Mr Mahama who is seeking to be elected flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress said “Ghanaians are looking up to us, the NDC, to win power and save them from their present predicament of hardship, high living cost, lack of critical infrastructure in their communities among others”.
“Ghanaians are looking up to us, the NDC, to win power and save them from their present predicament of hardship, high living cost, lack of critical infrastructure in their communities among others”. https://t.co/ggQhAe3Vsy
He also said out of the four flagbearer aspirants of the NDC, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) are afraid of only him.
Mr Mahama is being contested in the upcoming primaries of the NDC by former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor, Former Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) boss Kojo Bonsu and Mr Ernest Kobea, a businessman.
But he told a gathering at Wenchi on Sunday, March 12 that he is the right person to lead the NDC as flagbearer in 2024.
He said God will give the NDC victory.
He appealed to delegates of the party to vote for him to become the flagbearer.
“I am confident that God will give us a victory. Let us vote massively for the NDC and support one person. All four aspirants, the NPP are not scared of anyone except one, they are scared of Mahama,” 2020 presidential candidate for the party said
The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Richard Ahiagbah has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC0 of lacking ideas and solutions to the challenges facing Ghanaians.
Reacting to the press conference held by the National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi regarding the Auditor-General’s report on Covid funds utilisation on Wednesday, February 1, Mr Ahiagbah tweeted “The NDC just gave a press conference to talk. Talk is all they do because talk is cheap. These are challenging times for Ghanaians, but NDC has no solutions or ideas to share. They are betting against Ghana. Expect the Fair Truth.”
Sammy Gyamfi at the press conference accused the government of thievery in the utlisation of the Covid funds.
He asked President Akufo-Addo to “Investigate all ministers and public officials who have been cited in the report. Fire the Minister of Finance, Health Minister, Minister of Information, CEO of National Food Buffer Stock Company who have been cited in the A-G’s report for violating the laws of this country in the expenditure of Covid funds.”
The Auditor-General report stated that “During our review, we noted that senior management staff and other supporting staff of the Ministry of Information paid themselves a total amount of GH¢151,500.00 as COVID-19 risk allowance for coming to work during the lockdown.”
It further indicated that the Ministry of Health (MoH) entered a contract signed on 15 December 2021 for the supply of 26 Toyota Hiace Deluxe Ambulances valued at US$4,049,460.12 out of which US$607,419.02 was paid vide PV No. IPF 22-007 of 2 September 2022 to be delivered by 15 January 2022.
However, the report said, the ambulances remained undelivered as of 28 November 2022.
According to the latest report on government expenditure between March 2020 and June 2022, the Chief Director explained that the supplier applied for an extension to meet some technical specifications.
“Under the current economic difficulties, the supplier could apply for price variation to unduly increase the cost of the contract which could have been avoided if the ambulances had been supplied as scheduled,” it said.
It added that “Management has indicated that upon technical inspection by the World Bank, additional specifications have been recommended and the contract has therefore been extended to March 2023.
“We recommended that the Chief Director should ensure that the ambulances are delivered no further than the extended date of March 2023.”
The Ministry of Finance welcomed the report and assured the public that steps are being taken to address all issues raised in it.
“The following inventions are currently being pursued by the Ministry;’ Meetings are being organized to engage with the implementing agencies to evaluate actions taken to implement the audit recommendations in the report; Preparations for an emergency expenditure Management Guideline.’
“This guideline will provide the government with administrative protocols in times of emergency such as the Covd-19 pandemic to ensure compliance with relevant PFM regulations while providing a timely response.
The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Richard Ahiagbah has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC0 of lacking ideas and solutions to the challenges facing Ghanaians.
Reacting to the press conference held by the National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi regarding the Auditor-General’s report on Covid funds utilisation on Wednesday, February 1, Mr Ahiagbah tweeted “The NDC just gave a press conference to talk. Talk is all they do because talk is cheap. These are challenging times for Ghanaians, but NDC has no solutions or ideas to share. They are betting against Ghana. Expect the Fair Truth.”
Sammy Gyamfi at the press conference accused the government of thievery in the utlisation of the Covid funds.
He asked President Akufo-Addo to “Investigate all ministers and public officials who have been cited in the report. Fire the Minister of Finance, Health Minister, Minister of Information, CEO of National Food Buffer Stock Company who have been cited in the A-G’s report for violating the laws of this country in the expenditure of Covid funds.”
The Auditor-General report stated that “During our review, we noted that senior management staff and other supporting staff of the Ministry of Information paid themselves a total amount of GH¢151,500.00 as COVID-19 risk allowance for coming to work during the lockdown.”
It further indicated that the Ministry of Health (MoH) entered a contract signed on 15 December 2021 for the supply of 26 Toyota Hiace Deluxe Ambulances valued at US$4,049,460.12 out of which US$607,419.02 was paid vide PV No. IPF 22-007 of 2 September 2022 to be delivered by 15 January 2022.
However, the report said, the ambulances remained undelivered as of 28 November 2022.
According to the latest report on government expenditure between March 2020 and June 2022, the Chief Director explained that the supplier applied for an extension to meet some technical specifications.
“Under the current economic difficulties, the supplier could apply for price variation to unduly increase the cost of the contract which could have been avoided if the ambulances had been supplied as scheduled,” it said.
It added that “Management has indicated that upon technical inspection by the World Bank, additional specifications have been recommended and the contract has therefore been extended to March 2023.
“We recommended that the Chief Director should ensure that the ambulances are delivered no further than the extended date of March 2023.”
The Ministry of Finance welcomed the report and assured the public that steps are being taken to address all issues raised in it.
“The following inventions are currently being pursued by the Ministry;’ Meetings are being organized to engage with the implementing agencies to evaluate actions taken to implement the audit recommendations in the report; Preparations for an emergency expenditure Management Guideline.’
“This guideline will provide the government with administrative protocols in times of emergency such as the Covd-19 pandemic to ensure compliance with relevant PFM regulations while providing a timely response.
Haruna Iddrisu has been removed as the Minority Leader
The leadership of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has removed Harruna iddrisu as the Minority Leader.
He has been replaced with Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam lawmaker Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
The party has also removed James Klutse Avedzi as Deputy Minority Leader. He has also been replaced with Ellembelle Member of Parliament Kofi Armah Buah.
The party says these changes form part of its reorganization process to reposition itself for election 2024.
“It has become necessary for you to deploy you from your current position as Deputy Minority Leader with immediate effect,” a statement signed by General Secretary of the party Fiifi Kwetey said on Tuesday, January 24.
“I wish on behalf of the party to express our deepest appreciation to you for your service over the years in this capacity,’ the statement added.
It further said ” please kindly arrange with the new officer to effect the necessary handing over processes. Please accept or assurance of the highest regard.”
John Dramani Mahama and Togbui Amenya Fiti VFormer President John Dramani Mahama has said Aflao, as the most vibrant border town in Ghana, deserves more than it currently has and, thus, in line with the party’s promises in the 2020 People’s Manifesto, the next NDC government will give the people of Aflao a modern international standard market, a new hospital, in addition to other socio-economic infrastructure.
Mr Mahama made the promise when he joined Togbui Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of Aflao, on the occasion of his 25th anniversary over the weekend.
Tobgui’s anniversary coincided with the Godigbe Festival of the chiefs and people of Aflao.
Mr Mahama expressed joy that Togbui visited and personally invited him to grace the occasion.
Aflao being a border town, people from I thank the people of Aflao Togo and Benin thronged the durbar ground to witness the ceremony.
Aflaois a town inKetu South Districtin theVolta RegiononGhana’sborderwithTogo
A National Vice Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Said Sinare has accused the outgoing General Secretary and National Chairman hopeful, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah of dictatorship and conflict of interest.
According to him, the NDC will be doomed if the delegates make a mistake and elect Asiedu Nketiah as their National Chairman.
The former Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said this when addressing party members in a meeting organised by Ofosu Ampofo campaign team that was captured on a video sighted by DGN Online.
Alhaji Sinare further disclosed that the General Secretary has sole-sourced and awarded a contract to a company that makes 20% commission on dues and filing fees collected from NDC members.
He alleged that General Mosquito singularly brought in a company of his son to collect dues, issue cards, etc to party members without FEC having a say.
Interestingly, it is said that another company was willing to render the services to the NDC for free but General Mosquito allegedly brought his son who is paying just 20% of the revenues to the party.
Meanwhile, sources within the NDC hierarchy have confirmed that the company in question is owned by Asiedu Nketiah’s son — raising issues of conflict of interest.
Defense
However, in defense of this allegation, the Administrative officer of the party, Emmanuel Samba Zumakpeh in a statement said “Mr. Kwaku Nketiah, son of Mr. Johnson Aseidu Nketiah, General Secretary of the NDC, has not been awarded any contract by the Party and has nothing to do with the company that was finally awarded the contract by the Finance Committee”
The statement said the attention of the Functional Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been drawn to recent false publications on various social media handles by some faceless persons alleging that the General Secretary of the Party, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, is involved in an act of conflict of interest”.
According to the statement, “To be specific, the said allegation claims that the General Secretary of the NDC Party has unilaterally awarded a contract to his son to build a membership dues payment system for the party”.
“The NDC would like to advise the public to disregard such untruths. We also urge authors of such false publications to desist from misleading well-meaning Ghanaians with such unfounded information”.
“The NDC is a party built on democratic principles and has in place the relevant mechanisms including a Procurement Committee (PC) for ensuring transparency and fairness in the procurement of goods and services for the Party on no account will those robust structures allow an individual or a group of persons to have any contracts to their family reporting hidden and makes recommendations to FEC for the final award of contracts.”
“We would like to place on record that Messrs RXXONE, the company that was finally selected among other bidders to design the dues payment system for the Party, was carefully examined and found to be capable of providing value for money and subsequently awarded the contract. Also interrogated the issue at length and gave Rx-XONE its approval”.
“We would also like to emphatically state that Mr. Kwaku Nketiah, son of Mr. Johnson Aseidu Nketiah, General Secretary of the NDC, has not been awarded any contract by the Party and has nothing to do with the company that was finally awarded the contract by the Finance Committee of the NDC.
“The Party, therefore urges whoever is behind those anonymous publications to be bold enough in providing evidence to back their claims, if they have it all, or cease circulating such unfounded pieces of information” the statement underscored
A National Vice Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Said Sinare has accused the outgoing General Secretary and National Chairman hopeful, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah of dictatorship and conflict of interest.
According to him, the NDC will be doomed if the delegates make a mistake and elect Asiedu Nketiah as their National Chairman.
The former Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said this when addressing party members in a meeting organised by Ofosu Ampofo campaign team that was captured on a video sighted by DGN Online.
Alhaji Sinare further disclosed that the General Secretary has sole-sourced and awarded a contract to a company that makes 20% commission on dues and filing fees collected from NDC members.
He alleged that General Mosquito singularly brought in a company of his son to collect dues, issue cards, etc to party members without FEC having a say.
Interestingly, it is said that another company was willing to render the services to the NDC for free but General Mosquito allegedly brought his son who is paying just 20% of the revenues to the party.
Meanwhile, sources within the NDC hierarchy have confirmed that the company in question is owned by Asiedu Nketiah’s son — raising issues of conflict of interest.
Defense
However, in defense of this allegation, the Administrative officer of the party, Emmanuel Samba Zumakpeh in a statement said “Mr. Kwaku Nketiah, son of Mr. Johnson Aseidu Nketiah, General Secretary of the NDC, has not been awarded any contract by the Party and has nothing to do with the company that was finally awarded the contract by the Finance Committee”
The statement said the attention of the Functional Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been drawn to recent false publications on various social media handles by some faceless persons alleging that the General Secretary of the Party, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, is involved in an act of conflict of interest”.
According to the statement, “To be specific, the said allegation claims that the General Secretary of the NDC Party has unilaterally awarded a contract to his son to build a membership dues payment system for the party”.
“The NDC would like to advise the public to disregard such untruths. We also urge authors of such false publications to desist from misleading well-meaning Ghanaians with such unfounded information”.
“The NDC is a party built on democratic principles and has in place the relevant mechanisms including a Procurement Committee (PC) for ensuring transparency and fairness in the procurement of goods and services for the Party on no account will those robust structures allow an individual or a group of persons to have any contracts to their family reporting hidden and makes recommendations to FEC for the final award of contracts.”
“We would like to place on record that Messrs RXXONE, the company that was finally selected among other bidders to design the dues payment system for the Party, was carefully examined and found to be capable of providing value for money and subsequently awarded the contract. Also interrogated the issue at length and gave Rx-XONE its approval”.
“We would also like to emphatically state that Mr. Kwaku Nketiah, son of Mr. Johnson Aseidu Nketiah, General Secretary of the NDC, has not been awarded any contract by the Party and has nothing to do with the company that was finally awarded the contract by the Finance Committee of the NDC.
“The Party, therefore urges whoever is behind those anonymous publications to be bold enough in providing evidence to back their claims, if they have it all, or cease circulating such unfounded pieces of information” the statement underscored
General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Frimpong Kodua
The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as well as the leadership of the Majority caucus in Parliament have asked all lawmakers on the side of the governing party to respect the Majority Caucus’ communication channels in the House in making their grievances known.
This directive forms part of efforts to manage the situation where some NPP Members of Parliament (MPs) are asking the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to step aside due to the economic challenges.
At a crunch meeting in Accra on Tuesday November 22, the leadership of the party and the Majority group in Parliament in a statement co-signed by Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh and General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said “In the meantime, the leadership of the Parliamentary Group and the leadership of the party counselled the Honourbale Members of Parliamentary party to respect to the caucus communications channel , and to the largest extent possible, work together as one caucus unit. .
“Leadership of the party in this regard call upon the Members of Parliament to attend to all Government Business in the House including in particular the 2023 budget statement and economic policy and all connected matters.”
The leadership also asked the legislators to be present in Parliament when the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta presents the 2023 budget statement.
This comes after the lawmakers who are asking Mr Ofori-Atta to go have threatened to boycott the budget presentation if he is the one billed to present the document.
Member of Parliament for Asanti-Akyem North Kwame Andy Appiah-Kubi earlier served notice that the aggrieved MPs won’t be in Parliament to support the budget if Mr Ofori-Atta is the one to present the document.
The MPs believe that a new face should replace the Finance Minister due to the current economic challenges.
He told journalists that “We’ve gone back to (our demand for the President to) sack him now and therefore should the budget be presented under the stamp of the Finance Minister, we’ll not participate because as far as we’re concerned we’re never going to do business with him.
“And if we’re not going to do business with him, he does not participate in any process from the Presidency to the House. We will not participate in deliberations too
Former President John Mahama, who lost the 2016 general elections abysmally due to economic hardship that led Ghanaians to reject his second coming, has turned to crucify the current government over the challenges facing the country.
Mr. Mahama who has turned to be a new Apostle is making case for Churches to lose offertory from their members by saying the current economic hardship in Ghana has taken a toll on offerings to God.
According to him, followers of Christ are unable to give huge offerings in the church due to economic hardship, which has affected the pockets of Ghanaians.
He said this at the 175th-anniversary thanksgiving service of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Ho, Volta Regional Capital over the weekend.
He said, “We must always spread Christian love, especially in this time, when money doesn’t like noise”.
“Especially at this time when we all agree that times are hard. This is the time we must show our Christian charity by loving our neighbours as ourselves”.
The former President continue that “And so whatever little you have to share, you should share with your neighbour. I mean we could tell the hardship in the system from the appeal for funds”.
He explained that “When it was GH¢2000, madam chair and a few people came and donated, then it came down to GH¢1000, then to GH¢500, then to GH¢200 and GH¢100. And when it got to the silver collection, GH¢1, GH¢2, the place was full, it shows that the pocket was not too good”.
The former President, therefore, appealed to Christians to pray for him and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to win the 2024 general elections.
He further noted that winning the 2024 elections would enable him and his party to rescue Ghana from the current economic hardship, rising inflation, and suffering.
“After we pray for Pakistan, Moderator should also say a special prayer for me and the NDC so that in some year that is just coming, luck will smile on us, God will smile on us and give us the power to come and rescue this country from the suffering we are going through,” he said.
Mr. Mahama lauded the efforts of the E.P Church, Ghana, to the development of the country, especially in the education and health sectors.
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, Rt. Rev Dr. Bliss Divine Agbeko, advised Christians to remain righteous followers of Christ and persevere to the very end.
He also implored persons in leadership positions to eschew corruption to earn a place in paradise adding the church would continue to shepherd its congregation for the common good of humanity
Former Finance Minister, Dr. Kwesi Botchwey, has passed on Saturday (19 November) at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Dr. Botchwey died aged 78.
He has not been well for some time now, family sources said.
He was the longest-serving Finance Minister in Ghana. He served in the office alongside Ghana’s longest-serving head of state, the late former President, Jerry John Rawlings.
The late economist received his secondary school education at the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School in Ghana. Dr. Botchwey held an LL.B. from the University of Ghana, an LL.M from Yale Law School, and a doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School.
He taught at the University of Zambia, the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), and the University of Ghana. Other notable previous assignments of Dr. Botchwey were advisor to the World Bank on the 1997 World Development Report.
He was among others, a member and Chairman of IMF‘s Group of Independent Experts who conducted the first ever external evaluation of the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility, an advisor to the UNDP‘s UN Special Initiative on Africa, and an advisor to the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM)
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