ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
Kwame Nkrumah's CPP that fought for the independence of Ghana at the time the NPP family kept begging Britain not to grant independence to our nation, did not even behave as though they were superior Ghanaians.
Where were these tribal bigots who think they own Ghana, when Dr Kwame Nkrumah ably aided by Volta Region's Dr Agbeli Gbedemah and other nationalists declared the motion of independence on the eve of our independence?
Where were these tribal bigots who think Ghana is their property when Kwame Nkrumah, Agbeli Gbedemah and others fought to keep Ghana as one unitary nation- one Nation, one People- One Destiny, at the time the NPP family was busy fighting for Ghana to be a federal nation with each region keeping its own resources?
To keep this beloved country united, Kwame Nkrumah had to pass the Avoidance of Discrimination Act, in 1957 to outlaw political parties based on regional, ethnic or religious differences.
Where were these tribal bigots?
Kwame Nkrumah, Agbeli Gbedemah and those who won independence for Ghana never once contemplated betraying this beloved nation.
They never once stooped so low as to become paid agents of any foreign power to work against the interest of their own country.
Declassified files of the CIA show that same cannot be said about the main founder of the NPP family- J.B Danquah, the beloved uncle of President Akufo Addo.
Yet Kwame Nkrumah and Agbeli Gbedemah never once believed that they were more Ghanaian than others.
What gives the NPP family the moral right to think that they are superior Ghanaians?
President Rawlings and the many patriots who toiled with him from 1982 to 1992 to lift this beloved nation from the brink of collapse- a time when things had sunk so low and the self-belief and confidence of our people was so shattered that some of our brothers were moving in droves to Togo to work as shoe shine boys and some of our sisters left to Nigeria and Cote D'Ivoire and had to prostitute themselves just to survive- Rawlings and the many patriots who through sweat and dedication rallied the great people of Ghana back to the place where once again we became a nation that was respected and admired among our peers, have never claimed they are superior Ghanaians.
Where were these tribal bigots when this massive reconstruction of our nation was being done?
Where were they when this group of patriots worked tirelessly to bequeath to Ghana the 1992 Constitution that has today become the foundation of political stability upon which all sons and daughters of Ghana, north, south, east and west, are working hard to construct a Ghana that will become a great and strong nation under God?
The earlier the NPP family snapped out of this pathological delusion that some other Ghanaians are foreigners and only they are “proper Ghanaians”, the better it would be for all of Ghana.
This respect for all Ghanaians, north, south, east or west, is crucial in the endeavor for all of us to hold hands in the true spirit of brotherhood, as envisaged by Dr Kwame Nkrumah at the time of our nation's independence.
Desperation to subvert the will of the people through every imaginable machination is the name of NPP’s game.
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the massive deployment of the security forces along the border towns is just one of the several desperate means the NPP government is employing to achieve its political ends.
We, in Ketu South and the Volta region, are not completely shocked though.
Have we not seen the brutal violence unleashed on innocent Ghanaians in broad daylight during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by election?
The whole world witnessed in shock how this despotic regime turned a simple by election into a war front; and resorted to the criminal abuse of power.
We were witnesses to the egregious blood-letting by a gang of NPP brigands and bandits, masquerading as national security personnel, with the tacit approval of the President of the republic, who also is the Chairman of the national security council.
To confirm that the hoodlums operated with the tacit blessing of the regime, the president who often touts his democratic credentials, blatantly refused to implement critical recommendations of the Commission that he had set up himself.
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, this is the same game plan the NPP are following- a plan which today has reduced an electoral commission that has since 1992 gained international recognition for neutrality, professionalism and credibility, into a pliant instrument to subvert the will of the people of Ghana.
The saddest part is that while all this is going on, they actually delude themselves that the people of Ghana and the rest of the world cannot see the systematic efforts they are employing to bastardize the electoral system and virtually turn this beloved nation into a banana republic.
Same things the NPP is doing with institutions like the NIA and the NCA.
The NCA is the state institution that is being used under the guise of enforcement of regulations, to close down some media houses that are perceived to be too critical of the regime.
Freedomhouse.org, an international media freedom watchdog recently described the modus operandi of regimes like that of Nana Akufo Addo- regimes that pretend to respect the rule of law but in reality are living no stone unturned to subvert media freedoms.
"Governments are using the more subtle tools of media regulations to restrict press freedom maintaining a veneer of legality and pluralism that is less likely to draw attention or criticism from abroad.
Manipulation of the regulatory framework allows them to either tolerate or rein in influential news outlets depending on the political situation and permit even democratically elected governments to fortify themselves against future electoral competition."
The above accurately describes the shameful methods being used by the Akufo Addo government.
When concerns are raised, the president points to regulations and laws.
He has so soon forgotten that even apartheid was backed by law; even the trade and ownership of black slaves was legal in the US until 1865.
Kwame Nkrumah's Aliens Compliance Order was also backed by law, yet the NPP family to date denounces same with vehemence.
The undemocratic ways of this regime are bad enough.
The high handedness is terrible enough.
But what adds insult to injury is when they actually pretend to be the custodians of the rule of law, of civil liberties and of democracy.
What hypocrites they are!
Christ refers to these people as whitewashed graves .
In Matthew 23:28, Christ describes this type of pretenders in the following words: "Woe to you hypocrites!
You are like whitewashed graves , which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean."
“God is not mocked.
Whatsoever we sow, we shall surely reap.”
So, the NPP should not forget that the day of reckoning will surely come sooner rather than later.
Voices Of Conscience Must Speak Up Against What Is Happening In The Volta Region and other strongholds of the NDC Ladies and gentlemen of the media, all those watching these developments and not raising their voices are through their silence, encouraging the entrenchment of an oppressive and tyrannical regime.
Those watching this looming danger but failing to speak up and condemn it, should remember that their silence makes them accomplices and posterity will judge them if their own consciences fail to do so.
We urge them to speak up and let the NPP government and others who think alike to appreciate that Citizenship is a question of law.
Neither the government of Akufo Addo nor the military contingent stationed all over our border towns can decide who is or who is not a citizen of Ghana.
There are very many Ghanaian families that live on both sides of the Ghana Togo border.
Lome, the capital of Togo, is also a major economic centre.
It is a commercial and educational hub that attracts Ghanaians from as far as the Western region, the Ashanti region, the Eastern region and so many other regions.
The government of Ghana, some months back, sent NADMO across the border to make available relief items to Ghanaians resident in Togo.
This is ample evidence that there are many Ghanaians who live and work in Togo.
Ghanaians do not cease to be Ghanaians just because they live across the border, just as they do not stop being Ghanaians simply because they live and work in England or the USA.
Many of us have heard the famous case of Bonito Olympio, who proved in court, that he was Ghanaian by descent, even though his father Sylvanus Olympio was the first President of Togo.
The Olympios descend from the Amegashie family- a family that to date continues to live in both Ghana and Togo.
For the information of the tribal bigots who continue to insinuate that they are more Ghanaian than the rest of us, we wish to inform them that the Amegashies who live in Togo are not foreigners.
They continue to be Ghanaians by descent, even if some of them opt for dual nationality.
Let me now seize the opportunity to mention a few other families who hail from Ghana and have relatives living and working across the border.
The Fitis, the Adamahs, the Acorlatses, the Adjavors, the Tettehs, the Malors, the Akakpos, the Atikpos, the Amuzus, the Folis, the Quashigahs, The Grunitzkys, the Senoos, the Quarshies are not aliens just because they live in Togo- they are Ghanaians.
The Gbedemahs, the Gadzekpos, the Agbemabiases, the Amegashitis, the Ganyos, the Antonios, the Adedzes, the Quists, the Blagogees, the Kukubors, the Tamakloes, the Dusseys (one of whom is the current foreign minister of Togo), the Apaloos, the Baetas, and my own maternal families, the Ayivors, the Hlomadors, the Badohus, the Kudawoos, the Armattoes, have not morphed into aliens from Pluto or Jupiter just because some of them live and work in Togo.
They remain as much Ghanaians as the Akufo Addos, the Osafo Maafos, and all the other tribal bigots in the NPP.
As for the few of our own Ewe brethren who have allowed their NPP affiliation to blind them to the point of taking part in fake documentary purporting that those who come from across the border to register and vote are not Ghanaians but Togolese, may our ancestors have mercy upon them.
Rallying Call To All Sons And Daughters Of The Volta Region To Massively Defy The NPP Intimidation And Come Out To Register We want to remind the good people of Ketu South and the Volta region and the sons of Volta region in all the other 15 regions of Ghana that this massive intimidation they are seeing and hearing of today, will by December 7 th , be no more.
The Egyptians you are seeing today, you shall soon see no more.
Therefore, this is not the time for fear.
This is the moment for courage.
This is the moment for bravery.
Remember that in the same way in 2008, the NPP orchestrated to close the eastern borders but the great people of Ketu South and the Volta still defied all odds and came out in massive numbers to support the NDC to snatch the parliamentary victory from the NPP in the first round and defeat them in the presidential elections in the second round, is the same inspiration we need to rise to the challenge this year.
The same spirit of boldness and defiance that inspired us in 2008 should animate us even more now because if we thought the government of President Kufuor was bad, then this current one can only be described as the most desperate, the most dangerous, the most intolerant and the most abysmal in the history of our country.
Ketu South and the Volta region have proven before that they are capable of rising to the challenge when it is critical to reject the misrule of the NPP.
Let us once come out in our multitudes, defy the intimidation and register massively in order to let this oppressive, desperate government of tribal bigots get out of power.
We call on the supporters of the NDC all over to rise up and refuse to be intimidated during this registration exercise.
As our Flagbearer and leader has said, “Where there is the will, there is always the way”.
Victory beckons us.
Destiny is on our side.
The Court of the People of Ghana, under the influence of the only Supreme Court of Heaven, will speak on December 7.
The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory shall be So, may God help us to resist oppressors’ rule with all our will and might forever more.
Here is the full text of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's speech on Thursday night, in which he said he would transfer some powers to his deputy but would not step down until elections in September.
I am addressing the youth of Egypt today in Tahrir Square and across the country.
I am addressing you all from the heart, a father's dialogue with his sons and daughters.
I am proud of you as the new Egyptian generation calling for a change to the better, dreaming and making the future.
First and foremost, I am telling you that the blood of your martyrs and injured will not go in vain.
I assure you that I will not relent in harshly punishing those responsible.
I will hold those who persecuted our youth accountable with the maximum deterrent sentences.
I tell the families of those innocent victims that I suffered plenty for them, as much as they did.
My heart was in pain because of what happened to them, as much as it pained their hearts.
I am telling you that heeding to your voice, your message and demands is an irretraceable commitment.
I am determined to live up to my promises with all firmness and honesty and I am totally determined to implement (them), without hesitation or reconsideration.
This commitment springs from a strong conviction that your intentions are honest and pure and your action.
Your demands are just and legitimate demands.
The mistakes can be made in any political system and in any state.
But, the most important is to recognise them and correct them as soon as possible and bring to account those who have committed them.
I am telling you that as a president I find no shame in listening to my country's youth and interacting with them.
The big shame and embarrassment, which I have not done and never will do, would be listening to foreign dictations whatever may be the source or pretext.
'Defined vision' My sons, the youth of Egypt, brother citizens, I have unequivocally declared that I will not run for president in the next elections, satisfied with what I've offered my country in over 60 years during war and peace.
I declared my commitment to that, as well as my equal commitment to carrying out my responsibility in protecting the constitution and the people's interests until power and responsibility are handed over to whoever is elected in next September, following free and candid elections with guarantees of freedom and candour.
This is the oath I took before God and my country and one which I will keep until we take Egypt and its people to a safe harbour.
I have set a defined vision to come out of this crisis and to carry out what the citizens and the youth have called for in a way which would respect the constitutional legitimacy and not undermine it.
It will be carried out in a way that would bring stability to our society and achieve the demands of its youth, and, at the same time, propose an agreed-upon framework for a peaceful transfer of power through responsible dialogue with all factions of society and with utmost sincerity and transparency.
I presented this vision, committed to my responsibility in getting the nation out of these difficult times and continuing to achieve it first, hour by hour, anticipating the support and assistance of all those who are concerned about Egypt and its people, so that we succeed in transforming it (the vision) into to a tangible reality, according to a broad and national agreement with a large base, with the courageous military forces guaranteeing its implementation.
We have started indeed building a constructive national dialogue, including the Egyptian youths who led the calls for change, and all political forces.
This dialogue has resulted in a tentative agreement of opinions and positions, putting our feet at the start of the right track to get out of the crisis and must continue to take it from the broad lines on what has been agreed upon to a clear road map and with a fixed agenda.
From now to next September, day after day, we'll see the peaceful transition of power.
Constitutional reforms This national dialogue has focused on the setting up of a constitutional committee that will look into the required amendments of the constitution and the needed legislative reforms.
It (the dialogue) also met about the setting up of a follow-up committee expected to follow up the sincere implementation of the promises that I have made before the people.
I have made sure that the composition of the two committees is made of Egyptian figures that are known for their independence and experience, experts in constitutional law and judges.
In addition to that, the loss of the martyrs of the sons of Egypt in sad and tragic events has hurt our hearts and shaken the homeland's conscience.
I immediately issued my instructions to complete the investigation about last week's events (the clashes between pro- and anti-Mubarak demonstrators) and submit its results immediately to the general prosecutor for him to take the necessary legal deterrent measures.
Yesterday, I got the first report on the top priority constitutional amendments proposed by the committee of justice system and law experts and that I have set up to look into the required constitutional and legislative amendments.
In response to the proposals in the committee's report, and in compliance with the prerogatives of the president of the republic, in conformity with Article 189 of the constitution, I have submitted a request today asking for the amendment of six constitutional clauses: 76, 77, 88, 93 and 189, in addition to the annulment of clause 179.
Moreover, I am asserting my readiness to submit, at a later time, an (additional) request to change any other clauses referred to me by the constitutional committee, according to the needs and justifications it sees fit.
These top-priority amendments aim to ease the conditions for presidential nominations, and the fixing of limited terms of presidency to ensure the rotation of power, and the strengthening of the regulations of elections oversight to guarantee their freedom and fairness.
It is in the judiciary's prerogative to decide about the validity and membership of MPs and amend the conditions and measures on the amendment of the constitution.
The proposal to delete Article 179 from the constitution aims to achieve the required balance between the protection of the nation from the dangers of terrorism and safeguarding the civil rights and freedoms of the citizens which opens the door to the lifting of the emergency law following the return of calm and stability and the presence of suitable conditions to lift the state of emergency.
'In one trench' Brother citizens, the priority now is to bring back trust between Egyptians, trust in our economy and our international reputation, and trust in protecting the change and movement that we have started from turning back or retreating.
Egypt is going through difficult times which it is not right for us to allow continuing, as it will continue to cause us and our economy harm and losses, day after day, which will end in circumstances which those youths who called for change and reform will become the first to be harmed by.
The current moment is not to do with myself, it is not to do with Hosni Mubarak, but is to do with Egypt, its present and the future of its children.
All Egyptians are in one trench now, and it is on us to continue the national dialogue which we have started, with a team spirit, not one of division, and far from disagreement and infighting so that we can get Egypt past its current crisis, and to restore trust in our economy, and tranquillity and peace to our citizens, and return the Egyptian street to its normal everyday life.
I was as young as Egypt's youth today, when I learned the Egyptian military honour, allegiance and sacrifice for my country.
I have spent a lifetime defending its soil and sovereignty.
I witnessed its wars, with its defeats and victories.
I lived the days of defeat and occupation, I also lived the days of the (Suez) crossing, victory and liberation.
It was the happiest day of my life when I raised the flag of Egypt over Sinai.
I faced death many times as a pilot, in Addis Ababa, and numerous other times.
I never succumbed to foreign pressure or dictations.
I kept the peace.
I worked towards the stability and security of Egypt.
I worked hard for its revival and for its people.
I never sought power or fake popularity.
I trust that the overwhelming majority of the people know who Hosni Mubarak is.
It pains me to see how some of my countrymen are treating me today.
'Immortal identity' In any case, I am completely aware of the seriousness of the current hard turn of events as I am convinced that Egypt is crossing a landmark point in its history which imposes on all of all to weigh in the higher interests of our country and to put Egypt first above any and all considerations.
I saw fit to delegate presidential jurisdictions to the vice-president as defined by the constitution.
I am certain that Egypt will overcome its crisis.
The will of its people will not break.
It will be back on its feet with the honesty and loyalty of its people, all its people.
It will return the machinations and glee of those who were gleeful and machinated against it.
We, Egyptians, will prove our ability to achieve the demands of the people with civilised and mature dialogue.
We will prove that we are no-one's servants, that we do not take instructions from anyone, and that only the demands of the citizens and the pulse of the street take our decisions.
We will prove all this with the spirit and tenacity of Egyptians, through the unity and cohesion of the people, and through our commitment to Egypt's dignity as well as its unique and immortal identity, for it is the essence and the base of our presence for more than 7,000 years.
This spirit will continue to live within us for as long as Egypt and its people are present.
It will live in every one of our peasants, workers and intellectuals.
It will remain in the hearts of our old men, our youth and our children, Muslims and Christians.
It will remain in the minds and conscience of all those yet unborn.
I say again that I lived for the sake of this country, preserving its responsibility and trust.
Egypt will remain above all and above everyone.
It will remain so until I hand over this trust and pole.
This is the goal, the objective, the responsibility and the duty.
It is the beginning of life, its journey, and its end.
It will remain a country dear to my heart.
It will not part with me and I will not part with it until my passing.
Egypt will remain immortal with its dignified people with their heads held high.
May God preserve the safety of Egypt and watch over its people.
May peace be upon you.
(Credit: BBC)
PRESENTATION BY HE JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA ON THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Good morning my fellow citizens, and welcome to yet another edition of JohnMahamaLIVE.
Ghana now faces a very serious public health emergency caused by the novel coronavirus.
We can all see the evidence from other countries- China, Iran, Italy, Spain and others- about how significant the threat of this virus is.
It is a global pandemic, and experts say it is likely to infect very large numbers of people.
Most will only suffer mild symptoms.
But, sadly, the virus is especially dangerous for the elderly and those with existing health problems.
Last night the President of Ghana announced a number of measures as a response to the threat.
I acknowledge the scale of the challenge faced by all those in charge of our public health who have to take on the responsibility of dealing with this crisis appropriately.
The measures include limiting travel, cancelling public gatherings, closing schools and universities, guidelines for enhanced hygiene procedures, the use of hand sanitizers, soap and running water, and following the prescribed social distancing measures.