The long-awaited Affirmative Action Bill has encountered a major setback in Parliament as Members of the House consider the bill.
Former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has raised serious constitutional concerns about several provisions in the bill, suggesting that they may be struck down by the Supreme Court if passed in its current form.
One of the contentious provisions of the bill seeks to ensure equitable representation of males and females in Parliament, instructing the Electoral Commission to enforce compliance by political parties.
However, Mr Iddrisu argues that this provision is unconstitutional, citing Article 94 of the constitution, which grants political parties the freedom to field candidates of their choosing in parliamentary elections.
“We are all elected by political parties to contest as Members of Parliament… how can the Electoral Commission regulate political parties that there should be parity of women?” Mr Iddrisu questioned.
He emphasized that any changes to the gender composition of Parliament should be done through amending the constitution, rather than through legislation.
Ranking Member on the Gender and Children’s Committee Hellen Adjoa Ntoso, a proponent of the bill, defended the provision, arguing that it is necessary to ensure fair representation for women, who constitute 51.2% of the population. She emphasized the importance of women having equal opportunities in political positions and decision-making processes.
In addition to the gender representation issue, the bill also includes a provision that requires media houses to portray females in a positive light.
Mr Iddrisu also raised concerns about this provision, stating that it infringes on the freedom of media houses and journalists to determine their editorial policies.
“The woman must merit positive reportage if she behaves positively like any other man,” Iddrisu remarked, indicating that positive portrayal should be based on individual merit rather than a legal mandate.
The fate of the Affirmative Action Bill hangs in the balance as Parliament continues to debate its provisions, with constitutional concerns threatening to derail its progress.
Investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has weighed in on the bribery allegations against the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu.
He proposed that rather than Mr Iddrisu attempting to clear his name independently, it would be prudent for a Ghanaian investigative body to examine the case and ascertain his innocence.
Manasseh expressed keen interest in how Ghana’s anti-corruption agencies would handle the situation, highlighting its potential impact on the country’s global political reputation.
He emphasized that the accusations could adversely affect Iddrisu’s political standing and future prospects.
“The MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has denied damning bribery allegations against him by a South African newspaper. I’m wondering if the anti-corruption institutions in Ghana would investigate the matter. It would be in Haruna Iddrisu’s interest if the allegations were investigated and his innocence established as he argues.
“As it stands, it doesn’t look good for his image and political future. It also doesn’t look good for our anti-corruption agencies, the weakest of which has more power and more resources than the most powerful and resourceful investigative journalist in this country,” he wrote on his X page.
Manasseh’s remarks were prompted by an investigative report from News24, which implicated Iddrisu in alleged bribery activities, claiming he received over US$2.5 million (47 million rands).
The report focused on the activities of Rushil and Nishani Singh, who operated the Ghana Infrastructure Company (GIC) from 2017 to 2022, identifying the MP as a purported ‘broker’ for the company.
In response, Mr Iddrisu vehemently denied any involvement in brokering deals for GIC or receiving payments from the Singh siblings.
He refuted the allegations, stating that they not only aimed to tarnish his reputation but also undermined the trust and integrity of his position as the MP for Tamale South.
“To be clear, and for the avoidance of doubt, I have never at any point in time, received personally, directed to be paid to, benefited from, or been aware of, any unlawful, illegal or immoral payments made by either GIC or the Singhs. Also, I have never brokered any deals to benefit GIC and/or the Singhs.
“… I vehemently deny these allegations and categorically refute any implication of wrongdoing. This unfounded allegation not only seeks to tarnish my reputation but also undermines the trust and integrity of my office as the Member of Parliament for the people of Tamale South.”
Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has reacted to a bribery allegation against two Ghanaian politicians by a South African media house.
An investigative report by a prominent news portal in South Africa, News24, outlines various instances where substantial sums of money were allegedly transferred to Tamale South MP, Mr Haruna Iddrisu through intermediaries from 2015 to 2020, with some funds purportedly used to finance projects associated with him.
The Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has denied taking a bribe worth $2.5 million to see to the operations of Ghana Infrastructure Company (GIC), owned by the Singh siblings, Rushil and Nishani.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu
Reacting to this, Mr Simons asserts that these individuals are likely to be under attack by the government.
“In an explosive piece of investigative journalism, News24 is accusing two top politicians in Ghana from both major parties of receiving kickbacks from a South African owned company, GIC. Curiously, both politicians have recently been a thorn in the flesh of the ruling party,” he wrote in a post on X platform.
An excerpt of a statement from Mr Iddrisu, which debunks this claim, reads, “To be clear, and for the avoidance of doubt, I have never at any point in time, received personally, directed to be paid to, benefited from, or been aware of, any unlawful, illegal or immoral payments made by either GIC or the Singhs. Also, I have never brokered any deals to benefit GIC and/or the Singhs.”
The five-year operation of Ghana Infrastructure Company (GIC) began from 2017 to 2022, and according to Mr Iddrisu he has neither been a director nor a shareholder of GIC, and is not involved in its management.
In view of this, Mr Iddrisu has demanded that News24 provide concrete evidence to support their accusations.
Presently, the Tamale South MP has referred the matter to his lawyers and eagerly await their advice on the next steps to be taken.
The report also mentioned a former MP for Ejisu, Kwabena Owusu Aduom, who contested in the recently held Ejisu-by election, but did not drill into details of how he benefitted.
Kwabena Owusu Aduomi’s involvement was largely linked to some road subcontracts that GIC got.
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Ejisu, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi
“Aduomi is not a signatory to the contracts but in his capacity as deputy roads minister, he was in charge of the departments responsible for the administration of the bids — most of the deals were awarded on a sole source basis.
“But it appears that Haruna was their main go-to person to secure contracts in the Ashanti Region, from where Aduomi hails, and in Tamale, Haruna’s constituency,” the report added.
A recent investigative report by a prominent news portal in South Africa, News24, has raised allegations of bribery involving a local company engaged in projects in Ghana.
According to the report, Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, is implicated in the scandal, with accusations suggesting he received bribes totaling over US$2.5 million (equivalent to 47 million rands).
The focus of the investigation centers on Rushil and Nishani Singh, siblings who operated the Ghana Infrastructure Company (GIC) from 2017 to 2022.
Details from the report outline various instances where substantial sums of money were allegedly transferred to Haruna through intermediaries, with some funds purportedly used to finance projects associated with him.
“Between 2015 and 2020, Nishani Singh used several methods to pay Idrissu directly, or to others at his request or for his benefit, at least R47 million.
“The majority of the money was paid directly from GIC’s account to various suppliers, or to GIC’s director in Ghana, Asumah Dokurugu,” the report said adding that the amount was exclusive of “amounts paid for several overseas trips to London and at least one trip to Indonesia and South Africa.”
However, Haruna Iddrisu has refuted these claims stating that “To be clear, and for the avoidance of doubt, I have never at any point in time, received personally, directed to be paid to, benefited from, or been aware of, any unlawful, illegal or immoral payments made by either GIC or the Singhs. Also, I have never brokered any deals to benefit GIC and/or the Singhs”.
Read Haruna Iddrisu’s statement:
Re: Murray Murders: The Singhs’ R1bn Ghanaian Empire that the Murrays threatened to destroy
My attention has been drawn to the above-titled publication published on 13 May 2024, by News24, a South African news website on its portal, www.news24.com. In my long public service career, I have grown accustomed to being the subject of false publications that seek to impugn my reputation, or in one way or the other, implicate me in matters that I am clueless about. Generally, I have considered attempts of this nature to be a hazard of the job and have usually ignored them. However, the allegations contained in this particular publication, which has sought to implicate me in bribery allegations, which according to News24, in an attempt to cover up, has led to the death of two persons, are so grave that I cannot help but respond.
In this publication, I have been described as “the Singhs’ closest associate” and described as being responsible for brokering contracts worth over GHS 400 million to their company, Ghana Infrastructure Company (“GIC”), in exchange for money. In making these allegations which I do not take lightly, New24, after its supposedly painstaking investigation, fails to show that I indeed received any monies from the Singhs’ or GIC. All it resorts to are fabrications and colourful storytelling in its attempts to forcefully include me in its publication. I am neither a director nor a shareholder of GIC, neither am I involved in its management.
In all, even though I am alleged to have received Forty-Seven Million Rand (R47 million), the breakdown of the alleged receipts shows the fanciful nature of the allegations made by New24, following its supposedly elaborate investigation.
Payments that were made to one Asumah Dokurugu, GIC’s director in Ghana, various suppliers, and political campaigns are for some reason being attributed to me without any basis. New24 also seeks to forcefully implicate me on an irrational basis regarding the association of my name to the Haruna Institute. For the record, the Haruna Institute does not operate a bank account and only survives on members’ contributions.
Finally, in its desperation, News24, further states that GIC paid for the construction of my house and funded several foreign trips for me. Conspicuously missing in all these claims, is any suggestion or claim that there is any proof that I received these alleged payments, betraying the bad faith intent of the publication, which has sought to put square pegs in round holes just to use my name to create traction for its portal.
To be clear, and for the avoidance of doubt, I have never at any point in time, received personally, directed to be paid to, benefited from, or been aware of, any unlawful, illegal or immoral payments made by either GIC or the Singhs. Also, I have never brokered any deals to benefit GIC and/or the Singhs.
Curiously, News24 in trying to create the impression that it reached out to me for comments, indicates that I ignored posts on my active social media pages. This further shows the bad faith approach, and honestly, puts in question the supposedly in-depth nature of its investigation. I have had occasion in the past to publicly indicate that I have no social media accounts and that the general public should disregard any accounts associated with my name. A simple Google search on my social media presence leads you to several posts by media outlets on this. It is therefore questionable that a supposedly reputable media outlet would after using its hallowed investigative skills, seek to reach me through social media accounts unrelated to me.
I vehemently deny these allegations and categorically refute any implication of wrongdoing. This unfounded allegation not only seeks to tarnish my reputation but also undermines the trust and integrity of my office as the Member of Parliament for the people of Tamale South. As a responsible member of parliament, I am committed to upholding the highest standard of ethics and transparency. I have always conducted myself with integrity and have never engaged in any form of corrupt behaviour. In light of these unfounded claims, I demand that the accuser provide concrete evidence to support their accusations. Any allegation of corruption must be backed by factual evidence rather than mere speculation or hearsay.
I do not know what may have motivated this false and unjustified attempt to denigrate my image, but rest assured that I do not intend to treat these false allegations lightly. I have promptly referred this matter to my lawyers and eagerly await their advice on the next steps to be taken. It is time that we held media outlets to high journalistic standards and quell the abuse of journalistic privileges. I will not succumb to cheap blackmail.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has praised President Akufo-Addo as a preeminent legal figure in Ghana, acknowledging his dedication to justice both during his legal career and as president.
She expressed gratitude for the President’s unwavering support for the judiciary, highlighting his presence at the opening of a conference in Accra on May 13.
The conference marked the inauguration of the 2024 Africa Conference of the International Association of Women Judges, focusing on the pivotal role of women judges in addressing contemporary challenges such as gender equality and judicial activism.
Acknowledging President Akufo-Addo’s legal acumen and commitment to the rule of law, Chief Justice Torkornoo emphasized his significant contributions to Ghana’s legal landscape.
She lauded his administration’s investment in judicial infrastructure, which has greatly benefited the judiciary during his tenure.
“We appreciate the strong support we have received from the Office of the President. The culmination of this support is the presence of His Excellency with us this morning,” she said in remarks at the opening of a conference in Accra (May 13).
“His Excellency is a lawyer and champion of justice and his name is definably hatched in the legal history of this country as the most distinguished legal practitioner.
“His belief in the rule of law has been evident during his tenure as president and the judicial service of Ghana has been a beneficiary of the exceptional level of physical and technological infrastructure during this period,” the CJ added.
President Akufo-Addo, in his address, underscored his administration’s efforts in enhancing court infrastructure and providing residential facilities for judges across the country since assuming office in 2017. This commitment has resulted in tangible progress in bolstering the judiciary’s capacity to dispense justice effectively.
“Since taking office in 2017, my administration has made significant strides in providing court infrastructure and residential facilities for judges nationwide, achieving notable progress in this area,” he said.
It’s worth noting that Chief Justice Torkornoo is the third Chief Justice appointed since President Akufo-Addo took office, succeeding Sophia Akuffo and Kwasi Anin Yeboah before her appointment in 2023.
Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, has raised concerns about the National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) allocation of GH¢2 million for dialysis support to needy patients this year.
He believes that a more sufficient allocation would have been GH¢10 million.
During a discussion in Parliament on Wednesday regarding the proposed formula for the disbursement of the National Health Insurance Fund, Iddrisu stated that the NHIA could allocate GH¢10 million, considering the national emergency of the lack of dialysis centres across the country.
“There is a national emergency of the absence of dialysis centres across the country. We have an opportunity as parliament to allocate money for the purpose of saving lives and saving persons who may be suffering from dialysis.”
“Mr Speaker I do not think that the amount of GH¢2million is enough particularly when you consider the Corporate Social Responsibility allocation of the same authority of GH¢30 million.
“At least an amount of GH¢10 million should be set aside for purposes of supporting interventions related to dialysis whether in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, or Bolga,” he noted.
Director of Corporate Affairs at the National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA), Oswald Mensah, has noted while the NHIA has received numerous requests to add several diseases to their benefits package, resources available to the Agency will not be enough to cover the expenses.
In October 2023, President Akufo-Addo issued a directive to the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to create a comprehensive strategy for funding kidney treatment in the country.
In the letter, parliament was advised not to send the Bill on Human Sexual Rights and Family Values to President Akufo-Addo for approval.
Iddrisu emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that he has been unable to sleep due to the perceived threat to democracy posed by the president’s communication.
The directive from the Office of the President, dated March 18, 2024, instructed parliament not to forward the anti-LGBT+ Bill for presidential assent.
Nana Bediatuo Asante, the Secretary to the President, defended this decision, citing the ongoing case before the Supreme Court. Asante stated that President Akufo-Addo would only take action after the court reached a decision.
In response, Haruna Iddrisu characterized the directive as an attempt by President Akufo-Addo to wield undue influence over other branches of government, as reported by citinewsroom.com.
“I am unable to sleep because this is a monumental threat to Ghana’s democracy and a monumental threat to parliament as an institution. By Article 93, we are clothed with legislative authority and legislative mandate. This letter only reflects President Akufo-Addo’s quest for predominance over other organs of state, and that is unacceptable and must be fought by all persons who love democracy and who cherish the principles and values of the 1992 Constitution.
“The framers of our Constitution endowed Ghana with a separation of powers: the executive, the legislature, the judiciary, and a division of powers.
It endowed us that parliament shall be responsible for making laws, and what powers does the president’s secretary have in writing to the Clerk of Parliament and not the president himself in writing directly to the Speaker of Parliament as is required by our standing order so that officially this can be read as communication from the president? So ideally, this paper means nothing and must be ignored by the clerk,” he stated.
The former leader of the Minority in Parliament, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, has accused Speaker Alban Bagbin of violating the constitutional rules outlined in Article 124 of the 1992 Constitution.
According to Mr Iddrisu, the Speaker failed to adhere to the stipulations of this article, which requires the establishment of a committee to assist in selecting members for the Parliamentary Service Board following changes in the Minority group last year.
Mr Iddrisu raised this concern during the formation of a committee to aid the Speaker in appointing individuals to the Parliamentary Service Board following recent changes in the Majority group.
He emphasized, “The changes in the Minority leadership happened over a year ago. So, what has the Parliamentary Service Board been doing with the Speaker and Ato Forson? That is against the Constitution”.
“The Speaker, Mr. Alban Bagbin, is not above the Constitution. He’s not above the rules, and so, when we’re talking about wrong things, it’s a problem when they break the rules of the Constitution.”
Contrary to Iddrisu’s claims, the Majority Leader, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, asserted that Mr. Bagbin followed the correct procedures when Iddrisu vacated his position.
Former Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has accused Speaker Alban Bagbin of violating the constitution in the re-composition of the Parliamentary Service Board.
The Tamale South MP stated that Bagbin did not adhere to Article 124 of the 1992 Constitution, which requires the formation of a committee to advise the Speaker on re-composing the board following a reshuffle in the Minority caucus leadership last year.
Mr Iddrisu raised these concerns as a committee was being set up to advise the Speaker on re-composing the board after changes in the Majority leadership.
He criticized the prolonged absence of the reconstituted board, chaired by Bagbin, emphasizing that no one, including Bagbin, is above the 1992 Constitution.
“The changes in the Minority leadership happened over a year ago, so over the year, what has the Parliamentary Service Board been doing with the Speaker as chair with the participation of Ato Forson? That is unconstitutional, illegal, and unacceptable. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, is not above the 1992 Constitution. He is not above the constitution, and therefore, when we are talking about illegalities, I worry when they are unconstitutional.”
Contrarily, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin rejected Haruna Iddrisu’s allegations, stating that Speaker Bagbin adhered to due process in re-composing the Parliamentary Service Board.
“The contention of my very senior colleague and respected Minority Leader who is arguing that this has rather come too late, it has not, and I will want to argue with you on that. When you left the chair, the needful, as you complained about, was done, and the record bears me out. You are arguing that constitutionally, why has Speaker [Alban] Bagbin breached the constitution, and I did contend that he has not? The former leader of this House did the needful.”
A former minority leader and Tamale South and member of parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, is surprised that President Akufo-Addo did not apologize to Ghanaians for mishandling the country’s economy.
Speaking to the media in Parliament, Mr. Iddrisu expressed his inability to understand why the President had put Ghanaians through so much suffering and had not offered an apology when he had the chance.
“Our country, the economy is in peril. Ghanaians are going through unacceptable, excruciating hardships. The President ought to have apologised to Ghanaians that, ‘I came seven years ago promising to redeem you and to end your suffering. I have failed in ending that suffering and, therefore, I’m sorry’,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu further expressed his anticipation for the President to clarify the rapid enrichment of his appointees at the expense of Ghanaians.
The Tamale South MP suggested that it was becoming increasingly apparent that the President was abandoning the anti-corruption crusade.
Mr. Iddrisu described President Akufo-Addo’s State of the Nations Address is a “campaign message”.
“Was it the President’s State of the Nation address or a campaign message for Bawumia? I think that the President came to launch a campaign to determine his successor rather than deliver a State of the Nation Address” he stated.
The Tamale South MP reiterated, “I’m sure he came to deliver a ‘State of the Message of Bawumia’ wanting to succeed him so, it was more a ‘State of Bawumia’s Campaign’ than a State of the Nation Address.”
Former parliamentarians, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Haruna Iddrisu have been spotted shaking hands during The State of The Nation Address (SONA) 2024.
The duo witnessed what others have deemed as a controversial exit from parliament.
On February 21, 2024, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stepped down as the Majority Leader of parliament.
This decision was revealed during a crucial meeting of the Majority Group at the Jubilee House, addressing heightened tensions within the caucus regarding potential leadership reshuffling.
In this regard, the party endorsed Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin as the leader for the Majority Caucus.
In contrast, on January 24, 2023, the opposition National Democratic Congress underwent a parliamentary leadership reshuffle. In a letter directed to the speaker, Haruna Iddrisu, the former Minority Leader, was replaced by Cassiel Ato Forson, the MP for Ajumako Enyan Esiam.
Furthermore, James Klutsey Avezi, the former deputy, was succeeded by Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the MP for Ellembele Constituency.
Kwame Governs Agbodza, the MP for Adaklu Constituency, took on the role of Chief Whip, supplanting Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the MP for Asawase in the Ashanti Region.
Executive Director of the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Rasheed Draman, has asserted Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has suffered the same fate as his colleague from the Minority side, Haruna Iddrisu, who was dismissed as Minority leader.
Speaking in an interview, Dr Rasheed Draman criticised the manner in which Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, relinquished his post. He believes the MP was compelled to make the decision.
According to reports emanating from within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Suame MP willingly offered to step down during a meeting of the NPP caucus in parliament and the executive, including President Akufo-Addo.
Dr Draman, however, believes otherwise and questioned whether such an approach was the best way to encourage individuals to dedicate themselves to public service.
While recognizing the party’s prerogative to select its leaders in Parliament, he emphasized that the governance of the country is a shared responsibility.
Additionally, he argued that given Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s long-standing commitment to public service by being the longest-serving Member of Parliament, it is problematic to have the Majority relieved from his post in such a manner.
“I don’t think the end should be a push,” he said.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu officially resigned from his position as the leader of the majority caucus in Parliament on Wednesday evening. This decision comes amidst swirling rumors suggesting his potential ousting to facilitate the ascension of his Deputy, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, to the leadership role.
Speculation had been rife in political circles regarding the future leadership of the majority caucus, with reports indicating a possible transition from Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to Afenyo-Markin. The rumors gained traction as internal discussions within the caucus intensified in recent weeks.
The recent announcement has sparked widespread speculation and debate within political circles.
Many observers and commentators have posited that his decision may have been influenced by his new role as the Chairman of the Manifesto Committee for the NPP’s 2024 election campaign.
However, Dr Draman raised doubts about this rationale, highlighting that there are other Members of Parliament who concurrently hold ministerial positions and effectively manage their dual responsibilities.
“So really, we are just seeing a replay of the situation that we saw with the NDC, and Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has now joined his friend Haruna Iddrisu in suffering the same fate,” he said on Wednesday.
Dr Draman expressed his belief that, regardless of whether the resignation was negotiated or not, a better approach could have been taken to avoid the evident discord surrounding the departure of Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for urgent government intervention in the Tamale Metropolis, where residents have been grappling with severe water shortages for the past two years.
Addressing Parliament, Iddrisu emphasized the dire nature of the situation, attributing it to abandoned water projects that have exacerbated the crisis.
Water scarcity has reached critical levels in parts of the Tamale Metropolis, with residents enduring months without access to clean water.
Compounded by the drying up of water bodies during the harmattan season, the situation has forced many to resort to unclean water sources for survival.
Residents, who cannot recall the last time water flowed from their taps, now rely on murky water from hand-dugout pits behind the Zoomlion Company Limited offices on the Zujung cemetery road. Dubbed “mapuka pits” by locals, this makeshift water source has become the primary source of water for residents since the rains ceased.
During a session in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu emphasized the severity of the water shortage situation, advocating for a declaration of a state of emergency to facilitate government intervention with necessary funds.
Additionally, Sampson Ahi, the MP for Bodi and former deputy Minister for Works and Housing, urged fellow MPs to rally support from the government, drawing parallels to the proactive measures taken by the Mahama administration in addressing similar challenges in their communities during their tenure.
Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has voiced his opinion regarding the possibility of an impending ministerial reshuffle in the Ghanaian government, suggesting that such a move by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would likely stem from pressure within his political party rather than his personal inclination.
Iddrisu noted that despite Akufo-Addo‘s previous assertions that he does not favor ministerial reshuffles, the prospect of such a reorganization suggests a yielding to internal party pressure.
“If Akufo-Addo ever reshuffles, then he is yielding to pressure from his party because he himself has always said that he doesn’t believe in reshuffling,” the legislator remarked.
Highlighting the importance of periodic reshuffles in government, Iddrisu emphasized that such changes are customary worldwide as they infuse new perspectives and prevent complacency among ministers.
“Reshuffling is needed in every government and has been a common practice across the globe because it adds new blood and prevents the ministers from being complacent,” he stated.
Iddrisu’s remarks come amid speculation surrounding the potential reshuffling of ministerial positions within the Ghanaian government, with observers suggesting that internal dynamics within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) may be driving such considerations.
President Akufo-Addo has previously emphasized his stance against frequent reshuffles, opting for continuity in his ministerial appointments. However, recent developments hint at the possibility of changes within the government’s cabinet.
The discussion around a potential reshuffle has sparked debates within political circles, with various stakeholders expressing differing views on the matter.
As the country awaits official announcements regarding any ministerial changes, the debate over the necessity and implications of such reshuffles continues to unfold.
Former Minority Leader and Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu, has joined voices in the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) kicking against the implementation of a new date for the country’s general elections.
Speaking at a Town Hall meeting held as part of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s “Building Ghana Tour” in Gushegu, Haruna Iddrisu asserted that such a move undermines the rights of the electorate and defies common sense.
The legislator, in his address stressed on the fundamental nature of the right to vote, enshrined under Article 42 of the constitution.
He fervently argued that any alteration to the voting time would inevitably impede the electorate’s capacity to fully exercise this sacred right, regardless of the length of the queue.
“It is a common sense matter,” stated Haruna Iddrisu. “Some people can finish voting at 10 am because their numbers are inadequate. It makes common sense that whenever you have a queue of Ghanaians, even up to 11 pm, legitimacy and constitutionalism require that you respect the right to vote.”
Expressing apprehension regarding the potential consequences of the Electoral Commission’s proposed amendment, Haruna Iddrisu underscored the significant constitutional challenge it presents.
He emphasized that changing the voting time would require amending two articles of the constitution, suggesting that achieving consensus in Parliament could pose considerable difficulty.
“We do not think that parliament may be able to build a consensus on that matter because it will require a constitutional amendment of two articles,” emphasized Haruna Iddrisu.
Moreover, he stressed the importance of maintaining the use of indelible ink for the election, underlining its crucial role in preserving the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has declared its intention and is making plans to change the election date from December 7 to November 7. The decision follows a proposal from the Seventh-Day Adventist Church for the amendment of the December 7, 2024, election date to a different day.
The SDA church wants the date moved since it is a Saturday and a day of worship for the church. The EC subsequently welcomed the idea and suggested that the voting date be moved to November 7.
An Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting to deliberate on the change of the date for the 2024 general election was held in Accra on Monday, January 29, 2024.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the various political parties that make up IPAC.
The meeting, which started at 10:30 a.m. with the two Deputy Commissioners of the Electoral Commission (EC) -Corporate Services, Dr Eric Bossman Asare; and Operations, Samuel Tettey, at the helm of affairs was afford IPAC members an opportunity to discuss the EC’s proposal to move the election date from the traditional December 7 to November 7 and also make it a holiday.
While the EC maintained that it could go through the needed processes to effect the change of date, some of the political parties said activating such a move in an election year was too short a period.
However, the parties have agreed in principle that the processes for the change in election date could begin after the 2024 elections and be applied in the 2028 elections.
Former Tamale Central MP, Inusah Fuseini, has rejected claims that there is tension between former President John Dramani Mahama and Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu.
There have been reports that there is a strained relationship between the two bigwigs in the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Such rumors have been sparked by @Gen_Buhari, an NPP activist, on social media.
Nothing substantial has been raised as the cause of the alleged strained relationship.
Responding to the claim in an interview on Neat FM, Mr Inusah Fuseini, considered to be in close relation to Mr Mahama, noted that he is unaware of such a conflict.
“I don’t exactly know what is happening between Mahama and Haruna Iddrisu. The devil himself is incapable of knowing, honestly. So I can’t pretend to know. I simply do not understand what is the problem between Haruna and Mahama,” he said.
The former legislator noted that the claims could not be true as the NDC flagbearer, Mr Mahama and Haruna Iddrisu, recently toured Wale together.
“Recently, Mahama went to Bole. While returning, he specifically invited Haruna to join him in Wale. He went with Haruna. I don’t see anything between Haruna Iddrisu and Mahama. I can say with authority, the home Haruna Issrisu lived in at Bobuase was Mahama’s father’s house,” he said.
The NDC northern caucus is deeply divided, the supporters of Haruna Iddrisu have vowed to punish John Mahama in the 2024 elections, its this same issue that led to the attack on Chairman Azoka and the Northern Regional Treasurer, Haruna Iddrissu’s demotion at Parliament is the… pic.twitter.com/Ft7sT9GIZz
A video of the former Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, dancing to a northern ethnic song has sparked controversy on social media, as an NPP activist claims that the NDC northern caucus is deeply divided and unhappy with John Mahama.
The video, which was posted by @Gen_Buhari, an NPP activist, on Twitter, shows Hon. Iddrisu, who is also the Member of Parliament for Tamale-South, dancing and smiling at a public event.
However, the caption of the video suggests that the MP is not happy with the NDC leadership, especially the former President and flagbearer, John Mahama, who is seeking to contest the 2024 elections.
“The NDC northern caucus is deeply divided, the supporters of Haruna Iddrisu have vowed to punish John Mahama in the 2024 elections, its this same issue that led to the attack on Chairman Azoka and the Northern Regional Treasurer, Haruna Iddrissu’s demotion at Parliament is the worse mistake NDC did and they’ll be punished mercilessly for that, you can’t hate Dagombas and expect their votes in election. Interesting times ahead,” the caption reads.
This post has elicited diverse responses on Twitter, with some endorsing the claim and others dismissing it as mischief and propaganda.
One of the comments, written by @Arena_Odd, said: “I have not been seeing Haruna Iddrisu at any NDC gathering off late.” To which @Gen_Buhari replied in Ghanaian pidgin English: “He vex waaaa”, meaning he is very angry.
@Gen_Buhari alleged that the NDC northern caucus, especially the supporters of Hon. Iddrisu, who is a Dagomba, have vowed to punish John Mahama, who is a Gonja, in the 2024 elections, by either voting for the NPP or boycotting the polls. He said that the NDC cannot expect to win the votes of the Dagombas.
Despite these allegations, some Twitter users have questioned the credibility and legitimacy of the information provided by @Gen_Buhari, suggesting it might be part of the NPP’s propaganda to create division within the NDC, especially as the 2024 elections approach.
The NDC northern caucus is deeply divided, the supporters of Haruna Iddrisu have vowed to punish John Mahama in the 2024 elections, its this same issue that led to the attack on Chairman Azoka and the Northern Regional Treasurer, Haruna Iddrissu’s demotion at Parliament is the… pic.twitter.com/Ft7sT9GIZz
The Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has stated that former President John Dramani Mahama is returning to the presidency with massive insights that will change the fortunes of the Ghanaian economy.
He has thus made a passionate appeal to Ghanaians to vote massively for Mr. Mahama in the 2024 polls.
“I have said that former President Mahama is coming back to the throne with two important insights and one important hindsight. He has been President, and he is being outside as non-President, and he will combine the two to change the destiny of this country.”
He expressed optimism that the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) “would change the country for good.”
The former Minority Leader made these remarks on December 28 when the paramount chief of Nakpanduri, Naba David Kansuk Na Golbila II, and his sub-chiefs conferred on him a chieftaincy title, Sugru-Lana, Chief of Patience, at the palace.
He further called on the chiefs and indigenes in the area to also vote for NDC MPs to help Mr. Mahama propel the needed change in the area and Ghana as a whole.
The outspoken MP pledged his continuous support for the development of the country.
He stated, “I pledge to continue to exercise utmost restraint and patience in my attempt to contribute to the public interest and overall development of Ghana.”
Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has put forward a bold proposal to limit government borrowing to 70% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
If enacted, this proposal would impose a substantial constraint on the government’s capacity to accumulate additional debt.
“This parliament must sit up and we must sit up to demand a feeling for good for all presidents and governments. I maintain that no president or government should be allowed to borrow beyond 70% of GDP,” he said during a debate on the budget allocation for the Finance Ministry on Thursday.
In addition to suggesting a cap on government borrowing, the former Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has advocated for a forensic audit into the indebtedness of the Finance Ministry to State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
He specifically highlighted entities such as Ghana Gas, ECG (Electricity Company of Ghana), and NCA (National Communications Authority) where there may be substantial debts owed by the Ministry of Finance.
“I am asking for a forensic audit as to how much money the Ministry of Finance has held on state-owned agencies, Ghana Gas, ECG, NCA. Those of them who have other holding that the office of the Chief of Staff has taken money away from them. We need to know,” he said.
As per the World Bank, Ghana’s public debt has surged from 79.6% of GDP in 2021 to over 90% in 2022, accompanied by a debt service-to-revenue ratio of 117.6%.
This escalation in debt levels raises apprehensions regarding Ghana’s capacity to meet its financial obligations and exposes the country to heightened vulnerability in the face of economic shocks.
Former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has urged both the State and Parliament to take additional measures to support sanitation workers employed by Zoomlion Ghana Limited.
He expressed concern over the disparity between the amount paid to Zoomlion by the State (approximately GH₵800) for each sanitation worker and the significantly lower amount (less than GH₵300) received by the workers themselves.
To address this issue, Haruna Iddrisu proposed a direct payment system, where the government would pay Zoomlion sanitation workers directly.
“When we pass the Youth Employment Act and the leader will recall, even some of the negotiations in his office, we said that separate beneficiary allowances from service charges. Zoomlion is a service provider. Let the Common Fund and the State pay him as a private contractor engaged to provide sanitation.
“Mr Speaker when you give him GH₵800 and beneficiaries end up getting GH₵200 or GH₵250. I do not think that that is neat enough or good enough. We should have a way of dealing with beneficiary allowances. It should go straight to those in the sanitation model,” he added.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu’s remarks come amid revelations from the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, stating that Zoomlion Ghana Limited has violated several regulations in its dealings with two District Assemblies.
According to the committee’s report, Zoomlion received payments from the District Assemblies Common Fund for the supply of equipment to the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai and Mampong districts. However, the company failed to fulfill its contractual obligations by not supplying the agreed-upon equipment, constituting a breach of the contractual agreements.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on December 13, a Member of the Committee, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor said “The committee established that Zoomlion Ghana Limited was paid some monies, but failed to supply the necessary sanitation equipment to the various assemblies.
“Mr. Speaker. The committee determined that deductions were made from the accounts of two assemblies, and paid to Zoomlion for the supply of sanitation equipment to improve the sanitation in their areas under what they call the Sanitation Improvement Programme, which is SIP. However, the company did not supply the items to the assemblies, contrary to regulation 79 of the PFM regulation 2019 LI 2378.”
Ghanaian-owned enterprise, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, specializes in delivering comprehensive waste management solutions. Their services encompass the entire waste management process, starting from collection, through haulage, transfer, sorting, recycling, and disposal.
Member of Parliament for the Tamale South constituency, Haruna Iddrisu, expressed confidence that Mr. John Dramani Mahama, the former president and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), would emerge victorious in the 2024 general election under conditions that are free, fair, and credible.
He asserted that if Ghanaians were to cast their votes considering the current economic conditions and the overall state of the country, the NDC firmly believed that Mr. Mahama would secure victory in any free, fair, and credible elections held in Ghana in 2024.
“If Ghanaians are to vote based on the state of the country, the state of its institutions and the state of the suffering of the people of Ghana, Mr John Dramani Mahama will humble others,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu, a former Minority Leader in Parliament, made these remarks during the inauguration of the Upper East Regional Women’s Wing Working Committee of the party. The event centered around the theme, “Effective mobilization of the women’s front.”
He said, “2024 offers the NDC the best opportunity to recapture political power, and we all must endeavour to work to support John Dramani Mahama.”
The MP emphasized that Mr. Mahama’s extensive experience in governance makes him the right candidate to lead Ghana towards improvement.
He called on the NDC to work diligently to secure all 15 seats in the Region, contributing to a parliamentary majority that would support Mr. Mahama’s presidency.
While expressing confidence in the NDC’s victory, he cautioned the party against complacency, emphasizing the importance of conveying credible and sustainable messages to the public.
Mr. Iddrisu urged NDC members, particularly communicators, to highlight the party’s positive contributions and development projects during its time in government.
“The issues get forgotten too early,” he noted.
He called on the media to play its watchdog role, saying “You held NDC, John Mahama accountable, hold Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia accountable to their duties, pledges and failures.”
Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for investigation into Ghana’s delegation to COP28 in Dubai
He expressed dismay at the exorbitant number of over six hundred (600) participants that Ghana sent to the COP28 conference.
During his address on the floor of Parliament on Monday, December 4, 2023, the former Minority Leader highlighted the adverse effects of such a large delegation on the country’s finances.
“Mr. Speaker, with this economic distress, how can Ghana lead a delegation of 618 persons? Are we shouldering the economic gain and hardship of the Ghanaian? And Mr. Speaker, I see a delegation of the president here at COP28… I am demanding that a committee looks at this,” he said.
According to data released by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Ghana’s representation at COP28 in Dubai has increased significantly from 350 last year to 618.
The delegation comprises 95 individuals on the official parties list and an additional 523 on the party overflow list. These figures are provisional and based on registered participants; the final numbers, including those collecting physical badges at the venue, will be provided by the UNFCCC after the summit concludes.
COP 28, scheduled from November 30 to December 12, is anticipated to be a historic event, witnessing a record-breaking number of delegates.
The provisional total for this year’s summit indicates that 97,372 individuals have registered to attend in person, nearly double the attendance at COP 27 in Egypt. Notably, for the first time in COP history, all delegates, including “host country guests” from the UAE and 3,000 “virtual-only” participants, have been named in the participant lists.
Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for a parliamentary investigation into allegations that the government registered over 600 delegates for this year’s Conference of Parties (COP28).
According to data from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Ghana’s delegation to COP28 in Dubai has increased to 618 from 350 the previous year.
The delegation includes 95 individuals on the official parties list and an additional 523 on the party overflow list.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu expressed concern about the financial impact of the increased number of attendees at COP28 on the state coffers while speaking on the floor of Parliament on Monday, December 4, 2023.
“Mr. Speaker, with this economic distress, how can Ghana lead a delegation of 618 persons? Are we shouldering the economic gain and hardship of the Ghanaian? And Mr. Speaker, I see a delegation of the president here at COP28… I am demanding that a committee looks at this,” he said.
Member of Parliament for Tamale South under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Haruna Iddrisu, is advocating for an increase in the budgetary allocation for the Electoral Commission (EC) outlined in the 2024 Budget Statement, which currently stands at GH¢786 million.
Expressing his concerns, he deems the allocated GH¢786 million as significantly insufficient, emphasizing that the Electoral Commission requires more resources to effectively conduct the District Assemblies Election scheduled for December and the subsequent Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in December of the following year.
This call for an increased budgetary allocation was presented by the Tamale South Lawmaker during his contribution to the ongoing debate on the 2024 Budget on the floor of Parliament in Accra.
“And Mr Speaker, this is what has been provided for them in the Budget, go and make a case for them, it is not enough.”
Speaking about the electoral body’s voter registration process, Mr. Iddrisu mentioned that the Minority had been vehemently arguing in the House that the EC should not proceed with voter registration in the absence of the Guarantor System.
He pointed out that while the EC had been promoting the use of the Ghana Card for voter registration and that no one was opposed to its use, it needed to be made widely available so that every Ghanaian could obtain one before the minority would be willing to support its use for voter registration.
“Mr Speaker, it is revealed in the just ended limited Voters ‘Registration exercise that 61 per cent of people who registered were from the guarantor system, which meant that 900 thousand were registered, 550,000 would not have been registered, if this House hadn’t insisted that the right thing must be done.”
He emphasized that if Parliament hadn’t insisted on doing the right thing, the 550,000 individuals who registered through the Guarantor System would have faced disenfranchisement.
Mr. Iddrisu urged both the House and the Government to prioritize allocating sufficient resources to the Electoral Commission (EC) and the National Identification Authority. The latter is mandated by law to issue the Ghana Card to Ghanaians.
Appealing to the finance minister, he called for the fulfillment of the promise to allocate adequate resources to these two bodies, enabling them to successfully accomplish their respective tasks.
Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, expressed the view that it is too late for President Akufo-Addo to salvage the economy.
Mr Iddrisu argued that the ruling New Patriotic Party had spent the past seven years negatively impacting the nation’s economy, and correcting these mistakes in just one fiscal year would be practically impossible.
He made the statement ahead of the presentation of the 2024 budget and economic plan by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
On Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, the former Minority Leader stated that achieving such a feat would require a miracle. He urged Ghanaians to temper their expectations ahead of the budget reading.
“If you use seven years to create this distress how are you going to use one year to redeem? Practically impossible and therefore your expectation should be one where too little too late, he simply has no time to redeem given the monumental damage they have done to our economic score card whether it’s inflation ending 2022 at more than 50%, today around 40%, interest rate unacceptably high, depreciation of the cedi,” he said.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu expressed disappointment, stating that while he had hoped the budget would outline a path toward private sector-driven economic growth, indications of more revenue mobilization and new taxes suggest otherwise.
He urged Ghanaians to prepare for the challenges of the upcoming fiscal year.
He said, “We will reel under some extreme hardship. Poverty as reported by ISSER and many other international bodies including the world bank has increased and post covid, we’re not seeing the kind of economic interventions that will spur growths and therefore growth has stunted over the years since 2020 and it’s likely to remain same.”
Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has urged the government to prioritize and invest more in the agricultural sector to reduce the country’s substantial import bill.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday, November 15, ahead of the Finance Minister’s presentation of the 2024 budget today, the legislator called for policy interventions supporting the expansion and diversification of exports, with a specific focus on rice and sugar.
Haruna Iddrisu emphasized the importance of encouraging Ghanaians to engage in rice farming to achieve self-sufficiency. He believes that Ghanaian farmers can cultivate rice and sugar to meet domestic demand, contributing to a reduction in imports.
“We need to expand and diversify exports. We need to reduce our import regime, particularly the import bill which is over $2 billion with a focus on rice and sugar. At least if we can’t do sugar immediately, we can do rice.”
“We must increase investment in the agricultural sector and mobilise Ghanaians into rice farming and then we can feed ourselves and this will take policy intervention to be able to do that.”
The aim of the 2024 budget presentation is to outline strategies for revenue generation and propose policies to address the existing economic challenges.
The Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, is calling for transparency regarding the reported sale of the Ghanaian government’s 30 percent stake in Vodafone Ghana.
He has raised concerns that this billion-dollar asset, owned by Ghana, has been sold on credit for a mere US$100 million.
Haruna Iddrisu expressed further dismay over the telecom sector’s decline, which was once a significant source of revenue for the government. He is demanding an explanation from the Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, and insists that she must appear before the House to clarify the matter.
“Mr. Speaker on my own accord, I want the Hon. Minister of Communications to come and respond to this House, whether it is true that Ghana’s 30 percent stake in Vodafone Ghana has been sold to the majority holder, on credit for less than US$100 million and what the state of that transaction is, as an economic transaction within the meaning of Article 185 of the 1992 Constitution and probably also to update this House on the withering away of Ghana’s telecom landscape and this trend,” he said while speaking on the floor of Parliament.
He pointed out that the sector, which had once been a significant source of state revenue, has been mismanaged by the government.
In 2016, Ghana’s telecoms regulator, the National Communications Authority (NCA), granted approval for Vodafone International Holdings (VOD.L) to sell its 70% stake in Vodafone Ghana to Telecel Group. This decision came after Telecel submitted an improved financial and technical proposal in December. The NCA had initially rejected Vodafone Ghana’s earlier sale plan as it failed to meet the necessary regulatory standards.
The NCA stated that the revised proposal offered more clarity on the financial requirements for the transaction and complied with regulatory criteria.
Immediate past minority leader and MP for Tamale South Haruna Iddrisu is demanding answers from Minister for Communications and Digitalization Ursula Owusu-Ekuful in the sale of Ghana's shares in Vodafone.#GHOneNewspic.twitter.com/KbekpZEy0k
Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, has pledged to establish three scholarships at Fachi Little Flower School Complex in Tamale.
These scholarships will be awarded to the Best Science Student, the Best Student in Languages, and orphans at the school.
Mr. Iddrisu made this announcement during the 30th-anniversary celebration of the Fachi Little Flower School Complex, which had the theme: “30 Years of Quality Holistic Education in Northern Ghana: Prospects and Challenges.” The event aimed to highlight the school’s accomplishments over the years and recognize its significant growth.
Mr. Iddrisu commended the school’s management for their dedication to providing quality education and called on education stakeholders, including parents, to support the provision of quality training for children in the Northern Region.
Mrs. Dame Anna-Maria Fati Paul, the Managing Director of Fachi Little Flower School Complex, shared the school’s history, noting that it was established in February 1993 with just three girls under a Nim tree in her house.
The school has since grown to have a student population of 1,092, consisting of 553 girls and 539 boys.
She also mentioned a special scholarship package for students who lose their parents while in school, which covers their education until they complete Junior High School.
Hajia Katumi Natogmah Attah, the Northern Regional Director of Education, urged stakeholders to embrace modern teaching methods, integrate technology into classrooms, and promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills in schools.
Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has expressed his pain at the relocation of Karela United from Anyinase, their original location.
He assumed control of the club following the December break last year.
The former minority leader of the National Democratic Party (NDC) conveyed his disappointment at having to shift the club’s home ground to a new venue for the upcoming 2023/24 Ghana football season.
He indicated that he is engaged in discussions with the club’s management to determine the way forward after the club licensing committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) rejected the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park as their designated home venue for the upcoming season.
“I have come to welcome Karela Football Club into Tamale for their preseason session and to discuss and consult with the management and technical team, where our venue for the 2023/24premier league may be,” he said.
“It is not my wish to have taken the team away from Anyinase from the people of Nzema, but regrettably the GFA have disqualified the Anyinase football pitch, as not being desirable or meeting their minimum standard.
“So, we have to look elsewhere and we will look elsewhere and satisfy the licensing requirement.”
Speaking to local media in Tamale, he shared his sentiments after welcoming the club to initiate their preseason preparations in his home region.
Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has expressed concerns over the conduct of former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
While he acknowledges that her actions may not be unlawful, he argues that such unethical behavior undermines public confidence in the government’s ability to safeguard public funds.
Cecilia Abena Dapaah is currently under investigation by the Special Prosecutor for allegedly having over 1 million dollars, 300,000 euros, and millions of Ghana Cedis stolen from her residence by her house helps.
In response to the approval of Cynthia Naa Koshie Lamptey as the Deputy Special Prosecutor, the former Minority Leader urges a review of the asset declaration regime to address incidents like these.
Haruna Iddrisu emphasizes the need to tackle graft and unethical behavior, even if not necessarily unlawful, due to the high office held by individuals involved.
He calls on Parliament to take action by revising criminal legislation and thoroughly reviewing the assets declaration process.
The lack of transparency regarding who possesses what assets and how they were acquired raises concerns and diminishes public trust, particularly when MPs and ministers of state are involved in questionable conduct.
In light of the situation with Cecilia Abena Dapaah, MP Haruna Iddrisu highlights the importance of restoring public confidence in the government’s commitment to ethical governance and protecting the public purse.
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, tensions in the Ghanaian Parliament rose in the wake of a leaked recording on which senior police officers were purportedly heard plotting to unseat the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare.
Per portions of the leaked tape gone viral on social media, some anonymous individuals expressed concern over the ability of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to break the 8 should Dr Akuffo Dampare remain in office.
MP for Nandom and Minister of the Interior for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ambrose Dery, and other lawmakers were making an effort to dismiss the allegation made in the tape by asserting that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had no plans to fire IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs, however, asserted that the claims stated on the recording are grave and require more investigation.
One of the MPs who argued in favor of the NDC MPs was Haruna Iddrisu, the MP for Tamale South and former minority leader. She claimed that the security implications in the leaked audio are too serious to ignore.
He claimed that the problems raised in the audio are problematic for both Ghana’s democracy and the safety and security of its citizens.
“We collectively want to preserve this democracy. So, what the deputy leader is seeking is that… this house must take interest in conducting a thorough forensic audit into the leaked tape; Mr Speaker, in other to establish the veracity or otherwise of what is contained in that tape.
“And more importantly Mr Speaker to preserve the professional integrity of the Inspector General of Police (Dr George Akuffo Dampare) and to protect him thereon,” he said.
“The word free and fair has constitutional meaning. When the constitution says that elections shall be conducted in a manner which is free. Free from what?
“Free from fear, free intimidation, free from influence – it has a meaning… So, Mr Speaker to preserve our democracy and protect the professional integrity of the Inspector General of Police and to appreciate what Dampare is doing in preserving this, we are requesting for parliamentary enquire into the leaked tape,” he concluded.
Minister for Interior, Ambrose Dery, has dismissed claims that the government seeks to remove from office, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, as part of its measures to retain power come 2024 elections.
Interacting with the press in Parliament on Tuesday, July 12, Mr Ambrose Dery indicated that the government has been impressed with the work of the current Police administration.
According to the minister, the mantra ‘law is a respecter of no persons’ has been personified under the leadership of Dr George Akuffo Dampare, who was sworn in as the 23rd Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service in October 2021.
Also, Mr Dery maintained that President Akufo-Addo remains committed to providing Ghanaians a security system that treats all equal before the law.
He concluded by emphasising that “this government is not going to tamper with the 2024 elections.”
Former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has asserted that the Akufo Addo-led government’s mismanagement of the economy has reached such a critical point that only significant sacrifices combined with strict measures will enable it recover.
The International Monetary Fund in May 2023 approved a $3 billion three-year loan package for Ghana after nearly a year of negotiations.
About $600 million was released to Ghana immediately.
The loan comes as the country faces interlocking fiscal, currency, reserves and inflation crises, with the cedi falling rapidly almost against the dollar over the past year. The IMF package imposes tough conditions on the Central Bank, requiring it to cut inflation, end monetary financing and rebuild foreign.
Haruna Iddrisu who is also the Member of Parliament for Tamale South said a future NDC government will have to renegotiate the deal.
“The economy will only recover post Akufo-Addo government because there is no way this economy will stabilise under the watch of President Akufo Addo and Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, because they have lost it. And as I understand, the Paris Club and China are yet to finalise their position on what to do with Ghana’s unsustainable debt and the countrys request for a common framework agreement and this should tell you an economic redemption is practically impossible under Nana Akufo Addo”, he stressed.
Haruna Iddrisu’s comments come at a time Fitch Solutions has stated that Ghana’s International Monetary Fund Programme will not be suspended despite a higher-than-budgeted expenditure.
According to its latest assessment of Ghana Titled “Positive Shift in Ghana’s Political Risk Profile Following IMF Programme Approval”, the UK-based firm said there is a risk the government will fail to meet its IMF targets in 2024.
Since the start of this decade, total expenditure as a share of GDP increased by an average of 3.0 percentage points during election years, signaling that some level of fiscal slippage is likely in 2024.
Nonetheless, Fitch Solutions, said a higher-than-budgeted expenditure is unlikely to lead to a suspension of the IMF programme.
Fitch solutions also said the opposition NDC is likely to win Ghana’s 2024 general election.
In its latest publication, the UK-based organisation explained that the deteriorating state of the economy witnessed mainly in 2022 and the perception of slow fight against corruption are likely to be the deciding factors for the electorate.
This prediction is consistent with a similar one made by the Economist Intelligence Unit which had equally cited the same factors as swaying the electorate toward the NDC.
As the by-election approaches in the Assin North Constituency, the political atmosphere is intensifying, with significant figures from the two main political parties, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the major opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), making their way to Assin North to rally voters for their respective candidates.
Haruna Iddrisu, the former minority leader and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, has recently been seen actively campaigning for the NDC candidate, James Gyakye Quayson, in the constituency.
A viral video circulating on social media shows Iddrisu engaging with market women, visiting different tables and shops to garner support for the NDC.
The presence of Haruna Iddrisu has generated enthusiasm among the market women, who expressed their joy at seeing the former minority leader.
They enthusiastically pledged their support to the NDC and cheered Iddrisu as he interacted with them.
Hon Haruna Iddrisu storms Assin North Constituency to camps for Hon Gyakyie Quayson. pic.twitter.com/0dbJmr1iEZ
The member of parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has lamented over some of the difficulties people are experiencing as a result of having their SIMS cards disabled.
The MP was reacting to the deactivation of SIM cards belonging to over 9 million Ghanaians who failed to commence or complete the re-registration exercise spanning almost two years.
Speaking in parliament on Thursday, June 8, 2023, the Tamale South MP opined that some individuals who have had their SIM cards deactivated are suffering from relationship crises because they are unable to communicate with their significant others and this may leave room for speculations.
“Those whose SIMs have so been blocked, some have suffered relationship problems. Some probably have lost their girlfriends, contact with their significant others. Even, some have been threatened with divorce; very possible. Because why have you not reached out to him or her; because your SIM has been blocked?
“With this excuse, she (Ursula Owusu-Ekuful) may be creating problems for many marriages with this SIM blocking as a social problem,” Haruna said.
Haruna Iddrisu also chided the Minister of Communication and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful for blocking the SIMs of some individuals when they don’t have Ghana Cards yet.
“We are saying that don’t just block SIMs when the fault or problem is not from the person who is holding the SIM,” he added.
Originally commencing on October 1, 2021, the SIM card re-registration campaign was scheduled to conclude on March 31, 2022.
But due to challenges faced in obtaining the Ghana Card, the NCA extended the registration deadline multiple times until May 31, 2023.
The National Identification Card, commonly referred to as the Ghana Card, serves as the sole document for undertaking the registration process.
Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, holds a remarkable distinction within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the sole candidate to have gone unopposed in the party’s parliamentary primaries four times.
Since his entrance into parliament in 2005, he has consistently secured his seat without facing opposition, a trend observed in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2019, and 2023.
Having served in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th parliaments of Ghana, Haruna Iddrisu’s parliamentary tenure will reach an impressive 20 years by 2024.
His political journey began when he contested the parliamentary elections in 2004, successfully winning the seat in the newly established Tamale South constituency. He subsequently retained his position in the 2008 parliamentary election.
Throughout his career, Haruna Iddrisu has assumed several governmental roles, including Minister for Communications under the Mills and Mahama administrations, as well as Minister for Trade from 2013 to 2014.
His extensive experience, coupled with his background in law and economics, has contributed to his rise as the minority leader, where he effectively leads the minority caucus, showcasing his command of parliamentary proceedings.
Haruna Iddrisu’s leadership qualities are evident in his unwavering commitment to the NDC and his service to the nation.
His astute grasp of contemporary governance and his invaluable contributions have solidified his reputation as a respected figure in Ghanaian politics.
As the National Democratic Congress(NDC) prepares for its presidential and parliamentary primaries on May 13, 2023, several candidates face little to no competition.
These are candidates whose win is most certainly guaranteed as they are either running unopposed, there are however expected to be declared winners in lieu of being sole aspirants.
Haruna Iddrisu
Former Minority Leader of the current parliament of Ghana, Haruna Iddrisu is set for a for a sixth consecutive term in parliament having joined the contest for the NDC’s parliamentary ticket for the Tamale South Constituency ahead of the 2024 general election.
With a rich history and political influence acquired as a result of his long years in the NDC and parliament, Haruna is expected to shake off competition from his only contender, Bawa Abdul Fatawu on Saturday.
For the MP who has spent almost 19 years in parliament, he is one of only few incumbent MPs whose win is guaranteed beyond their party’s parliamentary primaries.
Clement Apaak
Dr Clement Apaak is currently in his second term as member of parliament for Builsa South in the Upper East Region.
His contesting the NDC primaries with no opposition.
Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba
Lydia Akanvariba is one of few female candidates guaranteed a win the NDC’s upcoming primaries.
She is a first-time MP representing the people of Tempane in the Upper East Region and is running unopposed.
Isaac Adongo
Incumbent MP for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo has no opponent in Saturday’s primaries.
He is MP for a second term and is seeking a third term to represent the constituency.
Murtala Mohammed Ibrahim
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed is seeking a third term as MP for Tamale Central after making a come back to the house in 2020 having lost the seat after his first term.
He is unopposed in the upcoming primaries.
Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini
Tamale North MP, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini goes into Saturday’s internal party polls as unopposed.
He is currently serving his second consecutive term as MP for the area.
Daniel Nsala Wakpal
Daniel Wakpal is the incumbent MP for Kpandai Constituency.
The first term MP is seeking to extend his stay in parliament and is guaranteed the NDC’s parliamentary ticket going into the contest unopposed.
Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui
She will have to worry about the 2024 election because she is contesting the NDC’s upcoming primaries unopposed.
She first won the Awutu West Constituency seat in 2020 and is seeking a second term.
Cassiel Ato Forson
Former Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is currently a major force in the NDC.
The current minority leader is in his fourth term and is running unopposed in the primaries for the NDC ticket in the Ejumako Enyan Esiam Constituency.
Daniel Ohene Darko
Daniel Ohene Darko is the incumbent MP for Denkyira West Constituency.
The first term MP is contesting the NDC primaries unopposed.
Emilia Ankomah
Former Municipal Chief Executive for Denkyira East, Emilia Ankomah is once again making an attempt at entering parliament having previously failed on more than one occasion.
The former MCE was the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for Upper Denkyira East in 2016 and 2020 and will go in the party’s race unopposed.
Nurien Shaibu Migyimah
Shaibu Nurien is getting a free pass to contest the 2024 parliamentary election on the ticket of the NDC in one of the constituencies held by the ruling New Patriotic Party.
The Assin Central seat has been under the belt of Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who is now moving on to contest for the NPP’s presidential primaries, for five consecutive parliamentary terms.
Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah
Member of Parliament for Ellembelle Constituency, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah is going into the NDC’s primaries unopposed.
The current deputy minority leader is doing his fourth term in parliament and is hoping to extend it to a fifth.
Robert Wisdom Cudjoe
Robert Wisdom Cudjoe is a first term Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni Valley Constituency.
He gets a free pass in the upcoming NDC contest with no opponent to contend with.
Isaac Adjei Mensah
Isaac Adjei Mensah has been elected MP for Wassa East Constituency three consecutive times on the ticket of the NDC.
He will be unopposed on Saturday.
Eric Afful
Eric Afful has been in parliament on the NDC’s ticket since 2012 and is seeking to extend his stay in 2024.
He will be running unopposed for the NDC’s Amenfi West parliamentary ticket.
Dr Emmanuel Okumi Andoh
Dr Emmanuel Okumi Andoh run for the Ahanta West parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NDC in 2020.
He is making another attempt again after suffering a defeat in the 2020 general election. His bid to become the NDC parliamentary candidate is without contest.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa was one of the youngest people to enter the parliament of Ghana in 2012.
After three consecutive terms, the now matured MP is going into the 2023 parliamentary primaries of the NDC in the North Tongu Constituency unopposed.
Charles Agbeve
Charles Agebve is a second-term MP for Agotime-Ziope Constituency in the Volta Region
He is likely to achieve his third term in parliament with his bid to represent the NDC receiving no contest.
Ashanti Region
In the Ashanti Region which, a stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party, a number of candidates will be running unopposed in Saturday’s parliamentary primaries.
Their constituencies are mostly safe seats of the NPP thereby limiting their chances in the general elections.
The candidates going unopposed are Samuel Aboagye who will run for the Obuasi East Constituency, Joseph Azumah for Akrofuom and Samuel Prempeh Jnr for Bekwai.
The rest are Kwasi Amankwah who will contest the Kumawu by-election, Shamudeen Mohammed Kamil for Old Tafo and Hamzah Swallah in Manhyia North.
South Tamale Former minority leader and MP Haruna Iddrisu has endorsed former president John Dramani Mahama’s bid to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as its flagbearer.
Haruna was joined by a number of MPs from across the Northern Region at a campaign stop for John Mahama on May 8, 2023.
Haruna stressed that it was time for Mahama to return to the presidency with the focus on saving the country and the economy as well as save jobs and inspire young Ghanaians.
“It is John Mahama’s time, his time to lead the NDC, his time to lead and save this country and save the economy of Ghana and save jobs and inspire hopes in the youth of our country.
“It is the time for John Mahama to rescue Ghana and rescue the Ghanaian economy,” Haruna Iddrisu emphasized to rapturous aplause.
The NDC enters homestretch for campaigns towards its May 13 presidential and parliamentary primaries expected to take place nationwide.
The presidential primary will pitch Mahama against former finance minister Kwabena Duffuor and former Kumasi mayor Kojo Bonsu. The former president is, however, expected to win the race by a large margin.
Delivering remarks at the Tamale South rally, Mahama reiterated that party faithful will be catered for when the NDC returns to power.
He has made that point and the issue of decentralizing their campaigns and policing of the 2024 polls a keen plank of his campaigns across the 14 regions as he prepares to cover the remaining two regions in the coming days.
“We are also going to reward you and so any branch that gets the target votes that we are going to give, all the nine-member executives, we are going to give you a very handsome reward so that we can work hard.
“If we are hiring school feeding caterers, our women organizers too know how to cook, we will come and take our women organisers and you also go and cook for the primary school children and make some money for yourselves and so you are going to get your fair share of everything the country has to offer,” John Dramani Mahama said.
Former Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has claimed that the government will need to raise about $10.5 billion by the end of the year to save the economy from collapsing.
Giving a breakdown, he explained that the government plans to receive $3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and bilateral or multilateral donors each.
However, he noted that the government is currently unable to determine where exactly it would raise the remaining $4.5 billion to ensure full recovery.
“The expectation is that 3 billion (dollars) will come from the IMF. Another 3 billion (dollars) from bilateral and multilateral donors. The other 4.6bn (4.5bn) sic. Government has no clue where that will come from. We are in distress, major economic distress. We have gone beyond an economic crisis,” he told JoyNews.
With respect to receiving support from the IMF, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, asserted that Ghana would only be able to access the money in July of this year.
He did not provide reasons for this assertion, however, he said “I do not foresee an IMF closing until July 2023.”
Government has failed to meet the deadlines it has provided to receive assistance from the Fund. Government had predicted March but failed to see to it.
The Fund is currently unable to release the funds to Ghana due to the country’s inability to receive financial assurance from creditors who are to provide assurances they will restructure its debt as a condition of signing off on the loan.
According to the IMF, until this is done, it would not be able to provide the credit facility.
In view of this, economic experts are projecting that Ghana would receive assistance from the IMF by May this year.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has said a memorandum of understanding with official creditors and an agreement in principle on Eurobond restructuring are expected by July, with a 2030 Eurobond partially guaranteed by the World Bank included in the restructuring.
Ghana began formal engagements with the IMF in July 2022 and reached a staff agreement in December of that year.
Former Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has claimed that the government will need to raise about $10.5 billion by the end of the year to save the economy from collapsing.
Giving a breakdown, he explained that the government plans to receive $3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and bilateral or multilateral donors each.
However, he noted that the government is currently unable to determine where exactly it would raise the remaining $4.5 billion to ensure full recovery.
“The expectation is that 3 billion (dollars) will come from the IMF. Another 3 billion (dollars) from bilateral and multilateral donors. The other 4.6bn (4.5bn) sic. Government has no clue where that will come from. We are in distress, major economic distress. We have gone beyond an economic crisis,” he told JoyNews.
With respect to receiving support from the IMF, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, asserted that Ghana would only be able to access the money in July of this year.
He did not provide reasons for this assertion, however, he said “I do not foresee an IMF closing until July 2023.”
Government has failed to meet the deadlines it has provided to receive assistance from the Fund. Government had predicted March but failed to see to it.
The Fund is currently unable to release the funds to Ghana due to the country’s inability to receive financial assurance from creditors who are to provide assurances they will restructure its debt as a condition of signing off on the loan.
According to the IMF, until this is done, it would not be able to provide the credit facility.
In view of this, economic experts are projecting that Ghana would receive assistance from the IMF by May this year.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has said a memorandum of understanding with official creditors and an agreement in principle on Eurobond restructuring are expected by July, with a 2030 Eurobond partially guaranteed by the World Bank included in the restructuring.
Ghana began formal engagements with the IMF in July 2022 and reached a staff agreement in December of that year.
Former Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for the Tamale South Constituency, Haruna Iddrisu, has stated that reports of a toilet facility at the Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO) being converted into a toilet facility are not entirely true.
While calling for circumspection in the reportage of the purported toilet-turned dormitory at the GHANASCO, he said there was the need to report the historical facts accurately about the Gbanza/Cabrel house which is at the center of the brouhaha.
Mr. Iddrisu who said much of what has been put out there is not entirely factual and lacks the historical perspective, and that the reports were as if there is an official record of students being posted to the toilet facility.
Speaking to the media after touring the said house, the MP said there was no official record to support the claim that students were being permanently housed in the toilet facility. Instead, the facility has largely been used as a box room.
“The facility was built in 1970 and 80 as toilets and baths but have been used by some category of students searching for isolation for purposes of learning, therefore, some of your report as I have indicated is not entirely accurate and factual, however, let’s all await the investigation that has been sole commissioned by the Director General of the Ghana Education services,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu said the negative reportage can affect the emotions of the students and called for the discontinuation of the negativity.
“And therefore we owe it to these kids that this negative reportage stops while we establish the full facts around the purported reportage of student being accommodated in toilets and baths. I do not have the full facts but I have gone round with you to ascertain some of the facts.
“As far back as 1978, Master Agude taught me mathematics at the Bagabaga JSS, leaving this school the facility was no longer used for that purpose so when again was it used for that purpose we need to ascertain the facts,” he said.
He raised concerns over the acute water shortage in the Tamale Metropolis. Mr. Iddrisu said parliament in 2019 approved an amount of 276 million Euro for the expansion of the Tamale water facility but that is yet to happen.
“Far back in 2019 into 2021, parliament approved for a facility for the expansion of Tamale water which will naturally benefit Ghansco, Nobisco and benefit Tamasco, and benefit all other schools in Tamale and therefore it’s been of concern,” the Tamale South MP said.
He therefore called on government to give the issue the priority it deserves.
Mr. Iddrisu also visited the room the former president John Dramani Mahama lived in as a student and prefect. He said the former president renovated the Gbanza/Cabrel house and has said he will take care of any defect should there be one in the house. Mr. Iddrisu added that he as MP for the area would support the course.
Former Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu is optimistic of winning the Tamale South seat in the upcoming parliamentary primaries of the National Democratic Congress.
The Tamale South MP subjected himself before the vetting committee of the party in the Tamale South constituency office.
Highly tipped to retain the seat, Haruna Iddrisu says his work in the Constituency is not done yet.
Accompanied by a mammoth crowd, the 5-time Member of Parliament for Tamale South answered questions that bordered on his suitability for the job.
He assured that he would win re-election by a landslide, touting his prowess and growing influence over the years.
“Today I am here to honour the NDC constitutional requirement as the NDC unbeatable candidate for the 2024 general election and today marks the beginning of the NDC journey to victory in 2024. But the Tamale South seat is free, you can come in. The only thing I can assure you is that you won’t get more than 5% of the votes or probably 2%. You won’t make more than five percent,” he said.
Haruna Iddrisu indicated that he will work to ensure an overwhelming victory for the NDC in the Tamale South Constituency.
“Tamale South in the last presidential and parliamentary elections made a significant contribution of 69,000 votes and my pledge this year is that we will contribute 90,000 votes for John Mahama or whoever leads the NDC in the 2024 elections,” he added.
According to him, the mismanagement of the economy by the Akufo-Addo government vindicates the NDC as the best party to lead the country.
“We must all come together, shun divisiveness, and work towards an NDC victory, because that is the surest way to win power,” he indicated.
After being a student leader for years during his tertiary education, Haruna Iddrisu transitioned into mainstream national politics and rose to become the National Youth Organiser for the National Democratic Congress in 2002.
He held that position for eight years even whilst he was the Minister of Communications until stepping down in 2010.
Haruna first stood for MP in the 2004 parliamentary election in the then-newly formed Tamale South Constituency. He served as the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications and also the Minority Spokesman on Communications in the fourth Parliament when the NDC was in opposition.
He retained his seat in the 2008 parliamentary election by gaining 78.2% of the total votes cast. He once again retained his seat in the 2012 parliamentary elections by getting 74.6% of the total votes cast.
Even though his party lost the Presidential Elections, Haruna retained his seat in the 2016 elections and was selected to lead the Minority Caucus as the Minority Leader of the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana.
He served as the Minority Leader for NDC in Ghana’s 8th Parliament from January 2017 till January 2023.
He has also held various positions in government, including Minister for Communications under the Mills and Mahama governments as well as Minister for Trade between 2013 and 2014. He was appointed the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations by President Mahama in July 2014.
Former Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu and his Chief Whip, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, have been exempted from the yet-to-be completed list of loyal MPs belonging to the National Democratic Congress.
It is reported that the party’s General Secretary, Fiifi Kwetey, is compiling a list of NDC MPs who adhered to the leadership’s directive to reject the six ministerial appointees presented by President Akufo-Addo.
On March 24, out of the 135 NDC MPs, 116 voted against the approval of K.T. Hammond, 98 opposed Bryan Acheampong’s approval (the least opposition), Stephen Asamoah Boateng garnered 122 “No” votes.
Mohammed Amin Adams received 117 “No” votes, 120 NDC MPs voted against Osei Bonsu Amoah’s approval and 123 rejected the ministerial nomination of Stephen Amoah.
About 39 MPs are said to have betrayed the NDC. Ahead of the secret ballot voting, the Minority pledged to reject the nominees as part of efforts to reduce the size of the government to reflect the current economic challenges.
So far, the identities of 46 loyal NDC MPs have reportedly been released by Mr Fiifi Kwetey via Whatsapp.
Kobla Mensah Wisdom Woyome (South Tongu MP), Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui (Awutu Senya West MP), Ernest Henry Norgbey (Ashaiman MP), Edward Abambire Bawa (Bongo MP), Yusif Sulemana (Bole Bamboi MP), Richard Kwame Sefe (Anlo MP) and Yao Gomado (Akan MP) are among those viewed as loyalists.
The Tamale South and Asawase MPs’ names are yet to appear on the said list.
It is being speculated on social media that the duo went against the party’s directive out of spite over the change of leadership in Parliament.
It’s public knowledge that this traitors are from Haruna and Muntaka’s camp.. They and their faithful are trying to hit hard the NDC leaders that overthrown them without notice..
At the beginning of the week, it was reported that some ‘traitor NDC list’ circulated on social media. Reacting to the news, former President John Dramani Mahama urged all and sundry to reject the said “fake” list.
“I am urging all NDC supporters to ignore it,” he said while engaging delegates at Kanokoare during his tour of the Ellembelle Constituency in the Western Region on Sunday, March 26, 2023.
Meanwhile, it is believed that Mr Fiifi Kwetey is yet to add about 51 names to the ‘loyal NDC list.’
In the next ten years, if the government’s Free Senior High School (FSHS) program is not well structured, Haruna Iddrisu, a former minority leader, has warned, it may collapse.
He contended that the program must include a means testing mechanism to determine who can pay and who cannot pay.
The Tamale South MP indicated that organizations likeUNESCO have all advised on the matter which the government has ignored for political expediency.
“Mr. Speaker, we are doing what we ought to have done several years back, UNESCO was established somewhere 95 and Ghana has benefited enormously from them. Ghana needs to take advantage of UNESCO’s advice on secondary education. How accessible is it, what is the quality, are we running a secondary education that produces quantity and not quality?
“Ghana needs a test mechanism to determine who can pay and who cannot pay. This political thing of wanting to please everybody at the detriment of quality will hang in this country in the next decade if we don’t look back,” he stated.
Government has between 2017 and 2021 spent over 5 billion cedis on the free SHS policy.
Reacting to the assertion of Haruna Iddrisu, majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh stated the program is work in progress and thus will in future accommodate the suggestions of means testing.
The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP however argued the policy has brought relief to many families.
Former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has submitted his candidacy paperwork to run in the Tamale South Constituency National Democratic Party (NDC) parliamentary primaries.
Haruna Iddrisu, who is widely expected to keep his seat, claims that his work in the constituency is still ongoing.
The fifth-term member of parliament for Tamale South delivered his nomination papers to the NDC’s Tamale South Constituency office while being accompanied by a sizable audience.
The Tamale South Member of Parliament claimed that he would be re-elected by a landslide, extolling his prowess and escalating influence over the years, while encouraging potential challengers to feel free and run against him.
“Today I am here to honour the NDC constitutional requirement of filing my nomination as the NDC unbeatable candidate for the 2024 general election and today marks the beginning of the NDC journey to victory in 2024. But the Tamale South seat is free, you can come in. The only thing I can assure you is that you won’t get more than 5% of the votes or probably 2%. You won’t make more than five percent,” he said.
Haruna Iddrisu indicated that he will work to ensure an absolute victory for the NDC in the Tamale South Constituency.
“Tamale South in the last presidential and parliamentary made a significant contribution of 69,000 votes and my pledge this year is that we will contribute ninety thousand votes for John Mahama or whoever leads the NDC in the 2024 elections,” he added.
Addressing supporters of the party after submitting his nomination forms, Haruna Iddrisu called for unity and hard work ahead of the 2024 general elections.
According to him, the mismanagement of the economy by the Akufo-Addo government vindicates the NDC as the best party to lead the country.
“We must all come together, shun divisiveness, and work towards an NDC victory, because that is the surest way to win power,” he indicated.
After being a student leader for years in his tertiary education period, Iddrisu transitioned into mainstream national politics and rose to become the National Youth Organizer for the National Democratic Congress in 2002.
He held that position for 8 years even whilst the Minister of Communications until stepping down in 2010.
Haruna first stood for MP in the 2004 parliamentary election in the then-newly formed Tamale South Constituency. He served as the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications and also the Minority Spokesman on Communications in the fourth Parliament when the NDC was in opposition.
He retained his seat in the 2008 parliamentary election by gaining 78.2% of the total votes cast. He once again retained his seat in the 2012 parliamentary elections by getting 74.6% of the total votes cast.
Even though his party lost the Presidential Elections, Haruna retained his seat in the 2016 Elections and was selected to lead the Minority Caucus as the Minority Leader of the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic in Ghana.
He served as the Minority Leader for NDC in Ghana’s 8th Parliament from January 2017till January 2023.
He has also held various positions in government, including Minister for Communications under the Mills and Mahama governments as well as Minister for Trade between 2013 and 2014. He was appointed the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations by President Mahama in July 2014.
The ElectionCommissionhas refuted claims that around 200,000 field workers for the 2020 elections were not paid.
In a statement, the EC described the reports as false and an attempt to malign and impugn the integrity of the commission.
“The EC has to date paid all staff who worked during the 2020 elections. For the records the EC in a bid to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, instituted a system whereby field staff were paid through their bank accounts.”
The Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu first made the allegation on the Floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 23, 2023.
“Minister of Finance, the Electoral Commission hasn’t even paid the members it used for the 2020 elections. Go and do what is right for them to pay them,” the former Minority Leader said.
But according to the EC, any person or groups of persons claiming non-payment by the Commission for work done during the 2020 elections do not exist.
The Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has urged Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, to expedite the payment of money for officials who were deployed to cover the 2020 general elections.
The EC announced earlier that it had begun processes towards the payment of a debt owed to some 220,000 electoral officers across the country in the December 2020 elections.
Debating on draft public elections regulations by the EC, the lawmaker said the EC must be adequately resourced to be able to carry out its mandate.
“Minister of Finance, the Electoral Commission hasn’t even paid the members it used for the 2020 elections. Go and do what is right for them to pay them,” the former Minority Leader said on the floor of Parliament on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Minority inParliamenton Thursday opposed a briefing by officials of the Electoral Commission and the National Identification Authority (NIA) on the proposed constitutional instrument by the EC due to the absence of the EC boss, Jean Mensa.
The group resisted the presentation by the officials which resulted in a scuffle between them and the majority caucus at a committee meeting.
The Minority has over the period expressed its displeasure with the CI by the EC which seeks to use the Ghana Card as the sole document for registration onto the voters register for the upcoming General Elections.
Former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu has bemoaned failure of the Electoral Commission (EC) to hold a limited registration exercise since 2021.
He says the EC has sinned against the Constitution by not holding any exercise in that regard.
According to him, this has disallowed some citizens who have come of age, the opportunity to enroll as voters.
He asked to be challenged on his assertion with facts and figures.
“Mr Speaker, for the record – 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, Ghanaians who have attained the age of 18 years have been denied the opportunity to be captured as registered voters. This is a constitutional wrong,” he said.
This situation, he noted, is unacceptable to a country committed to multiparty constitutional democracy.
“Mr Speaker, the right to vote and to be voted for is so sacred. Even for you elected Members of Parliament – one of the minimum qualifications for you to get voted as MPs is to show that you are a registered voter, that is the Constitution imposes in Article 94,” he added.
For this reason, he stated that the “Electoral Commission by virtue of their existing CI have no reason to tell anybody and this August House why they have still failed to capture Ghanaians who have attained 18 years.”
For this reason, the Tamale South MP said the EC must not be allowed to lay its new Constitutional Instrument (CI) in Parliament.
The ECs new CI makes the Ghana Card the only identification document to be used to guarantee citizenship.
The Minority is also opposed to a regulation in the CI which requires persons who want to register to do so at an EC district office.
According to Haruna Iddrisu, these regulations will disenfranchise Ghanaians, thus must not be allowed to go through.
“The Electoral Commission was now informing the Ghanaian public through Parliament that only the national ID card issued by the National Identification Authority (NIA) will be a sole reference document for the purpose of registration. Mr Speaker, that is the intendment of what is referred to as a draft CI,” he said.
“Again, Mr. Speaker, our committee found problems with that designation where it says a district office of the EC or any other place that the Commission considers appropriate. Mr Speaker, throughout history in 1993, since the establishment of the Electoral Commission, voter registration exercise is done at polling stations, not district offices,” he added.
But speaking in defence of the EC’s proposed Constitutional Instrument, MP for Akuapem South, O.B Amoah said the EC is justified in seeking to use the Ghana Card as the sole identity document.
He contended that the guarantor system has been abused, “in the sense that people override, detain guarantee contractors where they join the queue, get registered, they stand by and say that they are waiting for 10 or five people.”
Mr Amoah described the abuse of the guarantor system as a worry and must be taken into consideration.
“… If you look at this report, he seems to acknowledge that the guarantor system has been abused. Even as practitioners, the thought behind the guarantor system was to acknowledge that where a prospective registrant did not have any means of identification, they could fall on their parents, spouses, children to guarantee and sign a form that really I know this person,” he explained.
Former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu says the Electoral Commission has sinned against the Constitution by not holding limited registration exercises since 2021.
According to him, this has disallowed some citizens who have come of age, the opportunity to enroll as voters.
He asked to be challenged on his assertion with facts and figures.
“Mr Speaker, for the record – 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, Ghanaians who have attained the age of 18 years have been denied the opportunity to be captured as registered voters. This is a constitutional wrong,” he said.
This situation, he noted, is unacceptable to a country committed to multiparty constitutional democracy.
“Mr Speaker, the right to vote and to be voted for is so sacred. Even for you elected Members of Parliament – one of the minimum qualifications for you to get voted as MPs is to show that you are a registered voter, that is the Constitution imposes in Article 94,” he added.
For this reason, he stated that the “Electoral Commission by virtue of their existing CI have no reason to tell anybody and this August House why they have still failed to capture Ghanaians who have attained 18 years.”
For this reason, the Tamale South MP said the EC must not be allowed to lay its new Constitutional Instrument (CI) in Parliament.
The ECs new CI makes the Ghana Card the only identification document to be used to guarantee citizenship.
The Minority is also opposed to a regulation in the CI which requires persons who want to register to do so at an EC district office.
According to Haruna Iddrisu, these regulations will disenfranchise Ghanaians, thus must not be allowed to go through.
“The Electoral Commission was now informing the Ghanaian public through Parliament that only the national ID card issued by the National Identification Authority (NIA) will be a sole reference document for the purpose of registration. Mr Speaker, that is the intendment of what is referred to as a draft CI,” he said.
“Again, Mr. Speaker, our committee found problems with that designation where it says a district office of the EC or any other place that the Commission considers appropriate. Mr Speaker, throughout history in 1993, since the establishment of the Electoral Commission, voter registration exercise is done at polling stations, not district offices,” he added.
But speaking in defence of the EC’s proposed Constitutional Instrument, MP for Akuapem South, O.B Amoah said the EC is justified in seeking to use the Ghana Card as the sole identity document.
He contended that the guarantor system has been abused, “in the sense that people override, detain guarantee contractors where they join the queue, get registered, they stand by and say that they are waiting for 10 or five people.”
Mr Amoah described the abuse of the guarantor system as a worry and must be taken into consideration.
“… If you look at this report, he seems to acknowledge that the guarantor system has been abused. Even as practitioners, the thought behind the guarantor system was to acknowledge that where a prospective registrant did not have any means of identification, they could fall on their parents, spouses, children to guarantee and sign a form that really I know this person,” he explained.
Some assembly members in the Tamale South Constituency have bought the nomination forms for the Memberof Parliament for the area, Haruna Iddrisu, pledging to pay for the filing fee in the coming days to get the MP retained for the 6th time as the NDC parliamentary candidate.
They are Lamashegu North Assemblyman, Alhassan Major and Jakara Yili electoral area assemblyman, Alhaji Ibrahim Tijani, Nakpan Zuo, Datoo Yili Nyohani North amd South and many others.
“We want to show our unclenching support to our dear MP for Tamale South, Hon Haruna Iddrisu by purchasing the Nomination Form for him to be retained as our MP for Tamale South for the 6th time”, the assembly members told journalists after announcing to the party executives in the constituency.
“Hon Haruna Iddrisu has demonstrated on countless occasion his desired in the development Tamale South Constituency and Ghana as a whole. He has demonstrated that in the following areas; Education, Roads, Extension of Electricity, Extension of Water, Employment, Human development…”, they added.
The assembly members said they were however organizing for the filing fees of GHC 40,000 after completion of the form.
They also reminded the good people of Tamale South Constituency “not to leave what is in hand for the one in the leg”, adding that they “shall comb round all the constituency to canvas support for our dear MP”.
Haruna Iddrisu is the first MP to win the Tamale South Constituency after it was created from then Gukpegu Sabonjida Constituency in 2004 and has since represented the people.
It is expected that the MP is most likely to go unopposed, which was stated by the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
Some assembly members in the Tamale South Constituency have bought the nomination forms for the Member of Parliament for the area, Haruna Iddrisu, pledging to pay for the filing fee in the coming days to get the MP retained for the 6th time as the NDC parliamentary candidate.
They include Lamashegu North Assemblyman, Alhassan Major and Jakara Yili electoral area assemblyman, Alhaji Ibrahim Tijani, Nakpan Zuo, Datoo Yili Nyohani North amd South and many others.
“We want to show our unclenching support to our dear MP for Tamale South, Hon Haruna Iddrisu by purchasing the Nomination Form for him to be retained as our MP for Tamale South for the 6th time”, the assembly members told journalists after announcing to the party executives in the constituency.
“Hon Haruna Iddrisu has demonstrated on countless occasion his desired in the development Tamale South Constituency and Ghana as a whole. He has demonstrated that in the following areas; Education, Roads, Extension of Electricity, Extension of Water, Employment, Human development…”, they added.
The assembly members said they were however organizing for the filing fees of GHC 40,000 after completion of the form.
They also reminded the good people of Tamale South Constituency “not to leave what is in hand for the one in the leg”, adding that they “shall comb round all the constituency to canvas support for our dear MP”.
Haruna Iddrisu is the first MP to win the Tamale South Constituency after it was created from then Gukpegu Sabonjida Constituency in 2004 and has since represented the people.
It is expected that the MP is most likely to go unopposed, which was stated by the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
