Month: April 2021

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has hinted of improved job opportunities for his constituents following efforts to establish an agro-processing factory in the area.

Mr. Ablakwa revealed that this year, they would commence the construction of a Cassava Starch Processing factory, a collaboration between the office of the MP, the TIAST Group of China and a consortium of banks.

The lawmaker however pointed out that the project is not an extension of Governments One –District One Factory (IDIF) programme.

According to him the Cassava Starch Processing factory would be completed next year and would create employment for members of his constituency.

“Our major projection is that fifteen thousand tons per year Cassava Starch Processing factory would be sited in North Tongu. We can expect guaranteed market for your dynamic cassava farm, thousand of new jobs for the youth, construction beings this year”, he assured the people.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Deputy Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Samuel Nartey George has said the acquisition of AirtelTigo by Government of Ghana can be turned around to enhance healthy competition in the ICT industry to the ultimate benefit of Ghanaians.

According to him however, the circumstances leading to the actions emanating thereafter and the plan of action for a quick revamp of AirtelTigo has been confusing, shrouded in secrecy and sometimes contradictory.

In a statement on Thursday, April 22, 2021, the Ningo-Prampram lawmaker noted that, the development is rather unfortunate as Ghanaians expect transparency in such a major development that has economic and financial implications for the people of Ghana.

He has indicated to Leadership of the Committee of his intention as a matter of urgency for an emergency meeting between the Committee and the sector Ministry to get a thorough and detailed briefing on the modalities of the, “alleged purchase, the economic state of AirtelTigo, issues regarding the state of welfare of Ghanaian workers, and to understand the intention of the Ministry with regard to long term plans of the company”.

Again, this call is in line with Article 103 (3) of the 1992 constitution; “Committee of Parliament shall be charged with such functions, including the investigation and inquiry into the activities and administration of ministries and department as parliament may determine, and such investigation and inquire may extend to proposals for legislation”.

He further noted in his statement that, he sides with Ghanaians who are requesting for assurance that the fate of AirtelTigo would not be similar to most government parastatals, underpinned by negligence, inefficiency and drastic financial meltdown.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) has congratulated Young Members of Parliament on their nomination and appointment to fill various Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial positions in President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government.

In a statement signed by vice president of the Young Parliamentarian Forum, Betty Nana Afua Krosbi Mensah noted that they are highly elated that the president has nominated their members for various positions.

And, added that this goes to demonstrate that the President believes in the young members of Parliament and also buttresses his resolve in building a better future with deserving youth ambassadors.

 “This is a proof that good things come to those who are willing to sacrifice to achieve higher goals, as these new portfolio would be good match  for their skills and dedications, we appreciate the president for following the example of his predecessors believing in young people”.

Members of the YPF serving as Ministers include, Sarah Adjoa Safo Gender Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah Information, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor Lands and Natural Resources and Francis Asenso-Boakye Works and Housing Minister.

Whiles Deputy Ministers nominated include, President of the forum, George Mireku Duker, Deputy Minister designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Mavis Nkansa Boadu Roads and Highways, Nana Dokua Asiamah-Adjei Deputy Trade and Industry designate, John Ntim Fordjour Deputy Education.

He added that since to whom much is given much is expected, they are hopeful the opportunity given to the Young Parliamentarians would strengthen and increase the quantitative and qualitative participation of the Ghanaian youth in order to eradicate poverty.

“Foster growth and ensure that the youth remain the most critical and influencing stakeholders in national development and we are certain that the President would be pleased to see you, accomplishing greater heights for the youth in the country and we believe would serve as a guide for future appointments”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

President Akufo-Addo has finally released his list of deputy ministers, after weeks of speculation as to who would make the list and subject to approval by Parliament.

According to a statement from the presidency, the list was submitted to the Speaker of Parliament on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.

The list contains names of 39 deputy ministers, and a Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance Charles Adu-Boahen.

The ministries of Trade, Local Government, and Energy each have three deputy minister-nominees.

A statement from the presidency indicated that President Akufo-Addo was hopeful that, “just as was done for his Ministers, Parliament will, on a bi-partisan basis, expedite the approval of his Deputy Ministerial nominees, so they can join the Government forthwith, and assist in the delivery of his mandate for his second term in office.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanaps.com

A representative of Gambia, to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Fatoumatta Njai, has said the issue of women empower should start from the parliament, before other institutions within the sub-region are encouraged to obey it.

According to her the Community Parliament must lead by example and if National Assemblies, send the list of their representative without complying with thirty percent female representation, it should be returned to ensure it is complied with.

“If they do not have the numbers of female representative, we should ask why, because it is not the fact that women are not there, but it is because women do not win elections, why should women not win elections. We should make sure that the grounds are level so that women can have same opportunity as their male counterparts. Seats can even be reserved for females to encourage them build them up so that we have the numbers represented in the Community Parliament”.

In a telephone interview on Monday with Ghanamps.com, ahead of a delocalised joint Committee meeting in Monrovia Liberia, on the theme “Empowerment of women in the ECOWAS Region”, she noted that her country, the Gambia had just validated Female Representation Bill on Saturday, April 10, 2021 that would increase the female representation in her country’s Parliament.

And, lamented over, member states not obeying female representation at the Conference of Bureau.

As to whether the Community Parliament is taking the issue of Women empowerment serious, she noted that the Rt. Hon Speaker Tunis has placed emphasis on the issue of women empowerment.

“Like you said, if we are represented we would go for issues that would empower women, who speaks better than oneself?”

She urged National Parliaments to send thirty percent females like they are required by their rules of procedure, and lamented over countries falling short of this requirement.

“Nigeria out of thirty-fiver representation has only two females, again the issue is not that some countries do not want to send female representation but just that those to represent are not there”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Final year junior high school students in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Constituency in the Eastern Region have been presented with an opportunity to complete their studies through private classes.

The Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri Frank Annoh-Dompreh has started running free private classes for final year students who are in Junior High Schools in his constituency ahead of this year’s BECE.

According to him his constituency ranked first in the Eastern Region and third national, and they are hopeful to do better this time.

“We plan to perform better this year through impactful interventions such as this”, he stated.

It is believed that the private classes would keep the students busy and provide opportunity for them to have a better understanding of areas they might be having challenges.

Ghanamps.com

Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh has inspected construction works of some town roads being undertaken in his constituency and expressed joy for the resumption of work in earnest.

The MP visited communities including Nsumia-Dobro, Dobro-Delon and Al to see for himself progress of work so far.

Mr Annoh-Dompreh assured his constituents of government completing the roads, adding; “We are determined to focus on road this year, as it is a year of road declared by the ruling government in its second term in office”.

Ghanamps.com

Mr. James Agalga, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa North in the Upper East Region, has commissioned a Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound for the Deborinsa community

Prior to the commissioning of the facility, residents of Deborinsa and its environs in the Builsa North District travelled about 30 kilometers to the Sandema Hospital to access healthcare services.

Mr.  Agalga said members of the community, through their own initiative, moulded blocks to start the project.

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The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Affairs, Republic of Liberia, Williametta E. Saydee Tarr has said that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) can help Liberia and its Member States by ensuring that sustainable projects are implemented by donors and international partners.

She was speaking on the second day (13th-17th April 2021) of the Community Parliament’s delocalized meeting of the Joint Committee on Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment/Education, Science and Culture/Health, currently holding in Monrovia, Liberia’s Ministerial Complex, on the theme, “Empowerment of Women in the ECOWAS Region.”

Article 63 (Women and Development) of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty falls under the rubric, (CO-OPERATION IN HUMAN RESOURCES, INFORMATION, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS), states that: “Member States undertake to formulate, harmonize, coordinate and establish appropriate policies and mechanisms for the enhancement of the economic, social and cultural conditions of women.

 To this end, Member States shall take all measures necessary to: a) identify and assess all constraints that inhibit women from maximizing their contribution to regional development efforts; and b) provide a framework within which the constraints will be addressed and for the incorporation of women’s concerns and needs into the normal operations of the society; 3. At the Community level. Member States shall: a) stimulate dialogue among themselves on the kinds of projects and programmes aimed at integrating women into the development process; b) establish a mechanism for co-operation with bilateral, multilateral, and nongovernmental organizations; and c) promote and develop mechanisms to encourage the exchange of experiences and information between the Member States.”

In an interview,  Minister Tarr highlighted the steps being taken by her country in the implementation of Article 63 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, updating that: “ We have passed laws and especially within the context of the George Weah-led  Administration, we have passed the Land Right Act that protects women and ensures that women can own properties, especially female spouses of men who are deceased because back in the day, we had situations were either the brothers or the family members will come and take over.

“We have passed the Domestic Violence Law which talks about ways in which we can see people who are violating these laws be put to jail or at least go through the court system to ensure that women and girls are protected. We continue to provide economic support to women through my own Ministry”.

Again, the Liberia Social Safety Net Programme that is supported by USAID, UKAID, and a loan from the World Bank where we focus on getting monies to the poorest of the poor part of our country, where we have the focus on the female head of households to ensure that they get whatever stipends that we are giving out so that they can ensure that their families are protected and have access to education which is an accompanying measure, and health. We work directly with UN Women and the Government of Canada on women’s political participation.

And further added that, they are working with our Legislators and their  National Elections Commission to ensure that they  can have laws put in place where women will be protected “We want to be sure that they will be supporting that bill at the end of the day so that we will have that protection and viability for women to enjoy.”

Ghanamps.com