A cross-section of the TESCON members at KNUST

The parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Subin Eugene Boakye Antwi has debunked reports that he votes in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ghana during elections.

He said members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) were peddling lies just to cover up the recently exposed flawed voters’ register that has huge number of foreign names, especially Togolese nationals on it.

Speaking at a programme organized by TESCON KNUST in Kumasi, Mr. Antwi disclosed that the last time that he voted in the UK was in 2005 and since that time he had never voted overseas.

He explained that in the UK, Commonwealth nationals, legally residing in the country, are eligible to vote during elections, adding that he did not err in anyway in voting in the UK in 2005.

Mr. Antwi pointed out that Ghana’s constitution stipulates that a person could only vote during elections when he/she is a Ghanaian, attained 18 years voting age and of sound mind.

Ghana’s law is different from that of the UK therefore those who are fabricating wild rumours that he votes in Ghana and the UK at the same time should revise their notes, according to him.

The Subin NPP parliamentary aspirant said Ghana’s constitution does not permit foreigners to cast their ballot in the country, noting that Ghana’s bloated voter register should be replaced immediately.

Mr. Antwi observed that President Mahama wants to retain political power with the bloated voter register in 2016 after realizing that he had failed the country by mismanaging the economy.

“The NDC cannot win any credible elections in the country so they are using dubious means to hang onto political power, but their fiendish plans would not work in 2016,” he stated.

Mr. Antwi was confident Ghana’s bloated voter register would be replaced with a more credible one ahead of the 2016 elections, stressing that nothing could stop the compilation of a new voter register.

He charged the Electoral Commission (EC) to quickly address a petition presented to it with concrete evidence of multiple registrations.

The cost of a civil war far outweighs the cost of a fresh voter register and the NPP would sustain the heat on the EC until the electoral body does the right thing.

David Asante, leader of the Let My Vote Count Alliance, on his part, said civil society, pastors, former presidents and traditional leaders are now backing the idea of the compilation of a fresh voters’ register for Ghana in 2016.

He said no amount of intimidation or violent attacks against members of his group would coerce them to shut their mouths, indicating that his group is made up of bold and patriotic people who would always fight for their rights.

 FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi

Mining the world over, with Ghana inclusive, has often been associated with negativity in spite of its huge contributions to the socio-economic development of countries and their citizens.

This is due to the dire consequences of the activities and operations of some of the mining companies on people and the communities in which they operate, including the destruction of agrarian lands and poisoning through the use of chemicals like cyanide and mercury.

The Ahafo Mine of Newmont Ghana is one such company which has had its own share of criticisms and vilification over some of these acts including the controversial issue of cyanide spillage.

There were times the operations of the company nearly grounded to a halt due to intermittent standoffs with the chiefs and people in its area of operation.

With time, however, Newmont Ghana especially its Ahafo mine has managed to wean itself from this tag as a company whose activities and operations are impacting negatively on the community in which it operates.

Projects

Apart from pursuing a ‘culture of zero harm’ to ensure the safety of its several workers and its 10 host communities including Kenyasi No.1, Kenyasi No.2, Ntotroso, Wamahinso, Gyedu (in the Asutifi North District), Afrisipakrom, Adrobaa, Terchire, Susuanso and Yamfo (in the Tano North District) in the Brong Ahafo Region, the company has invested in infrastructural and human resource development.

For the past seven years, it has managed to win the confidence of the chiefs and people of these areas by undertaking various developmental projects by way of corporate responsibility through what has come to be known and accepted as the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF).

Established in May 2008 through a partnership between Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) and the Ahafo Social Responsibility Forum to support community development programmes near Newmont’s Ahafo mine in Ghana, the Foundation has been able to complete not less than 78 infrastructural projects including a community health nurses’ training school, libraries, classroom blocks, health centres, nurses’ and teachers’ quarters, electricity extension, water facilities and ICT centres.

These projects are funded by Newmont Ghana through a commitment made in 2006 to set aside $1 of every ounce of gold sold and 1% of the Ahafo Mine’s annual net profit to help develop its host communities as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Commitment

Communications Manager at the Ahafo mine, Agbeko Azumah, says “…NADeF accumulated US$23 million as at June 2015 for sustainable development projects in the 10 communities.”

“US$12 million has been invested in community development and US$3.5 million into an endowment fund set aside for development programmes in the communities when mining comes to an end,” he told the paper during a recent visit to the mine by a team of journalists.

In that regard, he said Newmont Ghana in discussions with the Ahafo Social Responsibility Forum agreed to allocate the accumulated funds as follows: infrastructure 23%, human resource 24%, sports  4%, cultural heritage 12%, natural resources 4%, economic empowerment 17% and 16% to social amenities.

Supervision

To ensure the judicious use of funds, the Foundation is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees comprising five community representatives and two Newmont Ghana representatives.

Newmont Ghana appoints the Chairman of the Board in consultation with the Ahafo Social Responsibility Forum, and discussions are ongoing to increase the community representation on the Board.

The Board has Project and Finance and Administrative Sub-Committees and a Secretariat which oversees the day-to-day administration of the foundation whiles each of the 10 communities has a seven-member Sustainable Development Committee that determines, in consultation with the community members and District Assembly, which projects to execute.

New Light

But one project that has caught the attention of many is the decision of the chiefs and people of Ntotroso to use their part of proceeds from the fund to establish a nursing training college to feed the country’s numerous health facilities which are struggling to make up the nurse-patient ratio.

The establishing of such a College of Nursing at Ntotroso to produce professional nurses in that part of the country is what has earned the chief and people widespread commendation.

The school, which is affiliated to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and offers General Nursing, is a three-year diploma awarding institution that started last year with an initial intake of 250 students.

This year the college, which has been duly accredited by the National Accreditation Board, enrolled 300 fresh students; thus bringing the current student population to 550.

It has a staff strength of 37, out of which 15 are teaching staff and the rest are non-teaching and administrative staff.

Facilities

The initial infrastructure for the school—an assembly hall complex, administration complex, hostel facility, classroom block and the principal’s bungalow—was provided by NADeF, with a three-storey lecture hall complex currently under construction. It has facilities such as ICT laboratory, library, six 90-seater classrooms, and offices for tutors, all funded by the Foundation.

In addition, it has also provided a Pick-up vehicle for the school, with the government assisting them with a mini bus whiles the Ntotroso Traditional Council has also made available its mini bus to help address the transportation needs of the school.

Management of the nursing training college has, as its short term goal (2014-2019), the acquisition of the status of a full-blown tertiary institution by running courses in Midwifery and General Anaesthesia.

Commendation

It is these and other social responsibility projects that have earned NADef commendation for the best practices in the mining industry by reputable local, national and international organisations. It has equally earned plaudit  for its contribution to human resource development, having awarded 6,177 scholarships to tertiary and senior high school students in the area as well as apprenticeship training in areas such as tailoring and dressmaking, hairdressing, truck driving, electrical and mechanical skills.

It has also been credited with improving the academic performance of basic level students and organising mock examinations for Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in communities in the Ahafo North District as well as empowering locals economically with micro-credit and business start-up projects for 857 clients.

But the Communications Manager of the Ahafo mine, Agbeko Azumah, insists that “sustainability is a core value of Newmont.”

To that end, he said “we serve as a catalyst for local economic development through transparent and respectful stakeholder engagement and as responsible stewards of the environment.”

By Charles Takyi-Boadu

“Caramba!” (Good Lord), Maria Losa expressed surprised when I told her that I had stopped indulging in party high jinks. She stood up from the table I was sharing with her and another three women and moved to a second table where Lucia Valdez was with other former colleagues. I watched her whispering into Lucia’s ears and the later looked at me with a surprise written all over her face.

Maria pulled Lucia from her chair and they came to me. “Hey Chico (Boy) what did you say?” I repeated what I told Lucia. “Ave Maria (Holy Mary)!” She also exclaimed.

My dear readers, I knew you were wondering what kind of narrative I was dishing out to you. Well, sometime ago, I was invited by my former colleagues with whom I attended school at the Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City. They were celebrating with some old guards of the Nicaraguan Revolution known as the ‘Sandinistas’ and they deemed it appropriate that I should be among them. Indeed, my former colleagues thought I was still the wild African guy who used to frighten them with my queer and baffling voodoo tricks on campus.

“Boys and Girls, the old days are gone and your colleague is now upright with God.” I told my colleagues in Spanish.  All of them laughed except one called Dolores who nodded in agreement to what I said.  Anyway, as the party grooved on the entire group realized that I meant what I said.

As usual, the ladies of our group were in Chiapas dress; these dresses are really unique and extraordinary. They are handmade by women from the town of Chiapas de Corzo. They consist of a wide skirt and a blouse (or dress), very heavily embroidered and decorated with ribbons. The background is black, and the embroidery is colorful and bright. Usually flower patterns are used.

As for us the men, we were wearing the Poncho; it is one of the typical Mexican pieces of clothing that is well-known and loved all around the world. It is a warm outerwear. There are variations of poncho. For example, classical poncho is a simple piece of cloth with a hole for the head; it doesn’t have sleeves. Then we put on the Sombrero (hat); it is a Mexican hat with a wide brim. This hat is made of straw or heavy felt. It protects the body from the sun.

The party which started around four in the afternoon ended at eight in the evening and I was about to get down and into a taxi for my hotel when Dolores approached me and told me to wait for her. She took me to the parking lot to her car.

“I think you are the only person that I want to introduce to a special friend of mine.”  She said as we hit the main highway.  Dolores is a Clinical Psychologist in one of the prestigious hospitals in Mexico City.

I was surprised when we got to the house and met the husband. Indeed, Jose was our senior and he is now a Corporate Lawyer with an international bank in the city.  They told me that their two children were in United States attending university. After chatting for some time, Dolores told the husband why she wanted me in the house.

Dolores went to the phone and made a short call and ten minutes later the door bell rang which she quickly answered.  The husband told me that the person I was meeting was a neighbor.

I blinked twice when Dolores came to the room with a lady in her mid- forties. Indeed, she was looking very beautiful and elegant; she had the Latin American look and I appreciated it.

She sat near Dolores as she was introduced. She smiled a little and despite the scar on her cheek, she still looked very beautiful. I became a little apprehensive when Dolores disclosed that her friend was a former leftist guerrilla fighter.

Juanita (For security reasons I have changed her name), took over and told me how she became a woman fighter. She said she was the only child of her parents in one of the Latin American countries battling a civil war. Her father was an official in the government at that time.

Juanita continued that one night some armed men besieged their house and killed her parents but spared her. At the age of sixteen and not knowing what to do, she was persuaded by a school colleague to join the guerrilla group and became a child soldier.

She said a lot of atrocities were committed on both sides and she regretted joining the group. She even tried to escape and had to face the punishment of torture.

For years, she bore the pain as a guerrilla and was looking for the chance to escape. One day, a very important man was captured by her unit and was tortured. She revealed that the torture was very gruesome and the man who was uncircumcised was brutishly circumcised. In the process the man lost a great deal of blood and nearly died. Juanita said she felt pity for the man and decided to save him.

She therefore told the leader that they should take the man and dump him somewhere and they later agreed. The man was put at the back of a jeep in the night with Juanita. As the vehicle moved away, Juanita managed to talk to the victim and assured him that they were going to release him to get medical help. The man thanked Juanita and told her that if ever got tired of the life she was leading she should contact him in a certain town and he would be ready to help.  Juanita ordered the driver of the jeep to drive to a local clinic and the bleeding man was dumped there.

Next week, I would narrate how Juanita managed to escape with the help of a pastor in the boot of his car.

With about two weeks to go for the election of National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidates, election watchers have been focusing their lenses on that of Weija-Gbawe where the 2012 candidate Ms. Obuobia Darko-Opoku is going against a newcomer, John Ayiku Ocansey.

Ms. Darko-Opoku, who is also the Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Free Zone Board (GFZB), explained that she has been a resident in the constituency for sometime unlike others and therefore described herself as the best person to present a case for improved facilities in the constituency.

Armed with a laptop, projector and presentation board, she enumerated the various development programmes her Obuobia Foundation has facilitated. Some of these projects included a footbridge on the Ashbread Road, loans to about 3000 women, registration of about 200 people onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and donation of wheel chairs to the physically challenged and more than 1500 street lights among many others. She also highlighted the various water projects in the Wiaboma and Gonse communities and assistance to the various schools and sponsorship of brilliant but needy students in the constituency.

Her plans, she continued, include the registration of more people to the NHIS; facilitating the establishment of CHIPS compounds, roads, drains and improvement in the community schools and introduction of incentive packages to teachers in the constituency.

Concluding, OB, as she is popularly called, told the party members of plans to set up a skills training centre where the unskilled can learn various employable vocations and the provision of street lights to the New Gbawe community.

Her contender, John Ayiku Ocansey, a Human Resource Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), admitted that though he was new, his 17 years working experience in the public sector placed him in a good position to win the seat for the party in 2016.

Nii Ayaafio I (L) presenting the citation to Prof. Nabila

The Ga Adangme Concerned Youth Pressure Group has honoured Professor John S Nabila, President of the National House of Chiefs, at a colourful ceremony in Accra.

Also a recipient of the prestigious award – a citation and a leafy festoon signifying authority – was Sheikh Amin Bonsu, CEO of Amen Scientific Herbal Clinic, who doubles as the national chairman, Ghana Moslem Mission.

President of Ga Adangme  Concerned Youth  Pressure  Group, Nii Ayaafio Tetteh I, said “These great men have shown true leadership qualities in the past and they continue to inspire the youth, hence this honour.

“They have conducted themselves creditably in their respective positions hence, this award.  Professor Nabila, under his watch, ensured that peace prevailed in the country’s chieftaincy issues.

“Sheikh Amin on the other hand, has provided employment opportunities for many in the country, and has shown great respect for the people of Ga.

“We stand for and preach peace, and so we recognize and appreciate people and institutions that share and promote our goals,” Nii Ayaafio Tetteh I added.

The recipients, in separate interviews, expressed sincere thanks to Nii Ayaafio Tetteh I and his group for the honour done them.

To them, the recognition would urge them on to go the extra mile in their respective fields of endeavours.

EDDIE BLAY 24 10 2015

When it comes to talent, the ladies have certainly evened the odds in this male-dominated music industry. Even if there are still only a handful of female artistes becoming stars, the talent they bring to the table is sometimes unmatched by the guys. Artistes like Adina have voices that have the ‘wow factor’.  Setting the benchmark for how talented you have to be as a female singer in Ghana must be a daunting task, yet she seems to be handling it pretty well. I caught up with her on the set for her new video to find out more.

What have you been up to recently?

Adina: I have been shooting a few videos and working on promos for the songs I recently released. I’m also preparing for some shows I have lined up during the upcoming holiday season. I’m just staying busy, and having a blast as I work.

You’re currently shooting the video for ‘Coastal Vibes’ featuring Trigmatic. How’s that going?

Adina: It’s fantastic! Trig has been great! Recording the song itself was pretty quick though. It all happened so fast. He’s a great talent, and I’m happy that the fans love the track so much. The response was massive, and they’ve made the song a success. The video is being shot and directed by the legendary Abraham Ohene-Djan of OM Studios. I’m really excited about it and it’s looking very good so far.  I can’t wait for the fans to see the final product.

Your music has evolved over the years. How much work have you put into reaching the point you’re now at?

Adina: A lot of work!! As an artiste, you need to constantly upgrade yourself and your product. I keep polishing all the different sides of my work. It’s not just about writing music. There are so many other dynamics involved when it comes to being a successful recording artiste.

How would you describe your genre of music?

Adina: I call myself an Afro-pop artiste and a soul singer. I always try to touch on other genres of music in my work. I like to think outside the box as much as I can, but mainly maintain an Afro-pop identity.

Do you think it’s important for artistes to experiment with other genre of music that they might not be known for?

Adina: Absolutely! Obviously they would have to be comfortable, and even ‘good’ at it. Most times, artistes carve out a niche for themselves with the genre of music they do. It’s good to broaden your scope and not limit yourself too much.

There are quite a lot of ladies entering the music industry lately. It must feel good to be part of the ‘female revolution’ if you will.

Adina: Oh yeah it is. There are so many young, talented, women coming up. It’s fantastic. The industry has been dominated by men for so long.  It’s time for some girl power! (laughs) Truthfully, there have always been amazing singers out here, but getting that push they needed was close to impossible. These days, the ladies are not waiting for that push. They are taking control of their careers.  Social media has also helped a lot. It’s made the marketing and distribution much easier. You don’t need all the other factors that we used to rely on in the past as much anymore.

As a ‘new school’ artiste, let me ask you, what would you do without social media?

Adina:  I would do a lot more radio, and print. A lot more interviews like this! (laughs) I still do a lot of mainstream marketing that doesn’t involve social media. I believe artistes should go all out with marketing.

Is being a female artiste these days an advantage or a challenge?

Adina: I don’t think it’s an advantage. If you’re a man, and you put yourself together really well, you’ll get a lot of female following. If the women buy into your brand, you have a higher chance of success. There was a time when it was an advantage because there weren’t that many in the spotlight. But now it’s not a novelty anymore.

Many successful female artistes have been branded as ‘divas’. What does the word mean to you, and would you consider yourself one?

Adina: I think a diva is a female performer that is really successful and has reached a really high point of her career. I’m still pushing to get to that level, but I’m not there yet. In my own world, I’m there already! (laughs) There is the ‘negative’ definition of the word diva used to describe someone who is spoiled or ‘a brat’. I think I’ve been through too much in my life to be that. Too much has happened to me in my career that has taught me so much. These things have helped to keep me grounded.

What has been the biggest challenge of your career so far?

Adina: I guess it’s been fine-tuning my brand and developing the right formula to use. I started a while back and I’ve been fine-tuning and tweaking everything. I think I’ve finally got it locked down.

What’s next for you?

Adina: Well, I’m finally getting around to finishing the album. It’s been a lot of work, but we’re almost there. It should be out a few months. I have a few more singles to release before then. A big part of being a recording artiste is doing a lot of promo and media work. I’m looking forward to having a great Christmas. It’s a busy time for artistes and it looks like it’s going to be awesome.

What advice would you give to ladies reading this, who want to have a career in music?

Adina: If you believe in your work, don’t stop. All it takes is a split of second for your big break to happen. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it can happen. You might be at the right place at the right time, or even receive the right phone call, and your entire life could change. Life is also about taking chances, so don’t be afraid to go for it.

A message to your fans?

Adina: Thank you guys so much!I love you all! The video for ‘Coastal Vibes’ is going to blow you away, and I look forward to seeing you at all my shows coming up.

The Manchester derby, a game filled with history and controversy involving two of the most historic teams in England goes all the way back to 1881.

Both sides are flying high in the Premier League, with Manchester City top and two points ahead of their fierce rivals.

But the all-time record between the two sides will leave United fans buoyant, having won 66 times compared to City’s 45, with both being involved in stalemates on 49 occasions.
The first ever match between the enemies took place on November 12 1881, when Newton Heath (formerly United) defeated West Gorton (formerly City) 3-0 despite there being no record of the goalscorers – giving the Red Devils bragging rights.

Newton Heath is where United started and for six years the club wore a green and gold strip. And it is these colours that were the symbol of a growing resistance to the Glazers’ ownership – which helped form FC United of Manchester.
And just like the first ever result, United came away as winners in their last meeting back in April.

Goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling in-between two Sergio Aguero strikes sealed an emphatic 4-2 win at Old Trafford.
But in terms of goals, Manuel Pellegrini’s side are well out in front, netting 66 times compared to United’s 44 during this calendar year.
And coming into the tenth game of the Premier League campaign, City are nine ahead of their rivals on 24 – with Aguero scoring six of them – including his five-star show against Newcastle.

The Red Devils, however, are dominant on social media and have nearly three times as many followers on Twitter and a massive 46,810,000 more likes on Facebook.

But in terms of their trophy haul, it’s a tail of two generations.

In the past five years, the blue side of Manchester has pipped their rivals as the most successful club, winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup and the Community shield.

But if we’re talking about accolades throughout history, then there’s only one winner.
United have clinched a phenomenal 62 trophies from the Champions League (3) to the Premier League (20).

Another interesting stat is that Pellegrini’s current squad have far more winners’ medals in total between them (158) than United’s current squad (83).

On Sunday Wayne Rooney has the chance to extend his lead as the all-time top goalscorer (11) in the derby, with none of the other top five – Joe Hayes (10), Francis Lee (10), Bobby Charlton (9) and Colin Bell (8) – still playing the game.

Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo is a popular debate and one that will continue to rumble on but the Barcelona star refuses to be drawn into discussions over who is superior.

The four-time Ballon d’Or winner is currently on the sidelines nursing a knee injury and is still expected to be out for a further four weeks.

But despite the fact that his rival Ronaldo has scored six goals in eight games in La Liga this season, Messi insists the pair don’t compete with each other.
He told Guillem Balague on Yahoo: “These are things that people say. I don’t compete with Cristiano and I suppose he would not compete with me.

“What I want is the very best for my teams, and that’s what I am working for.”
The pair are expected to go head-to-head for the Ballon d’Or once again, with Ronaldo looking to collect his third successive award.

Barcelona were unstoppable last season, winning the treble under Luis Enrique but they’ve struggled to get back to their best this term and have been unfortunate with injuries.

The Catalan-based side host high-flying Eibar this weekend, with their visitors surpassing all expectations so far this season.

In a direct response to a statement released by executives of the National Democratic Congress in the Komenda Edina Eguafo-Abirem Constituency to condemn Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom’s criticism of President Mahama, executives of the Progressive People Party, have jumped to the defense of their flagbearer in a strongly worded statement.

NDC executives of KEEA in the Central Region took issues with Dr. Nduom’s Facebook post that disagreed with President Mahama’s suggestions that leaders are appointed by God.

According to the NDC executives, Dr. Nduom’s comment suggested he is envious of President Mahama’s status.

But in a show of support for their Flagbearer, PPP executives in the KEEA constituency say Dr. Nduom spoke the truth when he cautioned politicians including President Mahama not to use the name of God in vain and not to be false witnesses.

The PPP executives of KEEA say the decision by Ghanaians to vote for John Dramani Mahama to become President cannot be placed at the doorstep of God. “It was human error of the worst kind, one that must not be repeated. This is one of the clueless governments that has ever ruled Ghana.

The entire country is in distress.

” The party is thus cautioning the NDC in the KEEA constituency to have the fear of God and respect Dr. Nduom who they describe as someone who has an international reputation and whose credibility transcends partisan political and ethnic lines.

Below is the full statement from the PPP KEEA We the executives of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) in the KEEA are shocked that anyone from our municipality would go into the public arena to attempt to throw mud at Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom. Dr. Nduom is a KEEA statesman with an international reputation whose credibility transcends partisan political and ethnic lines.

As an entrepreneur, his contribution to creating jobs for the youth in KEEA and all over the country has been immense. So for NDC Executives to consider this man who has served his nation with distinction to be envious of anyone is disingenuous.

We are certain that judging from the negative reactions pouring in from all over the world to their misjudged attempt at mudslinging, they must be ashamed of themselves. For all that this kind-hearted man has done for KEEA, the NDC Executives have shown themselves to be an ungrateful lot.

Politics is not everything. Dr. Nduom spoke the truth when he cautioned politicians including President Mahama not to use the name of God in vain and not to be false witnesses.

Indeed, the mistake Ghanaian voters made in voting for John Dramani Mahama to become President cannot be placed at the doorstep of our Lord God. It was human error of the worst kind, one that must not be repeated.

We wish to quote Dr. Nduom: “As we continue to pray, Master, let not your people use Your name in vain.

Teach us not to bear false witness. Teach us all to pray for humility, incorruptibility, diligence and the courage to take the righteous path.

Teach our people to know that it is they who vote and that no free manna will fall from the heavens and that whom we give our vote to will determine our well-being on this earth.

My Lord God, make our hearts pure and our minds fertile for the truth and help us make wise choices so that we can vote for leaders who will help us make excellent use of natural gifts you have put here on part of the world called Ghana.

These and others I ask and pray for in the name of Jesus. Amen.” We are wide Awake!

J. B. Eshun

Constituency Chairman, KEEA

Source: Citifmonline.com

Gospel musician, songwriter and worship leader, Superintendent Kofi Sarpong, has hinted that all is set for his much-awaited ‘I Believe’ album launch.

Although the album is new on the market, many music fans expect it to do better than others because all the songs are unique, enjoyable and educative.

The album launch on November 1 will be held at the auditorium of the Liberty Assemblies of God, Abeka Lapaz at 3:00pm prompt.

The album launch would feature gospel artistes such as Joyce Blessing, Joe Mettle, OJ, Ohemaa Mercy and a host of others.

Kofi Sarpong is currently recognised as the most talented gospel artiste to emerge in Ghana and Africa in recent times, and is poised to make a gigantic leap in the world of showbiz.

By George Clifford Owusu

As the title of this article states, I believe the political parties that are calling for a new register are left with no other option but to boycott this week’s public forum by the Electoral Commission (EC) ostensibly to openly discuss the merits or otherwise of the case for a new electoral roll. I described this just two weeks ago as a “farcical circus.”

Charlotte Osei has not acted in a way that chimes with the sincere intentions of an independent and impartial umpire on the controversy over the voters list.

In my previous article, ‘Charlotte Is Playing Games’, I wrote: “I have come to the conclusion that Charlotte Osei and her Commission have no intention to compile a new voters’ register. This conclusion is drawn from the conduct of the Commission before and during Charlotte, and her own conduct since.” In that article I focused more on the pace and actions taken since the NPP presented its ‘bombshell’ evidence on Tuesday, August 18, 2015.

This week she is putting up a big public show, which in my view merely sets the stage for discrediting the case of all those important voices calling for a new register, including six political parties.

The EC is exhibiting the kind of blatant bias, which if pursued, could lead to disastrous consequences for our democracy.

There are five main political parties in Ghana: National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), Convention’s People Party (CPP), People’s National Congress (PNC) and Progressive People’s Party (PPP). These are the five parties recognised by the UNDP, for instance, which is heavily involved in our democracy. Three out of the five, NPP, CPP and PPP have all submitted proposals calling for a new register. The EC believes it has found a clever way to destroy their case: organise a public forum but constitute the panel of ‘experts’ in such a way that those who want a new register would end up with egg on their faces.

My prediction is that the panel will seek to discredit the evidence that non-nationals have been proven to be on Ghana’s register and also the EC database had been compromised.

It will then proceed to conclude by recommending an “audit” of the register with the view of a clean-up exercise, if necessary. It would make the details of this audit so vague that it would make the task of seeing the head or tail of John Mahama’s economic policy seem as clear as water (perhaps, the iced kind he is so proud of) in a glass.

Accordingly, the EC on Friday named five people to sit on the adjudicating panel that will hear arguments for and against the EC compiling a new voters’ register for 2016. The hearing will take place on Thursday and Friday, (29^th-30th October). Ironically this takes place at the Alisa Hotel, the same venue where the NPP on August 18, presented its evidence of database tampering, non-nationals registration and other evidence suggesting the current register not to be fit for purpose.

After calling for and receiving some 30 other submissions on this matter, the Commission’s press release makes a bold boast: “In order to assure a transparent and accountable process for examining and determining the petitions, the EC has assembled a Panel of Eminent Ghanaians to hold a two-day public hearing on the issue.”

It brags further: “The panel of five will conduct the hearings in a free, transparent, fair and objective manner. The hearings will also be broadcast live on radio, television and on the internet for the benefit of Ghanaians who cannot attend but wish to follow the proceedings.”

Most importantly, the EC tells us that “the findings and recommendations of the Panel will be presented to the EC for final decision and communication to the public.” What this means is that the EC has shifted the task of objective and technical assessment of the evidence to this ‘independent’ panel to determine the direction of the EC. The panel includes a statistician, who was responsible for compiling the 2010 national census, which captured, among others, 2 million non-nationals. Also on the panel is a veteran in election management, who headed the largest election observer mission in 2012. Also on the panel is an internationally respected IT expert. Formidable.

So who are the actual members of the panel? His Lordship Professor V.C.R.A.C. Crabbe, Co-Chair of the Coalition for Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), former Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana, former Professor of Law and Electoral Commissioner of Ghana; Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana and Chairman of the National Peace Council; Dr Grace Bediako, former Government Statistician and member of the National Development Planning Commission; Dr Nii Narku Quaynor, a renowned computer scientist, Chairman of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) Board of Directors and President of the Internet Society of Ghana and Maulvi Bin Salih, Ameer of the Ahmadiyya Mission of Ghana.

An eminent list indeed. But, wait a minute. Even before the panel sits, we know the views of two of its eminent members.

Two of them are known to not support the case of the opposition parties calling for a new register. It does not make them less eminent members of society. But, it makes their presence on this panel most questionable. In fact, in my view, their presence on the panel has incurably destroyed the expected fundamental objective of the entire public forum.

What is Dr Quaynor doing on a panel that is set up to conduct hearings “in a free, transparent, fair and objective manner?” Is he going to be transparent and disclose the fact that he is the godfather of IT for the ruling NDC? Will he disclose the fact that he has already given his expert opinion to the NDC on the evidence presented to the EC by the NPP?

On December 8, 2012, angry NPP supporters, led by Sammi Awuku stormed the vicinity of STL office in Dzorwulu over allegations that results were changing in transmission via the help of STL. The political parties were eventually asked to send their IT experts to STL to look into this matter. The NPP was represented by Joe Anokye, a renowned contractor for NASA in Maryland and the NDC was represented by Dr Nii Quaynor, a renowned IT guru. What the two IT experts of international repute had in common was that they were (and still are) both loyal to the parties they represented. Anokye is a leading member of the NPP US branch and Quaynor is an NDC kingpin, full stop.

I have seen a police video of the technical meeting which took place at the STL office, with STL personnel taking the IT representatives, including Messrs Anokye and Quaynor, through the work which they claimed they were assigned by the EC to do: transmitting results. STL stated categorically on camera that the EC contracted them to transmit results and on the video you can see them showing how the work was being done in defence of the integrity of the process.  The exchanges of disagreement between Anokye and Quaynor were all captured on the police video.

Oddly, moments later, the EC issued a press release to say that it had no business to do with STL on the transmission of electoral results. The EC said STL won the contract to give it technical support services as far as the biometric voter registration was concerned and not for results transmission. So who lied to Ghanaians on December 8?

But let me get back to my main point. Charlotte Osei may be right.  Considering the considerable international reputation that Dr Quaynor has, his inclusion is probably anticipated to give ostensible international ‘credibility’ to the panel’s findings and recommendations on the technical issues concerning the register.

But in reality asking Dr Quaynor to be an adjudicator on this voter registration issue is like asking Arsene Wenger to referee a championship-deciding match between Arsenal and Chelsea.

The other obvious inclusion of contention is Justice Crabbe. He has a larger than life reputation on integrity. He is respected by all. In fact one of his biggest admirers is Nana Akufo-Addo, the NPP standard bearer. But no he cannot be a member of this panel and for a very good reason.

The NPP held its ‘bombshell’ press conference on Tuesday, August 18. The following Friday, August 21, Justice Crabbe was on air completely disagreeing with the NPP on the case for a new register. To him there was no need for a new register even if the current register was bloated. Not even the evidence of cross-border registration fazed him.

“Is it possible for somebody to be in Ivory Coast and also a citizen of Ghana? The answer is yes. Then there is a possibility that his name will be in the register in Ivory Coast and the register in Ghana,” he told Citi FM.  He recommended cleaning up as the only option worth considering.  – See more at: http://citifmonline.com/2015/08/21/new-voters-register-vcrac-crabbe-disagrees-with-npp/

Surely, the EC cannot feign oblivion to the views of Justice Crabbe and affiliations of Dr Quaynor when it comes to this voters’ register issue. Justice Crabbe is against a new register and for a clean-up.

The NDC is against a new register and a for a clean-up.  Dr Quaynor is NDC. These are two of three experts on the panel. Their presence therefore makes the entire exercise a sham.

So what stopped the EC from discussing at IPAC with all the political parties the matter of the composition of the panel? The consequence of the absence of consultation is seen clearly in the composition, which has fatally wounded the integrity of the public forum.

The only way the EC can seek to resurrect it is to reconsider a more credible way of implementing the suggestion from the Institute of Democratic Governance and the Civic Forum Initiative for an independent inquiry into claims that the register is bloated. They wanted experts such as IT professionals to be part of a committee to investigate complaints over the register. The EC listened but opted for an IT expert who is also an NDC guru.

Dr. Kwesi Jonah of IDEG said last month that “a lot of parties are complaining. There is actually the need for impartial committee.” We may have to look further beyond the shores of Accra for credible experts and organisations with international reputation on this kind of exercise to assist us.

Unfortunately, the EC appears to be harking back without apology to the very culture of election organisation which Africans are working hard to move away from. The way Charlotte Osei is handling this voter register controversy poses a sincere threat to the future of democracy in Ghana. She has careened from one bad move to the next, diligently transcending her last flap with a new one, as she pretends to be showing genuine concern over this new register controversy.

“The EC, in the discharge of its constitutional mandate to run free, fair and credible elections, assures the people of Ghana of its commitment to undertake its solemn duty dispassionately,” so read the EC release last Friday.

How sincere is the above-statement? The political parties and civil society groups campaigning for a new register will do their cause a lot of good by sending a clear message to the EC that they have no desire to be part of this week’s circus. They must boycott it.  They must demand that the EC gets back on the drawing table with all major stakeholders to agree together to constitute a truly independent panel of experts to address this matter.

So far Madam, you have not acted with the apparent sincerity that commands public confidence. If your tenure is to be a success, you must quickly figure out how to respond to genuine concerns over the electoral process sensibly, creatively, honestly, honourably and impartially.  You risk a huge drop in public confidence over the work of the EC at the peril of our democracy.

The author is the founder of the public policy research centre, Danquah Institute. gabby@danquahinstitute.org

By Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko

A bus with registration number GR 2186 C, carrying market women from Tamale and heading for Gushegu in the Karaga district of the Northern Region, was attacked by four masked armed men at about 9am on Sunday, resulting in the death of four people.

The four passengers were killed on the spot, and six persons are in critical condition at the Gushegu Government Hospital. Another vehicle, escaping the robbery attack, reportedly ran over the four as they had been ordered to lie flat on the main road by the robbers. They died instantly, according to reports gathered.

As at the time of filing this report, only two names of the deceased had been made known; and they are Hamza and Hajia Bintu.

Their bodies have been deposited at the Gushegu Government Hospital pending autopsy.

The Northern Regional police spokesman, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, who confirmed the incident, told DAILY GUIDE that when the bus got to a village called Shabo – between Karaga and Gushegu – the robbers stopped it and asked all the passengers to come down and instructed them to lie on their stomachs on the road and robbed them of their monies and other valuables.

Some few minutes after the operation, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh claimed, there was an oncoming vehicle with registration number AS 9948 S. The robbers tried stopping it but the driver, sensing danger, tried to speed off. The robbers, he said, fired at the vehicle, causing the driver to drive it over four of the passengers lying on the road, killing them on the spot.

The police have commenced investigations into the incident and assured the people of Karaga district that they (police) would bring the armed robbers to book.

FROM Kombat Eric, Tamale

Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr, Managing Editor of The New Crusading Guide newspaper, has described the process of funding and printing of presidential diaries as ‘naked robbery.’

He has therefore called for an audit into the process to determine how much was raised and spent after it was revealed that a private firm was given presidential letterheads for the fund-raising exercise.

It has been revealed that JIT Magazines and Diary Services was the company permitted to use the presidency to solicit funds to print free diaries.

Presidential staffer, Dr. Clement Apaak, who made the revelation on Joy FM’s ‘Newsfile’ at the weekend, said the process for printing the diaries was in place before the NDC government came to power in 2009.

“The presidency usually prints about 1,500 to 2,000 diaries,” Dr. Apaak revealed.

However, it is still not known how much was raised to print the diaries or the actual cost of printing them.

Dr. Clement Apaak, who said he played a role in the process of determining the choice of the company, maintained that any company is free to present a proposal to print the diaries.

He explained that JIT Magazines and Diary Services were selected because they presented an attractive improvement on previous copies of the diary.

In spite of Dr. Apaak’s explanation, Kweku Baako Jnr, who is a longstanding panelist on the programme, insisted that government’s clarification that the diaries are printed by private companies at no cost to the state, had left more questions than answers.

He said it is “mind-boggling” for the presidency to sanction the practice, even if it was also done by previous governments.

According to him, the monies raised by private companies through the use of the presidency are “technically public funds.”

“How much was raised? You don’t know? You don’t care?….so if they raised $20 million and applied 10 million and used the other 10 million for their own activities that’s agreed by government?” he queried.

Kweku Baako Jnr also questioned the process used to select the eventual printing company. “how did those companies get to know that they needed to make proposals? Was there a notice requiring this? If the notice was given, when? Where? How?”

According to Mr Kweku Baako, the presidentially sanctioned process of printing diaries revealed that the presidency is “so mediocre and inept.”

Mr Apaak backed calls for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, to apologise if he has no evidence to support his claim that the diaries were printed for $10 million.

“He has to be asked. If he has the answer he must provide it. If he doesn’t have he has to explain himself. If it means a retraction and an apology, he renders it,” he charged.

Trying to explain the expenditure following the allegation, another presidential staffer, Stan Dogbe, even called the NPP stalwart a lair, even though he (Dogbe) could not deny the fact that huge sums of money were sunk into the venture.

He wrote on social media, “No government under the NDC has spent a pesewa of the public purse to produce diaries.

“Such dairies have always been paid for from corporate advertising proceeds, and the canvassing for such adverts is the responsibility of the company selected to produce the diaries”

Apart from Stan Dogbe, other government officials, including Deputy Communications Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, have unconvincingly tried to explain that the state did not spend anything on the diaries.

By William Yaw Owusu

Alfred Kwame Agbesi

SOME WORKERS of Engineers and Planners (E&P) – a company belonging to Ibrahim Mahama, brother of President John Dramani Mahama – who are reconstructing the six-kilometer Ashaiman road, last Saturday vented their anger on the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area and his team.

The E&P workers reportedly used bitumen in the scuffle and smashed the rear windscreen and mirrors of the official vehicle, a Toyota Landcruiser with registration number GN 435-14, being used by the MP, Alfred Kwame Agbesi.

He was allegedly pelted with stones by the peeved workers of the construction company who were laying asphalt on the road.

Information gathered from an eyewitness, who spoke to DAILY GUIDE, indicated that Mr Agbesi had closed from the 25^th Anniversary ceremony of the Ashaiman Senior High School and was heading towards Tema through the Timber Market Roundabout when the incident occurred.

The MP was said to be using the side of the road where the workers had blocked with lorry tyres to enable them complete the asphalting on that stretch, while another lane had been created for road users.

A driver of E&P who was then spreading bitumen on the road, upon seeing the MP’s vehicle allegedly splashed the bitumen on his (MP’s) vehicle as well as a taxi that were using the portion where the workers were operating.

A misunderstanding reportedly ensued when the MP’s driver alighted to question the bitumen driver, which led to a fight between them. A police bodyguard of the MP, together with another person in his (MP’s) vehicle, also joined the fray to help assault the E&P worker.

Other workers of E&P also got angry and joined their colleague to attack Mr Agbesi’s men.

The Ashaiman police were informed about the incident and personnel were quickly deployed to the area to restore peace and order.

Mr Agbesi was escorted home by the police and provided with a guard in his residence for fear of being chased and probably assaulted by the angry workers.

Five persons, including the MP’s driver, got injured during the fracas.

Mr. Agbesi, who spoke with DAILY GUIDE, confirmed the attack saying, “I was attacked and bathed with bitumen, including three persons, in my car. I am on my way to the hospital and I am not in the position to speak on the issue now because I am not feeling well.”

Queried further, the MP said he would meet with Mr Ibrahim Mahama and that the next line of action would be determined by the outcome of the meeting.

From Vincent Kubi, Ashaiman

Two siblings, Noah and Ernest Sopui, who allegedly attacked an Ivorian at gunpoint and took his laptop, mobile phones and cash, have been arraigned for the offence.

The suspects were put in a court presided over by Aboagye Tandoh and charged with conspiracy to commit crime and robbery and they pleaded not guilty.

They have been remanded in police custody while the case has been adjourned to November 6, 2015.

The facts of the case as presented by the prosecuting officer, DSP K. Bempah, were that the complainant is Adje Jean Paul, an Ivorian national who is a staff of Nido Factory and a mobile phone repairer who resides along the Spintex Road, while Noah is into delivery service and Ernest is a driver.

According to him, the two suspects are brothers who reside at Lapaz.

He said on October 13, 2015 the complainant was on his way home after work when the suspects attacked him at gunpoint and took away his bag containing his Motorolla X685, Toshiba Laptop, and Samsung V9 mobile phone which he wanted to take to his shop for repairs.

In addition, he said the brothers also took his passport, ID card and other personal effects as well as GH¢38 and sped off. Fortunately for the complainant, the suspects later brought his Samsung mobile phone to him to repair and he immediately recognised the brothers.

The officer further said the complainant told the suspects to return later for the said phone and alerted the Nima Police who arrived and effected the arrest of the brothers.

The prosecuting officer noted that Ernest denied the offence in his cautioned statement and pleaded alibi, while his brother said he bought the phone from someone at Circle but failed to lead the police to the person.

They were arraigned after police concluded investigations.

BY Fidelia Achama

The Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Kumasi Diocese, Most Rev Peter Kwasi Sarpong, says a judge who takes bribe to deny an innocent person his right to a just judgment is culpable of blasphemous treachery.

According to him, such a judge declares by his action that he is not a human being but a traitor of the nation, intimating that a nation whose judiciary is corrupt is good as dead.

Speaking at the sixth graduation ceremony of the Spiritan University College at Ejisu, Archbishop Sarpong said recent events concerning the behaviour of some judges and magistrates had not only shaken the whole nation, but had also affected confidence in the judiciary.

“It is really tragic that at least one of the accused judges is alleged to have assured a looter of the nation’s goods, who should have been imprisoned years ago, that he would find a technical way to acquit him,” the man of God noted.

According to him, it is ironic that one of the implicated judges allegedly attempted to use the same court system he and his colleagues “perverted and desecrated for their selfish gains to impose interlocutory injunction” to prevent Anas Aremeyaw Anas from premiering the scandalous video tape at the Accra International Conference Centre on September 22, 2015.

Archbishop Sarpong intimated that the said judge, per his action, had wanted to cover the truth with technicalities.

He argued that a judge who takes bribe such as a goat to deny justice to the innocent equates a human being to a goat.

The Catholic Archbishop questioned the usefulness of education to the nation if judges receiving huge salaries and enjoying innumerable allowances and benefits would succumb to so low a level of professional misbehaviour.

“What the adjudicators are alleged to have done raises the question of the usefulness of education to the nation. It corroborates the well-known principle of good education: that to educate a person without God is to educate the devil himself,” he posited.

According to him, the implicated judges may be very erudite but their alleged crime is diametrically opposed to what Commodius once said: that “Education should lead to cultivation of virtues.”

Archbishop Sarpong said this is the reason the Catholic Church establishes universities to help inculcate virtues in the citizenry, noting that the Spiritan University College is meant to produce people of character who are able to place the good of the nation before their own interest.

73 Graduate

In all, 73 students graduated from the university college in various disciplines including Accounting, Banking and Finance, Human Resource Management, Economics and Sociology, and Philosophy.

Rector of the College, Rev Fr Anthony Anomah, C.S.Sp, implored the graduands to be bold, innovative and daring in their pursuits.

According to him, products of the Spiritan University College are expected to break ground by creating their own employment.

“Remember that the education you have received has prepared you for life to be an asset to yourself, society and God. Our society is facing political, economic, social and moral challenges. I urge you to bring your education to bear on our nation’s development,” Rev Anomah advised.

From Ernest Kofi Adu, Ejisu

I am still managing because I know you don’t fix anything in conditions that make things not fixable because of bad management. If you know how to manage, you are likely to be able to fix, sometimes even the unfixable.

If you don’t know how to manage, you will not be able to fix anything because good management is a condition for fixing.

Key among my managing mechanisms is my ‘bushness.’ Having spent a lot of time in the bush growing up, the bush seems to bring back the best of times because there was never a time in the bush that was worse than dumsɔ times. My spirits shoot high when in wandering around my small compound I see a pineapple plant shooting up after planting or budding with a seed, or the fruit ripening.

The most recent bush triggered upliftment came from the custard apple tree. I have been watching it closely like a dum situation hoping it would bear fruit. Last year, after some eight years or so, I suddenly discovered one fruit. I thought I should let it ripen fully. Before I was aware it had dropped off. It needed probably a couple of days only to be ready. So when one morning about a fortnight ago I saw some 10 fruits on it, I was totally elated.

The plantain trees are something else. They fruit regularly and always replenish themselves with replacement suckers. I am told they give the best fufu texture. It is comforting watching them grow from sucker to fruit bearing in maturing bunch of fingers. I enjoy them a third or at most half-ripened. That is when unable to get some fufu with cow leg or akɔnfℇm light soup.

Herbaceous dandenong grows wild around. Their medicinal value adds to a satisfaction of having them to add to a meal (soup or stew) for health. Herb for help, I call them. They are supported by the akokɔbℇsa herb with its wonderful aroma which wafts around the compound announcing a meal is about ready.

More green in the compound is added to in this from nowhere sprouted shrub which germinated close to the spot of one of the felled overgrown mango trees. From nowhere, I saw it and with incredible speed it has grown into this bush, promising a shade under which I would be able to take cover shielded from the heat of the sun while enjoying the sea breeze.

Still not enough green against the massive concrete buildings and walls that make up the compound. I had never anticipated more concrete far less green compound. But I never expected dumsɔ, it is with me and I have to manage. So, with my more concrete than I would like, I am trying to manage existence under a dumsɔ regime I never anticipated.

He who pours scorn on managing is he who does not know that you manage towards fixing. That is why he says he can fix without managing. Those who know how to fix know that before fixing, the resources needed or required to fix have to be managed for a fixed result. The lack of managing skills is generating crude approaches to fixing a problem of energy scarcity.

These days, you hear it said on radio that we have all, my compatriots and I, promised to pay more for electricity. If it is true, it would mean we have been blackmailed into saying we are willing to pay more for electricity because a deceitful government has been able to deprive us of it to a point of surrender. It’s a matter of kume preko turned kume kodwoo tɔ.

Power minister appointee communicator/government spokesperson told his appointer the born dog man off by asking a journalist to go and ask him for an answer he (the journalist) had posed. The appointee communications minister could not account for the pronouncements of his appointer boss. So how does he now as appointer turn round and fix (he calls himself a fixer even when he has fixed nothing but what brings misery to the motherland) his energy appointee?

That man of power appointee is not fixable or more accurately cannot be fixed by he who yesterday behaved similarly. We haven’t forgotten this one. If in the ‘fixer’s’ mind he thinks we are forgetful with short memory, we haven’t forgotten and we will not forget, because bad relationship between appointer and appointee always leaves permanent memories.

Anyway, my compatriots, this is how I am coping with dumsɔ and all its direct and indirect attendant hardships we are suffering under governance by incompetence. You may think or not about I and find sense in it or totally condemn it.

By Kwasi Ansu-Kyeremeh

THE ASHANTI Regional National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described as false, reports that the party’s chairman at Ahafo Ano North Constituency, Samuel Awuni, who was stabbed last Sunday evening, has passed away.

Raymond Tandoh, the Ashanti Regional Secretary, told DAILY GUIDE during an interview that Samuel Awuni was alive and that the rumours about his death were untrue.

Reports of Samuel Awuni’s death went viral on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook early Friday morning.

Mr Awuni was allegedly stabbed in the head and the face with a sharp knife by Adams Alhassan, the party’s constituency treasurer, when the two men engaged in a fisticuff over control of a party car.

The reports indicated that he passed on early Friday morning following the severe wounds he sustained when the treasurer stabbed him twice with a sharp knife in public.

The rumour mill also had it that the leadership of the NDC in the Ashanti Region was aware of the death of Mr Awuni but they wanted to keep the shocking issue secret for obvious reasons.

But in a sharp rebuttal, Raymond Tandoh stated that there was no iota of truth in the wild reports, pointing out that Mr Awuni was alive so the NDC members should not believe the wild reports making the rounds.

According to him, Mr Awuni is no longer on admission at the hospital because there has been significant improvement in his condition. Raymond Tandoh said Mr Awuni has been visiting the hospital on a daily basis to nurse the wounds on his head, saying, “Interestingly, when reports emerged that he had died, he was at the hospital nursing his wounds.”

The NDC scribe stated that he was shocked to the marrow when news started to spread about Mr Awuni’s death on Friday morning, adding, “so I sent people to Tepa who confirmed that Mr Awuni was alive.”

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi

The annual fire or Bugum festival common to many ethnic groups in the Northern Region has claimed two lives leaving dozens with various degrees of injuries.

One of the recorded fatalities occurred after the deceased was attacked with a cutlass in Walewale, a Mamprusi part of the Northern Region.

In Sang in the Mion District of the Northern Region close to Yendi, an articulated truck reportedly drove into people marking the occasion and killed one person.

The agitated celebrants set the truck on fire, the driver having fled into a nearby bush.

Confirming the incidents to DAILY GUIDE, the Public Relations Officer of the Northern Regional Police Command, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, said “Rashida Abdul Aziz, 22, who went to witness the festival, unfortunately suffered gunpowder burns on her face. At Changli, a suburb of Tamale, Nashiru Huziafa, 15, suffered a deep cut on his head after he was hit with the butt of a gun by an unknown person; while Mustapha Sumaila, 32, sustained a deep cut on the head and suffered burns on his hand after a locally manufactured gun exploded.”

In yet another incident at the Lamashegu suburb of Tamale, one Iddrisu Abdul Rahuf, 30, was shot at by an unknown person, leaving him seriously injured.

The injured are on admission at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

Accidents are common during the festival and sometimes scores are settled during the confusion that follows the celebration which is steeped in Islam. Unfortunately, over the years it has lost its religiousness somewhat, with the authorities putting it on hold in especially Yendi, the traditional capital of Dagbon, because of a major tragedy which occurred in one such festivity.

FROM Kombat Eric, Tamale

“Don’t help a bull out of a ditch, for when he is out, he’ll butt you”- African proverb.

A bull is the male of some animals such as the cow.  The bull is very big and strong, but is easily controlled by man because it is a very foolish animal. The politician under my microscopic lens today is a man christened “The Bull”. Perhaps it is because he has the same characteristics as the animal.

The Bull used to low very much before he went silent for a while. The period he went silent was appreciated by me and my compatriots because it gave us some peace of mind. After a brief period of silence, the political bull has started lowing again.

Somewhere in February 2012, I shared a strange dream I had with readers of this column. Please allow me to refresh your memory. I was limping on a lonely road as my left leg seemed shorter than the right. Suddenly I saw a big bull rushing towards me. I ran as fast as I could; but the faster I ran the closer the bull came. Just as the on-rushing bull was about to plant its menacing horns into my stomach, I woke up in my sweat-soaked bed to realize that it was only a dream.

We woke up the following day to be greeted by the news that Asem Dake, the Limping Man, had been arrested. The Limping Man was reported to be the one who masterminded the 77-missing-cocaine-parcels saga.

Soon after the arrest, the political bull was heard lowing on radio. He claimed the Limping Man was singing, and the lyrics contained names of officials of the erstwhile Kufuor administration. He went further to warn all officials of the said administration not to try running away from the country because they would be arrested at the borders if they tried.

I vividly remember writing in this very column that the political bull was only lowing. How right I was! We all witnessed the Asem Dake trial and we did not hear a single name of any Osono official mentioned.

Not too long after that, he made an ass of himself by lowing to the hearing of the whole world. You do remember the ‘Black Friday’ in Kumasi, don’t you? It was the day the floodlights failed to illuminate the pitch for over an hour, soon after the resumption of the second half. Seconds turned into minutes; and minutes turned into an hour as hopes turned into despair and anger. The floodlights eventually came on and paved way for the Black Stars to thrash their counterparts from Lesotho by 7 goals to nil.

It was in the midst of the celebration that we heard on radio that the Bull had fired the Ashanti Regional Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). But the Information Ministry countered that information with a press briefing the following morning that the President had not given any such directive.

Interestingly, it later came to light that there was no such position as Ashanti Regional Director of ECG. The Ashanti Region was divided into two, so there were two directors: The Ashanti East Regional Director and the Ashanti West Regional Director. Who then did the Bull fire? That was how the Bull advertised his ignorance to the whole world.

Soon after the incident, Agya Atta passed on to glory and Mr Ogwanfunu assumed the presidential seat. Though he maintained his position at the Presidency, it was more than obvious that he was only a Communication Director in name.

Since then the Bull went silent. To say his silence was appreciated would be an understatement. The absence of the ‘moo’ sound on the political terrain gave me and my compatriots some peace of mind.

Unfortunately for us, the lowing has started again. The Bull regained his voice soon after he became a Deputy General Secretary of his party. No week now passes without one hearing the discordant sound of his voice.

The Bull is shamelessly playing the tribal card in order to score cheap political points. The deafening silence of the opposition Great Elephant has emboldened him to continue with his reckless and shameless accusations.

The ubiquitous Daily Guide was his next target. He tongue-lashed the newspaper for daring to stand for the truth. Trust the Editorial Board of the newspaper not to allow such tomfoolery to go without a response. Read the editorial titled, “The Bull In A China Shop” on www.dailyguideghana.com and see for yourself.

The Bull also took Abdul Malik Kwaku Baako and Kwame Sefa-Kayi to the cleaners. He alleged without any evidence that President Kufuor had stashed their pockets with cowries. Their crime was that they had the courage to tell chiefs to stop dragging the name of the chieftancy institution into the mud by meddling in politics.

Listen to Abdul Malik’s response: “It is therapeutic not to give such types of political buffoonery any dignity and mileage with serious comments! Isn’t it good for our mental health to ignore such ugly noises from political windbags or intellectual midgets?”

That was a very apt response if you asked me. For your information, the Urban dictionary describes a ‘windbag’ as “a pompous person who talks too much, a braggart”. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, on the other hand, describes a ‘windbag’ as “a person who talks at length but says little of any value”.

Abusuapanin, the Bull has started lowing again; much louder than before. He is advertising a combination of arrogance, ignorance and tomfoolery. And you know more than I do that nothing sensible ever comes from such a combination. Is it any wonder that Abdul Malik refers to him as a political windbag?

See you next week for another interesting konkonsa. Deo volente!