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NDC’s Basintale promises Bongo youth 400 slots in security services if NDC wins power

33 9 minutes read

Malik Basintale, the Deputy National Communication Officer of the NDC, has promised to provide 400 slots in the Police, Military, and Immigration Services to constituents in the Bongo constituency if the NDC comes into power in 2025.

Speaking in Bongo at an NDC rally, Basintale said 400 youth of the Bongo community must rest assured that they already have employment in the security services should the NDC win the upcoming December 7 general elections.

“In 2025, I am promising lawyer Charles that we will give the Bongo constituency 400 slots. We will put 400 people into the security services so that we can have men and women in the military from Bongo. Men and women in the Immigration Service from Bongo. Men and women in the police service from Bongo. Men and women in the customs from Bongo. Men and women in the prisons from Bongo.

“The youth of Bongo will get jobs, jobs, and jobs. Bongo is a trans sub-Saharan community. From Bongo, when you get to Namong, you are entering Burkina, but because the road network is not good, the cars don’t use Bongo. Next year, we will construct the road.”

Security experts including Dr. Ishmael Norman have on several occasions called for an end to protocol recruitment into the security services.

He emphasized that the practice is inherently wrong and goes against the principles of fairness and equality enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

“They have to stop the protocol recruitment. I get angry whenever I hear about it… It is the politicians that are making it possible to happen; we have to stop that. They have to become more accountable to the public,” Dr. Norman stated in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

He further blamed politicians for creating conditions that lead to self-destruction, stressing the need for responsible leadership to end the practice of protocol recruitment.

According to Dr. Norman, favouritism and partisanship within the recruitment processes are detrimental to the country’s progress, and it is imperative for the government to take decisive action to restore fairness and integrity in the security services.

‘Dumsor’ claim: Liars cannot go to heaven – Mahama tells Akufo-Addo

The NDC’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has fired back at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for characterizing his administration as one defined by recurring electricity shortages, commonly known as ‘dumsor.’

On Monday, November 25, President Akufo-Addo declared Mahama a “failed president,” saying he was the first leader who had not been granted a second term because of his subpar performance.

The President added that although previous leaders have been honored for their noteworthy accomplishments, Mahama’s legacy is characterized by “dumsor,” or power interruptions.

Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo questioned how Mahama could carry out the NDC’s pledge for a “24-hour economy” considering his past performance.

Labelling the policy as deceitful, the President said “If he could not keep the lights on for 12 hours during his tenure as president, how can he sustain a 24-hour economy? Stop that lies.”

During his Tuesday tour of the Western Region, Mahama offered a rejoinder, pointing out that the electricity issues had been fixed prior to his departure from government in 2017.

As a result, he believed that the President’s claim was a fabrication unworthy of a man of his rank.

“I expect that when NPP is telling lies, they’ll leave it to the younger ones and the junior ones to do. But when the senior ones like Nana Akufo-Addo says that ‘dumsor’ was not solved before they came, I heard him say that if we could not keep the lights on, how can we run a 24-hour economy?

“In 2016, ‘dumsor’ had been solved. Nobody’s lights went off in 2016, nobody had load shedding in 2016, that is on record,” he responded.

Using a biblical parallel, Mahama emphasized that those who lie will not enter paradise.

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I don’t know if I’ll survive another day – Ghanaian man forced into Russia’s war in Ukraine says

One Ghanaian man among the 14 men who were forced into Russia’s war with Ukraine fears his days on earth are numbered as he recounts the horrors of being trapped on the frontlines of the war,

After leaving their homes in search of brighter prospects, these guys ended up enmeshed in a war they didn’t understand or want to fight.

A phone vendor in Accra’s busy Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Michael, 33 (not his real name), was stranded in the front lines of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He noticed a chance that he thought would transform his life in June 2024, when he was fed up with his financial difficulties.

“I borrowed 20,000 GHS from family members and added it to my savings to pay for the visa and flight,” he said.

Another victim, Joseph (not his real name, also trapped on the frontlines in Donetsk, added, “We paid the money to our agent because we trusted him. He’s my nephew.”

Allegedly organized by a man named Abraham Boakye, the group of 14 men were enticed by promises of lucrative security and agricultural work in Russia. With hope in their hearts, they paid their way through Togo and arrived in Russia on August 6, 2024. But when they arrived in Kostroma, northeast of Moscow, their hopes were abruptly dashed.

The men said that before beginning work, they were informed that they required military training rather than being hired. After a Russian team gained control of them, they were presented with a contract that was written entirely in Russian, which none of them could understand. They signed, and their passports were seized shortly after. They were taken to the Donetsk oblast in Ukraine, which is under Russian occupation, after 21 days of training. This marked the start of their nightmare.

Three of the men, who were able to speak with Media General’s Godwin Asidiba, told of being detained against their will and compelled to serve in hazardous positions in support of Russia’s war effort. Their duties included transporting the dead bodies of fallen soldiers and delivering bombs to the frontlines. Drenched in misery and terror, a daily habit was to walk three hours to the frontline.

As his health deteriorated, one of them near the front lines of the conflict said, “I can’t stand without assistance.” To keep me going, they give me drug injections. “I just want to go home,” he said to the reporter over the phone.

The trek has caused more than just bodily wounds. Numerous members of their group are either deceased, unaccounted for, or suffering from permanent injuries. Back in Ghana, their families live in anguish, appealing to authorities for help but receiving no tangible response.

In an attempt to improve their future, one of the guys, Adjei (not his real name), had left his wife and two kids in Ghana. After making his initial payment of 400,000 rubles, he fulfilled his pledge by sending money home. In order to spare their families the harsh reality, his coworkers Michael and Joseph (not their real names) also gave money to give the impression that everything was well.

However, the men have become tired. Even their families are frustrated. No action has been taken in spite of multiple reports to the Ghana Police Headquarters, according to a report by 3news.com

Gideon Sarfo, Michael’s nephew, voiced his annoyance: “We’ve been waiting for answers, but all we get are closed doors and broken promises. My uncle’s life is at stake, and no one seems to care.”

With her own health problems, Michael’s mother is inconsolable. “She’s had a stroke and asks about him every day. If she learns the truth, it might kill her,” a family member disclosed.

Escaping the War

Some men have escaped and are risking their lives to get back to Ghana. One escapee recounted their harrowing trek across hazardous terrain while dodging Russian forces. “We witnessed our friends’ deaths up close. We did not wish to suffer the same fate. One person said, “We battled our way out.”

However, Ghana’s National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) arrested them for interrogation upon their arrival. Their identification documents were seized, despite their eventual release, and they are still living in hiding out of fear of more consequences. Because they thought I might be working with the National Intelligence Bureau, the men in Kumasi declined to meet when I asked them to do an interview. Their psychosis highlights the severe trauma they experienced.

Attempts to contact the Ghanaian Embassy in Russia via email and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by visiting their office in Accra have not been answered. According to sources, both organizations are aware of the problem but have done nothing about it.

Outrage has been expressed by people or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that deal with forced labor and human trafficking and who wish to remain anonymous.

“This is a textbook case of labor exploitation and trafficking,” said a representative from the International Justice Mission. “These men were deceived and coerced, making their forced participation in the war a violation of international law.”

As casualties in Ukraine increase, Russia has increasingly looked to foreigners and migrant workers to bolster its forces in an effort to prevent domestic mobilization. The Institute for the Study of War notes an increase in dishonest recruitment practices aimed at economically disadvantaged people from Asia and Africa.

Their predicament serves as a reminder to these Ghanaian men of both the widespread exploitation of migrants and the atrocities of war. Security expert Adib Saani cautioned, “If no immediate action is taken, this could escalate into a larger security threat for Ghana.”

Lawyer Christian Malm Hesse added, “If these men were coerced, it constitutes a breach of international law. However, if they signed contracts and accepted payment, it complicates their case.”

In the meantime, there has been no success in finding the purported recruiter, Abraham Boakye. Following reports that the case is being investigated, his office in Dome, Accra, is still locked.

Their agony was exacerbated when Boakye reportedly embezzled 130,000 rubles from each man’s initial 400,000 ruble salary.

For these men, their quest for a better life has evolved into a last-ditch effort to survive. As they hold out hope for a rescue that appears more and more elusive, their anguish grows with every moment that goes by.

Action must be taken for these men now to save their lives.

National Cathedral: Akufo-Addo must be charged for causing financial loss to the state – Ablakwa

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of parliament for North Tongu, has demanded that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo be held responsible and tasked with making up for the damages the country has suffered as a result of the National Cathedral project.

Speaking on November 26, one day after the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) published its conclusions in response to his appeal, Mr. Ablakwa made the announcement at a news conference in Kumasi.

To guarantee openness in the situation, he restated his call for the National Cathedral Secretariat to be dissolved immediately.

In his accusation, Ablakwa said the President was planning a “create, loot, and share” programme.

“The plight of the Eminent priests is regrettable, unfortunate, and very sad for them. They were totally deceived by President Akufo-Addo and he ought to take the blame. President Akufo-Addo must be surcharged, he must be held directly responsible for this gross financial loss.

“He must be made to cover that hole and refund the money. President Akufo-Addo must pay for the compensation and not our taxes. He must be held directly responsible, he masterminded this create, loot and share and must be made to clean up this mess.”

Prioritize peace in December 7 elections – Otumfuo tells Akufo-Addo

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to do everything in his power to guarantee a peaceful election on December 7, 2024.

When the President paid a courtesy call to the Manhyia Palace to thank him and the indigenous people for their steadfast support during his term, the Asantehene made this plea.

Speaking separately to the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, President Akufo-Addo warned that if voters support former President John Mahama in the next elections, the Ashanti Region may be neglected and important development projects may be shelved.

During his three-day Ashanti Region tour, President Akufo-Addo stopped by the Manhyia Palace, where the Asantehene asked him to maintain a peaceful electoral process for the December 7 elections.

“He has promised to ensure a peaceful election and I believe he will do exactly that. I also appeal to political parties and Ghanaians to prioritize Ghana’s peace as we go to the polls on December 7”, stated Otumfour.

The traditional leaders praised President Akufo-Addo for leading significant development initiatives in the Ashanti Region during a meeting with the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs. They conveyed appreciation for ongoing and finished initiatives and urged the chiefs to take these accomplishments into account while casting their votes.

“From 2017 to date, my government has appointed about 30 ministers and deputy ministers from the Ashanti region, a sharp contrast to the NDC’s 13 ministers during Mahama’s presidency and this will not change if he is voted into power again.

“I appeal to you to vote for Dr Bawumia if you want continued development in the region”

President Akufo-Addo called on the chiefs to back Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in the same manner that they have backed him for the previous eight years, stressing the region’s significance to the party.