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13th September 2024- Friday
NOW THE HEADLINES……………………………………………..
Demonstrating won’t lead to a credible voters register – EC tells NDC
Farmers of Dabo anticipate food shortages due to poor rainfall this farming year
Election 2024: Kumankuma, Akua Donkor, Janet Nabla file nomination forms
Wa West MP files nomination forms at the district electoral commission office.
Akufo-Addo orders police and military deployment to crackdown on galamsey amid calls for action
Arrest and prosecute Pius Hadzide for ‘openly admitting’ he took people to Australia for Commonwealth Games – NDC
IN BUISNESS NEWS:
Release of GH¢1.5bn not enough – Aggrieved Gold Coast Fund Customers
IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
At least 21 killed in airstrike on Sudanese market as civil war rages
THE NEWS IN DETAILS —
The Electoral Commission (EC) has responded to concerns raised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding the credibility of the 2024 Voters Register, emphasizing that demonstrations are not the way to resolve the issue.
According to the EC, the NDC has been requested multiple times to provide data on the discrepancies they claim to have identified in the voters’ register, but the party has not done so.
Addressing a Press Conference on Thursday, Samuel Tettey, Deputy Commissioner of Operations noted that the EC urged the NDC to bring their concerns to the discussion table, where they can be properly investigated and resolved.
The Commission stressed that it had assured the NDC during a previous meeting that any issues raised would be thoroughly investigated within a week, but without the data from the NDC, this investigation cannot proceed.
The EC expressed confidence that dialogue, rather than street demonstrations, would lead to the creation of a credible and robust voters’ register, and called on former President John Mahama to encourage his party to engage in discussions with the Commission.
The EC reiterated its commitment to delivering a transparent process, ensuring that all discrepancies in the register are addressed before the December 2024 General Elections.
The Commission also reassured the public and political parties that it is working diligently to correct any discrepancies and provide a voters’ register that guarantees free, fair, and credible elections. The EC called for trust from the public, stating that it had delivered in 2020 and would do so again.
“The Commission strongly believes that the surest way to attaining a credible and robust Register is not through demonstrations. There is simply nothing to demonstrate about. This is because the Commission has repeatedly requested the data on discrepancies from the NDC to no avail. We are of the view that, the stance taken by the NDC will not produce a credible register.
“The Commission is of the view that the best place to resolve the issues they have identified is the discussion table. We urge them to submit details of the discrepancies they have identified to enable the Commission investigate the issues and demonstrate to them that the concerns they have, have been resolved. As indicated earlier the EC assured the NDC during the meeting that it would conduct a thorough investigation and report on the issues they had detected within a week. Why are they refusing to submit the data to enable the EC to investigate and provide a report?
“The EC believes that the best way to ascertain the credibility and integrity of the 2024 Voters Register is the discussion table, not on the streets. Taking to the streets will not ensure a credible register. It will only cause tensions and suspicions which are unwarranted. We call on the former President, His Excellency
“John Mahama, an eminent and respected statesman of the Republic, to encourage and bring his party to the table as that is the best place to address issues and ascertain the truth regarding the Voters Register
We are confident that the former President will heed to our calls and do everything in his power to bring his party to the discussion table. On our part, we assure the NDC of a transparent process that would demonstrate to them that all their concerns have been resolved.
“The Commission wishes to state that, almost all the discrepancies identified have to date been corrected. As in 2020, the Commission is committed to providing the country and all Political Parties with a robust and credible Voters Register that will guarantee free, fair, transparent and credible General Election in December 2024. We urge the public to trust the EC to do this again and again.”
STORY 3
Farmers of Dabo have told radio progress news that, they anticipate food sausages shortages you do to the poor pattern of rain for this farming season.
Many of them stated that the rain did not fall at the time their crops needed it, so everything all Their efforts and energy went to waste as they watched Their crops die.
They said now the rains are here but the planting time for most of Their staples seem to have been over.
Dari Anglaamwine stated that he, like many other farmers are counting their loses and wondering what they will depend on in the lean season.
He said in addition to the poor rains the issue of fertilizers is also a major hindrance for famers, especially those who wanted to do maize. He lamented that Their yams could not also do well because of the lack of rain in good time.
CUE… Dari Anglaamwine Dabo farmer
STORY 4
Akua Donkor, leader of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Janet Nabla, flagbearer of the People’s National Party (PNP), and Nana Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankuma have all successfully submitted their nomination forms for the upcoming December 7th elections.
The three women, known for their bold and outspoken political stances, arrived at the Electoral Commission (EC) office on Thursday to complete the necessary formalities.
During the submission, Akua Donkor presented her files to Jean Mensa, the EC Chairperson, and reiterated her dedication to championing the concerns of ordinary Ghanaians and driving meaningful change.
Ms Nabla commended the EC for cutting down the cost for women to contest the elections but urged it to digitalize the filing process to eradicate the stress candidates go through.
Ms Kumankuma said the CPP was back with policies to eradicate poverty and give Ghanaians hope.
The submission of their nomination files signifies their readiness to compete in the elections and their determination to offer an alternative to the major political parties.
STORY 4
Following the declaration from the electoral commission of Ghana asking all candidates across the country to field their nomination form to prove their eligibility for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7th 2024. The parliamentary candidate for NDC and the incumbent member of Wa west constituency Hon.Peter Lanchene Toobu submitted his nomination form today 11th September 2024 at the district electoral commission office. Addressing supporters and party faithfully after failing, he expressed his profound gratitude to all the party faithfully who follow him to submit his form and also thank the constituents for given him the opportunity. He further called on all Ghanaian that election 2024 is not a war zone but election to elect the next group of to lead the country.
STORY 5
President Akufo Addo has ordered the deployment of the police and the military to crack down on illegal small-scale mining as calls grow for action.
The decision was taken after a national security meeting to assess the impact of galamsey on river bodies and the environment.
Organized Labour on Wednesday, issued a stern warning to the government, threatening a nationwide strike by the end of September if decisive action is not taken to address the escalating galamsey crisis.
Speaking at a media engagement last night, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor said the President has also directed the decommissioning of illegal mining equipment if necessary.
“The various Regional Security Councils have been tasked to conduct recording sounds and scrutiny of their various areas and begin to roll out swoops and enhance the enforcement regime. So in the days and weeks to come, we will see the heightened and rampant enforcement.
“The Ghana Police Service at various RESECs will be the first point of call, if the need arises, we will take it a step further by including the Ghana Armed Forces and when the need arises, we will possibly begin the extraordinary measure of decommissioning equipment used for illegal small-scale mining,” he stated.
Conversations on galamsey and its dire impact arose after the management of Ghana Water Company Limited in the Central Region announced that there would be challenges with water supply in Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding communities.
The company revealed that the recent demand-supply gap is due to inadequate raw water received at the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant (WTP) caused by galamsey activities.
Environmental groups, civil society organisations, and concerned citizens have since voiced their frustrations over the lack of significant progress in curbing galamsey activities, which have resulted in the contamination of rivers, destruction of farmlands, and loss of livelihoods for many Ghanaian
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a strong call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Pius Hadzide, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for the Asuogyaman. constituency.
They’re also demanding his removal as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA).
The demand comes after Mr Hadzide allegedly admitted for the first time publicly, that he played a role in facilitating the travel of some Ghanaians to Australia during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Mr Hadzide’s supposed admission has sparked controversy, especially as it coincides with his current campaign for parliamentary office
The NDC argues that his actions were improper and warrant legal action. They believe that such an admission undermines his credibility and poses a risk if he is elected to office.
In a bold move during his campaign, Mr Hadzide promised to create similar opportunities for his constituents should they elect him as their Member of Parliament.
He assured voters that he would facilitate trips to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting his ability to open doors for international travel.
A video of Mr Hadzide making these pledges has gone viral, sparking a mixed response from the public.
The NPP candidate, who previously held a role in the sports ministry, drew on his past experience to back his promises. He emphasized that his background puts him in a position to help the youth secure international opportunities.
However, the NDC is not impressed by these claims and sees them as evidence of wrongdoing.
Malik Basintale, a Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC, held a press conference to address the issue.
He expressed the party’s view that Mr Hadzide must be held accountable for his actions.
According to Basintale, the government cannot ignore such an admission, especially when it relates to the misuse of state resources for personal gain.
He argued that the authorities must act swiftly to investigate the matter and prosecute Hadzide to prevent further abuses.
Of “We know that this declaration may be a mission impossible because Pius Enam Hadzide is not just learning from himself. We are calling for the immediate dismissal of Pius Enam Hadzide as the CEO for the National Youth Authority.”
“He has openly admitted that he was guilty in the Australian Visa Scandal and must be arrested and prosecuted without delay,” he said at a press conference on Thursday, September 12.
It would be recalled that in 2018, a visa racketeering scandal hit Ghana when it emerged that some Ghanaians who were attending the Commonwealth Games in Australia and had presented themselves as journalists were not journalists, leading to their arrest and deportation.
In all, about 50 people were deported. Mr Hadzide, who was a Deputy Minister of Sports at the time was accused of facilitating these questionable travels.
Although he denied any wrongdoing, the government set up an investigation into the matter. However, he was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing, much to the surprise of many
IN BUISNESS NEWS ……
The Aggrieved Gold Coast Fund Customers have welcomed the release of a GH¢1.5 billion bailout package to affected investors of the failed fund management companies that had their licenses revoked in November 2019.
Convenor of the Aggrieved Gold Coast Fund Customers, Charles Nyame, told Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM that though members are not entirely happy, the GH¢1.5 billion announcement is welcomed.
Charles Nyame said, “We are not entirely happy because it has been over six years now and our monies have depreciated and we would have wanted it to be paid in full.”
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced the release of the GH¢1.5 billion which it said will be carried out in three tranches with the third tranche expected to be made in December 2024.
Mr. Nyame noted that though the release is not what was expected, the money is accepted in good faith for the sake of the suffering members who need money to take care of themselves.
“We still have some of our members in critical condition who need money to take care of themselves and so it would have been a disservice to our members on the part of the leadership to have said no to this payment because it is not in full but for the sake and the lives of these suffering members of our group, we accept the GH¢1.5 billion in good faith and we plead with the government that it has been over six years and we want the government to expedite action to make sure that they release the remaining outstanding GH¢3.5 billion that could top up to make full payment so that we can put this matter to rest.”
“We are pleading with our members not to be confused about it because no one is going to receive payment less than GH¢50,000 and every investor will receive not less than GH¢50,000 but you can receive more than GH¢50,000 with this payment plan,” Mr. Nyame further urged for calm
IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS ….
Sudan’s warring factions have been accused of committing human rights violations that include the shelling of civilian populations.
AFP via Getty Images
An airstrike targeting civilian areas in southeastern Sudan has left more than 20 people dead and dozens of others wounded, authorities in the embattled Sennar state said, as civil war rages between the country’s army and a paramilitary militia.
At least 21 civilians were killed and 63 injured in the air raid on Sunday, Sennar’s acting governor Tawfiq Muhammad Ali said Monday, according to state-run news agency SUNA.
The aerial bombing, blamed on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), was also confirmed by activist group Emergency Lawyers, which keeps track of human rights abuses and civilian casualties. The lawyers’ group said more than 30 people were killed in the RSF attack, which it said targeted a market and other civilian locations.
The RSF, which assumed near-total control of the city after capturing it in July, has yet to comment on the claims.
The activist group also attributed a similar airstrike in the nearby al-Souki town that killed four people to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
CNN has made attempts to reach the Sudanese army and the RSF for comment. Both the SAF and the RSF have frequently accused each other of killing civilians as war between them enters a second year.
The conflict has left at least 18,000 people dead and displaced more than 10 million others since April 2023. The fighting has also triggered “one of the worst humanitarian disasters” according to the United Nations, with over half of the country’s population facing acute hunger.
On Friday, a UN inquiry into the Sudanese conflict found that both warring factions have committed “an appalling range” of human rights abuses that “may amount to war crimes.”
Some of those violations by the SAF and RSF included “indiscriminate and direct attacks carried out through airstrikes and shelling against civilians, schools, hospitals, communication networks and vital water and electricity supplies,” according to the UN report.
The report called for the deployment of an independent force to protect civilians as well as a nationwide arms embargo.
Those recommendations were rejected by the Sudanese foreign ministry which denounced the UN report.
NOW TO END THE NEWS, A RECAP OF THE HEADLINES: Demonstrating won’t lead to a credible voters register – EC tells NDC
Farmers of Dabo anticipate food shortages due to poor rainfall this farming year
Election 2024: Kumankuma, Akua Donkor, Janet Nabla file nomination forms
Wa West MP files nomination forms at the district electoral commission office.
Akufo-Addo orders police and military deployment to crackdown on galamsey amid calls for action
Arrest and prosecute Pius Hadzide for ‘openly admitting’ he took people to Australia for Commonwealth Games – NDC
