Aljazeera Video on Ghana's 7. Dec - Election

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• 14.12.2008

Akufo-Addo campaigns for more support in Central Region

Cape Coast, Dec. 14, GNA - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP Presidential Candidate for Election 2008 on Saturday, expressed gratitude to the people in Central Region for the peaceful manner in which they cast their ballots on December 7.

He also expressed gratitude to all those who voted for him and urged those who did not, to endeavour to do so during the run-off to enable him put his plans to accelerate the country's socio-economic development into reality.

Nana Akufo-Addo made the expression during an interview on Radio Central in Cape Coast as part of his visit to the Central Region. He appealed to members and supporters of the NPP, especially foot soldiers who did not vote for the Party on December 7, because they were aggrieved to "let bygones be bygones" and turn out massively to vote during the run-off.

Nana Akufo-Addo stressed that the battle was still on and that this was not the time to examine what went wrong or embark on a blame game and said measures would be taken to address grievances within the Party later.

He stressed that what was imperative now was for the Party to focus on and intensify its campaign in order to win more votes and clinch victory in the run-off.

Nana Akufo-Addo told the people to vote for him since an NPP Government would be a better option since the various social interventions instituted by the Government such as the Capitation Grant, NHIS, and School Feeding Programme had done a lot to improve the social and economic conditions in the country.

In an answer to a question whether it was a deliberate action by Government to reduce prices of petroleum products to win more votes in the run-off to 'undercut' the pledge by Professor John Evans Atta Mills, NDC Presidential Candidate in Election 2008 that he would reduce the prices of such products when elected, he said that was not the case. Nana Akufo-Addo explained that the prices of petroleum products were regulated by an independent body, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) depending on the trend of the prices of crude oil on the world market and said" I therefore, find it surprising that Professor Mills should make such a promise unless he intended to abolish the NPA and act unilaterally."

During the Parliamentary election on December 7, the NPP lost eight of the 16 seats it had in the Region to the NDC which hitherto had only two seats.

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Tsatsu Goes Back To Nsawam

TSATSU TSIKATA, the jailed former GNPC Chief Executive is expected to be escorted back to the Nsawam Medium Prison where he was serving a 5-year jail term.

This follows his recovery from an asthmatic attack which kept him on admission at the Cardiothoracic Centre of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra for more than three weeks.

Doctors treating him say he has now fully recovered and would be discharged any time soon.

Mr. Tsikata suffered a severe asthmatic attack and was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital a few weeks ago and has since been on admission.

Doctors have however disputed reports that Mr. Tsikata had passed away.

The former GNPC boss was handed a 5-year jail term a few months ago by an Accra Fast Track High Court for causing financial loss to the state.

An appeal filed by his lawyers soon after the sentence, was quashed by the Supreme Court.

Another appeal has since been filed and the case is expected to be heard soon.

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• 13.12.2008

Who Says NDC Is Broke?

 For months, the opposition National Democratic Congress has told the whole world that it is not as financially sound as its other competitors. However, events days before, during and after last Sunday’s presidential and parliamentary elections have given the lie to this assertion. Using a combination of lies, half truths, and money, the party, according to checks, induced gullible voters to buy into its message of Change. Conservative estimates put the final figure of NDC spending on election day at GH¢5 million.

The allegations abound. The party which claimed to be cash strapped managed to organise enough funds to offer GH¢200 each to all NPP polling agents in the Ashanti region to help fiddle with the figures of the final ballot or at worst look away whilst it is being done, this paper is reliably informed by several agents who were approached.

In the coastal areas, NDC agents reportedly bought barrels of pre-mix fuel and distributed them to fishermen on the eve of the elections with a promise to do more if elected into government.

Yesterday in Ablekuma North and South constituencies of the Greater Accra region, party agents were sighted distributing GH¢5 as Thank You gifts to the electorate in the area for voting NDC.

Similar gifts were being distributed in several regions, especially in NPP strongholds. The ‘largesse’ does not end there. In parts of the Central region, kerosene, soap and clothes were still being distributed as at press time. Indeed, the wife of NPP MP for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, P C Appiah Ofori, was a beneficiary of this ‘donkomi.’

The opposition party has also stepped up its disinformation efforts. From the jailing of Tsatsu Tsikata by a court of competent jurisdiction, through alleged corrupt deals by government officials to attempts by the Electoral Commission and the government to rig the elections, NDC agents have fanned out across the country and are busily convincing the electorate they need a change – without defining the change they offer.

No issue is too small to be politicised. Queues in banking halls, inconvenience caused by the construction of roads – all have received special mention and been added to a list of alleged NPP failures.

But, the Ghanaian voter has grown more sophisticated, and votes based on issues. A pertinent question though is: where did all this flood of money on the eve of elections come from?

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NPP Spent $48 Million On Campaign

Intelligence gathered by the True Democrat has it that the NPP campaign team blew a staggering $48.8 million on the December 7, 2008 elections. The sources of these monies have been traced to massive injection of drug money, organized and directed by some high profile members in the NPP government and some NPP Members of Parliament. The other disturbing news is that the contingency fund, using national security and the Office of the Chief of Staff, was also depleted as a result of massive withdrawals to fund the NPP campaign.

Figures sighted by our intelligence based on monies released by the Controller and Accountant-General showed that between October and November alone, the quantum of funds withdrawn by the Office of the Chief of Staff and National Security Secretariat was Staggering. The monies withdrawn and monitored by the intelligence showed that they were diverted into the NPP campaign. The massive diversion of the funds to oil the campaign created some operational difficulties for National Security. What is even strange is the huge dose of funds also released to the Research Department under the guise of building a monument and some bogus foreign operations. The greater part of these funds found their way back into the campaign war chest of the NPP.

The hunger to cling to political power was so high that the Office of the Chief of Staff, the intelligence said, was virtually turned into the campaign headquarters of the NPP. Monies in sacks were doled out without keeping any proper records. In addition to the splashing of cash to win the elections by hook or crook methods, some monies, basically meant for the security secretariat has been hijacked by the Chief of Staff, who was dishing them out to the Akufo-Addo field staff without blinking. Part of the funds, we are reliably informed, has been diverted into individual pockets.

While the sources of funding has been reported to be even higher due to the syndicated funds allegedly channeled through Databank Financial Services headed by Ken Ofori Atta, the almost $49million figure as it stands is not only intimidating but an insult to the intelligence of the poor people of Ghana. The campaign figures leaked from the camp of Ken Ofori Atta of Databank confirmed the monies blown on the campaign. True Democrat sources, who cross-checked the figures provided by intelligence added that their reconnaissance of Databank painted a gloomy picture of huge losses from the election. Judging from the funds injected from the campaign and those syndicated from financial hubs in South Africa, United Kingdom and Equatorial Guinea among others, the loss is highly incalculable. Dejection and disbelief was clearly written on the faces of some of the financial brokers who helped in syndicating funds for the Akufo Addo campaign when Afari Djan announced the results.

At National Security for example, the fear factor of being held responsible for certain withdrawals very close to the elections is causing sleepless nights for the security chiefs. So huge were the monies channeled through National Security that those with some conscience are already complaining in the quiet to their wives and close relatives about their inability to win the December 7 elections. According to True Democrat intelligence, one of the topmost security chiefs at the National Security Secretariat (Blue Gate) openly boasted to his friends that based on the quantum of money released into the NPP campaign and the work they have done on the ground, there is no way the NDC can win the elections. The results of the first round of voting, the intelligence noted, has demoralized him resulting in his being panicky to commit himself to new withdrawals.

The intelligence disclosed to the paper, the sighting of the movement of some known drug lords around the NPP campaign headquarters as the results trickle in. They were said to be edgy and openly agitated for everything possible under the sun to be done to declare their man, Akufo-Addo as the winner.. It is within this context of pressure that a drug baron was said to have released $5million to be used to compromise officials in the data entry room of the Electoral Commission (EC) to massage the figures in order to give them victory. Strenuous and daring attempts were actually made by the NPP team to enter those offices to push through the agenda but were check-mated by the NDC surveillance team. More Anon

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NPP lost 19 seats, NDC gained 19 seats

Accra, Dec. 13, GNA - The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) lost 19 seats in the December 7th Parliamentary Election whiles the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) gained 19 seats. Certified parliamentary results from 229 Constituencies made available to the Ghana News Agency by the Electoral Commission (EC) on Saturday indicates that the NPP won 109 parliamentary seats decreases of 19 from its 2004 quota of 128 seats.

The NDC however, won 113 seats taking a slim hold of parliament an increase of 19 seats from its 2004 quota of 94 seats in the 230 legislature.

Other parties that suffered loses in Election 2008 are; the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) entered Election 2008 with three seats but came out with only one seats; the Peoples National Convention (PNC) entered with four seats but managed to retain only two. The statistics also shows an increase in the number of Independent Candidate from one in 2004 to four.

The regional statistics indicate that the NPP lost one seat in the Western region; 16 in the Central region; seven in the Greater Accra region; two in the Eastern region; two in the Ashanti region; and four in the Northern region.

The NPP however, gained two seats each in the Upper East and West regions and Brong Ahafo Region and managed to retain its single seat in the Volta Region.

The NDC on the other hand, lost two seats in the Brong Ahafo Region; one each in the Upper West and East regions; whiles gaining two seats in the Western Region; nine seats in the Central Region; seven seats in the Greater Accra Region; one in the Eastern Region and four in the Northern Region.

The party also managed to retain its 21 seats in the Volta Region and three in the Ashanti Region.

The NPP holds eleven seats out of the 22 Constituencies of the Western Region; NDC holds ten seats and the CPP seat one; in the Central Region NPP eight seats; NDC eleven seats out of the 19 Constituencies; and in the Greater Accra region, NPP nine seats and NDC 18 seats out of the 27 seats.

Others are in the Volta Region NPP won one seat whiles the NDC had 21 out of the 22 seats; Eastern region NPP 19 seats, NDC seven seats, one Independent out of the 27 seats declared, with one more seat outstanding; Ashanti region NPP 34 seats; NDC three seats and two Independent seats. The rest are Brong Ahafo region, NPP 16 seats, NDC eight seats out of the regions 24 seats; Northern region, NPP four seats; NDC 21 seats and one Independent seat out of 26 seats; Upper West region, NPP three seats; NDC six seats and PNC one seat; and Upper East region, NPP four seats; NDC eight seats and PNC one seat. 13 Dec. 08

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NDC will be victorious in Presidential run-off

Accra, Dec. 13, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday said it is entering the Presidential Run-off on December 28 with confidence that its presidential candidate, Professor John Evans Atta Mills will win.

"The NDC is now engaged in concerted preparations for the Presidential run-off," Mr Danny Annang, the party's Greater Accra Regional Chairman told newsmen in Accra to commend the region for voting massively for the party in the December 7 Elections. The NDC obtained 52.1 percent of the valid votes cast in the Presidential as against 46.0 percent obtained by the NPP, whiles in the Parliamentary the NDC won 18 out of the 27 parliamentary seats in the region as against nine by the NPP.

In Election 2004 the NDC obtained 46.3 percent of the valid votes cast in the Presidential as against 51.9 percent obtained by the NPP whiles in the Parliamentary the NDC won eleven seats as against 16 by the NPP.

Mr Annang commended the electorate in Greater Accra, for keeping faith with the NDC and appealed to them to use the December 28 Run-Off to affirm their support for the NDC with a massive vote. "We have set the pace for change and we must complete the process with a massive turn-out and vote for the NDC to implement people centred policies; we control parliament and it is apparent that we take hold of the executive," Mr Annang stated.

The NDC Regional Chairman called on members of the party to remain loyal and to be committed to the cause of the NDC, stressing that they should not be complacent but rather gird their loins and support the party in its drive to ensure massive victory in the Run-off. The NDC Regional Chairman called on the media to be more professional and circumspect in its coverage of the run-off election because every Ghanaian is entitled to his or her opinion concerning the choice of party candidate.

"The media owes our society a responsibility not to allow this bias to show up in its coverage of the actual electoral process itself, since this can create unnecessary tensions and indeed, subvert the spirit of the process," he stated.

He appealed to all supporters, regional and constituency officials, foot soldiers to move out and campaign to ensure total victory, adding, "we should sell our candidate as Ghanaians are rooting for change." Mr. Annang reminded Ghanaians that NPP Presidential Candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was rejected at the party's own Presidential Primaries in December last year as majority of the delegates; 53 percent of his own people - Delegates at the December Congress rejected him as he failed to obtain the more than 50 percent votes.

According to the NDC regional Chairman, Nana Akufo-Addo was imposed on the delegates by Mr Alan Kyeremanten the challenger who conceded defeat to Nana Akufo-Addo in the first round of voting paving the way for him to be declared leader of the party.

During the NPP National Delegates Congress last year, Mr Kyerematen stood down after the first round of voting to pave the way for Nana Akufo-Addo to be declared winner.

About 52 per cent of delegates, who congregated at the ruling NPP Special National Delegates Congress voted against Nana Akufo-Addo, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, thus making it impossible for him to obtain the mandatory more than 50 per cent of valid votes cast.

At the close of over 16-hours of voting and counting, Nana Akufo-Addo obtained 1,096 of the total 2,285 valid votes cast, representing about 47.97 per cent; Mr Kyerematen polled 738 votes representing about 32.30 per cent while the Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama placed third with 146 votes representing about 6.39 per cent.

Article 12 (7) of the NPP Constitution, on the Election of the Presidential Candidate states: "Where there is only one contestant for nominations as the Party's presidential candidate, the National Congress `shall acclaim his nomination as the party's Presidential Candidate. "Where there is more than one contestant, each delegate will cast his or her vote by secret ballot for one of the contestants. Where a contestant obtains more than fifty percent (50%) of the votes cast, he or she shall be the party's Presidential Candidate.

"Where, however, no contestant obtains more than 50% of the votes cast, there shall be a run-off between the first two contestants and the contestant with a simple majority shall be the party's Presidential Candidate. In the event of a tie between the two contestants, the run off will continue until one contestant obtains a simple majority." Mr Annang said based on the events at the NPP primaries, Nana Akufo-Addo did not deserve to lead Ghana and must be rejected on December 28 with a massive vote for Prof. Atta Mills

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• 12.12.2008 

Tain District Electoral Office gutted by fire

Sunyani Dec 12, GNA - The Tain District Electoral Office was gutted by fire on Thursday and the staff have been invited by the police to assist in investigations.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Seth Charles Oteng, Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander, confirmed the incident to the GNA in Sunyani on Friday.

He said no arrest had been made but the Regional Crime Officer, Superintendent Charles Domanbay and the Deputy Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr. James Arthur Yeboah had gone to Nsawkaw to assess the situation.

In another development, fire broke out at the Brong-Ahafo Regional Office of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at Sunyani on Friday. Property destroyed included plastic panel ceiling, television set, chairs, air-conditioners, official documents and plywood partitioning worth about GHC 3000.

Mr. Kwasi Baffour-Awuah, Sunyani Municipal Fire Officer, told the He said "We immediately dispatched personnel with fire tender and an ambulance to the scene" adding that interruption of electric power might have caused the fire. Mr. Baffour-Awuah said it took the personnel about 30 minutes to quench the fire.

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Gov`t to free 5,000 from jail

Information reaching The Chronicle indicates that frantic efforts are underway to free over five thousand commercial drivers who were jailed under the new motor traffic laws across the country, because they could not pay the fines imposed on them.

The decision follows a post-mortem exercise carried out by the Nana Akufo-Addo’s campaign team, which revealed reasons why the party could not get the anticipated onetouch victory in Sunday’s elections. One factor that came up was the way and manner commercial drivers were arrested and jailed under the new Motor Traffic act.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had benefited from this issue by making political capital out of it, and thus damaging the image of the government in the eyes of the commercial drivers.

The post election analysis also revealed that the decongestion exercises embarked upon by the various Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies did not also help the cause of the party.

Sources within the party told The Chronicle that after diagnosing the problem, Nana Addo and his team have met President Kufuor and pleaded with him to intervene by granting amnesty to the jailed drivers and also put a halt to the decongestion exercise.

This reporter learnt that the President might soon give directives to the appropriate Ministries, especially the Ministry of Interior, to follow due process in granting amnesty to the commercial drivers.

Mr. Asamoah Gyamfi, a leading member of the NPP Research Committee confirmed the story when Chronicle contacted him. According to him, the Campaign and Research teams of the party arrived at that decision because the opposition NDC used it as a propaganda tool to discredit their flagbearer.

To him, though Nana Akufo-Addo is a renowned lawyer and human rights activist, he did not take a critical look at those issues, until the Research Committee drew his attention to it.

Mr. Asamoah Gyamfi, who is also the Constituency Organizer for Okaikoi-North, indicated that the NPP leader had now resolved to put his human rights advocacy into force by ensuring that the rights of people were not infringed upon. Gyamfi further told this reporter that the new motor traffic law was a good one, but the way the police were applying it leaves much to be desired.

He also hinted that all was set for the party to engage in effective and vigorous campaign to trounce the NDC come Sunday, December 28, 2008.

According to him, with Nana Addo now spearheading the campaign team with Mr. Alan Kyerematen taking charge of the Ashanti Region and Hon. Yaw Osafo-Maafo and Mr. Boakye Agyarko taking care of Eastern Region, he was certain that the NPP would win the day in the long run.

Meanwhile, President John Agyekum, who played a peripheral role in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) campaign in the build-up to last Sunday’s Presidential and parliamentary elections, is now going to fully participate to ensure that the party retains power.

The Director of Communications for Nana Akufo-Addo’s campaign team, Dr. Arthur Kennedy, told Joy fm yesterday that the President is now going to actively participate in the campaign, because the legacy he has bequeathed to Ghanaians must be protected.

He hinted that the President would concentrate his attention in the Central, Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions.

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Man commits suicide due to NPP's loss

Bolgatanga, Dec. 12, GNA - Mr. John Gariba Sandow, a former assemblyman of Kpikpira in the Garu-Tempane District allegedly committed suicide after his neighbours taunted him because the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate for that constituency lost in the Parliamentary Elections.

A source close to the family told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the deceased was a staunch supporter of the NPP and had boasted that he so sure his candidate would win the election or he would kill himself if the NPP lost in the Garu-Tempane constituency.

"When the NPP lost in both the Parliamentary and Presidential elections in the Garu constituency, his neighbours teased him until he got so angry and took some poison", said the source who pleaded anonymity.

The source described the late Mr. Sandow as a very temperamental person.

Commenting on the incident, Mr. Kpenka Dindiok, the District Chief Executive of Garu-Tempane, who said he was a relative of the deceased, said he was informed that Sandow died after complaining of stomach pains.

The District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) A.N. K. Apkah, said the police had not been informed of a suicide case in the district but that he would investigate to find out the truth.

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• 11.12.2008

 NDC MP-elect in trouble

 Tarkwa (WR) Dec. 11, GNA - A Tarkwa Circuit Court presided over by Mr Samuel Obeng Diawuo on Wednesday ordered Ntow Mathias Kwame, NDC MP-elect for Aowin Constituency to appear before it on Thursday, December 12 or a bench warrant would be issued for his arrest.

The order followed a plea by counsel for the accused also known as Mathias Ntow, Mr Justice Adusah Poku, that his client was still undergoing treatment.

At the court's sitting on Tuesday, December 2, counsel said the accused was indisposed; therefore it adjourned the case to December 10, for the accused to open his defence.

This was after counsel had tendered a medical report signed by Dr Stephen Kpankpari, Medical Officer in-charge of Asankragwa Catholic Hospital to the court.

The presiding judge described the plea as a cat and mouse game and unacceptable, when counsel tendered another medical report that owing to power failure laboratory tests on his client had been scheduled for Wednesday, December 10 hence his absence in court.

Mr George Kpodo, a State Attorney, prosecuting said "the report is not credible and vague than the previous one" and therefore asked the court to issue a bench warrant to arrest the accused.

However, counsel for the accused pleaded with the court not to issue the bench warrant but ensure the accused appeared before court on Thursday, December 12.

The accused who appeared before the court on November 26, this year, for alleged double registration, pleaded not guilty and was granted GH¢5,000 bail with a surety to be justified.

Mr Kpodo, told the court that sometime in 2004, the accused a teacher at Enchi Training College registered at Winneba in the Central Region and was issued with voter identity card number 14489708 (GI). He said this year, the accused applied to the Electoral Commission to transfer his vote to Aowin to enable him contest the NDC Primaries. Mr Kpodo said during the recent limited registration exercise in August, 2008, it was alleged that the accused went to register again at Enchi and was issued with a voter identity card number 24329419 (HC) bearing the name Mathias Ntow.

He said the Enchi Electoral Office detected the double registration and reported the case to the police for investigations. Mr Kpodo said when questioned, the accused replied that his name was Ntow Mathias Kwame and not Mathias Ntow. He said witnesses had testified that the accused registered at Enchi District Court Polling centre.

Mr Emmanuel Banor, a Registration Officer, confirmed registering the accused, while Mr Kwesi Nipa, Convention People's Party (CPP) agent and Baffour Ntaa Mocher New Patriotic Party (NPP) agent have confirmed that the accused registered at the centre.

The accused, however, won the December 7, Parliamentary election in the constituency with 19,291 votes followed by Mr Samuel Adu Gyamfi of the NPP with 15,393 votes, Mr Ebenezer Ebbi Kwaw Dankwa of PNC with 631 votes and Mr Martin Boadu of CPP with 347 votes.

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NPP supporters react to elections results

Kumasi, Dec.11, GNA - NPP supporters, sympathizers and followers in the Kumasi metropolis are deeply reeling at the inability of the party to win the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections "one touched" as was predicted before the elections.

They cannot fathom the humiliating defeat in the parliamentary results and the near disaster in the presidential one, in-spite of the enthusiastic support and assurances during the campaigning, which has been described as the best and most sophisticated and modern in the political history of Ghana.

Immediately after the announcement of a round-off in the presidential election's results by Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission, party members and supporters plunged themselves deep into extensive discussions and arguments as to the possible causes of the party's performance in the elections.

In drinking bars, restaurants, chop bars, market places, "trotro", taxis and on the streets, party supporters were seen seriously, but morosely discussing and arguing about the election results, its repercussions and the second round balloting.

While some blamed the outcome on the perceived arrogance and insensitivity as well as corrupt practices by some Members of Parliament, party leaders and government officials, others put the blame on the government's inability to ensure proper monitoring and effective implementation of some of the socio-economic policies initiated to reduce poverty and enhance the wellbeing of the people.

They mentioned in particular, the implementation of the capitation grant, school feeding programme, National Health Insurance Scheme and the small loans scheme and said, most people expressed concern about fraud and corruption in the implementation of these programmes but the government failed to act appropriately.

This, according to some of the party supporters, resulted in the people not realizing the full benefits of the initiatives. Others also blamed the government for its inability to ensure that transport fares were reduced whenever there was a reduction in the prices of petroleum products in the country.

On the reason why most people did not vote in the Kumasi metropolis, the supporters put the blame at the doorsteps of city officials and the security agencies for their continuous and sustained harassment of petty traders and prosecution of commercial drivers in the metropolis for minor infractions.

They cited for instance, the implementation of the decongestion exercise, which resulted in the displacement of most petty traders and the subsequent loss of their huge sums of working capital, which had made most of them currently unemployed and indebted to the banks.

According to them, even though the two main lorry stations in the Kumasi metropolis- Kejetia and Asafo market are chocked as a result of the erection of structures for shops, city guards and personnel of the police MTTU continued to arrest and extorted monies from commercial drivers who parked on the shoulders of the road to either pick or enable passengers to alight.

Others also cited the delays in the implementation of development projects in the Kumasi metropolis as some of the causes and said these, coupled with the perceived arrogance and opulent lifestyles displayed by MPs and party officials, have made some of the residents angry and hence, their refusal to vote.

According to them even though they are mobilizing themselves to interact with the affected persons to vote in the second round to ensure total victory, there was the need for immediate intervention by Nana Akuffo Addo, to reassure these people so that they could come out in their numbers to vote.

They emphasised that, the estimated number of people who refused to vote in the Kumasi metropolis was capable of ensuring a resounding victory in the first round and there is the need to device effective strategies that would entice them to vote in the second round.

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• 10.12.2008

MPs Who've Lost Their Seats

With the certified results so far released by Ghana’s Electoral Commission ministers, members of parliaments and party stalwarts have lost their seats. Here is a summary

CPP

• Freddie Blay; Ellembelle,

NPP

• Albert Kwaku Obbin; Prestea Huni Valley, W/R

• Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, Asuogyaman

• Joe Danquah; Tain, Brong Ahafo

• Agnes A. Chigabatia; Builsa North, Upper East region

• Samuel Adu Gyamfi, Aowin W/R

• Boniface Abubakar Saddique, Salaga <-- Minister

• I. K. Poku Edusei, Bekwai, Ashanti Region.

• Angelina Baiden Amissah, Shama, W/R

• Dr. Gladys Norley Ashitey, Ledzoku G/A <-- Deputy Health Minister

• Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Mfantseman West <-- Minister

• Joe Kingsley Hackman, Gomoa West

• Alhaji Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu, Yendi

• Kwabena Adusa Okerchiri, Nkwakwa

• Samuel Owusu Agyei, Effutu, Central Region

• Kwadjo Opare-Hammond, Adenta

• Richard Sam Quarm, Gomoa East

NDC

• Mohammed Ibn Abass, Bimbila

• Mahama Ayariga, Bawku Central, Upper East region.

• Abolimbisa Roger Akantagriwen; Builsa South

• Lee Ocran; Jomoro

• Pele Tumbakura Abuga (NDC) Chiana Paga,

• Benjamin Kumbuor (NDC), Lawra/Nandom

• Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu (NDC), Naton

Source: ghanaweb-news.com

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Atta Mills ready for run-off

Accra, Dec. 10 GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday, said he was ready for the Presidency.

Accepting the results of the 2008 presidential polls declared by the Electoral Commission (EC, he thanked the people of Ghana for their turn-out for the polls and called on them to vote massively for him in the re-run scheduled for December 28 to make a complete change. "We have more parliamentary seats and have scored seven out of the ten regions; we need only the presidency to make the change complete", Prof. Atta Mills said as he reacted to the results announced by the EC and called on the parties that campaigned on the message of change to make the change real by joining hands with the NDC to win the run-off. Professor Mills promised to offer a change that will give Ghanaians better and equal opportunities for all Ghanaians.

He said when he becomes the president, he would take measures to effect change and reduce the tariffs and taxes on petroleum products within the first hundred days of his government and recalled that despite the decrease in prizes of crude oil on the world markets the present government had done nothing about them to reduce the prices locally.

"With Atta Mills, we have no hesitations in reducing drastically the prizes of petroleum products", Professor Mills said.

He called on civil servants, public servants and the security services to give him their mandate promising that he would offer better working conditions.

The NDC presidential candidate expressed his appreciation to the EC, local and international observers for their role in this year's elections.

He also thanked Ghanaians and the media and urged the electorate to come out and vote massively for the NDC, come December 28.

"I know you will speak again on December 28. I promise you that together with all Ghanaians we shall build a better Ghana." The NDC and the minority will leave no stone unturned to capture power to increase the lot of the ordinary Ghanaians.

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NDC`s  peace call

The National Democratic Congress wishes to commend its sympathisers and Ghanaians in general for the peaceful manner they have conducted themselves throughout the election process culminating in the announcement by the Electoral Commission today.

The party is particularly grateful for the massive show of support across the country, which has led to a majority in Parliament and a winning of the Presidential polls in six out of the ten regions.

More significant however is that the NDC did exceptionally well even in areas where it lost with such appreciable votes that go to confirm that the call for change and equity for all is one that is shared by majority of Ghanaians.

We wish to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to all Ghanaians for the great endorsement of the NDC and the calm and peaceful demeanour all have handled themselves throughout this process. The journey to change has only started.

Based on results released by the Electoral Commission the Presidential Election results clearly show that a second round is inevitable.

With the results of three constituencies outstanding Nana Akufo Addo leads the race with 4,166,908 votes compared to Prof. Atta-Mills’ 4,061,104. This respectively represents 49.12% for Nana Akufo Addo and 47.87% for Prof. Atta-Mills. Even if Nana Akufo Addo wins the three outstanding constituencies 100%, his total will still be below the required 50% plus 1 vote.

Based on 2004 figures, Nana Akufo Addo’s total with taking all three constituencies (Asutifi North (BA), Saboba (NR) and Sefwi Akontombra (WR) 100% will only be 48.48%. In fact, based on 2004 results it is expected that Prof. Atta Mills will rather increase his percentage once the outstanding constituencies’ results are announced.

It is therefore clear that the people of Ghana have spoken and are indicating a wish for a change. The NDC, as results currently stand, has achieved to win 84.5% of Volta, 57.2% Upper West, 61.4% of Upper East, 60.1% of Northern, 54.5% of Greater Accra and 52.6% of the Central Region in the Presidential Vote. These figures do not take smaller parties' share in account and is a calculation based on the NDC and NPP votes.

As we prepare for a run-off we call for a heightening of the fervour and commitment that saw our party achieve what it did in round one.

The NDC initiated a positive trend in democracy as back as 1992 culminating in a smooth transition in 2000 devoid of any hint of reluctance to relinquish power. 2000 is being played all over again and we pray that when the people have finally spoken there will not be a quest by others to hold onto power come what may. We have shown the way, let others emulate our example and prove that Ghana has come of age.

It is important that all Ghanaians maintain a high sense of vigilance and peace as we thread towards the second round vote. We need not assume that everyone is keen on respecting the process. Some are so hell bent on clinging onto power at all costs and only our vigilance and strength of character will avoid any ill thought out actions.

The leadership of the NDC calls on all to approach the next round of the process with level-headedness and avoid any acts that will injure the peace. There will be trying moments but we always have to keep a cool head and find non-confrontational means to resolve issues.

We call on other stakeholders, particularly the media and the security agencies to play their roles responsibly.

The media deserve commendation for performing their watchdog role with finest precision. We pray that they will maintain these high standards and not fall pray to monetary influences and subtle intimidation. They owe Ghanaians an unbiased coverage of the process.

To the security agencies we call on them to remain above reproach and do away with a penchant for issuing threatening statements, which create an atmosphere of fear akin to a state of emergency. The security agencies are bound by basic ethics and it is important an impression is not created that they are a wing of government.

Calls for peace and restraint from their quarters should always be couched in responsible language and display of power and force should be reduced to the barest minimum and applied only when absolutely necessary.

The successful conclusion of this process is a collective one and we hope that all will heed our call.

Signed……………………………………

(Alex Segbefia, Campaign Coordinator)

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NDC sure to win round-off - Jimba

Wa, Dec. 10, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is sure to win the presidency with a wider margin in the round off, Mr Sulemana Jimba, Deputy Secretary of the Wa Central Youth Working Committee of the NDC said.

He said President John Agyekum Kufuor won the 2,000 election in a round off and this time round, the conditions were ripe for the NDC to also win the presidency in a round off.

Mr Jimba was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Wa following the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan's declaration that neither the ruling party nor the opposition secured enough votes to win the election outright. Dr Afari-Gyan said both the New Patriotic Party and the NDC presidential candidates received below 50 percent of the vote and called for a round-off on December 28 as mandated by the Constitution. Mr Jimba said Ghanaians had desired for a change in the last four years of the NPP administration because of the bad economic policies of the government.

He said likewise the NDC, other political parties like the Convention People's Party (CPP) and the People's National Convention (PNC) had also in their campaign messages asked for a change. "This is now the time for the three parties to come together and effect the change that Ghanaians had been waiting for," Mr Jimba said. Mr Jimba said the Youth Working Committee was going to organize a meeting and map out strategies and canvas for more votes for the party to win the presidential race.

He appealed to supporters of the NDC to remain calm and conduct themselves in a civilised manner as they did before, during and after the elections to sustain the peace in the region. Mr Jimba asked the supporters to intensify their campaigns especially in the rural communities to win more votes for the NDC to bring development and progress to the people. The Wa East Constituency Chairman of the NPP, Mr Bawa Abu, on his part, told the GNA that the executives of the party in the region would do their home work well to win more votes for the party. He said judging from the development record of the NPP, Ghanaians would vote massively for an NPP president to continue with its development agenda. Mr Abu was optimistic that the CPP and the PNC would give their support to the NPP in the presidential race. The Wa Municipality was however calm and peaceful with people going about their normal businesses.

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• 09.12.2008

NDC wrestles more seats from the NPP in Central Region

Cape Coast, Dec. 9, GNA - National Democratic Congress (NDC) has caused a major upset in Central Region, by retaining its two incumbent seats and wrestling eight more from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in otherwise NPP regarded strongholds, and also winning the Presidential election, in 11 constituencies in the Region.

This brings to a total of 11 Parliamentary seats won by the Party on December 7.

During the 2004 election, NDC won just two of the 19 seats in the Region; in Twifo-Atti-Mokwaa by Mrs Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh and Mfantseman East by Mr George Kuntu-Blankson, and lost the Presidential election in the Region, while NPP swept 16 Parliamentary seats and Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, CPP Presidential Candidate for Election 2008 won the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) Constituency seat for his Party. With the results received so far from the 19 constituencies in the Region, the NDC has taken the Cape Coast, KEEA, Gomoa East and West, Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and Mfantseman West, Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Effutu and Awutu/Senya Constituencies.

The NPP, has so far, been able to hold on to the Agona East and West, Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Assin North and South, Upper Denkyira East and West and Hemang-Lower Denkyira Constituencies. Mr Sam Valis Akyianu, NDC Central Regional Chairman, commenting on the Party's performance, told GNA at Cape Coast on Monday that its success was due to discipline and leadership, by its Presidential Candidate, Professor John Evans Atta Mills.

He said Prof. Mills had been accepted by people in the Region, "that he is well endowed with respect and is approachable".

On the Party's performance in the Cape Coast Constituency, which had been held by Ms Christine Churcher of the NPP since 1996, Mr Akyianu observed that people in the constituency had received the NDC's message of the need for them to be self-reliant well.

He pledged that "in the event of a Presidential win" for the Party, Prof. Mills would care for people in the Region as well as for all Ghanaians and "improve the environment".

Mr Dankwa Smith, NPP Central Regional Chairman, said the Party "was yet to find out why it lost those seats and cannot say more at the moment".

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Residents of Ho Municipality anxious about election results

Ho, Dec. 09, GNA - Radio sets have become the treasured companions of many residents of the Ho Municipality who are anxious to know the outcome of the December 7 polls. The popular greeting in town has since been "how far, are you sure we will win?"

People the Ghana News Agency spoke to expressed anxiety about the outcome of the results wishing they would be declared early so as to plan for the Christmas and the New Year. The expectations in town ran so high on Monday to the extent that there were pockets of jubilation triggered by provisional results.

Sources at the offices of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ho expressed optimism of winning the elections "one touch". Some party officials were seen at the NDC Regional Secretariat compiling some figures as others loitered around. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) office was however closed.

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Three women in Western Region to enter parliament

Takoradi, Dec. 9, GNA - Three out of 12 female aspirants from the Western Region would enter the next parliament. They are Mrs Catherine A. Afeku, a 41-year old communications expert for the Evalue Gwira constituency on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mrs Gifty E. Kusi, 50, social scientist for the Tarkwa Nsuaem constituency also of the NPP, and Ms Samia Y. C. Nkrumah, 48, an educationist and journalist for the Jomoro constituency for the CPP. The next parliament would also witness the entrance of new faces when it resumes its sittings in January 2009.

The new entrants include Mr Smek K. Ackah, NDC for Suaman, Mr Mathias K. Ntow of the NDC for the Aowin constituency, Ms Catherine A. Affeku, for the NPP in the Evalue Gwira constituency, Mr Emmanuel Armah B. Buah of the NDC for the Ellembelle constituency, all in the region. Those who lost the seats were Ms Comfort Amoo, a 31 year old Geo-Information Scientist, Ms Betty Bosumtwi-Sam, 42-year old teacher for the NDC, Mrs Hildergard Krakue, 43 of the CPP, Angelina Baiden Amissah, 54 of the NPP.

The rest were Mrs Angnes Sonful, 57, for the NPP in the Amenfi West constituency, Madam Mary Ankomah, a 50-year old, gender and development consultant for the Mpohor Wassa East constituency, Mrs Christina Kobinah, a 55-year old teacher representing the NDC in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency and Ms Alice P. Gyamfi, 45, of the DFP for the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai.

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• 08.12.2008

Election 2008

Voting in Election 2008 officially ended at 1700 hours on Sunday December 7 2008.

Ghanaians went to the polls to elect a President and 230 Parliamentarians in what was described as an exciting contest among four front-running political parties - New Patriotic (NPP); National Democratic Congress (NDC); People's National Convention (PNC) and Convention People's Party (CPP).

Some political analysts had gone further to narrow the contest down to between the ruling NPP and the main opposition NDC with CPP expected to cause a stir and probably push the contest into a second round.

Polling started at 0700 hours and ended officially at 1700 hours. The first results are expected late on Sunday night or early on Monday morning. The Electoral Commission expects all results to be declared within 72 hours.

President John Agyekum Kufuor and Former President Jerry John Rawlings cast their votes in their respective polling centres in Accra. The eight candidates in the presidential contest also voted in Election 2008 considered as historic since it would lead to the second uninterrupted handover of power by an elected leader to another elected leader in the country's 51-year political history.

It was the fifth successive multi-party elections under the Fourth Republic. Former President Rawlings, who transformed himself from a military leader into a democratically elected president in 1992 on the ticket of the NDC, served his full two terms. His term of office ended on January 6, 2001.
President Kufuor, who won the presidency on the ticket of the NPP, would be the second Ghanaian elected leader to hand over to another elected leader.

Seven political parties and an independent candidate contested for the single presidential slot while a total of 1,060 parliamentary candidates slugged it out for seats in the 230-seat Legislature.

Statistics from the EC Research and Monitoring Department made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra indicated that the ruling NPP and the main opposition NDC contested in 229 constituencies each. The NPP contested for 21 out of the 22 constituencies in the Western Region whiles the NDC contested 38 out of 39 constituencies in the Ashanti Region.

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NDC wrestles Cape Coast constituency seat from NPP

Cape Coast, Dec. 8, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has caused a stir in the Cape Coast constituency, by beating the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in both the presidential and parliamentary election conducted on Sunday. The constituency is considered the stronghold of the NPP, and the party had the parliamentary incumbent, Ms Christine Churcher who has occupied the seat since 1996. The NDC also clinched a victory at the Komenda -Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) constituency in both election. The CPP's Dr Nduom had been the incumbent parliamentarian. The certified results are as follows: Cape Coast constituency.

Presidential

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP) 32, 018 Dr Edward Nasigiri Mahama (PNC) - 144 Prof. John Evans Atta Mills (NDC) - 37,994 Mr Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi (DFP) - 102 Mr Thomas Nuako Ward-Brew (DPP) - 23 Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom (CPP) - 1,265 Mr Kwabena Adjei (RPD) - 33 Mr Kwesi Amoafo- Yeboah - 21

In Election 2004, the NPP presidential candidate, President John Kufuor had 39,803 votes representing 56.97 per cent of the votes and the NDC's Professor John Atta Mills had 29,224 representing 41.83 percent.

Parliamentary

1. Kwamena Ollenu Amponsah-Dadzie (NPP) - 31, 426 2. Ebo Barton Odro (NDC) - 38,694 3. Mr Joel Eshun (DFP) 219 4. Emmanuel Kweku Sagoe (CPP) 947 5. Ato Aidoo Nyanor (Independent) 217

In the 2004 parliamentary election NPP had 36,264 representing 51.2 percent and NDC had 31,538 representing 44.5 percent.

KEEA Constituency

Presidential

1. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP) - 16,929 2. Dr Edward Nasigiri Mahama (PNC) - 165 3. Prof John Evans Atta Mills (NDC) - 24, 808 4. Mr Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi (DFP) - 204 5. Mr Thomas Nuako Ward-Brew (DPP) 68 6. Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom (CPP) - 4, 063 7. Mr Kwabena Adjei (RPD) - 25 8. Mr Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah (indece) 76. In Election 2004, the NPP had 23,823 representing 52.78 percent and NDC had 18,609 41.23 percent.

Parliamentary

1. Dr John Samuel Annan (NDC) - 26,746 2. Mr Stephen Nana Ato Arthur (NPP) - 19, 288 3. Mr Joachim Bruku Eshun (CPP) - 4,545

The Parliamentary seat was contested between NDC and CPP. The NDC had 15,427 represent 33.2 percent and the CPP had 30,981 represent 66.8 percent.

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NDC warns against attempts to rig Election 2008

Accra, Dec. 8, GNA - The Office of Professor John Evans Atta Mills, presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the main opposition party in Ghana, says it is aware of attempts by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig Election 2008 and warned of dire consequences. A statement Mr Koku Anyidoho, Head of Communications of the Mills Campaign, released on Monday said: "We know we have won the elections and no amount of underhand acts by the NPP and its surrogates as well as paid agents shall we allow the mistake of 2004 to be repeated."

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Results of the 2008 Presidential and parliamentary elections in Ashanti

 Kumasi, Dec. 8, GNA - Here are some of the results so far received from the EC in some constituencies in the Ashanti region.

Ejisu-Juaben constituency; Presidential: NPP--------- 65,755 PNC---------121 NDC---------11,506 DFP----------76 DPP----------61 CPP----------449 RPD----------21 Independent---89 Total votes---68,678 Rejected--865

Parliamentary; Kwabena Owusu Aduomi NPP---67,278 Anima Wilson NDC----10,635 Lucy Kapapoe PNC---544 Sarfo-Ansah James CPP---1,102 Total votes---70,178 Rejected----619

Mampong Constituency; Presidential; NPP-------------29,527 PNC------------111 NDC-----------8,104 DFP------------70 DPP------------23 CPP------------214 RPD-----------8 Independent----30

Parliamentary; Francis Addai Nimo NPP---29,916 Daniel Apau Ohyeamang NDC---7,444 Joe Bediako Mensah CPP---229

Total votes------38,466 Rejected----479

Obuasi constituency;

Presidential; NPP--------------48,747 PNC--------------203 NDC-------------24,308 CPP-------------1,606 DFP-------------99 DPP-------------28 RPD------------14 Independent------26

Total votes-----74,491 Rejected--------1,140

Parliamentary; Edward Ennin NPP--------46,398 John Alex Ackon NDC-----26,855 David Kenya CPP----------1,488 Mohammed Issifu PNC------324 Albert Joseph Ababio-------150 Eliass Abdul Salam DFP-----147

Total votes 75,362 Rejected 781

Ahafo North constituency; Presidential; NPP-----------16,679 PNC-----------133 NDC-----------13,993 DFP-----------94 DPP------------17 CPP------------69 RPD------------18 Independent-----45 Total votes-----31,048 Rejected--------526

Parliamentary; Richard Akuoko Adiyia NPP------16,029 Atta Sampson PNC---------335 Addai Amankwah Daniel NDC------14,641 Joseph Akabila CPP--------116

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