Category: Political News

President Akufo Addo reacts to Supreme Court’s final ruling

President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has reacted to final judgement on the 2020 election petition hearing by Justices of the country’s Apex Court.

The Supreme Court of the country on today Thursday 4th March, 2021gave it’s final verdict on the 2020 election petition hearing that was brought to it by flagbearer of the NDC and former President, John Dramani Mahama.

Justices of the Apex Court by a unanimous decision dismissed petition of Mr Mahama as not having a merit, ruling in favour of 1st and second respondents, EC chair Jean Mensah and Nana Akufo Addo.

Reacting in a social media post sighted by GhanaNewsPage.Com after the Court had ruled, President Akufo Addo wrote;

” On Thursday 4th March 2021, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous ruling, affirmed my victory in the presidential election of 7th December 2020″

Counselor Lord

March 4, 2021
Trust Bagbin, Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka at your own peril- Sammy Gyamfi

Communications Director for major opposition National Democratic Congress ( NDC), Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi has suggested that it is time for the NDC to insist on the right changes in the leadership of it’s Parliamentary group.

According to him, it is either members of the party insist on the changes or forget about them completely.

Sammy Gyamfi in a social media post sighted by GhanaNewsPage.Com, revealed that the NDC’s current leadership have lost their moral authority and are not fit to sit on the front bench of the party’s of the house.

He holds the view that it is time the party understood that it has no ( NDC) Speaker of Parliament.

The Communications Director in his post accused the 8th Parliament’s Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin and members of parliament, Hon. Muntaka Mubarak and Haruna Iddrisu of betrayal, urging supporters not to allow their betrayal quench their love for the party.

He further indicated that Rt. Hon. Bagbin rode on the NDC’s back into office as Speaker to pursue his own parochial agenda.

According to Sammy Gyamfi, supporters and sympathizers of the party trust Hon. Muntaka, Haruna Iddrisu and the Speaker at their own peril.

” More importantly, it’s about time we understood, we don’t have any NDC Speaker of Parliament. No we don’t! We have a Speaker who rode on the back of the NDC into Office to pursue his own parochial agenda and nothing more. You trust them, at your own peril” Part of the Communications Director’s post read.

Counselor Lord

March 4, 2021
ELECTION PETITION HEARING: Dr. Bawumia bows to President Akufo Addo after Supreme Court’s final verdict

Vice President Dr. Mahmoud Bawumia has been seen happily bowing to President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo after Justices of the Supreme Court have finally given their final judgement on the just ended elections.

The Supreme Court of the country on today Thursday 4th March, 2021gave it’s final verdict on the 2020 election petition hearing that was brought to it by flagbearer of the NDC and former President, John Dramani Mahama.

Justices of the Apex Court by a unanimous decision dismissed petition of Mr Mahama as not having a merit, ruling in favour of 1st and second respondents, EC chair Jean Mensah and Nana Akufo Addo.

President Akufo Addo and Dr Bawumia watched the petition hearing today on live television at the presidency.

Reacting after the Court had ruled, saying Mr Akufo Addo was vividly elected, Dr Bawumia was seeing giving him a ” gboza” according to a video monitored by GhanaNewsPage.Com on the official social media page of Communications Director at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin.

Some members and executives present at the President’s office were heard on camera jubilating after the final verdict.

Counselor Lord

March 4, 2021
Ursula Owusu satirically reacts to Supreme Court’s final judgement

Minister Designate for Communications and member of Parliament for the Ablekuma West constituency, Hon. Ursula Owusu has satirically reacted to final judgement on the 2020 election petition hearing by Justices of the country’s Apex Court.

The Supreme Court of the country on today Thursday 4th March, 2021gave it’s final verdict on the 2020 election petition hearing that was brought to it by flagbearer of the NDC and former President, John Dramani Mahama.

Justices of the Apex Court by a unanimous decision dismissed petition of Mr Mahama as not having a merit, ruling in favour of 1st and second respondents, EC chair Jean Mensah and Nana Akufo Addo.

Reacting in a social media post sighted by GhanaNewsPage.Com after the Court had ruled, the member of Parliament jockingly requested that music be played for her.

In her post, she wrote;

” Dj bo y3 ndowm”

Counselor Lord

March 4, 2021
100% NPP MPS voted against my nomination in 1997 and 2014- Dr Ekow Spio Garbrah

Member of the major opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Minister for Education and Trade and Industry, Dr. Ekow Spio Garbrah has charged the minority caucus in Parliament to learn from his experiences before the House’s Appointments Committee.

This is a reaction to the rejection of some ministerial nominees of President Akufo Addo by Minority MPS of the Appointments Committee.

The Minority caucus had earlier rejected Minister Designate for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Mavis Hawa Koomson, Minister Designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture and Minister Designate for Food and Agriculture, Owusu Akoto Afriyie.

However, Spio Garbrah reacting in a social media post revealed that in 1993, an Appointments committee made up of one eagle party member and the rest his party members managed to reject his nomination.

According to him, he was voted against even though the committee had zero NPP MPS.

Mr Garbrah again pointed out that a hundred percent New Patriotic Party ( NPP) MPS voted against his nomination in 1997 and 2014, respectively.

The politician believes that he had not committed any crimes neither was he incompetent to have been rejected and voted against.

He therefore cautioned the minority to understand better the group ( NPP) they are competing with.

” I hope the Minority caucus can learn from my experiences before the Parliamentary Vetting Committee. In 1997, there were Zero NPP MPS, but a Parliament of 1 Egle member and all the rest NDC members managed to reject my nomination.

In 1997, 100% of NPP MPS voted against my nomination. In 2014, 100% of NPP MPS voted against my nomination. Do you think is because I had committed any crimes or I was incompetent? The NDC should understand better the group they are competing with.” Part of Spio Garbrah’s post read.

March 3, 2021
I understand why Hawa Koomson will be rejected but not Oppong Nkrumah- law Professor, Kwaku Azar

Ghanaian- US based law professor and legal luminary, Stephen Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Kwaku Azar has reacted to the rejection of Minister Designate for Information, honourable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah by the Appointments Committee.

Minority MPS of the 8th Parliament’s Appointments Committee had earlier rejected Ministers Designate for Information, Fisheries and Aquaculture and Food and agriculture.

They are Honourable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Mavis Hawa Koomson and Owusu Akoto Afriyie, respectively.

Reacting in a social media post, the professor stated that while he understands why the Committee will reject Hawa Koomson, he doesn’t understand why Oppong Nkrumah will be rejected.

Kwaku Azar in his post argued and described the minister Designate for Information as eminently qualified for his position.

According to him, it cannot be reasonably argued that the member of parliament is reasonable for the actions taken by the country’s Supreme Court.

The law professor in his post hoped that the plenary will affirm the Minister Designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hawa Koomson and reverse that of the Information minister Designate.

” While I understand why the Appointment Committee will reject my auntie, Hawa Koomson, I must say I am ad idem with the committee on my brother Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

Kojo is eminently qualified for the position and cannot be reasonably argued that he is responsible for actions taken by the Supreme Court.

I hope the plenary will affirm Hawa and reverse Kojo” Part of Prof. Azar’s post read.

March 3, 2021
The judiciary is not immune from criticisms- GJA President, Affail Monney

President of the Ghana Journalists Association ( GJA), Mr Alfred Monney has reacted to statement by the country’s judicial service, saying that it is not immune from criticisms.

According to him, in as much as the judiciary is not immune from criticism, it’s critiquing must not be done in a manner that brings the administration of justice into disrepute.

Mr Affail’s comments follow a statement by the Judicial service, threatening and requesting the media and journalists to delete stories from their domains that are hateful and spiteful against justices of the Supreme Court.

Speaking at a press conference held in Accra, the Association’s President held the view that the threats by the judicial service defy logic.

According to him, they are tantamount to an unwarranted assault on all the tenets of freedom of speech and freedom of the media as guaranteed by the country’s 1992 constitution.

” The GJA is plainly of the view that the threats by the judicial service defy logic and are tantamount to an unwarranted assault on freedom of speech and freedom of the media as guaranteed by the 1992 constitution” He said.

He therefore described the service’s statement as ill crafted, advised, architect and issued, demanding for it’s immidiate reversal.

Counselor Lord

March 3, 2021
Tsatsu Tsikata warns the Court with a Bible Quote

Lead counsel of the petitioner in the ongoing election petition hearing Tsatsu Tsikata has yet again made a case for the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling on Tuesday, February 16.

The seven justices of the apex court of Ghana unanimously dismissed the application of the petitioner, John Dramani Mahama, for the case to be re-opened in order to subpoena the Chair of the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC), the First Respondent, to testify in court as a “hostile witness”.

On Monday, February 22, Mr Tsikata questioned the basis of the ruling, saying the justices themselves were surprised when the First Respondent closed its case without calling its witness, Jean Adukwei Mensah, to testify.

Mr Tsikata said the justices may have their reasons for the decision to dismiss the application but “it is the ruling of the panel that we are here to question”.

“I am not in the minds of the panel,” he stressed.

He further argued that for Mrs Mensa to have filed a witness statement meant that she was committed to mount the witness box.

“We have no reason to say she was not telling the truth,” he said.

For him, the Holy Bible should guide the nine justices reviewing the case, quoting Hosea 8:7.

It states: “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.”

He concluded: “May each of the lordships decide based on your conscience and your judicial oath.”

Tsatsu Tsikata now believes the bible could convince the bench so as to bring Jean Mensah into the box.

February 22, 2021
Koku Reacts to his Suspension
Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has reacted to the news of his suspension from the party.

Mr Anyidoho’s suspension was announced in a letter addressed to him and signed by the General Secretary of the Party, Mr Asiedu Nketia.

The letter stated that his suspension was occasioned by a petition by two members of the party, which accused Mr Anyidoho of exhibiting conducts that contravenes the party’s disciplinary code for its members.

The letter also stated that the petition has been referred to the Party’s Disciplinary Committee for further action.

However, Mr Anyihoho, who has been described by his party members as a ‘betrayer and a hypocrite’, said he is not perturbed.

Taking to his Twitter page, the Founder of the Atta Mills Institute said nothing can limit the greatness of his destiny and therefore believes God will fight for him.
He wrote: Nothing shall limit the greatness of my destiny because, the battle is the Lord’s.
February 10, 2021
JUST IN: NDC Suspends Mr. Samuel Koku Anyidoho
The Functional Executive Committee of the NDC has suspended former deputy general secretary of the party, Koku Anyidoho with immediate effect.

Mr Anyidoho and the party have had some bit of friction in their relationship in the last few years.

NDC in a statement confirming his suspension said two members of the party lodged a complaint against his conduct which is viewed to have breached the party’s disciplinary code for members.

Some have suggested that the former deputy scribe of the NDC is jealous because he contested for the position of substantive general secretary and lost to Asiedu Nketiah.

In a letter signed by the Party’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the FEC of the Party has also referred the founder of the Atta Mills Institute to the Disciplinary Committee of the Party for appropriate sanctions.
February 9, 2021
Ablakwa exposes govt’s plot to impose a new Speaker of Parliament

Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has alleged that the NPP government is planning to restrict MPs from freely voting for their own choice of candidate for the Speaker of Parliament position.

According to him, the government in a bid to impose its own Speaker of Parliament is plotting to violate Article 104 (4) and Order 9 (1) by seeking to inspect ballots of MPs in their respective caucuses on behalf of the ruling party.

In effect, the North Tongu MP has charged all Members of Parliament to passionately oppose any form of intimidation and insist that the secret ballot rule which is employed when appointing a Speaker of Parliament is religiously adhered to.

“Article 104 (4) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 9 (1) demands that the election of Speaker shall be done by secret ballot. It is absolutely imperative that this constitutional requirement is strictly complied with to enable MPs of the 8th Parliament vote freely and according to their conscience. We must all begin a spirited campaign to insist that the secret ballot rule is religiously adhered to.

MPs-elect in good standing must start sending a clear message to those plotting to violate Article 104 (4) and Order 9 (1) by seeking to inspect ballots of MPs in their respective caucuses ostensibly on behalf of party officianados as has happened in recent times that their manoeuvres will be fiercely resisted. It is my hope that the current Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Cyril Nsiah, a man I have enormous respect for, would ensure that the sanctity of Ghana’s Constitution and Parliament’s Standing Orders are resolutely preserved.” He stated in a Facebook post on December 28, 2020.

Notwithstanding, Mr Ablakwa stated that history is about to repeat itself as the last time two persons were nominated for the position of a Speaker by both the NDC and the NPP concurrently was in 2005 when Mr John Dramani Mahama and President Nana Akufo-Addo were members of the House.

“As we approach midnight of January 6, 2021; I am reminded of Karl Marx’s famous edict: “history repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. Quite fascinating to observe that the only time since the inception of the Fourth Republic that two persons were nominated for the position of Right Honourable Speaker by both the NDC and the NPP concurrently was in 2005 when John Dramani Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo were members of the august House.

15 years down the lane, these two who were later to both ascend the presidency are most likely to lead their respective sides to repeat the historic development of January 7, 2005, albeit this time from outside the chamber and with more competitive numbers,” he wrote.

Read Post below;

pic.twitter.com/8RVUNkcKFT
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) December 28, 2020

Ghanaweb

December 29, 2020
NDC Heads To The Supreme Court To Contest Results Of 2020 Election – Asiedu Nketia

The General Secretary for the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has officially on Tuesday, 29th December 2020 issued a statement that his party will go to the Supreme Court to contest the results of the recently-conducted general elections.

The National Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in a meeting at the Ghana National Association Teachers (GNAT) Hall has decided to challenge the results of December 7, 2020 polls they consider to be “rigged” in the Supreme Court.

In a statement signed by the NDC Chief Scribe, the party will in addition contest the “rigged” election results in other appropriate fora.

The statement again read that the NDC will continue all legitimate actions, including protestations, to press home its demands for the government of President Akufo-Addo to enforce the rule of law and protect life and property in Ghana.

“In addition, the party will continue all legitimate actions, including protestations, to press home its demands for the government of President Akufo-Addo to enforce the rule of law and protect life and property in Ghana and, in particular, to take all necessary measures to bring to swift justice those responsible for the murders and injuries and destruction of properties before, during and in the aftermath of the general election,” the statement read.

“The NDC’s commitment to the upholding of the constitution and respect for human rights shall remain unshaken,” the statement adds.

When will the petition be filed?

It is not clear when the NDC will file its petition challenging the declaration by the EC, although some members of the party had indicated that it will be filed by Wednesday, December 30, 2020.

As at 3:30 pm Tuesday, sources at the Supreme Court told Graphic Online that the NDC was yet to file its petition, reports Graphic Online’s Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson.

Per Article 64(1) of the 1992 Constitution, a petition challenging the validity of the election of the President should be filed at the Supreme Court within 21 days after the declaration of the results by the EC.

The EC declared the results on December 9 so technically the 21 one days elapses Wednesday, December 30, 2020.

Format

According to a new Supreme Court (Amendment) (No.2) Rules, 2016 (C.I. 99), only the declared winner of the election, in this case (President Akufo-Addo), and the EC can be respondents in the petition.

Again, per the new rules, only Former President John Dramani Mahama, the Presidential Candidate of the NDC, can be the petitioner.

This is a major departure from the 2013 presidential election petition filed by then-candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, which also had the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a petitioner and the NDC being allowed to join as a respondent aside the Electoral Commission and the NDC’s presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama.

This means per the new rules no joinder application will be allowed.

Another major shift in the new rules is that the Supreme Court will use 42 days to determine the petition.

This was unlike the 2013 case in which the petition traveled more than eight months.

Per Rule 69 C (4) of C.I. 99, the pre-trial of the petition shall be on the 10th day after the filing of the petition, with hearing commencing on the 15th day and ending on the 21st day respectively after the filing, while judgment will be on the 42nd day.

Peacefmonline

December 29, 2020
Jean Mensa caused a lot of mess in election 2020 than her predecessors – Justice Abdulai
The Electoral Commissioner, Jean Mensah has caused a lot of confusion in Ghana’s electoral system than her forerunners, a private legal practitioner, Justice Abdulai has said.

Mr Abdulai explained that, during the period the EC Boss was the Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), she gave a lot of practical measures that should be undertaken by the Commission in order to better the electoral system.

However, he said, when given the opportunity to serve as the Chair of the elections management body, she has neglected all those measures to adopt new ones that in his opinion, do not help the system.

Mr Abdulai said these while contributing to issues that have emerged from the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.

The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and their presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama refused to accept the results of the 2020 elections because in their view, the figures were manipulated by the Commission in favour of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The NDC has served notice that they will be challenging the results in the Supreme Court. They are expected to file the petition on Wednesday December 30.

Commenting on these developments, Mr Abdulai said “She was making fantastic recommendations when outside of the Commission, organizing the NPP and the NDC together and telling them the most appropriate things to do and telling us how best we can have the best elections in this country.

“With all the sponsorship you can have, now you have been given the ball kick it into the goal post and you are rather causing more mess than your predecessors.”

Mr Richard Kumadoe, a Security Consultant said on the same programme also that “Our pride as Ghanaians is being derailed.

“I deal with the community and they say it to my face that we are failing. This is a major job you have done and you actions and inactions have security implications in relation to national development and you need cohesion as much as you did and look at the mess.”
Ghanaweb
December 29, 2020
‘We’ll burn all your houses’ – Kennedy Agyapong warns Mahama, others

Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the MP for Assin Central has threatened to burn the houses of former President John Dramani Mahama and some NDC bigwigs, claiming without evidence that the NDC is burning the markets.

On Wednesday, the National Investigations Bureau released Eric Adogla, the driver of Peter Otokunor, an NDC Deputy General Secretary, without charge after arresting and detaining him on Monday.

“Mahama, let me tell you, you stay at Chain Homes, which belongs to Alhaji Seidu Agongo. You cannot go and burn somebody’s fourteen stalls and go scot-free. Mahama, Asiedu Nketia, Akamba, Baba Jamal, you should be careful, else we’ll burn your houses too,” Kennedy Agyapong said on ‘The Dialogue’ show on Net 2 TV, Wednesday, December 23.

He added, “If it continues like that, Mahama we’ll burn your house and if you don’t take care, we’ll burn you the human being. We cannot allow these things to go on in this country.”

Agyapong alleged that the NDC has indicated that, “between now [Wednesday] and Saturday, they said they will be burning the Kumasi market, and burn Cape Coast market. What is going on in this country?”

He warned the former president to simply relocate from his Chain Homes residence else he will gather people to the place and burn his property.

He further warned Lt. Col. Larry Gbevlo-Lartey (Rtd.), a former NDC appointee, to also be on guard else his East Legon property which is just closer to his will be razed down by fire.

Not even the caution from the host of the show could restrain the MP from making more scandalous statements about the leaders of the opposition party.

“If they burn any market again, Mahama Chain Homes is there; do you think you are the [only] ones that can organise? I now dare you [Mahama], Asiedu Nketia, Gbevlo-Lartey, Akamba and Baba Jamal…if we hear any burning in any part of the country, Mahama we’ll burn your house,” he stressed.

Ghanaweb

December 25, 2020
NDC Jujuman performs enchantment at premises of Ho EC
Ho, Dec 23, GNA – An alleged Jujuman and his accomplice scaled the walls of the Volta Regional Directorate of the Electoral Commission to post the National Democratic Congress (NDC) petition in Ho after the group staged a three-hour demonstration through the principal streets demanding a change in the verdict of the December 7 polls results.

The duo, contrary to the agreed designated number of party leaders, who were supposed to present their petition to the EC Officials, got to the premises only to meet a locked gate.

The duo, who were not part of the designated five, then scaled the wall and began to do enchantment, pouring some powdery substances and invoking words to the chagrin of the Police officials, who were outside the EC’s premises, protecting lives and property.

Another drama was the slaughtering of ram at the main gate of the EC, Ho office, with the blood sprinkled across the gate and in a circular direction targeted at invoking certain spiritual action against the EC.

Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr Jessey Opare, Volta Regional Operational Commander described the act of the duo as unlawful entry and said appropriate action would be taken on them.

He said the Command decided not to undertake any “premature arrests” at the event grounds as that could lead to chaos.

He however said the Police would invite the organisers of the protests to assist in their next action.

Mr Opare explained that the Command received notification from the NDC regarding the demonstration and had given permission but with a condition that only five of party Executives of the Party would be allowed into the premises of the EC to present their petition.

He said the five could not perform the task as EC officials were on break.

The teeming group alleged the EC stole the verdict from the flagbearer of the NDC to President Akufo-Addo.

The supporters clad in red chanted “No Mahama, No peace” with placards inscriptions reading, “This is naked thievery,” “You are a dent on our democracy,” “You can still everything, no our votes,” “Speak up international community,” “Declare Mahama now.”

Meanwhile, Mr Henry Ametefee, Regional Chairman of NDC said the NDC would not allow the sovereign will of the people to be undermined.

He said the NDC would not accept the results as declared by the EC because the results were fraudulent and inaccurate.

He commended the media and the police for showing professionalism in protecting the protesters.

See photos
GNA
December 25, 2020