Politics of Saturday, 3 August 2024Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) can no longer call the Northern Region their 'World Bank' in elections. According to her, the era when the NDC dominated the Northern Region is over, as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has now made significant inroads, turning the region into a 'susu box' for the NDC. But in a bigger picture, they both come from what we used to call the Northern Region. She also said that this move could be a key reason for the changing political dynamics in the Northern Region. In fact, in the last election, in the North East Region, the NPP beat the NDC in the presidential ballots.

While that pends, GhanaWeb looks back at the year in retrospect and some of the major political moments. Typically, being an election year, there have been several political activities, happenings and issues that have gotten the nation talking. From deaths to major announcements by political parties, to street protests, the following are some of the highlights of the big stories that graced news platforms since January 2024. The National Executive Committee of the opposition party, in March 2024, endorsed Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the running mate for the party’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama. The leadership changes were confirmed at a meeting led by the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong.

General News of Friday, 2 August 2024Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, has rejected calls for the cancellation of the legal vacation provided under the procedure rules of Superior Courts. The Chief Justice further explained that physiological considerations underpin the provisions providing for legal vacation in the procedure rules. She likened the legal vacation to the vacation of school, which is very important because students need to rest their bodies and minds and re-invigorate for more work. The assurance by the Chief Justice comes following calls by some notable Ghanaians, including Justice Enyonam Adinyira, a High Court judge, for the vacation to be scrapped in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court rules. The Chief Justice, however, has powers under the rules to designate a court to sit despite the provisions requiring the observation of vacations.

Speaking at the Inaugural Ghana Report Summit on August 1, 2024, he said the rising trend of misinformation, disinformation and fake news pose a threat to the security of the country. “Fake news has no legs, we become the legs that carry it, spread it and make it go viral. "We have to look at ourselves, it is noted that sharing is caring, but when it comes to fake news, sharing is not caring,” he noted. He stressed the need for empathy, fact-checking, and responsible communication to combat misinformation and disinformation and also promote a more harmonious society. Dr. Akuffo Dampare also urged the media to use their gate-keeping role to fight misinformation and disinformation and also uphold high ethical standards.

Over the years, some presidential candidates have suffered the fate of getting disqualified by the electoral body over minor errors. In 2016, 12 candidates were disqualified by the Charlotte Osei-led electoral commission, reducing the number to only four qualified candidates. However, after contesting their disqualification in court, 3 of the disqualified candidates won against the EC paving the way for them to contest. In 2020, 5 candidates were also disqualified from contesting the elections as there were several problems with their nomination documents including IT issues. The nomination forms are not properly signed by all the subscribing voters6.

Former National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, has vehemently denied ever being behind kidnappings in Ghana. "On 11th June 2019 at about 15:00hrs, the CID executed the said warrant by arresting Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo at No.3 Church Street Labone, Accra," the police statement said. But on August 1, 2024, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo speaking in an interview on Starr FM monitored by GhanaWeb, insisted that he has never been involved in any kidnapping incident. I am using a 2012 Toyota Sequoia and the kidnapper is using a 2019 Range Rover? So if I had that much money, wouldn't I buy the Range Rover for myself and drive, and would rather buy it for a kidnapper?

According to him, the counting and declaring process will extend into the third day after the close of voting on December 7, concluding on December 9. Additionally, the ruling NPP could lose at least parliamentary seats to the NDC, if they are not cautious. Kusi Boateng additionally advised the youth not to emigrate to other countries, regardless of the current state of the economy, assuring them that the country will soon experience rapid development. The election is on the 7th, and on the 8th the result will not come, everybody shall be jittery. God is going to visit us one more time,” he stated.

The approved bills include:National Roads Authority Bill, 2023:The bill, passed in June 2024, establishes the National Roads Authority as the unified body responsible for the planning, development, maintenance, and management of the national road network in Ghana. National Service Authority Bill, 2024:The National Service Authority Bill, 2024, aims to establish the National Service Authority to mobilize and post individuals qualified for National Service in areas of national priority. The bill promotes civic responsibility, discipline, patriotism, national cohesion, and voluntarism among national service personnel. Ghana Civil Aviation Bill, 2024:This new legislation aims to establish the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as an autonomous entity responsible for aviation safety and security. The bill aims to protect traders from unfair treatment by multinational shipping service providers and addresses gaps in the previous law and existing Legislative Instruments.

General News of Wednesday, 31 July 2024Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Majority Caucus in Parliament has formally petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to summon an extraordinary session of Parliament within seven days. This request, led by Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, indicated that there is a need for the House to consider critical matters which require parliamentary attention. Per Article 112(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992, and Standing Order 53 of the Parliament of Ghana, we hereby formally requisition an extraordinary session of Parliament." Various critical bills including the Budget Bill 2023, Rent Bill 2023, University of Local Governance and Development Bill 2024, Environmental Protection Bill 2024, Social Protection Bill 2024, Intestate Succession Bill 2022, Chartered Institute of Reconstruction and Insolvency Practitioners Bill 2023, Ghana Industrial Property Office Bill 2024, and the National Petroleum Authority Bill 2024," the statement said. He also urged prompt action from the Speaker of Parliament.

Entertainment of Wednesday, 31 July 2024Source: www.ghanaweb.comFollowing the resurfacing of a viral video showing Ghanaian socialite Efia Odo shedding tears while narrating her childhood experiences, the influencer has assured fans of her mental health. In the viral video, Efia Odo, in a 2022 interview, shared her emotional journey growing up in a single-parent home. Responding to one fan who offered to be there for her, Efia Odo replied, stating “This interview is almost 2 years old. I’m in a much better space now.”See the post below:This interview is almost 2 years old. I’m in a much better space now https://t.co/11W2Ym0TnO — EFIAODO (@Efiaodo1) July 31, 2024ID/NOQ

“Suddenly, John Mahama and the NDC are singing the praises of the judiciary they have bastardised and maligned for several years. Suddenly, the court is no longer an appendage of government. “The double standards of the NDC are regrettable and does not bode well for our democracy. While the AG disagree with the decision of the Court, we accept it in good faith and hope Mr. Mahama and the NDC do not change their chorus should the decision of the Court of Appeal be reversed by the Supreme Court,” he wrote. The Court of Appeal on Tuesday, July 30, acquitted and discharged the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and businessman Richard Jakpa, a third accused in the ambulance procurement trial in a split 2-1 decision.

Entertainment of Monday, 29 July 2024Source: Dickson Boadi, ContributorGhanaian musician Criss Waddle is back with a video for his song "Psycho". The AMG Business CEO dropped the scorching hot new track which is a high-energy banger that has been on replay on many streaming platforms. With his signature style and infectious flow, Criss Waddle takes fans on a wild ride in "Psycho." The music video, released recently has already generated buzz and is expected to top billboards in the coming days. Known for his hit tracks like "Ayi," "Bie Gya," and "Azonto Ghost," Criss Waddle continues to push the boundaries of Ghanaian music.

Politics of Sunday, 28 July 2024Source: www.ghanaweb.comAll People’s Congress flagbearer, Dr. Hassan Ayariga, has cautioned against men of God making prophecies and predictions about the next presidential candidate. Addressing concerns about the rise of prophetic prophecies regarding the elections on the JoyNews Upfront show, Dr. Hassan Ayariga expressed that religious interference could lead to chaos if the prophecies do not prove accurate. He urged religious leaders to allow the masses to elect their preferred choice of political candidates without influencing their decision-making through prophecies. "Many Ghanaians believe in their prophets, let’s say their pastors, and in this crucial election of 2024, I’m pleading with the pastors to stop the prophecies of who is going to become the next president of Ghana because this election is a crucial one. We don’t want the interference of prophecies by pastors and so-called men of God, from imams, chiefs, and all that.

General News of Saturday, 27 July 2024Source: www.ghanaweb.comA Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Ransford Gyampo, has described the suspension of the road toll collection in 2021 as an error made because the government failed to listen to wise counsel. It could be recalled that while presenting the mid-year budget review in Parliament on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, the Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, announced that the government is considering bringing back the collection of road tolls. He disclosed that the Cabinet has approved a framework established to facilitate the process of the reintroduction of the tolls in 2025. He indicated that the government currently lacks the necessary funding for infrastructure development and suggested that innovative solutions, such as road tolling, could offer a viable solution. However, the E-levy has failed to live up to expectations, prompting the government to bring back the tolls in 2025.

Its impact on the 2024 elections, particularly in the Northern region, is significant because Dr. Bawumia is being credited for facilitating its progress. The biggest city in the north, Tamale, has an interchange that is proudly and precisely labelled "the first-ever interchange in the north." Again, Vice President Bawumia, the NPP's Flagbearer for the 2024 elections, was deeply involved in making the Tamale interchange possible. Again, Vice President Bawumia is believed to be at the forefront of this project, which gives him a huge advantage over former President Mahama in the 2024 elections. Dr. Bawumia is directly involved in the new Tamale International Airport Phase II project, like the other northern projects.