COMMENT: What will happen when the Supreme Court makes its decision?

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Vuvuzela 10 years ago

"If the court rules that Nana Addo and the NPP in fact lost the election, will NPP activists accept it?"

What did you see appealing in the NPP petition?

"If the court rules that Nana Addo and the NPP in fact lost the election, will NPP activists accept it?"

What did you see appealing in the NPP petition?
ATSU, HO 10 years ago

I DISAGREE WITH THE WRTER GENERALLY EXCEPT THIS; Second, we must commit to a reform in our court system, via constitutional or legislative means that will ensure that if such a dispute were to arise in the future, it would be ...
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I DISAGREE WITH THE WRTER GENERALLY EXCEPT THIS; Second, we must commit to a reform in our court system, via constitutional or legislative means that will ensure that if such a dispute were to arise in the future, it would be settled before inauguration day, whatever it takes.
MAY THE TRUTH ALWAYS STAND NO MATTER HOW PAINFUL.
MAY JESUS CHRIST BE PRAISED
woyome, ablakwa firing sqauad 10 years ago

tsatsu tsikata back to jail to complete his term. all the dogs will have their day.

tsatsu tsikata back to jail to complete his term. all the dogs will have their day.
Ellen 10 years ago

You are kidding you will rather be jailed just wait and see we serve a Mighty God

You are kidding you will rather be jailed just wait and see we serve a Mighty God
Supprise 10 years ago

Assuming this election will be re-run, who will be the referee? will the Electoral Commission be fare since they are the controversial body in this matter? I think the NPP should just withdraw their case just for the Country ...
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Assuming this election will be re-run, who will be the referee? will the Electoral Commission be fare since they are the controversial body in this matter? I think the NPP should just withdraw their case just for the Country to move forward. It's not over for an election in this country. But that reminds me, I think this matter is in court because it's almost over for Nana Addo and his cruise, Jake and others. Eii, it's not easyooooo!!!.
Ellen 10 years ago

What is written is written

What is written is written
nana addo 10 years ago

All npp loss be loss

All npp loss be loss
Michael 10 years ago

A very level headed commentary thank you Uncle Ken

A very level headed commentary thank you Uncle Ken
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 10 years ago

You suggested that there should be improvement in the judicial system to ensure that future presidential petitions are disposed of before inauguration. Unfortunately, the answer lies with the Constitution. It is not the judic ...
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You suggested that there should be improvement in the judicial system to ensure that future presidential petitions are disposed of before inauguration. Unfortunately, the answer lies with the Constitution. It is not the judiciary that has caused this problem but the Constitution. Therefore, unless the constitution is amended to ensure that elections are held around October and for petitions to be completed by end of December and inauguration in January, the current situation is here to stay

You also posed the question, what would happen to ministers appointed by Mahama if the petition goes in favour of NPP. I do not see the need for this question. If the SC rules that Nana Akufo Addo won the 2012 Presidential elections, Nana Akufo Addo will be sworn into office as President immediately and Mahama and his ministers will cease to be in government. The new President will appoint his ministers for approval or have the prerogative to to ask those appointed by Mahama to continue as interim ministers, though I doubt if that would happen.

I agree with you that Ghana is often given too much credit that is not deserving. This case has shown that the indiscipline and incompetency within the fabric of Ghanaian society are also pervasive within public institutions such as the Electoral Commission. The so-called errors or mistakes by electoral officials and party agents are unbelievable.

I also agree with you that whatever the outcome of the petition, Ghanaians stand to benefit from better elections in the future. The search for post petition peace in Ghana should begin now but whatever format that would take, coalition government must be ruled out.
Repugnant. 10 years ago

Losers should learn how to concede elections. Some of the charges of over voting has been one or two votes here and there which could not have decided the outcome of the election in the petitioners favor. There is nothing lik ...
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Losers should learn how to concede elections. Some of the charges of over voting has been one or two votes here and there which could not have decided the outcome of the election in the petitioners favor. There is nothing like a perfect election. If the court rules in Akuffo Addo's favor that would be the end of democracy on the African continent, since any disfavored sect can go to court with any analogical suppositions and speculations to overturn an electoral verdict it doesn't like. Is it really worth it? We must in the words of Christ admit to 'let the dead bury its dead.' Losers must learn how to accept defeat no one is born to rule. Some believe since their kin participated in the independent struggle that should entitle them to legendary leadership, are we animals? No constitutional amendments can save us from our bloated self importance. We need objective conscience being reactionary is not the same as being visionary.
Joy 10 years ago

Repugnant, I agree with you. The Supreme Court should have ruled by now, in fact long time ago, as demonstrated in the case of Gore Vs Bush, or as Kenya'a Supreme Court did. This grandstanding by our Justices and all the dela ...
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Repugnant, I agree with you. The Supreme Court should have ruled by now, in fact long time ago, as demonstrated in the case of Gore Vs Bush, or as Kenya'a Supreme Court did. This grandstanding by our Justices and all the delay tactics by attorneys on both NDC, NPP, and so forth only goes to prove the standard "colonial mentality" of embellishing everything in Ghana. We overdue everything because we are always coping others and not wont to be creative and innovative by our own standards. ThThis case is a direct example of our downfall; we take for ever to accomplish any feat - we are held in the throes of constant procastination... and frankly that is our undoing in Ghana and Africa. This case should have been settled in January!!
Akua Dansua 10 years ago

I salute you for your articulate and well informed position. Kudos!!!!

I salute you for your articulate and well informed position. Kudos!!!!
Kwadwo A 10 years ago

The constitution does not give the SC the power to change who ever is voted the president and declared by the Electoral Commissioner. They can only request a rerun or uphold the Electoral Commissioner's pronouncement. The Ele ...
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The constitution does not give the SC the power to change who ever is voted the president and declared by the Electoral Commissioner. They can only request a rerun or uphold the Electoral Commissioner's pronouncement. The Electoral Commissioner is the only one that can call the winner of an election as verse-ted in the constitution.
We have uneducated lawyers who do not know much about the laws of the land in Ghana
James 10 years ago

Can we ever come together?.Is all greed!! greed !!! and nothing else.We are in a real difficult situation.Ghana is bigger than NDC and NPP.

Can we ever come together?.Is all greed!! greed !!! and nothing else.We are in a real difficult situation.Ghana is bigger than NDC and NPP.
TKN 10 years ago

Needless to think of coming together because it won't work and I hope we will divide the country so that each tribe can form it country and speak one language just like in europe. Those who can't form a country will then join ...
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Needless to think of coming together because it won't work and I hope we will divide the country so that each tribe can form it country and speak one language just like in europe. Those who can't form a country will then join the majority and learn that language or live to rot.
Thomas bello,holland 10 years ago

NO MATTER HOW THE VERDICT OF SUPREME COURT WILL HURT,IT SHOULD BE ACCEPTED AND EMBRACED BY ALL AND SUNDRY.NO SINGLE SOUL SHOULD BE REGARDED AS UNTOUCHABLE IN OUR DEAR COUNTRY.THE PRESDIDENT AND HIS ENTOURAGE SHOULD ACCEPT THE ...
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NO MATTER HOW THE VERDICT OF SUPREME COURT WILL HURT,IT SHOULD BE ACCEPTED AND EMBRACED BY ALL AND SUNDRY.NO SINGLE SOUL SHOULD BE REGARDED AS UNTOUCHABLE IN OUR DEAR COUNTRY.THE PRESDIDENT AND HIS ENTOURAGE SHOULD ACCEPT THE VERDICT OF THE SUPREME COURT IF IT DOES NOT GO INTO HIS FAVOR.
Joe ballack UK 10 years ago

Mahama must get ready to handover to nana addo peacefully,he Mahama knows the election was rigged in his favor

Mahama must get ready to handover to nana addo peacefully,he Mahama knows the election was rigged in his favor
Dandor 10 years ago

WHERE IS IT IMPRINTED IN GHANA THAT AKUFFO ADDO HAS WON THE DEC 7 ELECTION? WERE THEY NOT THE VERY PEOPLE WHO CLAIMED THAT THE ELECTION WAS IN THEIR FAVOUR? WHY ARE THEY NOW IN COURT SEEKING THE COURT TO OVERTURN THEY VERDICT ...
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WHERE IS IT IMPRINTED IN GHANA THAT AKUFFO ADDO HAS WON THE DEC 7 ELECTION? WERE THEY NOT THE VERY PEOPLE WHO CLAIMED THAT THE ELECTION WAS IN THEIR FAVOUR? WHY ARE THEY NOW IN COURT SEEKING THE COURT TO OVERTURN THEY VERDICT. STOP THAT NONSENSE,OKAY
ONUA 10 years ago

Your name should have been 'DUMMY' and not Dandur.

Your name should have been 'DUMMY' and not Dandur.
Dandor 10 years ago

stupid, idiot, foolish onua. do you have head to reason and comprehend, and read meanings into issues far be4 they come to materailised in physical realm? look sharp and widen your scope of reasoning.

stupid, idiot, foolish onua. do you have head to reason and comprehend, and read meanings into issues far be4 they come to materailised in physical realm? look sharp and widen your scope of reasoning.
Ellen 10 years ago

You are joking wait for the second shock over our dead bodies back home

You are joking wait for the second shock over our dead bodies back home
CAPE-COAST BOY 10 years ago

I THINK THE TRUTH FROM THE SUPREME COURT WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.THE DECISION SHOULD BE THE TRUTH

I THINK THE TRUTH FROM THE SUPREME COURT WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.THE DECISION SHOULD BE THE TRUTH
KWEKU TWENEBOA 10 years ago

After avidly following the proceedings at the SC, i have become more than convinced that what will bring chaos in Ghana is if their lordships declare Nana Addo as president. That surely will amount to a monumental injustice w ...
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After avidly following the proceedings at the SC, i have become more than convinced that what will bring chaos in Ghana is if their lordships declare Nana Addo as president. That surely will amount to a monumental injustice worth fighting against.
Ellen 10 years ago

They will never, never and never

They will never, never and never
Michael biko 10 years ago

A great piece written br a great person,

A great piece written br a great person,
Kwaku Gbloenawo 10 years ago

I agree with your drive for national cohesion but you belong to a party of ideology and I believe the first point of disunity was when NPP decided to dispute the results. NPP could have listed the irregularities and gone thro ...
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I agree with your drive for national cohesion but you belong to a party of ideology and I believe the first point of disunity was when NPP decided to dispute the results. NPP could have listed the irregularities and gone through the interparty mechanisms with the EC to address the issues. Now the bar of disunity has been lowered and our country is on the fringes of chaos. Does Nana think if he wins he can govern in peace after a rerun? Bawumia has admitted in open court that Mahama did nothing wrong but can he prove that he benefitted from the irregularities? NO!! So why take us through all this tension under the pretext of fixing the system. I am disappointed with the NPP leadership for not reigning in the petitioners ( do you remember the admonishing from Appiah- Menkah?). My advise to th learned judges is to rule that there were irregularities but let the status quo remain. that is only when we will know peace and both sides would have won their case.
noname 10 years ago

This is not about the NPP and the NDC. I want my vote to count. How can I(not NPP or NDC) be sure that MY VOTE mattered. If this is allowed then we should FORGET ABOUT VOTING ALTOGER AND LET THE EC DECIDE WHO SHOULD BE PRESID ...
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This is not about the NPP and the NDC. I want my vote to count. How can I(not NPP or NDC) be sure that MY VOTE mattered. If this is allowed then we should FORGET ABOUT VOTING ALTOGER AND LET THE EC DECIDE WHO SHOULD BE PRESIDENT. We want the truth and nothing but the truth as spoken by the supreme court.
ALI 10 years ago

If Nana is awarded the Presidency, how does he get his ministers and agenda approved by a NDC controlled parliament?
The NDC could vote down all his requests as the NPP does not control parliament. He will be an impotent Pre ...
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If Nana is awarded the Presidency, how does he get his ministers and agenda approved by a NDC controlled parliament?
The NDC could vote down all his requests as the NPP does not control parliament. He will be an impotent President till the next election.
Kwaku Gbloenawo 10 years ago

Nana Addo does not care. He just wants to be President at any cost. Interestingly God has not blessed him to be so he will never be. He may even die before his coronation if man (SC) wants to work against the will of God.

Nana Addo does not care. He just wants to be President at any cost. Interestingly God has not blessed him to be so he will never be. He may even die before his coronation if man (SC) wants to work against the will of God.
DKB 10 years ago

So you Kwaku Gbloenawo knows the will of God? You a mere mortal know who God intends to bless or has blessed. It is funny how people twist and use religion to push their selfish agenda. Be there and continue predicting who wi ...
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So you Kwaku Gbloenawo knows the will of God? You a mere mortal know who God intends to bless or has blessed. It is funny how people twist and use religion to push their selfish agenda. Be there and continue predicting who will die.
ONUA 10 years ago

You are right, so mark this space and come back to me in an appropriate time, that the Judges will rule that the very integrity of our electoral system was compromised therefore a total re-run [including parliamentary] is war ...
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You are right, so mark this space and come back to me in an appropriate time, that the Judges will rule that the very integrity of our electoral system was compromised therefore a total re-run [including parliamentary] is warranted.
Honesty-the best policy! 10 years ago

A level headed comment. However, you are in the wrong party. That is why you are now being sidelined.

A level headed comment. However, you are in the wrong party. That is why you are now being sidelined.
Yaw Amofa 10 years ago

It has been the objective of Danquah/Busia idiots to divide Ghana along tribal lines since Gold Coast. Infact Danquah expended all his energies to achieve this, but he failed. Either way, the supreme court decision will ruffl ...
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It has been the objective of Danquah/Busia idiots to divide Ghana along tribal lines since Gold Coast. Infact Danquah expended all his energies to achieve this, but he failed. Either way, the supreme court decision will ruffle this nation.
tilayo 10 years ago

This article shows that we can live as Ghanaians first before NPP or NDC

This article shows that we can live as Ghanaians first before NPP or NDC
Kwame 10 years ago

ARthur K, w'aben. Good and healthy ideas.

ARthur K, w'aben. Good and healthy ideas.
GENERAL DeGAULE 10 years ago

The EC is obligated to run a free and fair election not a perfect election. For every election in the UK I am sent voting cards for my family and the previous residents from whom we bought our house. The way has been open for ...
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The EC is obligated to run a free and fair election not a perfect election. For every election in the UK I am sent voting cards for my family and the previous residents from whom we bought our house. The way has been open for us to cast 4 free votes for the candidate of our choosing. No proof of identity is required and my thumb isn't inked to prevent me cgoing to the polling station a second time. That is the UK for you.

First the NPP cnadidate, Akuffo Addo is one who wants his special way. He beat up Alan Cash's supporters to have his own way. He wants to become President by a DECLARATION of the Supreme Court just as he was specially called to the Middle Temple and specially enrolled on the GBA via a meeting at the Supreme Court. Nothing about him is straight forward.

Next is the NPP party mentality. First there was the allegation of electoral fraud including the padding of Mahama votes, the Israeli firm which electronically manipulated the collated votes. Now all that has been dropped. This is a party that carries its own goal post from pitch to pitch. The petition has been amended as many times as you would change your under pants. Even after having sworn affidavits they deleted some pink sheets on commencement of the hearing. The evidence even includes parliamentary pink sheets.

The ultimate humiliation was when Bawumia read Akuffo Addo's letter in court and suffered the humiliation to say that Akuffo Addo meant malpractices when he stated in his letter that only the vote counted and everything else was inconsequential administrative task.

It is the NPP that must get its act in order. Clear the leadership. Retire all the aggressive, foul mouth and vulgar morons who inhabit the Communications Directorate. And reconstitute yourself into a credible opposition party capable of being elected to govern. At the moment you are nothing but a bunch of vexatious activists.
You have tried several times to ignite the fuse to create civil commotion but failed. Akuffo Addo will not become President. PERIOD!
Amma 10 years ago

The UK system that you describe there is not entirely true. Postal voting is a recent phenomenon and only a tiny percent of the population avail themselves to it anyway. You could be sent ballots for previous occupants in on ...
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The UK system that you describe there is not entirely true. Postal voting is a recent phenomenon and only a tiny percent of the population avail themselves to it anyway. You could be sent ballots for previous occupants in one year but in the following year the voter register is updated by asking voters to confirm their occupancy at the address. It tells you clearly on the form that you are committing a crime if you make a false declaration so if you go out of the way to it you know that you could be dealt with. And should you be caught you will be dealt with. The state institution responsible which is Local Government will prosecute you and not pass the buck to ‘polling agents’ , (yes the council employs people every year to get confirmation of registered voters by visiting addresses) so you could try it if you like! You should also know that in the UK the address system is vital to ones existence particularly for obtaining credit. Since you say you have a mortgage then you must know about the connection of electoral roll and obtaining credit. The successful match of a name and address to the electoral roll increases ones chance of obtaining credit thus it does not inure to ones benefit to link their name to an address for electoral fraud purpose. Majority of the electorate will ensure that they are not linked to wrong address and good God, if they were interested in fraud it will not be for politics! In any case the society( and I mean the indigenous folk) is by and large honest hence they can afford to have the lapse that you enunciate without it affecting the integrity of their system.
Why don't you tell Ghanaians that a court took away a former Labour minister's seat from him and also barred him from ever becoming an MP for using electoral material which was deemed unfair to his opponent the Liberal Democrat? If you want to talk about functioning democracy that is what you talk about.
In the case of Ghana, the electorate is generally dishonest and politics is - ‘ a be all and end all’ so really you are comparing apples with oranges here. And put my neck out for the Brits and say you are offensive for having the temerity to compare Ghana’s pathetic system to theirs.
GENERAL DeGAULE 10 years ago

Provide your address and I will send you the voters registration cards. There are Ghanaians who have left the UK but still retain ownership and rent out their council flats and have voters registration cards mailed to them. N ...
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Provide your address and I will send you the voters registration cards. There are Ghanaians who have left the UK but still retain ownership and rent out their council flats and have voters registration cards mailed to them. Nothing prevents the recepients from using them. They may chose to use them or not. My point is the system in not 100% secure. Elections in the UK may be free and fair but they are by no means PERFECT.
The petitioners after making allegations of electoral fraud have withdrawn those allegations and are now alleging "irregularities".
Amma 10 years ago

Ghanaians retaining council flats when they have left the country and renting it out? Ghanaians is the operative word! The typical Brit is enlightened and honest whereas your typical Ghanaian is unenlightened and dishonest. I ...
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Ghanaians retaining council flats when they have left the country and renting it out? Ghanaians is the operative word! The typical Brit is enlightened and honest whereas your typical Ghanaian is unenlightened and dishonest. I dont need anybody's voters registration card to appreciate there is accountability of institutions in the UK and there isn't in Ghana, I am too sensible.
Kwesi Minta 10 years ago

Amma, don't pretend that the UK is a perfect democracy where no fraud takes place. There is benefit fraud with people using several aliases at the same address. They may not vote but the system can be open to abuse. Just as t ...
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Amma, don't pretend that the UK is a perfect democracy where no fraud takes place. There is benefit fraud with people using several aliases at the same address. They may not vote but the system can be open to abuse. Just as there are sham marriages and sham divorces.
Ellen 10 years ago

Wise Citizen amen and amen

Wise Citizen amen and amen
Joseph 10 years ago

Your article is good. But if it is for peace and the good of the country then ask the NPP to stop this case and allow the country to move forward. I do not see any end to this case. The NDC will surely appeal if the case does ...
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Your article is good. But if it is for peace and the good of the country then ask the NPP to stop this case and allow the country to move forward. I do not see any end to this case. The NDC will surely appeal if the case does not go in its favour, I can assure you of that.
Nana Butubutu Kantanka 10 years ago

Ghana was once upon a time the most peaceful and united noble independent country in the entire Africa continent.

Thanks to Rawlings and his divisive tribalist fake revolutionaries including the Kofi Awoonors, Kojo and Ts ...
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Ghana was once upon a time the most peaceful and united noble independent country in the entire Africa continent.

Thanks to Rawlings and his divisive tribalist fake revolutionaries including the Kofi Awoonors, Kojo and Tsatsu Tsikatas, Ahwois, and now the unscrupulously ethnocentric notorious criminally immoral Mahama who pathetically have made all the unify achievements of the founders of this once great nation among all Africa nations crumbling and destroyed.

Why the NDC Mr. Do nothing Accra Mayor changed the Accra Sport Stadium which was rightly named after an Akan-Akuapin man, Ohene Djan the man who selflessly worked so hard to put Ghana on the international football map and the current reaction from the same heartless Mayor blinded with tribal hatred to the suffering of mostly Akan speaking traders whose life savings and business was destroyed in fire at the Kantamanto Market shows how deep the hate of one section of tribes against the other is even among state appointed officials.

The current head of government by his official tribal appointments, utterances, actions and in-actions clearly shows that unwantedly disgusting tribal political line is drawn.

Can't bring myself to believe that a whole minister responsible for defence for that matter, made such derogatorily embarrassing tribal base statement that 5 bloody deaths in a week in the capital of the Ashanti region, Kumasi is NOTHING since more people have died in similar ways in the other regions. Whaaaaat?

The truth is, who ever dig the pit shall be bury in it and our beloved Ghana will certainly never go the unfortunate Kenya and Ivory Coast ways.

Let's all join hands together to say NO! to our ethnocentric politicians.

In Unity There Is Strength!!!
Grande gueule 10 years ago

You Kenedy man who pretends not to be partisan what are you up to with your silly insinuation?, better stop your day dreaming and find other means of expressing your fustrations.You are a clown.Ghana does not belong to you- O ...
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You Kenedy man who pretends not to be partisan what are you up to with your silly insinuation?, better stop your day dreaming and find other means of expressing your fustrations.You are a clown.Ghana does not belong to you- Okay?
ASSET RECOVERY NEXT 10 years ago

What will happen is just simple. Afari-djan and mahama straight to jail. Okodjeto ablakwa, woyome, firing squad. cletus avoka, jail. then we will strip the rest of any property they acquired. Mills' skeleton will be dug out a ...
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What will happen is just simple. Afari-djan and mahama straight to jail. Okodjeto ablakwa, woyome, firing squad. cletus avoka, jail. then we will strip the rest of any property they acquired. Mills' skeleton will be dug out and burnt.
Ellen 10 years ago

Aimless and passive person

Aimless and passive person
Analyst 10 years ago

All the so called watertight evidence has now been out for all of us to see. What is being called "overvoting" is actually clerical errors that occurred in recording the election results.These clerical errors which occurred a ...
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All the so called watertight evidence has now been out for all of us to see. What is being called "overvoting" is actually clerical errors that occurred in recording the election results.These clerical errors which occurred across the had no effect on the votes declared for the candidates.
All voters voted after being verified from the biometric register so voting without biometric verification does not exist.
Thirdly, there was no ghost polling station because all the parties had their agents at all the polling stations.
There is no dispute about any wrong results recorded for any candidate because the counting was done in the open in public view.
In fact one thing this telecast hearing at the SC has revealed is that, our election system is near perfect. Copies of the election results have been given to all the parties and nobody can alter anything on it without it being detected.
As for errors in filling the numerous boxes in the pink sheets can be understood because the persons who do them are ordinary not-so-educated electoral officers.
Tete 10 years ago

The SC will rule in favour of the NDC. No two ways about it. Akyeam mafias are playing tricks to destroy our dear NPP party. I am really surprise elders in the party are not concern. the effect of the destruction as at now ...
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The SC will rule in favour of the NDC. No two ways about it. Akyeam mafias are playing tricks to destroy our dear NPP party. I am really surprise elders in the party are not concern. the effect of the destruction as at now is very great. Which election is 100% in the world? Gurus in our party NPP should speak their voices out to Nana. You think that Ghanians are happy with Nana. They are descending this time round. I only pity Bawumia seriously.
Paul Amuna 10 years ago

I share Arthur Kennedy's concerns about 'the day fater' the supreme court verdict and to be fair to him, he has been asking this question for some time. I agree with him that both the president and the leader of the oppsition ...
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I share Arthur Kennedy's concerns about 'the day fater' the supreme court verdict and to be fair to him, he has been asking this question for some time. I agree with him that both the president and the leader of the oppsition NPP should make a bold and united stand on what they would want to be following the verdict and whoever 'wins'.

That said, I think it is important for Kennedy to understand that:

1. It is wholly inconceivable that whatever the verdict of the supreme court, that e.g. Nana Akufo Adoo COULD be declared "winner" of the election and therefore "president". The supreme court's role come what may, is to make a recommendation about how any issues should be resolved based on their interpretation of the constitution.

2. I think dwelling on the magical 51% figure in his argument about the 'margin' of victory in the last two presidential polls can be grossly misleading. The percentage is based on actual votes cast which is fine and probably a very fair choice (given our preferred method of choosing our leaders).

However it is worth noting that numbers of voters vary from region to region because of the unequal numbers. Therefore 51% may actually create a false impression of the winner not being as popular as they really are. In the case of the December polls, it is worth remembering that President Mahama actually won 8 out of 10 regions. That makes him MORE popular in those regions. On the contrary, if Akufo Addo were to have won 51% of the vote but carried only two regions (as appears to be the case at the moment), that would also create a false impression or exaggerate his showing and popularity in the country.

3. I would much prefer our examination and possibly adoption of the electoral college system which allocates electoral college votes or points according to the size of a region (or State as in the US system with Kennedy is very much familiar with). If that were to happen, it would surprise you to see that the victor with e.g. 51% would actually accumulate far higher electoral college votes (because of proportionality) in which case the argument about legitimacy would be far less. For instance in the Eastern and Ashanti regions, Mahama's share of the vote was quite high overall even though he lost to his opponent in those two regions.

A classic case in point. In the 2012 US elections, president Barack Obama polled just over 51% (surprised?) of the so-called popular vote" (a word which to me is unfortunate and misleading) but over 237 electoral college votes compared to Mitt Romney's 167 electoral college votes.

These differences reflect the share of the vote each person got in each of the States in play as well as those States which were technically 'not in play' because they were obviously Blue (Democratic) or Red (Republican) in nature. Although the context came down to just over 10 States which were so-called "Swing States" and could go either way, when all was put together, you had the results presented.

3. As a side issue, Kennedy ought to reflect o n the fact that although the presidential elections have resulted in a 51% or less cut-off, that does not reflect parliamentary polling in which one party has a majority over the other. The trouble usually arises as to how that majority is used to help run the country and when in opposition, bring the government to account.

As we have seen in the US congress and Senate, these differences can lead to "grid lock" when people see things only through party eyes. Sadly, we have all witnessed a very poor start to our new parliament with boycotts which I have previously described as crass, immature, un-called for and a bad precedent not only for our democracy but as a poor lesson for the youth of today and leaders of tomorrow.

4. I am of the view that we have a polarised system which can be blamed on tribalism, a superiority complex on the part of some, and a winner-takes-all partisan mentality even where the former two do not apply. I happen to still believe that Kwame Nkrumah's view that as new and emerging independent states after centuries of colonialism, African countries needed stable governments of national unity in which tribe, creed, religion and other considerations would be put aside and national development be at the heart of whatever we do. Sadly it appears for some people, the only way they can see the nation develop is if they (or their party ) are in charge. That is at the heart of our problems.

What I would wish to see is that in the 21st Century, we as Ghanaians would see our nation as belonging to all of us and indeed more important than our individual selves. That we will see service as a virtue and something for us to be proud of and indulge in, irrespective of party, creed, tribe or religion or gender for that matter and that whoever wins elections, we all get on with it (not just say fa ma Nyame) but accept that defeat is part of our own development and politics / governance.

Overall I believe Arthur Kennedy means well and I regret the fact that he has not been able to articulate his true virtues and strengths to the people of Ghana so far. He has made many mistakes and sadly continues to make them (e.g. his recent take on the judges ruling on CI74 / CI75).

I respect Kennedy as a leader but believe as a leader you do not always have to comment on any important matter. He can learn a lot from president Barack Obama who has been criticised as at times "aloof" but in my view is a smart and wise leader. In the past when I tried to liken Kennedy 's skills and talent to Bill Clinton, he was very disparaging of Clinton and probably felt insulted that I should suggest such to him. I real pity, as Bill Clinton is a great global statesman and now spends his time on the lecture circuit teaching leaders and students of government and politics the tricks of the trade. Plus, he was very instrumental in Obama's re-election in my view.

The fact is, we may have different political / party / ideological leanings, but we can certainly learn from each other and that is precisely what people like Kennedy, Mahama, Nana Akufo Adoo and others need to recognise and learn. I for one am at the feet of these chaps trying to learn. Blair has lost that particular standing, but Kennedy should also read Kofi Annan's "Interventions" if he hasn't already done so.

I very much hope that Kennedy would identify and focus on a particular role for himself in Ghana politics, one that goes far beyond party politics and that seeks to unite the country and provide strong, morally sound, intelligent and visionary leadership for the country going forward. If he were to do that, and if he needed my advice along the way, and to work together, I will be more than willing to assist him. If however he continues to see things the NPP way and wishes to go along that line where the party has not transformed itself into a truly one-nation party, he (and the NPP) will continue to struggle to gain national credibility and authority. As has so far been shown in the election petition, the NPP's national standing is being fast eroded because their current leadership and propagandists continue to act in ways that are unpatriotic, and not helpful to our democracy.
Paul Amuna 10 years ago

Sorry I misquoted President Obama's electoral college votes. They were in the region of 337, NOT 237 as reported in my comments. My sincere apologies.

Sorry I misquoted President Obama's electoral college votes. They were in the region of 337, NOT 237 as reported in my comments. My sincere apologies.
Repugnant. 10 years ago

Your assessment is on point, however an electoral college in a corrupt banana republic like ours, will be a gargantuan disaster. Hope you also factored in the cost of an electoral college contest.

Your assessment is on point, however an electoral college in a corrupt banana republic like ours, will be a gargantuan disaster. Hope you also factored in the cost of an electoral college contest.
princewilly@ymail.com 10 years ago

Three nurses go into the morgue, and there's a dead man's body lying there, with an erection.The first nurse sees it, and says "I'm gagging for it", gets atop the man and has her way with it.The second nurse says "Aye, so am ...
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Three nurses go into the morgue, and there's a dead man's body lying there, with an erection.The first nurse sees it, and says "I'm gagging for it", gets atop the man and has her way with it.The second nurse says "Aye, so am I, shame to let it go to waste", and she does the same.They turn to the 3rd nurse and ask her if she is having a go. She replies she is having her period, and declines. One of the nurses reply "He's dead anyway, he'll no bother". The last nurse agrees with this, gets on and does her thing too.Just after she finishes, the dead man sits up. The nurses ask him "We thought you were dead!", and the man replies,"After two jump starts and a blood transfusion, you wouldn't be dead either!".

WITH THE JUMP START'S IN THE SUPREME COURT,WILL NANA ADDO'S DREAM BE ALIVE?
John Kpeglo 10 years ago

We will abide by the ruling but any miscret who raises his or her voice will be crashed in the next second!

We will abide by the ruling but any miscret who raises his or her voice will be crashed in the next second!
Bishop 10 years ago

Well Spoken Ken!....only God can intervene now....it is very heartbreaking seeing the extent of divisions to which politics has brougth to Ghanaians...even on this medium...how guys insult each other in de name of politics. I ...
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Well Spoken Ken!....only God can intervene now....it is very heartbreaking seeing the extent of divisions to which politics has brougth to Ghanaians...even on this medium...how guys insult each other in de name of politics. In all these, am hopeful God is watching...all will be well...This is the kind of write-ups man must read...gud...man...gud.
Barima Yaw 10 years ago

true

true
Kwaku Boateng 10 years ago

Arthur K, see the picture posted and understand that the picture speaks for its self. You might try hard to hide your real intention but your subconscience will always give you out. The elders say charity begins at home so it ...
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Arthur K, see the picture posted and understand that the picture speaks for its self. You might try hard to hide your real intention but your subconscience will always give you out. The elders say charity begins at home so it is incubent upon you to first compel Akufo Addo to commit himself first, remember the Kumasi declaration, beforing extending the olive branch to President Mahama. It seems you were incline to suggest a sort of unity Government, the Kenya style, as you preach a meeting and declaration by both parties. In your subtle sumission, you seems to know and explain what President Mahama should do if the SC verdict favours the NPP but convenietly choose to be silent of what Nana Addo should do in case the verdict goes the NDC's way. The caveat in your post, gives you away, ie who bestowed the title Hon. to Nana Addo ? where is that one also coming from?. The elders say that~wo fa Okonfou yeri no, nna mootia e hwe ow torumuu~ A word to a wise is in Kyebi.
princewilly@ymail.com 10 years ago

The widow takes a look at her dear departed one right before the funeral and,
to her horror, finds that he's in his brown suit. She'd specifically said to
the undertaker that she wanted him buried in his Pink suit; she'd b ...
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The widow takes a look at her dear departed one right before the funeral and,
to her horror, finds that he's in his brown suit. She'd specifically said to
the undertaker that she wanted him buried in his Pink suit; she'd brought it
especially for that occasion, and she was distressed that the mortician had left
him in the same brown suit he'd been wearing when the lightning bolt hit him.
She demanded that the corpse be changed into the Pink suit she'd brought
especially for that purpose.
The undertaker said, "But madam! It's only a minute or two until the funeral
is scheduled to begin! We can't possibly take him out and get him changed in
that amount of time."
The lady said, "Who's paying for this?"
Seeing the logic to this argument, a very reluctant mortician wheeled the
coffin out, but then wheeled it right back in a moment later. Miraculously, the
corpse was in a Pink suit.
After the ceremony, a well-satisfied widow complimented the undertaker on the
smooth and speedy service. She especially wanted to know how he'd been able to
get her husband into a pink suit so fast.
The funeral director said, "Oh, it was easy. It happens that there was
another body in the back room and he was already dressed in a blue suit.
All we had to do was switch heads."

DIFFERENT BODIES IN PINK SUIT BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT AND LET THEM DECIDE THE SUIT THEY SHOULD BE BURIED IN.
Kofi Agyeman 10 years ago

Yes you might be right in pointing all these possible faults in our electoral system. Ofcourse there is no human institution immuned to transformation or change except that which is dead and is apparently non existent. Howeve ...
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Yes you might be right in pointing all these possible faults in our electoral system. Ofcourse there is no human institution immuned to transformation or change except that which is dead and is apparently non existent. However as the writer would want to stand objective and non-partisan,I also want to remain objective and non-partisan.
My first objective question is why should the UP-NPP party always feel cheated whenever the party lost an election?
I remember that they have till today not accepted Rawlings' electoral victories in 1992 and 1996 presidential elections. They advocated for the colour photo Identity cards. When they won the photo identitiy cards in 2004 were black and white and not only that but the quality was very substandard. That was accepted by the rest of the Ghanaian political parties. They called for the re- registering of voters and the nation adhered to that. Again whenthey lost the elections to the NDC's late Pofessor Atta-Mills, then they raised an alarm that biometric voters system should be introduced. Here we are again with the NPP contesting the election results.Now they are disputing even the integrity of the Electoral Commission of Ghana. But when NDC lost to the NPP in 1999/2000 presidential election,the EC was not accused of any incompetencies. In fact it is on record that before the second round the then President Jerry John Rawlings had sent message to all his Ministers to start preparing their handing over notes, even though Dr. Tonny Aiddo impressed it on him that all was not yet lost. It must also be noted that the same Dr. Tony Aidoo did not go fighting the NPP nor the elctoral Commission on why NPP won except acknowledging there were some malpractices somewhere.
It is indeed time that the NPP as a party understands that political elections or battles generally can be won or lost. Therefore participants and contenders must prepare for all.
What will be the next thing from the NPP next?
Consistently,the Ewe tribe for that Voltarians have generally been all sorts of unsavory names and treated during elections as the only region with border to our neighbours. Nobody talks about the the rest of the ethnic border groups strange!! isn't it?
PLUMBER 10 years ago

The NPP has already shown they cannot trust their polling agents, how can they trust them if the decision goes against them to behave well? LMVC are still all over trying to incite people against Government and the SC. it all ...
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The NPP has already shown they cannot trust their polling agents, how can they trust them if the decision goes against them to behave well? LMVC are still all over trying to incite people against Government and the SC. it all smacks of insincerity. The ruling would not provoke any violence if it satisfies the wishes of majority of Ghanaians, after all that was the essence of the elections in the first place.
Ellen 10 years ago

Time will tell Our Sovereign God will continue to take care of us

Time will tell Our Sovereign God will continue to take care of us
Prof 10 years ago

Kobina, this is very well written, but then those of us who are of less erudite persuasion are bound to think otherwise.

Kobina, this is very well written, but then those of us who are of less erudite persuasion are bound to think otherwise.
ASEM BEBA DAbi 10 years ago

the wisest man on tne 'net'.this is the voice of a true Ghanaisn.God bless you,God bless Ghana for such a person

the wisest man on tne 'net'.this is the voice of a true Ghanaisn.God bless you,God bless Ghana for such a person
Kwaku Manu, Nungua 10 years ago

NPP did not trust the EC, the AU, ECOWAS, EU, US, Peace Council, Joy FM and many other newspapers. Can they now trust the Supreme Court?

NPP did not trust the EC, the AU, ECOWAS, EU, US, Peace Council, Joy FM and many other newspapers. Can they now trust the Supreme Court?
obibaba kwadwo 10 years ago

nothing will happen only there should be a fair judgement because the whole country is corrupt.i think the nation need a second real revolution to end corruption. not let the blood flow type of revolution. a sensible bloodles ...
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nothing will happen only there should be a fair judgement because the whole country is corrupt.i think the nation need a second real revolution to end corruption. not let the blood flow type of revolution. a sensible bloodless revolution with the holy bible at Christ at the head because he is the only and true way
shallom 10 years ago

Well said,Arthur Kennedy,very well said if we really want to move forward.

Well said,Arthur Kennedy,very well said if we really want to move forward.
nana addo 10 years ago

Idiot article

Idiot article
MENSAH 10 years ago

GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT.
GHANA NEEDS SUCH PEOPLE ON THIS WEB.

GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT.
GHANA NEEDS SUCH PEOPLE ON THIS WEB.
Stoway 10 years ago

The writer in his 5th paragraph showed he is being partisan. He said "that gave us victory in 2000. Later in the write up he tries to hide that .
What would his NPP do if they lose? They know they had no caseveven beforecgoi ...
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The writer in his 5th paragraph showed he is being partisan. He said "that gave us victory in 2000. Later in the write up he tries to hide that .
What would his NPP do if they lose? They know they had no caseveven beforecgoing to court. They should not accept the verdict and see; they would be dealt with drastically. No violence of any kind would be tolerated. We have working laws and agencies.
Banabas ewereko 10 years ago

Its all said n dan

Its all said n dan
Lovelace 10 years ago

There will be no violence today or tommorow let us remain united the lord will make his own judgement.

There will be no violence today or tommorow let us remain united the lord will make his own judgement.
cheap backlinks 9 years ago

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LPvGN5 Im obliged for the article post.Really thank you! Cool.
matzcrorkz 9 years ago

TejNIp Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article post.Really thank you! Cool.

TejNIp Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article post.Really thank you! Cool.

COMMENT: What will happen when the Supreme Court makes its decision?

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