Edudzi Tamekloe expressed his admiration for the achievement of the national armwrestling team, Golden Arms, and emphasised the importance of supporting sports development in Ghana.

He said, “Armwrestling, often considered one of the least financed sports, deserves better recognition and support for the team’s dedication and perseverance in bringing home multiple medals for Ghana in major championships”.

The NPA Boss made these remarks when the Golden Arms paid a courtesy visit to the management of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to express gratitude for the support received during the 14th Africa Armwrestling Championship held in Abuja, Nigeria.

The team also took the opportunity to present medals won at the World Armwrestling Championship to the NPA Boss.

Mr Edudzi Tamakloe expressed his enthusiasm at joining hands to support the Ghana Armwrestling Federation in its participation at the Africa Championship that culminated in an outstanding show at the World Championships.

“I was happy when you called back with the indication that you have become giants out of the little we have been doing to help you win three medals at the World Championships. This is an indication that lesser-known sports are gradually developing in Ghana,” he said.

He further congratulated the team for their fierce performance to secure two silver and a bronze medal at the world stage.

The Chief Executive Officer urged the champions not to rest on their laurels, but rather maintain discipline and push themselves further to reach greater heights.

“With the record you will set, people will be struggling to get there, so I urge you to keep fighting, and the sky cannot be your limit,” he added.

He showered praises on Mr Charles Osei Asibey for his sustained effort, commitment and investment in armwrestling, which has significantly contributed to the sport’s growth in Ghana and beyond..

President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation, Mr Charles Osei Asibey, said the visit was to show appreciation to NPA for supporting Ghana’s participation in the Africa Championship, which was later extended to the World Armwrestling Championship.

Ghana’s Golden Arms, who earlier in the year won 55 medals, made history at the World Armwrestling event with an impressive haul of two silver medals and one bronze. courtesy Mabel Yeboah and Blessed Abeka Nunoo.

He noted that the support contributed to the athletes’ training and preparation, hence boosting their momentum and performance at the competition.

The Golden Arms, on return from the World Championship, is now focused on the 2026 Africa Armwrestling Championship to be hosted in Accra and the 2027 African Games in Egypt.

Present at the meeting were Mr Richard Akpokavie, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Mr Husseini Addy, Technical Director of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation, and Mr Kenneth Odeng Adade.

According to him, Jean Mensa and her fellow commissioners have allegedly positioned themselves as either above the law or arbitrarily interpreting it to suit their purposes.

“Madam Jean Mensa and her other commissioners have turned themselves into the law or either above the law, and have decided to do whatever pleases them. I strongly believe that in a democratic arrangement, as we have it, it is the law that must have its way,” he said on JoyNews’ Top Story on Thursday, December 19.

His comment comes amidst heightened tensions over the declaration of parliamentary election results, particularly in constituencies where results have been contested.

The NDC has initiated legal actions in several constituencies, challenging the declaration of results.

However, the Commission on Thursday held a press conference on the matter despite being served court processes and called on President Akufo-Addo to provide them with adequate security to engage in this re-collation exercise.

In light of this, Mr Tamakloe accused the EC leadership of disregarding electoral regulations and operating as though they were above the law.

He referenced Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) 127, which governs the conduct of elections, stating that regulations (2) and (3) clearly state that the responsibility for declaring parliamentary election results rests solely with the returning officers of the respective constituencies.

Mr Tamakloe argued that, Jean Mensa and EC officials have overstepped their authority in attempting to challenge or overturn results declared by returning officers in some constituencies.

“The returning officers of the constituencies comprising Obuasi East, Ablekuma North, Okaikwei Central, Tema Central, Dome Kwabenya, extensive with the lawful mandate to make a declaration of parliamentary elections are the people who made the declaration in respect of these five constituencies.”

“….Not even Jean Mensa, not even Bossman Asare, or Samuel Tettey have the legal capacity whatsoever to overturn decisions made by the lawful returning officers of this respective constituency,” Mr Tamakloe asserted.

He criticised the EC for attempting to re-collate results, an action he described as unprecedented and outside the scope of the Commission’s powers.

The NDC’s legal director did not hold back in his critique of Madam Mensa’s leadership style, accusing her of lacking the principles required to uphold the democratic process.

“I listen to Madam Jane Mensa make the point that she does not want to set a bad precedent. Madam, you are just not a principled woman. You lack integrity, you lack principle,” he added.

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In an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the Director of Legal Affairs for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, asserted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) must go to Mfantsipim School for a refresher course, citing its motto, Dwen Hwɛ Kan, which means “Think and Look Ahead.”

Tamakloe stated that the current situation mirrors what occurred when Fomena MP, Andrew Asiamah’s seat was declared vacant in 2020. He emphasized that the NPP, due to a lack of foresight, failed to anticipate a similar scenario in the future, leading to their hasty decision.

“The NPP must go to Mfantsipim for a year-long refresher course to learn to think ahead because most of their actions turn out to be short-sighted, and that is what has brought us here,” he said.

“If Prof. Mike Oquaye had that foresight and thought ahead, he would have been concerned about the legal precedent his decision set. But he was so willing to please Akufo-Addo,” he added.

Raising concerns over Article 9 of the NPP’s constitution, Tamakloe questioned the fairness of the process and the implications it may have for parliamentary democracy in Ghana.

The declaration on October 17 caused tension in Parliament, halting the extraordinary sittings of the House.

Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the Constitution, which were invoked by the Speaker of Parliament to declare the four seats vacant, states that a Member of Parliament (MP) vacates his seat if he “leaves the party of which he was a member at the time of his election to Parliament to join another party or seeks to remain in Parliament as an independent member,” or “if he was elected as an independent candidate and joins a political party.”

The decision effectively ended the tenure of the four MPs – Cynthia Mamle Morrison (NPP) for Agona West; Kwadjo Asante (NPP) for Suhum; Peter Kwakye-Ackah (NDC) for Wassa Amenfi Central; and Andrew Asiamah Amoako (Independent) for Fomena.

Dissatisfied with the declaration, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin sought the interpretation of the Supreme Court.

Bringing finality to the matter, the apex court, in a 5:2 majority decision on Tuesday, November 12, overruled the Speaker’s declaration, describing it as unconstitutional.

Listen to Edudzi Tamakloe in the audio above:

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This appeal follows a ruling by the Sekondi High Court, which lifted the injunction that had previously barred Cudjoe, the NDC’s candidate for Amenfi Central, from contesting.

The court’s decision, delivered on November 11, 2024, came shortly after an adjournment on November 7.

Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Tamakloe emphasized the urgency of the matter, noting that the EC must expedite the update of the notice of poll and ballot papers to include Cudjoe.

“We will serve them with the court order to ensure her timely restoration on the ballot,” he added.

Watch the video below:

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The Electoral Commission (EC) officially disqualified Joana Gyan Cudjoe from contesting in the 2024 parliamentary elections due to a petition that cited a pending court order for an interlocutory injunction.

The injunction prevented the Commission from recognising her as the NDC’s candidate for the Amenfi Central constituency.

According to a letter signed by Samuel Tettey, the EC’s Deputy Chairman of Operations, the Commission had been made aware of the court order issued on May 31, 2024, which served as the basis for the disqualification.

In an interview with Starr FM, Edudzi revealed that the party had anticipated the disqualification due to earlier rumours and his personal engagement with key Electoral Commission officials.

He further accused the EC of being in an “indecent race” to disqualify the NDC candidate.

“The Electoral Commission is based its decision on a purported court. The first injunction did not disqualify the candidate. Disqualification is a serious matter.

“The court even in Sekondi gave an interim order, an interlocutory order is not a perpetual injunction and everybody in the appreciation of the law knows what it means to be perpetually injuncted by having an interlocutory order so clearly.”

“Madam Joana Cudjoe is going to win the election and be the next MP for Amenfi Central,” he stated.

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According to him, such an audit is essential for dispelling any doubts about the integrity of the register and restoring public trust in the EC.

Speaking during the NDC demonstration on September 17, he said, “If there is nothing wrong with the register, permit it to be audited. The audit will ensure that the public will have trust in you. I have never seen a group of people who are not interested in trust and transparency. It baffles me.”

Mr Edudzi explained that, allowing the audit will not only enhance the credibility of EC Chairperson Jean Mensa but also contribute to a free, fair, and transparent election process.

“Let me say this, madam Jean Mensa must recognise that she is not law unto herself. She must allow the audit. We have not asked a difficult task. It will not even cost her. It will rather enhance her credibility. It will rather enhance the free and fair elections in itself. Why would anybody resist it?”

Meanwhile, the flagbearer of the NDC, John Mahama, says the party has not called on the EC to conduct a forensic audit of the voter register because the party hates the commissioners at the EC.

Rather, he said, the call was to ensure the credibility of the voters register and also ensure that the will of voters are protected.

“Our issues with the Electoral Commission are not because we don’t like the commissioners or the EC. Our issues with the Electoral Commission is because we want peace during and after the election so that all of us can have confidence in the electoral process,” he said.

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The court acquitted and discharged Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson and businessman Richard Jakpa, who had been accused of causing a €2.37 million financial loss to the State in a deal involving the purchase of 200 ambulances between 2014 and 2016.

Ambulance case: Ato Forson acquitted and discharged

The Appeal Court ruled that the two had no case to answer, reversing an earlier High Court decision.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tueaday, Mr. Tameklo said, “My blood pressure went high, and my heart felt like it was somewhere else.”

He admitted that, he had not felt this way for a long time and that he was anxiously waiting until the majority began reading the judgment.

Mr. Tamakloe expressed his relief by saying, “My only words were hallelujah,” adding that he was quite tense throughout the process.

He explained that, the Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold the submission of no case means that the entire trial at the High Court has been effectively nullified.

“It means everything has been aborted,” he concluded.

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Frank Davies’ comments come after the AG said the cross-examination of the third accused in the trial, Richard Jakpa has exposed what he sees as lies and deception of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Reacting to this comment, Mr Tamakloe believes the statement is prejudicial in the ongoing ambulance procurement trial involving the Minority Leader.

However, Mr Davies in an interview on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Monday, June 24, emphasised that Mr Tamakloe, who is directly involved in the case, should avoid passing public comments, as it mirrors the behaviour he criticises in the Attorney General.

He pointed out that some sessions of the public have publicly criticised the AG, calling him a ‘criminal’ and ‘reckless’, adding that the AG has introduced new evidence to counter claims made by Richard Jakpa, suggesting that the AG’s integrity has been unjustly attacked.

“The Attorney General’s person has been so much spoilt in this matter so if he has been able to in his estimation that the lies have been exposed, he was making a comment. And Edudzi the judge is not bound to take the Attorney General’s comment, so don’t use that to whitewash the trial,” he said.

He therefore cautioned against using the AG’s comments to overshadow the trial’s proceedings, underscoring the need for fairness and impartiality in the legal process.

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Edudzi Tamakloe believes the statement is prejudicial in the ongoing ambulance procurement trial involving the Minority Leader.

The AG said the cross-examination of the third accused in the trial, Richard Jakpa has exposed what he sees as lies and deception of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The NDC has questioned the conduct of the Attorney General and accused him of a witch-hunt after it publicised a leaked conversation between him and Richard Jakpa, accusing him of witness tampering in a bid to jail the first accused and Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.

The recorded conversation and WhatsApp chats between Mr Dame and Jakpa have since been admitted into evidence by the court.

But addressing a town hall meeting with some Ghanaian residents in the United Kingdom, Godfred Dame said Mr Jakpa’s motive in the ongoing ambulance purchase case has clearly been revealed based on the cross-examination so far.

“Within a matter of two days when we started our cross-examination of the person who was spreading all those lies, you have seen how the matter is going. Their case has crumbled, and as the President will say, ‘the case has fallen into water’.

“So, indeed we must resist the deception and lies of the NDC because they will come with all sorts of presentations about every major action or step being taken by this government; so we should be on the lookout.”

But speaking on Newsnite on Monday, Edudzi Tamakloe describes the reaction as regrettable.

“It is regrettable that our Attorney General is not learning, painfully so.”

For him, Mr Dame has demonstrated a lack of reflection considering the fact that he has been advised by the trial judge to recuse himself.

“This is a major matter involving the number one law enforcement of the republic. What is required at this critical moment is sober reflection. In fact, in the wisdom of the judge, she strongly advised [that the AG recuse himself from the case],” he said on the show.

“A judge will not advise you if she hasn’t seen certain things.”

Meanwhile, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal has set timelines to hear a request from Dr Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa, challenging the High Court’s order for them to open their defence in the case.

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In court on Thursday, Mr Jakpa, who is the third accused claimed the Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame urged him to cooperate to get Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson off his parliamentary seat and jail him by the first week of May.

The conversation he alleged took place at the home of his cousin, Justice Yonni Kulendi, where the AG mentioned being under considerable pressure from President Nana Akufo-Addo and former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

Reacting to the development on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem Friday, lawyer Edudzi said the allegations were serious and should not be taken lightly.

He, however, stated he will not be surprised if the allegations were true, considering the sudden interest in the case after all these years.

“Dr Forson and I met the Deputy EOCO boss in November 2017 and it was on November 25, 2021, they wrote to us that they are going to pursue the case. So this is nothing to me but politics,” he stated.

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A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team, Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, says the cancellation of the teachers’ licensure examination does not imply a lack of qualification for teaching.

He asserted that teacher training schools cover a maximum of 48 courses, eliminating the necessity for a final exam to demonstrate their qualification.

Speaking on the Super Morning Show, he emphasized the need for the inclusion of qualifications, licensing, and the assurance of qualifications as integral components ;.of the training process.

“Usually the teacher training, they’ll tell you they are going to do practical. They will go and do sometimes six months out there, doing practicals before they will get their cert A. Nobody at the end of the day will say come and sit for an additional layer of examination before you get your cert A. That was what used to pertain,” he said.

According to him, one of the entry barriers to teacher training is the concern regarding allowances.

Mr. Tamakloe explained that, in the past, with fewer individuals opting for teacher training, it was more feasible to allocate a budget for providing allowances to the trainees.

He mentioned that the government plays a role in determining the number of individuals the teacher training institutions should take and the teacher training institutions have to adhere to that.

“At the beginning of the year, government will now have to sit down and say Atebubu teacher training college, you can’t take beyond 200 people because only 200 people can be given allowance. So don’t take beyond 200. Take only 200.”

Mr. Tamakloe added that, there will come a time where the country will face shortage of teachers, as a significant number of them have migrated abroad since the allowance has become an entry barrier.

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According to him, Ghanaians must recognize Dr. Bawumia’s candidature as merely a third term bid for the incumbent president.

“The Bawumia candidature as far as Ghana politics is concerned again I believe is just an experiment by Mr. Akufo-Addo possibly to test the sanity of Ghanaians,” he said.

He stated that the participation of Dr. Bawumia in what he describes as the mismanagement of the Ghanaian economy renders him “damaged goods” and unfit to lead the country.

His conviction, he said, is further buttressed by the fact that quite a significant percentage of sampled NPP delegates in a survey conducted by Ghana Info Analytics were still undecided ahead of the November 4 presidential primaries.

He said, “And where I think we should be looking at is that even when you look at the polling numbers, of the 400, what it means is that a typical NPP person, 18% of them cannot confidently say they prefer Bawumia even to lead the NPP. 18% out of that 4000 and for me that is very significant.”

He added that “Now if even within the crème de la crème of NPP, if you add Ken, Addai Nimoh, Owusu Afriyie Akoto, only about 43% are for Bawumia. So we’re talking about more than 50% of the NPP members saying that they don’t like him and that for me is a vote of no confidence.”

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According to him, the stress and inconvenience that come with the exercise will force some new registrants not to partake.

To him, the Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson, Jean Mensa has turned a deaf ear to the concerns raised by some opposition parties because she only listens to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He accused the EC of conspiring with government to disenfranchise voters.

“The only person that Madam Jean Mensa listens to is Mr. Akufo-Addo. If you’re a person who has turned 18 years and above know that Akufo-Addo and Madam Jean Mensa have conspired to deny you the opportunity to participate and have a say in their misgovernance. There is an orchestration deliberately by Akufo-Addo and Jean Mensa,” he said on Accra-based TV3.

The Electoral Commission has faced serious backlash from political parties, civil society organisations and the general public for its insistence on carrying out the limited voters’ registration in its district offices.

According to those opposing the EC’s actions, the inaccessibility of the district offices, deployment of faulty and dysfunctional machines to some offices, and the cost of transportation among others are some reasons why the exercise must be decentralized to the electoral areas.

However, Director of Elections at the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Serebuor Quaicoe has clarified that the ongoing district registrations are geared toward the upcoming district-level elections.

He explained that, next year, the Commission will roll out another registration exercise that will be held in the electoral areas.

The limited registration exercise began on Tuesday, September 12 and end on October 09, 2023. 

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