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NPP Primaries: Shaaba Loses; Metro TV Boss & Former DVLA CEO Wins
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- Created on Saturday, 22 September 2012 00:00
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NPP Primaries: Shaaba Loses; Metro TV Boss & Former DVLA CEO Wins
Independent Member of Parliament for Nkawkaw constituency in the Eastern Region, Seth Adjei Baah, popularly called Shaaba, has lost his seat after he decided to seek re-election on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party in a primary held on Saturday.
In what looked like a repeat of the 2008 primary, the sitting MP lost to the NPP’s Eastern Regional treasurer, Eric Kwakye Daffour, thus he (Daffuor) was elected as the NPP Parliamentary candidate for the Nkawkaw constituency on Saturday.
He beat the incumbent MP, Seth Adjei Baah, a former MP, Kwabena Okekyere Ebisa and three others.
{sidebar id=10 align=right}Mr. Daffour pulled 192 votes while the former MP, Kwabena Okekyere Ebisa pulled 186 votes. The incumbent MP had 26 votes while Lawyer Joyce Opoku Boateng pulled 102 votes and Mr. Owusu Addo in charge of radio at GBC also pulled 12 votes.
It would be recalled that Shaaba, after losing the primaries in 2008 breached party protocol and stood as an independent candidate.
He was subsequently expelled from the NPP though he won the Nkawkaw seat to represent his people in parliament, beating the NPP candidate.
It however remains unclear if Shaaba will stand as an independent candidate again.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Managing Director of Metropolitan Television (TV), Haruna Alhassan has replaced incarcerated Bawku Central MP, Adamu Dramani Sakande, after winning the NPP primaries held in the constituency.
The primary was organized to find a replacement for the jailed MP.
Adamu Dramani Sakande was recently jailed on three counts of deceit of a public officer, perjury and false declaration by a Fast-Track High Court and sentenced to two years imprisonment for the three counts which would be running concurrently.
Alhaji Haruna Alhassan won by 287 votes beating three other candidates - Gabiana Agbanwa Abugi, a Bawku-based nurse, who had 133 votes, former Upper East Regional Youth Organizer of the party, Mohammed Tahiru Nambe and Baba Seidu Issaka, a businessman.
In a brief acceptance speech, the Metro TV deputy director pledged to work hard to retain the seat for the NPP saying, “I will love to dedicate this win to our departed brothers. I want to also thank my team that worked very hard to secure this victory; It is a victory for the NPP.”
In the Bekwai constituency primary, Independent MP, Hon Joe Osei-Owusu, polled an astonishing 476 votes to defeat former MP, Hon Kofi Opuku Adusei who polled a paltry 37.
In 2008, Mr Osei-Owusu, a former DVLA boss, lost the primaries to the then incumbent MP who was then Deputy Minister for Fisheries by a single vote.
After demonstrations and counter-demonstrations by supporters of both sides, the fierce battle was settled when Mr. Osei-OWusu decided to go solo. He was thus expelled from the party, but the NPP hierarchy decided to give him a second chance after he decided to seek re-election on the party's ticket.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
No commentsAmissah-Arthur must work on his political deficiencies- Baako
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- Created on Saturday, 22 September 2012 00:00
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Amissah-Arthur must work on his political deficiencies- Baako
Editor-in Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has urged running mate for the ruling National Democratic Congress, Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur to work on his political deficiencies, while campaigning for the December elections heats up.
Discussing the impact the Vice President is likely to make on the elections, having been named President John Dramani Mahama’s running mate, on weekly News File programme on Joy FM and Joy News TV on Saturday Mr. Baako said, Mr. Amissah-Arthur lacked the "political body language" to woo voters to the NDC.
{sidebar id=10 align=right}Even though Kweku Baako described the Vice President’s competency as undoubted and his selection as a pair for President Mahama as a good choice, he said he (Amissah-Arthur) "needs to work hard" on his public appearance despite being a naturally shy and gentle person.
Suspended Deputy General Secretary for the NDC Kofi Adams who was also on the programme, said although Mr. Amissah-Arthur’s choice may not contribute significantly to the NDC with regard to delivering more votes, his expertise will bring so much to bear on government.
He said however that, the value of Mr. Amissah-Arthurs expertise and competence will only be realized after the NDC wins the elections.
Meanwhile, a member of the NPP’s Communications Team, Yaw Buaben Asamoah has downplayed selection of Amissah-Arthur having a major impact on their chances in the elections.
Mr. Buaben Asamoah said the Vice President was involved in many of the failed policies of the “NDC 1 and 2” administrations, which resulted in the collapse of many state agencies as well as leading to job losses.
He said Mr. Amissah-Arthur being a part of the problems created by the NDC, “cannot change anything”.
From:Jerry Tsatro Mordy /Myjoyonline.com
If Rawlings supports Mahama; he would have endorsed him in Kumasi - Kwabena Agyapong
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- Created on Friday, 21 September 2012 00:00
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If Rawlings supports Mahama; he would have endorsed him in Kumasi - Kwabena Agyapong
{sidebar id=11 align=right}Kwabena Agyepong, a former press secretary for ex-President J. A. Kufuor, says attempt by the ruling NDC to put a spin on what former President Jerry Rawlings said in Ho is “an act of desperation”.
According to Agyapong, Mr. Rawlings would have endorsed President John Mahama at the ruling party’s Kumasi delegates Congress if he [Rawlings] supports his candidature ahead of the December polls.
Mr. Rawlings while addressing Volta Regional House of Chiefs in Ho, Wednesday said the death of President John Mills gave the late president and the party a goodwill, hinting President John Mahama could possibly win the December 7 general elections.
The former President's comment has been interpreted to mean an endorsement of the candidature of the President – a situation some political pundits say is quite usual - from someone who has been critical of ruling party.
But members of the NDC is elated by the latest development saying their party founder's comment has galvanized the grassroots to work hard to ensure a one touch victory in December.
{sidebar id=10 align=right}However, on Ekosii Sen programme Thursday, Kwabena Agyapong said Mr. Rawlings' comment about President Mahama’s chance in the December polls does not amount to an endorsement.
According to him, an endorsement is done at Congress and so if Mr. Rawlings had raised the hand of the President at the party’s delegate congress in Kumasi that would have been news.
Mr. Agyapong indicated that the mentality of government is to use propaganda to twist what the former President is purported to have said in Ho for political expediency.
He found it surprising the u-turn by some members of the ruling party whom hitherto said they can win the election without Jerry Rawlings.
Kwabena Agyapong said the conduct of the NDC towards Mr. Rawlings is borne out of hypocrisy and double standards which he says will spell doom for the ruling party in December.
The former press secretary also took a swipe at the state owned media for misrepresenting what the former President said.
He said the Daily Graphic and Ghanaians Times by its reportage is gradually becoming a propaganda unit of the NDC – which according to him can affect their gate-keeping role.
Notwithstanding, Kwabena Agyapong maintained that the NPP has a brighter chance of winning the election in the first round.
He noted that Ghanaians will not vote a government which does not have the capacity to fight corruption he says has reached “gargantuan levels”.
Mr. Agyapong said the NPP under an Akufo-Addo presidency will deliver on its promises if voted into power.
From:Adwoa Gyasiwaa/Myjoyonline.com
Prez Mahama Appoints 30 People...
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- Category: Elections & Governance
- Created on Saturday, 22 September 2012 10:03
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Prez Mahama Appoints 30 People...
{sidebar id=11 align=right}The President, John Dramani Mahama, has nominated 30 people for appointment as District Chief Executives for 30 districts in nine regions of the country.
The President’s nomination is in accordance with Section 243(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 20(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, Act 462.
The regions are the Greater Accra, Central, Western, Eastern, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper West, Upper East and Volta.
A press statement signed by Mr. Samuel Ofosu–Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development said the names of those selected for five districts in the Greater Accra Region are as follows, Alhaji Issah Antiaye Tetteh, Franklin Pythias Anku, Anthony Yao Klokpah, Richard Nii Teye Appernarh and Aristo A. Aryee for the Kpone Katamanso, La-Nkwantanang-Madina, Ada West, Ningo/Prampam and Ga Central districts respectively.
{sidebar id=10 align=right}Sampson Abbey Armah and Bossman Osei Hyiamang were nominated for the Awutu-Senya-East and Twifo-Ati Mokwa districts respectively, in the Central Region.
Those selected for four districts in the Western Region are as follows, Kwame Twumasi Appiah for Bia, Kingsley Asoah Apimah for Juaboso (Bodi), Joseph Betino for Suaman and Peter Y. Kwakye – Ackah, Wassa Amenfi Central.
Those selected for the Ayensuano, Akuapim South, Denkyembour and Upper West Akim districts in the Eastern Region are Michael Ofori Drako, W.K. Frank Afari Djan, Kwaku Ofori Abrokwa and Derek Ohene Asifo Bekoe respectively.
In the Brong Ahafo Region three people namely, Joseph Alexander Bonsu for Banda, Moses Addae Fofie, Sene West, and Gordon Asubonteng for Dormaa Municipal, have been selected for appointment as District Chief Executives.
District Chief Executives nominated for five districts in the Northern Region are Maxwell Awunto Mahama, Mamprugo Moaduri; Waake Nakibe Nicholas, Tatale Sangule; Sorku Kassim Yahuza, North Gonja; Dan Wudinayi Makanda, Mion; and Ibrahim Yussif Andani, Sagnarigu district.
Cuthbert Baba Kuupiel has been selected for the Nandom district in the Upper West Region, whilst Awunore Edward and Abugbila A. Alhassan were nominated for the Talensi and Pusiga districts of the Upper East Region respectively.
Solomon Kuyon is nominated for the Krachi Nchumuru district, Angela Alorwu Tay for Afadjato (East Day), Maxwell Hini-Yao Gbakah in Adaklu and Sammy Ewoade for the Ho West, all in the Volta Region.
Source: GNA
Bawumia, Tony Aidoo debate merits of using theory to draft economic policy
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- Created on Friday, 21 September 2012 10:03
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Bawumia, Tony Aidoo debate merits of using theory to draft economic policy
NPP Vice Presidential candidate Mahamudu Bawumia has defended the practice of allowing economic theories to inform policy and expressed doubts that anyone could successfully manage an economy without some theoretical grounding.
{sidebar id=11 align=right}Friday’s guest hosts of Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Tony Aidoo, the Head of Policy Monitoring and Evaluation in the Office of the President and Gabby Asare Okyere-Darko, former Executive Director of pro-NPP Danquah Institute, maintained an unusually jovial atmosphere as they discussed the issue with Bawumia.
Bawumia responded to attacks against his reliance on theory by saying that professionals should accept the conventional knowledge in their fields.
He said that if a doctor graduates medical school and vows not to apply the things he learned there to his practice, then people will not take him seriously once his patients begin to die. He drew an analogy between such a doctor and the present administration, accusing them of rejecting economic theory while presiding over an economy that he characterized as faltering.
{sidebar id=10 align=right}Dr. Tony Aidoo, representing the NDC position, responded that the application of theoretical knowledge is usually more fruitful in physical sciences like medicine, but that in the social sciences, differences in context can make theories a lot harder to apply.
Bawumia agreed, but added that even in economics, certain laws are essentially set in stone, a point he emphasized by saying “you cannot make water flow upwards.”
Dr. Aidoo was not convinced, and retorted that economic models cannot be successfully applied unless the conditions under which the theory was devised are replicated.
Bawumia responded by reiterating that certain economic laws are fundamental. He also pointed to his own experience authoring a textbook on economic practice and helping to establish the Bank of Ghana’s Monetary Policy Committee, which he said combines theory and practice effectively, to suggest that he brings to the table a thorough mix of practice and theory.
He concluded his contributions to the debate with a barb against the current administration, saying that if someone in charge of the economy does not recognize the value of textbooks, they should scrap their research department.
Dr. Aidoo closed by cautioning people to bear in mind that theoretical knowledge provides nothing more than the paradigm within which we understand the real world dynamics on the ground.
From:Adam Reese Ghana/Myjoyonline.com