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PAC: House to take decision on Gender Ministry for refusing to appear — Chairman

Chairman of the Public Account Committee in Parliament, Dr. James Klutse Avedzi has indicated that the plenary would discuss which action to take against the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection for refusing to appear before the Committee to answer some charges on infractions.

The Auditor-General’s report of December 31st, 2017 on Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs) public hearing which ended last week Thursday, witnessed the Ministry’s refusal to come before PAC after several reminders.

In an interview, he pointed out that they have not been communicated to by the Ministry as to why they could not appear before the Committee, and added that the Committee had the option to supine them before the Committee, and if that was done and they did not come then it would be contempt of Parliament.

And further added that, because they did not have much time left, they did not use the option they had, because they wanted to finish with the report as quickly as possible.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Sekesua Police Station to be reopened after renovation – Interior Minister

The Minister of Interior has assured that the police station at Sekesua, in the Upper Manya Krobo Municipality would be reopened as soon as renovation works have been carried out on the structure.

According to him the closure of the station on January 22, 2020 was because the private facility being used as the police station that served both the police personnel and inmates was not up to standard.

More so, the facility lacks toilet, bathroom, kitchen, and had a badly leaking roofing at their place of residence.

“The police administration upon analysis of the situation considered the situation to be life threatening and accordingly directed the Eastern Regional Police Command to temporarily close down the station for the facility to be renovated, while they give security cover to the area in the meantime.”

He disclosed that discussions are ongoing between the police administration and the landlords to renovate the facility.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for the area, Bismark Tetteh Nyarko has indicated his resolve together with the chiefs and people of Sekesua to undertake the renovation hopefully in two months’ time to the standard of the police.  This, the Minister assure would accelerate the reopening of the station, as he is ever ready to deplore personnel to the station to carry out their duty to the people.

Ghanamps.com

Minority advocates reforms in handling emoluments for Article 71 office holders

The Minority in Parliament believes it is about time the country instituted some reforms into the handling of emoluments for Article 71 office holders.

Addressing the media in parliament following the public outcry that greeted news about the first and second ladies of the land being included among beneficiaries of emolument for Article 71 office holders as approved by the 7th Parliament, the minority believes the manner in which issues concerning emoluments are handled is a major course for worry.

They indicated that either issues surrounding emoluments are handled in secrecy or rushed through parliament usually at the last minutes depriving members of parliament from critically perusing the documents.

Some of the members who happened to be part of the 7th parliament complained that they have not seen the report, “I am saddened that as a member of the 7th parliament I did not get the opportunity to see the report, that is why we are calling for reforms, and that reforms is urgently needed”, Cassiel Ato Forson stated.

He indicated that “the President must appoint the Emolument Committee in time for them to submit their report in time, for members of parliament to have enough time to be able to peruse the documents, approve or disapprove. You don’t wait until the dying hours, dying minutes of the parliament for us to approve it.”

He argued that in the dying moments of the last parliament almost 50% of its members lost their seats or did not contest so they were not coming to parliament, “so you can’t wait till that time, bring a document of so much sensitivities and say that members of parliament have approved it without seeing the document.

He called for the issue to be revisited stating that “in every democracy there is something we call continuous improvement; you learn from mistakes and you make sure you fix it. It is a fact that we need to reform the way the Emolument Committee’s report is being presented to us, and we’re not running away from it, and I think that all of us should have had the opportunity to receive a copy of the document.

Mr. James Klutse Avedzi, also argued that, parliamentary approval does not give legitimacy to including the first and second ladies in the list of beneficiaries because they are not members of Article 71 holders. “The approval of that that report by the parliament cannot amend the constitution”.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

John Mahama will up tempo of infrastructure development when elected—Agbodza

Member of Parliament for Adaklu, Governs Kwame Agbodza is confident that former President John Dramani Mahama when given another opportunity to serve Ghana, he would increase the tempo of infrastructure development in the country.

According to him the former president talked about a ten billion big push as a start for infrastructure in the country, where contractors who are already working and starting new projects would be paid.

He further noted that it was an excellent policy, but expressed worry about where President Nana Akufo-Addo led administration has brought the country in terms of infrastructure development.

“It is not about COVID-19, the economy was already on a low drive and we did not see much happening before the pandemic, obviously the pandemic worsens things but a resilient economy would have managed situation better than a fragile one in the face of COVID-19”.

Again, he emphasized that there was an aviation master plan in 2013 developed by the previous NDC government, and the current government came and reviewed it, it was to interconnect properly through aviation, railway, and marine.

And all that was needed was investment, “that is what we are lacking”. Ask the NDC government in 2016 about capital investment, and it was four point six to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but under the current government it is two-point one percent, he stated.

“This, tells you which government is more committed to putting money into capital investment, that is what goes into building that you and I would see. They are doing more consumption than to build infrastructure”, he lamented.

And added that, the NDC is known for building infrastructure and there is no doubt about that, “there is not interchange built in this country by the NPP so far the five years they have been in power”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

PAC concludes 2017 MDA report, yet to finish with public boards and cooperation

The Public Account Committee (PAC) of Parliament has concluded its public hearing on report of the Auditor General’s report 2017 of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDA’s).

According to the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, it looks like the infractions of the 2017 were not as many as it was in the previous ones indicating that there has been some improvement.

He was however, quick to say that, he cannot conclude yet as he is yet to see what would be in the 2018 and 2019 report, “that would tell us if the people are listening to our advice”.

In an interview, he pointed out that they are yet to take the report of Public Cooperation and Boards, and move to secondary schools as well as Assemblies and their Internally Generated Funds (IGF) with common fund untilisation.

“We are going to work on the report which would be presented to the plenary, then we move onto other areas”, he said.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Don’t blame Business Committee for finance Minister’s delay response to Presidential travel – Afenyo Markin

Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin has absorbed the Business Committee of parliament from any blame regarding the continues delay of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta to the House to answer questions on the president’s travel to France, Belgium and South Africa.

According to him, the appearance of the finance minister lies with the Speaker who has directed that at the appropriate time the finance minister would be invited to respond to the said question.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa last Friday, expressed his displeasure at the special treatment being extended to the finance minister when the business statement for the ensuring week failed to capture his question for the finance minister who is supposed to adhere to a simple request to appear before the House to answer questions on the cost of the president’s travel to the three countries, France, Belgium and South Africa.

According to him the impression should not be created as if the finance minister is above the law. He should comply with Order 64 of the House which give a time frame by which a minister should appear before the floor of the House to answer questions.

“I wrote a memo to the business committee drawing their attention to this development where the finance minister is asking for more time to come before the House to answer a question, will that be in perpetuity I have gone through the business statement for next week my question has not been programmed?”

He stated that the sports minister and the health minister were reprimanded by the Rt. Hon Speaker when they were late to answer questions on the floor of the House, and wondered why the finance minister’s case is different.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

“Domestic airlines want tax off spare parts to reduce cost” —Agbodza

Ranking Member on Road and Transport Governs Kwame Agbodza said domestic airline tickets would be more affordable to Ghanaians if government takes off taxes of their spare parts to reduce their cost.

According to him International Airlines enjoy these incentives but it is the choice of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government to fully activate that incentive, but all they say is they are in talks with the airline operators.

 He further pointed out in an interview that, there are companies in Ghana that are enjoying huge tax wavers despite the fact that they have been in Ghana for some time and making profit like B5 Steel Company.

“Again, currently we are giving fourteen million tax exemptions, if that money were to be paid by B5 Plus for instance it would make their work more expensive, why can’t we do same for the domestic airlines?”, he queried.

Government can burn backwards and give sweetness to domestic airlines operators, fortunately almost all of them are significantly Ghanaian owned, government can put in a few more things to entice them to ply routes like Ho, Wa and others, he said.

As if there is the need to connect more domestic airports, he noted that government can do more in terms of incentives, hence the reason why free zones was created to give companies number of years not to pay tax.

And further noted that it is critical for making terminal three at the Kotoka International Airport more viable because, it would help same Ghanaians to catch up flights to their international destinations.

He made this remarks in the wake of the opening of the Ho Airport to domestic flight, and in his opinion things that can be done to make domestic air ticket affordable to the average Ghanaian.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Betty Krosbi Mensah supports brilliant but needy student with a laptop

Member of Parliament representing the people of Afram Plains North Constituency, an Island community in the Eastern Region presented a laptop to a needy student currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Ghana.

The needy but brilliant Michael Awingura hitherto could not effectively participate well in the course work and online studies due to the lack of a laptop.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant restrictions have caused many schools to adopt online lectures as the new normal, and the timely intervention by Ms. Betty Krosbi Mensah will facilitate learning for Michael Awingura, an indigene of Donkorkrom who had his secondary education at the Donkorkrom Agriculture Secondary School.

Highly elated Micahel, a level 100 student studying Bachelor in Business Administration at the University of Ghana, Legon expressed gratitude to the MP for the gesture.

The compassionate Afram Plains North lawmaker has been involved in championing lots of humanitarian activities to help improve the living standards of her constituents.

In April this year, Ms. Betty Krosbi Mensah distributed free tools including sewing machines and hair dryers, and enrolled several young girls into apprenticeship programmes to make them self-reliant.

The MP also distributed subsidized refrigerators on a hire-purchase basis to women involved in fish trade to enhance their businesses in the Afram Plains North area.

She also paid for the medical bills for the surgery of little Callen Apema who was suffering from a hole-in-heart disease at the Cardiothoracic Centre of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Ms Betty Krosbi Mensah who is considered by her constituents as a loving and caring mother for all especially children is breaking new barriers and building a future for her people.

The MP who is mourning her lovely mother Mrs. Grace Krosbi Mensah who passed away recently is preparing for her burial and final funeral rites at Donkokrom from July 30 – August 1, 2021.

Ghanamps.com

ECOWAS Parliament: Prospects of Cryptocurrencies as tools for investment in West Africa highlighted

The prospects of Cryptocurrencies as tools for investment in West Africa was highlighted by Mr. Olusegun Akinyelu, a Cryptocurrency writer of BTCC Bitcoin Crypto Derivative Exchange, Abuja. Mr. Akinyelu in his presentation began by explaining where Cryptocurrencies fit in the evolution of money.

He further explained that since the barter system, money has continued to evolve, changing its form, but performs its basic functions as a medium of exchange, store of value, and a unit of account.  It is worth the same to everyone, and acceptable for payment.

 And explained that with modern civilization came flat money, a more portable form of money issued by governments. Flat money, he noted, also come with its problems, from hyperinflation in Zimbabwe, to trust issues in the traditional financial system. An example he noted is the 2008 global financial crisis.

Today, he noted, many would like to know if flat money is the last stage in the evolution of money, and if not, what is the next stage?

 He gave the example of internet, a globally distributed network of computers that created a world where we can easily and quickly send information to anyone, anywhere, and at any time without any form of controls. It is similar thinking that money can work the same way which motivated the introduction of Cryptocurrencies.

On Cryptocurrencies, his words: “Cryptocurrencies, the next evolution of money that is entirely digital without the need for a central authority, powered by distributed ledger technology, Cryptography, and game theory.

On this ecosystem, Cryptocurrencies were first created following hand coded computer rules agreed by participants. They are then used to reward participants for contributing towards securing the networks and validate transactions entries into a distributed ledger.

 These participants are known as miners on Proof-of-Work (ROW) Crypto projects, and validators on Proof-of-Stake (POS) ecosystem”. Mr. Akinyelu in his presentation also explained; how Cryptocurrencies work, how they are kept safe thanks to cryptography (Bitcoins being the most popular); Private and Public keys; The Cryptocurrency architecture; Blockchain (A huge global decentralized ledger that is immutable and contains transactions records);

The increasing number of Cryptocurrencies in circulation; Venture Capital (VCs) and problem solving. On the crux of the topic, ” Cryptocurrencies: Prospects as tool for investment Growth in West Africa”, the presenter cited the following key subjects; High Inflation (Cryptocurrencies seen as a hedge against high inflation, which is prevalent in the region); StableCoins (New Crypto assets);

 Governance and Political Instability  (Cryptocurrencies seen as a hedge against governance and instability, which is prevalent in the region); Identification  (Blockchain technology being used in other sector particularly as proof of Identity); Physical and Financial Infrastructures (Reliable Electricity and Mobile Networks); Informal Savings, Borrowing, and lending; Programmable Smart Contracts on the Blockchain; Agriculture Payments and Exposure to Financial Risk, Domestic and Cross Border Remittances for Businesses and the Unbanked Adults in West Africa; African Arts and Crafts (Increased access to the Global Market).

Ghanamps.com

Dzifa Gomashie to spearhead expansion of Neonatal, Intensive Care Units of Municipal Hospital

The Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Abla Dzifa Gomashie hopes to bring some level of improvement in the neonatal health delivery, and intensive care services at the Municipal Hospital.

To this end, she has promised and designated that her share of the NHIA Fund be used for the expansion of the Ketu South Municipal Hospital’s Neonatal and Intensive Care Units and the expansion of the Anoenu CHCD.

The Municipal Health Director, Mr. Joseph K Degley brought this to light at the climax of the Nurses’ Week Celebration program organized by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association with the theme “Nurses and Midwives, A Voice to Lead in The Vision for A Transformed Health Care in A Post Covid 19 World”.

The Director of health in his address congratulated all nurses and midwives for their immense contribution and sacrifice at this COVID-19 era.

He urged members of the Association to take advantage of the opportunity being offered them through the introduction of the Graduate Diploma and Midwifery courses to further their education and develop themselves.

The Member of Parliament through his representative; the former NDC Constituency Chairman; Mr. Marshall Akumey affirms her infringing support to the Municipal Health Directorate and the general wellbeing of all health workers in the Municipality.

She also used the occasion to congratulate members of the Association, commending all those who have in many instances being tolerant and patient towards their patients, and also encouraged those who falls short of these to buckle up and emulate their colleagues.

The MP, however, noted that it is her hope that her constituents will be frequently educated and admonished by health workers to practice healthy lifestyles to keep them away from ill-health.

As the Special Guest of Honour for the occasion, Madam Gomashie, the MP for the area expressed her profound gratitude to the nurses, the midwives and the entire Municipal Health Directorate and declared that she “holds them in high esteem”.

Francis Vorsah/Ghanamps.com

Dzifa Gomashie to spearhead expansion of Neonatal, Intensive Care Units of Municipal Hospital

The Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Abla Dzifa Gomashie hopes to bring some level of improvement in the neonatal health delivery, and intensive care services at the Municipal Hospital.

To this end, she has promised and designated that her share of the NHIA Fund be used for the expansion of the Ketu South Municipal Hospital’s Neonatal and Intensive Care Units and the expansion of the Anoenu CHCD.

The Municipal Health Director, Mr. Joseph K Degley brought this to light at the climax of the Nurses’ Week Celebration program organized by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association with the theme “Nurses and Midwives, A Voice to Lead in The Vision for A Transformed Health Care in A Post Covid 19 World”.

The Director of health in his address congratulated all nurses and midwives for their immense contribution and sacrifice at this COVID-19 era.

He urged members of the Association to take advantage of the opportunity being offered them through the introduction of the Graduate Diploma and Midwifery courses to further their education and develop themselves.

The Member of Parliament through his representative; the former NDC Constituency Chairman; Mr. Marshall Akumey affirms her infringing support to the Municipal Health Directorate and the general wellbeing of all health workers in the Municipality.

She also used the occasion to congratulate members of the Association, commending all those who have in many instances being tolerant and patient towards their patients, and also encouraged those who falls short of these to buckle up and emulate their colleagues.

The MP, however, noted that it is her hope that her constituents will be frequently educated and admonished by health workers to practice healthy lifestyles to keep them away from ill-health.

As the Special Guest of Honour for the occasion, Madam Gomashie, the MP for the area expressed her profound gratitude to the nurses, the midwives and the entire Municipal Health Directorate and declared that she “holds them in high esteem”.

Francis Vorsah/Ghanamps.com