Mr. Glover accused Mr. Ashitey of intruding into the affairs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Tema East Constituency and creating confusion among members.

Mr. Glover said this on Tuesday after the Tema High Court dismissed an injunction application against the NPP’s elections in the constituency.

[contextly_sidebar id=”xqyCfqmFg58Ymv2pgsRXzFP7dowfx46Q”]He alleged that the Minister was doing everything he could to get his nephew Benjamin Ashitey elected as MP for the area.

Benjamin Ashitey contested the party’s parliamentary primaries ahead of the general elections in 2016 but lost to Mr Glover who was then the incumbent.

He questioned why the Regional Minister could not distance himself from the constituency’s internal affairs, adding that he had had his chance to oversee the area for 12 years when he was the MP.

“I am tired of him, I struggled to win this seat for this party, I started with three votes now I am on 4,025, I moved President Akufo-Addo from negative 1,500 from 2012 in the constituency and he now won 6,000 more against former President Mahama”, he emphasized.

“What crime have I committed against him? He has worried me for a long time and anywhere I pass, he is there, he should leave me alone to work for the country ” he retorted

He further stated that he had risen through the party’s ranks to become an MP, therefore, it was unfortunate that the Regional Minister wanted his nephew who defected from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to jump to the top without first serving at the grassroots.

Mr. Glover added that the behaviour of the Minister was not only an affront to him, but would also affect their family ties as they were third cousins.

The Deputy Transport Minister cautioned the Regional Minister to put a stop to his interferences as failure to do so may strain their relationship even further.

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Source: GNA

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According to him, the advent of Uber and other taxi-hailing companies presents tough competition that puts traditional taxi businesses at risk, particularly if they fail to embrace technology.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7WqYy7rkau5vZ9FOBR1PgiKzMIj1LqKb”]Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, Titus-Glover said local assemblies could develop a system that will ensure proper log of commercial drivers in the area is kept with each driver being easily traceable by passengers they pick.

Such a system, similar to the ones used by ride-hailing companies like Uber would ensure the safety of potential clients, making the taxis more convenient options for them.

“The distinction is the technological challenge…The local assemblies must take up the challenge. The assemblies must up their game so that they be able to track all these vehicles commercial taxi drivers within the jurisdiction of these assemblies. Uber has come with a competition, but what are they doing,” he said.

He emphasized that the Ministry was determined to ensure that, relevant policies to regulate the larger transport industry are introduced.

He, therefore, called on the various local assemblies to take charge of processes to ensure that commercial drivers are able to match the competition presented by Uber and other taxi-hailing companies.

“The assemblies must sit down so that all these taxi drivers that are operating within these assemblies, they should be able to get the application, and the drivers be taken through some training. This is where we have reached, in this era, we are going with technology, therefore, the assemblies must take up the challenge,” he said.

Taxi drivers agitated

Local commercial drivers in the country’s capital, Accra are protesting over the operations of Uber in the country.

They claim that the operation of Uber is negatively impacting on their business.

In their complaint to the Ministry of Transport, they, among other things, proposed the imposition of commercial vehicle operation taxes on Uber drivers and the branding of Uber vehicles as commercial taxis.

But the Transport Ministry has not considered their proposals.

At a recent meeting between the three stakeholders, the Ministry ordered Uber to present data on the number of vehicles on the platform among other information to ensure transparency in their operation.

Many Ghanaians have rallied against the taxi drivers following their action, accusing them of being responsible for the success of Uber’s operations in the country due to their poor services.

However, the taxi drivers operating under the Ghana Private Road Transport Union [GPRTU], have said they are not scared of competition from Uber.

The Vice Chairman of GPRTU, Robert Saba in a Citi News interview said, “We believe in competition, we do not fear competition. We’ve been in existence several years for now so we do not fear competition, but the right thing must be done…We don’t have that platform but we can create that platform.”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Embrace technology to challenge Uber – Titus Glover urges MMDAs appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Titus Glover, who made this known in an interview with Citi News, said the buses will be provided early next year.

[contextly_sidebar id=”jAykeD6ksXVlXAPU0uv0NNRjtViJhGIi”]“In the 2018 budget…the Ministry of Finance is going to support us to have 50 new buses, which the contract has been awarded, and the contractors have accepted the content of the contract, the letter of credit is yet to be fulfilled by the Ministry of Finance. If that is done, I can assure that by next year, hopefully by January or February, we should be seeing 50 buses”he said.

He entreated the management of Metro Mass Transit Company Limited, to ensure that the buses are maintained for them to last long enough.

“…But let me say with these new buses that have come, it behooves on the management, the board and the workers of Metro Mass, to take good care of the buses because these buses are going to work to pay for itself, the culture of the Metro Mass has to change,” he said.

The Metro Mass Transit Limited is a public transportation company set up in 2001, to provide reliable and affordable means of transport for commuters within villages, towns, and cities as well as provide intercity movement.

Gov’t to purchase 800 new buses for MMT, STC

Government in July said it will purchase 800 new buses for the Metro Mass Transit and Inter-City State Transport Corporation.

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, who revealed this when he delivered the mid-year budget review in Parliament, said in all, 200 of the buses will operate on compress natural gas while the 600 others will operate on diesel.

“…As part of Government’s effort to improve public mass transportation, the Ministry initiated processes for the acquisition of buses for the two Public Bus Companies. The objective is to improve the current bus fleet of Metro Mass and Inter-City State Transport Corporation (ISCT). In all, a total of 800 buses will be acquired. These include 200 Compress Natural Gas (CNG) and 500 diesel buses for the Metro Mass Transit and the remaining 100 diesel buses for ISTC,” he added.

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By: Farida Yusif/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Metro Mass Transit to get 50 new buses in 2018 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking to Citi News, he acknowledged the legitimacy of their concerns but said their way communicating their demands was wrong.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Qitrv3zeuz4PnZ9aT11MuocXSvTEi3sC”]During the maiden edition of the Ministry of Information and Ministry of Local Government town hall meeting held in Tema, the Invisible Forces members said they were being ridiculed for their unemployment, despite the fact that they worked to bring their party to power.

This was followed by their threat of chaos, but Mr. Glover asserted that “violence in any form must be condemned and I will not countenance on that… It is a legitimate concern they expressing but their methodology they used is what I am totally against. The party in the constituency condemns any threats.”

The MP extended an olive branch, assuring that the aggrieved members of the group will be assessed for possible employment opportunities provided by the state or the private sector.

“In this country, we have everybody and the kinds of jobs they can do depending on their background and their qualifications… so we will look at their strengths and weakness and the kind of jobs we think are good for them.”

“The economy needs to be strong. It needs to grow. Government alone cannot get them employment. The private sector can take it up and by so doing, opportunities will open for everybody.”

Mr. Glover also revealed to Citi News that the NPP leadership in the constituency and the Metropolitan Chief Executive will meet the Invisible F0rces members and try to address some of their concerns.

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By: Philip Nii Lartey/Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to Mr. Ashitey, the nominee who coincidentally bears the same surname [Ashitey] with him, has no family connection with him whatsoever, adding that he as the Regional Party Chairmam,  is rather related to the MP, Titus Glover.

“Titus is my nephew and it remains so. Ben Ashitey has no relationship with me. It just so happens that we bare the same surname”

Earlier this week, some executives of the Tema East constituency NPP held a press conference accusing Mr. Ishmael Ashitey of rooting for one Ben Ashitey whom they claim is related to the Regional Chairma,  to become the MCE for the Tema Metropolis.

In an interview with Citi News at his Tema residence, Mr. Ishmael Ashitey, who has also been nominated to be the Greater Accra Regional Minister, denied the allegations and said “though we bear the same surname, the young man has no family relation with me; but rather it is Titus who is related to me. I am Titus’ uncle” he noted

He said there are five Clans in the capital that bear the name Ashitey, and that it is a mere coincidence for which he and the MCE aspirant bare the same name.

Asked whether he had an interest in the gentleman’s quest to become the MCE for Tema, he said “the NPP is a democratic party that has laid down procedures and systems that would be followed in the selection of who becomes an MCE, and that the party has what it is looking for in a candidate to be selected so why would I back any candidate? They have all applied on their own merit and the party will look through their CVs and select the best for the people. Factors to be considered however would include the candidate’s commitment, dedication and loyalty to the party,” he explained.

He accused Mr. Titus Glover of fighting a personal battle with Ben Ashitey since the young man contested him during the NPP primary in 2015, where he [Ben Ashitey] lost by a margin of 49 votes.

“Titus is fighting a personal fight for the guy to be disqualified in the race because he sees him as a threat in future. Ben Ashitey contested Titus Glover in 2015 during the constituency primary so perhaps he sees him as a threat in future because he won the guy by 49 votes”

Mr. Ashitey noted that, he handpicked Titus Glover and some other candidates from a Tema-based association called Tema Youth years ago, and introduced them to the NPP so under no circumstance will he work against him.

“I handpicked Titus and some other guys who were at the time strong NDC surporters in Tema, and introduced them to the NPP; so why would I work against my own boys that I handpicked years ago? As we speak, some of the guys I handpicked and brought into the NPP are equally vying for the MCE position. So I don’t have any personal interest in who becomes an MCE in Tema. All I need is someone who understands the party’s vision clearly to help the party deliver on its numerous promises to the people” he stated

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By: Elvis Washington/citifmoline.com/Ghana

The post I’m not related to Tema MCE aspirant; Titus is ‘fighting’ him – Ashitey appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, some security personnel who are expected to vote in his constituency have strangely been moved to Tema West and Central constituencies.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Xks0yOdMZXglICsOMSmCVECqp2rhETPv”]”Twenty seven of the soldiers from Tema East who will be voting, two thirds of this number have been transferred to Tema Central and Tema West so I came to the EC director in Tema and unfortunately the list was sent to the army headquarters, they dealt directly with Charlotte Osei and did all the scheming there…

“I spoke to the flag officer commanding the naval base yesterday and he said those suspected soldiers should come forward so they can pick their names but the boys who have spoken to me are scared. They can’t show their face. Immediately they show their face, they will be victimized. I won with three votes, every vote is important… I know the schemes and the grand plan that the NDC is doing so I cannot let go 97 votes. For all you know I am going to get a greater part of this.”

Asked whether he will go to court over the issue he said : “it is an option worth considering.”

In the 2012 election, Titus Glover beat his opponent Kempis Ofosuware by only three votes to emerge winner.

EC’s ‘rigging plot’ to start with special voting – Sammy Awuku

Titus Glover’s allegation comes barely a day after the opposition New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Youth Organizer, Sammy Awuku alleged that the upcoming special voting on December 1, marks the beginning of the EC’s grand ploy to rig the December 7 elections, in favour of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to him, some eligible voter names have been deleted on the special voting list. “The special voters’ list is a source of worry to us as a political party because several names have been deleted.”

Sammy Awuku was addressing the NPP Northern Regional Youth League in Tamale, as part of his nationwide campaign tour.

He admonished the National Peace and Christian Councils to stop calling on political parties’ leadership to sign peace accords, and rather descend on the Electoral Commission to demonstrate its transparency and neutrality as the arbiter of the December 7 elections.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post EC plotting to rig special voting in Tema East – Titus Glover appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Tema East constituency is within the Tema Metropolitan Assembly.

In 2012 it was split into two, with Tema Central being carved out of it.

The constituency comprises areas like Community 1, Newtown, Harbour area , Bankuman and parts of the heavy industrial area.

The constituency became the talk of town after the 2012 election when just three votes decided which of the two leading candidates would go to parliament to represent the people.

Citi FM’s election coverage team in charge of the Southern Zone, the Samurais visited the constituency to discover the interesting dynamics that could influence the votes on December 7.

The Candidates

Titus Glover who is the incumbent Member of Parliament, is an indigene of the area and has lived in the constituency for the better part of his life.

In 2012 he was elected to represent the NPP as its candidate in the constituency and won the seat at his first attempt.

Though the contest is expected to keener, the NPP is optimistic the seat will remain with the NPP in the upcoming election.

Speaking on Citi FM’s Campaign Trail, Mr. Glover said he had embarked on a number of developmental projects hence deserves another term.

“I can say that in these four years I have been in office I have managed to put people in few places. I provided one of the ultra modern toilet facilities in the constituency. Again when it comes to Community 1 major achievement under my administration is the fixing of the Kwasiagwaso market.”

The NPP may be confident of a win but the NDC are equally sure that this time around Kempes Ofosuware will prove to Titus that his victory was a fluke.

Speaking on Citi FM’s Campaign Trail, Kempes said the NDC is poised for victory in 2016.

“The people know that when I was MCE I tried as much as possible to provide job opportunities for the teeming youth. We expanded the educational sector and I will continue with what I did for the people of Tema when I was MCE when voted for come December 2016.We are ready for victory…”

Kempes Ofosuware who is the first NDC candidate to have secured the highest margin for the NDC was once the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tema.

Before that, he was the Assembly man for the Padmore Electoral area.

Voting trends in Tema East

The NPP won the seat in 1996, 2000, 2004 , 2008 with wide margins until the last election in 2012 when the NDC gave the NPP, the biggest competition ever, led by its candidate Kempes Ofosuware.

He stretched Titus Glover to his limits, taking the contest to the wire and lost by just three votes.

The contest is expected to be even keener but the NPP still believes the seat will remain with the party.

Listen to the full episode of Campaign Trail below 

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Tema East: Titus Glover to battle former MCE in parliamentary race appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.