US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in Senegal's capital Dakar, as she begins an African tour. Security issues are expected to dominate the trip, which comes just months after Islamist militants seized parts of neighbouring Mali.

Mrs Clinton is also likely to praise Senegal's democratic achievements after recent elections.

Her 11-day tour will also take her to South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Ghana. Mrs Clinton's visit comes at a time of growing threats in the Sahel region, where the US military is playing an increasingly important role, says the BBC's Thomas Fessy in Dakar.

Security issues are expected to feature in discussions between Mrs Clinton and Senegalese President Macky Sall. The US Africa Command, or Africom, has been pumping considerable resources into training forces throughout West Africa.

Mrs Clinton is also expected, in a public address, to hail the country as a democratic example in a region plagued by conflicts and coups.

In March elections, Mr Sall defeated Abdoulaye Wade, who had been in power since 2000 and whose bid for a third term led to deadly protests.

While acknowledging the solid democratic fundamentals that Senegal has built since independence in 1960, the US had repeatedly warned the previous administration about rampant corruption, our correspondent says.

On Friday, Mrs Clinton will travel to South Sudan, becoming the most senior US official to visit the country since it became independent last year. The tour also includes a private meeting with South Africa's anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, now 94, in his hometown of Qunu.

Her last stop will be Ghana, where she will attend the 10 August state funeral for the country's late president, John Atta Mills, who died last week.

Mr. Sampson Yeboah , a primary school mate of late President John Atta Mills, has said from primary three to the time the late president wrote the Common Entrance Examination he was never punished because he was a law abiding pupil.

Mr Yeboah, a former headmaster of Komenda Local Authority Primary School who once shared a desk with the late President, said this in his tribute at the one week remembrance service organized by the Komenda-Edina -Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) Metropolitan Assembly at the Nana Kobina Gyan Square in Elmina.

He said their friendship started when the father of the late president, “a college master” was transferred to Komenda Training College of Education, now Komenda College of Education.

Mr Yeboah said though the late President was older than him he secretly saw him as a role model and that and that his studious nature culminated in his excellent performance in the common entrance examination that he passed with distinction.

“He was humble, time conscious, had a presentable handwriting, loved reading and knew when to play and when to learn,” he said.

The Rev Robert Acquah of the Breakthrough Assemblies of God Church, appealed to Ghanaians to take a cue from the life of the late President because he was selfless, peace loving, respectful and above all God fearing.

The Chief Imam of the Elmina Muslim Community, Sheikh Yahaya, said his death was a big blow to the nation.
 

MTN Ghana is dashing all of its over 10.6 million customers two minutes free airtime between 5am – 12midnight on Tuesday July 31, 2012, in commemoration of the one week celebration of the death of President John Evans Atta-Mills.

MTN Ghana is the market leader with at least 10.65million customers as at the end of May 2012, and its on-net standard call rate is 9Gp per minute, so if all 10.65 million customers use the free two minutes, then the company would have given away 21.3million minutes of calls, worth about GHC1.92million.

The President kicked the bucket at 14:15hours GMT on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, and July 31, 2012 is exactly one week since he died.

Corporate Service Executive of MTN Ghana, Cynthia Lumor told Adom News the management and staff of the company, were shocked by the demise of the president, just like every Ghanaian was.

She said “tomorrow (July 31, 2012) being exactly one week since our president died we expect that our customers will call their family members and friends and console each other and also discuss issues related to the president’s death so we are dashing each customer two minutes free airtime to make MTN to MTN calls for that purpose,” she said.

Asked if MTN could not have given a bigger offer to customers in honour of the president, Cynthia Lumor said "since the purpose is to just make that brief call and console each other about our loss we believe two minutes would suffice."

Some customers who spoke with Adom News said the gesture is an excellent one, whiles others think MTN should have given at least GHC2 worth of calls for free in honour of the late President, instead of two minutes.

Meanwhile, any of the other telcos is yet to announce any special event in honour of the late president.

Government has meanwhile declared one minute nationwide silence at exactly 14:15hours GMT on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, while family members of the late president are also marking the day in their home town, Ekumfi Otuam with some customary rites.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday called Ernestina Naadu Mills, the widow of late Ghanaian president John Evans Atta Mills, to express again his condolences over the death of her husband.

"President Obama expressed his admiration for President Mills' tireless efforts on behalf of the Ghanaian people, and his efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Ghana relationship," the White House said in a statement.

Obama also recalled his 2009 trip to Ghana and expressed his appreciation for the hospitality he had received, the White House said.

The statement added: "Mrs. Mills thanked the president for recognizing President Mills' leadership, and expressed her view that the friendship between the United States and Ghana will endure."

Obama had previously offered his condolences in a statement issued right after Mills died of illness on July 24.

We all know what A-Plus does best, and that is creating controversies and not agreeing with lots of things more especially political issues, we also know that he knows a lot about politics; but sometimes, can be over-controversial, annoying?

Just moments after Musiga boss Bice Osei Kuffour sent the All Star Tribute song to the press, many replied showing their love and were touched by the song for the good work done, a wonderful and big tribute song to our late president J.E. Atta Mills.

The one and only reply that didn’t seem to agree with the song was from A-PLUS’. This is what he had to say below.

‘Why is it that a song that is said to be a tribute by Musiga in memory of our late president is not a production of the Union but an individual (president of the Union)?

Is it because the Union can’t produce a song or those who are supposed to act on behalf of the Union to uplift the image of our great union are using it to their own advantage?

All the musicians on the song could also make tribute songs on their own...but they did it in the name of the union so I think credits A to Z must go to the Union. Simple. That’s my opinion anyway. You have yours and I respect it’.

The First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Kofi Wampah is to act as Governor, until a substantive one is appointed.

It follows yesterday’s appointment of Governor Kwesi Amissah-Arthur as the country’s Vice President pending parliamentary approval.

Dr Henry Kofi Wampah assumed office as the First Deputy Governor in April, 2009. Prior to his appointment, he was the Director of the Research and Statistics Department of the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI).

Dr. Wampah was the Head of the Research Department of Bank of Ghana for five years from February 1996 to February 2001.

He began his career at the Bank of Ghana in September 1986 as a Deputy Manager and served in various capacities to become a Director in 2006.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that its impending parliamentary primaries in the 61 constituencies have been postponed indefinitely.

A statement signed by Mr George Lawson, Deputy General Secretary in charge of Operations, and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, said the postponement was to enable the Party to complete the funeral

arrangements of the late President and leader of the Party, Professor John Evans Atta Mills."NEC also directs that regional and constituency executives suspend all Party activities until further notice", the statement added.

It indicated that new dates for the primaries would be announced in due course.

Early May 2010, I was part of a team of artwriters together with Ameyaw Debrah and Eugene Osafo-Nkansah of Peace FM who joined winners of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) that year, to the Castle to present their awards to the presidency.

The then Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, after receiving the winners (EL, Adjetey Annang, Naa Ashorkor Mensah Doku, Lydia Forson, Akorfa E. Asiedu, Ken Attoh and Mabel Germain), pledged the government’s support for the art industry and expressed the government’s desire to make the creative a job-creating avenue. It is in line with his vision that I write this text.

When he was alive, President Mills was avid believer in the youth and as Vice President, President Mahama was an active patron of the entertainment arena. (I spotted him at a movie premiere once and also at a Kojo Antwi concert) So, I have reason to believe he is really passionate about the arts.

That is why; it won’t to out of place to request that the arts industry be involved in the celebration of the life of our demised former president, Prof. John Evans Atta-Mills, who passed on on Tuesday July 24th, 2012.

Dirges and traditional music are a part of funerals in Ghana so obviously they won’t be missing at the late president’s either. The entertainment industry may be represented by, say, the reading of tribute by Obour (MUSIGA President) and/or Odoi-Mensah (Actors Guild President). What I’m asking is using this funeral at a morale-boosting platform for young artists and I am suggesting Asem, Sarkodie and Florence Obinim for that venture.

Just 48 hours after the death of Prof. Mills, Asem recorded a beautiful dirge or cheer song, Dear John, in memory of the late statesman together with Pat Thomas. Witty and intelligent as that song sounds, it is the best hip hop rendition of nation’s tribute to a fallen soldier.

Though the musicians’ body, MUSIGA, also has a song to that effect, Asem’s is more precise. Since hip hop (or GH rap or hiplife) is the most recent music genre making waves in the country now, it would imperative to have it represented at the funeral especially since it has a hook (sung by Pat Thomas) which the elderly would appreciate.

The 2010 World Bank Music for Development winner has, like the late president, built a strong character over the years against a backdrop of criticisms and character assassination. His presence at the funeral would be a morale-boost to all young musicians that if you stay true to who you are, it would take you places.

Sarkodie is the artist of the moment. He is the reigning VGMA Artist of the year and the first Ghanaian musician to win a BET award. Many young people look up to him and his often-hilarity portrayal of the plight of the Ghanaian has endeared him to many. He could be made to perform one of his many numbers on life and its journey. He could as well be asked to write a tribute to the late hero.

Florence Obinim, my last but not least suggestion endeared herself to Ghanaian with her songs like Osoro ne mefie (Heaven is my Home) and yesu beba (Jesus will come). Those two songs portray life as a spiritual journey. Meanwhile her tribute song for the late president which she performed on TV3’s Music Music last Saturday weeping would be beautiful if she performs it at the funeral of the late president the charismatic way she is known for.

Though these three are my suggestion of young musicians that could be added to the list of activities to celebrate the life of the late president, the morale of this piece is not limited to them. The young budding Ghanaian entertainment industry should be added to the celebration of the life of the late president.

Only in Africa.

Head Pastor of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope B. Joshua has disclosed how his relationship between Prof. John Evans Atta Mills and himself started.

According to him, he met the former President when he was the Vice President of Jerry John Rawlings, during a crusade he attended. He said Prof. Mills invited him to pray with him and it was there that a revelation came to him that he was going to the president of the country.

And thus the beginning of their relationship; which to him was purely based on revelation.

TB Joshua was preaching during the Sunday Service in his Church, (SCOAN) which was telecast live on Emmanuel TV and Crystal TV in Ghana. This was his first comment after the death of Prof. Mills, someone he calls ‘father’. Mills’ only son, Sam Kofi Mills, was present at the service. “I came here today to thank God for the life of my father,” he told the congregation.

Narrating the Genesis of their relationship to his congregants, Prophet T.B. Joshua said: “I met him when I was in Ghana for a crusade. He was the Vice President of Former President Jerry Rawlings. After my crusade I was invited to his office, we prayed and there came a revelation and I told him; look you will be a president of this country one day. He said; no I am going back to the classroom; I am a professor; I am a lecturer and I said wao!!!”

He said after a while Prof. Mills called to inform him of his intention to contest as a flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). T.B. Joshua said he told Prof. Mills that he will contest for three times but will win only on the third time.

“I received a phone call from him telling me ‘yes I have gone to contest as a presidential candidate of a party and I said wao!!! He came down and I told him that your journey will be three contest first you will lose, second you will lose then you can think of winning to become President. And he said; will people believe such a candidate who always loses and I said; let the will of the Lord be done; I said this is not my word; with God all things are possible; the relationship was purely based on revelation; when your relationship is purely on the revelation of God, nothing can break it. The relationship is not just introduction but was purely divine…”

He also disclosed that while news was speculating that the then candidate Mills had passed away, he was with him in Nigeria seeking the face of God. He prophesized that there will be unity among politicians as well as a revolution in governance in Ghana because according to him that was what Prof. Mills as a ‘Martyr’ fought for. He added that by the death of Prof. Mills, Ghana will be showered with Glory and Honour.

“What a good man, very modesty in his leadership; what a good man but a good man cannot succeed alone; very modesty. Africa, we are not matured enough for this kind of leadership; modesty in his leadership…our father was a promised child, a promised carrier; being led by a revelation; our father is a martyr; the legacy he left behind… unexplainable unity among political class will happen in Ghana.

They will not be able to understand but that was what the father fought for. There will be revolution in Governance; these are the things the martyr went for. My heart goes to the wife, the son, the new president, families and to the relations. My heart goes to them. If you are prepared to die, you are prepared to live. He knew he was going home…if you go to a few people he will tell you that he was telling them, I will surprise you tomorrow. I want to congratulate the people of Ghana; I am congratulating them because soon they will know that by his death glory and honour…” he added.

He added: “The departure of our dear late father was purely divine and human cannot temper with it. It was unchangeable; if not people like me will put my head there. He was not a man that a human being can temper with. It was God’s time. Witches and Wizard cannot touch him and it was not sickness that killed him but God’s time…”

A minute's silence was observed in memory of President Mills.

Five elderly singing group members have been injured after a man reportedly armed with a machete burst into a church hall.

An 84-year-old man was among those hurt during the incident at St Paul's Cray hall, in Orpington, south-east London, on Tuesday night.

"None of the injuries are believed to be serious and none were caused by the machete," a Met Police spokesman said.

The force said a man, 56, had been arrested as part of investigations.

He was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage and was being treated in hospital for a hand injury, the police spokesman added.
'Smashed car'

Members of the group said a masked man with a Mohican haircut, or wearing a wig, broke into the hall and staged a random attack.

Two women, one in her 80s and another aged about 60, and three men - one aged 84 and two in their 60s - were injured, according to the Met.

Ginny Warner, who had been singing in her local ladies' barbershop group, said a man "went to the vicar's driveway and was smashing up the vicar's car and then he started walking towards where we were".

"I was trying to peep through the curtains to describe him to the police on the phone without being noticed," she added.

Ms Warner said it took two passing strangers to bring the attack to a halt.

"A black guy who was a complete hero arrived and wrestled the guy on to the grass," she said.

President John Dramani Mahama on Monday said that government would do everything possible to enhance the development and growth of the Judiciary, to enable that arm of government to execute its mandate.
He called on the Judiciary not to hesitate to outline challenges, impeding progress of its daily activities.

President Mahama gave this assurance when the Judiciary, led by the Chief Justice Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, called on him at the Osu Castle, Accra.

Members of the Judiciary, made up of Supreme Court Judges, members of the Judiciary Council and Judges from other courts were in the Osu Castle to commiserate with President Mahama over the death of President John Evans Atta Mills, and to congratulate him (President Mahama) for his elevation to the position of President of the Republic of Ghana.

President Mahama said although late President Mills had embarked on laudable projects to enhance the work of the Judiciary, government would continue to strengthen the institution to make Ghana the democratic icon of Africa.

President Mahama said late President Mills was a respected lawyer and government would keep the Judiciary aBosom  with proceedings in terms of the performance of his funeral in the coming days.

President Mahama called for collaboration from the Judiciary to help deepen the democratic credentials of Ghana for other countries to emulate.

The Chief Justice eulogized the late President for providing the Judiciary with adequate facilities to enhance its performance.

She recounted with grief, the late President’s contribution towards the commencement of the Court Complex at the Ministries, Accra, and promised to continue to liaise with President Mahama to achieve national goals.

Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliaments yesterday visited their jailed colleague, Bawku Central MP Adamu Daramani-Sankande at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons to give him words of encouragement.

The incarcerated MP looked cheerful and hearty when a delegation of NPP MP’s led by second deputy minority whip Ben Kofi Ayeh, met with him at the prisons.

He was convicted and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment each for three counts of perjury, deceit of a public officer and false declaration of office on Friday, July 27, 2012 in a case relating to his alleged dual citizenship.

Daramani-Sakande was immediately whisked away by a standby police force to start his two-year prison term at Nsawam Prisons as the sentences were to run concurrently. Prison officers were magnanimous in allowing members of the parliamentary delegation to meet and chat with their colleague.

Looking highly elevated, the jailed Bawku MP told his colleagues he had been treated very well so far, saying, “I have been given VIP treatment”. I have less stress and my blood pressure has reduced even without medication,” he said, adding that he had been happy knowing that Bawku was peaceful after his incarceration.

“My biggest problem was how to ensure peace in Bawku after my incarceration but I have been assured by my people that they would not do anything to disturb the peace in Bawku. “I have always been a man of peace and I don’t want any blood to be shed in my name,” Daramani-Sakande stated.

Members of the delegation took turns to give him words of encouragement, asking him to remain strong in the midst of what they described as political prosecution. Ben Ayeh urged the Bawku MP to be strong because God knew best why he was imprisoned.

Going Biblical, Mr. Ayeh said, “If Lucifer knew that the death of Christ will save mankind, he would not have pushed Judas to betray Christ”.

Leading the northern parliamentary caucus, Navrongo Central MP Joseph Kofi Adda assured Daramani-Sakande that all the NPP lawmakers from the north were solidly behind him and that the opposition party would use every legal means to get him out of prison. “Your incarceration is political motivated by people who want to destroy your life but we will make sure they don’t succeed,” Mr. Adda stated.

Lead counsel for the incarcerated MP, Yoni Kulendi, had indicated that they would appeal, stressing, “we will have our day in court, that is why I said that the judge has spoken now - but it is not over; we will show that this judgement will not stand”.

Other MPs who encouraged Daramani-Sakande included Tema West MP, Irene Naa Torshie Addo; Atwima Mponua MP, Isaac Asiamah; Oforikrom MP Elizabeth Agyeman; Lambussie MP, Doughr John Baloroo and Bosomtwe MP, Simon Osei-Mensah.

The rest were Atwima-Nwabiagya MP, Benito Owusu-Bio, Mpreaso MP Seth Acheampong; Asunafo North MP, Robert Sarfo-Mensah and Fanteakwa MP, Amankwa Kwabena Asiamah.

As glowing tributes continue to pour in – in memory of President John Evans Atta-Mills – The New Weekend Crusading Guide’s Anas Aremeyew Anas, has revealed the late president’s connection and interest in his investigative work on Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) titled the “President’s Assignment.”

In an exclusive interview, Anas confirmed that Professor Mills personally assigned him to unearth the ‘corrupt’ deals at ECG. “It was something that he (Mills) really wanted and asked me to do”, he disclosed.

Anas, showing a lot of respect for the deceased Ghanaian leader, said he was “devastated” that the late president could not live to witness the full implementation of the work he initiated. He was hopeful that President John Dramani Mahama would continue with the passion of his predecessor to achieve the value of work that was done in the ECG investigations.

He recalled that Professor Mills was personally interested in the investigation which has now become a case pending in court, adding that he (Mills) was periodically calling for an update. “That was how passionate the president was with the investigations I handled”, Anas held.

The highly rated undercover journalist has hinted of another big expose’ of his ongoing investigations soon to hit the country, which he noted was “the last wish of the President.”

He underscored his mission: “As a commitment to all governments to move the national agenda forward, it doesn’t matter the colours of political parties or persons, but Ghana first.”

Readers will recall that a few months ago, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagberarer, Nana Akufo Addo noted he would use the “Anas’ Principle” in fighting corruption embedded in public institutions.

“My government would institutionalize what I call the ‘Anas principle,’ to create a new culture of fear for corrupt practices. We must infest the disciples of corruption with paranoia, in that you may never know that the person you are giving the bribe to or receiving it from may be an undercover agent,” he said.

Nana Addo explains: “I intend to establish a special anti-corruption squad, made up of some of our best young talents, well-trained, well-paid, well-disciplined, with the licence to root our corruption from every nook and cranny of our public life. I know this may be controversial but I am resolute in my conviction to remove the hold that corruption has on our institutions and our development.

Serious problems call for serous solutions. I will introduce stiffer punishments for corruption to make the theft of State funds more expensive for the criminal than the stealing of a goat”, the NPP flagbearer was commenting on Anas’ investigative story on ECG.

The One-week celebration of the late President John Evans Atta Mills was virtually turned into a political campaign when President John Dramani Mahama seized the opportunity to market himself and his political ambition.

At a well-attended celebration at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra, President Mahama sought to woo the youth into voting for him in the upcoming elections since he had now become the flagbearer of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In the course of his speech, Mr. Mahama noted. “God has in his wisdom shifted the mantle of power to a new generation and I call on the generation of young people of this country to stand by me and let us show our fathers that we are ready to take over this responsibility and make a good job of it and that tomorrow when they are dead and gone, they will know that their children were well brought up; took over responsibility and made sure the nation Ghana continued to hold the pride of place in Africa.”

He went a step further with a brief account of himself.
“I was born in 1958. I’m the first President of this country to have been born in the nation Ghana after we attained independence; all previous presidents were born before 1957.”

All this while, his right-had man, Kwesi Seinti Baffoe Bonnie, was seen urging the crowd to applaud in a very patronizing way.
Whilst admitting that President Mills’s death had placed what he described as “a very heavy responsibility” on him. Mr. Mahama appealed to the country’s teaming youth to rally behind him since “I cannot do it alone. I can only carry this responsibility if I have the support of the majority of the people of Ghana.

Filming for season four of Modern Family kicked off yesterday and by the looks of images from the set today, fans are in for a treat when the hit comedy returns to the small screen.

Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who play Cameron Tucker and Mitchell Pritchett respectively, were spotted armed with some unusual accessories as they stepped into a car.

The pair had tied two giant cuddly toys tied to the roof for what looks set to be an amusing scene.

When they weren't busy filming, Cameron and Jesse, who are close friends off-camera, were spotted enjoying a catch-up.

Eric, 40, was sporting a pink shirt and jeans while 36-year-old Jesse was dressed more casually in a green T-shirt and dark jeans.

The cast have only just dropped a lawsuit after attempting to void their contracts over money matters, but they haven't wasted any time getting back into the swing of things.

The stars of the show kicked off filming yesterday and happily took to their respective Twitter pages to share what was happening on set.

Sofia Vergara posted a photo to her Twitter page which showed her cuddling up to her on-screen son, played by Rico Rodriguez.

The sweet snap was accompanied by the words: ‘First scene of the season!!! Back in LA for Modern Family!!!’

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter Scout has been sentenced after admitting underage drinking and carrying a fake ID.

The Brown University student, who turned 21 last week, avoided a criminal record after agreeing a plea deal with prosecutors.

The deal will see the charges dismissed as long as she avoids any trouble for six months and completes two days of community service by October.

Scout was arrested last month in a New York subway station after she was seen with an open can of beer in her possession.

She initially gave police a counterfeit ID in the name of Katherine Kelly but later admitted this was not her.

The aspiring singer was charged with criminal impersonation and breaking the open container law, both misdemeanors.

Scout's lawyer Stacey Richman said prosecutors 'took a logical approach to assessing the situation.'

She argued her clean record and outstanding grades meant she should be given the opportunity to avoid a criminal record, reported the New York Post.

'Ms Willis is an excellent student at Brown University; she is involved in a multitude of extracurricular activities and is, while maintaining her excellent scholastic standing, pursuing her music career interests and performing internationally,' Richman wrote.

'It seems entirely illogical for the country to saddle this young woman, no different from any of us at that age, with any aspect of a criminal record.'

The case was the latest drama for Scout and her high-profile family.

A source told MailOnline that she and sisters Rumer and Tallulah had  'broken all ties' with Demi, 49, due to her emotional breakdown in the wake of her split from Ashton Kutcher.

Maeve Binchy, the popular Irish author who sold more than 40 million books worldwide and penned Circle of Friends, has died after a brief illness, reports BBC News. She was 72.

During her illustrious career, Binchy wrote 16 novels, four collections of short stories, a play and a novella.
Her books, which have been featured on The New York Times bestseller list and as part of Oprah's Book Club, have been translated into 37 languages.

In 1995, Minnie Driver and Chris O'Donnell starred in the film version of Circle of Friends, a tale of college students set in 1950s Ireland.

In 2005, Andie MacDowell and Olivia Williams brought Binchy's characters to life when Binchy's Tara Road was made into a feature film.

"We have lost a national treasure," Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said in a statement.

Binchy is survived by her husband Gordon Snell, her brother William and her sister, Joan.

Central Bank Governor, Mr Kwesi Amissah Arthur has been confirmed as the Vice to President Mahama. He beat competition from renowned economist, Dr Kwesi Botchwey to annex the prestigious position.

Two things came to mind when I heard the confirmation of Mr. Kwesi Amissah Arthur as Veep. One was securing the Fante votes and two was appealing to the middle and upper class.

What informed the choice of Amissah Arthur remains scanty. However, could we blame President Mahama? He is simply learning from his predecessors and perhaps his colleague heads of state in the Africa continent. He now joins the league of heartless, brute, dictators who parade themselves as heads of state stealing openly from the poor.

I am simply making a case that we’d never be informed of what went into the choosing of Amissah Arthur as Veep. Transparency is still trailing though we have a flourishing democracy to the envy of our Nigerian brothers.

A continent virtue has given way to immorality. Corruption is the order of the day. Press freedom is in doubt and the masses are left to welter in abject poverty. Sad continent we live in.

When dictatorship finally gave way to constitutionalism in 1992, not many gave it even a twenty percent chance of retaining a successful democracy for long. Even fewer believed that the nation could hold up and not break down into fragments drawn by the lines of regionalism, partisanship, and chieftaincy and language barriers. The reasons of defragmentation were more than the chances of sticking together. The leader of the time Jerry Rawlings took these chances and through painstaking work stitched this nation together.

Fast forward to 2012, the sudden demise of our president, John Atta Mills, was yet another test of our democracy. However, the smooth transition of power to his vice president, John Dramani Mahama is a demonstration of our commitment the rule of law.

Article 60 (10) of the 1992 constitution reads, “The Vice-President shall, upon assuming office as President underclause (6) of this article, nominate a person to the office of Vice-President subject to approval by Parliament.”

In line with this provision, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Amissah Arthur has been nominated as Veep subject to approval by parliament. In theintroductory part of this piece, I opined two reasons for his choice.

Arthur, in all sincerity, was a surprised nominee. My checks revealed Sylvester Mensah, the NHIS boss. I preferred Sylvester because he’s a hybrid ethnically, half Ga, half Voltarian. President Mahama has missed an opportunity to bring-in Ga votes and the disgruntled voltarian votes from the Rawlings stock. Rather, the President was so bent on a candidate from the Central Region.

The NDC cannot 'trust' the Central region. At least history has shown that the region voted against the NDC even when they presented a candidate from their region as the flag bearer on two occasions. Though they voted for their son in 2008, it still a dangerous surrender the President has made.

However, what I suspect is that Arthur is to make for the lossof former President Atta Mills. Again, hitherto the NDC had a frosty relationship with the middle class and the upper class. I suspect Arthur’s candidature is to build their trust in the NDC.

I trust he’s a fine gentleman for the job. However, he comes into the job with a huge deficit. He superintended the dollarization of the economy and the crude devaluation of the cedis. This caused the nosedive of purchasing powers of businessmen in the country.

“I have goods at the Port but I can’t clear them because the dollar is always rising”a young businessman once lamented.

“The managers of the economy have no clue what we are going through”, he added.

The big question is, isn’t the choice of Arthur settling doubts in the minds of businesspersons of a possible hope? If Mahama must succeed, he must be seen to be restoring hope.

One of the political punch lines of the President is that he was born in Ghana alluding to the fact that the others, including his Veep are Goldcoasters. I thought he’d have shepherded us into the new generation thing he spoke about at the children’s park. Yet he went ahead to bring us another stock from the Rawlings regime. A regime whose inflation was reported to be around 40% when they were leaving office in 2001. What new things is Arthur really bringing?

We cannot tell ofany relationship between Mahama and Arthur. Not even a working relationship. So it is quite strange that president Mahama who is yet to be marketed will go ahead to pick a candidate relatively unknown to Ghanaians. This is indeed a step to opposition. Other than that, who is going to market whom? They’re both unknown.

Ghanaian female rapper, Itz Tiffany was a hit with the Liberian crowd during the annual Liberian Independence Day party on July 26. The celebrations were marked with a surprise performance from some Ghanaian acts including Itz Tiffany.
The female emcee was a favourite of many, including the Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who she met and mingled with at an annual charity event for the kids on July 27.