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Alan Kyerematen’s withdrawal not a call for disunity- Team Bawumia
The campaign team for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer hopeful of New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said the withdrawal of the former Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Kyerematen, from the NPP presidential race, does not call for disunity within the party.
The team appealed to all supporters of Mr Kyerematen to throw their weight behind the Vice President in breaking the 8, despite the former minister’s decision to quit the party’s presidential race.
A statement released yesterday by a leading member of the Vice President’s campaign team, Mr Sammy Awuku, said “this is the time to reach out to each and every one to make the 2024 campaign and election victory possible to the NPP.
The team said though challenges been faced by the NPP and country appeared to be fearsome, there would be victory at the end.
The statement gave the assurance that Dr Bawumia and his team will carry along NPP supporters and sympathizers outside the party, to once again deliver victory in the forthcoming polls.
The statement said that although the journey to victory would not be easy, with all supporters coming on board to play their roles effectively, Dr Bawumia could surely lead the party in breaking the 8.
“To all the supporters of the candidates who couldn’t make it to the top 5 and supporters of aspirants who made it to the top 5, please let’s come together.
Let’s solve our problems together and once again position the NPP still as the party of choice ahead of the 2024 General Elections to deliver economic prosperity for our nation, Ghana,” the statement said.
The Alan Kyeremanten campaign team on Tuesday announced the shocking withdrawal of their candidate from the NPP presidential primaries schedule for November 4, 2023, after the just ended Super Delegate Conference to select the best first five out of the 10 aspirants.
Although Alan was able to take a slot in the first five, he stated that his withdrawal from the presidential race was due to the level of intimidation of varying intensity, directly and indirectly, unleashed on a significant number of delegates at various voting centers across the sixteen regions.
He however stated that, in the next coming weeks, he would provide an indication on the role to play in politics.
Mr Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko who was a contestant of the Presidential race of the party, some few days ago also withdrew from the upcoming run-off election to determine the 5th position.
His decision came after the NPP announced that its National Council will constitute an electoral college to break the tie between him and his competitor Francis Addai Nimoh, who were both 5th in the just ended super delegate conference.
But in a press release, Mr Agyarko described it as unconstitutional for the National Council to shortlist a few individuals to represent the 955 individuals who participated in the first round.
He was of the view that, the establishment of an electoral college flout the party’s constitution.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
