Mahama To Deliver Maiden State Of The Nation Address

President John Dramani Mahama will  deliver his maiden State of the Nation Address to a full house in Parliament after the Minority rescinded its decision to boycott the proceedings.
 In fulfillment of article 67 of the constitution, which requires  to make this address at the beginning of each Parliamentary session. 

President Mahama speaks: According to Article 67 of the constitution, the president is to deliver an address on the state of the nation to this house. It is my privilege to welcome him.
We’ll continue to decentralize government by decentralizing some departments and exploring others to decentralize, giving greater authority to assemblies. 

Effective governance starts with the presidency. I’ll make every effort to see the constitutional review committee’s recommendations observed. We’ll mainstream local economic development via employment programs. 

Strengthening parliament is crucial. We must let it play its oversight role effectively. Almost all MPs have decent offices, and they’ll get new laptops with full internet connectivity. We’ll commence a feasibility study to construct a new parliamentary chamber block at the state house and explore appropriate housing for MPs to guarantee their safety. 

Civil society will continue to have a role dictating our direction and we’ll continue to practice freedom of religion. The churches should regulate the excesses of their members. 

We’ll work with the judicial council to provide new modern courtrooms and we’ll equip judges to properly execute their duties. We’ll promote citizen based monitoring of government. 

Transparent and accountable governance: We just used a barometric voters register for the first time and our elections were deemed free, fair, and transparent. We’ll keep providing the EC with the resources needed for reforms. 

The Tema Oil Refinery must once again become the most efficient in West Africa through private-public partnership. The navy, air force, and army have been retooled to protect our gas interests. The completion of the vessel tracking and monitoring system being installed will allow us to monitor incoming vessels via radar. 

An enterprise development center with support from Jubilee partners will be established in the Western region to help entrepreneurs take advantage of the oil opportunities there. It will be a win win for us and our foreign partners. 

We’re installing solar panels in off grid communities. The private sector has shown interest in renewable energy investments. We’ll commence the distribution of over 20,000 solar lanterns to reduce kerosene lanterns and their attendant indoor pollution. 

The broadcasting bill has been on the drawing board for a long time, and it’s now time to establish standards for electronic media. We must ensure balance, fairness, and objectivity in the media. Access to community radio will be improved. 

A major issue will be the implementation of the recommendations of the constitutional review committee, so we’ve established a CRC implementation committee. 

We should revise to criminal offenses act to expand the definition of corruption. We should give impetus to the fight against corruption by sanctioning those we catch and making an example of them. We’ll push for critical reforms with the attorney general. Our commitment to this fight remains unshakable. 

We hope to see the current problems finished in April, but the system will still be fragile for some time. 

Two engineers died in an underwater accident when trying to clear the West African Gas Pipeline. We’ve lost 250 megawatts of our electricity supply. I’m adequately aware of the challenges and discomfort the situation presents our citizens and businesses. We expect an additional 500 megawatts in capacity this year, including 133 by the end of February. 

The erratic electricity supply is of concern to me and I've worked hard to address it. The unreliable water supply is also bad, and the current exercises do not represent our progress. A series of events have set us back significantly, but we’re working to dig our way out. 

We will see improvements in flood control and sanitation in Accra. The minister of lands and natural resources has been tasked to see that mining meets the need and expectations of the communities where it takes place, creates jobs and does not hurt the environment. There is an unacceptable collusion between Ghanaians and illegal foreign miners, and we’re working to better regulate the sector so that mining better benefits Ghanaians.

Last year, we had a national sanitation exercise. The task force experience is being reviewed to engage all stakeholders in a more sustained and concerted effort to do away with rubbish. We need to focus on waste management, recovery, and recycling and incentives to engage the private sector in pollution control.

Exorbitant rents violate our laws and suffocate Ghanaians, I’ll work to address this. We must improve the supply of clean drinking water to all, and some of our efforts have already yielded results. In the long term, we need to decentralize water management for cost and delivery efficiency.

I’m interested in urban renewal and guaranteeing all Ghana’s access to safe toilet facilities. We will combine projects for urban housing and sanitation provision and waste disposal in areas that are overcrowded and lack hygiene. We will construct low cost units for lower income groups.

We’re looking at developing a new seaport in the west. We are investigating unauthorized charges at airports and harbors that burned importers. 

We’ve commission the exploration of plans for a new international airport in Accra and the expansion of airports in other cities. We’ll begin a feasibility study on collaborating with the private sector to establish a national airline.

As we continue, there will be significant signs of improvement in our railway network in the next three years. The private sector has a role to play in the ongoing modernization of railways. We’ve seen a boom in aviation, with passenger traffic through our international airport more than quadrupling in the last three years and domestic traffic increasing 10 fold.

Cocoa board is funding the upgrading of gravel roads in cocoa producing regions. We will rehabilitate and expand the Accra-Tema motorway and we’ll commence work this year on a new interchange at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Government’s plan to revamp the railway sector is ongoing. There has been progress in this sector. 

As for roads, we have clear plans for the roads and transport sector. These include the introduction of public private partnerships on certain roads. This year, we will move many ongoing road projects very near to completion. 

We will add over 500 kilometers of fiber optic cable starting at Ho and reaching 70 communities. We need to shift from analogue to digital television transmission. 

Telephone subscription here is close to 20 million, nearly double the number from 4 years ago. We need to improve broadband infrastructure, which can help us improve healthcare, education, and more. 

Private sector investment is only possible if we have good infrastructure- roads, regular water and electricity and communications networks. 

Tourism must help us realize the full economic potential of our culture and creative arts. The national Commission on Culture is being restructured as the government’s leading advisory on these areas. These industries must remain integral parts of our private sector. 

Manufacturing: We will facilitate the emergence and growth of a manufacturing sector by reviewing tax codes to make it more business friendly, we’ll have an envelope for ailing manufacturers and set aside industrial areas in certain cities. Work is ongoing on a $1.2 billion ammonia urea fertilizer plant through a partnership with the Indian government.

At least 70% of the world market price for cocoa should go to farmers. We will use technology to increase yield per hectare. 

A more coherent focus on fisheries and aquaculture development has been initiated with the establishment of a ministry and the planned establishment of a college.

Total land irrigation will be increased nationwide. Under a new world bank loan on commercial agriculture, we’ll invest in such projects that will allow year round farming. 

We will award contracts where companies are competitive in quality and timeliness of service delivery. Through modernization techniques like productivity enhancement techniques, better seeds, and access to tractors like technology have improved productivity. 

Partnership with the private sector has brought about accelerated growth and economic development. We are now 62 on the world bank’s ease of doing business list by country, but we need to do more. Private sector initiatives will now be supervised by the presidency, and the Private Sector Development Strategy will cover all angles of Private sector development.

We need to curtail public servants’ reliance on the use of state vehicles and free fuel. We’ve also taken measures to control MDA spending beyond their budgetary allocation. We’ll raise tax and non-tax revenue by plugging leakages.

Many of the gang of four, (now six) oil projects are nearing completion. We need to realign distortions in the pricing of fuel products. We’ve been shelling out GH¢150 million per month to companies handling distribution and this created an illicit smuggling industry.

As we struggle to settle the wage bill, public workers continue to demand wage increases and threaten to strike. The meat is now down to the bones and we must think about revising wages to improve national progress. We demand better services from our public employees commensurate with the money we pay them.

We must ensure that it does not constitute too big a strain on our economy. The wages are squeezing out crucial investments, and if we don’t do something soon, we’ll lack money for basic infrastructure and development.

The personal emoluments have about tripled in the past three years. We spend 60.9% of public revenue to pay public workers, nearly double the global prudent level. We did this to enhance fairness, productivity, and motivation in the public sector. 

The banking sector has seen an improved NPL ratio since 2009. These improvements have made Ghana an attractive destination for direct foreign investments. The challenge facing us now is the misalignment of budget items, like emoluments, debt servicing, and so on. 

The cedi has enjoyed relative stability, boosted by strong foreign reserves that have nearly doubled in recent years. 

In 2011, we may have been the fastest growing economy in the world. We are still moving into the full middle income bracket. We’ve made progress in macroeconomic stability with inflation in single digits for 30 months. 

Growers have been registered to support the operations of these factories and they have supported farmers with inputs like fertilizers. Based on their example, I am overseeing the establishment of the Western Corridor Development Authority.

The Savannah Accelerated Development Authority has facilitated partnerships to establish 3 agro processing factories in the north.

We will continue with the National Youth Achievers Award. We will revamp the youth training institutes for nation building training.

The youth are today’s leaders, not the leaders of the future. We need to create sustainable job opportunities by developing youth centers to promote youth meetings, cultural events, conferences, and more.

I request the FA and management to go to the drawing board and come up with a formidable team to take us to the world cup. A lack of planning can prevent us from participating in the Olympics and other events. We need to incentive's assemblies to maintain an athletic facilities in each district. 

A few weeks ago, the Black Stars were eliminated from AFCON. Almost a year ago, president Mills urged our football authorities to take penalty kicks seriously as it often is our downfall. What seemed humorous turned out to be prophetic. 

We need a strong and resilient economy. We’ve had consistent growth for decades. 

Oye Lithur is capable and her skills will soon be apparent through her work. 

The ministry will establish a database of our poorest people and work to enhance their access to social benefits. We cannot advance as a nation half poor and half rich. 

We have shown commitment to this program by making Dr Danaa a minister of state.

The mandate of the ministry for Gender, Children, and Social Protection is not for the promotion of gay rights but to bring the fragmented schemes addressing marginalized people together. 

It is important to be mindful of members of our society marginalized for cultural, economic, or other reasons. We will have programs to address these people. 

We’ve made progress towards universal access to HIV prevention. There has been a 25% decline in new infections among youth. The ongoing 5-year strategic plan should eliminate mother to child transmission and cut infection rates in half. Over 625,000 expectant mothers will be tested, among other things.

We will establish an Eastern Region university geared towards environmental research. We need to improve psychiatric treatment and better integrate it into healthcare. We’ll scale up the training of midwives, nurses, and allied health workers.

Government will incentive's special educators to see that our special needs students benefit from technology. 

We will construct 200 new community based senior high schools. This aggressive expansion also means the need for more qualified and motivated teachers and administrative staff. We’ll design and implement a distance education program for teachers taking advantage of modern communications platforms so that students and staff at these colleges can connect remotely. 

We will progressively expand School Feeding (Programmed) to all basic public schools in rural communities and give out free uniforms, textbooks, and laptops. 

We need to integrate kindergarten education into basic school. We shall expand kindergarten teacher training so that children begin acquiring basic literacy and numeracy skills early and have a stronger base to build on. 

I extend a hand to social and religious bodies and private sector education operators to engage in this national exercise to expand access to and quality of education. 

We must expand access to education at all levels. We will reward outstanding educators and work to improve gender parity in education as well as working towards affordability. 

A sick population cannot accelerate our economy, and the healthcare system is still understaffed. We will work towards improving access, service quality, working conditions, and we will hire more staff. We will start establishing regional hospitals in the Eastern and Upper East regions, upgrade the Central and Volta regional hospitals into teaching hospitals so that we enhance medical training. We’ll build a new Kumasi Hospital to diagnostic  KATH. There will be an additional 1600 CHIPS(?) compounds. We will build more polyclinics. 

We need to use technology and innovation as well as public-private partnership to deliver a prosperous nation. We will build an economy that rewards hard work, an economy where nepotism has no place.

Through private sector partnership we will expand infrastructure such as roads and bridges, electricity, clean water, adequate medical care, and more. 

We must be proud of these accomplishments, but real challenges remain, there is a lot of work to do before we reduce poverty and expand infrastructure. These problems are formidable but not insurmountable. 

We can achieve more by working together. We have experienced great development in the last two decades - roads, expanding health facilities, and more. 

We have held 6 elections since 1992 with the (Electoral Commission) EC earning a reputation as one of the best electoral institutions in Africa. 

I entered public service to improve the lives of our people, to see children grow into responsible adults, where workers are proud of their country, where women are safe from maternal mortality and we all share in the benefits. 

Our recent elections have been called by international observers as the most credible, free, and fair since 1992. Our journey has been marked by improvements. 

We must put the people first, have a strong and resilient economy and expand infrastructure.

People are our most treasured asset, so we need human resource development through education, healthcare, and protection of the vulnerable. We must work on increasing our productivity and protecting those who can protect themselves. Jobs are key to leading a meaningful life. Our policies will be geared towards sustainable employment generation followed by a focus on wages. 

I promised to work hard to place us on the right path and avoid development obstacles. Ghana is a different place than when we began our journey to democratic governance.

Crusader Cry Over Corruption

Ghana's anti-corruption crusader Paul Collins Appiah Ofori has hinted that President John Dramani Mahama tried to influence him by offering him ministerial and ambassadorial appointments, both of which he rejected.

According to the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, upon assuming office early this year and before appointing his first batch of ministers, President Mahama called him to his office at the Castle to make the offer.

Mr. Appiah Ofori said the president wanted him in to serve in government as a minister/ambassador to help fight corruption in his administration.

HE said when he was called to state his views on the anti-corruption warning the president issued to his appointees.

He told host Kwame Adjei Bohye that taking the ministerial/ambassadorial position would compromise his stand on corruption, so he refused to take it. 

Moreover, he explained, if he took the ministerial position, he would become a lone voice in government, which could lead to an early discharge from the Mahama administration.

When asked about the particular ministerial portfolio that the president wanted to give him, Mr. Appiah Ofori said the president did not mention it since he expressed no interest in taking any position in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government given that he is not a member of the party.

He claimed that when he rejected the ministerial post, President Mahama then offered to appoint him as an ambassador, a position he also declined.

According to Mr. Appiah Ofori, he rather promised the president that he would help the government by exposing corrupt practices among ministers and other government officials so that the president could take punitive action against the culprits.

He also reported asking the president not to let his calls to fight corruption be mere rhetoric as they were in the time of his predecessor, the late President Prof John Mills.

Mr. Appiah Ofori disclosed that he did some work for the late president uncovering certain corrupt deals but added that Mills failed to act upon the information, thereby institutionalizing corruption under his rule.

He said President Mahama’s demeanor clearly indicates his desire to fight corruption in government, affirming his own intention to help the president eradicate corruption in the country.

In his view, the fight against corruption should be led by the head of state since Article 35 (8) of the 1992 Constitution clearly states, "the State shall take steps to eradicate' corrupt practices and the abuse of power."

"If we get a head of state that faces the fight against corruption seriously, then Ghanaians shall find ourselves in paradise on earth," he said.

He noted, however, that a corrupt head of state would always cover up for his appointees when they engage in corrupt practices.

Mr. Appiah Ofori commended President Mahama for warning his ministers and appointees that he would hold them responsible if something goes wrong at their ministries.

"If you want to eradicate corruption, then the ministers should be held accountable and those found corrupt must be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others," he insisted.

President Mahama Warned His Ministers Over Corruption

President John Mahama warned his ministers that he will not countenance any act of corruption as he swore another batch of 17 nominees into office Thursday. 


He reminded them of the high expectations Ghanaians have for his government and challenged them to ensure that they do not disappoint. 

“People have a suspicion of office holders in terms of transparency and accountability.

“We are enjoined by the constitution to be held accountable for what happens in our ministries.

“I told the earlier batch that I swore in to think out of the box and take responsibility of the ministries that they are being sent to... The people of Ghana and myself will hold you responsible for the ministry and we expect that you will also hold your subordinates responsible for delivering on the mandate that you have been given,” he told them.

Majority leader and Minister in Charge of Government Business in Parliament Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said they will do their best to ensure that the president’s vision and aspirations are realized.

Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr. Henry Seidu Danaa, Youth and Sports Minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah and Communications Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah told Joy News they are upbeat about delivering on their promises.

Also at the Flagstaff House to meet the President were members of the Standing Committee of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar. 

They were there to congratulate the President on his election and inauguration and to applaud Ghanaians for ensuring a peaceful election.

They declared that Ghana has again made Africa proud. For his part, President Mahama thanked the Catholic Church for the support it rendered the country during the election. 

He expressed surprise at Pope Benedict XVI resignation but described his move a brave one. 

He told them that Ghana is committed to working with whoever assumes the papacy next and that it is close to opening a diplomatic mission at the Vatican.

Flagstaff House Is Ready For Use

The ruling National Democratic Congress, NDC, had cited various reasons, including unresolved security concerns, for not running government business from the presidential palace. 

The Mahama administration last Thursday relocated the Presidency to the Flagstaff House where the President has since been conducting government business.

Speaking at a short ceremony to mark the relocation, President Mahama announced that he would move into his official residency in a couple of months, after completion of ongoing works on the project.
According to him, the project had two main components- one for offices and the other being the residency for the President- “and at the time the facility was being commissioned by President Kufuor” in 2008, “the project was fully completed”.

“The Office building was complete and allocations were made,” Mr. Mpiani explained. 

The former Chief of Staff criticised Dr. Don Arthur, then a member of the transition team in 2009, for making comments to suggest that work on the building lacked quality.

He said; Dr. Arthur "saw marbles and came out to tell the whole world they were cracks, when it took a mason to tell him they were marbles”.

Meanwhile the Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance, IDEG, Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, has blamed raging debate over the project, on the lack of systems to handle it.

Dr. Akwetey said little efforts were made to strictly follow procurement procedures and get local engineers involved to partner their Indian counterparts.

In a reaction, former Presidential Spokesperson, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong described as untrue, claims that due processes were not followed while putting up the magnificent structure.

Ghanaina Now Kown How The New Patriotic Party Are Pushing The Nation Away

Ghanaians can now see Clare the political parties that is driving the nation back who they call themserver elite the behave as arrogant children looking for food .
He said if the Minority had participated in the vetting, they would have stripped some of the nominees naked and submitted that their own unpopular decision to boycott the proceedings had thrown everything overboard.

Mr Agyepong wondered whether the Minority could not take their own decision regarding their participation in the vetting.

He said the National Executive of the NPP was not helping the party in any way.

He was of the view that since the national executive did not contribute anything to the campaigning of the parliamentary candidates, the party leadership should have allowed the Members of Parliament on the Minority side to take their own decision.

Mr Agyepong said he would have challenged the decision by the National Executive of the NPP but for the fact that he had travelled to Sierra Leone.

He said majority of the party's supporters were strongly against the boycott of the parliamentary vetting.

He said it was difficult to appreciate the fact that Minority MPs collected the money for accommodation only for them not to take part in the vetting.

Mr Agyepong said the NDC Majority were making a mockery of the Minority because of the boycott.

Mr Agyepong said once the NPP was in court challenging the results of the 2012 presidential elections, there was no need for the boycott of the vetting.

He, however, supported the case at the Supreme Court, since he believed the presidential election was cooked for the NDC.

Highly placed sources within the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), have revealed to The Herald that on January 14, 2013, before the rally, its bomb squad was summoned to the premises of the Bureau of National Communication to help dismantle a bomb made from dynamites.

The bomb had been discovered directly under a high voltage transformer, belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and according to experts, many lives would have been lost and a huge number of properties destroyed had it exploded that day.

In December last year, a similar incident plotted by Michael Omari Wadie, a-one-time NPP parliamentary aspirant for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency seat, was foiled by a Police cum Military team who had gone to rescue officials of the Israeli company, Superlock Technologies Limited (STL), at Dzowulu. He was arrested trying to set an ECG transformer ablaze.

The January incident, however, demanded skill from the specialized Ghana Army team, called EOI, to dismantle the dynamites which are mostly used in Ghana by mining and constructions companies to break rocks, from the premises of the Bureau of National Communication on that fateful Monday morning.

The four dynamites with serial numbers 17083458, 17083462, 17083446 and 17083440 had been tied with a long cotton thread and placed inside a long, but shallow-stretching arc-shaped hole to enable the assailant/s ignite them with fire.

Meanwhile, the dynamites have been traced to a company here in Ghana, but it is not clear whether the state security apparatus has made any arrests yet.

Again, it is not certain whether the dynamites and the possible explosion which would have occurred, has anything to do with the numerous mysterious fire outbreaks occurring in majors markets across the country, especially in Accra and Kumasi, which the Deputy Communication Director of the NPP, Sammy Awuku made reference to during the Taifa event.

The 28-year-old, Sammy Awuku attributed the fire outbreaks to a misfortune which has befallen Ghana, because the will of Ghanaians to have Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP as president, was stolen and given to John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The same Sammy Awuku, it would be recalled led some young men and women belonging to the NPP to besiege the premises of STL in Accra prior to the announcement of the 2012 elections results, claiming the company was helping the Electoral Commission (EC) to rig the elections for then candidate John Mahama.

It was during this attack that Michael Omari Wadie, who is a member of the pro-NPP group, Alliance For Accountable Government (AFAG) was arrested trying to set an ECG transformer ablaze.

Ghana Is Now Rule Without an Opposition Parties

The decision was imposed on the minority MPs by the National Executive of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and blamed his colleagues for allowing party leadership to dictate to them on the matter.

A good Ruling Government cannot go on well with out watch their back for them .
1. The issue of homosexuality becomes a national topic because either the Vice President or Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection are perceived to be gay and lesbian respectively.

2. Tribal politics gain momentum and Akans, NPP, and Asantes become victims of this tribal hatred.

3. Politics of insults, and character assassination become the order of the day because the more you insult, the higher the promotion. Even party founders and their wives become victims. The Clergy, teachers, cocoa growers, nurses, and Christians suffer from these babies with sharp and poisonous teeth.

4. Politics of lies and propaganda is strengthened as even black sheep could easily be turned into white cow. A well-known gay in the person of Andrew Solomon could donate $20,000 to the president, but he could deny being a friend to him. Over 1.6m phantom jobs could be created in a spate of two years.

5. Armed robbers seize control of the state as Ministers of State either shoot themselves or get attacked by these robbers. Remember Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor's episode.

6. Massive Unemployment hits the country leading to the formation of Unemployed Graduates Association.

7. The standards of education at all levels seriously go down as the NDC draws its strength mostly from illiterates that accept the party's propaganda and lies.

8. The National (Public) Debt quadruples without a corresponding increase in socio-economic development. For instance, from GHC9.6bn as of 2009 to GHC23.5bn in 2011.

9. Many Ghanaians fall below the poverty line and this affects their standard of living.

10. Ghana unfortunately witnesses foot Soldierism that is characterised by seizure of state properties - toilets, toll booths, car parks, markets. They also determine which ministers should be appointed.

11. The level of corruption and thievery gets to a gargantuan level as the president, his brother, and ministers of state loot the state coffers.

12. Kyinkyinka, pampers, hampers become scarce commodities in the market because Ministers of State and Presidential Aides purchase them in bulk.

13. Load Shedding and Water Rationing are usually the party's solutions to energy crisis and water problems.

14. Strike actions and demonstrations among public sector workers become rampant.

15. There is general apathy among Ghanaians, especially Diasporans as people lose confidence in the calibre of people in the helm of affairs.

16. Machomen have the power to abuse innocent Ghanaians with impunity. They boast of their party being in government.

17. Team B Ministers are appointed or "greedy bastards" surround the president leading to mediocrity and economic mismanagement.

20. There is always profligate spending as huge amounts of money is spent on useless ventures like Nkrumah's birthday (GHC48m), Transition Team (GHC1.3m), NDC's party headquarters ($20m), Haiti ($3m), Military Jets ($250m) etc.

21. Judgement Debts suddenly become Negotiated Debts as the government doles out money to party members and companies for no work done. Eg. Woyome - GHC51.2m, Construction Pioneers - 94m euros, Isofoton, and African Automobile.

22. Foreign loan acquisition replaces taxation as the major source of government revenue; but such loans usually go into private pockets.

23. Ghana experiences disasters such fire outbreaks, floods, motor accidents, mining disasters, and spousal deaths without any proactive measures taken by the government.

24. Either a sitting president beats his Vice mercilessly and drives him away from Cabinet meeting, or Vice President "kills" the president to pave way for his political ambition to be materialised.

25. Factions emerge from the NDC leading to many breakaway parties - NRP, DFP, and NDP.

26. No major policy or programme is formulated or undertaken to move the country forward. All we hear is blame game politics.

27. Abuse of fundamental human rights of people as "fear and panic" replaces freedom of speech. Amina, Owusu Bempah, and Hon. Ken Agyapong come in mind.

28. State Security apparatus shows complete bias to the government and applies only selective justice. In effect, Ghana turns into a Police State.

29. Serial killings of women crop up; other women are stripped naked and caned in public.

30. Ghana turns into a Heavily Indebted and Poor Country due to reckless borrowing. Currently, each Ghanaian owes over GHC1000.

31. There is usually persecution and prosecution of political opponents for no apparent cause.

35. Either High Court Judges are murdered in cold blood or many ways are found to kill cats (Supreme Court Judges) by party chairmen.

36. Unwarranted dismissal of Ghanaians perceived to be political opponents. Eg. Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Dr. Nsiah Asare, and employees of NYEP, NHIS, SFP etc.

37. Projects initiated by previous governments are left to rot. Typical example is the NPP's Affordable Housing Policy.

38. Constructive criticisms by the opposition are seen as insults and Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and even Caretaker Presidents respond to such criticisms with insults.

39. Collapse and poor management of pro-poor policies and programmes such as NHIS, free maternal care, school feeding.

40. Prices of goods and services - cement, electricity, water, gas, lorry fares etc go up arbitrarily

Ghana Is Not For The Politican

Ghana  politician today is now putting Ghana in their own hands as talkative in Ghana people and lies arrogant statesmen.
The people of  Ghana are not just a listen people they act are responsible people .
the politician will go to big school and different Nation to learn to come to Ghana and deceive the people of Ghana as their own families properties ,
Ghana is big and is for everybody in not one or two people but the whole Nation..
The two people of our dear nation just talk and for they are in the open not with their waives and children.

Mr Agyepong said the NDC Majority were making a mockery of the Minority because of the boycott.

Mr Agyepong said once the NPP was in court challenging the results of the 2012 presidential elections, there was no need for the boycott of the vetting.

He, however, supported the case at the Supreme Court, since he believed the presidential election was cooked for the NDC.

Ex-President Kufuor’s former Spokesperson Kwabena Agyapong has derided claims that some of the party’s activists planted a bomb under a high voltage transformer of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

Today’s edition of the Herald newspaper claims officials of the Ghana armed forces de-activated the dynamite upon a tip off.

The paper links the bomb to alleged acerbic comments recently made by some NPP activists at a rally organized at Taifa by pressure group ‘LET MY VOTE COUNT’.

But Mr. Kwabena Adjapong has described as laughable the attempt to link the NPP to the reported incident.

Speaking on Metro TV Monday morning, Mr. Agyapong said it would be a strange attempt to link the bomb detected to any NPP member.

But presidential spokesperson, John Jinapor says the presidency has information some persons are attempting to make the country ungovernable for the President.

He said the President will do everything possible to ensure that the country remains calm and peaceful.

A leading member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Member of Parliament for Assin-Central, Kennedy Agyepong, has hit it hard on Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), describing him as a “stupid man.”

Kennedy Agyepong in an interview with Okay FM, an Accra based radio station, chided Dr. Afari Gyan for the alleged lapses during the 2012 elections.

According to him, but for his crude conduct in the December polls, the election flaws would have been avoided.

He explained that due to the EC Chairman’s “mistake and stupidity”, there have been unremitting controversies about the nature of the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

Several people have raised concerns about the December 7 polls with the opposition New Patriotic Party challenging the results that placed President John Mahama on the lead.

The NPP claimed the elections were rigged and accused the EC of conniving with the ruling National Democratic Congress to clinch victory for President Mahama.

The leadership of the party in the persons of its Presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Running Mate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and National Chairman of the party, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge the electoral results.

They prayed the Supreme Court to arbitrate their election dispute with the President and the Electoral Commission in hope that their Presidential candidate, Nana Addo, is legitimized to take over the office of the President.

But their hopes still hangs in the balance as lawyers of the respondents in the case have sought to match them boot for boot in order to prove the legitimacy of President John Mahama.

The Assin-Central MP who seems dissatisfied with the conduct of the EC told Okay FM that Dr. Afari Gyan “is stupid and not indispensable in this country”, therefore expressing his disappointment at the behaviour of the EC Chairman.

He added that should he “open his mouth if this is not controlled, Afari Gyan will have nowhere to reside”, positing that “Ghanaians tolerated his stupidity.”

To him, the EC Boss is “Satan” and therefore warned that his actions could have dire consequences on the nation if care is not taken.

leading members of  Political parties  in a  Country  like Ghana who they call themselves as intelligent  so what did they tell their followers .
God bless Ghana.

Is Homosexuality All That Defines Ghana Development ?

Over the past few days, several identifiable groups and individuals have risen up against her and blamed President Mahama for even daring to nominate her for that office.

We have heard threats and outright condemnation from the Concerned Clergy, National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (Prof. Emmanuel Martey), and others who don't want Nana Oye in office because of her stance on homosexuality. Their fear is that she might use her position to promote the immoral act.

The latest voice of dissension has come from a law lecturer at the Ghana School of Law, Moses Foh-Amoaning, who is reported to have taken a swipe at the Majority side in Parliament for approving her.

He accused them of betraying all Ghanaians and will remain in Ghana's history books as people who failed to defend the rich Ghanaian traditional norms and values.

Foh-Amoaning said he will soon launch an anti-gay advocacy group called Forum for True Social Protection which will be a watchdog over any institution that wants to push the homosexual agenda

Nana Oye is not the only human rights activist that the country has produced. There are many others, including the NPP's Akufo-Addo who is often credited with accomplishments in human rights advocacy. Have we ever paused to question whether he will promote homosexuality? Or even since his quest to become the President of Ghana would empower him to do more than a Minister of State could, have we ever used his human rights advocacy against him in his political quests?

With all the high incidence of immorality in every sector of national life (including the clergy), what have all these opponents of Nana Oye done? Is it only homosexuality that is the canker to be so vigorously opposed?

You see, Nana Oye may be a human rights activist, but I don't think that promoting homosexuality is her agenda. Homosexuals have other human rights than the right to enjoy their sexual orientation, not so?

If Nana Oye were that much fond of homosexuality, why didn't she become one herself but would marry and produce children? Being a human rights advocate doesn't necessarily mean being a promoter of homosexuality. That's a fact to deal with.

Her confirmation will definitely be the turning point for more furore. We wait to see whether the NUGS will take to the streets as earlier threatened; or whether other civil society groupings will use her appointment as a political weapon to attack the government.

We expect some organized groups to go on “massive demonstrations” against Nana Oye and the government. I will only watch to see how many of them will be NPP members seeking to take advantage of this situation to intensify their anti-Mahama rabble-rousing campaign or those who will openly declare themselves as NDC members just angry at her being appointed as a Minister in charge of that portfolio.

You see, if people begin using demonstrations as a ploy, we have to look further ahead to know where they are coming from. Will they include the very NPP people who don't regard President Mahama as the legitimate leader of the country? What justification will they have to oppose anybody he appoints into office, anyway? Even when their Minority MPs refused to participate in the vetting of such people? Very intriguing moments ahead!!

Knowing very well how touchy this Nana Oye issue is, why did the Majority in Parliament go ahead to approve her nomination? With her confirmation putting much at stake, there is a heavy price to pay.

Now, we know what awaits Nana Oye. She will be entering office as someone whose appointment has divided the society in respect of homosexuality. The open re-affirmation by President Mahama that homosexuality is a criminal offence in Ghana will definitely keep her on her toes.

Contrary to all this fuss about Nana Oye's appointment, I hold the opinion that she is fit for that Ministry. I don't think that her being a human rights advocate is necessarily her promoting homosexuality.

Fighting for the rights of people has nothing to do with promoting the activities of those people. In other words, we must separate her advocacy from the practical activities that the homosexuals engage in.

Of course, one may wonder whether if homosexuals are taken to task for violating the laws of the land she won't step forward to defend them, which is invariably an endorsement of their practical sexual activities.

We may have to understand her role as an advocate and juxtapose it with the sexual (mis)conduct for which homosexuals have become pariahs in our African/Ghanaian context. We should see the difference and not begin imputing to her what lies in the future. How many of us has the gift of accurately seeing what the future holds in human affairs to be able to say with all certainty that she will use her office to promote homosexuality?

Of course, there is a genuine lingering fear that her being a Minister gives her the exposure and clout that she needs to influence opinions and attitudes toward what Ghanaians consider a moral deviation (homosexuality); but I don't think that Nana Oye is ignorant of the implications of abusing her office as such. In any case, how much can she alone do to over-ride the national hatred for homosexuality?

I think we are missing the mark if we focus on her. The overarching question to ask is: Why haven't we been able to stamp out homosexuality despite all the opprobrium that we seem to have against it? What are the measures in place to eradicate it from the society? Are we doing anything at all to that effect?

If we know for how long homosexuality has existed in Ghana but haven't done anything to stamp it out, why should we begin to point gossipping fingers at this one person whose expertise is to be tapped for national development? Is homosexuality our worst national canker, anyway?

Is Nana Oye herself not aware of the huge public outcry against her nomination and confirmation? That awareness alone should tell her that she stands to lose if she does anything to promote homosexuality.

Once the President has come out openly to declare and reinforce the fact that homosexuality is CRIMINAL in Ghana, Nana Oye will not be so naïve or treacherous as to use her position to promote it. Eyes will be watching her closely and immediate steps taken to deal with her if she goes out of her way to do the very thing that she has said she won't.

But then, because the government doesn't want to lose face because of anything untoward coming from her, it will ensure that she doesn't use her status to promote homosexuality. The onus is on her, and we must give her the benefit of the doubt as she prepares to step into the groove.

I have no doubt in my mind that she has the requisite acumen to do the assignments pertaining to her portfolio in the Ministry of Children, Gender, and Social Promotion. I join others like human rights lawyer Prof. Ken Attafuah, to endorse her as well.

As Prof. Attafuah has explained, our Constitution guarantees the fundamental human rights of every individual, irrespective of the person's sexual orientation, as is stipulated in Article 17(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which says: “(1) All persons shall be equal before the law; (2) A person shall not be discriminated against on grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status" to ground his argument.”

Furthermore, “The rights, duties, declarations and guarantees relating to the fundamental human rights and freedoms specifically mentioned in this Chapter shall not be regarded as excluding others not specifically mentioned which are considered to be inherent in a democracy and intended to secure the freedom and dignity of man”.

What is difficult to understand about Nana Oye's role as a human rights advocate and not a promoter of homosexuality? She chose human rights as the path to pursue in her career as a lawyer. That's what we have to understand and put her expertise above all other considerations. She deserves our support.