The National Media Commission (NMC) has condemned the Electoral Commission’s decision to charge accreditation fee from journalists who wish to cover the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections.
According to the NMC, the EC should immediately rescind its decision.
On Monday, October 31, 2016, the commission hinted in a statement that journalists who would be covering the forthcoming polls would be required to pay a fee of GHc10 for accreditation.
The statement issued under the signature of the commission’s Director of Communication, Eric Dzakpasu read in parts that: “Accreditation tags will be given to only those who have formally applied for them and for a fee to be determined by the commission.”
The news angered the media fraternity including the International Standards Journalists Association (ISJA) who sued the commission.
The NMC has described the decision as unfair.
Speaking to Starr News’ Daniel Nii Lartey, the NMC’s chairman, Kwesi Gyan-Appenteng said the move is unfortunate and a form of restriction on press freedom.
He promised to engage the Commission in order to get it to rescind its decision.
Source: Ghana/StarrFMonline.com/103.5FM
EC must stop charging media accreditation fee – NMC
Election 2016: 54% fear violence – Survey
At least 54% of Ghanaians believe political parties will use violence in the December polls, according to a survey conducted by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana).
“Ghanaians think that they (politicians) will use violence in the upcoming elections. Only about four in 10, [that is] 37 per cent, do not think so,” Dr Edem Selormey, a senior research fellow at CDD-Ghana revealed during a media interaction Wednesday.
“Fifty-four per cent, that is half of the electorate, think that political parties will use violence in the upcoming elections. But Ghanaians, as we are, we say Ghanaians are peace-loving people and there appears to be a strong commitment to free and fair elections, so nearly two-thirds, [that is] 62 per cent say they prefer an election to be entirely peaceful even if it’s not entirely free and fair.”
She added: “This might sound like good news but for a democracy promoting institutions like ours, it’s quite worrying that Ghanaians would choose peace over fairness of an election. However, a little over a quarter would rather have an election that is completely free and fair even if it is not entirely peaceful.”
About 72% of Ghanaians said if the election results do not reflect the will of the people, they should seek redress in the court. However, 20 per cent disagreed. 40 per cent support peaceful demonstrations, 53 per cent are against it and a large majority of Ghanaians, that is 90 per cent, do not subscribe to the use of violent protests where there are election disputes.
According to her, the police and armed forces topped the CDD’s list of institutions that Ghanaians believe were prepared for the election.
“The Electoral Commission has also moved up at this time. It was not in the top three but now it has moved to the top three as one of the institutions that is most prepared in the eyes of citizens. The EC has jumped from 58 per cent in July to 72 per cent in October and the National Commission for Civic Education is right at the bottom,” Dr Selormey stated.
Source: Ghana/starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
African leaders must learn from ‘tolerant’ Mahama – TUC
The leadership of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has heaped praises on President John Mahama for what they say is his tolerance towards handling affairs of the state.
According to the TUC, the president’s posturing towards issues has contributed to the stability of the state.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the President by newly elected executives of the TUC , chairman of the workers union Dr. Yaw Baah urged other African leaders “to emulate your excellent example because tolerance is the key ingredient for peace.”
He said Mr. Mahama will go down in history as a very tolerant man, even the in the face of personal attacks.
“One of the legacies you are leaving for us and which we will always remember in Ghana and Africa as a whole is the virtue of tolerance. Your ability to tolerate diverse views even when you are personally under attack, is an indicator of a good leader.
“We urge all African leaders to emulate your excellent example because tolerance is the key ingredient for peace,” he noted.
The TUC also commended the President for his investment in infrastructure across all sectors. Dr. Baah lauded government’s plans to address the unemployment situation the country is grappling with.
“We have taken note of your plans to increase jobs under the Youth Employment Agency from the current GHC 100,000 to GHC 400,000. You’ve also indicated your plans to increase funding for the youth enterprise support from GHC10 million to GHC100 million if you are re-elected. These initiatives will go a long way to address the acute joblessness among young people in Ghana.”
He however asked the President to address their concerns over the high interest rates in the country.
“We also expect you to do something about the high interest rates and the high cost of living if you get the nod. Because of the high cost of living, many of our members survive on loans. Businesses also rely on loans for expansion.”
On his part, Mr. Mahama assured labour of constant dialogue to ensure harmony with government. He also assured government will work together with leadership of labour to develop affordable housing schemes for workers in his next term, if given the nod.
Source:Ghana/StarrFMonline.com/103.5FM/Ibrahim Alhassan
Chief of Staff calls on Asantehene
The Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah, has paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi as part of his five-day tour of the Ashanti region.
The Chief of Staff is in the region to campaign for the re-election of President John Dramani Mahama for another four-year term.
Palace sources said the Asantehene “urged the NDC government to explain their achievements to Ghanaians and let them know the gains government had made over the years because it is important to let the people know the situation on the ground.”
“Tell the people what you have done in addition to what you intend doing. It’s important to allay the fears of the public. Some are complaining of hardships, cost of petroleum prices etc, it’s important you explain issues to the people’s understanding,” the Otumfuo reportedly told Mr. Debrah in-camera.
The meeting was at the behest of the Chief of Staff, who as tradition demands, had to visit the King and notify him of his mission on his soil.
Both the King and his subjects were happy at meeting the chief of staff and his entourage at the palace. President Mahama was in the region last week and paid similar respect to the Asantehene.
Mr. Debrah has already toured the Upper West, Brong Ahafo, Volta and the Eastern regions. His entourage is expected to visit Juaso, Konongo, Effiduase, Zongos among other areas and engagement.
Source: Ghana/starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
CPP chairman Delle takes campaign to Kumbungu
The national chairman of the Convention People’s Party Prof. Edmund Delle has been campaigning vigorously in the Upper West region and has made a triumphant entry into Kumbungu.
Kumbungu is the only constituency that the CPP has an MP – Moses Yahaya.
He rallied the constituents to renew the mandate of their lawmaker come December 7.
“We have no reason to reject Hon. Moses. Our communities have seen various levels of development by this MP. We have clinics, ambulances, water, farming seed-capitals for our households and most importantly, he has affected and touched individual lives,” Prof. Delle told the people.
He said the MP has plans to carry out more development if he is re-elected.
“What you have seen so far is the least of what CPP MPs are capable of doing,” the leader of the CPP told the people during his door-to-door campaign.
The chairman took time to interact with the people and chiefs of Kanfehayili, Nwodua and Gumo amongst others.
His entourage is made up of the 3rd National Vice; Alhaji Tidjani, acting National Youth Organizer; Nabila Basiru Alhassan, Regional Chairman; Alhaji Zorro, Regional Organizer; Hamza Seidu, Regional Youth Organizer; Hafiz Mohammed and the CPP’s Parliamentary candidate; Hon. Moses Yahaya.
Prof. Delle is due to move is campaign to the Upper East region Thursday.
Source: Ghana/starrfmonilne.com/103.5FM
HR Today: Empowering direct reports to succeed
Of the many, many things that today’s leaders are expected to do, one of the most sought-after abilities in a leader is someone who can motivate and support his/her direct reports; it helps bring out the best in them and also help achieve maximum results.
Potentials and synergy is brought to bear when people are empowered especially with the right. There might be mistakes initially which is part of the learning process but once they pick up; they are good to go without any support.
The ability to tap into the collective insights, experiences, and talents of your direct reports have become a those you lead has become an instrumental force in ascertaining the company’s capacity on adjusting and respond to the changing needs of today’s global market as well as preparing the younger generation for leadership roles moving into the future.
The only challenge is where the focus should be – employee engagement activities, productivity, communication, team building, technology, internal processes amongst others. There are a lot of information on how to empower people to succeed in any field of endeavor; let’s consider the below;
Communicate your vision, mission and values to the team
Develop a winning strategy and communicate same to clearly
Listen and listening to more of what your employees say
Help your team to succeed
Encourage team building/work
Give enough credit and reprimand when need be
Learn to motivate your team
Develop proper organizational structure/corporate governance
Set clear and realistic targets
Develop an effective and efficient performance management system
Deal with difficult conversations with your employees
Address any negativity upfront; don’t allow it to fester
Deploy a lot of technology
Take ultimate responsibility for bad moments and share praise with entire team
Give real time feedback
In the end, one significant impact any leader can register with his/her direct reports is to let them know and believe that they have the potential to succeed and that you expect great and remarkable results from them. It should be made clear to them that they will be sitting in your position and they cannot fail those learning from them and for that reason they need to be hungry for success.
Without question, there’s nothing more powerful in inspiring those you lead to challenge themselves – and in particular, challenge their assumptions of what they can accomplish – than knowing that those in charge not only believe in you, but are cheering them on to succeed beyond all measures and obstacles. Let them know that success should be their only song in every assignment they undertake. The task might be challenging but with perseverance, endurance and keeping the focus; success is assured.
By Bright Okyere| Twitter: hrtodayghana35 Facebook: hrtoday Ghana | Email: hrtodayghana@gmail.com | Whatsapp: 0244204664
SC okays Martin Amidu to examine Woyome over GH¢51m payment
The Supreme Court presided by Justice Anim Yeboah ordered that Mr. Woyome appears in Court on oath on Thursday, November 24, 2016 to be examined by Mr. Amidu.
Mr Amidu took the action after a move by the Attorney General to discontinue oral examination of Mr. Woyome.
Mr. Woyome recently refunded GH¢4 million to state coffers, representing part payment of the GH¢51.2 million he owes the state.
He has, through his lawyers, promised to pay the outstanding balance by quarterly installments of GH¢5 million, commencing April 1, 2017.
Giving reasons why her outfit had filed an application at the Supreme Court to discontinue the request for oral examination of Woyome, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mrs Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong, said her outfit had so far issued a receipt for the GH¢4 million.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM/Kobina Welsing
Nima clashes: UK, US envoys subjects of NPP propaganda – NDC
The ruling National Democratic Congress has said the comments by the UK and US envoys in Ghana on the clashes that occurred in front of the house of Nana Akufo-Addo betray their failure to crique the incident thoroughly.
According to the party, the diplomats would have been better informed about the incident if they had taken their time to study the various accounts of events.
“The NDC has noted comments made by the diplomatic missions of the US and Great Britain in Accra regarding the incident that occurred in the vicinity of the residence of Nana Akufo Addo last Sunday.
The NDC notes with concern a direct accusation made against the NDC by a US representative without recourse to the facts of the incident. We believe that if our diplomatic friends had been a bit more painstaking and diligent in their inquiry into the incident, they would have become aware of the facts and not be subject to manipulation by the maliciously efficient propaganda machine of the NPP.
The NDC seeks to state emphatically, that at no point was the residence of Nana Akufo Addo targeted by the NDC,” the party said in a statement signed by its national chairman Kofi Portuphy.
Below are details of the statement
RESPONSE TO STATEMENTS BY US EMBASSY IN GHANA & BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION IN GHANA
The NDC has noted comments made by the diplomatic missions of the US and Great Britain in Accra regarding the incident that occurred in the vicinity of the residence of Nana Akufo Addo last Sunday.
The NDC notes with concern a direct accusation made against the NDC by a US representative without recourse to the facts of the incident.
We believe that if our diplomatic friends had been a bit more painstaking and diligent in their inquiry into the incident, they would have become aware of the facts and not be subject to manipulation by the maliciously efficient propaganda machine of the NPP.
The NDC seeks to state emphatically, that at no point was the residence of Nana Akufo Addo targeted by the NDC.
The planned peaceful Health walk which started from the La Trade Fair Centre and went through various principal streets of Accra, Nima and Maamobi, was attended by thousands of peaceful NDC supporters.
The agreed route of the walk took the NDC supporters along the Ring Road with a left turn at the Nima Police Station junction and onward toward the Nima highway. At the time the supporters reached the location adjacent to the Nima Police Station, they were subjected to an unprovoked attack by armed guards from the residence of Nana Akufo Addo which is located close by in the neighbourhood.
It is worthy for the two Missions to note, that the preliminary report of the police vindicates the NDC and its supporters.
A statement by the Police Spokesperson, confirms that not only were the bodyguards from Nana Akufo Addo armed, they pointed a gun and threatened a police officer on the scene.
It is important to also note that despite all efforts, Nana Akufo Addo and the NPP have blatantly refused to release CCTV footage from a camera located at the entrance of the residence because they are aware that it would expose the falsehood of their claims.
Acting General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu emphatically told host of OKAY FM’s morning show, Kwame Nkrumah Tikese on Monday that the party will not make the footage public.
He also admitted the Police’ Criminal Investigation Department was initially blocked from entering the compound of the house to take evidence after the NDC supporters left the scene. This confirms a widely held suspicion that this was done deliberately to cover up and to create a scene to confirm their false allegations that NDC supporters pelted stones at them.
The NDC is committed to peaceful free and fair elections and agrees that violence has no place in any election, and that all our people should stand firm in protection of Ghana’s democracy. Indeed as the governing party, the NDC has the greatest stake in maintaining Ghana’s reputation as a stable and mature democracy.
The NDC remains a party of peace, protective of our hard-won democracy and the freedom and safety of all our people.
We believe that our international partners must be more diligent in seeking the truth rather than relying on biased political and media propaganda.
The NDC notes with interest the threats issued by the two missions to revoke visas and other such diplomatic actions and wonders why similar threats or sanctions have not been considered after previous incidents when the NPP and its supporters have been engaged in inciting or instigating violence, including hate speech.
We believe that Ghana is on a path of consolidating its democracy and is a firm believer in the rule of law. We put our trust in the law enforcement authorities to conduct a diligent investigation into the persons and parties responsible for provoking such incidents.
The NDC notes again, that the NPP leader Nana Akufo Addo has not yet directly condemned the violent actions of his armed body guards, which is a direct threat to our democracy and a peaceful, credible electoral process.
The NDC government will, as always, continue to work for peaceful, free, fair and democratic elections, free from violence and intimidation.
Signed
Sir Dr Kofi Portuphy
National Chairman, NDC
Source:Ghana/StarrFMonline.com/103.5FM
U-20 WWC: Ghana down, not out – Dramani
Black Princesses coach Didi Dramani is optimistic his side will bounce back after suffering an early setback at the Women’s Under-20 World Cup ongoing in Papua New Guinea.
Ghana lost to New Zealand by a lone goal in their opening game and the team must win the remaining two matches against France and tournament favorite United States of America to secure qualification to the knockout stage.
Ghana is expected to play France on Thursday and Dramani believes they can get their campaign back on track with wins over France and USA so pundits should not write his side off.
“We lost our game [and] doesn’t mean you are out of the battle, we still in the battle field. It is just one match gone with two remaining and we are still positive.
“This is because you can even gain three points and qualify from the group so we still stay positive”, he revealed to Starr Sports.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM/Tony Bebli
Mahama won’t respond to Bawumia’s 170 “ravings” – Bawa-Mogtari
The National Democratic Congress’ campaign spokesperson for the 2016 elections, Joyce Bawa-Mogtari has stated president John Mahama will not respond to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s 170 points he raised in his public lecture dubbed: “the True State of the Economy.”
This also goes to his vice president, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, she added.
Bawumia dared the presidency to officially respond to the 170 ‘facts’ pointed out at a public lecture he gave in September on the state of the economy. His challenge to the presidency was in reaction to Mr. Amissah-Arthur’s debunking of such claims as lies.
According to the former governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Bawumia’s presentation on the economy was shallow, lacking detailed analysis.
Speaking on Starr 103.5 FM’s Morning Starr on Wednesday, Mrs. Bawa-Mogtari said neither the president nor his vice will respond to Bawumia’s “nuisance”.
When Nii Arday Clegg Snr. host of the Morning Starr posited that “Oh! It’s a nuisance?” — she replied “absolutely, I think so. And especially when you keep repeating that mantra.”
She continued: “I mean, he held everybody spellbound for two hours, delivered a very ranting, Trump-like rhetoric of issues that I think he should actually be explaining and answering.”
According to her, the challenge thrown at the presidency by Dr Bawumia is a bit of a distraction and totally needless.
She also stated that she does not see Amissah-Arthur debating Bawumia, submitting that “I don’t think it is necessary — especially if it is to do with his ranting and ravings all this while. I think it is needless. I think he should be telling Ghanaians what they intend to do that’ll be better than what is being done.”
Bawumia, she added, lacks the moral right to dare the presidency to respond to his 170 so called factual statements from his public lecture on the true statement of the economy after being part of the team that nearly collapsed the country’s economy.
“President Mahama has shown a lot of compassion. President Mahama has demonstrated his ability to manage this economy despite the challenges,” said Mrs. Bawa-Mogtari
Source: Ghana/StarrFMonline.com/103.5FM/Mohammed Awal