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Dr. Zaato questions Frimpong Boateng over claim NPP is fake
Policy analyst and senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Joshua Zaato, has questioned former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, over his description of the New Patriotic Party NPP as fake.
Dr Zaato raised concerns about when Professor Frimpong Boateng formed the view that the party was fake and why he has remained a member if he truly believes that.
Speaking during a political discussion a TV3 , Dr Zaato drew a clear line between Professor Frimpong Boateng as a respected cardiologist and scientist, and Professor Frimpong Boateng as a politician.
He praised the former health professional for his global reputation and role in establishing the National Cardiothoracic Centre, stressing that he had no standing to question him in that capacity.
However, he argued that as a politician, Professor Frimpong Boateng is open to public scrutiny like any other political actor.
Dr Zaato questioned whether the NPP was fake in 2016 and 2017 when Professor Frimpong Boateng served as a cabinet minister and benefited from being in government.
He also asked whether the party became fake after the 2020 elections when Professor Frimpong Boateng left government, and why he remained in the party from 2020 to 2024 if he believed it had lost its authenticity.
According to Dr Zaato, staying in a party one describes as fake raises concerns about principle and consistency.
He further challenged Professor Frimpong Boateng to clearly define what he meant by describing the party as fake or different, arguing that such words are loaded and require explanation.
Dr Zaato noted that political parties naturally evolve over time, adding that the NPP of 1992 is not the same as the NPP of 2025.
He traced the leadership of the party from Professor Albert Adu Boahen, through former President J A Kufuor, to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, pointing out that changes in leadership do not automatically make a party fake.
He argued that the current difference in the party is linked to Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s leadership, noting that he is a Northerner, a Muslim, and not a traditional founding member of the party.
Dr Zaato questioned whether the party only became fake now that a different kind of leader is emerging, and challenged Professor Frimpong Boateng to state this clearly if that was his position.
He stressed that the NPP still exists as an organisation, with its constitution, offices, and symbol intact, and therefore asked what exactly Professor Frimpong Boateng considered not real.
Dr Zaato underscored that without clear definitions, claims that the party is fake remain unclear and open to interpretation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Traders have returned to the streets of Accra, occupying pavements and stretches of some roads after the last major decongestion exercise.
The exercise, which was aimed at restoring order in areas like Kingsway, CMB, Rawlings Park, Tudu etc, have now been defeated.
From Kingsway to Rawlings Park, traders display several wares including, footwear, herbal medicines, plastic products, fresh fish, second-hand clothing, and vegetables, among others.
Local Evangelists are also not left out as they scramble for spaces on the streets.
Pedestrians, therefore, find it difficult to move around when shopping, due to the human and vehicular congestion created by the traders.
In an interview with The Spectator, Auntie Abigail, a trader, said her return to the streets was to sell more, and she saw nothing wrong with it.
Hajia, who deals in wholesale items, indicated that they were unable to make sales as their colleagues move to the pavement and since customers don’t want to come inside, they prefer to buy from them.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has given traders a grace period to go back to their shops.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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The Keta Municipal Health Directorate in the Volta Region has reported a surge in mumps cases, sparking concerns among residents in the area.
The disease, caused by a viral infection, has spread rapidly in the Municipality, with about 50 persons reportedly affected in the Keta township.
Madam Tsoeke Dzorgbenyui Seanefu, a nurse at the Keta Municipal Health Directorate, disclosed that mumps is a highly contagious disease that affects the salivary glands and presents symptoms such as facial swelling, fever, and headache. She linked the outbreak to poor hygiene and overcrowding.
“The causes of mumps include the mumps virus, which spreads through respiratory droplets, contact with infected saliva, and contaminated surfaces,” she said.
She explained that symptoms include swelling of the parotid glands, fever, headache, muscle aches, and loss of appetite. In some cases, complications such as meningitis or orchitis may occur.
Madam Seanefu emphasised that mumps spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s saliva or respiratory droplets, sharing food, drinks, or utensils, and touching contaminated surfaces.
“Those at highest risk of contracting mumps include unvaccinated children and adults, people living in crowded areas, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The effects of mumps can be severe, including meningitis (inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord), orchitis (inflammation of the testicles), and oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries),” she added.
To prevent or curb mumps, she advised residents to visit hospitals or the nearest health centre for vaccination (MMR vaccine), practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly under running water, avoid sharing food, drinks, or utensils, and stay away from infected individuals.
She urged residents to prioritise hygiene and seek medical attention early if symptoms persist.
She noted that mumps cases are treatable with rest, hydration, and pain management, but medical attention is crucial to prevent complications.
The Keta Municipal Health Directorate is closely monitoring the situation and working to contain the outbreak through public education on mumps, its treatment, and vaccination services for affected individuals. – GNA
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