NIGERIA HITS OF BORDER REOPENING

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December 12, 2020

Nigeria is considering reopening its land borders More than a year after it closed more than a year ago.

President Buhari made this announcement during a meeting with governors on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

Sources say Nigeria first showed its willingness to re-open the border last month, amid skyrocketing food prices [inflation] and increased calls for reopening of the borders. Nigeria’s move was to control the smuggling of goods from neighboring countries.

Speaking on the Market Place on Joy News, President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr. Joseph Obeng, argued that Nigeria’s intent is firmly based on the economic recession the continent’s largest oil producer faced in the wake of the border closure.

“Their economy is trembling. Nigeria is in recession, their action has affected them negatively. This decision to reopen borders further confirms my argument that no country can operate or trade in isolation. It must be a lesson to them,” he stated.

The closure of the Nigeria-Benin Border saw Ghanaian exporters complain massively over the impact it had on trading activities as well as profit margins.

So far, beverage firm Kasapreko had revealed the boarder closure resulted in about GH¢2 million loss in profit in just about two months.

As it stands now, the Nigerian government insists there will be a reopening of the border only if Benin meets all 13 of the trade conditions.

The Executive Secretary of the Ghana International Trade Commission (GITC), Frank Agyekum was also on the Market Place on Joy News and he told the host, Charles Ayitey, that the intent by President Buhari is welcoming.

“Unfair trade practices sometimes happen among members of an economic bloc as ECOWA. The more reason for dialogue and negotiations. We welcome this intent by Buhari but consensus building and trust is all that matters now especially as we gear up to the AfCFTA in 2021,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Public Relations Office of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Prince Boakye, remarked that President Buhari’s intent goes a long way to make the Continental Free Trade Agreement a success.

“Gradually, we know that our negotiations with Nigeria paid off. We welcome the news of his intent,” he briefly submitted.

Many have attributed Nigeria’s economic recession partly to the border closure that has been in place since August 2019, which, among others, has seen inflation rise to a 30-month high.

Policy experts have said that lifting the blockade will help check the recession, the nation’s worst in decades, and ease the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.

Last month, the Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said President Buhari would soon receive a report of a presidential committee to advise on the reopening of the borders.

ELECTION 2020: THREE PERSONS ARRESTED OVER ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN SAVELUGU

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The Genius Bright

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December 12, 2020

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At least three persons suspected to be behind the shooting in Savelugu, claiming the life of a young girl, identified as Samira, and injuring three others, have been arrested by the police.

The suspects have been named as Doku-Naa Mohammed Ahmed, 60, a sub-chief in Savelugu, Mohammed Fadila, 27, and Alhassan Dawuda, 38.

In a statement, the Northern Regional Police Commander, Timothy Yoosa Bonga, said an AK-47 riffle loaded with 40 rounds of ammunition and 21 additional ammunition and one round of G3 riffle were found at the residence of one of the suspects, Ahmed.

The statement added that the task force also retrieved an AK-47 assault riffle with two magazine loaded with 60 rounds of ammunition from the office of Iddris Yakubu Abdulai, the parliamentary candidate of National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Savelugu constituency.

Meanwhile, one of the suspects, Fadila, has been granted bail on health grounds. The police task force has therefore assured the public that all necessary enquiries including forensic examination will be employed to bring finality to the case.

KETA MP ELECT ATTACKED BY ARMED MEN

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The Genius Bright

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December 12, 2020

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s Member of Parliament-elect for the Keta constituency in the Volta Region, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey was Friday dawn attacked by some unknown gunmen at his home at Anlo-Afiadenyigba.

“The Member of Parliament-elect for Keta was attacked by unknown assailants at his Anlo-Afiadenyigba residence in the early hours of Friday, December 11, 2020. The gun-wielding thugs believed to be part of the NPP vigilante group succeeded in inflicting injuries on Hon. Gakpey who is currently hospitalized. The MP-elect’s mother and other family members were also attacked and brutalized,” a statement signed and issued by the Volta Regional Secretary of the NDC, James Gunu said

The NDC said they suspected the attack has political ties to it.

“We consider this armed attack by suspected NPP hoodlums as part of the grand scheme by the Nana Addo led NPP to reduce our majority seats in Parliament and President John Dramani Mahama’s overwhelming win in the just ended Parliamentary and Presidential elections. These armed attacks such as the armed invasion of the house of the NDC MP-elect for Jomoro Constituency tend to follow a similar pattern,” the NDC Regional Secretary indicated.

Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Secretariat of the NDC has promised to give persons who help to arrest the perpetrators an amount of GH¢10,000.

“The Regional Secretariat is therefore calling on the party faithful and other well-meaning Ghanaians to be on the look-out for such armed thugs and to provide valuable information towards their arrest. While we wish our MP-elect and his family a speedy recovery, the Secretariat has set aside GH¢10,000 reward for anyone or group of persons who would volunteer information leading to the arrest of the culprits of this dastardly act.”

The Keta Municipal Police has assured to provide Mr. Gakpey with 24-hour protection.

ELECTION 2020: 5 DEATHS RECORDED – POLICE

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The Genius Bright

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December 11, 2020

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The Ghana Police Service has confirmed that five people have died from 61 electoral and post-electoral incidents nationwide.

In a statement, the Police stated that Twenty-one of the incidents are true cases of electoral violence, six of which involve gunshots resulting in the death of five.

The cases according to the Police happened in the Awutu Senya East constituency, Odododiodio constituency, Ablekuma Central and other constituencies across the country.

Read the full statement

SECURITY OUTLOOK FOR THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTIONS.

1.The National Election Security Taskforce (NESTF) has policed the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections professionally and lauds the public for their cooperation with pre-election security measures put in place and executed through the electioneering period.

Recorded Cases.

2.However, between 07 00 hours of 7th December 2020 and 10 00 hours of 9th December 2020; the Joint Operation Centre of the NESTF has recorded a total of sixty-one (61) electoral and post-electoral incidents nationwide. Twenty-one of the incidents are true cases of electoral violence, six of which involve gunshots resulting in the death of five.

3.The cases involving gunshots occurred as follows:

i.Central region, Awutu Senya East constituency: 2 injured from a shooting incident by civilian(s) in the community during election period on 07-12-20.

ii. Greater Accra region, Odododiodio constituency: 2 dead and 6 injured from a shooting incident by civilian(s) in the community during the post-election period on 07-12-20.

iii. Greater Accra region, Ablekuma Central: 4 injured including a policeman from a shooting incident at the collation centre during the post-election period on 08-12-20.

iv. Bono East region, Techiman South constituency:2 dead and 4 injured from shooting by security personnel at the collation centre during the post-election period on 08-12-20.

v.Northern region, Savelugu Constituency: a shooting incident by civilian(s) at the Police Station, when people besieged the station during the post-election period on 08-12-20.

vi. Northern region, Savelugu Constituency: 1 dead and 3 injured from a shooting incident by civilian(s) in the community during the post-election period on 08-12-20.4.

The NESTF deems the incidents recorded to be incidents that could have been avoided and therefore condemns their occurrence and promises to investigate each one of them.

TRANSITION TEAM ANNOUNCED

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The Genius Bright

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December 11, 2020

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President Akufo-Addo has announced a 15-member transition team to see to the transfer of power from his previous government to the new one set to begin on January 7, when he is inaugurated.

The transition team is headed by the Chief Staff at the Presidency Akosua Frema Opare. Other members include the Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo, Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta among others.

WE WOULD TAKE STEPS TO REVERSE THE TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE – JM

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The Genius Bright

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December 11, 2020

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The NDC Presidential candidate and Former President John Mahama has reiterated the claim by the National Democratic Congress that the 2020 election was rigged for President Akufo-Addo by the Electoral Commission. in this view, the NDC will not accept the results as declared by the electoral commission.

“In respect of the Presidential elections: the facts and figures available to us from pink sheets and other evidence that has unfolded across the country, indicate that numerous steps have been taken to manipulate the results of the election in favour of the incumbent President. This calls into question the credibility of one of our most important institutional pillars of democracy—the Electoral Commission. It is now obvious to many objective minds that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission has been used to manipulate results from the various constituencies and in that process seek to subvert the sovereign will of the Ghana People.

“We will not accept anything short of a declaration of the legitimate results, which point to an NDC Parliamentary Majority. My Brothers and Sisters, advisedly, since the inception of the Fourth Republic, final election results have always been declared within 72 hours to allow for a thorough and diligent collation.

He also noted the party will take steps to reverse the results of the elections.

“We will take all legitimate steps to reverse this travesty of justice”.

He called on the International Community to take interest in happenings in Ghana.

“Ghana belongs to the people of Ghana—all of the people of Ghana. We would like to urge the media, civil society, and all election observer missions to be resolute and present a fair and accurate account of what has transpired over this period. We request of the international community to remain engaged in what is happening in Ghana and to take careful note of the current threat that is being waged to our democracy, our freedom, and our way of life. To all NDC members and those who voted for us, I appeal to you not to be intimidated or cowed to submit to a dishonest process in the face of overwhelming evidence that supports the justness of our cause”.

NDC REJECTS 2020 ELECTION RESULTS

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The Genius Bright

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December 10, 2020

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Speaking at a late-night press conference in Accra on Wednesday, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, said the integrity of the election was compromised by the Electoral Commission with the help of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and state security.

“We’ve done extensive consultation and detailed analysis of the outcome of the elections as announced by Jean Mensa, Chair of the Electoral Commission and we’ve come to one conclusion that it’s a flawed, discredited elections and therefore we reject the presidential elections without any reservation as announced by her,” the MP for Tamale South told the press.

He added: “We also want to serve notice that the blatant effort even to deny us of a parliamentary majority will be fiercely resisted. We know that the good people of Ghana gave us a mandate and that mandate included a parliamentary majority and they have engaged in an attempt in connivance with the Electoral Commission to undermine the election through brute force with the military.”

“This evening Ghana’s democracy has come under severe attack and needs some rescue urgently. If not rescued it will fester and grow into future elections and that will affect our track record as a true democracy.”

OFFICIAL: NANA ADDO WINS ELECTION 2020

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The Genius Bright

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December 10, 2020

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been re-elected as the President of Ghana, the Electoral Commission, the country’s election management body has announced.

In a keenly contested election, the Chairperson of the EC Wednesday evening announced that NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo polled 6,730,413 votes, representing 51.59% while the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama placed second, garnering 6,214,889 which represents 47.36% of the total ballots cast.

The figures according to the EC exclude results from the Techiman South constituency.

Total valid votes cast, according to the Electoral Commission, was 13,434,574 representing 79% of total registered voters.

This is the second time the Mr Akufo-Addo has defeated Mr Mahama in an election. In 2016 Akufo-Addo beat his closest contender wrestle the presidency from him. That victory came after Mr Mahama defeated Akufo-Addo in the 2012 elections.

In all, 12 presidential candidates contested in the 2020 polls.

The provisional results announced were:

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP) – 6,730,413 (51.595%)

John Dramani Mahama (NDC) – 6,214,889 (47.366%)

Christian Kwabena Andrews (GUM) – 105,565 (0.805%)

Ivor Kobina Greenstreet (CPP) – 12,215 (0.093%)

Akua Donkor (GFP) – 5,575 (0.024%)

Henry Herbert Lartey (GCPP) – 3574 (0.027%)

Hassan Ayariga (APC) – 7,140 (0.054%)

Percival Kofi Akpaloo (LPG) – 7,690 (0.059%)

David Asibi Ayindenaba Apasera (PNC) – 10,887 (0.083%)

Brigitte Akosua Dzogbenuku (PPP) – 6,848 (0.052%)

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings (NDP) – 6,612 (0.050%)

Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker (Independent candidate) – 9,703 (0.074%)

ATTEMPTS TO STEAL RESULTS WOULD BE RESISTED – JM

By

The Genius Bright

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December 9, 2020

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The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, has cautioned the New Patriotic Party and the Electoral Commission that the party will resist every attempt to steal the elections.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, Mr Mahama also debunked suggestions on social media that he had conceded defeat to the NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

“I state emphatically and firmly that I have not congratulated anybody,” Mr Mahama said adding that such claims should be utterly dismissed.

He added that “we will resist any attempt to steal this elections,” adding that the NDC has won majority in Parliament and over 10 regions.

The former President also accused President Akufo-Addo of using the military in an attempt to change results in the Techiman constituency after a scuffle led to the shooting of two people.

The former President also thanked Ghanaians for giving the NDC a winning majority in Parliament.

Results of the Monday Parliamentary and Presidential elections are still being collated across the country. A planned results declaration by the Electoral Commission has been postponed. The ruling party says it has secured enough seats to form the next government.

UPDATE ON VICTORS AND FALLEN HEROES OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

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The Genius Bright

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December 9, 2020

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The incumbent Member of Parliament for the Adentan constituency, Yaw Buaben Asamoa has lost his re-election bid.

Buaben Asamoah who is also the Communications Director of the NPP polled 49,255 of the total valid votes cast while NDC’s Mohammed Ramadan won the constituency by polling
66, 436 votes.

Buaben Asamoa, a private legal practitioner thus becomes a one-term MP.

The former General Secretary of the National Association of Local Authorities in Ghana Mrs. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey has emerged victorious in the 2020 parliamentary elections at Krowor Constituency.

The National Democratic Congress’ candidate polled 41,850 to defeat her old foe Mrs Elizabeth Afoley Quaye who garnered 32,204.

The Deputy Chief of Staff, Samuel Abu Jinapor has defeated the incumbent Member of Parliament for Damongo in the Savannah Region, Adam Mutawakilu to claim that seat.

Jinapor secured 15,671 votes as against Mutawakilu’s 13,330 votes. In the Ablekuma North constituency NPP’s candidate Sheila Bartels emerged victorious in the polls.

She secured 54,556 out of the 85,471 total votes cast at the end of the electoral proceedings.

Bartels wrestled the seat from the National Democratic Congress’ Winifred Ashley Mensah who obtained 29,702 votes.

Member of Parliament for Assin Central in the Central Region, Kennedy Agyapong has once again comfortably retained the Assin Central seat for the governing New Patriotic Party.

Mr. Agyapong polled 19,754 votes. His main contender on the ticket of the opposition National Democratic Congress garnered 14,747 votes.

Meanwhile, the Tourism, Art and Culture Minister, Barbara Oteng Gyasi has lost the Prestea Huni-Valley seat after just one-term to the National Democratic Congress’ Robert Wisdom Cudjoe.

Cudjoe won the seat with 56,464 votes while the Tourism Minister polled 34,067 votes.

Member of Parliament for the Atebubu-Amantin constituency in the Bono East Region, Kofi Amoakohene was defeated by the National Democratic Congress’ candidate, Sanja Nanja.

NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the Kumbungu Constituency in the Northern Region, Dr. Hamza Adam has won the 2020 parliamentary contest in the constituency

Dr. Hamza, a lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS) polled 24, 278 to beat MCE for the area, Abdul Salam Hamza Fatawu.

The New Patriotic Party’s Parliamentary Candidate, George Andah, has lost the Awutu Senya West Parliamentary seat to Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui of the National Democratic Congress.

Andah was the incumbent after snatching the seat from Hannah Tetteh in 2016. Gizella Tetteh polled 32,708 while Andah polled 29,832.

Living Avenue

NIGERIA HITS OF BORDER REOPENING

ELECTION 2020: THREE PERSONS ARRESTED OVER ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN SAVELUGU

KETA MP ELECT ATTACKED BY ARMED MEN

The National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s Member of Parliament-elect for the Keta constituency in the Volta Region, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey was Friday dawn attacked by some unknown gunmen at his home at Anlo-Afiadenyigba.

ELECTION 2020: 5 DEATHS RECORDED – POLICE

TRANSITION TEAM ANNOUNCED

WE WOULD TAKE STEPS TO REVERSE THE TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE – JM

NDC REJECTS 2020 ELECTION RESULTS

OFFICIAL: NANA ADDO WINS ELECTION 2020

ATTEMPTS TO STEAL RESULTS WOULD BE RESISTED – JM

UPDATE ON VICTORS AND FALLEN HEROES OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

VIRTUALLY IMPAIRED MAN GRADUATES FROM UCC

ACTOR AND POLITICIAN JOHN DUMELO GRADUATES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

NATO CHIEF URGES US TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

THE UK GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO BAN DISPOSABLE VAPES DUE TO CHILDREN’S HEALTH

VIRTUALLY IMPAIRED MAN GRADUATES FROM UCC

ACTOR AND POLITICIAN JOHN DUMELO GRADUATES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

NATO CHIEF URGES US TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

THE UK GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO BAN DISPOSABLE VAPES DUE TO CHILDREN’S HEALTH