According to him, the act is an orchestrated attempt by the NPP to disenfranchise northerners and all other persons perceived to be supporting the NDC in the December polls.

Johnson Asiedu, popularly known as General Mosquito, made the allegation when he was speaking on a local radio station W.FM at Wa in the Upper West Region, as part of his working visit to the Upper West Region.

“The fact that a Northerner has decided to relocate to the Brong Ahafo, Ashanti or Eastern Region, does not mean that his civic rights should be taken away from him,” he said.

“That is why when we are registering people for elections, the biggest battle we fight with the NPP is that, those in smock are aliens and they should not be allowed to register anywhere in the south. Even the transfer of votes now, the northerners who happen to be plying their trades in Brong Ahafo and other areas, the challenges they are facing now in transferring their votes to where they have decided to live is now a big problem,“ he added.

“And it is your party people who are preventing them from registering thinking that because they have taken a decision to relocate to areas they were not born from, it is a crime and they must be denied their civic right of participating in voting,” General Mosquito continued.

Asiedu Nketia was also worried that, some chiefs have allowed themselves to be used by the NPP to prosecute the agenda.

“NPP thinks that in collaboration with some chiefs, they must determine how the northerners living on their lands should vote and they have the courage to make public announcement that ‘this is my village, and anybody who lives here, if NPP doesn’t win here we will drive you away and take your land,” he noted.

“So when you see settlers all over the country trouping to vote for the NDC, it is not about tribalism, it is about they moving to a system which will give them their civic rights.”

He further assured supporters of the NDC that, their leadership is working hard to ensure that no voter is disenfranchised.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey and Latif Mahama/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NPP preventing northerners from transferring votes – NDC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Reacting to claims by the governing NDC’s parliamentary aspirant in the area, Samuel Attah-Mills that Dr. Papa Kwesi Ndoum will lose an election in his own company let alone a national election, the Communications Director of the PPP, Paa Kow Ackon, said Samuel Atah-Mills and the NDC’s achievements cannot match Dr. Ndoum’s.

He said Nduom’s achievements which include building an industrial enclave and employing thousands of youth in KEEA were unmatched.

Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Ackon said Samuel Attah-Mills is trying to capitalize on the late President Evans Atta-Mills’ name to deceive the people of KEAA constituency into voting for him.

“Everybody from KEEA knows what Dr. Nduom has done in that constituency. John Mahama has done not even done one-tenth of what Dr. Nduom has done in KEEA. We are talking about 1,000 people who have been employed directly, not to talk of those employed indirectly,” he said.

“KEAA is for serious-minded people and people who are serious about the development of the area. What has he [Samul Attah-Mills] done in his own personal life? What has been his contribution to the constituency? Nobody knows him”, Mr. Ackon added.

‘PPP has no campaign message – NDC’

The NDC parliamentary candidate for KEEA, Samul Attah-Mills recently took a swipe at the PPP accusing the party of having no campaign message hence their consistent making demands for the autopsy report of the late President John Evans Attah-Mills on their campaign trail.

The PPP Flagbearer, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, on various political platforms, asked the NDC to produce the autopsy report to clear the doubt of Ghanaians on the true cause of the president’s death. But according to the NDC, the calls are needless.

Samul Attah-Mills said the PPP flagbearer will not win an election even in his own company because his employees know he [Nduom] does not possess what it takes to win any presidential election.

‘Samuel Atta Mills – The Opportunistic Stranger in KEEA’

The PPP in a recent statement described brother of the late President, Samuel Atta Mills as an opportunist and a stranger in the constituency and that he sought to use the death of the late President Mills for political gain.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nduom has achieved more than NDC in KEEA – PPP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He joins a tall list of other Kumasi-based entertainers including Matilda Asare and Ras Nene, who have endorsed the flagbearer’s candidature ahead of the 2016 general elections.

Agya Koo at a press conference on Wednesday, September 21 at Patasi in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, expressed disappointment in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), and called on the Ghanaians to vote them out come December 7.

He revealed that together with other actors, they have launched a campaign dubbed “Agenda 57% 4 Nana Addo” to canvass support for Akuffo Addo going into the crucial election.

Other actresses present at the conference included Nyankuta, Mama Cali and Adwoa Bene.

‘Courtesy call on Nana Addo’

Agya Koo on Thursday, September 22, paid a courtesy call on the NPP flagbearer at his Nima residence in Accra, where the actor formally informed Nana Addo of his decision to support his candidature this year’s elections.

“Since this [NDC] government came to power, there has been so much hardship and Ghanaians are complaining… For five years I have been at home, a lot of actors and actresses are just home with nothing to eat,” he lamented.

“I called my colleagues and told them to listen to the complaints of others… Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo should come and rescue this country. John Mahama has done his bit, but the group we have started [agenda 57% for Nana Addo] will travel the length and breadth of this country to explain to people why we need a change in government and why they should support you,” he told Nana Addo.

‘Celebrity endorsements’

With almost about 3 months to the December polls, many Ghanaian public figures especially actors and musicians, have publicly declared their support for the two main candidates.

Lucky Mensah, Wisa Greid, Dada KD, Kwabena Kwabena, Barima Sidney, Leo Mensah, Daddy Lumba, Nana Quame and recently, Cwesi Oteng, have endorsed the NPP’s Akuffo Addo while the likes of John Dumelo, Selasie Ibrahim, Mr. Beautiful, Mzbel, Bukom Banku, Ayitey Powers and Papa Nii, have endorsed President John Mahama of the NDC for a second term.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Actor Agya Koo; others endorse Nana Addo [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Vice Presidential nominee of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP will budget for the full payment of allowances for all students in the various Nursing and Midwifery Training schools as well as teacher training colleges.

Speaking to nurses at the Pantang hospital in Accra during a campaign tour, Dr. Bawumiah accused government of scrapping the allowances of trainees due to its high indebtedness from excessive borrowing and the accompanying interest payments.

“They [NDC] have borrowed so much, just one year’s interest payment can pay teacher training and nurses training allowances for 42 years, and that is why Nana Akuffo Addo has given his word, when we come [into office] the very first budget before march 2017, we will restore and teacher training and nurses training allowance,” Bawumiah said.

‘Background’  

Government in 2014 scrapped teacher trainee allowance, but there have been several calls to compel government to reintroduce it. Recently, trainee nurses in the Upper East Region warned that the status of allowances would influence their vote in the in December polls.

Government said the decision allowed it to expand various health and educational infrastructure in the country as well as remove the restrictions on admission to the various training institutions.

‘Government partially restores allowance’

Earlier in July, government said it had restored allowances for trainee nurses after a technical committee set up by the President to review the allowances for nursing trainees, recommended payment of an abated allowance with a possibility to migrate them unto the Students Loan Scheme.

 ‘Allowance inadequate’

The Ghana Nurses and Midwives Trainees Association in a press conference, subsequently rejected government’s offer to pay them GHc 150 monthly as allowances.

According to them, the amount was woefully inadequate per the memorandum of understanding they signed with the Ministry of Health in 2014.

President John Mahama while on a tour in the Central Region recently, said his government would not backtrack on its decision to scrap the allowances, saying he would rather lose the elections than restore the allowances.

He tweeted; “On the matter of trainee teacher allowances, better to lose on principle than win using falsehood. We’ll not reverse the decision. #UCC Forum.”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We will ‘restore trainee allowances 3 months into office’ – NPP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, the Chereponi District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), said this a day’s workshop aimed at equipping the youth to stand firm against any forms of violence.

The European Union (EU) supported the NCCE to organize the workshop in Chereponi, which was also aimed at educating political party youth activists on the need to maintain peace during the 2016 general elections.

The workshop was on the theme: “Empowering the youth to stand up for Ghana for a peaceful 2016 election”.

Mr Ibrahim said elections always come with issues and challenges and that if not managed carefully could lead to serious problems that would plunge the country into chaos.

He said no one wins during electoral violence saying that, “I therefore entreat you to use the knowledge gained from the workshop to share and educate your peers and families on the need to maintain peace in the country”.

He said the NCCE would continue to play its role of educating Ghanaians on pertinent issues of national interest and appealed to the leaderships of the political parties to always preach peace to their followers.

Mr John Waalo, the Deputy Northern Regional Director of NCCE, speaking on the topic: “Code of conduct for political parties and the directives principle of state policy”, urged participants to maintain law and order at all times.

Mr Awufu Zakariah, the Deputy Exhibition Supervisor for EC, made a presentation on relevant sections of electoral offences and sanctions under CI94 of the EC laws.

A communiqué issued at the end of the workshop advised against abuse of incumbency, multiple voting, defacing of party symbols and called on leaders to exhibit exemplary leadership.

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By: GNA

The post Youth activists urged to maintain peace during December polls appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to Mr. Mills, employees of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) leader, will most likely vote against him because Dr. Nduom does not possess what it takes to win any presidential election.

Reacting to Dr. Nduom’s recent attacks on his candidature and the NDC government, Samuel Mills asked the PPP flagbearer to rather concentrate on improving his electoral fortunes.

The NDC and the PPP have in recent times engaged each other in verbal exchanges over each other’s legitimacy and supremacy in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem (KEEA) constituency, which is a traditional NDC seat, but was in 2004 occupied by Dr. Nduom, and now held by the NPP’s Nana Ato Arthur.

A recent statement issued by the PPP described the brother of the late President Atta-Mills, Samuel Atta-Mills as an opportunist and a stranger in the constituency. It accused the NDC and President John Mahama of trying to use the death of the late President Mills for political gain.

But speaking in  an interview with Accra-based Class FM, Mr. Samuel Mills said Paa Kwesi Nduom “needs to be quiet and run his campaign”.

He cautioned Dr. Nduom and the PPP to desist from consistently demanding the autopsy report of the late President John Evans Attah-Mills who he says must be allowed to “rest in peace”.

‘Background’

The General Secretary of the PPP, Murtala Mohammed, at a recent national rally of the party dared the NDC to release the autopsy report to prove their innocence.

“If you didn’t kill Mills and if you are not happy Mills died, produce the autopsy report. We are challenging John Mahama to produce the autopsy report of [late] President Mills.

The Central Region people here, I want you to listen to me: if John Mahama comes to your region, tell him to produce the autopsy report,” he insisted.

But according to the NDC, the calls are needless. Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirim (KEEA), constituency organizer of the NDC, Phillip Bosomtwe Amoah in an interview on Eyewitness News said the PPP’s demands was an indication it had no campaign message for the constituents.

Follow the hashtag #GhElections on social media for election-related stories. 

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By: Jonas Nyabor/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ndoum will lose an election in his own company – Mills’ brother appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The PPP Flagbearer, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, has in recent times on various political platforms, asked the NDC to produce the autopsy report of the late president to clear the doubt of Ghanaians on the true cause of the president’s death. But according to the NDC, the calls are needless.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirim (KEEA), constituency organizer of the NDC, Phillip Bosomtwe Amoah, said the PPP’s demands was an indication it had no campaign message for the constituents.

“The PPP does not have any message for the constituents that is why they have resorted to this foul play,” he said.

Mr. Bosomtwe Amoah expressed disappointment that the leader of the PPP, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom had taken interest in centering his political campaign on the death of President Mills.

‘Background’

The General Secretary of the PPP, Murtala Mohammed, at a recent national rally of the party dared the NDC to release the autopsy report to prove their innocence.

“If you didn’t kill Mills and if you are not happy Mills died, produce the autopsy report. We are challenging John Mahama to produce the autopsy report of [late] President Mills. The Central Region people here, I want you to listen to me: if John Mahama comes to your region, tell him to produce the autopsy report,” he insisted.

‘Samuel Atta Mills – The Opportunistic Stranger in KEEA’

A statement released by the PPP described brother of the late President, Samuel Atta Mills as an opportunist and a stranger in the constituency. It said the NDC and President John Mahama had sought to use the death of the late President Mills for political gain but according to the KEEA constituency organizer of the NDC, the PPP’s utterances are out of frustration.

Mr. Samuel Atta Mills who is the NDC parliamentary aspirant of the KEEA constituency is facing fierce competition from the PPP candidate Mr John Sterlin as both candidate have in recent times traded verbal blows over each’s legitimacy to contest in the area.

Follow the hashtag #GhElections on social media for election-related stories. 

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By: Jonas Nyabor/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post PPP has no campaign message – NDC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The NCCE, with the support of the European Union, is organising series of engagements with more than 20 women and marginalized groups in the District, to whip up their interest in the upcoming elections to ensure a higher voter turnout.

Miss Gifty Agyeiwaa Badu, Ningo-Prampram District NCCE Director, speaking to members of Peace and Love Ladies Club at Dawhenya, reminded the electorate that shunning away from the elections meant shirking their civic responsibility.

Miss Badu said the 1992 constitution of Ghana has given power to the electorate to decide who rules the country and represent them in Parliament.

She added that the Constitution places national sovereignty in the hands of the people, therefore, the need for them to exercise it through voting.

“When you vote, it means you’ve taken the important decision on who should govern you”, she said adding that not doing so meant allowing others to choose for them.

She advised them against selling of their votes and basing their decision to vote for a candidate on the amount of money and other material things presented to them.

Miss Badu asked the electorates to vote based on issues and their conscience rather than on money, religious, ethnic and family ties.

Touching on the voting process, she said voting would start at 0700 hours and end at 1700 hours on December 7. She took them through the various steps of voting and advised them to leave the polling centres after voting and return later to observe the counting of votes.

Miss Badu announced that the Electoral Commission has revised its rules to allow the electorates to thumbprint on the picture of their favourite candidates.

The Ningo-Prampram District NCCE Director explained that the review was to reduce drastically the high number of rejected ballots as witnessed in previous elections.

She said to ensure peace, the law barred people from wearing party paraphernalia to the voting centres as well as intake of alcohol before visiting the polling centres.

She called on political party activists in the District not to engage in politics of insults but rather have issue-based campaigns and tolerate views of their opponents.

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Source: GNA

The post NCCE urges electorates to participate in December polls appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He has thus urged the supporters to be vigilant and “intensify the door to door, window to window, market to market, church to church, mosque to mosque, village to village, town to town and city to city” campaign, to ensure one touch-victory for President Mahama and the party’s parliamentary candidates.

The Chief of Staff, who is currently touring the Upper West Region to sustain and whip up enthusiasm among the rank and file of the NDC, said the party cannot afford to lose December 7 polls.

Try me-Nana Addo to Ghanaians

Flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the electorate to try him in this year’s elections after two failed attempts at the presidency.

Speaking on various campaign tours, the NPP flagbearer appealed to Ghanaians to give him the chance in the December polls to lead the country for a prosperous future for the citizenry.

But Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, said the electorate should not try anybody in the upcoming elections because President Mahama has demonstrated enough capability in transforming the lives of the people and the country’s economy.

Campaigning for President Mahama who is currently in New York, USA, for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Mr. Debrah said the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) is working assiduously to transform Ghana and Change lives through workable and tested policies.

“Countries like China, Malaysia or Singapore have achieved more because they kept a particular government that was doing something right to continue,” Julius Debrah noted, adding that “being a president should not be premised on trial and error.”

According to him, the Mahama administration is already transforming Ghana through massive infrastructural projects and this is being acknowledged by the chiefs and people across the country.

“There is every justification to keep President Mahama and the NDC in power for another eight years,” he added.

Mr. Debrah implored the rank and file of the governing party to intensify their engagement with the people and to explain the party’s manifesto to the people to make certain NDC’s victory on December 7, 2016.

Mr. Debrah said the next NDC administration under President Mahama will enhance the agricultural sector and make it attractive to Ghanaians, especially the youth.

According to him, the Mahama administration intends to improve the systems of agriculture by introducing modern farming implements to make farming appealing.

He explained that, the government will take advantage of all arable lands lying fallow and put them to good use as well as enhance the agriculture-mechanized centers across the country.

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By: Awudu Mahama/ghelections.com/Ghana

The post Let’s work hard to keep NPP in opposition – Chief of Staff appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

At a news conference held on Monday in Accra to counter claims made by the NDC in its recently launched manifesto, Policy Adviser for the 2016 campaign team of the NPP, Boakye Agyarko, said “nothing shows that Mahama has put Ghanaians first” as touted in the NDC manifesto.

Mr. Agyarko said Ghanaians were going through hardship and sufferings under the Mahama-led government, as they are faced with high electricity bills, irregular and unpredictable power outages, high unemployment among others.

He added that, unlike the NDC, the NPP is a government that have people as its priority with competence, compassion, foresight, discipline and integrity to implement policies that will help create jobs.

“It cannot be disputed that President Mahama has made Ghanaians poorer. The prices of everyday items have skyrocketed under John Mahama,” Mr. Agyarko said.

He added that that the government cannot be trusted to put people first as it has widely embraced corruption.

‘A foundation of concrete or straw’

The running mate for the NPP Presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumiah in his lecture on Ghana’s economy earlier last week also criticized the Mahama-led administration for making Ghanaians poorer due to poor economic management.

Meanwhile, the opposition New Patriotic Party is expected to launch its manifesto ahead of the December polls on October 8 in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale.

Follow the hashtag #GhElections on social media for election-related stories.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/cititfmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ghanaians are poorer under Mahama – NPP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.