Month: March 2012

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy and other stakeholders were on Saturday schooled on the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP) on Climate Change and tasked to champion environmental protection.

The Parliamentarians were educated on creating the environment in which more informed and appropriate adaptation decisions and practices could be undertaken within the context of sustainable development.

At a High level Interactive workshop in Accra organised by the AAP Ghana Secretariat with the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and the UNDP, the MPs were exposed to developmental planning which must be sustainable resilient to all manner of threats, both climatic and non-climatic in origin.

Mr Winfrey Nelson, AAP Coordinator, explained that a lot had been done in terms of education and awareness creation on Climate Change issues even though the impact was low.

He said engagement with the High Level decision makers, including Members of the Council of State, Parliamentarians, Ministers of State, Chief Executives of Departments and Agencies, Religious Leaders and other stakeholders seeks to mainstream Climate Change issues into governance.

The training, which involves using toolkits to build an environmentally friendly township, also seeks to empower the policymaker to inculcate Climate Change issues in national development.

Students of the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, used the coercive power of drama to get the commitment of the parliamentarians into signing a Memorandum of Understanding to Commit to Climate Change.

The MOU obliges the parliamentarians to address Climate Change concerns in Ghana at the highest level.

A copy of the agreement given to the GNA states: “We, Members of Parliament, acknowledge that Climate Change poses one of the greatest threats to the economic and social development of our dear country, Ghana, and the well being of present and future generations.

“In recognition of the need for urgent action to address the adverse impacts of Climate Change and protect human life, nature and property in Ghana and globally,

“We commit to use our position and influence to promote awareness and the integration of Climate Change concerns into national development programmes and ensure that adequate human and financial resources are allocated for Climate Change activities in the country.

The MPs renewed their commitment to champion climate change issues not only at the floor of the House but in their Constituencies, especially during this year’s electioneering campaign across the country.

The AAP was launched in 2008 by the UNDP in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) and with US$92.1 million support from the Government of Japan.

Other Institutions which have so far signed the MOU are Council of State, Government’s Economic Management Team, National Development Planning Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The rest are the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Town and Country Planning, Ghana News Agency, MEST and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Source: GNA

The Eastern Regional Minister nominee Ambassador Victor Smith says when given the node he will wage war against illegal mining in the country popularly known as ‘galamsy’ which is common in parts of the Eastern Region, especially the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area.

The illegal activity which is done indiscriminately has been going on in the area for several years affecting the land and several water bodies including the Birim River which serve most of the inhabitants.

Government through the National Security Apparatus recently under took a swoop at Akyem Abuakwa and its environs to rip the area of illegal miners resulting in the arrest of several people, but the miners remain unperturbed.

Ambassador victor smith gave the assurance to tackle the unfortunate practice while answering questions during his vetting at the Appointment Committee of Parliament.

He said he will not relent on his effort to ensure that mining in the Eastern Region is done through best mining practices to preserve the land and water bodies.

“When approved by this august committee, I together with the Regional Security Council will ensure that the mining law is applied to the letter and spirit, those found culpable will be dealt with according to the law,” he said.

Ambassador Smith noted that natural resources are gift from God meant for the good of humanity and there is the need for proper care to be accorded such resources.

Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov.gh

A delegation of Mental Health Workers on Wednesday paid a visit to Parliament to express their gratitude to the legislators for passing the Mental Health Bill.

The team led by the acting chief psychiatrist, Dr. Akwesi Osei thanked the Parliamentarians for their commitment and time spent to see the Bill which took several years while being enacted passed into law.

Dr. Kwesi Osei is one individual who has spearheaded the campaign for the passage of the Mental Health Bill.

The Bill was developed with support from the World Health Organization and placed before Parliament for consideration on July 20 2011 by the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Enoch Teye Mensah in accordance with Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution until it was endorsed yesterday March 13, 2012.

The Bill among other things seeks to address stigma through education and legal protection of patients’ rights.

The bill will also ensure adequate funding for faculties and personnel.

The Deputy Majority Leader, Rashid Pelpuo who received the delegation noted that it is rare to see a delegation from an organization that is to benefit from a Law passed showing appreciation by visiting Parliament.

He assured the delegation of Parliament’s dedication to work to improve the quality of mental health delivery in the country.

Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov.gh

Parliament is racing against time, holding what the Majority Leader Cletus Avoka called “consultations” on the best way forward to curing defective Legislative Instruments brought to the House by the Mills government to give legal backing to the proposed new districts.

A joint committee of the House has proposed that 77 of the 100 LIs laid before the House 21 days ago today must be withdrawn or be nullified by a Parliamentary vote.

The Committee found many of the LIs to have grievous errors and misrepresentations leading to as many as 30 aggrieved Members of Parliament, Traditional Authorities and individuals filing petitions in Parliament against the creation of the proposed new districts.

Per the 1992 Constitution, the proposed new districts must come into force by close of day today, exactly 21 days after the LIs were laid in Parliament for scrutiny and subsequent approval.

Early in Parliament today, the New Juabeng North MP, Hon Hackman Owusu Agyemang, demanded that the report of the joint Committee must necessarily be debated and a decision taken before the LIs automatically become law in line with the provisions of the Constitution.

He feared the lawmaking House runs the risk of looking on for the LIs to automatically become effective with all the defects noticed by the Committee if MPs fail to take a decision on the issue before close of day today.

His comments came after the Speaker called on the Majority side to move the motion on the new LIs, but was told the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hon Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, was not available in the House to brief MPs on the outcome of consultations on the issue.

On his feet, Majority Leader, Hon. Avoka, explained that leadership has been holding consultations with the executive arm of government on the matter and that the House will surely debate and take a decision on the issue before rising later today.

The motion has since been deferred.

Since yesterday, lawmakers have been, according to our correspondent, Richard Sky, in “a serious dilemma” over whether to allow the new districts to come into force by turning a blind eye to the myriad of “constitutional and legal flaws seen in the LIs or step in to derail the new creations with a massive two-third majority vote” in line with the proposals by the joint committee of the House.

The flaws, according to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Subsidiary Legislation and Local Government & Rural Development, include among other things discrepancies in electoral areas and other defects and wrong location of principal offices or district capitals.

In its report, the Joint Parliamentary Committee recommended immediate withdrawal of the bills, failing which the House may have to nullify those LIs seen to have offended the nation’s laws.

“….The Committee strongly recommends that the interments listed as appendices B and C be either withdrawn by the honourable Minister for Local Government and Rural Development or annulled by the House,” the Joint Committee on Subsidiary Legislation and Local Government and Rural Development said in its March 2012 report to the House.

The report said, “Allowing these interments to come into force with all the defects will mean an amendment to LI 1983, which is illegal. It will also mean a contravention of the constitution and the local government act 1993, (Act 462)”.

But, the committee has recommended that the instruments listed at appendix A, which has 23 LIs, “be allowed by the House to pass in accordance with article 11(7) of the Constitution”.

“The committee again wishes to strongly recommend that in future, the House demands the population figures as well as the recommendation of the electoral commission relative to the creation of districts. This will enable effectively scrutinise the instruments to ensure that they meet the requirements of the local government act 1993, Act 462 and all other relevant laws,” the report said.

Source: Citifmonline.com

Parliament on Monday adopted the report of the Committee on Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises on the United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disability and the optional protocol.

The convention was laid in Parliament on July 20 2011 by the then Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Enoch Teye Mensah in accordance with article 75 of the 1992 Constitution and was referred to the committee for consideration.

Mr. Alfred Abayateye, Member of Parliament (MP) for Sege, who read the report said the general obligation of States require that signatories to the convention are expected to promote the full realisation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities.

He said to this end state parties should undertake to adopt all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for implementation of the rights recognised in the present convention.

Mr. Abayateye said the convention is divided into 50 articles with article one defining the purpose of the convention, which is to promote protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and promote respect for their inherent dignity.

He said the Committee has noted that ratification of the Convention has advantages for Ghana domestically and internationally.

Mr. Abayateye said the convention provides practical guidance for States on measures they should take to remove barriers to persons with disabilities being able to enjoy the rights.

Accordingly Ghana’s ratification will focus action domestically on enabling persons with disabilities to participate in all aspects of the society on equal basis.

He said greater impetus and support for implementation of the disability Act, 2006 Act 715 would be provided through ratification.

Mr. Hackman Owusu- Agyemang, Member for New Juaben North, said there was the need to let the sector Minister and the President know that the Legislative Instrument should be handled with urgency.

Alhaji Pelpuo Addul- Rashid, MP for Wa Central said it was important for one to know that people with disability deserve the right to enjoy everything as enshrined in the convention.

Mrs Gifty Eugenia Kusi, Member for Tarkwa-Nsuaen wanted to know the number of district assemblies that have allocated the two per cent of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund earmarked for persons with disabilities.

She urged members to follow up to see whether their directives on the issue are being implemented by the district assemblies.

Mrs Osei-Opare Frema Akusua, MP for Ayawaso Wuogon observed no single ministry had made its premises accessible to persons with disabilities and called on the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare to take the initiative.

GNA

Majority of the new districts recently proposed by the Mills administration are in danger of being thrown out by Parliament, Citi News Parliamentary correspondent Richard Sky reports from the 230-member legislature.

Many of the Legislative Instruments (LIs) seeking to give legal backing to the creation of the new districts have been found to have crippling mistakes and misrepresentations leading to as many as 30 aggrieved Members of Parliament, Traditional Authorities and individuals filing petitions in Parliament against the creation of the proposed legislation, our correspondent said after laying hands on a copy of a Parliamentary report on the matter.

Per the nation’s laws, the proposed districts must come into force by close of day Wednesday, exactly 21 days after the LIs covering the proposed new local assemblies were laid in Parliament for scrutiny and subsequent approval.

But lawmakers are now in a what our correspondent called “a serious dilemma” over whether to stop the new districts from coming into force by turning a blind eye to the myriad of “constitutional and legal flaws seen in the LIs or step in to derail the new creations with a massive two-third majority vote.”

At least 77 of the new districts proposed by the Mills-led NDC administration have been found to have “problems,” our correspondent said.

The extent of legal and constitutional problems presented by the government’s Legislative Instruments on the new districts compelled the Joint Parliamentary Committee that sat on the proposed legislation to recommend immediate withdrawal of the bills, failing which the House may have to annul those LIs seen to have offended the nation’s laws.

“….The Committee strongly recommends that the instruments listed as appendices B and C be either withdrawn by the Honorable Minister for Local Government and Rural Development or annulled by the House,” the Joint Committee on Subsidiary Legislation and Local Government and Rural Development said in its March 2012 report to the House.

The report said: “Allowing these interments to come into force with all the defects will mean an amendment to LI 1983, which is illegal. It will also mean a contravention of the Constitution and the Local Government Act 1993, (Act 462).”

But, the committee has recommended that the instruments listed at appendix A, which has 23 LIs, “be allowed by the House to pass in accordance with article 11(7) of the Constitution”.

“The committee again wishes to strongly recommend that in future, the House demands the population figures as well as the recommendation of the Electoral Commission relative to the creation of districts. This will enable effectively scrutinise the instruments to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993, Act 462 and all other relevant laws,” the report said.

Our correspondent quoted senior Parliamentary sources as saying “but for a recent Supreme Court ruling, which forbids Parliament from making amendments to LIs laid before the House in respect of new District Assemblies,” the legislature could have cured the crippling legal and Constitutional problems with the new LIs.

Their claims have been confirmed by the report of the Joint Committee, which said “…The Committee, in arriving at its recommendations was mindful of the provisions of Article 11(7) of the Constitution and affirmed by the Supreme Court in the recent case of Richard Odum vas Electoral Commission and the Attorney General.

“The Supreme Court held in that ruling that Parliament has no power to effect any
amendment in Legislative Instruments laid in the House. This means that changes made to Instruments laid in the House are of no effect and therefore, the original Instruments will hold sway irrespective of any defect”.

Our correspondent said “MPs must debate and take a decision on the report of the Joint Committee within the next 36 hours, failing which the defective LIs will automatically become effective, opening the flood gates for possible lawsuits against the government”.

Source: Citifmonline.com

Parliament on Tuesday 13, March 2012 read the University of Professional Studies Bill, 2011, for the second time.

The Bill which is currently at the consideration stage when passed into law will transform the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) into the University of Professional Studies.

The institute which was awarded a Charter in 2008 to enable it run its own Degree, Diploma and Certificate programmes is known for producing well trained accountants and management experts who have contributed to the growth of the country.

Contributing to the motion moved by the Deputy Minster of Education, Mahama Ayariga for the Bill to be read for the second time Members of Parliament expressed concern over the development in recent years where Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), with a clear mandate to run specific courses changed their focus and introduced entirely new programmes which was outside their mandate.

The MP for Tamale south, Haruna Iddrisu who emphasized the need to close the gap between the humanities and sciences urged the soon to be renamed University of Professional Studies to remain focus on its mandate on training people in accounting and management related courses to improve on the human resources of the country.

The MP for Ahafo Ano south, Balado Manu on his part expressed concern about the growing trend where some universities deviate from their core mandate which was clearly cut out for them at the time of their establishment to run other courses simply because of the monies they are likely to get from introducing those new courses.

He was however hopeful that IPS even after the name has been changed into a University will not change its focus.

Akua Sena Dansua, MP for North Dayi in her statement commended the management and staff of the Institution led by the Rector, Prof Joshua Alabi for the great managerial skill that has ensured growth of the Institute especially in the area of infrastructural development in the last 10 years.

Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov.gh

Parliament on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 passed the Veterans Administration, Ghana Bill, 2010 which seeks to improve the living conditions of military veterans in the country.

Most of these gallant men who served Ghana especially those who fought at the peril of their lives in the Second World War are living in poor conditions while others are also suffering ill-health and it is expected that the passage of this Bill will to a large extent improve the current situation.

The objective of this Bill includes, ensuring that proper attention is paid to the welfare of military veterans honorably relieved from the military and see to the maintenance and comfort of those who require special treatment particularly the disabled, the sick and the aged.

It will also secure pensions, allowances, and war gratuity for them and their dependants.

Again, the Bill will also raise a mobilized fund to assist the aged, sick and destitute military veterans.

Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov.gh

Captain George Nfodjoh (rtd), Member of Parliament (MP) for Ho-Central has observed the MPs Common Fund, meant to support projects in the constituencies, is not a preserve of public institutions.

He said there are private institutions working in the public interest that deserve to be supported with these grants.

Captain Nfodjoh was speaking at a durbar to climax the fifth Anniversary of the Wallahs Academy, a private Senior High School (SHS) located in Ho on the theme: “Five Years of Quality Education: Successes, Challenges and the Way Forward.”

He said students in private schools with the requisite needs and qualifications also deserve support from the funds.

Wallahs Academy started as a remedial school five years ago in hired classrooms with nine students and seven teachers but had grown into a regular SHS with 335 students, 27 teachers and 19 non-teaching staff.

Captain Nfodjoh said many private institutions, such as Wallahs Academy, are venturing into molding the future of the youth and needs support.

He pledged to give the Academy 50 dual desks, besides the computers and sports equipment he had presented to the school.

Mr Maxwell Worlanyo Affram, Rector of the Academy, said growth, which had been steady but difficult, was worth the effort, as the school had been able to absorb many young people, who were turned away from public schools, for lack of space.

He said in the coming years the school would keep to its motto of “Producing excellent students, leading to a higher caliber of human resource base for the country,” by offering special innovative programmes to open opportunities to many people.

Mr Affram said the school, which now offers three programmes, general and visual arts, business and home economics, got 100 per cent pass at its first two presentations for the West African School Certificate Examinations.

He said the Academy is performing well in the areas of sports, culture and discipline and that, students and teachers who compromised the disciplinary code of the school were promptly punished.

Mr Affram said the school management had dismissed 10 students, withdrew 12 from the boarding system for indiscipline, and also laid off four teachers “for various degrees of moral standards that can best be described as unwholesome”.

He said the Academy is expanding, building dormitories, and additional classroom blocks and housekeepers’ bungalows.

Mr Affram said the school however suffers frequent water shortages because of its location on high grounds and needs support to tackle the problem and support to equip its libraries and science laboratories.

Mr Emmanuel Keteku, Municipal Director of Education, who presided over the function, in a comment on the theme, said quality education should be a watchword, as “low education is tantamount to no education”.

Deserving students and teachers were awarded while the old students association presented a table top refrigerator to the school to be used at the Staff Common Room.

GNA