WE WILL REVERSE SALE OF GT

CPP Declares As the current controversy surrounding the sale of Ghana Telecom becomes more confusing and complicated by the day, the CPP has told Vodafone that it risks losing its investment if they go ahead to sign this stinking deal. Citing precedents from Nigeria and pointing out the obvious anomalies in the contract, the CPP made it clear that if it won power it will not condone with the disposal of such a vital national asset in such a manner.

KUFFOUR SHOWS 'MERCY'

... Vague and Tentative Package to mitigate hardships The president announced a package yesterday to ameliorate the hardships being suffered by most Ghanaians as a result of increases in the prices of fuels and food grains. Giving a background to the crisis , the president indicated that the import bill for petroleum products has increased from $550m to $2.1bn between 2002-2007.He also pointed to the record price of crude oil on futures market coated at $135 per barrel. To back up his claims he further cited the food riots in other parts of the world especially in Africa. In order to make lives better for suffering Ghanaians the Government has announced some measures These include The removal of two forms of taxes on pre-mix fuels and marine gas oil. Reduction in the excise taxes on desiel Total suspension of tariffs on imported grains Subsidization of fertilisers.

POLICE FORCE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN DRUGS

... $6m worth of cocaine missing from police exhibit room. The Government has reacted angrily to an attempt by the police service to cover up its culpability in the case of the missing cocaine from the exhibit room at the police headquarters. The Government had set up a committee headed by the CPP MP ,Hon Kojo Armah to look into the case.The Armah committee submitted a report that described in sordid details ,the incompetence and deep corruption in the police service even at the Headquarters . The Committee had been formed to look into the case of the disappearance of $6m worth of cocaine from the exhibit vault at the Police Headquarters in Accra .The committee's report revealed some very disturbing incompetence and sleaze especially in the war on drugs .There were even allegations of the police complicity and corroboration in the drug plague . In a posture characteristic of this Government ,there has a disturbing lack of decisive action or any strong show of leadership in this matter as it is with other issues.The head of the police service under whose very nose this abberation happened is still at post while none of the officers in charge of the case has had any action taken against them. This indeed is very worrying given the threats to our democracy and security staring us in the face if this country becomes a drug hub in the region.According to the UN agency leading the fight against drug trafficking and its related crimes ,Ghana has become the major transit point for cocaine and heroine smuggling between South America ,South Asia as countries of origin and Europe and America as destinations. The sordid happenings in high places in relation to the drug scandal probably shows that the criminals have succeeded in infiltrating ,co-opting and corrupting our security services and other Government officials. In a weak state like Ghana it will definitely lead to collapse of the state leading lawlessness and conflict .

NDC AND NPP ENGAGED IN POLITICAL PINPONG WITH DEEP ISSUES

In quintesential partisan poltical fashion ,the NPP and NDC have duly resumed their unproductive shouting match.The NPP organised a press conference on 17th may to react to the issues that were raised at the launch of the NDC campaign a week before . The NPP's major issue was to debunk the points raised by the NDC particularly the Government's handling of the drug menace and whether it is relevant to make the comparison of records the basis of electioneering campaign.The main speaker at the NPP press conference ,Mr. Mac Manu angrily attacked the NDC for daring to challenge the NPP'S record on drugs . He defended the NPP'S track record on drugs saying that they have arrested many drug couriers and barons . The evidence however points to different facts.Ghana is currently ranked as the prime transit point for drugs heading towards Europe and America .

This is very typical of how politics is conducted in this country.Instead of engaging in intellectual debate that will lead to solutions for pressing issues, the political class prefers to engage pointless propaganda war that ultimately drowns out the real issue .

POLICE FORCE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN DRUGS

... $6m worth of cocaine missing from police exhibit room.

The Government has reacted angrily to an attempt by the police service to cover up its culpability in the case of the missing cocaine from the exhibit room at the police headquarters.

The Government had set up a committee headed by the CPP MP ,Hon Kojo Armah to look into the case.The Armah committee submitted a report that described in sordid details ,the incompetence and deep corruption in the police service even at the Headquarters .

The Committee had been formed to look into the case of the disappearance of $6m worth of cocaine from the exhibit vault at the Police Headquarters in Accra .The committee's report revealed some very disturbing incompetence and sleaze especially in the war on drugs .There were even allegations of the police complicity and corroboration in the drug plague .

In a posture characteristic of this Government ,there has a disturbing lack of decisive action or any strong show of leadership in this matter as it is with other issues.The head of the police service under whose very nose this abberation happened is still at post while none of the officers in charge of the case has had any action taken against them.

This indeed is very worrying given the threats to our democracy and security staring us in the face if this country becomes a drug hub in the region.According to the UN agency leading the fight against drug trafficking and its related crimes ,Ghana has become the major transit point for cocaine and heroine smuggling between South America ,South Asia as countries of origin and Europe and America as destinations.

The sordid happenings in high places in relation to the drug scandal probably shows that the criminals have succeeded in infiltrating ,co-opting and corrupting our security services and other Government officials.

In a weak state like Ghana it will definitely lead to collapse of the state leading lawlessness and conflict .

NDC LAUNCHES IT CAMPAIGN

NDC LAUNCHES IT CAMPAIGN

...With Huge and colourful media blitz.

IT is probably the biggest media event in the country since the beginning of year.In a strong show of crowd power preparedness for the upcoming General Elections ,the NDC launched its campaign and outdoored their Running Mate.Significantly ,the event witnessed some very positive developments in the party - the return of some dormant and departed former members back into the fold.Also the absence of Former President Rawlings was a further confirmation of the gradually decoupling of the 'big man' from the core of the party.

The infectious John Mahama was the center of attention throughout the day and his speech gave away a little of what he will offer the politics of this country in the years to come.

His statement that Ghanaians should not be tricked into engaging in a futile exercise of trying to compare the mediocre achievements of the two biggest parties but rather chose the party that will take us to our dreamland.

The event undoubtedly re-energised the NDC faithful into a strong resolve to work hard more than ever to haul themselves back into Government .

This media event was the latest of the new campaign climate dominated by slick media savvy party workers that is sweeping the country .This year's elections will mark a watershed in the political culture in this country .

My fear is that we will have an equally competent and independent media to help the ordinary Ghanaian sift real facts from propaganda .It is very easy for a young and under-resourced media industry like ours to fall into the hands of powerful political interests.

...With Huge and colourful media blitz.

IT is probably the biggest media event in the country since the beginning of year.In a strong show of crowd power preparedness for the upcoming General Elections ,the NDC launched its campaign and outdoored their Running Mate.Significantly ,the event witnessed some very positive developments in the party - the return of some dormant and departed former members back into the fold.Also the absence of Former President Rawlings was a further confirmation of the gradually decoupling of the 'big man' from the core of the party.

The infectious John Mahama was the center of attention throughout the day and his speech gave away a little of what he will offer the politics of this country in the years to come.

His statement that Ghanaians should not be tricked into engaging in a futile exercise of trying to compare the mediocre achievements of the two biggest parties but rather chose the party that will take us to our dreamland.

The event undoubtedly re-energised the NDC faithful into a strong resolve to work hard more than ever to haul themselves back into Government .

This media event was the latest of the new campaign climate dominated by slick media savvy party workers that is sweeping the country .This year's elections will mark a watershed in the political culture in this country .

My fear is that we will have an equally competent and independent media to help the ordinary Ghanaian sift real facts from propaganda .It is very easy for a young and under-resourced media industry like ours to fall into the hands of powerful political interests.

POLITICAL HOLOCAUST HITS NPP

APRIL 17 2008,

As Alan Cash Resigns From Party.

This past few weeks has given meaning to the phrase " political season "as major political events unfolds.From a week dominated by huge controversy surrounding the nomination of a running mate to partner the NDC Flagbearer Prof.Atta Mills; to another week that saw a political bombshell of Holocaust proportions.

On Thursday 17 April, without any warning or foreboding Alan Kyeremanten ,the failed NPP Flagbearer contestant reportedly tendered in his resignation from the NPP party to the Headquarters of the Party.

His aides cited intimidation and victimization of his supporters as the main reason for his sudden departure from the party he was trying to lead only a couple of months ago.The Alan camp alleges that,they have been at the wrong end of many decisions and actions of the victors-the Akkufo-Addo cabal.

The news of Alan's departure from the came at a time when the Akkufo -Addo was beginning to realise how difficult the task of winning the presidency will be.

The bombshell came just 48 hours his arch opponent ;the NDC Flagbearer Prof. Atta-Mills chose John Mahama ,the NDC MP for Bole Bamboi in the Upper -East Region of Ghana as his running mate.That formidable choice in itself threw a rough challenge to the NPP camp and would have taken NPP strategists and campaign gurus a lot of time and intellectual effort to come round it. This will certainly distract some of