Hot!
Irate NPP youth vandalise party properties in Yendi over polling station executives elections
Conflicts and violence have characterised the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s polling station election in the Yendi Constituency after some irate youth vandalised party’s office on Sunday, March 13.
This comes after the Party’s leadership issued a strong warning that it will expel members who do not use internal mechanisms to address their concerns.
The youth claim the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Farouk Aliu Mahama, is trying to stuff the election register in order to get his favorite persons elected.
The party supporters who destroyed sign boards of the MP explained that the register being used for the exercise has unapproved names and individuals captured in it.
They swore to resist any attempts by their leadership to impose their will on the electorates and the party faithful, adding that they have already lost confidence in the leaders.
“We were told on the radio and the constituency secretary met polling station chairmen, secretaries and coordinators and informed them that no existing polling station executive will be removed from the album but today the album that is on social media circulating is reported to have removed about 165 existing polling stations.
“What we realised from the so-called register is that they have put family and friends, husbands and wives and people who do not vote in the various polling stations that they put them as execuitves. We in Yendi cannot be bought by anybody,” they said.
Meanwhile, the youth wing in the Tano North Constituency of the Ahafo Region say they will resist attempts by the Member of Parliament (MP), Freda Prempeh, to reverse the results of the election held.
They allege the MP, Freda Akosua Prempah, on a media tour in Ahafo said she does not recognize the outcome of the elections that elected polling station executives in the constituency, in an exercise chaired by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Osei Boahen.
At a press conference at Tanoso, spokesperson for the youth, Gloria Kwartemaa Amponsah, said “in their capacity as members of the party who followed the process from its beginning to the end, the official polling station elections have been held in the Tano North Constituency, and competent executives have been elected.”
“We cannot, and do not want to engage in media banter with our Hon. MP, but we want to state categorically that all that she wants the whole world to hear and sympathize with her are false and a figment of her imagination.”
“We are not preaching or prophesying doom or calamity to befall the party in Tano North, but if the national body follows the lies being spread around by our MP and take any unpopular decision based on that, then the NEC would have themselves to blame in the aftermath of what happens in the Constituency.”
Conflicts have rocked some electoral areas as the governing NPP begins reorganising processes ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Although the election of polling station executives comes off soon, some party members have accused their executives of hoarding the forms.
The February incidents include, Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region, where some NPP members locked up the constituency chairman on Saturday.
Similar agitations transpired in the Akuapem South Municipality of the Eastern Region and Ningo-Prampram in the Greater Accra Region.
Manhyia North and Ho Central constituencies have registered some debacles as well.
Currently, some party members in New Juaben North and Sunyani East have petitioned the court to seek an injunction of their respective polling station elections.
Source: www.myjoyonline.com
Hot!
Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
Hot!
NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
