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Tag: Dafeamekpor

  • Ayariga, Dafeamekpor to meet parliament on repealing OSP

    Ayariga, Dafeamekpor to meet parliament on repealing OSP

    A private member’s bill has been drafted by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and his Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, to repeal the OSP Act and terminate the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

    This comes at a time President John Dramani Mahama has already rejected calls to abolish the office as he strongly believes it plays an essential role in the country’s fight against corruption.

    Speaking during a courtesy call by the National Peace Council at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, December 10, the President stressed that the OSP remains the only anti-corruption body with full prosecutorial independence.

    “I think it’s premature to call for the closure of that office,” President Mahama said.

    “The unique thing about that office is that it is the only anti-corruption agency that has prosecutorial powers to prosecute cases itself without going through the Attorney-General.”

    He explained that public distrust in the Attorney-General’s office, because the AG is part of the sitting government, makes the independence of the OSP even more crucial.

    “People believe the Attorney-General will be very reluctant to prosecute his own,” he noted.

    “But if there is an independent office like the Office of the Special Prosecutor, it won’t matter who you are, because they have security of tenure and the prosecutorial authority to act.”

    The drafted bill, however is yet to be  presented to Parliament by the duo.

    Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has expressed concerns about potential disruptions to the operations of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) following a petition seeking the removal of Kissi Agyebeng from office.

    The petition, submitted by former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu, urges President Akufo-Addo to remove Agyebeng, citing various infractions as grounds for his removal.

    During an interview on Eyewitness News on May 17, Mr. Kpebu highlighted that the mere initiation of the removal process, coupled with its public announcement, casts a shadow over the OSP.

    He emphasized that this situation creates an unwelcome distraction for the institution, especially at a critical juncture.

    Nevertheless, Mr. Kpebu stressed the importance of allowing the democratic process and legal procedures to take their due course.

    “The petition will have an impact because it is going to disrupt the OSP but we just hope that he will be strong and keep the fight going. But you can’t run away from the fact that even the announcement of this alone will cause him some embarrassment for it is quite a big disruption,” he stated.

    Martin Kpebu, reflecting on the concerns outlined by Martin Amidu in his petition to the president, suggested that issues like non-compliance with a Right to Information (RTI) request, as cited, are not usually grounds for the removal of an officeholder.

    Instead, Kpebu proposed addressing such concerns by escalating the matter to the RTI Commission and, if warranted, pursuing legal recourse.

    Additionally, Kpebu drew comparisons with the police force, where instances of rights violations, such as unlawful arrests, are typically addressed through lawsuits seeking compensation rather than advocating for the removal of police officials.

    “On the face of it, these are not matters ordinarily you should say somebody be removed. So let’s say, Mr Amidu asked for some information through the RTI request and he says Kissi Agyebeng didn’t give him.

    But if you do an RTI request and the office holder doesn’t give you escalate it. You go to the RTI Commission and then if the commission makes a ruling in your case and the institution doesn’t comply, then you go to court.

    Last week, President John Dramani Mahama formally received a petition seeking the removal of the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Jean Mensa, and her two deputies, Dr. Bossman Eric Asare and Samuel Tettey, over allegations of misconduct.

    Among the 12 counts of stated misbehaviour are allegations of cronyism, abuse of office, and gross incompetence.

    The petition, submitted by a staff member of the Electoral Commission, Joseph Blankson Adumadzie, emphasised that the credibility of Ghana’s electoral system is at stake due to the alleged illegal actions of the officials.

    According to a statement issued on Monday, November 24, by the petitioner, Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution provides the basis for requesting the removal of public officials, particularly those serving in independent constitutional bodies.

    The former Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, faced a similar challenge and was later replaced by President Mahama after an investigative committee found the allegations levelled against her to be valid.

    The Chief Justice was earlier suspended by President Mahama on Tuesday, April 22, after a prima facie case was established, following separate petitions calling for her removal.

    A series of petitions were filed against Chief Justice Torkornoo, beginning with one from a group known as Shining Stars of Ghana. The group alleged she violated Article 144 of the Constitution by personally recommending judges for promotion to the Supreme Court and further claimed she ruled on a case involving the Speaker of Parliament without granting him a hearing, despite his refusal to respond to the suit.

    Another petition, filed by a police officer who is also a lawyer, accused the Chief Justice of manipulating evidence and abusing her authority, following an incident during a Supreme Court session where he was reportedly reprimanded, arrested, and detained.

    However, court records suggest the lawyer’s conduct during proceedings prompted a unanimous caution from the bench, not just the Chief Justice.

    The third petition, submitted by a private individual, listed 21 alleged misconducts and four claims of incompetence. Among the accusations was the misuse of public funds—specifically, that she spent over GH¢261,000 and $30,000 on a family trip abroad in 2023 and misused an additional GH¢75,580 and $14,000 during another foreign assignment without proper accountability.

    Subsequent reports indicate two more petitions were added, intensifying pressure on the judiciary. Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, in her written response to President Mahama, strongly denied allegations of misconduct and abuse of office brought against her by a senior police officer, describing them as baseless and lacking grounds for her removal from office.

  • Torkornoo’s removal entirely justifiable, govt acted without bias – Dafeamekpor

    Torkornoo’s removal entirely justifiable, govt acted without bias – Dafeamekpor

    The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for relieving Chief Justice (CJ) Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo of her duties.

    Speaking to the media on Monday, September 1, the Majority Chief Whip he shot down claims that the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) government had ulterior motives behind the CJ’s removal.

    According to him, the government acted rightfully in accordance to Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, therefore cannot be accused of any wrongdoing in the Chief Justice’s removal.

    “It’s absolutely incorrect for Hassan Tampuli [Gushegu MP], and some others, to suggest, however whimsical that it is, that the grounds underpining these petitions that went before the Article 146 Committee were whimsical and frivolous. There were no frivolities at all,” he pointed out.

    On Monday, September 1, a press statement issued by the presidency and signed by the Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, indicated that her dismissal is in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution.


    President Mahama, on Tuesday, April 22, suspended the Chief Justice after a prima facie case was established, following separate petitions calling for her removal.


    However, the new development comes shortly after President John Dramani Mahama officially received recommendations from the committee probing petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, Monday, September 1.


    According to the statement, the Article 146 Committee of Inquiry found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office.


    “President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo, from office with immediate effect.


    “This follows receipt of the report of the Committee constituted under Article 146(6) to inquire into a petition submitted by a Ghanaian citizen, Mr Daniel Ofori. After considering the petition and the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office. Under Article 146(9), the President is required to act in accordance with the committee’s recommendation,” parts of the statement read.


    The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang and includes Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Professor James Sefah Dzisah of the University of Ghana.


    In July, an application for review regarding an ‘abuse of court processes’ by the embattled Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, was dismissed by the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court.


    The court presided over by Justice Amoako on Thursday, July 31, revealed that several claims, such as illegal composition of the committee and wrongful conduct of adversarial proceedings, were already before the Supreme Court.


    Justice Amoako argued that relitigating these issues would result in duplication of litigation and abuse of court processes. As such, such claims were dismissed.

    The judge also dismissed reliefs such as an order of certiorari to quash the committee’s proceedings and nullify its sittings on the basis that the Chief Justice did not receive a fair hearing, on jurisdictional grounds.


    The judicial review application filed on June 9 this year sought nine reliefs, which included a series of declarations that the Article 146 committee set up to probe her removal from office had acted unlawfully.


    She wanted the court to prevent the committee from proceeding with its work without providing her with authenticated copies of the petitions seeking her removal and the subsequent responses.


    The Chief Justice notes that the president’s purported prima facie determination contained no reasons or justification and was entirely devoid of the elements of judicial or quasi-judicial reasoning expected under the Constitution.


    As the proceedings of the Article 146 committee are to be held in-camera in accordance with Article 146(8) of the Constitution, the court noted that it could not inquire into matters raised by the suspended Chief Justice.


    In response, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo proceeded to the ECOWAS Community Court in Abuja, Nigeria, seeking compensation worth $10 million over her suspension from office by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama.


    This forms part of the 10 reliefs being requested. The Chief Justice’s recent suit follows several unsuccessful cases at the Supreme Court this year after her suspension.

    The suspended Chief Justice wants the court to ensure she continues to enjoy the paraphernalia and entitlements of her office as the Chief Justice of Ghana pending the hearing and determination of the case.


    The measures are: “That the Republic of Ghana suspend the disciplinary/ removal from office as Chief Justice process against the Applicant, pending the hearing and determination of the complaint on the merits.”


    “That Ghana refrains from taking any other measures that may harm the rights claimed by the Applicant and /or aggravate or extend the dispute submitted to the Court, or compromise the implementation of any decision that the Court may render.”


    “Given the urgency of the situation, the Applicant respectfully requests the Court to hold a hearing on this request as soon as possible, and that the President of the Court ask Ghana to act in order to allow any order that the Court may issue on the Request for Assignment of Precautionary Measures to have its appropriate effect.”


    The other reliefs are as follows: “A declaration that the panel instituted by the Respondent (Ghana) to investigate and determine the allegations of misconduct against the Applicant was not constituted to guarantee its independence and impartiality and as such has violated the Applicant’s human right to fair hearing guaranteed by Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”


    “A declaration that the purported suspension of the Applicant as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana by the President of the Respondent State on 22 April 2025, constitutes a violation of her human right to fair, equitable, and satisfactory conditions guaranteed by Article 15 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”


    “A declaration that the purported suspension of the Applicant as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana by the President of the Respondent State on 22 April 2025 has exposed her to public ridicule and odium locally and internationally and the said act constitutes a violation of her human right to dignity guaranteed by Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”


    “A declaration that by subjecting the Applicant to an illegal and unfair investigation and trial since April 2025, the Respondent has inflicted injuries on her professional standing and image, thereby ‘exposing her and her family to immeasurable public ridicule.”

    “An order to the Respondent Republic to act immediately to prescribe the rule of procedure to govern the investigation of allegations of misconduct against the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana in conformity with the right to fair hearing guaranteed by the Constitution of Ghana and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”


    “An order directing the Respondent to immediately lift the suspension and restore the Applicant to full office until the conclusion of fair constitutional proceedings.”


    “An order restraining the Respondent from continuing with the purported inquiry for the removal of the Applicant as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana in its current form, until it conforms to fair hearing guarantees.”


    “An award of USD 10 million as compensation for moral and reputational damages suffered by the Applicant as a result of her illegal suspension and unfair investigation, and lastly, “Any other relief(s) as the Honourable Court deems just.”


    The suspended Chief Justice wants the court to ensure she continues to enjoy the paraphernalia and entitlements of her office as the Chief Justice of Ghana pending the hearing and determination of the case.


    The applicant has also requested the ECOWAS Court to assign four precautionary measures to the country. Meanwhile, the government’s spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has refuted claims made by Justice Torkornoo, noting that the Chief Justice’s suspension aligns with the constitution.


    On Thursday, August 14, the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association called for the immediate reinstatement of Ghana’s Chief Justice by President John Dramani Mahama and the Executive arm of government.


    “Immediately and without delay, reinstate the Chief Justice of Ghana to her Office. consistent with both the hitherto strong attachment to the rule of law demonstrated by Ghana and also, the constitutional duties incumbent upon them.


    “And afford the Chief justice due and fair process in the investigation and determination of the disciplinary matters brought against her, including but not limited to full and transparent access to that process by her legal representatives,” the group demanded in a joint statement issued on August 14.


    Additionally, the group asked the government for a proper and impartial investigation of the disciplinary charges against her, with her lawyers given full and transparent access to the proceedings.


    Also both groups, demanded the establishment of transparent procedural rules to guide the disciplinary process, including a definite timeframe within which the investigative committee must conclude its work and communicate its decision.


    In response, the Attorney General (A-G), Dr. Dominic Ayine emphasised that his outfit can only intervene after the committee concludes its work and submits a report to President John Dramani Mahama.

    “The suspension will, therefore, remain in effect until the inquiry committee completes its work and submits its report, to which His Excellency, the President will adhere,” he said.

  • I became boisterous to save NPP govt from Ablakwa, Dafeamekpor’s punches – Afenyo-Markin

    I became boisterous to save NPP govt from Ablakwa, Dafeamekpor’s punches – Afenyo-Markin

    Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has explained why he adopts a calm demeanor outside Parliament but appears more aggressive during parliamentary debates.

    According to him, his assertive nature in Parliament is a deliberate strategy to defend the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government from relentless opposition attacks.

    Speaking on The KSM Show, the Effutu legislator recounted how his role in Parliament evolved over the years, shaping his public persona.

    “I started as a backbencher in 2013, but I was soon moved to the middle bench because the party needed people to push back against the opposition,” he explained. He noted that during his early years in Parliament, his responsibility was to engage in rigorous advocacy for the party while in opposition.

    Even after the NPP assumed power, Afenyo-Markin said he had to maintain his combative stance, despite not securing a leadership role. “If you don’t push back, your back will always be against the wall. That was my assignment, and I played my part,” he emphasized.

    His transition into a leadership role as Deputy Majority Leader further reinforced his approach. He credited then-Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu for preparing him for major parliamentary debates.

    “He understood procedure and the rules, but he needed my legal advocacy skills, so we worked on debate strategies together,” he disclosed.

    Afenyo-Markin also acknowledged that his intense parliamentary demeanor has drawn criticism. “Some say I’m boisterous, and I accept that because it was a necessary role,” he admitted.

    Explaining the dynamics of parliamentary debates, he pointed out the strength of the opposition, particularly the National Democratic Congress (NDC). “The NDC is a grassroots party with roots in the revolution, while the NPP is more middle-class. If you take a gentlemanly approach with them, you’ll remain in opposition forever. You have to know when to negotiate, when to hit back, and when to hold back,” he remarked.

    Reflecting on the previous parliamentary term, Afenyo-Markin highlighted the intense battle between both sides, given the 137-137 equal split in seats. He praised the resilience of NDC MPs, including Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Alhassan Suhuyini, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, and Mahama Ayariga, describing them as a formidable force.

    “On any given day, about 10 NDC MPs would be attacking the government, setting all kinds of political agendas. Many of our strongest men were in government, and others didn’t have the same energy to match the opposition. I was often left to take them all on alone. So if I seemed boisterous, it was because the situation demanded it,” he stated.

    Afenyo-Markin maintained that his approach was crucial in countering the NDC’s aggressive tactics, ensuring that the NPP government was not drowned out in parliamentary debates.

  • Future publication of false ‘military convoy’ comments will lead to defamation suit – Dame to Dafeamekpor

    Future publication of false ‘military convoy’ comments will lead to defamation suit – Dame to Dafeamekpor

    Former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has issued a stern warning to South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, cautioning that any further claims suggesting he moved around with a military convoy will result in legal action.

    In a letter dated February 25, 2025, addressed to the legislator, Dame rejected the allegations made on TV3’s The Key Points, describing them as “false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to tarnish my reputation.”

    Setting the record straight, he emphasized, “At no point in my eight years of public service did I have more than one bodyguard. I never had a military convoy, nor did I have Land Cruisers full of security officers following me.”

    Dame dismissed Dafeamekpor’s assertions that his security detail expanded when he transitioned from Deputy Attorney-General to the substantive Attorney-General. “From the moment I was appointed Deputy Attorney-General, I was assigned a single bodyguard based on security assessments. That arrangement remained unchanged until the end of my tenure in January 2025.”

    He also refuted claims that he lived extravagantly at the expense of the state, stating, “I resided in my private property throughout my time in office, made no claims for government accommodation, and used my own vehicles for official duties in Accra.”

    Dame has demanded a full retraction of the allegations through the same TV platform where they were made. “I require you to withdraw these baseless claims on The Key Points. Any future publication of such falsehoods will result in a lawsuit for defamation with punitive damages,” he warned.

    The former Attorney-General also copied the Speaker of Parliament and parliamentary leadership, drawing attention to what he called Dafeamekpor’s “dishonourable conduct outside the House.”

  • Retract false ‘military convoy’ claims against me – Dame to Dafeamekpor

    Retract false ‘military convoy’ claims against me – Dame to Dafeamekpor

    Former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has demanded a full retraction of claims that he moved around with a military convoy while in office.

    He described the allegations, made by South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor on TV3’s The Key Points, as “blatantly false and misleading.”

    In a letter dated February 25, 2025, Dame firmly refuted the claims, stating, “At no point in my eight-year public service did I have more than one bodyguard. I never had a military convoy or a Land Cruiser full of security officers following me.”

    Dafeamekpor had alleged that Dame, even as a Deputy Attorney-General, had a large security escort, which increased when he was appointed as Attorney-General. But Dame dismissed this, asserting, “The allegations by you are a fabrication and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.”

    He further clarified that his security detail remained unchanged throughout his tenure. “As Deputy Attorney-General, I was assigned one bodyguard following a security risk assessment. When I became Attorney-General, I retained the same single bodyguard until I left office in January 2025.”

    Dame also addressed suggestions that he lived extravagantly at the expense of the state. “I stayed in my private property throughout my time in office, never applied for state accommodation funds, and used my own vehicles for official duties in Accra,” he stated.

    Insisting on a retraction, Dame warned of legal consequences if the claims were repeated. “I require you to withdraw these falsehoods on the same platform where you made them. Any future repetition will result in legal action for defamation.”

    The former Attorney-General also copied the Speaker of Parliament and parliamentary leadership, highlighting what he termed Dafeamekpor’s “dishonourable conduct outside the House of Parliament.”

  • I never had a military convoy, more than one bodyguard while in office – Godfred Dame clarifies

    I never had a military convoy, more than one bodyguard while in office – Godfred Dame clarifies

    Former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has refuted claims that he had an elaborate security detail during his tenure in public office, stating categorically that he “never had a military convoy” and was never accompanied by “more than one bodyguard.”

    Dame’s response was contained in a letter dated February 25, addressed to South Dayi Member of Parliament Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, following remarks made by the legislator on TV3’s The Key Points program on February 22.

    “For the record, at no point in time in my eight-year public service, between 2017 and 2025, did I have more than one bodyguard. At no point in time did I have more than one bodyguard sitting in a vehicle I used. At no point in time did I have a Land Cruiser or any other brand of vehicle following me with bodyguards. I never had a military convoy,” Dame clarified.

    Dafeamekpor had alleged that the former Attorney-General, even as a Deputy Minister, moved around with a significant military escort, a claim Dame dismissed as false and misleading.

    “The allegations by you are clearly a product of your fertile imagination and highlight your skill at fabricating facts, a tendency most unworthy of a leader of the Majority in Parliament,” he stated.

    He further emphasized that his security arrangements remained consistent throughout his tenure. “As a Deputy Attorney-General, I was assigned one bodyguard following an assessment of the security risks around me. Following my appointment as the substantive Attorney-General and Minister for Justice on March 5, 2021, I continued with the same [one] bodyguard to the end of my tenure on January 6, 2025.”

    Dame also addressed suggestions that his lifestyle placed a burden on the public purse, asserting that he personally bore many of his expenses.

    “Throughout my public service, I stayed in one of my private properties which I acquired long before my initial appointment as Deputy Attorney-General. I never made a claim for payment of any money by the State in lieu of the provision of residential accommodation. Further, I never used any government vehicle for my official functions during the week in Accra. All vehicles used by me in Accra for my official functions were privately owned.”

    He demanded a “total retraction” of the claims via the same platform where they were made, warning of legal action should the allegations persist.

    “I hereby serve you notice that a future publication of the same or similar falsehoods by your good self will result in an institution of legal proceedings for punitive damages for defamation together with costs of litigation,” he cautioned.

    Dame also copied the Speaker of Parliament and the leadership of the House to bring their attention to what he described as Dafeamekpor’s “dishonourable conduct outside the House of Parliament.”

    Godfred Dame’s warning to Hon. DafeamekporDownload
  • Time limits for ranking members will ensure fairness during vetting – Dafeamekpor

    Time limits for ranking members will ensure fairness during vetting – Dafeamekpor

    The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has advocated for a more structured approach to the vetting process, proposing that ranking members on the Appointments Committee be allocated specific time frames to pose their questions.

    In his statement before the investigative committee, Dafeamekpor recognized the usual practice of granting ranking members unlimited time to interrogate nominees but suggested that this approach needs to be reassessed.

    He recommended that the chairman establish clear boundaries, such as allowing each member to ask three primary questions, followed by three supplementary ones.

    “He explained this would ensure a more structured and efficient process, with each member knowing they are allowed a maximum of six questions, regardless of how they are framed. “This would allow them to complete their inquiries within a reasonable time frame, whether 30 minutes or an hour”, he said.

    He also expressed concern over the substantial influence afforded to the ranking member, pointing out that this could result in endless questioning. This is compounded by the fact that the ranking member can follow up on questions asked by other committee members.

    He commented, “The ranking member has been given so much power to interrogate matters, sometimes to infinity. This poses a problem when they follow up on other members’ questions. I don’t think it’s right.”

    He pointed out that the ranking member should also have a designated time frame to ensure that the process remains equitable and organized for everyone involved.

    Without these guidelines, he warned, “If the ranking member attempts to grandstand, the vetting could take days. There need to be clear guidelines in place to streamline the process.”

    Mr. Dafeamekpor emphasized the need for well-defined, structured protocols to improve the overall fairness and speed of the vetting process.

  • I own up to what happened during vetting chaos – Dafeamekpor

    I own up to what happened during vetting chaos – Dafeamekpor

    Majority Chief Whip, Nelson-Rockson Dafeamekpor, has accepted responsibility for the disorder that erupted during the Appointments Committee’s proceedings on January 30, recognizing the impact of leadership on the situation.

    The altercation between the Majority and Minority factions during the vetting of ministerial nominees resulted in damage to public property, leading Speaker Alban Bagbin to establish an investigative committee to examine the incident.

    “I take responsibility, so when my punishment came, I took it in good faith,” Dafeamekpor stated in response to the incident.

    He admitted that while some contested the fairness of the penalties, his commitment to taking responsibility remained steadfast.

    Appearing before the special committee investigating the February 10 disturbances, Mr. Dafeamekpor noted that there were varying opinions among those involved about who should bear the consequences for the chaos.

    “Others disagreed that essentially if punishment were to be meted out, it ought not to be me,” he explained. However, he maintained that it was important to punish leaders when things go wrong.

    Reflecting on the breakdown of mediation efforts that led to the disorder, Dafeamekpor identified a pivotal moment in the events.

    “Consensus building failed for that night. If my counterparts were not minded to insist on their modus operandi for that day, we wouldn’t have experienced that,” he continued.

    He noted that tensions escalated when some individuals deliberately disrupted the proceedings, overturning tables and chairs, making it nearly impossible to restore order.

    “Once they decided to disrupt, raise tables, raise chairs, what can I do? What could I have done?” he questioned. “Just to suffer for the punishment.”

    Dafeamekpor concluded by emphasizing that the situation could have been handled more effectively to prevent the upheaval.

    “A lot of things ought to be streamlined,” he said, leaving open the possibility for future reforms to prevent such disruptions from occurring again.

  • I never laid hands on Tampuli while saving Charles Asiedu – Dafeamekpor

    I never laid hands on Tampuli while saving Charles Asiedu – Dafeamekpor

    Majority Chief Whip, Nelson-Rockson Dafeamekpor, has noted that he did not get physical with Gushegu Member of Parliament Hassan Tampuli, on January 30 when the ministerial vetting turned chaotic.

    In several videos on that sad day, Mr Dafeamekpor was seen in a heated exchange with Mr Tampuli.

    Appearing before the committee probing the chaotic vetting, the Majority Chief Whip noted that he only engaged Mr Tampuli when he made a move to rescue Tano South legislator, Charles Asiedu, who was caught in between two tables during the chaos.

    In his intervention, the South Dayi legislator noted that he never laid hands on Mr Tampuli despite having his apparel held by his colleague.

    According to Mr Dafeamekpor, he raised his hands and exchanged words with Mr Tampuli.

    The committee investigating the violent altercation during the January 30 ministerial vetting as part of its third public hearing today engaged key individuals involved in the escalation of unparliamentary conduct by members of the Appointments Committee.

    Those expected to testify include Ranking Member Alexander Afenyo-Markin, New Juaben South MP Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi, Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Communications Minister Sam Nartey George, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Weija-Gbawe MP Jerry Ahmed Shaib, and Gushegu MP Hassan Tampuli, among others.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, along with Marshal of Parliament Lt. Col. Samuel Kofi Owusu and Clerk to the Appointments Committee Gifty Jiagge Gobah, had appeared before the investigative committee to provide their accounts of the incident.

    The Minority members of the Appointments Committee have refused to participate in the scrutiny.

    Meanwhile, Speaker Bagbin has revoked the suspension of four Members of Parliament who were sanctioned following violent clashes during the ministerial vetting of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

    The affected MPs—Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Second Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib, Gushegu MP Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor—were initially suspended on January 31.

    Speaker Bagbin has announced that the legislators responsible for the destruction of tables and microphones would bear the cost of repair and replacement.

  • Stay strong, we will overcome this together – Sam George to Dafeamekpor

    Stay strong, we will overcome this together – Sam George to Dafeamekpor

    The Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has publicly expressed his strong backing for his fellow Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, after his suspension.

    Taking to the social media platform X, George shared a message of support, praising Dafeamekpor for his compassion and good character.

    “My dear Brother, I stand with you in this moment of unfortunate adversity. You are a victim of your kind heart and humanity. You are a bulwark for our Caucus and we stand shoulder to shoulder with you,” George wrote on X on Saturday.

    He also directed his message to the people of South Dayi, recognizing Dafeamekpor’s significant role as a fighter, guide, and champion for the community.

    “To the people of South Dayi, you gave us a warrior, a leader, an advocate and a brother’s brother. Protect him for us. This storm too shall pass!” he added.

    Sam George’s words highlight the strong sense of unity and mutual support within their group, showing their collective determination to back one another during difficult times. His message reflects the profound esteem and admiration he holds for Dafeamekpor.

    “I am with you, @etsedafeamekpor,” George concluded, reaffirming his commitment to standing by his colleague during this difficult period.

  • BREAKING: Bagbin suspends Dafeamekpor, Annoh-Dompreh, 2 others over chaos during vetting

    BREAKING: Bagbin suspends Dafeamekpor, Annoh-Dompreh, 2 others over chaos during vetting

    Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has suspended for two weeks four Members of Parliament sitting on the Appointments Committee over the unfortunate fisticuff recorded on Thursday evening during the vetting of President Mahama’s ministerial appointees.

    The four affected legislators are; Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor, Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri Constituency, Frank Annoh Dompreh, Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Hon. Hassan Tampuli, and Jerry Ahmed Shaibu, Ablekuma South MP.

    By the decision, the Appointments Committee will be faced with four vacancies. The Committee on Selections would have to constitute the Appointments Committee.

    The Speaker has also set up a 7-member committee chaired by Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, to investigate the chaos and make recommendations.

    The rules of the Appointments Committee will also be reviewed, and the Speaker has directed the Clerk of Parliament to file a criminal complaint to the Police Service for investigation and possible prosecution.

    The Appointments Committee’s session descended into chaos on Thursday evening when tensions between the Minority and Majority escalated into a physical confrontation.

    The dispute arose after the Majority insisted on proceeding with the vetting session beyond 10 PM, a move the Minority vehemently opposed.

    In the midst of the altercation, members of the Minority began dismantling arranged tables, causing several microphones to fall and break. The situation spiraled out of control, forcing police intervention to restore calm and prevent further damage to parliamentary property.

    After about 30 minutes of disorder, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and other leaders intervened to de-escalate tensions. With damaged equipment making further deliberations impossible, the committee was compelled to adjourn and reschedule the session for the following day.

  • Parliament appoints Collins Dauda to Chair Committee on fmr MPs’ pensions

    Parliament appoints Collins Dauda to Chair Committee on fmr MPs’ pensions

    Parliament has formed a nine-member panel, headed by Asutifi South MP Collins Dauda, to evaluate pension scheme options tailored for former lawmakers.

    This development follows a proposal by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, advocating for a pension fund financed through carbon credit revenues to support retired legislators.

    Addressing the House on Thursday, January 29, Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor urged the committee to submit its report within 45 days.

    “Collins Dauda of course will be a member. Samson Ahi will also be a member. Then we are including two first timers from our side and gender balance so Atta Issah, the MP for Sagnarigu, will also be a member. Then our sister Millicent Yeboah Amankwah will also be a member. Then Alhassan Suhuyini will also be a member.

    “Then the Minority side will be constituted by Stephen Amoah, as well as Dr. Mahama Tia Kabiru. We advise them with our terms of reference and they will be given six weeks to do their work and we propose that Collins Dauda be the chairperson of the committee.”

  • Privileges Committee must probe bribery allegations by Barker-Vormawor, not Appointments Committee – Dafeamekpor

    Privileges Committee must probe bribery allegations by Barker-Vormawor, not Appointments Committee – Dafeamekpor

    South Dayi Member of Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has challenged the Appointments Committee’s decision to investigate bribery allegations made by human rights activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, insisting that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Privileges Committee.

    According to Dafeamekpor, the allegations amount to contempt of Parliament and should be handled appropriately. Speaking during Barker-Vormawor’s questioning today, he expressed concern that the Appointments Committee was overstepping its mandate.

    “We are spending our precious hours to deal with a matter that we don’t have the mandate to deal with. So Chairman, I made the point that we have power to invite, to put it to him that his statement is contempt of Parliament and of its committee, to that extent a referral will be made by this committee to the appropriate committee. When a report is prepared of that proceedings, then plenary itself will decide on the matter and come out with whatever resolution will be made on the matter,” he explained.

    He further criticized the approach taken by the committee, arguing that the interrogation of Barker-Vormawor was procedurally flawed.

    “The interrogation, cross-examination are all procedurally improper in the interim,” he added.

    Barker-Vormawor recently accused members of the Appointments Committee of demanding money from ministerial nominees appointed by former President John Mahama before vetting and approving them. The allegations sparked outrage, leading to his summons before the committee.

    Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor, however, dismissed the claims and maintained that neither he nor his colleagues had solicited payments from nominees.

    “Our attention is drawn to the media statement by Oliver Barker-Vormawor to the effect that the Majority Members of the Committee have been demanding money before approving the nominees and the Chairman must submit himself to ORAL. Let me place on record that I am ever ready to submit myself to ORAL. The second aspect was to the effect that all the committee members are taking money from the nominees before vetting and approval,” Ahiafor stated.

    He further emphasized the need to put an end to such allegations against Parliament.

    “We need to stop this attitude. So therefore, I, Bernard Ahiafor, First Deputy Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament and Chairman of the Vetting Committee, want to place it on record that myself and the committee members do not demand money from any nominee before vetting and for approval,” he added.

    Despite these assertions, Dafeamekpor maintains that the Appointments Committee lacks the authority to probe the matter and has called for its referral to the Privileges Committee for proper adjudication.

  • Minority MPs will reconvene in Parliament as directed – Dafeamekpor

    Minority MPs will reconvene in Parliament as directed – Dafeamekpor

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has confirmed that the Minority Caucus will return to Parliament on December 16, following a directive from Speaker Alban Bagbin.

    Speaking on JoyNews, Dafeamekpor indicated that the Minority would comply with the directive. “We’ve been summoned by Parliament, we would attend upon Parliament on December 16 and do parliamentary business. All other things will be discussed and considered,” he said.

    The House had been indefinitely suspended after a contentious Supreme Court ruling on a vacant seat dispute, which deepened existing divisions. However, Speaker Bagbin has now issued a 14-day notice for Parliament to reconvene to resume government business.

    In a memo to the Majority on Tuesday, November 26, the Speaker clarified that Parliament would resume after the elections to address critical matters and ensure a seamless transition to the 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

    Meanwhile, the Majority in Parliament has yet to issue an official response to the Speaker’s latest notice.

  • Dafeamekpor criticises Supreme Court for adjourning anti-LGBTQ case indefinitely

    Dafeamekpor criticises Supreme Court for adjourning anti-LGBTQ case indefinitely

    A co-sponsor of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has criticized the Supreme Court for its handling of two cases filed against the bill.

    The Supreme Court adjourned these cases indefinitely, which Mr. Dafeamekpor believes was inappropriate.

    He argued that the court should have set a specific date for the adjournment and should have enforced strict timelines for the filing of documents by the parties involved.

    “What troubled me is the fact that the Speaker requested for expeditious hearing and this happened late March and we are in May. So it is taking the court about six weeks to see to a request of expeditious hearing and I thought that by practice when such things happen, the court will be in a hurry to deal with such matters.

    “They would have adjourned the matter to a definite date and then within that timeframe, ask the parties to file the processes they have directed them to file. But what we saw is that the matter has been adjourned indefinitely and I thought that when the Speaker as a party in a matter prays for expeditious hearing, it should matter.

    “Because when the Attorney General made a request to the court that my matter for instance be given expeditious hearing, you saw the alacrity with which it was handled.”

    Private Legal Practitioner Martin Kpebu commented on the development, suggesting that the case may be recalled by the end of June or early July, considering the timelines set by the court for the filing of documents.

    “If you look at the time lines they gave, it is possible that they can return to court by ending of June. You see, the court gave Richard Sky up to 17th of June to file and he asked the Attorney General and the rest to respond within 7 days..

    “So if he is able to follow up within 4 days, it will be served on the Attorney General which is 17 plus 4 and that will be 21st.

    “Then the Attorney General and the rest have 7 days, so that will take us to 28th May, then it will take a few days for the documents to be sent to the judges and the registrar will now confer with the Chief justice to get a new date.

    “So if everything goes according to plan, the new date will be announced ending of June.”

    Academics and analysts are weighing in on the Chief Justice’s decision to allow a live telecast of the case, as well as the Attorney General’s push for more cases of public interest to be broadcast live.

    Vice President of the GJA, Linda Asante Adjei, is urging caution, warning that some journalists may abuse the process.

    “We need to have some kind of orientation for journalists who will be covering such cases,” she added.

  • Appeal filed by Dafeamekpor over dismissal of plea to compel Akufo-Addo, Bagbin on LGBT+ Bill

    Appeal filed by Dafeamekpor over dismissal of plea to compel Akufo-Addo, Bagbin on LGBT+ Bill

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has lodged an appeal against the recent decision of the High Court.

    This decision dismissed his plea to compel President Akufo-Addo and Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to act on a bill within seven days.

    The appeal, submitted on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, argues that “the High Court failed to reasonably and fairly exercise its discretion when rejecting the Applicant’s Application for Judicial Review in the Nature of Mandamus.”

    On Monday, April 29, the High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Ellen Lordina Serwah Mireku, noted that while it holds jurisdiction to hear the mandamus, two ongoing cases before the Supreme Court challenge parliamentary procedures.

    These matters, being constitutional, are deemed for the apex court to address.

    The court opined that it would be unfit to compel the respondents, Alban Bagbin and Akufo-Addo, to act on the bill amidst pending cases before the apex court.

    However, exercising its discretion, the court dismissed the plea that sought to compel the Speaker to transmit the bill to the President and for the President to receive it.

    Following the ruling, the applicant, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, through his legal team led by Nii Kpakpo Samoa, filed a notice of appeal to contest the High Court’s decision.

    The notice of appeal states: “Please take notice that the Applicant/Appellant, dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court (General Jurisdiction) in Accra contained in the ruling of Her Ladyship Ellen Serwaa L. Mireku, J., dated April 29, 2024, hereby appeals to the Court of Appeal on the grounds set out in paragraph 3 of this Notice of Appeal and will, at the hearing of this appeal, seek the reliefs set out in paragraph 4.”

    According to the filed document, the appellant has concerns regarding “the entire ruling.”

    He asserts that the grounds of his appeal are founded on the belief that “the ruling is against the weight of evidence.”

    The appellant indicates that additional grounds will be submitted upon receipt of the Record of Appeal.

    The appellant and his legal representatives aim to have the High Court’s ruling reversed and annulled.

  • NPP is afraid of making ‘dumsor’ a campaign topic because they are in power – Dafeamekpor

    NPP is afraid of making ‘dumsor’ a campaign topic because they are in power – Dafeamekpor


    The Member of Parliament for South Dayi has claimed that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government is deliberately ignoring the return of erratic power supply (dumsor) because it fears its impact on the 2024 general elections.

    During an interview on GhanaWeb TV’s The Lowdown, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor stated that the NPP extensively used the term ‘dumsor’ during the power supply challenges under John Dramani Mahama’s government, but they are now avoiding it.

    He pointed out that the NPP popularized the term ‘dumsor’ to such an extent that it was even included in Wikipedia for global understanding.

    “The game is over but the score is remembered… The people who made dumsor a campaign message, today are afraid of dumsor being a campaign topic.

    “Nobody is saying there is dumsor, it is the nature in which the lights are flicking off and on. When JM was in power, we could have said there was no dumsor conveniently but the reality was that we had instability in the supply of power.”

    He added, “It was hyped so much so that dumsor found its way to Wikipedia. Today, if you google dumsor, google is able to tell you what it means in respect to Ghana. The people who did that are afraid of being measured to the same standards.”

  • UNICEF is yet to deliver $81.8m worth of COVID-19 drugs to Ghana – Dafeamekpor

    UNICEF is yet to deliver $81.8m worth of COVID-19 drugs to Ghana – Dafeamekpor

    The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has accused UNICEF of failing to deliver COVID-19 medications, leaving Ghana with a substantial debt of US$81,870,379.80.

    Speaking to the media, Mr Dafeamekpor expressed frustration at the apparent loss of funds and the failure to hold UNICEF accountable.

    According to him, the Ministry of Health paid US$120,192,379.80 to UNICEF for COVID-19 vaccines, but only a fraction of the ordered vaccines were delivered, leaving a substantial outstanding amount.

    “That is why people like me don’t attend any programmes organized by UNICEF. I cannot understand why UNICEF would take our money with the intention of supplying us with COVID-19 drugs, yet they are unable to supply the entire order and retain the rest of the funds. We’ve organized several press conferences, but nothing has come out of it. We need to hold multinational agencies like UNICEF accountable. This behaviour is unacceptable.”

    He cited paragraph 76 of an audit report, which highlighted the discrepancy between the funds paid and the vaccines delivered.

    “Reading from Page 21, paragraph 76 of the audit report we noted that the Ministry of Health, on behalf of the Government of Ghana, paid US$120,192,379.80 to UNICEF/AVAT for the supply of 16,025,650 vaccines under the agreement. However, only 5,109,600.00 doses of vaccines valued at US$38,322,000.00 were supplied to the National Cold Room, resulting in an outstanding amount of US$81,870,379.80 with UNICEF/AVAT.’”

    Further details from paragraphs 77 to 80 of the audit report stated the following.

    1. This discrepancy could lead to financial loss if the contract is not renegotiated to recover the outstanding amount.
    2. The Chief Director of the Ministry of Health explained that the payment was made in anticipation of receiving all the vaccines within a short timeframe for vaccination in the country. However, unexpected vaccine donations, limited vaccine storage capacity, and slow uptake by Ghanaians for vaccination made it impossible to receive the Janssen vaccines that had been paid for.
    3. We recommended that the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health renegotiate with UNICEF/AVAT to recover the outstanding amount.
    4. Management responded that the Ministry has initiated its own renegotiation process with the World Bank. A meeting has been held between the Minister and the Bank, followed by a letter to the Bank to commence the renegotiation process.

    “What should Parliament do? We have summoned the Minister several times. His responds are neither here nor there. It is the government that must demand its money back. When I say government, I mean the executives who made the payment. They must seek a refund from the UNICEF headquarters.”

    The audit report recommended renegotiating with UNICEF to recover the outstanding amount, acknowledging the risk of financial loss if not addressed.

    Mr Dafeamekpor criticized the government’s handling of the situation, expressing disappointment at the lack of concrete action to recover the funds.

    He emphasized the need for accountability and urged the government to demand a refund from UNICEF headquarters.

    Regarding parliamentary action, Dafeamekpor questioned the effectiveness of summoning the Minister and suggested that it is ultimately the government’s responsibility to seek reimbursement.

  • Sign anti-LGBTQ bill as acting President when Akufo-Addo is not around – Dafeamekpor tells Bawumia

    Sign anti-LGBTQ bill as acting President when Akufo-Addo is not around – Dafeamekpor tells Bawumia

    The Member of Parliament (MP) representing South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has responded to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s recent comments regarding homosexual activities in Ghana.

    In a statement released on Thursday, April 11, 2024, Dafeamekpor acknowledged Dr. Bawumia’s disapproval of LGBT+ activities and commended him for it.

    However, he issued a challenge to Dr. Bawumia, urging him to enact the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (commonly known as the anti-gay bill) into law during his interim presidency.

    Dafeamekpor emphasized that this action could only take place when Dr. Bawumia assumes the role of Head of State during President Akufo-Addo’s absence from the country.

    “In this video, Alhaji Dr. Mahmoud Bawumia, our Veep, is heard and seen saying that, by our cultural ethos and his Muslim beliefs, he is against LGBTQ+. Fantastic.

    “I expect our Veep to sign the bill into law when next the Prez travels and he acts as the Head of State. That’s all,” he said.

    Dr. Bawumia’s stance on the issue was articulated during his address at the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in Kumasi on Thursday, where he vehemently opposed homosexuality, aligning his views with Islamic principles and Ghanaian societal norms.

    “I will like to take this opportunity to personally comment on the raging issue of LGBTQ in Ghana. First of all, it is important to note that our cultural and societal norms and values as Ghanaians frown on the practice of homosexuality.

    “Furthermore, as a Muslim, my view on this matter aligns with the position of my religious faith. The Holy Quran is replete with verses frowning on LGBTQ acts, including same-sex marriages. My faith is, therefore, very strictly against the practice of homosexuality, with no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts.’ No shades of grey.”

    “I personally cannot support that which my religion, and indeed, all the major religions in Ghana, clearly and unequivocally forbid.

    “All the major religious traditions in Ghana, Christianity and Islam, are opposed to this practice, and I stand opposed to it now, and I will stand opposed to it as President, Insha Allah,” he added.

  • EC’s IT systems must be audited independently – Dafeamekpor

    EC’s IT systems must be audited independently – Dafeamekpor

    South Dayi Member of Parliament Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has called for a comprehensive audit of the Electoral Commission’s IT system, citing concerns over the commission’s inability to track lost BVDs and laptops, which he deems criminal.

    Dafeamekpor’s call follows similar concerns raised by the National Chairman of his party, Johnson Asioedu Nketiah, who emphasized the need for an independent audit to address doubts about the EC’s IT system.

    ” we are getting to a point where we will call for an independent audit of the EC’s IT system to lay to rest all doubts. we want a complete audit and this will be in the interest of all parties,” Mr Asiedu Nketia told journalists in Accra.

    In a post on his X platform, Mr Dafeamekpor said “I agree with the Chairman General that we need an immediate independent audit of the IT Systems of the EC. The EC’s inability to account for lost BVDs & Laptops is Criminal.

    “We were told by the EC in Parliament that these machines have trackers. So why can’t they be located?”

    Despite Deputy Chairman Dr. Bossman Asare’s reassurances that the missing laptops would not affect the integrity of the 2024 elections, concerns persist.

    Dr. Asare clarified that the stolen laptops were separate from the Commission’s Registration Data Systems and lacked sensitive information, emphasizing that they require activation before use.

    “These allegations are not true. No BVD has been stolen. To set the records straight, the Commission recently undertook routine servicing of its Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Kits. It was during this maintenance that we discovered the theft of five (5) laptops from the Biometric Voter Registration kits, not seven BVDs as erroneously stated.

    “For clarification, Biometric Voter Registration Kits, which comprise a laptop, camera, scanner, and printer, are entirely separate from the Commissions Registration Data Systems and are incapable of manipulating election outcomes as suggested. These kits, though crucial for voter registration, require specific activation to function accordingly. Without such activation, they serve no purpose beyond their individual components as a laptop, camera, scanner, or printer. What this means is that, they are of no value beyond what they were manufactured to be.

    “Similarly, the stolen laptops, cannot be utilized for voter verification or registration. It remains just a laptop. As such, they cannot be used to compromise our systems and
    undermine the credibility of the upcoming elections in December 2024. The integrity of our systems and elections remain intact. Again there seem to be some confusion as to the use of our equipment. It’s imperative to understand that the Commission utilizes two (2) distinct equipment for its operations: the Biometric Voter Registration kits which is used for voter registration and the Biometric Verification Devices to verify voters using their fingerprints or facial features on election day. These devices, in isolation, cannot fulfill the functions of registration or verification without proper activation.

    “It is important to note that at the completion of every registration exercise, all data captured are erased from the laptops in a process termed ‘End of Life’. As such, we assure the public that the stolen laptops contain no sensitive or valuable data.

    Consequently, the theft bears no impact on the integrity of upcoming elections, nor does it serve any political agenda as insinuated. Upon detection of the theft, the Commission promptly notified security agencies involved in the maintenance process, and investigations are actively ongoing to apprehend and prosecute the suspects. The Commission places high value on its assets including the Biometric Voter Registration Kits and Biometric Verification devices hence its continuous reliance on the Police and other security devices to protect all its installations.

    “The Commission urges public figures and citizens alike to exercise due diligence by verifying information before dissemination. This responsibility is paramount to maintaining public trust and preventing unwarranted fear or panic. The Electoral Commission remains committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and integrity in its operations and elections.”

    He reiterated that the stolen laptops cannot compromise the election process, as they serve no purpose beyond their individual components.

    The Commission is actively cooperating with security agencies to investigate and prosecute the suspects involved in the theft, ensuring the integrity of its operations and elections.

  • Court bailiff lied, there is CCTV video to prove he wasn’t driven away – Dafeamekpor’s lawyer

    Court bailiff lied, there is CCTV video to prove he wasn’t driven away – Dafeamekpor’s lawyer

    Nii Kpappo Addo, Legal representative for Member of Parliament Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor of South Dayi, denied allegations that he instructed his office staff to reject documents from the Supreme Court regarding President Akufo-Addo’s new ministerial nominees.

    During Wednesday’s court proceedings, it emerged that certain court documents, including the notice of hearing and the Attorney General’s opposition to a temporary court order, were not received by the attorney representing the South Dayi MP.

    Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, presiding over the bench, mentioned that Nii Kpappo Addo, the attorney for the plaintiff, purportedly instructed a staff member to refuse any documents from the Supreme Court.

    However, in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Mr. Addo refuted the bailiff’s claim, stating he did not issue such directives.

    He mentioned the availability of audio and video evidence to support his assertion.

    “We didn’t flee from our own case. We are supposed to be served with a hearing notice on the date that has been called by the court. So, I received a call from the bailiff of the court that he had a process for me. Unfortunately, on Tuesday, I wasn’t in Accra. He called me at exactly 10:50 am. So, I informed him that I wasn’t around, but I was going to give him the number of the plaintiff so that he could serve the plaintiff with the hearing notice or whatever document that he had. So, I sent him the number at 10:57. He acknowledged receipt.”

  • Why Supreme Court heard Dafeamekpor’s injunction application case first and not Richard Sky’s anti-LGBTQ bill

    Why Supreme Court heard Dafeamekpor’s injunction application case first and not Richard Sky’s anti-LGBTQ bill

    On Wednesday, March 27, the Supreme Court heard the case filed by South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor over the Parliamentary approval of new ministers appointed by President Akufo-Addo.

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised concerns about the scheduling of political cases in the Supreme Court, accusing the Chief Justice of bias against them. They argued that the writ of summons in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024, on March 5, should have been heard first since Rockson Dafeamekpor filed his writ of summons on March 18.

    Recent information indicates that the apex court did so because the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame applied for a speedy hearing of the injunction application by the South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor.

    Speaking to journalists on Wednesday following the dismissal of the application, Mr. Dame clarified that both the court’s actions and the constitution permit such proceedings. He expressed bewilderment at the criticism directed at the Supreme Court for promptly addressing the issue.

    “The duty to fix the date for the hearing rests with the registry of the Supreme Court and I do not understand where this business of people actually scrutinizing when applications are fixed for hearing or why this case has not been fixed for hearing, came from.

    “Back in the day, if you file an application in the Supreme Court of Ghana it takes you even three months for you to get a date for a hearing. It is only after a party has made an application for an expeditious determination of the process that the matter will come up for hearing. Even the record shows that in this particular case, I specifically applied for an expeditious determination of the matter so it is not the Supreme Court of Ghana picking and choosing which case they should hear and not to hear.

    “My first application for an expedited hearing of a matter in the Supreme Court,  I did it way back in 2006  and I did another one in 2013 when we were in opposition. So it is always the prerogative of the Supreme Court registry to fix applications for hearing and if the date for the hearing has not been fixed or it is too far, it is incumbent on  the party to apply to the CJ in accordance with the court act and constitution for an expedited hearing.”

    When asked why it appears he is taking an interest in only matters that favor the government and not filing for an expedited hearing in the application against the anti-gay bill, Mr Dame said “we have filed a relevant affidavit in opposition in that matter, so I think all these comments are unwanted and indeed are baseless. We actually filed our opposition to the affidavit in answer to the Richard Sky matter before we filed the affidavit in answer today to this one.

    “It is most instructive that Parliament itself was opposed to this application for interlocutory injunction by Dafeamekpor and I find it very interesting because the same Speaker of Parliament who earlier on adjourned proceedings in my view wrongly, on account of the pendency of this application then later on somersaulted and came to the Supreme Court and opposed the application and that is a point of interest to me.  I think it shows clearly that the application clearly was frivolous and it ought not to be any manipulation of what went on in court, even Parliament itself was opposed to the application.”

    He added “It is most unfortunate that persons who file processes before the court and then fail to take an interest in it. Indeed even when the same application for interlocutory injunction is pending or has not been determined, a day before they proceed to go and file another application for interlocutory injunction, there cannot be a greater demonstration of a desire to abuse the court process than this. Clearly, it shows an attempt to frustrate the Republic from pursuing its business and all. That is why it is necessary that as lawyers for the Republic, we take a keen interest in what happens and we make sure that such things are dealt with so that the state business can proceed.”

    Mr. Dafeamekpor filed a lawsuit against the Speaker of Parliament (1st defendant) and the Attorney General (2nd defendant), arguing that the President should have sought parliamentary approval before reassigning ministers whose appointments were revoked. The apex court deemed the application frivolous and an abuse of court processes.

    Despite the absence of Mr. Dafeamekpor and his lawyer, the court proceeded with the case and ruled against it. The five judges presiding over the case were Justice Kingsley Koomson, Justice Mariama Owusu, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo (Presiding), Justice Amadu Tanko, and Justice Yaw Darko Asare.

     

  • CJ’s actions in Dafeamekpor’s injunction application case lawful – Gary Nimako

    CJ’s actions in Dafeamekpor’s injunction application case lawful – Gary Nimako

    A private practice lawyer and director of legal affairs for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gary Nimako Marfo, has defended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo’s decision to form a five-member panel to address an injunction application filed by Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor on Wednesday, 27 March 2024.

    During an interview on the Big Bulletin, Asaase Radio’s evening news analysis program with Kayleb Ahinakwah, on the same date, Nimako Marfo explained that the application by the NDC Member of Parliament for South Dayi was ready for hearing as the Attorney General had submitted its opposing affidavit and statement of case.

    He clarified that once all relevant parties had filed their documents, it was inconsequential if their lawyers were absent during the hearing, as the court had jurisdiction to proceed.

    “When you issue a writ, within 14 days, you need to file your statement of case, or you can do it together with the filing of the writ. When you do it, you have to serve the AG or all other parties that are of interest in the matter. Having done so, the AG and the other parties will have to respond whether immediately or within 14 days.

    “On the back of the injunction application, I do not understand why someone will say fixing the matter to be heard by a panel demonstrates that the Chief Justice is biased in the matter. I don’t get it. Clearly, whoever is saying this doesn’t understand how the judicial system works in this country, ” Gary Nimako further explained.

    Nimako Marfo emphasized the procedural timeline for filing documents and service, expressing confusion over criticism suggesting bias by the Chief Justice in constituting the panel. He argued that those making such claims lacked understanding of the judicial system.

    Regarding the urgency of the application, Nimako Marfo noted its significance and expressed surprise at attempts by the applicant and their lawyers to avoid service when the court was prepared to address the matter promptly.

    He highlighted the impact of the case on parliamentary duties, noting the reluctance of Parliament to approve ministerial nominees due to the pending injunction application. Nimako Marfo asserted that expeditious handling of such cases was necessary.

    The application in question, filed by Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor on Monday, 18 March 2024, sought a declaration of the unconstitutionality of not vetting ministers whose appointments were revoked and reassigned.

    President Akufo-Addo’s reshuffle on Wednesday, 14 February 2024, prompted the legal challenge, as Dafeamekpor argued that reassignments constituted new appointments requiring parliamentary approval.

    During the hearing, Dafeamekpor’s lawyers were absent, but the court proceeded after confirming service to all parties. The Attorney General and lawyers for the Speaker of Parliament opposed the injunction, leading to its dismissal by the Supreme Court on the grounds of being frivolous and an abuse of the court process.

  • Court didn’t serve us hearing notice – Dafeamekpor’s legal team over absence

    Court didn’t serve us hearing notice – Dafeamekpor’s legal team over absence

    The legal representative for South Dayi’s Member of Parliament, Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, has clarified their absence in court on March 27, attributing it to a lack of notice of appearance.

    MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor had challenged the approval of new ministerial and deputy ministerial nominees at the Supreme Court.

    However, the court dismissed the application, deeming it unrelated to current nominees in Parliament, focusing instead on reassigned ministers.

    Furthermore, the legal team declined documents regarding the notice of hearing and the Attorney General’s opposition to a temporary court order.

    In an interview with Citi News, lawyer Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo explained that their attention was on the substantive case hearing.

    “We didn’t have the benefits of the hearing notice because I never stepped in the office yesterday. The court has gone ahead to decide on our injunction application. The substantive case is still pending and we are waiting for the court to call us and we will go and attend to it.

    “Also, we have a mandamus application coming up in the High Court on the 8th in respect of the LGBTQ matter so we have moved on and we are focused on that one while we wait for the substantive case to be called.

    “We have had our day in court. The court has ruled. That is all that you can do as a citizen of the country.”

  • I didn’t direct my staff to decline documents from Supreme Court – Dafeamekpor’s lawyer

    I didn’t direct my staff to decline documents from Supreme Court – Dafeamekpor’s lawyer

    Nii Kpappo Addo, the legal representative for the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has refuted allegations suggesting he instructed his office staff to reject documents from the Supreme Court regarding the case concerning the approval of President Akufo-Addo’s new ministerial nominees.

    During court proceedings on Wednesday, it was revealed that certain court documents, including the notice of hearing and the Attorney General’s opposition to a temporary court order, were not received by the attorney representing the South Dayi MP.

    Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, presiding over the bench, noted that Nii Kpappo Addo, the attorney for the plaintiff, had allegedly directed a staff member to refuse any documents from the Supreme Court.

    However, in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Mr. Addo dismissed the bailiff’s claim, asserting that he did not issue such instructions.

    He mentioned the existence of video and audio evidence to support his statement.

    “We didn’t flee from our own case. We are supposed to be served with a hearing notice on the date that has been called by the court. So, I received a call from the bailiff of the court that he had a process for me. Unfortunately, on Tuesday, I wasn’t in Accra. He called me at exactly 10:50 am. So, I informed him that I wasn’t around, but I was going to give him the number of the plaintiff so that he could serve the plaintiff with the hearing notice or whatever document that he had. So, I sent him the number at 10:57. He acknowledged receipt.”

    “I was therefore very surprised to hear on Wednesday that this bailiff alleged that he walked into my office, and I had left an instruction that no process was to be received…Perhaps he didn’t know. We have a CCTV system in this place that has an audio capability. So, I have released the CCTV footage and the audio of his interaction with my front desk, and I have sent it to you. You can play it for the whole world to hear whether anyone at the front desk ever said what he said. What he did was a complete and barefaced lie,” he stated.

    He further expressed astonishment upon learning of the bailiff’s claim on Wednesday, emphasizing that CCTV footage and audio recordings from his office refute the allegations. He accused the bailiff of fabricating the story, labeling it a “complete and barefaced lie.”

  • Injunction application should not deter Akufo-Addo from assenting anti-LGBTQ bill – Dafeamekpor

    Injunction application should not deter Akufo-Addo from assenting anti-LGBTQ bill – Dafeamekpor

    Co-sponsor of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values bill, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has expressed disagreement with President Akufo-Addo’s decision to suspend assenting to the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill until court challenges are resolved.

    The Office of the President officially requested Parliament to hold off transmitting the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill to President Akufo-Addo for his assent. This request, made in a letter addressed to Parliament on Monday, March 18, and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, cited two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction currently before the Supreme Court.

    The letter emphasized that it would be improper for Parliament to proceed with transmitting the Bill to President Akufo-Addo for any action until the matters before the court are addressed.

    However, the South Dayi MP stated that no pending court case can prevent the president from performing his constitutional duty.

    Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on March 19, he argued that in many instances where there was a court case to challenge the authenticity of election results, the President was not hindered from performing his duty.

    Mr. Dafeamekpor clarified that in this same instance, an interim injunction cannot prevent the President from carrying out his duty, including assenting to a bill.

     “If you read the Supreme Court decision in the dismissal of the Electoral Commissioner Charlotte Osei, no court can injunct a president from performing his functions under the constitution.

    “That is why there is a presumption of regularity of performance of functions of the president until a court otherwise removes him.

    “So for instance, when a president is elected into office, sworn in, and takes the oath of office, and another who contested is aggrieved and goes to the Supreme Court, what the President does until the court pronounces on the validity or otherwise of the election of that President is not declared venality. So you cannot say that because the election of the President is challenged, you can bring an action to injunct the President not to perform the functions imposed upon the office of the President,” he said.

     “It can only be, going forward, the decision of the court can only be going forward but it cannot affect any decision that he takes whilst occupying that office. That is why if anybody and in any case let’s this make clear you can only challenge an act of Parliament, a bill is not an act of Parliament properly so called.

    “So it only when a bill is declared unconstitutional that its effect can be challenged,” he added.

    During the same program, Associate Professor at the University of Ghana Law School, Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, expressed the view that the current situation should not escalate into a constitutional crisis.

    He explained that the President’s decision to await the court’s verdict on the issue might stem from a desire to act in accordance with the law. He referenced a previous incident involving the E-levy, where the minority criticized the President for assenting to the bill despite an injunction application. This time, President Akufo-Addo may be seeking to act in the best interest of the people.

     “If the President decides not to sign the bill or assent to the bill but to wait for the court to pronounce on it, I think the President is doing the right thing. So, all we have to do is to wait for the President for him to make the determination of the injunction. I think that is what the President is trying to say,” he said.

    Regarding the letter conveying the President’s position on the matter, he noted that having the Executive Secretary’s signature on the letter instead of the President’s might not lend the necessary credibility to the content of the letter.

    “As for the letter signed by the Executive Secretary, I don’t think it carries any weight because it is not the President himself,” he added.  

  • Nana Bediatuo should face charges of contempt of Parliament – Dafeamekpor

    Nana Bediatuo should face charges of contempt of Parliament – Dafeamekpor

    Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, is calling for the president’s Executive Secretary to be charged with contempt of Parliament.

    Dafeamekpor’s dissatisfaction with Nana Bediatuo Asante arises from the latter’s communication to the Clerk of Parliament regarding issues concerning the transmission of the anti-LGBT+ Bill to the president for approval.

    In his letter, Bediatuo cited two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction against the Bill before the Supreme Court as grounds for the president’s inability to assent to it.

    In a statement released on Monday, March 18, 2024, the Secretary to the President revealed that the Attorney-General had informed President Akufo-Addo, through a letter dated March 18, 2024, about the pending legal actions and advised him to refrain from taking any action on the Bill.

    However, according to the National Democratic Congress MP, the tone of the letter was inappropriate.

    “The tone of this letter is not only contumacious of Parliament of Ghana & its powers, but it is also a presumptuous interference in the performance of its functions. Nana Bediatuo ought to be cited for Contempt of Parliament,” he said in an X post in which he shared the said letter.

    Stop transmitting Anti-LGBT+ Bill to Akufo-Addo – Bediatuo to Parliament

    “It has come to the attention of this Office that while the President and other senior officials of the Presidency were at Peduase for a Cabinet Retreat on Thursday, 14th March 2024, you attempted to submit the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024 (the “Bill”) to Jubilee House for the President to signify his assent or otherwise to the Bill.

    “This Office is aware of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction, both filed on 7th March 2024 in the Supreme Court in Dr. Amanda Odoi v. The Speaker of Parliament and The Attorney-General (J1/13/2023) and Richard Sky v. The Parliament of Ghana and The Attorney-General (31/9/2024) respectively, to restrain you and Parliament from transmitting the Bill to the President and, also, to restrain the President from signifying his assent to the Bill, pending the final determination of the matter,” part of the statement said.

    It stressed the importance of refraining from any actions that might bias the outcome of the legal proceedings or diminish the court’s authority.

    “The Attorney-General has, by letter dated 18th March 2024, informed the President that he has been duly served with both applications and has advised the President not to take any step in relation to the Bill until the matters raised by the suits are determined by the Supreme Court.

    “It is the understanding of this Office that both applications have also been duly served on Parliament. Therefore, it would be improper for you to transmit the Bill to the President and equally improper for this Office to receive the Bill until the Supreme Court determines the matters raised in the suits.

    “Indeed, it is settled law that, during the pendency of an interlocutory injunction application, the status quo ante ought to be preserved, and no action should be taken that would result in prejudicing the injunctive relief sought and undermining the authority of the court,” the statement added.

    The anti-LGBT+ Bill, approved by Parliament, prohibits LGBT activities and makes their promotion, advocacy, and funding illegal.

    Individuals engaged in these activities could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, while promoters and sponsors could be sentenced to three to five years in jail.

    President Akufo-Addo has postponed his decision on signing the Bill into law, citing a constitutional challenge in the Supreme Court.

    Regardless of his decision, Members of Parliament have the authority, with a two-thirds majority, to override the president’s decision and enforce the provisions of the Bill.

  • National Cathedral is a good idea – NDC’s Dafeamekpor

    National Cathedral is a good idea – NDC’s Dafeamekpor

    Ghana requires infrastructure similar to the National Cathedral, according to South Dayi MP Rockson Etse Dafeamekpor.

    He emphasised the absence of a central spiritual hub in the country and proposed that building a cathedral would be a beneficial endeavour.

    In an interview with JoyNews, Mr. Dafeamekpor expressed reservations regarding the project’s chosen site and financing, implying a lack of government dedication to its realisation.

    “It has always been my position that the idea is good, but the grievance people have is that, because we have moved into an economic meltdown, it is not necessary.

    “We should not be doing it at this hour, but it is something if we have it, and if we have the wherewithal to support it, it is good to have it.

    “Looking at the sums of money involved, we should have seen the structure up, even if it is not completed.”


    Despite former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s assurance that the National Cathedral would be completed by March 6, 2024, construction progress remains limited to the foundation level.

    Members of Parliament from the National Democratic Congress, led by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, attempted a symbolic commissioning of the project.

    However, their efforts were met with opposition from security personnel, citing directives from higher authorities.

    Nevertheless, Mr. Ablakwa outlined several demands during the incident.

    “We are demanding full accountability for what happened to our $8,141,552. We are demanding that the board of trustees of the national cathedral be dissolved without delay.

    “We are calling on all the prosecutor institutions to immediately commence the prosecution of all those who have caused this gross financial loss to the state,” he said.

  • Anti-LGBTQ+ bill remains an intention, why go to court – Dafeamekpor questions critics

    Anti-LGBTQ+ bill remains an intention, why go to court – Dafeamekpor questions critics

    Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, a co-sponsor of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, has characterized attempts by Civil Society Organizations to challenge the newly passed bill as premature.

    He argues that until the bill is signed into law, there is no legal basis for it to be challenged in the Supreme Court. Dafeamekpor made these remarks during an appearance on JoyFM’s Newsnight on March 4.

    He explained that challenging a bill in court at this stage would suggest that the basis for the challenge is more about expressing opposition than about a legitimate legal concern.

    The South Dayi MP emphasized that if opposition to the bill was the reason for going to court, then that would be based on a faulty premise.

    “So, you can not challenge a declaration of intention in the court of law. Your cause of action cannot rise upon a declaration of intention so that school of thought is faulty. It is built on a faulty premise. I am ready to file an amicus in respect of anybody who will go to challenge this matter.

    “Let the law be assented to and given effect as law probably so-called. Then the validity in terms of its constitutionality can be challenged. But until we get there, any call for any person to proceed to the Supreme Court is premature,” he told host, Evans Mensah.

    He further mentioned that last year, certain individuals took the controversial bill to the Supreme Court for challenge, but the court ruled that a bill cannot be challenged until it becomes law.

    In the meantime, President Akufo-Addo has assured the international community of Ghana’s commitment to upholding human rights despite the bill’s passage. During a diplomatic engagement, the President emphasized Ghana’s longstanding reputation for respecting human rights and adhering to the rule of law.

    He clarified that the bill is currently facing a legal challenge at the Supreme Court, and until a decision is reached, his government will not take any action on the private Member’s bill.

    “l am aware that last week’s bi-partisan passage by Parliament of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, on a Private Member’s motion, has raised considerable anxieties in certain quarters of the diplomatic community and amongst some friends of Ghana that she may be turning her back on her, hitherto, enviable, longstanding record on human rights observance and attachment to the rule of law. I want to assure you that no such back-sliding will be contemplated or occasioned.”

    President Akufo-Addo clarified that the bill has not yet reached his desk for any formal action. He stated that any decision he makes regarding the bill would depend on the outcome of the lawsuit filed against it in the Supreme Court.

    “I think it will serve little purpose to go, at this stage, into the details of the origin of this proposed law, which is yet to reach my desk. But, suffice it to say, that I have learnt that, today, a challenge has been mounted at the Supreme Court by a concerned citizen to the constitutionality of the proposed legislation,” the President added.

  • Dafeamekpor apologises to Asamoah Gyan for making political penalty miss comment

    Dafeamekpor apologises to Asamoah Gyan for making political penalty miss comment

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has apologized to former Ghana international, Asamoah Gyan, for comments suggesting Gyan’s missed penalty in the 2010 FIFA World Cup was politically motivated.

    Dafeamekpor had implied that Gyan’s penalty miss was intended to make the National Democratic Congress (NDC) unpopular, alleging Gyan’s political affiliation with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) influenced his actions.

    Dafeamekpor’s apology follows Gyan’s recent acceptance to serve on Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia’s manifesto campaign team for the 2024 elections.

    “I am of the opinion that Asamoah Gyan intentionally threw away that penalty because it was under NDC. It’s today that I’ve come to the realisation that he threw away the penalty in the 2010 World Cup and the Africa Cup because the glory would have come to the NDC,” he said on Radio XYZ.

    Following backlash for his comments about Ghana’s all-time top scorer, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor has swiftly issued an apology to Asamoah Gyan.

    “The Black Stars & other national teams have iconically rallied & carried our passions, dreams and aspirations for glory to the world,” he wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) page on Saturday, March 2.

    “Upon reflection & calls from people like Kenpong, I retract & unreservedly apologize to Asamoah Gyan, for my comments.”

    Speaking to the media earlier this week, Asamoah Gyan expressed his indifference to critics’ opinions regarding his decision to join the NPP campaign team for the 2024 elections.

  • “He was drunk” – Asamoah Gyan replies Dafeamekpor over 2010 penalty miss accusation

    “He was drunk” – Asamoah Gyan replies Dafeamekpor over 2010 penalty miss accusation

    Ghana’s leading goal scorer, Asamoah Gyan, has offered a witty comeback to NDC Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, following the MP’s claim that Gyan intentionally missed a crucial penalty during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final against Uruguay.

    In response to critical tweets directed at the MP, Gyan suggested that Dafeamekpor made the accusation while intoxicated.

    In another retort, the former Sunderland forward humorously implied that the politician may be seeking an autograph from him, thus framing his request in a peculiar manner.

    “Maybe he wants an autograph. Don’t worry. I will sign one for him soon,” he wrote.

    Some Ghanaians have strongly criticised the lawmaker, labelling his remarks as foolish and nonsensical.

    During a Radio XYZ interview, Dafeamekpor asserted that Asamoah Gyan’s allegiance to the New Patriotic Party throughout his life had influenced his actions during his football career.

    Specifically, he suggested that Gyan’s missed penalty in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final against Uruguay was politically motivated.

    Dafeamekpor also expressed disapproval of Gyan’s decision to join the manifesto committee for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s candidate in the 2024 elections.

    Per Dafeamekpor’s assertions, Asamoah Gyan should not have accepted the role, as he is a national figure whose popularity and admiration cut across the two major political parties.

    “I am of the opinion that Asamoah Gyan intentionally threw away that penalty because it was under NDC. It’s today that I’ve come to the realisation that he threw away the penalty in the 2010 World Cup and the African Cup because the glory would have come to the NDC.

    “Asamoah Gyan is now part of the Bawumia campaign team. There is everything wrong with that, because when you are a national figure and you become partisan, I can reasonably say that it’s because of politics that you threw that penalty away so that the NDC government will not get the glory. I am telling you that I feel the pain,” he said.

  • Asamoah Gyan deliberately missed 2010 World Cup penalty because NDC was in power – Dafeamekpor

    Asamoah Gyan deliberately missed 2010 World Cup penalty because NDC was in power – Dafeamekpor

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has launched a strong critique against legendary Ghanaian footballer, Asamoah Gyan, alleging that he intentionally missed a penalty during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

    Speaking in a Radio XYZ interview, Dafeamekpor claimed that Gyan, a known supporter of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), allowed his political affiliations to influence his actions on the field during his playing days.

    The incident in question occurred during a quarter-final match against Uruguay, where Gyan failed to convert a penalty kick that could have propelled Ghana to the semi-finals, marking a historic achievement for African football.

    Dafeamekpor asserts that Gyan’s penalty miss was politically motivated.

    Furthermore, Dafeamekpor criticised Gyan’s acceptance of a role on the manifesto committee for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s candidate in the 2024 elections.

    According to Dafeamekpor, Gyan’s status as a national figure should have prevented him from aligning himself so closely with a single political party, given his widespread popularity transcending political divides.

    “I am of the opinion that Asamoah Gyan intentionally threw away that penalty because it was under NDC. It’s today that I’ve come to the realisation that he threw away the penalty in the 2010 World Cup and the African Cup because the glory would have come to the NDC.

    “Asamoah Gyan is now part of the Bawumia campaign team. There is everything wrong with that, because when you are a national figure and you become partisan, I can reasonably say that it’s because of politics that you threw that penalty away so that the NDC government will not get the glory. I am telling you that I feel the pain,” he said.

    Asamoah Gyan, who was recently inaugurated as part of the manifesto team on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, has addressed the criticism surrounding his alignment with Dr. Bawumia and the NPP.

    The legendary footballer responded to the backlash by stating that he was unfazed by the attacks. He believes that the appointment provides him with a platform to utilise his extensive experience gained over two decades as a footballer, boxing promoter, and sports event organiser.

    “They have their own opinions,” said Gyan at the inauguration of the NPP’s campaign team for the 2024 general elections, at the Alisa Hotel, when he was quizzed about his thoughts on his critics.

    “I have been there [before]. I have been to Stadia, and been booed in front of 80,000 people, I am used to it.

    “At the end of the day, the work shows. Sometimes, you go to the enemy’s territory and you come out with applause. I have confidence in myself and I know what I can do to help. I am here to help because of my 20 years of experience. I can’t just sit at home and keep it. I have to share it with the new generation to benefit from it.

    “At the end of the day, when everything is said and done, we see what we did or what we couldn’t do. The criticism will come. It is also good for me personally and for my team to push harder,” he added.

    Asamoah Gyan has been appointed as the head of the youth and sports sub-committee within Dr. Bawumia’s manifesto team.

  • I will take legal action against Akufo-Addo for reassigning ‘sacked’ ministers – Dafeamekpor

    I will take legal action against Akufo-Addo for reassigning ‘sacked’ ministers – Dafeamekpor

    The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has expressed his intention to take legal action against the president for reassigning individuals he had earlier dismissed without parliamentary vetting.

    Mr Dafeamekpor contended that, as the president had initially announced the sacking of these individuals, any reassignment would necessitate parliamentary approval through vetting before assuming new roles.

    In response to the president’s major government reshuffle on February 14, 2024, which included the dismissal of 13 ministers and 10 deputies, Mr Dafeamekpor specifically highlighted the reassignment of four ministers to different portfolios.

    He cited examples such as Kojo Oppong Nkrumah being appointed as the Minister of Works and Housing, and Francis Asenso-Boakye as the Minister of Roads and Highways.

    Dafeamekpor argued that the president lacked the authority to reassign dismissed ministers without parliamentary vetting, emphasizing that they ceased to be ministers upon dismissal.

    He asserted his intention to take the matter to the Supreme Court, seeking an injunction to prevent the reassigned ministers from performing their duties until they undergo parliamentary vetting.

    “I have been challenged to go to court, so I will go to court… I want to know whether the president can invoke the appointment of a minister and turn around to say that he is reassigned to that same minister. If the Supreme Court will entertain things like that, then it is up to all of us,” he stated.

    “If we allow Akufo-Addo to allow these new ministers to step into their offices without vetting, a future president will dance around parliamentary scrutiny. He will appoint his ministers and they will never come to parliament for vetting,” he argued.

    To him, the president had created confusion and problems for himself and his government by including the reassigned ministers in the list of those he had sacked.

    “You are saying that you have dismissed some people, but it didn’t state how long the dismissal lasts. As soon as you dismiss them, you reassign them. The initial letter didn’t say which ministers had been dismissed and which ones were reassigned; it stated that all of them had been dismissed.

    “Moments later, you bring out another letter to say that you have reassigned some of the sacked ministers. Once some were given new offices, it amounted to a fresh appointment. The president shouldn’t have included those he wanted to reassign in the list of those he sacked, this is where they created problems for themselves,” he added.

    Expressing concern about potential implications for future presidencies, Dafeamekpor warned that allowing the current president’s actions without parliamentary scrutiny might set a precedent for bypassing vetting processes in future appointments.

    He criticized the president for creating confusion by initially including reassigned ministers in the list of those dismissed, arguing that this ambiguity could lead to similar problems for the government.

    Dafeamekpor made these statements during an interview on Accra-based Okay FM.

  • Dafeamekpor to sue GRA boss for being at post without contract

    Dafeamekpor to sue GRA boss for being at post without contract

    The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has suggested that the Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah, may face legal repercussions for continuing in his role without a contract extension from the Ministry of Finance.

    Rev Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah, who exceeds the age of 60, is mandated by law to possess a valid contract to serve as the GRA boss. However, he has been in office for approximately two years without the necessary authorization from the appointing authority.

    According to Mr. Dafeamekpor, Rev Owusu-Amoah should not be in his position without proper documentation and predicts that legal action will be taken against him.

    “The collusion and the cronyism and politics is what is eating our system away. For this matter if it is not politics, which country will this happen? And he too, it doesn’t bother him to prompt that you must regularize my stay?… People [like Rev Owusu-Amoah] don’t care any longer but a day is coming that they will care,” Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor said in an interview with Okay FM.

    In an interview with Okay FM, Mr. Dafeamekpor expressed concern about the prevailing issues of collusion, cronyism, and politics within the system.

    He emphasized that in any other country, such a situation would not be tolerated, questioning why Rev Owusu-Amoah has not taken steps to regularize his stay.

    Mr. Dafeamekpor highlighted the violation of working without a contract, drawing attention to the Auditor General’s repeated citations of this issue.


    Despite Rev Owusu-Amoah acknowledging, during a Public Accounts Committee session, that he was over 60 and had been requested by the Finance Minister to continue with a written contract, the government has yet to take immediate steps to regularize his tenure at the GRA, as per Mr. Dafeamekpor’s perspective.

  • Some parents are getting their children into SHS through bribe – Dafeamekpor alleges

    Some parents are getting their children into SHS through bribe – Dafeamekpor alleges

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has alleged that parents are currently paying bribes to secure admissions into various senior high schools (SHSs) in Ghana.

    According to him, these bribes are being demanded at the placement centers for SHS admissions.

    Speaking on TV3’s Key Points regarding the Corruption Perceptions Index report by Transparency International, Dafeamekpor expressed concerns about corruption in the education system, citing instances where parents are allegedly paying to secure spots in popular schools.

    He claimed that corruption has infiltrated the computerized placement system, leading to demands for bribes at placement centers.

    Dafeamekpor argued that this issue needs to be addressed to ensure fairness in the admission process.

    “Today, parents are paying bribes to admit their children into SHSs because the computer system is being tampered with.

    “They will tell you Achimota School is full but if you pay money they will admit you, they will tell you PRESEC is full but if you pay money they will admit you, this is not from the headmasters but persons at the placements centers,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday Febraury 3 regarding the Corruption Perceptions Index report by Transparency International, released on Tuesday, January 30, ranking Ghana in the 70th position out of 180 countries monitored.

    Additionally, Dafeamekpor criticized the current administration’s efforts in fighting corruption, stating that former President John Dramani Mahama demonstrated stronger political will in tackling corruption during his tenure.

    In contrast, private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu asserted that President Akufo-Addo lost the fight against corruption when he appointed relatives as ministers of state. Kpebu emphasized that Akufo-Addo’s family and friends’ governance is a sign of corruption.

    On the same program, Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Kwame Andy Appiah-Kubi, defended President Akufo-Addo, arguing that blaming the president for acts of corruption by other officers is unfair. Appiah-Kubi emphasized the independence of state investigative bodies empowered to fight corruption.

    The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report by Transparency International ranked Ghana 70th out of 180 countries, with a score of 43 out of 100.

    The report highlighted concerns about stagnation in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts for the fourth consecutive year.

  • They quoted the wrong law to sack 24 DCEs, stop embarrassing Akufo-Addo – Dafeamekpor

    They quoted the wrong law to sack 24 DCEs, stop embarrassing Akufo-Addo – Dafeamekpor

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has alleged lack of due diligence on the part of the Office of the President over the dismissal of some 24 District Chief Executives.

    President Akufo-Addo has revoked the appointment of 24 District Chief Executives (DCEs) with immediate effect in accordance with Article 243 (3) b of the Constitution and section 20 (3) (b) of the Local Government Act, 2014, (Act 936).

    Reacting to this in a post on X, Mr Dafeamekpor, noted that the Article being cited by the President is inapplicable as the applicable statute would be

    The South Dayi MP is therefore questioning the validity of the letter in circulation said to be from the Office of the President.

    He has also cautioned the president’s staffers to be well educated on Ghana’s laws and ensure the appropriate usage. According to him, such misinformation dents the reputation of the president.

    “Is this letter authentic? If it is, then I have a big issue with the contents. The applicable statute is the LOCAL GOVERNANCE ACT, 2016, ACT 936. That is the law that ought to have been quoted. The staffers around the Prez should stop embarrassing him,” he wrote.

    In the letter signed on Friday, February 2, the President directed the affected DCEs to be notified of the revocation and instructed that replacements be nominated under separate cover.

    The specific reasons for the revocation were not provided in the statement.

    Among those dismissed are, Martina Appiah Nyantakyi (Ahafo Ano North), Nii Larteh Ollenu (Amansie West), Daniel Owuredu (Nkoranza South), Alhaji Abdulai Adams (Pru East), Gmasombe Jerome Kofi Gyimah, (Sene East), Joseph Aidoo (Awutu Senya West), Samuel Kwame Agyekum (Asuogyaman), Seth Asante (Atiwa West), Comfort Asante (New Juaben North), Isaac Kwadzo Buabeng (Nsawam-Adoagyiri), Daniel Alexander Nii-Noi Adumua (Adentan) and Mohammed Bashiru Kamara (Ga Central).

    On the matter, financial analyst and US economist, Scott Bolshevik, has shared what he believes to be the reason behind the mass sacking of District Chief Executives by President Akufo-Addo.

    According to Mr Bolshevik in a post on X, these DCEs were not dismissed due to their inefficiency or corruption-related activities, per his conversation with a Member of Parliament.

    He noted that the 24 individuals were removed from post because the “preferred 24 candidates for president lost the recent elections.”

    Mr Bolshevick said their continuous stay may impair flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s quest to become President, thus their appointments had to be revoked by the president.

    “I had the privilege to talk to an MP The bizarre part was that the DCEs were sacked, not based on corruption or inefficiency It’s because the preferred 24 candidates for president lost the recent elections. This may impair Bawumia’s succession It has never been about you!” he wrote.

    Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has appointed 26 individuals to the role of Municipal and District Chief Executives.

    The president, in a statement dated February, 3, explained that this action is in accordance with Article 243 (1) of the Constitution.

    Those recently appointed include; Prince Dormaa Amoah (Ahafo Ano North), Oscar Asare Andoh(Amansie West), Dr. Amoateng Augustine Kwasi (Nkoranza South), Mohammed Haruna (Pru East), Samson Gbolu (Sene East), Moses Arhinful Acquah (Awutu Senya West), Nana Kweku Abban (Asuogyaman).

  • Bawku conflict ongoing despite national security strategy document on how to deal with it – Dafeamekpor

    Bawku conflict ongoing despite national security strategy document on how to deal with it – Dafeamekpor

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has revealed that government has in its possession a national security strategy document on how to deal with the rising tension in Bawku.

    Mr Dafeamekpor is concerned that in spite of this document, the conflict in Bawku worsens with no end in sight.

    He is mostly worried about the extra-judicial killings happening in Bawku. He has called for severe consequences for military personnel involved in extra-judicial killings in Bawku.

    “We have a national security strategy document. If you read it, Bawku features in it prominently. They are the strategies drawn by the national security apparatus to deal with the problem.

    “So I am surprised that even with all the strategies outlined in the document dealing with the issues, we still have this problem.

    “Why? Because there are no consequences arising when people commit crimes or offences or commit acts that ought to be punished. These are extra judicial killings,” he said.

    This statement comes in the wake of the fatal shooting of three young men from Bawku by military personnel, leading to increased tension in the area.

    Eyewitnesses claim the young men were unarmed and did nothing to provoke the military’s attack. Mr. Dafeamekpor expressed concern about continued incidents of gun violence in Bawku despite heavy militarization, suggesting that some individuals are not fulfilling their duties appropriately.

    Mr. Dafeamekpor emphasized that without holding accountable military personnel engaged in extra-judicial killings and imposing severe consequences, the crisis in the area could escalate into a more serious conflict.

    “When things like this happen, there must be consequences. People must be punished. If we don’t punish, we’ll create an artificial war and commit murder and that for me is what I suspect is happening, create a conflict situation and kill your opponent in the name of conflict,” he said.

  • “Bofrot!”, Why are you concerned if I’m a man or woman? – Transgender ‘blasts’ Dafeamekpor

    “Bofrot!”, Why are you concerned if I’m a man or woman? – Transgender ‘blasts’ Dafeamekpor

    Transgender musician, Angel Maxine, has responded to a question posed by one of the eight Members of Parliament sponsoring the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, amidst ongoing debates over the controversial anti-LGBTQ bill.

    Dafeamekpor quizzed Maxine of her gender after she claimed that she has chats and incriminating information about some gay politicians and vowed to reveal names if the anti-gay Bill is passed in Ghana.

     “Are you [Angel Maxine] a woman?” the South Dayi MP asked while speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem.

    The question was not taken lightly by the transgender, who took to Instagram to rant and use some unprintable words on the legislator.

    She also had some questions of her own. She wanted to know why Dafeamekpor was curious about her gender. Also, she wanted to know the MPs was concerned about her impact on society following her revelations.

    “Rockson – Nelson Dafeamekpor, have you felt the impact? Why, are you scared? Why are you concerned if I’m a man or a woman? Like something?

    The proponents are keen on having the bill passed before Parliament goes on recess for the Yuletide season. Already, Speaker Alban Bagbin has pledged to see to its approval before the end of the year.

    Reacting to recent debates on the bill, with regards to the deletion of some clauses in the bill and the jail term to be imposed on one caught flouting the anti-LGBTQ bill when passed into law, which saw the South Dayi MP, Dafeamekpor, play a key role, Angel Maxine noted that her side will be ready to drag Parliament to court should it approve the bill.

    In an Instagram post, she indicated that the current state of the bill contravenes the 1992 Constitution and infringes one’s human rights.

    “Pass the bill… I’m daring you to pass your copy and paste bill; the bill they’ve been helping you edit for 2 whole years and counting. NONSENSE We will be waiting for you in court to educate you on how this hate bill is against the constitution of Ghana and human rights in general. Ofui bofrot!,” she wrote.

  • Why are you scared? Pass anti-LGBTQ bill and see – Transgender dares Dafeamekpor

    Why are you scared? Pass anti-LGBTQ bill and see – Transgender dares Dafeamekpor

    Transgender musician, Angel Maxine, has challenged one of the eight Members of Parliament sponsoring the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, to continue his pursuit of having the controversial bill passed by Parliament.

    The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill introduced to Parliament in 2021 is currently in the consideration stage.

    The proponents are keen on having the bill passed before Parliament goes on recess for the Yuletide season. Already, Speaker Alban Bagbin has pledged to see to its approval before the end of the year.

    Reacting to recent debates on the bill, with regards to the deletion of some clauses in the bill and the jail term to be imposed on one caught flouting the anti-LGBTQ bill when passed into law, which saw the South Dayi MP, Dafeamekpor, play a key role, Angel Maxine noted that her side will be ready to drag Parliament to court should it approve the bill.

    In an Instagram post, she indicated that the current state of the bill contravenes the 1992 Constitution and infringes one’s human rights.

    “Rockson – Nelson Dafeamekpor, have you felt the impact? Why, are you scared? Why are you concerned if I’m a man or a woman? Like something?

    “Pass the bill… I’m daring you to pass your copy and paste bill; the bill they’ve been helping you edit for 2 whole years and counting. NONSENSE We will be waiting for you in court to educate you on how this hate bill is against the constitution of Ghana and human rights in general. Ofui bofrot!,” she wrote.

  • Anti-LGBTQ bill: We are not on a quest to arrest Ghanaians – Dafeamekpor

    Anti-LGBTQ bill: We are not on a quest to arrest Ghanaians – Dafeamekpor

    One of the eight Members of Parliament sponsoring the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, Rockson-Nelson Defeamekpor, has emphasized that the bill’s primary objective is not to intentionally imprison offenders.

    Instead, he clarified that its purpose is to act as a deterrent and to facilitate reforms within the context of promoting proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values.

    Speaking in on Joy FM’s Top Story on Tuesday, December 12, he said, “Nobody is intending to imprison anybody with this bill. It is a conduct that we think that we should check as a sovereign people.”

    In the midst of deliberations, Parliament faced a challenge in reaching a consensus on the suitable penalties for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community engaging in what is described as unnatural carnal knowledge with one another.

    The proposed legislation criminalizes sexual activities between individuals of the same sex, as well as those involving a person with an animal or object, advocating for imprisonment ranging from 3 to 5 years. Despite this, the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee suggested a potential prison sentence of up to 3 years, refraining from specifying a minimum required sentence.

    Mr Dafeamekpor said: “I support the lower limit. The legislation we are considering, which would lead to an enactment, involves certain aspects of conduct that we need to proscribe, and not all of them should necessarily lead to custodial sentences. Regarding the minimum, which became a point of contention on the floor, it means the court wouldn’t have the discretion to even caution someone and discharge them after they have been convicted. However, the intention of this legislation is not necessarily to imprison people.”

    Furthermore, Rockson-Nelson Defeamekpor added that the bill is crafted in a manner that allows the court to afford individuals found guilty a second chance to reform their behavior.

    “There would be circumstances where, after a successful prosecution and conviction, the court may be inclined, depending on the peculiarity of the case and the applicable law, to merely caution the person to go and be of good conduct.”

    In light of the bill’s objectives, Rockson-Nelson Defeamekpor urged international stakeholders for their support, emphasizing the bill’s intended focus. During the discussion, Edem Senanu, Chairman of Advocates of Christ Ghana, echoed agreement with the idea that the court could caution individuals found guilty of engaging in same-sex activities.

    Senanu deemed this approach as fair, suggesting that in cases where individuals receive multiple cautions, there should be a mechanism in place to escalate sanctions as needed.

    “The concept is not bad. It is to ensure that certain things are not promoted. I don’t think that anyone should have a problem if the judge thinks that the merits of a case are such that they want to caution an individual,” he added.

  • Anti-LGBTQ bill: Dafeamekpor fights deletion of Clause 4

    Anti-LGBTQ bill: Dafeamekpor fights deletion of Clause 4

    South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has opposed the removal of Clause 4 of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill.

    Clause 4 of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill creates an offense related to undermining proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values.

    According to the Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, the clause clause is ambiguous and highly subjective in nature, a decision made following engagements with the Attorney-General, hence the need to delete it.

    Quoting recommendations from the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, Mr. Anyimadu Antwi said, “Though this clause creates an offence relating to undermining proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values what constitutes ‘undermine’ is not defined and therefore the basis of the offence cannot be determined.

    “Mr. Speaker this is the advice the learned Attorney General gave to the committee and the entire committee agreed on this advice. And that’s why we agreed as has been said by ranking that it was too much of subjectivity and ambiguities and that is why we propose that in deleting and creating an offence we shouldn’t be having ambiguities and subjectivities. That is why the proposal is to delete the entire clause.”

    But an unenthused Rockson-Nelson Defeamekpor said that clause was integral to the entire bill and thus deleting it would be erroneous.

    “Mr. Speaker the essence of four is so cardinal to this legislation. So, so cardinal, so, so fundamental to it. I’ve been struggling to appreciate the point made by the ranking member that this offence in article 39, he’s not been able to point it out.

    “The subjectivity element that he points to that, too I am struggling to appreciate.

    “Because you see when we enacted the provision this way, subject to the enhancement contained in the amendments listed thereafter, there will be investigations if somebody makes a complaint that clause four which subsequently will become section four has been breached, that is not the end of it. Investigations will be conducted. It is the investigation that will establish a prima facie that indeed clause four subsequently section four of the law has been breached or not,” he explained.

    The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill is currently at the consideration stage, and Speaker Alban Bagbin has assured of its passing before the House goes on recess for the Yuletide season.

  • VRA Directors’ salary increased from GHC299k to GHC725k despite GHC138m loss – Dafeamekpor claims

    VRA Directors’ salary increased from GHC299k to GHC725k despite GHC138m loss – Dafeamekpor claims

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has criticized the management of the Volta River Authority (VRA) for purportedly providing its staff, including the director, with excessively high remunerations.

    Mr Dafeamekpor pointed out that despite VRA recording a loss of over GH¢138 million in 2022, documentation indicates a substantial increase in staff salaries, exceeding GH¢90 million, with the director alone seeing a rise of over GH¢400,000.

    In posts shared on X on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, the MP raised questions about the rationale behind such actions by the authority.

    “In 2022, VRA grew by 3% with a mkt share of 54.27%. Operating Y declined by 7% & Profit eroded from Ghc355.4m in 2021 to a loss of Ghc138.4m (Ghc493.8m) in 2022. Staff wages increased from Ghc316.63m in 2021 to Ghc397.65m in 2022. Director’s fees went up from Ghc299k to Ghc725k.

    “Why must Directors of a Company that moved it from a profit margin of Ghc355.4m in 2021 to a net loss of Ghc138.4m a yr later, be permitted to increase Board fees from Ghc299k to Ghc723k? Why?” he wrote.

    The MP’s social media post included what was claimed to be a parliamentary report from the Committee on Employment, Social Welfare, and State Enterprises. This report purportedly illustrated a decrease in profit and a simultaneous rise in salaries for VRA staff.

    According to the document, the VRA provided an explanation, stating that the salary increments were a result of the annual salary reviews and adjustments conducted by the authority.

  • EC can decentralize voter registration without new legislation – Dafeamekpor

    EC can decentralize voter registration without new legislation – Dafeamekpor

    Member of Parliament representing South Dayi under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has expressed his view that the decision of the Electoral Commission (EC) not to conduct the ongoing limited voter registration outside of its district offices is not justifiable.

    Mrs. Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, has attributed their inability to expand the voter registration exercise partly to Parliament’s actions, specifically the failure to approve the new Constitutional Instrument (C.I) that the Commission had presented for endorsement.

    In addressing the various concerns and criticisms surrounding the ongoing registration process, Mrs. Jean Mensa conveyed that the Commission finds itself in a highly challenging predicament due to these circumstances.

    In an interview with Joy News, “As you are all aware, the Commission prepared a draft C.I for continuous registration in all district offices nationwide. This initiative started last year and the registration we were envisioning under the draft C.I was for a sustained long-term basis.

    “Indeed, had the C.I been passed we would have had some six months this year to register voters at any time of their choice. Our 2023 budget and work plan were prepared along those lines. Our 2023 work-plan and budget were based on a continuous registration of voters in our district offices nationwide, we did not factor electoral area registration in our 2023 work plan and budget,” she explained.

    Mr Dafeamekpor,explained why the EC’s use of the C.I. as an excuse is flawed.

    “The EC Commissioner and her deputies lied against the institution of parliament. Sometime in November 2022, after the 2023 budget was read, the EC came to parliament with what they called Medium-Term Expenditure Framework as well as its budgetary expenditure for 2023. The MTEF run from 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 as its work program. Parliament never tainted anything in that work program. In addition to that, parliament approved the budget that the EC asked for. The EC actually asked for as much as GHS 386,047,606 as its budget for 2023.

    “Out of that budget, the EC specifically asked for GHS 66, 059,846 as the budget for its continuous registration, and that is the language of the C.I. The EC never needs a new law in order to carry out its mandate as this present registration has demonstrated. The position of the minority has always been that you don’t need a new law to carry out your mandate. What does the existing law say about registration? If you go to C.I. 91, Regulation 2, sub-regulation 1(a) which is on registration centres, speaks of the fact that the EC can conduct registration at its district offices.

    He further explained that, “in sub-regulation 2(2) it says that the EC in designating other registration centres may take certain factors into consideration especially access and convenience. In sub-regulation 2 sub-regulation 4 of C.1. as amended by C..I. 126, parliament was very clear that in granting that discretion to the Electoral Commission to designate additional registration centres, it could be abused. So what did parliament do? Parliament said, you must take into consideration the existing gazetted polling stations when you want to consider additional registration centers in the district.

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and five other political parties have already filed a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission (EC) over the choice.

    The political parties that are up in arms believe that the EC’s decision to limit the registration centres to district offices could potentially deny many eligible voters their right to register as voters and cast ballots in public elections.

    According to Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, director of electoral services for the Commission, eligible voters who are unable to register at one of the Commission’s district offices nationwide will have to do so in the following election.

    He stated that once the EC receives parliamentary approval for its Constitutional Instrument, C.I., special arrangements will be made for difficult-to-reach areas. He claims that the Commission will also conduct a continuous registration process in its offices, which will accommodate potential voters whenever they come in.

  • Govt is running us into an energy crisis – Dafeamekpor 

    Govt is running us into an energy crisis – Dafeamekpor 

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has attributed the ongoing debt crisis in the country’s energy sector to mismanagement by the government.

    He expressed concern that this mismanagement could lead to an energy crisis with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) already demanding substantial payments owed to them.

    Mr. Dafeamekpor emphasized that the operations of IPPs are financially demanding, and they require timely payments to sustain their operations. The failure to settle these debts puts the viability of these power producers at risk.

    “Where we are, the government has mismanaged the energy sector and running us into a crisis if we’re not careful. So I’m not surprised that the IPPs are demanding blood.

    “They need these payments. If you look at the nature of their operations, the operations are very cost intensive. So they need these monies,” he said on JoyNews’ AM show on Thursday.

    The politician expressed that the economy the current government inherited from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is one that could have seen their progress doubled in the present year if they had followed the trajectory.

    According to him, the blame on the Covid-19 pandemic for the economic challenges extending to the energy sector is not substantial.

    This, he expressed is because, in the wake of the pandemic, the government received huge sums of “free monies” from international bodies. “So how did you expend it?” he questioned.

    The IPPs are threatening to cut power supply to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) should the debt owed them not be paid.
    Should this happen, many companies, businesses, and government institutions could cease operations.

    Government owes these power producers about $1.5 billion, an amount accumulated between January 2022 and March 2023.

    Meanwhile, the IPPs have said that government should at least by July 1, pay 30% of the total debt in order to avoid power outages.

  • MPs should have medical review annually – Dafeamekpor requests after Kumawu MP’s death

    MPs should have medical review annually – Dafeamekpor requests after Kumawu MP’s death

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has called on the House to provide annual medical reviews for legislators.

    The MP made this request while speaking on the floor of the House on Friday when he paid tribute to the late Kumawu MP, Philip Atta Basoah.

    Mr Dafeamekpor noted that the unexpected death of his colleague has compelled MPs to reconsider and make good health a priority while offering their service to the country.

    “As members and as a House, we should have a relook or re-evaluate how we work on this house.

    “The work is sidentry, it is about 95 per cent sitting down and we sit for very long hours. So instead of asking members to produce their annual medical records when we are freshly elected, I want to suggest that now we have an annual medical review. So you are not medically reviewed every four years, like Parliament does,” he said.

    According to the South Dayi MP, the late Basoah was quiet and diligent in performing his duties.

    “We will miss him a lot on the Public Affairs Committee because of how he carried himself and worked together. I still can’t believe Honourable Basoah I saw on Thursday night fell sick the next day and is no longer with us,” Mr Dafeamekpor  added.

    Philip Atta Basoah is reported to have passed away on Tuesday morning, March 28, 2023, while receiving treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

    While receiving treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital was scheduled to be flown outside the country for further medical attention.

    Philip Atta Basoah, however, passed away before much could be done. Mr Philip Basoah represented the people of Kumawu in Parliament since 2013.

    He served on the Lands & Forestry and Committee on Selection before becoming the chairman of the Employment, Social Welfare and Public Enterprises.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Alban Bagbin quits Ghana Bar Association

    Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has withdrawn his membership from the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).

    Mr Bagbin said the conduct of the renowned lawyers association is problematic and people are worried about its position on matters of national interest.

    The Speaker of Parliament made this revelation when a delegation from a newly created association of lawyers: the Law Society of Ghana (LSG) paid a courtesy call to him at his office.

    The LSG delegation which was led by its Acting President and MP for South Dayi, Hon. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, was at the Speaker’s office to congratulate him on his new position as the President of the Commonwealth Leaders Association.

    They used the opportunity to inform the Speaker about the inception of LSG and its contribution to nation-building.

    The LSG is an association for lawyers and law students who seek to shape national discourse and fight against injustice in all forms.

    To Mr Dafeamekpor, the group has realized that the GBA has deviated from its core mandate in terms of fairness and inclusiveness.

    He also observed that the GBA has sidelined some of its members and added that a lot of things done by the association are discharged with partisan colours.

    The primary aim of LSG, Dafeamekpor stressed, is to cater for “the welfare of lawyers” and “push for reforms in the Ghana Legal system, for instance the Judicial System control on the training of legal professionals.”

    As part of LSG structures, the MP said, there is the intention to affiliate with a lot of globally recognized Lawyer Associations such as the West African lawyers Association, Pan African Lawyers Association, African Lawyers Association, and Commonwealth lawyers amongst others.

    Speaker’s Concerns About GBA

    Reacting to the vision of the LSG, Speaker Bagbin stated the Society is good for the country as it is going to throw a global light on Ghana, especially with the global affiliations.

    To him, a lot of people were worried at the state of GBA and their actions.

    ” I am no longer a member of GBA,” he disclosed and explained that he did not seem to benefit from the association.

    Speaker Bagbin said the GBA has now become an association of elites, stressing that he used to pay his dues “religiously” but got to know that any lawyer that attended the public tribunal was not recognized and thus his interest in GBA diminished.

    “I will support the LSG wholeheartedly and with the right opportunities irrespective of the numbers of members so long as we are focused and committed, we can make tremendous waves,” he assured.

    Speaker Bagbin said Ghanaians have the brain power to capitalize on “for our benefit” hence “the quest for value and what is right always takes us to places and I believe LSG will be one of the pillars of such a culture to take us to places as a country.”

    He also advised LSG to come up with reasoned opinions and critique law reports and publish them in journals.