Page 17, Jan 20, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr Laary Bimi, has called for more time before the amendment of the 1992 Constitution.
“The 1992 Constitution is still very young. We should tarry a little and allow time and many more governments and persons to operate with it before we begin to undertake major amendments to it,” he explained.
In a letter to the Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Bimi stated that since the Constitution had not even undergone one “generational cycle”, it might be too early to be thinking of structural amendment to the document.
The letter was apparently to set the record straight and make his position clear on the Constitutional Review Commission which has been established to seek views on the amendment of certain portions of the Constitution.
He explained that he had been compelled to come out to set the record straight because of the furore that had been generated after he had been interviewed on the issue on the Joy FM’s Newsnight on January 14, 2010.
Mr Bimi added that if there were any fissures and operational difficulties, they could be traceable to the human factor and not the Constitution.
He explained that these difficulties could be left to the Supreme Court to, by way of their rulings and judgements, develop a body of constitutions, laws and conventions for the country.
Mr Bimi argued that what was needed in the country’s political and constitutional development, especially from its leaders, was restraint.
“Our political leaders have to internalise the culture of tolerance with natural morality underpinning what they do under the Constitution,” he said.
He explained that during the interview with Joy FM, he referred to the absence of an upper limit to the composition of the Supreme Court and cited the case of Mr Tsatsu Tsikata and said if the executive had restrained itself and not taken steps to reverse the ruling, a huge step would have been taken in concretising a constitutional convention.
Mr Bimi stated that his position notwithstanding, if there was overwhelming evidence that Ghanaians wanted the 1992 Constitution to undergo some amendment “who am I to stand the way of the people”.
In that regard, the NCCE boss explained that the amendment could be done by the Executive and Parliament in the case of ordinary articles.
In the case of entrenched articles, Mr Bimi stated, there was the need for the people to be sufficiently informed, consulted and involved through the district assemblies and other identifiable bodies for the ultimately reviewed Constitution to have legitimacy.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
NDC rewards dedication and loyalty
Page 16, Jan 21, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Juaboso in the Western Region, Mr Sampson Ahi, has stated that the results of the elections of national executives at the 8th national congress held in Tamale had shown that members of the party would always reward dedication and loyalty.
He said the overwhelming support that both Dr Kwabena Adjei and Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah received to continue with their mandate as national chairman and national general secretary respectively was an indication of acceptance of effective and hard work.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic about the outcome of the party’s delegates congress in Tamale last week, Mr Ahi noted that it was also based on the same yardstick that the delegates voted for former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, and Mr Kofi Adams to be part of the national executive.
The party had shown that unity of purpose, coupled with understanding and accommodation of one another’s views, was an important ingredient for a successful organisation of an entity.
Mr Ahi, who is also the Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Gender and Children, said the successful congress had deepened internal democracy in the party and put to rest views held by the party’s detractors that the NDC was a violent party.
He, however, urged the new executive to work as a team that was heading towards one goal.
“Our larger interest as a party in power is to work towards retaining power in the 2012 general election,” adding that any activity that would be in contravention with the objective of the party should not be entertained.
On utterances made by some candidates during the campaign for positions in the party, Mr Ahi advised the executives to “let bygones be bygones” and bury their differences.
“We cannot be enemies to our own selves,” he said, advising that the new executive needed to be focused, instead of dwelling on trivialities, which could give its opponents a field day in 2012.
Mr Ahi indicated that members of the party were now poised to retain power and would, therefore, not forgive anyone, through whose actions or inaction the party would miss the chances of retaining power.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Juaboso in the Western Region, Mr Sampson Ahi, has stated that the results of the elections of national executives at the 8th national congress held in Tamale had shown that members of the party would always reward dedication and loyalty.
He said the overwhelming support that both Dr Kwabena Adjei and Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah received to continue with their mandate as national chairman and national general secretary respectively was an indication of acceptance of effective and hard work.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic about the outcome of the party’s delegates congress in Tamale last week, Mr Ahi noted that it was also based on the same yardstick that the delegates voted for former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, and Mr Kofi Adams to be part of the national executive.
The party had shown that unity of purpose, coupled with understanding and accommodation of one another’s views, was an important ingredient for a successful organisation of an entity.
Mr Ahi, who is also the Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Gender and Children, said the successful congress had deepened internal democracy in the party and put to rest views held by the party’s detractors that the NDC was a violent party.
He, however, urged the new executive to work as a team that was heading towards one goal.
“Our larger interest as a party in power is to work towards retaining power in the 2012 general election,” adding that any activity that would be in contravention with the objective of the party should not be entertained.
On utterances made by some candidates during the campaign for positions in the party, Mr Ahi advised the executives to “let bygones be bygones” and bury their differences.
“We cannot be enemies to our own selves,” he said, advising that the new executive needed to be focused, instead of dwelling on trivialities, which could give its opponents a field day in 2012.
Mr Ahi indicated that members of the party were now poised to retain power and would, therefore, not forgive anyone, through whose actions or inaction the party would miss the chances of retaining power.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Opare-Hammond withdraws from contest
Page 16, Jan 19, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
A FORMER Member of Parliament (MP) for Adenta, Mr Kwadjo Opare-Hammond, has withdrawn his bid to contest the National Treasurer position of the New Patriotic Party.
Days after filing his nomination to contest the slot, the former MP told the Daily Graphic that he had withdrawn because of his belief that there was the need to promote regional and gender balance at all levels of the party.
He said it was his conviction that the other contestant for the position, who is a female from the Volta Region, should be given the chance to ensure that the region and females were given the chance to be on the national executive of the party.
Mr Opare-Hammond said it was important for the leadership of the party to take steps to ensure regional and gender balance on the national executive.
He thanked party members who encouraged him to contest the position and assured them that he would continue to use his experience in the service of the party, no matter where he found himself.
On the current political terrain, Mr Opare-Hammond told NPP supporters to intensify their campaign, since Ghanaians were looking forward to the party to salvage the country from the hands of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“We should not do anything for other people or regions to feel that they have been sidelined. Our actions should portray that we are a true national party,” he added.
He said just after one year in office, it had become clear that Ghanaians had regretted voting the NDC into power and were looking up to the NPP to win the 2012 elections.
“Let us, therefore, not be complacent but start making serious preparations towards the 2012 elections to ensure a resounding victory,” Mr Opare-Hammond said.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
A FORMER Member of Parliament (MP) for Adenta, Mr Kwadjo Opare-Hammond, has withdrawn his bid to contest the National Treasurer position of the New Patriotic Party.
Days after filing his nomination to contest the slot, the former MP told the Daily Graphic that he had withdrawn because of his belief that there was the need to promote regional and gender balance at all levels of the party.
He said it was his conviction that the other contestant for the position, who is a female from the Volta Region, should be given the chance to ensure that the region and females were given the chance to be on the national executive of the party.
Mr Opare-Hammond said it was important for the leadership of the party to take steps to ensure regional and gender balance on the national executive.
He thanked party members who encouraged him to contest the position and assured them that he would continue to use his experience in the service of the party, no matter where he found himself.
On the current political terrain, Mr Opare-Hammond told NPP supporters to intensify their campaign, since Ghanaians were looking forward to the party to salvage the country from the hands of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“We should not do anything for other people or regions to feel that they have been sidelined. Our actions should portray that we are a true national party,” he added.
He said just after one year in office, it had become clear that Ghanaians had regretted voting the NDC into power and were looking up to the NPP to win the 2012 elections.
“Let us, therefore, not be complacent but start making serious preparations towards the 2012 elections to ensure a resounding victory,” Mr Opare-Hammond said.
NPP congratulates NDC for successful congress
Page 17, Jan 19, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE New Patriotic Party (NPP) has congratulated the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on successfully holding its national delegates congress in Tamale at the weekend.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Peter Mac-Manu, said the peaceful congress indicated how internal democracy was gradually taking root in the NDC.
He said the NPP was also happy to know that portions of the NDC constitutions were amended during the congress to ensure more grass-root participation in the affairs of the NDC.
Mr Mac-Manu noted that such a positive measure was an indication of the steady growth of the country’s fledgling democracy.
Nevertheless, the NPP chairman stated that the NDC should translate the peaceful organisation of its congress into its dealings with other political parties.
He mentioned the utterances of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Poku-Manu, who had encouraged NDC supporters to assault their political opponents.
Mr Mac-Manu asked the leadership of the NDC to call people who thought like Mr Poku-Manu to order to enhance efforts to curb political violence in the country.
He reminded the NDC to be mindful that it would render account of its stewardship to the people after four years in office.
He, therefore, asked the government to work hard “to fix the economy” in order to alleviate the plight of the people.
He said it was unfortunate that after one year in office, the NDC was still blaming the NPP for its slow pace of delivery.
“Ghanaians have given you the mandate to rule the country and they expect you to deliver on your campaign promises. The blame game will not help,” he said.
Mr Mac-Manu indicated that as a responsible opposition, the NPP would always offer constructive criticism to enable Ghanaians to make up their minds on what party they would vote for in 2012.
“We have the responsibility to put the government on its toes. We cannot fail in this assignment,” he said.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE New Patriotic Party (NPP) has congratulated the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on successfully holding its national delegates congress in Tamale at the weekend.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Peter Mac-Manu, said the peaceful congress indicated how internal democracy was gradually taking root in the NDC.
He said the NPP was also happy to know that portions of the NDC constitutions were amended during the congress to ensure more grass-root participation in the affairs of the NDC.
Mr Mac-Manu noted that such a positive measure was an indication of the steady growth of the country’s fledgling democracy.
Nevertheless, the NPP chairman stated that the NDC should translate the peaceful organisation of its congress into its dealings with other political parties.
He mentioned the utterances of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Poku-Manu, who had encouraged NDC supporters to assault their political opponents.
Mr Mac-Manu asked the leadership of the NDC to call people who thought like Mr Poku-Manu to order to enhance efforts to curb political violence in the country.
He reminded the NDC to be mindful that it would render account of its stewardship to the people after four years in office.
He, therefore, asked the government to work hard “to fix the economy” in order to alleviate the plight of the people.
He said it was unfortunate that after one year in office, the NDC was still blaming the NPP for its slow pace of delivery.
“Ghanaians have given you the mandate to rule the country and they expect you to deliver on your campaign promises. The blame game will not help,” he said.
Mr Mac-Manu indicated that as a responsible opposition, the NPP would always offer constructive criticism to enable Ghanaians to make up their minds on what party they would vote for in 2012.
“We have the responsibility to put the government on its toes. We cannot fail in this assignment,” he said.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
'Provide fishing infrastructure for Ketu'
Page 15, Jan 12, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Anlo, Mr Clement Kofi Humado, has called on the government to extend construction of cold stores, fishing harbours and fish hatcheries to the eastern coastline of the Keta and Ketu South districts.
According to him, provision of these facilities would improve the livelihoods of the fishermen along the coastline of the southern Volta.
The MP was commenting on the 2010 Budget for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Mr Humado noted that the present programme concentrated only on the central and western coastline, and this was a carry-over from the programme of the previous government.
He contends that now that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is in power, there should be a balancing act to ensure that the livelihoods of fishermen along the coastline of the southern Volta are also improved with these facilities.
The MP lamented that the large water body of the Keta-Avu Lagoon, its tributaries and the lower Volta estuaries had not been given the necessary attention that it deserved for marine fishing.
Mr Humado also called on the government to ensure that marine fishermen along the coast of Ghana were protected from the poaching activities of industrial fishing vessels, which illegally fished in the Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ) of the Ghana’s territorial waters.
This problem, he said, must be high on the agenda of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in the 2010 Budget and its implementation.
Mr Humado was, however, full of praise for the government for its ability to effectively deal with the premix fuel problem which had almost become a thing of the past.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Anlo, Mr Clement Kofi Humado, has called on the government to extend construction of cold stores, fishing harbours and fish hatcheries to the eastern coastline of the Keta and Ketu South districts.
According to him, provision of these facilities would improve the livelihoods of the fishermen along the coastline of the southern Volta.
The MP was commenting on the 2010 Budget for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Mr Humado noted that the present programme concentrated only on the central and western coastline, and this was a carry-over from the programme of the previous government.
He contends that now that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is in power, there should be a balancing act to ensure that the livelihoods of fishermen along the coastline of the southern Volta are also improved with these facilities.
The MP lamented that the large water body of the Keta-Avu Lagoon, its tributaries and the lower Volta estuaries had not been given the necessary attention that it deserved for marine fishing.
Mr Humado also called on the government to ensure that marine fishermen along the coast of Ghana were protected from the poaching activities of industrial fishing vessels, which illegally fished in the Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ) of the Ghana’s territorial waters.
This problem, he said, must be high on the agenda of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in the 2010 Budget and its implementation.
Mr Humado was, however, full of praise for the government for its ability to effectively deal with the premix fuel problem which had almost become a thing of the past.
I am proud to revive my father’s vision-Samia Nkrumah
Page 11, Jan 12, 2010
Article: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
ONE year after she was voted into office as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro, the daughter of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President, Samia Nkrumah, says she has not regretted the decision to offer herself to lead the people in her constituency.
“I am proud to revive the vision of my father, who devoted his entire life not only to Ghana but the liberation of the entire black race”, she said in an interview with the Daily Graphic, in a review of her one-year stay in office and the benefits that her initiatives had brought to her people.
The popularity that Samia Nkrumah is currently enjoying in her constituency may be a tonic for the revival of the fortunes of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), which her father formed to seek independence for the country.
According to her, the confidence of the people in her was as a result of the fulfilment of some of the promises she made during her campaign towards the 2008 general elections.
Being predominantly a rural constituency, the needs of the people were abundant but the MP said she had made good her promise to provide some of them in her first year in office.
The Jomoro Constituency, which also doubles as the Jomoro District, is located on the extreme south-western part of Ghana. It is a very challenged district with over ninety-five (95) deprived communities which are predominantly rural in nature. The constituency is coterminous with the district and has an estimated population of about 130,000, according to the year 2000 population census.
The district is poor, in the midst of many potentials ranging from gold, limestone, perennial water bodies, sandy beaches, forest reserves, wetlands, oil and gas reserves. The constituency has about 226 first-cycle schools and three (3) senior high schools. From the kindergarten to junior high schools, the overall pupil population is about 35,000, while the senior high school student population stands at approximately 2,000.
During her campaign tour before the 2008 election, the MP said she pledged to assist the constituency in development areas such as education, health, water and sanitation, and empowerment of people, among other key areas.
According to her, she had since winning power not relented in her efforts to fulfil her campaign promises, either by using her own resources or her share of the various funds available to MPs for such purposes.
One of the towns that have benefited from the MPs numerous projects in the constituency is New Town Wharf.
The community, with 700 inhabitants, is very challenged and has a severe problem of access to potable water, which often results in varying water-borne diseases.
As a border town, the community has a cross-section of security personnel, being mainly personnel of the Customs, Exercise and Preventive Service, the Immigration Service, and the Navy.
At a cost of Gh¢8,500.00, the MP has provided the community with potable water while similar projects are being carried out in communities such as Takinta and Ahumasuazo as part of her grand plan to provide potable water to as many communities as possible.
On education, Ms Samia Nkrumah stated that she had instituted a scholarship scheme to assist the brilliant, needy students in the area.
So far, a total of GH¢ 16,500.00 has been distributed to 50 tertiary students to assist them to pursue their courses in the various tertiary institutions in the country. She has also donated 50 bags of cement to the Ezinlibo Community leaders to renovate the local basic school.
The MP explained that her gesture was in fulfilment of her promise to use part of her Common Fund to finance the education of students to improve on the human resource base in the area.
On women empowerment in the Jomoro Constituency, Ms Nkrumah told the Daily Graphic that she had put together a strategy to ensure income-generating activities for women and would soon roll out a micro-credit scheme and provide seed money of GH¢30,000 for that purpose.
She said women in the area were being mobilised into groups to be provided with income-generating support and added that currently some women groups at Mpaesem, Enzemetianu and Tikobo No. 2 had been provided with some canopies, 50 plastic chairs and tables each, at a total cost GH¢8,100.00 from her personal resources.
Ms Nkrumah explained that the canopies and chairs are rented out and the proceeds go to the groups, and added that more communities were slated to benefit from other income-generating activities.
Article: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
ONE year after she was voted into office as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro, the daughter of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President, Samia Nkrumah, says she has not regretted the decision to offer herself to lead the people in her constituency.
“I am proud to revive the vision of my father, who devoted his entire life not only to Ghana but the liberation of the entire black race”, she said in an interview with the Daily Graphic, in a review of her one-year stay in office and the benefits that her initiatives had brought to her people.
The popularity that Samia Nkrumah is currently enjoying in her constituency may be a tonic for the revival of the fortunes of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), which her father formed to seek independence for the country.
According to her, the confidence of the people in her was as a result of the fulfilment of some of the promises she made during her campaign towards the 2008 general elections.
Being predominantly a rural constituency, the needs of the people were abundant but the MP said she had made good her promise to provide some of them in her first year in office.
The Jomoro Constituency, which also doubles as the Jomoro District, is located on the extreme south-western part of Ghana. It is a very challenged district with over ninety-five (95) deprived communities which are predominantly rural in nature. The constituency is coterminous with the district and has an estimated population of about 130,000, according to the year 2000 population census.
The district is poor, in the midst of many potentials ranging from gold, limestone, perennial water bodies, sandy beaches, forest reserves, wetlands, oil and gas reserves. The constituency has about 226 first-cycle schools and three (3) senior high schools. From the kindergarten to junior high schools, the overall pupil population is about 35,000, while the senior high school student population stands at approximately 2,000.
During her campaign tour before the 2008 election, the MP said she pledged to assist the constituency in development areas such as education, health, water and sanitation, and empowerment of people, among other key areas.
According to her, she had since winning power not relented in her efforts to fulfil her campaign promises, either by using her own resources or her share of the various funds available to MPs for such purposes.
One of the towns that have benefited from the MPs numerous projects in the constituency is New Town Wharf.
The community, with 700 inhabitants, is very challenged and has a severe problem of access to potable water, which often results in varying water-borne diseases.
As a border town, the community has a cross-section of security personnel, being mainly personnel of the Customs, Exercise and Preventive Service, the Immigration Service, and the Navy.
At a cost of Gh¢8,500.00, the MP has provided the community with potable water while similar projects are being carried out in communities such as Takinta and Ahumasuazo as part of her grand plan to provide potable water to as many communities as possible.
On education, Ms Samia Nkrumah stated that she had instituted a scholarship scheme to assist the brilliant, needy students in the area.
So far, a total of GH¢ 16,500.00 has been distributed to 50 tertiary students to assist them to pursue their courses in the various tertiary institutions in the country. She has also donated 50 bags of cement to the Ezinlibo Community leaders to renovate the local basic school.
The MP explained that her gesture was in fulfilment of her promise to use part of her Common Fund to finance the education of students to improve on the human resource base in the area.
On women empowerment in the Jomoro Constituency, Ms Nkrumah told the Daily Graphic that she had put together a strategy to ensure income-generating activities for women and would soon roll out a micro-credit scheme and provide seed money of GH¢30,000 for that purpose.
She said women in the area were being mobilised into groups to be provided with income-generating support and added that currently some women groups at Mpaesem, Enzemetianu and Tikobo No. 2 had been provided with some canopies, 50 plastic chairs and tables each, at a total cost GH¢8,100.00 from her personal resources.
Ms Nkrumah explained that the canopies and chairs are rented out and the proceeds go to the groups, and added that more communities were slated to benefit from other income-generating activities.
Myers-Newman joins NDC vice-chairmanship race
Page 13, Jan 11, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
AN Accra-based Private Legal Practitioner and Business Consultant, Mr Samuel Myers-Newman has joined the race for the contest of the national vice-chairmanship slot of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The party is to hold its National Delegates Congress in Tamale from Saturday, January 16 to Sunday January 17 to elect its national officers.
Declaring his intention for the slot, Mr Myers-Newman, who is an opinion leader at the Okaikoi South Constituency of the party called for a healthy campaign in the run-up to the congress.
He also called on party members who were speaking against the style of governance of President Mills to consider the supreme interest of the party.
Mr Myers-Newman also cautioned delegates to the congress not to allow themselves to be influenced with monetary considerations to vote for a particular candidate since it would not augur well the for party.
He reminded members of the party that the NDC came to power based on the humility and sincerity of Professor Mills with his clear message for a better Ghana.
“:Let us follow the footsteps of the Professor and those who do not believe in his philosophy have no business wanting to be in his team”, he said.
Mr Myers-Newman gave the assurance that he would take good care of the foot soldiers of the party in addition to contributing to the building of stronger structures at the constituency levels to ensure that the party went into the 2012 elections with a strong and united force.
He said he had over the years gathered considerable experience in grassroot mobilisation in the constituency explaining that “the time is now ripe for me to venture into the realm of the national level to help widen the support base of the party”.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
AN Accra-based Private Legal Practitioner and Business Consultant, Mr Samuel Myers-Newman has joined the race for the contest of the national vice-chairmanship slot of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The party is to hold its National Delegates Congress in Tamale from Saturday, January 16 to Sunday January 17 to elect its national officers.
Declaring his intention for the slot, Mr Myers-Newman, who is an opinion leader at the Okaikoi South Constituency of the party called for a healthy campaign in the run-up to the congress.
He also called on party members who were speaking against the style of governance of President Mills to consider the supreme interest of the party.
Mr Myers-Newman also cautioned delegates to the congress not to allow themselves to be influenced with monetary considerations to vote for a particular candidate since it would not augur well the for party.
He reminded members of the party that the NDC came to power based on the humility and sincerity of Professor Mills with his clear message for a better Ghana.
“:Let us follow the footsteps of the Professor and those who do not believe in his philosophy have no business wanting to be in his team”, he said.
Mr Myers-Newman gave the assurance that he would take good care of the foot soldiers of the party in addition to contributing to the building of stronger structures at the constituency levels to ensure that the party went into the 2012 elections with a strong and united force.
He said he had over the years gathered considerable experience in grassroot mobilisation in the constituency explaining that “the time is now ripe for me to venture into the realm of the national level to help widen the support base of the party”.
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