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Tag: Haruna Iddrisu

  • NDC petitions Parliament to freeze proposed C.I. making Ghana Card sole document for voter registration

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has petitioned Parliament to halt the laying of a proposed Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) which seeks to make the Ghana Card the sole identification document for compiling the new voters’ register.

    Until the backlog of Ghana Cards has been cleared, the NDC wants the C.I. to be frozen in order not to deny “millions of citizens” the right to register and vote in the 2024 general elections.

    More so, other evidence of citizenship such as the use of a Ghanaian passport and the guarantor system must be added to the Ghana Card for the registration exercise.

    “Any further action on the proposed C.I. by or in Parliament should be frozen until consultations have been initiated and concluded with the major stakeholders, especially the political parties, including the NDC and civil society,” part of the petition cited by MyJoyOnline.com stated.

    The petition will be presented by the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, when the House sits for business on Tuesday, November 1.

    EC justifies use of Ghana Card

    The Electoral Commission earlier in September defended its decision to use only the Ghana Card for the voter registration exercise, saying it is still the valid and surest way to rid the register of minors and foreigners.

    According to the EC’s Director of Electoral Services, it is possible for eligible voters to get their Ghana Cards before the end of their registration on October 7, 2024.

    Dr Serebour Quaicoe was confident that barring any unforeseen circumstances, every qualified voter can get their identity cards to be fully registered for the 2024 general elections within the next two years.

    He believes no one would be disenfranchised because all Ghanaians have enough time to access the Ghana Card.

    But the NDC believes this would rather be a tool to infringe on the rights of citizens.

    “Since the proposed Public Elections (Registration of Voters0 Instrument (C.I.), as a subsidiary legislation, cannot override the substantive provision in the Constitution on the citizens’ right to register and to vote, and insistence on the Ghana Card as the only evidence of citizenship will deny millions of citizens the right to register and vote, other forms of evidence of citizenship such as the Ghana passport and the guarantor system must be added to the Ghana Card as evidence of citizenship in the proposed Constitutional Instrument (C.I.),” the petition added.

     

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • After begging for power, Akufo-Addo doesn’t respect public opinion – Haruna Iddrisu

    President Akufo-Addo and his government do not respect public opinion, Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu has observed citing recent pronouncements by the president.

    Iddrisu stated in an interview on Joy FM, on October 31, 2022, that it was unacceptable that a president who is on record to have pleaded with voters to try him will turn out to be disrespectful of public opinion.

    His comment was in respect of Akufo-Addo’s retort earlier his month that he was not moved by threats of some people to vote against the New Patriotic Party, NPP.

    “President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s biggest headache is, he is just disrespecting public opinion and he does so at his own peril. This is the first time I am seeing a government just simply not respect public opinion…

    “He has forgotten that he used to beg, that vote for me, try me. They’ve voted for you, they’ve tried you now you are saying that you are not going to hold people’s hand into a ballot room?” Haruna Iddrisu asked rhetorically.

    What exactly did Akufo-Addo say?

    The president was answering a question by an OTEC FM journalist over threats by people of the two areas to vote against the NPP. “No problem, no problem,” Akufo-Addo is heard saying.

    He continued: “I am saying people make those kinds of threats, me, they don’t frighten me. Somebody votes for you, somebody supports you, it is because they want you to do things for them, so I understand that.

    “There is no need for people to say if I do not do it, this or that. That is your own problem. Of course, I will fulfil my promises.

    “But if it so happens that you decide to vote for the NDC, that is your problem, that is not mine. Nobody will hold your hand to thumbprint for any candidate, the most important thing is that I understand the responsibility and we will deal with it,” he stressed.

  • Minority demands clarity on EC’s voter identity data

    The Minority in Parliament is demanding the appearance of the National Identification Authority(NIA) and the Electoral Commission before the House to clarify concerns with the current data of Ghanaians under their control.

    The Minority says this is a result of plans by the EC to rely on the Ghana Card from the NIA for the 2024 General Elections.

    Speaking on the Floor of Parliament, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, says statistics from the NIA must reconcile with that of the EC before any such a move could be undertaken.

    “Let us see the discrepancy and variance in your numbers because we will not accept any attempt by the Electoral Commission to disenfranchise any Ghanaian because they want to rely on an ID card which is not available to Ghanaians.”

    The Minority Leader also called on the house to constitute an ad hoc committee to oversee the implementation of recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee on the Auditor General’s Report.

    “Parliament must help the public purse in getting this committee constituted,” Mr. Iddrisu said.

    He added that there had been meetings with the Majority Leader, and they agreed that “probably we should get a retired jurist or a retired member of Parliament with good standing on account.”

    In his response, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, said there is an existing committee to the effect and the Public Accounts Committee must present a report on their work for consideration by the house.

    The Speaker further said he has not received any briefing from the EC on its plans to use the data of the NIA for the elections.

    He noted until such is done, the EC “should forget about laying any such instrument in the House.”

  • Majority asks Speaker to throw out minority motion to remove Ken Ofori-Atta

    The majority in parliament wants the motion for censure against finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta thrown out for want of evidence.

    Speaking on the floor, the deputy majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, argued the minority MPs failed to attach evidence to the motion to back their claims.

    “Mr. Speaker, I beg to submit that the legal grounds or grounds for submission are not embedded in the motion. I am saying that Mr. Speaker, the motion is supposed to be advertised; that is what the constitution says. The constitution is not saying that you should accompany it with allegations as part of the motion; that is my contention. And if they beg to disagree, they should say so for the records to capture. And if there is any other provision that perhaps I have not read which allows you to state allegations, not facts, to support your motion, they should again draw my attention; we are here to learn. I’m not ashamed if I get it wrong, and I’m corrected. Mr. Speaker, I so submit.”

    Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu however, rubbished the claim arguing there’s enough evidence to impeach Ken Ofori-Atta.

    “We have made reference to constitutional provisions of Articles 178, 176, and 82. Mr. Speaker, to demonstrate with facts on this floor that the Minister is in breach of the law apart from the fact that he’s trashed the Ghanaian economy, we’ll do so. You cannot question the competence of the Speaker in admitting the motion. And we have not given you any facts; we are only giving you headlines of the matters to which we’ll lead with evidence. Mr. Speaker, our evidence will be in the category ‘beyond a shadow of a doubt’ – that the Ghanaian economy is a trashed economy, the cedi worst performing currency in the world.

    “You have done what is constitutionally right. I expect him to be assuring me that his side will support this, and by consensus, we save this country. We need to save this country, save its businesses. Businesses are collapsing, industry is collapsing, the Ghanaian citizens are reeling under unprecedented hardships. That must be your concern. We are invoking provisions of the constitution.”

     

     

  • We’ve not declared support for Asiedu Nketia’s chairman ambition – Minority

    Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu has clarified that his side in Parliament has not declared support for Johnson Asiedu Nketia who seeks the chairmanship position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    It was earlier communicated by Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, that the NDC Caucus supports the candidature of Mr Asiedu Nketia, the current General Secretary of the Party.

    Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, who is also the Member of Parliament for Banda, made the comment at the launch of the election campaign of the aspirant on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

    However, the Tamale South MP explains that “ the Leadership of the Caucus never met on the matter and have not taken any decision on the matter.”

    Mr Iddrisu also noted that neither has the Caucus met to deliberate nor taken a decision on any candidate contesting any position within the Party, therefore, has urged the rank and file and the public to disregard the purported statement made during the launch.

    The Minority leader further explained that such a decision cannot be taken since the Leadership of the Caucus “has no position on any of the candidates vying for the respective positions in the Party.”

    According to him, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim’s attention has been drawn to the matter and “has since rendered an unqualified apology to the entire Caucus.”

    “We further wish to urge all Members of the Caucus to refrain from making such comments in the immediate future,” Mr Iddrisu entreated.

    The chairmanship race

    Mr Nketia, who has been the NDC General Secretary for the past 17 years, believes he is now experienced, trustworthy and fearless to serve as the chairman of the party.

    He will go up against the incumbent chair, Ofosu Ampofo, who seeks to lead the NDC to victory in the 2024 general elections.

    Aspirants for the various national positions of the party are expected to file their nomination on November 5 and 6, 2022.

    Successful candidates will be vetted on November 9-10, 2022, while November 12 and 13 will be set aside for appeals ahead of the Women and Youth Conference on December 10 and a National Conference on December 17, this year.

    On the other hand, the Council of Elders of the Party has called for calm and decorum between the two contestants in the chairmanship race.

    “In the interest of party cohesion, internal discipline and long-term stability, the Council urges all contestants to regional and national positions, especially the incumbent national chairman and General Secretary, to be circumspect in their campaigns by adhering to ground rules discussed and agreed upon,” it said.

    “These include the use of decorous language, refrain from media attacks, breach of confidentiality and misrepresentations of decisions taken in relation to past actions of leadership,” the Council added.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Ofori-Atta unfit for office because can’t supervise his own mess – Haruna Iddrisu explains

    The minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has backed members of the New Patriotic Party who are seeking for the resignation of the finance minister and minister of state of the finance ministry, respectively, Ken Ofori-Atta and Charles Adu Boahen.

    He asserts that the Finance Minister is unqualified to address Ghana’s current economic problems.

    On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, Haruna Iddrisu declared Ofori-Atta: “cannot manage or supervise his own mess, he is not fit for purpose” in submissions to Parliament.

    He, therefore, urged his colleagues on the other side of the House to join the Minority to ensure Ofori-Atta is removed.

    Some NPP MPs on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, organised a press conference to demand the dismissal of the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and the Minister of State at the finance ministry, Charles Adu Boahen, in order to restore public confidence in the economy.

    Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, Spokesperson for the MPs who describe themselves as the ‘backbenchers’ said if the president fails to heed their call, they will also not do business with the government nor support the 2023 Budget.

    “We have had occasions to defend allegations of conflicts of interest, lack of confidence, and trust against the leadership of the Finance Ministry.

    “The recent development within the economy is of major concern to our caucus and our constituents. We have made our grave concern to our president through the parliamentary leadership and the leadership of the party without and positive response,” Andy Appiah Kubi said.

    But the Majority Leader further indicated on the floor of the House that no Minister in government is beyond the reach of censure and reproach if the prevailing conditions call for such measures.

    “Mr. Speaker, we are serving you notice that we will take every step that this Parliament has…to censure any Minister who is not living up to expectation, and we will lead the way with the Honorable Minister for Finance.”

    NPP MPs petition president to sack Ofori-Atta, Adu Boahen

    The majority caucus in parliament, at a press conference on Tuesday, have threatened they will not participate in any government business until Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta and Minister of State in charge of Finance at the Office of the President, Chares Adu Boahen are sacked by the president.

  • Minority moves to impeach Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta

    Minority leader in Parliament Haruna Iddrisu and his colleagues in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have initiated processes to file a motion for the immediate removal of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

    The move comes shortly after some Members of Parliament who are part of the Majority Caucus called for the dismissal of the Finance Minister, as well as the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen.

    Engaging the press on Tuesday, First Deputy Minority Whip Ahmed Ibrahim, noted that the Majority’s demands are long overdue.

    “If they meant well, the day they went to the cabinet meeting and President Akufo-Addo pointed to them that ‘you want me to sack my Finance Minister when he was funding my campaign, where were you’ . This is what he told them at the cabinet meeting. That was the day we were expecting them to come with such a statement,” he said.

    He further alleged that Mr Ofori-Atta still heads the Ministry of Finance because “he used his Data Bank to support his )Akufo-Addo’s) campaign to become President, therefore the Finance Ministry is compensation.”

    Nonetheless, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim charged the NPP MPs who want the sector minister dismissed to demonstrate good will by supporting the motion for immediate impeachment of Ken Ofori-Atta.

    He said “as representatives of the people and as duty bearers, we must move a motion to call for the head of the Finance Minister. So if our brothers in the Majority believe in this, what they should do is to support the motion from the Minority Leader for the dismissal of the Finance Minister.”

    Two-thirds of Parliamentarians are required to impeach the Finance Minister. The Minority Group currently comprises 136 legislators, while the Majority, 138.

    The Assin North Parliamentary seat is being contested at the Supreme Court over dual citizenship claims by James Gyakye Quayson.

    Several Ghanaians including opposition parties have mounted pressure on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove Mr. Ofori-Atta from office following the country’s current economic predicaments which has compelled government to seek support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Both Minority and Majority Groups believe that the sacking of Ofori-Atta and Adu Boahen will help restore confidence in Ghana’s economy that has been saddled with debt and high inflation.

    “We are communicating our strong desire that the President should change the Minister of Finance and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry without further delay in order to restore hope into the financial sector and reverse the downward trend in the growth of the economy,” Asante-Akim North MP, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, who spoke on behalf of the Majority said.

     

  • How Haruna Iddrisu drilled Akufo-Addo’s nominee over his jump from High Court to Supreme Court

    It was an interesting banter between Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu and Supreme Court Justice-nominee, Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu when the latter sat before the Appointments Committee to be vetted for his nominated position.

    Justice Gaewu was the only High Court judge among the four Judges nominated by the President to the Supreme Court.

    Having resigned as a member of the New Patriotic Party on the 16th of September 2020, the same day he was appointed a High Court judge, Justice Gaewu is the only one among the nominees to have been linked with political affiliations.

    During his vetting on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, Haruna Iddrisu sought to understand the reasoning behind his nomination, having skipped a position at the Appeals Court.

    Despite acknowledging the President’s appointing powers, Mr. Iddrisu noted that concerns had been raised about the appointment of Justice Gaewu when his seniors who equally were qualified for the position were not given the opportunity.

    According to him, this may serve as a disincentive to colleagues who may have paid their dues through service but have not received such recognition.

    Below is the interaction between Haruna Iddrisu and Justice Gaewu as it happened:

    The four Judges nominated to the Supreme Court by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo are being vetted by the Appointments Committee of Parliament.

    Haruna Iddrisu:

    Your particular nomination to the high office of the Justice of the Supreme Court, has ignited some public interest about what the president can and cannot do.

    Since the law is in your bosom and we are only here as members of parliament, let me just correct the erroneous impression that is being said somewhere.

    No one has questioned the authority or mandate of the constitutional power of the president to appoint a justice of the Supreme Court.

    What we have sought to express concern about is having been appointed a judge at the high court, just at the beginning of a career, you are elevated and fast-tracked ahead of your superiors from the same high court to the Appeals Court, to the court of Appeal. We have expressed to the Supreme Court, that that can be a disincentive to judges who have played their part in public service to serve the country in that capacity at the high court which have not been recognized, and those at the Appeals Court.

    Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu:

    It’s a constitutional mandate granted the president to appoint and there are criteria within which the person qualifies or doesn’t qualify.

    Haruna Iddrisu:

    Do you fall within that criteria?

    Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu:
    Yes I do

    Haruna Iddrisu:

    Which article in the constitution are you relying on?

    Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu:

    Article 128 (4)

    Haruna Iddrisu:

    Kindly read it for our purposes

    Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu:

    It says; “A person shall not be qualified for appointment of Justice of the Supreme Court unless he is of high moral character and proven integrity and is of not less than 15 years standing as a lawyer.

    So three things; high moral character, Haruna Iddrisu: – Which we’ll be accessing here, Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu:, Proven integrity – Haruna Iddrisu: Which we’ll be accessing here; Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu:and not less than 15 years as a lawyer.

    Haruna Iddrisu:

    So how many years have you been?

    Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu:

    I’ve been 22 years.

    Haruna Iddrisu:

    We are concerned when we raise the concern, we state it as a matter of public concern that appointment and promotion to the judicial organ of state must be done with balance and respect for merit.

    Background:

    On July 26, 2022, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo nominated four persons for elevation onto the Supreme Court Bench.

    The nominees are Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu, Justice George Kingsley Koomson, and Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, all from the Appeals Court. The only High Court judge who made the list is Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu.

    They were referred to the Appointments Committee for consideration after Speaker Bagbin announced their nominations in the House in July.

    Their appointment followed pending and projected vacancies at the Supreme Court this year.

  • Hawa Koomson’s approval as minister was embarrassing – Haruna Iddrisu

    Minority Leader and Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has described as embarrassing events that led to the passage of Mavis Hawa Koomson as a Minister.

    The then Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministry nominee’s appearance before the Appointments Committee was deemed under par relative to the competence of the portfolio, hence a widely held view that the Minority should use their numbers to reject her approval when it came to a vote at the plenary.

    That was not to be as the outcome of the vote showed that quite a number of Minority MPs voted in favour of Mrs. Koomson.

    This was in early 2021 when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was constituting his new cabinet after winning the 2020 polls.

    Months on, Haruna Iddrisu in an interview on Pan African TV explained why Hawa Koomson and other controversial nominees were approved by Parliament.

    According to him, once such decisions are put to a secret ballot, the best he can do is to activate the party’s whip asking all members to tow a particular line, if they disobeyed, there was no way of knowing which of them had flouted the group position.

    “If you put that to a vote and you saw the embarrassing outcome of Hawa Koomson, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah,” he told the host of the Talk Time Show, Kwesi Pratt.

    “Any elected MP is an adult, I Haruna Iddrisu cannot accompany an NDC MP into a ballot box to guide him on how to exercise his vote. He is responsible enough.

    “Mine is to issue the party whip, which is the directive that we expect you to stand against this policy, nothing more. And as an adult, respecting the secrecy of the ballot, I cannot be held responsible,” he stressed.

    He had in the same interview explained that to the extent that the Constitution said 51% of Ministers should come from Parliament, the best the Minority can do is to vet for competence and knowledge of portfolio and to do as much damage as possible to candidates who do not prove themselves fit.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Ghana may dip into the Sri Lanka situation before December – Haruna Iddrisu predicts

    Minority leader and Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has berated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his appointees over management of the economy.

    Speaking to veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr in an interview on Pan African TV, he posited that the economy has grossly been mismanaged by ‘incompetent’ people placed at the helm of affairs.

    The situation he lamented has forced many to reel under economic pressures while the government has also resorted to ‘irresponsible, reckless borrowing.’

    He mentioned for instance that President Akufo-Addo’s promise to protect the public purse during his inauguration in 2017 has not seen the light of day.

    The legislator premised his remark on the number of ministers the president appointed in his first term, referencing the infamous terminology of an ‘elephant size government’.

    He feared that given how the economy and the country at large was being managed, the situation may degenerate into scenes that were witnessed in South Asian country, Sri Lanka, months back.

    Haruna Iddrisu made the comment while making a case for a cap to be placed on the number of ministers a president can appoint.

    “When you hear President Nana Addo Dankwa say that he will protect the public purse and come and appoint an elephant-sized government, that’s incongruous. I mean you cannot reconcile that and then you see him spend profligately on travel when other heads of states will be on business class and either first class, you want to fly with the comfort of a private jet that adds to the cost.

    “What is now catching up with them is that they didn’t keep faith with the Ghanaian electorate. At the time the NDC and President Mahama explained that they will not be able to pay allowances, it will affect the compensation budget, to be able to recruit more to the public service….there are those who think we need a downsizing of the Ghanaian public sector.

    “I have read Professor Wood’s book and he is very articulate that our public sector is too large. 700,000 workers but how do you downsize it when you are not even providing an enabling environment for the private sector. What is happening today in Ghana and Kwesi, I am afraid Ghana may dip into a Sri Lankan situation even before the end of December,” he said in the October 1 interview.

    Sri Lanka dominated the news following days of massive protests by citizens over an economic downturn.

    The situation culminated in the protesters storming deposed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence in July.

    Amidst the upheaval, Rajapaksa resigned and fled the country to Maldives, BBC reported.

    At present, Sri Lanka’s consumer inflation according to official data showed surged to an annual record 69.8% in September.

    Ghana’s economy has also in recent times faced a downturn with economists pointing to inflation rates, hike in petroleum products, and increased cost of living.

    The worsening economic situation has compelled government to initiate contact with the International Monetary Fund for a programme owing to downgrades of the economy by rating agencies which prevented it from accessing the international capital market.

    Source: Ghanaweb

     

  • Compiling a new voter register using the Ghana card is good, but Ghanaians must all have one – Asiedu Nketia

    The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Asiedu Nketia has stated that using the Ghana Card as a sole document to register voters is not a bad idea.

    According to him, this will only be possible if all Ghanaians have received  their Ghana Cards from the National Identification Authority

    His comments come at the back of a warning in Parliament by the Minority against the Electoral Commissions to compile a new voter register using only the Ghana card.

    But Asiedu Nketia has cautioned the National Identification Authority and the Electoral Commission on that decision.

    “If you ask me that we should use the Ghana card exclusively for voter registration, I’ll say yes; It’s wonderful and I urged all Ghanaians to be given their Ghana card before that decision is implemented” he stated .

    It will be recalled that Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu stated that such a move by the EC will threaten the stability of the country as the rights of legal age Ghanaians to vote and exercise their franchise will be infringed upon.

    “Our understanding as we pick it up is that the Electoral Commission of Ghana is desperately planning to discard the 2020 voter register and replace it with a new voter register ,which has caused the taxpayer and the people of Ghana to build with $80million thereabout “ he said.

    Ahead of the 2020 general elections ,the EC had Justified its call for a new voters register by claiming that the 2016 register contained names of non citizens hence the reason for a new voters register.

     

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Minority calls for public inquiry into Covid-19 expenditure

    The Minority in Parliament has accused President Akufo-Addo of presiding over what they describe as “gargantuan fraud in the spending and disbursement of COVID expenses”.

    According to Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority is vindicated by the fact that a leading member of the NPP disclosed publicly to the effect that, COVID Funds were shared with Party Executives.

    His comment follows claims that some COVID monies were shared amongst NPP members.

    Speaking at a press conference, the Minority Leader said: ”As much as we feel vindicated, we also feel equally scandalised by emerging reports by leading members of the NPP in particular, a leading Vice-Chair called Felicia Tetteh who is publicly reported to have said, that COVID monies were shared amongst party leadership, Constituencies Regional and for my purposes, I add National.”

    He said these claims call for an imminent investigation.

    “That in fact makes our call for an imminent investigation of the highly anomalous COVID expenditure spending to be probed. We now can understand why a motion by the Minority in Parliament to probe Covid by an institution which should be the most fundamental institution and guardian of the public purse, Parliament, will dismiss the motion even at birth by actors of the New Patriotic Party political administration,” Mr. Iddrisu explained on May 31, 2022.

    He added that the Minority will refile a motion for a probe.

    “We will renew our position. We will refile a motion for a probe but to the Ghanaian public, these are those who parade that they care and they are protectors of the public purse.”

    “We are calling on President Akufo-Addo and reminding him that the 1992 constitution is premised on probity and accountability and that if he has any respect for the values of integrity let him probe COVID and COVID-19 spending across the country.”

    Source: Ghanaweb via gbcghanaonline

  • Minority Leader, 2 MPs file injunction against implementation of E-levy

    The Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, and two other NDC MPs, have filed an injunction at the Supreme Court against the implementation of the Electronic Transfer Levy (e-levy).

    Mr Iddrisu, Mahama Ayariga and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa are urging the apex court to restrain the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from implementing the e-levy until the final determination of their suit challenging the constitutionality of its passage by Parliament.

    Reasons

    The injunction application filed by their lawyer , Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, today (April 19, 2020) avers that millions of people will suffer irreparable harm if the E-Levy Act is not put on hold and the court determines that its passage was unconstitutional.

    According to them, the GRA would be unable to reimburse the millions who have paid the e-levy while the 1992 Constitution which is the supreme law of the land would have been undermined.

    “That the Plaintiffs having raised an allegation of a breach of the Constitution in the passage of the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022(Act 1075), in order to avoid an incalculable damage, injury and inconvenience not only to the people of Ghana but as well as undermining the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land, the justice of the case demands that the implementation of the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022(Act 1075) is put on hold until the final determination of the instant suit,” the injunction application stated.

    Substantive case

    The three MPs in their substantive suit want the apex court to declare the passage of the e-levy as unconstitutional and therefore null and void.

    It is their case that Parliament did not have the right quorum to pass the e-levy as stipulated under Article 104(1) of the 1992 Constitution which had recently been interpreted by the Supreme Court.

    According to them, as at the time the second reading for the passage of the e-Levy was done , there were only 136 MPs present in Parliament instead of the required 138.

    They want the court to therefore declare the whole proceedings including the second reading, third reading and voting ti pass the e-levy as unconstitutional, null , void and of no effect.

    The plaintiffs are also seeking an order from the court to set aside the passage of the e-levy by Parliament.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Reduce $150 COVID-19 testing fee, make it free for Ghanaians Minority

    The Minority in Parliament has called for a downward review of the cost of the mandatory COVID-19 testing at the Kotoka International Airport.

    Addressing the press on Tuesday, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, complained that the pandemic was being used to unduly make money.

    “For non-Ghanaians to be compelled to pay an amount of $150 in the name of COVID test in which its procurement is questionable, and raises eyebrows on the fact that Covid is being used as a caveat to make money instead of combating a pandemic, we do not think that persons travelling to Ghana from abroad be made to pay $150.”

    He also maintained that the testing should be free for Ghanaians.

    Mr. Iddrisu added that he would be a party to a motion demanding accountability from the company handling the testing.

    “We consider this a rip-off and too high. Even $50 for Ghanaian citizens is too much. It should be free for Ghanaians. I would lead a motion very soon, supported by the Hon. Ablakwa and Hon. Akandoh to demand accountability from Frontiers, in order to account for all the $150 they charge travellers.”

    The Minority has previously expressed concern that Ghana was short-changed in the deal with Frontiers Healthcare Solution Services Limited with regard to COVID-19 testing services at the Kotoka International Airport.

    The government engaged Frontiers Healthcare Solution Services Limited to conduct the rapid COVID-19 tests at KIA following the reopening of the airport to international passenger flights in September 2020.

    The 30-minute PCR COVID-19 test initially attracted a $150 fee but was subsequently reviewed.

    While the amount was maintained for non-ECOWAS citizens, those from any of the West African countries were to pay $50 for such services at Kotoka International Airport.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Haruna Iddrisu predicts more strikes

    Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader has envisaged more strikes in the public sector following the UTAG strike.

    He attributed this to the 4% increase in the public sector salaries has contributed greatly to the instability on the Labour front.

    This increase, he noted, is a “recipe for the industrial conflicts”.

    Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Tamale South MP explained, “The public sector workers of Ghana can have no smiles into 2022. When inflation is at 8% or 9%, the appropriate thing to do in terms of minimum wage negotiation is to place the wage increase not above inflation.

    “So, if you say inflation is 8% or 9%, increase the wages by just 8% or 9%, that is the best practice and that has been the practice.”

    According to the Minority Leader, the strike action by UTAG and other staff from the various universities is not surprising, indicating that this is one of many to come.

    “Going into the future, we should be ready to bear the consequences of an unstable labour environment, which is likely to be characterised by protests, and strike actions which ultimately, will affect the productivity of our country,” Iddrisu said.

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), directed members to withdraw all teaching and related activities on various university campuses beginning Monday, August 2.

    Members of the Association laid down their tools and have stayed off teaching, examinations and invigilation, marking of examination scripts and processing of results until further notice.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Sammy Gyamfi to be dragged to Privileges Committee for insulting Haruna, Bagbin

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Tolon, Habib Idrisu, has filed a motion seeking to haul Sammy Gyamfi, the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC’s) National Communications Director; before the Privileges Committee of the lawmaking chamber.

    The move is in conection with comments made by Mr Gyamfi in March 2021 calling out the Minority Leader and Speaker of Parliament for their roles in approving some ministerial nominees of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    The Tolon MP in filing his motion cited order 38 of the chamber’s standing orders and said: “the following act or conduct shall constitute a breach of privilege or contempt of Parliament.”

    He said the attack specifically on the Speaker was by extension an attack on the entire house which he leads.

    Sammy Gyamfi in a Facebook post claimed that Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu and Speaker Alban Bagbin had defied the party’s official position to oppose the approval of three nominees but that they had opted otherwise for personal interest.

    “They brazenly defied the leadership of the party and betrayed the collective good for their selfish interest,” his post read in part.

    The nominees in question were: Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Hawa Koomson and Owusu Afriyie Akoto; ministers-designate for Information; Fisheries and Aquaculture and Food and Agriculture respectively.

    This is the second time that an NPP lawmaker has pushed for Gyamfi to be summoned before the Privileges Committe.

    Months back, Tafo Pankorono MP, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, also pushed unsuccessfully for a similar action to be taken.

    The Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, who was presiding over the sitting subsequently deferred action on the motion.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Stop behaving as deputy ministers, youve not been approved – Haruna Iddrisu cautions nominees

    The Minority Leader of Parliament Haruna Iddrisu has cautioned deputy minister nominees to desist from holding themselves in that capacity since they have not been approved.

    Speaking on the floor of Parliament yesterday, May 25, 2021, he said some of the appointees are behaving in a manner that is preempting the work of the Appointments Committee.

    Mr. Iddrisu said many of them are in a hurry to assume office even while Parliament has not considered their nomination.

    The Appointments Committee of Parliament is expected to commence vetting of the deputy ministerial nominees on June 2, 2021.

    However, some of them have started holding themselves as deputy minister and taking decisions.

    But the Minority who served a warning said the action by the nominees is illegal.

    “There are many of them who are in a hurry to assume office even while Parliament has not even considered their nomination. May I Mr. Speaker serve a warning that in accordance with the ruling J.H. Mensah vs Attorney General, they will be in a hurry at their own peril because they must respect the provisions of the Constitution.”

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Bagbin will make Parliament accountable, responsive and transparent institution Haruna Iddrisu

    Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has reiterated his confidence in Speaker Alban Bagbin to make the legislative arm of government accountable, responsive and transparent.

    According to him, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin is a man who is impartial and will execute his duties neutrally.

    “We have the 7th Speaker of the 8th Parliament, not just the ordinary but the most experienced among our group, the most qualified among our group…we trust that he will be fair and firm as Speaker of Ghana and not just [to] any political group in Ghana.

    “I can only today remind Mr Speaker of his oath that I will do right to all manner of persons without […] affection or ill will. A [huge] obligation he himself accepted before Parliament when he pledged that he will be neutral and impartial,” Haruna Iddrisu said at a thanksgiving event held in honour of Alban Bagbin in the Waala Traditional Area of the Upper West Region.

    Alban Bagbin has recently been accused by Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu of turning parliament into an enclave of the opposition NDC.

    But Haruna Iddrisu insists: “I have faith in Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin and I have faith that he would lead the reforms that this country needs particularly for Parliament to make Parliament a more responsive, accountable and transparent institution that contributes to improving the well-being and quality of the Ghanaian.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ablakwas resignation a vote-of-no confidence in Harunas leadership Mubarak

    The resignation of Noth Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, from the Appointments Committee is vote-of-no confidence in the leadership of Haruna Iddrisu, former MP for Kumbungu Ras Mubarak has said.

    Okudzeto Ablakwa resigned from the appointments committee on Tuesday with immediate effect. In a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Ablakwa said his decision was taken on a matter of principle.

    He also added that based on his decision, he will be unavailable for the vetting of deputy ministers yet-to-be nominated by President Akufo-Addo.

    “May I extend to you leadership of the House, the Committee of Selection and the leadership of the great National Democratic Congress (NDC), my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to serve as a member of the 6th, 7th and 8th Parliaments of the Republic of Ghana.”

    Speaking in an interview with Starrfm.com.gh, the former MP said the decision by Ablakwa is a clear indication that some minority members have lost the trust and confidence in their leadership in the House.

    He added that some unhappy minority MPs are likely to follow the decision by the North Tongu MP.

    Source: Starr FM

  • 2021 budget has no good news for workers Haruna Iddrisu

    The budget statement for the 2021 fiscal year has no provision for the Ghanaian worker, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has said.

    Rather, he noted, the budget is intending to make life difficult for workers following the introduction of new taxes for the year..

    Speaking at a forum for the lawmakers in Ho over the weekend to discuss the budget statement, he said “Two important taxes are for my attention. One, sanitation and pollution tax. But Mr Speaker, we have a duty as parliament to work with the executive for the economy of Ghana to recover. That should be the challenge as we speak today.

    “What do we do post COVID-19 Ghana in order that we can generate economic and investment opportunities that will spur growth for the Ghanaian enterprise and provide opportunities to address the growing unemployment in our country.”

    The Tamale South MP added “The workers of Ghana do n0ot know what they fate is in this 2021 budget because minimum wage and public sector wages have not been determined and conclusively negotiated and determined.

    “So whatever numbers you have for compensation budget is likely to grow and is likely to erode any gains that may be made.”

    The government is proposing in the 2021 budget statement the introduction of a Covid-19 Health Levy of a one percentage point increase in the National Health Insurance Levy and a one percentage point increase in the VAT Flat Rate to support expenditures related to Covid-19.

    “To provide the requisite resources to address these challenges and fund these activities, government is proposing the introduction of a Covid-19 Health Levy of a one percentage point increase in the National Health Insurance Levy and a one percentage point increase in the VAT Flat Rate to support expenditures related to Covid-19,” the budget statement presented by the leader of Government Business, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu said among other things on Friday March 12.

    It added that “to leverage other resources to fight the pandemic, Government passed the COVID-19 National Trust Fund Act, (2020), Act 1013 in April, 2020 to establish the Fund. As at 31st December, 2020, the Fund had mobilised GH¢ 57,134,093.58 of which GH¢45,218,313.23 had been utilized.

    “These resources complemented Government efforts in providing PPEs and medical supplies to COVID-19 selected institutions, distribution of food items to the aged, vulnerable, and needy persons; providing vehicles to selected Treatment Centres, National Public Health & Reference Laboratories, Testing Centres, and the COVID-19 Central Care Management Team. It also supported the construction of the National Infectious Disease Centre.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Are you now willing to work with Fomena MP? – Haruna Iddrisu asks Akufo-Addo

    Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has questioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo if he is now willing to work with Lawyer Andrew Amoako Asiamah.

    The President before 2020, December 7 election stated that any New Patriotic Party member who challenges the party in the Parliamentary elections as an Independent Candidate will be axed from his next government.

    “I am your President and the leader of the party. I cannot work with any independent candidate. I can only work with Patricia Adjei, the elected candidate,” the President said on one of his campaign tours.

    In the case of Lawyer Andrew Amoako Asiamah, the leadership of the New Patriotic Party got the Speaker of the 7th Parliament Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye to sack the latter from Parliament for deciding to go Independent in the Fomena Constituency.

    However, according to Haruna Iddrisu, he is surprised that the NPP is now making a U-turn on the lawmaker to find shelter as both parties are struggling to secure a majority in the 8th Parliament.

    “I have always said that consistency is important in our political discourse. Is Nana Addo Dankwa now willing to work with Independent MP?

    “What is the position of the NPP General Secretary [John Boadu] now? So corporation and collaboration,” Haruna Iddrisu questioned.

    He further advised the NPP to settle their differences with the Second Deputy Speaker of the 8th Parliament.

    “I will therefore call on the NPP to reconcile their conflicting positions. On just one person today, they found him a necessary ally and friend of a golden friend of one,” the Tamale South MP said.

    Meanwhile, Parliament resumes today after the chaotic inauguration day.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Fomena MPs decision does not make NPP majority Haruna Iddrisu

    The leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu says the formal declaration of the only independent candidate in Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoah to do business with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) side does not make that side the majority in the House.

    According to him, the choice of words of Mr. Amoah does not increase the number of seats the NPP occupy in Parliament.

    He said any claim that Andrew Asiamah Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Fomena has joined the NPP will mean that he has to vacate his seat in Parliament and a by-election held in that constituency.

    Andrew Asiamah Amoah in a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament said, “I Andrew Asiamah Amoako, an Independent Member for Fomena constituency and now the 2nd Deputy Speaker for the same Parliament do hereby declare that, I shall for the purposes of transacting business in the house associate with the NPP in the Eighth Parliament.”

    “For the avoidance of doubt, I do hereby affirm that I shall cooperate and collaborate with the NPP Caucus in the Eighth Parliament.”

    This declaration by the MP has been received with appreciation especially from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) side with many making the claim that the letter confirms the NPP in Parliament has majority seats in Parliament.

    “It [the letter] did not state, and it did not say that I will join or that I am part of the NPP,” Haruna Iddrisu said at a press conference.https://www.youtube.com/embed/jkiwaNPMyqw

    He said official records of Parliament remains as 137 seats for both NDC and NPP and one seat for an independent candidate.

    “Advisedly and wisely, he is not seeking to join a political party and therefore nobody should do an easy mathematics of a 137 plus one. I will cooperate, or I will collaborate does not mean I am joining, or I am crossing over because it has its own constitutional implications which probably will require that a by-election be conducted if he was to join a political party,” Haruna Iddrisu indicated.

    Mr. Iddrisu said this when he addressed the press in Parliament on Thursday, January 14, 2021.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Parliament to drag police, military to privileges committee for contempt Haruna Iddrisu

    Tamale Central lawmaker, Haruna Iddrisu has revealed that the military and Police who stormed the chamber of Parliament on January 7 during the election of a speaker for the 8th Parliament, will have to answer for their action.

    He said they will need to explain to the House why they should not be charged with contempt of parliament following their invasion.

    Military men stormed the chamber following a stalemate between MPs-elect for the NDC and NPP sides while they were electing a new Speaker of the House.

    Mr. Iddrisu told Journalists in parliament on Wednesday, January 13 that “We are law-abiding citizens, we proceeded on a precession in accordance with Article 21 of the constitution. What I also do know is that ACP Ofori, I also saw him in the Chamber on the night of 7th January.

    “He probably will have to come and explain to parliament what he and his men were doing in the chamber and on the floor of parliament at that material moment because that is also in contempt of parliament.

    “He has to demonstrate that he was invited into the chamber by the Marshal of Parliament and as I indicated to you earlier, we are law-abiding citizens, we embarked on a lawful procession and he has to explain the circumstances in which he got into the chamber of parliament.

    “The armed military officers will have to explain how they got to the Chamber of Parliament and why they should also not be hauled before Privileges and committee for contempt of parliament.”

    Some Ghanaians including former President John Dramani Mahama condemned the intervention of the military and called for a thorough investigation into the matter.

    “The recent use of the military in civil democratic processes has become a major worry and gives the impression that this administration is continually seeking to resurrect the exorcised ghosts of our military past. Parliament must conduct an investigation into the two incidents and exact appropriate sanctions,” the President Candidate of the NDC in the last elections said in a tweet.

    Meanwhile, the founding Director of the University of Ghana Centre for Asian Studies Dr. Lloyd Amoah has said the presence of the military in the chamber of Parliament during the election of a Speaker for the 8th Parliament did not pose any danger.

    Dr. Lloyd Amoah in a Facebook post said “The mere use of soldiers on the floor of parliament does not by itself pose an existential danger. The army is part of the civil order. Pay attention.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Reach out to Mahama, NDC leadership to build consensus – Minority to Akufo-Addo

    The Minority Leader in parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has advised President Akufo-Addo to go beyond his rhetoric of asking both sides of the House to work together and engage with the opposition to dialogue and find compromising areas to develop the country.

    He said contrary to claims by the president that both sides have an almost equal number is not the case because they all have 137 seats with an independent candidate.

    He opines the 8th Parliament has no majority, and that is something that proves that the Ghanaian people are not happy with the polarisation, partisanship.

    He said Ghanaians want to see the opportunities of this country shared equally.

    At a joint press briefing today, Wednesday, January 6, 2021, he said compromises and consensus-building should not just be word of mouth, but the president should reach out to his opponents.

    “What has he done since the election to reach out to the NDC nad to reach out to His Excellency John Mahama and the leadership of the NDC in the spirit of building consensus and cooperation” It is important he does that”.

    He drew the attention of the president to a situation where he would have to appoint his ministers from parliament and his inability to have the numbers to work with.

    On his part, the Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu underscored the need for the 8th Parliament to work in the interest of Ghanaians.

    He said the current situation presents them with an opportunity to work together, set a new standard for improving our democratic governance and indeed the operations of our own parliament.

    He stressed we must see ourselves as one people in one country with one destiny and thus, in everything that we do, we should be informed about the unity and stability of this country.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Akufo-Addo’s call for consensus mere talk – Minority

    The Minority in Parliament has called out President Akufo-Addo accusing him of all talk without commensurate action in attempts to build consensus in Parliament.

    The President in his final State of the Nation address reiterated that the results of the December 7 elections show Ghanaians want the two main political parties NDC and NPP to work together in the interest of the state.

    But speaking at a final leadership media encounter before the dissolution of the 7th parliament, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisudisclosed that the president has not made any move to engage the NDC or its flagbearer since the polls.

    The Tamale South MP served notice that the results of the Parliamentary elections put out by the EC can only mean a tough time for the NPP in the next parliament.

    Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, however, insists that the NPP will constitute the majority in the 8th parliament. The Suame MP also urged the NDC to abandon its litigious posture.

    Both the NDC and the NPP have a split number of MPs. The NDC has 137 seats while the NPP also has 137 seats, however, an independent MP for Fomena has indicated his willingness to sit with the ruling NPP giving the party a slim majority in the law-making chamber.

    Meanwhile, Members of the NDC in Parliament have nominated experienced lawmaker and current Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin as Speaker in the 8th Parliament which begins Thursday.

    The Nadowli Kaleo lawmaker will come against his current boss Speaker Mike Oquaye as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has settled on him.

    Both parties have equal numbers in the House 137 each- with the only independent MP-elect opting to sit with the NPP.

    Meanwhile, the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic will be dissolved at Midnight today Wednesday 6th January 2021.

    The dissolution is in accordance with Article 113(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

    Immediately after 12 am, newly elected members of the incoming session of Parliament will convene to elect a Speaker and two deputies in accordance with Articles 95, 96, and 100(2) of the 1992 Constitution after which the elected Speaker will swear members in as lawmakers.

    Source: Starr FM

  • NDC pink sheets in Techiman South mysteriously burnt Iddrisu

    The Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has indicated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has not been able to retrieve pink sheets from the Techiman South constituency which will serve as concrete evidence to show that the party won that seat because it has been destroyed.

    According to the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, the returning officer at Techiman South confirmed to him that the pink sheets were burnt.

    Speaking on the floor of Parliament when the House reconvened on Monday, 14 December 2020, Mr. Iddrisu condemned the spate of casualties recorded during the elections.

    He said: “I was in Techiman personally and I was not pleased with what I observed. That an electoral officer cannot even make available to a political party declared results or results to be declared. That cannot be so in our multi-party constitutional democracy. Whether a returning officer or a district officer to claim somewhere that his copy meant for a political party, the NDC got burnt. We are still following through but what is significant is the loss of lives in Techiman. We had to visit one or two bereaved families arising out of shooting which resulted in loss of lives.”

    He continued: “That remains a negative blot on the conscience of our democracy to choose our leaders, lives must not be lost and lost needlessly. There are still contested outcomes in some other constituencies across the country, in Sene.”

    Mr. Iddrisu stressed that “we still have some dark clouds against what has been declared by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.”

    He, however, congratulated the newly elected Members of Parliament, “particularly the old ones who have had the privilege and honour of the electorate in their various constituencies to re-elect them to serve them.”

    But in swift rebuttal, the Majority Leader and MP for Suame, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu condemned the Minority NDC for attacking the elections conducted by the Electoral Commission.

    He indicated that the NDC must arm themselves with ample evidence to counter their claims.

    According to him, without concrete evidence, their objections against the outcome of the elections do not hold water.

    “If the people want to really stand on the foundation of truth they should really be equipped with the evidence of truthfulness before they make any proclamation because if you don’t have the pink sheets, you cannot make any allusions,” he noted.

    Source: Class FM

  • NDC will resist any alteration of results Minority Leader

    The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will resist any attempt to change the Techiman South parliamentary results.

    In a press briefing at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), the re-elected Tamale South Member of Parliament said the governing party is using military officers to intimidate electoral officers to recount the ballots in the process to change results in their favour.

    “The military cannot intimidate us with their guns,” he said.

    He added that it is illegal to recount the results at a polling station.

    “It is not legally permissible to do recount at collation centres and using the military to intimidate for a recount.

    “Collation centres are centres for aggregation of polls from polling stations. They are not to be used for the purpose of recounting.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Finance Minister failed to tell Ghanaians about the true state of the economy – Minority leader

    Minority Leader in parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has slammed Finance Minister for failing to tell Ghanaians about the true state of the Ghanaian economy.

    According to him, there was a need for Ghanaians to have every detail about the economy especially John Dramani Mahama, so he knows the kind of economy he would inherit if he wins power come December 7.

    Speaking in an interview after the Finance Minister presented advanced budget statement for the first quarter of the 2021 fiscal year to Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu said Ghanaians need to know how we are faring before and after COVID-19.

    “… as you have noted from the Minister of Finance, conspicuously lost in his presentation is a report on the performance of the Ghanaian economy, to give us the real state of the economy including performance for the first, second and third quarter. We need to have an appreciation of how has revenue fed with Covid-19 and how will revenue fare with COVID-19. You notice that he even avoided sharing with Ghanaians the true nature of the economy is. We needed to have an understanding of the state of the economy then we know what John Dramani Mahama will inherit.” He said

    Ken Ofori-Atta is requesting an amount of GH¢27.4 billion from the government intended towards the expenditure of the first quarter of 2021.

    The request was made when Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta appeared in Parliament on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, to present the budget to the house of legislature.

    The budget presentation which is known as the Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation forms part of a mandated practice usually conducted in election years.

    “…that this Honourable House approves by resolution, the withdrawal of the sum of twenty-seven billion, four hundred and thirty-four million, one hundred and eighty thousand, five hundred and twenty Ghana cedis (GH¢27,434,180,520.00) from the Consolidated Fund,” he told parliament.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Minority asks Acting Auditor-General to publish 2019 Audited Accounts Report

    The Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament on Monday asked the Acting Auditor General, to as a matter of urgency, submit to Parliament the Audited Accounts of the Government for the 2019 Financial Year

    He should also publish the Reports as demanded by the 1992 Ghanaian Constitution.

    “The Minority is particularly concerned that these delays may be deliberate for the primary purpose of avoiding further embarrassment to the Government,” the Minority said at a press conference at the Parliament House, in Accra, and asked if the “delays are not intended to cover up malfeasance on the part of Government because this year is an election year.”

    Led by the Minority Leader and MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the NDC Caucus in Parliament, re-grouped from recess to organize the presser, at which it drew the attention of the Government to the constitutional requirement of the Auditor -General and the Audit Service to audit and submit to Parliament Reports on the Audited Accounts of Ghana for the preceding year within six months after the end of a preceding year.

    Mr Iddrisu quoted Article 187 (5) of the 1992 Ghanaian Constitution, which said: “The Auditor-General shall within six months after the end of the immediately preceding year to which the accounts mentioned in clause (2) of this article relates, submit his report to Parliament and shall, in that report, draw the attention to any irregularities in the accounts audited and to any other matter which in his opinion ought to be brought to the notice of Parliament.”

    He further referred to Section 20 of the Audit Service Act, 200 (Act 586) which provides that:” The Auditor-General shall, within six months after the end of the immediately preceding financial year to which each of the accounts mentioned in this Part relates, submit his report to Parliament and shall, in the report, draw attention to any irregularities in the accounts audited and to any other matter which in his opinion ought to be brought to the notice of Parliament.”

    Mr Iddrisu, however, observed that “notwithstanding the imperative of the above provisions of the Constitution and Act 586, the Auditor-General has failed to submit and publish his Reports, three (3) months to the end of the financial year.”

    “We are therefore calling on the Acting Auditor-General to as a matter of the urgency submit to Parliament, his Reports for the 2019 financial year,” the NDC Caucus urged.

    The Minority recalled that the previous Auditor-General, who was asked by President Nana Akufo-Addo to proceed on leave had complied with the constitutional provisions in respect of being up-to-date with his Reports to Parliament, stating for instance that the Reports of the Auditor General for the 2018 Financial Year were submitted within the statutory time limit.

    The NDC Minority called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to direct the Acting Auditor General to urgently submit to Parliament for consideration and Report just as he directed the Auditor-General to proceed on leave.

    “Accountability, transparency and good governance oblige us all to ensure that the Auditor General complies with the tenets and dictates of the constitution and laws of Ghana,” the Minority Leader said.

    Source: GNA

  • NDC will not accept any intimidation from security services – Minority Leader

    The Minority Leader in Parliament has cautioned that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will not accept any form of intimidation or misconduct from the security services in the upcoming December elections.

    According to Haruna Iddrisu, any form of abuse or misuse of office by the security services will not be tolerated by the NDC.

    He made the comments at a gathering of chiefs, people and members of the Garage Associations in Sunyani Magazine just before the flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, disclosed the suspension of his tour in the Bono Region.

    Mr Iddrisu said the police and the military, according to their mandate, are expected to be neutral state institutions and must in turn act appropriately.

    The Minority Leader warned that the NDC will neither accept a repetition of the state-sponsored violence and intimidation that occurred during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election in 2019.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Martin Amidus age: Im not satisfied with Supreme Court ruling Haruna Iddrisu

    Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, says that he is getting worried about the kind of court system being practised in the country especially given the Supreme Courts ruling over the eligibility of Martin Amidu as the Special Prosecutor.

    According to the Minority Leader, the 5-2 decision of the Supreme Court indicates that Article 192 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana is now irrelevant.

    “Your aunt, grandmother and grandfather, you can constitute them tomorrow and come and do public service because your experience as a critical human resource is still important,” he said in an interview with Joy News.

    He argues: “the Constitution provides a tenure for public office. Public within the contest of Article 190 of the Constitution. Go back to the memorandum that accompanied the Office of Special Prosecutor bill and other bills; Parliament was exercising its power in creating new and additional Public Service office.”

    He explained that the ruling simply implies that older citizens above the retirement age can be appointed Chief Executive in any public office and the reference will be the Supreme Court ruling.

    On this basis, when it comes to the law, he explained that his confidence is eroding because “I am beginning to look back with some disappointment that we rely on this independent adjudicator”.

    With a majority 5-2 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Martin Amidu is eligible to hold office as Special Prosecutor.

    The decision read by Chief Justice Anin Yeboah means the retirement age for employees of the “public service” does not apply to the office of Special Prosecutor.

    Former Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine who filed the case said per the true and proper interpretation of Articles 190(1)(d), 199(1) and 295 of the 1992 Constitution, the retirement age of all holders of public offices created pursuant to Article 190 (1)(d) is 60 years, and not beyond 65 years.

    Article 190(1) states “The Public Services of Ghana shall include” (d) such other public services as Parliament may by law prescribe.

    Article 199(1) states “A public officer shall, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, retire from the public service on attaining the age of sixty years.”

    Dr. Ayine argued that at the time President Akufo-Addo named Martin Amidu as SP, that latter was not qualified because he was 66.

    He said that this contravenes section 13(3) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2018 (Act 959).

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • COVID-19: Government must evacuate Ghanaian citizens abroad Minority

    The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to evacuate Ghanaian citizens stranded in other countries due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Both the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) have made provisions for their citizens in Ghana to be evacuated, since the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus in Ghana.

    The US has so far evacuated over 1,400 American citizens and permanent residents of the US.

    The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu at a press conference on Thursday called on the government of Ghana to make similar arrangements for Ghanaian citizens abroad to be evacuated under strict protocols.

    “Many other countries are evacuating their citizens. India has done it, South Africa has done, UK has done it. It is our considered view that just as our government is able to open our airports despite the closures for foreign nationals to be evacuated, the government should do same by providing a narrow opportunity under strict evacuation protocols of screening, testing and quarantining when necessary in order to secure the safety of Ghanaians abroad.”

    This is the second wave of calls for Ghanaian citizens abroad to be evacuated.

    The first call which had to do with Ghanaian students in China intensified when the virus was fast-spreading in some parts of China.

    The Minority, the China chapter of National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and parents had called on the government to evacuate Ghanaian students from the country, to protect them from contracting the disease.

    The President in response to these calls had said the government will evacuate students from China if other options aimed at confining the disease to the area of origin fails.

    “The government is in constant touch with experts on the subject who have advised that the basic principle of public health is to confine the disease to the area of origin but we have not ruled out the option of evacuating the students from Wuhan if that becomes necessary.”

    “We have put in place measures to ensure that if the evacuation happens, it will not lead to the dissemination of fear and panic amongst the general population, ” the President said while delivering the 2020 State of the Nation Address.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • This is not the time for talkative Bawumia to play politics – NDC

    The Minority in Parliament has tongue-lashed Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for playing politics with the fight against the deadly coronavirus when the country is in a critical state.

    According to the minority leader in parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, the impact of the COVID-19 on the economy has been devastating to the extent that lots of people have lost their jobs due to the outbreak of the disease.

    He indicated this is the time government has to focus every attention on the COVID-19 that threatens the foundation of the country rather than comparing this national crisis to dumsor.

    Haruna Iddrisu professed, “if government puts substance on COVID-19 and its impact on citizens lives and the life of the economy, you will not have a talkative vice president go to the level of relating that to dumsor.”

    He averred that the Akufo-Addo government lacks foresight in the fight against the COVID-19 because they are more interested in seeking re-election for Akufo-Addo instead of thinking about the safety of Ghanaians.

    Adding that, almost “3months into the pandemic, government has no idea about the scale of the problem as they are still trying to formulate a testing strategy that allows us to estimate the general prevalence of COVID-19 on a timely basis.”

    However, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Monday said the NPP government has shown better leadership skills in managing the economy and alleviating the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian against the COVID-19 crisis.

    He explained that his comparison was based on how the previous government managed the 2013 to 2016 power crisis (dumsor), which crippled some businesses; and how the current government was managing the COVID-19 crisis.

    Dr. Bawumia made the analysis during his interaction with the Presidential Press Corps at the Jubilee House.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

     

  • Withdraw pre-tertiary education Bill for broader consultation Haruna Iddrisu to government

    The Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has urged the government to withdraw the pre-tertiary education Bill from Parliament.

    He said the government needs to consult stakeholders broadly on the Bill and incorporate their before seeking parliamentary approval.

    The Bill, when passed, will among other things see basic schools, Senior High Schools and TVET institutions being managed by District Assemblies, Regional Education Directorates and a Director-General, independent of the Ghana Education Service.

    Haruna Iddrisu who spoke to Citi News on the sidelines of a donation event said the many concerns raised by some stakeholders must be considered before the passage of the Bill.

    “I am not principally against decentralization or decentralized roles in basic education but there are legitimate concerns raised by the stakeholders. At least I have read a formal correspondence from the Catholic Secretariat and their concerns are legitimate. Are our district and metropolitan assemblies are not ready to the responsibility and obligations we are creating for them?” he quizzed.

    The Tamale South legislator added that a more thorough national discussion is needed on the Bill before parliamentary approval is sought.

    “My plea to the president is for him to withdraw the pre-tertiary education Bill for a more thorough national consultation and discussion,” he said.

    He further said it is unconstitutional to make secondary education a part of basic education as earlier announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

    “To make Senior High School a necessary part of basic education is wrong in theory, wrong in practice and wrong constitutionally…. He [Akufo-Addo] is doing a constitutional wrong to say that SHS is part of basic education. He should also not forget that Ghana is part of the West African sub-region, has he asked other leaders in the subregion whether they are doing same? Because there must be congruity,” Haruna Iddrisu said.

    Meanwhile, the Minority leader has donated 1,000 desks worth GH¢300,000 from his Social Investment fund to five schools in the Tamale South constituency.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Akufo-Addo has no power to grant tax waiver Minority Leader

    Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, says President Akufo-Addo should not have announced the tax waiver for health care personnel as if he had the power to grant it.

    He says the President should have acknowledged that per the constitution of Ghana, it is only Parliament that can give tax waivers and not the president.

    “The president has no power to grant any tax waiver. And let it be known that as President of Ghana, he has no such power,” the Member of Parliament for Tamale South said whilst the House approved a ¢288.6 million tax waiver for health care workers to motivate them in the fight against Covid-19.

    It will be recalled the President on April 5, 2020, announced the tax waivers for health care personnel in one of his Covid-19 addresses. “All health workers will not pay taxes on their emoluments for the next three months; i.e. April, May and June,” he said.

    Mr. Iddrisu says though the Minority supports the tax waivers for healthcare workers, the President should have been measured in the way he framed his announcement.

    “Mr. Speaker, we have all had the privilege of writing presidential speeches. What you people should do to help the President is that he should say, I am making a request to parliament to grant tax waivers.

    “He does not speak authoritatively as if the power of that exemption is vested in him as executive president. President Nana Akufo-Addo has no such powers. No President of the Republic has such powers,” Mr. Iddrisu added.

    Haruna Idrisu
    Minority Leader, Haruna Idrisu

    Article 174 (1-2) of the constitution is emphatic that “No taxation shall be imposed otherwise than by or under the authority of an Act of Parliament. Where an Act, enacted in accordance with clause (1) of this article, confers power on any person or authority to waive or vary a tax imposed by that Act, the exercise of the power of waiver or variation, in favour of any person or authority, shall be subject to the prior approval of Parliament by resolution.”

    Responding to the concern, Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, agreed that only Parliament can grant any tax waiver.

    “…it has to do with, maybe, how the statement was couched…,” the MP for Suame noted.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • EC must brief Parliament on preparations for 2020 elections Haruna Iddrisu

    The Minority in Parliament wants the Electoral Commission (EC) to brief Parliament on its preparedness and readiness for the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    According to the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, the EC must present their road map to MPs as the country battles with Covid-19.

    “The Constitution requires that presidential and parliamentary elections be held this year even as we struggle with COVID. The independent Electoral Commission created under Article 45 of this constitution owes this country and Members of Parliament an explanation.

    “They have to be summoned to give us their road map as to their preparedness. They need to appraise this House on their level of preparedness for the 2020 presidential and parliamentary election. If we cannot get them to brief the Committee, on the whole, they have to come to the Special Budget Committee,” Mr. Iddrisu said.

    Suspension of new register compilation 

    The EC was forced to suspend indefinitely plans to compile a new voters register which was scheduled to begin on April 18, due to COVID-19.

    The EC had said it is collaborating with health experts to decide on a more favourable date depending on the prevalence rate of the Novel Coronavirus.

    Alleged EC workshop 

    Just recently, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) filed a complaint at the Airport Police Command over an alleged meeting held by the EC at the City Escape Hotel in Accra.

    The EC had announced a national planning meeting and key trainers training workshop to prepare and plan for the upcoming voter registration exercise ahead of the 2020 general election

    The programme was scheduled to take place from 24th to 29th April 2020 at the City Escape Hotel, Prampram, in the Greater Accra Region.

    But the Member of Parliament for  Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George, secured an injunction to stop the workshop from being held.

    The injunction was meant to be in place from April 24, 2020, to April 27, 2020.

    The party filed the complaint about suspicions that the said meeting was a conference by the EC which the court stopped from taking place.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Minority to drag Speaker to Supreme Court

    The Minority in Parliament has threatened to drag the Speaker of Parliament to Supreme Court over his decision to suspend the House indefinitely.

    Describing the act as illegal, the minority said Prof.Mike Ocquaye was supposed to adjourn the House instead.

    Speaking to the Media, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu said they are considering legal action against the Speaker.

    “Professor Mike Oquaye, I’m sorry, has become walking illegality and a threat to parliamentary democracy in Ghana. We will consider measuring and questioning his conduct by the standing orders and by the Superior Court of Ghana, we will let our lawyers study it carefully especially you’ve seen him, the Speaker carry the mace behind him when the House was suspended, I’m sure we should have stopped him to tell him that the mace during suspension remains there…”

    My actions in Parliament are in defense of the rule of law - Haruna Iddrisu

    Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has brushed off suggestions that he acted in a manner that violates Parliamentary rules.

    This was after he described the Speaker of Parliament Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye as a “walking illegality” after the Speaker suspended the House on Saturday, April 4, 2020, instead of adjourning sittings.

    After the proceedings, Mr Iddrisu said the Minority’s commitment to the business of the House is unquestionable but they can not support any illegality.

    “All I am doing is in defence of Parliamentary democracy, all I am doing is respect for due process and rule of law. We adopted a business statement on March 27, 2020, that the House will adjourn sitting on April 4. No one came with a motion to change that position, if Parliament is suspended in accordance with our standing orders, the mace is not carried away as we witnessed yesterday, that is why I described the Speaker as ‘Walking illegality’. The President himself had indicated in his address to the nation that Parliament is exempt, we are in extraordinary times and the Speaker must respect due process, the Covid situation in Ghana is not comparable to Spain or Italy. We owe it to the Ghanaian people to continue sitting”.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Today in 2006: MP’s M. Phil degree revoked officially

    In 2006, the current Minority Leader of parliament and MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu had his Master of Philosophy Degree revoked by the Academic Board of the University of Ghana on grounds that his thesis presented was plagiarized.

    Haruna Iddrisu is a former Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, he has been in parliament for 15 years after contesting and winning the NDC parliamentary primaries in 2004,2008,2012 and 2016.

    Read the full story originally published on October 18, 2006, on Ghanaweb

    The Academic Board of the University of Ghana announced on Wednesday that it has revoked a Master of Philosophy Degree awarded Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, because of plagiarism.

    A statement Mr A.T. Konu, Registrar, signed and made available to 10030700, Haruna Iddrisu, should be revoked on grounds that the thesis presented by the candidate was later found to have contained plagiarized material.

    “In accordance with this decision of the Academic Board, the M. Phil Degree awarded to the Mr Haruna Iddrisu in December 2000 and published on 14th May 2001 is hereby revoked.”