Ben Ephson Releases 15 More Polls...

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Category: Elections & Governance

Created on Friday, 14 September 2012 10:03

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Ben Ephson Releases 15 More Polls...

{sidebar id=11 align=right}Ben Ephson Jr. has released polls from fifteen (15) more constituencies.

This ostensibly means the renowned pollster has released results from 18 constituencies across the country.

Even though results of polls conducted in the strongholds of the two main political parties (Ashanti and Volta Regions) are yet to be released, there are indications that the parliamentary elections will be keenly contested across the country between the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

One key indication from the results is that none of the 'smaller' parties is likely to make a significant impact on the parliamentary elections.

Here are the results released so far:

{sidebar id=10 align=right}UPPER WEST REGION…...(3 out of 15 Constituencies)

Tanensi……………….NDC

Bongo…………………NDC

Navrongo Central……NPP

UPPER WEST REGION……(4 out of 11 Constituencies)

Wa West………………NDC

Jirapa………………….NDC

Nadowli West………..NDC

Lawra…………………..NDC

NORTHERN REGION……(8 out of 31 Constituencies)

Tamale South………..NDC

Tamale Central………NDC

Tamale North………...NDC

Kumbungu……………NDC

Gambaga……………..NDC

Bole……………………NDC

Sawla/Tuna/kalba……NDC

Bimbilla………………..NPP

Below are the results from the Constituencies announced earlier.

BRONG AHAFO REGION…..(14 out of 29 Constituencies)

Sunyani East………….NPP

Sunyani West………....NPP

Berekum………………NPP

Techiman North……....NPP

Asunafo North………...NPP

Tano North………….…NPP

Wenchi……………...….NPP

Jaman North…………..NDC

Tain……………………..NDC

Techiman South……....NDC

Pru……………………...NDC

Sene…………………….NDC

Kintampo South…...…..NDC

Atebubu Amantin….......NDC

WESTERN REGION……..(12 out of 26 Constituencies)

Takoradi…………………NPP

Effia-Kwasimitsim.....…..NPP

Sekondi………………….NPP

Essiakdo Ketan…...……NPP

Ahanta West……....…….NPP

Bia………………..………NDC

Juaboso…………………NDC

Suaman…………………NDC

Aowin…………………….NDC

Amenfi West……....…….NDC

Prestea Huni Valley.........NDC

Bodi………………...…….NDC

CENTRAL REGION……….(9 out of 23 Constituencies)

Gomoa West………...…..NDC

Goma East………………NDC

Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam…NDC

Agona West……………..NDC

Awutu Senya…………….NDC

Awutu Senya East…..….NDC

Upper Denkyira West.....NPP

Assin North…………..…NPP

Assin South…………..…NPP

GREATER ACCRA REGION…..(18 out of 34 Constituencies)

Domeabra Obom……...NDC

Abokobi Madina………..NDC

Ablekuma South……….NDC

Odododiodoo…………..NDC

Kpone Katamanso…….NDC

Shai Osudoku……….…NDC

Ada……………………....NDC

Sege…………………….NDC

Ningo Prampram………NDC

Ayawaso East…………NDC

Bortianor/Ngleshie Amanfro…NDC

Ashaiman………………NDC

Dome Kwabenya………NPP

Okaikwei South………..NPP

Ablekuma West………..NPP

Ledzokuku……………...NPP

Ayawaso North………...NPP

Anyaa/Sowutuom…..…NPP

EASTER REGION………(18 out of 33 Constituencies)

Akim Oda…………………NPP

Akim Swedru………….…NPP

Abirem…………………….NPP

Abetifi………………….…..NPP

Mpraeso…………………..NPP

Lower Manya………….....NPP (if Michael Teye Nyaunu goes independent)

New Juaben South…......NPP

New Juaben North….......NPP

Ayensuano………………NPP

Fanteakwa……………….NPP

Aburi……………….……..NPP

Nsawam Adoagyiri…......NPP Atiwa East………………..NPP

Atiwa West……………….NPP

Lower West Akim…….....NPP

Upper Manya………….....NDC

Yilo Krobo………………..NDC

Asuogyaman……………NDC

Source: radioxyzonline.com

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NPP replies Lee Ocran: We won’t wait 20 years to implement free SHS

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Category: Politics

Created on Thursday, 13 September 2012 00:00

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NPP replies Lee Ocran: We won’t wait 20 years to implement free SHS

The New Patriotic Party reacted to a press conference organised by the Minister of Education, Lee Ocran, on Monday, 10th September, 2012, where he described the NPP’s policy of free senior high school education as not feasible.

The NPP described the press conference as a move which only shows how far the NDC has lost touch with the concerns and aspirations of ordinary Ghanaians.

“It is only a reckless and uncaring government that can, like the NDC, see the urgency in finding some GH¢858 million in three years to pay judgment debts and, yet, cannot imagine how to find money to invest in the future of our children, most of whom are being failed today by the existing education system.

{sidebar id=11 align=right}It gets worse. The Minister of Education went as far as to state that, to the NDC, led by President John Dramani Mahama, free SHS can only be possible after the year 2032 -- that is 20 years from now,” the opposition party reacted in a release on Tuesday by its 2012 Elections Campaign Manager, Boakye Agyarko . ment below:

Read the full statement

UNLIKE NDC, NPP WON’T WAIT 20 YEARS TO IMPLEMENT FREE SHS

The attention of the New Patriotic Party has been drawn to a press conference organised by the Minister of Education, Lee Ocran, on Monday, 10th September, 2012, where he described the NPP’s policy of free senior high school education as not feasible. This only shows how far the NDC has lost touch with the concerns and aspirations of ordinary Ghanaians.

It is only a reckless and uncaring government that can, like the NDC, see the urgency in finding some GH¢858 million in three years to pay judgement debts and, yet, cannot imagine how to find money to invest in the future of our children, most of whom are being failed today by the existing education system.

It gets worse. The Minister of Education went as far as to state that, to the NDC, led by President John Dramani Mahama, free SHS can only be possible after the year 2032 -- that is 20 years from now.

He went on to claim that free SHS cannot be possible because Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, did not implement it. Does that mean that what Nkrumah could not do, no Ghanaian or Ghanaian generation can or must achieve? That may be the NDC way, but that, certainly, is not the NPP way. We believe we can do it and we will choose to do it.

The Education Minister either chose to lie or not to abreast himself with the facts of our policy when he said that the NPP says its free SHS would cost an ‘unrealistic’ GH¢78 million for its first academic year of implementation. We have never said that.

Governments work with annual budgets and so what we have said and what we are saying is that the direct additional cost of implementing free SHS (which consists of the following fees: admission, library, computer, science centre, examination, boarding, feeding, entertainment, textbooks and utilities) is estimated to be GH¢78 million for the 2013 budget year, which will only involves the first academic term, from September 2013 to December 2013, and not the full academic year.

Having said that, we estimate the total additional cost of implementing the free SHS in 2013 alone at GH¢754.6 million. Which means, we anticipate spending that amount towards the free SHS policy in our first year in office, God willing. This cost will include training and recruitment of teachers, expansion of existing infrastructure, all in preparation for the anticipated intake of all JHS students into SHS in the 2014-2015 academic year, when our other policy initiative of extending basic education to include secondary education kicks in.

It is our policy and conviction that no Ghanaian child should be denied the right to free and compulsory education to the secondary school level. It is feasible, Ghanaians want it, we want to do it and we shall do it.

The NDC puts the cost of free SHS at GH¢1.2 billion in the first year. We are not going to argue against that since we don’t how they came about that estimate. This is their calculation and they, perhaps, took into consideration the inflated costs of infrastructure under the Mills-Mahama administration, which has seen the cost of building a six-unit classroom block jumped from around GH¢80,000 in 2008 to GH¢260,000 and beyond by 2010. We are determined to give the Ghanaian people value for money in spending public funds.

{sidebar id=10 align=right}If the NDC believes that the 200,000 or so Ghanaian children who cannot get into SHS every year is acceptable and that a majority of our children should continue to be denied secondary school education for the next two decades, then that is up to them.

We of the NPP, on the other hand, are saying that we will not wait for 20 years before all our children get free SHS. The future of our children matter and we are determined to transform the lives of the majority of them who might, otherwise, face a bleak future without the proper foundation that secondary education offers.

As our Presidential Candidate has stated the cost involved in the implementation of this free SHS policy will be high, however, the benefit in investing in our children, and giving them the skills needed to build a more prosperous nation for us all and a brighter future is both morally right and economically sound.

We have outlined the cost implications and we have a funding plan to back it and the good people of Ghana know it. No amount of propaganda from the President, his ministers and propagandists can take away from the importance and popularity of this policy. The NDC doubted our resolve to implement the NHIS, and yes we did it, and we will prove them wrong again.

The NPP will take constructive, intelligent action to ensure that the major obstacles to having every Ghanaian child educated to secondary level are addressed simultaneously. These will mean:

• Improving the quality of tuition at the primary and JHS level

• Providing access to schools and learning facilities for all eligible students

• Making the cost of secondary education free in all public schools for every child in both SHS and TVETs.

We wish to take this opportunity to, once again, mention the cost implications of providing free SHS education. The cost will include recurrent expenditure, expenditure on expanding exiting SHS and TVET institutions, expenditure for upgrading existing JHS to include SHS (among cluster schools), and expenditure for provision of free bus ride and free meals for day students.

In the 2013-2014 academic year, which begins in September 2013 and ends in August 2014, we do not expect any unusually high numbers in enrolment. Therefore, additional payment for the recurrent expenditure for the first term of the 2013/2014 academic year will amount to GH¢78 million.

The NPP will, nevertheless, spend an additional amount of GH¢676.8 million every year, from 2013 to 2016, to expand the infrastructure of existing Senior High Schools and TVET institutions, upgrade some 350 JHS to include SHS (cluster schools), recruit more teachers and procure buses to transport day students to and from school.

For the avoidance of doubt, let me repeat, the NPP will in 2013 spend a total amount of GH¢754.6 million (i.e. GH¢78m on recurrent expenditure plus GH¢676.8 on additional infrastructures and teachers) to provide free SHS. In 2014, that figure will be GH¢965 million as enrolment shoots up, going up further to GH¢1.19 billion in 2015, and GH¢1.45 billion in 2016.

The provision of free SHS is feasible and under an Akufo-Addo administration it will be done. The NDC says free SHS can be achieved in 20 years. The NPP says free SHS can be provided now. The choice is for the good people of Ghana to make.

We say: Change Now to Move Ghana Forward.

……Signed……

Boakye Agyarko

NPP Campaign Manager

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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Ben Ephson Releases Polls On 71 Seats; Ursula, Victoria Face-off In Ablekuma West

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Category: Elections & Governance

Created on Thursday, 13 September 2012 00:00

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Ben Ephson Releases Polls On 71 Seats; Ursula, Victoria Face-off In Ablekuma West

Renowned pollster Ben Ephson Jr. has released the latest batch of polls on the 230 parliamentary seats and the yet-to-be-created 45 new constituencies.

In all, 71 constituencies were surveyed with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) likely to win 36 seats while the ruling National Democratic Congress is likely to win in 35 of the constituencies.

The Ledzokuku constituency, a known swing area, is likely to fall to the NPP as the constituents seem unhappy with the performance of the incumbent MP, Nii Nortey Dua. He was however beaten in the primaries by Mrs Okiti Duah who is being challenged by the former MP of the area, Dr. Norley of the NPP.

Again, two media friendly women are expected to face-off in the yet-to-be legal Ablekuma West constituency. Ms. Ursula Owusu of the NPP and Ms. Victoria Hamah will compete for the opportunity to represent the area in parliament. The poll however indicates that the area will be won by Ms. Owusu even though it will be hard fought.

This ostensibly means that the Ablekuma South constituency is likely to be won by Information Minister, Mr. Fritz Baffour.

In the Lower Manya constituency, the NPP is likely to win the seat for the first time if the incumbent MP goes ahead with his threat of going independent.

Hon. Teye Nyaunu who has represented the area for sixteen years threatened to go independent after he lost the NDC primaries. He has accused the leadership of the party for scheming to get him out of parliament.

Below is the full list of the polls released so far.

BRONG AHAFO REGION

Sunyani East………….NPP

Sunyani West………..NPP

Berekum………………..NPP

Techiman North…….NPP

Asunafo North……….NPP

Tano North……………NPP

Wenchi………………….NPP

Jaman North………….NDC

Tain……………………….NDC

Techiman South…….NDC

Pru…………………………NDC

Sene……………………….NDC

Kintampo South……..NDC

Atebubu Amantin…..NDC

WESTERN REGION

Takoradi…………………NPP

Effia-Kwasimitsim…..NPP

Sekondi………………….NPP

Essiakdo Ketan………NPP

Ahanta West………….NPP

Bia…………………………NDC

Juaboso…………………NDC

Suaman…………………NDC

Aowin…………………….NDC

Amenfi West………….NDC

Prestea Huni Valley..NDC

Bodi……………………….NDC

CENTRAL REGION

Gomoa West…………..NDC

Goma East………………NDC

Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam…NDC

Agona West……………..NDC

Awutu Senya…………….NDC

Awutu Senya East…….NDC

Upper Denkyira West......NPP

Assin North………………NPP

Assin South………………NPP

GREATER ACCRA REGION

Domeabra Obom……..NDC

Abokobi Madina………NDC

Ablekuma South……….NDC

Odododiodoo…………..NDC

Kpone Katamanso…….NDC

Shai Osudoku……………NDC

Ada……………………….....NDC

Sege………………………….NDC

Ningo Prampram………NDC

Ayawaso East……………NDC

Bortianor/Ngleshie Amanfro…NDC

Ashaiman…………………NDC

Dome Kwabenya………NPP

Okaikwei South………..NPP

Ablekuma West………..NPP

Ledzokuku………………..NPP

Ayawaso North………..NPP

Anyaa/Sowutuom……NPP

EASTER REGION

Akim Oda…………………NPP

Akim Swedru……………NPP

Abirem…………………….NPP

Abetifi……………………..NPP

Mpraeso…………………..NPP

Lower Manya…………..NPP (if Michael Teye Nyaunu goes independent)

New Juaben South…..NPP

New Juaben North…..NPP

Ayensuano………………NPP

Fanteakwa……………….NPP

Aburi………………………..NPP

Nsawam Adoagyiri……NPP

Atiwa East………………..NPP

Atiwa West……………….NPP

Lower West Akim…….NPP

Upper Manya…………..NDC

Yilo Krobo………………..NDC

Asuogyaman……………NDC

Source: radioxyzonline.com

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Protesters Against 45 New Constituencies Arrested

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Category: Elections & Governance

Created on Tuesday, 11 September 2012 00:00

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Protesters Against 45 New Constituencies Arrested

A group believed to be drawing its membership from the opposition New Patriotic Party and the Convention People's Party, were on Tuesday arrested by the Koforidua Regional Police command for demonstrating over the creation of 45 new constituencies by the Electoral Commission ahead of this year's elections.

According to the Police, the group has contravened the notification period to the Police before embarking on demonstrations as enshrined in the Public Order Act.

The police further revealed the group led by Nana Annor Dompreh, Regional Youth Organizer of the NPP and some Regional Members of the CPP had written to the police of their intended demonstration on Monday, 10th September which did not happen, "however, they convened Tuesday morning the 11th , September 2012, to organize the demonstration without our knowledge which is totally wrong," Eastern Regional Police Commander DCOP Gyamera Yeboah confirmed.

The group is also said to have failed to notify the police on their decision to call off their demonstration and reschedule it for another date.

DCOP Gyamera Yeboah added that Regional Security Council will not countenance lawlessness especially as the country draws closer another general elections.

Source: Mckyntosh Essuman Aidoo/Koforidua

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