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     Why The Child Of God Should Study The Word Of God (Part II)

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Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. – Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

INTRODUCTION

Last week, we explored some reasons “Why The Child of God Should Study the Word of God,” concluding with point 4, which emphasized that studying the word as a child of God is crucial because our adversary, the devil, is acquainted with it.

We said that Satan’s familiarity with the scripture implies that he had studied it, highlighting the importance for believers to read and study God’s Word to avoid being at a disadvantage against the devil, who appears to have certain scriptures memorized.

Today, we continue our exploration of the remaining points. Please enjoy the concluding part of the article and feel free to share it with others.

 

  1.  Because of the example of Paul.

Paul was probably the greatest Christian that ever lived. His spiritual accomplishments are nothing short of staggering. Here was a man who made the first three missionary journeys, who founded and pastored the first fifty or more Bible-believing churches, who wrote over half of the New Testament, and who on five occasions saw the resurrected Christ, and at least once was actually caught up into the third heaven itself! But then he was arrested, condemned to death, and placed in prison. Note carefully his final words to Timothy just prior to his execution.

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments” (2 Tim. 4:6-8,13).

What were these parchments? They were his copies of the Old Testament scrolls. The point to be made here is that in spite of all his marvelous achievements, the old apostle still felt he could profit from studying the Word of God on the eve of his death.

 

  1. Because the Bible alone provides answers to life’s three sixty-four-trillion-dollar questions.

These questions, pondered by every generation, are:

  1. Where did I come from?

“And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:26,27)

“Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.” (Ps. 100:3)

  1. Why am I here?

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13)

“Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev. 4:11)

 

  1. Where am I going?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps. 23:1,6)

“And whosever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev.20:15)

VII. Because we’ll never have the opportunity to apply many of its verses after we leave this earth.

 

  1. There will be no opportunity to apply 1 Corinthians 10:13in heaven.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13).

Reason: In heaven there will be no temptation.

 

  1. There will be no opportunity to apply 1 John 1:9in heaven.
    “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.(1 John 1:9)

Reason: In heaven there will be no sin.

  1. There will be no opportunity to apply Philippians 4:19in heaven.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil.4:19). Reason: In heaven there will be no need.

  1. There will be no opportunity to apply John 14:1-3in heaven.

“Let not your heart be troubled:ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3)

Reason: In heaven there will be no sorrow.

  1. There will be no opportunity to apply Psalm 23:4in heaven.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4)

Reason: In heaven there will be no death.

VIII.  Because the only ultimate proof for our faith is the Bible.

To introduce the eighth and final reason for studying God’s Word, the following imaginary situation is proposed. Often the unbeliever hurls the following accusation at the believer:

“Oh, you Christians-you’re all alike! You’re so dogmatic. You think you alone are right and everybody else is dead wrong. How can you possibly be so sure what you believe is true?” This question, though often asked in a scoffing manner, is nevertheless a fair one. How does the child of God know his faith is the only correct one?

Let us suppose that you are invited to an important social function in your hometown.

Attending this gathering are people from all over the world. As the introductions are being made, it slowly dawns upon you that the only professing Christian there is yourself. You are subsequently introduced to a Buddhist, a Confucianist, a Shintoist, a Moslem, and other individuals, all belonging to various non-Christian religions.

After a pleasant dinner, the conversation gradually turns out to matters of religion.

Your hostess, realizing this subject to be general interest, suddenly announces:

“I have a wonderful idea! Since everyone here seems to have a great interest in religion, may I suggest that we share with one another by doing the following: Each person will be allowed to speak uninterrupted for ten minutes on the subject, ‘Why I feel my faith is the right one.’”

The group quickly agrees with this unique and provocative idea. Then with no warning she suddenly turns you and exclaims, “You go first!” All talk immediately ceases. Every eye is fixed on you. Every ear is turned to pick up your first words. What would you say?

How would you start? Let us quickly list a few arguments which you could not use.

  1. You couldn’t say, “I know I’m right because I feel I’m right! Christ lives in my heart!” This, of course, is a wonderful truth experienced by all believers, but it would not convince the Buddhist, who would doubtless feel that he was right too.
  2. You couldn’tsay, “I know I’m right because Christianity has more followers in this world than any other religion.”

This is simply not true today. Actually, the sad truth is that evangelical Bible believing Christianity is a distinct minority in the world today. The Moslem would doubtless quickly point this out to you.

  1. You couldn’t “I know I’m right because Christianity is the oldest of all religions. Ultimately, of course, this is true. But the Confucianist might contend that Confucius presented his teachings centuries before the Bethlehem scene. Of course, he would not understand the eternal existence of our Lord Jesus Christ. These then are arguments you could not use. What could you say?

In reality you would have at your disposal only one single argument. But that argument, that weapon, used in the right way, would be more than enough to overwhelmingly convince any honest and sincere listener at the social gathering. That wonderful weapon, that unanswerable argument, is one’s own personal copy of the Bible! What could you say? Well, you could hold up your Bible and confidently proclaim the following:

“Look at this! I know I’m right because the Author of my faith has given me a Book which completely unlike any of the books of your faiths.”

You could then continue (until your time ran out) by pointing out the unity, the indestructibility, and the universal influence of the Bible. You could discuss its historical, scientific, and prophetical accuracy. Finally, you might relate exciting, examples of perhaps the greatest single proof of the supernatural nature of the Bible, that is, its marvelous life-transforming power!

Of course, it must be pointed out that neither the Word of God nor the God of the Word can be scientifically analyzed in a laboratory test tube. The divine Creator still desires and demands faith on the part of his Creation (See Heb. 11:1-6) But he has presented us with a heavenly textbook to aid us in this needed faith. In fact, the Gospel of John was specially written” …. that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name”. (John 20:31)

 

  • Culled from: Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible

Remain Blessed!

Please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays 5.30 am., Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays 5:30 am; and YFM 107.9 – Sundays 6.30am; for our Radio Bible Study as well as Sunny FM 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm. for Hymns and their Stories.

 

Feature: The NDC and Ethnicity, Religion and Politics

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Feature

Religion, ethnicity and politics are very sensitive things that can create conflicts in communities and countries.

Ethnicity is where God decides where to place you in. No one has the choice of which family, tribe or race he wants to be.That is God’s sole decision. Generally speaking, whatever the limitations and challenges one may face because of his or her ethnicity, one is always proud to belong to that tribe and will be ready to defend it with his life.

With religion, it is by any way the same. Majority of people in this world belong to a faith not by choice but because their parents belonged to it and they get initiated into it. A lot of people however, get converted into another denomination or faith all together.

In both cases, religion is held as the soul of the person, the only way for the salvation of the soul in the life hereafter. Whatever faith it is, the members would defend it with their lives.

People’s way of thinking or way of doing things or experiences acquired or association they belong to, may most likely guide them to adhere to an ideology of a political party and they will join that party.

Here too, they will defend everything about that political party with their lives and even go to the extent of making what is wrong, look right. And here too, some people may decide to cross carpet and join another party, if they find that party more worthy than where they once belonged.

There is a true and present danger when ethnicity and religion become politicised. Just as mixing ammonium nitrate fertilizer with fuel oil will cause explosion, same can be said when politics is mixed with ethnicity and religion.

Before and after independence this God blessed homeland of ours, has been and is witnessing cases of ethnic, religious and political differences, but thankfully, God is holding things in check, so there has been no explosion.

Sadly, as if it is tempting God, the NDC and its tradition of socialists have been introducing things that they hope would spark out social conflicts in this country for their unknown reasons and desires.

Pre-Independence Era: When the British found it tough to get the Asantes to be under them, they cleverly indoctrinated the minds of most of the Southern tribes against Asantes. This was easier for them since the Asantes were always on the war-path, conquering states. To this day, some non-Asantes view Asantes in the bad light for no reason.

Post Independence Era 1: At one sitting in Parliament during the Second Republic, the opposition leader, Dr. Agama of NAL, accused Prime Minister Busia of ethnicity for appointing members of government without considering Voltarians, speaking with such disrespectful words and pretending not to know that the 1969 Constitution mandated only MPs to be appointed into government.

When PP’s Victor Owusu reminded him that any Ewe appointed to head any state department or institution, would soon make sure only Ewes were employed to work under him and came to use the words, “inward looking,” ethnicity in politics swung to dizzy heights even to this day.

NDC and Ethnicity, Religionand Politics: Rawlings, using this misunderstood inward-looking comment, indoctrinated the minds of many Ewes and their next-door ethnic groups that the NPP was Asante and Asante was NPP. And since Asantes do not respect Ewes, because of this inward-looking statement, the NPP must be disregarded. The fact that an Asante and an Anlo royal families share blood, did not matter here.

The NDC always portray the NPP as an Akan (Asante) based party and make Ghanaians to perceive that in the NPP if you are not an Akan you do not matter. Meanwhile, the NDC is Ewe and Northern based. The NDC went on to condemn the NPP for not putting up a Muslim presidential candidate.

Apart from 1996, when the NPP went into an alliance with the National Convention Party when a Southerner/Christian, KowNkensenArkaah, was chosen as running mate, during every general election, the NPP presented a Muslim Northerner running mate and in 2024, it is presenting a Muslim Northerner as presidential candidate.

With the NDC, apart from 2004, when it presented a Muslim/Northerner as running mate, no Muslim has ever been on the ticket of that party.

The NDC has shown that Muslims and Northerners do not matter when the current administration took over the party. With vibrant MPs like Haruna Iddrisu (Tamale South) and Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka removed from office as Minority Leader and Minority Chief Whip.

The motive behind removing Hon Iddrisu does not wash. The NDC said it wanted a finance guru to lead the party in Parliament so that he can be able to challenge the NPP on the economy during Campaign 2024. If that is so, and the NDC truly respects Northerners, it could have taken Hon Isaac Adongo (Bolgatanga Central) instead of Ato Forson, a Southerner from Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam. Adongo sounds more articulate in finance matters than Ato Forson.

It must be reiterated that two NDC gurus once made statements against, Muslims and Northerners. In July 2011, Sam Pee Yalley, a leading member of the NDC, advised President Atta Mills not move into the Jubilee House, because it was close to Nima. And in June 2017, he went on to say that the Jubilee House was being turned into a mosque and this, the Coalition of Muslim Organization led by Hajj Abdel-Manan demanded a retraction and an apology.

In 2007, FifiKwetey, another leading member of the NDC said there was no way a Muslim can be president of Ghana.

The above statements meant that to the NDC, no one must get close to Nima, which is a predominant Muslim and Northern community and because Ghana has a Muslim vice-president, Muslims are transforming the seat of government into a mosque, which the NDC sees as inappropriate and improper. When NDC Christians were both president and vice president, was the seat of government ever transformed into crusade grounds?

And lastly, the NDC is full of religious bigots, for a statement that Muslims can never be president can never come from a true Christian. The Constitution does not list which religion should lead this country.

Going on, FifiKwetey released his latest “hit” when he told Ewes to take the NDC as a religion and adhere to it. He attributed our partisan political journey to be between Asantes (pro-NPP) and Ewes (pro-NDC) and if the Ewes must get what they want, they should make NDC their religion and pass this on, to their children and all generations to come.

Just as his grandmother advised him to hold on to the Catholic faith, FifiKwetey wants all Ewes to hold on to the NDC from now to generations yet unborn through to eternity.

Such a remark is an insult to those in Ashanti region who vote for the NDC. In 2020, the NDC secured more votes for their presidential candidate in Ashanti region than what the Volta region provided. 652,962 votes against 606,424 votes.

When Hon Yaw Safo Marfo, suggested to party leaders in the Eastern region that only Akans should be elected to the high office of presidency, attributing a reason that Akan lands are the most resourceful in Ghana, all hell broke loose.

But for NDC’s FifiKwetey to suggest to Ewes to take the NDC as a religion and die believing in it, we are hearing no cry or sound. The way Ghanaians in general and Ewes in particular get so attached to whatever religion they belong to, ready to kill or be killed to defend their faith, it is very dangerous to suggest that politics should be looked that way.

FifiKwetey is here suggesting that whenever any non-Ewe makes the slightest derogatory comments against the NDC, an Ewe has the right to pull dagger on that person. He could also be suggesting that some form of jihad should take place in the Volta region, where it will be either you belong to NDC or you are out. Homes of members of other parties could be brought down and such persons taught hard lessons which could lead them to the life hereafter.

The NDC from Rawlings to date has succeeded in politicising ethnicity in some parts of this country, where immediately you claim you belong to the NPP who are mocked at.

The Akans, especially the Asantes stand up for the UP Tradition, and thus for the NPP. It must be known that at first the whole of the Ashanti region, made of today’s Ashanti and the whole of Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions used to be CPP stronghold, until Nkrumah started showing disrespect to the people, by interfering with chieftaincy matters and appointing traditional leaders, imposing legislators on the people, giving the region less number of seats even though it was the most populated and against a campaign promise, reducing the producer price of cocoa and hedging it for years.

The Ashanti region, to this day, has turned its back on socialist parties. It makes sense but what can be attributed as a strong and good reason for Ewes to hold on the NDC as a religion and even die for it?

If what the NDC is sowing in the Volta region grows and matures and its flowers with seeds are blown by the wind to other regions and they germinate there, soon with religion politicised, Ghana can easily blow up in flames.

If NDC becomes a religion of the Ewes, may Ghanaians find out whether this religion can lead souls to eternal glory? Always looking for ways to turn this country upside down and into flames, then turn round and blame others, this is the NDC.

By  Daniel Dugan

Guinea to build on a positive start as they take on Gambia

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Guinea players

Guinea will look to build on a positive start to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign when they take on Gambia in their second match at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium on Friday evening.

Group C has been labelled the group of death in this year’s competitions, and Senegal have shot out to an early lead, having secured the only win in the group during the first round of matches.

Guinea have been one of the most improved sides in Africa over recent years, and they put on another impressive display in their first match when they took a point off Cameroon despite going into the match as underdogs.

In fact, most neutral onlookers would likely argue that the National Elephants deserved all three points as they matched their opponents every step of the way and had them on the ropes just before the final whistle.

Based on Gambia’s performance in their opening match of the competition, qualification for the knockout rounds looks like it will be challenging for Tom Saintfiet‘s side, who were completely outplayed by Senegal and ended up on the wrong side of a 3-0 scoreline.

With that result, The Scorpions have are now on a three-match losing streak following a 3-2 defeat to Burundi and a 2-0 loss against Ivory Coast during World Cup qualifying back in November.

Guinea were unlucky not to have got all three points against Cameroon in their opening match and will be eager to make amends for it in this one against a Gambia side that looked very poor against Senegal on Monday evening. We feel the National Elephants will put on another impressive display here and fancy them to secure their first win of the competition.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Senegal, Cameroon clash in a high-profile showdown

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Cameroon

Senegal take on Cameroon in a high-profile showdown between two heavyweights at the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday evening.

Reigning AFCON champions Senegal are looking to continue their perfect start to their defence against Cameroon.

The Teranga Lions opened what they hope will be another successful Africa Cup of Nations campaign by making light work of The Gambia in their opening fixture. It was the perfect start to their first AFCON title defence for the Lions of Teranga on Monday, with a second-half brace from Lamine Camara following Pape Gueye’s early effort to give Aliou Cisse’s side a comfortable 3-0 win over minnows The Gambia.

Senegal players

Cameroon, meanwhile, were held to a draw by Guinea – putting major pressure on them heading into the clash between two of the powerhouses of African football.

Senegal are not thought to be carrying any fresh injury concerns and seem unlikely to make too changes, with Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson expected to start on the bench again.

For Cameroon, they will be hoping star striker and captain Vincent Aboubakar will be able to feature after missing their opener due to an injury picked up in training. Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana could also start.

Senegal and Cameroon have crossed paths 14 times across all competitions thus far. They have contested these meetings closely, with the reigning champions having a 6-5 lead in wins and three games ending in draws.

Considering the current form of the two teams and recent history, a low-scoring draw might ensue.

Cape Verde take on Mozambique at Houphouet Boigny Stadium

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Cape Verde players

Cape Verde seek qualification from their Africa Cup of Nations group when they take on Mozambique at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Friday.

The Blue Sharks began their Group B journey with a victory over Ghana, while the Mambas suffered late misery against seven-time champions Egypt.

Cape Verde claimed a deserved third win at AFCON on Sunday when they scored a late winning goal against Ghana to seal a 2-1 victory.

Cape Verde go into Friday’s clash with Mozambique keen to secure maximum points to assure them of a spot in the round of 16 at the continental showpiece, matching their AFCON 2021 performance.

It would be gratifying for Cape Verde to make the first knockout round in successive finals for the first time, and they should back themselves to produce a similar showing from Sunday’s win to seal qualification.

The Blue Sharks face Egypt in their final group fixture, and going into that game without the pressure of needing a result will be just what the doctor ordered.

The Blue Sharks avoided injuries to Sunday’s starters and could lean on that group against Mozambique in their second match at AFCON 2023. Cape Verde are undefeated in three games against Mozambique (two wins), and that unbeaten sequence should become four as the Blue Sharks secure progress to the round of 16.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Bizman Sues Absa Bank Contract Staff For GHC350k for allegedly breaching agreement to marry him

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SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Mercy Agyei - Defendant

A Tema-based Businessman has initiated legal action against one Mercy Agyei, of Kumasi, over alleged breach of a contractual agreement to marry him, after sponsoring her education at the tertiary level.

In lieu of the proposed marriage, the Plaintiff, Mr Otoo, decided to sponsor her tertiary education, after which they would get married.

As a result, the Defendant invited the Plaintiff to meet her mother, one Madam Adwoa Frema, on June 4, 2017 at the very apartment he rented at Kwadaso for the Defendant.

The Plaintiff avers in his statement of claim that with the express consent of Madam Frema, the Defendant agreed in July 2017 to relocate to Tema to live with him and to pursue her studies.

In fulfilling his part of the agreement, the Plaintiff sought admission for the Defendant at the University of Professional Studies in Accra (UPSA), but later had to secure admission for her at the then Accra Polytechnic, after she was disqualified at the UPSA.

The Plaintiff further states that after graduating from the three-year HND programme in Marketing in 2020, the Defendant went through a two-year top up programme at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), graduating in BSc Marketing in March, this year, all under the full sponsorship and care of the Plaintiff.

Mr Otoo avers that he sponsored the Defendant’s education through thick and thin for six years, based on the said agreement.

Besides the said sponsorship, the education and upkeep of the defendant’s brother from primary school to the present SHS education, as well as her mother’s upkeep, including remittances, medicals and her trading business in Kumasi, was borne by the Plaintiff.

The Plaintiff says having secured work at Absa Bank as a Contract Staff, the Defendant has informed him that she will no longer marry him, as earlier agreed.

It is upon the position of the Defendant that the Plaintiff, through his Solicitor, Kwamina Mensah Esq of Darls Legal Consult Limited, in Kumasi, has sued for special damages of GHc350,000 being money the Plaintiff expended on the Defendant for breach of promise to marry him.

The Defendant has through Dyllis Kennedy Ansah, Esq. of Messrs Hayfron Benjamin & Co., entered appearance to defend the Plaintiff’s claims.

The parties are to file their witness statements before the Kumasi District Court on February 20, 2024.

Slain Tema Port Manager’s Family puts AG on notice

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JOHN BEDIAKO
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Mrs Josephine Tandoh Asante

The family of slain Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Manager, Mrs Josephine Tandoh Asante, has literally put the Attorney General’s Office on notice, pending the arrival of the docket on the matter from the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

It requires that the police, after completion of their investigation into the alleged murder case, forward the docket to the Attorney General’s Office for advice.

In the afternoon of Tuesday January 16, 2024 a delegation from the Afamunam Aboradze family of Cape Coast, led by Mrs Monica Aubyn, emerged at the offices of the Attorney General.

Each member of the five-member delegation held placard with the inscription: ‘JUSTICE FOR JOSEPHINE ASANTE’.

Mrs Aubyn, who spoke to The Chronicle, states that their move to the Law Office was as a result of information that the docket on the case was yet to be forwarded to the Attorney General for perusal and advice.

This, she said, contradicts what is public knowledge about the case.

Earlier on the same day, the family was at the Police Headquarters to present a petition to the Inspector General of Police.

The petition states that: Saturday January 13, 2024 was exactly five years since Mrs Josephine Asante was murdered in cold blood in her home, at the Emefs Hillview Estates (Afienya).

The Police took up the investigation of the case, but unfortunately the investigation seemed to be going nowhere, until your appointment as the Inspector General of Police in 2021.

You constituted the Cold Case Unit (CCU) of the Police and you introduced the family to the newly formed unit for which we remain grateful for the initiative and gesture.

In March, 2023 the CCU made a breakthrough in the investigation, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, Kwabena Boateng, aka Richard Kwabena Kwakye and Dominic Owusu.

Our information is that, the police, who have concluded their investigation are only waiting for a forensic analysis report on crucial evidence collected from those being held to enable the docket to be forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office.

Unfortunately, this report is not forthcoming for no apparent reasons.

 

Voter album doesn’t win elections –Adwoa Safo

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Hon Adwoa Safo

News Desk Report

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has told her campaign team to concentrate more on engaging delegates in the Constituency on her good works, instead of bemoaning the voter album, which has seen the names of many delegates aligned to her vision being removed from it.

The “voter album”, she noted, “doesn’t win elections”, urging her followers to further focus on her good message that seeks to uplift the people from the shackles of poverty by empowering them economically.

While the Lawmaker was in far away United States of America attending to family matters, the voter album for the election of polling station executives and electoral area coordinators were compiled.

However, hundreds of delegates, said to be aligned to the vision of Adwoa Safo, a former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection were removed from the album, with perceived followers of a particular candidate replacing them.

Many have since accused the constituency executives of working in favour of a particular candidate. The executives have since denied working in the interest of a particular candidate.

I can work with anybody

Adwoa Safo, who is not moved by such an act, told the over three hundred new delegates, when she met them on Friday, January 12, 2024 that she can work with anybody, since the ultimate goal is to campaign for the NPP to break the eight-year governance circle.

“I believe in the delegates that they are NPP members. I also believe that it is only through communication and how you present your case that the delegates will buy into your vision. I am not a believer in the voter album that that will win you elections.

No, voter album doesn’t win elections. So, chaos emanating from some delegates that their names have been removed from the voter album and replaced with new ones doesn’t move me. I can work with anybody and will work with anybody if you give me the nod once again to serve you”, she noted.

She told the party faithful that when she was contesting for the first and second times, the voter album wasn’t prepared by her, yet even though she lost the first contest she, however, bounced back to win the second time.

“The voter album that was used to conduct the national elections that brought Justin Frimpong Kodua to power as General Secretary of our beloved party wasn’t prepared by him, yet he won. So, it is all about your message and how good it is. We have achieved a lot together and so I will entreat all of you to go out there and preach about my good works”, she underscored.

I won’t abandon you

Commenting further, the former Minister of Procurement took time to address a propaganda that has been waged against her that when re-elected, she will abandon her people and go and stay abroad.

“When I was elected into office as your MP in 2012, I served you well. When I was re-elected in 2016, I served you well. In 2020 when you gave me the mandate again, I was more energised to serve you well once again.

“However, as human as we are, I encountered some challenges which many of you here, especially the women have gone through before. It was never my intention to leave you.

“But upon my return and reflection, I have to apologised for what I did because it takes a courageous person and someone with humility and respect to publicly apologise for his or her wrongdoing”, she stressed.

She added, “My apology shouldn’t be taken for granted. I will continue to apologise to you because I have reflected on what I did and concluded that I didn’t do well”.

Vote for continuity

Speaking on her chances ahead of the January 27 primaries, Adwoa Safo, who sounded very confident in her achievements ever since she became the MP of the constituency, told the delegates to vote for continuity since the 2024 general elections is very critical.

She said, ever since she became the MP, her votes have been appreciating, even more than the party’s presidential candidate, emphasising that she is a unifier and is loved by many electorates from opposition political parties.

“There is the need to vote for a candidate who has been tried and tested; a candidate who is sellable and a candidate who has the welfare of the people at heart. When I took over, our votes were 35,000 but I have been able to increase it to 78,000.

“My votes always appreciate even more than the presidential candidate for about 3.000. What this means is that even some voters from opposition political parties vote for me because of my good works. Should we change this candidate?” she quizzed, with the delegates answering ‘NO’ in a loud voice.

Mahama: I will win December polls

By
SAMUEL AGBEWODE
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0
John Mahama

The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. John Dramani Mahama, says he is optimistic he will win this year’s polls.

According to him, Ghanaians will vote massively for him in the 2024 general election to take over the governance of the country and revamp the ailing economy that has deprived the citizenry of decent lives.

According to him, wherever he had visited as part of his ‘building Ghana tour’, Ghanaians requested from the NDC to protect their votes to enable them to change the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

They claim the NPP government has brought untold hardship to them and that the same message was what he received in the Volta region.

Addressing members of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs (VRHC) in Ho, as part of his two-day ‘building Ghana tour’, the former President said throughout his political career, citizens have put more hopes in the NDC now, than they had in the past.

Describing it as a genuine call for change, Mr. Mahama assured the people of the Volta region and Ghanaians in general that when given the opportunity in the 2024 general election, the NDC would revive the economy.

He assured the people that the revival of the economy would bring life back to the citizenry, who would then appreciate a sound economy that would encourage investment in the country.

He stated that when the NDC wins the pending general election, job creation will be taken more seriously, by investing in the private sector to help create more jobs.

Mr. Mahama explained that the NDC’s 24-hour economy is aimed at addressing youth unemployment and stressed that the it would not be the first in the world, as developed countries have been practicing it over the years.

He said it would be practiced effectively without the formulation of laws to implement it, but rather deliberate policies and incentives would be put in place for the private sector to ensure that it succeeds.

He observed that Ghanaians have witnessed the performances of the NPP and the NDC governments and that is why they were calling on the NDC to protect their votes to ensure that they win the 2024 general election and rescue the country from the economic hardship being experienced.

The NDC presidential hopeful also called for fairness in fighting corruption to enable anti-corruption institutions to embark on their work without hindrance, saying an NDC government would hold the NPP government accountable.

He also said officials of an NDC government would be held equally accountable for their deeds while in office.

Mr. Mahama made it clear that there was no government that brought more development to the people of the Volta region than the NDC.

He buttressed his assertion by saying most of the electricity connections to towns and villages, small water systems to villages, rehabilitation and construction of many roads among others, were done by the NDC.

He continued that the NDC government built the Ho central market, built a regional hospital in Ho, built the first public university, the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), an airport and that when the NDC wins the election, it will expand facilities at the UHAS to enable it to admit more students.

The former president also assured the people of the Volta region that when it wins the 2024 election, the NDC government will build a modern market at Aflao to promote trade liberalisation between Ghana and the Republic of Togo. It would also turn Ohawu Agriculture College into a university, expand irrigation in the region and start exploration of oil and gas in the Volta Basin.

The Vice President of the VRHC, Togbe Patamia Dzekle III, wished the NDC Presidential Candidate well in his campaign and appealed to him to bring the issue of illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’, which had destroyed the environment to an end, if he wins the election.

Togbe Patamia Dzekle said mismanagement of the natural resources of the country should be a matter of concern to all. This, he said, should be stopped if he wins the election and the attitude of what he described as ‘business as usual’ must be avoided, because it has affected the development of the country over the years.

Editorial: Broader consultation needed in SDA advocacy on Election date

By
admin
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0
Editorial

The Seventh Day Adventist Church is embarking on a spirited advocacy to amend December 7 as the election date in Ghana. The advocacy stems from the 2024 general election falling on a Saturday, their Sabbath, during which members are not to engage in any activity, apart from worshiping God.

Petitions from the church have been sent to the Office of the President, Parliament, the Electoral Commission and the Attorney General, arguing the need for the proposed amendment to be considered.

They want December 7 every four years changed to the 1st or 2nd November in every election year.

The church considers the proposed dates viable, pursuant to the work of the Constitutional Review Commission in 2011 and the Electoral Reform Committee in 2015.

The church refers to paragraph 265 on page 193 of the work of the Constitutional Review Commission, where it recommends a period for elections not later than 60 days before the installation of a new President and Parliament on January 7.

By virtue of their proposal, the SDA church is seeking to amend the non-entrenched Article 112(4) for parliamentary elections to meet the period guaranteed in Article 63(2) for presidential elections.

Article 112 (4) of the Constitution states that “a general election of members of Parliament shall be held within thirty (30) days before the expiration of the period specified in clause (1) of that Article; and a session of Parliament shall be appointed to commence within fourteen (14) days after the expiration of that period.”

The Chronicle has read the petition addressed to Jubilee House in which the church argued that the proposition from them is to help deepen electoral democracy and ensure inclusivity in the electoral process.

Whereas the church said it had a productive meeting with the Electoral Commission, The Chronicle is also informed that the Attorney General says it could only act if requested by the EC, which is independent from Executive control.

The Adventist church was looking to the Attorney General to put together a Bill to amend Article 112(4), but the latter says it is handicapped.

Ghanaians may recall that a similar attempt was made in 2016 to change December 7 to November 7, but it failed as Parliament rejected it.

The House needed at least 184 ‘YES’ votes for the two-thirds majority in support of the amendment, before it could have gone ahead to effect the date change.

After a vote in Parliament on Thursday on the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2016, 125 members voted ‘YES’ in favor of the date change, while 95 voted ‘NO’ to reject the date change.

Unofficial figures indicate that the Adventist church has about 395,000 members nearing one percent of Ghana’s population.

This figure arguably fortifies their advocacy and we opine it is worth listening to them and also looking at the merits of their case.

In the 2020 elections, the sitting president won with some 500,000 votes. This makes the number of SDA members huge and should not be overlooked, in the spirit of strengthening democracy.

However, we should not lose sight of the fact that the Sabbath, on which the church is pushing for amendment, was made for man and not the other way round.

In our candid opinion, the Adventist Church and the Electoral Commission, which will have to trigger the process for the Attorney General to continue, should not take an entrenched stance.

It is for this reason that we are calling for a broader consultation to settle the issue amicably.

At the end of the engagement, if the date is not changed, the church should encourage its members to nonetheless participate in the electoral process. On the other hand, the Electoral Commission can add the case of the church to their argument and have the date changed.

The Electoral Commission, among other reasons, decided to change the date in 2016 to allow for adequate time to organise a run-off where needed and still have time for the swearing-in.

Otherwise, the SDA church, the state and the Electoral Commission should discuss and plan how members of the church could take part in the special voting, if the date is not changed.

 

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