NDC flagbearership: Mills would obviously be retained

President J.E.A. Mills         Nii Lantey Vanderpuije, special aide to President Mills, has counseled members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who are thinking of contesting the president for the flagbearership of the party to rescind the decision suffer an embarrassing loss. According to him, it would be a waste of time and money for anyone to contest Mills because he would deliver on his promises and convince Ghanaians to retain him in power. He added that it would be unnecessary for the NDC delegates to decide otherwise. After being accused of not managing the economy well and acting too slowly, some members of the NDC have also warned of the party losing power to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) if President Mills is retained as the NDC's presidential candidate for the 2012 elections. Recently, a member of the party who failed to win the youth organizer position of the party and said to be a Rawlings loyalist, Mohammed Abdulai Mubarak, (Ras Mubarak) wrote in an article that the President “no longer has grassroots support and is certainly unpopular with young voters”, adding that “there are irrefutable reasons why he cannot lead the NDC into victory in 2012.” But speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme Monday, the presidential aide, who obviously disagreed with the above assertion, noted that the president would have taken Ghana to the ‘Promised Land’ by 2012. Turning his attention to the NPP, Nii Lantey urged flagbearer aspirants to focus on marketing themselves to their delegates instead of capitalizing on the ‘failures’ of the Mills administration as a measuring rod because some people did the same thing in his party and it did not help them. He was certain that President “Mills’ election victory come 2012 is indisputable”. By: Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Prez Mills Lashes At CEPS…There’s Too Much Corruption Within Service

President John Evans Atta Mills today turned the heat on officials of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) when he hit hard at some of them by accusing them of aidingsmugglers in defrauding the country of millions in revenue. Lamenting on the high level of corruption within the CEPS, President Mills, in a rare show of angerand in rather uncharacteristic harsh tone said, what he witnessed, buttressed reports of the connivance by some CEPS officials together with other economic saboteurs in fleecing the nation.

“Today CEPS; I’m telling you, I’m also getting a team to go round and oversee your operations, I’m not hiding it. Because, we own Mother Ghana something. The people who are crying in the streets, the people who are saying there are no jobs, the people who are saying that the economy is not working for them. You cannot have a strong and viable economy without the necessary resources and CEPS, must live up to its expectation and its standard, because in quite a number of cases we are under-collecting. If I ever doubted that…some of the people in CEPS were really working against the economy, what I saw with my own eyes and heard with my ear, convinced me beyond any reasonable doubt, that, if this is a person who has sworn to work in the interest of our nation and he can boast so brazenly and even aide smugglers to carry up cocoa across the border, I am saying my brothers and sisters, this is the time for introspection,” he charged.

President Mills passed these comments when he paid an unannounced visit today to some of the nation’s revenue collecting agencies.

Activities at the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), the Value Added Tax (VAT) Secretariat, the Finance Ministry and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) literally grounded to a halt when His Excellency continued with his extraordinary unannounced visits to some state institutions.

On Thursday, April 1st, President Mills paid a surprise historic visit to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital and said he was drawn to the hospital by the mounting challenges the hospital and mental health care system in general faced and promised to give the necessary assistance to solve those problems.

Whiles CEPS is the state organization responsible for the collection of taxes levied on Imports, Exports and some locally manufactured goods, the IRS, has the unique role of identifying the taxpayer, assess the taxpayer to tax, collect the tax and penalties assessed and pay all amounts collected into the Consolidated Fund to aid in National Development.

But the operations of these institutions, most especially the CEPS, have come under some intense media scrutiny and savoury attacks by some well-meaning Ghanaians.

Addressing staff of the Finance Ministry, President Mills said his administration is always mindful of the sacred obligation to build a Better Ghana and will lived up to expectations, at the end of its four year tenure in office.

“We’re not insensitive; we’re not in the Castle because every morning the Governor brings us loads and loads of cash to sit on and to sleep on. We’re there because we’re cognizant of the sacred obligation that has been thrust on us to build a Better Ghana…No gov’t starts afresh. Every gov’t has to continue from where others have left off; this is what some people conveniently forget. But Criticisms there will be, noises there will be. But noises and criticisms can never drown the sacred facts on the ground. We’re on a journey; we’ve a four year mandate and we’re always aware that the people of Ghana have reposed confidence in us. And the least that we can do is to ensure that we justify this confidence,” he stated.

Mills must be changed, he cannot lead NDC to victory in 2012 - Rawlings loyalist

Ras Mubarak thinks President Mills is not a perfect candidate for 2012 In spite of getting interest rates down, Prof Mills has not been able to turn round the Ghanaian economy. Health Insurance is in trouble and he has been weak on national security. Ras Mubarak A Rawlings loyalist, Mohammed Abdulai Mubarak, popularly called Ras Mubarak, has warned of dire consequences if the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) fields President Mills as its presidential candidate for the 2012 elections. He said the President “no longer has grassroots support and is certainly unpopular with young voters. President Mills has failed to rise to the occasion. He would not have the support of many members of the party across the country. There are irrefutable reasons why he cannot lead the NDC into victory in 2012.” Ras Mubarak said this in article he wrote last week and sent to media houses. He said of the NDC is careless and reckless enough to put up president Mills against any candidate in the opposition New Patriotic Party, the NPP will come back to power undeservedly. “The NDC needs a candidate who when elected President in 2012 can give hope to all Ghanaians, someone who can reconnect with lost constituencies in the NDC. “Our country deserves a President who can ‘think anew the theory for a 21st century social democracy’ and get things done whilst the sun is still up,” he wrote. Ras Mubarak contested the National Youth Organiser position of the ruling party and lost. Following the defeat, he claimed the winner, Ludwig Hlordze, had the tacit support of President Mills, adding, mobile phones and money were distributed to delegates and that accounted for his defeat. Last year, speculations were rife that there was a rift in the ruling party regarding the presidential candidate for 2012. To settle the issue, the President maintained he would run in 2012 but critics such as Ras Mubarak think that will spell doom for the party. The National Youth Organiser aspirant, confirming his call for the fielding of a different candidate, said the President had failed the party and the people of Ghana. “Prof. Mills' government has failed to exploit its early opportunities and carry the nation along. The government has alienated public support and there is a sense of unease even among Prof. Mills' uncritical supporters. Government has been shooting from the hip on a number of issues.” “In spite of getting interest rates down, Prof Mills has not been able to turn round the Ghanaian economy. Health Insurance is in trouble and he has been weak on national security. We are still far from being able to finance our development and have turned to the IMF/World Bank for the same bail outs and wrongheaded guidelines that haven't brought us much since independence. Ghanaians are still paying high taxes in return for inefficient social services,” he stated tersely. He told Peace FM Tuesday, that the President had marginalised some experienced hands in the ruling party “because they have not been sycophantic enough”. Touching on the many reported cases of protests and violent seizures of public facilities by irate youth of the NDC, Ras Mubarak said “The spates of peaceful and violent protests against the government by youths of the NDC are a verdict on Prof. Mills' failures. His reputation as an honest man is not in doubt. Even his most virulent critics know that he is a man of integrity, but he is a disastrous leader.” He said there was nothing wrong with the protests, for “Civil disobedience is permissible under our laws.” He warns of serious consequences if some four NDC youth who were arrested at Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa for locking up offices of the National Health Insurance Scheme are prosecuted. Referring to the President’s mantra that he is moving slowly but surely, the avowed critic said “Moving slowly is incompatible with our reputation as a party that gets things done, it is unworthy of the NDC.” Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Opinion: There will be consequences for the government if...

Mubarak: President Mills is a disastrous leader The main opposition party is reviling in the irony that youths in the ruling National Democratic Congress, NDC have turned their guns on the government. You can't blame them, that's a mark of their indifference. Citizens of Ghana have a patriotic duty to stage protests on any issue. And that was just what some members of the National Democratic Congress in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa constituency in the Central region did. They staged a non violent protest - Civil disobedience is permissible under our laws. The police have a right to constrain individual freedom when it threatens to do harm to others. Unfortunately, the police picked up the wrong people. They arrested four of the leading protestors. It would be interesting to see what charges they proffer against them. But there would be serious consequences for government if the Deputy Constituency organiser of the National Democratic Congress in Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa and three others are processed for court. If government does not listen to what the youth of the National Democratic Congress think is wrong with them, they (the young men and women of the party) won’t listen to government when government tells them what is wrong with them. Current events in government are a huge disappointment for many who had hoped for a better Ghana under President Mills. The electoral victory of 2008/9 was an opportunity to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves; to give hope to the youths who were let down by the NPP. President Mills made huge mistakes by ignoring some persons who could have helped him bring succour quickly. He has recently alienated his constituency and that is quite a shoot from the hip. The youth in the NDC feel the ladder of opportunity has been kicked away by their own government and many feel it has become hard to make a way up under the Mills government. If the NDC allows the growing deluge to continue, it would get a sound beating from the opposition in the next election. The only way to avert this impending calamity on the nation (If NPP won 2012) is to have a candidate in 2012 who can answer the problems of all Ghanaians. The spates of peaceful and violent protests against the government by youths of the NDC are a verdict on Prof. Mills' failures. His reputation as an honest man is not in doubt. Even his most virulent critics know that he is a man of integrity, but he is a disastrous leader. The stakes are high. Ghana can lead the way on economic prosperity in Africa. We have the innovators, the engineers and enthusiasm. What the people of Ghana need is leadership; not the type that was characterised by erosion of responsibility under Mr. Kufuor or the "slow but sure" leadership by President Mills. Moving slowly is incompatible with our reputation as a party that gets things done, it is unworthy of the NDC. Despite the disappointing showing from President Mills, it would be quite drivel to argue that, he hasn't achieved anything in nearly two years. Unlike his predecessor, John Kufuor, John Mills has done a remarkable job in eschewing greed and his policy on agriculture is encouraging. He deserves praise on a number of things which are positive. I am pleased that he is the President and certainly a better one than the alternative we were given by the New Patriotic Party in the last Presidential election. However we have to judge the achievement and failures of Prof. Mills based on the magnitude of the challenges he inherited and how he's responded to those challenges. If Malaysia and other nations that hitherto were less developed than Ghana many years ago can rise after years of sustained conflict and natural disasters to make advancement in technology, why can't we? Are they or any other race/country in the world better thinkers than we are? The NDC has an obligation to give the nation a bold leader. The transgressions of the opposition New Patriotic Party are still fresh on the minds of Ghanaians, but the prospects of anyone from that party becoming president in 2012 is no joke. Ghana would be damned if the NPP regained power. The concept of "property owning democracy" they copied from Mrs. Thatcher did not create any investment in the future. And that is why they were booted out. Their "property owning democracy" created hotels and plush homes for Mr. Kufuor and his henchmen. But it is dead duck if President Mills led the NDC into the 2012 contest. He no longer has the grassroots support and certainly unpopular with young voters. In the eyes of the youth of NDC, President Mills has failed to rise to the occasion. He would not have the support of many members of the party across the country. There are irrefutable reasons why he cannot lead the NDC into victory in 2012. I would keep some of the reasons to myself for the sake of my reverence for the President. The NDC needs a candidate who when elected President in 2012 can give hope to all Ghanaians, someone who can reconnect with lost constituencies in the NDC. Someone who is the best candidate for the main political parties and a unifier. Our country deserves a President who can "think anew the theory for a 21st century social democracy" and get things done whilst the sun is still up. Prof. Mills' government has failed to exploit its early opportunities and carry the nation along. The government has alienated public support and there is a sense of unease even among Prof. Mills' uncritical supporters. Government has been shooting from the hip on a number of issues. In spite of getting interest rate down, Prof Mills has not been able to turn round the Ghanaian economy. Health Insurance is in trouble and he has been weak on national security. We are still far from being able to finance our development and have turned to the IMF/World Bank for the same bail outs and wrongheaded guidelines that haven't brought us much since independence. Ghanaians are still paying high taxes in return for inefficient social services. There is danger in doing little or moving slowly to solve the nation's problems. The NDC as a party has to begin to look for successor who can save the nation. Our time is today. Credit: Ras Mubarak mmubarak79@yahoo.com

Kwabena Agyepong: Mills Is Not Physically Fit To Travel

Is it the reason why we are seeing any improvement in Ghana?

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A former Spokesperson to former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Kwabena Agyepong, says President Mills has failed to attend some critical international assignments outside the country because he is physically not strong enough to embark on such trips.

Kwabena Agyepong told Citi Breakfast Show host Moro Awudu, on Thursday, March 25 that the Vice President had to step in for him and attend several important occasions such as the AU summit because the president’s health could not support him to undergo the strenuous activities involved in such trips.

“How many times has John Mahama been out? A lot of times...Mills can’t do it because he is physically not able to do it and that’s why even important occasions like Africa Union the Vice President had to go...He can’t do the strenuous work that Kufuor had to do” The President’s health has been a major source of concern to many since the electioneering campaign in 2008.

It is recalled that shortly after his nomination as the NDC’s flagbearer for the 2008 elections, NDC’s MP for Lower Manya Krobo, Hon. Teye Nyaunu called for the replacement of then candidate Mills because he thought he was not fit enough to run the race.

At the time of his campaign, the NDC slammed former President Kufuor for embarking on numerous travels while neglecting his duties at home.

Kwabena Agyepong chided the NDC for what he called the hypocritical stance on the matter.

He suggested that President Mills’ inability to travel is not because he wants to keep to a campaign promise of cutting down presidential travels to save cost but rather he is too frail to meet the energy demands of such trips.

“There is no shame about that (that president Mills is sick) we don’t wish ill for anybody...as we speak President Mubarak is undergoing treatment in Saudi Arabia, he is sick. Reagan underwent several operations, why are we being so fetish about the issue?

He alleged that President Mills is benefiting from some state largesse including a parcel of state land at Amasaman.

“Professor Mills cannot tell me that he has not benefited from State largesse by having a plot. The plot at Amasaman, that’s where he is building his house. You should go and ask him whether that is not a state property.” He said

“Today he can look into the eyes of Ghanaians and said that Muntaka is not the only person to have travelled with the girlfriend. The man who is God fearing is now accepting the fact that Ministers can have extra marital activities.”

“Ama Benyiwa Doe and the rest, according to reports in the papers are building mansions within one year. They should not pretend that they are saints and then damage people just to get into office and do worse.” He added.

Meanwhile, the Communications Director to the presidency, Koku Anyidoho, responding to Mr. Agyepong's claims dismissed the assertion that the President is unable to travel because he is unfit.

He told Citi FM's Patrick Ayumu that Mr. Agyepong's claims are unjustified.

"The President was in Abuja. Last year he attended quite a number of international assignments - the climate change conference in Copenghagan, the UN General Assembly, the AU summit in Libya, he was at the Ecowas summit in Abuja, he was in Trinidad and Tobago for the Commonwealth heads of states meeting. We are only in the first quater of this year, and he didn't attend the AU summit in Adiss Ababa and that is enough to draw a conclusion? I don't think that is a justifiable conclusion.

Source: citifmonline.com

Corruption in Ghana:Carl Wilson Busted In Multiple Car Thefts

Who Will save Ghana from corruption?

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Alex Segbefia's boy, Carl Wilson, has been busted in the web of car stealing.

The lies he told on Asempa Fm yesterday were exposed when National Security operatives at about 4:00 pm arrested a 4×4 Chrysler Pacifica Wagon he illegally sold to one of his cronies.

The Chrysler with identification number 2A8GF78X37F365174 got missing from the Tema port under very obscure circumstances. It was realized that forged documents were used to clear the car from the port on 14TH August, 2009.

Very verifiable documents also available to the Daily Post indicate that the Chairman of the Confiscated Vehicles Allocation Committee (CVAC) unilaterally declared four genuine 4×4 cars as stolen and sold them for a pittance.

The vehicles in contention are GMC Yukon, Acura MDX Wagon and two Chryslers.

Though the importers of the said vehicles have provided Certificate of Titles to show that the cars were not stolen, Carl Wilson will not budge as he hurriedly fast-tracked processes to sell those cars under allocation.

On the part of the Acura MDX Wagon, a Certificate of Title numbered X0633223, a copy obtained from the United States Department declares it as a vehicle which has properly passed through the purchase and export processes from the State of Kansas.

It was signed by Joan Wagnon, Secretary of Revenue and Carmen Alldritt, Director of Vehicles.

Under mysterious circumstances, the Acura got missing from the Golden Jubilee Terminal.

Investigations have established that Carl Wilson sold the car to one Kofi Adjei. The car was cleared by shipping agent, Stewise Shipping.

The Chryslers which came from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with vehicle identification number 2A8GM8L77RL28513 were signed by Allen D. Biehler, Secretary of Transportation.

The GMC Yukon with title and identification number 1GKEK63U65J139234 came from the State of New York and its Certificate of Title was authenticated by Moore Gregory, on behalf of the sellers.

Central Intelligence Agency and State Department files corroborated Bill of Laden details, stating they are accurate.

According to the United States security agencies, the cars in contention are not stolen ones.

Interestingly, Carl Wilson did not even await the outcome of investigations by the Ghanaian security agencies to prove that the vehicles were stolen.

He hurriedly allocated them to some of his friends and sold them at very ridiculously low prices.

In our next edition, check out how Carl Wilson forged documents and forced CEPS officers to clear the cars.

Additionally, a top man at the Castle aided in this dubious act.

Stay tuned

Source: Daily Post

Nana jabs Mills; Is this the better Ghana?

Nana Akufo-Addo The 2008 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has added his voice to that of millions questioning the competence of the Atta Mills administration and at the same time calling for relief from the harsh socio-economic conditions they currently find themselves in. This was when he made an unan nounced visit to Bukom in the Gamashie area, his birth place in the Odododiodoo Constituency on Wednes­day where the constituency executives Were holding a meeting. The meeting virtually came to a stand-still when Nana Addo arrived, as residents as well as party members surged forward to embrace him. When he had the opportunity to address the crowd, Nana Addo asked whether anybody in Ghana today has begun feeling the Better Ghana prom ised by Atta Mills while in opposition. "Is this the Better Ghana we were promised, when there is so much hunger and deprivation in our country today?" he asked, prompting the people to yell, No!' The former Foreign Affairs Minis ter noted that the NPP is the only political party that is capable of elevating the standard of living of the Ghanaian peo ple. He refuted claims of a misunders tanding between him and Alan Kyere maten, his closest contender in the 2007 NPP presidential race. "Nana Akufo-Addo and Alan Kyerematen are not fighting. It is a mat ter of competition for a certain vacant position in our party and I believe that as has been the tradition of our party, the elected candidate will be supported by all NPP members. Our critics are working hard to give an erroneous impres sion that we are at war with each other in our party, but the peaceful outcome of recent executive elections is enough indication that the NPP is today stronger and united as ever and can therefore not be a party in turmoil." "When the NDC comes after us, sacking our people from office, harassing and assaulting us, they don't ask whether you support Nana Addo or Alan Kyerematen. They see us as NPP, and so we should thus see ourselves as such and continue to stand as a united party", he said. Nana Addo also explained the rea son why he supported the expansion of the electoral college of the party, saying that "it is the grassroots of our party that is capable of propelling us back to power in 2012. He gave the strongest indication of his intention to run for the position of Presidential Candidate of the NPP in order to lead the party to wrestle power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2012 general elections. "The flagbearer contest is near, I beg God and all NPP members that as you did for me in 2007, do it for me again in 2010, so that we can begin the reconstruction of our country in 2012 and put our country back on a sound economic pedestal to ensure that the Ghanaian people are taken out of the current predicaments and pain that the NDC is inflicting on us." Nana Addo seized the opportunity to congratulate the constituency and polling station executives for their dedication and commitment to the cause of the party over the years. Describing Bukom as his birthplace, Nana said: "I am extremely comfortable anytime I come to Gamashie because this is my home; this is where I was born. The spirit here today tells me that the NPP is fully charged and ever ready for the 2012 general elections, and I plead with all of you to maintain the high spirits as we prepare for the con test ahead of us." Responding, the constituency organiser, Nii Ofuli Tei, thanked Nana on behalf of the constituents and gave Nana the assurance that he will be given the responsibility of leading the NPP to the 2012 election and subsequently the nod of leading the country by the year 2013. He however pleaded with Nana Addo not to forget them when he gets to the Jubilee House. Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the party, Nii Adjei Sowah, remarked that "Nana's surprise visit has really touched all of us and we assure you that during the primaries, we will not forget you." He thus encouraged Nana Addo to remain resilient and strong and not give up his dreams and aspirations, saying, "I lost out to be Member of Parliament" for this constituency but never gave up and today I am the Greater Accra Regional Secretary of our party. We wi II also not give up on Nana; we will go with him again." Ghana's former Ambassador to Ser bia and Montenegro, Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe, who was in the company of Nana Addo, called for the immediate resigna tion of the Attorney General, Betty Mould-Idrissu, for "telling the people of this country serious lies. She sat on radio and lied that Nana hounded her out of office when he was Attorney General". According to him, "the subsequent release from Nana's office revealed her as a liar. The Attorney General made a sad mistake when she at1empted to vent' her frustration on the elephant himself, and I will advise her to look for a small er 1ish next time." Source: Daily Guide

Chieftaincy is becoming a major source of conflict in Ghana

The National Security Advisor, Brigadier Nunoo Mensah has told CitiFM that the Chieftaincy institution in Ghana is gradually turning into a major source of conflict and tension in the country and should therefore be modernized to make it more beneficial for the people of Ghana.His comments follows recent controversies and tensions arising from the utterances of two of Ghana’s most promonent chiefs – the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Ga Mantse King Tackie Tawiah III.

The Ga Mantse recently slammed President Mills for refusing to give him the recognitions he deserves because of perceptions that he was enstolled by the erstwhile NPP government, a statement that rekindled the controversy surrounding his legitimacy as the King of the people of Ga Mashie.

The Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu, on Monday, March 15, threatened to cause the arrest of the Techiman chief if government failed to do so.The Techiman chief had allegedly used some macho men to arrest and humiliate the Tuobodom Chief who owes allegiance to the Ashanti golden stool.

The situation has generated a lot of confusion and clashes between some youth of Kumasi and Techiman.On Tuesday, March 14, some Macho men, belonging to a group calling itself Ashanti Freedom fighters besieged the Kejetia lorry station in Kumasi and threatened to prevent passengers from travelling to Techiman because, according to them, the Chief of Techiman had disrespected the Asantehene. One person was severly injured in the process.General Nunoo Mensah believes that Ghana cannot sit aloof as these unfortunate developments rage on.“I am of the view that Chieftancy is becoming a major problem in this country.

From the national security point of view it is a major source of conflict and tension in this country and the earlier we look at the institution and modernize it and make it more useful for our development, the better it will be for all of us.” He told Citi Breakfast Show host Bernard Avle.Meanwhile, Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah (retired) says Government is committed to resolving the current impasse and tension between the Asanteman council and the Techiman council of chiefs before it degenerates into a bigger problem.According to him, the Government is fully in charge and will not look unconcerned as tensions rise in the two regions.

Speaking to Citi news Wednesday morning after an emergency meeting with Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu in Manyhia, the security adviser urged all the parties to exercise restraint and be assured that the law will take its course against any individual or group of persons found breaching the law.He said the Government will take a decision on the matter as soon as it meets with the Techiman chief who has been accused for causing the kidnapping of a Tuobodom chief who pays allegiance to the Asantehene.“…It may look like a little problem but if we don’t handle it properly, it can get nasty so the government wants to react to whatever is happening very quickly and assure everybody that the government is in charge and the government wants to make sure that the law takes it cause.

If anybody has offended anybody, the law is there to deal with that person but we appeal to Otumfuor and the Asanteman that peace should reign and no one should do anything to disturb the peace of country and that the government will act as soon as the facts are brought before the president sometime today.”

Source: Citifmonline

NDC gov't taking away sense of hope - Rawlings

Former President, Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, says he does not know the message of hope to deliver to Ghanaians in the 2012 election because of the inability of the NDC government to offer hope to the people.In a press statement issued Wednesday, he wondered why people see his criticism of President Mills as a personality clash.Mr Rawlings, who is also the founder of the NDC, has since 2000 endorsed the candidature of president J.E.A Mills.He was also at the forefront of the NDC campaign trail during the 2008 general elections.

According to Mr Rawlings, “The best hope we could have given the people was to give them back the justice they lost in the previous regime. I have mentioned poor enquiries in the Mobilla and other cases and called for more thorough investigations.”He further stated that “the sad thing is that when I criticize, they make it a Rawlings versus Mills issue.”

Mr Rawlings made these statements during a courtesy call on him by a delegation of Chiefs, Members of Parliament, Regional Ministers, DCE’s and other identifiable groups from the Upper West Region.He expressed his gratefulness to the chiefs for sympathizing with his family “over the destruction of our residence by fire,” adding that “what pains me most is the current state of Ghana".“I wish I could put you back on the bus and send you to the Castle to ask the President a few questions. I do not know the message of hope he can give the people at the next campaign,” he remarked, saying that what is happening - the state of affairs in the country - is taking away the sense of hope.He warned the Mills government would be deserted by the rank and file of the party if it does not act appropriately.

The former President said it was imperative that thorough investigations is made into all the shady deals made by the erstwhile NPP government, ensuring that the criminals are prosecuted.”We need to wake up and let the government know what is going wrong. If we keep quiet we shall regret tomorrow for our silence. We will suffer more pain than we did in the eight years prior to 2009,” the former president insisted, adding that “the NDC derives its strength from a united people; NPP derives its strength from a disunited people,” he added. The Mole Naa presenting some smocks to the former first family.

A Council of State member Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, who was part of delegation, noted that the Upper West Region owed a lot of gratitude to the former President for the efforts he put into the creation of the region and the extension of electricity there when all the experts thought it was impossible.

The delegation presented the former first couple with gifts. Other members of the delegation included the Mole Naa, Bole Naa, Jirapa Naa known in private life as Mr Peter Nanfuri, Minister for Works and Housing Alban Bagbin, Deputy Majority Leader Rashid Pelpuo, Regional Minister Mahmud Khalid and NDC Regional Chairman Alhaji Malik Issahaku.Former First Lady, President and Deputy Chairman of the NDC, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, thanked the delegation for showing of love, warmth, solidarity and kindness towards her family.

Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

President Mills swears-in Ayariga as Deputy Minister

President Mills congratulated Mr. Ayariga on his appointment. President John Evans Atta Mills on Monday swore-in Mr. Mahama Ayariga, former Presidential Spokesperson, as Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, and expressed appreciation for his loyal service to the Government. He swore the Oaths of Allegiance, Secrecy and Deputy Minister of State which were administered by President Mills and presented with the Instrument of Office. President Mills congratulated Mr. Ayariga on his appointment and said he had full and absolute confidence that he would acquit himself well in his new position. He said the appointment of relatively young persons to positions of trust was from the fact that the youth formed the future of the ruling NDC and the nation. President Mills thanked Mr. Ayariga for his loyal service, dedication and commitment to duty, and added that he would follow his performance in his new position. He said: "You need this exposure to show the world what you are made of". Mr. John Henry Martey Newman, Chief of Staff, reminded the Deputy Minister that his new duty related to economics and urged him to refresh himself on the subject. Mr. Ayariga thanked President Mills for the confidence reposed in him and pledged that he could never pay the price of failing President Mills. "I shall never disappoint you," Mr. Ayariga said. Mr. Ayariga, a Harvard trained lawyer in his mid-thirties, and Former Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, until his appointment worked for 14 months as the President's Spokesperson. He was on the Campaign Team of President Mills during Election 2008. Source: GNA

NPP delegation visits Ga mantse

Nii Tackie Tawiah Officials of the opposition New Patriotic Party have defended the decision to pay a courtesy call on the Ga mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah II. The newly elected national executives of the party on Monday paid homage to the Ga chief and to introduce themselves and their new positions to the chief whose legitimacy is under siege. Critics have questioned the timing and motive of the visit. The Ga chief has in the last few weeks been involved in a war of words with some government officials after he accused the Mills administration of sidelining him and disrespecting the Ga traditions. He challenged the government to prove allegations that the erstwhile New Patriotic Party government manipulated the installation process to have him installed as chief. Subsequently, some government officials demanded that he clears all litigations against him, and be registered as a chief before being recognised by government. In the midst of these controversies, the National Chairman of the NPP Jake Obetsebi Lamptey told Joy News’ Elvis Adjetey, failure to visit the Ga chief will smack of sheer hypocrisy and double standards. According to him, he has led a delegation to the Ga chief on countless occasions in the past and not to do so now will be inappropriate. He would not be drawn into the raging controversies between the Ga chief and the government. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

NPP fears Gbevlo Lartey – Omane Boamah

Lt. Col. Gbevlo Lartey, National Security Coordinator The Deputy Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Omane Boamah, says the NPP’s call for the exclusion of National Security Coordinator, Col. (retd) Larry Gbevlo Lartey from the NDC’s 2012 campaign team is borne out of fear. He said because the opposition New Patriotic Party wronged Gbevlo Lartey when they were in power, they sense that he is seeking vengeance on them. Col. Larry Gbevlo Lartey has been named as part of the ruling party’s campaign team for the next general elections in 2012. This has led to calls particularly from the NPP for him to either resign from his national position or be sacked by the president. NPP General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie (popularly known as Sir John) has argued that by his position, the National Security Coordinator has no business in meddling in the affairs of a political party, insisting that doing so would compromise his neutrality. But Dr Boamah thinks there is absolutely nothing wrong with Gbevlo Lartey being a member of the campaign team. Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme Tuesday, the deputy Science and Environment minister argued that the NPP is being hypocritical as far as this issue is concerned because there are instances in the past where even ministers have been included in such committees. He said in 2008, the then Interior Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor was made a member of the campaign team for the NPP. Disagreeing on this example, Kwadaso MP Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a co-panelist on the programme, noted that Dr Addo-Kufuor was never a part of the NPP’s campaign team during the 2008 elections. He maintained that Gbevlo Lartey’s involvement with the ruling party at that level would result in a conflict of interest. He added that the “sooner (the government) came out to admit that they made a mistake and correct it, the better for the governance of this country”. By: Dorcas Efe Mensah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana