John Dramani Mahama Archives - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always https://citifmonline.com/tag/john-dramani-mahama/ Ghana News | Ghana Politics | Ghana Soccer | Ghana Showbiz Tue, 13 Mar 2018 15:16:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.8 https://citifmonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-CITI-973-FM-32x32.jpg John Dramani Mahama Archives - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always https://citifmonline.com/tag/john-dramani-mahama/ 32 32 Use visa-on-arrival policy to attract African investors – Mahama https://citifmonline.com/2018/03/use-visa-on-arrival-policy-to-attract-african-investors-mahama/ Tue, 13 Mar 2018 15:16:42 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=409490 Former President John Dramani Mahama has advised African leaders to offer their fellow African nationals special protocol services in the form of visas-on-arrival in a bid to open up the continent for investments. According to him, this will remove the hustle African investors go through trying to access visas when they want to visit other […]

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Former President John Dramani Mahama has advised African leaders to offer their fellow African nationals special protocol services in the form of visas-on-arrival in a bid to open up the continent for investments.

According to him, this will remove the hustle African investors go through trying to access visas when they want to visit other parts of the continent.

“I implemented the protocol for the issuance of visas-on-arrival for all African Passport holders in June 2016. This has taken away the hustle African business people experienced travelling in and out of Ghana.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”GEA9wndW8eSulvgbjBzrWfl80pqPrAB9″]“We can do same for the whole continent. Not only for people but also for goods. We must open the opportunities of our economies to our people. This will stem the outflow of over $190 billion from the continent each year (E.g. in the road construction industry),” he added.

The former President said this when he addressed the 5th Annual Commonwealth Africa Summit in the United Kingdom today [Tuesday], March 13, 2018.

The summit was on the theme: “Common Good.”

John Mahama also explained that visas on arrival could lure African businesses to invest their monies in local economies.

“African business people will reinvest their monies in the African economy. Technology is available and for sale. We must not see investors as only foreigners.”

He also called for investment in African youth saying the continent is blessed with the necessary human resource needed to transform the continent.

“What is required in Africa is investment. Investment in these youths to deploy their skills, their talents and their innovations. Venture financing that allows the youth to transform their dreams and aspirations into multi-million Pound businesses.”

“Investment in social and economic infrastructure, in manufacturing plants that add value to the natural resources available on our continent in order to expand the availability of good paying jobs, increase taxes collected by our states in order to further open up our countries for more investments and business,” he added.

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Alhaji Bature’s death a great loss to NDC – Mahama https://citifmonline.com/2018/01/alhaji-batures-death-a-great-loss-to-ndc-mahama/ Sat, 06 Jan 2018 12:11:46 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=389298 Former president John Dramani Mahama has eulogized the late Alhaji Bature Iddrisu describing his death as a great loss to the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Alhaji Bature, who was an outspoken political commentator and a sympathizer of the opposition NDC, died on Friday, January 4, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he had been on admission. […]

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Former president John Dramani Mahama has eulogized the late Alhaji Bature Iddrisu describing his death as a great loss to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Alhaji Bature, who was an outspoken political commentator and a sympathizer of the opposition NDC, died on Friday, January 4, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he had been on admission.

Mahama took to his Facebook page and said Bature was endowed with “a great sense of analysis” and “will be sorely missed.”

“Sudden news of the passing of my brother and friend, Alhaji Bature Iddrisu. This is a great personal loss and for the NDC family. His wit and a great sense of analysis will be sorely missed. May Allah the Merciful grant him Jannatul Firdaus,” he wrote.


[contextly_sidebar id=”44MqI0r7BL6fiKJk1kfcq5HF19ZZTLDb”]

Alhaji Bature will be buried today, Saturday, January 6, 2018, in line with Islamic tradition.

“The late Alhaji Bature gave up the ghost a few minutes past 3:00pm at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was receiving treatment after a short illness,” a statement from his family signed by News Editor of the aL-hAJJ newspaper and spokesperson for the Iddrisu family, Amos Blessing Amorse, said.

“In line with the Islamic faith, Janaiza prayers will be observed tomorrow, Saturday, January 6, 2018 at his family house at Nima, Gorillas; adjacent UNIBANK. The mortal remains will then be conveyed to the Madina Cemetery at 1p.m. for burial,”

 

By: Farida Yusif/citimonlie.com/Ghana

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I only advised Mahama to leave military land – Nitiwul backtracks https://citifmonline.com/2017/12/i-only-advised-mahama-to-leave-military-land-nitiwul-backtracks/ Fri, 15 Dec 2017 06:03:56 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=383336 Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, appears to have backtracked from his earlier harsh call on former president John Dramani Mahama to vacate his current property in Accra, alleged to be sited on Military land. According to Mr. Nitiwul, he only advised the former President to leave the disputed land to avoid being drawn into the ongoing […]

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Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, appears to have backtracked from his earlier harsh call on former president John Dramani Mahama to vacate his current property in Accra, alleged to be sited on Military land.

According to Mr. Nitiwul, he only advised the former President to leave the disputed land to avoid being drawn into the ongoing battle over the site.

[contextly_sidebar id=”f87MufMO7htLIlVe2xlvZ8YRCd5ozbA7″]”I mentioned former president Mahama and said that where he was living, that land is in dispute between several Labadi families and the military. It would not be in his interest as former Commander-in-Chief to live there because people are making reference to him as the one living there with others also encroaching,” he said on Eyewitness News.

“If you want to take on somebody, they say the former President is living there as well. I said that if I were him, I would not stay in the place. I said that where Mahama is living is not good for him or for us because big people, top politicians have appropriated military lands so he should leave the area as it won’t help us as a people.”

A fiery Dominic Nitiwul had appeared to appeared to state, when he addressed a Meet The Press event last week, that top government officials who were living on land taken from the Armed Forces “should leave.”

He criticized the previous administration for their poor handling of matters relating to the country’s Armed Forces, claiming that land belonging to the military had been sold off under their tenure.

“…I am talking about the former President, John Mahama. I will say no more, but I am very disturbed about this.  It is happening in Tamale, it is happening in Takoradi and Lands Commission is colluding to do that. People in Lands Commission were selling Armed Forces lands. Not under this watch, that cannot happen any longer, and anybody who decides to encroach on Armed Forces lands should leave. It is not in your interest. I am sorry; but that is the truth that we did not manage the Armed Forces lands very well, ” he noted.

However, Dominic Nitiwul has now insisted that he did not order Mr. Mahama to leave the said land as he had no power to do so, but only recommended that he relocated in his interests.

“I said that I don’t have the power to order [Mahama] to leave the area, but I advised that it would be good for him to leave the area because he was the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the military have made it very clear that they need that land.  If you go to some portions of Burma Camp, you may not be able to differentiate military property from civilian property, and that is not good for any us, ” he added.

Joyce Bawa Mogtari

‘Reckless, Distasteful’ 

The Defence Minister came under fire for his comments, with many critics claiming that it was a political vendetta against John Mahama.

The Office of the former President also responded, rubbishing the suggestions that Mr. Mahama had appropriated military land for his benefit.

In a strongly-worded statement which was released in the wake of the Minister’s comments, John Mahama’s Special aide, Joyce Bawah Mogtari stated emphatically that the former President had not taken possession of any land owned by the military and also called for an apology from the Minister.

She also described the comments made by Mr. Nitiwul as irresponsible, and dismissed them as mere propaganda from a state official who is expected to act with more decorum.

However, Dominic Nitiwul has defended his comments suggesting that he sought to assure the military that land belonging to them would be reclaimed as his government had promised.

“We said in our manifesto that we were going to protect military lands, so we didn’t just wake up and start talking about military lands. We’ve done a lot of what we said we’d do except a few things, he explained.

“We have increased the allowances for the soldiers, we have got the 11.1% for the civilian workers, we now pay soldiers at the UN at the operation theaters, and we’ve made sure that we’ve paid all the arrears, and that soldiers are given what they are supposed to get.”

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Mahama doesn’t own military land; Nitiwul is ‘reckless’ – Mogtari https://citifmonline.com/2017/12/mahama-doesnt-own-military-land-nitiwul-is-reckless-mogtari/ Thu, 07 Dec 2017 21:07:25 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=381108 Former President John Dramani Mahama’s aide, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, has described as irresponsible and reckless claims by Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, that the land on which the former president’s residence is sited, belongs to the Ghana Armed Forces. In a strongly-worded statement which was released in the wake of the Minister’s comments, Joyce Bawah Mogtari […]

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Former President John Dramani Mahama’s aide, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, has described as irresponsible and reckless claims by Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, that the land on which the former president’s residence is sited, belongs to the Ghana Armed Forces.

In a strongly-worded statement which was released in the wake of the Minister’s comments, Joyce Bawah Mogtari stated emphatically that the former President had not taken possession of any land owned by the military.

[contextly_sidebar id=”3G0ELWfv8Liyo2BEdvOVhf4eK2da91u3″]The statement added that the property in which the former first family currently resides has been at the site for years.

“We presume that the minister’s irresponsible claim is in respect of the current residence of the former first family.  President Mahama has not appropriated or acquired any land or property belonging to the military and which he is currently occupying.”

“President Mahama has not appropriated or acquired any land or property belonging to the military and which he is currently occupying”, Joyce Mogtari stated.

“This Office is appalled at the minister’s unfounded accusation because any serious Defence Minister, with the Military Intelligence apparatus under him would know that President Mahama has no claim to the ownership of the land of the property in which he resides,” the statement added.

The statement further clarified that, “the former president and his family as is commonly known, currently resides in a residential estate developed by a private real estate development company. The estate has been in existence for several years and the former first family lives peacefully with several Ghanaian and expatriate neighbours.”

Dominic Nitiwul had demanded, when he addressed a Meet the Press session on Thursday, that John Mahama vacates the residence as it was sited on military land.

He criticized the previous administration for their poor handling of matters relating to the country’s armed forces, claiming that land belonging to the military had been sold off to government officials at the time.

Dominic Nitiwul

“…I am talking about the former President, John Mahama. I will say no more, but I am very disturbed about this.  It is happening in Tamale, it is happening in Takoradi and Lands Commission is colluding to do that. People in Lands Commission were selling Armed Forces lands. Not under this watch, that cannot happen any longer, and anybody who decides to encroach on Armed Forces lands should leave. It is not in your interest. I am sorry; but that is the truth that we did not manage the Armed Forces lands very well.” he noted”

The statement described the comments made by the Defence Minister as irresponsible, and dismissed them as mere propaganda from a state official who is expected to act with more decorum.

“It is sad that the minister with oversight responsibility over our men and women in uniform, who risk their lives to preserve the security of our nation, would descend into the gutter and dabble in propaganda of the most undesirable kind. This behaviour falls short of the requirements of a Defence Minister whose office calls for sobriety and reflection,” the statement concluded.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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‘I would be a better President than Mahama’ – Sylvester Mensah https://citifmonline.com/2017/11/i-would-be-a-better-president-than-mahama-sylvester-mensah/ Thu, 23 Nov 2017 06:20:16 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=376633 Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah, has said that he will be better than John Dramani Mahama if he is given the chance to lead the country. While stating that the former President’s administration “did their best” while in office, he insisted that he would be able to take […]

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Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah, has said that he will be better than John Dramani Mahama if he is given the chance to lead the country.

While stating that the former President’s administration “did their best” while in office, he insisted that he would be able to take the country further than Mahama did.

[contextly_sidebar id=”h7Imumi6uPyw2JtH6GZXzflJrUD8IACg”]A number of persons, including the Member of Parliament for Nadowli-Kaleo, Alban Bagbin, Ekow Spio Garbrah, and former Rector of the University of Professional Studies Prof Joshua Alabi have hinted of their desire to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s into the 2020 elections.

Despite not actually confirming it, John Mahama has given strong hints that he may try to recapture the Presidency he lost in 2016.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, Sylvester Mensah also admitted that he was considering contesting for the position, adding that “consultations are ongoing” with his advisers on the matter.

When asked whether he believes he will do better than John Mahama if elected, Sylvester Mensah responded: “Of course, I believe strongly about that. I have competence and capacity that can move this country faster than any of the current hopefuls. I have ability and what it takes to move this country faster than any other.”

“The previous [President] could have done a very good job, but at the end of the day, you want to find out whether there is someone who could have done better. And doing better doesn’t necessarily define the other person’s performance as bad.”

‘Nothing was proven’

Questions have been raised about the suitability of Sylvester Mensah to contest for NDC’s internal primaries let alone the Presidency, following the circumstances that surrounded his exit from the NHIA.

However he brushed these concerns aside, stating that he had not been found guilty of any wrongdoing in the matter.

“Just being investigated is not enough. Anybody can be investigated. There appears to be some impression about a few things. I was never arrested, I was never detained and I was never interdicted,” he said.

“I was called upon to respond to some uncertainty and I provided clarity and it all ended. At the end of the day, I had a formal letter to the effect that I had been exonerated and that they had been no adverse findings… I was never sacked from the NHIA, I was reassigned to the Presidency. ”

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Don’t impose Mahama; he can’t beat Nana Addo – NDC Group https://citifmonline.com/2017/11/dont-impose-mahama-he-cant-beat-nana-addo-ndc-group/ Mon, 13 Nov 2017 20:04:15 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=373434 A group within the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) calling itself Bring Back NDC (BBN), has suggested that it would be difficult for John Dramani Mahama to return to the Presidency if he is chosen as the party’s flagbearer for the 2020 general elections. They raised these concerns following a recent joint statement from all ten […]

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A group within the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) calling itself Bring Back NDC (BBN), has suggested that it would be difficult for John Dramani Mahama to return to the Presidency if he is chosen as the party’s flagbearer for the 2020 general elections.

They raised these concerns following a recent joint statement from all ten regional chairmen of the NDC,  in which they appeared to back John Mahama to contest in 2020.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ASVr6gzsxJpAocgH1wPK3gcv9ozI1ijf”]Reports also indicate that 80 of the party’s representatives in parliament also went to see the former president, which BBN see as an attempt to “manipulate processes to favour John Dramani Mahama”

According to the group, backing a new candidate in 2020 enables the NDC to re-brand and present a stronger challenge to regain power in 2024, even if their 2020 bid is unsuccessful.

They added that it would buttress the claims by political opponents that the NDC does not have many people who can step up to the top job.

“Recycling John Mahama as our flagbearer would reinforce critics’ claim that the NDC does not have presidential materials. This has the tendency to bolster the confidence of our opponents’ grassroots, and dampen the spirit of our rank and file. Many party adherents speaking objectively contend that there is the need for the main opposition to field a new ticket which would have the added advantage of marketing themselves well enough for a guaranteed victory in 2024. In the event we lose 2020, the prospects of the candidature of John Mahama shuts down,” a statement from the group said.

“It is strongly believed that it would be a herculean task to market John Mahama against President Nana Akufo Addo considering current developments in the country.”

The group also believes that several allegations of corruption during the NDC’s tenure involving government officials would not endear John Dramani Mahama to voters should he stand again.

“Ghanaians’ perception of corruption against John Mahama and his appointees was pervasive and equal denying him the moral authority as president to command institutions of state for Good Governance.”

Find below, the full statement from the group:

DON’T IMPOSE JOHN MAHAMA ON US!

Bring Back NDC (BBN) upon rigorous reconnection with disenchanted masses, intelligence gathering plus internal information has come to the conclusion that certain individuals and institutions within the party by virtue of their actions, inactions and utterances seem to be manipulating processes to favour the former President HE John Dramani Mahama.

This is epitomized by the recent visit of eighty party-parliamentarians to his office ostensibly to ‘force’ him to contest.

And we note with deep-seated concerns that if the neutrality of the internal electioneering processes is undermined, the party could pay dearly, like 2016, in the 2020 elections. BBN believes that John Mahama for that matter any other individual should not be given an unfair advantage in the party’s internal elections because of the following:

First, John Mahama’s decision to lead the party again may be seen as a move for Personal Aggrandizement and bears bad omen to the party.

Because, besides fulfilling the myth that he has never lost any competitive elections, there is nothing left for him to accomplish as president because he did his best, campaigned on his achievements and lost woefully. Majority of well-meaning party members and Ghanaians are of the view that if his intentions for the party were genuine he could step aside as a statesman and support it with funds and experience.

Second, recycling John Mahama as our flagbearer would reinforce critics claim that the NDC do not have presidential materials.

This has the tendency to bolster the confidence of our opponents’ grassroots and dampen the spirit of our rank and file. Many party adherents speaking objectively contend that there is the need for the main opposition to field a new ticket which would have the added advantage of marketing themselves well enough for a guaranteed victory in 2024, in the event, we lose 2020, a prospect the candidature of John Mahama shuts down.

It is strongly believed that it would be a herculean task to market John Mahama against President Nana Akufo Addo considering current developments in the country.

Third, Ghanaians perception of corruption against John Mahama and his appointees was pervasive and equal denying him the moral authority as president to command institutions of state for Good Governance.

Thus his laissez-faire attitude did not portend well for the party and the country, hence he deserves no added advantages in his bid to lead the party. Finally, National Democratic Congress is known as a party for the commoners where anyone can become somebody irrespective of heritage or wealth. This is a niche the party cannot afford to cede to any party.

However, events in the last internal elections adversely affected this reputation partly causing us the General Elections, which must be checked to ensure the survival and continuous relevance of the party. EYE ZU: EYE ZA!!

Signed

HANNAN LEGEND

 

(Director of Operations, 0243112613/0206021468, [email protected])

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Focus on reorganization, not my candidature – Mahama https://citifmonline.com/2017/11/focus-on-reorganization-not-my-candidature-mahama/ Fri, 10 Nov 2017 17:21:28 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=372356 Former President, John Dramani Mahama, has reiterated his belief that it would be unwise for him to declare his intention to contest whilst the party is still reorganising after its defeat in the 2016 polls. According to the former president, it is important for the party to focus on the efforts to mend the cracks within […]

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Former President, John Dramani Mahama, has reiterated his belief that it would be unwise for him to declare his intention to contest whilst the party is still reorganising after its defeat in the 2016 polls.

According to the former president, it is important for the party to focus on the efforts to mend the cracks within its fold, and strengthen its structures as it aims to recapture power in 2020.

[contextly_sidebar id=”1hCoRhyWiiudgBTF6zlt8xi4nTFRKTXp”]”On the issue of considering the request of party colleagues and supporters to lead the NDC to the 2020 Elections, HE John Mahama’s position, as stated in Cape Coast, remains that it will be premature to announce his decision whether or not to contest, in view of the ongoing reorganization efforts of the Party,” a statement signed by the Special Aide to the former President, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, said.

His latest comments come after calls from all 10 regional chairmen of the NDC for him to consider running for the 2020 polls.

The chairmen’s statement has not gone down well with some officials of the party, with a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Kofi Kukubor, calling on the party’s Council of elders to take “swift action” against them.

John Mahama asked that the party’s processes be observed, whilst pledging his own commitment to ensuring the party bounces back from their disappointing loss in 2016.

“The former president further repeated his earlier call on all members of the NDC to focus on the ongoing restructuring and reorganization exercise, whilst pledging his commitment and support for the process and the party. He also advised leadership of the party to continue to work towards establishing a level playing field during the upcoming internal party elections.”

Discussions with party over ‘Thank You Tour’

John Dramani Mahama also stated that, he will hold discussions with the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over when to stage a nationwide ‘Thank You’ tour.

According to the statement, the former President has  “always wanted to thank Ghanaians for their support and cooperation during his tenure as both Vice President and President of the Republic of Ghana” and would settle on a schedule after a meeting with the party.”

This comes after calls from the regional chairmen of the NDC for the former President to embark on the tour, though belated.

In a statement issued on Thursday, following a meeting with John Mahama, the chairmen noted that the former president’s presence in all the regions would help in the party’s reconciliatory and healing process.

Following the NDC’s defeat in the December 2016, there appear to be pockets of disgruntled members divided over who was responsible for the party’s defeat.

The National leadership of the party tasked a special Committee led by Prof. Kwesi Botchwey to tour the country to listen to concerns of party members.

However, since the Committee completed its work, various supposed leaked contents of their final report have added to the animosity within the party, despite attempts by several senior officials to distance themselves from the document.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Mahama to consult party over ‘Thank You tour’ date https://citifmonline.com/2017/11/mahama-to-consult-party-over-thank-you-tour-date/ Fri, 10 Nov 2017 17:07:34 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=372346 Former President John Dramani Mahama has stated that he will hold discussions with the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), over when to embark on his nationwide ‘Thank You’ tour. The announcement by the former President comes barely a day after ten regional chairmen  of the party endorsed his candidature, and urged him to […]

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Former President John Dramani Mahama has stated that he will hold discussions with the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), over when to embark on his nationwide ‘Thank You’ tour.

The announcement by the former President comes barely a day after ten regional chairmen  of the party endorsed his candidature, and urged him to embark on a ‘Thank You Tour.’

According to a statement signed by the Special Aide to the former President, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, the former President has  “always wanted to thank Ghanaians for their support and cooperation during his tenure as both Vice President and President of the Republic of Ghana” and would settle on a schedule after a meeting with the party.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”GM0RhLmjbnhioXfG44qHlwMtKueOpJcq”]In a statement issued on Thursday, following a meeting with John Mahama, the regional chairmen noted that the former president’s presence in all the regions would help in the party’s reconciliatory and healing process.

Following the NDC’s defeat in the December 2016, there appear to be pockets of disgruntled members divided over who was responsible for the party’s defeat.

The National leadership of the party tasked a special Committee led by Prof. Kwesi Botchwey to tour the country to listen to concerns of party members.

However, since the Committee completed its work, various supposed leaked contents of their final report have added to the animosity within the party, despite the attempts by several senior officials to distance themselves from the document.

‘Premature to announce Presidential intentions’

The chairmen, in their statement, appeared to back the former president to lead the party into the 2020 elections.

They urged the former President to consider running for the 2020 polls, a call which has angered many in the party.

A member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, Kofi Kukubor, has charged the party’s Council of elders to take “swift action” against the chairmen for their call.

But in his statement today [Friday], John Mahama reiterated that it would be unwise for him to declare his intention to contest, whilst the party is still reorganizing after its defeat in the 2016 polls

“On the issue of considering the request of party colleagues and supporters to lead the NDC to the 2020 Elections, HE John Mahama’s position, as stated in Cape Coast, remains that it will be premature to announce his decision whether or not to contest, in view of the ongoing reorganization efforts of the Party,” the statement said.

“The former president further repeated his earlier call on all members of the NDC to focus on the ongoing restructuring and reorganization exercise, whilst pledging his commitment and support for the process and the party. He also advised the leadership of the party to continue to work towards establishing a level playing field during the upcoming internal party elections.”

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Ibrahim Mahama’s name pops up in ‘Paradise Papers’ https://citifmonline.com/2017/11/ibrahim-mahamas-name-pops-up-in-paradise-papers/ Mon, 06 Nov 2017 12:20:54 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=368618 Ibrahim Mahama, brother of Ghana’s ex-President, John Dramani Mahama, has been named in leaked documents which capture some affluent people worldwide who have hidden their monies in offshore accounts. According to the leak dubbed “Paradise Papers” and put together by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), Ibrahim Mahama, had planned to open two different accounts […]

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Ibrahim Mahama, brother of Ghana’s ex-President, John Dramani Mahama, has been named in leaked documents which capture some affluent people worldwide who have hidden their monies in offshore accounts.

According to the leak dubbed “Paradise Papers” and put together by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), Ibrahim Mahama, had planned to open two different accounts in 2013 with international offshore law firm Appleby, but ended up opening just one.

[contextly_sidebar id=”gPChYovSubmzpYRXvJwaqX7oTKEsnn0v”]The report stated that, Ibrahim Mahama, Chief Executive Officer of Engineers and Planners, opened the account in the name of Red Sky Aviation Limited which has a $7 million Bombadier Challenger jet.

“In 2013, representatives of Mahama and his contracting company Engineers and Planners Company Limited contacted Appleby about creating two offshore companies in the Isle of Man but ended up creating only one. That company, Red Sky Aviation Limited, was used to hold a $7 million Bombardier Challenger jet.”

According to the Paradise Papers, Ibrahim Mahama’s companies were ranked by Appleby as “high risk” companies because of the owner’s relationship with former Ghanaian leader, John Mahama.

“The second company was intended for “consulting services in the oil and gas mining infrastructure development, and real estate sectors of the Ghanaian economy.”

Appleby ranked Mahama and his companies as a high risk due to his relationship to the then-president, and allegations in Ghanaian media that government funds were being used to repay the company’s multi-million-dollar bank loan.”

ICIJ in the report however noted that, when Ibrahim Mahama’s company was contacted on the issue, they “denied any wrongdoing.”

“A representative of Engineers & Planners Company Limited declined to respond to specific questions and told ICIJ that there was nothing illegal in the use of offshore companies,” the report added.

Paradise Papers: Tax haven secrets of ultra-rich exposed

The huge new leak of financial documents has revealed how the powerful and ultra-wealthy, including the Queen of England’s private estate, secretly invest vast amounts of cash in offshore tax havens.

America’s President, Donald Trump’s commerce secretary, is shown to have a stake in a firm dealing with Russians sanctioned by the US.

The leak, dubbed the Paradise Papers, contains 13.4m documents, mostly from one leading firm in offshore finance. BBC Panorama is part of nearly 100 media groups investigating the papers.

As with last year’s Panama Papers leak, the documents were obtained by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, which called in the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) to oversee the investigation.

EOCO chases Ibrahim Mahama

Ibrahim Mahama has been hot this year, 2017, after he was ordered in April to pay about GHc12 million by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for duty on goods he cleared with dud cheques in 2015 plus interest.

Panama papers

In 2016, a similar report was released which captured thousands of wealthy people who have hidden their treasures in offshore accounts.

The report named the sons ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, as some Ghanaians who operated such accounts.

They’ve done no wrong

A private legal practitioner, Ace Ankomah, at the time explained that, such persons cited in the operation of foreign accounts, have committed no offence.

“The existence of a tax haven is in itself not wrong” but “it is believed that such accounts are used for all kinds of nefarious activities; money laundering, tax avoidance among others,” he added.

By: citifmonilne.com/Ghana

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Ayisi Boateng should’ve been sacked immediately – Mahama https://citifmonline.com/2017/11/ayisi-boateng-shouldve-been-sacked-immediately-mahama/ https://citifmonline.com/2017/11/ayisi-boateng-shouldve-been-sacked-immediately-mahama/#comments Sun, 05 Nov 2017 13:02:10 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=368380 Former President John Dramani Mahama has condemned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his failure to relieve Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, George Ayisi Boateng, of his post, following the widely condemned partisan comments made by the diplomat. Ayisi Boateng received widespread criticism for stating that his first priority is to members of the NPP, and that […]

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Former President John Dramani Mahama has condemned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his failure to relieve Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, George Ayisi Boateng, of his post, following the widely condemned partisan comments made by the diplomat.

Ayisi Boateng received widespread criticism for stating that his first priority is to members of the NPP, and that if he had his own way, members of the party’s Tertiary Students’ Confederacy Network (TESCON), will be prioritized for various job opportunities.

[contextly_sidebar id=”eGVcbaYNDktj9tfxBHYpTbttUqKJLMG3″]He added that, he views NPP members as more Ghanaian than others, comments which have attracted public scorn.

Despite the pressure on him to retract his comments or resign from his position, Ayisi Boateng initially reiterated his sentiments,  stating in a radio interview that, “when you have a large family but you first make your wife and children, eat first before others, what is wrong with that?”

He, however, eventually gave in to the public pressure, issuing a statement in which he retracted his comments and apologized to Ghanaians after a meeting at the Flagstaff House.

But President Mahama, speaking at a Unity Walk organised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Central Regional capital Cape Coast, said that the President has failed to show leadership fornot dismissing Ayisi Boateng immediately for his comments.

According to him, the comments made by the country’s chief representative in South Africa were unworthy of a person in his position.

“The President seems unable to take firm action in anything. When I talk about the President not putting his foot down, we have a constitution and the constitution is the supreme law of the land. If you are a party officer, you can say whatever you want, there is no problem,” he said.

“You can say all jobs should go to NDC people before it goes to NPP people, if you are Allotey Jacobs. The government doesn’t pay you, taxpayers don’t pay you and you haven’t sworn an oath to anybody. But [not] when you are appointed as a High Commissioner and you swear an oath to the constitution of Ghana which says there shall be no discrimination and you shall do justice to all manner of persons.”

The former President criticized his successor for not showing his commitment to the promises he made to Ghanaians, to ensure opportunities for everyone devoid of political bias.

“When they [NPP] were looking for your votes, President Akufo-Addo said they shall open the opportunities of this country to all Ghanaians, irrespective of their party or ethnic affiliations. He came to power and now that the pigs are enjoying, they say some Ghanaians are more Ghanaian than others. For something like this, you don’t call the person to the Flagstaff House, draft an apology letter for him and ask him to sign. You sack him at once.”

George Ayisi Boateng, Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa
George Ayisi Boateng, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa

Apology was written for him to sign – Mahama

Ayisi Boateng stated in his apology that, “I  regret the effect of my speech delivered to the young party members which has generated public outcry. I, therefore wish to retract my comments and render an unqualified apology to the presidency and all Ghanaians.”

John Mahama berated the diplomat for his apology, suggesting that it wasn’t sincere and had not even been written by him.

“If you read the apology letter, it’s an apology of an apology letter.  He said he apologized for the effect of his words, not his words, just the effect. That is the new government under which we are.”

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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