The Minority in Parliament is predicting doom for businesses in the coming days following the government’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) coupled with quarterly adjustments of utility tariffs.

The Caucus says that the government will increase utility tariffs every three months without recourse to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), which will further worsen the high cost of doing business and aggravate the harsh economic conditions.

Addressing the media, Deputy Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament Isaac Adongo underscored the impact of such increases on Ghanaians in the coming days.

“Every three months, they will increase electricity and water tariffs without due regard to its impacts on individuals, households, and businesses and this will definitely impact badly in the cost of doing business and feed into the current debilitating inflation and suffering being experienced by Ghanaians.

“Now you go and buy electricity and when you get home, you are afraid to slot the card because the units on the card are not enough, and you will need to go back and buy to top up.”

The Minority in Parliament has condemned the attacks on match officials in football in Ghana, describing them as “appalling.”

The Minority expressed concern about the impunity with which match officials are often attacked simply because a side is not satisfied with a decision of the officials.

Speaking on the floor of the House, Minority Chief Whip Governs Agbodza said, “It is so appalling a situation where you see our officiating officials assaulted on the pitch simply because one side feels that the officials have misconducted themselves or did not give the appropriate verdict in one case or the other. We need to look at these things.”

Mr. Agbodza also urged the Ghana Football Association to take drastic measures to address the worrying trend.

The police arrested Napari Suheru, a football coach, for assaulting a female referee during a Division 1B football match near the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium on Saturday, June 17.

Coach Napari, also known as Kubli, attacked the female referee, Abdul Rahman Sakina Nasara, during the football match in Tamale and turned himself in to the Northern Regional Police Headquarters on June 19, 2023, after being on the run for two days.

After the incident, Mr. Napari was relieved of his positions as Assistant Treasurer in the Executive Committee of the Northern Regional Women’s Football Clubs Association and as Chairperson of the Women’s Football Committee in the Sagnarigu Municipal Football Association.

He appeared in court yesterday, June 21, and was remanded into police custody with the case adjourned to Monday, June 26, 2023.

The Former Minister of Power under the Mahama government, Dr. Kwabena Donkor is urging the government to prioritise the exportation of excess electricity to neighbouring countries to help tackle the huge debt crippling the energy sector.

Donkor said the government should focus on aggressively marketing its excess capacity instead of criticizing the Mahama government for the crippling debts due to ill-informed power purchase agreements.

“If you take the export to Burkina, our 330 megawatts fit into their 25 megawatts and that is already in place and that infrastructure is already there and what we now need to do is to aggressively market.”

Mr. Donkor also admonished the government to take advantage of the existing infrastructure to export other countries such Mali other than just Burkina Faso.

“Instead of complaining about the excess capacity, we are unable to meet the demand of Burkina. There is Mali beyond Burkina and there is already interconnection and so there is a need for a policy drive. Right from 2012, the intention was to make Ghana a major exporter of power and we have exported power since the late 1960s and 1970s to Togo and Benin but we want to go beyond that and we want to be a major power exporter.”

Fire officers are investigating two separate domestic fire incidents which occurred on Tuesday, June 20 in the Ashanti Region.

The first incident at Atonsu Bukro gutted some rooms and destroyed properties in the building.

The second incident happened at Tafo-Pankrono and swept through some rooms in a five-bedroom apartment and displaced occupants of the house.

The Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, D.O 3 Peter Addai told Citi News the fire crew was briefly delayed by some angry members of the public from doing its work. 

“We also dispatched the Mampongteng Fire Station and when they got there, the fire was well alive and the rooms had been burnt and when they got there, members of the public tried preventing them from getting access to the fire scene because they were saying that they had delayed so the members of the crew spoke to them and the assemblyman also intervened and also called for police assistance and so we finally got access to extinguish the fire.”

“The fire also affected a five-bedroom apartment and there were no casualties. We have been able to identify the origin of the fire and investigations are still underway to establish the cause of the fire,” D.O 3 Peter Addai added.

There was a fierce clash between Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame and experienced legal practitioner Tsatsu Tsikata in court on Wednesday.

Mr Tsikata hit the AG, accusing him of breaching the ethics of the legal profession.

“The supplementary affidavit is indicating, clearly a pattern of behaviour and utterances by an Attorney General who seeks to prejudice criminal matters before the court.

“The statement he made, in reference to Adamu Sakande for instance shows that clearly”, Mr. Tsikata said.

Mr. Tsikata who is lead counsel for the NDC’s James Gyakye Quayson submitted to the court documents detailing what he says is evidence of prejudicial comments made by the Attorney General.

One such comment is the AG indicating that James Gyakye Quayson will suffer the same fate as Adamu Sakande. A story published on myjoyonline.com was attached as one of the exhibits.

The AG had told JoyNews that the James Gyakye Quayson case is very similar to that of Sakande.

Mr Dame urged the court to reject the said documents. He argued that he made those comments in a civil matter which had no bearing on the criminal case at hand.

“It contains absolutely unconnected and irrelevant material to the matters before the court. The instant proceedings arise out of a simple criminal trial.

“The affidavit raises matters bothering an already decided Supreme Court matter, comments they claim I made arising out of the Supreme Court ruling.

“That matter is not before the court and has clearly been adjudicated.”

Mr. Tsikata disagreed.

He insisted 57 years since he started his journey to becoming a lawyer he had never encountered an Attorney General who behaves in such a manner.

“I have never seen an Attorney General make insulting remarks about a person in this manner. We want this court to control this process such that it is not abused.

“It is our professional obligation to bring it to your attention. When the AG is acting in a manner that is prejudicing the court. We must bring it to your attention.

“Plain propaganda, those comments are just meant to be prejudicial. Mere citizens will be held in contempt if they had said same. If we can’t bring this to your attention. I don’t know what we can do.” He stated.

The AG had a response

“I am surprised that in all his years, he does not understand what is relevant. What is the relevance of those comments to the issue at hand on whether the case should be heard on a day-to-day basis or not?”

Trial Judge Mary Yanzuh urged the lawyers to exercise restraint. She pointed out that they are all officers of the court and should desist from abusive language.

She admitted the said documents into evidence pointing out that they were relevant because of the allegation of prejudice that had been raised.

The two nonetheless had a go at each other yet again at the tail end of proceedings.

The court had indicated it will deliver its ruling on whether the case should be put on hold to allow Mr Quayson to campaign on Friday.

Mr Tsikata urged the court to permit the NDC Assin North candidate to miss proceedings on that day.

The AG disagreed, pointing out that an accused must be present during his trial except he refuses to show up or conducts himself in a manner that makes continuation of proceedings impracticable.

“If he is saying he won’t come, he should refuse to do so and we will ask for a warrant to arrest him”, Mr Dame said.

Mr Tsikata had a brief reply

“Clearly, my lady, this is beneath me, so I won’t respond”. He stated.

The court granted the request for James Quayson to miss proceedings on Friday.

The upcoming Assin North by-election has been marred by allegations from the two major political parties, accusing each other of attempting to sway voters through the distribution of money and gifts.

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have engaged in a blame game, each claiming that their opponent is using underhanded tactics to secure victory.

During an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen program, George Opare Addo, the National Youth Organiser of the NDC, accused the NPP of utilizing state resources to entice voters.

He asserted that the NPP leadership was infiltrating NDC strongholds in Assin North, distributing items like fertilizers, cutlasses, Wellington boots, and roofing sheets in exchange for votes.

Opare Addo, known popularly as Pablo, lamented the government’s misuse of state resources merely to gain one seat from the NDC.

Despite these allegations, Opare Addo, the NDC National Youth Organiser, expressed confidence that such tactics would not impact the outcome of the by-election.

In response, Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organiser of the NPP, denounced the NDC’s behavior as hypocritical and reflective of double standards.

He clarified that both parties were providing items to voters in Assin North, but for different reasons.

Regarding the NPP’s actions, Nana Boakye explained that the items being distributed were in response to requests made by the chiefs and people of Assin North.

These initiatives were spearheaded by their candidate, Charles Opoku, whose NGO has been carrying out similar projects for several years.

Nana Boakye emphasized that the NDC’s criticism of the NPP’s actions was a prime example of the pot calling the kettle black.

The wish for the ousted Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson to be absent from court to embark on his campaign for the upcoming by-election has been granted by the Accra High Court trying him on criminal charges.

This follows the adjournment of the sittings to Friday where a ruling will be given on the motion by Quayson for the court to vary its orders to hear the criminal trial daily.

The trial is being conducted on a day-to-day basis amidst claims by a section of the populace that the move is aimed at frustrating the NDC’s parliamentary candidate in the build-up to the upcoming by-election in the constituency, scheduled for Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

Due to that, the High Court has set June 23 to rule on whether the trial of James Gyakye Quayson should be put on hold.

The trial judge, Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, who fixed the date, said Quayson could choose not to attend proceedings on the date set for the ruling.

The motion filed by lawyers for Gyakye Quayson wants the court, which had earlier indicated daily trial to vary its orders and have the case rather continued after Tuesday.

In the motion, Quayson’s lawyers argued that hearing the case on the said dates would negatively impact Quayson’s chances in the elections.

The court said the ousted Assin North MP, failed to prove that he had renounced his Canadian citizenship when he filed his nomination to contest the 2020 general elections.

Parliament subsequently declared the Assin North seat vacant, leading to the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana announcing a by-election on June 27, 2023, to fill the seat.

The deposed MP, James Gyakye Quayson is standing trial for deceit of a public officer, forgery of a passport, and knowingly making a false statutory declaration and perjury.

On Monday, the lawyers of the deposed MP and the Attorney General argued out their cases as to whether the matter should be tried daily as ordered by the court from June 20 to June 23 or not, where Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame raised a preliminary objection to a supplementary affidavit to the motion.

His objection was because the motion was not properly before the court as lawyers of Gyakye Quayson did not seek leave of the court to file the affidavit and the facts adduced in it were not relevant to the case.

The Attorney General explained that the defense team has referred to some comments attributed to him which related to the civil aspect of the matter against Gyakye Quayson, comparisons with the Adamu Sakande case, and some comments made about the Opuni trial which he insisted were not relevant to the criminal case nor the motion for variation.

However, Tsatsu Tsikata insisted on the relevance of the facts saying that it seeks to prove a pattern of how the Attorney General has been making prejudicial comments about cases before the courts which in his view are against the ethics of the legal profession.

The judge after considering the arguments adopted the supplementary affidavit indicating the facts were relevant to the issues alleged in the motion and on the failure of the defense team to seek leave of the court before filing the supplementary affidavit, the judge held that the court has the discretion on regulating the filing of processes.

Due to that Tsatsu Tsikata moved the application for the variation of the order to sit daily, which he insisted that the decision to contest the by-election in Assin North is a national duty and hence the trial should be conducted in a manner that will not impede this obligation.

Mr. Tsikata further argued that this obligation has been acknowledged by the Supreme Court and in Article 55(13) of the constitution.

He further contended that the said article indicates that persons contesting for national elections have the right to conduct their campaigns per the Constitution.

The defense also raised concerns about some comments made by Attorney General Godfred Dame which in their view goes against the presumption that one is innocent until proven guilty.

In response, the Attorney General explained that there were some misconceptions suggesting that he set the dates for trial, adding that he only prayed for the case to be heard daily which the court obliged and set the disputed dates of June 21 to June 23.

The Attorney General, further noted that the adjournment of a criminal case is the discretion of the judge in which the parties have no say.

Godfred Dame further argued that granting the instant application will be against fair trial rules provided for in Article 19 which provides for trial within a reasonable time.

He indicated that the requirement of daily trials is provided for by the practice directions of the court and any other decision will be against Gyakye Quayson’s right to a fair trial and also argued that it will be discriminatory.

BY Daniel Bampoe

The Founder and General Overseer of RoyalHouse Chapel International, Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah, has called on politicians in Ghana to stop making promises they cannot fulfil.

He was speaking with Pastor Ato Acquah in a special Fathers’ Day edition of JoyFM’s Christian talk show ‘A Walk with Jesus‘ on Sunday.

The Apostle General raised concerns about how the majority of Ghanaians today are beginning to lose interest in democratic practice because politicians fail to honour the promises they make to the electorate during their campaigns for power.

He said that “People are hurting and suffering to the extent that we are coming to a place where people are losing faith in our democratic practice”.

He said “We are tired from the greed, corruption, fighting and politicking of politicians.”

Rev. Ankrah lamented about the worrying situation where politicians in whose care the management of the resources of the nation is entrusted for the benefit of the citizenry fail to properly manage it for the benefit of all.

He cautioned that if the situation does not change the youth will lose trust in political leaders and in fathers in general, citing the frustration the youth go through due to their inability to find jobs and also benefit from the resources of the nation.

The Apostle General advised the electorate to desist from voting for persons simply because they come from their tribe or political party.

Their focus, he admonished, should be on the person’s qualities and what he or she has to offer the nation.

Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah also called on all Christians to seek the face of the Lord in prayer.

“Ask God for direction on who will take this nation to the next level and the people you have to vote for and consider,” he said.

ALSO READ:

Former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Kwesi Nyantakyi was with Kennedy Ohene Agyapong as he filed his nomination forms to contest the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP’s) presidential primary.

The presence of Nyantakyi at the NPP headquarters raised eyebrows as he has been out of the public eye since he resigned from his position as GFA president following allegations of corruption and misconduct in the Anas Aremeyaw Anas exposé.

However, Nyantakyi’s appearance at the NPP headquarters has sparked speculations about his political ambitions and his association with Ken Agyapong, who is a controversial figure in Ghanaian politics and a Member of Parliament for Assin Central.

Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination forms, Ken Agyapong expressed his confidence in winning the NPP primaries and leading the party to victory in the 2024 general elections.

“I am confident that I will win the NPP primaries and become the next president of Ghana. I have a track record of success in business and politics, and I am ready to lead this country to greater heights,” he said.

Nyantakyi, on the other hand, remained tight-lipped about his intentions, but his presence at the NPP headquarters has sparked rumors that he may be eyeing a political position in the near future.

The NPP is currently in the process of selecting its presidential candidate for the 2024 elections, and Ken Agyapong is one of the front runners in the race.
His nomination forms have been submitted, and the party will go through the necessary processes to vet and select its candidate.

The presence of Kwesi Nyantakyi at the NPP headquarters has added a new twist to the race, and political observers will be keenly watching to see if he makes any political moves in the coming months.

He will become the seventh aspirant to file his nomination forms amidst drumming and dancing at the NPP headquarters ahead of his arrival.

By Vincent Kubi

The court has set June 23 to rule on whether the James Gyakye Quayson trial should be put on hold or not.

The embattled MP is permitted to miss the hearing on that day.

Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, who fixed the date, said Mr Quayson could chose not to attend proceedings on the date set for the ruling. 

Filed by lawyers for Quayson, the motion was praying the court, which had earlier fixed June 20, 21 and 23  to continue the criminal trial, to have the case rather continued after the Assin-North election. 

In the motion, Quayson’s lawyers argued that hearing the case on the said dates would hamper Quayson’s chances in the elections. 

Mr Tsatsu Tsikata added that by offering himself as a candidate for elections, his client, was on a national assignment. 

Member of Parliament for Assin Central in the Central Region Kennedy Agyapong says he is disappointed in the people of Volta Region for always voting for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to him, he is astonished that Voltarians regularly vote for the NDC in elections, despite doing little in their region.

Kennedy who said this when he files his nomination forms to vie for the flagbearership race of the NPP at the party headquarters in Accra explained that “So far I have visited 180 constituencies, and I’ve come to realize that we as politicians have done a disservice to the nation. With the arable lands, rivers, and sea that God has given to us’’

‘’We are endowed with so many minerals, a lot of opportunities in this country, but everywhere you go especially Volta Region, the resources there are untapped, and I want Ghanaians to give me the opportunity and challenge me, but I will make sure I will turn the fortunes of this country around’’.

“What I saw in Volta Region, what I saw in Afram Plains area and Northern Region, believe me, that we can change this country. We have arable lands in Volta Region, they have an advantage. I am surprised that they have always voted for NDC, and they don’t do anything,” he said.

He noted that after touring some parts of the country, he realized that the Volta Region has more advantages than the other regions in Ghana due to the many resources there.

He added that with the fertile land in the region, Ghana could through agriculture, establish Agro-processing factories there.

“The proximity of Volta Region to the seaport, to the airport, gives them an advantage over every region in this country. I visited there, and I saw mountain Afadjato, the caves, the water bodies like Oti River, Lake Volta, the sea itself, and the arable land that we can cultivate millions of acres and come out with Agro-processing industries.”

He further noted that Ghanaians need to change their mindset to make the country a better place, adding that “In this country, foreigners have proven to us that we are not poor. Foreigners come here and make money because they are disciplined”.

Mr. Agyapong further said he feels hurt anytime a Ghanaian boasts of having a foreign passport. He added that even though the country is going through some hardships, Ghanaians must be willing to fight for their country and show some level of discipline in everything that they do.

Ken Agyapong also emphasized that, when given the nod to lead the NPP and the nation, the media would be engaged to create awareness of being patriotic.

So far Kennedy Ohene Agyapong becomes the seventh aspirant to file his nominations after former Trades Minister Alan Kyerematen, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong, former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko, for Regional Integration Minister, Dr. Konadu Apraku, former Agric Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Kojo Poku.

BY Daniel Bampoe

The Minority in Parliament has rubbished claims by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia that he has a vision for Ghana which will transform the economy.

This follows statements made by the presidential aspirant of the NPP during the filing of his nomination forms.

Addressing party supporters at the NPP headquarters last Friday, the Vice President stressed that although he has served in various capacities under former President John Agyekum Kufuor including being the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana and subsequently as Vice President to Nana Akufo-Addo, he has his own vision for the country. 

“I believe that it is time to move Ghana to the next level by building on the foundations we have put in place so far,” he told a cheering crowd.

But addressing journalists in Parliament, Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo, said it is the Vice President’s policies that are being implemented by the governing New Patriotic Party.

He explained that President Akufo-Addo had asserted that he will be relying on the intellectual capacity of his Vice President since he is an economist and therefore, the current ditch the country finds itself should be blamed on Dr Bawumia.

“I am wondering what vision he has other than what he and his boss, Nana Addo contracted with the IMF for the good people of Ghana.

“What is Dr Mahamudu Bawumia going to do that he couldn’t do in this government? It is annoying to hear those who drove a car in perfect shape into a ditch now talking about vision. If you could see your way clearly, you think you would have driven the car into the ditch? If they had a vision, Ghana wouldn’t have sunk this low in the first place. Before we go ahead to evaluate his vision over the past six years, let’s remember that prior to 2017, Nana Addo had told Ghanaians that he was relying on the intellectual capacity of Dr Bawumia to transform Ghana. If now the man is intellectually bankrupt, Akufo-Addo should come and tell us.

“Was Dr Bawumia not the head of the Economic Management Team that created this mess? Which vision is he left with?” he questioned.

Again, Mr Adongo alleged that the economic policies of the NPP were put together by Dr Bawumia, hence the failure of these policies is a clear indication that the Vice President has nothing new to offer.

“Check the NPP manifesto for 2016. Do you know the NPP manifesto was crafted from Bawumia’s lectures from 2014 to 2016?

“His lecture notes metamorphosed into the NPP manifesto on the economy and it became the policies that were implemented by this government. So what else do you want? Dr Bawumia’s propaganda lectures and experimental notes from 2014 to 2016, metamorphosed into Ghana’s vision and economic policies since 2017 to date and we know what that vision can do. It has ruined our lives,” he stressed.

The MP for Bolgatanga Central used the platform to urge Ghanaians not to buy into the new message being preached by the Vice President since most of the policies he supervised and implemented have rather led to more economic hardship for the people and a return to the IMF for a bailout.

“Moving the economy from taxation to production rather led to the collapse of production and the introduction of 24 new taxes. That is his vision. One village one dam, who proposed it? Was it not implemented? Now he has wasted our money on these dams and they can’t even provide water for chicken for two days and they have become death traps and you are still talking about vision.

“Dr Bawumia was the one who went out and said they will set up development authorities to transform Ghana, don’t we have Northern Development Authority, don’t we have Middle Belt, don’t we have Coastal, what has happened to all of them?” he concluded.

Member of Parliament for Assin Central in the Central Region Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has filed his nomination papers to contest the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearership.

He was mobbed by his supporters despite the rains at the party headquarters in Accra on Wednesday.

The 63-year-old businessman was accompanied by former President of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi, some party chairmen and close associates.

Kennedy Agyapong, who becomes the 7th aspirants to file his forms to run for the position of the governing party was met with both enthusiasm and curiosity.

Addressing his supporters at the party headquarters, he noted that if he is elected to serve as President, he would use the “Asia Miracle” vision in identifying and supporting individuals with the potential to become successful entrepreneurs and innovators.

According to him, the ‘Asia Miracle’ is about assisting serious businesspeople with funding to produce and expand in creating jobs while ensuring that the funding doesn’t go to them directly.

The Assin Central lawmaker further explained that the “Asia Miracle” approach would avoid the pitfalls of traditional aid programmes and funding of initiatives and foster a culture of self-reliance and innovation.

Kennedy Agyapong gave the assurance that he would create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and innovation.

Mr Agyapong reaffirmed his commitment that his government if given the nod, would ensure a level playing field and fair competition.

On job creation, he intimated that what he is bringing on board differently is the empowerment of the youth many of whom have completed school and they have no jobs.

“So my main focus is the youth, and secondly the women of this country. Women in this country… I have learnt from widows that I take care of them every year, and I have realised that when their husbands pass away, they’re not able to cater for the family. But I believe that what any man has done, a woman can do it,” he indicated.

So far, 11 presidential hopefuls have picked nomination forms to contest the NPP’s flagbearer slot.

A Special Delegates Congress will be held on August 26, 2023, to select five of the presidential aspirants for the next stage.

The top five aspirants will then contest for the flagbearer slot on December 4, 2023, to elect one to lead the party in the 2024 general elections.

Kennedy Agyapong’s vast experience in politics, coupled with his business acumen, has positioned him as a formidable contender for the NPP’s flagbearer slot.

-BY Daniel Bampoe

By Benjamin A. Commey

Accra, June 21, GNA – Three more aspirants seeking to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as flagbearer in the 2024 general election have filed their nomination forms to contest the Party’s presidential primary. 

The three; Mr Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former General Secretary of the NPP and Mr Kwadwo Poku, an Energy Expert, filed their nomination forms at the Party’s headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra, on Wednesday. 

The filing of nomination by the three brings to eight the number of aspirants who have filed to contest the flagbearership of the Party come November 4, 2023. 

Already, Mr Alan Kyerematen, a former Trade and Industry Minister, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia,  Mr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former Food and Agriculture Minister, Mr Boakye Agyarko, a former Energy Minister and Mr Kofi Konadu Apraku, an Economist, have all filed their nomination forms to contest for the position. 

Addressing his teeming supporters after filing the nomination, Mr Kennedy Agyapong said one of his major focuses would be the creation of job opportunities for the youth should he emerge the flagbearer of the Party and, the President of Ghana. 

“I have visited about 180 constituencies and have come to realise that we as politicians have done a disservice to the nation. We have arable lands and water bodies; we are endowed with so many minerals; there are a lot of opportunities in this country. But everywhere you go, especially Volta Region, the resources are untapped. And I want Ghanaians to give me the opportunity and challenge and I will make sure I turn the fortune of this country around,” he said. 

He added that: “I don’t believe in theory. I am a pragmatic person; I believe in practical things. What I saw in Volta Region, what I saw in Afram Plains area and Northern Region, believe me that we can change this country.” 

Mr Agyapong also promised to deal ruthlessly with corruption and corruption-related issues, stressing that discipline was critical if the country was to attain development. 

“I believe in accountability,” he said, adding that, no member of his government would be spared should they be found guilty of any corruption and corruption-related charges.  

He urged his supporters to begin door-to-door campaign for victory on November 4. 

Mr Kwabena Agyepong, a former General Secretary of the NPP, also indicated that, Ghana was at a crossroads, and what the country needed urgently was an astute political leadership with a vision that inspired hope in the youth and rekindled the faith of Ghanaians in the constitutional democracy. 

That, he said, was what he represented. 

Mr Agyepong said he believed in small, lean government machinery that was efficient, effective, and primed to deliver to the aspirations and expectations of the Ghanaian people. 

“The law should work in this country to stop corruption, to protect individual and property rights,” he said. 

Mr Kwadwo Poku, an Energy Expert, also promised to address the country’s high unemployment rate through job creation should he emerge victorious as the flagbearer of the NPP and President of Ghana. 

He entreated other aspirants to make the election a contest of ideas to enable delegates to choose a flagbearer who could win the Party the 2024 election. 

The NPP opened nomination for its presidential primary on May 26, 2023. 

The one-month long exercise is expected to close on Saturday, June 24, 2023. 

The Party has slated August 26 for its Special Elections and November 4, for the National Conference to elect a flagbearer for the 2024 general election. 

GNA  

Related

Richard Jakpa, the second accused person standing trial alongside Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, on Tuesday, June 20, received a stern warning from the court against engaging in acts that amount to contempt.

The warning followed outbursts by the CEO of Big Sea Trading LLC who is standing trial together with the Minority Leader for counts of causing financial loss to the state.

It all happened when the accused person was nearly prevented from using the washroom while proceedings were ongoing. During cross-examination of the first witness of Dr Forson, Richard Jakpa attempted to leave the courtroom for the washroom but a hesitant Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe allowed him to use the washroom within the courtroom.

Afterwards, the judge offered sanitiser to Jakpa, but he expressed frustration at the judge for initially preventing him from using the washroom.

This outburst angered Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, who took offence to the accused’s actions and deemed them contemptuous.

She cautioned Jakpa against repeating such behaviour and warned that she would exercise her powers freely if he did.

“How dare you speak to the court like that? This should be the very last time you will show disrespect to the court, if you do, I will fully use my powers,” the Court of Appeal judge sitting as an additional High Court judge said furiously.

Meanwhile, the first accused person, Cassiel Ato Forson has opened his defence with a subpoenaed witness, an officer of the Stanbic Bank, which was approached by the Government of Ghana to issue letters of credit for the purchase of some 200 ambulances.

In his testimony, the witness who said he worked on the letters of credit as required by the government revealed that the deal between the government, however, did not materialise.

He noted that he did not have the full reflection of events and will require a month to get some of the documents relating to the deal which have been sent to their archive.

But Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe who did not see the relevance of the documents refused the request saying it will unduly delay the trial.

ALSO READ:

Several parts of Accra were flooded on Wednesday after hours of heavy rains in the capital city.

Kaneshie First Light, Ofankor Barrier, Taifa Junction, Madina Market were some of the places affected by the floods.

While there was heavy vehicular traffic in affected areas, some road commuters had a tough time manoeuvring through floodwaters in other places.

The rains started at about 9 am in various parts and intensified through midday through to mid-evening and gradually impeded traffic flow.

Some persons took to social media to express concerns over the flooding situation in their areas.

Current situation at Kaneshie 1st Light @tv3_ghana @GHOneTV @Citi973 pic.twitter.com/Hc7Dg1HvHk

— Ayana_Spear (@NanaFerdinand18) June 21, 2023

The Madina Market in the La-Nkwantanang Madina Assembly was also not spared as traders had to struggle with flood waters to save their wares.

A typical rainy day in Greater Accra (Madina). We need to put in the right measures to mitigate these issues. It’s our responsibility. #stopthefloods #unitingagainstflooding pic.twitter.com/x4Qg7wjm5l

— Flood Fighters Movement #stopthefloods (@floodfightersgh) June 21, 2023

Flooding also took over the Accra-Winneba Road forcing commuters to use one side of the double-lane road.

This is towards the West Hills mall on the Accra Winneba road. The other side heading to Accra is totally flooded so all commuters are using the side towards the mall. This is not new, it has been like this since🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️. #Floods pic.twitter.com/W0HaGGTKxI

— Κ W Æ Κ U GH (@BekwaiNative) June 21, 2023