Dr. Kwabena Duffuor pledges to actively campaign for John Dramani Mahama
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, a prominent figure within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Finance Minister, has announced his intention to actively support and campaign for John Dramani Mahama in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections. Despite his unsuccessful bid to become the NDC’s flagbearer, Duffuor has expressed his commitment to play a significant role in the NDC’s campaign to secure victory over the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). During an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point of View on Citi TV, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor made it clear that he will actively campaign for John Dramani Mahama in the 2024 presidential elections. He expressed his strong belief that Mahama must win the election, emphasizing his conviction that the NDC will emerge victorious in the polls. Duffuor’s statement reflects his unwavering support for Mahama and his confidence in the NDC’s chances of winning the upcoming election. “I am confident that we are winning because we are working and the NPP has been on for seven years and has done little but our performance has been the best since independence. Between 2009 and 2012, our performance has been the best since independence.” “Between 2009 and 2012, our indicators were first class. Interest rates were the lowest in forty years. Our GDP was 14.5% in 2011 excluding the oil sector.” Mr. Duffour’s quest to lead the NDC ended when he pulled out of the party’s flagbearer race. He accused the leadership of the party of breaching a prior agreement and assurance given to the then-three presidential aspirants to resolve the issues raised about the register before the polls. He also attempted to stop the May 13 primaries when his lawyers filed an interlocutory injunction against the polls but later surrender. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Scrap E-levy if it is not meeting its revenue targets— Dr. Kwabena Duffuor
The recent statement from former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor adds to the ongoing debate surrounding the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) in Ghana. Dr. Duffuor’s suggestion to scrap the tax if it is not meeting its revenue targets reflects the concerns raised by critics of the E-Levy. Critics argue that the E-Levy is burdensome and could stifle financial inclusion and discourage the use of digital payment systems. They also claim that the tax disproportionately affects the poor, who heavily rely on mobile money services for financial transactions. Dr. Duffuor’s statement aligns with the sentiments expressed by various stakeholders, including civil society organizations and industry players. These groups have called for a review or complete removal of the E-Levy, citing its negative impact on the economy and the public. The implementation of the revised E-Levy rate of 1% by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications further intensified the discussion around this tax. The government introduced the E-Levy to increase revenue generation and bridge the fiscal deficit. However, its effectiveness and impact on the economy are now being questioned. It remains to be seen whether the Akufo-Addo government will consider revising or removing the E-Levy based on its revenue performance and public sentiment. The ongoing debate and Dr Duffuor’s recent statement highlight the need for a thorough evaluation of the E-Levy and its implications for Ghana’s economy and citizens. This decline in mobile money subscribers in April 2022 could potentially be attributed to the implementation of the E-Levy. Critics of the tax have raised concerns that it could discourage the use of digital payment systems, including mobile money services. The loss of over 300,000 mobile money subscribers highlights the potential negative impact of the E-Levy on financial inclusion in Ghana. Mobile money services have played a crucial role in promoting financial inclusion, especially for the unbanked population. Discouraging the use of these services could hinder efforts to expand access to financial services and narrow the financial inclusion gap. The decline in active mobile money subscribers also raises questions about the effectiveness of the E-Levy in meeting its revenue targets. If the tax is causing a decline in mobile money usage and subscribers, it could lead to a decrease in the expected revenue generation from this sector. This further strengthens the argument of critics who have called for a review or complete removal of the E-Levy. It highlights the need for a careful evaluation of the potential negative consequences of the tax on financial inclusion, revenue generation, and the overall economy. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Kojo Bonsu backs Dr. Duffuor’s call for primaries postponement
A flagbearer aspirant of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Kojo Bonsu has described going on within the NDC as serious ‘errors’ The former Kumasi Mayor has backed a request by his colleague aspirant Dr. Kwabena Duffuor for the May 13th presidential and parliamentary primaries to be postponed. Dr. Duffour filed an injunction application at the Accra High Court seeking to stop the elections over concerns about the electoral album. Among the reliefs he is seeking are declaration that the photo album register issued by the party is incomplete and inaccurate and that the party be ordered to prepare and deliver a complete and accurate photo album register to all the presidential aspirants at least five weeks ahead of the elections to enable the aspirants carry out the needed verification of the photo album register. However, Mr. Kojo Bonsu who also expressed dissatisfaction shared the same sentiments as Dr. Duffuor. “This is not a fight, they have to rectify it and they have to postpone the date of the election and rectify it.” The former Kumasi Mayor said. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
NDC hits with internal party war as Duffuor camp frowns over alleged rigging
“If the NDC, as a political organisation, can do this to ourselves in our intra-party elections, what do we expect from the Electoral Commission (EC) in the run-up to the 2024 elections?” Mr James Agbey, head of the Duffuor Campaign team’s security detail, has said. The Kwabena Duffuor campaign team said if the opposition National Democratic Congress as a party, could do this to their own, then they have no moral right to blame the Electoral Commission in the upcoming 2024 election when such issues are raised. “Can the NDC accuse the EC of electoral malfeasance and corruptible conduct when the party is trapped in the same scheme in its own backyard all in an attempt to give Mahama an undue advantage over other candidates?”Mr. Agbey asked “What is the point of intra-party politics and leadership if they can’t even publicly correct the record when they are wrong?” he asked. Mr. Agbey described the processes leading up to the primaries as a “charade” and “choreographed shenanigan” being masterminded by a “selfish” and “parochial” faction within the party’s national executives who are supporting and conniving with the Mahama camp to hijack and rig the entire election in his favour. “In fact, I do take issue with the manner the Mahama camp is conniving with the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the NDC to disenfranchise a good number of delegates and to rig the processes leading up to the forthcoming 13th May presidential primaries for Mahama”. He said: “The whole charade regarding the non-availability of a complete photo album for the elections is completely against the party’s rules of engagement”. Mr Agbey added: “Indeed, it is extremely dubious, criminal and illegal for the processes leading to the entire election to be hijacked by Mahama”. According to him, “this display of utter greed by Mahama to win at all cost, reeked of poor judgement and a complete lack of respect for the responsibility he holds as a leader”. “In my eyes, this is just the first shot in a series of campaigns to destabilise the NDC by the Mahama faction for their selfish and parochial agenda”, he noted. Dr Duffuor has filed processes at the court for an injunction on the presidential primaries scheduled for 13 May 2013. According to him, data from only 220 out of the 275 constituencies have been verified. He also said an exceptional list of 74,799 has been created which cannot be verified because of scanty information. For no credible reason, he noted, among others that 3,910 eligible voters at the 220 constituencies have been disenfranchised. Below is the full statement issued by Dr Kwabena Duffuor’s campaign team’s head of security: For Immediate Release Wednesday 10th May 2023 We’re ready to use legitimate force to deal with Mahama if need be. I, James Agbey, head of Security Detail of Duffuor 2024 campaign wishes to state unequivocally that the NDC belongs to all of us and we won’t sit down for Mahama to take us on a jolly ride. In fact, I do take issue with the manner the Mahama camp is conniving with the Functional Executive Committee(FEC) of the NDC to disenfranchise a good number of delegates, and to rig the processess leading up to the forthcoming 13th May presidential primaries for Mahama. The whole charade regarding the non-availability of complete photo album for the elections is completely against the party’s rules of engagement. Indeed, it is extremely dubious, criminal and illegal for the processes leading to the entire election to be hijacked by Mahama. This display of utter greed by Mahama to win at all costs reeked of poor judgement and a complete lack of respect for the responsibility he holds as a leader. In my eyes, this is just the first shot in a series of campaigns to destabilise the NDC by the Mahama faction for their selfish and parochial agenda. As one of those who served the party in the Greater Accra Region as Director of Security operations in 2020, and currently in charge of Dr Duffuor’s Security detail, this development made me very upset. It is upsetting to see the NDC swimming in the gutters to please one man at the expense of our collective good. As a matter of fact, Mahama’s resolute insistence to not follow the rules of engagement regarding this election shows a fundamental disdain for the concept of accountability. If the NDC, as a political organisation, can do this to ourselves in our intra-party elections, what do we expect from the Electoral Commission (EC) in the run-up to the 2024 elections? Can the NDC accuse the EC of electoral malfeasance and corruptible conduct when the party is trapped in the same scheme in its own backyard all in an attempt to give Mahama an undue advantage over other candidates? What is the point of intra-party politics and leadership if they can’t even publicly correct the record when they are wrong? This obviously is more likely strong evidence that Mahama and his supporters continue to muddy the waters or to put it more plainly deflect attention from their failures and misdemeanours. Allowing them to continue with this charade and the choreographed shenanigan is utterly abhorrent. At this juncture, let me sound a note of caution to all concerned, and warn that we’re ready to use legitimate force and every means under the sun to get Mahama out of the way and restore dignity and respect to the NDC. This election is totally different from the 2018 one, where Prof Joshua Alabi and Goosie Tanoh allowed Mahama to have his way. We are on a rescue mission to rescue the party from the claws of Mahama. Those of us on the Duffuor team are ready for Mahama and his diabolics. We are ready to bring an end to this opportunistic appropriation. I just wish the people who know better would sit up. But perhaps that cannot happen until we send out strong signals to them that we are ever ready to
Dr. Duffuor faulted government for its inaction regarding the low wages of workers
A leading member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has faulted the government for its inaction regarding the low wages of workers as “a betrayal of the loyalty and service of workers. According to Dr. Duffuor, “May Day is an opportunity to celebrate the tireless work of the men and women whose labor sustains our nation”. Meanwhile, in a solidarity message published on his official social media handles to mark the 2022 May Day celebration of Ghanaian workers, Dr. Duffuor praised Ghanaian workers for sustaining the nation and called for economic justice to prevail in ongoing labor agitations for better working conditions. He said, “On days such as this, it is important that we reflect on the contributions of workers to our national development, but it is most essential that we seize the opportunity to stand in solidarity with our labor force and on the side of economic justice”. “In a country where productivity does not equate to real wage, we breed a culture of labor theft and unrest. Workers deserve wages commensurate to their hours of labor. But at a time when inflation continues to rise yet our last salary increment was 4% in 2020, real wages have drastically lost their value”. However, Ghanaian public sector workers are currently demanding a 19.4% increment in wages equivalent to the rate of inflation but the government has so far not yielded. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Concerns of our branch and constituency executives is key to the NDC’s reorganization–Dr. Duffour
The leading member of the opposition party and former Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor is on the view that tackling NDC party grassroots members at some branches and constituencies is the way to go. Mr. Duffour, made the pronouncement during an outreach that forms part of the party’s reorganization efforts towards the 2024 general elections. “Addressing the concerns of our branch and constituency executives is key to the NDC’s reorganization. In view of this, I was once again in the Ashanti Region over the weekend to interact with some local executives, as part of the NDC’s outreach program to local branches and constituencies. It is always important to touch base with our grassroots” He posted. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +2335555568093
The Cedi is running, arrest it– Dr. Duffuor to Dr. Bawumia
Kwabena Duffuor, Former Finance Minister has revealed, that the weakness of the Ghana cedi has exposed the Akufo-Addo led government and its economy per Vice-President’s own standard of measurement. Dr. Duffuor, who has made his presidential ambitions public, told his TV station, GHOne, in an interview on Monday, 6 December 2021 monitored by Apexnewsgh.com jab Dr. Bawumia, “Look at the cedi, for example: when I was in office 2012, you needed 1 cedi 88 pesewas to get a dollar but now you need 6 cedis 20 pesewas to get a dollar”. “[A few] years ago, Dr Bawumia said: ‘When the fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you’; the exchange has exposed the government now, meaning the fundamentals are weak by Bawumia’s own explanation,” the businessman said. Dr Duffuor noted that “the cedi is running and he Dr Bawumia promised that he will arrest the cedi. Where is he? Dr Bawumia, the cedi is running; arrest it”. “He [Bawumia] also made a point that he had worked at the central bank and that there was so much money and we didn’t have to go and borrow; what has happened during his term?” Dr Duffuor also described as “wicked” and “unfair”, claims that he is being used by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), to put spokes in the wheel of former President John Mahama’s comeback for the 2024 general elections. “Those claims are just wicked and I pray that those people will put their thinking caps on”. “It is very unfair”, he added. The former Finance Minister pointed out: “Who will serve a country for four years and will not accept anything: no salary, no allowances, no ex gratia?” “Why would I be a mole when money is not my problem”, he wondered. According to him, he delayed the pursuit of his presidential ambition by a few years despite having being urged by former president Jerry Joh Rawlings to run for the slot in 2018. “I felt the time was not right when Rawlings called on me to contest”, he explained. The late ex-president, Dr Duffuor revealed, “said he was going to lead my campaign himself but I didn’t”. “The only reason I’m doing so now is because I think the party can still do better and it must involve everyone”, he added. The businessman, who is in his 70s, also shrugged off age concerns, saying: “Why should age matter?” “The focus should be on what the person brings to the fore and what they are capable of delivering when given the job and my track record proves what I can do in almost every sphere of the economy”, he noted. “My record and the work we are capable of doing should be the driver of the conversation not age”, he pointed. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Why would I be a mole to NPP when money is not my problem–Dr. Duffuor
Dr Kwabena Duffuor, a flagbearer hopeful of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has described the accusation of him being used by the governing NPP as “wicked” and “unfair”, Dr. Duffuor, who has made his presidential ambitions public, told his TV station, GHOne, in an interview on Monday, 6 December 2021 monitored by Apexnewsgh.com that, those claims are just wicked and I pray that those people will put their thinking caps on”. “It is very unfair”, he lamented. He then asked: “Who will serve a country for four years and will not accept anything: no salary, no allowances, no ex gratia?” “Why would I be a mole when money is not my problem”, he asked. “I felt the time was not right when Rawlings called on me to contest”, he explained. According to him, the late ex-president, the former Finance Minister revealed, “Said he was going to lead my campaign himself but I didn’t”. “The only reason I’m doing so now is because I think the party can still do better and it must involve everyone”, he added. “Why should age matter?” he asked “The focus should be on what the person brings to the fore and what they are capable of delivering when given the job and my track record proves what I can do in almost every sphere of the economy”, he noted. “My record and the work we are capable of doing should be the driver of the conversation not age”, he said. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Alban Bagbin and Haruna Iddrisu likely to be considered as running mates–Dr.Duffuor
The former governor of the Bank of Ghana Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has hinted, that if things go well for him on his ambition of becoming Ghana’s President, his preferred choice for a running mate will be between the current Ghana Speaker Alban Bagbin and the current Minority leader in Parliament Haruna Iddrisu. He said, “I was the Finance Minister so I was in politics but we have not started talking about the NDC presidential race yet, if we get there and I am given the nod why not?” he told TV3 in an interview with Roland Walker monitored by Apexnewsgh.com “There are two people who are doing very well in politics, they are lawyers. Look at Bagbin [Speaker of Parliament] with over 30 years in politics, look at this young man Haruna [Minority Leader], any of them. If I have Haruna Iddrisu or Bagbin, any could be my running mate, they are working hard, they are in politics and they will compliment me,” he pointed. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
66 percent of Ghanaians in Vulnerable employment–Dr. Duffuor
The former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has pointed that employed 66 percent are in vulnerable employment meaning they earn little and their jobs are insecure. Duffuor said, a low rate of formal employment would affect the government’s revenue generation, particularly with taxes. Adding that there is a high incidence of underemployment affecting 21.4% of the employed population. “Among the employed 66 percent are in vulnerable employment meaning they earn little and their jobs are insecure. And about quarter of such people are unpaid family workers while the rest are in self-employment with irregular income susceptible to shocks,” he said Duffuor made these pronouncements when delivering a lecture organized by Institute for Fiscal Studies on the theme: The Ghanaian Dream; Transforming the Economy through Job Creation and Opportunities for all’ held at the Tang Palace Hotel in Accra on Monday, 29th November 2021. Duffuor said Ghana’s labor market shows an urgent need for decent high-quality jobs for the growing population in the country. “Not only does unemployment cause poverty but higher crime rates. Children with unemployed parents don’t do well academically. The inability to create good jobs and gain sustainable jobs for the young people will foster the problem of inequality. It’s also an issue of gross economic inefficiency. “Although the officially measured rate of unemployment is about 8.4% as of 2017, and there’s a concern for young people’s access to decent employment. Without a transformation of the current economic structure, employment opportunities will remain limited,” he stated. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093