A letter sighted by Citi News indicates that the police have invited the leader of the PNC and former party Flagbearer, Dr. Edward Mahama, for questioning on Wednesday, August 23.

The police noted that he was accused of being the “brain behind the crime.”

The PNC, in recent times, has been marred by some internal turmoil following the suspension of Mr. Mohammed.

He was suspended indefinitely by the National Executive Committee of the party, following some alleged derogatory comments he made against, Dr. Edward Mahama.

Mr. Mohammed rubbished his suspension, saying he was still at post. He also described moves to get him out of office as illegal.

The Party’s National Chairman, Bernard Mornah also described the decision to suspend the General Secretary of the party, Atik Mohammed as unlawful.

The comments followed Dr. Edward Mahama being named an Ambassador-at-Large by the President.

He had called for the resignation of Dr. Mahama from the party as he had shown ‘bad judgment’ in accepting the position.

Mr. Mohammed is quoted as saying the party could “not even be sure where [Dr. Mahama’s] loyalty is anymore… he cannot continue, in my opinion, to be the leader of the party.”

Senior members of the PNC expressed their opposition to the acceptance of the position of Ambassador-at-Large in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, by Dr. Mahama without consulting the party.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The suspended General Secretary who was present at the time tried in vain to prevent the act.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NlTL1CPMecCCBbITTplAzsWc020vbJFS”]According to the party, the action was necessary because Atik Mohammed had refused to heed to the directive suspending him.

Atik Mohammed was suspended by the party for some derogatory comments he allegedly made about the party’s flagbearer in the 2016 elections, Dr. Edward Mahama; a decision he has rejected.

National Vice Chairman of the PNC, Henry Asante who was with those who locked up the office told Citi News that they took the decision following several unsuccessful efforts to get Atik to vacate the premise.

“He was supposed to hand over all possessions to the party in a weeks’ time by 28^th of last month [July], we waited but he never abide by the order. So the party had no option than go and inform the Police.”

Mr. Asante said they police advised that they serve Mr. Atik a notice which they did adding that “after four days after the expiration of the notification, the party went to change the locks to his office because before then we have heard that he was coming clandestinely into the party office to perform whatever duty he wants.”

“I have in my possession one of the keys and Dr. Edward Mahama has the rest. I was part of those who did the locking, based on the leader’s instruction. The acting General Secretary was there as well as the treasurer. Yesterday we gave our statement to the police. So Atik cannot tell us that he was not privy that. Yesterday he came to the police station, the police invited us and together with him we went to the office and saw the key locked. We took inventory and the police also penciled down their statement,” he added.

Atik rejects ‘unlawful’ suspension

Meanwhile, the embattled general secretary Atik Mohammed says he has formally written to the party to protest what he describes as unlawful suspension.

“I went there last Friday and I couldn’t open the door because the key had been broken and replaced. So immediately I placed a call to my lawyers and the instruction was to go and lodge a complaint with the police so that an investigation would be conducted. So I did that. Before then someone had told me that Akane [PNC treasurer] had sent him a Whatsapp message saying they had destroyed the lock and replaced. When Akane was invited he came in the company of Henry Asante one of the Vice Chairmen and some other people and they confirmed that they did the breaking. However, another revelation that came was that they said they did that on the instruction of Dr. Edward Mahama,” he noted.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The National Executive Committee of the party suspended Atik after a meeting on Saturday

[contextly_sidebar id=”wVNOHX51P1nTmxkg6vBB2H1xEFsyjsJY”]Mr. Atik, who is insisting he has not been suspended, described moves to get him out of office as illegal.

“I’m still the General Secretary of the People’s National Convention until we go to Congress. There is even confusion in what people are communicating. Some said I’ve been suspended for my misbehavior towards the appointment of Mr. Mahama which we did not even get the opportunity to discuss.

“In anyway what do they mean by misbehavior towards his appointment and for which reason some group of people will sit there and say they are handing me a suspension . They do not have that competence so I will treat it as the joke that it deserves and continue to perform my duties,” Atik Mohammed said.

Atik Mohammed had called for the resignation of Dr Mahama from the party as he had shown ‘bad judgement’ in accepting the position.

He is quoted as having said that the party could “not even be sure where [Dr Mahama’s] loyalty is anymore . . . he cannot continue, in my opinion, to be the leader of the party.”

Dr. Edward Mahama, who has been flagbearer of the PNC five times, was named Ambassador-at-Largeby President Akufo-Addo a few weeks ago.

However, some officials of the party, including National Chairman, Bernard Mornah expressed their reservations about the appointment suggesting that it would limit his objectivity on national issues.

Bernard Mornah also stated that Dr Mahama had violated his own principles, having reportedly opposed the appointments of other party members by previous governments, a claim the former flagbearer has categorically denied.

“Edward Mahama had refused to become vice president of Ghana; he also refused a health Minister position before. He had led and supervised the suspension of party members who did not allow their appointment to come to the party before they were appointed into other positions like Mallam Issah,” he told Citi News.

“Even Thomas Atiga, the Ashanti Regional Secretary then who went to support Patricia Agyei’s candidature in the Asawase by-election were all dismissed because Dr. Mahama won’t countenance it. And those other individuals who went their way, he considered that as poaching of our members. And we have been lampooned together including Ambrose Dery among others.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The meeting is to give him an opportunity to explain why he accepted the ambassadorial appointment since he has been a critic of similar appointments in the past.

[contextly_sidebar id=”8wb8RZiLGYkgeB1tuwmzvBnssMRAnzHi”]Dr. Edward Mahama, who has been five times flagbearer of the PNC, was named Ambassador-at-Large by President Akufo-Addo this week.

Speaking to Citi News, National Chairman of the PNC, Bernard Mornah said Dr. Mahama’s decision to be an ambassador at large will limit his objectivity on national issues, particularly when he had condemned same in the past, and also failed to inform the party.

“ I have instructed the General Secretary to call a meeting and hopefully maybe Monday, after consulting with the regional executives, we will have a meeting so we provide the opportunity for Dr. Edward Mahama to speak his mind on why there is this appointment offer and acceptance.”

“We are worried that as accepting to serve at large will mean that there will be some decisions that will conflict with the party’s stance on national issues so if there are decisions that are inimical to the nation but for the fact that the leader of our party is in government, can we ask our leader to speak about those inimical positions publicly? If it will be difficult, then I think it will be proper for him to advise us on which of them is superior.”

I’m going to serve Ghana

Meanwhile, Dr. Edward Mahama has defended his acceptance of the position. He told Citi News he is going to serve Ghana and not any political party.

Edward Mahama does not require PNC approval – Treasurer

But on the other hand, the National Treasurer of PNC, Akane Adams, has also jumped to the defence of Dr. Mahama insisting that he does not require the approval of the party before he accepts the position.

“The appointing authority is solely the right of the president as enshrined in our able constitution, therefore, who appoints and who is appointed is the requisite, and the preserve of the president under any working democracy. This is not different from the appointment of Dr. Edward Mahama as Ambassador at large by his Excellency the President,” Akane said in a press statement.

He insisted that this was not the first time a member of the PNC had been given an appointment by a sitting government.

“In the past, former President Kufuor appointed known PNC men such as Moses Daniba and Mallam Issah for the health and sports ministry respectively. Fast forward, President Mills appointed Hon Alhassan Azong as minister for the public sector reforms and a few others from the party into board membership positions. All these appointees in the past did not require any approval from the party to accept their positions because the clear understanding has always been a move to ensure all-inclusiveness which the PNC sees nothing wrong with. The appointment of PNC men such as Dr. Sulley Gariba and Dr. Raymond Atuguba by President Mahama did not also require any approval from the party as it was simply a matter of choice by the appointee to accept and help build our dear country irrespective of the appointing authority. We hereby dispel any submissions within or without that seeks to downplay the essence of this noble appointment made by his excellency the President,” Akane added.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Dr. Edward Mahama, who led the PNC into five different elections, was on Monday sworn in as Ambassador-at-Large by President Akufo-Addo, together with other ambassadors.

But the PNC’s Chairman, Bernard Mornah, said Dr. Mahama should have rejected the position because he turned down similar positions in the past, and also went ahead to suspend PNC members who took up appointments in other governments.

[contextly_sidebar id=”nFtOxepMw8fmiUk2RrhRfe1R92upCthv”]According to Mornah, Dr. Mahama suspended Mallam Issah and Ambrose Dery as well as others who were given positions in the NDC and NPP governments.

However, Dr. Mahama in a Citi News interview refuted the claims.

“He [Bernard Mornah] is speaking out of ignorance, malice or outright lies. In fact I proposed Ambrose Dery to go into the NPP government. Moses Daniba served under the NPP government; I never chaired a meeting to expel any of them so what he is saying are outright lies.”

“What I did not do in 2000 was that I would not serve as a vice president unless it was a party to party agreement. A vice president is serving under a particular manifesto that the candidate puts up in the year he is elected, ambassador is ambassador for Ghana, there is a difference,” he added.

I’m going to serve Ghana not NPP

Dr. Mahama explained that, he took up the position because that is his own way of serving Ghana.

“We practice democracy even in the PNC and people are entitled to their opinions about this issue. But I know quite clearly that if I had declined those submissions, those who said I should have declined would say that I only want to be president.  I am quite clear in my conscience that he has appointed me ambassador of Ghana not of the PNC or the NPP.”

“I am taking this position because the president thinks that there are specific things he wants me to do…whenever he asks me to do I will do it to the glory of God and the president. Anybody who said I shouldn’t do anything for Ghana because my party is not in power I don’t agree with them,” he added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post I didn’t sack anyone for accepting NDC, NPP jobs – Dr. Mahama appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“We practice democracy even in the PNC; and people are entitled to their opinions about this issue. But I know quite clearly that if I had declined those submissions, those who said I should have declined would say that I only want to be president.  I am quite clear in my conscience that he has appointed me ambassador of Ghana not of the PNC or the NPP.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”kuKVlIAmDo7sOmBTN9u1VRY5EySpsS6o”]“I am taking this position because the president thinks that there are specific things he wants me to do…whenever he asks me to do I will do it to the glory of God and the president. Anybody who said I shouldn’t do anything for Ghana because my party is not in power I don’t agree with them,” he added in a Citi News interview on Tuesday.

Dr. Mahama had been criticized by some members of the PNC including his own Chairman, Bernard Mornah, who insisted that he [Mahama] should have declined the position offered him by President Nana Akufo-Addo as a matter of principle.

The five-time flagbearer of the PNC was sworn in on Monday by the President together with 21 others who have been assigned to other countries.

Bernard Mornah argued Dr. Mahama turned down similar aappointments in the past, and also suspended Mallam Issah and Ambrose Dery as well as others who took up appointments in past NDC and NPP governments.

But Dr. Mahama discounted the claims describing them as “outright lies.”

“He [Bernard Mornah] is speaking out of ignorance, malice or outright lies. In fact, I proposed Ambrose Dery to go into the NPP government. Moses Daniba served under the NPP government; I never chaired a meeting to expel any of them so what he is saying are outright lies.”

“What I did not do in 2000 was that I would not serve as a vice president unless it was a party to party agreement. A vice president is serving under a particular manifesto that the candidate puts up in the year he is elected. Ambassador is ambassador for Ghana, there is a difference.”

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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He was among 21 others who have been appointed to represent Ghana as diplomats in other countries.

They were all sworn in by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday.

An ambassador-at-large is an ambassador with special duties but not appointed to a particular country.

Others who were also part of the 22 sworn in include former Attorney General, Ayikoi Otoo is to represent Ghana in Canada, George Ayisi Boateng; South Africa and Mercy Bampoe Addo for Malta.

Others include Salma Francess Mancell-Egala; Turkey, Paul Oko; Egypt, Kwasi Owusu Yeboa; Togo, Miss Sophia Horner-Sam; Netherlands, Mrs Amerleey Olennu; Denmark, Mrs. Elizabeth Salamtu; Namibia, Gen. Francis Adu-Amanfoh; Mali.

Below is the full list:

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The PPP on Monday, March 13, 2017 at a press conference, announced its readiness to merge with other smaller political parties to form an effective third political force in the country.

[contextly_sidebar id=”o8I8L5sL9Kh1X3HqoveudJJ0wRkMrdSv”]But according to the PNC, the PPP, which was founded by Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, does not believe in the Nkrumahist ideologies, and therefore cannot seek for a merger with parties founded on those ideologies.

The 2016 flagbearer for the PNC, Dr. Edward Mahama, told Citi News many perceived smaller political parties after every election sought mergers, but arrangements to actualize them fail. He however discounted the possibility of the PNC merging with the PPP based on the difference in their ideologies.

“Before the last election, we were in talks with the CPP. We were supposed to field one candidate and that didn’t hold so I will not put too much trust in what they are saying because I have seen it before several times; year after year. People are very dishonest about their intentions.”

“PPP said they are not Nkrumahists, we are Nkrumahists, so what kind of relationship do they want with us? It is true that he [Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom] is not an Nkrumahist, he left CPP, so if PPP wants unity, they should re-enter CPP, and PNC and CPP can have that relationship because we are both Nkrumahists,” he said.

He added that, “I don’t trust them [PPP] one bit. Why did he [Dr. Nduom] leave CPP in the first place and now he wants to unite with them. He should go back to CPP, then we will have Nkrumahist unity, or he should declare that he is an Nkrumahist, then we can have that relationship. We are Nkrumahist, whether we are losing elections or not, we are not running away from that label.”

Meanwhile, the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has welcomed the proposal for a merger with the PPP.

The Communications Director of the party, Abdul Rauf Kadir, told Citi News the CPP was open to talks for a merger and welcomes the proposal.

 “The Convention People’s Party has always looked forward to the day where all the smaller parties, especially the Nkrumahist parties, come together to form a formidable political force in the country to rescue the mass of the people from the broken promises of the both the NDC and NPP.”

He added that, “We in the CPP, it is in our DNA that any move or discussion towards unity must be given the highest premium so we actually have an open door. Our We are very positive that this time around, even though Ghana is increasingly becoming a duo-politic political party system between the NDC and NPP, we believe that all the smaller political parties  that reason and think like the CPP will come together so that we can forge ahead together,” Abdul Rauf said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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This according to the flagbearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr. Edward Mahama, could enable government have enough money to finance its capital intensive projects.

[contextly_sidebar id=”F4SftyjwpNemdmCWPg0vIpC6DskatFfW”]“If we reduce corruption by 30 to 40 percent, government will not have to go to the IMF [International Monetary Fund],” he said at a presidential town hall debate organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) on Tuesday.

“The simple things that we need to do to make the system work and functional and easy we are not doing it. If corruption is cut by 30 to 40 percent, government will have the money to undertake infrastructural projects. So basically the infrastructure we want to build we have the money to do it if we plug the loopholes through which individuals are siphoning government funds and that is what I will do as president.”

Dr. Edward Mahama, who is seeking to be President of Ghana on December 7, 2016, said “I will fire any minister that is corrupt.”

He observed that, successive governments only re-assign corrupt ministers saying such situation do not auger well for the country.

“Sometimes they just reassign them. If you are a minister of sports and you chop state money; they take you to the presidency that must stop, we must crack the whip and crack it properly. This is what I have been promising that I will be a leader who will abhor corruption,” he added.

Ghana loses $3 billion annually in corruption

Policy think, IMANI Ghana, noted recently that Ghana loses over $3 billion of taxpayer’s money in corrupt activities every year.

…My estimation about grand corruption in this country looking at the numbers from the Auditor General’s report on an annual basis and doing an extrapolation looks to me about $3 billion a year. I think it may be conservative but I think it is significant,” President of IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe had said.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Dr. Mahama said this in Bolgatanga at the party’s manifesto launch on the theme, ‘New Beginning! New Deal!! New Force.’

According to him, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah brought Ghanaians political independence on 6th March 1957; but a PNC government will bring economic independence to Ghana when elected into office.

Dr. Edward drew the attention of the Ghanaians to the Bible interpretation of the number six.

“It is my turn and the Big six have confirmed it by endorsing my candidature and giving me the number six. I have got the number six telling you that, Edward Mahama is going to bring economic independence to Ghana and Africa. You know that in six days; God created everything that he created; and on the seventh day he rested, I have been put on the number six as a sign of completion. And that is the end of your problems in Ghana under the PNC administration which I shall lead, all the ‘Wahala’ you are facing ‘Dumsor’ will be a thing of the past.”

Dr. Mahama indicated that, the economy was in serious trouble due to high borrowing rates.

“We will make sure that we have a balanced budget and to make sure we grow the economy of Ghana at 10% yearly, on the back of agriculture only; so that the money we get from oil , gold, bauxite  and other minerals will be used for capital development”.

Highlighting on corruption perception index, Dr Mahama reiterated his commitment to tackle corruption head-on.

“It was not just politicians who are corrupt; but corruption existed in the public service, civil service and other business.  The PNC believed that if corruption is reduced 25%-30%, we will have a lot of money to build clinics, schools and roads, and my administration will fight corruption to the latter.”

He also promised to eliminate all schools under trees in the first four years of the PNC.

The manifesto launch was graced by vice presidential nominee of the party, Emmanuel Anyindoho, National chairman, Bernard Mornah, General Secretary, Atik Mohammed, and National Organizer, Awudu Issaku among others.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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