The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Communications Director, Richard Ahiagbah, has dismissed allegations that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is attempting to flee the country to evade accountability.
Mr. Ahiagbah asserted that Mr. Ofori-Atta is not a flight risk and remains available to cooperate fully with any investigations into corruption allegations leveled against him.
His remarks follow a press briefing by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, during which the former minister was labeled a fugitive.
The OSP has accused Mr. Ofori-Atta of being responsible for financial losses in several transactions, including the contentious National Cathedral project and the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) agreement with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd. (SML).
He is also under scrutiny for his involvement in the National Cathedral project, which was spearheaded by former President Akufo-Addo.
Reports indicate that he approved a payment of ¢142.7 million for the project, which remains unfinished amid concerns of financial irregularities.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Wednesday, February 12, Mr. Ahiagbah questioned the OSP’s position, arguing that it gives the impression that Mr. Ofori-Atta has already been found guilty.
He stressed that the former minister has not been convicted of any crime and is still under investigation.
“If at this time, the chips are down and he wants to attend to himself medically, I think that we should accord him the space and not engage in this grandstanding that the Special Prosecutor is doing,” Mr Ahiagbah stated.
Mr. Ahiagbah also highlighted Mr. Ofori-Atta’s previous health challenges, noting that despite his medical struggles, he remained dedicated to his duties as Finance Minister.
In a post on X, Mr. Ahiagbah claimed that some NDC supporters are trying to interfere with the Electoral Commission’s work.
He also accused them of attacking NPP MPs-elect who won in their constituencies.
Mr. Ahiagbah assured the affected MPs-elect that the party stands ready to support and protect them against these actions.
“The NDC must call its members, who are determined to overrun the Electoral Commission, to order, lest they mar the beauty of the 2024 general elections and their historic victory,” he stated.
“To the NPP parliamentary candidates who are being unduly attacked, harassed, and intimidated by the overzealous NDC supporters, stand firm, knowing that you have the full backing of the party.”
He added, “We are the New Patriotic Party, down but not out. We shall rise again. Kukrudu!!!”
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of plotting to manipulate the 2024 general elections through what they describe as deceptive and undemocratic tactics.
According to Richard Ahiagbah, the NPP’s director of communications, a secret document reportedly drafted by the NDC in 2021 outlines a strategic plan to undermine the government and sway voters dishonestly in the upcoming elections.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, October 23, Ahiagbah alleged that the NDC’s plan includes efforts to obstruct the government’s legislative agenda, particularly by blocking revenue bills in Parliament, in a bid to make the ruling party unpopular.
“This secret document is a deliberate ploy by the NDC to hoodwink Ghanaians, essentially to dupe them out of their votes,” Ahiagbah stated. “The document reveals that since January 8, 2021, the NDC has been working to frustrate the government and destabilize its efforts through foul means, with the aim of winning power in December.”
While Ahiagbah acknowledged that it is normal for opposition parties to strategize against ruling governments, he condemned the NDC’s alleged methods as “crude, undemocratic, and unpatriotic,” arguing that such tactics go beyond legitimate political opposition.
His comments, yet to generate an official response from the NDC, have left many supporters of the opposition party peeved. Grassroots supporters of the NDC have accused Mr. Ahiagbah of fabricating lies.
They noted that the absence of the document in question from the public space discredits the claims made by the ruling party.
The National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has been discharged from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) after nearly a month of treatment following a serious accident en route to Kumasi for a party event.
His condition has significantly improved, and he is now on the road to recovery.
In a social media post, Ahiagbah expressed gratitude for the support and prayers he received during his ordeal, stating, “I am out of the hospital today with a few more knots to untie, but I am back on my feet again. Thank God almighty, and thank you all for your prayers and support.”
Ahiagbah also took the time to acknowledge the medical team that played a crucial role in his recovery.
“To the dedicated team led by Dr. Charles K. Dally, the catalyst; Dr. Otu Boateng, the signature man; Dr. Roland Azorliade, the wise one; and Professor Peter Ambe, latter-day addition to the team and the host of nurses, I say God bless you for doctoring and nursing me back onto my feet.”
He expressed his appreciation for the leadership at KATH, specifically recognizing Prof. Addai-Mensah’s role in advancing the hospital’s services.
I am out of the hospital today with a few more knots to untie, but I am back on my feet again.
Thank God almighty, and thank you all for your prayers and support.
To the dedicated team led by Dr. Charles K. Dally, the catalyst; Dr. Otu Boateng, the signature man; Dr. Roland… pic.twitter.com/MBfZm4b4AD
“To Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), led by the dynamic Prof. Addai-Mensah, I owe a debt of support and advocacy to ensure that KATH continues to improve healthcare outcomes for Ghanaians.”
Reflecting on his time in the hospital, Ahiagbah shared the challenges he faced, describing the experience as both “frightening and painful.”
He added that the ordeal had given him insight into the gaps and potential within Ghana’s healthcare system.
Motivated by his experience, Ahiagbah announced his intention to establish the Turning Point Foundation, aimed at promoting a “people-centered, outcome-driven health policy regime in Ghana.”
Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, has announced that investigations are ongoing into how Richard Ahiagbah, Communications Director for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was able to vote in the 2020 general elections despite not being listed on the voters’ register.
The controversy erupted after Ahiagbah confirmed that he voted in the 2020 elections even though his name was absent from the official register.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) had previously accused Mr Ahiagbah of double registration, alleging that he attempted to register at a Ketu South electoral registration center.
In his account, Mr Ahiagbah stated that upon visiting his polling station, he was informed by Electoral Commission officials that his name was not in the register.
Despite this, an EC official recorded his identification number and other pertinent details at the bottom of the register, allowing him to cast his vote.
During a briefing to Parliament regarding preparations for the 2024 elections, Mrs. Mensa expressed concern over the incident. She assured the public that the matter is under thorough investigation.
“He was not on the register but he was able to vote in 2020. It is something that we are looking into and we can assure you that in due course, we will come up with our findings and let you know,” she stated.
Mensa emphasized that ensuring such irregularities do not occur in the upcoming elections is a priority for the Commission.
“I can assure you that before the elections, we will give you a little update on how that happened,” she added.
Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has raised concerns about the long-term implications following the termination of the sale of SSNIT’s 60 percent shares in four hotels.
On July 12, SSNIT announced the cancellation of the sale of its four hotels to Rock City Hotel, which also declared it would not purchase the SSNIT shares. This decision followed threats from Organised Labour to launch a nationwide strike on Monday, July 12.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ahiagbah recognised the impact of Organised Labour and advocates, expressing sympathy for the workers’ concerns. However, he warned against obstructing a legitimate corporate decision, stressing the potential damage to corporate governance, market confidence, and overall certainty.
Ahiagbah urged careful consideration of the action’s implications, fearing it could have extensive consequences.
“The recent halt of SSNIT’s attempt to sell 60% of its shares in the five hotels is a testament to the power of organized labour and advocates. Their unwavering dedication to the sale has prevailed, sending a clear message.
“However, while this may seem like a victory worth celebrating, we must also consider the precedent we have set. Are we opening the door to future interference in public offerings based on political affiliations?
“This could harm corporate governance, market confidence, and overall certainty. Just as we are bound to respect a referee’s decision in a football game, we must also abide by the outcomes of democratic processes, even if they don’t align with our preferences.
“While I empathise with the workers’ concerns, we must also consider the implications of impeding a legitimate corporate decision. We must deeply reflect on the potential long-term consequences of this precedent.”
The National Communication Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has responded to a young Ghanaian’s frustrations over high taxation and economic challenges by addressing key issues related to the country’s tax policies.
The young citizen pointed out the hardships caused by current financial pressures, citing an example where a young man had to pay GHC 450,000 in taxes to import a luxury car, amidst a high-dollar environment.
“We can’t even breathe, can’t drive, can’t build. WHY?” the young man questioned, urging the government to ease the tax burden on the youth.
Ahiagbah acknowledged these concerns and reiterated the NPP’s commitment to tackling the tax issue in the short term. He emphasized that excessive taxation is counterproductive, as it fosters tax evasion and impedes economic growth.
“We do not support over-taxation because it has been proven to encourage tax evasion, among others.
“Additionally, minimum taxation is a fundamental value of our tradition because it promotes production, leading to increased economic activities and greater tax revenue for the government,” he added.
He further underscored that minimal taxation is a core value of their tradition, as it stimulates production, leading to increased economic activities and higher tax revenue for the government.
Reflecting on the NPP’s proposal in 2016, Ahiagbah highlighted the party’s strategic shift from focusing solely on taxation to promoting production as crucial for fostering a robust economy.
He called on citizens to support Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his goal to simplify the complex tax system, implementing a flat rate and eliminating crisis-induced taxes such as the e-levy, betting tax, and emissions tax.
Additionally, Dr. Bawumia aims to reduce import duties to enhance the competitiveness of Ghana’s ports.
“This is the way forward,” Ahiagbah declared. “Bawumia will strive to lead us in that direction, and your vote will help achieve this vision.”
Mr Ahiagbah assured that the NPP is focused on alleviating economic burdens on the youth and fostering a conducive environment for growth and development.
He reiterated that minimal taxation promotes production and economic activity, benefiting both the government and the people.
Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has emphasized the need to remind Ghanaians that Ghana’s economy was among the fastest-growing in the world from 2017 to 2019, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Ahiagbah highlighted that during this period, the government introduced several pro-poor policies, including the implementation of the free senior high school program.
Despite the economic impacts of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, he noted that Ghana has made significant progress in addressing economic challenges. He expressed confidence that the NPP will win this year’s general elections to continue their development programs.
“The World Bank declared Ghana as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, not Africa between 2027 and 2019 then Covid came to hit the global economy. It is always important to tell Ghanaians where we have come from,” he told journalists in Kumasi on Monday, June 24.
He stressed that “The NPP will win the elections this year because we have done it before and we know how to do it, we admit that times are had but we are turning the corner.
“The economy has picked up in the first quarter of this expanding 4.7 percent, with this, it shows that progressively we are moving forward.”
According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Ghana’s GDP increased by 4.7% in volume terms in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. When seasonally adjusted, real GDP grew by 1.2% in the first quarter of 2024, up by 0.2 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2023.
Key growth drivers in Quarter 1 2024 included Mining & Quarrying (12.9%), Information & Communication (17.9%), Crops (4.3%), Construction (8.2%), and Accommodation and Food Service Activities (9.4%). However, five sub-sectors contracted in the fourth quarter of 2023: Health (-8.8%), Electricity (-7.5%), Public Administration (-5.3%), Education (-4.9%), Other Personal Service Activities (-2.9%), and Forestry & Logging (-1.2%).
GDP growth, the primary indicator of economic performance, is measured using three approaches: the output approach, the expenditure approach, and the income approach.
Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has passionately defended the recent sale of four SSNIT hotels, stressing its importance in safeguarding SSNIT’s investments.
Amidst growing criticism, Ahiagbah staunchly supported Bryan Acheampong’s role in the sale, urging Ghanaians to consider the positive outcomes rather than being swayed by political discord.
During an interview with Nana Yaa Brefo on Onua FM, June 19, Ahiagbah asserted, “If someone like Bryan Acheampong has the vision to help the country, we have to allow him to do it, because at the end of the day, the whole purpose of the sale is to protect SSNIT investments so that pensioners can get their returns when the time is due,” Ahiagbah urged during a phone interview with Nana Yaa Brefo on Onua FM, June 19.
Responding to allegations of irregularities in the procurement process from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ahiagbah challenged them to substantiate their claims with evidence rather than misleading the public.
“The NDC does not speak the truth, the issue now is that, let’s ask them, the procurement process they claim has been breached let them prove it, let them show Ghanaians where the process was breached and I will join the demonstration myself, but without any evidence, the NDC should not spew lies to Ghanaians,” he asserted.
Ahiagbah defended the transparency of the bidding process, highlighting its rigorous nature and inclusion of both local and international participants.
“The process SSNIT followed and abided by is clear to see, it has clarity, it is an international bidding process, a lot of local and international businesses showed interest but, in the end, only 9 people got through and eventually there were 6 and eventually, Bryan Acheampong got it,” he stated.
Accusing the NDC of fostering animosity and negativity, Ahiagbah cautioned against allowing such sentiments to hinder potentially beneficial investments for Ghana.
“That demonstration they embarked on is a political demonstration and a needless demonstration,” he commented.
“Let’s focus on facts and constructive dialogue rather than divisive politics. Our priority should be protecting SSNIT’s investments for the benefit of pensioners,” he emphasized.
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, has argued against accusations of conflict of interest in the sale of a 60 percent stake in four SSNIT-owned hotels to Rock City Hotel, owned by Minister Bryan Acheampong.
Ahiagbah pointed out that the process to sell SSNIT’s shares began in 2018, well before Acheampong became a minister.
He questioned why concerns about the procurement process were not raised earlier and suggested they only surfaced due to Acheampong’s cabinet role.
“The question of conflict of interest for me does not arise because the process to offload SSNIT’s interests in these hotels started in 2018, 5 years before Hon. Bryan Acheampong became the Minister for Food and Agriculture. Again, the question must be asked: Had SSNIT terminated the procurement process to divest its shares to Rock City between 2019 and 2023 before Bryan Acheampong became a minister, would there have been any concerns or issues of conflict of interest?
“If there would not have been a conflict of interest concerns had Rock City bought SSNIT’s share before Bryan Acheampong became a minister, why is it a concern now?”
Ahiagbah further stated that if the sale had concluded before Acheampong’s ministerial appointment, conflict of interest would likely not be an issue.
Ahiagbah also criticized Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for orchestrating the ‘Hands off our Hotels’ demonstration aimed at pressuring President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to stop the transaction.
The SSNIT Hotel Transaction, a potential threat to the independence of a state institution, is a matter of grave concern…
The right for citizens to demonstrate is a core democratic right. However, I expected Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa to have waited for the conclusion of the…
Ahiagbah emphasized his willingness to participate in demonstrations backed by concrete evidence of biased bidding before Acheampong’s ministry.
“He insists the demonstration lacks evidence to the effect that Rock City did not win the bid competitively or that other bidders submitted superior bids compared to Rock City.”
“I am open to joining any demonstration that provides concrete evidence that the bidding process, initiated in 2018 before Bryan Acheampong assumed his ministerial role, was biased in favour of Rock City. Or a demonstration that proves that Rock City did not win the bid competitively or that other bidders submitted superior bids compared to Rock City.”
Director of Communications for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has urged the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to diligently fulfil its regulatory obligations to address abuses within the Forex Bureau market, which directly impact the performance of the Cedi against major currencies.
Mr Ahiagbah emphasized the need for proactive measures to counteract these challenges and stabilize the currency.
Mr Ahiagbah noted that currencies across the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region, including the Cedi, have been experiencing fluctuations due to the appreciating value of the dollar during the first quarter of 2024.
This trend has exerted pressure on local currencies, contributing to their depreciation against the dollar.
Despite these challenges, Ahiagbah commended the Ministry of Finance for its efforts in mitigating the impact of the appreciating dollar on the cedi. He acknowledged the ministry’s role in implementing measures to cushion the cedi’s performance amidst external market pressures.
“The Bank of Ghana must persistently discharge its regulatory mandate to deal with the flagrant abuses in the FX market that contribute directly to the cedi’s performance. We are destined to overcome!” Mr Ahiagbah posted on X.
Responding to regulatory concerns, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has established a task force dedicated to overseeing all foreign exchange bureaus and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Dr. Ernest Addison, the Governor of the Bank, announced this during the 118th monetary policy statement on Monday, May 27, 2024.
The primary objective of this task force is to address the activities of illegal operators within the foreign exchange market and promote enhanced market transparency.
By closely monitoring the operations of these bureaus, the BoG aims to mitigate unauthorized practices and foster a more regulated and transparent environment within the foreign exchange sector.
The Volta Regional Executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have called on the Ghana Police Service to take action against Richard Ahiagbah, the Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for allegedly violating the country’s electoral laws.
This call stems from an incident during the 2020 general elections, where Mr. Ahiagbah, despite acknowledging that his name was not found in the voter register for the Ketu South constituency, was permitted to cast his ballot.
The NDC’s demand for action comes in the wake of the recent arrest of Hopeson Adorye, a prominent member of the Movement for Change, on charges related to claims of detonating dynamite in the Volta Region during the 2016 general elections.
In an interview with Accra-based TV3 on Friday, May 24, the Volta Regional Secretary of the NDC, James Gunu, emphasized that, similar to Hopeson Adorye, Richard Ahiagbah should be arrested for alleged involvement in electoral fraud.
“Richard Ahiagbah, a stalwart of the NPP confessed that though he was not a registered voter in 2020, he voted. That is another confession and that is criminal just as the throwing of dynamites. Now Hopeson has been arrested and granted bail, but we cannot leave the other person who has confessed because we cannot live in a selective justice system.”
“If Hopseson Adorye is guilty, Richard Ahiagbah is equally guilty of electoral fraud and I expect the Ghana Police Service to pick him up and investigate him because he personally confessed this,” he stated.
He stressed the importance of thorough investigations into all allegations to ensure electoral justice, asserting that law enforcement should not only apprehend individuals but also conduct comprehensive inquiries into the matter.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama failed the country during his tenure and should not be re-elected, this is according to the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah.
Mr. Ahiagbah highlighted that Ghanaians have moved on from the “painful experiences” of Mahama’s presidency, which included the “historic dumsor” (power outages) that crippled businesses, led to job losses, caused avoidable deaths, and resulted in the cancellation of teacher and nursing trainee allowances, among other issues.
In a post on his X platform, Ahiagbah stated that Mahama offers no redemption.
He contrasted this with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, whom he described as embodying the spirit of overcoming adversity, having risen from humble beginnings in Sakasaka, Tamale, to the presidency.
“Bawumia is the epitome of pulling oneself up by the bootstrap because he has worked hard from a humble beginning at Sakasaka, in Tamale, to the presidency of the Republic of Ghana.
“This is the story of the majority of Ghanaians, working hard against all odds to make it. With Bawumia’s experience from the bottom up, his presidency will be more sensitive and advance the interests of the masses.
“As for the alternative, H.E. John Mahama, there is no redemption for him. He failed the masses when he had the opportunity to rule Ghana, and we have moved on from the painful experiences of his presidency such as the historic dumsor that vaquished businesses, employments opportunities, avoidable deaths and the cancelation of teacher & nursing trainee allowances, among others.
“Bawumia is best to lead. A vote for Bawumia is a breakthrough for the masses who are mostly youth and women,” he wrote.
Bawumia is the epitome of pulling oneself up by the bootstrap because he has worked hard from a humble beginning at Sakasaka, in Tamale, to the presidency of the Republic of Ghana.
This is the story of the majority of Ghanaians, working hard against all odds to make it. With… pic.twitter.com/rAa9EFyQgL
Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has dismissed John Dramani Mahama’s promise to use Artificial Intelligence to combat illegal mining if elected president as mere political rhetoric.
Mr Ahiagbah stated on his X handle that it would be impossible to effectively tackle galamsey with Mahama as president, accusing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of supporting illegal mining activities.
“The NDC are promoters of galamsey. Therefore, H.E Mahama’s promise to use AI-powered plan to combat galamsey is a vote-seeking gimmick. Galamsey is an existential problem that requires inputs from all strata of society to combat. Resolving the galamsey menace is impossible with H.E John Mahama and the NDC because they are promoters and beneficiaries of galamsey.”
During an address at the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, John Dramani Mahama stated that his government would utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) to locate all small-scale mining and galamsey operations, track excavators, and geofence all concessions.
This approach aims to coordinate and monitor activities within the small-scale mining sector to reduce environmental destruction.
Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), referenced several instances to support his assertion that fighting galamsey under a Mahama administration would be ineffective.
He cited a 2020 video of Kwaku Boahen, then Deputy Communications Officer of the NDC, promising a “golden age of galamsey” to voters in mining communities, as well as Mahama’s promise to free galamsey convicts in 2020 at a campaign event in Mpohor.
The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has affirmed that the vice president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia remains committed to the people of Gonjaland.
Mr Ahiagbah highlighted Bawumia’s instrumental role in realizing the creation of the Savannah Region, a pledge fulfilled under President Akufo-Addo’s tenure, contrasting it with the unmet promise of former President John Dramani Mahama.
Concluding his tour of the North East Region on Monday, May 13, Dr. Bawumia expressed gratitude for the warm reception from the people.
The President of the North East Regional House of Chiefs, Ndugna Nayiri Naa Bohugu Abdulai Sheriga, lauded Bawumia’s decorum in the ongoing campaign and encouraged him to maintain the same conduct.
The Nayiri also praised Bawumia’s exemplary service as vice president and pledged the region’s unwavering support for his presidential aspirations, citing his competence, loyalty, and respect for traditional institutions.
“Bawumia will always stand with Gonjaland. He firmly supported H.E. Akufo-Addo in creating the Savannah Region, a promise that H.E. Mahama failed to fulfill during his presidency. Vote Bawumia to do more for Gonjaland.”
“I have observed so far the civility and the admirable nature with which you conduct your campaign.
“I will urge you to continue in same manner,” he said.
“As we prepare for election this year, the least we can do for you as the son of the soil is to honour you with the opportunity to serve at the highest echelon of state power.
“We shall not turn our back on you, especially having demonstrated competence, loyalty, resilience and more importantly regard for the institution of Chieftaincy.
“I am deeply persuaded that you have it in you to carry out the task ahead. You can rise to the challenge and uphold the good name of Ghana and make her greater and stronger,” he said.
Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah has acknowledged casting a vote in the 2020 general elections even though his name did not appear in the voters’ register.
In an interview with Accra-based Neat FM on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, Ahiagbah revealed that despite possessing a valid voter identification card issued after his 2020 registration, his name was inexplicably absent from the voting list.
“I participated in the 2020 election. The Electoral Commission (EC) officials should be queried as to how I was allowed to vote despite my name’s absence from the register,” Ahiagbah stated in Twi during the interview.
He recounted arriving at his polling station on December 7, 2020, only to discover that his name was not listed in the register.
Despite this, he was permitted to vote after presenting his documents.
Ahiagbah’s disclosure follows accusations from members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding his alleged double registration attempt at a Ketu South electoral registration center on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
A video circulating online depicted a chaotic scene at the center, with NDC agents questioning Ahiagbah’s eligibility to vote in the 2020 election.
Subsequently, evidence emerged suggesting that Ahiagbah indeed voted in 2020, though his name was manually added to the voter roll on the election day.
Responding to these events, the NDC called for Ahiagbah’s immediate arrest, citing double registration as the offense.
Malik Basintale, the NDC’s Deputy National Communication Officer, urged the Ghana Police Service to take action or face a potential citizen’s arrest.
“We will not permit the NPP’s illicit methods to undermine the 7 December election results. We possess the challenge form and call for his prompt arrest. Failing police action, we will take matters into our hands to safeguard the people’s will,” Basintale asserted during an interview with Metro TV’s Michael Addo on News Night.
Watch video below: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1306412860747606
The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has refuted allegations of attempting dual voter registration during the Limited Voter Registration Exercise.
He categorically dismissed the reports as baseless and unfounded.
Tensions flared at a Ketu South electoral registration center on Saturday, May 11, 2024, as Ahiagbah sought to enroll on the electoral roll.
According to accounts, the processing of his application was halted following objections raised by officials representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The NDC representatives asserted that Ahiagbah, having participated in the 2020 election, would be in violation of electoral laws if allowed to register again.
In a statement released Mr Ahiagbah countered the allegations, stating, “I have seen some videos on social media by NDC operatives to misinform Ghanaians. The claim that I tried to do double registration is false and without merit.
Here is what happened:
I have registered and voted in Ketu South since 2000, and my citizenship and sonship of Ketu South are well-known to the NDC agent who challenged my eligibility today.
In 2020, I received a voter’s ID for the 2020 general elections from the Electoral Commission. However, during the 2023 limited voter registration exercise, my biometrics failed to register, and I’ve since discovered that many others have had the same issue.
I tried to rectify this administrative error during the 2023 limited voter registration exercise, but the EC officials advised me to seek inclusion later or get a new voter’s ID card during the 2024 limited voter registration window.
Today, I went to the registration center where I registered in 2020 to fix the EC’s administrative error, but I was met with a frivolous and obstructive challenge to my eligibility.
Despite my attempts to advise the NDC challenger to stop obstructing the registration process, both the NDC agents and EC officials paid no attention.
This challenge is a sign of more disruptive acts to come. Therefore, I urge the EC to take a firm and decisive stance to deal with these tendencies and ensure peace.
I am committed to going through all the necessary processes to get my name on the register, exercise my democratic right to vote, and support the New Patriotic Party on December 7th.
Thank you.
Richard Ahiagbah Director of Communications, New Patriotic Party
Richard Ahigaba attempted to register today at the Ketu South EC Centre and was challenged.
With this attempt, it means the Communication Director of the NPP is not a registered voter. However, there's evidence that he voted in the 2020 elections. How did he do it? pic.twitter.com/qwkoIgOpns
Chaos erupted at the Ketu South electoral registration center on Saturday, May 11, 2024, as the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, arrived to register as a voter.
Reports indicate that the processing of Ahiagbah’s details was halted following objections raised by officials from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
NDC agents argued that Mr Ahiagbah had voted in the 2020 election, potentially leading to double registration if his application proceeded.
A video of the incident depicts a chaotic scene at the registration center, with NDC agents questioning Ahiagbah’s eligibility to vote.
Initially calm, the video later shows NPP executives expressing frustration to a police officer present at the scene.
Meanwhile, purported evidence suggests that Ahiagbah participated in the 2020 election, although his name was not printed on the voter roll.
A photo of the voter register from the election shows Ahiagbah’s details handwritten at the bottom by an electoral official before he cast his vote.
In response, the opposition NDC is calling for Ahiagbah’s arrest for alleged double registration.
Malik Basintale, NDC’s Deputy National Communication Officer, urged the Ghana Police Service to arrest Ahiagbah immediately, warning against attempts to rig the elections.
“We will not tolerate this attempt by the NPP to use dubious means to steal the mandate of Ghanaians in the December 7 elections. We have the challenge form with us, and we are calling on the Ghana Police Service to arrest him immediately. If they fail to do so, we will initiate a citizen’s arrest,” he said.
“We will not stand by and watch the NPP engage in illegal activities to rig the elections,” Basintale warned.
“We will do everything within our power to ensure that the will of the people is respected,” he told News Night Anchor Michael Addo on Metro TV.
Richard Ahigaba attempted to register today at the Ketu South EC Centre and was challenged.
With this attempt, it means the Communication Director of the NPP is not a registered voter. However, there's evidence that he voted in the 2020 elections. How did he do it? pic.twitter.com/qwkoIgOpns
Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has acknowledged the frustrating nature of current power outage, but has assured Ghanaians that it will soon come to an end.
He explained that maintenance works in the energy sector were nearing completion, and Ghanaians would soon benefit from uninterrupted power supply.
In a post on X sighted by the media, Richard Ahiagbah said, “The recent power outages have been understandably frustrating. However, there is an end in sight. The maintenance works are almost complete, and we can soon expect access to an uninterrupted power supply around the clock, as we have become accustomed to under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration. The NDC is the last political organization to point fingers because Ghana has not forgotten the hurts of the ‘real dumsor’, suffered under H.E. Mahama.”
Meanwhile he referred to ‘dumsor’, during the NDC government as among others, “A sting in the tale. A nail in the casket. A dirge of failure. An irrefutable lived experience.”
Read his post below:
The recent power outages have been understandably frustrating. However, there is an end in sight. The maintenance works are almost complete, and we can soon expect access to an uninterrupted power supply around the clock, as we have become accustomed to under the…
Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, is advocating for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as a presidential candidate for the upcoming December 2024 elections in Ghana.
Ahiagbah emphasized Bawumia’s capability to enhance stability in the Ghanaian Cedi, highlighting his proposal to leverage the nation’s natural resources, especially gold, to support the currency.
He voiced his trust in Bawumia’s leadership potential to steer Ghana towards economic stability.
“Be Bold with Bawumia. He will use our gold to back the cedi to make it stable. This is a Bold solution to stabilize the cedi.
“Depreciation will be a thing of the past because the cedi will be sufficiently stable under Bawumia. I pledge to be bold with Bawumia. Have you?” he said in a Twitter post on April 16, 2024.
Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is advocating for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as a presidential candidate for the upcoming December 2024 elections in Ghana.
Ahiagbah emphasized Bawumia’s capability to enhance stability in the Ghanaian Cedi, highlighting his proposal to leverage the nation’s natural resources, especially gold, to support the currency.
He voiced his trust in Bawumia’s leadership potential to steer Ghana towards economic stability.
Director of Communications for theNew Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah,the is encouraging Ghanaians to seriously consider Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as a candidate for the upcoming December 2024 presidential elections.
Ahiagbah emphasised Bawumia’s capacity to stabilise the Ghanaian cedi, highlighting his strategy to leverage the nation’s natural resources, particularly gold, to support the currency.
Ahiagbah expressed strong confidence in Bawumia’s leadership abilities to steer Ghana towards economic stability.
“Be Bold with Bawumia. He will use our gold to back the cedi to make it stable. This is a Bold solution to stabilize the cedi.
“Depreciation will be a thing of the past because the cedi will be sufficiently stable under Bawumia. I pledge to be bold with Bawumia. Have you?” he said in a Twitter post on April 16, 2024.
As of April 16, 2024, the Bank of Ghana’s Interbank forex rates indicate that the Ghana Cedi is valued at 12.9907 when buying and 13.0037 when selling against the dollar.
Be Bold with Bawumia. He will use our gold to back the cedi to make it stable. This is a Bold solution to stabilize the cedi. Depreciation will be a thing of the past because the cedi will be sufficiently stable under Bawumia. I pledge to be bold with Bawumia. Have you?… pic.twitter.com/BhuvsBGc1B
Deputy Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Maleek Basintale, has taken a swipe at President Akufo-Addo following a ‘degrading’ tweet by the Director of Communications, New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah.
The Communications Director of the NPP tweeted an old photo of the NDC flagbearer and former president of Ghana, John Mahama, alongside LGBTQ activist and human rights advocate Andrew Solomon.
The caption implied that Mahama supports the LGBTQ community but is being hypocritical about his stance because his party is advocating for the passage of the anti-gay bill.
Cheap! I thought you were better than this. It appears you keep declining and declining. A whole Comms director posting ignorance.
Well, Akuffo-Addo watched his brother Paul Danquah wear pampers before dying. He should use as guide and stop meddling with Lesbians like Serwa B. https://t.co/eWHPI2sOd5
In a reactionary tweet to this, Maleek made reference to the sibling of Akufo-Addo, Paul Danquah who was openly gay. He lived with his life partner, Peter Pollock, in the United Kingdom, and later died in Tangier, Morocco, on August 13, 2015.
He alleged that the President’s brother wore diapers days before his demise.
In light of this, he urged Akufo-Addo to learn from the ‘predicament’ of his late brother and be circumspect in his dealings as far as the anti-gay bill is concerned.
“Well, Akuffo-Addo watched his brother Paul Danquah wear pampers before dying. He should use this as a guide and stop meddling with Lesbians like Serwa B,”he said in a tweet.
Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah emphasized the importance of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in addressing the concerns of Ghanaian citizens.
Contrasting Dr. Bawumia’s approach with former President John Dramani Mahama’s self-declared “dead goat” stance, Ahiagbah underscored Bawumia’s commitment to listening to and acting upon the people’s issues.
Ahiagbah urged voters to consider Bawumia’s responsiveness and reject the purported “dead goat syndrome,” emphasising Bawumia’s readiness to lead Ghana into its next chapter.
Dr. Bawumia, the NPP’s flagbearer for the upcoming 2024 general election, has been actively campaigning, vowing to fulfil promises such as eliminating taxes like the e-levy.
The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has refuted claims that outspoken NPP Members of Parliament (MPs) who have been critical of the government are intentionally being singled out for removal in the forthcoming parliamentary primaries.
The claims were made by Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, an opposition MP representing Odododiodoo.
Vanderpuye specifically cited Eugene Boakye Antwi of Subin and Andy Appiah-Kubi of Asante-Akim North, both of whom had been vocal in advocating for the removal of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, as examples of MPs allegedly facing targeted elimination.
During an appearance on the Key Points program on TV3, Vanderpuye stated, “These individuals are being targeted by the establishment,” while discussing the decisions of some lawmakers, including Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, not to seek reelection.
In response, Ahiagbah refuted the claim on the same show, stating, “The idea that some MPs are being targeted is not true. The space is competitive, so if you are afraid of some contest you can’t make that claim.”
NPP closed nominations on December 25 for parliamentary aspirants in constituencies with incumbent MPs.
The parliamentary election is scheduled for January 27, 2024, marking the next phase of the party’s efforts to have representatives in all 275 constituencies. This follows the successful primaries held in orphan constituencies on December 2.
As of the close of nominations on Christmas day, some seasoned party members opted not to submit forms, signaling a voluntary end to their parliamentary careers.
One notable figure on this list is Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who has represented the Suame Constituency in the Ashanti Region since 1997.
Majority Leader in Parliament
Joseph Osei-Owusu (Bekwai Constituency- Ashanti Region). Has been in Parliament since 2009
Samuel Atta Akyea (Abuakwa South Constituency). He has been in Parliament since 2009.
Atta Akyea
Joe Ghartey (Essikado Ketan Constituency). He has been in Parliament since 2005.
Kennedy Agyapong (Assin Central Constituency). He has been in Parliament since 2001.
Kennedy Agyapong
Daniel Botwe (Okere Constituency). He has been in Parliament since 2009.
Dan Botwe
Kwasi Amoako-Atta (Atiwa West Constituency). He has been in Parliemnt since 2009.
Dr. Kwaku Afriyie (Sefwi Wiaso Constituency). He has been in Parliament since 2017.
Emmanuel Marfo (Oforikrom Constituency). He has been in Parliament since 2017.
Benito Owusu-Bio (Atwima Nwabiagya Constituency). He has been in Parliament since 2005.
Carlos Ahenkora (Tema West Constituency). He has been in Parliament since 2017.
Nana Kwasi Adjei Boateng (New Juabeng North Constituency). He has been in Parliament since 2013.
William Owuraku Aidoo (Afigya Kwabre South Constituency). He has been in Parliament since 2013.
Johnson Adu (Ahafo Ano South West Constituency). He has been in Parliament since 2013.
The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has downplayed calls for the Controller and Accountant-General, Mr Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, to resign before contesting the party’s parliamentary primaries.
He said there was no specific rule currently that barred the Controller and Accountant-General from contesting a political office while holding on to his current position.
Mr Kwaning-Bosompem is seeking to lead the NPP as its Parliamentary Candidate in the Akim Swedru Constituency in the Eastern Region in the coming 2024 general election.
However, since news of his decision to contest the seat broke, there have been many calls from some political parties, political commentators, and civil servants, including the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG), for him to vacate the position as the Controller and Accountant-General.
Speaking on Accra-based TV3’s “The Key Points” programme, on Saturday, Mr Ahiagba rejected such calls, indicating that the position of the Controller and Accountant-General was a “unique” one.
He argued that Mr Kwaning-Bosompem’s position was different from that of ministers, Members of Parliament, or district chief executives, who were in roles that required constant partisan political decisions.
According to him, the current Controller and Accountant-General was “not a civil servant in the true sense of the word” because he was a government appointee.
Therefore, Mr Ahiagbah insisted the Controller and Accountant-General needed not to resign before contesting for any political position. He explained that the Controller and Accountant-General was a technical and professional position that did not involve political decisions.
“There is no doubt about rendering the position of the law, I think there is no dispute about that, but what I’m saying is that we have a unique situation in this Controller and Accountant-General position where technically, he was out of the civil service and brought back in. All the examinations that we are talking about, none of them conform to his particular situation.
“If anybody wants to parallel what ruling exists to say that, therefore, he resigns, I’m saying that there is a unique instance. Perhaps, the Supreme Court can give a ruling,” he said.
Mr Ahiagbah added that “he [Controller and Accountant-General] has gone out [of civil service] and come in by an appointment. So, technically, he is not a civil servant in the true sense of the word, he is a government appointee based on that.
“There is no rule currently that deals with his position in terms of any ruling.”
Mr Bobby Banson, a private legal practitioner, on the same programme, insisted that the Controller and Accountant-General’s continuous stay in office while vying for a political position amounted to breaking the law.
Article 94(3) (b) of the 1992 Constitution states that; “A person shall not be eligible to be a member of Parliament if he is a member of the Police Service, the Prisons Service, the Armed Forces, the Judicial Service, the Legal Service, the Civil Service\the Audit Service, the Parliamentary Service, the Statistical Service, the Fire Service, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, the Immigration Service, or the internal Revenue Service.”
Mr Banson, therefore, urged the NPP to disqualify the Controller and Accountant-General from contesting the party’s parliamentary primaries if he failed to resign from his current position.
Dr Rasheed Draman, Executive Director, African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, warned against any action that could lead to the politicisation of both the civil and public service.
“There are very good reasons why we want to keep our civil and public servants away from politics, and I think the parties must do all in their power to make sure that we don’t get to this level,” he stressed.
The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has emphasized that there is no hindrance to Controller and Accountant-General’s, Kwaning-Bosompem, participation in the parliamentary primary, citing his unique status as a government appointee rather than a traditional civil servant.
Mr. Ahiagbah, speaking on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, December 30, addressed the call for Mr. Kwaning-Bonsompem’s resignation by stating, “His situation is unique; nothing precludes him from running on the ticket of the NPP.”
Contrary to this perspective, the Civil and Local Government Staff Association (CLOGSAG) has insisted on the Controller and Accountant General’s resignation, asserting that his involvement in partisan politics violates Civil Service regulations.
Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, Isaac Bampoe Addo, highlighted the Supreme Court’s Neutrality Act 2017 ruling, which prohibits civil servants from engaging in active partisan politics while in active service.
Mr. Bosompem, despite the controversy, collected nomination forms on December 20 to contest in the NPP’s parliamentary primaries in the Akim Swedru Constituency.
Mr. Bampoe Addo cited the Supreme Court’s ruling and stressed the need for civil servants to maintain political neutrality while in service.
Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has urged President Akufo-Addo to deliver a national address outlining the government’s strategies to revive the Bank of Ghana (BoG), which he characterized as facing an unprecedented collapse.
In a Facebook post, Forson emphasized the need for decisive actions to restore solvency to the central bank.
“Given the unprecedented collapse of our central bank, it is imperative for the President of Ghana to urgently address the nation. During this address, the President should outline the decisive actions that the government plans to implement in order to restore solvency to the Bank of Ghana,” Mr Forson said in a Facebook post on Monday.
Forson highlighted that when a regulated institution’s financials or liquidity position is compromised, the BoG typically enforces directives, including withholding dividend payments even in profitable situations.
“Granting of new loans will be put on hold; Appointment of new directors will be restricted; Capital expenditure will be temporarily suspended and staff recruitment will be paused, and other similar measures will be taken,” he added.
Other measures, such as suspending new loans, restricting director appointments, pausing capital expenditure, and halting staff recruitment, are also implemented.
Additionally, Forson dismissed claims by Richard Ahiagbah, Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), that Forson was a member of the BoG Board during the initiation of processes for the bank’s new head office construction.
Forson refuted these assertions in a press release, characterizing them as a “desperate attempt” by the NPP to defend their actions.
Forson clarified that during the Mahama/NDC administration, the Bank of Ghana never entered into a contract for the new head office’s construction nor purchased land in Accra for the building.
He criticized the decision to construct the new head office given the bank’s substantial loss and negative equity, deeming it a reckless and misguided priority.
Forson concluded by asserting that no attempt at equalization can absolve the current government and Governor Addison’s management from the historical collapse and mismanagement of the Bank of Ghana.
He maintained that the countdown to the resignation of the Governor and his deputies is ongoing.
“For the record, I was not part of the processes for the construction of this new Head Office building, and the Bank of Ghana Board never began such processes for the construction of this new Head Office building at Ridge. We maintain that the decision by the current Bank of Ghana Management and Board to construct an ultra-modern Head Office building at a time when the Bank of Ghana has recorded a loss of GhS60.8 billion and a negative equity of GHS55.1 billion; at a time when the ordinary Ghanaian is struggling to make ends meet, is a reckless and misplaced priority.”
“No attempt at equalisation can redeem the historical collapse and mismanagement of the Bank of Ghana by this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government, alongside Governor Addison and his management. The countdown to the resignation of the Governor and his deputies is still on,” Dr. Forson added.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has labeled the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) demand for the resignation of Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, and his deputies as a reflection of the NDC’s lack of constructive solutions for economic stabilization.
The NDC had threatened to march to the Bank of Ghana’s premises and force Dr. Addison and his deputies to resign within 21 days, citing what it calls reckless management of the bank.
But speaking to the media, NPP’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, dismissed the NDC’s stance as propaganda, asserting that the NDC was attempting to interfere with the central bank’s decisions.
Ahiagbah questioned, “Is the NDC trying to run the Bank of Ghana now? Is that the point they want to communicate to us, that the Bank of Ghana cannot make a decision until they refer to the NDC?”
He urged the NDC to focus on constructive matters, emphasizing the need to strengthen the ongoing economic recovery and growth trajectory.
Furthermore, Ahiagbah highlighted that the Bank of Ghana’s losses in its 2022 fiscal year are not unique to Ghana, citing similar occurrences in other central banks worldwide. He attributed these challenges to the global economic impact of events like COVID-19 and the Russian-Ukraine conflict.
The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lacks alternative strategies to counter the government’s economic revitalization policies.
He noted that NDC members have been disparaging the economy and negating its progress.
Ahiagbah added, “the NDC’s criticism of the economy arises from their inability to provide viable alternatives to challenge the government’s policy initiatives aimed at rejuvenating our economy. The economy has taken a positive turn, and it is imperative for Ghanaians to support the government in stabilizing it.”
It’s noteworthy that the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, challenged Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s claim that the economy had turned a corner.
Dr. Forson argued that the Finance Minister’s policies exacerbated Ghana’s economic difficulties.
Ofori-Atta, during the mid-year budget review presentation, shared that the government had successfully averted dire situations, such as shortages of essential items and fuel queues. He acknowledged the collective efforts and investments made since March 2020 to navigate challenges.
Responding to Dr. Forson’s statements, Ahiagbah criticized the NDC for intentionally deceiving the public and attempting to undermine the government’s popularity. He denounced their partisan approach and highlighted their lack of substantive ideas to address the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War.
Ahiagbah stated, “The NDC’s assertion that the mid-year fiscal revisions invalidate the notion of turning a corner is unfounded and should not be taken seriously. Their absence of constructive ideas is evident, and their strategy seems to be discrediting the government’s genuine efforts to mitigate pandemic and war-related economic impacts.”
He urged Ghanaians to recognize that if the NDC were in power, the country’s situation might have worsened due to their apparent dearth of innovative proposals.
He emphasized the need to assess the NDC’s contributions since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War, highlighting their lack of original ideas to support economic recovery.
Communication Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, and Deputy Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Maleek Basintale, were involved in a physical altercation on the microblogging platform Twitter.
The dispute arose following a critical attack launched by the NDC Deputy Communication Officer on the character of the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during a panel discussion on TV3 Newday.
During a live broadcast of the TV3 Newday show on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, the Deputy Communication Officer of the NDC, Maleek Basintale, clashed with a member of the NPP’s communication team, Benjamin Gyewu Appiah.
The NDC deputy national communication officer had described President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a corrupt president during a discussion on the leaked tape of an alleged plot to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, on TV3’s ‘The Big Issue’ programme.
In reaction to this, the Communication Officer of the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah in a tweet described the actions of Basintale on the show as reckless and unrelated.
“I have just finished watching TV3 New Day and wish to describe the attempt by the communicator to tag President Akufo-Addo with corruption as unrelated, reckless, and beyond the pale. The said claims are false political rumours and should not be repeated. Communicators must be mindful of their utterances because making or repeating these false claims could be costly. Kind regards to Mr. Roland Walker,” Ahiagbah tweeted.
This tweet did not sit well with Basintale, who replied that instead of defending the NPP on Twitter, Richard Ahiagbah should move to a studio to do it just like the NDC’s Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi does.
“Dear @RAahiagbah, My name is Malik Basintale, an elected DNCO. Instead of spewing vain and desolate threats here, learn to wake up at 5 am, drive to a studio by 7 am and defend your party. At least learn from my boss @SammyGyamfi_ NPP appointed you and not @elonmusk,” Basintale also added. A leaked audio recording, allegedly involving a Police Commissioner and a politician discussing a plot to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare, has ignited public outrage.
The recording features an officer who identifies himself as “Mensah” and a politician who is reportedly a regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Their conversation revolves around plans to remove the IGP from office due to fears that he would be too firm during the 2024 elections and prevent any potential rigging.
The Commissioner of Police also specifically identifies the IGP’s handling of the Assin North by-election as evidence of his commitment to ensuring free and fair elections.
Director of Communications for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has stated that the newly-elected flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, will not keep his pledges if elected president in 2024.
According to him, Mr Mahama’s victory speech delivered after the NDC’s presidential and parliamentary primaries, was unconvincing and an attempt to whitewash his under-performance during his tenure in government.
“Everything the former president said yesterday [Monday] cannot be trusted. Nobody will be able to hang their hat on it. Because if you measure his performance in the past and what he’s saying, you ask the simple question, why didn’t he do these things the first time?” Ahiagbah stated while speaking journalists on Tuesday.
Mr Mahama on Monday, May 15, officially addressed party members and the nation at large, outlining some of the plans and policies he intends to implement if he wins the 2024 election.
Among other things, the former president promised to speed up investigations into the killing of late journalist, Ahmed Sualeto ensure that justice is served.
But Mr. Ahiagbah says based on the history of previous killings that were not fully dealt with under Mahama, he cannot be trusted on this promise.
“Under him [John Mahama] J. B Dankwa died. Samuel Ennin died under him. Now suddenly he’s able to investigate the death of Ahmed Suale. What happened to Ennin? What about J.B. Danquah’s death? Why was it not investigated if it was that simple to just investigate that in a broad stroke?” Mr Ahiagbah quizzed.
It is unclear if Mr. Ahiagbah’s mention of Samuel Ennin was in reference to the late Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, who was killed in 2007 under the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor. Meanwhile.
Mr Mahama also promised to reinstate the licenses of some of the banks that were ‘unjustly’ revoked by the NPP government.
But Mr. Ahiagbah does not think the former President can keep this promise either.
Speaking on the same show, the special aide to former president John Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari advised that the NPP communicator be disregarded.
She said the NPP is only on an endless mission to taint Mr Mahama’s reputation.
“We live in a government that has failed entirely to deliver on any promise they ever made to the good people of Ghana. He [Richard Ahiagbah literally speaks from the left and right of his mouth, and I think all he thinks about is how to make President Mahama look and sound unconvincing,” she said.
Madam Mogtari stressed that the NDC was much better at running the country since they fulfilled most promises made to Ghanaians.
“We are actually where we are, and we have so many Ghanaians, young and old, who are listening and paying rapt attention, who are actually watching and waiting to see just what Mr Mahama has to offer tells you one thing; that Mr Mahama has proven himself resilient enough.
“Mr Mahama has had occasion to indicate that he didn’t say that everything was perfect under his watch. But, go back and search the Corruption Perception Index. We were doing much better. Go and check the press freedom. We were doing much better.
“Check the Ghana Integrity Initiative report. We were doing much better. In terms of even your media freedom, we were doing much better. In terms of tolerance, taking responsibility, leadership, and equity we were doing much better,” she noted.
Meanwhile, a Political Marketing Strategist, Dr. Tutu Boahene says the results of the just-ended NDC primaries indicated that John Dramani has improved his support base.
“When you check the statistics, not just the percentage, which is the 98.9%, but the various constituencies and the numbers that were coming, he [John Mahama], has actually gathered a lot of support in some of these areas. In fact, for you to get an absolute figure of about 2,880 from Ashiaman, that is very powerful.
“And even though we know that Ashiaman is a strong area for the NDC, it tells you that the delegates went for him. And if the voting pattern in these areas is anything to go by in terms of the representation on the ground, then obviously we would expect that it is going to be a straight win probably for the NDC come 2024,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to investigate the allegations in the leaked Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) report.
The ruling New Patriotic Party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, made this known in a tweet.
The said report alleged in many parts direct and indirect complicity on the part of government and party officials in galamsey and in frustrating the work of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) which the former minister was chairman of.
In a tweet dated April 26, 2023; Ahiagbah slammed a press conference by the main opposition National Democratic Congress demanding a probe by the Special Prosecutor and Parliament into the report which was authored in 2021.
He intimated further that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Adddo had referred the 36-page report to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police for independent investigation.
“On Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng’s document, as a party, we support the President’s prompt referral of the document to the CID, for an independent investigation. That is the democratic way, and the NDC is fully aware.
“The fight against galamsey is existential, but sadly the NDC has never seen it as such. The NDC sees it first as politics, an avenue to canvass votes either by way of promising galamseyers more galamsey when they ever win power or to do what they did yesterday in the press conference to besmirch the character of the people cited in the document on the weight of simple claims,” his tweet read in part.
The last time the presidency reacted to the report was via a statement over the weekend, alleging that the document was not official and that it contained a catalogue of grievances of Prof. Frimpong-Boateng and could best be described as hearsay.
The Presidency also tagged the document as not being an official report before Cabinet as it was submitted in an informal way.
“At the outset, it must be pointed out that the document being discussed was not an official report formally delivered to the Office of the President. On the contrary, it can only be rightly referred to as a catalogue of personal grievances and claims made by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, intended to respond to some issues he faced as Chairperson of the IMCIM.”
“The document was handed to the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President on March 19th 2021, in an informal meeting, where Prof. Frimpong-Boateng complained about public attacks and criticisms made about his tenure as Chairperson of the IMCIM,” the statement read.
GhanaWeb has been unable, so far, to verify the referral of the report to the police CID.
Read Ahiagbah’s full post below:
The pointlessness of the NDC’s press conference yesterday is legendary. The Al Jazeera documentary has been effectively discredited so, I wonder why they were talking spiritedly about it.
On Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng’s document, as a party, we support the President’s prompt referral of the document to the CID, for an independent investigation. That is the democratic way, and the NDC is fully aware.
The fight against galamsey is existential, but sadly the NDC has never seen it as such. The NDC sees it first as politics, an avenue to canvass votes either by way of promising galamseyers more galamsey when they ever win power or to do what they did yesterday in the press conference to besmirch the character of the people cited in the document on the weight of simple claims.
The individuals especially, the Information Minister, has responded to state his innocence, but the NDC simply refused to acknowledge it or be restrained it. Instead, the NDC went full hog to display their pictures as though they have been found culpable of anything.
What would it have cost the NDC to have waited for the CID to complete its investigation and render its report for public scrutiny? Perhaps, the NDC is not aware that President Akufo-Addo has referred Prof. Boateng’s report to the CID.
The NPP, unlike the NDC, is committed to the fight against galamsey, and thus far has made considerable gains. But certainly, there is a lot more that needs to be done and all of us must pinch in. It is my humble appeal to all Ghanaians to get involved by reporting galamsey activities, learn about its dire implications for our very existence, and on that basis speak objectively against galamsey.
The NDC must learn to keep certain things above partisan politics and galamsey is one of such things. We know the NDC’s record on galamsey is criminal, to put it mildly. The fight against galamsey proceeds without fear or favor. Let’s all get involve less the partisanship that often weakens the cooperation we need to triumph.
Please watch the attached NDC galamsey video, and I am sure you conclude with me that the NDC needs to get serious with the fight against galamsey. Their double standard on a matter as serious as galamsey is sickening.
Accusations that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government is bloated have been debunked by Richard Ahiagbah, the NPP’s director of communications.
He claims that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) members are behind this narration in an effort to harm the government’s reputation with Ghanaians.
According to Richard Ahiagbah, who was speaking on JoyNews’ NewsFile show, Akufo-Addo has drastically cut the size of his administration, and for the first time in Ghana’s history, there are no regional ministers.
“From the first term till now, you will agree with me that the size of government tremendously has been reduced.
“This is the one time in our history where we don’t have deputy regional ministers, for the first time we have that, so there are significant concessions made in that direction.
“There is his disinformation by the NDC… they are just interested in creating the impression in the minds of people for them to say that the size of government should be cut,” he said.
The NPP communication director also noted that the number of appointees in the country currently are needed to help the president achieve his objectives.
“We shouldn’t overlook the fact that there’s a mandate given the president, he needs a team to do it… if he does not deliver, he cannot come and say it was because his budget was reduced,” he said.
He added that the government has also cut its expenditure to the extent that ministers who are also members of Parliament are only being paid as MPs.
Communications Director for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Richard Ahiagbah believes the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) State of the Nation Address is a move to incite the people of Ghana against the NPP.
Under the leadership of their Chairman, Asiedu Nketiah, the NDC presented what it described as the true state of the nation address on Monday, March 20, 2023.
They provided what they termed a better understanding of the country’s economy and the failure of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led administration, indicating that Ghana is not in a ditch due to external forces.
The NDC indicated that mismanagement on the part of the government has led to the hardship currently being faced by the people of Ghana.
But reacting to the address, Richard Ahiagbah said, “The NDC’s SONA is a dismal & insincere attempt to misrepresent & incite Ghanaians. When NPP gave its SONAs in opposition, the state of GH was truly weak & in crisis from the mismanagement of the NDC govt. Ghanaians know we are in difficulties bcos of the Covid&Ukraine war”.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, according to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is merely inventing justifications for his absence from Monday’s Independence Day celebrations.
Ghana celebrated its 66th Independence Anniversary in Adaklu in the Volta Region on March 6, 2023.
The former President accused the NPP of turning the celebrations into a jamboree and also accused the party of busing its supporters to the venue for the celebration.
He added that he had been ridiculed by supporters of the NPP as he was seated in an obscure place on some occasions, hence his decision to boycott such events since 2018.
Reacting to the former President’s comment, the Director of Communicationsfor the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah said the reasons given by John Mahama are unfathomable.
“The former President is justifying all excuses to explain why he didn’t show up at the celebration of the Independence Day in the Volta Region and the previous ones he failed to attend. It’s most unfortunate because he’s only interested in going to the Volta region for votes. Just recently, you went there to launch your campaign. The people of Volta Region haven’t had the opportunity to host Independence Day before. He just left there a few days ago, if nothing at all, for the people of Volta Region whose chiefs and elders were assembled to celebrate, he could have showed up,” Mr. Ahiagbah.
Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has defended the current administration over some corruption allegations leveled against them by former president John Dramani Mahama.
Ahiagbah in a quoted tweet ‘defended’ the anti-corruption credentials of the president stating thus: “At least President Akufo-Addo is clear about his incorruptibility.”
Mahama via social media posts dated February 15, 2023 made the corruption collaborators allusion whiles reacting to a letter from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame, to the Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah-Asiedu.
The letter, a legal advice from the government lawyer, pointed the A-G to obey procedures in law laid down for the publication of audit reports even though others interpreted same as an attempt to dictate to the audit boss.
The recently released report on COVID-19 expenditure in the country, revealed several instances of alleged financial malfeasance.
“The Attorney General’s letter to the Auditor General is clearly meant to silence him and create a conducive atmosphere for corruption to thrive,” Mahama wrote.
“President @NAkufoAddo’s administration is not only indifferent in the fight against corruption – they are collaborators!” he added.
Background:
After the Auditor-General released a damning Special Audit Report on its findings on the government’s expenditure of COVID-19 expenditures in the country since the deadly pandemic was recorded in Ghana, the Attorney General wrote a letter to the A-G.
In the letter, Godfred Dame asked Johnson Akuamoah-Asiedu to stop the publication of the report on the Special Audit of COVID-19 expenditures.
He further stated in the letter, based on Article 187(5) of the constitution, that the Auditor-General is rather mandated to submit his report to parliament, and in that report, draw attention to any irregularities in the accounts audited which is often concurrently published with the submission.
The Attorney General added that it was only after satisfying the constitutional requirement of submitting the Auditor-General’s report to parliament that the report might be considered final and relevant action might be taken thereon.
The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah has responded to former President John Dramani Mahama on his comment that “President Akufo-Addo’s administration is not only indifferent in the fight against corruption – they are collaborators!”
Responding to him also in a tweet, Mr Ahiagbah said “At least President Akufo-Addo is clear about his incorruptibility. #Ghana”
Mr Dame wrote against the decision by the Auditor-General to publish the report on Covid expenditure.
Per Article 187(5) of the Constitution, Mr Dame explained, the Auditor-General is mandated to submit his report to Parliament to draw attention to any irregularities in the accounts audited?
The Auditor-General report stated that “During our review, we noted that senior management staff and other supporting staff of the Ministry of Information paid themselves a total amount of GH¢151,500.00 as COVID-19 risk allowance for coming to work during the lockdown.”
It further indicated that the Ministry of Health (MoH) entered a contract signed on 15 December 2021 for the supply of 26 Toyota Hiace Deluxe Ambulances valued at US$4,049,460.12 out of which US$607,419.02 was paid to vide PV No. IPF 22-007 of 2 September 2022 is to be delivered by 15 January 2022.
However, the report said, the ambulances remained undelivered as of 28 November 2022.
But the Attorney General in his letter said ” “I observe that the report of the special audit on the Government’s COVID-19 transactions has been published on the website of the Audit Service. In light of the constitutional provisions pertaining to the duty of the Auditor-General after the preparation of audit reports, I consider a publication of the COVID-19 audit report or indeed any audit report particularly when the same has not been either considered by Parliament or referred to a committee of Parliament, premature.”
Mr Dame has however justified the letter he wrote.
He stated that it is astonishing that CDD-Ghana disputes the propriety of the Attorney-General rendering legal advice to the Auditor-General, and construes same as “an interference with the independence of the auditor general”.
A proper reading of the Constitution, especially the provisions on the Public Services of Ghana, leads to the inescapable conclusion that the Attorney-General is fully vested with the constitutional function of giving legal advice to all the Public Services specifically listed in Article 190(1) of the Constitution, including the Audit Service, and such other public services as will be established by law.
Article 295 indicates that the public services listed in article 190 and other public services established by Parliament pursuant to its legislative powers, are part of the civil offices of Government.
In the face of the explicit constitutional mandate of the Attorney-General under article 88 of the Constitution as principal legal adviser to the Government, it is incomprehensible and rather illogical how an assertion may be made that the Attorney-General has no capacity to render legal advice to the Auditor-General.
Such an assertion can only be as a result of a simplistic and limited view of relevant provisions of the Constitution of Ghana.
He has made hints that the NPP will soon respond to a seven-point list by NDC lawmaker Cassiel Ato Forson that blames the economic crisis on the government’s acts and inactions.
Ahiagbah justifies his assertions.
He claims that the NDC has refused to be up front with Ghanaians about its analysis of the causes of the nation’s current economic slump.
He is concerned that the party continues to deny the role that global factors play in the current challenges.
His views were contained in a tweet dated January 16, 2023. It read as follows:
“Will the NDC ever be honest with Ghanaians? Their continuous denial of the global factors impacting Ghana confirms why Ghanaians say the NDC is incompetent. A fuller response will be given soon to Hon. Ato Forson’s twisted reasons.”
Who Ahiagbah was responding to:
The NPP communications head was referring to a social media post over the weekend by former deputy minister of finance Cassiel Ato Forson, who outlined seven causes for the current economic challenges.
In his post, Ato Forson listed how the bloated size of government, especially within the executive and state-owned enterprises, had contributed to depleting government revenue and thereby threatened to tank the economy.
Background
Ghana had a torrid 2022 amid an economic crisis that forced the government to seek an International Monetary Fund (IMF) facility at a time when the cedi was rapidly depreciating, inflation was galloping, and the government was faced with multiple downgrades by rating agencies.
The government has repeatedly blamed the crisis partly on the aftershocks of the COVID pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
It has promised to turn around the economic fortunes of the country after sealing a staff-level agreement with the IMF late last year, with hopes that funds from the US$3 billion facility will be released early this year.
The government is hamstrung by hurdles as it attempts to secure a deal with its Domestic Debt Exchange programme.
Organized labour successfully fought off plans to include pensions in the DDE; now individual bondholders are also rejecting plans to include them.
Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah says the reason for the rejection of the debt restructuring programme is due to the difficulties it will pose for bondholders.
Mr. Ahiagbah stated that the fear of the bondholders is also attributable to their inadequate understanding of the debt restructuring programme.
Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, the politician said, “The basis for that rejection (of the debt restructuring programme) is a question of lack of understanding and the genuine fear that where are we going?”
However, Mr. Ahiagbah explained that the prevailing economic crisis has put the Akuffo-Addo-led administration in a situation where they have to take certain decisions to revive the economy.
He indicated that one of those actions is the debt restructuring programme.
The NPP spokesperson noted that if the government could secure the necessary cooperation from various institutional investors to tout the benefits of the programme, the country could pay off all of its debt.
“If we have the level of participation, if we get the support and the voluntary participation of all these institutional investors to drive this forward, we are likely to redeem our country from this debt trap that we have caught ourselves in,” he told host, Samson Lardy Anyenini.
Mr. Ahiagbah also indicated that the government’s aim in introducing the debt restructuring programme is to build a robust economy.
“It’s not a thing to do just now to get out of it, and then reverse back there, but we are going to leverage the occasion to build ourselves sustainably to a place where we will not get to this place again,” he assured.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Director, Richard Ahiagbah, has downplayed the growing discontent with the Akufo-Addo government, which has been reflected in polls and recent protests.
Speaking on The Point of View, Mr. Ahiagbah maintained that Ghana’s economic crisis has external causes because “the whole world is not going in the right direction.”
A recent poll by Global Info Analytics has indicated that 77 percent of Ghanaians believe the country is heading in the wrong direction.
This comes amid crippling inflation and fuel prices that have left many Ghanaians frustrated.
But Mr. Ahiagbah remarked that “I think polling in this environment is biased, to begin with, because people’s emotions are in a certain place, so you are going to get a predictable outcome.”
“What is really of consequence is the effort and the commitment of the government that is in power who for some reason is caught up in this global economic downturn,” he added.
But responding to Mr. Ahiagbah on the show, the organiser of the recent ‘Ku Me Preko’ protest, Martin Kpebu slammed the NPP communicator’s remarks.
Mr. Kpebu told him: “don’t ever say that in public again because the more you say people are being emotional, the more people will come at you.”
“Our savings, your money in the bank or under your bed, over 60 percent of its value is gone, and you say people are being emotional?”
Richard Ahiagbah, the National Communications Director of the governing New Patriotic Party, (NPP) is concerned about the continued depreciation of the Ghana cedi.
He is equally concerned about what he describes as ‘talking down’ the currency which is currently the worst against the US dollar globally according to a Bloomberg report.
“The widespread talking down of the cedi is contributing largely to the struggle of the cedi. The technical word for it is speculation. The speculation must stop,” he tweeted on Friday, October 21.
His tweet was in reaction to a description of the cedi as ‘worthless’ in a news reportage by Accra-based TV3.
Ahiagbah was echoing a similar concern raised by a leading member of the NPP, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, who had in a series of Facebook posts warned against how journalists especially describe the cedi.
Gabby holds that whenever journalists report negatively on the cedi, they become accessories to fuel speculation about the currency and thus become complicit in its depreciation.
He wrote in a Facebook post on October 20 thus: “Journalists can report and influence. But where the default mode is to influence negatively, such media houses run the risk of becoming partners in speculation.
“It is not the job of journalists and analysts to fix the cedi; but fixing it is not helped if they make it more their job to fuel speculations.
“The cedi may be worth 60% less now than what it was to the US dollar last year. But it is not worthless! My sympathies go to the many, many businesses and consumers out there who simply do not know where to turn,” the post added.
His comments come a day after Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta appealed against panic and unnecessary rush to get the dollar. he, however, described the depreciation of the cedi as ‘perplexing.’
The governing NewPatrioticParty, NPP, is of the view that justice will be served in the matter involving the state versus Aisha Huang and four others in a case involving illegal small-scale mining activities.
This according to the party is despite the fact that lawyers affiliated with it are representing the accused persons.
Speaking on Accra-based Joy FM, the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah maintained that the court will at all times deal with evidence put before it by parties to the case.
He contended further that it was within the right of an accused person to get legal representation in court and consequently it was also right for the NPP-affiliated lawyers to render professional services to such persons.
“If it is a matter of conscience then we should say that there shouldn’t be legal representation for criminals or for somebody who has killed somebody or is alleged to have killed somebody. As conscience will dictate, we should all abhor such behavior and therefore no lawyer as matter of conscience should want to defend any such act
“I don’t think there will be any miscarriage of justice because the lawyers in the case are NPP related or have affiliations with the New Patriotic Party. The idea is that every client deserves a representation.
“Our laws allows for that, so the client have exercised their right to have legal representation and those happens to be people affiliated with the NPP. I don’t think that necessarily changes the rules of the court which is evidence,” Ahiagbah said.
It emerged that former NPP Chairman, Freddie Blay, is the main lawyer for Aisha Huang’s accomplices namely Gao Jin Cheng, Lu Qi Jun, Haibin Go and Zhang Zhipeng, in the prosecution.
Aisha Huang together with her four other accomplices made a court appearance yesterday October 11 for the state to continue with their prosecution.
Private attorney Lucy Ekeleba Blay said in court that she was holding brief for Freddie Blay in the case of the four accomplices. Another NPP affiliated lawyer, Nkrabea Effah Darteh is representing Aisha Huang.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Godfred Dame has indicated his readiness to fast-track the prosecution of Aisha Huang for her past and previous crimes.
Ms. Huang and her accomplices have been remanded into custody until November 24, 2022 following the judge’s refusal to grant them bail.
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is of the view that justice will be served in the matter involving the state versus Aisha Huang and four others in a case involving illegal small-scale mining activities.
This according to the party is despite the fact that lawyers affiliated with it are representing the accused persons.
Speaking on Accra-based Joy FM, the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah maintained that the court will at all times deal with evidence put before it by parties to the case.
He contended further that it was within the right of an accused person to get legal representation in court and consequently it was also right for the NPP-affiliated lawyers to render professional services to such persons.
“If it is a matter of conscience then we should say that there shouldn’t be legal representation for criminals or for somebody who has killed somebody or is alleged to have killed somebody. As conscience will dictate, we should all abhor such behavior and therefore no lawyer as matter of conscience should want to defend any such act
“I don’t think there will be any miscarriage of justice because the lawyers in the case are NPP related or have affiliations with the New Patriotic Party. The idea is that every client deserves a representation.
“Our laws allows for that, so the client have exercised their right to have legal representation and those happens to be people affiliated with the NPP. I don’t think that necessarily changes the rules of the court which is evidence,” Ahiagbah said.
It emerged that former NPP Chairman, Freddie Blay, is the main lawyer for Aisha Huang’s accomplices namely Gao Jin Cheng, Lu Qi Jun, Haibin Go and Zhang Zhipeng, in the prosecution.
Aisha Huang together with her four other accomplices made a court appearance yesterday October 11 for the state to continue with their prosecution.
Private attorney Lucy Ekeleba Blay said in court that she was holding brief for Freddie Blay in the case of the four accomplices. Another NPP affiliated lawyer, Nkrabea Effah Darteh is representing Aisha Huang.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Godfred Dame has indicated his readiness to fast-track the prosecution of Aisha Huang for her past and previous crimes.
Ms. Huang and her accomplices have been remanded into custody until November 24, 2022 following the judge’s refusal to grant them bail.
The Director of Communications for the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah, has clashed with veteran broadcaster Dr. Randy Abbey over comments made by former President John Dramani Mahama on granting illegal miners (galamseyers) amnesty.
John Dramani Mahama, in October 2020, indicated that his government would grant amnesty to people who have been arrested in connection with illegal mining.
According to him, the New Patriotic Party has been biased in the arrest of citizens whilst turning a blind eye to foreigners who are equally involved in illegal mining.
“It’s sad. The government said it was fighting galamsey and they arrested, prosecuted, and jailed Ghanaians who were engaged in that activity but left the Chinese woman… when we come, we shall grant all those arrested and jailed some amnesty,” said Mr. Mahama during his tour in the Western Region.
In a panel discussion on Good Morning Ghana on Friday (October 9), which was monitored by GhanaWeb, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communication Director sort to conclude that Mahama’s actions amounted to politicians taking advantage of the fight against illegal mining to win political favour as a research finding in 2017 stated.
“I have showed you a video of the NDC canvassing people that vote for us when we come. We will allow you to galamsey. And I am telling you an academic position that says that, that is a real weakness and politicians and galamseyers are exploiting that.
“And I am going to tell you that there is a political party in the 2020 Election that exploited this position, this finding as a way of campaigning to say that if you vote for us we will allow you to galamsey.
“… and indeed the outcome of the 2020 Election tells you that indeed, the NDC’s strategy to exploit galamsey (worked). The findings here support the outcome that the NDC got in the 2020 Election. That is just the point I was making,” he said.
But, the host of Good Morning Ghana, did not agree with the NPP communicator’s conclusion because the findings of the research were gathered from data gathered in elections held in 2016, 2012, and other subsequent elections.
“You refer to this report which was out doored in June 2017, which refers to how political parties, especially when they are in opposition exploit the galameysers for political benefit. And you used that to demonstrate what you believe the NDC did in the 2020 Elections.
“ … now I am asking you whether this June 2017 report was not speaking to what had happened in previous elections, be it 2016, 2012, 2008 and, therefore, not a vindication of what political parties do when they are in opposition do and not necessarily what the NDC did in 2020 because of this 2017 report.”
Richard Ahiagbah, the national communications officer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has requested that Prof. Steve Hanke, an American economist and professor, be “employed” by the rival National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to Ahiagbah, Hanke, who has become a frequent opponent of the government’s economic policies, was acting in a way that benefited the NDC, which is why he made the call.
He tweeted, “Perhaps it’s time for the NDC to announce and formalize their collaboration with Steve Hanke because it’s evident.
Days before, the Communications Director had also suggested that the NDC should replace outgoing General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah with Prof. Hanke.
Among Steve Hanke’s recent diagnosis of the economy is that it was tanking – an expression which means the economy is down and there are fears of a recession.
He has in on numerous occasions blamed the Akufo-Addo-led administration for putting the economy in a dire situation.
He has separately taken swipes at the Vice President, the governor of the Bank of Ghana, the Minister of Finance and more recently, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a leading member of the NPP.
