Fomer President John Dramani Mahama has issued a serious caution to members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that he will deal with all corrupt individuals ruthlessly regardlessly.
He warned that all officials who will serve in the next NDC administration will be held accountable by anti-corruption bodies for probe and prosecution if they involve themselves in any corrupt practices when given opportunity to serve.
Mr Mahama also reiterated his readiness to hold officials of the governing NPP who are on the list of engaging in corrupt practices to account for their deeds if NDC wins the next elections.
Mr Mahama made these comments while addressing party supporters and fanatics at the Volta Regional House of Chiefs on Wednesday, January 17.
“If we do not establish fairness in our system in fighting corruption, it will overwhelm this country, A lot of times, lip service is paid to it.
“The anti-corruption institutions are fettered and are not able to dispense their mandate independently and unhindered,” John Mahama said.
“We will hold people in this government who have misconducted themselves accountable, but same time as we hold them accountable, people who misconduct themselves in our administration will face the full rigours of the law, the anti-corruption institutions will come after them, and I am not going to interfere in the work of these institutions if they are investigating you.” he added
As generally known, Hon Julius Debrah began his political journey as a grassroot activist, labored through thick and thin amid patience and dedication from the branch level politicking, scaling through to the national level to become such a colossus.
Distinctively, his admirable personality traits are not only confirmed to hearsays but then again, the hundreds of people who come into contact with him daily, bear eloquent testimony to his extraordinary talent; ie a *phenomenon best felt than describe and a priceless pearl whose kind is yet to be seen*
Beyond doubt, the vibrant and charismatic Julius Debrah has progressively garnered unsurpassed knowledge and experience that have and rightly so, placed him far and above the shoulders of his supposed competitors.
Refreshingly, his ability to push boundaries and create memories of impact resonate perfectly with our newfound energy as catalysts of change and architects of our own destiny as we stand united than before with an unyielding resolve.
In our otherwise turbulence political environment, Julius is considered an ‘oasis of peace’, a beacon of hope and a ‘breath of fresh air’ in whom we are well pleased, having always been and remained a listening ear to our collective needs.
The immutable synergy between H.E. John Mahama (JM) and Hon Julius Debrah (JD) is so inspiring and healthy for the strengthening and sustenance of our internal cohesion, anchored in the belief that, the widely expected JM & JD ticket would undisputably be the perfect pair to re-capture political power.
A branch executive of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the flagbearer of the party, John Mahama, and the Council of Elders the age factor of the next running mate for the 2024 elections.
The executive also drew attention to the political-charisma of the persona of the picked candidate to help in brightening the chances of the NDC.
These two factors are keep for NDC’s success and perpetuality in election 2024 and beyond. In an analytical article shared by the Branch Youth Organiser in the Mankesim area in the Central Region, battressed that, succession planning must and should be a key factor in the choice of running mate for the NDC.
“With the Party’s quest to hold political power at least for 12 years, the Party desperately needs someone who can also do an eight(8)year term easily without the hindrance of age or physical weakness”, Kwame Prince said.
“Succession planning must and should be a key factor in the choice of running mate for the NDC and that alone easily eliminates Prof. Naana Opoku Agyemang from the conversation without prejudice to her competencies and personal achievements as an academician.”
Read Full Article Below:
LOOK INTO NDC’s NEXT RUNNING MATE
The NDC is at a crossroads again, after completing almost all its internal elections and appointments, the race for a running mate for His Excellency John Mahama has heated up.
A few days ago there was a Press Conference by some group of men and women in the Party urging His Excellency John Mahama to retain Prof.Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang as his running mate in what could easily be described as a desperate attempt to strong-arm the former President to retain his choice of running mate in the 2024 elections.
First of all, whoever financed that Press Conference did a disservice to Prof.Naana Jane and I’m sure it’s the same people behind her appearance on RadioGold last week for about 3 hours.
In the build-up to the 2020 elections, nobody forced his Excellency to go with Prof.Jane as his running mate. Nobody mounted media pressure on His Excellency to choose her.
Amidst the vile opposition of the Party leadership his Excellency himself sat down and came to the decision that he wanted to run with her and he defended that decision all through.
So why is anybody in their right sense now attempting to mount pressure on His Excellency to run with her again?
His Excellency is an experienced politician and knows what he wants.
Secondly, the running mate is not a permanent position for anybody. If history will be our guide, the NDC has never repeated a Running Mate in opposition.
In 2000, Prof.Mills ran with Martin Amidu and lost, in 2004 he went with Mohammed Mummuni and lost again then in 2008, John Mahama was brought in to complete the magic wand that landed the NDC its tight victory.
The candidate is at liberty to change his running mate’s anytime based on the strategy he intends to go into the elections with.
Again let’s gladly assess the impact of Prof.Naana as a running mate.
The NDC in 2020 won the Parliamentary majority in her home region Central Region but lost out massively in the presidential Why?
The NDC played the women’s card strongly in 2020, based on the outcome of the elections it’s very clear the gender card had little impact on the outcome.
No Party in Ghana loses an election if the women are on your side. What this tells us is that, apart from a few gender activists in Accra who may laud your choice of gender, the choice itself has little influence on how a majority of women would vote in the elections.
So, in essence, Prof.Naana’s candidature as a female running mate did not benefit the NDC electorally, Apart from that she has done very little since 2020 to improve her image making it very difficult to sell her to the electorates, her appearance in public functions, her demeanor and her inability to connect with people are all one of the many factors the NDC must be bold enough to admit, and I’m sure his Excellency himself can see that now.
Again what’s her capacity to attract funding and financial support for the campaign? It’s very easy to say that even the business community doesn’t find her appealing enough to put money behind her, it’s almost certain that she cannot raise funds even to fund her activities as running mate and had to rely on support from the office of the flagbearer.
Going into 2024 money is going to play a critical role, and His Excellency cannot afford another financial distraction.
He needs someone who can afford to raise money on his or her own to fund his or her activities without relying on the little donations his Excellency may get.
Then her age, she’s 73, and by December 2028 she will be 78, almost 80. In an election where the candidate, His Excellency has one term, it would be almost suicidal to run with someone this age.
With the Party’s quest to hold political power at least for 12 years, the Party desperately needs someone who can also do an eight(8)year term easily without the hindrance of age or physical weakness.
Succession planning must and should be a key factor in the choice of running mate for the NDC and that alone easily eliminates Prof. Naana Opoku Agyemang from the conversation without prejudice to her competencies and personal achievements as an academician.
Finally, finally, 2016 and 2020 have taught the NDC that John Mahama is very popular within the Party and any day can bring at least 98% of the NDC’s 6 million traditional voters to the table.
What has been lacking for him is a complementary candidate that would bring at least 20-30% of the floating voters to tilt the election in his favor.
At least for now, I have so much confidence in His Excellency that he appreciates the seriousness of the next elections and would not gamble with his choice.
He would be a great choice eventually and the party will move on to win the next elections and his legacy will continue.
I rest my case.
If you enjoyed reading cheers, if you didn’t sorry for the inconvenience!!
Elections 2024 is not a done deal for the NDC yet for that matter, this is not the time for try and error nor pleasing a region that do not appreciate a favor done unto them. We need to bet with our best cards.
Over the past few weeks, there have been loads of socio-political dialetics about a befitting running mate for the 2024 NDC presidential candidate, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.
Beyond doubts that, the NDC is poised and better positioned for holding Ghana’s governance mantle come 2025, which the majority of Ghanaians are yearning for and cannot wait to affirm it through the 2024 General Elections.
Although NDC victory is impervious, certain decisions could significantly enhance the outcome. Clearly, the NDC presenting H.E. John Dramani Mahama is a monumental accord, which has already become a dilemma for the NPP in their struggling bid to get any suitable candidate.
To further consolidate the NDC’s brighter position, the choice for a running mate who subsequently becomes the Vice President after the party’s victory is very crucial. This is more so because beyond the conviction that the NDC is winning the elections, other edges have to be pruned in order to ensure a significant percentage for the President as well as securing far greater number of Parliamentary seats.
The persona, background, competence, skills, attributes, connection with the party base and respect by the populace are vital traits that would be assessed prior to one being considered for the pivotal position of a running mate.
Irrevocably, the NDC party have in time passed presented untainted candidates of great repute as running mates among which two had moved on from Vice Presidents to becoming Presidents, with unsurpassed governance output for the 21st century.
Similarly, in the recent turn of events, there are views from some party folks, academics and political analysts alike about deserving persons that they deem favorable to become a possible running mate for H.E. John Dramani Mahama.
In fact, all the names that are popping up simply lends credence to the point that the NDC maintains the finest human resource expertise for the type of governance to deliver Ghanaians out of the current political quagmire and economic abyss.
Julius Debrah
That said, one person that in my candid opinion leads the pack among the rest is Hon. Julius Debrah. I dare to suggest with the strongest conviction that Hon. Julius Debrah (JD) would make the best pair with H.E. John Mahama (JM) for some basic but cogent reasons.
First and foremost, Hon. Julius Debrah is an astute politician and a die-hard member of the NDC who began his political career and party service from the grassroots.
He did not just emerge from the background to get appointed for a higher position but rather, he labored through thick and thin with patience and dedication from the branch level engagements, through which he acquired the requisite experiences as he progressively scaled the political ladder.
At the turn of the 21st century whilst the party was in opposition, he served in various positions in the Eastern Region including a Propaganda Secretary to becoming a Regional Chairman. Around that same period, he pooled and dedicated resources to contesting as the Parliamentary Candidate for the party in the years 2000 and 2004 in the Suhum Constituency. Although he faced one of the stiffest opponents, for all those encounters and later in 2012, his bids significantly popularized the NDC party, consequently contributing in no small means towards the NDC victories in 2008 and 2012.
Irrefutably, Hon. Julius Debrah’s political background and popularity presents a perfect pairing with H.E. John Dramani Mahama to attract support from all spheres of persons and across regional blocs, within the party and beyond.
Second, Hon. Julius Debrah has gained enormous maturity in governance through diverse professional engagements in business, public service and executive positions.
Julius Debrah is celebrated for his success in business and entrepreneurial activities, which has in turn generated employment, provided products and services, and contributed to the economic benefits for individuals and communities.
He is recognized for conglomerate of businesses in Tourism & Hospitality, Automobile Inspectorate, Insurance, Banking, Water & Beverages, Agriculture, Construction, Real Estate and Broadcasting.
Moreover, during his tenure as the Executive Director of the Ghana Tourism Board, he significantly improved the tourism industry.
Specifically, acting in harmony with the Ministry of Tourism, the then Ghana Tourism Board was restructured into the Ghana Tourism Authority, which enhanced tourism infrastructure and promoted tourist activities for the country. His performance attracted attention in the sub-Region and beyond, engaging with many countries across the globe.
Even more, his performance as the Minister for Local Government & Rural Development (2014-2015), albeit for few years, left an indelible ink for the Ministry and the John Mahama regime.
In fact, he effectively used the local government architecture to admirably get connected with institutions, communities, traditional leaders, local government agents as well as the grassroot party members and structures.
Beyond doubt, the outstanding socio-economic programs and projects that he initiated attracted attention and commanded respect from all strata of society.
Distinctively, he promoted pleasing work ethics within the metropolitan, municipal and district assembles (MMDAs), engineered practical sanitation initiatives notably the National Sanitation Exercises across cities, advanced local government legislations, and above all within a broader implementation framework carried through with the countrywide Street Naming Exercise.
Ghanaians would embrace a running mate with such an impeccable performance record devoid of any corruption stains.
Finally, another substantial grounds for holding the view that Hon. Julius Debrah is nominated and approved as the running mate for His Excellency John Mahama is the immutable synergy between JD and JM. The success of the Presidency among other things is greatly connected to how the President harmonizes with the Vice President.
Most well-meaning Ghanaians view JM to be affable, hardworking, patient, virtuous, tolerant and praiseworthy of all other attributes that one could desire of a President. In a similar vein, JD positively exhibits the composure, skills and character that aligns with that of his cherished boss and a friend, JM.
As a matter of fact, John Mahama did not only realize the indestructible competence but felt so comfortable with Julius Debrah that he appointed him as the Chief of Staff during the most crucial times of his Presidency – from 2015 into the heat of the electioneering campaigns and activities of 2016.
He has since remained one of the most attached persons to John Mahama, in promoting the best interests of the NDC party towards a 2024 Victory to Save Ghana.
In conclusion, although any other person currently being suggested for the running mate slot in a way or the other is deserving, Julius Debrah in many respects excels as the most suitable for John Mahama, and eventually becoming the Vice President come 2025.
Therefore, based on the delineation of the suitability of Hon. Julius Debrah for that constitutionally mandated position, I unequivocally proclaim my strongest conviction, which I believe to be akin with the opinions of the masses, in support of JM and JD for NDC 2024.
Former Chief of Staff to the former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, Julius Debrah, (the secret behind the NDC’s flagbearer strength and success).
JD is mostly referred to as the most affable, affectionate, hardworking, strategic and tactical brain, non-discriminative high political personality, very charitable and supportive.
Julius Debrah and John Mahama
His clout and command of power in Ghana’s political landscape is enviable and undisputably incomparable.
A mention of his name, immediately makes all present think about ‘humility’. It doesn’t matter about your age, class or status, he is always ready to and help out.
JD, born on 24 April 1966 (age 57) is anative of Obomeng Kwahu from the Eastern Region.
Julius Debrah
Academically, a product of Mpraeso Secondary School, Achimota Secondary School and University of Ghana where he obtained Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and Sociology.
A great and successful business player and unrelenting politician. A three times Parliamentary Candidate for the NDC in a no go area of the NPP, yet, he held the battle front for the NDC party during the crucial times of the party when the was first witnessing dreadful opposition from the treacherous Akufo-Addo, Atta-Kyea, and the likes.
Julius Debrah
Despite, not winning the seat, his hard work, resilience and loyalty to the NDC were noticed and was therefore called to serve the party further in the capacity of Regional minister of Eastern and Greater Accra.
He later served the local government ministry remarkably and later called to be the Chief Servant of the First Gentleman of the land as Chief of Staff.
His leadership restructured and positioned Ghana’s Tourism industry as a key contributor to the economy while the industry players were heavily supported to meet the world class standards when he CEO position of the Ghana Tourism Authority.
His magical calmness, noble servant, strategic and tactical leadership and humility established the most cordial and undying relationship between him and his boss, John Mahama, even throughout this periods of seven years in opposition.
His servantship to John Mahama is above extraordinary.
Such values is what NDC needs now to backup the footsteps and softings the hearts of the undecided middle class, youth, and classless voters to consider the NDC as the ultimate choice.
Adnan Adams Mohammed (Leader of Friends of Julius Debrah)
A stateman and former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Professor Joshua Alabi, has picked up Presidential nomination forms on behalf of his former boss.
Prof. Alabi, picked up the nomination forms for former President John Mahama today, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 at the offices of the main opposition National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) office.
Mr Mahama by this, will be seeking a re-election to become flagbearer for the party in the lead up to the 2024 Presidential elections.
NDC has opened nominations for the election of its Presidential candidate and Parliamentary Candidates for the 2024 general elections.
The nomination forms for Parliamentary Candidates according to the Party will be accessible to all persons for purchase on the official website of the party; www.ghanandc.com.
Nomination forms for Presidential aspirants can be obtained from the Office of the General Secretary at the Party’s Headquarters at Adabraka, Accra effective 8 a.m. today.
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has given an assurance that all hopes are not lost yet for the African contitnent inspite of her numerous challenges.
Delivering a lecture organised by Chatham House on the topic “Africa’s strategic priorities and global role”, the former President of the Republic of Ghana called on regional blocs to have a firmer grip with effective leadership on their various nations to help address challenges.
“All hope is not lost for Africa”, Mr Mahama said. “Africa, including my country Ghana, has strategic priorities and is ready and willing to play its role in the global community.”
“It is also of critical importance that regional bodies like the ECOWAS, SADC, EAC, CEMAC, the Arab Maghreb Union and African Union must be empowered to have a firmer grip on their member nations to address regional/ continental/ global challenges. Other international bodies like the European Union and the TANA High-Level Forum for Security in Africa, which I chair, must provide the needed support, including oversight and scrutiny of activities likely to lead to serious consequences.”
The former president stressed on this point of oversight because we observe that the laxity in supervision and oversight has given free reins to some leaders on the continent to wreak constitutional tyranny on their people with some changing their country’s constitution so they could run for extended terms.
“No single country in Africa can on its own attain the highest level of development when it is
surrounded by neighbouring countries engaging in full scale-conflict. It is therefore important
that there is stability and sustainable development in Africa, which will help lead to global
security and prosperity.
“With the right steps and visionary leadership as well as a willingness to dig deep and find
innovative solutions to the decades-old challenges, we must emerge a stronger force to reckon
with.”
Full Statement Below:
[pdf-embedder url=”https://newsguideafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/John-Mahama-on-Africas-strategic-priorities-and-global-role_Chatham-House_Media.pdf” title=”John Mahama on Africa’s strategic priorities and global role_Chatham House_Media”]
The National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress has swiftly responded to the Attorney General on the lost confidence in the judiciary.
The young lawyer, Sammy Gyemfi, challenged the Attorney General, Godfred Odame, to read the national security documents of his government to update himself to the fact that, John Mahama did not speak anything new about the Ghanaian judicial service, except that, he reechoed a concerned the national security apparatus are worried with.
The National Security minister in recent past made a comment alluding to the fact that, the rate at which the public was loosing confidence in the judiciary is a security threat. Albert Kan-Dapaah, speaking at a sensitisation workshop on the national security strategy for judges of the superior courts in April this year, warned that the perception that the judiciary is biased has dire consequences on the country’s security. He said if it is not checked, it will compel the citizenry to take the law into their own hands for personal satisfaction with the bench deemed biased.
“Injustice occasioned as a result of the absence of an effective justice delivery system or delayed justice or biased justice is certainly a threat to national security.
“Indeed, when injustice abounds, particularly in situations where the bench, which is considered the final arbiter of disputes, is deemed biased, citizens tend to take the law into their own hands most times without recourse to the established systems of justice delivery,” he said.
He added, “If the interpretation of the law is tilted in our favour all the time, people will start accusing the judiciary and will not have the confidence that they need.”
Also, a Security Analyst reacting to the National Security minister’s comment, defended the Minister and cautioned the judiciary against lopsided judgements.
According to Prof. Kwesi Aning, Ken-Dapaah’s statement was cautioning the judiciary over its unanimous decisions and not accusing the institution. He stressed that the import of the minister’s message was to the effect that some rulings by the apex court have some national security implications.
Prof. Aning, speaking on Jof Fm on April 11, urged the public to take the minister’s caution seriously.
He explained, “I think Mr. Kan-Dapaah’s cautionary note is not accusatory, and therein lies my usage of the word early warning, and I think he uses the word, tilt, in a particular sense.
“So, can there be situations where decisions are made which are perceived to be fair and neutral but still create this sense of it being titled?
“I think these discussions must bring the heavyweights like Kweku Azar who has written extensively about the performance of the apex court, Prof. Raymond Atuguba who has said and stated very clearly about the tilts of the courts, depending on who appointed them and certainly, Mr. Kwesi Prempeh, precisely because what Mr. Kan-Dapaah has said is to say that the dispensation with which decisions are made can create insecurities, and it is that cautionary note that we need to take seriously?” Prof Aning noted.
Former President John Mahama recently said the National Democratic Congress has problems with the judiciary and called on the Chief Justice to institute reforms within the courts.
“We do have problems with the Judiciary, I must say. I think that it is necessary for some internal reforms to take place there. It is necessary for the Chief Justice or whoever is responsible to make some reforms,” Mr Mahama has said.
This comment from the former president, pushed the Minister for Justice to react condemning John Mahama.
But, Sammy Gyemfi on his recent tweet challenged Hon. Godfred Odame to read documents from his colleague National Security minister.
On Friday, 21st April, 2022, the Ramadan Iftar (breaking of fast) tour of H. E John Dramani Mahama took a little different turn to do community engagement with the aim of putting smiles on the face of the aged and and physically challenged persons within some major Zongo communities in Accra.
Starting from Mamobi (also known as Alhamdu), the iftar caravan made a whistle stop over at the Ancient Kador Mosque and the Ayawasu East Constituency Office of the NDC, both in Nima, H. E John Dramani Mahama then proceeded to Sabon Zongo in the Ablekuma Central Constituency of the Greater Accra Region where he ended for the day.
It was all joy when H.E JDM arrived at the fully packed Hamburg Mosque in Mamobi where the Imam (Alhaji Hussein) ask for Allah’s protection and guidance on John Dramani Mahama, in return. The Former President handed over some packages to the Senior Citizens of the Mamobi community gathered at the mosque, prominent among the recipients of the Former President’s package is an NDC stalwart and a long serving party faithful popularly known as Commander.
At Nima, the Former President, made a brief stop over at the Kardor Mosque and then to the Ayawaso East Constituency Offfice of the NDC where he replicated the same gestures by putting smiles on the faces of the aged and ulama (clerics) with his rich packages to enable them breake the fast.
The atmosphere was lit when H.E John Dramani Mahama arrived at a suburb of Sabon Zongo, known as Unguwan Makafai (the physically challenged neighborhood). Here, H.E John Dramani Mahama was met with a rousing welcome before his interaction with the Association of Muslim physically challenged persons, where he also replicated his kind gesture and personally handed over packages to the physically challenged persons.
In a short speach, H.E John Dramani Mahama reiterated that, the harsh economic conditions in the country today has made it neccessary for the haves to support the have nots in other to promote the spirit of unity and National cohesion and assured the teaming crowd of the NDC’s commitment, never to turn their backs on the poor and downtrodden in the society. The former president also reminded the people to remember Ghana in their prayers as we approach the last ten days of the Holy month of Ramadan where muslims expect to encounter the powerful Night of forgiveness and blessings known as lailatu-kadir.
The leader and chief of the physically challenged persons prayed to Allah to grant the wishes of H.E John Dramani Mahama and thanked him for remembering them in what they termed the most difficult fasting since the 1983 Famine in Ghana.
Prominent among the former president entourage are Alhaji Muniru Limuna, Alhaji Nasir Shariff (National Executive Committee Member of the NDC) Hon. Yusif Jaja, Hon, Naza Toure and Hon. Dan Lateef. Executives of National Zongo Caucus of the NDC like Alhaji Cole Younger (the National Coordinator) Alhaji Yahya Kondow, Alhaji Ashkar, Alhaji Mustapha Ibrahim, Alhaji Mohammed Naziru and the Greater Accra Regional Coordinator of the NDC Zongo Caucus, Ismail Horoya were all present to make the tour a successful one.
The Okaikoi Central Constituency Executive Committee today joined the National Zango Caucus Team under the leadership of the Coordinator Alhaji Mohammed Cole Younger, on behalf of H.E. John Dramani Mahama to present provisions in support of Muslim Communities during this Holy Month of RAMADAN.
The donation was presented through the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu and the National Ahlu Sunna Leader, Sheikh Ummar Ibrahim.
The presentation was done separately to the sheikh’s at their residence (New Fadama & Abeka) respectively.
The delegation includes; Alhaji Yahya Kundow, Alhaji Naziru Mohammed, Alhaji Mohammed Ashka, Chairman Ibrahim Musah etc.
Credit: Ibrahim Osumanu Samandulgu, OKAIKOI CENTRAL COMMUNICATION OFFICER
