Nana Konadu regrets leaving NDC - NDP executives

It is now becoming clear that Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, after a careful appraisal of the nation’s political terrain, is pang of guilt over some decisions she has taken in the past, particularly that of desiring to become President of Ghana “at all cost” (apologies to Nana Akufo-Addo).

Present at the Sunyani meeting last week, some regional executives of the National Democratic Party (NDP) who spoke to The Informer said; their Founder and leader, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has regretted leaving the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to form her own party.

She is, however, reported to have rebutted media accounts that she was considering an offer to partner the NDC flagbearer for the 2016 general elections.

To prove that she has no such intentions, the former First Lady is quoted to have said to her followers "I have not accepted to be NDC running-mate for 2016. It is not going to happen today, neither will it happen tomorrow".

According to her, nothing has changed since she took the decision to opt out of the NDC party; and that she is more than committed to the cause of the NDP. But these regional executives who spoke to this Paper, feel otherwise.

In a telephone interview with The Informer, one of the regional executives (name withheld) who obviously is not on the same page with their party Founder, said her assertion in last week's meeting best fits the saying “town gentility, home cry”.

Asked why, he said, “I was present at the meeting when she made the declaration and from the tone and body language, you will realize that she has regretted leaving the NDC after the party’s 2012 victory.

In fact, madam thought she could use the NDP to destroy the NDC’s chances in 2012, but the victory of the party in 2012 has exposed her political irrelevance; and I can say unequivocally that, she has regretted her actions”.

Another, who spoke to this Paper, said the pronouncements by the former First Lady have exposed her of somebody who lacks self-confidence and trust in the party she founded.

According to him, for her to even think that the NDC is considering making her running-mate in 2016 is potentially childish; in that, having left the party and form a new one technically means she has sacked herself from the NDC.

“You left the NDC and without you, they won election to be in power; so why should they come for you,” this angry regional chairman queried.

“My brother, our madam has regretted leaving the NDC to form NDP, particularly when she cannot even manage the party she has founded, period”, he concludes.

Even before the above revelations by these NDP regional executives, The Informer knows it for a fact that, President John Dramani Mahama has no intention to dump the Vice President, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, for the 2016 elections; and therefore, do not understand why she (Nana Konadu) should dream or believe such wild rumours when she is not a member of the NDC.

I have been worried but now I am really worried - Gifty Anti

 

TV icon and host of 'The StandPoint', Gifty Anti, has expressed worry over latest developments in Ghana.

The TV veteran and women and child rights advocate has voiced out her fears following the recent religious tension that seems to be creeping into the country.

Gifty, in a lengthy Facebook post, called for compromises between the religious sects, while condemning media and streets war.

Read her post below:

"Yes I was worried, I have been worried but now I am really worried, actually I fear for my country Ghana. This is not the Ghana I was born into.... What is happening? Our woes seem to deepen by the day. Now religious what? Come on.... When did we degenerate into this?

"My father spoke ewe, ga, twi, fanti, hausa and a bit of nzema. I have worked with Muslims, I have organized conferences for Muslim women attended by some Muslim men and some non Muslims as well and I am about to organize another one this year. I have had programmes with both Muslims and Christians on it. I have had Muslims attend our annual Women called to Worship Conference held in a church auditorium. I have daughters and sons who are Muslims but I never referred to any of them as my "Muslim daughter or son".

"Why are we trying so hard to add so called "religious intolerance" to our many problems as Ghanaians? I pray, oh I pray in the name of God that this one too will not be politicized!!! obviously there are genuine concerns. Things have changed and there must be some compromises. Like the Chief Iman said let there be "dialogue" and not a media or street "battle". We are all Ghanaians."

“Dumsor” blues: NPP defends Rawlings’ energy record

The Minority in Parliament has defended former President Jerry Rawlings’ contribution to the energy sector during his time in Office.

The Legislators told Journalists at a press conference where they presented their version of the state of the nation that Mr Rawlings added at least 580 Megawatts to Ghana’s installed capacity by the time he left office in 2000.

The Minority’s reference to Mr Rawlings’ contribution comes on the heels of President John Mahama’s assertion during his state of the nation address that unlike his predecessors who merely managed the power crisis, he will fix the problem before leaving Office.

“That is most unkind and uncharitable especially to Rawlings and Kufuor,” the Minority said, adding: “Following the 1982 – 85 power crisis, VRA [state power producer Volta River Authority] came up with a researched paper that defined the architecture of sustainable power generation beyond 1985.

“The rehabilitation of the 30MW Diesel Power Plants at Tema which President Nkrumah had procured in 1961 but which had been lying fallow was done. In January 1998, under President Rawlings the 220MW Aboadze Thermal Power Plant (Takoradi 1 or T1) came on stream.

“In June 1999, a 110-MW Steam Turbine came on board - T1, to make it a combined cycle plant that was capable of generating 330 MW. In response to the 1998 – 2000 power crisis the Rawlings regime engaged Aggreko Plc to generate and supply 30MW into the system.

“Rawlings’ government in 1998, meanwhile further expanded the Aboadze Power complex to roll out additional 330MW. This was undertaken by Takoradi International Company (TICo) also referred to as Takoradi 2 or (T2).

“The Gas Turbines to deliver 220 MW of the total 330MW were completed and commissioned in year 2000. This is a joint venture between VRA and TAQA of Abu Dhabi (UAE). The remaining 110MW steam component is yet to be completed.

“One could conclude that Rawlings added at least about 580MW to the nation’s power generation and this does not include the emergency power generations.

“Mr. President, Rawlings was not merely managing or controlling or tinkering with the problem. He had started to confront the issue of sustainable power generation and utilisation!” Minority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu said Monday.

Ghana is currently shedding between 400 and 700 Megawatts of power between off-peak and peak periods due to a shortfall in production which has been attributed to lack of gas supply to thermal plants across the country from the West Africa Gas Pipeline in Nigeria, as well as poor hydrology of the three main hydro-electric power stations: Akosombo, Bui and Kpong.

Also, the breakdown of some thermal plants while others are undergoing maintenance at the same time, have also been blamed for the problem as well as the lack of money to buy crude oil to fuel some of the thermal plants.

Anyidoho dissects Presby boss over “dumsor” claims

A Deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Koku Anyidoho has challenged the moderator of the Presby Church Professor Emmanuel Martey to help solve the energy crisis that has hit the country, if he is in the position to do so.

"Prof. Martey should use his celestial decree to solve Ghana’s energy crisis if he thinks he can be of help to the nation” the former Presidential spokesperson stated on Accra-based Peace FM Monday.

Prof Martey has said he could fix Ghana’s current energy crisis [dumsor] in three months if he was the President of Ghana.

“Listen, Ghana is not a big country to fix this problem. [In] four months you can solve it; at most [in] six months…

“If I were in charge, within three months I will solve the problem,” the plain-talking Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana said on Sunday when he preached to the Akyem Old Tafo Grace Church in the Eastern region.

But Koku says the utterances of reverend Martey makes him sound more of a politician than a priest.

“This business where Professor Martey is trying to do politics behind the pulpit is unacceptable”.

Ghana is currently shedding between 400 and 700 Megawatts of power during off-peak and peak periods, respectively.

The crisis has come about as a result of poor water levels in the three hydro-electric power stations; lack of gas flow from the West Africa Gas Pipeline in Nigeria to thermal plants in Ghana for production; as well as the breakdown of some plants.

The crisis is taking a toll on Industry, businesses and domestic consumers. Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor has promised to resign if he fails to resolve the crisis by the end of December this year.

The Government is taking some short term measures to rectify the crisis. Among the actions being taken is the importation of some emergency plants: two 450-Megawatt capacity barges (225 Megawatt each) from Karpower at a cost of $250 million; 250-Megawatt generating units from Dubai which are being brought into the country; in addition to a 300-Megawatt emergency plant by General Electric.

Blame Mahama for religious, ethnic tensions - NDP

The National Democratic Party (NDP) is blaming President Mahama for the current ethnocentric and religious tension confronting the country.

The Party says the President’s comment on the subject does not only fan religious and ethnocentrism but also shows how he has failed in his leadership role.

Communications Director of the Party, Ernest Owusu Bempah, said Ghana sits on a religious and ethnocentric ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

Speaking to Nhyira FM in Kumasi at the sidelines of a governance lecture, Mr. Owusu-Bempah warned the country’s security is threatened by comments by the President Mahama on the matter.

President Mahama recently warned of sanctions against any head of mission school who compels a non-Christian to attend church services or faith-based meetings.

The comment was met with resistance by the Catholic Bishops Conference and the Christian Council of Ghana.

Mr. Owusu-Bempah believes the First Gentleman’s comment was in bad taste and should be condemned by all.

“There is no leader in this country. How can the President of the Republic of Ghana when there is a religious tension between two religious factions will come out and instruct that whoever is doing that if you are not doing the right thing will be dealt with by the President . I mean it tells you the kind of leader we have in this country”, Mr. Owusu-Bempah said.

He warned that comment from the President goes a long way to threaten security of the citizenry.

“The nation is sitting on a time bomb and it all boils down to lack of leadership. We are heading to a situation where we are sitting on a time bomb. It’s a threat to national security when the country is been plunged into religious ethnocentrism. It's very dangerous for our country”, Mr. Owusu-Bempah warned.

The NDP therefore called on Ghanaians to avoid religious intolerance and ethnocentrism whilst condemning the President’s action.

The best solution, according to the NDP, is to vote out the NDC in 2016.

Mahama can be impeached over DA vacuum if... - MP

President John Dramani Mahama can be impeached if he allows a vacuum to be created at the various MMDAs after the expiration of the tenure of current assembly members on Friday, March 13.

That's according to NPP Member of Parliament for Manhyia, Mathew Opoku Prempeh. In order to avoid this, the vociferous legislator is advising the President to liaise with the leadership of Parliament over the vacuum likely to be created in the country's local governance set up.

According to the MP, there will be no constituted district assemblies and unit committees after the expiry of the tenure of the current members due to the cancellation of the March 3 elections.

Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who represents the Manhyia South Constituency in Parliament, told TV3 on Tuesday March 10, that President Mahama must swiftly take steps to fill the impending void.

The MP was speaking to TV3 after Parliament met with officials of the Electoral Commission led by its Chairman over the botched elections and the way forward.

Chairman of the EC Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan refused to speak to the media as most of the MPs were tight-lipped about the outcome of the meeting held behind closed doors.

However, TV3 sources say the meeting was murky and inconclusive. A committee has thus been set up to probe the issues and report back on Thursday March 12, as the EC prepares a new legislation to restart the electoral process.

"By Friday, the assemblies stand dissolved so we have to know government’s intention in the interim. The assemblies including the district chief executives cease to be in office from Friday. So, the president should be liaising with Parliament to find a way ahead.

"President John Mahama should tell us and discuss with the leadership of Parliament the structure he intends to put in place now that the assemblies will be dissolved including his own district chief executives. If the President sits for that void to be created, people can impeach him on that," he noted.

The elections were cancelled after a disgruntled aspirant, Benjamin Eyi Mensah, secured a favourable Supreme Court ruling. Reports reaching tv3network.com indicate that the Electoral Commission may hold the elections in July.

Already, Vice President Amissah-Arthur has asked the Attorney General's Department to extend the mandate of the outgoing assembly members in order to fill the vacuum.

But local governance analysts have warned that extending the tenure will be unconstitutional. They have rather asked Government to appoint a management team to avoid a breakdown of operations at the various assemblies.