Month: November 2017

Member of Parliament for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour has said no constituency in Ghana will endorse legislation to accept homosexuals and lesbians in Ghana.

He further pointed out in an interview that the comments by the President on homosexual should be put in context, as the question did not illicit President’s personal stand on the issue.

President said: “this is a social, cultural issue, I don’t believe that in Ghana so far, a sufficiently strong coalition has emerged which is having that impact on public opinion that will say ‘change it, let’s now have a new paradigm in Ghana…At the moment, I don’t feel, I don’t see that in Ghana there is that strong current of opinion that is saying this is something we need to deal with.

It is not so far a matter that is on the agenda. I grew up in England at the time that homosexuality was banned there. It was illegal and I lived a period where British politicians thought it was an item not to even think about.

But suddenly the activities of individuals and groups, a certain awareness, a certain development grew and grew stronger and it forced a change in law. I believe that those are the same processes that will bring about changes in our situation”.

He noted that he had advocated against homosexuality in Ghana and recounted when Amnesty International in July this year visited the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, MPs spoke against their suggestion that Ghana should consider reviewing its law to accommodate homosexuals.

And added that he carried this crusade and had support of chiefs whiles the President Nana Akufo-Addo lend his support to his crusade.

He went on to say that, “we are not ready to amend our laws to accept homosexuality what is the president’s agenda, it is to find jobs for our people”, he said.

And I do not see any pressure coming on government to change our laws to accommodate homosexuals and lesbians, our people respect our culture and to change our law has to go through Parliament.

Each of the 275 people represent a constituency, no constituency in Ghana whose people have collectively decided to resend their decision with their value for homosexuality, any attempts to make such laws will be resisted.

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

Member of Parliament(MP) for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu has urged the legislative body to work hard to improve its image by letting Ghanaians know the real duty of MPs.

He noted that the real mandate of MPs are law making and having oversight responsibility on the Executive arm of Government and not actors or agents of development, “we need to narrow ourselves to our legislative and representative function” he said.

According to the Minority leader, MPs, when they attend district function and a demand is made for toilet, they are quick to promise to build one, simply because they want to sustain their vote base.

And added that, it has confused the Ghanaian electorate in demanding accountability from MPs and things they cannot afford, hence the large attrition rate in the House.

Unfortunately it is the reflection of the under performance of governments’ so the MP is forced to fill a critical vacuum, if we were capable of resolving every other problem from school block to National Health Insurance through outdooring and weddings the MP becomes a critical player and actor, he said.

He urged the media in Parliament, to improve their standard and capacity and called on the Majority leader to find space that will accommodate one or two Journalist from Parliament who will travel with leadership of the House to give them coverage on their foreign trips.

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

Minority leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu is advocating for legislature to have more public engagement to enable Ghanaians have more access to Parliamentary proceedings.

He noted that, when constituent say, “Hon it has been a while we do not see you” it should not be misconstrue but rather seen as a gesture of demanding accountability from MPs as Ghanaians are aware legislators need to account to them.

And recalled the era of late Speaker, Justice D. F Annan, where at the National Theater there was a Parliamentary forum which Ghanaians engaged Parliamentarians.

According to the Minority leader Ghanaians should be encouraged to read the Parliamentary Hansard, which will bring them up to speed with everyday happenings on the floor of the House.

Mr. Iddrisu however lamented over, Ghana’s Parliamentary website not being reliable as it has pictures of leadership of the House, but not detail information on Bills before committees, motions that have been moved and questions that have been filed.

And noted that to allow public access to workings of Parliament all these information should be updated and in addition demanded for freedom of expression and information.

He further charged the leader of Government Business to ensure that, Government will be in a hurry to bring the freedom of information Bill to the House, to deepen accountability.

He questioned where should a whistle blower who want to help fight corruption send his or her report, “Parliament is an appropriate forum” he said.

The physical infrastructure of Parliament should be friendly enough for physically challenged persons to access the House and understand the workings of the House he pointed out
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By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Frank Annor-Dompreh has disclosed that government has engaged the services of a Consultant to draft a Foreign Policy for Ghana since independence.

According to him even though, the directive principles of State protocol of the 1992 constitution made such assertions, the move will provide a clear guide on Ghana’s foreign policy direction.

The Nsawam Adoaguri Member of Parliament who gave the recommendation when he took his turn on the floor of Parliament to contribute on the debate for the approval of the 2018 budget statement and economic policy document also praised government’s efforts at increasing economic corporation with the international community following the opening of new missions in the United Arab Emirate (Abu Dhabi), Carter, Serbia, Libya among others.

He also noted that all financial institution across the world have rated Ghana high making the country and attractive place for investors all as a result of better economic management policies of the NPP government.

The lawmaker also praised Government for successfully reviewing the Millennium Compact II to prevent an eminent retrenchment of workers.

He commended government in the allocation of some Ghc 400,000, 000 in insurance for farmers especially Cocoa farmers.

The lawmaker also touted the positive strides chalked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in giving Ghana’s Missions abroad the opportunity to raise Internally Generated Funds (IGF) through an established methodology to support its own activities whiles commending the Ministry for negotiating for a $ 50 million loan facility from SocieteGenerale to give facelift to Ghana’s foreign missions abroad.

He also commended the efforts of the previous administration for ensuring victory in the Ghana- Cote D’voire maritime dispute whiles commending the leaders of both countries for entering into strategic partnership for mutual benefits and to promote the water bodies of both countries.

According to him the new NPP administration has ensured that the Passport Office has seen an improvement in its delivery especially as regards to the reduction in the number of days members of the public spent to acquire a passport.

By Christian Kpesese ghanamps.com

Minister for Planning and Member of Parliament for Wenchi in the Brong Ahafo region, Professor Gyan Baffour has stated that the NPP government has halted the rate of excessive borrowings by the previous NDC government.

He noted that the government has reduced borrowing to prudence levelsresulting in Ghana working again.

According to him, the NPP government has reversed all economic indicators which were negative and destructive to the economy under the erstwhile NDC government.

Contributing towards the debate on the 2018 budget statement, Professor Baffour said the new administration has also halted the negative growth of the economy which is now witnessing an accelerated positive growth.
The Finance Minister, he noted, could not have presented a more pragmatic budget to address the economic challenges of the country adding that the policy proposals will be matched with effective implementation.

He said the budget was anchored on creating opportunities for all, building a stable and resilient economy and aggressively protecting the natural environment to create jobs and that the 2017 fiscal policy has largely achieved its objectives.

Ghana he said has started working again under the new and better managers of the economy.

By Christian Kpesese/ ghanamps.com