Month: July 2017

Activities between the two communities are said to be on a standstill after a gory accident that led to the collapse of the  steel Bridge linking the two central business towns.

However, the minister, who later visited the scene to ascertain the extent of damage done on the bridge, disclosed that the ministry will as matters of urgency create an alternative route while the bridge undergoes reconstruction work.

He said the bridge was completely closed down to vehicular traffic and the traveling public to allow for emergency repair works by the engineers department.

He said government was poised to complete the work on time to help improve business and trade between the two communities.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for area, Asore Emmanuel Avoka expressed gratitude to the government for the timely intervention, adding that the assembly would partner to ensure that work on the bridge is completed on time.

Ranking member of the committee Abdallah Inusah Fuseini reveal in an interview with ghanamps.com that in order to inspire confidence in the creation of the special prosecutor there is the need to consult Ghanaians in general and those with the requisite knowledge and expertise.

Additionally, “we will move outside the boundaries of Ghana to also learn from the best international practice, especially from Countries that have established independent prosecutor with experience”, he said.

The Committee has recommended to the House to take the Bill under the normal process, contrary to earlier position of government that the Bill goes through certificate of urgency.

A Bill can go through a certificate of urgency only when there is a “lacuna and you immediately want to fill the gap”. An example was when District Chief Executives were to be confirmed, we needed an urgent Amendment because without that there was no way we could get the approval done, the Tamale Central MP explained.

According to the Ranking member on Constitutional Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, the Committee will produce a report to the House after recess, for the Bill to go through second reading.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

He noted that if successive governments see the Ministry as President Akufo-Addo policy and want to scrap it off, people within the Zongos’ and Inner cities will see it as “being against them and not wanting development for their areas”.

However beyond twenty years in existence, a government will want to collapse and merge it with other Ministries. Like Water Resources Works and Housing now broken down, we have it Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, he said.

According to the Minister at the end of the four years of  the President’s term Zongo’s  and the Inner Cities will see a lot of development, “it will happen for everybody  to see this is not rhetoric or political”.

Creation of this Ministry is timely since the contribution from the Zongos to our National development has been enormous, there has been discrimination against the Zongos. He indicated that, the President thinks it is high time we put some development under way because zongos are deficient in terms of infrastructure,sanitation, and drains, he lamented.

In addition, he pointed out that poverty and crime are bed fellows when the Zongo’s and the Inner Cities are developed it will reduce the crime rate in these areas, the Ministry has been created to give these areas the needed and special attention, he said.

And added that, he will have to collaborate with more than 15 Ministries, coordinate and facilitate affirmative action. “You should understand the need to come together to fight a common cause”,
By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

These were the sentiments expressed by the former Volta regional Minister and the incumbent Member of Parliament for the Krachi East constituency in the Volta region Helen Adjoa Ntoso as she makes a strong case for residents along the Volta Lake on the floor of Parliament.

According to her even though the people and communities along the island have sacrificed their farmlands for the construction of the Akosombo Dam which provides light to the whole nation, they have no access to the National Grid.

Residents are also faced with transportation challenges as human Beings, goods and animals use same ferry, canoes for transportation on very dangerous Lake Transport system. Priority should be given communities who gave out farmlands for rural electrification projects.

The Krachi East lawmaker urged the Ministries of Energy and Transport to give priority in aiding the communities the river banks by connecting them to the national grid, provide adequate ferries and uproot tree stumps which cause regular accidents on the lake.

The MP reminded authorities of the mission statement of the Volta Lake Company which clearly calls for an efficient and safe Lake Transport system for the country.

In an address read on his behalf during an orientation seminar at Ada for members of the Government Assurances Committee of parliament by second Deputy Majority Chief Whip, Moses Anim, the majority leader cautioned them to stay away from partisan politics in order to discharge their mandates effectively.

“the effective discharge of the Committee’s mandate is one sure way of projecting the relevance of Parliament in the exercise of its oversight over the Executive, It is therefore incumbent on us as Members of Parliament, irrespective of our political divide to hold the Executive accountable” he stated.

Mr OseiKyei Mensah-Bonsu who is the MP for Suame called for a strategic partnership between the Committee, Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) and Development Partners to ensure that assurances, promises and undertakings made on the floor of Parliament are fulfilled.

Chairman of the Government Assurances Committee, Yaw Frimpong Addo and MP for Manso-Adubia acknowledged public displeasure about the performance of Parliament in holding the Executive accountable and assured of the Committee`s commitment to meet the expectations of the general public.

Order 174 of the Standing Orders of Parliament stipulates that the Government Assurances Committee shall consist of not more than 25 members and it shall be their duty to pursue all assurances, promises and undertakings given by Ministers from time to time and report to the House on the extent to which such assurances have been fulfilled.

“All in the name of climbing over someone, you destroy him or her”.He made this remarks when he was addressing a forum of former Members of Parliament, in Parliament House.

When you are digging for your enemy, make sure it is large enough because “you will be there yourself “, he said.

According to the longest serving law maker and MP for Nadowli Kaleo, former MPs are in better position to protect themselves and defend their interest. And added that it is a welcoming news that former MPs are putting measures in place to come together.

The Nadowli Kaleo legislator who served as a resource person at the forum spoke on the topic, “welfare of MPs on retirement and promotion of cordial relationship between sitting and former Members of Parliament”.

The forum witness more than 70 former MPs’ first time under the fourth Republic Parliamentary democracy in Ghana.

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com