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Tag: parliament

  • Ashaiman MP threatens to go to court over governments procurement of mathematical sets

    The Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Ernest Norgbey has threatened to seek legal redress over the procurement of Scientific Mathematical Instruments (SMI) meant to eliminate examination malpractices in the country.

    His intention follows the approval of the $3.2 million tax waiver by Parliament on Monday for the importation of mathematical sets by Messrs Bluegrass Group Limited to supply 853,009 units of Kapek SMI at the Unit cost of ¢75 to the Ghana WAEC to assist in conduct examinations.

    But in an interview with Adom News, Mr Norbey said the procurement method used by the Education Ministry is in breached of Section 41 (b) of the Public Procurement Act.

    Hence, he is considering several options including legal redress to challenge the procurement method used.

    “It is just unfortunate that parliament approved such a huge amount of tax waiver for this illegality.

    “This is because I have seen it in a different manner that, you cannot procure a mathematical set, which is a common commodity under single-source procurement,” he stated.

    He also questioned why the contract was awarded to the company through sole-sourcing arrangement without opening it to other entities to bid for the contract.

    Adding that, the Education Ministry already knew that it had to procure mathematical sets this year, thus, the outfit should have prepared a procurement plan that would have peotected the public purse.

    “I cannot fathom why a whole Ministry, knowing perfectly well that these students were to write exams in April if not for Covid-19, will rush to procure mathematical set under single-source procurement,” he stated.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Parliaments significant role in democratic governance affected by myriad of challenges – Annoh-Dompreh

    Parliaments play a significant role in the democratic political system of nations such as representing the people, making and approving laws to govern the people, approving the national budget and also checking the executive.

    The Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of Parliament and MP for Nsawam/Adoagyiri Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh made these comments in Parliament in a statement to mark International Day of Parliamentarism which is marked on 30th June.

    The day, according to Frank Annoh-Dompreh was established by the UN in 2018 to “recognize the role of Parliaments in national planning and strategies , as well as ensuring greater transparency and accountability at national and global levels.”

    Frank Annoh-Dompreh noted that women representation in Parliaments across the world has increased from 11.3% in 1995 to 24.3% as at February 2018 according to UN Women report 2018.

    He said the steady increase in women political participation is a major achievement that must be appreciated.

    Despite the significant role played by Parliament to the institutionalisation of democracy, Parliaments continue to face major challenges.

    According to the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of Parliament, the public is skeptical or have erroneous impression about Parliament.

    Other challenges that Parliament faces which ought to be addressed to enhance the work of Parliament, according to Frank Annoh-Dompreh, are keeping with changes in ICT as well as inadequate budget allocation.

    In spite of the immense role played by Parliament to the democratic political system of nations, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of Parliament said there is more room for improvement by the legislature.

    The Minority Leader and MP for Tamale South, Hon Haruna Iddrisu contributing to the statement said the role of Parliaments as the third arm of governments cannot be underestimated.

    To improve the number of women in Parliament, Hon Haruna Iddrisu said there will be the need to amend the 1992 Constitution to achieve such goal.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Quality of parliamentary discussions will be hampered by exit of experienced legislators – Governance Expert

    The massive loss of experienced legislators in the just-ended New Patriotic Party (NPP) primaries would negatively affect the quality of parliamentary discussions and laws passed, Dr Eric Oduro-Osae, a Governance Expert, has observed.

    He explained that the foundation of any democracy was the quality of laws passed by parliamentarians and if that was hampered it would negatively affect the governance of the country.

    He, therefore, called for a national conversation and holistic review of the mode of electing parliamentarians to ensure that experienced legislators were retained to help nurture the country’s fledgling democracy.

    “We should talk to the political parties to review their mode of allowing people to contest on their tickets so that we have some level of assurance that some experienced members of Parliament are maintained,” Dr Oduro-Osae said.

    In last Saturday’s NPP primaries, 40 incumbent members of Parliament lost the bid for re-election, including chairpersons and vice chairpersons of parliamentary committees.

    Dr Oduro-Osae, the Dean of the Institute of Local Government Studies, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday, said the role of legislators must be properly defined.

    “For instance, delegates in my view think that parliamentarians are supposed to bring development to their areas, attend funerals, give them money when they need it and able to pick up their calls in critical situations for support and if the parliamentarian fails to satisfy these functions then he or she risks losing in the election,” he said.

    “But the parliamentarians on the other hand believe that they should be on the floor of Parliament to contribute to debate and pass quality laws, and so their roles must be properly defined in law,” the Governance Expert explained.

    Another issue of concern was that the current laws demanded that the majority of ministers were supposed to be selected from Parliament, Dr Oduro-Osae noted, and that the situation created a challenge to parliamentarians torn between doing ministerial work and attending to constituency work.

    “So as a nation, it’s about time we had a holistic national conversation on how we can mainstream the definition of the roles of parliamentarians,” he said.

    Some notable MPs who lost their seats were Dr Mark Assibey Yeboah, MP for New Juaben South and Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Ben Abdallah Bandah, Offinso South MP and

    Chairman of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Frederick Opare Ansah, Suhum MP and Member of the Communications Committee, and William Quaitoo, MP for Akim Oda and Chairman of the Education Committee.

    The others were Collins Owusu Amankwaah, MP for Manhyia North and Chairman of Government Assurances Committee, Alex Agyekum, MP for Mpohor and Chairman of Youth and Sports Committee, Kofi Brako, MP for Tema Central and Vice Chairman of Roads Committee and Abraham Dwuma Odoom, MP for Twifo Atti Morkwa and Vice Chairman of Agriculture Committee.

    Also among the defeated were Ato Panford, MP for Shama and Vice Chairman of Trade and Industry Committee, Joseph Kofi Adda, MP for Navrongo Central and Minister of Aviation, Dr Sabre Bambangi, MP for Walewale and a Deputy Minister of Agriculture, and Mr Okyem Aboagye, MP for Bantama and Government’s Spokesperson on Finance.

    With regards to the non-compliance with the Covid-19 protocols by some delegates, Dr Oduro-Osae said the Electoral Commission and the Government should learn lessons from that and ensure the security agencies strictly enforced the directives to avert potential escalation of the contagion.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Parliament passes CIMG Bill 2019

    Parliament on Thursday, June 04, 2020, passed the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) Bill, 2019, after the third reading in the house of Parliament.

    The passage of the Bill is significant and an important landmark in the history of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG).

    According to a statement from CIMG copied to the Ghana News Agency, CIMG has been pursuing the Bill for the last two decades, starting from the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

    The Bill, it said, has, therefore, gone through all subsequent administrations without any success until now.

    As part of the procedure for the Bill to become law, Parliament is expected to transmit the approved Bill to the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his assent to become operational after Gazette notification, the statement said.

    Dr Daniel Kasser Tee, the National President of CIMG, said: “the eventual passage of the Bill brings a huge relief to marketers, as CIMG will now have the requisite legal backing to set standards for the practice of marketing and regulate the practice of the marketing profession in Ghana.

    “The Bill also empowers CIMG to provide education and training, and conduct professional examinations locally, thereby, saving the nation huge sums of foreign exchange through the payment of membership dues and examination fees to external marketing bodies.

    “It is now our turn to demonstrate how beneficial the passage of this Bill is to professional marketers, student marketers and mother Ghana. We, therefore, eagerly await the signing into Law of this approved Bill by H. E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,” the statement said.

    Mr Kwabena Akuamoah Agyekum, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of CIMG, according to the statement, expressed excitement at the news saying the Governing Council, Management and Staff of CIMG were equally elated.

    He paid tribute to the President of the Republic, his cabinet members, members of the cabinet select committee, Parliament, the Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Chairman and members of the Select Committee on Education as well as the Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, whose untiring efforts contributed to the passage of the Bill.

    Mr Agyekum called on all members of the CIMG, to contribute their quota, by putting all hands on deck to deepen the practice of marketing in ways that would positively impact businesses, households and the Ghanaian society at large.

    The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) is a Marketing professional body established in 1981 with the aim to lead in the development of world class marketing professionals and practitioners for the effective practice of the profession in Ghana.

    It is also, the aim of the Institute to promote the interest of both individual and corporate members through various interventions; the provision of marketing professional advice and services to corporate bodies and the promotion of marketing excellence through the institution of the CIMG Annual Marketing Performance Awards.

    Source: GNA

  • Parliament passes Education Regulatory Bodies Bill

    Parliament has passed the Education Regulatory Bodies Bill, 2019 to effectively and efficiently regulate the education sector in the country.

    The Bill was passed after undergoing intensive amendments at the consideration stage when it was laid and read at the plenary by the Minister of Education, Mathew Opoku Prempeh on May 29, 2019.

    The Bill if assented to by the President, will restructure and merge the existing National Council for Tertiary Education and the National Accreditation Board into one institution to be known as the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission.

    It is also expected to merge the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, the National Board for Professional and Technician Examinations and the National Vocational Training Institute into a new body, to be known as the National Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

    The Act also deals with the administrative and financial provisions in respect of the five regulatory bodies established under the Bill and provides for the National Teaching Council, the National Inspectorate Authority and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment respectively.

    The Education Regulatory Bodies Bill, 2019 was made up of 118 Clauses with two Schedules.

    The First Schedule is made up of Information Required for an Application for Accreditation while the Second Schedule is made up of Form of Accreditation Certificate.

    The Bill is amongst about 36 that were laid before Parliament in May 2020 when it reconvened.

     

    Meanwhile, there are two other Education related Bills receiving attention from Parliament.

    These are the controversial Pre-tertiary Education and the Public Universities Bills.

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Parliament reacts to Starr FM report on MPs coronavirus test

    Parliament on Tuesday reacted to a report attributed to a radio station in Accra that two Members of Parliament and 13 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 following a voluntary test organised by the House last week.

    According to the report, which has reportedly gone viral on social media, the identities of the persons affected were yet to be disclosed.

    However, Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, in reaction to the story, told journalists that he had no such information.

    “Little did I know that one media house has set Ghana on fire by relating to the story.”

    He said the agreement was that when someone tested positive for the disease, the information would not be transmitted to any Member of Parliament except the one who was tested.

    The Majority Leader said some confidentiality was required, and “we needed to be very circumspect.”

    “… So, nobody knows whether anybody has tested positive. The people who know would be perhaps those who did the test.”

    He said what that medium had done amounted to speculation and there was not truth in it.

    Mr Kyei Mensah-Bonsu said it was in the best interest of all MPs, members and non-members of staff to subject themselves to the test for the sake of their families, friends and the people they came into contact with.

    He advised against what he called “unhallowed speculative journalism,” adding that it became difficult for people to go for the test when such reports make the rounds.

    Dr Prince Pambo, the Director of Medical Services in Parliament, described the test as a “good thing” but “beyond offering the platform for samples to be taken, to whichever lab to run, we in Parliament do not have any control over that anymore.”

    “What simply happened… to the release of results is simply between the individual and the testing centres….”

    He said Parliament as an institution did not play role.

    However, after testing, people with medical conditions other than covid-19, be it malaria, typhoid or cancer, were told what to do.

    Ms Kate Addo, the Acting Director of Public Affairs of Parliament, indicated that such reports tended to create panic and fear.

    She said the House had not received any information from the testing centre on the COVID-19 status on any MP or staff of the House.

    Ms Addo said the results of the test were going to be confidential and all who tested positive would be contacted by the National Response Team to follow up with the necessary protocols.

    Meanwhile, Speaker Aaron Mike Oquaye has announced that the team had been recalled to conduct the test on Thursday and Friday for those who did not take part to do so, before sanctions began to apply.

    Source: GNA

  • MPs coronavirus test results wont be made public Medical Services Director

    Director of Medical Services in Parliament, Dr Prince Pambo has said results of Members of Parliament who partook in the mandatory coronavirus test will not be made public.

    He said the results of individuals who test positive will be presented to them individually without the involvement of parliament.

    On 19th May, 2020 the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, directed all Members of Parliament, including parliamentary staff, to go through a mandatory Coronavirus test.

    This step he said, forms part of measures instituted by the Parliamentary Service Board to prevent an outbreak of the pandemic in the legislature.

    He assured that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure the safety of MPs.

    As a result of that directive, the samples of some 690 persons in Parliament were taken last week.

    Speaking to Citi News in an interview after the exercise, Dr Prince Panbo said The exercise was meant, not only for members of Parliament but the staff of Parliament as well and other support staff who have a duty in the parliamentary precinct and the results will be made known to them individually,”

    Meanwhile, Ghana’s Health Service has announced some new 125 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the country, barely hours after some 66 recorded on Sunday, May 24, 2020.

    This brings to total, 6,808 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ghana, following Sunday’s 6,683.

    The recoveries also have increased by 72, making it 2,070, from its previous 1,998.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Parliament summons Jean Mensa over December polls

    The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Jean Mensa, has been summoned by Parliament to brief the house next week on her plans for 2020 elections.

    Majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu informed the House during the business statement for next week.

    The announcement follow demands by the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu and other MPs who demanded the commission to appear before the house with a brief on arrangements for the December 7 polls.

    Responding to their concerns, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs said the commission has been summoned to brief Parliament next week.

    Meanwhile, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says about 93% of potential voters in the Upper East and Upper West regions will be ineligible to vote if the electoral commission insists on its controversial voter registration methods.

    The Electoral Commission has said the Ghana card and passports are the primary documents to be used for the upcoming registration.

    However, the Director of Elections of the NDC Elvis Afriyie Ankrah says it will be undemocratic to resort to such a means to disenfranchise Ghanaians from voting.

    Addressing the media in Accra Thursday, Mr Afriyie-Ankrah said “Only about 6.5 million people have access to the NIA card. The NIA could not dispute our claim that only 5.17 per cent and 6.36 per cent of the registrable population in the Upper West and Upper East regions, respectively, have been issued Ghana cards, as we speak.

    “So, Upper West, Upper East, Northern, Savannah, North-East, you look at the figures, 86 per cent, 84 per cent, 85 per cent and Upper East and Upper West 5.17 per cent and Upper East 6.36 per cent. So, the rest of the ninety-something per cent, what is going to happen to them? Are they not Ghanaians? Do they not deserve to be treated rightly, fairly and justly as anybody else? Do they have to go through the hustle of trying to find people to guarantee for them with all its delays and frustrations?”.

    He stressed: “So, take note of that because when we speak, they say where is the conspiracy. So, by strange, accidental reason, [in] the strongholds of the NDC, you have a situation where 93 per cent of eligible voters in these two regions would not have access to their cards. And they have to resort to the secondary method of vouching as the norm rather than the exception. Is it fair, is it right? Are you creating a level playing field?”

    “The big question, therefore, is why would the Jean Mensa-led EC rely on an identification card, Ghana card, whose issuance is largely incomplete, and fraught with several anomalies and demographic disparities? Why is the Jean Mensa-led EC excluding from the list of registration requirements under the proposed C.I. their own widely available and acceptable voter ID card and rather including the Ghana card, which is currently possessed by just about 6.5 million Ghanaians who are 18 years and above? A card which is currently not accepted by any public, private or commercial institution.

    Source: Starr FM

  • 2019 Presidential staff list presented to parliament

    The annual report on Presidential Office Staff for 2019 has been presented to parliament.

    The presentation of the Presidential Office Staff list by the President falls in line with the Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463).

    According to the report, there are 311 political appointees at the Presidency.

    Also, there are 36 Presidential Staffers, 5 Ministers and 270 Junior Political appointees.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in 2018, presented to parliament, a list of 998 ministers of state and staffers at the presidency for the period between 7 January 2017 to 31 December 2017.

    Source: Class FM

  • Current Parliament can still exist without 2020 elections Constitutional Lawyer

    Following the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, the political scenes have been affected worldwide including the rescheduling of elections.

    It is in this light that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) suspended its 25th April parliamentary primaries indefinitely. However a developing story suggests that the party is aiming at conducting a hand picking elections to avoid the spread of the disease.

    But Lawyer Dr.Kojo Addo Tuffour, a constitutional lawyer has warned against such a move advising that it can bring chaos in the party. He also stressed that the current parliament can still be used without an election as the country may be in “emergency” times.

    In an interview with host, Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show aired on Happy 98.9FM, he said: “Hand picking persons can bring problems because their [NPP] constitution demands an election. It can pose partiality”.

    On his part, a virtual election or an electoral college would be the best possible alternative in this time of the coronavirus pandemic.

    “There must be a way such as an electoral college which is well represented or there can be a virtual election. We are not in normal times. So it is better to use an application than hand-picking”, he added.

    He, however, pointed out that the constitution allows parliament to extend its stay in times of emergency. He, thus, implied that in the case of this pandemic, it was likely that the current parliament could extend its stay.

    When quizzed by Samuel Eshun on what happens to the Speaker of Parliament if that should occur, he answered: “The President appoints the Speaker of Parliament. If he leaves power he lives with the speaker. If that happens, the parliament can elect one person to be the speaker of parliament”.

    The General Secretary of the NPP in a media interview, hinted that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party may handpick parliamentary candidates for the 2020 elections, should the party be unable to hold primaries due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

    However, a leading member of the party, Dr. Amoako Tuffour, has kicked against this plan as he reasons that doing that will be disastrous for the party at the December 7, 2020 election.

    Source: happyghana.com

  • Parliament calls on parents to protect children against coronavirus

    The Upper West Regional Children’s Parliament has called on parents to protect children from the deadly COVID-19 disease by ensuring that they stayed at home.

    It urged the parents to encourage their children to observe the COVID-19 precautionary measures to help control its spread.

    Madam Zakia Ibrahim, the Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, made the call in a statement issued and copied to the Ghana News Agency on the COVID-19 pandemic in Wa.

    “I wish to admonish our parents to ensure the safety of all children. Assist and insist your child is protected against the virus. The first and foremost thing to do in fighting the virus is to stay at home. The virus has no legs, hence, cannot move and spread if we do not move”, she said.

    She also encouraged the children to regularly wash their hands with soap under clean running water and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when necessary to help protect themselves from contracting the virus.

    She said as schools had been closed down due to the COVID-19, children would like to take that opportunity to roam about, which she said was dangerous to their health in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Madam Ibrahim expressed the hope that all parents should take interest in the welfare of their children and encourage them to make use of the academic programmes on television stations and to also learn on their own while at home.

    She also appealed to parents to protect their children from the Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) which had claimed several lives in the Upper West Region.
    The Pollie Kids, a Wa based youth-led group, inaugurated the Upper West Regional Children’s Parliament on March 7, 2020 to help develop the intellectual and leadership skills of the children in the region.

    Source:

  • Dr. Okoe-Boye approved as Deputy Health Minister

    Parliament has approved the nomination of Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye for the position of a Deputy Minister of Health.

    The approval comes follows recommendations by Parliament’s Appointments Committee by consensus after he appeared before it on Wednesday, 15th April 2020.

    Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Joe Osei Owusu, read the committee’s report on the floor of Parliament on Friday.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo nominated Bernard Okoe-Boye as a Deputy Minister of Health-designate on April 6, 2020.

    During his vetting, Dr Okoe-Boye said he will work with his superiors to ensure the harmonization of energies and competencies to defeat the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye is the Member of Parliament for the Ledzokuku Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

    He is a licensed medical practitioner with BSC in Human Biology, Medicine and Surgery from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

    He also holds a Masters Degree in Public Health (MPH) from Hamburg School of Applied Science and an A1 certificate in German from the Geothe Institute, Accra.

    Dr Okoe-Boye is currently a Physician at Lekma Hospital, a government health facility located at Teshie.

    Prior to his nomination, he was the Board Chairman of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

    Dr Okoe-Boye takes over from Alexander Kodwo Kom Abban who has been reassigned to the Communications ministry

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Parliament approves GH¢1.2bn for Coronavirus Alleviation Programme

    The Finance Committee of Parliament has approved an amount of GH¢1.2 billion for government to access funds from the Contingency Fund to finance the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP).

    The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta on Wednesday, presented to Parliament, the policy document on CAP, seeking approval to spend GH¢1.2 billion. This follows demands by the Minority for government to provide details of funding of the money requested by the Minister to tackle coronavirus and its impact on the economy.

    According to the Minister, GH¢280 million will go into food packages and hotmeals while GH¢40 million to the National Buffer Stock Company, whereas, an extra GH¢200 million will be used to cater for bills on water and sanitation, GH¢241 million will cover tax waiver for health personnel.

    Explaining further, he said GH¢80 million will be spent on the allowance for health staff, GH¢2 million will be used to cover transportation for health workers GH¢600 million will be disbursed as soft loans to businesses.

    Chairman of the Finance Committee, Dr. Mark Assibey Yeboah says his office is writing a letter to authorise the Finance Minister to withdraw the money for spending.

    Dr. Assibey says Article 177(1) of the 1992 Constitution, mandates the committee to grant approval of such nature without plenary approval.

    Source: goldstreetbusiness.com

  • Speaker’s decision to recall MPs after indefinite suspension unreasonable – James Agalga

    The Minority in Parliament is protesting the Speaker’s decision to recall members for a two-day emergency sitting.

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

    According to the Minority, the Speaker was supposed to adjourn the House and not suspend it indefinitely as he did. They described the act as illegal.

    Ranking member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, James Algalga says the decision to recall them just after 3 days of suspension is unreasonable.

    The Speaker’s decision to recall us just three days after suspending House indefinitely is quite unreasonable because members have travelled long distances to their constituencies. Travelling long distances poses danger to the lives of members of parliament, so what was the need to suspend the House indefinitely. I am here in Kumasi so if I return I will make a decision”.

    MP for Kumbungu Constituency in the Northern Region, Ras Mubarak is also unhappy about the recall.

    “The way Parliament is being used as the government’s nodding donkey is not the best. The Minister for Finance will be appearing tomorrow to present a policy statement and he had all the time to do so, he could have done so on Friday and Saturday, many members are currently not in Accra and you are asking them to drive all the way back in a hurry which is risky”.

    A notice signed by Kate Addo Director of Public Affairs in Parliament read “The Minister of Finance is scheduled to present a policy statement to the House in accordance with standing order 70 clause 2 on matters relating to government measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease as well as to facilitate the transaction of any other business”.

    The House is also expected to approve the appointment of Ledzokuku MP, Bernard Okoe-Boye as Deputy Health Minister.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Parliament approves GH¢6.7 billion Supplementary Appropriation for 2019

    Parliament on Friday evening approved GH¢6.370 billion to be issued from the Consolidated Fund, and granted authorisation for withdrawal from other funds to provide additional financing for Government operations during the 2019 Financial Year.

    This follows the passage of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2020.

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta moved the motion for the passage of the Bill, which was seconded by Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.

    According to a report of the Finance Committee on the Bill, when passed, the Bill shall “be deemed to have come into effect on the 29th day of July, 2019.”

    The Committee said the introduction of the Bill in 2020 to provide for the appropriation of the sum approved as supplementary estimate in 2019 was in pursuant of provisions in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

    In a background to the report on the proposal for the Bill, the House learned that after the approval of the 2019 Budget, there arose significant domestic and global developments, which posed fiscal risks to the economy.

    Those developments mainly related to the upward adjustments of interest payments resulting from the effect of a higher exchange rate than the programmed exchange rate and a higher domestic borrowing in the first half of the year as well as an upward adjustment in Goods and Services in the second half of the year to meet critical security expenses and other expenses.

    “Additionally, the crystallisation of contingent liabilities of the energy sector in respect of take-or-pay contract obligations with Independent Power Producers increased the requirements for external amortization above the amount provided for in the Budget for the Year 2019,” the report said.

    “These developments led to supplementary estimates being approved to support government operations for the year,” it added.

    The report said much of the supplementary vote for 2019 were channelled into the energy sector, with the rest going into Goods and Services.

    Source: GNA

  • Parliament approves $35m World Bank facility for COVID-19

    The motion for approval was moved by the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah, and seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu.

    Tackling impact

    Moving the motion for the adoption and approval of the agreement, Dr Assibey-Yeboah said as of March 29, 2020, Ghana had recorded 152 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with five deaths and two recoveries.

    He informed the House that the country was expected to have a significant negative impact from the disease.

    He said preliminary assessment indicated that using an average crude oil price of $30 per barrel for 2020, expected petroleum revenue would record a shortfall of GHc5.66 billion ($993 million).

    He said the slowing down of domestic economic activity was expected to hit tax revenue to the tune of GHc2.25 billion, which was expected to have negative impacts on the transport, hotel and tourism sectors.

    He said the scale and the severity of the impact of the COVID-19 on Ghana would depend on the scope and the nature of responses from Ghanaians, as well as the government and its international development partners.

    “Cognisant of this, the government of Ghana has developed a national Emergency Preparedness and Response Project (EPRP) for the COVID-19 valued at $100 million.

    “The instant loan facility from the IDA is thus to part finance the EPRP,” Dr Assibey-Yeboah said.

    Project objective

    The New Juaben South MP told the House that the project development objective was to prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by the pandemic and strengthen national systems for public health preparedness in Ghana.

    Among others, he said, the EPRP for the COVID-19 specifically aimed to strengthen the coordination of overall preparedness activities, strengthen the capacity of regions, priority health facilities and points of entry to prevent, rapidly test, investigate and control any COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana.

    He also said it would strengthen the national capacity for laboratory surveillance and diagnosis, build capacity for early diagnosis, case management, contact tracing and infection prevention and control.

    “It will ensure minimum health logistics are in place in prioritised regions, health facilities and points of entry for preparedness and laboratory capacity sustained for timely and quality testing of COVID-19 samples,” Dr Assibey-Yeboah said.

    Project components

    He said the implementation of the project would have four main components.

    He said $21.5 million would be earmarked for Component One of the project, which involved case detection, confirmation, contact tracing, recording and reporting, containment, isolation and treatment, as well as social and financial support for households, and health system strengthening.

    Under Component Two, which involves the strengthening of multi-sector national institutions and platforms for policy development and coordination of prevention and preparedness, using “One health” approach, he said, $3.4 million had been set aside.

    For Component Three, he said, $7.4 million would be used for community engagement and risk communication, while Component Four, for which $2.7 million had been set aside, would involve the implementation of management, monitoring and evaluation of the project management.

    Project beneficiaries

    The MP told the House that the expected project beneficiaries would be at-risk populations, infected people, medical, paramedical and emergency personnel, as well as medical, quarantine and testing facilities and health agencies in the public, non-state and private sectors.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • LIVESTREAMING: Finance Ministers statement on Coronavirus economic impact on Ghana

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta is in Parliament to brief the House on measures the government has adopted to sustain the economy, following the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

    Parliament received a request from the government on Saturday to approve an agreement with the World Bank for an amount of $35 million to support its operations in dealing with the pandemic.

    The proposed agreement is between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA), a subsidiary of the World Bank.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday directed the Finance minister to prepare a coronavirus alleviation programme to address the disruption in economic activities following the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic for approval by parliament.

    The Finance Minister is required to make a minimum of 1 billion cedis available to households and businesses, particularly small and medium scale enterprises.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Parliament approves €55.024 million credit facility for University of Environment

    Parliament has approved a total of €55.024 million credit facility agreement between the Government of Ghana and the Deutsche Bank to finance the development of Phase- Two of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Somanya in the Eastern Region.

    The agreement is made up of a Sace Buyer Credit facility of €41.358 million and a Commercial facility of €13.666 million.

    Under the terms and conditions of the two facilities, the Buyer Credit Facility has a tenure of 13 years, three years grace period at an interest rate of six months Euribor benchmark + 1.8 per cent per annum.

    The Commercial Facility has a tenure of five years, a grace period of one year and a-six month Euribor + 5 per cent per annum.

    The objective of the Phase Two project is to significantly expand the facilities of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), thereby increasing the potential number of students and providing complementary supporting structures to students.

    The scope of works to be executed at the university include; the construction of the Faculty Building for the School of Natural Environment Sciences, School of Agriculture and Agro-Entrepreneurship Development, a laboratory, a lecture hall and library, residential building, football pitch, handball/ baseball, badminton, tennis courts and a tartan track.

    Additionally, the National Council for Tertiary Education is undertaking some additional infrastructure at the campus of the UESD with funding from the Ghana Education Trust Fund.

    These, when completed, would further complement the facilities already provided under the Phase 1 project.

    Source: GNA

  • Mahama Ayariga among 8 MPs to go into mandatory quarantine

    Speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Ocquaye has directed Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga to stay home over the Coronavirus spread.

    He is one of 10 MPs and 5 staff the clerk has written to that they stay away from work after returning abroad.

    In a letter to him from the acting clerk of parliament, Cyril Nsiah urged him to keep away from the precincts of parliament until 27th March.

    The letter urged him to report to the medical director in parliament for review before he resumes duty in the house.

    “I am instructed by the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Ocquaye to inform you that in view of your recent return to Ghana from a foreign trip on March 12, and in conformity with the World Health Organization protocols aimed at preventing the spread of Coronavirus, you are required to observe the minimum two week period of self-isolation in your residence,” the letter said.

    Below is the full letter.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Coronavirus: Parliament asks staff to take mandatory annual leave

    The Parliament of Ghana has asked all of its staff to take their mandatory annual leave with immediate effect as part of measures to help prevent the communal spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ghana.

    The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Ocquaye in a notice on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, for urgent implementation asked all staff except where they have been identified as providing essential services critical to the legislative business currently taking place in the House, or a matter referred by the House for an urgent consideration are to proceed on their annual leave with immediate effect.

     

    The notice goes to say that, “similarly all officers on contract or temporary appointment, national service persons, MP research assistants and other ancillary service providers working in the premises are required to take their leave and or keep away from the Parliamentary precincts except where they have been identified by the Human Resources Department as providing critical services to ensure the smooth operation of business.”

    It adds that: “individuals intending to visit any person in Parliament should visit the person at home or communicate electronically. No visitors are allowed in Parliament unless otherwise stated.”

    It said the above measures were meant to decongest Parliament for the safe conduct of essential business and that MP research assistants whilst at home are to continue to provide services to the MPs through the internet and that Marshall assisted by the Security Unit should regularly monitor attendance and inspect the various offices to ensure full compliance as far as this directive is concerned.

    “The acting Clerk to Parliament is to coordinate the implementation of the directive and that members of staff are assured that their salaries and other allowances due them will be paid through their individual bank accounts and that heads of various departments as well as members of staff, national service persons, research assistants and all others are admonished to strictly comply with this directive or will be severely sanctioned,” the Speaker of Parliament said.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • COVID-19: Minority calls for suspension of parliamentary sittings

    The Minority side in Parliament wants parliamentary sittings suspended in the wake of the coronavirus.

    Eight Members of Parliament were on Monday told to self-quarantine after embarking on recent trips abroad.

    This brings to ten the total number of MPs who have been asked to isolate themselves.

    Speaking on Eyewitness News, the Member of Parliament for the Asawase constituency, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak indicated that the Minority had sent a memorandum to the Speaker of Parliament on Friday, March 20 among other things calling for the suspension of the House.

    According to him, he was surprised that Speaker said he has not received the memorandum yet.

    “I hope that by now the Speaker should have received it because I am aware that it was sent to his office on Friday. We are proposing a number of things including that the House suspends sittings because from how things are going, if you listen to other parliaments around the world and how the thing is escalating, one of our views is that why not rather look at what businesses are of urgent need so that they can be attended to then you can suspend the House.”

    “When we say suspend, that means we will not be rising. We will only not be meeting regularly but rather we will put the matters together and find a day where we will come and deal with them in bulk,” he said.

    The Minority Chief Whip also argued that instead of waiting for an MP or staff of the House to be tested positive which will lead to the closure of the entire House, the House should rather be suspended now.

    Parliament considers temporarily relocating to Accra International Conference Centre

    The leadership of Parliament is engaging the relevant authorities regarding a possible relocation of its business to the Accra International Conference Centre.

    This is to ensure that the House has enough room to practice the protocols associated with social distancing in a bid to deal with the spread of the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

    Already, the House has stepped up internal measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    Addressing Members on Monday, the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye announced interim sitting measures in the House in a bid to practice social distancing.

    “For the time being, we will want to leave one seat in between every two members so that you sit in a way that will be healthy for us and also we will be showing a good example…Meanwhile, we are in the process of making all relevant arrangements if we can relocate temporarily to the Conference Centre…And maybe these things will make people realize that Ghana is in need of more spacious space. In future, all these will be considered. As much as possible, leave one seat in between,” he said.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Minority MPs walkout after Muntaka accuses Speaker of lawlessness

    The Minority in Parliament has walked out of the House after it’s Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak accused the Speaker of lawlessness.

    This was after Prof. Mike Ocquaye refused to halt proceedings over lack of quorum.

    The House was considering the Corporate Insolvency Bill with only about 60 MPs in the chamber out of 275.

    One-third parliamentarians are needed to form a quorum.

    Muntaka Mubarak says Prof. Mike Ocquaye’s decision not to halt proceedings amount to a shame.

    Minority Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak

    He interrupted proceedings with his outburst after the Speaker refused to recognise him.

    “You are condoning illegality. That is why there must be rules and order, now what you are doing means you are indulging in illegality,” he said on the Floor.

    He said the Minority kept telling the Speaker the House does not have the numbers and thus they do not have the quorum but Prof Ocquaye carried on with proceedings.

    “What is then the use of our constitution and the standing orders? This is not fair, you are abusing the privileges of this House. You are making this house lawless Mr Speaker,” the Asawase MP told the Speaker.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Coronavirus: Parliament to temporarily relocate to AICC

    The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has hinted that the Legislature is likely to relocate to the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) to enable MPs to heed to the Social distancing measures.

    According to the Speaker, the Conference centre is spacious and would allow all parliamentarians to properly observe the measures against the spread of the COVID-19 disease.

    “As the Majority Leader suggested the other day, we are in the process of making all relevant arrangements if we can relocate temporarily to the conference centre…and carry on. Maybe this would make people realise that Parliament is in need of a more spacious place,” the Speaker of Parliament said on Monday.

    Coronavirus cases in Ghana have jumped to 24 from 21, as of Sunday evening.

    The update was posted on the government website dedicated to matters concerning the virus.

    Details of the new cases have not been disclosed.

    Among the confirmed cases, seventeen (17) are of Ghanaian nationality and seven (7) other nationals namely: Norway, Lebanon, China, France, UK.

    With regards to contact tracing, a total of 575 contacts have been identified and are being tracked.

     

    Source: Starrfm.com.gh

  • Minority walks out of parliament over Corporate Insolvency Bill

    Parliament on Monday witnessed a staged walkout by the minority as the chamber was considering the Corporate Insolvency Bill, 2019.

    According to the Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, it was inappropriate for the Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Aaron Oquaye, to go ahead with the proceedings requiring members to vote because they don’t form a quorum.

    The Corporate Insolvency Bill which was supposed to be passed within the first quarter of 2019 is expected to promote efficient closure and transfer of assets of businesses which are no longer viable, and a proper winding up of businesses where the members for other reasons, decide to cease operations.

    The bill when passed seeks to improve the quality of the legal regime for corporate bodies and their administration when they become insolvent.

    More to follow…

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • You are abusing parliament – Muntaka tells Speaker

    Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has chided the Speaker of Parliament Prof Mike Aaron Oquaye for holding proceedings though the house fell short of the constitutionally required quorum.

    His comments come on the back of the the House deliberating on the Corporate Insolvency bill 2019.

    Speaking on the floor of Parliament today, he raised concerns on the need for the Speaker to observe Article 104 of the Constitution.

    The said article stipulates that “104. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, matters in Parliament shall be determined by the votes of the majority of members present and voting, with at least half of all the members of Parliament present. (2) The Speaker shall have neither an original nor casting vote.”

    According to the minority chief whip, it is illegal for the speaker to carry on proceedings which require members to take a decision on the Bill under consideration.

    On his part as the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, called out the minority chief whip for not being circumspect with his pronouncements.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • We were not consulted before Parliament legalised cannabis for industrial use – Mental Health Authority

    Chief Executive Officer for the Mental Health Authority, Dr. Akwasi Osei has said they were not consulted before the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes law was passed.

    He made this known on the Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm Monday, March 23, 2020.

    “We were not consulted before the bill was passed. This troubling and unfortunate. When you see the MPs, tell them I say the passage was a terrible thing for the country. We would blame them for any negative impact of this passage,” he said.

    Ghana has legalised the use of cannabis for health and industrial purposes.

    This is after Parliament passed the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2019 on Friday (March 20, 2020).

    The law empowers the Minister for Interior to grant licences for the cultivation of cannabis of not more than 0.3 percent THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that gives the users a high sensation, for industrial and medicinal purposes.

    Per the law, makes the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has been made a Commission with enhanced powers to oversee the industrial use of some narcotic substances.

    But Dr. Akwasi Osei believes the passage would have serious health implications for the country.

    He lamented the passage would cause more harm than good for the country.

    He hinted he would write to the president to reject the law by refusing to accent his signature to it.

    “I am currently writing a letter to the president to asks him to reject the law. He should not accent his signature to the law. It is dangerous and in five years, we will regret passing this law.”

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Parliament has not legalized wee for public consumption – MP

    Member of Parliament for Manhyia North, Collins Owusu Amankwah, has rebutted claims that cannabis has been legalised by the Ghanaian Parliament for public consumption.

    According to the two-time legislator, Parliament only legalised the use of the weed for medicinal purposes.

    Speaking to Michael Ofosu-Afriyie Sunday evening, Mr Amankwah expressed worry about the erroneous claims some members of the public have since the passage of the Narcotics Act into law have been making.

    He noted that more worrying is the attitude of some members of the NDC whose actions seem to fuel such unfounded claims within the public domain.

    “I am totally surprised that people see the action Parliament took last week as legalizing the consumption of weed in public life because that was not so”, the Manhyia North MP posited.

    Giving more details, Hon Amankwah said Parliament in legalizing the use of cannabis was clear in its mind and that was for medicinal purposes only.

    He noted that the legislative assembly knowing that all usage of cannabis was illegal had to decriminalize some portions of the existing law so that medical facilities could use weed for the production of drugs.

    The NPP MP also revealed that the house enhanced the powers of the Narcotics Control Board to a Commission status to reflect its new mandate.

    The Commission, the Ecowas Parliament Member noted would now be able to monitor, inspect and deal with all forms of usage of narcotics and also streamline the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.

    “We did three things in Parliament with regards to the new narcotics law and that was to decriminalize the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes and also enhanced the powers of the board which is now in a Commission status as well as set boundaries for the use all narcotics in the country”.

    Stating the facts, Hon Amankwah said nowhere in the discussion of the act in parliament was there allowance given to the smoking of weed or cannabis by members of the public.

    He noted strict sanctions and punitive measures still portend in the use of cannabis.

    The MP said no one can use cannabis for any purposes in the new law except those who deal in pharmaceutical drugs and medicinal supplements.

    Hon Amankwah warned the public to be mindful that anyone caught smoking or using cannabis publicly or growing same would be arrested and prosecuted in the law courts.

    “I am hereby cautioning the public not to engage in the use of cannabis or any other illegal drug since the use of same is still punishable by law”, the MP stressed.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Minority declines to support ‘Coronavirus’ Bill to restrict movement under certificate of urgency

    The Minority in Parliament has declined to support the Imposition of Restrictions Bill, 2020 aimed at helping to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ghana under a certificate of urgency.

    The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Ms Gloria Afua Akuffo, on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 laid the Imposition of Restrictions Bill, 2020 before Parliament.

    The bill, which is to back President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s directives on measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 in Ghana, is intended to provide a legislative framework, in consonance with the Constitution, for the imposition of restrictions as a quick and effective means of intervention to address emergencies.

     

    However, the Minority in Parliament has indicated that they cannot support the Bill under a certificate of urgency.

    The Graphic Online understands the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Ms Gloria Akuffo is in Parliament Thursday afternoon meeting the Constitutional and Legal Committee of  Parliament, praying that it should approve the Restrictions Bill to be considered under a certificate of urgency.

    The Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in a tweet said: “Unfortunately, the minority has declined to support the view that the bill be considered under a certificate of urgency.”

    The Graphic Online’s reporter in Parliament, Nana Konadu Agyeman reported that the Minority’s argument was that the Bill was not an urgent one on the grounds that it failed to focus on measures that would be instituted to deal with the outbreak of Coronavirus in Ghana.

    Contrary, it argued that the Bill was intended to give the President “overbroad powers” to restrict freedom of movement, freedom of speech and freedom of thought.

    “So we cannot allow the Bill to override Chapter 5 of the Constitution because it is a general restriction of freedom in Ghana,” they said.

    Addressing the press outside Parliament Thursday afternoon, the Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament, Dr Dominic Ayine said, “Not because we do not want the President to adopt measures to address the Coronavirus pandemic but let it be known to all Ghanaians that the Minority support the taking of measures that are narrowly-tailored in dealing with Coronavirus pandemic,” the Graphic Online’s Agyeman reported.

    The Bill is intended to provide a legislative framework in consonance with the Constitution for the imposition of restrictions as a quick and effective means of intervention to address emergencies.

    It is also to provide power to the President to impose restrictions on persons in the event of disaster, emergency or similar circumstance to ensure public safety and protection, as well as in the interest of defence, public health among others.

    The Second Deputy Speaker, Mr Alban Bagbin, referred it to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for consideration and report to the House.

    more to follow…

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

     

  • Its wrong to suspend parliamentary sittings over coronavirus – Majority Leader

    Majority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu says persons who have asked parliament to suspend all sittings given the outbreak of the coronavirus in Ghana are wrong.

    The legislator said we have not gotten to the point where parliament would have to suspend its sitting.

    The work of parliament is special hence we cannot suspend it.

    He referred to the Imposition Bill laid before the House on Wednesday saying should the House suspend its sitting, they would not be able to approve the bill.

    The Attorney-General Gloria Akuffo on Wednesday laid before parliament an Imposition of Restrictions Bill 2020.

    The bill will provide legal backing for his outlined measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

    The bill has been referred to the Constitution and Legal Affairs Committee of parliament for consideration.

    Parliament he said would need at least half of the legislators, to approve the bill and so, it would not be prudent to have sittings suspended.

    The Majority Leader disclosed they would be holding sitting at the Conference Centre following an order to have the chamber fumigated.

    This forms part of measures to prevent a spread of Coronavirus in the House.

    The public gallery he explained is no longer accessible.

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • EC seeks Parliamentary approval to compile new voters register

    The Electoral Commission (EC), has submitted to Parliament a new Constitutional Instrument (C.I) to compile new voters register for the 2020 general elections.

    The Public Elections (Regulation of Voters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 when passed will make a passport number one identification to be presented as evidence as a Ghanaian.

    The C.I, signed by the Chairperson of The Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa, in line with article 51 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana is seeking to amend Regulation 1 of the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2016 (C1. 91).

    According to the C.I and by the substitution for subregulation (3) of (3), “a person who applies for registration as a voter shall provide as evidence of identification one of the following:

    (a) a passport;

    (b) a national identification card; or (c) one voter registration identification guarantee form as set out in Form One of the Schedule, that has been completed and signed by two registered voters and (b) by the substitution for subregulation (4) of “(4) Despite paragraph (c) of subregulation (3), a registered voter shall not guarantee the identity of more than ten persons”.

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • Speaker orders fumigation of Parliament amid COVID-19 fears

    The Speaker of Parliament has ordered the immediate fumigation of the precincts of the House.

    This forms part of measures to prevent a spread of Coronavirus in the House.

    “The fumigation of every inch of Parliament where we operate should be done immediately. Tomorrow we should see progress in that regard.”

    “This is rather important. Some have made very serious arrangements and rearrangements and we should continue to consider these…Even in the matter of state of emergency, Parliament must be around to take steps,” the Speaker said.

    Speaker advises against handshaking among MPs

    The Speaker of Parliament had early on also advised MPs to shun greeting by handshaking and physical contact.

    Prof. Oquaye also said the House had placed hand sanitizers at vantage points in a bid to strengthen measures against the pandemic.

    “Transmission has been identified particularly through handshaking and using the hands on the face. Sanitizers have been put at vantage points. We [parliamentarians] need to keep sanitizing our hands,” the Speaker said.

    Coronavirus cases in Ghana now 7

    The Ghana Health Service on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, confirmed one new case of Coronavirus in the country.

    The case was reported in the Greater Accra Region bringing to 7, the total number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Ghana.

    A tweet from the Ghana Health Service said, “…we have received report from NMIMR that indicated one (1) more confirmed case as positive for COVID-19 in Greater Accra Region.”

    The patient is a 35-year-old male and a Ghanaian citizen who returned to Accra from France.

    Coronavirus patients in Ghana getting better 

    The Ghana Health Service however says all patients who have tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) are getting better.

    Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service in an interview on Eyewitness News on Tuesday said the patients are recovering and will be discharged once they are cleared.

    He said none of the patients had deteriorated since they were isolated and started receiving treatment.

    “They are all doing very well. They are recovering because they are much better than we saw them. When they are fully off, we will let them go home. All of them are better today than they were when we saw them. We have not seen any of them deteriorating. We review them every day so based on the condition, we will discharge them once we see that they have fully recovered and cleared,” he said.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Akufo-Addo meets leadership of Parliament over Coronavirus pandemic

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Monday [March 16, 2020], met with the leadership of Parliament, at the Jubilee House, to discuss wide-ranging issues bordering on the Coronavirus pandemic.

    With the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye; 1st Deputy Speaker, Mr Joe Osei-Wusu; 2nd Deputy Speaker, Mr Alban Bagbin; Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu; and Minority Leader, Mr  Haruna Iddrisu, in attendance, President Akufo-Addo described the pandemic as a medical crisis that is bringing in its wake deaths and economic difficulties, and is spreading fear and panic throughout the world.

    Whilst outlining the initial measures that were put in place to confront the menace, the President told the leadership of Parliament that the increased number of cases recorded in the country, i.e. from two (2) to six (6), necessitated a review of the measures, the reason for his broadcast to the nation on Sunday, 15th March.

     

    Expressing his encouragement with the broad acceptance of the enhanced measures by Ghanaians, he stated that the measures announced will be under constant review, as will the enhanced hygiene protocols being observed by establishments and businesses.

    To this end, President Akufo-Addo urged the leadership of Parliament to support the Executive, as the Attorney General prepares to submit to the House emergency legislation to govern the measures announced.

    The President assured that Government is determined to do whatever is necessary, including providing the requisite resources, to ensure the safety of the population.

    On behalf of leadership, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye assured President Akufo-Addo and the Executive of the support of Parliament in passing into law the legislation to be laid before the House in dealing with the pandemic. The Speaker was supported in his statement by the Majority and Minority Leaders.

    The Speaker added that Members of Parliament will also assist with the effective dissemination of the dos and donts of the disease, as approved by the Ghana Health Service.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Coronavirus: Parliament might relocate to the AICC Majority leader

    With the country currently facing challenging circumstances due to coronavirus, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has established that when it becomes necessary, parliament will move its sessions to the Accra International Conference Centre.

    This according to him will allow adequate spacing and limit excessive body contacts among MPs.

    In an interview with OkayFM, the majority leader said the idea to relocate to the Conference Centre will be considered if the coronavirus outbreak worsens.

    “We might resort to moving to the conference center. For now, it might not seem pressing but if the time comes and there is the need for us to do so, we might,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, Parliament has decided to continue sitting to legislate and perform other duties expected of it despite the suspension of all public gatherings in response to the coronavirus scare.

    The country has confirmed six cases of the COVID-19, with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announcing measures to curb the spread, including suspension of public gatherings for four weeks and closure of universities, senior secondary and basic schools indefinitely.

    The ban, according to the president, forms part of precautionary measures to fight the virus and prevent any more spread after the 6 confirmed cases in Ghana.

    source: ghanaweb.com

  • Parliament begins extended sittings today

    Parliament will commence an extended sittings beginning today, March, 16, 2020.

    The extended sittings which has adopted Mondays and Saturdays as additional days will run all through to April.

    The deputy Majority leader, Sarah Adwoa Safo explained that the sittings will enable the House to deliberate on critical issues which are time-bound.

    Meanwhile, the Minority in parliament wants an early adjournment of the house over health concerns.

    First Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, in a similar situation in 2019 intimated that the practice of having late night sittings and extended periods of parliamentary meetings is having a toll on their health as well as that of reporters who are compelled to endure such long hours.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Parliament will collapse without me – Assibey-Yeboah

    Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah, Member of Parliament for the New Juaben South Constituency in the Eastern region has been caught on record making a loose talk about Ghana’s Parliament.

    In an audiotape, the MP addressing NPP supporters after a successful vetting process declared that without him in the Parliament, Ghana’s Parliament cannot function as it should and will totally collapse.

    The MP’s outburst which is in the local language Twi falls in a bid to woo delegates and court their support in order to secure him another mandate in the impending NPP Primaries on April 25th.

    “If I am not in Parliament, Parliament will collapse. Since Ghana’s multiparty democracy in the 4th republic, Koforidua has not had any MP of my calibre,” he told the NPP supporters as they cheered him on.

    The MP in the same audio, a copy attached to this publication is heard advocating for a clean political campaign devoid of insults.

    Dr. Mark Assibey Yeboah was in the company of his campaign Manager, Michael Oteng Adu.

    Source: WIlliam Beeko, Contributor

  • Parliament to ban use of mobile phones by members

    Parliament is to ban the use of mobile phones used by Members of Parliament in the chamber to avoid distractions.

    Speaking during the presentation of the Business statement, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu argued that the decision is contained in the new standing orders to be approved soon.

    Speaking on the floor of Parliament today March 5 2020, the Majority Leader argued that over the years, whenever proceedings are ongoing, and Parliament receives special guests Members of Parliament will be seen fidgeting with their phones and others going out to receive calls whilst proceedings are ongoing.

    Reports indicate that this was triggered by an action from North Tongu MP , Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who asked a question during the presentation of the business statement but when Osei-Mensah Bonsu was ready to deliver the answer, according to the Majority leader, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa was fidgeting with his phone so he drew his attention to the fact that he was ready to answer his question.

    On the floor of Parliament, the Majority Leader who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Suame cited situations where Members are constantly on their phones in the chamber when the House is in session as the basis for the move adding these he believes that these practices serve as distractions during Parliamentary proceedings

    ”Weeks ago, a popular TV station was discussing how Members of Parliament while proceedings are ongoing use their phones. A time is coming where no member will be allowed to bring cellphones into the Chamber. We need to demonstrate seriousness in this House. When the President of the Republic is talking, MPs are on the phone, when a Minister comes here MPs are on their phones. The Parliament of Ghana is not the only Parliament in the world and there are other established Parliaments in the world who do not allow members to use their cellphones in Parliament. Mr Speaker , we should apply this to our Parliament”.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Coup plotters planned to kidnap Akufo-Addo, Bawumia, Speaker of Parliament

    The prosecution of the Ghanaian suspected coup plotters charged for treason has taken an interesting twist as they have been accused by the State prosecutors of planning to abduct President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

    The coup plotters have also been accused of plans to abduct the Speaker of Parliament, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

    The Senior State Attorney, Ms. Hilda Craig, told the Kaneshie District Court court on Tuesday, 3 March 2020, that the men also planned to jam communications signals of the National Communications Authority (NCA).

    She said the state will call 19 witnesses and also present 113 exhibits as evidence to prove its case.

    The accused persons are Dr. Mac-Palm, a medical practitioner; Donyo Kafui, alias Ezor, a blacksmith; Bright Alan Debrah, a fleet manager.

    Other accused persons are Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr. Benjamin Agordzor, Warrant Officer II Esther Saan Dekuwine, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon and Johannes Zikpi, a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

    The 10 individuals were accused of being members of Take Action Ghana (TAG), a group alleged to have hatched a plan to “destabilise the country and possibly take over the government”.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Teacher Unions call on Akufo-Addo to intervene in passage of Pre-Tertiary Education Bill

    Teacher Unions in the Western Region are calling on President Akufo-Addo to intervene in the Pre-Tertiary Education Bill 2019 that is currently before the Education Committee of Parliament.

    The Unions which comprises of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Ghana National Association of National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT-GH) contend that the passage of the bill will be unfavourable to teachers and administrators at the Pre-tertiary level.

    They want the government to consider a proper consultation with them before its passage or entirely withdraw the bill until due diligence of its potential impact is conducted.

    Per the bill, the proposed structure of the management of education would be such that senior high schools would be run by the Regional Coordinating Councils while basic schools would be run by the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies whereas technical and vocational schools would be under a Director-General, independent of the Ghana Education Service (GES).

    Addressing the media today, Regional Chairman of GNAT Rev Charles A Carly called on the President to intervene and prevent the passage of the bill into law

    ”The National Leadership of the Teacher Unions under the Ghana Education Service held a joint press conference on Friday, February 14, 2020, at the GNAT headquarters to call on Parliament to humbly suspend the discussions of the bills on pre-tertiary education Act 2019 and sending them copies to study, analyse and make the necessary input into them”.

    ”We the teacher unions in the Western and Western North Region are of the considered opinion that education is the key to our national development and any attempt to introduce new policies and legislations in education must be done with the active and express involvement of teachers who are the key stakeholders. We call on the President of the Republic to intervene so we have a smooth labour front in the education sector because the bills in their current form will distort the modest gains made in education”

    He further stated that: ”If this bill is allowed to go through its current state, it has the tendency to break the unified educational arrangement we have in now.”

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Parliament approves loan facility for Keta Water supply system

    The Parliament of Ghana has approved a total of €97.184 million credit facility agreement between the Government of Ghana and the Deutsche Bank, supported by the Italian Export Credit Agency to finance the expansion and rehabilitation of the Keta Water supply system.

    The credit facility is made up of a Buyer Credit facility amounting to €84,417,649.82 and a commercial facility of €12.766 million.

    Under the terms and conditions of the two facilities, the Buyer Credit Facility has a tenure of 13 years, 10 years repayment period, three years grace period at an interest rate of six months Euribor benchmark + 2 percent per annum.

    The Commercial Facility has tenure of five years, four years repayment period, grace period of one year and a-six month Euribor + 4.9percent per annum.

    Earlier, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ofoase-Ayirebi and Minister of Information moved the motion on the floor of the House, which was seconded by Dr Mark Asibey-Yeboah, Chairman of the Finance Committee.

    The objective of the project is to rehabilitate and expand the Keta Water supply system to provide access to potable water to the catchment area.

    The major components of the project include; the construction of an intake facility with a capacity of 9.3 million gallons per day, construction of 7.7 million gallons conventional water treatment plant, construction of 62km transmission pipeline from Agordome to Keta via Anloga, the construction of a buster station and storage tanks.

    The rest of the components are the rehabilitation and extension of the distribution network, approximately 80km of pipes varying from 100mm to 450mm, the supply of 8,000 domestic metres and spare parts as well as the rehabilitation of existing water treatment plant to its installed capacity of 78,200 3/day.

    The rationale for the project is that the present Keta Water supply system of Agordome-Sogakope is old and cannot meet the current water demand of about 190,000 people within its catchment area.

    The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources caused an assessment of the Keta Water supply system.

    As part of the recommendations, it was suggested that there was the need for a major rehabilitation and expansion of works to be carried out. This would include; rehabilitating the existing water system to its installed capacity and constructing new water systems to help expand production of water to meet growing demand of the catchment area up to the years 2030 and beyond.

    The government in pursuit of the recommendations is undertaking the project to rehabilitate and expand the capacity of the Keta Water supply system to be able to supply water to over 422,160 people.

    Source: GNA

  • Parliament backtracks on threat to sanction journalists

    The Leadership of Parliament has backtracked on its threat to sanction journalists for covering issues other than the ones in the plenary. Addressing journalists at a meeting today the Majority and Minority leader said the Speaker comment did not intend to gag journalists in Parliament.

    Speaker of Parliament, Mike Oquaye yesterday threatened to sanction journalists for covering issues in Parliament other than the ones on plenary, especially during proceedings.

    This follows a complaint from the majority leaders Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu to the effect that journalists abandoned proceedings of the house to give audience to the MP for Ellembelle Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah who had concerns about the energy sector aspect of the State of the Nation Address.

    Speaking on the floor of the House the Speaker indicated that he will not hesitate to declare journalists as strangers to parliament if due coverage is not given to the proceeding of the House.

    “It is forbidden if they have any doubt to abandoned the permission given them to cover proceeding in this honourable House and go outside the chamber itself and do some other work……. and I want to let the media know if that which was reported to have happened should happen anymore I will……on the fact that you are here as a guest……any, such act will make you unwelcomed guest…”

    But at a meeting with journalists the Minority Leaders, Haruna Iddrisu said free press better enhance and deepens transparency and accountability.

    READ ALSO : Speaker’s comment unfortunate – Dean of Parliamentary Press Corps

    “We all share with you that the values of transparency and accountability are better enhanced and deepened by a free press, probably if we have had an in-house discussion at our level this is a matter which I believe was just one which should be referred to the Director of Public Affairs and the Dean so that as we are resolving it we could just resolve it.

    The Majority leader on the other side said the intention of the Speaker was misconstrued.

    “Parliament rallied the media behind it to find it course, that is how to fight corruption effectively and efficiently do necessarily require the services and indeed the partnership of the media so there can’t be any attempt to gag the press and I don’t think that was the intention of the Speaker.”

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Speaker, Leadership of Parliament console Deputy Minority Leader

    The Speaker, Reverend Professor Mike Oquaye, and Leadership of Parliament on Tuesday commiserated with Mr James Klutse Avedzi, the Deputy Minority Leader, on the demise of his wife, Mrs Fortune Abla Fugah-Avedzi, in the Ketu North District of the Volta Region.

    The deceased, 47, a teacher, passed away on January 30, 2020.

    The Speaker was accompanied on the trip by First Deputy Speaker, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, Second Deputy Speaker, Alban Bagbin, the Majority and Minority Whips and the Majority and Minority Leadership; Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu and Mr Haruna Iddrisu.

    The Speaker extended the sympathy and condolence of the House to the bereaved family.

    He explained that he was informed last Friday by Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra, Member of Parliament for Ho West and Chairman of the Volta Caucus, about the sudden demise of Mrs Fugah-Avedzi when he (Speaker) enquired about the absence of the Deputy Minority Leader.

    He described Mr Avedzi as a hard working legislator whose records and contribution in the House was there for all to see and urged him not to think only about the short life of his wife but the good days they spent together.

    “Count not the shortness of her life but the good days that you spent together. When you reflect on the good days and years, you can only say, God thy will be done,” the Speaker said.

    Prof. Oquaye urged the lawmaker not to grieve excessively, but to look after the children that his beloved wife left in such a manner that they would be an honour to their mother.

    “Now remember, your duty now is not to mourn as such, but to look after the children that your wife left in such a manner that they would be an honour to their mother.”

    Mr Mensah-Bonsu, on his part, said the news of the demise of Mrs Fugah-Avedzi came as a “thunderbolt.”

    He said the Deputy Minority Leader was one of the hardworking legislators, who had, for eight years, served as the Chairman of the Finance Committee.

    Currently he is the Chairman of the Public Account Committee (PAC) where he brings his experience, knowledge, wisdom and intellectualism to bear in his work.

    “So when he is not in Parliament, we do miss him and there is a vacuum in the work that you do….”

     

    Mr Haruna Iddrisu extended deep condolence and sympathy of the Leadership to the bereaved family.

    “I pray that God should give him the fortitude to accept this loss, for he gives and takes, since this can happen to anyone,” he said.

    Later, the Speaker and the Leadership donated GH₵10,000 to the bereaved family to enable them to cater for other expenses of the funeral.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Majority poised to push through approval of over $990m loan for Pwalugu Dam

    The Majority in Parliament has served notice it is determined to push through the approval of the 993 million-dollar loan facility for the construction of the Pwalugu Dam Power Project.

    Speaker Prof Mike Oquaye deferred the approval of the loan following accusations by the Minority that the project has been inflated, vowing to oppose the deal.

    The Speaker, however, asked leadership to reach a consensus before its approval. First Deputy Majority Whip, Mathew Nyindam, says the government has made a strong case for the approval of the loan.

    He told Evans Mensah on a JoyNews programme PM Express, that it would not be out of place to take a second look at the deal if it was problematic.

    But he was convinced that, as it stands, “nothing has changed my mind yet. As for their simple pitching one dam against the other, that cannot convince me.”

    Mr Nyindam believes the potential saving of lives and property, improved irrigation for farms among other benefits are enough justification to see the erection of the Pwalugu dam.

    Meanwhile, members of the Minority who are alleging they are to receive the contractual agreement for a thorough examination insist, the project defies economic sense.

    A member of the Energy and Mines Committee, Kwabena Donkoh, said until thorough perusal of the document, the Minority will block any attempt by government to push through with the deal.

    According to the Pru East MP, the agreement does not make economic sense.

    “Government has openly stated that we have excess power. That same government, in doing a power project will have to take that context into account. Therefore, if you are going to generate 60mW maximum installed capacity at $366 million, we are not getting value for money,” he said.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Parliament approves increment in passport fees

    Parliament has accordingly approved an upward review of passport fees and other services provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration made this known in a press release dated January 30, 2020.

    It said the new fees are to take effect from February 1, 2020.

    Passport Fees Breakdown

    With the approval, ordinary passport which used to be GHC 50 for 32 pages will now cost GHC 100, while the 48 pages passport will be processed at GHC 150.

    The fee for expedited service of the 32 pages is now pegged at GHC 150 instead of GHC100 while 48 pages booklet at expedited service is now GHC 200.

    Attestation Of Legal Documents

    The old fee of GHC 25 for attestation of legal documents has been adjusted to GHC 37.50.

    Travel Certificate

    For travel certificate, the fee has been increased from GHC 25 to GHC 37.50.

    Meanwhile, the Ministry has indicated that the 48 pages passport booklet will take effect from February 1.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Two finance officers arrested at PAC sitting

    Two finance officers of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) are in police custody following an attempt to mislead the committee during a hearing today.

    The offenders, Isaac Akowuah and James Essilfie who are current and former finance officers from the Sefwi Akontombra District Assembly respectively were whisked away to the Parliament Police Station.

    Read: PAC gives Nkwanta North Assembly ultimatum to identity who cleared GH?30,00 cheque

    Their arrest was ordered by the Chairman of the committee James Klutse Avedzie who believed the behavior put up by these officers was a deliberate attempt to hide some payment vouchers from the committee.

    Following an order by PAC, the two officers appeared before the Committee to defend their spending.

    Read: PAC cautions three Volta assemblies after no-show

    But after going through the receipts presented, Mr Klutse Avedzi found out that most of the payment vouchers submitted did not tally with current receipts and they both stated diverse reasons for spending.

    The alleged culprits tried offering reasons for the confusion but the displeased chairman would have none of it.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Parliament approves three Supreme Court Justice nominees

    Parliament has voted to approve three nominees to the Supreme Court bench.

    Justices Mariama Owusu, Avril Lovelace-Johnson, Gertrude Tokernoo earlier in the week appeared before the Appointments Committee of the house to be vetted.

    Read: Our laws must be lenient on abortion Supreme Court Justice nominee

    The Committee recommended the approval of the three by consensus.

    About the new Justices

    Justice Mariama Owusu was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2006.

    Before this elevation to the Supreme Court, she served as the President of the Ghana chapter for the International Association of Women Judges in 2014.

    Read: Why Anin-Yeboah was chosen over Jones Dotse as Chief Justice First Deputy Speaker explains

    Justice Owusu also notably sat on the committee investigating allegations of corruption against the Commissioner for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative (CHRAJ), Lauretta Vivian Lamptey case as well as the trial suspects in the murder of Major Maxwell Mahama.

    Justice Gertrude Tokornoo specialized in business law and construction law and was instrumental in the setting up of Fugar and co law firm.

    She was appointed to the high court in 2004.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Prof. Oquaye advocates for affirmative action law to address gender inequality

    Speaker of Parliament Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye has called for a National Affirmative Action law to correct the gender disparity in our society.

    According to him, although Article 17 (1) and (2) of the 1992 constitution provides for equal rights among all, the reality is different.

    Read: Speaker calls for comprehensive review of Affirmative Action Bill

    “The UN charter indicates that all persons must be treated equally yet what do we see today even in the face of modern development? There is no equality,”he said.

    Speaking to Citi News at a public lecture series at the University of Education, Winneba to commemorate the International Human Rights Day on Tuesday, Professor Mike Oquaye indicated that Ghana is at the bottom of the global order when it comes to gender equality.

    “In countries like Tanzania, Burundi, Malawi, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Namibia, Mauritius and Rwanda, women have been given a place of pride in the legislature and in local governance and we have to do same since Ghana is beaten to the very bottom of the global order,” he noted.

    The Speaker of Parliament called for reinforcement of the role of women in Ghana, adding that no woman must be left behind in the exercise.

    Read: Affirmative Action Bill: Shut down companies who flout law Mike Oquaye

    He indicated that “we need a National Affirmative Action law to correct the gender disparity in our political, economic and social endeavours.”

    According to him, Ghana is a signatory to many UN charters hence the need to fight for equal right for all.

    “Dozens of human right treaties abound and if you turn to Chapter 5 of the Constitution, the right to life, dignity and property are well provided for but this declaration is manifestly not enough,” he added.

    Professor Mike Oquaye also questioned the imposition of certain foreign practices on Africans by way of gay rights, adding that such practices must be eschewed.

     

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Parliament demands arrest of man who destroyed Peace Council building

    The Defence and Interior committees of Parliament are demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution o- unidentified individuals who allegedly demolished an office Complex owned by the National peace Council.

    The peace council expended fGHC400,000 for expansion works upon receipt of the bungalow donated by the Works and Housing Housing Ministry.

    The committee members were alarmed by the level of devastation when they visited the sight during a fact finding mission.

    Ranking member James Agalga who fumed over the development demanded police protection for the peace council property whilst investigations are underway to fish out the perpetrators.

    The Chairman for the committee Seth Acheampong also decried the development.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Parliament approves €64 million credit facility for Kumasi airport

    Parliament has approved a 64 million euro credit facility for the construction of the second phase of the Kumasi Airport.

    The project is expected to be undertaken by Contracta, an Engineering Firm, Gbcghana.com reports.

    Read: Kumasi Airport maintenance hub to create 400,000 jobs

    The Deputy Minister of Works and Housing, Eugene Boakye Antwi, who is also the MP for Subin, disclosed this at Amanfrom in the Ashanti Region.

    Mr. Boakye Antwi said a further, 178 point-five million Euro loan facility has been approved by Parliament for work to start on phase two of the Kejetia Market complex.

    This will involve reconstruction of the Kumasi Central Market to provide a modern and decent centre for traders and hawkers.

    Read: Stop burning tyres around Kumasi airport NADMO

    Additionally, the sod is to be cut for the construction of 100 kilometres of roads within the Kumasi Metropolis.

    Mr. Boakye Antwi noted that already, vigorous works are ongoing on the construction of 10 critical drainage systems to contain flood waters in the Ashanti Region.

    He said the region will get its fair share of socio-economic development under the NPP Government.

    Mr. Boakye Antwi, therefore, appealed for calm and patience among residents in the face of what they consider to be insufficient development projects in the region.

     

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Be serious with Parliament Minority to absentee Majority

    The Minority in Parliament has accused the Majority side of the House of not taking the business of the House seriously.

    In a statement on Tuesday, 19 November 2019, the leadership of the Minority said it “notes with grave concern” the absence of the Majority side of the House “at the commencement of sitting”, a situation which, it said, prompted the Speaker, Prof Mike Oquaye “to suspend the sitting for an hour”.

    Read: Minority chides Majority MPs after suspension of sitting over absenteeism

    “The House currently stands suspended as the leadership has gone into conclave on the matter”, the statement signed by Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu said.

    “It is worrying”, the Minority complained, “as the core business for Parliament this week is to deliberate on the financial policy of the government for 2020 as presented by the Finance Minister last Wednesday”.

    “The budget debates are a crucial parliamentary function and the lack of interest of the Majority side of the House is disturbing”, the statement observed, adding: “The core mandate of oversight and scrutiny of appropriations is at the heart of Parliament and we would guard this role jealousy”.

    Read: Angry Speaker suspends sitting over MPs absenteeism

    The Minority said it is “committed to its role in protecting our democracy and maintaining a high level of dedication to our parliamentary work”.

    “We urge the Majority side to take the government seriously and commit themselves to the mandate for which they have been elected. The people of Ghana deserve better”.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Angry Speaker suspends sitting over MPs absenteeism

    The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye, has vowed not to tolerate MPs absenteeism in the chamber anymore as he angrily suspends sitting.

    The suspension of the house follows a concern raised by the MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga who invoked article 102 of the 1992 constitution over the attendance of his colleagues.

    Read: Hold parliament accountable Governance analyst

    A Deputy Majority Whip, Moses Anim who sought to explain the MPs absenteeism could not convince the speaker to allow proceedings to go on.

    Prof. Mike Oquaye was later forced to suspend the House.

    Read: Election of MMDCEs rests on Parliament, not referendum NALAG

    This is not the first time the Speaker has cautioned MPs over their absenteeism and lack of seriousness towards the House.

    The Speaker on Thursday, 24 October 2019, suspended sitting over the absence of the Minister of Fisheries, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, to answer some questions posed by some MPs.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh