In one of the revelations, the former President mentioned that, his nine-year old daughter, Farida Mahama, was very happy that he lost the December 7 general elections.

According to John Mahama, his daughter was excited because she will be seeing him [Mahama] more often.

John Mahama said whilst he served in the highest office of the land, he hardly saw his daughter because he comes home late and leaves very early the following day, adding that sometimes he goes a whole week without seeing Farida.

Former President John Dramani Mahama made the revelation on Thursday when he delivered a lecturer during a graduation ceremony at the Institute of Security Studies in Abuja, Nigeria.

No office to go to

Mahama at the ceremony said: “I remember the day after I had handed over – this was the 8th of January – I woke up in the morning and remembered there was no Office to go to.”

“So, I relaxed in my bed and turned on the TV, watching CNN.I spent the whole day watching TV at the time Donald Trump was the President-elect, and they were going through the transition, waiting to hand over; so, I just kept watching what was going on,” he added.

I’m happy you lost

The former president said whilst he was cooling off, his 9-year-old daughter who he barely spent time with as President, enquired why he was still at home and had not gone to work.

“My daughter, Farida, who had gone to school in the morning, arrived in the afternoon. She found me lying in bed which was unusual, because when I was President we could go a whole week without seeing each other.”

“She leaves the house early in the morning to be able to get to school on time, by which time I probably had not gotten out of bed. She gets back home late afternoon and I am in the Office and I get back in the night when she is asleep. So, we could go the whole week without seeing each other. For the first time, she came back from school and there I was lying on my bed and watching television.”

Below is what ensued between John Mahama and his daughter:

Farida:  Daddy, didn’t you go to the Office?

John Mahama: No, don’t you remember that I handed over to President Akufo-Addo yesterday?

Farida: OK; so it means you are not going to the Office anymore?

John Mahama:  No, I have no Office to go to

Farida: Then I am happy!  So will I be coming home from school and meeting you in the house?

John Mahama: Yes

Farida: Then I am very happy that you lost the elections!

International assignment:

The former President also noted that, ever since he left office, he has also been preoccupied with international assignments, speaking at different fora, including mediating the political impasse in The Gambia as well as monitoring elections in Kenya and Liberia.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post ‘My daughter was happy I lost’ – Mahama reveals appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A statement signed by Duncan Amoah, Executive Secretary of the chamber, attributed the drop to the consistent decline in crude prices on the international market.

The statement further noted that “pump prices at current levels are expected to remain largely unchanged in the first pricing window of the month of December.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”verq7LI4jXvLCRnhbPooAbqexsjoinqc”]This comes on the back of an observation made by the Institute for Energy Security (IES), which predicted a marginal drop in petrol and diesel prices in Ghana.

According to IES, per their analysis, diesel and petrol are likely to go down by 1.5% and 3.0% respectively on the local market.

Below is the full statement from the Petroleum Chamber:

CHAMBER OF PETROLEUM CONSUMERS GHANA PETROLEUM NEWSFLASH

FUEL PRICES REDUCED AT THE PUMPS BY 1-4%

30TH NOVEMBER, 2016

Fuel prices across most oil marketing companies (OMCs) has dropped by between 1 to 4.23% barely a day to end the of the final pricing window for the month of November.

Most oil marketing companies begun the current pricing window with prices per litre averaging some 3.680 though others had much higher prices at the pumps.

The steady drop of world oil prices which currently averages $44/litre from previous levels of around $46.35/litre is believed to be largely responsible for  the current marginal reductions across most pumps in the country.

So Energy is currently dispensing the lowest prices on the market at 3.55/litre of pms (petrol) followed keenly by Radiance oil with 3.560/litre.

Petrosol which saw one of the biggest reductions moved from previous 3.745/litre to 3.599 same as Shell and Total who currently are trading at 3.599 and 3.598 respectively. Engen Oil was previously at 3.680 for Pms and 3.670 for AGO but currently trading at 3.590 for Pms and 3.590 for AGo.

Goil maintained it’s pump prices when markets moved up from 3.630 to 3.750/litre previously and has currently reduced further down to 3.599 representing about 0.85399%.

Pump prices at current levels are expected to remain largely unchanged in the first pricing window of the  month of December.

Signed

Duncan Amoah,

Executive Secretary,

Chamber of Petroleum Consumers-Ghana (COPECGH)

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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The meeting was to discuss the concerns of some parties over the security and the integrity of the ballot just a week to the polls.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) had earlier raised issues with the printing of pink sheets by Aero votes, presidential ballot printing by Innolink, and missing party acronym from ballots sent to its stronghold, the Ashanti region.

Citi News’ Sixtus Don Ullo reported that the Electoral Commission used the opportunity to respond to all such concerns.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed hinted that the EC also explained circumstances surrounding the inclusion of more Police personnel on the special voters list at the eleventh hour.

He said they also reached a compromise on the issue “because we had to strike a balance between having the security agencies play their role on the day of election or upholding in the strictest term the regulations we are using to run this election and sacrificing the role on what the security agencies would be playing on the day.”

Atik Mohammed said “the general feeling I got from that discussion was that it is better to somewhat sacrifice a bit of the law so that we can have proper representation of the police on that day.”

The Electoral Commission according to Atik admitted making the amendments before the expiration of the 42-day ultimatum per the C.I. 94, the law regulating the conduct of this year’s elections.

“The agreement from the EC was that the admission was done before the expiration of the 42-day ultimatum  but they are asking us that on the balance of what is happening and the likely implication of not having the security agencies not deployed on the day of the election what are we supposed to do. So what I got from the discussion was that it was not really hurtful to the process so we can admit those additions,” he added.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post EC holds crucial IPAC meeting ahead of polls appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

I have spoken with different groups of people especially the youth who feel disgruntled with issues of interest in this country.

There are a majority of people who are not involved in political issues but who take delight in discussing political matters and how such discussions can cause a change in government policy for the best in this country.
Its very inspiring to see passionate youth pay much attention to governance issues.

It gives us much hope that we have young folks who have the desire to make things right in this country even though our country seems to be moving towards the wrong direction under our current government led by President John Dramani Mahama.

According to Herbert Hoover, “Blessed are the youth for they shall inherit the national debt.”

In simple terms, let us be ready to pay the cost and debt of bad policies under our current President.

Many have the urge to change the face of governance in this country.

There are people who are of the belief that things will be better in the future to come and a time will come that they can have full trust in the government of this country.

Getting yourself involved in the governance of your country is an individual right that must be well expressed and voting during an election must be well exercised with moral and civic responsibility as a citizen of a State.

There is a huge fraction of our youth who have lost interest in deciding who leads them and how their policy of governance should be directed.

There are others who have no interest in getting themselves involved in the political decisions of their country which directly and indirectly involves voting during elections and most importantly making the world know their point of view during any key decision of government for the larger populace.

There are several people who are of the conviction that their vote makes no difference in deciding who leads them.

They feel their single vote makes no impact and a single vote from them will have no bearing to decide who leads in any elections but the question l ask is simple;

If each person believes that his/ her single vote will have no impact in the general outcome and decides not to vote during election days, will there be a single vote in the ballot box to declare someone a winner of any elections?
Your guess is as good as mine.

A key reason why people fail to Vote during an elections is not just because they feel their vote will have no impact but simply because of the lack of confidence in the people they have reposed confidence in, largely because of previous bad governance and policies from people who should have acted positively and in utmost good faith but did otherwise.

But in deciding to vote outrightly, what should be your focus and what should be the measure to make your Vote count?

I guess this is a general question that many would ask especially new voters who are desperate to be part of decision making processes in this country.

Voting alone is not a measure of influencing a decision but essentially voting rightly.

Being influenced to Vote as a result of things that are given out during the electioneering period cannot be equalled to any proper sense of voting.

Proper voting in my view is taking these items from the particular person or politician who wants to buy your Vote and yet still voting on a clear conscience because you are of the conviction that such act is virtuous.

There are several people who fear to vote against people who give out money to buy their votes since they are of the view that they have already given their words.

I must say it would be politically and morally wrong to think that taking money from a politician and voting with your conscience but not at the dictate of the politician’s whims and caprices is a sin and morally wrong.

Regrettably, I must say people are victims of such thinking but my advice to the youth is that take the money and still vote with your conscience and nothing will happen to you because its your own money that is being given out.

Lastly don’t think of not voting because having the desire not to Vote will lead to continuous suffering in our part of the world .

People will wrongly go and elect leaders for us and we will all generally pay the worse consequences for it.

Join a queue and vote well and make sure your vote counts!

–
By: Tinkaro Asare,

Writer is former NUGS President for University of Ghana

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The post Let your vote count on December 7 [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

People from all walks of life thronged the Tindamba Park in Wa to catch a glimpse of the programme.

Bigwigs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the region such as Mr. Malik Issahak, immediate past Upper Wesr Regional Chairman, Joshua Akamba, Deputy National organizer , Kale Ceaser, Upper West Regional Campaign Coordinator as well as some parliamentary candidates were there to support Dr. Pelpuo who is seeking his fourth term bid to represent the Wa Central constituency in Parliament.

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By: Latiff Mahama/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Rashid Pelpuo launches campaign in Wa [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

It also shares boundaries with Ayensuano District to the east, West Akim Municipality to the north, Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality to the south eastern part, Ga South Municipality to the south and Awutu-Afutu Senya District in the Central region to the west.

This interesting geography easily reflects the backgrounds of the people who live in the constituency.

The district has Adeiso as its capital. Other major communities in the constituency are Mepom, Okorasi, Nyanoa, and Obeng Yaw.

[contextly_sidebar id=”HW9HhlOYBQzlFxE4j2wEKpnJHs0ILG16″]A lot of the houses in the constituency are built from mud, with rusty roofing sheets.

The constituency, which was previously under the West Akim district, has over the years voted massively for the governing National Democratic Congress NDC in both parliamentary and presidential elections. The ethnic makeup is heterogenous, majority, being Akans. A sizeable number are Dangbes and Ewe. A number of other tribes also live in the constituency.

About 50% of these migrants were born in the region, which can account for their voting history.

One of the most conspicuous landmarks in the constituency is the Adeiso market. Adeiso is popular for the processing of cassava into high quality gari which attracts a lot of traders from all over the country to trade. But the Adeiso market has no permanent structures. The women sit under temporary sheds to sell, while others trade in the open.

Some also sell on the street, making it difficult for both humans and drivers to maneuver their way into the market.

Interestingly, the gari sellers, who have brought much attention to the market, do not have a spot inside the market. They line up the street.

Juliana Akpalanyo, who has sold gari at the Adeiso market for some 20 years, told the Campaign Trail, they will appreciate it if permanent structures are built for them.
“We need to get a permanent place to sell. We sit along the streets to sell. This is not safe,” she said.

42 years old Mary Amankwanor, echoes Juliana’s concerns.
“Anytime it rains, we are unable to sell because parts of the market floods. We really need them to construct the market for us”, she said from behind a small table inside the market where she sells her wares.

More than half of the District’s population is engaged in one form of agricultural activity or the other. The major crops that are produced in the district include cassava, plantain, oil palm, and pineapple. The large production of pineapple, has led to the establishment of a processing company, Fresh and Dry that buys from the farmers.

This sounds like a profitable venture, for the farmers, but they seem to have their own reservations.

David Nyarko is a 32-year-old farmer now turned trader. I meet him standing behind a wheelbarrow, selling toothpaste, bathing sponge, batteries and more. He told me has been forced into trading because farming is no longer lucrative.

“I have a three acre pineapple farm. But because we get no farm inputs from the government, the farming is no longer lucrative. I sell my produce at the market but I am selling this now to make some money to support my farming. Our produce go waste if the people don’t come from Accra to buy.

The factory buys the fruits from the farmers who are supported by the government. Even with that, they buy at their own price.”

Other farmers, who have been in the venture much longer than Nyarko, also share similar tales with me.

“I am a cocoa farmer, but I also grow pineapple and cassava. These days, we get no fertilizers from the government for our farms. They have told us to submit our names, but we are yet to hear back from them. Because of this, I have pests on my farm, which is badly affecting my harvest. I used to harvest about 15 bags. Now, I get far less than that,” said an older farmer who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Down the road from the market, a group of young men sit on their motor bikes, or okada, waiting for clients. This is the job most of the youth have settled for since they say there is nothing left for them to do. One of the young men is badly injured; covered in sore from a motor accident he had about a week before my visit. His name is Gideon Awuku.

“There is only one job avenue in this area; the Fresh and Dry Company. I have been operating the motorbike business for the past year. That is what all of us seated here do. But it isn’t fetching us much. I make between 40 and 45 cedis daily,” Gideon told me.

At the lorry station, the drivers also cry over the bad nature of roads they ply daily.

Akura Gyimah, who has been plying the Accra-Achimota-Bawjiase-Asamankese road daily, revealed he has voted for the NDC since 1992.

Gyimah has lived in the constituency for the past 40 years and tells me the NDC has brought some development to the area, pointing to some uncompleted stalls in the lorry station. He claims those are being built by the District Assembly.

He however added that their roads are in deplorable conditions, seriously affecting their work.

“Our roads are very bad. We have seen that they are constructing some of them. We hope that they finish it soon. All my shocks are destroyed as I speak with you.”

His colleague driver, who also revealed he has been voting for the NDC said he will vote for the New Patriotic Party NPP this year to “see what they will also come and do”.

H e said the “driving business” is no longer profitable because of the bad nature of the roads.

Even though the Nsawam Adoagyiri-Adeiso road is under construction, there were no workers on site when the campaign trail traversed it. Construction equipment had been left unattended to on the shoulders of the road.
Apart from the roads and temporary structures at the market, my interaction with the people in this constituency also showed their developmental challenges go beyond these.

The constituents have no access to potable water, relying on dug-out wells and boreholes.

“We find it difficult getting potable water here. We rely on boreholes. Our taps do not flow. We normally buy sachet water” a resident who refused to give his name said.

Many of the people in Upper West Akim constituency feel they have not benefitted enough from their many years of devotion to the NDC. Some of them feel they have only been taken for granted.

The upcoming parliamentary contest is a straight one between the outgoing District Chief Executive, Derrick Bekoe Ohene Assifo and a teacher, Eugene Sackey. The incumbent MP, Samuel Amankwanor who won the party’s primary stepped down because of health problems. Well, that was the official statement, but unsubstantiated information we picked up show he was forced to step down because he had dual citizenship.

This year’s contest will be the second attempt the teacher will be making at entering parliament. In 2012, he lost by some 3,763 votes. Against a contender who heads the local assembly and a part of the governing party, what are the NPP’s chances of winning the seat that has evaded them all these years?

With some 63 days more to the polls, it is only a matter of time for the teacher to dump his chalk and pen and head to the house of parliament or for the DCE to get a raise in status. The people of the West Akim constituency will soon decide.

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By: Eugenia Tenkorang/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @eugeniatenkoran

The post December polls: Upper West Akim in perspective appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.