In a recent media address, the Minister stressed the government’s commitment to improving education, particularly for girls, children, and persons with disabilities.

He acknowledged the transformative power of education but highlighted the persistent challenges that prevent certain groups from benefiting equally.

Iddrisu pointed to historical inequalities and entrenched systems that continue to marginalize vulnerable populations, urging for collective action to ensure inclusivity and equity in education.

Referencing the Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted in 1989, he reiterated Ghana’s dedication to making education accessible to all, emphasizing the country’s focus on access, relevance, and quality.

The Minister also linked education to the broader objectives of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that the international community, through Agenda 2030, recognizes education as foundational to achieving all 17 SDG goals.

“Ghana subscribes to this position, and as promised, addressing these challenges requires strong partnerships. Government, private sector, international organizations, and communities must unite to dismantle the systemic barriers that continue to marginalize girls, children, and persons with disabilities from accessing quality education,” Iddrisu stated.

He said John Dramani Mahama, the NDC flagbearer, will emerge victorious and President Akufo-Addo will have no choice than to hand over power to him.

Haruna Iddrisu highlighted Mahama’s extensive experience, stressing that he is not coming to experiment but to save the country with unparalleled expertise.

The former Minority Leader while speaking during the launch of the NDC campaign in Tamale on Saturday, July 27, said “The 2024 election is not a coronation, it is an election that Mahama will win, you will have no option than to hand power to him”.

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The apex court ordered the GRA to keep accurate records of all e-levy deductions to enable a refund to payees if it is later determined that the law was passed unconstitutionally.

This was after the 7-member panel of the Court, unanimously dismissed the application by three Minority MPs to suspend implementation of the levy.

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In reaction to the directive, Haruna Iddrisu said he is satisfied with the Court’s directive to the GRA.

“At least some people will not be in a rush to collateralise it until the substantive matter is determined. We raised this matter because it is of public interest, constitutional significance,” he told the press after the ruling on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Court, in ruling against the injunction application, said the Republic would suffer a great deal if the government is temporarily stopped from deducting the levy from electronic transactions.

The Court was composed of Nene Amegatcher as President, Her Ladyship Mariama Owusu, His Lordship Professor Ashie Kotey, Her Ladyship Getrude Torkornoo, Her Ladyship Lovelace Johnson, His Lordship Emmanuel Yony Kulendi and Her Ladyship Professor Henrietta Mensah Bonsu.

Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, says a running mate for John Dramani Mahama, who is the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2020 polls, will be announced before the end of year.

He said the former President is still consulting with the structures of the party and will certainly announce the running mate before the year ends.

ALSO: Audio: PDS has not been cleared – Dept Info. Minister

“The president is consulting with the structures and following due process and I can say that his running mate will be announced before the end of year and then we could start,” he told host of Joy FM’s AM show.

ALSO: Audio: Asiedu Nketia chokes on NDC campaign message for 2020

The NDC has, meanwhile, dismissed reports that former Finance Minister, Prof. Kwesi Botchwey has been selected as running mate.

Source: Adomonline.com|Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

The petition signed by the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu was personally hand-delivered at the US Embassy in Accra by the Honourable Ranking Member on Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

The Minority in a release Wednesday sought to trigger investigations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of the US.

Until its suspension, PDS was responsible for managing the retail and distribution business of the electricity company of Ghana since March this year.

Government suspended the concession agreement with the company, bringing back the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to be in full control of power distribution.

According to Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the decision was taken after government detected “fundamental and material breaches of PDS’s obligation in the provision of Payment Securities (Demand Guarantees) for the transaction which have been discovered upon further due diligence.”

He said government wants to secure ECG’s assets that were handed to PDS as part of the concession agreement. 

As government conducts its investigations there have been interesting revelations about the how PDS came to win the contract. 

The Chairman of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) recently questioned the process that gave 51% majority shares of Power Distribution Service to Ghanaians.

Dr. Steve Manteaw said Santa Baron Ventures Ghana, TG Energy Solution Ghana, GTS Engineering Ghana Limited and TBK Ghana Limited were not evaluated before being picked to hold majority shares.

He said this on the back of material breeches levelled against PDS by the government, in relation to insurance guarantees tendered to secure some $18b assets belonging to ECG.

Against this and other emerging revelations, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs says that their action is justified as “a clearer picture is now emerging that the Akufo-Addo government stands complicit with top functionaries and cronies neck-deep in the putrescent sleaze.”

According to the Minority, the Akufo-Addo government “cannot be trusted to conduct thorough and independent investigations into this scandal of monumental proportions.”

They say like most Ghanaians, “they have grown sceptical about so-called investigations by the Akufo-Addo Administration since a countless number of these investigations only end up clearing appointees. The reports are never published and the real culprits are never identified and punished.”

The Minority is of the firm conviction that every possible option must remain on the table “in our collective sacred duty  to protect a strategic national interest, the Electricity Company of Ghana, from being balkanized by a marauding greedy cabal in questionable arrangements.”

According to them, their demand for an investigation is buoyed by the knowledge that the US authorities “would not adopt a nonchalant attitude and allow millions of US taxpayer dollars under the signed Compact II of the Millennium Challenge Account to be recklessly misapplied and squandered.” 

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has been advised to consult a thesaurus for the meaning of “social intervention”.

The advice came from minority leader in parliament, Haruna Iddrisu as a response to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s claim that the National Democratic Congress did not introduce any social intervention programme in its eight-year rule.

Mr Iddrisu, addressing delegates at his party’s ongoing national delegates congress, cited quality education and reduced child mortality under president Mahama as some but a few social interventions by his party.

READ ALSO: What the NPP said at NDC’s National Delegates Congress

Mr Iddrisu said for the Vice President to comment that there was no single “social intervention” programme under the NDC’s 8-year rule shows he was ignorant of what constitutes social intervention.

“Those of you here can google Wikipedia and check the meaning of the social intervention. Ghana under John Mahama was awarded for his massive contributions as far as social interventions are concerned. Maybe Bawumia must go to the thesaurus and look for what social intervention really is,” he said.

Dr Bawumia had recently challenged the NDC to point to any social interventions it introduced in the Mills/Mahama eight-year tenure.

READ ALSO: Historic: Rawlings delivers shortest message ever at NDC Congress

Dr Bawumia had argued that the NPP administration had done more by way of social interventions in its two-year rule than the NDC had done in eight years.

But Mr Haruna posits that he made the comments from the position of ignorance.

READ ALSO: Exclusive Photos: NDC National Delegates Congress underway

Haruna Idrisu also appealed to his party’s leadership to protect and preserve the seats of female parliamentarians when the party goes for primaries to select parliamentary candidates.

A statement by the Minority Leader said “I wish to state categorically that I have never issued a statement to that effect neither have I instructed anyone to issue a statement to that effect.”

The Tamale Central MP added “The object of the said malicious statement is only intended to create disaffection within the great NDC Party and the unity within the Minority Caucus in Parliament. I urge the discerning public to treat the statement with the contempt it deserves.”

ALSO: MPs rooting for Mahama are opportunists – Allotey Jacobs

About 94 NDC Members of Parliament threw their weight behind the candidature of John Mahama ahead of the party’s presidential primaries.

The MPs, according to Builsa South lawmaker Clement Apaak, have signed a document declaring their support for the former President who led the party in the 2016 defeat.

Mr. Mahama who is likely to contest the flagbearer slot for the NDC will have to beat competition from former UPSA vice-chancellor Professor Joshua Alabi, Second deputy speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, former NHIA boss Sylvester Mensah and his former Trade minister Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah.

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Below is the full statement by Haruna Iddrisu

DISCLAIMER FROM HARUNA IDDRISU, MINORITY LEADER

My attention has been drawn to information circulating within social media alleging that I Haruna Iddrisu am opposed to the candidature of John D. Mahama. The post specifically states in part “I can confidently say to you that I am ready to support our great Party to victory, but not with President Mahama”.

I wish to state categorically that I have never issued a statement to that effect neither have I instructed anyone to issue a statement to that effect. The object of the said malicious statement is only intended to create disaffection within the great NDC Party and the unity within the Minority Caucus in Parliament. I urge the discerning public to treat the statement with the contempt it deserves.

My primary objective as Minority Leader is to lead the Minority to support the Leadership of the Party in its efforts to mend our differences and unify the rank and file of the Party following the 2016 election defeat and to build a strong opposition to the NPP Government.

It will therefore be at odds with this objective to be openly opposed to or in support of one candidate or the other.

As Leader of the Minority Caucus I remain neutral in the process of electing a flag bearer for our great Party and I pledge to respect the will of the delegates and to support whoever emerges as the eventual winner.

I pray that we all work towards the unity of the Party and shun acts that will rather divide us.

Thank you.

HARUNA IDDRISU
Minority Leader

According to Haruna, he will not allow any individual to create cracks and division within the party and has therefore decided to block such contenders from creating disaffection for former President Mahama who is the choice of the overwhelming majority of the supporters.

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“Honestly, I will fiercely resist and work against such persons should they even try to avail themselves to come and disturb the terrain because going into 2020, we need a united force, we need a common vision, we need a common purpose, we need a common understanding, just to ensure that at the end of the day our mission will be accomplished” he said on Accra-based radio, Neat FM.

Former President John Dramani Mahama over the weekend declared his intention to contest the Presidency in the 2020 general polls.

This can, however, only happen should he be elected by the party’s congress at the primaries of the NDC.

RELATED STORY: AUDIO: Mahama is the best bet, stop wasting resources – Victor Smith tells Alabi, Spio et al

In a Facebook post, Mr. Mahama lauded the NDC’s reorganization efforts, which he reiterated has raised the party’s morale.

But according to the regional organizer hopeful, he will not allow any individual to create cracks and division within the party, describing Mr Mahama as a ‘demigod’ who will always be worshipped by his people.

ALSO READ: Mahama’s comeback causing fear and panic in NPP – Allotey Jacobs

“If I am the next organizer, why do I sit down because the point is as the next organizer you are the field Marshall on the ground and any act or move that has the potential to create deep cracks; create problems on the ground; to create factions; to create disaffection; clearly for me, I will crash that. Mahama is our demigod and we will continue to worship him”, he said.

Citing the corporate embarrassment Ghana’s Parliament suffered when one of its MPs, Eric Amoateng was arrested for drug-related offences, the Majority Leader said they had wanted to handle the matter on the quiet but some members of the Minority breached faith by going public with witch-hunting accusations.
“I am not involved but I must admit as a Member of Parliament if a colleague is involved in something it affects all of us. Remember when one person went and dealt in drugs, the whole of the then-Majority group, including the Parliament of Ghana was roped into it. If it affects an MP it affects the integrity of all us. That is why we are trying a good way out of it,” he revealed.
Attempts by Myjoyonline.com to get a confirmation or denial from the Minority Leader about his alleged attempt to seek presidential intervention proved futile.
Stealing

The Majority Leader broke his long silence on the controversial matter of double salary allegations in which at least nine ex-government officials are being investigated for stealing.
The nine which include Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, Second Deputy Speaker and presidential hopeful Alban Bagbin, former Lands Minister Inusah Fuseini are expected to assist the police with investigations.
The CID in a letter to each one of the suspects they have received salaries as MPs and Ministers while serving under the erstwhile John Mahama administration, a charge the CID says was tantamount to stealing. But the suspects have vehemently denied.
ALSO READ: HOT AUDIO: NPP ministers receiving double rent allowances – MP alleges
They are to cooperate with investigations. At least three of the suspects on Tuesday visited the police CID to assist with investigations.
Prior to their appearance before Parliament, the Minority held a press conference accusing the government of witch hunting.
While some of them admitted to receiving some overpayments they flatly denied it was a case of double salary receipt.
Haruna Iddrisu in an earlier interview with Joy News blamed the matter on systemic failure. But according to the Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu the matter is far more serious than merely being overpaid or underpaid as a minister or MP
According to him, some of the ex-government officials who doubled as MPs and Ministers admitted to collecting double salaries.
He would not publicly mention the names of the persons who allegedly made that confession except to show his frustration with the sudden attempt by the same persons to feign ignorance and wage witch-hunting crusades.

According to him, he took particular interest in Haruna when he was the President of National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and continued to mentor him when he entered Parliament, but that was not without an initial resistance from the young politician.

Speaking on Starr Chart with Bola Ray Wednesday, Hon. Bagbin who’s currently the longest serving Parliamentarian under the Fourth Republic described Haruna Iddrisu as one of the finest young politicians Ghana can boast of.

“I knew Haruna when he was NUGS president and at that time I was already a Member of Parliament. I took particular interest in him. When he came to Parliament and I tried grooming him initially he resisted some of the things I asked him to do and brought in some big men to talk to me. And I sat them down and I told them that I’ve seen something in him and I wanted to market him and so please this is my area, allow me to groom the young ones and they did. And so I kept an eye on him, I go to his constituency with him and go round the place to tell them that…you’re lucky you’ve got a good representative, don’t change him. I’ve done it for a number of Members of Parliament.”

Haruna Iddrisu was born in 1970 at Tamale, Ghana. Iddrisu studied at the University of Ghana between 1993 and 1997 where he obtained the B.A. (Hons) in Sociology. He was active in student politics and was the President of the National Union of Ghana Students during his final year. Iddrisu is also a barrister and has been a member of the Ghana Bar Association since 2002.
He is the Minority Leader of the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic in Ghana. Iddrisu has been the National Youth Organiser for the National Democratic Congress since 2002. He stood for parliament in the 2004 parliamentary election in the newly formed Tamale South constituency.

Haruna Iddrisu retained his seat in the 2008 parliamentary election. He has held various positions in government, including Minister for Communications under the Mills and Mahama governments as well as Minister for Trade between 2013 and 2014. He was appointed the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations by President Mahama in July 2014.

“Let’s all put 2016 behind us and stop the babbling as to what accounted for the defeat of the NDC. Let’s focus on the future, let’s unite and resolve to take the battle to the NPP in 2020 and beyond and restore and recapture political power” he said while addressing supporters of the party at a rally in Ashaiman as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations on Saturday, 10 June, 2017.

He also encouraged supporters to help revamp the NDC and reconnect it to its social values.

Former Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has also urged unity in the NDC, saying it was time the party closed its ranks following the 2016 defeat.

Addressing supporters at the same event, “the 2016 election is over and it is important for us to move on because the agenda of the Ghanaian people is important. We must unite our people so that we can work together combining all strengths and attributes of the people in the NDC s

Bernard Allotey Jacobs claimed majority of those who went have presidential ambition thus want to court the support of former President Jerry John Rawlings ahead of NDC’s flagbearership race.

For the first time in many years some notable members of the NDC graced the 38^th Anniversary of the June 4^, 1979 uprising at Wa in the Upper West region.

Key among them are presidential hopefuls South, Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tamale, Nadowli-Kaleo MP Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, former Trade Minister, Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah Dr Benjamin Bewa-nyog Kunbuor, former NDC National Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei and many others.

When they got the opportunity, they urged NDC members to ensure the values of the June 4 Revolution are not eroded.

But Allotey Jacobs in an interview on Adom News said all the leaders went them for their selfish gains.

“It is hypocrisy and opportunism. A lot of the people who went there are presidential aspirants so they fighting to catch the eye of former President Rawlings” he stated.

The outspoken Central regional Chairman bemoaned how leading members have all of a sudden switched camp after President Mahama lost the elections.

“So far as John Mahama is no longer the president, that mystic aura around him is gone so they are shifting loyalty” he stressed.

Allotey Jacobs said he is not surprised seeing them around Mr. Rawlings because it is their character.

Play attached audio for more

Speaking on Joy FM/MultiTV’s news analysis programme Newsfile Saturday, he said although Haruna Iddrisu is a “fantastic gentleman” he has to wait for the right time.

“I like him a lot, I think he will do well. He speaks well although sometimes with propaganda but that is understandable,” he said.

He added that being Minority Leader at his age is a big achievement which makes a big statement about how fast he has risen.

Former President Mahama is certain to run for the nomination of the NDC although some family members are said to be against that decision.

The NDC with president John Mahama lost the 2016 election to the then opposition New Patriotic Party led by Nana Akufo-Addo who is now the president.

Mr. Mahama was seeking his second term in office, even though it would have been the party’s third term in office if he had won the December 2016 elections.

This means the former president still has the chance to return as the leader of the NDC in 2020 when the country goes to the polls.

However, there are a number of potential candidates who have not made public their ambitions but have supporters and identifiable groups within the party subtly campaigning for them.

Former Trades Minister Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, former NHIA boss, Sylvester Mensah and Prof Joshua Alabi’s names have all come up as possible NDC flagbearer contenders.

The former Greater Accra Regional Minister Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo believes the Minority Leader has better credentials to lead the NDC in the next elections.

In a recent interview with Joy News he said if he were a woman, he would have married him without blinking an eye.

He touted Mr Iddrisu’s eloquence and leadership style as some of the qualities that have endeared the Tamale South MP to him.

Mr Iddrisu has yet to make public his presidential ambitions even though sources close to him have confirmed to Myjoyonline.com the Minority Leader’s ambition to lead the party is not in doubt.

Mr Baako said “I don’t think he is ready made presidential material. He needs to groom himself and grow.”

He said timing is important if the former Communications Minister is to be the number gentleman of Ghana.

He believes the one-time Employment Minister is likely to fail if he makes the move too early as the “timing is not good for him, otherwise, he is a great potential.”

The senior journalist said the names coming up are people who have paid their dues to the party having served both the party and the nation.

According to him Alban Bagbin and Spio-Garbrah are nice gentlemen who are formidable contestants.

Other names, he insisted have only been mentioned for comic relief.

Watch the video below

Nonetheless, he thinks the time is not ripe to be deciding on who should lead the NDC for 2020 now.

Rather, he thinks the concentration for now, should be on working and reorganizing the grassroots of the NDC.

In a radio interview on Accra based Citi FM Thursday evening, Alhaji Muntaka said the “right time will tell who should lead us.”

Responding to a question as to who he thought would be a good candidate to lead the NDC, the Asawasi MP refused to state his preference and said all the names coming up were qualified candidates but insisted the party was not ready to settle on a leader now.

Question: “Do you have presidential ambitions?”

Muntaka: “Well there is nobody under this sun who starts doing something and does not want to get to the climax of it but all depends on the will of Allah, I’m a politician, if it is the will of Allah that one day I get there, why not.”

The NDC after losing Election 2016 has been re-organising for 2020 and consequently set up a committee chaired by Professor Kwesi Botchwey, to review the loss but even before the committee could finish its work, a number of names have popped up, as potential contestants to lead the party.

They include former President John Mahama, Prof Joshua Alabi, Alban Bagbin, Spio Garbrah, Sylvester Mensah, Goozie Tanoh and Ezanetor Rawlings as running mate.

Asked if he supports Mr Mahama, who is supposed to be enjoying majority support, Alhaji Muntaka said: “Let’s wait for the right time and the right leader will emerge.”

“It would be too early to say that Imoro Sanda [interviewer] should lead us, or Mr B or Mr C or Madam B should lead us.”

Question: Is John Mahama your favourite candidate?

Muntaka: “John Mahama has led us and I think he did the best that he could.”

Question: Do you think John Mahama’s candidature is the best bet for NDC?

Muntaka: “its too early in the day.”

Question: Is it so difficult for you to tell me whether or not a John Mahama candidature is the best bet for the NDC?

Muntaka: “its so early in the days. It is very early in the days.”

Question: “Other names have popped up. The honourable Alban Sumana Bagbin?”

Muntaka: “Look from the President [Mahama] to whoever, the names that are coming, they are all qualified but as to who will best lead us [NDC] into 2020 I perfectly agree with the President [Mahama] that lets wait for the right time… I have a lot of faith in Allah that when the time comes he will give us the wisdom and understanding to pick the best person.”

Question: “Your response sound like you do not support John Mahama?”

Muntaka: “Its not true…I have very close relationship with the President [Mahama], I’m like a younger brother to him but I agree with what he said [time not ripe to decide on next leader] and I’m sticking strongly to it.”

Question: “the honourable Haruna’s name has been mentioned.”

Answer: “Haruna is a qualified person, why not, we were in school together, the right time will tell who should lead us.”

According to a member of the New Patriotic Part (NPP) communications team, Ekow Horace Ewusi the allegation was designed to dent the image of the Minority leader to pave way for ex-President John Dramani Mahama ahead of the 2020 elections.

“The allegation was only meant to destroy the presidential ambition of the Minority leader of Parliament and they fell threatened and afraid of Haruna Iddrisu’s potentials and charisma” he claimed.

Speaking Wednesday on Adom FM’s BURNING ISSUES program hosted by Afia Pokua, Horace said the former statesman and some elements within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) fell threatened by Haruna’s potentials to lead the party as flagbearer for the 2020 general elections.

His comment follows posters of 2nd deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Bagbin circulating on social media emerging as one of the former President John Mahama’s contenders ahead of NDC’s primaries.

Apart from the Nadowli/Kaleo Member of Parliament posters, former Greater Accra Regional Minister under the Rawlings government, Joshua Alabi, a former Minister of Trade and Industry, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah; former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, former National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) CEO, Sylvester Mensah and among others are also reportedly lacing their boots to declare intention to stand on the ticket of the party.

But a member of the NDC legal team, Lawyer Victor Kojogah Adawudu said any of it members desirous to lead the party in 2020 will get the support of the members.

He stated that those wrangling within the party are normal trend in the history of opposition political parties but the NDC will elect a marketable and unifier to lead them.

Kojogah Adawudu said the party will not allow any questionable characters to lead the party in 2020.