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We’re still shocked by the results of the parliamentary elections – Justin Kodua
The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has expressed shock and disbelief over the results of the just-ended 2024 parliamentary elections.
He stated that one major issue before the 2020 election was how the party had imposed some candidates on certain constituencies.
“So we vowed not to allow such instances to repeat themselves again in the 2023/2024 primaries. You can testify that we ran one of the most transparent and efficient parliamentary primaries in our party, with no traces of controversy after the election. The various constituencies were given the opportunity to elect whoever they wanted to lead them in the 2024 election,” he said.
He revealed that an album validation committee was established to ensure transparency during the election and avoid any misunderstandings among members.
In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen Show on Tuesday, January 14, Mr Kodua mentioned that parliamentary candidates of the party acknowledged that the party had fairly provided maximum support during the election, making it unprecedented.
“Some of us are still mesmerized, we are still shocked by the outcome of the election,” he emphasized.
Mr Kodua further explained that he chose not to grant any interviews after the election because he was puzzled by how the party lost so many seats despite ensuring a smooth election process during the primaries.
He expressed strong confidence in the committee set up to investigate the aftermath of the 2024 election.
“The committee, headed by Prof Mike Oquaye, will probe further to find out what really happened,” he stressed.
He also attributed the party’s loss to apathy that had crept into the party, which he claimed led to the poor performance.
“The kind of apathy that infiltrated the party in the 2024 elections affected both the presidential and parliamentary candidates…” he concluded.
Although both parties had 137 MPs with one independent MP backing the NPP to give them a slight majority in the 8th Parliament, the 9th Parliament has seen the NDC winning 183 seats, with the NPP managing just 88 seats with four Independent MPs.
There’s just one parliamentary seat yet to be determined by the Electoral Commission due to an outstanding dispute.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Aide Du Ciel presents over 50 laptops and projectors to selected schools in KEEA
With the world now connected as a global village through the power of computers, Aide Du Ciel, a France-based non-profit organization to wit ‘Help From Above,’ has presented over 50 laptops and projectors to some selected basic schools in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality in the Central Region.
The donation aims to enhance teaching and learning in the area, as many basic schools within the Municipality lack the necessary resources for effective ICT education.
The schools that received the donated laptops and projectors include Ntranoa M/A Basic School, Abee AME Zion School, Bronyibima M/A Basic School, Abreshia M/A Basic School, and Breman M/A Basic School, Wesley Basic School, Essaman United, Dominase Basic , Abreshia JHS and Nana Kwame Essoun.
During a media engagement, Mrs. Mary Frimpong, the founder of the organization and a Ghanaian based in France, shared the experience that motivated this generous act. She recalled visiting a basic school during one of her holidays in Ghana, where the students had no knowledge of how to use a computer.
This troubling situation inspired her to offer assistance to basic schools, particularly in Elmina and its surrounding areas, so that students could gain hands-on experience with computers.
Mrs. Frimpong emphasised that in today’s world, a student’s future could be at risk if they lack the ability to use a computer effectively.
Her goal is to ensure that every student in Elmina and its vicinity acquires comprehensive computer skills. She also urged the beneficiary schools to take proper care of the donated items, assuring them that her organization would frequently check on the condition of the laptops and projectors.
In interviews with Sompa TV’s Eric Annan, several heads of schools and teachers expressed their immense gratitude and excitement over the donation. They acknowledged that the equipment would significantly enhance teaching and learning, particularly in ICT, as the world becomes increasingly computerized.
Students from the beneficiary schools also expressed their joy and gratitude to Aide Du Ciel.
They noted that the laptops would greatly help them gain a better understanding and deeper knowledge of their ICT education.
By Benedicta Gyimaah Folley
