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Tag: Murtala Mohammed

  • Murtala Mohammed, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed to be laid to rest on August 10

    Murtala Mohammed, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed to be laid to rest on August 10

    The government, Yogbun Wura and Ndan Ya Naa, the National Chief Imam, Leader of the Ambariya Sunni Group, the Families of the late Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala and Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed have announced the burial rites of the two Muslims who were part of the eight lives lost in the helicopter crash in accordance with Islamic Tradition, Custom and Practices.

    On Sunday, August 10, at 2pm, Muslim Jannaza prayers will be offered at the forecourt of State House. At 2:30pm on the same day, they will be buried at the Military Cemetery, Accra.

    The final day of the mourning period for the eight individuals who lost their lives as a result of a helicopter crash on August 6 is scheduled for today.

    The event titled “Evening of Reflections and Memorials” will take place at the Forecourt of the State House, starting promptly at 5:00 PM.

    The event is open to all Ghanaians, including the general public, friends, and family of the departed. “We urge all citizens to observe the period of national mourning with dignity and respect,” the Presidency entreated.

    On the first day of mourning, which began Thursday, August 7, a public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency took place to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash. Members of the public, families, and friends were present. President John Dramani Mahama and the Chief of Staff Julius Debrah shed tears while laying a wreath in honour of the eight victims.

    The public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash continued yesterday August 8.

    It was held at the Ceremonial Garden, Presidency. This provided more time and space for citizens unable to attend Day 1 to pay their respects and join the national act of mourning.

    The government released the itinerary for the three days of national mourning declared by the presidency on Wednesday in honour of the departed souls who were involved in the fatal helicopter crash at Adansi on August 6.

    In a statement dated August 7, the Presidency declared that the period has been dedicated to honouring the eight who died while en route to fulfil an official duty. It added that it is a period to reflect and remember these comrades as a nation.

    Background

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier reported that its airforce helicopter Z9, which took off this morning at 0912 hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi, was off the radar.

    Hours later, the Chief of Staff Julius Debrah confirmed the unfortunate demise of the 8 individuals comprising three crew and five passengers.

    The deceased  are Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.

    Recent development

    The samples of the remains of the deceased involved in the tragic Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on August 6 have been transported to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in their identification.

    Per reports, the autopsy and identification procedures were to have been carried out by the 37 Military Hospital; however, the conditions of the bodies have called for advanced forensic processes.

    Burial for Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture, was expected to be conducted on Thursday, August 7, as per Islamic tradition.

    However, speaking to the media, the Deputy Minister explained that the recent development was due to the condition of the victims’ remains, adding that the government and families of the deceased are awaiting autopsy results and investigative clearance. According to him, a new date will be fixed after a conclusion has been made.

    “The information earlier was that, because of Islamic tradition, the Muslims among them were to be buried today. I am sure those decisions were taken before the actual state of the remains was determined.

    “When that was done, it was clear to all that it was going to be practically impossible to carry out any burial today. So, those who had to be communicated to were quickly informed last night, and arrangements were suspended until further notice, or until some examinations are done before new dates are communicated,” Suhuyini added.

    On Friday, 15th August, an inter-denominational state funeral will be held for the eight individuals who lost their lives.

    Books of condolence will be opened simultaneously at the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress headquarters, and the head office of NADMO, from Sunday, 10th August to Thursday, 14th August 2025.

    President John Mahama has assured the bereaved families and the nation that the Ghana Armed Forces has initiated a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances of this crash.

    He made this known after acknowledging that “as we mourn, questions about the cause of this tragedy are natural and important.”

    An Investigative Board of Inquiry has been set up to investigate the cause of the crash, the president revealed. The president further informed Ghanaians that “the flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been retrieved.” 

    The president has called on all and sundry to stand united in this difficult time.

    “This is not a time for division, speculation, or political point-scoring. It is a time for strength, for empathy, and for the enduring Ghanaian spirit that still stands tall when all else fails. Let our words be of comfort, our actions be of kindness, and our unity be the tribute we offer to those whose lives have been lost.

    To the families, to the Ghana Armed Forces, to the Ministries and Departments that have lost dedicated staff, and to the National Democratic Congress, which mourns the passing of valued members, may you find strength in their memory and their legacy. May we all be comforted by the knowledge that, though they are gone from our sight, they remain forever in the spirit of the nation they so faithfully served,” the president remarked.

  • NDC’s Muntala confident the party will win not less than 14 seats in the Northern region

    NDC’s Muntala confident the party will win not less than 14 seats in the Northern region

    Tamale Central lawmaker Murtala Mohammed has said that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will win not less than 14 seats in the Nirtreh region.

    He also said John Dramani Mahama will win the elections this year because the economic situation during his administration was better than what is happening today.

    “Which aspect of the economy has the NPP done better than the NDC?” he asked when speaking to TV3’s Mawuena Egbeta in Tamale venue for the such of the NDC’s campaign.

    He added, “NDC will win a minimum of 14 seats in Northern region.”

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will be launching its 2024 General Elections campaign in Tamale today Saturday, July 27.

    National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, said they will adopt a different campaign strategy this year including door to door campaign stye.

    The NDC will unveil its manifesto, outlining key policies such as a 24-hour economy, the abolishment of ex-gratia, and the export of nurses to address unemployment among health workers.

    The event will feature the party’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, his running mate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, and other top officials, including National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, and members of the Council of Elders.

    “The NDC has launched its campaign in other regions so It is proper that you rotate the venture for the launch,” Murtala Mohammed further said.

  • We have altered cement L.I. to suit your demands, why still oppose it – Afenyo-Markin asks NDC MPs

    Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for the Effutu Constituency, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislators of acting in bad faith regarding a new Legislative Instrument (L.I) intended to regulate cement pricing.

    This follows a recent directive from Speaker Alban Bagbin, advising Trade and Industry Minister K.T. Hammond to withdraw the L.I. after NDC MPs raised new concerns despite previously agreeing to its introduction.

    Expressing his frustration, Afenyo-Markin questioned the motives behind the NDC’s actions.

    “When the L.I. was first proposed, our colleagues suggested it undergo a pre-laying process, which we accepted. The Subsidiary Legislative Committee of Parliament, led by Dr. Dominic Ayine, reviewed the L.I. and recommended amendments. K.T. Hammond incorporated every proposed amendment into the new L.I. before it was laid again,” he explained.

    “Despite this, the next day, members of the Minority attacked the government over the same L.I.”

    Afenyo-Markin clarified that the L.I.’s primary goal is to foster competition in the cement industry rather than directly regulate prices.

    “This is not an attempt to reintroduce price controls. Our government supports free market principles but believes in regulating to ensure fairness,” he stated.

    The Cement Manufacturing Development Committee has also taken a firm stance, warning manufacturers to comply with the new pricing regulations. Professor Alex Dodoo, Chairman of the Committee, emphasized on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show that manufacturers’ licenses could be revoked if they fail to adhere to the ex-factory price reporting requirements.

    “While retailers also have reporting obligations, the penalties are less severe compared to those for manufacturers,” he noted.

  • Lands Minister must address alleged sale of state lands in Parliament – Murtala

    The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has called for the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, to be summoned before Parliament to address allegations regarding the rampant sale of state lands in Tamale Central and other regions.

    Raising these concerns on the floor of Parliament, MP Murtala Mohammed highlighted the sale of lands belonging to the Tamale West Hospital, with rapid development activities already underway.

    He also pointed out that bungalows and accommodation facilities for the prison service in his constituency have been sold, leading to significant disruptions.

    “I want to add my voice that the Minister for Lands appears before this house to provide some answers to some specific and pertinent questions. In Tamale Central, state lands are being shared like ‘koose’ or roasted groundnut,” Murtala Mohammed asserted.

    He emphasized the urgency of the matter by noting the increasing population of Tamale and the critical need for state lands to be preserved for public use.

    “Mr. Speaker, to the extent that the population of Tamale is skyrocketing day by day… The land that belongs to the Tamale West Hospital has been sold and people are developing with speed. You go there in the night, they are putting up buildings.”

    Further detailing the issue, the MP revealed that local government roads leading to estates, along with state-owned bungalows and properties, have also been sold.

    He expressed concern over the impact on prison officers, who are being displaced due to the sale of their accommodation facilities.

    “The prison officers called me and complained that they were selling the land, they asked them to vacate the accommodation and that they were sold. As I talk to you, the entire roof of the buildings on that stretch has been ripped off,” he said.

    Murtala Mohammed stressed the gravity of the situation, noting that prison officers now face the challenge of finding new accommodations.

    “It means that the prison officers who don’t have accommodation where the prison is located would have to look for accommodation elsewhere. That is a serious matter.”

    In light of these allegations, the Tamale Central MP is urging Parliament to summon Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor to provide clarity and accountability on the alleged sale of state lands and the measures being taken to address the concerns raised by affected constituents.

  • You’ve left Parliament to follow ‘azonto dancing Bawumia’ – Murtala Mohammed slams NPP MPs

    Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has criticized the Majority Caucus for their consistent absence from parliamentary sessions since the House reconvened from recess on Tuesday, June 11.

    Mr Murtala expressed disappointment that some members of the Majority have prioritized campaign tours with the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, over their legislative duties.

    Speaking passionately on the floor of parliament on Thursday, June 13, Mohammed lamented the lack of seriousness displayed by his colleagues on the Majority side.

    He called upon the leadership of the Majority to address what he described as the “unseriousness” of their members and urged them to prioritize their parliamentary responsibilities.

    Specifically targeting Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Murtala Mohammed criticized him for failing to ensure adequate attendance of his caucus members in parliament.

    He argued that it is the duty of the Majority Leader to ensure that members are present to conduct the business of parliament effectively on behalf of their constituents.

    The MP for Tamale Central highlighted the importance of parliamentary attendance in deliberating and passing crucial legislation that affects the lives of Ghanaian citizens. He emphasized that absenteeism undermines the functioning of parliament and diminishes its ability to fulfill its constitutional mandate.

    “My point has to do with the unseriousness of the team that he [Alexander Afenyo-Markin] leads. They are only seven. [Wednesday, June 12], they were just five. Now, you think that it is important for us to do business without members of the Majority?

    “I came to Parliament by eight o’clock and registered. Your members are still not here. They are following your presidential candidate dancing Azonto and saying, give me the steer. If you want us to take you seriously, then have control over the people that you lead,” he said.

    The criticism comes amidst concerns about the dwindling numbers in parliament during crucial legislative sessions, raising questions about the commitment of lawmakers to their parliamentary duties.

  • Entire statement by Communications Minister on internet disruptions was plagiarized – Murtala Mohammed

    Entire statement by Communications Minister on internet disruptions was plagiarized – Murtala Mohammed

    Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has leveled accusations against Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, alleging plagiarism of a statement from the Nigerian Communication Commission during a parliamentary briefing on the country’s network challenges.

    During her presentation, the Ablekuma West MP outlined government measures to tackle internet interruptions.

    However, speaking to journalists, Murtala Mohammed condemned the Minister’s alleged plagiarism, deeming it unacceptable.

    He pointed out that many of the Minister’s statements were directly copied from a Nigerian Communication Commission statement.

    Describing the Minister’s conduct as unacceptable, Murtala Mohammed stressed that Parliament, as a house of records, expects original information from Ministers on critical matters.

    “Parliament is a house of records and when Ministers are to appear before Parliament to provide information of a very important issue like the internet interruption we are facing, the least we expect from the Minister is to tell us something that is not original.

    “When the minister was making the statement, I went to the Nigerian Communication Commission website, and I realized that many of the things the minister said were taken directly from a statement which was issued by the Nigerian Communication Commission word to word and I really think it is just unacceptable.

    “But some of us are not surprised, H.E. the president in his first inaugural address, plagiarized four American presidents.”

  • Suspending parliamentary sittings during ministerial budget approval wrong – Murtala to Second Deputy Speaker

    Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has criticized Second Deputy Speaker Andrew Amoako Asiamah for his decision to suspend parliamentary sittings following a contentious voice vote that rejected the budget allocation for the Ministry of Finance.

    During a debate on the government’s budgetary allocation to various ministries, including Finance, the Minority in Parliament opposed the budget, leading to a voice vote.

    Murtala Muhammed, speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, expressed dissatisfaction with Asiamah’s handling of the situation, alleging that the suspension of the sitting was intentional.

    Muhammed emphasized the clarity of the voice vote, asserting that the rejection of the budget was evident, yet the Second Deputy Speaker failed to provide a ruling as expected.

    “A voice vote was taken and it was very clear that we rejected the budget because the NOs were heard louder than the YES, and for which reason they could not give a ruling. For me that was embarrassing.

    “The moment a voice vote is taken; the speaker should be able to determine whether the Nos have it or Yes have it. And remember, the voice vote was taken two times and the second deputy Speaker didn’t give his ruling, he just said he was suspending the sitting”.

    Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed pointed out that following an hour-long break, Minority MPs discovered that the ruling on the contentious voice vote had been made in the absence of many minority Members of Parliament.

    “In any case, the vote had been completed. It was only that the second deputy speaker failed to rule on the voice voting. So even if we suspended sitting and we reconvened, he needed to give rulings. There wasn’t a need for a third vote to be done”.

    He added “In fact, a lot of MPs were rushing there because the bell did not ring, nobody told us anything. They just got up and took the voice vote, knowing very well that there were not any members of parliament in there”.

    He classified the third vote as meaningless and a deliberate action against the minority.

  • Murtala Mohammed fumes over police alteration of proposed routes for BoG demonstration

    Murtala Mohammed fumes over police alteration of proposed routes for BoG demonstration

    Tamale Central Member of Parliament, Murtala Muhammed, has strongly condemned the rationale provided by the police for changing the planned routes for the protest against Bank of Ghana Governor Dr Ernest Addison.

    He labeled the explanations as absurd and outrageous.

    In a communication dated August 21, 2023, the minority informed the Accra Regional Police of their plan to stage a protest against the central bank’s governor on September 5, 2023.

    In the statement, the minority stated routes that they will be using for the demonstration.

    Days after the statement by the minority, the police indicated to the minority that the agreed routes need to be altered as the original will pose danger to road users during the demonstration.

    Reacting to the decision by the Ghana Police Service, the Tamale MP indicated that they as members of parliament are the least threat when it comes to endangering the lives of road users.

    “That description is not only ridiculous but it is preposterous to say the least. If there are groups of persons in this country who have the potential and the capacity to endanger the safety of the people in this country, it is not the members of parliament.

    “These are people who are representing constituents and it is not for nothing that they are described as honourable members,” he said.

    Continuing his criticism, the MP stressed on the constitutional right to peaceful demonstration and free expression as outlined in Article 21 (1b) of the 1992 constitution.

    “For the police to think that demonstrating as a constitutional right as stated in Article 21 (1b) of the 1992 constitution as a means of making a case and letting government and the governor of the Bank of Ghana to understand that we have had enough.

    “The police raised concerns about the route we wanted to take, and we never came to a conclusion that we will agree with any variations of the route. We indeed indicate to the police that we stick to the route that we are going to use to embark on this demonstration and that was how the meeting concluded. Only for the police issue that statement and for me that is unfortunate,” Murtala continued.

    He added that “Such actions of state institutions, more also the Ghana Police, syphons out the little confidence that is left in the police service.”

    Murtala Muhammed also took aim at D  Ernest Addison, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, and accused him of dishonesty.

    “In a serious country, this man [reference to Dr Ernest Addison] should not last 30 minutes in office. He’s been lying to the people of this country and when he even held the press conference, he lied.”

  • Ursula Owusu-Ekuful clashes with Murtala after being tagged ‘LGBTQ practitioner’

    Ursula Owusu-Ekuful clashes with Murtala after being tagged ‘LGBTQ practitioner’

    Ablekuma West MP, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful and Tamale Central MP, Murtala Mohammed on Wednesday engaged in a heated exchange of words when Parliament sat to resume discussions on the Promotion of Proper Sexual Human Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, popularly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill.

    While Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor of the South Dayi constituency in his speech was entreating the House to swiftly approve the bill, there was a brief interruption as the microphones picked up a whisper.

    “LGBTQ practitioner”, an MP voiced out.

    The Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah, who was in the chair, called out Tamale Central MP, Murtala Mohammed to withdraw an unparliamentary comment passed.

    The MP denied making such comment, asking the Speaker to clarify the specific statement passed.

    Amidst the denial, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful accused Mr Murtala Mohammed of making such pronouncement against her.

    She burst out and called out all other legislators who she believes heard the comment but turned deaf ears to it.

    Mr Owusu-Ekuful then flared up at Mr Murtala describing him as a “mad man”.

    “I sat here and repeatedly heard Hon Murtala refer to me as a practitioner of LGBT to the hearing of everyone in this house… and in response to that if I say he is mad, it is only a mad man who will refer to his colleague in this house as a practitioner of LGBTQ,” she said.

    She also asked the Tamale Central MP whether he had “seen me having sexual intercourse with your wife or your daughter or your mother.”

    At the request of the Second Deputy Speaker, both individuals retracted their comments, and the proceedings continued without further disruption.

    Ultimately, all Members of Parliament (MPs) unanimously agreed to support the recommendation of the report, leading to the passage of the bill.

    This significant outcome follows several months of intense public debate and thorough scrutiny by legislators and other stakeholders since its introduction in 2021.

    Despite facing numerous legal challenges, including the most recent lawsuit announced on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, the controversial bill has successfully progressed through the required stages.

    Emphasizing the widespread support for the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, Speaker Alban Bagbin affirmed that no legislator expressed opposition to its passage.

  • I never said Ursula practices LGBTQ -Mutala clarifies

    I never said Ursula practices LGBTQ -Mutala clarifies

    The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Murtala Mohammed, has refuted claims that he referred to the Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, as an LGBTQ practitioner.

    In a media appearance on Wednesday, Mohammed clarified that he never used the term “practitioner” and did not specifically mention the name of the Communications Minister.

    Addressing his previous statement that sparked the altercation, he explained, “The only remark I made, which the Speaker has requested me to withdraw, was that every parliamentarian should have the opportunity to debate the bill and that no one should remain neutral.”

    “And that you are either for the bill or against the bill, those who refuse to support the bill, then everybody will know their position.”

    According to Murtala Mohammed, based on the aforementioned statement, he was not aware of Ursula’s stance on the matter, which led to the confrontation.

    “… I never used the word practitioner. In fact, I don’t know the last time I used the word practitioner…perhaps, it is a case of who the cap fits. I never mentioned Ursula’s name, I never said Ursula you are a practitioner,” he insisted.

    His remarks come after a momentary disruption during a parliamentary session when microphones in the chamber captured a whispered comment while the South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, was addressing the legislation of the Anti-LGBTQ bill.

    The Second Deputy Speaker, presiding over the session, called upon Murtala Mohammed, the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, to retract a remark that was deemed to be inappropriate for parliamentary conduct.

    On the other hand, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful was incensed by the development and accused the legislator of calling her a practitioner of LGBTQ.

    “I sat here and repeatedly heard Hon Murtala refer to me as a practitioner of LGBT to the hearing of everyone in this house… and in response to that if I say he is mad, it is only a mad man who will refer to his colleague in this house as a practitioner of LGBTQ when you haven’t seen me having sexual intercourse with your wife or your daughter or your mother,” she flared up.

    She burst out and called out all other legislators who she believes heard the comment but turned deaf ears to it.

    “And you all [parliamentarians] heard it and pretend that suddenly you’ve lost your sense of hearing,” she added.

    Following the intervention of the Second Deputy Speaker, both individuals retracted their statements as requested, allowing the proceedings to resume.

    Murtala Mohammed defended himself by explaining that remarks made in Parliament when the microphone is off are not considered official statements recorded in the Hansard. He emphasized that only statements made using the microphone are documented.

    Furthermore, Mohammed highlighted that even Ursula had gestured “you are mad” during the debate conducted by Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor in the House. However, since it was not spoken into the microphone, it was not officially noted.

    Although Mohammed complied with withdrawing his comments in the House, he does not view this act as an admission of guilt.

    “I just withdrew to allow sanity to prevail and that is why I didn’t withdraw a specific statement. It is not an admission of guilt,” he said.

  • Akufo-Addo sings new tune on why Ghana needs a National Cathedral

    As public opposition to the controversial National Cathedral‘s construction grows, President Nana Addo Danqua Akufo-Addo has reassessed his justification for why Ghanaians should support it.

    This time, the president’s reason for building the national cathedral is no longer his personal gratitude to God for helping him win the 2016 elections to become president, as has been widely propagated by promoters of the edifice, but rather to thank God for sparing Ghana from the ravages of civil war, as have been witnessed by most of our neighbors in the subregion.

    Speaking at the centenary celebration of the Ga Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at the Black Star Square in Accra, on December 18, President Akufo-Addo said the cathedral, when built, will help Ghana thank God for “sparing us the ravages of civil war that have bedevilled the histories of virtually all our neighbours and the outbreak of deadly mass epidemics, but also as a rallying point for the entire Christian community of Ghana, which represents seventy-plus percent of the population.”

    This is a remarkable departure from what the president said at the launch of the project on December 29, 2018: “…the building of the National Cathedral is to serve as a gesture of thanksgiving to God for his blessings, favour, grace and mercies on our nation, and to give me an opportunity to redeem a pledge I made to Him before I became President.

    “It will provide us with an avenue to call the nation to prayer, to worship, to celebrate, and to mourn. It will house a Bible Museum and will be an iconic infrastructure for national, regional and international pilgrimage and tourism. It will create jobs and serve as a catalyst for technology and skills transfer into our country,” President Akufo-Addo stressed.

    Meanwhile, Parliament has put on hold its approval for the cathedral project pending explanations on how previous expenditures were disbursed.

    According to Tamale Central MP, Murtala Mohammed, who spoke to Joy News on December 13, “What the Committee decided was that we cannot just approve this GH₵80 million; we must know how the other GH₵339 million was spent. What did it constitute?

    “The GH₵80 million you want us to approve, how did it find space in the budget line of the Ministry of Tourism when the Minister and the directors could not speak to the questions we were asking? What constitutes the GH₵80 million, they should give us a breakdown.”

    President Nana Addo Danqua Akufo-Addo’s government has insisted on building a befitting National Cathedral for the republic at a time when people are dealing with excruciating hardship amid rising costs of living, a weakened economy, and high debt-to-GDP exposure.

    Many Ghanaians have spoken against the timing of the project, especially when the Finance Minister is at the IMF begging for 3 billion dollars to put the economy back on the path of recovery while announcing various levels of haircuts on investments and suspending the servicing of parts of the nation’s foreign debt.

  • Tamale CentraI MP says he buys fuel worth ¢7000 to travel to Tamale and back

    MP for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed has disclosed how much he spends on fuel when he wants to visit his constituency.

    The Legislator in an interview with JoyNews said it costs GH¢7000 for him to travel to Tamale and return with his Land Cruiser.

    According to him, this has compelled him to resort to aircraft for his journey to Tamale.

    However, the flight fares from Accra to Tamale and Kumasi, he said are equally expensive due to the taxes imposed on fuel for aeroplanes.

    He said the government must immediately remove taxes on fuel for domestic airlines to reduce the crippling airfares.

    “If I am going to Tamale now with Land Cruiser, I need about ¢3000 to fill my tank and you will have to top up in Techiman, And when you top up, the least you can spend is ¢500.

    “So you need ¢3500 in and ¢3500 out, making ¢7000. So now, we decided to go buy air. The air ticket now, you need no less than ¢3000 return ticket for Tamale. It is absolutely ridiculous.

    “I think that the taxes that are imposed on the fuel airline use, the state could help people. If the state could subsidise it, there will not be any justification for the airline to increase their fares.”

    Meanwhile, the government has commenced plans to secure cheaper fuel for the Ghanaian market.

    A government delegation has already held meetings with major suppliers of petroleum products to find less costly fuel.

    The Deputy Energy Minister, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, Managing Director of Bulk Oil Storage Transportation Limited, Edwin Provencal and National Petroleum Authority Boss, Perry Okudzeto in November met with the Chief Executive of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Sultan Al Jaber for to see how possible government can secure a cheaper fuel for the Ghanaian market.

    The move is expected to deal with the rising prices of petroleum products in the country.

    Government is yet to announce the details and progress of the plans in this regard.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • I have begun processes to get Akufo-Addo impeached – Murtala Mohammed

    Tamale Central Member of Parliament (MP), Murtala Mohammed, has revealed his plans of commencing processes to impeach the President, Nana Akufo-Addo.

    About 80 New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs this week demanded the sacking of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, over the current economic hardships.

    They threatened to boycott government business in parliament should the president fail to fulfill their demands.

    The group, however, accepted President Akufo-Addo’s request asking them to allow the Finance Minister some time to finish negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    But speaking on Citi TV’s political analysis show, The Big Issue, Murtala Mohammed says President Akufo-Addo must also go, adding that, he has already taken steps to ensure that the President is removed.

    “If we think that it is justified to call for the removal of the Finance Minister, let us not be hypocrites. It is equally justified to call for the removal of the President. I am assuring that, I have started talking to some of my friends to ensure that we initiate a motion to ensure that the President is impeached. I have started [the process].”

    The majority caucus in Parliament called for the dismissal of Mr. Ofori-Atta, and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen.

    Their colleagues on the Minority side have also filed a motion of censure against the Finance Minister.

    The pressure on the Finance Minister has come amid an economic crisis that has seen inflation reach 37.2 percent and the cedi tagged as the worst-performing currency in 2022.

    Ghana’s forex challenges have seen the Cedi trading at over GH¢14 to a dollar.

    Petrol prices have also crossed the GH¢15 per litre mark and are expected to fuel further inflation.

    In response to previous calls for the removal of the Finance Minister, President Akufo-Addo said he would continue to back Mr. Ofori-Atta.

    “Until the Minister goes, the President must go. Every single action of this Minister is an action that is taken and approved by the President. The Minister did not take any action that is approved and sanctioned by the President. Every action because every Minister works with the vision of the appointing authority and in this case, the appointing authority is the President”, Murtala Mohammed.

    Source: Citinews

  • I’m very proud I sold spare parts – Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

    Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has reacted to Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Murtala Mohammed, who described him as a spare parts dealer.

    According to the majority leader, he is a proud spare parts dealer and being a spare parts dealer does not mean one cannot contribute to the issues of law in the country.

    He said even when the NDC was compiling the 1992 constitution, many groups from the informal sector were asked to contribute to the drafting of the constitution; therefore, being a spare parts dealer does not make one senseless.

    “What exactly is he saying? Does he want to say you don’t have sense if you sell spare parts? When the NDC was drafting the constitution, wasn’t the GPRTU included? Drivers, fishermen, and farmers, among others, were called to the consultative assembly to share their ideas, don’t they know anything about the law?

    “What’s funny is that Murtala is my good friend. I sold engine parts, and I’m very proud of that, even if I sold Sam paper, I’m very proud of that because Murtala is currently doing his PHD, and he wants to be called Dr Murtala if he completes school, he recently came to my office to discuss parliamentary practice, and I was with him for two hours, teaching him how to go about but what he said I didn’t take it as a big issue. This is a law issue,” he said in an interview with Okay FM, monitored by Ghanaweb.

    The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, criticised the majority leader for saying that the Speaker of Parliament does not understand the laws of Ghana.

    According to the MP, the majority leader always wants to challenge the Speaker and has been attacking him needlessly.

    He added that Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu could not compare himself to Speaker Alban Bagbin when it comes to constitutional and legal matters.

    “The majority leader has a penchant for attacking the person of the Speaker. And he does that all the time. Any opportunity he gets, he picks on the Speaker. He did that on the floor, the Speaker didn’t want to sink into the gutters, and the Speaker was very diplomatic.

    “You listen to him in the press conference and he even said that the Speaker doesn’t even understand the law. When the Speaker was a lawyer practising you, Honourable Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, you were selling spare parts at Magazine, at the time the Speaker was a practising lawyer,” he said.

    It was based on the above comment that the majority leader said he is proud to be a spare part dealer.

     

  • Government to blame for worsening economic condition not BoG – Murtala Mohammed

    Ranking Member on Parliament’s Trades Committee, Murtala Mohammed, says the Bank of Ghana (BoG) cannot be blamed for the harsh economic situation the country is plagued with.

    According to him, the Akufo-Addo administration must be blamed for the current crisis.

    He explained that even though some policy measures by the Bank of Ghana have heightened an already dire situation, it should not be forgotten that the Central Bank is not entirely independent of the Executive arm of government, thus the current administration has a hand in decisions taken there.

    Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, he said “I’ve listened to my good friends there and they all seem to be blaming the Bank of Ghana, it is the government who should be blamed; the President, the Vice President and the Minister for Finance for abysmally, disastrously managing this economy. They are those who should be blamed.

    “So I’m not surprised that they’re saying that when they go to the Bank of Ghana, the Bank of Ghana blames the Ministry of Finance; they go to the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Finance blames the Bank of Ghana. It will be the height of naivety to assume that the Bank of Ghana is absolutely independent of the executive. All the economic policy decisions for which reason we’re in the mess for which we are is occasioned by the policies of this government.”

    He was reacting to comments by the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association President, Dr. Jospeh Obeng, who had blamed the Bank of Ghana for failing to find a viable solution to the worsening inflation situation.

    According to him, the Bank of Ghana’s resort to hike monetary policies has merely served banks and not the general public who have instead been hit hard.

    He added that the monetary policy hikes have rather contributed to the inflation situation rather than reduced it.

    However, Murtala Mohammed believes, the policy decisions of the government is what is to be blamed.

    He noted that the government has failed to control the country’s penchant for relying on importation of goods, some of which could be produced in large quantities locally.

    He said the failure of the government to enforce the strict importation restrictions that the erstwhile Mahama administration had left behind has driven imports at an all-time high and thus putting even more pressure on the cedi.

    “We are spending over 2billion dollars annually importing [rice and poultry products] into this country. Just in 2016 we were spending about 500million dollars importing same. So if you’re spending over 2billion dollars on the importation of rice and poultry products within a year, what it simply means is that every year you need to look around to get the over 2billion dollars to import those products into your country.

    “You don’t buy them with cedis. Now if you’re taking 2 billion dollars every year, it certainly will exert pressure on your domestic currency and that is the problem. Look why is it that in 2014 we were able to reduce the importation of rice into this country by 40% and there was a surge in production of local rice by 60%? It was as a result of a visionary policy decision.

    “So we at the Ministry of Trade, the GUTA people know, recently I heard them lamenting over decisions taken by this government in which they were not involved. He knows that when we were in government, I was the Deputy Minister for Trade, we had an open-door policy for them. And they could call me …as late as 1am and we’ll talk.

    “There was no single policy decision we took at the Ministry of Trade that involved trade that we didn’t involve them, not even a single one.  But policy decisions have been taken, formulated without them. Why are we not where we are?” he said.

    He has thus suggested that the government revisits some of its policy interventions to stall the further depreciation of the cedi.

    Source: Myjoyonline