He is believed to have been assigned a new role by the Ministry of Information, but it is unclear where exactly he’s headed to, and in what capacity he will be serving.

His position is now occupied by a former parliamentary correspondent and journalist with the Information Services Department (ISD), Gilbert Nii Ankrah.

A statement issued by the AMA on Tuesday, and copied to citifmonline.com to that effect, did not give details about the major change at the Assembly.

It however urged the media and the general public to deal directly with Mr. Ankrah who from indications has already assumed office and will work as the official mouthpiece of the Assembly.

Mr. Gilbert Nii Ankrah has over ten years experience in Journalism and Public Relations.

He joined the Information Services Department (ISD) as a journalist in 2007.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Numo Blafo moved from AMA as PRO appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the AMA, the decision is to ensure peace in the metropolis before, during and after the December polls.

The Public Relations Officer of the Assembly, Numo Blafo told Citi News that the assembly has not banned political rallies but debates that are likely to gather supporters of the various political parties at a common venue.

He said, such gatherings were a recipe for violence.

“The rallies have not been suspended, they still do their rallies, but what will bring all of them together, like the debate. When you bring them, at one particular spot, for the debate and if during the debate there is a misunderstanding, and that misunderstanding will lead to the loss of lives or will lead to some unfortunate things, do we have to continue that way?” he said.

 ‘Ban not exclusive to NCCE’

Numo Blafo further stated that the AMA’s ban was not exclusive to debated organized by the NCCE alone but on those to planned to be organized by other Civil Society Organizations and individuals within the metropolis.

 ‘NCCE surprised by ban on debates’

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has said it is surprised by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (AMA) decision to ban parliamentary debates in all the thirteen constituencies within the metropolis.

The Commission which has planned a series of parliamentary debates ahead of this year’s election has seen some of the debates marred by violence and disagreements by supporters of political parties, a development the AMA says is off great concern.

The assembly’s metropolitan Security Council, in a statement issued on Friday [November 11] said, “In light of the recent upheavals, METSEC has directed the immediate suspension of all parliamentary political debates being organized by the NCCE in all thirteen (13) constituency in the Accra metropolis.”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ban on NCCE debates necessary – AMA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to AMA, the placement of billboards and pasting of publicity materials at unlawful places is against the Assembly’s ‘premises maintenance by-law’ of 1995.

[contextly_sidebar id=”mI7mzwAMM0kqoV4xILZOJ2JCSiSiD8re”]The Public Relations Officer of the Assembly, Numo Blafo II told Citi News the assembly has noted with concern the development in the run-up to this year’s elections and will soon take action against it.

“When it get to this period we have the political parties putting up their paraphernalia, bill boards and posters indiscriminately and some even without permit from the assembly,” he said.

Numo Blafo II said the assembly will allow persons who have flouted the law by posting without permit to regularize it by securing teh required permit or it will remove the materials but if the parties fail to do so.

He added that the assembly will take it up and remove the materials however will surcharge the offenders.

“Those who have gone ahead can get it regularize or whatever they have to do to clean up or we will go ahead and clean up and then surcharge them for the activity. We are just telling them or either remove it or come to the assembly for the regularization,” he noted.

He added that, although the assembly has noted such illegal activities of political parties, it has taken interest in religious and other secular organizations that continue to flout their regulations on public advertisement.

He said, “It is not just the political parties, we are talking about the Churches and other individuals who have those kind of posters and banners unapproved in town.”

He said the assembly has issued an ultimate of up to October 31 to all offenders to remove their illegally hosted materials or be fined.

“We are giving them up to Monday. You can come [on] Monday to the assembly so that we can find a way of sanitizing the system,” Numo Blafo II said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post AMA cautions parties against illegal hosting of banners, posters appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.