This letter from the former Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah, was signed two days before then-President, John Mahama inaugurated the Presidential transition team, which he co-chaired with then President-elect, Nana Akufo Addo.

[contextly_sidebar id=”V5gj5tGcuXvc0PxHGLEQjagd6oEp19Il”]Earlier documents sighted by Citi News revealed that the contract for the new cars for the Presidency was awarded by the Mahama government on the 3rd of January, 2017, to Amalgamated Security Services LTD.

A former Presidential Staffer, Clement Apaak claimed that the current government agreed with the then out-going Mahama government to buy the 43 new vehicles a few days before leaving office.

Dr. Apaak also noted that, the Mahama administration agreed to the request by Nana Akufo-Addo’s side because of security concerns made, a claim a Deputy Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, has denied.

But the two-paragraph letter authorizing the purchase was dated December 9, 2016, whereas the transition team was officially inaugurated on December 11, 2016.

Deal authorized by Terkper

The letter noted that, the deal was authorized by the outgoing Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, to take note of the decision to purchase the 43 vehicles “for necessary action accordingly.”

The letter also clearly stated that, the outgoing government had “decided to acquire some vehicles for the incoming administration”.

Meanwhile, sources within the Mahama administration suggest the decision to purchase the new vehicles, was made upon a request from current Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, and Senior Minister, Yaw Osarfo Maafo, who played key roles in the transition and in the deal.

Gov’t denies involvement in deal

The Akufo-Addo administration has maintained it knew nothing of this deal to procure 43 new vehicles for the Presidency.

A deputy Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, speaking on the authority of the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo, insisted that there were no conversations of this kind to purchase new vehicles.

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By: Umaru Sanda Amadu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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He said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is poised at empowering the youth with alternative livelihood opportunities through programs that will support them to set up their own businesses.

According to the Chief of Staff , there is a concious plan and programme of President Mahama called the National Business Booster Agenda where funds will be made available to existing and potential Ghanaian entrepreneurs through the EXIM bank to start or boost businesses.

He charged the youth to be bold and grab opportunities when they come their way. “You have to be strong and seize the opportunity at all times to take advantage of them when available.

Addressing participants at the Job Summit in Accra, as part of his Greater Accra regional tour to canvass votes for his boss President Mahama, Julius Debrah, underscored the need for the youth to identify the opportunities that abound.

The Chief of Staff held similar Job Summits in the Volta, Eastern, Ashanti and other regions to inform and educate the youth of the opportunities that would exist under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama between 2017 to 2020.

The Chief of Staff and his entourage have been touring the country to campaign strategy aimed for President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress  (NDC)’s parliamentary candidates.

Mr. Julius Debrah cited examples of persons who defied small beginnings and today have big companies in Ghana and elsewhere now.

He mentioned The CEO of Jospong group of companies, Dr. Siaw Agyapong, CEO of Peace Fm  Kwame Despite who used to sell audio cassettes and Kwame Ofosu Kwarteng of Silkens fame, saying if they were able to make it then the youth of today could make it through hardwork and determination.

He said “President Mahama’s administration is ready to support anybody at all , whether you have certificate or not, educated or not, enlightened or not to give you the assistance you need and ensure you become a successful entrepreneur.”

Speakers included the deputy Communication Minister Mr. Ato Sarpong, Presidential Staffer Mawusi Dzirasah and the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah.

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By: Richard Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Don’t despise small beginnings – Chief of Staff to youth appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said it was the government’s policies to put in place a multi-tiered model of growth in infrastructure and quality services, such as the expansion, upgrading and building of the country’s airport to boost the sector.

Mr Debrah made the remarks when Mr Mark Danis, the Regional Manager of American Airlines in-charge of Asia, Middle East, Africa and parts of Europe called on him at his office in Accra.

He said the commitment of government to boost the aviation industry calls for the construction of the $ 250 million new Terminal 3 at the Kotoka International Airport to ensure better access to the facility.

Mr Debrah said new airports would play a pivotal role in the success of the country’s new airline that government was re-introducing by serving as a feeder airport to the Airport.

He said the expected impact of the project on the regions included directly providing employment within the air transport industry such as airlines and airports, aircraft control and meteorology services.

Mr Danis pledged the Airline’s commitment to explore more opportunities in the country’s aviation industry.

He called on government to support the current growth of the aviation industry.

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Source: GNA

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The delegation included Ashanti Regional Minister, John Alexander Ackon, his deputy Andy Osei Okrah, Minister for Works And Housing, Dr. Kweku Agyeman Mensah, Deputy Communications Minister, Ato Sarpong and Presidential Staffers Kojo Adu Asare, Emelia Arthur and Mawushie Dzirasah, a presidential aide.

Other top officials included Deputy Defense Minister, Kenneth Adjei, Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Koku Anyidoho, NDC National Communications Officer, Solomon Nkansah among others.

Chief of Staff who was on a 5-day campaign tour of the region subsequently suspended his activities following a ban on funerals, drumming and noise making in Asanteman until the burial of the queen mother.

The late Asantehemaa was the mother of the current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

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By: Hawa Iddrisu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Chief of Staff leads gov’t delegation to console Otumfuo [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Chief made the endorsement when the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah and his entourage paid a courtesy call on him in the Eastern Region as part of his campaign tour of the region.

According to him, president Mahama has performed impressively in his first term of office and therefore deserves to be given another term to serve.

“I am marveled at what Mahama has accomplished in his first four years in office He has managed our taxes well with a lot developmental projects so he deserves another four years, same as was given to former president Agyekum Kufour,” he said.

He added that “I remember vividly the former president John Kufour said that no president can change the country given only four years in power but eight years will be enough for every president, so president Mahama also deserves eight years to be properly assessed”

He also endorsed the candidature of Haruna Appau, the NDC parliamentary candidate for then ew Juaben North constituency.

He said “we have all seen what Haruna Appau has been doing for the people of Suhyen even though he is yet to be voted as the Member of Parliament. He came to our aid when there was shortage of water some months ago. He also helped the people of Jumapo with street lights and other developmental projects so Haruna is one of our own and we will push him to parliament,” he said.

Okogyeman Ankomah Basapon said his declaration of support for the candidate must not be seen as participating actively in partisan politics but as speaking the truth and given credit for good works done.

“I am not engaging in politics but only speaking the truth. Developmental projects done by the president are there for everyone to see. This election is about the one who is available all the time, one who has been tested and knows the plight of his people so Mahama and Haruna Apau should be given the nod.”

He urged residents to go out in their numbers to vote massively for both President Mahama and Haruna Appau because that was the only by which they can be guaranteed that their needs will be met.

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah expressed his gratitude to the Chief and commended him for his boldness and confession in declaring his support for President Mahama.

He further assured him of government’s continuous support to the people of Suhyen.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Suhyen chief endorses Mahama’s second term bid appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He explained that the lands were given to government for developmental projects but the lands were entrusted to the Lands Commission and not being used for the intended purpose.

He lamented that the Lands Commission was selling the lands to private developers without recourse to them.

“The lands commission office in Koforidua are selling all the lands, the lands which were passed onto us by our forefathers when they first settled here. They are selling the lands without our consent to private individuals who buy huge portions of the land at very cheap prices and resell to innocent citizens at exorbitant prices,” he said.

“This unreasonable thing is killing us so we plead that the government to release the lands back to the traditional council to take charge again” the Chief said.

Baffour Nyantakyi Tutu Boateng, made the appeal when he hosted the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah on behalf of the Paramount chief of New Juaben traditional council, Daasebre Oti Boateng who is currently out of the country.

He pleaded with the Chief of staff to expedite action on the matter as it is of great concern to the council.

He further appealed to Mr Debrah to help maintain the peace of the land before, during and after the upcoming polls.

The Chief of Staff, who is on a 5-day campaign tour of the Eastern Region assured the Chief that he will channel the appeal to the President.
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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This according to President of policy think tank IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe is because the country lacks the infrastructure to implement the idea in the short and medium term.

“We cannot begin to make it look like obviously a wholesale thing. Why not probably Hausa and even if I suggest Hausa it’s to suggest again that there is even space for it to be taught across board. I think the infrastructure we have now cannot support this in the short to medium term. I don’t think we are ready, we are dealing with too many rudimentary things, and chief of staff is my good friend and I’ll probably be telling him this in his face,” he said on Citi FM’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue on Saturday.

[contextly_sidebar id=”uhdZstktgNDQnKVLV5TgZprwk2KE5LJX”]The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah that announced that government intends to make Arabic an examinable subject at the Senior High School level in 2017 and the basic level in 2018.

The IMANI boss on The Big Issue urged government not to rush in implementing the idea.

“The whole idea that there may be career paths for technical jobs in the Arab world or career diplomats may be aspirational but really we conducted the JSS here in this country, the JSS are supposed to have workshops, they never did. That is where the wretched of the poor from our educational leader actually end up. So we are not even treating technical education that well. Do we really want to pile up? This is non-quantifiable,” he added.

Arabic already an examinable SHS subject

Meanwhile, a former Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Michael Kenneth Nsowah has said the subject is already examinable.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday [November 11], Mr Nsowah said, “already included in the SHS curriculum is Arabic and in actual fact students for this year wrote Arabic on the 29th of March… it is already there so the issue that they are going to be introduced to the curriculum; it is already there.”

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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The Chief of Staff, joined thousands of party supporters to a 10km health walk through the Principal streets of Koforidua, penetrating New Juaben and Asokore as part of his 5-day tour of the area.

[contextly_sidebar id=”bqJUdRm8RZPQgnPH6SttyyPxPn8C6rxo”]The walk brought together the regional, constituency and branch and ward executives including thousands of supporters of the NDC painting the whole town with the NDC colours of green, white , black and red.

The enthusiastic supporters danced, clapped, sang and exhumed confidence of realising the agenda 50-50 target during the polls.

Addressing the ecstatic crowd after the walk, Mr. Julius Debrah, the number 3 position is divine from above the reason must should start exchanging pleasantries with the 3 fingers at all times.

“That is our greeting signal, I am very confident of a comprehensive victory for a President who has the people at heart, President John Dramani Mahama.

The chief of staff criss crossed the nooks and cranies of the Eastern region campaigning for the re election of the President and the NDC at the Dec 7 polls.

He also used the occasion to introduce the parliamentary candidates in the constituencies he visited. Where there were post primaries disagreements, he brokered peace, and unity prevailed.

The Regional Minister, Mavis Ama Frimpong, urged the crowd to go out in their numbers to vote for President Mahama.

He assured them that the security agencies would be in control to ensure an incident free elections, thus they should spread the message for people to come out and vote on the election day.

The National Women organizer of the NDC Hajia Zeynab called encouraged the crowd to intensify the house to house campaign.

She expressed optimism of a one touch victory for President John Mahama.

On his part, the regional chairman Tawiah Boateng said the developmental projects across the region is an indication that it can secure more than the agenda 50-50 target.

He admonished party faithfuls to work hard for victory for the President and the NDC.

The Eastern region is the fourth region the Chief of Staff has visited with his campaign after Upper West, Brong Ahafo and Volta regions.

Those among his entourage are: Local government expert Professor Ato Ahwoi, a member of the campaign team , madam Faustina Nelson,  Deputy Minister of Communications, Ato Sarpong, Presidential staffers, Emelia Arthur and Mawusi Dzirasa.

Depety General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho, Communications Officer, Solomon Nkansah, and Deputy Greater Accra Regional Youth Organizer, Edudzi Tamekloe.

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By: Richard Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Number three on ballot paper sign of victory – Chief of Staff appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

His reasons are that it would be unfair to make President Mahama a one-term president when all other Presidents before him under the Fourth Republic, were allowed two terms in office.

Mr. Debrah also buttressed his argument by citing what he called the numerous developmental projects undertaken by the President’s in his first term in office.

During courtesy call on Chiefs at Koforidua Zongo today [Friday], the Chief of Staff said, “From the north to the south, almost all the presidents who have governed this country have been given eight years to serve. President Kufuor and President Rawlings were all given 8 years… if possible; let’s give the president 8 years so that at the end of his tenure, we can conclude whether he did well or not.”

Chiefs give assurances

On his part, the Fulani chief, Nuhutah Saliki-Fulani, assured that his people will vote to retain President Mahama based on his achievements and not religious leanings.

“God does not make kings based on their religion. He elects leaders irrespective of their religious beliefs. Take Senegal for instance. The country is dominated by Muslims and Christians just make up two percent yet they still voted for a Christian president.”

“So it does not matter where you belong. All I am saying is that Mahama has done a lot for this country and we have to vote for him again irrespective of his religious beliefs.”

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

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According to him, since Ghana’s return to constitutional governance in 1993, all presidents have received two terms thus President Mahama deserves a second term to complete his agenda of “changing lives and transforming Ghana.”

Mr. Debrah mentioned former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor as Heads of State who enjoyed second terms in office, saying, “If that is so why are some people trying to scuttle President Mahama’s second term bid?

The Chief of Staff’s tour of the Eastern Region is a follow up to re-election campaign of the president ahead of the December 7 polls.

Addressing the chiefs and Imams in Nsawam in the Eastern region, Mr. Julius Debrah said “President Mahama has laid a golden foundation in infrastructural development which has laid the grounds for a massive economic take off from 2017.”

“Why is it that all of a sudden some people want to curtail the second term bid of President Mahama?”

The Chief of Staff interacted with chiefs, Imams, opinion leaders, market women among others within the Nsawam municipality.

He told the people that “this opportunity of a second term for JM should not slip by.”

Mr. Debrah appealed to the electorate to vote and maintain President Mahama for another four-year term a prosperous Ghana.

The Chief of Staff’s entourage included Madam Faustina Nelson, Deputy Communications Minister Ato Sarpong, NDC national communications Officer Solomon Nkansah, Deputy communications officer Fred Agbenyo and lawyer Edudzi Tamaklo.

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By: Richard Mensah/ghelections.com/Ghana

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