Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, has expressed concern that the conflict of interest and abuse of power in the public sector have eroded the confidence of citizens in public officials.
The Chairman of the Committee of Parliament Members Holding Office of Profit made this statement in his opening speech read on his behalf by Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, MP for Asante Akim North constituency and also a member of the Committee at a three-day workshop at Alisa Hotel in Accra.
Mr Amoako Asiamah entreated public officials to build trust, maintain integrity and ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of the general public.
He added that, “addressing a conflict of interest is an ongoing process and not a one-time solution and therefore reducing conflict of interest and abuse of power among public officials requires a multi-pronged approach targeting both prevention and mitigating strategies.”
Facilitators for the workshop were Prof.Justice Bawole, Dean of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) and Prof. Ernest Kofi Abotsi, Dean University of Professional Studies (UPSA) Law School.
They made some presentations, recommendations and proposals to members regarding the conflict of interest and abuse of power by public officials.
Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, urges both sides of the house’s leadership to take responsibility and ensure their members’ presence in Parliament to facilitate business activities.
The chamber has been forced to adjourn sittings on multiple occasions due to insufficient numbers for parliamentary business to proceed.
During the parliamentary session, and in response to quorum concerns raised by the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, who presided over the sitting, emphasized the importance of MPs taking their legislative duties seriously.
“I think that we have to take the house seriously. If you have been following the media over the weekend, they all descended on Parliament; the fact that we don’t get the members to do business and I think it is becoming unbecoming. So, honourable members, today will be the last day that we will raise this issue, so I am urging you to do more,” he said.
In a collaborative effort with Stop TB Partnership Ghana and several Civil Society organizations (CSOs), the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, took a significant step by launching the restructuring of the Parliamentary TB Caucus on Friday, July 14. The primary objective of this initiative is to enhance and amplify the ongoing fight against Tuberculosis (TB) across the nation. By working together, the aim is to intensify efforts and make substantial progress in combatting this infectious disease.
According to Chairman IB popularly known as the Game Changer aspirants must stick to issues based campaign that will ultimately inure to the NPP’s bid to ‘Break The Eight’
Chairman IB emphasised the importance of a clean and respectful campaign as the race for the party’s flagbearer and parliamentary primaries intensifies.
Speaking to newsmen in Techiman on Saturday, July 15, 2023, Chairman IB stressed the need for unity within the NPP.
He reiterated that, as a family, all factions must recognise that a united front is necessary to confront the “main enemy,” which is the NDC.
Chairman IB stated, “We must understand that the current campaign is an internal election. Our primary opponent in 2024 is the NDC. As you embark on this campaign, let us refrain from speaking ill of one another and attacking the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia’s government because it’s the very legacy we’re going to build our campaign on as a party going into the 2024 election.”
He continued, “We seek peace, a clean campaign, and a fair election. We do not want anyone to engage in attacks against their opponents. After the elections, we will require everyone’s support to tackle the NDC.”
Chairman IB has, therefore, urged all campaign teams and well-wishers to be mindful of their language to uphold party unity.
“We are one family, and we must remain united. Once the contest concludes, we will come together as a cohesive force to ensure the NDC does not return to power. That unity is of utmost importance. Let us maintain the NPP’s position of power and foster unity within the party,” Bono East Regional Chairman declared
In a collaborative effort with Stop TB Partnership Ghana and several Civil Society organizations (CSOs), the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, took a significant step by launching the restructuring of the Parliamentary TB Caucus on Friday, July 14. The primary objective of this initiative is to enhance and amplify the ongoing fight against Tuberculosis (TB) across the nation. By working together, the aim is to intensify efforts and make substantial progress in combatting this infectious disease.
The Parliamentary TB Caucus will assume a crucial role in advocating for increased resource allocation and championing TB-related matters on the floor of Parliament, thus supporting the fight against TB in Ghana. TB is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lungs, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Mr. Asiamah expressed confidence that the inauguration of the TB Caucus in Parliament would generate the necessary political commitment to effectively combat TB in Ghana. He emphasized the committee’s capacity to ensure this commitment is reflected in the 2024 budget and pledged his personal support to the Caucus.
He further stressed the significance of including the Health Committee in the TB Caucus, which will elevate the fight against TB to a higher political level and ensure the country achieves its targeted objectives.
Additionally, Mr. Asiamah charged the leadership of the Committee to ensure the President’s attendance at the upcoming United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB.
He emphasized the importance of representation from civil society, the TB Caucus, and the TB Programme within the Ghanaian delegation.
“I hope, however, that with our collective effort and the reorganisation of the TB Caucus, we should overcome all obstacles and the theme for this year’s TB Day Celebration “Yes, we can end TB,” will be achieved.”
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, affirmed the Committee’s readiness to champion the fight against TB in Ghana.
He also expressed their commitment to promoting Ghana’s participation in the UN High-Level Meeting on TB and encouraging political parties to include the TB agenda in their manifestos.
Dr. Yaw Adusi-Poku, National Programme Manager for Tuberculosis Control, highlighted that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 45,000 people in Ghana have TB, with 15,700 losing their lives to the disease. This emphasizes the persistent public health concern posed by TB in the country.
Mr. Watara Yahaya, Project Coordinator of Sustainable Communication Response for TB, called for strong political will from the government to effectively combat TB.
Mr. Ernest Ortsin, President of Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET), emphasized the need for increased advocacy in Parliament to achieve the goal of ending TB in Ghana by 2030. Mr. Jerry Amoah-Larbi, Chief Executive Officer at Ghana National TB Voice Network, urged stakeholders to ensure access to new TB drugs and promote research to bring an end to the TB epidemic in Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo’s list of candidates for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court has been reported by the Appointments Committee of Parliament to the House.
Mr Andrew Amoako Asiamah, the Second Deputy Speaker, Presiding as Speaker, subsequently referred the report to the House for consideration.
It would be recalled that on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in accordance with Article 144(2) of the 1992 Constitution, communicated to Parliament the nominations of four Justices for appointment to the Supreme Court.
The Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 172, referred the nominations to the Appointment Commitment of the House for consideration and report.
The nominees include Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu, Justice of the Court of Appeal; Mr Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, Justice of the Court of Appeal; Mr Justice George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal; and Mr Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.
The Committee after its deliberations recommended to the House by consensus the approval of the nominations of Justice Ackah-Yensu and Justice Asiedu for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court.
It also requests the House to adopt its report and approve the nominees as Justices to the Supreme Court.
MP for Suame and Leader of the NPP caucus in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has indicated that until the final verdict of the Speaker of Parliament on the decision on who is Majority and Minority, not even the Fomena MPs assurances to him will put him at ease.
He said that although Andrew Asiamah, the only independent Member of Parliament in the House, and whose choice on where to caucus with is likely to determine the Majority side, he remains edgy.
“I want to believe that he has committed to what he has said to do but until it comes from his own mouth, we are not sure of what he may want to do,†he said.
Building on precedence, he referred to instances in the past when persons who were once members of either the National Democratic Congress or the New Patriotic Party but went independent and won their bids, came into Parliament but elected to do business with the other side.
“Boniface Abubakar Saddique, Rashid Bawa, Alhaji Saani Iddi, Victor Gbeho are all names of people who turned independent but when they came to Parliament, they did not always elect to do business with the party they were once a part of. So, there are conflicting positions taken by independent members which is why even though we have this solemn commitment, for now, I am still edgy,†he explained.
He, however, disclosed details of conversations he had had with Andrew Asiamah where he poured out his disappointments in the NPP party for not supporting him when he went independent as well as the few times he was attacked by members of the party.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was on the GHOne TV GH Today show on Thursday, January 14, 2021.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, is expected to announce the decisions on which of the two major parties in the House is Majority and which is Minority, as well as who sits on which side.
The leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu says the formal declaration of the only independent candidate in Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoah to do business with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) side does not make that side the majority in the House.
According to him, the choice of words of Mr. Amoah does not increase the number of seats the NPP occupy in Parliament.
He said any claim that Andrew Asiamah Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Fomena has joined the NPP will mean that he has to vacate his seat in Parliament and a by-election held in that constituency.
Andrew Asiamah Amoah in a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament said, “I Andrew Asiamah Amoako, an Independent Member for Fomena constituency and now the 2nd Deputy Speaker for the same Parliament do hereby declare that, I shall for the purposes of transacting business in the house associate with the NPP in the Eighth Parliament.â€
“For the avoidance of doubt, I do hereby affirm that I shall cooperate and collaborate with the NPP Caucus in the Eighth Parliament.â€
This declaration by the MP has been received with appreciation especially from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) side with many making the claim that the letter confirms the NPP in Parliament has majority seats in Parliament.
“It [the letter] did not state, and it did not say that I will join or that I am part of the NPP,†Haruna Iddrisu said at a press conference.https://www.youtube.com/embed/jkiwaNPMyqw
He said official records of Parliament remains as 137 seats for both NDC and NPP and one seat for an independent candidate.
“Advisedly and wisely, he is not seeking to join a political party and therefore nobody should do an easy mathematics of a 137 plus one. I will cooperate, or I will collaborate does not mean I am joining, or I am crossing over because it has its own constitutional implications which probably will require that a by-election be conducted if he was to join a political party,†Haruna Iddrisu indicated.
Mr. Iddrisu said this when he addressed the press in Parliament on Thursday, January 14, 2021.
Some residents of the Fomena Constituency in the Ashanti Region have expressed excitement over the selection of their Member of Parliament as the Second Deputy Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic.
Members of Parliament after their swearing-in on Thursday, elected independent MP, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, as second Deputy Speaker, making him the third most powerful person in the House.
Some of the Fomena residents shared their excitement with Citi News.
“I think it is a very good opportunity for us, Fomena members. I never imagined him winning MP for the Fomena constituency and even becoming second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and I am very excited for him and for the Fomena Members. I think he can lobby for development and also success for the Community, city, and Ghana as a whole,†a resident stated.
“This is the first time something like this is happening to Fomena constituency. No MP in Fomena has ever been selected as a Deputy Speaker before and looking at him being an independent candidate where people thought that no independent candidate can bring development or will be selected as a Deputy Speaker. We are extremely happy and the mood here is a great one,†another resident said.
The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) selected Joseph Osei Owusu and Andrew Amoako Asiamah to serve as First and Second Deputy Speakers of Parliament respectively.
A member of the NDC, Alban Bagbin was also elected Speaker of Parliament.
The tight Speaker of Parliament race saw Mr. Bagbin winning the election by two votes against former Speaker, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye.
The newly elected Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and the only independent Member of Parliament of the Eighth Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoako has reacted to his new appointment.
Andrew Asiamah Amoako was declared Second Deputy Speaker of parliament after been nominated by Asawase MP Muntaka Mubarak and seconded by Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo Markin.
The Fomena MP, few minutes after his appointment, took to his Facebook page to thank his constituents.
He prayed that his new appointment brings hope to Ghanaians and development.
“God never disappoints indeed. Who am I that the Lord is so mindful of me? My people in Fomena Constituency, God bless you so much. May this new appointment bring us all, hope and development, and may the God of light, who is infinite in mercy and grace grant us all wisdom and courage to work together to serve our motherland, Ghana, and Fomena Constituency.â€
Joseph Osei-Owusu has been elected by both sides of the house as First Deputy Speaker of the 8th parliament.
He will be assisted by Andrew Asiamah Amoako as the Second Deputy Speaker in the newly instituted parliament.
Joseph Osei-Owusu was nominated by Majority Leader in the 7th Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu and seconded by Minority Leader in the 7th Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu. He is a lawyer and Member of Parliament for Ashanti Bekwai.
He was born on 22 January 1962 and had his basic education in his hometown. He was also the first deputy speaker of the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic.
Andrew Asiamah Amoako is also a lawyer. After losing in the primaries prior to the 2020 general elections, he decided to run as an independent candidate.
He had been a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which, citing Article 3(9) of its constitution, revoked his membership and notified the Speaker of Parliament, who duly declared his seat vacant on 13 October 2020 under the provisions of Article 97 (1)g of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, he has indicated plans to caucus with the NPP side in the 8th parliament.
