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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