TIG Post

Tag: Parliament of Ghana

  • Parliament receives high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini

    Parliament receives high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini

    The Parliament of Ghana on Monday, June 23, welcomed a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini, led by the Speaker of its House of Assembly, Hon. Jabulani Mabuza as part of efforts to deepen inter-parliamentary collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the two nations.

    The delegation, which is in Ghana on a benchmarking visit, was received by the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who highlighted the shared commitment of both countries to advancing democracy, good governance, and accountability.

    “Though our nations differ in size and constitutional evolution, our parliaments bear the same responsibility—to serve the people, ensure transparency, and safeguard national interests,” Speaker Bagbin stated.

    The Eswatini delegation is expected to study the operations and best practices of Ghana’s Parliamentary Service Board, with a focus on institutional strengthening and legislative efficiency.

    The visit is also expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation in capacity-building, legislative reforms, and joint advocacy on continental and global platforms.

    Both sides reaffirmed their dedication to sustaining democratic governance and amplifying Africa’s voice in international affairs.

    His Majesty King Mswati III, Ingwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini, commenced his four-day state visit to Ghana after touching down on Tuesday, June 24.

    He was received by a high-level Ghanaian delegation led by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah.

    A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ghana and Eswatini is anticipated to be signed during his stay in the country.

    This afternoon, the King is scheduled to meet with officials at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra before departing for Kumasi later in the day.

    In Kumasi, His Majesty will be the distinguished guest of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

    The itinerary in the Asante capital includes official visits to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and a tour of the historic Manhyia Palace Museum. King Mswati III is also scheduled to address the National House of Chiefs and attend a grand durbar of chiefs organised in his honour at Manhyia Palace.

    A royal banquet will be held in Kumasi on Friday evening. On Saturday, the final day of the visit, King Mswati III will join the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at a ceremony at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) before departing from Ghana.

    King Mswati III’s visit is expected to significantly strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Ghana and the Kingdom of Eswatini and deepen the historical and cultural links between the Asante Kingdom and the southern African nation.

  • Speaker Bagbin pushes for legislative climate solutions at Global Forum 

    Speaker Bagbin pushes for legislative climate solutions at Global Forum 

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called on parliaments across the globe to harness their legislative authority in combating climate change. 

    Speaking at the 11th Nevsky International Ecological Congress in St. Petersburg, Russia, Speaker Bagbin emphasized the pivotal role of legislators in shaping climate policies that promote sustainable development and ecological resilience.

    According to him, legislative bodies worldwide must leverage their law-making powers to implement effective climate solutions. Highlighting the existential threat posed by climate change, he called for robust national commitments to environmental protection and investment in renewable energy. 

    In a Facebook post, the Parliament of Ghana noted that the Speaker shared the country’s initiatives in climate action and stressed the importance of allocating sufficient resources in national budgets to achieve environmental restoration goals. 

    Additionally, he encouraged legislators to engage and educate their constituents on supporting and implementing climate policies and regulations.

    The Congress adopted a resolution aimed at enhancing international environmental cooperation, which will be presented at the upcoming United Nations Conference.

    Speaker Bagbin participated in a ceremonial tree planting, where he planted Tree No. 5—an ashberry tree, known for its ecological significance in the northern hemisphere.

    The ashberry provides nourishment for humans and wildlife, supports biodiversity, and contributes to soil health. 

    Ghana’s commitment to sustainable environmental practices

    The government has developed several policy frameworks, including the National Climate Change Policy and the National Adaptation Plan. These initiatives aim to promote climate-resilient development through afforestation projects, climate-smart agriculture, and investment in renewable energy. Ghana has also committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions as part of the global Paris Agreement.

    Through Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, Ghana has mobilised $800 million by trading carbon credits with nations like Switzerland and Sweden. 

    Article 6 of the Paris Agreement enables international cooperation to tackle climate change and to unlock financial support for developing countries. There are three components to Article 6:

    Article 6.2: Provides accounting and reporting guidance for Parties to use internationally transferred mitigation outcomes towards their nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

    Article 6.4: Establishes a new UNFCCC mechanism which can be used to trade high-quality carbon credits.

    Article 6.8: Provides opportunities for non-market-based cooperation for enhancing climate action.

    In 2023, the West African country began receiving payments from the World Bank for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, known as REDD+.

    At COP28, the country signed a $50 million emission reduction payment agreement with the Emergent Forest Finance Accelerator Incorporated, a US-based non-profit organisation, under the Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance (LEAF) Coalition.

    Presently, youth-led organizations and civil society groups are increasingly joining the effort. From climate education and clean-up campaigns to sustainable farming projects, these groups are raising awareness and urging stronger action to address the climate crisis.

    Experts warn that without sustained investment in climate adaptation and environmental protection, Ghana may face more severe consequences in the years ahead.

    Ghana is grappling with the growing impacts of climate change, as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and sea-level rise continue to disrupt livelihoods and threaten the country’s natural ecosystems.

    Over the past decades, average temperatures across Ghana have increased, while rainfall patterns have become increasingly unpredictable. These changes are particularly affecting agriculture, a sector that contributes significantly to the economy.

  • Parliament’s balance of power in question as NDC challenges Supreme Court ruling

    Parliament’s balance of power in question as NDC challenges Supreme Court ruling

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared itself the new parliamentary majority, in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling that stayed the Speaker of Parliament’s decision to vacate the seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs).

    This bold announcement, made at a press conference by the NDC leadership, further intensifies the ongoing political standoff as the country inches closer to the 2024 general elections.

    The Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday halted the Speaker’s declaration that the four MPs—Andrew Asiama (Fomena), Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadwo Asante (Suhum), and Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah (Amenfi Central)—had lost their seats. The court argued that such a ruling deprived the constituencies of their right to representation, a fundamental democratic principle.

    However, the NDC, undeterred by the court’s stay of execution, claimed the majority in Parliament, challenging the legitimacy of the Supreme Court’s intervention. During the press briefing, the NDC leadership stated, “The NPP group in Parliament are now the minority caucus as defined by the relevant sections of order 6 in the standing orders of Parliament. The minority means members of the party or parties that have the second-largest number of seats in Parliament.”

    In a firm declaration, the party continued, “The NDC now constitutes the majority caucus in line with the standing orders of Ghana’s Parliament. We will jealously protect our new majority status and will not bow, retreat, nor surrender our lawfully earned status. We will also not abdicate our responsibility to the people of Ghana no matter what. Nothing, absolutely nothing, will change this position.”

    The Supreme Court’s decision was prompted by concerns that the Speaker’s ruling could disrupt government business and strip four constituencies of representation. Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, leading the five-member panel, emphasized that the ruling raised critical questions about constitutional rights and representation. The court granted a stay of execution, allowing the MPs to retain their seats until the final determination of the case.

    Nevertheless, the NDC remains resolute in its stance, asserting that “any interference with the business of Parliament is unlawful, unacceptable, and shall be resisted.”

    The unfolding legal and political drama has thrown Parliament’s balance of power into uncertainty. While the Supreme Court has intervened to maintain the status quo, the NDC’s declaration adds a new dimension to the tension. Both sides are now preparing for a parliamentary showdown, with the NDC poised to assert its majority status when Parliament reconvenes on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

    As Parliament reconvenes tomorrow, the country is watching closely to see how the ongoing legal and political battle will unfold. The NDC’s determination to push forward with legislative business despite the Supreme Court’s stay signals a high-stakes confrontation that could reshape the future of parliamentary democracy in Ghana.

  • Parliamentary majority earned, not “manufactured”- Bawumia taunts NDC

    Parliamentary majority earned, not “manufactured”- Bawumia taunts NDC

    Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for briefly claiming a parliamentary majority, following a recent ruling by the Speaker of Parliament. 

    The Speaker had declared four seats vacant, impacting the NPP’s majority in Parliament, only for the Supreme Court to stay the decision within 24 hours.

    Speaking at a campaign rally in Nkawkaw on Saturday, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that parliamentary majorities are determined through constituency wins, not decisions made within Parliament itself.

    “A few days ago, they (NDC) did something in Parliament and claimed to be the majority side,” he said. “But their majority lasted just 24 hours. It was the shortest-living majority in history.”

    Dr. Bawumia’s comments came after the Speaker of Parliament’s declaration of the four seats vacant, which briefly tipped the balance of power in favour of the NDC. However, the Supreme Court swiftly intervened, issuing a stay of execution and nullifying the Speaker’s decision until the court hears the substantive case on the interpretation of the constitutional article in question.

    The Vice President reiterated that parliamentary majorities are secured through elections at the polling stations. “If they want a majority, they should come to the polling station, come to the constituency, win an election, and then go to Parliament,” he remarked. “You don’t sit in Parliament and manufacture a majority for yourself.”

    Dr. Bawumia further expressed confidence in the NPP’s ability to win a decisive majority in the upcoming December elections, pointing to his extensive campaign work across the country.

    “We will meet them in the constituencies, we will meet them at the polling stations,” he stated. “From what I’ve seen—having been to over 200 constituencies, campaigned on the ground, and analysed the data—I can tell you, if we held elections today, the NPP would have a decisive majority in Parliament.”

    He encouraged NPP supporters to stay united and continue their efforts ahead of the December 7 elections, emphasizing that victory would be determined at the polling stations. “By midnight on December 7, you’ll hear that the NPP has won a decisive majority in Parliament,” Dr. Bawumia confidently predicted.

  • Parliament Clerk’s letter to Presidency on anti-LGBTQ+ bill offensive – Ablakawa

    Parliament Clerk’s letter to Presidency on anti-LGBTQ+ bill offensive – Ablakawa

    Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has openly criticized the Clerk of Parliament, Cyril Nsiah, for his correspondence with the presidency regarding the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill.

    Ablakwa voiced his concerns on Metro TV’s “Good Morning Ghana” on April 12, 2024, while discussing the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, the subsequent response from the Presidency, and the Clerk of Parliament’s recent letter to the president’s office.

    In a letter dated April 10, 2024, Clerk Cyril Nsiah contacted Nana Bediatuo Asante, the Executive Secretary to the president, to determine a suitable time for presenting the contentious bill to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    This was in response to a letter from the Office of the President signed by Bediatuo Asante, requesting that the bill not be sent to the President until suits filed in court against the bill have been duly addressed.

    In his letter, Nsiah stated, “I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your Letter No. OPS 140/1/24/235 dated 18th March 2024, on the above subject matter and received in my Office on 19th March 2024.”

    He further noted, “I have taken note of the contents of the letter, particularly the text in the last paragraph, which states that ‘In the circumstances, you are kindly requested to cease and desist from transmitting the Bill to the President until matters before the Supreme Court are resolved.’”

    “Accordingly, I await an indication in writing from your Office on when to present the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024, to His Excellency the President for his consideration, pursuant to Article 106(7) of the Constitution, 1992,” Nsiah concluded. The unfolding situation raises questions about the balance of power and the independence of Ghana’s legislative body.

    Ablakwa, however, found the Clerk’s approach particularly troubling, saying “I feel offended by this letter” and contrary to constitutional procedures. He vowed to seek clarification from the Clerk’s office once Parliament reconvenes.

    “I don’t know what the strategy is, but I feel offended by this letter, particularly the third paragraph. Are you subjecting our constitutional mandate to the whims and caprices of the president or Secretary to the president? What happened to our constitutional independence? These are constitutional matters,” Ablakwa stated.

    “So now Nana Bediatuo Asante is going to dictate to Parliament when we should communicate with the executive? When we should move forward with our mandate? What is the meaning of this? When the house resumes, the clerk better have some explanation because we will take him on,” he added.

  • Parliament to resume sittings on February 6, 2024

    Parliament to resume sittings on February 6, 2024

    Parliament of Ghana is set to resume its parliamentary activities on February 6, 2024, following a recess for the Christmas and New Year holidays. 

    The fourth session is scheduled to commence on February 6, 2024. 

    The resumption date was announced by the Speaker of Parliament, RT Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, in a January 17, 2024, circular issued.

    “KNOW YE ALL MEN that in the exercise of the powers conferred on the Speaker by clause (1) of Article 112 of the Constitution, I, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, by this Constitutional Instrument, appoint Parliament House, Accra, to be the place, and Ten O’clock in the forenoon of Tuesday, February 6, 2024, to be the date and time which the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic shall commence,” the Speaker noted.

    Following an all-night session to approve the Appropriations Bill for the fiscal year ending in December 2023, Parliament adjourned on the morning of December 23.

  • Parliament of Ghana authorises COCOBOD’s $800 million financing deal

    Parliament of Ghana authorises COCOBOD’s $800 million financing deal

    The government of Ghana agreed to borrow $800 million for the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) from banks and financial institutions.

    This approval will help COCOBOD buy nearly half of the cocoa beans it expects to need for the 2023/2024 harvest.

    Meanwhile, the leader of the smaller group in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said in the House that he was only agreeing to the COCOBOD loan because he wanted to help the poor cocoa farmers.

    He said he can’t understand how much money COCOBOD has been losing every year.

    He said that COCOBOD is not being managed well and needs attention from the country.

    “Mr Smith” Speaker, COCOBOD requires some attention. They need people in the country to pay attention to them. I’m not saying this because my brother Bryan is a minister now. You just got a job as a cocoa Agriculture Minister but Mr. Speaker, I’m approving the loan for the farmer because it’s the right thing to do. Besides that, we should have said no to this. He said we should have said no to it and then asked COCOBOD to check how they are managing Ghana Cocoa Board.

    Some people from a small group are worried about how COCOBOD is being managed poorly.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • It’s a crime to call anyone a witch in Ghana – Parliament

    It’s a crime to call anyone a witch in Ghana – Parliament

    The parliament of Ghana has taken a significant step forward in addressing issues related to witchcraft accusations by passing the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, through Parliament on the previous Thursday. With this new legislation in effect, it is now officially considered an offense to accuse anyone of being a witch.

    The Bill explicitly targets and criminalizes the act of accusing someone of practicing witchcraft, making it illegal to declare, accuse, name, or label another individual as a witch, along with all related matters connected to such accusations.

    The primary objective of this bill is to amend the existing Criminal Offences Act of 1960 (Act 29), with the specific intention of prohibiting any person from acting as a witch doctor or witch finder, thus curbing the practice of making accusations based on beliefs in witchcraft.

    This crucial piece of legislation is part of a broader set of policy measures aimed at effectively addressing and preventing attacks and human rights violations that often arise due to unfounded witchcraft accusations. By criminalizing the act of accusing others of witchcraft, the country seeks to promote social harmony, protect individual rights, and foster a more just and compassionate society.

    During the deliberations leading up to the third reading of the bill, all participating members of Parliament were in complete agreement, voicing their support for the criminalization of all witchcraft activities and the accusation of witchcraft in addition to advocating for the complete abolition of all existing witchcraft camps within the country.

    The lawmakers firmly believed that such measures would act as a deterrent against baseless accusations of witchcraft and the subsequent human rights abuses that often accompany such allegations. By criminalizing witchcraft activities and accusations, individuals would be discouraged from making false claims and perpetrating harm on innocent people due to superstitious beliefs.

    Moreover, the proposed legal framework would empower law enforcement agencies to take appropriate action against offenders who engage in human rights violations stemming from witchcraft accusations. This legal clarity and accountability would enhance the protection of individuals who may be targeted unjustly.

    The collective stance taken by the members of Parliament showcased their shared commitment to addressing the serious issues arising from witchcraft accusations in the country. By striving for the abolition of witchcraft camps and enacting laws against such practices, they aimed to create a safer and more just society, free from the harmful consequences of unfounded witchcraft allegations.

    The declaration, it said, further proclaimed that all human beings were endowed with reason and conscience, and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

    “These very important tenets of human rights are reinforced by the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, which also provides for the prohibition of all forms of practices that are dehumanising or are injurious to the physical and mental well-being of a person (Article 26(2) of the 1992 Constitution),” it said.

    It indicated that Article 15(2) of the Constitution also provided for the respect for human dignity and projects that, “no person shall, whether or not he is arrested, restricted or detained, be subjected to; (a) torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; (b) any other condition that detracts or is likely to detract from his dignity and worth as a human being.”

    “Accusation of witchcraft is undoubtedly, a setback to the efforts to achieve the tenets of international human rights treaties which Ghana has ratified, including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights; Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination against Women,” it said.

    It added that the negative effect of witchcraft accusations on Ghana’s human right efforts was evident in the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

    “In the said report, accusations of witchcraft and its attendant human rights violations such as physical assault, stigmatisation and banishment from families and communities were recorded as part of Ghana’s human right shortfalls,” it said.

  • Ghana abolishes death penalty in landmark vote

    Ghana abolishes death penalty in landmark vote

    Ghana has joined the growing number of African countries that have abolished the death penalty after its parliament voted on Tuesday to replace it with life imprisonment.

    The Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, sponsored by Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, a member of parliament from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), aims to reform the criminal justice system and align it with international best practices.

    The bill amends the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 and the Armed Forces Act, 1962, which prescribe the death penalty for offences such as murder, attempted murder, genocide, piracy and smuggling of gold and diamond.

    The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is the state-sanctioned execution of individuals convicted of certain crimes. In Ghana, the death penalty can be carried out by hanging or shooting by firing squad, according to the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1969.

    However, Ghana has not executed anyone since 1993, when 12 people were killed by firing squad for armed robbery or murder. Since then, successive presidents have refused to sign execution warrants, leaving hundreds of death row inmates in limbo.

    According to Amnesty International, Ghana had 172 people on death row by the end of 2022, seven of whom were sentenced that year. The human rights group has been campaigning for the global abolition of the death penalty, which it considers a violation of the right to life and a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.

    The bill was passed by a majority vote in parliament after a heated debate that saw some lawmakers opposing the abolition of the death penalty. They argued that it could lead to more crime and mob justice and that it was justified by the principle of retribution.

    However, supporters of the bill said that the death penalty was ineffective as a deterrent, unjust as a punishment and incompatible with Ghana’s obligations under international treaties and conventions.

    The Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin announced the passage of the bill after putting it to a vote. He said that the bill would now be sent to President Nana Akufo-Addo for his assent.

    Following the passage of the Bill, Mr Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the NPP MP for Efutu and the Deputy Majority Leader, told the Parliamentary Press Corps that the Bill’s passage was a triumphant day for the people of Ghana.

    “Today the Parliament of Ghana has made the country proud, it has signed onto that which has become an international human rights position.

    “We have had the Death Penalty in our Statues Books for well over 50 years, it’s been a concern and Parliament after deliberations and through a member of Parliament championed this private member’s Bill.

    “And I am happy to say we’ve by this amendment of the parent Act been able to repeal that provision that deals with death Penalty.”

    “So, simply put the Death Penalty is no more a punishment in our Statutes Books….”

    Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa Director, also welcomed the parliamentary vote as a major step forward for Ghana. She urged the president to sign the bill into law without delay and commute all death sentences to prison terms.

    She also called on the Ghanaian authorities to take steps to remove the death penalty from the constitution, which still provides for high treason to be punishable by death.

    “Today’s parliamentary vote is a major step by Ghana towards the abolition of the death penalty. It is also a victory for all those who have tirelessly campaigned to consign this cruel punishment to history and strengthen the protection of the right to life,” she said in a statement.

    “As of today, 23 out of 55 African countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes. Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception because it violates the right to life as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The death penalty has no place in our world.”

  • Minority caucus flouts Standing Orders by boycotting Parliament -Speaker declares

    Minority caucus flouts Standing Orders by boycotting Parliament -Speaker declares

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has rebuked the Minority caucus for boycotting Parliamentary proceedings without official permission, saying that this violates the Standing Orders of the house.

    The Standing Orders of Parliament stipulate that a Member of Parliament who is absent for 15 sittings without the Speaker’s permission and without a valid reason must vacate their seat.

    The Speaker made this remark in response to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, who raised concerns about the absence of Minority representation in the Votes and Proceedings of Parliament. The Speaker said such a gesture was unacceptable.

    The Speaker also noted that some MPs had been marked as absent without permission, and there were questions about the meanings of “walk-out” and “boycott”.

    “Some MPs have been captured for being absent without permission, some concerns have been raised on the definition of walk-out and boycott. The deputy Minority Whip has raised a very serious matter on the fact that from his knowledge, some members were not present yesterday, but they have been captured as present, as it’s an indictment on the officers of Parliament,” he said.

    The Speaker further stressed the importance of attendance, citing Article 97 (1C) as the guiding principle for the presence of members in the house.

    He explained that attending or not attending was a personal choice, but when a member chose not to attend, depending on their actions, they could be marked as absent or absent with permission.

    “On the issue of attendance, Article 97 (1C) is very clear and that is what guides attendance of the house. So you can choose to attend or choose not to attend. When you refuse to attend, depending on your own action, you could be marked as absent or absent with permission. The burden now falls on the group to show evidence that my good self has granted you permission to absent yourselves in writing, not verbally; that any time a colleague of yours wants to attend court proceedings, you will solidarize with that colleague and that you will be absent so that the official report will capture that”, he explained.

    This is not the first time that the Minority in Parliament has boycotted business activities in solidarity with James Gyakye Quayson, the Member of Parliament for Assin North, who is facing trial over his dual citizenship.

  • Livestreaming: Parliament swears-in Assin North MP-elect, James Gyakye Quayson

    Livestreaming: Parliament swears-in Assin North MP-elect, James Gyakye Quayson

    Parliament is holding a swearing-in ceremony for newly-elected Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.

    Members of the Minority Group, together with Speaker Alban Bagbin are draped in white to commemorate the august event.

    Mr Gyakye Quayson is also adorned in a white outfit.

    Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson

    Mr Gyakye Quayson on Tuesday, June 27, beat his closest contender, Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Assin North by-election by obtaining 17,245 votes out of the total valid votes of 29,962, representing 57.56 per cent.

    Mr Charles Opoku, on the other hand, garnered 12,630 of the votes cast, representing 42.17 per cent while Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) secured 87 votes.

  • Mahama expresses concern over Quayson’s criminal case receiving daily hearings

    Mahama expresses concern over Quayson’s criminal case receiving daily hearings

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the ruling of the High Court that the criminal case against the ousted Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, should be heard daily.

    According to the former president, the ruling of the court is absurd because not even murderers are prosecuted at this pace.

    Mahama, who made these remarks at a community durbar at Sienkyem in Assin North on June 18, 2023, added that not even the prosecution of the former boss of MenzGold, Nana Appiah Mensah (NAM1), who is accused of swindling Ghanaians, is done at this pace.

    “Because of the hatred for him (Gyakye Quayson), they have also taken him to court and they are saying that they are going to jail him.

    “Now the court is saying that he should come to court every day. Not even criminals who have committed murder are treated this way. Murders are not told to come to court every day for their case to be heard.

    “NAM1’s case has been in court for almost 3 three years. This case is not even heard on a daily basis. What has Gyakye done to you? Has he killed someone? Has he stolen someone’s money?” he asked in Twi.

    The former president added that even if Quayson is detained by the court, he will still win the by-election which would be held on June 27, 2023.

    “They can get him a mat at the court for him to sleep there. Even if he is not present on the day of the by-election, he will still win,” Mahama said.

    The High Court in Accra, on Friday (June 18, 2023), ruled that the ongoing criminal trial of ousted Assin North Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson, will be heard daily starting from Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

    This was after the presiding judge, Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, turned down an application for the trial to be adjourned till after the by-election.

    The Court has since fixed June 20, 21, and 23 for the trial to continue.

    Quayson was recently ousted from parliament after the Supreme Court of Ghana ruled that he was ineligible to contest in the 2020 parliamentary election because he failed to renounce his Canadian citizenship in time.

    But there is still one case the former MP has to face in court after the Office of the Attorney General accused him of deceiving public officers to acquire state documents.

    On February 12, 2022, the State charged James Gyakye Quayson with five counts; deceit of a public officer, forgery of a passport, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury, and false declaration.

  • Govt borrowing: Majority Leader accuses NDC MPs of being ‘hypocrites’

    Govt borrowing: Majority Leader accuses NDC MPs of being ‘hypocrites’

    Majority Leader of Parliament Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has described the decision by the Minority side of the House to oppose the recent approval of a loan agreement between Ghana and its development partners as hypocritical.

    According to him, the loan agreements were discussed thoroughly at the committee level with the Minority supporting it and so it was surprising to see the same group opposing it at the plenary level.

    Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu said this in an interview with Captain Koda on the Kumasi-based OTEC 102.9 FM’s morning show Nyansapo on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

    Parliament on Tuesday reconvened for an urgent business and approved seven loan agreements totaling $750 million to enhance public sector reforms, food security, COVID-19 response measures and digital acceleration agenda.

    The facilities, which were approved during the emergency sitting, were an on-lending agreement between the Government of Ghana (GoG) and the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group for an amount of $150 million to finance the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme phase two under the Multipurpose Programme Approach.

    The Minority caucus prior to the final approval of the loan facility however said they were not in support of the decision.

    The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, said that given the enormous impact of loans on the country, he did not think it was time for the government to take additional loans.

    He said Ghana was currently insolvent and had defaulted in the repayment of its external and domestic debts.

    Hon Kyei Mensah Bonsu maintained that the loan agreements, which had been on the books already, were supposed to have been approved by the House before it adjourned sine die on March 31, 2023.

    He noted that the approval of the loan agreements was in the good interest of the country.

  • We will reject Akufo-Addo’s nominees for ministerial appointment – Minority

    We will reject Akufo-Addo’s nominees for ministerial appointment – Minority

    The Parliament of Ghana has scheduled a day to vote on whether to accept the nominations of the six ministerial appointees by President Nana Addo Dankwa.

    The House on Thursday, February 23, 2023, completed the debate on the report of the Appointments Committee on the six nominees who were vetted weeks ago.

    The House engaged in an extended sitting after some issues had risen out of the minority’s opposition to the nominations.

    During the debate, members on both sides including their leadership counter-argued about the need to approve the nominees.

    While the majority supported the approval, the minority maintained its position that the size of the government under the current economic hardship facing the country is big and must be reduced.

    Following the debate, the speaker, Alban Suaman Kingsford Bagbin adjourned sitting to today (March 24) for the house to vote on the approval or otherwise of the nominees.

    The nominees include Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, Kwabena Tahir Hammond as Minister-designate for Trade and Industry, Abetifi MP, Brian Acheampong for Minister of Agriculture and Former CEO of the State Interests and Governance Authority, Stephen Asamoah Boateng who has been nominated for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

    The remaining are former deputy Energy Minister, Mohammed Amin Adam as Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Osei Bonsu Amoah for Minster of state at the Local Government Ministry and Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr Stephen Amoah for Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry.

  • Akoto Osei was a notable legislator – Bagbin

    Akoto Osei was a notable legislator – Bagbin

    Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has said that the late former representative for Old Tafo, Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei was an effective lawmaker.

    In Parliament today Tuesday, March 21, the Speaker said “Dr Akoto Osei was a very illustrious member, very effective, very well respected, a very true gentleman.

    “The former Member of Parliament  Dr Anthony Osei Akoto was not just a Member of Parliament but was also appointed a Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning and later became a Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, he really distinguished himself at both the Ministry and in Parliament for Ghana.

    “Before even joining politics he was a known face and very active civil society leader who worked in the then very vibrant economic NGO.”

    Dr Akoto Osei’s death  was announced on the official Facebook page of the Parliament of Ghana on Monday, March 20.

    “Former Old Tafo MP, Hon. Dr Anthony Osei Akoto passes away. May he rest in peace,” Parliament announced.

    Dr Akoto Osei was in the cabinet of President John Agyekum Kufuor as Minister of State for Finance and Economic Planning.

    He was a member of Parliament for the electoral district of Old Tafo in the Ashanti region.

    He worked as deputy minister for Finance and Economic Planning in May 2003 and was a major economic adviser to the government.

    He was elevated to substantive Minister for Finance and Economic Planning after the death of the then Minister Kwadwo Baah Wiredu.

    He served in that role until 6 January 2009 when the government was handed over to the National Democratic Congress who had won the 2008 General Elections.

    In February 2017, Osei was sworn in as Minister of Monitoring and Evaluation after being nominated by President Nana Akufo-Addo and going through the vetting process in the parliament of Ghana.

    The ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation was a newly created Ministry to evaluate, monitor and plan review summits and forums in fulfillment of the government’s policies on evaluating the progress of its own ministries.

  • Minority disputes Ofori-Atta’s assurances to NIA

    Minority disputes Ofori-Atta’s assurances to NIA

    Members of the Minority caucus in Parliament have disputed Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s assurance to release funds to the National Identification Authority (NIA) to register more Ghanaians for the Ghana Card.

    The NIA is said to owe its suppliers GHȼ117 million, which has resulted in the curtailment of its work in registering and issuing the Ghana Card.

    The Electoral Commission wants to recognise the Ghana Card as the only source of identification for registering prospective Ghanaian voters, and has consequently proposed a Constitutional Instrument before Parliament to make it the law, however the Minority have vehemently opposed the move on the grounds that it may disenfranchise many.

    The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission was in Parliament on Tuesday to defend and justify the CI, and urged parliament to approve it as it would ensure the integrity of future elections in Ghana.

    The NIA has been unable to print the cards for over three million registrants as a result of the lack of the cards, and has restricted its registration activities largely to rendering premium services at a fee, currently at GHȼ280.

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was in parliament also on Tuesday, and told the house the Ministry had just released funds to clear the GHȼ100 million of the GHȼ117 million debts owed by the National Identification Authority so it can proceed with its work.

    And according to JoyNews’ Parliamentary Correspondent, Kwaku Asante, the Minority says it will be risky to trust in the assurances of the Minister.

    They spoke at a press conference addressed by Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson.

  • Finance Minister to appear before parliament

    Finance Minister to appear before parliament

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been called before parliament to answer questions surrounding the impact of the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) on pensioners and to discuss possible solutions to ease their financial burden. 

    Speaker of the House, Alban Bagbin, on Tuesday, February 7, urged the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, to meet with lawmakers to address the policy statement that has yielded mixed results since its introduction and to take immediate action in light of the recent demonstrations by senior citizens at the Ministry of Finance.

    “Honourable Members, my understanding is that both sides agree that the Minister be scheduled to come and brief the House on the policy statement and some details about the debt arrangement …Parliament has spoken that is the end of the case,” the Speaker said.

    “Parliament is ever prepared to assist the government to get out of this quagmire. So, what I can say now is that parliament has spoken and that is the end of it. The Minister must be scheduled by the business committee as early as possible because this is an urgent matter because the pensioners are picketing at the Ministry.

    “We need to do this as quickly as possible. Business Committee should schedule the Minister to appear before the house for a brief on the state of affairs,” he added.

    He proposed 14th February, 2023 for the appearance of the Minister.

    Background

    The Pensioner Bondholders Forum has asked the government to exempt them entirely from the debt exchange programme.

    The bondholders’ demand comes after the new terms the government has introduced after various consultations with stakeholders.

    Wielding placards whiles picketing the Finance Ministry on February 6, 2023, the bondholders insisted that until a meeting is granted them and a resolution is given to their plea, they would picket the premises every day.

    According to the group, attempts to have their investment exempted from the programme have proved futile reason for their decision to picket at the Finance Ministry until their demands are met.

    The deadline for the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme has been extended to Tuesday, February 10, 2023.

  • Our Parliament is not strong – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

    The majority leader and Minister for Parliament Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has said that the 8th Parliament of Ghana is not strong compared to previous Parliaments.

    Speaking in a TV3 interview monitored by GhanaWeb, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu explained that this appears so because parliament’s committees are weak.

    According to him, the leadership of some of these committees in the House are inexperienced.

    “I generally agree that our Parliament is not strong. I keep saying that a Parliament is accessed on account of the strength of its committees. So, any Parliament is as strong as its committees are.

    “Our committees are not that strong. That is one of the reasons why our Parliament is not very strong. I keep relating to the structure of our committees including the leadership of committees. In established democracies, the Parliament will vote on who becomes the leader of a particular committee.

    “In our case, for instance, today, we happen to have some first-timers appointed as vice chairmen of committees even when we don’t know their strengths. That cannot be good for Parliament,” he said.

    He added that in established democracies, there is no way a newcomer in Parliament will be made a leader of a committee because the person at that point may not be able to grasp properly, the workings of the House.

  • 2023 Budget: Sad feelings greet government’s hiring freeze for civil, public servants

    Numerous Kumasi citizens have voiced their disappointment and melancholy at the government‘s plan to impose an embargo on hiring civil and public officials in 2023.

    In the 2023 Budget, presented to the Parliament of Ghana on November 24, this year’s Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori Atta, stated that the government was taking action to address the “daunting economic difficulties facing our nation head-on and reset the economy.”

    However, a significant portion of Kumasi residents felt that a hiring freeze and the absence of new government agencies in 2023 were the wrong moves because more young people were still looking for work in the public sector despite the emergence of some private organisations.

    Reacting to the news in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, Ms Mary Osae, a National Service Personnel pointed out that the decision by the government had demoralised most of the national service persons, since some of them had hoped to be retained at the government institutions they were currently serving in.

    She explained that, “I am in no way linked to the government’s new models YouStart, Economic Enclaves, 1D1F among others, because the course I studied at the tertiary level has no bearing with these interventions.

    ‘I was hoping I could be retained at where I am serving now,” she sighed.

    Maame Yaa Serwaa, a trader at Adum, had the fear that the public sector employment freeze could arouse a lot of criminal and indecent activities since it was the youth that would be affected most.

    She suggested that, the government channelled more funds to support job creation in the public and civil sectors, where most jobs were permanent and secured.

    Mr Joseph Dogbey, a graduate nurse awaiting his postings expressed fear of the government suspending postings of trainee nurses.

    He told the GNA that, he had been waiting for his postings since 2020, and the decision by the government was giving him no hope of a job any time soon.

    According to Mr Ofori Atta, “the government cares deeply about our people, and is very much concerned about their current plight and the future of our country.

    The 2023 Budget has been prepared with high consideration for the aspirations of Ghanaians and the brighter prospects of our economy to transition into Upper Middle Income within a decade, he stated.

    Other people who spoke to the GNA on the general overview of the 2023 Budget, however, said nothing in the budget presented depicted a true path of progression for Ghana.

    They said since the cedi continued to depreciate, the agenda of mobilizing the domestic revenue with increasing the VAT rate by 2.5 percent among other adjustments, were still going to affect the people’s socio-economic lives.

  • The third meeting of Parliament commences Tuesday, October 25

    The Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

    A statement dated October 7, 2022, issued by the Office of the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday has said.

    It said: “In pursuance of Standing Order 37 of the Parliament of Ghana, I, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament hereby give notice that the Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic shall commence on Tuesday, the 25th day of October 2022 at ten o’clock in the forenoon at Parliament House, Accra.”

    The House adjourned sine-dine on Thursday, July 28, 2022.

    “Mr Speaker, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the House is expected to resume the third week in October,” Mr Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader, said.

    Members of Parliament go into recess thrice in a Session, the first recess is from March to May, and the second comes off from July to October with the last being from December to January.

    Members of Parliament use the recess for committee meetings, visiting their constituencies and other Parliamentary-related works.

    Source:GNA

  • Income Tax (Amended) Bill, 2022 passed

    Parliament has passed the Income Tax (Amended) Bill, 2022 to amend the Income Tax Act, 2015 (Act 896) to extend the exemption from tax of gains on the realisation of shares listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange for five years.

    Mr Kwaku Kwarteng, the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament moved for the adoption of the Income Tax (Amended) Bill, 2022 and was seconded by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Ranking Member of the Committee.

    Among the objectives, the Bill would extend the concession for Income Tax Stamp and Vehicles Income Tax systems to the end of December 2022.

    The Income Tax (Amended) Bill, 2022, which was first presented to Parliament and read for the first time on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, was referred by Mr Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament for consideration and report by the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament.

    However, the Finance Committee met and determined that the Bill was urgent and, therefore, certified that it ought to be taken through all the stages of passage in one day by Article 106 (13) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 119 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

    The Bill contains two clauses where clause 1 amends section 7 of the Act to provide for the exemption from Taxation of gains from the realisation of securities listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange up to December 31, 2006.

    “Clause 2 amends the sixth schedule of Act 896 by providing for the suspension of quarterly income tax installment payments for the seated categories of persons for the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2022,” it said.

    Mr Kwarteng told parliament that after careful consideration, the Committee was of the view that the Bill was in the right direction as it sought to make the Ghana Stock Exchange attractive and to further provide some relief to businesses and transport operators (Trotro drivers).

    “Mr Speaker, the Committee, therefore, recommends to the House to adopt its Report and pass the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2022 by the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House,” he said.

    The Committee also observed that as part of additional measures to provide some relief to the more vulnerable members of society, the government also suspended quarterly income tax installments payments for small businesses using the Income Tax Stamp system and for trotro drivers using the Vehicle Income Tax System for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2021.

    Parliament on Friday, July 22 also passed the Tax Exemptions Bill, 2022, to regulate the application of tax exemptions and other exemptions and to provide for related matters.

    Source: GNA

  • The communities in Ghana with no representation in Parliament

    Article 47 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana states that Ghana shall be divided into as many constituencies for the purpose of election of Members of Parliament as the Electoral Commission may prescribe, and each constituency shall be represented by one Member of Parliament.

    Yet, after the creation of the new regions in Ghana some communities namely Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lipke and Lolobi (SALL) traditional do not have representation in parliament.

    What is more striking is that there have been little to no attempts by the government and the Electoral Commission to rectify this anomaly.

    But why has the government failed to act? Is it because creating a new constituency or allowing the people of SALL to vote in their original constituency will tilt the balance of power in Parliament which will affect the government’s ability to get the necessary approval from the house. Or is the explanation of the government that the people of SALL must essentially wait till 2024 to get representation in Parliament, right?

    First let us explore how SALL was created

    The Guan District made up of Santrofi, Akpafu, Lipke and Lolobi (SALL) in the Oti Region, was created following the Legislative Instrument laid in Parliament by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in 2019.

    The district was previously part of the Hohoe Municipal, District Electoral Areas and Designation of Units Instrument, 2014 CI 85. However, the area was placed in the Oti Region in the Referendum (Creation of New Regions) Regulations 2018, CI 109 of November 30, 2018, as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry into the creation of the six new regions.

    Consequently, Guan was made part of the Oti Region in the Oti Region Instrument 2019 CI 112 on February 2019. It was also included in the Jasikan District in the Oti Region as provided in the District Electoral Areas and Designation of Unit Assemblies. But now the SALL areas have been put together to form the Guan District.

    Now, let us take a look at how SALL did not have representation in Parliament

    The SALL communities were set to vote in the newly created Buem Constituency of the Oti Region, despite the resistance of two of the communities, Akpafu and Lolobi, who said they should not have been added to the newly created Oti region because they never petition to be part of it and they also voted against being part of the region in the December 27, 2018 referendum.

    The Electoral Commission on the eve of the 2020 General Election, in a statement it issued, indicated that eligible voters in the Guan District (SALL traditional areas) will only take part in the presidential election, but not in the parliamentary election.

    It explained that the voters could not vote in the parliamentary election in line with Article 47(2) which states that no constituency shall fall within more than one region.

    “As a result of the creation of the Guan District Local Government (Guan District Assembly) Instrument, 2020 and pending the creation of the Guan Constituency, eligible voters in the Guan District will vote only in the Presidential Election but not in the Parliamentary Election in the Buem Constituency,” the statement read in part.

    The Commission indicated that a new constituency will be set for the people of the Guan District to give them the opportunity to elect a Member of Parliament to represent them in the 8th Parliament before January 7, 2021.

    According to the Ghana News Agency, the commission was not able to create the constituency in the Guan District because the Constitutional Instrument (CI) for the creation of the constituency could not have matured in time for SALL to have an MP in the 8th Parliament.

    “If we had initiated the process in the 7th Parliament, the CI could not have matured. In that case, the process will have to start all over again in the 8th Parliament,” a source from the commission told the GNA.

    What has the government said on SALL so far

    The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, speaking on the floor of parliament on March 4, 2022, stated that the surest way for the people of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi (SALL) to have a representation in Ghana’s 8th Parliament, is for a fresh election to be conducted in the Buem Constituency.

    “The way to go if we want to achieve representation of the SALL areas in the lifetime of this Parliament is to ensure that proper areas that have been allocated within proper constituencies duly created by law are given their right to vote in proper elections, properly conducted to duly elect Members of Parliament.

    “Thus, a proper election ought to be conducted to elect a Member of Parliament to represent all of the people in the Buem Constituency, as mandated by C. I. 128,” he said.

    The government has not, however, taken any step to see this process through, to ensure that all Ghanaians rightly have a representation in Parliament. Yet we see the office of the government through the Office of the Attorney exploring all the legal means necessary to get the right representation for people in other constituencies.

    Why has the government not rigorously taken up the matter of the representation of the people of SALL as it is doing in the case of the Assin North Constituency and the Jomoro Constituency, where the Members of Parliament there are deemed to have been illegally elected. Is it legal for Ghanaians not to have a representation in Parliament?

    In response to the suggestion of the Attorney General, the co-chairman of the Joint Stirring Committee of the Akpafu and Lolobi Traditional Areas, Dr Joe Addae stated that it is wrong for Attorney General to call for re-election in Buem.

    According to Dr Addae, SALL had a firm indication from the Supreme Court and the Electoral Commission that they would be voting as constituents of Hohoe during the Parliament Election, adding that SALL traditional areas had all their electoral process in Hohoe and so it will be wrong to ask them to vote in another constituency.

    The posturing of the government and the seeming reluctance in fully taking up this issue has led to allegations that doing so might have some political consequences for the government given the previous voting history of the people of SALL should a re-election be done in Hohoe rather than Buem.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • US$13.3m tax waiver on imports for MPs, Council of State members tabled before Parliament

    A tax waiver of US$13.3 million has been tabled before Parliament to cover all importation of cars for Members of Parliament and Council of State members.

    This is coming up as an add-on benefit for the officials after the loan facilities being worked on by the government, through the National Investment Bank, for them, a citinewsroom.com report has indicated.

    It must be noted too that of the loan facility of US$28 million, for instance for MPs, they will only pay up forty percent of the monies used in the purchase of the cars.

    By this arrangement, each MP is expected to receive $100,000, while members of the Council of State will get an accumulated US$3.5 million.

    The Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ebenezer Kojo Kum, laid this before Parliament on behalf of Ken Ofori-Atta, on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, the report said.

    “Request for waiver of the Import Duty, Import GETFund Levy, Import NHIL, Import VAT, EXIM levy, COVID-19 Recovery Levy, Special Import Levy, ECOWAS Levy, AU Levy, Inspection Fees, and Withholding Tax (ITS Tax Deposit) amounting to the Ghana Cedi equivalent of thirteen million, three hundred and eighty-seven thousand, five hundred United States Dollars (US$13,387,500.00) on vehicles to be procured for Members of Parliament of the Eighth Parliament of Ghana (2021-2024) and the Members of the Eighth Council of State (2022-2024),” contents of request stated.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com