Month: June 2012

The Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency, Mike Hammah has expressed his gratitude to the organizers, traditional leaders, security agencies and various youth groups for ensuring a successful Aboakyir festival this year.

According to him, the people of Effutu had demonstrated to the world through the festival, that they were driven by a unity of purpose, love for their community and peace for development.

A statement signed by the MP who is also the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources issued in Accra noted that the week-long annual Aboakyir displayed the rich cultural heritage of the Effutus.

“Historically, it gives the opportunity to the Effutus and others to know more about their traditional and cultural heritage. Socially, it serves as a re-union of family members, friends and loved ones in the community’’ the statement said.

It added that the festival also served as a platform for local businesses to improve upon their economic fortunes.

The statement reminded patrons and all Ghanaians that just as the festival was celebrated with a common purpose, the nation should go through this year’s political activities as one people with a common destiny.

“We must endeavor to refrain from political violence and be tolerant of dissenting view,’’ he said.

Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Four ministers are expected to appear in Parliament this week to answer nineteen questions which have been posed to them.

The questions are of the following types: Urgent -2 and Oral-17.

They include the ministers of Energy, Interior, Finance and Economic Planning and Roads and Highways respectively.

The Majority Chief Whip, Gershon Gbediame who read the Business Statement of Parliament on the floor of the House for the week ending Friday 8^th June 2012 stated that Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament may allow statements to be made in the House.

Bills may be presented to the House for the First Reading and those of urgent nature may be taken through the various stages in one day in accordance with Order 119. Papers and committee reports may also be presented to the House.

The House is expected to to sit in Committee of the Whole, on Thursday, 7^thjune  2012, to discuss urgent pertinent issues and called on all Mps to avail themselves at the meeting to assist in deliberations.

Additionally Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any taken during the week.

Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Mr Henry Ford Kamel, Volta Regional Minister, has urged journalists to practice journalism that provides positive transformation to society.

“You must use your pens and paper to bring positive change in the lives of people and desist from journalism of ‘waa waa’ and ‘boom boom,’” he said.

Mr Kamel was addressing journalists in the Volta Region at a press soiree in Ho.

He expressed worry that though the Region had great potentials in salt production and tourism, among other resources, it is among the poorest in the country and urged journalists to help to identify and harness resources for the economic emancipation of the Region.

Mr Kamel said the Keta basin, for instance, could supply salt for the whole West African Sub-region and called for private-public partnership for a mini harbour at the basin.

He observed that the Region’s tourism potentials could turn its fortunes and challenged the media to market those potentials.

Mr Henry Ametepe, Deputy Volta Regional Minister, said the development of the Region was a shared responsibility and urged journalists to work for the common good of the Region.

Mr Victor Kwawukume, Volta Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, asked journalists to work in the interest of the nation and ensure that the nation remain “intact” before, during and after the December Elections.

He asked them to be guided by the code of ethics of the profession and not be intimidated by politicians.

“You must know that some people will call you the beloved on sunshine days but when the weather threatens without even rains, that love may get clouded by uncertainties and suspicion leading to a redefinition of existing relations,” Mr Kwawukume stated.

GNA