Connect with us

Politics

Nana Addo has packed the judiciary with NPP members — Kwakye Ofosu 

Published

on

F4E087C0 139B 4AD6 B0BB DFEEF0F3BFDE

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, former Deputy Communications Minister has condemned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addoand Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame’s criticism of concerns raised by former President John Mahama about the judiciary being biased.

According to him, Nana Addo has packed the judiciary system with members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) adding that “those two [Nana Addo and Godfred Yeboah Dame] are the biggest beneficiaries of the partisan, lopsided, imbalances, a biased judicial system that we have at the moment.”

“He is the President who has packed our judiciary the most with partisan elements. Indeed, only a couple of weeks ago, he appointed known NPP partisans, some of whom have done open propaganda on his behalf,” he said on Accra-based Citi FM.

Kwakye Ofosu also accused the Ghana Bar Association of being biased because the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, and Nana Addo attacked John Mahama on its platform.

“Any serious organisation that is living up to its creed would rather be discussing the need for judicial reforms in order to win the confidence of the people of Ghana,” he said.

Earlier, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo asked the people of Ghana to say no to persons who have made it their passion to make disparaging remarks against the Judiciary and the Electoral Commission (EC) for selfish, parochial, and partisan reasons.

He stated that “Just as the government continues to implement policies to advance the rule of law, and, thereby, reinforce the confidence of the people, and shore up our nation’s reputation as a country governed by the rule of law, there are some who have made it their political agenda to disparage systematically the image of the Judiciary for selfish, parochial, partisan reasons.”

9E66D3B4 0061 4B4A BB81 6E00D799BF0C
Felix Kwakye Ofosu

Nana Addo made this known on Monday, September 12, 2022, when he delivered the keynote address at this year’s Bar Conference of the Ghana Bar Association.

He told Members of the Bar that Ghana is governed in accordance with the rule of law, and not based on political considerations.

“It is important that all of us, especially us lawyers, who cherish the democracy we are building, say no to such persons, and guard jealously our democratic way of life, which we have done so much to bring into being. Independent judges, administering the law, protecting the human rights of citizens, and ensuring public accountability, are strong pillars of our democracy,” the President added.

Godfred Yeboah Dame has also slammed former President John Mahama for his recent comments about the judiciary.

Dame said he is forced to respond due to the fact he is a lawyer and every lawyer must do the same to protect the image of the judiciary.

“I am compelled to comment on the same in this address because they border on the security of the state and constitute a deliberate pattern of conduct aimed at undermining the independence of the Judiciary, an arm of government whose autonomy is crucial to its proper functioning.

“Such conduct is clearly deplorable, coming from one who has occupied the highest office of President and aspires again to that office. At this moment, it is important for all to note that I express this sentiment not because I stand in opposition to former President Mahama as a politician.

“My dismay is founded more on the fact that I am a lawyer and every lawyer ought to be concerned about these kinds of views expressed by a political leader in this country!” he said.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court judge, Justice Jones Dotse has called on the Ghana Bar Association to be vocal on national issues.

He said the recent silence of the Association on issues bothering the country is not the best.

According to him, lawyers mostly speak from informed angles therefore silence from the legal fraternity doesn’t augur well for our democracy.

In an address delivered on behalf of the Chief Justice, His Lordship Anim Yeboah, at the opening of the annual conference of the Ghana Bar Association in Ho, Monday, September 12, 2022, Justice Dotse said many Ghanaians are wondering why the GBA is silent on national issues in recent times while the Association provides a balanced and nationalistic opinion on issues devoid of partisan politics.

He said “…it is useful because when the Bar speaks everybody knows that they speak from an enlightened position and not from the partisan position. It makes sense, therefore, for me to urge the GBA to state their views on such topical matters.”

Continue Reading

Politics

Bawumia is not under pressure to announce running mate

Published

on

By

Dan Kwaku Botwe, the Campaign Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections, has stated that the party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, is not facing any pressure to announce his running mate. Dr. Bawumia has faced criticism for the prolonged delay in announcing his running mate, despite requesting additional time from the National Council of the party. Addressing journalists in Kumasi, Dan Botwe assured that the flagbearer would announce his desired candidate at the right time. ‘We have not mentioned a particular candidate and no such discussion has come up but finding a running mate has never been our problem. It has never been a contentious issue for us.”

Dan Kwaku Botwe, the Campaign Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections, has claimed that the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, is under no pressure to select his running partner.

Dr. Bawumia has faced criticism for the extended delay in naming his running mate, despite asking for further time from the party’s National Council.

Addressing the media in Kumasi, Dan Botwe stated that the flagbearer would disclose his preferred candidate at the appropriate time.

‘We haven’t specified a specific candidate, and no such conversation has occurred, but finding a running mate has never been an issue. It has never been a controversial subject for us.”

Continue Reading

Politics

Former GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi considered a likely contender for the Ejisu by-election

Published

on

By

However, he has been sensitive to the constituency's grief over the unexpected death of the Deputy Finance Minister. Mr. Nyantakyi, speaking at the opening of the New Patriotic Party's Ashanti Regional Campaign team in Kumasi, suggested gently that he intends to run for parliament once the official timeline is revealed. He emphasised his strong links to the constituency and his eligibility to run, while also recognising the need of honouring the late MP's grieving time.

Following the untimely death of John Ampontuah Kumah, Member of Parliament for the Ejisu Constituency, the focus is shifting to probable contenders for the empty parliamentary seat.

Kwesi Nyantakyi, former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), is one significant figure to emerge.

Mr Nyantakyi has not ruled out contesting the upcoming by-election.

However, he has been sensitive to the constituency’s grief over the unexpected death of the Deputy Finance Minister.

Mr Nyantakyi, speaking at the opening of the New Patriotic Party’s Ashanti Regional Campaign team in Kumasi, suggested gently that he intends to run for parliament once the official timeline is revealed.

He emphasised his strong links to the constituency and his eligibility to run, while also recognising the need of honouring the late MP’s grieving time.

“The Ejisu by-election will definitely come on, but the timetable has not been published yet so we don’t know those who want to contest. Since I come from there and I have the right to contest, at the right time, we’ll see what will happen.

“But at the moment, we are mourning the demise of a very dear son of the constituency. The Member of Parliament is a big loss to the constituency and let’s see what happens after the one week,” Nyantakyi stated.

He urged the rank and file to offer the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, peace of mind when choosing a running partner.

“I think it is a prerogative of the flagbearer to select the running mate, so let’s leave it to him. At the right time, he’ll do that.”

Continue Reading

Politics

My comments were distasteful – Kwesi Ahwoi apologizes to NDC fraternity

Published

on

By

Kwesi Ahwoi criticised his remarks, claiming that he "misspoke on the occasion." I accept the comments in good faith, even if they are based on an intentional misinterpretation of my position.

Kwesi Ahwoi, a member of the Ahwoi family, has issued an unequivocal apology to former President John Dramani Mahama.

He said he never intends to hope that H.E. John Mahama does not serve his entire four-year term if he wins the 2024 general elections.

Kwesi Ahwoi criticised his remarks, claiming that he “misspoke on the occasion.” I accept the comments in good faith, even if they are based on an intentional misinterpretation of my position.

Kwesi Ahwoi writes:

I have taken notice of the unfortunate controversy that has arisen as a result of a comment I made at a reception organized last Thursday by the Churchstreet group of NDC faithfuls for Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Running Mate to our esteemed flagbearer, H.E. John Dramani Mahama.

I sincerely regret the wrong impression that my comment has created. Indeed, it was not my intention, and never will it be my intention to pray that H.E. John Mahama does not serve his full four-year term when he wins the 2024 general elections.

I concede that I misspoke on the occasion. I accept the criticisms in good faith, even though some of the criticisms arise out of a deliberate misrepresentation of my statement.

Indeed, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang in response to my toast, pointed out the erroneous impression created by my statement and was categorical in asserting that she was certain that H.E. John Mahama will win the 2024 general elections and serve his full four-year term.

It is unfortunate that my statement appears to have taken the shine off what was otherwise a cheerful and light-hearted occasion.

I hereby render an unreserved and unqualified apology to H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the leadership and rank and file of the great NDC.

Comrades and friends, let us put this unfortunate incident behind us and unite behind our flag-bearer, the visionary Nation Builder, to rescue our beloved country in the December 2024 elections.

SIGNED.
Kwesi Ahwoi

Continue Reading

Trending

Optimized by Optimole