Russian superjet goes missing during test flight with 44 on board, reports say

A Russian passenger jet with at least 44 people on board—including embassy officials—went missing on Wednesday during a demonstration flight in Indonesia, according to reports from the region. The civilian Sukhoi Superjet 100 "disappeared from radar screens during a flight from Jakarta meant to last 30 minutes," BBC News said. According to CNN, the aircraft went missing at about 2 p.m. local time. Pilots requested permission to descend from 10,000 feet to 6,000 feet, but air traffic controllers lost radio contact. "The plane began making its descent but vanished from radar screens at 6,200 feet in a mountainous area," CNN reported. The plane was carrying Indonesia businessmen and Russian embassy officials, Reuters reported. (There were conflicting reports of the exact number of people on board. Reuters said 46, the BBC and CNN said 44.) The demonstration flight—the second of the day—was part of a tour of six Asian countries. The Superjet 100 was the first commercial airliner produced by Sukhoi, a military plane manufacturer. The mid-size jet can carry up to 103 people. Sukhoi plans to produce 1,000 superjets.

Judge: South Africa Must Probe Rights In Zimbabwe

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) - A South African judge on Tuesday ordered prosecutors to investigate whether Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's government committed human rights abuses against his rivals ahead of 2008 elections, a ruling that has grave political and practical implications. An investigation would likely be lengthy and costly. It could also complicate South Africa's role as the main mediator in Zimbabwe's political crisis. The ruling handed down in a Pretoria court Tuesday by Judge Hans Fabricius was the first under 2002 South African statutes spelling out its international law obligations. Human rights lawyer Nicole Fritz, whose South African Litigation Centre joined the Zimbabwean Exiles forum to bring the suit, said human rights groups have documented cases of torture and other crimes in Zimbabwe. Under Tuesday's order, she said, investigators from a country with a strong legal framework now will be able to hold Zimbabwean officials responsible for crimes allegedly committed during that country's political meltdown. 'These crimes of the worst type are the responsibility of all the international community,' Fritz said. She said South Africa had a particular interest in neighboring Zimbabwe because refugees from the political violence and economic chaos there have come to South Africa in the thousands. Fritz said Zimbabwean officials implicated in abuses also come to South Africa on official and personal business. Prosecution spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said Tuesday prosecutors will study the ruling and then decide what legal steps to take next. South African prosecutors and police had said such investigations are beyond their mandate. Since violent and disputed elections in 2008, Zimbabwe has been governed by a shaky coalition of Mugabe's ZANU-PF and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change. Mugabe, in power since independence in 1980, and his ZANU-PF party are accused of using violence and intimidation to hold onto power. South Africa has led regional efforts to get Zimbabwe's political rivals to draft a new constitution and take other steps to ensure the next elections are peaceful. The 88-year-old Mugabe is pushing for elections this year, though few observers think a vote this year could be free or fair. Mugabe has been nominated as his party's sole presidential candidate. The rights activists had in 2008 asked South African police and prosecutors to investigate events in 2007, when police stormed MDC offices in Zimbabwe's capital and arrested Tsvangirai, who had been preparing to address a news conference about political violence. The activists had presented South African authorities with statements in which those taken away that day described being tortured by Zimbabwean police because they were members of the MDC and opponents of ZANU-PF. The activists described the assaults as part of a widespread campaign of violence against the MDC. South African police and prosecutors refused to investigate, citing the difficulty of the task and possible political repercussions and saying the law was unclear on their responsibilities. In his ruling, Fabricius said that refusal was 'unlawful, inconsistent with the constitution, and therefore invalid.' The judge added that an investigation is in the interests of 'the victims of the torture who had been denied the opportunity to see justice done, and the general South African public who deserve to be served by a public administration that abides by its national and international obligations.'

Guinea opposition plans countrywide protests over poll delay

Guinean opposition leaders on Monday announced a national protest campaign beginning May 10, to demand talks with President Alpha Conde's government on the holding of delayed legislative elections. 'We have decided to express our frustration through marches and other demonstrations,' said Cellou Dalein Diallo, leader of the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea. He was speaking at a press conference by several opposition chiefs who announced that from Thursday the demonstrations would take place across the country until their demands are met. "According to the law we will inform the competent authorities in a timely fashion,' said Diallo. Another opposition figure, Sidya Toure, said: 'These protests and others, are to obtain frank discussions from Alpha Conde's regime that will allow us to prepare and organise legislative elections with the greatest transparency.' The previously delayed elections were again postponed in April, after being set down for July 8, as Conde said there were 'technical problems' that had not been resolved. Legislative elections were to be held under constitutional rules within six months of Conde's inauguration in December 2010. The European Union has warned that, without democratic elections, it will release no aid to the country. The opposition has, amongst others, demanded an audit of the electoral roll before the polls are held. The last legislative elections were held in June 2002 during the regime of president Lansana Conte who died in December 2008 after 24 years in power. A transitional council has served as a parliament since 2010 during the transition from military to civilian.

CIA Reportedly Thwarted New Al-Qaida Underwear Bomb Plot

The CIA thwarted a suicide plot by al-Qaida's affiliate in Yemen to bring down a U.S.-bound airliner near last week's one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death with an upgraded 'underwear bomb,' the Associated Press reported Monday. The White House quickly released a statement insisting 'the device did not pose a threat to the public.' 'We had no specific, credible information about active terrorist plots timed to coincide with the anniversary and reiterate that this device never represented a threat to the public,' a senior Obama aide told Yahoo News Monday on condition of anonymity. The AP, citing unnamed U.S. officials, said the CIA seized the explosive, an improved version of the weapon used in the failed Christmas 2009 plan to bring down a commercial airplane over Detroit. The device did not contain metal, making it likely that it could have eluded detection by traditional airport security. But it was unclear whether controversial new full-body scanners would have located it. The FBI is examining the bomb to see whether it would have been detected and whether it was powerful enough to bring down an airplane, the AP reported. The agency said the CIA seized the bomb before the bomber, whose fate was unclear, had chosen a target or bought a plane ticket. President Barack Obama first learned about the plot in April from his top counter-terrorism adviser at the White House, John Brennan, and was kept up-to-date as efforts to foil it unfolded, according to Deputy NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden. 'While the President was assured that the device did not pose a threat to the public, he directed the Department of Homeland Security and law enforcement and intelligence agencies to take whatever steps necessary to guard against this type of attack,' Hayden said in a statement. 'The disruption of this IED plot underscores the necessity of remaining vigilant against terrorism here and abroad. The President thanks all intelligence and counterterrorism professionals involved for their outstanding work and for serving with the extraordinary skill and commitment that their enormous responsibilities demand,' she said. The AP reported that the CIA acted even as the White House sought to reassure Americans as the one-year anniversary of the bin Laden raid loomed. 'We have no credible information that terrorist organizations, including al Qaeda, are plotting attacks in the U.S. to coincide with the anniversary of bin Laden's death,' Obama spokesman Jay Carney told reporters April 26. The FBI labeled the bomb an 'improvised explosive device' - a term often associated with roadside bombs used to attack American troops in Iraq or Afghanistan -and said it was 'conducting technical and forensics analysis on it.' 'The device is very similar to IEDs that have been used previously by al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula in attempted terrorist attacks, including against aircraft and for targeted assassinations,' the FBI said in a statement, referring to the arm of the terrorist network in Yemen. The Department of Homeland Security also weighed in, saying it had 'no specific, credible information regarding an active terrorist plot against the U.S. at this time, although we continue to monitor efforts by al-Qa'ida and its affiliates to carry out terrorist attacks, both in the Homeland and abroad.'

South Korea Seizes Capsules Containing Powdered Flesh Of Dead Babies

The South Korean government revealed Monday that it recently seized thousands of capsules filled with the powdered flesh of dead babies. Reportedly, some people believe the powder has medicinal purposes and was created in northeastern China. South Korea has reportedly been reluctant to criticize China directly over the incident, out of fears of creating diplomatic friction with the country. But the process by which the powder is allegedly created is one of the most disturbing stories imaginable. According to the Korea Customs Service, the bodies of dead babies are chopped into small pieces and dried on stoves before being turned into powder. The customs officials have refused to say exactly where the babies come from or who is responsible for making the capsules. China has already been in the spotlight over activist Chen Guangcheng, whose work involves protesting the government's sterilization and forced abortion policies. It was recently reported that China is working to 'soften' its one-child policy slogans, though not the actual policy itself. Last year, Chinese officials ordered an investigation into the manufacturing of drugs made from dead fetuses or newborn babies. Nonetheless, South Korean officials said in a statement they have discovered 35 smuggling attempts since last August, during which 17,450 capsules labeled as 'stamina boosters' were discovered. Rather than containing any inherent medicinal properties, the capsules are said to contain dangerous bacteria and other harmful, unspecified ingredients. Amazingly, none of the smugglers have been arrested in the various confiscations because the South Korean customs officials said the amounts of human flesh contained in the capsules were too small and were not intended for direct sale The smugglers claimed to have no knowledge of the human flesh content, saying they believed the capsules were ordinary stamina-boosting pills.

Kumasi: Police impound weapons on bus

Police in Kumasi have intercepted some weapons being smuggled aboard a Metro Mass bus en route to Tamale. According to Joy FM's Ashanti regional correspondent, Elton John Brobby, the impounded bus with registration number AS 6810 Z was traveling to Tamale from Osino in the Eastern region. According to Elton John, the driver of the vehicle said the bus stopped at the Ashanti regional office of the Metro Mass at Abrebo to refuel. He narrated that whiles refueling, some bus attendants at the local station decided to offload goods from the cargo compartment on the bus and they were prevented from doing so by some passengers aboard. This led to heated exchanges between the two parties. The bus attendants, suspecting foul play, forced and opened the said cargo and discovered some locally manufactured long range guns, and some machetes at the cargo section of the bus, Elton reported. The police were then called to the scene where they arrested about ten occupants of the bus who claimed ownership of the items and intercepted the bus as well. The suspects are being kept at the Ashanti Regional Headquarters. The suspects claimed that the guns numbering fifty could only be fired using gun powder and added they were used at a funeral they were returning from. The police however dismissed their claims and insisted they will have to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

Over 12million Registered for Biometric Voting

The 40 day nationwide Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise, on Saturday, May 5th, officially came to an end. Reports indicate that there was low turnout in the fourth and perhaps the last phase of the exercise at various polling stations in the country. Officials at the Electoral Commission (EC) say patronage was massive in general and the projected target of 12 million registered persons exceeded. The BVR exercise, recorded isolated cases of violence and controversy, especially in the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions. Also, within the first three phases, the EC detected over 8,000 double registrations with the Ashanti region as the highest spot for multiple registration followed by the Brong Ahafo region. “As at Monday, 30th April, we had detected a total of 8,121 double registrations and these were done by 2,864 individuals which means that some of these individuals may have registered three times, four times and probably more...The figures cut across some of the regions, in Western region we had 225 individuals who have done multiple registrations, in the Central region we had 318 individuals who have done double registration, in Greater Accra 335, in the Volta region 326, in the Eastern region we had 254 people. “In the Ashanti region we had 424 people who had done multiple registrations, in the Brong Ahafo 411 had done multiple registrations, in the Northern region 289, Upper East had 162 and the Upper West region had 120, that brings it to a total of 2,864 individuals who have done double or multiple registrations," the acting Director of Public Affairs at the EC, Christian Owusu Parry, told the media. For now, it is unclear if the EC will extend the registration process since there were reports of shortage of materials and faulty equipment in some areas across the country.

THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMY - Speech Delivered by: Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMY Speech Delivered by:
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
2012 NPP Vice-Presidential Candidate
At the: Ferdinand O. Ayim Memorial Lecture
May 2, 2012 Accra
Mr. Chairman, H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor, Former President of the Republic of Ghana H.E. Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Former Vice President of the Republic of Ghana Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Honourable Members of Parliament Chiefs and Traditional Leaders Members of the Diplomatic Corps Representatives of other Political Parties Members of the Media Distinguished Invited Guests Fellow Ghanaians Ladies and Gentlemen Good evening!
I would like to thank all of you for making the time from your busy schedules to be present at this year’s Ferdinand Ayim Memorial Lecture. This is my first major public statement since being selected by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (with the support of the National Council of the NPP) as his running mate for the December 2012 Presidential elections. I want to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude and appreciation to Nana Akufo-Addo for the honour of reaching out again to select me to serve as his running mate, and Insha-Allah, as the Vice-President of the Republic, under an Akufo-Addo presidency. Mr. Chairman, I believe that in selecting me as his running mate, Nana Akufo Addo is sending a message to the nation about his vision for the economic transformation of this country.
I was privileged to have served this country in my capacity as a technocrat and Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana between 2000 and 2008. During this period, I was privileged to be part of a dynamic team of patriotic Ghanaians that implemented policies and economic reforms that succeeded in moving Ghana from a HIPC country to a lower middle income country in 8 years! You would recall that under the Vision 2020 agenda, Ghana was supposed to achieve middle income status by the year 2020. Initially the NPP directed its efforts at Ghana achieving middle income status by 2015. The fact that Ghana was able to do this after 8 years of NPP governance and economic management was truly remarkable and a credit to the leadership of H.E. John Agyekum Kufour, policies, commitment and focus of the team, and the hard work of all Ghanaians. I would like to use this occasion to assure Ghanaians that economic transformation through dynamic and innovative economic management has been done before and I believe it can be done again under the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. And I am fully committed to Akufo-Addo’s agenda and vision for the economic transformation of Ghana. The selection of me, a Muslim from the north, to partner he a Christian from the South also a message to the nation on the need for unity and to build bridges to each other and to the future. We are one people. We should not allow anybody or group of people to tear us apart. We should all recognize that notwithstanding our differences, Ghana remains a shining example in this world of a country where people live in harmony notwithstanding our ethnic, cultural or religious differences. I believe that an opportunity to serve Ghana should not be turned into an opportunity to serve oneself or one’s family, friends or your tribe. It is an opportunity and a privilege to serve all of Ghana, regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, education, income, etc. It is an opportunity to make Ghana better for all! Not a Better Ghana for a privileged few. This is what Nana Akufo-Addo means by building a society of opportunities and aspirations in Ghana and I am privileged well-connected to partner him to serve Ghana if our party is given the mandate, Insha Allah.
When I was asked by the Trustees of the Ferdinand O. Ayim Foundation to deliver this Lecture on any subject of my choice, I found it appropriate to focus on a topic that is on the mind of many Ghanaians: “What is the real state of our economy?” In subsequent speeches during this campaign, I will have the opportunity to focus on Nana Akufo-Addo’s vision and the specific
programmes and policies of the NPP to deliver this vision, Mr. Chairman, to be able to do anything substantial about the economy, you need to know what the real state of the economy is, and to understand the state of Ghana’s economy today, we first have to understand where we are coming from, where we are and where we ought to be going.
Where are we coming from? Mr. Chairman, for the most part since independence, Ghana’s economy has been characterized by long periods of high and volatile inflation and macroeconomic instability which has reflected in high and variable interest rates and significant exchange rate volatility and depreciation. The excessive fiscal expansion in the run-up to the 2000 Presidential and Parliamentary elections tipped our economy into a cycle of inflation and currency depreciation, and this coincided with a sharp deterioration in the commodity terms of trade (i.e. the price of our exports versus the price of our imports). In the short span of one year ending December 2000, the cedi, lost 50 percent of its value vis-à-vis the US dollar. The country’s gross international reserves were so depleted that it could not cover a month’s imports, and external payments arrears were building up. Headline inflation was running at 41 percent; the fiscal deficit had increased from some 6.0 percent of GDP in 1999 to 9.0 percent of GDP. Economic growth also declined significantly to 3.7% by 2000. The debt burden of the economy increased dramatically during the structural adjustment period, with external debt as a proportion of our income (GDP) rising from 27 percent in 1984 to 103 percent by 1994 and rose further to 158 percent by 2000. The country was having difficulty servicing its debts. Ghana had become a highly indebted poor country (HIPC).
It was against this background that the New Patriotic Party (NPP), under the able leadership of President John Agyekum Kufuor opted to take advantage of the debt relief available under the IMF/World Bank’s Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative in March 2001. The HIPC initiative provided Ghana with debt relief of close to $4 billion. At the time Ghana’s external debt was $6.1 billion. The period between 2001 and 2008 saw the implementation of a remarkable number of structural reforms, policies and reforms that laid the foundation for a major expansion in economic activity, access to credit, and macroeconomic stability.
Many concrete policies were implemented to make sure that the private sector was enabled to drive growth and social safety nets were put in place to protect the poor and vulnerable in society. In the financial sector, the NPP also implemented a strategy aimed at repositioning Ghana as an International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) within the sub-region. The accomplishments were significant and included the following programs, policies, and interventions: 1 ? National Youth Employment Program 15 ? Millenium Challenge Account 2 ? National Health Insurance Scheme 16 ? Single Spine Salary System 3 ? School Feeding Programme 17 ? Automating Fast Track Courts 4 ? Capitation Grant 18 ? Creating Commercial Courts 5 ? Free Maternal Care 19 ? Expansion of Energy Capacity -e.g Bui Dam 6 ? Metro Mass Transport 20 ? Reforcusing of GNPC's Mandate - Oil Discovery 7 ? Free Metro Mass Ride for children 21 ? Stadia - Tamale, Sekondi, Kumasi Accra, Cape Coast 8 ? Cocoa sector policies 22 ? Water Supply and Roads Infrastructure 9 ? Repeal of the Criminal Libel Law 23 ? Debt Relief from the HIPC Initiative 10 ? Public Procurement Act 24 ? Bank of Ghana Act 2002 11 ? Whistle Blower Act 25 ? Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) process - 12 ? Internal Audit Act 26 ? Universal Banking 13 ? National Identification Authority 27 ? MASLOC 14 ? Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) 28 ? Schools, Universities; Hospitals and Clinics Policy Reforms & Interventions (2001- 2008) 6 29 ? Abolishing Secondary Reserve Requirements 30 ? Banking Act 2004 43 ? Non-Bank Financial Institutions Act 2008 31 ? Banking Amendment Act 2007 – Offshore Banking 44 ? Central Securities Depository Act 2007 32 ? Long Term Savings Act 2004 45 ? Insurance Act 2006 (Act 724) 33 ? Venture Capital Trust Fund Act 2004 46 ? National Pensions Act 2008 34 ? Payment System Act, 2003 47 ? Treasury Single Account 35 ? Foreign Exchange Act 2006 48 o ARB Apex Regulations 2006 (L.I. 1825) 36 ? Anti-Money Laundering Act 2008 49 o Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) 37 ? Credit Reporting Act 2008 50 o Central Securities Depository (CSD) 38 ? Licensing of first Credit Reference Bureau 51 o Automated Clearing House (ACH) 39 ? Establishment of a Collateral Registry 52 o Cheque Codeline Clearing (CCC) 40 ? Borrowers and Lenders Act 2008 53 o National payment system - (ezwich) 41 ? Insolvency Act, 2003 54 ? Redenomination of the Currency 42 ? Home Finance Act 2008 55 ? Increase in minimum capital requirements Policy Reforms & Interventions (2001- 2008) continued This is a phenomenal record of reform. The wide ranging reforms that were implemented in the 2001-2008 period resulted in a major economic recovery with macroeconomic stability and significant deepening of the financial sector. I would like to note that: ? Between 2000 and 2008, without oil, economic growth increased from 3.7% to 8.4%. In the process, the size of Ghana’s economy increased from some $5.1 billion to $28.5 billion, a six-fold increase (see graph below), Now that is what can be described as unprecedented! Even in the face of a global economic and financial crisis in 2007/8 (with oil prices reaching a record high of $147/barrel) economic growth in 2008 rose to 8.4%. 7 ? In that crisis year (2008) the agriculture, industry and service sectors registered 7.4%, 15.1% and 8.0% respectively (without oil). ? Average Income per person (GDP per capita) was increased from $370 in 2000 to over $1000 by 2008 ? The government budget deficit as a percentage of our total income (GDP), was reduced from 9% in 2000 to 1.9% in 2005, but subsequently increased to 4.8% in 2006, 4.9% in 2007 and 6.5% in 2008 in the face of the synchronized global financial crisis and commodity price shocks. Note, Ghana’s fiscal deficit as a percentage of our total income (GDP) in 2008 was 6.5% - not 14.5%. In that same year, the fiscal deficit in Botswana was 15%, 8.5% in Japan, and 7.1% in the United Kingdom. 8 ? Single digit inflation was obtained in April and May of 2006 but as a result of the global financial and economic crisis and increased government expenditure on wages and infrastructure especially, inflation increased to 18.1 % by the end of 2008, compared to 40.5% in 2000. ? Total Debt was reduced from an unsustainable 189% of of our total income (GDP) in 2000 to 29% by 2008. ? Bank deposits/GDP reached a record level 36.0 percent by 2008 compared with 16% in 2000. Private Sector Credit/GDP increased significantly from 14.0 per cent in 2000 to 30.0 percent by 2008. I probably do not need to remind anybody that Banks were chasing customers to offer loans during this period. ? Average Bank lending rates were reduced from some 44% to 27.3% by 2008. ? The Exchange rate was largely stabilized in the 2001-2008 period, even though it came under pressure during the crisis year of 2008. Nonetheless, for the 8 year period between 2001 and 2008, the total exchange rate depreciation of the cedi was 43%, moving from GHC 0.688 at the end of 2000 to GGHC1.10 at the end of 2008. ? Poverty declined from some 40% of the population to 28% by 2008 along with significant increases in access to healthcare and education enrollment. Mr. Chairman, what is undeniable is that Ghana was transformed during the period of the NPP’s tenure (2001-2008) from a low income HIPC economy to a lower middle income economy on the frontiers of emerging market status. In this regard I am very amused when I hear our political opponents on the NDC side try to argue that they would like to compare the first three years of the this government with the first three years of the NPP. How can one even suggest such a comparison? By analogy if you hand over to me an inefficient Tico car and a few years later I work hard to buy an efficient Mass Transit vehicle, which I then hand over to you, how can you turn around to say that you want to compare the performance of the efficient Mass Transit vehicle with that of the Tico you originally handed over to me? The NDC inherited a very different economy from the NPP. The raft of reforms, including the single spine salary system 9 which we will implement fully as designed, an inflation targeting monetary policy framework, etc moved the economy from low income to lower middle income status. In comparison, what are the new policy initiatives implemented by this government since 2009? Unfortunately, as I am about to point out, the efficient Mass Transit Vehicle the NPP handed over is breaking down slowly and the earlier we take it back the better. So where are we today? Mr. Chairman, the worst form of financial crisis to have hit the global economy since the great depression of the 1930s is largely over and the global economy is on a path to recovery. This is particularly strong in the emerging market economies and the developing world. Crude oil prices have fallen significantly below the July 2008 highs of $147/barrel while the prices of other primary commodities like gold and cocoa have increased. Ghana has been particularly lucky in this regard. Ghana has benefited from the following developments on the resource and external front since 2009: ? The discovery of oil (in commercial quantities) by the Kufuor Administration in 2007 has boosted Ghana’s economic growth significantly, as reflected in our recent real GDP growth data, indicating that real GDP growth has increased from 8.4% in 2008 (without oil) to 14.4% in 2011 following the onset of oil production. 10 ? Oil prices (for which Ghana is now an exporter) increased by 13% between 2009 and 2011. ? Gold prices are around the highest in our history. On average gold prices increased from US$652/fine ounce (between 2005 and 2008) to US$1240/fine ounce between 2009 and 2011. An increase of 90%! ? Cocoa prices are also at an all-time high. Increasing from GBP1032/tonne between 2005 and 2008 to GBP1987/tonne between 2009 and 2011. An increase of some 93%. ? Ghana’s core terms of trade (i.e. the price of our main exports versus the price of our main imports) has therefore seen an improvement of some 73.0 percent between 2009 and 2011. Ladies and Gentlemen, this Government inherited oil, and at the same time cocoa and gold prices have virtually doubled in the last three years. It has also borrowed so much money on our behalf and in the process has more than doubled Ghana’s total public debt (I would say more on this shortly). With this set of economic opportunities, Ghanaians should as a matter of right expect a much better Ghana. But what are we experiencing today? Mr. Chairman, the supposedly rosy picture painted by an oil driven GDP growth rate in 2011 masks some worrying underlying developments in the real sector of the economy. 11 With all the favorable resource and external sector developments, GDP growth for 2011 (excluding oil) is actually 8.7 percent. This is not much different from the 8.4% growth achieved in 2008 in the face of a severe global financial crisis and without oil. The performance of the agriculture sector since 2009 is very worrying because of its importance in our economy and in particular the number of livelihoods that depend on this sector. The data shows that rather than expanding, the agriculture sector of the economy has seen steadily declining growth from 7.4% in 2008 to 0.8% by 2011. 12 Excluding cocoa, crop production has registered less than 2.0 growth in the last two years, while the fisheries sector has also seen a significant decline in growth from 17.4% in 2008 to -8.7% in 2011. The growth in the fisheries sector is now negative! Industry growth (excluding oil) has not fared much better, with a decline from 15.1% in 2008 to 4.5% in 2009, 6.9% in 2010 and 14.1% in 2011. Electricity and construction sector growth have slowed down. The growth in electricity production has slowed down from 19.4% in 2008 to - 0.8% in 2011. 13 Growth in the construction sector has also slowed down from 39.0 percent in 2008 to 2.5% by 2010, and increased to 20% by 2011. Services sector growth has also remained relatively static, marginally improving from 8.0% in 2008 to 8.3% by 2011. Persistent electricity blackouts, water and gas shortages have also increased the cost of doing business. There has also not been a policy framework targeted at supporting the private sector to become competitive globally. What is clear from the performance of the real sector since 2008 is that growth rates in agriculture (where most people depend on for their livelihood) and industry have declined. The question that we should ask as Ghanaians is why aren’t these sectors growing at much faster rates than they were when we had no oil and following the significant increase in cocoa and gold prices? How are we going to create jobs when critical sectors of the economy like agriculture are not growing? At yesterday’s May Day celebrations, the Secretary General of the TUC bemoaned the fact that Ghana appeared to have a booming economy that is not creating jobs to address the major challenge of unemployment in general and youth unemployment in particular. Well, it is clear from the evidence so far that in fact, the economy is not booming outside of the oil sector but rather what we are seeing is declining growth in the agriculture and industry. The jobless growth we are seeing in Ghana under this government is therefore not a mystery. You cannot create jobs when critical sectors are significantly declining. 14 Single Digit Inflation Mr. Chairman, I would now like to turn my attention to the issue of inflation in Ghana. All countries would prefer to have a low and stable inflation in the context of economic growth and job creation. This is because inflation represents a fall in the value of money. It is a tax on the poor and makes it difficult for businesses and investors to plan. Inflation results in an increase in interest rates as lenders seek to protect the value of their money and also results in exchange rate depreciation. Under these circumstances inflation tends to hamper sustained growth and job creation. It is for this reason that governments and economic managers set their eyes to reduce inflation to low single digits because it would inter alia: ? reduce the cost of living ? reduce interest rates ? stabilize the exchange rate Low and stable inflation is only meaningful if it can translate into these tangible benefits for our people. The prevalence of these conditions would in turn, reduce the cost of doing business, reduce uncertainty, increase private sector investment, and enhance economic growth and job creation. Mr. Chairman, on the issue of inflation in Ghana, official statistics indicate that inflation has been reduced from 18.1% in 2008 to 8.8% in March 2012. By the way, this is not the first time in our history that we have had inflation in single digits. In 1958 for example inflation was zero, and we also had single digit inflation between 1959 and 1963 (a four year period!) under Kwame Nkrumah. Single-digit inflation was also attained between 1970 and 1971 under K.A. Busia, as well as in 1992 under J.J. Rawlings and 2006 under J.A. Kufuor. There is therefore nothing unprecedented about achieving single digit inflation in Ghana. 15 The key question that is on the minds of many Ghanaians is: “Do we really have single-digit inflation in Ghana today?” While I do not want to argue with or question the integrity of our hard working officials at the Ghana Statistical Service who do a good job under very difficult circumstances, and should indeed be resourced (and given more independence) to do the work they do, I will like to state that the available evidence indicates that statistically reported single digit inflation is not consistent with the economic fundamentals and developments in some key economic indicators relating to the cost of living, interest rates and exchange rates. It could be a measurement issue, but the established relationships between inflation and key economic variables appear to have gone missing for now. Inflation and the Cost of Living Mr. Chairman, we do not seek to achieve single digit inflation just for the sake of beautiful statistics. The statistic must have meaning in people’s lives. Unfortunately, most people in Ghana cannot relate to the talk about single digit inflation when they get to the market. I was in Malata market last week and it is clear that prices are increasing at a faster rate than what the official statistics may be capturing. A few examples will suffice: In the last three years the following price increases have taken place: 16 Commodity End 2008 Price (GHC) April 2012 Price (GHC) % Change Pure Water 0.03 0.10 233 Cement 8.5 17 100 Gari Olonka 1 2.8 180 Ideal Milk 0.6 1.5 150 Maize (I bag) 20 150 650 Rice (I bag) 33 95 187 It is clear that the cost of living as measured by the prices of these items and others such as petroleum products, school fees, road tolls, and electricity bills, has increased by triple digits! I should add that these price changes do not necessarily mean that single digit inflation is not possible. It would depend on what is being measured and over what period. What we see of price increases for basic commodities in our markets over the last year is that they are increasingly volatile and definitely at rates beyond single digits. In Bolgatanga market for example, the price of a bag of maize between 2011 and 2012 has increased by over 60%. Mr. Chairman, How many Ghanaians have seen a single digit increase in the prices of what they normally buy in the markets and shops over the past year? I can testify that if you try to give your spouse a single digit increase in chop money, she would not be amused. What is interesting is the claim that Ghana’s recent single-digit inflation is being driven by food prices. 17 It is rather curious that in the face of declining growth in crop production and increased demand for food (including the demand for buffer stocks), statistically recorded food price inflation continues to decline. Just last week Ghana received food aid from Japan of 17000 tonnes of rice to augment our shortfall in domestic rice production. Is the decline in food price inflation therefore coming from certain imported foods that do not respond to exchange rate depreciation or is it food aid? Something does not add up. Most Ghanaians would attest to the fact that life in Ghana has gotten harder and harder over the last three years. Single digit inflation has not reflected in a reduction in the cost of living and in this regard has been rendered practically meaningless. Ghanaians are in fact, experiencing triple digit “inflation” in our pain and suffering. Single-Digit Inflation and Interest Rates Ladies and Gentlemen, as I have noted, one area in which the attainment of reduced inflation to single-digit levels should reflect is reduced bank interest rates for loans. Between 2001 and 2008 for example, inflation was cut by more than half from 40.5% to 18.1%. In the process, 18 average bank lending rates were reduced by almost half (from 44% to 27%) by 2008, a reduction of 17 percentage points. Between 2009 and 2011, inflation has also been cut in half from 18.1% to some 8.8% currently. Average bank lending rates have however only declined marginally from 27% in 2008 to 26% currently, a reduction of 1 percentage point. Why the missing link now? Why have interest rates become suddenly so sticky downwards? Could it be that banks, like the suppliers of goods in Malata market have not quite bought into single digit inflation pricing? The financial services market (like our traders in Makola and Malata) appear oblivious to the fact that we have single-digit inflation prevailing in the economy. So where are we collecting our price data for the computation of inflation? Which markets are we visiting? Single-Digit Inflation and the Exchange Rate Mr. Chairman, the exchange rate is a measure of the relative price of goods between two countries. In this regard movements in prices tend to reflect in exchange rate movements, with room for short term deviations. Simply put higher inflation in one country results in the depreciation of its currency. Low and stable inflation tends to result in exchange rate stability. This relationship has held in the case of Ghana for many years. 19 What the chart above shows is the observed relationship between inflation and exchange rates. What we are however seeing is that there is a sudden break in this relationship under this government. The exchange rate is rapidly depreciating while inflation is in single digits and stable. Ladies and Gentlemen, something does not add up. The rapid exchange rate depreciation observed suggests that inflation could be higher than what is being captured by the official data. Mr. Chairman, it is clear that when it comes to established relationships between the cost of living, interest rates and exchange rates, the single digit inflation in Ghana is not consistent with what we expect to see. If single digit inflation is meaningless for cost of living, interest rates, exchange rates, and jobs, what is it for? To put it another way, if single digit inflation does not help with respect to the prices of the things you buy, the cost of borrowing money for your business, the value of the cedi to the dollar, or help the youth to get jobs, then what is the point? I would however leave the judgment on whether we actually have single digit inflation to Ghanaians who shop in our markets every day. Nevertheless I think it is time for Ghana to have a truly independent and well-resourced statistical service. 20 Fiscal Developments and Public Debt Mr. Chairman in the area of fiscal policy and public debt, the assessment of the prudence of fiscal management of our economy needs to be placed in context. First, it should be noted that Ghana’s GDP was retrospectively rebased from 2006. In simple terms, this resulted in a 60% increase in statistically recorded GDP from 2006. It should however be noted that the rebasing of Ghana’s GDP that has taken place is purely statistical. Statistically increasing Ghana’s GDP from 2006 by 60% was not accompanied by an increase in Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves or cash flows by 60%. That money was assumed to have been already reflecting in our cash flows prior to the rebasing. Nonetheless the rebasing makes our debt/GDP as well as our deficit/GDP numbers look better. The rebasing of our GDP, along with the discovery of oil and increases in cocoa and gold prices have together relaxed the borrowing and foreign exchange constraints that have historically faced the Ghanaian economy. In this regard, policy makers if not cognizant or prudent can be tempted to increase government borrowing significantly without an accompanying increase in the liquidity and capacity to service such borrowing. Should this happen, as it appears to have, it will place pressures on the country’s foreign exchange reserves and would likely lead to a depreciation of the currency. With regards to government finances, we recall that at the end of 2008, as a result of the global financial crisis the government budget deficit to GDP ratio stood at 6.5% (after the rebasing of GDP) or 11.2% (before the rebasing of GDP). This outcome was described by the NDC as bad fiscal management. By 2010, with improved external economic conditions, after claiming that the economic fundamentals had been restored, the government budget deficit to GDP ratio stood at 6.5% (after the rebasing of GDP) or 11.7% (before the rebasing of GDP), slightly higher than it was in 2008). So where was the improved fiscal performance? Or as we say in Ghana, did we come or did we go? 21 If the fiscal management of the economy during the period of a global financial crisis to register a deficit/GDP ratio (before rebasing) of 6.5% was described as bad fiscal management, how would you describe a 6.5% deficit/GDP ratio in a period of favorable economic conditions? At the end of 2011, with the help of oil, the ratio has declined to 4% of GDP. What is clear however is that notwithstanding the claims of unprecedented achievements, there has not been a significant fiscal adjustment since 2008. Even with oil, our economy has not performed better than the levels of fiscal adjustment registered in the years 2003-2007. Mr. Chairman, the rate of growth of public debt is a matter of concern. Ghana’s total external debt has increased from $3.9 billion in 2008 to $7.1 billion by 2011, an increase of 82%. This does not include the $3 billion loan being contracted from the China Development Bank and others in the pipeline. Ghana’s total public debt has increased from GHC 9.6bn in 2008 to GHC25.3 billion as at 2011 (an increase of 164% in just three years)! 22 What is mindboggling is that even after adjusting for HIPC debt relief, the stock of public debt that has been accumulated over the last three years alone is higher than the total stock of public debt accumulated by all other governments since independence through to 2008! I repeat that this government has borrowed more in 3 years than the total stock of public debt on our books in 52 years! But for the rebasing of the GDP, Ghana’s debt burden would have currently been above the 60% of GDP level deemed to be unsustainable. The debt stock, with a significant 23 proportion of 3-year bonds patronized by foreign investors, has to be serviced and this places additional pressures on the exchange rate. The question is “What has all this borrowed money been used for?” I suppose that is what can be described as a gargantuan question. Shouldn’t we be seeing tangible evidence of this money all over the country? This is especially so when one considers that the increased economic opportunities in terms of oil, cocoa and gold prices as well as heavy borrowing has not resulted in an improvement in health or education. Mr. Chairman, we are seeing a weakening of the social safety nets that were provided to protect the poor and vulnerable in society. Key amongst these is the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Currently the NHIS is in a state of disrepair and at the verge of collapse. In campaigning for power, the current government promised a one-time premium but this we believe will further compound the current financial weakness of the scheme. The situation on the ground today indicates a virtual return to the “cash and carry” system which was replaced by the NHIS. Many Ghanaians registered under the NHIS are compelled to pay for simple medical procedures. There are countless complaints: of prescriptions not getting filled; diagnostic tests not done; discrimination by service providers who tend to favor cash-paying patients, defeating the very purpose of the NHIS. In the area of education, the current policy enacted by the government emphasizes on hastening the completion process instead of marrying an increase in intake with quality. As a result, numerous challenges that the education reforms of 2007 sought to remedy have resurfaced or have been aggravated. These include: ? 180,000 poorly educated youngsters are thrown onto the streets with no employable skills. In 2011, 372,836 candidates took the BECE and barely 50% went on to SHS. ? 64% of those who do not gain admission into second cycle schools, can neither read nor write. They are functionally illiterate, with substandard numeracy, literacy and life skills ? The dropout rate is rising in some parts of the country (e.g. in the northern regions) and gender parity, mainly in the North ? Our tertiary institutions are plagued with infrastructure constraints, falling standards, and many graduates are faced with unemployment. In fact, in what is truly unprecedented, 24 we have seen the formation in our country of a Graduate Unemployed Association in Ghana for the first time in our history. Corruption Mr. Chairman, what is increasingly clear is that corruption in Ghana is on the increase, as documented by the worsening performance in the Corruption Perception Index published by Transparency International. The overpricing of supplies contracts in areas such as health, education, infrastructure, etc. as well as judgment debts paid for work not done is a major area of concern. Government is not getting value for money and is paying monies for no work done. The increasing resort to single-source procurement compromises the transparency of the procurement process. When monies are paid for no work done, as is the case of some judgment debts, it creates a liquidity overhang (i.e. too much money relative to output), which finds its way into prices and ultimately results in the depreciation of the cedi. It is also costly to the country in terms of the work that could have been done. You would recall for example that some banks in this country are struggling to meet the Bank of Ghana’s capital requirement of GHC 60 million. Some are in merger talks to meet this requirement. Some of the judgment debts paid for no work done could have set up two or more fully capitalized banks to provide support to the small and medium scale enterprises for example. In the case of two such payments of such judgment debts, the total amount could easily have constructed 750 six-unit class room blocks even at the currently inflated prices or 1500 six-unit class room blocks at more realistic prices. These payments were also more than the total amount of money (excluding wages) allocated to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health combined (i.e. GHC 96 million) in the 2012 budget. Exchange Rate Depreciation Mr. Chairman, the Ghana cedi is currently in free fall and depreciating virtually on a daily basis. The Ghana cedi has obtained the dubious distinction of being the weakest performing currency in Africa at this point in time. Interestingly, the NDC Green Book claims exchange rate stability as one of its unprecedented achievements! 25 In an open economy such as ours with market determination of prices, exchange rate movement is probably the most important indicator of underlying macroeconomic fundamentals. As the saying goes, Ladies and Gentlemen: “When in doubt, observe the exchange rate”. The lesson from history for governments is that you cannot manage the economy with propaganda. In fact, you can engage in all the propaganda you want but if the macroeconomic fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you. The current rapid depreciation of the cedi is a sign that the fiscal/monetary policy stance is inappropriate. It is in fact likely that fiscal policy is more expansionary than it appears (factoring in the rebasing) or monetary policy is not as tight. Monetary policy decisions over the last year for example have been based on the assumption of single digit inflation as reported by the Statistical Service. If, as I have argued, this may not actually be the case, then it would mean that monetary policy could have been based on the wrong information, which resulted in a premature reduction of interest rates. This made cedi-denominated assets less attractive and encouraged the holding of foreign currency. Unfortunately, rather than tackling the fundamental causes of exchange rate depreciation, there is an attempt to blame speculators for the rapid exchange rate depreciation we are seeing. With all due respect, this is not a good explanation. Where have the speculators always been? Were the speculators also responsible for the depreciation observed for 1997-2000? Why did the 26 speculators disappear between 2001-2008? Why are the speculators suddenly back in 2012? Unfortunately, a wrong diagnosis of the underlying reason for exchange rate depreciation would result in policy errors that could worsen the rate of depreciation. The type of free fall that we are seeing with the cedi exchange rate is a vote of no confidence by market players in the management of the economy. Indeed many market players are pricing goods currently with the expectation that the rate of the cedi to the dollar will reach GHC 2:1 soon. The scary part of this is that we are only just past the first quarter and we have three more quarters to go and the situation could therefore get much worse. This is not fair to the private sector, and to Ghanaians as a whole. 27 This depreciation of the cedi is occurring notwithstanding generally favourable external sector conditions. It is clear that during the period of the NPP’s management of the economy the depreciation of the exchange rate was the smallest even though the external shocks were the largest. This demonstrates that the economic fundamentals have been weaker during the period the NDC has been in charge of economic management and small shocks (positive or negative) can easily destabilize the economy. Mr. Chairman, what is amazing about the state of our economy is that notwithstanding the economic boom in the last three years Ghana’s gross international reserves are currently not sufficient to cover three months of imports! 28 Yes ladies and gentlemen, this is the story that is not being told. If imports in 2012 are going to increase at the pace they have in the first quarter of 2012 (19.3%) then our gross international reserves can presently cover only 2.4 months of imports! Unfortunately the Bank of Ghana has not released this statistic for some time now as has been the case previously. It is amusing that the NDC again claims in their Green Book of achievements that it has accumulated an unprecedented amount of Gross International Reserves when they know or should know that this does not amount to scratch as far as import cover (which is what matters) is concerned. Ladies and Gentlemen, the decline in our import cover of our Gross International Reserves further explains why the cedi exchange rate is currently at an 18 year low. Indeed, given the underlying weak fundamentals of our economy, the current rapid depreciation of the cedi should not come as a surprise to anyone. However, for many, it would come as a surprise because the government has continually touted major achievements not based in fact. As I have said, economic management is very much about influencing expectations of the market. Credibility and transparency are therefore key to success. You cannot manage an economy by propaganda. You cannot claim to have created 1.6 million jobs and your Minister for Employment would say he cannot vouch for that. You cannot ask government officials that when they see a small goat, they are supposed to tell us that it is a big fat cow! and expect the markets to consider you credible. You cannot claim that all the gold reserves in the Bank of Ghana have disappeared and expect the markets to consider you as credible. Today, we have a Green Book touting “unprecedented” achievements! 29 Hyperbole has its place but certainly does not belong in the realm of economic management. The best response Ghanaians can give to the Green book is to show the NDC a red card in the December 2012 elections. Ghanaians Deserve Better! Moving Forward Mr. Chairman, moving forward, we have to ask ourselves some tough questions. Why is it that after 55 years of independence we are still struggling with the provision of basic services like water and sanitation and power to our citizens? These are problems many other countries resolved hundreds of years ago. For example, two-thirds of the main water pipes that serve the city of London (UK) today were put in place over 100 years ago! The technology is not a secret and we have abundant resources. So why are we not outraged by this state of affairs? Why is this not the focus of our politics? What other countries have done, we should be able to do. It is a shame that in the 21st century many people in our capital city (let alone the other towns and villages) do not have access to water and toilet facilities. There really is no excuse for this. It is a problem that must be SOLVED without further delay! We have to do it ourselves. No one is going to do it for us. God has given Ghana all the natural resources we need. It is now time to apply our ingenuity, innovation, attitude, vision, integrity, discipline, self-reliance, honesty, transparency and a scientific approach to resolving our problems. We have the SOLUTIONS to our own problems, Together, we can change this country for the benefit of all. Mr. Chairman, there is therefore a need for a paradigm shift because we cannot continue doing things the same way and expect different results. The paradigm shift that Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP are seeking the mandate of Ghanaians to implement is one of focusing on SOLUTIONS and RESULTS underpinned by a mindset change and the inculcation of a can-do spirit in Ghanaians. In moving to this new paradigm it is important that we understand that in the context of a global economy, our competition (as team Ghana) is with other countries and not primarily with each other. Our competition is China, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, Brazil, India, Singapore, South Korea, the United States, etc. Our businessmen and women, our contractors, our teachers, nurses, engineers, etc. are our players on the field of international competition. They 30 are our Black Stars. We should support them and provide them opportunities regardless of which party they may happen to support. While we engage in healthy political competition as part of our democratic process, we should always remember that ultimately our competition is not with each other. It is with other countries in the global economic space. We have to plan long term and be prepared to take long term decisions for the benefit of Ghana and not decisions driven by short term political advantage. We should be prepared to tap into the talents of Ghanaians within and outside Ghana regardless of political affiliation for the economic transformation of Ghana. We have to build a country in which none will be denied the opportunities for maximizing his or her God-given potential. A Ghana where access to quality healthcare and education shall no longer be a luxury for the privileged few, but a right for every citizen. A Ghana where every young person desirous of working will find the skills and employment with a decent wage. A Ghana where we do not only build a future for our youth, but also build our youth for the future. A Ghana where our hard-working entrepreneurs can easily access capital. A Ghana where our young people will be well-educated and empowered to better compete in the global economy. A Ghana where each will be his brother’s keeper. A Ghana where the elderly will spend their last years in dignity. A Ghana where our flourishing wave of freedom of expression will be guarded, respected and deepened. And, a Ghana where the safety and security of every individual and community are well assured. This Ghana that we all desire for ourselves and for our children’s future, can only be attained when we guard the freedoms that enable us to unleash our potentials, and manage our resources with competence and integrity. This is the Ghana that the NPP has on offer under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo. With hard work and the support of Ghanaians, I believe we can achieve this and move Ghana forward together. Thank you for your attention.

Life is a big puzzle indeed!

It takes a very intelligent and wise person to say that he does not know. Life is a big puzzle indeed! It takes some guidance and I wish the young ones behind see that. I have found in life when I open my mind and say that I don't know, solutions eventually come! I don't know if you have read my most painful statement in my life, that I am giving up on Ghana. My house and Flats are on the market for sale as shown below. I was not blessed with a stable job, perhaps part of my lessons in life, and I put all my life savings into building Real Estate in Ghana for my retirement, with a Main House, offices and rental units for income; but I can't live in Ghana under the current living conditions after all that investment for Power Generators, Water Tanks and Reservoirs, etc, etc. I get too frustrated! Every time I am in Ghana I am fighting the system! In 2010 I carried a bag full of rotten food from my fridge to the EC Manager and Joy-FM heard about it – it became big news. I am or shall we say prefer to be a very private person and enjoy that if you know me. I prefer to walk around in blue jeans and slippers without anybody recognizing me! To be honest with you, and not endorsing his style, I understand what Kwabena Kennedy Agyapong said,, the man did not really imply what he said! I have a lot of experience dealing with people and I know men who are serious. What Kennedy said was not serious,, but an expression of frustration as a Member of Parliament who is perhaps rich and owns a TV and Radio stations but not listened to when he uncovers fraud in the system and abuse. Mike, for the young men in Ghana one of the core reasons we have not had a war is the elections! They look forward to it! As such, it is better to do what you are afraid of: ' Turning the anger into a 'No' vote for the government or becoming apathetic?' Trust me it is far better for a young man to put his anger into a vote to change officials of government – than get into more violence, such as beating their women or drugs and violent crimes as we see in America! I am not sure if you have read Courage in the past making statements like he is prepared to die! I have been providing some free Counseling to him behind the scene,, and I sincerely admire him and the life he went through. He completed St.7 and became a Drivers mate – remember the old bone-shaker mate in the village? Yes! Of all the young men who did not even get a chance to go to Secondary School, he is the smartest I have met, very articulate, can write very good English, express himself well, and taught himself to use the Computer and worked for an Internet Café and acting as Private Investigator also. He married a British white woman and they even came to my office in East Legon in 2010. Like everybody else he had a few problems that I was advising him on,, but that is private matter. He wanted to stand as Assemblyman in his area, and later even as MP. Personally if things had gone the way planned, he is a person whose talents one can invest in. If you ask my proposed solution to the Quagmire, I'd say it is Decentralization! Human beings work closer to their own people in towns and villages and democracy works that way, from the bottom up! This has nothing with tribes but mere proximity to their own needs. The American success story in the last 250 or so years from the jungles of North America is the best example! Look at these people we are here with. They have no King and no Chiefs! And yet every town has their elected Mayor and city council and every one of them have a budget, Police force, Library and School district, underground sewage and sidewalks for walking and bicycles, and decent roads linked to State and Interstate National Highways! It is an incredible experiment and others do not realize the secret!! I have offered to help' but waiting for the opportunity. I have a model budget and programs even done. VP John Mahama's brother is a transportation Engineer here, a friend, and ask if he has ever been called to offer any advice! Tweaaaa!! These people! Once people elect their own Mayor and pay their taxes, and pay for their own police, teachers, and City Councilmen and women, you will see the responsiveness. Trust that I won't mind paying say $100, $200, per year or more to my village as my contribution even though I don’t live there,, just to help. Most of you would pay also. I know Kwame Nkrumah tried to blend all of us into one, which is a good idea and he did not name the districts and regions according to tribal names (except Ashanti). What he made a mistake on was not allowing each town, district and Region to elect their own City/town council and executive members, in addition to the MP who came to live in Accra. In the mean time he disabled the Chiefs, and so now we have people living in Abetifi, rich folks building houses I cannot afford in America and waiting for water from Atta Mills or Kufuor! It is the greatest nonsense in the world!! These people are not assessed any property taxes one can even write down! It needs to change but you can’t do it sitting in Accra in a slave Castle asking a 25 year old to talk big English! It is very simple but also very complicated with legal puzzles between Regions, Districts, Town, and what percentage of the taxes collected stay within town and what goes to central government, etc, etc, and our leaders simply have no experience doing it! Once we find a Leader sincere about change, trust that it is not that hard at all! No Physics, no Calculus, and no complicated Shroedinger Equations involved at all!! I can wake up at 3am and help them design the system and budget and database. Elementary! As Sherlock Holmes would say. We can create more jobs, stimulate our economy and double our GDP in three years if we do this! Kwaku A. Danso, M.Eng., PhD

Ghana Seeks $6 Billion Loan From China Exim Bank

By Moses Mozart Dzawu

Ghana has begun negotiations with the Export-Import Bank of China for a $6 billion loan to be used to develop social infrastructure, the Daily Graphic reported, citing Vice President John Dramani Mahama.

The amount will be given in three tranches of $2 billion for education, health, electricity and water projects, the Accra-based newspaper reported.

The facility is separate from a $3 billion loan the West African nation is borrowing from China Development Bank Corp., the newspaper quoted Mahama as saying.

Kufuor: Treason Charges Against Agyapong "Is Like Using A Sledge Hammer To Kill A Fly"

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has called on President John Evans Atta Mills to take steps to douse rising tensions resulting from the arrest of Mr Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North.

Former President Kufuor who was currently attending meetings in Washington DC, USA, warned against the escalation of tensions, especially, in this election year and asked President Mills to instruct the law office and the police not to leave any impresions of partisanship in the discharge of their duties.

''Treason is the highest criminal offense of the land and must not be used lightly", the former President said in a press statement.

"Using a sledge hammer to kill a fly is like pouring oil unto fire,'' he said.

Mr Kennedy Agyapong is alleged to have declared war as well as incited Ashantis to attack Gas and Ewes while speaking on Oman FM, a private radio station which he owns on April 13, 2012.

He has been in police custody since April 16, 2012 and has been charged with treason and made his first court appearance on Wednesday.

The Adjabeng District Magistrate’s Court in Accra where he appeared said it had no jurisdiction over the hearing of a treason case.

The presiding judge Ms Patricia Kwansah, recused herself from hearing the matter after defence lawyers had applied for bail for the MP.

She explained that the Chief Justice had, in a circular dated June 17, 2008, directed all magistrate’s courts to refer matters relating to robbery, murder, treason, hijacking, rape and other first degree felony cases to the Chief Justice’s Secretariat for a Higher Court to be assigned.

Agyapong has been charged with three counts of treason, treason felony and attempted genocide.

His plea was not taken. He, however, raised his hands during the hearing of his case and apologised to the court for the unruly behaviour of his supporters.

He also stated that he did not intend to cause mayhem in the country.

Party big wigs interacted with him briefly after the presiding judge had risen to her chambers.

All Condemn Ken Agyapong

…But NPP defends his genocidal, hate speech


Source: Al-Hajj

At a time when well meaning Ghanaians and Civil Society groups are lambasting the NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, Hon Kennedy Agyapong over his hate comments believed to bother on genocide, his party, the New Patriotic Party in a subtle manner; seems to justify the act.
From civil society organizations, to politicians and religious leaders, Ghanaians were unanimous in their condemnation of the incendiary and warmongering speech of the NPP MP.
The MP for Assin North Kennedy Agyapong was arrested and charged Monday over comments he made last Friday on his radio station OMAN FM inciting his party supporters to take up arms against some ethnic groups and the state.
He is said to have declared war on Ewes and Gas over fallouts in the ongoing biometric registration exercise.

But his Counsel, Atta Akyea says his client meant no harm. Atta Akyea told Joy News’ Evans Mensah that his client was only “metaphorical” with his words and has no bad intentions.
However, on Tuesday, Mr. Kojo Asante, a Senior Research Officer at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) condemned the alleged treasonable comments made by Assin North NPP MP Kennedy Agyapong.
“Yesterday was quite sad for me listening to Mr. Kennedy Agyepong and that tape, and I think it has to be condemned with really no reservation,” Mr Asante remarked.

He further stated that even the tone of Ken’s comments was distasteful and urged those who have sought to rationalize it to desist from such acts. He told Joy FM’s Super Morning Show host.
Others who downrightly condemn the statement by the Assin North MP include; Security Analyst, Emmanuel Bombande, Legal practitioner at the Legal Resources Centre, Abraham Amaleba and elder statesman and former diplomat Mr. K.B Asante
The rest include Mr. Akoto Ampaw, a human rights activist and a member of the National Media Commission, NPP Member of Parliament for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Hon. PC Appiah Ofori and the Managing Editor of the “Insight” Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr.
Political Parties, TUC, Ga Council and civil societies were not left out in the Condemnation of Kennedy Agyepon’s.
However, the Assin North MP’s political party, the NPP seemed to show justifications for the embattled MP’s ‘use of intemperate public statement’, in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey.
“The New Patriotic Party takes note of the arrest yesterday, 16th April, 2012, of the Member of Parliament for Assin North, Hon. Kennedy Agyepong, for an intemperate public statement made by him last Friday in reaction to the unfortunate incidents in the Odododiodio constituency, Greater Accra Region…
“In the last few weeks Ghanaians have witnessed with dismay divisive statements by political leaders and violent acts, all because of the voter registration exercise. The NPP has been most disturbed by these acts of violence and intimidation, the inflammatory statements and other illegal acts that have been associated with the ongoing exercise. We have also been disturbed by the selective, partisan manner in which the law is being enforced in dealing with the situation. It was for this reason that we issued an open letter to the President of the Republic recently”.

Now read the reactions that followed Hon. Kennedy Agyapong’s arrest over comments he made last Friday on his radio station OMAN FM, as captured by various media outfits.
All must condemn Ken Agyapong's comments - Kofi Asante
A Senior Research Officer at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has said that he is expecting leaders of the various political parties to call their members to order and stop them from engaging in acts that could plunge the nation into chaos.

Mr Kojo Asante stated that politicians as well as the police administration would soon be held accountable for their conduct as the nation prepares for the upcoming elections in December.

“…I’m expecting that the party leaders…leaders in this country, if there are any adults in this country, that they stand up and speak the truth because the kind of hypocritical behavior that’s going on, that people are just allowed to be lawless” is not healthy for the nation’s peace, he said.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Tuesday, Mr Kojo Asante condemned the alleged treasonable comments made by Assin North MP Kennedy Agyapong. He is currently in the grips of officials of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) assisting in investigations.

“Yesterday was quite sad for me listening to Mr Kennedy Agyepong and that tape, and I think it has to be condemned with really no reservation,” remarked Mr Asante.

He further stated that even the tone of Ken’s comments was distasteful and urged those who have sought to rationalize it to desist from such acts.

According to Kojo Asante, one cannot “right a wrong with another wrong” and that if Ken’s concerns had to do with police inconsistency and tribalism, the remedy to ‘cure that mischief’ was not to “stoke more tribalism”.

He said: “It’s very disturbing that people will mass up…” to besiege the police headquarters where Ken was detained on Monday before being whisked away to the offices of the BNI.

“If we don’t put a stop to it now and all politicians say is that you did the last time so I am also doing it this time we are going to be in real trouble in this country,” he said.

He said the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) is compiling all incidences where political leaders have made inflammatory statements and the subsequent action taken by the police.

“And we are going to hold the police accountable,” Mr Asante declared.

Myjoyonline.com|Dorcas Efe Mensah

WANEP: Ken Agyapong’s 'Dangerous' Comments Could Destroy Ghana
A Security Analyst, Emmanuel Bombande says comments by the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Assin North, Kennedy Agyapong inciting ethnic violence against his party’s political opponents risks plunging Ghana into conflict.

Mr. Agyapong was picked up and interrogated by the Criminal investigations Department of the Police Service on Monday over comments described by the Police CID as treasonable.

He had declared war against his opponents on his radio station, Oman FM in Accra on Friday.

His comments sought to incite supporters of the main opposition NPP to launch reprisal attacks against supporters of the ruling NDC in the ongoing biometric voter registration exercise.

Speaking to XYZ News, Mr. Bombande who is the Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP) said Mr. Agyapong’s dangerous comments could destroy Ghana’s democracy.

Mr. Bombande said “those comments are very unfortunate, very regrettable especially in the context of Ghana, a democratic model for Africa preparing for elections”.

He added “that it exacerbates the anxiety and tension and can increase the level of violence”

Meanwhile, a Sociology lecturer, Dr. Nana Obiri Yeboah says ethnic or tribal politics must be condemned in all uncertain terms.

According to him, politicians and individuals who use all means to deepen the ethnic cracks in the country ahead of the December polls must be shamed and made accountable for their actions.



Source: Radioxyz
KEN AGYAPONG'S COMMENTS ARE GENOCIDAL – LAWYER AMALEBA.
A legal practitioner at the Legal Resources Centre, Abraham Amaleba, has called for an objective non-partisan approach in dealing with what he has described as the genocidal comments by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Assin North.
Kennedy Agyapong was on Monday invited by the police on a possible charge of treason, for inciting supporters of the party to foment violence in the round-up to the December polls.
Mr Amaleba told XYZ News however, that Mr. Agyepong’s comments do not necessarily amount to treason but genocide which is equally dangerous and punishable by law. “If he is trying to overthrow the government of the day, that could be treasonable but if you call on people to attack another ethnic group or to attack a section of the population, then you are calling for genocide.”
Mr. Amaleba has therefore called on security agencies to dig deeper into the matter and execute the case dispassionately and according to the dictates of the law. “We should allow the security agencies to pick anybody who inspires violence and who wants to plunge this country into chaos… They are becoming common, we should not allow them. There must be a point where we say that enough is enough.”
Meanwhile, the Media Foundation for West Africa says it expects the leadership of the New Patrotic Party (NPP) to condemn Mr. Agyepong’s comments for its potential of disrupting the peace of the country.
Ken Agyapong’s comment inexcusable, indefensible – Akoto Ampaw
There appears to be some division among members of the National Media Commission (NMC) on what position to adopt about the alleged treasonable comments by the Member of Parliament for Assin North, Kennedy Agyapong.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, George Sarpong, Tuesday refused to specifically condemn the comments widely denounced by political parties and civil society organizations.

There have been calls for the NMC to do same, but in an interview with Joy News Mr. Sarpong refers to an NMC statement that adopts a general approach and says nothing about Kennedy Agyepong’s comments.

But, a member of the commission and renowned lawyer, Akoto Ampaw holds a different view.

He believes the comments by Kennedy Agyepong deserve specific and outright condemnation.

He told Joy News: “Personally speaking, I think his comments are completely inexcusable and indefensible.

“And even if he had reasons to be provoked, those reasons do not in any way justify the kind of inflammatory language he used, to the extent that that statement incites people to violence, it ought to be condemned.
Joynews

Ken Agyapong Must Be Punished - KB Asante
Elderly statesman and former diplomat K.B Asante has endorsed calls for NPP MP for Assin North, Kennedy Agyapong to be sent to court if indeed the police have enough evidence that he actually incited violence with his latest comments on his radio station Oman FM.

Dr. KB Asante who is also a former chairman of the Ga-Dangbe council told XYZ News that incitement is punishable by law and anyone found culpable must be made to face the full rigors of the law.

“If anybody is heard openly saying something to incite hatred to a particular people therefore he is arrested and placed before court he must be charged.

“What do you need to investigate after all, if Kennedy Agyapong said what I hear he supposed to have said and the Police have evidence about it, he should be taken to court.

“There shouldn’t be any hullabaloo about investigations and long procedures and so on…he must be charged within a matter of hours” K.B Asante said. Source: Radioxyz




Ken Agyapong’s Comments Were Harsh But – Appiah Ofori
The Member of Parliament for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, PC Appiah Ofori, has in a subtle manner condemned the comments by his colleague MP, Kennedy Agyapong.

According to the outspoken MP, the comments by Kennedy Agyapong who is in the custody of the Police CID were too “harsh and unnecessary”.

Speaking in an interview with XYZ News, Hon. Appiah-Ofori said though the comments by the legislator were inflammatory, he made them out of frustration. Source: Radioxyz
Political Parties Condemn Kennedy Agyepong
What appeared to be an inciteful comment made by the embattled NPP Member of Parliament for Assin North, Kennedy Agyepong, has generated more condemnations from various political parties.

Commenting on the issue, the General Secretary of the People’s National Convention, Bernard Mornah thought his detention was appropriate.

He said, “It was most unfortunate that an Honorable Member of Parliament, could make such comments to the extent of inciting violence and I thought that it was condemnable by all well meaning people.”

He emphasised, “His subsequent arrest and for him probably to find the opportunity to regret the situation is one matter that I think was appropriate.”

“The law enforcement agencies will have to deal with people whose action can destabilise our society; to that extent I think that the law enforcement agencies acted correctly and what I will encourage is that irrespective of party or personality involved, anybody that makes such comments must be taken on and it must not be limited to one party.”

The National Secretary of the Progressive People’s Party, Kofi Asamoah Siaw, equally endorsed the police action.

“Mr. Kennedy Agyepong wanted to address a certain concern that he felt something has to be done about, but the way and manner he went about it you cannot support it.”

“He was preaching some ethnic groups against others and his prescription could have landed all of us in undesirable consequences that is to say a civil war.” Source: Citifmonline.com
Pratt Slams Ken Agyapong And NPP: What Kind Of Solidarity Is This? He Asks
Managing Editor of the “Insight” Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has questioned the decision by members of the opposition New Patriotic Party to scurry to the defence of beleaguered Parliamentarian, Kennedy Agyapong.

He believes that the NPP should either have issued a statement distancing itself from the comments made by the Assin North MP or better yet, suspends him from the party to avoid any collateral damage.

Commenting on the issue on PeaceFM’s “Kokrokoo” Morning Show, Kwesi Pratt was emphatic that the electoral fortunes of the NPP will be greatly affected by the utterances of the NPP MP.

“This issue occurred on Friday and I wonder if the attention of his fellow party members were not drawn to his comments….This is because under normal circumstances, moments after a party activist makes such a statement, the party will quickly distance itself…in another vein, the party can even suspend him to avoid any collateral damage. But the NPP allowed it to be discussed for four days without any action….And then when he was arrested the NPP is talking about solidarity action. Offering solidarity to someone who has declared ethnic war in Ghana? What kind of solidarity is that? The party should have issued a press statement distancing itself from his remarks;…that way the NPP would have grown much bigger and stronger….The NPPs campaign is going to be seriously affected by what he said for a very long time to come. Tensions are already mounting as a result of the impending election and instead of helping your party to win, you are rather destroying it. I don’t understand,” Kwesi Pratt said.

The seasoned journalist added that the incendiary statement by the legislator cannot be the position of the NPP. He also dismissed the argument that Ken Agyapong’s statement was in relation to the brutality meted out to Ursula Owusu and posited that the NPP MP has a penchant for making seditious comments.

“There are people in the NPP who are learned and knowledgeable and if they are to comment on Ursula’s attack, they would have given a better presentation. This is because what Kennedy Agyapong said is something which can lead to the downfall of NPP and you can’t tell me that what he said is the position of the NPP. That is not the position of the NPP…It cannot be true that Kennedy Agyapong made those remarks due to what happened to Ursula earlier on; that cannot be true. Even when former President Kufuor was in power that was what he used to do; it’s his stock in trade. He threatened to shoot me some time ago; when I had not even had any argument with him. It was during a normal discussion; so his recent comment is not due to an incident that happened earlier. How can an honourable Member of Parliament, an entrepreneur who owns his own radio and television station, go on-air and asked that Gas and Ewes should be lynched? When he was saying that did he forget that his party member (and National Chairman), Jake Obetsebi Lamptey is a Ga? Are there no Ewes in the NPP? These are comments which he should not have made in the first place. It got to a point the presenter asked him if he was declaring war and he said yes; the presenter tried to right his wrong but there was no stopping him…This was how Rwanda started…Ghana must be careful not to thread on that path,” he cautioned.
To him, the statement by the outspoken NPP MP was unprecedented.

Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com
STATEMENT: Arrest Of Ken Is Evidence Of Selective Application Of The Law - NPP

The New Patriotic Party takes note of the arrest yesterday, 16th April, 2012, of the Member of Parliament for Assin North, Hon. Kennedy Agyepong, for an intemperate public statement made by him last Friday in reaction to the unfortunate incidents in the Odododiodio constituency, Greater Accra Region.

In the last few weeks Ghanaians have witnessed with dismay divisive statements by political leaders and violent acts, all because of the voter registration exercise. The NPP has been most disturbed by these acts of violence and intimidation, the inflammatory statements and other illegal acts that have been associated with the ongoing exercise. We have also been disturbed by the selective, partisan manner in which the law is being enforced in dealing with the situation. It was for this reason that we issued an open letter to the President of the Republic recently.

The NPP is fully behind the police in the execution of their mandate and we expect them to do this in a fair, even-handed and professional manner. However, the current posture of the police to take no action to protect our party members and ordinary Ghanaians, in the face of such acts of violence, intimidation and exclusion at the hands of the NDC, particularly in Odododiodio, poses a serious threat to the maintenance of peace and security nationwide.

The arrest of the MP for Assin North is further evidence of this selective application of the law. For the police to take no action against the perpetrators of violence but to suddenly discover their powers to take action against those, who in frustration, make statements in reaction to acts of violence and police inaction sends very worrying signals about the forthcoming general elections. This is affecting public confidence in the police. The Police Service must be professional and act without fear or favour.

The violence, intimidation and the apartheid manner in which the NDC parliamentary candidate for Odododiodio and a senior aide to the President, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has been conducting himself during this registration exercise is completely unacceptable. The President, the Commander-in-Chief, in whose office Nii Lantey Vanderpuye works, is yet to take any action against these blatant acts of lawlessness.

The NPP makes it absolutely clear that we do not support intemperate statements and actions that can incite and inflame ethnic passions. Ghana is a proud multi-ethnic country and the NPP, a truly national party, is committed to jealously guard and promote this heritage.

We urge our supporters to be calm in the face of provocation. This biometric registration exercise is about giving all Ghanaians voters an equal chance to decide, first, where they ‘ordinarily reside’ and, ultimately, on the future of their country on voting day. Our duty, as politicians, to those voters is to keep Ghana peaceful, democratic and just for all her citizens.

We applaud our party loyalists who have been defending these values and the integrity of the registration exercise in spite of the intimidation, violence, ethnic challenges they have faced. We encourage them to stay focused and be vigilant in monitoring the ongoing registration exercise. They should have courage and stay on the right side of the law.

We finally call on the President of the Republic to be at the forefront in ensuring law and order. His statement that he is not a police officer gives the unfortunate perception that the Commander-in Chief is distancing himself and his office from this all important responsibility of maintaining law, order and security for all citizens.

Signed

Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey
NPP, National Chairman
Source: Peacefmonline.com

Mills Is Creating A Dangerous Environment In Ghana

‘MILLS IS CREATING A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT IN GHANA’

A STATEMENT BY THE NPP NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

Source : Thursday, 19 April 2012 (Ghanaweb)

18 April, 2012: Today has been a shameful day in the history of the rule of law in our country with state prosecutors presenting the New Patriotic Party’s Member of Parliament for Assin North, Kennedy Agyapong, before a magistrate court on three charges of (i) treason, (ii) treason felony and (iii) attempted genocide. The charges are ostensibly based on remarks he made in reaction to the acts of violence perpetrated in the Odododiodio constituency by Presidential Aide and parliamentary candidate of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye.

The Attorney General, knowing so well that the magistrate court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter, brought the ‘prisoner’ there only to request for the court to remand him in police custody for an additional two weeks. It was merely to seek to keep the member of the parliamentary Minority in custody in order to “teach him a lesson”.

The treason charge levelled against Mr Agyapong can be described only as a mockery of the law being perpetrated for reckless partisan advantage. President Mills, in deploying state resources against political opponents, is prepared to sacrifice the rule of law and the national interest to satisfy his desire for his own political gain, even if via violence and cheap propaganda. The NPP is worried that Mills is deliberately building an environment that will compromise the potential for a free, fair, and peaceful election in Ghana.

The arrest, detention and prosecution of Mr Agyapong are, in our view, not because the government is genuinely concerned about the use of intemperate language—which has been actively wielded by some of their own supporters in this heated election cycle with no consequences brought to bear. The arrest, detention and prosecution of this leading member of the NPP are purely to serve two major agendas of the ruling party: (1) to put the fear of the ‘Asomdwehene’ in the NPP—to intimidate and cow our leadership into submission and; (2) to punish MP Agyapong for leading the crusade on the single biggest corruption scandal in the history of Ghana: the unlawful payments to Alfred Agbesi Woyome and other equally dubious multi-million dollar judgment debts made by the Mills-Mahama government mainly to its major financiers.

Seeking to discredit the character of MP Agyapong will not whitewash the criminal wrongdoing of the Mills-Mahama administration. Ghanaian citizens and friends of Ghana should be concerned with the narrowing political space in Ghana.

? WOYOME SCANDAL It is obvious that President Mills and his administration have been rocked by Kennedy Agyapong’s exposé on the judgment debt scandals, in which GH¢51.8 million was doled-out to Mr Woyome, and arbitration settlements of €35 million and €94 million were given to Waterville and CP Construction Ltd, respectively. These payments were illicit because no evidence was proffered to support the claims. On the contrary, government ignored all the glaring evidence that the claims were fraudulent.

So far, out of GHC642 million worth of judgment debts paid by President Mills’ government between 2009 and 2011, at least US$197.5 million (or GHC356 million) has been clearly identified, in the words of the sacked Attorney-General, Martin Amidu, as “gargantuan crimes against the state” and fraudulently given to just three or so individuals and entities.

The NPP MP, Mr Agyapong, has, over the last few months, shown exceptional courage and patriotism in exposing the extent of the “gargantuan crimes” being committed through the instrumentalisation of very senior people in the government, including the President, who ultimately authorized these payments.

However, the nature of the selective justice being displayed under the law professor, President JEA Mills, is unprecedented in the history of the Fourth Republic. Ghanaians can judge for themselves why the two Ministers of State directly and actively responsible for making these corrupt payments, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, and Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu, the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, have not been charged for this unprecedented fraud against the Ghanaian people.

IMPEACHMENT President Mills is neck-deep in this whole judgment debt saga and he may soon have to answer impeachment questions on these very serious charges, which are supported by considerable evidence. President Mills has left many questions unanswered and lied outright when he initially told Ghanaians that he knew nothing about these fraudulent judgment debt payments, until he was exposed by an investigation he set up to cover-up his complicity and that of his Ministers. The President has, thus, made any probable case for impeachment proceedings to be brought against him weighty.

VIOLENCE IN ODODODIODIO AND BEYOND DURING THE BIOMETRIC REGISTRATION After warning the NPP after our successful regional rally at Mantse Agbona, the Director of Operations at the Office of the President, who also happens to be the President of the Association of Weightlifters in Ghana, has always been known for his incendiary political statements. But he became more specific and vitriolic towards the NPP after our recent successful regional rally at Mantse Agbona. He proceeded to unleash his gang of machomen on our supporters and on ordinary, innocent Ghanaians in the constituency he is campaigning as the NDC Parliamentary Candidate, Odododiodio. He has not been questioned once by the police even though in his case, he evidently followed his threat of violence with acts of violence, committed in his name by his supporters and hired thugs.

Earlier this year, Vanderpuye offered that: “I swear to you that the NPP can never organize any rally in Odododiodio in the near future, if that is their mission. The only place that will be safe for them (to hold their rally) will be in space, and not in my constituency.” This set the tone for intimidation and violence in the commercial district which he has carried forward into the registration period. The violence in Odododiodio reflects the way this important national exercise of compiling a new and credible voters’ list has been marred by the ruling party.

In the Ashanti Region, the police identified a gang of NDC thugs who were moving from registration centre to registration centre assaulting people queuing up to register and destroying registration machines. When a district police commander offered a prize for information leading to the arrest of the criminal gang, the response of his superiors in Accra was to disassociate themselves from that move to apprehend the culprits who were terrorizing Ghanaians and disrupting the registration exercise.

The following are just a few examples of incidents of violence documented in Odododiodio and beyond during the voter registration period: • Justice Opoku, an NDC agent at the registration centre at the Foase Kokoben Electoral Area in the Bekwai constituency, shot a 12 year old boy.

• On 25th March (the first day of registration), some NDC supporters attacked the Takofiano polling station and inflicted severe cutlass wounds on Kwadwo Sarfo, a known NPP activist.

• On 25th March, the driver and bodyguard of Professor Ameyaw Akumfi, NPP MP for Techiman North, were attacked with machetes at a polling station at Jama Timponim, the MP’s hometown.

• Sheriff Mohammed, secretary of the Okakoi North Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party, was stabbed to death allegedly by NDC supporters at Fadama on 10th April.

• John Kofi Donyina (Communications Director for Techiman South NPP) was attacked by an NDC supporter around 7:30pm on 10th April.

• A reporter of the Daily Searchlight newspaper, Bright Amo-Addo, had a portion of his thumb chopped off by irate activists of the NDC at Fadama in Accra on 8th April.

• Ursula Owusu, NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Ablekuma South, and Abu Jinapor, an aid to the NPP Presidential Candidate, were subjected to physical assault by some heavily-built NDC acitivists during a tour of some registration centres in the Odododiodoo Constituency last Wednesday.

It is in the context of the ongoing violent incidents during the ongoing biometric registration that Mr Agyapong spoke last Friday. In the interest of peace and unity, the NPP believes that he should not have allowed himself to be provoked into making any intemperate remarks. Our own flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, has repeatedly called for vigilance and courage but also calm and peace throughout the past few years, even as NDC intimidation tactics have mounted. However, that Agyapong was then taken into custody to silence him during a hotly contested election shows that President Mills and the NDC have no such qualms about the use of force and intimidation.

For the duration of Mills’ first year in office, after the NPP candidate conceded the close presidential election and called for national unity and reconciliation to move Ghana forward, NDC footsoldiers terrorized Ghanaians in all 10 regions, seizing and destroying government properties, beating up public workers and unleashing violence on ordinary people without a single word of rebuke or a single order of arrest from the President. This has set the tone for the current political environment in Ghana, and the President is responsible for these growing tensions.

TREASON CHARGE AS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED This treason charge against the MP for Assin North is a diversionary tactic by a failing, incompetent and corrupt government that has lost touch with the concerns of the ordinary people of Ghana. We have no doubt the case will be laughed out of court eventually but the President must be hoping MrAgyapong will be silenced by the trauma. Whatever your opinion of Mr Kennedy Agyapong statements, he has done nothing to show that he has the capacity to levy war against his motherland.

In Ghana, before a charge of treason is levelled against a person, the state must prove beyond all reasonable doubt that Article 17 of the constitution has been breached. Subject to clause (18) of article 17, treason shall consist only:

(a) in levying war against Ghana or assisting any state or person or inciting or conspiring with any person to levy war against Ghana; or (b) in attempting by force of arms or other violent means to overthrow the organs of government established by or under this Constitution; or (c) in taking part or being concerned in or inciting or conspiring with any person to make or take part or be concerned in, any such attempt.

Whatever your opinion of Mr Kennedy Agyapong’s statements, he has done nothing to show that he has the capacity to levy war against his motherland, nor was he engaged in a criminal conspiracy to mount one. Ghana is long past the days when criticizing a weakness of the current government or making an irresponsible remark should amount to treason.

The political motivation behind these charges is made clear by the fact that an earlier statement from General Secretary of the ruling party Aseidu Nketia, in which he stated that “there would be civil war in Ghana if biometric verification is implemented” for the December 2012 elections, was ignored by the same police who arrested MP Agyepong. (The Electoral Commission has proceeded with biometric verification for this year’s elections after the NPP helped champion this technology.) It is this kind of double standard that threatens the peace and security of our nation.

Mr Agyapong’s tone and manner and the unnecessary reference to ethnicity was a clear misjudgement. It is clear that these views do not reflect those of his party and his constituency, but were offered out of his own personal frustration for the current state of affairs and polarized political environment in Ghana. Long before the MP’s pronouncements, there had been violence all across this country. The NPP sees this as the inevitable outcome of the NDC’s discriminatory, patronage based governance and policies. The charge of treason levelled against Mr Kennedy Agyapong for comments no different than those offered by other NDC representatives is only the latest example of this.

ABUSE OF POWER Kennedy Agyapong’s arrest is about the abuse of power by deploying state resources against political opponents and not about the enforcement of Ghana’s laws. Only the Attorney General who could have approved the charge of treason and this charge exposes President Mills as playing a very dangerous game.

Ghanaians can all bear witness to the system of apartheid and “ethnic cleansing” being supervised by Nii Lantey Vanderpuije in the Odododiodio constituency. People who are ordinarily resident in the constituency but deemed by NDC agents to have non-Ga-sounding names or who cannot speak Ga are prevented from registering, a blatant breach of the Constitution. In our view this has been the starting point of violence and the introduction of ethnic divisions in the ongoing biometric registration exercise.

The acts of violence being perpetrated in Odododiodio by NDC thugs have been accompanaied by an air of impunity. Some of the thugs who brutalised Ursula Owusu and Abu Jinapor have been positively identified (as agents of the Director of Operations at the Castle) and yet the police have refused to take action to bring these men to justice. The police have apprehended none of the weapons-wielding NDC thugs identified in photographs in the newspapers as tormenting ordinary residents and traders in the constituency, which is the commercial heart of the capital.

Yet, when a member of the NPP voices his deep frustration at the selectivity with which the Ghana Police Service is upholding and enforcing the laws of the country, he is whisked away with lightning fast speed and immediately charged with treason. This will deepen the divides within the country and sets a dangerous precedent.

3 YEARS OF POLICE INACTION AGAINST NDC THREATS AND VIOLENCE If, indeed, Mr. Agyapong’s words are landing him in court for treason, quite a few of our fellow citizens should have preceded him to jail and then into court. Amongst these would be: • President Mills for his 2008 threat to turn Ghana into Kenya if the elections did not go well.

• The Hon. Baba Jamal who declared a “Jihad” during the Akwatia by-election in 2009. This declaration of war by Baba Jamal was followed by a shocking incidence of barbarism and thuggery by NDC supporters, who inflicted severe injuries on 15 NPP supporters.

• The events of 25th August 2009, involving the gruesome murder of three traders and workers in the Agbogbloshie market (Alhassan Fuseini from Tamale, Soale from Yendi and Sule J.Y from Tolon) in broad daylight in front of a police station. Witnesses identified the alleged perpetrators to be NDC members, including one Sule, Sahana Mohammed Ayatu, Awal Voulina Naa, Sule Nabiya, Abdalla Say and Abdalla Rasta. Three years on, the nation is still waiting on the law enforcement agencies to even invite these suspects for questioning.

• The Tamale incidents of February 17th 2009, where violence erupted after discussions on Radio Justice following the seizure of the vehicle of Nana Akufo-Addo by agents of National Security. There were arson attacks in Nyihini, Lameshegu, Worizehi, Choggu and Gumbihini. All the 27 properties that were attacked belonged to NPP members. Not a single one belonged to an NDC member. In the most outrageous case, Madame Sadia Seidu, a thirty-five year-old Nursing Officer was brutally assaulted after a mob burnt and razed down the family’s 18-room house. She had to be airlifted to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment where she underwent surgery and weeks of treatment. No one has been arrested and charged for the attempted murder of Sadia, even though she identified those who led the mob attack. No attempt has been made by the state to assist the innocent victims, numbering about 800, who had their homes and belongings destroyed. Those affected by the violence are first and foremost Ghanaians, whatever their political colours. The apparent revival of the idea of the “democratisation of violence” in our politics is unwelcome and unacceptable.

PRESIDENT MILLS AND EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY The President has declared that he cannot be responsible for preventing violence though the Constitution and our laws are very clear about his responsibilities. Article 58(1) of the Constitution states that: “The executive authority of Ghana shall vest in the President and shall be exercised in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.”

Article 58(2) further explains that, “The executive authority of Ghana shall extend to the execution and maintenance of this constitution and all laws made under or continued in force under this constitution.”

Regarding the President’s police responsibilities, he appoints eight of the ten-member Police Council, including his vice and the IGP. Furthermore, all leadership appointments in the Police Force are made by the President or in his name.

So if the President is not responsible for what the Police does, who is?

It is clear President Mills does not want peace in Ghana, and contrary to his declarations on local and international platforms, he does not want a peaceful, free, fair and transparent election. It is clear that the NDC either intends to use violence itself or to look the other way while third parties acting in their name deploy violence.

Ghana has been peaceful since 1992. We have had 5 elections and none of them have brought Ghana to the brink of violence, but this is a real danger in the election about to be supervised by President Mills.

The selectiveness with which Ghana’s laws are being enforced by the Ghana Police Service, under President Mills, must end.

President Mills must be held accountable as the President of our Republic, who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and on whose shoulders the fortunes of the nation rest.

The NPP wants an electoral process free from violence and intimidation, free from the use of intemperate language and free from the selectiveness with which Ghana’s laws are being enforced by the Ghana Police Service.

The NPP remains firmly behind the Hon. Kennedy Agyapong in his quest for justice in the unfounded accusations of treason made against him. We would not sit by and allow the rule of law to be transformed into the misrule of Mills.

Ghana deserves better.

……signed……

Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey.

NPP National Chairman