Police confirms the arrest of some persons on multiple voting in some part of Accra

Two persons were arrested at Agya Herbal polling station within the Trobo Constituency and Orion Cinema polling station within the Okaikoi South Constituency respectively and one person for multiple voting registration at ACP Estate Gate 2 polling stations.

At the Agya herbal, a middle aged man who was the fifth person to cast his vote allegedly voted twice because when the E. C was setting up they mistakenly exchange the indelible ink in the ballot box for voters to use in thumbprinting the ballot paper.

The Presiding Officer(PO) detected the mistake and rectified it but the fifth voter who had already casted his voted requested to vote again since he perceived the EC will not valid the voted he casted hence was given another ballot to vote but this was rejected by the voters hence the Police causing his arrest until counting is done to prove whether or not he really voted twice before a determination of his case is made.

The Accra Regional Police PRO DSP Afia Tenge confirming the incident in an interview with said the first five persons used the indelible ink to thumbprint the ballot paper but the fifth person was prompted after voting that there was a mistake in the exchange of the ink so he decided to vote again and was granted that until another voter prompted that he (fifth person) has already voted so he was picked up by the police and detained until counting is done and confirmed that he indeed voted twice or not before he can be charged or discharged.

In order development, yesterday between 8am and 9am, a deaf and dumb 30years old Rukaya Dramani was arrested at the Orion Cinema at the neoplan station in the Okaikoi South Constituency for allegedly have seven thumbprinted seven Presidential ballot papers and was sent the Accra Regional Command.

DSP Afia Tenge said, Rukaya Dramani brought a poster of ballot voter paper that were used by exhibits and took it to the voter box and we believe was to aid her vote.
She was brought here at the Regional Command and after thorough investigation the posters of ballot voter papers are not the official EC ballot paper hence she was discharged.

Meanwhile, at 12:10 noon Police arrested suspect Lartey Eunice aged 36 to the Amasaman Divisional police with two voter Identification card numbers 4415001979 with the name Lartey Eunice with Polling Station code C120602, Date of birth 1984/10/20 dated 2020/07/02 and another 4256053933 with the name Lartey Eunice Ayivi, with Polling Station Code C040903 ,Date of birth 1982/10/20 dated 2020/08/05 and Electoral commission’s Multiple List.

Around 10am the suspect queued at ACP Estate Gate 2 polling station to cast her ballot hence madam Karen Owusu the presiding officer of the centre identified her as having been captured by the multiple voter register list.

She was handed over to the police who escorted her to her house and recovered the second card number 4256053933 hence Suspect Lartey Eunice is detained and exhibits retained for investigation.

Story: Sheila Satori Mensa

Election 2020: “Traders for Nana” declare support for President Akufo-Addo and the NPP

“Traders for Nana” a group of women traders from Accra and Kumasi, have declared their support for the President Nana Akufo- Addo and expressed confidence in his ability to deliver on his manifesto promises based on his excellent record in his first term.

At a brief meeting with the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo at her office in Accra to declare their support, the group said the Akufo-Addo government since assuming office in 2017 has implemented policies and programmes which have not only enhanced a conducive business climate, but also brought peace, happiness and contentment to their homes.

The group stated that under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo, Ghana has seen an end to Dumsor, resuscitation of the NHIS, Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) which has brought food security, the 1 District 1 Factory (1D1F) which is changing the face of the country’s industrial landscape, and what they termed “the almighty Free SHS” which has brought significant relief to their members, nationwide.

Members of the group affirmed that President Akufo-Addo has demonstrated honesty, incorruptibility, hard work and competence, all of which is an indication that their future social and economic status are secured under the able leadership of President Akufo-Addo.

They also congratulated the First Lady for promoting the well-being of Ghanaians especially women and children with initiatives in health, education and women’s empowerment . According to the group, no First Lady has delivered first class infrastructure in health and education like Mrs Akufo-Addo, recalling the construction of a Mother and baby Unit and a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as well as libraries across the country.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo thanked the GUTA ladies for their support for President Akufo-Addo and the NPP stating that the President has proven that he can be trusted to keep his promises to Ghanaians, citing the Free SHS, One Constituency one ambulance, 1D1F,Planting for food and Jobs, Construction and renovation of health facilities among many others. She assured the traders that when given another term, Nana Addo will work hard to do more for Ghanaians, including the business community.

Story: Sheila Satori Mensa

“I have been honest and truthful to Ghanaians” – President Akufo-Addo

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has appealed to the Ghanaian electorate to repose their confidence in him, once again, and vote massively for him in the December 2020 elections.

Addressing the congregation of the Resurrection Power New Generation Church, at Kasoa, on Sunday, 25th October 2020, at the commencement of his 4-day tour of the Greater Accra Region, President Akufo-Addo stated that “all that I promised to do, in your own presence and in the presence of God, you can all attest to it that I have done a lot of them.”

The President continued, “You have all seen that I am an honest and truthful person. I did not come to deceive anybody in Ghana. I told Ghanaians the truth, today I am telling you the same truth, and it is upon that that I am asking you to help me so that ‘Four More for Nana’ will become a reality.”

Four more years for him, he added, “should also apply to the parliamentary candidates going to Parliament so that they will win.”

Explaining the purpose of his visit, the President noted that he has so far visited all the regions of the country, but Greater Accra, and deemed it important to begin his tour of Greater Accra with a visit to the Church he knows very well.

“Four years ago, I came here to implore Rev. Anthony Kwadwo Boakye to pray to God Almighty, on my behalf, for victory in the 2016 elections. He prayed for me, and God listened to his prayers and I emerged victorious. Afterwards, I came here to show my appreciation to him and the church for the good thing they did for me,” he said, to a rapturous response from the congregation.

The President told the gathering at the Church that “I am here today, once again, that 7th December will soon be here. The country is going to elect someone to lead the nation in the next four years. I am pleading with God to, like He helped me in 2016, to help me again in this 2020 election”.

President Akufo-Addo reiterated to the gathering that “what we have achieved, in the areas of education, health, employment, agriculture and all the others represent a solid foundation we have laid in Ghana for growth and development in the country. I am, therefore, pleading with you that we should move forward and not backwards so that in unity we can move Ghana forward.”

Weija Model SHS
President Akufo-Addo also inspected ongoing work on the construction of the Weija Model Senior High School, a school whose sod he cut in October 2019.

The Weija SHS is one of the new senior high schools, comprises the construction of seven (7) new Senior High Schools and the upgrading of two (2) existing schools into model schools, being established by the Akufo-Addo administration.

The seven new schools are located at Kwadaso, Dabaa, Awaso, Abomosu, Akrodie, Weija and Kpasenkpe. Seven (7) out of the nine (9) schools are proposed science focused schools, with the other two being the first ever Creative Arts School, Kwadaso, in Kumasi, and a Senior High Technical School at Dabaa, named after former President J. A. Kufour.

It will be recalled that contracts for the construction of these schools were awarded in October 2019, and the sites were handed over to the contractors by the consultants a month later.

The Weija Model Senior High School is fitted with the full complement of amenities such as playing fields, administrative buildings, libraries, and dormitories. Additionally, the V-Block in the school has a total of 24 classrooms, as opposed to 12 classrooms in the E-Blocks constructed by the former administration.

Story: Sheial Satori Mensa

Election 2020: “Akufo-Addo needs one more term to do more” – First Lady

First Lady of the Republic, H.E. Mrs. Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo has urged the electorate in Trobu to vote massively for President Akufo-Addo for one more term to complete the good works he has started with his ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agendum.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo made the call when she toured the Trobu constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

Accompanied by the MCE of Ga North Gertrude Ankrah, MP for Trobu Moses Anim, and NPP executives, the First Lady visited the Muus Timber Market at Ofankor, the Ofankor Market and the Pokuase Market and attended a durbar held in her honour at the Ofankor MA School Park.

At a meeting with leaders and executives of the Muus Timber Market, Mrs. Akufo-Addo thanked the traders for their massive endorsement of then candidate Akufo-Addo in the December 2016 elections and appealed to them to vote massively for him in the up-coming December 7th elections.

Chairman of Muus Timber Market, Mr. Kofi Asante, on behalf of the Timber Merchants expressed their elation at the First Lady’s visit and requested her to extend their gratitude to H.E. the President for his assistance following the fire disaster that occurred at the market in December, 2015 as well as the regular de-silting of drains which has significantly ebbed flooding in the area.

He however complained about the consistent disturbance and harassment meted out by officials of the forestry commission at the various barriers when hauling wood to the Muus and appealed to the government to intervene.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo assured the traders their concerns will be referred to the relevant authorities. Additionally, the First Lady reminded them of the construction of a major storm drain to bring an end to the flooding as well as the resumption of works on the construction of the Sawmill road by Resource Access Construction Ltd stating” this government can be trusted to keep its promises “.

The First Lady’s next stop was the Pokuase Market where she met and interacted with the traders.

She appealed to them to look to the many promises the Akufo-Addo government has fulfilled and vote massively for another four year term for the Party in the December 7th elections.

On behalf of the traders, the Pokuase Market Queen, Naa Ayikai Otoo thanked the First Lady for her visit and assured her of massive votes for President Akufo-Addo and the NPP, stating that the many social intervention policies implemented by the Akufo-Addo led government such as the Free SHS, 1 District 1 Factory (1D1F) and NABCO policies have significantly mitigated their economic challenges and created employment for their spouses and children.

They however appealed to the First lady to facilitate their receipt of assistance from the Covid-19 Stimulus package and MASLOC.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo promised to give their concerns her urgent attention and expressed her satisfaction at the government plan to construct a new market complex for the traders, by Hanisa Construction Ltd. which she said will commence very soon.

The First Lady also visited the Ofankor Market to interact with the traders and appealed to them to vote for President Akufo-Addo and the NPP in the general elections of December 7th.
She again noted with satisfaction, the award of a contract to Well Land Construction Limited for the expansion of the road in front of the Ofankor market.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo also joined the NPP MP for Trobu to inspect the on-going construction works of a three storey facility at the Amamorley Health Centre being under taken by Hon. Anim with his share of the MPs Common Fund and made some donation of detergents and other hospital consumables to the facility.

At a grand durbar held in her honour at the Ofankor MA School Park, the First Lady thanked the traditional leaders of Trobu for supporting the administration of President Akufo-Addo in diverse ways, in his service to the country.

She said though the Akufo-Addo led administration has achieved so much in less than four years it was imperative to vote to retain them in office in order not to erode the gains attained so far, but rather consolidate them and assured them of significant enhancement in their social status when they give the Akufo-Addo led government, one more term to do more.

NPP MP for Trobu, Hon. Moses Anim on behalf of his constituents, thanked the First lady for honouring them with her visit,
He said the NPP government has undertaken several development projects in the constituency in the area of road construction and asphalting, construction of schools, modern toilet facilities and installation of street lights among others, and assured his constituents of the NPP’s readiness to continue with their good works to bring economic and social development to the people.

Hon. Moses Anim called on his constituents to look out for the first position on the ballot paper which will be occupied by President Akufo-Addo and the NPP’s parliamentary candidate and vote for them accordingly.

Story: Sheila Satori Mensa

Election 2020: “One Region One Helicopter, I’ll not take salary for the four years if I’m voted for as President” – Independent Candidate Promises

Independent presidential candidate, Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker has promised to get every region one helicopter each to serve as emergency health responders if voted into power.

According to Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker, these aircrafts will serve as a means of transporting the sick or injured people from one city to the other.

“We have said the regionalisation policy which is the headlines of our government, every region is going to get a helicopter, emergency responders who will immediately respond to the site. We are going to have trauma centers strategically placed where helicopters, nurses and doctors who are able to respond to those emergencies to be airlifted to those trauma centers” he said

On how he is going to fund this project, Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker says as president of Ghana he will not take any salary. He will rather dedicate that money to helping improve the state of affairs in the country.

“Somebody will ask me how are going to fund all that, I have said, I am not going to take salary as a president for the four years we will be in power. I am making it public that I will not take that salary.

“We are going to cut a lean in government, wastage is going to be stopped and we are going to make sure that the resources that are used in this country are used judiciously.”

Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker first launched a bid to be president in 2016.

He is among many candidates who were disqualified by the Electoral Commission at the time, speaking an uproar.

He later took legal action against the EC to reinstate his candidacy in the 2016 elections, but that did not yield positive results.

This year, he is looking at contesting the elections again stemming from his desire to see his country develop.

He teamed up with several individuals who have launched their bids to run for president as independent candidates.

He comes into the race with lots of experience in leadership. He is currently the lead consultant/collaborator for a Dublin Ireland and Infrastructure Development Group operations in West Africa.

He has also spearheaded and championed the redevelopment, expansion and beautification of the Accra-Tema motorway.

He advocated for the Ghanaian majority ownership of the National Telecom system during the privatisation of Ghana Telecom to Vodafone by the Kufour administration.

Born in Larteh in the Eastern Region of Ghana on December 24, 1955, Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker is the youngest of nine children.

“Commit to Peaceful Electoral Process, Forego Violence” – President Akufo-Addo to Political Parties, Citizens

“On the larger issue of the peace of our nation in these sensitive times, let me assure you of the wholehearted efforts that are being made by my Government and I to ensure the peace and stability of the nation, as we enter the home straight of the electioneering campaign. I am calling on all political actors and the citizenry, as a whole, to commit themselves to a peaceful process, and to forego any resort to violence.”

These were the words of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 13th October 2020, when he commissioned the refurbished Hall of Trade Unions of the Trades Union Congress.

According to President Akufo-Addo, “The Inspector General of Police, and the other heads of the law enforcement agencies, have made abundantly clear their determination to enforce the laws of the land, including the law banning vigilantism, in an impartial, even-handed manner, without recourse to political colour, to secure the peace of the nation. I support fully their attitude, and will give them my maximum backing”.

Recounting his commitment to maintaining the peace and stability of the country on several occasions, the President noted that, in 2008, he accepted the results of a closely fought election, which was won by the slimmest of margins, some forty thousand (40,000) votes, without asking for a recount.

“Again, in the disputed elections of 2012, I protested the outcome in the highest Court of the land, and, after proceedings that lasted eight months, I accepted an unfavourable verdict, called on my followers to respect the decision of the Court, and Ghana came out with her democratic credentials enhanced, and the peace and stability of the nation maintained,” he added.

The New Patriotic Party, the President stressed, has proved to the world “that we were willing and able to submerge our individual and partisan preferences for the common good.”

The Party, he added, demonstrated “that it was not the ambitions of Akufo-Addo, nor the fortunes of the NPP, that we sought to promote. The stability and progress of Ghana, and the enhancement of her democracy, were the paramount considerations that guided our every action in those difficult days,” he added.

Ghana, President Akufo-Addo noted, has rightly earned a reputation as the pacesetter in democratic governance on the African continent, a reputation he is determined to uphold and, indeed, enhance, prior to, during and after the 7th December elections.

“I would need, of course, the full collaboration and co-operation of the entire citizenry, including members of Organised Labour, to help attain this end. We have all to work together to create the environment that will allow the Ghanaian people to make their decision on 7th December in freedom, peace and security. It is their right,” he added.

Story: Sheila Satori Mensa

IGP visits Western Regional Police Command ahead of election 2020

Ahead of the 2020 December polls and preparedness of the key security agencie’s, the Inspector General of Police James Oppong Boanuh on a working visit toured the western regional police command yesterday 24th September, 2020.

The purpose of visit was to assess the operational capability of the Ghana Police Service in the western region ahead of the task before them.

He was welcomed with election 2020 scenarios demonstrated by the western regional police command operational team led by Rapid Deployment Force “RBF” commander, Superintendent Bismark Achaab.

The scenarios that Inspector General of Police witnessed at the Takoradi Central Police Department was preparedness of the western regional police to salvage any situation that may occur during December polls.

Speaking to the media in the western region, Mr. Boanuh reserved his comments on the election scenarios which was executed by police operational team and discussed it with the top hierarchy of the western regional command at close door meeting.

The Inspector General of Police emphasize that the Ghana Police Service will be impartial and prepared to defend Ghanaians who may cast their votes at polling stations during December 7th polls.

He continued that citizens should make up their minds so that they don’t involve themselves in any form of violence at the election day.

“The Ghana Police Service will not be only engage in election duties on December 7th but will extend the activities to protect the communities”, IGP added.

Meanwhile the Inspector General of Police therefore urged the media as election 2020 approaches to assist and cooperate with the police to educate the Ghanaians with a tag “Violence Does Not Pay”

Filed By: Benjamin Bray – Vision1 Fm/Globe TV.

Election 2020: Dr Bawumia electrifies Bole

Home towns of Presidential candidates are normally ‘no go zones’ for their main opponents but Vice President Bawumia on Monday defied that widely-held view in Bole, the hometown of NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama.

On the 4th day of his tour of the northern regions of the country, Dr. Bawumia stormed Bole to round off his visits to the newly created Savannah Region.

What was meant to be a private visit to the Bole Naa turned out to be a stunning experience as the home of Mahama offered Dr. Bawumia an unimaginable tumultuous welcome.

Scores of youth met the Vice President at the entrace of Bole in the outskirts and led him into the town and to his destination.

As his entourage slowly headed to the Bole Naa’s Palace, scores of people, both young and old poured out in their numbers and followed him to the Palace.

By the time Dr. Bawumia was through with his meeting with the Bole Naa, people had massed up in front of the Palace chanting songs in support of President Akuffo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia.

As Bawumia stepped out of the Palace, the crowd demanded he says something and he obliged.

“Wow! This is Bole! This is Bole! This is Bole!”, a stunned Dr. Bawumia said.

He continued: “From what i seee tonight, in shaa Allah David Sey Dema will be the next member of Parliament for Bole Constituency.”

“We are so happy for this welcome. This is a massive welcome,” he added.

Dr. Bawumia said the 2020 elections is about records and sustaining the massive and inclusive development, as well as the social interventions President Akufo-Addo has initiated in his first.

He said unlike former President Mahama, who disappointed the north despite pumping $100 million dollars into SADA, President Akufo-Addo has kept faith with the north with several development initiatives.

Dr. Bawumia said, even Bole Constituency, the home of former President Maham has not been left out, as it has benefited from 10 dams from the One Village One Dam, among other national interventions.

As Dr. Bawumia listed President Akufo-Addo’s numerous achievements one after the other, the ecstatic crowd responded wildly to it.

He urged them to make history by voting massively for President Akufo-Addo and electing the NPP Parliamentary candidate to Parliament.

Story: Sheila Satori Mensa

WNR: NDC Running Mate tours Western North Region

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the vice presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress ( NDC ), has embarked on a three-day tour of all the nine Constituencies in the Western North Region on Wednesday September 2, 2020.

Addressing a community durbar at Sefwi Bekwai, told Lord fm reporter Kwame Kontor Boateng that the December elections should not marred with violence but rather come together as one people with common destiny.

According to the first ever female running mate for the National Democratic Congress, John Mahama and Jane administration will foster on job creations and provide Technical Vocational Training (TVET) free for all and to try to fulfill promises as well as completion of abandoned projects.

She added the biggest opposition NDC if voted into power in 2021 will create more jobs for Ghanaian youth in their next administration.

Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang appealed to electorates not to be influence with money by giving them their voters ID card which can cause them in the general elections.

The Western North Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr.Micheal Aidoo popularly known as Big Aidoo eulogized former president Mahama for choosing a credible running mate and presented her to the people of Western North and also steer the affairs of the country if elected in December 2020 elections.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), parliamentary candidate for Bibiani Anhwianso Bekwai Constituency, Mr.Stephen Donkor stated that he together with the National Democratic Congress flagbearer John Dramani Mahama and the Professor Jane will be sworn in after the elections and will bringing development to Bibiani Anhwianso Bekwai constituents.

Filed By: Kwame Kontor Boateng, Lord fm, Sefwi Bekwai.

The 2020 Election looks scary, stand tall for all Educate Africa Institute to security agencies

“East or West, home is best”

The ongoing registration exercise has turned into fight in this era of enlightenment in Ghana meanwhile we have cultured security agencies commanded by very refined leadership. What is wrong with us? How do we determine our future as a serious nation?

The upcoming 2020 election looks like a war front considering the immature acts by some politicians and their bootlickers in this voter registration exercise.

Please, the registration centres are not conflict zones. Things are really getting out of hands due to partisan politics(NDC and NPP focus) under the watch of our sleeping Peace Council. We care not about the progress of our rich country but too vigilant with our political parties and sacrifice our lives to ensure the wellness of some greedy politicians. What a hopeless era full of stranded young people. We’re killing and damaging our fellow countrymen plus their properties. Lives are at risks as we speak because the registration has not ended yet.

A question worth asking is if registration exercise is sending people to grave, what will happen during the general election?
It is so embarrassing to see a Minister and a Member of Parliament firing gun at a registration centre in a so-called self defense.

“Unity should be the cornerstone of relations” Haile Selassie.

To the national security, your actions can no longer hold water. The level at which you are slumbering is too much. You promised to serve the country to the satisfaction of all and sundry but it seems you lost the key to operate your engines then and now. You have totally lost credibility for the sake of order- from- above system, refuse to be influenced and stand tall for all to relegate the violence scenes.

I therefore condemn some dirty comments made by Sammy Gyamfi and some NPP members. It’s just a privilege, leave a positive mark. We need peace! We need unity! Violence begets violence! You could have preached peace rather than preaching violence. There is no need championing your party footsoldiers to prepare to face your opponent in a fight in revenge.
Let us maintain this managed environment we have been enjoying for years.

“To agree to have dialogue is the beginning of a peaceful resolution”.

My dear citizens, we are one people. Let’s fortify our solidarity and uphold the flag of Ghana in truth for the truth is light. Ghana first.

I am a citizen of Ghana.

Signed

Boadi William
President of Educate Africa Institute, Educationist and Motivational Speaker.
+233541935106.

📚 EAI… RESTORING AFRICAN VALUES.

I will give Nana Addo pension letter on 8th December 2020 – Kwesi Busumbru

The founder and flag bearer of the People’s Action Party ( PAP), Kwesi Busumbru has said that he will give President Nana Addo his pension letter on 8th December 2020 after the general elections.

Mr. Kwesi Busumbru has stated that he will unseat Nana Addo and take the position as president in the incoming presidential elections during the official launch of the People’s Action Party (PAP).

According to him, if he begins the president of Ghana, he will renovate the abandoned affordable housing project of former president John Agyekum kuffour and give it to people living on the streets and those in wooden structures.

Mr. Kwesi Busumbru noted that he will maintain the free S.H.S program but regulate it well so that the S.H.S graduate will be able to gain admissions to the various universities by creating more universities in the country.

He added that he will make every boarding senior high school a day school to cut of cost and re-structure the educational system, so that every student would get admission to the nearest senior high school.

Kwesi Busumbru The Flag bearer of the People’s Action Party, Kwesi Busumbru has urged fellow Ghanaians to join, campaign and vote for People’s Action Party (PAP) both Presidential and parliamentary.

Mahama’s warmongering comments brings his insensitivity to bare – Edmund Kyei

Recent comments by the Ex President Mahama sounds unpalatable and unfortunate, he made comments threatening the electoral commission and the state that he and his party won’t accept the outcome of a flawed election. These derogatory comment against the Electoral commission supposed not to have come from the Honourable Mahama because of his position as an ex President and a candidate for the major opposition NDC.

We all remember the infamous incidence at Ayawaso Wuogon, where the ex President again threaten the nation by saying “the NDC was born out of revolution so we will match NPP boot for boot” and I think his insensitive comments are becoming too much and it threatens the peace of the nation.

Mahama should consider his position as flagbearer and becareful with some of his comments, he mostly sounds like he doesn’t care about the peaceful nature of our country Ghana but he only cares about how he is going to win election at all cost whether through foul or right means.

Countries like Rwanda and co have experience war and genocide because of misguided comments by some of its citizens and during that time many lost their lives and their economy shattered, and any person who have experienced war before will tell you how worse lives becomes under such experience.

I am quoting the late President John Evans Atta Mills, may his gentle soul rest in peace, “Ghana will not die” Mahama should be sensitive and think about the majority of our population which are women and children, they suffer most whenever there is an outbreak of war.
Ghana has come far, so Ghanaians do not want the nation to go back in the dark ages where people incite ethnocentric violences, we are one people and we love our dear nation Ghana, Ghanaians will vote peacefully and I entreat every citizen to register in the upcoming voter registration in order to exercise their franchise in coming December 7th election.

Remember to wear your nose mask and observe Social distancing.

…Signed…
Edmund Kyei
Asokwa Constituency 1st Vice Chairman
Member of NPP National Communication.

NPP sets out guidelines for the conduct of the party’s 2020 parliamentary primaries

June 8, 2020

PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE NPP GENERAL SECRETARY, JOHN BOADU, TO OUTLINE GUIDELINES FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE PARTY’S 2020 PARLIAMENTARY PRIMARIES

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press

The essence of this Press Conference is to spell out the guidelines and modalities for the conduct of the Party’s Parliamentary Primaries in the 168 Constituencies where the NPP has sitting Members of Parliaments (MPs) to elect Parliamentary Candidates for the 2020 General Elections. We would also be updating you on developments regarding the Party’s Presidential Primaries.

In the light of this, the statement is structured to include Guidelines on Polling Day; Parliamentary Primaries in Constituencies With Unopposed Candidates; Publication of names of Candidates cleared by NEC to contest in the Primaries; Primaries in a remaining Orphan Constituency; Update on Presidential Primaries and some disciplinary matters.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it would be recalled that the Party, at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Wednesday, the 3rd of June, 2020, agreed to hold its 2020 Parliamentary Primaries on SATURDAY, JUNE, 20, 2020, in all the Constituencies where the party has sitting MPs with the exception of Ayawaso West Wougon.

At the said meeting, the Party considered the Reports of the various National Parliamentary Vetting Committees and the National Parliamentary Appeals Committee on the status of all Aspiring Parliamentary Candidates, which Reports were largely accepted by NEC except in few instances.

Thus far, all these processes that have been rolled out are in line with the Rules and Regulations published by the Party on January 16, 2020, for the conduct of the 2020 Parliamentary Primaries. However, owing to the Covid-19 situation in the country, the Party was compelled to reconsider some of the Rules particularly the date for the Primaries which had to be postponed following the Covid-19 restrictions. All is now set for the Primaries subject to the following guidelines and modalities.

The Party wishes to emphasize that the Primaries shall be conducted in strict compliance with the Covid-19 health protocols announced by His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo. Accordingly, the Party, while making sure that not more than 100 people congregate at a voting centre, will also be making available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers at each polling centre for delegates to sanitize their hands before participating in the polls. Equally, the Party has procured nose masks which shall be given to every delegate.

GUIDELINES AND MODALITIES FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY PRIMARIES

Voting Day Regulations:
1) The Primaries shall be held on Saturday, June 20, 2020 on Electoral Area basis per the Electoral Commission’s designation
2) Voting shall be supervised by the Electoral Commission of Ghana assisted by the respective National Parliamentary Vetting Committees

3) Delegates shall comprise all Polling Station executives; all Constituency Executives; 5 members of the Constituency Council of Elders; 5 members of the Constituency Council of Patrons; as well as any founding member of the Party from the Constituency, who was a signatory to the registration document of the Party at the Electoral Commission.

4) The five (5) members of the Constituency Council of Elders; the five (5) members of the Constituency Council of Patrons; all the members of the Constituency Executive Committee; as well as the Party’s Founding members who were signatories to the registration document of the Party at the Electoral Commission shall all be accredited to vote at the Constituency Secretariat.

5) The Polling Station Executives and the Electoral Area Coordinators shall be accredited to vote at the Electoral Area voting centre.

6) The Constituency Album which has been broken down into Electoral Area Album shall be used to identify all delegates who are eligible to vote in their respective Electoral Areas.

7) Delegates will be required to produce an NPP Membership ID Card or any other recognized National ID card to entitle them to vote
8) Proxy voters shall be accredited delegates in the Constituency

9) Voting starts at 7 am and ends at 1pm

10) Each delegate will be required to thumbprint in front of his or her preferred Candidate on the ballot paper that will be issued

11) A Ballot Paper will not be counted if:
a) it does not bear the official validating stamp of the Commission.
b) it is not thumb printed by the delegate to clearly identify the preferred candidate he/she is casting the vote for.
c) it is not thumb printed at all
d) it is thumb-printed more than one candidate on the ballot paper.
e) it is thumb-printed in such a way that the choice of the delegate is not clear.
f) it has mark(s) that identifies who the delegate is not clearly defined.

12) Counting & Declaration of Results:

a) Counting of ballot will be done immediately after the close of Polls at each Electoral Area Polling Centre and at the Constituency Secretariat Polling Centre
b) Ballot will be counted and declared by the EC Presiding Officer in the presence of Candidates’ Agents.
c) Counting shall not begin until after 1pm
d) Each Candidate will be represented by One (1) Polling Agent at each Voting Center (i.e. Electoral Area).
e) The results of each Electoral Area Polling Centre and that of the Constituency Secretariat Polling Station will all be collated at the Constituency Secretariat which shall be the Constituency Collation Centre.
f) Only Candidates and their Agents (1 each) will be allowed entry at the Constituency Collation Centre
g) The Electoral Commission’s District Officer at the Constituency Secretariat will do the final declaration of results for the Constituency Primaries.

13) Voting Offences:

It is an offence to:
a) vote or attempt to vote more than once at the primaries.
b) buy or sell a vote
c) compel somebody to vote in a particular way
d) obstruct a delegate from freely exercising his or her right to vote
e) display your marked ballot paper in such a way as to make it known to others the candidate you are voting for.
f) take photo of how he/she voted in any particular way.

14) Code of Conduct for Candidates
a) Candidates shall cease all forms of campaign activities by midnight (12 am) of June 19, 2020
b) Candidates shall campaign on issues and refrain from leveling unsubstantiated allegations, personal attacks and vilifications against their opponents
c) No candidate shall undertake any activity that will polarize the Constituency along tribal, religious and other factional lines. Candidates shall also require their supporters not to engage in any of these activities

15) Disputes arising out of the voting process shall be referred the National Parliamentary Vetting Committee for amicable resolution

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

16) Guidelines for Constituencies with Unopposed Candidates

a) There shall not be elections in Constituencies where there are unopposed Candidates.
b) Delegates in these Constituencies will however be required to converge at the Electoral Area or Zonal Level for Candidates to address them.
c) The Venue for this meeting shall be determined by the National Parliamentary Vetting Committee for each Region in consultation with the sole Candidate to smoothen the process based on situation-specific dynamics
d) This process is not subject to Regulation (1) and Regulation (9) of these guidelines. This means it can be held in more than a day, and does not also have to start from 7am to 1pm.

17) Constituencies where Primaries have been suspended

a) Constituency Primaries in the Kwadaso Constituency in the Ashanti Region have been suspended till further notice
b) Constituency Primaries in the Gushegu Constituency in the Northern Region have been suspended till further notice
c) Constituency Primaries in the Dormaa Central Constituency in the Bono Region have been suspended till further notice

18) Primaries for outstanding ‘Orphan Constituency’
a) Constituency Primaries shall be held in the Krachi West Constituency of the Oti Region
b) The Primaries shall be held on Saturday, June 20, 2020.
c) Primaries in the Krachi West Constituency shall be conducted in accordance with Regulation (16) above since there is only one Candidate.

CANDIDATES THAT HAVE BEEN CLEARED BY THE PARTY’S NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC) TO CONTEST IN THE PARLIAMENTARY PRIMARIES

Refer to Attachment

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES

Following the General Secretary’s report to National Council at its meeting on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, to the effect that at the close of the Party’s Presidential Nomination, only one Candidate, in the person of H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, filed to contest in the 2020 Presidential Candidate, the National Council resolved to acclaim the sole Candidate. Consequent to this, the Party will soon announce a date for the acclamation of the Presidential Candidate.

DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

The Party has observed, rather worryingly, the conduct of some members claiming to be invoking curses on the Party Leadership and in particular, on members of NEC on allegations that their preferred Candidates have been disqualified by NEC from contesting in the Primaries. We are completely appalled by such gross misconduct.

Accordingly, the Party is instructing the respective Constituency Executives in the Constituencies where this unfortunate incident happened, to immediately suspend all those involved in this awkward behavior while instituting appropriate disciplinary actions against them in line with Article 3 and 4 of the Party Constitution.

CONCLUSION

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, the Party wishes to stress that any aspiring parliamentary candidate who flouts any of the above guidelines and modalities or conducts him/herself in a manner that brings the Party’s name into disrepute shall be deemed to have breached Article 4(7) of the NPP constitution and will, accordingly, be sanctioned including being disqualified from contesting in the Primaries.

Finally, while wishing all prospective aspiring parliamentary candidates the best of luck in the Parliamentary Primaries, the party hopes and anticipates that these prospective aspiring candidates, together with their supporters, would adhere strictly to these rules of engagements in their own interest and in the supreme interest of the party.

…Signed….

John Boadu
General Secretary