The 3 Stages Collation Introduced By EC Is a Contributing Factor for Irregularities
A Local Governance expert Issaka Amon Kotei has revealed that the new 3 stages collation of results introduced by the Electoral Commission (EC) brought about the suspicion and issues of accusations and hand pointing on EC, following some reported cases of irregularities in some constituencies across the country. Speaking to Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stepehn of Apexnewsgh.com in an Exclusive interview Tuesday, December 15, 2020, Mr. Amon Kotei said when it came to collation and releasing of results, people are having challenges with the result because the EC set up three stages where collations could be done. “One at the Constituency level, Two at the regional level, and three at the National level and these levels, anything can happen in between the two and three levels and it has resulted in we not even knowing the actual figure of people who cast their votes.” However, Mr. Amon Kotei admitted that all the other stages were perfect as he described collation and declaration as a problem. When we do declaration or counting at the polling center, the ballots are open right at the polling station and then counted there. So, nobody goes to the collation center to go and call for recounting, between the polling station and the collation anything can happen.” He stressed He added that there was an instruction that police shouldn’t follow the boxes. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
Elections 2020 well-conducted but characterized by ….- EU EOM
A preliminary statement of the European Union Election Observation Mission Ghana 2020 delivered at a Press Conference by the Chief Observer Javier Nart on 9 December 2020, described the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary election process as well-conducted but characterized by misuse of state resources and unregulated campaign finance. The statement further observed that the Legal framework generally provided for credible and competitive elections, but previously identified gaps remained unaddressed arguing that though Ghana has ratified all relevant international and regional instruments some restrictions remained to add that the Constitution demands that the number of inhabitants of each constituency should be, as nearly as possible, similar, however, there were marked disparities in the number of registered voters per constituency, affecting equal suffrage. Further gaps in the legal framework identified by earlier EU Election Observation Mission remained largely unaddressed, such as the absence of any consensual method of appointing Electoral Commission members and no deadlines were introduced for the adjudication of parliamentary electoral petitions. The EU Election Observer Mission is independent in its findings and conclusions and adheres to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation signed at the United Nations in October 2005. Speaking to Apexnewsgh.com on the subject a long term observer on Team 19 with the European Union Election Observation Mission, Laura Erizi hinted that the European Union Election Observer Mission will later in January 2021 publish a final report, including full analysis and recommendation for electoral reforms when in two months’ time, the EU Election Observer Mission Chief Observer, Javier Nart returns to the country with a team of delegation to present the report. The statement has certainly generated some buzz with feedback and some comments coming in from local observers and the election administrators. While acknowledging the feedback on their statement from local stakeholders, another long Term Observer with team 19 of the European Union Observation Mission Ghana 2020, Stoil Tzitzelkov expressed satisfaction at the level of work done by the team of observers. Before the completion of the entire electoral process including adjudication of petitions, he indicated that the team will remain short in the country to monitor any further development. Stoil Tzitzelkov further observed that if citizens are well informed about electoral processes, there will be no need for International Observers to come to the country to monitor the general elections while urging citizens and encouraging persons not affiliated to political parties to be interested in the political lives of the country. Laura Erizi expressed appreciation to all stakeholders in the region that volunteered information to help them complete their 3-week assignment in all 15 constituencies in the region. She shared with Ghana Today the exciting journey and experience garnered throughout the stay in the Upper East Region. The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has been present in Ghana following an invitation from the Government and the Electoral Commission led by Chief Observer, Javier Nart, a member of the European Parliament of Spain. In total, the Mission deployed 81 observers from 26 EU Member States, including Canada, Norway, and Switzerland across the country since November 1, 2020, and then observers had been in the regions since November 17, 2020, to assess the whole electoral process against international obligations and commitments for democratic elections as well as the laws of Ghana. On Election day, the observers visited over 329 polling stations in 102 of the 275 electoral constituencies to observe voting and counting. Election Observation has become a feature of democratic elections as well as a key indicator of the credibility of elections necessitating continental, regional, and sub-regional bodies to form their groups to observe and monitor the election. In the run-up to 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Election, the Coalition of Domestic election Observers, CODEO deployed around 4,000 observers on election day, while the Institute for Democratic governance IDEG deployed some 700 observers. In addition to our local election observers, a total of 20 teams of European Union Election Observation Mission Ghana 2020 arrived in the country to cover the 16 regions of the country: one team per region, with two teams in the bigger regions. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/ Contributor Prosper Adankai Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
JUST IN: NDC Withdraws Suit Against EC, Says It Has No Evidence To Pursue Techiman South Case
The National Democratic Congress(NDC) has withdrawn its suit against the Electoral Commission(EC) concerning Techiman South parliamentary election results in the Bono East Region Until the morning of Monday, December 14, 2020, a Writ of Mandamus to compel the EC to re-collate and re-declare the results had been filed at the court. The NDC in a series of press conferences last week, made several claims only to be hit by recorded video evidence of Collation and declaration. The party this morning ran back to the Sunyani High Court to withdraw the case. It is not clear what’s next for them. After the declaration of Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah as the MP-elect for the constituency the NDC and its candidate led blistering attacks on electoral officers, security personnel, and some media men who were also not spared instead resorted to violence and intimidation. Speaking to the development on Accra- Fm, a member of the NDC legal team Baba Jamal revealed that the latest decision by the party was as a result of the fact that they do not have evidence to challenge the case in court. “They started with the collation and stopped when the confusion started so we were unable to sign the documents but the Returning Officers said he reached out to us but we were not around. And we said fine just give us a copy of it whether we signed or not but he refused. Do you think it is with good intention we were refused documents? “You don’t go to court empty-handed. We go with the evidence, we don’t have a summary sheet, declaration form and we don’t know what happened. How do we protest the results in court? Because we don’t have any evidence against the results?” He added. Mynewsgh Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
“I was Awarded With Paper As A Best Driver In Upper East Region” – Dada B confess
Mr. Joseph Kwabena Baah aka Dada B, a 2009 overall best driver for the Upper East Region has raised a red flag over how he has been treated unfairly over what he describes as something that has been like a mere ghost presentation. According to him he was only given a sheet paper after receiving an award for being the best driver in the region in his 40 year experience. Making references to back his claim, Dada B indicated that it’s very disheartening to witness other awardees such as the miss Ghana, best teacher, best farmer etc receive real awards, but for him to receive nothing after being crowned as a best driver with a 40 year experience who has been able to safe human life for many years. “I’m sometimes dejected but I try to encourage myself. My family asks for my award only for me to show them a paper, and they only begin to describe me as a joke. How can you claim yourself an award winner with this common sheet of paper? At least receiving something little valuable will encourage young ones who look up onto me in driving”, he added. “He further disclosed that the award was named during the Late Atta Mills’ era through to John Mahama’s era till Nana Addo became president. “They have all been made aware, Nana Addo once met me at the Bolga Palace where the Bolga Naa- ba introduced me to him. He disclosed to myghanamedia.com in an exclusive interview. “NPP is my own party and I thank God for bringing Nana Addo back to the thrown. I am of the firm conviction and plead with the President that he should immediately hear my cry and do something about my award, I urgently need it”, he cried out. Watch the vdeo below for further details: Myghanamedia.com Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
See the three key questions asked by IMANI in 2016 ahead of 1million per Constituency
Taking Stock: The $1 million dollars per constituency (OMC) scheme. Here are some questions that IMANI asked in 2016. Seeing the results of the policy, these questions are still relevant should the policy be continued. 1. The only administrative structures at constituency level are the MP offices. Will MPs be responsible for managing this new fund? Then why not scrap districts and make the idea of electing DCEs redundant as MPs are elected? Then the resources available to DCEs can be handed over to the MP offices to manage. What is the point of creating a parallel administrative structure at constituency level? 2. Currently, each district receives on average $1.8 million. If the money sent to the districts were instead sent to constituencies, each one would receive roughly $1.4 million. The OMC scheme would thus imply a 70% increase in the funds allocated to local governments. This looks amazing until one realises that currently only 40% of the funds allocated to the local government entities actually get to them, due to high bureaucratic costs at the level of the funds’ managers in Accra. Instead of a 70% increase in payments out of the national treasury, why not simply reform the local government financing arrangement to cut down on the 60% overhead? 3. Why give each constituency $1 million when needs and populations vary so much? 6 out of every 10 people in the North falls within the lowest fifth of the country’s wealth structure, whilst in Accra the corresponding figure is less than 2 out of 10 people. Whilst there are about 320,000 people in Asawase and 530,000 people in Weija/Ga-South, there are less than 60,000 people in Dormaa East, Sissala West, and Lambussie Karni. Why should these districts all get the same amount?, IMANI’s honorary vice-president for research, Bright Simons asked. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
ANNUAL PRICE OF GOLD – 2010 – 2020 – UPDATED
ANNUAL PRICE OF GOLD – 2010 – 2020 – UPDATED Table 5: Annual Price of Gold – 2010 – 2020 Year Price Per Ounce in US$ Annual % Change 2010 1,652.87 – 2011 1,748.40 5.78 2012 1,861.37 6.46 2013 1,332.18 -28.43 2014 1,324.19 -0.6 2015 1,165.48 -11.99 2016 1,230.02 5.54 2017 1,356.14 10.25 2018 1,314.97 -3.04 2019 1,527.57 16.17 2020 1,839.91* 20.45 Data Sources: Macrotrends (2020); Goldprice.org. (2020); Compilation by Author BRIEFS: Mining of the precious metal called gold is a lucrative business with operations spread across the various continents with the exception of Antarctica (Metals Focus & World Gold Council, 2020). In 2019, forty-three (43) countries produced 3,272.7 metric tonnes of gold. As noted in the previous submission, stability in the price of gold per ounce has been a major concern to some investment analysts in the global market in recent years. The inflation-adjusted price per ounce recorded for gold in recent years, 2010 through 2020, is shared in Table 5 and Figure 5. Data in the table and figure reflect closing prices. That is, the price of gold per ounce as at December 2010 through December 2019. However, the figure for 2020 (US$1,839.91) reflects the gold price per ounce as at 11th December, 2020. The price per ounce and performance of gold in 2020 are unequalled since 2010. Stated differently, the performance of gold in terms of price per ounce in 2020 is the highest since 2010. Annual closing price per ounce of gold for the various years outlined in Table 5 and Figure 5 affirm the foregoing statement. We observe an approximate 20.45% increase in price of gold per ounce between 31st December, 2019 and 11th December, 2020. This exceeds the respective annual percentage increases recorded in 2019 (16.17%), 2017 (10.25%), 2012 (6.46%), 2011 (5.78%), and 2016 (5.54%). Data in the table and figure depict fluctuations in gold prices between periods, with stable and consistent price increases from 2010 through 2012; between 2016 and 2017; and between 2019 and the current financial year. Note: Indeed, A MIGHTY GHANAIAN “TREE” (Former President Flt. Lt. (Rtd.) Jerry John Rawlings) has fallen (Thursday, 12th November, 2020) Ebenezer Ashley (PhD), Chartered Economist/ Business Consultant Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
Breaking News: UN says Ghana’s election was…
The United Nations (UN) has called on Ghanaian authorities to investigate incidents of electoral violence recorded during the December 7 polls. The UN further charged the government to hold the perpetrators accountable in line with Ghana’s commitment to guaranteeing respect for human rights and the rule of law. Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and the Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), made the call in Accra. He said regrettably, the post-voting period has been marked by isolated incidents of violence which had led to the loss of lives. The Special Representative condemned the violence and expresses his condolences to the bereaved families. Dr Chambas joined the various election observation missions in commending citizens for once again exhibiting their democratic credentials by turning out massively to vote during the December 7, General Election. The UN Envoy in a statement, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the peaceful and orderly conduct of voting despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and concerns with political vigilantism was demonstrative of the commitment of political actors in the country. It also demonstrated national institutions, civil society organisations and the public at large commitment to deepen democracy and to preserve peace and stability in Ghana. The Special Representative called on the two main parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to uphold their commitment to respect the Peace Pact signed on December 4, in which they inter alia, committed to seek redress through constitutional and legal means for any electoral grievances. The Special Representative further called on the judiciary to continue to play its key adjudicatory role by ensuring that cases brought before it was handled promptly with transparency and credibility so that its decisions fully reflect the will of the people. He also appealed to all Ghanaians to continue to exercise restraint in line with their patriotic values and to preserve the reputation of Ghana as an example in delivering peaceful, credible, and transparent elections. The Special Representative reiterated the commitment and support of the United Nations to the people of Ghana in their efforts to strengthen the nation’s democratic process and to achieve inclusive sustainable development. GNA Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
Wonders Shall Never End, Men Storm Bank Premises Wearing Only Pampers in Viral Video -[WATCH VIDEO]
In a scene that looks so funny and dramatic, Apexnewsgh.com has captured an interesting a viral video of well grown ups wearing diapers in full glare of the public. The group were seen in the bank premises queuing to withdraw money. Most people who saw them both on social media were surprised because it is hard to believe as their mood of dressing look strange them and such has never been anywhere before. However, it is hard on Apexnewsgh.com to confirm whether that was an episode or perhaps a video they were shooting, though that was not established yet, even though some in their own conclusion, were linking it to an occult group. Watch the video below; Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
BONGO: NGOs in Bongo are so worried about government claims of ownership…. –Edward Bawa
The Member of Parliament for Bongo Constituency Edward Bawa has told Apexnewsgh.com that Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) assisting to bring developments in the Bongo Constituency are worried because their works in the Bongo Constituency is mistaken to be the work of government. According to him, out of 94 boreholes, the District Chief Executive claimed it was provided by the government in the constituency, only 10 were built by the government and the rest was provided by NGOs such as UNDP, UNICEF, WaterAid, and others. “If you look at issues of water, a lot of Non-Governmental Organizations became worried that their work at the constituency level was misappropriated to be the works of government. For example, the DCE was going around saying that he had built about 94 boreholes but when you check based on the government infrastructure tracker that is provided, the government have only built 10 boreholes and the rest were Non-governmental Organization UNDP, UNICEF, WaterAid, etc and you know, no NGO will come into a community without passing through the Assembly. So, I can tell you the NGOs are very worried, and is important that I reassure them. They are the key partners in our development particularly with water.” However, Mr. Bawa told Apexnewsgh.com that a certain Turkish friend helped him during his campaign with 5 boreholes to support some parts in his constituents who were in dare need of water, particularly where Muslims were dominated and there was no way he could claim he donated those boreholes even though his friend was doing it on his behalf unlike the District Chief Executive Mr. Ayinbisa who was going around telling people that government provided 94 boreholes. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications