In a statement copied to citifmonline.com, the caucus described the agreement as a betrayal of the Ghanaian people by the Akufo-Addo government.

[contextly_sidebar id=”p6LDlcK1Qp9mV5335OkBTyZ0j8BwYpKF”]The Ranking Member of the Communications Committee and Member of Parliament for Sagnarigu constituency, Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini, who signed the statement, said they have taken a decision to “unanimously and without reservation resolved to support and join Ghanaians who will be demonstrating tomorrow [Wednesday].

The demonstration is being organized by a group calling itself the Ghana First Patriotic Front (GFPF), who have chastised the government for accepting the deal, and the majority in Parliament for ratifying it despite strong resistance by the minority and a host of Ghanaians.

Parliament on Friday ratified the agreement amidst fierce resistance by the minority caucus led by Haruna Iddrisu.

Some Ghanaians had also staged a protest in front of Parliament House to kick against the ratification of the controversial agreement, but the majority caucus went ahead to ratify after the minority staged a walkout.

The demonstrators have selected Obra Spot at Kwame Nkrumah Circle as a converging point for the peaceful exercise which they say is to demonstrate to the government that Ghanaians do not support the decision.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Brogya Genfi, has filed an application at the Supreme Court challenging the Parliamentary ratification of the Ghana-US defence cooperation agreement.

Among other things, he is seeking a declaration from the court that the Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul erred in law by laying before Parliament an unexecuted draft agreement.

Read the full statement below: 

MINORITY DECLARES SUPPORT FOR AND PARTICIPATION IN GHANA FIRST DEMONSTRATION

The Minority Caucus in Parliament wishes to confirm that it has unanimously and without reservation resolved to support and join Ghanaians who will be demonstrating tomorrow morning in Accra against the Akufo-Addo Government’s betrayal of the Ghanaian people by surrendering our sovereignty and threatening the peace and stability of Ghana under the now infamous Ghana – US Military Base Agreement.

Minority Members of Parliament will join forces with the Ghana First Patriotic Front (GFPF) and all other groups who have so far registered their displeasure by expressing their unflinching support and participation in tomorrow’s march of destiny.

As we have stated time without number, the resistance to this betrayal does not end with our walk-out in Parliament when the NPP abused its majority. We continue to explore many democratic options not limited to demonstrations, public fora, picketing, court actions and the notice we have served that a future NDC Government will urgently review this obnoxious agreement.

It must be stressed that this is a principled position and that any other country which brings a similar agreement for Ghana’s ratification will attract and face the same level of resistance.

Indeed, Ghana First!

Signed,
Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseini
Ranking Member, Communications Committee, Parliament.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Mr. Mahama is the head of the ECOWAS Election Observer Team. When he and his team arrived in Liberia, they held a brief meeting with the team that will be deployed throughout the country during the election.

A technical support team, which is led by former Chairman of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, assisted the Liberian NEC to update their systems, tackle the queries of the political parties, and to meet the directives of the Liberian Supreme Court.

John Mahama also had separate meetings with the two candidates going into the run-off, current Liberian vice president John Boakai of the Unity Party, and former footballer George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change.

In the meetings with the two gentlemen, Mr. Mahama called for a peaceful vote. He also reminded Liberians of the sanctity of the polls, and the stability of the country after the elections, will depend on them and not ECOWAS, the observers or the UN.

George Weah and John Boakai are battling to succeed the outgoing president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, whose constitutional two terms in office end in January.

In the first round which was held on October 10, both men fell short of the 50% plus one vote stipulated by the constitution for the winner to emerge in the first round.

Third place Charles Brumskine of the Liberty Party, meanwhile, filed a petition against the exercise on alleged irregularities and fraud.

The case was dismissed by the court, but it delayed the run-off which was originally slated for November 7.

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By: Jeffrey Owuraku Sarpong/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Mahama arrives in Liberia to observe election run-off appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

As humans, we are limited in our abilities. It is only natural and proper that we pray and seek the face of the Lord concerning every endeavour including presidential ambitions. God is not disinterested in politics. Before candidates move ahead, it is important to seek the Almighty’s guidance. Campaigns are brutal and they can be one of the most tasking things anyone can do. If rumours making the rounds are anything to go by, politics can be a huge spiritual battleground, and we all know when it comes to spiritual matters; some Africans don’t play. Seeking strength, protection and direction from the Lord would be an important first step.

Seek the consent of your spouse, family and trusted confidants

Politics imposes serious burdens on not just the candidate but their families especially the spouse. Candidates will need the support of their spouses and family. They will also have to bare the effects of the gruelling campaign schedule, long period of absence from home and media scrutiny. In addition, they may have to get on the campaign trail at some point. Sincerely seeking their consent is pivotal. It’s also a good idea to do a quick check in with long trusted close friends and not just the political operatives or men and women hanging around the candidate. One of the main reasons Hillary Clinton did not run for president in 2004 was because her daughter Chelsea was against it. Similar stories can be told of the role of plain speaking trusted friends and family in the political careers of Barack Obama and Chris Christie. John Mahama confessed his daughter was happy he lost the 2016 elections. Hopefully, he has her approval, should he decide to put himself up for 2020.

Gut check & Purpose

There are several reasons why people may run for president but the national interest should override. Politicians may always cite national interest as the main reason for running but, candidates must engage in internal reflection and soul searching regarding the real motives for running. At the moment, many believe John Mahama may be running to possibly make up and ‘save face’ from the 2016 electoral defeat. A candidate in his position has to convince Ghanaians to vote for him beyond sentimental reasons. Here are some question candidates should be asking themselves: what is the one big contribution I hope to make to national life? What is the one big change I hope to make? What is the major transformational vision, the one big idea you genuinely hope to achieve beyond pro forma laundry lists? As David Axelrod once said “authenticity is the leading indicator in presidential elections…” If voters smell phony motives, your campaign is already off to a rocky start. Elections are not just about candidates, they are good opportunities to assess what the country appraise the health of the nation and consider what substantive, era-defining and awe-inspiring contributions a candidate can make.  In other words, what is your one big game changer?

Situational Analysis

Political campaigns can and should be guided by systematic research. Potential candidates must commission professional consultants—beyond their campaign staff—to conduct external research to consolidate their own data. The most successful campaigns are often executed with reference to both internal and independent research.

A good starting point is to conduct a situational analysis of the candidate from multiple perspectives and models.  This situational analysis often includes a SWOT analysis but candidates should really move beyond the boardroom and partisan campaign room analysis to third-party investigations and field research. The campaign team should be able to determine the mood of the nation and how receptive voters would be to their candidate. Research would accomplish several tasks including determining the popularity of your candidate, voting trends and political socialization variables. Basically, aspirants should be ready to commission professional researchers to conduct extensive research using pre-campaign techniques and guided by rounded concepts that will guide the campaign. Crucially too, the campaign will have to engage consultants gifted with the skills of political framing to help translate data into campaign narratives and persuasive messages.

Selecting your team

Candidates may be running the show but the people around the aspirants could make or break them. As the primary season heats up, one of the first things candidates should be concerned about is the kind of people they recruit.  Having the right calibre of persons with the right motives and the right skills and abilities would have a telling effect on the campaign. Party bootlickers, sycophants and blinded loyalists should be avoided. Candidates should make strenuous efforts to choose qualified, committed and sharp political hands able to tap into the character, qualities and positions of the candidate in an efficient way.

Health

No matter how capable or how willing one is, bad health is likely to affect the campaign negatively. We all pray for good health. Candidates should examine their health situation to make sure they’re not putting themselves at risk or they are all clear from the doctor before embarking on this gruelling task. In other democracies, voters sometimes demand to see the health records of candidates. Clearly, assessing your health situation is a necessary first step.

What are your views? What do you think? Should bad health necessarily prevent you from running? Should you stop running for president if your family or spouse disagrees? What other factors should candidates be considering before running for president. What should candidates, particularly from the NDC side, be considering as they prepare for party primaries? Please add your voice!

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By Etse Sikanku

The post 6 steps to consider before running for president or political office [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The party had hinted of this move in recent months, with Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the party, Ade Coker, announcing the party’s intention during the party’s unity walk.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NkURVrpivXlbe7hvvjxY4rl1fPXG3Wlb”]Addressing the media on Tuesday, the party’s National Chairman, Kofi Portuphy, stated that the National Executive Committee had unanimously agreed to scrap the register as it was deemed not credible enough.

He also suggested that, recommendations made by the Kwesi Botchwey Committee, which was set up to probe NDC’s loss in the 2016 elections, had factored into the decision as well.

“In line with the wishes of the majority of the members of the National Democratic Congress, and in the wake of recommendations made by the election review committee chaired by Dr. Kwesi Botchwey, the National Executive Committee, which is the highest decision-making body after Congress, voted unanimously for the scrapping of the register which was used to conduct our internal elections last year,” Kofi Portuphy said.

“The register, which was meant to be a biometric one, did not meet the standards required to make it qualified to be a biometric register. NEC has decided that we should adopt a manual process of capturing the names of members at all branches nationwide.”

Portuphy stated that, the registration would take place “between November and December [of 2017]” which would be followed by “branch elections in the last week of January 2018”

The NDC, prior to the election in 2016, commenced the registration of its members through a biometric system targeting to capture about 1.5 million members of the party.

Despite the fact that it was only put together in 2016, several members of the opposition party have blamed breaches in the biometric register for the party’s embarrassing loss in last year’s polls.

There were complaints that some non-NDC members took advantage of the biometric registration to be captured on the NDC’s voter’s database.

According to the party, it arrived at the decision because the old register which was generated through a biometric system, was found not to be credible enough.

Kofi Portuphy stated that, the registration process would take place at the various local branches of the party, which he explained, would ensure that only genuine members of the NDC are registered.

“What we are doing now is intended to restore the integrity of our register, and will become the basis for the creation of a biometric register. This process would have to be supported by everybody in the party. You have to go back to your roots and register at a polling station at your branch office for the branch to recognize that you are a member. It is meant for only members of the National Democratic Congress,” he stated.

The Party also announced that it will hold its constituency elections from the 24th to the 25th of March 2018, and regional elections on the 9th and 10th of June.

Plans are also in place for the party to hold a National Congress to elect its national executives from the 27th to the 29th of July 2018.

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By: Fred Djabanor & Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NDC scraps biometric register, will register members manually appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Coming off its comprehensive defeat in the 2016 elections, Mr. Rawlings said a cleanup and the “restoration of our integrity” is paramount.

[contextly_sidebar id=”RKqnsnhjunaZI2HfBGdL5CD4asmT0Gew”]”We don’t like to hear it, but I keep repeating it. We have to go back and seize the moral high ground and I believe we know what we have to do,” he said in an interview with TV3 news.

The former president was clarifying his earlier statement suggesting it would be impossible for the NDC to win back power from the New Patriotic Party in the 2020 elections.

He said he held the best interest of the NDC, as far as the 2020 elections were concerned, but questioned the readiness of the NDC  to effect the needed changes to win power.

“I would very much want to see the NPP beaten, but do we have what it takes? Do we have the capacity to be able to wrestle power from them? That is the issue we should be addressing. We should be looking at this question a lot more seriously than we have done so far.”

“We know what we have to do, but I don’t think we are prepared to confront it or that is what I have noticed about some of our people,” Mr. Rawlings stated.

Involving the grassroots

The former President has never shied away from criticising the hierarchy of the party he founded, especially for straying from its core values of probity and accountability, and instead allowing room for corruption.

Having previously called for a complete overhaul of the NDC, he stressed that the party needed to turn to the grassroots, as it puts in place strategies for the 2020 elections.

“…Let’s give the party back to them [the grassroots], they are the ones who actually make it possible to win or lose elections, let’s respect their views,” he advised.

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By: Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NDC must restore its integrity before 2020 – Rawlings appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Residents in communities around the parts of the Keta Lagoon have clashed with the seven sea salt company formerly known as the Kensington Salt limited over its operations in the area.

The residents have been up in arms against the company accusing them of drying up their wells and destroying their water bodies through their operations.

 They accused the company of failing to fulfill their promise of developing the concession allotted to the locals.

The Anlo Youth Council was seen to be leading the crusade against the foreign company.

However the Paramount Chief Togbui Adama III has bemoaned the practice of of blaming politics and chieftaincy for the people’s protest.

Accusing their neighbours Anlo State of a subtle attempt to claim an old age non-existent lordship over them, Togbui Adama warned that situation could be a crucible for further troubles.

He advised the members of the Anlo state and political parties to stay off issues on the mining concession, and expressed the traditional area’s readiness to get back to the negotiation table with the other key stakeholders in prescribing a lasting solutions to the troubles.

“Much as we believe that in times of trouble, your neighbours may sympathize with you, we do not subscribe to the situation where such a neighbour tries in very subtle ways to interfere into your internal affairs under the guise of trying to help you. Some elements of Anlo through the Anlo Youth Council are clandestinely trying to use the incidence at the concessions of the company to revisit their age old attempts of claiming non-existent lordship over Some. Some has never been and would never be part of Anlo; Anlo should desist from fueling the issues in Some. We are capable of solving our own problems” he stated.

He added “finally we humbly appeal to the citizens of Some to remain calm and be law abiding in these trying times. We hereby appeal to the government to as a matter of urgency constitute a committee of stakeholders made up of the company, the regulatory agencies, the Some Traditional Authority, the Ketu South Municipal Assembly and the Salt winning community to have an in-depth look into the issues”.

The press conference organised yesterday by the Chiefs in Agbozume was to among other things to present their stance on the on-going troubles on their land.  

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By: Norbert Akpabli/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Don’t politicize Adina-Some salt troubles – Chief to political parties appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

They insist the woman is unknown to them and made no contribution to the party’s election success in the municipality.

Addressing journalists after they had defied a heavy rainfall to protest on the streets of Ejisu, Ms. Bridget Akosa Antwi, their Spokesperson, vowed to fiercely resist any attempt to force her [Mad. Derchie] on the area.

“We would like to state unequivocally that we would not be disrespected or ignored.”

She said “we do not want to believe that Ejisu-Juaben lacks equally loyal, capable, trusted, resourceful and qualified people for that office”.

She added that “if for whatever reason the leadership of the party is eager to reward her with DCE appointment, it is only reasonable to assume that the right place, should be Sekyere East, her district”.

Ms. Antwi said they found it difficult to rationalize why anybody would want to stir trouble – cause resentment among the rank and file of the party, the chiefs and people by taking such an unpopular decision.

“We have no doubt that this would even upset the constituency officers. They would be unable to publicly voice their disappointment but deep within them, they would be hurt.”

She indicated that, it was always prudent for leaders to listen to the “very people they are leading”, adding that, this was how they could continue to sustain their trust and carry them along with them.

Ms. Antwi said “we fought hard and made sacrifices to bring the NPP to power, and we remain unwavering in our determination to ensure that the government puts its right foot forward”.

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Source: GNA

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The Chief of Tamale, Naa Dakpema Dawuni Alhassan, Gukpegu Naa, Alhaji Alhassan Abdulai and Lamashegu Naa, Ziblim Abdulai among others,expressed their excitement about Salifu Saeed’s appointment.

They however implored the regional Minister to act as a unifier and galvanize all citizens in the area for constructive purposes.

Salifu Saeed,who officially took over office on Thursday January 23, 2017, paid courtesy calls on some traditional leaders, the clergy, and later interacted with party supporters.

He assured citizens of quality leadership desirous to fight poverty and youth unemployment considered as the region’s commonest enemies.

He pleaded with the citizens to be law abiding and liaise with his administration and law enforcement agencies to sustain peace and unity that are missing in some identified areas of the the region.

Salifu Saeed appreciated the role of development partners in the region’s transformation and promised to build cordial relations with them.

He said the Nana Addo-Bawumia led New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is committed to fulfill the party’s 2016 campaign promises.

He is scheduled to visit the overlord of Mamprugu, overlord of Gonjaland, the Dagbon Regent among other traditional leaders in the region.

He is touring the region with party bigwigs including the regional Chairman, Daniel Bugri Naabu, regional chief Scribe Sule Salifu, and Chairman of the NPP regional council of elders, Alhaji Musah Mima.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Speaking on Eyewitness News, the former Deputy Minister said the government jumped to conclusions on the matter merely for political propaganda.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ec1UEDh1Mm197mzdfytHeIxYCMhoT78H”]The Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugine Arhin, had said there were at least 208 cars unaccounted for at the presidency’s car pool, and that the President was left with only 10-year-old BMW for official use.

Government later made available a documents detailing a list of 173 serviceable vehicles left behind by the NDC administration indicating that there were four bulletproof vehicles for use by the President as claimed by the NDC.

The NDC also released a document with 641 vehicles which were listed and properly accounted for saying they were captured in the handing over notes.

Mr. Ofosu Kwakye recounted that the current government’s side of the transition team had an Executive Access Committee, chaired by Nii Ayikoi Otoo, which was taken around to where the 370 vehicles were kept.

He also noted that “it is not only at the Flagstaff House where cars belonging to the presidency are kept. There are vehicles that belong to the Presidency that are used by ministers and deputy ministers so you would find them at the various ministries, departments and agencies.”

“Mr. Ayikoi Otoo’s committee was given a total of 370 vehicles and they inspected each of these vehicles. They were taken to all the places where these vehicles are kept and they took receipt of 370 vehicles. Now the outstanding vehicles were accounted for as per the documents released yesterday,” he revealed

Arhin didn’t make thorough checks

Mr. Kwakye-Ofosu asserted that, the handover notes for the current government had a list of vehicles with persons or units within the presidency who are using these vehicles, but added that “it does appear to me that they [government] are unprepared to peruse the various sets of documentation.”

According to him, all government had to do was to look through the various agencies, but in his view, “it is obvious he [Eugine Arhin] didn’t have access to all the information regarding this matter. He should have taken his time and allowed the people at the Transport section of the Flagstaff House to be properly engaged… for instance, I don’t know if he has spoken to the Ayikoi Otoo committee.”

“If they were not minded to do any political propaganda, all they could have done was to cross-reference against the list that has been provided,  and whether there are gaps, then you contact the specific individuals or units,” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu stated.

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

The post Gov’t playing politics with ‘missing cars’ claim – Kwakye-Ofosu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said this is due to the promises made by President Nana Akufo-Addo during the 2016 electioneering campaign.

Mr Agbenyo, in an interview with the GNA said, “We were promised that income taxes will be reduced to about three per cent, VAT will be reduced, import duties will be reduced, a conducive environment will be created for businesses to thrive and other great ideas.

“We are also expecting that all our brothers and sisters from the nursing and teacher training colleges will have their allowances reinstated soon, electricity and water bills will be reduced, and everybody in the country will get a good job to do.”

“Ghanaians are also looking forward to seeing that students in senior high schools attend school free of charge, and buildings in our Zongo communities pulled down and replaced with high-rise buildings. I think we should, therefore, rally behind the government for the entire nation to be a beneficiary,” he said.

Mr Agbenyo said a committee had been set up by the NDC to go around the country to find out what went wrong to make the party lose the election.

He said it was expected to submit its report in 90 days to enable the NDC use it to re-organise the party ahead of the next general elections.

Mr Agbenyo expressed appreciation to Ghanaians for their support throughout the election period, adding that the NDC would surely come back to power in 2020.

He said parties in opposition played key roles in ensuring the development of the country and, therefore, the NDC would continue to contribute its quota to ensure that the nation progressed.

Touching on a request by the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, to the Supreme Court to re-arrest the Muntie Trio to complete their jail term, Mr Agbenyo said he was surprised because the Supreme Court had exercised its power and Ex-President Mahama also exercised his power under the Constitution in consultation with the Council of State, hence there was no need to reverse it.

On the alleged attacks by the NPP Invisible Forces on members of the NDC, Mr Agbenyo said Ghanaians voted for a change of government and power was handed over peacefully, making the country an envy to other nations.

“I’m, therefore, surprised when people still indulge in such barbaric activity of attacking state institutions and stopping people in traffic to take their cars from them.

“We as NDC members will not permit anybody, and I mean anybody, to trample upon our rights under the Constitution. We want to coexist as Ghanaians and see how best we can help develop this country. That is why we are calling on President Akufo-Addo to call his people to order,” he said.

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Source: GNA

The post We expect massive national dev’t under NPP – NDC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.