A survey conducted by Intellectual Patriots, a governance advocacy group, has predicted a landslide electoral victory for the New Patriotic Party’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The survey, which covered 150 constituencies in all 16 regions, with over 28, 438 respondents selected, used a simple random and purposive sampling technique as well as a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods.
According to the opinion poll, 52.9 percent of the respondents said they will vote for the incumbent President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo while 4.3 percent will vote for John Dramani Mahama, flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress.
However, the other political parties obtained 4 percent.
The research conducted in November 2020, was presented at a press conference on Friday by Mr. Joseph Gyamfi Yeboah, President of Intellectual Patriots.
He said some of the factors that informed the sampling include the credibility of candidates, efficiency in the management of the economy, social intervention initiatives, infrastructural developments, trust to deliver on promises, second term opportunity, and the management of Dumsor and Covid-19.
He indicated that a margin of 2 percent error was projected since it was believed that a fraction of undecided voters could make a last-minute decision.
“the subject of Covid-19 had a mixed reaction whilst respondents believed the NPP managed the pandemic sufficiently, the general socio-economic effects of the pandemic had made a fraction of the populace lose interest in issues regarding party politics since most of them had been rendered jobless,” he stated.
“We believe that vigilance at the polling station before, during and after voting and the final collation of results should not be underrated by various political parties, ” he added.
The father of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, Dr Akwasi Andrews Jones Amoako Atta Ofori-Atta, has passed away.
The former legislator died in the United Kingdom on Monday, November 30, 2020.
Dr Ofori-Atta was an uncle of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Born on December 7, 1937, at Fankyeneko in the Eastern Region to Okyenhene Nana Ofori Atta 1, Dr Ofori-Atta was a stalwart of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition.
He had his education at the Achimota School, University of Ghana and University of Ottawa.
He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Begoro in 1969 on the ticket of the Progress Party of the Busia Government and became the Deputy Minister of Finance at the age of 31.
In 1979, he was elected once again as MP for Begoro for the Popular Front Party under the 3rd Republic and became the minority spokesperson on finance.
In 1996, he contested for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He served for a while as Chairman of the Volta River Authority under former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
He was also an Economics lecturer at the University of Manchester, UK.
The late Dr. Ofori-Attta was married to Maud Adi-Darko and had four children including Mr. Ofori-Atta.
Deputy Minister for Information, Pius Enam Hadzide has stated that the supposed bribe video purporting to suggest that the then-candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo took a bribe is baseless.
To him, the largest opposition party is only interested in propagating false news rather than outlining their policies to Ghanaians ahead of the December 7 polls.
“They don’t have any message now; their messenger and message are not credible and they know. The agenda now is to tarnish the image of the President with false allegations,” he said in an interview with NEAT FM’s morning show ‘Ghana Montie’.
“President Nana Addo will never take bribe and he has track records to back that. That is the difference between the President and John Mahama who is known for corruption,” he added.
A civil society advocate I respect very much sent me a video of the alleged Akufo-Addo bribe this morning, and said it wasn’t possible the encounter happened in 2016. After some back and forth, I was compelled to watch the video.
It was the one with a voice narration, but I raelised there was something else strange about this video. In this video, the one who led the Hajia to meet Nana Akufo-Addo is heard begging on behalf of one Alhaji Abass. I felt this was strange because in the first unedited video that I watched, that was not part of the conversation. The discussion about party people wanting Alhaji out did not feature at all. So I went to the Facebook pages of those who first shared the 15 minute unedited video without the voice over or narration.
I realised that they had pulled down the original videos and uploaded this new one which had the voice over and what appears like an insertion of the speaker’s voice to match the narration that the money was sent as a bribe in 2017 to ensure that Alhaji Abass was kept in office.
The issue about campaign T-shirts have also been edited out of this new one. You will also realise that in the first one, an amount of 40,000 was mentioned, but there was no denomination. But in the second video being circulated, there it is stated.
I searched YouTube and realised that someone still had the earlier one, and it confirms the information I heard on the original video shared before being pulled down. (Watch this video and compare it to the other one being shared now and you’ll spot the differences.)
The conversation in the new one flows more naturally. For instance, when Barffour Awuah heard about the T-Shirts, he interjected and said he was going to Kumasi the following day and that he had to send the T-Shirts to support the (NPP) candidate in Asawase who badly needed support in his campaign. Nana Akufo-Addo readily agreed that he should send them to him. We should be asking the originators of the video why they pulled down the original ones they shared on November 30.
And we should be concerned because someone can record you in a discussion on one topic and go and edit out the original words they spoke to you and add new ones to create a different scenario. I do investigative journalism and I sometimes employ undercover techniques. My opinion on this is purely professional. I don’t know of any journalist who has been more outspoken about the president’s handling of corruption than I have.
But if he’s treated unfairly, I am obliged to point it out.
In 2016, I was one of the few who openly defended President Mahama when his voice was doctored in Kumasi in the “hen and hawk dance analogy” by a journalist to create the impression he was insulting the Asante people. It is a matter of principle and from a professional standpoint. In any form of undercover, the offence you intend to link the target of your investigation with should be the subject of discussion in the undercover recording. If you record your pregnant girlfriend as having taken money from you to abort a pregnancy and the conversation in the video is about taking the money for shopping, we have to point it out to you. There can be problems with the shopping and we should discuss that separately, but you don’t accuse her of taking money to terminate the pregnancy when that never came up when you met to do the secret recording.
In this case, I agree with those who question the mode of funding political party campaigns. I agree that there should have been proper structures where the presidential candidate does not have to be directly involved. I agree with those who question the motive of the giver. I don’t have any problem when Akufo-Addo is scrutinised for how he handled this and other donations. But it’s wrong to doctor the conversation of a meeting in order to destroy another person. It can happen to anyone. And you don’t have to belong to Akufo-Addo’s party or be his supporter to point this out. Just note that there are two separate tapes on this matter.
Seasoned Journalist, Kweku Baako says he will no longer treat any person or entity that denigrates him with kid gloves.
He made this known while discussing the alleged ‘bribe’ video regarding President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
A video released by the Salis Media showed the President receiving a sum of Ghc 40000 from Ghana’s Ambassador to USA, Baffour Adjei Bawuah who presented it on behalf of the Director of Urban Roads, Alhaji Dr. Abass.
”It has been revealed that NANA AKUFO-ADDO is not the ANGEL Ghanaians perceived him to be but one, who is fully entangled in CORRUPTION and only fights corruption with words. Undercover investigations conducted by The Salis Newspaper has exposed sitting President Nana Akufo-Addo of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) taking a bribe in a BROWN ENVELOPE in an undercover video. The money was handed over to Ambassador Baffour Adjei Bawuah…The US $40000 Dollar Bribe was paid to the President in 2017 after the NPP won the 2016 Elections at Nana Akufo-Addo’s private residence in Nima, Accra. The giver of the BRIBE is the current Director of URBAN ROADS, Alhaji Dr. Abass”, the Salis newspaper published.
Addressing the issue, Kweku Baako said the ‘bribe’ allegations are falsehood.
He revealed that the presentation was made in October, 2016 when President Akufo-Addo was a Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) seeking to unseat the Mahama administration.
The money, he noted, was given towards his (Akufo-Addo) victory campaign and that the Salis newspaper publication is untrue.
He charged Alhaji Abass to sue the owner of the newspaper and those peddling the false story.
Kweku Baako stressed that, as for him, should anybody make a disparaging remark about him; he will not hesitate to take legal action.
“You know that I don’t subscribe to going to the court and it’s something that still affects me that I will go to court because it’s against my whole orientation. But I’ve learned one good lesson out of the court processes that rumors, gossips, rumormongers and so forth; you dey look pathetic. Especially when they’re put in the dock and under cross-examination, they look like kids and so, maybe gradually, I will revise my philosophy,” he told Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo”.
Barely a week to the December 2020 polls, the Asunafo North Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) in the Ahafo region, Martha Osei Agyemang has died creating a vacuum.
The 36-year-old who died at the Wenchi Methodist Hospital where she was on admission receiving treatment according to sources available to MyNewsgh left behind a child
Reports suggest Madam Martha complained she was unwell due to stress at her workplace in view of the workload at her office following the impending polls.
She, however, decided to see her personal doctor at Wenchi in Bono Region for which she left Goaso on Wednesday.
It was gathered that she was getting well and had planned her return to work until news broke out this weekend if her demise.
According to Ahafo Regional Director of the Electoral Commission John Appiah Baffoe who confirmed her death on a local radio station, Madam Martha was committed to her duty.
The body of the deceased has been conveyed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.
The date for the final funeral rites of the late Jerry John Rawlings has been announced by the family in conjunction with the state.
The burial service will be held at the Independence Square on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.
A statement from the family signed Ambassador James Victor Gbeho who is the Head of Funeral Planning Committee says: The family is working in conjunction with the Government on the finer details of the funeral ceremony and will communicate the arrangements in due course.
The former president died on Thursday, November 12 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra after a short illness. He was 73.
Read Full Statement Below
PRESIDENT RAWLINGS’ FUNERAL TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 23
The family of His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings has in consultation with the Government, agreed that the date for the State funeral of the former President is confirmed for Wednesday, 23rd December 2020 at the Independence Square in Accra.
The family is working in conjunction with the Government on the finer details of the funeral ceremony and will communicate the arrangements in due course.
Individuals and institutions who wish to contribute tributes to the memory of Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings are reminded to email such tributes to tributes@jjrawlingsmemorial.org.
Signed:
Ambassador James Victor Gbeho (Head of Funeral Planning Committee)
The late Member of Parliament (MP) for the Mfantseman Constituency, Ekow Kwansah Hayford, will be laid to rest today, November 28 at Mankessim in the Central Region.
The MP was murdered on Friday, October 9, while returning from a campaign trip.
Ekow Quansah Hayford was shot on the Abeadze Dominase – Abeadze Duadzi – Mankessim Road at about 1:00 am by some six armed highway robbers.
According to the programme outline released by the family, a night of hymns and tributes will be held in honour of the late MP at the Ebenezer Methodist Church, Mankessim on Friday, November 27, 2020.
After that, the body will be laid in state at the Kessim AstroTurf park before being conveyed to the Mankessim cemetery for interment.
On Sunday, November 29, 2020, a thanksgiving service will be organised at the Ebenezer Methodist Church, Mankessim to climax the funeral.
The family also announce that President Akufo-Addo, attend the final funeral rite of the former Mfantseman MP, Ekow Hayford.
Fire on Saturday gutted the GCB Bank, Liberty House branch at Kantamanto in Accra. The cause of the fire, which started on the first floor of the seven-storey building is unknown.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started around 8 am Saturday morning.
As of midday, there were about six fire tenders at the scene and fire service personnel were trying to keep the fire from spreading.
Personnel from the Ghana Fire Service are currently trying to douse a fire that has swept through the GCB Bank tower at Kantamanto in Accra.
In a video fast circulating on social media, smoke can be seen coming out of the storey-building.
Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, a crowd has gathered at the scene as security personnel and the fire service try to bring the situation under control.
The Police barricaded the road leading to the area.
Ever since that introduction of the national health insurance scheme in Ghana, many Ghanaians and even non Ghanaian attend hospitals for free.
The national have insurance cards are designed to be renewed monthly when it was introduced some few years ago. The good news about this card was that you can go to any hospital you want in Ghana to receive treatment for free. That is the easy part, the heart part is renewing the card when it expires This is where the problem lies.
To a new this card, you have to go to there national health insurance scheme office in your district to renew the it.
There, You would have to join long queue and great in the queue for hours to renew your card. And if you are not able to renew the card that day it means you have to come back the next day to join the queue again and when you are lucky you can renew the card.
For this reason the authority of the national health insurance scheme have introduced a short code to renew every national health insurance card on any mobile phone for approximately the same price you would renew it in their office. You just have to the *929# on any telecommunication network and have access to their system to renew your card.
The Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture has instituted an insurance scheme for those in the Creative Arts Industry.
This Scheme is to cover critical issues such as injury and other accidents in the line of duty. The scheme will be launched next month and will take effect on the 1st of January next year. Sector Minister, Babara Oteng Gyasi, speaking at the Meet the Press Series in Accra said the scheme will cover members in good standing, adding that the first year premium will be funded by government and subsequently self-payment by members from 2022.
When she took her turn at the Meet the Press Series, the Minister of Tourism, Babara Oteng Gyasi, gave a brief on government COVID-19 alleviation programme for members in the tourism sector.
So far more than 54,000 members in the hospitality, clothing and textile, as well as food and Beverages sector have benefited from the intervention in Covid and post Covid-era. She said that more interventions are in place to cushion members.
Madam Oteng Gyasi spoke of plans to have an insurance package for members. She said most creative arts practitioners are not covered by any risk measures. This is partly due to the fact that such persons are not salaried workers and they ply their trade through contractual methods, hence the scheme.
The Ministry is also working on other projects such as the establishment of a film village, a gold museum setting up of a creative industry fund among others in a bid to sustain and project the creative arts industry.
Hon. Kennedy Agyapong of Assin Central fame has for the first time revealed the one thing that he has regretted doing in his life in a chit chat with Asaase Radio.
The lawmaker said he has had time to reflect on his reaction and has realized that he went too far with his choice of words.
In fact, the language I used on that judge is my deepest regret so far in life so far though I have had my own share of broken hearts, that singular actions made me feel bad.
“I’m a human being and it is not because he is a judge but honestly, I went too far just that I was pissed with the way the guy behaved,” he stated. Kennedy Agyapong recently made the headlines for attacking a judge who had ruled on a matter involving him.
Ghanaian Award Winning Reggae/Dancehall Artiste Livingstone Etse Satekla known popularly as Stonebwoy says the achievement of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his first term is worth commending and endorsing.
The Artiste made this known when he was on OKAY FM’s Drive Time Show with Abeiku Santana. Although Stonebwoy indicated that he has not endorsed any political party, he was emphatic that the President’s achievements in his first year are worth commending.
I’ve not endorsed any political party. When you mention the name Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, I know he has done a lot of things which deserves my endorsement. So I can say I’ve not endorsed any political party but President Nana Akufo-Addo achievement as a Ghanaian President which is endorsable I do endorse.”
Other celebrities like Samini have also endorsed the candidature of the President for a second bid to lead Ghana to the promised land. To him, the President while making his promises in 2016 seemed like a dream but his achievement in his first term has proven that he meant good for the people of Ghana.
Ghana goes to the polls on December 7 to elect a leader who will steer the affairs of the country for another four more years.
The founder and leader of the Church of Rabbi, Odifo Kwabena Tawiah has sent a strong warning to the President of Ghana.
For the umpteenth time Odifo Kwabena Tawiah has threatened Nana Akufo-Addo.
Speaking in his church, he disclosed that the President came to him for spiritual assistance when some people held him hostage spiritually.
According to the man of God, after he helped free the president, he doesn’t answer his calls not to talk of giving him even one cedi.
He added that though he’s freed the president from the spiritual hostage, he didn’t cancel the spiritual death.
Odifo Kwabena Tawiah said with vim and vigor that if the President fails to calm him or answer his calls by the end of Wednesday, he will die before the December 7, 2020 Election and NDC will win.
