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Open letter to President Akufo-Addo By Prof. Ransford Gyampo, Dept. of Political Science, University of Ghana

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“Your Excellency Nana Akufo Addo,
I bring you greetings from Saltpond where I am currently cooling off for the weekend.
About three months ago, I was in the University of Bristol as Visiting Scholar to present a paper assessing the democratic practice in Ghana. In that presentation, I particularly singled out the political freedom we enjoyed in Ghana under the previous somewhat revolutionary-minded regime of the NDC. I predicted more freedom for the Ghanaians under the NPP administration led by you, given the democratic culture of your party and your own persona as an avowed democrat.
But I am wondering whether I predicted right in view of several threats received by those who only seek to keep your regime on its toes to ensure good governance for all of us.

I do occasionally receive a few of such threats even though I do not bother much about them. Dr Kwesi Annin receives same. Franklin Cudjoe receives threats too. We haven’t made these a big issue because we are aware that you, as a person wouldn’t sanction such needless attempts to gag voices of reason and conscience.
But there are elements within your party and government that are bent on making your regime unpopular by embarking on the suicidal mission of threatening to eliminate voices of dissent.
Sir, as you may be aware, I am not an NPP man neither am I an NDC supporter but in terms of democratic ratings, I respect and rate the NPP higher and over above the NDC.

I am therefore baffled by the level of intolerance being exhibited by apparatchiks in clear disregard of the democratic credentials of your party.
What has made me pause my relaxation to write to you, is the recent experience of Mannaseh Azure Awuni.

Your Excellency, I spoke to Mannaseh Azure Awuni this afternoon. He just returned from South Africa where he fled to seek refuge from threats of attacks on his life.
He may have goofed and incurred the displeasure of some party people. But to the best of my knowledge, I do not believe he has an agenda to bring the NPP down. Sir, you are more honest than political party bootlickers and you know that he kept the NDC regime on its toes too. Indeed, he gave them sleepless nites and his countless critiques were among the numerous variables that accounted for the NPP’s electoral victory in 2016.
So, sir, why should a journalist flee Ghana to seek refuge in South Africa? How and why should this happen in Ghana today, under such a democratically credible regime?

Are we going to relapse into the dark days of culture of silence just to keep ourselves safe?
I applaud the swift intervention by the National Security Minister to provide some security for the journalist but, we must do more to prevent the idea that it is no longer safe to critique the government, from festering.
Apart from just one sh#t-bomb on his office, Kweku Baako never faced this kind of threat on his life that necessitated his flight from Ghana to seek refuge in another country under the Rawlings regime. Kwesi Pratt subjected the Kufuor regime under strict scrutiny, but he stayed in the country without such threats that make it imperative for one to flee his country.

Why is this happening under your regime, Mr President? It would be appropriate for you to make an emphatic statement on this matter in a manner that assures all that you are still the tolerant President we know. Else, this single incident would be a major dent on your democratic credentials and would continue to shape the minds of discerning or well-meaning Ghanaians as they ponder on your intentions to contest the next election.
Ghana is a peaceful country and you fought hard to give more freedom to the media, Mr President.

In as much as we must not countenance irresponsible journalism, I am of the view that nothing should make a journalist flee this country in your tenure as President, even if he errs.
The NDC apparatchiks admittedly are merely babies with sharp teeth. But regardless of their propaganda and insults on persons who critiqued their party, no journalist was compelled to flee this country for his own safety under their two tenures of office.

Kindly make a public statement on this, Mr President.
Many thanks.”

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Lack of “Moneycetamol” Leads to Prostitution, Frustration, Insomnia, and Even Death – Pastor Jakes Tetteh

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In a poignant and thought-provoking address, Pastor Jakes Tetteh, founder of Redeemed Kingdom Gospel Church at Botwe Third Gate, has shed light on the crippling effects of financial struggles on individuals and society. Borrowing the term “Moneycetamol, from award winning female musician, Shatana’s new song, Pastor Tetteh vividly illustrates the relief that financial stability brings to our lives, likening it to a potent painkiller that soothes the aches of poverty.

Pastor Tetteh’s stark warning comes amidst a growing national conversation about the song “Moneycetamol” by musician Shatana, which has sparked intense debates within churches and beyond. With unflinching candor, Pastor Tetteh emphasizes that the absence of financial stability is a toxic cocktail that can lead to the commodification of the human body through prostitution, the suffocating grip of frustration and despair, the relentless terror of insomnia and sleepless nights and the devastating finality of death.

As the cost of living continues its relentless ascent, leaving countless individuals on the precipice of desperation, Pastor Tetteh’s message serves as a clarion call to society. He urges us to seek not only divine intervention but also financial empowerment, recognizing that economic stability is the bedrock upon which we build our mortal lives.

Pastor Tetteh’s words resonate deeply with those who face the harsh realities of economic hardship daily. His message is a poignant reminder that financial instability is not merely an economic issue but a moral and mental one, with far-reaching consequences that imperil our very well-being.

Listen to Pastor Tetteh’s exact words from the video below.

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Gracethrone International Ministry, Uganda Extends a Helping Hand to Widows and Orphans in Kampala

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In a heartwarming display of compassion and kindness, the Ugandan parish of Gracethrone International Ministry, under the visionary leadership of Bishop Dr. Henry Addai and Minister Mrs. Linda Addai, has donated a plethora of essential items to widows and orphans in Kampala. This noble act is a testament to the ministry’s unwavering commitment to its core mandate of “promoting faith backed by actions.”

Driven by a deep-seated desire to demonstrate the love of God in a tangible way, Gracethrone International Ministry has made it a tradition to organize annual donations for widows and orphans across the globe. This selfless initiative is a shining example of the ministry’s dedication to putting its faith into action and embodying the true essence of Christianity.

The donation ceremony, which was met with immense gratitude and joy, saw the distribution of a wide range of essential items, including bags of rice, cooking oils, drinks, and other edible necessities. The recipients, who were visibly touched by the ministry’s kindness, were also treated to a special presentation of cocks, a symbolic gesture of hope and renewal.

The event, which was captured on video, provides a glimpse into the heartwarming moments that unfolded during the donation ceremony. As the team from Gracethrone International Ministry handed out the donated items, the sense of community and connection was palpable, serving as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact that acts of kindness can have on individuals and communities.

Through this remarkable initiative, Gracethrone International Ministry, Uganda, has once again demonstrated its commitment to serving as a beacon of hope and compassion, inspiring others to follow in its footsteps and make a positive difference in the lives of those around them.

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