ON IBRAHIM MAHAMA AND MATTERS ARISING, WILL NDC EVER LEARN ANY LESSONS FROM THEIR PREVIOUS MISTAKES?

ON IBRAHIM MAHAMA AND MATTERS ARISING, WILL NDC EVER LEARN ANY LESSONS FROM THEIR PREVIOUS MISTAKES?

Iddi Muhayu-Deen asks...

If you followed recent developments regarding Ibrahim Mahama's predicaments with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) over his fraudulent conduct and the reaction from the NDC, you would shudder to think that this political party [NDC] ever learns any lessons from its previous mistakes. You recall how the NDC heavily defended one of their own, the infamous Alfred Agbesi Woyome at the time allegation of fraud was levied against him involving some GHc 510 million of the taxpayers' money.

They told us that Woyome was a hardworking, successful and genuine businessman. They said the allegations levied against him were unmeritorious and that, all the people making those allegations were only jealous of Woyome's impeccable success story in the Corporate World. But what happened eventually?

The same NDC, shamelessly ate back their words and came to tell us that Woyome was indeed a FRAUDSTER and that, he duped the NDC government and the State of Ghana by extension with some fraudulent claims. In fact, they proceeded to court and pressed charges of criminality and fraud against the very man they defended like nobody's business. The rest is history which will be told generations even when we are long gone. I thought this Woyomegate should be enough lessons to the NDC but hey! that was NOT meant to be.

Like the déjà vu, today, this same NDC is busily defending one of its own again in the person of Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of former President John Mahama of 44.4 onaapo fame. Just as they did in the Woyome case, they are telling us that Ibrahim Mahama is also a hardworking, successful and genuine businessman. They are telling us that the allegation of TAX EVASION and FRAUD being levied against Ibrahim Mahama is unmeritorious, baseless and vexatious.

In his case, they've added a new word. They say he is being witch hunted. So, I ask, if you prove to be a witch, what do you expect will happen to you? Are witches supposed to be hunted or pampered? I don't know about you, but my grandma tells me we DON'T pamper witches but HUNT them because they are dangerous creatures. When NDC was in power, Ibrahim Mahama was a 'King Kong'. He was incredibly UNTOUCHABLE. He assumed an omnipotent and omniscient stature. He was a mini god. He was basically a defector President of Ghana.

He could get anything he wanted and nobody; I repeat, nobody could dare him. Of course, he had the full support of his brother, President John Mahama at the time. Ibrahim Mahama was awarded every JUICY CONTRACT in this country except those he didn't want. He was into road construction, ICT projects, energy deals, youth projects, building projects, sanitation projects, sports projects, transport business, banking services and several others. Simply put, Ibrahim Mahama was into everything that provided money.

Yet, he wouldn't even pay his taxes as mandated by law. Meanwhile, we, the poor Ghanaians, pay our taxes including my grandma, who sells "koko and kulikuli" in Kete-Krachi to fend for the family. TAX EVASION is a CRIMINAL ACT remember? But of course, NOT when the Mahama's are involved. 'Who born dog?' The GRAs, the Police, the EOCOs, the BNIs, and all the other relevant State Institutions could not implement the laws to the latter because of the direct investment of the Mahamas in the circumstances. Power indeed sweet.

The Mahamas could even issue dud cheques to our revenue authorities and still go scot free. Remember, our laws do not permit the payment of import duties with cheques, but 'almighty' Ibrahim Mahama could do that, even with fake cheques. He did that not once, not twice, not trice but as many as 44 times with impunity. Perhaps that explains why candidate John Mahama got approximately 44% in the last elections.

So, just as we have 1-District-1-factory, this can also be likened to 1 cheque, 1% for the NDC. "I laugh enter Bole Flagstaff House". If the NDC had not lost the 2016 elections, Ibrahim Mahama would surely have continued importing goods and paying import duties with fake cheques; an act, that is clearly fraudulent and criminal per our laws. The gravity of Ibrahim Mahama's criminal offense, explains why EOCO has joined the investigation in order to ensure that the ordinary Ghanaian taxpayer gets justice.

Interestingly, this is what our NDC friends say they can't understand. They say Ibrahim Mahama is being witchhunted by the NPP government. And guess what? The most outlandish and weird justification from the NDC is that, Ibrahim Mahama is owed by the State for contracts he purportedly executed. They say, the government should therefore deduct the taxes Ibrahim Mahama owes the State from the amount he is supposedly owed by the government. Can you just imagine? If indeed the government genuinely owes Ibrahim Mahama, why didn't they pay him in the entire 8 years they were in office? We are not kids in this country.

If I want to stretch their egregiously incompetent argument, then I will say, the NDC is by this logic, essentially telling us that all the public servants including teachers and nurses who are owed salary arrears by the government can argue that they won't pay electricity bills or water bills or even school fees to the relevant institutions and rather suggest to government to deduct these bills from their salary arrears. That is the NDC's logic for you. They have reduced everything in this country to comic relief.

I think His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia should not only advise them to READ Economics but also, LOGICAL REASONING and POLITICAL COMMUNICATIONS because they are even poorer in these two disciplines. It is pretty obvious that, the Mahamas are the NDC's main problem and until the party "gets rid of anything Mahama", they will continue to suffer more and more legendary humiliations. Citizens are talking NOT spectators. Let those with hearing ears listen.

Assalamu alaikum

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

 
#ForGodAndCountry

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ON THE US$2.25 BILLION BOND “CONTROVERSY”, DR. BAWUMIA WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT WHEN HE ASSERTED THAT THE MINORITY (NDC) MPS ARE EITHER IGNORANT OR MISCHIEVOUS

ON THE US$2.25 BILLION BOND “CONTROVERSY”, DR. BAWUMIA WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT WHEN HE ASSERTED THAT THE MINORITY (NDC) MPS ARE EITHER IGNORANT OR MISCHIEVOUS 

Iddi Muhayu-Deen writes…

If you keenly followed the raging controversy on the recently issued 15-year bond by the government of Ghana, you can only make one of two deductions regarding the conduct of the Minority in Parliament, who are the originators of this otiose controversy. You would come to the realization that these NDC MPS (Minority) are either IGNORANT or MISCHIEVOUS on the matter. And by that, His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was completely spot on when he described their conduct with either of the two words. You just can’t understand them and the game of absurdity they are playing in the circumstances. 

Honestly, I am increasingly getting worried and saddened at the fast rate at which they are losing credibility and reducing an otherwise serious enterprise of politics to one of petty gimmickry and child’s play. Ordinarily, we ought to treat the issues they are raising, or should I say non-issues, with all the contempt that they deserve. But I am minded of the fact that not all of us are privy to the relevant nitty-gritty as far as the ‘bond issue’ is concerned. It is in the light of this that I am indulging them in order to expose the incompetence of their argument and tell the true story to the Ghanaian people.

The Minority argue that, the whole deal (issuance of the 15-year bond) was shrouded in secrecy and smacks of conflict of interest. They also contend that the transaction ought to have received parliamentary approval pursuant to Article 181(5) of the Constitution because it is an international transaction. That is the case of the Minority and the NDC for that matter against the deal in issue. Let’s now deal with each of their 3 concerns one after the other.

Was the deal shrouded in secrecy?

Before answering this question, we must all appreciate the fact that our laws spell out procedures for issuing government bonds, whether domestic or otherwise. So, until these procedures are breached, it will be out of place for anyone to suggest that the deal was done in error and surreptitiously choreographed to give undue advantage to one particular investor by name, Franklin Templeton (FT). The facts of this particular deal clearly point to one direction, which is that, it was done in accordance with due process and in conformity with the established procedures. 

The Ministry of Finance was not the body that issued the bond directly. It was issued as per the debt issuance calendar by the Book Runners (comprising Barclays, Stanbic and SAS finance group) on behalf of the government. In fact, these same Book Runners have since 2005, been in charge of issuing government’s domestic bonds after they were contracted by the Bank of Ghana for this purpose. In pursuance to the established procedures, the Book Runners did announce the issuance of the 15-year bond to the market on 30^th March, via electronic mail and same was published on the Bank of Ghana website and that of the Finance Ministry.

Over 25 investors including Franklin Templeton (FT) participated in this bond issue. It was not the first time FT participated in a bid to buy government of Ghana domestic bond. This same FT has been buying government of Ghana bonds since 2015 when NDC was in power at very expensive interest rates. For instance, on 30^th November, 2015 and 27^th June, 2016, they bought a 5-year bond at a coupon rate of 24% in each case. But today, under NPP, we are talking about a 15-year bond at a coupon rate of only 19%, which is the cheapest and best deal we have gotten from our domestic bond issue.  This is what the NDC cannot understand.

Was there any conflict of interest situation?

The Minority hasn’t been able to provide any shred of evidence to back their allegation of conflict of interest against the Finance Minister. Yet, they are inviting us to interrogate this unsubstantiated claims they are making. They only talk about the Finance Minister having a business relationship with the Enterprise Group. But is the Enterprise Group the same as Franklin Templeton (FT)? A big NO. Has the Enterprise Group bought any government bond? A big NO. Does the Finance Minister have any share or interest in FT? A big NO. Was the Finance Minister the person who sold the bond to FT? A big NO.

Was the Finance Minister in a position to compel all the transaction Bank Runners as well as the Bank of Ghana to sell the bond to FT? A big NO.  Is this the first time FT is buying government bond? A big NO. Has Franklin Templeton (FT) been buying government bond from the NDC when they were in power? A big YES. So, the NDC is essentially telling us that when Franklin Templeton (FT) buys government of Ghana bond from an NDC government, it doesn’t amount to conflict of interest. However, when Franklin Templeton (FT) buys bonds from an NPP government, then that amounts to conflict of interest. Such kindergarten logic!

Clearly, they have some great difficulty in appreciating what conflict of interest is. If I'm to help them, I will tell them that conflict of interest is when their general secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, decides to award himself a contract of supplying blocks to the Bui Power Authority at the time he was serving as a Board Member of the Authority. I will also tell them that conflict of interest is when Ibrahim Mahama wins almost every juicy contract in the country on sole-sourced basis at the time his brother, H. E. John Mahama was serving as President.

Was parliamentary approval a necessity?

The Minority also claims that Article 181(5) of the Constitution was breached because government did not seek parliamentary approval before issuing the 15-year bond. Such incompetent argument! To start with, Article 181(5) doesn't come in at all because the bond in issue is a DOMESTIC BOND to the extent that it is in cedi denomination. It is therefore NOT an international transaction, which would have required the invocation of Article 181(5) and for that matter parliamentary approval. Indeed, when NDC was in power, they issued not less than 23 cedi denominated (domestic) bonds and NONE was brought to parliament for approval.

Nobody raised any qualms because our laws permit that. So, why should it be different this time round? Why is the NDC (Minority) requiring the NPP government to have sought for parliamentary approval before issuing the famous 15-year domestic bond? Has our Constitution changed? Is the NDC telling us that we are now being governed by the Togolese or Ivorian Constitution because NPP is in power? These people must get serious. Are they telling us that if an NDC government issues a domestic bond, it doesn’t need parliamentary approval BUT if an NPP government issues a domestic bond, it needs a parliamentary approval?  Such absurdity!

Conclusion

It is pretty obvious from the foregoing that, the NDC is increasingly becoming uncomfortable at the rate at which the Akufo-Addo government is committed to fulfilling all of its ambitious campaign promises. They thought the government could not find money to implement these gargantuan promises because they left behind empty coffers. They were however taken by surprise when the government came out with the idea of capping of statutory payments in order to provide the needed space for the prioritization of government expenditure.

The NDC thought they had over-borrowed and because of that, the NPP government was going to be overwhelmed with the payment of maturing debts together with accompanying interests, leaving the government with no fiscal space to implement its campaign promises. They are therefore shocked that the NPP government is being successful in its quest to replacing their (the NDC’s) suffocating short term expensive bonds with a long term less expensive bonds as in the case of the 15-year US$2.25 billion domestic bond which is going to provide the government with the necessary fiscal mileage to operate smoothly.

They were also shocked when the NPP government was able to successfully negotiate with the nation's creditors especially the Britain Woods Institutions to provide some "relief" to the government on the debt repayment schedules and other conditionalities. I'm sure you've heard the Minority Spokesperson on Finance and Economy, Hon. Ato Forson on joy fm, accusing the IMF and the World Bank of discriminating against the erstwhile NDC government. I will pardon you if you decide to have a good laugh at this moment. And please, help me tell Hon. Ato Forson and his NDC that there is something we call investor CONFIDENCE in the management and managers of a nation's economy.

If they don't understand, they should take a cue from Dr. Bawumia's friendly advice for them to read more. The NDC would continue to be in shock until they decide to humble themselves and learn the rudiments of proper economics instead of Woyomenomics. Until they do that, they would never understand why their government (NDC), in four years, wasted so much time and energy chasing some US$3 billion from China but to no avail, whereas an NPP government, in less than 100 days, secures as much as US$2.25 billion from the issuance of a domestic bond.

That is the crux of the NDC’s problem, which of course, is born out of IGNORANCE or MISCHIEF as observed by His Excellency Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Let me end with a quote from the legendary and famous Abdul Malik Kweku Baako who said on joy fm newsfile that, “The Minority’s ugly noise about the recent local bond is driven by ignorance, mischief, misinformation and disinformation”. These are responsible citizens talking NOT spectators.

Assalamu alaikum

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#ForGodAndCountry

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AN OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF PRESIDENT NANA ADDO’S FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE

17^th April, 2017

AN OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF PRESIDENT NANA ADDO’S FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE

By Iddi Muhayu-Deen

Today marks exactly 100 days of the inauguration of His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo and His Excellency Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia into office. Today marks 100 days of the CHANGE Ghanaians voted for. On this milestone occasion, the Ghanaian people surely have cause to reflect on the CHANGE they voted for. The Ghanaian people have cause to assess the performance of the Nana Addo government even though everybody reckons that ‘100 days’ is too short a time for any serious assessment of a government’s performance.

For a government that has a 4-year mandate which translates into some 1,468+ days, it would be “ridiculous” to suggest that there can be any serious assessment of the government’s performance within just 100 days. In other words, the government has spent less than 7% of the period it has to govern and so, really, any such assessment at this period, would only be cosmetic and for academic purposes.

That notwithstanding, this exercise has become part of our subculture and so, I am also joining the rest of Ghana to do an objective assessment of President Akufo-Addo’s first 100 days in office.  In the clear absence of a marking scheme, I would, for this exercise, use the party’s 2016 manifesto; which document, contains the social contract between the NPP and the Ghanaian electorates.

But before that, it is gratifying to observe that President Akufo-Addo has made history by being the first President in this Republic who has been able to successfully constitute the full complement of his government within the first 100 days upon assumption of office. This enviable record is surely worth mentioning and approbating. Now, let’s move on with our assessment of the government’s performance using the NPP manifesto as our guide.

Let’s start with the ECONOMY because it is the single most important and nonnegotiable aspect of the Ghanaian life. Everything, you agree, starts and ends with the economy. If we get our economy right, then automatically, every other thing would work for us and we are good to go. On the other hand, if we get our economic fundamentals wrong, then absolutely nothing will work for us.

The following points summarize the performance of the Akufo-Addo government in the area of the economy, which is being headed by His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President:

The Ghanaian currency (GH₵), which is the most important economic indicator has not only stabilized but is actually making SIGNIFICANT GAINS against the dollar (US$) and other currencies in the forex market. For instance, a dollar (1$) which went as high as GH₵4.85 in the early part of the year, is today, worth less than GH₵4.10. This is an indication of growing confidence in the Ghanaian economy and for that matter in our cedi.

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Ghana has significantly reduced its key lending, otherwise referred to as Policy Rate by as much as 200 basis points to Commercial Banks in the country. The Policy Rate now stands at only 23.5%. This reduction is said to be the biggest cut in over 10 years.

Inflation has since January, been declining consistently. The inflation rate now stands at only 12.8%, which is the lowest since November 2013.   

Ghana’s international or foreign reserve has in 100 days of Nana Addo’s presidency, witnessed a significant appreciation from US$6 billion to US$8 billion.

What this means is that, in 100 days, the Akufo-Addo government has been able to lay down a rock-solid foundation for our economic takeoff. That is, if we have not taken off already because as you can clearly see, all the economic indicators are pointing to a positive direction. And this is consistent with the NPP’s manifesto pledge of stabilizing the Ghanaian economy and putting it on the path of growth and posterity.

OTHER 100 DAYS ACHIEVEMENTS:  

Abolishment of nuisance taxes in fulfillment of the NPP’s manifesto promise. The taxes that have been abolished include among several others, the following:

Ø  17.5% VAT on financial services

Ø  17.5% VAT on trading activities

Ø  17.5% VAT on domestic airlines

Ø  17.5% VAT on medicines that are not produced locally

Ø  Import duties on spare parts

Ø  Kayaye tax

Ø  Energy sector levies

Ø  Special petroleum taxes

Ø  Etc ….

Also, some of the seemingly overambitious campaign promises of the NPP are also being realized within its first 100 days in office. They include:

The establishment of a Zongo Development Fund with a seed capital of GH₵219.00 million. In fact, this was preceded by the creation of a whole Ministry, called the Ministry of Inner Cities and Zongo Development.

The famous 1-District-1-Factory Initiative, which is going to be spearheaded by the private sector, has received a major boost in these 100 days of Nana Addo’s presidency with the allocation of over GH₵456.30 million in the 2017 budget.

Government has also set-aside an equivalence of US$275.00 million in the 2017 budget to be allocated to each of the 275 Constituencies in the country in fulfillment of the famous 1-Constituency-$1m pledge. Three development authorities are being established to oversee to the disbursement of this fund and for that matter the realization of this flagship promise.

The government’s PLANTING FOR FOOD AND JOBS campaign, which is expected to create over 750,000 jobs annually, has also taken off in earnest with the inauguration of the national implementation committee. Again, implementation sub-committees have been inaugurated in some of the regions. Of course, as we all know, in the 2017 budget, an amount of $120 million has been allocated for this project.  

The Akufo-Addo government has in 100 days, significantly dealt with the dumsor issue; something, the previous NDC government couldn’t do in three and half years. 

Government has increased the capitation grant to basic schools by as much as 100% and this is evidenced in the 2017 budget statement.

Government has also released an amount of GH₵ 1.587 million to settle all outstanding salary areas for teachers

Government has also advanced plans and preparations for the smooth implementation of its flagship intervention in the area of education. I am talking about the famous free SHS, which would takeoff in September this year. An amount of GH₵400.00 million has already been allocated in the 2017 budget for this programme. Moving forward, the free SHS would be financed from the Annual Budget Funding Amount  (ABFA) and other domestic sources spelt out in the budget to make the programme more sustainable.

In its quest to significantly boost agriculture, which is undoubtedly the bulwark of our economy, government has in these 100 days, reduced the price of fertilizer by as much as 50% in order to provide relief to our gallant farmers. Government has so far imported 300,000 tonnes of fertilizer to be distributed to farmers at this highly subsidized rate.

Government has within its first 100 days, increased the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Youth and Sports by over a 100% in order to enhance sports development in the country. The sports budget has shot up from GH₵21 million to GH₵45.8 million, which is unprecedented in the history of this country. 

  

Again, the necessary budgetary allocations have been made for the complete restoration of teacher and nursing trainee allowance.

Government has given financial clearance for the employment of over 11,000 nurses who have been sitting idle after completing their courses from 2012 to 2016. Clearance has also been given in these 100 days, for the immediate employment of all unemployed doctors in the system. 

Government has also given approval for the payment of an upward adjustment in National Service allowance from GH₵350.00 to GH₵559.04 constituting some 60% rise. This is the highest increment in NSS allowance since its introduction in 1973.

From all indications, if I am to continue telling the story of what this government has been able to achieve in just 100 days, I wouldn’t finish anytime soon. But for want of time and space, kindly permit me to take a break here. But before that, I am very quick to admit that, just as there have been a lot of positives, there have also been some negatives in President Akufo-Addo’s first 100 days.

Inarguably, the biggest challenge for this government in its first 100 days has to do with the excesses of some political “vigilante groups” associated with the governing NPP. Their acts of lawlessness, regrettably, have taken some shine away from the incalculable positives of the government of His Excellency President Akufo-Addo.

I am however happy that significant arrests have been made and prosecution is ongoing, which is giving true meaning to RULE OF LAW. We didn’t see much of this in the past government. This government is also having to contend with the debilitating galamsey menace, which is a generational problem but has now assumed the greatest attention ever.

All in all, you would agree with me that the government’s story so far, has been rosy and cozy. And if you consider the fact that the government has been in power for ONLY 100 days out of the 1,468+ days or 4 years, then you can imagine how significant this is. You can also imagine how refreshing the narrative would be at the end of the government’s first 4 years in office, ceteris paribus.

In the nutshell, President Akufo-Addo’s first 100 days in office has been 100 days of economic stability; 100 days of relief for all; 100 days of growth and development; 100 days of jobs; and ultimately, 100 days of hope and prosperity for the Ghanaian people. I am happy to say, this is the CHANGE majority of Ghanaians campaigned and voted for. Once again, Mr. President, you have given me more than enough reasons to proudly say, I AM A GHANAIAN; a citizen not a spectator.

Assalamu alaikum

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#TellingTheGovernmentStory

#ForGodAndCountry

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AND WHAT IS YOUR MINIMUM STANDARD MR. SAMPSON LARDY AYENINI AND JOY FM?

AND WHAT IS YOUR MINIMUM STANDARD MR. SAMPSON LARDY AYENINI AND JOY FM?

Iddi Muhayu-Deen asks ...

Mr. Sampson Lardy Ayenini, you know, I hold you in high esteem. You are one of the few journalists Ghanaians respect so much because of the enviable niche of professionalism you have carved for yourself. Under normal circumstances, I shouldn't be questioning your decisions and actions especially in your line of duty. But you have compelled me to make an exception today.

As you can see, your name is being mentioned on almost every social media platform for all the wrong reasons. You are probably trending more than the famous "#StopGalamseyNow" campaign by the Ghanaian people; albeit, for the wrong reasons. It is widely reported that you PREVENTED two of the finest communicators of the NPP from representing the party and government on a programme you host on Joy fm, Newsfile, on account that they were *below your minimum standard*. Like seriously?

Granted this is true, I am compelled to join the rest of Ghana to ask you what that minimum standard is. What is that minimum standard that the famous Nana Boakye and Eric Twum do not meet? Mind you, these two gentlemen have both been appointed by His Excellency President Akufo-Addo to serve in his government. Nana Boakye (soon to be a lawyer) is currently serving as the *Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS)*, whereas Eric Twum is the *Deputy Chief Executive Director of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority*.

So if you tell me that they do not meet your minimum standard, you are not only insulting them, but also, His Excellency President Akufo-Addo, who has appointed them to serve in his government in these sensitive positions? Are you telling me that President Akufo-Addo appoints substandard materials to serve in his government? Come on! Mr. Know-it-all Sampson Ayenini. I am very interested and so, are Ghanaians, in the standard you talk about. What standard does NDC's Abraham Amaliba of "high rise building" fame and Felix Ofosu Kwakye meet, that, the hardworking Nana Boakye and Eric Twum do not meet?

You allow these NDC guys, whom people have described as babies with sharp teeth, on your Show but you won't allow Nana Boakye and Eric Twum, who do not have any record of making abrasive comments to have merited the 'babies with sharp teeth' tag. Need I tell you that these two men have been representing the NPP and government on all the major political talkshow in the country? Is your minimum standard bigger than the one used by the 'greatest broadcaster' in Ghana today, Kwame Sefa Kayi, aka the Chairman General?

If you care to know, Kwame Sefa Kayi (KSK) hosts both Nana Boakye and Eric Twum on his Show, dubbed, *kokrokoo on peace fm,* which has consistently won "Best Morning Show Award" in the country. Are you also telling us that the likes of Randy Abbey of Metro Tv, Kaba of Asempa fm, Kwame Nkrumah Tek3se of Neat fm, Steven Enti of TV 3, Nana Aba Anamoah of GHOne all use substandard criteria? What at all is your standard Sampson and why can't you be CONSISTENT in applying your very standard? I asked this because Eric Twum, whom you drove away for not meeting your minimum standard, was once hosted by you on that same show sometime in 2015.

Or, you chose and pick who, how and when to apply your standard? What is so technical about the topics for your discussants that day, that you think Nana Boakye and Eric Twum could not make any meaningful contribution? Is it President Nana Addo's 100 days in office OR NDC internal wrangling OR the delta force brouhaha OR the galamsey menace? And if I may digress a little bit, what standard allows the host of a programme to talk more than his panelists? I don't want to call you a host with sharp teeth. Or a lawyer with sharp teeth. I am not sure this is the joy fm standard. I guess I have to end here before I get too emotional and begin to also assume a sharp teeth.

In concluding Mr. Sampson, I regret to tell you that you have just pressed the *self-destruct button* and if you don't do the honorable thing and apologize to the two persons involved, the NPP and to we, the ardent listeners of Joy fm, I'm afraid you have taken all the shine away from yourself and Joy fm and you may not be able to withstand the fallouts. Sampson, you must swallow your pride and vanity. Your followers deserve better. The listeners of Joy fm deserve better. Well, if this is a trap, then you have failed, because the NPP, unlike the NDC, will not boycott the station over this. Citizens are talking NOT spectators.

Assalamu alaikum

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#ForGodAndCountry

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NDC CALLING NPP VIOLENT IS AKIN TO THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK

NDC CALLING NPP VIOLENT IS AKIN TO THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK

Iddi Muhayu-Deen writes…

So today, the NDC National Chairman, Kofi Portuphy can organize a Press Conference and call the NPP a violent party? He can call the NPP a terrorist organization? Has he forgotten of his own past? Do I have to remind him of his own deeds and the NDC’s? I hate to do this but they have called for it. So come with me and let’s play their kind of ball. Let’s engage them in their own territory. But before I proceed, I want the NDC National Chairman to start by telling us the state of investigation in the case involving him and the police in respect of electoral violence. This is a man who was caught by the police carrying weapons in his car en route to the Talensi Constituency during the by-election in 2015.

The NDC National Chairman [Kofi Portuphy] was caught with sophisticated guns including AK47 as if he was going to fight the notorious Al-Qaeda terrorist group and capture their leader, Osama Bin Laden at the battle field. Today, this same man has the effrontery to accuse the NPP and in particular, His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo of being violent. How can a political party that was formed out of violence be accusing another party of being violent? How can a political party, whose founder called for the democratization of violence and regularization of the freedom of assassination, be calling another political party violent? How can a political party, whose founder openly said, “let the blood flow” be calling another party violent?

How can a political party (tradition) that is on record to have superintended over the macabre killing of three High Court Judges, be calling another political party violent? How can a political party that beat-up its own National Chairman, General Secretary and Women Organizer [Obed Asamoah, Bid Zeeden and Francis Essiem respectively] to the point of death, be calling another political party violent?  How can a political party, whose footsoldiers were led by their northern regional chairman to storm a Tamale High Court, destroyed court properties and instructed a judge to remand some NPP sympathizers [Yahuza and four others] who were granted bail by the same judge, be calling another party violent?

How can a political party whose footsoldiers banned a sitting President [His Excellency Late John Mills] from stepping foot in Tamale, be calling another party violent? How can a political party that ‘killed’ its Kwesimintim Constituency Chairman with acid in 1993, be calling another party violent?  How can a political party, whose communicators and footsoldiers publicly threatened to kill the nation’s Supreme Court judges and rape Her Ladyship the Chief Justice, be calling another party violent? How can a political party that mounted incessant pressure on a sitting president [H.E. John Mahama] to free its members who were duly convicted of criminal contempt by a competent court of jurisdiction, be calling another political party violent?

How can a political party, whose footsoldiers and gangsters [Mohammed Ayatu, Abdalla Rasta and Albert Naa] openly butchered 3 NPP supporters [Soala, Alhassan and Sule] to death in front of a police station in Agbogbloshie, be calling another party violent? How can a political party, whose General Secretary [Asiedu Nketia], dressed in a war regalia, led a group of militants on their side in 2008 to storm the headquarters of the Electoral Commission threatening to beat-up the chairman of the Commission and his officers if they didn’t declare the NDC presidential candidate as the winner of the elections, be calling another political party violent?

How can a political party, whose lawless supporters and footsoldiers in 2009 hijacked every single public toilet in the country, locked-up public offices including NHIS, NYEP and NADMO offices, beat-up public officers in these institutions whom they perceived to be sympathetic to the NPP, be calling another party violent? How can a political party, whose foot soldiers, after the declaration of the 2009 election results, ran amok visiting mayhem on innocent Ghanaians because their party [NDC] had come to power, be calling another political party violent? How can a political party, whose footsoldiers physically assault their DCEs, public officials and burnt tender documents, be calling another political party violent? How can a political party, whose leading member and a presidential staffer at the time [Stan Dogbe] physically assaulted a journalist and smashed his camera for no apparent reason, be calling another party violent?

How can a political party, whose activist and so called national security operative was caught on camera and shown on national televisions with a gun shooting into a mammoth crowd of NPP supporters in Chereponi, injuring many, be calling another party violent? How can a political party, whose National Women Organizer (Anita Disoso) was seen driving into a crowd of NPP supporters during the infamous Atiwa by-election, causing severe injuries to many, be calling another party violent? How can a political party, whose leading member and Interior Minister at the time [Hon. Mark Woyongo] openly declared that violence begets violence, be calling another political party violent?  You see why I said our gods are increasingly becoming crazy?

Clearly, if I am to continue mentioning instances of violence and internal terrorism in the NDC, I may end up writing a whole book that may be more voluminous than the size of the Old and New Testament put together. The list is just inexhaustible. That is the NDC’s violent record for you. Yet, today, they are assuming a holier-than-thou attitude and pontificating at another political party in relation to political violence. What is even more astonishing is that, in all the examples I’ve mentioned above, there has NOT been a single arrest. Once NDC is in power, their footsoldiers act with so much impunity, as though, they are above the laws of this country. This is a sharp departure from what we are seeing today in the Akufo-Addo government; where the NPP supporters that engaged in lawlessness are being prosecuted to the latter.

With all of these, I’m sure you would agree with me that any attempt to compare the NDC’s violent record with that of any political party in Ghana, will not only be an exercise in absurdity but also, insanity. But wait a minute! Did I hear the NDC National Chairman make reference to comments made by Pastor Otabil and Rev. Martey in order to make a strong case for the NDC? I thought the NDC said these two men of God have no wisdom in them. I thought they said they are NPP pastors. I thought they said they are NPP pastors. I thought they said they are “devil incarnates”. So what has changed? Has the NDC now become a friend to the ‘devil’? These people indeed have no shame. Maybe, opposition has thought them some lessons. Don’t you love them?

But I don’t blame the NDC national chairman and his executives. What else do you expect from people that led their highly resourced party to record an unprecedented humiliating defeat at the polls? The party’s rank and file and footsoldiers are livid and have served notice that they will physically attack these executives if they dare come to their constituencies. That is why Portuphy and his team ‘in comfortable lead’ can only sit at the party headquarters in Accra and invite media houses to spew such political hogwash and balderdash. The drama has just begun and it promises to be more thrilling in the coming days and weeks. Surely, this drama provides a nice opportunity for my friends in Kumawood to make good money. The voice of a citizen NOT a spectator.

Assalamu alaikum

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#ForGodAndCountry

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THE NDC IS STILL ARROGANT AND DISRESPECTFUL EVEN IN OPPOSITION

THE NDC IS STILL ARROGANT AND DISRESPECTFUL EVEN IN OPPOSITION

Iddi Muhayu-Deen writes...

People of Ghana, I guess you are all saddened this evening upon listening to the NDC Press Conference, which was addressed by their National Chairman. It doesn't appear they've learnt any lessons from what we did to them at the polls. You would recall that they never showed us any modicum of respect when they were in government. They wouldn't listen to our cry even as we were being suffocated by their draconian policies and legendary incompetence. They treated us like trash.

And when we complained, they unleashed their babies with sharp teeth to baptize us with insult upon insult. They asked us to shut-up because they were in charge. In view of this and more, we decided to punish them at the polls. We decided to vote them out of power in a humiliating manner. We did that hoping they would learn lessons when they got to opposition. We did that hoping they would learn some humility if they went to opposition. Unfortunately we were wrong. We were completely wrong. They have not changed at all.

In fact, they are proving to be even more arrogant and disrespectful to the Ghanaian people. Their arrogance in government has now quadrupled in opposition. So I ask, did we go or did we come? Listening to their national chairman address the press this evening, you can't help but come to this inevitable conclusion. "Insult be wat!". "Condescension be wat!" "Arrogance be wat". These guys are just incredulous.

Almost every sentence they uttered was pregnant with insult. And guess who was their "target"? His Excellency my President, your President and our President. The most astonishing part of their gross impudence and indiscipline is that, they didn't have the decency to appropriately address him as the President of the Republic. They felt too big to call him by the "Your Excellency" title. They actually wish they could still call him "Opana" as they arrogantly did during the campaign.

How do you treat the Presidency, which is the Highest Office of the land with such disdain and still want to occupy it? Okay, they are free to continue seeing the former President, His Excellency John Mahama as their President and not His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, the man, whom the people of Ghana have given an overwhelming mandate to govern this country. The man, in whom lies the symbol of our national authority and for that matter the embodiment of our nation. They can continue with their unGhanaian attitude.

We, the people of Ghana only know one President, whom we shall accord all courtesies and reverence associated with that enviable office. Our President is and remains the indefatigable young old man in the person of His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo. May you live long Mr. President and put your detractors to perpetual shame. I have absolute confidence in your ability to deliver prosperity to the Ghanaian people. Now, more than ever, I am proud to say, I am a Ghanaian; a citizen not a spectator.

Assalamu alaikum

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#ForGodAndCountry

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PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE JUDGE IN THE DELTA FORCE CASE

PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE JUDGE IN THE DELTA FORCE CASE

Iddi Muhayu-Deen writes...

On the matter of the delta force brouhaha, why did the Presiding Judge refuse to grant bail to the 13 suspects, who were standing trial for an offence that is completely bailable? Even drug related offences are now bailable in Ghana; how much more a mere assault case? It is also instructive to note that these suspects were already on bail. The police granted them bail, which of course, came with some conditions.

They have been cooperating with the bail conditions without failure. They report themselves to the police everyday as part of the bail conditions. The police then takes them to court to prosecute their case as expected. In the cause of the trial, their lawyer pleaded with the judge to take a cue from the police's action and also grant them bail. The police and prosecutors did not object to this plea by their lawyer. Yes, I repeat, there was absolutely no objection.

But for some shocking and inexplicable reasons, the judge refuses to grant them bail. Instead, she chose to remand them in prison custody. How grotesque! This development, which a lot of people find, unjust and bizarre, was what caused that ugly spectacle in the courtroom. I have heard lawyers express shock at the conduct of the judge. The NPP supporters in the courtroom, mainly members of the delta force, just like the lawyers, were also outraged at the reprehensible conduct of the judge and decided to take the law into their own hands to exact justice. Very regrettable episode.

But remember one of the maxims of justice, which says that, justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. Unfortunately, that was lacking in this particular case per the circumstances thereof. Again, like they always say, there cannot be smoke without fire and in this case, we all know who stoked the fire leading to the smoke. So, as much as we all CONDEMN in the strongest terms, the lawless action of the delta force, we must acknowledge the fact that the judge's indiscretion in the matter, also contributed to this monumental disappointment.

Our judges must realize that, even though we say the law is in their bosom, it doesn't mean that they can choose to apply the law anyhow. It doesn't also mean that the rest of us cannot subject their interpretation of the law to commonsense analysis; after all, the law is a product of commonsense. Fortunately, we don't have to go to the law school to be blessed with commonsense. We are not unintelligent. We are responsible citizens NOT spectators.

Assalamu alaikum

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#ForGodAndCountry

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