Oppong Nkrumah very optimistic with the court outcome as he explains….
Information Minister Designate and Spokesperson for the Legal Team of the Second Respondent in the Presidential Election Petition, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah explains the outcome of the February 2, 2021 election petition hearing. According to Mr. Oppong Nkrumah who was addressing the media after the court hearing, he very optimistic that the issue of whether the EC has the right to instruct the representatives of the petitioner was made clear in Supreme Court today. “When you read the witness statement, the witness statement says, ‘we were asked’, check the definition of ‘asked’. Now in the witnessed box and under oath, he seeks to amend that ‘they were instructed’ and that is why see lawyer Akoto Ampaw did not take too much time in his cross-examination. He asked one key question, he said, I put it to you that you know that you cannot be instructed by the chair of the first respondent and he said replied yes, we cannot be instructed by the chair of the first respondent”. According to Mr. Oppong Nkrumah that fallacy is settled and the court will take notice of it that, it cannot be true that the Chair of the Electoral Commission will instruct and representative of the President will obey her instruction. “Another matter that is been settled is the attempt of the petitioner and his witnesses to repeatedly question the result by discrediting their own agents”. According to Mr. Nkrumah, from the beginning of the case, the petitioner came up with an argument that numbers have been cooked up and that the EC was incorrect. “…yesterday you saw Mr. Asiedu Nketia arriving at 47.51, 47.51. Today, they tried other tactics by trying to suggest that there was something wrong with result that their agent had satisfied from the polling station through the constituency to the regions”. “But in cross-examination, you saw It come out, and is been settled that they cannot use the back door to discredit their very own agents who satisfied the result from the bottom up and then claimed that somebody from the national had said that the figures did not add up…” Mr. Oppong Nkrumah explained Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
What Koku Anyidoho said after Asiedu Nketia cross-examination will make you run inside SC
Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho has tweeted that In 2013, we heard; “You and I were not there”. In 2021, we are hearing, “My Lord, I did not come with the figures”. Even though the former deputy national secretary of the NDC did not mention any person’s name in his post, it is a public notice that the NDC General Secretary Asiedu Nketia responded in so such a manner in court during his cross-examination in the ongoing petition hearing. “In 2013; we heard; “You and I were not there”. In 2021, we are hearing, “My Lord, I did not come with the figures”. I love my Ghana” In another post by Mr. Ayindoho, he was questioning the basis for all the street protests, burning of tyres, destruction of public properties, and the loss of lives. “…because I REFUSE to make a clown of myself, they say I am a traitor. God forbid that I become a clown in court because of petty partisan politics. Tweaaaaa!” Mr. Samuel Koku Anyidoho posted Below are Mr. Anyidoho post on tweeter: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Reject Hawa Koomson’s ministerial nomination – CARE Ghana petitions Appointments C’ttee
Care for Free and Fair Elections Ghana “CARE” Ghana, has petitioned the Appointments Committee of Parliament to reject the nomination of Mavis Hawa Koomson as Minster for Fisheries and Aquaculture-designate. The group wants the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East Constituency’s ministerial nomination rejected based on her credibility deficiency, violent tendencies and incompetence. According to the petition, “Hon Mavis Hawa Koomson as a minister for Special Development Initiative presented to Parliament a budget of GHS800,000.00 for the development of a website that cost GHS80,000”. The petition continued: “This act of deception indicates her lack of credibility and smacks of corruption which is detrimental to the development of our nation. This act of corruption has impose untold hardship on Ghanaians especially those living in depressed communities denying them of basic social amenities and developmental project required to improve their living conditions,” adding that: “Her action is in clear violation of the law and contrary to the behaviour expected of a minister of state. Owing to this, she has lost credibility and public respect thereby preventing her from holding any future ministerial position”. CARE Ghana also cited “Hon Koomson’s frequent engagement in violent activities” which is “at variance with the code of conduct strictly observed by ministers of state and does not reflect the supposed demeanour of a minister”. CARE Ghana further noted that the former minister for Special Development Initiative performed poorly in the last four years. “Hon Mavis Hawa Koomson’s poor performance in her previous appointment as the former minister for Special Development Initiative immediately disqualifies her from becoming the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture. As a minister for development she did very little in terms of development to alleviate the suffering of the masses. The poor implementation of the ‘One Village One Damn’ initiative under the Special Development Initiative and her supervision of the construction of dug outs instead of damns needed for irrigation and other agricultural activities in the dry season worsened the plight of the communities deprived of water,” the petition noted. CARE Ghana stressed that “in the interest of good governance and country her nomination should be totally rejected by this honorable committee”. Attached is the full petition below: CARE GHANA PETITION APPOINTMENT COMMITTEE Classfmonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
Election Petition: John Mahama files application to inspect EC’s document
John Dramani, the petitioner in the 2020 Election Petition, has filed an application in court seeking to be granted permission to inspect documents of the Electoral Commission. His lawyers, led by Tsatsu Tsikata, filed the application on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. The documents they wish to inspect include the original constituency presidential election result collation forms for all constituencies, constituency presidential election results summary sheet, regional presidential election summary sheets for all regions and the declaration of the presidential results form. The Court is expected to sit and rule on whether the application will be granted. Meanwhile, the court is this morning expected to admit the testimony of Dr. Michael Kpessa-Whyte as 2nd Witness for the petitioner, who will go on to be cross-examined by lawyers for the Electoral Commission and President Nana Akufo-Addo. Michael Kpessa-Whyte, a former Executive Director of the National Service Secretariat, and Johnson Asiedu Nketiah are the witnesses for Mr. Mahama in the ongoing case at the Supreme Court. Cross-examination of Mr. Asiedu Nketiah ended on Monday, February 1, 2021. Citinewsroom Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Military to be deployed at Stadia to enforce COVID-19 protocols
The National Sports Authority has stated that it will deploy military men to ensure fans adhere to covid 19 protocols at the Accra sports stadium and other stadia across the country during league games. This development comes on the back of fans breaching Covid -19 protocols during Hearts of Oak’s match week 11 fixture against city rivals Accra Great Olympics. The Phobians will be playing some games behind closed doors after allowing more than the required number of fans access to the venue. The Rainbow club have also been hauled before the Ghana Football Association Disciplinary Committee. Speaking to Starr Sports, Spokesperson for the national sports authority, Charles Amofa, said they are planning on engaging the services of the military to beef up security during games at the Accra Sports Stadium. “We are planning to beef up security at the Accra Sports stadium because we currently we are using the Police service and the Ghana national fire service. “But we are looking at the possibility of enganing the service of the Military to beef up security to ensure fans adhere strictly to Covid-19 protocols at the stadium” Amofa told Starr Sports. Starrfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
NPP MP involved in serious accident, 8 injured [Photos]
Member of Parliament (MP) for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has escaped death after a commercial vehicle crashed into his pickup. Eight passengers, who were in the commercial vehicle, are said to have sustained various degrees of injuries. The incident reportedly occurred on the evening of Monday when he was travelling from Koforidua to Accra. The commercial minibus is said to have veered off its lane and rammed into his Ford vehicle at the Asuoyaa Bridge. The eight persons have since been sent to the Koforidua General Hospital for treatment. Adomonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Election Petition: “If Your Case Is Bad, Your Most Skillful General Will Be Exposed” – Oppong Nkrumah
Information Minister Designate and Spokesperson for the Legal Team of the Second Respondent in the Presidential Election Petition, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah believes the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been stripped naked during Monday’s hearing of the case. According to him, the Petitioner, Mr John Dramani Mahama and his witness, Johnson Asiedu Nketia who is affectionately called ‘General Mosquito’ were “exposed” in their inconsistent claims challenging President Nana Addo’s victory in the December 7, 2020 polls. His comments comes after counsel for the second respondent, Mr Akoto Ampaw ended cross examining Mr Asiedu Nketia Monday afternoon [February 1, 2020]. Mr Oppong Nkrumah told the media after the hearing that Mr Mahama and Johnson Asiedu Nketia were left with eggs on their faces in their preconceived attempts to dishonour the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) and Returning Officer for last year’s Presidential Elections, Madam Jean Mensa. “You’d notice that counsel on our side spent a lot of time exposing the inconsistencies and sometimes, even outright falsehoods that have been put out by the Petitioner and the witness who was in the witness box today,” “We are of the view it’s been a very good day in court that today the big word is exposed. In conclusion for us today, our view is that, if your case is bad, even the most skilful general will be exposed at cross-examination and that is what we believed has happened today…. “….when you juxtapose the earlier case of we won, now to what they are saying in the witness box, about they don’t know who won, when you juxtapose that to some of the tapes we played about claims of 51% of their side now, to claims that they did not even bring numbers to court, “If you juxtapose that between their petition that talks about vote pardon of a certain answer and now claim that it’s only samples of that number, one of the first things that come to our side was to expose some of the inconsistencies and falsehoods that have been peddled by the Petitioner and the witness,” he said. Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to Tuesday, February 2, 2021 where the second witness of the Petitioner will take his turn in the witness box for cross-examination. Earlier in the day and moments before the court ended today’s sitting, the panel of judges sought further clarity on certain responses by the witness during cross-examination. The questions came from Justice Yaw Apau and the Chief Justice, His Lordship Anin Yeboah. Perhaps it became pertinent for the bench to seek the clarifications because during cross examination by Mr Akoto Ampaw counsel for the second respondent, the NDC General Secretary as a witness, was non-commital on providing the figures in relation to the total valid votes cast saying that was not the case in court. It was on that basis that the bench decided to probe further. Who Generated “Exhibit”? Below are some of the excerpts of the questions and answers from Justice Apau and Mr Asiedu Nketia Justice Yaw Apau: What were the valid votes cast in favour of the petitioners? General [Mosquito – in referene to Mr Asiedu Nketia alias], I know that when you purchase a pen drive, it is empty and the data on any pen drive is generated by someone, so the pen drive that you attached to the hard copy and exhibited as “Exhibit F”, who generated or placed the data on it? Because when you were asked, you said you don’t know what was on it. who generated the data on the pen drive?” Asiedu Nketia: “My Lord as I said, honestly, I hadn’t seen the pen drive and its contents till today [February 1, 2021] and I was relying on the hard copies. But the evidence is gathered by our Elections Directorate and the Legal Directorate.” Justice Apau: “So they gave it to you and you exhibited it as part of your evidence?” Asiedu Nketia: “No, no my Lord, I did not exhibit that one.” At that point, the counsel for the petitioner, Mr Tsatsu Tsikata intervened and said Mr Asiedu Nketia did not exhibit that and that it was part of the petition. But the justices on the bench responded and insisted Mr Asiedu Nketia exhibited it as “Exhibit F” as part of his witness statement. “You [Tsikata] swore an oath for him and he brought it to us [bench]”, Mr Tsikata was told by the court. Justice Apau: “He exhibited it, so I want to find out, who generated it? So it means your Elections [Directorate] generated it and gave it to you and you exhibited it without seeing it? Asiedu Nketia: “My Lord I did not see all the hard copies of the documents because of time pressure. I was discovering this thing today.” Justice Apau: “Then I want to be very clear on these issues, very, very important to me. Now, in all the figures that were mentioned as the valid votes cast and all those things, you were saying if the figures were correct, and that there were inconsistencies in the figures. I want to ask you, Now, in your own calculation, what were the valid votes cast in the presidential elections on 7th December 2020, in your own calculations?” Asiedu Nketia: “My Lord, those calculations are reserved for a meeting for us to reconcile the figures, because the first respondent [Electoral Commission Chairperson] herself is changing the figures, and so it is …” But the Chief Justice, Justice Anin Yeboah then barged in and tried to simplfy matters for the witness: “Mr Asiedu Nketia, please help the court. You see, when you started giving evidence, you said you had all the representatives across the 275 constituencies, you said you put agents there and they were to, I mean collate the figures, you said it. Then he is asking you, that from that, what figure did you get, you?” Asiedu Nketia: “My Lord I haven’t brought that figure to court.” Justice
Why NDC did not present its collated figures to Supreme Court – Sammy Gyamfi reveals
Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, a member of the National Democratic communication team in the ongoing election petition has stated that the case presented to the Supreme Court by his party’s flagbearer in the 2020 presidential election, does not require the presentation of their collated results for their case to be proven. John Dramani Mahama who is the petitioner in the case is asking the supreme court to cause a rerun of the 2020 presidential election between himself and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (second respondent) on the basis that the Electoral Commissioner, Madam Jean Mensah (Second respondent) per the figures which she declared as the result had none of the 12 candidates obtaining more than 50% of the total valid votes as required by the constitution. In a back-and-forth banter with members of the bench in the ongoing petition, the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia who is a witness for the petitioner during cross examination said he was unable to furnish the court with votes obtained by his party’s candidate in the election based on their collated results. His answer to the supreme court judges has many critics highlighting it as a moment of damage to the NDC’s case. However, Sammy Gyamfi who doubles as the party’s National Communications Director in a Facebook post has explained why the party’s collated results, is not significant in arguing their case. Drawing on the similarities and differences between the NDCs 2020 petition and New Patriotic Party’s 2012 petition, Sammy Gyamfi points that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2012 did not present his own collated results to support his case despite asking the court to annul portions of the total valid votes and declare him winner of the presidential election based on the resultant outcome. “For the records, candidate Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia did not present their own collated figures or results to the Supreme Court in the 2012/2013 election petition. I dare anybody who disputes this fact to point me to any paragraph in the 2012 election Petition where the petitioners presented their own collated figures to the Supreme Court to show that they won the 2012 presidential election. In that case, the petitioners presented the EC’s own declared figures to the court and asked the court to annul about 4 million votes on grounds that those votes had been affected by alleged legal infractions and irregularities. The petitioners then proceeded to deduct those votes from the results/figures declared by the EC and sought a declaration from the court that candidate Akufo-Addo won the 2012 Presidential election on the basis of the resultant outcome, i.e if those votes were actually annulled. The Petitioners did not present their own collated figures to the Supreme Court to show that they won that election,” he explained. Again, he averred that “unlike the Petitioners in the 2012/2013 case (Akufo-Addo & Bawumia), the petitioner in the present case, John Mahama is not asking the Supreme Court to annul votes and declare him President-elect on the basis of the resultant outcome. He is simply telling the court that per the figures contained in the declaration of the Chairperson of the EC and Returning Officer of the 2020 Presidential elections, Mr. Jean Adukwei Mensah, none of the 12 candidates in the 2020 Presidential elections attained more than 50% of the total valid votes cast as required by article 63(3) of the 1992 constitution, hence the declaration of candidate Akufo-Addo as President-elect is unconstitutional.” On this basis, NDC National Communicator says “John Mahama doesn’t need his own collated figures to illustrate or prove his claim that Jean Mensah’s declaration is unconstitutional and invalid. Rather, he needs the figures contained in the declaration of Jean Mensah to illustrate and prove his case, which is precisely what he is doing in court.” He emphasised that the collated figures of the NDC has nothing to with the petition; adding that the petition is only challenging the constitutionality and validity of the 2020 election Presidential results declared by madam Jean Mensah based on the figures contained in her declaration. Ghanaweb Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093