Politics

Political parties are divided over the EC's decision not to compile a new voters' register following the recommendations of the five member Committee headed by Justice VCRAC Crabbe to look into allegations of a bloated register.

The NPP had alleged that there are over 75,000 foreign names in the Voters' register and called for a new one to be compiled for this year’s elections.

This prompted the Electoral Commission to set up a five member Committee to receive and compile submissions by political parties, Civil Society groups and individuals.

According to the Electoral Commission, the Committee found the arguments for a new voters' register unconvincing and therefore does not recommend the replacement of the current voters' register.

The Commission says it accepts the five member committee recommendations and will engage stakeholders to rather audit the voters' register.

According to the NDC who were against getting a new voters’ register, they have been vindicated.

But the Progressive Peoples Party's General Secretary, Kofi Asamoah Siaw says the decision by the EC may affect the credibility of this year's elections.

The Flagbearer of the PNC, Dr Edward Mahama says the PNC will meet to take a decision on the outcome of the EC's position to come out with an audited voters' register.

Dr Mahama told Radio Ghana that he thought the EC would have come out with a new voters' register which would be acceptable to all parties involved in the 2016 general elections.

On what he is doing to bring party faithful together, Dr Mahama said a general meeting is being planned to discuss how to unite the party.

Meanwhile, the National Executive Committee of the NPP is meeting on the EC's decision not to compile a new voter's register for this year's elections.

A source at the party's headquarters told Radio Ghana that the NPP will soon organize a media briefing or issue a statement on its position after Monday's meeting.

The EC last year issued a statement that was based on the recommendation of the five member committee that supervised the public forum on the call for a new voters' register.

The EC says it is not going to compile a new one but rather audit the old register.

In a related development, Pressure group, Let My Vote Count Alliance says it rejects the five member committee report that recommended that the EC should not compile a new voters’ register but to audit the old one.

The convener and leader of the Let My Vote Count Alliance, David Asante says the group is going to stage a number of protests and finally head to the court to compel the EC to rescind its decision.

Source: GBC

Pollster Ben Ephson has commended the Electoral Commission(EC) for duly replying the opposition New Patriotic Party in its 25 page report to the party regarding the contention on the current voters register.

Ephson said the commission did a good job by handing such document that contains detailed response of why a decision that dismisses the call for a new voters roll was taken at the long run.

The EC has announced that arguments for a new register were unconvincing, and cannot be accepted.

 
The committee set up by the Electoral Commission to look into proposals for a new voters’ register shot down the arguments for a new register, and emphasised that such arguments does not sound convincing and won’t be a better course for the country.

Commenting on the EC’s position taken on the voters register in an interaction with Fiifi Banson on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.3 FM Monday, Ephson believes due diligence was done in the decision taken on the voters register.

“I’m not surprised at all the decision taken by the EC on the voters register. And even more revealing is the 25 page report to the NPP by the EC. The EC did a professional job by replying to the NPP, along side the press release to the public.

“I’m just hoping the NPP will be fair to all Ghanaians and those who supported their decision, and disseminate the reply with the same vigour and alacrity it has had in its campaign for a new voters register.”

Source: kasapafmonline.com

Turkey's government has urged Saudi Arabia and Iran to calm their diplomatic row, saying the dispute will only worsen regional tensions.

Deputy PM Numan Kurtulmus said the Middle East was "already a powder keg".

He criticised attacks on Saudi missions in Iran but also Saudi Arabia's execution of a Shia Muslim cleric, which triggered the dispute.

Saudi Arabia has broken off diplomatic relations with Iran and is cutting trade and air links.

On Monday, some of Riyadh's allies joined diplomatic action against Iran.

The US has also called on both countries to calm the escalating row.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are respectively the key Sunni Muslim and Shia powers in the region and back opposing sides in Syria and Yemen.

Great rivalry explained: Why don't Iran and Saudi Arabia get along?

Spiralling tensions: Why crisis is 'most dangerous for decades'

How row is playing out: Iran and Saudi media reaction

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr: Who was leading Saudi Shia cleric?

"We want both countries to immediately move away from the situation of tension that will obviously only add to the already severe tensions existing in the Middle East," Mr Kurtulmus was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency.

"The region is already a powder keg. Enough is enough. We need peace in the region."

He called on Iran to protect all diplomatic missions and said that Turkey was against "all instances of capital punishment especially when it is politically motivated".

"For us it is not possible to support capital punishment by any country," he added.

"Saudi Arabia and Iran are our friends and we don't want them fighting because that's the last thing this region needs."

Sunni-Shia divide

• The split arises from a dispute soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 over who should lead the Muslim community

• Sunnis are estimated to make up between 85% and 90% of Muslims

• Though the two branches have co-existed for centuries and share many fundamental beliefs and practices, differences lie in the fields of doctrine, ritual, law, theology and religious organisation

Sunnis and Shia: Islam's ancient schism

On Saturday, Saudi Arabia executed cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and 46 others after they were convicted of terror-related offences.

The move prompted an angry reaction from Iran. Protesters set fire to the Saudi embassy in Tehran and a consulate in the city of Mashhad before being driven back by police.

Saudi Arabia announced late on Sunday that it was cutting diplomatic relations with Iran after the storming of the embassy in Tehran.

It said all commercial and air traffic links were being cut and that Saudi citizens were banned from travelling to Iran.

Saudi UN ambassador Abdallah al-Mouallimi said on Monday that the dispute could be resolved if Iran stopped "interfering in the affairs of other countries, including our own".

Riyadh has previously accused Iran of interfering in Arab affairs.

Speaking in New York, Mr Mouallimi said peace efforts in Syria and Yemen should not be affected by the spat but criticised Iran's contribution to the process.

"The Iranians even before the break of diplomatic relations have not been very supportive, not very positive in these peace efforts," he said.

"They have been taking provocative and negative positions... and I don't think the break in relations is going to dissuade them from such behaviour."

Bahrain and Sudan also severed relations with Iran on Monday, and the UAE has downgraded its diplomatic team.

Bahrain, which is ruled by a Sunni monarchy but has a majority Shia population, gave Iranian diplomats 48 hours to leave the country.

The Sudanese foreign ministry said its action was on response to "the barbaric attacks on the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad".

On Monday, a White House spokesman called on both countries to "show some restraint and to not further inflame tensions that are on quite vivid display in the region".

But Iran's foreign ministry accused the Saudis of "continuing the policy of increasing tension and clashes in the region".

The row also affected global markets, sending oil and gold prices higher on Monday.

Source: bbc.com

US President Barack Obama is to widen background checks on buyers of firearms, in a series of measures to address gun violence.

The plans will be announced on Tuesday by the president, despite opposition from Congress to new gun laws.

All sellers who operate online or at gun shows will be forced to conduct background checks on potential buyers.

Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul said he would fight the executive actions "tooth and nail".

But Mr Obama says his new measures will be within his legal authority and consistent with the Second Amendment, which grants Americans the right to bear arms.

And while they will not solve every violent crime in the US, he said they will potentially "save lives and spare families the pain" of loss.

Under the plan announced on Monday evening by the White House:

• All sellers must be licensed and conduct background checks, overturning current exemptions to some online and gun show sellers
• States must provide information on people disqualified due to mental illness or domestic violence
• FBI will increase workforce processing background checks by 50%, hiring more than 230 new examiners
• Congress will be asked to invest $500m (£339m) to improve access to mental healthcare
• The departments of defence, justice and homeland security will explore "smart gun technology" to improve gun safety

Earlier on Monday, the president heard recommendations from Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials.

He told the BBC last year his failure to pass effective gun laws was his biggest regret.

At a gun show - North America editor Jon Sopel

One charming man I spoke to had a stall of fine old pieces, including a Remington rifle from the 1970s. Because he wasn't registered, all I had to do was show him a driver's licence - and answer this question: am I a felon or mad?

Say no to that, and all I had to do was hand over the cash and the gun was mine with as much ammunition as I could carry. And as he pointed out to me, if I lied, how would he know?

There were also individuals walking around the show carrying rifles and revolvers, with flags coming out of the muzzle saying "for sale" - again no restrictions at all for people who just wanted to flog their old firearm.

These are some of the issues that the president wants to address with his executive action.

Read Jon's piece in full

More on US gun debate

Why Obama is powerless - the roadblock at Congress

Are you mad or criminal? - the question a gun seller asks

Texas women and their firearms - a photographer taught to shoot at an early age

Do tighter gun laws work? - a state where guns are a way of life

Guns at home - the question parents hate to ask before a playdate

Source: bbc.com

Member of Parliament for Madina, Alhaji Amadu Sorogo has described as needless, calls for the current 275 membership of parliament to be cut to 150.

According to him, the increasing population needs to corroborate with the number of legislators.

The Ablekuma South MP, Fritz Baffour, had earlier suggested Ghana required only 150 legislators to make laws, explaining that the membership of the House is too high for a country like Ghana.

The Madina legislator, Alhaji Amadu Sorogo, however disagreed with Mr Baffour in an interview with Citi News, saying an increase in the number of seats was rather needed due to population increase.

“Ideally, one MP must be able to take care of about 50,000,” Mr Sorogo argued.

On the question of the effectiveness of MPs, Mr Sorogo said the availability of the Job 600 complex providing the MPs with offices will now help in establishing the effectiveness of parliamentarians.

He also pointed out the MPs didn’t have to be overly vocal to be perceived as doing their work.

“There fact that a lot of parliamentarians are in parliament and you don’t hear them talk does not mean they are not working because the work of parliament does not lie only on the floor of the house.”

Mr Sorogo further stated, “Now that we now have offices, you can now measure the effectiveness of the members of parliament. Formerly you could hind behind ad say there were no offices… but now we have office so let us move ahead and with time it will become clear I we have to reduce it or we still maintain it.”

Source: citifmonline.com

The Deputy Chief of Staff says a plan to tackle accusations of inflated figures for development projects and other perceived corruption in Government will soon be set in motion.

Johnny Osei Kofi says government has begun compiling responses to set the records straight on corruption issues raised by the opposition New Patriotic Party in 2015.

Although he would not mention the specifics, he told Luv FM’s Erastus Asare Donkor the defence would be detailed.

“What we have not done is to take centre stage and let the people know the huge, huge positives that we have. But the little things that the opposition would pick, they want to blow it up. Even those that are untrue,” the Deputy Chief of Staff said.

He was speaking to Luv News during a cleanup exercise at Ayigya in Kumasi.

“We are cataloguing all these things and very soon would come up then show where the lies are,” he said.

Johnny Osei Kofi said although NPP presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, falsely accused government of inflating cost for the Kasoa Interchange project the opposition leader has not come to apologise even though facts that emerged later prove he was wrong.

Source: myjoyonline.com

Pro-NPP pressure group, Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA), says it may turn to the courts to compel the Electoral Commission (EC) to compile a new voter’s register.

The pressure group’s decision is in reaction to the EC’s refusal to change the current electoral roll.

National Coordinator of the pressure group, David Asante, says the group is bent on pushing their demands until they hear something favourable.

The pressure group held a huge protest last year to get the EC to change the current register.

David Asante says the courts will be the group’s next resort.

The EC rejected the call for a new register, saying the pro-NPP group has not provided enough evidence that the current register is not credible.

The EC’s decision to keep the current register is consistent with a report by a five-member committee it set up to deliberate proposals for a new voters’ register.

The committee among other things says it "finds the arguments for a new register unconvincing and therefore does not recommend the replacement of the current voters’ register."

The Commission in a statement signed by Christian Owusu-Parry, Acting Director of Public Affairs at the EC, said it “accepts the recommendations of the panel and will progressively implement the recommendations made therein.”

Source: myjoyonline.com

The Electoral Commission (EC) says the New Patriotic Party’s push for removal of over 76,000 names of alleged Togolese nationals from the electoral roll would be inappropriate.

The EC says it would be “an arbitrary and discriminatory application of the law”, if the NPP's request is granted.

The EC says, “in examining the identity and status of the 76,000 Togolese alleged to be on Ghana’s Register, the EC found that they were all duly registered during the mass registration period in 2012.”

The opposition party has been courting the support of other political parties and civil societies for a new register ahead of elections later this year.

The party says the current electoral roll lacks credibility, citing a deliberate inclusion of aliens in the register.

The removal of the alleged 76,000 alleged foreign nationals was a key point in the NPP’s push for a new voters’ register.

The EC holds that the NPP did not provide any proof of the citizenship status of the alleged foreign nationals and did not show any proof that they were not entitled to be registered in Ghana.

The EC’s response was contained in 33-page document written to the NPP.

“From the document presented by the NPP, the commission was unable to confirm the authenticity of the Togolese Register used by the NPP in their analysis as the Electoral Commission of Togo declined to provide the EC with a copy of its register or confirm the authenticity of the soft copy of the register used by the NPP.

“Seeking to remove names of persons who appear on the registers of Togo, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire in the EC’s view, would be an arbitrary and discriminatory application of the law. The EC asks, would the Commission therefore be required to obtain the registers of all countries of the world and remove the names of persons who appear on such registers as well as Ghana’s?” the EC quizzed.

The opposition party also raised a Supreme Court ruling on the use of National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) cards for registration and called for the removal of persons who have been registered with the card from the register.

However, the EC says the party is misinterpreting the Supreme Court ruling.

According to the EC, in the Abu Ramadan case, the Supreme Court ruled that the use of NHIA cards, in their current form, was insufficient as proof of citizenship and consequently.

The EC says it was directed to stop accepting that as proof of citizenship for voter registration exercises.

“Nowhere in the ruling did the Supreme court nullify all registrations by voters who presented NHIA cards as proof of Citizenship,” the EC says.

On NPP's claims that there were edited pictures on the current electoral register, the EC holds that claim is unfounded.

According to EC, the Biometric Register has multiple layers of data protection and integrity assurance and does not permit the possibility of pictures on the register being edited.

“The consultant’s report on the Independent Review of the Biometric Voters Register also supports the position that this is not possible and that the system has adequate integrity and has not been compromised. We would be happy to share the consultant’s report with the NPP,” the elections ombudsman said.

Source: myjoyonline.com

The General Overseer of Champions Royal Assembly, Prophet Joshua Iginla, has predicted a win for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Among a list of prophecies he released for the new year, Prophet Iginla who is one of the most popular men of God in Abuja said: "I see a robust economy and the Democrats still holding on to the seat in the election. The ruling party will retain the power. Ghana should pray against place crash. It looks like an helicopter. I see a famous footballer packing his bag and saying goodbye. He is already having a kidney problem. He needs prayers between the month of April till October. The president should watch and pray because there are more enemies than friends".

Find the rest of the prophecies below:

1-Nigeria will rise again and the future of Nigeria will be restored. And her image n dignity shall be restored. In my vision, I saw a group of young men wearing boots preparing and when I asked God he said it’s the future of the next generation that are coming to take over 2024.

2-Many politicians will go to jail in 2016 due to the anti corrupt campaign by the president. It will gain more ground and a lot of money recovered and a lot of mystery unveiled.

3-The Senate president should pray because there will be an attempt over his life. I see a strong plot to remove him and a strong plot to poison him.

4-I see a commercial bank having a major problem that will affect it’s capacity and output. The policy of the regulatory body will be too much for her and it will fold down.

5-I see the issue of Ebola resurfacing in some other African company. We should pray.

6-I see the CBN governor facing a hard time and I see him being removed..
I see a former Minister who held a sensitive position struggling for survival. We should pray for her because her candle light is almost off. It will take a miracle for her to survive. While she is battling corruption battle, I see the owner of her life knocking the door of her soul.

7-The Inspector General of Police should pray because I see a plot and an attempt to discredit him which will happen. I see his seat shaking and might not go down well.

8-I see a governor in the seat of Akwa Ibom. His seat will shake but I see him still maintaining it.

9-Bayelsa! The incumbent governor should pray well to retain it because what I see is a mystery beyond explanation.
The Lord said I should warn the powers that be to be sensitive over the issue of Bayelsa because I see blood and restlessness. The person on the seat should pray because I see three legs of a stool and two are taking away. Can you sit properly when two out of three legs are taking away?

10-Rivers State. I see strong battle and contest with Inconclusive result. I see violence and tension. I see property burnt and protest and name calling but the person on the seat shall retain it.

11-Edo. I see the ruling party still retaining power. I see a strong contest but the ruling party will swallow the opponent.

12-There will be a strong shake in the cabinet in 2016. One of the Ministers will lose his seat as a result of displeasure of the President with him

13-I see same sex marriage entering into one of the African countries and it will become very strong.

14-In 2016, the economy of the country will be very tasking and quite challenging. If care is not taking it will navigate into serious recession. I see strong hardship in terms of the economy.

15-I see fuel price rising and the masses helpless over it. Attempt will be made to curb the price but it will not work.

16-I see series of protests, strikes which will affect the economy.

17-The Biafra agitation will become very strong if the government don’t handle it with wisdom. It will give the government of the day a bad name before the international committee and observers. It might be stronger than the issue of Boko Haram. Wisdom is needed. That’s what the Lord says. Else, it can bring the government of the day to her kneels.

18-I see a strong agitation and people sponsoring it from all angles.

19-The military reputation under the present administration will be restored and performed brilliantly. In my vision, I see them silencing the issue of Boko Haram upto 85%. Boko Haram issue will die a natural death but I see another battle wish this present government should pray

20-I see a new party coming out of the old party. They will rebrand and become a strong opposition force challenging the government of the day and discrediting it. . This new government should pray.

21-The government of Buhari will do well but due to too much enemies than friend, it will slow the wheel of progress and tension will rise up in several areas. But that will not stop the result the government will have.

22-We should pray for one of our ex-president because I see him packing his bag and leaving us. Don’t forget I said it last year but God is giving him grace but am seeing it again.

23-The president should pray because there will be an attempt over his life. I see serious health issue. He should pray to finish his tenure.

24-There are a lot of Judases around Mr President. I see a plot to poison him. He should pray to finish it.
Take good care of yourself and spend more time to watch your enemies that are around you than those afar. That’s the message for the president. There are Judases around him and are ready to finish their assignments. Watch your house because the enemy is too close than he thinks.

25-The issue of armed robbery will increase and banks will be robbed. High way robbers will be on the rise. Ondo, Lagos, kano and Abia, in the month of July, August, October April and March the security operatives should be alert in those states.

26- I see a sitting governor whose seats becomes vacant for the vice to take over. I don’t understand of its as a result of DEATH, impeachment or court order.
27-Zambia. The economy will improve but not as expected. The election in Zambia will be will be like two lions fighting. The president should pray in terms of the election because I see betrayals from his camp and so called faithfuls. But in my vision, I see someone trying to pull him from his seat, yet he remain in the seat.

28-I see fire outbreak in sensitive government establishment. They should watch out

29-Mega churches will rise up in the nation of Zambia. God said he is raising up strong prophets in Zambia. I see a great prophet rising up in the kitwe pray against mass protest that will be sponsored by distractors against the government of the day.

30-The glory of Zambia will be restored naturally. I see the person on the seat of power retaining it.

31-Zimbabwe. There will be a great revival that will flow through out Africa – West, East and South.

32-God said I should warn some people trying to thwart the wheel of progress in Zimbabwe because their own time will come naturally. It’s not yet their time and there is nothing they can do about it.

33-I see a rain fall spiritually non stop in the nation of Zimbabwe and something like ice block in form of a star and God said it’s a sign of continuous blessing and flow of revival both economically and spiritually.

34-I see a major stampede in a major program that will be held by a major man of God in the country of Zambia. It will claim lives. The prophetic advise is that the prophet should work on his crowd control unit so that he won’t be accused of using people for rituals while his hands are clean.

35-Tanzania.. The Lord said their season has come I see the new leader maximising the resources and changing the destiny of the country. I see the economy blossoming and I see a lot of corrupt leaders and people who have been a distraction to the government being brought to book.

36-They should pray for their air space especially their aviation industry. I see a plane which is of medium size, not too big nor small, crashing and it happened during the raining season. They should watch and pray.

37-Cameroon – I see the bombing and battle against Boko Haram being conquered. I see a revolution and agitation against the current government taking place the government should be sensitive. I see restlessness among the youth. I was taking in the realm of the spirit and I see a fire outbreak in one of the major sensitive markets in Cameroon. God is raising four major prophets in Cameroon in Duala , Limbe, kumba. The president should pray for his health.
38-Ethiopia. I see the agricultural sector experiencing boom. They should pray for sufficient rainfall. They should pray against poor rainfall because I see drought. There will be strong economic challenge an important figure who has handled an important position in the nation will pack his bag and say good bye to the country. He is already struggling with his health. I see a massive revival that will spring up in the country of Ethiopia.

39-Russia I see them under pressure as a result of the policies and attack that is currently going on. And it will affect their economy strongly. I see them trying to make peace with the country they are not willing to make peace with in order to free themselves from pressure. I see a big Bird flying out of Russia defecating where they ought not to and it caused a lot of confusion. It’s like plane throwing bombs. I see the nation of Russia going to war with another nation and they have to pray to avert it.
I see America accusing Russia over the use of a particular weapon. In the midst of all types, Russia will wax stronger.

40-USA: I see an adjustment in the election time table and this will lead to accusations of the government of the day After Obama’s tenure, it will be 2044 before another black man can ascend the seat of presidency. I see terrorist attack that will be carry out. I see sporadic shooting and ISIS claiming responsibility. This will happen just like it did in France. I see three people who are at the center of this and I see them being captured while two will be killed. But lives will be lost. I see a popular celebrity that will pass on in the country of America. This person’s name has to do with O and W. I see an important personality committing suicide as a result of frustration. The election of America in 2016 will be tough. I see the Democrat holding ground stronger and stronger.

41-Ghana: I see a robust economy and the Democrats still holding on to the seat in the election. The ruling party will retain the power. Ghana should pray against place crash. It looks like an helicopter. I see a famous footballer packing his bag and saying goodbye. He is already having a kidney problem. He needs prayers between the month of April till October. The president should watch and pray because there are more enemies than friends.

42-Puerto rico. I see a major earthquake between April and September. I see a famous celebrity saying goodbye in the month of June. It a female. The ruling party will hold on to power in the election.

43-South Africa. The president will so much go through a lot of persecution m I see trials and accusations. The economy will be so much attack and won’t go well as it used to be. But the hands of God is upon them because a great revival will sail through the land. They have to pray about their water because I see scarcity of water withing the specific month. A major king will die. The church in south africa should pray because I see string attack and persecution against the church. It will be so strong.

44-The queen of England should pray for her health. I see strong challenge and should pray to see the end of the year.

45-The Catholic movement will do strongly but see the Pope being attacked. I see him doing a lot in reconciling a lot of countries that are in dispute. He will visit a lot of Islamic countries and bring peace to a lot of areas in conflicts. He should pray for his health.

46- UGANDA. I see protests and a movement led by young men. I see a coalition of political parties that will unseat the incumbent party in power. I See a major struggle and fight but at the end the country will rise up strongly.

47. Peru. The economy will grow stronger. I see a key politician being poisoned before the election. And I see the ruling power still holding on to power in the election.
 

Source: ghanapoliticsonline.com

President John Mahama has assured the world that Ghana will this year consolidate its democratic credentials through a peaceful poll to elect people to lead the country.

“I believe and I’m sure all of us have faith that this democratic journey that Ghana is on will continue successfully. We will have an election; there will be no violence. We will go and make our decision known,” he said.

Speaking at a 31st watch night service at the Living Streams Ministries in Accra to usher in 2016, he said Ghana continues to be an island of peace courtesy the intercessory prayers of its religious leaders.

The President said Ghana, unlike other countries in the region, has enjoyed the peace and stability; something he said the people should appreciate and thank God for.

“The fact that we sleep and wake up and we don’t have to run away from our country and be displaced because of acts of violence is something that we must appreciate and pray for,” he stated.

He added: “2016 is an election year, may God continue to grant us peace. Let’s learn to count our blessings” considering what war has done to some countries in the sub region.

President Mahama also said he believes in Ghana’s future and that the country will be great and strong, hence urged the people to shun pessimism and be pessimistic about the future.

He used the workings of ants to illustrate how the contribution of each and every Ghanaian matters in developing the nation, saying “Every single person matters. Everybody has a role in this country. From the President right down to whoever you consider the lowest denominator”.

He said often, people look at other countries and wonder why Ghana cannot be develop like those countries to the extent that some people even say, “as for Ghana, nothing can happen here. We should even have remained under the colonialists.”

To those people, the President said: “We can be like that country only if we believe that our country can be like them… If all of us believe we can do it this nation will get there.”

“All the nations that have reached where we admire and we think are advanced started from where we also started. Some of those nations are 300 years old. Ghana is 58 years. I’m sure when they were 58 years if you went and saw the conditions in those countries they will not be similar to what it is in Ghana. Ghana probably has made more progress in 58 than they made in 58 years of their lives,” he pointed out.

Source: tv3network.com

Early results from the Central African Republic's presidential election show ex-Prime Minister Faustin Archange Touadera taking a surprise lead.

Thirty candidates contested the poll, which is likely to go to a run-off between the top two on 31 January. Mr Touadera was not seen as a favourite.

He was prime minister in the government of ex-President Francois Bozize, ousted in 2013 by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels.

Voting took place on 30 December, with UN troops guarding polling stations.

Thirty candidates vied to replace interim leader Catherine Samba-Panza in the former French colony.

CAR has been torn by sectarian violence since the Seleka rebels seized power in March 2013.

A band of mostly Christian militias, called the anti-Balaka, then took up arms against the Seleka.

Strong lead

Mr Touadera, 58, was a university maths lecturer before entering politics. He ran as an independent in the election.

With most votes counted in the capital Bangui, he is well ahead of his nearest rival, Anicet Georges Dologuele, another former prime minister.

Besides Bangui, many votes remain to be counted in CAR's provinces, as well as those of refugees and other CAR citizens abroad.

Mr Touadera has more than 120,000 votes, while Mr Dologuele has just over 68,500.

In third place is Desire Kolingba, son of a former president, the national electoral authority says.

Will elections end the fighting in CAR?

More about the Central African Republic

The interim government and international donors pushed for the poll, believing that an elected president and parliament would help CAR recover from years of unrest.

CAR is one of the world's poorest countries - yet it is rich in natural resources.

Elections also took place for the 149-seat National Assembly.

After seizing power, the Seleka rebels installed Michel Djotodia as the first Muslim leader of the majority Christian country.

But under pressure from regional leaders and former colonial power France, Mr Djotodia stood down and was succeeded by Ms Samba-Panza.

About 1.8 million people were registered to vote, out of a population of roughly five million.

More than one million people fled their homes during the intercommunal fighting.

Source: bbc.com

The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) has called for electoral paradigm shift as Ghana prepares to hold Presidential and Parliamentary Elections on November 7.

“The alternation of power under the forth republic between the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party has failed to dramatically transform the fortunes of the country in spite of the huge resources under their disposal.

“Elections 2016 therefore offers Ghanaians a new opportunity to shift from voting for any of these two parties and vote for both Presidential and Parliamentary candidates of the third force CPP to transform the country,” Professor Edmund N. Delle, CPP Chairman and Leader stated in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

“The CPP calls for a social-political paradigm shift in 2016, as we enter into an electoral year; we must all as Ghanaians acknowledge that we have a role to play in shaping the destiny of this nation.

“We must build on positive structures and break down old unproductive systems and mechanism which are inimical to national development.

“The CPP calls on Ghanaians to exhibit high sense of patriotism, and work hard across the national divide in the best interest of the country,” he said.

Prof Delle tasked the security agencies, public servants, media practitioners, politicians, private sector, traditional and religious leaders, as well as civil society activists to join a national campaign to ensure a peaceful, free, fair and transparent election.

“We all have a role to play in the democratic dispensation, no one should sit on the fence, we must join hands together irrespective of our political affiliations, ethnic background, religious inclinations and social-political status.”

Prof Delle noted that as we head into an election year, “I want to assure you all that a CPP Government will grow the economy, create more jobs, strengthen all class of citizens in the country, curb corruption to its maximum limit and give proper accountability to the people of Ghana”.

On CPP internal political activities, Prof Delle said the party has set in motion electoral machinery to revamp its structures and make it more visible and appealing to the teaming youth.

The party is going through internal transformation to ensure that “we offer Ghanaians dynamic, transformational and bold leadership”.

He called on the rank and file to begin the process of mobilisation to building the party structures at the ward, constituency, regional and national levels.

Prof Delle also appealed to aspiring Presidential Candidates of the party to conduct their campaign within the spirit of comradeship, respect for each other, and focus on the bigger picture of winning Elections 2016.

“Today, as Ghanaians, especially my comrades across the country and in the Diaspora gather with family and friends, I want to wish everyone a happy and a healthy New Year.

“This is always a hopeful time, as we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another,” he said.

He observed that while 2015 was difficult for many Ghanaians, “we must also look back on this year with the knowledge that brighter days are ahead of us – that although our challenges are great, each of us has the courage and determination to rise up and meet them”.

Source: myjoyonline.com

The New Patriotic Party has begun the year 2016, pretty much the way ended 2015 with a wave of suspension of key members,  a move the party says is to instill discipline in the party.

The next to be suspended is a leading member of the party, Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe.

The decision to suspend Dr Tamakloe was taken by the Regional Chairman of the party Ishmael Ashitey following a petition brought before the party by a member in the Ayawaso Constituency.

The petitioner, Stephen Asante, accused Dr Tamakloe of conducting himself in a way that undermined the peace and unity within the party.

Dr Tamakloe is alleged to have attacked the party's flagbearer of not doing enough to resolve the crisis in the party which has led to the suspension of three national officers including the Chairman, Paul Afoko and General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong.

The petition was filed at the national office but checks by Joy News' Kwakye Afreh Nuamah indicate the petition was sent to the Greater Accra Branch of the party to consider the petition and take appropriate measures.

The Regional Chairman Ishmael Ashitey wrote to Dr Tamakloe, announcing his suspension from the party. The Regional executives are however yet to hear the side of Dr Nyaho Tamakloe.

The suspension letter in part, says a committee has been set up by the Regional Executive which will investigate the matter and give Dr Tamakloe an opportunity to respond to the claims made against him.

But Nyaho Tamakloe has described the letter and its author as the work of "gaping sycophant."

In a strongly worded statement, Dr Tamakloe said he will treat the letter of suspension with all the contempt it deserves and is ready to fight any executive pound-for-pound.

" As a statesman, in recent times, I have heeded counsel not to speak on party matters. However,  I have never retreated from a fight so I will respond pound for pound," the statement said.

Dr Tamakloe referred to what he believes are selectivities in the punitive measures being meted out to some members of the party.

Ask my detractors what the party has done to members who, among other things:

a) violently disrupted party parliamentary primaries leasing to criminal prosecution;

b) advocated that only Akans are worthy of ruling Ghana;

c) falsely attacking His Excellency J. A. Kufuor and other leading members of the Party without basis;

d) violently disrupted public functions organised by other party members including senior citizens Attoh-Quarshie;

e) violently prevented elected Party officials from entering the Party headquarters;

f) have been caught on tape planning to mount dubious court cases against financial institutions to make money for their own pockets".

"all of these people want to prove their allegiance to our flag bearer by running others down. They are counting their chickens before they are hatched. Instead of focusing on the 2016 elections, they are pursuing an agenda of rumour mongering" he said.

Dr Tamakloe said he would not listen to fascist within the party but would rather heed to the call from former president JA Kufuor and other leading members of the party and these "ignoramuses."

"Even the Greater Accra Regional chairman - who knows him in Greater Accra?" he fired.

Source: myjoyonline.com

The chairperson of the Electoral Commission has advised Ghanaians to “put Ghana first” in everything they do in 2016, which is an election year.

Mrs Charlotte Osei admonished Ghanaians to safeguard the peace and stability Ghana is enjoying now, and must not allow politics to derail it.

“We have only one country - Ghana - and in everything we do we must put Ghana first,” Mrs Osei, who is the first woman electoral commissioner in Ghana, told sit-in host Nana Aba Anamoah on the Morning Starr.

She emphasised her outfit is poised to organise a credible election come November 7 as incumbent President John Mahama go head to head with his main contender and opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo once again.

Mahama is eyeing a second term, having beaten the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer in the 2012 general elections.

Mrs Osei noted elections are just “a contest” hence voters and politicians must not see it as a life and death affair. Likening elections to football, she said “there will always be losers and winners” hence advised all sides to accept the outcome of the 2016 polls.

“We come to realisation that peace and stability is more important to us. We can’t separate our peace to that of the nation. We must all pray for this nation and put it first and realise that an election is just a contest and no point in throwing away our peace and stability. We have to get to that realisation and I know that when it comes to the crunch we’ll do what is right. We are committed to a peaceful election,” Mrs Osei assured Ghanaians.

She added: “Everyone has a role to play and we’ll engage everyone including women and political parties and the media. We hope to call on all to collaborate.”

Ghana is going into its seventh general polls under the Fourth Republic on November 7, 2016.

Source: Starr FM

President Obama said on Friday he’ll meet with Attorney General Loretta Lynch next week to discuss how to use White House powers to reduce gun violence, lamenting that Congress has “done nothing” and declaring he has “unfinished business.”

“I get too many letters from parents and teachers and kids to sit around and do nothing,” said Obama, who will meet with Lynch on Monday, after he returns from his Hawaii family vacation.

Obama directed his White House team a few months ago to explore ways he could reduce gun violence. And he is now expected to focus on using executive actions to tighten regulations on small-scale gun sellers, according to Politico.

Such a change would result in more sellers having to conduct background checks but wouldn’t completely close the so-called “gun show loophole,” which allows for firearm purchases at such venues without a check.

Obama on Friday pointed out his new efforts follow the third anniversary of the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school, in Newtown, Conn., in which a deranged gunman killed 20 children and six adults.

However, the Obama-driven effort in the aftermath of the massacre failed to get enough support for passage from Senate Democrats and Republicans.

“All across America, survivors of gun violence and those who lost a child, a parent, a spouse to gun violence are forced to mark such awful anniversaries every single day,” Obama said Friday. “Yet Congress still hasn’t done anything to prevent what happened to them from happening to other families.”  

The president’s renewed efforts also follow a recent flurry of gun violence including a June 2015 incident in which nine people were shot inside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Charleston, S.C., and a Muslim husband-wife couple last month fatally shooting 14 people during a terror attack at a holiday party in San Bernardino, Calif.

Politico reported Obama was trying to make changes before his presidency ends in January 2017 and before the 2016 White House race further dominates the news and Americans’ attention.

The president also reportedly plans to tighten the definition of being “engaged in the business” of selling guns and impose tighter rules for reporting guns that get lost or stolen on their way to a buyer.

"President Obama failed to pass his anti-gun agenda though congress because the majority of Americans oppose more gun-control. Now he is doing what he always does when he doesn't get his way, which is defy the will of the people and issue an executive order," said NRA spokesperson Jennifer Baker.

"This is nothing more than a political stunt to appease anti-gun billionaire Michael Bloomberg and will do nothing to increase public safety. The plain truth is that President Obama's gun-control agenda will only make it harder for law-aiding citizens to exercise their constitutional right to self-protection. It will not stop criminals."

Existing law states those who sell guns with the “principal objective of livelihood and profit” have to get a dealer’s license through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. That means they also have to conduct a background check on buyers no matter where they sell, including online or at a gun show.

In 2014, the ATF proposed that federal officials be notified about lost firearms, but the gun industry successfully argued that voluntary reporting was sufficient.

Source: foxnews.com

The Power Minister, Dr Kwabena Donkor has tendered in his resignation to the Presidency. He submitted the resignation on Thursday December 31, 2015 sources at the Presidency has confirmed to Graphic Online.

It followed a series of discussions at the Presidency on Wednesday over how he had handled the four-year-old power crisis, one year after his appointment as sector Minister.
Sources within the energy sector also told Graphic Online that the Presidency was not happy about the Minister’s performance and therefore asked him to resign or be sacked by close of work on Thursday December 31, 2015.

Dr Donkor himself had earlier stated he would resign by end of 2015 if he was unable to solve the load shedding problem.

Graphic Online gathered that when Dr Donkor heard he was going to be sacked, he quickly asked the Public Relations outfit of the Power Ministry to issue a statement on Wednesday announcing that load shedding was over.

An official communication on his resignation was yet to be put out.

Meanwhile the Load Management Committee has in a statement announced that load shedding was not over despite the significant gains made.

Source: graphic.com.gh

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has stressed on the need to re-ignite the spirit of fighting corruption, containing greed and selfishness amongst Ghanaians.

He said it was only through such a move that Ghana could be able to reach its destination.

Speaking at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Revolution Square in Accra Thursday morning to mark the 34th anniversary of the 31st December Revolution, the former President said corruption, greed and selfishness was the order of the day in present day Ghana.

“From what I can see, it appears that, the colour of this democracy is very different from the power of democracy we knew from 1982 to 1992 and also very different from the colour of the democracy we knew from the constitutional period of 1992 to 2000.”

According to the former President, “the colour of the democracy especially from the year 2000 appears to lack the will, the capacity and the ability to fight corruption.”

Former President Rawlings who was speaking after lighting the perpetual flame at the yearly ritual and comparing the June 4th and December 31st revolts and revolutions to present day Ghana said, “the colour of those revolutions contained a strong sense of justice, truthfulness and freedom and the spirit of defiance.”

“It seems a little too different from what we used to know from the spirit of defiance that could contain, the greed, selfishness, that has given rise to so much corruption and pain in this country.”

“I keep reminding ourselves of the colours of the revolution. It’s extremely important that we do everything possible to recapture that spirit before it becomes too late.”

“I keep saying the people of this country are peace loving people and it is important that we do not take a peace loving nature of Ghanaians for granted.”

Source: Graphic.com.gh

Impeccable information reaching Joy News says President John Mahama has relieved Power Minister Dr. Kwabena Donkor of his post.

This is coming at a time the minister has been touting his ability to put an end to a bedeviling four-year load shedding.

The load shedding which was nicknamed “dumsor” was an albatross on the neck of the government forcing the president to create a new ministry to tackle issues in the power sector.

Days after his appointment, Dr. Kwabena Donkor made a bold declaration, promising Ghanaians he will end the load shedding by the end of the year. He promised to resign if that was not achieved.

On Wednesday, December 30, 2015, his ministry issued a statement to announce an end to the load shedding.

“The Ministry of Power wishes inform the public that its Load Shedding programme in respect of electricity supply has been brought to an end,” the statement said.

The pronouncement was received with caution by some consumers and civil society groups notably the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP).

It appears the presidency is itself not convinced by the statement announcing an end to load shedding.

Joy News has learnt that Dr. Donkor has been asked to vacate his ministry, most likely, on January 1, 2016.

However sources at the Power Ministry say the Minister has not received any communication with regards to any dismissal.

more soon

Source: myjoyonline.com

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has called for peaceful elections in 2016.

A statement signed by Mr Frank Agyekum, the Spokesperson/Special Aide to the former President and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday said, “My wish for our nation and all of us into the coming year, is a reprieve from the many and seemingly endless challenges that have beset us through the just ending year, 2015.”

The statement said scandals and perceived corruption in governance and the society generally, socio-economic hardships such as unstable currency, unstable power supplies underme both industrial and domestic ventures.

It also mentioned executive bureaucratic delays in the public sector, especially at the ports, many industrial actions, protest demonstrations throughout the economy, sudden and high tariff increases for utilities, and ever-bloating national debt stock, have hall-marked the out-going year.

It said the incoming year, 2016, must be a year of decision for the nation to arrest this dangerous slump of the society and economy.

The statement said people must decide for good, efficient and accountable governance at all levels of government.

It said civil society organizations, traditional leaders and religious groups must assume responsible guidance within their remits to ensure that the entire citizenry of the nation live up to the spirit and letter of the national constitution which enshrines inclusive democracy as the way of life for all of us.

It said 2016 is significant because it is the year of Election for both the Presidency and the Legislature.

“The people must show through their conduct and choices that they understand the uses of the vote.

“Sustained transformation of society will not come through short-sighted and short-term inducements.

“We must examine critically the track records and manifestoes of the contending parties before we make our choices in the election,” it said.

It said the Electoral Commission must be resolute in its independence and impartiality as enjoined by the national constitution, in officiating the elections.

The statement said the security agencies of the nation must uphold the integrity and security of the national constitution and the state which are above all institutions, parties and individuals of the land.

“We must all resolve to enter and live through this New Year with this determination so that the outcome of the elections will ensure us with the government we can all accept and work with in good faith and in peace.

“This is how to give our nation and its citizenry the sustained peace and direction to real development and dignity that we must have,” it said.

Source: myjoyonline.com

President John Mahama has given his unwavering assurance to sack all appointees who fail to deliver on their promises to the people.

In a short new year's message delivered on 31st night the president said he and his appointees will uphold the promises made to the people and at any point any one falls short of those promises he will not hesitate to sack them.

"I assure you once again as your president that each and every member of this government is listening to your concerns and is committed to working towards the greater good of Ghana and for the welfare of its people.

"Each and every member of this government will uphold the promises that have been made to you, the people whose interest we serve.

"Those who fall short of that commitment have been and will continue to be asked to tender in their resignation and relieved of their responsibilities.

"Ghana is not for one person or one political party. Ghana is not for some select group of people. Ghana is for all of us and for all our children," he said.

His statement comes in the wake of reports that the Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor has been forced to resign or be sacked after failing to honour his promise to the load shedding regime by close of 31st December 2015.

The president also admitted that the year 2015 was particularly a challenging year and applauded Ghanaians for their patience.

"We are closer now than ever before to realising the fruits of our patience. So let us not surrender or perseverance and the pride of nationalism to negativity and pessimism," he pleaded.

The president pledged to serve the country with diligence and with the hall mark of communicating with the people and listening to their concerns.

He was hopeful 2016 will be a better year.

Source: myjoyonline.com