Traders run out of stock on Rawlings’s funeral cloth
Textile traders at Rawlings Park, Minaba plaza, and its environs in Accra Central have witnessed a boost in sales following the outdoor of the late Jerry John Rawlings’s funeral cloth. According to some traders who spoke to GhanaWeb, the constant buying of the various types of funeral cloths released on the market has led to its shortage. The fabrics which came in black and white, red and brown designs have specific names attached to them. These sellers noted that the black and white is named; ‘A great tree has fallen’ while the red and brown is ‘You’ll forever remain in our hearts’. 12 yards of the “A great tree has fallen’ cloth from GTP was selling at 160 cedis and that of the red and brown design from Printex cost 140 cedis. One of the textile sellers who spoke to GhanaWeb said people from across the country came to buy from him. He said, “people are buying because they loved him…people from Volta region, central and other regions used to come and buy and go and sell so there’s a shortage.” “When they brought it about a month ago, people did not patronize it but at the moment people are buying it and we’ve run out of stock. It’s left with only 12 yards of the black and white,” another interviewee said. Another seller named Auntie Kate in justifying why she’s run out of stock on Rawlings’ funeral cloth said, “a lot of people have purchased it because everybody loved Papa J. He was a person who pushed crowd so everybody who sees it wants to buy it.” Ghanaweb Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Kufuor attends Rawlings’s funeral in wheelchair
It is no secret that former presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor had a frosty relationship. While they both tried in the public space do downplay suggestions of some hostility between them, their public statements were more than enough to convey such thoughts to Ghanaians. This deep-seated spite between Rawlings and Kufuor who were the first and second presidents of the fourth republic respectively was allegedly birthed by what the late former president thought to be a persecution of his appointees by the Kufuor administration and a withdrawal of his courtesies. Records show that the late president at any given opportunity ‘boomed’ at his successor who though silent often, on few occasions fired back. Death, they say helps put things in perspective and remind humans of the essence of love, unity and peace. This effect that death supposedly has on human beings appears to have caught up with former President Kufuor who despite not being in the best of conditions showed up at his funeral ceremony. John Agyekum Kufuor showed up in a wheelchair to pay his last respect to his predecessor who will be laid to rest on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. Watch Kufuor’s arrival from the 11th minute Ghanaweb Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
With ‘Break the 8’ message, NPP could turn the table to break the eight-year rule– Emmanuel Kwame Darko
In 2024, Ghana would have had a combined 32 years of democratic governance between the two major political parties in the fourth republic. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) like the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would have each done 16 years of two consecutive terms of an eight-year administration under various presidents. Unlike the NDC that has provided three presidents in 16 years, the NPP under Nana Addo in 2024 would have provided two presidents. As such, the electorates and constituents would have an inflection point to decide between the performance of NDC Administrations (1993 to 2000 and 2009 to 2016) and NPP Administrations (2001 to 2008 and 2017 to 2024). Consequently, 2024 is a focal point for NPP to break the eight-year rule by any Political Party; thus, setting a record of a 12-year NPP administration culminating in a combined 20 years of political power in the fourth republic. A feat that would be the first of its kind, and unique to any political party in our history as a country. But until that is done and given the historically trend, is natural for any political observer to forecast a defeat for an NPP administration in the 2024 Presidential General Election; however, NPP could turn the table to break the eight-year rule, set a record, hand over to itself and continue the transformational agenda beyond 2024. As such, the 2024 election is as important as the 2008, where NPP and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo were surprisingly disappointed with ‘avoidable’ defeat if the ruling NPP Government and Party Machinery were careful with their politicking. The ‘Break the 8’ is not only a message on a flyer to share or mere talk but also an actionable message that requires intended efforts to achieve. In my humble opinion, these are some of the actions that would help the NPP Government and Party to retain power in 2024 and beyond: Bottom-Top Leadership: First and foremost, to regain power in the 2024 election, it must begin in our own house (Party). The defeat of many NPP Parliamentary Candidates in the just ended 2020 general election was attributed partly to the “imposed” candidates on constituencies which might have resulted in a “skirt and blouse” result though unscientifically supported. The Party should eliminate any national and regional “imposed” directives without prior consultation with the stakeholders of the constituencies while providing the opportunities to expressed concerns. The National Executives should begin to lead from the grassroots and constituencies to the national level that ensures that they address minor concerns and long ‘unattended’ issues at their early stages to avoid uncontrollable grievances. We must be reminded that Politics is about numbers and our followers need to be listened to in addition to making informed decisions that impact their interests. Moreover, given that there were many volunteer groups that supported various initiatives to trumpet the NPP Government achievements through several mediums such as grassroots and sympathizers who directly and indirectly collaborated with constituencies, regional and national executives, the Party needs to reconsider the rampant small breakout of these groups to foster unified organization to support the government agenda. .Additionally, the National and Regional Executives must begin to repair broken relationships with Constituency and Polling Station Executives, and with grassroots, volunteer groups and abandoned Party faithful (i.e., former MMDCEs, PCs, Gov’t Appointees etc.). For NPP to retain power in 2024, their house needs to be in order and pull everyone into the vision of ‘Break the 8’. Selfless Leadership & Opportunities: It is sad to see a single Party leader seeking lucrative government position or contracts to himself or herself and abandoned Party faithful who have given all to ensure the retention of power. There is nothing wrong to seek an opportunity for yourself as a Party leader; however, such a leader should advocate for his/her followers and ensure that any opportunity is sought after for his/her constituents. Unfortunately, Party Executives are the ones hungrily seeking for government appointments. To retain power in 2024, NPP needs selfless leaders who would be passionate on the agenda to break the eight and ensure continuation of the NPP government to execute the Party’s motto “Development in Freedom” for Ghana. Meanwhile, for the 2022-2026 (year of tenure of new leaders) leadership at any level, the Party needs men and women who are selfless in discharging their roles and responsibilities without any favor, and with the apex objective to unify the grassroots and retain power for the NPP government. Furthermore, the emerging 2024 Presidential Candidate would be another focal point to “break the 8”. The candidature should be based on competency, not on wealthiness (‘buying delegates’) and popularity (‘well known’ in the Party). As such, whoever leads the Party as the Flagbearer should uphold the unity among the Party leadership and grassroot supporters. Open Playing Field: Consequently, to win the 2024, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should avoid all temptations to endorse a candidate openly or secretly for the Party to succeed him. The Government machinery should not favor any preferred candidate which would create a vacuum of failure. The President and Party leadership should create a free and fair electoral process to elect the 2024 Flagbearer. The ‘Break the 8’ is pivotal on the process to elect the next President of the Republic and unify the Party base. It is hoped that the invisible kingmakers of the Party should not abuse their influence to intimidate potential candidates to exit from the race or talk-out interested aspirants based on experience and/or preferential ethnicity. Let the Party and Government provide an open playing field and allow a free and fair environment for those willing to lead the Party as this will enhance the NPP’s prospects to cross the eight-year limit and again deliver meritorious government to the Ghanaian people. Complete 70% Government Promises: The people of Ghana heard the 2020 promises of the NPP government and would hold the government accountable come 2024. The performance of the NPP Government would equally weigh on the sixteen-year
Government must be blamed… Dr. Gabriel Baernakuu
The Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health (GCNH) has said he blamed the government for the lax protocol measures and restrictions seen over the period in the national response to the COVID-19 fight. Dr. Gabriel Bernakuu the outgoing Chairperson of the Coalition of NGOs in an interview on Ghana Kasa of Agoo TV/Kasapa 102.5 fm monitored by Apexnewsgh.com said, it’s worrying that the government failed to step up action to reinforce measures when the numbers started increasing. “I blame the government for the lax protocol measures and restrictions seen over the period in the national response to the covid-19 fight. When we had below thousand active cases, we saw a lockdown, and if we’re seeing a super rise in the infection rates what prevents us from going on a Lockdown? You don’t need any Professor to advise you on this Bernakuu argued. He acknowledged the facts that the COVID-19 situation is becoming so serious as called on the nation must step up its response to curtail the spread of the disease in the country. He further called on the government to bring back restrictions to help limit reduce the deadly spread of the coronavirus. However, he stated that government must concretely, ramp up well-targeted testing, bolster contact tracing, improve preparations for vaccination campaigns, and maintain access to essential supplies such as vaccination and others Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Akufo-Addo imposes scandal-laden ministers on NPP, vetting to expose many of them
The coming weeks promise to be interesting for the Akufo-Addo government, as well as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) with reports, picked up by The Herald that some of his 46 minister-designates, will have a tough time before the Appointment Committee of Parliament, where their suitability to once again serve in the government as Ministers and Regional Ministers, will be tested. The likes of Finance Minister-designate, Ken Ofori-Atta, Communication Minister-designate,e Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Mavis Hawa Koomsom, Railway Minister-designate John Peter Amewu, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs-designate, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Justice Minister-designate Godfred Yeboah-Dame, Energy minister-designate,e Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Women and Children Minister-designate, Sara Adwoa Safo and Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, have all had dossiers with respect to their previous ministerial jobs being prepared on them for their vetting. While some of the issues making up the dossiers are said to be new, The Herald learnt that, others are already existing issues which they failed to properly respond to or the Presidency helped them to cover up during their first term in office by simply “clearing” them. Indeed, some NPP members feel that the President has set some of the Minister up to be rejected. Insiders tell The Herald that many members of the NPP, have been left wondering why President Akufo-Addo, is risking a scenario where some of his appointees will embarrassingly be rejected by Parliament as a result of the many scandals hanging around their necks. First on the list is Ken Ofori-Atta. He has been retained as the Finance Minister and expected to have the toughest vetting, as there is direct evidence linking him to several conflicts of interest situations in many loans and bonds contracted in the last four years. He had used his private company, Databank in many of the transactions. Mr Ofori-Atta, will also have to account for the Agyapa/Asase Royalties deal, the involvement of yet again his company, his award of a contract to his cousin, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, without any competitive tendering. He will have the opportunity to respond to the direct accusation from former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, whether he tried to influence the corruption risk assessment on the Agyapa royalties. On the bill, is his roles in the Energy Sector, ownership of oil blocs, his $1 million contracts awarded electoral consultants, KRL International based in America, in June 2017, having played an active role in candidate Akufo-Addo’s campaign in 2016. He is also expected to answer questions on his role in PDS which tried to take over management of the state-owned Electricity Company of Ghana. The printing of the new cedis notes – 100 and 200 by Bank of Ghana. His role in the banking sector cleanup, the involvement of his private insurance company, Enterprise insurance in the management of state-owned vehicles among others will also be questioned. Mr Ofori-Atta is also expected to be queried on his sacking of known and experienced civil servants, and their replacement with officials from his Databank. While Agyapa had seen him usurping the role of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources then led by Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh in the management of the countries mineral resources and its royalties, the PDS, had seen him also hijacking the duties and responsibilities of the then Energy Minister John Peter Amewu. Mavis Hawa Koomson, who pulled a gun and shot at a voter registration centre last year, while in the company of known NPP thugs from Bawku, will also for the first time publicly answer some questions on the incident. They were arrested but set free. The police officer who was in charge of the case was later transferred from the area. Various calls by civil society organizations, Peace Council, the Christian Council and security experts on President Akufo-Addo to sack his minister, was also ignored by him. Interestingly, there was another shooting incident in the same constituency during the December 2020 election by men reported to be connected to her. Additionally, Mavis will finally have to account for her stewardship at the Ministry of Special Initiatives with respect to the development authorities, the One Village One Dam programme, One district US$1 million per a constituency, the one ambulance per constituency programme, her outrageous price for a website among other procurement contracts including mechanized boreholes awarded by her. Also on the raider of the Appointment Committee is Ursula Owusu, who has failed to dutifully account for her stewardship at Communications Ministry with respect to Kelni GVG, revocation of TV and radio licenses, COVID-19 tracker, the management of the Accra Digital Center, the many stealing of computers and corrupt deals at Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) led by Abraham Kofi Asante which she had promised to investigate but nothing came out. Former Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu, will have to account for Aker Energy, Ameri, Karpower…the beating of Bailiffs, his threats to kill some MPs in open court at the heated swearing-in ceremony of MPs on January 7, 2021, which was captured live on TV, the many deals at the Energy Ministry and the involvement of members of the President’s family, as well as his friends. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and Former Procurement Minister, Adwoa Safo, who have been reshuffled will have some serious issues to respond to. While Opoku Prempeh, will be responding to issues on Free SHS, Adwoa Sarfo will finally be speaking to the scandal which occurred at the public procurement authority, leading to the dismissal of the boss Agyenim Boateng Adjei by President Akufo-Addo. The abrasive Godfred Dame, has also dislodged his boss, the cool-headed Gloria Akuffo as Akufo-Addo Attorney-General. Gloria Akuffo, had shot down most of the deals which had the Akufo-Addo family involved by raising legal opinion which saved the country resources and key amongst them is the Agyapa/Asase Royalties deal. Many have questioned the reasoning behind selecting her abrasive and hot-headed deputy, who is the toast of NPP social media operatives. Yeboah-Dame, had written a damning legal opinion on the Ministry of Finance and Bank of Ghana’s wrongful liquidation of the Unibank in the banking