NPP wants IPAC views considered in EC appointments.

The main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has written to the Council of State, to take into consideration, the concerns of the various political parties when advising the president on who to appoint as Chairman and Commissioners of the Electoral Commission (EC).

UN applauds Ghana’s democracy.

The United Nations has commended government and people of Ghana, for upholding and sustaining democracy, particularly in the year 2012.
A release issued by the United Nations System in Ghana on behalf of the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in commemoration of International Day of Democracy, which falls on Sunday September 15, also commended the people of Ghana for their enthusiasm and active engagement in their electoral process.

Mahama must be given 36 lashes to sit up – Ken Agyapong

Outspoken NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North in the Central Region, Kennedy Agyapong says President John Mahama has failed to meet all the targets set for him by Ghanaians, his employers.
According to him, the dwindling economy, the never-ending power and water crisis, labour agitations are all attestations that the President is a “failure”.

Attacks On Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei II, Must Cease Immediately.

The New Patriotic Party is disgusted by attempts being made by some persons and media outlets to drag the name of the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, into disrepute.

The NPP associates itself with the statement issued by the Manhyia Palace in describing as “reprehensible and insulting” a publication by the New Free Press that made wild claims to effect that the Otumfuor Osei Tutu II bribed some Supreme Court Justices to influence the outcome of the election petition in favour of President Mahama.

Remarks by the President in Address to the Nation on Syria.

My fellow Americans, tonight I want to talk to you about Syria -- why it matters, and where we go from here.

Over the past two years, what began as a series of peaceful protests against the repressive regime of Bashar al-Assad has turned into a brutal civil war.  Over 100,000 people have been killed.  Millions have fled the country.  In that time, America has worked with allies to provide humanitarian support, to help the moderate opposition, and to shape a political settlement.
 WATCH FULL ADDRESS BELOW

NPP’s attack on EC politically unwise – Kofi Adams

 

Deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Kofi Adams has implored the opposition New Patriotic Party to accede to the Electoral Commission (EC’s) request, by proposing the necessary reforms that can help improve the country’s electoral system.

Kofi Adams, in an interview with Radio Gold, warned the party not to continue their agenda of painting the Commission black in the sight of Ghanaians in order to ruin its integrity.

Supreme Court verdict exposed “polarised” Bench.

A Ghanaian Professor of Economics at the American University and an associate scholar at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, George Ayittey says the recent Supreme Court verdict on the election petition case, exposed the polarity of the Justices at the apex Court.

Mahama receives National Order of Benin.

President Thomas Yayi Boni of Benin on behalf of the people and government of his country on Monday awarded President John Dramani Mahama "The Great Cross of the National Order of Benin.

The award is the highest in the national awards and credentials of the Republic of Benin.

The ceremony also formed part of President Mahama's two-day state visit to the Republic of Benin.

Position Vacant: Flagbearer for NPP 2016.

The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey says the position of presidential candidate in the party is vacant and is open to anyone in 2016.
According to him, “as soon as the election of 2012 finished with the concession speech by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo we no longer had a flagbearer…’’
Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said that situation created an immediate vacuum for the flagbearer position.

Sanction Sir John et al or lose 2016.

A political scientist with the University of Ghana, Dr. Alidu Seidu, is asking the New Patriotic Party to sanction executives who are lobbying for Nana Akufo-Addo and other candidates for the party's 2016 flagbearership slot.
He told Joy News the party risk staying in opposition even after the 2016 elections if it failed to take immediate action.

Government provides GH¢400m for projects.

The government has made available the cedi equivalent of $200 million for the payment of ongoing capital projects in various sectors of the economy to ensure their completion.
The amount is part of the $740 million Eurobond proceeds that have been deposited in the country’s foreign reserve account.
This means that the GH¢400 million has been moved from the reserve account into the Consolidated Fund, ready for effecting payments for work done.

Dr Wereko-Brobby writes: What the NPP should be focusing on.

From August 2010 to October 2012, I wrote a series of memoranda to the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) [Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo] under the theme The Forest Thinker Series.
These memos offered advice and suggestions on how to go about our campaign but more importantly on how to secure victory when it is achieved.

EC should tell us pitfalls in 2012 elections before reforms – O. B. Amoah

Chairman of Parliament’s Subsidiary Legislation Committee, Osei Bonsu Amoah, yesterday challenged the Electoral Commission and its Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, to gather the courage and tell the nation the pitfalls it had identified with the conduct of the 2012 general elections, and first come out with its own proposals for electoral reforms instead of first requesting proposals from other stakeholders.

Syria the Main Course on G20 Menu, Obama and Putin Photo Speaks Volumes.

A brief photo-op between Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin spoke volumes.
Limited mostly to tight smiles and a businesslike handshake between U.S. and Russian leaders bitterly divided by the crisis in Syria.
As Putin escorted leaders to dinner where Syria was on the menu...there was no sign of Obama.

Tokyo Awarded 2020 Summer Games.

 

Tokyo was awarded the 2020 summer Games on Saturday (September 7), beating Istanbul in a head-to-head vote after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had addressed the International Olympic Committee in person to allay fears over the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.

Afari-Gyan has cut a very poor figure of himself - Justice Dotse

So far as I am concerned, Dr. Afari-Gyan has cut a very poor figure of himself, and the much acclaimed competent election administrator both nationally and internationally has evaporated into thin air once his portfolio has come under the close scrutiny of the Courts," Justice Jones Dotse has stated in his submission after the Supreme Court Verdict.

Gabby reamarks that SC in fact ruled 5:4 in favour of Akufo-Addo.

The Executive Director of Danquah Institute, a pro opposition think tank, remarked that after a careful study of the 588 page-long ruling dated 29th August 2013 on the 2012 presidential election petition, five of the judges agreed with the petitioners' case as against four for the first respondent, John Dramani Mahama.

UN Proud Of Akufo-Addo.

Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Said Djinnit, has commended Nana Akufo-Addo for his contribution to the peace that Ghana continues to enjoy.
“I admire the way you have conducted yourself and your matured attitude has helped to further deepen Ghana’s growing democracy” were his words when he called on the 2012 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), at his residence, on Tuesday.

Full SC judgement on election petition out! Read it here!

The full judgment of the supreme Court panel that dismissed the petition challenging the validity of John Mahama's election is now available.
The 588-page document details the legal arguments of the nine judges who sat on the matter and came to a split decision.
Five justices dismissed the claims of the petitioners - Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey - whilst the remaining four agreed with them.

Read full Judgement Below...

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL FINAL JUDGEMENT

Former Deputy EC Chairman calls for IPAC, other electoral reforms

A former Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), has called for restructuring of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), to make it more useful in the conduct of better elections in the future.
He said IPAC meetings, where all the political parties meet to discuss matters relating to elections in the country had lost its verve and become "normal formal meetings".
IPAC is made up of representatives of all registered political parties and the EC. It includes Regional Inter-Party Advisory Committees and District Inter-Party Advisory Committees.