THE Council of Elders of the People’s National Convention (NPC) has stepped in to find an amicable solution to the impasse between the national executive and the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the party.
However, the Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, has indicated that “we are already in court and we would like to hear the arguments on February 10, 2011. Also, the court’s settlement will be lasting and binding”.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Chairman of the Council of Elders, Mr Dan Yahaya, hinted that the alders had taken the issue up and were making frantic moves to secure a lasting solution to it.
Recently, a group within the PNC which calls itself Committed PNC members formed an IMC to take over the administration of the party, citing the unconstitutionality of the elections that brought about the current executive and the 2008 presidential candidate of the party, Dr Edward Mahama, as one of the reasons.
In its bid to ward of the national executive from the party, the group changed the locks to the party’ headquarters at Abavana Junction in Accra, replaced them with new ones and prevented the elected executive access to the offices.
The IMC also challenged the eligibility of the Dr Mahama-led administration to hold brief for the party as national executive.
The case was reported to the police, resulting in the arrest and subsequent granting of bail to three members of the IMC by an Accra District Magistrate Court.
They are Dr Sontim Tobiga, Ahmed Gadu and Baaba Ghana Seidu. The next adjourned date for the case is February 10, 2011.
According to the chairman of the Council of Elders, as elders of the party, it was their responsibility to bring all factions together and find an amicable solution to their differences to enable the party to prepare adequately for the activities leading to the 2012 elections.
He explained that the elders would be meeting this week as part of the moves to settle the problems but could not state whether the elders would take over the party till congress, as was being speculated.
Explaining further, Alhaji Ramadan said the PNC constitution did not have room for such ambiguous bodies such as the IMC.
He described the actions of the IMC as not only illegal but also disruptive to the smooth running of the party, especially towards the organisation of activities leading to its congress this year.
Over the last two weeks, some regional executive of the PNC have issued disclaimers regarding the IMC and cautioning party members, as well as the general public, not to deal with it.
Monday, February 7, 2011
NPP will tell its success story — Nana Akomea
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is to revolve all its campaign message around the success story of the Kufuor Administration and the vision of its flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
According to the party, Ghanaians are discerning enough and have come to the realisation that the NDC only makes empty promises they cannot fulfil just to win the sympathy of voters.
Nana Akomea, the newly appointed Director of Communications for the NPP and its 2012 Campaign, who was speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview in Accra, said the campaign message would also include the philosophy of the party to ensure that NPP members across the country were motivated to police the ballot to avoid the situation where the will of the people was short-changed.
Asked why Ghanaians still voted the NPP out in spite of the good works of the Kufuor Administration, he said although the NDC was able to lie and offer promises it could not fulfil, it was able to win with the slimmest margin ever in the history of African elections.
According to Nana Akomea, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okaikoi South and Parliamentary Ranking Member for Communications, because the NDC cannot pinpoint a single major policy or programme that it has undertaken to bring relief to the people of Ghana, it is still resorting to propaganda as its major tool.
He said ironically, it was not only ordinary Ghanaians who were complaining about the ineffectiveness of and the hardship that the Mills Administration was taking them through, but leading members of the NDC, including the founder of the party, former President JJ Rawlings, who have on a myriad of occasions complained bitterly about the bad leadership style of President Mills.
He said judging from unfolding events, the Mills Administration would not be able to and was not capable of undertaking any significant programme that would ameliorate the suffering and pain brought about by the administration in the remaining two years.
Nana Akomea said it was only those who did not have a good and successful story to tell who believed that doing propaganda, putting spins on unnecessary issues against their opponents was the best weapon to use.
“In the last two years Ghanaians have witnessed what the NDC administration, led by President J.E.A. Mills, is made of and ... Ghanaians are yearning for a better alternative. Historically, we have been accused of being weak in propaganda. We will never use propaganda, we will tell our story,” he added.
He said thankfully the amended NPP Constitution had provided for the position of communication officers at the national, regional and constituency levels who would constantly propagate the achievements of the past NPP government and what a government led by Nana Akufo-Addo would provide for them.
Nana Akomea noted that with the appointment of the communication officers at the regional and constituency levels the party would be able to counteract the lies and dirty propaganda of the NDC and set all records straight.
Last Monday, the NPP appointed Nana Akomea as the Director of Communications for the NPP and its 2012 Campaign. He would be assisted by five Deputy Directors of Communications.
A statement signed by the General Secretary of the NPP, Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, said the party had also made some appointments in addition to the current Deputy Director of Communications, Mr Curtis Perry Kwabla Okudzeto.
The additional deputy directors are Messrs John Boadu, Yaw Asamoah Buabeng, Sammy Awuku and
Ms Olivia Quartey.
It said Messrs Mustapha Hamid and Herbert Krapa remained Spokesperson and Press Secretary respectively at the office of the Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo.
The statement said other members of the Communications Directorate include former NPP General Secretary Nana Ohene Ntow, Ms Ursula Owusu, Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Mr Frank Agyekum, Ms Frances Essiam, Mr Abu Jinapor, Mr John Kumah, Mr Yaw Adomako Baafi, Mr Titus Glover and Mr Dominic Nitiwul, MP for Bimbila.
According to the party, Ghanaians are discerning enough and have come to the realisation that the NDC only makes empty promises they cannot fulfil just to win the sympathy of voters.
Nana Akomea, the newly appointed Director of Communications for the NPP and its 2012 Campaign, who was speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview in Accra, said the campaign message would also include the philosophy of the party to ensure that NPP members across the country were motivated to police the ballot to avoid the situation where the will of the people was short-changed.
Asked why Ghanaians still voted the NPP out in spite of the good works of the Kufuor Administration, he said although the NDC was able to lie and offer promises it could not fulfil, it was able to win with the slimmest margin ever in the history of African elections.
According to Nana Akomea, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okaikoi South and Parliamentary Ranking Member for Communications, because the NDC cannot pinpoint a single major policy or programme that it has undertaken to bring relief to the people of Ghana, it is still resorting to propaganda as its major tool.
He said ironically, it was not only ordinary Ghanaians who were complaining about the ineffectiveness of and the hardship that the Mills Administration was taking them through, but leading members of the NDC, including the founder of the party, former President JJ Rawlings, who have on a myriad of occasions complained bitterly about the bad leadership style of President Mills.
He said judging from unfolding events, the Mills Administration would not be able to and was not capable of undertaking any significant programme that would ameliorate the suffering and pain brought about by the administration in the remaining two years.
Nana Akomea said it was only those who did not have a good and successful story to tell who believed that doing propaganda, putting spins on unnecessary issues against their opponents was the best weapon to use.
“In the last two years Ghanaians have witnessed what the NDC administration, led by President J.E.A. Mills, is made of and ... Ghanaians are yearning for a better alternative. Historically, we have been accused of being weak in propaganda. We will never use propaganda, we will tell our story,” he added.
He said thankfully the amended NPP Constitution had provided for the position of communication officers at the national, regional and constituency levels who would constantly propagate the achievements of the past NPP government and what a government led by Nana Akufo-Addo would provide for them.
Nana Akomea noted that with the appointment of the communication officers at the regional and constituency levels the party would be able to counteract the lies and dirty propaganda of the NDC and set all records straight.
Last Monday, the NPP appointed Nana Akomea as the Director of Communications for the NPP and its 2012 Campaign. He would be assisted by five Deputy Directors of Communications.
A statement signed by the General Secretary of the NPP, Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, said the party had also made some appointments in addition to the current Deputy Director of Communications, Mr Curtis Perry Kwabla Okudzeto.
The additional deputy directors are Messrs John Boadu, Yaw Asamoah Buabeng, Sammy Awuku and
Ms Olivia Quartey.
It said Messrs Mustapha Hamid and Herbert Krapa remained Spokesperson and Press Secretary respectively at the office of the Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo.
The statement said other members of the Communications Directorate include former NPP General Secretary Nana Ohene Ntow, Ms Ursula Owusu, Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Mr Frank Agyekum, Ms Frances Essiam, Mr Abu Jinapor, Mr John Kumah, Mr Yaw Adomako Baafi, Mr Titus Glover and Mr Dominic Nitiwul, MP for Bimbila.
Fuel price hikes affront to agric devp — CPP
The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has described the recent petroleum price hikes as a contradiction to the Mills Administration’s commitment to the development of the agricultural industry.
It argued that : How can food become cheaper when tractors pay more than the price of supper petrol for diesel to plough our fields, shell maize, thresh and mill our rice, transport cocoa, yam etc. Our producers and processors are pushed to the wall and have no option but to increase cost to urban dwellers.”
Dr Foster Abu Sakara ,CPP Cabinet Member for Agriculture was addressing the press in Accra today on “How the CPP will do it in Agriculture and Food Security” as part of a fortnight press conference by the party to state its position on national issues.
This is the 14th in the series since the CPP came out with the press conference in 2010.
Dr Sakara said ironically, while the Mills Administration was calling for reduction of bank interest rates and increased lending to agriculture, the producers capacity to repay loans had been diminished through high inputs rates, adding that “ increased fuel prices are making their products less competitive on the market”.
He said the effect of the hikes in fuel price was the reduction in real income. The portion of the meagre salaries spent on food is pushed even higher from an already high point of 55 per cent to 80 per cent of salaries.
“What is the point of having new houses if we cannot eat. Should we not first invest in systemic way of solving endemic problems that are directly associated with increasing productivity?” he asked.
Dr Sakara promised that under a CPP government, there would be a substantial fuel rebate for those associated directly with agricultural production and its manufacturing industry.
“This will be calculated to ensure that salaries maintain real value. Secondly, beyond the better protection of our coastline using the latest technology, we shall also seek redress with the World Trade Organisation to set up special courts for fish-stealers in our oceans,” he added.
He said it was the CPP’s view that the illegal fishing along Africa’s coast which was estimated at more than US$36 billion was not only a financial loss, it was also a criminal act that took food out of the mouths of the World’s hungriest and malnourished people.
Dr Sakara said the act commensurate with the genocide of thousands who die from malnutrition, and that if today the international community was eager to set-up courts for pirates, then there must be a system to apprehend the fish-stealers and put them before an international court.
“Our national economy will be more vibrant and be anchored by the agricultural sector against food insecurity, malnutrition and external shocks,” he added.
He stated that the national treasure of highly trained agricultural experts would derive satisfaction from seeing their products and knowledge used on an industrial scale that could feed back proceeds to support them and their institutions perform better. They deserve to enjoy professional salaries that commensurate with their skills.
Dr Sakara added that the CPP would deliver on its promises in food and agriculture sector, because it would offer fundamental changes in budget allocation, specificity of program design and implementation tailored to agro-ecological environments.
“Also there would be decentralised co-ordination and management for more effective and efficient implementation with greater accountability and enhanced probity. The CPP believes in Ghanaians and will make you all partners in development without fear. Together we would march forward toward our common destiny of a happy, peaceful and prosperous country,” he added.
It argued that : How can food become cheaper when tractors pay more than the price of supper petrol for diesel to plough our fields, shell maize, thresh and mill our rice, transport cocoa, yam etc. Our producers and processors are pushed to the wall and have no option but to increase cost to urban dwellers.”
Dr Foster Abu Sakara ,CPP Cabinet Member for Agriculture was addressing the press in Accra today on “How the CPP will do it in Agriculture and Food Security” as part of a fortnight press conference by the party to state its position on national issues.
This is the 14th in the series since the CPP came out with the press conference in 2010.
Dr Sakara said ironically, while the Mills Administration was calling for reduction of bank interest rates and increased lending to agriculture, the producers capacity to repay loans had been diminished through high inputs rates, adding that “ increased fuel prices are making their products less competitive on the market”.
He said the effect of the hikes in fuel price was the reduction in real income. The portion of the meagre salaries spent on food is pushed even higher from an already high point of 55 per cent to 80 per cent of salaries.
“What is the point of having new houses if we cannot eat. Should we not first invest in systemic way of solving endemic problems that are directly associated with increasing productivity?” he asked.
Dr Sakara promised that under a CPP government, there would be a substantial fuel rebate for those associated directly with agricultural production and its manufacturing industry.
“This will be calculated to ensure that salaries maintain real value. Secondly, beyond the better protection of our coastline using the latest technology, we shall also seek redress with the World Trade Organisation to set up special courts for fish-stealers in our oceans,” he added.
He said it was the CPP’s view that the illegal fishing along Africa’s coast which was estimated at more than US$36 billion was not only a financial loss, it was also a criminal act that took food out of the mouths of the World’s hungriest and malnourished people.
Dr Sakara said the act commensurate with the genocide of thousands who die from malnutrition, and that if today the international community was eager to set-up courts for pirates, then there must be a system to apprehend the fish-stealers and put them before an international court.
“Our national economy will be more vibrant and be anchored by the agricultural sector against food insecurity, malnutrition and external shocks,” he added.
He stated that the national treasure of highly trained agricultural experts would derive satisfaction from seeing their products and knowledge used on an industrial scale that could feed back proceeds to support them and their institutions perform better. They deserve to enjoy professional salaries that commensurate with their skills.
Dr Sakara added that the CPP would deliver on its promises in food and agriculture sector, because it would offer fundamental changes in budget allocation, specificity of program design and implementation tailored to agro-ecological environments.
“Also there would be decentralised co-ordination and management for more effective and efficient implementation with greater accountability and enhanced probity. The CPP believes in Ghanaians and will make you all partners in development without fear. Together we would march forward toward our common destiny of a happy, peaceful and prosperous country,” he added.
PNC dared to produce 2007 delegates lists
THE Peoples National Convention (PNC) parliamentary aspirant for Ayawaso Central in the 2004 and 2008 elections, Ms Zalia Seidu, has challenged the leadership of the party to produce the list of delegates that elected them to office in 2007.
According to her, most of the people who formed part of the congress were not members of the PNC but ordinary people who were bribed and bussed from the three northern regions to vote for the executives and the presidential candidates into office.
Challenging the eligibility of the current national executive and Dr Edward Mahama, the 2008 presidential candidate of the party, Ms Seidu, who is also a gender advocate, told the Daily Graphic that although she was the party’s parliamentary candidate, she was never aware of how delegates were selected.
“My investigations later showed that none of the leadership in my constituency including myself, the parliamentary candidate and most of the members in Greater Accra were invited to participate in the congress. I never voted at the congress. They should publish the list for all to see,” she said.
She said leaders with transparent tendencies and committed to the growth of their parties, such as the NDC and the NPP, always published their delegates lists before their congresses and did not take non-members to vote at their congress.
She said the constitution of the PNC had spelt out clearly those who were eligible to participate and vote at the congress and included leading members of the party from the various constituencies and regions as well as tertiary institutions and farmer groups.
Asked why she had waited till close to three years after the congress before throwing such a challenge, Ms Seidu explained that she was of the view that the leadership would amend their ways and organise their things in conformity with the constitution after the congress, but it was clear that they would want to perpetuate their lawless practices again.
She stated that she and other members of the party would ensure that the party followed laid down rules and regulations governing the organisation of political parties in the country as part of measures to make the party attractive to all Ghanaians, irrespective of their religion and ethnic group.
She pointed out that someone could have contested the credibility of Dr Mahama in the law court if he had won the elections to become the president and that such serious illegality must not be allowed to be repeated in a country like Ghana which was governed by law and order.
Ms Seidu said the PNC had always been full of surprises even to the extent that those who vetted parliamentary candidates for the party before the 2008 elections were total strangers to the party who did not know anything about the party’s constitution.
According to her, most of the people who formed part of the congress were not members of the PNC but ordinary people who were bribed and bussed from the three northern regions to vote for the executives and the presidential candidates into office.
Challenging the eligibility of the current national executive and Dr Edward Mahama, the 2008 presidential candidate of the party, Ms Seidu, who is also a gender advocate, told the Daily Graphic that although she was the party’s parliamentary candidate, she was never aware of how delegates were selected.
“My investigations later showed that none of the leadership in my constituency including myself, the parliamentary candidate and most of the members in Greater Accra were invited to participate in the congress. I never voted at the congress. They should publish the list for all to see,” she said.
She said leaders with transparent tendencies and committed to the growth of their parties, such as the NDC and the NPP, always published their delegates lists before their congresses and did not take non-members to vote at their congress.
She said the constitution of the PNC had spelt out clearly those who were eligible to participate and vote at the congress and included leading members of the party from the various constituencies and regions as well as tertiary institutions and farmer groups.
Asked why she had waited till close to three years after the congress before throwing such a challenge, Ms Seidu explained that she was of the view that the leadership would amend their ways and organise their things in conformity with the constitution after the congress, but it was clear that they would want to perpetuate their lawless practices again.
She stated that she and other members of the party would ensure that the party followed laid down rules and regulations governing the organisation of political parties in the country as part of measures to make the party attractive to all Ghanaians, irrespective of their religion and ethnic group.
She pointed out that someone could have contested the credibility of Dr Mahama in the law court if he had won the elections to become the president and that such serious illegality must not be allowed to be repeated in a country like Ghana which was governed by law and order.
Ms Seidu said the PNC had always been full of surprises even to the extent that those who vetted parliamentary candidates for the party before the 2008 elections were total strangers to the party who did not know anything about the party’s constitution.
NDC pegs filling fees at GH¢2,000— But women will pay GH¢ 1,000.
All males who want to contest the parliamentary primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2012 elections will pay a filling fee of GH¢ 2,000.
In order to attract more women to help fulfil the NDC’s 40 per cent quota for women in ministerial positions, the party has given 50 per cent rebate to all female hopefuls.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the National Organiser of the NDC, Mr Yaw Boateng Gyan, said the party had been consistent in its social democratic tendencies in ensuring that such fees were not pegged beyond the reach of interested Ghanaians, especially the youth.
He said the leadership of the NDC also considered the party’s philosophy of allowing the youth to participate in all facets of the party, beginning from the organisation of the party to the management of the country as well as Members of Parliament (MP) and ministers.
He said people with interest in politics should not be made to go through hell before contesting for positions, a situation that “makes people think that holding a political office is the preserve of the rich, or one had to spend a fortune before getting there.”
According to the NDC National Organiser, when people spent a fortune before gaining political office, there was the likelihood that they had to use whatever means to pay back, culminating in corrupt practices.
“The NDC is a social democratic party that believes in offering opportunities for all, especially the youth and women, to be able to actively contribute their quota to the achievement of a better Ghana.
He said the Functional Executive Committee of the party had been tasked to come out with the date for the primaries and assured that the primaries would be first conducted at constituencies where the party had no sitting MPs.
In order to attract more women to help fulfil the NDC’s 40 per cent quota for women in ministerial positions, the party has given 50 per cent rebate to all female hopefuls.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the National Organiser of the NDC, Mr Yaw Boateng Gyan, said the party had been consistent in its social democratic tendencies in ensuring that such fees were not pegged beyond the reach of interested Ghanaians, especially the youth.
He said the leadership of the NDC also considered the party’s philosophy of allowing the youth to participate in all facets of the party, beginning from the organisation of the party to the management of the country as well as Members of Parliament (MP) and ministers.
He said people with interest in politics should not be made to go through hell before contesting for positions, a situation that “makes people think that holding a political office is the preserve of the rich, or one had to spend a fortune before getting there.”
According to the NDC National Organiser, when people spent a fortune before gaining political office, there was the likelihood that they had to use whatever means to pay back, culminating in corrupt practices.
“The NDC is a social democratic party that believes in offering opportunities for all, especially the youth and women, to be able to actively contribute their quota to the achievement of a better Ghana.
He said the Functional Executive Committee of the party had been tasked to come out with the date for the primaries and assured that the primaries would be first conducted at constituencies where the party had no sitting MPs.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Akudzeto Ablakwa blames NDC, NPP for media terrorism
A DEPUTY Minister of Information, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has blamed politicians in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the foul and misguided language which has afflicted the Ghanaian media lately.
He also described as “more dangerous than Somali pirates” radio and television presenters and other media practitioners who went into political alliances to rob Ghanaians of the truth, unity and objectivity.
In a plain talk at a forum in Accra organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) on the media dubbed “Media freedoms, free expression on a multi-party democracy”, Mr Ablakwa said under the guise of free speech the two parties had behaved hypocritically when their members goofed.
Citing two recent examples involving NDC party chairman Dr Kwabena Adjei, and NPP radio panellist Nana Darkwa, Mr Ablakwa said, “They chastise others who use intemperate language on their own, but quickly turn round to describe same language used by their members on others of a different political party as an exercise of free speech”.
He said when Nana Darkwa stated that former President Rawlings intentionally burnt down his house, the NPP hailed it as an expression of free speech but the NDC on the other hand saw it as loose talk.
On the other hand, in the infamous “there are many ways to kill a cat” speech by Dr Kwabena Adjei, the NDC described it as free speech, while the NPP perceived it as an attack on the judiciary.
Such hypocrisy, he warned, could derail the peace, stability and democratic process, if not checked.
Another danger he identified was the phenomenon of politicians forming alliances with hosts of radio and television programmes and described such hosts as “more dangerous than Somali pirates because they are robbing the listeners and Ghanaians of the truth, unity and objectivity”.
“Just for their immediate comfort, some politicians and their media allies have thrown decorum and objectivity to the dogs,” he added.
The Chairman of NCCE, Mr Laari Bimi, also took a swipe at the media for publishing falsehood, deepening tribal sentiments and ethnocentrism and leaving behind their core mandate of presenting objective views to the people to make informed choices.
He said they had allowed themselves to be used for political gain, especially in the 2008 elections, a situation which brought the country to the brink of civil strife and anarchy.
He was also unhappy about the conduct of some members of the bench whose behaviour lent credence to the perception that they were corrupt and biased and stated that, “I have on authority that we have a case of telephone justice in Ghana”.
Dr Vladimir Antwi Danso, a Senior Fellow at the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA), identified “media terrorism” as a dangerous phenomenon that was creeping into the landscape of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
He explained that instead of using their media to provide the “gullible” Ghanaian public with issues and shape the process of attaining development, the media had resorted to hate speech and propaganda with some media practitioners publicly declaring their affiliation to some political parties.
He expressed the fear that the experiences of the initial stages of things that led to the Rwandan genocide was being replicated by the Ghanaian media.
Dr Antwi-Danso noted that the gullibility of the Ghanaian was so intense that they took anything the media put out as sacrosanct even when they were opinions by commentators and serial callers.
He said another dimension of the issue was that people who committed crime and atrocities were also taking undue advantage of the polarisation in the country to hide under such cover and this normally yielded dividend because the media would not talk about the crime but would concentrate on which political party the criminal belonged to.
The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Kabral Blay Amihere, urged the media to educate themselves on issues before they reported on them in order to not pour their ignorance on the Ghanaians.
He also appealed to the media not to be the foot note of the ambitions of politicians, but explained that there was nothing wrong in believing and sharing in the ideals of a political party.
He also described as “more dangerous than Somali pirates” radio and television presenters and other media practitioners who went into political alliances to rob Ghanaians of the truth, unity and objectivity.
In a plain talk at a forum in Accra organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) on the media dubbed “Media freedoms, free expression on a multi-party democracy”, Mr Ablakwa said under the guise of free speech the two parties had behaved hypocritically when their members goofed.
Citing two recent examples involving NDC party chairman Dr Kwabena Adjei, and NPP radio panellist Nana Darkwa, Mr Ablakwa said, “They chastise others who use intemperate language on their own, but quickly turn round to describe same language used by their members on others of a different political party as an exercise of free speech”.
He said when Nana Darkwa stated that former President Rawlings intentionally burnt down his house, the NPP hailed it as an expression of free speech but the NDC on the other hand saw it as loose talk.
On the other hand, in the infamous “there are many ways to kill a cat” speech by Dr Kwabena Adjei, the NDC described it as free speech, while the NPP perceived it as an attack on the judiciary.
Such hypocrisy, he warned, could derail the peace, stability and democratic process, if not checked.
Another danger he identified was the phenomenon of politicians forming alliances with hosts of radio and television programmes and described such hosts as “more dangerous than Somali pirates because they are robbing the listeners and Ghanaians of the truth, unity and objectivity”.
“Just for their immediate comfort, some politicians and their media allies have thrown decorum and objectivity to the dogs,” he added.
The Chairman of NCCE, Mr Laari Bimi, also took a swipe at the media for publishing falsehood, deepening tribal sentiments and ethnocentrism and leaving behind their core mandate of presenting objective views to the people to make informed choices.
He said they had allowed themselves to be used for political gain, especially in the 2008 elections, a situation which brought the country to the brink of civil strife and anarchy.
He was also unhappy about the conduct of some members of the bench whose behaviour lent credence to the perception that they were corrupt and biased and stated that, “I have on authority that we have a case of telephone justice in Ghana”.
Dr Vladimir Antwi Danso, a Senior Fellow at the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA), identified “media terrorism” as a dangerous phenomenon that was creeping into the landscape of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
He explained that instead of using their media to provide the “gullible” Ghanaian public with issues and shape the process of attaining development, the media had resorted to hate speech and propaganda with some media practitioners publicly declaring their affiliation to some political parties.
He expressed the fear that the experiences of the initial stages of things that led to the Rwandan genocide was being replicated by the Ghanaian media.
Dr Antwi-Danso noted that the gullibility of the Ghanaian was so intense that they took anything the media put out as sacrosanct even when they were opinions by commentators and serial callers.
He said another dimension of the issue was that people who committed crime and atrocities were also taking undue advantage of the polarisation in the country to hide under such cover and this normally yielded dividend because the media would not talk about the crime but would concentrate on which political party the criminal belonged to.
The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Kabral Blay Amihere, urged the media to educate themselves on issues before they reported on them in order to not pour their ignorance on the Ghanaians.
He also appealed to the media not to be the foot note of the ambitions of politicians, but explained that there was nothing wrong in believing and sharing in the ideals of a political party.
‘GT Accra NDC Youth threatens legal suit’
THE Greater Accra Regional Youth branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has threatened to take legal action to halt the activities of the so-called Greater Accra Regional Branch of Tertiary Education Institution Network of the NDC (GAR-TEIN)
He said the legal move had become necessary due to the inability of the National Executive of the NDC to halt the nefarious activities of the illegal group whose existence was not recognised by the party structure and constitution.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Greater Accra Regional Youth Organiser of the party, Mr Thomas Nii Ashong explained that although there was nothing like Regional TEIN in the scheme of things in the constitution and structure of the party, some persons have assumed those positions just to “muddy the waters and direct attention to themselves and their disruptive activities”.
According to Mr Ashong, the group was dragging the name of the party in the mud with the support of some national executive members.
Recently, the GAR TEIN organised a workshop which was attended by Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and Dr Ekwow Spio Garbrah, both Vice Chairpersons of the NDC.
Dr Spio-Garbrah was alleged to have castigated President Mills and leading members of the NDC in government for not ensuring that Former President Rawlings was secured a befitting place of abode after his ridge residence was razed down by fire in February 14, 2010.
Mr Ashong said the NDC constitution recognises only the foreign, women and youth branches as well as the parliamentary group as the main groupings and that the TEIN was a part of the youth group.
He explained that TEIN was for NDC members and supporters in tertiary institutions in the country and that there was no such body as Regional TEIN. “What we have is TIEN co-ordinators who liaise with the youth organisers and the various campuses.”
Mr Ashong noted that TEIN was for NDC members and supporters in tertiary institutions and that after completing their courses and leaving school they were expected to integrate into their various constituencies but not to form regional groupings of TEIN.
“It is not possible for anyone who had completed school and more so working to be a member of TEIN. Again, whether it was true or otherwise that such illegal Regional group was inaugurated, it was contrary to the letter and spirit of the NDC constitution,” he said.
This was in reaction to claims by the Regional TEIN that their the organisation was duly inaugurated by the leading members of the party.
Mr Ashong explained that the existence of such illegitimate group was also a duplication of the regional youth of the party and that the earlier they saw it wise to put a halt to their “disgraceful and deleterious manoeuvres that hinder the unity and progress of the NDC and the Mills Administration the better”.
He said the legal move had become necessary due to the inability of the National Executive of the NDC to halt the nefarious activities of the illegal group whose existence was not recognised by the party structure and constitution.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Greater Accra Regional Youth Organiser of the party, Mr Thomas Nii Ashong explained that although there was nothing like Regional TEIN in the scheme of things in the constitution and structure of the party, some persons have assumed those positions just to “muddy the waters and direct attention to themselves and their disruptive activities”.
According to Mr Ashong, the group was dragging the name of the party in the mud with the support of some national executive members.
Recently, the GAR TEIN organised a workshop which was attended by Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and Dr Ekwow Spio Garbrah, both Vice Chairpersons of the NDC.
Dr Spio-Garbrah was alleged to have castigated President Mills and leading members of the NDC in government for not ensuring that Former President Rawlings was secured a befitting place of abode after his ridge residence was razed down by fire in February 14, 2010.
Mr Ashong said the NDC constitution recognises only the foreign, women and youth branches as well as the parliamentary group as the main groupings and that the TEIN was a part of the youth group.
He explained that TEIN was for NDC members and supporters in tertiary institutions in the country and that there was no such body as Regional TEIN. “What we have is TIEN co-ordinators who liaise with the youth organisers and the various campuses.”
Mr Ashong noted that TEIN was for NDC members and supporters in tertiary institutions and that after completing their courses and leaving school they were expected to integrate into their various constituencies but not to form regional groupings of TEIN.
“It is not possible for anyone who had completed school and more so working to be a member of TEIN. Again, whether it was true or otherwise that such illegal Regional group was inaugurated, it was contrary to the letter and spirit of the NDC constitution,” he said.
This was in reaction to claims by the Regional TEIN that their the organisation was duly inaugurated by the leading members of the party.
Mr Ashong explained that the existence of such illegitimate group was also a duplication of the regional youth of the party and that the earlier they saw it wise to put a halt to their “disgraceful and deleterious manoeuvres that hinder the unity and progress of the NDC and the Mills Administration the better”.
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