The President was addressing the party’s delegates gathered in Kumasi at its Extraordinary National Delegates Conference, to consider various proposed amendments to the party’s Constitution.

[contextly_sidebar id=”hWfGm0mGiFjgSXQ7uav3Snqeao3nytFS”]A number of the controversial proposals for revision in the party’s Constitution were withdrawn on Sunday.

Some of the proposals had been challenged by persons within the party who felt that the changes being sought were discriminatory against them.

And according to the President, it would have been a disaster for the party to adopt the proposals, which included the appointment of constituency executives by Members of Parliament, party members with dual citizenship being disqualified from contesting for any party position, and the flagbearer of the party being considered as the leader of the party.

The President stated that, it would have been unconstitutional for the party to prevent dual citizenship holders from vying for party positions, while adding that making the flagbearer the leader of the party goes ‘against its traditions.’

“We’ve agreed that three controversial amendments are going to be withdrawn. The first is the amendment making it impossible for dual citizens to hold party office and contest elections. That amendment will be a disaster for our party, it will lead to the collapse of our overseas branches and it is not constitutional. I’m aware of the problem that the amendment seeks to cure, but we have to deal with it in another manner,” he said.

“The second proposal that has been withdrawn is the one that gives the MPs the right to appoint members of the constituency executives. I am strongly opposed to the measure, and it is going to be withdrawn. The third amendment to which I am absolutely opposed is one that seeks to make the presidential candidate, president of our country, the  flagbearer and leader of the party; that motion is against all precedent and traditions of this party, and I am going to ask Congress to, if it will not be withdrawn, oppose and reject it. We do not need that amendment.”

The President also spoke of the need for harmony at the grassroots, as previous elections have proven that a lack of consensus between representatives of the party at the local level could translate into a bad performance at the polls.

He called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Executives (MMDCEs) of the various Assemblies, the party’s executives in the various constituencies and the Members of Parliament, to work together to prevent the current administration from suffering the same fate as incumbent governments who were voted out of power.

“In the 200, 2008 and 2016 elections; the three times the opposition had defeated an incumbent government, the victory was made easier by the breakdown in the relationships between MPs, MMDCEs and Constituency Chairmen. In 2000, we benefited from this because as a result of the Sunyani Declaration, there was a lot of restlessness in the NDC and the grassroots, many local conflicts.  Even though the country wanted change, it was made easier by the NDC. the same thing happened in 2008 when the NDC took advantage of the divisions in our party at the grassroots as a result of 17 competitors for the party leadership,” he said.

“Again in 2016, the conflicts between the Mills elements, the Rawlings elements and the Mahama people helped us to our famous victory. They say people do not learn from history, we must learn from history and that is what the National Council has done with my active support.”

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The event, held in Kumasi was a follow up to the Annual National Delegates Conference at Cape Coast in August this year, at which various proposals were made for amendments to the party’s constitution.

Tens of thousands of delegates supporters and sympathisers of the NPP from across the country, trooped to the Heroes Park, with some of them turning up in the Ashanti Regional capital as early as Saturday.

They were joined by a number of the party’s bigwigs, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Members of Parliament, Ministers of State and many of the national, regional and constituency executives of the party.

The issue of hygiene and sanitation took center stage at the Park before the event following the outbreak of H1N1 influenza type A at the Kumasi Academy which has claimed about four lives in the last month.

Organizers of the Congress, as part of efforts to ensure the health of the over 20,000 delegates, mounted several mobile hand sanitizer stands to avert any bacterial and viral infections during the event.

The entire venue was also subjected to a disinfection exercise.

Ushers were dispatched to apply sanitizers to persons entering the main conference grounds to prevent infections.

The event began with speeches from a number of the personalities gathered, including Dr. Bawumia, the Northern Regional Chairman, Bugri Naabu and the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The President soon took the stage, announcing that the party’s Congress had decided to withdraw three ‘controversial’ proposals that had been submitted for amendment to the Constitution.

The President stated that it would have been a disaster for the party to adopt the proposals, which included the appointment of constituency executives by members of Parliament, that party members with dual citizenship should be disqualified from contesting for any party position and that the flagbearer of the party should be considered as the leader of the party.

His remark was reiterated by the majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu who stated that two of the parliamentary group’s proposals would be withdrawn.

The President also said that the government has put structures in place to ensure that the country’s unemployment challenges are addressed.

According to Nana Addo, despite inheriting an economy in dire straits, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration has worked assiduously towards ensuring that job opportunities are created for Ghanaians.

The event also provided an opportunity for dozens of traders who have lined up the streets leading to the Park selling party paraphernalia.

Even suspended General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyapong, was spotted at the Conference in a white Jalabiyyah with a Keffiyeh to match

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa & Roberta Abbeyquaye/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to Nana Addo, despite inheriting an economy in dire straits, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration has worked assiduously towards ensuring that job opportunities are created for Ghanaians.

[contextly_sidebar id=”FuFBgYGYFiqSBB07J5cfmjdq1XVqmeUn”]”We’ve had important challenges; Invincible and Delta Forces and the tensions at the grassroots of the party over jobs. I appreciate very much the anxiety over jobs. What I’m saying is that, the foundation has been laid for jobs. It has not been easy because we inherited a bankrupt economy, but because of the ingenuity of the people I’m working with, we’ve been able to lay a good foundation,” the President said.

“Let us remain united and confident, we are on the right path and soon it will be obvious to everybody. Our race is not a sprint, it is a cross-country, it is a marathon race and we are going to win at the end, not just at the beginning.”

Speaking on Sunday at the NPP’s extraordinary National Delegates Conference in Kumasi, President Akufo Addo also stated that, despite being in office for under a year, the government had been able to undertake many of the projects it had promised prior to the elections.

He added that plans were far advanced to ensure that these projects are intensified in the new year, and that number of other pledges they made to Ghanaians will commence.

“The year has been full of important achievements which have won the admiration of the nation. We’ve fulfilled our Free Senior High School pledge and our determination to revive the National Health Insurance Scheme and the country’s agriculture; it is clear already that the programme, Planting for Food and Jobs is a success, and it’s going to be an even greater success in 2018,” he said.

National Builders Corps to create jobs 

The Nations Builders Corps was announced as a government initiative in the 2018 budget which will result in the creation of about 100,000 jobs to graduates at a cost of GHc 600 million.

The focus of the initiative is to improve public service delivery in health, education, agriculture, sanitation and also drive revenue mobilization and collection.

Despite some opposition to the policy from members of the Minority in Parliament and Policy think tank, Imani Africa, the programme looks well on course to be being implemented with a minimum monthly salary of GH¢600 announced for the graduates who are employed

Free SHS and Planting for Food and Jobs 

The President also launched the Free SHS policy and Planting for Food and Jobs programme to facilitate improvements in the country’s educational and agricultural sectors.

Nana Addo stated that the Planting for Food and Jobs programme will among other things encourage the youth to desist from migrating elsewhere in search of non-existent jobs and ensure a transformation the country’s agriculture sector.

And speaking at the launch of the Free SHS policy the President said that the only way government can create wealth for all Ghanaians is to ensure that there are opportunities for them to succeed, which can be created through education.

“A government will not be able to make every citizen rich, but with political will and responsible leadership, a government can help create a society of opportunities and empowerment of every citizen. And I know no better way to do that than to improve access to education

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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[contextly_sidebar id=”jmnEneD6JNXvhgCQ0hF4IEpKpVCbkPb5″]This comes at a time when fear has gripped some residents in the Ashanti Regional capital over the outbreak of H1N1 influenza type A at the Kumasi Academy which has claimed about four lives in the last month.

Organizers of the Congress, as part of efforts to ensure the health of the over 20,000 expected delegates, have mounted several mobile hand sanitizer stands to avert any bacterial and viral infections during the event.

Ahead of the commencement of the official program, the entire venue was also subjected to a disinfection exercise.

A medical team has also be stationed at a vantage point to address any prevailing medical situation during the event.

Some ushers have also been dispatched to apply sanitizers to persons entering the main conference grounds to prevent infections.

An ambulance is also on standby to respond to emergency cases.

Meanwhile, delegates and party enthusiasts have began trooping to the event grounds to participate in the conference.

The event has also provided an opportunity for dozens of traders who have lined up the streets leading to the Park selling party paraphernalia.

The NPP deferred the amendment of its constitution to the extraordinary national delegates conference when it held its Annual National Delegates Conference in August.

Indications are that, some members of the party have called for a review of the party’s electoral college system to ensure that the same number of delegates who vote for the party’s national executives, also vote for the selection of their presidential candidate.

Some NPP members have also reportedly called for a review of requirements for qualification to the constituency and regional executive position.

They want only persons who have gone through the ranks of the party at the local level, to be given the chance to vie for such positions.

Disagreement over amendments

Already, there have been a number of concerns raised over some of the proposed amendments to the Constitution.

For instance, the NPP-USA branch, this week, issued a strongly-worded statement accusing some persons in the party of hijacking the process.

No room for division

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They have been joined by supporters and sympathisers of the NPP, some of whom turned up in the Ashanti Regional capital as early as Saturday.

Clad in party attire, the Delegates took their seats at the Heroes Park, as they awaited the commencement of the event.

Organizers of the Congress, as part of efforts to ensure the health of the over 20,000 expected delegates, have mounted several mobile hand sanitizer stands to avert any bacterial and viral infections during the event.

The event has also provided an opportunity for dozens of traders who have lined up the streets leading to the Park selling party paraphernalia.

The NPP deferred the amendment of its constitution to the extraordinary national delegates conference when it held its Annual National Delegates Conference in August.

Indications are that, some members of the party have called for a review of the party’s electoral college system to ensure that the same number of delegates who vote for the party’s national executives, also vote for the selection of their presidential candidate.

Some NPP members have also reportedly called for a review of requirements for qualification to the constituency and regional executive position.

They want only persons who have gone through the ranks of the party at the local level, to be given the chance to vie for such positions.

Disagreement over amendments

Already, there have been a number of concerns raised over some of the proposed amendments to the Constitution.

For instance, the NPP-USA branch, this week, issued a strongly-worded statement accusing some persons in the party of hijacking the process.

No room for division

The post Delegates arrive in Kumasi for NPP Conference [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The conference gave the party the opportunity to take stock of its achievement in the last few years.

The conference which was themed: “NPP, delivering on our promises, our roots, our strength, our future” was in two sessions with the first being a meeting of the National Council and National Executive Council (NEC) where the national leaders accounted for their stewardship to the party.

President Akufo-Addo and his Vice also addressed the gathering.

The second session had a a rally held at Victoria Park where the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, his Vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as well as some ministers of State, took turns to address the gathering.

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Photos by Joseph Ackon Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The directive is part of Nana Addo’s promise to run an incorruptible government.

President Akufo-Addo also stated that persons who make allegations of corruption against his officials should also be prepared to give evidence when called upon.

[contextly_sidebar id=”YWi3uBjq13mktkBzpuvgzimFtrTe22ii”]“We are told that there is corruption in the Akufo-Addo government. Let me reassure you of one thing. Any allegation about corruption against any official member of my government will be investigated by the law enforcement agencies. And those who made that allegation better be prepared to support it when they are making these allegations of corruption because nobody is going to get away with it.”

“I am not going to preside over a government that will support corruption in our country. Every allegation of corruption that is made against any of my officials, I have given instructions to the law enforcement agencies that they should investigate each and every one of them,” he added.

The president made these revelations when he addressed members of the NPP at the party’s annual National Delegates Conference in Cape Coast on Saturday.

Prosecutions of corrupt officials to begin in October
Deputy Attorney General, Joseph Kpemka had earlier disclosed government will in the next two months begin the prosecution of officials in the Mahama administration who have been found to have wasted the public funds with impunity.

According to him, government is currently building cases against such officials and will put them before court in October.

“By October when we start moving to court with some of the cases, Ghanaians will know that we are serious and we are ready to fight corruption as a canker in this country and uproot it once and for all,” he added in a Citi News interview.

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

The post I won’t spare corrupt NPP officials – Akufo-Addo  appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said  “I can assure you that the NDC is in a comfortable lead, we are in a comfortable lead to win the 2020 elections.”

Mr. Anyidoho made the remark on Saturday while presenting a solidarity message at New Patriotic Party’s Annual National Delegates Conference in Cape Coast.

[contextly_sidebar id=”IoxcPCDbJeaElFw31IyOdfwcaqV3E8n3″]He told the NPP members at the event that “we are coming back and we shall invite you to our congress after we have won.”

The NDC Deputy General Secretary was accompanied by the party’s Central Regional Chairman, Allotey Jacobs, Youth Organizer, Sidi Abubakar and a host of other executives.

The phrase “comfortable lead” became very popular during the December 2016 election when the Koku Anyidoho insisted figures available to them suggest that the NDC was winning the election despite contrary results put across by the Electoral Commission.

The NPP Delegates Conference themed: “NPP, delivering on our promises, our roots, our strength, our future” is to help the party to among other things take stock of its achievements in the last few years.

The event is in two sessions with the first one being a meeting of the National Council and National Executive Council (NEC) where a few amendments have been tabled for discussion.

After the amendment motions are accepted the party will amend its constitution.

The party will also receive presentations from the Acting National Chairman of the NPP, General Secretary and Treasurer where the aforementioned persons will give accounts of their stewardship in the last one year.

During the second session, a rally will be held at Victoria Park where the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, his Vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as well as some ministers of State will take turns to address the gathering.

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

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