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  • Election 2020: Mahama Promises Free Fertilizer For Cocoa Farmers

    Election 2020: Mahama Promises Free Fertilizer For Cocoa Farmers

    Mr John Dramani Mahama, flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC, has promised free fertilizer for cocoa farmers in his next administration, to boost cocoa production.

    He said this at a mini rally at Mankranso, capital of the Ahafo Ano South West District in the Ashanti Region, as part of his six-day campaign tour of the Ashanti Region.

    On the first day, Mr Mahama addressed mini rallies at Abesewa in the Ahafo Ano South East District; at Camp Two, Numesia in the Ahafo North District and he also paid a courtesy call on Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem I, the Omanhene of Tepa Tradational Area at his Palace in Tepa.

    The Presidential Candidate also addressed similar rallies at Abuakwa, the District Capital of the Atwima Nwabiagya South; and at Ayigya in the Oforikrom Constituency in Kumasi.

    At Abesewa, Mahama gave small scale miners the assurance that his next administration would track down all their seized excavators and return them to their rightful owners.

    He said the next NDC Government would grant presidential pardon to all small scale miners, who had be imprisoned for engaging in galamsey activities and the next NDC Government would also see to it that mining licenses and concessions, which he said were illegitimately seized, were returned.

    During the courtesy call on the Tepamanhene, Mr Mahama said his next administration would establish a jewelry processing factory in Tepa.

    That, he said would add value to Ghana’s raw mineral resources, such as gold before export, to generate more revenue for the country’s socioeconomic development.

    He assured the Tepa Traditional Council that their roads would be fixed by his next administration.

    At Abuakwa, he assured that construction work would resume on the Military Hospital Project located in the town, which was started by his administration and had since been allegedly abandoned by the current government.

    At Ayigya, Mr Mahama said his government would restore indigenous investments in the banking sector and promised that Ghanaians whose money was locked up following the collapsed of the banks and microfinance companies would have their money refunded to them by the state.

    He outlined a number of projects, which his government undertook in the Ashanti Region during his first term, such as the Kejetia Market project.

    At the mini rallies, Mr Mahama appealed to Ghanaians to return the NDC to power to continue its good works.

    • Ghana's top resource for news, sports, business, entertainment & more..

    Peacefmonline

  • Bawumia is sending us into destruction with his lies – NDC MP Daniel Kwesi Ashiamah

    Bawumia is sending us into destruction with his lies – NDC MP Daniel Kwesi Ashiamah

    The Buem Member of Parliament (MP), Daniel Kwesi Ashiamah, has ridiculed Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, saying he has lost his credibility.

    He said, although the former deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana was, touted as an economist, he has failed to live up to expectations.

    The track record of the NPP that the second gentleman of the land has shown Ghanaians are toilets, adding, he is telling Ghanaians that they are building Ghana with toilets.

    The NDC MP told Kwabena Agyapong on Eboboba on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that the Vice President is not far from mediocrity.

    ”We have entertained Bawumia’s lies and keeps on sending us into destruction. He has no relevance today. His job has been given to Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Marfo. The NPP claims they are competent, but they don’t speak with facts.

    He accused the NPP of engaging in double sod-cutting projects that former President Mahama had already cut the sod.

    The NDC MP, when asked whether he has not seen any physical projects of the NPP as a member of the Government Assurance Committee he said, ”the NPP has nothing to show Ghanaians. They have no record.”

    • Ghana's top resource for news, sports, business, entertainment & more..

    Ghanaweb

  • Road Safety statistics show an increase in road fatalities during election years.

    Road Safety statistics show an increase in road fatalities during election years.

    Statistics at the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) have revealed higher cases or road crashes and fatalities in election years since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1992.


    A trend analysis of the figures over the past 28 years has shown that all election years recorded higher road crashes and fatalities than the preceding years.


    Additionally, the statistics show that with the exception of 2016, every election year has recorded higher road crashes and fatalities than the preceding election year.

    As of September this year, road accident figures showed that 10,535 crashes had occurred, with 10,933 injuries and 1,828 deaths.

    Those statistics indicate a steady increase in the road accident situation, compared with the same period of 2019 which recorded 10,294 crashes, 10,721 injuries and 1,733 deaths.
    Also, the 2020 figures show that road crashes had increased over 2016 election year figures, which indicate that 8,651 crashes occurred.

    Fourth Republic figures

    A holistic look at the statistics, beginning from 1992, show that 6,992 crashes were recorded in 1992, resulting in 10,030 casualties and 914 deaths.

    The figures shot up to 8,488 crashes, 10,952 casualties and 1,049 fatalities in 1996, in the next election year.
    The figures also showed an increase over the 1995 situation, where 8,313 crashes were recorded, with 1,132 casualties and 1,026 deaths.

    The increasing trend continued in 2000, with that election year recording 11,087 crashes, 13,747 casualties and 1,437 deaths.

    That was after the country had recorded 8,763 crashes, 11,439 casualties and 1,237 fatalities in 1999.

    In 2004, Ghana had 12,175 road crashes, 18,445 casualties and 2,188 fatalities, an increase over 2003 road accident statistics of 10,542 crashes, 16,185 casualties and 1,716 deaths.

    Although in 2008 the 11,214 road crashes recorded were lower than the 12,038 recorded in 2007, the casualties remained higher (16,455 for 2008 and 16,416 for 2007).

    However, the fatalities for 2008 were 1,938, lower than the 2,043 recorded in 2007.

    The road crashes and fatalities went up to 12,083 and 2,240 respectively, in 2012, as against the 10,887 crashes and 2,199 fatalities that occurred in 2011.

    There was an improvement in the figures for the 2016 election year as the road crashes and fatalities reduced to 8,651 and 2,084 respectively, compared with the 9,796 crashes and 1,802 deaths in 2015.

    Although 2020 (another election year) is yet to end, the increase in the road accident situation over 2019 figures remains a source of worry.

  • I’m too expensive for the political parties to approach for an endorsement – Shatta Wale.

    I’m too expensive for the political parties to approach for an endorsement – Shatta Wale.

    Charles Nii Armah Mensah aka Shatta Wale has stated that no political party in the country can ever pay him to endorse their Presidential candidate.


    Sarkodie and Samini last week pulled a big surprise on Ghanaians and their fans after they released an endorsement song for the current President Nana Addo to be given 4 more years to do more.


    When social media started bashing them, Sarkodie came out to deny that his song titled ‘Happy Day’ was not an endorsement to Nana Addo or the NPP but rather a song for people to enjoy with.


    Well, their friend Shatta Wale who also made some huge money from the NDC in 2016 prior to the election during a recent interview has stated that he is not ready to a campaign song for any party.
    According to him, the point he has gotten to now in his life, he wouldn’t want to engage in anything political.


    The ‘Mellisa’ hitmaker continued that, if any political party wants his services, then they must be ready to meet his terms and conditions.
    Shatta Wale without mincing words made it clear that as it stands now, he is too expensive for the political parties to meet his price tag for a campaign song.


    “If they want to convince me to do it, they have to come to my terms… Political parties are not my type of thing…I so expensive for a political party; they can’t pay me….if they want to approach me; it’s going to be a very difficult thing. If they want to convince me to do it they have to come to my terms but it’s not my thing,” Shatta Wale said.

    Peacefmonline

  • PNC Promises Free Education From Kindergarten To Tertiary Level

    PNC Promises Free Education From Kindergarten To Tertiary Level

    The People’s National Convention (PNC) has promised to offer free education at all levels from kindergarten to tertiary, and increase funding and investment in the educational sector by 15 per cent of Gross Domestic Product.

    PNC explained that although enrolment in schools increased over the last decade through various government interventions including; the free Senior High School (SHS) policy, access to education still remained a challenge.

    The PNC in its Election 2020 Manifesto tagged: “delivering prosperity to all Ghanaians,” under the sub-headline “Education,” outlined a free education programme, which seeks to ensure 100 per cent enrolment for all children.

    The party said if voted into power on December 7, a PNC Government under Mr David Apasera as President and Pastor Divine Ayivor as the Vice President will ensure the full operationalisation of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

    According to the PNC Ghana needed reforms in its educational sector to attain quality education alongside access.

    In this regard, the PNC Government shall empower Assembly and Unit Committee members to ensure the enrolment of all children in basic schools within their jurisdiction.

    The Unit Committees members will also ensure even distribution of school infrastructure to address the needs of schools under trees in rural areas; “broaden and deepen innovation, creativity and problem solving skills in basic education”.

    The PNC said it would establish a National Science, Technology and Innovation Village (NSTIV) in the nature of the Silicon Valley of the USA to allow pupils or students access to these areas to equip their technical knowledge and problem-solving skills.

    “A PNC government will also train and post career guidance and counselors at the basic level to direct pupils or students and their career paths; review the management and administration of the Capitation Grants to ensure that schools in deprived districts receive more as compared to those in endowed municipalities and metropolises.

    “Ensure that the capitation grant reaches all schools before the beginning of each term, as well as set up a system to evaluate the impact of the free education policy”.

    The PNC said it will provide learning aids for research and extra curricula training.

    On Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET); a PNC Government will establish 200 technical and vocational schools at various communities in every district across the country.

    Institutionalize the skilled based informal sector and encourage apprenticeship and industrial attachment among TVET students into the sectors; institute free apprenticeship and artisanal training for unemployed youth to offer them employable skills.

    The PNC in its manifesto will resource and expand the Integrated Community Centres for Employable Skills (ICCES).

    A PNC Government will award 20 per cent of government works and housing contracts to TVET institution, which will serve as a resource these institutions.

    On Tertiary Education; the PNC explains that under its free tertiary education for all qualified Ghanaians, it will re-align tertiary programmes to industry requirement and human resource needs of the country.

    Institute Compulsory industrial attachment of tertiary students to local industries and introduce GH¢100 million Students Innovation Funds to promote competitive innovations in enterprise solutions amongst tertiary students.

    The PNC also seeks to offer incentives for Teachers and Educational Workers; offer car loans for all teachers in the public sector, offer duty free car importation facility for all Professional Teachers and Educational workers.

    It will also provide adequate accommodation facilities for Teachers posted to rural schools; introduce mortgage schemes for all Teachers and Educational workers for them to own their own houses upon retirement.

    A PNC Government will also introduce scholarship for management and administrative studies for Teachers interested in becoming School Managers and Head Teachers.

    Peacefmonline

  • You’re Not Joe Biden – Kabila Tells Mahama

    You’re Not Joe Biden – Kabila Tells Mahama

    Former Acting General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), James Kwabena Bomfeh has rubbished the political comparison of the US and Ghana elections by the opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC).

    Former Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden has been declared President-elect after days of voting by the electorates. 

    According to the provisional results, Joe Biden polled 290 to win the elections while Donald Trump polled 214 votes.

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is of a firm belief that Joe Biden’s victory will translate into victory for the party’s Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama.

    Their analogy is that whenever the Democrat Party wins the US elections, NDC also wins Ghana’s elections.

    The party further argues that President Nana Akufo-Addo will be a one-time President just like Donald Trump.

    Reacting to the issue, James Kwabena Bomfeh a.k.a Kabilla believes the NDC is deceiving themselves.

    He asserted that the Biden-Trump analysis won’t work for the NDC and their Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama because the US elections have no correlation with the impending elections in Ghana.

    “Joe Biden is not John Dramani Mahama. That’s number 1. [Number 2] Trump is not Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. [Number 3] Joe Biden was Vice President for eight solid years in America’s history; John Dramani Mahama was Vice President for three and half years. You can’t compare the two. [Number 5] Donald Trump did his best to introduce divisive policies; Akufo-Addo has brought a policy that’s become like manna for every Ghanaian,” he explained.

    Peacefmonline

  • I Will Grant Amnesty To Jailed Small-Scale Miners- Mahama

    I Will Grant Amnesty To Jailed Small-Scale Miners- Mahama

    The Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Dramani Mahama, says when elected as President in the December 7, 2020 presidential election, he will grant general amnesty to all persons jailed for small-scale mining-related offences.

    Many Ghanaian small-scale miners, popularly known as galamsey operators, are in prison custody after they were arrested by the government’s special anti-galamsey security taskforce and prosecuted for offences relating to small-scale mining.

    Interacting with the chiefs and people of Abesewa in the Ahafo Ano South East constituency on Tuesday at the start of his five-day campaign tour of the Ashanti Region, Mr Mahama said his administration will give galamsey offenders a second chance to better their lives.

    “Because of the fight against galamsey, some of the youth have been arrested. But with our new policy on small-scale mining when we come into power, we are going to start afresh. We know they have offended the law but I believe that these galamsey operators are remorseful so we will give them another chance”, he said.

    Mr Mahama said, with careful planning, the mining sector could create about one million jobs for the youth, adding the next NDC government will take advantage of this and implement well planned policies to develop the mining sector.

    He announced that when elected in the impending presidential election, the next Mahama government will introduce co-operative mining in all mining districts. As part of this, he said, mining professionals will be employed to provide guidance for small-scale mining operations, adding this will help to regulate the sector, improve safety and make land reclamation a central part of small-scale mining operations.

    Mr Mahama said it is regrettable that the government has politicised small-scale mining by seizing mining concessions and equipment of operators, and throwing them out of business whilst at the same time allowing members of the governing party to engage in small-scale mining operations.

    He said it is important that justice prevails in the small-scale mining sector so that all Ghanaians can reap the benefits of the sector, not just a few card-bearing members of the ruling party.

    Mr Mahama therefore urged small-scale miners and their families to be guided accordingly and cast their ballot in his favour on December 7, 2020 to enable the next NDC government restore justice in the small-scale mining sector and for all Ghanaians to reap its benefits, not just a few card-bearing members of the governing party.

    Peacefmonline

  • Sammy Gyamfi has challenged the governing NPP to retrieve all monies that were wrongfully paid to NDC members.

    Sammy Gyamfi has challenged the governing NPP to retrieve all monies that were wrongfully paid to NDC members.

    The Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has challenged the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to retrieve all monies that were wrongfully paid to NDC members.

    His comment follows an allegation by the MP for Sekondi, Andrew Egyapa Mercer that the NDC during its tenure in power wrongfully paid Kofi Buckman and Associates, SAS Finance Group, Bullion Finance, and McQuary when preparing the Ghana Gold Transaction in 2011 before it was truncated.

    Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story Tuesday, Sammy Gyamfi said the NPP has made it a mantra to accuse the NDC of being corrupt and having stolen from the public purse whilst in office.

    However, the party is yet to come after any member of the NDC in a quest to retrieve such monies because they know the allegation is false.

    “You see talk is cheap. They are in government now. If they think anybody violated the laws of this country and were paid monies that they were not supposed to be paid, let them retrieve it.

    “That cannot be a justification for this naked robbery,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Mr. Gyamfi is also asking President Akufo-Addo to retrieve the billions of cedis his government dishonestly paid under the controversial Agyapa deal in seven days or the country will witness the biggest demonstration ever.

    According to the Communications Officer, monies were illegally paid to Databank, which is owned by the President’s cousin and Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta; African Legal Associates, which is owned by another cousin Gabby Otchere Darko; and their foreign compradors.”

    This, he said, exhibits the nepotism that is being perpetrated by the Akufo-Addo government.

    Myjoyonline

  • Armed robber whose manhood was bitten by a lady he raped finally speaks.

    Armed robber whose manhood was bitten by a lady he raped finally speaks.

    The 23-year-old man who has his manhood bitten by Justina Donkor has broken silence, giving his own version of the story.


    Trying to escape arrest, the man who has his penis bitten by the lady he wanted to rape told Nurses attending to him when he got to the hospital first that he was attacked by armed robbers.


    Obuasi Municipal Police Commander, DSP Martin Asenso disclosed in an interview that, the rapist told the nurses; ”He was robbed and attacked by some robbers at his place and that was why he came to the hospital for treatment”.


    Nevertheless, DSP Martin Asenso further stated that the suspect [Emmanuel Ankron] has been arrested but has been treated and discharged but will be charged and summoned before the court.


    Ghpage yesterday reported that Justina Donkor, a 24-year-old young lady was on last weekend drugged and rapped by the suspect, a 23-year-old Emmanuel Ankron at Abompey new site, Obuasi.

    Sorted by : Anita

  • From A Street Hawker To A Journalist In Less Than 2 Months, Kind Courtesy Of Nana Aba Anamoah- The Touching Story Of 3b3toda.

    From A Street Hawker To A Journalist In Less Than 2 Months, Kind Courtesy Of Nana Aba Anamoah- The Touching Story Of 3b3toda.

    A couple of weeks ago, Nana Aba Anamoah posted a video of herself and two street hawkers she met in traffic, as they wowed her with their witty sides.


    They requested a selfie with her and one also mentioned he had an interest in journalism but then he had no one to support him further his education hence his dreams of becoming a Journalist got shattered.
    Nana Aba then asked him to visit her at the GhOne office anytime he gets the chance and that was it for him.


    This video went viral as several people began to recognize these two young men in traffic and according to them, their daily sales shot up hence showing so much gratitude to Nana Aba for being such a blessing.


    They took their chances and visited Nana Aba Anamoah, the general manager of GhOne TV and their stories changed totally from that moment .
    One of the two young men who used to sell car accessories in traffic, 3b3toda, now works with Agoo TV as a presenter of their yet to be premiered show Ahos3p3 mmer3.


    His dream of becoming #b#torda journalist has finally come to light kind courtesy of the tender-hearted Nana Aba Anamoah.
    In an excerpt from the commercial posted by Nana Aba on her Instagram page, 3b3torda is seen looking dapper in a nice suit as he readies to share his journalism journey with the world.


    This is a big inspiration to several young people out there who think there’s no good in them; your story can change within a twinkle of an eye, keep the hard work, faith, and above all, believe in God for one day you’ll meet your Nana Aba Anamoah(helper).

    https://www.instagram.com/tv/CHbAIevlbQ7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Entertainment news

  • Mahama Explains Why His Wife Was Reluctant to Campaign For Him This Year

    Mahama Explains Why His Wife Was Reluctant to Campaign For Him This Year

    Former President and flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has finally revealed why his wife the Former First Lady Lordina Mahama refused to join his campaign team this year.

    It’s been months since active political activities started after the novel coronavirus outbreak which halted several activities globally. After the coronavirus breeze, political parties resumed political activities toward the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections while adhering to safety protocols rolled out by various institutions that were spearheading the fight against the virus.

    During this period Ghanaians have seen the former president, his running mate, and other party executives roam the length and breadth of the country to woo electorates to vote back the NDC to power while lobbying for seats for their respective parliamentary candidates.

    However, One of the things that went missing was the anchor behind former president John Dramani Mahama which was the former first lady. Members of the opposition parties alleged that the former president was having issues with the former first lady thus her refusal to support his husband in his battle for the presidency.

    Former President Mahama has however cleared the air on the matter in an interview monitored by Mynewsghana stating that his wife during the 2016 campaign period experienced so much politics of insults and lies which made her a bit traumatized. Due to that she opted to take a low key role while I do my politics. She’s been very much focused on her foundation lately. Mr Mahama stated in an interview mynewsghana.net monitored.

    The former first lady has finally joined the campaign trail and is currently in her home region to solicit votes for her husband seeking to return to power.

    Lordina Mahama has been campaigning in Kintampo and Nkoranza areas of the Bono East Region for the NDC parliamentary candidates

    In addition to sharing highlights of the People’s Manifesto and John Mahama’s promises to Ghanaians, Mrs. Mahama also invited the people to vote for the NDC and John Mahama because he is a President Ghanaians can trust, and he has a track record of development without discrimination.

    Mynewsghana

  • Akuapem Poloo Granted GHS100,000 Bail Over Obscene Photographs

    Akuapem Poloo Granted GHS100,000 Bail Over Obscene Photographs

    Rosemond Alade Brown aka Akuapem Poloo, an Actress, who allegedly displayed her naked picture together with her son on social media, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

    Rosemond, a social media entertainer, charged with publication of obscene material, two counts of engaging in domestic violence, has pleaded not guilty.

    The Court presided over by Mrs. Christiana Cann, has admitted Rosemond to bail in the sum of GHS 100,000 with four sureties two to be justified with landed property worth GHS100, 000.

    The title deed of the property, the Court said, should be deposited at the court’s Registry pending the outcome of the matter.
    The matter has been adjourned to November 23.

    Philip Kofi Bekoe, accused lawyer prayed the court to admit Rosemond to bail because she was well known and she had people of substance who would stand as sureties when granted bail.
    Chief Inspector Agartha Asantewaa is the case prosecutor.

    The case as narrated by prosecution is that the complainant, Mr. Bright K. Appiah is the Director of Child Rights International Ghana.

    On June 30 this year, Prosecution said Rosemond celebrated her son’s seventh birthday and she took her nude pictures together with her son who was also half naked and posted same on her Instagram page which went viral on social media.

    The pictures attracted comments, adding that the behaviour of the accused person undermine was likely to detract from the dignity of her seven year old son among others.

    Prosecution said the complainant petitioned the Director-General CID and the matter was referred to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU).

    Rosemond, prosecution said, was arrested and in her caution statement, admitted posting the nude picture with her son unintentionally.
    A write up accompanying the picture read: “I am naked in front of you because this is how naked I was giving birth to you, so in case you find me lying somewhere don’t pass by but see me as your mom who brought you to life.

    Prosecution held that Rosemond deliberately posted the nude picture together with her son.

    Peacefmonline

  • Nude Photo: Akuapem Poloo In Court..

    Nude Photo: Akuapem Poloo In Court..

    Ghanaian actress, Rosemond Alade Brown aka Akuapem Poloo, has been arraigned before the Accra Circuit court over the publication of a nude picture with her seven-year-old son in June this year.

    She is facing charges of publication of obscene materials, engaging in domestic violence namely conduct that in any way undermines another person’s privacy or integrity and engaging in domestic violence namely conduct that in any way detracts or is likely to detract from another person’s dignity and worth as a human being.

    The actress pleaded not guilty to the charges at the court presided over by Christiana Cann. She was subsequently granted bail in the sum of GH₵100,000 with four sureties, two to be justified.

    What this means is that with the justification, two of the sureties must provide proof of ownership of any landed property worth the bail sum. The court ordered that the title deeds and valuation report covering the said landed property should be deposited at the court’s registry.

    The court also ordered the prosecution to file witness statements and serve the actress with copies within 14 days.

    Hearing continues on November 23, 2020.

    Facts

    The facts as presented by Chief Inspector Agatha Asantewa were that the complainant, Mr Bright K Appiah, is the Director of Child Right’s International Ghana.

    On June 30, 2020, the prosecutor said the actress celebrated her son’s (name withheld) seventh birthday and took a nude photograph together with her son half naked and posted same on her instagram page which went viral on social media. According to Chief Inspector Asantewa, “the conduct or behaviour of the accused undermines the privacy or likely to detract the dignity of the son.”

    Complaint

    The complainant, according to Chief Inspector Asantewa petitioned Director-General/CID and the matter was referrcd to DOVVSU. Following the complaint, Akuapem Poloo  was arrested and on her caution statement to the Police she admitted posting the nude picture together with her son unintentionally.

    According to the prosecutor, the write-up text on her post which read:“I’m naked in front of you because this is how naked I was giving birth to you, so in case you find me lying somewhere don’t pass by but see me as your mom who brought you to life” indicated  that Akuapem -Poloo  deliberately posted the nude picture together with her son.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6aHJKnJXY4/?igshid=11jls3xpf89io

    Peacefmonline

  • “If Nana Addo Wins 2020 Election, Then God Does Not Exist” – Bulldog

    “If Nana Addo Wins 2020 Election, Then God Does Not Exist” – Bulldog

    Artiste manager Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson, also known as Bulldog says if President Nana Akufo-Addo wins the 2020 elections, that will mean God does not exist.

    He said this on Okay FM.

    https://www.instagram.com/tv/CHaq5rwp3Z9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
  • Mahama Promises Another Shot At Power Compact Deal

    Mahama Promises Another Shot At Power Compact Deal

    The Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Dramani Mahama, has assured Ghanaians that he will lead the country to re-negotiate the Power Compact component of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) with the United States of America (USA) should he be elected President at the December polls.

    He said the re-negotiation would be necessary to secure funding to strengthen electricity distribution and retool some critical power sector institutions.

    Happy Farmers day

    Funding
    Mr Mahama said the next NDC government would take the issue up with the Joseph Biden administration with the aim of getting back the money that was lost when the country terminated an earlier deal with the Power Distribution Services (PDS) following allegations of fraud.

    “One of the priorities is to see if we can get back the money under the MCC to improve our electricity distribution system, ” he told the Daily Graphic in an interview on Sunday at Kwahu Pepease in the Eastern Region on the sidelines of his four-day campaign tour of the region.

    Mr Mahama said due to the mismanagement of the energy component of the Energy Compact of the MCC by the current government, the country lost a significant amount of funding that would have been used to improve electricity distribution systems.

    “When I was President, we successfully negotiated the MCC deal but unfortunately, this government messed up the Power Distribution Services (PDS) issue and that has led to us losing substantial amounts of funding that would have been used to strengthen our electricity distribution system,” he said.

    Context
    The US Embassy in Ghana last year announced that Ghana had lost the second tranche funding of $190 million after the government terminated the private sector concession agreement with PDS Limited.

    Democrats win
    Touching on the significance of the US election on that of Ghana, the former President said the victory of Mr Joe Biden and Ms Kamala Harris on the Democrats ticket was a morale booster for his second-time bid for the Presidency.

    He said although he did not want to speculate that a Democrat win in the US would automatically correspond to a win for the NDC, there were some “uncanny parallels that seem to be happing between the USA and Ghana” in every election year.

    “I don’t want to ascribe to anything but it looks like anytime power has shifted in the USA, it has shifted also in Ghana,” he said.

    However, he said he was confident of winning the election and working with the new US government to help bring resources to bear to develop the country.

    Lessons
    Mr Mahama said Ghana could also draw lessons from the US elections by strengthening state institutions to be independent of any government.

    He said for instance that despite the fact that President Donald Trump at a point ordered for the complete halt of the counting of the ballots, the institutions were independent and assertive.

    “And that is the kind of predictability and strengthening of institutions we seek in Ghana. That institutions are able to work without political influence and I wonder what would have happened if the same was happening in Ghana. But we will see how things go,” Mr Mahama said.

    He, therefore, called for a collective effort to strengthen institutions such as the Electoral Commission, the judiciary, the legislature and the institutions that anchor Ghana’s democracy to offer the right service and mandate that the people have given them, without any partisan consideration.

    Time for women
    The former President said the significance of the choice of Ms Kamala Harris as the first female Vice-President of the US was crucial for the involvement of women in decision making. He said he was hopeful that a similar result would come out of the December 7 election to give Ghana its first female Vice-President.

    “We are hoping for the same thing in Ghana and it’s my hope that we will be successful here too so that women can occupy their rightful place in governance,” he said.

    Peacefmonline