Ban Ki-Moon calls Mahama, Akufo-Addo over Ghana’s stability

The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon is urging the presidential candidates of the two leading political party; President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to ensure peace in the country this electioneering period.

The Secretary General in separate telephone calls placed to the two candidates on Tuesday, November 29 said it was important for them to help maintain an environment of peace and credible elections.

He said the two candidates must help in defusing tensions and preserving peace before, during and after the 2016 general elections.

He also urged the two to sign “a Code of Conduct which will greatly assist in lowering tensions and preventing electoral violence.”

Read the Secretary General’s full release below:

Secretary-General’s telephone conversations with H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and Mr. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Head of Ghana’s opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP)

Today, the Secretary-General had separate telephone conversations with H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo, head of Ghana’s opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), to discuss the general elections that are scheduled to take place on 7 December in Ghana.

The Secretary-General underscored the importance of an environment conducive to peaceful and credible elections, and urged the two leaders to continue their role in defusing tensions and preserving peace. Bearing in mind Ghana’s history of political stability and peaceful elections, the Secretary-General underscored the need for all political parties to sign a Code of Conduct, which will greatly assist in lowering tensions and preventing electoral violence.

New York, 29 November 2016.”

The international community have shown a keen interest in Ghana’s elections following the country’s enviable record in holding peaceful polls in spite of high pre-election tension.

‘US warns nationals in Ghana’

Last week, the US Embassy in Accra issued an alert to its citizens in Ghana to avoid political hotspots. The release mentioned a number areas in the country the embassy had identified as hotspots where violence or electoral trouble may occur with little or no danger warning.

AEP

NPP accuses Mahama over cash, V8

Barely a week to the December 7, 2016 general elections, issues of bribery allegations against the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) dominated headlines of various news media for today.

The Daily Guide has the caption “NPP accuses Mahama over cash, V8”. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused President John Dramani Mahama  and his brother Ibrahim Mahama of attempting  to influence its Northern Regional chairman, Daniel Bugri Naabu  with cash and vehicle for him to smear the party’s flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa  Akufo- Addo. Mr. Bugri Naabu was said to have been offered GH 500,000 and a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero four –wheel drive by the President sometime in October this year. Mustapha Abdul Hamid, spokesman for the NPP presidential candidate, made the disclosures at a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Accra yesterday.

The Ghanaian Times with the headline “NO ‘all-die-be-die’… elections will be peaceful – President Mahama” says President  John Dramani  Mahama has expressed optimism that next week’s general  elections will be peaceful, saying God will prevent ‘all-be-die’’ or any  form  of violence to befall the country. Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Assin Bereku in the Central Region, as part of his campaign tour. He said in Akan: ‘God‘s hands are upon Ghana and will not allow any chaos or all-die-be-die to occur in Ghana. He said  most  often  during  elections  some people  created fear among  the  electorate that there  would  be chaos  in the country, but  each time , the electoral process was  successful and so would it  be this year.

Today also carries the headline “Mahama desperate for power as he commissions uncompleted Assembly building”. The paper states that  with  few days  to the December 7 polls, it is becoming  increasingly clear that  President  John  Dramani  Mahama, who  is also  the presidential candidate of the  governing  National Democratic  Congress (NDC) is overly  desperate to   retain power. The desperation by the President  has manifested itself  glaringly  in his  continuous haste to commission uncompleted state projects  while  on his  campaign  trail all in the name  to  get votes and win  the presidential election. The latest yet-to-be completed state project which was expected to be commissioned by the President yesterday was the Effutu Municipal Assembly in the Effutu constituency in the Central Region.

“Vote for Ghana to preserve peace …. 3 leaders urge voters” is a headline in the Daily Graphic. The paper reports that against  the  background  of rising  tension in the  run-up to the  December  7 general  election, two  religious  leaders and a traditional   ruler  have made  separate  appeals to Ghanaians to uphold  the peace and  maintain  the sanctity  of the  elections, irrespective  of their  political affiliations . The leaders are President  of the Ghana Catholic  Bishops  Conference, the Most Rev. Philip  Naameh; the National Chief Imam, Sheikh  Osman  Sharubutu, and the  President  of the National  House of Chiefs  (NHC), Togbe Afede XIV

We conclude today’s newspaper review with a story in the Ghanaian Observer “EC to kick start rigging plot with special voting”. According to story the opposition New Patriotic Party’s National Youth Organizer, Sammy Awuku, has alleged that the upcoming special voting on December 1, marks the beginning of the Electoral Commission’s grand ploy to rig elections, in favor of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC). According to him, some eligible voter names have been deleted on the special voting list. “The special voter’s list is a source of worry to us as a political party because several voting names have been deleted.” Sammy Awuku was addressing the NPP Northern Regional Youth League in Tamale, as part of his nationwide campaign tour.

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Ban Ki-Moon calls Mahama, Akufo-Addo over Ghana's stability

30^th November, 2016 Ghana Elections Daily News Headlines

[A Service by @africanelection] We start today’s newspaper review with:

Ban Ki-Moon calls Mahama, Akufo-Addo over Ghana’s stabilty http://ow.ly/EVbW306EPYT

Ho Central: Independent candidate woos voters with campaign songs http://ow.ly/imga306EPLF

I’ll win by over 5,000 votes – NPP Okaikoi north candidate http://ow.ly/6Uzp306EPQd

EC’s ‘rigging plot’ to start with special voting – Sammy Awuku http://ow.ly/fZce306EPU5

NPP snubs NCCE presidential debate http://ow.ly/kppN306EPWG

Mustapha Hamid ‘cries’ over Mahama’s alleged bribery http://ow.ly/eufR306EQ1C

Bribery claim against Mahama ‘cock and bull story’ – NDC http://ow.ly/AO7H306EQ4s

‘We don’t need to bribe Bugri Naabu to expose Akufo-Addo’ – NDC http://ow.ly/5WE0306EQih

MP accuses EC, Tema Naval base Commander of sabotage in Special Voting http://ow.ly/VqIa306EQn2

'God is not man, I'll defeat Dr Rockson in Bimbilla Constituency' - Nitiwul http://ow.ly/IiMg306EQpD

Dozens of known NPP Assembly Members of KMA defect to NDC http://ow.ly/BNVn306EQrW

Mahama to debate Nduom, Greenstreet others today http://ow.ly/JHZL306EQA5

Police must arrest Bugri Naabu for taking bribe: Anyidoho http://ow.ly/JSMN306EQHl

NDC’s failure inexcusable: Bawumia http://ow.ly/7p1a306EQIZ

EC's rigging plot'll start on 1 Dec: NPP http://ow.ly/XD6w306EQKo

Manu: Mahama's bribery attempt on Bugri 'shameful' http://ow.ly/dRlf306EQM0

Bosomtwe assembly endorses Akufo-Addo http://ow.ly/sqvJ306EQOX

Delve Into Issues That Would Better Lives Rather Than Woyome's Case - Minister Urges Media http://ow.ly/wTKp306ER2E

Odike’s 'Bribe' To Endorse Nana Addo Is “Absolute Rubbish” – Sammy Awuku http://ow.ly/bsiX306ER4a

Retrieve Missing Ballot Boxes Before Election – PPP Tells EC http://ow.ly/O2bb306ER62

Electoral Commission Educates Electorate On Voting http://ow.ly/dn1L306ER8F

2016 election gunning for the most poorly organised election-Agyei-Korsah http://ow.ly/JtFz306ERe9

Campaign Songs Mean Something

CAMPAIGN SONGS MEAN SOMETHING!

From Lucky Mensah’s “Yese Samu” to Shatta Wale’s “Mahama Paper”, political parties have used songs from artistes to send their political message across. Though “Mahama Paper” was just a song without any political intention, it has been ‘adopted’ by the ruling NDC party.

Many others are the songs used by political parties to campaign in hopes of ruling mother Ghana. The catchy phrases and choruses from these songs make it hard for anyone to ignore. Even children who do not understand the dynamics of politics or the purpose of these songs sing along whenever they are played, mispronouncing the words often.

Are these songs just to entertain electorates? No. They are campaign messages presented in an entertaining form to drive home the political party’s agenda.

In 2008, the NPP undoubtedly had the most popular campaign song composed and sang by Highlife Legend Daddy Lumba, titled “We are moving forward”. The song was played all over the country even at “non-political” places like drinking bars, chop bars and individual parties. The song till date is making waves. Surprisingly the NPP are now looking for change and not the “moving forward” of the sitting government but, the song is still played and never seems to fade with time. In recent times, NDC’s “John 3:16” is also making waves. John representing their Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama. The 3 stands for the position of President John Mahama on the ballot paper for the 2016 elections. It has become evident that a lot of thought goes into these songs and the messages are carefully crafted.

To say these songs have no influence on political campaign is to commit a political sin. John 3:16 will be imprinted in the minds of NDC sympathisers when they go to cast their vote. No need to start looking for their Presidential candidate on the ballot paper. They have been told he is number 3 through the song. So that eradicates any chance of voting for any other candidate apart from the 3^rd on the ballot.

For NPP’s “Yese samu” the message to electorates is clear, we are changing government. We want Nana Akufo-Addo to come to power. The song discredits the sitting government, explaining why change is important.

Music is one of the most powerful tools. It can definitely change the mind-set, emotions and feelings of the listener. The right song at the right place and time can cause a change. An inspirational song can lift the spirit of a sad person, listening to heart-breaking songs can slip a person into depression because it will bring to the listener sad memories. The right kind of song, with the right message at the right time can definitely bring about change.

Campaign songs are not to entertain, they are meant to influence and indeed they do influence. But as to how far that influence rakes in votes, only the ballot papers will decide.

TRIBALISM AND THE 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS

TRIBALISM AND THE 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS

All too soon, Ghana has just eleven more days to go to the polls to decide who the majority of eligible Ghanaian electorates believe is the right person to spearhead the affairs of government business for the next four years. Many issues have come up in the run up to this election. It is not far from truth to assert that this year's general elections has had more labels and substantial issues raised and discussed than previous elections. Some of these issues that have been raised tend to have rippling effects on our cultural heritage and coexistence. It would be hard to clearly determine what would take place after the dust surrounding the 2016 general elections is finally settled when the winner is declared.

The issue of tribalism and ethnocentrism have been discussed in the run-up to the general elections. Many people are of the view that Ghanaians are one people regardless of their ethnic affiliations. However, it has become common place in recent times to see and hear some candidates in this year's general elections campaign on ethnic grounds.

The sitting president and candidate on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress came under a barrage of attack and criticism when it came to light that his speech had hints of tribalism. President Mahama is reported to have engaged in ethnic politics in the northern part of the country to get votes. “I pity Northerners who are calling for change,” President Mahama, told residents of Lawra in the Upper West Region when toured the area as part of his campaign. He reportedly called on Northerners not to vote for Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP, because they hate people from the north, adding “they will use you and dump you.” These comments did not go down well with many people who called on opinion leaders and other bodies to call the president to order.  Even the leader of the main opposition party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, spoke against the president's remarks. It can be recalled however, that, ex-president John Agyekum Kuffour at a campaign tour in the Eastern region, urged party faithfuls to vote massively for Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo because he was their "son", a comment that has tribal outlook.

It can therefore be said that, on the issue of tribalism, both the NDC and NPP will be found culpable for such utterances. Is it to the bane of our existence as people from different ethnic backgrounds? Does it augur well for national development? These are the issues that need to be looked at to avoid anything untoward in future.

We need to hold our leaders accountable for their speech and let them know that whatever they say or do would likely come back and bite them in future. Whether or not the electorate would look beyond these misgivings and vote on issues would be soon decided come 7th December.

The Beauty of Political Alliances

THE BEAUTY OF POLITICAL ALLIANCES

Prior to the election day, Ghana has seen history in the making. For the first time in its democratic history, some Presidential aspirants were disqualified. Interestingly, some were later cleared to contest the 2016 elections following the Supreme Court ruling.

MOVING ON

Faced with the bitter truth about missing out on any opportunity to become President any time soon, some of these aspirants have moved to openly declared support for other political parties with utter disregard for differences in policies. The leader of the Ghana Freedom Party quickly jumped back onto the campaign trail of the NDC. The Presidential aspirant for the APC stated he would go to court but promised not to hold the country to ransom by putting an injunction on the general elections. Just when we had moved on from the disqualifications, the leader of the DPP, Thomas Ward-Brew took the Electoral Commission back to court. The court however disqualified his lawsuit. For Kofi Apaloo of the IPP, he is ever ready to accept an appointment for the NPP should they come into power. Well that exposes where he stands. It is not an unusual practice but one would think the differences in ideologies and policies would have influenced these decisions.

Some have argued that the alliances of the smaller parties with the major parties would not have any significant effect. But I beg to differ. In an election where 50 percent plus one (50+1) is needed for a winner to be declared, even one vote makes the difference. These smaller parties have a significance influence when it comes to these pre-electoral alliances. If a candidate gets 50 percent of the votes and a smaller party brings one vote to the table, guess who the decider of the election is. Yes, that’s right. Major political parties cannot do away with the “little” help the alliances bring.

Another thing these alliances bring is resources. All resources hitherto controlled by the smaller parties before the alliance are now at the disposal of the parties they join. These include, cars, financial and human resources.

I have however wondered how the images of the disqualified aspirants affect the parties they form alliance with. On the other hand, I think these alliances speak of unity. No matter our differences, we can still come together. Even though we have exchanged some harsh words prior to this point, we can move forward together. That is the beauty of political alliances.

We're ready for December 7 says EC, but 3 political parties divided

With 7 days for Ghanaians to decide who leads them in the next four years, the news media on Friday, 25^th November, 2016 were dominated by the following headlines:

The Daily Graphic with the headline “We’re ready for Dec 7 Says EC, but 3 political parties divided”, says with  preparation  towards  the 2016  elections  at fever  pitch, the Electoral  Commission (EC) and  three political  parties  say they  have  done all within  their  power for successful polls. On the special voting  which  comes off on Thursday, December1,2016, the Head of Communications at  the EC, Mr. Eric Dzakpasu, told the Daily Graphic in Accra,  yesterday that all the necessary logistics, including pinks sheets and ballot papers, had been dispatched to the  centres where  the special voting  would take place.

The Chronicle also carries the headline “CDS is out of order … He is scaring people from voting – Hackman”. According to the story a former minister of Foreign Affairs in the Kuffour administration, Mr. Hackman Owusu Agyemang, says the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Marshal Michael Samson- Oje, is completely out of order for making statements likely to scare voters away from the polls in December. According to Mr. Owusu Agyemang, nowhere in the world would a CDS engage the media to warn citizens, at the neglect of their constitutional mandate.

“Reject NDC, NPP to restore sanity in politics – JOY” is a headline in the Daily Graphic. The paper reports that, the only  Independent Presidential Candidate in the 2016 election , Mr. Jacob  Osei Yeboah, has  called on Ghanaians  to reject  the National  Democratic  Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on December 7 to, in his  words, ‘’restore sanity  into  Ghanaian politics and safeguard the peace the country is enjoying.’’ Popularly known as JOY, Mr. Yeboah  said  these two political  parties  were  taking advantage of their  popularity  and numbers  to act  in ways that divide  the citizenry and make  politics look like a war.

The Ghanaian Times also carries the headline “APC endorses president Mahama”. According to the story, the All Peoples Congress (APC) has endorsed the second term bid of John Mahama, the presidential candidate of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC). The decision to endorse the candidature of President Mahama, according to the APC, was driven by the development he has championed within his first term.

Today also has the caption “Nduom rallies support for PPP in Western Region” The paper reports that the 2016 presidential candidate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, has urged voters in Tarkwa and Bogoso in the Western Region to vote for him and the Party’s parliamentary candidates in the region. Dr. Nduom who spoke at separate rallies at Tarkwa and Bogoso on Saturday, November 26, 2016 could not understand why the two towns, which are endowed with gold, bauxite and vast green lands for agriculture, should not be like Johannesburg in South Africa.

We conclude today’s newspaper review with the headline from the Daily Guide “NDC fights NPP over Woyome”. According to the story the sudden resurfacing of the fraudulent payment made to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) bankroller, Alfred Agbesi Woyome in the name of judgement debt, appears to be causing anxiety in the ruling party a few days to the December 7 elections. The NDC is struggling to rope in the NPP flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in the judgement debt conundrum, with the allegation that he also superintended over similar payments, citing the drillship saga.

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Bawumia jabs Mahama; says achievements are minimal

29^th November, 2016 Ghana Elections Daily News Headlines

[A Service by @africanelection] We start today’s newspaper review with:

Bawumia jabs Mahama; says achievements are minimal http://ow.ly/nI6s306Cjci

NDC, NPP ‘buying votes’ ahead of Dec. 7 – CODEO http://ow.ly/9Ip7306CjgT

Two missing ballot boxes found in Apowa http://ow.ly/c1Zf306Cjki

Hassan Ayariga’s APC endorses John Mahama for reelection http://ow.ly/wO1p306Cjuh

Omane Boamah attacks Nana Addo over drill ship saga http://ow.ly/pThx306CjwF

Samira Bawumia campaigns in Northern Region http://ow.ly/mDVK306CjyZ

NPP, NDC battle for Sekondi seat http://ow.ly/fwaO306CjAe

Omane Boamah jabs NPP over ‘collapsed’ NHIS claims http://ow.ly/yx5C306CjBT

NDC’s Alhassan Suhuyini outlines his vision for Tamale North http://ow.ly/6qLA306CjEx

We’ve lost hope in NDC – Anlo Beach residents http://ow.ly/gk0J306CjGN

NDC plotting to kill Amissah Arthur - Owusu Bempah http://ow.ly/517t306CjP1

OccupyGhana warns SSNIT against phantom Woyome project http://ow.ly/ZDul306CjR6

Ben Ephson’s polls come from his ‘big belly’ – A Plus http://ow.ly/l7uE306CjTO

Akufo-Addo to make Western Region oil services hub for West Africa http://ow.ly/wbDH306CjXA

'Social media shut down won't happen' - NMC http://ow.ly/7anl306CjZz

Thabo Mbeki arrives in Ghana today; leads Commonwealth Observer Mission for Dec 7 polls http://ow.ly/vELk306Ck9S

Akomea mocks gov't's record in fighting judgement debt http://ow.ly/IXci306CkbU

Komenda Sugar Factory to restart production but... http://ow.ly/SmWz306CkdX

I am the peace-loving leader Ghana needs – Mahama http://ow.ly/oczJ306Ckgo

I don't want 50.7%, give me 60% - Mahama campaigns http://ow.ly/vrP9306Ckij

Northern Women for Peace wants peace in December elections http://ow.ly/K6K5306Ckm5

‘God is on the side of NDC’ – Mahama http://ow.ly/Nt6I306CknT

We don’t want any confusion ahead of polls - Agyin-Asare http://ow.ly/608c306Ckqv

Stop spreading lies about NDC gov't - Omane to Akufo-Addo, Bawumia http://ow.ly/WjfQ306Cku2

Mahama turns 58 today http://ow.ly/krTg306CkIJ

NPP reduced my term to 3 years - Mahama http://ow.ly/aUwY306CkW7

Don’t change me for changing sake - Mahama http://ow.ly/vX6h306CkZO

Election 2016: Let’s finish hard - Debrah http://ow.ly/7M9V306Cl2m

Even If Ben Ephson Prefers, He Should Predict 90% For Mahama - Sir John http://ow.ly/tpBx306ClfG

BNI Denies Conducting Research Projecting Akufo Addo As Winner http://ow.ly/mo4E306CljD

PHOTOS: Aspiring NPP MP Wears Mahama Cap To Preach Peace http://ow.ly/uV0f306ClmM

Over 98,000 Special Voters Still On Main Register http://ow.ly/z6ik306Clpa

We Stole NPP's Manifesto - APC ‘Executive’ Confesses http://ow.ly/ZifY306ClrM

9.4% of voters doubt NPP would fulfil campaign promises – poll reveals http://ow.ly/f4Dm306ClBg

NDC aspiring MP cries over defacing of posters http://ow.ly/T1JL306ClEH

Nana Addo's 'Spiritual' Figure Is 58%, But Politically . . . - Islamic Cleric Predicts http://ow.ly/4iur306ClKL

6 ballot boxes missing

With 9 days for Ghanaians to decide who leads them in the next four years, the news media on Friday, 25^th November, 2016 were dominated by the following headlines:

The Daily Guide has the headline “6 ballot boxes missing”. According to the story the Western Regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it suspects foul play after six ballot boxes of the Electoral Commission (EC) fell off a truck conveying them to Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency. They were meant to be used for the December 7 polls in the constituency. The NPP claimed there could be dire consequences if the six ballot boxes get into the wrong hands on Wednesday, December 7, general elections.

The New Crusading Guide with the caption “Ballot boxes missing … Police investigations underway”. The paper states that, the Electoral Commission (EC) has confirmed that six (6) ballot boxes have gone missing after they allegedly fell off a pickup truck and that the Ghana Police is investigating the circumstances surrounding the issue. In a post on its official Facebook page, the EC stated that, “for the six empty boxes that fell off the pickup truck in the Western Region, a report has been made to the police. They will be replaced before by the Commission before election day”.

The Daily Statesman also carries the headline “BNI tells Mahama: People are voting for change … Ephson’s real poll puts Nana 8% ahead of Mahama, but…”. The Daily Statesman can report that the outcome of the latest research conducted by the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) on the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections predicts a one-touch victory for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, with a clear NPP majority in parliament. This latest BNI survey is consistent with an earlier one they did, except the high number of undecided voters in the earlier one has dropped considerably.

Daily Post “Top IEA/NPP man predicts win for President Mahama”. According to the story Dr. Ransford Gyampo a senior lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Legon has asserted that President Mahama will win the forthcoming elections. Dr. Gyampo  says  his prediction  is based on the  facts that firstly  the NDC knows how to win  elections, secondly, that  it goes  without  saying the main  opposition  party , the  NPP  cannot  win  the  elections  with  Akufo-Addo as their  flagbearer. The  University  don who is also  a Research  Fellow  with  the pro-NPP  think–tank, Institute  of Economic Affair (IEA) and a  self–confessed sympathizer  of the NPP  made  these assertion  while  having  a no-holds  barred conversation with a friend.

The Daily Graphic also has the caption “NDP launches manifesto”. The National  Democratic  Party  (NDP) has launched  its  manifesto  in Drobo in the  Jaman South District  in the  Brong Ahafo Region amid  joy and goodwill from the  chiefs, people  and the supporters of the party  in the area. The manifesto  launch  drew  residents  of Drobo, Japekrom and adjoining  towns as well  as the  Mmratehene of the area, Nana  Asafoakye John Kwadwo Sekyere, to  the durbar  grounds.

The Enquirer has the headline “We’re prepared for the worst – Military assures”. The Chief of Defense Staff, Air Marshall Samson-Oje has issued a stern warning at a media encounter in Accra last Friday. The military capo said the military is fully prepared and on standby with the sister civilian security agencies, especially the police, to counter any group of persons who tend to use the elections as a ground to breach the nation’s peace. 

      

The Ghanaian Times also carries the headline “127,394 for special voting on December 1” The paper reports that, a total of 127,394 people are expected to cast their vote in 275 constituencies in the special voting exercise on Thursday, December 1. They comprise security personnel, journalist and officials of the electoral Commission (EC). Deputy Chairman of EC in charge of operations, Alhaji Amadu Sulley, told The Ghanaian Times in an interview yesterday after an Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting in Accra.

“Special voting list shores up by 13,000 new names” is the headline in Today. According to the story at least 13,000 new names have been added to the special voters list, Electoral commission (EC) has confirmed. Deputy Commissioner in charge of operations, Sulley Amadu, said the new figures was now hovering around 127,934 voters, up from 114,813 list of special voters announced earlier. The new list includes 500 new recruits who just passed out, Amadu added. Speaking on Joy FM’s news analysis program-newsfile, Saturday November 26, Mr. Amadu allayed fears that the EC will provide the political parties the new list of voters before the special voting day.

We conclude today’s newspaper review with the headline in Today “Greenstreet blasts Mahama”. According to the story Presidential nominee of the convention people’s party (CPP), Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, has criticized President John Dramani for flying a helicopter when he toured the Upper West Region. He questioned why the president flew instead of driving on the deplorable roads in the region he failed to fix. The CPP presidential nominee who was in Sakai in the Sissala East and Pulima in the Sissala West constituencies as part of his campaign tour of the Upper West region lashed out at the president for reneging on his promises. “I am surprised about the state of the roads, why did the president fail to drive to witness the bad roads here; why did he come to Tumu in a helicopter instead of travelling on the bad roads he promised to fix in 2012? “ he fumed.

Click on the link to red more stories

National Democratic Congress (NDC) to hire experts to train members on voting

28^th November, 2016 Ghana Elections Daily News Headlines

[A Service by @africanelection] We start today’s newspaper review with:

NDC to hire experts to train members on voting http://ow.ly/H4ik306zCi6

Adwoa Safo targets 90,000 votes for Nana Addo in Dome Kwabenya http://ow.ly/hBFK306zCdj

Choose me; I want to serve – Nana Addo http://ow.ly/lWCC306zCgA

Woyome is ‘mentally exhausted, frustrated’ – Amidu http://ow.ly/frdM306zCkp

#GhElections: Philip Addison takes campaign to churches http://ow.ly/QRGA306zCm0

Odike spotted at NPP’s Western Regional rally [Photos] http://ow.ly/sXCb306zCpb

Hassan Ayariga sacks executives who endorsed Nana Addo http://ow.ly/beW1306zCrx

Nduom urges military to vote for PPP http://ow.ly/syVb306zCuG

Review rule on over-voting – Ofosu Ampofo to EC http://ow.ly/3apS306zCwL

‘One something, one something’ won’t wash – Mahama mocks NPP campaign http://ow.ly/gES2306zCJr

I didn’t take money to endorse Mahama- Henry Lartey http://ow.ly/ce5s306zCMn

Patriotic Professionals Ghana calls for peaceful, credible elections http://ow.ly/CIAX306zCOg

2016 polls: GCPP endorses Mahama http://ow.ly/EwTO306zCVN

Election 2016: Mahama will win by 52% – Ben Ephson http://ow.ly/n8Qv306zCZj

Dec polls: ‘Victory is ours’ – Debrah http://ow.ly/Ug6D306zDcD

Mahama begins C/R tour today http://ow.ly/EXT0306zDeH

Vote for Akufo-Addo for economic freedom – Rebecca http://ow.ly/4kde306zDgx

EC registered 98% of qualified voters http://ow.ly/mn6W306zDiy

Mahama: My govt has made it possible for NPP Youth Organizers to marry http://ow.ly/pNRL306zDpR

EC denies discovery of thumb printed ballots in Ketu South http://ow.ly/WKkM306zDrr

NPP Would Be In Political Hibernation After Elections- Veep http://ow.ly/HB9y306zDBP

PNC Will Give Tax Benefits To Companies That Employ PWDs - Dr Edward Mahama http://ow.ly/84u2306zDDE

I Will Ensure Jomoro And Western Region Benefit From Oil And Gas- Nduom http://ow.ly/yx3f306zDFS

Ghanaians Don’t Know Vote Buying Is Punishable – CDD http://ow.ly/6SDL306zDI1

I Don't See Myself Working With Nii Noi Nortey - Philip Addison http://ow.ly/uG4O306zDKf

Vote For Me; Ignore NPP Propaganda – Mahama http://ow.ly/OZcr306zDM2

Stay away from protest zones during Ghanaian elections – US govt warns nationals http://ow.ly/8rUx306zE29

W/R NPP RAISES RED FLAGS OVER PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT PAPERS BUT EC SAYS NO CAUSE FOR ALARM

The Western Region Chapter of the opposition New Patriotic Party is up-in-arms over the presidential ballot papers that were recently transported to the western region.

The presidential ballot papers arrived on the 21^st of November and was inspected by the Political parties on the following day in the presence of the Electoral Commission and security officials.

But the NPP is not happy. Its Secretary for the Western Region Charles Bissue told Francis Whajah that some constituencies have more than the 5% extra ballot papers required by law.

“We are not happy with this development and wish to raise red flags over this” He said.

But the Western Regional Electoral Commissioner Steve Opoku Mensah has been responding to their concerns, He says it is purely mathematics and not the intention of the EC to deliberately increase the ballot papers by more than 5% in some areas.

He said ballot papers are provided in sequence of 50, 25 and 100’s and it will be difficult to get the exact 5% the NPP wants in some constituencies.

“For instance, if a polling station has 75 voters, 5% of the 75 voters will give you 3.75. If you add 3.75 to 75 it gives you 78.5. But the ballot papers are issued in sequence of 50, 25 and 100 and we will have to issue 100 papers instead of 78 and that will be more than 5%. If it is 25, you cannot tear 10 out of it so all the 25 must go and therefore you will not get the 5% they are calculating for a whole constituency.” The EC Boss said.

He stated that the party agents would be there to monitor the elections and the ballot papers will be accounted for and political parties should not worry.

“It is better to have more than shortage”. He emphasized. 

The ballot papers have since been transported to the 26 constituencies of the region.   

We'll deal ruthlessly with trouble makers - Armed Forces

26^th November, 2016 Ghana Elections Daily News Headlines

[A Service by @africanelection] We start today’s newspaper review with:

GhElections: We’ll deal ruthlessly with troublemakers – Armed Forces http://ow.ly/PbsM306xlER

EC holds crucial IPAC meeting ahead of polls http://ow.ly/6Sg7306xlFK

We’re not adding new names to special voters’ list – Police http://ow.ly/dYN4306xlH1

Amidu counters Woyome’s ‘frivolous’ application http://ow.ly/YcQZ306xlI4

NDC condemns actions of ‘NPP’ hecklers at Manyhia http://ow.ly/SRE2306xlJd

NPP patron donates office complex to party in Hohoe Constituency http://ow.ly/8adb306xlKv

NPP does not understand Ghana's unemployment situation - Iddrisu http://ow.ly/M5Bv306xlUN

Confusion hits Joy Ballot Box in Tamale http://ow.ly/RQIO306xlWb

Former Methodist Bishop urges EC to be neutral http://ow.ly/8kUJ306xlYm

I’m devastated – Bawumia http://ow.ly/32ch306xm48

Mahama creating a fair and just society - Debrah http://ow.ly/lO8P306xm5y

I’ve no new contract with govt - Woyome http://ow.ly/zw86306xm6G

Tribal politics must stop – Catholic group http://ow.ly/QqZi306xm89

Poll surveys dangerous for Ghana’s democracy – Veep http://ow.ly/qRZ5306xmef

127k for special voting http://ow.ly/NUfm306xmfq

Dec polls: Political tagging can't stop us – Kofi Boakye http://ow.ly/mFGd306xmgf

Police deny bloating early voters list http://ow.ly/Lops306xmhp

Ghana Has Become An “Indiscipline” Country - Nunoo-Mensah http://ow.ly/LOF5306xmka

“Hooting At Prez Mahama Is Disrespectful To Asantehene” – Security Expert http://ow.ly/Fx1v306xmmp

Atta Mills was a better President than Mahama – Ken Kuranchie http://ow.ly/9t54306xmuF

Mahama better than all his predecessors – UPSA Vice Chancellor http://ow.ly/fCUY306xmvT

I'll quit politics if Konadu fails to get 45% in Volta - Owusu Bempah http://ow.ly/ohPO306xmyv

Winners never quit- Chief of staff advises students http://ow.ly/sb9f306xmzL

Another minister expresses fears of NPP arrests if… http://ow.ly/OPdl306xmGs

POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS IN THE RUN-UP TO THE 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GHANA: A RECIPE FOR DISASTER?

POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS IN THE RUN-UP TO THE 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GHANA: A RECIPE FOR DISASTER?

It is just a few days Ghanaians to decide who will be their president for the next four years. The main battle seems to be between the two main political parties in Ghana: the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and The New Patriotic Party (NPP). As campaigns heat up and get more intensified, all political parties are using whatever scheme they have at their disposal to better position their respective candidates as the right choice for the Flagstaff House for the next four years.

One such ploy that has gained grounds and is likely to win votes from floating voters is the endorsements that have come ahead of the general elections. Endorsements of political party candidates have seen a sharp increase in the 2016 elections as compared to what was witnessed in the run-up to the 2012 general elections which was won by John Dramani Mahama on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.

 In 2012, endorsements were rare except endorsements coming in from ace Ghana actor Clement Bonney, popularly called “Mr. Beautiful” for candidate John Dramani Mahama. His endorsement received a barrage of criticism and backlash from colleagues and the general public for showing his political affiliation. After the 2012 general elections, even after his candidate had won the elections, the acting career of Mr. Beautiful took dipped. Many analysts took it that movie producers did not want to “script” him for fear of being tagged as N.D.C.

Quite interestingly, the run-up to this year’s has seen lots of endorsements coming from chiefs, musicians, business moguls, movie directors, actors and among others. Notable among them and quite remarkable to say the least are the celebrity endorsements. John Dumelo, Mizbel, Lucky Mensah, Cwesi Oteng, Praye and a host of other celebrities have thrown their support behind candidates of the two main political parties. Chiefs and stool heads have also joined the endorsement bandwagon and have openly declared support for either candidate of the main political parties in this year’s election.  Chieftaincy is a revered institution, and that is why the framers of the national constitution of Ghana found it necessary not only to guarantee the continuous existence of the institution, but also preserve its sanctity.

Article 276 (1) states: “A chief shall not take part in active party politics; and any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to parliament shall abdicate his stool or skin”. Even though it does not touch explicitly on endorsement of candidates, many argue that the inference is apparent, as any chief who endorses a candidate in public, is being partisan in his outlook.  Notable among them are Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri, chief of Sunyani; Nayire Naa  Bohugu Mahami Abdulai, President of the Northern Regional house of chiefs and Richard Babini Kanton VI, Chief of Tuobodom.

Endorsements have also come from clergymen. Recently, actor and comedian, Agya Koo openly endorsed Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and promised to use his popularity to garner votes for him.

It is expected that these celebrities through their endorsements sway the undecided voter to vote for the endorsed candidates and thereby determine the next occupant of the Flagstaff House. What is worrying are the implications and repercussions of these endorsements on their careers after the elections. We live to see.