WHITE DOVE ENDORSED PRESIDENT MAHAMA AT SPECIAL CONGRESS GROUND

 The sudden appearance of a white dove which settled for a while on the shoulders of the President during the Special Delegate’s Congress in Kumasi has been given different interpretations by some keen observers.

 Whiles some said the dove which settled on the right shoulder of President John Dramani Mahama, during the event of the National Democratic Congress at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, was a good omen which foretold a resounding victory for the party in the upcoming December Elections, others said the dove which flew in from nowhere and perched on the President and was later seen ambling about in front of the dais where the leadership was seated, was a mere superstition which held no special significance.

 A couple of weeks ago, a similar incident occurred when a white dove sat on the vehicle of the wife of the late President Mills, Dr Mrs Naadu Mills, when her late husband’s remains was being carried to the burial site and many who witnessed the incident expressed the feeling that such things did have spiritual significance and should not be simply dismissed.

 Middle-aged Madam Margaret Oteng, a trader at the stadium, said “the spirit of President Mills has come back to the President to imbue his successor with the spirit of courage to continue with his good work of peace and unity.”

 Opanin Kwame Ohemeng, an NDC supporter, said in the Bible, the dove signifies the Holy Spirit, which Christians believe symbolizes truth, light and love.

 He said the incident is also a reminder to President Mahama to espouse those similar virtues to unite the party and the people of Ghana for a peaceful poll in December.

 Miriam Agyei, a 32- year old second-hand clothes seller at the Kumasi Central Market, however, expressed an entirely different view saying, “I don’t believe in these things they are just unfounded superstitions.”

PRESIDENT MAHAMA ENDORSED AS LEADER OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS

President Mahama has been endorsed as the flag bearer of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) which was held at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on this day of 30^th August, 2012

He won by 99.5% of votes cast by the delegates after the voting which was very transparent, free and fair. This special congress of the National Democratic Congress has boosted the nation democratic credentials as the beacon of democracy and hope of the African Continent in this current democratic dispensation.

President Mahama polled 2767 out of the 2781 total votes cast whereas

Fourteen delegates voted “No” to object to President Mahama becoming the flag bearer of the NDC in the upcoming general elections in December 2012.

Eleven ballots were declared invalid. This special congress of the National Democratic Congress was necessitated by the passing away of the leader of the party His Excellency the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

FAMILY MEMBERS OF GAMBIA'S PRESIDENT WIFE NOT HAPPY WITH MARRIAGE

Some family members of Mrs. Nora Jammeh, formerly called Munira Yahaya, the young Ghanaian lady who got wedded to the Gambian president Yahaya Jammeh secretly in the Kumasi Metropolis on 26^th of August 29, 2012 at the Golden Tulip Hotel are reportedly not happy with the marriage. According to some of the aggrieved family members of the lady, Mr. Jammeh is a dictator and has no respect for human rights. Some of them cited his recent execution of nine people who were on death roll in the tiny West African Nation and his hatred towards the international community especially the United States of America and Great Britain. They however admitted the lady is 22 years and that Mr.Jammeh did not violate any law and that they are only hoping that the lady will have a happy and a succeful marriage with the dictator as they described him to be but if it happens otherwise, they said the mother of the lady will take full responsibility as she masterminded alone to give the girl to the dictator.

GAMBIA'S PRESIDENT SECRET WEDDING IN GHANA EXPOSED

The Gambian President, Alhaji Sheikh Prof. Dr. Yahaya Abdul Aziz Jamus Junkung Jammeh, reportedly tied the knot with a 22-year-old charming Ghanaian lady in Kumasi last weekend. Mrs. Nora Jammeh, formerly called Munira Yahaya, a graduate of Sunyani Polytechnic, was engaged to the Gambian president two weeks ago in The Gambia, which was followed by the secret wedding at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi last Sunday. The Gambian president was not present at the function but was represented by H.E. Huseini Yaba, the Gambian has oversight responsibilities in Ghana.
 Three leading officials of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, whose names are being withheld, reportedly played vital roles in the organization of the successful wedding ceremony. The wedding was low key because the Gambian president did not want the media to make so much noise about him and his pretty-looking bride.
 But the matter, which had been kept secret for almost 48 hours, finally found its way to the public domain on Tuesday morning following investigations by Omanhene Yaw Adu Boakye, Morning Show Host of Kessben FM in Kumasi.
 Having been briefed about the wedding ceremony by his sources, Omanhene posed as a former teacher of the new wife of the Gambian president. The Kessben FM programmes manager, speaking on phone with Mrs. Jammeh, congratulated her on a successful wedding and later asked why she did not invite her former teachers including him to the wedding ceremony.
 Mrs. Jammeh, who sounded excited, responded that she was kept indoors for two weeks where she was groomed for the big event, so she directed other people to invite dignitaries on her behalf, saying it was not her intention to exclude her former teachers in the big event.
 The new wife of the Gambian president disclosed that the wedding ceremony went smoothly as planned, adding that she would be traveling to her new husband in Gambia by today Wednesday.
Nora Jammeh could not state whether her parents would be accompanying her to the Gambia, hinting that they might stay back in Ghana whilst she leaves to join her husband.
 When Omanhene asked Munira whether she had personally met her husband President Yahaya Jammeh, she replied that they met in the Gambian about two weeks ago when they had their engagement ceremony.
 On whether she would further her education now that she had got married to the Gambian president. Mrs. Jammeh said plans had been made in advance for her to continue her education in the USA soon.
 Meanwhile, information making the rounds in Kumasi indicated that president Jammeh when he was serving as a soldier, offered help to the mother of his new wife, who was then a Ghanaian living in the Gambia.
 Nora Jammeh’s mother was so touched by the benevolence of the Gambian leader that she promised to give her pretty daughter in Ghana in marriage to him when the little girl became ripe for marriage.
 Nora’s mother since then kept constant touch with President Jammeh and she finally kept her promise by offering her beautiful daughter to the Gambian leader in marriage this year. The latest marriage was the fourth for the Gambian leader who recently executed nine people on death row in his country. The Gambian leader first got married to Tuti Faal Jammeh, but his marital relationship with her ended prematurely.
  After the departure of Tuti Faal, Jammeh married a Moroccan lady, Zeinab Suma, who is now the first lady, adding Alima Sallah, the daughter of the country’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

HONESTY AND INTEGRITY WILL DETERMINE WHO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN DECEMBER-NCCE

A nationwide survey conducted by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has revealed that Ghanaian voters regard honesty and integrity as key qualities required from a leader in the forthcoming elections. The study solicited the views of 7,491 respondents to rank the best qualities of a good leader and in answering this, as high as 4,761 ranked honesty and integrity as the best qualities they expected to find in a leader. In addition 3,608 respondents stated fairness as the other quality, while handsomeness, as well as wealth, trailed as the least expected from voters. The report made interesting reading as the educational background of respondents revealed that many of them who had basic educational qualification (l, 782) ranked honesty and integrity as the best qualities as those with secondary education numbering 1,207.
The nationwide survey also sought the views of the respondents on the issue of corruption which had 239 responses (45.3 per cent) urging punishing corrupt officials severely to serve as deterrent to others.
The respondents also called on the government to strengthen state institutions that deal with corruption issues in the country.
Also, responses were given to the enforcement of corruption laws in the country with some suggesting that the government should embark on a vigorous public education on the dangers and negative side of corruption. Others were of the view that the government ought to pay appropriate wages, which would enable leaders to lead exemplary lives, in order to curb corruption.
The respondents also urged the government to review the assets declaration laws for people in authority.
The study, on the topic: "Election 2012: Matters of Concern to the Ghanaian Voter" was carried out in March 2012 with the main purpose of identifying the important matters that were of concern to the Ghanaian voter with the view to informing issues-based campaigning towards the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections.
Some of the specific objectives of the study were to provide political parties with issues that voters would like them to address, analyse matters of concern based on gender and age and identify whether there were any differences among voters.
The study involved 7,497 respondents. Out of the number, 3,665 (representing 48.9 per cent) were males while 3,782 (representing 50.4 per cent) were females. The same pattern was maintained across most regions except the Greater Accra, Eastern and Northern regions where more females than males responded to the questionnaire. Age differentials of respondents also confirmed that young persons constituted an emerging critical group in democratic development in the country. A total of 2,107 (constituting 28.8 per cent of the respondents) were people from 21 to 30 years. They were followed by a youthful age group of between 31 and 40.  The largest proportion of the respondents had basic education as their highest attainment. A questionnaires instrument was developed and used to capture the primary data which entailed 25 questions, both closed and open ended. The questionnaires were administered by 230 research assistants in both English and local languages. A sampling gap of three and five for sparsely and densely populated communities respectively was observed. The study covered four electoral areas in each of the 230 constituencies.
The data was coded and entered into computer and analysed by the NCCE Research Department using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The survey also revealed that education was ranked as the most important issue of concern to the voter.

I WILL NOT TOLERATE LONG SPEECHES DURING THE CONGRESS-ASIEDU NKETIAH

The General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress Johnson Asiedu Nketia has laid the ground rules for Thursday's National Delegates Congress which will endorse President John Mahama as the flag-bearer of the National Democratic Congress. He will not countenance on long speeches on the day of the Congress and warned he will cut off any individual who goes beyond the allocated time to him or her.
The Congress themed: “Advancing a Better Ghana Agenda; working for you” will have over 2000 delegates converging at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday for the endorsement.
Already, delegates have begun trooping to the venue of the Congress.
Johnson Asiedu Nketia also confirmed the party founder Jerry John Rawlings as well as representatives of political parties who will address the congress.
“We expect everybody to stick to the programme religiously” he said.
After outlining the specific time for the delegates and guests to arrive, the NDC scribe minced no words in cautioning speakers to stick to their time.
“…We will receive solidarity messages, address by the former president, the founder of the party, and then you have address by the president.
“By 11:00 am we would have brought all the speeches [to a close]. If you exceed your time [because I am ultimately responsible for the outcome of the Congress] I will cut you off," he warned.
He made the comments shortly after receiving the nomination forms of President John Mahama.
The forms were submitted by Communications Minister Haruna Iddrisu.
In submitting the forms, Iddrisu said the President would rather have delegates vote at the Congress of the NDC to make a determination of his bid to represent the party as flag-bearer in the 2012 elections.

ALLIANCE FOR ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE TELLS ELECTORAL COMMISSION'S BOSS TO RECIND DECISION OR RESIGN

The pressure Group, Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, to resign from his position.
The group has also admonished the EC to rescind its decision to create 45 new constituencies or face series of mass demonstrations.
Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, the General Secretary of AFAG, Arnold Boateng said Dr. Afari Gyan must listen to the concerns raised by civil society groups about the creation of the new constituencies.
“We are giving them two weeks to unconditionally rescind its decision and also for the EC Chairman to honorably resign as the Commissioner if he cannot stand up to the challenge. Failure to do so, AFAG and the good people of Ghana will demonstrate to show that in this matter of national concern, the voice of the people matters,” he said.
According to him, AFAG suspects the EC chairman is “being pushed because looking at the hard position he has taken over the issue, it means he is either being pushed or he has been pushed in a very tight position where he cannot maneuver.”
Boateng described Dr. Afari Gyan, as a man with a listening ear, “and we have known him for the past 16 years. He has been a very reasonable and understanding person but in this case, he is proven difficult. So he should take a decision now before we strike.” He added

NO NEW CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE CREATED-KOFI JUMAH

The Member of Parliament for Asokwa Constituency Honorable Maxwell Kofi Jumah has revealed that that there will not be any creation of new constituencies, stating the flaws in the Constitutional Instrument 73 which gives the legal backing for the creation. Government a couple of months ago inaugurated 45 new constituencies across the country. Speaking with Kapital News, the NPP MP mentioned that he does not believe that the creation of the constituencies will not take effect taking into consideration the time factor and the fact that MPs would have to monitor the biometric voters’ registration exhibition which is scheduled from September 1 to September 10.

JOHN AND JOHN GEARS UP FOR ACTION IN THE 2012 ELECTION

The Youth group in the ruling National Democratic Congress-JOHN and JOHN says their major task ahead of them now is to see it that the party wins more parliamentary seats in the newly created constituencies but yet to be rectified by parliament in the 2012 election. In a press briefing at the national headquarters of the group at Ayigya Kumasi, the communication director of the group Mr. Nii Sakam Korley told the press that the group was founded in 2007 to lend support to the then two Johns who were seeking the mandate of the people. He said they achieved their aim when the two Johns were voted in to power in the 2008 polls but God in his own wisdom took away one of the Johns who is the late president John Evan Atta Mills and they are still retaining the name even though the two candidates who will be on the party ticket for the 2012 election will not be two Johns as in 2008 to honour the late president John Atta Mills. He further stated that the group is of the convection that the party will win the 2012 election massively hence their focus now on the parliamentary seats to stabilize   their government.     

GHANA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION APOLOGIZE TO INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

The President of the Ghana Medical Association Dr. Kwabena Opoku Adusei has apologized on behalf of the association to the organizers of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) encounter with the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party presidential candidate Nana Akuffo Addo at the India-Kofi Annan ICT center in Accra. He said they were supposed to have a representative who will have asked one question on the association behalf but due to circumstance he described as beyond their control, the representative could not turn up at the event. Commenting on the issues Nana Akuffo Addo highlighted at the encounter, he stated that all issues raised by the presidential candidate were of relevance but where the Ghana Medical Association think the flagbearer should consider is where he said he will support Ghanaian medical students with scholarship to study in Cuba to divert that fund he will use in sponsoring the students to refurbish and equipped  the three existing facilities in the country to enable them study in their home country if he is chosen as the first gentleman of the land by the electorates in  the December polls.

NHIA REACT TO NANA AKUFFO ADDO

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority has described as misinforming, comments made by NPP flagbearer Nana Akuffo Addo regarding the National Health Insurance Scheme during the Institute of Economic Affairs Debate yesterday. Nana Addo yesterday said it has been painful to watch the NDC government try its best to collapse the NHIS, whilst struggling to implement their unrealistic one-time premium promise. But Sylvester Mensah says Nana Addo has been misled by his advisers, adding his comments on the NHIS are unfortunate, aimed only at scoring political points. Sylvester Mensah reveals public participation in the various hospitals across the country has been doubled in the past three and half years, which is an indication that the scheme is growing.

NEW CURFEW AT HOHOE

The Minister of the Interior has on the advice of the Volta Regional Security Council and by the Executive Instrument renewed the curfew imposed on Hohoe township and its environs. A statement issued today by Minister for the Interior Mr W.K Aboah, said the new curfew hour is from 8pm to 5pm, effective yesterday Tuesday 21 August, 2012. The ministry urged the chiefs, opinion leaders, youth and people of the area to channel their energies into ensuring the return of lasting peace. The statement reminded residents of the ban on all persons in the Hohoe township and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapon, warning any person found with any weapon would be arrested and prosecuted. 

NADMO WELL PREPARED FOR FLOODING IN GHANA

The National Disaster Management Organization says it is adequately prepared to deal with the possible flood situation that may arise when the Bagre Dam in the Burkina Faso is spilt later this week. According to the Burkinabe authorities, the Bagre Dam will be opened on Friday. An estimated 200,000 residents in the Northern and Upper Regions of Ghana will be affected by the spillage from the dam. Spillage from the Bagre Dam has in the past caused havoc to low lying areas in the Upper Regions. Speaking with Kapital News, Chief Disaster Control Officer at NADMO, Mr. Yao Doe Tamakloe says it is monitoring the situation to adequately deal with it. Mr. Tamakloe states that although NADMO is not fully fledged logistics-wise, his outfit is better equipped than in the erstwhile administration.

CPP ALSO REACT TO NANA ADDO

The Convention People’s Party says flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akuffo Addo is poorly prepared to meet the challenges he is bound to face if elected president. Commenting on yesterday’s Institute of Economic Affairs evening encounter by the NPP flagbearer, Deputy Communications Director of the CPP, Mr. Earnesto Yeboah describes Nana Addo as politically insensitive and unoriginal. He notes although his presentation was good, Akuffo Addo showed a lack of preparedness because he failed to adequately answer the queries posed in the question and answer segment. Earnesto Yeboah says Nana Addo also criticized Nana Addo for referring to the physically challenged as disabled, adding the NPP flagbearer displayed a shallow view of the industrialization policy he outlined. Earnesto Yeboah also claimed Nana Akuffo Addo’s education policy as he outlined is a stolen one from the CPP, which smacks of unoriginality. He chided Nana Addo for failing to live up to the mark that Dr. Abu Sakara of the CPP put up, when he appeared at the forum. Earnesto Yeboah says however saysthough Akuffo Addo’s performance was ordinary with him coming off as a motivational speaker, the CPP still thinks the free education policy is a realistic one. He however demanded further clarifications on how the NPP presidential candidate intends financing the policy.

PPP REACT TO AKUFFO ADDO

The Progressive People's Party (PPP) has reacted to the speech by the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that he has the requisite experience to bolster growth in the private sector.
 The PPP believes its flagbearer, Papa Kwesi Nduom, has more private sector experience and direct job creation that benefits Ghanaians than any of the other candidates vying for the country’s top job.
 Nana Akufo-Addo, in his speech at the 3rd IEA Presidential Debate on Tuesday, said that the fact that he facilitated the entry of the first mobile telephone company into the country in the early nineties proves his mettle as a man who can grow the business sector.
 But a statement signed by the National Secretary of the PPP said the NPP's candidate comes nowhere near the experience of their candidate.
 “As opposed to helping a foreign company like Mobitel come to Ghana, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has built Ghanaian enterprises that provide a livelihood to over 25,000 Ghanaians. His enterprises directly employ over 2,000 individuals. Just one of them provides access to finance and savings to over 250,000 customers,” adding “it is important to note that Dr. Nduom has made sure that he has provided opportunity to Ghanaians to be employed and supported many more to become entrepreneurs in all ten regions of the country,” he said.
 The PPP further slammed Nana Addo for his opinion on the ensuing debate about the decoupling of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General. Nana Addo who is a served in the ministry under the Kufuor administration said that he does not find the argument for separating the Attorney General's office from the Ministry of Justice very compelling.
 Nana Addo cited the prosecution of Mallam Issa who a Minister of Sports at the time as an example of how the Attorney General’s Department can be professional without being separated from the Justice Ministry.
 But the PPP says ‘Mallam Issa’s case proves the point that the system today is more enthusiastic about prosecuting you if you are not a member of the ruling party.  Mallam Issa was a member of the PNC and not the NPP.  Subsequent allegations made against NPP ministers were not aggressively pursued leading to the shelving of the “Zero Tolerance Against Corruption”

UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES IN GHANA TO EMBARK ON NATIONWIDE TOUR

Leadership of the Unemployed Graduates Association of Ghana will be embarking on a nationwide tour in the next few days to address the channel the issue of graduate unemployment in the country. In a press release copied to Kapital News, the group says the main essence of the tour is to meet and hold deliberations with members strategise and mobilise for the next line of action in the country. UGAG believes this will be a major event to register their displeasure to the current order. It is UGAG’s plan to touch base in every regional capital and then proceed to the various districts within it for furtherance of their exertion. The ‘whom you know’ mantra has taken shape in almost every organisation and thus makes it very difficult for the average graduate who has no links or connection with people in top positions to get access to jobs. We will be joined online by the Spokesperson of UGAG, Desmond Biney to tell us more about their nationwide tour.

TECHNOCRAT WORRIED

 A  retired educationist and Former headmaster of  the T.I Ahmadiyya Senior High School in the Kumasi Metropolis Mr. Ibrahim Kwaku Gyasi has added his voice to the clergymen that they are being maligned and tagged with party colours anytime they express their opinion on national issues. In an interview with Kapital News, Mr. Gyasi stated that it is very unfortunate that some section of the general public are resulting to such  an actions by political lines instead of analyzing the relevance of the person in question comments and deduced the veracity of the issue. He said that some people do not have respect for authority any more in the country and is only on alert to ridicule or taunt whatever people who command respect in society based on their political affiliation. He therefore urged supporters of the various political parties to desist from such acts since it is retarding national growth.

NPP TASKS PRESIDENT MAHAMA

Former minister of state and a leading member in the New Patriotic Party, Nana Obiri Boahen has welcomed the comments by his Excellency the president John Dramani Mahama in his address of the nation last night in which he said the country should remain united after the mourning of the late president John Atta Mills. In an interview with Kapital News, Mr. Boahen stated that if only the president can ensure that the NDC communicators who represent the party in the various political platforms in the media across the nation will be civil in their language, then, the nation will not be divided by sectarian violence. He also accused Mr.Alhaji Bature the editor of the El Hajj news paper and member of the NDC communication team of publishing a news story in today’s edition of the paper that sort to ridicule the opposition party NPP. This he says in his opinion, the president should call him to order since he is part of the NDC communication team and his views might represent the party.

ABU SAKARA ON PRESIDENT MAHAMA

The flag bearer of the Convention Peoples Party Mr. Michael Abu Sakara says he does not expect any significant change in the policy statement the president of the Republic  John Dramani Mahama promised to present to the nation in two weeks time in his last night address to the nation from the seat of government.  According to Mr. Sakara, the track record of the NDC in managing the economy is nothing to write home about since assuming office under the leadership of the late president John Atta Mills and therefore is the on the conviction that the current president John Dramani Mahama is only taking care of the country for the smooth conduct of the election and oversee a peaceful transition of political power to the CPP after the election. He therefore urged all Ghanaians to vote massively for the convention Peoples Party since it is the party that can create jobs and invest in the human resource capacity of the people of Ghana

NAADU THANKS NATION

The widow of the late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Dr. Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills and the entire Kle Abodo Family of Prampram, wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to the President, H. E. John Dramani Mahama, the Government and good people of Ghana for their generous support before and during the funeral and burial rites of the late President of the Republic of Ghana.
    The family wishes to express gratitude to the Funeral Planning Committee, Members of the Council of State, the Honourable Speaker and Members of Parliament, Her Ladyship the Chief Justice and Members of the Judiciary as well as the Ghana Bar Association and Members of the Diplomatic Corps.
  Similarly, the former First Lady and the entire Kle Abodo Family of Prampram wish to express profound gratitude to the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs and Queenmothers; the leadership of the Christian and Muslim communities in Ghana, the Ahmadiyya Movement and members of traditional religious organisations for their role in giving the President a funeral befitting the nation’s First Gentleman
  Mrs. Naadu Mills further wishes to express gratitude to the officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service and the various security services who were on hand to ensure law and order during the funeral and burial rites as well as the role played by various professional and social clubs, too numerous to mention, including the Musicians Union of Ghana, the Ghana Journalists Association, Achimota Old Students Association, the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Trades Union Congress, Market Women’s Associations and Traders.
  We are also grateful for all the prayers, words of support and donations that have poured in from Ghanaians, Corporate Ghana and the international community.
 

ASIEDU NKETIAH AND MARTIN AMIDU IN TANGO

The NDC General Secretary noted that the first democratic principle contained in the 1992 constitution is the requirement that things are done according to the rule of law “so it sounds very strange for anybody to accuse a political party which is running its affairs according to the rule of law of being undemocratic. The party’s constitution is very consistent with the national constitution,” he said.
According to him, no one has ever contested the party’s constitution as being in contravention with the 1992 Constitution for over the past 20 years.
Asiedu-Nketia quoted, Article 26 (1) of the NDC Constitution which states; “The President of the Republic who is a member of the party is the leader of the party when it is in government,” adding it was not the National Executive Committee of the NDC that made John Mahama the leader of the party.

He explained that the President was sworn in first as the President of the Republic and by operation of Article 26 (1), he became the leader of the party.
Touching on Martin Amidu’s reference to a breach in Section 2 of Article 26, which states, “Where the President of the Republic is not elected a flag bearer, a person elected as flag bearer of the party at any time prior to the election is the leader of the party,” Asiedu-Nketia said it was not applicable in this instance.
He explained that, it was only applicable if the party was going into Presidential primaries ahead of an election and another candidate, different from the sitting President won the primaries. That person, he said, would then become the leader of the party.

The 1992 Constitution, he said, makes provision for unusual circumstances where when a President dies, the Vice President is sworn in as President. The same he said applies to the NDC constitution which is why the party endorsed President Mahama as flagbearer.
He said considering the fact that the country is not supposed to hold national elections to elect a new President after the death of a sitting President, the NDC could not be expected to elect a new leader because the sitting leader is dead.
Asiedu-Nketia emphasized that per Article 44 of the party’s constitution, “The flagbearer will be elected when the party is in power at least 12 months before the general election. When the party is not in power, it will be elected 24 before the general elections. We have five months to the general elections so that clause is closed.”
Chris Akumey, a member of NDC’s legal team also speaking on the matter said per the party’s constitution, President Mahama is the leader of the party. He noted that if his declaration as flagbearer had come before his swearing in, then Martin Amidu would have had a case.

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT PASSPOT APPLICATION CENTER?

Ghana has indeed taken the right decision by migrating to the biometric passport system in line with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It is expected that all countries especially in Africa will comply with this recommendations from the ICAO in order to reduce the level of fraud and criminal activities associated with passport and traveling documentation. This will further make easy identification in emergency cases since the bio data of the individual is captured by the machine. It is a step in the right direction as authorities have even given the public till 2015 to use their old passport and make preparation for the biometric one. This we say KUDOS to the authorities for making such a provision to the public.         

       The process of acquiring a biometric passport is very simple and straight forward than the previous one. You have to purchase the form at certain designated banks [ECO-BANK, GCB, ADB and the likes]. We are told by Passport Application Center that there are two types of forms: one cost fifty cedis (normal one) which will take three weeks for you to get your passport on grounds that you satisfied the requirement of PAC that is being eligible to hold Ghanaian passport. The other form also cost hundred cedis (express one) and that will take you one week for you to get your passport after satisfying the same requirement as above. This theory as I will call it seems refreshing to the public because comparing it to the old system, this new system is faster than the previous one since that system was taken three months before the passport is issued.

          However, in my opinion, the above procedure I have described is just on paper but not in practice as usual. If you want to get your passport on time, then, you have to start the application process as early as four months before your travelling deadline because you will not get your passport within the duration they have made us to understand. I personally met one gentleman at the PAC office who was lamenting on how they have delayed his passport for his travelling deadline to expire before issuing it to him. ``what am I going to do with it now? My travelling time has expired. We are living in a sad country’’, he cried out. Experience they say is the best teacher so I decided to apply for the biometric passport myself. After satisfying their entire requirement, I was given three weeks to come for my passport since I bought the fifty cedis form (normal one). From the 23<sup>rd</sup> of March 2012 till now, the three weeks is not up.Hahahaha-that is Ghana for you. We need to be frank with ourselves and hit the nail right on the head. What happens there is a mystery to some extent but not to some of us. We need to strengthen our state institution to devoid of corruption and lackadaisical attitude towards public work either than that, we will only succeed in changing government and continue to have empty hopes that our life will be changed overnight. Some of us know what goes on there but the question is where your evidence is or come and substantiates your claim. This is a special appeal to the director in charge of Passport application center to make sure that the right procedure is strictly adhered to or if there is a problem, they should let the general public know for I am sure they have public affairs department. Passport acquisition should not be a headache or task for the citizens. It is the citizen’s right to hold a Ghanaian passport once the person is a Ghanaian. Elsewhere, once you are born, all your particulars are taken and your birth certificate together with your passport and other supporting documents are issued instantly to you. We have not reached that stage but let us please make use of the limited resources we have and make it transparent as possible as we can. The Ghana that we are talking about is made up of us the individuals. We have one way or the other taken an oath in reciting the national pledge from our primary school days till now. Let us fulfill those promises we made by being faithful and loyal to the Republic. It is our responsibility to make sure that state institutions are made strong just like the United State president Barack Obama said ``Africa need strong institution and not strong leaders’’. If we commit ourselves to professionalism, discipline, good moral ethics and commitment at our various work places from now and then, our lives will change forever.

ACCIDENT AT OFFINSO

Member of Parliament for the Offinso South Constituency, Mr. Ben Abdellah Banda has express his condolences to the bereaved families who has lost their dear ones and which the injured a speedy recovery over an accident that has killed about eleven people and seriously injuring several others at Abofour on the Techiman road yesterday. According the Mr. Abdellah Banda, he was informed by someone in his constituency about the unfortunate incident whiles attending to parliamentary duties in Accra. However, Kapital News check has reveals that one more person has died at the Offinso Hospital in the Ashanti Region as a result of the injuries sustained in the fatal accident that occurred on the Techiman road.  Twelve people were earlier confirmed dead with several others sustains life threatening injuries. However, the death toll has increased to 13 after one more person died this morning. The fatal accident occurred after an articulated truck run over five vehicles at Abofour on the Techiman road. 15 people are currently on admission at the Offinso Hospital receiving treatment for injuries sustained.

TEACHERS MOTIVATED

As part of the Teachers in the region to have a comfort of the their work, about forty teachers in some public schools in the Ashanti Region have taken delivery of saloon cars under a deal struck between the Ghana National Association of Teachers and South Korean-based Company, Eastern Wave Company. These were bought on hire purchase and the cost ranges between (GH¢8,000.00) eight thousand Ghana Cedis and (GH¢8,400.00) eight thousand four hundred Ghana Cedis. The Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, Mr. Abraham Bonsu,   in an interview with Kapital News discloses that beneficiaries made a down payment of (GH¢1,500) one thousand five hundred Ghana Cedis and the remaining amount spread over a period of four years. Mr. Bonsu says so far about one hundred teachers have benefitted and imploring other teachers who are interested to also take part of the juicy offer for teachers. Mr. Abraham Kwaku Bonsu reveals that the cars would significantly help the teachers to get to school early and allow for effective use of the school contact hours. Mr. Bonsu commended the government for waiving taxes on the vehicles and encouraged all teachers to embrace the scheme.

GHANA HEALTH SERVICE

The Head of Disease Surveillance at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, has described cholera as a development oriented one, and not exactly a health one. He was speaking to Kapital News in connection with a recent report released by the United Nations Children’s Fund which indicated that cholera cases in Ghana have increased over the past seven months. He confirmed the report, saying although cholera manifests itself as a disease; it really is about the dire sanitation situation in our environment. He says that because of this, the Health sector, in mitigating the disease, can only advocate by sensitizing the general public on practicing proper hygienic lifestyles in order to pre-empt potential attacks.  Dr. Bekoe confirms that cholera cases are on the upsurge, saying although the Brong Ahafo and Greater Accra regions as cholera-prone hotspots, the general public across the country are all at risk of contracting the disease.

NPP ON ALERT

The New Patriotic Party Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi Mr. Kweku Kwarteng has described as an unclear and confused strategy, government’s job creation policy. He says the job creation efforts of the ruling NDC government over the last three and half years has only benefitted foreigners and not Ghanaian nationals. His comment follows an assurance by Vice-President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-that government is committed to expanding the country’s economy through job creation. Speaking in Kumasi yesterday, he said the better Ghana agenda has job creation as one of the four pillars, and the National Democratic Congress administration is committed to delivering that to the latter. But speaking to Kapital news, Kwaku Kwarteng says a clear strategy is needed. But Deputy Minister for Employment and Social Welfare, Antwi Boasiako Sekyere says government’s job creation efforts have been on course over the last three and half years.

WAGES IN GHANA

The Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has assured that all public and civil servants would be migrated onto the single spine salaries structure by October this year. Mr. George Smith Graham says about ninety-nine percent of the workers have so far being migrated onto the single spine salaries structure, with about eighteen small institutions yet to be migrated onto the structure. Mr. George Smith Graham reveals that the commission has instituted a grievances review committee made up of experts to look into various institutions who are not satisfied with their migration. Commenting on the recent strike by the Ghana Association of University Administrators over the issue of Single Spine, Mr. Smith Graham said a three member mediation panel has been instituted to look into their issue. Touching on the concerns of the pharmaceutical council over the new pay policy, Mr. Smith Graham discloses that the pharmacy council has since been removed from the new pay policy over their dissatisfaction of the mechanism of the single spine salaries structure. He explains further. Meanwhile Mr. George Smith Graham does not understand why some workers are experiencing inconsistencies in their monthly pays. He explains that the anomalies are emanating from the office of the controller and Accountant General Department, some of which are genuine, and are being rectified by the department.

KOMFO ANOKYE TEACHING HOSPITAL

The management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching hospital says efforts are on course to improve upon facility’s infrastructure to make it the number one health facility in the sub region. According to the Chief Executive of the hospital, Prof. Ohene Adjei, various infrastructural projects are underway to help improve upon the status of the hospital. He explains that with the support of the board and the government, the hospital continues to invest in a number of projects to improve the infrastructure base of the hospital. Key among these interventions are the ultra modern eye clinic and the Magnetic Rezoning Imaging center ,both of which are over 95% complete and would be commissioned soon. He explains further.

NEW PARLIAMENTARIANS SAGA IN GHANA

A political Science Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Mr. Mohammed Abass has stated that the creation of new constituencies is not determine by anybody but is a requirement of democratic practice as population increases. Mr. Abass was reacting in an interview with Kapital News to comments made by the Progressive Peoples Party flag bearer Mr. Paa Kwasi Nduom that the current parliamentarians in parliament should be reduced. According to Mr. Abass, The ideal fundamental principle of democracy is that if the number of people increases, the representatives of the people should increase to make sure that the people are fairly represented in their respective demarcated localities. He further stated that it is indeed going to cost the nation since the new MPs who will take up these new seats in parliament have to be paid but concluded that it is part of the system which cannot be over looked since it is the best system in modern day governance.