Addressing a news conference in Accra on Thursday, March 15, 2015, the acting General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu, said the regional level elections “will be held from the April 21st to 24th,” across the country.

He noted that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure a successful election.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ctGV0f2sbiOkbEPc8tYyftXyid0ZIpRO”]“Nominations shall be open from Monday, 20th to Friday 24th March, 2018. Vetting shall be held from 27th to 29th March, 2018. Vetting results shall be released not later than 31st March, 2018,” he added.

Troubles at NPP polling station and constituency executives elections

The NPP has already held elections for its polling station and constituency executives.

However, elections could not be held in some constituencies and polling stations because of some unresolved issues.

John Boadu at the press conference said they have been able to make strides in resolving such issues, adding that about 14 constituencies were unable to elect their executives.

“…as we speak, some 94% of the constituencies in the country have been able to successfully conduct this exercise and elected constituency executives. We are left with 14 constituencies out of the 275. It is however gratifying to say that the party has made significant strides at resolving the issues in the remaining 5%.”

“By way of regional breakdown, there are 4 of such constituencies in the Greater Accra region comprising Ablekuma North, Ablekuma South, Adenta and Okakoi South. Aside Okakoi South which is still outstanding, we have been able to resolve the issues in the 3 constituencies and same have been taken out of court. In the northern region, we have six outstanding constituencies comprising Bimbilla, Daboya, Karaga, Nalerigu, Nyonyo and Tatale. Aside Bimbilla and Daboya where there are security issues, the other 4 are being resolved.”

In the Western Region, the acting General Secretary said the party has been able to resolve issues in the four troubled constituencies which included “Shama, Kwesimintsim and Sekondi, with the exception of Elembelle.”

He added that “the party has ordered for fresh polling station elections in the three constituencies which have started in earnest.”

“Finally, in the Central Region, we still have three outstanding constituencies comprising Cape Coast South, Ajumako Enyam and Awutu Senya West. The national steering committee, at its last meeting, constituted a 3-member committee comprising Sammy Awuku (the chairman of the committee), Evans Nimako and Bob Agbontor to look at the issues in all the outstanding constituencies across the country and advise accordingly,” he added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Nana Obiri Boahen, in the leaked phone conversation he had with an activist of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kwaku Skirt, claimed that, the presidency gave the party an amount of 50 billon cedis for it’s annual delegates conference in Cape Coast in 2017, a claim the NPP has since denied.

Mr. Boahen also claimed that despite playing a key role in NPP’s victory in the last general elections, he had been ignored since the party came into power.

He had stated that the party had failed to provide him with an official car for his work, adding that “I don’t remember the last time I received a monthly salary from the party.”

“Till date, I don’t even have an office at the party’s headquarters. To be frank, I have been using my own private car, and the party has not given me any official car for my use as Deputy General Secretary. I buy my own fuel. And even on official trips abroad, I’ll be left to my fate. When I recently went to Germany, it was an NPP Member who bought a ticket for me. I went to Spain, Dortmund it was an individual that processed my trip. I do virtually everything, and I don’t remember the last time I received a monthly salary from the party,” he said in the leaked tape.

No contracts 

Obiri Boahen had also made other allegation against the party’s acting General Secretary, when he lamented that no Minister, DCE or even the acting General Secretary had offered him a government contract, suggesting that others who had not worked as hard as he did to ensure the party won the polls were benefiting greatly.

“No Minister, DCE, MCE has called for any contract. What is happening is grabbing” he claimed.

“John Boadu has never called me to say there is a contract at the headquarters so bring a paper and claim it. It has never happened so I am quiet and watching,” he said.

But these claims were dismissed by John Boadu who intimated hat he does not give contracts to party officials.

“Is that what is supposed to be done; that ministers will call party officials and dole out contracts to them, that as I sit at the headquarters, I should be able to call my colleagues that I have contracts and that they should come for them, is that how the country should be run, that party officials, because we are national officers of the party, we must be given vehicles just because we are in government?”John Boadu had stated.

Though Nana Obiri Boahen has since apologized for his comments, it is unclear what action will be taken against him.

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By: Marian Ansah & Sammy Wiafe/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Obiri Boahen faces NPP today over ‘leaked’ audio appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Obiri Boahen in a leaked telephone conversation that has gone viral complained bitterly about some happenings in the NPP and lamented that he has been sidelined in the sharing of the national cake.

[contextly_sidebar id=”8fE0emfKCTo773eANOVccqcHfT9gfbLG”]In the audio, Obiri Boahen is heard alleging that despite being faithful to the NPP even when they were in opposition, he is not benefiting like others are doing.

He among other things alleged that the presidency gave out GHc50 billion in support of the party’s Delegates conference held in 2017 in Cape Coast.

“When we were going to Cape Coast the other time, I was given GH¢3,000 as a member of the Resolution Committee and an additional GH¢2,000 for fuel. Meanwhile, the Flagstaff House gave the party an amount of GH¢50 billion,” Boahen alleged in the audio.

Speaking on Point Blank segment of Eyewitness News, Mr. Boadu indicated that Obiri Boahen had subsequently indicated that he made such false claims to solicit information.

“You aware he is saying yes, it is his voice but he has admitted he lied to solicit some information from the person who recorded him,” Obiri Boahen told Host of Eyewitness News, Umaru Sanda Amadu.

Asked whether these claims were true, despite Obiri Boahen’s subsequent retraction, Mr. Boadu said the party’s investigations will establish the truth.

“I do not know whether it actually happened and it is for this reason that we called him to verify these claims,” John Boadu said.

Mr. Boadu further stressed that government never gave the party funds to conduct the Conference as suggested.

“Government did not give the New Patriotic Party (NPP) 50 billion. How can government give a  political party money. We have been running this party for years? We were the first party to buy our headquarters in 1992. We are a party that is well resourced and willing to support a party. We have been going for conferences over the years and we have never had a situation where our conferences have been postponed because of lack of resources. We funded the Cape Coast event the same way we funded all the other conferences that we hold.”

“We want to state on record that we have run this party over the years and we are clear in our minds about the clear distinction between party and governments, although we are the mother of the government. We still want to ensure that government activities are government’s and it is for that reason that we said  MMDCEs, Deputy Ministers and party officers who hold positions must resign and that has been established so I am surprised.”

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) had earlier on Wednesday issued a statement indicating that it had tasked the steering committee to look into the matter.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Obiri Boahen admitted he lied in leaked audio – John Boadu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Instead, he encouraged them to respect the party constitution and resort to the party’s internal procedures to seek redress at all times.

Speaking to journalists in Accra, John Boadu observed that, the penchant of going to court at first instance over matters of internal disagreements particularly in respect of the ongoing party primaries, has the tendency of stalling the process and thereby crippling the operations of the party at the various levels of the party.

He stated for instance that, even though the party recorded about 94% success rate in the just ended polling station and electoral area primaries, the process was impeded by court action including injunction in some constituencies occasioned by internal disagreements.

He therefore, without mincing words, bemoaned such conduct which he said, does not auger well for party organization especially in the conduct of this important exercise at all levels of the party.

To this end, he stated emphatically that, as the party prepares to hold constituency primaries across the country, they would no longer hesitate to crack the whip on any member who flouts the party’s internal grievance procedures and directly proceeds to court for redress by disregarding the party constitution.

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By: Sammi Wiafe/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Keep disputes out of court – John Boadu tells NPP members appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking on Accra-based Oman FM, he stressed that the NPP was a law-abiding party committed to the rule of law, adding that the party would not shield any of its own if evidence of wrongdoing is established against them.

[contextly_sidebar id=”B2rh8O4JVIk2LAsWCHLeRZUevjnUGdBD”]Mr. Baffoe was said to have been assaulted by some members of the party in Atebubu last Saturday, January 13.

The incident took place at Atebubu, the Capital of the Atebubu-Amantin District at the residence of the District Chief Executive, while he was interacting with party executives to canvass for support in the upcoming regional level elections.

Midway through the meeting, the thugs stormed the venue and demanded answers for Mr. Baffour’s reported verbal attacks on the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwaku Asomah Cheremeh.

According to reports, his assailants attacked him with heavy metal bars leaving him with a fracture on his left arm and serious bodily injuries which resulted in him being rushed to the St. Luke Hospital in Kasei for treatment.

Even though the veracity of this claim is yet to be established, John Boadu said the act was most reprehensible and utterly condemnable.

He thus charged the relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter with the view to identifying the culprits and bringing them to book.

Mr. Boadu also admonished the party’s rank and file especially the youth to at all times, resort to due process of law in seeking redress and desist from indulging in any acts of violence.

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By: Sammi Wiafe/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We’ll not shield Abronye DC’s attackers – John Boadu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The party in December, 2017 held an Extraordinary Delegates Conference in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi where it amended portions of its constitution.

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, the acting General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu said the party’s newly amended constitution will guide its operations.

“A lot of the articles in the previous constitution have been amended in various ways, either by new insertions, deletions or alterations. Some of the provisions were also streamlined and fine-tuned to do away with inconsistencies,” he said.

Among the amendments accepted are the inclusion of past presidential candidates and running mates to the National Executive Committee.

Others are the inclusion of the President, as a voting member of the party’s Steering Committee as well as the adoption of the party’s NASARA branch as a wing in the party which will consist of elected officers.

There was a total of 87 motions for amendments that covered almost all Articles of the Party’s Constitution.

Key proposals that were withdrawn at the conference included one;

1. For Members of Parliament to appoint constituency executives
2. For party members with dual citizenship to be disqualified from contesting for any party position
3. For the flagbearer of the party to be considered as the leader of the party

Ahead of the conference, there had been disagreements within the party involving some key groups including the NPP-USA over the consideration of some the proposals.

The leadership of the party is optimistic that the new amendments will help in effectively running the affairs of the party and keep them united heading into the next elections and beyond.

Meanwhile, the NPP in the Ashanti region says all is set for the election of Polling Station Executives tomorrow [Wednesday].

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NPP adopts new constitutional ammendments appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The party is yet to open nominations for persons who wish to contest for positions from constituency to national levels.

[contextly_sidebar id=”GEo8cE2TE7oImCnsbozrIOWHqZrrXsSo”]Speaking to Citi News, acting General Secretary of the NPP John Boadu said the party will punish persons who flout the laws, by campaigning ahead of the party’s internal elections.

“The party and in particular National Council has noted with concern, the rate at which prospective candidates for various executive positions in the party display the campaign posters and banners at the just ended constituency and regional delegates’ conference as if we are holding internal elections. The party reserves the right to sanction or reprimand anyone who flouts this directive. It is a directive of the National Council and I think if you are a true party member, you have to respect our party because that is what our constitution says

The national conference themed “NPP, delivering on our promises, our roots, our strength, our future” will kick off from Friday, August 25 to Sunday, August 27, 2017.

The conference is in line with the NPP’s constitution to afford party members the opportunity to review and devise appropriate measures for smooth operation.

It will also review proposed constitutional amendments and replace all national executives who have been appointed to serve in government.

A statement by the Acting General Secretary of the party John Boadu explained that the necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure a successful conference.

“The party, having put in place, all the necessary arrangements, is very confident that the 2017 national annual delegates’ conference and the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the NPP shall be a remarkable success,” it said.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NPP delegate’s conference: We’ll sanction aspirants who campaign appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said government remained committed to working hard to change the economic fortunes of the country, and would not be distracted.

Mr. Boadu said this during the Central Regional Delegates Conference of the party held at Fosu in the Assin Central Municipality at the weekend.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ddN3r8ja2gLSfpiBWG4izB4zabbjC4bG”]He said the NPP government would not derail in its quest to improve the livelihoods of Ghanaians by working to drastically reduce interest rates, inflation and other key economic indicators to make the country the most preferred investment destination in Africa.

He said the new economic initiatives and policies by the NPP government were targeted at making the economy robust and resilient, and added that “the President is a beacon of hope for businesses in Ghana.”

“This is a serious government committed to improving the well-being of the people. It has reliefs to the international and local businesses through the tax exemptions of some imports to help them expand to create more jobs for the youth.” he stated.

Mr Boadu further stated that, the government, remained focused on fulfilling its social obligation of providing the citizenry with good roads, jobs, free education and quality healthcare to make life comfortable for them.

He said the party had competent men and women of integrity capable of dealing with corruption and mismanagement.

Mr. Kwamena Duncan, Central Regional Minister, advised all government appointees to watch and guard their utterances to save them from getting into trouble.

He urged them to eschew acts of corruption and arrogance of power, but remain humble, dedicated and committed to their work at all times.

Mr Robert Kutin, Regional Chairman of the party, expressed his profound gratitude to all party executives and functionaries who worked hard to ensure that the party came to power.

He urged all to remain united as the party prepared for the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

The conference, which was on theme: “Ghana’s transformation in progress – jobs and prosperity for all”, offered an opportunity for Mr. Tekyi Mensah, Regional Secretary, Mr Robert Kutin, Regional Chairman and other regional executives to read their reports on the state of affairs of the party in the last one year as per the party’s constitution.

It was also to pave way for the National delegates conference scheduled to take place in Cape Coast next month.

Various representatives of political parties including the biggest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the National Democratic Party (NDP), took turns to read their solidarity messages.

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Source: GNA

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According to John Boadu, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), does not have the moral right to suggest that the NPP is promoting lawlessness in the country.

[contextly_sidebar id=”6e1lPQcGENhPZyYdt2TOru17UMKrefOS”]The NDC at a press conference addressed by its Chairman, Kofi Portuphy on Wednesday, accused the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, of promoting lawlessness for not forcefully condemning acts of violence carried out by some groups affiliated to the party.

He said following the declaration of the NPP as winners of the December 2016 Presidential elections, some youth groups went on rampage and committed various crimes including vandalizing state property and taking over operations at some state facilities which was not condemned by the President.

“[President Akufo-Addo] shied away from expressing outrage or total condemnation, and chose rather cynically to pontificate on the rule of law…  When responsible world leaders express outrage at violence in their countries, it is not because they do not believe in the rule of law. It’s because violence should never be condoned under any circumstance,” Mr. Poturphy stressed.

But John Boadu, in an interview on Eyewitness News on Wednesday said the NPP on the contrary, has sought to ensure that group or individual who breaks the law goes through the laid down legal procedures to be prosecuted.

“This is a new government that has decided to depart from allowing citizens especially party members from taking the law into their own hands. It is a departure from that culture of impunity where party people decide to take the laws of this country into their own hands and government looks on. Government does not act… [This] government is working on those things… Nana Akufo-Addo has taken the bull by the horn and has allowed the due process to go on. This is their [NDC] problem because they couldn’t do that,” he said.

Members of the Delta Force group manhandled the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, because they disagreed with his appointment.

Some of the group’s members also stormed the premises of the Kumasi Circuit court last week, destroying court property and forcefully freeing their colleagues who were facing trial for their involvement in the attack on the security coordinator.

That incident has been condemned by bodies such as the Ghana Bar Association, UN, Judicial Council, the National Peace Council and the NDC.

The thirteen suspects, who are now on bail awaiting the substantive matter of the assault on the security coordinator, have already been sentenced for fleeing from the court.

They were each fined Ghc2,400, and made to sign  a bond of good behaviour. Meanwhile, the eight other members of the group who carried out the raid on the court, have been remanded awaiting prosecution.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NPP hasn’t shielded party miscreants like NDC – John Boadu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Some youth alleged to be loyalists of the NPP have besieged government offices to take over management, while others have destroyed some government property claiming their party is now in power, and they have the right to take over state agencies.

[contextly_sidebar id=”9qixTBBupPzruDGgQ2s16rD5ZltKMx2g”]But according to the acting General Secretary of the party, the individuals in question cannot be said to be supporters of the party.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast show, he said, “We’ve not sanctioned or approved of any member of our party to take the law into his or her hands. We disapprove it and condemn it.”

He argued that, the Police must be seen to be proactive in dealing with the situation.

“My concerns is not about an NPP person doing it, but my concern is a Ghanaian or any other person who has no authority to do so or take the law into his own hands. The police has a responsibility of protecting lives and property. The police must do their work, if it calls for arrest, they should do it.”

On Monday, there were about seven different instances of the alleged takeover and in some cases, disturbances. There have been concerns that the party is looking on unconcerned.

Some well-built men numbering about 200, claiming to be members of the party’s “Invisible Forces”, thronged the premises of the Golden Jubilee terminal of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), to demand their share of national security jobs.

Another group of supporters last Friday, also besieged the premises of the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, to disallow the signing of a supposed last minute contract by the Ashaiman MCE, Ibrahim Baidoo.

The leadership of the NPP in Ashaiman claimed the MCE had summoned a meeting of some prominent committee members of the Assembly, to rectify a revenue collection contract between the Assembly and a revenue collection company called Atomz Solutions.

In the Western Region, some loyalists of the party were alleged to have besieged and locked up the office of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Bodi.

Confirming the incident to Citi News, the Member of Parliament for the area, Sampson Ahi, said the suspects put the office under lock and key and injured the manager of the Scheme in the district.

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

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