The CDD, in a statement to commend Ghana for maintaining its democratic credentials over the period, said it was dismayed that “governmental accountability and responsiveness have remained highly insufficient [despite delivery of considerable voice to citizenry under the 4th Republic].”

[contextly_sidebar id=”bOXriUkRXNNbwYqgcLdaquhJjclpKnZ1″]It lamented that “public corruption remains pervasive; progress of the constitutionally-mandated political, administrative and fiscal decentralization has stalled; the economy remains characterized by jobless growth; income and spatial inequality are on the rise in spite of poverty reduction; and the nation’s two main political parties which have alternated in power in the 4th Republic have increasingly taken on the features of rival cults (whose primary purpose seemingly is to win elections, achieve “state capture” and practice “winner-takes-all” politics).”

Ghana today commemorated 25 years of the 4th Republic, which has so far seen the leadership of 5 presidents including the incumbent, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Many have described the journey as a successful one filled with peace and stability, however, CDD believes that the country has failed in other important areas such as a constitutional reform address the problem of overconcentration of legal and constitutional power in hands of the Executive.

“While we deservingly celebrate our longest running constitutional order since independence, we must also pause
to reflect on the things we must do to consolidate and deepen the gains made possible by the 4th Republican
Constitution. The list is long, but we can start by passing the 17-year old Right to Information Bill and reforming the
public office-holder asset disclosure regime to promote governmental transparency and accountability as well as
curb corruption in the public sector,” the statement noted.

It further called for the strengthening of the country’s Parliament to enable it to play an effective oversight role over the Executive to ensure accountability in governance, arguing that President Akufo-Addo’s aim of making Ghana a country beyond aid can only be realised when elections are held for MMDCEs as a way of promoting local government decentralization and effectiveness.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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He said their massive endorsement for him in this year’s polls wiped away his tears of losing the 2012 elections.

Akufo-Addo added that the increase of the NPP’s parliamentary seats in the region from zero in 2012 polls to five in the 2016 election brought him great joy.

Addressing the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs in Wa, on Saturday, as part of his Thank you tour of the region, the President-elect “the saddest day of my life because, as a son of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition, I am fully aware that one of the founders of the tradition, the man who gave an example of selfless service to the people of our country, was no less a person than the late Duri Na, Chief S.D. Dombo. Indeed, our tradition bears his name as one of the initiators.”

“Beyond him, there were others, B.K. Adama, Jato Kaleo, Na Abayifa Karbo, Mumuni DImbie. These were the great figures in the development of the United Party and, subsequently, the Progress Party. They were the founding pillars of the party of which I have the honour to be leading. Therefore to be told that the region from which they came had turned its back totally on our tradition gave me anguish and sadness that I can never describe. I was inconsolable,” he said.

The President-Elect noted, however, that “fortunately, 2016 has now come to wipe away those tears and feeling of sadness. From 0, we have got to 5 out of 11. God willing, the next time, we will get the majority of seats and we will know that we are back again fully. It is a matter of great joy to express to the people of this region my satisfaction about the outcome of the election of 2016.”

He told the Chiefs that he remains resolute and committed to execute all the policies he made during the election 2016 campaigns.

He said assured that chiefs that he would restructure the Savannah Accelerated Development Agency (SADA) to become the Northern Development Authority, “back to the original concept that I mooted in 2008, and for it to become a genuine instrument of progress for the people of the three northern regions of the country.”

“To your north, next door neighbours to us, you know better than I do, what is happening in Burkina Faso. That, today, in Burkina Faso, they are organising year round agriculture. They are able to be an important exporter of food, vegetables to Europe, which is bringing money to their farmers and nation.

“We can do the same here in Ghana, with your support and the support of the people of the region. This is what is animating me, so that in Ghana also we can have all-year round farming that will lift the incomes of our farmers and produce food for our nation,” he added.

Specifically to the Chiefs of the region and across the country, Nana Akufo-Addo indicated that he intends to work very closely with the traditional authorities in the country, so as to improve the governance of Ghana.

“There is still a gap in the formal constitutional structure of our democracy as far as the involvement of traditional rulers are concerned. It is my intention, with your co-operation and help, that immediately after the formal hand over of authority, members of my team will sit with traditional authorities around our country for us to restructure a more engaged and more involved form of governance in which the traditional authorities of our country will play a part. It will be a major boost to the quality of governance in our country,” he added.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post You wiped my 2012 tears – Akufo-Addo tells Upper West appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In a statement extending their felicitations with Ghanaians, the NPP said this year’s Christmas was important especially because it comes ahead of a change in government which majority of Ghanaians have voted for in the just ended elections.

“We want to appeal to all Ghanaians to remember the president-elect and the NPP in their prayers so that we can be well-positioned to serve the best interest of the country after taking power.”

The statement said Ghanaians needed to celebrate the yuletide in moderation to avoid any mishap which will ultimately affect the country.

“It is important to be reminded ourselves of the need to be moderate and measured during the celebrations to avoid any unpleasant happenings that will be injurious to us as individuals and the nation.”

“More importantly, we are celebrating this year’s holidays at a time the change we had all been yearning for in the political leadership of the country has been made possible through the support Ghanaians offered the NPP during the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.”

“It is our firm belief that the benefits of the change will begin to manifest next year after the president-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been sworn into office on January 7, 201,” the statement signed by the general secretary of the party, John Boadu said.

The party further assured Ghanaians that it was ready to seek effective partnership with various stakeholders in a way that will promote the country’s development.

“We want to use this occasion to re-assure the nation that the incoming NPP government will seek effective partnership with all Ghanaians, individuals and groups, as we work together to ensure that the new era of change engenders the kind of progress and prosperity that will satisfy the needs and aspirations of the people,” it said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Pray for Akufo-Addo as you celebrate Christmas – NPP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Secretary General in separate telephone calls placed to the two candidates on Tuesday , November 29 said it was important for them to help maintain an environment of peace and credible elections.

He said the two candidates must help in defusing tensions and preserving peace before, during and after the 2016 general elections.

He also urged the two to sign “a Code of Conduct which will greatly assist in lowering tensions and preventing electoral violence.”

Read the Secretary General’s full release below:

Secretary-General’s telephone conversations with H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and Mr. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Head of Ghana’s opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP)

Today, the Secretary-General had separate telephone conversations with H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo, head of Ghana’s opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), to discuss the general elections that are scheduled to take place on 7 December in Ghana.

The Secretary-General underscored the importance of an environment conducive to peaceful and credible elections, and urged the two leaders to continue their role in defusing tensions and preserving peace. Bearing in mind Ghana’s history of political stability and peaceful elections, the Secretary-General underscored the need for all political parties to sign a Code of Conduct, which will greatly assist in lowering tensions and preventing electoral violence.

New York, 29 November 2016.”

The international community have shown a keen interest in Ghana’s elections following the country’s enviable record in holding peaceful polls in spite of high pre-election tension.

‘US warns nationals in Ghana’

Last week, the US Embassy in Accra issued an alert to its citizens in Ghana to avoid political hotspots. The release mentioned a number areas in the country the embassy had identified as hotspots where violence or electoral trouble may occur with little or no danger warning.

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

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Mr Ayariga at a media address in Accra on Monday said the decision to endorse President John Mahama followed careful consideration of the attributes and competence of two presidential candidates who approached his APC for endorsement.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ZJOn2Y0EDCd5OYVruOmb0qdP0QHFVTF2″]“two political parties and an independent candidate approached the leadership of the APC for endorsement. We based our declaration on the political leaders that actually want our support; nothing more, nothing less.”

“…even in the midst of crisis, he listens to people, he remains calm, no matter how much people try to knock him down, he never ever quits. That is the man I know so well. I am proud to offer my help, my  voice, my energy, and my commitment and the National Executive Committee of APC and the entire membership of the party across Ghana to declare our support for President John Mahama,” he said.

Ayariga had over the weekend challenged the endorsement of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Nana Akufo Addo, by the APC’ General Secretary,  Razak Opoku and his running mate, Carl Bartels.

He said the two had been sacked by the party on Friday [November 25] after he discovered they had had a secret meeting with the NPP, against party rules.

But the two insisted at a press conference on Sunday that their decision was backed by the National Executive Committee of the party.

In their statement, they said, “This endorsement of Nana Akufo-Addo has become very necessary considering the high level of incompetence, corruption, mismanagement of the economy, high rate of unemployment, killer taxes, collapsing of the private sector businesses, high utility bills, nepotism, tribal politicking etc. under the 8 years rule of John Mahama NDC. Enough is enough and the trending song now is a change of incompetent John Mahama Presidency.”

They also, “wished Hassan Ayariga (APC Founder & Leader) well for his personal decision to endorse John Mahama for the Presidency on the 28th November 2016 at the Aviation Social Centre.”

Ayariga, who disassociated himself from the two individuals clarified, that his endorsement for President Mahama did not extend to the various parliamentary candidates of the NDC.

“Our endorsement is merely for the Presidential candidate and not the party because we have a party.”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

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