Member of Parliament (MP) for Korle Klottey Constituency, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has broken the eight (8) after winning the Parliament Primaries for the third time. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings won with a huge margin against her two contenders. In an exclusive interview with Thinknewsonline.com, she said "It is a team effort that got us the victory and I am grateful to them for appreciating my works and voting for me again" She added that the real work begins adding that she will join forces with her two contenders to match the NPP boot for boot in the 2024 general elections. "The real work starts now. A collective team effort is what we need and we will do our best in Korle Klottey and ensure that the NDC wins the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections" She also charged fellow female aspirants to up their game in order to see more won in power. Some party faithfuls who spoke to Thinknewsonline.com could not hide their joy and thanked God for Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings' victory. They promised to work hard to kick the NPP out of government in 2024. It is emerging that Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings pulled a total of 1194, Naakai Lamptey-Addy got 194, Nii John Coleman bagged 360 votes with rejuceted ballots being 3. For the Presidential elections, Candidate John Dramani Mahama pulled 1825, Kojo Bonsu had 2 with rejected ballots being 12. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Parliamentary Aspirant for the Korley Klottey Constituency, Naakai Lamptey-Addy says she is hopeful that the delegates through the primaries will make the right choice for the party. According to her, the other contestants do not pose as any threat to her. Speaking to the media, she said "I believe the people of Korley Klottey are going to make the right choice. I am hopeful" She added that the primaries is a win-win for the party despite its final outcome. She further told media that she was impressed with the turn out as well as the works of the EC. "Everyone's expectations are very high and I know the good people will make a good choice" Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that the 2023 primaries was Mrs. Naakai Lamptey-Addy first appearance. "The elections are going on smoothly. I am impressed with the turn out so far" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Member of Parliament (MP) for Korley Klottey Constituency, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings says there is nothing like done-deal when it comes to elections. According to the MP, she does not believe in such things. Addressing Journalists during the NDC Presidential and Parliamentary primaries held at her Constituency, she said "Elections are not things to be toyed with. There are lots of moving hearts as far as elections go and it is to make sure that as a party we are ready, solid and then, all the moving parts that are sometimes beyond our control, we make sure that we have gotten grip of all of those" "Done deal, I would not say but there are lots of work we can do if we actually mobilise and we are well united and have a good strategy in place, then definitely we are looking at victory in 2024" She also said "Fortunately, we have data that we can speak to and in 2016, I won by a margin of over 4,000. By 2020, the vote margin increased by over 8,000 which was a good indication that we are actually getting more people involved" "Those are the ones that are the floating voters and every party has its core supporters and you can't win the elections with the core supporters alone" She revealed that when her late father was alive, she won the primaries, was taken to court and nothing happenedafterwards. She stressed that what God has ordained, no one can change. "It is a party, there is democracy and people are entitled to what they want to do and we also do what we have to do and we shall prevail" "Wait and see the margin of victory after today. I have it in my back-pocket" Responding to a question on whether contesting another woman seemed a worry, the MP said "Not at all. Ultimately, it is also about experience. Just being a female is not enough. You must also bring something unto the table, because this is not a ceremonial position" She noted that a Member of Parliament ought to be understanding and also know how to make laws and budgetary allocation. "If it is about being only a female then, I had no business winning the seat but although the people are looking at gender, they are also looking at what you can offer" Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that over 2000 delegates are expected to vote at the Korley Klottey Constituency. Persons contesting for the Parliamentary slot in the KorleyKlottey Constituency include; Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Nii John Coleman and Naa Kai Lamptey Addy Four centres in the Korley Klottey Constituency have gathered at the forecourt of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to elect their Presidential and Parliamentary candidates for the NDC. Center one (1) has; Official Town, Odownaa Sahara and North Adabraka. Center two (2) also has Tudu North, Tudu South and Aslyum down While Center three (3) has; Executives, Kinka We and Alata. Center four (4) comprises of; Osu doku North, Osu doku South and Ringway Estate. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

An 18-year-old Ghanaian woman, Princess Owusu Ansah, has been sentenced to three years in prison by a UK court for a violent attack on her friend. Princess is said to have poured boiling water over her friend and stabbed her, allegedly in response to cheating allegations involving her boyfriend. The distressing episode unfolded when a video clip captured by Owusu Ansah on her mobile phone went viral on Snapchat. The footage depicted the victim cowering under a duvet, screaming in agony as Owusu Ansah threw a kettle of boiling water over her. Moments prior to the assault, Owusu Ansah is heard accusing her friend of engaging in relationships with other people's partners and acting as though she could escape the consequences. After delivering a series of punches, she proceeded to pick up a silver knife, striking it against a radiator before stabbing her victim in the leg. The attack took place on February 2, 2023, at the victim's residence in the Dog Kennel Estate, Dulwich. Eventually managing to escape, the injured woman fled into the street and was later treated at Kings College Hospital for non-life-threatening stab wounds. Members of the public who had seen the disturbing video on Snapchat promptly alerted the Metropolitan Police. In March, Owusu Ansah, hailing from Royston, pleaded guilty to charges of grievous bodily harm and criminal damage during her appearance at Inner London Crown Court. On May 9, during her subsequent court appearance, Owusu Ansah received a three-year prison sentence for the heinous assault. Credit: 1GhanaTv

Some suspected illegal miners have reportedly shot the private part of a lady, and seven others at Pomaakrom near Goaso in the Ahafo Region. The victims according to report were shot when three men who are yet to be identified went on rampage and attacked community members with pump action guns on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Speaking to this reporter, the brother of one of the victims, (name withheld) said the suspects have been protecting some Chinese nationals who are mining in the area. "These boys have been given pump action guns by the Chinese nationals and have been going about engaging in all sort of criminal activities. "I was told that they allegedly came to the community on Thursday, to attack people who they believed are trying to stop their illegal activities in our forests and ended up shooting eight people. "They aimed at persons and began shooting indiscriminately causing severe damage to us. One of the ladies whose case was critical had her private part (vagina) hit with stray bullet. "They have destroyed over 80 percent of our forest in the community with illegal mining and illegal chainsaw operations but all attempts to get them arrested have proven futile as they always overpower police in the area. "Our lives are in danger and so we are calling on the IGP Dr Goerge Akufo Dampare to beef up security in the community and arrest these men to allay fears in the area," he stated. He disclosed that, while his brother has been rushed to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, others have been admitted at a nearby hospital for treatment. Credit: Modernghana

Presidential Hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor says taking part in an untrue and unfair election would be akin to knowingly drinking from a poisoned calabash. According to Dr. Duffuor, he cannot contest in an election which is blantanly fraught with irregularities regardless of his efforts to draw attention to same. Addressing Journalists in Accra, he said "I wish to reiterate my commitment to the party and its grassroots. However, my concerns that the party is not ready to conduct free and fair election is evident for all to see" "Taking part in such would be akin to knowingly drinking from a poisoned calabash" Dr. Kwabena Duffuor further revealed that after consulting with his support base nationwide, he was left with no choice but yo to withdraw from the Presidential elections. "On Thursday 11th May, 2023, the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, in the company of Madam Betty Mould met with me and my team to discuss the challenges relating to the voters' register" "It was decided at the meeting that there should be a follow-up meeting with the leadership of the party and the council of elders" "At the meeting chaired by the former Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho, all stakeholders at the meeting agreed that the party Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia would immediately set up a technical team comprising the technical representatives from the 3 Presidential Aspirants and the party’s election committee to determine how soon the irregularities with the voters register could be resolved in readiness for the Presidential Primaries" "The technical committee was to subsequently submit a report to parties after this had been determined. As I speak with you, our technical team is currently at the party’s headquarters to undertake this activity" He stressed that despite the assurances given to him and his team by the Chairman of the party, the executives in an act of complete and unacceptable breach of faith, went ahead to convene a preser conference announcing that the elections would come off on May 13. Expressing disappointment, he noted that the NDC party begun distributing the ballot papers to the various regions and constituencies without his involvement. Below is acopy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (A.M.A) has called on residents in its jurisdiction to observe this year's ban on drumming and noise-making. According to the year’s ban on drumming and noise-making will commence from May 15 to June 15. In a releases sighted by Thinknewsonline.com Public Relations Officer of Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Gilbert Ankrah said "It has therefore set the following guidelines in the interest of peace, harmony and national security" "During the period of the ban, churches are expected to carry out their activities within their premises and refrain from the use of musical instruments" The release added that positioning of loudspeakers outside the premises of churches, mosques and pubs are banned. Mr. Ankrah further noted that roadside evangelists are to cease their activities during this period. "Religious bodies and the Traditional Authorities must show respect for one another and restrain their followers from making derogatory and inflammatory remarks about the beliefs and practices of one another" "Other guidelines by the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) include a ban on funeral rites and their related activities" He revealed that apart from an identifiable task force that consists of AMA personnel, the Ghana Police Service and Representatives from the Traditional Councils with tags, no other person or group of persons should be seen or found enforcing the abatement of noise in the metropolis. "By this notice, we entreat all persons, towns and villages within the Ga Traditional Area to cooperate and comply with the directive accordingly during this period" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) says all is set for it to conduct a credible and transparent Presidential and Parliamentary primaries for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on May 13. According to the EC, this comes following the withdrawal from court an interlocutory injunction which was filed by one of the Presidential Candidate of the party, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor. In a release sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, Chairperson for EC, Jean Mensa said "The Commission has this afternoon held meetings with the leadership of the NDC to finalise modalities for the conduct of the elections. "Arrangements are being put in place to ensure a credible and transparent election" Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has pulled out of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential race. Reasons for his pull out are yet to be known. It will be recalled that Dr. Kwabena Duffuor on May 9 filed a case in court against the party and Candidate John Dramani Mahama. Dr. Duffour pointed out some anomalies with the party's electoral album for his suit. He further followed up with a petition to the Electoral Commission. The EC following the court case also pulled out of the elections. However, on May 12, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor again withdrew the interlocutory injunction filed against the party's upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary primaries slated for May 13. His withdrawal has now reduced the candidates contesting for the Presidential Candidate for the NDC to two. Candidate John Dramani Mahama will come face to face with Kojo Bonsu for the Flagbearership crown. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that the the Paris Club and China have granted financing assurances to enable Ghana present its programme to the IMF Board. The Ministry of Finance took to its Twitter handle to announce the positive news. In a tweet sighted by Thinknewsonline.com it read "The Paris Club has today established the OCC (co-chaired by China & France)" "With the granting of Financing Assurances, Ghana is now ready to go to the IMF Board" The tweet further thanked all bilateral partners for helping Ghana reach such significant milestone! "#ResolvingTogether" In other developments, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Kristalina Georgieva has issued a statement in reaction to the statement from the Creditor Committee for Ghana under the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments. “I welcome the statement from the Official Creditor Committee for Ghana on the importance of an IMF-supported economic program, together with its commitment to negotiate debt restructuring terms accordingly" She noted that the statement provides the necessary financing assurances for the IMF Executive Board to consider the proposed Fund-supported program and unlock much needed financing from Ghana’s development partners. "I also strongly endorse the call by the Official Creditor Committee for private creditors and other official bilateral creditors to commit to comparable debt treatments" “The Creditor Committee’s action recognizes the Ghanaian authorities’ strong reform program, which aims to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while laying the foundation for an inclusive recovery" "It also signals that further progress is being made under the G20 Common Framework, demonstrating that international partners are ready to work together to help countries resolve their debt issues. This is vital to enable countries such as Ghana achieve sustainable growth and poverty reduction.” It will be recalled that on December 12, 2022, the IMF reached a staff-level agreement with the Ghanaian authorities on a new arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility. Board consideration of Ghana’s program request has been pending financing assurances from Ghana’s official bilateral creditors. Below is a copy of the tweet: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates Presidential Hopeful for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has withdrawn an interlocutory injunction filed against the party's upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries on May 13. It will be recalled that the Presidential Hopeful on May 9, filed the case in court. Dr. Duffour pointed out some anomalies with the party's electoral album for his suit. He further followed up with a petition to the Electoral Commission. The EC following the court case pulled out of the elections. The EC says the move was to allow the NDC solve its internal matters. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that the suit was to be heard on May 12. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Many aspirants are on edge to hear the outcome of this morning's ruling on the application for injunction from candidate Duffour. I can only ask you to calm down, because delay is never a denial. *"Thing for you, araba ..."*. My worry however is with some of our state institutions. Sometimes, I have basic issues with Judiciary fairness. I have seen courts sit on Sundays on election matters, I have seen how fast track courts work day and night in this country. For a political party to be denied an abridgment of time, or to be granted partially, could have been avoided. On the injunction of Hon Gyakye Quayson from being sworn in, see how a Cape Coast court sat, gave a ruling, dispatched the ruling probably by drone, and within an hour, it was in the waiting arms of a Clerk in Parliament. How I wish justice delivery can be this sweet for every citizen. But sorry, it is only for a privileged few. If it is NDC, the system gets chocked. As for the Jean Mensah-led Electoral Commission, the least said about them the better. See the speed with which they wrote to inform the NDC of their unwillingness to conduct the elections this weekend. Even if someone is seeking an interlocutory injunction on presidential elections, don't we in the NDC have the right to have parliamentary elections without the presidential? The right to organise the two events together or not, remains with the NDC and not the EC. But the abundance of hatred in EC would not allow them to think. Everyone who read their statement could tell that the "fufu fell in the soup," rightly. Can I blame State Institutions without blaming the Party person who didn't exhaust all internal processes and rushed to court? The Party person rejected an opportunity provided by the National Chairman to sit and solve issues? That is worrying. Many do not know or understand what goes into such organisations. If this event is postponed, the party must cough up over five (5) hundred thousand cedis more, to have successful elections. If we have a favorable ruling and the elections will have to happen as scheduled, we even have to spend even more, to airlift materials to the five (5) airports for onward dispatch to the various constituencies. Whether Saturday or Sunday, prepare for this weekend. This is where *HUMAN BEINGS AND HUMAN INSTITUTIONS* have brought us. Sometime the heart gets broken, but we must strengthen ourselves because there are better days ahead. *Kun Fa Yakun* Credit: Godwin Ako Gunn, Deputy Communications Officer, National Democratic Congress (NDC) DISCLAIMER: The views, comments, opinions, contributions and statements made by the author on this platform do not represent the views or policy of Think News Online.