The Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Hon. George Mireku Duker has
acknowledged the good works of President Nana Akufo-Addo and pointed
out that he would fulfil most of the promises he made to Ghanaians.
The
NPP legislator noted on ATV’s Asem Yi Di Ka show that the President had
put in place measures to implement projects which were contained in
their manifesto and ensure that every region had it fair share of the
national cake.
“The first hundred days of President Nana Akufo
Addo led government has been unprecedented, this government has been the
best of all in the history of Ghana…we will try all our best to serve
Ghana since our president has rubbished some wrongful acts which went on
during the previous administration”.
He continued that “I will
plead with all politicians to help the president serve the nation with
loyalty; this is a president who started work on the first day in office
so this is even a credit to the NPP government”.
He encouraged Ghanaians to have patience and see what the Nana Addo led administration is capable of doing.
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
My Criticisms Of Prez Mahama Were Alarm Bells Of Our Defeat - Bagbin
Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford
Bagbin, says his criticisms of the style of leadership of former
President John Dramani Mahama were not in bad faith but just in a quest
to drum home something that was amiss with the party.
He said though some elements within the party disagreed with the manner in which it was done, he meant no harm but just issuing early warning signs of a looming danger that could befall the party if nothing was done.
The Nadwoli-Kaleo lawmaker who is one of the longest serving Members of Parliament (MPs) described the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC’s) defeat at shocking indicating that he only anticipated that some of his colleagues were not going to return to the chamber but not that of the presidency.
“For the president losing yes it was shocking. What we saw and the experience in the 2016 election, there was no way a prophet could have convinced anybody President John Dramani Mahama was going to lose the elections. You realized that my speeches at that time were focused on the Members of Parliament because I realized we were going to lose our numbers but not to this extent…to me it was a shock”, he disclosed.
“What I did was to give early warning signs, ring the alarm bells that something was going wrong. In spite of our intellectual wealth, we still needed cool heads, Knowledge and experience that was lacking in the leadership of the party but some people understood me wrongly, a few things one were done on my outcry but that was not enough”, he added.
According to him, his earlier concerns were meant to avert what befell the party at the polls saying “That is why I came out early enough but some people misunderstood me. The blame game is expected, but we are trying to reorganize and I can assure you we will bounce back in 2020.”
He said though some elements within the party disagreed with the manner in which it was done, he meant no harm but just issuing early warning signs of a looming danger that could befall the party if nothing was done.
The Nadwoli-Kaleo lawmaker who is one of the longest serving Members of Parliament (MPs) described the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC’s) defeat at shocking indicating that he only anticipated that some of his colleagues were not going to return to the chamber but not that of the presidency.
“For the president losing yes it was shocking. What we saw and the experience in the 2016 election, there was no way a prophet could have convinced anybody President John Dramani Mahama was going to lose the elections. You realized that my speeches at that time were focused on the Members of Parliament because I realized we were going to lose our numbers but not to this extent…to me it was a shock”, he disclosed.
“What I did was to give early warning signs, ring the alarm bells that something was going wrong. In spite of our intellectual wealth, we still needed cool heads, Knowledge and experience that was lacking in the leadership of the party but some people understood me wrongly, a few things one were done on my outcry but that was not enough”, he added.
According to him, his earlier concerns were meant to avert what befell the party at the polls saying “That is why I came out early enough but some people misunderstood me. The blame game is expected, but we are trying to reorganize and I can assure you we will bounce back in 2020.”
“Don’t Impose Your Nominee On Us” NPP Elders Warn Bawku Chairman
Party Elders and Opinion Leaders of the New Patriotic Party in the Bawku
Central Constituency in the Upper East Region, have sent a strong
caution to the Constituency Chairman, Yussif Salifu to desist from any
attempt to impose a nominee of his choice, as the Municipal Chief
Executive.
According to the Party Elders, they have received some information that suggest that, there is a delibrate manipulation by some members of the Party in the Constituency, in favour of one of the three persons vying for the position of the Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, in the person of Ustarz Umar.
The Party Elders accused their Constituency Chairman, Yussif Salifu of taking a selfish decision to get Ustarz Umar to become the Municipal Chief Executive for reasons best known to him, adding that, the Constituency Chairman has suddenly got the courage to sideline the Party Elders and disrespect other important stakeholders in the selection of a Nominee for the MCE Position because, he is resting on the shoulders of Alhaji Sule Yirimea, a member of the Council of State, a respected member of the NPP and hails from the Bawku Central Constituency.
The angry looking Party Elders and Opinion Leaders with the support of the Party Youth, raised these concerns in a four page Statement, signed by 18 Party Elders at a Press Conference in Bawku.
In their view, the announment of Ustarz Umar as the MCE Nominee for Bawku, without any broad consultation of Party Elders and other important stakeholders, is a direct insult to them and a departure from the old convention of consulting Party Elders and Opinion Leaders in the Constituency before settling on a nominee for the position of a Municipal Chief Executive for Bawku.
“After having been fortunate to win power, what the rank and file of the Party expected was a broader consultation among stakeholders to determine the direction, in respect of appointments, which unfortunately didn’t happen as has been the case with the previous governments. Also after conducting the final interviews of the candidates for the position of the Municipal Chief executive, information reaching us indicate that there are some manipulations in favour of one particular candidate in the person of Ustarz Umar.
This our firm believe is grounded on a meeting that was held on the April 12, 2017 by the Constituency Chairman, Yussif Salifu with Polling Station Executives and Electoral Area Coordinators, where he said, “In consultation with some Party Elders, the President has nominated one of the candidates as his choice for the position of the MCE” he went further to say, “we have no choice than to accept him”.
According to the Party Elders, the Constituency Chairman has not consulted any Party Elder and therefore issuing a threat at that meeting that, anyone who raises objection or demonstrates against the nominee, will be arrested, is what annoys them and the youth of the Party.
“This we think is uncalled for and should be condemned in no uncertain terms. If this “unilateral” position of the Chairman, on the decision of who becomes the Municipal Chief Executive, is allowed to stand,then the Party stands to see many divisions and unpatchable cracks.”
The Party Elders have called on President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Regional and National Executives of the NPP, to ignore the unilateral and self-seeking decision by Chairman Yussif Salifu in the best interest of the Party and also preventing any disturbance in the area over the nominee.
They claim Ustarz Umar’s loyalty has always been in doubt and that is the reason why he stood far away from the NPP during the campaigns in Bawku.
According to the Party Elders, they have received some information that suggest that, there is a delibrate manipulation by some members of the Party in the Constituency, in favour of one of the three persons vying for the position of the Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, in the person of Ustarz Umar.
The Party Elders accused their Constituency Chairman, Yussif Salifu of taking a selfish decision to get Ustarz Umar to become the Municipal Chief Executive for reasons best known to him, adding that, the Constituency Chairman has suddenly got the courage to sideline the Party Elders and disrespect other important stakeholders in the selection of a Nominee for the MCE Position because, he is resting on the shoulders of Alhaji Sule Yirimea, a member of the Council of State, a respected member of the NPP and hails from the Bawku Central Constituency.
The angry looking Party Elders and Opinion Leaders with the support of the Party Youth, raised these concerns in a four page Statement, signed by 18 Party Elders at a Press Conference in Bawku.
In their view, the announment of Ustarz Umar as the MCE Nominee for Bawku, without any broad consultation of Party Elders and other important stakeholders, is a direct insult to them and a departure from the old convention of consulting Party Elders and Opinion Leaders in the Constituency before settling on a nominee for the position of a Municipal Chief Executive for Bawku.
“After having been fortunate to win power, what the rank and file of the Party expected was a broader consultation among stakeholders to determine the direction, in respect of appointments, which unfortunately didn’t happen as has been the case with the previous governments. Also after conducting the final interviews of the candidates for the position of the Municipal Chief executive, information reaching us indicate that there are some manipulations in favour of one particular candidate in the person of Ustarz Umar.
This our firm believe is grounded on a meeting that was held on the April 12, 2017 by the Constituency Chairman, Yussif Salifu with Polling Station Executives and Electoral Area Coordinators, where he said, “In consultation with some Party Elders, the President has nominated one of the candidates as his choice for the position of the MCE” he went further to say, “we have no choice than to accept him”.
According to the Party Elders, the Constituency Chairman has not consulted any Party Elder and therefore issuing a threat at that meeting that, anyone who raises objection or demonstrates against the nominee, will be arrested, is what annoys them and the youth of the Party.
“This we think is uncalled for and should be condemned in no uncertain terms. If this “unilateral” position of the Chairman, on the decision of who becomes the Municipal Chief Executive, is allowed to stand,then the Party stands to see many divisions and unpatchable cracks.”
The Party Elders have called on President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Regional and National Executives of the NPP, to ignore the unilateral and self-seeking decision by Chairman Yussif Salifu in the best interest of the Party and also preventing any disturbance in the area over the nominee.
They claim Ustarz Umar’s loyalty has always been in doubt and that is the reason why he stood far away from the NPP during the campaigns in Bawku.
Kwesi Pratt, Nana Akomea On Akufo-Addo's 100 Days
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo's government has been in power for a little
over a 100 days. There's been public assessment of government's
performance since its inception.
The government's 100 days have been characterized by several attacks from one of its vigilante group, "Delta Force".
The "Delta Force" attacked the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinating Council and pulled the newly-appointed Security Coordinator from his office for reasons being that they had been shortchanged by government.
The group further stormed the KMA Circuit Court where they vandalized the court properties and set their members who were standing trial in the court free.
Though President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has condemned the attacks as well as Ghanaians, some people believe the ruling New Patriotic Party have not lived up to their promises to the nation.
However, speaking on the Tuesday edition of Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', the Communications Director of the ruling party, Nana Akomea believes the 100 days of the government is "so far, so good".
Assessing the government's achievements within 100 days, Nana Akomea noted that under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo, the Youth Employment Agency is employing over 80,000 people in order to raise revenue for the country and also create more jobs for the youth.
He also reiterated the government's move to abolish taxes on spare parts and flights among others.
According to him, the 100 days of the government have indeed been very good because it has achieved a lot for Ghana to get back on her feet.
“We have restored the allowances of nurses and teachers. We have abolished the 17 and half VAT on bank transactions today. We have reduced taxes on flights by 17.5% for those of our brethren who use aeroplanes – from Accra to Takoradi and Kumasi, to Tamale or Sunyani – so today, when you go to board an aeroplane, you’ll see that the fare has reduced. We’re going to remove taxes on spare parts. We’ve begun negotiations with ECOWAS and once we’ve finished and there’s understanding, we will remove the taxes on spare parts for the price to come down. When you take a look at electricity bill, what you used to pay for national electrification was 5%. We have reduced it to 3% to ease the pressures on people. When you look at your electricity bill, what you used to pay for lighting was 5% but we’ve reduced it to 3%. This will ease people. When you look at petroleum tax, we’ve reduced the 17.5 that government imposed to 15%...” among others, Nana Akomea told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.
But the Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt disagrees.
Also speaking on 'Kokrokoo' in relation to the 100-day assessment, Kwesi Pratt would not give the government a pat on the back because it has failed to deliver on some of its promises to Ghanaians.
Mr. Pratt wondered why transport fares have shot up under Nana Addo's administration when he promised to alleviate the sufferings of Ghanaians.
He couldn't also understand why the government would reduce taxes on flights meanwhile transport fares were recently increased.
Mr. Pratt further questioned the President for apparently failing to enforce his directives to his appointees not to buy new vehicles when according to him, some Ministers have purchased new vehicles after stepping into office.
He also disclosed that per the arrangements by the government, the Volta River Authority (VRA) was going to be sold into private hands though this revelation was countered by the NPP Communications Director, Nana Akomea.
Also touching on the President's 100 days, the Deputy Communications Director of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Fred Agbenyo pointed to some issues that have marred the 100 days of the government.
According to him, the government has not restored allowances to nurses, contrary to claims by the NPP.
Fred Agbenyo also recounted the attacks by the Delta Force and Invincible Force, both pro-NPP vigilante groups, and feared for the future of the country.
“Now, the country has reached a point where the Police can’t even safeguard themselves because their leaders are being beaten. The country has reached a point where national security leaders are being beaten. We pounce on court and assault the court. And if these State institutions or three institutions which have authority to protect us cannot protect themselves, then we, the NDC, are like carpet. They do what they like to us.”
The government's 100 days have been characterized by several attacks from one of its vigilante group, "Delta Force".
The "Delta Force" attacked the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinating Council and pulled the newly-appointed Security Coordinator from his office for reasons being that they had been shortchanged by government.
The group further stormed the KMA Circuit Court where they vandalized the court properties and set their members who were standing trial in the court free.
Though President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has condemned the attacks as well as Ghanaians, some people believe the ruling New Patriotic Party have not lived up to their promises to the nation.
However, speaking on the Tuesday edition of Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', the Communications Director of the ruling party, Nana Akomea believes the 100 days of the government is "so far, so good".
Assessing the government's achievements within 100 days, Nana Akomea noted that under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo, the Youth Employment Agency is employing over 80,000 people in order to raise revenue for the country and also create more jobs for the youth.
He also reiterated the government's move to abolish taxes on spare parts and flights among others.
According to him, the 100 days of the government have indeed been very good because it has achieved a lot for Ghana to get back on her feet.
“We have restored the allowances of nurses and teachers. We have abolished the 17 and half VAT on bank transactions today. We have reduced taxes on flights by 17.5% for those of our brethren who use aeroplanes – from Accra to Takoradi and Kumasi, to Tamale or Sunyani – so today, when you go to board an aeroplane, you’ll see that the fare has reduced. We’re going to remove taxes on spare parts. We’ve begun negotiations with ECOWAS and once we’ve finished and there’s understanding, we will remove the taxes on spare parts for the price to come down. When you take a look at electricity bill, what you used to pay for national electrification was 5%. We have reduced it to 3% to ease the pressures on people. When you look at your electricity bill, what you used to pay for lighting was 5% but we’ve reduced it to 3%. This will ease people. When you look at petroleum tax, we’ve reduced the 17.5 that government imposed to 15%...” among others, Nana Akomea told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.
But the Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt disagrees.
Also speaking on 'Kokrokoo' in relation to the 100-day assessment, Kwesi Pratt would not give the government a pat on the back because it has failed to deliver on some of its promises to Ghanaians.
Mr. Pratt wondered why transport fares have shot up under Nana Addo's administration when he promised to alleviate the sufferings of Ghanaians.
He couldn't also understand why the government would reduce taxes on flights meanwhile transport fares were recently increased.
Mr. Pratt further questioned the President for apparently failing to enforce his directives to his appointees not to buy new vehicles when according to him, some Ministers have purchased new vehicles after stepping into office.
He also disclosed that per the arrangements by the government, the Volta River Authority (VRA) was going to be sold into private hands though this revelation was countered by the NPP Communications Director, Nana Akomea.
Also touching on the President's 100 days, the Deputy Communications Director of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Fred Agbenyo pointed to some issues that have marred the 100 days of the government.
According to him, the government has not restored allowances to nurses, contrary to claims by the NPP.
Fred Agbenyo also recounted the attacks by the Delta Force and Invincible Force, both pro-NPP vigilante groups, and feared for the future of the country.
“Now, the country has reached a point where the Police can’t even safeguard themselves because their leaders are being beaten. The country has reached a point where national security leaders are being beaten. We pounce on court and assault the court. And if these State institutions or three institutions which have authority to protect us cannot protect themselves, then we, the NDC, are like carpet. They do what they like to us.”
Wednesday, 5 April 2017
Ablakwa Justifies Minority Boycott Of Vetting
Members of the Minority on Parliament’s Appointment Committee say they
were forced to boycott today’s vetting over the Majority’s decision to
“surprise” them by holding the vetting in spite of an agreement to go on
break today [Wednesday], ahead of Easter.The Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who spoke to Citi News‘ Duke Mensah-Opoku, said the majority was rushing the vetting process, and that is not helping the minority side to carry out its work diligently.
“Our leader, the Minority leader [Haruna Iddrisu] expressed concern that what has been agreed at the Business Committee meeting and at the Appointments Committee meeting was that, we take a break and we will return in May to continue with the vetting of the remaining Deputy Minister nominees.”
“What has happened is that, the Majority has sought to take us by surprise. Remember that we had expressed concern about the way we were being treated… We were not being supported to carry out diligent work. CVs will come a night to the day and some of them will come on the day. Everything is being rushed,” he said.
Parliament is expected to go on recess by Friday, April 7, however the Appointments Committee may continue vetting the remaining 50 deputy ministerial nominees named by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
While reading Parliament’s business statement in Parliament last Friday, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, noted that the House was to rise on Friday prior to the Easter celebrations, but the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu strongly rejected the move.
Haruna Iddrisu argued that, the recess should begin today [Wednesday], adding that the Appointments Committee could submit its report of the deputy ministers it had screened within the period for Parliament’s approval, but the Majority Leader disagreed.
“If you check the publication that went out, the group that is being vetted this week, they were supposed to be vetted in May so why the rush?” Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa quizzed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)