In a heartfelt message to Ghanaians, former President John Dramani Mahama emphasized that the real work towards national progress begins now, urging the public to stay focused and committed to the collective goal of building a prosperous Ghana. Mahama’s remarks came during the 31st All-Night Service, where he joined hundreds of believers to mark the event with prayer and reflection.

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Residents of Dome Kwabenya are expressing optimism and outlining their expectations following the declaration of Faustina Elikplim Akurugu of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the Member of Parliament-elect for the constituency.

Madam Elikplim secured victory over the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Mike Oquaye Junior by polling 50,967 votes, a significant achievement that makes her the first NDC MP to represent Dome Kwabenya since its creation.

The announcement, made yesterday at the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters, has been met with a mix of jubilation and high hopes from constituents.

Speaking to some residents, many praised the EC for the successful management of the process, particularly in a constituency as large as Dome Kwabenya.

Read also: EC declares NDC’s Elikplim Akurugu winner of Dome-Kwabenya election

One resident noted, “We commend the EC for their massive work. It’s not easy managing elections in one of the largest constituencies in the country.”

With Elikplim’s victory, the residents are now focused on the promises she made during her campaign. They hope her tenure will bring much-needed development to the area.

“We expect a lot from Elikplim because this is the first time we have an NDC representative here. We want her to work very hard so we can maintain the seat. Our priorities include better roads, jobs, and a women’s development bank,” another resident shared.

The lack of essential services was also a recurring concern.

“We need a fire service station in Dome Kwabenya. It’s very bad that we don’t have one,” one constituent lamented. Others called for the completion of the Dome Market Phase Two and the Abokobi Market.

Confidence in Elikplim’s ability to deliver on her promises remains strong.

“We trust her and believe she will fulfill the pledges she made during her campaign,” a resident stated, reflecting the general sentiment of hope.

While many are celebrating the milestone victory, they acknowledge the challenges ahead and expect Elikplim to work diligently to meet the expectations of the community. “After all that happened during the campaign, she emerged victorious. Now, we expect her to work even harder,” another resident remarked.

Elikplim Akurugu’s win has not only broken a political barrier but also kindled a sense of renewed hope among Dome Kwabenya residents, who are eager to see tangible development in the constituency under her leadership.

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Ghanaian socialite and media personality, Adu Safowaa was shockingly snubbed by a cameraman at a recent event.

In a video shared on X, Adu Safowaa can be seen walking out of the gates of a venue where an event had just ended.

While walking out on the red carpet, Adu Safowaa who was majestically walking towards the cameras was quickly told “madam kindly hurry up and leave the red carpet.”

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The High Court in Accra has overruled the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) preliminary legal objection to the mandamus application seeking to compel the EC to collate the parliamentary results of four constituencies in the December 7 2024 elections.

In a ruling today, Justice Forson Baah Agyapong was of the opinion that the jurisdiction of the court had been properly invoked since the mandamus application was not a challenge to the validity of any declared parliamentary result. 

He added that the court could entertain the judicial review seeking to compel the EC to undertake its constitutional duty of collating the results since the said results had not been gazetted by the EC. 

Flowing the ruling, the court will now proceed to go into the merit of the mandamus application after hearing arguments from lawyers of the various parties. 

Preliminary legal objection 

Counsel for the interested parties, Godwin E. Tameklo had yesterday (Dec 31) raised the legal objection to the mandamus application and questioned the jurisdiction of the High Court to hear same. 

The crux of his argument was that the mandamus application in respect of Okaikwei Central, Tema Central, Techiman South and Ablekuma North was an election petition in disguise and same should not be entertained. 

According to him, where the election and the candidate had been declared in the various constituencies even before the mandamus application was filed, the right thing for the New Patriotic Party to do was to file an election petition and not a mandamus application. 

Grounding his arguments on  sections 16 (1) of the Representation of the People’s Law 1992 (PNDC Law 284) which states that, “the validity of an election to Parliament may be questioned only by a petition brought under this Part”. 

He added section 20 of the same law states that the election of a candidate shall be declared void on an election petition if the High Court is satisfied that general bribery, general treating, general intimidation or other misconduct or circumstances, whether similar to those specified in this Law or not, have so extensively prevailed that they may be reasonably supposed to have affected the result of the election. 

Mr Tameklo said all the issues raised in the various affidavits filed was to the effective that the election and the declaration that had been made was outwitted by general intimidation. 

“Whether it is right or wrong that is for the judge in an election petition to make a deee the determination and not a mandamus application. 

“This mandamus application is a clever way to circumvent the proper hearing to be done by evidence in an election petition

“It is only sections 16 and 20 that the applicant herein can invoke if he has any question as to the appropriateness or otherwise of the said declaration,” he said. 

Applicant

Counsel for the applicant, Gary Nimako Marfo, who opposed the objection, Mr Tameklo’s arguments were  misconceived. 

He said the provisions in the PNDC law quoted by counsel had no effect on the mandamus application since the results of the affected constituencies had not been gazetted. 

“We submit that section 16 of PNDC law 284 can only be invoked when a condition precedent under section 18 of the same law has been fulfilled. 

“That is to say there ought to be gazette notification of the results within 21 days by the respondent. As we speak there are no results of Tema Central Constituency, and there is none gazette.

“In conclusion, our prayer is that the respondent (EC) should perform its constitutional and statutory function under C.I 127 to comply collate and declare the winner of the parliamentary elections held on Dec 7, 2024,” he said. 

Counsel for the EC, Justin Amenuvor who took his turn to argue only asked, “How does the person who has raised the preliminary objection expect this court to say whether or not there has been a validly concluded election without going into the affidavit”. 

However Mr Tameklo replied saying the question was meant for a petition and not a mandamus adding, “The affidavit is what is required for a trial in an election petition”.

The Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has once again expressed his gratitude to the Almighty God for recent events in his life and the nation.  

Addressing the congregation of the Lighthouse Chapel at East Legon in Accra as the special guest of the church’s 31st Watch Night Service, Dr Bawumia reflected on the just-ended elections and expressed his appreciation to God.  

“Let me wish everybody a Happy New Year. Let’s wish for greater and better tidings this New Year,” Dr Bawumia remarked, as the congregation erupted in excitement.  

“We have gone through an election, and I want to thank God for His blessings upon myself and the country, Ghana,” he added.  

Citing the Bible, Dr Bawumia underscored the importance of showing gratitude to God in all circumstances.  

“The book of Thessalonians, Chapter 5, Verse 18, tells us that in all things, give thanks to God. For me, I have abiding faith in the Lord. And so, for what He has done for us, we are giving thanks to Him. I know and believe that God has a plan for me for greater and better days in the future,” he said.  

Dr Bawumia, accompanied by his wife, Samira, also conveyed his appreciation to the founder of the church, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, and the congregation for their warm reception.  

“I want to thank all of you for giving us the opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year. God bless you, and God bless Ghana,” he concluded.

The study however revealed significant disparities in digital access

A study by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has underscored the growing adoption of digital technologies among Ghanaian farmers.

The study however revealed significant disparities in access, particularly for women farmers who often rely on basic phones with limited internet connectivity.

These findings were presented at a workshop in Accra on the topic: “Enhancing farmers’ uptake of digital technologies in Ghana: overcoming barriers and leveraging enablers.”

The workshop was aimed at fostering collaboration between policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to address the challenges and accelerate the digital transformation of Ghana’s agricultural sector.

The project informing the policy on the use of digital technologies by farmers was conducted through a national survey in nine regions in Ghana.

A total of thousand farmers, comprising small (865) medium (171) and large scale (4) famers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire

Key recommendations that emerged from the project included expanding offline and low-bandwidth services for farmers using digital devices such as mobile phones.

The research noted that recognising the limitations of basic phones, the need for services that function with minimal internet connectivity must be considered and prioritised by policy makers.

The researchers proposed the inclusion of offline data storage, voice-based interfaces, and mobile applications designed for low-bandwidth environments.

The researchers also urged policy makers to reduce the cost of technology, stressing that the high cost of smartphones and mobile data significantly hindered digital adoption among farmers.

They called for policy interventions aimed at reducing device costs and increasing data affordability to ensure equitable access to digital services by farmers.

Dr. Rose Omari, Principal Research Scientist at CSIR, said farmers were eager to embrace digital technologies but stressed the need for the right tools and support.

The researcher said by working together with policymakers and stakeholders, the CISR and the policy makers could create an enabling environment for digital agriculture to flourish and improve the livelihoods of all farmers in Ghana.

She highlighted the workshop’s aim to develop actionable plans to address those challenges and create an enabling environment for digital agriculture to flourish and improve the livelihoods of Ghanaian farmers.

Dr Omari urged policy makers to invest in digital literacy and training for farmers to equip them with essential skills to effectively utilise digital tools.

“This includes training on navigating agricultural applications, accessing relevant information, and understanding data security,” she said.

Accra, Jan. 01, GNA – Engineer Dr. Dzabaku Kudiabor Ocansey, Executive Director, Center for National Interest and Research (CNIR-GH), has urged the citizenry to support the country’s development goals in 2025 and beyond.

In a new year message, the Organisation encouraged the populace to prioritise national interest over personal and political party affiliations to help build a “prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Ghana”.

“Ghana needs professionals from all fields who will stand their ground for fairness and progress of the national interest…We can’t succeed as a country if we continue to have heads or institutions that are more loyal to political parties and governments than the State.

“As we embark on this new year, let us endeavour to build a society full of opportunities for everyone to succeed.

“A new Ghana where everyone feels a sense of belonging, irrespective of their political affiliations or tribes…A society where you don’t need to only occupy political office to be rich,” he stated.

Dr. Ocansey emphasised a shift from “extreme partisan politics” and “divisiveness” to a paradigm “where everyone has access to equal opportunities”.

“It is time for us to come together and strive for a first-world status on or before 2057…Let us work together to make this vision a reality,” he noted.

He called on the youth to use their energy, creativity, and innovation to drive economic and social progress.

CNIR-GH said it would continue to conduct evidence-based research, provide education and training programmes, and advocate good governance and accountability.

It also intends to pursue an initiative dubbed the “Centenary Agenda” and the “New Ghana Project”, which aims to “transform the nation into a developed country by 2057”.

He congratulated President-elect, Mr John Dramani Mahama, and praised all political parties for their active participation in Ghana’s democratic process.
GNA

The Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has rejected the National Democratic Congress (NDC) challenge to a mandamus application submitted by four parliamentary candidates from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He underscored that the Electoral Commission (EC) is currently resolving the contested results in four constituencies through its administrative procedures.

In remarks made following the High Court’s decision to schedule a ruling on the NDC’s objection for January 1, 2025, Afenyo-Markin pointed out that the EC had previously indicated that irregularities in the collation process contributed to the results announced for Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Tema Central, and Dome Kwabenya.

“The EC itself has stated emphatically that there was no earlier valid declaration of results in these constituencies. The argument that results were declared is neither here nor there.”

Afenyo-Markin emphasized the importance of the current legal proceedings, drawing a distinction between this and what he characterized as the NDC’s initial reaction to the contested results.

“At least, we’ve managed to bring them to civility in the courtroom. We believe in the rule of law and are confident in the outcome.”

The mandamus application submitted by the NPP candidates aims to compel the Electoral Commission (EC) to finalize its collation and announcement of results, a procedure that the EC had already intended to undertake again through administrative means.

The High Court’s decision on January 1 will determine whether it can advance to consider the mandamus application or reject it in light of the NDC’s objection.

Senior aides to South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol offered to resign en masse on Wednesday, a day after his office expressed regret over acting President Choi Sang-mok’s approved of two new judges to a court set to decide Yoon’s fate.
Yoon’s chief of staff, policy chief, national security advisor and special advisor on foreign affairs and security, as well as all other senior secretaries, tendered their resignation, his office said in a statement, without elaborating.

The aides had repeatedly expressed their intent to step down in the wake of Yoon’s botched attempt to declare martial law on Dec. 3, but their resignations have not been accepted, said a presidential official, who declined to be identified owing to political sensitivities.
The official said the senior secretaries have been assisting Choi since he took over as acting president. Two other officials said the aides do not participate in day-to-day government operations, but are required to report to Choi and attend meetings when necessary.

The aides’ latest offer came a day after Choi’s surprise approval to fill two vacancies on the Constitutional Court handling the impeachment trial against Yoon.
It brought the total number of justices to eight on the nine-member court. Any decision in the Yoon case will require the agreement of at least six judges.
Yoon’s ruling People Power Party criticised Choi’s decision as “dogmatic” and lacking sufficient consultations.

Finance Minister Choi assumed the role of acting president on Friday after the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had been acting president since Dec. 14 when Yoon was suspended from power.
Yoon faces investigations on allegations that he led an insurrection, and a Seoul district court on Tuesday granted approval for his arrest, the first for a sitting president.

Source: Reuters