Month: February 2019

The Member of Parliament for Pru East, Dr.Kwabena Donkor has commended the Akufo Addo led government’s policy to allocate 1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the development of Science and Technology in the country.

He however the stated that the one percent is inadequate since science and technology plays crucial in the nation’s socio-economic development.

Dr Donkor who is a former Minister for Power during former President Mahama’s administration gave the commendation on the floor of Parliament in a contribution to a statement made by Member of Parliament for Oforikrom on ‘’Parliamentary oversight over Science and Technology Development in Ghana- a new Window for action”.

The Pru East MP has therefore urged government to increase the allocation in order to enhance the development of Science and Technology.

Christian Kpesese/ ghanamps.com

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Oforikrom in the Ashanti region, Dr Emmanuel Marfo is advocating Parliament with the collaboration with stakeholders to develop a framework for Research and Development (S&D) for the financing elements of government’s budgets.

The MP also urged Parliament to consider the establishment of a well resourced budget analysis support unit capable of providing support to committees of the House.

Dr Marfo made the suggestions on the floor of Parliament in a statement dubbed; ‘’Parliamentary oversight over Science and Technology Development in Ghana- a new Window for action”.

He commended President Akufo Addo for indicating that at least 1% of GDP will be allocated in the short-medium term and up to 2.5% in the long term as part of a seven pillar agenda for the development of science and technology.

According to him, the move is in line with article 38 of the 1992 constitution of the republic but observed that the allocation of 1 % of GDP to Science and Technology will only increase budgetary allocation marginally since 2015.

“If we were to commit a 1percent of GDP to Research and Development, we should have allocated some GH?2.3billion. If one takes the GoG budget allocation for MESTI from 2015 to 2019 as a proxy for R&D, government could be said to be achieving only 8.5% of the 1% GDP target and indeed using the entire Ministry’s budget will bring the figure to only 18%”.

The MP expressed worry there is no reliable data on the levels of Ghana’s spending on R&D to help provide basis for a credible scientific analysis.

Christian Kpesese/ ghanamps.com

First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu has directed the two chief whips from both sides of the House to facilitate the establishment of a joint committee towards the implementation of the 1 percent allocation of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the development of Science and Technology.

The Chief Whips, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh and Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka from minority and majority respectively have been assigned the responsibility are to develop modalities and present report to the plenary within a month.

The action by the First Deputy Speaker follows a statement by the Member of Parliament for Oforikrom, Dr. Emmanuel Marfo who commended the policy by the President and indicated that inadequate resource allocation to public research institutions has been identified as a major reason the country has not been able to develop Science Technology and Innovation (STI) since independence.

According to him, an analysis of the 2019 budget allocations, using the 2018 GDP of some US$51billion reveals the gravity of the challenge the president has committed to.

Christian Kpesese/ ghanamps.com

These included the construction of major armour rock revetments and groynes to reduce the risk of flooding, constant coastland erosion all aimed at ensuring the safety of lives, livelihoods and properties at the catchment areas including Aboadze, New Takoradi and Nkontompo.

The Minister who is the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South disclosed this on the floor of parliament in response to a question posed by the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George on when the construction of the Ningo Sea Defence would commence.

He emphasized that the Ningo-Prampram Sea Defence project will protect the Ningo-Prampram Township against extensive coastal erosion due to intense tidal action along the Ningo-Prampram coastal stretch which is about 12 kilometres.

The Minister noted that extensive coastal erosion along the Ningo-Prampram coastal stretch has negative impact against fishing activities of the community.

The intensive tidal wave also results in flooding in the community, affecting life, livelihoods and properties.
He indicated that the Ministry will this year commence coastal protection works on selected areas comprising Amanful Kumah, Dansoman Phase II, Komenda, Anomabo,Cape Coast, Mensah Guinea,Ningo-Prampram and New Takoradi Phase III(Elmina).

The rest includes Apam,Kokrobite,Bortianor,Blekusu Phase II and Aboadze-Shama Phase II,Maritime University(Nungua),Takoradi,Anyanui and Essipong.

The Ministry has already signed a memoranda of understanding (MoU) with two groups who have expressed interest in executing the works.

The groups he stated are currently undertaking feasibility studies which upon completion will form the basis of the Ministry’s engagement to contract the groups to execute construction works under the Ningo-Prampram Sea Defence Project.

Christian Kpesese/ ghanamps.com

As to whether Parliament is active on social media as a way of reaching Ghanaians, Kate Addo Acting Director of Public Affairs, has confirmed that the institution is active on social media.

According to the acting director, Parliament even broadcast proceedings live on its social media platforms and put other information on its facebook page.

She further revealed that their twitter account is linked to facebook and anything uploaded on facebook page is seen on twitter and our handle is parliament_gh and utube  and you can watch, again we have our website, www.parliament.gh

“We also have a mobile application called the Parliamentary watch, which could be downloaded on IOS platform and on android phones where you can truck bills on this platform   and MPs as well as things related to them”.

Again we are taking the one-on-one interaction serious and especially our outreach program seriously.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com

Acting Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo has revealed that Parliament has plans of establishing a radio station alongside its long awaited television station.

According to Kate Addo, the radio station might happen before the television station taking into account how easy it is to establish a radio station.

In an interview, she noted that all Parliament is doing is try to reach a lot of people as much as possible, with the television establishment process already in place.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com