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Tag: South Dayi

  • Dafeamekpor drags Railway Development CEO to court over post-retirement contract 

    Dafeamekpor drags Railway Development CEO to court over post-retirement contract 

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has dragged the Chief Executive Officer of the Railway Development Authority, Mr Yaw Owusu, to court over the extension of his post-retirement contract.

    The MP contends that Mr Ernest Yaw Owusu has exceeded the maximum five-year engagement period stipulated by the Constitution, as granted to him by President Akufo-Addo and is not entitled to the purported one-year post-retirement contract extension spanning from December 18, 2023, to December 17, 2024.

    He is therefore pursuing a declaration asserting that, in accordance with Article 199(4) of the Constitution, a public servant can serve for a maximum of two years at a stretch, not exceeding a total of five years if required due to service exigencies.

    Additionally, he is petitioning for a declaration that, under Article 199(4) of the Constitution, a retired public service officer can only be awarded a maximum post-retirement contract of five years, divided into periods not exceeding two years each.

    Furthermore, he seeks a declaration stating that the CEO is ineligible for a one-year post-retirement contract extension, having completed the maximum five-year engagement period prescribed by the Constitution.

    The Member of Parliament additionally requests an order to rescind the one-year post-retirement contract extension granted to the CEO by the President of Ghana.

    In bolstering his argument, the MP underscores that the CEO was granted an additional two-year post-retirement contract, commencing on December 16, 2021, and concluding on December 15, 2023, in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of the Authority. This arrangement was confirmed by a letter dated December 15, 2021, signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante.

    Furthermore, he referenced a letter from the Ministry of Finance, dated August 5, 2022, and signed by Hon. Abena Osei Asare, which cited the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy. 

    This letter suspended approval for Post-Retirement Contract Appointments, except under circumstances where the retiring officer’s skills are scarce and indispensably required.

  • NDC gives EC 7 days ultimatum to reverse decision not to use indelible ink 

    NDC gives EC 7 days ultimatum to reverse decision not to use indelible ink 

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has issued a stern ultimatum, giving the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, seven days to retract the administrative directive abolishing the use of indelible ink in elections.

    In a letter dated January 9, Mr Dafeamekpor described the directive as unlawful.

    “By this letter, therefore, I demand that, within 7 days, upon receipt of same, you withdraw the said administrative directive unlawfully revoking the statutory use of the indelible ink as part of our electoral authentication process as it undoubtedly amounts to a unilateral REPEAL of Regulation 33, sub-regulation 2, Paragraph (c) of Constitutional Instrument 127, 2020 without any recourse to Parliament, the only Constitutionally mandated organ of state with power so to do,” Mr Dafeamekpor wrote.

    The National Democratic Congress legislator explained that, “If your said directive is allowed, it will be tantamount to a sinful usurpation of the legislative powers of the Parliament of Ghana.”

    It is worth noting that Mrs. Mensa declared the discontinuation of indelible ink usage in district-level elections and all subsequent polls.

    She explained that the decision is a step towards improving the electoral process and implementing a more robust identification system.

    She explained at a media briefing on Monday, December 18 that the biometric identification system flags anyone who attempts multiple registrations; hence, anyone verified after voting cannot vote again.

    “The issue of indelible ink, the question is when we were not doing biometric, we were basically using your face, your card. We look at your face and we say this picture looks like you. Biometric technology makes it difficult for a person who has been verified and cast their vote to come a second time.

    “So, there is no need for indelible ink. Once you have been verified, it goes into the system and you cannot come back a second time,” she said.

    However, Mr Dafeamekpor cautioned thus, “Be assured that if you fail to heed to this request, I shall employ every other lawful remediable steps available to me without any further recourse to you including, but not limited to, the invocation of the penal sanctions contained in Regulation 45 of CI 127 against you and your staff(s).”

  • Committee to probe ‘Menzgold saga’ underway – Bagbin

    Committee to probe ‘Menzgold saga’ underway – Bagbin

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has indicated that a five-member Committee will be set up to investigate a petition submitted by aggrieved customers of Menzgold.

    The Speaker made this announcement during a meeting with the customers of Menzgold when they called on him.

    According to a statement from the Public Affairs Directorate of Parliament, the petition has now undergone the necessary procedures to become a motion, and it will be admitted before the House goes on recess.

    The Committee will then consider the concerns of the aggrieved customers and present a report for debate when the House reconvenes after the recess.

    During the meeting, Mr. Fred Forson, a leader of the group, described the challenging situations that the affected members have been facing, leading to 210 deaths recently. The group urged the Speaker to handle the motion promptly.

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Kwame Etse Dafeamekpor, who submitted the Motion to the Speaker, acknowledged the challenges the motion is facing due to the matter being before the court.

    However, he appealed to the Speaker to admit the Motion for the House to consider the committee’s report, as only the criminal case is before the court.

    The group expressed gratitude to the Speaker and hoped that their concerns would be addressed and resolved promptly.

  • Dafeamekpor’s lawyers upset with CHRAJ’s inquiry into prof Firmpong-Boateng’s galamsey report

    Dafeamekpor’s lawyers upset with CHRAJ’s inquiry into prof Firmpong-Boateng’s galamsey report

    Lawyers representing Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, have expressed their displeasure with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for requesting additional and specific information to bolster their petition.

    The petition seeks an investigation into a damning report authored by Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the former Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM).

    CHRAJ directed the MP’s legal team to provide supplementary details to substantiate their petition.

    However, the aggrieved lawyers have suggested that CHRAJ instead invite Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng to furnish the additional information themselves.

    Speaking to the media, Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, Dafeamekpor’s lawyer, said, “It is not the job of a petitioner to go and solicit persons with adequate requisite information for CHRAJ. CHRAJ has asked us to provide further and better particulars, but we have provided you with a complete report as we have. That is the extent he can go, the constitution mandates CHRAJ to use subpoenas to get the documents it so requires.”

    “The petitioner is not the author of the report. Professor Frimpong-Boateng is the author of the report, and he has indicated that he’s ready to corporate with investigations. He’s the best source to get the right information, our work is done,” the lawyer said.

    A letter to CHRAJ signed by Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, solicitor for Dafeamekpor said  “Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng is better placed to provide evidence of the allegations cited in his report, which my client seeks to draw your attention to as a subject matter for investigations by your good office”.

    “This is an indication that Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng is willing to provide the necessary assistance to your good office to investigate the damning allegations contained in the IMCIM report that he authored. Our client has discharged his duty as a concerned citizen by petitioning your good office to take the appropriate steps to investigate the allegations contained in the IMCIM report as mandated by the 1992 Constitution so to do.”

    “It is the prayer of our client that your good office engages Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng who authored the IMCIM report to assist with investigations into the damning allegations made therein for which you seek better and further particulars,” lawyer for Dafeamkpor added in the letter.

  • Dafeamekpor questions 3 or 4 votes for the NDC in Kumawu by-elections

    Dafeamekpor questions 3 or 4 votes for the NDC in Kumawu by-elections

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has expressed disappointment regarding from results of the Kumawu parliamentary by-elections.

    According to him, the results from some of the polling stations suggest that some of the branch executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) did not even vote for the candidate of the party.

    In a tweet shared on Tuesday, the MP added that the NDC must re-audit its register and look at the people it chooses as grassroots leaders.

    “The Kumawu results have poured in quick & fast. I was part of the Ashanti Reg Reorganization Project in 2022 but these Kumawu votes show we’ve to re-Audit our Register & Branch Executives.

    “We’ve 9 Executives but has 3 & 4 Votes in some branches so where are our 9 NDC Executives?” parts of the MPs tweet said.

    Early results from Kumawu indicated that the candidate of the New Patriotic Party is leading by a huge margin.

    View the MP’s tweet below:

    The Kumawu results have poured in quick & fast. I was part of the Ashanti Reg Reorganization Project in 2022 but these Kumawu Votes shows we’ve to re-Audit our Register & Branch Executives. We’ve 9 Executives but has 3 & 4 Votes in some branches so where are our 9 Ndc Executives?— Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Esq. MP. (@etsedafeamekpor) May 23, 2023

  • University application fees should be abolished – Dafeamekpor

    University application fees should be abolished – Dafeamekpor

    University admission fees should be abolished, according to Rockson Neslon Dafeamekpor, member of parliament for South Dayi.

    He has questioned why online application forms that are filled out and submitted electronically are subject to fees of up to GH¢300.

    According to the MP, this is a form of extortion used by universities to the detriment of Ghanaians seeking a university education.

    He went on to say that, as a member of the public accounts committee, he has had the opportunity to question vice-chancellors who appear before the committee about why they commit what he calls fraud.

    He claims that university officials usually avoid the subject without responding appropriately.

    Mr. Dafeamekpor also stated that he is advocating for the course on the floor of parliament and hopes for success revealing that he is advocating for the course on the floor of parliament and hopes to persuade universities to waive application fees.

    The MP made the call during a brief ceremony to present cheques to students on partial scholarships as part of his allocation of the MP’s common fund.

    Mr. Dafeamekpor urged the beneficiaries to study hard and return to lend their support to the district.

    “I wish you all the best as you get back to school. I urge you all to study hard and return to support the district and take over my position when I hang my boots. And, please produce a lot of academic work on the district so that it will be easy to refer to us,” he said.

  • Dafeamekpor expresses shock over death of Kumawu MP

    Dafeamekpor expresses shock over death of Kumawu MP

    The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has expressed shock over the death of colleague, MP for Kumawu, Philip Basoah.

    According to family sources he passed away Tuesday morning, March 28.

    He died at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital at the age of 53.

    He is one of three majority MPs who were absent from Parliament on Friday during the debate and subsequent voting of some new Ministers.

    He first came to Parliament in 2017 after winning the 2016 general elections in the Kumawu constituency.

    Prior to sailing to Parliament, Mr. Basoah was a Chief Executive for the Sekyere East District from June 2005 to January 2009 and was also a tutor at the Agogo State College.

    In a tweet, Mr Dafeamekpor expressed shock at the passing of the legislator saying he was very active in parliament the previous week.

    “This is so tragic. Hon. Basoah you were so active just last week in Parliament. Very calm & focused yet very active, especially on the Public Accounts Committee where you & I serve. Fare thee well, my brother. My deepest condolences to your family & Constituents. You served well.”

  • My first loyalty is to incumbent MPs – Haruna Iddrisu’s last interview as minority leader

    My first loyalty is to incumbent MPs – Haruna Iddrisu’s last interview as minority leader

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) replaced the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, as the leader of the minority caucus in Parliament.

    In what appears to be his last interview as majority leader, which was with JoyNews on Monday, January 23, 2023, Haruna Iddrisu said that all incumbent NDC MPs who want to return to the house have his support as the minority leader.

    He added that there are a number of MPs that he will impress upon the leadership of the NDC to ensure are the party’s candidates for the 2024 parliamentary elections.

    “As a majority leader, I should have a fair assessment of some of the MPs that the party necessarily must consider returning to Parliament. Because this work is about experience.

    “… as minority leader my first loyalty is to incumbent. I support every incumbent who wants to return back to Parliament,” he said.

    Haruna Iddrissu went on to list a number of NDC MPs who he thinks must be in the 9th Parliament of Ghana, including the MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, and the MP for Ayensuano, Teddy Safori Addi.

    The NDC appointed the former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, as the minority leader in the 8th Parliament of Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

    According to the NDC, Kofi Armah Buah, MP for Ellembele, will take over as the Deputy Minority Chief Whip.

    While Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Abaklu, he will replace Asawase MP Muntaka Mohammed as the Chief Whip.

    Ahmed Ibrahim, MP for Banda, has been maintained as the First Deputy Minority Chief Whip, while Comfort Doyo Cudjoe-Ghansah, MP for Ada, is the Second Deputy Minority Chief Whip.

    This, was contained in a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, from the National Democratic Congress dated January 23, 2023.

  • Prosecute government officials who received over 1million expired vaccines – Defeamekpor

    Prosecute government officials who received over 1million expired vaccines – Defeamekpor

    The member of parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has demanded the arrest and prosecution of any government employees who received Covid – 19 vaccines that were given to the state near to the time of their expiration.

    According to the lawmaker, the government front-liners who were supposed to oversee the well-being of Ghanaians received over 1 million vaccines which were close to expiration.

    “Officers that led to receiving these expired vaccines should be prosecuted, you see what has happened is a crime against humanity. You see the government declared a state of emergency that we’re sick and we gave them money to go and buy vaccines for us, and they went to get expired ones. That’s inefficiency and irresponsibility of public officers,” he said.

    His comments follow the Auditor-General’s reports on the money the government spent to fight Covid -19 between the period of March 2022 and June 2022. The A-G’s report states that about 1,022,348 donated vaccines which were delivered to the state close to expiration.

    The Auditor-General report added that the fear that the vaccines could accidentally be issued among the wholesome ones for vaccination which could pose a public health threat to the country, should be disposed of.

    The Auditor-General further stated that the programme’s manager of the health directorate explained that the vaccines were donated vaccines that were delivered to them close to expiry.

  • Are we still a non-aligned nation? – Dafeamekpor reacts to Akufo-Addo’s comments against Russia

    The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has bemoaned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s comments against the Russian Federation.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at a meeting in Washington, on Thursday, December 15, 2022, stated that Ghana’s security apparatus has noticed the activities of Russian mercenaries along its borders in the northern parts of the country, who have been contracted by the Burkinabe government.

    Addressing officials of the US government, including Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Akufo-Addo said that the Burkinabe government had contracted these mercenaries to help them fight Islamic militants in their country and is paying them with a mining concession.

    Akufo-Addo also stated that Ghana was against Russia’s occupation of Ukraine and the use of African countries as training grounds for foreign powers, particularly Russia.

    “Apart from not accepting the idea of great powers once again making Africa their theatre of operation, we have a particular position that you know about over the Ukraine war, where we have been very, very vocal and up front about condemning the invasion of Ukraine by Russia,” he said.

    Reacting to this in a tweet shared on Friday, December 16, 2022, the MP said that Akufo-Addo’s comments against Russia hurts Ghana’s status as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) – nations that do not align with or are against any of the world powers.

    He added that Akufo-Addo revealing a security briefing he had received in public is also not the best.

    “As an MP & a Citizen, I’m terribly worried about the laissez-faire manner the Prez revealed what appears to be contents of classified security briefings on Burkina Faso to a foreign power in this video.

    “More worried about how Russia will react. Are we still a Non-Aligned Nation?” parts of the MP’s tweet read.

    See the MP’s tweet, plus a video of Akufo-Addo’s statement below:

  • ‘Beware of Greeks bearing gifts’ – Dafeamekpor reacts to Gabby Otchere-Darko’s plea to NDC MPs

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has urged his colleague National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs not to listen to the plea of New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko on the 2023 Budget.

    Gabby Otchere-Darko asked MPs from the minority caucus to join the 2023 budget reading on Thursday, November 24, 2022.

    According to him, the 2023 budget is important in Ghana’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund as well as in restoring investor confidence in the country.

    “Thursday’s 2023 budget is crucial. It can’t suffer a fate similar to the 2022 budget and its revenue measures. It could completely derail negotiations with the Fund if not passed. Critical to this are its revenue generation measures. We plead the NDC joins NPP in this for Ghana,” a tweet the NPP stalwart shared on November 23 read.

    But Dafeamekpor, while reacting to Gabby’s tweet, said that he (Gabby) cannot be trusted and his plea is not sincere.

    The MP, in a tweet, added that the minority caucus MPs do not need the advice of the NPP’s leading member.

    “Beware of the Greeks bearing a Gift Horse in the face. This call by Otchere Darko is a typical Trojan Horse.

    “Gabby, be reminded that the NDC and its powerful Minority Caucus of which, I’m a proud Member, won’t take advise from Ofori Atta’s lawyer on Social Media. Advise the IMF,” parts of the tweet read.

    Source: Ghanaweb