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Ablekuma North Returning Officer discontinues collation
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The Returning Officer (RO) for the Ablekuma North Constituency, Vincent Obeng, has shockingly announced his decision to discontinue the collation of disputed results in the area.
The RO surprisingly informed the Electoral Commission (EC) to find a replacement, citing frustrations encountered during the collation process on January 8, 2025.
Obeng revealed that, out of seven polling stations, results from four had already been collated, leaving just three remaining.
Hanson Agyemang, Obeng explained to the media that, “I hope you have all seen what is going on. Yesterday January 7, we were left with 7 polling stations to go. We came today [January 8], and we have been able to do four out of the seven.”
Additionally he noted that“So we’re left with three more. We brought our presiding officers here, two came and they couldn’t authenticate the statement of the poll and the declaration form. One said she couldn’t come, so that is the three now.”
“It’s so unfortunate for me to make this statement that I’m done with Ablekuma North. They should find a new Returning Officer to continue their work for them,”he disclosed.
Responding to this, the Director of Training, EC, Dr Serebour Quaicoe expressed regret over the comment by the Returning Officer.
Chaos erupted at the Greater Accra Regional Office during the resumption of the collation of results for Ablekuma North by the Electoral Commission (EC), sparking heightened tensions.
The incident stemmed from accusations by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the EC was collaborating with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to manipulate election results in the constituency.
The NDC’s Constituency Organiser, Musa Kalamu, alleged that the EC was aiding the NPP in doctoring figures from pink sheets of outstanding polling stations.
The situation occurred after the EC resumed the collation of the results after it temporarily suspended the collation process for the Ablekuma North constituency due to unresolved issues with results from seven outstanding polling stations, on January 6.
This decision comes as the EC sought to verify and authenticate the results from these polling stations before proceeding with the final collation.
Out of the 20 outstanding polling stations before the collation exercise on Monday, January 6, presiding officers have successfully authenticated 13 of the pink sheets submitted by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Businessman Mr. Ibrahim Mahama has denied reports linking him to a takeover bid for the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO).
His reaction follows a demonstration by members of the VALCO Labour Union today, during which some protesters alleged that Mr. Mahama was interested in acquiring the state-owned aluminium company.
In a statement issued by his Special Aide, Rafik Mahama, the businessman said he has “no such interest” and has not made any offer to acquire VALCO.
“The allegation is the latest in several vile attempts to impute the integrity of Mr. Ibrahim Mahama and subject him to needless public engagements,” the statement said.
The statement added that Mr. Mahama’s business track record speaks for itself, describing his companies as “some of the best-run operations across the African continent.”
It further noted that all of Mr. Mahama’s business interests were “legally commenced or acquired” and operate within the law a fact it said explains why his businesses have endured across seven election cycles.
“Mr. Mahama remains committed to contributing his quota to the development of Ghana by investing in business opportunities in Ghana and beyond,” the statement added.
The statement also disclosed that Mr. Mahama has instructed his lawyers to take the necessary legal action over the publication and allegations.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The leadership of Kristo Asafo has dismissed reports circulating on social media and in some media outlets that the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka will be buried on July 30, 2026, describing the claim as false.
The current head of the Kantanka family and leader of Kristo Asafo, Kwadwo Safo Akofena Kantanka, addressed the issue during a press conference in Accra today.
He said no burial date has been set and urged members of the church and the general public to disregard any unofficial announcements.
“I urge the members of Kristo Asafo and the nation to disregard any burial date out there,” Akofena said.
He further stressed that neither the leadership of the church nor the Kantanka family has made any such announcement regarding the funeral.
According to him, all official funeral arrangements will be communicated only through a formal statement from the Kantanka family when the time is due.
Akofena Safo Kantanka said the family remains united in ensuring that the final funeral rites are conducted in a manner that befits the legacy of the late Apostle.
He called on Ghanaians to remain calm and wait for the official communication from the family, warning against the spread of misinformation.
Background
Apostle Dr. Ing. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, founder and spiritual leader of Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana, passed away recently, plunging the church and the nation into mourning.
The late Apostle was widely known not only as a religious leader but also as an industrialist, inventor, and founder of the Kantanka Group of Companies, which manufactures vehicles and other machinery in Ghana.
Since his passing, there has been heightened public interest in his funeral arrangements.
It would be recalled that a faction of the siblings and family led by former MP Adwoa Safo had earlier announced a proposed burial date and arrangements.
That announcement, however, has been rejected by the current leadership of both the church and the family.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
