The grassroots of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have warned of voter apathy in the Volta Region in the 2028 general elections due to the neglect of President Mahama to appoint Volta Regional NDC Executives and other stalwarts to key public positions.

According to them, the refusal by the John-Mahama-led-administration to reward the region with appointments for its contribution to the electoral fortunes of the governing party has left the grassroots disgruntled.

Addressing a press conference in Ho, the Convener of New Voter Forum, Edmond Amos Ameamu asserted that though some people of Volta origin have been appointed, they are not connected in any way to the party in the region, and did not render support in any form during the 2024 electioneering. 

He added that the continuous neglect of NDC stalwarts who are familiar with the grassroots in appointments will have dire consequences on the party’s vision to maintain power beyond 2028. 

Mr. Ameamu supported a call by the Volta Renaissance Forum on President Mahama to consider appointing party fateful who worked and are identified by the grassroots in its stronghold to appease them.

“In our candid view, we believe the Petitioners have a strong case which President Mahama needs to treat urgently with the view of appointing faithful NDC party executives and activists who have strong links with the grassroots. This we believe will go a long way to motivate the base of the party and prevent voter apathy ahead of 2028 elections”, he stressed. 

He questioned the government and party’s decision to appoint “an alien” as the acting Volta Regional Director of the National Health Insurance Scheme, describing it as “bogus, a slap in the face of hard work, abuse of office and betrayal of trust.” 

“The grassroots, who worked so hard day and night to secure this emphatic victory have been patient in the midst of appointment neglect. What we will not however take is the reckless imposition of aliens who did nothing to help us win the election”, he added. 

Mr. Ameamu recommended the party’s hierarchy to convene a meeting with the concerned stakeholders and give a fair hearing aimed at finding a lasting solution to their concerns. 

He further opined that the party leadership and the Regional Minister should collaborate and ensure NDC activists are appointed to avert “mass action including takeovers, demonstrations, picketing among others in the coming weeks”. 

He also entreated the local government leadership in the region to devise measures to create job opportunities for the teeming NDC supporters “to motivate the base of the party which is almost becoming disgruntled.”

He, therefore issued a week ultimatum for their concerns to be addressed, with emphasis on the reversal of the appointment of the Acting Volta Regional Director of NHIS.

He emphasized that “failure to which we shall take our civil action against this unpopular decision.”

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, has defended the party’s 2024 flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, against claims that he is using the ongoing “Thank You Tour” to whitewash himself.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Monday, April 28, Nana B dismissed these accusations.

According to him, Dr. Bawumia has not sought to distance himself from the previous government’s shortcomings but has consistently acknowledged his role in the administration.

“I don’t think so. It’s not true… Throughout his speeches, he kept using the word ‘we’ — we, the government. He didn’t exclude himself. He was recounting events that contributed to our loss in the 2024 elections,” he stated.

Nana B explained that Dr. Bawumia’s remarks, including references to unpopular policies like the E-Levy, the emission tax, and the betting tax, were not new criticisms but issues that had already been raised within the party and even publicly acknowledged by key figures.

“Even I am on record criticising some of these policies. These are matters that clearly affected our fortunes in 2024.”

When asked specifically about the purpose of the “Thank You Tour” — amid suspicions that it serves to polish Bawumia’s image — Nana B insisted that the tour was a party-driven initiative.

“It’s not true that the ‘Thank You Tour’ is meant to whitewash anyone. The tour was organised by the party and the 2024 flagbearer. It involves all the former aspirants. We go out, thank our supporters, and engage with the party base. It’s important to explain why we lost, apologise where necessary, and rebuild unity.”

He emphasised that the aim is to galvanise the party’s supporters and prepare for future battles, adding that the tour has so far been successful across several regions.

Nana B’s defence comes as some elements within the NPP accuse the former Vice President of failing to fully own up to the party’s historic defeat in the 2024 elections.

Read also: ‘Bawumia blaming everyone but himself for NPP’s defeat’ – Omane Boamah

Critics also claim that Bawumia, through some of his utterances — such as blaming the party’s loss on the arrogance of power and unpopular decisions taken by the Akufo-Addo administration — is indirectly denigrating former President Akufo-Addo’s legacy.

During a recent stop in the Western Region, Dr. Bawumia attributed the NPP’s loss to public dissatisfaction with some of the government’s decisions, highlighting the dangers of ignoring public sentiment.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

Former NPP presidential aspirant, Kwadwo Nsafoa Poku has commended former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for inviting former presidential contenders of the party to join him on his national “Thank You” tour.

Dr. Bawumia, as part of his measures to foster unity in the NPP, invited all former presidential aspirants to join him as he embarks on his nationwide tour.

Kwadwo Poku Nsafoa, who joined the tour today in the Ahafo Region, found this action by Dr Bawumia very laudable.

“To invite all of us to join him for this Thank You tour is a unique gesture from Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and we all have to appreciate it.”

“Personally, I want to thank him for inviting me to join him to thank you, our party stakeholders across the country. He could have done this alone but in the spirit of unity for the party, he decided to invite all of us.”

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all of us here to emulate this exemplary leadership from Bawumia and demonstrate unity across all levels of our party throughout the country”, Kwadwo Poku said in Goaso while addressing the party faithful.

Kwadwo Nsafoa urged party members to diligently work to bring the NPP back to power in 2028.

Former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

Former NPP presidential aspirant, Kwadwo Nsafoa Poku has commended former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for inviting former presidential contenders of the party to join him on his national “Thank You” tour.

Dr. Bawumia, as part of his measures to foster unity in the NPP, invited all former presidential aspirants to join him as he embarks on his nationwide tour.

Kwadwo Poku Nsafoa, who joined the tour today in the Ahafo Region, found this action by Dr Bawumia very laudable.

“To invite all of us to join him for this Thank You tour is a unique gesture from Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and we all have to appreciate it.”

“Personally, I want to thank him for inviting me to join him to thank you, our party stakeholders across the country. He could have done this alone but in the spirit of unity for the party, he decided to invite all of us.”

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all of us here to emulate this exemplary leadership from Bawumia and demonstrate unity across all levels of our party throughout the country”, Kwadwo Poku said in Goaso while addressing the party faithful.

Kwadwo Nsafoa urged party members to diligently work to bring the NPP back to power in 2028.

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) politician, Hopeson Adorye, opened fire on the party’s 2024 Presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, over personal attacks aimed at his wife, gospel musician Empress Gifty Adorye.

Adorye, in a live video, revealed that an NPP, Bawumia-aligned page on TikTok known as ‘Bawumia for 2028’ has been launching diabolical attacks against his gospel-singer wife.

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By Kingsley Mamore

Dambai (O/R,) April 28, GNA – The Municipal Chief Executive of Krachi East (MCE), Mr.Safo Nketia, has met Mr. Zulkiphil Alhassan Osman, Oti Regional Director of Islamic Units to discuss plans to enhance Islamic schools in the area.

The meeting aimed to revitalise Islamic education by providing necessary resources and guidance.

The MCE expressed the Municipal Assembly’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote quality education within the community.

An engagement with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Nketia said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led government was committed to ensuring fairness, justice and development for all.

He told the Muslim community that government has been able to reduce Hajji fares, commence the construction of a Hajj Village and many other things.

He further said the government was working to establish community Senior High Schools in predominantly Muslim communities to improve access to secondary education.

Beyond restoring the economy, he noted that the Reset Ghana agenda seeks to restore hope to Ghanaians regardless of religious, political or ethnic grouping.

The collaboration highlights the Assembly’s dedication to fostering inclusive educational opportunities for all students in the area.

GNA

MA/GRB

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, has expressed his displeasure with happenings in the ongoing ‘Thank You Tour’ of the party.

In a statement sighted by GhanaWeb, Boakye Agyarko asserted that the tour, which was supposed to unite the party following its defeat in the 2024 general election, is turning out to be divisive.

He pointed out that not only are pronouncements during the tour dividing members of the party, they are also making the party unpopular among Ghanaians.

“The ongoing Thank You Tour, envisioned as a beacon of hope and a rallying point to reignite the spirit of our faithful and supporters, is unfortunately veering off course. What was intended to restore our party’s shine and reconnect us with the grassroots is instead unravelling into bouts of discord, blame-shifting, and internal strife.

“This regrettable turn of events threatens to inflict serious collateral damage on the very fabric of our party. More worryingly, it is steadily eroding the goodwill and trust we have worked so hard to cultivate among the Ghanaian people,” he wrote.

Boakye Agyarko, who was a Minister for Energy under the government of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, therefore called on the leadership of the NPP to reassess the operationalisation of the ‘Thank You Tour’ before it causes the party irreversible damage.

“In light of these unfortunate developments, I am earnestly calling on the leadership of our party to act swiftly and decisively. It is time to apply the brakes and reassess the direction of the Thank You Tour. We must pull back from what increasingly looks like an imminent collision course and chart a path that upholds the unity, dignity, and forward-looking spirit of our tradition.

“A carefully recalibrated approach, one that fosters genuine reconciliation, solidarity, and purposeful engagement, is urgently needed. Let us seize this moment to renew our collective resolve and ensure that the mission of the Thank You Tour is accomplished in a manner worthy of our party’s proud legacy,” he added.

His remarks come following statements made by leading figures of the NPP, including the presidential candidate of the party for the 2024 election, former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on the reasons why the NPP lost the election.

Dr Bawumia, addressing a gathering as part of the NPP’s ‘Thank You Tour’, said that certain policies by the previous Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government, which he was Vice President of, led to their defeat in the 2024 general election.

He explained that the arrogance of power that made the government insensitive to the plights of Ghanaians incurred people’s wrath, causing them to vote against the party massively.

The NPP flagbearer also indicated that the rising nature of inflation during Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government tenure, the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) as well as the introduction of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) and the $58 million uncompleted National Cathedral project, played a major role in making the party unpopular.

Following the former Vice President’s remarks, some members of the NPP have accused him of shifting blame for his personal ambitions.

Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security under the Akufo-Addo administration, condemned Dr Bawumia’s attempts to disassociate himself from controversial policies such as the E-Levy and the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

He pointed out that Dr Bawumia remained silent during the implementation of these policies, despite his role as Vice President and head of the Economic Management Team, only to later claim opposition when seeking political advantage.

BAI/MA

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Meanwhile, watch as frustrated Ghanaians speak out on poor network challenges

The Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, on Sunday, 27 April, led a grand ceremony to honour the hardworking branch executives who played a key role in securing a resounding parliamentary and presidential victory for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the constituency during the last elections.

The colourful event, held at the Astro Turf in Madina, brought together 3,889 party executives, including Ward Coordinators, Secretaries, Organizers, Zonal Leaders, Assembly Members, and Unit Committee Members from all 321 polling stations in the constituency. The celebration served as a platform to express appreciation for their dedication, loyalty, and tireless work during the campaigns.

In his speech, Mr. Sosu outlined a range of awards and incentives designed to reward excellence and encourage sustained commitment at the grassroots. “For example, branches that recorded the highest votes will receive special awards,” he announced. Prizes for outstanding performers included motorcycles, brand-new laptops, tricycles, foreign trips, scholarships, job placement opportunities, and cash prizes.

“We are not just giving out awards; we are also recognizing the sacrifices made by our grassroots soldiers. Our politics is not going to be transactional — it will be transformational,” Sosu emphasized, reinforcing his vision for a new style of leadership within the NDC.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the launch of a One Million Ghana Cedis (GHC 1,000,000.00) Welfare Scheme for all branch executives under the “Madina Potwesi” initiative. The fund, with an initial deposit of GHC 100,000, is aimed at providing medical and emergency support for grassroots members who continue to sacrifice for the party. The MP appealed to well-wishers and philanthropists to contribute generously to the fund to ensure its sustainability.

Mr. Sosu also shared emotional moments recalling the tragic loss of dedicated campaigners during the election period, paying tribute to Nathaniel and others who made the ultimate sacrifice. He reiterated the importance of supporting party members not only politically but also in their personal welfare, underscoring his deep commitment to the NDC’s grassroots.

The event also celebrated financiers, donors, and other key contributors whose support was instrumental to the NDC’s electoral success in Madina. Many party members described the occasion as a historic milestone in recognizing the crucial role of branch executives in political victory.

The grand ceremony concluded with music, dance, and a renewed pledge by all members present to work even harder for the NDC’s future successes.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

President John Dramani Mahama during his swearing-in on January 7, 2025

GhanaWeb Feature by Ishmael Batoma:

The General Secretary of the largest opposition political party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has alleged that there are plans to enable President John Dramani Mahama to contest for a third presidential term.

He asserted that the plan revolves around the interpretation of Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which talks about the presidential term limit.

But is it possible? Can President Mahama, who is serving his second term as president, run for office again?

First of all, what does the constitution say about the presidential term limit?

Article 66(2)

Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution categorically states that elected presidents can only serve two terms, with a term being a period of four years.

“(1) A person elected as President shall, subject to clause (3) of this article, hold office for a term of four years beginning from the date on which he is sworn in as President.

“(2) A person shall not be elected to hold office as President of Ghana for more than two terms,” section 1 and 2 of Article 66 states.

So, the keywords in this constitutional provision are “elected president” and “two terms.”

President Mahama has been elected to serve as president of Ghana twice, and he is allowed to serve for two terms.

Having already served his first term of 4 years between 2013 and 2016, Mahama can only be president till January 7, 2029, when his second term ends.

So, there is no ambiguity in what the law on the term of office of the president says.

However, one of the things being thrown about regarding the law is it being for only presidents who served their two terms in succession. Mahama is the only two-term president in the history of the 4th Republic of Ghana who did not serve consecutive terms.

But there is no mention of the phrase “successive term”, as some are asserting, which would mean that because Mahama did not serve two continuous terms, he can run for president again.

Is there a way Mahama can be elected president again after his second term?

The only way President John Dramani Mahama can be elected into the office of the president again after his second term is if Article 66 of the constitution is amended.

Article 66 is under Chapter 8 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which is an entrenched provision. Unlike other unentrenched provisions of the constitution, which can be easily amended by a parliamentary majority, amending entrenched provisions is very rigorous.

President Mahama could have easily amended Article 66 of the constitution to give himself more terms in office, that is, if he is even entertaining such thoughts, because of the super majority (183 out of 276 seats in the House) the NDC has in Parliament.

However, as pointed out earlier, Article 66 is an entrenched provision and will require the say of the people of Ghana to be amended.

In other words, only Ghanaians can give Mahama a third or more term in office.

For an entrenched provision to be amended, it must gain at least 75% support in a referendum in which more than 40% of registered voters take part.

Below are the exact words of the 1992 Constitution for the amendment of entrenched provisions:

(2) A bill for the amendment of an entrenched provision shall, before Parliament proceeds to consider it, be referred by the Speaker to the Council of State for its advice, and the Council of State shall render advice on the bill within thirty days after receiving it.

(3) The bill shall be published in the Gazette but shall not be introduced into Parliament until the expiry of six months after the publication in the Gazette under this clause.

(4) After the bill has been read the first time in Parliament it shall not be proceeded with further unless it has been submitted to a referendum held throughout Ghana and at least forty percent of the persons entitled to vote, voted at the referendum and at least seventy-five percent of the persons who voted cast their votes in favour of the passing of the bill.

(5) Where the bill is approved at the referendum, Parliament shall pass it.

(6) Where a bill for the amendment of an entrenched provision has been passed by Parliament in accordance with this article, the President shall assent to it.

In conclusion, there is no way Mahama can serve for a third term under the current constitution, unless the people of Ghana want him to.

Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, has called on President Mahama to declare a state of emergency on mining in water bodies and forest reserves, citing escalating environmental damage and risks to public health and future generations

According to him, the level of degradation caused by illegal mining requires firm action.

He opined that declaring a state of emergency would enable the government to freeze all existing licences, in order to reclaim the affected areas.

“When you declare a state of emergency, you freeze all rights. So the accrued rights are frozen, and then you can go into the forest to deal with the people who are there. We need to protect the environment,” he said.

He warned that any delay could have severe repercussions for the Mahama administration, emphasising that the government’s response to illegal small-scale mining could become a defining issue of its tenure.

“If there’s anything that will affect us as a government, more in this term of John Dramani Mahama, it will be our ability or inability to fight illegal small-scale mining,” he said in an interview on Joy FM.

Inusah Fuseini reminded that the NDC, while in opposition, promised to declare a state of emergency and repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, allowing mining in forest reserves. He emphasized fulfilling these promises is a matter of “moral integrity” and welcomed recent steps toward repealing the law.

Highlighting the human impact, Inusah Fuseini linked polluted rivers to increased kidney disease and birth defects, warning of a potential health crisis if water bodies continue to deteriorate. He cautioned that unchecked exploitation could turn Ghana’s landscapes into deserts, citing global examples.

Urging Ghanaians to protect forests and rivers for present and future generations, Fuseini invoked the principle of intergenerational equity. Recalling his involvement in environmental protests, he suggested swift presidential action could prevent further demonstrations.

“The demonstration may not become necessary anymore,” he said, urging the government to honour the pledges it made to the Ghanaian people.

The Tema Traditional Council (TTC) has expressed disappointment with President John Dramani Mahama’s nomination of Ms Ebi Bright as the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive.

Ms Bright, a three-time National Democratic Congress (NDC) Tema Central parliamentary candidate, was nominated as the first female MCE of the Tema Metro despite several calls on the president by the council requesting a native to occupy the position.

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Mildred Siabi-Mensah  

Takoradi, April 28, GNA – Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has acknowledged that failure to heed to the generality of Ghanaians and party enthusiasts, caused the party in the Election 2024. 

He said “If we consider all the studies we have done so far as to why we lost, one of the big issues was that we did not listen to the people. We ignored your voices and exhibited arrogance. There was arrogance of power”. 

Dr Bawumia continued that though party members asked for a reshuffle, party hierarchy failed to listen. 

“Ghanaians told us they did not like the e-levy, but we did not listen to them. Meanwhile, there are about 16 million mobile money subscribers. So literally, all the voters use mobile money”. 

“The people also told us not to implement the haircut policy, but we implemented it, despite the assurances from the then President that there will be no haircuts. We angered many bondholders who are about eight hundred thousand people,” he said.  

“These people have dependants, at least three or four. So, it will never augur well for you as a government when over two million people are hurt,” he indicated. 

Dr Bawumia pointed out that Ghanaians grew tired of the arrogance displayed and those unpopular decisions contributed to the abysmal performance of the NPP. 

Addressing thousands of enthusiastic NPP supporters at the auditorium of the Takoradi Technical University over the weekend, as part of the party’s thank you tour, Dr Bawumia said the party had learnt the hard way from the consequences for not listening to concerns of the masses.  

He however, rejected the assertion by some people that his Muslim faith was a key reason behind the party’s loss and described the perception as baseless and not supported by evidence. 

The nationwide tour is on the theme: “In All Things, Give Thanks to God” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 

Dr Bawumia also cited the cost of living and the prices of goods that went up which led to financial difficulties for many, adding that the government at the time failed to pay allowances due personnel under the Nation Builders Corp (NaBCo), Afforestation Programme, and caterers in the School Feeding Programme. 

He stated that NaBCo members alone were about one hundred thousand, while those doing afforestation were seventy thousand. 

He admitted that the government failed to commit resources for development infrastructure in several of its strongholds in the Western Region and other regions. 

Dr Bawumia cited the PTC interchange in Takoradi, Takoradi main Market, as well as the Mpohor and Shama road projects. 

He said it was worrying that about three days to the general elections, prices of petroleum products were increased. 

Dr Bawumia said although it was clear that the party was going to do well in all the 270 constituencies, unfortunately there was low voter turnout, probably because of the government’s unpopular decisions. 

He cited instances where voters, including party supporters, openly expressed their unwillingness to participate in the polls, adding “This is unprecedented in Ghana’s political history”. 

Dr Bawumia continued that the party was reconsidering changes to its delegate system, as reports suggested it accounted partly for the party’s loss. 

He was very optimistic that the NPP would win the next general elections adding “I believe 2028 is the year for the elephant”. 

Mr Stephen Ntim, the National Chairman of the party, urged all NPP activists to unite and heal, stressing that there was hope for the future. 

Justin Frimpong Koduah, the General Secretary of the party urged NPP members to submit proposals for constitutional amendments, as the party prepared for an extraordinary national delegates conference in July this year. 

GNA 

MSM/CAA