Month: March 2011

Dominic Nitiwul, Member of Parliament for Bimbila has cautioned the Youth in Ghana against adopting criminal and unorthodox means to amass wealth.

He said there is no short-cut to getting rich in life, adding that it pays to acquire possessions through legitimate ways.

Hon. Dominic Nitiwul’s, advice follows the sentencing of the Former boss of the EXOPA Modeling Agency to 15 years imprisonment for attempting to smuggle narcotic drugs out of the country.

Ibrahim Sima in his 30’s who was jailed yesterday, has been on trial since September 2009 for two counts of attempting to export narcotic drugs and unlawful possession of narcotic drugs.

He was arrested on September 7, 2009 at the Kotoka International Airport when a search on his luggage revealed tubers of yam in which was embedded narcotic substances.

Officers of the Narcotics Control Board led the convict (then suspect) to his residents where a bread knife (which was allegedly used to cut the yam) and super glue which was used to seal the items were found and presented as evidence in court though he denied ownership.

Contributing to a discussion on e.tv’s Breakfast show on Friday, the Member of Parliament for Bimbila, Dominic Nitiwul who himself is a youth, condemned the craze by the youth to get rich quick in recent times, using life- threatening means which occasionally result in death.

“Some of the youth have resorted to all sorts of illegitimate means to get money fast, and are living affluent live styles and are being adored by many people, a trend which is increasingly worrying’’ he said.

Hon. Dominic Nitiwul bemoaned the lack of coordination between the banks in Ghana, the Revenue Agencies and security service, which allow people to save huge amount of monies while they evade taxes.

‘’In Ghana, one can save 1 million dollars in an account and no one in the bank will question as to how that person made that kind of money, this obviously cannot be done anywhere in Europe’’ he said.

Story by: Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov

The Member of Parliament for Assin North, Hon. Kennedy Agyepong has stated that the Ministry of Energy has refused to pay a huge debt owed his wife for no just reason.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday March 3, Hon Kennedy Agyepong said his wife had undertaken several projects awarded by the Ministry but has not received payment for jobs done. He however added that he is not in a haste to pursue the government for his money.

“Let me tell you how much the government owes my wife, a lot of the Ministry of Energy contracts, she did it but they said they are not going to pay her. Even under their own administration 2009 to 2010, I supplied 8 million dollars worth, I did the contacts in China for her and they are not paying, all these monies they are not paying. They are not paying because they say Kennedy Agyepong is behind it. I am not worried because even if I die my children would come after the government and take the money”.

However, the Communications Director of the Ministry of Energy, Edward Bawa in a reaction told Citi News that the claims by Hon Kennedy Agyepong are not entirely true.

He conceded that the Ministry of Energy is indebted to Hon Agyepong to the tune of $8 million, adding that the Ministry has failed to pay the MP because there is no money and not because he is an NPP member as claimed.

Mr Bawa also added that the contracts were not signed in 2009 as claimed by Hon. Agyepong but were signed on 15 May 2008 under the erstwhile NPP administration.

“On 15 of May 2008, the Ministry of Energy signed a contract with Interior World to supply electricals to the tune of $14,996,624.16 million. The ministry gave a first payment of $2,709,344.44, the second payment was valued at $3,318,694.29 making the total sum to $6,190,628.73 and both payments were paid on 20th October 2008…so the balance that is left is $8,976,995.43. We have not paid him because there is no money but not because he is an NPP member. He would be paid as and when there is money”.

Source: citifmonline.com

Cassiel Ato Forson, Member of Parliament for Ajumako /Enyam/Essiam Constituency in the Central Region has appealed to teachers in general and especially those in his constituency, to remain calm and not take to the streets to demonstrate, as government takes steps to correct the inconsistencies in their salaries.

He said such an act will greatly affect the education of school children who need maximum attention from their teachers.

Teachers across the country particularly in the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions have demonstrated in protest against what they see as appalling discrepancy in their salaries following their migration onto the single spine salary structure, with others threatening a strike action soon.

Several teachers had utmost shock when they realized after visiting the banks that some of them have had their pay reduced while others had a pittance added to their salaries, threatening to boycott the up-coming Independence Day celebration on 6th March 2011.

In a discussion on the issue on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem show on Thursday, the Member of Parliament for Ajumako /Enyam/Essiam Constituency who sympathized with the teachers however stated that taking to the streets to demonstrate their displeasure was not the solution to the problem.

‘’Demonstration will not solve the problem, dialogue with the relevant authorities is a sure way to bringing this matter to a close’’.

He stated that ‘’the NDC government remains committed to ensuring that the welfare of teachers is improved and will do everything possible to ensure this is realized’’ He said.

Meanwhile a technical team in Dodowa is working to correct the anomalies that have been raised by some of the workers in terms of people not having the migration taking place in respect of their salaries or those who have even been underpaid.

The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has appealed to all personnel within the Ghana Education Service who have experienced some error in their February salaries to remain calm as it works to rectify the situation.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

The Minority Spokesperson on Water Resources, Works and Housing, Hon. Cecilia Dapaah has blasted the Mills administration over its water rationing policy, saying it shows clearly the lack of deep thinking and vision on how to fix the nation’s water problems.

Her comments come over a week after President Mills touted the policy as one which has helped to fill the dry taps of many suburbs and households, which hitherto did not see running water for years.

President Mills during the Third State of the Nation Address told Parliament that Adenta, a suburb of Accra which has one of the worst water problems, had enjoyed significant water supply because of a water rationing exercise carried out by the Ghana Water Company, a claim that was disputed by residents of the area.

Former deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Hon. Cecilia Dapaah, told Citi News President Mills’ comments were most unfortunate and exposed Government’s lack of vision for the water sector.

“Day in and day out, people are migrating from our rural areas to the urban areas. There is population growth. New industries are being introduced into the system, and this is part of our developmental process. So there should always be a vision of carrying on. Accra will remain Accra in land size but people can come in and augment or swell up the numbers. I haven’t seen the Mills administration prosecuting this vision because from what was done by the previous Government, I haven’t seen anything being done to augment the water delivery in Accra. And if the President says that rationing should be the norm of the day that is pitiful,” she said.

“If you look at the statistics, people who get water supply 24 hours a day, I don’t think they are even 30%. And when you turn on your tap for sanitation purposes, water should flow. People who are deprived pay more than what the Water Company charges. At times they pay ten times more. So you can see that if we put the right projects in place and supply the water, people have the capacity to pay for the water they use. Invariably because they are not getting the water, they pay ten times for the cost of water and I believe it is not fair” she said.

The Bantama MP also accused the Mills administration of sidestepping a comprehensive Water Policy approved by the erstwhile Kufuor administration prior to the 2008 General elections.

“I am amazed because if the blueprint is there and is for the national good why can’t it be continued? It is for Ghanaians, it is not an NPP Policy. Water is a human rights issue so Ghanaians should be provided with good drinking water to be able to survive and live healthy lives.

“How come that in this 21st century, we have an outbreak of cholera with people dying at Korle-Bu? This is unacceptable. Imagine a maternity home without water. Imagine children who have to be late or absent from school in search of water. So I believe as much as they want to accept the rationing of water, I think it is not enough. This Government has a penchant for borrowing so they should go and borrow and give us the water.”

Source: citifmonline.com

Counsel for the four Members of Parliament seeking to annul the Speaker’s ruling on the Petroleum Management Bill is rolling up his sleeves ahead of a legal battle at the Supreme Court.

Atta Akyea believes the passing into law of the controversial bill on Wednesday makes his impending suit a lot easier.

MPs for Bimbilla, Manhyia, Takoradi, and Tarkwa Nsuaem- Dominic Nitiwul, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Mr. Okyere Darko Mensah and Gifty Eugenia Kusi respectively are seeking interpretations for a ruling by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Doe Adjaho that the MPs had no power to introduce a bill that will impose a burden on the consolidated fund.

They were bent on filing a motion for the amendment as well as the institution of a Western Region Development Fund into which 10 per cent of the oil revenue should be allotted for the exclusive development of the Western Region.

But the Deputy Speaker Doe Adjaho ruled against the intended ammendment.

Doe Adjaho who sat in for the absent Speaker Joyce Bamford Addo, ruled that such a motion could only be filed by a minister or only at the behest of the President of the Republic.

The four MPs insist the ruling by the Deputy Speaker was unconstitutional and are threatening to annul the ruling at the Supreme Court.

As the controversial bill got passed Wednesday amidst cheers from the Majority, counsel for the four MPs, Atta Akyea, who is also MP for Abuakwa South, was already beaming with confidence ahead of the expected legal battle.

“Today is significant because that brings a closure to the arguments that nobody is going to change his mind on the issues raised and therefore we can say that now that the bill has been passed into law, waiting for the assent to give it the efficacy, we can now have the declaration from the Supreme Court that, that bill is null and void in terms of Article 108 of the Constitution,” he told Joy News’ Sammy Darko.

He dismissed assertions that Parliament is a master of its own and its decisions and Standing Orders are not for interpretations by any court.

According to him, once the Standing Orders referred to by the Deputy Speaker were in flagrant violation of the 1992 Constitution, he was hopeful the Supreme Court would uphold his clients’ suit.

Source: myjoyonline.com

The Member of Parliament for Atwima Mponua, Isaac Asiamah, has objected to suggestion for the term of office for future governments to be extended beyond the current four years.

He said four years is enough for any serious government to be able to honor promises it made to the electorate during electioneering campaigns.

Former President John Agyekum Kufour, before exiting office in 2008 proposed the extension of the term of office for presidents to enable them realize their manifesto promises.

The issue has once again come up for discussion at a five –day conference organized by the Constitution Review Commission opens which opened on 1st March and ends on 5th March 2011.

The conference would articulate concerns of the citizenry as regards the amendments required for a comprehensive review and make recommendations to the Government for consideration and provide a draft bill for possible.

However commenting on the issue on e.tv’s Breakfast TV show Wednesday, the Member of Parliament for Atwima Mponua, Isaac Asiamah accused politicians of making unrealistic promises that obviously cannot be honored within a four year period.

He opined, it is important that the various parties back their manifestos with an ction plan that will help them prosecute their promises when elected into power.

‘Politicians mount platform and make all sorts of promises to be delivered when elected, and Ghanaians don’t even ask them how they are practically going to achieve that, that is why they continue to do that’’ he said.

Hon. Isaac Asiamah added that if the term of office for government is extended to five or eight years as has been suggested by a section of the public, execution of projects will be slowed as governments will think they have enough time on their hands.

Source: Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Minority Leader, on Tuesday rejected the Majority’s request of an apology for not joining a procession to usher out the President after delivering the state of the nation address in Parliament on February 17.

“I owe no apology to Parliament”, he said as he rebuffed attempts by the Majority talk him into submission.

The Minority Leader after the state of the nation address recently delivered by President John Mills described the address as divisive and refused to join the recession to see off the President-a time honoured parliamentary convention.

The Minority Leader said he took that decision because the President failed to recognise the Former President John Kufuor, Chief Justice Georgina Wood and other elderly personalities of the state who had assembled in the House to listen to the yearly address.

The issue was triggered by Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka NDC member for Asawase, when he took his turn to debate the motion tabled on the President’s state of the nation address.

He had called on the Minority Leader to apologise to the House for not accompanying the President out of the chamber as parliamentary culture demanded.

He advised politicians to control their temper and their utterances, adding that a lot of people looked up to them. He said holding high public offices of that calibre was a privilege that should not be abused since there were others who could perform such functions with better. The Speaker Mrs Joyce Bamford- Addo said she thought the matter was put to rest after the President apologised as did the Minority Leader. She however said since the matter was lingering, she would give the opportunity to the Minority Leader to make his comments to put the matter to rest.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said he broke no Standing Order but only criticised the President for his omission and the insinuations he cast during his submissions.

He said the President agreed to the criticisms and apologised. “Our conduct was not meant to affront the President, we respect the President”, he said.

He said those who hailed the President as having given a very good statement were shamed when the President apologised. “Those who are hailing the President for the state of the nation address are leading him to the path of unrighteousness”, he said. The Minority Leader said when the President realised his fault and apologised he had no difficulty to also apologise which according to him,” I directed to the people of Ghana”.

Mr Rashid Pelpuo, Deputy Majority Leader, who vehemently disagreed with the Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the conduct of the Minority Leader violated the conventions of the House and treated the President contemptuously. “He holds it a duty to apologise to enhance his own dignity”, he said.

“The matter will not be put to rest until the wrong is righted”, he said Dr Joseph Annan, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, said the Minority Leader’s apology was a conditional one based on the fact that the President also apologised.

“We want the Minority Leader to have some level of respect and humility, we have students among us listening, if he cannot show humility to us he must show humility to the constitution, we demand an apology”, he said adding, if not he would be dragged to the Privileges Committee. The Speaker Justice Bamford- Addo, taking the entrenched position of the two sides, adjourned the House for about 30 minutes to allow the leadership to confer on the matter.

She said her intention was to allow the House to settle the matter once and for all since President had apologised and he (Minority Leader) also apologised.

The House reconvened at about 1230 hours with the ruling of the Speaker that no member would be allowed to stray into matters of convention concerning the President’s State of the Nation Address. All members, she said, must stick to the speech delivered and nothing else. The Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Avoka, said the issue of whether President recognised some one or not during his the state of the nation address should not be discussed but the substance of the address. Protocol and procedural matters must not be discussed in the review of the President’s address, according to Mr Avoka.

Mr Ambrose Dery, Deputy Minority Leader, said the issue of whether the President recognised any dignitary or not must be an issue of no go area for all members who would thank the President for his address. The Speaker referred matter to the leadership of the house for redress.

GNA