politicians to debate on issues that affect the development of our nation and the improvement of the welfare of our people, particularly the poor, weak and vulnerable in society". Very Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso stated this at the launching of the fifth Anniversary Celebration of the Presbyterian Relief Services and Development (PRS/D), a Non Governmental Organization, which is also a wing of the Church in Accra.   He said political leaders and those vying for positions of leadership must tell the people how they would equitably distribute resources instead of attacking personalities. Very Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso said the churches would continue to pray for peace and good leadership for the nation and also proclaim the love of God expressed in Jesus Christ for all disadvantaged and devastated people. The Moderator said the church will use both prophetic and advocacy roles to help government to elevate societies from hopelessness to progress and an enhanced  welfare.  Very Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso said that a lot of communities were without the basic needs while majority of them were living in unhealthy environmental conditions. He therefore urged politicians to help such people to come out from such predicaments for them live in good condition of lives. Mr. Antwi-Bonsiako Sekyere, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare in a speech read for him, commended the Presbyterian Church of Ghana for the services it was rendering to disaster victims and mankind as a whole.      He urged Christians to be extra careful when discussing politics as the country prepared towards the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Mr. Antwi-Bonsiako Sekyere advised Christians, especially pastors and the leadership, to use their pulpits to preach peace and tranquility.

GNA

 

President Mahama calls on political actors help reshape the political discourse

President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday appealed to all political actors to use the death of President John Evans Atta Mills to effectively reshape Ghanaian politics and alter its tone forever. "I believe there is space in the political arena to compete for political leadership in an atmosphere of decency and dignity, it is said politics is a dirty game, I daresay, it is us politicians who make it so," he added.  President Mahama made the appeal in a 15-minute maiden broadcast to the nation after his assumption to the highest position of the land on July 24, due to the death of President Mills. In addition to thanking all Ghanaians for their tremendous contributions before, during and after the burial of the late President Mills, he used the occasion to call for national unity that would propel national growth and development. President Mahama called on all politicians to tap all the rich and diverse talent and resources available to spur accelerated development and growth adding "although, together we have made great strides as a country over the past two decades, I am very much aware that, there are places within this country, where our people lack access to productive economic, health and social infrastructure".  He gave the assurance that his administration would continue with all the good projects that the late President had initiated adding that "the best tribute we can pay the memory of our departed President will be to continue to keep the flame of peace burning". President Mahama urged all Ghanaians to take ownership of the country by limiting the voices of pessimism that had the tendency of undermining national development and unity.  "Our growing democracy deserves more from us than that. And my fellow citizens, our country, whose independence and stability has been hard-earned, deserves more from us and from its politics than that," President Mahama added. President Mahama said the sterling performance of democratic institutions such as the Judiciary, the Legislature, security services and the media were strong signals that the country had the potential to rule the continent as the beacon and hope of Africa He commended all Ghanaians for the participation in the late President's funeral and congratulated Muslims for their month-long fasting and wished them 'Barka da sallah in advance".

 

GNA

Ghanaians asked to stop politics of insults and acrimony

Political leaders and traditional rulers in the Gomoa East and Agona West, have called on Ghanaians to stop the politics of insults and acrimony especially via radio stations to ensure peaceful elections on December 7^th. 

Making the call at separate interviews with the Ghana News Agency at Agona Swedru and Gomoa Afransi during the funeral of the late President John Atta Mills on Friday, they said the nation needed peace and stability to consolidate its democratic credentials and improve quality living standards for its people.

 At Afransi, Mr Isaac Kingsley Ehunu-Armah, District Chief Executive for Gomoa East said the death of President Mills should be a great lesson for Ghanaians. 

He called on colleague politicians to desist from character assassination that could inflame passion and plunge the nation into chaos.

The late President, Mr Ehunu-Armah said, would forever be remembered for his love for peace, humility and hard work when he was in office.

Mr Ekow Okyere Panyin, MP for Gomoa East, advised people to stop apportioning blames always on their leaders noting that growth and development of the economy was a shared a responsibility.

He called on the people of the Central Region to really behind the country's Vice President Paa Kwesi Ammissah-Arthur to help accomplish his aims and objective to move the nation forward.

 Mr Okyere Panyin asked chiefs in the Central Region to stop politicians, who would use intemperate language at their communities during the electioneering campaign, since that could heighten political tension.

At Agona Swedru, Nana Ogyebea Badu Ehuren, Sanaahene of Swedruman Council of Chiefs also advised political leaders and their supporters to desist from acts that could undermine the development of the country.

He said the Council met on Thursday purposely to mourn with the late President's wife, Dr Ernestina Naadu Mills, President John Dramani Mahama, the government and Mr Samuel Atta Mills, son of the late President Atta Mills.

Nana Ehuren said the Council would forever remember late President Mills for his humility, selfless and hard work that had made Ghana one of the best democratic nations in the West African sub-region.

He asked political leaders to learn from the legacy of late President Mills so that the country could be transformed into a better place.

GNA

Ghanaian students asked to ensure peace in Election 2012

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has called on students in the country to help in the promotion and maintenance of peace in Election 2012.

The Upper East Regional Director of NCCE, Mr Cletus Abang, made the call in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Peter Ayamga, the Civic Education Officer of the Commission, at the third annual congress of the Bolgatanga, Nangodi, Bongo and Tongo Students Union, in Bolgatanga.

He said: "As students you have a crucial duty to partner with other stakeholders to prevent violence in the December polls in order to promote the democratic process".

Mr Abang advised students to organise peace matches, football competitions, and to sensitize the citizenry, particularly the youth on the need to promote peace for national development.

He said Ghana had chalked out democratic and good governance credentials to the admiration of Africa and the rest of the world.   

Mr Abang asked political parties to educate their members on electoral laws to ensure smooth elections in December.

Mr Atubga David Atia, the outgoing President of the Union, said the Union had donated medical equipment to the Bolgatanga Hospital, and organized holiday classes for students in the region.

GNA

EC begins public education on exhibition of voters' register

The Mpohor District and Wassa East District Offices of the Electoral Commission (EC) has set aside this month to educate community based organizations and the general public on the forthcoming exhibition of voters' register.

Mr. Yaw Amoako Gyasi, EC Officer in-charge of the two districts, told the GNA that at least 20 groups would be covered in both districts.

 Mr. Gyasi said the groups include churches, artisan and professional organisations.

He said the education had become necessary because biometric voters' registration is a novelty in the country and it is to educate the public on technical issues of the voters' registration exercise.

Mr Gyasi said the exhibition exercise was to enable people to correct mistakes.

 

GNA

PPP suspends campaign activities in honour of Mills

Mr Kofi Asamoah-Siaw, National Secretary of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), has appealed to all PPP executives at the national, regional and district levels to suspend campaign activities until  the funeral of late President Mills is over.

However, meetings to review plans, organizational efforts and preparations for the 2012 general elections could be held.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, appealed to party executives and members to participate in all activities that would be held to mourn and bury the late President.

The statement also noted that a new outdoor mobile public education system which would be used to educate people on what the party intended to do for Ghanaians would begin at 0600 hours on Monday, 13^th August, 2012 in Accra.

"These innovative PPP Mobile Cinema Vans which would tell our story to the people would intensify their presence in the Central, Western and the Greater Accra Regions", the statement read.

It said the presidential campaigns which would resume on Monday, 13^th August,  2012 would commence in the Central Region.

"We should also be reminded that August is the month designated to encourage and honour the sacrifices and efforts being made by polling station executives", the statement said.

GNA

NPP launches manifesto for Election 2012 on August 25

The Danquah Institute (DI) a political think tank affiliated to the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday said the party is set to launch its Election 2012 manifesto on Saturday, August 25.

The manifesto, which focuses on how to transform Ghana under; "an action-oriented, transformational leader" seeks to also expose the electorate to the failures of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and called for change for hope and confidence to be restored in order to move Ghana forward.

In a statement made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra by Mr. Asare Otchere-Darko, DI Executive Director said the 2012 NPP Manifesto begins with a bold statement: "Ghana is ready for transformation. But, before that can take place we need to, first, change the current drivers of the vehicle... Transformation is beckoning, change is due".

It said the NPP believed that there were talented Ghanaians everywhere who must be encouraged to give active support to Ghana's transformation.

"Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP Flag bearer for Election 2012 is determined to identify and develop new talents and engage our best minds to drive the nation forward.  

"The agenda of transforming Ghana requires a Presidency that will act as the force in driving the public sector to work for the people and encouraging the private sector to go for gold; a Presidency that will provide the vision, direction and inspiration for the people to excel.

 "What the NPP is offering is a leadership that will deliver. We will govern with decisive action plans and timetables, and allocate resources prudently," the statement explained.

On national leadership, the NPP Manifesto said "Ghanaians had been denied of any clear leadership direction under this third NDC Government and the nation could not continue squandering opportunities under the NDC."

The NPP accused the ruling NDC of reducing governance to greed, lies and propaganda gimmicks. The NPP saw the task ahead as two-fold: transformational leadership and competent management of national affairs.

"By tackling our leadership and management weaknesses, we will unleash the talents of the Ghanaian people and build a great nation with the people of Ghana and for the people of Ghana.

 "Our leader and flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo, is competent, committed, experienced, honest and has a clear vision on how to make Ghana work for you. He is a can-do leader, dedicated to pushing Ghana to succeed," the document asserted.

It said the NPP Election 2012 manifesto explained that "A transformed nation means a transformed economy, a transformed infrastructure, a transformed and much improved quality of life…this change," the NPP stressed, "Requires a clear vision, a can-do leader and the roadmap to get there."

 The statement quoting Mr. Yofi Grant, Co-ordinator of the NPP Election 2012 Manifesto Committee, said the manifesto sought to offer the roadmap to implementing Nana Akufo-Addo's vision of having an educated, confident, healthy workforce to drive the industrialisation of Ghana.

Mr. Grant noted that: "What you will see in the manifesto is the clear, action plan of a transformational leader who is committed to really changing things. Nana Akufo-Addo is only saying, 'look guys, we cannot continue failing over 70 per cent of our kids with a failed education system.

"We cannot expect to make our nation modern and improve the lives of our people if we don't add value to our economy, help our businesses grow and our young people to have good jobs with good pay. The good news is that, it is doable and we will do it. This is Nana Akufo- Addo's message to Ghanaians."

The NPP Manifesto Committee is chaired by Professor Yaw Twumasi, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Danquah Institute.

 

GNA