The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has allegedly filed a court injunction to halt the re-collation of parliamentary results for the Nsawam Adoagyiri constituency.
This legal intervention follows ongoing disputes between the NDC and the Electoral Commission (EC) over alleged discrepancies in the original results. The injunction was filed to stop the EC’s ongoing process aimed at resolving the contentious collation. The re-collation has sparked debates between the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The EC initiated a re-collation process to address concerns surrounding results from four constituencies: Nsawam, Suhum, Fanteakwa North, and Akwatia. The re-collation exercise, relocated to the National Police Training School in Tesano, Accra, aimed to resolve disagreements stemming from the initial collation.
However, disagreements between NDC and New Patriotic Party (NPP) representatives disrupted the process.The re-collation, which began at the National Police Training School in Tesano, Accra, was initially intended to settle the disputes.
However, confusion arose following disagreements between the NDC and NPP have escalated. The NDC further raised concerns about discrepancies in the Electoral Commission’s original pink sheets, adding to the confusion.
The management of the Ghana Water Company is under scrutiny for allegedly neglecting to occupy three newly constructed bungalows intended to replace properties slated for demolition.
According to sources from Orange News, the land where the old bungalows are located falls within a 400-acre area granted to the Asantehene, which includes plans for relocation.
Investigations at the Lands Commission have revealed that the Ghana Water Company lacks documentation proving ownership of the property in question.
In response to the situation, disgruntled employees of the Ghana Water Limited in the Ashanti region expressed their frustration by donning red headgear and armbands, condemning what they term the “unlawful” demolition of residences occupied by top management.
Recent actions have seen the dismantling of walls and other structures at the homes of regional managers, with walls of two bungalows reduced to rubble.
Additionally, surrounding lands have been cleared for redevelopment, with five more residences marked for demolition by a private developer.
Emmanuel Okpoti Kodiah, Vice Chair of the Senior Staff Association of Ghana Water Limited in Ashanti, addressed the media during a visit to the demolished sites.
“We have recently witnessed the unnecessary demolition of the fence walls of two Directors’ bungalows and their associated quarters, raising serious concerns about the procedures and respect that should govern our operations. These properties symbolize the dedication and hard work of our leadership,” he stated.
Despite the turmoil, Orange News has confirmed that occupants of 200 bungalows on the retained 400 acres were to be relocated to newly built residences.
This land was retained by the traditional authority due to the colonial government’s failure to compensate for an additional 800 acres.
The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council has communicated a Public-Private Partnership agreement to replace the affected bungalows, addressing the situation with affected public agencies.
However, the disgruntled staff of the water company claim they were not informed about the allocation of the three completed bungalows intended as replacements, despite receiving letters to that effect.
Kodiah emphasized, “Let it be known that the region has never received any communication from Head Office regarding the ceding of lands to the developers in question.
The Regional Coordinating Council’s communication was supposed to be relayed to Head Office, which they did. This clearly indicates that they are aware of the necessary procedures.”
While some heads of other government agencies have received keys to their new bungalows from the Regional Coordinating Council, the Ghana Water Company has refused to accept the keys, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum for the restoration of the vandalized properties.
“GWL, as a company, is therefore giving the private developers a 48-hour deadline to reconstruct the walls and restore all other damaged properties. If this is not done, GWL will cease to operate in the Ashanti Region, with a shutdown scheduled for 9 am on Friday,” Kodiah warned.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to swiftly restore law and order following the conclusion of the 2024 general elections.
The GJA expressed concern over reports of attacks on state institutions allegedly carried out by individuals believed to be supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). These incidents include acts of vandalism and disturbances at critical government facilities.
Speaking to the media on December 10, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour urged the President to take immediate action to uphold national stability and ensure peace. He emphasized the constitutional responsibility of the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, to maintain order until his term ends on January 7.
The GJA also called on political leaders, civil society organizations, and all stakeholders to join efforts in de-escalating tensions and promoting peace. The association reminded all citizens that maintaining order and respecting democratic processes are vital to preserving Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa.
“We are calling on the President of the Land, who is still President until January 7 and is the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to ensure that there is law and order and to ensure that Ghana remains as peaceful as it was before and during the elections.
“I know it is his constitutional mandate to do that, and once he is still at post, we call on him to ensure that the security rises to the task to calm the tension of Ghanaians down.”
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo has pledged to fully support for a smooth transition of power from his government to the National Democratic Congress(NDC) and President elect John Dramani Mahama.
He gave this assurance during the inauguration of the 2024 National Transition Team at the Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
Present at the inauguration were members of both the outgoing and incoming administrations to begin the transition of power process.
He expressed his belief that a successful transition is not just a matter of protocol but a duty owed to the people of Ghana.
“I assure him [John Dramani Mahama] of my full support and that of my government over the transitional process to make sure that his administration takes off in the best of conditions”, Akuffo Addo stated.
Akuffo Addo also urged both teams to work together and ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed the third review of Ghana’s $3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program, highlighting significant risks that could derail the country’s economic recovery despite recent progress.
While Ghana’s performance under the program was deemed “generally satisfactory,” the IMF cautioned in a press release that multiple vulnerabilities persist.
Key risks identified include:
1. Election-driven policy slippages: With the December 2024 general elections approaching, the IMF warned of potential fiscal slippages, citing Ghana’s history of election-related overspending. “Steadfast program implementation remains essential to fully and durably restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability,” the IMF stressed.
2. Energy sector challenges: The IMF flagged the deepening fiscal risks posed by inefficiencies in the energy sector, including accumulated arrears, reliance on expensive fuel imports, and weak governance at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). These issues could undermine efforts to reduce the energy sector shortfall, which is projected to reach 2.2% of GDP this year.
3. Debt sustainability concerns: While progress has been made on restructuring public debt, the IMF noted that Ghana remains at high risk of debt distress in the short term. The completion of external debt restructuring is critical to achieving sustainability targets by 2028.
4. Inflationary pressures: Although inflation has declined, risks remain elevated due to currency depreciation and recent dry spells impacting agricultural output. The IMF revised its year-end inflation projection to 18%, up from earlier estimates.
5. External vulnerabilities: Ghana’s economy faces risks from global shocks, including commodity price volatility, conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and regional instability. These factors could disrupt trade and increase imported inflation.
6. Structural weaknesses: Delays addressing longstanding challenges in the cocoa sector, implementing energy sector reforms, and recapitalizing financial institutions could further complicate fiscal and economic management.
Call for Vigilance and Policy Continuity
The IMF urged Ghana’s authorities to stay the course of macroeconomic reforms and maintain fiscal discipline before and after the elections.
“Risks to program implementation remain high ahead of the general elections,” the report noted, underscoring the need for strong commitments from all stakeholders.
To mitigate these risks, the IMF recommended:
– Enhanced Revenue Mobilization: Strengthening tax compliance and reducing exemptions to ensure steady fiscal consolidation. – Prudent Monetary Policies: Maintaining a tight monetary policy stance to stabilize inflation and rebuild international reserves.
– Debt Transparency: Accelerating the restructuring of external debt and ensuring timely implementation of bilateral agreements.
The IMF also emphasized that addressing vulnerabilities in the energy and cocoa sectors is critical to achieving fiscal sustainability and fostering inclusive growth.
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, says she expects Jean Mensa, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, to resign. Joyce is the special aide to President-Elect John Dramani Mahama.
She cited incompetence and partisanship in the Commission’s handling of the recent elections. She said the current commission is heavily partisan and needs a complete reset to restore integrity and credibility.
Speaking on Channel One Television, Joyce Bawah Mogtari said the violence recorded in the just-ended 2024 election which was won decisively by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is to be blamed squarely on the Commission’s delay in releasing official results.
“I was thinking that the EC chairperson was going to resign yesterday. Look, my brother, they’ve been incompetent, to say the least. There’s been too many partisans there, the arm twisting. When the will of the people is up against you, there is nothing you can do. One of the reasons we have these pockets of violence is because it took too long for the EC to declare the results, they counted the presidential, and by the time we all went to bed, we knew, the main vanquish had actually thrown in the towel, what were they [EC] waiting for?”
“…Look at the cost of the ballot sheets that have been destroyed, burnt because of mistakes, elementary mistakes. Thank God for our technical team, they did a yeoman’s job to put the EC in check.”
Asked if the EC chair (Jean Mensa), should resign, Joyce said: “I think that she should. [If I were] in her place, I would have [resigned]. Like she said, it is finished. It should be finished for her [Jean] as well.”
“I was thinking that the EC Chairperson was going to resign yesterday. Yes, absolutely… They have been incompetent, to say the least. There are too many partisans there. The arm twisting. When the will of the people is up against you, there is nothing you can do,” Joyce Bawah Mogtari stated. “If there were elementary breaches, then she has no business being there, if you ask me and I personally think, from a very professional perspective, that everything to do with the EC, needs a complete reform and hopefully it will form part of the constitutional amendment process” John Mahama will undertake, she added.
Mogtari emphasised the need for a complete overhaul of the EC to restore public trust and ensure the integrity of future elections. She said the John Mahama administration will prioritize comprehensive reforms at the Electoral Commission.
“Everything to do with the EC needs a complete reform,” she noted.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has in line with the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845), announced the government’s side of the Transition Team.
The tea, is to also oversee the seamless transfer of executive authority to the incoming administration.
President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed his commitment to a smooth transition process, emphasizing its importance in strengthening Ghana’s democratic credentials. The Transition Team is tasked with facilitating an efficient handover to preserve continuity and foster national unity.
The team includes key government officials, including:
Head of the Presidential Staff appointed under the Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463) [Chief of Staff] – Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare
The Attorney-General – Godfred Yeboah Dame
Minister responsible for Presidential Affairs – Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
Minister responsible for Finance – Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam
Minister responsible for the Interior – Hon. Henry Quartey
Minister responsible for Defence – Hon. Dominic Nitiwul
Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs – Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey
Minister responsible for Local Government – Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah
Minister responsible for National Security – Hon. Albert Kan Dapaah
Also, in line with Section 1 (2) of the Act, the Team shall include the following individuals:
The Head of Civil Service – Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh
The Head of the Local Government Service – Dr. Nana Ato Arthur
The Secretary to the Cabinet – Ambassador Mercy Debrah-Karikari
The National Security Coordinator – Mr. Edward Asomani
The Transition Team will be inaugurated today Wednesday, December 11, 2024, in a meeting between President Akufo-Addo and President-elect John Dramani Mahama. The two will serve as Co-Chairpersons.
Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare has been designated to act as Co-Chairperson in the absence of the President.
Furthermore, the President has appointed former Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, to the Advisory Council, with the current Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, as Chairperson.
The President-elect also announced the members of his side of the Transition Team earlier today, ensuring balanced representation as the teams work together to maintain governance stability.
Alban Bagbin Speaker of Parliament has congratulated President-elect John Dramani Mahama on his win.
On a social media post on December 9, Bagbin emphasized the importance of Mahama’s victory, noting that Ghanaians have decisively chosen him to rejuvenate the nation. He expressed his hope that Mahama would receive divine guidance during this challenging time for the country.
“Ghanaians have courageously and resoundingly reset the presidency to reset the nation. Congratulations, Your Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, president-elect and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces.
“The God almighty who brought you back will be your guide at this critical time that our nation is at its lowest point. Again, congratulations!”
On Monday, December 9, the Electoral Commission (EC) confirmed Mahama’s victory with 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55% of the valid votes cast. He defeated his main rival, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who received 4,657,304 votes, or 41.61%.
Mahama’s win also marked a significant achievement for his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which secured a majority in Parliament.
Over 160 seats confirmed for NDC, including key NPP constituencies, strengthening Mahama’s mandate for presidency.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President of Ghana, has called on New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters to avoid blaming each other for the party’s defeat, cautioning that such actions could weaken party unity.
During a meeting with party executives from the Klottey Korley constituency, Dr. Bawumia identified voter apathy as the main reason for the party’s loss.
He stressed that, after analyzing the election results, it was evident that the NPP unintentionally handed power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) rather than the opposition party improving on their 2020 performance.
“We couldn’t meet our expectations that is why we conceded. That doesn’t mean it is over. We lost a battle, not the war. I want to encourage you all. In this election, we were the ones that gave the victory to NDC. They didn’t win because their numbers didn’t change from 2020.
“Ours reduced by 40 percent. I want you all to understand that united we stand, but divided we fall. I have seen many people in pain, but I have an abiding belief in God. His ways are not our ways.
“Blame games will destroy us. Let us stand together. Stop the blame games. Let’s look at the future. Let’s concentrate on strengthening the party. It is not about individual ambition. I know we will come out successful.”
The United States has extended its heartfelt congratulations John Dramani Mahama on his election as President of Ghana for the next four years, set to begin on January 7, 2025.
The U.S. praised Ghana’s democratic process, commending the nation’s ability to conduct peaceful and credible elections that uphold the principles of transparency and fairness.
In a statement issued on December 10, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken applauded the Electoral Commission of Ghana for its commitment to ensuring a free and transparent electoral process.
He emphasized Ghana’s standing as a model of democracy and a beacon of stability in the African region. On Monday, December 9, the Electoral Commission officially declared Mahama the winner of the 2024 presidential election.
He secured 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55% of the valid votes cast, defeating his closest rival, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who garnered 4,657,304 votes, representing 41.61%.
Parts of the statement read:
The U.S. also reiterated its commitment to strengthening its partnership with Ghana, supporting democratic governance, and promoting shared values of peace and development.
The United States congratulates President-elect John Mahama on his successful election campaign following the declaration of results by Ghana’s Electoral Commission.
We extend further congratulations to Vice President-elect Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on becoming Ghana’s first female vice president.
The United States commends the Electoral Commission, its hundreds of thousands of poll workers, civil society, and the country’s security forces, who helped ensure a peaceful and transparent process.
The United States is proud of our enduring partnership and friendship with the people and government of Ghana. We look forward to working closely with President-elect Mahama to carry our historic relationship into the future.
