The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has released official guidelines for its upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for Saturday, January 27.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, signed a press statement detailing the protocols, emphasizing their creation to uphold the integrity and fairness of the electoral procedures.
According to the outlined procedures, each constituency nationwide will have a single voting center.
However, in constituencies with a high number of delegates, the Electoral Commission (EC) reserves the right to establish additional polling stations within the center to facilitate a swift process.
Stakeholders are urged to adhere to these provisions to ensure a seamless and transparent electoral process, as stated in an excerpt from the press release.
The statement further clarified that the EC will oversee the election, holding full responsibility for ensuring its fairness and freedom.
It explicitly prohibits any individual, whether a government appointee, party official, or otherwise, from acting contrary to the directives of the Electoral Commission and the provided guidelines.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a strong warning to parliamentary aspirants against busing or camping delegates ahead of the upcoming primaries.
General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, cautioned that aspirants engaging in such practices would face sanctions. The warning was issued as part of guidelines announced ahead of the parliamentary primaries scheduled for January 27.
Additionally, the party is working to resolve outstanding petitions filed by disgruntled members regarding concerns about the primaries. Mr. Frimpong Kodua also cautioned delegates against using phones to capture their ballots after voting.
Elections in the Nhyiaeso Constituency will proceed following the discontinuation of a court case against the party by a polling station executive from the constituency.
“The party has formulated these rules and regulations to ensure free and fair elections and we believe that everyone should be allowed to feel free to walk to the polling centre to cast their votes. It is of this belief that we have made the statement that no one should camp delegates at any place.
“Those who take pictures of their votes, aside from nullifying your votes, it is an offence and you would be handed over to the Police.”
Justin Kodua Frimpong further announced that he was leading a delegation of party officials to the Manhyia Palace in response to recent alleged comments made by the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, against the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu.
Mr. Frimpong Kodua also cautioned NPP supporters against making public statements that could be derogatory to the Chieftaincy institution.
Some incumbent Members of Parliament of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), numbering about 28, will be contesting in the upcoming January 27 primaries.
As the political tempo heightens leading up to the primaries on January 27, 2024, these unchallenged MPs, spanning from seasoned veterans to emerging figures, discover themselves in a distinctive position. They stand alone in their individual races, with their destinies appearing predetermined even before the commencement of the race.
After vetting a total of 373 aspirants, the NPP has revealed the exclusive list of these uncontested candidates.
Those who are going unopposed are the MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon and First Deputy Majority Whip, Lydia Seyram Alhassan; MP for Okaikoi Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah; MP for Damongo and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor; MP for Lambussie, Dr Bright Yelviedong Baligi; MP for Nandom and Minister for The Interior, Ambrose Dery; MP for Assin South and Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour; and MP for Upper Denkyira East, Dr Festus Awuah Kwofie.
The others are MP for Bosomtwe and Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum; MP for Abetifi and Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Yaw Acheampong; MP for New Juaben South and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi; MP for Upper West Akyem and a Deputy Minister of Transport, Frederick Obeng Adom; MP for Ejisu and a Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr John Ampontuah Kumah; MP for Effiduase, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye; MP for Offinso South, Isaac Yaw Opoku; MP for Akrofuom, Alex Blankson; MP for Tano South, Dr Benjamin Yeboah Sekyere; MP for Dormaa East, Paul Apreku Twum-Barimah; and MP for Sefwi Akontombra, Alex Tetteh Djornobuah.
The rest are MP for Tolon and Second Deputy Majority Chief Whip, Alhaji Iddrisu Habib; MP for Karaga and Deputy Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Amin Adam; MP for Gushegu and Deputy Minister of Transport, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli; MP for Tatale/Sanguli and Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, Thomas Mbomba; MP for Techiman South and Deputy Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set to conduct parliamentary primaries this month in constituencies where there are currently sitting Members of Parliament.
In some cases, experienced MPs are choosing not to seek re-election, while others are competing to represent the party in its stronghold of the Ashanti Region.
According to Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, who serves as the regional chairman, nine sitting MPs have officially confirmed their decision not to seek re-election.
These MPs, along with their respective constituencies, are as follows:
The nomination phase for parliamentary primaries in constituencies with incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) concluded on Monday, December 25.
Reports suggest that notable NPP figures, including Majority Leader in Parliament Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Daniel Kwaku Botwe, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, and Samuel Atta-Akyea, MP for Abuakwa South, among others, have opted not to seek re-election.
Initiated on December 20, 2023, the Party commenced the nomination process for parliamentary aspirants in constituencies with sitting MPs.
Scheduled for January 27, 2024, the NPP plans to finalize its internal election process to determine parliamentary candidates for the upcoming 2024 elections.
Anticipation for closely contested races is high in constituencies such as Dome-Kwabenya, Ablekuma West, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, and Asante Akyem South.
Additionally, constituencies like Akim Swedru, Bantama, Bekwai, and Fomena are also expected to witness intense competition during the primaries.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is kicking off its nomination process today for potential parliamentary candidates in constituencies where the party currently has incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs).
The nomination window, concluding on December 25, 2023, precedes the final phase of the internal election slated for January 27, 2024.
A lineup of contenders, including Michael Oquaye Jnr., Roni Nicol, Hayford Siaw, Alois Mohl, and Bice Osei Kuffuor, known as Obour, has declared their intention to compete for the party’s representation in constituencies like Dome-Kwabenya, Ablekuma West, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Nandom, and Asante Akyem South, respectively.
Other aspirants, such as Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, Commissioner of Police (retd) Alex Mensah for Bekwai, and Raphael Agyapong for Bantama, are also gearing up for the internal contest.
A focal point of interest is the Fomena constituency, where the incumbent, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, secured victory as an independent candidate after departing from the NPP. This situation sparks curiosity about the number of sitting MPs seeking re-election.
In anticipation of the nominations, a statement by the NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, stressed that no aspirant should face obstacles in obtaining nomination forms. Those encountering challenges at the constituency level can acquire the forms at the regional secretariat or download them from the party’s website.
Nomination forms will be priced at GH¢3,000, accompanied by a non-refundable filing fee of GH¢35,000. Women, Persons with Disabilities, and youth (aged 18-40) will enjoy a 50% rebate on the filing fee.
Additionally, aspirants must remit a non-refundable Development Fee of GH¢40,000, with all payments made via Banker’s Draft to the NPP National Headquarters in Accra.
A National Parliamentary Appeals Committee will handle appeals from disqualified aspirants from January 10 to January 12, 2024, with the deadline for appeal submissions set for January 9, 2024.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced the opening of nominations in constituencies where it currently has incumbent Members of Parliament. Nominations will commence on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, and close on Monday, December 25, 2023.
Ahead of the nomination period, the party’s leadership has emphasized that no campaigning is permitted during this time frame.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the party said it had “banned all forms of campaigning until nominations are officially opened. Prospective aspiring parliamentary candidates and their supporters are prohibited from engaging with polling station executives and from organizing all forms of activities or programs in the Constituency.”
“The Party shall impose stringent sanctions on any member found to have violated these guidelines,” the party added.
Additionally, the NPP has rescheduled the parliamentary primaries in these constituencies to take place on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
Per the leadership, guidelines for the parliamentary primaries would be published in due course.
“Party members are reminded and encouraged to fulfil their membership dues obligations under Article 3 of the Party Constitution. The leadership of the Party reiterates its commitment to free, fair, and transparent parliamentary primaries and counts on the support of all stakeholders,” the statement further noted.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced the opening of nominations in constituencies where it currently has incumbent Members of Parliament. Nominations will commence on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, and close on Monday, December 25, 2023.
Ahead of the nomination period, the party’s leadership has emphasized that no campaigning is permitted during this time frame.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the party said it had “banned all forms of campaigning until nominations are officially opened. Prospective aspiring parliamentary candidates and their supporters are prohibited from engaging with polling station executives and from organizing all forms of activities or programs in the Constituency.”
“The Party shall impose stringent sanctions on any member found to have violated these guidelines,” the party added.
Additionally, the NPP has rescheduled the parliamentary primaries in these constituencies to take place on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
Per the leadership, guidelines for the parliamentary primaries would be published in due course.
“Party members are reminded and encouraged to fulfil their membership dues obligations under Article 3 of the Party Constitution. The leadership of the Party reiterates its commitment to free, fair, and transparent parliamentary primaries and counts on the support of all stakeholders,” the statement further noted.
A total of 106 candidates have been cleared to contest the NDC parliamentary primaries at various constituencies in the Ashanti region.
The party finished the vetting of all the parliamentary aspirants in the region on Tuesday 09, ahead of the conduct of the elections on May 13, 2023.
The vetting of candidates for the Fomena constituency was put on hold following a directive from the national office of the party.
Out of the total number of candidates cleared, seven are going unopposed.
They are Samuel Aboagye- Obuasi East, Joseph Azumah – Akrofouom, Samuel Prempeh Jnr – Bekwai and Kwasi Amankwaa – Kumawu.
The rest are Shamudeen Mohammed Kamil – Old Tafo, Hamzah Swallah – Manhyia North and Ebenezer Ekow Aidoo – Asante Akim Central.
Fifteen females are among the candidates contesting for the elections in the region.
The Ejura Sekyeredumase constituency has the highest number of five candidates contesting the elections.
Dr Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC told the Ghana News Agency that no aspirant was disqualified during the process.
He said the party was satisfied with the outcome of the vetting process and the quality of people who submitted themselves to contest the primaries in the various constituencies.
The atmosphere for the campaigns in the region had been relatively calm, except for the Asawase constituency where the supporters of the two main contenders, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the incumbent, and Mubarick Masawudu, have been trading derogatory utterances in their campaigns.
Dr. Senanu Djokoto, a parliamentary aspirant in the upcoming Keta NDC primary, has petitioned the appeals committee concerning the clearance of Dr. Emmanuel Jones Mensah, another aspirant, to contest.
Dr. Djokoto said he considered it an error by the vetting committee that Dr. Jones Mensah had met the mandatory requirements of Regulation 2.1(III) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Guidelines for clearing parliamentary candidates for the 2024 general election.
The guidelines provide that a person desirous of contesting the position of parliamentary candidate “shall be an active member of the party in the constituency for not less than four years… pending the date of filing their nominations.”
Dr. Djokoto, in his petition sighted by the Ghana News Agency, said he found the committee’s decision to accept a letter from Dr. Mensah distancing himself from fraudulent registration conduct at Ashiaman untenable.
“I also find the vetting committee’s investigation into the alleged Ashaiman membership of the aspirant inconclusive, as no effort was made by the committee to authenticate the said alleged membership,” he said.
Dr. Djokoto said he had dutifully served the NDC in the Keta Constituency and was aware that most members and executives valued truth, honesty, and integrity, hence the need for a fair and just resolution of the matter.
Any decision on Dr. Jones Mensah’s legibility or otherwise “may adversely affect me as a candidate in the election,” he said.
“Under the circumstances, I believe that it will be prudent for the appeals committee to lay this matter to rest to forestall any legal tussle that can arise from same.”
Parts of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 Act 29, which criminalizes attempted suicide, have been adjusted by Parliament.
In August 2021, the Member of Parliament for Akatsi South and Ranking Member of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, proposed that the Bill criminalizing suicide be scrapped.
The chairman of the committee, Mr. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, seconded the motion and said that if the Bill is approved into law, it will be a significant legislative step toward the transformation of Ghana’s justice system.
On Tuesday, March 28, 2023 debating on the said subject Parliament concluded that, suicide attempts will now be regarded by the legislation as mental health conditions requiring assistance.
“An act to amend the criminal Offenses Act 1960, Act 29 to decriminalize attempted suicide and provide for related matter, the long title is hereby adapted,” Second Deputy Speaker Speaker of the Eighth Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoako said.
The proposer thanked the committee for supporting to pass the Act emphasing that “Mr speaker all over the world, attempted suicide is being decriminalize in the sense that life is one therefore for you to decide to take your life it ,means you are either going through a psychological problem as a result of which you cannot appreciate the nature and quality of the Act”
Parliament for sometime now has had several debates concerning the passage of the law.
Then Minority Leader, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, opposed calls for the country to decriminalize attempted suicide, characterizing it as an inappropriate behavior that should be punished and discouraged instead.
He contended that making suicide attempts illegal would significantly reduce the number of Ghanaians, particularly young people, who would consider suicide to be acceptable.
“You do not want to think that when you have depression and distress, the ultimate thing is that you go and take your life since you cannot recover your life back.
“If we do not criminalize Attempted Suicide as a country, then we are saying that it is a normal behavior, but this cannot be.
“Any person who has researched deeply into suicide will know that the only type of suicide that is behaviorally rewarding is the altruistic suicide during which the individual places societal values higher than his individual values,” he stated.
The fate of President Akufo-Addo‘s new appointments will be discussed in Parliament today, Friday, March 24.
This occurs after the house delayed a discussion on the report for more than five hours so that members might convene a joint caucus meeting.
Although members on both sides of the house were not in support of the directive, the Speaker stood by his position.
“We agree to disagree, at the end of the day, my decision is that we will debate [the report on Thursday] and take the decision on Friday. I have listened to your submissions, I will permit three from each side of the caucus, ten minutes per person and we will take the next step. My proposal is that we take the decision on Friday, but we will do the debate on Thursday,” the Speaker stated.
Prior to the vetting of the newly nominated ministers on Monday, February 20, 2023, theNational Democratic Congress (NDC) directed the Minority group not to approve them, describing their appointments as an insensitive move that would increase government’s expenditure in the midst of an economic mess.
The nominated ministers include the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T Hammond as the Minister for Trade and Industry with the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Stephen Amoah serving as his deputy.
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong was also appointed as the Minister for Food and Agriculture.
Stephen Asamoah Boateng was appointed as the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs among others.
Meanwhile, the Minority has threatened to vote against the newly appointed ministers and deputy ministers.
Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson outlined some basis for the group’s position.
“We stand with the people of Ghana, and we are urging our colleagues from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to stand for Ghana and not to stand for their colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the nominees are our colleagues, but the principle is that it’s not about them, it’s about the republic of Ghana. They may be our colleagues and friends and relatives, but it’s not about them. I call on you to look them in their faces and vote against them for the republic of Ghana. For the future of our country,” he said.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu however appealed to the house to consider the approval of the nominees.
“I will just plead that we approve the ministers,” he appealed.
On March 7, the Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu is expected to address Parliament regarding the measures being taken to solve the country’s scarcity of paediatric vaccines.
This information was disclosed by the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin while presenting the House’s business statement for the week ending March 10.
On Tuesday, February, 28, 2023, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu and other agency heads failed to honor an invitation from parliament to respond to issues regarding the shortage of vaccines for children.
Chairman of the Health Committee, Nana Ayew Afriyie, who was addressing the House disclosed that the Health Ministry’s Chief Director, had written to the Committee to request an extension.
“Unfortunately for us this morning, the Minister of Health is not here and the Ghana Health Service is not here, the Vaccine Control Programme is not here, but we have the National Health Insurance Authority and business will however go on.
“I am not aware of the reasons why the state agencies are not here, but I have just been on the phone with the Ministry of Health’s Chief Director, and she told me that she has sent a letter to the Committee asking for a rescheduling of the date to March 7 because of the unavoidable absence of the Minister, but I am yet to see a letter to that effect,” he added.
For some time now, some vaccines needed for the routine immunization of infants from 12 to at least 18 months have been scarce without a readily available solution.
According to Ghana Health Service (GHS), the vaccines that are unavailable are the measles-rubella immunization, the BCG vaccination, and the poliovirus vaccination.
The acquisition of the vaccines, according to the service, was scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2023.
The Director General of GHS, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, has blamed the shortage of vaccines to the depreciation of the Ghana cedi. However, he noted that these vaccines will be procured soon.
The groups, made of Okada riders, farmers, traders and beneficiaries of John Dumelo’s benevolent works in the district, said they wanted him as their representative in Parliament after the 2024 elections.
John Dumelo, an actor, farmer and politician, contested the 2020 parliamentary elections at the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.
His performance was one which was hailed by many political analysts although he failed to secure a seat in the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Bulley Harrison, Caretaker of a factory being built by John Dumelo, received the token on behalf of the actor and promised to relay the information to him.
Dzamesi Lawrence, a leader of Okada riders in Likpe, said they called on the caretaker to present the token due to John Dumelo’s absence.
He said the developmental projects and lives touched on in the district formed the basis for their support.
Tsatsu Godwin, a resident of Lolobi, noted that John Dumelo’s representation of the area in Parliament would give the area the development it needed for years.
Miss Abdullah Salamatu, a trader, said Mr Dumelo had a lot of plans for the youth and women, and it would be a disservice on their part to allow him to represent a different Constituency in Parliament.
She said John Dumelo’s commitment to seeing that everyone benefitted in society was there for all to see.
Ghana News Agency’s checks revealed that although the Party has opened nominations for the presidential and parliamentary aspirants, Mr Dumelo is yet to pick his nomination form as well as declare the Constituency.
Prior to the elections on May 13, 2023, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has suspended the parliamentary primaries in 27 constituencies.
General Secretary Fiifi Kwettey did not give any reasons for the suspensions in two separate releases on February 21 and 22, 2023.
“The National Democratic Congress wishes to announce…that all is set for the opening of nominations for the election of its Presidential candidate and Parliamentary Candidates for the 2024 General Elections.
“As such, effective, midnight of 22nd February, 2023, Nomination Forms for Parliamentary candidateswill be accessible to all persons for purchase on the official website of the party; www.ghanandc.com,” portions of the press statement said.
The General Secretary explained in the statement that the decision to suspend the parliamentary primaries in 27 constituencies was taken by the Functional Executive Committee (FEC).
NDC supporters in a festive mood at previous party functions. Source: Facebook/@OfficialNDCGhana
The first list contained 23 constituencies but on Wednesday, February 22, four new constituencies were added to the suspension list.
Here are the 27 constituencies where the opposition has suspended the parliamentary primaries in alphabetical order:
Adansi Asokwa
Afram Plains South
Ahafo Ano North
Ahafo Ano South West (Aduagyman)
Akontombra
Akwatia
Amasaman
Amenfi East
Asante Akim Central
Assin North
Ayawaso Central
Ayensuano
Binduri
Bosome Freho
Efutu
Evalue Gwira
Fomena
Gomoa Central
Gomoa East
Manhyia South
Manso Adubia
Odododiodio
Offinso North
Pusiga
Sekyere Afram Plains
Subin
Tarkwa Nsuaem
The NDC released another statement on February 22, 2023, announcing suspensions in 4 more constituencies.
Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who have Parliamentary and Presidential ambitions can file their nominations from today, February 22, 2023.
The National Democratic Congress has opened nominations for the election of its Presidential and Parliamentary candidates for the 2024 General Elections today.
Aspiring Parliamentary candidates have been advised to purchase nomination forms on the official website of the party at www.ghanandc.com.
Meanwhile, aspiring Presidential candidates are to pick their forms from the Office of the General Secretary at the Party’s Headquarters at Adabraka, Accra effective 8 am today.
The Functional Executive Committee of the party has however put the opening of nominations for parliamentary primaries in some constituencies on hold. These constituencies are:
1. Ayawaso Central
2. Amasaman
3. Afram Plains South
4. Akwatia
5. Efutu
6. Gomoa Central
7. Amenfi East
8. Evalue Gwira
9. Assin North
10. Pusiga
11. Tarkwa Nsuaem
12. Ayensuano
13. Adansi Asokwa
14. Offinso North
15. Ahafo Ano North
16. Sekyere Afram Plains
17. Ahafo Ano South West (Aduagyman)
18. Bosome Freho
19. Asante Akim Central
20. Manso Adubia
21. Manhyia South
22. Subin
23. Fomena
The Functional Executive Committee will in due course announce the date for the opening of nominations in the above constituencies, the party statement read.
