Category: Politics

Mr Sam Ankrah, an Independent Presidential Aspirant, says his main purpose for expressing interest in contesting the 2024 presidential election is to address economic challenges facing the country.

He said the older generation had failed the populace in that regard and that it was time his generation rescued the country.

The Investment Banker said he was introducing ‘a different kind’ of politics where corruption would give way to sacrifice and patriotism.

In a media interview, he said: ‘The idea that all politicians are the same to some extent does not apply to me. If you look at where I am coming from, what I have to lay on the table to be able to do what I am doing clearly should give people an insider that there is a different kind of politics coming in; here is a person who has sacrificed a lot to get into the field to help support nation-building.’

He said the country was vulnerable to external shocks because it had no ‘self-sufficient local economy’, explaining that it imported basic things, inclu
ding toothpaste.

‘This country needs a locally built economy, and we need stability. This is what I am promising Ghanaians.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Justin Frimpong Kodua, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), says the Party will soon take a decision on the Yendi Constituency following some misunderstandings during the Party’s parliamentary primaries held on Saturday.

Election in the Constituency was disrupted during the counting of ballots.

Mr Kodua, in an interview with Accra-based Asaase Radio, on Monday, monitored by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the Party was waiting for reports from the regional office, the Electoral Commission and the Ghana Police Service, to inform its decision on the matter.

‘Well, it (Yendi misunderstanding) has to be resolved no matter how difficult it will be, it has to be resolved and all these reports that will come from Yendi, one from the regional party and also from the reps that we sent there, from the Electoral Commission and the Ghana Police, will all influence what decision will be taken.

‘But, it has to be resolved and it will be resolved,’ he said.

The NPP, on Saturday, held its parliament
ary primaries for constituencies where it has sitting Members of Parliament.

Mr Kodua said the outcome of the polls was what the Party hierarchy had anticipated despite the few skirmishes recorded in some constituencies across the country.

He said ‘on the part of the Party, I can say that everything went on smoothly just as we were anticipating …it is our duty to make sure that we affirm the decisions of the delegates across the country.’

The General Secretary also explained that, the National Executive Committee of the Party, would next week meet to deliberate on constituencies where the elections could not be held due to one problem or the other.

Elections in constituencies, including Sunyani East, Mampong, Akwapem South, Elembele, Binduri and Obuasi West, did not come on due to unresolved issues.

Mr Kodua said ‘basically, those are the constituencies that are left, and trust us, National Executive Committee will meet next week to deliberate on those constituencies.’

He added that for ‘Sunyani East, t
here is a roadmap which is being executed by the Deputy General Secretary and the team. Hopefully, we should be able to resolve all issues in Sunyani East somewhere middle of February.

‘For Mampong, Obuasi West and Binduri, they have to do with legal issues that have been raised and the Party has been served, so as a Party that believes in the rule of law, and also to follow the procedures as enshrined in our constitution, we will have to file a defence and it will also depend how the court proceedings will take shape and that will determine when we can also hold elections in those constituencies,’ he explained.

The General Secretary urged the rank and file of the Party to put issues of the elections behind them, unite and ensure that the Party won majority of the seats in Parliamentary come December 7, 2024.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr Kwaku Afriyie, outgoing Member of Parliament (MP) for Wiawso Constituency in the Western North Region, has congratulated Mr Festus Bumakama Agyapong on his election as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the constituency.

He called on the rank and file of the party to unite and rally behind Mr Agyapong to ensure victory for the NPP in the December 7 general elections.

He said: ‘I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Festus Bumakama on his well-deserved victory as the 2024 Parliamentary Candidate for our great party.

‘This triumph does not only belong to him but serves as a victory for our entire party and marks the beginning of our journey towards another success on December 7, 2024,’ Dr Afriyie said.

A statement signed by Dr Afriyie, also the Minister for Science, Environment Technology, and Innovations, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, expressed gratitude to the delegates for placing their trust and confidence in the Parliamentary Candidate elected to take over the mantle
from him.

He pledged his commitment to support Mr Agyapong to retain the seat for the NPP.

‘To the other aspirants, I extend my best wishes for the future and call on you to unite as a strong team to safeguard the parliamentary seat and strive for further victories for both our Presidential and Parliamentary candidates, so together we can break the eight,’ he added.

The NPP delegates In the Wiawso Constituency on Saturday, January 27, elected Mr Festus Bumakama Agyapong as their Parliamentary Candidate for the 2024 elections after beating four other aspirants.

He polled 592 votes to beat Mrs Golly Antwi Bosiako who had 151 votes, Mr Yaw Atta Boamah who garnered 65 votes, Mr Martin Kofi, 49 and Dr Xavier Andoh Adjei who also had 17 votes.

He would succeed Dr Afriyie who won the Wiawso seat for the NPP in 2016 and 2020 and did not seek re-election in the just-ended parliamentary primaries.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr John-Peter Amewu, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate of Hohoe and Railway Development Minister, has reiterated his commitment to developing the Hohoe Constituency.

He said although not all areas in the area had seen major developmental projects yet, it did not mean they had been neglected and assured all constituents to be patient.

‘Be with me, my brothers and sisters. Not all will see development at a go. Some will see it in the morning, others in the afternoon and some in the evening,’ he said during his acclamation as the parliamentary candidate.

Mr Amewu said the success of his political journey was a result of his 20-year plan that he had nurtured and commended all who believed in him.

He urged the electorates to vote massively for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in this year’s election adding that he (Peter Amewu) was already in Parliament for a second term.

Mr Makafui Woanya, the Volta Regional Chairman of the Party, said the economy was progressing gradually and assured that everything
would be in the favour of the NPP.

He said the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy had produced tremendous results and must be commended while referencing the Hohoe Sports Stadium as a good AstroTurf sports facility.

Mr Anthony Kondobrey, the Hohoe Constituency Chairman of the NPP, said the work of an MP required an experienced personality and not someone who was coming to experiment.

He asked the electorate to vote for Mr Amewu for a second term tenure.

Mr Daniel Noble Awume, the Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said the development of the Constituency was enough evidence to the electorate to avoid mistakes that would regress it.

He said as the MCE, he had commissioned more than 15 projects last year while preparing for more in 2024.

Mr Enoch Danso Agyekum, the Hohoe Municipal Electoral Officer, performed the acclamation and the Volta Regional Chairman led Mr Amewu to take the oath of office.

The event drew traditional rulers, national and regional executives and stalwarts of the Party, elector
ates and party sympathisers.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged the defeated parliamentary aspirants to consider the supreme interest of the NPP and work closely with the elected candidates to secure victory on December 7.

‘To those who lost out, I, together with the rank and file of the Party, need your support and contributions to ensure that we win majority seats and the presidency in the December 2024 elections.

‘With unity of purpose, we will win in December 2024,’ Dr Bawumia said in a statement on Saturday night.

On Saturday, January 27, 2024, the NPP held elections in constituencies with sitting Members of Parliament (MP) to elect parliamentary candidates to contest the ticket of the party in the December parliamentary polls.

However, the outcome of the polls was shocking and interesting, with more than 20 incumbent MPs losing their seats.

‘I urge the unsuccessful aspirants to leave the election behind, consider the supreme interest of the party, and work closely with the elected parlia
mentary candidates to secure success for the NPP,’ Vice President Bawumia said.

He, thus, congratulated all those who were elected to contest on the ticket of the Party, the NPP Election Committee, the Electoral Commission, the security services, and the media for their immense contributions towards ensuring a peaceful and successful outcome.

Some of the incumbent MPs who lost their seats during Saturday’s primaries included Joseph Cudjoe, MP for Effia, Ama Pomaa Boateng, MP for Juaben, Sheila Bartels, MP for Ablekuma North, Moses Anim, MP for Trobu and Freda Prempeh, MP for Tano North.

The rest were John Benam Jabaale, MP for Zabzugu, Tina Naa Ayeeley Mensah, MP for Weija Gbawe, Dr Adomako Kissi, MP for Anyaa Sowutuom, and Eugene Boakye Antwi, MP for Subin.

Mr Yves Hanson Nortey, MP for Tema Central, Bright Wireko Brobbey; MP for Twifo Hemang lower Denkyira, Akwasi Afrifa Mensah, MP for Amasaman, Elvis Donkor, MP for Abura Asebu Kwamankese, Lawyer Erickson Abekah, MP for Shama, Akwasi Darko Boateng, MP f
or Bosome Freho and Adwoa Safo, MP for Dome Kwabenya.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mrs Naana Eyiah Quansah, the Deputy Interior Minister and Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, has been re-elected as the parliamentary candidate on the New Patriotic Party’s ticket to contest the December 7 polls.

The incumbent polled 493 votes to defeat Rev Francis Yamoah, Chairman of the Council of Patrons, who obtained 99 votes in the NPP parliamentary primary held on Saturday.

There were four rejected ballots out of the total of 596 valid votes.

The peaceful primary was supervised by the Electoral Commission.

Mr Mohammed Hackeem, the Gomoa Central Constituency Secretary, in an interview with the media, said it was significant for the delegates to maintain the incumbent MP to enable the party to retain the seat.

He said the MP had worked satisfactorily and there was no need for any member of the party to contest her.

However, the party believed in internal democracy and therefore could not stop anybody from contesting.

Mr Hackeem said Mrs Eyiah Quansah had a very good relationship with the dele
gates and the entire supporters.

Mrs Eyiah Quansah expressed profound gratitude to the delegates for the confidence and trust reposed in her and assured them that she would work with everyone to ensure peace and harmony.

The Deputy Interior Minister extended an invitation to the defeated candidate and his supporters to join the team to work towards breaking the eight.

She said the internal elections were over and all campaign camps must be dissolved to assist the party to form one strong campaign team.

That would help the party to defeat the NDC to continue the good works and improve the lives of the Gomoa Central constituents, she said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

All three incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) for the Asante-Akim area have survived the fierce contests they faced in their respective constituencies.

Mr Kwaku Asante Boateng, Mr Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, and Mr Andy Appiah-Kubi, MPs for Asante-Akim South, Asante-Akim Central, and Asante-Akim North respectively retained their seats in the just-ended New Patriotic Party Parliamentary primaries.

In the Asante-Akim South Constituency, Mr Asante-Boateng for the second time defeated Mr Bice Obour Osei Kuffour, the Managing Director of Ghana Post, and Mr Eric Amofa after sweeping more than half of the total valid votes cast.

He polled 522 votes as against 280 garnered by Obour while Amofa only managed to secure 50 votes.

Mr Asante-Boateng who campaigned on his numerous achievements and interventions across the constituency, said he had always trusted in the delegates to reward his hard work.

He thanked the delegates, his campaign team, and everyone who played diverse roles in his victory, and assured the const
ituents of his commitment to work closely with all stakeholders, to build a prosperous Asante-Akim South together.

The situation was not different in the Asante-Akim Central Constituency where Mr Anyimadu-Antwi brushed aside competition from Mr Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP).

Stakes in that constituency were very high ahead of the crucial election, with many tipping Mr Nkansah to cause a major upset following his invitation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor over alleged diversion of state resources to delegates.

What even heightened the tension in the constituency was the allegations that the incumbent MP was behind the plight of the CEO of NEIP, setting the stage for a ferocious battle for the seat.

But Mr Anyimadu-Antwi left the young politician gasping for breath at the end of polls with a whopping 161 deficit, which sent his supporters into wild jubilation.

In the Asante-Akim North Constituency, the incumbent, Mr
Appiah-Kubi had to battle with four other contestants who wanted to snatch the seat but failed woefully.

Out of the total valid votes of 568, the incumbent garnered 226 leaving the four of them to share the remaining 342.

Consequently, all attempts by relatively young aspirants to unseat the three Asante-Akim MPs failed with delegates opting for continuity in the enclave.

Source: Ghana News Agency

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has congratulated the rank and file of the New Patriotic Party for its successful parliamentary primaries, demanding hard work for a resounding victory in the 2024 elections.

‘We have elected a good blend of experienced and youthful parliamentary candidates, whom I warmly congratulate, and who, I am confident, will help secure a majority in the ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic,’ he noted.

The President, in a statement, appealed to the losing candidates to remember that, in elections, ‘there are winners and losers, and today’s losers can be tomorrow’s winners’.

He was optimistic the Party would continue to remain united and work together to help return an NPP Presidential Candidate into office on January 07, 2025.

‘The time-tested, honoured tradition that has kept the NPP as one indissoluble unit demands that the victor receives the unalloyed support of the candidates who were not successful at the polls.

‘If we are to ‘Break the Eight’, which I know is very p
ossible, then we must stay true to this tradition, unite firmly behind our excellent Presidential Candidate and formidable parliamentary candidates, and deliver another resounding victory for the Party.’

The President noted that a victory in the impending General Election would help the Party continue the process of bringing progress and prosperity to every part of the country, an endeavour on which the Party had already fully embarked.

The statement reminded the members that the Danquah-Dombo-Busia political tradition was ‘the greatest, most enduring and noblest political tradition’ in Ghana’s politics.

‘Let us stay the course, conduct ourselves well before the Ghanaian people, strengthen our generation, and win the 2024 elections,’ the President advised.

‘We, in the NPP, have demonstrated to the Ghanaian people that we are the Party of democracy and the rule of law.’

On Saturday, January 27, the ruling NPP went to the polls to elect its parliamentary candidates ahead of the 2024 elections, setting the
stage for an interesting contest in the impending General Election.

Source: Ghana News Agency