Navrongo Central Constituency: Where will the pendulum swing?
The stage is set for the two parliamentary aspirants from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Navrongo Central Constituency in the Upper East Region to compete in this year’s parliamentary elections in December. The candidates, Miss Tangoba Abayage, who is the current Upper East Regional Minister, is facing the opposition NDC’s, Mr Sampson Tangombu Chiragia, a.k.a., ‘STC’, a tax auditor. The Navrongo Central is already known as a swing constituency judging from the voting patterns since the country’s return to constitutional rule in 1992. Both the NPP and the NDC have been dominant in occupying the seat and the competition is, therefore, a two-horse race between the NPP and the NDC. In 1992, Godfrey Abullu of the NDC won the parliamentary election and in 1995, when there was a by-election, an independent candidate, John Setuni Achuliwor, won and occupied the seat. In 1996, however, Clement Tumfuga Bugase, won on the ticket of the NDC. Then in the year 2000, Achuliwor came back again, but this time around on the ticket of the NPP and won the election. Unfortunately, Achuliwor’s tenure was short-lived as he died in a motor accident on January 25, 2003 warranting a by-election on March 25, 2003. The incumbent MP for the constituency, Mr Kofi Adda, won the by-election for the NPP and became an MP in 2003, going ahead to win subsequent election until he was defeated in 2012 by the NDC’s Mark Owen Woyongo. Mr Woyongo held the seat for the NDC until he lost it in 2016 to Mr Kofi Adda. Skirt, blouse An assessment of the voting pattern in the general election between 2008 and 2016 points to the fact that members of the Navrongo Central Constituency voted ‘skirt and blouse’ in the 2016 election. At the parliamentary level, they voted for the NPP candidate, who is also the current MP for Navrongo Central and Aviation Minister, Mr Adda, but the constituents, however, voted for the NDC’s flag bearer and former President, Mr John Mahama, with 18,810 votes, representing 47.19 per cent, while the sitting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo secured 18,759 votes, representing 47.06 per cent. In 2012, the electorate in the constituency voted for the NDC in both the parliamentary and presidential elections. Mr Mark Woyongo polled 17,907 votes, representing 53.16 per cent, to beat his closest rival, Mr Adda who got 15,443 votes representing 45.84 per cent. These voting patterns, therefore, re-echoes the point that winning the 2020 parliamentary election is going to be a 50-50 affair. Judging from the results of the last three election, both the NPP and the NDC presidential candidates have had significant votes compared to the smaller parties such as the People’s National Convention (PNC), the Convention People’s Party (CPP), the United Ghana Movement, the Great Consolidated Popular Party, the Progressive People’s Party among other parties. The smaller parties can, therefore, not pose a threat to the NDC and the NPP at both the Parliamentary and the Presidential levels. Candidates’ background Both aspirants are contesting the parliamentary seat for the first time in a general election. They both have rich experiences and solid backgrounds in their chosen career. Just as Ms Abayage perhaps has an urge over her NDC contender as her government is currently in power, Mr Chiragia, on the other hand, is also arguably counting on his strength as a grass-roots man. Both candidates have solid academic and professional backgrounds in addition to their political experiences. For instance, while Mr Chiragia is a Tax Auditor, a member of a number of professional bodies, he has also been active in the party front as an organiser. A gender activist, Ms Abayage, is coming into the contest as the first female substantive regional minister of the Upper East Region, having defeated the incumbent in the NPP primaries. Candidates’ visions Both candidates have, as part of their visions and campaigns pledged to prevail on their respective campaign team members and supporters to avoid insults and conduct ‘issue-based campaigns’. Mr Chiragia, in addition, has indicated that his primary vision is to help create more job opportunities for the youth to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of their respective communities and prevent them from engaging in crime. He mentioned particularly local artisans and women’s groups who needed start-up capitals to establish their businesses as well as further training to acquire skills. Affectionately called the ‘Lioness’, Ms Abayage believes her ability to effectively manage the region so far puts her in a better position to handle the Navrongo Central constituency when elected as an MP. As a way of solving one of the development challenges of the constituency, she has taken the initiative to donate at least 1000 dual desks in a bid to reduce the number of children sitting on the bare floor of their classrooms for lessons. In August this year, the NPP Parliamentary Candidate donated 400 of the dual desks to the Kassena – Nankana Municipal Education Directorate to be distributed to schools in Navrongo. Constituents’ demands Generally, the constituents are looking forward to the conduct of peaceful elections, completion of ongoing projects and finding permanent solutions to the perennial flooding situation. The restoration of peace in the Doba-Kandiga areas, where a land dispute between the two communities on Saturday, July 4, 2020, resulted in the death of six persons and more than 30 houses torched, is also a major source of worry to residents in the Navrongo Central Constituency. Other challenges that residents of Navrongo are expecting duty bearers to help solve is electricity connectivity, poor road network in some communities and challenges of accessing health care under the National Health Insurance Scheme. According to the constituents, they needed policies that would engage them in economic activities. The people were also worried about lack of potable water in some of the communities and also called for concrete steps to address it. In the area of education, some members of the constituency were not happy
Is false that Asamoah Gyan is demanding $500.000 to play Asante Kotoko- Samuel Addo
Ex Black Stars Asamoah Gyan’s business manager Samuel Anim Addo has said the speculation that the Ghana striker is demanding an amount of $500,000 [€426,530] from Asante Kotoko before joining the local giants are false. He said Asamoah Gyan has been without a club since January, has been heavily linked to the Porcupine Warriors ahead of the commencement of the 2020-21 football season in November. Rumours of an imminent move have been heavily fueled by the 34-year-old’s long-held dream of wearing the Kotoko jersey before calling time on his playing career. He played for Liberty Professionals before leaving the domestic league for Italian side Udinese in 2003, but the Kumasi-based outfit is the most successful club in the history of the Premier League, having won 23 titles. “I don’t know where the news is coming from – that Gyan is demanding such an amount,” Anim Addo told Angel FM. “And even if that is the case, how many supporters do Kotoko have? Kotoko has about 10 million fans and if they should secure the services of Gyan and sell one of his replica [jerseys] for GHC10 [€1.5], what will be the benefit? “You look at the marketability, promotion wise and benefits he can make for the club. “The number of goals he will provide has not been mentioned and to me we should look at the positives of bringing such a player to the club, finding a strategy to get him, let him be in the game, and let us all benefit.” Gyan’s last club spell was a four-month stint with Indian Super League side NorthEast United between September last year and January this year. “Kotoko have said they like him because he once stated that he’ll one day play for Kotoko, but for now, no club has approached him with any offer,” Anim Addo told Graphic Sports in August. “Gyan has had offers from Europe and Asia but if Kotoko can meet our terms, then why not?” Gyan has also previously played club football for Italian side Modena, Rennes in France, Al Ain and Al Ahli Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Shanghai SIPG in China and Turkish fold Kayserispor. The veteran striker is currently Ghana’s all-time most-capped player and all-time top scorer with 109 Black Stars appearances and 51 goals. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please kindly contact APEXNEWSGH on Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible News publication.
Kasapreko water, juice and soft drink factory commissioned by President Akufo Addo.
On Monday, 28th September 2020, President Akufo-Addo commissioned the Kasapreko water, juice and soft drinks factory, a company operating under Government’s 1-District-1-Factory initiative. During the ceremony at the premises of the company at Kwadaso, in the Ashanti Region, President Akufo-Addo pointed that the establishment of the factory is a concrete manifestation that the new paradigm of economic development, which his administration is vigorously pursuing, of insisting on value-addition industrial activities within a conducive and business-friendly environment, can make headway. “This afternoon’s ceremony is in fulfilment of the promise by Government, in partnership with the private sector, to set up at least one medium to large scale enterprise in every district of Ghana,” he said. The 1-District-1-Factory initiative, the President explained, focuses on the promotion of commercially viable business ventures, through the establishment of an institutional framework that will attract private sector investments in rural economic activities. “In response to this, Kasapreko Co. Ltd took the initiative, with the support of Government, to build this new factory at Tanoso, in the Kwadaso District of the Ashanti Region,” he said. He continued, “The factory will produce water, juices, and soft drinks. Kasapreko, in addition to the twenty-five million United States dollars ($25 million) borrowed from Stanbic Bank for this project, also received waiver of duties on machinery and raw materials, as well as a 5-year tax holiday, which, together, will be worth twenty-eight million United States dollars ($28 million) from Government.” With a capacity to produce some 35,000 bottles per hour of juices and non-alcoholic soft drinks, and 15,000 bottles per hour of water, working at full capacity, the President noted that the factory will employ 300 people directly, and also generate some 3,000 indirect jobs through the supply chain. President Akufo-Addo applauded the company for sourcing 90% of its packaging materials domestically, as bottles, caps and cartons are all produced in Ghana. The Kasapreko Tanoso factory will be serving the Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo, Northern, Savannah, North East, Upper East and Upper West Regions, as well as export its products to our neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. Government, President Akufo-Addo stressed, remains committed to supporting private sector operators, like Kasapreko, to become globally competitive, and, thereby, take advantage of market integration frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose Secretariat has been established and commissioned in Accra. “I am particularly pleased that a successful and innovative company like Kasapreko is finding new opportunities under the 1D1F policy, and would like to assure them of Government’s unwavering support,” he added. To companies operating under Government’s 1D1F programme and other companies operating at the local private sector operating at the district level, the President reminded them that the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, has established an institutional mechanism to provide strategic support and assistance to them. “That is why we have established Business Resource Centers in sixty-seven (67) districts across the country, thirty (30) of which have already commenced operations. I commend the shareholders and management of Kasapreko for their diligence and commitment towards boosting the capacity of our nation towards self-reliance,” he said. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please kindly contact APEXNEWSGH on Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible News publication.
Naming A Street After Me Is Like Winning Grammy — Wiyaala
Noella Wiyaala has spoken about a street named after her recently in her hometown Funsi in the Upper West Region. According to her, she considers the great honour bestowed on her as the greatest award she has ever received. “This award, for me, is my Grammy. I know every artiste around the world would love to win a Grammy but this is the biggest Grammy for me because this is coming from my own people. Those days, it was difficult and nobody believed in arts and entertainment and for them to accept the music I am doing and name a street after me; it’s my Grammy,” she said. In an interview with NEWS-ONE at Funsi, Wiyaala said the love and support she receives from her community motivated her to go back to Funsi where she comes from to give back to the community. “Any time I pass by the street and I see my name I am reminded of what I am doing and the impact it has on my community and people who look up to me, especially the younger ones. So for this gesture it takes a lot and it means you might have done something that stands out and for my people to go honour me with a street I am humbled,” she added. The ‘Lioness of Africa’, as she is affectionately called, appealed to her colleague artistes to go back their roots and support the future leaders of their communities. “This is your home, you shouldn’t feel ashamed to go and support these young ones and your people because home will always be home and if you don’t help develop the place, no one will do it for you,” Wiyaala said. The artiste is currently directing a movie in Sissala, which will be used to preach about peace and living in harmony in the Upper West Region. She has also formed a dance club which is aimed at educating younger girls in the Funsi community about teenage pregnancy, early child marriage, among others. Some of the girls who spoke with NEWS-ONE said they feel inspired by Wiyaala and thanked her for inspiring and building confidence in them. —NewsOne
Franklin Cudjoe exposes NDC/NPP private letters
President of IMANI Africa Franklin Cudjoe has exposed private letters forwarded to him by leadership representatives of the main political candidates in the 2020 presidential bid. Mr. Cudjoe, according to him requested for a debate from the two main Presidential candidates ahead of the 2020 elections. Below are the full details: I just received this electronically from the former President’s office.. “30 September, 2020 Dear Mr Cudjoe, Your letter of 15 September, 2020 refers. H.E John Mahama has stated publicly, his willingness, to debate H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo on any platform and at any time. H.E John Mahama believes that not only will this enhance our democracy, but also give voters a better opportunity to make informed decisions. Anything short of this, will defeat the intended purpose. Kindly accept the assurances of H.E John Mahama’s highest regards . Callistus Mahama, Ph.D (Political Aide and Head of Administration, Office of HE John Mahama)” Earlier, I received this response from the President’s office.. “OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 23rd September, 2020 Dear Mr Cudjoe: RE: INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN IMANI’S PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE FOR TWO MAJOR PARTIES With reference to your correspondence dated 15th September, 2020 bearing on the above-mentioned subject, I regret to inform you that due to pre-arranged commitments, the President of the Republic will not be available to participate in IMANI’s Presidential Debate between the two dominant political parties, New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC). Please accept the President’s best wishes. NANA BEDIATUO ASANTE SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT MR. FRANKLIN CUDJOE FOUNDING PRESIDENT & CEO IMANI CENTRE FOR POLICY & EDUCATION ACCRA cc: The Vice President Jubilee House, Accra Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please kindly contact APEXNEWSGH on Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible News publication.
Angry contractors vow to expose MMDCs in Akufo Addo’s government
A group of aggrieved contractors has said they will not have any other option than exposing all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives who collected bribes from them before awarding contracts for the construction of ultramodern toilet facilities across the country. On Tuesday, the contractors in a press conference said some MMDCE’s collected between 5 to 15 percent from them, before awarding them contracts knowing very well that Ghana First Company limited took only 2 percent. The decision came up following the government and for that matter Ghana First Company’s failure to pay them their contractual sum after 60% completion of projects. The contract was awarded to individual contractors between the period 2017 and 2019 and all contracts according to them were prefinanced. Per the contractual agreement, after 60% completion of the project, “the amount involved shall be paid to the contractor”. They said at a press briefing that ” all contractors have complied and fulfilled the first part of the agreement, however, not a pesewa has been paid any of us”. Should government refuse to adhere to their concerns, they have sworn heaven and earth to call and mobilize all communities where some of these uncompleted toilet facilities are being constructed to demonstrate massively against the government and Ghana First Company. They said they will again press upon fellow contractors, families and workers not to vote. Below is their Press Statement PRESS STATEMENT DELIVERED AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE HELD BY NEW WORLD CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA ON TUESDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER, 2020 AT THE CLOGSAG CONFERENCE HALL, ADUM – KUMASI BY: EMMANUEL DAPAAH – CHAIRMAN Good day, Ladies and Gentlemen. We thank you all for honoring our invitation. We have gathered here as members of the New World Contractors Association of Ghana; that is contractors who have been contracted by Ghana First Company Limited to build ultra-modern toilet facilities across the length and breadth of our country. Ghana First Company Limited is working in collaboration with the Local Government and Rural Development Ministry and Ministry of Water and Sanitation. In fact, it is the MMDCE’s that grants the site for the project. The project specifications and cost of each are stated below: a) 14 seater at the cost of Two Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty-Four Ghana Cedis (GHC 290,484.00), b) 16 seater at the cost of Three Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-Nine Ghana Cedis and Thirty Six pesewas (GHC 326,259.36), c) 20 seater (A) at the cost of Five Hundred and Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Five Ghana Cedis (GHC 503,935.00), and d) 20 seater (B) at the cost of Three Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Ghana Cedis (GHC 333,676.00). TERMS OF REFERENCE PER CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT 1. The contracts were awarded to individual contractors between the period 2017 and 2019. 2. Contractors were to pre-finance the project and after 60% completion, the amount involved shall be paid to the contractor. 3. Furtherance to that, a letter was issued to each contractor specifying certain conditions. Copies of the letters have been provided here. We are stating that all contractors have complied and fulfilled the first part of the agreement; however, not a pesewa has been paid any of us. Meanwhile, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in delivering his address on the infrastructure projects executed by his government referred a lot of the projects we have done. How can we be denied our money but for the government to claim credit for those projects? We see this as a deliberate attempt by the Government and Ghana First Company to kill the spirit of contractors in this regard. Our members procured loans from banks to execute the projects. Now, we are being chased by those banks for repayment. Several appeals to Mr. Frank Akuley, the C.E.O. of the Ghana First Company Limited have fallen on death ears. He is blaming the government for the delays. We are using this medium to draw the attention of the government to our plight. The government should come out to state its position on this matter. We don’t want to believe that this is a scam that has been endorsed by this government. REQUEST We are giving the government 10 days to respond to the following issues: 1. Explain to us the contractors, its position and involvement in the Ghana First Company issues, 2. Why the sector ministers gave Ghana First Company introduction and support letters knowing the company’s inability to pay, 3. Why the MMDCE’s refusal to perform their part of the contract with Ghana First Company by providing the land title documents as per their undertaken letters, (sample shown) 4. Why the sector ministers: Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and Minister of Water and Sanitation have refused to respond to the Ghana First Company blaming the Local Government for delaying on their part to raise funds to pay the contractors, 5. Why the government captured our projects (Ghana First Toilet Facilities) as its achievement during the town hall meeting in Accra by the Vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, when during the same town hall meeting in Kumasi, we were told by the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah that it is a private project. 6. The government should intervene by helping Ghana First Company to have access to funds and pay the contractors. OR The government should take over the projects and also engage us, the affected contractors, on the way forward. If the government refuses to adhere to our concerns, we will take the following actions. a) We will call and mobilize all the communities where some of these uncompleted toilet facilities are being constructed to demonstrate massively against the government and Ghana First Company. b) We will press upon members, their families, and workers not to vote and we will campaign massively against the government in this year’s elections. c) Lastly, we will expose all the MMDCE’s who took between 5% – 15% from our members before awarding the contracts knowing
Bernard Mornah chopped last and David Apasera won
In the Upper East Region, Delegates of the People’s National Convention, (PNC) at the ongoing National Delegates Congress have given former Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central Constituency, David Apasera a major boost by overwhelmingly endorsing his candidature as flagbearer of the party. The two term MP polled 147 votes beating of competition from Samson Asaki Awingobit who had 42 with Rev. Samuel Adjei a former campaign manager of 2016 flagbearer, Edward Mahama now Ambassador at large getting 20 votes. Mr. Apasera is highly tipped to win the PNC flagbearer race but will need to win in the other 15 regions to lead the party into the 2020 general elections. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the party, Bernard Mornah who is hoping to lead the party again, lost in the upper east Region. He polled 57 votes losing in the region to Moses Dani Baah, a former Member of Parliament for the Sissala East constituency in the Upper West Region who polled 151 votes. Below is results for the six positions and how the aspirants performed. List of candidate Flag bearer and results Rev. Samuel Adjei – 20 Sampson Asaki Awingobit – 42 David Apasera – 147 National Chairman Bernard Mornah- 57 Moses Dani Baah -151 General secretary Janet Asana Nabla-119 Kobbs MacDonald Tong – 5 Emmanuel Wilson Jrn – 85 Vice Chariman Omar Ahmed Bekure-87 Henry Haruna Asante – 50 Eugene T. K Bashiru- 23 Hajia Hajara musah Ali 49 Women organizer Esther Osei Danso -21 Patience Lamisi Adam Johnson 60 Hummi Sinare sinanka- 17 Hidaya sungjun Ibrahim – 109 Organizer Ntow Desmond twumasi – 53 Daniel Nii Noi-24 Abass Nuhu 131 Total vote cast 209 out of 226 Apexnewsgh.com Please kindly contact APEXNEWSGH on Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible News publications
NDA is alleviating poverty in Upper East through their developmental projects- Patrick Seidu
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Northern Development Authority (NDA) Patrick Seidu said the developmental projects the NDA are embarking on across the Upper East Region, are projects focused on alleviating poverty in this part of the country. Mr. Seidu made the remarks at Zambala a community near Bugri in Tempani District of the Upper East Region, during one of his campaign speech delivery to the people in that enclave. He sighted CHIPS COMPOUND, WATER SYSTEMS, ROADS, SCHOOLS, and RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ETC, as Projects which in one way or the other improves the lives of ordinary citizens. However, Mr. Seidu quoted a proverb which says, “IF SUNDAY WILL BE A GOOD DAY, ITS STARTS FROM SATURDAY EVENING” This really means the government of the governing NPP has shown the people Tempane that they can do more for them, if given them the opportunity come December 7, 2020, by voting their Member of Parliament Joseph Kpemka and President Akufo Addo as President. He said, he is very confident that the people of Tempane will want the projects ongoing in the constituency to continue; especially now they see and feel the projects, Unlike the National Democratic Congress (NDC) green book which projects could only be found on paper without any factual projects on the ground. Meanwhile, the Northern Development Authority has constructed 3 CHIPS Compound, 3 Units Classroom, 500 dual desks, and a number of boreholes in Tempane Constituency. Mr. Seidu was together at the campaign grounds with the Deputy CEO of YEA Alhaji Bashiru Ibrahim and Joseph Kpemka the Deputy Attorney General. Apexnewsgh.com Please kindly contact APEXNEWSGH on Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible News publications