Obama to Reward Ghana's Democratic Strides

In a country like ours, good news is hardly heard. Or to put it better, bad news sells!! I normally do not sound this pessimistic, but its good to call a spade what it is and not a big spoon .
Ok...so Obama is coming to Ghana in July...! Good News isn't it?

I think it is, and we as Ghanaians and Africans in general must be glad the president of (arguably) the most powerful country in the world is visiting. This is not the first time a sitting US president will be visiting Ghana. I remember with fond memories President Clinton's visit during president Rawlings' time. It was a sight to behold! President Bush followed up with another one during President Kufours time and now Obama in Prof. Mills' reign......that amazing!

To whom much is given, much more is expected

The statement form the White House on the visit could not have been clearer, “ the purposes of the forthcoming Obama visit to Ghana’s is for ”strengthening the US relationship with one of our most trusted partners in sub-Saharan Africa,” and also for ” highlighting the critical role that sound governance and civil society play in promoting lasting development.”

As small as we are, with our National growth rate stuttering, and our national coffers almost dry, we still do have an exportable commodity. Who would have thought that Ghana would be the beacon of hope for democracy in the sub-region and Africa as a whole?

We have come this far, not because we have better humans than the countries in turmoil, but because we have decided that leadership matters and democratically electing our leaders, is the way to ensure lasting development. Lessons from our recently held elections point to a somewhat tolerating citizenry. We have showed that we are willing to respect the voice of the masses even if we think their choice is wrong.

That is what America is built on and we are on our path to replicating that with success. This puts enormous pressure on all as a people to be mindful of the position we occupy in the eyes of the world. Often, countries start on this path and loose sight of who they are. The result is what we see in places like Kenya, Ivory Coast and some other previously stable states. Ghanaians, must be schooled to know that elections are not about life and death and its definitely not worth it dying for any politician.

Opportunities

Mr. Obama will not bring a big sack of US Dollars to Ghana. He certainly will not be signing any fat checks to us either. Don't let this disappoint you because he is bringing something more than money. He is a president with popular appeal. A man many can hardly say NO to. He has such charisma and presence and eloquence that cannot be ignored. Ghana should cease the moment and profit from this visit. The economic, social, cultural, and political ramifications are countless. This is the only way we can get real results or benefits.

I urge our ever enterprising women and men who take advantage of all occasions to make some money on the side. This is a huge moment for market. Anything about the Obama's is sellable. Just make sure you don't infringe on any copyright laws. The US hates that.

Man of Words and Action

The president of the free world is unique in his ability to back all his words with action. He is a gifted orator. He speaks of the same things you have said before, but when he speaks of things you hear them as though they were new.

That's not all that he is. He takes action and makes him and his words relevant. Ghana has over the years become a country of “big talkers”. Lots of words with no action. Talk is cheap...fellow Ghanaians! Lets learn this gift from the US president. Again, we must take steps to advertise our good wares to the world.

If you do business in the dark, you are probably selling something illegal and people will buy/bid you at the price you are advertising. We have used our media to largely advertise our country negatively. We are all to blame because if there are no buyers, there will be no sellers. Lets project our nation positively.

Lets tell our story without necessarily degrading the Ghanaian and Africans in general. Ghana will be representing tho whole continent on this visit. I urge all the put our best behavior. We are known for our hospitality. Lets showcase that too.
I urge all political party leaders to make this a thing for Ghana, and not something for the NDC or NPP or CPP or KVI...
May God Bless our homeland Ghana, and make our Nation Greater and Stronger.

Source:- Isaac TETTEH

Gambian government held liable for 44 Ghanaian deaths

The Gambian government has been found liable for the mass murder of some 44 Ghanaians and natives of other West African countries, a joint UN and ECOWAS investigative team has disclosed.

The deceased, mostly immigrants, were found dead, 2005, in the Tangy forest in Banjul in what the Ghanaian government said was state sponsored killing.

After years of near diplomatic row between the two countries dotted with several failed commissions of enquiry, the UN and ECOWAS investigative team say the Gambian government should be held accountable.

The Government was not found directly responsible for the murders, but it failed to protect the lives of the immigrants in its jurisdiction.

By international law, countries must take responsibility for protecting the lives of its residents.

In a detailed report handed to Ghana's Foreign Minister Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni in Nigeria, two persons, one Captain Taylor and Gambian resident, Laminu Tunkara must be hunted and prosecuted for their role in the murders.

The two allegedly lured the victims from Senegal to Gambia with the promise of providing a vessel to ferry them to Europe, but that turned out to be a scam.

The stranded victims were arrested, later released but were found dead in the Gambian forest in a murder suspected to have been carried out by some gang element.

The committee has recommended the Gambian government pays compensation to the families of the victims. The two governments must however agree on the amount to be paid.

The bodies are to be exhumed and given a befitting burial in their native countries.

Ghana's Interior Minister Cletus Avoka told Joy News he is satisfied with the recommendations even though there are still some unanswered questions.

According to the Minister, the Gambian government has expressed reservations over payment of compensation claiming that that will amount to complicity in the murders.


Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline

NDC Canada regroups

The British Columbia Branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Canada Chapter is inviting members, sympathizers, well-wishers and the Ghanaian community in and around the Province of British Columbia to a meeting Sunday, May 17, 2009, at 14455, 78th Avenue, Surrey, BC (near the Surrey Newton bus exchange).

A statement issued by the branch said the meeting is one of many geared towards constituting the British Columbia Branch of NDC Canada Chapter ahead of its official inauguration slated for June 6, 2009.

“The meeting is being organized by Friends of His Excellency Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana resident in Vancouver BC,” the statement explained, and listed six main issues to be discussed at the meeting;

• The Interim Executive Committee of the BC Branch
  
• Identify a venue and plan activities for the joint inauguration the BC and Alberta Branches of NDC Canada Chapter
  
• Logistics for the joint inauguration
  
• Familiarization visit of NDC Canada National Executives to Vancouver, BC from June 3 -7, 2009
  
• Visit of Hon. Dr. Mustapha Ahmed, MP (NDC) for Ayawaso East to Vancouver, BC
  
• Outreach programs in the BC and Alberta Provinces of Canada.

The statement further explained that “The BC Branch Meeting is being organized with an open mind. This meeting however, is not a public forum. It is an NDC party meeting and there are expectations that those who will attend, do so because they are interested in joining the NDC or renewing their support for the NDC. All NDC members, well-wishers, sympathizers and the entire Ghanaian community in and around the BC Province are cordially welcome.”

Contacts: NDC Canada Chapter’s BC Representative Dr. Clement Apaak on 778-895-9242 or e-mail caapaak@yahoo.ca

General Secretary of NDC Canada Chapter, Mr. Charles N. Nkansah, on 514-999-9194 or email: info@ndccanada.com.


Source: NDC Canada Chapter (info@ndccanada.com)

Otumfuos 10th Anniversary celebrations Pix

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Sunday called for due recognition for the chieftaincy institution, explaining that the noble traditional organ has a critical role to play in national development and cohesion.He said Ghana has demonstrated to the world that central governance can partner very effectively with traditional governance, and since his ascension of the Golden Stool as king, he and his elders have emphasized both locally and internationally, that traditional rule has a responsibility to partner central government and all its agencies.

Otumfuo made the remark when he addressed a grand durbar of chiefs and people of the Ashanti Kingdom, which was also attended by President J.E.A. Mills and several former heads of states and government, including Jerry John Rawlings, Festus Gontebanye Mogae of Botswana, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Ahmed Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone and Jose Mario Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain.

Dressed in splendid kente cloth and several golden adornments and carried in a palaquin through some principal streets of Kumasi, Otumfuo, also called for the celebration of African civilization for its immense but inadequately documented contribution to world civilization, said Africans must be proud of their culture.

“In the past ten years, we have strengthened the institution of traditional leadership. We have used all the opportunities available to preserve and protect our culture and all its values. We have taken the institution outside the borders of Ghana and shared views and ideas with our counterparts in various parts of the world.

“During the period, we used various platforms offered to us in other parts of the world to emphasie the important roles traditional institutions in Africa, especially chieftaincy, is playing and can play in an era of so-called globalization.”

AU must recognise traditional leaders

He said apart from initiating debates at various forums on the need to position African traditions and culture in the dynamics of the globalization position.

“In fact we have even proposed elsewhere that the African Union should consider giving traditional authorities in Africa, a seat in their deliberations,” he said.

Otumfuo expressed disquiet over what he said was the impact of ‘modern journalism, where activities of traditional institutions such as in resolving disputes, receive inadequate coverage relative of the law courts.

He said he will soon outdoor a 10-year development package, explaining that it will serve as his kindgdom’s contribution to national development. They package will include ambitious programmes for Economic Development, a Savings and Loan Agency to help small scale entrepreneurs, ICT Education among the youth and the aged, Tourism, Sports and a private Royal University.

Pix

Mills Returns

Mills Flies Out

Otumfuo Vists JJ

Rawlings: No vendetta, yes, but justice must prevail

Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings says the failure of leadership to sanction wrong doing is what corrupts societies more, and not the mere aberrations.

He said he agrees perfectly with President John Evans Atta Mills in denouncing vendetta by his administration, but it would be wrong and dangerous on his part to also let perpetrators of infractions escape justice.

Ex-President Rawlings who made the comments at his Ridge residence during a courtesy call on him and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawalings by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, said so many people, including him, have suffered unnecessary vilification and wrongs for which there should be justice.

He said on leaving office as president, he and others were perceived as wrong doers and made to suffer some aberrations, describing the instances as unfortunate.

“Nobody is asking for vendetta, we all want peace. But we must seek too for the wrongs.”

The Asantehene, accompanied by a retinue of his chiefs, was in Accra to visit President Mills at the Castle to congratulate him on his election victory and assumption of office as President of Ghana, and to invite him to Kumasi on April 26, 2009, to attend a durbar being part of activities marking his (Otumfuo’s) 10th anniversary since his ascension of the Golden Stool.

Otumfuo extended a similar invitation to ex-President Rawlings, who expressed his profound visit to the king for his noble visit, and described it as a symbol of the unity, peace and sense of purpose Ghanaians need to cultivate for nation building.

He implored President Mills to recognize the enormity of work on the hands of his administration, and urged him to seek the counsel of the nation’s elders, including chiefs, in seeking the best for the people.

Ex-President Rawlings gave hints of agitations in the ruling National Democratic Congress, and said he had just returned from a meeting of the party’s leadership where he reminded them that the party was voted into power by a party machinery run both by visible party people, and several others from without the party, and counseled against disunity.

On behalf of his family and party, he expressed gratitude for the King’s visit and promised to honour his invitation.



Story by Isaac Yeboah

Victorious Satellites present trophy to President Atta Mill

Players, management and technical teams of victorious African U-20 champions, Black Satellites on Tuesday arrived in Accra on Tuesday from Rwanda, and later presented the trophy to President John Evans Atta Mills at the Castle, Osu, in Accra.
The President warmly received the team and congratulated the players on their spectacular performance in the tournament.
”On behalf of the people of Ghana, we recognize your unique achievement.
“Rest assured that, we’ll give you some special bonus for winning this trophy,” President Atta Mills assured the team.
The President, a former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Accra Hearts of Oak praised the Satellites for their unrelenting spirit, which, he said, proved the kind of mettle they were made with.
He paid tribute to the past government for initiating the process that
led to the victory of the gallant boys.
President Atta Mills said the Satellites had done, not only themselves
honour by the triumph but also their families, friends and the nation.
“Ghana thanks you,’’ the President said.
Satellites Skipper, Dede Ayew said the team was happy to have brought the cup home.
He expressed thanks to the President for giving them the qualification bonus and said the team would work hard to clinch the World Under-20 tournament scheduled for Egypt next September.
The Satellites Coach, Sellas Tetteh said the win showed the determination of the boys to win the World Cup.
It was also a mark for many of the boys to graduate into the senior team, Black Stars and prepare for the World Cup next year.
GNA

Vice President Mahama returns from AU Summit

"Agbenaa"

Winner Banner

Run Off Pix

Some Election Pix

Face Off.......sorry..... Run Off!!!!!!

Minutes after the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan announced the final presidential results of the December 7 Presidential polls, representatives of both the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) declared their preparedness for the second round of balloting.

As per the results announced by Dr. Afari-Djan, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the NPP had 4,159,439 votes representing 49.13 per cent of total votes cast followed by Professor John Evans Atta Mills of the NDC who polled 4,056,634 representing 47.92 per cent.

According to Dr. Afari-Djan the two top candidates would participate in a second round of elections within 21 days, adding that the EC had decided on Sunday December 28, 2008 for the second round. Representatives of the two parties have been speaking about their chances in the second round.

Mr. Kwabena Adjapong, a leading member of the NPP said the party was more than prepared for the second round, adding that, they would start rolling out their elaborate campaign plan for the coming two weeks soon. He noted that the results indicated a clear 103,000 lead for Nana Addo, adding that was a clear indication that President Kufuor's people centred policies and Nana Addo free secondary education policy were really flying.

Mr. Mustapha Hamid, spokesperson of the Nana Addo campaign team said he was the obvious choice of the people and that it was just a matter of time that he would be declared the president of Ghana. "It doesn't matter to us if Nana Addo had to be declared president elect at the end of the second round, what matter to us is that on January seven he will be sworn in as president," he said.

Mr. Hamid also noted that the Rawlings factor would work against the NDC in the second round, saying that lots of Ghanaians still dreaded the possibility of "a Rawlings rule" if Prof. Mills became president. Squadron Leader Gled Sowu, a leading member of the NDC brushed off

Mr. Hamid's claim that NDC had no more votes to mop up, saying that the results of the first round was a clear sign the Ghanaians needed change but could not make up their minds in just one round.

"This is history repeating itself - last eight years Ghanaians wanted change and it took them two rounds to make up their minds and the NDC lost - this time the NPP is in power and so they should prepare for defeat in the second round," he said.

Dr. Kwabena Adjei, National Chairman of the NDC also said the NDC might have lost the elections in 2000 because of the baggage of incumbency so the NPP should also prepare to lose elections because of the baggage of incumbency.

He used the opportunity to urge other African countries to learn from Ghana's example, saying that Ghana was able to achieve a successful and peaceful election with limited resources because of the vigilance of its people and the commitment of political parties to democracy.

Dr. Adjei said it was instructive for other African countries to note that it did not pay to wait and start preparing for elections six months to time, else incidence like what occurred in Kenya, Zimbabwe and Nigeria could not be avoided.

"At some point there was a threat to our democracy but the foreign and local observers played a very effective role in curbing those threats," he said.

Mr. Felix Anaman, spokesperson for Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, the only independent candidate said the candidate was pleased with his 19,342 votes, saying that it was an indication that Ghanaians were bought into the job creation campaign to provide jobs for the people.

Source:

GNA