News
40 NPP MPS FALL … as big names lose seats in parliamentary primaries
Forty Members of Parliament (MPs) including Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of various select committees of Parliament will not return to the House next year after losing their seat in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primaries held last Saturday.
They include Chairman of the Finance Committee, Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah, who is the MP of New Juaben South Constituency, Chairman of Communications Committee, Fredrick Opare Ansah, also the MP of Suhum, Chairman of Education Committee and MP of Akim Oda, William Agyapong Quaitoo, and Chairman of Legal Affairs Committee, Ben Abdallah Banda, who serves as the MP of Offinso South Constituency.
The others are Chairman of Government Assurances Committee, Collins Owusu Amankwaah, who is the MP of Manhyia North, Chairman of Youth and Sports Committee, Alex Agyekum, the current MP of Mpohor, Vice Chairman of Agriculture Committee and MP of Twifo Atti Morkwa, Abraham Odoom, Vice chairman of Roads Committee and MP of Tema Central, Kofi Brako, Vice chairman of Trade and Industry Committee, Ato Panford, who is MP of Shama Constituency.
Other notable incumbent MPs who lost their seat included Joseph Kofi Adda, MP of Navrongo Central and Minister of Aviation, Kwakye Darfour, MP of Nkawkaw and Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Sagre Bambangi, MP of Walewale Constituency and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Vincent Sowah Odotei, MP of La Dadekotopon, who previously served as Deputy Minister of Communications.
In the Greater Accra Region, Nana Akua Owusu Afiriyie, MP of Ablekuma North, Ahmed Arthur, MP of Okaikwei South and Alhaji Habib Saad, MP of Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro would not represent their party in the parliamentary elections later this year after they failed to secure wins in their respective constituencies.
Daniel Okyem Aboagye, MP of Bantama, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, MP of Ejisu, Kennedy Kankam, MP of Nhyiaeso, Kwame Asafu-Adjei, MP of Nsuta/Kwamang/Beposo, Dr Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi, MP of Atwima Kwawoman, Nana Marfo Amaniapong, MP of Kwabre North, Joseph Albert Quarm, MP of Manso Nkwanta, all in the Ashanti Region, were also not given the nod to represent their party in the Parliamentary elections.
Anthony Effah, MP of Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa and Nana Amoako, MP of Upper Denkyira East, both in the Central Region, Joe Mensah, MP of Kwesimintsim and Patrick Bogyako Kwame, MP of Saime- Amenfi East Constituency, both in the Western Region, Godfred Bayong Tangu, MP of Wa East Constituency, Patrick Adama, MP of Sissala West and Ridwan Abass, MP of Sissala East, in the Upper West Region, all failed to win the party’s tickets.
The Eastern Region saw Seth Kwame Acheampong, MP of Mpraeso, Ama Sey, MP of Akwatia, Kwabena Ohemeng, MP of Tinyase Kade, Robert Kwasi Amoah, MP of Achiase, as well as Alhaji Wahab Wumbei, MP of Tolon and Charles Bintin, MP of Saboba, both in the Northern Region, lose the primaries.
Dr Kwabena Twum Nuamah, MP of Berekum East, Kwasi Sabi, MP of Dormaa East, all in the Bono Region, and Kingsley Aboagye Gyedu, MP of Bibiani Ahwiaso Bekwai, in the Western North Region, would not make a return to the House after delegates voted against them.
Source: Ghanaian Times
News
Empowering Communities: Yagaba Kubori Benefits from Educational and Hygiene Support
The Yagaba Kubori constituency came alive with hope and transformation as Empower Africa Alliance and Derby’s Foundation carried out a monumental Community and Schools Engagement Tour.
The tour, held in collaboration with the Honorable Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Yussif, left an indelible mark by addressing critical educational and hygiene needs in the area.
At the heart of the initiative was the distribution of 2,000 exercise books to schoolchildren and 1,000 sanitary pads to both students and women in the community.
Beyond donations, the initiative focused on empowering young minds with education on the importance of schooling, menstrual hygiene, and reproductive health.
The highlight of the event was the heartfelt interaction between Christabel Derby, founder of Derby’s Foundation, and the young girls, encouraging them to overcome challenges and chase their academic dreams. “Every book donated here represents a brighter future, and every pad symbolizes dignity and empowerment for our girls and women,” she remarked.
The support of the MP for the constituency underscored the government’s dedication to youth and gender empowerment.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the organizations, stating, “This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision of creating an inclusive and progressive constituency. Together, we are empowering our youth to lead tomorrow.”
The tour extended its reach beyond schools, touching the lives of women in the community who benefited from the hygiene supplies and awareness sessions.
The initiative not only broke barriers around menstruation but also planted seeds of self-confidence and ambition in the minds of many.
This impactful project showcases how grassroots efforts can catalyze transformation in underserved communities.
Empower Africa Alliance and Derby’s Foundation have set the stage for lasting change, proving once again that collective action can uplift entire generations.
News
Excessive make-up can interfere with biometric verification — EC cautions women
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has cautioned women not to apply a lot of makeup on Election Day, else they would be left disappointed.
According to the Commission, the Biometric Verification Device (BVD) may be unable to capture such women because of the over-application of cosmetic material on the face.
Mr Fred Tetteh, the Deputy Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation of the EC, who gave the caution, said such women cannot vote in case the finger print and manual exercise fail.
Explaining at a briefing session on Tuesday, Mr Tetteh stated that the BVD has only three features, which is the finger print, facial recognition and manual.
According to him when the BVD fails to capture the finger print, it resorts to the facial identity which becomes problematic when there is too much makeup.
It was themed: ‘Strengthening Advocacy for Gender-Representative and Inclusive Governance in 2024 and Beyond.’
The aim is to increase the participation and representation of women and women with disabilities within all decision making spaces of Ghana’s governance system.
Mr Tetteh advised women to be modest with the makeup when going to vote.
“I beg the women to stay away from the ‘pancake’ and others. It is just an election day; kindly minimise the polishing so that you can vote freely without any hitches and stress.”
Additionally, he said when both fingerprint and facial recognition fail, then one has to go through manual verification which usually comes with doubts.
He noted that the EC was putting in place structures to ensure a peaceful and transparent elections, which would be friendly for observers and polling agents who would also be expected to obey the rules.
In a welcome address, the Head of Programmes for ABANTU for Development, Mrs Grace Ampomaa Afrifa, urged key stakeholders, chiefs, the media, religious leaders and other influential people in society to educate people about the need to maintain the peace of the country even beyond the exercise.
The Coordinator for Affimative Action Law Coalition, Becky Ahadzi Esq., stated that it was unfortunate that Affirmative Action Law was passed after the primaries, limiting the number of females’ candidates in parliament.
The session was organised by ABANTU for Development, a non-governmental organisation, that focuses on supporting community led- development initiatives in Ghana and Africa with support from STAR Ghana Foundation.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
