Politics
Nana Addo has packed the judiciary with NPP members — Kwakye Ofosu
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.
Nana Addo punches Mahama over biased judiciary
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.”
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 jabs Mahama
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.”
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.