News

Front pages of Ghanaian Newspapers, Friday, June 9, 2017

Former Health Minister in the erstwhile National Democratic Congress government, Alex Segbefia says the decision by the party leadership to expand its electoral college, is partly to blame for the embarrassing defeat the party suffered in the 2016 elections.

The NDC with sitting President John Mahama lost massively in both the presidential and parliamentary elections held on December 7.

Nana Akufo-Addo the then opposition leader secured a resounding one-touch victory by polling 53.85% of total valid votes cast against incumbent John Dramani Mahama who managed 44.40%.

The uncle of Captain Maxwell Mahama, young military officer lynched by Denkyira-Obuasi residents on Monday said, the family wants justice to bring a closure to his gruesome killing.

Prof. Fred Mark Bagonluri says it is unfortunate a man who has sworn to defend his country had to die in such a manner.

“A man who decides to save his nation has to die in war, and not murdered by the very citizens that he swore an oath to protect and defend against both internal and external aggression.

“For him to die in this manner challenges my citizenship,” he said.

Today marks the first day of Prince Charles of Wales’ visit to Ghana, the first since 1977. Alongside Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (who is visiting for the first time), the pair plans to tour some parts of Accra and Kumasi throughout the weekend and into Monday before heading to Nigeria on Tuesday morning. Here is everything you need to know.

Why

The trip is at the request of the British government to strengthen diplomatic ties between Ghana and the United Kingdom and will highlight key themes within the Commonwealth of Nations.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is warning of a full-blown financial crisis for Ghana if aggressive measures are not taken to check government’s rising debts.

The Fund gave the warning in its staff report sent to its Executive Board requesting it pass Ghana’s performance under the third review of the program.

According to the IMF staff, their fears are based on some tight financing conditions facing government as a result of challenges with revenue mobilization, a development that could result in some overruns in the coming weeks, as the election season approaches.

The Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu has accused some personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces High command of providing cover for galamsey operators in hard-hit areas.

He alleged the said military command has without authorization, deployed personnel to protect galamsey operators in parts of the Ashanti region where his team is touring.

In an interview with Citi News, John Peter Amewu called for an immediate probe into the matter.

The Electoral Commission says it is ready to ensure that this year's election is credible.

Speaking at the launch of 2016 Peaceful Election stamps by Ghana Post, Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Amadu Sulley said credible elections were crucial in ensuring peace before and after the elections.

Mr Sulley said the Commission has so far adhered to guiding principles of Electoral practices to ensure that the polls are credible.

The governing NDC says there is nothing phenomenal about the New Patriotic Party (NPP) economic record because it was shielded from economic difficulties through its decision to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

At the “Setting the records straight” press conference broadcasted on Joy FM, Transport Minister, Fifi Kwetey said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has had to face economic difficulties unseen under the NPP government.

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) is raising red flags about the authenticity of the over 26,589 ghost names government said have been removed on the payroll.

NAGRAT President, Christian Adai Poku told Evans Mensah on Joy FM’s Newsnite Wednesday, a total of 13,800 members of the Association have been captured in the supposed list of ghost names.

He said NAGRAT had anticipated the challenge but thought the Finance Ministry would have taken steps to rectify any outstanding anomalies.

NAGRAT President, Christian Adai Poku