RE: SC Verdict Exposed Polarised Bench

Read Article

Comments (55)

This article is closed for comments.

Read Comments Comments (55)

william 12 years ago

An intellectual without calibre! Intellectual dishonesty is the same as lacking calibre! YOU CANNOT BE AN INTELLECTUAL DELIBERATING MISLEADING OR BEING HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE WITHOUT REALISING IT OR TRYING TO DECEIVE THAT YOU ARE ...
read full comment

An intellectual without calibre! Intellectual dishonesty is the same as lacking calibre! YOU CANNOT BE AN INTELLECTUAL DELIBERATING MISLEADING OR BEING HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE WITHOUT REALISING IT OR TRYING TO DECEIVE THAT YOU ARE OBJECTIVE! MAYBE IT IS THAT HIS TIME HAS COME AND GONE!!
Truth 12 years ago

If this economic professor lives in USA and teaches economics and not law or political science, he should not write articles to satisfy his selfish interest. In the USA, the Supreme Court did not suggest a revote in the Bush ...
read full comment

If this economic professor lives in USA and teaches economics and not law or political science, he should not write articles to satisfy his selfish interest. In the USA, the Supreme Court did not suggest a revote in the Bush versus Gore case. What an Economist would make such an unthinkable suggestions at the expense of economics? Come back and explain yourself. The ball is in your court.
Mr. Figure-Out 12 years ago

Ata you have failed miserably to discredit the professors write up. The said article, which has provoke your myopic partisan rejoinder, seeks, inter alia, to clarify two things,ie, the short term PARTISAN interest and long t ...
read full comment

Ata you have failed miserably to discredit the professors write up. The said article, which has provoke your myopic partisan rejoinder, seeks, inter alia, to clarify two things,ie, the short term PARTISAN interest and long term NATIONAL interest of which you have adopted the former as you clearly exposed your arse in the last paragraph. Oh! very original of you. You would agree with me that revote, though has its own financial conotations, would have best serve national interest since, till date, the near half of the electorates who voted and sided with the petitioners are still convinced that justice was not served and I don't think the perception would have been different if the ruling was not in favor of the respondents. The ruling would have served our collective interest if the clear case of the unsigned pink sheets, the non use of the biometric verification machines in some cases and over voting was properly addressed, per the dictates of our electoral laws. You also made a very comical remarks in one of your paragraphs that, "To the contrary, his suggestion that there should have been a revote of both presidential and parliamentary elections would have opened the floodgates for future losers to run to the courts for a second chance since the courts could order a revote as suggested by Prof Ayittey". This is very risible in the sense that going to court on electoral dispute is a constitutional provision and I don't think anybody would head to court purposely to seek for rerun of election if the electoral laws are properly adhere to. So if the presiding officers sign pink sheets, biometric procedures are followed, no over voting is recorded and the voter register is clean of ghost names( bloated) I see no reason why the NPP could have gone to the court. Massa remove your NDC lens you are wearing to see things in its right perspective.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Could you honestly say that Prof Ayittey's proposal for a revote of parliamentary and presidential elections in a year would be in the long term interest of Ghana? Just give me example of how that would benefit Ghana in the l ...
read full comment

Could you honestly say that Prof Ayittey's proposal for a revote of parliamentary and presidential elections in a year would be in the long term interest of Ghana? Just give me example of how that would benefit Ghana in the long run? I have provided examples of how this suggestion is not in the long term interest of Ghana (the fact that investors will not invest in a country that would have leadership uncertainty for another year and the potential tension in Ghana for another year because of the pending revote). Why did he not recommend a revote immediately (within a maximum of three months?

Regarding the conclusion by Prof Ayittey that the SC ruling will result in increased election petitions or litigation, I am still of the opinion that he was wrong and there is no evidence to support his claim. Rather, his suggestion of a revote of both parliamentary and presidential will encourage that. Of course, with the majority ruling there is the temptation in the future for electoral officers to play mischief by not signing pink sheets. However, the problem with this matter is not the ruling but as I have said in one of my articles, it is the failure of the country to enforce rules, regulations and statutes that may cause future re-occurrence of absence of presiding officers' signatures on pink sheets. This is because within the electoral rules in Ghana (probably in CI 75), there are sanctions for public officers who fail to execute their public duties effectively and efficiently. The question is, why is no one calling for those returning officers who failed to sign the pinks to be sanctioned as required under the electoral rules?

Is this what you call political lense?
Munir 12 years ago

Kofi, don`t mind this guy he just redeculed himself that is all.

Kofi, don`t mind this guy he just redeculed himself that is all.
C.Y. ANDY-K 12 years ago

Ha! ha! ha! Kofi, you had just read a wee bit of the reasons why I accused Prof Ayittey of mass indulgence in "false empiricism", besides the abstract empiricism that is the hallmark of his pseudo-intellectual writings for wh ...
read full comment

Ha! ha! ha! Kofi, you had just read a wee bit of the reasons why I accused Prof Ayittey of mass indulgence in "false empiricism", besides the abstract empiricism that is the hallmark of his pseudo-intellectual writings for which he became "renowned". He didn't become renowned for his advocacy of right-wing libertarian economic policies in Africa which have no reality to the situation on the ground, or anywhere else past or present, based on the false claim that the state [and chiefs in the past] DO NOT engage in econ, activities; only the private sector/individuals do!

No one on the Ghanaian cyberspace in the 1990s had taken him and indeed took him to the cleaners more than me. Unlike you, I had read even his Heritage Award winning book on Africa and many of his concoctions and was shocked! Loads of false historical claims served as basis for his arguments and vile prescriptions.

He is a dyed-in-the-wool NPP supporter and campaigner in the 90s. Had he not written an article after the 1996 elections condemning Kufuor for "donating" some vehicles to the NPP, which vehicles were not paid for, he certainly would have become a Minister in K4's cabinet.

I have most of the records of those exchanges and can make a couple available here or to you privately to get a better appreciation of the kind of person he is. He is more than intellectually honest. He is intellectually banza! Upon second though, I shall post my response to his indulgence in the T-Thing too, in the wake of some people posting articles on ethnicity recently. I know it is out of place but far better reading than the heap of garbage we see here.

Andy-K
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Andy, until I read his article, I had very high regard for him but was shocked beyond belief what I read. I just could not believe that such a person will write that. How did he get away with such rubbish if he claimed the st ...
read full comment

Andy, until I read his article, I had very high regard for him but was shocked beyond belief what I read. I just could not believe that such a person will write that. How did he get away with such rubbish if he claimed the state and chiefs do not engage in economic activity in the past? Which past was he referring to, which state and which chiefs?
Kojo T 12 years ago

His contributions are abstarctions completely irrelevant to the African growth

His contributions are abstarctions completely irrelevant to the African growth
C.Y. ANDY-K 12 years ago

Kofi,

Here is just a small snippet from what I had intended to post but changed my mind for another occasion.

It is a response to a long list of accusations he made against JJ on a list started and dominated by Africa ...
read full comment

Kofi,

Here is just a small snippet from what I had intended to post but changed my mind for another occasion.

It is a response to a long list of accusations he made against JJ on a list started and dominated by African-American academics and intellectuals on which we were both on in the late 90s.

George wrote:
>3. He denigrated the sanctity of African heritage by imposing ALIEN
institutions on the people of Ghana. He blew up indigenous MARKETS,
stripped and whipped MARKET WOMAN who violated price controls -- an
alien measure. (Chiefs do not impose price controls on village markets); imposed nonsensical revolutionary committees -- an idea which was imported from Cuba, etc. etc.

Andy-K responded:
As for this, what the hell does George mean? Which "alien institutions"? BTW, Rawlings is half-Scot, half-Ewe. His present Vice is also called Mills! Alien names, by George! Indeed, aliens are ruling us.:-) What else can we expect?:-)

The rest of the stuff above is just fiction too. I don't know which traditional institutions George has studied. If I begin to quote lengthy sentences to disprove him now, some will begin to say that Andy-K is anti-this or that. Perhaps, he hasn't read anywhere how the Kings and chiefs imposed very strict fiscal rules over the markets and trade routes, breaking them which can earn man the loss of his/her head! Of course, whole towns and villages could be wiped out for severe violations.
One devastating war the Asantes fought against the Fantis was simply for the reason that some two chiefs failed to send some gold nuggets they found to the Asantehene's treasury! And we know by now how the Asantes control the prices of slaves. Don't we? Well, they locked the "surplus" in their homes and burnt them alive, for instance! Cinque, you must be lucky your ancestor got through into the slave boat! I hate myths!
And what dared you grow pepper in ancient Dahomey without permission from the King of Abomey? And can you move a slave or an elephant tusk to the European slave castles in Accra without paying your due to the free-booting Akwamus when they were the mercenaries and guardians for you Gas, or when they had given your ancestors a thrashing and taken over the trade themselves, spilling the slave trade into the world of our ancestors?

George wrote:
>4. Surrendered the sovereignty of Ghana to the World Bank and the IMF,

Andy-K responded briefly and very mildly:
Hmm! As for this, no plenty comments! I don't think much of the Terrible Twins too. But did we ever regain that "sovereignty"? Nkrumah only said everything else (economic independence inclusive) would follow political independence. "Seek ye first the political kingdom .... Some of his critics, e.g., Prof. A.W. Seidman (1978), said the formula was naive to begin with.
----------------
I ended that briefly instead of providing him another lecture on the political economy of neo-colonialism.

Most of the time, he appears clueless about what he is writing about, as his reading on the subjects he has been torpedoing into is rather limited. He should try sticking to his Econs.

Andy-K
insight to the bone 12 years ago

There is no smoke without fire , many times our chiefs for 30 pieces of silver have betrayed the interests of the people . they not only take money but also actively promote the most toxic of ideas against the welfare of the ...
read full comment

There is no smoke without fire , many times our chiefs for 30 pieces of silver have betrayed the interests of the people . they not only take money but also actively promote the most toxic of ideas against the welfare of the people . We have had an ayigbe/pepeni revolution and now the wind changes and the Akan revolution will come to be whether through the ballot box or by war it will come to pass . let these pepeni and ayigbe feel what its like to see their women stripped naked and whipped in the streets by our frisky boys , let them see what its like for both the innocent and guilty without discrimination be accused corruption and thrown in jail , let them see what its like to have their eminent men manhandled and tortured so that a few years later they all die of stroke , heart attaches and stress, let them see what is like to watch their sons and daughters have to travel the 7 seas just to find a better future as at home pepeni and ayigbe revolutionaries will steal their businesses or deny them the chance . yes we now not only polarize but radicalize since liberals like mills are killed and nana rejected ,it is time for fearless righteous Akans like ken agyapong , ursula and sir john to be flag bearers . ndc you just continue your corrupt ways but soon we will have you , your wives , children , girlfriends pay the a very dear price for your greed . keep on bribing these chiefs we have the family heads and clans on our side , long live the republic of Akan

C.Y. ANDY-K 12 years ago

How can a coward like you who can't even use your own names like some of us to post things here fight a war? My friend, commot ja re!

I know we have to give some little attention now and then to little flies like you too ...
read full comment

How can a coward like you who can't even use your own names like some of us to post things here fight a war? My friend, commot ja re!

I know we have to give some little attention now and then to little flies like you too to make you feel like you are somebody too, but stop getting too much under our noses, less we snuffed you off.

If you care to know, Sir John was my roommate in Legon. I left the room so that his then paddy Paul Baffoe-Bonnie could join him when he came to Legon a yr after me. I personally led the campaign to get Sir John elected as JCR President of Mensah Sarbah, which gave a lift to his present pol. career. When I go to Ghana, I shall insist on his giving me a ride in the car Woyome bought for him while we go to Golden Tulip to quaff some chill beer on my account to celebrate his close shave with Nsawam! Of course, I'd tell him that the Justices erred by not giving him a day's rest at Nsawam. You "fool soldiers" can continue with your imaginary tribal wars! Ha! ha! ha! Let me feed u with some more ammunition to continue your fight against the ayigbes and pepenis.

Now, don't you think it is karma that has fallen on the Akans, for raiding the ayigbes and the pepenis to fill the slave ships that used to dock along the Gold Coast to collect their cargoes of captives from the dungeons of the castles, forts and factories that made the Gold Coast the busiest source of slaves for the New World for centuries? I suppose you don't know about these things, so I shall oblige you one of these days about that sordid past of your mentally warped Akan ancestors, which mental warpedness, woefully still afflicts you "these Akans" today, foolish and ignorant as they come!

Get help from a shrink, you housefly, b4 u choked on ayigbes and pepenis! Ha ha! ha!

Andy-K
Akadu Mensema 12 years ago

You just misread this passage to customize your own partisan views! What has it got to the voting pattern of the court? Give up the nonsense!

"'According to Prof Ayittey, “it is important to distinguish between short-ter ...
read full comment

You just misread this passage to customize your own partisan views! What has it got to the voting pattern of the court? Give up the nonsense!

"'According to Prof Ayittey, “it is important to distinguish between short-term partisan interest and long-term national interest. The national interest is supreme and should trump partisan interests. Political parties come and go but Ghana, as a nation, endures. Unfortunately, the August 29 ruling serves short-term political interest but not the supreme national interest. As such, there is still unfinished business to accomplish. It would have made little difference if the Justices had ruled the other way, i.e. in favour of the petition.'”
Steve 12 years ago

Where did you learn to read?Kofi got it right.what is the supreme national interest in this case?that the npp get a second chance? You dunce,think again.when y'all lose a case you say justice was not done as if justice and th ...
read full comment

Where did you learn to read?Kofi got it right.what is the supreme national interest in this case?that the npp get a second chance? You dunce,think again.when y'all lose a case you say justice was not done as if justice and the national interest is only identifiable with your narrow parochial interest.npp is not GHANA.
Akadu Mensema 12 years ago

Name-calling simply because you don't share my views? Where did I learn to read? Your father taught me!

Name-calling simply because you don't share my views? Where did I learn to read? Your father taught me!
Steve 12 years ago

You're just an idiot.my father would have taught you better.2 words English comprehension. keep that in pipe and smoke it.cocaine dealer.

You're just an idiot.my father would have taught you better.2 words English comprehension. keep that in pipe and smoke it.cocaine dealer.
Mensah 12 years ago

Kwasea like you

Kwasea like you
Joni 12 years ago

"Prof, you got this one totally wrong and I give F minus for it. This is either intellectual dishonesty on your part or you were blinded by your party political objectives and that does not do you any good, except discredit y ...
read full comment

"Prof, you got this one totally wrong and I give F minus for it. This is either intellectual dishonesty on your part or you were blinded by your party political objectives and that does not do you any good, except discredit your goodwill. I am sure even undergraduate students could have made better analyses and drew a more objective and evidenced base conclusions to make better suggestions than you did."

There is something like class even if you criticize others. Anyone who has that class will not write the above paragraph.

You started by calling Ayittey "world renown Economist", (whatever you mean by that nebulous term) only so that you can pluck him down to "your own level". Was that really necessary to bring your points across?
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Joni, I accept your criticism of my bad language. Perhaps and in my disappointment, I went to far and was too harsh of Prof Ayittey. I try my best to avoid abusive language on the forum and in fact, did express my concerns in ...
read full comment

Joni, I accept your criticism of my bad language. Perhaps and in my disappointment, I went to far and was too harsh of Prof Ayittey. I try my best to avoid abusive language on the forum and in fact, did express my concerns in an article. I apologise for falling short of the standards.
BOY KOFI 12 years ago

Yes,Kofi Ata should not attack Prof.Ayittey no matter what but just go straight to the point.I was also wondering if it was the real Kofi Ata we know that wrote this article.Thanks for coming forward to apologise.Have a very ...
read full comment

Yes,Kofi Ata should not attack Prof.Ayittey no matter what but just go straight to the point.I was also wondering if it was the real Kofi Ata we know that wrote this article.Thanks for coming forward to apologise.Have a very pleasant day,my name.
Nyansasem 12 years ago

So now, Kofi Atta believes it is proper and fitting to use "intellectual dishonesty" on someone's article? Yet, he does not see any reason why someone has to use that to describe any of his articles.

This is the stupidity ...
read full comment

So now, Kofi Atta believes it is proper and fitting to use "intellectual dishonesty" on someone's article? Yet, he does not see any reason why someone has to use that to describe any of his articles.

This is the stupidity and hypocrisy among the NDC fanatics like Paul Amuna who curses ad nauseam even in his articles, but believes that no one has that right to challenge him when he writes articles or post comments here. They want everyone to leave Ghanaweb for them so that they could continue their lies and propaganda.

Kofi, just like you have the right to use "intellectual dishonesty" without thinking that you are insulting the writer, I hope you will reason now and know that I used that intellectual dishonesty to describe one of your article without insulting you as a person.

And let Paul keeps on with his insults and brags about CVs for his fool-soldiers who have no brains in their coconut heads but just come here to say "YES SIR" to him. Nyansasem has no time for those suffering from Megalomania, Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Inferiority Complex syndrome. Freud would have failed to diagnose ignoramus like him and some of the NDC fanatics here.

And please, shove your "challenge" to you-know-where, because the man has no time for NDC partisan brute and megalomaniac like you. Just take the usual praises that come from your ass-kissers.

But, I hope are dealing with your own demons here, and not taking a swipe at your friend Azar and co.

"Unfortunately, the Ghanaian media often give priority and credence to such preposterous ideas from the so-called foreign based experts, when in reality some of them are nothing less than political opportunists who are doing the bidding for their political parties clothed in intellectual dishonesty."

We the people await for wise and noble men to write about these:

-Woyome alone got GHS 51m??

-GYEEDA had GHS 800 million??

-CP alone had GHS 400million??

-Waterville had GHS 50 million??

-ISOFOTONE had GHS 2 million??

-ROCKSHELL had GHS 44 million??

-African Automobille Ltd alone demanded GHS 3,000 billion.

-SADA/ASONTAGBA ?????????

Wiafe 12 years ago

Kofi is right in calling Ayittey as intellectually dishonest. Ayittey's political trivia--lacked any internal consistency--and it is really sickening.

Just because a guy in the US has "economist" attached to his name doe ...
read full comment

Kofi is right in calling Ayittey as intellectually dishonest. Ayittey's political trivia--lacked any internal consistency--and it is really sickening.

Just because a guy in the US has "economist" attached to his name does not--such a one is capable of using his deficient empirical perceptions to produce any credible analysis of the petition and the supreme court ruling.

Ayittey-despite his loud-mouth synthesis on Ghanaian and African Affairs--has not produced any knowledge that can move Ghana forward.

Ayittey's article has clearly demonstrated his political bias. And I am particularly glad Kofi called him out.
Nyansasem 12 years ago

Unlike some of you, I don't get into what people do with their degrees or how they obtained them. I come here to deal with the import of articles, so spare me this PHDism with some of you folks who can't seem to accept the fa ...
read full comment

Unlike some of you, I don't get into what people do with their degrees or how they obtained them. I come here to deal with the import of articles, so spare me this PHDism with some of you folks who can't seem to accept the fact that some people are better than you or more popular than you in spite of your many degrees.

Political bias you say? What about you or Kofi Ata, who always support anything and everything about NDC? You guys will call people names or accuse people of being NPP apologists when they don't agree with what is going with NDC administration. Yet, will get into shouting and insulting match when others accuse you of being in bed with NDC. Why do you guys think you should have the monopoly of insulting others or accusing others?

Yeah, right, Ayittey has done nothing to move Ghana forward, but the likes of Kofi Ata and NDC sycophants have done a lot to move Ghana forward. Are you for real?
Wiafe 12 years ago

Ayittey's meaningless piece is what Kofi is pointing out--there are no insults here.

The Supreme court has ruled, Akuffo has accepted the verdict, Tsatsu took his victory lap--let us move on. The freak show is over.

Ayittey's meaningless piece is what Kofi is pointing out--there are no insults here.

The Supreme court has ruled, Akuffo has accepted the verdict, Tsatsu took his victory lap--let us move on. The freak show is over.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Nyansasem, I think you are getting out of order. I do not envy any human being on this planet and I do not pull Ghanaians down in my articles. I have also not supported NDC come what may. I might not have contributed anything ...
read full comment

Nyansasem, I think you are getting out of order. I do not envy any human being on this planet and I do not pull Ghanaians down in my articles. I have also not supported NDC come what may. I might not have contributed anything to the development of Ghana but I believe in my small way I served my nation.

I am aware that as human as I am, I have my preference (bias) but I try to be objective. Click on my name (Ata, Kofi under the Columnist on top right of the page) and that should give you access to all my articles posted on Ghanaweb. Have a read through them and tell me if you still hold the view that I always support NDC?

Though I am not a lawyer, I have a fundamental difference with the dissenting Justices, who in my view shot Nana Akufo-Addo in the foot. Because I am not a lawyer, I am waiting till NPP's Legal or Constitutional Committee reviewing the ruling comes out with their report before I make my views public. After that, I will see whether you will still hold the view that I always support NDC.

Nyansasem, the problem with you and some NPP supporters is that when I write something pro NDC, I am a fanatic and another pro NPP, I am objective. The same applies some NDC supporters in the reverse. Unfortunately, I do not post articles to satisfy the whims and caprices of either NDC or NPP supporters but to contribute to debate on national issues in Ghana. That is my main objective.
C.Y. ANDY-K 12 years ago

Kofi,

You wrote:

"Nyansasem, the problem with you and some NPP supporters is that when I write something pro NDC, I am a fanatic and another pro NPP, I am objective. The same applies some NDC supporters in the reverse. ...
read full comment

Kofi,

You wrote:

"Nyansasem, the problem with you and some NPP supporters is that when I write something pro NDC, I am a fanatic and another pro NPP, I am objective. The same applies some NDC supporters in the reverse."

This reminds me of my own experience on the Okyeame and SIL forums in the mid- and late 90s respectively. There was this bloke on Okyeame who used to privately fired a one-liner to me whenever I wrote something critical of the P/NDC's policies:
"This is the first time you have written something objective!"

After a while, I wrote back to say:
"My friend, you had commended me a number of times for being objective on the P/NDC already".

He stopped sending the one-liner.

Then on SIL towards the 2000 elections, when I, as ardent pro-Nkrumahist, wanted to express my disdain for the NDC policies, I was quickly branded as NPP! Me?!*!? Matemeho? It came to a head when I condemned Konadu's giving of "identity hair" cut to poor Selassie with a broken bottle. I was mentioned in a roll call of NPP supporters on SIL. That was enough for me to take a break from SIL! The polarisation, long in existence before this SC judgement, had squeezed heretical dissenters like me out, and doesn't allow us to operate independently without being tagged to one of those two neo-colonial, rent-seeking gangs calling themselves political parties.

Andy-K
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Nyamsasem, I do not recollect asking you not to use intellectual dishonesty. Rather I questioned your use of the words to describe the contents of my article. I provided the basis of that article and asked you to debate the c ...
read full comment

Nyamsasem, I do not recollect asking you not to use intellectual dishonesty. Rather I questioned your use of the words to describe the contents of my article. I provided the basis of that article and asked you to debate the contents instead of calling me names just because you disagree with me. It's the same mistake you are repeating here.

All you have done is to call me names instead of providing the basis of why you call me those names. In my case, I have given reasons why in my view Prof Ayittey's article, the conclusion and suggestions he made were intellectual dishonesty. That is exactly what I expected you and others who disagree with me to explain why you have differences of opinion with me. Sadly, some of you chose the easier option and decided to abuse me.

You call me an NDC fanatic. That is fine if that is your view about me. However, I am convinced that I am one of the few objective contributors on Ghanaweb. My articles are in favour and critical of both NDC and NPP. For example, last year I posted an article accusing Mahama's government for not providing enough funds to OLA Training College in Cape Coast to take on all the students it offered admission to in 2012/13 academic year.This was after my own investigations in Ghana in an effort to assist my niece who lost her admission offer because of lack of funds. NDC fanatics abused me and asked how much did NPP pay me to write such an article. This year the government confirmed that I was right by announcing that they want to withdraw allowances paid to teacher trainee students.

Again, I wrote extensively on Woyomegate and put the blame on government, civil servants and the judiciary. I am not afraid to criticise NDC despite having sympathy for them. I know my articles are seen as anti-NDC by some of my former colleagues in Ghana who have stopped communications with me for that reason and others who see them as objective. Comments on my articles tell me that on average, I am objective. I am not daunted by you calling me an NDC fanatic as you are not one of those pro NPP objective contributors on this forum such as LONTO-BOY.

If you believe that a revote of both parliamentary and presidential elections in a year is in Ghana's long term interest, that is fine but do not call me names because I disagree with that suggestion.
Nyansasem 12 years ago

Castigating and questioning the intellectual abilities of another another academician is not worth to be debated on. Simply, it is tosh that needed to be treated with contempt it deserves, just like Paul's other article calli ...
read full comment

Castigating and questioning the intellectual abilities of another another academician is not worth to be debated on. Simply, it is tosh that needed to be treated with contempt it deserves, just like Paul's other article calling others idiots and bragging about CVs. I don't get into pig's fight; putting dirt on people to make me feel better. That is a trademark for losers.

Of course, LONTO-BOY is the best contributor here. Unfortunately, as usual you have tagged him as NPP lackey. Yet, you don't see yourself in bed with any party. Hallucinating or delusional??
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

For your information, I am not an academician. Though I have served on the Board of a college and as a member of the Academic Standards Committee, I have never held an academic (teaching or research) post in an academic insti ...
read full comment

For your information, I am not an academician. Though I have served on the Board of a college and as a member of the Academic Standards Committee, I have never held an academic (teaching or research) post in an academic institution.

Referring to arguments by an intellectual as "intellectual dishonest" is not castigating him because I showed the basis of that view. There is everything right with questioning views of others, including academicians and intellectuals. In fact, that is what I was taught at university (to question and challenges theories and thesis and put alternative views).

I do not see anything wrong with referring to LONTO-BOY views as pro NPP as far as he is objective. You refer to me as being in bed with NDC and as NDC foot soldier if you think that right, then why do you say pro NPP is wrong?

All you have done today is throw insults at me instead of addressing the issues I challenged. You appear to be very angry and bitter in your comments but I will not react to you in the same way. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Daasebre Yeboah-Asuamah, Canada 12 years ago

Oh yeah, Mr. Attah Kofi is always the best. I love your articles because you have never proof to be one sided. You are intellectually matured and every bit of analysis that make go to show how objective you are, even if you b ...
read full comment

Oh yeah, Mr. Attah Kofi is always the best. I love your articles because you have never proof to be one sided. You are intellectually matured and every bit of analysis that make go to show how objective you are, even if you belong to a particular party.I'm glad you gave to that NPP boy, Prof. Ayittey. God needs you Sir!
Kwame Koramoah 12 years ago

Kofi, I normally like your articles but this time I think you are wrong.You seem to suggest that any view one way or the other is supporting a political position or bidding.That, I think misconceives the fact that there are i ...
read full comment

Kofi, I normally like your articles but this time I think you are wrong.You seem to suggest that any view one way or the other is supporting a political position or bidding.That, I think misconceives the fact that there are indipendent thinkers who always look at issues irrespective of the outcome one way or the other.Indeed in your article you sounded almost the same as you are accusing the Prof as also towards the NDC. Would somebody be correct to suggest that you are discretely hired to do the bidding of the NDC?

Steve 12 years ago

Is this objective?you must be right wing nut job.

Is this objective?you must be right wing nut job.
Kwame Koramoah 12 years ago

Kofi, do you also suggest that in 2016 nobody should go to court if they are agrieved but rather duel at the polling stations? strange analysis and conclusion my friend.

Kofi, do you also suggest that in 2016 nobody should go to court if they are agrieved but rather duel at the polling stations? strange analysis and conclusion my friend.
Steve 12 years ago

First register your objection at the polling station then petition the courts.but don't sign the pink sheet and say your agent is an exalted observer.the question is what did he observe?

First register your objection at the polling station then petition the courts.but don't sign the pink sheet and say your agent is an exalted observer.the question is what did he observe?
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Kwame Koramoah, I am not sure where in the article did I suggest that aggrieved candidates should not go to court to seek redress. I was challenging Prof Ayittey's conclusion on the majority ruling that, "they have thrown th ...
read full comment

Kwame Koramoah, I am not sure where in the article did I suggest that aggrieved candidates should not go to court to seek redress. I was challenging Prof Ayittey's conclusion on the majority ruling that, "they have thrown their doors wide open to adjudicate all future electoral litigation”. This is suggestive that there could be more electoral litigations in the future because of this majority decision. My view is that the Prof's conclusion is wrong and in fact, the opposite would be the effect. That is, aggrieved candidates will think twice and do their home work well before rushing to the court for redress. However, if they are aware that a revote is the likely outcome from the court, that will encourage losers to ran to the courts for a second chance. That is not to suggest that nobody should go to court in 2016 if they felt cheated at the elections and have the evidence to prove it.

I am also not sure which of my analyses and conclusions you find strange. I will appreciate if you could come back and point them out so I can respond.
Kwame Koramoah 12 years ago

Kofi, you said this "I do accept that the SC verdict will not necessarily end the political tension in Ghana but their verdict best serves the national interest than his proposed revote in a year’s time." I find this analys ...
read full comment

Kofi, you said this "I do accept that the SC verdict will not necessarily end the political tension in Ghana but their verdict best serves the national interest than his proposed revote in a year’s time." I find this analysis strange because you seem to suggest that revote does not serve the national interest, meaning if the court had held that John Mahama was not validly elected but it cancelled the election and made consequential orders that there should be a revote in the affected areas. The effect of that view would be that in the future one could steal election (not a reflection of the people's mandate)and after been sworn-in would remain irremovable, even if the law was violated. I dont not agree and find that point strange.
Next, you said:
"To the contrary, his suggestion that there should have been a revote of both presidential and parliamentary elections would have opened the floodgates for future losers to run to the courts for a second chance since the courts could order a revote as suggested by Prof Ayittey. With a majority decision, future or potential electoral litigants will think twice before rushing to the SC if presidential elections do not go their way. They will be mindful of the fact that if they present unreliable evidence such as “28 unknown polling stations” when they sent their part agents to the same unknown polling stations, it would be rejected unanimously." here too I think you are wrong. There is nothing wrong with anybody going to court to seek redress if they feel aggrieved. In fact we should encourage people who do that rather than duelling at the polling station which would be the only result that would ensue if we were to go by your reasoning.

Next, you said:
"Unfortunately, the Ghanaian media often give priority and credence to such preposterous ideas from the so-called foreign based experts, when in reality some of them are nothing less than political opportunists who are doing the bidding for their political parties clothed in intellectual dishonesty. Prof Ayittey’s article is typical such political conundrum and should be taken with a pinch of salt." Here too I feel you are also guilty of the very same thing that you are accusing the Prof. Because in every situation we are bound to have a view one way or the other not neccesarily consistent with views that we like. Just like in your analysis a close reading of it would suggest that you are doing the bidding of the NDC.

Next, you said:
"I am certain that the apparent leadership vacuum created by the presidential petition caused Ghana millions if not billions in lost investments, jobs and businesses, though there were other factors such as energy and water shortages as well as high interest rates that restricted economic activities in Ghana." Here too I believe you are wrong. The constitution of the country states that once declared and sworn-in you are the President. J Mahama was sworn is as the President so what is the leadership vacuum that you are talking about?
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Kwame, I am not sure you will revisit to check if I had responded. You are talking about a revote in certain constituencies. Is that what the Prof suggested and was my analysis not on parliamentary and presidential revote? It ...
read full comment

Kwame, I am not sure you will revisit to check if I had responded. You are talking about a revote in certain constituencies. Is that what the Prof suggested and was my analysis not on parliamentary and presidential revote? It was strange to you because you compared a revote in some constituencies to my analysis on parliamentary and presidential revote in a year's time.

Again, I never said there is something wrong with an aggrieved candidate going to court to seek redress. I said the SC decision will make losing candidates think twice and make sure they have solid evidence before they go to court. However, if they know that the court will order a revote and give them a second chance as being suggested by the Prof, then that would encourage more losers to run to the court. Is that what you say I am wrong?

Kwame, when did you read or hear that any of my recommendations in my articles on Ghanaweb and MordernGhana.com has received media coverage beyond the two? I make common sense recommendations that most readers welcome. In fact, my last recommendation was that the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary in Ghana should not make any more rules, regulations and legislation but concentrate all their efforts into enforcing the existing ones through the rule of law. For me, the lack of enforcement is the biggest problem in Ghana and and not corruption. This recommendation was widely welcomed by readers. It's common sense and any damn fool in Ghana knows this.

Kwame, as a lawyer and very well educated person, are you telling me that the eight months of the presidential petition did not create leadership vacuum in Ghana? Why did investors adopt wait and see attitude with their investment decisions? Was it not because they were waiting to see the outcome of the petition and who becomes the president of Ghana? The mere fact that there was a president does not mean there was no leadership vacuum. I can tell you that there were certain decisions that had to wait (including decisions by the presidency) because of the petition. If that was not leadership vacuum then what was is it? Very interesting.
papillon 12 years ago

The NPP have run out of chances and ideas as well and it's quiet amusing watching or hearing them make fools of themselves.

The NPP have run out of chances and ideas as well and it's quiet amusing watching or hearing them make fools of themselves.
New Sheriff in Town 12 years ago

Red, black and green - NDC!
All Kofi Atta heard about this petiton is the "28 Unknown Polling Stations". He says a rerun election would only inure to the benefit of the petitioners and those who lost the elections. Kofi Atta ...
read full comment

Red, black and green - NDC!
All Kofi Atta heard about this petiton is the "28 Unknown Polling Stations". He says a rerun election would only inure to the benefit of the petitioners and those who lost the elections. Kofi Atta did not listen to the last day of the case when the EC in its own volition presented in evidence 17 forged pink sheets with "Amusu" and "Awusu" purporting they are originals and corresponding duplicates? Kofi Atta never read judges opinion across board on "voting without biometric verification", "over-voting", "pink sheets with no presiding officer signature", (a constitutional requirement?). Kofi Atta, in Atta Mills' reign, showed clearly his sympathies were with the NDC in all his writings. After Atta Mills' demise Kofi seemed to be walking in the middle of the road with a pretense of some neutrality. The SC case once again got Kofi Atta exposing his hypocrisy in all his review of what every Ghanaian saw live on television. Now after the very confusing and apparently "distressing" (to quote Atuguba) decision the SC came to Kofi Atta has turned his coat inside out. Very much like the proverbial "obosomaketsew".
Steve 12 years ago

It's over.you lost.don't change the rules in the middle of the game.well I forgot y'all always stop the game and take your football home.

It's over.you lost.don't change the rules in the middle of the game.well I forgot y'all always stop the game and take your football home.
Joe 12 years ago

There is no need for you to criticize the Prof personally. If you disagree with his opinion, then suggest yours. This debate of insults has to stop. The article from the Proff was educating and must be respected.

There is no need for you to criticize the Prof personally. If you disagree with his opinion, then suggest yours. This debate of insults has to stop. The article from the Proff was educating and must be respected.
Kwaku Darling 12 years ago

This guy uses Cambridge to appear intellectual but in reality he is NDC foot soldier. His comment s about his perceived NPP intellectuals shows his disdain for anything NPP. He accuses others of the very thing he is doing. S ...
read full comment

This guy uses Cambridge to appear intellectual but in reality he is NDC foot soldier. His comment s about his perceived NPP intellectuals shows his disdain for anything NPP. He accuses others of the very thing he is doing. Shame on you Kofi Ata!
Brain 12 years ago

Are you saying that financial cost in Ghana is worries...but justices that will tell all Ghanaians fair judgement
that will build Ghana with unity?
We the Ghanaians are having trust our jurists and is divided due to politic ...
read full comment

Are you saying that financial cost in Ghana is worries...but justices that will tell all Ghanaians fair judgement
that will build Ghana with unity?
We the Ghanaians are having trust our jurists and is divided due to political
interest of few corruptible leaders
BOY KOFI 12 years ago

Let's find out what is our "long term national interest" in the context of the SC verdict.I think the Supreme Court judges have saved Ghana in proper term of the word.We are saved because of the reasonable verdict,we are free ...
read full comment

Let's find out what is our "long term national interest" in the context of the SC verdict.I think the Supreme Court judges have saved Ghana in proper term of the word.We are saved because of the reasonable verdict,we are free to move on,we are saved from violence and chaos.We are saved because there is peace and stability in the country now.We are saved because the Supreme Court judges came up with an acceptable verdict.I am sure the cardinal interest of Ghana is peace and stability and the judges have tried very hard in their wisdom to maintain it.All this stupid petition gymnatics is over now,let's get together and help development in Ghana.Thank you.
Kwobia,Toronto 12 years ago

Thanks Kofi.Your analysis has been bang on.The verdict was right on and saved Ghana from possibly sinking into the abyss.The self serving NPP presented a half-baked story to the SC and got the verdict they thoroughly deserve.

Thanks Kofi.Your analysis has been bang on.The verdict was right on and saved Ghana from possibly sinking into the abyss.The self serving NPP presented a half-baked story to the SC and got the verdict they thoroughly deserve.
NANA APINTOHENE 12 years ago

Kofi, your article exposes your weakness in evaluating justice and fairness. The interpretation of the electoral laws by the SC has been anything but degrading and disgraceful. What we need in Ghana today is honesty, probity ...
read full comment

Kofi, your article exposes your weakness in evaluating justice and fairness. The interpretation of the electoral laws by the SC has been anything but degrading and disgraceful. What we need in Ghana today is honesty, probity and accountability not partisanship.
Please come again .
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Nana Apintohene, my rejoinder to Prof Ayittey's article had nothing to do with justice and fairness. I responded to specific issues in his article. Indeed, I posted an article on justice and fairness on Ghanaweb before the ru ...
read full comment

Nana Apintohene, my rejoinder to Prof Ayittey's article had nothing to do with justice and fairness. I responded to specific issues in his article. Indeed, I posted an article on justice and fairness on Ghanaweb before the ruling and I refer you to it (Whose justice will the Justices' justice be, NDC or NPP?", Ghanaweb, August 3, 2013). After you have had the opportunity to read that article, then you can assess or evaluate my understanding of justice and fairness.

The article was also never about probity and accountability. I am sure I have written articles that addressed such matters but not this one. I have made my views very clear on the matters I challenged in Prof Ayittey's article and I have nothing more to add by way of coming back as you suggested.
Dan 12 years ago

Ghana is not broke

Ghana is not broke
Dan 12 years ago

Kofi help GH to collect woyome's money

Kofi help GH to collect woyome's money
LONTO-BOY 12 years ago

MASSA KOFI, you presented your rejoinder in almost an "argumentum ad hominem" fashion. This is not your typical style of attacking with all guns blazing! It defeats the beauty of the discussion and your presented arguments.
...
read full comment

MASSA KOFI, you presented your rejoinder in almost an "argumentum ad hominem" fashion. This is not your typical style of attacking with all guns blazing! It defeats the beauty of the discussion and your presented arguments.

Clearly, the Supreme Court was in a no-win situation. Whatever the politics, whichever way the decision went, and on what basis the SC Justices took their decisions, people would have reacted on a political trajectory due to perceptions of bias.

In the context of Prof George Ayittey's article/presentation, we've to understand his language in the context of the different reasoning and the contradictory interpretations by the Justices on some of the Constitutional provisions and electoral issues, and of course their voting pattern. So, has the "SC Verdict Exposed Polarised Bench"? I'll say, yes. Though, I don't agree with some of his deliberately inaccurate analysis of the ruling.

My concern is that the SC Justices undermine their integrity and authority of the SC by not speaking with one voice. Given the closeness of the election, the ruling was always going to court controversy, and the 5-4 ruling suggests that the verdict was a political verdict rather than reasoned judicial judgement.
BOY KOFI 12 years ago

This is a politico-judiciary case and not a criminal one so the equation will always be political.Nana Addo himself knows that he lost the elections but he tried to use the judiciary to his advantage but failed miserably.That ...
read full comment

This is a politico-judiciary case and not a criminal one so the equation will always be political.Nana Addo himself knows that he lost the elections but he tried to use the judiciary to his advantage but failed miserably.That is very dishonest on behalf of Nana Addo,we must thank God the judges neutralised his plans.Thank you.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

LONTO-BOY, I accept that my style amounted to a personal attack on Prof Ayittey instead of debating him and I am sorry for that. With hindsight, I should not have gone that far. There is no justification for that though my ex ...
read full comment

LONTO-BOY, I accept that my style amounted to a personal attack on Prof Ayittey instead of debating him and I am sorry for that. With hindsight, I should not have gone that far. There is no justification for that though my excuse was that I used to hold the man in extreme high regard but his argument fell far below what I expected. May be, because I have never read any of his articles or academic work.

I like your honesty and objectivity. Yes, there is no doubt that the SC 5-4 majority is polarisation of the bench and a reflection of Ghanaian society. In fact, even a unanimous decision would not have ended the political polarisation between NDC and NPP. I am not sure the 5-4 decision undermines their integrity and authority. I expected a political decision as was in the case of Al Gore - v- Bush in the USA. A political clothed in legal language and that is what we got. As I have said in a response to Nyasasem, my real beef is with the dissenting Justices. This is not because they upheld the three claims but for some other reason that I intend to post an article on it after NPP's Committee studying the ruling has reported its findings.
C.Y. ANDY-K 12 years ago

Kofi, you don't have to be APOLOGETIC for your choice of words at all! Even if you were most polite in your rejoinder, Prof. Ayittey would have released a bombastic response on you, THAT'S, if he bothered to respond at all. H ...
read full comment

Kofi, you don't have to be APOLOGETIC for your choice of words at all! Even if you were most polite in your rejoinder, Prof. Ayittey would have released a bombastic response on you, THAT'S, if he bothered to respond at all. He is better than Ahoofe though: he responds to criticism by unloading on the critic longer write-ups he might have written earlier in response to something similar on another thread.

And you are absolutely correct in attacking his intellectual acumen, and many of the Ghanaians abroad making noise. I guess you have read what I wrote above. They are just humbug!

Andy-K
Mensah 12 years ago

You are an NDC propagandist, and you are trying hard to hide this fact.

You are an NDC propagandist, and you are trying hard to hide this fact.
Sarfo 12 years ago

Kuffour poisoned the waters at the court--by his stupid desire to find Tsikata at all cost.

By his actions, Kuffour actually politicized the court--by appointing justices who took positions to reverse the earlier decisio ...
read full comment

Kuffour poisoned the waters at the court--by his stupid desire to find Tsikata at all cost.

By his actions, Kuffour actually politicized the court--by appointing justices who took positions to reverse the earlier decisions. So in future, all appointments to the Supreme court are going to be political.
TerriblY Spe cifiC 12 years ago

Kofi, do you prefer short term economic gains, chaos, or the trust in Ghana by the numerous admirers for Gnana's respect for the rule of law?etc...The latter has, and will place Ghana above her peers. Just take of your parti ...
read full comment

Kofi, do you prefer short term economic gains, chaos, or the trust in Ghana by the numerous admirers for Gnana's respect for the rule of law?etc...The latter has, and will place Ghana above her peers. Just take of your partisan lenses and come again. I respect you, don't join the masses to discredit your hard earned reputation.

55 Comments

Welcome,

SIGN IN

Welcome,

RESET PASSWORD

Hello,

Terms and conditions

REGISTER

RE: SC Verdict Exposed Polarised Bench

Read Comments .st0{display:none;fill:#14BDD3;} .st1{display:none;} .st2{display:inline;fill:#FC0F0F;} .st3{display:inline;fill:#FFFFFF;} .st4{display:inline;fill:none;stroke:#000000;stroke-width:6;stroke-miterlimit:10;} Comments (55)

Read Comments Comments (55)