Could Dr Bawumia Do Better at the Supreme Court?

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Akadu Mensema 12 years ago

Blame the NDC lawyers for asking opinion-based and open-ended questions! You didn't expect Bawumia to give no/yes answers? You are always baised aganist the NPP so declare your stand! It doesn't hurt to have a clear defined p ...
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Blame the NDC lawyers for asking opinion-based and open-ended questions! You didn't expect Bawumia to give no/yes answers? You are always baised aganist the NPP so declare your stand! It doesn't hurt to have a clear defined positionality of perspectives!
Esi 12 years ago

This article is fair and balance. Stop being myopic and anti-NDC. Is Akufo Addo giving you some per diem?

This article is fair and balance. Stop being myopic and anti-NDC. Is Akufo Addo giving you some per diem?
PK 12 years ago

Akadu is actually right on the nature of questions being asked by the respondents' counsels. On occasions, they asked straightforward questions that forced Bawumia to say Yes or No, or even admit to an error on their part. In ...
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Akadu is actually right on the nature of questions being asked by the respondents' counsels. On occasions, they asked straightforward questions that forced Bawumia to say Yes or No, or even admit to an error on their part. In most cases, however, the questions were either open-ended or asked for Bawumia's opinion, and the latter saw an opportunity to reinforce his case or even try to correct a misconception an earlier answer might have created.

It's also true that as objective as Kofi tries to be there is an inherent bias in his articles. This is because he is ideologically aligned to the NDC and would prefer to see the NDC rather than the NPP in government. In fact, Kofi has admitted to this in the past, although it surprises me that anyone as knowledgeable as he is could think there are real ideological differences between the NDC and NPP. It's all in the rhetoric. Nothing in its policy practices suggest the NDC is even left-leaning. In fact, the NPP deserves the bragging rights for introducing most of the social interventions in Ghana today. Kofi is obviously stuck in a past completely removed from contemporary reality!
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

PK, I am not sure being sympathetic to NDC is the same as being ideologically inclined to the party. What would you describe the ideology of a voter who votes both NDC and NPP? either in 2008 and 2012 respectively or 2012 but ...
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PK, I am not sure being sympathetic to NDC is the same as being ideologically inclined to the party. What would you describe the ideology of a voter who votes both NDC and NPP? either in 2008 and 2012 respectively or 2012 but blouse and skirt? I agree with you that in reality there are no true left-wing or right-wing political parties in (most) Africa as we know in the developed democracies.

It is interesting how others read into my political ideology from my past and or present. My past with the PNDC that implemented a radical structural adjustment policy that was more right-wing than left-wing, some of my former colleagues think my views are right-wing. Personally, I see myself as having "what works" ideology. If the problem requires right-wing approach as the best solution, so be it and vice versa. I do not hold onto any particular ideology religiously.

My articles are devoid of partisan politics but that is difficult to achieve since the issues for debate are party political.

I avoided interpreting Dr Bawumia's behaviour in the witness box as I did not want to be judgemental but will do so after all witnesses have given their evidence both in-chief and under cross examination.
Nokware_Asa 12 years ago

Ideology,in the true sense of the word is dead,caput. If ideology were still alive, why would a right-wing party,the Conservatives, reach an accomodation with the a centre-left party,the liberal democrats in the UK?
As to th ...
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Ideology,in the true sense of the word is dead,caput. If ideology were still alive, why would a right-wing party,the Conservatives, reach an accomodation with the a centre-left party,the liberal democrats in the UK?
As to the matter at hand, even Kofi Ata himself,appears to be somewhat confused about what it is that he seeks to achieve with the numerous articles he posts on Ghanaweb;which is the TRUTH.
But for our own inability to confront the truth squarely, why would we entertain this obvious ploy to claim a 'prize' or part of it regardless of how underserving or unreasonable are claims are? Examnie each of the various categories of 'infractions', and the nature of soil (a'quicksand') it is erected on,and you ask yourself if we are a serious nation at all?
I mean how can we commend a witness on the stand, who has vowed to stick to absurd positions,come rain or high water? The irony is that this petitioner who has sworn to give evidence on what abears on the face of now famous 'pink sheet,is too eager to put his 'own' interpretation of what uncompleted or blank spaces mean; or what his party polling agents were signalling when they appended their signatures to sheets certitying the accuracy of of vote tallies! And guess what,did even a prompting from the bench alert this witness to his folly? I rest my case.
Nokware_Asa 12 years ago

Listen,inspite of the fleet of luxury cars the petitioners parade in front of the corthouse everyday,they are operating on an 'empty tank',trust me!
The main bankrollers have have been buyrned big time,are not willing to par ...
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Listen,inspite of the fleet of luxury cars the petitioners parade in front of the corthouse everyday,they are operating on an 'empty tank',trust me!
The main bankrollers have have been buyrned big time,are not willing to part with any more money to fund this useless 'con' game. Have you not heard about the rumbblings coming from Nana`s own "chochomucho" Ken Ofori Atta of Data Bank. You are aware that even the Federal Reserve Bank does not have endless amounts of cash!
Gosh M-Low 12 years ago

PLEASE MAKE YOUR ARTICLES BRIEF.. SOME OF US HAVE THINGS TO DO...

I COULDNT READ IT, SORRY

PLEASE MAKE YOUR ARTICLES BRIEF.. SOME OF US HAVE THINGS TO DO...

I COULDNT READ IT, SORRY
Nana Akyea Mensah, The Odikro. 12 years ago

OFFICE OF THE ODIKRO
a companion of the black star!

Hi Gosh M-Low,

There was no need for you to find the time to complain about the length of this brilliant article! The case before the Supreme Court is a very serious ...
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OFFICE OF THE ODIKRO
a companion of the black star!

Hi Gosh M-Low,

There was no need for you to find the time to complain about the length of this brilliant article! The case before the Supreme Court is a very serious and important one, worthy of the time we spend on. The article is fairly exhaustive. I think that Kofi must be congratulated for both style and content.

We may not agree with him in everything he has written, but it is far more learned and "professional" than some of the silly write-ups and commentaries being churned out by the semi-literate commentators on both sides in this litigation!

Forward Ever! Backwards Never!

Yours sincerely,
Pur'gu Saarpe!
(Secretary to the Odikro)
Reggie 12 years ago

Go home, old man before you die I Belgium.

Go home, old man before you die I Belgium.
Akadu Mensema 12 years ago

Things like cleaning ...!

Things like cleaning ...!

Aaron 12 years ago

The questions were closed-ended and counsels often told him, they required yes or no answers. Did you actually listened to the proceedings? Why do you think, Justice Atuguba cried theatrics? Be academically honest as somebody ...
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The questions were closed-ended and counsels often told him, they required yes or no answers. Did you actually listened to the proceedings? Why do you think, Justice Atuguba cried theatrics? Be academically honest as somebody in academia
Ike - London 12 years ago

Some of the questions need explanation when they are being answered. Remember that the Judges do not understand everything that is going on and people are deliberately giving wrong explanations to straight forward observation ...
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Some of the questions need explanation when they are being answered. Remember that the Judges do not understand everything that is going on and people are deliberately giving wrong explanations to straight forward observations.
OBIBA-JUDAS 12 years ago

KOFI ATTAH OR WHO EVER THEY CALL YOU>NO THAT YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO GO SCHOOL IN GHANA> SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND LEAVE THE JUDGES DO THEIR JOB>.IDIOT>

KOFI ATTAH OR WHO EVER THEY CALL YOU>NO THAT YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO GO SCHOOL IN GHANA> SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND LEAVE THE JUDGES DO THEIR JOB>.IDIOT>
Eric London 12 years ago

Please make your point and stop insulting people. Somebody has expressed his opinion and in return you have to express yours but insulting him. Eh Ghana, we have long way to go. You don't need to insult but rather try to acco ...
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Please make your point and stop insulting people. Somebody has expressed his opinion and in return you have to express yours but insulting him. Eh Ghana, we have long way to go. You don't need to insult but rather try to accommodate different opinions. We are here to share and learn but not to fight.
Crentsil 12 years ago

KOFI ATA,I SWEAR, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU AS MY TEACHER. YOU'RE GOOD. IF WE HAVE 5 OF YOU AS JUDGES IN THIS COUNTRY,OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THIS COUNTRY WILL GO PLACES. PLEASE COME HOME & HELP OUR SYSTEM.

KOFI ATA,I SWEAR, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU AS MY TEACHER. YOU'RE GOOD. IF WE HAVE 5 OF YOU AS JUDGES IN THIS COUNTRY,OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THIS COUNTRY WILL GO PLACES. PLEASE COME HOME & HELP OUR SYSTEM.
FORTUNE TELLER 12 years ago

Author:
FORTUNE TELLER

Date:
2013-04-28 01:31:20

Comment to:
Re: WHY WILL EC NEED THEM NOW?

I made this comment on ghanawed on 29th Dec. 2012

MY BROTHER, THE NPP PLANNED ALL THESE IRREGULARITIES WITH T ...
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Author:
FORTUNE TELLER

Date:
2013-04-28 01:31:20

Comment to:
Re: WHY WILL EC NEED THEM NOW?

I made this comment on ghanawed on 29th Dec. 2012

MY BROTHER, THE NPP PLANNED ALL THESE IRREGULARITIES WITH THEIR AGENTS IN THE EC. MIND YOU THEY COULD EASILY GET AT LEAST 50% OF EC OFFICIALS TO DO THEIR DIRTY WORK(deliberately fill in the pinksheets wrongly) FOR THEM AND LATER TURN ROUND TO BLAME THE EC IF THEY LOST THE ELECTIONS as has happened. IF THEY HAD WON, THIS MATTER WAS NOT TO COME UP. PLEASE DONT JOKE WITH THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR CUNNINGNESS. IF EVEN WITH ALL THESE IRREGULARITIES AKUFO ADDO HAD GOT HIS 50% + 1 VOTE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOUTING ON ROOF TOPS TO THEIR SUPPORTERS TO GO AND CELEBRATE BECAUSE THIS IS THE FAIREST, THE CLEANEST, THE MOST TRANSPARENT AND ALL THE GOODIES ABOUT THE ELECTIONS. THE EC WOULD HAVE BEEN CLAIMED BY THEM TO BE THE MOST COMPETENT. NOW THAT THEIR PLANS FAILED, THEY ARE TELLING US THEIR PLAN B STORY. THIS NPP GROUP COME FROM A CERTAIN ETHIC GROUP IN THE ASHANTI REGION THAT TOLD ONE GROUP TO GO AND BURRY THEIR GUNS SO THAT THEY WILL FIRE WELL WHEN THERE WAS WAR. THIS POOR UNSUSPECTING GROUP BURRIED THEIR GUNS AS ADVISED. BUT WHEN THERE WAS WAR AND THEY DUG THEIR GUNS UP THEY REALISED ALL THE WOODEN BUTS HAD BEEN EATEN BY TERMITES RENDERING THE GUNS USELESS HENCE THEIR DEFEAT DURING THAT PARTICULAR WAR. THESE ARE THE KIND OF PEOPLE GHANAIANS ARE DEALING WITH. THEY HAVE HOWEVER FORGOTTEN THAT TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO DIG OUT THE HISTORY AND DISSEMINATE. SHAME ONTO THEM. 29TH DEC 2012 SAT
KB 12 years ago

Another brilliant article from Kofi Atta. Why cant Ghanaweb published articles like from people like him all the time instead of depending on the likes of Rockson Adofo, Okoampa Ahonfe and Bokor.

Another brilliant article from Kofi Atta. Why cant Ghanaweb published articles like from people like him all the time instead of depending on the likes of Rockson Adofo, Okoampa Ahonfe and Bokor.
Prince Peter. 12 years ago

Well said!

Well said!
Joni 12 years ago

1. There is no need to apologize for mistakes you made in a previous article when you did render the apology for that article in the forum and claim said apology was accepted. No need to remind people of it. It is finished an ...
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1. There is no need to apologize for mistakes you made in a previous article when you did render the apology for that article in the forum and claim said apology was accepted. No need to remind people of it. It is finished and gone. As it is, there are quite a few mistakes in the present write up too. Are you going to continue apologizing for them ad infinitum? The thing to do is to read through your piece several times (at least 3x) to correct all mistakes before sending it on. Alternatively, ask a friend to quickly read through for you. It is very easy for outsiders to see mistakes that we are blind to ourselves.

2. You are mistaken in assuming that people expect high standards of professionalism from contributors on ghanaweb. That is simply untrue. PEOPLE DO NOT EXPECT ANY PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FROM GWEB WRITERS, LET ALONE HIGH ONES. Indeed, well written articles of a professional standard are regularly SHUNNED by MOST readers of ghanaweb. ghanaweb readers expect short, very easy to read articles with simplistic (often faulty) arguments that appeal to the lowest common denominators. To assume otherwise is to think too highly of yourself!

3. And, yes, this article is too long. The same information could have been conveyed using fewer words... As another contributor put it: some of us have things to do. I add - we have other articles to read too.
ghanaba 12 years ago

Now that is some contributing article,,,well informed and convincing,,,,well done,,, i hope people will follow your example and comment constructively...well done

Now that is some contributing article,,,well informed and convincing,,,,well done,,, i hope people will follow your example and comment constructively...well done

Luc 12 years ago

The evasiveness of the witness is by all judicial standard,inimical to his case.The credibility of his case rests to a large extent on his demeanor and so far his outright disrespect for the norms of court room etiquette had ...
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The evasiveness of the witness is by all judicial standard,inimical to his case.The credibility of his case rests to a large extent on his demeanor and so far his outright disrespect for the norms of court room etiquette had also been unhelpful.But I will not put the blame solely on him.The judges have contributed a lot to this attitude because they should have taken control by insisting on the proper standards of court room etiquette.It seems to me that there is some timidity from the bench which is worrying and both parties especially Bawumia had seized upon that to behave any how.In court you answer the question put to you and not how you want to answer it and this is the gist of the problem.

So far the respondents are working hard to undermine the case of the petitioners.The pink sheets which form the basis of their case is been subjected to intense scrutiny and is beginning to unravel.The data for Bawumia's analysis will therefore not add up when it comes to his analysis and this is crucial to their case.The objective of the respondent's lawyers is not to go for a killer blow,but to undermine the basis of their claim,this I think they are doing fine so far.By the time of the so called analysis,their whole basis of the petitioners claim would have been damaged.Lets see what happens next week.
Dr Yaw Ohemeng 12 years ago

I never heard anywhere that the Petitioners have reduced the pink sheets number by 3,000. That rather has been the claim of the respondents that they only received 8,621 pink sheets. The Petitioners are saying that they also ...
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I never heard anywhere that the Petitioners have reduced the pink sheets number by 3,000. That rather has been the claim of the respondents that they only received 8,621 pink sheets. The Petitioners are saying that they also attached the CD-ROMs because they realised in the limited that was available to them, there could be packaging errors.

I am amazed that you will describe objective evidence as circumstantial. On what basis did the EC declare the results? So both the EC and the petitioners are relying on the same evidence - the pink sheets. The Petitioners are claiming that, at best, the EC was negligent in not scrutinising the data before relying on them. The EC has admitted errors as the NDC also has.

If you read the NDC affidavit, they accept that there are errors with 8,132 pink sheets. They are rather blaming 'patent clerical' errors for these. But you know, Kofi Atta, that in any human endeavour, there is a tolerance threshold for errors not to affect quality. If you organise elections where errors affected over 40% of the data, is something not wrong?

Look at the distribution and where they occurred. Statiscally, if they were genuine errors, they should be random and should affect the candidates in proportion to their votes tally. But where John Mahama benefitted in the ratio of 2:1, they cannot be random.

Further, electoral laws require that where these errors occur and they are of a scale as to impact the results, they shall be taken into account. The act does not have to be deliberate. It is only the impact that counts.

One last point, it does not matter what figure Dr Bawumia brings forth, if the court finds that there were errors (which respondents are admitting), it will order for the impact to be ascertained. Hence I do not share your claim that somehow, if Bawumia did not demonstrate impact, he has no case. More seriously is the fact that those alleging duplications have not themselves indicated its impact on Bawumia's claims.
Neutral 12 years ago

..To-The-Point response to the article. You just said what I intended to.

..To-The-Point response to the article. You just said what I intended to.
YAW MANU 12 years ago

Kofi Atta should kindly read Dr. Yaw Ohemengs answers to his (Kofi Atta's) observations. Judging by the record of the Judges thus far, I am sure the case will be decided strictly on points on of law and hard facts and hardly ...
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Kofi Atta should kindly read Dr. Yaw Ohemengs answers to his (Kofi Atta's) observations. Judging by the record of the Judges thus far, I am sure the case will be decided strictly on points on of law and hard facts and hardly on subjective issues like 'demeanour'. It is easy to play on words and pretend you are making a point. Come again, Kofi Atta! But remember to be factual and raise points of law rather than relying mostly on subjective interpretation.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Yaw, I am sure I stated that cases are won on facts but in some cases where the facts are not obvious, the judge/s may place value judgement on certain behaviours of witnesses such as evasive answers and demeanor, etc. This i ...
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Yaw, I am sure I stated that cases are won on facts but in some cases where the facts are not obvious, the judge/s may place value judgement on certain behaviours of witnesses such as evasive answers and demeanor, etc. This is not only applicable to Dr Bawumia but all witnesses. That is my view and my experience.

Regarding the reduction of the pink sheets by over 3,000, I am referring to the figure Dr Yaw Ohemeng stated in his comment. That is, the total presented to the respondents by the petitioners and are before the court. As far as my understanding of what the Justices said or ruled in response to a request for an audit of pinks sheets, the court will be working with the total received by respondents.

My views are not definitive and again, I am not one of the nine Justices so they have no impact on the case. They are meant for debate as part of the national discourse and I welcome views from readers.
Nokware_Asa 12 years ago

Particular conclusion,and gather the evidence to help you come to that end point,then I am afraid you have accomplished very little and effect done nothing to advance the course of humankind! I can see people being caught up ...
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Particular conclusion,and gather the evidence to help you come to that end point,then I am afraid you have accomplished very little and effect done nothing to advance the course of humankind! I can see people being caught up and bowled over by Bawumiah`s tables and charts,and people like Yaw Ohemeng placing too much reliance on what the so-called analysis and observations flwing from it. Can we really treat a general election,involving diferent groups of voters ,in different locations,the way we can manipulate mere numbers,they way our 'statistical guru' has chosen to bamboozle us? And why are we talking about the notion of 'randomness' when the sample size has been carefully chosen by our one and only econometrician par excellence,Mahmoud Bawumiah? And why did he have to drop some pink sheets from his original pack again?
Where,except in Bawumiah`s Alice in Wonderland,can you come across a situation where party agents willingness to sign or refusal to endorse election results essentially yield the same outcome viz,the nullification of votes. Are we serious as a nation to be countenancing such obvious nonsense and absurdity?
God With Us 12 years ago

Well stated, Dr.

Well stated, Dr.
Joe 12 years ago

I wonder if Dr Yaw is aware that the NPP deliberately neglected errors from their strongholds? Manipulating evidence will not help the NPP in the case before the Supreme Court.

In deed there has not been a single over voti ...
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I wonder if Dr Yaw is aware that the NPP deliberately neglected errors from their strongholds? Manipulating evidence will not help the NPP in the case before the Supreme Court.

In deed there has not been a single over voting in any of the 26002 polling stations, yet NPP claims there were.

Dr Yaw please do proper research on this case. Contact other political parties for their data and it will shock you and you will wonder why NPP is in court.
Dr Yaw Ohemeng 12 years ago

Joe, it is not my business to contact other parties. It is their case to defend. If this is their contention, they should also carry out their own analysis to shoot down what the NPP has presented.

You see Joe I do not thi ...
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Joe, it is not my business to contact other parties. It is their case to defend. If this is their contention, they should also carry out their own analysis to shoot down what the NPP has presented.

You see Joe I do not think the Respondents are doing a good job of defending objective evidence with subjective considerations. I have been saying on this forum that they should have engaged data analysts to: show the impact of any duplications they have found in the NPP analysis; show that any errors that might have occurred do not affect the results as declared; and to show how the errors might have occurred.

Mr Quarshie-Idun tried to do this, as a Lawyer, and came unstuck on the sum of 627 and 75, which he claimed was equal to 752.

The EC, for instance, has custody of the biometric machines. What stopped them from filing a sample in court to back this claim of errors? At least this would have corrected the impression that some voted without biometric verification. Does it not seem odd to you that the EC actually fought in court that they do not want to release original data on the elections?
Luc 12 years ago

Yaw,you must understand that the object of this exercise is to seek the truth.If is the truth that you want established then you must have an open mind.
Statistical analysis by their nature are subjective because the quality ...
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Yaw,you must understand that the object of this exercise is to seek the truth.If is the truth that you want established then you must have an open mind.
Statistical analysis by their nature are subjective because the quality of the data inputs reflects the output and hence the conclusion.Statistical analysis are tools used to demonstrate proof,when, at their best,they can actually only demonstrate varying degrees of probability. So in effect the data output is what you want it to be and therefore the conclusion. The infantile hype by Bawumia about analysis when his data input is under attack and crumbling and therefore can't add up is laughable.The format and formula and the procedure of his data analysis will come under heavy scrutiny and on the basis of what we know, lets see whether it will add up.

Dr Yaw Ohemeng 12 years ago

Luc, what you are arguing here has no basis. You are ready to describe someone's analysis as infantile and you have not presented any? I would have thought that picking through an infantile analysis should be an easy exercise ...
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Luc, what you are arguing here has no basis. You are ready to describe someone's analysis as infantile and you have not presented any? I would have thought that picking through an infantile analysis should be an easy exercise. The respondents themselves have not disputed the widespread discrepancies so in what way have they demolished Bawumia.
I have read the NDC's joint affidavit. It is raising challenges about 453 pink sheets that formed part of Dr Bawumia's analysis, so when are they going to shoot the rest down? If you are close to them, please advise them to hurry up with their demonstration of the infantile analysis for time is passing by. At the moment, the only game in town is Bawumia's analysis and I find it comprehensive, whichever way you attack it. The only thing that will shoot it down is the input but the NDC have only raised questions about 453 and admitting 8,132 contain 'clerical' errors.
Ghanaba Babs In the Diaspora 12 years ago

The EC already has a data that was collected during election day by all parties involved in the election. No agent on the field raised objections as to the authenticity of the source of the data prior to the declaration.

I ...
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The EC already has a data that was collected during election day by all parties involved in the election. No agent on the field raised objections as to the authenticity of the source of the data prior to the declaration.

It is Bawumiah and his cohorts that are questioning the authenticity of the EC data when they realised they were loosing the elections. The onus task lies on them to provide the evidence that the EC data was wrong.

So far that task has not been performed by Nana and Co. Their proposed superior data is littered with anomalies . The author of their data does not even understand how the data was collected. He was made to read what was expected of his agent at the data collection points.

Whose figures will you accept as authentic if you were to be presiding over this case. For academic sake , should you opt for Bawumia's figures how will you convince us here that there were significant errors that may warrant the annulment of the election. At what level of significance will you reject the EC data. Is there any precednce that might serve as a guide.

This is where the case might not favour Bawumia and Co. So far their data appears to be tainted with double counting and foreign pink sheets.
Joe 12 years ago

Dr your line of response is mischievous. If what you advocate becomes the norm, this country would never be able to declare a winner without the losers holding every one hostage with a series of challenges. Common sense must ...
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Dr your line of response is mischievous. If what you advocate becomes the norm, this country would never be able to declare a winner without the losers holding every one hostage with a series of challenges. Common sense must prevail. Who told Bawumia that his categorization and analysis is acceptable? Why did the petitioners not come out with a complete picture of the results of the whole country? This is the only way they could have convinced every body about the genuiness of their claims. Instead they went fishing, when they catch tilapia, they keep it, when it is a herring, they throw it back into the waters. This skewed method of data gathering is not accepatable in any statistical analysis where you make an allegation and proceed to gather evidence from "enemy strongholds" to support your hypothesis. Protest forms from 11,000 NPP polling agents ought to be the starting point, but woefully, not a single one was tended in. But for the cost of a recount, should the SC order a verification of all 26,000 polling stations, all these irregularities and statutory violations would be found in the rest of the constituencies where the petitioners chose to conveniently ignore. So Dr, remember that figures don't lie, but liars can figure.

Your Comment:
Nokware_Asa 12 years ago

Information or positions before the SC qualifies as "objective evidence",and which one does not fit your description?
Akadu Mensema coined a beautiful phrase in one of her postings today - "counterfactual and nonsensical" - ...
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Information or positions before the SC qualifies as "objective evidence",and which one does not fit your description?
Akadu Mensema coined a beautiful phrase in one of her postings today - "counterfactual and nonsensical" - which if we were to applied to Bawumiah`s long and winded 'evidence' you yield beneficial results. We should all remember we are not discussing "hanging chards" in this petition,but real votes cast in full view of all and sundry,including commonwealth observers from abroad,local observers from civic- society organizations like CODEO,the press,etc. My point then is this: Stripped of all the confusing algorithms,ratios, correlations and fuzzy arithmetic, and poor paper wok by permanent or temporary EC officials,what were the results obtained,and why are the petitioners, who are the main sponsors agitators and groups like LMVC,not focusing on these numbers, but seeking to run away from them?
Sankofa 12 years ago

'Statiscally, if they were genuine errors, they should be random and should affect the candidates in proportion to their votes tally'

Why should genuine errors be statistically random? And why should such errors affect can ...
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'Statiscally, if they were genuine errors, they should be random and should affect the candidates in proportion to their votes tally'

Why should genuine errors be statistically random? And why should such errors affect candidates in proportion to their votes tally?

What is important is that errors are demonstrated to be genuine, and that they do not affect the outcome of the elections as the EC says.

The moot question is, why did the polling agents not check the electoral sheets to satisfy themselves that all the figures were recorded correctly before signing the sheets?
Joe 12 years ago

Why did the NPP not come out with a complete picture of the results of the whole country? This is the only way they could have convinced every body about the genuiness of their claims. Instead they went fishing, when they ca ...
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Why did the NPP not come out with a complete picture of the results of the whole country? This is the only way they could have convinced every body about the genuiness of their claims. Instead they went fishing, when they catch tilapia, they keep it, when it is a herring, they throw it back into the waters. This skewed method of data gathering is not accepatable in any statistical analysis where you make an allegation and proceed to gather evidence from "enemy strongholds" to support your hypothesis. Protest forms from 11,000 NPP polling agents ought to be the starting point, but woefully, not a single one was tended in. But for the cost of a recount, should the SC order a verification of all 26,000 polling stations, all these irregularities and statutory violations would be found in the rest of the constituencies where the petitioners chose to conveniently ignore.
nana addo 12 years ago

Well done kofi atta

Well done kofi atta
Adama 12 years ago

The bottom line is the only witnesses to what happened at the polling stations are: the presiding officers, polling agents and some members of the media. So if the polling agents signed attesting to the veracity of the figure ...
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The bottom line is the only witnesses to what happened at the polling stations are: the presiding officers, polling agents and some members of the media. So if the polling agents signed attesting to the veracity of the figures without complaint, I don't see how you annul the results.
solomon 12 years ago

It`s always refreshing to read your inputs,Thank you sir.

It`s always refreshing to read your inputs,Thank you sir.
Opoku Boakye 12 years ago

Kofi's article is tedious to read, given that it is based purely on his interpretations of what he perceives to be the dos and don’ts of the petitioners and respondents. Admittedly, that is forgivable since; after all, that ...
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Kofi's article is tedious to read, given that it is based purely on his interpretations of what he perceives to be the dos and don’ts of the petitioners and respondents. Admittedly, that is forgivable since; after all, that is his understanding of the events, and indeed, it is a reflection of his depth as an analyst. Surely, however, on an issue of this magnitude and importance, one expects a learned commentary based on facts and points of law, in particular, as the author appears to want to educate his readers.
Given the approach of the author, namely, a write-up devoid of reference to facts and citation of the law, one is hard pressed not comment that the writer is rather increasingly presenting himself as another ‘serial caller’ as such commentators are called in Ghana lately.
It also raises a further question namely, if Kofi resides in the city of Cambridge or if he is a scholar in the renowned Cambridge University. If the latter is the case then Kofi must back-up and let his commentaries reflect the scholarship and traditions of that ancient institution.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Opoku, you made me laugh with this new title for me. Hmmm!, you wanted me to base my views on case law when already others claim the article is too long (which is true). I wasn't giving definite conclusions or judgement on th ...
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Opoku, you made me laugh with this new title for me. Hmmm!, you wanted me to base my views on case law when already others claim the article is too long (which is true). I wasn't giving definite conclusions or judgement on the case to base my decisions on law. Moreover, I am not a lawyer and since I am also not writing an academic paper, there was no need to provide the basis of my views and conclusions.

Opoku, let me make it absolutely clear that I do not work in academia and have nothing to do with Cambridge University. I indicate where I am for readers to know that I exist in reality. It's not to gain any benefit from the famous university.

Probably, you are right that posting weekly articles on Ghanaweb is equal to calling into radio stations regularly, so may be, I am a serial writer. I will try and take a brake from writing to avoid this new title. Have a nice day.
tegare 12 years ago

law is not science. law is not logic. law is cheap. law should not be a profession. law means ability to lie. law is perversion of truth, law means surprise. law has no standards. those who practise law are idiots. their conc ...
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law is not science. law is not logic. law is cheap. law should not be a profession. law means ability to lie. law is perversion of truth, law means surprise. law has no standards. those who practise law are idiots. their conclusions cannot be reproduced by themselves.
Kwadwo 12 years ago

In what jurisdiction can a party introduce new documents after discovery is closed and trial has commenced? I will be surprised if the court will allow the EC to introduce these alleged original pink sheets in its case in ...
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In what jurisdiction can a party introduce new documents after discovery is closed and trial has commenced? I will be surprised if the court will allow the EC to introduce these alleged original pink sheets in its case in chief. The purpose of discovery is to seek the truth. A party is not permitted during trial to tender documentary evidence he has failed to disclose or produced to the other party.
Discovery is now closed. For you, therefore,to suggest that the EC can motion to amend its affidavit and get the new evidence in suggest that you don't know what you are talking about.
The EC violated the discovery Orders of the Court by refusing to produce the pink sheets. It not "fair play" for the EC be permitted to ambush the Petitioners at this stage with any undisclosed evidence.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Kwadwo, in the same way the petitioners introduced one exhibit as evidence during the hearing and after 'disclosure' which was opposed because counsels for the respondents were of the view that it should have been done throug ...
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Kwadwo, in the same way the petitioners introduced one exhibit as evidence during the hearing and after 'disclosure' which was opposed because counsels for the respondents were of the view that it should have been done through a formal application to the court and subsequently ruled as admissible by the Justices, the EC can also make an application to the court, instead of each exhibit being contested. That will cause delays. In any case, it is up to the petitioners to oppose any such application and for the court to rule on any such application/s.

If what you are saying is the absolute, why did the court allow one exhibit from the EC and overruled another? The practice is not set in stone and each evidence should be considered on its own merit. That is my experience, though ambushing is not the norm as the EC is attempting to do.
Nokware_Asa 12 years ago

Attorneys embarking on cross- examinations to provide the 'star' witness who is supposed to to know it all, with a list of the material they intend to rely on. What is this,some open book examniation of sorts?
Given bawumi ...
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Attorneys embarking on cross- examinations to provide the 'star' witness who is supposed to to know it all, with a list of the material they intend to rely on. What is this,some open book examniation of sorts?
Given bawumiah`s recalcitrant posture during his 'encountter with Tony Lithur, I was suprised Quarshie-Idun felt he could get this guy to 'play' ball with him. It should be pretty obvious to even the 'uninitiated' courtroom observer that Bawumiah had very much formulated his positions and was not going to budge from them come what may. This stance may have played well to some NPP supporters,but must his legal team must be wrestling with how they can go about 'resuscitating' or 'rehabilitating' him as a credible witness in any re-examination they may mount. Is this guy going to listen to them at all? We all live to see how they can pull this off without having him perjure himself or at the very least, come across as being ridiculous.
czar k. 12 years ago

Kofi Ata, I don't know if you are very conversant with the electoral laws of Ghana. But all the same, polls can go on, votes counted and declared valid without polling agents, but votes cannot go on without electoral officers ...
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Kofi Ata, I don't know if you are very conversant with the electoral laws of Ghana. But all the same, polls can go on, votes counted and declared valid without polling agents, but votes cannot go on without electoral officers. In effect it is the EC that conducts and supervises elections and in my lay mans view, any flaws be it "errors" or whatever must be laid squarely at the doorstep of the EC. In that case won't the second respondent and to some extent the first respondent's attempt to shift the blame of statutory violations, malpractices and irregularities or "errors" if you like, on the polling agents fail miserably?
BOY KOFI 12 years ago

When the electotal officer has his name and the code of the polling station beeb mentioned,you cannot say the document is not valid because it has not been signed.This is what we call administative error.An unsigned document ...
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When the electotal officer has his name and the code of the polling station beeb mentioned,you cannot say the document is not valid because it has not been signed.This is what we call administative error.An unsigned document does not mean fraud,my friend or could not mean rigging an elections if the voted counted were accurate.
Whatever 12 years ago

When a political party authorises his agents to act on its behalf during polling station proceedings, that political party is estopped from denying liability for the actions of the agents. The law of estoppel with regards to ...
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When a political party authorises his agents to act on its behalf during polling station proceedings, that political party is estopped from denying liability for the actions of the agents. The law of estoppel with regards to the relationship between Agent and principal is clear. So on what basis is the NPP disputing pink sheets bearing the signatures of their own accredited agents? Anyway, credit to Kofi Atta for making this clearly impartial analysis for us to read.
me 12 years ago

Thanks for the indepth analysis. Some of us watch the proceding as if it where cantata but your critique offers has educated us. Please make this a weekly post.

Thanks for the indepth analysis. Some of us watch the proceding as if it where cantata but your critique offers has educated us. Please make this a weekly post.
AYISAM 12 years ago

This is a case to be won by statisticians and not lawyers so your normal court interpretation which you have exhaustively expounded will not work here. Let us wait for the electoral commissioner to debunk the process put out ...
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This is a case to be won by statisticians and not lawyers so your normal court interpretation which you have exhaustively expounded will not work here. Let us wait for the electoral commissioner to debunk the process put out by Dr. Bawumia.
tegare 12 years ago

wow, this is a sensible contribution. worth a thousand times all the words above. this is a technical case about numbers.no need for all the 'put it to yous' stop wasting our time and money, just AUDIT.

wow, this is a sensible contribution. worth a thousand times all the words above. this is a technical case about numbers.no need for all the 'put it to yous' stop wasting our time and money, just AUDIT.
George A B Lokko Haatso 12 years ago

I think I agree with all those who hold the view that this case is about figures and the interpretation of the laws guiding elections in this country. I personally do not think one's demeanor and style of questioning should ...
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I think I agree with all those who hold the view that this case is about figures and the interpretation of the laws guiding elections in this country. I personally do not think one's demeanor and style of questioning should count in this land mark case. Don't forget the whole world is watching our judges in this landmark case and it is incumbent upon them to come out with the facts and determine if they really have any bearing on the 2012 election as alleged instead of relying on court room theatrics and technicalities. The bottom line, as far some of us are concern is for the SC to establish the facts so that our future democratic elections should not be jeopardize or taken for granted by the political parties and the citizenry. They should let their ruling stand the test of time and to deter any future underhand dealings by the political parties or the EC in any future electoral process. If they are able to rule justly, I am certain their names would be etched on our minds for generations yet to come.
Kwamina 12 years ago

Opinion is Tax free and the writer is entitled to his. At the side of the NPP are well experience Lawyers and all necessary advise could be given to Dr. Bawumia. Besides, though UK and Ghana might have same regulations when i ...
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Opinion is Tax free and the writer is entitled to his. At the side of the NPP are well experience Lawyers and all necessary advise could be given to Dr. Bawumia. Besides, though UK and Ghana might have same regulations when it comes to court matters, our system of operating is different. I mean a word in ones country might have a different meaning across the seas so such opinions could be spared for the judges to take their course.
The good thing is that, we r all watching in live to draw our own lines
Nsiah Boateng 12 years ago

Rejoinder
The event on the supreme court of Ghana is to headache for the nation.
Firstly , i will admitt this to you my senior friend Mr Kofi Ata . This acticle that you have have just has an exactly base on your politica ...
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Rejoinder
The event on the supreme court of Ghana is to headache for the nation.
Firstly , i will admitt this to you my senior friend Mr Kofi Ata . This acticle that you have have just has an exactly base on your political background and I know definitely the opposing president of the country , so I understand the reason why all the acticle shows in favor the NDC . But wrong this case ave concrete base and evidence and I know you know without that the would have not torrelate this matter.

Also , it is time to let this natio be light which ( througth ): and I know the God so far as He is concern about this issue he will solve it in his own way not human knowledge the fact that he created us as his own image, He will rather judge this evidence either the EC or the petitioner and first respondent .

Feather more , this case have shown the entire lessons of sense in the terms proving something wrong , andbI think we all learn from it .

Finally , Dr Bawumia has shown Ghanains and especially th EC the statistics and analysis of the election and for me I think they should stop argue and go for his assistance for fact and figure .
Thank you NSIAH BOATENG ISAAC
MANAGER

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Could Dr Bawumia Do Better at the Supreme Court?

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