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Month: January 2013

Parliament takes two-week break, resumes January 29th

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs
Parliament on Friday adjourned sitting for  two weeks, to enable the reconfiguration of the Chamber of the House to comfortably accommodate the additional 45 news seats that have been added to the existing 230 seats.
In a memorandum of business statement for the second week ending Friday 1, Febraury, 2013, read by the Dr Benjamin Kumbuor, Majority leader and Member of Parliament for Nandom, the House is to resume sitting on Tuesday, January 29, 2013.
When sitting resumes, the Committee of Selection is expected to consider the composition of various committees of the House and submit its report for consideration by Parliament.
The House will also receive statements, the report of the Leadership on the constitution of the membership of the Pan-African and ECOWAS Parliaments and move motions to adopt those reports.
The House also expects to receive communications from President John Dramani Mahama on ministerial and deputy ministerial appointments for deliberations.
Parliament, during the period, will consider the establishment of a Committee to advise the Speaker on the appointments of four other members of the parliamentary service Board.
GNA

Appointment committee to start vetting ministerial nominees next week

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Parliament’s appointment committee is expected to meet sometime next week to consider nominees for the positions of ministers and deputies.

The president is yet to release the list of his new appointees but Joy News has learnt it is ready and could be released by close of day today.

Parliamentary correspondent, Elton John Brobbey reported that the House is awaiting the official communication from the president.

A very credible source at the Presidency has disclosed to Joy News, Ms.Hannah Tetteh has been appointed as new Foreign Affairs Minister.

The president will introduce some new faces into government and make key changes to those already in acting capacity.

The current Energy Ministry is likely to be divided into two; one to care for the country’s mounting power problems and the other to take care of Oil.

The Mahama administration is likely to name a new Local Government Minister, while Finance and Economic Planning Minister Dr. Kwabena Dufuor is likely to give way to his deputy, Seth Tekper.

Myjoyonline.com

Chamber of Parliament crowded as members outnumber seats

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, Member of Parliament for Akwapim South, on Friday said the Chamber of Parliament was crowded as the 275 members outnumber the seats.

Mr Amoah, who said this on the floor of Parliament, pointed at Mrs Hannah Tetteh who was sitting on the Minority side of the House as she could not get a seat on the Majority side.

The number of members in the Fifth Parliament was 230 and the additional 45 new constituencies increased the number to 275 for the Sixth Parliament.

Mr Amoah explained that the cafeteria, where members usually had their snacks, was equally crowded because of limited seats and space.

He called on the Parliament Service Board to make the necessary arrangement as quickly as possible for every member to have a seat in the House.

He explained that the Chamber needed to be furnished with new chairs and additional microphones to prevent members from moving from one seat to another to make contributions on the floor of Parliament.

Mr Amoah said the lavatory also needed to be expanded to accommodate the number of members.

Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, Speaker of Parliament, said the leaders and the Parliamentary Service Board would handle the issue.

GNA

President Mahama makes first ministerial appointments

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

President John Dramani Mahama has presented the names of twelve ministerial nominees to Parliament for vetting.

They are as follows Hon. Seth Terpker who served in the previous administration as a Deputy Minister of finance appears to have been elevated as a substantive Minister of Finance designate.

Hon. Hannah Tetteh, the former Minister of trade and Industry now heads for the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Hon Akwasi Oppong Fosu is the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Minister designate.

Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and the first female Vice Chancellor in Ghana’s education history Prof Naana Opoku Agyemang will be heading the Education ministry should she be approved.

Others include Hon. Inusah Fuseini former Deputy Minister of Energy is now the Lands and Natural Resources Minister designate.

Alhaji Amadu Sulemana, former Upper West Regional Minister is now the Roads and Highways Minister designate.

Hon. Dr Omane Boama who was once a Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports now heads the Communication ministry while Hon. Mahama Ayariga move to the Information ministry.

Former Energy Minister Mr. Oteng Agyei now moves to the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Nana Oye Lithur a Gender Advocate will be heading the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

Hon. Clement Humado goes to the Agric Ministry, while Hon. Collins Dauda moves to Water Resources Works and Housing.

Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Doe Adjaho who presented the list on the floor of parliament forwarded the nomination to the appointment committee for consideration and subsequently report back to the House.

The nominees are however subject to Parliamentary approval

Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov.gh

I had no knowledge of Judges to be empanelled – Titus Glover

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Tema East, Hon. Titus Glover has denied ever having any fore knowledge of the Supreme Court Judges who were to sit on the case in which the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) petitioned the Supreme Court to be joined in the suit the Opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) filed against the Electoral Commission and President John Mahana.

Some Members of the NDC have accused the MP of having a leaked information that Justice Atuguba was likely to preside over the high profile case.

The MP had earlier raised concerns with the timing of the appointment of Dr Raymond Atuguba who is the nephew of the Judge to the high office of Secretary to President, with two days to the hearing of that case.

Coincidentally lawyers of the NPP at the hearing yesterday raised objection to the presence of one Judge on the panel who is believed to be Justice Atuguba.

However speaking on e.tv Ghana’s Breakfast show this morning, Hon. Titus Glover dismissed the assertion of the NDC stating that he only raised the concerns based on moral grounds and not because he was privy to any information.

” I have no question about the credibility of Justice Atuguba, my issue was on moral grounds, I recall during the hearing of the Ghana @ 50 celebration Justice Brobbey refused himself possibly because of having the same name with Dr Wereko Brobbey who was the CEO of Ghana @50, because he didn’t want any meanings to his actions that is what I’m talking about” he said.

He noted that at the time he made those concerns he did not know what issues the NPP legal team was going to raise nor which Judges were to sit on the case, and that his thoughts were independent of what the NPP put out in court.

Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov.gh

MPs deny reports of impending boycott over unpaid allowances

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

The leadership of parliament is unhappy with media reports that members of Parliament are threatening to boycott sitting today over unpaid salaries.

A section of the media had reported that Government had up to today to pay MPs their two year salary arrears and other allowances or face a possible boycott of proceedings in the House.

The reports further stated that the threat has already resulted in government missing out on a 61 million Ghana cedi loan from Cal Bank to fund electrification and water projects in parts of the country.

But the leadership of the house has described the reports as a misrepresentation of what transpired on the floor of the House.

The concerns were raised by the Minority and Majority leaders, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu and Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor respectively when they spoke on the floor to react to the reports.

According to the two leaders, such reports only go to tarnish the reputation of Parliamentarians even when they lack credibility.

GNA

Minority leader demands more power for majority leader

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

As President John Mahama prepares to release his list of Ministerial nominees, fresh debate has begun over whether or not the Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament should be a Minister of State.

Critics say the concept of having Majority Leader who doubles as a Minister of State, which was widely used under the Kufour administration, encourages Executive intrusion into the Legislature.

However, advocates insist that a Majority Leader who is also a Minister of State is better placed to effectively lead government business on the floor of Parliament.

Minority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu is of the view that if the majority leader is given a ministerial appointment he will help facilitate government business in the house because of the ‘hybrid arrangement’ of the system.

“If we had an executive president compartmentalized strictly from the legislature, the majority leader wouldn’t have to be a minister but given this hybrid arrangement, it is important that we have the majority leader a ministerial designation…..the arrangement as per our orders is that if you are not a minister, you cannot lay documents in the house on behalf of government,” he stated.

Meanwhile, former majority leader Cletus Avoka has also thrown his weight of support behind the minority leader saying it will be sensible to make the majority leader a minister to enable him [majority leader] lay documents on behalf of the government.

“As far as the constitution of Ghana is concerned, it is only ministers of state that can conduct government business on the floor of the house so in that vein, I think it will be prudent and useful that the majority leader be made a minister of state to satisfy the constitutional provisions so that he can lay documents on behalf of the president and other ministers,” he added.

Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News, Hon Avoka said: “Experience has shown that when the majority leader is not a minister of state, there are some documents that he cannot lay on behalf of the president and he is supposed to be in charge of government business. How can he be in charge of government business when he cannot even lay a common paper on behalf of the government he represents so I think the minority leader is right and I support the contention”.

The Member of Parliament for the Zebilla constituency in the Upper East Region further stated that his position as majority leader in Ghana’s fifth parliament was hampered by the constitutional provision.

“I had a lot of challenges. Sometimes there would be no minister on the floor and therefore have to defer the name of that particular document but if a majority leader who is often in the house is made a minister of state, he may have the opportunity to do so and government work will go on uninterrupted,” he said.

He further mentioned that he did not agree with critics who say a majority leader doubling as a minister of state will undermine the autonomy parliamentary.

“I certainly do not agree. The constitution provides that majority of the ministers of state must come from parliament so if an MP is also a minister of state, how does that affect the integrity or the cause of the separation of powers. Even thought the majority leader is not a minister, he attends cabinet meetings and is supposed to work in harmony with the ministers of state and represent government in parliament,” he said.

“The most important thing is integrity; how you will be able to execute your duty in the legislature without compromising with the executive,” he added.

Citifmonline.com

New MPs stranded

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

The leadership of Parliament is meeting with the Presidency on alternative arrangements for accommodation for new Members of Parliament.

Most of the new MPs who had high expectations of comfortable apartments to match the title honourable to their names are disappointed and some told Joy News they are virtually stranded.

“We had a premonition that we will be given a temporary place like a hotel to lodge [but that has not been done].

“We are still trying to adjust. On a personal note I have been able to get a place with my friends for the mean time, hoping that I can get a permanent place for myself so I can bring my family to join,” one of the MPs said.

“It is not easy. I am putting up in a hotel. It affects my whole set up and I know it can’t continue this way,” another protested.

Deputy Majority Leader Alfred Agbesi told Joy News leadership of the House is taking up the matter seriously and will soon get them positive results.

Myjoyonline.com

Buem,Akatsi South by-election to come-off Feb.26,5

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

The Electoral Commission has announced it will hold a by-election for the Buem and Akatsi South constituencies on Tuesday the 26th day of February, 2013 and Tuesday the 5th day of February, 2013 respectively.

In a statement signed by Deputy Chairman of Operations of the EC, Sarfo-Kantanka, the Commission indicated that it will take nominations for the Buem Constituency by-election on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th January, 2013, at the district office of the Commission at Jasikan from 8:00am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:00pm.

The nominations for the Akatsi South by-election will be taken on Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd January, 2013, at the district office of the Commission at Akatsi from 8:00am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:00pm

The Buem constituency seat became vacant following the death of the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Henry Ford Kamel while the the Akatsi South Constituency seat became vacant following the appointment of Mr. Edward Doe Adjaho as Speaker of Parliament.

Below is the full statement from the Electoral Commission on the Buem by-election

PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTION –BUEM CONSTITUENCY

Following the death of the Member of Parliament for the Buem Constituency in the Jasikan District of the Volta Region and in accordance with Article 112(5) of the Constitution as amended by section 3 of Act 527, the Electoral Commission will hold a by-election in the constituency on Tuesday the 26th day of February, 2013.

The Commission will take nominations for the said by-election on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th January, 2013, at the district office of the Commission at Jasikan from 8:00am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:00pm.

Nomination forms may be obtained from the district office of the Commission at Jasikan or at the Regional office of the Commission at Ho.

Candidates for the election shall provide two recent photographs (bust) with red background on the submission of their nomination forms.

The filing fee for the election is One Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢1000.00).

All interested individuals and political parties are to take note and act accordingly.

Below is the full statement from the Electoral Commission on the Akatsi South by-election

PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTION –AKATSI SOUTH CONSTITUENCY

Following the appointment of Mr. Edward Doe Adjaho, Member of Parliament for the Akatsi South Constituency in the Akatsi South District of the Volta Region, as Speaker of Parliament and in accordance with Article 112(5) of the Constitution as amended by section 3 of Act 527, the Electoral Commission will hold a by-election in the constituency on Tuesday the 5th day of February, 2013.

The Commission will take nominations for the said by-election on Monday 21stand Tuesday 22ndJanuary, 2013, at the district office of the Commission at Akatsi from 8:00am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:00pm. Nomination forms may be obtained from the district office of the Commission at Akatsi or at the Regional office of the Commission at Ho.

Candidates for the election shall provide two recent photographs (bust) with red background on the submission of their nomination forms.

The filing fee for the election is One Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢1000.00).

All interested individuals and political parties are to take note and act accordingly.

Speaker chairs Committee of Selection

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho is to chair the Committee of Selection.

Other members of the Committee from the Majority side are Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, Mr Cletus Apul Avoka, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, Hajia Mary Salifu Boforo, Joseph Appiah Boateng, Alfred Kwame Agbesi, Dr Hannah Louis Bisiw, Mr James Avedzi, Mr Samson Ahi, and Mr Abeiku Crentsil.

The Minority members are Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Mr Dominic Nitiwul, Mr Daniel Botwe, Mrs Irene Naa Torshie Addo, Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, Mr Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Benjamin Kofi Ayeh, Mr Boniface Gambila Adagbila and Mrs Ama Pomaa Andoh.

Mr Benjamin Kumbour, Majority Leader, chairs the Business Committee whilst Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi, Deputy Minority Leader, serve as Vice Chairman.

The Minority Leader Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu and Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Dominic Nitiwul are the Ranking and Deputy Ranking members respectively to the Business Committee.

The 26-member Appointments Committee is to be chaired by First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Cape Coast North MP, Mr Ebo Barton-Odro with Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi, Deputy Minority Leader serving as Vice Chairman.

Minority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu and Deputy Minority Leader, Dominic Nitiwul are the Ranking and Deputy Ranking members respectively to the Appointment Committee.