2016 ELECTIONS LIKELY TO UNDERGO A RUN-OFF!

It is there all eyes on the ballots boxes waiting till 5:00 PM for counting. Hope you casted your vote? You heard me right that was all the imaginations of Bernard Ralph Adams. On 7th November, 2016 all the propagandas and ‘politricks’ the political parties in Ghana are doing will take a new form. Elections in Ghana cannot be complete without citing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the main factors in elections in Ghana. With this I write up my piece concerning election 2016 and the possible victor. A man without a past is nobody so the saying goes 2016 elections will be a history in a making despite certain pressure groups mountain pressure on the Electoral Commission to change the voter register and inter party conflicts. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has a dream of winning 1,000,000 votes in the Ashanti Region described as the “world bank” of the New Patriotic Party. Pollsters in and outside Ghana has in one or two ways predicts the outcomes of elections in Ghana which came to pass. In the year 1992 saw five people contesting for the presidential elections and after the election here were the verdict Jerry John Rawlings of National Democratic Congress 2,323,135 representing 58.4% Albert Adu Boahen of New Patriotic Party 1,204,764 representing 30.3% Hilla Limann of People’s National Convention 266,710 reoresenting 6.7%, Kwabena Darko of National Independence Party 113,629 representing 2.9%, Emmanuel Erskine of People Heritage Party 69,827 representing 1.8%. J.J Rawlings was declared the winner. In 1996 three political parties contested including the likes of National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP) and People’s Convention (PNC) Jerry John Rawlings of NDC had 4,099,758 representing 57.4% John Kuffour of NPP had 2,834,878 representing 39.7%, Edward Mahama 211,136 representing 3.0%. Jerry John Rawlings won for the 2nd time. In the year 2000 the then president Jerry John Rawlings brought his term of office to an end. And elections were held and this were the results John Kuffour of New Patriotic Party had 3,131,739 representing 48% John Mills of National Democratic Congress 2,895,575 representing 44.54%, Edward Mahama People’s National Convention had 189,659 representing 2.92%, George Hagan Convention’s People Party had 115,641 representing 1.78%, Augustus Obuabum Tanoh National Reform Party 78,620 representing 1.21% , Dan Lantey of Great Consolidated Popular Party 67,504 representing 1.04% Charles Wereko Brobby United Ghana Movement had 22,123 representing 0.34%. But since per the 1992 Constitution of the Republic a candidate need to get 50 + 1 vote, no candidate won so a second run of election (Run-off) was held between New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) and these were the results of the run-off NPP 3,631.263 representing 56.90% and NDC 2,750,124 representing 43.10%. NPP led be John Kuffour was declared victor Candidate Party Votes % John Kufuor New Patriotic Party 4,524,074 52.45 John Atta Mills National Democratic Congress 3,850,368 44.64 Edward Mahama Grand Coalition 165,375 1.92 George Aggudey Convention People's Party 85,968 1.00 I Mr John Kuffour and NPP was again declared as the winner Ghanaian presidential election, 2008 • v • t • e Party Candidate First round Second round Votes Percentage Votes Percentage National Democratic Congress John Atta Mills 4,056,634 47.92% 4,521,032 50.23% New Patriotic Party Nana Akufo-Addo 4,159,439 49.13% 4,480,446 49.77% Convention People's Paa Kwesi Nduom 113,494 1.34% People's National Convention Edward Mahama 73,494 0.87% Democratic Freedom Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi 27,889 0.33% Independent Kwasi Amoafo-Yeboah 19,342 0.23% Democratic People's Thomas Ward-Brew 8,653 0.10% Reformed Patriotic Democrats Kwabena Adjei 6,889 0.08% Candidate Party Votes % John Dramani Mahama National Democratic Congress 5,574,761 50.70 Nana Akufo-Addo New Patriotic Party 5,248,898 47.74 Paa Kwesi Nduom Progressive People's Party 64,362 0.59 Henry Herbert Lartey Great Consolidated Popular Party 38,223 0.35 Ayariga Hassan People's National Convention 24,617 0.22 Michael Abu Sakara Foster Convention People's Party 20,323 0.18 Jacob Osei Yeboah Independent 15,201 0.14 Akwasi Addai Odike United Front Party 8,877 0.0 National Democratic Congress has reached the usually eight years as elections in Ghana has always been, New Patriotic Party is working behinds doors to win power. The ultimate question is will NDC lose power to NPP or retain power? From the statics above there is no doubt that presidential election in Ghana 2016 will be a run-off, if history always repeat itself.

Nana Aba Anamoah finally there!

It is about a month ago a die hard Manchesster United fun and suspended TV3 presebter and News anchor who was the face behind DIVA's show has finally made it to the Old Trafford. Nana Aba Anamoah was weeks ago headlined almost in all the media houses top stories over a prank She pulled her fans on Twitter saying She was was at the Old Trafford sport stadium watching a live match. In about two days the story hit the media a guy came out accusing Nana Aba Anamoah of stealing his picture. The employers of the star presenter TV3 Network released a statement addressing what Nana Aba did as unprofessional and sent her off- air due to the prank She pulled.

It was like Ghanaians have forgotten as President John Mahama said"... Ghanaians have short memory..." When Nana Aba Anamoah uploaded a picture of herself on social media rocking at the Manchester United sport stadium watching a live game. A dream come true for Nana Aba Anamoah!

LIGHTENING SENDS JOY FM OFF AIR!

The mother of private radio stations in Ghana, Multimedia Group Limited first born Joy FM did not see the glory of a rainy Tuesday after a heavy rainfall. Joy FM on the early hours of a colourful Tuesday morning with the morning Man Mr. Kojo Yankson hosted the unique edition of Joy FM's SMS with the former first lady and Flagbearer of the National Democratic Party and wife of Jerry John Rawlings Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings. The queen of the air waves Doreen Andoh and her producer Philp Naii it was about an hour around 1100 GMT when the radio station for discerning listeners went off. The radio station used it Facebook page Joy 99.7FM to apologized to their listeners. 

"We apologize to our discerning listeners that we are off air. There has been a surge in the electricity due to a lightening strike. We are working to resolve this ASAP".

 Below are some of the comments after Joy FM posted the apology on its Facebook page

 Mantis Benta : who will be the first to be blame Mahama? 

Samuel Artiso : This mess can only happen in Ghana/Africa 

 Cull De Verocity : Only in Ghana Senyalah Castro Cazo : Too bad but at least the transmittes too will rest today. Khisa Niki Bhermyce : what has lightening got to do with Ghana....lightening happens everywhere @ Samuel Artiso 

Emmanuel Brown : So sorry 

Justice Vidzro : Before mid day pls Ridwan Emmanuel : Emmanuel Brown y sorry for what?? Are you the course Awaare O Ayivoore : help npp and blame Mahama for it God is about deal with you 

  Prince Armah : What is the meaning of asap, why are you helping us spoil our English, Judge that yourself are you doing us harm or good.

  Kofi Bediako Gyinson : U think God is asleep. He decided to strike the media HSE who will destroy GH one day by always telling lies about its own. This is just the beginning. I pray u never come back

  Samuel Artiso : I am an online listener . I pay more than pay u pay!!

  Sonnie Adu : pls b fast I do not want to mensah otabil preaching

CHURCHES MUST PAY TAX!

Ermm! Have you ever thought how Ghana could be if we don’t pay taxes¬? It may be good enough as a good citizen to think about such things. In every village, town, city and the country as a whole. There are certain institutions which helps in the day to day running of the country in the moral up-bring which the church is part. The purpose of this article is not to bash any church or religion. I firmly believe the taxation of churches is not a negative concept; take notice taxing churches and taxing charitable organization is not the same. I have carefully studied the taxation of churches whether Charismatic, Orthodox, the Pentecostal churches and the one –man churches and strongly believed the taxation. I have arranged it in order of merit. 

 Firstly, the reason for church tax-exemption is obsolete. Historically, the primary reason churches don’t pay taxes no longer applies thus, they have been interpreted from a legal stand point to non – profitable as a business enterprise. Tax exemption was first recorded by Roman Empire and was granted by Emperor Constantine. At that point religion was used primarily as a method of ensuring order in the society. Education standards were much lower and for the common slave to understand the concept of human rights as a valid enough reason not to murder his master.

Secondly, churches don’t exist primarily to provide for citizen but government. As many believers may agree with me that, it is not the duty of the church to construct roads, build hospitals, schools, provide security for the state but government. What more even if the offices of government pay taxes without any exempt then with this conviction churches must also be taxed.

 Besides, churches been tax exempted put burden on us indirectly. It is preposterous to argue on this very point. Let take this for instance, Mrs. Hilton a business woman told her three daughters Florence, Pearl and Kezia to wash her dirty clothes and iron them. Immediately Mrs. Hilton step feet out of the house. Kezia the youngest daughter of Mrs. Hilton pretended to be sick dying in the next minute. Making Florence the oldest daughter and Pearl washed the clothes and ironed all by themselves. Kezia’s excuse didn’t prevent Florence and Pearl from washing the clothes but because Kezia didn’t partake in the washing of the clothes. Florence and Pearl worked more than they were supposed to , creating a link as churches been tax exempted the burden is been scheduled on us indirectly as Kezia’s siblings did for her.

 Adding insult to injury, churches are not purely Non-profitable organization. Initially churches were preaching and propagating the gospel of Christ as John the Baptist and Apostle Paul did centuries ago without earning salaries or any monetary gains, but the 21st century churches have migrated from Non-profitable organization to business entities where some pastors go as far as selling anointing oil for Ghs200 paying of consultation fees etc. Creating an atmosphere for them to be taxed. 

Again, churches serve as revenue for founders. Most Charismatic, Pentecostal and so-called one man churches which are privileged to have branches overseas let me say a church in Sierra Leone have a branch in Ghana . Practice a system where all the monetary gains in the overseas are sent to the country of the founding leader’s country like the church in Ghana will send all the monies gain to the headquarters which is in Sierra Leone for development and other necessary activities. Serving as a medium of revenue for the General overseer and the country which the pastor resides and also causing lost to the church oversee and it country.

 Lastly, indiscipline on the part of the churches, it's really common among the churches in Africa that often they refer to governments as unbelievers and henceforth devilish (evil manners) all because they want the government to act per do as I say whiles the government going wayward. Many would believe with me that the government has been providing security, and a whole lot. If the churches are taxed on the basic facts I gave in my piece as the reason for tax exemption is obsolete, churches don’t exist primarily to provide for citizens but government, churches been tax exempted put burden on us indirectly, churches are not purely Non-profitable organization, churches serve as revenue for founders, indiscipline on the part of the churches and other reasons pages couldn’t permit me to write I believe strongly without any second thoughts churches shouldn't be taxed exempted!!

  Churches are just giving what belongs to Caesar to Caesar per the holy scriptures

THE TRIPPLE S’ KINGS OF GHANA MUSIC!

A life without a challenge would be somewhat: so as a race without a winner would be awkward. The Ghanaian music industry has over the years seen the performance of talented and super fantastic singers of which some are still ruining and others out of the system. In the gospel industry great like Esther Smith, Bishop Michael Osei Bonsu, Cindy Thompson, Amy Newman, Daughters of glorious Jesus, Tagoe Sisters, No Tribe, and a host of others Hip-life and Highlife artistes of fame include Slim Buster, Nana Ampadu, Obrafour, Samini, Guru, Amakye Dede, Paa Bobo, Daddy Lumba, Sarkodie, Tinny, etc It is quiet funny almost all the above listed musicians once ruled as king or queen of the Ghana Music Industry. Of late it been like the gospel musicians have been over shadowed by the great musician I call them the triple S kings.

Michael Owusu Addo known publicly as Sarkodie, a Ghanaian hip -pop, hip-life and Azonto recording artiste. BET best International Act award winner 2012. The fastest rapper in Ghana. This man needs no further introduction since his fame is everywhere. He is well known for albums like Sarkology, Mary Mary. His style of music presentation is a mixture of facts and comedy. A couple of his single tracks like ‘free press’, ‘Economy’, ‘Dumsor’, got him into trouble but still keeps on moving. Due to his level of excel many groups have been formed to motivate him the likes of Sarknation, TeamSark and the rest.

The second on top of the list rocking after Sarkodie is no one else than Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jnr a reggae- dancehall musician, known on stage as Shatta Wale formerly Bandana. He won the Artiste of the year 2014 edition of the Ghana Music Awards. Shatta Wale best known as dancehall king. A very controversial artist founder and president of Shatta Movement and SM4Lyf. His songs are very difficult to hear what he means. He combines English, Twi with the Patwah languages in his music His song “Dancehall king “ there was a verse which goes “dancehall king in the whole Ghana” due to how fast he sings people were singing it as Dancehall king Hanna Montana” instead of the words ‘Dancehall king in the whole Ghana’. He is really talented for the fact that ‘dissing’ a collegue musician in his music is not a problem.

Lastly, Livingstone Etse Satekia known in showbiz as Stonebwoy a Ghanaian Afro -pop, Dancehall and Reggae artiste and the CEO of Burniton Music Group. Stonebwoy likewise Shatta Wale are among the few Ghanaian musicians who ragga in Jamacian Patwa or Patwah and considered a “multifaceted rapper”. He won the ‘Artist of the year’ and ‘Album of the year‘ in the 2015 edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Award and also won the Best International Act of BET awards 2015 Bhimnation is the fan group supporting Livingstone Satakia’s music. The music of this great personalities have been cruised by many yet they stand top in the Ghana Music Industry. Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy.

THREE ULTIMATE LESSONS I LEARNT FROM THE JUNE 3RD TWIN DISASTER.

The circles of life is always a lesson one has to learn and if you learn it well you can flow without any limitations. The natural disasters which happened in the capital city on 3rd June which brought everyone mourning and frustrated was a lesson I have learnt much and I am going to share with you in the lines below. The sudden drum which got Kwaku Ananse into trouble got some people into trouble on the 3rd June 2015 (Wednesday) on the fore court of the Accra community. Many intellectuals have read meaning into it no matter their political views they spoke fairly. The ultimate lesson i learnt is, all hope is not lost as far as we are alive. On the morning Thursday 4th June, 2015 almost all the Television stations and channels were showing visuals of the vivid thing which took place. The radio stations conducted interviews on interviews to find out the happenings regarding the natural disasters. Later, the president of the Republic His Excellency John Mahama declared a three days mourning in the whole country. Reader! Hope you have at least watched or seen in pictures how the twin disaster spoiled properties and how lives were lost? Have you thought it could be you? But thanks to Jah, what are we doing to help this unprofessional ‘silly’ things happening to our dear nation? My question goes to the privileged that are living. Did we just mourned or we are putting measures in place for the unknown future?

Besides, the flood and fire out-break was a sign of the end of days. It always pours but never rains as the saying goes. Do you think poor settlement only caused the floods? Yes it is! But remember in the Biblical days when it rained forty (40) days and forty (40) nights. Noah and all those who were in the ark survived due to obedience. Those who were killed by the floods and those by the fire out-break, those who died by the fire suffered most, creating a thin link about what is written in the book of life. So it may be that is sign of warning telling the world to wake up. Furthermore, I learnt money can’t buy life. Haven watched a man who got burnt to dead in his luxurious car with his seat belt and a filling station built with a huge sum of money. What I asked myself was, where are we going? Those people who died were people from all sorts of environs including Bankers, Teachers, Drivers, Electricians, Street Venders keep mentioning. That, with all the monies they have could not save them.

Let change our way of doing things and save mother Ghana