Features
Former Prez Mahama: A ‘bitter loser’ and ‘itinerant deceiver’?
Readers, according to Wikipedia, a ‘bitter loser’ is a person who becomes very upset or angry when he or she loses a game or a contest.
Some political analysts, however, describe ‘an itinerant deceiver’ as a deceitful person who preaches the basic ‘political redemption message’ in a notorious manner, while travelling around to different groups of people; within a relatively short period of time.
John Mahama
• Mrs Jean Mensa Mac-Manu
Readers, gradually but steadily, many Ghanaian voters and political actors are increasingly becoming sophisticated with their understanding of the trending nature of our nation’s politics.
The ‘new sophistication’ of Ghanaian voters and political actors seems to be hugely influenced by the contents of the multiplicity of media networks in the country, particularly the social media.
And so, just recently, when former President John Dramani Mahama started his “Thank-You-Tour” in the country, many Ghanaian voters and political actors keenly ‘followed him’ with admixture of interests.
As the name implies, Mr Mahama’s ‘Thank-You-Tour’ was expected to be used to thank Ghanaians who voted for him and his NDC party during the December 7, 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.
This is against the backdrop that Mr Mahama lost the presidential election while his party also failed to win majority seats in Parliament.
Some political analysts, however, say the ‘Thank-You-Tour’ is just a ‘smokescreen platform’ for Mr Mahama to launch his 2024 presidential campaign, contending that, “he has ‘elected’ himself ahead of his own party, thus, breaking all the required selection protocols.”
In the various towns and cities across some of the 16 regions of the country, where he visited, Mr Mahama has reportedly made certain ‘outracious’ statements concerning Ghana’s December 2020 elections.
Indeed, some political watchers even claim that Mr Mahama’s utterances during his ‘Thank-You-Tour’, betray him as a ‘bitter loser’, an ‘itinerant deceiver’ and above all, ‘a notorious liar’ .
Readers, let us examine some of Mr Mahama’s alleged ‘Thank-You-Tour’ utterances.
Mr Mahama is reported to have said: “The military was used to influence and declare the December 7, 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.”
He is reported to have also stated: “The Electoral Commission thumb-printed one million ballot papers and stuffed ballot boxes to favour President Akufo-Addo and his New Patriotic Party.”
Again, he reportedly said: “But for a lot of scheming that took place, the NDC would have won the 2020 elections,” contending that” the polls were not credible, transparent, free and fair as the Electoral Commission claimed.”
Expectedly, the Electoral Commission has swiftly responded to Mr Mahama’s allegations; describing them as ‘palpable untrue’ and “an attempt to undermine the credibility of the electoral system.”
Responding to the allegations at a press conference in Accra on October 25, 2021, the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr Eric Bossman Asare said; “at no point was the military used in the declaration of the 2020 election results.”
Dr Bossman Asare stated: “The election results declared by the Electoral Commission, were similar to the results announced by the media houses in the country…
“The media houses and other observers also picked their data right from the ground and the collation centres and the results were not different from what the Electoral Commission declared.”
Dr Bossman Asare added: “We urge the former President to provide evidence of the stuffing of ballot boxes by the Electoral Commission,” stressing that, “this is not a matter to be ignored.”
Mr Peter Mac-Manu, NPP’s Director of Elections, describes former President Mahama’s ballot stuffing claim as “bogus, spurious and loose talk.”
Speaking on Joy FM on October 25, 2021, Mr Mac-Manu stated: “If anybody understands the content of the pink sheets, you would know that it is impossible to dump thumb-printed ballot papers outside what the Electoral Commission brought to the polling stations,” adding that “people should not be talking loosely like that.”
Mr Ben Ephson, Managing Editor of The Daily Dispatch newspaper also says:”Stuffing of ballot boxes in Ghana’s current electoral dispensation cannot work,” stressing that , “Mr Mahama can go to court, if he has any evidence to that effect.”
Speaking on Morning Starr radio last Tuesday, Mr Ephson described Mr Mahama’s one million ballot printing and stuffing allegation as “baseless and reckless.”
Readers, remember? The ‘Thank-You-Tour’ utterances of former President Mahama are not new at all!!!
While waiting for the declaration of the 2020 election results, Mr Mahama said at a press conference in Accra that: “We have won 140 parliamentary seats and what else do we expect?”
He stressed: “I am happy Ghanaians have rejected the Akufo-Addo government,” and asked his NDC supporters to take to the streets and jubilate.
Additionally, Mr Mahama stated: “The Akufo-Addo government is using the military to change the results of the elections,” contending that, “the Electoral Commission is also attempting to change the election results to favour Akufo-Addo and his NPP but we will not allow them to steal the elections.”
Indeed, after the declaration of the presidential results, Mr Mahama and the NDC roundly rejected the results , claiming that the will of the people had been subverted and that “the proper verdict of the people has been stolen.”
So, readers, was it, therefore, not very strange to see Mr Mahama at the Supreme Court of Ghana, claiming that per the election figures declared by the Electoral Commission, none of the 12 presidential candidates obtained more than 50 per cent of the total valid votes cast, as required by our National Constitution ?
And strangely too, in his petition to the Supreme Court, Mr Mahama “deleted” his ‘stolen verdict’ chorus ; “the government using the military to change the results of the elections”; and “the Electoral Commission attempting to change the election results to favour Akufo-Addo.”
So, readers, without providing any evidence to support his claims; can we, therefore, agree with some Ghanaian political watchers; that Mr Mahama is now ‘a bitter loser’, ‘an itinerant deceiver’ and ‘a notorious liar’?
asmahfrankg@gmail.com (0505556179)
By G. Frank Asmah
Features
The Prophet part 2
“I can see in the spirit, that some of you have been trading for years without seeing any meaningful profits, some young women have been disappointed by men who have either abandoned them and left for foreign lands and forgotten about them, or stopped sending money for the upkeep of their wives and children.
I can see young men who are desperate for visas to travel abroad but have either been duped by visa contractors or refused at the embassies. From tomorrow, I assure you, the visas will be given.
Young women, I have news for you. You will receive telephone calls, and you will hear very good news. Handsome young men with money in their pockets will come and marry you, and take care of you. Traders, you will get big business and big profits from today. From today, you will see that I am a true prophet who has come to deliver you.”
Shouts of “Amen,” “thank you Prophet” and “I receive it” greeted his sermon. After a final prayer, he asked the congregation to come early the following day, and bring others, because there would be many testimonies.
There would also be “special anointing” for great miracles. Although he did not ask for an offering, most of the people came and dropped notes, and coins at the “pulpit.” When they left, Antobam counted the money.
“GH¢900!” he almost shouted, ‘and I did not even ask for an offering. This is fantabulous!’ Going to the Nana Kofi Broni shrine, he told himself, was a very wise move.
He started making plans……He had to choose a few assistants who would carry out his orders……. He had to hire some chairs as soon as possible……He had to find a suitable piece of land and, if possible, build his own church……. He had to start looking for a nice car, befitting the status of a popular preacher …… And, most importantly, he had to select two, three or four nice, young women to take care of his needs, apart from the servants who would cook, wash, iron and do other errands for him.
Abruptly, he told himself, this hungry, scruffy Kukurantumi boy was being transformed into a man of power and money, with some of the most beautiful women in town at his beck and call. Wow!
After a shower and supper, he shut the door to the very small room that served as his bedroom and dropped on the bed. Almost immediately, the shrill sounds, like whispers, began.
This time he did not express any fears. He realised to his great surprise that even though the sounds were not in the form of any language, he could understand them.
Tomorrow there will be testimonies……they will give money……. some rich people are being prepared …….they will bring big money ………. we will give them what they want, and they will bring money ……. big money …….big, big money……the women will also come, a number of them. ‘
He went to sleep smiling and whispering to himself, ‘big, big money, and women!’
He woke up at 5 and took a shower. After a breakfast of tea and several slices of bread he set off. On reaching the venue he saw to his great surprise that the place was full.
Very full, and quite a number of people rushed to embrace him and give him the wonderful news. The excited people narrated the testimonies about big sales, telephone calls from relatives directing them to go to Western Union, and impotent husbands who had miraculously rediscovered their magic powers.
He was truly glad that Nana Kofi Broni’s magic had already started working, but most of his attention was focused on the ladies in the congregation. He noticed to his great delight that some of them were really nice. I must start making my selection, he told himself. Today!
“Give a mighty clap offering to the great, mighty one for his wonders among us!” he started, and the response was very big.
“I said yesterday that you were going to see signs and wonders, and I am very happy that my word has been fulfilled. Even though we have taken allowed one hour for testimonies, many more of you would like to testify.
Tomorrow, I promise you that there will be ample time. I will only preach a short sermon. The rest of the time will be taken up by consultations, after which I will give directions on what to do to ensure that you defeat your enemies, secure your marriage and, most importantly, continue increasing your profits in your business.” His sermon was interspersed with ecstatic shouts of “Amen,” “it is true,” “God bless you” and “I receive it.”
His final word was emphatic; “Big miracles are coming your way. Keep attending church, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.”
By Ekow de Heer
Features
Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives
The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.
He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and mentor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.
Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.
“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”
He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach programme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.
He cited testimony-sharing, mentorship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.
Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.
The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.
He, therefore, called for more volunteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.
Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornography, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.
That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and restore these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA
