The Coalition of Muslim Organizations, Ghana (COMOG) wishes to congratulate you on the occasion of your election as the president-elect of the Republic of Ghana.
We believe that your victory was an expression of confidence the Ghanaian people reposed in you. We also join the entire Ghanaians people to congratulate you on this emphatic electoral victory.
As an organisation serving as the mouthpiece of Muslims, it is our hope that your leadership will aggregate all the imperatives available to aid the course of Islam in Ghana. Mr President, we remain optimistic about your commitment to the promises you made to Muslims to help their course. We shall be looking forward to the fulfillment of your promises to the Muslim Ummah.
We finally wish to pray for Allah’s guidance to help you make Ghana a better nation for all. Thank you.
Compiled By: Bismark Kwabla Kpobi
Team Member in Charge of Social Media, PR, and Publicity
INTRODUCTION
The 2024 retail campaign led by Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah was the third arm of H.E. John Mahama’s NDC campaign. The team embarked on a retail campaign in rural parts of the constituency, covering community to community, traditional areas, constituencies, and regions for almost three months.
CAMPAIGN EXPERIENCES
As stated earlier, we campaigned in very hard-to-reach rural communities to canvass for their votes and support for H.E. John Mahama and NDC parliamentary candidates across the country. Through our journey, interactions, observations, and many more, we identified thematic areas of challenges that the Mahama and Jane NDC government must address.
DEVELOPMENTAL GAPS AND CHALLENGES
1. ROAD CHALLENGES
It will surprise you to know that the roads projects the NPP government has been touting to have constructed are nowhere to be seen in the country. Aside from regional capitals and some parts of major roads, almost all district roads are very bad with huge potholes and dust.
Solution: H.E. John Mahama’s NDC government must prioritize all cocoa roads projects for re-awarding and continuation by giving time limits for their completion with firm supervision to ensure quality works by the contractors for the roads to last. Formation of a Cashew Board which will also take care of roads in cashew-growing communities in the Bono regions. Lastly, the remaining roads should also be awarded for construction to boost transportation of goods and people for economic growth. All MMDCEs must be held accountable for any conflicts associated with project awards and construction.
2. TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK CHALLENGES
It is unfortunate that the sloganeering ‘digitalization’ is not felt in major parts of the country. Most communities have been cut off from the world entirely and are living in ignorance or misinformation and disinformation since they don’t have access to internet connectivity to cross-check facts and information. Chiefs, Assembly members, etc. lamented on the repercussions on their education, health, and security, etc.
Solution: It is my suggestion that the next Minister for Telecommunication embark on holistic rural telecommunication connectivity in collaboration with MTN and Telecel companies across every community by building their poles and mast bags and ensuring there are continuous flows of telecommunication signals. This will go a long way to help with information dissemination, education, communication with families and loved ones, emergency situations, etc. It can be done before the end of this year’s term of office.
3. PORTABLE WATER CHALLENGES
We say ‘water is life,’ but many are wallowing in dust and bushes without access to water, even as the rains didn’t stop entirely. Most communities experience water challenges with people sharing waterlogged ponds with animals.
Solution: The government should take a keen interest in constructing dams and mechanized boreholes for the people in every community to take their burdens off. 21st-century people shouldn’t be walking miles to go and fetch dirty water to cool and bathe. The Pwalugu Dam should be taken care of fast to shoulder some communities.
4. HEALTH FACILITIES
Due to the roads’ nature, poor telecommunications networks, many communities are without accessible good health facilities. Even those with CHPs zones and Health centers are without drugs and logistics to work and take care of the health needs of the people. Some constituencies are without District Hospitals, e.g., WA East, etc. In times of emergencies, the victims are then carried on motorbikes through deplorable roads and dusts to very far to reach health facilities. This leads to contamination of the injuries with dusts and worsening of the health conditions in cases of fractures, labor, etc.
Solution: As a health professional with over 8 years of practice, I would love to suggest to H.E. John Mahama to intentionally embark on expansion projects of hospitals – CHPs Zones into Health Centers, Health Centers into Polyclinics by equipping the facilities with medication, logistics, and human resources by providing staff bungalows to entice the workers to those rural areas. Train more nurses and post them timely with some incentives to entice them to work in those areas.
5. EDUCATION FACILITIES
We always say ‘education is the master key,’ but we hardly make conscious efforts to implement policies to ensure quality basic education in our rural communities. Having gone through most rural communities, we saw how communities are without proper school infrastructure, and teachers. Pupils are dirty without uniforms and shoes; some are under trees or temporal dilapidated structures with very limited chairs and tables.
6. ELECTRICITY EXPANSION CHALLENGES
If it hadn’t been for this campaign, we wouldn’t have known that some big communities are without electricity, even in the Ashanti Region. Some communities lack electricity poles, while others have outgrown their existing electricity infrastructure. This leaves the communities in darkness at night, especially when engaging with people and driving through communities during campaigns.
Solution: Where electricity is lacking, Gridco and ECG must embark on “operation experience electricity.” Where communities need extensions, there should be “operation light every corner.”
7. EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES
It is heartbreaking to see many people wallowing in abject poverty. Their children, who are of age to help with jobs, also lack employment, leading to them living in villages and, in some cases, impregnating girls, starting another cycle of poverty. H.E. John Mahama should fast-track the free apprenticeship program to train many with skills, enabling them to secure employment. Those with education should be considered for security services, allowing them to support their families. Providing a conducive environment with good policies and opportunities will give hope and faith to many, enabling them to thrive on their own.
8. FARMING SUPPORTS CHALLENGES
Rural communities are largely composed of farmers. With good roads and a farming support system, they will be able to produce foodstuffs to feed the entire country, reducing the importation of such goods.
Solution: I am happy that Mahama NDC’s manifesto promises Farming Services Centres. We must ensure this policy is well-implemented to help our farmers access support for their farming endeavors.
CONCLUSION
Although the NDC has won the election massively, we must not take the people for granted if we intend to stay in government for long to reset the country. The campaign experiences will guide some of us to continue reminding the NDC government to remember our campaign promises to the people and not be complacent and arrogant in power.
In accordance with the provisions of the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (ACT 845), President-elect H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has announced 10-member team to represent the incoming administration.
The team is led by Hon Julius Debrah, former Chief of Staff, as the Co-Chair.
Other members of the appointed personalities as members of the 2024 Transition Team are as follows:
2. Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketia – Member
3. Hon. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey – Member
4. Dr. Callistus Mahama– Member/Secretary to the Transition Team
5. Dr. Valerie Sawyer – Member
6. Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi – Member
7. Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson – Member
8. Hon. Mahama Ayariga – Member
9. Hon. Goosie Tanoh – Member
10. Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Member
The team will work closely with representatives of the out-going government with a view to ensuring a smooth transfer of political power to the incoming administration.
The Transition Team is composed of experienced individuals drawn from various sectors, including finance, governance, and public administration.
Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has presented the 2025 Budget, tagged the “Budget of Recovery and Continuity,” with a total sum of ₦584.76 billion aimed at consolidating the state’s developmental strides.
The budget prioritizes health, education, and economic recovery, alongside critical investments in security, infrastructure, and social services.
The budget comprises a Capital Expenditure of ₦380.84 billion and a Recurrent Expenditure of ₦203.92 billion. It will be financed through Recurrent Revenue from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) of ₦311.70 billion, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of ₦30.09 billion, and Capital Receipts of ₦237.96 billion, which include aid, grants, and a Capital Development Fund.
Annoucing the sectoral allocation, Governor Zulum said the health Sector will receive ₦89.97 billion which 15.39% of Total Budget size
He announced a robust healthcare agenda, including, construction of an Orthopaedic Hospital in Maiduguri, establishment of General Hospitals in Magumeri, Gubio, Azare, Uba, Dikwa, Kaleri, and Mafa, alongside rehabilitation of hospitals in Baga and Mulai.
Completion and commissioning of the Borno State University Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri and expansion of the State Health Insurance Scheme for civil servants and vulnerable citizens across the 27 Local Government Areas.
“Enrol civil servants into the State Health Insurance Scheme, expand the enrolment of vulnerable indigenes across the 27 Local Government Areas into the Basic Health Care Provision Fund”.
“The Borno State primary health care development agency would revitalise 100 Primary health care centres in the state and plan to construct 6 additional primary health care centres and upgrade 6 PHCs to comprehensive health centres” Zulum added.
In the education sector which was allocated ₦69.81 billion, Governor Zulum highlighted that the plan to establish a new Second Chance School, construction of five additional Mega Schools and five Mega High Islamic Schools, rehabilitation of facilities in 50 schools across the state.
Zulum announced the procurement of food items worth ₦10 billion to address food insecurity, cultivation of 100,000 hectares for rain-fed farming and 50,000 hectares for irrigation and investment in large-scale Firgi farming.
“In the next fiscal year, government will invest in programmes aimed at stimulating local economic activities, supporting small businesses and attracting investment”.
He emphasized that the state government has released the sum of ₦22 billion for victim support and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare facilities. Other major projects include
Other priority projects in the 2025 budget include establishment of Maiduguri Dry Port, Dualization of a 7.1km stretch of Maiduguri-Biu Road and construction of a 6-span bridge across River Ngaddabul as well as Modernization of Borno Radio and Television (BRTV).
Governor Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to addressing key challenges, including clearing the backlog of pensions and gratuities, noting that Implementation of ₦72,000 minimum wage for civil servants and teachers have already commenced “Despite the impact of the flood disaster, we are committed to ensuring the welfare of our pensioners,” he said.
He also pledged unwavering support for initiatives that will strengthen recovery, continuity, and resilience across Borno State, ensuring a stable and prosperous future for its citizens.
Speaker Borno State House of Assembly, Hon Abdulkarim Lawan announced that the House passed a total of 12 laws that will directly promote good governance and impact on lives of the people of the state.
He commended Governor Babagana Zulum for the resettlement of victims of Boko Haram insurgency.
Dauda Iliya
Special Adviser to the Borno State Governor
(Media/Spokesperson)
The The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has noted with dismay, the vandalism of state properties by some persons in certain parts of the country since yesterday, 8th December, 2024.
At least, such incidents have taken place in some part of Greater Accra and Northern region.
However, the NDC notes that, some of these acts of vandalism and looting of state properties, are reported to have been carried out by disgruntled supporters of the New Patriotic Party who are of the belief that their party Parliamentary Candidates hoarded state-procured food items, fertilizer and other materials which were meant to be distributed before the December 7 elections, as part of the NPP’s voter-inducement strategy. Also, some of these unfortunate incidents are reported to have been carried out by over-jubilant supporters of the NDC who have been carried away by the excitement of the party’s Resounding victory in the just-ended Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
“The NDC hereby condemns in no uncertain terms these acts of lawlessness whether carried out by NDC supporters or supporters of other parties”, the General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey said in a press statement issued a while ago.
The situation in Ghana is becoming increasingly tense as the Electoral Commission (EC) delays in declaring the official results of the presidential election. This delay has created anxiety and uncertainty among the Ghanaian people, particularly the youth.
In the midst of this tension, the National Peace Council has called on the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, to restrain the NDC youth. However, Asiedu Nketiah has rejected this call, describing it as “mischievous”.
Asiedu Nketiah’s rejection of the call is based on his belief that the EC and the security committee have violated the peace pact that was signed by all parties involved before the elections. He argues that the Peace Council should instead be calling on the EC to declare the election results, rather than trying to restrain the NDC youth.
The fact that Dr Mahmud Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the ruling NPP, has already congratulated president-elect John Dramani Mahama, suggests that there may be some irregularities in the electoral process. This has further fueled the tension and uncertainty among the Ghanaian people.
Overall, the situation in Ghana is becoming increasingly volatile, and it is essential that the EC declares the election results as soon as possible to avoid any further escalation of tensions.
NDC results shows Ghanaians have massively rejected the ruling NPP in the 2024 elections, Sammy Gyemfi told journalists at the fourth update since voting begun yesterday.
The NDC’s provisional results shows, Presidential candidate John Mahama won with 56.34% leading in 13 regions.
Results of 38,896 polling stations collated out of 40,976 polling stations shows total votes 11,159,430.
John Mahama got 6,286,600 representing 56.34% while NPP’s Dr Mahmud Bawumia got 4,615,006 representing 41.35.
Ghana’s 2024 elections results has shown that, indeed Ghana is an icon of democracy.
The unprecedented electoral results favouring the opposition party, NDC, shows how the citizens used the democratic process to uproot a ruling government which many had been dissatisfied with their performance.
The provisional results collated by various media outlets and NDC party shows, the NDC’s presidential candidate John Mahama, has won with over 56 percent and having convincingly majority in Parliament with over 180 seats.
For the first time, NDC has won seats which has been safe seats for the ruling NPP since inception of the fourth republic in 1992.
The results reflects how frustrated and annoyed the citizens have been due the worst economic performance coupled with governance with impunity.
Ghanaians indeed exercised enough restraints not to have resorted to coup-de-tat nor violent uprising as it has happened to four West African nations in the past five years.
