Bawumia: NPP borrowed $5.5bn in 8yrs, NDC $27bn in 6yrs Update: 18 - Nov - 2014.

The Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has warned that to allow the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to stay one day in office beyond the eight years would be a major tragedy for the future of Ghana.
He said “the stakes are high for our country in 2016 because of what is happening to the economy” and change must happen come the
next general elections.
Addressing a fundraising dinner held in his honour in London, United Kingdom, last Friday, Dr Bawumia lamented, “There’s
suffering in the land. Needless, untold sufferings…”
He defined the sum total of the leadership of John Mahama to “Corruption Mismanagement
= Wahala”. He also criticised President Mahama of reducing the essence of governance to
“borrowing” recklessly and “taxing” ruthlessly, including putting taxes on a commodity like condom. The respected economist used
comparative figures to show how low the country has sunk since the NPP was voted out of power in December 2008 and called for an
electoral end to the eight years of negative experiment and experience under the NDC.
Backing his claims with facts and figures, he stated that an unprecedented amount of
money has been spent since 2009 under the National Democratic Congress and with very little to show for it as the NDC comes to the
end of its second successive term in office in 2016.
“In the last six years, the NDC has borrowed US$27 billion. Before that, we, the NPP, borrowed a total of US$5.5 billion in eight
years. Compare that to the NDC borrowing $27 billion in six years and ask yourself what they
have done with all that money,” the running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo said.
He said, though a lot more money has been spent, it is a paradox of economic management that this level of excessive spending has only led to greater hardships
being visited on the people.
“NDC inherited a public debt stock of GHS9.5 billion in 2009,” the former Deputy Governor of the central bank said. “Today, Ghana’s debt has gone up to GHS65.7 billion. So when I say the stakes are high I am talking about the
destiny of our country, Ghana, the future of the youth.”
“The NDC has been taxing everything, including condoms and cutlasses. In terms of resources,
this NDC government has had more resources than any other government. We did not have
oil. Yet, Ghanaians know what we did with the limited resources we had. We spent money responsibly to create the NHIS, introduce
Capitation Grant, expand access to education, we spent wisely on infrastructure and built more roads than any other government,” he said.

Dede Ayew suffers thigh injury ahead of Togo clash Update: 16 - Nov - 2014

Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew is doubtful for Wednesday’s crucial 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo after suffering a thigh injury on Saturday. The Marseille playmaker was taken off in the second half of the match against Uganda in
Kampala as the Black Stars went down 1-0. Ayew says he suffered the injury at the start of the game but managed to play through the
pain barrier. “I had felt a tear in my thigh at the beginning of the game and managed to hold on for a
while even though I was not a 100 per cent,” Ayew told the media.
Ghana doctors will monitor his progress in the coming hours to determine if he will play against Togo in Tamale on Wednesday.
The Black Stars must get at least a draw in the match to secure qualification for the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
Ayew will be key if the Black Stars are to achieve that dream of sealing the qualification

Ex - Prez Rawlings Loses Only Brother Updated: 16 -Nov -2014

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has lost his only brother , Mr . Isaac Newton Nii Lante Addy , a former chief scout who passed away on Friday , November 7 , 2014 at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra after a short illness .
He was 76 and until his death was the Vice Chairman of the Africa Scout Foundation , the Board Chairman of Prestmecom Limited and a consultant to the Happy Kids School , having helped organise activities and the growth of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Family sources say he will be buried at the Gethsemane Memorial Garden , Shiashie , Accra,
on Friday , November 21, 2014 after Burial Service at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Independence Avenue, Accra at
9 am . “ The body will however lie in state at the church from 6 am to 8 . 30am , to be followed after interment with final funeral rites at the forecourt of the State House .”
Born on June 4 , 1938 in Keta in the Volta Region to the late Thomas Alton Addy and
Madam Victoria Betty Agboutui, Isaac Newton Addy was baptized a Catholic with his brother Jerry John Rawlings at the Holy Spirit Cathedral .
Family sources fondly describe him as a thorough teacher, an all- round and disciplined scout, and a diligent manager and faithful worker who rose through the ranks from a Patrol leader to a Group leader in the Scout Movement, becoming a Deputy Chief
Commissioner and then a Chief Commissioner. For over 10 years Isaac Newton Nii Addy served as Chief Commissioner and also served two terms of four years as the President of the West Africa Scout Zone and was awarded the
prestigious African Elephant award, the highest award in Scouting in Africa with the late South African president and global peace icon,
Nelson Mandela as one of the few to have been honoured with the award .

Mahama, NDC “stealing” from the state – Agyepong. Update: 16 - Nov - 2014.

Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyepong has accused President John Mahama and members of his government of
stealing from the state. According to him, the only agenda of the
government is to plunder the state of every resource. “The situation in Ghana is so disgusting and appalling, you ask yourself if really there are leaders in the country.”
“President Mahama and the NDC, their idea of governance is stealing; everybody is stealing.
They are embezzling state funds as if there is no tomorrow,” the outspoken MP told the US-based Sahara TV in an interview.
In his view, the Mahama administration has run out of ideas and strategies to govern the country. He said Ghanaians must view the current economic conditions in the country as a
punishment for voting for the NDC
government.

Samini launches “MTN Saminifest”. Update: 15 - Nov - 2014

MOBO award-winning artiste Samini has officially launched the first edition of Saminifest, an annual musical festival that
seeks to bring together music lovers, particularly numerous fans all over the world, to celebrate his astounding works and also showcasing class-act performances from leading Ghanaian artistes.
The dancehall artiste at the launch of the event said the event, Saminifest has come to stay. Today, I am here to brief you about an
important milestone in my life, a story that chronicles a journey from Music, Giving Back to Society and Doing Business as an Entrepreneur. Permit me to start with a little background, before coming back to our reason for gathering here this morning. Ten years ago, then a young boy, I set out to follow my passion and dream in Music. I was duly supported by a family and Mother who earned a living selling PITO, a local beverage I secretly refer to as Prosperity Inspired Through Talent Ordination [smile]- The ordination here presupposes God has been
good to us.It’s been a great journey from the days of Ashanti International to Samini Music/
HighGradeFamily; and from Batman to Samini. From Hiplife, Hi-life to helping shape the most
popular genre in Ghanaian music today-Dancehall.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you an annual musical festival that seeks to bring together music lovers, particularly my fans all
over the world, to celebrate my astounding works and also showcasing class-act performances from leading Ghanaian artistes.
It is called the “MTN Saminifest 2014?. The four-day event which kicks off on
December 3 will be climaxed with a mega
concert at the Trade Fair Center in Accra on
December 6.
Dec 3- Industry Workshop on Financial Planning at Dancestardom
Dec 4- A Photo and Video Exhibition at Dancestardom
Dec 5- African Market Day- FoodFest& Pre-
party @ Dancestardom
Dec 6- Saminfest Live (Main Concert) @ Trade Fair
Artistes billed for 2014 MTN Saminifest are
VVIP, Obrafour, 4X4, KK Fosu, Kokoveli, Stonebwoy, Kaakie, R2bees, Episode, Kofi Kinaata, Edem, Guru, MzVee, Paapa Yankson, Noble Nketiah, Jupitar, Koo Ntakara and many.others.
Celebrities present at the launch of 2014 MTN Saminfest were Obrafour, VVIP, Noble Nketia,
Kwaw Kese, Kaakie, Kofi Kinaata, Yaa Pono,
Episode, JMJ and others.

Ban On Public Smoking To Begin Updated: 15 -Nov -2014

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) , has affirmed that the ban on public smoking would be enforced soon . The Authority says it intend to organise intensive training programme on the Public
Health Act 2002 , Act 851 ( 6 ), for the security agencies , judiciary and other key institutions to
position them well for the rigid enforcement of the ban.
Mr Daniel Nti , a Regulatory Officer, at the Brong -Ahafo Regional Office of the Authority said this at the closing session of a 10- day training course for members of the Regional branch of the Ghana Progressive Hotels Association in Sunyani. It was organised by the Association in collaboration with Oasis Management Limited ,
a consultancy firm, and sponsored by the sponsored by the Skill Development Fund of the Council for Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (COTVET ).
The course was aimed at empowering the participants on safety rules in the hospitality
industry , and also help them to strictly adhere to standards in their work .
Mr Nti explained that since the passage of the Public Health Act , the Authority with support from other partners had engaged in continuous education on especially part six of the Act to sensitise the public. He emphasised that though education on the ban is still on- going some people continue to
smoke in public places warning that any person who are caught would be prosecuted.
Mr Nti said offenders are liable to a fine of not more than 750 penalty units or not more than
three years imprisonment or both .
He said according to the law it is an offence to sell tobacco product to persons below 18 years.
Mr Nti said FDA would soon embark on an exercise to inspect whether traders and retailers in tobacco business are adhering to
laid down guidelines . Traders or retailers who breach any provision
in the Act in the course of their business would also be arrested and prosecuted , he said.
Mr Charles Adu- Gyamfi, First National Vice President , of Ghana Progressive Hotels Association , expressed the need to for such
courses to be organised periodically for members of the Association to enable them strictly adhere to best cooking practices.
Mr Paul Bismark Gyasi, Regional Chairman of the Association commended the COTVET for the support and entreated participants to take advantage of the training to upgrade themselves.

‘Ghana Armed Forces need funds urgently. Update: 16 - Nov - 2014'

Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, Minister of Defence, on Friday appealed to the Ministry of Finance to as a matter of urgency release funds to solve
the numerous challenges facing the Ghana Armed Forces.
He noted that conditions at some of the military barracks in the country are not the
best and something ought to be done immediately.
Dr Kunbuor was addressing officers and men of the Third Battalion of Infantry (3BN) at the Sunyani liberation barracks as part of his
working visits to some garrisons in the country. The Minister of Defence spoke about the poor
sewage systems and access roads, obsolete logistics, and poor accommodation after touring the liberation barracks. Lieutenant Colonel Edward Awaribey,
Commanding Officer of the 3BN, who conducted the Defence Minister round some projects at the barracks, expressed optimism
that the poor sewage system at the garrison would be addressed as soon as possible.