NMC Chair demands immediate resignation of Asiedu Nketia

NMC Chair demands immediate resignation of Asiedu Nketia

The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, has called on newly elected Chairman of the National Democratic Commission (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, to resign as a member of the Parliamentary Service board.

He said the position demands neutrality of the highest sense and he doesn’t think a leader of a political party can do this.

Mr Asiedu Nketia, who at the weekend beat incumbent Samuel Ofosu Ampofo to be NDC National Chairman, has served on the board since 2021.

He was appointed together with former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament Abraham Ossei Aidoo as the Speaker of Parliament’s nominees onto the Board.

The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, and the Clerk of Parliament, Cyril Nsiah, are the members with the Speaker as the Chair.

But Mr Ayeboafo says it unconstitutional for a leader of a political party to advise the Speaker, for that matter.

He cited how the late Peter Ala Adjetey was removed from the Commission because he was the National Chairman of the NPP.

According to him, the constitution was amended to ensure that Mr Ala Adjetey did not stay on as a member of the Commission.

“So, if somebody holding political office cannot be a member of the Commission, how can somebody leading a political party advise the Speaker which is supposed to demonstrate objectively and neutrality of the highest sense?” he emphasized.

…MR. AYEBOAFO….

Tourism Ministry’s budget to be approved without ₵80m Nat’l Cathedral allocation – Minority

The Minority in Parliament has stated that the budgetary allocation for the Ministry for Tourism will be approved without the GH₵80 million cedis allocated to fund the construction of the National Cathedral project.

The Trade and Industry Committee last week blocked the allocation but with barely 48 hours to go on break, the Tourism Ministry is desperate to have their allocation approved even if it’s without the GH₵80 million for the cathedral.

Explaining that Minority’s hesitance to approve the fund, the Ranking Member on the Trades and Industry Committee, Armah Kofi Buah says the Committee is not satisfied with the documentation provided.

According to him, “The Ministry of Tourism came and they couldn’t give us the answers we needed. In terms of the itemized list of what that GH₵80 million was for. We sent them back and they brought the cathedral secretariat. Well, we asked them to give us every detail, every sub-contractor, and how those contracts were awarded. They brought us some documents unfortunately after we perused the documents, they could only account for about GH₵225 million,” he said.

He added that, per the document the National Cathedral Secretariat submitted on the GH₵225 million cedis, there is an unaccounted figure of GH₵114 million cedis.

“We are going to approve the Ministry of Tourism Budget, but we on the Minority will not approve the GH₵80 million, because we are not satisfied with how the GH₵339 million has been expended. We are not clearly convinced how the 80 million cedis will be spent,” he said.

According to the Ellembelle MP, the Minority is not also convinced about the need to allocate $383 million to complete the project.

…..HON.KOFI BOAH….

Farmers could face acute shortage of farming inputs due to gov’t’s indebtedness – Minority

The Minority in Parliament says farmers are set to face a crisis during the next planting season if government does not settle its indebtedness to suppliers.

Government currently owes suppliers of fertilizer and improved seedlings several millions of cedis.

Speaking during the consideration of budget estimates for the Ministry of Agric, Deputy Ranking Member on the Food and Agriculture Committee Dr Godfred Seidu Jassaw says the suppliers are threatening to freeze supplies to farmers who desperately need them.

“Speaking to industry players, most suppliers of fertilizers and improved seeds that have been registered to supply these inputs for the planting for Food and Jobs Program have threatened to supply for the next production year because they have been owed money that they have not been paid.”

Dr Seidu Jassaw faulted the Finance Ministry for the non-release of funds to the Ministry for Food and Agriculture to effect such payments.

“The Ministry for Finance has not been releasing funds to settle this indebtedness. Mr Speaker, this means that our farmers are likely not to have an adequate supply for these inputs that we so require to prosecute the next production season,” he added.

He sounded the caution that this will have a devastating impact on Ghana’s food sector and could lead to a crisis.

.…DR. SEIDU….

We needed General Mosquito at this time of the moment- NDC MP

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Juaboso constituency, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has justified the decision to elect Johnson Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as General Mosquito, as National Chairman.

In his view, a party seeking to return to power needs an experienced politician who also applies common sense in his work.

Speaking to the media, he said, in life it is not about the chains of degrees you have that will make you successful but it is about the application of common sense.

General Mosquito relinquished his 17-year reign as the NDC’s General Secretary to run for the Chairmanship role.

He shocked political pundits when he secured 65.17% of the votes to eliminate incumbent, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo who polled 33.81% of the total votes cast.

Mr Akandoh added that, he is certain the former National Chairman will come on board for them to win power.

He said Mr Ofosu-Ampofo has paid his dues, hence will not do anything to thwart the electoral fortunes of the NDC.

“Ofosu-Ampofo is a fantastic man and his defeat does not mean he is incompetent. But at this time, the delegates want General Mosquito as Chairman,” he said.

He noted that General Mosquito is the most experienced chairman that the NDC needs to win power in 2024.

He was happy delegates rewarded the hard work and dedication of Mr Nketia having served as General Secretary for 17 years.

Mr Akandoh charged all losing candidates to see the outcome of the elections as victory for the NDC.

.…HON. AKANDOH….

NPP not scared of NDC’s new leaders – Nana B

The National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, says the NPP is not scared of the new executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as far as winning the next elections is concerned.

According to him, the new executives are known by their capabilities, so the NPP is not frightened by them.

Nana B’s remarks follow the outcome of the NDC’s 10th National Delegates Congress, which was held on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

At the end of the election, the immediate past General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah unseated Samuel Ofosu Ampofo to become the new Chairman of the largest opposition party in Ghana.

Spokesperson for Johnson Asiedu Nketiah campaign team, Ras Mubarak speaking with Lovin C on Silver fm Omanbapa morning show said, the newly Executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are experience and capable of winning the 2024 general elections for the NDC.

But Lawyer Henry Nana Boakye speaking to the media said the selection of Asiedu Nketiah shows the party just wants someone who will play with their emotions and ego.

According to him, “When you look at a person like Asiedu Nketia, he is not a stranger in Ghanaian politics, we know him, and he is not someone who is scary.” When you look at someone who superintended over a massive failure, it is him. In 2016, he was the NDC’s Campaign Coordinator, and they were given a real whipping while he was in charge. He was both the General Secretary and the campaign manager”.

…..NANA B…..