Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo noted that the victims died in the line of duty and the best way to honour them is to continue the fight they were pursuing.

“This should spur us on to come together and fight galamsey once and for all. The President should strengthen himself because God is with him in this fight,” he said.

He commended Ghanaians for uniting in grief and urged the government to intensify efforts to create alternative jobs for the youth, highlighting the alarming levels of unemployment.

Mr. Ofosu Ampofo also proposed the creation of a lasting monument to honor the fallen soldiers, noting that the whole nation is mourning their loss.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, Dr. Ofosu Ampofo admitted that it is hard to come to terms with the incident.

“One question that God has not given us an answer to till now is why—why them? Why did this happen? Why should they go through such an unfortunate incident? That’s the only answer God has not given us,” he said.

“Even the Bible says in Romans that you cannot search for God’s knowledge. Who are we, as mortal beings, to question Him and ask how it happened?” he quizzed.

He stressed that the deceased were in the care of some of the best-trained pilots in the Ghana Armed Forces, making the tragedy even more shocking.

“I believe these pilots were among the best. The Minister of Defence is in charge of the army, air force, and navy, so will opt for the best of the best. Ministers and other dignitaries will not just fly with any pilot. It cannot be that inexperienced pilots were used, but God knows best, and we cannot question Him,” he stated.

Dr. Ofosu Ampofo, who is also the Board Chairman of COCOBOD and a Policy Advisor at the Office of the President, described the tragedy as “like a film”—something too surreal to believe.

“It is very difficult for us to swallow. I still don’t believe this is what has happened. It’s like a film show. You can’t fathom it,” he said.

He called on the Ghana Armed Forces to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash and prevent such incidents in the future.

From an Islamic perspective, he acknowledged that death comes when it is destined but expressed that the victims “did not deserve this painful death.”

“The Muslims believe that if it’s your time, whatever God has planned will happen. But I believe these people did not deserve this death. It is painful,” he lamented.

He also saluted the “gallant fallen men” for their ultimate sacrifice in service to Ghana.

“What is left is for us, as a nation, to come together to fight the illegal mining they fought against—to make their souls happy at least,” he urged.

A state burial for the victims is scheduled for Friday, with final preparations already underway.

Source: Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

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He believes Mr Aidoo has failed in delivering on his mandate and considering the state of the cocoa industry in Ghana under his leadership, President Akufo-Addo should have sacked him for underperforming.

In an interview on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen programme on Wednesday, Mr. Ampofo stated that, the cocoa industry has been a failure.

“This is nothing personal but he has failed and should have been sacked. I don’t know the key performance indicators (KPIs) that he was given or how they are assessed, but it was this government that set up a monitoring and evaluation ministry and they should have effectively monitored what CEOs were doing.

“There are young, hungry and productive individuals who are ready to turn the situation around,” he said.

Mr Ampofo further asserted that, former COCOBOD boss, Dr. Stephen Opuni who is a medical doctor changed the face of the cocoa industry far better than Mr. Aidoo is doing now.

“Dr. Opuni served diligently and worked hard but look at how he is being treated now. I sometimes pity him because I wonder how you can serve your country wholeheartedly and later be treated in this manner,” he lamented.

In April 2024, a civil society organization, United Voices for Change called for Mr. Aidoo’s immediate removal for what they described as incompetence and mismanagement of COCOBOD which has resulted in great losses over the years.

Industry watchers have blamed Boahen Aidoo-led administration of not being prudent in how they borrow from the local banks and the Central Bank at outrageous interest rate, coupled with their failure to implement the appropriate policies to increase cocoa production.

Whilst COCOBOD’s indebtedness under Boahen Aidoo has skyrocketed from less than 200 million cedis in 2017 when he took office to close to 20 billion cedis now, cocoa production has drastically declined under him.

Ghana, which is the world’s second largest cocoa producer, is struggling to meet the demand of clients who COCOBOD forward sold the country cocoa to.

It has been project that COCOBOD would not be able to even produce 550,000 metric tonnes of cocoa beans before the end of the cocoa crop season in September this year.

In a related development, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni has flatly dismissed claims by his successor, Joseph Boahen Aidoo who alleged that COCOBOD was facing significant financial challenges when the latter assumed office in January 2017.

Dr. Opuni has therefore challenged Mr. Boahen Aidoo to publish the audited financial report of COCOBOD by way of documentary evidence that there was no money, to enable the public to ascertain the true state of affairs at COCOBOD at the time.

“It is trite knowledge that before you secure any loan, you need to show your audited financial statement, therefore if Joseph Boahen Aidoo wants Ghanaians to know that he inherited a broke institution, he should make COCOBOD’s audited financial statement for 2016/2017 financial year public to back his claims,” Dr. Stephen Opuni said in an interview with the media on Thursday.

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Despite the electoral results and a subsequent court ruling in favour of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, he maintains that Mahama was the rightful winner.

The Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the result on March 4, 2021, citing lack of merit.

However, in an interview with ChannelOne TV, Mr Ofosu Ampofo reiterated his belief in Mahama’s victory.

“I still believe that President Mahama never lost the 2020 elections because if all things had gone the way they should go, we would have formed government,” he stated.

Mr. Ampofo pointed to irregularities in the electoral process, including incidents in Ablekuma Central, where he claimed NDC supporters faced intimidation and brutality from state security agencies.

“Ablekuma Central for instance, in the process of declaration, so many things happened, but you know Accra is Accra, our people stood their ground. Some had bullet wounds, and one person died, but they still insisted that they would do everything, the right thing.

“So, in Ablekuma Central we won the seat. If we had chickened out in the face of intimidation, we would have lost the seat. It’s a lesson, people were vigilant; if they were not, we wouldn’t have garnered all those numbers,” he explained.

Mr. Ofosu Ampofo also highlighted the challenge posed by state security agencies, which he accused of bias towards the government of the day.

“There are certain circumstances that are beyond your control. Especially when state security agencies who are supposed to ensure that they become impartial decide to play to the gallery of the government of the day, brutalising people here and there, then you have a challenge,” he added.

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He expressed confidence in his eventual vindication, mentioning his clean record in politics since 1993.

“I don’t think that I have committed any crime. I was talking to party people…I believe that I will be vindicated because of my life as a politician, right from 1993 up till now, I have not had any issue with the police. I have not gone to the court to bail somebody. I have no violence case against me” he said in an interview on ChannelOne TV.

Ofosu Ampofo and a former NDC Deputy National Communication Officer are standing trial for conspiracy to commit assault against a public officer and assault against a public officer.

They have both pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Justice Samuel Asiedu, has granted Ofosu Ampofo additional time to prepare his defence, which is now scheduled to begin on June 20, 2024.

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The former National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was expected in Court on Thursday, May 30, 2024, to open his defense in the case he is facing charges with Anthony Kwaku Boahen.

But, when the case was called before Justice Samuel Asiedu, a Justice of the Supreme Court who is sitting as an additional High Court judge, Counsel for Ofosu-Ampofo, Tony Lithur said, his client had “aggravated his leg” following a long flight.

“You gave us today (Thursday, May 30) to open our defense,” Counsel acknowledged.

He said, “fortunately, the first accused (Ofosu-Ampofo) is back in the country and it appears the long flight has aggravated his leg bit.”

Counsel also informed the Court that, “Yesterday (Wednesday) when I asked him to come for preparation” he said, “he couldn’t walk.”

Mr. Lithur said he has since “procured a medical excused duty.”

He said, “I have spoken to him and his doctor says because it is just a swell within, a week or two he could walk with a stick to court.”

Counsel said the information has been made known to the Prosecution led by Director of Public Prosecutions Mrs Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa and she has agreed to their request for adjournment.

Mrs. Obuobisa, the DPP corroborated the submission made by Tony Lithur saying “We are in agreement for the adjournment.”

Though the parties agreed to come back in two weeks which would have fallen on June 13, 2024, Justice Samuel Asiedu adjourned the case to June 20 citing congestion in the works.

The case has been adjourned to June 20, 2024.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was absent, Anthony Kwaku Boahen was present.

At the last Court sitting on April 25, the Court directed that a former Deputy Communications Officer of NDC, Anthony Kwaku Boahen should be ready to open his defense today should Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo remain absent.

But, the update that Mr Ofosu-Ampofo is back in the country softens that stance.

Ofosu-Ampofo is standing trial together with Anthony Kwaku Boahen, a former Deputy Communications Officer of the NDC.

They are being tried for allegedly conspiring to cause harm to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and the Chairman of the Peace Council.

Both are also separately facing a charge of assault on a public officer and have both pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail.

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Mr Ofosu Ampofo has been absent since November last year, with his lawyers led by Tony Lithur informing the Court that, his client had a “minor surgery” and would be expected back in the Country on the third week of May.

Ofosu-Ampofo (1st Accused) the former National Chairman of the NDC was expected in Court on Thursday, April 25, to open his defence to charges.

He is standing trial together with Anthony Kwaku Boahen, a former Deputy Communications Officer of the NDC.

They are being tried for allegedly conspiring to cause harm to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and the Chairman of the Peace Council.

Both are also separately facing a charge of assault on a public officer and have both pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail.

In Court irt on Thursday, April 25, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo who was expected to open his defence was absent.

Minor surgery

His lead lawyer Tony Lithur told the Court presided over by Justice Samuel Asiedu, a Justice of the Supreme Court sitting with an additional responsibility as a High Court judge, that the first accused (Ofosu-Ampofo) is still out of the country.

Asked by the Court of the reason, Mr Lithur said, “When I spoke to him before the last adjourned date he said he was due for a follow-up minor surgery in the first week of April.”

Counsel also told the Court that, the first accused had “since had the surgery.”

While extending his client’s apology to the Court, Counsel said, his client “hopes to return to Ghana in the third week of May.”

Counsel explained that, “the only reason he (Ofosu-Ampofo) is taking this much time after the surgery is to avoid post surgery clotting.“
Delay

The Court said, “the matter has suffered adjournments due to the absence of the first accused,”

The Court said, “If the first accused is not around then the second accused has to open his defence.”

The court also confirmed that, it had “received some reports from doctors from the US indicating that the man (Ofosu-Ampofo) is receiving medical treatment in the US.”

The Court said there would be nothing wrong if the second accused is heard in the absence of the first accused person.

“It’s been almost a year. In the absence of the first accused we can hear the second accused,” the judge said, adding that, “There is nothing wrong with it.”

He said, “If he comes I will hear him,” the Court said, “Fortunately prosecution has closed its case so there is nothing that will go against him.”

Last opportunity

Dr. Abdul Aziz Bamba, counsel for Anthony Kwaku Boahen, (2nd Accused) pointed to the constitutional requirement that, a matter be heard in the presence of an accused.

“My Lord, there is a constitutional requirement that the matter must be heard in the presence of the accused,” Counsel told the Court.

“We pray that the court indulges us one last time,” he urged.

By Court

Prior to adjourning the case, Justice Asiedu said, “the matter has kept, in my view, a little bit too long.”

He said, “I will adjourn it to May 30 at 9:30 with a caution that if he doesn’t show up I will hear the second accused.”

Background

Sometimes in November 2023, lawyers of the former NDC Chairman led by Tony Lithur provided a letter indicating that their client was in the United States undergoing post-surgery complication treatment.

The content of the letter given to the Court by the Prosecution indicated that his condition is such that, he cannot travel for at least six months.

The Prosecution led by the Director of Public Prosecution has closed its case after calling three witnesses.

Anthony Kwaku Boahen was present in Court on Thursday, April 25, 2024, while the case is adjourned to May 30, 2024.

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According to sources within the party, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo has expressed his dissatisfaction with the rough tactics used by the current Chairman in his campaign to unseat him.

He mentioned among them the deliberate electioneering campaign of lies, vilification and character assassination waged against his person.

One of the key accusations made against him, as recalled in a recent petition to the Council of Elders of the party and gleaned by DAILY GUIDE, “is being called a “mole” in the NDC for our arch opponents, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and purportedly hobnobbing with them, thereby compromising his position as National Chairman.

“That, quite stunningly, in order to reinforce the lie narrative that I was hobnobbing and also involved in some kind of collusion with the NPP, Hon Asiedu Nketia, in a viral video, insinuated I had introduced a Company allegedly owned by Mr Sammy Crabbe, a former National Vice-Chairman of NPP for consideration to create an App for the registration of, and collection of dues from NDC members.

“I wish to state emphatically for the records that I took no part and had no hand in the process leading up to the selection of the eventual Company that was awarded the Contract for the NDC membership registration and dues collection project,” excerpts of the petition read.

Another allegation mentioned in the petition is that he had sold the anticipated victory of the 2020 presidential election to the NPP; thus, causing the defeat of the NDC in the last elections.

“That, I single-handedly appointed the Directors of Elections and IT of the Party; and that in doing so, I neglected the advice of the former President, H.E John Dramani Mahama, who had apparently instructed a delay to the two specific appointments until the flagbearer elections were held in March 2019. According to Hon. Asiedu Nketia, this incident prevented the Party from compiling elections results in 2020 and led to our loss in the election petition which was heard at the Supreme Court of Ghana in the year 2021. This is absolutely false.

“The truth of the matter is that nominations were put before the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) which discussed and provisionally approved the list before submitting same to the National Executive Committee (NEC) for final approval. Upon approval by NEC, the General Secretary issued and signed appointment letters to the persons so appointed.

“So, if I may ask at what point can it be said that I single-handedly appointed those officers?” the petition read.

“That I took the National Women’s Organiser, Hon Dr Hannah Bissiw to an NPP bigwig (businesswoman) for money. This is also false and I challenge him to provide incontrovertible evidence.

“That, in the company of the then General Secretary, Hon. Asiedu Nketia, I went to a businessman who is sympathetic to the NPP to negotiate to sell the position of the Speakership of Parliament in the run-up to the selection of the Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the Republic of Ghana in the night of January 6, 2021. This is also false,” he said.

He was of the view that Mr Nketia’s adoption of tribal politics in his campaign of naked lies were meant to destroy his integrity because he is an Akyem, thereby tagging him to be NPP.

He also noted that it is false comments that by virtue of being an Akyem, he is a member of the “Akyem mafia” or aligned with the NPP. “In fact, Prof Danso Boafo is a royal of the Akyem State and yet a true member of the NDC. So how can it be said that by virtue of being an Akyem, I am aligned with the NPP?”

Touching on the appointment of Rojo Mettle-Nunoo and Kpessa Whyte as representatives of the NDC at the collation centre otherwise known as ‘Strongroom’, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said in the petition that he was never consulted not to talk of resisting the change of the aforementioned duo from the EC office.

The former Chairman was of a strong conviction that the ‘grand mischievous accusations’ sought to portray him as a mole in the party who has been leaking information to the NPP.

On the accounts of the above, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo is requesting the party’s Council of Elders to investigate the allegations, vilifications, and falsehoods peddled against him and establish the veracity or otherwise of each of them and take appropriate action.

Consequently, he has demanded that Mr Nketia should prove all his allegations levelled against him with full evidence as his failure to fulfil that obligation, retract the allegations and apologise unreservedly he will be compelled to take other actions necessary to redeem his reputation.

The Council of Elders, according to sources, is yet to take a decision on the explosive petition.

The court, presided over by Justice Samuel Asiedu, a Supreme Court judge sitting as an additional High Court judge, gave the order after it held that the prosecution had proved its case against the two, hence they ought to give their side of the story.

The order followed the court’s decision in applications for submission of no case filed by counsel for the accused persons filed in November last year after the prosecution closed its case, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish the allegations against the accused, hence they had no case to answer.

But the court in its ruling rejected the arguments of the defence lawyers and held that the prosecution had made a prima facie case against the accused persons, and subsequently ordered them to open their defence on February 10, 2023.

Trial
Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo and one of the party’s leading communicators, Anthony Kwaku Boahen, are on trial over the tape which captures how the opposition NDC is allegedly planning to commit crimes in the country and turn round to blame them on the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Among the strategies were the creation of a general state of insecurity in the country through kidnappings, arson and verbal attacks on public officials like the Chairman of the NPC, Prof. Emmanuel Asante, and EC boss, Jean Mensa.

Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo has been charged with one count of conspiracy to cause harm and two counts of assault against a public officer.

Mr. Boahen, on the other hand, is facing one count of conspiracy to cause harm.

Tape

The controversial tape which is the subject of the trial was tendered in evidence by the case investigator, Detective Chief Inspector Bernard Berko, in his evidence-in-chief by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Yvonne Atakora-Obuobisa.

The over two hours tape which was recorded at a meeting of NDC communicators somewhere last year or so, had Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo telling the party members to make life uncomfortable for the targeted persons who included the Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC) and National Peace Council (NPC).

The leaked tape also detailed how the party would approach campaign strategies, including what he described as ‘overt’ and ‘covert’ operations in the wake of the disturbances that characterised the Ayawaso West Wuogon bye-election.

“I want to assure you that as long as I remain the leader of our party, my approach to elections and security has completely changed… and we need to marshal all the human and material resources,” Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo stated when he took his turn to address the party faithful as captured on the tape.

Forensic Examination

A forensic examination conducted on the leaked audio tape has confirmed it to be his voice on the tape.

The examination which was carried out by the Israeli Forensic Science Institute was to compare the controversial tape to another voice recording of the NDC guru when he addressed supporters of the party at the Police Headquarters in Accra after he was granted police enquiry bail.

According to the report, there is 90 per cent probability that the voice of Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo on the tape addressing the party faithful is the same as the voice on the leaked tape.

The report also indicated that “There is also 85 per cent probability of coincidence of speech features and defects.”

Alibi
Chief Inspector Berko also told the court that while the matter was in court, Kwaku Boahen pleaded an alibi that he was in Bomfa Achiase in the Ashanti Region on February 3, 2019, when the said meeting was held at the NDC headquarters in Accra.

He said a team was constituted to investigate the alibi, and a report was produced after the investigations.

National Chairman hopeful and incumbent chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, has made a passionate appeal to his challenger, Johnson Asiedu Nketia.

Having served the party as General Secretary for 16 years, he is convinced General Mosquito’s expertise will be best utilized as Council of Elder.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo’s comment comes after supporters of General Mosquito charged him to throw in the towel ahead of Congress on Saturday, December 17, 2020 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Supporters of his opponent charged him to peacefully join the Council of Elders instead of wasting resources in an election which is already lost.

But Mr Ofosu-Ampofo on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday said that advice should rather go to their candidate, General Mosquito who is older and weak.

“It is the old one who has said he is tired he is the one who is to prepare himself and his mind to go to the Council of Elders,” he added.

As someone who is tried and tested and nearly won the 2020 elections, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said he has the magic wand to bring NDC to power.

“I Ofosu-Ampofo, I’m not tired. I still have energy in me and I’m prepared to lead the party to form the next government,” he added.

According to him, he would rather concentrate on his campaign activities by reminding delegates of his achievements and sharing his aspirations for the party with them.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, he noted that his achievements in office can speak for themselves, hence there is no need going on a rebuttal spree.

“I don’t want to react to anybody. I want to concentrate on the campaign that I’m doing. I have been the national chairman for the past four years. When I took over the party, the NDC had lost elections in 2016 by nearly one million margin and we’ve lost about 53 seats in Parliament. The four years that was given to me and my team to lead the party, we managed in the 2020 elections to appreciate our votes from about 4.4 million to almost 6.3 million.

“We managed to increase our parliamentary seats from 106 to 137, and for the first time in the history of our Fourth Republican dispensation, the NDC as an opposition party has been able to produce a Speaker of Parliament; this is unprecedented.

“And if this is an indication of the fact that I haven’t done anything, then I will say to the contrary that myself and the team that were elected into office have provided the strategic leadership that has repositioned the NDC party, rebranded the NDC party, made the party more attractive and almost made the party a party of choice as we go into the 2024 elections.

“And for me, I think it is something that all of us must be proud of. This is a record that we have made for ourselves,” he told host, Aisha Ibrahim.

He admits that while his chief objective as Chairman of the Party i.e. to win the 2020 elections, were not realized, he is hopeful that when given the mandate, he will build on his previous gains to secure a “convincing victory” in 2024.

“My objective when I took over the party as its chairman and subsequently as the leader of the party was to lead the party to form government. And so what I’ve not been able to achieve under the four years was the fact that we could not form a government even though we believe that we never lost the 2020 elections.

“So going forward, my objective is to put the pieces together, is to sharpen the rough edges and ensure that going into 2024 elections, our aim will be nothing short of a victory, a convincing victory that will enable us to form the next government and manage to put our policies and programmes in place in order to reverse the deteriorating situation that we find ourselves in as a nation,” he said.

According to Samuel Yaw Adusei, the two national executives failed in building consensus among party members to win the 2016 and 2020 elections.

“If someone is not performing and if a party is not dynamic, you don’t let someone who’s not getting you the results continue. You don’t have to talk about your relationship with person. We are talking about getting the results.

“Consecutively, from 2016 and 2020 we haven’t gotten the results. These two who have declared their intentions to contest played a major role. If no one is, I am fed up. Today, EC, tomorrow police,” he said at a news conference in Kumasi.

Mr Adusei is rallying support for ex-president John Mahama to lead the party in the 2024 general elections.

Internal elections

The NDC’s internal elections beckon, with some party members already filing nominations.

The major opposition party is expected to hold its constituency, regional and national elections to elect new party leaders.

However, a section of the party members is opposing the re-election of some incumbent national executives, particularly the Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and the party’s longest-serving General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia.

Samuel Adusei says the party should be reshaped for the future following the demise of its founder Jerry John Rawlings.

“After the passing of ex-president Rawlings, some of us expected that the leadership of the party would make some steps to plan and rebuild the foundation of the party for the next generation,” he noted.

The former deputy Minister of Works and Housing wants the party to define, identify and recognise the status of ex-president Mahama.

He reiterated calls to support the 2020 presidential candidate to lead the party in the 2024 general election to regain power in what he termed ‘Block The Eight’.

“If you define the status of John Mahama as the former president, that’s the definition. How do you identify him? You must identify him as one who has one-term to lead the country. After this, he must be recognised.

“I think that to recognise him we have mobilise the party members behind the person and that there’s the need for all of us to unite behind ex-president Mahama so that we can rescue power from NPP in 2024; so that we can block them in breaking the eight,” he emphasised.

The NDC will hold its constituency elections on October, 22 and 23, 2022, while the regional elections would be held on November 12 and 13, 2022.

The national congress for the party is slated for December 17, 2022.

The National Chairman of the party, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, says its members have come under a lot of injustices in the last few years.

He made this known at the NDC’s Lawyers’ Conference on Sunday, August 28. 

The NDC Chairman cited the recent impasse between the residents of the Manya and Yilo Krobo municipalities and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to back his allegation. 

He urged the legal practitioners in the party to avail themselves to fight the injustices.

“There have been issues of human rights abuses which are targeted at some of our people in our strongholds. The recent ones being what happened at the Yilo and Manya Krobo areas. 

“Military officers were deployed to the area to unleash violence and brutalities on these innocent people. The narration from the people is most unfortunate to say the least. These are strongholds of the NDC and I think we have to send teams to support.”

The National Leadership of the party recently embarked on a working visit to the Lower Manya and Yilo Krobo areas. 

This was part of an ongoing membership drive and reorganisation activities in the Eastern Region.

The party in a subsequent statement called for the immediate withdrawal of the military personnel used in the installation of prepaid meters. 

“We hold the view that the military-backed forced installation of prepaid meters in the area without proper community engagement and sensitisation was completely unnecessary,” it said. 

Speaking at a ceremony to mark 30 years of the party, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo said the “NDC has contributed to the development of the country more than any political party in the Fourth Republic.”

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo stated that the NDC is proud of its accomplishments over the past 30 years, citing the numerous infrastructure projects and policies the party introduced while in power.

He cited National Identification Programme and the introduction of thermal plants since the construction of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams as the party’s notable achievements.

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“All other expansions of the energy mix have been spearheaded by the NDC to the extent that when the NPP came to power, they were complaining that we had more power than is needed..,” he pointed out.

Touching on health facilities, he said “all the Regional Hospitals in the country can be attributed to the handiwork of the NDC.

“The Regional Hospital in Cape Coast, Ho Regional Hospital, Sunyani, Koforidua, Tamale Regional Hospitals etc.”

On education, he mentioned that the NDC built all of the Polytechnics and ensured that they were converted into universities.

He also asserted that there were only three public universities in the country when the NDC took office but added more.

“Talk about the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, talk about the University of Energy and Natural Resources, University of Environment and Sustainable Development in Somanya, and then every tertiary institution the NDC is credited with it.”

He added that the NDC also played an active role in providing electricity services and basic amenities to many communities.

He noted that the NDC has survived three decades because of the unflinching dedication of its rank and file, despite attempts by their major opponents to bring them down.

Meanwhile, Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen, has asked the National Democratic Congress (NDC) not to compare itself with the NPP in terms of economic development under the Fourth Republic.

Nana Obiri Boahen in an interview on Top Story on Friday countered the NDC’s claim that it has achieved more with regard to development than any other party under the Fourth Republic saying that NPP has rather recorded unprecedented achievements.

“A lot of structures have been put up by the NPP government. Structures which were abandoned during Acheampong’s era, as for NPP, we are proud of our credentials, we are proud of our achievements. Let me wish them a happy anniversary but for goodness sake, they should not make the slightest mistake of comparing apples with oranges,” he told Evans Mensah.

Contrary to the NDC’s belief, Nana Obiri Boahen emphasised that the Social Democrats have “for far too long been making unnecessary and ugly noise as to how they have been able to push this country forward”.

This is because some parties, including the defense counsel for Mr Boahen, are before other courts, the GNA learnt.

The last prosecution witness is under cross-examination and can not be skipped. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo and Mr Boahen are standing trial for conspiracy to cause harm.

Additionally, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, is facing an assault charge for allegedly inciting NDC communicators against public officers – Chairpersons of the National Peace Council and Electoral Commission.

They have both denied the offences and are on a GH¢100,000.00 bail with a surety each.

The prosecution had earlier told the Court presided over by Justice Samuel K. Asiedu, a Court of Appeal Judge, with additional responsibility as a High Court Judge, that the accused persons had been captured in an audio recording of the proceedings of a meeting on February 3, 2019, planning a road-map of criminal activities targeted at the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Chairman of the National Peace Council, among others.

The meeting was held after the January 31, 2019, Ayawaso West-Wuogon by-election, which turned violent following a clash between some National Security operatives and supporters of the National Democratic Congress suspected to be vigilantes.

The audio recording was played on some radio stations and according to the prosecution, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Service later intercepted the tape.

The prosecution said Mr Boahen had confirmed being at the said meeting and confessed on a radio station that the information on the tape was true.

The focus of lawyer Tony Lithur’s cross-examination of the prosecution’s third witness who is the investigator is about why Kweku Boahen was charged and individuals like
Alfred Ogbamey and Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader were not invited when they were at that meeting.

Responding to questions under cross-examination, the investigator said, those people did not say anything incriminating that warranted them to be invited.

He also told the court that, though the accused persons did not cooperate to give information when invited to the police CID Headquarters, he found no need to call persons he heard on the tape like Alfred Ogbamey and the Minority Leader to serve as material witnesses.

“My Lord, I said, I didn’t hear the voice of A2 (Kweku Boahen) on the tape but not only him. I also did not hear the voice of others who were at the meeting. My Lord A2 himself stated that he was part of the said meeting and that he agreed with whatever A1 (Ofosu-Ampofo) said or he was in support,” the witness said.

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Mr Ofosu-Ampofo and Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress, Kwaku Boahen have both been charged.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo has been charged with one count of conspiracy to cause harm and two counts of assault against a public officer while on the other hand, Mr Boahen is facing one count of conspiracy to cause harm.

The Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress, Kwaku Boahen is also expected to appear in court today.

The investigator in the matter is expected to face further cross-examination from Tony Lithur, counsel for Mr Ofosu-Ampofo.

The cross-examination of the prosecution’s third investigator by Mr Lithur was about the venue of the alleged meeting of communicators of the NDC, its purpose, who recorded the meeting, and whether those in attendance gave consent for the meeting to be recorded.

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Mr Ofosu-Ampofo has been charged with one count of conspiracy to cause harm and two counts of assault against a public officer while on the other hand, Mr Boahen is facing one count of conspiracy to cause harm.

The NDC stalwart has taken to his social media page to share a heartwarming photo of his aged mother which fans cannot keep calm over.

The photo captured mother and son in an adorable moment as they pose for the camera and beam with smiles for the camera.

In the photo, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was spotted in a kaftan with embroidery design and his mother in an African print with his right arm wrapped on his mum’s shoulder.

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The photo has attracted thousands of views, garnering sweet remarks from his followers after he shared it online.

Read some reactions below:

The party’s post-election analysis, he said, has revealed the party worked extremely hard in the 2020 general election but circumstances beyond them could not guarantee them a win.

“We had a stronger horse with a stronger rider and the election 2020 was a closely fought one. Unity is strength and that is the only thing that can bring the NDC back to power again,” he said on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo stressed the party was built on the foundation of unity, hence the need for the rank and file to stay together.

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Though he admitted, as a chairman, he couldn’t do everything alone hence consults a lot, he has made the party attractive and much stronger since the beginning of his tenure.

“I have made the party attractive and strong since I became a chairman and have brought a lot of middle, top class, and an array of professionals to the party. This I believe is [due to] a complete implementation of the Kwesi Botchwey report,” he added.

He said some of the cadres have played pivotal roles in the party over the years and wouldn’t habour any intentions to destroy the party.

“Dr Benjamin Kumbuor is not an outsider at all. We use him often for party activities and he helped to resolve the recent impasse in parliament likewise Dan Abodakpi who has also done a great job.

“It was Goosie Tanoh who drafted the job creation and employment section of the 2020 manifesto. I tell you that everybody is involved,” he acknowledged.

His comment comes after some leading members of the party, at a forum dubbed ‘Securing NDC’s Future’ on Saturday described the party in its current state as ‘lame and an injured horse.”

The cadres, among other things, urged its executives to adopt decisions that will resuscitate the party before it collapses.

The comments, which appear not to have sat well with a section of the party supporters, have generated mixed reactions.

Reacting to the development on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Ofosu Ampofo said he believes the concerns and sentiments were made in good faith.

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“Let us not attack the senior cadres in the party despite their concerns about party leadership because I don’t foresee any breakaway from the party despite concerns from some cadres,” he urged.

Describing himself as a proud member of the cadres, he disclosed he has personally engaged Dr Kunbuor and Abodakpi concerning their grievances and they will soon be addressed.

Mr Ofosu Ampofo maintains that no candidate crossed the 50 percent mark needed to be declared president.

“At the appropriate time, we will come out with the facts behind the figures and let everybody know,” he said in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Thursday.

Mr. Ampofo’s comment follows a retreat by the NDC at Ho in the Volta region to among other things settle internal party wrangling.

At that retreat, the party also did a postmortem of the 2020 presidential and parliamentary results, where it found that the outcome was favourable for the NDC.

He said the analysis convinced them that the “NDC was robbed of victory” based on nationwide figures they analyzed.

“We have reviewed all the figures and based on that, it emerged that we did not loose the elections” he stressed.

The NDC Chairman said they were working on a document to come out with the facts behind the figures to prove their case.

Mr. Ofosu Ampofo appealed to party supporters to support the leadership to expose the rot perpetrated during the 2020 general elections.

Listen to him in the audio below:

Uncle Allotey, as he is popularly known, has now eaten his old words back.

The social commentator had earlier said he will stick his neck out for Mr Ofosu-Ampofo over the tape and defend him to the last.

According to him, some people within the NDC Communications team once exposed him (Allotey) in the same fashion as done to the latter.

However, speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Wednesday, he made comments to the effect that he could no longer defend Mr Ofosu-Ampofo over the alleged leaked tape.

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Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, in an interview, said the party will heed calls to further sanction suspended members, including Mr Anyidoho, for “persistent anti-party conduct”.

Reacting to the rate at which the party is losing some executives, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said the sieving is a vital tool in growing the party and admonished supporters not to pay attention to the suspended members’ rants.

“NDC is a moving train so members can jump off anytime because new ones will jump on board,” a statement that has touched Mr Anyidoho’s nerve.

In a tweet to express his disappointment, Mr Anyidoho, who has been suspended, said the leader was “recklessly bold to say” those words.

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Since losing the last election to Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Mr Anyidoho has become a pain in the party’s neck, yet he believes suspension is not the surest way of growing the party.

He further said the comments will haunt Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, whether he likes it or not.

His comment comes on the back of a Facebook post from New Patriotic Party stalwart, Gabby Otchere-Darko which claimed Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was lacing his boot to compete with Mr Mahama in the party’s primaries to elect its flagbearer.

However, Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo in a statement said he has no intention or desire to contest Mr Mahama today or tomorrow.

According to him, he is entirely focused on throwing his fullest support behind Mr Mahama in the presidential petition at the Supreme Court.

“The times we are in demand that we deploy all our energies in order to ensure that the rigging that characterised the last presidential election is exposed and God-willing, the opportunity is granted to the voters once again to choose the right and proper person to steer the affairs of our beloved country, Ghana,” parts of his statement read.

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He has since urged supporters of the NDC to treat Mr Otchere-Darko’s post which he said has been carried by some news portals with contempt.

Read the statement below:

This is because he believes there is a burning desire for change among Ghanaians since the incumbent government has failed to deliver on its promises.

He said his conviction stems from responses they received during their campaign tour across the length and breadth of the country.

“We cannot give Akufo-Addo another four years and I can say Monday’s election is going to be a silent revolution but all I will demand of them is to level the playing field,” he stated.

Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo stressed they have tested their strength and popularity on the ground and the result is positive.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, he was of a strong conviction that a resounding victory awaits the party on Monday.

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“Nana Addo has failed and has not been able to deliver on the hype we gave them so Monday must be communal labour to change government and soul of the county,” he added.

With less than three days to the December 7 general election, political parties have intensified their campaign as they run-up activities across the country.

The two leading contenders, NDC and the ruling New Patriotic Party are canvassing for votes by comparing track records with each side confident of their victory.

The targeted individuals include the Electoral Commission (EC) chair and the Chairman of the National Peace Council among others

This was after the court had rejected claims by lawyers for the politician that the audio breached constitutionally guaranteed right to privacy.

A Police Investigator with the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters Detective Chief Inspector Berko had earlier told the Court that a forensic analysis has been carried out on the tape.

This he revealed was carried out by the Israel Forensics Science Institute. The Institute he revealed compared the leaked tape to another audio obtained from a media organization.

The second audio is said to be a recording of a speech delivered by the NDC Chairman shortly after his interrogation at the CID Headquarters.

National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and a member of the party’s communication team, Kweku Boahen, are standing trial for conspiracy to cause harm.

They have both denied the offences and been granted a ¢100,000.00 bail with a surety each. The over 2hrs tape was played in open court on Thursday.

A voice is heard in the recording complaining about violence meted out by security operatives during the Ayawaso West Wuogon bye election. The voice adds

“People will start capturing their mothers and fathers and keeping them hostage till they show up”.

The voice also states “The EC chair, we must wage a relentless war against her. We need to take her to the cleaners.”

It is further heard saying, “We will go after them. We will not go after them face to face. We will target some people to make them feel their lives are in danger.

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“We should also not spare the CSOs and religious groups. Especially the peace council chairman. For the first time I will endorse insults”.

Other voices are heard in the tape.

DPP Yvonne Attakora Obuobisa urged the court to accept the recording as evidence for the trial. Lawyers for Mr Ampofo led by Tony Lithur insisted it breached the rights to privacy.

Justice Samuel Asiedu ruled that the audio is relevant to the case. He also said it meets the exceptions the constitution allows for such a breach of privacy.

National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu- Ampofo, says he is indebted to late former President Jerry Rawlings for life.

He explained that, at a tender age of 29, Mr Rawlings gave him his first political appointment as District Chief Executive (DCE) and subsequently a Deputy Minister in his government.

“If I’m Ofosu-Ampofo, it is President Rawlings; he made me DCE and Deputy Minister in his government, ” he said while eulogising him on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday.

The NDC National Chairman revealed that, he developed his political career and rose through the ranks through the tutelage of Mr Rawlings.

His principles of probity, accountability and social justice, he stated, has shaped his political career and made him a better leader.

“I’m grateful to him [Rawlings] for spotting me and giving me the opportunity, ” Mr Ofosu-Ampofo added.

According to Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, the party will not leave anything to chance as they remain poised for a resounding victory in the election.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, he described the upcoming election as communal labour, demanding all hands on deck for their dream to be realised.

“We must protect our votes and be vigilant at the polling stations, ensuring that you are there to monitor the counting process,” he said.

He indicated the strategy is a clarion call that has been extended to opinion leaders, chiefs and party supporters nationwide.

This comes after the Chairman, in an earlier interview, revealed that ‘Ballots Protection Units” are in the offing to prevent cheating on the election day.

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He added they have pledged their allegiance to make their rescue mission agenda a reality.

With less than a month to the December 7 general election, political parties have intensified their campaign activities across the country.

The two leading contenders, NDC and the ruling New Patriotic Party are canvassing for votes by comparing track records with each side confident of their victory.

National Chairman of the party, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, said voters in the Ashanti region are peeved and will punish the NPP by voting massively for the NDC in the December general election.

In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, Wednesday, he said: “2020 is going to be full of surprises; In Ashanti region, people will be shocked when the results come out.”

He indicated that the Akufo-Addo government has used slogans to deceive the people in the Ashanti region and is rather developing his home region [Eastern region].

The NDC Chairman claimed all the infrastructural developments in the NPP stronghold were done by the erstwhile Mahama administration.

“We built the Kejetia market, Kumasi airport, district hospitals, schools and the people in Ashanti region will reward us for that,” he said.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said per their research, the NDC is winning both the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions.

“We are winning the next elections. When change is coming, you can feel it, even the NPP knows change is on the way coming,” he added.

It will be one of the Seven Wonders of the World if John Mahama does not win this election, National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo has said.

According to him, they have tested their strength and popularity on the ground and the result is positive.

“The aroma of victory for NDC is everywhere; I can smell victory so there is no doubt; John Mahama will be the President of this country,” he stated in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday.

With less than a month to the December 7 general election, political parties have intensified their campaign activities across the country.

The two leading contenders, NDC and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are canvassing for votes by comparing track records.

Supporters of both political parties are claiming victory even before the ballots are cast.  Political pundits have also made predictions which mostly favour the NPP.

But the NDC National Chairman said victory is at the grassroots not in opinion polls.

He explained that having toured every nook and cranny in Ghana, the NDC is “cruising to victory in 2020.”

The NDC National Chairman maintained that, in spite of this feat chalked, they won’t be complacent but will consolidate their gains.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo urged NDC members to work hard to consolidate their gains for a resounding victory.

According to Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the president’s performance, since he took office, has been very abysmal, hence the need for Ghanaians to show him the exit.

Speaking at a campaign rally at Suhum as part of John Mahama’s tour of the Eastern Region, Mr Ofosu -Ampofo criticised the president for mismanaging the economy.

He added the ‘Year of Road’ policy the New Patriotic Party has been beating their chest over has performed below expectations and an inspection in Eastern Region and Tsebi confirms his claims.

For this, he is calling on the Ghana Private Road Transport Union and concerned drivers to show President Akufo-Addo their disappointment come December 7.

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“Just as Americans did to Trump, let Akufo-Addo also be a one-term president so we can be free from misery. John Mahama is the man for the job and his tenure will see more hospitals, markets and roads constructed,” he said.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo also touched on what he termed ‘Sakawa sod-cutting’, which to date has not seen any update or structural development.

According to the party, 2,000 female personnel will be recruited annually into the security service to help improve security in the country.

Chairman of the party, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, in his address to the people of Drobonso said the act will complement the next Mahama government’s decision to clamp down on crimes in the country.

There has been heightened security concerns in the country, following increasing reports of murder and armed robbery incidents.

In the Ashanti region, a man in his late 30s was shot dead in Kumasi, on Monday, after he was trailed from a bank.

Meanwhile, the running mate of the NDC Presidential aspirant, Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyemeng has called on the electorates of Drobonso to vote for the NDC to continue its development activities in the area.

According to Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, the debate will be centred on projects in the Ashanti region which is the NPP’s stronghold.

To him, he is confident the NDC has done much better in the region when it comes to infrastructural development than the incumbent government, hence the debate to prove their works.

“I won’t say that the NPP used sakawa or 419 to gain power but for the NDC, we are committed to our promise and I want to dare everyone including the National Chairman of the NPP to a debate,” he said.

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He made the call when speaking on Nhyira FM’s Kuro Yi Mu Nsem morning show.

“Ashanti region is NPP’s stronghold but we should debate on who has served the region better. He can choose his own referee,” he dared.

This comes on the back of a similar call from the flagbearer of NDC, John Dramani Mahama for a public debate with President Nana Akufo-Addo.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), has disclosed that the party will not announce a running mate for the party’s flagbearer until 2020.

National Chairman for the party, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, speaking on Asempa FM’s ‘Eko Sii  Sen’ show on Wednesday, disclosed that the party would only announce a running mate for the flagbearer during the election year.

‘We don’t elect running mates outside election years; they are always elected during the election year so we will announce ours in 2020. I don’t see us lagging behind,” he said in an answer to show host Philip Osei Bonsu.

Quizzed if he has in mind any bigwigs of the party that he deems is fit to fill the vacant post, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo declined the invitation to throw out names, saying he was “a kingmaker” and as such had no favourite in the party. 

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“I am not the one who chooses the running mate. I am a kingmaker so I hardly hear anything as far as choosing a person as the running mate is concerned,” he added.

A private legal practitioner has said that charges against National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo could have been avoided.

Mr Gary Nimako Marfo said if he were him [Ofosu-Ampofo], he would just admit his fault, apologise and move on.

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“When this issue started, my position has been consistent. If I were chairman, I would just apologise to Ghanaians to forgive me so we just move on because this issue has prolonged for far too long. Court issues are not easy and so apologising and admitting will just save him all the hustle,” he told Accra based Okay FM, monitored by Adomonline.com.

Mr Marfo’s comment follows a request by Mr Ofosu-Ampofo to the High Court to strike out an audio recording presented as evidence of his alleged crime.

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His lawyer, Tony Lithur argued that Mr Ofosu-Ampofo’s right to privacy had been breached.

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Listen to audio above:

Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

The intercepted document, a letter addressed to the Chairperson of Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, according to the NDC, shows a secret process to restructure the shareholding of Power Distribution Services (PDS) on the blind side of Ghanaians.

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That letter has been published below.

Dated Monday, October 14, the letter was jointly signed by Ernio Acuna of Meridian Power Ventures (MEIRDIAN), which owns 30 per cent shares in PDS, and Jorge Morgado of Aenergy, which owns 19 per cent.

The letter states: “Since the negotiation for the turn-over of the ECG assets and facilities after the PDS Consortium was declared the preferred bidder in the ECG concession, there had been several issues which have arisen in connection with the governance and management of ECG Concession as well as the board of PDS which unfortunately had not been fully addressed, including the prolonged suspension of the license of PDS and the ECG Concession and the issue on the Demand Guarantee,” the letter stated.

The letter assured the Chairperson of the MiDA that it will act expeditiously to resolve the issues that will come up at the Special Board Meeting “which we trust would enable the immediate restructuring of the PDS Board and Management towards a more effective governance structure and management”.

He called for the support of MiDA in order to win back “the trust and confidence of the government of Ghana and show our capability to fulfill what we have set out to do for the development of the electricity distribution services for the benefit of the good people of Ghana”.

According to this letter, Meralco has off loaded its 30% shares to an unknown company, Meridian Power Ventures Limited which, according to the NDC was only incorporated in Hong Kong in June 2018 without recourse to Parliament.

But the opposition NDC sees a sinister motive in the letter and has questioned the share of Meridian Power Ventures in PDS.

Yapei Kusawgu MP, John Jinapor said at the presser Thursday that Meridian Power Ventures, which owns 30 per cent shares, and  Aenergy which owns 19 per cent shares in power consortium, are alien to the original PDS agreement approved by Parliament.

The party has given a 24-hour ultimatum to the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, to make a full disclosure on the planned restructuring of the PDS shareholding, which it says is proceeding without Parliamentary approval.

The party says it may head to court or haul the Minister to Parliament if its demands do not receive a favourable response.

The concessionaire agreement between PDS and the government to take over assets of ECG was suspended over anomalies with the demand guarantees.

An investigative team was put together by the government to look into the entire deal. The investigative committee found no wrongdoing.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

His lawyers in the application in the court, presided over by Justice Samuel Asiedu, said Mr Ofosu-Ampofo’s right to privacy has been breached.

Lead Counsel for Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, Tony Lithur on Thursday informed the court that the case at the Court of Appeal will be heard on October 23 and therefore urged the court to put proceedings on hold.

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He further reminded the court of his application challenging how the audio evidence was procured.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo and the party’s Deputy Communications Officer, Anthony Kwaku Boahen, are facing three charges over an alleged leaked audio detailing the strategy the NDC intends to use for the 2020 elections.

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The content of the audio included kidnapping of family members of political opponents and security operatives.

They have also filed another application at the Court of Appeal to halt the on-going trial at the High Court.

They are also seeking to overturn Justice Asiedu’s decision that the charges against Mr Ofosu-Ampofo hold despite a push by his lawyers in June 2019 that it should be struck out. 

Source: Ghana|Joy News|Joseph Ackah-Blay

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, wants the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo to be punished over the death of the Takoradi kidnapped girls.

“I need just two days to be a police constable; I don’t need to be an Inspector-General of Police to arrest Ofosu-Ampofo for the role he played in this matter. I want just two days to teach him a lesson. We are very sad about this development,” he told Accra based Neat FM, monitored by Adomonline.com.

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Chairman Wontumi’s call followed the announcement by the acting Inspector General of Police James Oppong Boanuh that the human parts found at the suspect’s home were revealed, through DNA testing, to be those of the Takoradi kidnapped girls.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, has in the past months, been invited to the Criminal Investigations Department to assist with police inquiry over kidnappings in the country.

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Chairman Wontumi, thus, believes Mr Ofosu-Ampofo needs to be punished for his role in the kidnapping.

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Listen to Chairman Wontumi in audio above:

Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

Justice Samuel Asiedu ruled that the application is without merit as it raises no exceptional circumstances meriting a halt of the trial. 

Mr Ampofo’s lawyers had earlier filed an application urging the court to strike out the charge of assault leveled against him. The court dismissed that application.

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His lawyers are currently seeking to overturn this decision at the Court of Appeal.

Lead Counsel, Tony Lithur, asked that the court halts proceedings pending determination of the appeal.

State Prosecutors, however, opposed the application insisting nothing barred the court from proceeding with the trial since the Court of Appeal has not granted any such request.

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Justice Asiedu dismissed the application adjourning the case to October 17, for the state to call its first witness

Mr Ofosu Ampofo is standing trial for conspiracy to assault a public officer and conspiracy to cause harm after he was secretly recorded allegedly outlining plans to cause mayhem.

In a related development, the NDC Chairman was arrested by the police after failing to honour an invitation to report to the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

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The purpose was for him to assist with investigations into the recent spate of kidnappings and arson in the country.

According to the correspondence inviting him, a suspect accused him of being behind the kidnappings in the country, a situation which informed the police to invite him to assist with their investigations.

But the Chairman declined the invitation. His lawyers described the invitation as “political harassment” and “intimidation.”

Source: Ghana|Myjoyonline.com | Joseph Ackay-Blay |Joy News

He was arrested by the police Tuesday evening after failing to honour an invitation by to report to the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID)

The purpose was for him to assist in investigations into the recent spate ofkidnappings and arson in the country.

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According to the correspondence inviting him, a suspect accused him of being behind the kidnappings in the country, a situation which informed the police to invite him to assist with their investigations.

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But the Chairman declined the invitation. His lawyers described the invitation as “political harassment” and “intimidation.”

On Monday, a warrant was issued for Mr Ampofo’s arrest but members of his party have vowed to support their Chairman and will resist any attempts to arrest him.

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The Chairman is to report to the police headquarters on Thursday, June 13.

According to him, the foiled a reprisal attack by party members who were angered by the shooting incident at the residents of the parliamentary candidate, Delali Brempong.

READ: By-elections: How shooting incident began

Just hours into the by-election, some armed men clothed in National Security apparel stormed the La Bawalashie Presby polling station.

Eyewitnesses say the armed men fired shots and attacked some agents believed to be opposition NDC agents. The shots lasted 20 minutes. Police intervened as the attacks continued.

The NDC is accusing the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of unleashing their vigilante group, Invincible Forces on their members to cow them into submission.

READ: By-election: No death recorded – Police

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday, Ofosu Ampofo said their patience has been tested for so long.

He claimed, said unknown men “shot indiscriminately.”  “We have evidence here to show you,” he said showing gun pellets.

“Our parliamentary candidate’s house was beseeched and as a result. Eight people were injured. The Parliamentary candidate was almost under house arrest” the NDC Chairman stressed.

READ: Ayawaso By-election: Social media trolls Sam George[Photos]

Ofoso Ampofo said it is obvious the shooting incident is a dress rehearsal for the 2020 general elections.

“We are not going to sit aloof for our people killed. We value lives than a seat that is why we withdrew but we will not tolerate this in 2020” he added.

He has therefore set a 2020 elections target for himself to deliver Ghanaians from their suffering and as a response to their cry for change.

READ ALSO: My election was vote for loyalty – Ofosu Ampofo

“I’m very confident we will win the 2020 elections because during my campaign tour in every constituency, Ghanaians were crying for the return for the NDC, asking us to come to their rescue”, he said.

Mr Ampofo who was peaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s show, EkoSii Sen Tuesday promised he will work with everyone, share ideas and engage members of his party to help them emerge victorious come 2020.

READ ALSO: Audio: Anita Desosoo’s cry over Volta outcast unfortunate – NDC Chairman

“I will work hand in hand with everyone, both with those who were elected and those who weren’t elected because I have great respect for them and I know they have great ideas that will help the party”, he added.

Mr Ofosu Ampofo who defeated fellow party stalwarts, Dan Abodakpi, Betty Mould Iddrisu among others for the chairmanship race stated he knew his good works were going to speak for him so at no point in time did he doubt his victory.

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“I have continuously served the party for 26 years so I believe the delegates thought it wise to reward and honour my good work. They appreciated my loyalty towards the growth of the party and I believe that made the magic,” he noted.

Mr Ofosu Ampofo made the point while speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen on Tuesday.

READ ALSO: John Boadu is no match for Asiedu Nketia – NDC’s communication officer

He revealed that delegates he was supposed to campaign to for their votes told him they were not just coming to vote for him but to rally support for him.

Newly-elected chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has described claims by the party’s former vice chairperson, Anita Desooso’s “Voltarians out of the game” comment as unfortunate.

Mr Ampofo believes madam Desooso’s assertions do not represent the views of the entirety of the members of the NDC in the Volta Region.

According to him, about six members of the party from the Volta Region are part of the newly-constituted National Executive, therefore, claims that “Voltarians” have been sidelined in the party are false.

RELATED STORY: NDC group in Volta Region threatens defection

“I promised the Delegates in Volta Region that I would be a Volta Chairman. There is no question about them being left behind. The People of Volta are represented in the National Executive and I believe the party will do more in the coming days,” he said.

He was speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Tuesday.

His comment comes after Madam Desosoo at the sidelines of the party’s 9th National Delegates Congress in Accra said the defeat of contestants from the Volta Region should be a cause for worry.

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The failed National Organiser explained that since Volta region was deemed the World Bank of the NDC, the absence of key members of the region from the game could spell doom for the party.

Anita Desooso who is also a former National Women’s Organiser urged the NDC to subject the outcome of the elections to deep thinking.

READ ALSO: John Boadu is no match for Asiedu Nketia – NDC’s communication officer

But according to the party’s new chairman, madam Desosoo’s comment smacks of ethnic bigotry which should not be countenanced by the NDC as a national party.

To Mr Ofosu Ampofo, those criticising the NDC are only crying more than the bereaved.

Delivering a victory speech on behalf of all newly elected executives of the party at the just ended 9th delegates’ conference of the party which took place at the Fantasy Dome of the Trade Fair Center in Accra, Ofosu Ampofo said his administration was ready to work hard for the party’s victory in the upcoming presidential elections.

“My administration is poised for action. One thing we want to assure and promise the NDC fraternity is that we are going to work 24 hours around the clock and promise you that by 7th January 2021, the NDC will be going to the Flagstaff House.”

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He also pledged to ensure a cordial relationship between the party and the media.

The NDC would want to assure the media that under my chairmanship, we will fix a very cordial relationship with the media, he said.

Mr. Ofosu Ampofo, who until the election was the First Vice Chairman of the NDC, defeated Dan Abodakpi and three other aspirants; Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, Danny Annang, Betty Mould Iddrisu to become the party’s new leader.

READ: Focus on successes of congress – NDC told

A former Member of Parliament and Minister of State, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who was the Director of Elections for the NDC when it performed abysmally and lost the 2016 presidential polls, is certain that the NDC will return to claim power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its President, Nana Akufo-Addo.

READ: My victory didn’t come as surprise to me – Sammy Gyamfi

Other winners
Asiedu Nketia (General Secretary)

Sammy Gyamfi (Communications Officer)

Kweku Boahen and Godwin Ako Gunn (Deputy Communication Officers)

Joshua Akamba (National Organizer)

Alhaji Mamah Mohammed Cole Younger (Zongo Caucus Coordinator)

Peter Otukonor and Lawyer Barbara Serwaa Asamoah (Deputy General Secretaries)

Kobby Barlon and Chief Biney (Deputy National Organizers)

Aspiring National Chairman for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, becoming chairman will not only make the party attractive but will also bring more votes to the party.

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM at the ongoing National Delegates Congress of the NDC, Mr Ofosu Ampofo urged the delegates not to miss the opportunity of voting for the right leaders to lead the party.

READ ALSO: Consult thesaurus for meaning of “social intervention” – Haruna jabs Bawumiah [Audio]

“Look for someone who can build a strong party. NDC should not miss this opportunity of making the right choice. I can tell them that my attraction to the party will bring more votes and so they should not miss it,” he said.

Delegates, he said, have bought into his message, expressing strong optimism that he will surely emerge as the National Chairman after the polls on November 17, 2018.

READ: What the NPP said at NDC’s National Delegates Congress

He also said he connected very well with the grass-roots membership of the party, saying “as a team player I believe it is time for me to assume the national chairmanship of the NDC to steer affairs of the party to another landmark victory in 2020.

To him, even though the NPP has a formidable party, they have failed Ghanaians woefully.

With particular reference to the report by the 13-member Prof. Kwesi Botchwey Committee, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo stated emphatically that the report should be a wake-up call on the party to address the issues that led to their humiliating defeat in the 2016 elections.

According to him, none of the leaders and members of the party should apportion blames or be overly defensive because such posture would only worsen the plight of the party.

“We should share the blame of defeat. Some people are overly defensive and that defensive posture will take us nowhere. We’ve lost elections. If there’s something you should’ve done and you failed to do, admit it. Even if you did your job and people are saying you didn’t, just admit it and let’s all unite. What we need is unity of purpose”.

Mr. Ofosu Ampofo further urged the party to reflect on the Botchwey report and recommendations and work hard to right their wrongs in order to clinch victory, come 2020.

“I’m the Director of Elections, I take responsibility. I believe that there are certain things that ought to have been done which we couldn’t do and that’s the reason we lost. So, after this loss, what I do is more of reflection and what we can do to right the wrongs.”

“The downfall is not the end of his life and a life that is not examined is not worth living”, he added.

Read below are the recommendations contained in the report:

1. That the party puts together a group of credible and eminent members of our party to undertake a peace building and healing of the country.

2. That the party takes steps to restore the integrity of the biometric register and the expanded Electoral College.

3. We recommend that steps be taken to restore the capacity and effectiveness of the party’s organs especially at the branch level where we believe these organs are the most critical because they are the party’s immediate connection to the people, we are after all a truly mass party.

4. We also have recommendations on ways we can and must improve the collation of election results.

5. We also believe that steps ought to be taken by the party to reconnect itself properly to our social democratic roots and the principal actors in these social democratic roots.

6. We recommend that steps ought to be taken to strengthen research and intelligence in the party. This should involve crowding in a larger body of the party’s intellectual base which has not been particularly active in the past; this will help to support the party’s research capacity.

7. There are recommendations that the party will scale-up and re-invigorate its work in the area of youth organization.

8. The organization of women, we note that significant changes have taken place in the country’s demographic profile and that the party ought to take notice of this and all the implications of these changes.

According to first vice chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, they had the power to sack Mrs. Wood but “tolerated her” when in power.

His comment is in reaction to Justice Georgina Wood’s claim that she almost threw in the towel during the late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills administration.

The former Chief Justice during an emotional Thanksgiving Service to celebrate her 70th birthday on June 8, 2017 at the Ringway Assemblies of God in Accra, she revealed that, elements in the former Atta Mills government put pressure on her to resign but she managed to succeed in office due to prayer and supplication from relatives and colleagues such as Justice Jones Dotse.

“Each single one of you added value to my life. You’re the people who gave me hope and helped us to succeed… that is why I don’t forget Justice Dotse” she added

Mrs Wood who bowed out from office Wednesday, after over two decades with the Judicial Service said she has been sailing on stormy waters over the last decade, and it took close associates and God to keep her afloat.

In a rebuttal, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday expressed shock at the comments of Mrs. Georgina Wood.

“She should thank God we tolerated her and allowed her to work till her retirement” he stated.

The NDC vice chairman said they did not behave like the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) which he claimed had forced the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Common Funds Administrator and others out of office.

Mr. Ofosu Ampofo said the former Chief Justice should rather commend the NDC for working with her.

According to him, the actions of the individuals undermined the authority of the Court and that did not auger well for the country’s democracy.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo’s comments come on the back of recent activities that have created fear and panic in the country, including the attack at the KMA Court by Delta Force members.

“Nana Addo must deal with vigilante groups himself as the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, especially the Delta Force members for attacking the Court. I think it poses serious security threat” he said.

Many Ghanaians have criticized members of NPP vigilante group, Delta Force, who stormed the KMA Court on Thursday and succeeded in freeing 13 of its members who were facing charges for causing disturbances at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council last month.

The group vandalized some court property and almost assaulted the Judge, Mary Senkyere after she had ruled that, the accused be remanded to reappear before the court on the 20th of April, 2017.

But Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Morning Show “Dwaso Nsem” Tuesday noted that, though the security apparatus in the country would be able to unravel the truth in the matter, President Akufo-Addo must deal harshly with them to serve as a deterrent to others.

He indicated that the conduct of vigilante groups, Delta Force and Invincible Force has brought the party into disrepute and has taken the shine out of President Akufo-Addo’s 100 days in office.

Meanwhile, vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia made reference to the actions of the Delta Forces vigilante group which attacked a court in Kumasi, saying, the actions were condemnable.