Parties had no case-- EC

By Edmund Mingle & Stephen Effah
Monday, January 5, 2009

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan on Saturday said the Commission found no merit in allegations of election irregularities in by the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress, as the two parties failed to provide concrete evidence to support the claims.

The NPP and the NDC, after the December run-off, levelled allegations of vote rigging against each other in their respective strongholds.

While the NDC accused the NPP of rigging the election in the Ashanti region, the NPP accused the NDC of restraining NPP party agent from observing the poll in the Volta region which enabled the NDC to rig there.

Consequently, the EC Chairman asked both parties to provide evidence for investigation and appropriate action.

However, based on the evidence provided, Dr. Afari-Gyan said “the Commission did not find the evidence provided to be sufficient to invalidate the results.”

Explaining the issues before declaring Prof. Mills as winner of the presidential run-off, Dr. Afari-Gyan said that the commission in arriving at the winner of the polls, considered the allegations of vote-rigging in Ashanti and Volta regions by both parties in the run-off which he asked them to provide evidence.

The commissioners, he said, met to examine materials submitted by both the NDC and the NPP in the nature of evidence to support their claims.

“The NDC failed to submit complete sets of polling-station by polling-station declaration of result forms to enable a re-examination of the collated figures for the constituencies in Ashanti that they had complained of,” he stated.

In the case of the NPP, he said “some of the issues raised bother on criminality and therefore, fall outside the competence of the Electoral Commission.”

In view of that, Dr.Afari-Gyan said that “the results as previously tallied from the 299 constituencies remain unchanged,” adding that the results of Tain constituency were added to the national results to make the decider.

Africa gets 3rd seat on World Bank board

From Edmund Mingle, Abuja
November 19, 2008

World Bank has offered Africa an additional third seat on its Executive Board, increasing the total number of representatives on the board from 24 to 25.

This comes in the wake of calls from for Africa, which is the largest beneficiary of the bank’s projects to have an increased representation on the board.

Although the decision for the additional seat is settled, the country to occupy the seat is yet to be finalized.

Simeon Ehui, Sustainable Development Sector Manager of the World Bank Office in Nigeria, confirmed the decision for the additional seat for Africa to foreign journalists in Abuja, described the development as “good news for Africa.”

He told 15 foreign journalists and alumni of the International Institute for Journalism (IIJ) of Germany who visited the World Bank office in Abuja, on the sidelines of the Partnership with Africa Forum held here, that the move was part of efforts to enhance the participation of Africa in the bank’s decision making processes.

The Executive Board, which is one of the highest decision making organs in the bank, currently has 24 executive directors of which five are appointed by the members who constitute the five largest shareholders of the bank, being the United States, Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The 19 remaining Executive Directors are elected by the Bank's other member countries.
The Executive Directors select the President who serves as Chairman of the Boards. The Executive Directors approve the President's contract, and also reserves the authority to remove the President
The Executive Directors operate in continuous session and decides on investments, loans, credits and grants advanced by the bank and its institutions, as well as decide on policies that impact the World Bank Group’s general operations.

Mr Ehui, also told the group of journalists, led by Astrid Kohl, the Head of the IIJ, that
the World Bank Group has proposed a new lending facility of $3 billion dollars) for Nigeria between 2009 and 2011, under its International Development Assistance (IDA), to address infrastructural gap in the country.

Nigeria, which has bank’s largest portfolio in Africa totaling over $2.5 billion granted for projects ranging from agriculture, health, communications, roads, power and water, he explained, was eligible to receive the $3 billion to support development projects and eradicate poverty.

“The loan has been offered to Nigeria because of the massive improvement in the economy,” he said.

The World Bank’s offer came after a recent of the disclosure by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, Remi Babalola, that the country required about $100 billion (about N11.70 trillion) to address critical infrastructural problems, including power.

Ms Kohl, in her remarks commended the bank for its effort in addressing and reducing poverty worldwide.

ECOWAS to partner INWENT

Edmund Mingle, back from Abuja
Novermber 17, 2008

The Commission of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has pledged to collaborate with InWEnt, the German capacity building organization for enhance training of African media practitioners towards the development of the region.

The Commission is particularly interested in partnering the International Institute of Journalism, InWEnt’s wing for journalism training, to create a platform for journalists to contribute meaningfully to West Africa’s regional integration drive and democratic development.

“We cannot do proper integration without the media, Dr. Andrienne Diop, ECOWAS’ Commissioner for Gender and Human Development, said at meeting with a group of IIJ officials and alumni at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the African partnership forum, an initiative of the German President, Horst Kohler to create a platform for dialogue between Africa and Europe towards removing barriers to partnership.

She commended the IJJ for its initiative in supporting the capacity building of African media practitioners, and promised the Commission’s contribution in that regard, especially training more journalists in political, economic and regional integration reporting.

“The media is our fundamental partner,” she said.

Astrid Kohl, Head of the IIJ who led the delegation to the Commission explained that the Institute has been offering advanced training on various sectors for print and electronic journalists from developing and transitional countries since 1964, and in recent times, special courses for online journalism.

“The courses aim at strengthening the professional skills of the journalists and offer a platform to exchange experiences and ideas,” she said.

About 5,000 journalists have participated in courses conducted by the IIJ, either in Germany or abroad.

Ghana will in early next year host the IIJ’s course on Reporting on ECOWAS.

Veep criticize West over weapons in conflict zones

From Edmund Mingle, Abuja

The Vice President Alhaji Alui Mahama has questioned the commitment of Europe addressing armed conflicts in Africa, saying the flow of weapons from developed countries to conflict zones in Africa is an indictment on Europe’s commitment.

“One question to which an answer has no been found is the sources of sophisticated weapons, which are mostly not manufactured in Africa, that are used by actors in conflicts especially rebels,” he said.

Sharing his thoughts on the issues of democracy and conflict prevention at the fourth Partnership with Africa forum, an initiative by the German President for all stakeholders to dialogue to remove barriers to partnership, Alhaji Mahama, said the source weapons needs critical consideration.

He said the issue of c was conflict management was crucial because there could be no meaningful partnership between Europe and Africa without peace.

For instance, he said the collaboration between African countries and development partners to find lasting solution to conflicts in places like the Darfur region of Sudan, Somalia and DR Congo, would be unproductive if issues such as the provision arms to actors in those areas were not addressed.

“This is an issue that Africa and European partners need to intensely deliberate and seek solutions in order to enhance the socio-economic development of Africa,” he said.

Without such measures, he said democracy and good governance which are vital in creating a platform for bilateral cooperation with other countries would continue to elude some African countries.

“Democracy is a process. We therefore call for the continuous understanding and support of our European partners on Africa’s path to democracy,” he said.

The forum, which discussed ways of making the partnership between Africa and Germany, and Europe in general more productive, had the theme, “Barriers to partnership- how to overcome them.”

It was attended by Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, German President, Horst Kohler, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Prime Minister, along with Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, President of the ECOWAS Commission and 50 selected prominent personalities in politics, business, industry and civil society from across Africa and Europe.

Bethuel Kiplagat, Chairman of the African Peer Review Mechanism, in his remarks to open the discussions, cited rigid conditionalities attached to donor support and racial prejudices as some of the impediment to quality cooperation and partnership Africa and Europe.
For instance, he wondered why Africa was referred to as “third world” when there was no continent called second or first world.

Also, he said it was ironical that the West would want poorer countries to cancel subsidies to the agricultural sector before enjoying loan facilities, which the developed countries themselves heavily subsidise their agricultural production.

“True partnership requires all partners to be equal and deal with issues in mutual respect,” he said.

African Finance Ministers to brainstorm on financial crisis

From Edmund Mingle, Abuja.
November 12, 2008
African Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors are to in Tunisia on November 12, to seriously discuss the potential impacts of the global financial crisis and on African economies.
The finance minister and governors are expected to brainstorm and come up with adequate strategies to enable the economies of African countries to withstand the shock as a result of the financial crisis in Europe.
The meeting called at the instance of the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Union Commission and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, comes in the wake of uncertainty regarding the possible impact of the crisis.
Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, President of the ECOWAS Commission, told the Times here that “the meeting is crucial.”
Talking to the Times after raising the issue at the Partnership with Africa Forum here behind closed doors, Dr. Chambas said he was leading a team of economist experts from ECOWAS to the meeting.
He said it was the conviction of the Commission that it was critical that appropriate measures were developed to protect our economies from the effects.
Sources at the forum, which was attended by the Nigerian President, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, German President, Horst Hohler, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Prime Minister, and 50 selected prominent personalities in politics, business, industry and civil society from across Africa and Europe, that Dr. Chambas spoke frankly about the possible effects of the financial crisis on Africa.

Professor Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi, Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development, who was a moderator for the forum, which was meant to frankly discuss how to remove barriers to partnership between Africa and Germany, said Dr. Chambas called for practical commitment and framework to deal with the effects crisis.

Economists remain divided over the likely impact of the financial crisis on African economies.

While the some believe it could result in a cut down on donor inflows which would adversely affect development projects in Africa, others believe the financial industry would not be affected because there is an insignificant link between the financial markets in Europe and Africa.
But Dr. Chambas, according to Prof. Gyimah-Boadi, wants the continent to have ready measures to deal with any eventuality and whatever the effects may be.
The forum, initiated by the German President four years ago to create a platform for dialogue among African and German leaders and stakeholders to discuss ways of making the partnership between Africa and Germany more productive, had the theme, “Barriers to partnership- how to overcome them.”

German President advocates new world order

From Edmund Mingle, Abuja
Monday, November , 10 2008

The German President, Horst Kohler has strongly advocated a new regulatory framework for the global economy to make the wealth generated more meaningful to the global population.

“It is time for a new regulatory framework for the global economy which makes capital the servant, not the master, and it which combating poverty and climate change is defined as a strategic task for each and every on of us,” he said.

Speaking in the context of the global financial crisis at the opening of the fourth Partnership with Africa Forum in Abuja on Friday, urged the G20 summit scheduled to take place in Washington on November 15, to consider putting in place measures to make the economy of the developed world more open and beneficial to Africa.

The Group of 20 most powerful countries in the global economy, is expected to meet to assess the financial crisis and agree on a common set of principles for reform of the regulatory and institutional regimes for the world's financial sectors.
According to President Kohler, the financial crisis has shown that even the most powerful economic were vulnerable to shocks, and therefore, it should afford the developed countries to learn and rethink their economies.

“We can lay milestones for a new, cooperative world order,” he said, adding that their future actions should be coordinated and sustained.

He was of the view out of the lessons from the crisis, the developed countries do well to derive greater modesty from it and cooperate more with poorer countries.

“Egoism today means caring about others too,” he said.

He told the delegates at the forum which created a platform for frank and open discussion on how to remove barriers hindering quality partnership between Africa and Germany and Europe in general, he said there was need for a new world order in a spirit of cooperation.

Such a new world order, he said could ensure that there were unconditional multilateral trade systems, serious commitment to tackle conflicts and climate change, as well as comprehensive plans to support poorer countries.

The forum, initiated by the German President four years ago to create a platform for dialogue among African and German leaders and stakeholders to discuss ways of making the partnership between Africa and Germany more productive, had the theme, “Barriers to partnership- how to overcome them.”

Hosted by Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and the German President, the forum was Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama of Ghana, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Prime Minister, along with Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, President of the ECOWAS Commission and 50 selected prominent personalities in politics, business, industry and civil society from across Africa and Europe.

Opening the forum, the Nigerian President lauded the objectives of the forum and asked all stakeholders to view the partnership between the two continents with “new hope, mutual trust and respect.”

That, he said would engender a formidable platform for genuine partnership and cooperation.

Be fair to all--Jugdes told

By Edmund Mingle
October 5, 2008

The 51st Legal Year opened last Saturday with a call on the Judiciary to be fair and give justice to all.

“Use your power of justice with wisdom and vision, and let your justice be a region of morality and peace,” the Most Reverend John Sentamu, Archbishop of York told members of the Judiciary at a special church service in Accra on Saturday to open the legal year.

The service, which had the theme, “Access to justice: consolidating judicial accountability and integrity,” was attended by the members of the Bench and Bar, the Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, government officials and justices from South Africa.

Most Rev. Setanu, preaching the sermon, reminded the judiciary of the need to ensure high level of morality and equity in their dealings with society saying, “no one is neither above nor below the law.”

He said how they conducted themselves in the administration of justice largely depended in the values they believed in, and asked them to uphold the values of faith, trust, liberty, justice and allegiance to country.

“We reject these values at our own peril,” said Most Rev. Setanu, a former Justice of Uganda.

He reminded the judiciary of the need to an influence on society with the tenets of justice, and asked them to consider using the power entrusted to them for socio-economic development.

He prayed to God to grant the Judiciary the ability to perform its best at all times and prayed for a successful legal year.

As part of the service, officiated by Most Rev. Justice Ofei Akrofi, Primate and Anglican Archbishop of West Africa, prayers were offered for the nation, the President, the Chief Justice, the judiciary, and the Bar Association for God’s guidance through the legal year.

In her goodwill message, the Chief Justice Her Ladyship Justice Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood gave the assurance that the judiciary would deepen the country’s democratic values “through the pursuit of accountability and integrity enhancing initiatives.”

As the nation prepares for the December election, she recognized that “it has become increasingly clear that a truly impartial, independent and effective judiciary is a a sine qua non to national peace and stability.”

“In this 51st legal year, May God continue to grant us divine favour and endow us with knowledge, insight and understanding in our work, and may he keep us in peace and safety,” the Chief Justice prayed.

Hail the new President

By Edmund Mingle & Stephen K. Effah
January 5, 2009

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission on Saturday declared Professor John Evans Atta Mills, flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, as winner of the December 28 presidential run-off, sparking off wild jubilation by NDC supporters across the country.

“On the basis of the official results given, it is my duty to declare Professor John Evans Atta Mills the President-elect of the Republic of Ghana,” Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, declared at exactly 11:12a.m at the Commission’s headquarters in Accra.

Prof. Mills bagged 4,521,032 representing 50.23 per cent to beat his only contender, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Ado of the New Patriotic Party who polled 4,480,446 representing 49.77 per cent, in the election which recorded a 72.91 per cent voter turn out.There were 9,094,364 ballots cast out of which 92,886 were rejected.

Prof. Mills, before the conduct of the outstanding election in Tain Constituency on Friday January 2, 2009, had secured 4,501,466 votes representing 50.13 per cent while Nana Akufo-Ado polled 4,478,411 representing 49.87 per cent, from 229 constituencies.

The people in the Tain Constituency could not take part in the December 28 run-off polls due to late arrival of electoral materials, and last Friday was fixed for voting, which the New Patriotic Party boycotted.

The declaration of the results on Saturday, which ended the uncertainties that has characterised the election, was also boycotted by the New Patriotic Party.

Exactly 11:03a.m, Dr. Afari-Gyan, who wore a batik shirt, and looked refreshed, entered the conference room which was filled with local and foreign journalists, election observers and some executives and members of the NDC who had by 9:00am gathered there to await the results.

Before pronouncing the winner, the Chairman commended Prof. Atta Mills and Nana Akufo-Addo, both of whom he described as “able and fine gentlemen,” for conducting themselves “in a manner befitting the high office they were seeking.”

The declaration was greeted with a loud applause and shouts of “Hei!” by the NDC executives and members who had gathered in the conference room.

Police barriers were mounted on all roads leading to the Commission’s premises, which was guarded by heavily armed military and police personnel.

The run-off became necessary when none of the eight contestants in the December 7, polls was unable to secure the 50 plus one per cent votes as required by the Constitution.

The drama and fun at the filing of nomination

By Edmund Mingle
Octobr 18,2008

Eight people are set to be on the presidential ballot for the 2008 elections after the EC officially declared them candidates.

At close of filing of nominations yesterday, Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Prof. Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Convention People’s Party(CPP), Dr. Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Emmanuel Ansah Antwi of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Thomas Ward Brew of the Democratic People’s Party, (DPP), Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD), Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, an independent candidate, were those who had successfully filed their papers to contest.

There other presidential aspirants, consisting of Dan Lartey of the Great Consolidated People’s Party, Prophet Daniel Nkansah of the New Vision Party and Warrant Officer (rtd) Richard Nixon Tetteh, a independent aspirant, were disqualified by the Electoral Commissioner amidst drama.

The filing process yesterday, although without tension as witnessed the previous day when the big parties filed, was characterized by lot of drama, as the unseriousness exhibited by the three disqualified aspirants created a lot of laughter.

For instance, although Dan Lartey arrived at 3:30pm, he said he would be the last to present his forms, and therefore allowed other like Ward Brew, Kwabena Adjei and WO1 Tetteh to go before him.

And when he finally appeared before the Commissioners at 5:15pm, 15minutes after the deadline he pleaded the EC Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Djan to give him an hour so that his General Secretary who was locked up in traffic, to get to premises with the forms.

The Chairman agreed and gave him a 30minutes grace period, but when the General Secretary arrived with the forms, the Commissioners detected that they were so many anomalies, with some of forms not endorsed by his supporters from the various constituencies.
He had no tax clearance certificate and pictures as well.

“I am sorry uncle, we can’t endorse you as presidential candidate,” Dr. Afari-Djan told him as he returned the forms to him.

Similarly, Prophet Nkansah, who arrived at the premises with an Imam as his running mate, and surrounded by body guards, presented only half of the forms which were also not fully completed.

Prophet Nkansah, who looked confused when the Chairman asked of the where about of the other forms.

He took the forms from the Chairman and dashed out of the room, and did not return until nominations closed.

HOW THE PARTIES STAND

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 22 October 2008

Excitement and tension characterised yesterday’s balloting for positions on the presidential ballot paper for the December elections, as all the seven participating parties claimed that their position on the ballot paper symbolised victory for them on December 7.
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) which found itself at the first spot on the ballot paper, said this represented victory in December.
The People’s National Convention (PNC) is placed second after the NPP, a position the party described as symbolising victory since it conforms with its “Two sure, Two direct!” slogan.
The largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), picked the third position, which its officials described as a divine number linked to the “Trinity.”
The fourth spot went to the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), a breakaway group from the NDC, while the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) picked the fifth spot.
The Convention People’s Party (CPP) is sixth, while the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD) picked the seventh place.
Independent candidate, Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, who was not required to take part in the ballot, has the last spot reserved for him by virtue of the electoral rule that independent candidates come after the parties.
This means that the party symbols and pictures of the flag-bearers will be arranged in the order of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP), Dr. Edward Mahama(PNC), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills (NDC), Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi (DFP), Thomas Ward-Brew (DPP), Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, (CPP), Kwabena Adjei (RPD) and Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah (Independent).
Soon after the balloting, which was supervised by Sarfo Kantanka, the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, some of the parties started coining slogans reflecting their positions on the ballot paper.
There was excitement in the EC’s Conference Room as high-ranking executives of the parties gathered for the balloting around 10am.
They laughed and shared jokes, with particularly the NPP and NDC light-heartedly talking about election rigging.
The NDC protested against the use of a transparent box from which the folded papers would be picked, but Mr. Kankanta explained that the box would be held high enough to prevent the representatives from looking into it.
But tension set in as the rules for the exercise were announced by the EC’s Director of Elections, Kofi Arhin.
By the rules, a first balloting was done to determine the order in which the second balloting to choose the positions would be done.
The picking for the first ballot was done according to the order in which the parties filed their presidential nominations on October 16 and 17.
According to the result of the first ballot, Francis Kyei, General Secretary of the RPD, picked first at the second balloting, followed by CPP Treasurer, Mike Eghan and the NDC Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, who picked number three in the first ballot and the same number in the second ballot.
Jake Obestebi Lamptey, Director of the Akufo-Addo campaign, picked for the NPP. He picked fourth and first positions in the two events respectively, while John Amekah, General Secretary of the DFP, picked numbers five and four respectively for his party.
Alhaji Ramadan, chairman and Emmanuel Wilson, National Youth Organiser of the PNC, picked in the first and second balloting for the party, while Ward-Brew picked the last for the DPP.
Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey described his choice of the top slot for his flag-bearer as the doing of God. “This is purely divine,” he told the Times, “an indication that the NPP would be first in the election results”.
Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National Organiser of NDC reacted with a shout: “This is the Trinity — God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,” showing up three fingers on his right hand.
He said, “NDC believes in God, and the fact that the party picked the number three twice in the two balloting, and the fact that Prof. Mills is contesting for the third time, means God is giving victory to the party.”
Ladi Nylander, chairman of the CPP, told newsmen that although the party does not believe that the position on the ballot would determine how people would vote, the party would continue to market itself, including using its sixth position to get the electorate to identify with the party.
However, party followers said its choice reflcts the attainment of independence — March 6.
As the party executives and members left the conference room to work their placement on the ballot paper into their campaign strategies, some of their followers were heard shouting, “Esoro ho,” “Two sure, Two direct,” “Number three” and “The trinity”, ‘March 6’, among other slogans.

Balloting Today

By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 21 October 2008

SEVEN of the eight presidential candidates contesting the presidency in the December 7 polls will today ballot for positions on the presidential ballot paper.
The eighth candidate, Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, who is an independent contestant, according to the EC, will not be balloting as he will automatically be on the ballot by virtue of the fact that independent candidates come after candidates contesting on party tickets.
Today’s balloting will determine the positions of the party symbols and pictures of the flagbearers, namely Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party, Prof. Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Convention People’s Party, Dr. Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention, Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi of the Democratic Freedom Party, Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats, and Thomas Ward-Brew of the Democratic People’s Party.
The contesting parties are likely to use their positions on the ballot paper for campaign slogans as had been in the past with the adoption of “Esoro ho” and “Asee ho” catchphrases.
The positions on the ballot are also crucial to the parties as they believe it enhances their identification by the electorate, especially the non-literates.
It is not clear how the independent candidate would use the “Asee ho” position to his advantage, but campaign managers of the candidate told the Times that the opportunity would be adequately and effectively utilised.
With the “Asee ho” spot gone, the big parties would be praying and hoping to grab the topmost spot so as to use the “Esoro ho” advantage.

EC GIVES CONDITIONS

By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 21 October 2008

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, yesterday prescribed what he termed as the only method of achieving successful election in December – commitment of all stakeholders to fair play.
He told the first-ever meeting between the Electoral Commissioners and presidential candidates of the various political parties in Accra, that although the EC was committed to doing its part for credible elections, the success of the general elections would largely depend on the actions and inactions of all stakeholders in the electoral process.
“The success of the elections would depend on the nature of campaign by the presidential candidates; whether they will see each other as aspirants to the highest office of the land and be civil in their language, and whether they will appoint responsible agents who would shun violence or not,” he said.
He was speaking at the meeting attended by all but two of the flag-bearers, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress and Dr Edward Mahama of the People’s National Congress.
Both were reportedly out of Accra on the campaign trail.
It would also depend on whether the police will act neutral and fair to all parties, whether the government will not abuse incumbency, whether the media will give fair and equal access to all parties, whether people will cast only one ballot, whether people will not be prevented from casting their ballot, and whether the courts will deal with electoral cases in a timely manner.’’
The dialogue with the flag-bearers, a project facilitated by KAB Governance Consult and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), also aimed at providing authentic information on the right s and responsibilities of candidates and their agents.
It was closed to the media after the opening ceremony, a decision which according to the organisers, was to create a platform for the EC to update the flag-bearers and their parties of preparations towards the elections.
It was also to discuss concerns of the parties regarding developments in the electoral process and iron out differences on issues of alleged bloating of the voters register and the provision of the final register to the parties.
Dr. Afari-Gyan asked all the stakeholders, particularly the political parties, to be alive to their responsibilities, and promised that “we will be transparent in preparations and apply the law uniformly without fear or favour.”
He explained that the meeting was not replacing the Inter-Party Advisory Committee, a platform through which electoral issues are discussed by the EC and the parties.
In attendance were Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP flag-bearer and his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, flag-bearer of the CPP and his running mate, Dr. Abu Sakara, and Ms Petra Amegashie, vice presidential candidate of the PNC.
Others were Thomas Ward-Brew, flag-bearer of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Emmanuel Ansah Antwi, flag-bearer of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Kwabena Adjei, flag-bearer of the Reformed Patriotic Democrat (RPD) and Amoafo-Yeboah, an Independent candidate.
It had the theme, ‘Safeguarding the integrity of the ballot.’
The NDC was represented by its chairman and General Secretary, Dr Kwabena Adjei and Johnson Asiedu Nketia respectively.

IEA Launches Strategy Paper

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 22 October 2008

The first Democracy Consolidation Strategy Paper (DCSP) put together by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana, with the aim of significantly enhancing the country’s constitutional rule, has been launched in Accra.
The DCSP proposes practical reforms in by examining the constitution, political parties and the electoral system, decentralisation process, anti-corruption and human rights protection.
In addition, the DCSP which was prepared by a team of consultants commissioned by the IEA in October 2006, proposes reforms in the legislative framework to make Parliament more effective, the justice system, media independence and civil society’s participation in public policy formulation, implementation and monitoring.
The highlights of the document include the setting-up of an All-party Constitutional Review Committee to prepare towards holding a Constitutional Review Conference to consider discussions for proposed amendment of portions of the 1992 Constitution.
It also recommends the setting-up of a Ghana Centre for Multi-Party Democracy, comprising members of the political parties, the executive, legislature, judiciary, independent institutions, governance institutions and the media.
Rev. Dr. Mensa Otabil, Chancellor of the Central University College, launching the strategy document which analyses the shortcomings of Ghana’s democratic practice since the inception of the 1992 Constitution and offers suggestions for practical reforms, called for decency in the electoral system and asked politicians to respect each other.
He said decency was critical to the strengthening of a viable political and democratic culture in the country, adding that all stakeholders have a role to play in democratic governance.
He commended the various parties for their contributions to the creation of the document, saying it was a positive signal that politicians could collaborate productively.
Dr Charles Mensa, President of the IEA, urged the political parties to commit themselves to the recommendations in the document so as to effectively facilitate their implementation.
He said the document is critical to Ghana’s democratic development, since it can serve as a road map to entrench constitutional rule in the country.
For his part, Roel Von Meijenfedlt, Executive Director of the Netherlands Institute of Multi-party Democracy, partners of the IEA, lauded Ghana’s democratic process, and commended all stakeholders, particularly politicians for resorting to dialogue in addressing issues.

Rawlings And NDC Set Conditions For Peace

By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Former President Jerry John Rawlings, yesterday said the peace in the country can be sustained only if Ghanaians move into the electoral process with the aim of protecting the integrity of the electoral system.
“I believe Ghanaians would only accept the outcome of the elections if they believe that the system was fair and not skewed against their wishes,” he said.
The former President made this observation when members of the National Peace Council, led by Peter Cardinal Appiah-Turkson, Catholic Archbishop of Cape Coast called on him at his residence in Accra to confer with him and to share ideas on issues that needed to be addressed to ensure peace during and after the December general election.
The meeting, the first ever by such a national body tasked to facilitate peace in the country, gave the chance to the former President and some leading members of the National Democratic Congress, to share some of their concerns about issues they considered as threats to the peace and the electoral process.
According to former President Rawlings, stakeholders have taken the upcoming election for granted, partly because Ghanaians have gone to the polls several times, but that should not be so, adding: “A national election is something you don’t toy with”.
He lauded the Council for its initiative, but wished it had taken place much earlier since, according to him, “there is so much injustice in the country.”
He said there has been a deliberate attempt by the government to peddle untruths about the NDC, and to give a one-sided view about the real economic situation in the country to the public.
“This does not augur well for peace and stability,” he said.
He commended the Council for its efforts towards peace and asked the members to remain objective and confront the government on the issues raised at the meeting, for them to be properly addressed to ensure justice.
Justice, he said, was crucial in the democratic process, “because there can be no peace without justice.”
Cardinal Appiah Turkson, in explaining the reason for the visit, said the council deemed it important to find out the concerns of the former President whom he described as an “Elder Statesman” on ways of sustaining the peace in the country.
All the leading members of the NDC present at the meeting took turns to share their thoughts with the Council.
They raised several issues including alleged use of the security agencies to harass members of the NDC, unilateral decisions by the Electoral Commission, abuse of incumbency by the NPP, biased media coverage, drug trafficking and alleged manipulation of the Judiciary against the NDC, all of which, they said amounted to injustice and a threat to peace.
Victor Gbeho, former Member of Parliament for Anlo, said development in the Volta Region regarding the relationship between the police and the NDC, brings to question, the neutrality of the police.”
Brigadier-General Nunoo Mensah, a former Chief of Defence Staff, said a recent meeting he and some former security chiefs held with the former President was misconstrued to be a meeting to plot a coup, and a subsequent placing of a ban on them from all military installations, saying it was a clear case of injustice.
He said such injustices should be eradicated from society before there can be any meaningful dialogue about peace.
At his turn, Rear Admiral Owusu-Ansah, described the ban on him and others from all military and police establishments as illegal and injustice to them.
Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the former first Lady, questioned why the religious bodies had kept quiet over what she termed, blatant abuse of human rights and injustices in the society.
Betty Mould-Iddrissu, a leading member of the NDC urged the Council to mainstream gender issues in its peace campaign since women have a critical role in peace building.

IEA launches democratic strategy

By Edmund Mingle
October 12, 2008

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana will today launch a Democracy Consolidation Strategy Paper (DCSP) that aims at significantly enhancing the country’s constitutional democracy.
The strategy document analysis the shortcomings of Ghana’s democratic practice since the inception of the 1992 Constitution and offers suggestions for practical reforms.

It proposes practical reforms in by examining the constitution, political parties and the electoral system, decentralization process, anti-corruption and human rights protection.

In addition, the DCSP which was prepared by a team of consultants commissioned by the IEA in October 2006, proposes reforms in the legislative framework to make Parliament more effective, the justice system, media independence and civil society’s participation in public policy formulation, implementation and monitoring.
The highlights of the document include the setting-up of an All-party Constitutional Review Committee to prepare towards holding a Constitutional Review Conference to consider discussions for proposed amendment of portions of the 1992 Constitution.
Kwamena Ahwoi, a member of the IEA consulting group, briefing the media about the document on Monday, explained that the Review Committee would also collate proposals for amendments under the entrenched and non-entrenched provisions in conformity with the Constitutional procedure for amendment, Ghana Consultants, told newsmen in Accra.
He said they also recommended the setting-up of a Ghana Centre for Multi-Party Democracy, comprising members of the political parties, the executive, legislature, judiciary, independent institutions, governance institutions and the media.
Mr Ahwoi, a Former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, who led the consulting team including, Dr William Ahadzi, a Political Science Lecturer and Professor Yaw Twumasi, Former Political Science Lecturer, said they recommended that the Judiciary to initiated the necessary steps for transforming its operations.
They also recommended the establishment of Ghana Women Conference and Ghana Youth Conference to draw national policy on women and the youth, he said.

Rawlings And NDC Set Conditions For Peace

By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Former President Jerry John Rawlings, yesterday said the peace in the country can be sustained only if Ghanaians move into the electoral process with the aim of protecting the integrity of the electoral system.
“I believe Ghanaians would only accept the outcome of the elections if they believe that the system was fair and not skewed against their wishes,” he said.
The former President made this observation when members of the National Peace Council, led by Peter Cardinal Appiah-Turkson, Catholic Archbishop of Cape Coast called on him at his residence in Accra to confer with him and to share ideas on issues that needed to be addressed to ensure peace during and after the December general election.
The meeting, the first ever by such a national body tasked to facilitate peace in the country, gave the chance to the former President and some leading members of the National Democratic Congress, to share some of their concerns about issues they considered as threats to the peace and the electoral process.
According to former President Rawlings, stakeholders have taken the upcoming election for granted, partly because Ghanaians have gone to the polls several times, but that should not be so, adding: “A national election is something you don’t toy with”.
He lauded the Council for its initiative, but wished it had taken place much earlier since, according to him, “there is so much injustice in the country.”
He said there has been a deliberate attempt by the government to peddle untruths about the NDC, and to give a one-sided view about the real economic situation in the country to the public.
“This does not augur well for peace and stability,” he said.
He commended the Council for its efforts towards peace and asked the members to remain objective and confront the government on the issues raised at the meeting, for them to be properly addressed to ensure justice.
Justice, he said, was crucial in the democratic process, “because there can be no peace without justice.”
Cardinal Appiah Turkson, in explaining the reason for the visit, said the council deemed it important to find out the concerns of the former President whom he described as an “Elder Statesman” on ways of sustaining the peace in the country.
All the leading members of the NDC present at the meeting took turns to share their thoughts with the Council.
They raised several issues including alleged use of the security agencies to harass members of the NDC, unilateral decisions by the Electoral Commission, abuse of incumbency by the NPP, biased media coverage, drug trafficking and alleged manipulation of the Judiciary against the NDC, all of which, they said amounted to injustice and a threat to peace.
Victor Gbeho, former Member of Parliament for Anlo, said development in the Volta Region regarding the relationship between the police and the NDC, brings to question, the neutrality of the police.”
Brigadier-General Nunoo Mensah, a former Chief of Defence Staff, said a recent meeting he and some former security chiefs held with the former President was misconstrued to be a meeting to plot a coup, and a subsequent placing of a ban on them from all military installations, saying it was a clear case of injustice.
He said such injustices should be eradicated from society before there can be any meaningful dialogue about peace.
At his turn, Rear Admiral Owusu-Ansah, described the ban on him and others from all military and police establishments as illegal and injustice to them.
Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the former first Lady, questioned why the religious bodies had kept quiet over what she termed, blatant abuse of human rights and injustices in the society.
Betty Mould-Iddrissu, a leading member of the NDC urged the Council to mainstream gender issues in its peace campaign since women have a critical role in peace building.

EC Makes Voting Easy For The Blind

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 26 November 2008

The Electoral Commission is producing 22,000 tactile ballot folders to enable visually impaired people to vote on December 7, without problems.
The tactile papers would enable blind people to easily identify the political parties and candidates on the ballot paper during voting.
It is an improvement on the tactile folders provided for the 2004 election, and is expected to avoid the situation where others have to guide blind voters to identify the candidates on the ballot paper.
Mrs. Stella Abrokwa-Ankoh, Gender and Disability Desk Officer at the EC, told the Times during a sensitisation programme on the use of the tactile folders for members of the Ghana Association of the Blind (GAB) in Accra on Monday, that the provision of the tactile papers would give the blind the opportunity to exercise their franchise without constraints.
“This is to ensure independent and secret voting for the blind,” she said.
There is an estimated 400,000 visually impaired Ghanaians out of which about 6,000 are members of the GAB.
At the time of going to press, the Times was unable to secure statistics on the number of eligible voters.

Nduom Goes Salsa

By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 02 December 2008

DR Paa Kwesi Nduom, presidential candidate of the convention People’s Party (CPP), last Wednesday evening.danced salsa with salsa lovers at the Coconot Grove Regency Hotel in Accra.
Dr. Nduom who thrilled the crowd of salsa lovers with his dancing skills, joined the dancers at his hotel for two reasons.
It offered him a chance to cool down after a campaign trip to Ho in the Volta Region, and also to lobby for the suggest of hundreds of youths gathered to enjoy the salsa dance, a South American dance that is gaining popularity in the country.
Dr. Nduom commended the youth for patronizing the dance which is a good form of exercising, and called for their support to win.

Nduom: I am Out

By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 09 December 2008

DR Paa Kwesi Nduom, presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) who was tipped by many to cause an upset in the general election, conceded an early defeat following poor showing by his party.
He threw in the towel at about 11:30am yesterday when only 30 per cent of the results were out.
“I accept the results of the election and encourage others to do same,” he said, adding that Ghana is more important than the CPP or any other party.
Dr. Nduom who was generally seen as the “kingmaker” depending on which of the two leading parties he would support should the presidential election run into a second round, commended the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC), the biggest opposition party, for getting most of the votes.
“The people of Ghana have spoken loud and clear. They have made it clear that they want a change,” he said, and urged the NPP and NDC to respect the confidence the people have in them to lead the nation.
He also congratulated the other contesting parties and the only independent candidate. The other small parties and the Independent candidate Kwesi Amoafo Yeboah, garnered more votes in many areas than the CPP which was expected to be a third political force.
The only significant achievement by the party was the Jomoro constituency where Samia Nkrumah, daughter of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, toppled the incumbent NDC MP, Lee Ocran.
But Dr. Nduom defended the performance of the party, saying “what everybody needs to understand is that we have done well.”
A year ago, he said, not too many took the CPP serious, but with a great message and a purposeful campaign, Ghanaians have acknowledged that the party has a lot to offer.Dr. Nduom said the party was constrained by inadequate resources which affected its campaign.
As a move to keep the party in shape, he recommended to the party executive to convene a National Congress to strategise for the way forward and to especially retain the numerous members they have managed to win, adding, “we now need to build a greater “sense of purpose and unity in the party. “
In addition, he said the CPP will form a “shadow administration” in January to vigorously pursue its political agenda.”
He thanked the campaign team, the CPP parliamentary candidates, his family and all those who helped to re-energise, for the party for the support.
He did not indicate which of the two leading parties he would support should the race enter a run-off.
“There is a lot ahead of me, “I am determined to work to build the CPP,” he said.

Round 2: December 28

By Drew Hinshaw & Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 11 December 2008

The Electoral Commission, at its headquarters in Accra, yesterday afternoon publicly confirmed what the provisional results had suggested for days, when it unfurled its certified count, guaranteeing that the marathon race for Ghana’s president will march onwards into a run-off election.
Other than two top-winning parties, not one got two percent, yet the margin between the NPP and the NDC came in so slim that, constitutionally, the EC is mandated to organize a second, definitive run-off election.
Nana Akufo Addo of the New Patriotic Party obtained 49.13% (4,159,439 votes), while Prof. John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress, had 47.92% (4,056,634 votes).
That election will take place on Sunday, December 28, and will feature only the incumbent NPP’s candidate and that of the principal opposition, the NDC.
The Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, announced the results before a jam-packed conference room, filled to standing room only with international and domestic observers, journalists, foreign correspondents, ambassadors, high commissioners, and communication directors from most of the major parties.
Throughout the procedure, he appeared visibly fatigued, as testimony to what he said had been an exhausting vote tabulation process.
At one point, he mistakenly credited the NDC with winning a mere 4,056 votes, before a shocked and gasping audience caused him to realize his mistake.
“You can all see that I’m tired,” he said, to a cheerful retort of laughter.
“It is clear that none of the candidates has won the election, and therefore there will be a run-off,” Dr Afari-Gyan announced.
The Akwatia constituency ballot is yet to be declared because the EC has to establish why some ballots in the constituency were tampered with.
Even though Dr. Afari-Gyan did not explain whether those ballots could make any difference if added to the total, it is believed that they would not have any significance on the results that have been declared.
The decision to re-run the election is clothed in the Constitution under Article 63, sub-sections 3,4, and 5. According to 3, “A person shall not be elected as President of Ghana unless through a presidential election and the number of votes cast in his favour is more than 50 per cent of the total number of valid votes cast at the election.”
He said the results declared were in the context of the constitutional provision which also states that the re-run should be held 21 days after the first election.
This is the second time in the Fourth Republic and the third time in the history of the country that Ghanaians will be going to the polls to elect the next president through a run off.
The first run-off in the history of the country took place on July 9, 1979 between Dr Hilla Limann of the Peoples National Party (PNP) and Victor Owusu of the Popular Front Party (PFP).
The earlier election that paved way for the re-run was also contested by William Ofori-Atta for the United National Convention (UNC), Dr John Bilson of the Third Force Party (TFP), Alhaji Ibrahim Mahama of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), and Col. Frank Bernarko of the Action Congress Party (ACP).
In 2000, the current President, John Agyekum Kufour, won the election for the first time through a run-off when the first poll failed to produce a clear winner.
In the said election, then candidate Kufour polled 3,104,393 votes, representing 48.4% of total valid votes cast, as against the 2,871,051 won by then Vice President and presidential candidate of the National democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. John E.A. Mills.
The other contestants in the first round election were Daniel Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP); Prof. George Hagan of the Convention People’s Party (CPP); Dr Edward N. Mahama of the People’s National Convention (PNC); Dr Charles Wereko Brobby of the United Ghana Movement (UGM) and Goozie Tanoh of the National Reform Party (nNRP).
Ironically, the date for the 2000 run-off (December 28) is the same date that the Electoral Commission has chosen for this year’s run-off.
Dr. Afari-Gyan commended the media “for generally doing a good work” in disseminating election information to the citizenry, but chastised them over two issues that “caused discomfort” to the commission.
He said the media generally did well in sending the results to the electorate in their homes and offices, but others did more harm than good in accusing the EC of delaying in announcing the results of the presidential poll.
He said the demand for the EC to declare the result within 72 hours was unrealistic because the Commission was not bound by any law to do so.
“If any of you can find in any law that compels us to declare the results in 72 hours, bring it to us,” he challenged their critics.
He explained that the Commission only promised to do its best to declare the result within 72 hours, in answer to persistent enquiries from the media as to when the EC was likely to declare the results.
“That promise should not be taken that we are bound to declare the results in 72 hours,” he said.
The other issue that caused discomfort, he said, was allegations that the EC had placed a “black-out” on the parliamentary results.
He denied the allegation and said the release of some of the results had to be delayed to ensure that the results were cross-checked before certification

HANDING OVER PLAN PUT FORWARD

By Edmund Mingle
Saturday, 20 December 2008

A Presidential Transition Bill that seeks to provide a legal framework for an effective transfer of power from one government to another without rancour and mistrust was launched in Accra yesterday.

The Bill, put together by the Institute of Economic Affairs and the four political parties with representation in parliament, ultimately seeks to resolve the problems that have characterized political transitions in the country including the length of the transitional period, end of service benefits for outgoing appointees, privileges of outgoing president and the constitution of a transitional team.

It answers questions like “which officials enter into government and leave with the President?,” How should the handing-over arrangement on January 7, be handled?,” How can it be ensured that the new President’s swearing-in is not unduly delayed by Parliament in case of a delay in electing a speaker?,” “when is the Speaker of Parliament is to be elected?,” and “what are the entitlement of a president and who is responsible for them?”

Although the bill is unlikely to be passed by Parliament before the December 28, run-off, the IEA believes it could serve as a useful guide for arrangement for the impending transition in January.

Launching the Bill, Rev. Dr. Mensa Otabil, General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church reiterated the importance of the bill, saying “we need a law on political transitions in this country to define the dos and don’ts for both outgoing and incoming presidents.”

Peter Mac Manu, National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Alex Segbefia, Campaign Coordinator of the National Democratic Congress, Haruna Mohammed, Policy Analyst of the People’s National Convention and Ivor Greenstreet, General Secretarty of the Convention People’s Party, who represented their parties, endorsed the Bill and urged Parliament to give it its maximum attention because of its relevance to strengthening the country’s democracy.

According to the preface of the bill, there was a need to correct the irregularities that have characterized transitions in Ghana, especially that of 2001 when former president Rawlings of the NDC administration handed over power to President Kufuor.

It recalled the January 1997 when Ghana experience her first political transition under the Fourth Republic Constitution .That transition was not remarkable since it was a transition from the same party’s-NDC to NDC- president Rawlings

Similarly the transition of 2005 was also unremarkable because it was from NPP to NPP’s president Kufuor.

It observed that the transition from the NDC to NPP in January 2001, presented a political and constitutional first in the history of post independence Ghana, and for that reason various problems were encountered during the transition since there was no precedent.
However, because the 2000election went into a run-off, the there was time constraint since the transfer arrangement had to take place within a short period of six days.

As a result, the mistakes left in their wake acrimony, tension and ill-feeling.
“The lesson from that transition in 2001 is that we must prepare for future transitions of that nature on agreeing on a multi-partisan framework and ground rules to guide transitions,” the bill proposed.

Among other provisions, the bill proposes that the outgoing president, within 24hours of the declaration of the results, convenes a transition team with representatives of all parties to prepare arrangement for the hand-over, instead the three days interval as experienced in 2001.

Also, it proposes that to ensure that Parliament gets itself ready for the president-elect’s swearing in, the Clerk of Parliament should within 48hours of the declaration of results of the presidential and parliamentary election, summon a meeting of the elected members of Parliament to elect a Speaker, his deputies and take their oaths as Parliamentarians.

That would be parliament to be prepared in time for the swearing in of the president elect, and to avoid the delays that characterized the swearing in of President Kufuor for his second term in on January 7,2005ere was prolonged debate and voting for a Speaker of the House.
Currently, the outgoing House is dissolved on January 6, for the new House to be formed on January 7, before the swearing in of the President elect.

It also proposes that handing a team be set up at the presidency to take proper inventory of assets to determine which the outgoing president could take away and which ones needed to be handed over.

In addition, it proposed that appointees who cease to be in office upon the assumption of office of a new president, should vacate their premises within three months after the handing over.

Defeated Aspirants Want An All-Inclusive Govt

By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 16 December 2008

The vanquished presidential candidates have resolved to push for an all inclusive government irrespective of which of the two parties for the December 28, run-off wins the presidency.
At a meeting at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel in Accra called at the instance of the flag-bearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, they agreed on a common resolution to be presented to the incoming presidency to ensure an all inclusive government.
That, according to the candidates, was important because of the need for the next government to engage the expertise of all for rapid national development irrespective of their political affiliation.
Those at the meeting were Dr. Nduom, who had the opportunity to serve in the outgoing administration of the NPP, Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD), Thomas Ward-Brew of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, an Independent candidate and Rev. Samuel Ofori Ampofo, flag- bearer of the Ghana National Party (GNP) which did not contest the poll.
Dr. Edward Mahama, flag-bearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC) was absent for unexplained reasons although he was invited.
They did not state what criteria the incoming government should use in engaging brains across the political divide, but they were of the view that the government should, in the interest of the nation feel free to engage others in the governance of the country and to avoid victimisation.
Among other things, they also unanimously resolved to push for state funding of political parties, which they believe would enable the smaller parties to be able to compete with the bigger ones during elections.
They indicated that inadequate financing hindered them to effectively campaign which resulted in their poor performance at the poll.
State funding, they said could address some of the financial difficulties to enable them to perform better.
In addition, they thanked the media for the support but urged the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to do more in giving equal attention and coverage to all parties.
In last Sunday’s presidential poll, the CPP occupied a distant third spot with 108,967 votes representing 1.38 per cent while the PNC was planted on the fourth spot with 64,042 votes, representing 0.81 per cent.
The DFP was fifth with 24,302 votes, representing 0.31 per cent and Mr Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, the Independent candidate, occupied the sixth spot with 17,663 votes representing 0.22 per cent.
The DPP came seventh with 7,670 votes, representing 0.10 per cent and the RPD was last with 6,336 votes, representing 0.08 per cent.

NPP,NDC Kicks Off

By Dave Agbenu and Edmund Mingle
Friday, 12 December 2008

The two frontrunners in the December 28 presidential re-run, the New Patritic Party and the National Democratic Congress have started their campaigning to garner votes in the December 28 run-off.
Shortly after Dr. Kwadwo afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission announced that none of their presidential candidates could obtain the required number of votes to become president of Ghana, representatives of the parties begun sending signals to their supporters across the country on the re-run.
Party songs and jingles were also heard blurring out of campaign vehicles and radio sets.
In addition, party representatives were on hand to assure their supporters that the game is on.
While Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Campaign Chairman of the NPP expressed optimism that the party would win the run-off convincingly, Alex Segbefia, Campaign Coordinator of the NDC, urged the supporters of be steadfast saying, "the journey for change has just begun."
From the results of last Sunday's presidential and parliamentary poll, the NPP's Nana Akufo polled 4,159,439 votes (49.13per cent) while Prof. Mills obtained 4,056,634 votes(47.92per cent), less than 50 plus one percentage needed to quality any of them to be declared president. The NDC however obtained a slim majority in Parliament.
Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey noted that the NPP was convinced of victory because they were ready for the run-off.
That, he said, was stemmed out from the fact that the Party would be modifying its campaign strategy to be able to garner more votes to win the Presidency, although the opposition NDC has a slim majority in Parliament.
Mr. Obetsebi Lamptey, speaking shortly after the declaration of the results of the December 7 poll which did not produce a clear winner for the presidency, the party was would devote all its resources into the campaign for the presidency.
He said although the campaign strategy for the first round was the best, a few modifications would be made to ensure that its maximum benefits were achieved. Meanwhile, Nana Akufo-Addo, NPP's presidential candidate, in his first comments at the beginning of the next round of campaign, was full of praise for Ghanaians for their conduct in the December 7 election. At his residence in Accra, Akufo-Addo told supporters and some media personnel the election was a demonstration of how far Ghana has come with its democracy, adding the Africans can well manage her affairs. He noted that Sunday’s election which resulted in a seemingly balanced parliament could well be chaotic and needed an experience leader and politician to bring all sides on board for purposes of development.
Mr. Segbefia, on the other hand, called on its membership and supporters to rededicate themselves to the cause of the party so as to be able to wrestle power from the New Patriotic Party.
"As we prepare for a run-off we call for a heightening of the fervor and commitment that saw our party achieve what it did in round one," he said in a statement. The party commended its teaming supporters and sympathizers, and Ghanaians in general for the peaceful manner they conducted themselves throughout the election process culminating in the announcement by the EC of the result on Wednesday. The party was particularly grateful for the massive show of support across the country, which it said led to a majority in Parliament and a winning of the Presidential polls in six out of the ten regions. "More significant however is that the NDC did exceptionally well even in areas where it lost with such appreciable votes that go to confirm that the call for change and equity for all is one that is shared by majority of Ghanaians," it noted.
The statement said that based on the results declared by the EC, it was clear that Ghanaians have spoken and have indicated a wish for a change. The party called urged all Ghanaians maintain a high sense of vigilance and peace as "we thread towards the second round voting, and reminded its supporters that there will be trying moments. "The leadership of the NDC calls on all to approach the next round of the process with level-headedness and avoid any acts that will injure the peace," the statement said. It also called on other stakeholders, particularly the media and the security agencies to play their roles responsibly. Prof. Mills, speaking to newsmen earlier at his campaign office in Accra reiterated his pledge to reduce taxes on petroleum products if elected into power in order to assuage the suffering of Ghanaians. He called on the minority parties to join the NDC to unseat the NPP from government.
His statements mark the beginning of three weeks of grueling campaign to herald the December 28 run-off. According to him by results from the first round, the party has the majority seats in parliament and only needed an NDC president to run an efficient government.

Defeated Aspirants Want An All-Inclusive Govt

By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 16 December 2008

The vanquished presidential candidates have resolved to push for an all inclusive government irrespective of which of the two parties for the December 28, run-off wins the presidency.
At a meeting at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel in Accra called at the instance of the flag-bearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, they agreed on a common resolution to be presented to the incoming presidency to ensure an all inclusive government.
That, according to the candidates, was important because of the need for the next government to engage the expertise of all for rapid national development irrespective of their political affiliation.
Those at the meeting were Dr. Nduom, who had the opportunity to serve in the outgoing administration of the NPP, Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD), Thomas Ward-Brew of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, an Independent candidate and Rev. Samuel Ofori Ampofo, flag- bearer of the Ghana National Party (GNP) which did not contest the poll.
Dr. Edward Mahama, flag-bearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC) was absent for unexplained reasons although he was invited.
They did not state what criteria the incoming government should use in engaging brains across the political divide, but they were of the view that the government should, in the interest of the nation feel free to engage others in the governance of the country and to avoid victimisation.
Among other things, they also unanimously resolved to push for state funding of political parties, which they believe would enable the smaller parties to be able to compete with the bigger ones during elections.
They indicated that inadequate financing hindered them to effectively campaign which resulted in their poor performance at the poll.
State funding, they said could address some of the financial difficulties to enable them to perform better.
In addition, they thanked the media for the support but urged the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to do more in giving equal attention and coverage to all parties.
In last Sunday’s presidential poll, the CPP occupied a distant third spot with 108,967 votes representing 1.38 per cent while the PNC was planted on the fourth spot with 64,042 votes, representing 0.81 per cent.
The DFP was fifth with 24,302 votes, representing 0.31 per cent and Mr Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, the Independent candidate, occupied the sixth spot with 17,663 votes representing 0.22 per cent.
The DPP came seventh with 7,670 votes, representing 0.10 per cent and the RPD was last with 6,336 votes, representing 0.08 per cent.

Who Will They Back?

Asks Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 11 December 2008

As the presidential election enters a second round, the question needing an answer is which of the smaller parties would back the two main parties that were left standing after last Sunday’s poll.
Some of the parties, like the CPP, claim they would not support any party, but others are yet to decide.
The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) says it is yet to decide which of the two parties to support in the second round of elections.
The party’s presidential candidate, Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi, told the Times yesterday that the decision as to which direction they would go would have to be taken by the National Executive Committee of the party.
He said the decision whether to back the NDC or NPP would depend on which of the two buys into the DFP’s message of green revolution, technological advancement and rural development.
Mr. Ansah-Antwi said the DFP, which is a breakaway group from the NDC, the largest opposition party, was impressed about its performance at the poll considering the fact that it was only two years old and did not have resources to campaign on a high scale nationally.
“The results show that the DFP is a broad based party because we had votes from across the country,” he said.
Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, the only Independent presidential candidate, says he would not ask his supporters to vote for any particular party in the run-off.
“Ghanaians have the ability to choose which party to vote for as they demonstrated in the first round. It’s important to allow the electorate the free hand to decide for themselves their leader.
Speaking on an Accra-based FM, Mr. Amoafo-Yeboah, who garnered a total of about 11,400 votes, thanked Ghanaians for the support.
“I am ready to serve my country in any capacity,” he said, and urged Ghanaians to accept the results of the poll to ensure peace.
Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), who conceded an early defeat on Monday, says he is not supporting any of the two parties.
He said because of his belief in all inclusive government, he cannot lend his support to any particular party.
He explained that all the parties went into the race based on their ideologies and vision for the country, so no party can support the other.
According to him, declaring his backing for any party would risk his being accused of selling out the CPP the members have struggled to rebuild.
He believes that Ghanaians made their wishes known in the first round and should be allowed to go to the polls again with an independent mind.
Benard Monard, General Secretary of the PNC told the Times that the party would be calling an emergency NEC meeting to decide which way to go.
“It has to be a collective decision,” he said.
For Thomas Ward-Brew of the DPP, the decision is yet to be taken.
He told an Accra-based FM yesterday that he would consult his executives on the matter for a common decision to be taken.
Out of the 8,465,834 total valid vote cast the CPP occupies a distance third spot with 113,494 votes representing 1.34 per cent.
The People’s National Convention’s (PNC) Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama is planted on the fourth spot with 73,494 votes, representing 0.87 per cent.
The DFP is fifth with 27,889 votes, representing 0.33 per cent and Mr Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, Independent Presidential Candidate, occupies the sixth spot with 19,342 votes representing 0.23 per cent.
The DPP occupies the seventh position with 8,653 votes, representing 0.10 per cent and Mr Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats is eighth with 6,889 votes, representing 0.08 per cent.
The total rejected ballots of 205,438 (2.4%), was more that the vote gained by each of the small parties.

Promises Can't Be Implemented -IEA Report

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 26 November 2008

The numerous promises being made by the presidential candidates contesting the December 7 election cannot be realistically implemented in the short term because the national economy is not in the best position.
Funds cannot be found to implement the promises “even with expected modest additional revenues from oil starting from 2010”.
This is contained in the 2007 Annual Economic Review of the Institute of Economic Affairs, Ghana, which reviewed the performance of the economy for the year considered and its outlook.
The presidential candidates have, during their campaigns, made bold promises, including the introduction of free education from the basic to tertiary level, highly subsidised and mechanised agriculture, construction of more road networks, extension of the school feeding programme, free health care among others to be implemented within two to three years.
The politicians have, however, not given out much information about how they intend to finance their promised initiatives.
But the report indicates that it would be difficult for the economy to finance these since the growth indicators are not favourable.
The report noted that “the increasing expectations and demand of public sector workers for higher wages starting from 2009 when the Fair Wages Commission should start implementing new wage levels, the planned district assembly election in 2010, and the population and agricultural censuses to be undertaken by the Ghana Statistical Service in 2010, and extra outlays on government services to cater for population growth are all additional sources significant increases in government expenditure” which would constrain government spending.
According to the report, the increasing domestic and external debt was also a source of worry which could hinder the achievement of a substantial economic growth in the medium term.
It said that the total public debt currently stands at about 7,800million dollars, which is more than the stock of public debts in January 2001 despite the huge external debt cancellation in 2006.
“While the current total public debt is just under 50 per cent of GDP and does not pose imminent financial threat, it is the rapid rate of increase of total public debts over such a short period of time that is of concern,” the report said.
It projected that the general outlook of the economy in the short to medium term is likely to be characterised by increasing levels on inflation, high budget deficits and widening trade and balance of payment deficits.

EC To Mount Electronic Scoreboards

From Edmund Mingle, Koforidua
Monday, 27 October 2008

The Electoral Commission (EC) will mount electronic scoreboards in all the 10 regional capitals to show the presidential and parliamentary results of the December 7 election.
The scoreboards, said to have been donated by a foreign company, would have one mounted at the Independence Square, Accra representing the national scoreboard to show all the results across the country.
Albert Kofi Arhin, the EC’s Director of Elections, who announced this to journalists undergoing training on election reporting here on Saturday, could not immediately provide the details of the donor, but said the company was being represented by a Ghanaian.
He was optimistic that the electronic boards would speed up the process of providing results of the elections to the public.
If successful, it would be the first time the country would have electronic scoreboards for general elections.
The EC has used manual scoreboards, which involve EC personnel climbing ladders to write the results on the large boards, since the 1992, 1996 and 2000 elections in all the regional capitals.
It did not use scoreboards for the 2004 elections, but rather had one mounted at the Ghana International Press Centre where the media disseminated the results.
Mr. Arhin, speaking on preparations towards December 7, gave the assurance that adequate measures have been instituted to ensure transparency and to plug all loop holes that could be used to rig.
For instance, he said the silicon level in the indelible ink has been increased to make it impossible for voters to erase the marks on their thumbs.
In addition, he said those who have registered more than once can only vote once because any attempt to vote twice would be immediately detected at the polling station.
He said also that the declaration forms on which the returning officers issues the results and signed by the party agents, would have carbon copies distributed to the party agents, rather than the previous method of photocopying the declaration form for distribution to the agents.
“To the extent that we are asking all the parties to present reliable polling agents, it will be impossible to rig the elections by any party,” he said.
Charles Addei, Director for Training at the EC, said the Commission is expected to engage more than 110,600 temporary staff to man the polling stations during the December 7 election.
The temporary workers, whose services he considered as crucial in the conduct of the elections, are made of 110,000 polling station staff consisting of one presiding member and assistants for each of the about 22,000 polling stations.
In addition, there would be 5,690 staff for the constituency, consisting 230 Returning officers and two deputies each for each of the 230 constituencies.
He said most of the temporary staff, who have been vetted to ascertain their credibility and neutrality, are being educated about their duties on election day.“Whether the elections day
He said although the EC has scrutinised them after receiving the applications for the job, “we can’t entirely vouch for their credibility and neutrality. We can only hope for their reliability.”

PNC Outdoors Running Mate

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 15 October 2008

Petra Maria Amegashie, the running mate of Dr. Edward Mahama, Presidential aspirant of the People’s National Convention (PNC), yesterday publicly accepted the offer to partner the PNC leader in the 2008 election, but said she is “not playing second fiddle.”
“I have not settled for second place and I am not playing second fiddle,” she said, explaining that she was backing Dr. Mahama’s campaign with full force as she would have done if she had gone independent.
She said, she would use the same courage with which she had declared her intention to vie for the presidency which is characterised by male dominance, to energise the PNC to win political power.
“I and the PNC and for that matter, Dr. Mahama, are joining forces to face the challenge of wresing power,” a confident looking Ms Amegashie said at a news conference at which she was introduced to the media.
Wearing a white cloth with blue flowery designs, Ms. Amegashie said she had fully accepted the offer and was ready to face the challenges ahead. She was fully aware of the political terrain and the fact that it had not been too friendly to women.
Speaking in a low but firm tone, Ms Amegashie described her selection by the PNC as a success for the PNC and Ghana, and pledged her commitment and support to ensure victory for the party.
The nomination of Ms. Amegashie, 49, a Catholic evangelist and businesswoman, as the running mate to Dr. Mahama was endorsed by the party’s National Executive Committee in Accra on Monday, making the PNC the only party so far to have selected a female running mate for the December election.
Though she had earlier picked nomination forms to file as an independent presidential candidate, Dr. Mahama managed to convince her to be his running mate.
Asked what motivated her to go into politics, Ms Amegashie said she was heeding a divine calling to help save Ghanaians from hardship.
She told Dr Mahama: “I represent a voice for women, children, the youth and the disadvantaged in society, and I will be there to support you as Vice President.
“More than anything else, I want to unify our country and to renew the Ghanaian spirit and sense of purpose,” she stated.
She described Dr. Mahama as a selfless individual committed to building a peaceful democracy, saying his vision for Ghana has a major role for women.
“Dr. Mahama offers a new brand of politicking which is issues based and focused on improving the lot of Ghanaians,” she said and added that she accepted the offer because she found her vision in agreement with that of the PNC’s vision as outlined in the party’s manifesto.
“I am bringing a new force of energy into the party,” she said.
In what could be described as comments marking the beginning of her campaign on the ticket of the PNC, she said a PNC government would be committed to the principle that local government was meaningful only when people participated in decision making.She called on all stakeholders in election 2008 to join the PNC to respect the Political Parties Code of Conduct to ensure peaceful campaigning.