Politics
Hackman Owusu-Agyemang on the NPP flagbearership race: “We’ve allowed our selfish interests to divide us”
Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s Council of Elders, has lamented the party’s current condition of affairs ahead of Saturday’s presidential primary.
Mr Owusu Agyemang, in his opening remarks ahead of the Council of Elders meeting at the Alisa Hotel, voiced his concern that the pursuit of personal interests may be overshadowing the party’s shared aim.
On Saturday, November 4, the NPP will choose a flagbearer for the forthcoming 2024 elections. With four senior party members running for the seat, the campaign has sparked tremendous interest.
Mr Owusu-Agyemang added in a message that resonated with many in the party, “Fellow patriots, taking a deeper look at our party today, I see a party which may be weaker by our attitude, our utterances and our disrespect for each other as well as our lack of discipline. I see a party sometimes with disputes and difficulties and acrimony.
“I see a party where members are refusing to work together for a common goal. We have allowed our selfish interests to override the common goal. I am not pointing fingers at any of us maybe we are all responsible. Fellow patriots, it has become clear that some deep personal interest and bitter political resentment might have reared their ugly heads, especially among all the presidential aspirants and their supporters.”
Mr Owusu-Agyemang, a former Member of Parliament for New Juaben North and a veteran of Ghanaian politics, emphasised the need of party members remembering the greater goal of breaking the Eight.
Instead of personal goals, he asked them to focus on the ideals and values that have guided the NPP throughout the years.
He acknowledged that the race for the flagbearer position has sparked heated debates and disagreements within the party and among supporters of the presidential candidates, but he urged all presidential candidates to avoid divisiveness and remain united following Saturday’s presidential primary.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President, is widely expected to win Saturday’s presidential primary. Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central, is his closest rival. Former Agriculture Minister Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and former Mampong MP Francis Addai-Nimoh are also running for the position of flagbearer.
Politics
Ya Naa tells Bawumia to treat Mahama like his elder brother
The Overlord of the Dagbon Traditional Area, Ya Naa Abubakari Mahama II, has asked the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to run a clean and respectful campaign ahead of the 2024 general elections.
During a courtesy call with Dr Bawumia, Ya Naa Abubakari Mahama II emphasised the necessity of sustaining national unity and peace, whatever of party allegiance.
He reminded Dr Bawumia that his opponent, former President John Dramani Mahama, is also a Dagboni son with similar goals for the country’s growth.
“It’s a critical opportunity for us to demonstrate our maturity, competence, honesty, and commitment to Ghana’s progress,” Ya Naa Abubakari Mahama II said, adding, “You are my son, Dr. Bawumia, and your competitor, John Mahama, is also my son.” You’re both completely devoted to this election.”
The Overlord further emphasised that Dr Bawumia and Mr Mahama should see each other as siblings rather than adversaries.
“He is not your enemy or rival, but your elder brother,” Ya Naa Abubakari Mahama II said. “We have already won the elections as Northerners.” Whoever wins this trophy will return home.”
Politics
The economy is a disaster because Bawumia is ignorant – Sam George
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is clueless about handling the economy, according to Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament Samuel Nartey George.
Unlike Dr. Bawumia, Sam Goege stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, Former President John Dramani Mahama, is focused on how the economy would be managed.
“We have been inundated with questions of policy and policy initiatives. John Dramani Mahama has been outlining flagship policy initiatives over the past weeks in public engagements.
“The other one, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has only one message – John Mahama! He is so pathetic and clueless in his engagements so far it explains to us all the reasons our economy under his leadership is in shambles. Bawumia is empty and spent.
“John Mahama has a clear vision and plan to #BuildTheGhanaWeWant. PS: I am open to a factual debate on the policies outlined so far. I’m uninterested in party bots seeking to earn their daily stipend,” he tweeted while reacting to the comment by Vice President Dr Bawumia to the effect that former President Mahama does not understand what it means to have a 24-hour economy.
According to Dr. Bawumia, hospitals, the Electricity Company of Ghana, the Ghana Water Company, petrol stations, and numerous chop bars are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
He urged Ghanaians to oppose Mr Mahama’s proposal.
Addressing a throng in Nalerigu on Monday, November 20 as part of his ‘Thank you’ trip after being chosen NPP flagbearer on November 4, Dr Bawumia remarked, “John Mahama says he has a new idea.” What is the concept? He claims to desire a 24-hour economy. He’s not even aware of the policy.
Today, our hospitals operate 24 hours a day, our power company operates 24 hours a day, our water company operates 24 hours a day, our gasoline stations operate 24 hours a day, and many chop bars operate 24 hours a day. Because of digitization, you may now transmit and receive money 24 hours a day, seven days a week… As a result, he doesn’t grasp his own policies. It makes no sense.
“So I want you to vote for me in 2024 because I will bring a new vision, I will bring a new policy. Mahama is the past, and Dr Bawumia is the future. If John Mahama was there, we would say we have a dumsor economy, you can’t have a 24-hour economy in dumsor. So, you want to vote for Dr Bawumia in 2024, we will take the country to new heights,” Dr Bawumia stated.
Mr Mahama stated that the 24-hour economy will provide work for all Ghanaians.
“The 24-hour economy I proposed is for jobs and more jobs,” the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) stressed.
He suggested the ’24hr Economy’ concept when he met with leaders from the country’s mother workers union on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, as part of his outreach to key stakeholders in his attempt to reclaim power.
Politics
Mahama urges government to pay allowances owed nursing trainees
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, wants the government to settle all arrears due to nursing trainees across the country as soon as possible.
According to John Mahama, such delays generate unneeded hardship for pupils.
Mr Mahama says the government must honour its pledge to pay nursing trainee allowances to students at the Krobo Nursing Training School in the Bono Region as part of his trip.
“Nana Akufo-Addo and Bawumia have stated that they will pay the allowances.” I ask you, Nana Addo and Bawumia, if you can hear me, we here at Krobo Nursing Training School, claim you haven’t paid their allowances for two years now.”
“Let the allowance come. Wherever you are, Krobo Nursing Trainees are begging you to let their allowance come,” John Mahama appealed.