An emir in the Nigerian state of Zamfara has been suspended after he coronated a man said to be a wanted terrorist.
According to Premium Times, Aliyu Marafa, who is the emir of Yandoton Daji, was suspended by the Zamfara State government after the alleged turbaning of Ada Aleru.
Aleru is accused of being the leader of a ruthless terrorist gang behind multiple attacks in the states of Katsina and Zamfara.
But the secretary of the Emirate Council, Bello Yusuf, told the news outlet that the emir coronated Aleru in an effort to restore peace in the state.
Yusuf also claimed the state and local governments had approved the conferment.
The state, however, disassociated itself from Aleru’s turbaning in a statement.
“This is to inform the general public the Zamfara State Government has dissociated itself from the alleged turbaning of a Sarkin Fulani by the Emir of Birnin ‘Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area.
“In this regard, the State Executive Governor, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, MON (Shattiman Sokoto) has directed for suspension of the Emir with immediate effect,” the statement said.
Osinachi Ukomadu, the Nigerian tech founder changing the face of e-commerce Marafa’s brother has since been asked to temporarily serve as the emir of Yandoton Daji as authorities investigate Aleru’s coronation.
Sarah Adwoa Safo, a member of parliament for the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency, has expressed concern over the way that members of her own party have betrayed rather than protected her when she most needed them.
Without the Speaker’s approval, The Dome-Kwabenya has been absent from Parliament for a number of months.
Some of her own coworkers have called her out on this, and it has since become a hot topic of conversation in public.
Adwoa Safo and two other MPs, Mr. Henry Quartey of Ayawaso Central and his Baby Father, Mr. Kennedy Agyapong of Assin Central, were recently sent to the Privileges Committee for missing 15 meetings.
The Speaker of Parliament claimed that their absence from the chamber without his consent was a violation of the house’s rules and regulations.
Adwoa Safo declined to attend the hearings, hence the Committee was unable to reach a conclusion in the meantime.
“The theme for this year’s Conference, Holding Together, Working Together, resonates so much with my current circumstances and brings back memories of my time as the Deputy Majority Leader in the 7th Parliament where, as Leader of the Women’s Caucus, together with the Leadership of the Majority, did our very best to protect a colleague female Member of Parliament who had to be away in London for nearly two years to take care of,” Adwoa Safo wrote on her Facebook page. Since it included children and we didn’t go about raising a stink about her absence, we did this out of compassion. This is just one illustration of how we, as leaders in Parliament, defended one of our own.
“I have become the target of a protracted political witch hunt by certain forces in the NPP and in Parliament over the previous few months that I have been away from official duties, even though this was not my desire,” she said, “in order to further their own narrow objectives.”
Once more, Adwoa Safo expressed her confusion in her letter, writing, “This has left me asking myself if this is occurring because I am a woman who for this one time needed some time off to deal with a few personal concerns that were too dear to discuss with the greater public. I have questioned why I had to be treated differently in the face of all of this, not receiving the renowned backing of our party leadership both in Parliament and at the party level through my most trying times over the past several months.
Below is a statement:
Four years ago, together with colleague Members of Parliament, Party Leaders and the rank and file of the New Patriotic Party, we converged in Koforidua to elect new Leaders for the party. This was on the heels of an emphatic Victory by the Party in 2016 and thereafter securing another victory for the party in the 2020 elections. The theme for this year’s Conference, Holding Together, Working Together resonates so much with my current circumstances and brings back memories of my time as the Deputy Majority Leader in the 7th Parliament where, as Leader of the Women’s Caucus, together with the Leadership of the Majority did our very best to protect a colleague female Member of Parliament who had to be away in London for close to two years to take care of family issues. We did this on compassionate grounds because it involved Children and didn’t go round making hue and cry about her absence. This is just one example of how we protected one of our own as Leaders in Parliament. In the last few months that I have been away from official duties albeit not intentionally, I have become a victim of a sustained political witch hunt by certain elements in the NPP and in Parliament to achieve their own parochial goals. This has left me asking myself if this is happening because I am a woman who for just this one time needed some time off to deal with a few personal issues which were too dear to share with the larger publics. In the face of all these, I have questioned why I have had to be treated differently by not enjoying the famous support of our party leadership both in Parliament and at the party level in my most difficult moments these past few months. As a member of the party, I have served with utmost diligence (both in opposition and in government) and have at all times put the fortunes of my family at the disposal of the party. At no point in time have myself nor my family withheld anything of ours from our great Party, yet today, I am conveniently being called a traitor and all manner of names with several schemes being put to play and employed to oust me from my position as MP and Minister. This year’s conference theme perfectly embodies what we must do, and stand for, as members of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo Tradition. There is the need for us to stay United. Every single person and vote are needed in our singular quest to break the eight. We cannot give up on anyone. As we have brought this conference to a successful end, with the election of a new set of result oriented National Executives, we have been presented with a huge opportunity to consolidate our gains and efforts towards creating a United Front and a party that is empathetic and responsive to the needs and aspirations of its membership. Leadership is very important in every endeavor, most especially in a mass organization like the NPP. The onus lies on the new Leadership to ensure we hold on to each other and work together to break the eight. I conclude by reiterating that, in the face of clear political hounding and vendetta by certain elements within the party and parliament against me, I have never wavered in my commitment to the ideals and creed of the New Patriotic Party and the Government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, to whom, I am eternally grateful. Lastly, I congratulate the Newly Elected National Executives and wish them the very best in their quest to lead the charge in 2024 to achieve the unprecedented feat of Breaking the Eight. God Bless.
Managing Editor of Insight Newspaper, Kwasi Pratt Jnr, has bemoaned the rate at which Ghana imports products that can easily be produced in Ghana.
Speaking to the host of Atinka FM’s AM Drive, Kaakyire Ofori Ayim, Kwesi Pratt Jnr revealed how disheartening it is to know that Ghana is the third largest importer of tomatoes from Germany.
In 2021, the Ghana Tomato Traders and Transporters Association entreated its members to source their products from local tomato farms.
The Association discouraged the importation of tomatoes from Burkina Faso to provide a ready market for Ghanaian farmers.
Ghana reportedly loses CFA56 billion, approximately $99.5 million to Burkina Faso through the importation of fresh tomatoes annually.
According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, Ghana imports chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys from the Netherlands.
Kwesi Pratt Jnr revealed that aside from the importation of tomatoes and other products, Ghana imports Guinea fowls from Denmark.
He maintained that well-meaning Ghanaians who have followed the country’s economic status know what the issue is.
“Ghana imports virtually everything. I was reading a document when I came across a portion that said Ghana is the third largest importer of tomatoes from Germany. I was shocked and ashamed of myself. “As if that is not enough, it will surprise you that Ghana imports Guinea fowls from Denmark,” Kwasi Pratt Jnr told Kaakyire Ofori Ayim.
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a prominent member of the New Patriotic Party, has spoken in favor of using gold trade to support Ghana’s economy in the current financial climate.
He claimed that due to tensions with Russia, Ukraine, which only has 50 tonnes of gold deposits, recently sold US$12.4 billion worth of gold reserves.
In a message that was circulated on Twitter, Gabby Otchere-Darko made the case that Ghana produces more gold from its sizable gold deposits than it does from its present gold reserves.
“Ukraine’s central bank has sold US$12.4 billion of gold reserves since the beginning of Russia’s invasion on February 24, the bank’s deputy head said Sunday. This is a country with only 50 tonnes of gold deposit. In times of crisis gold is a safe haven. We produce much much more in Ghana!” he posted on Monday, July 18.
Following this claim, numerous Twitter users questioned whether Gabby Otchere-Darko was arguing for the contentious Agyapa Royalties transaction to be brought back.
A twee said, “Gabby just tested the water again…Agyapa on the pipeline.”
In the meantime, plans to float 49% of Agyapa Royalties on the Ghana Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange have been revealed by the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).
Between US$450 million and US$700 million in gold royalties are anticipated to be raised from the projected listing on both exchanges, which is anticipated to take place in the fourth quarter of this year.
The earnings from the planned IPO, according to MIIF Chief Executive Officer Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng, will be used to fund social and economic infrastructure across the country.
He continued by saying that the nation’s mining communities will receive special attention.
The Director of the Ghana School of Law, Yaw Oppong has said that having a good academic record alone does not guarantee admission into the School.
According to him, you must be morally upright to qualify for enrollment.
He added that the entire criteria for admission are provided for in the Legal Professions Act, 1960, Act 32.
“If you read Section 3 of the Act, which says that Qualification for Enrollment, the person shall be qualified for enrollment if he satisfies the General Legal Council that he is of good character and that he holds a qualifying certificate granted under Part II of this Act by the General Legal Council and at the discretion of the General Legal Council, may be able to be enrolled if the Council is satisfied.”
Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ The Law on Sunday, Mr. Oppong also mentioned that, in addition to one’s character, Police attestation is required “in terms of your character in relation to whether you have committed any offense or been convicted for any offense, let’s say dishonesty, fraud and moral turpitude.”
He also gave an indication that per a new arrangement that is in the offing, the Ghana School of Law will cease the conduct of entrance examinations for enrollment in the School as well as qualifying examinations for the bar. Mr. Oppong stated that an independent body will be assigned that responsibility.
This comment comes against the backdrop of concerns raised over the high failure rate of candidates in the School’s entrance examinations.
Besides, in the course of the week, there were reports that one of the exam questions was canceled because it leaked.
John Dramani Mahama, the leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2020 elections, raised concern about the Electoral Commission’s resolve to turn into a compliant weapon for the advancement of the political aims of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and President Akufo-Addo. According to reports from last week, the Electoral Commission has said that anyone wishing to be added to the current registration must do so using their Ghana Card.
The fact that the Ghana Card wasn’t used as identification during the generation of the register has led to the Minority in Parliament’s vehement criticism of the Electoral Commission’s action.
In response, John Dramani Mahama, a former president of Ghana, claimed that the Electoral Commission “takes pleasure in making it difficult for our citizens to participate in elections, instead of making it easy for our citizens to participate in elections.”
A foolish fixation on using the Ghana Card as the only form of identity for a voter card, he continued, “appears intent to secure the disenfranchisement of sections of our community at any means.”
He asked, “How do you do this, knowing that not everyone who qualifies for a Ghana Card can get one?”
The Ghana Card is a very recent addition to our way of life, but it does have some advantages overall. At the moment, it is being used more as a political weapon around which other election-related plans are being developed.
Before implementing this kind of counterproductive exclusion of all other legally acquired, reputable, and time-tested forms of identity, it is necessary to give it enough time to fully integrate into our way of life.
The National Identification Authority cannot assert that it has registered every Ghanaian who is required to do so or that it has given out all of the printed cards to those who have been entered into its database. Thousands of cards that were supposed to be given out to registered users were never delivered.
There must be space created for individuals who have not yet been served to exercise their democratic rights to vote until complete and total coverage in the rollout of the Ghana Card has been attained. They cannot be taken off the voter list for no fault of their own.
This ought to be obvious and simple to understand.
Therefore, it is obvious that the Electoral Commission’s haste in banning all other forms of identification was motivated by an ulterior motive. You, members of the Minority, highlighted concerns last week about possible moves to create a new register solely based on the Ghana Card. The Electoral Commission has come out quickly to refute any such claims.
This denial would have put an end to the situation had the Commission’s present leadership not taken over. The Commission in its current form is known to have broken such promises in the recent past, therefore the NDC will keep an ever-vigilant eye out to make sure that doesn’t happen.
To prevent fraud and exploitation to the unfair advantage of any party, the Electoral Commission’s proposed continuous registration process must include a system that allows all political parties and important stakeholders to monitor it in real-time. The NDC will adamantly insist on this.
The full statement from his official Facebook page is below
The President of Ghana and the Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party has Congratulated the newly elected executives of the just ended national elections
Below is the full statement from the President
I congratulate warmly the new National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr Stephen Ayesu Ntim, and the other National Officers who were elected at the Party’s National Delegates’ Conference, held at the Accra Sports Stadium, on Saturday, 16th July, 2022.
Once again, we, in the NPP, have demonstrated that we are the Party that is committed to the tenets of multi-party democracy.
We have elected a team of Officers with a deep attachment to the timeless values and principles of the Party and its tradition, and who will steer affairs of the party for the next four years. They are the national face and voice of our Party, and they will set the tone and the pace of our election campaign in 2024.
As I indicated on Saturday, the NPP is at its best when we are united and operating as a focused entity. I, thus, urge all in the NPP to unite strongly behind our new national officers, for it is only by working together that we can “Break the Eight” and help deliver progress and prosperity to the Ghanaian people.
The Electoral Commission is to be commended for conducting and supervising Saturday’s elections, and I thank the Media for providing extensive coverage of the proceedings.
May God bless the New Patriotic Party and us all, and may God bless our homeland Ghana, and make her great and strong.
According to reports in Countryghana, the NPP will soon have a new General Secretary.
Supporters of Justine Frimpong Koduah, often known as JFK, can be seen celebrating on the election grounds while the country waits for the official results.
There are signs that JFK has significantly increased his vote totals in the Ahafo Region and the Ashanti Region.
John Boadu, the incumbent NPP General Secretary, has lost despite numerous assurances that he was in charge of the election and that things would turn out in his favor as the counting progressed. Justin Kodua received 1,606 votes, while John Boadu received 1,086.
However, the Electoral Commission has not yet made the official, final results public.
Before the competition, John Boadu, who had previously come across as overconfident, told press he would win.
But Justin Frimpong Kodua, a lawyer, defeated him, winning nearly all the polling places, including every one in the Ashanti Region.
According to preliminary data, Justin Kodua has more than 500 more votes than John Boadu.
The Youth Employment Agency’s CEO is attorney Justin Frimpong Kodua (JFK) (YEA).
In March of this year, he formally announced his intention to run for the position of New Patriotic Party (NPP) General Secretary, although he was considered a long shot.
Justin Frimpong Kodua, an active, amiable, and motivated young lawyer with innovative ideas for modern party management and governance, is ready to change the New Patriotic Party’s organizational structure and make it functional once more.
According to Justin Frimpong Kodua, invigorating the party base will require new approaches and a united front to break the 8-year curse.
The significant changes YEA has experienced under JFK’s leadership are proof of his exceptional leadership and management skills.
JFK is highly confident in his ability to steer the affairs of the NPP in the correct direction for electoral success in 2024 and beyond. He has also developed an open demeanor that endears him to the rank and file of the party.
The incumbent National Women’s Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kate Gyamfua has been re-elected to lead the women wing of the party.
This was after the collation and tabulation of figures for the National Women Organizer position ended a few minutes ago.
Out of a total vote of 661, Kate Gyamfua, popularly called “Mama Kate”, polled 620 representing 93.78% to beat her competitors in the persons of Hajia Sawudatu and Ellen Ama Daaku who got 32 representing 4.84% and 9 representing 1.36 percent votes respectively.
Kate Gyamfua has thus been provisionally declared winner of the contest.
The Information Minister has congratulated the new executives though the Electoral Commission is yet to announce the final results /
The executive positions in the party include the National Chairperson, National Vice Chairperson, General Secretary, National Organiser, Women’s Organiser, Youth Organiser and National Nasara Coordinator.
Some 6,000 delegates will be voting in the election, including selected party members from all the 16 regions in Ghana plus some members from the diaspora branches of the NPP.
