Tag: Politics

Categories
NEWS

Ablakwa’s lies exposed

Ablakwa lies
Ablakwa lies
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

The assertions of National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that he was not aware of GETFund scholarship transactions while serving as Deputy Minister of Education have been disputed.

DAILY GUIDE has learned that as a minister in the NDC government, Mr. Ablakwa was extensively involved in GETFund scholarship agreements.
A memorandum of agreement (MoU) has been signed by Mr. Ablakwa on behalf of GETFund and Lovely Professional University (LPU) of India.

The contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed on March 16, 2016, was primarily created to benefit Ghanaian institutions and help acquire scholarship agreements for Ghanaian students to study in India.

It went on to explain that GETFund was Ghana’s top educational authority and that it oversaw the development of all institutions that were part of the country’s higher education system.
It stated that the GETFund and the LPU had both realised they shared a wide range of interests and that working together would be advantageous to both parties.
“GETFund, Ghana has tied up with LPU to provide access to quality education to the students of Ghana,” the MoU, which had Dr. Monica Gulati, the Registrar of LPU, also as a signatory, indicated.
“GETFund intends to further work with LPU, which has already made a significant contribution in the area of higher education in India to guide and mentor universities/colleges and such other organisations,” the MoU added.
The publication of the paper coincides with Mr. Ablakwa’s public denial that he was aware of GETFund scholarship activities while serving as deputy minister of education.

Since it became known that some MPs and government representatives from the NDC and the NPP had benefited from GETFund scholarships, there have been ferocious discussions in the media.

Even in the GETFund paperwork, there is a name Mercy Ablakwa, thought to be a relative of Mr. Ablakwa, showing that she received a scholarship from GETFund in 2010.
According to a letter of award allegedly signed by Sam Garba, the GETFund administrator, the aforementioned Mercy Ablakwa received a total of $33,400 on August 12, 2010, to pursue a BSc in Nursing at the University of Charleston in the United States.

$16,032 went toward academic scholarships, and $17,366 went toward living expenses and travel.

Categories
Politics

Ignore Ofosu Kwakye’s lies-NPP Germany

Ofosu Kwakye lies
Ofosu Kwakye lies

The German section of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of spreading misinformation about the opposition party’s involvement in the Pokuase interchange project.
In a statement issued by the NPP Germany branch, it accuses Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu in particular of attempting to mislead Ghanaians and defame President Akufo-Addo of the exchange.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Biggest liar in Ghana


According to the NPP, the lies from the NDC should come as no surprise to well-meaning Ghanaians since it is and always will be their stock in trade to throw in a lot of untruth in order to gain public trust.
“For the record, the Pokuase interchange had not begun in 2017. The project has taken shape from the first dig to the commissioning of same all by President Akufo-Addo.
“It is indeed only those whose political survival depends on lying and blind folding Ghanaians who will go about peddling such falsehood,” the release from the NPP Germany branch signed by Communications Director Nana Osei Boateng has said.


According to the group, it will continue to assist the president as he works to complete the tasks that the nation has been unable to complete for a number of years due to the NDC’s inefficiency.
Find below the full release from the NPP Germany branch:

NPP Germany branch


Press Release

NPP Germany
23.08.21


AKUFO-ADDO BUILT EVERY PART OF THE POKUASE INTERCHANGE
The NDC has bandied around that the 4-tier Pokuase interchange is an infrastructure built by former President Mahama. This came as no surprise to well meaning Ghanaians because it’s their stock in trade and always will; they throw in a lot of untruth in order to win the public trust.
The notorious amongst the babies with sharp teeth, Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu has taken it upon himself to lead this campaign and is recently on record for hitting at President Akufo-Addo. He is reported to have said that Akufo-Addo is claiming the Pokuase interchange because he has done nothing meaningful. He made this shameful comment in the week where Akufo-Addo was unveiling his about 130th factory under the 1D1F special initiative.
It must be noted by all Ghanaians that His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has exhibited a great understanding of the government in continuum by completing most of the project in the handing over notes of the previous administration (except a few ones soiled with corruption). His administration has in addition to the ones he was handed over to built, has indeed built more than any NDC administration.
For the record, the Pokuase interchange had not begun in 2017. The project has taken shape from the first dig to the commissioning of same all by President Akufo-Addo.
It is indeed only those whose political survival depends on lying and blind folding Ghanaians who will go about peddling such falsehood.
Once again the president acknowledges the many challenges of the country and in a crafty manner, he is weaving a perfect economy for Ghanaians.
We will support the president to accomplish all that we haven’t accomplished in many years due to the NDC’s inefficiencies.
God Bless Ghana
God Bless the NPP and Nana Addo.

…Signed…
Nana Osei Boateng
NPP Germany Branch Communications Director.

Categories
NEWS

Have faith in the government- Bawumia

Hardworking Bawumia touts government's achievements
Hardworking Bawumia touts government's achievements
H.E Dr. Bawumia

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has urged Ghanaians to reflect on the great achievements of the past six years and have faith in the government to continue to provide for Ghanaians in these trying times in the midst of the economic crisis.
To demonstrate the government’s capacity to address the current issues, the Vice President listed several interventions that had been implemented in the previous six years.


Dr. Bawumia said the government is prepared to do more to help ease the plight of the typical Ghanaian during his speech at the 60th Hogbetsotso Festival of the Anlos in Anloga.
“It is important to note that in the midst of all of this turmoil, we should put things in perspective,” he said.
“The government of Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has over the last six years taken many steps to reposition and transform the economy.”
“So whilst we have hardships today which we are working very hard to alleviate… let us not forget what we have been able to do in the last six years.”


As an example, Dr. Bawumia said they had created more jobs “than any other government in the fourth republic.”
“Let me recall that we have constructed more roads than any other government in the fourth republic,” he added.

Categories
NEWS

Bunkpurugu Naba heaps praise on Bawumia; a sign of a good feat

Bunkpurugu Naba heaps praise on Bawumia.
Bunkpurugu Naba heaps praise on Bawumia.
Vice President, Dr. Bawumia

There is no qualm that the body politics in Ghana has seen many names, however, the name Dr Mahamudu Bawumia with no doubts epitomizes what some prominent leaders have been saying, VISIONARY and HARD WORK.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as loved by many for his humility, hard work and far-sighted qualities over the years has reverberated yet again during his operational visit to the North.   

The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in recent times has been on a tour in the Northern part of Ghana for a national assignment which has seen him inspect the progress of Agenda 111, a project which is considered arguably the largest healthcare investment in Ghana. The tour which has however turned out to be somewhat full of appraisals makes it even more exhilarating and successful already.

Dr. Bawumia

The Bunkpurugu Naba on welcoming Dr Bawumia, who is on a working visit to the north, to his Palace on Tuesday praised him for his “indefatigable leadership” and the recognition he has given to the people of Bunkpurugu and the north in general, saying that God will reward his efforts.

The Paramount Chief of Bunkpurugu Traditional Area Naba Alhaji Abuba Nasinmong eulogizing Dr Bawumia’s hard work without mincing words said,  “you are a true statesman and an astute modern politician who has efficiently aided the first gentleman of the Ghanaian State, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to maintain law and order, peace and tranquility and implementation of people-centred policies that have touched the life of every Ghanaian, especially in the Bunkpurugu – Nakpanduri District such as Free SHS policy, Planting for Food and Jobs, an extension of electricity, an improvement on our roads, etc.”

Just as Jesus Christ was never honoured by his own despite being miraculous, the lame propaganda which has turned into hatred for Dr Bawumia by some Ghanaians in recent times to score cheap political points is forlorn and nothing to write home about.

“Permit me to wholeheartedly express the following: your opponents would always find negative things to say about you, but continue with your good works and Almighty God will grant you victory.  

The Bunkpurugu Naba has however added his voice to this calling out on Dr Bawumia to keep his head high and continue to work hard and be not discouraged by critics.

Categories
Politics

Dr. Bawumia’s Digitization Journey, so far so good

Hardworking Bawumia
Hardworking Bawumia

The Vice President of Ghana Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia a renounced economist and Digitization advocate has over the years trumpeted the need for African countries to embrace Digitization as a key to leapfrogging the advanced countries.

H.E Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia

The Vice President position on digitization has been mocked by the opposition NDC as they say the Vice President is running from the economy to hide behind digitization. The opposition has downplayed the connection between Digitization and the economy. According to the Vice President there is no way we can get a strong economy without digitization, How could the government increase revenue at the port without digitization (Paperless Port) , how could could ghost names be expunged from the government payroll without digitization, how could the economy grow without a proper addressing system, how could healthcare reach our remote areas without digitization (Drone delivery system), how could we get a strong banking sector without digitization , how could Ghana Revenue Authority increase revenue without digitization etc.

In all these Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia has been recognized by the international communities as the game changer his campaign and work on digitization has won him titles like , DIGITAL MAN , DIGITAL REVOLUTIONIST The GAME CHANGER just to mention a few .

In a recent interview with the STANDARD in Kenya the Vice President has outlined the gains made in Ghana as far as Digitization Champaign is concerned.

As the Vice President of Ghana , you have been at the forefront of spearheading digitization, what has been the effect on the economy?

“In Ghana, we have really focused on pursuing digitization as an economic strategy. When you look at the world, we are now in the fourth industrial revolution globally which is a digital revolution. It is a revolution that is based on data, and systems. If you are an economy in this world and you don’t digitize you are you are going to be left behind. Africa has been left behind for too many of these periods, and I believe that digitization is a key to leapfrogging. We digitalize not for its own sake but to solve problems, formalize and build a more inclusive economy, deal with corruption and to provide services to our people more efficiently from the government side. A lot of people were excluded from the economy so we did digital IDs for our people, so we have unique identities for everybody. Once you have unique identities for everyone you will not have ghost workers on the payroll and also sort the voter registry.

We had an issue with the address system in Ghana, and through digitization, we solved the problem. Every part of the country, land or water, mansion or shark you have a unique digital address that we have rolled out in the country. This has solved a big problem as now deliveries can easily be made through e-commerce, and in the instance you are applying for a job you can easily state your address.

On financial inclusion, we have implemented mobile money interoperability. It is not just operability between the mobile companies, but interoperability between the mobile wallet and a bank account which means that every mobile money account practicably has a bank account. We were the first country in Africa to do so. Today it is very easy for someone to open a bank account in Ghana, you have your national ID card, you get onto your mobile phone and then dial a USSD Code and you chose one of the banks and there you go, you have a bank account. We have integrated all our databases which enables us to get value out of our digitization process. Digitization is the way to go for other African countries and with it, we can leapfrog other advanced countries. Today in Ghana, we are the largest medical drone delivery service in the world. We have drones flying all over the country, today we have 100 flight a delivering medicine.”

In conclusion, I will say it is very clear from the above that, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia is indeed an asset to the country and must be embraced for the future.

Best Regards

Mr. Owusu

Source

Categories
Politics

Ursula Owusu praises Bawumia as a digital champion

Dr. Bawumia is digitalizing Ghana
Dr. Bawumia is digitalizing Ghana

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been referred to as Ghana’s top digital champion by Minister for Communications and Digitalization Ursula Owusu Erkuful due to his crucial contribution to Ghana’s digital transformation.


The Vice President has been widely praised for his zeal and leadership in pursuing this goal. He has led various digital interventions in the nation, which he says are necessary to establish a modern economy.
The Communications Minister appreciated Dr. Bawumia’s prominent position in a Facebook post, as well as the unbreakable connection between digitalization and the transformation of a contemporary economy.


For leading the nation’s digital initiatives in areas including the biometric identity system, digital address system, mobile money interoperability, digital medical drone service, digitization of government services, and ePharmacy, among others, Dr. Bawumia has received accolades.


“Ghana is building a digital Ghana and a digital economy. Digitalisation and economic development go hand in hand. As the chairman of the Economic Management Team, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has embraced the in-depth understanding of Digitalisation and is executing his mandate effortlessly. He is the foremost DIGITAL CHAMPION in Ghana” she posted on Facebook.

Categories
Politics

DR. MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA’S STEWARDSHIP OF THE NPP DURING PRESIDENT KUFUOR’S ADMINISTRATION (II)

Dr. Bawumia
Dr. Bawumia

By: Chief Obosu Mohammed
LL.M MA ACIarb LL.B DPA

[email protected]
19/09/2022

H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

Whereas I have underscored some of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s significant contributions while working in various capacities at the Bank of Ghana with other distinguished members of the erstwhile Kufuor government in my preceding article, there are still other impacts he made that are deserving of notice. However, I will strive to highlight only a handful. The sedulous Dr Bawumia’s technical influence on several of President Kufuor’s major accomplishments cannot escape our microscopic lenses.

The Millennium Challenge Account

The Millennium Challenge Account was one of the primary programmes that spiralled economic growth and poverty alleviation under President Kufuor’s NPP government. Dr Bawumia was a part of the Government Team that negotiated the Millennium Challenge Account Compact with the US Government, which was signed on August 1, 2006. In the first instance, the program raked in $547 million for the nation. These funds benefited the Ghanaian people in a variety of ways since they were used in critical sectors of national development. For example, the rural economy was bolstered by agricultural modernization, as well as the expansion and rehabilitation of roadways throughout the country, most notably amongst them was the George Bush Highway. All of this was primarily aimed at pulling many of our people out of poverty through increased production. Today, the Millennium Challenge Account continues to have a significant impact on our national economy.

GhIPSS and E-Zwich Initiative

Dr Bawumia was involved in the conception and realisation of the E-Zwich common platform for all banks, savings and loans businesses, and rural banks, which allows for interoperability across financial institutions in Ghana. While in charge of the Bank of Ghana’s digitalisation programme, he spearheaded the establishment of the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ghana which seamlessly connected all the financial institutions in Ghana. This project was a watershed moment for Ghana’s financial and banking sectors. The E-Zwich provided significant assistance to those involved in various financial activities and enhanced the rate of financial inclusion among Ghanaians.

The Redenomination of the Cedi

We cannot do justice to this topic without considering the redenomination of the Ghanaian Cedi. Again, as a member of the team, Dr Bawumia played an important role in the design and implementation of the Ghanaian Cedi redenomination through his technical expertise. This singular height saved the economy from the excessive cost of printing money and strengthened the cedis. At one point, the Cedi equalised with the dollar.

The Inflation Targeting Framework

Dr Bawumia was instrumental in the formulation and implementation of the inflation targeting framework, which notably decreased inflation to 10.2% by 2007 from 40% in 2000 while preserving relative exchange rate stability during his time as Head of Monetary Policy and Financial Stability. This inflation targeting framework continues to act as a reference for the Bank of Ghana’s Monetary Policy Committee.

Conclusion

These are just a few of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s contributions to the NPP government from 2001 to 2008. Quite frankly, Dr Bawumia did not just appear on the scene from nowhere in 2008 to be a Running Mate to Nana Akufo Addo (as he then was) as his detractors would have us to believe. His selection as a Running Mate was purely on merit and the solid credentials he demonstrated while serving under President Kufuor’s NPP government in diverse positions at the Bank of Ghana.

The government’s current fiscal and monetary policies will, without a doubt, restore macroeconomic stability and instil confidence in the Ghanaian economy in the medium term. It has been done before, and it will be done again.

Hasta La Vista!

DMB2024

BestToLead

NextToLead

Categories
Politics

THE HIPC TRIUMPH; DR BAWUMIA’S ROLE

Hardworking Bawumia wins
Hardworking Bawumia wins

The President Kufuor administration decided to seek financial relief through the HIPC initiative in the early days of his administration due to the distressed nature of the economy and the massive debts inherited from the previous government. It drew fierce opposition across the country, including from members of his government and party, to name a few. Even though the Britton Wood institutions supported the decision to sign onto the HIPC programme.

Competent Mahamudu Bawumia

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) established the Debt Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) in 1996. It built a system for all creditors, including multilateral creditors, to offer debt relief to the world’s poorest and most financially strapped countries, thereby mitigating the constraints that debt accumulation imposed on economic growth and poverty reduction in these countries. The HIPC Initiative was created as a critical component of a larger development architecture that includes policies, programmes, and institutional development to support long-term growth and poverty reduction.

Despite the uproar that this singular decision had caused in the country, with one accord like ants marching to find food for the future, the Kufuor-led government needed to proceed to the IMF and World Bank as a necessary measure because the government could not do much in reducing poverty and stabilising the economy with the skyrocketing debt that had been inherited.

The stage was set, and all eyes were on who would lead the negotiations. To negotiate this historic HIPIC initiative, which was then new to the country, the government needed to assemble a competent team to navigate through these unchartered waters.

Fortunately, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia had returned from his overseas stewardship as an Assistant Professor of Economics at the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University in Texas (1996-2000) to serve his nation as an Economist at the Bank of Ghana.

In 2001, Dr Bawumia was chosen as the Team Lead for the Bank of Ghana’s technical negotiation team, as well as a member of the government team that negotiated with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund under the HIPC and PRGF initiatives.

As one of the team leaders, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was instrumental in negotiating the HIPC proposals. The HIPC initiative gave significant debt relief to President Kufuor’s inherited economy, as well as major rural infrastructure development through the supply of educational and health facilities, among other things.

Dr Bawumia’s vision and love for his country would not allow him to give up until the goal was met. In doing so, he served on the government’s technical negotiating team for the HIPC Paris Club and Completion Point Negotiations. Ghana completed the HIPC process, resulting in significant debt relief totaling nearly $4 billion.

Dr Bawumia’s zeal and competence during that period are worth emulating as Ghana continues to benefit from his ideas. It was unsurprising that Mr Osarfo Marfo, Hon Baah Wiredu of blessed memory, and Governor Paul Acquah, with whom he collaborated on several projects, including the HIPC initiative with President Kufuor’s blessing, strongly recommended him to Nana Akufo Addo to be his running mate in the 2008 general elections.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has contributed to the success of all NPP governments, which is commendable.

See more from here

Dr Yaw Ampofo-Twum

Snr Fellow
Centre for Planning and Economic Research

See us

Categories
NEWS

Jasikan-Dodo-Pepesu road commissioned

Vice-President-Dr.-Mahamudu-Bawumia
Vice-President-Dr.-Mahamudu-Bawumia


The 56.4 km Jasikan-Dodo Pepesu road project was officially opened by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on September 8, 2022.
The project, which is a part of the Eastern Corridor Road, connects the country’s southern and northern halves as well as neighboring nations.
Along with connecting these cities, the route also connects towns such Kadjebi, Menuso, Dzindziso, Poase Cement, Koto Nkwanta, Ahamasu, Dodi Papase, and Dodo Pepesu.

In accordance with the Master Project Support Agreement (MPSA), the project is an Engineering and Procurement Contract (EPC) between the Government of Ghana and Sinohydro Corporation Limited of China.
His Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on 25th March, 2022 commissioned the project under the Sinohydro (MPSA), an agreement between the government of Ghana and the Chinese government.

Categories
Politics

WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE DR. MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA?

Competent Bawumia
Competent Bawumia

By: Chief Obosu Mohammed, DPA LL. B LL.M ACIArb
[email protected]

02/02/2022

The NPP is faced with a fateful choice. As a result, there is a better road that inspires us to break the 8 and another one that takes us to an unhappy exit from the government. To clinch the ultimate, we need a new leader with a clear and less burdensome strategy. The history of our party is dependent on the right individual turning up at the right moment. DMB exudes the aura of a “person of destiny.” We require a leader who fits within our current political dynamics and can lead the party to victory in multiple general elections in the future. That being said, I would want to highlight a few reasons why I believe DMB is an excellent choice for the important tasks ahead.

Competent Bawumia

Justification of Inclusion

Our party’s success narrative cannot be written without the name DMB emblazoned in gold. He has shown a stronger degree of dedication to the party since H.E Nana Akufo Addo and the party deemed him worthy to partner with him. He has devoted himself entirely to the party’s service for more than a decade. DMB, like President Akufo Addo, put his highly respected career on wait to guarantee that we return to power and put our country on a road of growth.

After our loss in 2012, the party was at a crossroads, with many of our party folks devastated by the outcome. He stepped up to be counted in those difficult moments, leading the team through the analysis of over 30,000 pink sheets, our primary evidence, and offering himself as the party’s star witness to strengthen our case. The outcome of the legal ruling, as well as the fundamental modifications to our election rules and processes, played a role in our subsequent electoral triumphs. Despite this, he chaired a team that proposed significant election reforms. DMB’s light has impacted our two electoral triumphs, which cannot be diminished by the onslaught of personal assaults on him.

Hands-on Experience

DMB is a plausible candidate who is serving as Vice-President for the second time because of his hard work. He has, without a doubt, transformed from a President-in-Training to a President-in-Waiting. With the greatest of respect, aside from President Akufo Addo and President J. A Kufuor, there is no one in the NPP right now who has greater experience and understands the subtleties of the position of a President than DMB. We cannot afford the sloppiness of trial and error, especially with a vital election against the NDC in 2024. DMB has what it takes to continue President Akufo Addo’s and the NPP’s legacy. He can reach across the aisle and gain non-NPP votes by instinct and considerable experience.

Excellent Communicator

DMB has firmly established himself as one of our most effective communicators. He can simplify complex issues and articulate them in a way that captivates his audience. He is the ideal person to articulate the Akufo Addo administration’s successes and to bring the debate to the NDC. He is the NDC’s Achilles heel and a major impediment to its growth.

DMB has served as the party’s “fall guy” in both opposition and governing. His adversaries have continued to try in vain to undermine him by removing bits of his campaign speeches that are being utilized out of context and the nature of the circumstances under which they were delivered. The positivity that lies behind those propaganda videos underscores DMB’s enormous accomplishments in employing his extraordinary communication abilities in advocating for our electoral victories. Even in government, he continues to display the same communication abilities and exceptional expertise.

Champion of the grassroots

DMB has a natural affinity towards the grassroots. He has developed a unique relationship with the party’s grassroots operatives around the country over the years. He welcomes everyone without any intimidating looks and shares his time with everyone, being attentive to their concerns and following through on their expectations. He can mobilise the confidence of the grassroots to wage a vigorous campaign capable of breaking the 8.

Conclusion

We’re at a crossroads, and we need to think outside the box to offer both a strategic candidate and one who has previously been marketed. DMB is who he is, and he is not posing. He has worked relentlessly with President Akufo Addo to secure two major victories for our party. DMB stands tall in aiding us in our winning ways. The DMB project is viable, and everyone should endeavour to be a part of making history.