Politics

Bawumia running mate slot for sale – Wontumi to sue Manhyia South chairman

Published

2 months ago

March 13, 2024

Bernard Antwi Boasiako, alias Chairman Wontumi, has threatened legal action against a constituency chairman in the Ashanti Region.

Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said the courts will be his last resort if the Manhyia South Constituency Chairman, Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta, does not substantiate allegations of influence peddling in the matter of running mate for the NPP’s 2024 flagbearer.

The constituency chairman had alleged that Wontumi, a strong ally of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, was “selling the NPP’s presidential running mate slot to the highest bidder.”

In a statement signed by an aide, Chairman Wontumi, asked the public to dismiss the claims and treat them as vile propaganda before demanding a substantiation within 48 hours or he goes to court.

“While the public is urged to dismiss and disregard these unfounded claims as they are bereft of, and lack, substance, Mr. Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori-Atta is given Forty-Eight (48) hours to either substantiate these allegations or render an unqualified apology to Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and the Party in the Ashanti Region.

“There would be no other option than to take legal action against him should he fail to do so.” portions of the statement read.

Read below the full statement

SUBSTANTIATE YOUR CLAIMS AGAINST CHAIRMAN WONTUMI OR APOLOGISE IN 48 HOURS, OR FACE LEGAL ACTIONS

Our attention has been drawn to a vicious smear campaign against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, about the selection of a running mate to partner with our Flagbearer, His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for the 2024 Presidential Elections.

According to some malicious claims made by the Manhyia South Constituency Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta, also known as TomTom, which was monitored on Accra-based Okay FM, the Ashanti Regional Chairman has been “trading the presidential running mate slot of the party for his personal gains.”

He repeated these unfounded allegations in a separate interview with Sompa FM, the same day, Monday, 11th March 2024, and went further to subtly accuse the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum and the late Hon. Lawyer Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah, of “paying bribes” to Chairman Wontumi for the running mate position.

These unsubstantiated claims are totally unfortunate and reprehensible, particularly when they seek to demean the reputation of, not only Chairman Wontumi, but also that of Dr. Adutwum, and most abhorrently, the reputation of our departed brother, Dr. John Kumah, whose passing is barely a week old.

Well, it is necessary to educate Tomtom and all those who have bought into this vile propaganda that; while Chairman Wontumi, as the Ashanti Regional Chairman and member of the National Council of the party, would undoubtedly have a say in the consultative process leading to the selection of a Running Mate, the ultimate decision lies with the Flagbearer. Every Tom, Dick and Harry in the party know this fact. So it beggars belief TomTom would want to push this derisive narrative regarding astute senior members of our party and in government “paying” monies to Chairman Wontumi for the Running Mate position.

It is however not surprising that TomTom would seize the moment to defame the reputation of these personalities, as it has been his methods and modus operandi these past two months or more, particularly when he perceives one does not sympathise with his “interest”.

Indeed, TomTom, in recent months, has conducted himself in such a brutally cynical manner, demonstrating his utter disregard for authority and high offices in the party, which even the National Organiser was not spared. The fabricated claims of disrespect for the Asantehene he (TomTom) made against Chairman Wontumi is still fresh in our minds.

Ordinarily, these unfounded claims would not have been glorified with a response as Chairman Wontumi is usually unfazed by such acts, especially when he is currently distraught and devastated by the untimely demise of his faithful brother and loyal friend, Dr. John Kumah.

However, the timing of these insensitive pronouncements of TomTom clearly shows that, the orchestrated and coordinated attempt to undermine the leadership of the Regional Chairman since the latter’s reelection about two (2) years ago has reached such crescendo where all persons, dead or alive, affiliated to him, are not spared.

It is therefore worthy to note that, the continued nonchalant shrug of Chairman Wontumi towards this conduct of TomTom, in the interest of the Party’s cohesion and unity, could rather become a harbinger for more of such acts, which would go a long way to harm the very cohesion and unity we seek to preserve ahead of the 2024 Presidential Elections. Although there is no blazing fury among the party people, there is a simmering discontent with the behaviour of Tomtom, which if not quickly dealt with, would spark reactions and counter-accusations in the region.

While the public is urged to dismiss and disregard these unfounded claims as they are bereft of, and lack, substance, Mr. Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori-Atta is given Forty Eight(48) hours to either substantiate these allegations or render an unqualified apology to Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and the Party in the Ashanti Region. There would be no other option than to take legal action against him should he fail to do so.

Signed,
Nana Poku Frefre
(Political Assistant, Chairman Wontumi)

Politics

We’ll probe opaque gold-for-oil deal if we win 2024 polls

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2024

Melody 911FM

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, promises to investigate the government’s gold-for-oil policy if he is elected president.

He contends that the arrangement lacks transparency and warrants thorough investigation.

The government introduced the gold-for-oil deal in 2021 to address the cedi depreciation and the hike in fuel prices.

Speaking at the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, Mr. Mahama says the deal will be looked at again.

“We will investigate the opaque gold for oil programme and expose the actors benefiting from this so-called barter agreement. Reports reaching me suggest that a new debt burden is being created because Ghana has not been able to keep up with its delivery of gold under the programme.”

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia announced the policy in 2022 in an attempt to tackle Ghana’s dwindling foreign currency reserves coupled with the demand for dollars by oil importers, which has weakened the Cedi and increased living costs.

Under the G4O program, Ghana aims to secure competitively priced oil by selling gold to ease pressure on the Cedi, reverse rocketing fuel prices, and fix the balance of payment problems.

By March 2023, more than 60,000 ounces of gold valued at over $97 million had been purchased from local mines, but the PMMC is targeting at least 160,000 ounces of gold, valued at around $300 million per month, which could help purchase about 50% of the country’s monthly oil demand.

Politics

NDC will probe gold-for-oil deal if we win 2024 polls – Mahama

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2024

Melody 911FM

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has said he will probe the gold-for-oil deal if he is elected President in the December 7 election.

The former President says the policy is opaque and requires thorough investigation.

Mr Mahama was speaking at the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani.

The Gold for oil policy was introduced by the government to help reduce the pressure on the cedi and bring in cheaper fuel.

So far, about 100,000 metric tons of fuel have been brought into Ghana under the policy.

Politics

Mahama promises joint effort to restore devastated ‘galamsey’ lands

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2024

Melody 911FM

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the December 2024 elections, John Dramani Mahama, has underscored the dire consequences of illegal mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey.”

He has thus proposed the establishment of a national joint action team on mining and forestry to combat this issue should he win the December 7 presidential elections.

Speaking at the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, Mr Mahama expressed deep concern over the extensive damage caused by illegal mining, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts and decisive actions to address the challenges posed by this activity.

Mahama-Small-Scale-Speech_Sunyani-Download

Mr Mahama highlighted the severe environmental degradation resulting from galamsey, stressing that it has left Ghana with significant scars that demand urgent attention and intervention.

He lamented that despite the widespread devastation, only a select few are reaping the benefits, calling for a collective effort to address this inequality and safeguard the nation’s natural resources.

In his address, Mr Mahama pledged to formulate a new vision for the mining sector aimed at reclaiming degraded lands, restoring environmental integrity, and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits to the nation as a whole.

The former President emphasised the importance of reclaiming the damaged lands and harnessing the potential of Ghana’s natural environment for sustainable development.

At the same time, we cannot overlook the years of galamsey activities that have left our country with serious legacy scars. We propose some initiatives to restore degraded lands, rehabilitate impacted forests, and clean our polluted water bodies. These initiatives will restore the environment and create thousands of jobs in the affected mining communities.

“We will establish a National Joint Action Team on Mining and Forestry, a collaboration between the Forestry Commission, the Private Sector and SSM operators to rehabilitate impacted forests. This initiative will also create thousands of jobs in the affected mining communities,” he said.

Additionally, Mr Mahama announced plans to launch an #Atree4life initiative in mining communities, aimed at promoting tree planting among the youth.

This initiative seeks to encourage young people to engage in the cultivation of economically viable trees as a means to mitigate the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities.

“A Galamsey Rehabilitation Initiative will work to convert impacted lands into commercial crop production zones, such as palm, shea nut, cocoa and rubber plantations. This will be funded through special fees from the Minerals Commission, contributions by the SSM Association, and interested plantation companies.”

“I will launch a #Atree4life project through which re-afforestation by young people in mining areas will become an economically engaging activity. They will supervise the growth of these economically viable tree crops.” he added.