The Ghanaian Times reports that there will be a meeting of all Commissioners of the Electoral Commission to decide on measures it can take to avoid a bloated voters register following the unexpected large turn-outs of people during the recent limited voters registration exercise. The meeting will also discuss arrangements for other activities on the election calendar.
On the front page of the Daily Graphic is the Convention People's Party’s list of its possible vice presidential candidate. According to the paper, the party’s presidential candidate dropped the four names on a shortlist of persons, one of whom would partner him in the Presidential election. The four are a former CPP presidential aspirant, Dr. Agyeman Badu Akosa, a former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, the executive director of Rural and Agricultural Development Association, Dr. Abu Sakara Foster, and Alhaji Suley Garibah, a Tamale-based businessman. The party’s elders are said to be tasked to engage the four in discussions, after which the Central Committee would select the most suitable. The paper quotes Dr. Nduom as saying he wants a vice presidential candidate who in his own right can be a presidential material.
On page 12 of the Chronicle, is a report that a CPP member, Kwame Asa-Ofori, has filed a suit in an Accra Fast Track High Court, against the Attorney General and Serious Fraud Office. He is seeking an order that will compel the two bodies to initiate the prosecution of alleged criminal offences against Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, and other persons implicated in an SFO report on the State Enterprises Commission. The court has ordered the defenders to enter their appearance within eight days of receiving the summons or in default risk judgement being given in their absence without further notice.
The Editorials “Enter Vodafone”, is how the Daily Guide titles its editorial. The paper asks the Company to respect all the rules of decency and as a matter of urgency transfer skills to their hosts. The Daily Guide sees a light at the end of the previously gloomy tunnel of GT operations. It urges the staff to be good host and avoid any bickering that will affect their work.
The Chronicle comments on the current debate over whether or note musicians can be involved in active partisan political campaign. The paper for its parts thinks the issue of their involvement in political campaign is more moral than legal. This is because musicians are role models who are from different political divide and so to identify oneself with one political party or the other can have negative effect on their fans. The Chronicle says their involvement in politics can affect their work when one considers the politics of vindictiveness that is practiced in Africa . While admitting that musicians involved in politics have breached no law, the paper says it is important that the issue is examined in the light of good morals.
The Statesman thinks that so far, the campaigns by the two biggest political parties, New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been good. It says because this year’s elections are crucial in the annals of our political history, they must be held in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. The paper refers to media reports that former President Rawlings would be joining NDC presidential candidate, Professor Mills in the Central Region to campaign. The paper recalls expressions like ‘thieves’ dzimakpla’ ‘drug peddlers’ and many more that were reported to have been made by Mr. Rawlings. The Statesman reminds Mr. Rawlings that campaigns are not meant to incite others to fight.
The Ghanaian Times shares concerns raised by Asante-Akim cocoyam and cassava farmers over the lack of ready market for their produce. The farmers blame the lack of access roads as one of the problems that leaves most of their produce in their farms. Although the Times acknowledges the abundance of food in the country, it points out that it will be important for government to address the problems of farmers, especially the lack of access roads and ready markets. The paper also suggests that farmers especially those in the Asante-Akim area work closely with the Food Research Institute to learn how to process and preserve their staple foods. The Times says it is time that a bridge between farmers and Scientists is constructed for the good of the nation.
The Daily Graphic expresses worry over the threat of illegal mining poses to the wholesomeness of underground water, following the detection of harmful chemicals such as mercury. The paper sees it as interesting that illegal miners were found to be the culprits of such acts and points out that the activities of illegal miners expose a flaw in the regulating and monitoring policy. The Graphic insists that the need for an urgent action should be paramount especially when the high prices of gold seem to be boosting the activities of illegal miners. This challenge, in the paper’s view, places an onerous task on agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA), which is unfortunately not well equipped to effectively monitor and regulate the activities of miners. The Graphic suggests that the EPA collaborates with the security agencies so that offenders can duly be arrested and arraigned to answer charges.
