GRi Newsreel Ghana
09 - 12 - 2000
Electoral Commission continues to release results of elections
Bawku violence turns into ethnic conflict
NPP holds lead in parliamentary poll
REGSEC receives complaints of alleged assault on NDC supporters.
Women retain three seats, gain another in C/R
NPP supporters challenge Effutu parliamentary results
NDC, NPP supporters clash at Bawku
Curfew imposed on Bawku as violence flares after election
Supporters of Wayo not happy with his stance
Accra
(Greater Accra) 09 Dec. 2000
The
New Patriotic Party (NPP) continues to hold the lead in the parliamentary
election, doing far better than they did in the 1996 vote, while the ruling
National Democratic Congress (NDC) has lost many seats.
According
to results from 117 seats compiled by the Ghana News Agency, the NPP has 70
seats while the NDC has 42 seats. The Convention People's Party (CPP) has two
seats, the People's National Convention has one seat and there are two
independent candidates, including Foreign Minister James Victor Gbeho, who have
won their seats.
In
1996, the NDC won 133 seats, NPP 61, PNC one and People's Convention Party
five.
In
the presidential race, the gap between the two frontrunners, NPP's John Agyekum
Kufuor and NDC's John Atta Mills is closing with figures from 128
constituencies.
Mr
Kufuor has about 52 per cent of the votes and Prof. Mills has 43 per cent. The
other parties have between them about five per cent.
The
breakdown is as follows:
Brong
Ahafo:
NPP
- 12
NDC
- 1
Northern
Region
NPP
- 3
NDC
- 7
CPP
- 1
IND.
- 1
Western
Region
NPP
- 4
NDC
- 2
CPP
- 1
Upper
West
NPP
- 0
NDC
- 5
Central
Region
NPP
- 7
NDC
- 7
Eastern
Region
NPP
- 13
NDC
- 2
Volta
Region
NPP
- 0
NDC
- 10
IND.
- 1
Ashanti
Region
NPP
- 21
NDC
- 0
Greater
Accra Region
NPP
- 10
NDC
- 4
Upper
East Region
NPP
- 0
NDC
- 4
PNC
- 1
GRi../
Kumasi
(Ashanti Region) 09 Dec. 2000
Thieves
broke into the residence of Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Member of Parliament (MP)
for Offinso North, at Kwadaso in Kumasi and made away with cash and property
worth several million cedis.
The
burglary occurred just a day after he had retained his parliamentary seat. The
case has been reported to the Suntreso Police but no arrest has been made.
Dr Apraku
told the Ghana News Agency that he "suspects the burglary to be
politically motivated".
He recalled
that in 1992, just a day before he filed his nomination to contest the
parliamentary poll, his house was attacked by armed men who shot and wounded
his security man.
"Then
in 1996, a day after the election, I returned from Akomadan to my residence
only to be informed that armed soldiers were looking for me for what reasons
still remains unanswered."
He said in
all those cases he made formal reports to the Police who promised to
investigate but nothing came out of it.
Dr Apraku
said he "is convinced that these incidents were orchestrated and that
there is a threat on his life".
"I
believe that, as a Ghanaian, I have a right to protection by the government. I
hold the government responsible for my safety," he added.
GRi../
Electoral Commission continues to release results of elections
Accra
(Greater Accra) 09 December 2000
Mr
John Agyekum Kufuor and his New Patriotic Party (NPP) continue to hold on to
their earlier lead as the Electoral Commission (EC) releases more results of
the Thursday's presidential and parliamentary elections.
The
party continues to make inroads into National Democratic Congress (NDC) strongholds
with the latest casualty being Mr Ebenezer Kwabena Fosu, former Minister of
Works and Housing, who was battered from his Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa seat.
The
Central Regional Minister Mr Jacob Scherre Arthur escaped the wrath of raging
elephant, thanks to the intervention by Mr William Buckman of the Convention
Peoples' Party (CPP), who took 8,708 of the opposition votes.
The
Regional Minister obtained 16,018 votes as against 13,828 by Madam Edna Lovis
Arthur of the NPP.
Meanwhile,
Provisional figures compiled by the GNA reveal very interesting trend.
The NDC
received 329,598 votes from 12 constituencies in the Volta Region - Anlo, Keta,
Ketu South, Ketu North, Avenor, South Tongo, Hohoe North, Hoehoe South, Buem,
Ho Central, Ho West and North Dayi.
The NPP
received 21,676 votes thus giving a shortfall 307,922.
The NPP
also received 415,070 from 12 constituencies in the Ashanti Region -
Atwima-Nwabiagya, Kwabre, Asante Mampong, Old Tafo- Suame, Manhyia, Offinso
North, Offinso South, Ahafo-Ano South, Ejisu-Juaben, Obuasi, Asante-Akim North
and Ejura-Sekyedumase.
The NDC on
the other hand received 117,012 votes thus giving a short fall 298,058 votes.
This means that despite the higher figures the NPP received in Ashanti, the
votes the NDC received in the Volta Region have to some extent cancelled them.
The results
for the seven remaining constituencies in the Volta Region and 21 in Ashanti
Region are being awaited.
GRi…/
Bawku
violence turns into ethnic conflict
Accra
(Greater Accra) 09 December 2000
The
fighting that erupted at Bawku on Friday morning over the counting of ballot
papers has now turned into an ethnic conflict between the Mamprusis and the
Kusasis.
Information
reaching the Police Headquarters indicates that many houses have been set
ablaze, with each of the opposing factions firing sophisticated weapons.
Speaking to
the GNA, a source at the headquarters said the Upper East Regional Police
Command has proceeded to the area to restore calm.
However,
fighting is getting closer to the Bawku Police Station, making it difficult for
police personnel to control the situation.
The source
said no casualties have yet been confirmed, adding that the police are doing
all they can to bring the situation under control.
The
conflict stemmed from the fact that four ballot boxes filled with ballot papers
were brought to the collation centre on Friday morning without a presiding
officer accompanying them.
As a
result, the District Electoral Officer refused to accept them thereby creating
tension and suspicion.
Factions in
the conflict are believed to be supporters of Hajia Fati Seidu, incumbent
Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, and Madam Hawa Yakubu, the NPP
parliamentary candidate.
GRi…/
NPP
holds lead in parliamentary poll
Accra
(Greater Accra) 09 December 2000
The New
Patriotic Party (NPP) continues to hold the lead in the parliamentary election,
doing far better than they did in the 1996 vote, while the ruling National
Democratoc Congress (NDC) has lost many seats.
According
to results from 114 seats compiled by the Ghana News Agency, the NPP has 69
seats and the NDC has 41. The Convention People's Party (CPP) has two seats,
the People's National Convention has one seat and there are two independent
candidates, including foreign minister James Victor Gbeho, who have won their
seats. In 1996, the NDC won 133 seats, NPP 61, PNC one and People's Convention
Party five.
GRi…/
REGSEC
receives complaints of alleged assault on NDC supporters.
Kumasi
(Ashanti Region) 09 December 2000
The Ashanti
Regional Security Council (REGSEC) said on Saturday it had received complaints
of alleged intimidation and assault of some National Democratic Congress (NDC),
supporters in some parts in the region.
The council
has therefore called on party functionaries and supporters to desist from such
acts since "these can undermine the peace and stability of the
region".
This was
contained in a statement signed by Mr Samuel Nuamah-Donkor, Ashanti Regional
Minister, who is also the chairman of the Council and issued to the press in
Kumasi at the weekend.
It
expressed sincere gratitude to chiefs, religious leaders, political parties and
all residents in the region for the peaceful and orderly manner in which the
December 7 election was conducted.
"The
use of inflammatory and provocative language against certain individuals,
groups, or tribe should be avoided", it said.
The
statement warned that any person or group of persons caught involved in such
acts would be dealt with in accordance
with the law and called on all to go about their business activities
peacefully.
GRi…/
PNC
supporters jubilate
Tumu
(Northern Region) 09 December 2000
The people
of Tumu did not sleep throughout Friday night, jubilating over the PNC
presidential and parliamentary victory in the Sissala constituency.
They sang
war songs, some of them meaning "the lion has ran away leaving the
kingship to the rabbit. The eagle has preyed on the lion but the lion has no
power to fight back".
A cross
section of the people interviewed said they voted for the PNC to bring the late
Dr Hilla Limann's body, soul and spirit back home to stop his bones from
skidding in his grave.
They said
victory for PNC in the constituency is a victory for the former president who
fathered the PNC.
The people
accused Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Member of Parliament for the area, of arrogance.
"He
has been insulting our chiefs and the electorate that he used his money to buy
our votes in the 1992 and 1996 elections. This time round, we want to show him
that he cannot buy our votes again," they said.
The voting
pattern in the constituency was along chieftaincy lines, with people in the
Zini traditional area voting for the NDC, while Tumu, Wellembelle, Pulima,
Gwollu and Jeffisi traditional areas voted for PNC.
GRi…/
Women retain three seats, gain another in C/R
Cape Coast
(Central Region) 09 December 2000
Of the 12
females who contested parliamentary seats in the Central Region, three have
retained their seats, with one new comer.
They are Ms
Christine Churcher of the NPP, Cape Coast, Mrs Comfort Owusu, Mfantseman-East
and Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe Gomoa-west both of the NDC, with Mrs Hannah
Tetteh-Kpodar, who also stood on the ticket of the NDC at Awutu-Senya, beating
her four male contestants.
Miss
Florence Kumi (NDC) however failed in her bid to retain her seat in the
Assin-north constituency.
The rest of
the female contestants were Araba Bentsi-Enchil, CPP, Cape Coast, Mary Padmore
Dadzie, NDC, Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Edna Lovis Arthur, NPP, Mfantseman -West,
Beatrice Boadu, CPP, Upper Denkyira, Joyce Thompson, NPP, Mfantseman -East,
Elizabeth Bimpong, CPP Twifu-Hemang -lower Denkyira and Theresa Acquah, NRP,
Assin-North constituencies.
GRi…/
NPP supporters challenge Effutu parliamentary results
Winneba
(Central Region) 09 December 2000
Aggrieved
supporters of the New Patriotic Party in Winneba on Friday besieged the offices
of the Electoral Commission and demanded a recount of the votes cast in last
Thursday's presidential and parliamentary elections in the Effutu constituency.
But for the
timely intervention by the police, the angry supporters would have attacked officials
of the commission and the Ghana News Agency district correspondent who was
covering the event.
They
accused the officials of helping the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to rig
the elections in which the NPP won the presidential by more than 1000 votes,
with the NDC winning the parliamentary with a difference of 346 votes.
The action
of the aggrieved NPP followers compelled the police to close the main entrance
to the EC office.
The
supporters ignored repeated warnings by the district police commander and the
constituency leaders of the NPP and continued with their agitation that the
votes should be recounted, amidst the chanting of war songs.
Earlier Dr
Oheneba Acheampong and other leaders of the NPP officially challenged the
results and demanded a recount of the ballot papers because of alleged
malpractice by the NDC recorded during the polls.
Dr
Acheampong said he refused to endorse the results because there were a lot of
discrepancies including an alleged disappearance of a booklet of ballot papers
and a discovery of a sealed empty ballot box.
He
mentioned John Bosco Catholic School and Mr Brew's House polling stations as
the places where the alleged malpractice took place.
He also
cited an instance where the NPP, assisted by the police, rounded up some
students suspected to have been recruited from Gomoa Potsin Secondary School,
to vote for the NDC.
According
to him, the students were minors, and that he and the other leaders of the
party together with the police later reported the matter to the headmaster of
the school, adding that the matter was being investigated.
Mr Samuel
Tettey, District Electoral Officer and Nana Odum Poku, Returning Officer of the
constituency, denied the allegations.
Meanwhile
the Winneba Police Command has in consultation with the regional electoral
officer taken custody of all the 90 ballot boxes pending the outcome of the NPP
protest.
GRi…/
Kufuor,
NPP widens lead
Accra
(Greater Accra) 09 December 2000
New
Patriotic Party candidate John Agyekum Kufuor continues to widen his commanding
lead in preliminary results from Thursday's presidential and parliamentary
elections.
Certified
results from the Electoral Commission (EC) covering 53 seats gave Mr Kufuor 58
per cent of ballots counted so far, with Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills
of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) following with about 38 per
cent.
The five
other parties - CPP, UGM, PNC, GCPP and NRP, put together, are trailing with
four per cent.
The NPP has
consistently improved on its performance, cutting deep into the NDC's
traditional territories in the Western, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Greater Accra and
Eastern Regions.
In the
Brong Ahafo Region, NPP's Captain Nkrabea Effa-Dartey (Rtd) defeated
Agriculture Minister Joseph Owusu-Acheampong over the Berekum seat.
Mr Richard
Dornu-Nartey, Nii Adjei Boye Sekan, Mr Joshua Alabi, Greater Accra Regional
Minister, and Interior Minister Nii Okaija Adamafio are the other casualties.
GRi…/
NDC, NPP
supporters clash at Bawku
Bawku
(Upper East) 09 December 2000
There was
an outbreak of violence in Bawku town following clashes between supporters of
Hajia Fati Seidu, incumbent member of parliament for Bawku Central, and Madam
Hawa Yakubu, NPP parliamentary candidate.
In the
process, one man sustained gunshot wounds in the leg while the Bawku cola nut market
was set ablaze.
Fear-gripped
residents fled the town and parents rushed to pick their children from school.
The
conflict occurred after four ballot boxes filled with ballot papers were
brought to the collation centre on Friday morning without a presiding officer
accompanying them.
As a
result, the district electoral officer refused to accept them thereby creating
tension and suspicion.
So far,
unconfirmed reports say Hajia Fati is in the lead, polling 23,000 votes against
20,000 by Madam Hawa Yakubu.
Meanwhile,
security personnel have been deployed in the town to control the situation.
The
district electoral officer has been placed under police protection.
GRi…/
Curfew
imposed on Bawku as violence flares after election
Bolgatanga
(Upper East Region) 09 December 2000
The Upper
East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) on Friday imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew
on Bawku and surrounding communities, following an outbreak of violence
stemming from Thursday's general election.
A release
signed by the Regional Minster, Mr David Osei-Wusu in Bolgatanga on Friday said
the situation has now assumed an ethnic dimension involving Kusasis and
Mamprusis.
According
to the release there are indiscriminate firing and general acts of lawlessness
by both factions. Many houses have been
set ablaze and a lot of property damaged.
The
Regional Minister said the violence was sparked off by delay in the
announcement of election results of the Bawku Central constituency by the
Electoral Commission (EC).
He said the
delay sent thousands of irate supporters of two of the contestants, Hajia Fati
Seidu incumbent MP and Madam Hawa Yakubu, of NPP trooping to the Bawku
community centre where the results were being collated.
Police and
other security officials on duty were compelled to fire warning shots to
disperse the crowd, which rather surged forward and burst into the centre.
The
situation degenerated into general lawlessness.
Although
there has been no official report of loss of life, independent sources which
are not yet confirmed say that a number of people have received gunshot wounds.
Police and
army reinforcements have been dispatched to the area.
Meanwhile
Mr. Osei-Wusu said another report of shooting received from the Talensi
constituency is being investigated.
GRi…/
Supporters
of Wayo not happy with his stance
Accra
(Greater Accra) 09 December 2000
Supporters
of Mr. Kofi Wayo, New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso
East constituency have called for a re-collation of electoral results for the
constituency, saying "there was an error in the collation of
results".
Mr Wayo
has, however, accepted the results for the sake of convenience, saying: "I
wanted the seat to help my people but if the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
wants it so badly, I do not have a problem with it.
They can
have it as I go back to work".
Certified
results released by the Electoral Commission from that area indicate that Dr.
Mustapha Ahmed, NDC, polled 29,579 votes against 29,026 for Mr. Wayo.
Wayo said
in 1996 the NDC won over 42,000 votes in that constituency, adding that this
year's results indicated that the people are fed up with the party.
"For
me it is a moral victory to have won almost the same number of votes as the NDC
candidate after just six months of campaign against the NDC's four years of
campaign," he said.
"I am
not going to get into any squabbles with the NDC over the results although I
was initially informed by Mr. Marshall Lutherodt, a presiding officer in one of
the polling stations, that I won by 947 votes," Mr Wayo said.
Asked
whether he had conceded defeat, he said: "No, I have not conceded anything
because there is nothing to concede. But if they insist that they have won, I
do not want a conflict, it's not worth dying for - we are all brothers".
"Though
I understand the sentiments of my supporters, I believe the law must take its
course because the law is what differentiates human beings from animals."
Mr Wayo
said electoral officials at the Nima Police Station where the figures were
collated believed that the figures were manipulated and therefore they were
going to re-tabulate it.
"But
if it does not work out for me that way, I have no problem; I will get back to
work. But the NDC must know that I am still around and they should watch out
for me in the next elections."
Mr Wayo, a
multimillionaire business tycoon, promised to still work for 90 per cent of the
people in the area who are living in abject poverty.
"I
have learnt a lot about the people in my area within the last six months and I
intend to work for them so the NDC must watch out," he said.
Explaining
what he alleged to be an underhand deal, Mr Wayo said after the collation of
results at about 2000 hours on Thursday, he was informed of his 947 lead over
the NDC candidate until another ballot box was brought in from Kotoka
International School polling station.
"That
last ballot box was brought in the company of Mr. Huudu Yahaya, General
Secretary of the NDC, and Alhaji Sinare, a leading member of the NDC, to the
collation centre without a security officer," he said.
He said
when results from that station were added to the others, the NDC candidate was
declared the winner.
"My
agents at the collation centre challenged the results as the NDC candidate had
additional 297 against my 270 votes, supposed to have reduced my lead only by
27 votes to 920."
At the EC
office, Mr. Aminu Shittu, District Electoral Officer for Ayawaso East, said the
results were fairly collated in the presence of three NPP agents and one NDC
agent, all of whom accepted the final results."
He said the
disputed ballot box was brought to the collation centre in the company of three
security personnel, adding that whoever told Mr Wayo that he won by 920 votes
deceived him as the collation of results was not complete at the time.
"On
realising their defeat, the three NPP agents, in the persons of one Mr.
Mustapha and Mr. Sistu and another gentleman, refused to sign, but that did not
prevent us from declaring the results because all their agents at the polling
stations had endorsed the results already," he said.
Mr. Aminu
said there was not going to any recount, adding: "the NDC candidate won
and Wayo himself has no problem with the results".
Meanwhile,
supporters of Mr Wayo have besieged the Nima Police station seeking a
re-collation of results whilst the ballots are at the EC district office.
The
supporters vigorously urged him not to give up but to fight for the seat, which
they claim he won by a margin of 920 votes.
Dr.
Mustapha stated: "my victory is genuine and I am grateful to the people
for electing me to represent them in parliament for the next four years".
GRi…/