Delivering a lecture to open the NDC’s ideological school, the National Institute of Social Democracy, on Friday, John Mahama also said policies the NDC government put in place also pushed many lower class Ghanaians into the middle class.

[contextly_sidebar id=”TOFnw6kcAO1C0dZXZM20yLLGkLDHyfNG”]“Indeed, it’s in the time that our party has been in government that businesses have prospered the most,” he said.

The NDC launched the institute about a month ago with the aim of teaching members the party’s principles, ideologies, and values.

Speaking at the maiden lecture, John Mahama charged the leadership of the school to clear a widely held perception that the NDC’s social democracy ideology promotes poverty.

“We must redefine to the public mind and let them understand that social democracy does not amount to equalizing poverty… Our party has contributed the most to the increase in the middle class of this country.”

“In the period that the NDC has been in office, we have seen the greatest upward movement of people from lower classes into the middle class, and yet when people get into the middle class because of the perception that our party is social democratic and it’s against property owning and seeks to equalize poverty, then those same people that we have created the conditions to be upwardly mobile drift into the property owning classes and therefore identify themselves with a different ideology. And so that misconception must be erased,” he added.

Dumsor vs. ‘nuisance’ taxes 

Although the former President was of the view that NDC helped the private sector, critics complained that erratic power cuts and some taxes considered to be “nuisance” affected private companies and industries.

A report by Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) showed that Ghana lost at least 200 million cedis due to the impact of the power crisis.

It is thus unclear how the former President arrived at this conclusion.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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According to Mr Amidu, middle-class Ghanaians must speak up on issues that affect the country to ensure that Ghanaians are not short-changed.

In his latest public statement copied to citifmonline.com, Mr Amidu said, “It is important that as many enlightened middle-class Ghanaians speak up to defend the majority of our citizens who are uneducated in the Whiteman’s ways but funded our education through college and university. Ghanaians must be the beneficiary of our public purse and not just a few political elite and establishment figures.”

He said it was important for enlightened Ghanaians not to be indifferent in the affairs of the country but speak in defence of the decision of Ghanaians to votes out the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for a New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

Martin Amidu said silence on the party of the middle-class means “allowing this looter Government to deliberately make it impossible for the Government you popularly vote for to govern smoothly upon assuming office on 7^th January 2017.”

“Do not sit on the fence at this last hour and allow looters who came into office by the razor-thin majority vote of Justices of the Supreme Court to intimidate fellow citizens Putting Ghana First,” the statement said.

Martin Amidu’s statement comes after many Ghanaians expressed shock at the appointments of substantive commissioners for the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), by President Mahama about two weeks to handing over power to a new government.

Find Mr. Amidu’s full article here

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Akufo-Addo made the confirmation in a tweet on Wednesday.

I came here with @Alankyerematen, because he is the person who is going to be the Min. for Trade and Industry in the Akufo-Addo government.

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) December 21, 2016

This comes ahead of his official naming of all ministers to serve in his government from 7th January 2017.

The President-elect had earlier hinted the appointment of Mr. Kyeremanteng to that office when he met with the Private Enterprise Federation at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

He took the opportunity to present his strategy and policies for private sector development to the business leaders.

Mr. Alan John Kyeremanteng is a businessman, and a politician who served as a Trade and Industry minister in the erstwhile John Kufour administration.

He failed in his attempt to represent the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as its flagbearer for the 2008 elections, having lost to Nana Akufo-Addo.

Currently, at age 61, he played an integral role in the success of the New Patriotic Party in the 2016 general elections that saw the party defeat the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

Akufo-Addo has assured Ghanaians his government will work to ensure businesses thrive and experience significant growth.

While on the campaign trail ahead of the general elections, he said he had competent men to serve in his government and was confident that if he is given the opportunity, they will together ensure economic progress for the country.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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According to him, the Commission’s mandate does not include undertaking such projects but rather supervising them.

[contextly_sidebar id=”LtaeqapHuXYCVQLHMgVFHu1bKEVrPuz8″]The PURC has been accused by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), of conniving with government to inflate the unit cost of the said boreholes, to fund the governing National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) election campaign.

A letter authorized by the PURC and addressed to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), in October 2016, sought an approval to single source some selected contractors, to carry out the water project.

But according to Mr. Apoya, the approach was wrong.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast show on Wednesday, November 23, he said the PURC’s direct involvement in the project could plunge it into “credibility problems.”

“They [PURC] oversees, but they don’t have to physically do it. You are the person regulating the sector. The PURC does not regulate the rural water sub-sector. They provide advice to assemblies to be able to do the regulations themselves.”

“The PURC doesn’t have that capacity of oversee a full-blown water supply system. They are very competent in their area of work; but if they delve into areas that they don’t have expertise in, it can end in credibility problems for them.”

Mr. Apoya expressed concern over the silence of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency about the development, since most of the areas listed to have the boreholes fall under their jurisdiction.

“Why will the PURC decide that all these towns, fall under the pro-poor consideration and we are going to provide water for them. That is extremely irregular. Pro-poor interventions target areas that need to be served; yet water is not reaching them. But these areas we are mentioning are full schemes we are providing for the communities. They are not pro-poor schemes, they are normal water supply schemes that ordinarily should be handled by the Community Health and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), and I don’t know why CWSA is not raising any flags,” he added.

‘Gov’ borehole project cost inflated’

The opposition New Patriotic Party at a press conference on Tuesday, said the amount for the boreholes has been inflated, by the PURC, to enable the Mahama-led administration siphon public funds for its campaign activities.

“The total cost of the project for the 500 bore-holes is GH¢30million.’ And, no matter where the borehole is being dug, the rate per unit is quoted at GH¢60,000. This, ladies and gentlemen, is four times, the market rate,” the NPP said.

But the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) defended its decision to spend about GHc30 million in constructing 500 boreholes in selected communities across the country saying the projects which are yet to commence, are “integrated water systems” saying the cost of such projects are higher than normal boreholes.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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This is according to a deputy General Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) who says his party has intercepted a document from the NPP that outlines the plan.

He said the planned activity was part of the party’s grand plan to reduce the voting numbers of the NDC in the region.

Speaking at a press conference in Ho on Tuesday, Mr Anyidoho said, the leaked document confirms the NPP is aware it has no chance in winning votes in the region.

“This document, exposes the NPP’s passive admission that it has no chance of getting significant votes in the Volta Region, yet, their plan is to create confession to reduce the votes of the NDC in the region,” he said.

He further accused the flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo of destroying his party with his division tactics.

He told the press that, “there is no pain in saying the fact, that Nana Akufo-Addo has seriously destroyed the NPP that President Kufour bequeathed to him.”

‘Anyidoho’s claims are false’

Meanwhile, a Volta Regional Minister under the erstwhile Kufour administration, Kofi Dzamesi debunked the allegations by Mr. Anyidoho describing it as ‘a big lie’.

He said the NPP was determined to reduce the votes of the NDC in the region but not by foul means.

Mr Kofi Dzamesi in an interview on the Citi Prime News cautioned the NDC to desist from “creating problems.”

He said the NDC has consistently spread false rumors aimed at causing disaffection towards the NPP.

“Anytime it is due for election, they [NDC] try to create a problem in the Volta region as if there is going to be some war or a big problem if the NDC does not win. But this time, I want to assure everybody in this country that the people in the Volta Region know of all the tricks and bad things the NDC has been doing to them.”

He further said he was confident the people in the Volta Region will reject the NDC this year and vote for the NPP to guarantee their acquisition of job under Nana Akufo-Addo’s 1-district, 1-factory policy.

‘Volta Region votes massively for NDC’

The Volta Region has in all of Ghana’s democratic elections voted massively for the NDC, earning it the “NDC world bank’ label by some social commentators but the NPP has said it will break the record this year with an operation to win at least 3 parliamentary seats in the area and at least 30 per cent of the presidential votes there.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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According to him, government cannot “put money in their pocket” but can only create the atmosphere for them to make money.

[contextly_sidebar id=”aGD1omotWO9quiBFa4awHm2ElF6GHx2M”]Speaking at a political rally in the Hohoe constituency as part of his Volta Regional tour on Wednesday, President Mahama said, citizens must work for their money rather than expect government to do that for them.

“No president is going to come to Ghana one day and line all our people up and say everybody come and get it, here is free money. It will never happen. The only way you can put money in your pocket is to work for it,” he said.

“Even the Bible says so…God told us, go into the world and work with your hands, go and labour and feed yourself that is what He said. And so the only way money can go into Citizen’s pocket is when they work for it and so government’s responsibility to make sure that we give our citizens the skills to work and to make money for themselves,” he added.

According to President Mahama, the focus of his government if given a second term to serve will be to skill acquisition and ensuring that the populace possess the needed skills to gain employment and create wealth for themselves.

‘I will put money in your pocket – Mahama’

The President’s recent statement contradicts one he made in February 2016 when he assured Ghanaians of a better economy that will have a positive impact in their pockets after he is given a second term.

Speaking at the Inauguration of a one of the Community Day Senior High Schools at Kwaobaah Nyanoa in the Eastern Region, Mahama argued that his first four years in office was spent on improving the social infrastructure of the country which has been in dire need of a face-lift for some time now.

He further explained that the development projects being delivered nationwide by his government will form the foundation for Ghana’s economic take off.

“We have spent these last four years investing in bringing the social infrastructure back to scratch and when I win the second term, then we will start putting money in your pocket. And I wish to pledge that we will continue working in the interest of the people of Ghana,” he said.

‘Akufo-Addo challenges Mahama’

President Mahama is seeking reelection to serve another 4-year term in the upcoming December general elections.

He is however facing stiff opposition from the Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) who have accused him of mismanaging the country’s economy and leading Ghanaians into untold hardship.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The MP, who gave the assurance at the launch of his campaign in Sandema on Saturday, said the unprecedented development projects undertaken by the government during its four year tenure of office would give the party victory come the December 7.

“The 2016 general elections is a done deal for me and President John Dramani Mahama“, he said.

Recounting some of the development projects in the Constituency, the MP who is also the Deputy Minister of Interior, said they included the construction of roads and the building of schools and health facilities in the area.

He said the ongoing rehabilitation of the Sandema-Chuchuliga-Wiaga road is one of the examples of roads being constructed in the area.

He said apart from the infrastructural development, he spent GH₵170,000.00 in sponsoring brilliant but needy students in the area.

Mr Agalga said the NDC government was constructing and de-silting more dams in communities across the Upper East Region and this included the Builsa North Constituency.

He said government has established about four thousand hectares of irrigable land for farmers in the area to go into rice farming.

He said he also helped to ensure that women in the Constituency were supported with micro loans from MASLOC to undertake micro businesses.

The MP, who selected his campaign team from the five zones in the constituency- Sandema, Wiaga, Chuchuliga, Senensi and Kadema, entreated them and all party supporters to work to ensure victory for the party.

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Source: GNA

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The chief of Odumase No. 1, Nana Kwasi Yeboah was addressing a gathering of people when President Mahama paid a courtesy call on him at his Palace on Wednesday [October 5].

He said the NDC government’s achievements in the last four years has been very impressive and called on Ghanaians to extend President Mahama’s mandate.

“We do not need to make noise about it, all the projects we are seeing bears testimony to his [Mahama] good works. We are solidly behind you Mr President. Anyone who does not wish you well is clearly not on our side. We will only support our well-wishers,” Nana Kwasi Yeboah said.

He also appealed to the President to construct a community center at Odumase.

“We know you have done a lot for us, but we have one more request, we need a community centre at Odumase. Do your best to build one for us so that it becomes a standing remembrance to your legacy. Keep on with your good works. We are solidly behind you,” he said.

‘President of B/A House of Chiefs endorses Mahama’

The Omanhene of Yeji, Nana Pemapin Yaw Kagbrese on Tuesday [Ocotber 4] endorsed President John Mahama for a second term in office.

The chief, who doubles as the President of the Brong Ahafo regional house of chiefs called on Ghanaians to vote massively for the president in the December polls.

Nana Pemapin Yaw Kagbrese who was addressing a gathering of elders and people of Yeji when President John Mahama visited the area as part of his Brong Ahafo regional tour today said the President had achieved a lot in his first term of office in spite of the numerous challenges he faced.

The chief of Bassa, Nana Owusu Sekyi III in the Brong Ahafo Region also endorsed the candidature of President John Mahama ahead of the 2016 Elections.

Speaking at a rally during a campaign tour of the Brong Ahafo Region by the President, the Bassa paramount chief hailed the NDC government’s achievements in the last four years despite the handicap of the Election Petition in 2013.

“We will not be able to list all the NDC government has done for this community. Although they haven’t constructing all the roads, we can clearly see that they are in the process of doing so. He used just three years to do all this because the first year was marred with the court saga so we congratulate him,” he said

The Bassa chief also lauded the achievements of the NDC in the education sector as he said the President had “done a lot in the education sector by providing a lot of infrastructure for us.”

‘Chiefs involved in politics’

Meanwhile, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Henry Seidu Danaa, is urging persons concerned about Chiefs endorsing presidential aspirants despite the act being unlawful, to report to them to their respective Regional House of Chiefs to have the issues addressed.

According to him, the constitution frowns on traditional rulers mounting political platforms or displaying party paraphernalia.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to Nana Obiri Boahen, the Chief’s close affiliation to the NDC makes his endorsement of President Mahama for a second term in office unsurprising.

Nana Pemapin Yaw Kagbrese, who doubles as the President of the Brong Ahafo regional House of Chiefs called on Ghanaians to vote massively for the president in the December polls.

While addressing a gathering of elders and people of Yeji when President John Mahama visited the area as part of his Brong Ahafo regional tour today [October 4], Nana Pemapin Yaw Kagbrese said the President had achieved a lot in his first term of office in spite of the numerous challenges he faced hence deserved a second term.

But speaking on Eyewitness News, the NPP’s Nana Obiri Boahen said “the Omanhene of Yeji is a well-known NDC activist. He has been with the NDC for so many years and I even believe he is a card-bearing member… by virtue of the [fact that he is] NDC, he is a board member of a company so for some of us, we are not worried at all.”

When he was challenged by host, Richard Dela Sky to provide evidence the Chief was a card-bearing member of the NDC, Nana Obiri-Boahen dared the chief to publicly deny his status in the NDC.

He further alleged that there were other well-known Chiefs in the country who were secretly campaigning for the NDC.

On whether he thought similar endorsements for the NPP’s Nana Akufo Addo by some chiefs was because they chiefs were members of the NPP, Nana Obiri-Boahen said those chiefs endorsed Nana Addo based on the their realization of a need for a change in government.

He further said, he was confident that in spite of the endorsements for President, he [Mahama] will lose the upcoming elections.

‘Mahama on Brong Ahafo tour’  

President Mahama who is currently on a 5-day campaign tour of the region expected to tour a number of constituencies in the region with his ‘Changing Lives and Transforming Ghana’ agenda to woo the electorates to renew his mandate for the second term.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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