Features
Flagbearer aspirants of NPP must tread cautiously
The Vetting Committee of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Pres¬idential Primary recently cleared all the 10 presidential aspirants seek¬ing to lead the party into the 2024 general elections in the country. The aspirants are Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyer¬ematen, former Trade and Industry Minister, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, the siting Vice President of the Re¬public of Ghana, Mr Kwadwo Poku, Mr Boakye Kyerematee Agyarko, Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr Kofi Konadu Apra¬ku, Dr Owusu Akoto Afriyie, former Food and Agriculture Minister, Mr Joe Ghartey and Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh.
VETTING COMMITTEE’S REPORT
According to a statement signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, the Vetting Commit¬tee submitted its report to the Na¬tional Council of the NPP on Monday, July 10, 2023, pursuant to the Article 10(3) of the NPP’s Constitution. He said the National Council of the NPP was scheduled to deliberate on the Vetting Committee’s recommenda¬tions on July 20, 2023.
Per the rules of the game, if more than five aspirants qualify to con¬test, the party will convene a special electoral college of 900 delegates to select five candidates for the final round. So far, all the aspirants have been cleared for the contest by the Vetting Committee of the Party, and are awaiting for the final decision by the electoral college to pick five among the lot. That’s an interesting scenario and the party supporters and indeed, all Ghanaians are waiting anxiously with bated breath for the outcome of the verdict of the elec¬toral college.
SPECIAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE
This means that, the ruling par¬ty in August will convene a special delegates’ conference to select five candidates to contest the November 4, 2023 Presidential primary. This writer and indeed all Ghanaians, particularly the NPP fraternity both home and abroad wish the 10 aspi¬rants the best of luck as they journey to hold the mantle of leadership, and for that matter the flagbearer of the NPP.
Indeed, it is only one person out of the lot who can wear the leadership crown of the party. It is therefore the expectation of the rank and file of the party that once the person is chosen from the lot, all the other contestants will rally behind him to fight for the main general elections in 2024.
The unfortunate thing is that no female presented herself to contest for this leadership position. Indeed, the National Council of the party was able to meet on July 20, 2023 and has initiated steps which included the balloting of positions for the contes¬tants in the forthcoming electoral college to select the five among the lot.
CAMPAIGN MESSAGES TO DELE¬GATES
As the electoral college gears itself to select five among the 10 aspirants out of which the best among that five will face delegates to decide on one at a delegates’ conference later on in August, almost all the aspirants have launched their campaigns in earnest and are criss-crossing the nooks and crannies of the country with their campaign messages to woo the confidence of the delegates in order to give them their mandates. Apart from door-to-door campaign, some have mounted campaign plat¬forms to speak to the people about their mission and vision and why they should be given the mandates to lead the party, and subsequently contest the main elections in 2024. It is quite interesting though, but full of ten¬sion, anxiety and hopefulness among the contestants.
The most negative and setbacks of some of these campaigns are ten¬dencies by some of the aspirants to attack personalities with insults, insinuations/innuendo, and condem¬nations instead of issue-based cam¬paigns. The campaign teams of some of these aspirants and contestants have been worse offenders, attack¬ing and insulting opponents as if the contestants are coming from different political parties. The issue becomes worse, worrying and disturbing, when the contestants themselves start attacking, criticising one another and flaunting their wealth as if money reigns supreme in the selection of a flagbearer of a party.
UNITY OF THE NPP
“We are one family and we must remain united. Once the contest concludes, we will come together as a cohesive force to ensure that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) does not return to power. That unity is of utmost importance. Let us maintain the NPP’s position of power and foster unity within the party,” says DrBawumia in one of his cam¬paign messages during his tour of the Greater Accra Region. On another campaign platform, DrBawumia was spotted lashing at contestants who think because of their affluence and richness, they can govern this coun¬try, saying past NPP leaders were not rich and, therefore did not use money to govern this country but strategies and ideas.
ATTACK ON VICE PRESIDENT
That statement seemed not to have gone down well with one of the aspirants, Kennedy OheneAg¬yapong, who threw back tantrums and uncontrolled outburst and anger on DrBawumia recently in one of his campaign tours in the country. According to MrAgyapong who listed some of the businesses he owns, he was more of a strategist than the Vice President who is the head of the Eco¬nomic Management Team. “With my steel plant, I am employing thousands of workers in this country by the next few months, I have the biggest cold store in the whole of Africa, as for you, the government pays you, pays your house girls, pays your security, you are living in government bunga¬lows. But I pay 7,158 workers every month in this country. So, between the two of us who is the strategist? This is internal politics and so we shouldn’t be dirty, but if they at¬tack me, I will reply,” says Kennedy Agyapong.
He asked the Vice President not to call himself a strategist when he took over when the cedi was selling at GHc4 but now selling at GHc12.
CAMPAIGN OF INSULTS AND PERSON¬ALITY ATTACKS
Indeed, these campaigns of insults and personal attacks by these pres¬idential hopefuls especially within the same party or stable do not augur well for the NPP and the earlier they put a stop to some of these things, the better it will serve the interest of the party as well as to safeguard and protect it. When they start trading insults at each other at this prema¬ture stage, they will definitely arm and give ammunition to the larger opposition party, the NDC to attack and criticise the party and whoever may be selected to lead the party in the 2024 general elections.
NPP LEADERSHIP MUST CALL ASPI¬RANTS TO ORDER
This is the time for the leadership of the party to quickly intervene and caution all the aspirants to be civil and decorous in their campaign messages and utterances on political platforms in order not to wash their dirty linens in public. Yes, they can embark on their campaigns alright based on their vision and mission for Ghanaians and not to destroy themselves through such negative propagandas. Ghanaians are looking forward for visionary and focused leaders and not leaders who have nothing to offer this country and, therefore let’s your campaigns be constructive and issue-based. Once again, we wish all the NPP presiden¬tial aspirants good and the best of luck.
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By Charles Neequaye
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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