According to the Communications Director of the PNC, Emmanuel Wilson, Mr. Mornah was in the company of the suspended General Secretary Atik Mohammed at a recent meeting organized by President Akufo-Addo for political party leaders.

[contextly_sidebar id=”phQAYDx4gV9rFbpngMKZbHzptP01HRCv”]“We got the notification that the National Chairman was at the Flagstaff house with the suspended General Secretary. Now if you look at our constitution, one duty of the members of the party is that, they are supposed to uphold decisions of the National Executive Council and decisions of the leadership of the party at all cost, and so for the National Chairman to attend a function, with a suspended General Secretary, it means that the National Chairman has deliberately decided to breach the provisions of our constitution,” he said.

This Emmanuel Wilson said was inappropriate, especially when the party has suspended Atik Mohammed, a decision the Chairman is well aware of.

Speaking to Citi News, Emmanuel Wilson said  although Mr. Mornah has denied knowledge of how the suspended General Secretary gained access to the meeting, he still went ahead to acknowledge him at the meeting.

“The National Chairman was confronted and he indicated that he was not aware that the suspended general secretary was going to be there, but funny enough, when he got there and introduced himself as the National Chairman, we were told that he gave the microphone to the suspended General Secretary who communicated as the General Secretary and he was there and he seconded it”.

Emmanuel Wilson says the National Executive Committee will be meeting to determine the fate of the National Chairman concerning his disregard for the party’s constitution.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post PNC accuses Bernard Mornah of disrespecting party leadership appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Mornah made the call following statements from the Ambassador describing Ghana’s vote against the US on making Jerusalem the capital of Israel as a ‘regrettable mistake’.

According to Mr. Mornah, the Israeli Ambassador had shown gross disrespect to the integrity of the President Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana by his comments.

[contextly_sidebar id=”vLINoaiGdfsSF5zysDGEuaJOQmfkxxZw”]In a statement issued shortly after the UN vote, the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana expressed his country’s disappointment over the vote.

The statement said it was hopeful that Ghana will not repeat “such mistake” in subsequent motions before the General Assembly.

Speaking to Citi News, Vice Chairman of the PNC, Henry Asante, reprimanded Mr. Mornah and dissociated the party from the call.

“…So long as the party is concerned, the party has not made any statement or come together to think of anything of that nature, so for the Chairman to go out to make that statement is a surprise to some of us. We can assume that he was making it out of his personal conviction, and with that we have no qualms with it. But the party will not take kindly to him being associated with it “he said

He noted that any statement that comes from the party must be well-thought through and must be approved by the leader.

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By: Farida Yusif/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Mr. Mornah said the police had violated his human rights with the way they had treated him.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7PlkZ1suezwySrvlIL6pQU4s9LaR6Ceh”]About 19 persons including Mr. Mornah were arrested by the Nima Police on Saturday morning when they gathered as members of the Ghana-Togo Solidarity movement to hold a peaceful march to draw the attention of local and international authorities to the political crisis in Togo.

According to the Police, they had earlier permitted Bernard Mornah and his group to undertake the peace march, however, they informed him later to cancel it due to operational challenges and intelligence that another group was trying to interrupt their activity.

But Mr. Mornah denied the claim, saying that he assured the police the peaceful march required very little police presence.

He said he had also told the police that the march could not be postponed because of the resources invested into its preparation.

Bernard Mornah and those arrested were kept behind the police counter for hours without clarification about their exact offence.

This prompted his counsel, Dr. Raymond Atuguba to write to the police, Chief Justice, Attorney General and the President over the matter, demanding details about the arrest.

Bernard Mornah was however granted bail later.

He has since told Citi News that his lawyers will serve the police notice of a legal action for the ‘unlawful’ arrest.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bernard Mornah granted bail; vows to sue Police appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In the letter which was also copied to President Akufo-Addo, the Chief Justice, IGP and Attorney General, Dr. Atuguba sought a response from the police on the circumstances under which Mr. Mornah was arrested and what charges had been laid against him.

[contextly_sidebar id=”bZ5Yg6FSqHWKpzMSFD0JIdriS945S7pe”]Dr. Atuguba, who acts as counsel for Mr. Mornah said he immediately dispatched a staff to gather details about the incident and “the last report I received from our Staffer was to the effect that some or all of the 20 persons arrested were being processed to be locked up in the Nima Police Station cells.”

He noted in the letter that “this morning, as the rally was about to commence at the Kawukudi Park, a band of police officers descended upon them, forcibly dispersed the gathering, rounded up about twenty (20) members of the Movement and detained them at the Nima Police Station. As of the time he was speaking to me, he and the others were being held at the Nima Police Station. As at the time of writing this letter, the Police have still not informed them the reason(s) for their arrest and detention and they are still under detention.”

Bernard Mornah and about 12 other people were arrested by the Nima Police on Saturday morning when they gathered as members of the Ghana-Togo Solidarity movement to hold a peaceful march to draw the attention of local and international authorities to the political crisis in Togo.

Reports say Mr. Mornah, who is the leader of the movement, failed to inform police about their action on the Kanda Highway today [Saturday], hence the action by police.

Dr. Atuguba however in his letter indicated that “He [Bernard Mornah] informed me that he had previously written to the Ghana Police Service on behalf of the Ghana-Togo Solidarity Movement, seeking permission to hold a rally in Ghana, in support of persons in the Republic of Togo whose rights were being violated.

“The Police requested for a meeting with the Movement to urge them not to hold the rally, as they claimed they were short of numbers to provide the requisite protection. The position of the Movement at the meeting was that, as a lot of resources had already been invested by them in preparation for the rally, they would be unable to cancel or postpone same. In the alternative, the Movement informed the Police that they could resort to the terms of the Public Order Act to secure a court order to postpone the rally,” the letter said.

He is since requesting the Police to urgently inform him:

“1. Whether or not our Client, BERNARD ANBATAAYELA MORNAH, is in the custody of the Nima Police Station, any of the affiliates of that Police Station, or any officer or worker or affiliate or agent of that Police Station;

2. Whether or not our Client has been charged with any offence(s), and if so what offence(s);

3. Whether or not our Client will be granted bail, and if so on what day and time; 4. Whether or not our Client will be put before a Court of law, and if so on what day and time and at which Court.

Meanwhile, the police is yet to give a reason for the arrest but according to Bernard Mornah, they said it was “order from above.”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Atuguba writes to IGP, Nana Addo over Mornah’s ‘illegal arrest’ appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The group, who are part of the Ghana-Togo Solidarity movement, were said to be holding a peaceful march to draw the attention of local and international authorities to the political crisis in Togo.

[contextly_sidebar id=”UJ0uKvtQO3h0ySaQod6NmTmefat0S5Mv”]Citi News’ Caleb Kudah reported that, all those arrested are currently behind the counter at the Nima Police Station, and are yet to be charged officially with any offense.

Reports say Mr. Mornah, who is the leader of the movement, failed to inform police about their action on the Kanda Highway today [Saturday], hence the action by police.

The movement has however denied the reports.

Bernard Mornah told Citi News that “they threw me in the pickup as if I was a piece of charcoal… They drove us here and put us at counter back. They picked about 12 or 13 of us. The rest scattered. I wouldn’t understand that [this happened] after I have notified the police sufficiently. This is really not the democracy fought for…. I think that it brings to the fore that our police service is still in the archaic stone-age of doing things and that they can be instructed anyhow by forces outside of their remit…They are telling me that they received instruction from above.”

26 Togolese arrested for illegal protest in Accra

In October 2017, 26 Togolese nationals were arrested for attempting to stage an unlawful demonstration over the political situation in their country.

According to the Accra Regional Police Operations Officer, Chief Superintendent Kwasi Ofori, about 300 Togolese had to be dispersed lawfully at the Kawukudi Park because their intended action was in clear breach of Ghana’s public order act.

That was the second time that Togolese in Ghana have tried demonstrating in solidarity with efforts back home by the opposition to have presidential term limits.

Togolese crisis

Togo’s opposition parties have over the past few months been demanding a return to constitutional term limits for the Presidency, and also for President Faure Gnassingbe to step down.

Gnassingbe has been in power since 2005 after the death of his father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled Togo for nearly 50 years.

The anti-Gnassingbe protests, that have seen hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets across the country, have resulted in over 15 people killed and scores injured.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post PNC’s Bernard Mornah, 12 others arrested for ‘illegal march’ appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The party stated that the Free SHS policy, which was launched on Tuesday by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will be of great help to both the beneficiary students and their parents.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ssDvGcfWN6wXFZfu22rNQC0mUJleAwdw”]”The People’s National Convention (PNC) wishes to congratulate the Akufo Addo-led government for making the Free Senior High School campaign pledge a reality,” a statement from the party signed by its National Vice Chairman, Henry Haruna Asante said.

“As a party that believes in social interventions for the benefit of the masses, the PNC supports this policy and hopes that it will help the youth whiles easing the financial hardship on parents.”

The PNC said they had planned to implement the policy themselves if they had been elected into office, adding that “almost all the governments that Ghana has experienced in this fourth republic” have taken up at least one of their manifesto promises.

The party urged the NPP Government to put the right structures in place to ensure that the Free SHS policy is sustained over the years.

“The Free SHS policy is in no doubt a major step in moving the nation forward. We therefore expect that the appropriate structures will be made available to secure the continuity of this intervention,” the PNC statement added.

‘I was called a liar’

Nana Addo spoke of the criticism and ridicule he received from political opponents when he first talked about his plans to introduced the policy if elected.

According to him, his opponents said that it was a political gimmick which could only be possible in 20 years.

“When I proposed this policy in 2008 many were those who said free SHS could not be done. The idea was ridiculed and described by propagandists as a vote buying gimmick even though ironically it did not win me that election. I was labeled a liar by my opponents who went on to state that free SHS could only be possible in 20 years’ time,” he recalled on Tuesday.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post PNC praises Nana Addo for implementing Free SHS appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Members of the committee include; Comrade Emmanuel Wilson Jnr, Comrade Jacob Amoako and David Apasera.

The party is also considering an early congress to elect new executives and a  flagbearer for the 2020 general elections.

These were captured in a resolution from the party’s standing committee meeting held on Saturday, September 9, 2017.

[contextly_sidebar id=”bacR1wxdrz3iCFS0QMT26K2KVv7fSz7O”]The Committee in a release copied to citifmonline.com said separate elections will be held for the National Officers and the flagbearer.

PNC’s flag bearer polled 22,298 votes representing 0.21% of total votes cast in previous elections. This was the worst performance permanence of the party in a presidential election.

It went into the 2016 elections led by Dr. Edward Mahama who has now been appointed by the Akufo-Addo government as an Ambassador-at-large.

Following the 2016 elections, the party’s has suffered a deepened internal wrangling which recently resulted in the suspension of its General Secretary, Atik Mohammed.

Mr Mohammed was accused of bringing the image of the party into disrepute. His accusers cited his repeated invectives on the 2016 Presidential Candidate Dr Edward Mahama at NEC meetings.

On the matter of a pick-up vehicle allegedly gifted to the party’s chairman, Mr. Bernard Mornah by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), the PNC’s standing committee said it has referred the matter to the Council of Elders to “go into it and advise the house at the next meeting on the facts and appropriate action.”

The Standing Committee also resolved that, “All leaders and party members have been ADMONISHED to respect the decisions of NEC, particularly in acknowledging and refraining from acts that have the tendencies of bringing the authority of NEC into disrepute.”

“Party leadership must act always in ways that portray PNC as a disciplined party poised and ready to form a ruling government.”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post PNC forms committee to restructure party ahead of 2020 polls appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

These are the resolutions from the party’s standing committee meeting on Saturday, September 9, 2017.

[contextly_sidebar id=”bacR1wxdrz3iCFS0QMT26K2KVv7fSz7O”]The Committee in a release copied to citifmonline.com said separate elections will be held for the National Officers and the flagbearer.

PNC’s flag bearer polled 22,298 votes representing 0.21% of total votes cast in previous elections. This was the worst performance permanence of the party in a presidential election.

It went into the 2016 elections led by Dr. Edward Mahama who has now been appointed by the Akufo-Addo government as an Ambassador-at-large.

The PNC’s Standing Committee among its resolutions also formed a 3-member committee to develop an action plan for the reorganization of the party.

The members are; Comrade Emmanuel Wilson Jnr, Comrade Jacob Amoako and Hon. David Apasera.

Following the 2016 elections, the party’s has suffered a deepened internal wrangling which recently resulted in the suspension of its General Secretary, Atik Mohammed.

Mr Mohammed was accused of bringing the image of the party into disrepute. His accusers cited his repeated invectives on the 2016 Presidential Candidate Dr Edward Mahama at NEC meetings.

On the matter of a pick-up vehicle allegedly gifted to the party’s chairman, Mr. Bernard Mornah by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), the PNC’s standing committee said it has referred the matter to the Council of Elders to “go into it and advise the house at the next meeting on the facts and appropriate action.”

The Standing Committee also resolved that, “All leaders and party members have been ADMONISHED to respect the decisions of NEC, particularly in acknowledging and refraining from acts that have the tendencies of bringing the authority of NEC into disrepute.”

“Party leadership must act always in ways that portray PNC as a disciplined party poised and ready to form a ruling government.”

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post PNC considering early congress ahead of 2020 polls appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A letter sighted by Citi News indicates that the police have invited the leader of the PNC and former party Flagbearer, Dr. Edward Mahama, for questioning on Wednesday, August 23.

The police noted that he was accused of being the “brain behind the crime.”

The PNC, in recent times, has been marred by some internal turmoil following the suspension of Mr. Mohammed.

He was suspended indefinitely by the National Executive Committee of the party, following some alleged derogatory comments he made against, Dr. Edward Mahama.

Mr. Mohammed rubbished his suspension, saying he was still at post. He also described moves to get him out of office as illegal.

The Party’s National Chairman, Bernard Mornah also described the decision to suspend the General Secretary of the party, Atik Mohammed as unlawful.

The comments followed Dr. Edward Mahama being named an Ambassador-at-Large by the President.

He had called for the resignation of Dr. Mahama from the party as he had shown ‘bad judgment’ in accepting the position.

Mr. Mohammed is quoted as saying the party could “not even be sure where [Dr. Mahama’s] loyalty is anymore… he cannot continue, in my opinion, to be the leader of the party.”

Senior members of the PNC expressed their opposition to the acceptance of the position of Ambassador-at-Large in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, by Dr. Mahama without consulting the party.

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

The post Police invites Edward Mahama over unlawful damage accusation appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The suspended General Secretary who was present at the time tried in vain to prevent the act.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NlTL1CPMecCCBbITTplAzsWc020vbJFS”]According to the party, the action was necessary because Atik Mohammed had refused to heed to the directive suspending him.

Atik Mohammed was suspended by the party for some derogatory comments he allegedly made about the party’s flagbearer in the 2016 elections, Dr. Edward Mahama; a decision he has rejected.

National Vice Chairman of the PNC, Henry Asante who was with those who locked up the office told Citi News that they took the decision following several unsuccessful efforts to get Atik to vacate the premise.

“He was supposed to hand over all possessions to the party in a weeks’ time by 28^th of last month [July], we waited but he never abide by the order. So the party had no option than go and inform the Police.”

Mr. Asante said they police advised that they serve Mr. Atik a notice which they did adding that “after four days after the expiration of the notification, the party went to change the locks to his office because before then we have heard that he was coming clandestinely into the party office to perform whatever duty he wants.”

“I have in my possession one of the keys and Dr. Edward Mahama has the rest. I was part of those who did the locking, based on the leader’s instruction. The acting General Secretary was there as well as the treasurer. Yesterday we gave our statement to the police. So Atik cannot tell us that he was not privy that. Yesterday he came to the police station, the police invited us and together with him we went to the office and saw the key locked. We took inventory and the police also penciled down their statement,” he added.

Atik rejects ‘unlawful’ suspension

Meanwhile, the embattled general secretary Atik Mohammed says he has formally written to the party to protest what he describes as unlawful suspension.

“I went there last Friday and I couldn’t open the door because the key had been broken and replaced. So immediately I placed a call to my lawyers and the instruction was to go and lodge a complaint with the police so that an investigation would be conducted. So I did that. Before then someone had told me that Akane [PNC treasurer] had sent him a Whatsapp message saying they had destroyed the lock and replaced. When Akane was invited he came in the company of Henry Asante one of the Vice Chairmen and some other people and they confirmed that they did the breaking. However, another revelation that came was that they said they did that on the instruction of Dr. Edward Mahama,” he noted.

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

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