DR. CALLISTUS MAHAMA HAS NO FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH H.E PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA

 By Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese 

(Youth Imam from Laribanga)

0244198031

The 2024 general elections are over, and the rejected stone (President Mahama) has become the corner stone. He has won with a landslide victory. Ghanaians today feel as though we have just had our second independence.

Just when we thought the agenda-setters who found not their voices in the last 8 years, have been baptized by the worsened economic condition under President Akuffo-Addo, they have just woken up and have found their voices again. 

They have started building their stock of conspiracy theories meant to put clogs on the way of H.E John Dramani Mahama beggining with the astute Dr. Callistus Mahama. This time, they are trying to net out the negative effect of the extreme nepotistic conducts of President Akuffo-Addo, by playing a game of equalization.

As expected of a desperate group who went deaf and dumb in the wake of the visible practice of family and friends under the Nana Addo’s administration, they are accusing President Mahama of jetting off with family and friends administration. This time around, their shots have been directed at the venerable Dr. Callistus Mahama—claiming that the latter is a family member of the Mahama’s by dint of the fact that he bears the same surname as the Mahama’s.

This is the weakest claim ever made by the so-called elites who saw nothing wrong with Gyankroma Akuffo-Addo’s appointment to the Creative Arts Board. How could anybody assume that because a Gonja has Mahama as his surname, it automatically makes the person a family member of President Mahama? Has the name Mahama been customized by President John Mahama and his family? 

For the records, President Mahama and Dr. Callistus Mahama are from the extreme ends of Gonjaland—the former from the Western part of Gonja (Bole-Damongo) while the latter is from the Eastern Part of Gonjaland (Kafaba). So, the conversation of family and friends cannot fester on such a weak ground. 

Let’s put this in proper context—yes, Dr. Callistus is a Gonja just as President Mahama but not a family member. Yes, a Gonja from any part of Gonjaland is a brother to another Gonja, but within the context of what has come to stay as political jargon in Ghana as “family and friend’s government”, Dr. Callistus and President Mahama relationship doesn’t fit in such a description. 

Let’s even roll back into recent history. After President Akuffo-Addo assumed office in 2017, and the subsequent appointment of his family members including his own biological daughter, baby Mamas and direct cousins into very sensitive positions, we were told that those family members were qualified and that their qualifications should be the only standard measure and not their close relationship with President Akuffo -Addo.

 Even when Ken Ofori Atta fell short of his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Yale  University and a Wall Street Banker, by plunging Ghana’s economy into a junk status, we were still told that he was such a successful investment banker and so we should overlook his incompetence and poor performance and suffer the by-products of his unbridled borrowing for consumption. 

Assuming without admitting that Dr. Callistus Mahama were a family member of President Mahama and same rod is to be used to measure the direction of the above proposition, won’t Dr. Callistus qualify to occupy any position in government? In any case, what is the noise about? Just appointed to serve as the secretary to the Transition Team and the so called centre-neutrals can’t take a nap? 

Before he took the appointment as the Head of the Local Government Service under the first regime of H.E John Dramani Mahama, Dr. Callistus Mahama was an accomplished academic with the KNUST Department of Land Economy. Between 2009 and 2013, he served as the Deputy Director and Head of the Accra Campus of the Institute of Local Government Studies after serving in a similar capacity in the Tamale Campus of the same institute between 2006 and 2009. 

Equally important to note is that Dr. Callistus holds PhD in Land Law and an MPhil in Land Economy both from the University of Cambridge, England, United Kingdom. Indeed, Dr. Callistus is a silent achiever—in St Augustine’s in around 1994, he came out as an outstanding student (best student) in Ghana. These are hidden achievements Dr. Callistus won’t boast about. 

In office as the head of the Local Government Service, Dr Callistus initiated and supervised the current Administrative Decentralization Policy that has seen the effectiveness in local authorities in the performance of their decentralized functions. 

Dr. Callistus is a disciplined administrator whose sterling reputation and hard work earned him the current position as one of the closest aide in the office of H.E John Dramani since the latter became Former President in 2017. So, if competence, academic qualification, integrity, honesty and dedication to duty were just the standard measure for anybody to occupy any position, why should anybody question Dr. Callistus Mahama’s appointment? 

Let me even beg to ask, between Dr. Callistus who has expanded expertise and experience in public life and Ken Ofori Atta who was only a private investment banker with leading demonstrations and processions as the only experience in the public life, who should be appointed to occupy very sensitive public office? 

Let this caution be thrown to the smear-campaigners and agenda-setters that not even their propaganda pulpits can pull down the towers of reputation built by Dr. Callistus. And if they try to get his name smeared as they did to President Mahama in his first regime, they should get ready to face it off with a tinted firewall built by some of us to defend the likes of Dr. Callistus Mahama and President John Dramani Mahama. 

If these so called neutrals and patriots kept quiet and never spoke against the nepotism practiced in it’s worse form under Nana Akuffo-Addo, why should they have a problem with Dr. Callistus Mahama even if the latter were a family member of H.E President John Mahama? Dr. Callistus is here to stay, and so, I will humbly request them to brace themselves for his presence in H.E John Mahama’s administration. 

Shalom!!!

SAVANNAH REGIONAL YOUTH WORKING COMMITTEE OF THE NDC CONGRATULATES DR. CALLISTUS MAHAMA ON HIS APPOINTMENT

Under the able Chairmanship of Hon Yusif Sulemana Ori, MP for Bole-Bamboi Constituency, the regional youth working committee of the NDC wishes to congratulate you, Dr. Callistus Mahama, for your appointment as the secretary to the Transition Team. 

The youth working committee of the Savannah Region acknowledges and appreciates the massive support and guidance from you, Dr. Callistus Mahama over this period. It is our honest believe that with you in this team, the interest of President Mahama, his incoming government and the NDC and Ghana at large will be protected. We believe in your competence, integrity and an eye for details. 

Your appointment comes as no surprise since your service and loyalty to President Mahama and the NDC has paid off greatly. The team will always render its support to you at all times to ensure a successful administration. 

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon Yusif Sulemana Ori, the Regional Youth Organizer, Alhaji Inusah Mahama and the entire members of the committee wish you the best as you start work today, Wednesday, 11th December, 2024. 

Thank you 

Signed

Alhaji Inusah Mahama

(NDC Regional Youth Organizer—SR)

 

YAGBONWURA RECITES THE QURAN FOR VICTORY FOR H.E JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA AHEAD OF THE 7TH DECEMBER, 2024 GENERAL ELECTIONS.

The Yagbonwura, flanged by all the divisional chiefs of the Gonja Kingdom, has caused for the recitation of the Quran to solicit the blessings and victory for his son, H.E John Dramani Mahama in the upcoming 2024 general elections. 

In fulfillment of his promise, H.E John Dramani Mahama has built a modern Jakpa Palace for the King and overlord of the Gonja Kingdom. During the sod cutting ceremony, H.E John Dramani Mahama pledged that the project will be completed and commissioned before the end of the year, 2024. 

Today, 6th December has been scheduled for the commissioning of the Palace project. Before the commissioning, the Yagbonwura caused for the recitation of the Quran in prayer for H.E John Mahama’s victory in the upcoming general elections. All the paramount and sub chiefs of the land demonstrated their loyalty and love for H.E John Dramani Mahama and prayed for his victory.

Filed by Kudus Gbeadese

THE YOUTH SHALL TAKE CHARGE OF THE NEXT NDC ADMINISTRATION—ALHAJI INUSAH MAHAMA

 The Savannah Regional Youth Organizer of the NDC, Alhaji Inusah Mahama has charged the youth in the region to take full control of the last days of the 2024 campaigns to ensure a resounding victory for H.E John Mahama and the 7 NDC Parliamentary Candidates for the Savannah Region. Addressing the youth groups in the region during the campaign tour of the region by the Regional Youth Working Committee, Alhaji Inusah tasked the youth to see the NDC as the better alternative to the failed Nana Addo/Bawumia NPP administration.

At Jonokponto community in the Damongo Constituency, the youth organizer recounted the youth-centered policies of the NDC including the 24hour Economy, the 1million jobs fr youth in coding, the youth apprenticeship program, the mechanization of agric through the farmer service centers and a host of others. He indicated that all these policies are targeted at creating well-paying and sustainable jobs for the youth to reduce the unemployment rate which has show up to about 15% under the NPP administration. 

The youth organizer made a bold statement that the next John Mahama/NDC administration is going to be youth-centered government with much focus on job creation. 

Alhaji Inusah reiterated the commitment of the NDC to protecting the votes of Ghanaians in the upcoming elections, indicating that the NDC has a superior system to ensure that the NPP and the Jean Mensah led EC do not rig and steal the verdict from the NDC again. He therefore charged the youth to join hands with the NDC to monitor and create an effective response mechanism for the purposes of protecting the ballots during the election. He said the NDC remains the future of the youth of Ghana.

The team, led by the Chairman of the Youth Working Committee, Hon Yusif Sulemana Ori is whipping the enthusiasm of the youth front across all the 7 constituencies in the Savannah Region. 

Filed by:

Kudus Gbeadese 

(Communication Director—Regional Youth Wing)

NPP IS SYNONYMOUS TO DECEPTION—MP FOR BOLE-BAMBOI

The Chairman of the Youth Working Committee of the NDC in the Savannah Region, and the MP for Bole-Bamboi Constituency, Hon. Yussif Sulemana Ori has described the NPP as a party that has mastered the art of deception in every sphere of politics. Addressing the constituents of the Daboya-Mankarigu in Daboya township, Hon. YUSSIF recounted the numerous failed promises made by the NPP to the people of the constituency. 

The MP reminded the constituents that unlike H.E John Dramani Mahama, the NPP has chosen to engage in lies and peddling falsehoods aimed at hoodwinking the people. He counted the number of projects the NPP promised the people of Daboya but need fulfilled. Amongst them are the agenda 111 hospital which has since been left unattended to and left to the mercy of stubborn rodents. Hon. Ori also referred the constituents to the promise made by the Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahmoud Bawumia to construct a bridge over the Daboya River which has since not been fulfilled. 

On abandoned projects, Hon Ori indicated that the Busunu-Daboya road project which was started by H.E John Mahama has been left to rot, posing a danger to motorists especially during the rainy season. He used rhe opportunity to inform the people of Daboya that one of the priority projects of H.E John Mahama for the people of the Daboya-Mankarigu Constituency will be the road. He said that the road will be first completed and other abandoned projects like the hospital before new projects will be started. 

He also recounted the other projects that H.E John Mahama and the NDC executed for the people of Daboya, and these include the Daboya Community Day SHS. But for that SHS, most of the students in that area will have access secondary education outside of the constituency which will add to the cost of secondary education to parents. 

Hon. Yussif Sulemana Ori urged the people to vote massively for H.E John Mahama and Hon.  Lawyer Mahama Shaibu Obei for effective leadership and sustainable development. To the youth, the MP explained the job creation component of the 24hour economy and assured them of their share in the next NDC administration. 

The Youth working committee through the chairman donated 500 branded T-shirts to the PC for Daboya-Mankarigu and other cash donation to the motor riders as other selected groups. 

Filed by:

Kudus Gbeadese 

(Director of Communication—SR Youth Wing)

JOHN MAHAMA WILL ENSURE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE NATIOAL CAKE—HON YUSSIF ORI

 

As part of the campaign tour of the Savannah Regional Youth Wing's campaign tour in the Daboya--Mankarigu Constituency in the Savannah Region, the chairman of the Youth Working Committee in the region, Hon Yussif Sulemana Ori, reiterated the commitment of H.E John Dramani Mahama's commitment at ensuring that all Ghanaians will be considered in the sharing of the national cake without aany room a select few to be catered for at the expense of the majority of Ghanaians. Hon. Yussif was addressing voters in the Mankarigu community as part of the 8-day campaign tour of the Savannah Region. 

Hon. Yussif Ori assured the people that irrespective of their ethnic group, religious affiliation or political persuasion, everyone will be a part of the John Mahama's. He indicated that the Tampulma's and the Gonjas are brothers, and that due to the intermarriages between the two ethnic groups, citing Lawyer Shaibu Obei's mother who herself is a Tampulma, we have become one and the same people. He said unlike the NPP, the NDC is not discriminatory and will not resort to whipping ethnic sentiments just to score political points and for electoral victory. 

Hon. Yussif Sulemana called on the people to go out in their numbers and vote massively for H.E John Dramani Mahama and Hon. Mahama Shaibu Obei for a sustainable development of the constituency. He cautioned against voting "skirt and blouse", indicating that H.E John Dramani Mahama will require a convincing majority to enable him to implement his life-changing policies. 

The youth working committee has been engaging and educating voters in four communities in the Daboya-Mankarigu Constituency.

Filed by:

Kudus Gbeadese

NPP FINANCIER IN THE DABOYA-MANKARIGU CONSTITUENCY DEFECTS TO THE NDC

One of the influential figures in the NPP in the Daboya-Mankarigu Constituency, Iddrisu Mufti has defected to the NDC. Mr. Mufti was, on the 13th of November, temporarily introduced to the Savannah Regional Youth Working Committee Chairman, Hon Yussif Sulemana Ori in a short ceremony in Daboya. 

A businessman in the Daboya community who has been a sustained financier of the NPP in the constituency has indicated his disappointment of the NPP government and their leadership in the Daboya-Mankarigu Constituency over the last few years. Mr Mufti lamented that due to the economic hardships, businesses are collapsing and impacting negatively on the living conditions of the people. 

Hon Yussif Sulemana Ori received Mr Mufti on behalf of Hon. Lawyer Mahama Shaibu Obei, the Parliamentary Candidate for the Constituency. In his turn, Hon. Yussif Ori commended Mr Mufti for his bold decision to come home to a party that cares for the people and businessmen. Hon Ori assured Mr Mufti of the NDC’S commitment at protecting him and offering a better alternative to the NPP. 

Mr Mufti has since join the Regional Youth Working Committee to tour the Constituency at Yagbon, Mankarigu and Lingbinsi communities. He assured the NDC of his full support. Hon Ori donated John Mahama’s branded T-shirt to Mr Mufti.

Filed by:

Kudus Gbeadese 

(Communication Director--SR Youth Wing)

THE SAVANNAH YOUTH WORKING COMMITTEE OF THE NDC TOURED 4 CONSTITUENCIES INTHE SAVANNAH REGION.

The Savannah Youth working committee sets out on a 8-day campaign tour in the 7 Constituencies in the Savannah Region, beginning with the Salaga South Constituency on the 9th and 10th of November, 2024.

Led by the chairman of the Youth Working Committee, Hon Yussif Sulemana Ori, MP for Bole-Bamboi Constituency and the Savannah Regional Youth Organizer, Alhaji Inusah Mahama, the team engaged various communities, youth groups, opinion leaders and Chiefs in the constituencies visited so far. 

The team launched the first phase of the tour on the 9th of November, 2024 with a donation of 500 branded T-shirts and 1000 branded bottled water to support the campaign launch of the MP for Salaga South and the NDC Parliamentary Candidate, Hajia Zuwera Braimah. Alhaji Yussif Sulemana and Hajia Zuwera led the team to pay a courtesy call on the Kpembewura Banbange to seek his blessings and clearance to start the tour. 

On the 10th November, the team worshipped with the Presby Church in the morning, engaged the people of Kafaba with the first visit to the Kafabawura, engaged the people of Kalande and finalize the tour with an overwhelming engagement with the students of Kpembe Nursing Training College. 

The team made a stop in the Salaga North Constituency on the 11th November, 2024. In this Constituency Alhaji Yussif Ori and the Parliamentary Candidate for the Salaga North Constituency, Hon. Alhaji Alhassan Mumuni led the team to engage the Kpalbusi community, Kpalbe, the District Capital, made a whistle stop at the palace of Kapkpandewura and ended the tour with a mini rally at Fuu. The chairman also donated 500 branded T-shirts to the Parliamentary Candidate of the Constituency, Hon. Alhaji Alhassan Mumuni. 

The team proceeded to Damongo Constituency on the 12th November, 2024. In Damongo the team took the NDC and John Mahama’s message to Jonokponto, stop over for a short Regional Executive meeting and proceeded to Murugu and Mognori. In Murugu, Alhaji Yussif and Alhaj Inusah led the team to pay a courtesy call on the Muruguwura before engaging the women, youth group and the community at large. The team ended the day at about 11pm by gracing the handing over ceremony of TEIN at the Damongo Agric College. Also, a set of 500 branded T-shirts were donated to Hon Adam Mutawakilu Garlus to support his campaign. 

The team has started its campaign tour in the Daboya-Mankarigu Constituency with the first stop at the Wasipewura’s place to seek his blessings and clearance. At the palace, Alhaji Yussif Ori took the turn to deliv a message from H.E John Mahama to Wasipewura and his chiefs and elders. The team is scheduled to engage the people of Mankarigu, Yagbon and Lingbinshi communities. The final stop in the Daboya-Mankarigu Constituency will be in Daboya where the team will engage youth groups, women groups, opinion leaders and address a mini rally in Daboya township. 

Tomorrow, 14th November, 2024, the campaign caravan will have a full day at the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Constituency and subsequently in the Bole-Bamboi Constituency on Friday, 15th November.

During these engagements, the team creates time to explain the policies of the NDC, especially the 24hour economy, the women’s bank initiative, the youth apprenticeship program and the grand scheme of job creation through the aggregation of these policies. Alhaji Yussif Sulemana and Alhaji Inusah Mahama took turns to indicate to the constituents of these constituencies on the need for the NDC to secure all the 7 seats from the region in order to leave a living legacy for H.E John Dramani Mahama and to propel an overall development of the region.

The team will join the running mate of the NDC in the 2024 elections, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman as she tours the Bole-Bamboi, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and the Yapei-Kusawgu Constituencies on the 15th and 16th of November, 2024. The next leg of the first phase will be announced after her visit. 

Issued by:

Kudus Gbeadese 

(Communication Director—Youth Wing)

SR—NDC REGIONAL YOUTH WING STORMS THE SEVEN CONSTITUENCIES TO SEAL THE PARTY’S VICTORY 2024.

The Savannah Regional Youth Wing of the NDC is scheduled to seal the operation 7/7 launched by the NDC in the region. The youth wing, led by its Chairman, Hon Sulemana Yussif Ori, MP for Bole-Bamboi Constituency, Alhaji Inusah A. Mahama, Regional Youth Organizer, the two Deputy Youth Organizers, Bawa Mubarik and Saaka Razack, and other selected members of the youth wing, is rolling out the Phase one (9th Nov. to 16th Nov.) if it’s grounds work across the seven constituencies. 

Through the chairman, Hon Yussif Sulemana Ori, the team has secured party Paraphenalia and other logistics to support each of the seven constituencies and to run an effective campaigns during the period. Equally important are the plethora of activities designed purposely to fit into the emerging needs of the youth in the region. The team will be engaging youth groups in all brackets and other categories of people depending on the peculiarities and dynamics of each constituency. 

The schedule is as follows:

1. Salaga South…9th Nov. and 10th Nov. 

2. ⁠Salaga North…11th Nov.

3. ⁠Yapei-Kusawgu…12th Nov.

4. ⁠Daboya…13th Nov.

5. ⁠Damongo…14th Nov.

6. ⁠STK…15th Nov. 

7. ⁠Bole-Bamboi…16th Nov.

The operation 7/7 Savannah Region can only be actualized with active and genuine participation of all stakeholders on the actual grounds work, with the ultimate victory of H.E Joh Mahama in mind. Expect the Youth Caravan in your constituency soon! 

Issued by: 

Kudus Gbeadese 

(Communication Director—Youth Wing)

GONJALAND: A CALL TO EXECUTE A SACRED OBLIGATION OF UNITING AROUND H.E JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA ON HIS SECOND COMING

By Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese

(Youth Imam from Laribanga)

0244198031

There is a silent call for Gonjaland to show its face in the upcoming 2024 general elections. The land is strictly standing for a life-long test. To make or unmake Gonjaland is how we collectively respond to this call. The whole country is watching us and particularly our brothers in the other parts of Northern Ghana. Let those who will classify this call as ethnocentric do so with one eye closed.

It is painfully hypocritical that the very people who shout to us that tribal politics is forbidden in Ghana are the frontrunners when it comes to tribal and ethnocentric politics. When Napo looked in the faces of voters in Kumawu and shouted without blinking that the people of Ashanti region do not need that much, all they needed were T shirts and that would settle for their loyalty, how do we describe this?  

I wish to submit that if development in its real sense alone were the standard measure and the metric to voting pattern of a people, I shudder to say that the people of Ashanti Region will throw their support behind President Mahama. The fundamental reason being that John Mahama in his four years in office has developed (infrastructure development) the Ashanti Region than the cumulative 16 years of the NPP in office (Kuffour and Akuffo-Addo combined).

The game of politics is complex and must be seen and treated as such. Indeed the progress of democracy has never been seamless. To want to assume that by calling for Gonjaland to support their own son, H.E John Dramani Mahama is a call for all Gonjas or Gonjalanders to subscribe and become card bearing members of the NDC is misplaced and perhaps, mischievous. When the Nayiri said that his sole objective subsequent to the election of Dr. Bawumia as Flag bearer of the NPP is to ensure the latter becomes President, should we say the Paramount chief was calling on all Mamprusis to be NPP?

Our Northern Neighbors especially, our playmates (Kasenas, Bimobas, Sisalas, Builsas, etc.) do not only tease us, but some of them literally insult us. They wish they had the opportunity God has given Gonjaland without stress. To have a son to rise to the apex of politics is just an unsolicited blessing. Although, we do not have the numbers, but to show our love and support should and must necessarily reflect in the small numbers we have.

Charity they say begins at home. This is a call first to all key stakeholders in the Savannah Region, beginning with the regional executives and the seven Parliamentary Candidates. Your conduct and actions in the remaining two months must be geared towards uniting the party in order to attract first, those who are still sitting on the fence and second to others who are not extremists and are ready to consider voting for John Mahama. Where you people (key stakeholders) are able to demonstrate this, it surely will trickle down to those of us at the peripherals.

Let it be told that our support or otherwise for John Mahama will set the pace for the future of any politician in Gonjaland. The way we will handle John Mahama especially in this upcoming 2024 election will determine how any serious political party will see Gonjaland and decide as to whether to, in the future, elevate anybody to either a running mate or a Presidential Candidate. Once we send the signal that we do not like and will not marshal our support around one of our own for the obvious reasons will thus, imply that when given an opportunity, Gonjaland will always betray their own.

So, let this message reach the doors of Hon. Abu Jinapor, Dr. Ing. Braimah Clifford, Dr. Achanso, Hon Saeed Muaz Jibril and all the frontrunners of the NPP in Gonjaland that what becomes of John Mahama and his chances today will reflect in multiple folds when it gets to their turn. If they amplify their negative voices and antics towards John Mahama, they should be rest assured that we, the young ones, will learn very fast under their unconscious and unsolicited tutelage, and will definitely double up and master the game of amplification and negative energy towards them when duty calls in the future.

This humble and harmless call equally goes to our revered traditional authorities, beginning with Jira Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale 1 and his paramount chiefs. As custodians of our land, gods and customs, the chiefs owe it a duty to demonstrate their love for John Mahama for him to ultimately lift the image of “Kegbanye” and the spear up and above the skies. There is no need to hide behind the unfairness of the law requiring them to stay out of “active politics” to throw their own flesh out for the general public to mock at.

At least, the Tolon Naa has shown the way – that there is no limit to political participation. In fact, he said he is ready to put his traditional regalia down, put on NPP paraphernalia and join Bawumia on the campaign trail. For the meantime, we must have to acknowledge and commend the bold public commentary of Bolewura Kutugefeso, Kpembewura Banbamge and Mankpanwura Jakpa Borenyi on how Gonjalanders ought to approach the upcoming 2024 general elections. We are still waiting for the rest of the Paramount Chiefs (Buipewura Jinapor, Busunuwura Jonokpowu, Damongowura Seidu Kelly Boresa, Kusawguwura, Wasipewura Kabagsagya, and others) to show their faces and get counted.

When the polls are closed and the numbers start trickling in, Gonjaland (Savannah Region) ought to get counted for how we expressed ourselves at the polls. It will be an insult and embarrassment for H.E John Mahama to check the percentages from Savannah and may not be able to raise his head among the decision makers at the table. To whom much is given, much is definitely expected. So, let no one feel entitled that even if we fail to demonstrate our support for John Mahama, once he is our son, he will be bound to give his all when it is time to share the cake.

Indeed, Gonjaland should not expect the Voltarians, Bonos, Dagombas, Frafras, Kasenas, Sisalas, Dagatis, to sweat and die for John Mahama to become President only for us to want the first and sumptuous share from the meal. The first step must be taken by us, and that is to step all out in support of our son. Politics has always been business and a game where competing interests form the foundational rules. For this, Gonjalanders must approach the 2024 elections as business and a game of competing interests where ones expected outcomes will depend on his inputs.  

Today, the Volta region has become the world bank of the NDC not because of the party colors, but largely because of the name and image of JJ Rawlings. Even in his grave, the Ewes still hoist an ordained obligation on their necks to protect his image, and the story is not different with the Ashantes.

It is not just because of development, so called, that the Ewes are standing flesh-to-flesh with the NDC, although they are minded about development, but it is largely to protect the image of their Late Son, JJ Rawlings. In much the same way, on a normal day, an Ashanti will look you in the face and tell you that he/she was born into the NPP because the party was birthed by their ancestors at the Manhyia Palace, so they cannot betray their forefathers. The time is here for Gonjalanders to make an example out of these two scenarios.

The biggest legacy H.E John Mahama will ever leave for Gonjaland is not only development, although, that will surely be the anchor of his second coming, but to leave the land as a stronghold for the NDC. This is so imperative to our collective interest. So that in future, Gonjalanders can stand proud in the midst of the crowed with the believe that we will forever be united and never betray Jakpa.

To my NDC members who really matter (Regional, Constituency, Branch executives, ordinary members like us and very key stakeholders) whose conducts whether deliberate or otherwise, may/will/shall stand in contrast with the agenda 7/7, may your deliberate, convenient, self-seeking conducts be exposed before H.E John Mahama and those who really matter at the highest decision-making level. And let it be said vociferously and clearly that, shouting agenda 7/7 on platforms is not enough an effort, let your conduct in the quiet go in sync with the platform art works.

As the strong hurricane of change is sweeping across the country, the Dagombas have accepted John Mahama; the Ewes are leading the charge for his second coming; the Bonos are doing everything possible to get him back in government; the Frafras are pledging their absolute support for him; the Dagartis/Walas/Sisalas/Brifos in Upper West Region are promising him 11/11 in the region; our play mates (Kasenas, Sisalas, Builsas, Mos, Bimobas, ect.) are waiting patiently for us to mess up again for them to swallow us alive. I put the question again, where do we stand as Gonjalanders? Let John Mahama feel proud to identify as a royal of the land. Ultimately, let him safe to run back home when he is being pursued from outside.

We must not shame Jakpa this time around. Shalom!

LAWYER HARUNA IDDRISU: A BULWARK IN GHANA’S DEMOCRATIC DISPENSATION.

The current democratic dispensation of Ghana which is predicated on the 4th Republic is 32 years and counting. Indeed, the 4th Republican dispensation has been shaped by many an actor or institutions at different times and from different perspectives.

Sitting of Parliament resumes on Tuesday, 22nd October, 2024. And it will do so in controversy. Who sits on the right side of the speaker and controls the business of the house, is the question to be answered yet later.

Elected as the Member of Parliament for the Tamale South Constituency in 2024, Lawyer Haruna Iddrisu has distinguished himself is many ways. Not only has he demonstrated his versatility of the law and of the procedure in Parliament, but he has been a bulwark of shaping the infant democracy of Parliament. 

Lawyer Haruna’s arguments and debates on the floor of Parliament are pristine, refined and resonate with proper reasoning of the Law. As a Lawyer of good standing (22 years at the Bar), he has participated in legislative processes that resulted in good laws for Ghana.

In fact, Lawyer Haruna amongst other three MPs including Ras Mubarak, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu and Ben Abdallah Bandah were the first to introduce a Private Member’s Bill in 2018, thus, “The Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2020.” This bill sought to introduce stiffer punishment for traffic offenders whose actions lead to the death of unborn children. 

This goes to confirm that, Lawyer Haruna’s parliamentary duties are discharged beautifully without and intention to personally benefited from same. Rising to become one of the finest leader (Minority leader) in the last Parliament demonstrated his ability to handle challenges and to lead. His leadership indeed saw to the election, for the first time, a speaker from the Minority in Parliament. And over time, he has demonstrated this kind of leadership to the admiration of many people.

His last straw was how his petition to the speaker has led to the displacement of the arrangement in Parliament, rendering the NPP majority then to now the minority caucus in Parliament. In fact, not only did he place his petition on the precedent set by Speaker Mike Ocquaye, but he adduced cogent arguments and irrefutable evidence to make his case for the declaration of the vacancy of 4 seats in Parliament, including one seat from his caucus. 

This has not only disoriented Parliament and the sitting arrangements, but it has triggered one of the most effective constitutional law discourse in Ghana. We wait to see what the position of the speaker will be on Tuesday regarding the order made by the speaker which many lawyers and constitutional law enthusiasts have described as misplaced and unjust. 

It is only be fair if we gave Lawyer Haruna his fair share of the national praise for his sterling leadership and effective legislative duties. Time will surely vindicate him.

By Alhaji Inusah Mahama 

(NDC Regional Youth Org—SR)

PRESIDENT AKUFFO-ADDO DISRESPECTS THE YAGBONWURA AGAIN—CALLS HIM A LIAR IN PUBLIC.

 By Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese 

(Youth Imam from Laribanga)

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Much ado about nothing—the best description to be ascribed to the visit of President Akuffo-Addo to the Jakpa palace today, 14th October, 2024. 

The President was at his usual self when he took a direct swipe at the Yagbonwura in the full glare of the public. The Yagbonwura's crime was just a harmless appeal he made to the President to admonish his appointees to desist from their incessant disrespect to him and the time-tested customs of the people of the Gonja Kingdom. 

In his speech, the Yagbonwura appealed to President Akuffo-Addo to speak to and caution some of his appointees who have been disrespecting him by using their political power to undermine the laid down customs and traditions of the Gonja Kingdom. 

The customs and traditions of the people of the Gonja Kingdom are clear so that, no subservient paramount chief in the Kingdom is allowed to celebrate Damba Festival before the Yagbonwura. It has never happened and it ought to have happened. In view of this, the Yagbonwura reported in his speech that some of his appointees aided and fully supported one of his sub-chiefs to celebrate the Damba festival before him, the Yagbonwura. This is in clear breach of the customs of the kingdom.

Indeed, the Yagbonwura indicated that the said appointee actually ordered and sent heavily armed military men to protect the said paramount chief to undertake such a sacrilegious act of undermining the Yagbonwura and the customs and traditions of the Gonja people.

What the said appointee is not aware of is that, a prominent paramount chief in Gonjaland had him on phone to confirm his complicity in this sacrilege (disrespect of the Yagbonwura) at the instance of an emissary of Yagbonwura. So, before Yagbonwura will come public with such information, he actually had his facts verified and doubled-checked.

As usual of the President, he did not only sound dismissive and defensive of his appointees, but he boldly told Yagbonwura his report is FALSE. The President indeed, said that as per the briefings he had from his Regional Minister, Hon Muhaz Saeed Jibril, no such incident happened in Gonjaland and that none of his appointees aided and abetted any such abominable act of the said paramount chief.

Angry for describing him a liar, Yagbonwura ordered for his vehicles to leave the durbar grounds while the President was still delivering his speech. True to it, the Yagbonwura left the durbar grounds while Akuffo-Addo was still delivering his empty speech. Akuffo-Addo even said he was not happy with the Yagbonwura for making such an information public. 

The empty speech of the President was deliberately written to attack Former President Mahama, which he truly did in a grand style. Yes, Akuffo-Addo really used that occasion and platform to insult and attack former President John Dramabi Mahama, a royal and warrior of the Gonja Kingdom.

At the end of the day, Yagbonwura walked out on Akuffo-Addo for calling him a liar in public. When we said President Akuffo-Addo and his appointees don’t respect chiefs and traditional authorities, this is actually the height of it. What the President doesn’t know is that the sons and grand sons of Ndewura Jakpa are a proud people and so we will never countenance disrespect in any form and not even from the President of the Republic. Kudos to the Yagbonwura for showing leadership and bravery one more time. The entire Kegbanye minus the NPP appointees in Gonjaland are proud of you, Jira Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale 1. May your reign be long.

Shalom!

A WELCOME LETTER TO PRESIDENT AKUFFO-ADDO AS HE PAYS A VISIT TO YAGBONWURA IN DAMONGO ON MONDAY

From Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese 

(Youth Imam from Laribanga)

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Your Excellency,

I bring you the warmest felicitations from the caves of Laribanga where I engage in my meditations and receive daily inspirations from. You are warmly welcome to the great land of Ndewura Jakpa where great sons and grand sons like John Mahama comes from. 

Mr. President, I cannot question your will and decisions especially, where and when to pay a visit. As the father of the nation, you have every right and the executive power to even move the seat of government to my city in Laribanga. On that score, I cannot question you as to why you chose to pay a courtesy call on the Yagbonwura.

That said Mr President, we can all see from the smoke that your choice to visit Damongo is not just a mere administrative decision but a political move to seek to undo and wipe the footprints H.E John Dramani left when he came campaigning on the 5th of October, 2024. Even that political move cannot be questioned on any grounds, given that there are no rules in politics. But be reminded that it will take you the next 5 or more visits to make an attempt to undo President Mahama’s visit. 

We can say confidently that this move is solely to attempt a redemption of the image of your political god-son, Abu Jinapor. The son who has conspired with you to shortchange the people of Damongo Constituency and Gonjaland at large. 

Mr. President, one would have thought that after many times of visiting Damongo after the well-crafted deception of a sod cutting ceremony for the Damongo water project, we should by now by lining up to welcome you for the commissioning of the project. Unfortunately, you are coming to Damongo with empty hands and very unfortunately you come seeking for more. 

Perhaps, you deserve a reminder if you are deliberate about forgetting your own promise. Although, you even made a promise to God and has since stolen using His name, I would attempt a reminder on your promise. On the 29th of July, 2020, your god-son, Abu Jinapor brought you to the Damongo town park where the so called sod cutting for the Damongo water project was done. 

Your Excellency, that was 5 clear months after Covid-19 visited Ghana. In fact, this was after the 3 weeks lock down was lifted. Indeed, this was the moment your Parliamentary Candidates were sharing the covid funds to constituency/branch executives of the NPP. So, clearly, Covid cannot be the reason why you have not been able to execute the Damongo water project.

Again Mr President, Russia-Ukraine war happened outside of the timelines you gave us. In your speech during the sod-cutting, you boldly indicated to us that the about $49m dollar Damongo water project was going to take 18months to be executed. Holding all other variables constant, the Damongo water project should have been commissioned by the end of 2021 or in January 2022. Mr President, Russia launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine in February/March, 2022. In effect, the 18months timelines you set for the execution of the Project would have lapsed before this invasion. 

So, the attempts by Hon Abu Jinapor to blame the failure to deliver the water project he knew from day one that was not going to be executed, on covid and Russia-Ukraine war must be dismissed and treated as one of his disrespects and insults. To add insults to injury, some last minute biscuit has been packaged to us as bread. The Ghana Water Company Limited has come to extract water from a smelly borehole in Broto and to extend same to an overhead tank in Damongo where residents will still go with their drums to fetch from. Although, this was done out of the magnanimity of Dr. Clifford, we still consider this as an insult. To have waited after almost 4 years after the sod cutting and just close to elections, to come around to engage in another deception is the most insulting.

Mr. President, we were told that on your third but last visit to Damongo, you slept in the residence of Hon Abu Jinapor. This was what our MP packaged to us as one of his achievements. Unfortunately, Abu could not whisper to your ears that the water you had to bath was from a mechanized tap he did only for himself, his flowers as his cars. And that the rest of us his helpless constituents are made to drink from an abandoned dam that his water tanker draws water and distribute to us. 

Your Execellency sir, in your second but last visit in which you and your Abu sought to undermine and disrespect the Yagbonwura, I wish to remind you that the park in which we had the grand durbar of the One Year Anniversary of the Yagbonwura was the same park you stood and cut the sod for the water project on that black 29th July, 2020. Unfortunately again, Abu couldn’t tell you that even as at then, his constituents were still thirsty. I can bet my last coin that even your visit to the Yagbonwura tomorrow Monday, 14th October, 2024, you would not make a statement about you and your government’s failure to execute the Damongo water project. 

The fact is that you, Mr President, your MP for Damongo, Hon Abu Jinapor, don’t really give a damn if the people of Damongo constituency drink from a typhoid infested dam or from the gutters. Just the same way you two have conspired to allow for mining in our forest reserves and on protected rivers leading to the overwhelming pollution of all the rivers in Ghana including the black Volta which coincidentally passes through Buipe, where Abu’s father seats as the paramount chief. After all, Abu believes he doesn’t owe the people of Damongo anything significant, because he came to buy his way through to become an MP, and given the amount he  allegedly made from galamsey, he can and is ready to even pay 10 times of what he paid in 2020 to secure another stolen mandate. 

To conclude, I wish you, Mr President, the best of stay in Damongo. We know that your visit is to redeem Abu’s image in the Jakpa Palace and in Damongo Constituency at large. We only have one message for you, and that is, you can come to Damongo and stay for the rest of the days to elections, your NPP and your god-son, Abu Jinapor will lose, period! So, no amount of face-saving or image redemption therapy will be enough to cure your impending wounds. Be told also that, your god-son, Abu Jinapor does not believe that your NPP and Dr Bawumia can win, and so, he goes round in the constituency and begging the people to vote for him and John Mahama since, he knows the people won’t be voting for his Presidential Candidate. This is one of his hidden tricks which we need to let him know that this too won’t wash. 

You are welcome Mr President. 

Sincerely, 

Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese

(Youth Imam from Laribanga)

GALAMSEY GENOCIDE: HOW ABU JINAPOR’S SIGNATURE FINDS EXPRESSION IN THIS GRAND SCHEME OF “MASS MURDER” OF INNOCENT GHANAIANS.

By Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese

(Youth Imam from Laribanga)

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The national conversation over the last couple of months has been on the illegal mining activities (galamsey) – an activity which can best be described as mass murder of innocent Ghanaians, including innocent fetus and newly born babies. It is quite evident that not even the attempted blame-shifting and agenda-setting can shift and share the blame with the National Democratic Congress.

Unfortunately, my Member of Parliament, Hon. Abu Jinapor, who doubles as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources is in the centre of this conversation. His attempts to extricate himself by buying his way through the conversation, but that cannot and will not suffice. The law squarely places responsibility on the head of Hon. Abu Jinapor, the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, and a delegate of the President, to act responsibly in safeguarding our lands and natural resources.

Instructively, Article 257 Sub-clause 6 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana clearly provides that all mineral resources in their natural state and upon any land in Ghana, including water resources, are the properties of the Republic of Ghana and shall vest in the President of Ghana for and on behalf of the people. By virtue of convention and standard practice, the President delegates his powers within the remit of this constitutional provision in his minister, and in this case, in the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.  

In the exercise of his powers, the Minister acts through an Act of Parliament – the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2006, (Act 703). Indeed, sections 4 and 5 and the adjoining sub-sections of this Act empowers the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to issue, deny or revoke mining licenses in whichever form. In order to effectuate the powers and regulate the sector as per the law, regulations in the form of Legislative Instruments and Executive Instruments are enacted for these purposes.

In view of the above, in November 2022, the Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462 was enacted, deriving its force from the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490). The LI, “Environmental Protection (Mining in forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462) allows for the Minister to grant mining concessions in forest reserves.

Meanwhile, prior to the enactment of this LI, the National Land Policy of 1999, prohibited mining in forest reserves especially, those reserves which were protected for ecosystem maintenance, biodiversity conservation and sustainable timber production. Unfortunately, due to political expediency, the formulation and subsequent enactment of this L.I. did not follow the usual trend of comprehensive consultation with key stakeholders like Civil Society Organizations and community-based stakeholders.

Under the L.I. 2462, mining licenses may be granted in forest reserves. Indeed, a multi-tiered permit regime is structured by this L.I. This include a forestry entry permit from the Forestry Commission (under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources); mineral rights from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (signed and granted by the Minister, Abu Jinapor); and water use permit from the Water Resources Commission.

Effectively, regulation 2 under this L.I. 2462 elucidates the rationale behind its enactment. This encompasses the management of mining in forest reserves, efficient use of natural resources, stakeholder involvement in mining issues in forest reserves, effective mineral royalties’ administration and maximizing benefits for the local community from mining in forest reserves. And to think that this L.I. 2462 was even contemplated at the time galamsey and the pollution of our water bodies are at their apogee is the most disgusting. 

Well, after covertly setting up the conspiracy clothed in a legal framework (LI 2462) to legitimize the illegitimate, the political convenience and the twists then sets in. According to incontrovertible sources, thus, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN); The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), the World Conservation Monitoring (WCM); The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and the Ghana Mining Repository (2023) – Abu Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has, after the enactment of this L.I. in November 2022, issued 30 mining licenses for mining in forest reserves (protected areas). According to these sources, additional 1,350 mining concessions (outside of the protected areas) were granted, bringing the total to 1,380.

Subsequent to this, a report by the Ghana Institute of Foresters revealed that, at least 390,000 hectares of Ghana’s forest cover, covering a little above the landmarks of the Greater Accra Region, risk being wiped out as a result of the enactment of L.I. 2462. These include the protected areas, areas mapped as green belts and Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs).    

Flowing from the above incontrovertible facts as provided by these credible sources, the Fourth Estate reported on 5th September, 2024 that appointees and politically exposed persons were among those who benefitted from the 30 mining licenses issued for mining in forest reserves (protected areas). Some of these companies associated to appointees and politically exposed persons granted mining licenses in 2023 include:

1. Sam and Gyan Limited – a company traceable to Hon. Sam Pyne, President Akuffo-Addo’s appointee for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has been issued a mining concession to mine in the Oda River Forest Reserve, located in the Ashanti Region.   

2. Elite Minerals Ghana Limited – a company which is allegedly tied to the daughters of President Akuffo-Addo as beneficial owners or with associated interest. This company has concession in the Bonsa River Forest Reserve in the Western Region.

3. Nana Ansah Resources Limited – mining concession to mine gold in Mamiri Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

4. Clean-Jobs Resources Limited – a mining concession to mine in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Western region of Ghana.

5. Unipower Mining Company Limited – a mining concession to mine in the Boin Tano Forest Reserve in the Western Region of Ghana.

Sadly, fresh reports have it that, after the expose’ by the Fourth Estate, these data have since been expunged from the records of the Minerals Commission.

Aside from legitimizing the illegitimate through a legal framework, there is another angle to this genocide being perpetrated by the government and its associates. According to the Fourth Estate, just a month after the L.I. 2462 was gazetted, in August 25, 2022, Akonta Mining, a company with Bernard Boasiako a.k.a Chairman Wontumi as one of the two shareholders, applied for a mining concession to mine in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. After evaluation, the Minerals Commission transmitted the application to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Abu Jinapor for approval. Even before he could approve and issue the license, Chairman Wontumi’s Akonta Mining moved to site to start mining operations. This was subsequently described by the Minister as illegal, albeit, President defended Chairman Wontumi and his Akonta Mining.

In the midst of this conversation, the troubling part is that, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources appears not worried – he is either dismissive or arrogantly snobbish. In the wake of the labour agitations, Hon. Abu Jinapor described the Organized Labour’s call for a moratorium on all mining activities as draconian. He further intimated that because mining is lucrative and has some economic value, we ought to pay off for its devastation on Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves. In fact, Abu Jinapor and his NPP government cannot be tickled by the report from the Ghana Medical Association to the effect that cyanide and mercury are sometimes found in the placentas of pregnant women, and as a result babies are born deformed.

Ironically, while destroying these forest reserves and our water bodies, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and its allied agency, Forestry Commission, are all over the place with that charade of annual tree planting. In view of this, our taxes are wasted annually on this exercise. In fact, this failed policy is used as a cover for donor support. A couple of days ago, I read in the news that Hon. Abu Jinapor, has, on behalf of the Government of Ghana, signed a letter of intent for a grant amounting to $30m with the government of the United Arab Emirates, for forest conservation and alternative livelihood program.

Reading from successive budgets since 2021 is even extremely nauseating. The amount of money that leaks through the so called community mining and the alternative livelihood program is mindboggling. So, the devastation is not only on our forest reserves and water bodies, it is heavily felt in our annual budgets as much.

I wake up every day hoping to hear the name of Damongo Constituency with pride and for the good reasons, only to get disappointed. The man who we elected to represent us in Parliament has become the default image on newspapers and on online portals for the bad reasons. If Hon. Abu Jinapor’s name is not mentioned for corruption-related matters, his picture will be attached to headlines associated to this genocide (galamsey) or other daily scandals under this government.

The worse scenario is that, the galamsey menace is exceedingly pronounced under him as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. And quite unfortunate is the fact that he has granted more mining licenses than all the ministers of Lands put together since the inception of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. Well, power can trick the powerful to get an illusion that the shoulder of God is just closer to theirs. It may not hurt today, it may look flowery and taste good, but the consequences awaits us. Time is our greatest ally. 

Shalom!!!

HON. ADAM MUTAWAKILU GARLUS HONORED BY JIRA YAGBONWURA BII-KUNUTO JEWU SOALE 1 FOR HIS HONEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF GONJALAND

By Kudus Gbeadese 

The King of the Gonja Kingdom, Jira Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale 1, has honored Hon Adam Mutawakilu Garlus for his hard work, dedication to duty and respect for the tradition and traditional leadership in Gonjaland. At just ended Damba festival, Jira Yagbonwura acknowledged the former MP for Damongo Constituency. 

This is in recognition of his contribution to the overall development of Gonjaland and Damongo in particular.

Hon Garlus has served in various capacities as a politician and private individual. As the DCE for the West Gonja District, Hon Garlus championed the fully participated in the process leading to the realization of the 148.5km Fufulso-Damongo-Sawla, which was constructed by H.E John Dramani Mahama and the NDC government between 2012 and 2015. 

During his reign as a DCE and an MP, the Damongo constituency witnessed its significant part of physical infrastructure and human resource development. It is in view of this that the Late Busunuwura Nungbaso gave him the name “Ye ne awura”, to wit, the one who fulfills his promises. 

As an MP, Hon Garlus did his best on human resource development particularly. He was able to secure about 25 scholarships to students at various levels of tertiary institutions including 2 PhD students. He instituted the first ever award scheme for the best BECE students and supported the operations of CAMFED in propelling the girl-child education.

Under Hon Garlus, Damongo Constituency had most of its communities, including Busunu, Nabori, Achubunyor, Mempeasem, etc. connected to the national grid.

So this honor was neither arranged nor exaggerated, it was on merit. It is his pledge that he, together with President Mahama, will ensure the timely execution of the Damongo Water Project when elected in the December 7th general elections.

RE: LAWYER ABU JINAPOR IS A PRECIOUS TREE IN SAVANNAH THAT MUST BE PROTECT.

 By Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese 

(Youth Imam from Laribanga) 

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I have read a very short submission from my big brother, Braimah Amati Lord-Ken, a US-based Gonja fine brain, on the above subject. Just like I have always stated, everyone’s opinion is sacred and ought to be expressed as such. I have grown to like Ken’s love for Gonja and his largely objective posturing when it comes to issues of Gonjaland and especially the politics in the land.

That said, I think I will agree with him in principle, but practically, I totally disagree with the submission by Ken to the effect that the current generation in Gonjaland has their star in Abu and for that matter, he must be protected. I am beginning to feel this is a calculated choreography from the NPP to emotionally blackmail the people of Gonja for their own gains. The reason is that, this assertion maintained by my good brother, Ken, has not come in isolation. Over the last couple of weeks, especially after the ban was placed on Abu in Gonjaland, many of his appendages started with this emotional blackmail. 

Indeed, many of them even reached out to some of us to tone down on our criticisms of Abu, especially about his failure to lead the charge to deliver the Damongo water project. They advanced this same argument that whereas Dagombas are nurturing Haruna from the NDC and Dr. Amin Anta from the NPP, we, in Gonjaland must come together to support and nurture Abu from the NPP so that he will also rise at equal wavelength with H.E John Dramani Mahama in the very near future. This is not bad in principle, for I hold the solemn belief that nothing happens in politics if it wasn’t design to happen. But I would not allow myself to be hoodwinked and bundled into this blackmail, when the same person we are discussing doesn’t believe in the Gonja agenda. 

In as much as I will subscribe to any such deliberate agenda from Gonjas as a people, I would not be susceptible to any backdoor blackmail. Does Abu believe in Gonjaland agenda? What has he done to advance same just like Haruna Iddrisu and Dr. Amin Anta are doing in Dagbon? Has he not strategically placed himself to be used by Akuffo-Addo to undo President Mahama’s bid in the past and even in this 2024 elections? We have eyes that can see the unseen, ears that hear from the dark and of course brains that can think and sift between good intentions and selfish desires. 

At what point did we see the need to support our own? I have said it before, if there is any place in the entire North where John Mahama had been wrongfully vilified and still being attacked, it is none other but Bole and Damongo. We are here, when the NPP boldly spit on our faces with the remarks that they cannot condone tribal politics. In fact, Abu’s repeated the same remarks at the Bolewura’s palace during their last visit after his ban. Abu said, the fact that John Mahama is a Gonja doesn’t mean all of us should support him. And that the only ingredient we use to cook the political soup is development and not tribalism. What does he mean by these remarks at the instance of the people of Bole, the Bolewura and Dr Bawumia? 

My senior brother Ken, did you hear Abu make the above remarks? Indeed, during his last acclamation leading to his candidature for his party in Damongo, Abu declared Savannah region as the battle ground for the 2024 elections. And that, all though John Mahama is from the region, they will snatch more seats in addition to his in order to make the NPP the majority from Savannah Region. Yes, you may want to say we should pardon him, because it was just political talk, but Abu’s own activities prior and post his declaration point to his resolve to undermine President Mahama, disgrace him and effectively undo his next coming as President.

I was thinking that my brother, Ken, would rather admonish Abu to tone down especially, with his underhand dealings to expose Gonjaland to ridicule through their well-hatched agenda of making the world to feel President Mahama indeed, did nothing for Gonjaland when he was President. 

We were here when the issue of the renovation of the Jakpa Palace became the most discussed topic in Ghana. How was that? Lawyer Abu Jinapor schemed through to make it sound like the former President could not even renovate his own father’s house, so how can he manage Ghana? In the bid to crystallize this agenda and to put the icing on the cake, they made it news that Dr Bawumia was committed at renovating the palace. True to it, Abu and his henchmen got the palace re-painted and his boys in Damongo took pictures of the Palace and flooded them on social media to make the point that instead of John Mahama, Dr Bawumia has come to the aid of Gonjas by building their own overlord, a palace. Does this posture afford us the opportunity to foster a united front towards the future? And let nobody tell me that Abu didn’t have a hand in all of these. 

Even when President Mahama started a completely new palace project, Abu, our only Cabinet Minister and the MP for Damongo, has made frantic efforts to undo President Mahama’s gesture. In view of this, they are renovating the old structure just by what President Mahama is building and they intend to commission it sometime after President Mahama hands over the new palace to the overlord. All of these are calculated at undermining President Mahama and of course the Gonja agenda Mr Ken is genuinely preaching. 

My brother Ken is from Bole, and so, I am very certain that he has the love for his people at heart. As we speak, the gold deposits in Bole have been mortgaged by Lawyer Abu Jinapor to foreign companies at the expense of the youth in Bole. At the last Gonjaland Youth Congress in Damongo, the Gonjaland Youth Association (GLYA) President, at paragraph 32 of his speech, bemoaned the lack of consultation with key stakeholders as required by the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (ACT 703), which, Abu, is required by law and good intentions to work with, in granting the mining concession to the foreign company. In fact, in his speech, Former President Mahama, on the same platform repeated the concerns raised by the GLYA President. Abu, out of whatever on the same platform, rubbished the concerns raised by both President Mahama and the President of the Gonjaland Youth Association. Subsequently, we heard the interview granted by the MP for Bole, Hon. Yussif Sulemana Ori, to the effect that there was no due diligence done and effectively no stakeholder engagement was carried out as done elsewhere before granting mineral concessions to foreign companies. What should our youth eat? 

Indeed, subsequent to all these, we witnessed the brawl between the Vice Chairman of the NPP in the Bole Constituency, the Police and other agents of the concession. Unfortunately, this led to the beating to pulp, of my good friend, Suraj Mahama, the NPP constituency secretary. I want to humbly ask a question, was the Yagbonwura and other key stakeholders in the land consulted and engaged prior to the granting of the concession? Has there been an alternative livelihood programs and retaining the rights to persons with the surface rights to the lands given on concession as contained in section 72 of the Minerals and Mining Act? How about ensuring local participation pursuant to section 50 of the same Act 703 of 2006? 

The last straw that broke the camel’s back is the issue of comparing Abu to President Mahama. We read from Abu’s recruited defenders, who are trained to taint the name and image of President Mahama. Each passing time, these agents of Abu, make the silly claim without any reservation, that Abu has done more in terms of development of Gonjaland than President Mahama. The come forcefully with this silly remarks, of course, with the tacit approval of Abu. Although, this sounds ridiculous, but shouldn’t we take those remarks serious? 

These agents of Abu mince no words when they come after President Mahama especially, when Abu is under siege. In fact, Abu’s aide, one Manuel Quaye, have had occasions where he undressed Former President Mahama and made very damning remarks about him. In the heat of the moment, when Abu’s ban became a reality, this same Manuel Quaye was the one who put together dirty headlines against the Yagbonwura. He mistakenly posted what was meant for an NPP platform, on the Damongo Youth Parliament platform. One of such headlines suggested that the reason why the Yagbonwura banned Abu was because the former requested a Land Cruiser from the latter, which hasn’t been delivered. True to their plan, we saw the publications on Ghanaweb the next day with that headline. And as we speak, such a publication is still on that website. 

What partly got Abu his current standing in the NPP was his penchant and love for attacking President Mahama. In fact, Abu was part of the plan to undo President Mahama’s second term in 2016. He, together with some Northern brothers and sisters were put together to sell Former President Mahama out with their incessant attacks and describing him in all forms. I still can remember his description of President Mahama as the most corrupt at All Nation’s University College in Koforidua. At the time, his own blood brother was an appointee of President Mahama. Should we also say, he was envious of his own brother at the time as my brother Ken wants us to believe? 

Today, Abu is fighting everyone in Gonjaland including Chiefs and the big faces who matter in our politics. We cannot bury our faces like the proverbial ostrich to the silent in-fighting between Abu and Dr Clifford. Did Abu not allegedly asked for Dr Clifford to be removed from the NPP National Council and replaced him? Was that one to envy? Should we be seen promoting each other or pulling dirty strings from behind? 

How many times have you read in the news that the NDC in North-East Region issued any statement or make any news to paint Dr Bawumia dirty after the visit of President Mahama to that region? The NPP in Bole, in Damongo and in fact, in Savannah does it with ease. The very moment Dr Bawumia visits Savannah, in order to show their unalloyed loyalty to him, they will definitely find something to send President Mahama to the cleaners. When Abu made the promise to construct an Astro turf for Bole, it wasn’t made out of good intentions, but to subtly attack former President Mahama. And the NPP members’ subsequent writings and posturing confirmed this. 

I am not against promoting the Gonja agenda in principle, but it must not start with Abu, but H.E John Dramani Mahama. It takes more than just financial resources to get called to the apogee of politics. And if anybody should be learning this, it has to be Abu and his appendages.

I will conclude by asking, between getting President Mahama at the seat of government and preparing Abu for the future in the midst of these political uncertainties, which one is the easiest and achievable? If the NPP in Savannah region continue to pull the strings in order to get President tainted, we, at the other side will not lend our emotions to be blackmailed by any future agenda. If the people of Gonja want to have an agenda, it must be now with President Mahama or never in the future with anybody.

UNFOLDING MANASSEH’S FOLDER 5: HOW MAHAMA’S 24HR ECONOMY DID NOT RESONATE WITH MANASSEH’S REASONING.

By Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese 

(Youth Imam from Laribanga)

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I wish to start with a sincere welcome to Manasseh Azuri Awuni, from his long hideout and political exile which was very necessary under the circumstances. At least, he’s back and gained his thoughts and voice back at a time, President Akuffo-Addo has practically lost his political claws to strangle him once more. He’s welcome to contribute his bit to enrich Ghana’s democracy, and he can be rest assured that President Mahama will never sent him into exile. 

Just as I indicated in my earlier episodes, I, Kudus Gbeadese, will find it very difficult to forgive Manasseh for one amongst many reasons; the fact that he was unconscionable enough to have published his so called Ford Expedition bribery allegations on President Mahama on the day, the latter’s mother passed. I know I am not God to have forgiven his sins, but I cannot seem to get that feeling out of me. That in itself does not take away my love for his writings and his work with the Fourth Estate. 

I was only thinking that, Manasseh will rather apologize to President Mahama and to the good people of Ghana for his contribution to the current mis-governing and the economic crisis we find ourselves. He cannot exculpate himself from liability for bathing and whitewashing President Akuffo-Addo to Ghanaians at the time Ghana was about to jet into economic prosperity. Manasseh equated President Mahama to a “Sheep” and made the case that he would prefer to vote for a Sheep than to vote for President Mahama in 2016. If he has revised his notes about this position, it is only right and natural for him to state so other than seeking to justify his position then. 

It is very natural and part of the way of life that all of us cannot see a round ball from the same angle and perspective. That is why on any subject matter, each one of us has an opinion quite distinct and different from other’s. On this score, I do not seek to take away Manansseh’s right to have an opinion about any policy proposal put out by President Mahama including the 24Hour Economy. It is only fair that he does his critique from both ends of his head, so that, this too shall not fall as one of his usual dismissive attitudes without proper introspection. 

I wish to submit on this score that, just as Manasseh got it wrong in believing that President Akuffo-Addo was a saint and therefore helped to campaign and ultimately installed him as President in 2017, same way he’s getting it all wrong with this 24Hour economy. I would not discount totally, his aversions to this policy, but he is practically getting it all wrong to start with.

Reading his submissions on this policy, I gathered that his main challenge is that even the 8 hours we do as the labour laws require us in Ghana, it is still not being optimally utilized, with many state institutions being redundant and unproductive. He may be right, but that cannot be a reason the 24Hour Economy cannot be realized. 

Manasseh was one of the champions and mouthpiece for the Free SHS policy. Even in the midst of the challenges, he has not run down the policy in its totality. While he’s applauding President Akuffo-Addo for the FSHS policy, the basic schools are suffering with payments of their capitation grants. Indeed, there are still basic schools under trees and under worse situations while the FSHS in implemented. 

In fact, while Ghana is being applauded for the numbers under the FSHS, some Senior High School students still take their meals under trees while others sleep in verandahs converted into rooms. 

So, it goes to say that, even where there are challenges with a particular established system like the current 8 hour shift for the public sector, one cannot stand on that to berate a proposal to run a 3-shift economy. It is a matter of choice, will, and a deliberate policy to recalibrate the system in order to change the structure with one stone. 

It is the case that, the Association of Ghana Industries, the Ghana Federation of Labour, the Trade’s Union Congress and other groups in the context of the Economy, have described this policy proposal as the game-changer, given the current economic climate Ghana finds itself. Nobody said, and not even President intimated that it is going to be all rosy within the short time. But like Lee Kuan Yew did in Singapore with a deliberate policy and the political will, it has to take someone to do same for Ghana if we ever want to get our economics right.

The Youth of Ghana can no longer wait for honey and milk to flow in our rivers in order for our political leaders to fix us. In fact, we can no longer wait for many more excuses from our political leadership to delay our destinies. The time is now, and we expect leadership to cut down on their taste for luxury and then sacrifice to make Ghana better. It takes just a leader with the will to do so. The increasing patronage, the political clientellism, the tribal bigotry, the politics of fear and the deliberate pursuit to compromise independent state institutions and other private institutions that should put government to check, are contributing to destroy this country. 

Although, we still don’t have the benefit of the NDC 2024 manifesto and not a policy document yet on the 24Hour Economy, but with the snippets of information from President Mahama and other speakers on this proposed policy, it is very easy to reason and resonate with it. It is about time, independent people like Manasseh stop the wholesale whitewashing of proposed policies and come to the table for reasonable discussions. 

A policy which is intended to be rolled out in some selected public sector agencies like the Passport Office, the DVLA, the Ports, etc. and to be opened for the private sector to subscribe to with the intention to engineer economic activities cannot be written of with a skewed opinion. Indeed, there is the demand for this policy given that the unemployment rate is around 14.7% according to the Ghana statistical Service. 

So, I am analyzing a proposed policy that is meant to increase our workforce by 2-folds. And I only think that we must support even if we have to all come together to refine it to fit for purpose, we owe the people that duty. Manasseh had the benefit of experiencing other countries where he had his time on exile, some of those countries run 24Hour economies, so, we can only implore him to bring his experience to the table for us to take one step forward. 

I have read from President Mahama on this policy. My takeaways from what I read are that, there will be tax incentives for companies that will sign up to the 24Hour economy to boost their capacity to employ more young people and to increase economic productivity and growth given their current capacity. Also, companies that do not have the capacity too will be supported by the government to increase their capacities for the purposes of operating 24Hours. In fact, such companies will have cheap power at off-peak hours of the day with relatively cheaper utility charges with other utility services. 

I want to humbly submit to Manasseh that this is achievable if we undo our quick cynicism and critique without reasoning deep and reflecting on how we can get going as a nation. 

Yes, Ghana’s economy is facing challenges, and we are not in isolation as far as these challenges are concerned. But Manasseh cannot tell me that it is not the case that part of the reason we are having to to face these challenges is the government’s deliberate mismanagement of the economy and the fleeting of our public finances on fanciful projects and discretionary expenditures on themselves other than on capital expenditures. I can bet with my life that If Manasseh is given Ghana’s economy to manage today, it won’t take rocket science to reset it and to get going seamlessly. It will just take one click—cutting down on the waste and pilfering of state resources and re-channeling same into productive ventures that will get this economy back on its feet. 

Even in the midst of the challenges, the government of President Akuffo-Addo and Dr Mahmoud Bawunia is still bent on spending more on consumption related activities. We are still servicing several amorphous agencies like the Free SHS secretariat, One-District-One-Factory Secretariat, the three Development Authorities with their amorphous agencies at the behest of the Presidency and the relatively elephant-size government ever in our history in the 4th Republic. Lest I forget, we still haven’t had the economic benefit of spending as much $58m on the world most expensive hole in the heart of the capital, Accra. 

So, if anybody should argue that, expending funds on such “useless” ventures do not contribute to our economic mess, I would have to look twice before assessing the person’s sanity. Indeed, Manasseh cannot argue that re-channeling such funds into the 24Hour Economy or the $10bn BIG PUSH or on setting up the Women’s bank is a no-brainer. We need the 24Hour Economy now or never in the future.

I will humbly request Manasseh to come again and perhaps, come to the table with his ideas to make the 24Hour Economy a reality.

 

RE: ABU JINAPOR CALLS FOR A PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE IN THE DAMONGO CONSTITUENCY.

 By Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese 

(Youth Imam from Laribanga)

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1. The Member of Parliament for the Damongo Constituency, Hon Abu Jinapor, has, just like his Flag Bearer, called for a Parliamentary debate in the Damongo Constituency. He made the call while undertaking his campaign activities in the constituency over the past week. 

2. Just like his Flag bearer, Dr. Mahmoud Bawumia did make a similar call for debate with President Mahama, Abu Jinapor is equally seeking a platform to restore his lost credibility and the goodwill the people of Damongo constituency handed him. So, in a bid to get that restored, he’s desparately seeking to play smart for such a play to play his usual rhetoric and theatrics in order to secure some already-made skewed headlines. 

3. Political debates in themselves are built to enrich the contours of democracy, since they effectively help to create some form of interface for citizens to participate and to get clarity to certain confusions and policy uncertainties. So, any form or nature political debates come, in principle, it is certainly a move to enrich our democracy, to ensure accountability, responsive leadership and to ultimately measure the level of sincerity  in our leaders. 

4. However, given the current circumstances, there is nothing to debate about. Indeed, what is there to debate is to account to the people of Damongo of his stewardship and not to his opponent. Hon Abu Jinapor owes the good people of Damongo an explanation to multiple issues, and that should be the beginning of accounting to the people.

5. To begin with, the people of Damongo are still expecting Hon Abu Jinapor to account for and to offer sincere reasons why after 4 years since the sod cutting ceremony for the Damongo Water project, nothing is done and nothing seems not to be done. Meanwhile, on the day of the sod-cutting ceremony, as part of his speech, Hon Abu Jinapor made the promise that the project will be completed in 18 months after July, 2020. Indeed, his slogan was, “promise made, promise fulfilled.” Where can we find the water project in Damongo? Or we should pray hard for the Broto mechanized borehole which they say is 10% complete,  to come and replace the $49m project they promised? 

6. Indeed, Hon Abu Jinapor owe us an explanation as to why he has never asked a question or make a statement on the Floor of Parliament on the Damongo water project and on any other challenges his constituency faces. In fact, he owes us an explanation as to why he hasn’t fulfilled a promise to drill the 10 mechanized boreholes in Damongo township. A whole Minister for Lands and Natural Resources yet, you cannot drill and mechanize boreholes for your people in the stead of the water project you refused to execute, at least as a way of saying "I am sorry for the deception."

7. Again, Hon Abu Jinapor owes the Busunuwura and the people of Busunu an explanation as to why the factory he and the President’s daughter promised the good people of Busunu, has not being realized. Also, at the instance of the Busunuwura, Hon Abu Jinapor promised that one of the pumping stations for rhe Damongo water project will be situated in Busunu to help distribute water to the communities around Busunu. Is there a reason we shouldn’t ask why the said distribution station hasn’t be established in Busunu yet? 

8. To add to this, since it’s construction, the so called Islamic Secondary School for my community, Laribanga, remains a painted building and not a school in operation. In the midst of this, what Hon Abu Jinapor thinks the people of Laribanga deserve is sharing of money and cooked food and not to put the so called Islamic Secondary School into operation. In addition to this, just about 1000m to Laribanga, Lawyer Abu Jinapor and his government, after assuming office, got part of the stretch of the Fufulso-Sawla road razed, with the pledge that it will be fixed. In fact, they brought a contractor with equipment to deceive the late Yagbonwura Tuntumba that they were in to rehabilitate that portion of the road. As we speak, that 100m razed portion and other portions of the road leading to Sawla have become death traps without any intention to fix them. Can he debate that? 

9. Hon Lawyer Abu Jinapor, in the middle of the campaign leading to election 2020, you amplified the promise of President Akuffo-Addo to the effect that Damongo will be getting a regional hospital as part of the Agenda 111 hospital projects. What is the state of this promise? You and your government also promised the people of Damongo of a Shea nut factory under the 1D1F. Will you be candid enough to show us where the factory is or why we haven’t seen anything yet? 

10. With all due respect to my MP, he is the Minister for Lands and Natural resources. By convention and standard practice, one of the primary responsibility is to ensure that our environment is protected. I want to remind him that just behind his house in Damongo, there is commercial charcoal burning going on. In fact, most of the trucks that come from the South to load the charcoal mostly find space to park at the junction leading to his house. Also, while you spend millions of our taxes in a so called tree planting, you are complicit in the ongoing destruction of our environment through indiscriminate logging, because you watch on while the logging goes on because of votes. Find sometime to debate that, sir.

11. Hon MP for Damongo, can you show us a single person, at least, from your party who you secured a scholarship for to study and upgrade him or herself? At a time, the scholarship secretariat was under your direct supervision as a Deputy Chief of Staff. Is it the case of a calculated sabotage to those who otherwise would be interested to further their education? Or should I believe the narrative from your own people that you have this extreme phobia for those in pursuit of higher learning? These are the real issues and not your usual games you play with our emotions. 

12. ⁠You promised to construct the following roads: a) from Canteen-Frafraline to Sor. No. 3; b) from Mognori to Murugu; c) from Yipala to Broto. Please sir, what happened to that promise? Or you were waiting for this last minute so called DRIP project meant to hoodwink the people into voting for you once more? 

13. ⁠Hon Abu Jinapor, when you are done answering the above questions, and done with the explanations and clarity to the lingering issues on your head including why the people of Damongo constituency are also suffering from ther high cost of living when you promised that you would write the name of Damongo with gold, then, you would secure the moral right to call for a debate. 

We cannot allow you stain our white shirt with your dirt. Go and debate the people about the whereabouts of the $49m meant for the Damongo water project. When you are done with all that, you have a relatively huge responsibility to undo the reality turned into a tag on your neck that you are ARROGANT. 

Please sir, is it really true that you don't listen to good counsel from anybody and that it is the reason you have sent all those reasonable people who could otherwise give you good counsel into political exile while keeping those you can order around in close proximity? 

Shalom!