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Tag: parliament

  • Libya protesters storm parliament building

    Protesters have stormed Libya’s parliament in the eastern city of Tobruk and are reported to have set fire to part of the building.

    Images posted online showed thick columns of smoke as the demonstrators burned tyres outside.

    There have been rallies in other Libyan cities against continuing power cuts, rising prices and political deadlock.

    In the capital, Tripoli, where a rival administration holds sway, protesters called for elections.

    Their demand was backed by the head of the interim unity government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who said all the country’s institutions needed to be changed.

    The unrest comes a day after United Nations-brokered talks in Geneva aimed at paving the way for a ballot ended with little progress.

    Libya has been in chaos since the Nato-backed uprising in 2011 that ousted long-serving ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi.

    The oil-rich country, a key departure point for some of the thousands of migrants travelling to Europe, once had one of the highest standards of living in Africa, with free healthcare and free education.

    But the stability that led to its prosperity has been shattered and Tripoli has seen frequent fighting between rival forces.

    Source: BBC

  • Parliament forms bi-partisan committee to probe death of woman in ambulance

    Parliament has constituted a bi-partisan committee to probe the death of Augustina Awortwe, a pregnant lady who died in transit from Takoradi to Accra due to the alleged negligence of the National Ambulance Service.

    The committee was formed after a debate on a private members motion filed by three members of the minority.

    The six-member committee will be chaired by MP for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr Ayew Afriyie.

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, expressed the hope that the committee members will set aside their political interests and professionally probe the issue.

    “This house has accordingly constituted a bi-partisan committee to probe the circumstances leading to the death of Madam Augustina Awortwe who died in an ambulance when she was being transported from Holy Child Catholic Hospital to Korle Bu.”

    Augustina had to be referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital due to some complications associated with a caesarean section by doctors at the Holy Child Catholic Hospital.

    Her trip was, however, diverted to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital due to her worsening condition.

    The staff of the Holy Child Hospital have been blamed for referring the patient to Korle-Bu instead of the nearest referral centre, Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital.

    Source: Citinewsroom

  • Nkoranza South MP files motion for parliamentary probe into Albert Donkors death

    The Member of Parliament for Nkoranza South, Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, has filed a motion asking the Speaker to constitute a bi-partisan committee to investigate the death of Albert Donkor.

    He believes that the event that led to the death of his constituent is questionable, therefore, be investigated.

    In an interview with JoyNews, Mr Agyekum alleged that Albert Donkor was picked up from his home by armed officers at 2:00am on April 24, in an unregistered vehicle believed to be security officers.

    He claimed that Albert was killed four hours after he was picked up.

    “In fact, Albert was killed within three to four hours after he was picked up. I am telling you the truth, that within four hours from 2:00am to about 5:00am they had finished him and they took him to the mortuary in Techiman Holy Family and they refused to take the body because they needed a family member to sign for the body. I have all these accounts if they want to deny, they should come and deny.”

    The Nkroranca South Police Service on the other hand has vehemently refuted the allegation. According to them, Albert Donkor was killed during a shoot-out during an operation.

    But the youth of Nkronza South insist that the police deliberately killed Albert Donkor.They claim the deceased was targeted after he chanced on a robbery scene involving some Police officers.

    The youth in their quest to seek justice staged a protest and in the process, attacked the Nkoranza Municipal Police Headquarters and freed at least six suspects in custody.

    The protest led to a clash between the youth and the police which led to the killing of one person with three others critically injured.

    Mr Kwadwo Agyekum who is demanding for accountability and the prosecution of the perpetrators noted that the request for a biapartisan probe will bring to light the cause of death of Albert Donkoh.

    “What I have sent to the Speaker is a motion asking for a bi-partisan committee to probe what actually happened. This will bring light to what has happened so far, and I think this will help everybody in the country.”

     

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Ghana must support and embrace initiatives for women’s empowerment and equality – Speaker

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has emphasised the need for citizens to support and strengthen equality and women’s empowerment initiatives in the country.

    He added that the Affirmative Action bill requires immediate attention and that the legislature is committed to working cohesively with the Executive branch to ensure that the draft bill is presented to the House in order to create a window of opportunity for women, the elderly, the disabled, and members of minority groups.

    “Given Ghana’s enviable democratic credentials in Africa, there is still a need to promote women’s sense of worth and their right to influence and lead developmental change,” he stated.

    He made these remarks in Accra to a delegation from the Canadian Senate led by the Senator and Co- Chair of Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, Hon. Amina Gerba, who had paid him a courtesy call in Parliament to understand the delicate situation in which Ghana’s Parliament finds itself.

    In response to the concerns raised by the Rt. Hon. Speaker, the High Commissioner of Canada to Ghana, H. E. Kati Csaba, informed the group that Canada had approved a programme to assist Ghana’s Parliament in the areas of gender equality, equity, and inclusiveness.

    According to her, this action will foster and develop a relationship between Ghana and Canada that is mutually beneficial.

    Hon. Amina Gerba commended Speaker Bagbin for his commitment and service in carrying out his responsibilities to Mother Ghana and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association with diligence.

    In addition, the Speaker stated that due to the nature of the Ghanaian Parliament, both sides of the House must commit to consultations and consensus building in order to gain public support.

    In reference to the current composition of Parliament, Mr. Speaker stated, “The glaring flaws in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution necessitate a review, and until its successful implementation, members of both parties must engage in strategic engagements and compromise.”



  • Dress ‘properly’ or be sent out of the Chambers – Speaker warns MPs

    Members of Parliament (MPs) have been reminded by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to dress properly as required by House rules.

    Alban Bagbin announced during Friday’s sessions that MPs who do not follow the House’s dress code will be asked to leave.

    He stated that offending legislators will not be allowed to contribute or make any submissions on the floor of Parliament.

    “The dress code mandates and enjoins us to come to this house formally dressed. They used the term decent but some of the things I see you wearing are singlets and when you wear singlet into the house you are naked and therefore you have difficulties in catching the eye of the speaker.”

    Alban Bagbin directed leaders on both sides of the House to ensure that their members are dressed properly before coming to the House.

    “Leaders please pick up the role so that the proper thing is done, particularly the Whips that is why you are there. That is your area of focus to maintain discipline and order.”

    “I have seen it for some days now, I will not recognize any naked person in this house, you will be seen as a stranger and you will be walked out of this house,” he iterated.

    Meanwhile, the Speaker, announced his decision not to wear the cloak of the Speaker on regular sitting days.

    This, he said is part of his resolve to change the dress code and code of conduct of parliamentarians. He said the cloak will be worn for ceremonial purposes.

    His decision, he said is to promote made in Ghana attire and help the market for locally produced items.
    “You may be seeing me more in traditional dresses. I may use that [the cloak] only for ceremonial occasions, which is what is in the literature of Ghana concerning that cloak and gown.”

    “We also have to provide the market for our produce. We cannot always rely on what others manufacture and sell to us when we are capable of manufacturing even better ones,” the Speaker said.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Second Meeting of 8th Parliament begins today

    Parliament resumed sitting today, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, for the Second Meeting of the Eighth Parliament.

    This was contained in a release signed by the Clerk to Parliament, Cyril Oteng Nsiah.

    His summon came on Standing Order 32 of the House which empowered the clerk to give a written notice to Members of Parliament (MPs) on the commencement of a meeting of the House.

    The Second Meeting will run till August before the House goes on another recess.

    Government business

    It will be the time for the consideration of government programmes and bills.

    The mid-year budget will also be presented by the Minister of Finance to Parliament during the Second Meeting in July.

    Privileges Committee

    One issue that is pending and will come up during the Second Meeting is the report of the Privileges Committee on the three MPs referred to it by the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, following their continuous absence from the last meeting.

    The three are the MP for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo; MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; and MP for Ayawaso Central, Henry Quartey.

    The Privileges Committee was given two weeks to sit on the matter and present its report to Parliament on resumption.

    Recall

    The House rose on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, for the Easter break after the First Meeting of the Eighth Parliament.

    Source: Graphiconline

  • Minority to file motion in Parliament over killing of Albert Donkor

    The Minority in Parliament is set to file a motion for a parliamentary inquiry into the killing of Albert Donkor in Nkoranza.

    The Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, James Agalga, said given that the deceased did not die while being held in police custody, he believes the police are trying to cover up the matter which has since led to tensions in Nkoranza in the Bono East Region.

    According to him, a parliamentary probe will be critical in unraveling the truth of the matter and helping to restore calm in the area.

    “The report clearly does not speak to the fact that Albert Donkor died in police custody and for me, that is the beginning of the cover-up, and I am not amused at all. We will take steps to file yet another motion,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Nkoranza South Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Agyekum, says he is worried about the increasing cases of the Ghana Police Service killing citizens suspected to have engaged in one crime or the other without due legal process.

    He fears the practice of extrajudicial killings is gradually becoming a norm in the country.

    Two persons have died in Nkoranza, alleged to have been killed by police officers.

    The first, Albert Donkor is said to have been killed by some police officers who picked him up last week into a private vehicle after he mentioned among friends that he had seen a police officer involved in a robbery incident.

    A student, Victor Kwadwo Owusu was also allegedly killed by police while the youth of Nkoranza were protesting over the alleged killing of Albert Donkor.

    Source: Citinews

  • Eight (8) MPs test positive to COVID-19

    Eight members of Parliament(MP) according to information reaching our news desk have tested positive to the deadly coronavirus.

    According to the reports the eight cases are both from the majority and minority sides of parliament.

    Per what we gathered, the names of the Members of Parliament who have been infected by the COVID-19 have remained hidden.

    It is said that their names have not been released to the public due to the fear of stigmatization.

    The number of active COVID-19 cases according to the GHS on an average daily rate stands at about 700.

    Due to this the President during his address to the Nation yesterday, announced some restrictions to help curb the spread of the virus.

  • I am still edgy even though Fomena MP has given me assurance – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

    MP for Suame and Leader of the NPP caucus in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has indicated that until the final verdict of the Speaker of Parliament on the decision on who is Majority and Minority, not even the Fomena MPs assurances to him will put him at ease.

    He said that although Andrew Asiamah, the only independent Member of Parliament in the House, and whose choice on where to caucus with is likely to determine the Majority side, he remains edgy.

    “I want to believe that he has committed to what he has said to do but until it comes from his own mouth, we are not sure of what he may want to do,” he said.

    Building on precedence, he referred to instances in the past when persons who were once members of either the National Democratic Congress or the New Patriotic Party but went independent and won their bids, came into Parliament but elected to do business with the other side.

    “Boniface Abubakar Saddique, Rashid Bawa, Alhaji Saani Iddi, Victor Gbeho are all names of people who turned independent but when they came to Parliament, they did not always elect to do business with the party they were once a part of. So, there are conflicting positions taken by independent members which is why even though we have this solemn commitment, for now, I am still edgy,” he explained.

    He, however, disclosed details of conversations he had had with Andrew Asiamah where he poured out his disappointments in the NPP party for not supporting him when he went independent as well as the few times he was attacked by members of the party.

    Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was on the GHOne TV GH Today show on Thursday, January 14, 2021.

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, is expected to announce the decisions on which of the two major parties in the House is Majority and which is Minority, as well as who sits on which side.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • NPP MPs troop to Parliament at 4am ahead of first sitting

    To avoid losing their seat at the right side of the Speaker, some New Patriotic Party (NPP) legislators were seated in the House by 4 am.

    This is approximately six hours before the regular sitting of the House.

    The action by the NPP MPs follows the take over of their seat by the NDC on the eve of January 7 ahead of the inauguration of the 8th Parliament.

    Clad in white, the then Minority had arrived in Parliament hours before sitting to take over the right hand side of Parliament.

    The situation had left the members of the governing party in shock when they arrived in the House.https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Vi33ZYaE-bOZsmy48.html

    For about 20 minutes, Adansi Asokwa MP, K.T. Hammond, and former Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery along with former Defense Minister, Dominic Nitiwul tried, though unsuccessfully to convince the minority to move back to their seats.

    The situation had subsequently led to insults being hurled at each other and near brawls.

    The question of who occupies the Majority side of the House has been a big issue since both the NPP and opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have 137 members each.

    Since the inauguration of the House, members of the two caucuses in Parliament have taken to social media and other news outlets to insist on their claims of who has a right to be called the majority.

    Leading the argument for the NPP, the leader of its caucus, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the decision by the only independent candidate in the House to join the NPP, is a clear indication that they are in the majority.

    But the NDC MPs have rubbished this argument. The leader of their caucus, Haruna Iddrisu says the Fomena MP choosing to join the NPP does not influence the numbers.

    He explained that his caucus will only agree to sit at the left-hand side of the Speaker if the NPP agrees to respect their number and influence.

    Meanwhile, Speaker Alban Bagbin who is himself a member of the NDC is expected to put the case to rest during the first sitting of the House today.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Parliament petitioned to probe unruly conduct of Ken Agyapong, Hawa Koomson

    A Ghanaian citizen, Kwesi Dawood has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin to institute a probe into the alleged criminal conduct of the Members of Parliament for Assin Central and Awutu Senya East, Kennedy Agyapong and Mavis Hawa Koomson respectively.

    Mr. Dawood in his petition accused both MPs of “showing specific unruly actions” which are “unparliamentary, inimical to democracy and pose grave danger to life and property of citizens of Ghana.”

    The petition said Mr Agyapong had accused flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama and other members of the party -Joshua Akamba, Johnson Aseidu Nketia, among others of “burning fourteen market stalls.”

    It said Mr. Agyapong had threatened to “burn down the house of former President John Dramani Mahama.”

    The petition also cited Ms Koomson for physically assaulting some persons at a polling station in the Awutu Senya East Constituency during the voter registration exercise.

    “Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson and her thugs burnt down a motorbike belonging to one of those who had shown up to be registered,” it said.

    Mr. Dawood demanded that the two MPs should “suffer the necessary punishment” should they be found liable for the alleged wrongdoings.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Injunction presented on Assin North MP was fraudulent Keta MP

    Member of Parliament (MP) for the Keta Constituency, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey says the injunction presented on colleague MP for Assin North Constituency during the swearing-in of Parliamentarians for the 8th Parliament was questionable.

    He described the injunction as having discrepancies pointing to the fact that, the injunction was not from a Cape Coast High Court.

    Giving an account of what transpired in Parliament on 6th and 7th January, he said, “To be truthful to you, when the Clerk of Parliament came in, he was going straight to the election of the Speaker until the NPP raised an objection to the presence of the Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson”.

    A Cape Coast High Court judge granted an injunction restraining the Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Quayson, from being sworn-in into the 8th Parliament.

    The injunction was granted in a case filed by one Michael Ankomah-Nimfa of Assin Bereku who claims Mr Quayson holds dual citizenship of Ghana and Canada.

    However, the Clerk of Parliament gave the Assin North MP-elect, James Gyakye Quayson the go-ahead to participate in the election of a Speaker for the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic and was later sworn in as MP regardless of the injunction.

    The MP for Keta, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey in an interview with Samuel Eshun, host of the Happy Morning Show aired on e.TV Ghana and Happy 98.9 FM disclosed, “The file from the Clerk was fraudulent. Even the bailiff listed on the injunction was from Kumasi. How could this be?”

    On his authority, it was impossible for an injunction which was issued by the court at 4:35 pm to reach Parliament at 4:50pm.

    “How can one drive from Cape Coast to Accra in 15 minutes to serve an injunction?” he asked.

    Kwame Dzudzorli added that the Assin North MP was not even in court when the ruling was made and he had not even received notice of the injunction by 7th January 2021.

    He believes the MP for Assin North committed no offense and was rightfully sworn in as an honourable member of the chamber.

    Source: e.TV Ghana

  • Fomena MPs decision does not make NPP majority Haruna Iddrisu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Source: citinewsroom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Source: 3 News

  • Parliament defends staff over ballot stuffing allegation

    Parliament has refuted claims that one of its staff tried to stuff a ballot box with papers during the voting to elect the Speaker for the eighth Parliament.

    A statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs of Parliament, Ms Kate Addo, indicated that it was practically impossible for such a thing to happen due to the nature of the voting system in Parliament.

    While admitting that it was a difficult night and most staff including the Clerk of Parliament bore the brunt of some actions from the floor, she stated that the staff at all times during the night remained calm and saw a peaceful resolution of all issues which culminated in the successful selection of the Speaker.

    “Parliament would like to assure all citizens that its staff are dedicated to assisting the Speakership, Leadership and the entire membership of Parliament in the discharge of their duties,” Mrs Addo stated.

    No rigging

    Ms Addo explained that since the number of voters participating in the exercise was already known to be 275, it was practically impossible for anyone to introduce any voting material, indicating that such action would have exacerbated the already volatile situation.

    Additionally, she indicated that staff of Parliament did not participate in proceedings which included voting on the floor of the house.

    “Parliament would like to put on record that the Officer, a Deputy Marshal, was stationed at a particular spot in the chamber to protect the ballot box. As things started getting out of hand, the marshal was reaching for his taser which was hanging behind his belt to use in the protection of the ballot box,” Ms Addo said.

    She went on to add that “the deputy marshal then looked at the taser to turn it on and actually went on to use the taser to prevent one member from forcefully taking the ballot box, which at the time had two votes cast in it.”
    The box in question, she said, was taken away and examined in the presence of some leaders of the house.

    She added that the leader in question later came to the chamber to assure his side of the house that nothing untoward had happened.

    Maintaining peace

    Ms Addo further pointed out that the marshal in Parliament were mandated to maintain peace and order in the house, hence doing anything contrary to that would be at variance with the dictates of their job.

    “Indeed, it was the same marshal who intercepted the honourable member who snatched the ballot papers at the time of collation after the votes had been cast ,” she said.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Well ensure a focused House despite regrettable inauguration scuffles Parliamentary Service

    The Parliamentary Service has admitted that the incidents that occurred in the build-up to the inauguration of the 8th Parliament on Thursday, January 7, 2021 were utterly regrettable.

    Several unfortunate incidents marred the inauguration of the new Parliament on the said date.

    Following disagreements over the seating arrangements, after National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs filled the side of Parliament usually occupied by the Majority, the subsequent election of a new Speaker was disrupted by the kicking of the ballot boxes, scuffles between the legislators and the snatching of cast ballots by an MP.

    The invasion of the House by military personnel was yet another blemish on the Parliamentary proceedings.

    These incidents have been met with widespread condemnation and criticism among some stakeholders, political party leaders and even reputable members of the House.

    However, a statement issued by the Parliamentary Service and signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo, indicated that while the acts were undesirable, it is very much hopeful that it will not affect the effective and united running of parliamentary business.

    “Parliament wishes to acknowledge the events that characterized the inauguration of the 8th Parliament and wishes to state that while most of the actions during the night were regrettable, Parliament would, however, like to put them behind it and work towards a more focused, unified membership aimed at promoting the best Parliamentary practices and good governance”, the statement said.https://www.youtube.com/embed/st10xhbegOU

    Also, the Parliamentary Service patted itself on the back, explaining that its staff members in a collective effort were able to maintain order amidst the brawl which is evident in the resolution reached between the two sides of the house leading to the election of the Speaker.

    Portions of its release read, “admittedly, it was a difficult night and most of the staff including the Clerk to Parliament bore the brunt of some actions from the Floor. It must be pointed out that, the staff at all times during the night remained calm and saw a peaceful resolution of all the issues, which culminated in the successful selection of the Speaker of Parliament.”

    It has therefore expressed its strongest indication of ensuring that the 8th parliamentary session of the 4th Republic is able to deliver on its mandate as expected without hitches.

    “Parliament would like to assure all citizens that its staff are dedicated to assisting the Speakership, Leadership and the entire Membership of Parliament in the discharge of their duties”, the statement concluded.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Playback: NPP MP snatches ballot papers, NDC MPs jubilate over Bagbins Speaker appointment

    The 7th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana will be dissolved today at midnight.

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

    The dissolution will pave way for the inauguration of the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic and the investiture of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President-elect on January 7th, 2021.

    Watch the livestream below.

    The broadcast is also live on all social media platforms. Join the conversation on Twitter as well via the hashtag #7thTo8thParliament.

  • Osei Owusu, Fomena MP to back Bagbin as First, Second deputy speakers

    Joseph Osei-Owusu has been elected by both sides of the house as First Deputy Speaker of the 8th parliament.

    He will be assisted by Andrew Asiamah Amoako as the Second Deputy Speaker in the newly instituted parliament.

    Joseph Osei-Owusu was nominated by Majority Leader in the 7th Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu and seconded by Minority Leader in the 7th Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu. He is a lawyer and Member of Parliament for Ashanti Bekwai.

    He was born on 22 January 1962 and had his basic education in his hometown. He was also the first deputy speaker of the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic.

    Andrew Asiamah Amoako is also a lawyer. After losing in the primaries prior to the 2020 general elections, he decided to run as an independent candidate.

    He had been a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which, citing Article 3(9) of its constitution, revoked his membership and notified the Speaker of Parliament, who duly declared his seat vacant on 13 October 2020 under the provisions of Article 97 (1)g of the Constitution.

    Meanwhile, he has indicated plans to caucus with the NPP side in the 8th parliament.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Military and police storm Parliament amid chaotic Speaker vote stalemate

    Security personnel have stormed Parliament following several commotions recorded in the Parliament since the inauguration processes for the 8th parliament commenced.

    The military and police officers who were heavily armed and clad in full regalia marched unto the floor of the Parliament to restore calm after some opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs, for the fourth time, disrupted the electoral process of a new Speaker for the House.

    Some members of the Minority, led by their Chief Whip, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka continuously disrupted the election process by carrying away the ballot box.

    But on the fourth occasion, not only the ballot bot was snatched, MP for Yapei Kusawgu, John Abdulai Jinapor was seen together with Mr Muntaka kicking the ballot booth.

    According to the NDC, the lawmakers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were breaking the order of secret voting by showing their ballot to their whip, Frank Annor-Dompreh before depositing it in the box.

    But after the heavily armed military officers barged into the House, the NDC chanted a portion of the national anthem saying, “and help us to resist oppressors rule with all our will and might forevermore.”

    Meanwhile, the soldiers left the House barely 10 minutes after storming the place.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Carlos Ahenkorah snatches ballot papers during Speaker of Parliament election [Photos]

    The Member of Parliament for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah did the unexpected on Thursday morning in Parliament when he snatched uncounted ballot papers in the Speaker of Parliament elections and attempted to bolt with it.

    This was after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament began celebrating what they expected to be a victory in their favour.

    The former deputy Trade and Industry Minister who was not previously sighted, ran to the table during counting and snatched the ballots of Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye and attempted to bolt with it.

    He was quickly chased and accosted at the entrance of the parliamentary chamber and physically challenged by some NDC MPs.

    The Chief Whip on the NDC side and MP for Asawase, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak also went after him and secured the ballots papers which were returned to the table.

    Carlos Ahenkorah has since left the parliamentary chamber.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • 6,000 security personnel to be deployed for Akufo-Addo, Bawumias swearing-in ceremony

    Some 6,000 security personnel will be deployed to provide protection at the swearing-in ceremony of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, scheduled to take place in Parliament on Thursday, January 7, 2021.

    The deployed security team will include personnel from the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and allied agencies.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Ghana Police Service announcing security arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony.

    According to the Police, this is to “ensure the protection of lives and properties and general maintenance of law and order for the inaugural ceremonies.”

    “The Police administration has put in place security measures for the inauguration of the President-Elect of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President-Elect, His Excellency Dr. Mahamamudu Bawumia; Speakers and Members of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic on 7th January 2021 at Accra.”

    “Six thousand (6,000) security personnel drawn from the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and allied agencies will provide security to ensure the protection of lives and properties and general maintenance of law and order for the inaugural ceremonies. This will be augmented by technology to ensure maximum security.”

    The statement noted that “All VVIPs would be offered close protection as appropriate.”

    However, it advised the public to stay off the immediate vicinity of the following locations.

    • The entire State House Complex
    • Accra International Conference Centre
    • Accra Sports Stadium
    • Black Star Square

    Parliament outlines itinerary for dissolution, presidential inauguration

    Parliament had earlier announced its programmes leading to the dissolution of the seventh session to pave way for the inauguration of the eighth session on Thursday, January 7, 2021, and the swearing-in of President Akufo-Addo.

    “At 12:01 am on 7th January, the Elected Members of the 8th Parliament will convene in the Chamber of Parliament to elect a Speaker and Two Deputy Speakers, in accordance with Articles 95, 96 and 100(2) of the 1992 Constitution, after which the elected Members of the 8th Parliament will be sworn in by the Speaker at the Chamber of Parliament as per Article 100(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.”

    “The President-elect will then be sworn in before the 8th Parliament in accordance with Article 57(3) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana,” the law-making body announced this in a statement.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Life is very difficult for MPs Joseph Osei-Owusu confesses

    First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu has confessed that Parliamentarians face difficulty because Ghanaians do not know the work of their parliamentarians.

    According to him, although the constitution stipulates that Parliamentarians are lawmakers, their Constituents think they are agents of change through development.

    He indicated that constituents are of the view that Members of Parliament are rather agents of development hence their failure to provide developmental needs of the people creates some form of difficulty for MPs.

    He said while speaking in an interview with Accra-based TV3 monitored by MyNewsGh.com that “It appears to me that what the constitution assigns a MP and what the voter expects of a Member of Parliament are irreconcilable.”

    “The voter expects the MP to be the agent if development whereas the constitution makes the MP the legislator.”

    “I think that to be fair Ghana is becoming money prone,” he stressed.

    Source: My News GH

  • Akufo-Addo’s swearing-in will take place in Parliament Government

    The government says the swearing-in of President-elect, Nana Akufo-Addo will take place at the Parliament House instead of the Independence Square.

    Deputy Information Minister, Pius Enam Hadzide who addressed a government press briefing said the decision is based on a request made by the leadership of Parliament in November 2020.

    He said all COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed for the inauguration to be held at the new location.

    “On the 3rd day of November 2020 when President Akufo-Addo commissioned the office facilities under the physical infrastructure projects of Parliament in Parliament House, Accra, parliament made a passionate representation to him that the nation at large that they want subsequent swearing in of presidents of the republic to happen in parliament and before parliament in accordance with Ghanaian laws and international best practices.”

    “The transition team has favorably considered the request of the Parliament of Ghana stated by Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu [Majority Leader] and has hence decided that the swearing-in of President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo on the 7th of January 2021 shall happen before parliament and with the precincts of parliament,” he said.

    The deputy minister said the transition team is working closely with the leadership of parliament to ensure that the inauguration is successfully held.

    The Majority Leader in November said Parliament has resolved to discontinue the practice of swearing in newly elected Presidents at the Independence Square instead of Parliament.

    The constitution stipulates that a newly elected President should be sworn in before Parliament, however, by convention, all newly elected Presidents except the first term of President John Agyekum Kufour have been sworn in at the Independence Square.

    “The House has decided that the President-elect must follow the rules, subject to security considerations, be sworn-in in the presence of Parliament, before parliament and in parliament. The parliament of Ghana is proposing that the swearing-in of the president-elect should be done in the present precincts of parliament as it happened during the first inauguration of President Agyekum Kufuor.”

    Article 57(3) of the 1992 Constitution states that “Before assuming office the President shall take and subscribe before Parliament the oath of allegiance and the presidential oath set out in the Second Schedule to this Constitution.”

    Some have interpreted the dictate of the constitution as having the president-elect being sworn in anywhere so long as parliament is convened there and not necessarily within the precincts of the Parliament House.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Constitution says MPs are lawmakers but voters think theyre agents for development Osei Owusu

    Member of Parliament-elect for Bekwai, Joe Osei Owusu (Joewise) has noted that voters have a different view of the work of a Member of Parliament (MP).

    He said, whereas the constitution states clearly that MPs are lawmakers, the voter expects them to be agents for development.

    This situation, he said, creates difficulties for the legislators.

    The First Deputy Speaker in Parliament told TV3 in an interview that “It appears to me that what the constitution assigns an MP and what the voter expects of a Member of Parliament are irreconcilable.”

    “The voter expects the MP to be the agent if development whereas the constitution makes the MP the legislator.”

    “I think that to be fair Ghana is becoming money prone.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Hajia Zuwera, first woman MP-elect in Savanna Region

    On January 7, 2021, Hajia Zuwera Ibrahim, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP)-elect for the Salaga South Constituency in the Savanna Region, and the rest of her colleagues would be sworn into Parliament.

    Hajia Zu, as she is affectionately called by her colleagues, would have made history as the first female MP in the Salaga area since the Fourth Republic and of course, the entire new Savanna Region.

    That is not all; she will also be the lone ranger: the only female MP in the whole of the Northern and Savanna regions.

    Hajia Zuwera, a product of Tamale Senior High School (Tamasco), beat her senior, also an alumnus and Savannah Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Braimah, to snatch the seat from the latter whose attempt to retain it for the second time fizzled out on December 7, 2020.

    She garnered 20, 525 votes in her first attempt to beat the incumbent, Mr Braimah, who received 19,806 votes out of a total valid votes of 41,582.

    Appreciation

    The new MP-elect expressed appreciation to the chiefs, opinion and religious leaders and all the Salaga South constituents for believing in her message of hope and transformation.

    She also thanked former President John Mahama and the leadership of the NDC for giving her the opportunity to contest on the ticket of the party.

    “I thank them for accepting me. I cannot tell my story without paying glowing tribute to my late father, Professor M. Z. Ibrahimah, a former Rector of the Tamale Technical University and the Kuntundawura, a sub-chief of the Kpembe Traditional Area,” Hajia Zuwera added.

    According to her, the good works of her father also largely influenced her election because he left his footprints in the sands of time.

    Profile

    Hajia Zuwera was born to Mrs Adisah Nassamu Ibrahimah and Prof. M.Z. Ibrahimah, both deceased. The 50-year-old communication specialist had her basic education in Winneba in the Central Region and secondary education at Tamasco. She proceeded to the University of Cape Coast, University of Ghana, University of London in the UK and Trent University, Canada.

    The MP-elect is also a development specialist and  social democrat by ideology. She is happily married with two biological children and many adopted kids.

    She expressed her passion in human development and said her main focus would be in creating opportunities for the youth, women and the vulnerable.

    “I hope to raise awareness of a clean and self-sustaining environment, infrastructure and human capital development.

    “It is my fervent belief that the environment shapes our circumstances in life and infrastructure becomes the conveyor belt to life-changing experiences,” she said.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Parliament wont act as rubber stamp in passing Public Universities Bill NAPO

    Parliament will not act as a rubber stamp in the processes leading to the passage of the Public Universities Bill. This is according to the Minister for Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh.

    The Bill entered the consideration stage after its second reading in Parliament on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, where the Minority threatened to withdraw their support if their request for further consultation is ignored.

    However, speaking to Citi News, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh allayed fears of stakeholders.

    “The ranking member of the Committee attested to the fact that the Universities were consulted and it is their proposal that they brought in that led to a large number of amendment. Of course, when bills are brought, Parliament is not a rubber stamp.

    “Parliament invites stakeholder memorandum and there were 38 memoranda that were brought so Parliament will listen and if there are amendments that is the word of Parliament. I do not remember a single bill that came and went back the same.”

    Parliament on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, approved the Public University Bill at the second reading stage.

    The Minority in Parliament, during the debate, expressed conditional support for the other processes to get the Bill passed.

    It was also concerned with consultation from groups that wrote to it during the period of recess by the House.

    What did the Education Committee of Parliament say?

    The Education Committee in presenting its recommendations on the bill to the House noted that the Bill is important for the “governance architecture of public universities.”

    It further said the Bill seeks to present an “equitable opportunity for all qualified applicants” in the country.

    “The Bill provides important reforms for improvement in the governance architecture of public universities. The Bill further improves the admission process and create equal and equitable opportunity for all qualified applicants to access higher education, irrespective of their economic circumstances.”

    “In particular, the standardisation of key governance structures across all public universities will inject more efficiency and effectiveness in the administration of public universities.”

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Weak Parliament failed Ghanaians on Agyapa deal; Amidu, Franklin Cudjoe stopped it MP

    Member of Parliament for the Banda constituency, Ahmed Ibrahim has said, but for the intervention of civil society organizations and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the controversial Agyapa deal would have been executed.

    He said the majority side of parliament used its numbers to push the deal through, much against the consent of the minority and the public, a reason he believes makes the 7th Parliament the weakest in the Fourth Republic.

    Speaking to journalists in Parliament, the Banda MP specifically mentioned the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu and President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe as people who played pivotal roles in stopping the execution of the Agyapa Royalties Agreement which was passed by parliament to mortgage the mineral royalties of the country.

    “This was the weakest Parliament that we have simply because we passed the Agyapa Royalties deal and Civil Society, Franklin Cudjoe and co had to stand up against it.

    “And if not for Franklin Cudjoe and Martin Amidu, Agyapa deal would have been a thing now,” he said.

    Civil Society was very critical of the deal before, during and after its passage in Parliament, alleging corruption, conflict of interest, undervaluation among others.

    The continuous mounting of pressure by Civil Society caused the former Special Prosecutor to take interest in the matter and initiated a corruption-risk assessment which unraveled the risk of corruption is high.

    Succeeding events would later lead to the resignation of Martin Amidu who cited executive interference as a reason.

    Mr. Ahmed explained the Agyapa deal was just one of the many things parliament the government used it 169 majority in Parliament to push through.

    “When they [government] brought Ameri, we said it was not good, the government used his majority to passed it. When the government brought BOST scandal, Agyapa deal, within thirty munite, Asibey was able to produce a report”, he said.

    He however believes that the 8th Parliament will be different.

    “We had the weakest parliament because the majority was 169 against 103, so whatever government wanted to do they could do it but now this government is going to be critical and strong.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Public Universities Bill not passed by Parliament Oppong Nkrumah

    Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister of Information, has clarified that the Public Universities Bill has not been passed by Parliament contrary to reports by some news outlets.

    The Bill, on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, reached the consideration stage after it was approved at the second reading in Parliament.

    However, some reports suggested that the bill had been passed by Parliament but the Information Minister has moved to quell such reports.

    In a Twitter post, Oppong Nkrumah emphatically stated that the bill has not been passed.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, please note that the Public Universities Bill has not been passed by Parliament,” he tweeted.

    The Public Universities Bill seeks to harmonize the finances, administration and governance structure of public universities in Ghana.

    The Public Universities Bill when passed, will give the government of Ghana the power to appoint the majority of members of the University Council.

    The University Council will then have the power to appoint and dismiss public university officials.

    The Public Universities Bill will give the president the power to dissolve the University Council which will now have the power to appoint a chancellor.

    The University Council will be able to control the finances of the university and determine the allocation of funds.

    In addition to this, there will be a proposal to rename four public universities after various personalities.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Parliament considers Anti-money laundering Bill, 2020

    Parliament is working on a Bill to help plug the holes in the existing anti-money laundering regulatory framework and make it more responsive to international standards.

    The Anti-Money Laundering Bill, 2020, is to amend and consolidate the laws relating to money laundering and provide for related matters.

    “This Bill is to avoid piecemeal legislation in addressing all the deficiencies in Act 749,” Mr Kwaku Kwarteng, the Deputy Finance Minister, told Parliament on Tuesday when the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, 2020, was considered by the House.

    Moving the motion for the Second Reading of the Bill, the Deputy Finance Minister observed that the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering and Terrorism in 2016 carried an anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism evaluation.

    The focus of the exercise was on technical compliance as well as assessed the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism regime of the country.

    The evaluation report identified some strategic deficiencies in the anti-money laundering regulatory framework and said: “Even though the result reflected significant improvement; it still did not meet the revised Financial Action Task Force (FAFT) methodology.”
    Mr Kwarteng said Ghana was accordingly placed on the FAFT “grey” list.

    In order to address the strategic deficiencies and comply with the FAFT recommendations, the Government had decided to repeal the current Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2007 (Act 749) and submit to Parliament a new Bill.

    This is to avoid piecemeal legislation in addressing all the deficiencies in Act 749.

    Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Ranking Member on the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, stated that the status of Ghana on FAFT was not desirable as it posed very stringent measures not only on Ghanaian businesses but also Ghanaian travelers as they had to demonstrate the sources of their resources.

    He said Ghana, being a member of FAFT, imposed on her a responsibility to ensure that she complied with the anti-money laundering requirement by the international regulators.

    He said the new comprehensive Bill was intended to incorporate all the current requirements of FAFT to enable Ghana to get out of the “grey list” of countries that had failed to comply with the international regulations.

    Source: GNA

  • Parliament approves Public Universities Bill at second reading

    Parliament has today, Tuesday, December 15, 2020, approved the Public Universities Bill at the second reading stage.

    The Bill which was withdrawn and re-laid in the House in November seeks to harmonise the structures for the administration of public universities.

    The Minority, during the debate, expressed conditional support for the other processes to get the Bill passed depending on consultation from groups that wrote to them during the period of recess by the House.

    “I must say that stakeholder consultation is very important in the work we do as Parliament that is why article 106 of the 1992 constitution requires that we invite a public memorandum and these are stakeholders who are affected by the Bill and therefore an assurance for the Education Minister that they will be thoroughly engaged and the report of same be submitted to Parliament either than that, we are unable to support this Bill,”  Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu said.

    The Minister for Education, Mathew Opoku Prempeh, says the Bill in its current form before Parliament incorporates almost every concern from stakeholders

    “There is been a thorough consultation between us [Government] and the stakeholders which even necessitated the relaying of same due to the voluminous nature of their inputs compelled us to withdraw and relay same. So it is not about consultation because Parliament in its own way did advertise it for inputs.”

    What did the Education Committee of Parliament say?

    The Education Committee in presenting its recommendations on the bill to the House noted that the Bill is important for the “governance architecture of public universities.”

    It further said the Bill seeks to present an “equitable opportunity for all qualified applicants” in the country.

    “The Bill provides important reforms for improvement in the governance architecture of public universities. The Bill further improves the admission process and create equal and equitable opportunity for all qualified applicants to access higher education, irrespective of their economic circumstances.”

    “In particular, the standardisation of key governance structures across all public universities will inject more efficiency and effectiveness in the administration of public universities.”https://www.youtube.com/embed//-Uau55mIfaw

    About the Public Universities Bill

    According to the framers of the Public Universities Bill, it seeks to harmonize the finances, administration and governance structure of public universities.

    The Bill, when passed, will give the government power to appoint the majority of members of the University Council.

    The Council then has the power to appoint and fire public university officials.

    The Bill also gives the President the power to dissolve the University Council which will now have the power to appoint a chancellor.

    It also gives effect to the University Council to control the finances of the university and determine the allocation of funds.

    In addition, there is a proposal to rename four public universities after various personalities.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • New entrants will not collapse parliament UG lecturer

    Senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante has asserted that the voting out of experienced members from parliament will in no way affect parliamentary proceedings.

    According to him, replacing these experienced parliamentarians with new faces will affect parliamentary proceedings in a way, but it does not mean the work of parliament will come to a standstill.

    Dr. Asah-Asante noted that because parliament is a socialization ground, the new entrants will gradually learn the ropes of parliamentary proceedings through training, mentoring and retraining from the few experienced parliamentarians remaining in the house.

    Speaking in an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show aired on e.TVGhana and Happy 98.9 FM, the Political Analyst said, “It is true the number of experienced MPs have been reduced in the 8th parliament and that will affect the work of parliament but will not halt it. No one was born in parliament”.

    To him, with parliament being a socialization avenue which has seen some new entrants graduate from MPs to Vice Presidents and Presidents, then, “the new faces can learn, graduate and also help parliament grow. New entrants will in now way collapse parliament”, he reiterated.

    On his authority, if only experienced parliamentarians could run the affairs of the state, then the retired and deceased parliamentarians should be made to return to parliament.

    A total number of 111 members of the seventh parliament will not return to the legislative house for the eight parliament in January 2021.

    The New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress will both have some of their MPs not returning to parliament because some lost at the parliamentary elections last Monday, others lost at their primaries with others voluntarily retiring.

    This means seventy-eight (78) members of the NPP and and thirty-three (33) NDC MPs will not return to the eighth (8) parliament.

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Parliament to finalise determination of ex gratia for Article 71 officeholders before dissolution

    The 7th Parliament is racing against time to finalise the determination of the salaries and allowances payable and the facilities and privileges available to Article 71 officeholders.

    Article 71 office holders include the President, the Vice-President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice, and Justices of the Supreme Court.

    The current Parliament is seeking to approve the ex gratia for this category of public office holders before the 8th Parliament begins official business next year.

    When Parliament reconvened on Monday, December 14, 2020, the matter was on the agenda.

    “In accordance with the 1992 Constitution, this House will be required to consider the approval of the Executive component of Article 71 officer holders report before the dissolution of the House,” Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye, told legislators on Monday.

    The report the Speaker was referring to is one prepared by a five-member Committee put together by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in June this year to make recommendations in the ex gratia of Article 71 officeholders.

    At the time the five-member committee was being inaugurated, President Akufo-Addo said there was the need for a national debate to regularise the payment of the ex gratia to Article 71 officeholders and urged the members to examine the practice in other jurisdictions, especially the American system, where the principles were established and automatically adjusted.

    Ex gratia payments to former public office holders remain one of the controversial issues in Ghana.

    There have been disagreements over the number of officials who must benefit from the ex gratia payments and whether there is a need for the payments at all.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Parliament to approve ex-gratia for members of Executive

    Parliament is set to approve the emoluments for Article 71 office holders in the Executive.

    The intended action is on the agenda of the house after it reconvened yesterday, Monday, December 14, 2020.

    In June this year, the President inaugurated a five-member Committee to make recommendations on the salaries, allowances and privileges for article 71 officeholders.

    The report of the Committee has not been presented to Parliament but the Speaker, Prof  Mike Oquaye says the house must make a determination on the matter before the house is finally dissolved.

    “Again with accordance with the 1992 Constitution, this house will be required to consider the approval of the Executive component of Article 71 officer holders report before the dissolution of the House.”

    Article 71 office holders include the President, the Vice-President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court.

    The rest are Members of Parliament (MPs), Ministers of State, political appointees and public servants.

    The payment of ex gratia to former public office holders is a controversial issue in Ghana, with details of the payments made to these officials, particularly former presidents, generating massive public interest.

    In recent years, however, arguments have surfaced about the number of officials who benefit from the ex gratia payments and whether there is a need for the payments at all.

    In 2017, a Ghanaian lawyer, Elikplim L. Agbemava, went to the Supreme Court seeking clarification on some of the benefits enjoyed by the Article 71 officeholders.

    The lawyer wanted presidential staffers who benefit from salaries, allowances, and privileges like the Article 71 officeholders, to be stripped of such gratuities claiming it “is inconsistent with Article 71 and therefore unconstitutional.”

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Full list of new MPs entering Ghanas eighth Parliament

    Parliamentary results of the December 7 polls reveal that a host of new legislators will enter the 8th Parliament next year.

    According to results released by the Electoral Commission (EC), the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has won 137 parliamentary seats, while the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has won 136 seats.

    There is also one independent candidate the MP-elect for Fomena who went to the polls as an independent candidate after falling out with the NPP.

    The latest parliamentary results show that there are about 94 new entrants including notable names such as Peter Amewu, Hohoe; Francis Xavier Sosu, Madina; Sheila Bartels, Ablekuma North; and Dakoa Newman, Okaikwei South.

    Many of the new entrants are from the opposition NDC.

    Below is a list of the new MPs expected in the next Parliament.

    Volta Region

    1. John Peter Amewu Hohoe (NPP)

    2. Abla Dzifa Gomashi Ketu South (NDC)

    3. Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpe Keta (NDC)

    4. Kwame Sefe Anlo (NDC)

    Bono Region

    5. Williams Okofo Darteh Jaman South (NDC)

    6. Frederick Yaw Ahenkwa Jaman North (NDC)

    7. Sulemana Adama Tain (NDC)

    8. Haruna Seidu Wenchi (NDC)

    9. Paul Twum Barimah – Dormaa East (NPP)

    Ashanti Region

    10. Francis Asenso-Boakye Bantama (NPP)

    11. George Kwabena Obeng Takyi Manso Nkwanta (NPP)

    12. Adelaide Ntim Nsuta Kwaman Beposo (NPP)

    13. Akwasi Darko Boateng Bosome Freho (NPP)

    14. Stephen Amoah Nhyiaeso (NPP)

    15. Abdul Salam Adams New Edubiase (NPP)

    16. Dr. Kingsley Nyarko Kwadaso (NPP)

    17. Alex Blankson Akrofuom (NPP)

    18. Vincent Ekow Asafua Old Tafo (NPP)

    19. Isaac Yaw Opoku Offinso South (NPP)

    20. Collins Adomako-Mensah Afigya Kwabre North (NPP)

    21. Akwasi Konadu Manhyia North (NPP)

    22. Kofi Amankwaa Manu Atwima Kwanwoma (NPP)

    23. John Ampontuah Kumah Ejisu (NPP)

    Northern Region

    24. Daniel Nsala Wakpal Kpandai (NDC)

    25. Abukari Dawuni Wulensi (NDC)

    26. Farouk Aliu Mahama Yendi (NPP)

    27. Thomas Mbomba Tatale (NPP)

    28. Alhassan Tampuli Gushegu (NPP)

    29. Mohammed Aminu Anta Karaga (NPP)

    30. Abdul Aziz Ayaba Mion (NPP)

    31. Hamza Adam Kumbungu (NDC)

    Bono East Region

    32. Joseph Kumah Kintampo North (NDC)

    33. Gyan Alexander Kintampo South (NPP)

    34. Joseph Kwasi Mensah Nkoranza North (NDC)

    35. Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare Techiman North (NDC)

    36. Techiman South: Martin Adjei Korsah (NPP)

    Upper East Region

    37. Abdulai Abanga Binduri (NDC)

    38. Lydia Adakurugu -Tempane (NDC)

    39. Sampson Chiragia Navrongo (NDC)

    40. Thomas Dalu Chiana-Paga (NDC)

    Upper West Region

    41. Peter Lanchene Tuobu Wa West (NDC)

    42. Godfred Seidu Jasaw Wa East (NDC)

    43. Anthony Mwinkaara Sumah Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency (NDC)

    44. Cletus Seidu Dapilah Jirapa (NDC)

    45. Amidu Chinnia Issahaku Sissala East (NPP)

    46. Mohammed Adama Sikparu Sissala West (NDC)

    47. Bright Baligi Lambusie (NPP)

    48. Bede Ziedeng Lawra (NDC)

    Western Region

    49. John Sanie Mpohor (NPP)

    50. Dr Prince Hamid Armah Kwesimintsim (NPP)

    51. Gabriel Kojo Essilfie Shama (NPP)

    52. Robert Wisdom Cudjoe Prestea-Huni-Valley (NDC)

    53. Darcos Affo-Toffey Jomoro (NDC)

    54. Arko Nokoe Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira (NDC)

    55. Nicolas Amankwah Amenfi East (NDC)

    Western North

    56. Alfred Obeng Boateng Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai (NPP)

    57. Joseph Betino Suaman (NDC)

    58. Oscar Ofori Larbi Aowin (NDC)

    Greater Accra Region

    59. Abdul Latif Dan Ablekuma Central (NDC)

    60. Sheila Bartels Ablekuma North (NPP)

    61. Adamu Ramadan Adentan (NDC)

    62. Dr. Dickson Adomako-Kissi Anya Sowutuom (NPP)

    63. SylvesterTetteh Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro (NPP)

    64. Rita Naa Odorley Sowah La Dadekotopon (NDC)

    65. Benjamin Ayiku Narteh Ledzokuku (NDC)

    66. Francis Xavier Sosu Madina (NDC)

    67. Theresa Lardi Awuni Okaikwei North (NDC)

    68. Dakoa Newman Okaikwei South (NPP)

    69. Isaac Ashai Odamtten Tema Central (NDC)

    70. Akwesi Owusu Afrifa Amasaman (NPP)

    71. Naa Momo Lartey Krowor (NDC)

    Eastern Region

    72. Nana Yaw Teddy Addy Ayensuano (NPP)

    73. Frederick Obeng Adom Adeiso Upper West Akyem (NPP)

    74. Alexander Akwasi Acquah Akim Oda (NPP)

    75. Micheal Kofi Okyere Baafi New Juaben South (NDC)

    76. Bismarck Nyarko Tetteh Upper Manya Krobo (NDC)

    77. Albert Nyarkotey Yilo Krobo (NDC)

    78. Davis Opoku Ansah Mpraeso (NPP)

    79. Ahenkorah Marfo Achiase (NPP)

    80. Charles Acheampong Lower West Akim (NPP)

    81. Joseph Frimpong Nkawkaw (NPP)

    82. Kwadwo Asante Boafo Suhum (NPP)

    83. Henry Boakye Yiadom Akwatia (NDC)

    84. Alexander Agyare Kade (NPP)

    Central Region

    85. Awutu Senya West Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui (NDC)

    86. Daniel Ohene Darko Upper Denkyira West (NDC)

    87. Alhaji Kobina Ghansah Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa (NDC)

    88. Kwamina Minta Nyarku Cape Coast North (NDC)

    89. Ophelia Hayford Mfantseman (NPP)

    90. David Vondee Twifo Atti Morkwa (NDC)

    91. Festus Awuah Kwofie Upper Denkyira East (NPP)

    Savannah Region

    92. John Jinapor Damongo (NPP)

    93. Hajia Zuweira Salaga South (NDC)

    North-East Region

    94. Hajia Lariba Zuwera Abudu Walewale (NPP)

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Im personally happy that our next Parliament is tight – Anyidoho

    Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Atta-Mills Institute (AMI), Koku Anyidoho has said he is happy that Ghana will have a “tight parliament” next year.

    He said this is good for democracy in Ghana and would make negotiations in the House great.

    He was reacting to the outcome of the results for the parliamentary election.

    To him, the polls revealed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) cannot take the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for granted because it is still a formidable party.

    “The NDC is a strong political party that the NPP can not take for granted. I am personally happy that we have a tight parliament. It is good for democracy. It will enhance negotiation.”

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • We will recapture our parliamentary seats from the NDC with hard work Akufo-Addo vows

    The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) undoubtedly suffered a greater defeat by losing more than thirty (30) of their parliamentary seats to the opposition party, the National Democratic Congress with one going to an Independent candidate.

    On the back of this development, President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has promised party supporters that his administration will work effortlessly in the next four years to ensure that they recapture all fallen parliamentary seats across the constituencies.

    Speaking at his residence after his official declaration as president-elect, Nana Addo promised to do his best to overturn the situation come 2024.

    “I want to assure you that, we will recapture all our parliamentary seats from the NDC. We will take it back with hard work and it all starts now. We will efficiently work in the next four years given us.”

    Notwithstanding, the ruling party says it will challenge the result of some parliamentary elections including the Savelugu constituency results that went in favour of the NDC.

    Nana Akufo-Addo polled 6,730,413, representing 51.595% while John Mahama garnered 6, 214, 889 representing 47.366% in the 8th election in the 4th Republic that had a dozen candidates.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Election 2020: Incumbent NDC MPs who failed to retain their seats

    So far, at least 18 incumbent National Democrstic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament (MPs) have lost their seats.

    That is aside from the 10 NDC MPs who lost their primaries last year, and seven others who are retiring.

    That means 35 current NDC MPs out of the 106 are not returning to Parliament.

    Almost 72 incumbent NPP legislators are also not returning to Parliament.

    In total at least 110 out of the 275 current MPs are not returning to the House from January 7, 2021.

    Below is the list of NDC MPs and their constituencies.

    1) Adams Mutawakilu Damongo
    2) Edward Kaale Ewola Dery Lambuisie
    3) Abdul Rauf Tanko Yagaba Kubori
    4) Sualihu Dandaawa Alhassan Karaga
    5) Mohammed Abdul Aziz Mion
    6) Charles Binipom Bintin Saboba
    7) Wahab Wumbei Suhuyini Tolon
    8) Simon Acheampong Tampi Tatale Sanguli
    9) Alhassan Umar Zabzugu
    10) Mahama Shaibu Daboya Mankarigu
    11) Mumuni Alhassan Salaga North
    12) Dr Robert Baba Kuganab-Lem Binduri
    13) Samuel Abdulai Jananyite Chereponi
    14) Joseph Naabu Yunyoo
    15) Felicia Adjei Kintampo South
    16) Mohammed Massawud Pru West
    17) Derek Darko Ohene Asifo Bekoe Upper West Akim
    18) Mumuni Alhassan Salaga North

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Cannabis cultivation, use remain illegal in Ghana – NACOC

    The Narcotic Control Commission (NACOC) says it has not issued any person or institution with a licence to cultivate cannabis in Ghana.

    The Commission has thus reiterated that the illicit use and cultivation of cannabis remains an offence under Narcotic Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) which was passed in March this year.

    According to a public notice issued by the Commission, “any person who engages in the cultivation as well as promotes any business relating to cannabis without lawful authority, proof of which lies on that person, commits an offence”.

    New law

    Act 1019 empowered the Minister for Interior with the powers to grant licences for the cultivation of cannabis of not more than 0.3 per cent THC (the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that gives a user the high sensation) for industrial and medicinal purposes.

    However, the Commission noted that cannabis with not more than 0.3 per cent THC is a different specie from the known cannabis sativa widely grown and abused in Ghana.

    “It is worth mentioning that the cannabis with not more than 0.3% THC content on a dry weight basis for industrial purpose for obtaining fibre or seed or medicinal purposes, as stated in section 43 of the Act, is a cannabis specie different from the known cannabis sativa widely grown and abused in Ghana,” the notice said.

    “Thus, section 36 through to 42 of the Act prohibit unlawful possession of the drug/plant and any business relating to narcotic drug/plant without lawful permission proof of which lies the on that person. Subsequently, section 44 and 45 of the Act also provides for the prohibited administration and purchase of narcotic drug/plant respectively. It is to be well noted that, all these provisions relating to narcotic drugs/plants do not exclude cannabis”.

    The statement further noted that although the abuse of narcotic drugs was punishable by a fine or imprisonment, the court can direct a convicted person to seek treatment and rehabilitation.

    “As such, illicit drug use is and remains an offence in Ghana. Consequently, any individuals and/or group of individuals who fall(s) foul to the law shall be dealt with in accordance with the law”.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Scrap MPs security allowances Prof. Azar to government

    US-based Ghanaian legal practitioner, Professor Kwaku Asare is calling for an immediate halt in the payment of security allowances given to Members of Parliament (MPs).

    This comes after the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery directed the Inspector General of Police(IGP) James Oppong Boanuh to deploy 200 police officers to serve as guards to Members of Parliament till the end of the year following the killing of the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman constituency, Ekow Hayford.

    Speaking to Citi News, Prof. Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Prof. Azar said the state is not justified in paying the said amount once it is providing security to the MPs.

    “They were given 10% of their basic salary because they had no police protection. Some MPs who double as ministers had police protection even before this conversation sprung up. For those who had no police protection, it was approved that they get 10% of their basic salary, which is GHS2,000 a month to hire their own security.”

    “For them to have police protection and keep receiving the allowance is deceptive, unethical, and unlawful,” he added.

    200 police officers deployed to guard MPs

    The Ministry of Interior has deployed 200 police officers to serve as guards to Members of Parliament (MPs) till the end of the year.

    The officers will operate under the Parliamentary Protection Unit.

    The sector minister told members of the Parliamentary Press Corps after an in-camera session with MPs that under the new arrangement every MP will be entitled to a police officer as a bodyguard.

    He also disclosed that plans are underway to provide 800 additional police officers to protect the homes of the MPs.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Parliament to meet on limping Fomena MP Haruna Iddrisu

    Haruna Idrissu, the Minority Leader in Parliament, says leadership of the house will meet in the coming days to determine the status of Member of Parliament for Fomena, Andrew Amoako Asiamah.

    This is after the New Patriotic Party wrote to Parliament to notify it of the withdrawal of the membership of Andrew Amoako Asiamah who has decided to contest the December 7 elections as an independent candidate amid protest by leadership of the ruling party.

    Mr Iddrisu says Parliament is threading cautiously on the matter due to its complex nature.

    He stated in a Joy FM interview that the case is being studied with reference to certain articles in the constitution.

    “It is a matter that we are studying carefully with constitutional law advisers. He did not walk in as an independent candidate.

    “We will need to find out if being sacked by the party (NPP) makes him an independent candidate,” the Minority Leader told Joy FM.

    According to him, due to the complex nature of the issue, “the case is being studied with reference to Article 112 and the provisions of Article 94 to determine his status as an independent candidate or not.”

    He said that as things stand, Andrew Amoako is walking on one leg as his position in the house is a matter of discussion among the leadership.

    He described Andrew Amoako as a “limping” MP and questioned, “whether he should be recognised as a Member of Parliament on the ticket of the party (NPP).”

    “He is walking on a limping leg, for now, he is a limping candidate,” he said.

    “When we are conclusive with our findings, we will make known to the public on what they think. That is whether he should be vacating his seat or continue to be an MP,” Mr Iddrisu added.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • There will be no by-election at Mfantseman constituency

    There will be no by-election at the Mfantseman constituency in the Central Region following the killing of the Member of Parliament for the area, Ekow Kwansah Hayford last Friday.

    Per Article 112 (5) of the 1992 Constitution, a by-election shall be held within 30 days after a vacancy occurs in Parliament.

    That notwithstanding, Clause 5 of Article 112 of the Constitution also states that a by-election shall not be held within three months before the holding of a general election.

    Therefore since Ekow Kwansah Hayford died 60 days before the December 7, 2020 general election, there can be no election by mere calculation of the period which is less than three months to the general election.

    Media must stop misleading public – Speaker 

    On the floor of Parliament on Wednesday [October 14, 2020] there was a discussion that some media houses had published that there was going to be a by-election following the killing of the MP.

    But reacting, the Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye  advised the media to desist from misleading the public, reports Nana Konadu Agyeman, who is Graphic Online’s correspondent in Parliament.

    The Speaker said the sudden death of the Mfantseman  MP does not automatically pave the way for a by-election.

    He said per Article 112 (5) of the Constitution, a by-election shall be held within 30 days after a vacancy occurred.

    He said notwithstanding Clause 5 of the Article 112 a by-election shall not be held within three months before the holding of a general election.

    “Of course simple calculation tells us that we are not within the three months since the death of our colleague occurred. Therefore, there can be no election by mere calculation,” he said.

    Prof. Oquaye who was addressing Parliament said “I would respectfully say that if we do not take care, we will add insults to injury if we become unnecessarily speculative in this kind of situation.”

    “And we should all learn to quote from the Constitution itself and seek direction from the Public Affairs and our Legal Department [in Parliament] whenever we want to quote from laws and from the Constitution or make reference,” he said.

    Minority Leader’s concern

    Prof Oquaye gave the advice after the Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu had raised concern that there were some misleading media information in the public domain arising out of the “regrettably” death of the MP for Mfantseman.

    Mr Haruna Iddrisu told the House that some newspapers on Wednesday published stories to the effect that a candidate for a by-election in the Mfantseman constituency had been determined.

    Quoting Article 112, he said “Nothwitstanding clause 5 of this article by-election shall not be held within three months before the holding of a general election.”

    “So Mr Speaker,  the sudden death of our colleague does not create a constitutional duty for the Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election.

    “Because of the time limit, we virtually have 55 days to the elections so the media, if they will endeavor, to desist from further misleading the public. There will no by-election in the Mfantseman constituency,” he said.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Police protection for MPs wrong Bureau of Public Safety

    The Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) has criticised government over its decision to provide Member (members) of Parliament with armed police guards.

    According to BPS, the decision will impact on how security services in the country execute their duties.

    It noted with concern that the practise will expose the vulnerable in society since the security agencies will focus on a privilege few instead of the masses.

    Though it fell short of describing (the move as short-sighted) as a short-sighted move, BPS said that the decision sends a wrong message to the populace.

    The Executive Director of BPS, Nana Yaw Akwada told Citi News that “the commitment he [Ambrose Dery] has made actually reduces national security which aims at providing security for the general population and offering such security to politicians and men of power.”

    “By so doing he has left the security of the ordinary Ghanaian to his vulnerable state. This is appalling, offensive, indescent (indecent). This single decision sends a wrong signal to the many lives which have been lost a (in) similar fashion,” he said.

    On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, Interior Minister Ambrose Dery announced that 200 police officers will be despatched to guard MPs till next year. The officers according to Ambrose Dery will operate under the Parliamentary Protection Unit.

    “Due to the retooling of the security agencies by President Akufo-Addo, the country has more security agencies and security personnel available. So, we have proposed that, between now and the end of the year, we are going to provide an additional 200 police personnel to be part of the parliamentary protection unit. We are making this arrangement to ensure that the unit attains the status of divisional police command to take care of the Members of Parliament as bodyguards.”

    It comes on the back of calls by MPs for improved protection following the murder of Mfantseman MP Ekow Quansah Hayford.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • MPs to get police bodyguards

    Mr Ambrose Dery, the Minister of the Interior, has announced the deployment of additional 200 police personnel to the Parliamentary Protection Unit to serve as personal bodyguards to Members of Parliament (MPs).

    He said the 200 officers would be distributed to MPs who did not have any form of police protection.

    Mr Dery announced the intended protection of MPs at a joint press briefing in Parliament by Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu after the Interior Minister had a closed-door meeting with the House.

    The Speaker, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, had invited the Minister to brief members on Tuesday on the murder of Ekow Quansah Hayford, MP for Mfantseman, and measures taken to provide security for MPs.

    The MP was reportedly killed by unknown assailants on the Abeadze DominaseAbeadze DuadziMankessim road in the Central Region, on his way back from a campaign trip in the early hours of Friday, October, 2020.

    Mr Dery indicated that he had also contacted the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to carry through a directive from President Nana Akufo-Addo to look out for the murderers.

    “The approval to deploy the personnel should be immediate,” Mr Dery stressed.

    He said during the closed-door interaction it was proposed that between now and the end of the year an extra 200 police personnel would have to be added to the Parliamentary Protection Unit to attain the status of a Divisional Command that would take care of MPs as bodyguards.

    “What we have proposed is that between now and at the end of the year, we are going to provide additional 200 police personnel to be part of the Parliamentary Protection Unit, making it, therefore, attain the status of a Divisional Command that will take care of Members of Parliament as bodyguards,” Mr Derry said.

    However: “Ideally we need to have about 800 additional police so that MPs could get police at home, day and night as done for judges and Ministers of State.”

    Mr Dery said a special team from the Homicide Unit of the Ghana Police Service was deployed to the Central Region, and the crime scene finger prints had been taken but no arrests yet.

    He explained that providing security for MPs had always been the principle since 1992, and the protection for MPs was part of the general national security architecture, which was being taken care of by a number of strategies put in place.

    “The truth on the ground is that the extent of those strategies has been limited,” Mr Dery said.

    Source: GNA

  • Dont abandon work in Parliament for your re-election bid – Speaker to MPs

    Speaker of Parliament Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye has cautioned members of Parliament against abandoning their work in the chamber for their re-election bid.

    The caution of the speaker follows the failure of many MPs to turn up for work on the first day of sitting this week.

    The house resumed work from the more than a month break to a near-empty chamber.

    This low turnout has been attributed to the filing of nominations by members seeking re-election. But in his welcome address, Prof. Oquaye charged the MPs to pay attention to work in the chamber too.

    The Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Seventh Parliament will be the final meeting of the year before the House is dissolved on the 6th of January 2021.

    Members of Parliament will sit for the next six weeks during which Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta will present the 2021 First Quarter Budget.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Parliament approves Development Finance Institutions and Communications Service Tax bills, 2020

    Parliament last Friday approved the Development Finance Institutions (DFI) Bill, 2020, and the Communications Service Tax (amendment) Bill, 2020 to regulate finance institutions and reduce the communications service tax rate, respectively.

    The DFI Bill seeks to regulate development finance institutions which will be non-deposit taking to provide medium to long-term financing for key sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, manufacturing and small and medium-sized enterprises to promote economic growth and transformation.

    It also seeks to provide adequate regulation and supervision by the Bank of Ghana aimed at ensuring that the failure of a development finance institution will not have systemic impact on the financial systems as a whole, and at the same time provide additional comfort for potential investors who might wish to invest in the sector.

    The object of the CST Amendment Bill is to amend the Communications Service Tax Act, 2008 (Act 754) to provide for a reduction in the tax rate from nine per cent to five per cent to provide some relief for households and businesses that now rely on electronic communication.

    A memorandum that accompanied the DFI Bill said the purpose of the bill was to provide for the licensing, regulation and supervision of development finance institutions in the country to promote growth and development in key sectors of the economy.

    It said although the financial system had undergone transformation, a major shortcoming of the financial landscape, largely comprising banks and specialised deposit-taking institutions, was the focus on short-term financing for commercial purposes, with little support for long-term financing needed to accelerate economic development and transformation.

    “Therefore, there is the need for the establishment of modern market-oriented development finance institutions which will focus on providing medium to long-term financing, as well as short-term funding guarantees and other credit enhancement structures to support key sectors of the economy,” it said.

    Rationale for CST Bill

    A report by the Finance Committee said as a result of the restrictions and the protocols introduced to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of innovations in communications had been introduced.

    The innovations, it said, had resulted in an increase in the use of electronic communication services.

    “Digitalisation is also a major government policy that is to catalyse economic activities and promote growth as part of the development agenda and help achieve the “Ghana beyond Aid” vision.

    “The bill, therefore, seeks to reduce the electronic service tax rate from nine per cent to five per cent to provide some relief for households and businesses that now rely on electronic communication services such as data and airtime,” it said.

    Fiscal impact of the bill

    The report, signed by the Chairman of the committee, Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah, said the change in the tax rate would result in a reduction in revenue from the tax of about GH¢90.1 million.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • We are all guilty, make asset declaration public Majority leader

    Asset declaration has been a useful tool in the fight against corruption identified among public officials.

    In Ghana, all information on asset declaration is only made known to the Attorney General, however, the majority leader in parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu believes that asset declaration which is kept at the “safekeeping of the Auditor General” should be made public to efficiently tackle corruption.

    Speaking on the floor of Parliament, he called for an amendment of Article 286 of the Constitution and Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act,1998 (Act 550).

    “We need to amend the Constitution, we must, because we will not be doing any good to ourselves if we only glorify the fact that we make declaration which will be known to us (parliament) and the Auditor General who will not be under any compulsion to bring it out,” said Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

    A person who holds a public office in Ghana is expected to submit to the Auditor-General, a written declaration of all properties or assets before taking office with a second declaration at the end of every four years (end of term in office).

    But according to the majority leader, vice presidents, members of parliament, and other public officials holders right from 1992, have not heeded to this provision.

    “As ministers and public servants, we must ensure that we comply and when we have complied, then we can move beyond our offices to urge other public office holders to also conform,” he charged.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Parliament approves GH¢11.8bn supplementary budget

    Parliament on Wednesday approved GH¢ 11.896 billion as supplementary estimates for the 2020 financial year.

    This followed a three-day debate on the estimates presented the House in the mid-year review budget by the Finance Minister last week.

    Winding up the contributions to the motion, Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Majority Leader and MP for Suame Constituency lauded the Government for putting in measures for economic progress within the three years of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) being in power.

    Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu however said the mid-year review budget rather looked like a party manifesto, as the Finance Minister made projections into the 2021 to 2023, when the political fate of the NPP was not yet known in the next December elections.

    “Mr. Speaker, this mid-year review budget only comes to me as a manifesto pledge and promise and reflected the same COVID programme that the Minister stated.”

    He said the Minority expected the Minister to have shifted from economic management to management of an emergency public health problem of COVID-19.

    The Finance Minister in concluding, listed a number funds approved by Parliament for the management of COVID-19.

    He said: “please allow me to restate what the GHS11.8 billion supplementary estimates, which includes; an amount of GHS1.84 billion that Parliament approved in March 2020 for emergency COVID related expenditures was requested for. GHS1.34 billion [will be used] for the implementation of the COVID-19 preparedness plan to be implemented by the Ministry of Health, the plan to focus on expanding laboratories to increase the network for functional laboratories for COVID-19 testing for improved database management and coordination

    “It will also creating isolation centres in all regions and districts, revitalizing the systems for tracking case confirmation and management among others, GHS600 million to mobilise the construction for the Agenda 111 district hospitals, GHS1.204 million for CAP 1 programme which includes; the GHS600 million support for small businesses, relief for water during the first three months, support for frontline workers.”

    Source: GNA

  • Parliament considers law to establish independent body to investigate aviation accidents

    Parliament on Thursday considered a proposed law to establish an Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which would investigate all aviation incidents and accidents in the country, in line with international best practices.

    When assented to by the President and becomes operational, the intended specialised agency will avoid a situation of conflict of interest, where the aviation industry regulator, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), is heavily involved in investigating incidents and accidents involving operators that it regulates.

    When established, the bureau will also be responsible for investigating aircraft incidents and accidents in the oceanic region within the Accra Flight Information Region.

    “The Aircraft Accident, Investigation and Prevention Bureau Bill, 2020, puts Ghana in league with national and international ICAO obligation and best practices and is compliant with international aviation standards,” the report of the Committee on Roads and Transport said.

    Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister for Aviation moved for adoption of the procedural motion of the report of the Committee on the proposed law, and was seconded by Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza, MP for Adaklu.

    Following the growth in the aviation industry, and high record of the Kotoka International Airport as the Best Improved in Africa in 2019, the need arises to establish an independent body to investigate air traffic accidents.

    In March 2019, the Accident Investigation Bureau was established as an administrative unit for the conduct of investigation into aircraft accidents, with the Minister of Aviation being responsible for the conduct of aviation accident investigations.

    It is expected that the bureau would deal with conflict of interest in the current investigative process.

    Also establishing an independent accident investigation body was one of the key recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Validated Mission in Ghana (ICAO) which carried out an assessment from March 20 to April 3, 2019.

    Part of the recommendations of the Mission was that the establishment of an independent investigative body is in line with best practice for regulators not to investigate such incidents themselves.

    Since 2012, four major aircraft accidents, which claimed lives, and caused damage to property, have been recorded.

    However, “if Ghana is to achieve its vision of being the aviation hub of West Africa, then its infrastructure and institutions have to be transformed and aligned with national and international obligations and best practices.”

    Further, it has been realized that adhoc investigations into aircraft teams are not only expensive in terms of operational costs, but not sustainable as far as institutional memory for future investigations, and policy enforcements.

    In the United States of America, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the organisation responsible for investigating civil aviation incidents and accidents in that country.

    Also, the Committee reported that countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Singapore, Qatar, Netherlands among others have already established autonomous aircraft accident investigation bodies, and by passing the bill, the Committee hopes Ghana would seal her position in that pride of place.

    The new accident investigation body is to receive 1.5 percent of the Airport Passenger Service Charge (APSC), a levy which forms part of the cost of domestic and international air tickets.

    The Ghana Airports Company, which receives the revenue from the APSC, is now required to give 1.5 percent to the new agency.

    Source: GNA

  • Mid-Year Review: Latecomer MPs to be turned away as Parliament consolidates social distancing protocol

    Parliament has taken firm steps to consolidate coronavirus safety protocols on Thursday, July 23, 2020, when the Finance Minister delivers the Mid-Year Budget Review.

    Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye, has said the measures that will be taken are consistent with the national and World Health Organisation established protocols for the prevention and spread of the COVID-19.

    According to the Speaker, only about half of the 275 MPs will be admitted into the chamber as there would be an empty seat between every two MPs seated in the plenary when Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, resents the budget review.

    MPs will be allowed into the chamber on a first-come, first-served basis

    The rest of the MPs, according to Speaker can either sit in the public gallery or monitor proceedings from their offices via TV.

    The Speaker announced these on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.

    Also, a restricted number of journalists in the press gallery will be ensured and there will be no admittance of visitors in the House.

    Furthermore, no crowd will be allowed outside the Chamber area.

    The number of journalists that would be allowed in the gallery, the Ghana News Agency learned, is 25.

    To ensure free sitting, name tags on seats would be removed and members may only sit alternatively such that there will be an empty seat between every two members seated.

    The Speaker reminded the public that the protocols that debarred visitors to the House remained in force, and advised them to watch the proceedings from their homes, as the programme would be aired on both state and private media.

    He urged the Public Affairs Department and the Parliamentary Press Corps to ensure social distancing and journalists who may want to cover the event to get the news from the Press Corps or the live broadcasts on radio and television.

    Speaker Oquaye stressed that social distancing was imperative and directed the Marshall and Security Department to ensure the protocols were complied with on the day of the presentation and the debates that would follow in the days after.

    He urged the legislators to strictly comply with the protocols for their safety and that of their colleagues and be good examples for the citizenry.

    The presentation of the budget review by Mr Ofori-Atta as per Section 28 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) and is expected to touch on key economic indicators such as growth rate, primary balance, budget deficit, revenue and expenditure targets among others.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Hawa Koomson must be commended for her action – Kofi Ameyaw

    Head of Public Relations for Ghana Mission UN, Kofi Ameyaw says the Member of Parliament (MP) for Awutu Senya East Constituency in the Central Region, Mavis Hawa Koomson, did not commit any crime for firing warning shots to defend herself.

    According to him, she needs to be praised for her brave move to defend her life.

    “…Mavis Hawa Koomson needs to be praised for acting by the laws of the State, she has not committed any crime as some citizens claim, but have acted according to law,” he lamented.

    Mr. Ameyaw insisted that the swift and lawful move taken by the Special Development Initiative Minister he believes “curbed” the misunderstanding incident at the Steps to Christ polling station at Kasoa, otherwise it would have been more disastrous than this.

    Police have since arrested four persons in connection with the incident.

    Eyewitnesses say at least 15 persons had surrounded the MP before the warning shots were fired.

    Listen to him in the video below

    Warning gunshot

    Madam Hawa Koomson, MP for the Awutu Senya East and Minister for Special Development Initiatives admitted she fired a gun at a voters’ registration centre in her constituency.

    She explained that none of the men in her company at the time of the incident was armed when they got to the centre.

    “I fired the shots myself,” she admitted.

    According to the Special Development Initiatives Minister, she took the firearm which she refused to identify to the registration centre to protect herself.

    The MP said she had gone to the registration centre because she heard her opponent had gone against the law to bus people from other places to register.

     

    Source: Peace FM