MAHAMA AND HIS BUNCH OF CROOKISH INCOMPETENT CORRUPT MONSTERS CAN NEVER DO IT! NO! NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!!! NDC LACK THE BRAINS. JUST LOOK AROUND; CAN'T YOU SEE? JUST OPEN YOUR EARS; CAN'T YOU HEAR? IS THIS THE GHANA K4 HAND ... read full comment
MAHAMA AND HIS BUNCH OF CROOKISH INCOMPETENT CORRUPT MONSTERS CAN NEVER DO IT! NO! NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!!! NDC LACK THE BRAINS. JUST LOOK AROUND; CAN'T YOU SEE? JUST OPEN YOUR EARS; CAN'T YOU HEAR? IS THIS THE GHANA K4 HANDED OVER TO NDC GREEDY CORRUPT BASTARDS??? ---------------WHO CAN PROVE KWASI ADADE WRONG? I AM SAYING, THAT, GHANAIANS VOTED FOOLISHLY!!-- IS THIS NDC'S BETTER GHANA? THEN WHAT WILL THEIR BITTER GHANA BE?--- IF THIS IS NDC'S PRAISE THE LORD, THEN, WHAT WILL THEIR CRUCIFY HIM BE?--- GHANA'S PROBLEM, TODAY, IS NOTHING BUT THE RESULT OF CRIMINAL NDC'S ALLIANCE TO CREATE, LOOT AND SHARE POLICY***---------------*** "IT IS ONLY A FOOL, WHO ALLOWS HIS TESTICLES TO BE STEPPED ON, TWICE"-------GO OUT THERE AND RECEIVE YOUR REWARD, ALL GHANAIANS. GO AND PAY THE PRICE FOR YOUR FOOLISHNESS. YOU DON'T GIVE A SECOND MANDATE TO AN INCOMPETENT AND CORRUPT GOVERNMENT, NO!! NOT AT ALL, THAT IS ABOMINATION IN DEMOCRACY, VERY SUICIDAL. HAD NDC MANAGED THE ECONOMY WELL, THESE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THE SITUATION. NDC HAS PRESIDED OVER THE BIGGEST RESOURCES GHANA HAS EVER HAD. THEY HAVE ALSO CONTRACTED MORE LOANS THAN ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT IN OUR HISTORY, BUT THEY HAVE NOTHING TO SHOW FOR THIS. GHANAIANS SHOULD HAVE ENJOYED SOME ECONOMIC PROGRESS AT THIS TIME IN OUR HISTORY. THE ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS SO CORRUPT. TO RESCUE THE SITUATION, THE POOR IS NOW BEING FORCED TO PAY. THIS IS INJUSTICE. THIS IS NOT THE GHANA KUFFOUR HANDED OVER TO NDC, HE EVEN ADDED FRESH CRUDE OIL WELLS. NPP TRANFORMED GHANA TO A MIDDLE INCOME ECONOMY WITH LIMITED RESOURCES BUT GOOD POLICIES. NDC IS WOEFULLY REVERSING THESE NPP ACHIEVEMENTS. GHANA'S CURRENT SITUATION IS VERY DISTURBING. WHEN THE HISTORY IS TOLD, IT WILL BE SAID THAT GHANAIANS WERE OFFERED FREE SECONDARY EDUCATION, IMPROVED UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, SOCIAL HOUSING FOR THE POOR AND AN EGALITARIAN SOCIETY BUT 50% SAID NO THANK YOU. THEY PREFERRED ECONOMIC "WOYOMISATION" , PHANTOM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, PHILANDERERS FOR LEADERS, MACHIAVELLIAN DISRESPECTFUL CORRUPT LOUTS AND A VISIONLESS EVIL GOVERNMENT. I AM SO PROUD I VOTED FOR NANA AKUFFO ADDO.
Blay 10 years ago
NPP is known in our history as saboteurs, nation wreckers &looters. Kuffour's government said it all. We all saw how sold state properties to yourselves to the extent that a conscienceless chief justice was part of the loot.B ... read full comment
NPP is known in our history as saboteurs, nation wreckers &looters. Kuffour's government said it all. We all saw how sold state properties to yourselves to the extent that a conscienceless chief justice was part of the loot.By the way, which Ghana did greedy Kuffour leave behind??.Is it the rot &debt he left behind which Mahama is servicing now.. After receiving huge sums of money from the international community,having senselessly declared Ghana hip,how did he better the lives of Ghanaian,knowing very well that wasthe best way to still &loot the country.. Is this a record you're proud of?. The same Ghanaians whom you think voted foolishly also don't know that Kuffour received $235M each year but could not better their lived.How is that?.$235M for 8 good years. There is nothing good to write about NPP. Your history stinks so give us a break. You will lose again in 2016 for you to know that it isGod who is the king maker, but not wicked minds & hearts like you, period!"!!
PRINCE KWASI ADADE 10 years ago
GHANA HAS BEEN RAPED BY NDC IDIOTS. WE DO NOT NEED ANY NATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM, WE NEED A NATIONAL COURT OF JURISDICTION TO PUT MAHAMA AND HIS CABINET ON TRIAL. GHANA'S HOPELESS ECONOMIC SITUATION, TODAY, IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTA ... read full comment
GHANA HAS BEEN RAPED BY NDC IDIOTS. WE DO NOT NEED ANY NATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM, WE NEED A NATIONAL COURT OF JURISDICTION TO PUT MAHAMA AND HIS CABINET ON TRIAL. GHANA'S HOPELESS ECONOMIC SITUATION, TODAY, IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. NDC HAS OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS PRESIDED OVER THE BIGGEST RESOURCES IN OUR HISTORY INCLUDING CRUDE OIL & STEALTH TAXES. THEY HAVE ALSO CONTRACTED THE BIGGEST LOANS IN OUR HISTORY. IF THEY HAVE NOTHING TO SHOW FOR THIS AND THE ECONOMY IS IN SHAMBLES, THEN,THEY MUST BE PROSECUTED. THEY MUST GIVE THE MONEYS BACK TO THE TREASURY. WE DO NOT NEED ANY ECONOMIC FORUM. SET UP A COURT IMMEDIATELY. IT HAPPENED IN THAILAND RECENTLY
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
JDM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
JDM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
ILLITERATE JUSTICE SARPONG 10 years ago
Plainly, this Awuku boy is a complete concert party. And when it comes to stupidity, he tops.
Though he has the right to free speech, courtesy of Jerry John Rawlings, he should be more serious with his words than just bein ... read full comment
Plainly, this Awuku boy is a complete concert party. And when it comes to stupidity, he tops.
Though he has the right to free speech, courtesy of Jerry John Rawlings, he should be more serious with his words than just being a 'concert man'.
SGT ANANI FIADZAOE 10 years ago
You look like a lunatic working naked on the street eating rotten food scattered on the street.
If you cannot see the level of incompetent administration of John Dramani Mahama, and if someone who is
intelligent, highest ... read full comment
You look like a lunatic working naked on the street eating rotten food scattered on the street.
If you cannot see the level of incompetent administration of John Dramani Mahama, and if someone who is
intelligent, highest level of academic
standard will point it out to you and
you can claim he is stupid, then we the majority people of this nation can call you and your NDC bunch of criminal as thieves and brigand who just entered into the sheepfold through some other way but not through
the gate of the sheepfold and therefore to steal. kill and destroy.
let me draw your attention to the Holy
Gospel according to John Chapter 10 v
1 - 10. That particular lessons will
tell you the kind of person you are in
our national community. Kwasea bi nti
you have been able to exposed your
political and academic stupidity, swine you.
insight to the bone 10 years ago
narrow minded northern and ewe tribalism have caused them to select appointees not based on competence and merit rather on who is my closer friend or who will not betray me . this group of liars and worthless criminals are ju ... read full comment
narrow minded northern and ewe tribalism have caused them to select appointees not based on competence and merit rather on who is my closer friend or who will not betray me . this group of liars and worthless criminals are just too busy being corrupt only for themselves and have no real duty to SERVE the interests of the nation or people . we witness the gradual disintegration of the institutions of state into corruption and with them the disappearance of the country is only a matter of time . these shameless individuals believe all they need to do is bullshit the people with propaganda the focuses on blaming the innocent be it the opposition , the Akans , external enemy forces and when that fails its now up to juju , voodoo or some other crazy foolish excuse . i say to them why dont they go and fire all the doctors , teachers etc as these troublesome groups want more money and replace them with herdsmen , latrine carriers , schoolboys so they can all learn on the job , it doesnt matter that the patients die in the meantime or as it is in the case of the govt nothing functions or reasonable lucid transparent decisions can not be taken . Common sense and an observant mind can only conclude Mahama is lucky they are only insulting him now , as when the insults , complaining and wailing stops it will only mean there is a firm decision to get rid of him and his corrupt selfish cronies in a bloody uprising . i predict he can continue in this hazardous manner just another few months until everyone is fed up with him and says its time to save the future for our children .its not a curse or juju , its just bad decisions and no true love for the people of this country .
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
YES Paapa!!!
praise the lord that you actually admitted that massa had ripped you off. next time send moi the cash and moi will deliver TWO laptops right to your doorstep with moi as a bonus.
PS : your Pops was a wise man ... read full comment
YES Paapa!!!
praise the lord that you actually admitted that massa had ripped you off. next time send moi the cash and moi will deliver TWO laptops right to your doorstep with moi as a bonus.
PS : your Pops was a wise man.
PSS : now get off the rum and stop running your mouth about your PC equipment.... or they will hack you. please don't make it too easy for them.
PCC: thanks for not telling that you and moi were offline due to Steamy Affair.
take care Paapa.
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
YES Paapa!!!
praise the lord that you actually admitted that massa had ripped you off. next time send moi the cash and moi will deliver TWO laptops right to your doorstep with moi as a bonus.
PS : your Pops was a wise man ... read full comment
YES Paapa!!!
praise the lord that you actually admitted that massa had ripped you off. next time send moi the cash and moi will deliver TWO laptops right to your doorstep with moi as a bonus.
PS : your Pops was a wise man.
PSS : now get off the rum and stop running your mouth about your PC equipment.... or they will hack you. please don't make it too easy for them.
PCC: thanks for not telling that you and moi were offline due to Steamy Affair.
take care Paapa.
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
My GrandPa on my Mom's side is from Patri3nsa in Asante Akyem where Aprapransa originated, as such, it is an obligation of mine to promote it UNIVERSALLY, w'ae.
My GrandPa on my Mom's side is from Patri3nsa in Asante Akyem where Aprapransa originated, as such, it is an obligation of mine to promote it UNIVERSALLY, w'ae.
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
YES Paapa!!!
praise the lord that you actually admitted that massa had ripped you off. next time send moi the cash and moi will deliver TWO laptops right to your doorstep with moi as a bonus.
PS : your Pops was a wise man ... read full comment
YES Paapa!!!
praise the lord that you actually admitted that massa had ripped you off. next time send moi the cash and moi will deliver TWO laptops right to your doorstep with moi as a bonus.
PS : your Pops was a wise man.
PSS : now get off the rum and stop running your mouth about your PC equipment.... or they will hack you. please don't make it too easy for them.
PCC: thanks for not telling that you and moi were offline due to Steamy Affair.
take care Paapa.
##@JUDGE 10 years ago
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
Osei Bonsu 10 years ago
THERE SHOULD BE A THOROUGH AUDIT TO ACCOUNT FOR SOLD OR MISSING STATE PROPERTIES IN P/NDC AND NPP ERA FOR ALL GHANAIANS TO KNOW. SHAME ON TO THE STEELERS OF GHANA INCLUDING JJ.
THERE SHOULD BE A THOROUGH AUDIT TO ACCOUNT FOR SOLD OR MISSING STATE PROPERTIES IN P/NDC AND NPP ERA FOR ALL GHANAIANS TO KNOW. SHAME ON TO THE STEELERS OF GHANA INCLUDING JJ.
obundua 10 years ago
I beg talk true small. Let's agree k4 was this and that, things were much better than now.there were so many positives in that era.
If only we Ghanaians had built on that. The whole populace is confused because the agenda i ... read full comment
I beg talk true small. Let's agree k4 was this and that, things were much better than now.there were so many positives in that era.
If only we Ghanaians had built on that. The whole populace is confused because the agenda is just to counter the truth with tailored measured lies.
For your info, in the last few months , l have visited some few countries and you would wonder how some ordinary citizens non Ghanaians say k4 was a good president.
AbasZ 10 years ago
...still &loot..(should be STEAL &LOOT)blay in to school.
...still &loot..(should be STEAL &LOOT)blay in to school.
SAMO JEWELLERY 10 years ago
let samo Jewellery design n customise yr yellow n white gold rings for yr wedding and engagement......call or whatsapp us on 0244717600 to send you latest designs to choose from.....or Facebook/samojewellery......u are assure ... read full comment
let samo Jewellery design n customise yr yellow n white gold rings for yr wedding and engagement......call or whatsapp us on 0244717600 to send you latest designs to choose from.....or Facebook/samojewellery......u are assured of quality n neat job.,......you will be amazes its made right here in Ghana...very very very neat
adumtumi nyansafuo 10 years ago
Ghanaians are stupid either way, with pompous akkufu addo and the confused John mahamma ghana is not going anywhere. But believe me the economy will improve with the epa agreement, and ghanaians will own nothing
Ghanaians are stupid either way, with pompous akkufu addo and the confused John mahamma ghana is not going anywhere. But believe me the economy will improve with the epa agreement, and ghanaians will own nothing
KA 10 years ago
Can't wait to see milk and honey flow in ghana when NPP come to power 2016. Its only in Africa and for that matter Ghana that opposition parties do not offer any constructive criticism. Everything the rulling government does ... read full comment
Can't wait to see milk and honey flow in ghana when NPP come to power 2016. Its only in Africa and for that matter Ghana that opposition parties do not offer any constructive criticism. Everything the rulling government does is bad and useless in their eyes paving the way for them to also assume power come the next elections and continue raping the nation. Oooh Ghana!!. 8years in opposition is not easy indeed , pockets are dry. NDC & NPP ghana's identical thieves.
ACTIONMAN 10 years ago
IF YOU HAVE IDIOTS LIKE THIS IN POLITICS,WHY WOULDN'T GHANA BE IN SUCH A BAD STATE.STUPID AWUKU.ASS HOLE
IF YOU HAVE IDIOTS LIKE THIS IN POLITICS,WHY WOULDN'T GHANA BE IN SUCH A BAD STATE.STUPID AWUKU.ASS HOLE
Kwame Assining 10 years ago
This buffoon did not learn anything from his encounter at the Supreme Court.
This buffoon did not learn anything from his encounter at the Supreme Court.
History-o-history 10 years ago
Does not lie in your mouth/tongue. A do by the electorate.
Does not lie in your mouth/tongue. A do by the electorate.
Ugly Akufo Addo 10 years ago
Awuko where is ur father n where is ur step father ?
Awuko where is ur father n where is ur step father ?
Nana 10 years ago
Politicians must learn how to talk.
What legacy are they leaving behind?
The problems in Ghana is from every Ghanaian.
Awuku if president Mahama is incompetent, publish your achievements in life apart from talking rubbish. ... read full comment
Politicians must learn how to talk.
What legacy are they leaving behind?
The problems in Ghana is from every Ghanaian.
Awuku if president Mahama is incompetent, publish your achievements in life apart from talking rubbish.
I hate to hear politicians or people insulting the leader of the nation be it from the NPP or NDC.Any insult to the president is an insult to the nation and people of Ghana.
kofi Nyame 10 years ago
Respect is out of the vocabulary of Ghanaian so called Politicians.Tweaa when will we ever grow. And they want our votes. In opposition you are behaving like an ANIMAL. what about if you gain power?
Respect is out of the vocabulary of Ghanaian so called Politicians.Tweaa when will we ever grow. And they want our votes. In opposition you are behaving like an ANIMAL. what about if you gain power?
adumtumi nyansafuo 10 years ago
You yourself cannot do anything for ghana. Mr. KOFI. Stay in the US or UK and pay your student loans we don't need people like you in ghana.
You yourself cannot do anything for ghana. Mr. KOFI. Stay in the US or UK and pay your student loans we don't need people like you in ghana.
Ugly Akufo Addo 10 years ago
The mother gave birth to Awuko outside marriage that's the character of an Ashanti women
The mother gave birth to Awuko outside marriage that's the character of an Ashanti women
Chelsea Rolland 10 years ago
Mahama
Mahama
charcoal face 10 years ago
Your black face
Your black face
Blay 10 years ago
Awuku,pray hard you live to see 2016.
Awuku,pray hard you live to see 2016.
BEDIAKO 10 years ago
BLAY I MUST BE HONEST WITH YOU TIME HAS COME TO DEAL WITH AWUKU VIOLENTLY AND YOU WAIT.
BLAY I MUST BE HONEST WITH YOU TIME HAS COME TO DEAL WITH AWUKU VIOLENTLY AND YOU WAIT.
Yaw Kusi 10 years ago
Here comes the Womafu guy again. I wonder what kind of parents begat this brat who has no respect even for the President of the nation? Does this nincompoop think insulting President Mahama will bring his party, the N P P to ... read full comment
Here comes the Womafu guy again. I wonder what kind of parents begat this brat who has no respect even for the President of the nation? Does this nincompoop think insulting President Mahama will bring his party, the N P P to power? He and others of his ilk should continue to insult President Mahama and other Government officials and expect to be blessed by God. As a Youth Organiser of the NPP, is that how he is going to mentor the NPP youth? Only time will tell. Is Sammy a real Akwapim young man? Tofiakwa!!
joe Tegoe- New york 10 years ago
Does your president respect himself?
Does your president respect himself?
ofa k 10 years ago
this is clear indication that samy awuku brain is located in his anus and he truly thinks from his anus
this is clear indication that samy awuku brain is located in his anus and he truly thinks from his anus
joe Tegoe- New york 10 years ago
YOU ARE ALL ARMED ROBBERS.
YOU ARE ALL ARMED ROBBERS.
kk 10 years ago
Sir John junior... this boy talks "by heart"
Sir John junior... this boy talks "by heart"
Kansagabata Bananmine 10 years ago
talking is cheap for bastards like you
talking is cheap for bastards like you
Dompe 10 years ago
This guy has no cv
This guy has no cv
kokotii 10 years ago
what is wrong with this fool?
oh well you can't fix stupid
what is wrong with NPP?
don't they have ny better things to do?
than stupid criticism ?
Gosh I tired of reading immaturity statements
You don't win election thi ... read full comment
what is wrong with this fool?
oh well you can't fix stupid
what is wrong with NPP?
don't they have ny better things to do?
than stupid criticism ?
Gosh I tired of reading immaturity statements
You don't win election this way fool
PRINCE KWASI ADADE 10 years ago
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ... read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, corruption, economic hardship, cash and carry system, and more seriously, serial killings of women.
What then did President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP do with the power given him between 2001 and 2009? This write-up seeks to find the answer under social infrastructure, policies & programmes, and good governance.
ON SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE • Kufuor's tenure witnessed the construction of two new sports stadia at Essipong and Tamale; the rehabilitation of both Accra and Kumasi sports stadia, and another sports complex in Cape Coast.
• Under Kufuor, a new Presidential Palace was built to house the president and his family; the Accra-Tema commuter railway line was constructed, and the Keta Sea Defence wall was built to protect the people of Keta.
• A $622m loan was secured for the construction of the Bui Dam & Bui City Project; the Boankra Inland Port was started (now abandoned); major feeder and trunk roads (Accra-Kumasi-Aflao-Kasoa-Cape Coast, Aburi), several by-passes in Accra and Kumasi including the Sofoline and Asafo interchange, and George Walker Bush 14km High Way were all constructed.
• The Peduase Lodge, which had been abandoned was restored; several boreholes were drilled to end the perennial water problems in Cape Coast and Tamale; the Aboadze Thermal Plant was expanded; the Kofi Annan ICT Centre for Excellence, and state-of-the art wood village at Sokoban in Kumasi for Anloga carpenters were all built.
• Another legacy of Kufuor is the construction of the Accident and Emergency Centre with a landing base at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). This has saved several precious lives.
• Besides, 56 existing senior high schools were upgraded as Model Schools; two institutions (University of Education, Winneba, and University of Mines & Technology) were given autonomy to run as public universities, UDS had Campuses at Wa and Bolgatanga, 21 new senior high schools, 1,334 new JHS blocks, 1,331 primary schools, and 5,164 pre-schools were built.
• Also, over 5,000 affordable housing units at various parts of the country were built. A cocoa processing plant was built in Kumasi. The West African Gas Pipe Line was nearly completed. There was expansion of the road network from 39,000 km of accessible roads to 65,000 km by 2008.
• The Ghana @ 50 ‘legacy’ projects like recreational parks, renovation of public buildings, and historical monuments across all the 10 regions and their district capitals were built. The government also built 14 fishing harbours in our fishing communities.
ON POLICIES & PROGRAMMES • The Kufuor government introduced free basic education through the capitation grant (fee- free). There was school feeding programme where pupils from some selected public basic schools were given one hot meal a day.
• The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced to replace the cash and carry system and make health care affordable. There was also the introduction of free maternal care to reduce child mortality.
• The government frequently released brand new buses to GPRTU, and introduced the metro mass transit, replaced the Ghana Airways with Ghana International Airlines (all meant to improve the transportation system.
• The NPP introduced the Northern Development Fund with a US$25m seed fund to reduce the North-South poverty gap; free bus ride for school kids, brought Zoom Lion Company Limited to rid our cities of filth, created Youth Fund with a $50m seed money and instituted the National Youth Employment Programme, which rolled out seven programmes including community police, teaching assistance, health care, agric extension, etc to reduce the country’s high unemployment.
• Kufuor also introduced the mass cocoa spraying exercise, frequently increased the producer price of cocoa; subsidised fertilizer, and made prompt payment of bonuses to cocoa farmers.
• In his quest to mechanise agriculture, the Kufuor government imported 3,331 brand new tractors, but unfortunately, Mahama Ayariga, and Alban Bagbin used their positions in government to buy some at only GHC1,000.
• The annual cocoa yield increased from 350 metric tonnes in 2000 to 750 metric tonnes in 2006 with an income of US$1bn to the economy. By 2010, Ghana had hit 1m cocoa production. This feat alone moved Ghana from the 4th position to the 2nd position in terms of the world’s leading producers of the product.
• The size of the Ghana's economy quadrupled from US$3.9m in 2008 to US$16.3m in 2008, thus ending the year with GDP growth rate of 8.4%.
• Whilst inflation was reduced from 40% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006 (single digit) and later 18% in 2008, interest rate fell from 50% to 25% during the period under consideration. The daily minimum wage was increased from 42Gp (4,200 old cedis) in 2000 to GHC2.25 (22,500 old cedis) in 2009.
• A New Education Reform was put in place in 2007 with special emphasis on Maths, Science, Vocational and ICT. Kindergarten education officially became part of our basic education system.
• The admission of JHS graduates into SHS was computerised to reduce corruption and hassle of parents; there was Baah-Wiredu Laptop project aimed at giving one laptop to every school child.
• All the 38 Teacher Training Colleges were upgraded into tertiary status (Colleges of Education); Distance education programme was introduced for teachers and workers.
• The government also introduced Untrained Teacher Education Programme for Pupil Teachers to become trained teachers, Access Course to Teacher Training Colleges for SHS graduates who could not do well in Maths and English. The purpose was to upgrade the knowledge of the teacher, beef up the teacher population, and subsequently help to address the falling educational standards in the country.
• Private universities sprung from 4 to over 50, whilst existing infrastructure in the public universities and other public tertiary institutions were expanded through the GETFund.
• The SSNIT Loan Scheme was restructured for students to take more loans. Plans were far advanced to start not only Single Spine Salary Structure for public sector workers, but also a new 3-tier pension scheme for both private and public sector workers.
ON GOOD GOVERNANCE • His Excellency, President J. A. Kufuor tolerated all shades of opinion and verbal abused from ‘Dr.’ Asemfoforo, an NDC paid serial caller, and J. J. Rawlings, who at one time referred to the then sitting President as ‘Ataa Ayi’ - a notorious armed robber.
• Ghanaians witnessed the National Reconciliation; the reburial of three former heads of state namely; Okatakyie Afrifa, Gen. I.K. Acheampong and Gen. F.W.K Akufo and five senior military officers, who were executed in 1979 by J. J. Rawlings.
• In addition, over 100 assets of noble and hard working citizens seized by J.J. Rawlings were deconfiscated to their owners.
• The criminal libel and seditious laws which had provided 10 years’ maximum imprisonment for offenders was repealed. The People’s Assembly concept which made it possible for Ghanaians to interact with the President and his Ministers on yearly basis was instituted.
• There was all-inclusive governance with the likes of Mallam Issah (PNC), Dr. Paa Nduom, Prof. Badu Akosah, Prof. Hagan - all CPP leading members, working under the NPP administration. Kufuor also facilitated the appointments of Dr. Ibn Chambas as the Secretary General of ECOWAS, and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as Chief Executive Officer of CTO.
• Kufuor created 60 additional districts and raised some of them to municipal & metropolitan status to facilitate local governance. The District Assembly Common Fund was increased from 5% to 7.5%.
• There was a plethora of FM Radio stations, regular media encounters with the President, broadcasting of news in the major local dialects on the Ghana Television (GTV), which hitherto had been in English and Akan.
• The Kufuor government passed the Representation of the People Amendment act (ROPAA) into law to enfranchise Ghanaians in the diaspora, though Afari Gyan failed to make it operational.
• Kufuor should also be commended for the expansion of mobile phone network across the length and breadth of the country as he removed tariffs on mobile phone importation.
• Kufuor created a Ministry for Public Sector Reform with the view to developing a new and positive mindset for public sector workers; Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to empower women and improve their lot; and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to tap the rich expertise of our noble traditional leaders.
• Also, June 4 and the 31st December were removed from the statute books as public holidays. The 64th Infantry Regiment were disbanded to other units to ensure discipline in the Armed Forces.
• Kufuor featured regularly at all G-8 Summits. His excellent diplomatic relations with world leaders enabled Ghana not only to attract attention and investment worldwide, but also he was unanimously elected to chair both the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Under his leadership, Ghana had the opportunity to assume the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council.
• President Kufuor also won several international awards including the Chatham House Prize Award in 2008 as a result of peace and economic growth which characterised his two terms in office. No wonder he was given a rousing welcome by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England.
• Again, President Kufuor took a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts including those in Liberia, La Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
• As a true democrat, he was even criticised by his own party members and sympathisers for not hanging onto power before the Tain by-elections when the NPP’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was leading in the 2008 Presidential elections.
• Kufuor is on record as the only President who left office in the peaceful manner in which he entered it. This is indeed a lasting legacy because all his predecessors were either overthrown by the military or metamorphosed themselves into civilian presidents.
• Kufuor introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, where the aged and other vulnerable people in Ghana were paid monthly allowances of between 8 and 15 Ghana cedis.
• Under President Kufuor's leadership, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to cut in half the proportion of its people who suffer from hunger. He and LUIZ DA SILVA of Brazil jointly received the 2011 World Food Prize.
• He introduced micro finance loans to help small and medium-scale businesses, the Export Development Fund (EDIF), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which makes it possible for local producers to access the US market, as well as, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Programmes I & II were all aimed at improving the lot of Ghanaians.
• The Kufuor-led NPP administration purchased VALCO from the Americans at a cosmic sum of US$20m.
• On corruption, a minister of state under his administration was charged for wilfully causing financial loss to the state and together with other members of the previous government, was sentenced to a prison term.
• Ghana was the first country in Africa to submit herself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It would also interest readers to note that for the first time in 50 years, Ghana under the leadership of Kufuor earned a respectable B+ rating on the international financial scene in 2006 and this indeed, facilitated the country’s successful bid to access over US$ 750m from the Eurobond market.
• The passage of the Public Procurement Act, Financial Administration Act, Internal Audit Agency Act, which made the agency exceed its revenue target every year, the Office of Accountability Act, the Whistle Blowers Act, the importation of new police uniforms and over 1000 police vehicles to combat crime, the Right to Information bill, the establishment of Fast Track High Courts, the strengthening of state institutions like the SFO, CHRAJ, among others, were all geared towards the eradication of this social evil in the Ghanaian society.
• Last but not the least, Ghana under Kufuor’s reign became the largest recipient of Millennium Challenge Account funds of US$547m to combat poverty in Ghana. The bilateral and multilateral debt cancellations as a result of Ghana joining the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the UN's and World Bank’s lucrative jobs for His Excellency, J. A. Kufuor even before the 2008 general elections make him stand tall among his contemporaries. He made Ghana, an oil producing country as oil was struck in commercial quantities in 2010.
How could the excellent record enumerated above be a factor to the NPP's electoral defeat? I leave it for the judgement of the Ghanaian voter in 2016.
God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!
Kufour killed Ya-Na too is another achievements , this bastard did not mentioned all this good achievements , i want remaind him
Kufour killed Ya-Na too is another achievements , this bastard did not mentioned all this good achievements , i want remaind him
PRINCE KWASI ADADE (OFIE) 10 years ago
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ... read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, corruption, economic hardship, cash and carry system, and more seriously, serial killings of women.
What then did President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP do with the power given him between 2001 and 2009? This write-up seeks to find the answer under social infrastructure, policies & programmes, and good governance.
ON SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE • Kufuor's tenure witnessed the construction of two new sports stadia at Essipong and Tamale; the rehabilitation of both Accra and Kumasi sports stadia, and another sports complex in Cape Coast.
• Under Kufuor, a new Presidential Palace was built to house the president and his family; the Accra-Tema commuter railway line was constructed, and the Keta Sea Defence wall was built to protect the people of Keta.
• A $622m loan was secured for the construction of the Bui Dam & Bui City Project; the Boankra Inland Port was started (now abandoned); major feeder and trunk roads (Accra-Kumasi-Aflao-Kasoa-Cape Coast, Aburi), several by-passes in Accra and Kumasi including the Sofoline and Asafo interchange, and George Walker Bush 14km High Way were all constructed.
• The Peduase Lodge, which had been abandoned was restored; several boreholes were drilled to end the perennial water problems in Cape Coast and Tamale; the Aboadze Thermal Plant was expanded; the Kofi Annan ICT Centre for Excellence, and state-of-the art wood village at Sokoban in Kumasi for Anloga carpenters were all built.
• Another legacy of Kufuor is the construction of the Accident and Emergency Centre with a landing base at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). This has saved several precious lives.
• Besides, 56 existing senior high schools were upgraded as Model Schools; two institutions (University of Education, Winneba, and University of Mines & Technology) were given autonomy to run as public universities, UDS had Campuses at Wa and Bolgatanga, 21 new senior high schools, 1,334 new JHS blocks, 1,331 primary schools, and 5,164 pre-schools were built.
• Also, over 5,000 affordable housing units at various parts of the country were built. A cocoa processing plant was built in Kumasi. The West African Gas Pipe Line was nearly completed. There was expansion of the road network from 39,000 km of accessible roads to 65,000 km by 2008.
• The Ghana @ 50 ‘legacy’ projects like recreational parks, renovation of public buildings, and historical monuments across all the 10 regions and their district capitals were built. The government also built 14 fishing harbours in our fishing communities.
ON POLICIES & PROGRAMMES • The Kufuor government introduced free basic education through the capitation grant (fee- free). There was school feeding programme where pupils from some selected public basic schools were given one hot meal a day.
• The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced to replace the cash and carry system and make health care affordable. There was also the introduction of free maternal care to reduce child mortality.
• The government frequently released brand new buses to GPRTU, and introduced the metro mass transit, replaced the Ghana Airways with Ghana International Airlines (all meant to improve the transportation system.
• The NPP introduced the Northern Development Fund with a US$25m seed fund to reduce the North-South poverty gap; free bus ride for school kids, brought Zoom Lion Company Limited to rid our cities of filth, created Youth Fund with a $50m seed money and instituted the National Youth Employment Programme, which rolled out seven programmes including community police, teaching assistance, health care, agric extension, etc to reduce the country’s high unemployment.
• Kufuor also introduced the mass cocoa spraying exercise, frequently increased the producer price of cocoa; subsidised fertilizer, and made prompt payment of bonuses to cocoa farmers.
• In his quest to mechanise agriculture, the Kufuor government imported 3,331 brand new tractors, but unfortunately, Mahama Ayariga, and Alban Bagbin used their positions in government to buy some at only GHC1,000.
• The annual cocoa yield increased from 350 metric tonnes in 2000 to 750 metric tonnes in 2006 with an income of US$1bn to the economy. By 2010, Ghana had hit 1m cocoa production. This feat alone moved Ghana from the 4th position to the 2nd position in terms of the world’s leading producers of the product.
• The size of the Ghana's economy quadrupled from US$3.9m in 2008 to US$16.3m in 2008, thus ending the year with GDP growth rate of 8.4%.
• Whilst inflation was reduced from 40% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006 (single digit) and later 18% in 2008, interest rate fell from 50% to 25% during the period under consideration. The daily minimum wage was increased from 42Gp (4,200 old cedis) in 2000 to GHC2.25 (22,500 old cedis) in 2009.
• A New Education Reform was put in place in 2007 with special emphasis on Maths, Science, Vocational and ICT. Kindergarten education officially became part of our basic education system.
• The admission of JHS graduates into SHS was computerised to reduce corruption and hassle of parents; there was Baah-Wiredu Laptop project aimed at giving one laptop to every school child.
• All the 38 Teacher Training Colleges were upgraded into tertiary status (Colleges of Education); Distance education programme was introduced for teachers and workers.
• The government also introduced Untrained Teacher Education Programme for Pupil Teachers to become trained teachers, Access Course to Teacher Training Colleges for SHS graduates who could not do well in Maths and English. The purpose was to upgrade the knowledge of the teacher, beef up the teacher population, and subsequently help to address the falling educational standards in the country.
• Private universities sprung from 4 to over 50, whilst existing infrastructure in the public universities and other public tertiary institutions were expanded through the GETFund.
• The SSNIT Loan Scheme was restructured for students to take more loans. Plans were far advanced to start not only Single Spine Salary Structure for public sector workers, but also a new 3-tier pension scheme for both private and public sector workers.
ON GOOD GOVERNANCE • His Excellency, President J. A. Kufuor tolerated all shades of opinion and verbal abused from ‘Dr.’ Asemfoforo, an NDC paid serial caller, and J. J. Rawlings, who at one time referred to the then sitting President as ‘Ataa Ayi’ - a notorious armed robber.
• Ghanaians witnessed the National Reconciliation; the reburial of three former heads of state namely; Okatakyie Afrifa, Gen. I.K. Acheampong and Gen. F.W.K Akufo and five senior military officers, who were executed in 1979 by J. J. Rawlings.
• In addition, over 100 assets of noble and hard working citizens seized by J.J. Rawlings were deconfiscated to their owners.
• The criminal libel and seditious laws which had provided 10 years’ maximum imprisonment for offenders was repealed. The People’s Assembly concept which made it possible for Ghanaians to interact with the President and his Ministers on yearly basis was instituted.
• There was all-inclusive governance with the likes of Mallam Issah (PNC), Dr. Paa Nduom, Prof. Badu Akosah, Prof. Hagan - all CPP leading members, working under the NPP administration. Kufuor also facilitated the appointments of Dr. Ibn Chambas as the Secretary General of ECOWAS, and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as Chief Executive Officer of CTO.
• Kufuor created 60 additional districts and raised some of them to municipal & metropolitan status to facilitate local governance. The District Assembly Common Fund was increased from 5% to 7.5%.
• There was a plethora of FM Radio stations, regular media encounters with the President, broadcasting of news in the major local dialects on the Ghana Television (GTV), which hitherto had been in English and Akan.
• The Kufuor government passed the Representation of the People Amendment act (ROPAA) into law to enfranchise Ghanaians in the diaspora, though Afari Gyan failed to make it operational.
• Kufuor should also be commended for the expansion of mobile phone network across the length and breadth of the country as he removed tariffs on mobile phone importation.
• Kufuor created a Ministry for Public Sector Reform with the view to developing a new and positive mindset for public sector workers; Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to empower women and improve their lot; and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to tap the rich expertise of our noble traditional leaders.
• Also, June 4 and the 31st December were removed from the statute books as public holidays. The 64th Infantry Regiment were disbanded to other units to ensure discipline in the Armed Forces.
• Kufuor featured regularly at all G-8 Summits. His excellent diplomatic relations with world leaders enabled Ghana not only to attract attention and investment worldwide, but also he was unanimously elected to chair both the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Under his leadership, Ghana had the opportunity to assume the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council.
• President Kufuor also won several international awards including the Chatham House Prize Award in 2008 as a result of peace and economic growth which characterised his two terms in office. No wonder he was given a rousing welcome by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England.
• Again, President Kufuor took a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts including those in Liberia, La Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
• As a true democrat, he was even criticised by his own party members and sympathisers for not hanging onto power before the Tain by-elections when the NPP’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was leading in the 2008 Presidential elections.
• Kufuor is on record as the only President who left office in the peaceful manner in which he entered it. This is indeed a lasting legacy because all his predecessors were either overthrown by the military or metamorphosed themselves into civilian presidents.
• Kufuor introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, where the aged and other vulnerable people in Ghana were paid monthly allowances of between 8 and 15 Ghana cedis.
• Under President Kufuor's leadership, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to cut in half the proportion of its people who suffer from hunger. He and LUIZ DA SILVA of Brazil jointly received the 2011 World Food Prize.
• He introduced micro finance loans to help small and medium-scale businesses, the Export Development Fund (EDIF), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which makes it possible for local producers to access the US market, as well as, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Programmes I & II were all aimed at improving the lot of Ghanaians.
• The Kufuor-led NPP administration purchased VALCO from the Americans at a cosmic sum of US$20m.
• On corruption, a minister of state under his administration was charged for wilfully causing financial loss to the state and together with other members of the previous government, was sentenced to a prison term.
• Ghana was the first country in Africa to submit herself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It would also interest readers to note that for the first time in 50 years, Ghana under the leadership of Kufuor earned a respectable B+ rating on the international financial scene in 2006 and this indeed, facilitated the country’s successful bid to access over US$ 750m from the Eurobond market.
• The passage of the Public Procurement Act, Financial Administration Act, Internal Audit Agency Act, which made the agency exceed its revenue target every year, the Office of Accountability Act, the Whistle Blowers Act, the importation of new police uniforms and over 1000 police vehicles to combat crime, the Right to Information bill, the establishment of Fast Track High Courts, the strengthening of state institutions like the SFO, CHRAJ, among others, were all geared towards the eradication of this social evil in the Ghanaian society.
• Last but not the least, Ghana under Kufuor’s reign became the largest recipient of Millennium Challenge Account funds of US$547m to combat poverty in Ghana. The bilateral and multilateral debt cancellations as a result of Ghana joining the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the UN's and World Bank’s lucrative jobs for His Excellency, J. A. Kufuor even before the 2008 general elections make him stand tall among his contemporaries. He made Ghana, an oil producing country as oil was struck in commercial quantities in 2010.
How could the excellent record enumerated above be a factor to the NPP's electoral defeat? I leave it for the judgement of the Ghanaian voter in 2016.
God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ... read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, corruption, economic hardship, cash and carry system, and more seriously, serial killings of women.
What then did President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP do with the power given him between 2001 and 2009? This write-up seeks to find the answer under social infrastructure, policies & programmes, and good governance.
ON SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE • Kufuor's tenure witnessed the construction of two new sports stadia at Essipong and Tamale; the rehabilitation of both Accra and Kumasi sports stadia, and another sports complex in Cape Coast.
• Under Kufuor, a new Presidential Palace was built to house the president and his family; the Accra-Tema commuter railway line was constructed, and the Keta Sea Defence wall was built to protect the people of Keta.
• A $622m loan was secured for the construction of the Bui Dam & Bui City Project; the Boankra Inland Port was started (now abandoned); major feeder and trunk roads (Accra-Kumasi-Aflao-Kasoa-Cape Coast, Aburi), several by-passes in Accra and Kumasi including the Sofoline and Asafo interchange, and George Walker Bush 14km High Way were all constructed.
• The Peduase Lodge, which had been abandoned was restored; several boreholes were drilled to end the perennial water problems in Cape Coast and Tamale; the Aboadze Thermal Plant was expanded; the Kofi Annan ICT Centre for Excellence, and state-of-the art wood village at Sokoban in Kumasi for Anloga carpenters were all built.
• Another legacy of Kufuor is the construction of the Accident and Emergency Centre with a landing base at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). This has saved several precious lives.
• Besides, 56 existing senior high schools were upgraded as Model Schools; two institutions (University of Education, Winneba, and University of Mines & Technology) were given autonomy to run as public universities, UDS had Campuses at Wa and Bolgatanga, 21 new senior high schools, 1,334 new JHS blocks, 1,331 primary schools, and 5,164 pre-schools were built.
• Also, over 5,000 affordable housing units at various parts of the country were built. A cocoa processing plant was built in Kumasi. The West African Gas Pipe Line was nearly completed. There was expansion of the road network from 39,000 km of accessible roads to 65,000 km by 2008.
• The Ghana @ 50 ‘legacy’ projects like recreational parks, renovation of public buildings, and historical monuments across all the 10 regions and their district capitals were built. The government also built 14 fishing harbours in our fishing communities.
ON POLICIES & PROGRAMMES • The Kufuor government introduced free basic education through the capitation grant (fee- free). There was school feeding programme where pupils from some selected public basic schools were given one hot meal a day.
• The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced to replace the cash and carry system and make health care affordable. There was also the introduction of free maternal care to reduce child mortality.
• The government frequently released brand new buses to GPRTU, and introduced the metro mass transit, replaced the Ghana Airways with Ghana International Airlines (all meant to improve the transportation system.
• The NPP introduced the Northern Development Fund with a US$25m seed fund to reduce the North-South poverty gap; free bus ride for school kids, brought Zoom Lion Company Limited to rid our cities of filth, created Youth Fund with a $50m seed money and instituted the National Youth Employment Programme, which rolled out seven programmes including community police, teaching assistance, health care, agric extension, etc to reduce the country’s high unemployment.
• Kufuor also introduced the mass cocoa spraying exercise, frequently increased the producer price of cocoa; subsidised fertilizer, and made prompt payment of bonuses to cocoa farmers.
• In his quest to mechanise agriculture, the Kufuor government imported 3,331 brand new tractors, but unfortunately, Mahama Ayariga, and Alban Bagbin used their positions in government to buy some at only GHC1,000.
• The annual cocoa yield increased from 350 metric tonnes in 2000 to 750 metric tonnes in 2006 with an income of US$1bn to the economy. By 2010, Ghana had hit 1m cocoa production. This feat alone moved Ghana from the 4th position to the 2nd position in terms of the world’s leading producers of the product.
• The size of the Ghana's economy quadrupled from US$3.9m in 2008 to US$16.3m in 2008, thus ending the year with GDP growth rate of 8.4%.
• Whilst inflation was reduced from 40% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006 (single digit) and later 18% in 2008, interest rate fell from 50% to 25% during the period under consideration. The daily minimum wage was increased from 42Gp (4,200 old cedis) in 2000 to GHC2.25 (22,500 old cedis) in 2009.
• A New Education Reform was put in place in 2007 with special emphasis on Maths, Science, Vocational and ICT. Kindergarten education officially became part of our basic education system.
• The admission of JHS graduates into SHS was computerised to reduce corruption and hassle of parents; there was Baah-Wiredu Laptop project aimed at giving one laptop to every school child.
• All the 38 Teacher Training Colleges were upgraded into tertiary status (Colleges of Education); Distance education programme was introduced for teachers and workers.
• The government also introduced Untrained Teacher Education Programme for Pupil Teachers to become trained teachers, Access Course to Teacher Training Colleges for SHS graduates who could not do well in Maths and English. The purpose was to upgrade the knowledge of the teacher, beef up the teacher population, and subsequently help to address the falling educational standards in the country.
• Private universities sprung from 4 to over 50, whilst existing infrastructure in the public universities and other public tertiary institutions were expanded through the GETFund.
• The SSNIT Loan Scheme was restructured for students to take more loans. Plans were far advanced to start not only Single Spine Salary Structure for public sector workers, but also a new 3-tier pension scheme for both private and public sector workers.
ON GOOD GOVERNANCE • His Excellency, President J. A. Kufuor tolerated all shades of opinion and verbal abused from ‘Dr.’ Asemfoforo, an NDC paid serial caller, and J. J. Rawlings, who at one time referred to the then sitting President as ‘Ataa Ayi’ - a notorious armed robber.
• Ghanaians witnessed the National Reconciliation; the reburial of three former heads of state namely; Okatakyie Afrifa, Gen. I.K. Acheampong and Gen. F.W.K Akufo and five senior military officers, who were executed in 1979 by J. J. Rawlings.
• In addition, over 100 assets of noble and hard working citizens seized by J.J. Rawlings were deconfiscated to their owners.
• The criminal libel and seditious laws which had provided 10 years’ maximum imprisonment for offenders was repealed. The People’s Assembly concept which made it possible for Ghanaians to interact with the President and his Ministers on yearly basis was instituted.
• There was all-inclusive governance with the likes of Mallam Issah (PNC), Dr. Paa Nduom, Prof. Badu Akosah, Prof. Hagan - all CPP leading members, working under the NPP administration. Kufuor also facilitated the appointments of Dr. Ibn Chambas as the Secretary General of ECOWAS, and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as Chief Executive Officer of CTO.
• Kufuor created 60 additional districts and raised some of them to municipal & metropolitan status to facilitate local governance. The District Assembly Common Fund was increased from 5% to 7.5%.
• There was a plethora of FM Radio stations, regular media encounters with the President, broadcasting of news in the major local dialects on the Ghana Television (GTV), which hitherto had been in English and Akan.
• The Kufuor government passed the Representation of the People Amendment act (ROPAA) into law to enfranchise Ghanaians in the diaspora, though Afari Gyan failed to make it operational.
• Kufuor should also be commended for the expansion of mobile phone network across the length and breadth of the country as he removed tariffs on mobile phone importation.
• Kufuor created a Ministry for Public Sector Reform with the view to developing a new and positive mindset for public sector workers; Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to empower women and improve their lot; and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to tap the rich expertise of our noble traditional leaders.
• Also, June 4 and the 31st December were removed from the statute books as public holidays. The 64th Infantry Regiment were disbanded to other units to ensure discipline in the Armed Forces.
• Kufuor featured regularly at all G-8 Summits. His excellent diplomatic relations with world leaders enabled Ghana not only to attract attention and investment worldwide, but also he was unanimously elected to chair both the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Under his leadership, Ghana had the opportunity to assume the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council.
• President Kufuor also won several international awards including the Chatham House Prize Award in 2008 as a result of peace and economic growth which characterised his two terms in office. No wonder he was given a rousing welcome by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England.
• Again, President Kufuor took a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts including those in Liberia, La Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
• As a true democrat, he was even criticised by his own party members and sympathisers for not hanging onto power before the Tain by-elections when the NPP’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was leading in the 2008 Presidential elections.
• Kufuor is on record as the only President who left office in the peaceful manner in which he entered it. This is indeed a lasting legacy because all his predecessors were either overthrown by the military or metamorphosed themselves into civilian presidents.
• Kufuor introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, where the aged and other vulnerable people in Ghana were paid monthly allowances of between 8 and 15 Ghana cedis.
• Under President Kufuor's leadership, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to cut in half the proportion of its people who suffer from hunger. He and LUIZ DA SILVA of Brazil jointly received the 2011 World Food Prize.
• He introduced micro finance loans to help small and medium-scale businesses, the Export Development Fund (EDIF), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which makes it possible for local producers to access the US market, as well as, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Programmes I & II were all aimed at improving the lot of Ghanaians.
• The Kufuor-led NPP administration purchased VALCO from the Americans at a cosmic sum of US$20m.
• On corruption, a minister of state under his administration was charged for wilfully causing financial loss to the state and together with other members of the previous government, was sentenced to a prison term.
• Ghana was the first country in Africa to submit herself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It would also interest readers to note that for the first time in 50 years, Ghana under the leadership of Kufuor earned a respectable B+ rating on the international financial scene in 2006 and this indeed, facilitated the country’s successful bid to access over US$ 750m from the Eurobond market.
• The passage of the Public Procurement Act, Financial Administration Act, Internal Audit Agency Act, which made the agency exceed its revenue target every year, the Office of Accountability Act, the Whistle Blowers Act, the importation of new police uniforms and over 1000 police vehicles to combat crime, the Right to Information bill, the establishment of Fast Track High Courts, the strengthening of state institutions like the SFO, CHRAJ, among others, were all geared towards the eradication of this social evil in the Ghanaian society.
• Last but not the least, Ghana under Kufuor’s reign became the largest recipient of Millennium Challenge Account funds of US$547m to combat poverty in Ghana. The bilateral and multilateral debt cancellations as a result of Ghana joining the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the UN's and World Bank’s lucrative jobs for His Excellency, J. A. Kufuor even before the 2008 general elections make him stand tall among his contemporaries. He made Ghana, an oil producing country as oil was struck in commercial quantities in 2010.
How could the excellent record enumerated above be a factor to the NPP's electoral defeat? I leave it for the judgement of the Ghanaian voter in 2016.
God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ... read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, corruption, economic hardship, cash and carry system, and more seriously, serial killings of women.
What then did President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP do with the power given him between 2001 and 2009? This write-up seeks to find the answer under social infrastructure, policies & programmes, and good governance.
ON SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE • Kufuor's tenure witnessed the construction of two new sports stadia at Essipong and Tamale; the rehabilitation of both Accra and Kumasi sports stadia, and another sports complex in Cape Coast.
• Under Kufuor, a new Presidential Palace was built to house the president and his family; the Accra-Tema commuter railway line was constructed, and the Keta Sea Defence wall was built to protect the people of Keta.
• A $622m loan was secured for the construction of the Bui Dam & Bui City Project; the Boankra Inland Port was started (now abandoned); major feeder and trunk roads (Accra-Kumasi-Aflao-Kasoa-Cape Coast, Aburi), several by-passes in Accra and Kumasi including the Sofoline and Asafo interchange, and George Walker Bush 14km High Way were all constructed.
• The Peduase Lodge, which had been abandoned was restored; several boreholes were drilled to end the perennial water problems in Cape Coast and Tamale; the Aboadze Thermal Plant was expanded; the Kofi Annan ICT Centre for Excellence, and state-of-the art wood village at Sokoban in Kumasi for Anloga carpenters were all built.
• Another legacy of Kufuor is the construction of the Accident and Emergency Centre with a landing base at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). This has saved several precious lives.
• Besides, 56 existing senior high schools were upgraded as Model Schools; two institutions (University of Education, Winneba, and University of Mines & Technology) were given autonomy to run as public universities, UDS had Campuses at Wa and Bolgatanga, 21 new senior high schools, 1,334 new JHS blocks, 1,331 primary schools, and 5,164 pre-schools were built.
• Also, over 5,000 affordable housing units at various parts of the country were built. A cocoa processing plant was built in Kumasi. The West African Gas Pipe Line was nearly completed. There was expansion of the road network from 39,000 km of accessible roads to 65,000 km by 2008.
• The Ghana @ 50 ‘legacy’ projects like recreational parks, renovation of public buildings, and historical monuments across all the 10 regions and their district capitals were built. The government also built 14 fishing harbours in our fishing communities.
ON POLICIES & PROGRAMMES • The Kufuor government introduced free basic education through the capitation grant (fee- free). There was school feeding programme where pupils from some selected public basic schools were given one hot meal a day.
• The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced to replace the cash and carry system and make health care affordable. There was also the introduction of free maternal care to reduce child mortality.
• The government frequently released brand new buses to GPRTU, and introduced the metro mass transit, replaced the Ghana Airways with Ghana International Airlines (all meant to improve the transportation system.
• The NPP introduced the Northern Development Fund with a US$25m seed fund to reduce the North-South poverty gap; free bus ride for school kids, brought Zoom Lion Company Limited to rid our cities of filth, created Youth Fund with a $50m seed money and instituted the National Youth Employment Programme, which rolled out seven programmes including community police, teaching assistance, health care, agric extension, etc to reduce the country’s high unemployment.
• Kufuor also introduced the mass cocoa spraying exercise, frequently increased the producer price of cocoa; subsidised fertilizer, and made prompt payment of bonuses to cocoa farmers.
• In his quest to mechanise agriculture, the Kufuor government imported 3,331 brand new tractors, but unfortunately, Mahama Ayariga, and Alban Bagbin used their positions in government to buy some at only GHC1,000.
• The annual cocoa yield increased from 350 metric tonnes in 2000 to 750 metric tonnes in 2006 with an income of US$1bn to the economy. By 2010, Ghana had hit 1m cocoa production. This feat alone moved Ghana from the 4th position to the 2nd position in terms of the world’s leading producers of the product.
• The size of the Ghana's economy quadrupled from US$3.9m in 2008 to US$16.3m in 2008, thus ending the year with GDP growth rate of 8.4%.
• Whilst inflation was reduced from 40% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006 (single digit) and later 18% in 2008, interest rate fell from 50% to 25% during the period under consideration. The daily minimum wage was increased from 42Gp (4,200 old cedis) in 2000 to GHC2.25 (22,500 old cedis) in 2009.
• A New Education Reform was put in place in 2007 with special emphasis on Maths, Science, Vocational and ICT. Kindergarten education officially became part of our basic education system.
• The admission of JHS graduates into SHS was computerised to reduce corruption and hassle of parents; there was Baah-Wiredu Laptop project aimed at giving one laptop to every school child.
• All the 38 Teacher Training Colleges were upgraded into tertiary status (Colleges of Education); Distance education programme was introduced for teachers and workers.
• The government also introduced Untrained Teacher Education Programme for Pupil Teachers to become trained teachers, Access Course to Teacher Training Colleges for SHS graduates who could not do well in Maths and English. The purpose was to upgrade the knowledge of the teacher, beef up the teacher population, and subsequently help to address the falling educational standards in the country.
• Private universities sprung from 4 to over 50, whilst existing infrastructure in the public universities and other public tertiary institutions were expanded through the GETFund.
• The SSNIT Loan Scheme was restructured for students to take more loans. Plans were far advanced to start not only Single Spine Salary Structure for public sector workers, but also a new 3-tier pension scheme for both private and public sector workers.
ON GOOD GOVERNANCE • His Excellency, President J. A. Kufuor tolerated all shades of opinion and verbal abused from ‘Dr.’ Asemfoforo, an NDC paid serial caller, and J. J. Rawlings, who at one time referred to the then sitting President as ‘Ataa Ayi’ - a notorious armed robber.
• Ghanaians witnessed the National Reconciliation; the reburial of three former heads of state namely; Okatakyie Afrifa, Gen. I.K. Acheampong and Gen. F.W.K Akufo and five senior military officers, who were executed in 1979 by J. J. Rawlings.
• In addition, over 100 assets of noble and hard working citizens seized by J.J. Rawlings were deconfiscated to their owners.
• The criminal libel and seditious laws which had provided 10 years’ maximum imprisonment for offenders was repealed. The People’s Assembly concept which made it possible for Ghanaians to interact with the President and his Ministers on yearly basis was instituted.
• There was all-inclusive governance with the likes of Mallam Issah (PNC), Dr. Paa Nduom, Prof. Badu Akosah, Prof. Hagan - all CPP leading members, working under the NPP administration. Kufuor also facilitated the appointments of Dr. Ibn Chambas as the Secretary General of ECOWAS, and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as Chief Executive Officer of CTO.
• Kufuor created 60 additional districts and raised some of them to municipal & metropolitan status to facilitate local governance. The District Assembly Common Fund was increased from 5% to 7.5%.
• There was a plethora of FM Radio stations, regular media encounters with the President, broadcasting of news in the major local dialects on the Ghana Television (GTV), which hitherto had been in English and Akan.
• The Kufuor government passed the Representation of the People Amendment act (ROPAA) into law to enfranchise Ghanaians in the diaspora, though Afari Gyan failed to make it operational.
• Kufuor should also be commended for the expansion of mobile phone network across the length and breadth of the country as he removed tariffs on mobile phone importation.
• Kufuor created a Ministry for Public Sector Reform with the view to developing a new and positive mindset for public sector workers; Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to empower women and improve their lot; and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to tap the rich expertise of our noble traditional leaders.
• Also, June 4 and the 31st December were removed from the statute books as public holidays. The 64th Infantry Regiment were disbanded to other units to ensure discipline in the Armed Forces.
• Kufuor featured regularly at all G-8 Summits. His excellent diplomatic relations with world leaders enabled Ghana not only to attract attention and investment worldwide, but also he was unanimously elected to chair both the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Under his leadership, Ghana had the opportunity to assume the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council.
• President Kufuor also won several international awards including the Chatham House Prize Award in 2008 as a result of peace and economic growth which characterised his two terms in office. No wonder he was given a rousing welcome by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England.
• Again, President Kufuor took a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts including those in Liberia, La Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
• As a true democrat, he was even criticised by his own party members and sympathisers for not hanging onto power before the Tain by-elections when the NPP’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was leading in the 2008 Presidential elections.
• Kufuor is on record as the only President who left office in the peaceful manner in which he entered it. This is indeed a lasting legacy because all his predecessors were either overthrown by the military or metamorphosed themselves into civilian presidents.
• Kufuor introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, where the aged and other vulnerable people in Ghana were paid monthly allowances of between 8 and 15 Ghana cedis.
• Under President Kufuor's leadership, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to cut in half the proportion of its people who suffer from hunger. He and LUIZ DA SILVA of Brazil jointly received the 2011 World Food Prize.
• He introduced micro finance loans to help small and medium-scale businesses, the Export Development Fund (EDIF), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which makes it possible for local producers to access the US market, as well as, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Programmes I & II were all aimed at improving the lot of Ghanaians.
• The Kufuor-led NPP administration purchased VALCO from the Americans at a cosmic sum of US$20m.
• On corruption, a minister of state under his administration was charged for wilfully causing financial loss to the state and together with other members of the previous government, was sentenced to a prison term.
• Ghana was the first country in Africa to submit herself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It would also interest readers to note that for the first time in 50 years, Ghana under the leadership of Kufuor earned a respectable B+ rating on the international financial scene in 2006 and this indeed, facilitated the country’s successful bid to access over US$ 750m from the Eurobond market.
• The passage of the Public Procurement Act, Financial Administration Act, Internal Audit Agency Act, which made the agency exceed its revenue target every year, the Office of Accountability Act, the Whistle Blowers Act, the importation of new police uniforms and over 1000 police vehicles to combat crime, the Right to Information bill, the establishment of Fast Track High Courts, the strengthening of state institutions like the SFO, CHRAJ, among others, were all geared towards the eradication of this social evil in the Ghanaian society.
• Last but not the least, Ghana under Kufuor’s reign became the largest recipient of Millennium Challenge Account funds of US$547m to combat poverty in Ghana. The bilateral and multilateral debt cancellations as a result of Ghana joining the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the UN's and World Bank’s lucrative jobs for His Excellency, J. A. Kufuor even before the 2008 general elections make him stand tall among his contemporaries. He made Ghana, an oil producing country as oil was struck in commercial quantities in 2010.
How could the excellent record enumerated above be a factor to the NPP's electoral defeat? I leave it for the judgement of the Ghanaian voter in 2016.
God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ... read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, corruption, economic hardship, cash and carry system, and more seriously, serial killings of women.
What then did President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP do with the power given him between 2001 and 2009? This write-up seeks to find the answer under social infrastructure, policies & programmes, and good governance.
ON SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE • Kufuor's tenure witnessed the construction of two new sports stadia at Essipong and Tamale; the rehabilitation of both Accra and Kumasi sports stadia, and another sports complex in Cape Coast.
• Under Kufuor, a new Presidential Palace was built to house the president and his family; the Accra-Tema commuter railway line was constructed, and the Keta Sea Defence wall was built to protect the people of Keta.
• A $622m loan was secured for the construction of the Bui Dam & Bui City Project; the Boankra Inland Port was started (now abandoned); major feeder and trunk roads (Accra-Kumasi-Aflao-Kasoa-Cape Coast, Aburi), several by-passes in Accra and Kumasi including the Sofoline and Asafo interchange, and George Walker Bush 14km High Way were all constructed.
• The Peduase Lodge, which had been abandoned was restored; several boreholes were drilled to end the perennial water problems in Cape Coast and Tamale; the Aboadze Thermal Plant was expanded; the Kofi Annan ICT Centre for Excellence, and state-of-the art wood village at Sokoban in Kumasi for Anloga carpenters were all built.
• Another legacy of Kufuor is the construction of the Accident and Emergency Centre with a landing base at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). This has saved several precious lives.
• Besides, 56 existing senior high schools were upgraded as Model Schools; two institutions (University of Education, Winneba, and University of Mines & Technology) were given autonomy to run as public universities, UDS had Campuses at Wa and Bolgatanga, 21 new senior high schools, 1,334 new JHS blocks, 1,331 primary schools, and 5,164 pre-schools were built.
• Also, over 5,000 affordable housing units at various parts of the country were built. A cocoa processing plant was built in Kumasi. The West African Gas Pipe Line was nearly completed. There was expansion of the road network from 39,000 km of accessible roads to 65,000 km by 2008.
• The Ghana @ 50 ‘legacy’ projects like recreational parks, renovation of public buildings, and historical monuments across all the 10 regions and their district capitals were built. The government also built 14 fishing harbours in our fishing communities.
ON POLICIES & PROGRAMMES • The Kufuor government introduced free basic education through the capitation grant (fee- free). There was school feeding programme where pupils from some selected public basic schools were given one hot meal a day.
• The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced to replace the cash and carry system and make health care affordable. There was also the introduction of free maternal care to reduce child mortality.
• The government frequently released brand new buses to GPRTU, and introduced the metro mass transit, replaced the Ghana Airways with Ghana International Airlines (all meant to improve the transportation system.
• The NPP introduced the Northern Development Fund with a US$25m seed fund to reduce the North-South poverty gap; free bus ride for school kids, brought Zoom Lion Company Limited to rid our cities of filth, created Youth Fund with a $50m seed money and instituted the National Youth Employment Programme, which rolled out seven programmes including community police, teaching assistance, health care, agric extension, etc to reduce the country’s high unemployment.
• Kufuor also introduced the mass cocoa spraying exercise, frequently increased the producer price of cocoa; subsidised fertilizer, and made prompt payment of bonuses to cocoa farmers.
• In his quest to mechanise agriculture, the Kufuor government imported 3,331 brand new tractors, but unfortunately, Mahama Ayariga, and Alban Bagbin used their positions in government to buy some at only GHC1,000.
• The annual cocoa yield increased from 350 metric tonnes in 2000 to 750 metric tonnes in 2006 with an income of US$1bn to the economy. By 2010, Ghana had hit 1m cocoa production. This feat alone moved Ghana from the 4th position to the 2nd position in terms of the world’s leading producers of the product.
• The size of the Ghana's economy quadrupled from US$3.9m in 2008 to US$16.3m in 2008, thus ending the year with GDP growth rate of 8.4%.
• Whilst inflation was reduced from 40% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006 (single digit) and later 18% in 2008, interest rate fell from 50% to 25% during the period under consideration. The daily minimum wage was increased from 42Gp (4,200 old cedis) in 2000 to GHC2.25 (22,500 old cedis) in 2009.
• A New Education Reform was put in place in 2007 with special emphasis on Maths, Science, Vocational and ICT. Kindergarten education officially became part of our basic education system.
• The admission of JHS graduates into SHS was computerised to reduce corruption and hassle of parents; there was Baah-Wiredu Laptop project aimed at giving one laptop to every school child.
• All the 38 Teacher Training Colleges were upgraded into tertiary status (Colleges of Education); Distance education programme was introduced for teachers and workers.
• The government also introduced Untrained Teacher Education Programme for Pupil Teachers to become trained teachers, Access Course to Teacher Training Colleges for SHS graduates who could not do well in Maths and English. The purpose was to upgrade the knowledge of the teacher, beef up the teacher population, and subsequently help to address the falling educational standards in the country.
• Private universities sprung from 4 to over 50, whilst existing infrastructure in the public universities and other public tertiary institutions were expanded through the GETFund.
• The SSNIT Loan Scheme was restructured for students to take more loans. Plans were far advanced to start not only Single Spine Salary Structure for public sector workers, but also a new 3-tier pension scheme for both private and public sector workers.
ON GOOD GOVERNANCE • His Excellency, President J. A. Kufuor tolerated all shades of opinion and verbal abused from ‘Dr.’ Asemfoforo, an NDC paid serial caller, and J. J. Rawlings, who at one time referred to the then sitting President as ‘Ataa Ayi’ - a notorious armed robber.
• Ghanaians witnessed the National Reconciliation; the reburial of three former heads of state namely; Okatakyie Afrifa, Gen. I.K. Acheampong and Gen. F.W.K Akufo and five senior military officers, who were executed in 1979 by J. J. Rawlings.
• In addition, over 100 assets of noble and hard working citizens seized by J.J. Rawlings were deconfiscated to their owners.
• The criminal libel and seditious laws which had provided 10 years’ maximum imprisonment for offenders was repealed. The People’s Assembly concept which made it possible for Ghanaians to interact with the President and his Ministers on yearly basis was instituted.
• There was all-inclusive governance with the likes of Mallam Issah (PNC), Dr. Paa Nduom, Prof. Badu Akosah, Prof. Hagan - all CPP leading members, working under the NPP administration. Kufuor also facilitated the appointments of Dr. Ibn Chambas as the Secretary General of ECOWAS, and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as Chief Executive Officer of CTO.
• Kufuor created 60 additional districts and raised some of them to municipal & metropolitan status to facilitate local governance. The District Assembly Common Fund was increased from 5% to 7.5%.
• There was a plethora of FM Radio stations, regular media encounters with the President, broadcasting of news in the major local dialects on the Ghana Television (GTV), which hitherto had been in English and Akan.
• The Kufuor government passed the Representation of the People Amendment act (ROPAA) into law to enfranchise Ghanaians in the diaspora, though Afari Gyan failed to make it operational.
• Kufuor should also be commended for the expansion of mobile phone network across the length and breadth of the country as he removed tariffs on mobile phone importation.
• Kufuor created a Ministry for Public Sector Reform with the view to developing a new and positive mindset for public sector workers; Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to empower women and improve their lot; and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to tap the rich expertise of our noble traditional leaders.
• Also, June 4 and the 31st December were removed from the statute books as public holidays. The 64th Infantry Regiment were disbanded to other units to ensure discipline in the Armed Forces.
• Kufuor featured regularly at all G-8 Summits. His excellent diplomatic relations with world leaders enabled Ghana not only to attract attention and investment worldwide, but also he was unanimously elected to chair both the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Under his leadership, Ghana had the opportunity to assume the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council.
• President Kufuor also won several international awards including the Chatham House Prize Award in 2008 as a result of peace and economic growth which characterised his two terms in office. No wonder he was given a rousing welcome by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England.
• Again, President Kufuor took a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts including those in Liberia, La Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
• As a true democrat, he was even criticised by his own party members and sympathisers for not hanging onto power before the Tain by-elections when the NPP’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was leading in the 2008 Presidential elections.
• Kufuor is on record as the only President who left office in the peaceful manner in which he entered it. This is indeed a lasting legacy because all his predecessors were either overthrown by the military or metamorphosed themselves into civilian presidents.
• Kufuor introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, where the aged and other vulnerable people in Ghana were paid monthly allowances of between 8 and 15 Ghana cedis.
• Under President Kufuor's leadership, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to cut in half the proportion of its people who suffer from hunger. He and LUIZ DA SILVA of Brazil jointly received the 2011 World Food Prize.
• He introduced micro finance loans to help small and medium-scale businesses, the Export Development Fund (EDIF), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which makes it possible for local producers to access the US market, as well as, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Programmes I & II were all aimed at improving the lot of Ghanaians.
• The Kufuor-led NPP administration purchased VALCO from the Americans at a cosmic sum of US$20m.
• On corruption, a minister of state under his administration was charged for wilfully causing financial loss to the state and together with other members of the previous government, was sentenced to a prison term.
• Ghana was the first country in Africa to submit herself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It would also interest readers to note that for the first time in 50 years, Ghana under the leadership of Kufuor earned a respectable B+ rating on the international financial scene in 2006 and this indeed, facilitated the country’s successful bid to access over US$ 750m from the Eurobond market.
• The passage of the Public Procurement Act, Financial Administration Act, Internal Audit Agency Act, which made the agency exceed its revenue target every year, the Office of Accountability Act, the Whistle Blowers Act, the importation of new police uniforms and over 1000 police vehicles to combat crime, the Right to Information bill, the establishment of Fast Track High Courts, the strengthening of state institutions like the SFO, CHRAJ, among others, were all geared towards the eradication of this social evil in the Ghanaian society.
• Last but not the least, Ghana under Kufuor’s reign became the largest recipient of Millennium Challenge Account funds of US$547m to combat poverty in Ghana. The bilateral and multilateral debt cancellations as a result of Ghana joining the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the UN's and World Bank’s lucrative jobs for His Excellency, J. A. Kufuor even before the 2008 general elections make him stand tall among his contemporaries. He made Ghana, an oil producing country as oil was struck in commercial quantities in 2010.
How could the excellent record enumerated above be a factor to the NPP's electoral defeat? I leave it for the judgement of the Ghanaian voter in 2016.
God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ... read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, corruption, economic hardship, cash and carry system, and more seriously, serial killings of women.
What then did President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP do with the power given him between 2001 and 2009? This write-up seeks to find the answer under social infrastructure, policies & programmes, and good governance.
ON SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE • Kufuor's tenure witnessed the construction of two new sports stadia at Essipong and Tamale; the rehabilitation of both Accra and Kumasi sports stadia, and another sports complex in Cape Coast.
• Under Kufuor, a new Presidential Palace was built to house the president and his family; the Accra-Tema commuter railway line was constructed, and the Keta Sea Defence wall was built to protect the people of Keta.
• A $622m loan was secured for the construction of the Bui Dam & Bui City Project; the Boankra Inland Port was started (now abandoned); major feeder and trunk roads (Accra-Kumasi-Aflao-Kasoa-Cape Coast, Aburi), several by-passes in Accra and Kumasi including the Sofoline and Asafo interchange, and George Walker Bush 14km High Way were all constructed.
• The Peduase Lodge, which had been abandoned was restored; several boreholes were drilled to end the perennial water problems in Cape Coast and Tamale; the Aboadze Thermal Plant was expanded; the Kofi Annan ICT Centre for Excellence, and state-of-the art wood village at Sokoban in Kumasi for Anloga carpenters were all built.
• Another legacy of Kufuor is the construction of the Accident and Emergency Centre with a landing base at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). This has saved several precious lives.
• Besides, 56 existing senior high schools were upgraded as Model Schools; two institutions (University of Education, Winneba, and University of Mines & Technology) were given autonomy to run as public universities, UDS had Campuses at Wa and Bolgatanga, 21 new senior high schools, 1,334 new JHS blocks, 1,331 primary schools, and 5,164 pre-schools were built.
• Also, over 5,000 affordable housing units at various parts of the country were built. A cocoa processing plant was built in Kumasi. The West African Gas Pipe Line was nearly completed. There was expansion of the road network from 39,000 km of accessible roads to 65,000 km by 2008.
• The Ghana @ 50 ‘legacy’ projects like recreational parks, renovation of public buildings, and historical monuments across all the 10 regions and their district capitals were built. The government also built 14 fishing harbours in our fishing communities.
ON POLICIES & PROGRAMMES • The Kufuor government introduced free basic education through the capitation grant (fee- free). There was school feeding programme where pupils from some selected public basic schools were given one hot meal a day.
• The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced to replace the cash and carry system and make health care affordable. There was also the introduction of free maternal care to reduce child mortality.
• The government frequently released brand new buses to GPRTU, and introduced the metro mass transit, replaced the Ghana Airways with Ghana International Airlines (all meant to improve the transportation system.
• The NPP introduced the Northern Development Fund with a US$25m seed fund to reduce the North-South poverty gap; free bus ride for school kids, brought Zoom Lion Company Limited to rid our cities of filth, created Youth Fund with a $50m seed money and instituted the National Youth Employment Programme, which rolled out seven programmes including community police, teaching assistance, health care, agric extension, etc to reduce the country’s high unemployment.
• Kufuor also introduced the mass cocoa spraying exercise, frequently increased the producer price of cocoa; subsidised fertilizer, and made prompt payment of bonuses to cocoa farmers.
• In his quest to mechanise agriculture, the Kufuor government imported 3,331 brand new tractors, but unfortunately, Mahama Ayariga, and Alban Bagbin used their positions in government to buy some at only GHC1,000.
• The annual cocoa yield increased from 350 metric tonnes in 2000 to 750 metric tonnes in 2006 with an income of US$1bn to the economy. By 2010, Ghana had hit 1m cocoa production. This feat alone moved Ghana from the 4th position to the 2nd position in terms of the world’s leading producers of the product.
• The size of the Ghana's economy quadrupled from US$3.9m in 2008 to US$16.3m in 2008, thus ending the year with GDP growth rate of 8.4%.
• Whilst inflation was reduced from 40% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006 (single digit) and later 18% in 2008, interest rate fell from 50% to 25% during the period under consideration. The daily minimum wage was increased from 42Gp (4,200 old cedis) in 2000 to GHC2.25 (22,500 old cedis) in 2009.
• A New Education Reform was put in place in 2007 with special emphasis on Maths, Science, Vocational and ICT. Kindergarten education officially became part of our basic education system.
• The admission of JHS graduates into SHS was computerised to reduce corruption and hassle of parents; there was Baah-Wiredu Laptop project aimed at giving one laptop to every school child.
• All the 38 Teacher Training Colleges were upgraded into tertiary status (Colleges of Education); Distance education programme was introduced for teachers and workers.
• The government also introduced Untrained Teacher Education Programme for Pupil Teachers to become trained teachers, Access Course to Teacher Training Colleges for SHS graduates who could not do well in Maths and English. The purpose was to upgrade the knowledge of the teacher, beef up the teacher population, and subsequently help to address the falling educational standards in the country.
• Private universities sprung from 4 to over 50, whilst existing infrastructure in the public universities and other public tertiary institutions were expanded through the GETFund.
• The SSNIT Loan Scheme was restructured for students to take more loans. Plans were far advanced to start not only Single Spine Salary Structure for public sector workers, but also a new 3-tier pension scheme for both private and public sector workers.
ON GOOD GOVERNANCE • His Excellency, President J. A. Kufuor tolerated all shades of opinion and verbal abused from ‘Dr.’ Asemfoforo, an NDC paid serial caller, and J. J. Rawlings, who at one time referred to the then sitting President as ‘Ataa Ayi’ - a notorious armed robber.
• Ghanaians witnessed the National Reconciliation; the reburial of three former heads of state namely; Okatakyie Afrifa, Gen. I.K. Acheampong and Gen. F.W.K Akufo and five senior military officers, who were executed in 1979 by J. J. Rawlings.
• In addition, over 100 assets of noble and hard working citizens seized by J.J. Rawlings were deconfiscated to their owners.
• The criminal libel and seditious laws which had provided 10 years’ maximum imprisonment for offenders was repealed. The People’s Assembly concept which made it possible for Ghanaians to interact with the President and his Ministers on yearly basis was instituted.
• There was all-inclusive governance with the likes of Mallam Issah (PNC), Dr. Paa Nduom, Prof. Badu Akosah, Prof. Hagan - all CPP leading members, working under the NPP administration. Kufuor also facilitated the appointments of Dr. Ibn Chambas as the Secretary General of ECOWAS, and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as Chief Executive Officer of CTO.
• Kufuor created 60 additional districts and raised some of them to municipal & metropolitan status to facilitate local governance. The District Assembly Common Fund was increased from 5% to 7.5%.
• There was a plethora of FM Radio stations, regular media encounters with the President, broadcasting of news in the major local dialects on the Ghana Television (GTV), which hitherto had been in English and Akan.
• The Kufuor government passed the Representation of the People Amendment act (ROPAA) into law to enfranchise Ghanaians in the diaspora, though Afari Gyan failed to make it operational.
• Kufuor should also be commended for the expansion of mobile phone network across the length and breadth of the country as he removed tariffs on mobile phone importation.
• Kufuor created a Ministry for Public Sector Reform with the view to developing a new and positive mindset for public sector workers; Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to empower women and improve their lot; and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to tap the rich expertise of our noble traditional leaders.
• Also, June 4 and the 31st December were removed from the statute books as public holidays. The 64th Infantry Regiment were disbanded to other units to ensure discipline in the Armed Forces.
• Kufuor featured regularly at all G-8 Summits. His excellent diplomatic relations with world leaders enabled Ghana not only to attract attention and investment worldwide, but also he was unanimously elected to chair both the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Under his leadership, Ghana had the opportunity to assume the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council.
• President Kufuor also won several international awards including the Chatham House Prize Award in 2008 as a result of peace and economic growth which characterised his two terms in office. No wonder he was given a rousing welcome by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England.
• Again, President Kufuor took a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts including those in Liberia, La Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
• As a true democrat, he was even criticised by his own party members and sympathisers for not hanging onto power before the Tain by-elections when the NPP’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was leading in the 2008 Presidential elections.
• Kufuor is on record as the only President who left office in the peaceful manner in which he entered it. This is indeed a lasting legacy because all his predecessors were either overthrown by the military or metamorphosed themselves into civilian presidents.
• Kufuor introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, where the aged and other vulnerable people in Ghana were paid monthly allowances of between 8 and 15 Ghana cedis.
• Under President Kufuor's leadership, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to cut in half the proportion of its people who suffer from hunger. He and LUIZ DA SILVA of Brazil jointly received the 2011 World Food Prize.
• He introduced micro finance loans to help small and medium-scale businesses, the Export Development Fund (EDIF), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which makes it possible for local producers to access the US market, as well as, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Programmes I & II were all aimed at improving the lot of Ghanaians.
• The Kufuor-led NPP administration purchased VALCO from the Americans at a cosmic sum of US$20m.
• On corruption, a minister of state under his administration was charged for wilfully causing financial loss to the state and together with other members of the previous government, was sentenced to a prison term.
• Ghana was the first country in Africa to submit herself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It would also interest readers to note that for the first time in 50 years, Ghana under the leadership of Kufuor earned a respectable B+ rating on the international financial scene in 2006 and this indeed, facilitated the country’s successful bid to access over US$ 750m from the Eurobond market.
• The passage of the Public Procurement Act, Financial Administration Act, Internal Audit Agency Act, which made the agency exceed its revenue target every year, the Office of Accountability Act, the Whistle Blowers Act, the importation of new police uniforms and over 1000 police vehicles to combat crime, the Right to Information bill, the establishment of Fast Track High Courts, the strengthening of state institutions like the SFO, CHRAJ, among others, were all geared towards the eradication of this social evil in the Ghanaian society.
• Last but not the least, Ghana under Kufuor’s reign became the largest recipient of Millennium Challenge Account funds of US$547m to combat poverty in Ghana. The bilateral and multilateral debt cancellations as a result of Ghana joining the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the UN's and World Bank’s lucrative jobs for His Excellency, J. A. Kufuor even before the 2008 general elections make him stand tall among his contemporaries. He made Ghana, an oil producing country as oil was struck in commercial quantities in 2010.
How could the excellent record enumerated above be a factor to the NPP's electoral defeat? I leave it for the judgement of the Ghanaian voter in 2016.
God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ... read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, corruption, economic hardship, cash and carry system, and more seriously, serial killings of women.
What then did President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP do with the power given him between 2001 and 2009? This write-up seeks to find the answer under social infrastructure, policies & programmes, and good governance.
ON SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE • Kufuor's tenure witnessed the construction of two new sports stadia at Essipong and Tamale; the rehabilitation of both Accra and Kumasi sports stadia, and another sports complex in Cape Coast.
• Under Kufuor, a new Presidential Palace was built to house the president and his family; the Accra-Tema commuter railway line was constructed, and the Keta Sea Defence wall was built to protect the people of Keta.
• A $622m loan was secured for the construction of the Bui Dam & Bui City Project; the Boankra Inland Port was started (now abandoned); major feeder and trunk roads (Accra-Kumasi-Aflao-Kasoa-Cape Coast, Aburi), several by-passes in Accra and Kumasi including the Sofoline and Asafo interchange, and George Walker Bush 14km High Way were all constructed.
• The Peduase Lodge, which had been abandoned was restored; several boreholes were drilled to end the perennial water problems in Cape Coast and Tamale; the Aboadze Thermal Plant was expanded; the Kofi Annan ICT Centre for Excellence, and state-of-the art wood village at Sokoban in Kumasi for Anloga carpenters were all built.
• Another legacy of Kufuor is the construction of the Accident and Emergency Centre with a landing base at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). This has saved several precious lives.
• Besides, 56 existing senior high schools were upgraded as Model Schools; two institutions (University of Education, Winneba, and University of Mines & Technology) were given autonomy to run as public universities, UDS had Campuses at Wa and Bolgatanga, 21 new senior high schools, 1,334 new JHS blocks, 1,331 primary schools, and 5,164 pre-schools were built.
• Also, over 5,000 affordable housing units at various parts of the country were built. A cocoa processing plant was built in Kumasi. The West African Gas Pipe Line was nearly completed. There was expansion of the road network from 39,000 km of accessible roads to 65,000 km by 2008.
• The Ghana @ 50 ‘legacy’ projects like recreational parks, renovation of public buildings, and historical monuments across all the 10 regions and their district capitals were built. The government also built 14 fishing harbours in our fishing communities.
ON POLICIES & PROGRAMMES • The Kufuor government introduced free basic education through the capitation grant (fee- free). There was school feeding programme where pupils from some selected public basic schools were given one hot meal a day.
• The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced to replace the cash and carry system and make health care affordable. There was also the introduction of free maternal care to reduce child mortality.
• The government frequently released brand new buses to GPRTU, and introduced the metro mass transit, replaced the Ghana Airways with Ghana International Airlines (all meant to improve the transportation system.
• The NPP introduced the Northern Development Fund with a US$25m seed fund to reduce the North-South poverty gap; free bus ride for school kids, brought Zoom Lion Company Limited to rid our cities of filth, created Youth Fund with a $50m seed money and instituted the National Youth Employment Programme, which rolled out seven programmes including community police, teaching assistance, health care, agric extension, etc to reduce the country’s high unemployment.
• Kufuor also introduced the mass cocoa spraying exercise, frequently increased the producer price of cocoa; subsidised fertilizer, and made prompt payment of bonuses to cocoa farmers.
• In his quest to mechanise agriculture, the Kufuor government imported 3,331 brand new tractors, but unfortunately, Mahama Ayariga, and Alban Bagbin used their positions in government to buy some at only GHC1,000.
• The annual cocoa yield increased from 350 metric tonnes in 2000 to 750 metric tonnes in 2006 with an income of US$1bn to the economy. By 2010, Ghana had hit 1m cocoa production. This feat alone moved Ghana from the 4th position to the 2nd position in terms of the world’s leading producers of the product.
• The size of the Ghana's economy quadrupled from US$3.9m in 2008 to US$16.3m in 2008, thus ending the year with GDP growth rate of 8.4%.
• Whilst inflation was reduced from 40% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006 (single digit) and later 18% in 2008, interest rate fell from 50% to 25% during the period under consideration. The daily minimum wage was increased from 42Gp (4,200 old cedis) in 2000 to GHC2.25 (22,500 old cedis) in 2009.
• A New Education Reform was put in place in 2007 with special emphasis on Maths, Science, Vocational and ICT. Kindergarten education officially became part of our basic education system.
• The admission of JHS graduates into SHS was computerised to reduce corruption and hassle of parents; there was Baah-Wiredu Laptop project aimed at giving one laptop to every school child.
• All the 38 Teacher Training Colleges were upgraded into tertiary status (Colleges of Education); Distance education programme was introduced for teachers and workers.
• The government also introduced Untrained Teacher Education Programme for Pupil Teachers to become trained teachers, Access Course to Teacher Training Colleges for SHS graduates who could not do well in Maths and English. The purpose was to upgrade the knowledge of the teacher, beef up the teacher population, and subsequently help to address the falling educational standards in the country.
• Private universities sprung from 4 to over 50, whilst existing infrastructure in the public universities and other public tertiary institutions were expanded through the GETFund.
• The SSNIT Loan Scheme was restructured for students to take more loans. Plans were far advanced to start not only Single Spine Salary Structure for public sector workers, but also a new 3-tier pension scheme for both private and public sector workers.
ON GOOD GOVERNANCE • His Excellency, President J. A. Kufuor tolerated all shades of opinion and verbal abused from ‘Dr.’ Asemfoforo, an NDC paid serial caller, and J. J. Rawlings, who at one time referred to the then sitting President as ‘Ataa Ayi’ - a notorious armed robber.
• Ghanaians witnessed the National Reconciliation; the reburial of three former heads of state namely; Okatakyie Afrifa, Gen. I.K. Acheampong and Gen. F.W.K Akufo and five senior military officers, who were executed in 1979 by J. J. Rawlings.
• In addition, over 100 assets of noble and hard working citizens seized by J.J. Rawlings were deconfiscated to their owners.
• The criminal libel and seditious laws which had provided 10 years’ maximum imprisonment for offenders was repealed. The People’s Assembly concept which made it possible for Ghanaians to interact with the President and his Ministers on yearly basis was instituted.
• There was all-inclusive governance with the likes of Mallam Issah (PNC), Dr. Paa Nduom, Prof. Badu Akosah, Prof. Hagan - all CPP leading members, working under the NPP administration. Kufuor also facilitated the appointments of Dr. Ibn Chambas as the Secretary General of ECOWAS, and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as Chief Executive Officer of CTO.
• Kufuor created 60 additional districts and raised some of them to municipal & metropolitan status to facilitate local governance. The District Assembly Common Fund was increased from 5% to 7.5%.
• There was a plethora of FM Radio stations, regular media encounters with the President, broadcasting of news in the major local dialects on the Ghana Television (GTV), which hitherto had been in English and Akan.
• The Kufuor government passed the Representation of the People Amendment act (ROPAA) into law to enfranchise Ghanaians in the diaspora, though Afari Gyan failed to make it operational.
• Kufuor should also be commended for the expansion of mobile phone network across the length and breadth of the country as he removed tariffs on mobile phone importation.
• Kufuor created a Ministry for Public Sector Reform with the view to developing a new and positive mindset for public sector workers; Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to empower women and improve their lot; and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to tap the rich expertise of our noble traditional leaders.
• Also, June 4 and the 31st December were removed from the statute books as public holidays. The 64th Infantry Regiment were disbanded to other units to ensure discipline in the Armed Forces.
• Kufuor featured regularly at all G-8 Summits. His excellent diplomatic relations with world leaders enabled Ghana not only to attract attention and investment worldwide, but also he was unanimously elected to chair both the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Under his leadership, Ghana had the opportunity to assume the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council.
• President Kufuor also won several international awards including the Chatham House Prize Award in 2008 as a result of peace and economic growth which characterised his two terms in office. No wonder he was given a rousing welcome by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England.
• Again, President Kufuor took a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts including those in Liberia, La Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
• As a true democrat, he was even criticised by his own party members and sympathisers for not hanging onto power before the Tain by-elections when the NPP’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was leading in the 2008 Presidential elections.
• Kufuor is on record as the only President who left office in the peaceful manner in which he entered it. This is indeed a lasting legacy because all his predecessors were either overthrown by the military or metamorphosed themselves into civilian presidents.
• Kufuor introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, where the aged and other vulnerable people in Ghana were paid monthly allowances of between 8 and 15 Ghana cedis.
• Under President Kufuor's leadership, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to cut in half the proportion of its people who suffer from hunger. He and LUIZ DA SILVA of Brazil jointly received the 2011 World Food Prize.
• He introduced micro finance loans to help small and medium-scale businesses, the Export Development Fund (EDIF), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which makes it possible for local producers to access the US market, as well as, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Programmes I & II were all aimed at improving the lot of Ghanaians.
• The Kufuor-led NPP administration purchased VALCO from the Americans at a cosmic sum of US$20m.
• On corruption, a minister of state under his administration was charged for wilfully causing financial loss to the state and together with other members of the previous government, was sentenced to a prison term.
• Ghana was the first country in Africa to submit herself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It would also interest readers to note that for the first time in 50 years, Ghana under the leadership of Kufuor earned a respectable B+ rating on the international financial scene in 2006 and this indeed, facilitated the country’s successful bid to access over US$ 750m from the Eurobond market.
• The passage of the Public Procurement Act, Financial Administration Act, Internal Audit Agency Act, which made the agency exceed its revenue target every year, the Office of Accountability Act, the Whistle Blowers Act, the importation of new police uniforms and over 1000 police vehicles to combat crime, the Right to Information bill, the establishment of Fast Track High Courts, the strengthening of state institutions like the SFO, CHRAJ, among others, were all geared towards the eradication of this social evil in the Ghanaian society.
• Last but not the least, Ghana under Kufuor’s reign became the largest recipient of Millennium Challenge Account funds of US$547m to combat poverty in Ghana. The bilateral and multilateral debt cancellations as a result of Ghana joining the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the UN's and World Bank’s lucrative jobs for His Excellency, J. A. Kufuor even before the 2008 general elections make him stand tall among his contemporaries. He made Ghana, an oil producing country as oil was struck in commercial quantities in 2010.
How could the excellent record enumerated above be a factor to the NPP's electoral defeat? I leave it for the judgement of the Ghanaian voter in 2016.
God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ... read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, corruption, economic hardship, cash and carry system, and more seriously, serial killings of women.
What then did President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP do with the power given him between 2001 and 2009? This write-up seeks to find the answer under social infrastructure, policies & programmes, and good governance.
ON SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE • Kufuor's tenure witnessed the construction of two new sports stadia at Essipong and Tamale; the rehabilitation of both Accra and Kumasi sports stadia, and another sports complex in Cape Coast.
• Under Kufuor, a new Presidential Palace was built to house the president and his family; the Accra-Tema commuter railway line was constructed, and the Keta Sea Defence wall was built to protect the people of Keta.
• A $622m loan was secured for the construction of the Bui Dam & Bui City Project; the Boankra Inland Port was started (now abandoned); major feeder and trunk roads (Accra-Kumasi-Aflao-Kasoa-Cape Coast, Aburi), several by-passes in Accra and Kumasi including the Sofoline and Asafo interchange, and George Walker Bush 14km High Way were all constructed.
• The Peduase Lodge, which had been abandoned was restored; several boreholes were drilled to end the perennial water problems in Cape Coast and Tamale; the Aboadze Thermal Plant was expanded; the Kofi Annan ICT Centre for Excellence, and state-of-the art wood village at Sokoban in Kumasi for Anloga carpenters were all built.
• Another legacy of Kufuor is the construction of the Accident and Emergency Centre with a landing base at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). This has saved several precious lives.
• Besides, 56 existing senior high schools were upgraded as Model Schools; two institutions (University of Education, Winneba, and University of Mines & Technology) were given autonomy to run as public universities, UDS had Campuses at Wa and Bolgatanga, 21 new senior high schools, 1,334 new JHS blocks, 1,331 primary schools, and 5,164 pre-schools were built.
• Also, over 5,000 affordable housing units at various parts of the country were built. A cocoa processing plant was built in Kumasi. The West African Gas Pipe Line was nearly completed. There was expansion of the road network from 39,000 km of accessible roads to 65,000 km by 2008.
• The Ghana @ 50 ‘legacy’ projects like recreational parks, renovation of public buildings, and historical monuments across all the 10 regions and their district capitals were built. The government also built 14 fishing harbours in our fishing communities.
ON POLICIES & PROGRAMMES • The Kufuor government introduced free basic education through the capitation grant (fee- free). There was school feeding programme where pupils from some selected public basic schools were given one hot meal a day.
• The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced to replace the cash and carry system and make health care affordable. There was also the introduction of free maternal care to reduce child mortality.
• The government frequently released brand new buses to GPRTU, and introduced the metro mass transit, replaced the Ghana Airways with Ghana International Airlines (all meant to improve the transportation system.
• The NPP introduced the Northern Development Fund with a US$25m seed fund to reduce the North-South poverty gap; free bus ride for school kids, brought Zoom Lion Company Limited to rid our cities of filth, created Youth Fund with a $50m seed money and instituted the National Youth Employment Programme, which rolled out seven programmes including community police, teaching assistance, health care, agric extension, etc to reduce the country’s high unemployment.
• Kufuor also introduced the mass cocoa spraying exercise, frequently increased the producer price of cocoa; subsidised fertilizer, and made prompt payment of bonuses to cocoa farmers.
• In his quest to mechanise agriculture, the Kufuor government imported 3,331 brand new tractors, but unfortunately, Mahama Ayariga, and Alban Bagbin used their positions in government to buy some at only GHC1,000.
• The annual cocoa yield increased from 350 metric tonnes in 2000 to 750 metric tonnes in 2006 with an income of US$1bn to the economy. By 2010, Ghana had hit 1m cocoa production. This feat alone moved Ghana from the 4th position to the 2nd position in terms of the world’s leading producers of the product.
• The size of the Ghana's economy quadrupled from US$3.9m in 2008 to US$16.3m in 2008, thus ending the year with GDP growth rate of 8.4%.
• Whilst inflation was reduced from 40% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006 (single digit) and later 18% in 2008, interest rate fell from 50% to 25% during the period under consideration. The daily minimum wage was increased from 42Gp (4,200 old cedis) in 2000 to GHC2.25 (22,500 old cedis) in 2009.
• A New Education Reform was put in place in 2007 with special emphasis on Maths, Science, Vocational and ICT. Kindergarten education officially became part of our basic education system.
• The admission of JHS graduates into SHS was computerised to reduce corruption and hassle of parents; there was Baah-Wiredu Laptop project aimed at giving one laptop to every school child.
• All the 38 Teacher Training Colleges were upgraded into tertiary status (Colleges of Education); Distance education programme was introduced for teachers and workers.
• The government also introduced Untrained Teacher Education Programme for Pupil Teachers to become trained teachers, Access Course to Teacher Training Colleges for SHS graduates who could not do well in Maths and English. The purpose was to upgrade the knowledge of the teacher, beef up the teacher population, and subsequently help to address the falling educational standards in the country.
• Private universities sprung from 4 to over 50, whilst existing infrastructure in the public universities and other public tertiary institutions were expanded through the GETFund.
• The SSNIT Loan Scheme was restructured for students to take more loans. Plans were far advanced to start not only Single Spine Salary Structure for public sector workers, but also a new 3-tier pension scheme for both private and public sector workers.
ON GOOD GOVERNANCE • His Excellency, President J. A. Kufuor tolerated all shades of opinion and verbal abused from ‘Dr.’ Asemfoforo, an NDC paid serial caller, and J. J. Rawlings, who at one time referred to the then sitting President as ‘Ataa Ayi’ - a notorious armed robber.
• Ghanaians witnessed the National Reconciliation; the reburial of three former heads of state namely; Okatakyie Afrifa, Gen. I.K. Acheampong and Gen. F.W.K Akufo and five senior military officers, who were executed in 1979 by J. J. Rawlings.
• In addition, over 100 assets of noble and hard working citizens seized by J.J. Rawlings were deconfiscated to their owners.
• The criminal libel and seditious laws which had provided 10 years’ maximum imprisonment for offenders was repealed. The People’s Assembly concept which made it possible for Ghanaians to interact with the President and his Ministers on yearly basis was instituted.
• There was all-inclusive governance with the likes of Mallam Issah (PNC), Dr. Paa Nduom, Prof. Badu Akosah, Prof. Hagan - all CPP leading members, working under the NPP administration. Kufuor also facilitated the appointments of Dr. Ibn Chambas as the Secretary General of ECOWAS, and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as Chief Executive Officer of CTO.
• Kufuor created 60 additional districts and raised some of them to municipal & metropolitan status to facilitate local governance. The District Assembly Common Fund was increased from 5% to 7.5%.
• There was a plethora of FM Radio stations, regular media encounters with the President, broadcasting of news in the major local dialects on the Ghana Television (GTV), which hitherto had been in English and Akan.
• The Kufuor government passed the Representation of the People Amendment act (ROPAA) into law to enfranchise Ghanaians in the diaspora, though Afari Gyan failed to make it operational.
• Kufuor should also be commended for the expansion of mobile phone network across the length and breadth of the country as he removed tariffs on mobile phone importation.
• Kufuor created a Ministry for Public Sector Reform with the view to developing a new and positive mindset for public sector workers; Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to empower women and improve their lot; and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to tap the rich expertise of our noble traditional leaders.
• Also, June 4 and the 31st December were removed from the statute books as public holidays. The 64th Infantry Regiment were disbanded to other units to ensure discipline in the Armed Forces.
• Kufuor featured regularly at all G-8 Summits. His excellent diplomatic relations with world leaders enabled Ghana not only to attract attention and investment worldwide, but also he was unanimously elected to chair both the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Under his leadership, Ghana had the opportunity to assume the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council.
• President Kufuor also won several international awards including the Chatham House Prize Award in 2008 as a result of peace and economic growth which characterised his two terms in office. No wonder he was given a rousing welcome by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England.
• Again, President Kufuor took a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts including those in Liberia, La Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
• As a true democrat, he was even criticised by his own party members and sympathisers for not hanging onto power before the Tain by-elections when the NPP’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was leading in the 2008 Presidential elections.
• Kufuor is on record as the only President who left office in the peaceful manner in which he entered it. This is indeed a lasting legacy because all his predecessors were either overthrown by the military or metamorphosed themselves into civilian presidents.
• Kufuor introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, where the aged and other vulnerable people in Ghana were paid monthly allowances of between 8 and 15 Ghana cedis.
• Under President Kufuor's leadership, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to cut in half the proportion of its people who suffer from hunger. He and LUIZ DA SILVA of Brazil jointly received the 2011 World Food Prize.
• He introduced micro finance loans to help small and medium-scale businesses, the Export Development Fund (EDIF), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which makes it possible for local producers to access the US market, as well as, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Programmes I & II were all aimed at improving the lot of Ghanaians.
• The Kufuor-led NPP administration purchased VALCO from the Americans at a cosmic sum of US$20m.
• On corruption, a minister of state under his administration was charged for wilfully causing financial loss to the state and together with other members of the previous government, was sentenced to a prison term.
• Ghana was the first country in Africa to submit herself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It would also interest readers to note that for the first time in 50 years, Ghana under the leadership of Kufuor earned a respectable B+ rating on the international financial scene in 2006 and this indeed, facilitated the country’s successful bid to access over US$ 750m from the Eurobond market.
• The passage of the Public Procurement Act, Financial Administration Act, Internal Audit Agency Act, which made the agency exceed its revenue target every year, the Office of Accountability Act, the Whistle Blowers Act, the importation of new police uniforms and over 1000 police vehicles to combat crime, the Right to Information bill, the establishment of Fast Track High Courts, the strengthening of state institutions like the SFO, CHRAJ, among others, were all geared towards the eradication of this social evil in the Ghanaian society.
• Last but not the least, Ghana under Kufuor’s reign became the largest recipient of Millennium Challenge Account funds of US$547m to combat poverty in Ghana. The bilateral and multilateral debt cancellations as a result of Ghana joining the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the UN's and World Bank’s lucrative jobs for His Excellency, J. A. Kufuor even before the 2008 general elections make him stand tall among his contemporaries. He made Ghana, an oil producing country as oil was struck in commercial quantities in 2010.
How could the excellent record enumerated above be a factor to the NPP's electoral defeat? I leave it for the judgement of the Ghanaian voter in 2016.
God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ... read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, corruption, economic hardship, cash and carry system, and more seriously, serial killings of women.
What then did President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP do with the power given him between 2001 and 2009? This write-up seeks to find the answer under social infrastructure, policies & programmes, and good governance.
ON SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE • Kufuor's tenure witnessed the construction of two new sports stadia at Essipong and Tamale; the rehabilitation of both Accra and Kumasi sports stadia, and another sports complex in Cape Coast.
• Under Kufuor, a new Presidential Palace was built to house the president and his family; the Accra-Tema commuter railway line was constructed, and the Keta Sea Defence wall was built to protect the people of Keta.
• A $622m loan was secured for the construction of the Bui Dam & Bui City Project; the Boankra Inland Port was started (now abandoned); major feeder and trunk roads (Accra-Kumasi-Aflao-Kasoa-Cape Coast, Aburi), several by-passes in Accra and Kumasi including the Sofoline and Asafo interchange, and George Walker Bush 14km High Way were all constructed.
• The Peduase Lodge, which had been abandoned was restored; several boreholes were drilled to end the perennial water problems in Cape Coast and Tamale; the Aboadze Thermal Plant was expanded; the Kofi Annan ICT Centre for Excellence, and state-of-the art wood village at Sokoban in Kumasi for Anloga carpenters were all built.
• Another legacy of Kufuor is the construction of the Accident and Emergency Centre with a landing base at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). This has saved several precious lives.
• Besides, 56 existing senior high schools were upgraded as Model Schools; two institutions (University of Education, Winneba, and University of Mines & Technology) were given autonomy to run as public universities, UDS had Campuses at Wa and Bolgatanga, 21 new senior high schools, 1,334 new JHS blocks, 1,331 primary schools, and 5,164 pre-schools were built.
• Also, over 5,000 affordable housing units at various parts of the country were built. A cocoa processing plant was built in Kumasi. The West African Gas Pipe Line was nearly completed. There was expansion of the road network from 39,000 km of accessible roads to 65,000 km by 2008.
• The Ghana @ 50 ‘legacy’ projects like recreational parks, renovation of public buildings, and historical monuments across all the 10 regions and their district capitals were built. The government also built 14 fishing harbours in our fishing communities.
ON POLICIES & PROGRAMMES • The Kufuor government introduced free basic education through the capitation grant (fee- free). There was school feeding programme where pupils from some selected public basic schools were given one hot meal a day.
• The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced to replace the cash and carry system and make health care affordable. There was also the introduction of free maternal care to reduce child mortality.
• The government frequently released brand new buses to GPRTU, and introduced the metro mass transit, replaced the Ghana Airways with Ghana International Airlines (all meant to improve the transportation system.
• The NPP introduced the Northern Development Fund with a US$25m seed fund to reduce the North-South poverty gap; free bus ride for school kids, brought Zoom Lion Company Limited to rid our cities of filth, created Youth Fund with a $50m seed money and instituted the National Youth Employment Programme, which rolled out seven programmes including community police, teaching assistance, health care, agric extension, etc to reduce the country’s high unemployment.
• Kufuor also introduced the mass cocoa spraying exercise, frequently increased the producer price of cocoa; subsidised fertilizer, and made prompt payment of bonuses to cocoa farmers.
• In his quest to mechanise agriculture, the Kufuor government imported 3,331 brand new tractors, but unfortunately, Mahama Ayariga, and Alban Bagbin used their positions in government to buy some at only GHC1,000.
• The annual cocoa yield increased from 350 metric tonnes in 2000 to 750 metric tonnes in 2006 with an income of US$1bn to the economy. By 2010, Ghana had hit 1m cocoa production. This feat alone moved Ghana from the 4th position to the 2nd position in terms of the world’s leading producers of the product.
• The size of the Ghana's economy quadrupled from US$3.9m in 2008 to US$16.3m in 2008, thus ending the year with GDP growth rate of 8.4%.
• Whilst inflation was reduced from 40% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006 (single digit) and later 18% in 2008, interest rate fell from 50% to 25% during the period under consideration. The daily minimum wage was increased from 42Gp (4,200 old cedis) in 2000 to GHC2.25 (22,500 old cedis) in 2009.
• A New Education Reform was put in place in 2007 with special emphasis on Maths, Science, Vocational and ICT. Kindergarten education officially became part of our basic education system.
• The admission of JHS graduates into SHS was computerised to reduce corruption and hassle of parents; there was Baah-Wiredu Laptop project aimed at giving one laptop to every school child.
• All the 38 Teacher Training Colleges were upgraded into tertiary status (Colleges of Education); Distance education programme was introduced for teachers and workers.
• The government also introduced Untrained Teacher Education Programme for Pupil Teachers to become trained teachers, Access Course to Teacher Training Colleges for SHS graduates who could not do well in Maths and English. The purpose was to upgrade the knowledge of the teacher, beef up the teacher population, and subsequently help to address the falling educational standards in the country.
• Private universities sprung from 4 to over 50, whilst existing infrastructure in the public universities and other public tertiary institutions were expanded through the GETFund.
• The SSNIT Loan Scheme was restructured for students to take more loans. Plans were far advanced to start not only Single Spine Salary Structure for public sector workers, but also a new 3-tier pension scheme for both private and public sector workers.
ON GOOD GOVERNANCE • His Excellency, President J. A. Kufuor tolerated all shades of opinion and verbal abused from ‘Dr.’ Asemfoforo, an NDC paid serial caller, and J. J. Rawlings, who at one time referred to the then sitting President as ‘Ataa Ayi’ - a notorious armed robber.
• Ghanaians witnessed the National Reconciliation; the reburial of three former heads of state namely; Okatakyie Afrifa, Gen. I.K. Acheampong and Gen. F.W.K Akufo and five senior military officers, who were executed in 1979 by J. J. Rawlings.
• In addition, over 100 assets of noble and hard working citizens seized by J.J. Rawlings were deconfiscated to their owners.
• The criminal libel and seditious laws which had provided 10 years’ maximum imprisonment for offenders was repealed. The People’s Assembly concept which made it possible for Ghanaians to interact with the President and his Ministers on yearly basis was instituted.
• There was all-inclusive governance with the likes of Mallam Issah (PNC), Dr. Paa Nduom, Prof. Badu Akosah, Prof. Hagan - all CPP leading members, working under the NPP administration. Kufuor also facilitated the appointments of Dr. Ibn Chambas as the Secretary General of ECOWAS, and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as Chief Executive Officer of CTO.
• Kufuor created 60 additional districts and raised some of them to municipal & metropolitan status to facilitate local governance. The District Assembly Common Fund was increased from 5% to 7.5%.
• There was a plethora of FM Radio stations, regular media encounters with the President, broadcasting of news in the major local dialects on the Ghana Television (GTV), which hitherto had been in English and Akan.
• The Kufuor government passed the Representation of the People Amendment act (ROPAA) into law to enfranchise Ghanaians in the diaspora, though Afari Gyan failed to make it operational.
• Kufuor should also be commended for the expansion of mobile phone network across the length and breadth of the country as he removed tariffs on mobile phone importation.
• Kufuor created a Ministry for Public Sector Reform with the view to developing a new and positive mindset for public sector workers; Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to empower women and improve their lot; and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to tap the rich expertise of our noble traditional leaders.
• Also, June 4 and the 31st December were removed from the statute books as public holidays. The 64th Infantry Regiment were disbanded to other units to ensure discipline in the Armed Forces.
• Kufuor featured regularly at all G-8 Summits. His excellent diplomatic relations with world leaders enabled Ghana not only to attract attention and investment worldwide, but also he was unanimously elected to chair both the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Under his leadership, Ghana had the opportunity to assume the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council.
• President Kufuor also won several international awards including the Chatham House Prize Award in 2008 as a result of peace and economic growth which characterised his two terms in office. No wonder he was given a rousing welcome by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England.
• Again, President Kufuor took a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts including those in Liberia, La Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
• As a true democrat, he was even criticised by his own party members and sympathisers for not hanging onto power before the Tain by-elections when the NPP’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was leading in the 2008 Presidential elections.
• Kufuor is on record as the only President who left office in the peaceful manner in which he entered it. This is indeed a lasting legacy because all his predecessors were either overthrown by the military or metamorphosed themselves into civilian presidents.
• Kufuor introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, where the aged and other vulnerable people in Ghana were paid monthly allowances of between 8 and 15 Ghana cedis.
• Under President Kufuor's leadership, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to cut in half the proportion of its people who suffer from hunger. He and LUIZ DA SILVA of Brazil jointly received the 2011 World Food Prize.
• He introduced micro finance loans to help small and medium-scale businesses, the Export Development Fund (EDIF), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which makes it possible for local producers to access the US market, as well as, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Programmes I & II were all aimed at improving the lot of Ghanaians.
• The Kufuor-led NPP administration purchased VALCO from the Americans at a cosmic sum of US$20m.
• On corruption, a minister of state under his administration was charged for wilfully causing financial loss to the state and together with other members of the previous government, was sentenced to a prison term.
• Ghana was the first country in Africa to submit herself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It would also interest readers to note that for the first time in 50 years, Ghana under the leadership of Kufuor earned a respectable B+ rating on the international financial scene in 2006 and this indeed, facilitated the country’s successful bid to access over US$ 750m from the Eurobond market.
• The passage of the Public Procurement Act, Financial Administration Act, Internal Audit Agency Act, which made the agency exceed its revenue target every year, the Office of Accountability Act, the Whistle Blowers Act, the importation of new police uniforms and over 1000 police vehicles to combat crime, the Right to Information bill, the establishment of Fast Track High Courts, the strengthening of state institutions like the SFO, CHRAJ, among others, were all geared towards the eradication of this social evil in the Ghanaian society.
• Last but not the least, Ghana under Kufuor’s reign became the largest recipient of Millennium Challenge Account funds of US$547m to combat poverty in Ghana. The bilateral and multilateral debt cancellations as a result of Ghana joining the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the UN's and World Bank’s lucrative jobs for His Excellency, J. A. Kufuor even before the 2008 general elections make him stand tall among his contemporaries. He made Ghana, an oil producing country as oil was struck in commercial quantities in 2010.
How could the excellent record enumerated above be a factor to the NPP's electoral defeat? I leave it for the judgement of the Ghanaian voter in 2016.
God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ... read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, corruption, economic hardship, cash and carry system, and more seriously, serial killings of women.
What then did President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP do with the power given him between 2001 and 2009? This write-up seeks to find the answer under social infrastructure, policies & programmes, and good governance.
ON SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE • Kufuor's tenure witnessed the construction of two new sports stadia at Essipong and Tamale; the rehabilitation of both Accra and Kumasi sports stadia, and another sports complex in Cape Coast.
• Under Kufuor, a new Presidential Palace was built to house the president and his family; the Accra-Tema commuter railway line was constructed, and the Keta Sea Defence wall was built to protect the people of Keta.
• A $622m loan was secured for the construction of the Bui Dam & Bui City Project; the Boankra Inland Port was started (now abandoned); major feeder and trunk roads (Accra-Kumasi-Aflao-Kasoa-Cape Coast, Aburi), several by-passes in Accra and Kumasi including the Sofoline and Asafo interchange, and George Walker Bush 14km High Way were all constructed.
• The Peduase Lodge, which had been abandoned was restored; several boreholes were drilled to end the perennial water problems in Cape Coast and Tamale; the Aboadze Thermal Plant was expanded; the Kofi Annan ICT Centre for Excellence, and state-of-the art wood village at Sokoban in Kumasi for Anloga carpenters were all built.
• Another legacy of Kufuor is the construction of the Accident and Emergency Centre with a landing base at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). This has saved several precious lives.
• Besides, 56 existing senior high schools were upgraded as Model Schools; two institutions (University of Education, Winneba, and University of Mines & Technology) were given autonomy to run as public universities, UDS had Campuses at Wa and Bolgatanga, 21 new senior high schools, 1,334 new JHS blocks, 1,331 primary schools, and 5,164 pre-schools were built.
• Also, over 5,000 affordable housing units at various parts of the country were built. A cocoa processing plant was built in Kumasi. The West African Gas Pipe Line was nearly completed. There was expansion of the road network from 39,000 km of accessible roads to 65,000 km by 2008.
• The Ghana @ 50 ‘legacy’ projects like recreational parks, renovation of public buildings, and historical monuments across all the 10 regions and their district capitals were built. The government also built 14 fishing harbours in our fishing communities.
ON POLICIES & PROGRAMMES • The Kufuor government introduced free basic education through the capitation grant (fee- free). There was school feeding programme where pupils from some selected public basic schools were given one hot meal a day.
• The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced to replace the cash and carry system and make health care affordable. There was also the introduction of free maternal care to reduce child mortality.
• The government frequently released brand new buses to GPRTU, and introduced the metro mass transit, replaced the Ghana Airways with Ghana International Airlines (all meant to improve the transportation system.
• The NPP introduced the Northern Development Fund with a US$25m seed fund to reduce the North-South poverty gap; free bus ride for school kids, brought Zoom Lion Company Limited to rid our cities of filth, created Youth Fund with a $50m seed money and instituted the National Youth Employment Programme, which rolled out seven programmes including community police, teaching assistance, health care, agric extension, etc to reduce the country’s high unemployment.
• Kufuor also introduced the mass cocoa spraying exercise, frequently increased the producer price of cocoa; subsidised fertilizer, and made prompt payment of bonuses to cocoa farmers.
• In his quest to mechanise agriculture, the Kufuor government imported 3,331 brand new tractors, but unfortunately, Mahama Ayariga, and Alban Bagbin used their positions in government to buy some at only GHC1,000.
• The annual cocoa yield increased from 350 metric tonnes in 2000 to 750 metric tonnes in 2006 with an income of US$1bn to the economy. By 2010, Ghana had hit 1m cocoa production. This feat alone moved Ghana from the 4th position to the 2nd position in terms of the world’s leading producers of the product.
• The size of the Ghana's economy quadrupled from US$3.9m in 2008 to US$16.3m in 2008, thus ending the year with GDP growth rate of 8.4%.
• Whilst inflation was reduced from 40% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006 (single digit) and later 18% in 2008, interest rate fell from 50% to 25% during the period under consideration. The daily minimum wage was increased from 42Gp (4,200 old cedis) in 2000 to GHC2.25 (22,500 old cedis) in 2009.
• A New Education Reform was put in place in 2007 with special emphasis on Maths, Science, Vocational and ICT. Kindergarten education officially became part of our basic education system.
• The admission of JHS graduates into SHS was computerised to reduce corruption and hassle of parents; there was Baah-Wiredu Laptop project aimed at giving one laptop to every school child.
• All the 38 Teacher Training Colleges were upgraded into tertiary status (Colleges of Education); Distance education programme was introduced for teachers and workers.
• The government also introduced Untrained Teacher Education Programme for Pupil Teachers to become trained teachers, Access Course to Teacher Training Colleges for SHS graduates who could not do well in Maths and English. The purpose was to upgrade the knowledge of the teacher, beef up the teacher population, and subsequently help to address the falling educational standards in the country.
• Private universities sprung from 4 to over 50, whilst existing infrastructure in the public universities and other public tertiary institutions were expanded through the GETFund.
• The SSNIT Loan Scheme was restructured for students to take more loans. Plans were far advanced to start not only Single Spine Salary Structure for public sector workers, but also a new 3-tier pension scheme for both private and public sector workers.
ON GOOD GOVERNANCE • His Excellency, President J. A. Kufuor tolerated all shades of opinion and verbal abused from ‘Dr.’ Asemfoforo, an NDC paid serial caller, and J. J. Rawlings, who at one time referred to the then sitting President as ‘Ataa Ayi’ - a notorious armed robber.
• Ghanaians witnessed the National Reconciliation; the reburial of three former heads of state namely; Okatakyie Afrifa, Gen. I.K. Acheampong and Gen. F.W.K Akufo and five senior military officers, who were executed in 1979 by J. J. Rawlings.
• In addition, over 100 assets of noble and hard working citizens seized by J.J. Rawlings were deconfiscated to their owners.
• The criminal libel and seditious laws which had provided 10 years’ maximum imprisonment for offenders was repealed. The People’s Assembly concept which made it possible for Ghanaians to interact with the President and his Ministers on yearly basis was instituted.
• There was all-inclusive governance with the likes of Mallam Issah (PNC), Dr. Paa Nduom, Prof. Badu Akosah, Prof. Hagan - all CPP leading members, working under the NPP administration. Kufuor also facilitated the appointments of Dr. Ibn Chambas as the Secretary General of ECOWAS, and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as Chief Executive Officer of CTO.
• Kufuor created 60 additional districts and raised some of them to municipal & metropolitan status to facilitate local governance. The District Assembly Common Fund was increased from 5% to 7.5%.
• There was a plethora of FM Radio stations, regular media encounters with the President, broadcasting of news in the major local dialects on the Ghana Television (GTV), which hitherto had been in English and Akan.
• The Kufuor government passed the Representation of the People Amendment act (ROPAA) into law to enfranchise Ghanaians in the diaspora, though Afari Gyan failed to make it operational.
• Kufuor should also be commended for the expansion of mobile phone network across the length and breadth of the country as he removed tariffs on mobile phone importation.
• Kufuor created a Ministry for Public Sector Reform with the view to developing a new and positive mindset for public sector workers; Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to empower women and improve their lot; and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to tap the rich expertise of our noble traditional leaders.
• Also, June 4 and the 31st December were removed from the statute books as public holidays. The 64th Infantry Regiment were disbanded to other units to ensure discipline in the Armed Forces.
• Kufuor featured regularly at all G-8 Summits. His excellent diplomatic relations with world leaders enabled Ghana not only to attract attention and investment worldwide, but also he was unanimously elected to chair both the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Under his leadership, Ghana had the opportunity to assume the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council.
• President Kufuor also won several international awards including the Chatham House Prize Award in 2008 as a result of peace and economic growth which characterised his two terms in office. No wonder he was given a rousing welcome by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England.
• Again, President Kufuor took a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts including those in Liberia, La Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
• As a true democrat, he was even criticised by his own party members and sympathisers for not hanging onto power before the Tain by-elections when the NPP’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was leading in the 2008 Presidential elections.
• Kufuor is on record as the only President who left office in the peaceful manner in which he entered it. This is indeed a lasting legacy because all his predecessors were either overthrown by the military or metamorphosed themselves into civilian presidents.
• Kufuor introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, where the aged and other vulnerable people in Ghana were paid monthly allowances of between 8 and 15 Ghana cedis.
• Under President Kufuor's leadership, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to cut in half the proportion of its people who suffer from hunger. He and LUIZ DA SILVA of Brazil jointly received the 2011 World Food Prize.
• He introduced micro finance loans to help small and medium-scale businesses, the Export Development Fund (EDIF), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which makes it possible for local producers to access the US market, as well as, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Programmes I & II were all aimed at improving the lot of Ghanaians.
• The Kufuor-led NPP administration purchased VALCO from the Americans at a cosmic sum of US$20m.
• On corruption, a minister of state under his administration was charged for wilfully causing financial loss to the state and together with other members of the previous government, was sentenced to a prison term.
• Ghana was the first country in Africa to submit herself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It would also interest readers to note that for the first time in 50 years, Ghana under the leadership of Kufuor earned a respectable B+ rating on the international financial scene in 2006 and this indeed, facilitated the country’s successful bid to access over US$ 750m from the Eurobond market.
• The passage of the Public Procurement Act, Financial Administration Act, Internal Audit Agency Act, which made the agency exceed its revenue target every year, the Office of Accountability Act, the Whistle Blowers Act, the importation of new police uniforms and over 1000 police vehicles to combat crime, the Right to Information bill, the establishment of Fast Track High Courts, the strengthening of state institutions like the SFO, CHRAJ, among others, were all geared towards the eradication of this social evil in the Ghanaian society.
• Last but not the least, Ghana under Kufuor’s reign became the largest recipient of Millennium Challenge Account funds of US$547m to combat poverty in Ghana. The bilateral and multilateral debt cancellations as a result of Ghana joining the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the UN's and World Bank’s lucrative jobs for His Excellency, J. A. Kufuor even before the 2008 general elections make him stand tall among his contemporaries. He made Ghana, an oil producing country as oil was struck in commercial quantities in 2010.
How could the excellent record enumerated above be a factor to the NPP's electoral defeat? I leave it for the judgement of the Ghanaian voter in 2016.
God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!
Don't be too literal, Awuku as a lawyer knows about the law, he is not some ignorant footsoldier like Beans who thinks the president can sack the Chief Justice, Awuku was just taking a dig at the hapless IMAC.
Don't be too literal, Awuku as a lawyer knows about the law, he is not some ignorant footsoldier like Beans who thinks the president can sack the Chief Justice, Awuku was just taking a dig at the hapless IMAC.
kusasi 10 years ago
Sammy awuku you should stop insulting the president.who is in the npp better than the president?
Sammy awuku you should stop insulting the president.who is in the npp better than the president?
AWUKU THE FOOLISH MAN'S SON 10 years ago
He just wants to fill in the vacuum created by the booting out of Sir John hence this foolish talk.
He just wants to fill in the vacuum created by the booting out of Sir John hence this foolish talk.
boat Boateng 10 years ago
mahama is disgrace to mother ghana incompetent n failure is not his fault we should bream afari gyan n atuguba
mahama is disgrace to mother ghana incompetent n failure is not his fault we should bream afari gyan n atuguba
kusasi 10 years ago
mahama won the election .not nana the fake lawyer who wanted to be president through back door
mahama won the election .not nana the fake lawyer who wanted to be president through back door
kodjo 10 years ago
why this inmature guy complain all the time, corruption is old as adam during their corrupt regime we left our mother land.they promised honey but we gotnone
why this inmature guy complain all the time, corruption is old as adam during their corrupt regime we left our mother land.they promised honey but we gotnone
Adiza usa 10 years ago
Another foolish twat,useless and coward Sammy Awuku,just go and sit somewhere you guys wanted to be a president at all cours,gbee cocaine dealers
Another foolish twat,useless and coward Sammy Awuku,just go and sit somewhere you guys wanted to be a president at all cours,gbee cocaine dealers
Aminatta Idriss 10 years ago
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Please may I ask with cordial respect.
WHY IS THAT THIS FELLOW AWUKU HAD A VERY LARGER NOSE...
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Please may I ask with cordial respect.
WHY IS THAT THIS FELLOW AWUKU HAD A VERY LARGER NOSE...
Kerriman 10 years ago
Mahama should bow down his head in shame and resign peacefully.He should be ashamed to call himself a president.Any president who cannot provide good drinking water and electricity to his people and yet goes around the globe ... read full comment
Mahama should bow down his head in shame and resign peacefully.He should be ashamed to call himself a president.Any president who cannot provide good drinking water and electricity to his people and yet goes around the globe looking for investors is really incompetent.Mahama is wasting the precious time of the Ghanaian.He should be accountable to Ghanaians.
Nenebi Kuma 10 years ago
The advantage of freedom of speech has opened the way for any goat or dog to get on the media and talk without thinking. I think this young man Awuku should be the best to know that such thing as he is suggestion is not part ... read full comment
The advantage of freedom of speech has opened the way for any goat or dog to get on the media and talk without thinking. I think this young man Awuku should be the best to know that such thing as he is suggestion is not part of the Constitution of Ghana even if they do that in NPP.
Kk3 10 years ago
Get a life.
Get a life.
HE`S NOT AFRAID 10 years ago
INCOMPETENT MAHAMA MUST RESHUFFLE HIMSELF-SAMMY AWUKU
INCOMPETENT MAHAMA MUST RESHUFFLE HIMSELF-SAMMY AWUKU
Voice of Reason 10 years ago
IT BEGS THE QUESTION WHAT WAS THE POINT IN BRIBING AND RIGGING THE ELECTIOS IF HE COULD NOT DELIVER......IT IS NOW OBVIOUS TO ALL AND SUNDRY THAT MAHAMA CRAVED THE PRESIDENCY JUST FOR THE SAKE OF IT.....HE IS SIMPLY BEREFT O ... read full comment
IT BEGS THE QUESTION WHAT WAS THE POINT IN BRIBING AND RIGGING THE ELECTIOS IF HE COULD NOT DELIVER......IT IS NOW OBVIOUS TO ALL AND SUNDRY THAT MAHAMA CRAVED THE PRESIDENCY JUST FOR THE SAKE OF IT.....HE IS SIMPLY BEREFT OF IDEAS AND IS NOW COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED
Voice of Reason 10 years ago
MAHAMA SHOULD JUST APOLOGISE TO GHANAIANS AND STEP DOWN.......IT'S BEEN A DISASTROUS TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND STEPPING DOWN NOW WILL SAVE GHANAIANS FROM THE PAIN AND MISERY THEY ARE GOING THROUGH NOW
MAHAMA SHOULD JUST APOLOGISE TO GHANAIANS AND STEP DOWN.......IT'S BEEN A DISASTROUS TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND STEPPING DOWN NOW WILL SAVE GHANAIANS FROM THE PAIN AND MISERY THEY ARE GOING THROUGH NOW
baby luv 10 years ago
Sammy A,
WHAT IS YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COUNTRY SO FAR.
ANYTIME YOU OPEN YOU MOUTH ITS ALL INSULTS TO THE FATHER OF THE LAND. IS THAT A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER STOP CURSING THE LAND. A TRUE A ... read full comment
Sammy A,
WHAT IS YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COUNTRY SO FAR.
ANYTIME YOU OPEN YOU MOUTH ITS ALL INSULTS TO THE FATHER OF THE LAND. IS THAT A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER STOP CURSING THE LAND. A TRUE AFRICAN OR GHANAIAN KNOWS THE WEIGHT AND VALUE OF WORDS.
THE SAD THING WITH YOUR TYPE IS YOU DID YOUR EDUCATION THE WRONG WAY BECOS ALL YOU SEE IS THE SO CALLED DEVELOPED WORLD DOES SO HENCE ITS RIGHT.NO NO AND NO
LEARN TO BE A GOOD LEADER FOR THE YOUTH
GOD'S PUNISHMENT 10 years ago
IF AFARI GYAN REALLY RIGGED THE ELECTION FOR MAHAMA TO MESS UP THE ECONOMY LIKE,THEN GOD'S PUNISHMENT IS AWAITING HIM BEFORE AND AFTER HIS DEATH. YOUR ACTION AND INACTION IS CHANGING PEOPLE AND THE COUNTRY'S DESTINY FOR THE W ... read full comment
IF AFARI GYAN REALLY RIGGED THE ELECTION FOR MAHAMA TO MESS UP THE ECONOMY LIKE,THEN GOD'S PUNISHMENT IS AWAITING HIM BEFORE AND AFTER HIS DEATH. YOUR ACTION AND INACTION IS CHANGING PEOPLE AND THE COUNTRY'S DESTINY FOR THE WORST. GOD WILL CERTAINLY ASK YOU THIS QUESTION IF THERE IS JUDGEMENT AFTER DEATH.
KA 10 years ago
Can't wait to see milk and honey flow in ghana when NPP come to power 2016. Its only in Africa and for that matter Ghana that opposition parties do not offer any constructive criticism. Everything the rulling government does ... read full comment
Can't wait to see milk and honey flow in ghana when NPP come to power 2016. Its only in Africa and for that matter Ghana that opposition parties do not offer any constructive criticism. Everything the rulling government does is bad and useless in their eyes paving the way for them to also assume power come the next elections and continue raping the nation. Oooh Ghana!!. 8years in opposition is not easy indeed , pockets are dry. NDC & NPP ghana's identical
ASHKENAZI 10 years ago
THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE IN GHANA CONTRIBUTING THEIR QUOTA TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TELL US WHAT WORK YOU HAVE EVER DONE
THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE IN GHANA CONTRIBUTING THEIR QUOTA TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TELL US WHAT WORK YOU HAVE EVER DONE
NANA AKUFFO ADDO 10 years ago
Sammy awurku bayere you are soo stupid.it is your father who was incompetent in bringing you up in the manner to respect your elders you this useless boy. Pray to God that you only atain the age of the President before you di ... read full comment
Sammy awurku bayere you are soo stupid.it is your father who was incompetent in bringing you up in the manner to respect your elders you this useless boy. Pray to God that you only atain the age of the President before you die a miserable death. I don't, blame you because you are in a party of cocaine pushers,disrespectful,thiefs,idiots,arrogant and bustards. It was kuffour who was incompetent and messed up that has brought this hardship to Ghanaians. Bloody FOOL IDIOT.
NANA AKUFFO ADDO 10 years ago
Sammy awurku bayere you are soo stupid.it is your father who was incompetent in bringing you up in the manner to respect your elders you this useless boy. Pray to God that you only atain the age of the President before you di ... read full comment
Sammy awurku bayere you are soo stupid.it is your father who was incompetent in bringing you up in the manner to respect your elders you this useless boy. Pray to God that you only atain the age of the President before you die a miserable death. I don't, blame you because you are in a party of cocaine pushers,disrespectful,thiefs,idiots,arrogant and bustards. It was kuffour who was incompetent and messed up that has brought this hardship to Ghanaians. Bloody FOOL IDIOT.
NANA AKUFFO ADDO 10 years ago
Sammy awurku bayere you are soo stupid.it is your father who was incompetent in bringing you up in the manner to respect your elders you this useless boy. Pray to God that you only atain the age of the President before you di ... read full comment
Sammy awurku bayere you are soo stupid.it is your father who was incompetent in bringing you up in the manner to respect your elders you this useless boy. Pray to God that you only atain the age of the President before you die a miserable death. I don't, blame you because you are in a party of cocaine pushers,disrespectful,thiefs,idiots,arrogant and bustards. It was kuffour who was incompetent and messed up that has brought this hardship to Ghanaians. Bloody FOOL IDIOT.
Obike 10 years ago
I blame the NPP for electing such idiots as party leaders. Such nonsense from Awuku (Mr. Womafunu) and others caused us to 'reshuffle' the NPP to the bush and hey, make no mistake, we shall 'reshuffle' them again come 2016. A ... read full comment
I blame the NPP for electing such idiots as party leaders. Such nonsense from Awuku (Mr. Womafunu) and others caused us to 'reshuffle' the NPP to the bush and hey, make no mistake, we shall 'reshuffle' them again come 2016. Aboa like that!
KOFI 10 years ago
THIS OBESSE EFULEFU CAN SPEAK SHIT . CAN HE PERFORM AT ALL. I PITY THE WIFE
THIS OBESSE EFULEFU CAN SPEAK SHIT . CAN HE PERFORM AT ALL. I PITY THE WIFE
ATONGO ALFA 10 years ago
BEFORE,DURING AND AFTER INDEPENDENCE MOTHER GHANA HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS FROM THIS BUSIA-DANQUAH TRADITION. THIS TRADITION NEVER ALLOWED THE COUNTRY TO ADVANCE IN DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR EVIL MACHINATIONS AGAINST KWAME NK ... read full comment
BEFORE,DURING AND AFTER INDEPENDENCE MOTHER GHANA HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS FROM THIS BUSIA-DANQUAH TRADITION. THIS TRADITION NEVER ALLOWED THE COUNTRY TO ADVANCE IN DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR EVIL MACHINATIONS AGAINST KWAME NKRUMAH AND THE CPP GOVERNMENT. THEY GAVE A LOT OF HELL TO OUR FIRST PRESIDENT DR KWAME NKRUMAH AND ENDED UP INCITING THE LIKES OF GENERAL KOTOKA AND GENERAL AFRIFA AND THEIR COLLEAQUES IN THE GHANA ARMED FORCES TO BOOT OUT KWAME NKRUAM AND HIS CPP GOVERNMENT THROUGH A BLOODY COUP DE'TAT ON 24TH FEBRUARY IN 1966. THE CHILDREN AND OFF SPRINGS OF BUSIA AND HIS TEAM OF EVIL FORCES INCLUDING JAKE OBETSEBI LAMPTEY,EDWARD AKUFFO ADDO, JB DANQUAH,IC QUAYE SNR AND OTHERS LEADING THE NPP TODAY, ARE DOING THE SAME EVIL THINGS THEIR LATE FATHERS AND UNCLES INFLICTED ON MOTHER GHANA SINCE 24TH FEBRUARY 1966. THEY ARE ALWAYS IN ARMS AGAINST ANY GROUP OF GHANAIANS RULING THE COUNTRY INSTEAD OF THEM. GENERAL ACHEAMPONG,JJ RAWLINGS, DR LIMANN,PROF ATAH MILLS AND LATELY PRESIDENT MAHAMA HAVE HAD THEIR SHARE OF THE EVIL DOINGS OF THESE EVIL PEOPLE. A TUPICAL CHARACTER OF THESE EVIL PEOPLE IS THIS ARROGANT,EMPTY PRIDE AND FULL OF HIMSELF SAMMY AWUKU, EXHIBITING STUPIDITY AT THE LEAST OPPORTUNITY HE GETS ON TV OR THE MEDIA. SOMETIMES SOME GHANAIANS WONDER IF HE IS A SUPER HUMAN BEING OR WHAT. HE KNOWS EVERYTHING ON THIS EARTH. IN THE ERA OF THIEF KU4, HE AND OTHERS MADE AVAILABLE TO GHANAIANS HONEY AND MILK ALL THE TIME. IN THEIR TIME, EVERYTHING WAS VERY ROSY IN THE COUNTRY! SHAMELESS PEOPLE.
koku 10 years ago
You claim to be a deacon with Assemblies of God Church. where is it in the bible that you can insult the King of the Land, your father or the elderly in the name of politics. Sammy mark my words you will never rise in your po ... read full comment
You claim to be a deacon with Assemblies of God Church. where is it in the bible that you can insult the King of the Land, your father or the elderly in the name of politics. Sammy mark my words you will never rise in your political career. You have cursed yourself
BLACKMAN 10 years ago
FOOLISH THIEVES
FOOLISH THIEVES
niendow 10 years ago
I think Sammy wants to gain popularity which i think the comtept by the supreme court was OK for him
I think Sammy wants to gain popularity which i think the comtept by the supreme court was OK for him
ahamed 10 years ago
Sammy this politics of yours won't grow
Sammy this politics of yours won't grow
BE WISE 10 years ago
This silly boy will never change. Wonma fun. U will not change right? And u claim u're a christian. U came out to thank God & yr church members for praying for u to win yr bid. So u think all these prayers were said for u to ... read full comment
This silly boy will never change. Wonma fun. U will not change right? And u claim u're a christian. U came out to thank God & yr church members for praying for u to win yr bid. So u think all these prayers were said for u to come & insult authority. I hope yr pastor & church members will call u to order. U incorrigible foolish boy.Go and reshuffle yr father for not bringing u up well.
JMP 10 years ago
This arrogance will not lead you Sammy Awuku anywhere. You are full of yourself. When you speak think before because there are many out there who are by far more educated, more enlightened and informed, better placed to do be ... read full comment
This arrogance will not lead you Sammy Awuku anywhere. You are full of yourself. When you speak think before because there are many out there who are by far more educated, more enlightened and informed, better placed to do better analyses etc. Show humility in your analyses
Ugly Akufo Addo 10 years ago
The mother is now with Awuko's step father , that means Awuko is a bastard
The mother is now with Awuko's step father , that means Awuko is a bastard
Ugly Akufo Addo 10 years ago
That means he is a bastard
That means he is a bastard
EDWARD 10 years ago
KWASIA BI BA JOHN MAHAMA
KWASIA BI BA JOHN MAHAMA
JC 10 years ago
He did not win the elections, so anything he touches will fall apart or fail.
He did not win the elections, so anything he touches will fall apart or fail.
Ntim Gyakari 10 years ago
JOKER PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD WILL DO OUR BIDDING FOR US!!!!
JOKER PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD WILL DO OUR BIDDING FOR US!!!!
kere 10 years ago
Beware 2016 is not about how you insult the President.
Beware 2016 is not about how you insult the President.
KWAME ADDO 10 years ago
Even the World Bank President on 30 May 2014 announced cutting workforce. David Cameron tried all austerity measures but still not working. Francois Hollande is still struggle with French economy, while Obama is doing trial a ... read full comment
Even the World Bank President on 30 May 2014 announced cutting workforce. David Cameron tried all austerity measures but still not working. Francois Hollande is still struggle with French economy, while Obama is doing trial and error. There is no miracle or Adam Smith who has answer to any economies woes. Here in Holland, everyone is crying but we don't go around blaming the government. It's not NDC who caused the global recession. Countries Turkey, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina are few countries we try to compare Ghana to and I tell you, none is doing better but they don't have big mouths like NPP and it cohorts. You couldn't have done anything to salvage the situation. Most judgement debts you think is the bone of contention were created by you. Stop hawking from radio stations to blackmail John Mahama. What does Sammy Awuku knows about government? You are just a hollow minded putting at an office. Please, give us a break!
SAKARA 10 years ago
Nop, INSULT CAN'T WIN YOU POWER OK? YOU DID THE LOOSE TALK LIKE WUMA-FUNU, ALL DIE BE DIE, KILL GANS AND EWES YOU ARE DOING IT AGAIN. DO IT AND GO TO COURT AGAIN OK?
Nop, INSULT CAN'T WIN YOU POWER OK? YOU DID THE LOOSE TALK LIKE WUMA-FUNU, ALL DIE BE DIE, KILL GANS AND EWES YOU ARE DOING IT AGAIN. DO IT AND GO TO COURT AGAIN OK?
Bongo 10 years ago
Sammy Mahama is far better than your father that is why he is the president
Sammy Mahama is far better than your father that is why he is the president
Tony, Eritrea 10 years ago
Please Awuku be mindful the way you talk
Please Awuku be mindful the way you talk
Yaw Akomadan 10 years ago
Incompetent Mahama must reshuffle himself
Do we need all these Ministers and Deputy Ministers....The real change in Ghana is yet to come....All die be die
Incompetent Mahama must reshuffle himself
Do we need all these Ministers and Deputy Ministers....The real change in Ghana is yet to come....All die be die
TEE 10 years ago
WHEN WILL MAHAMA STOP CAMPAIGNING AND DO SOMETHING RO OUR ECONOMY
WHEN WILL MAHAMA STOP CAMPAIGNING AND DO SOMETHING RO OUR ECONOMY
TEE 10 years ago
REFERENDUM NOW PERIOD
REFERENDUM NOW PERIOD
KING LOMOTEY 10 years ago
Too much unnecessary criticism of the president; and that's the way to express our democratic dispensation ? We need strong opposition that thinks, not one that engages in insults and lies
Too much unnecessary criticism of the president; and that's the way to express our democratic dispensation ? We need strong opposition that thinks, not one that engages in insults and lies
Whatever 10 years ago
Nothing good or contructive coming from NPP
Nothing good or contructive coming from NPP
SKWABBY 10 years ago
WHAT HE AWUKU GOING ABOUT LIKE ONE OF THE COMMENTATORS SAID WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NDC AND NPP IF HE SO MUCH INTERESTED IN MOTHER GHANA HE SHOULD MAKE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE GOVERNMENT IN HELPING THAT IS WHAT I ... read full comment
WHAT HE AWUKU GOING ABOUT LIKE ONE OF THE COMMENTATORS SAID WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NDC AND NPP IF HE SO MUCH INTERESTED IN MOTHER GHANA HE SHOULD MAKE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE GOVERNMENT IN HELPING THAT IS WHAT IS CALLED PATRIOTISM AND NOT BE HAPPY THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ECONOMY IS NOT DOING WELL OLD TIME POLITICS THAT SEEM TO BE WHAT THEY ARE STILL INVOLVED IN
MAHAMA AND HIS BUNCH OF CROOKISH INCOMPETENT CORRUPT MONSTERS CAN NEVER DO IT! NO! NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!!! NDC LACK THE BRAINS. JUST LOOK AROUND; CAN'T YOU SEE? JUST OPEN YOUR EARS; CAN'T YOU HEAR? IS THIS THE GHANA K4 HAND ...
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NPP is known in our history as saboteurs, nation wreckers &looters. Kuffour's government said it all. We all saw how sold state properties to yourselves to the extent that a conscienceless chief justice was part of the loot.B ...
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GHANA HAS BEEN RAPED BY NDC IDIOTS. WE DO NOT NEED ANY NATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM, WE NEED A NATIONAL COURT OF JURISDICTION TO PUT MAHAMA AND HIS CABINET ON TRIAL. GHANA'S HOPELESS ECONOMIC SITUATION, TODAY, IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTA ...
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JDM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
Plainly, this Awuku boy is a complete concert party. And when it comes to stupidity, he tops.
Though he has the right to free speech, courtesy of Jerry John Rawlings, he should be more serious with his words than just bein ...
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You look like a lunatic working naked on the street eating rotten food scattered on the street.
If you cannot see the level of incompetent administration of John Dramani Mahama, and if someone who is
intelligent, highest ...
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narrow minded northern and ewe tribalism have caused them to select appointees not based on competence and merit rather on who is my closer friend or who will not betray me . this group of liars and worthless criminals are ju ...
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YES Paapa!!!
praise the lord that you actually admitted that massa had ripped you off. next time send moi the cash and moi will deliver TWO laptops right to your doorstep with moi as a bonus.
PS : your Pops was a wise man ...
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YES Paapa!!!
praise the lord that you actually admitted that massa had ripped you off. next time send moi the cash and moi will deliver TWO laptops right to your doorstep with moi as a bonus.
PS : your Pops was a wise man ...
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My GrandPa on my Mom's side is from Patri3nsa in Asante Akyem where Aprapransa originated, as such, it is an obligation of mine to promote it UNIVERSALLY, w'ae.
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
YES Paapa!!!
praise the lord that you actually admitted that massa had ripped you off. next time send moi the cash and moi will deliver TWO laptops right to your doorstep with moi as a bonus.
PS : your Pops was a wise man ...
read full comment
J THE MOST USELESS PAA-O-PAA NDC JDM GOVT
DM MUST GO NOOOWWWW
AND LEAVE GHANAIANS ALONE
THERE SHOULD BE A THOROUGH AUDIT TO ACCOUNT FOR SOLD OR MISSING STATE PROPERTIES IN P/NDC AND NPP ERA FOR ALL GHANAIANS TO KNOW. SHAME ON TO THE STEELERS OF GHANA INCLUDING JJ.
I beg talk true small. Let's agree k4 was this and that, things were much better than now.there were so many positives in that era.
If only we Ghanaians had built on that. The whole populace is confused because the agenda i ...
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...still &loot..(should be STEAL &LOOT)blay in to school.
let samo Jewellery design n customise yr yellow n white gold rings for yr wedding and engagement......call or whatsapp us on 0244717600 to send you latest designs to choose from.....or Facebook/samojewellery......u are assure ...
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Ghanaians are stupid either way, with pompous akkufu addo and the confused John mahamma ghana is not going anywhere. But believe me the economy will improve with the epa agreement, and ghanaians will own nothing
Can't wait to see milk and honey flow in ghana when NPP come to power 2016. Its only in Africa and for that matter Ghana that opposition parties do not offer any constructive criticism. Everything the rulling government does ...
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IF YOU HAVE IDIOTS LIKE THIS IN POLITICS,WHY WOULDN'T GHANA BE IN SUCH A BAD STATE.STUPID AWUKU.ASS HOLE
This buffoon did not learn anything from his encounter at the Supreme Court.
Does not lie in your mouth/tongue. A do by the electorate.
Awuko where is ur father n where is ur step father ?
Politicians must learn how to talk.
What legacy are they leaving behind?
The problems in Ghana is from every Ghanaian.
Awuku if president Mahama is incompetent, publish your achievements in life apart from talking rubbish. ...
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Respect is out of the vocabulary of Ghanaian so called Politicians.Tweaa when will we ever grow. And they want our votes. In opposition you are behaving like an ANIMAL. what about if you gain power?
You yourself cannot do anything for ghana. Mr. KOFI. Stay in the US or UK and pay your student loans we don't need people like you in ghana.
The mother gave birth to Awuko outside marriage that's the character of an Ashanti women
Mahama
Your black face
Awuku,pray hard you live to see 2016.
BLAY I MUST BE HONEST WITH YOU TIME HAS COME TO DEAL WITH AWUKU VIOLENTLY AND YOU WAIT.
Here comes the Womafu guy again. I wonder what kind of parents begat this brat who has no respect even for the President of the nation? Does this nincompoop think insulting President Mahama will bring his party, the N P P to ...
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Does your president respect himself?
this is clear indication that samy awuku brain is located in his anus and he truly thinks from his anus
YOU ARE ALL ARMED ROBBERS.
Sir John junior... this boy talks "by heart"
talking is cheap for bastards like you
This guy has no cv
what is wrong with this fool?
oh well you can't fix stupid
what is wrong with NPP?
don't they have ny better things to do?
than stupid criticism ?
Gosh I tired of reading immaturity statements
You don't win election thi ...
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AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ...
read full comment
Kufour killed Ya-Na too is another achievements , this bastard did not mentioned all this good achievements , i want remaind him
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ...
read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ...
read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ...
read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ...
read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ...
read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ...
read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ...
read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ...
read full comment
AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ...
read full comment
Don't be too literal, Awuku as a lawyer knows about the law, he is not some ignorant footsoldier like Beans who thinks the president can sack the Chief Justice, Awuku was just taking a dig at the hapless IMAC.
Sammy awuku you should stop insulting the president.who is in the npp better than the president?
He just wants to fill in the vacuum created by the booting out of Sir John hence this foolish talk.
mahama is disgrace to mother ghana incompetent n failure is not his fault we should bream afari gyan n atuguba
mahama won the election .not nana the fake lawyer who wanted to be president through back door
why this inmature guy complain all the time, corruption is old as adam during their corrupt regime we left our mother land.they promised honey but we gotnone
Another foolish twat,useless and coward Sammy Awuku,just go and sit somewhere you guys wanted to be a president at all cours,gbee cocaine dealers
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Please may I ask with cordial respect.
WHY IS THAT THIS FELLOW AWUKU HAD A VERY LARGER NOSE...
Mahama should bow down his head in shame and resign peacefully.He should be ashamed to call himself a president.Any president who cannot provide good drinking water and electricity to his people and yet goes around the globe ...
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The advantage of freedom of speech has opened the way for any goat or dog to get on the media and talk without thinking. I think this young man Awuku should be the best to know that such thing as he is suggestion is not part ...
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Get a life.
INCOMPETENT MAHAMA MUST RESHUFFLE HIMSELF-SAMMY AWUKU
IT BEGS THE QUESTION WHAT WAS THE POINT IN BRIBING AND RIGGING THE ELECTIOS IF HE COULD NOT DELIVER......IT IS NOW OBVIOUS TO ALL AND SUNDRY THAT MAHAMA CRAVED THE PRESIDENCY JUST FOR THE SAKE OF IT.....HE IS SIMPLY BEREFT O ...
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MAHAMA SHOULD JUST APOLOGISE TO GHANAIANS AND STEP DOWN.......IT'S BEEN A DISASTROUS TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND STEPPING DOWN NOW WILL SAVE GHANAIANS FROM THE PAIN AND MISERY THEY ARE GOING THROUGH NOW
Sammy A,
WHAT IS YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COUNTRY SO FAR.
ANYTIME YOU OPEN YOU MOUTH ITS ALL INSULTS TO THE FATHER OF THE LAND. IS THAT A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER STOP CURSING THE LAND. A TRUE A ...
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IF AFARI GYAN REALLY RIGGED THE ELECTION FOR MAHAMA TO MESS UP THE ECONOMY LIKE,THEN GOD'S PUNISHMENT IS AWAITING HIM BEFORE AND AFTER HIS DEATH. YOUR ACTION AND INACTION IS CHANGING PEOPLE AND THE COUNTRY'S DESTINY FOR THE W ...
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Can't wait to see milk and honey flow in ghana when NPP come to power 2016. Its only in Africa and for that matter Ghana that opposition parties do not offer any constructive criticism. Everything the rulling government does ...
read full comment
THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE IN GHANA CONTRIBUTING THEIR QUOTA TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TELL US WHAT WORK YOU HAVE EVER DONE
Sammy awurku bayere you are soo stupid.it is your father who was incompetent in bringing you up in the manner to respect your elders you this useless boy. Pray to God that you only atain the age of the President before you di ...
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Sammy awurku bayere you are soo stupid.it is your father who was incompetent in bringing you up in the manner to respect your elders you this useless boy. Pray to God that you only atain the age of the President before you di ...
read full comment
Sammy awurku bayere you are soo stupid.it is your father who was incompetent in bringing you up in the manner to respect your elders you this useless boy. Pray to God that you only atain the age of the President before you di ...
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I blame the NPP for electing such idiots as party leaders. Such nonsense from Awuku (Mr. Womafunu) and others caused us to 'reshuffle' the NPP to the bush and hey, make no mistake, we shall 'reshuffle' them again come 2016. A ...
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THIS OBESSE EFULEFU CAN SPEAK SHIT . CAN HE PERFORM AT ALL. I PITY THE WIFE
BEFORE,DURING AND AFTER INDEPENDENCE MOTHER GHANA HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS FROM THIS BUSIA-DANQUAH TRADITION. THIS TRADITION NEVER ALLOWED THE COUNTRY TO ADVANCE IN DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR EVIL MACHINATIONS AGAINST KWAME NK ...
read full comment
You claim to be a deacon with Assemblies of God Church. where is it in the bible that you can insult the King of the Land, your father or the elderly in the name of politics. Sammy mark my words you will never rise in your po ...
read full comment
FOOLISH THIEVES
I think Sammy wants to gain popularity which i think the comtept by the supreme court was OK for him
Sammy this politics of yours won't grow
This silly boy will never change. Wonma fun. U will not change right? And u claim u're a christian. U came out to thank God & yr church members for praying for u to win yr bid. So u think all these prayers were said for u to ...
read full comment
This arrogance will not lead you Sammy Awuku anywhere. You are full of yourself. When you speak think before because there are many out there who are by far more educated, more enlightened and informed, better placed to do be ...
read full comment
The mother is now with Awuko's step father , that means Awuko is a bastard
That means he is a bastard
KWASIA BI BA JOHN MAHAMA
He did not win the elections, so anything he touches will fall apart or fail.
JOKER PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD WILL DO OUR BIDDING FOR US!!!!
Beware 2016 is not about how you insult the President.
Even the World Bank President on 30 May 2014 announced cutting workforce. David Cameron tried all austerity measures but still not working. Francois Hollande is still struggle with French economy, while Obama is doing trial a ...
read full comment
Nop, INSULT CAN'T WIN YOU POWER OK? YOU DID THE LOOSE TALK LIKE WUMA-FUNU, ALL DIE BE DIE, KILL GANS AND EWES YOU ARE DOING IT AGAIN. DO IT AND GO TO COURT AGAIN OK?
Sammy Mahama is far better than your father that is why he is the president
Please Awuku be mindful the way you talk
Incompetent Mahama must reshuffle himself
Do we need all these Ministers and Deputy Ministers....The real change in Ghana is yet to come....All die be die
WHEN WILL MAHAMA STOP CAMPAIGNING AND DO SOMETHING RO OUR ECONOMY
REFERENDUM NOW PERIOD
Too much unnecessary criticism of the president; and that's the way to express our democratic dispensation ? We need strong opposition that thinks, not one that engages in insults and lies
Nothing good or contructive coming from NPP
WHAT HE AWUKU GOING ABOUT LIKE ONE OF THE COMMENTATORS SAID WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NDC AND NPP IF HE SO MUCH INTERESTED IN MOTHER GHANA HE SHOULD MAKE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE GOVERNMENT IN HELPING THAT IS WHAT I ...
read full comment