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Wild jubilations for Nana Akufo-Addo …as he grabs second term in office
Many Ghanaians who were on tenterhooks following the delay in the declaration of the winner of the presidential elections suddenly heaved a sigh of relief when the Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Jean Mensa finally declared NanaAddo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as winner of the keenly contested poll.
This created a peaceful atmosphere for members, supporters and sympathisers of the winning New Patriotic Party (NPP) to inundate the streets and corners of Accra and other parts of the country in party colours with spontaneous jubilation to the glory of God and the success of the party.
President Akufo-Addo was declared winner of the Presidential Election with 6,730,413 votes, representing 51.59 per cent of the total 13,434,574 votes cast.
The declaration suddenly deflated the tensed atmosphere which had engulfed the nation for 48 hours after the close of polls on Monday December 7, with the two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) claiming victory ahead of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) final declaration.
Many people celebrated late into the night drinking and dancing on the streets and in the bars. Young men and women in groups rode motorbikes like swarm of bees on the streets of Accra amidst loud noise from the engines of their motorbikes in celebration of the victory.
Massive traffic was recorded in some parts of the city but drivers and passengers appeared unperturbed. While some drivers cheered in the traffic, others tooted horns from their vehicles and waved NPP flags
At the Nima residence of President Akufo-Addo was a large crowd of supporters chanting victory songs and throwing fireworks. Security personnel at the residence had a hard time controlling the jubilant supporters.
President Akufo-Addo, in his victory speech, stressed the need for all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliation, to join the struggle of building a progressive and prosperous country for all.
“The period of campaigning is over. The outcome of the election has been established. The Ghanaian people have made it loud and clear that the two parties, the NPP and the NDC must work together in Parliament for the good of the country.
“Now is the time for each and every one of us, irrespective of our political affiliation to unite, join hands, stand shoulder to shoulder and work hard to put Ghana where it deserves to be,” the President said.
He pledged to dedicate his second term of office as President to work harder and build a prosperous and progressive country to justify the confidence reposed in him by Ghanaians.
Present at the victory speech delivered at his private residence at Nima in Accra were, Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Oquaye, First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Second Lady, Mrs Samira Bawumia, among other members and supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
President Akufo-Addo said he was humbled by the show of confidence by Ghanaians and indicated that his victory was a clear indication of the support of Ghanaians for his policies and programmes of social and economic development.
He commended the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, and all officials at the EC for the sterling performance and urged them to continue that path in future elections.
“The orderly, commendable and peaceful conduct of Ghanaians on election day is to be widely applauded,” he said, and praised the citizenry for strictly adhering to the COVID-19 protocols during the exercise.
He applauded personnel of the security agencies for ensuring peace, law and order during and after the election, and condemned the isolated violent incidents that led to few deaths.
By Yaw Kyei
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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.
