Agyepong next to be suspended after Afoko – NPP Elder

A member of the New Patriotic Party’s Council of Elders Boniface Gambilla has revealed that the party’s General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong will be the next to be expelled after party chairman Paul Afoko is suspended for breaching party rules.

This is the latest in the deepening internal strife within the NPP after the party’s elders authored a statement signaling their desire to have Afoko sidelined for failing to show leadership.

Some constituency executives in the Northern, Upper West and East regions are outraged at the directive by the Council of Elders for Afoko to step aside.

Afoko’s suspension plot ‘a disguised coup d’état' - Nyaho-Tamakloe

A founding member of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has described moves by the Council of Elders of the party to suspend national chairman Paul Afoko as a ‘disguised coup.’

The NPP has been afflicted with protracted rivalry and mistrust as its National Council of Elders has in the latest twist, requested the party’s national chairman Afoko to step aside until after the 2016 elections.

‘Suspend Afoko and lose 2016 elections’

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) risks losing the 2016 general elections miserably should it go ahead to suspend its chairman Paul Afoko.

A lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School and a political marketing expert, Dr. Kobby Mensah said axing the beleaguered chairman will rather exacerbate the woes of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition.

Only Five (5) out of 30 NPP Elders signed Afoko suspension letter

Starr News can confirm that the letter from the NPP Council of Elders requesting the party’s national chairman Paul Afoko to step aside was signed by only five members of the council out of the 30.

The content of the letter, according to Starr News sources, was never discussed with other members of the council but the five who approved it.

NPP not in crisis – Oppong-Nkrumah

The New Patriotic Party’s Parliamentary candidate for the Ofoase-Ayirebi constituency, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has downplayed claims that the party is in crisis and may explode as a result of internal conflict.

According to him, although the party may be facing some minor challenges, it will be far-fetched to conclude that it is in ruins.

Speaking to Morning Starr host Nii Arday Clegg Thursday, the former Joy FM Morning show host said any group of people who think the party is not ready to win power in 2016 are deluding themselves.

“Anybody who says the NPP is in ruins; I think is probably sitting on a 6th floor office and is looking somewhere and is not engaging the rank and file of the party.

I'm connected to Korle Klottey, says Zanetor Rawlings as she files nominations

A daughter of former President John Jerry Rawlings has filed her nomination papers to contest the Korle Klottey NDC parliamentary primaries. Amidst excited chant from supporters, Dr Zanetor Rawlings filed her nomination forms just to beat the Thursday deadline. She would be coming up against incumbent Korley Klottey MP, Nii Armah Ashitey and grandson of national hero, Tetteh Quarshie, Leeford Kpakpo Quarshie.

NDC Women's Organiser locked up to block filing of nomination

National Democratic Congress' Women's organizer for Tarkwa Nsuaem constituency Mrs. Gladys Kwakye was locked up to prevent her from filing her nomination forms on deadline day Thursday. She was locked up in her house by some branch women organizers. She was locked around 3pm Thursday for at least three hours and was released after 6:45pm when the deadline for submission had passed.
At the close of nominations two persons - Joseph Okyere and Kwame Dzokoto - had filed their papers.

Kumbour throws in towel for 4th parliamentary bid

Ghana’s Defense Minister, Dr. Benjamin Kumbour has bowed out of the November 7 Parliamentary primaries of the governing National Democratic (NDC).
Dr. Kumbour had earlier picked up forms to contest the Nandom constituency primaries in the Upper West Region where he is currently the incumbent MP. However, in what turned out to be the biggest surprise to most political watchers in the region, Dr. Benjamin Kumbour failed to submit his nomination forms on Thursday.

Ashanti Region’s response to NDC primaries impressive – Gen. Mosquito

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is happy with the huge interest by party members in the Ashanti Region for the impending parliamentary primaries.
At least this is the indication being given by the General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia.

He made the revelation in an interview with Citi News on Thursday when the party closed nomination for aspirants hoping to contest in the parliamentary and presidential primaries slated for November 7.

If I'm A Nigerian Then E.T Mensah Is One Also - Sam George

Presidential staffer, Samuel George Nartey has vowed to use the impending NDC primary to uproot the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Enoch Teye Mensah, popularly referred to as Ningo-Prampram Methuselah from his seat and take over as the new MP for the area, come January 2017. According to him, the days of the former Accra Mayor are long gone and that the earlier the Hon MP understands that, the better, because the people are calling on him to represent them and that is exactly what he is going to do.

We are Focused on securing 50% votes in Eastern Region – NDC

The Eastern Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is determined to secure fifty percent of votes in the region in the 2016 general election. The statement comes on the back of comments by the presidential candidate of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo blaming the NDC of engaging in tribal campaigns following an ambitious aim of the party to obtain 50 percent of the votes in the region.

Twenty-One To Contest CPP National Executive Positions

Twenty-one stalwarts of the Convention People's Party (CPP) have filed nomination to contest for the various positions at the party's September 18 and 19 National Delegates Congress in Sunyani. The CPP 2015 National Executive Aspirants official list obtained by the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday revealed that Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle stands unopposed for the National Chairmanship slot.

What Nana Addo Must Do Before NPP Can Regain Power - Arthur K

A leading member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Arthur Kennedy says the party's Flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo’s chances of winning power in 2016 elections though bright might not become a reality if he (Presidential candidate) does not implement what he considers to be some essential resolutions.

According to him, Nana Akufo Addo must embark on four (4) assignments in the party if he is determined to win power to become the next President.

Speaking on Okay Fm’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, Dr. Arthur Kennedy enumerated that the first assignment of Nana Akufo-Addo must be to come out publicly to speak against the impeachment plan which some executives planned against Kwabena Agyepong and Paul Afoko.

Nana Takes On Mahama Over ‘One Touch Victory'

The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has asked President John Dramani Mahama to accord Ghanaians with some measure of intelligence, as his ‘one-touch victory’ refrain is clearly an insult to them.

According to Nana Akufo-Addo, Ghanaians have experienced, and continue to experience untold hardships in their livelihoods under the Mahama-led NDC government and will vote wisely, and elect a competent government that will solve their problems in the 2016 general election.

Okudzeto Ablakwa has failed as North Tongu MP –challenger claims

A former senior staff at the Ministry of Health is accusing the North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa of shirking his responsibility as a parliamentarian. He said the MP only concentrates on his work as a government appointee.

The former Chief Financial Controller and an Internal Auditor of the Ministry of Health Christopher Kofi Eleblu is promising to give the incumbent stiff challenge as he filed his nominations to contest in the NDC parliamentary primaries.

I fear for Ghana's youth under NDC -Bawumia

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, running mate of New Patriotic Party flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo, has stated that if President Mahama were his student he would have graded him F in economics.

He said the NDC government has since 2009 failed in its management of the economy.

“You inherited an economy with the highest resources in the history of Ghana.  Tax resources, four times higher than the NPP; Cocoa, three times higher; Gold, three times higher; you have borrowed more than all the governments put together and still we can’t feel a better economy, then you have failed. Mahama deserves F in economic management,” Bawumia asserted.

Naive Sam George can’t ‘fight’ me – ET Mensah

Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Enoch Teye Mensah, has descended heavily on presidential aide Sam George, who has filed his nomination to contest him in the NDC’s parliamentary primaries slated for November 7.
Mr. E.T. Mensah, one of Ghana’s longest-serving MPs, is infuriated by some comments made by the young man he once groomed to take over from him.
In what best looks like a ‘father and son’ contest, Sam George has appealed to the MP to retire honorably for the youth of the area to take over the mantle of leadership.

Suspend Afoko – NPP council of elders demand

The National Council of Elders of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has written to the party’s National Disciplinary Committee, demanding amongst others, that the National Chairman Paul Afoko, be made to step aside until after the 2016 elections. The council in a letter written to the National Disciplinary Committee on Thursday September 10, enumerated amongst others, the many challenges the party has been facing in recent months.

Abeiku Santana ‘chickens out’ of NDC parliamentary race

After all the media hype of his parliamentary bid, it has emerged that popular radio presenter Abeiku Santana did not follow through on his plans to contest in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) upcoming primaries.

Abeiku Santana with real name Gilbert Aggrey Santana was the second media guru after Kojo Oppong Nkrumah to express interest in going to Parliament.

The astute presenter had wanted to contest in the NDC primaries in the Mfantseman constituency in the Central Region.
Abeiku Santana had explained that he is competent enough to run for the position adding that the 18 years experience from working in the media will be beneficial in his work as MP if he is elected.
“I have been a voice and a mouthpiece for the people for the past 18 years. I have been in radio business for 18 years. I have heard people’s grievances, I have heard people’s concerns and I think there should be a new crop of legislators,” he said.
However information available to citifmonline.com suggests that the radio presenter did not even pick up his nomination forms.


Citifmonline.com’s Central Regional reporter, Akwesi Koranteng said the constituency secretary told him that “Abeiku Santana after a long wait did not pick up nomination forms. As at now, they are still expecting him to pick up the nomination forms.”
“I understand he is still in Accra,” he added.
It is currently unclear why Abeiku Santana has decided to not to contest in the primaries but all efforts to get him speak on record proved futile.
The deadline for submission of the nomination forms ends 5pm today [Thursday].
Speaking to Accra based Asempa FM, Kwesi Budu Hagan, the NDC’s deputy constituency secretary said “I must state that Abeiku Santana as I speak failed to pick nomination forms or submit any to contest the Mfantseman seat.”
On reasons for his withdrawal, the constituency secretary said “I am sure he conducted his own research and found out that the party chairman was solid on ground and hence knew he would lose if he contests…so he decided to withdraw to save his reputation,” he said.

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Source: Citi 97.3 FM

STATEMENT: Ghanaian Citizens Association in Togo

Below is the full statement issued by Ghanaian citizens living in Togo regarding NPP's claims of over 76,000 potential Togolese on Ghana's voters' register.

GHANA CITIZENS ASSOCIATION –TOGO

Invited Guests
Members of the Press
Ladies and Gentlemen

Bonjour tout le monde, I would like to first and foremost thank you all for taking time of you busy schedules to be present here. We are here to clear the allegations made by our Vice Presidential hopeful for Ghana on the ticket of the NPP, Dr. Bawumia on 18th of August 2015 referring to us Ghanaians residents in Togo as Togolese.

We wish to call on the press, our good brothers and sisters of Togo, Our home country Ghana, the good people of Africa, and the whole world that we agree with Dr. Bawumia that a valid and credible voters’ register is essential for free and fair elections but in a case where one forged a register of an independent institution (INEC) of a different country (TOGO) to fraudulently aide his ambition can be referred to as an international criminal minded Politician than the so-called Togolese found on our Ghanaian voter register.

According to Togo’s independent National Electoral Commission headed by the Executive Secretary, Professor Kpatcha Takonda Kossi, it was impossible for anyone to lay his/her hand on Togo’s Voter’s Register since the document was a sovereign Legal document kept firmly under guard. 

Professor Kpatcha also denied categorically that anyone from Ghana had obtained Togo’s voters Register from the country’s INEC. 

Meaning not even the political parties in Togo have access to their register. Where then did Dr. Bawumia get the Togo Voters’ Register? We are therefore challenging Dr. Bawumia to present the Register which he used in identifying the 75,193 POTENTIAL matches.

The usage of POTENTIAL matches is a clear indication that the man is playing with our future because what he sought to say was that the 75,193 people’s identity could match in the future. So I asked, why should politicians be toiling with our lives? How will our people be dragging Togolese into Ghana politics and thereby endangering our lives? 

We are tenants with our neighbours and all you could do is to provoke them into sacking us? Most of us here are from the ten regions of Ghana; Traders have shops in Asigame, Amoutive, Decon and Be, Spare parts dealers at Akodessewa, Fishersfolks settle at Kwadjoviakope – Kotoku Kodji, Katanga fishing harbour, Gbetsogbe, Baguida , Avepozo, Kpogan, Agbodrafo, Kpeme, Aneho and hillakondzi down to Cotonou and Artisans (shoe shines) can be found in almost every community in Togo.

In all we cannot blame only politicians but those politicians in Immigration uniforms collecting ID cards from innocent citizens for their selfish agenda to perceive us as Togolese because some of us are not able to speak English.

Now npp is telling us that our brothers and sister who are working in Nigeria and can speak Yurouba and Igbo are Nigerians or Nigerians who have shops at Makola and circle are Ghanaians because they are in Ghana and can speak our local dialect?

Togolese, in general appear quite offended at the very idea that they have nothing better to do to improve their country than to go and vote in Ghana.

We will advise the NDC party to stop being on the defensive because we are tired of reasons they are also giving. We don’t care about whatever dual citizenship they are talking about. Our Ghanaian constitution is clear on who a citizen is and that is having one of your parents as a Ghanaian.

Yesterday for instance Nana Akuffo Addo was in Volta region claiming he is not targeting Volta region people but Foreigners. I want to ask Nana Akuffo Addo how he was able to determine foreigners on Ghana’s register and not Ghanaians voting in Togo rather.
The NPP should be careful with their pronouncement for us to enjoy the peaceful co-existence between Ghana and Togo.

We are hereby calling on Dr. Bawumia and the NPP to do the honourable thing and apologize to Togo INEC, People of Togo and Ghanaians residents in Togo in the shortest possible time.

God bless President Faure and the people of Togo

God bless Ghana

Thank you

Joseph Hammond.
(Leader )