Politics
Mahama, Bagbin, Mills’ son and others mark the 11th anniversary of Atta Mills’ death
On Monday, a wreath-laying ceremony was performed at Accra’s Asomdwee Park to mark the 11th anniversary of former President John Evans Atta Mills’ death.
The momentous occasion drew the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, as well as several National Democratic Congress (NDC) bigwigs, including former President and NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.
The occasion was also attended by the NDC’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, as well as the Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the J.E.A. Mills Memorial Heritage, Alex Segbefia, and Nana Oye Bampoe Addo.
Others were former Information Minister Kofi Totobi Quakyi, former Speaker of Parliament Edward Doe Adjaho, past and present MPs, Fifi Fiavi Kwettey, General Secretary of the NDC, and Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Leader of the Minority group in Parliament.
The remainder were former NDC Director of Elections Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, former National Women’s Organiser Anita De Sosoo, and Korle Klottey MP Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, among others.
Former President Mills’ son, Samuel Kofi Atta Mills, was also present.
Wreath-laying ceremony
Six wreaths were placed in all. Mr Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, lay the first wreath on behalf of Parliament and MPs.
The others were set by the MP for Krowor, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, on behalf of the Widow, Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills; Mr Mahama, who was accompanied by Ms Joyce Bawah Mogtari; the Atta Mills family; Mr Nketia on behalf of the NDC; and some JEAMMH members to mark the event.
While the wreath-laying ritual was taking place, the Living Choir in Accra played a variety of relaxing melodies.
Very Reverend Dr Dominic Dadzie, Director of International Missions for the Methodist Church Ghana and Superintendent Minister of the Ashongman Circuit delivered the sermon.
A minute of silence was held in honour of the late President, followed by the sounding of a siren to commemorate the 11th anniversary of Mills’ death.
Prayers were held for the late Mills’ whole family.
Legacy
Mr Mahama used the opportunity to promote the characteristics of the late Mills, urging Ghanaians to imitate his sterling character and leadership style, stating that “as we mourn his death, let us also celebrate his life and achievements.”
He said that the late Mills represented selflessness, humility, tolerance for opposing viewpoints, being a peacemaker, unifier par excellence, and Godliness.
“Prof, as we fondly called him, was a distinguished man who served his country with the utmost integrity and humility while building a better Ghana for all, not just a few,” Mr Mahama said, adding, “We still bear the deep scars of pain all these years and are unlikely to forget how we felt on that fateful 24th July 2012.”
He went on to say that the late Mills’ legacy of socioeconomic progress, prosperity, peace, and tolerance for differing viewpoints will continue to inspire many people.
Achievements
Mr Mahama praised his achievements, saying, “Here lies a man who governed this country with sensitivity and humility and oversaw our economy with great skill.” It was no surprise that under his leadership, the country achieved its highest-ever GDP growth rate of 14.4%, with the majority of this increase coming from the real sector rather than oil.”
The NDC Presidential candidate stated that the late Mills held the record for the longest sustained period of single-digit inflation, emphasising that “in his days almost all key economic indicators were pointing in the right direction” in comparison to the current economic challenges.
“As chairman of his Economic Management Team, I can attest to his sterling leadership that resulted in these accomplishments,” Mr Mahama said.
The event was co-organized by the NDC and the J.E.A Mills Memorial Heritage.
Alan Kyerematen, a former Trade Minister and unsuccessful presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), claims to be the man who will ensure Ghana’s economic recovery.
Alan resigned from the NPP with immediate effect on Monday, September 25, and declared his desire to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections.
“I am using this platform to introduce myself to you, the good people of Ghana and humbly seek your support to become the next President of the Republic of Ghana.”
“I believe, with unwavering conviction, that I am the only leader who, with unmatched integrity, can guarantee the economic and industrial transformation of Ghana, the restoration of confidence in political leadership, and the unification of an increasingly divided nation,” he said.
Mr. Kyerematen stated that his distinct selling point is based on “vision, competence, integrity, and action.”
He stated that the country’s widespread job issue is becoming a national security danger.
This, he claimed, was demonstrated by the three-day “Occupy Julorbi House” rallies staged by Accra’s Democracy Hub.
“Every year over 300,000 graduates from tertiary institutions in Ghana, excluding those from secondary institutions, enter the job market with little or no hope of finding a job. Clearly, public sector employment is not an option, with an already over-bloated public service. This phenomenon of pervasive employment crisis is gradually becoming a national security threat, as evidenced by the recent “Occupy Julorbi House” demonstrations.”
“The initial reaction of the Police in manhandling some protestors is not the solution to the problem. What Ghana needs now is CHANGE, which will provide long-lasting solutions to the challenges confronting our country,” Mr Kyerematen stated.
John Alan Kyerematen, the embattled former Trade and Industry Minister, has resigned from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The presidential candidate who finished third in the party’s Super Delegates Congress will run as an independent presidential candidate in 2024.
On Monday, September 25, he announced his resignation in a well-publicised news conference.
“Fellow Countrymen and Women, under the circumstances and given the context provided, I wish to use this platform to announce that I am honourably resigning with immediate effect from the New Patriotic Party to contest for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana in the 2024 General Elections, as an Independent Presidential Candidate.”
He explained “My decision to contest as an Independent Candidate will not destroy the Party, but instead provide the Party an opportunity to participate in a Government of National Unity in the future, and avoid the risk of going into opposition with no dividends, in what arguably will be a difficult general election in 2024.
“You can vote for your preferred choice of NPP Parliamentary Candidate and vote for Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen in the Presidential elections in December 2024, to become the sixth President of the fourth Republic of Ghana.”
Alan’s Movement for Change Party
Mr Kyerematen stated that in order to “actualize this goal,” he will “found and lead a new Movement for Change in Ghana.”
“The brand logo for the MOVEMENT is the Monarch Butterfly, which politically symbolizes change and transformation, hope, and positivity. It also communicates strength, endurance, spirituality, and trust, which are key traits that I cherish as a Political Leader.
“In Akan, it is known as Afrafranto. The brand motto of the b is “Ghana Will Rise Again,” which symbolizes hope for the future of Ghana.”
The former Trades Minister said, “The new Movement will be led and powered by the youth of Ghana. Out of the over 17 million registered voters in the 2020 general election, the youth aged 18-35, years constituted over 9.4 million voters representing 55% of the total voters.”
“I believe, with unwavering conviction, that I am the only leader who, with unmatched integrity can guarantee the economic and industrial transformation of Ghana, the restoration of confidence in political leadership, and the unification of an increasingly divided nation.
“My unique selling proposition as a leader is Vision, Competence, Integrity and Action.”
Alan and party structures
Mr. Kyerematen had previously explored joining an existing political party with established institutions but had changed his mind for unknown reasons.
His departure from the NPP will be the second time the former NPP flagbearer candidate has left the party, having done so in 2008.
It also indicates his willingness to leave the party if his goal to lead the NPP is not realised.
Mr. Kyerematen resigned from the NPP in 2008 after losing the Presidential primaries to then-candidate Akufo-Addo, claiming harassment of his supporters.
Similarly, he just resigned from the NPP Presidential candidature after coming third in the super delegates’ congress on August 26, 2023, alleging intimidation and an unequal playing field as grounds for his decision.
Politics
OccupyJulorBiHouse: Organisers’ derogatory depiction of the presidency is reprehensible – Richard Ahiagbah
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Communications Director, Richard Ahiagbah, has voiced his concern with the disrespectful captioning of the Jubilee House by leaders of the pressure organisation, Democracy Hub.
The organisers of the scuttled demonstration in Accra on Thursday, Democracy Hub, had dubbed the protest to occupy the precincts of the seat of government, Jubilee House, #OccupyJulorBiHouse, with ‘julorbi’ being a parody of the official name of the presidency in the Ga language, which loosely translates as ‘the child of a thief’.
Mr Ahiagbah, who backed citizens’ freedom to demonstrate, disagreed with the disparaging portrayal of the presidency.
“I don’t agree with the derogatory caption of the Presidency by the organizers of the demonstration, but impeding their right to peaceful assembly is an affront to democracy, plain and simple.”
The NPP Communications Director pointed out that there have been numerous peaceful demonstrations during President Akufo-Addo’s presidency, including the Arise Ghana demo and the Kume Preko demo, which he said did not record such events as happened on Thursday, and wondered why anyone would think the government was behind the disruption of Thursday’s demonstration.
“This is not the publicity we need on a day such as this…Allow!,” he said, in apparent condemnation of the police action.
He highlighted that the Ghana Police Service’s meddling and arrest of demonstrators who took part in the #OccupyJulorBiHouse movement is a violation of the people’s rights.
Mr Ahiagbah stressed in a post on Thursday, September 21, that “the people’s ability to engage in peaceful demonstrations is an inherent democratic right.”
Any action that prevents persons from enjoying this basic freedom, in his opinion, is just wrong.
According to Democracy Hub, the rally was held to stress their demands for lower living costs, an end to corruption, and improved governance, among other things.
However, in the early hours of Thursday, September 21, police detained 49 protestors, accusing them of unlawful assembly and violating the Public Order Act.
The detained individuals ignored court documents filed on the organisers, Democracy Hub, to prevent them from carrying out the scheduled rally.
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