Minority Leader Cautions Ghanaians To Be “Cool-Headed” Over Election Petition

The NPP Member of Parliament for Suame Constituency, Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, has cautioned Ghanaians to be “cool-headed” and not jump in ecstasy over the pending election case at the Supreme Court.

According to him, the commentators of the case should refrain from skewing the facts to suit their parties.

He warned them to stop presenting twisted versions of the proceedings that transpire in the court.

He therefore advised the general public “not to be overly hilarious. Let us be cool-headed and allow the judges to determine the final case for all of us. I think the commentary coming out of the people who have been in the Supreme Court, is coming out a bit differently” is not helpful and so, asked them to be wary of their utterances.

He stressed the party’s commitment to abiding by the Supreme Court verdict on the election dispute.

“I wouldn’t want to be judgemental. Let the court determine. And we have all resort that whatever the outcome, we will live by it. And I think that that’s the wiser way.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Nii Armah Akomfrah Accusses Mahama-led Govt of Misappropriation

Nii Armah Akomfrah, the Director of Communications of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) has accused the Mahama-led government of misappropriation within its 100 days of administration.

According to him, President Mahama and his government have failed in administering the affairs of the country.

He alluded to the strike actions taken by medical doctors and teachers in the country, stressing that the government instead of remit the arrears, rather misspent the resources and monies entrusted to them.

Speaking to Radio Gold on Wednesday, the CPP Communicator blamed government for the woes that have befallen the country.

To him, President Mahama’s administration is the worst in the annals of Ghana’s history.

“You have broken the country…Many people will go further and say this is the worst 100 days in our history…It’s a 100 days of failure.

“No Ghanaian wants to see the country fail. No Ghanaian wants to see a country in crises. No Ghanaian wants to continue waking up and not having water or electricity. And so, we all pray that the government wakes up and understands his responsibility, and delivers for Ghana…We want to see a reversal of the mismanagement. The mismanagement that has driven our economy to the bone.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

It Would Be Unfair To Assess Prez Mahama In 100 Days – Bernard Mornah

Bernard Mornah has rubbished arguments that the President should be assessed in his 100 days of leadership.

The General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC) ruled out the logic in evaluating the performance of President John Dramani Mahama after three months, calling on his critics to offer him space to rule the country.

Bernard Mornah expressed excitement over the President’s promises to establish 200 Senior High Schools and health facilities across the country.

Speaking on Radio Gold yesterday, the PNC chief scribe urged the President to deliver on his promises to the Ghanaian citizenry.

He was hopeful the current administration is on course to building a robust economy, hence finding lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the nation.

The President, he stated, needs time to put the necessary measures in place to address the crises that the country is grappling with and so, added that it will be unfair for him to be assessed barely 100 days in power.

“I think that giving time for the President to do the right things is much more appropriate than counting on 100 days…It will be disastrous for the President to perform less. It will be important for the President to perform more, not for the NDC but for the people of Ghana,” he demanded.

He commended the President for the various initiatives set up to resolve the country’s challenges and hope within the four-year term of his administration, a number of interventions will be made to boost the economy.

“I am happy that the President is constituting his team, [1] to ensure that they deliver on the promise of a 200 Senior Secondary Schools for the people of Ghana; knowing very well that our current enrolment at the Senior High level is just 36.9%. We are not even up to 40% of those who are supposed to be in Senior High Schools. So, this clearly tells that the President has vision to ensure that a large chunk of our people are able to access Secondary education and I hope that they will able to manifest this within the four years.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

NPP Petitioners Have A Very Challenging Task - Nana Ato Dadzie

A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team, Nana Ato Dadzie says the petitioners in the election dispute before the Supreme Court have a challenging task to prove their case.

According to him, the petitioners will have to prove beyond just the facts of the case in order to unseat the President.

To him, if the petitioners are opposing the legitimacy of President John Mahama, then they have to present substantial evidence before the court to dispute the declaration by the Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan which saw the President sworn in as victor in the 2012 general elections.

He however stressed, on Radio Gold’s newspaper review, the President’s legitimacy, saying “President John Mahama is accepted by the court and the country by way of a gazette as the President of the country. He is the President. It is only that there are some people like the petitioners who are coming up and saying that he was not properly elected…And they have a very challenging task indeed. I’m sure they are aware of it. They will lead enough evidence to show that they were not just some irregularities but substantial irregularities as to affect the decision of the EC.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

NDC Leaders Are “Spin Doctors” – Sir John

The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie says the ruling National Democratic Congress is on a plan to put a “spin” on the ongoing election case at the Supreme Court, hence their refusal to support the live telecast of the case when it was first raised for discussion.

Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, commenting on the proceedings in the law court involving the three NPP leaders and President John Dramani Mahama together with the Electoral Commission, he described the NDC gurus as “spin doctors.”

He expressed doubts over the ruling party’s posture in the court but believed the live broadcast of the case will allow all Ghanaians to witness the case and draw their conclusions in order to ward off any mischief.

“All of us will be witnesses to what happened and therefore, we can be better judges…I think that it is good for our democracy. It is good for common sense. It is good for all of us here in Ghana. And I commend the Supreme Court and her ladyship in those directions,” he stated.

Also, speaking in relation to the power-point presentation raised by the petitioners during the court hearing on Tuesday, he disagreed with the court overruling the petitioners’ request.

According to him, the power-point presentation would have given Ghanaians a clear understanding of the petitioners’ case.

Speaking on Radio Gold, he was of the view “that the Supreme Court ought to have granted it. But they have spoken, there is very little that anybody can do. They think that they have enough material that will help them to understand the processes. But I thought that for the benefits of those of us also watching and following the proceedings, it would have been good for us but they did not think otherwise. I mean they did not think that it will be good, so I am comfortable with that.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Prez Mahama Is a “Danger Boy”; The Country Is Bereft of Proper Leadership

General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly called Sir John, has described the 100 days of President John Dramani Mahama as “abysmal”, claiming that the country is bereft of a proper leadership.

Sir John, in an interview on Radio Gold on Wednesday, labelled President Mahama as a “danger boy”, stating that he is driving the nation in the wrong direction.

He explained that in the midst of the economic crises crippling the nation, President Mahama cannot be appraised for good governance because to him, the President has failed to address the concerns of the citizenry.

In his view, the country, under President John Mahama’s administration, is gradually earning a reputation as a highly indebted poor nation.

Due to the inability of the President to salvage the economy from its present dwindling state, the NPP scribe stated that the nation is heading towards HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Country).

According to him, the President’s 100 days have revealed that the nation is afloat and lost its bearing.

Explaining the current economic situation, he said “this country is rudderless. The country is like the bicycle on which the “danger boy”, John Dramani Mahama, is sitting…with no break and we have nobody. We are bereft of leadership. So, there is clearly a paralysis of leadership in this country and I think that John Dramani Mahama is not a happy person in this country.”

He therefore dared the President to prove to Ghanaians, the work that his government has done since inception.

Scoring the government, zero, in its 100 days, Sir John sought to find out the President’s evidence, asserting that “he must tell us because I cannot see it. Look, since the IEA debate, he promised us that the ‘Dum Sor, Dum Sor” was going to be a thing of the past. Since the IEA debate…we are still where we were. So, let the President tell us what he said he’s trying to do and that he’s not been successful.”

“This water crisis, how long have we not had it? Let the President come and tell us what he’s doing or what he’s done to alleviate these hardships from us…So for me [for me], I have not seen anything and the President has not demonstrated what he said he’s trying hard for us to have confidence in him.” he concluded.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Ben Ephson Applauds Live Telecast

Pollster and the Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch newspaper, Ben Ephson has lauded the decision to telecast live, proceedings in the Supreme Court.

Although he found it intriguing that Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood would overrule the views of the nine-member panel mediating the election dispute, he was optimistic the live broadcast would reveal the “falsity or otherwise” of the NPP’s petition.

He therefore found it good that all parties accepted the live broadcast because it will help calm down tensions associated with the election dispute.

He also added that the broadcast will set precedent for Ghana’s judiciary in its subsequent cases.

Speaking to Radio Gold, he stated that “it will be very good visually when the Supreme Court decide that look, we have this polling station; NPP petitioners say it is not signed. The EC brings original, it is signed. Mind you, in between, there are eight or nine persons who have copies. So, visually, it will be very good. It will be furthered quickly. I’m particularly interested in the case because for the first time, it will give our judiciary, the Supreme Court, the opportunity to lay down some legal authorities.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

I Was Disappointed Not To Be Nominated; But.... - Samuel Ofosu Ampofo

The former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has expressed disappointment at the fact that he was sidelined by President John Dramani Mahama when the latter named his list of ministerial appointees.

According to him, though he could not get a second chance in the ministerial team, he is not "discouraged" and committed to serving the current administration.

He pledged his support for the Mahama-led government and hoped the government succeeds in continuing the Better Ghana Agenda.

“I was disappointed but not discouraged because I thought that we have a lot of people in the NDC. We have very capable men and women who can the work at anytime. And so, if the President in his wisdom decided to select some people to propagate the Better Ghana Agenda, we all need to support them with our prayers and whatever we can in order to push the agenda forward and succeed in bringing Ghana to the expected end,” he said in an interview with Radio Gold on Monday.

“Winning the election alone and putting President Mahama to continue the agenda, excites me and so, I’m not a bitter person at all. I thank God so much even for the life that he has given and for the opportunity given to the NDC to continue to govern this country,” he further stated.

The disappointed Minister also denied reports that he would be vying for the position of a Chairman in the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He was of the view that the current state of the party does not call for such reports since it has never been his idea to contest the Chairmanship.

To him, the party should concentrate on the Presidential election dispute before the Supreme Court.

“I have for now not taken any decision to contest any position. I think it is too early. I was of the opinion that this the time that the party has just won elections and we are faced with a number of challenges. And again, even including the challenges that are ahead of us as far Supreme Court judgement is concerned. I’m very confident that the NPP has no case but I still think that we need to pull together. Congress is far away and I do not think this the time people should come and try to paint people black…I do not think that we need to factionalize the party at all. What we need to do is to come together to pull our resources together,” he stressed.
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Media Should Be Wary of 2012 Election Petition Reportage

A Political Science Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Aminu Dramani has cautioned media practitioners to be wary of televising the election dispute before the Supreme Court.

Mr. Dramani urged all journalists to be accurate in their reportage and not create unnecessary tensions.

He said, in an interview on Radio Gold’s newspaper review, that media reports have the potency to influence the public and prejudice, so, the need for the journalists to be circumspect when reporting.

He therefore advised journalists to seize the opportunity to televise the election case but be “very circumspect how we report on this, so as not to create unnecessary sensations…You and I must be very careful what we publish about that; what we say about that, so we don’t create any prejudices against the outcome of the court decision.”

He also admonished the parties before the court not to incite the masses but respect the verdict of the Supreme court.

“I believe that we really carry out the case in a very fair and firm manner. And as legal teams, they [organize] conduct themselves very well in the court, I believe that at the end of the day, we will get the results. And when the results come, because everybody saw it, and then everybody will accept whatever the outcome of the decision of the court will be. But if they go to the court, only to show or please their supporters by making whatever they want to make, especially if they come out; they make comments or inciteful comments. These are the things that will infuriate people. These are the things that will cause people to start getting agitated about the case,” he warned.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Live Telecast Is “Beginning of The Demise of The Case of The Petitioners”

 A member of the legal team for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abraham Amaliba says the live telecast of the Presidential election case at the Supreme Court is the “beginning of the demise of the case of the petitioners”, hence maintaining the party’s position that the elections were devoid of irregularities.

Describing the NPP’s petition as “frivolous”, Lawyer Amaliba maintained that the petitioners have no case and so, the hearing will mark the collapse of the petition by the three leaders of the opposition New Patriotic Party, challenging the legitimacy of President Mahama.

He stressed that the 2012 general elections were free and fair.

Speaking in an interview with Radio Gold, he expressed support for the live broadcast of the election case.

“We agree and we support and we are in line with the decision taken by the Chief Justice to have a live telecast of this matter, and we shall go along with it.”

President John Mahama and the NDC filed a joint affidavit to commence hearing of the substantive matter of the petitioners’ case.

The affidavits, according to lawyer Amaliba, are a rebuttal to all the charges and allegations levelled against the President, which pointed out that the 2012 December 7 polls were rigged to favour the ruling party and President Mahama.

He explained that in the joint affidavit, “we have decided that Johnson Asiedu Nketia who has sworn to the affidavit, will give evidence on behalf of the NDC and the President. And so, the President has provided what is called a power of attorney through Asiedu Nketia to represent him in court and give evidence. So, that is the joint affidavit. That is the implication of that joint affidavit. The affidavits themselves are a rebuttal of or a reaction to the petitioners claim that there were irregularities; there were malpractices, omissions in the 2012, 7th and 8th elections. And so, basically, we are refuting all charges, we are refuting all allegations and saying that the elections held on the 7th and 8th December, 2012, and the will of the people must not be tampered with by the Supreme Court.”

He was certain there is no merit in the petitioners’ case, stressing that “we have always maintained that this case is frivolous. We have always maintained that the petitioners have no case. We have always maintained that these elections were free and fair.”

  

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Drug Menace In The Country Cannot Be Eradicated; It Builds Politicians

The Security expert and Director of Academic affairs and Research at the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Centre (KAIPTC), Dr. Kwesi Ennin says drug menace in the nation cannot be eradicated.

According to him, it is impossible to totally eliminate the menace because the trade has grown large and gained support from political figures and parties.

It cannot be eradicated “because the trade is now way too big…It builds politicians. It builds political parties. It transforms lives at the local communities; people are given traditional titles…So, eradication; No,” he said.

The Security expert was commenting on the recent interception of a substance suspected to be cocaine, by the combined efforts of the National Security and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at the Takoradi Port.

They impounded a container in which the substance was hidden.

The substance was wrapped in four parcels and hidden in ladies’ bags, and was further concealed in a container.

It weighs over a kilogramme and is reported to have a value worth an amount exceeding GHC 60,000.

Addressing the media on Saturday, Mr. Frederick Gavor, Takoradi Sector Commander of the Customs Division of GRA, said two suspects, the clearing agent and the importer have all been sent to the capital city for investigations to begin.

Nonetheless, Dr. Kwesi Ennin suggesting solutions to the drug menace in the country, emphasized the need for the agencies, charged with responsibility to control the menace, to be well-equipped and resourced.

He said on Radio Gold’s newspaper review that some amount of money should be allocated to boost the agencies and also added that the government should review the legislation on drug peddling, so as to nip the practice in the bud.

He also expressed worry over the rate at which the nation has become an attractive point for drug barons and therefore called for the education on the consequences of the trade to be heightened.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Prez Mahama Should Be Given Room To Work; 3 Months Is Not Enough

Dr. Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party, says the Mahama-led government should be given room to work in order to boost the development of the economy.

According to him, it is not appropriate for the government to face judgement after three months of its administration.

He believed three months is not enough time for the government to be assessed to find out its competence level and capacity to enhance the growth of the economy.

To him, the Mahama government should be given chance to find its feat.

The NDC government under the leadership of President John Mahama has in 100 days rolled out a number of projects, with the recent one being the Guinea Fowl and Afforestation Projects which are implemented by the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA).

Despite these and other interventions by government to salvage the economy, it is an undisputable fact that medical doctors in the country have embarked on a nationwide strike, demanding payments of their 2012 market premium.

University lecturers have also issued strike threats to the government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, calling on them to rectify some inconsistencies in their market premium and allowances they are supposed to receive.

The Judicial service has also followed suit demanding the government to pay up their allowances.

This notwithstanding, Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe believes “the present government that we have, has just been in seat for about three months now. And like all governments, it will take a little while before he’s able to find his feat. And we should give them the chance, so that they run this country properly for us. Three months in government, I don’t believe that’s the right way to judge a government; whether a government is doing well or the government is doing badly.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

It Is “Most Reckless And Senseless” To Think of a Coup d’etat - Kwesi Pratt

The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper and a member of the Socialist forum of Ghana, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has condemned the assertions that there may be a coup d’etat in the country.

According to him, it is “most reckless and senseless” for anybody to suggest that the nation may experience another coup if measures are not put in place to avert it.

Army retired Captian, Budu Koomson commenting on the current state of the country dreaded the possibility of a coup in the nation, looking at the crises of the nation.

In his view, the deliberate schemes to delay the election petition case before the Supreme Court in which NPP 2012 Presidential candidate together with his Running mate and the party’s Chairman are challenging the legitimacy of President John Mahama, as well as the energy and water problems among other challenges may serve as breeding ground for some people to stage a coup.

But Kwesi Pratt Jnr. believes the assertions of a coup are only intended to scare the masses and so, described as “silly” the belief that a coup can possibly happen in the country.

He stated emphatically that there is no basis for another coup d’etat.

He revealed the characters using the “scare-mongering” tactics are just doing the bidding of their political parties because they realize their parties will not come to power through the ballot box.

“They are doing this because they realize that the political parties they support may not be able to get power through the ballot box. However, I think it is important for them to realize that the repercussions of a coup d’etat will be so dire for all of us, whether we are in government, we are in opposition, wherever we may be. I think it is particularly silly idea to be promoting a coup d’etat at this time.

“It is the most reckless and senseless enterprise. And they are better advised to end it now.” he stressed.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Dr. Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe Discloses His Involvement In An Attempted Coup d’etat

A leading member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe has disclosed his involvement in an attempted coup d’etat under the erstwhile Acheampong government.

He revealed that during the regime of Ghana’s former President, General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, he together with some colleague officers attempted to depose him.

But due to the dire consequences the nation faced as a result of the attempted coup d’etat, Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe described as “unfortunate” the assertions that Ghana may face another coup d’etat under the Mahama-led government.

“I have been around during Acheampong era. Myself and other colleague officers planned to unseat Acheampong and we know what happened. And the consequences also, we know,” he revealed.

A retired army Captain Budu Koomson was of the view if care is not taken, the nation may be plunged into a coup.

He was speaking in relation to the numerous labour agitations that have since characterized the economy.

According to him, the labour agitations coupled with the energy and water crises as well as some deliberate attempts to delay the election dispute before the Supreme Court may serve as an advantageous ground for certain persons to stage a coup in the nation.

A branch of the New Patriotic Party in the United Kingdom also shared similar sentiments and embarked on demonstration to register their dissatisfaction.

The notion that the country may be forced into a coup looking at its present state has triggered passions and Dr. Tamakloe, drawing lessons from his past experiences, believed strongly that the current state of the nation does not create a conducive environment for any coup to be staged.

He explained that a coup can only be possible when a government becomes power-drunk or under a military rule.

He alluded to the regime of former President Jerry John Rawlings who he stated, would have been overthrown if he had prolonged his years of ruler ship.

He therefore hoped a coup “will not come on because it might not succeed…Because the moment you bring this in, then you have division. It could be earthly based division. It could political based division and a whole lot of division. And of course, it completely destroys the nation. Look at the level we are now; 20 years stability, it’s not a joke.”

He further stated that he was placed in detention as a result of his involvement in staging a coup and therefore, advised the leaders in the country to condemn persons who make those declarations.

“It is the duty of every political leader in this country to come out openly to condemn this sort of assertion that has been coming out from people who really don’t know what coup d’etats are about…I totally disagree with those who believe that with the sort of situation, we find ourselves in now, it is or it creates a conducive environment for a coup d’etat. To me, that is totally wrong.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Strike Actions Under Prez Mahama Is Unprecedented

A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communication team, Yaw Adomako Baafi says the culture of institutions embarking on industrial strike actions under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama is “unprecedented”.

He was of the view that during President Mahama’s era, the country has recorded the highest simultaneous industrial actions by institutions.

In the wake of agitations by public sector workers who have made demands for full payment of their premiums and allowances, the country’s health sector is at a standstill as doctors have embarked on a strike action to register their protest against government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).

University lecturers in the nation have also threatened to go on a nationwide strike if their grievances pertaining to their 2012 market premium are not considered by the government and the various labour unions.

The Judicial Service also followed suit, requesting the payment of some allowances which are in arrears to them.

Yaw Adomako Baafi, making his contributions on Oman FM last Friday, described as unprecedented the number of institutions which have taken actions against the government for its inability to resolve their grievances.

According to him, the NDC, instead of calming down tempers, rather vilifies the institutions and portrays them as insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians.

He expressed worry over the spate of the numerous strike threats, saying “at the same time, for about six or seven institutions to embark on strikes; it has never happened before. It’s unprecedented…NDC in terms of negotiation, they have two things that they use to negotiate.

Firstly, due to their trackrecord, due to the coup and wickedness, every time it’s aggression and hostility. Insult them, then they insult them. The second tool they use for negotiation is, then they come to the public and they portray those who are aggrieved to the public as if they are insensitive.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Ministry of Fisheries Adopting Alternative Measures To Salvage Fishing Sector

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is adopting some alternative measures to salvage the fishing sector in the country.

The sector is saddled with challenges which pose a threat to fisher folks in the nation, hence adversely affecting their livelihoods.

The sector Minister, Nayon Bilijo noted that fishing occupations have taken a downward slope due to several challenges such as depletion of fishes in the water bodies which affect the living conditions of the country’s fishers.

Explaining the implications on Joy FM, the Minister said due to the depletion, it is incumbent on the Ministry to undertake some measures to replenish the fish stock in order to boost the incomes of fishermen.

The Ministry, he revealed, through its West African Regional Fisheries project, has allocated an amount of $3m to improve the nation’s fishing sector.

He further explained the projects that the Ministry is initiating to better the lives of the fisher folks.

“The Ministry is considering getting them to adopt alternative livelihoods. Now, the plan is this; we have to align our fishing capacity and efforts to sustainable catch levels and to supporting fishers affected by the reduction with alternative livelihoods. That’s the first stage and this one will involve semi-industrial and industrial fishers because increased effort is not resulting in increased fish catch. We have realized that there’s the need for some of them to reduce their efforts at fish catch. Now, if they reduce their efforts at fish catch, they are going to lose income and therefore money has to be put aside for them to engage in alternative livelihood means.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Fmr. Deputy. NLC Boss: Nation Should Draw Lessons From Strike Actions

A former Deputy Chairman of the National Labour Commission, Kwesi Danso-Acheampong says the nation should draw lessons from the recent industrial unrest that have since become the bane of the economy.

According to him, the recent developments should send a message to government and the various labour unions in the country to avert the recurrence of the unrest.

He was of the view that government and the Labour Commission including the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission should take a critical look at the issues that necessitated the industrial actions, specifically by doctors and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) which has also threatened to embark on a strike action if no consensus is reached on the Single Spine Pay Policy.

To him, “if they critically look at the issue that is before them right now.; if it is payment struggling, can a compromise be reached in such a way that it will also be fair to the employee, looking at the circumstances that we find ourselves? All of us need to learn a lesson from this impasse, so that we don’t repeat them. And I think that is the most important thing that we need to learn as a nation, to learn from our mistakes that we don’t repeat them.”

He further said the authorities should settle the dispute in “good faith” to convince the doctors to resume work.

Speaking in an interview with Joy FM, he advised all the parties not to take entrenched positions but reach a compromise to resolve the conflict.

He stressed that “all of them should move their entrenched position.

The government says it’s gotten a judgement, the workers are disputing that that is not the judgement that has been delivered. So, they all need to sit down, the workers need to compromise; government need to, so they get a fair deal.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Government On Course To Transform Zongos

Government has rolled out a number of initiatives to enhance the development of Zongo communities in the country.

The Zongo communities are to undergo massive transformations under the government’s Zongo Empowerment Entrepreneur Development project.

The project, which is part of the government’s Better Ghana Agenda, was launched in September last year to cater for in dwellers in Zongo areas in the nation.

The Coordinator of the Zongo Empowerment Entrepreneur Development (ZEED) module, Mohammed Nurudeen, in an interview on Radio Gold explained the importance of the initiative, stating that the module will help eradicate the unemployment challenges confronting Zongo communities.

The module is specifically designed as a result of government’s commitment to address the problems residents at Zongos face.

Mr. Nurudeen assured the residents the programme will bring relief to several homes in the communities and alleviate poverty to ensure that the inhabitants gain meaningful employment.

The beneficiaries of the programme will be assisted financially and equipped with the necessary resources to help the underprivileged in the societies gain some vocational skills in order to better their living conditions.

He explained that the module is intended to impact lives and for that matter, government has set up a fund to make it affordable for the beneficiaries in 240 Zongo communities to fully study a trade under the module.

Explaining the purport of ZEED, Mr. Nurudeen noted that a number of offices have been “centralised within the Zongo Communities within where anybody can walk in at anytime to tell us what they want to learn...We are here to be able to engage people in things they want to do. You can walk in here and tell us; this is what you want to do. So long as the vocation is something that you can learn, ours is to be able to look for master trainers, put it in, pay for your admission fee and give you all the necessary gadgets and equipment you need to undergo your training.”

“Basically, what this programme is set to do is to engage people with little or no formal education into vocational skills training; something that can really give them something to make of their lives.” he added.


Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Ghana Registered Nurses Association Cry Over Doctors Strike

The President of the Ghana Registered Nurses Association has expressed worry over the recent strike action by medical doctors in the country.

Mr. Kwaku Asante Krobeah, in an interview with Joy FM, raised concerns over the stalemate between the Ghana Medical Association and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission in remitting the doctors’ 2012 market premium.

According to him, the strike action invariably affects the activities of nurses in the nation.

He explained that although, nurses will not withdraw their services to patients as medical doctors have already begun as a result of the nationwide strike, they however depend on the doctors and so, cannot work without them.

Mr. Asante therefore called on government and the various labour authorities to amicably sort out their differences with the doctors in order to get them back into the hospitals to provide essential services to patients.

He was optimistic “if all the parties agree that they would put their efforts together to ensure that understanding prevails, I’m sure based on that agreement will be reached and hopefully the doctors will get back to work. We’re all concerned. We’re all worried because representing the nurses, I know that without the doctors; we cannot do the work. Since, we cannot do the work of doctors and doctors cannot also do the work of the nurses, we’re all up to task.”

He also believed the doctors will soon resume work as government together with the labour unions in the country hold talks to resolve the deadlock.
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Ghana Federation of Labour Lambasts Striking Doctors

The Ghana Federation of Labour has called on the National Labour Commission and agencies to intensify the Labour Act that prohibits public servants from embarking on strikes.

The Federation called on the Labour Commission to take a firm decision on public sector workers who issue strike threats, particularly the striking medical doctors.

Speaking in relation to the strike action of doctors in the country on Radio Gold, the General Secretary of the Federation, Abraham Koomson lambasted the doctors for taking the country to ransom.

According to him, the doctors have received their salaries and so, cannot embark on strike just because they are seeking payment of some premiums to them.

To him, no “civilised country” would tolerate the doctors and as a result, charged the Commission to exercise their authority in accordance with the Labour Act which forbids the workers who provide essential services in the nation to go on strike.

He therefore warned the doctors saying “they cannot use their profession to intimidate us.”

He also partly blamed government for not providing the Labour Commission with the necessary resources to boost their activities.

He was of the view that should government finance the Commission, it would ably perform effectively.

“Government should look at the situation of the Labour Commission, give them what they want so they can perform well. That is the area that I think government defaulted. They give Labour Commission money,” he stated.

He entreated the doctors to “lobby” for their grievances to be addressed.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana