The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Abuakwa North, Anthony Osei Gyimah has stepped down with barely four months to the elections.

He has submitted a letter to this effect to the regional office of the party and has assigned personal reasons for his decision.

Anthony Osei Gyimah’s move has come as a shock to many NDC supporters in the Abuakwa North constituency as they saw him as viable candidate to wrestle power from the largest opposition NPP which has occupied the Parliamentary seat for more than a decade.

His sudden change of mind according to some political watchers has given credence to the rumour that made the rounds two months ago that he had received a whopping GHc1 million from Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, H.E Victor Smith who’s said to be interested in the position.

The rumour at the time said Mr Smith was mounting pressure on Tony Gyimah to accept the amount in order to step down for him. But a group that supported Victor Smith in the 2012 election known as “Friends of Victor Smith” in the Abuakwa north constituency led by Kwame Owusu Danso denied the publication.

However speaking to sit-in-host Akwasi Nsiah on Si Me So onKasapa 102.5 FM, NDC deputy Eastern Regional Secretary, Francis Annor Dompreh who confirmed the candidate’s resignation stated that the party has no proof that Mr Gyimah has been influenced to step down.

He nonetheless added that he’ll not be surprised if H. E Victor Smith decides to contest for the position.

“If Victor Smith should come to Ghana to contest the slot that will not come as a surprise. He’s a member of the party and has once been the Parliamentary candidate, if he’s interested no one can stop him, unless something disqualifies him but for now the party has no issues against him.”

He disclosed that a meeting is being held in this regard to open nominations latest before the end of the week to start the process of finding a replacement for Mr Gyimah.

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The Electoral Commission (EC) has urged political parties to show much interest in the ongoing voter register exhibition exercise same as they do during the voters registration exercise.

The voters register exhibition exercise which will be in session from Monday July 18 to August 7, 2016, is to enable all voters to check their names in the register.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has indicted that the exhibition would take place in all 29,000 polling stations across the country. This year’s exhibition would last for 21 days instead of the usual 14 days.

The exercise will also provide the opportunity for correction of the dates on the cards of less than 100 people whose cards were dated wrongly as a result of system errors during the limited voter registration exercise held in April this year.

Furthermore, the exhibition will allow all voters to confirm if their names are in the register, while verifying their details on the voters register, correct errors and omissions and objections to unqualified persons including minors, foreigners, persons of unsound mind and persons who registered with NHIS cards in 2012 but whose details may not have been captured in the list presented to the Supreme Court.

The 56,900 NHIS registrants whose names were deleted from the register in accordance with orders of the Supreme Court will be given an opportunity to re-register on the voters register.

Speaking to Kasapa News, the Director of Public Affairs of the Electoral Commission, Eric Dzakpasu stated that the exhibition which is a process leading to a credible election is equally important and it’s crucial for the parties to get actively involved.

“If there’s a voters registration exercise, look at the way the political parties and the media join in drawing people to the various registration exercise to the extent that there are even calls for extension of date to allow more people to register. But when it gets to the critical stage of exhibition exercise where the register is cleaned, not much is heard from the political parties.

“During registration exercise, we record instances where people challenge the eligibility of some registrants, we are saying that some people who may not be Ghanaians might have stolen their way onto the register, we have 21 days to ensure that such persons are challenged and taken off the register, same as those who are dead. This is intended to ensure a credible election which is key for a successful election,” Mr Dzakpasu noted.

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The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said it would have had a hell of a time marketing its former Parliamentary Candidate for Abuakwa North, Anthony Osei Gyimah ahead of the election later this year.

Mr Gyimah, with barely four months to the elections tendered in his resignation to the party on Monday citing personal reasons for his decision.

Anthony Osei Gyimah’s move has come as a shock to many NDC supporters in the Abuakwa North constituency as they saw him as viable candidate to wrestle power from the largest opposition NPP which has occupied the Parliamentary seat for more than a decade.

His sudden change of mind according to some political watchers has given credence to the rumour that made the rounds two months ago that he had received a whopping GHc1 million from Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, H.E Victor Smith who’s said to be interested in the position.

The rumour at the time said Mr Smith was mounting pressure on Tony Gyimah to accept the amount in order to step down for him. But a group that supported Victor Smith in the 2012 election known as “Friends of Victor Smith” in the Abuakwa north constituency led by Kwame Owusu Danso denied the publication.

Speaking to Kasapa News, the NDC Abuakwa North Constituency Organizer, Kwabena Amponsah, stated that the resignation of Mr Gyimah is welcome news for the party as his departure will save the NDC from spending resources to campaign for a candidate who would have delivered a poor showing during the election.

“Mr. Gyimah was not popular so we needed to market him to make him more appealing to the constituents. That was the problem I had with him; not that I hated him. He came from abroad and picked forms, because of the way he ran his campaign he got people to vote for him to become the Parliamentary candidate.  There was that zeal to work for him to become the MP for the area, but soon after he won, even when you’re looking for him, you can’t find him. But in politics one must always get closer to the grassroots in the party.”

Meanwhile, the party has opened nominations until Friday for any interested qualified party member to file and contest the position left vacant by Mr Gyimah.

By: Newstube24.com

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The ruling NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Abuakwa North, Anthony Osei Gyimah has revealed that he made the decision to step down from his position following a threat on his life by an unknown person.

According to him, he’s received several calls demanding that he vacates the position for another person to come and occupy.

Mr Gyimah, with barely four months to the elections tendered in his resignation to the party on Monday citing personal reasons for his decision.

Anthony Osei Gyimah’s move has come as a shock to many NDC supporters in the Abuakwa North constituency as they saw him as viable candidate to wrestle power from the largest opposition NPP which has occupied the Parliamentary seat for more than a decade.

His sudden change of mind according to some political watchers has given credence to the rumour that made the rounds two months ago that he had received a whopping GHc1 million from Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, H.E Victor Smith who’s said to be interested in the position.

The Abuakwa North NDC Constituency Organizer, Kwabena Amponsah in an earlier interview welcome Mr Gyimah’s resignation as he maintained the former candidate was not a marketable material and would have wasted the party’s resources if he had eventually contested.

But speaking in an interview, Mr Gyimah stated that he relinquished his position for fear of losing his life.

“I don’t drive around anymore because people know my car, so now I pick taxis when I want to go out. Even with the taxi, I don’t go out alone, I move out accompanied by someone. Since that guy called me three days ago to talk to me I don’t trust people anymore.

“I’m a private person but I decided to go into politics because whenever I come down to Ghana I see my people suffering and so I decided to sacrifice my job abroad and for the past nine months I’ve been in Ghana; I have not earned any money and I’m using my life savings to do all these for these people. This is because I think whatever I enjoy in life, others must also enjoy so that is why I came to Ghana to serve my people.”

He added: “If they want me out, I can walk out; I have sacrificed a lot for the past nine months. Since I started working towards my primaries till now, I’ve never earned any money from anybody but I’m surviving.  No one can value the sacrifice I’ve made. But if they think they can force me out, then I’ll walk out…that is me. I want my party to win so I will give the President all the support,” Mr Gyimah noted.

.

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The Electoral Commission (EC) has given the strongest assurance yet that it is on course to deliver a more inclusive and transparent process in the collation and declaration of the November 7 presidential and parliamentary election results.

According to the election management body, there is a lot of integrity, transparency and inclusiveness in the entire electoral process and so there is the need for total support from all Ghanaians, especially stakeholders in the elections, to make this year’s elections a resounding success.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra last Monday, the Chairman of the EC, Mrs Charlotte Osei, called for the nation’s support and citizens’ confidence in the entire electoral process because “the commission is committed to organising the best of elections, come November”.

Mrs Osei spoke about what the EC was doing from this period up to the November 7 elections and also shared her brief impressions on the ongoing voters register exhibition and the re-registration of voters whose names had been deleted from the register because they used NHIS cards to register.

Key reforms

As part of key electoral reforms, the exhibition exercise has been extended from the usual 10 to 14 days to 21 days for a good number of reasons.

Among other reasons, it will give longer time for eligible voters to check and confirm for themselves that their details are captured in the revised register.

More importantly, the exhibition exercise is utilising biometric verification devices (BVDs) which will be used to verify every registered voter who visits every centre.

Indeed, the extended duration will also ensure that voters get to know their polling stations as the EC has increased the number of polling stations.

Another crucial element in the reforms introduced by the EC is the fact that the number of polling stations created have been expanded from 26,000 to 29,000 to make it easier for voters to get to polling centres near them. The additional polling stations would also reduce the pressure exerted on the BVDs and election officials during the election and make the voting process faster.

It will be recalled that in the 2012 polls, there were a lot of challenges with the BVDs.

Advice

Apart from the BVDs being used to verify the identity of registered voters, Mrs Osei pointed out that it would also afford the EC and its officials the opportunity to have a fair sense to determine the number of people who might face challenges having their identities verified by the devices and for which reason they would require manual verification.

“It is, therefore, highly imperative that persons who are re-registering due to the deletion of their names from the register because of the use of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card get to do their re-registration as early as possible.

“Beyond all these, the process can be enhanced if registered voters do not wait till the last moment to rush to the centres to check their details. The earlier they do so, the better, in order to forestall any undesirable incidents that may not augur well for the electoral process,” she stated.

Mrs Osei, therefore, called for active participation in the current voters register exhibition, as well as the re-registration of all those whose names had been deleted from the register because they had registered with NHIS card.

‘So far EC on course’

“So far, we are on course to deliver,” Mrs Osei gave the assurance, and disclosed that by the first week of September this year the commission hoped to come out with the finalised register. – Graphic

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Ghana’s High Commissioner to UK and Ireland, Victor Smith has confirmed that he’ll contest in the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Abuakwa North Parliamentary election following the resignation of the Parliament Candidate, Anthony Osei Gyimah.

He will pick his nomination form today to begin the process of contesting to become the Parliamentary candidate for the area.

Mr Gyimah, with barely four months to the elections tendered in his resignation to the party on Monday citing personal reasons for his decision.

Anthony Osei Gyimah’s move has came as a shock to many NDC supporters in the Abuakwa North constituency as they saw him as viable candidate to wrestle power from the largest opposition NPP which has occupied the Parliamentary seat for more than a decade.

His sudden change of mind according to some political watchers has given credence to the rumour that made the rounds two months ago that he had received a whopping GHc1 million from Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, H.E Victor Smith who was to be interested in the position.

The rumour at the time said Mr Smith was mounting pressure on Tony Gyimah to accept the amount in order to step down for him. But a group that supported Victor Smith in the 2012 election known as “Friends of Victor Smith” in the Abuakwa north constituency led by Kwame Owusu Danso denied the publication.

In an interview, H.E Victor Smith denied the allegation leveled against him, adding that if he had that amount of money he would have put in to a better use.

According to Victor Smith, he has an unfinished business in the constituency which he needs to undertake with respect to ensuring development for the residents.

H. E Victor Smith expressed confidence of winning the party’s primary and ultimately wrestling the seat from the opposition NPP which has held on the seat for more than a decade.

“The late Hon. J.B Danquah knew what he went through when I contested him in 2012, he told some of the constituents at the end of the election that, I was really a thorn in his flesh. I’m convinced that I will emerge the Member of Parliament for the area at the end of the elections.”

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The Dansoman Divisional police Command has arrested Kwabena Hene, forty year old at Dansoman Last stop for allegedly killing his wife, Ama Osae, forty-three years, over a ceiling fan.

The suspect is alleged to have beaten his wife to pulp with a chair when she complained that she was feeling cold so a ceiling fan in their room be put off.

The suspect and deceased had been married for the past 10 years and blessed with two children.

Information gathered indicates  that scores of market women thronged the Dansoman Police station Wednesday morning in protest of the violence that had been meted to their colleague, urging the police to deal ruthlessly with the accused.

Other close sources to the family revealed that the suspect was fond of beating his wife but she always declined to report her abuse to the police until it got worse Tuesday when the husband smacked her with a chair killing her in the process.

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The Ghana Police Service says it has assigned security details to all Presidential Candidates contesting in the upcoming general elections for personal guard services.

Flagbearers have been assigned four guards each, while Running mates have been assigned two each.

The police is confident that this move will discourage the political parties from using private security persons before, during and immediately after the elections.

The Director of Public Affairs of the Police Service, Supt. Cephas Arthur has stated that the assigned police officers are only to run personal security services for the Flagbearers and not to attend to their domestic activities.

“These officers are not also to involve themselves in political activities. They are always expected to appear in police uniforms at all times, under no circumstances should any of the guards be made to wear any different apparel apart from their uniforms.”

Supt. Arthur noted that no fees are being charged for the services to be rendered by the police officers.

It will be recalled that three South African ex Police officers were arrested by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) for allegedly engaging in acts that threaten national security.

The three, Major Ahmed Shaik Hazis, 54, (Rtd), WO/ Denver Dwayhe Naidu, 39, (Rtd) and 45-year-old Captain Mlungiseleli Jokani (Rtd) were arrested at the El-Capitano Hotel, at Agona Duakwa in the Central Region, while training fifteen young men in various military drills, including unarmed combat, weapon handling, VIP protection techniques and rapid response maneuvers.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) later confirmed that the 15 people who were being trained by three South African ex-police men were part of its security detail who were to protect the party’s Flagbearer Nana Akufo Addo during the elections.

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Deputy Power Minister John Jinapor has denied media reports suggesting that he tried courting energy experts outside government towards assisting the power sector end the erratic power supply situation(dumsor).

“At no point in the interview did I ‘…Urge persons or experts in the oil industry to get the country oil from elsewhere…’” Jinapor said in a rejoinder .

Some publication recently suggested he made such an appeal during an interview with Kwame Sefa Kayi of Accra-based private radio station Peace FM.

The publication attributed to the Accra-based Station captured the headline:” Any Expert Who Can Help With Fuel Should Call On The Ministry – Jinapor Cries Out.”

But Jinapor claimed the publication generated from his media interview with host Sefa Kayi and subsequent ones have been misconstrued.

“I wish to state without a shred of equivocation that, the above stated statements attributed to me are not correct.” Jinapor said.

Below is his full rejoinder:

Rejoinder: Any Expert Who Can Help With Fuel Should Call On The Ministry – Jinapor Cries Out

My attention has been drawn to a Peacefmonline publication with the headline; Any Expert Who Can Help With Fuel Should Call On The Ministry – Jinapor Cries Out.

Amongst others, the said story attributes several statements to me. Of particular significance is a statement in the following terms;

“The Deputy Minister for Energy and Petroleum, John Abu Jinapor has cautioned Ghanaians to desist from giving names to power problems as and when they arise”.

The story further attributes to me, the following statement; “John Jinapor urged persons or experts in the Oil Industry to on getting the country crude oil from elsewhere that can fit into our system and the conditions under which we live, to call the attention of the Ministry for further discussions”.

I wish to state without a shred of equivocation that, the above stated statements attributed to me are not correct.

For the records, the incontrovertible facts are as follows;

1. I granted an interview on Peace Fm’s Kokrokoo morning show on 19th July 2016 with Kwame Sefa Kayi as the interviewer;

2. Mr. Sefa Kayi specifically asked me the reasons for the current power challenges confronting the country, to which I explained that same was as result of “Force Majeure” in Nigeria thereby resulting in the delay in the supply of crude oil. He further quizzed why we have failed and/ or neglected to procure crude oil from other sources other than Nigeria. To which I responded, the technical advice I have from the VOLTA River Authority is to the effect that our Thermal Plants operate’s on Brazz and Borny light crude. Thereafter, I suggested that the Ministry of Power will be happy to engage in discussions with anyone who had a contrary expert opinion on the issue of crude oil and its efficacy for our thermal plants. At no point in the interview did I “…Urge persons or experts in the oil industry to get the country oil from elsewhere…” The unfortunate impression this obvious misrepresentation creates is that, the Ministry of Power has thrown its hands in despair in the discharge of its mandate and resorted to soliciting for help from the populace.

3. Lastly, during the interview under reference I never CAUTIONED Ghanaians to “desist from giving names to power problems as and when they arise”.

With the greatest respect and humility, I am of the firm conviction that most fair-minded Ghanaians will attest to the fact that it is not my custom to utter the aforesaid distasteful comments or any other of like.

The peace FM interview was and remains a public publication which can be assessed and the facts in issue verified accordingly.

I wish to reiterate that, Government continues to be firmly committed to the resolution of the temporary ongoing power challenges. In this regard, we will continue to adopt an all-inclusive and consultative approach to dealing with the current challenge confronting the power sector.

I wish to take this opportunity to express appreciation to consumers for their patience and understanding.
Signed:

John Abdulai Jinapor
DEPUTY MINISTER FOR POWER

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Over one million registered voters have been verified by the Biometric Verification Devices (BVD’s) from all exhibition centres across the country with just three days into the ongoing voter exhibition exercise, officials of the Electoral Commission say.

A statement signed by Head of Communications Eric Kofi Dzakpasu said a total of 1,003,812 registered voters had been verified as of Wednesday July 20.

“The Commission has deployed adequate personnel and equipment to ensure that all registered voters spend as little time as possible at the various centres to check their details and get their fingerprints verified,” the statement added.

The EC encouraged registered voters, who have not yet checked their names on the register of voters, to do so to avoid polling day inconveniences.

The exercise which started July 18 will run till August 7.

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Parliament will likely shoot down the decision to change Ghana’s election date from December to November.

Voting is currently underway in the House to decide on the date.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill 2016 which will change the date of elections from December 7, to the first Monday of November in election years has been laid in Parliament.

The move is in accordance with Standing Orders 110 which states that “There shall be a secret voting in the House in respect of  (a) a Bill for an Act of Parliament to amend any provision of the constitution.

Article 104 (4) of the Constitution also states that “Where Parliament is considering , or where the voting is in relation to the electionor removal of any person under this constitution or under any other law, voting shall be in secret.

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, who moved the motion for the Second Reading of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill on the floor of the House canvassed support for the passage of the Bill.

The AG on the floor of Parliament argued that, changing the dates will ease the stress in government transitions by providing enough time.

“One of the main advantages is that, holding election in November will allow for sufficient time between an election and the handing over of power to an incoming government. This important to ensure adequate preparation and a smooth transition and eliminate situations where former Ministers of State are recalled to provide information to an incoming government on matters of state.”

“In addition to this Mr. Speaker , having an election on the predetermined date of the week also avoids the inconvenience associated with some days of the week such as Fridays and Sundays …Furthermore having an election on a  day following a weekend also allows ample time for preparation  by the Electoral Commission by way of transportation and distribution of election materials and makes it convenient for the electorates who need to travel to their various constituencies to cast their votes to do so.”

She hence urged the House to pass the Bill in order “assist in attaining the intended objective…to strengthen the electoral process and advance our democracy.”

The AG’s plea may not be granted as Parliament current lacks the constitutionally mandated two-thirds majority of numbers of MPs to pass the Bill.

Currently over fifty MPs are absent from Parliament, most of whom are legislators who lost their election during their parties primaries.

It is however unclear why they are not in Parliament today.

The stance of the Minority in Parliament coupled with the less number of MPs makes it practically impossible to pass the Bill.

The Minority has said in principle, it supports the amendment but it is convinced that the EC is not ready to conduct a credible election in November looking at its financial standing and other challenges it is facing now.

But the Majority caucus which is in full support of the amendment insist the EC is ready for the elections as it has received enough funding from the government which makes the EC equipped to conduct a credible election.

The ballot has an indication I, indicating yes and NO for rejection of the amendment.

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Parliament on Thursday shot down the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2016 which was seeking seeking to change Ghana’s date of election from December 7 to the first of Monday of November in an election year.

The Bill failed to get the required two-thirds majority of Members of Parliament for it to be passed following a secret ballot after a lengthy debate over the issue.

A total of 125 voted in favour while 95 voted against.

As predicted there were clear indications  that the Bill would be shot down by the House following the strong stance put up by the minority caucus coupled with the the absence of some MPs.

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The Electoral Commission has said its programme for the 2016 elections will not be disrupted by the failure of Parliament to pass the Bill that sought to change the election date.

Parliament on Thursday shot down the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2016 which sought to change Ghana’s date of election from December 7 to the first of Monday of November in an election year.

The Bill failed to get the required two-thirds majority of Members of Parliament for it to be passed following a secret ballot after a lengthy debate over the issue.

A total of 125 voted in favour while 95 voted against.

As predicted there were clear indications that the Bill would be shot down by the House following the strong stance put up by the minority caucus coupled with the absence of some MPs.

As it stands, the December 7 date for the election holds.

But speaking to sit-in-host Akwesi Nsiah on Si Me So on Kasapa FM Thursday, the Director of Public Affairs of the Electoral Commission, Eric Dzakpasu stated that despite the failed amendment the EC is on course to hold a credible election in December.

“We did our arrangement for the elections with the November date in mind; however, the change in date will not affect our plans. Adding one more month to the date will not create any difficulties for us; we’ll just have to adjust the time table to fit seventh December. It is no problem at all.”

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The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has released its latest language monitoring report covering the month of June. During the month, a total of 129 incidents of indecent expressions were recorded on a total of 2,348 radio programmes monitored on 50 radio stations across the country.

During the period, officials, supporters and members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) made a total of 49 indecent expressions, followed by officials, supporters and affiliates of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) who made a total of 27 indecent expressions.

Overall, embattled radio presenter and supporter of the NDC, Salifu Maase, alias Mugabe Maase, topped the list of individuals who made indecent expressions during the month of June. He was cited for 27 incidents of indecent expressions on his radio programme, Pampaso on Montie FM.

Other top abusive language users during the period were Alistair Nelson with 13 incidents and Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin-North constituency with 8 incidents.

As far as radio stations are concerned, Montie FM topped the pack with 43 out of the 129 incidents followed by Oman FM with 18 incidents and Radio Gold with 16 incidents.

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The Police in the New Juaben Municipality in the Eastern region have arrested a forty -six (46) year old man for possessing eight compressed slabs of  wee and half sack of uncompressed substance concealed in a travelling bag suspected to be marijuana.

The suspect, Kwabena Ampah, was arrested on Friday while in an attempt to board a Toyota Hiace with registration Number ER 2412-12 in Koforidua to the Moree in the Central Region.

According to the New Juaben Municipal Police Commander,Superintendent Richardson Kumeko,the arrest was effected upon police intelligence.

He noted that during interrogation,the suspect explained that,the consigment of drugs were given to him by one Akwetey at Obawale near Klo Agogo in the Yilo Krobo District to be given to someone in the Central region, but was not consistent in his answers.

Superintendent Kumekor stated that ,the  Police is investigating the matter to ensure that possible accomplices are arrested but, added that the suspect is being processed for Court on Monday while the exhibit will be sent to the laboratory for test.

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The Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA) has urged government to move beyond just assuring to pay nursing students their old allowances and begin to pay them immediately.

According to the President of the Association, Kwaku Asante Krobea, the trainees have had enough of assurances from government and as a result want to see government fulfilling its promise by ensuring that the students receive their allowance as soon as possible.

Government on Thursday disclosed that an “abated allowance” will be paid to aggrieved nursing students in the country.

Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia in a release stated that the payment of the allowance is to support the students.

“The payment which will amount to about GHC 150 a month is aimed at supporting 34,500 students who are currently pursuing various levels of health professional training across the country.”

Government announced a scrapping of the allowances in order to remove the restrictions on admission to the various training institutions due to the huge amounts it had to pay in the form of allowances.

This was in order to give more students the opportunity to gain admissions into these institutions. However, the scrapping was met with much resistance from some students who rely on the allowances to support themselves in school.

This led to the setting up of a committee to advise on a more favorable resolution for the trainee nurses. Per the committee’s recommendation, 34,500 students who are currently pursuing various levels of health professional training across the country will receive a payment of GHc 150 a month.

But speaking to Accra FM, Kwaku Asante Krobea though welcomed the move by government after several advice by the Association previously, however stated that the amount to be paid the students is woefully inadequate.

“Initially the students were receiving GHC 400.00, why is that now that you’ve decided to restore the payment you are giving them a paltry GHC 150.00. This is rather the time that there should have been increment because times are hard for the students due to the high clinical and consumables fees they are paying currently.”

Mr Kwaku Asante Krobea noted that the Committee set up by government over the issue never consulted GRNA for its input while it was deliberating on the matter but added that the association will engage government for a possible increment of the allowance.

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The Akatsi North District Chief Executive (DCE), James Gunu has dismissed claims that he’s hoarding streetlights only to fix them few weeks to the December general elections.

According to him, he’ll not deliberately deny the good people of Akatsi North of what they rightfully deserve because of political gains.

His comment follows allegations made by an Opinion Leader and Secretary to the Ave Council of Chiefs in the Akatsi North District, Mr. Mc-Solo Dziwornu Ziddah, who is alleging that the DCE has kept all the parts which can make the street lights function in the house of one of the top Assembly gurus only to fix them in days to the election, when residents are in dire need of the facility.

“The rumours have had it that the Assembly gurus are awaiting to have these street lights start functioning a few weeks to the December elections so as to deceive the people that the lights have been provided out of passion by the incumbent Member of Parliament so all should vote for him. In other words, these street light parts will be used to campaign for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party in the run-up to this year’s elections”, Mr Ziddah added.

He further alleged that of the over thirty-two street lights, only four of them are functioning along the streets of the district capital, and that, “In the Ave-Dakpa market for instance, most of the flood lights which illuminate some parts of the market have also been out of order for almost a year now.”

But speaking to Kasapa News, the DCE Hon. James Gunu explained that he has no streetlights in his possession as he has allocated the facility to all the areas which had pressing need for them.

“After the district level election we had about four hundred street lights, soon after the assembly men took office, I started sharing the streetlights for the twelve electoral areas in the district. Ten pieces each was allocated to the assembly members to be fixed in their electoral areas. Later I added another ten for each area. The Senior High School in the area also had twenty pieces, Chiefs and Opinion leaders in the district who had requested from street lights also received their share.

“Areas such as Have and Ave where there are faulty streetlights an Electrical contractor has been contracted to work on them. Those that have requested for the lights will have their share when there’s another consignment.”

Hon. James Gunu added that he has the people of Akatsi North at heart and will not withhold anything good from them as he’s there to serve them.

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Seventeen are battling for their lives at the Oda Government Hospital after they were run over by two tipper trucks which tried to overtake other vehicles in an accident that has claimed eight (8) lives.

The incident occurred at about 1:00 pm at Akyem Achiase on Saturday in the Eastern region while the victims were on their way to bury a dead relative.

The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police, ASP Nketia Yeboah in an interview said one of the trucks run into some mourners who were walking along the road to the cemetery to bury the body.

The other truck reportedly crushed and into a Hyundai bus which was conveying the dead body and some mourners on board, killing five of the mourners instantly.

Three out of twenty people who sustained severe injuries in the accident later passed on at the Oda government hospital.

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Finance Minister, Seth Terkper is set to present a Supplementary Budget and a Midyear Review to parliament (Monday, July 25).

The minister’s Budget billed to have been presented to the August House Friday, July 22 was delayed due to the funeral of the late MP for Abetifi, Peter Wiafe Peprah prompting the Budget statement to be deferred to a later date.

Terkper is expected to review most of the macroeconomic targets set out in the 2016 budget which, was presented, to Parliament in November last year, according to sources close to government.

Also the minister is likely to review the growth target from 5.4 percent to about 4 percent, whiles the end of year inflation target of 10.1 percent, as well the fiscal deficit of 5.3 percent will also be reviewed.

The supplementary budget will also, give details on revenue raised for the first half of the year, and possibly the revised target for the rest of the year.

The Finance Minister will also be seeking parliamentary approval to spend new revenues that have come in as a result of the energy sector levy.

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The largest opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Northern Region, has urged party supporters in the area, not to hesitate in retaliating with all the force they can marshal whenever they are attacked by supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to the Regional Secretary of the party, Sule Salifu, NPP supporters should make sure they employ any means possible to protect themselves anytime they come under attack, adding that the party will not allow its members to be taken for granted by the NDC just because it is law abiding.

There was near bloodbath in Walewale almost a fortnight ago when supporters of the two main political parties clashed in Walewale township where two youth groups simultaneously launched their campaign activities.

These are the NPP’s Bawumia Youth for Change and the NDC’s Zaadiaya Youth group fronting for the Northern regional Minister who doubles as the party’s Parliamentary candidate for Walewale constituency, Abubakari Abdullah affectionately called Abuba.

Two NPP supporters sustained severe injuries one of when whom was attacked with a cutlass.

The NPP accused the NDC of deliberately organizing a counter rally closer to the venue of the Bawumia Youth for Change campaign launch, hence the clash.

Several days after the violence, the NPP is livid as they police in Walewale have failed effect any arrest after a complaint was lodged with them.

The Regional Secretary Sule Salifu has stated that the NPP will advise itself according if the police refuse to arrest the bother of the Regional Minister who instigated other NDC youth to cause the violence and eventually causing harm to the NPP supporters.
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<em>“We serve notice to all our constituencies that anytime their lives are under threat they should respond the manner in which they will to save themselves because the regional minister is not above the law, his brother is not above the law. His brother is the main architect of the brutalities that was visited on our people at Walewale and nobody has been arrested.

<strong><strong>“I know that my Chairman will be officially reporting this to the Regional Police Commander. And if action is not taken we’ll serve a clear notice to all our constituencies that anytime a Minister’s brother or a DCE wife attacks you, attack the person back. We are not going to allow anybody to take us for granted.</em></strong><strong>
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<em>“This election is a crucial one, the NPP will win the elections whether they like it or not. Im saying the Regional Police Commander should get his men in Walewale to take action t arrest the Minister’s brother. If that is not done they (Police) will find it very having the fullest corporation from the NPP in this region. We mean business, we know the President appointed the Regional Minister because of Dr Bawumia, Mamkpurugu will not give NDC one seat…they won’t get it whether the Minster is there or not. The Minister will not win the Walewale seat whether with violence or not, so if that is what they want to do in Walewale, I’m sure they don’t know that when it comes to propaganda and “bugabuga” the NPP regional Chairman does it better.”

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