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2013 Mixed bag of expectations: But Prez, others optimistic of 2014

 

On August 15, Mr Owusu Afriyie, popularly called ‘Sir John’, the General Secretary of NPP, and Hopeson Adorye of the NPP communication team were convicted in the heat of the preparations for the Supreme Court verdict to a fine of GH¢5,000 and GH¢2,000 respectively for contempt. That lowered the political temperature of the country considerably.

Aliu Mahama/Atta Mills’ 1st anniversary (November/July)

On July 24, the nation marked the first anniversary of the demise of former President John Evans Atta Mills with a solemn ceremony at the Asomdwee Park where he was buried.

Many Ghanaians witnessed the wreath-laying ceremony which was attended by President Mahama, Dr Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills, Vice-President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur and former President Jerry John Rawlings.

In attendance were other dignitaries, including Members of Parliament (MPs), Ministers of State, the Diplomatic Corps, the clergy, security chiefs, party supporters and a section of the public.

Kufuor speaks to Graphic (July)

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor granted the Daily Graphic an exclusive interview on July 13, 2013, during which he spoke on a broad range of governance issues during which he called for enlightened constitutional governance and also talked about his ties with President John Dramani Mahama, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former President Rawlings. He said he recognised the status of President Mahama and former President Rawlings.  ‘’I respect their roles in the society and I’m ready to accord them the needed respect so far as they accord me same,’’ he told the Daily Graphic.

Fierce fires in June

The political ramifications of the causes of fire outbreaks in the country compelled the government to seek assistance from fire experts from the United States of America.

Even though June was a wet month as far as the rainy season was concerned, fierce fires razed Accra Makola No 2 Market, destroying the livelihoods of 400 traders and leaving one person dead.

3 Cited for contempt (July)

On July 2,  three persons cited for contempt appeared before the Supreme Court in the Presidential Election Petition Trial. They were: Stephen Atuguba, a member of the communication team of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC); Mr Kenneth Kuranchie, Editor of Daily Searchlight and Kwaku Boahen, Ashanti  Regional Youth Organiser of NDC.

Kuranchie and Atuguba were jailed 10 and three days respectively  for contempt.

Court descends on Awuku (June)

On June 26, barely four months into the hearing of the election petition, the Supreme Court descended on the Deputy Communication Director of New Patriotic Party, Mr Sammy Awuku, barring him from attending further hearing of the presidential election petition due to his contemptuous comments.

Election Petition heats up (May)

The month of May also witnessed the heated stage of the election petition with judges going wild at lawyers, journalists and commentators.

It was in May that the General Secretary of NDC started giving his evidence at the Supreme Court in connection with the presidential election petition and in the same month concluded his evidence for the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mr Afari Gyan, to mount the witness box.

Election petition begins (April)

The major event in April was the petition against the presidential result hearing which began on April 16 as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the running mate of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the 2012 presidential elections mounted the witness box at the Supreme Court as the star witness.

Dr Bawumia prayed the court to annul 2.6 million votes as that were done without either biometric verification and since there was over-voting at some polling stations.

April also was the month that Members of Parliament received GH¢47 million as ex gratia. Immediately, Ghanaians reacted sharply and criticised the act as insensitive..

Doctors and Pharmacists also laid down their tools for the best part of April 2013 as patients languished in pain for almost the whole month without doctors in government hospital attending to them. This had security and political ramifications.

56th Independence Anniversary(March)

The country marked it’s 56th independence anniversary on March 6, with President Mahama calling on Ghanaians to embrace the wind of change that would make the nation a better place for all.

More nominations of ministers and deputy ministers were announced to complete the formation of the new administration.

Seat of Govt relocated (February)

President Mahama on February 7, relocated the seat of Government from the Castle Osu to the Flagstaff House to end decades of running presidential activities from the Castle. A short ceremony with prayers, dedication and benediction by the clergy was held to officially usher President Mahama into his new office at Kanda in Accra.

In the same month (February 21st), the NPP boycotted the State of the Nation address delivered by President Mahama, explaining that their action was in line with its position not to engage in any act that appeared to give legitimacy to Mr Mahama’s presidency until the Supreme Court ruled on the petition brought before it, challenging the results of the 2012 presidential election.

President Sworn In (January)

The President on January 9 made his first appointment with Prosper Douglas Kweku Bani as the Chief of Staff at the presidency; Raymond Atuguba, Executive Secretary to the President and Mr  Roger Kwesi Asgsomwine as Secretary to the cabinet. This was after the President had been sworn into office as President of Ghana on January 7 by the Chief Justice, Mrs Theodora Georgina Wood.

Earlier on January 6, Parliament had elected Mr Doe Adjaho as the new Speaker of the house.

The ruling National Democratic Congress on January 7 also joined the Electoral Commission in the election petition filed by the NPP at the Supreme Court on December 28, 2012 after the EC and the President had entered their appearance on January 3.

 

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