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Month: July 2018

Sunyani airport to be reopened fourth quarter of next year

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Minister of Aviation, Cecilia Dapaah has said to Parliament that the Sunyani Airport would be reopened for business by the fourth quarter of 2019.

According to the Minister Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) has strategized to use Internally Generated Funds (IGF) for the rehabilitation, due to its current weak financial position.

He further added that rehabilitation work would end in the fourth quarter of 2019 to pave way for the recommencement of commercial activities.

In March of 2016 commercial operations at the Sunyani airport seized due to poor nature of the pavement among other inherent challenges.

The Ministry through the Ghana Airports Company Limited initiated steps to rehabilitate the runway and plans for its extension in addition to tackling encroachment on airport lands.

She further told the House that the final date for expression of interest, 18th of April 2018 was published in the Daily Graphic.

Six firms were shortlisted, waiting for approval from the Entity Tender Committee (ETC) then request for proposal would be issued to the six shortlisted firms for the next stage of the procurement process.

The chief of Nsoatre had given 300 acres of land for a long term plan to develop a new airport at Sunyani in line with Government’s plan to open up and connect the country for socio-economic development through construction of airports, airstrips and helipads across the country, she said.

Mrs. Cecilia Dapaah pointed out that Government would continue to show leadership and guidance for the development of the nations aviation industry and would continue to rely on the support of Parliament to enable them achieve their objectives and goals.

The scope of work includes, remodeling and design of existing terminal building, design of runway link taxiway passenger apron and all the associated ancillary facilities, the Minister told the House.

Member of Parliament for Dormaa West Ali Maiga Halidu wanted to know when the Sunyani airport will be opened for public use as the closure was hampering the economic activities in the Region.

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

We have no plans to amend coroners Act—Health Minister

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Minister of Health Kwaku Agyeman Manu has told Parliament his Ministry has no plans to bring amendment to the coroners Act, 1960 (Act 18).

According to the Minister his Ministry was the promoter of Act 18 and its implementation.

He further added that on the matter of related to people’s faith which require that love ones be buried within twenty-four hours after death, the most appropriate authority to interrogate is Chieftancy and Religious Affairs Minister.

Mr. Kwaku Agyeman Manu further pointed out that, with the prompt of the question his Ministry would refer the matter to the AG’s Department whiles his Ministry collaborate for further interrogation.

“Alternatively, Mr. Speaker, this question could be re-directed to the AG’s department for a holistic approach. “

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

Nabdam District to get water supply on availability of funds

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Joseph Kofi Adda has indicated that water would be supplied to the township of Pelungu in the Nabdam District when funding is available.

According to the Minister he has no knowledge of a proposed small town water system for Pelungu, but was quick to point out that his Ministry is open to modernizing and expanding water system to ensure that portable water is available to all parts of the community.

The Minister added that the Nabdam District which has a population of two thousand has seven functional boreholes fitted with hand pumps and are in reach of most of the inhabitant whiles there are two boreholes positioned strategically to serve other areas of the community.

Member of Parliament for Nabdam, Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane wanted to know the status of the proposed community water system for Pelungu in the Nabdam District.

We are clearing refuse at Agbogbloshie, Abosey Okai and Makola—Minister

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Joseph Kofi Adda had told Parliament that heaps of refuse along Agbogbloshie – Abosey Okai main road and Makola number two market are being cleared.

According to the Minister the Ministry had taken necessary steps to have the landfill sites fully operational and plans are in place to forestall its occurrence.

He told the House, the above mention areas are considered as major markets in Accra and generate waste daily in excess of hundred metric tons which is collected regularly by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.

Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda revealed to the House that, the problem had arisen because of the closure of the Nsumia land filled site located in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipality off the Accra Nsawam highway.

Whiles the Kpone landfill site near Tema had also not been in full operation he told the House, when Member of Parliament for Nkwanta North, John Kwabena Bless Oti wanted to know the strategies in place to clear the various garbage heaps along some major markets in Accra.

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

GWC rationing water at Hohoe and surrounding areas—Kofi Adda

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Joseph Kofi Adda has revealed on the floor of Parliament that, Ghana Water Company is rationing water at Hohoe and its environs to address areas affected with water shortage.

According to the Minister the existing water treatment plant with an installed capacity of four hundred thousand gallons per day produce on average three hundred and sixty thousand gallons each day.

He added that the current water demand in Hohoe and its surrounding areas is one point six MGD creating a supply gap of one point twenty-four MGD, he said.

“Investors have express interest in undertaking expansion works on the Hohoe Water Supply System to increase its capacity to produce two point five MDC water to meet even the future growth demand for the year 2025 and beyond”.

And added that his Ministry and the Finance Ministry are collaborating together to take the necessary steps to identify the most suitable investor for this very important project.

Mr. Speaker, due to the strategic nature of Hohoe and its surrounding areas, it is envisioned that the process would be completed before the end of the year, he stated.

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

Ten Ministers to address twenty three questions

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs
As the House prepares to go on recess on the 26th of July 2018, ten Ministers in the Nana Akufo-Addo led government would be in House to address twenty- three questions filled by Members of Parliament who have had course to complain that they have filed questions that are not being addressed.

Ministers of Finance, Aviation, Roads and Highways, Health Railways Development and Interior would be on the floor of the House to address two questions each.

Education Minister Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh would be on the floor to tackle five questions meant for the Education Ministry, whiles Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Joseph Kofi Add would be addressing three questions.

Minister of Trade and Industry Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten has a question to answer same applies to Minister for Special Development Initiatives Hawa Mavis Koomson. In all there would be three urgent questions whiles twenty oral questions would be addressed.

According to order 70(2) Speaker of Parliament Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye would allow statements to the made on the floor of the House, whiles Bills, reports and papers would be presented on the floor of the House.

By; Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

Much attention would be devoted to the RTI bill—Majority Leader

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has told Parliament a lot of attention would be devoted to consider the Right to Information Bill 2018 which is at the consideration stage.

He further urged members who intend filling proposed amendment to do so and call on MPs to continuously participate in the winnowing of the RTI bill, when the need arise and they are called upon.

This came to light when the Leader of Government Business and Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu presented the Business statement for the ensuring week on the floor of the House on Friday.

Mr. Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu further told the House despite the fact that there is much needed attention for the RTI Bill 2018; the House would also consider loan agreement before the House that had been pending for a while.

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

Finance Minister to present mid-year review on Thursday

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Minister of Finance Ken Ofori Atta would be on the floor of the House this Thursday the 19th of July 2018 to present the mid-year fiscal review for this year.

He is expected to move motion for the adoption of the Mid-Year-Fiscal review of the budget statement and economic policy of the Government of Ghana for financial year 2018.

This is backed by Article 179 (8) of the 1992 constitution, “where, in the respect of a financial year, it is found out that the amount of moneys appropriated by the Appropriation Act for any purpose is insufficient or that a need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no sums of moneys has been appropriated by the Act, a supplementary estimate showing the sum of money required, shall be laid before Parliament for its approval”.

Member of Parliament for Adaklu Kwame Agbodza two weeks ago when the Business statement was presented on the floor of the House drew attention of the leadership of the House to the fact that the House would be going on recess this month and wanted to know when the mid-year-review would be presented.

Meanwhile the Minority MPs have had cause to complain that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta has not been coming to the floor of the House to do business in the House two weeks ago, but Deputy Majority Leader, Sarah Adwoa Safo pointed out to them that he was busy working on the mid-year review hence he had to send his Deputy Ministers to lay the paper.

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

Only fifty percent of PACs recommendations against MMDAs are worked on

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Chairman of the Governing Council of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Nana Osei Bonsu, has lamented over the practice where only fifty percent of the recommendations made against Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) gets implemented.

According to the chairman a research conducted by Ghana International Institution, a consortium, revealed that after Auditor Generals’ recommendation and work carried out by the Public Account Committee of Parliament, only fifty percent of the recommendations made by PAC against MMDAs are carried out, hence the repetition of most of the infractions.

He urged Parliament to put in place a mechanism to monitor and march if all recommendations are fulfilled.

Mr. Nana Osei Bonsu made this remarks when, Speaker of Parliament Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye granted audience to governing council of Anti-Corruption Coalition groups in Ghana.

The Speaker of Parliament noted that Parliament expect to have collaborations with civil society and appreciate the role being played in our democracy and good governance from the 1980s, “you must be strong on your own to watch the watch man”.

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

Parliament to introduce clocking in for MPs—Speaker

Posted on by Fred GhanaMPs

Speaker of Parliament Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye has indicated that to ensure that Members of Parliament do attend to business of the House, clocking-in system would be introduced in the House as a way of improving on attendance.

According to the Speaker it is a measure to ensure that Parliament discipline itself in other to be able to discipline others like you all know, “absolute power corrupts absolutely checks and balances a crucial”.

There must always be a watching process it does not mean to be against any group, must be universal so that our aim is high standards; it does not matter where the axe falls, it is very important because this is how the countries that have advanced that we envy made it, he said.

As to the reforms I talked about, we do not have a legal department in Parliament we have just decided at the board level to have one, it is left with us to fill the spaces, the Speaker said.

We are also working on the private members bill because that is the only way civil society can also contribute to the process of law making. When you look at our laws you notice there are a lot of gaps within and this is the way to also contribute, he said.

“I have had a meeting with Justice Crab who had gone all the way to Kenya to help their Parliament to establish a legislative drafting division, it allows you to receive suggestions from civil society whose suggestions enrich the process of governance”.

This came to light when Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Coalition group paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Parliament.

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com