NDC might lose Deputy Speakership position if they don’t cooperate – John Boadu
“The constitution does not even state that it is the majority party that will get speakership. According to the constitution, anybody can be nominated within and outside parliament and it will be put to vote. Emphasizing on the NPP’s approach of the process with a united front, the party’s Chief Scribe affirmed that “there is no way that we are going to lose the Speakership; we will win the First Speaker, the first deputy speaker. And per what the constitution dictates, we cannot have one party having all the three speakership position. So by that, the third one can go.” “But even with that, if they do not cooperate, we may have a situation where the only independent candidate becomes the Second Deputy Speaker,” he said on Monday. “So I think it is in the interest of all of us to cooperate and not to put on a needless contest in order for us to all come together and work together for the cohesion that we need.” Already, the NPP National Council has nominated Prof Aaron Mike Ocquaye to serve another term as the Speaker in the eighth Parliament of Ghana. The party has, however made changes to some of its leadership on Parliament, although it is maintaining Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu as the Majority Leader, MP-elect for Effutu, Alex Afenyo Markin will serve as the Deputy. NPP is also making MP-elect for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh as its Chief Whip while the MP-elect for Ayawaso West Wuogon and MP for Tolon Constituency serve as his deputies. Myjoyonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
NDC’s legal team to meet today over court case against Kofi Adams
The legal team of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), is expected to meet today, Tuesday, January 5, 2021, over a petition filed at the Hohoe High Court by thirteen inhabitants of the Buem constituency over the validity of the parliamentary results in that constituency. The thirteen persons in the Oti Region on Monday, January 4, 2021, filed the motion citing the inability of some inhabitants of the constituency to exercise their franchise in the 2020 election. The petitioners in their suit argue that they were disenfranchised given that parliamentary elections were not held in 13 electoral areas of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi, and Likpe, where they were expected to cast their ballot. But the NDC’s Director of the Legal Affairs, Abraham Amaliba, says the party will take steps to address the issues raised. He, however, said the legal team of the party has not been served with the injunction. “We received a call that this is what has happened in Hohoe in respect of Buem, and we are yet to be served…but in the meantime, we are convening on Tuesday for an emergency meeting and have also asked to be given copies of what the NPP filed. The meeting will then determine our next line of action,” he said. Background The thirteen persons in the Oti Region have filed a suit challenging the election of Kofi Adams as Member of Parliament for the Buem constituency. The petitioners in their suit argue that they were disenfranchised given that parliamentary elections were not held in 13 electoral areas of SALL where they were expected to cast their ballot. The petitioners are therefore seeking an “order of perpetual injunction restraining Kofi Adams from holding himself out as Member of Parliament-elect for the constituency and or presenting himself to be sworn in as such.” They are also seeking a cancellation of the elections held in the constituency and the conduct of a new one which will include the 13 electoral areas. Kofi Adams was declared Member of Parliament-Elect for the Buem Constituency having polled 18,560 votes of the valid votes cast whiles Lawrence Kwame Aziale of the New Patriotic Party polled 6,854 votes, a difference of 11,706 votes. But the petitioners contend that the total registered voters for the 13 electoral areas in the traditional areas of SALL are 17,764 voters. “In the circumstance, the Petitioners will contend that if the said 17,764 voters inclusive of their good selves had not been denied their inalienable and constitutionally guaranteed right to select a Member of Parliament of their choice the outcome of the elections in the Buem Constituency could have been substantially different.” “The petitioners will also contend that unless this Court if the demands are not met, they will be saddled with a Member of Parliament they had no say in electing.” Citinewsroom Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
NPP’s National Council holds crunch meeting to decide leadership of Parliament
The National Council of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is meeting to approve or disapprove proposals made by the party’s Steering Committee for leadership positions in Parliament. The Steering Committee on Thursday, December 31, 2020, proposed that Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu be retained as Majority Leader of Parliament, whilst Alexander Afenyo Markin be made the Deputy Majority Leader. The Chief Whip slot which is currently held by Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the Sunyani East MP has been earmarked for Frank Annoh Dompreh, the Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP. Mr. Dompreh’s deputies will be the Tolon MP, Habib Iddrisu, and the Mfantsiman MP, Ophelia Hayford after Matthew Nyindam, the Kpandai MP, and Moses Anim, the Trobu MP held those positions in the current Parliament. The meeting which has the President, the Vice President and Chief of Staff in attendance will also approve the nomination of either Freddie Blay or Professor Michael Oquaye as Speaker of the House. Unlike in 2016 where the NPP secured a record majority with 169 seats in Parliament, the governing party’s representation dropped to 137 seats in Parliament. The NDC matched the NPP by also winning 137 seats in Parliament, the highest ever proportion of seats held by an opposition party in Ghana’s Fourth Republic. The two parties were joined by an independent candidate, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, who won the Fomena seat. Mr. Asiamah has said he will join the NPP to form a Majority in Parliament despite being kicked out of the Party because he decided to run as an independent candidate. Citinewsroom Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Alban Bagbin likely to be named NDC candidate for Speaker of Parliament
Ghana’s longest-serving legislator and Member of Parliament for Nadowli Kaleo in the Upper West Region, Alban S.K Bagbin is likely to be named as the candidate of speakership for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 8th Parliament. According to Citi News sources, the proposal was made by the leadership of the NDC caucus in the House. Mr. Bagbin is currently the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament of the yet-to-be dissolved 7th Parliament. Citi News understands that the leadership of the front bench for the Minority caucus will remain unchanged. This means Haruna Iddrisu will once again be chosen as the Minority Leader. He will be deputized by James Klutse Avedzi (MP for Ketu North, Volta Region) as First Deputy Minority Leader. The Minority Chief Whip position will be maintained by Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka (MP for Asawase, Ashanti Region). Ibrahim Ahmed (MP for Banda, Bono Region) and Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe (MP for Ada, Greater Accra Region) are to remain as First and Second Minority Chief Whips respectively. Ghana was left with hung Parliament after the 2020 polls with the NPP and National Democratic Congress all having 137 seats apiece in Parliament. The two parties were joined by an independent candidate, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, who won the Fomena seat. Mr. Asiamah has said he will join the NPP to form a Majority in Parliament despite being kicked out of the party because he decided to run as an independent candidate. There are also question marks over whether the NPP could end up with the Majority. An interim injunction was granted restraining the Electoral Commission from gazetting the NPP’s John Peter Amewu as the MP for Hohoe following a lawsuit filed by residents in the Guan District who were not given the opportunity to vote in the December 7 parliamentary elections. Eligible voters within areas in the newly created district, namely Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi, were only allowed to take part in the presidential election on December 7, 2020. The case will be settled tomorrow after the State challenged the order of the Ho High Court granting the injunction saying that the court did not have the capacity to hear the case. Newly elected Members of Parliament are currently taking turns to register in Parliament. NPP’s speaker selection On the other side of the political divide, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye has been chosen by the National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to serve as Speaker of Parliament for the second time. He has served in such capacity since January 7, 2017. The former two-term Dome-Kwabenya MP served as the Second Deputy Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament between 2009 and 2013. Prof. Oquaye was MP for Dome-Kwabenya from 2005 to 2013. From 2001 to 2004, he had served as Ghana’s High Commissioner to India. In February 2005, he became Minister of Energy, and later he was moved to the post of Minister of Communications. Prof. Oquaye was also a professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana and was previously the Head of the Department of Political Science and member of the University’s Academic Board. The National Council of the NPP has also opted to maintain Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Suame MP, as its Leader in Parliament. It has also endorsed the change in deputy from Sarah Adwoa Safo, the Dome-Kwabenya MP, to Alex Afenyo-Markin, the Effutu MP. The Chief Whip slot has been earmarked for Frank Annoh Dompreh, the Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP after being held by Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the Sunyani East MP. Mr. Dompreh’s deputies will be the Tolon MP, Habib Iddrisu and the Ayawaso West-Wuogon MP, Lydia Alhassan after Matthew Nyindam, the Kpandai MP and Moses Anim, the Trobu MP held those positions in the current Parliament. Lydia Alhassan replaces Ophelia Hayford, the Mfantseman MP who was earlier proposed as one of the Deputy Whips. Citinewsroom Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Shatta Wale reveals the secret of his success
Popular Ghanaian dancehall artiste, Charles Nii Armah Mensah known in showbiz as Shatta Wale has shown appreciation to his Shatta Movement fan base for the support rendered him in 2020. Shatta attributed the success of his music career to his fans who according to him have stuck behind him all these years. He said these in a tweet while giving a summary of his accomplishments in 2020. “We made some history 2020, let’s keep working hard for big things 2021. Thank you Shatta Movement for the push” he wrote. Read the post below 3 News Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Presidential and Parliamentary elections credible – CePTOM
Centre for Performance Tracking and Outcome Mapping (CePTOM), an election observer group, says from the perspective of project management, 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections were conducted in a transparent, credible, and fair manner. CePTOM deployed a total 1,505 officers and agents to 1,200 polling stations identified as flashpoints across 100 constituencies in 15 Regions, excluding Western North. CePTOM used outcome mapping as a project management tool to assess the performance of the Electoral Commission (EC) and its boundary partners and to track the performance of the key actors in the 2020 General Election in Ghana and mapping the outcomes of their respective interventions and activities. Presenting the preliminary conclusion and recommendations at a press briefing, Mr Ato Bonful, the Programme Director of CePTOM, said there were seamless interactions between the EC and its officials with political party agents, boundary partners and electorates. However, it said “there were rare instances of infractions committed by some of the temporary staff of the EC as reported by our field officers.” He said also isolated but very significant individual issues were raised by party agents, boundary partners, and the media. “Thus, whilst CePTOM commends the Electoral Commission for the efforts in implementing key reforms, there are important issues that require immediate attention,” he said. A key issue is the independence of the Electoral Commission should be respected at all times by all stakeholders and boundary partners. Also, the independence of the EC and other constitutionally mandated bodies, including the National Commission on Civic Education and COmmission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, should be respected. Touching on the importance of the EC officials in the elections, Mr Bonful said the officials; whether temporary or permanent hold the most critical position towards the eventual winner of all elections. To this end, the recruitment, training, posting and management of temporary and permanent EC officials at Polling Stations are crucial to the outcomes of every election. “ CePTOM’s findings are that nearly all the EC officials at polling stations were the temporary staff. The independence, integrity, knowledge and abilities of these staff are not well known and the few cases of serious infarctions e.g., tearing of candidate’s pictures on ballots were perpetrated by individuals. They were not systematic ploys by any party,” Mr Bonful said. On the Declaration of the Presidential Results, Mr Bonful said the Commission was duty-bound to consider all exigencies including acts of God and undertaking scenario planning prior to fixing the dates. “The law requires the Electoral Commission to declare the outcomes of the Presidential Election within 72 hours. It is commendable to do this earlier than 72 hours. However, any shorter timeline given should be realistic and should be adhered to,” he said. He urged all political parties especially Presidential candidates to be aware of the duty of care imposed on them by their positions and the by the privileges accorded them by the Republic of Ghana. GNA Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Election petition: Akoto Ampaw to lead Akufo-Addo’s lawyers
The Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co law firm led by Akoto Ampaw has entered notice of appearance to represent President Akufo-Addo in the election petition filed by former President John Mahama at the Supreme Court. Also, Amenuvor & Associates with its lead counsel Justin Amenuvor will represent the Electoral Commission in the case which is set to begin after the inauguration of the President. The opposition NDC on December 30, 2020 filed a petition at the Supreme Court challenging the outcome of the presidential elections. In a statement after filing the petition, the party said: “The Petition was filed pursuant to the party‘s audit of the 2020 Presidential results and extensive consultations with the National Executive Committee and Council of Elders of the party. “The Petition details serious violations of the 1992 Constitution by the Electoral Commission and its Chairperson and Returning Officer for the Presidential Election, Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa in the conduct of their constitutional and legal responsibilities. It seeks among others, a declaration from the Supreme Court to the effect that, the purported declaration of the results of the 2020 Presidential Election on the 9th day of December 2020 is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever”. Starrfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Jean Mensa is the best EC Chair Ghana has ever had – Prof Adei
Former Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) Rector, Professor Stephen Adei, has named Jean Mensa as the best Electoral Commission Chair in the history of Ghana. Speaking on Joy FM’ Super Morning Show, Monday, he said, “I think she is the best EC Chair we have ever had in terms of competence.” According to him, her office stood its grounds to combat false allegations purported by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the just-ended elections. “From day one, they have always piled up to paint her negative. I have counted to about eight to 10 cases, the NDC will issue a false statement. She will then issue a statement that it is false. “They will not say anything and move to the next one and issue a false statement and the cycle continues,” he stated. The NDC, as well as some Civil Service Organisations (CSOs), have questioned the ECs unyielding demand to have a new electoral roll. The Commission had argued that it could not conduct the December 7, 2020 election with the roll it had justifying the need to have a new register. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the EC braved the storm to register Ghanaians. This was lauded by the renowned academic. Prof Adei also said considering what Mrs Mensa had to go through amid the pandemic to also execute the December 7, 2020 general election, it puts her far ahead of her predecessors. Hung Parliament is doing of God Prof Adei believes that the controversy over a hung Parliament is the doing of the God, hence urged Ghanaians to find the reason behind such occurrence. “God has shown himself to be sovereign and I hope NPP and NDC will all recognise it. I don’t believe that anybody expected the results. “The NPP didn’t believe they would be that bad and the NDC did not believe they would be that good in terms of the Parliamentary seats,” he said. He revealed that reports and requests presented by a committee set up by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) to dissolve “the winner takes all in Parliament” was denied by the Atta Mills and Mahama-led administrations. “Now they are going to learn that one person determines who becomes the Speaker of Parliament. I hope it will send a good message to all,” he added. Also, he hinted various reasons that led to the abysmal performance of the governing party, NPP in the Parliamentary elections. “Thirty-one of them [NPP] lost their seats of which 21 were ministers and deputy ministers. That was a huge blow.” He added that the reform of the financial sector was a reason for NPP’s bad performance. “About four million people were closely affected. Although much effort was made in the last minute, people had suffered for three years.” myjoyonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
NDC’s petition: NPP exhibiting holier-than-thou attitude – Ayine
Bolgatanga East lawmaker, Dominic Ayine, has criticized the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over their commentary on the election petition filed by the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama. The former Deputy Attorney General under the Mahama administration said the NPP are exhibiting the holier-than-thou attitude following their criticisms of the petition. His comments come after Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada Nii Ayikoi Otoo has asked the NDC and their Presidential Candidate to apologize to Ghanaians over the petition. Mr Mahama on Wednesday December 30 filed the petition at the apex court which seeks, among other things, a rerun of the presidential elections, asking the Court for an order to restrain Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Second Respondent, from holding himself out as President-elect. The former Deputy Attorney General under the Mahama administration said the NPP are exhibiting the holier-than-thou attitude following their criticisms of the petition. He refused to accept the results of the elections because in his view the figures were tampered with by the Chair of the Commission in favour of President Akufo-Addo. He further said Mrs Mensa and the other commissioners should have resigned by now following what he described as a blemished election that they conducted on December 7. But Mr Ayikoi Otoo who is also a former Attorney General under the Kufuor administration told host of the Key Points Abena Tabi on TV3 Saturday, January 2 that “The idea that was fed out to the public was that somebody has done something wrong and that we have won the presidential and parliamentary but if you read the petition there is a clear request for a rerun which is based upon the fact that constitutionally nobody crossed the 50+1. “That is a different ball game altogether compared with what we were hearing before the petition was filed. “You should be bold to say that ‘I won the election, this person did not win the election but their style is different.” He added “After the petition was filed and when we read it we saw that what they have done up to that stage was not what they told us initially. So, first, apologize that you erred and let us move on.” Responding to his comments on the same show, a former Deputy Attorney General under the Mahama administration, Dr Dominic Ayine said “Sometimes when the NPP is in government they become very sanctimonious. They preach to those of us who are not in government about how to behave ourselves. “But senior (Ayikoi Otoo) was there in 2012. What happened at Obra spot?. They basically called people to arms. The late Sir John called the supporters to wear white and go out and celebrate the victory of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.” 3 News Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Muslim chief commends NDC for seeking redress in court
The Sarkin Talba of Greater Accra Hausa Chief and a philanthropist, Alhaji Issaka Nettey has applauded the National Democratic Congress NDC over its the decision to seek redress at the Supreme Court. The leadership of the NDC outrightly rejected the 2020 Presidential elections results as declared by the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensah describing it as flawed. The post-election protest by the main opposition party has claimed six lives and wounded many. He noted that, Ghana has been a peaceful nation until the recent election adding that the current post-election protest in the country will have a negative effect on National Development. He said one of the most recurring in Africa is electoral violence and has been the bane of most African countries. According to him it has become political nightmares in the midst of other related violence that have both political and economic implications on development within the continent. He revealed that Ghana has been relatively free from electoral violence, unlike other Africa Countries which have suffered rioting during and after elections adding that since the advent of multi-party democracy in 1992, Ghana had held a number of elections that observers regarded as violence free. He said the time has come to think differently on how to resolve electoral dispute as well as to position Chiefs, Peace Council and the Judiciary to actively participate in post-election protest and violence resolution and dialogue. He reiterated the need for all stakeholders to actively involve in making Ghana proud and attain its stands as the gate way to Africa and a beacon of democracy. He urged Political parties not to allow the 2020 elections to break the history of peaceful electioneering in the country. He applauded the various stakeholders namely the National Peace Council, Civil Society Organizations, Religious leaders, Non-Governmental Organisations, Traditional Rulers as well as meaning Ghanaians who added their voices to ensure peace in the country. Alhaji Issaka Nettey also commended the ruling New Patriotic Party NPP for the manner they comported themselves in celebrating their victory without any provocation. He called for God’s guidance in the country’s journey to finding a peaceful resolution to the political impasse the country is facing and urged opinion leaders, Chiefs, Clergy and statesmen to ensure that justice prevails. He cautioned against the hypocritical behaviour of some prominent persons who make pronouncements that tend to instigate the youth to make negative statements against prominent personalities. Muhammed Faisal Mustapha Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.