Month: December 2021

Founder of Excellent Leadership and Accountable Governance (CFELAG), Dr. Hunter said the introduction of the E-Levy in the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the President Nana Akufo-Addo led administration is wrong timing, more especially in the coronavirus pandemic era that the world is battling with.

According to him President Nana Akufo-Addo in his address to the nation has been saying, “we are not in normal times, so why do you want to force this E-Levy down the neck of Ghanaians?”

Again, the Minority started fighting for the grass root then all of a sudden their position is changing; “I am tempted to allege that some monies might have changed hands, why this sudden change from the Minority Leader on E-Levy one percent? We saw their stand in Parliament”.

Dr. Hunter made this known at a press conference on Saturday, December 4, 2021. As to what time would be the best time to introduce the E-Levy in Ghana, he noted that in the next ten years would be the appropriate time and called for total rejection of the E-Levy in the 2022 budget.

He added further that this whole crusade would not end up with only a press conference as Ghanaians are already paying so many taxes. He gave an example that when he buys a recharged card and pays twenty (20) Ghana, he is only given eighteen (18) cedis.

“Governments of yesterday and today should not tell us that it is only through taxation that they can develop this country, if that is the case not the vigorous hardship tax, the voice of the people is the voice of God and Ghanaians are saying they do not want it”.

 Dr. Hunter further added that America and other developed countries have used agriculture to develop their countries, as of today, planting for food and jobs is a failure and no one should boast about it.  “I am not doing politics, the minister said plantain is selling at such three cedis a whole bunch and the media went to the market and they revealed it  is not so”.

So, if he is not telling the truth, then the media also lied and if there is enough productivity food would not be expensive, stating that agriculture is what would drive the Ghanaian economy on, not the E-Levy.

“If we get a God fearing person who has the nation at heart and the person of integrity and dignity, they would want to serve the people and not themselves”, he pointed out.

He emphasised that his organisation is neither for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) nor the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and said their agenda is to educate and inform the grass root of governments policies and highlight on critical national issues.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

 “Liberia: The Land of Return – Commemorating 200 Years of Freedom and Pan-African Leadership” as Bicentennial Commemoration theme

The Bicentennial Steering Committee for the planning of Liberia’s 200-years anniversary commemoration as a country announces the theme and slogan of the event, which will be celebrated throughout 2022 from January 7, to December 10, 2022, with the official opening ceremony taking place on February 14, 2022 in Monrovia, the Liberian capital.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to The SUMMIT, signed by the Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism and Chairman of the Bi-Centennnial Steering Committee, Hon.  Ledgerhood Julius Rennie.

Liberia was founded in 1822 by free people of African descent from the United States of America.

According to the Steering Committee, the theme is “Liberia: The Land of Return – Commemorating 200 Years of Freedom and Pan-African Leadership”, while the slogan is “The Lone Star Forever, Stronger Together.”

The Steering Committee said, this theme signifies three important historical milestones achieved by the country since it was founded in 1822 by free people of African descent and their patrons from the United States.

“Firstly, the theme celebrates Liberia, in West Africa, as the land chosen as refuge by free people of African descent who endured many years of servitude in the United States, to settle as their home country. Consequently, under the auspices of the American Colonisation Society (ACS), many of the free people of color emigrated from the United States and disembarked on Providence Island in Liberia on January 7, 1822 as their home country.

“Secondly, the theme seeks to memorialise black freedom and nationhood and the determination for self-governance that began 200 years ago when Liberia was established in 1822. In an era when people of African descent were seeking freedom and self-determination, the founding of Liberia, “the Black Republic,” which gained independence in 1847 stood as the clear indication that Africans were capable of self-rule.

“Thirdly, the theme acknowledges the pivotal Pan-Africanist leadership role that Liberia played, crusading for Africa’s decolonisation and independence, including its uncompromising stance against the racial segregation in South Africa known then as apartheid. Liberia would later champion the establishment of multinational unions on the African Continent and the global stage. “Foremost was its Pan-Africanist leadership role in organising the historic 1959 “Sanniquellie Conference” involving Liberia, Guinea, and Ghana which ultimately resulted in the formation of Organisation of African Union (OAU) in 1963. Liberia assumed similar Pan-Africanist leadership in the formation of the African Union (AU), successor to the OAU. It likewise joined the call on the Continent for creation of regional economic organizations, such as, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Mano River Union.

“And it was in similar spirit of Pan-Africanism that inspired Liberia to join other nations in supporting the formation of international bodies, including the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As a Pan-Africanist leader, Liberia became the vision bearer and founder of the African Development Bank when the bank was established in the 1960s to foster economic cooperation on the African Continent.”

It can be recalled that even while slavery remained legal in the United States until 1865, the resettlement efforts of the ACS culminated into the establishment of present-day Liberia in West Africa to relocate free black men, women and children from the United States and other people of colour from other parts of the world. This led to the departure of the first group of about 86 free Blacks from the shores of New York in 1820. By the end of the 1800s, approximately 17,000 free Blacks from the United States and the Caribbean were repatriated to Liberia. Other people of color would continue to seek refuge in Liberia, the “land of liberty.”

Since their arrival, the settlers established self-governance in Liberia with Joseph Jenkins Roberts from Virginia of the United States serving as the first African American to be elected as president of a country. Subsequently, nine other American-born Africans from Maryland, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky served as presidents of Liberia, this first black African Republic.

The capital city of Liberia was named Monrovia after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States, a staunch supporter of the ACS and the flag of the country is a partial replica of the American flag to symbolize the strong relationship between both countries.

To preserve and uphold a strong bond of relationship with the United States of America, the settlers named most of the counties and cities of Liberia after a number of American States, notably including Maryland and Mississippi in Africa, amongst others “to continue to preserve their cultural ties with the places they came from in the United States.

The slogan shows Liberia as the Lone Star nation and the first independent black republic in Africa. Despite the country’s recent bitter history of conflict, Liberia has restored peace and stability and it remains stronger together as a nation through democratic governance. The country has held three successive democratic elections, which ushered in Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as the first democratically elected female president of the country and Africa. In 2017, the country witnessed the democratic transfer of power from one democratically elected president to another when President Sirleaf transferred power to President George Manneh Weah as a result of the outcome of a free, fair and transparent democratic election. This transfer of power was a significant milestone that the country has not achieved in more than 70 years.

According to the Steering Committee, the theme and slogan are designed to support the objectives of the Bicentennial Commemoration, which are to celebrate Liberia’s rich cultural heritage; to showcase the country’s tourism and investment opportunities; to reunite and reconnect African Americans in the United States and other blacks within the diaspora to their cultural identity in Liberia. A key objective of the Bicentennial commemoration is to also strengthen the rich historic relationship between the United States and Liberia dating back to the 1800s when Liberia was established.

To ensure the success of the Bicentennial Commemoration, His Excellency, President Dr. George Manneh Weah of the Republic of Liberia, has called on all Liberians, the local and international partners and the diaspora communities to participate in this historic event to celebrate 200 years of the founding of the country by free people of African descent from the United State and other parts of the world, including the Caribbean and Europe; and the level of freedom and Pan-African leadership that the country has enjoyed, while showcasing the country as an ideal destination for tourism and investment.

Various sub-committees are assisting the National Steering Committee of the Bicentennial commemoration ensuring an inclusive measure to assure the success of the event. The President is calling on all Liberians and good friends of the country from around the world to work together collaboratively, irrespective of their social and political alignments, to ensure the success of this event for the overall benefit for the country.

Ghanamps.com /Ecowasnews.com

as Bicentennial Commemoration theme

The Bicentennial Steering Committee for the planning of Liberia’s 200-years anniversary commemoration as a country announces the theme and slogan of the event, which will be celebrated throughout 2022 from January 7, to December 10, 2022, with the official opening ceremony taking place on February 14, 2022 in Monrovia, the Liberian capital.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to The SUMMIT, signed by the Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism and Chairman of the Bi-Centennnial Steering Committee, Hon.  Ledgerhood Julius Rennie.

Liberia was founded in 1822 by free people of African descent from the United States of America.

According to the Steering Committee, the theme is “Liberia: The Land of Return – Commemorating 200 Years of Freedom and Pan-African Leadership”, while the slogan is “The Lone Star Forever, Stronger Together.”

The Steering Committee said, this theme signifies three important historical milestones achieved by the country since it was founded in 1822 by free people of African descent and their patrons from the United States.

“Firstly, the theme celebrates Liberia, in West Africa, as the land chosen as refuge by free people of African descent who endured many years of servitude in the United States, to settle as their home country. Consequently, under the auspices of the American Colonisation Society (ACS), many of the free people of color emigrated from the United States and disembarked on Providence Island in Liberia on January 7, 1822 as their home country.

“Secondly, the theme seeks to memorialise black freedom and nationhood and the determination for self-governance that began 200 years ago when Liberia was established in 1822. In an era when people of African descent were seeking freedom and self-determination, the founding of Liberia, “the Black Republic,” which gained independence in 1847 stood as the clear indication that Africans were capable of self-rule.

“Thirdly, the theme acknowledges the pivotal Pan-Africanist leadership role that Liberia played, crusading for Africa’s decolonisation and independence, including its uncompromising stance against the racial segregation in South Africa known then as apartheid. Liberia would later champion the establishment of multinational unions on the African Continent and the global stage. “Foremost was its Pan-Africanist leadership role in organising the historic 1959 “Sanniquellie Conference” involving Liberia, Guinea, and Ghana which ultimately resulted in the formation of Organisation of African Union (OAU) in 1963. Liberia assumed similar Pan-Africanist leadership in the formation of the African Union (AU), successor to the OAU. It likewise joined the call on the Continent for creation of regional economic organizations, such as, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Mano River Union.

“And it was in similar spirit of Pan-Africanism that inspired Liberia to join other nations in supporting the formation of international bodies, including the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As a Pan-Africanist leader, Liberia became the vision bearer and founder of the African Development Bank when the bank was established in the 1960s to foster economic cooperation on the African Continent.”

It can be recalled that even while slavery remained legal in the United States until 1865, the resettlement efforts of the ACS culminated into the establishment of present-day Liberia in West Africa to relocate free black men, women and children from the United States and other people of colour from other parts of the world. This led to the departure of the first group of about 86 free Blacks from the shores of New York in 1820. By the end of the 1800s, approximately 17,000 free Blacks from the United States and the Caribbean were repatriated to Liberia. Other people of color would continue to seek refuge in Liberia, the “land of liberty.”

Since their arrival, the settlers established self-governance in Liberia with Joseph Jenkins Roberts from Virginia of the United States serving as the first African American to be elected as president of a country. Subsequently, nine other American-born Africans from Maryland, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky served as presidents of Liberia, this first black African Republic.

The capital city of Liberia was named Monrovia after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States, a staunch supporter of the ACS and the flag of the country is a partial replica of the American flag to symbolize the strong relationship between both countries.

To preserve and uphold a strong bond of relationship with the United States of America, the settlers named most of the counties and cities of Liberia after a number of American States, notably including Maryland and Mississippi in Africa, amongst others “to continue to preserve their cultural ties with the places they came from in the United States.

The slogan shows Liberia as the Lone Star nation and the first independent black republic in Africa. Despite the country’s recent bitter history of conflict, Liberia has restored peace and stability and it remains stronger together as a nation through democratic governance. The country has held three successive democratic elections, which ushered in Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as the first democratically elected female president of the country and Africa. In 2017, the country witnessed the democratic transfer of power from one democratically elected president to another when President Sirleaf transferred power to President George Manneh Weah as a result of the outcome of a free, fair and transparent democratic election. This transfer of power was a significant milestone that the country has not achieved in more than 70 years.

According to the Steering Committee, the theme and slogan are designed to support the objectives of the Bicentennial Commemoration, which are to celebrate Liberia’s rich cultural heritage; to showcase the country’s tourism and investment opportunities; to reunite and reconnect African Americans in the United States and other blacks within the diaspora to their cultural identity in Liberia. A key objective of the Bicentennial commemoration is to also strengthen the rich historic relationship between the United States and Liberia dating back to the 1800s when Liberia was established.

To ensure the success of the Bicentennial Commemoration, His Excellency, President Dr. George Manneh Weah of the Republic of Liberia, has called on all Liberians, the local and international partners and the diaspora communities to participate in this historic event to celebrate 200 years of the founding of the country by free people of African descent from the United State and other parts of the world, including the Caribbean and Europe; and the level of freedom and Pan-African leadership that the country has enjoyed, while showcasing the country as an ideal destination for tourism and investment.

Various sub-committees are assisting the National Steering Committee of the Bicentennial commemoration ensuring an inclusive measure to assure the success of the event. The President is calling on all Liberians and good friends of the country from around the world to work together collaboratively, irrespective of their social and political alignments, to ensure the success of this event for the overall benefit for the country.

Ghanamps.com

A governance organisation, Excellent Leadership and Accountable Governance (CFELAG), disagrees with both the Majority and Minority in Parliament over their interpretation of the constitution that either 138 or 137 can approve the 2022 budget.

According to the founder, Dr. Hunter in both Articles of 102 and 104 the underling factor is that all MPs should be in the chamber.

“What the constitution says, the emphasis is on all members of Parliament should be present in the chamber.  We are saying to both sides of the House that not all members were in the House before they came out with either they have approved or overturn the budget. They are disrespecting Ghanaians who voted for them.  When you enter the chamber, you are neither NPP nor NDC; you are the representatives of the people”.

Again, at a press conference, he told journalists that the 1992 Republican Constitution is not a spiritual book, so anyone who has attended school can read and understand. “Majority and the Minority can they prove to us today that they are not in Parliament for their own selfish interest but to help the people who elected them as MPs?” He questioned.

On the pronouncement of the first Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu he said his statement that he is not the Speaker is contradictory, and the oath that he sworn as the first deputy Speaker of Ghana’s parliament he is the Speaker when the Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin is not around, that is why the MPs address him as, “Mr. Speaker, they do not referee to him as Mr. First Deputy Speaker when he is in the chair”.

And as a lawyer and being called Joe Wise, he is intelligent and could share to the public his intelligence, but said on camera that he is not a Speaker is contradictory; he erred and should apologies to Ghanaians.

“We are disappointed in the Minority because they got Ghanaians to give them their support, we believe in them when they came after the E-Levy, when they disagreed with the Majority. I heard the Minority saying that the threshold should be taken to three hundred cedis and   that one percent for the E-ley tax, we do not support this stand, we are saying the E-levy is not acceptable to the people of Ghana and the Majority side should go and do more negotiations on the matter”.

The Finance Minister’s office, he noted, was not prepared for this very budget, as he said there should be room for negotiation and they are going to go back and do negotiation; it is a clear indication that they were not prepared and were not ready for the budget to be passed by parliament.

And suggested that  from now to February 2022,  government has more room to make more negotiations to meet with stakeholders like the truck pushers, okada riders, his  old lady in the village,  and  encourage all Ghanaians to resist  the  E-Levy,  and in  the  national anthem says,  “we should resist every oppressors rule, we should be bold and defend the nation Ghana”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

 

In the wake of only 2 percent of citizens within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states, vaccinated against novel coronavirus, an alumnus of the Community Parliament from Ghana, Clement Kofi Humado said the nonpayment of ECOWAS levy by some member states is affecting the work of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO).

According to him despite the fact that WAHO gets grants from the European Union (EU) and from other places it is still not enough.

“Among member states of ECOWAS, say Togo and Ghana because vaccination and testing centers have not been established at the land borders, they have closed their borders; that should not be the case. They should have opened the borders for WAHO to supervise Ghana and Togo to do the right thing”.

He further pointed out that with the establishment of testing and vaccination centers at the land borders, citizens would move freely, same with other member states.

And to some extent the programme of WAHO are not being implemented not even by the member states, and the ECOWAS Parliament seems to have fallen into a similar situation and is an issue that should be looked at critically, he emphasised.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Delay in payment of the ECOWAS levy has been a subject matter that has been discussed in the Parliament for quite some time. And at the ongoing second Ordinary Session of the Parliament, the issue came up strong when Nigeria presented its country report.

Former member of the Ghanaian delegation to the Community Parliament, Clement Kofi Humado is advocating for the Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to give clarity on the matter per articles he has gone through with regards to Thursday, December 2, 2021 plenary report presented on the floor of the House by Nigeria.

According to him it looks like the Nigerian delegate who prepared the report might have stated a long period of accruals whiles the First Deputy Speaker is also saying it is not that long and has been only one month.

“We should have a further probe and explanation, as it may appear that just as they were about to come for the second Ordinary Session, they might have given an order for the arrears to be cleared, which might not be known to the one who presented the report”.

According to him, this is an issue that the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament needs to engage the Finance Ministers of Nigeria on.

In a telephone interview, the former Ghanaian Community lawmaker noted that the issue of Nigeria not paying their Community levy promptly has been there for quite some time with his experience in the Community Parliament.

Again, it is not the case that Nigeria do not have the money but they have adopted a certain procedure which is questionable; “I do not have all the facts, I do not want to allude to anything, what I know is that they keep the money in an escrow account in Abuja for almost one year before they release it”.

And further explained that he does not know why they do that. “So when the money is in escrow account and attracting interest who takes the interest? It is something which is not very clear?”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com