Month: October 2011

The Member of Parliament for Nadowli East constituency, Hon. Matthias Puozaa has admonished all in the constituency to uphold the truth and tell it as it is, as any deviation from the truth will not be tolerated even if it will cost him his position as the MP for the area.

Hon. Matthias made the statement at the commissioning of a multi-purpose building which was the initiative of the Tietaa Women’s Group in the district.

Hon. Puozaa said he contacted the Ministry of Local Government for support for the womens’ group and the ministry voted GHS 30, 000 as their initial contribution to the project with the District Assembly contributing GHS 5, 000 for the completion of the project.

He said it is not the best thing to put money in pockets of individuals as that will not bring development to the area; he will rather assist in bringing physical developments to the doorsteps of the people.

According to the Nadowli East MP, the NDC is surely going to retain power with him in Parliament come 2013.

He denied rumour making rounds that a new district is to be carved from the Nadowli with headquarters at Isah.

This, he said is causing a rift among constituents. He said given the population of the area which is only 14,000, another district will be unwarranted.

He called for unity and promised to do his best to the people of the area.

The District Chief Executive for Nadowli, Abu kabienbata Kasangabata promised the Tietaa Women’s group twenty bags of maize for distribution and an amount of five hundred Ghana cedis for the running of the multipurpose building.

He said fifty seven communities in the district will benefit from electricity program that the NDC government is currently embarking in the northern sector of the country.

The patron of the Tietaa women’s group, Mr. Katuolaa said members of the association used to cultivate onions, pepper, garden eggs, vegetables, tomatoes and rice among others during the dry season but the dam has now been taken over by the herdsmen as a source for watering their cattle, leaving the women in poverty.

He said this had compelled the women to stop farming and are now trading in cash crops.

Mr. Katuolaa appealed to the chief of Fian and other elders to do something about the herdsmen and their cattle to allow the women to get back to their activities.

He said the group was not only into productive ventures but was also advocating for the enrolment of girls in school as well as campaigning against social and cultural practices that were inimical to the development of women in the community.

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Outspoken National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for the Lower Manya Constituency, Michael Teye Nyaunu, has launched a scathing attack on Dr. Obed Asamoah and the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) members, who recently returned to the NDC describing them as mere “opportunists”.

According to Hon. Nyaunu, the fact that members of the DFP left the NDC party during its hard times is a clear indication that they do not have the interest of the party at heart.

He told Citi News in an interview that recent comments by life patron of the DFP, Dr. Asamoah that ex-President J. J Rawlings is not the founder of the NDC is very disappointing and unfortunate.

“DFP left us when we were in hot times; they abandoned the ship, assuming the ship sank would they come back? If they want to come back they should come coolly and join rather than coming to talk about who is the founder and who is not the founder,” he said.

“I have been with Dr. Obed Asamoah and I think that he is an experienced politician than the way he is talking now. Opportunists indeed! We sailed through the hard times under the Kufuor administration and now that they have come back look at the way they are talking. They are doing this because they want a position that is what they are coming for,” Nyaunu added.

Hon. Nyaunu also took a swipe at comments made by a deputy Information Minister Baba Jamal, who described the former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings as a frustrated woman.

Nana Konadu told NDC supporters in Tamale during her recent ‘thank you tour’ that no accommodation had been provided for them after fire razed down their Ridge residence in February 2010.

In a reaction to comment by the former first lady, Jamal stated that he did not have time to waste on a frustrated woman.

However, Hon. Nyaunu, stated that Jamal, who has contested the Akwatia seat four times and lost is rather someone who should be described as a frustrated person.

“She is not a frustrated woman, Baba Jamal is rather a frustrated man, he contested the Akwatia four times and never won and you want to compare yourself to Nana Konadu,” Nyaunu charged.

The Member of Parliament for Mfantseman West, Aquinas Quansah has urged government not to be intimidated and legalize Homosexuality and Lesbianism for fear of losing budgetary support from Britain.

He said Ghana as a sovereign country must not allow itself to be dictated to by any country by virtue of that country’s economic superiority.

The MP’s comment follows a report that Ghana stands to lose a whopping amount of money if the country continues to suppress gay rights and not allow people the free will to practice the act.

Ghana receives a total of £36 million every year as budgetary support from Great Britain.

According to a Daily Mail report, the UK government has already taken steps against Malawi, cutting aid by $30 million after two homosexuals who held an engagement ceremony were sentenced to 14 months hard labor. And payments could be cut further to the southern African nation, which has received $312 since 2008, if it proceeds with plans to bring in tough anti-lesbian laws.

Uganda (due to receive $109 million this year) and Ghana (due $56 million) could also face sanctions if they refuse to drop antiquated anti-gay laws. The possibility that these countries will see their aid slashed seems increasingly likely as Uganda has plans to punish same-sex couples with the death penalty

However contributing to a panel discussion on e.tv Ghana on Wednesday, the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman West, Aquinas Quansah stated that Ghana must be resolute in its stand against legalization of Lesbianism and Homosexuality and call the bluff of Britain.

“This is something the government must be bold enough to resist, this abominable act is alien to our culture and values as Ghanaians and we must not encourage it just because we fear losing aid from Britain’’ he said.

He added that it would be unfair for Britain to hold some developing countries to ransom simply because those countries by their culture are not favorable to gays and lesbians.

Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

The Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South, Balado Manu, has urged President John Evans Attah Mills to desist from continuously blaming the erstwhile New Patriotic Party(NPP) government for whatever difficulties his government is facing currently and get down to deliver his mandate as President.

According to him, the President has a penchant for accusing and blaming the Kufour led administration for his government’s ‘woes’, an act he describes as an exhibition of his incompetence as President.

His statement follows the assertion by President Mills that fthe former NPP government left no money in the kitty for the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) even though it announced it, and that his government is feverishly sourcing for money to fully implement the scheme.

The President was reacting to the strike action by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) following the lull in the effort of the Fair Wages and Salary Commission to migrate them onto the Single Spine Salary Structure.

The Ghana Medical Association last Friday announced a nationwide strike to protest what they claim was stalled negotiation.

However speaking on e.tv Ghana’s Breakfast TV show, the Member of Parliament Ahafo Ano South, Balado Manu stated that President Mills constant blame of the former NPP government is becoming one too many and that Ghanaians voted for him to solve problems and improve their lives but not amplifying them.

He said the time for heaping blame on his predecessor government is long over and that President Mills will do Ghanaians a lot of service if he discontinues the blame game and get down to work.

“Every new government in its first year or second will certainly meet some challenges, which is normal, but this President is fond of accusing and blaming the NPP for every problem his government faces, I wouldn’t be surprised if President Mills enters his room tomorrow and doesn’t find Naadu his wife he’ll blame the NPP for taking her away’’ he said.

Hon. Balado Manu urged Ghanaians to vote for a more capable man in the person of Nana Akufo Addo (NPP Flag bearer) who has all what it takes to improve the lives of Ghanaians.

Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

The Member of Parliament for Sunyani East, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, has urged President John Evans Atta Mills to make his tour of the Greater Accra Region more of a listening session rather than a ‘sod cutting festival’.

According to him, the President’s previous tour around parts of the country has been characterized by lots of sod cutting exercises while ordinary Ghanaians who are reeling under intense hardship yearn to have the President listen to their concerns whenever he visits their areas.

President John Evans Attah Mills resumes his regional tours today, Tuesday, October 11, 2011, with a tour of the Greater Accra Region.

During the three-day working tour, President Mills will visit, Accra, Tema, Ga West, Ga East, Ga South, Ledzokuku, Adenta, Ashaiman, Dangme East and West District/Municipal/Metropolitan Areas.

The President during his visit is expected commissioning completed projects and inspecting on-going ones such as, the road construction around the Polo Grounds to open up the Spintex Raod; Community Clinic at Amanfrom; Taifa/Kwabenya road; 3-story Boys Dormitory at Ghanata Senior High School, Dodowa; among others.

Contributing to a panel discussion on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem show on Tuesday, the Member of Parliament for Sunyani East, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh said it is important that President Mills finds time to listen to the concerns of the people at such function and not only when electioneering campaigning begins.

“Most Ghanaians are not feeling the action that the President promised would be seen and felt, they need to tell him their worries and needs when goes to them, but all we see is that as soon as the President is done with cutting several sod he gets into his car and he’s driven away without spending time with the people’’ he said.

Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah, Member of Parliament for Suhum, has cautioned civil society groups against raising the expectations of the public on the Right to Information law so as to prevent confusion in the society.

He said the government information process was not well organized and that without a proper national database the useful effects of the law would not be felt.

Mr Opare-Ansah, who is a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Information and Deputy Minority Chief Whip, said a proper database and good record keeping was important for every citizen who sought information in all Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He said this when a team from the Eastern Regional Coalition on the Right to Information (RTI) called on him at Suhum to share ideas on the bill which was currently before Parliament.

He said the nationwide consultation process did not meet its set target adding that Eastern Regional Consultative meeting did not even attract about 500 people out of a population of over three million.

He gave the assurance that Parliament would carefully study all the issues involved in the Right to Information Law to ensure its proper application.

Mr Edmund Quaynor, the Regional Coordinator of the RTI, cited the appeals process, fee requirements and timely access as some of the concerns being raised by the coalition and urged Parliament to consider them.

He said Ghana’s democracy was being threatened by rumour mongering because people did not have access to information hence there was the need for the RTI law to be passed to check those divisive tendencies.

GNA

Newly elected National Chairman of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Samia Yaba Nkrumah says she bears no grudges with Ghanaians who vilified and demonized her father, Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

She said it was dysfunctional to continue to be bitter after such a long time.

Samia was speaking at a thanksgiving service at Christ the King Church on Sunday. “We are here today at Christ the King Church to give thanks for a successful congress,” she said.

The CPP Chair, who is also the sole representative of the CPP in the 230 member House of Representatives, said she was channeling her energies into building Ghana, not hating others.

She said she had forgiven all those who demonized my humane father, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

The forgiveness, she believes, has given her “the courage to return and contribute to the transformation of our economy for the benefit of our people.”

Present at the thanksgiving service were party gurus such Prof. Agyemang Badu Akosa, former Vice-Presidential candidate, Dr Abu Sakara, Communications Director of the party, Mr William Dorworkpor amongst others.

Myjoyonline.com

The Member of Parliament for Akim Oda, Yaw Owusu Boateng says the merger of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) does not in any way pose a threat to the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s quest to win the 2012 elections.

According to him, the return of the DFP to the NDC’s fold will have an insignificant impact on the ruling party’s electoral fortunes in the upcoming 2012 elections which promise to be keenly contested.

The DFP was formed after some members of the NDC, led by Obed Asamoah broke away from the party following misunderstanding between him and former President Rawlings.

The Party has since been separated from the NDC and supported the NPP in the 2008 general elections. But on Saturday October 8, the DFP met in Accra to finalize their moves for a comeback to the NDC.

The DFP’s return has been hugely hailed by NDC members who believe the DFP is going to join forces to win the 2012 elections.

Speaking to ghanamps.gov.gh, the Member of Parliament for Akim Oda, Yaw Owusu Boateng stated that the excitement and the renewed confidence that has greeted the DFP’s return is much ado about nothing, as the DFP by its self has proved to be electorally very weak.

“ why will people jubilate when the DFP, a party which has performed very poorly in the 2008 elections return to its fold, what substantially are they bringing to the NDC party and it does not mean that all the DFP members have followed the leader back to the NDC party’’ He said.

Hon.Owusu Boateng also down played suggestions that Dr Obed Asamoah would bring his solid mobilization skills to bear and draw enough votes for the ruling party.

“The days when Dr Obed Asamoah was a political heavy weight in Ghana is long gone, what was he able to achieve for his party when the DFP stood alone.’’ He asked

Hon.Owusu Boateng further stated that the NDC had no chance of retaining power as they have consistently failed to fulfill their promises of improving the living standards of Ghanaians.

Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Samuel Atta Akyea, Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, is entertaining serious doubt about the ability of the police administration to do a good job and justice to the alleged insult on Kobby Acheampong.

Mr Acheampong, a deputy Minister of Interior, claimed he was insulted by a police lance corporal on the Accra-Cape Coast road last week. He lodged a complaint through the phone to the Inspector General of Police, and eight police officers who had mounted a checkpoint at the place of the incident where hauled to the national police headquarters in Accra.

After preliminary investigations, L/Cpl Henry Addison was interdicted by the police administration. The rest were made to go on their normal duties and would be recalled to assist in the investigations as and when necessary.

Even before the police finish with their investigations on the alleged insult on the minister, the administration has been flogged by some junior officers and politicians mainly from the opposition in what they claimed is an unfair treatment being meted out to the police officers.

Contributing to a discussion on the above subject on Joy FM’s news analysis programme, Newsfile Saturday, lawyer Atta Akyea said he least expect the police to fault Mr Acheampong whose ministry has oversight responsibility over the police administration.

“Are you very serious that the police can come out with any serious investigations on this matter? Are they going to come out with findings of facts which will sort of go against their superior, the one who has the oversight responsibility over that ministry?…how can they come out with any sensible conclusion on this matter…I wonder if the police service can say that Kobby was lying?”

He therefore assumed that given the scenario the police find themselves in, “Kobby Acheampong will be a judge in his own case”.

Mr Atta Akyea is thus advocating for an independent body to investigate the incident as alleged by the “temperamental” deputy minister, “and then Kobby will be a witness, Kobby needs to prove his case”.

He proposed that the IGP may have to confer with the Chief Justice to appoint a Supreme Court judge to chair the inquisitorial body.

But Mahama Ayariga, deputy Minister of Education, vehemently disagreed with Mr Akyea that the police cannot do justice on the case, and also refuted, under the circumstance, the claims that Kobby would be judge on his own case.

As he encouraged the police to speed up investigations into the incident, he also appealed to Mr Acheampong to refrain from making any public pronouncement on the matter.

He also asked politicians to refrain from politicizing the case, and chided Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, NPP General Secretary for issuing a statement on the case which sought to indicate that Kobby was guilty.

Benjamin Akyena Brentuo, a member of government communications team, claimed that the police preliminary investigations have indicated that the checkpoint where the incident happened was unauthorized, and was also at a dangerous place.

For the Publisher of the Ghanaian Observer newspaper, Egbert Faibille, the way and manner the eight police were arrested and brought to the headquarters was inimical to the laws of Ghana, more especially, when, said, the police involved have “not breached any laws” insulting a deputy minister.

Myjoyonline.com