• +233 20 230 9497

Month: January 2011

NPP gives breakdown of MP filing fee

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Eligible male aspirants must pay GH¢6,000 to complete the processes to file their nominations, except in constituencies where the party has sitting MPs.

In such instances, aspirants will have to pay an additional GH¢10,000 as National Party Development Fee to bring the sum to GH¢16,000. Women aspirants will enjoy a rebate of 50% of the fee.

Aspirants wishing to contest shall satisfy amongst others observe the following conditions and regulations signed by the Party’s General Secretary Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.

• An aspiring parliamentary candidate must ensure that he/she meets the requirements of qualification and eligibility set out in Article 94 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and articles 3, 11 and 17 of the NPP’s Constitution 2009.

• An aspirant shall satisfy both the Regional Executive Committee (REC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) respectively before filling his or her nomination with the Constituency Executive Committee (CEC). This shall constitute the pre-qualification process.

• The Regional Executive Committee and National Executive Committee shall issue a notice of an aspirant’s eligibility and endorse the aspirant’s nomination forms in the desired Constituency.

• An aspirant after satisfying the pre-qualification process shall then proceed to file his or her nomination with the Constituency Executive Committee.

• There shall be an Elections Committee and a Vetting Committee in all affected Constituencies. After the Vetting process, there shall be publication of the aspirants eligible for the Primary election.

• An applicant will pick up nomination forms upon payment of a non-refundable fee of GH¢1000.

• The applicant then proceeds to the Regional Office for certification and endorsement after payment of a non-refundable fee of GH¢2000. The Regional Secretary shall endorse the nomination forms of the aspirant and also issue him/her a letter permitting him/her to proceed for assessment by the National Executive Committee.

• An applicant contesting a Constituency with a sitting New Patriotic Party Parliamentarian shall be assessed by the National Executive Committee after the payment of GH¢10,000, as National Party Development Fee.

• As a function of encouraging more women to aspire to high political office, women candidates will enjoy a rebate of 50% of the fee.

• The General Secretary of the Party shall endorse the forms of an eligible aspirant and also issue him/her with a letter permitting him/her to file his/her nomination forms in the desired Constituency and pay a filling fee of GH¢3000 to begin the electoral process.

• Nominations open on the 28th February 2011 to 6th of March 2011.

• Parliamentary Primaries will be held on the 30th of April 2011.

The party asked persons seeking further information on the primaries to contact its offices around the country or the National Headquarters, Asylum Down, Accra.

Source:NPP Headquaters

Nana Akomea: I’ve not pulled out of 2012 primaries

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Former Information Minister in the Kufuor administration and Member of Parliament for Okaikoi South constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Nana Akomea, has dismissed reports that he would not represent his constituents in Parliament again after the expiration of his current term.

The Chronicle newspaper reported on Monday that party gurus have prevailed upon the Okai-koi South MP to step aside and pave way for a female contender to contest the primaries in the constituency.

According to the publication, based on the acrimony that characterized the primary in 2008, and the eventual withdrawal of Ms. Vicky Bright, a former Deputy Minister of State, coupled with the party’s aim to promote women into taking an active part in governance, Nana Akomea, who met with some top echelons of the party, decided in the supreme interest of the party not to contest and thus avoid the humiliation, as suffered by his former colleague for Tema West, Abraham Ossei Aidoo.

But speaking in an interview on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo Morning show, the four consecutive term legislator, categorically stated that he was going to step down and give way to any female contender. He also denied having met with any party elder who sought to convince him to step aside.

Asked whether he will contest the party’s primaries, the MP replied; “I’ll take a decision when the time is right…The time table is out, but there is still more time so let’s wait and see what happens,” he said.

The rich must support the poor’s education – Gomoa East MP

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Gomoa East, Mr Ekow Okyere Panyin, has appealed to well-to-do Ghanaians to help children from poor homes to acquire education or vocational skills to make them self-sufficient.

He said if the rich denied the poor children access to education, these children would grow up with no skills to make them earn a living and could become hardened criminals to disturb their peace.

Mr Panyin gave the advice at a ceremony at Gomoa Afranse where 6,299 school uniforms donated by the government were presented to schools for distribution, free of charge to the children.

“We must all help to make every Ghanaian child access, at least, basic education”, the MP stressed.

He commended the government for putting in place interventions to make every child to have access to education and appealed to parents to support the efforts by ensuring that their children were enrolled in schools.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Gomoa East, Mr Isaac Kingsley Ahunu-Armah, said the free uniforms were part of the fulfilment of President John Evans Atta Mills promise to invest in the human resource of the nation.

He said to complement the government’s efforts, Gomoa East District Assembly has ordered school uniforms to be supplied to children of unit schools.

The DCE said the uniforms would be ready before the celebration of the 54th Independence Anniversary on March 6.

Mr Ahunu-Armah expressed gratitude to the government for providing the district with eight educational infrastructure funded by the GETFund.

He cautioned head-teachers to ensure that the uniforms were distributed strictly according to the guidelines of the Ghana Education Service.

Mr Francis Obeng Ampadu, outgoing District Director of Education, commended President Mills for honouring his promise to Ghanaians.

He was also grateful to the assembly for funding the mock examination for the final year students of the Junior High Schools in the district last year.

The outgoing education director said the government spent 31 per cent of the national revenue on education and appealed to teachers, parents and pupils to help to make the investment worthwhile.

He was happy that the district moved from 43 per cent to 51 per cent in 2010 in upgrading and urged teachers and pupils to work hard to achieve 60 per cent in the 2011 assessment.

Madam Abena Ackom and Fedelia Baffoe who spoke on behalf of the parents, were full of praise for the President for the uniform and other interventions to ensure that children access quality education.

Source: GNA

MPs don’t deserve GHc7,000 salary – Kofi Wayo

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Maverick politician ‘Chucks’ Kofi Wayo has described the plea by Members of Parliament for a monthly salary of 7,000 ghana cedis as a “complete waste of tax payers money”.

Information available to Citi News indicates Members of Parliament are set to recommend that their salaries be pegged at Gh¢7,000 per month.

Citi News sources within Parliament say members of a committee set up by the House to review the salaries and conditions of service of the nation’s law makers, for which the services of a consultant has been engaged, initially considered a salary band of between Gh¢ 5,000 and Gh¢8,000, but settled on the compromise figure of Gh¢7,000.

The MPs currently receive a salary of about Gh¢2,500 a month. They last had a pay rise in October 2010, when their salaries were increased by 17%.

However, speaking on the issue on the Citi Eyewitness News on Friday January 21, the founder and leader of the United Renaissance Party (URP) said the amount of work done by Parliamentarians does not merit a monthly salary of GHc7, 000.

According to Kofi Wayo such monies should be channelled into the development of the nation rather than wasting it on parliamentarians who do not deserve it.

“The question is this, what do the MPs do anyway, what about the workers of Ghana, have you thought about their raise, the workers of Ghana who pay the taxes, the market women, the farmers, the taxi driver who pays over 16 taxes a day…for the kind of work they (MPs) do I would not support a pay rise for them…they don’t deserve it in anyway”.

Adenta MP justifies calls for incresed salaries

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Adenta, Kwadwo Adu Asare, has justified the proposal by parliamentarians for their salaries to pegged at GH¢7,000 per month.

The MPs currently receive a salary of about GH¢2,500 a month. They last had a pay rise in October 2010, when their salaries were increased by 17%.

According to the MPs, the proposed increase is based on the fact their current meager salaries does not enable them execute their many responsibilities effectively, in the current difficult economic conditions.

Members of a committee set up by the Parliament to review the salaries and conditions of service of the nation’s law makers, for which the services of a consultant has been engaged, initially considered a salary band of between Gh¢ 5,000 and Gh¢8,000, but settled on the compromise figure of Gh¢7,000.

Contributing to a discussion on Peace Fm’s morning show on Monday, the Member of Parliament for Adenta, Kwadwo Adu Asare stated that in as much as MP’s are not in parliament to enrich themselves , their huge responsibilities should not also render them paupers.

‘’ You wake up early in the morning and you are met with several people on your veranda with all sorts of problems seeking financial support from you, most of the time it is practically impossible for you to turn them down even when you don’t have money’’ he said.

“Invitations to attend social events such as funerals, out-doorings and weddings seriously drain our pockets’’ he added.

Comparing to their colleagues in other countries such as Kenya and the United States, Hon. Kwadwo Adu Asare argued that the salaries the MP’s receive for serving Ghanaians in the legislature is woefully inadequate.

Meanwhile the proposal for increased pay by the MPs have been met with sharp criticisms from sections of the public who believe the proposed amount is on the higher side. They argue that since the economy is not very sound, the country should not pay such huge salaries to MPs particularly when they will soon receive their fat ex-gratia.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Parliament must investigate $48,000 Obama gift

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Former MP for Zebilla, Hon John Ndebugri has challenged the leadership of Parliament to thoroughly investigate the 48,000 dollar gold watch gift reportedly given to the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama by Ghana’s first Lady, Mrs Naadu Mills.

First Lady Ernestina Naadu Mills is reported to have given her counterpart in the United States, Michelle Obama, a gold watch valued at 48,000 dollars.

An AFP report culled by Yahoo News said the watch was a Backes and Strauss “Black Star of Ghana” watch, “crafted in 18 karat gold with diamonds and leather.”

The information about the gifts was published in the White House Federal Register.

The website of Backes and Strauss-the UK Company commissioned to manufacture the watch- has also corroborated the story by the US Federal Registry that the gift was presented to the Obamas by Ghana’s first lady Georgina Naadu Mills.

However, on Thursday January 20, when the story first broke, the Presidency issued a statement in which it said “Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills did NOT present Mrs. Obama with a Backes & Strauss wristwatch valued at $48,000, when the Obama Family paid a state visit to Ghana in the second week of July 2009.”

Speaking on Citi FM’s Saturday political talk show the ‘Big Issue’ John Ndebugri told Richard Sky that the government’s posture of trying frantically to deny the story is very mischievous.

He added that parliament must be tasked to investigate the issue to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the story.

“This matter ought to be thoroughly investigated by Parliament…it is important that Parliament investigate it. It should be investigated so we get to the bottom of the matter and understand why government us frantically denying this matter in the face of all these contradictory statements”.

Former MP for Zebilla, Hon John Ndebugri has challenged the leadership of Parliament to thoroughly investigate the 48,000 dollar gold watch gift reportedly given to the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama by Ghana’s first Lady, Mrs Naadu Mills.

First Lady Ernestina Naadu Mills is reported to have given her counterpart in the United States, Michelle Obama, a gold watch valued at 48,000 dollars.

An AFP report culled by Yahoo News said the watch was a Backes and Strauss “Black Star of Ghana” watch, “crafted in 18 karat gold with diamonds and leather.”

The information about the gifts was published in the White House Federal Register.

The website of Backes and Strauss-the UK Company commissioned to manufacture the watch- has also corroborated the story by the US Federal Registry that the gift was presented to the Obamas by Ghana’s first lady Georgina Naadu Mills.

However, on Thursday January 20, when the story first broke, the Presidency issued a statement in which it said “Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills did NOT present Mrs. Obama with a Backes & Strauss wristwatch valued at $48,000, when the Obama Family paid a state visit to Ghana in the second week of July 2009.”

Speaking on Citi FM’s Saturday political talk show the ‘Big Issue’ John Ndebugri told Richard Sky that the government’s posture of trying frantically to deny the story is very mischievous.

He added that parliament must be tasked to investigate the issue to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the story.

“This matter ought to be thoroughly investigated by Parliament…it is important that Parliament investigate it. It should be investigated so we get to the bottom of the matter and understand why government us frantically denying this matter in the face of all these contradictory statements”.

Source: citifmonline

Effutu MP promises assistance to accident victims

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Mr. Mike Hammah, the outgoing Minister of Transport, has visited the victims of the road accident that occurred on January 19 at Mpunem near Winneba.

The victims are on admission at the Winneba Government Hospital. The accident occurred when a cargo truck heading towards Cape Coast from Winneba collided with a 207 bus which was also heading towards Accra from Cape Coast. Assistant Superintendent of Police Nana Ofori, Winneba Municipality MTTU Commander, said 13 people died including the drivers of the vehicles.

“According to our records, 10 people died on the spot, two others died at Winneba Government Hospital and another person died at a hospital in Apam,”, he said. Mr Hammah extended his condolence to the bereaved families and pledged government’s assistance towards the recuperation of those on admission.

He expressed concern about accidents and said they were draining the nation’s human resource. “The spate of accidents on our roads is just unacceptable since it will not in any way help us achieve the ‘Better Ghana Agenda.’ We must work to protect the human resource base of the country,” he said. Mr. Hammah praised to the security agencies and the staff of the Winneba Government Hospital for the professional manner in which they handled the victims.

He presented 1,000Ghana cedis to the hospital authorities to cater for the medical expenses of the victims and pledged government’s support towards their recovery. Mr Noble Appiah, Chief Executive Officer of the National Road Safety Commission, appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to make issues relating to road safety one of their topmost priorities.

Source: GNA

Dan Botwe denies GH 36,000 MPs filing fee

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Okere and former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dan Kwaku Botwe, has denied publications that the party intends to charge GH¢36,000 as filing and party development fee for members who are seeking to run as MPs in their upcoming primaries.

The Wednesday 19th January edition of the New Crusading Guide reported that party executives had at a meeting proposed the GH¢36,000 as a filing fee for persons seeking to contest as parliamentarians.

GH¢30,000 is filing fee while the GH¢6,000 is a party development fee.

But speaking on Adom Dwaso Nsem on Thursday, Mr. Dan Botwe denied the story stating that the NPP has not come out with an official statement on the matter adding that the Crusading Guide report stated it was sources within the party who had given out the information.

He said the publication was not true because he has it on authority that the National Executive Committee of the party which is the sole authority to discuss the issue had not even met for deliberations so that decision could not have been taken.

He stated that the figure being bandied about could not be true because even in 2007 and 2008 when the NPP held its Presidential aspirants elections which was a national exercise they paid GH¢25,000 so it would be ridiculous that they would be required to pay such a huge amount for just one constituency.

Dan Botwe questioned that even when it was a national exercise which included providing logistics for about 15,000 delegates in all 230 constituencies across the country, aspirants paid GH¢25,000, asking how then could they charge GH¢36,000 now for just one constituency.

The Crusading Guide report stated that filing fees for prospective MPs were GH¢30,000 plus an added GH¢6,000 as development fund while incumbent MPs would pay between GH¢1,500 and GH¢20,000 plus the GH¢6,000 development fee.

He said he knew that some MPs had loaned out money to the NPP headquarters when they needed financial help so it is up to the party to see how best they can pay back but that was not enough basis to let the two groups pay separate fees.

Source: Adomonline.com

NPP rebates 50% filling fee for women aspirants

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) says its decision to slash 50% off the filing fee for potential female parliamentary aspirants of the party signals its desire to support more women to enter into politics.

The National Executive Committee of the party at a meeting fixed the filing fee for those desirous of competing in the party’s parliamentary primaries at Gh¢16, 000. Gh¢10, 000 of the Gh¢16, 000 is to be paid into a reserved fund for the development of the party.

The committee however decided to rebate fifty percent (50%) of the filing fee to females. That means all potential female aspirants will pay Gh¢8, 000 instead of Gh¢16, 000. This discounts an earlier story by an Accra newspaper that a fee of Gh¢36,000 had been fixed by the party

Speaking to Citi News, the General Secretary of the NPP, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie popularly known as Sir John, said the move to rebate the filling fee for women is to encourage more women to participate in all levels of governance.

“Yesterday (January 20) the conclusion was that women ought to receive fifty percent rebate of the fees that has been put out. We want to encourage more women to participate in the process and this in the wisdom of the National Executive Committee is the way forward”.

Gender Activist and member of the NPP, Ursula Owusu has lauded the initiative and called on other political parties to do same.

Madam Owusu, who is a potential parliamentary aspirant for the party, said a lot of women will take advantage of this initiative to contest for political positions.

“I think this is commendable and other parties should emulate this. This is sending a clear signal to the whole world that we want more women in parliament and at all levels of governance”

Meanwhile, a political scientist at the University of Ghana believes the initiative by the NPP will help deal with the high level of apathy among women when it comes to contesting for political positions.

In an interview with Citi News, Mr. Gyampo suggested that other political parties consider implementing the idea and further put in place measures to improve women participation at district and constituency level.

Joe Ghartey calls for withdrawal of Petroleum Bill

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Esikado/Ketan, Mr Joe Ghartey, has called for the withdrawal of the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill (PRM) because it is loaded with amendments.

He explained that if a bill had one-third of it being amended then it had to be withdrawn, adding that members needed to take a look at how they were treating the legal framework with regard to petroleum.

Mr Ghartey, who is a former Attorney General in the erstwhile NPP government, said the PRM bill should be referred to the Attorney General’s office with a reason that though the bill was drafted and placed before Parliament, more amendments had been found in it.

According to him, subject to Article 269 (1) of the Constitution, Petroleum Commission bill should have been first followed by Petroleum Exploration Bill and then Petroleum Revenue Management Bill in order of sequence.

He said if a bill was found in a situation of numerous amendments, the right thing was to send it back to the AG for a re-look.

Mr Ghartey appealed to the Majority leader to consider the various options and take decisions on it so that the PRM bill would be properly done.

Mr Cletus Apul Avoka, Majority Leader and NDC member of Parliament for Zebilla, said Parliament had done a lot of work on the PRM bill and that it was out of place to go by Mr Ghartey’s request.

He said the issue was about managing revenue and not natural resources because the two were different and urged that the PRM bill, currently at the consideration stage, be continued with by Parliament.

However, Mr Avoka told the house that the Chairmen of the Finance, and Energy Committees were absent and so the house could not work on the bill until the two members were in.

Source: GNA