Former President of Ghana and the NDC Presidential candidate for the 2020 election John Dramani Mahama said it was the right thing to do. It is gratifying that the court’s proceedings were broadcast live, adding that Ghanaians followed the hearing diligently. According to Mr. Mahama appeared as the petitioner in the 2020 election petition, he represented the desire of an overwhelming number of Ghanaians, anxious for answers from the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission as the Returning Officer of the December 2020 Presidential Election. “I still believe that no matter the circumstances, it was the right thing to do. It is gratifying that the court’s proceedings were broadcast live. Ghanaians followed the hearings diligently. They understood what was happening even if the legal terminologies were not always easy to grasp”. “Even though the petition to the Supreme Court stood in my name, it nonetheless represented the desire of an overwhelming number of Ghanaians, anxious for answers from the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission as the Returning Officer of the December 2020 Presidential Election”. However, below is the full speech: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, Earlier today, the Supreme Court of Ghana delivered its verdict on a petition we filed against the declaration made on the evening of 9th December 2020 by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Mrs. Jean Mensa, on the Presidential Elections of December 7, 2020. My brothers and sisters, I did not take the decision to go to court lightly. In fact, many were those who expressed misgivings about my decision, not because we did not have a strong case, but because of the times we live in. I still believe that no matter the circumstances, it was the right thing to do. It is gratifying that the court’s proceedings were broadcast live. Ghanaians followed the hearings diligently. They understood what was happening even if the legal terminologies were not always easy to grasp. Even though the petition to the Supreme Court stood in my name, it nonetheless represented the desire of an overwhelming number of Ghanaians, anxious for answers from the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission as the Returning Officer of the December 2020 Presidential Election. Ghanaians were hoping to hear her testify and many are still baffled by the refusal of Mrs. Jean Mensa to be held to account by testifying in this case – unfortunately, with the unanimous agreement of the justices of the Supreme Court of Ghana. This vital part of the process to establish the truth and hold Mrs. Jean Mensa accountable was blocked time and again by a protective cordon and firewall that I am sure have confounded many Ghanaians. The refusal of the Chairperson is in sharp contrast to the readiness with which Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, then Chairman of the Electoral Commission willingly testified in the 2013 Election petition filed by then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP. Speaking as a Ghanaian, with no legal training, I believe that the refusal of the Electoral Commission Chairperson to testify in this election petition, leaves a bad precedent for the future. I disagree with the suggestion of our Justices that an election petition is akin to any other civil litigation and therefore an EC Chairperson, whose functions go to the heart of our democracy, can by a legal sleight of hand avoid accounting for her stewardship in an appropriate forum such as the highest court of the land. Our legal team, led by Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, put together our case in a clear manner, which left no one in doubt about what the issues were. Apart from seeking to ensure compliance with the constitution and for the true choice of the people of Ghana to be respected, the Petition sought to provide opportunity for transparency and accountability in the management of our electoral processes. But no one who followed the proceedings in the Supreme Court will be surprised with the judgement pronounced some hours ago. Much as I am aware that we are legally bound by the decision of the Supreme Court, I disagree with the process of trial and ruling of the court. Ladies and Gentlemen, our 1992 Constitution says very directly in Article 125 Section 1 that: “Justice emanates from the people and shall be administered in the name of the Republic by the Judiciary, which shall be independent and subject only to this constitution.” I believe that the law should not be an instrument for partisan purposes. I also believe that the rule of law should mean one rule for all. What anchors the rule of law is equality and fairness to all, irrespective of creed, background, or political coloration. Justice, we must remember, is rooted in moral foundations. Ghanaians will always remember that moment when my lead counsel, Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, quoted from the Holy Bible urging the Justices of the Supreme Court to be faithful to their Judicial Oath and their conscience, only for the lawyer representing Nana Akufo-Addo, the 2nd Respondent, to argue for the exclusion of God in the matter. Yet, in the courts of Ghana, we swear on the Bible or the Cross, as we also do with the Holy Koran, to speak the truth and nothing but the truth. Ghanaians will also remember this 2021 Election Petition for that profound moment when the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission opted to evade public scrutiny. Everything was done in this trial to prevent the Commission from accounting to the people in whose name they hold office. Requests for Interrogatories were dismissed. A request to inspect documents in the possession of the Commission was turned down. The request for admission of facts was ignored. Worse still, she was aided by her counsel and the court to avoid explaining to the good people of Ghana from her own testimony, under oath in a properly constituted court of law, the errors she herself admits to have committed in the declaration of the 2020 Presidential election results. This is a clear stab in the heart

Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Frederick Blay has pointed to the need for the Akufo-Addo administration to invest more in Public Relations (PR) to sell the work of the government. He called on the media to be fair in reporting government achievement to citizens. According to Mr. Blay, if you compare the work the president did, that is not a reflection, we think we should do more PR and the media should do their work. He believes the party will continue with its good development across the country throughout the next NPP administration. However, according to Mr. Blay, even though the NPP won convincingly, they are not extremely excited about the results that they had 51%. Believing that the party could have done better a little better.  “The court has spoken, it is now good work, let Nana continue his work for these 4 years, let’s prepare for 2024, let’s fight covid, let’s make sure development come to this country.” He further extended his call to the members of the NDC to join them build the country together, adding that Ghana is the only country they have  Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093

The petitioner in the 2020 Election Petition, John Dramani Mahama, is addressing the media after the Supreme Court of Ghana upheld the election of second respondent, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The apex court by a unanimous decision dismissed the petition brought before it by Mahama who was the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the election. The former president, who was in court today for the verdict, will be making his first comments on the verdict. The 7-member panel led by the Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah ruled that: “The petitioner has not provided any evidence to rebut the evidence created by the presumption CI135, for which his action must fail. “We therefore have no reason to order a re-run as pleaded by the petitioner. We accordingly dismiss the petition as having no merit,” the CJ added as he concluded reading the over two-hour judgement. Watch the livestream of his address below: Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093

Former President John Mahama who re-contested the election on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), took the Electoral Commission to court, challenging the validity of the Commission’s 9th December 2020 declaration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as winner of the poll. Mr. Mahama also contended in his petition that, President Akufo-Addo did not meet the constitutional threshold for election to the high office of president yet was so declared. The Supreme Court’s judgment was supposed to address five issues that were set forth for determination, including the question of whether or not President Akufo-Addo met the constitutional threshold for election to the office of president. The Issues are: A.Whether or not the petition discloses any reasonable cause of action. B. Whether or not based on the data contained in the declaration of the Electoral Commission of President Akufo-Addo as president-elect, no candidate obtained more than 50% of the valid votes casts as required by art.63 3 of the 1992 constitution. C. Whether or not the 2nd respondent still met the Article 63(3) of the 1992 constitution threshold by the exclusion or inclusion of the Techiman South constituency presidential election results.D.Whether or not the declaration by the first respondent dated 9th of December 2020 of the results of the presidential election conducted on the 7th of December 2020 was in violation of Article 63(3) of the 1992 constitution. E. Whether or not the alleged vote padding and other errors complained of by the petitioner affected the outcome of the presidential election results of 2020. Also,the Chief Justice Anim Yeboah made it known that all the stated above issues holds if and only if,  whether or not President Akufo-Addo met the constitutional threshold for election to the office of president. Election Petition: Chief Justice says though the petitioner is not challenging the validity of the whole election organized, he is challenging the results. Election Petition: He (Chief Justice) says the petitioner is seeking an order to set aside C.I 135 and another order for a re-run to be organized. Election Petition: He (Chief Justice) says the petitioner is not challenging the data of the 1st Respondent upon which the declaration was made and therefore did not present any data. Election Petition: He (Anin-Yeboah) says according to the petitioner, the 1st Respondent was not fair to him when they failed to engage his representatives to correct alleged errors identified. Election Petition: Chief Justice, (Anin-Yeboah) moves to the argument by the 1st Respondent. Election Petition: He (Anin-Yeboah) says the EC maintains that although some errors were made it does not affect the declaration. Election Petition: Chief Justice Anin- Yeboah says the 2nd Respondent has described the petition as incompetent. They insist that President Akufo-Addo obtained more than 50% of the votes cast. Election Petition: Chief Justice says the 2nd Respondent has asked for the petition to be dismissed because the petitioner has not challenged the validity of the polls conducted. Election Petition: Chief Justice says based on the information presented, the court set up some issues for determining the case Election Petition: In a civil trial all that the court requires is evidence and proof – Chief Justice, Anin- Yeboah. Election Petition: He (Anin- Yeboah) says the burden of proof was on the petitioner to prove that the declaration of results was flawed. Election Petition: He (Anin-Yeboah) says initially the petitioner called only two witnesses and after that prayed the court to allow him to call a third witness. Chief Justice Anin Yeboah said the respondents disagreed but the court agreed Election Petition: He (Anin-Yeboah) says the testimony of the first witness was emphatic about why the petitioner was in court. Election Petition: Chief Justice says PW1 and PW2 were not under any obligation to leave the strong room and should have ensured that their back up takes over when they were leaving. Election Petition: Chief Justice says a candidate or an agent cannot abandon his post and ask the Supreme Court to rule when he fails to sign documents. Election Petition: He (Chief Justice) says all the attempt by the petitioner to object to this decision including asking to reopen his case were dismissed by the court. Election Petition: He (Anin Yeboah) says the argument that the petitioner had a weak case may not affect the case that there is reasonable cause. Election Petition: Chief Justice says the source of this issue is the error made by the chairperson. He says there is no doubt that the Chairperson made a mistake when announcing the figures. Election Petition: He (Chief Justice) says the apex court is of the option that the Chairperson had a right to correct the mistake when it was noticed. Election Petition: Chief Justice says at the time the petition was filed, the results of the Techiman South Constituency had been added. Election Petition: Chief Justice says by law, the burden of proof rested on the petition and an instrument put in place to regulate how a president is declared in Ghana. Election Petition: He (Chief Justice) says it is their opinion that the error made by the EC Chair and which did not affect the result is insufficient to say there was a violation of Article 63(3) of the 1992 Constitution Election Petition: Errors by the EC Chair cannot take away the valid votes of the people – Chief Justice. Election Petition: He (Chief Justice) says the petitioner also failed to back his claim that the declaration by the EC Chairperson was wrong.   Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093

Ghana’s highest court has rejected a challenge to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo victory in the 2020 election. The verdict brings to an end the election petition filed by the NDC 2020 Presidential More soon… Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093