Among other things, Nana Obiri Boahen in the audio alleged that the presidency donated about GHc50 billion towards the party’s 2017 National Annual Delegates Conference held in Cape Coast in the Central Region; a claim the party has denied.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0bwUH0kdXZK56dLDWL0d6rrWov7jms5z”]Mr. Boahen in the audio is heard complaining bitterly about some happenings in the NPP, and also lamented that he has been sidelined in the sharing of the national cake.

He has been slammed by the leadership of the NPP, which rubbished his claims, and started an investigation into same.

But even before the NPP Steering Committee concludes its probe, Mr. Boahen has in a letter apologized for his comments.

“Respectfully, I am by this letter expressing my profound apology to the President, the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, the Steering Committee, the National Executives, Council of Elders, the National Executive Committee, the National Council of the New Patriotic Party and every member of the New Patriotic Party for my indication.”

“I have learnt much lessons from this unfortunate incident, from this heavily edited, secretly recorded and intentionally mutilated audio recording or cassette; I vow not to find myself under such circumstances again. My loyalty and commitment with/to the New Patriotic Party shall ever continue to be resolute and firm. ‘To err is human, and to forgive is divine’ says the sages,” he added.

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

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“We are shocked at how these matters have been handled, and are even more appalled about the risible fines imposed on the persons found to have engaged in these criminal acts.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”qmcrOwAYMhP9TULU6lpLu4tD87D0X1lc”]“One would have thought that all would have learnt lessons from the Montie 3 incident, when it comes to dealing with the court,” Occupy Ghana said in a statement.

The Asokwa District Court in Kumasi, last Thursday, sentenced 13 Members of the Delta Force GHc1, 800 each for rioting at the premises of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council.

They were also made to sign a bond to be of good behavior for 12 months, after the 5-month legal battle.

But OccupyGhana, which has been vocal on the issue of political vigilantism and political crimes carried out in the country, said it expected a stricter punishment to be meted out to the accused persons.

It said it expected the judiciary to send a strong signal to the 13 accused persons through a more appropriate sentence, but was disappointed that just “meek fines” were imposed on them.

“One would have expected that the judiciary, like it did with the Montie 3, would send a strong message to all, that similar conduct would not be tolerated. Unfortunately, the meek fines imposed can at best be described as a stab in the back of the judiciary by the judiciary itself,” it said.

Delta Force case

The 13 Delta Force members faced charges of conspiracy to assault, for raiding the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council and assaulting the Regional Security Coordinator because they were against his appointment.

They were earlier freed by some members of the vigilante group in open court, after the presiding judge remanded the 13 into police custody.

The eight who caused the confusion at the court were arrested, while the 13 fugitives subsequently turned themselves into the police.

The eight were accused of aiding the escape, and the 13 escapees were charged and fined.

But the charges against the court raiders, were eventually dropped under controversial circumstances by the State over a supposed lack of evidence.

The Attorney-General’s Department at the time said it had not sanctioned the state prosecutor in Kumasi to drop the case involving the eight who raided the court.

This angered many Ghanaians who felt the eight persons had been let off the hook after a brazen attack on the Judiciary for political reasons.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post OccupyGhana appalled over paltry fines for Delta Force 13 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In a Citi News interview, the National Democratic Congress MP said: “I want to assure you that the Minority will go to every length to make sure that we take legal, legitimate and appropriate measures to redeem our image.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”0iWnbjNpvN5nK3m7ONhznU5rDFoZ28Tj”]”He has already put these damaging things in the public domain and many people are going to go away with the impression that we from the three northern regions are a bunch of fraudulent people and thieves so we have to take every legitimate step to redeem that image.”

The Deputy Minister, in an interview on Star FM, suggested farmers in the northern part of the Ghana could not be trusted in their assessment of the destruction brought on by armyworms and that calls for compensation were simply a ploy to fleece the government.

NPP members also upset

Mr. Fuseini further noted that some northerners within the governing New Patriotic Party are also upset with Mr. Quaitoo’s comments.

“Even in the governing party [New Patriotic Party], I have spoken to some of our colleagues who are extremely upset and very angry about that statement… decent members within their ranks, who are northerners, will feel a sense of revulsion about what they are doing now.”

“Every single northerner with dignity will not stand and allow this statement to go without an answer,” the Sagnarigu MP added.

Quaitoo must resign or be sacked

The only thing that will satisfy Mr. Fuseini and the NDC Minority is either the resignation of Mr. Quaitoo from his portfolio or President Akufo-Addo taking the decision to axe the minister.

“We are demanding that he should, immediately, on his own volition resign as a minister and quit from parliament failing which the President must sack him to show his revulsion against such ethnocentric tribal bigotry,” He also stated in the Citi News interview.

This is despite Mr. Quaitoo releasing a statement apologising for his comments. Mr. Quaitoo, in his apology, said he meant to say “some farmers can be difficult.”

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Umaru Sanda Amadu/Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The youth on Monday seized construction equipment belonging the contractors, Andre Quadrez Construction Company.

They vowed that they will not release the equipment till they are employed the company.

Citi News sources say their action prompted an emergency meeting with some constituency executives of the party with the company to find an amicable solution to the impasse.

The Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed who had been briefed on the matter in a meeting with the youth assured them that he will ensure the company employs them.

He expressed his appreciation to the youth for their support to the party and roles in ensuring it came to power.

He said the government will ensure that they do not suffer.

“Please be patient. I know you are aggrieved. It was due to your hard work and sleepless nights that the NPP came to power and we are not going to let you suffer. We said you are going to give you jobs and we are going to do that for you,” he said.

“I’ve have come to meet with the contractors, and we have scheduled Wednesday for a final meeting. I have also asked the security to ensure that the yard is locked. They should make sure that they do not open it. So be patient, they will definitely employ all of you,” he added.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Unemployed’ NPP youth seize contractor’s equipment over jobs appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said the NPP was in power to correct the mistakes of the previous National Democratic Congress government, and thus urged Members of Parliament (MPs), Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs), party executives and supporters, to serve with humility and intelligence to achieve the country’s developmental goals.

He was speaking in an address to sympathizers and supporters of the party at the Brong Ahafo Region’s annual delegates conference held at the Sunyani Technical University on Saturday.

“With pragmatic measures, there will be money in the economy, opportunities will be available and development will come to our communities” he emphasized.

He said the NPP was a development-oriented party citing government’s flagship ‘One district, One factory’, ‘One million dollars’ programs as a few of the plans the new government has for people, and urged leaders in the constituencies to monitor and supervise the programmes to ensure value for money.

“I will urge you the chairmen, organizers and leaders in the community to be up and doing because the money is meant for development, and multiply what will be given to you so there will be more prosperity among us. We are not coming to share poverty, we are coming to share wealth. We are coming to spread opportunities, we coming to make our people work hard and make more money to prosper and develop the country” he said.

He charged party executives, communicators and serial callers to brace themselves and counter all the propaganda of the NDC against government’s policies in the media.

The acting General Secretary of the party, John Boadu, asked regional and constituency executive committees to incorporate the ideas of government appointees in their decision-making process by inviting them to their discussions.

He said the party will monitor activities of the executive committees and appointees and appropriate sanctions meted out to non-performing officials.

Mr. Boadu called on aggrieved party members to use laid down party structures to seek redress, and warned MPs, MMDCEs and party executives, not to manipulate the party’s register ahead of their internal elections.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, i his welcome address, called for unity among sympathizers and supporters of the party.

The conference was attended by Members of Parliament (MPs), Ministers, Ambassadors, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the region, national, and constituency officers of the party in the region.

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By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Be humble in service – Freddie Blay to NPP appointees appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The party earlier settled on Thursday, 20th July, 2017 to hold the Conference but rescheduled it to the new date.

Confirming the new date to Citi News, Deputy Regional Secretary, Mr. Kofi Ofosu Boateng said the Regional Executive Committee settled on the day for the conference in line with the party’s constitution to afford the party members the opportunity to review and put in place appropriate measures for smooth operation.

“It is a constitutional requirement that we hold annual delegates conference from the constituency level through to the regional level in preparedness for the national conference scheduled in Cape Coast from August 26, 2017.

He said the party will use the opportunity to also review some proposed constitutional amendments to the constitution of the party and strategize for the party.

According to Mr. Boateng all constitutional requirement for organizing the delegate conference as national directives of the party has been conducted ahead of the organization of the event with similar successful delegate conferences in all the constituencies.

He disclosed the conference will be attended by all constituency executives, founding fathers, patrons, founding members, Tescon representatives, members of parliament, regional and deputy ministers and representatives from the National Executives among others.

“This is a normal party activity and delegates coming are party faithful and I do not think there’s going to be a problem of so ever but as a law abiding political party, we have duly informed the police administration in the region and it’s my hope and expectation that those who would come there to observe the process will comport themselves and allow the security agencies to do their work” he appealed.

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By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post B/A: NPP to hold annual delegates conference July 22 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government should have shown the same enthusiasm towards the plan under the John Mahama administration as it is currently.

[contextly_sidebar id=”bMWcEcwGq2hfCvDzoNdDjPlj6fwIcymN”]President Akufo-Addo on Thursday, July 6, commissioned the Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel (FPSO) John Agyekum Kufuor to formally kick-start the production of oil in commercial quantities from the Sankofa Gye-Nyame Fields although the arrangement for the FPSO was undertaken by the John Mahama government.

Mr. Kofi Buah in an interview with Citi News expressed regret members of the New Patriotic Party, then in opposition, were not truthful to support the NDC’s efforts when it was in power.

“I had wished that we had gotten all the support from the NPP then in opposition. On a constant basis, this project was condemned when critical investors were here. On the eve of the Italian Prime Minister’s visit to Ghana, the minority had a press conference condemning this important project. But of course we now know that none of them was true,” he said.

‘John Mahama named 3rd FPSO after Kufuor’

The Ellembele legislator and ranking member on the Energy and Mines Committee of Parliament had earlier said the decision to name the 3rd FPSO after former President John Kufuor was taken by John Mahama.

He said it was to recognize the role that Kufuor played in Ghana’s 2007 discovery of oil in commercial quantities.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kofi Buah chides ‘hypocritical’ NPP over FPSO Kufour appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

It said Muslims must also pray for grace for all Ghanaians during the celebration.

In a statement to congratulate Muslims on the completion of their mandatory 30-day fasting ahead of the Eid celebration, the party expressed hope that Muslims will intensify their supplications and good deeds after the period.

Eid-al-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan- the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm).

The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan.

Read the full statement below:

As Muslims in Ghana and across the globe climax the end of Ramadan with the celebration of Eid-Ul-Fitr today, the NPP congratulates them on this milestone occasion and wishes them a successful Eid (Eid Mubarak). Eid-Ul-Fitr, otherwise known as “feast of the breaking of the fast” is an important festivity celebrated by Muslims all over the world to mark the end of the holy month of fasting.

It is characterised by merrymaking, alms-giving and the observance of Eid Prayers to thank Almighty Allah for seeing Muslims through the holy month of Ramadan, during which time, they intensified their supplications and good deeds. It is hoped that they are able to maintain this same lifestyle in the other eleven months of the year since the Allah they served in the month of Ramadan is the same Allah today and forever.

As much as Muslims have every reason to mark this day with feast and the making of merry, the NPP calls on them especially the youth to exercise significant moderation and circumspection in their celebrations so that at the end of the day, no injury is recorded nor life, lost. The party is also happy to observe that for the first time in several years, this year’s Ramadan was devoid of the legendary ‘dumsor crisis’ and killer economic conditions which make it uncomfortable for the Ghanaian Muslim in the exercise of this religious right.

Finally, we call on them to use this important occasion to pray for the government of Ghana under the distinguished leadership of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as His Excellency Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to be able to deliver on the overwhelming mandate of the Ghanaian people. We also call on them to commit the nation and indeed every single Ghanaian into the good hands of almighty Allah for His mercy and grace.

Once again, Eid Mubarak to our Muslim constituents here in Ghana and across the globe. May ALLAH bring you joy, happiness, great fortunes and prosperity on this blessed occasions.

Barka Da Sallah

…Signed…

JOHN BOADU
General Secretary (Ag)

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Pray for Nana Addo during Eid-al-Fitr – NPP to Muslims appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), side-stepped parliament to sign the agreement.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, Mr. Akoto Osei said although some legislators in the minority of the previous parliament brought the issue before the house and threatened a court action, government failed to seek parliamentary approval for the agreement.

[contextly_sidebar id=”I7AohriG1h2Ik24leHpUrOHyZIQbzivY”]“Even though the IMF programme was signed by government, it was never approved by parliament… It is an executive arrangement between the government and the IMF, but the people of Ghana did not approve of it,” he said.

He noted that, it was in the interest of the IMF to ensure that its subsequent agreements received parliamentary approval.

“We raised the issue and we threatened to go to court, we didn’t go but it is still an issue. It is in the interest of the IMF that this type of thing is not done without parliament.”

The NDC government led by President John Mahama signed the deal for a 3-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Programme for Ghana with the IMF, for a total support of US$918 million in 2015.

The programme was among other things to help restore debt sustainability and macroeconomic stability to foster a return to high growth and job creation, through agriculture and infrastructure investment, while ensuring prudent social spending, and to help rebuild external buffers.

Following the swearing-in of a new government led by the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Akufo-Addo, calls have been renewed for a renegotiation of the deal, which many say has negatively affected the country.

Some key aspects of the deal which many have suggested for reconsideration is the freeze on the net employment of public sector workers.

But according to the former minority spokesperson on Finance, renegotiating the deal will not be new.

“A programme that runs any period of time will certainly come up for renegotiation either from government or the IMF. If the IMF finds out that we have met some targets, they will call for renegotiation.”

He emphasized that, the new government must prove to the IMF that it can reduce taxes and still meet the IMF targets.

He however assured that, the Ministry of Finance and the Economic Management team will look into the matter of a moratorium on employments into the public and civil services and take a decision.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post IMF program wasn’t approved by Parliament – Akoto Osei appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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