Month: February 2011

Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, has apologized for his refusal to escort President Mills out of Parliament as protocol demands after the President’s State of the Nation Address.

He explained that the Minority was forced to embark on that action as a sign of their discontent at President Mills’ failure to recognize former President Kufuor and other distinguished personalities during his address, despite their protestations.

The leadership of the Minority yesterday in an unprecedented move in parliament, refused to accompany the President out of the chamber after his address.

Speaking on Joy FM’s super morning show on Friday 17^th February 2011, the Minority Leader who is also the Member of Parliament for Suame stated that it is not in his nature to be disrespectful to the President in any way.

He said the unfortunate incident was triggered spontaneously after the President Mills’ action that he thought was unpardonable but he nonetheless apologizes unreservedly to the President.

“ I have personally spoken to the President and have apologized to him for what happened and we have both assured ourselves that such an unfortunate incident will not reoccur’’, he said.

President John Evans Attah Mills while addressing the Castle press corps after the state of the nation address apologized for his inability to acknowledge the ex-President Kufour and the Chief Justice explaining that it was not intentional that he left out the dignitaries but was only following protocol.

He has since called both ex-President Kufour and the Chief Justice on phone personally to apologize to them for the over sight.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

The Member of Parliament for Okaikoi South, Nana Akomea, says he is amazed at the reasons adduced by President John Evans Attah Mills for the improvement in water supply to Accra.

The President during his state of the nation address yesterday stated that some progress is being made in the existing water supply situation as through rationing, many parts of Accra including Adenta now have access to water.

He added that the rehabilitation of water treatment plant and pipelines at Kpong which is expected to start this year as well as the ongoing ATMA Rural Water Supply Project will go a long way in further improving water supply.

However speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show today, Nana Akomea who is also the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) says he is shocked at the President happily touting that, rationing as a measure had helped improve the water situation in Accra instead of building more water treatment projects.

“This government has decided to ration everything even including reshuffles, they announce reshuffles in bits, it is important that the government find lasting solution to the existing water problem, rationing is definitely not the answer” he said.

Nana Akomea questions why Ghana which is blessed with many water bodies should still grapple with adequate supply of water for its citizens, urging the government to construct more water treatment plants to bring some relief to areas that have no water.

Story by: Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

The Member of Parliament for Shai Osudoku, David Tetteh Asuming on Friday stirred up some controversy in the House when he accused some female MPs of indecent dressing.

He said some women do not dress in a way that depict the Ghanaian tradition, but rather prefer to wear clothes that expose parts of their bodies.

He told Joy News’ Parliamentary correspondent Sammy Darko: “We are supposed to abide by some level of sanity in terms of dressing; that is what we are expected to do, so [it is not acceptable] if you come to the chamber and certain vital parts of yours are exposed…”, he complained.

Some women members of the House demanded a retraction and an apology from him for passing such an ‘uncharitable’ comment of them, but Mr. Asuming would not budge.

He refuted the assertion that his statement was an attack on the dignity of women, remarking that his intention was, instead, “trying to protect their dignity”.

The legislator said Parliament House is a place of “international stature” where dignitaries from other countries often visit to observe proceedings. He noted that school children also come to witness proceedings for educational purposes.

“So when they come, it is not only the proceedings that they watch. They also watch the type of dressings we show.” He therefore admonished fellow parliamentarians not to dress extraordinarily but to try and dress simply.

His insistence brought some disruption in the House but the Speaker, took control of the situation and suggested that there was a need to review the dress code of parliamentarians if possible.

Source: Joy FM

President John Evans Atta Mills is set to deliver the 2011 State of the Nation Address on Thursday February 17. But even before he sets the ball rolling, some members of the opposition NPP believe it will be “another year of talk and no action”.

In his 2010 State of the Nation address, President Mills promised to set up a Constituency Development Fund for the nation’s MPs. He also promised to put before Parliament an Executive Instrument to repeal the exclusive National Honours Class of the Order of the Star of the Eagles of Ghana created by his predecessor, John Agyekum Kufuor, and awardable only to Presidents of Ghana.

President John Mills also promised to lead a winning war against the carnage on the nation’s roads. But nearly a year on, there is evidence according to NPP MP Matthew Opoku Prempeh, that suggest that not much has been done by the President to honour his numerous promises to the legislature and the nation.

The Manhyia MP told Citi News key among the many failed promises made to the House is the President’s announcement that he was taking steps to investigate serious leakages in the administration of the GETFund.

“Not only has nothing been done but he is deepening the misapplication of GETFunds. The monies are being used elsewhere other than what it was collected for. When I hear NDC communicators talking about 1.5 billion cedis of TOR funds being used for communication, I ask them about the billions of Ghana Cedis they have used from the GETFund and NHIS Fund. If you collect 300 million Cedis supposed to be transferred to the NHIS Fund or 280 Million to be transferred to GETFund or 500 million to be transferred to District Assembly Common Fund, and at the end of the year, they have not been transferred, it is clear that they have been misapplied,” he alleged.

“Action and work in this Government means nothing. They are opposed to each other. In 2010, he came and promised heaven with regards to dealing with accidents, but what happened at the end of 2010? Even at the beginning of 2011, one is scared to sit in his car and travel on a long distance journey. The President to all intents and purposes was not serious about some of the things he said”.

“The things he has promised in the last two addresses and his poor delivery of those promises, leaves me to believe that it is going to be another year of talk but no action” he said.

However, Information Minister, John Tia, disagrees. He told Citi News the President has indeed taken a lot of concrete steps towards implementing what he calls programmes and not promises.

The Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Alfred Agbesi has welcomed the reduction in utility tariffs by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

He said though the decrease in tariffs is marginal, the fact that Ghanaians have not been asked to pay more on utilities is a positive move worth commending.

The PURC which announced the new tariffs yesterday, stated that the new prices take effect from March 1st to May 31st which is consistent with the PURC’s new initiative to review the tariffs quarterly.

For electricity, residential consumers within 0 – 50 units will pay GH¢9.50, representing no change from the June figure. Consumers between 51 – 150 will now pay 15.95 pesewas per unit instead of 17 pesewas previously. The category of consumers between 151 – 300 will pay the same amount. Those consuming between 301 and 600units will now pay 20.70pesewas as against 21 pesewas previously.

For non-residential electricity consumers, users between 0 – 100 will pay 22.93 pesewas instead of 26 pesewas. Consumers between 101 – 300 will pay the same.

For water, residential consumers who use between 0 – 200 gallons will pay 79.05p per gallon as against 80p while consumers of 200 gallons plus, will pay 118.50p per gallon instead 120p.

Non-residential consumers are expected to pay 168.45, reduced from 180p previously.

Speaking on e.tv breakfast TV show, on Wednesday 16th February 2011, the Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Alfred Agbesi, stated that the decision not to increase tariffs is a good start and an indication of better things to come from the ever- caring NDC government.

He noted that the government which is committed to ensuring that the welfare of Ghanaians is improved, will continue to churn out policies that will bring a lot of relief for Ghanaians in these difficult economic times.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

The Member of Parliament for Nsuta Kwaman-Beposo, Kwame Osei Prempeh has found fault with the re-assigning of former deputy minister of Tourism Kobby Acheampong to the Ministry of Interior.

According to the MP who was once a deputy minister of Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Kobby Acheapong is just not cut for a sensitive ministry such as Interior.

The Deputy Minister was re-assigned in a latest reshuffling by President John Evans Attah Mills yesterday, which saw other deputy ministers being moved around while two were sacked. New District Chief Executives were also appointed.

During a panel discussion on the reshuffle on e.tv’s morning show on Wednesday 16th February 2011, the Member of Parliament for Nsuta Kwamang Beposo, Kwame Osei Prempeh, who admitted that the power to appoint and re-assign ministers reside with the President, however wondered why an abrasive character like Kobby Acheampong has been asked to pair a calm and very amiable person like Dr Benjamin Kunbour.

“If the President in his wisdom thinks this mis-match of a duo will help him prosecute the better Ghana agenda then so be it’’ he said.

He said that Hon. Kobby Acheampong is noted for spewing out unpalatable words over the years and he expects him to be circumspect in his comments when he finally settles down at the Interior Ministry.

“This abrasive man will be dealing with personnel from the Police, Fire, Prisons and Immigration Services, I hope he doesn’t slip in his speech while dealing with these officers so we can have some peace’’ he added.

However the MP for Ashaiman Alfred Agbesi who was a panel member disagreed entirely with Hon. Osei Prempeh’s submission stating that the President as the captain of the team, is well placed to move his ministers to where they will be most effective.

He said the president is fully aware of what he’s doing, adding that Ghanaians should allow the minister some time to operate so that his performance could be assessed at the end of the day.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Samia Nkrumah has stated that the filing fees announced by the party’s central committee for national executive positions is astronomical.

The MP, the lone CPP Member of Parliament who has expressed interest in contesting for the Chairmanship position of the party wants the fees reduced drastically.

The party is asking aspirants for the chairmanship position to pay 20,000 Ghana cedis while those aspiring for the vice chairmanship, treasurer and general secretary positions, will pay 15,000 Ghana cedis. Aspirants for the position of national organizer will pay 5000.

The party also pegged fees for regional chairpersons, vice chair, regional secretary and treasurer positions at 800, while all others are to pay 500.

Speaking on Citi FM midday news on Wednesday 16th February 2011, Hon. Samiah Nkrumah urged party supporters to speak against the exorbitant fees, adding that it is time things are done differently in the CPP.

She said a lot of youth are interested in running for positions in the party and such huge fees is definitely going to scare them as they cannot afford the money.

Samia also wants a special discount to be given to women aspirants to enable most of them participate in the party‘s activities and also improve on their contribution on national politics.

But the National Chairman of the party Ladi Nylander, on his part explained to Citi News that the fees are reasonable.

He noted that the Central Committee of the party in its wisdom pegged the filling fees after a thorough debate on the issue, adding that all aspirants are bound by the Committee’s decision.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh