We begin the day's review with news from both the Daily Graphic and the New statesman that indicate that EC will demystify "strong Room"- Afari Gyan-The Electoral Commission (EC) is taking steps to demystify its "Operations Room" also known as the "Strong Room", Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Chairman of the Commission, has said. This he said was to correct wrong impressions about what goes on in the room and deepen the understanding and strength of the country's electoral system.
In a related development we are told EC officials assured of allowances-A member of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr. Ebenezer Aggrey-Fynn, has given the assurance that those who were engaged to undertake the recent biometric voters' registration exercise would soon receive their allowances. He described the delay in the payment of the allowances as very unfortunate, saying however that, it had been difficult getting funds from the Ministry of Finance but said , everything was now ready for them to be paid.
News from the Chronicle indicates that Wulensi bye-election in limbo. The electoral commission is in fix. Last week, the commission officially announced that it would organise a bye-election in the Wulensi constituency in the Northern Region on Tuesday ,July 31 2012,to fill the vacancy created by the death of the Member of Parliament (MP)Alhaji Saani Iddi ,who died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra on June 4,2012.a statement by Mr.Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka ,Deputy Chairman of the commission ,in charge of operations ,said EC would accept nominations from all political parties and independent candidates wishing to contest the seat on Tuesday, July 3 and Wednesday July 4,2012.
More news from the same paper reveals that NRSC sets road safety code for political parties. The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has put together a road safety code for political parties, ahead of the 2012 elections, to forestall avoidable accidents during electioneering campaigns and other activities. Available statistics show that 11,500 road traffic crashes occur annually in Ghana, resulting in 14,500 injuries, of which 5,600 are serious and 1,900fatalities (lives lost).
Daily Dispatch similarly reports that the Executive Director of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), Mr. Nobel Appiah has admonished the Public not to blame accidents on spiritual powers but rather make efforts to prevent them.' 'The vehicles –irrespective of whether they belong to individuals, parties –must be roadworthy and bear roadworthy certificate '' he added. Ensure A Peaceful And Crash Free Election –NRSC.
From the political parties, Daily Guide reveals that Akufo-Addo Mourns Wulensi MP. The 2012 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo Addo, has resumed his nationwide 'tour to restore hope' after a successful working trip outside the country. On Sunday, the NPP flag bearer joined hundreds of mourners and sympathizers for the final funeral rites of the late Alhaji Saani Iddi former Member of Parliament for Wulensi.
Bawumia causes stampede at Madina Mosque .There was near stampede at the Madina Zongo Central Mosque, where the Vice Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) observed his Friday prayers. The unannounced visit got men, women and children jostling to catch a glimpse of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Still from the Daily Guide, readers are informed that NDC holds workshop for MPs. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Has Intensified Efforts Aimed at Retaining Power In the 2012 General Elections slated for December 7. On Saturday the party organized a workshop at the Institute of Local Government for its members of Parliament, parliamentary candidates, constituency chairmen and secretaries from the southern belt of Ghana. Also in attendance were chief Executives from Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
NPP Suspends Chairman. The Upper East Regional Executives of the New Patriotic Party have suspended the Pusiga constituency chairman of the party ,Seidu Mahamadu,for his alleged involvement in a grand scheme to get some NPP members and functionaries to covertly campaign for the Parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) for Pusiga ,Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba.
In other developments from the same paper, it indicates that Aflao Residents Angry with Gov't. The youth and people of ketu South District, particularly Aflao, have advised the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) that they would 'rebel' against the party should they be excluded from the current re-demarcation exercise in the country. Ina statement issued last Friday and signed by some concerned citizens ,the youth and people of Ketu South expressed dissatisfaction with the exclusion of Ketu South District in the creation of the four new constituencies, including Nchumuru ,Adaklu,kpando and another in the Akatsi District.
Daily Graphic brings to our notice that the flag bearer of the People's National Convention (PNC), Mr. Hassan Ayariga has taken a swipe at some members of the party's executive for fronting for other political parties. Under the caption Stop fronting for other parties .Such posturing he said, was responsible for their lackadaisical attitude to the growth of the party, a situation which had undermined any effort by the PNC to make an impact on the political scene over the years.
The paper further reveals that PPP eyes Wulensi seat-The Progressive People's Party(PPP)will launch its Northen Regional sector campaign for elections 2012 at Wulensi on July 2, 2012.The party will also use the launch to introduce its parliamentary candidate for the Wulensi Constituency, in the person of Mr. Damba Issah.
The New Statesman reveals that NDC doles out $18m.In what may come to many Ghanaian as a shocking revelation, the Mills-Mahama led National Democratic Congress administration has disregard the terms of a contract to dole out a whopping $18m to one Dr. Deraz Said, an Egyptian investor, in return for only four ambulances for the nation. The Government of Ghana entered into a contract with Dr. Deraz's investment company , Euro Get De Investment SA , for the construction of two Regional Hospitals in Wa and Kumasi and additional six District Hospitals at Twifo –Praso in the Central Region; in the Central Region ; Konongo-Odumasi and Tepa Ashanti; Nsawkaw, Brong Ahafo ; Salaga, Northern and Adenta –Madina in the Greater Accra Region.
Further report indicates that the next New Patriotic Party government , under the presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, plans to review the condition of service of the military, including possible upward review of the retirement age which currently stands at 50.The NPP Government will also put in place a unit to engage them , especially those nearing retirement" in appropriate pre-retirement planning to enable them avoid some of the difficulties often associated with post-retirement live.
Meanwhile, we are informed by the paper that Akufo –Addo resumes Hope Tour-The 2012 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo –Addo has resumed his nationwide 'tour to restore hope' after a successful working trip outside the country. On Sunday, the NPP leader joined hundreds of mourners and sympathizers for the final funeral rite of the late Alhaji Saani Iddi, former MP for Wulensi.
NPP rubbishes claim of preparation for Akufo-Addo's inauguration. The New Patriotic Party has rubbished a publication by the Herald Newspaper claiming that the party has begun sending out invitations, via Face book, to people to attend "The Swearing in the Ceremony of H.E Nana Addo Danquah (sic )Akufo –Addo.''A release signed by Perry Okudzeto, a deputy communication director of the NPP, described the publication as a clear "concoction intended to create disaffection for the party and its Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, by a newspaper, which over the years has been remarkable for its absolute creativity and total disregard for the truth.''
Still from the new Statesman, readers are informed that Kwabre West NPP shocked by MP's death-The executives of the Kwabre West Constituency of the New Patriotic Party have expressed deep shock and consternation over the sudden death of the Member of Parliament for the area, Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu Ansah.A statement signed by Odeneho Kwaku Appiah the Constituency Chairman said the entire party had received the news with much pain and disbelief.
The Chronicle and the New statesman both report under the headline ''Zongo'' Fund will address basic needs of Zongos .The 2012 vice presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party ,Dr.Mahamadu Bawumia ,has said that the proposed inner city development fund ,under Nana Akufo Addo administration ,is purposely aimed at addressing the basic needs of the various zongo communities ,as well as other inner city communities across the country. Dr.Bawumia said the Madina Mosque when he joined fellow Muslims for Jummah Prayers last Friday.
The Daily Graphic similarly adds that 'Zongo 'Fund to address needs of Zongo Communities-Dr. Bawumia-The 2012 Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said that the proposed Inner City Development Fund under a Nana Akufo –Addo administration, is aimed at addressing the basic needs of various zongo communities as well as other inner city communities across the country. Dr. Bawumia said this at the Madina mosque when he joined fellow Muslims for Friday Jummah Prayers, a statement from the press office of the running mate stated.
Zongo Caucus of NDC roots for Mills-The Zongo Caucus of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Central Region has declared their unflinching support for President John Evans Atta Mills in his second term bid. They assured the President that they would do everything within means to make him win the upcoming elections.
Away from that, we move onto peace talk ahead of the December polls and the Chronicle reports that Abu Sakara preaches peace in Hohoe. The flag bearer of the Convention People's Party (CPP)Dr.Abu Sakara has appealed to Feuding factions in the Hohoe communal crises ,which claimed three lives recently to bury their differences and give peace a chance to ensure speedy development of the area. According to him ,peace is a prerequisite for all developments, and that is only when there is peace that members of the community would be able to go about their normal duties without fear or intimidations which can ultimately translate into gains for them.
The New Statesman also indicates that Bawumia calls for peaceful elections-The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Mahamudu Bawumia, has asked Ghanaians to continuously pray and work toward unity and peace before , during and after this year's elections.Dr. Bawumia made this call when he joined fellow Muslim in Madina, Accra for Friday Jummah prayers.
From the Daily Dispatch, Ghanaians, especially the youth have been urged to resist inducement by Politicians and political parties to engage in violence and other negative acts to advance the cause of the parties at the expense of their own lives and social peace. The Kumasi Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Coordinator ,Reverend Father Louis Cecilia Adu poku made the call in an interview during a peace walk organized by the Archdiocesan Youth Council in Kumasi.
Use polls to prove Ghana is peaceful –Addai –Poku-The Daily Graphic brings to our notice that the President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Mr. Christian Addai –Poku, has called on Ghanaian to use this year's elections to prove to the rest of the world that the country is the most peaceful destination for investment in Africa.
We bring the review to an end with Daily Graphic and it indicates under the banner headline Northern youth appeals to NPC. The Northern Youth for Peace and Development (NYUPED) has appealed to the National Peace Council to let go any selfish and partisan interest and give approval to the NYUPED and Queen mother's Foundation to implement their planned peace project; an intervention for sustainable peace in the three northern regions. The project when implemented would provide an effective intervention to achieve sustainable peace in the volatile flash points of conflict in the volcanic areas for serious conflict and violence during and after the 2012 December elections.
This daily news review is compiled by African Elections Project (AEP) Media Monitoring Centre, Accra, Ghana.
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