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Tag: Alhassan Suhuyini

  • Identify govt officials involved in galamsey and prosecute them – Alhassan Suhuyini

    Identify govt officials involved in galamsey and prosecute them – Alhassan Suhuyini

    Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini, has urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to investigate and prosecute government officials involved in Ghana’s illegal mining (galamsey) crisis.

    Mr Suhuyini expressed frustration over what he perceives as the president’s failure to demonstrate political will in addressing illegal mining, despite repeated promises to combat the environmental devastation it causes.

    He argues that the galamsey battle cannot be won unless government insiders allegedly supporting the practice are held accountable.

    The MP claimed that various government officials, including regional ministers and district chief executives, have been implicated in illegal mining—whether through direct involvement or by ignoring the issue.

    These appointees, the MP pointed out, hold considerable power within their regions, making it challenging for law enforcement to effectively intervene.

    In a statement issued on Sunday, September 15, Suhuyini emphasized that prosecuting such officials would signal the government’s commitment to ending galamsey and safeguarding the country’s natural resources.

    He also stressed the severe consequences of galamsey on Ghana’s water bodies, farmlands, and forests, criticizing the government’s approach of focusing primarily on small-scale miners while overlooking the role of influential individuals and business elites.

    Suhuyini underscored the environmental and social damage caused by illegal mining, such as water contamination and loss of livelihoods, calling for immediate action.

    He called on civil society groups, traditional leaders, and the media to continue pressuring the government on its handling of the galamsey issue, urging Ghanaians to stay alert and speak out against the environmental destruction. Suhuyini believes that ending galamsey requires the collective effort of all stakeholders, with strong leadership from the presidency as the starting point.

    “The detrimental impacts of galamsay are widespread, affecting not just the environment but also the livelihoods of countless individuals who depend on clean water and healthy ecosystems.”

    “We call upon President Nana Akufo Addo and his government to without fail address the nation on the State of our Environment, outlining the immediate and decisive actions to be taken to address these illegal activities.”

    “This should include how to enforce the existing laws more rigorously, conducting thorough investigations especially on several allegations of the complicity of many government officials and party leaders, and holding accountable those already implicated by previous investigations in these destructive practices.”

  • Preventing reclassification of Achimota Forest is our top priority – Minority

    Preventing reclassification of Achimota Forest is our top priority – Minority

    The MP for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, has vowed that the Minority caucus will take all necessary measures to prevent the reclassification of the Achimota Forest.

    As the Ranking Member of the Lands Committee, Mr Suhuyini expressed concerns that any development in the forest could jeopardize the country, particularly residents of Accra.

    In a recent interview on the Citi Breakfast Show with Caleb Kudah, he criticized the government’s decision, questioning how the reclassification would benefit Ghanaians.

    Mr Suhuyini noted that the NPP government has invested over GH¢400 million in afforestation initiatives, excluding the annual Green Ghana Day, making the move to reclassify the Achimota Forest for commercial and residential use perplexing.

    He highlighted the inconsistency of spending GH¢421 million on forest conservation while simultaneously declassifying an area that has been preserved for decades.

    The MP emphasized that the forest’s preservation is crucial for maintaining air quality in Accra, which is becoming increasingly polluted.

    Mr Suhuyini announced plans for his committee to visit the forest to verify whether parts are being allocated to the Owoo family, stressing the importance of protecting the Achimota Forest from further damage.

    “The government has spent some GH¢421 million on national afforestation programmes and that is aside from the Green Ghana Day and all of these are aimed at improving our forest cover, yet we have this same government declassifying the Achimota Forest

    “Turning 361 acres of land into the concrete jungle and yet we can not point to any forest the government has created since spending all the GH¢421 million on afforestation programmes and this forest that has been created way before we were born and we are fixated at destroying it.”

    Mr Suhuyini added that “everything that we can do to save the forest, we must do and my committee’s intention was to visit the forest on Thursday to ascertain for ourselves whether they were indeed demarcating portions to the Owoo family because we cannot allow ourselves to be poisoned because the Achimota Forest saves and filters our air due to how choked Accra has become.”

  • I would be speaking very little if I were in your shoes – Suhuyini to Yeboah Dame

    I would be speaking very little if I were in your shoes – Suhuyini to Yeboah Dame

    Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, has taken aim at Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Godfred Yeboah Dame.

    His comments followed the Court of Appeal’s decision on Tuesday, July 30, which acquitted and discharged the defendants in a prominent case.

    The ruling reversed a previous trial court directive requiring Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa to present their defense.

    The two individuals had been accused of causing a €2.37 million financial loss to the state through an ambulance procurement deal with the Government of Ghana.

    While Justice Alex Poku Acheampong dissented, Justices Kweku Tawiah Ackah-Boafo and Philip Bright Mensah ruled in favor of the accused.

    In response to the ruling, Attorney-General Godfred Dame condemned the decision, calling it flawed and inconsistent with the substantial evidence provided by the prosecution. He argued that it undermines both public accountability and the rule of law.

    In an interview with TV3 on Wednesday, July 31, Mr. Suhuyini suggested that the AG should refrain from further comments to avoid additional embarrassment.

    He implied that Dame has compromised both his own integrity and the credibility of his office with his reaction to the court’s ruling.

    “This case has not just been lost but his integrity has also been lost and if I were in his shoes, I would be speaking very little at this moment because he has not only disgraced him but he has disgraced the office of the Attorney General.”

    “It was a case that shouldn’t have happened. It is a classical example of political persecution. Even before we heard what was contained in the leaked tape, most Ghanaians knew this was a witch hunt and a classical case of political persecution,” he said.

  • New Majority leadership has a lot to offer – Suhuyini

    New Majority leadership has a lot to offer – Suhuyini

    The Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, is optimistic about the new Majority leadership’s capability to effectively fulfill its responsibilities.

    Following Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s resignation, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader and MP for Efutu, has been appointed as the new Majority Leader by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Patricia Appiagyei, the MP for Asokwa, will serve as Afenyo-Markin’s deputy, and Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, will retain the position of Majority Chief Whip.

    Habib Iddrisu, MP for Tolon, has been named Deputy Majority Whip, while Alex Tettey Djonobuah, MP for Sefwi Akontombra, is now the Second Deputy Majority Whip.

    Expressing confidence in the new caucus leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Alhassan Suhuyini wished him and his team the best of luck.

    Having entered Parliament alongside Afenyo-Markin in the Sixth Parliament, Mr Suhuyini highlighted Afenyo-Markin’s demonstrated leadership abilities.

    He also acknowledged Annoh-Dompreh’s leadership experience and commended Habib Iddrisu’s quick learning, foreseeing smooth operations within the Majority Caucus in Parliament.

    Mr Suhuyini conveyed his best wishes to the new leadership, noting Afenyo-Markin’s significant contributions to the growth and stability of the caucus, attributing many successful initiatives to his effective leadership in challenging situations.

    “I came to Parliament with Afenyo-Markin in the Sixth Parliament, and he has demonstrated his ability to be able to do what is supposed to be done by a leader. I think that [Frank] Annoh-Dompreh has been a leader for some time now. Habib [Iddrisu], even though he came first, he is learning very fast, and I think there won’t be much problem as far as the Majority Caucus in Parliament is concerned.”

    “I wish the new leadership the very best of luck. Afenyo-Markin has contributed immensely to the growth and stability of his caucus. Many of the things that they have been able to push through can be attributed to his ability to lead the charge when there seems to be no way.”

  • NPP parliamentary candidate sends strong warning to Alhassan Suhuyini over NPP projects

    NPP parliamentary candidate sends strong warning to Alhassan Suhuyini over NPP projects

    New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Tamale North Constituency, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Alidu Abreh, has accused the incumbent MP, Alhassan Suhuyini, of wrongfully claiming credit for government-sponsored projects. 

    Specifically, Abreh pointed to the ongoing construction of the Kalpohin-Kanvili Kpawumo bridge, asserting that it is entirely funded by the government. He emphasized that the MP played no role in the project, criticizing him for attempting to associate himself with it. 

    Abreh, eyeing victory in the December elections, pledged to bring positive change to the constituency, accusing Suhuyini of neglecting the area.

    “Our government cannot be championing this kind of project and our MP who has run away from the constituency will now come back and be claiming the projects”, Alhaji Abreh told journalists after inspecting the project.

    “This particular project, the MP has nothing to do with it. He’s not involved in it at all”, he added.

    He said the project was solely funded by the central government through the Department of Urban Roads and is being executed by Ihsan Company Limited.

    While commending the Chief of Kpawumo for adding his voice to urban roads, he cautioned the MP to shy away from trying to associate himself with the project.

    The NPP parliamentary candidate has promised to win the seat for his party for the first time when Ghana goes to the polls in December.

    He has repeatedly accused Alhaji Suhuyini of abandoning the constituency and doing little to improve the lives of the people, a situation he has promised to change when voted into power.

  • Govt spent GHC5m to interact with traditional leaders on galamsey; gave $30m to committee setup to check menace – Minority

    Govt spent GHC5m to interact with traditional leaders on galamsey; gave $30m to committee setup to check menace – Minority

    The Minority Members on the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament have criticized the government for its alleged failure to account for funds disbursed in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey,’ in the 2024 Budget.

    The group claims that $30 million was allocated quarterly to the now-defunct inter-ministerial committee for three years, with an additional GH¢5 million used in the government’s engagements with traditional leaders and security agencies to address the galamsey issue.

    Speaking to the media, Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee, Alhassan Suhuyini, emphasized the need for the government to be transparent and accountable to the public in its efforts to combat ‘galamsey.’

    “Shouldn’t we be asking ourselves why, this time in the budget statement, not even once has the ‘galamsey’ word been mentioned? After we have spent millions of Ghana cedis. The Interministerial committee was allocated $30 million every quarter, and they operated for three years.”

    “That should tell you how much money has gone down the drain; they blew GH¢5.4 million just to interact on ‘galamsey.’ The question is, to what end? What are the benefits that we have from all of these?” Alhassan Suhuyini asked.

    Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Opoku Ansah, wants the government to consider the establishment of a fund to repair the damage caused to river bodies by galamsey.

    “Mr. Speaker, everybody is talking about ‘galamsey’ and how it has destroyed our water bodies. There’s the need for a fund to be set aside so that monies deposited in this fund will be used to repair destroyed rivers, construct new waters for our people, and ensure that the Ghanaian is assured of good drinking water,” Davis Opoku Ansah suggested.

  • Ghana Police Service, two other institutions that denied Suhuyini’s ‘land guard’ allegation

    Ghana Police Service, two other institutions that denied Suhuyini’s ‘land guard’ allegation

    Member of Parliament representing Tamale North Constituency, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, made a claim accusing the government of engaging land guards to safeguard state lands.

    The lawmaker’s accusation was in response to a statement made by Professor Patrick Agbesinyale, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), during a meeting with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forestry.

    In that meeting, the director indicated that the ministry has allegedly resorted to engaging a land guard to retrieve and protect government lands.

    Ghana has been grappling with the rate at which state lands are being encroached upon by individuals, organisations and groups.

    The government in 2012 began a state land reclamation exercise aimed at repossessing lands that belong to the state but have been encroached upon illegally.

    In doing this, the MP for Tamale North said the government is engaging the services of some land guards to protect the state lands as the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources cannot protect these lands themselves.

    However, moments after the lawmaker made these claims, all three of the institutions that were indited by the MP came out to vehemently refute the claims.

    Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources

    In a statement dated July 17, 2023, the ministry said it wants to set the record straight.

    It indicated that the government and for that matter, the ministry does not contract the services to assist in reclaiming encroached government lands.

    The ministry stated that it has only engaged the services of Aynok Holding Limited, a registered limited liability company to assist in the reclamation process.

    Ghana Armed Forces

    After the Ministry came out, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) also released their statement on the same day to disassociate themselves from the claims by the MP for Tamale North.

    In their statement, the forces described the claim as ‘unimaginable’ that the military cannot protect its lands but rather indulge in illegality by relying on the services of land guards.

    As an institution responsible for protecting the frontiers of the country against external threats, the Armed Forces indicated that it remains focused on making the country safe against external forces from the Sahel Region.

    Ghana Police Service

    The last of the three is the Ghana Police Service who also stated in their statement that the claim by the MP is baseless, false and unfounded.

    In their statement, the service stated that it has not on any occasion engaged the services of land guards to reclaim or protect its lands as it is being claimed by the Alhassan Suhuyini.

    It went on to say that the service has in recent times intensified its anti-land guard operations in communications affected by the activities of these land guards and this renewed effort will not stop until perpetrators of such illegal activities are brought to justice.

  • Land guard brouhaha: Provide contract details with Aynok Holdings – Minority to Lands Ministry

    Land guard brouhaha: Provide contract details with Aynok Holdings – Minority to Lands Ministry

    Deputy ranking member on the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini, has requested the Lands Ministry to furnish the committee with the contract details between itself and Aynok Services Limited.

    According to Mr Suhuyini, this is to allow Parliament to determine whether claims that government has been contracting land guards to reclaim encroached lands on its behalf are true.

    During an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Suhuyini said “We first want to introduce that contract to the committee and once that contract has been introduced to the committee, we can now invite him as a service provider to the ministry to speak on the contract and that is why we are focussed as a committee on the ministry providing us with that contract.”

    On Monday, July 17, Minority members of the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament accused the government of enlisting the services of land guards for the retrieval and protection of government lands, citing statements made by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Professor Patrick Agbesinyale, during a meeting with the Committee.

    Per a leaked tape, the Police and Ghana Armed Forces are said to involved in such act.

    Addressing the media, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini bemoaned the lack of commitment on the part of the government to combat land guard activities.

    “The other shocking revelation according to the Chief Director is that even the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police use this same land guard to protect their lands. So, if the military and the police cannot protect their own lands and have to resort to the use of a land guard, then what will be the fate of the common Ghanaian who wants to acquire land and is faced with land guards?” he quizzed.

    But the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has refuted allegations made, arguing that the Lands Commission has legally engaged the services of Aynok Holding Limited, a registered limited liability company to assist in reclaiming encroached government lands. 

    This engagement, the ministry said, has been in effect since 2012.

    Also in a press statement signed by Director General Public Relations, Brigadier General E Aggrey-Quashie, the Ghana Armed Forces assured all that the allegation is false and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.

    They argued that it is unimaginable that GAF cannot protect its own lands but rather indulge in an illegality by relying on the services of land guards, a proscribed activity.

    “GAF deems it as regrettable that news reports emanated from unsubstantiated allegations made by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Prof Patrick Agbesinyale at a Parliamentary Committee meeting on 10 July 2023.

    “We wish to stress that this allegation which was repeated by Hon Alhassan Suhuyini, Member of Parliament for Tamale North to the media is false and should be ignored,” the statement added.

    On the matter, the Ghana Police Service has also refuted any alliance with land guards.

    In a statement dated July 17, the Police Service said it “has not on any occasion engaged the services of land guards to reclaim or protect its lands.”

    “In fact, on the contrary, the Service has in recent times intensified its anti-languard operations in communities affected by the activities of these land guards and this renewed effort will not stop until perpetrators of such illegal activities are brought to justice,” the statement added.

  • We do not rely on services of land guards – GAF

    We do not rely on services of land guards – GAF

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has denied claims that it employs the services of land guards to claim their pieces of land that have been encroached.

    On Monday, July 17, Minority members of the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament accused the government of enlisting the services of land guards for the retrieval and protection of government lands, citing statements made by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Professor Patrick Agbesinyale, during a meeting with the Committee.

    Addressing the media, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini bemoaned the lack of commitment on the part of the government to combat land guard activities.

    “The other shocking revelation according to the Chief Director is that even the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police use this same land guard to protect their lands. So, if the military and the police cannot protect their own lands and have to resort to the use of a land guard, then what will be the fate of the common Ghanaian who wants to acquire land and is faced with land guards?” he quizzed.

    But in a press statement signed by Director General Public Relations, Brigadier General E Aggrey-Quashie, the Ghana Armed Forces assured all that the allegation is false and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.

    They argued that it is unimaginable that GAF cannot protect its own lands but rather indulge in an illegality by relying on the services of land guards, a proscribed activity.

    “GAF deems it as regrettable that news reports emanated from unsubstantiated allegations made by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Prof Patrick Agbesinyale at a Parliamentary Committee meeting on 10 July 2023.

    “We wish to stress that this allegation which was repeated by Hon Alhassan Suhuyini, Member of Parliament for Tamale North to the media is false and should be ignored,” the statement added.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces has entreated the media and the public not to hesitate to contact the Department of Public Relations to clarify stories of these nature before publishing them.

    At this critical time, GAF’s focus is geared towards protecting the frontiers of our country against the downward spread of violent extremism from the Sahel Region and the least the Institution expects are issues that distracts us (GAF) from focusing on protecting the country, the statement added.

    Also, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has refuted allegations made, arguing that the Lands Commission legally engaged the services of Aynok Holding Limited, a registered limited liability company to assist in reclaiming encroached government lands. 

    This engagement, the ministry said, has been in effect since 2012.

    Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey

  • Govt allegedly using land guards to reclaim encroached lands – Leaked audio reveals

    The government has been accused of engaging the services of land guards to reclaim encroached lands.

    Information reaching the Independent Ghana indicate that Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Prof Patrick Agbesinyale at a Parliamentary Committee meeting on July, 10, 2023 provided the said information.

    “I think the idea was that anytime the Government apparatus; the police, military among others are seen going out there to claim lands, you know the hullabaloo and backlash the Government receives. So, what they do is that you would set up somebody like this and Government would literally be hiding behind it so he can reclaim government lands.”

    “So, I remember that during the claiming process, three people lost their lives.”

    “There were gunshots; exchange of fire, and three people lost their lives there. Except that Gyato has a section of the media on site who would cover always – he is a whole set-up,” a male voice says.

    It is reported that the government then apportions some of the reclaimed lands to the land guards as compensation for their work.

    The Chief Director is said to have also claimed that the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police procure the services of this same private land guard to protect their lands.

    Addressing the media, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini bemoaned the lack of commitment on the part of the government to combat land guard activities.

    “One would have thought that with the passage of this law to outlaw land guards, our land tenure system would have been sanitized, and we would have all been hopeful that acquiring land will no longer be a matter of life and death and so it came to us as a surprise that the Ministry has resorted to contracting a land guard to protect government lands.”

    “The other shocking revelation according to the Chief Director is that even the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police use this same land guard to protect their lands. So, if the military and the police cannot protect their own lands and have to resort to the use of a land guard, then what will be the fate of the common Ghanaian who wants to acquire land and is faced with land guards?”

    “What was again scandalous by the Chief Directors’ revelation is that this particular land guard has a set-up the state cannot compete,” Mr. Suhuyini added.

    The Vigilantism and Related Offenses Act, 2019 (Act, 999) criminalises such activities.

    Clause 7(5) of the Act says; a person shall not directly or indirectly, engage a land guard to protect or guard the property of that person or any other person. 7(6) says; a person who contravenes subsection (5) commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not less than 10yrs and not more than 15yrs.

  • Alhassan Suhuyini organises free extra classes for Tamale North 2023 BECE candidates

    Alhassan Suhuyini organises free extra classes for Tamale North 2023 BECE candidates

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale-North, Alhassan Suhuyini is organising free extra classes for the 2023 BECE candidates in the constituency.

    According to him, this is to enable the candidates prepare adequately for their examinations. The classes which started on Saturday, June 10, will continue until the students are done with their exams.

    The subjects to be taught include Mathematics, English Language, Integrated Science and Social Studies.

    The centres for the classes are Bishop R/C, Choggu, Kanviller R/C, St Augustine, Nyanshegu and Fou Matariya JHS. Mr Suhuyini in a media interview said education is key on his transformation agenda of the constituency.

    Meanwhile, the lawmaker recently made donations to some artisans in the constituency. The items donated included vulganizing machine, industrial sewing machines, welding machines, carpenter tools and machines.

    Other items were glass cutting machines, masonry tools, steel bending tools, car washing machines, grass mowing tools.

    He also commissioned an ultra-modern ten-seater public toilet facility for the people of Kalpohini, a community in the Tamale-North Constituency.He also donated two brand new motorbikes to selected persons in the constituency.

  • Government faces backlash over proposed demolition of Tamale Timber Market

    Government faces backlash over proposed demolition of Tamale Timber Market

    Government has come under heavy criticism from the Minority in Parliament following its announcement of plans to demolish the Tamale Timber Market. The decision has sparked outrage among some NDC MPs who argue that the move will have a detrimental impact on the livelihoods of the traders and the overall economy of the region.

    MP for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, said the government sold the area, which is home to several lumber traders, to a private developer in 2020 for renovation.

    He claims that affected traders were not compensated or given alternate places prior to the planned demolition.

    “The timber market is a place that a lot of traders in timber products have used to earn their livelihoods and to support their children and to also respond to other family commitments.”

    “That place has been a business centre long before I was born and yet in the minister’s answer he says there are no permanent structures over there. So this private developer they have given the contract to can go there and demolish the structures over there without paying compensation to anyone,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, refuted these claims.

    He described them as false adding that the granting of leases for redevelopment occurred before he assumed office.

    He explained that the initiate forms part of efforts by the government to redevelop the area.

    He added that there are no permanent structures in the market, only kiosks and containers.

    He also revealed that the Lands Commission, in collaboration with other stakeholders, is working to ensure adequate compensation for those affected.

    “Matters relating to the Tamale Timber Aboabo market are beyond our reproach. The records are there for all of us to appreciate. It falls as part of the broader scheme of government redevelopment. The leases which were granted were done before I assumed office and the people who are authorised to grant leases in favour of private developers are the lands commission acting in the name of the president and that is what happened on the 29th August 2020.”

    “The claim that there are permanent structures and it is going to affect individuals is an insensitive and palpable falsehood. There are no permanent structures over there, the place has been inspected there are kiosks and containers,” he stated.

    “As I speak to you, the Lands Commission is working with all stakeholders including the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly to make sure that these people are compensated adequately,” he said.

  • Green Ghana programme must not be a platform for stealing – Suhuyini to govt

    Green Ghana programme must not be a platform for stealing – Suhuyini to govt

    The Green Ghana programme, according to Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale North Constituency, Alhassan Suhuyini, needs precise methods to permit accurate tracking of its growth.

    Speaking to the media on Friday, Mr Suhuyini said this was also to ensure that the scheme did not become one used to siphon money.

    “The Green Ghana programme is well-intentioned. Year in, year out, money is allocated to it. We are told the number of trees that are planted, but there are no clear-cut mechanisms to determine if the numbers that are churned out are actually being planted on the ground. We are told of percentages of performance, but we do not know the criteria used to determine percentages of success when it comes to how well-planted trees are doing.”

    “The issue of contracting is not clear. We do not know if people are contracted based on competitive bidding or handpicking. That is why I said that as much as this is important and has to be done, it has to be done in such a way that it does not become a scheme that is just meant to siphon money. If it is Green Ghana, it must be Green Ghana and not Green Corruption.”

    The Tamale North MP said that the country had spent close to GH¢500 million on national afforestation programmes in the last five years, but the level of devastation to the forests was high.

    “So there is the need for us to ask ourselves what we are getting for how much we are putting into projects aimed at protecting our forests and improving the forest cover in the country, when the records show that there is a high rate of depletion of our forest.”

    Mr Suhuyini said that the Lands Minister had said that 4.89 million trees were planted in 2021, but the President, a few weeks after the Minister’s announcement, said that 7 million trees had been planted. This did not sit well with him.

    “I recall that in 2022, I filed a question for the Minister to tell us how many trees had been planted, how many contractors were used, and all of that. He provided that information, and it was that information I used in my debate. The Minister at the time told us that 4.89 million trees had been planted for the 2021 season. However, a few weeks later, the President said that they had planted 7 million trees. That, for me, was a significant difference.”

    He said that a verifiable formula would help to tell if, for instance, “we are planting 10 million trees this year, and next year, 70% of those trees are doing well. The clear-cut formula that is verifiable by anybody who wishes to verify would tell that indeed those trees are doing well.”



  • Minority warns govt against using Green Ghana Day celebrations as platforms for corruption

    Minority warns govt against using Green Ghana Day celebrations as platforms for corruption

    The Minority Caucus in Parliament has warned the government against using Green Ghana Day celebrations as platforms for corruption.

    According to members of the caucus, such programmes in the past, have been used to siphon money from the state and the taxpayer.

    Green Ghana Day is an initiative launched in March 2021 by President Akufo-Addo through the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources aimed at planting trees across the country.

    The maiden edition was held on June 11, 2021, where an estimated seven million tree seedlings were planted across the nation.

    According to an account made by the president, 85% of trees planted during the maiden edition were successful.

    In the second edition of the project, the president announced government’s plan to plant an additional 20 million trees in support of the Green Ghana Project in 2022.

    But speaking in Parliament on June 9 to mark the third edition of Green Ghana Day, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee, Alhassan Suhuyini raised the concern that government has not been transparent in accounting for the monies that go into the project.

    Mr Suhuyini said “The President in 2022, in his State of the Nation Address (SONA), revealed to this House that they had successfully planted 7 million trees, 2 million more than was initially planned to be planted. However, the Minister, weeks earlier, in an answer to a question in this same house, reported that only about 4.89 million trees were planted.

    “Mr Speaker the question therefore is, how many trees indeed were planted and how much did we throw at the plantation of these trees?” he interrogated.

    Furthermore, Mr. Suhuyini stated that parliament should ensure that this initiative does not become an institution that siphons taxpayer funds, as climate finance must be optimised for impact and effectiveness.

    Additionally, he stressed that the ultimate way to ensure the aforementioned is for parliament to ensure that, “strategies are put in place to change finance and to ensure that finance that is meant for climate change and its mitigation and its adaptation are not misapplied and also give us [Ghanaians] less optimal value.”

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor provided an update on the two previous Green Ghana editions to the House.

    He claimed that the success rate of the planting done in 2021 amounted to an excess of 80%, whereas that of the planting done in 2022 was an excess of 70%.

    The Minister also reiterated that Green Ghana Day is one of the efforts made by government to replenish Ghana’s depleted forest cover and support the world’s efforts to halt climate change.

  • Suhuyini applauds Ablakwa for exposing ‘holy scam’

    Suhuyini applauds Ablakwa for exposing ‘holy scam’

    Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini, has praised his colleague MP, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa for exposing what he describes as a ‘holy scam” in the construction of the National Cathedral.

    Speaking in a panel discussion on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on May 3, 2023, the lawmaker stated that if the court had upheld Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng’s case, Okudzeto Ablakwa would have been in prison for daring to expose what he called a “scam done in the holy name of God.”

    “Well, if the court had upheld the applicant’s case, Hon Ablakwa would have woken up in prison this morning, for daring to expose a holy scam. It is a scam that is done in the holy name of God. I think Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has to be commended by all well-meaning Ghanaians for how he stayed on this cathedral matter,” he said.

    He added that Okudzeto’s exposé has brought to light all sorts of malfeasance and financial impropriety surrounding the project.

    He noted that many Ghanaians are now waking up to the scam which was being carried out under the guise of building a house of God.

    The Tamale North MP also criticized the government’s decision to pull down bungalows occupied by some justices of the court with their families to make way for the Cathedral. He argued that many people had expressed reservations about the project from the outset, but the size of the crime was not immediately apparent.

    He expressed the hope that the project would be subject to greater scrutiny to ensure that it was not used as a cover for financial malfeasance.

    “When it began, many people expressed reservations especially when the government at the time decided to pull down some slightly used bungalows that were occupied by some justices of the court with their families.

    “…but people didn’t see the size of the crime that we were going to perpetuate in the name of God but fortunately, with the dedication and the focus of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, many people are beginning to wake up to the scam. You know all manners of things that are not just downright leading to losses of huge sums of money to the Ghanaian people all in the name of building a house of God,” he added.

    Meanwhile, an Accra High Court has dismissed the contempt case against Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa brought by the Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng.

    This was after the court indicated that the evidence presented by Kusi Boateng and his lawyers was fraught with inconsistencies and doubt.

    The court further noted that the contempt application failed to meet the legal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

    Background:

    Reverend Kusi Boateng had filed a motion, pleading with the court to commit Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa to prison.

    The opposition lawmaker, Okudzeto, had kicked a writ meant to be served on him by a court bailiff on Friday, February 3.

    He had given the pretext that he was on his way to Parliament when the bailiff approached him at the forecourt of Accra-based Metro TV to be served Rev. Kusi Boateng’s writ.

    Kusi Boateng’s motion sought to draw the court’s attention to a possible contempt case against the lawmaker, citing what he said was untruths when Okudzeto said he was served while on his way to parliament.

  • Galamsey scandal: Suhuyini makes more damning revelations

    Galamsey scandal: Suhuyini makes more damning revelations

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, has made some allegations regarding the government’s fight against illegal mining in the country.

    He has accused the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) of hypocrisy in its fight against illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.

    The MP argues that the NPP lost votes in galamsey communities during the 2020 elections not because of its commitment to the fight against galamsey, but because of its failure to address the issue in a fair and transparent manner.

    Speaking in a panel discussion on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on April 25, 2023, he asserted that Professor Frimpong-Boateng, who previously served as the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, had recently admitted to the insincerity of the government’s fight against galamsey in his explosive report on the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) presented to the Chief of Staff.

    According to Suhuyini, the community members and chiefs in the affected areas were upset because the government had banned all forms of mining, yet some bigwigs and party people were given protection to mine in forest reserves.

    He alleged that soldiers were brought in to provide protection for people to mine in their communities during the supposed ban.

    “I said it in 2020 when the president and his communicators went on a rampage saying that they lost in galamsey communities because of their fight against galamsey, that it wasn’t true. Professor Frimpong-Boateng admits to what I said then, the reason why they lost in those areas is because the people were witnesses to the ununiform fight, and the people were angry by that because they had been stopped from mining but there was evidence that, there are big wings and party people who were given protection to mine in those forest reserves, when they had been stopped from mining.

    “So, it was as a result of their disappointment, in the way the fight was waged that they punished the NPP, it was not because the NPP was committed to the fight and for which reason they lost votes, no it was the hypocrisy, and that is what Professor Frimpong Boateng admits to, the community members were upset, chiefs were upset…because soldiers were brought to provide protection for people to mine in their communities when there was supposed to be a ban.

    “…this has come to confirm what we have always suspected, that there was never a fight in the first place, there was a platform created for people to be protected and for the operation to be limited to a few,” he said.

  • Wake up, 2024 elections will not be won in Parliament – Suhuyini slams NDC executives

    Wake up, 2024 elections will not be won in Parliament – Suhuyini slams NDC executives

    Tamale North Member of Parliament Alhassan Suhuyini has blasted national leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for shirking their core responsibilities and rather focusing on policing the Minority Caucus.

    The MP is worried about the manner in which the national leadership continue to meddle in affairs of the caucus in parliament describing their actions as that of coaches.

    He warned during a discussion on Pan African TV that the 2024 elections will be lost if the executives fail to recognize that their responsibility is to deal with core party issues and to run the NDC along with parliament.

    He said instead of coaching MPs, the leaders should be working on piling pressure on government from outside the House by among others organizing street protests to back their opposition to bad laws and policies.

    “So, when they have debate in parliament and the parliamentarians win that debate, you expect the national organisers and the women’s organisers and the chairmen and the secretary to be massing people up on the street.

    “To complement what parliament is doing, but when what we have is executives sitting on the bench coaching parliament and that will not take us to victory.

    “Our party leaders must begin to wake up and understand that the 2024 elections will not be won in parliament. It will not be won by the work of any parliamentarians,” he stressed.

    Suhuyini is one of the open opponents of a change in the leadership of the Minority Caucus dictated via a statement from the party headquarters early this year, barely a month after Johnson Asiedu Nketiah took over as National Chairman.

    The changes saw the removal of Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader and Cassiel Ato Forson, coming in as his replacement.

  • GHC40,000! – Suhuyini reveals bribe traitor NDC MPs were given

    GHC40,000! – Suhuyini reveals bribe traitor NDC MPs were given

    A member of the Minority in Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini, has alluded that some National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs were bribed by the government to approve its newly sworn in ministers.

    Speaking on Pan African Television (Aljahi & Alhaji) over the weekend, the Tamale North MP indicated that an amount of GHS40,000 was all that was needed to turn the decisions of some members of the Minority.

    He implied that the dire circumstances some MPs live in made them susceptible to bribes – a condition he does not affiliate with. Mr Suhuyini therefore stated that he would not be able to vouch for his colleagues with regards to being loyal. 

    “I know my colleagues. So if I use myself as a yardstick, I will be unfair. And I say that I can’t be tempted with money. But I know the situation that others live in. So when you give them a task at a time I know they can be tempted with money and I draw your attention to it, it is not because I can be tempted with money. So we need a strategy. Some people, GHC40,000 to raise that to file was such a big deal. Yes, it doesn’t excuse whatever they did. But that is judging them on your standard and not their standard,” he said.

    The Tamale North MP noted that the betrayal could have been avoided should things have been put in their rightful places by the party leadership. 

    “It is condemnable, unacceptable that anybody in Parliament will sacrifice a party interest, National interest for that but people did. Could you have prevented it? I believe we could have a party, if we were honest and planned better,” he asserted.

    On March 24, 2023, the Minority in Parliament came under intense criticism by the rank and file of the NDC. 

    The NDC MPs failed to uphold their word to reject the five individuals President Akufo-Addo had appointed to head a number of ministries.

    Since then, it has been speculated that some MPs had been convinced by the government with a token. The exact MPs who were compromised have not been fished out since the incident.

    The General Secretary of the NDC, Fiifii Kwetey, per reports, has however, provided an uncompleted list of loyal MPs who voted against the approval of then ministerial nominees.

    So far, the identities of 46 loyal NDC MPs have reportedly been released by Mr Fiifi Kwetey via Whatsapp. It is believed that 39 MPs betrayed the party.

    Kobla Mensah Wisdom Woyome (South Tongu MP), Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui (Awutu Senya West MP), Ernest Henry Norgbey (Ashaiman MP), Edward Abambire Bawa (Bongo MP), Yusif Sulemana (Bole Bamboi MP), Richard Kwame Sefe (Anlo MP) and Yao Gomado (Akan MP) are among those viewed as loyalists.

    But the likes of former Minority leader and his ex-Chief Whip, Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mubarak respectively, are yet to find their names on the list.

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/haruna-iddrisu-muntaka-others-missing-from-loyal-ndc-list/

    Following the incident, Mr Muntaka Mubarak spoke against the fact that Party interests were being pursued in Parliament rather than national interest.

    “We are taking too many entrenched positions on both sides, those in government taking too much entrench position, those in opposition taking extreme positions and I can tell you this is not helpful to our country, it is not helpful to us.

    “The better both sides begin to think that there is a national interest above the NPP interest and above the NDC we will be sinking our country,” the Asawase MP stated.

    Meanwhile, Mr Alhassan Suhuyini has entreated the leadership of the NDC to effectively liaise with the leadership in Parliament and stop acting like “coaches” directing what should be done in the House.

    “Party leaders are not chosen to manage Parliament. They are not chosen to be coaches of Parliament. They are chosen to run the party alongside Parliament. So when you have debates in Parliament and the Parliamentarians win that debate, you expect the national organisers and women organiser, Chair and secretary to be massing people up on the street to complement what Parliament is doing.

    “But what we have are Executives sitting on the bench coaching Parliament and that will not take us to victory. I say this at the risk of sometimes being ostracized. But our party leaders must begin to wake up and understand that the 2024 election will not be won in Parliament,” he cautioned.

    On the other hand, President Akufo-Addo on April 4, 2023, swore into office his five new ministerial appointees approved by Parliament..

    Trade Minister KT Hammond and his deputy  Dr Stephen Amoah, Bryan Acheampong, the Agric Minister, Chieftaincy Minister Stephen Asamoah Boateng,  Dr Mohammed Amin Adams, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Minister of Local Government, Osei Bonsu Amoah took their oath at the ceremony which took place at the Jubilee House.

    In his speech, President Akufo-Addo urged the ministers to uphold the interest of Ghanaians as their appointment comes at a critical time in Ghana’s history.

    He noted that there is “enough time to make a difference and make a significant contribution to the development of the country.”

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Alhassan Suhuyini fumes as he accuses NDC National Executives of coaching Parliament

    Alhassan Suhuyini fumes as he accuses NDC National Executives of coaching Parliament

    Tamale North Member of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini has blasted national leadership of his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing them of sleeping on their real responsibilities.

    A visibly angry Suhuyini, whiles speaking on Accra-based Pan African TV said the current situation where the leadership are seeking to coach parliament was totally wrong and inimical.

    He holds that the leadership should be managing core party business along with its leadership in parliament.

    “This is something I have said at the risk of being ostracized from the party, party leaders are not chosen to manage parliament. They are not chosen to be coaches of parliament. They are chosen to run the party along side parliament.

    “So when they have debate in parliament and the parliamentarians win that debate, you expect the national organizers and the women’s organizers and the chairmen and the secretary to be massing people up on the street.

    “To complement what parliament is doing, but when what we have is executives sitting on the bench coaching parliament and that wil not take us to victory. Our party leaders must begin to wake up and understand that the 2024 elections will not be won in parliament. It wil not be won by the work of any parliamentarian,” he stressed.

    Suhuyini is one of the open opponents of a change in the leadership of the Minority Caucus dictated via a statement from the party headquarters early this year.

    The changes were rung barely a month after Johnson Asiedu Nketiah took over as National Chairman.

    The changes saw the removal of Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader and Cassiel Ato Forson, coming in as his replacement.

  • Hajj fare: Suhuyini calls for review

    Hajj fare: Suhuyini calls for review

    The member of parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, is urging government to examine the price of transporting Ghanaian Hajj pilgrimages to Mecca.

    He explains that the charge as announced by the Ghana Hajj Board is the highest in the sub-region and will prevent some members of the Muslim community from honouring their religious obligations.

    Mr. Suhuyini says the new charges are astronomical, considering the economic plight that has bedeviled the country.

    “I am terribly disappointed at the fair that has been announced, it is simply unacceptable. Not only is it the highest in the sub-region so far, but how can we at this time, and in this economy peg the fair at GH¢ 75,000 in this economy.”

    “Some people think this is luxury, it is not, it is one of the 5 pillars of Islam which Muslims are mandated to observe.”

    The Ghana Hajj Board has announced that prospective pilgrims to Mecca this year will pay $6,500, which translates to GH₵7,500 each.

  • Ghana to receive measles vaccines in the next 14 days – Annoh-Dompreh

    Ghana to receive measles vaccines in the next 14 days – Annoh-Dompreh

    In the coming two weeks, the country will assess some measles vaccines provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), according to Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the majority chief whip in parliament.

    Several parts of the country have been hit with a shortage of vaccines in the last few months despite claims by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) that over GH¢70 million has been released for the procurement of the vaccines.

    Frank Annoh-Dompreh was reacting to a statement by the MP for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini on the outbreak of measles in the Northern Region, due to the shortage of vaccines in the country.

    He said government is committed to addressing the challenge.

    “It is a fact that it’s now three vaccines that are in shortage. The BCG, measles-rubella and oral polio. For all the other 10, we have enough in stock. I am also told that the Ministry has made some commitments. Some good monies have been paid to UNICEF and the vaccines relative to measles are delivered through air freight per the arrangements with UNICEF, the vaccines should arrive in a fortnight”.

    Alhassan Suhuyini has expressed fear over the possible closure of schools in his constituency following the outbreak of Measles.

    The lawmaker says schools in his constituency are likely to be closed down as a result of the shortage of vaccines in parts of the country.

    “It’s beyond my area, and it’s alarming because it’s a very contagious disease, if care is not taken, very soon many schools will have to close down. It’s shameful that we should be talking about the outbreak of Measles given how far we have come. I’m greatly worried, it’s so disturbing that we couldn’t store the necessary vaccines for some of these preventable diseases.”

    The Paediatric Society of Ghana last week disclosed that 120 cases of measles were recorded in the Northern Region by end of December 2022 due to the shortage of essential vaccines.

    The shortage of vaccines has the potential to increase the vulnerability of children to the diseases the vaccines seek to protect them against.

  • All 137 NDC MPs throw weight behind Mahama, Suhuyini says

    All 137 NDC MPs throw weight behind Mahama, Suhuyini says

    Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, has disclosed that the entire Minority Caucus in Parliament is solidly behind the presidential candidature of John Dramani Mahama.

    He told Oyerepa TV on February 22, that all 137 National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs were in attendance at a meeting held earlier this week to pledge their support for the former president.

    Asked whether all NDC MPs were in support of Mahama’s bid to lead the NDC into the 2024 elections, he responded: “Absolutely, all Members of Parliament on the ticket of the NDC were all present…

    “… and on behalf of all of us, our new leader Hon. Ato Forson made a resounding declaration of total support for his candidature and it was followed by a resounding applause followed by a standing ovation.”

    According to him, “the brother of a possible contender was introduced at the meeting because he is also a Member of Parliament and he declared his support,” he added without naming the said MP.

    Mahama declares bid, picks nomination forms

    Mahama’s formal intention to run for a third consecutive shot at the presidency was reported when a number of NDC MPs confirmed after a meeting that he was going to contest.

    On February 22, forms were picked on his behalf by Prof. Alabi and regional chairmen amid fanfare. Mahama is expected to address the media in due course to formally announce his bid.

    Mahama’s political roots date as far back to the days of Ghana’s independence when his father served in the Nkrumah government.

    John Mahama, a political thoroughbred

    He is reputed to be one of the most thoroughbred politicians of the Fourth Republic having served from the local level (Assembly) through to becoming a Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.

    Mahama held deputy minister and ministerial portfolios under the Rawlings government before rising to become vice president under John Mills and president when he took over from Mills then won his first full term in 2012.

    He is widely expected to contest for the presidency come 2024 as he seeks a final term in office on the back of two straight defeats to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2016 and 2020.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Suhuyini roots for Mahama; asks Kojo Bonsu and Duffuor to back down

    Suhuyini roots for Mahama; asks Kojo Bonsu and Duffuor to back down

    Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, has asked the two contenders of former President John Dramani Mahama, to give up on their hopes to lead the NDC party, since Mr Mahama will win the Presidential Primaries hands down.

    He says Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Kojo Bonsu to stop attempting to compete against John Dramani Mahama for the flagbearership position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    He explained that their competition is not what is important especially when the focus should be on how to give Ghana a better government and leaders.

    Speaking with Oyerepa TV in an interview, the MP stated that the two other candidates are people who have contributed immensely to the development of the NDC but unfortunately, the flagbearer position is not one for them.

    “They should stop it. They should let us focus on rescuing this country with John Mahama. They are people who have worked tirelessly and so hard for this country, especially Dr. Kwabena Duffuor; no one can write away the contribution he has made to the development of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Bonsu did a fantastic job when he was Mayor of Kumasi.

    “He has been one of our branding gurus when it comes to party marketing and all of that, but this is not for them. They should just stop it, with all due respect, they should stop it and let’s focus on what is meaningful and what is feasible,” he stated.

    The NDC announced the opening of nominations for presidential and parliamentary primaries from Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

    According to a statement from the party, effective midnight of February 22, 2023, “nomination forms for parliamentary candidates will be accessible to all persons for purchase on the official website of the party; https://www.ghanandc.com.

    “Nomination forms for presidential aspirants can be obtained from the Office of the General Secretary at the party’s headquarters at Adabraka, Accra, effective 8am tomorrow.”

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Akufo-Addo’s administration has spent current and future money – Suhuyini

    Akufo-Addo’s administration has spent current and future money – Suhuyini

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central, Alhassan Suhuyini, has stated that although he anticipated that President Akufo-Addo’s administration would fail, but he did not anticipate that things would turn out to be this awful.

    In a Good Morning Ghana interview, on February 8, 2023, which was monitored by GhanaWeb, Suhuyini said that the Akufo-Addo government has mismanaged Ghana’s economy to a point where future generations of Ghanaians will have to pay for its mess.

    “We are astonished by their outstanding recklessness. Yes, we expected them to be a disaster but we didn’t even anticipate that the disaster will be this looming and large.

    “This government is going down in history as the most reckless, the most irresponsible government ever…. They have finished spending current money, they have finished spending future money by way of collateralising every revenue stream.

    “And worst of all, they are shifting the responsibility of paying the debts onto future governments, simply irresponsible,” he said.

    He added that the government seems to be unrepentant and has continued to take action that will worsen the current economic challenges in the country.

    The MP made these remarks while reacting to a Bloomberg report that indicated that the Bank of Ghana printed GHC41.9 billion for the government in 2022. The central bank is yet to respond to the report by Bloomberg.

    The Member of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre North and a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee of Finance, Collins Adomako-Mensah, who was also on the programme, said that the House did not approve the printing of the GHC41.9 billion by the central bank.

  • Alhassan Suhuyini blames govt for challenges with DDEP implementation

    Alhassan Suhuyini blames govt for challenges with DDEP implementation

    Alhassan Suhuyini, a member of parliament representing Tamale North, has accused the government of causing the difficulties encountered in implementing its proposed domestic debt exchange (DDE).

    The NDC senator claimed that despite warnings raised about some earlier decisions, the government’s arrogant attitude is to blame for the program’s current status.

    He said there had been calls for the administration to examine the economy critically as far back as 2018 when he participated in discussions on Newsfile on Saturday.

    He however noted that these well-meaning calls were blatantly ignored by government, leading to the current economic crisis and the attendant problems surrounding the debt exchange programme.

    Referring to the government, he said “We were arrogant. We were intransigent. We refused to listen to sound advice. In fact when we were told that our economy was in crisis in 2018, 2019, or was heading there, it was denied”.

    The MP continued, “It was pooh-poohed. And by 2020, the COVID had hit and exposed the fact that our government had been managing the economy carelessly. And that they had finished wasting the inheritances that they came to meet”.

    The MP asked for a national debt forum to thoroughly explore the debt exchange scheme as part of attempts to assist restore the struggling nation’s economy in the midst of what appears to be a challenging situation for the administration.

    The government’s decision to extend the deadline for individual bondholders to subscribe to its domestic debt exchange program is the catalyst for Mr. Suhuyini’s remarks.

    The government had earlier declared that the deadline was January 31 at 4 p.m.

    However owing to unwillingness by stakeholders to enroll onto the programme, the Finance Ministry in a press release on Tuesday said the deadline has been extended to February 7, with a new settlement date of Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

    The Ministry said “it has made significant progress with all stakeholders, including financial sector industry associations and representative groups of individual bondholders, with respect to their participation in the Programme”.

    “All bondholders are hereby encouraged to commence all administrative processes towards their participation in the Exchange, in line with the agreements reached”, the statement from the Ministry concluded. 

    Meanwhile, private legal practitioner and a lead convener of the Individual Bond Holders Association of Ghana (IBHAG), Martin Kpebu has reiterated the group’s refusal to embrace government’s proposal.

    Emphasising IBHAG’s position on the matter, he stressed that his side will not be participate in the debt exchange programme.

    He said at the moment, his outfit is only waiting for government to redeem its promise to settle the returns of all existing bondholders as agreed in a meeting with the Finance Minister, last week.

    Source: MyJoyOnline.com

  • Alhassan Suhuyini chides John Kumah over DDE comment

    Alhassan Suhuyini chides John Kumah over DDE comment

    Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, has taken a swipe at his colleague MP for Ejisu, John Kumah, over some comments the latter made over the Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) programme.

    Suhuyini said it was unjustifiable that Kumah will ask bondholders who are stiffly opposing portions of the DDEP not to be emotional about discussions on the matter.

    He holds that the government through such comments and posturing does not do itself any good to the extent that they have created the economic mess that the country is in and must be more diplomatic with the people who are supposed to shoulder a burden they did not create.

    “That I shouldn’t be emotional about that money that I have sweated to earn. Don’t tell me not to be emotional. And like I said, I don’t know John Kumah to be stupid, he is my friend, he is not stupid but the comment is silly, it’s stupid, it’s stupid.

    “Don’t tell people who are about to lose their money, they are about to pay for your indebtedness,” Suhuyini charged during an in-studio interview on Accra-based Power FM (February 2).

    He likened the DDEP to a person going to borrow money that they are unable to repay, so, they approach someone to help them settle the debt yet you are being bossy about the issue.

    “The language you will use to get me to pay that debt is not the language that our government is using,” he said adding that posture of government wreaked “arrogance, and that for me is worrisome. It is not even what they say but what they project,” he added.

    What John Kumah said:

    Kumah, a deputy Finance Minister earlier this week clashed with one of the leaders of the individual bondholders forum on a radio discussion.

    He accused Senyo Hosi of engaging in emotions and politics at a time the country needed none of that to get out of the current economic crisis.

    “It becomes very difficult to engage in public discussions on emotional topics like the debt exchange programme. But I am particularly disappointed in my brother Senyo Hosi because we go way back and I didn’t expect this contribution from him. For him to attack me and call me dishonest and miseducating the public.

    “It is very unfortunate for him to come being emotional and talking politics rather than the issues we’re discussing.

    “I am a politician and I can go very political but that is not why we are here, we are trying to encourage people to understand what is going on and what is best for everybody,” he is quoted by myjoyonline.

    After three extensions, the final deadline to subscribe unto the DDEP has been pegged at February 7, 2023.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • COP27: Ghana made over $1.3bn from climate negotiations in 6yrs – Suhuyini alleges

    The Member of Parliament for the Tamale North Constituency, Alhassan Suhuyini, has alleged that Ghana made well over $1.3 billion from climate change negotiations in the last six years.

    As one of Ghana’s delegates to the Conference of Parties (COP27) negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, he lauded the preparations and organization of the Ghana Negotiation Team.

    “In the last six years, we have made about $1.3 billion from climate change negotiations,” he alleged.

    He however questioned the viability and evidence of the monies Ghana has earned from such conferences and negotiations in the past years.

    “With these monies, shouldn’t we be seeing more projects?”

    Speaking on The Big Issue on Citi FM/Citi TV, Mr. Suhuyini called on African countries that receive monies that are meant for climate mitigation to be used for the right courses and be accountable to the donor countries.

    He also criticized President Akufo-Addo’s proposal to richer nations to swap African nations’ debts for climate interventions when Ghana and other climate-vulnerable countries do not have major climate adaptative projects to show for the monies received so far.

    Speaking as Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) at the Conference on November 8, President Akufo-Addo said: “as adaptation cost continues to outstrip current international public finance flows, we must, as a matter of urgency, mobilize and scale up adaptation finance inflows to ensure the vulnerable countries are able to meet their adaptation needs. It is critical in this regard that the developed world makes good on their long-delayed pledge to mobilize and make available $100 billion annually to the poorer countries to assist in the fight against climate change and commit as agreed in COP26 in Glasgow to doubling resources for adaptations. Furthermore, it is plain to most to see that a radical restructuring of the global financial architecture as proposed by the African Finance Ministers to accommodate the demands of the developing world is of urgent necessity. I also urge those who owed African debts to commit to debt for climate swap initiatives.”

    Alhassan Suhuyini described the call as a good one, but said, “we must also ask ourselves why we are in this debt cycle situation. A few years ago, Africa championed the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative which saw the cancellation of our debt and less than a decade ago, we are asking for debt forgiveness again.”

    This year’s Conference was held for the first time in an African country and two main themes or fields; loss and damage added to the negotiated items.

    Ghana was also one of the few countries that had a stand at the Conference.

     

  • Adwoa Safo is back to help save Ofori-Atta from censure vote – Suhuyini claims

    Tamale Central Member of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini, has advanced a reason why embattled Dome-Kwabenya lawmaker, Sarah Adwoa Safo, is returning to Parliament after a long absence.

    Suhuyini in an interview on TV3, November 8, 2022, said it was curious that the lawmaker’s much-awaited return was coinciding with a vote of censure motion the Minority Caucus was due to move against Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

    According to him, the latest development is akin to the last time that she was in Parliament, that is to help with the passage of the 2022 Budget statement of the government.

    “You know there is an important vote coming up?” Suhuyini asked New Day host Berla Mundi before adding: “The finance minister’s vote of censure, she has showed up. When did she last show up last minute? On the budget.

    “They knew where she was, they could bring her, they just didn’t want to,” he submitted.

    “When it is important to this government…remember Adwoa Safo told us the president is aware of her absence and the president understands her and the president has never denied it.

    “For me, it is curious that an important vote is coming up….and the president has found a way and remember the president wants to save the Finance Minister at all costs, Adwoa is back,” he stressed.

    Adwoa Safo makes no-show in Parliament

    On Tuesday, November 8, when proceedings in Parliament started at about 11.38 am, her seat was empty indicating that she was not in the Chamber.

    Journalists and even her colleague MPs were expecting to see her join the debate which was going on at the plenary but that did not happen.

    Sarah Adwoa Safo’s seat remained empty till the end of the day’s proceedings at 2.00 pm.

    It is, however, unclear why the MP, after her return to the country failed to show up in the House.

    The MP was relieved of her ministerial post despite having been given extended leave from last year and her seat in Parliament is the subject of a heated debate between the Speaker and Leader of the Majority Group.

    After referring her absence from Parliament to the Privileges Committee of Parliament, the Speaker of Parliament said he investigated their work and was not satisfied with it and has since referred it to the floor of Parliament for a decision to be taken.

  • Agradaa and her victims deserve each other – Suhuyini

    Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini says it is unthinkable that people will fall prey to the alleged money-doubling scam by Patricia Asiedua popularly knowns as Nana Agradaa.

    “This is total rubbish to me. They deserve each other. Both Agradaa and her victims, the Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini said on GH Today on GHOne TV on Monday, October 10, 2022.

    Police have arrested Patricia Asiedua alias Nana Agradaa following allegations of a money-doubling scam levelled against her by some members of the public.

    She’s expected to be arraigned today following her arrest on Sunday.

    A statement issued by the police said: “Anyone who is a victim of the alleged money doubling scam should report to the Accra Regional Police Command for further action to assist the investigation.”

    This comes on the back of a viral video on social media of victims recounting their losses.

    Some of the victims say they went to the church of Nana Agradaa after she advertised on her TV program that she will be doubling money during Friday’s all-night service.

    Speaking on GHOne TV, the Tamale North lawmaker brushed aside the conversation and refused to sympathize with any of the victims saying the ‘Agradaa episode’ is complete rubbish.

    “I cannot say it’s lack of education because sometimes you find very schooled people, maybe it’s lack of education but not lack of schooling. You find people with certain levels of certification, and they also fall prey to some of these things. And I think it’s perhaps a problem with our educational system, we tend to just think that it’s okay for people to pass through classrooms and sit in front of teachers and that is considered education. Education is much more than reading and writing. But when you train people to just chew, pour, pass and forget it doesn’t impact their cognitive abilities to think and decipher and analyse issues. And I think it’s a very big problem that we have in this country.

    “But the bottom-line line is we need to regulate some these things as a people.”

  • Galamsey fight: Deal with Wontumi and his companies – Suhuyini to Lands Minister

    The Tamale North MP has asked the Lands Minister to deal with his party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman.

    Alhassan Suhuyini said Samuel Abu Jinapor must not be selective in dealing with persons involved in the canker.

    As a result, he wants the Damongo MP to apply the laws of the land fully.

    “Deal with Wontumi, his companies and others; that’s how your flowery political rhetoric will reflect indeed.

    The MP also asked Mr Jinapor to adequately resource the Minerals Commission to help deal with the canker.

    “Adequately resource and restructure the Minerals Commission, the Inspectorate Division especially, to professionally recruit and train guards in every mining District, like the Forestry Commission’s Forestry Guards,” he added in a Facebook post on Monday, October 3.

    Meanwhile, Mr Wontumi has denied reports he is involved in illegal mining.

    He insisted that his company, Akonta Mining Limited, has all the required documentation.

    Speaking on Wontumi TV on Monday, October 3, Chairman Wontumi said he is ready to make the document available.

    “I am appealing to them to use the law. They should do their investigations, and we should let the law work.”

    “I have a large scale company which Akonta mining is under… All the required documents I have, I will make all available[sic],” he added.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Your fight against galamsey must go beyond flowery speeches – Jinapor told

    Member of Parliament(MP) for Tamale North Alhassan Suhuyini believes that the fight against galamsey in Ghana must be beyond the usual rhetorics.

    He argues that several measures need to be put in place to fight the canker which is destroying water bodies and forest reserves in the country.

    Suhuyini who made this known in a post shared via social media called on the Lands Minister to decisively deal with his party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman whose company has been in the news for engaging in illegal mining in recent times.

    He believes that dealing decisively with Wontumi will better place the Ministry and other stakeholders in the fight against the menace.

    Read His Statement Below

    I agree with the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

    The (no) fight against Galamsay must not be partisan. As in the words of Prof Kwesi Anning, it must be beyond flowery political rhetoric, such as the ones we have been regularly dished from the Presidency and Ministry. The fight must be waged and seen in deed, not words.

    Yes, Aisha Huang is temporarily caged, what about some of her enablers, some of whom include but definitely not limited to a notorious political kingpin, Wontumi?

    His company is referenced lately in news reports to be responsible for brazen illegal mining of Water bodies and forest reserves.

    Hon Minister please,

    1. Deal with Wontumi, his Companies, and others; that’s how your flowery political rhetoric will reflect indeed.

    2. Like all destructive substances and machines, lead a policy position on the importation, deployment, and use of Excavators and Chamfine Machines in Ghana. Like guns etc, their unbridled use has become a threat to life.

    3. Adequately resource and restructure the Minerals Commission, the Inspectorate Division especially, to professionally recruit and train guards in every mining District, like the Forestry Commission’s Forestry Guards.

    4. Convince your Cabinet to institute a non-political interference, house cleaning of all Security Agencies. Disarm and strip the uniforms of the crooks and thugs in the Services.

    5. Like Cocoa, pre-finance gold purchases and restructure licensing to ensure purchases are made only from licensed small-scale miners, operating legally.

  • Alhassan Suhuyini files nomination forms for Tamale North

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Tamale North, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, has filed his nomination forms to contest the December 7 parliamentary elections.

    The legislator, accompanied by enthusiastic supporters of the party, successfully filed his forms at the Tamale Electoral Commission office on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 after completing the processes.

    The former broadcaster is seeking re-election after four years in parliament representating the people of Tamale North constituency.

    Mr Suhuyini after the exercise was confident of retaining the seat and NDC wrestling power from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    He charged the teeming supporters of the party to ensure victory for the NDC during the December polls by campaigning vigorously.

    Mr Suhuyini won the 2016 elections with 21,280 (67%) against his main contender from the NPP Mohammed Kusulm, who pulled 5,329 (16%).

    Aside his performance at the Appointment Committee and on the floor of Parliament, the former Radio Gold Morning Show host has executed a lot of projects for the people of his constituency.

    The construction of class room blocks and furniture, boreholes, extending electricity to multiple communities, business support schemes for women and vulnerable etc.

    However, Alhassan Suhuyini will slug it out with 2016 Independent Parliamentary Candidate, Alhassan Dahamani who is now the parliamentary candidate for the NPP.

    Source: Abdul-Hanan, Contributor

  • Nyantakyi, Alhassan trial adjourned to April 28

    The case of Kwesi Nyantakyi, the former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President and Abubakar Alhassan, ex-Chairman of Northern Regional Football Association (RFA) saddled in a football scandal following Tiger Eye PI expose, has been adjourned to April 28, by an Accra High Court.

    When the matter was called Nyantakyi was present but his accomplice, Alhassan was absent.

    Prosecuting Victoria Asieduaa, Principal State Attorney said the state would oblige the absence of Alhassan for today, but subsequently it would ask for bench warrant for his arrest.

    Ms. Asieduaa said the state has filed the necessary disclosures but that was not exhaustive.

    The Principal State Attorney therefore prayed the court to grant her a week to file the rest of the disclosures.

    Mr. Richard Laapo, who represented Alhassan said his client could not make it to court because his flight was cancelled.

    Mr. Laapo who also held the brief of Mr. Thaddeus Sory, counsel for Nyantakyi, therefore prayed the court to excuse Alhassan for today.

    Nyantakyi and Alhassan have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime.

    Nyantakyi is facing additional charges of corruption by a public officer and fraud by an agent.

    They have however denied the charges and have been admitted to bail in the sum of one million cedis with three sureties each, one of the sureties is to be justified.

    The court presided over by Ms. Justice Comfort Tsiame ordered the accused to be reporting to the Police every Friday until otherwise directed by the court.

    Ms. Victoria Asiedua, Principal State Attorney prosecuting told the court, that Nyantakyi also a former President of Zone B of the West African Football Union (WAFU) and former Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and former Council member of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

    Prosecution said Alhassan is also former Executive Committee member of the GFA.

    Ms. Asieduaa said Tiger Eye PI is a private international investigation agency which conducted investigations into the activities of the GFA in the year 2016.

    Prosecution said following the outcome of the 2016 investigations Tiger Eye Pi in 2017, presented itself to the accused as a representative of H.H Shiek Hammad Al Thani, a member of the ruling royal family of Qatar and Medgulf Company Limited, a company in Qatar.

    The Prosecution said Tiger Eye presented to the accused that Medgulf was desirous of sponsoring the Ghana Premier League (GPL) and other GFA activities as well as infrastructural construction, oil refinery and banking among others in Ghana.

    Prosecution said at a meeting held with the accused on October 7, 2017 at the Jude Palace Hotel in Dubai, Tiger Eye held its self as H.H Sheikh Hammad Al Thani, his secretary that Dr. Marzuk A. Albadawir and other staff of the Sheikh as jointly representing Medgulf while Nyantakyi presented himself as a powerful person and a potential public officer who could influence the President, Vice President, Minister for Roads and Highways and Transport of Ghana to promote the business interest of Medgulf in Ghana.

    According to prosecution at that meeting, it was agreed between Tiger Eye and the accused that Medgulf would sponsor the GPL with sum of $15 million for a three-year period resulting in the execution of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Medgulf and non-existent company named at Namax Company that would represent the interest of Medgulf in Ghana.

    Prosecution said the MOU was signed by Nyantakyi, where he was described as President of GFA, acting on behalf of Namax.

    The Prosecution said the signature of Nyantakyi was witnessed by Alhassan and was further agreed between Tiger eye and two accused that all monies paid by Medgulf into Ghana would be channeled through Fountain Savings and Loans Limited, a firm in which Nyantakyi held majority Shares.

    She said Tiger Eye paid $65,000 to Nyantakyi as inducement for showing favour to Medgulf as a potential sponsor of the GPL and to provide businesses opportunities for Medgulf in Ghana.

    Prosecution said Tiger Eye also paid for the cost of the accommodation and travel expenses of both accused to and from Dubai.

    Prosecution said Nyantakyi also demanded from Tiger Eye the sum of $12million dollars to influence the award of contracts to Medgulf in Ghana to be distributed in the following manner.

    The President of Ghana, the Vice President, Minister and Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways and the two accused.

    The prosecution said the accused made several demands for the payment of $ 12 million as well as GPL sponsorship money with the promise to Dr. Alabdawir, a supposed secretary to Medgulf $100,000 per a year for three years as 10 per cent commission on the sponsorship amount and $20,000 as appearance fee.

    Prosecution said Tiger Eye refused to yield to the demands of the accused and later lodged a complaint with the Police.

    Source: GNA

  • Akufo-Addo must punish officials who failed Ghanaians in galamsey fight Suhuyini

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini has urged the President to account for all items seized in the fight against illegal mining.

    Already, various bodies have called on the government to provide details on the progress or otherwise made on the fight against galamsey, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), demanding for a public exhibition of the seized excavators.

    Alhassan Suhuyini, on the Floor of Parliament on Tuesday, said: “His Excellency the President who boldly put his Presidency on the line to demonstrate how much this course meant to him, if for nothing at all, Mr. Speaker, has his Presidency to save and it will be important that he starts by accounting for and to the people of Ghana all equipment, vehicles, weapons, ammunition and gold which were seized and kept by officers he commissioned to help end illegal mining and if necessary, penalize all who have proven to be negligent or complacent in what may have gone wrong.”

    He also urged the House to probe the amount of money released for the fight against illegal mining and whether it was used for the right purpose.

    “Mr. Speaker, in the face of what is clearly less than a successful campaign, I suggest humbly that your Parliament also shows more interest in how funds approved for this exercise to the various institutions have truly be expended and the results attained. Because these are funds belonging to the people whose interest we in all humility represent,” he added.

    Similar calls

    The NDC has asked the government to account for all excavators and ammunition seized during the Stop Galamsey Campaign.

    According to the Communications Director of the party, Sammy Gyamfi, the government had seized 900 excavators during the campaign.

    He cited figures in the 2020 budget presented in Parliament to support his claim.

    Addressing a press conference on the banks of River Pra at Twifo Praso in the Central Region on Sunday, Mr. Gyamfi challenged the government to make a public presentation on the state of the items.

     

    Calls for probe

    A former Minister for Environment, Science and Technology under the erstwhile Mahama administration, Akwasi Oppong Fosu, has called for an intensive investigation into the missing excavators case.

    Mr. Fosu in an interview said an intensive investigation into the matter will bring some finality to the issue.

    The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council has also thrown its weight behind calls for Akufo-Addo to take a keen interest in the alleged missing excavators and gold saga.

    The latest call comes on the back of a similar one made by the Concerned Small Scale Miners.

    In an interview with Citi News, General Secretary of the Council, Rev. Emmanuel T. Barrigah said the Council expects that people found culpable in the ongoing investigations will be dealt with.

    Meanwhile, the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) has petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor to investigate alleged corruption in the enforcement of small scale mining laws.

    ASEPA wants the Inter-Ministerial Committee against Illegal Mining and the anti-illegal mining task force, Operation Vanguard, to be the focus of the probe by the Special Prosecutor.

    In the petition, it highlighted the need for “full investigations into the misappropriation of seized items such as excavators, mining equipment, gold and weapons by the IMCIM through the fight against illegal mining.”

    Background

    The missing excavators brouhaha began when Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and also Chairperson for the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), disclosed recently that some of the excavators which were seized from illegal miners between 2017 and 2018 had vanished.

    Some members of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association subsequently revealed that they knew the whereabouts of the missing excavators, with claims that they were being used for galamsey in parts of the country.

    The suspended NPP Central Regional Vice Chairman, Ekow Ewusi who was contracted by the government to cart excavators and other vehicles and pieces of equipment seized by Operation Vanguard to designated areas for safekeeping was then seen as a suspect to the case.

    A letter sighted by Citi News revealed that Prof. Frimpong-Boateng wrote a letter to the Police CID to investigate him over his alleged involvement in the missing earth-moving equipment.

     

    Source: citinewsroom.comÂ