Mahama calls on Rawlings

John Mahama with J.J Rawlings

Former President John Dramani Mahama today called on the founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at his office in Accra.

The two former presidents centred their discussions on the re-organisation of the party, the upcoming regional and national executive elections as well as the presidential primaries for the party.

Mr Mahama stated the need to consult the founder on party issues and commended him for re-energizing the party’s Council of Elders and participating actively in its meetings. He indicated that a re-energised Council of Elders will instil a strong sense of order in the party structure.

On his part President Rawlings expressed the hope that candidates with the ability and capacity would be allowed to evolve from the electoral processes in the party. He stated that he will not be a stumbling block to any candidate in the upcoming elections.

He would have wished that more attention was given to the rebuilding of the party machinery over the prioritization of the party’s presidential primaries at this moment.

Former President Rawlings found the recent utterance by the National Organiser of the party, Kofi Adams to the effect that a presidential candidate aspirant in the person of Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin was out to destroy the party as inaccurate. He posited that the destruction of the party begun especially when the party unduly interfered in the last competitive Presidential Primary elections in Sunyani by the systemic monetization of the process and the postponement of the congress on two occasions ostensibly to favour one candidate over the others.

Mr Rawlings also cautioned against party members issuing statements preventing other presidential aspirants from campaigning in certain locations as happened in the Ashanti Region recently. He condemned a similar situation emanating from the disrespectful comments from Mr Freddie Blay against Togbi Afede XIV and the subsequent rebuttals. He asserted that nobody has the authority to issue such fiats in this country.

He called on the party leaders to help restore the moral stance of the party and be seen condemning utterances which tend to promote undemocratic tendencies in the party.

 The meeting was attended by some past senior appointees of the party including former chiefs of staff Julius Debrah and Prosper Bani, former Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia, Joyce Bawa and Special Aide to former President Mahama. Also in attendance was Ambassador Dan Abodakpi, Edward Bawa, Samson Ahi, Dr Donald Agumenu and Dr Kwesi Djokoto.

 Source: Office of Former President Jerry John Rawlings/GHANAWEB

Don’t allow yourselves to be used by politicians – Presby Moderator tells pastors

Rev Dr Victor Oko Abbey, acting Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana

The acting Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev Dr Victor Oko Abbey has advised pastors and ministers not to allow themselves to be used as pawns by politicians.

He said the church should be able to stand on its own and speak out without fear or favour when things are going wrong and not kowtow to the dictates of politicians.

“Ministers especially pastors, should not allow themselves to be co-opted by the various governments that come into power for them to speak or praise the government

“If there is something going wrong, the church should be the prophet for the nation and speak out against things that are going wrong,” he told Joy News’ Maxwell Kudekor at the sidelines of the 18th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church held at Akropong.

Rev Dr Abbey who spoke on a number of issues during the interview with Maxwell also lamented the poor governance system in the country.

He said, increasingly, people are entering into politics to enrich themselves not to serve the country.

In his view, the times where people sacrificed for the good of the country has passed and that people seem to be more interested in themselves than the overall prosperity of the country.

This he said is worrying, adding that “Ghana is not a poor country…but right now, there are so many people who are thinking about themselves and are not thinking about the nation Ghana so I am not really happy with the governance system.”

Double Track System

Commenting on the double track system government will be introducing in senior high schools, Rev Dr Abbey commended the Akufo-Addo administration for the move.

He, however, wants the government to listen to contributions and criticisms that have come and make moves to address them in order to make the policy a better one.

“For me, it is innovative, but they should listen to the various advice that is coming in so that we do it in such a way that none of the children will be shortchanged or the nation will not suffer.

“They should put their heads together, work at it, consult widely and implement it…but at the moment and under the circumstances, we don’t have any better alternatives. I pray that the government will listen to people for us to do it in such a way that at the end of it none of the children will suffer,” he added.

Bank Mergers

On the recent merger and dissolution of some indigenous banks by the Bank of Ghana and the alleged involvement of some clergymen, Rev Dr Abbey tasked leadership of the country to apply the laws devoid of discrimination.

He says anyone who in disregard of the law did not execute their mandate as expected by law must not be spared.

“Nobody should be given any preferential treatment. If you have done the wrong thing, you should be dealt with by the law.

“But going forward, all the institutions that have to make sure that the right things are done should make sure they are done. Those in charge who are not doing their jobs should be dealt with by the law,” he added.
 Source: Myjoyonline.com

67-year-old man killed over suspected land dispute

A sixty-seven-year-old man, Kofi Minta, has been murdered at Nyerede Agavenya a suburb of the New Juaben Municipality of the Eastern Region allegedly over a land dispute judgement expected to be delivered next week.

The decomposed body of the deceased believed to have been killed two weeks ago having gone missing was found Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in a bush distance away from his Nyerede village.

The deceased is believed to have been strangled to death by his assailants before dumping his body in the bush.

The decomposing body has been conveyed to the Morgue by the Police. The incident has thrown the entire community into a state of shock.

Daughter of the deceased Dora Ama Addobea tells Kasapa News' Eastern Regional Correspondent Kojo Ansah who visited the scene that, the family suspects foul play, therefore, calling on Inspector General of Police to ensure that the matter is properly investigated to ensure that the culprits are prosecuted.
 Source: kasapafmonline.com

Mahama 'boys' blew government loans on Dubai, UK, USA homes – Ken Agyapong

Kennedy Agyapong is MP for Assin Central

Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has accused members of the erstwhile Mahama government of using government loans to acquire houses abroad when they were in office.

According to him, some of these officials bought houses in South Africa, United Kingdom, Dubai and the United States of America.

His comment comes on the back of the Minority’s objection to an agreement between the Akufo-Addo government and Chinese company, Sinohydro Corporation, for a $2billion facility in exchange for Ghana’s bauxite in the Atewa forest.

The Minority have strongly criticised government over the agreement, which is expected to provide $2 billion worth of infrastructure including roads, bridges, interchanges, hospitals, houses, rural electrification, among others, in exchange for Ghana’s bauxite.

Speaking on NET 2 TV on Wednesday, 22 August 2018, Mr Agyapong said unlike the NDC, officials of the NPP government will not use the $2 billion for their personal benefit.

The lawmaker said: “What about all the monies they [NDC] took? Because they did not use it well, they think President Akufo-Addo and NPP will do same. It’s a disgrace for politicians to even go and make such frivolous statements, it will not help them… The previous loans they took, they shared it amongst themselves, bought houses in Dubai and South Africa, UK and USA, so, they think NPP is going to do the same.”
 Source: classfmonline.com

Tema motorway to close on August 26

Alternative routes have been made available for motorists to prevent traffic jams

The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) has announced a temporary closure of parts of the Tema Motorway Interchange to facilitate construction works on that stretch.

According to Project Coordinator Joseph Yeboah, detour roads and other alternative routes have been made available to motorists to manage the traffic situation as a result of the closure which begins from Sunday, 26 August 2018.

He added that the exercise will be sustained until the first phase of the interchange is completed.

Meanwhile, Assistant Superintendent of Police in charge of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service in the Tema region, Paul Bruce, said 20 officers shall be deployed daily to assist motorists.
 Source: classfmonline.com

Let's keep the peace – Northern Regional Minister

Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed

Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, has implored the people of the Northern Region, especially Muslims, to maintain the peace in the area.

He said Islam teaches peace, and, as people who practise the religion, they are expected to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner at all times.

Mr Saeed charged the chiefs and Imams in the region to ensure an everlasting peace, especially in Dagbon, where tension still exists between Abudus and Andanis.

He urged the people to exercise patience and serve as each other’s keeper.

The Northern Regional Minister further appealed to the general public to see the need for the performance of the funeral rites of both Naa Mahamadu Abdulai and Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani from the Abudu and Andani royal families, respectively.

Mr Saeed made these comments while addressing a Muslim congregation at the Tamale Central Mosque during the Eid-ul-Adha prayers on Tuesday, 21 August 2018.

He argued that the failure to perform the funeral rites of the two eminent chiefs, raises human right concerns, therefore, it is important for their funerals to be performed without any further delay.
Source: classfmonline.com

Foreign Ministry to open book of condolence for Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan passed on in Switzerland, Saturday, August 18

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration will open a book of condolence in honour of Mr Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary General, from Wednesday August 22 to Tuesday August 28 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Mr Kofi Annan passed on in Switzerland, Saturday, August 18, after a short illness.

An official statement from the Ministry said all Ghanaian Missions abroad shall similarly open a book of condolence to enable the public to pay tribute to “this great son of Ghana and a widely-admired International Civil Servant”.

The Ministry said it was saddened by Annan’s sudden demise and mourns with the family, the people of Ghana and the International Community.
Source: ghananewsagency.org