FIRE AND BRIMESTONE; Greet EC’s Decision To Disqualify 12 Presidential Aspirants

Charlotte Osei, Ghana's Electoral Commissioner

There has never been so much heat in national politics in recent times as was experienced last Monday. The language of most of the affected people was raw and in some instance even insulting.

In a radio interview Hassan Ayariga, the Presidential aspirant of the All Peoples Congress (APC) described the EC’s decision as “foolish”

Almost all the disqualified aspirant have threatened to drag the EC to court and to place an injunction on the 2016 elections.

 Mr Kofi Akpaloo, presidential aspirant of the Independent Peoples’ Party (IPP) said the “EC chairs cannot arrogate to herself powers she does not have”

The National Treasurer of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) has gone as far as to suggest that Dr. Kwadwo Afari  Djan performed much better than the current chair of the EC.

 Mr Akane Adams said under Dr Afari Djan the 13 presidential aspirants would not have been disqualified.

Interestingly the four candidates whose nomination papers were accepted as flawless have been tight –lipped.

They are Ivor Kobina Greestreet of the CPP, Nana Akufo- Addo of the NPP, John Yeboah, an independent and John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Editorial

LET THE LAW WORK

 Many individuals and groups have called for free and fair elections this year.

We cannot disagree with them.

However one of the surest ways of ensuring free and fair elections is that all the stakeholders in this election have to do what the law prescribes.

What used to happen in the past when half- qualified and law breaking parties and candidates were put on the ballot should not be encouraged this time round.

We urge the Electoral Commission, the Government, political parties and the law enforcement agencies to act as the law prescribes and a lot of problems will solved.

The law must be applied vigorously without fear or favour!

Empowering women has huge benefits: UNESCO

Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa with students of the Accra Girls High School

Education is essential for empowering women to achieve gender equality, which in turn is vital for sustainable development. This is confirmed in a new Gender Review by UNESCO's Global Education Monitoring Report, released one week before International Day of the Girl Child (October 11) at an event in Paris.

The review shows that countries with more women in parliament are more likely to ratify environmental treaties. Education can empower women to become leaders as they acquire literacy, confidence and communication skills. It can give them a space to learn about and practice leadership. Further education and professional, technical and legal training also help women to gain credibility and influence among leaders and decision-makers.

Fewer than 20 per cent of leaders are women

However, at present fewer than one fifth of the world's heads of state, prime ministers and government ministers are women. Despite recent improvements in women's political representation, they still occupy fewer than 25% of national parliamentary seats worldwide.

"Significant and transformative action is required to redress deeply embedded and complex gender inequalities that impact people within and beyond education and prevent the achievement of gender equality," said UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova. "Whether society manages to reform in line with these recommendations will affect the empowerment of women and girls and, ultimately, the realization of sustainable development."

Education, education, education

Education, especially that of girls and women, would curtail the population growth, which is putting great strains on the planet. In sub-Saharan Africa, women with secondary education on average have three fewer children than those with no education at all. Educating boys and men about sexual and reproductive health is also important. In Kenya, a four-year programme working with men on responsible sexual behaviour saw school pregnancy rates drop by two-thirds.

Sustainable development also requires addressing deep rooted discrimination and disadvantages in the workplace the world over. Women do more unpaid work than men and occupy less secure positions. Women and men tend to work in different sectors and those dominated by men tend to provide better pay and social status than those employing a large percentage of women. This is linked to subject choices in higher education where strong gender differences can be observed: women make up 70% of those choosing to major in education, but only 25% of those choosing engineering and computer science.

Gender inequality in employment and pay can be addressed through policy and legislation, but also by engaging men and boys in challenging discrimination, ensuring all have equal opportunities to access education, and giving second-chance education to women who dropped out. Teachers can help break occupational stereotypes; mentorships and scholarships have been used in countries like the United Kingdom, Kazakhstan and Lebanon to encourage women to take up science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Greater equality in education is needed to help break down gender barriers in society. This means assessing what and how children are being taught. The Review shows that fewer than 15% of countries' curricula frameworks include material on gender empowerment and only half mention gender equality. The issue of child marriage is omitted or poorly addressed in textbooks in many of the countries where it is most prevalent, including Kenya and Malawi.

Aaron Benavot, Director of the GEM Report: "Educating men and boys to challenge conventional gender norms is equally important than educating girls. But educational experiences need to be reinforced by what happens in the home, in the workplace and in politics. For substantive gender equality, we need to work together to tackle the deeper obstacles holding girls and young women back."

The 2016 GEM Review provides recommendations on how to work for gender equality in education and tackle the gender stereotypes that are holding back sustainable development:

1.      #Equalitymeans much more than equal numbers of boys and girls in school. We must count the number of child marriages and adolescent pregnancies, monitor who has a say in family planning, working conditions, the percentage of women in leadership positions, and analyse teacher training and what textbooks and curricula are teaching our children every day.

2.      Institutions outside of education systems should promote gender equality through laws and policies protecting maternity rights, and improving equality in the workplace.

3.      Those working on gender equality in education and gender equality in general should collaborate. A working group - including UNESCO, UNGEI and UN Women - should be set up to help advance the measurement of gender inequality.

Editorial

ELECTION 2016

It is important that everything about elections 2016 is done within the framework of law and to ensure fairness to all contestants.

 The report of the Electoral Commission that some of its officials verified the voter details of Dr Bawumia, Vice Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) outside the designated polling station must be very worrying.

For all we know, Dr Bawumia may not have played any role in the violation of electoral law and regulation but the officials who should have known better did.

The Insight is happy that disciplinary action has been taken against the officials and we hope that this will serve as a deterrent to officials who may be tempted to turn the law on its head.

This election must be peaceful and the only way to ensure that is to abide by the law.

FIDEL IS 90

Commandante Fidel Castro

By Duke Tagoe

Commandante Fidel Castro, Leader of the Cuban revolution will clock 90 years next Saturday, August 13.

Even though he has retired as President of the Island state, he is still seen around the world as the main inspiration behind the revolutionary prospect in Cuba.

Under his leadership Cuba has attained almost 100 per cent literacy rate in a country where education is absolutely free from the cradle to the grave.

Access to healthcare in Cuba is also one of the best in the world.

The small Island state of only 11 million people has successfully defeated US aggression on several occasions.

 The 90th birthday of Fidel is expected to be marked across the world even in the capitals of western countries by progressive forces.

 In Ghana it will be marked with sporting and cultural event by Ghanaians trained in Cuba, Cubans resident in Ghana and members of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign on Saturday August 13, 2016.

The Freedom Centre will also mark the event with a cultural event on Monday, August 15, a political discussion on Wednesday August 17 and a film show on Friday August 19.

Editorial

CONGRATULATIONS

On Founder’s Day, Wednesday, September 21, 2016, seven very distinguished Ghanaians received the Black Star Excellence Awards at the Miklin Hotel in Accra.

The awardees are Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr, a distinguished academic and a lawyer, Captain Kojo Tsikata, a participant in the wars of national liberation in Africa, Kojo Amoo Gottfried, a diplomat, G.A Balogun and Charles  Heymann, trade Unionists and Explo Nani- Kofi, a left wing activist.

The Insight congratulates all these gallant people who have contributed so much to the liberation of the under privileged from the Clutches of poverty, ignorance and deprivation which are all symptoms of exploitation.

It is our hope that their heroic deeds will serve as shining examples to this generation and future generations.

May our collective efforts lead to the building of a new world on the foundation of social justice.

GHANA SHALL REMAIN ONE AFTER DEC. 7

Alexander Afenyo Markin

By Roger W. Mededji

The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) MP for Effutu constituency in the Central Region Hon. Alex Afenyo Markin has stated that Ghana is one and shall remain one after December 7 general elections.

He was speaking at the graduation of hairdressers organized by the National Association of Beauticians and Hairdressers at Winneba Junction. He said the peace and tranquility we are enjoying is not by chance but people worked towards it and sacrifice for it; and it is our duty to maintain it.

Hon. Alex Afenyo Markin explained that we do not have CPP Ghana; we do not have NPP Ghana nor NDC Ghana. Ghana is one and for all.

He added that though we belong to different political parties we are one country “this year when John Mahama mother died I followed Nana Akuffo Addo to console the President”. This year general elections cannot anyway lead to chaos we are peaceful people. He concluded.

He pointed out that the peace can be maintained if we watch what we say while we are campaigning. Let us refrain from statements that will inflame tension. He said we have different tribes in the country but we should not make them source of tensions but rather let us help the people make their life meaningful like the National Association of Beauticians and Hairdressers are doing.

The NPP’s MP congratulates National Association of Beauticians and Hairdressers and encouraged them to continue the good job they are doing. He said training our girls will help them develop their talents and enable them to earn income for better living.

Editorial

VERY DIRTY POLITICS

Cadman Mills, brother of the late President John Evans Atta Mills has said that his brother died of natural causes and that his family is satisfied with the post mortem report.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Cadman Mills said the family is convinced that there was no foul play.

In spite of this, some political parties and their leaders have decided to do very dirty politics with the death of Professor Mills.

The other day, one of those leaders called on the government to release the post mortem report on the death of Professor Mills to prove that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was not behind it.

Another Leader directly accused the NDC of murdering President Mills.

How dirty can our politics get?

First, the post mortem report on the death of President Mills was handed over to his family and not the Government and the family is the only body which can make it public.

Secondly, there is not shred of evidence to suggest that President Mills was murdered.

Thirdly, nobody is going to win elections simply by alleging that President Mills was killed.

This dirty politics ought to come to an end. It is an insult to the people of Ghana.

OMANE MOVES TO SAVES CHILDREN

Minister of Communications, Dr Omane Boamah

Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Communications, has inaugurated a national steering committee on child online protection initiative to protect children from Internet usage abuse.

The committee includes representatives from government institutions, academia, youth sector, law enforcement sector, parents group, civil society organisations, telecommunications service operators and faith based organisations.

The committee would develop a national child online protection framework to guide Internet usage within the national cyber security policy and strategy as well as discuss issues relating to the risk and vulnerabilities facing children within cyberspace.

The committee would serve as a forum for collecting, discussing and raising awareness of good practices and approaches on legal, technical, educational, policy and strategic frameworks adopted by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

Dr Boamah said research shows that more children and young people were connecting to the Internet using game consoles and mobile devices, yet many adults were not aware that connectivity was possible using such devices.

He said many parents are adamant with the notion that their children were safer if they were at home using a computer than they would be if they were accessing the Internet outside of the home.

“This is a dangerous misconception because the Internet can take children and young people virtually anywhere in the world and in the process can be exposed to potentially serious risks as they could in the real world,” he said.

The Minister said protecting children online is everybody’s responsibility, and that the committee was guided by the principle that the interest of all Ghanaian children was paramount.

He said the Ghana is a member of the ITU and continues to engage with international institutions to ensure adherence to recognized norms and standards in all sphere of disciplines.

Nene Nagai Kassa VIII, the Chief of Agomeda, Chairman of the committee, thanked President John Dramani Mahama for the appointment and pledged their commitment to work to meet the objectives of the committee.

He said the committee had started preparatory work and called on members to learn from each other to ensure the success of their task.

Editorial

A COMRADE HAS FALLEN

Many people know Honourable Joe Baidoo – Ansah simply as the NPP Member of Parliament for Kwesimintim in the Western Region but he is far more than that.

He is indeed one of the sons of Ghana who risked his everything to ensure that multi-party democracy was restored in the country and insisted the rights of the people should not be trampled on with jack boots.

Joe Baidoe- Ansah was one of the young men who joined the Movement for Freedom and Justice in 1991 and worked with such giants as Professor Albert Adu Boahen, Johnny F.S. Hansen, John Ndebugre and Akoto Ampaw to restore democracy.

At the time he was practicing as a journalist with the Independent newspaper then edited by Kabral Blay –Amihere.

We recall his role in the poster campaigns and later the organisation of mass rallies demonstrations across the country.

By his defeat in parliamentary primaries, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Parliament will lose a militant for democracy and justice.

Joe Baidoe-Ansah is nice and gentle politicians whose tolerance of opposition has always been remarkable and we wish him well in his new endeavours.

"I AM NOT AN NPP MAN”- Kwabena Kwabena

Kwabena Kwabena

By Ekow Mensah

Hip life Superstar, Kwabena Kwabena has joined the list of celebrities who have distanced themselves from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the last months.

Black star Captain, Asamoah Gyan was the first to distant himself from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He denied rumours that he was a financier of the NPP and described them as “wicked stories” calculated to destroy his image.

Highlife Musician Amakye Dede has also strongly denied reports that he is a member or sympathizer of the NPP following his appearance on an NPP campaign platform.

He said he performed at an NPP rally as professional musician and not a member or sympathiser or the party.

Amakye Dede later performed at the campaign launch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Cape coast to make his point.

Kwabena Kwabena has also said that he is not a member of the NPP although he composes songs for Nana Akufo Addo, the party’s presidential candidate.

Speaking to Nii Ardey Clegg, on the Morning Star’s “Adult Music “ he insisted that he is apolitical and does not support any particular party.

Kwabena Kwabena said he was not contracted by Nana Akufo –Addo to compose songs for him.

“I did it out of my own free will” he said.

He said “I don’t belong to any political party, I am a Ghanaian and I will endorse any Ghanaian I believe is ready to do something or has something to offer this country……..”

Editorial

Musical Politics

Musicians appear to be playing a very large role in the 2016 election.

Politicians are falling over themselves to win over the most popular musicians in the false hope that their fans will accept their political choices.

The fact that one accepts Amakye Dede’s rendition of life does not mean that his prescription for improving access to education will be acceptable.  

Musicians may be popular because of the quality of their voices or the rhythms they pour out.

 They may even be popular because of the themes they sing about.

 The point is that musicians are also Ghanaians and entitled to participate fully in the political process but they have no special role in choosing our leaders.

The politicians must do what is correct. They must address the felt needs of the masses and stop playing to the gallery.

Musical politics will not solve the problems of Ghana. 

MAHAMA MISSES THE POINT

Dr Edward Nasigri Mahama (PNC Presidential Candidate)

Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) does not appear to get it.

He believes that there is no link between Ghana’s current state of dependence and her colonial past.

In fact he appears to disagree with Nkrumah’s declaration that “The essence of neo-colonialism is that the state which is subject to it is, in theory independent and has all the trapping of international sovereignty. [that] In reality its economic system and thus its political policy is directed from outside”.

Speaking on the TV show “My Turn” on GTV, Dr Mahama completely discounted the contribution of colonialism to the multitude of problems confronting the people of Ghana.

He said “Ghanaians should stop blaming colonial masters for the woes of this country and resolve to remove the bottlenecks bedeviling the economy”.

What is not clear to Dr Mahama is that most of these “bottlenecks” are colonial vestiges which act as fetters to the national development effort.

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) is one such fetters which makes Africa a dumping ground for European goods and services and destroys Ghana’s capacity to compete favourably with European countries.

Another fetter to development which is rooted in colonialism is the quota system of trade which minimizes Africa’s exports to some of the trading blocks and maximizes imports from those blocks.

Dr Mahama said “Ghana is almost 60 years counting from independence, if you are 30 years now, ask yourself what plans have I laid down for my children 20 years down the line. We know how Ghana’s population will definitely grow years to come, but we have no plans in place.”

He praised the self-reliant policies of General Kutu Acheampong and said “this is the direction I am also going to take”.

 Interestingly, Dr Mahama is the presidential candidate of a political party which claims to be Nkrumaist.

Editorial

THE COLONIAL HERITAGE

It is strange that some of Ghana’s most educated believe that the Ghanaian condition of underdevelopment and poverty has nothing to do with colonial exploitation.

Indeed, the poverty and under development in Ghana are all traceable to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Classical Colonialism.

It is to be understood that throughout more than 100 years of colonialism, everything was planned and organised for the sole purpose of exploiting our resources for the benefit of the colonial metropolis.

This arrangement has not change with the attainment of national independence.

As Nkrumah wrote in consciencism Page 102, “Any oblique attempt of a foreign power to thwart, balk, corrupt for otherwise pervert the true independence of a sovereign people is neo-colonialist. It is neo-colonialist because it seeks, notwithstanding the acknowledged sovereignty of a people, to subordinate their interests to those of a foreign power”.

Our view is that unless we wake up to the reality of colonial enslavement in all its forms including its current form, we cannot get out of the quagmire of under development.