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Month: June 2024

Understanding the Workings of Ghana’s Parliament

Posted on by Akumaa GhanaMPs

Parliamentary Sessions: The Heartbeat of Legislation

A Session of Parliament marks the period from the commencement of parliamentary activities after a general election until the dissolution of Parliament. The power to summon a new Session lies with the Speaker of Parliament, who acts in accordance with a Constitutional Instrument.

In practice, a new Session begins on the 7th of January following a general election. Throughout a typical Session, Parliament convenes for approximately 28 weeks and takes a recess for about 24 weeks. The regular sitting schedule extends from Tuesday to Friday, amounting to an average of 132 sittings per Session.

Meetings of Parliament: The Pulse of Legislation

A Session of Parliament is subdivided into periods known as Meetings. Each Meeting encompasses the sittings that start when Parliament first meets after being summoned and conclude either with an adjournment sine die (without setting a date for resumption) or at the end of the Session.

Ordinarily, there are three Meetings in a Session:

  1. First Meeting: January to March
  2. Second Meeting: May to July
  3. Third Meeting: October to December

These Meetings facilitate the structured progression of parliamentary business, ensuring that legislative duties are systematically addressed throughout the year.

Understanding the distinction between Sessions and Meetings of Parliament is fundamental for those engaged in or following parliamentary affairs. Sessions provide the overarching framework for parliamentary activity, while Meetings allow for organized intervals within that framework. This structure ensures that Parliament operates efficiently, maintaining a balance between active legislative work and necessary recess periods.

Ghanamps.com/Shang Annang Papa Nii

Akandoh advocates for total or partial absorption of dialysis cost

Posted on by Kwaku GhanaMPs

The Ranking member on the Committee of Health, Kwabena Minta Akandoh is advocating for government to either go for total or partial absorption of cost of dialysis of Ghanaians instead of the populist six-month approach.

He has taken a swipe at the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for not having knowledge about the whole dialysis debate but is out there in the public space that government has absorbed cost of dialysis of people from age eighteen (18) and below and sixty (60) and above.

Rather the age bracket mentioned by government form only twenty (20) percent of patients with dialysis in Ghana, while the huge population are from age nineteen (19) to fifty-nine (59).

Again, “when the National Health Insurance brought its formula for approval in 2024, we insisted that a provision be made for the treatment of dialysis; so this proposal never came from the Executive, vice president has no knowledge of this proposal.

It was suggested at the committee level, and we pushed it at the floor of the House and it was a condition before we approved the formula. So, MPs insisted that some allocation should be made so the provision of about two million Ghana cedis was made for dialysis.”

The is therefore a deception out there as the Vice president said government has absorbed the dialysis cost for people below the ages of 18 and above 60, Akandoh added.

“If you read the statement put up by the National Health Insurance Authority, it is clear that the plan is for six months; what happens after the six month? We need a sustainable and well-thought through plan to be able to absorb the cost of dialysis not this populist approach. I do not know where suddenly the vice president has found his voice on the issue of the cost of dialysis in this country.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Senator Snowe Jr. applies to join NPP of Liberia

Posted on by Kwaku GhanaMPs

Senator Edwin Melvin Snowed Jr. of Bomi County has applied to the National Patriot party of Liberia for reaffirmation of his membership of the party having stepped aside from the party and contested as an independent senate candidate in the 2005 and 2011elections.

In 2017 however, he contested on the Unity Party ticket before reversing to an independent candidate which outcome made him the current Senior of Bomi County.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Afenyo admonish Ghanaian businessmen not to rush to change their cedis to dollar

Posted on by Kwaku GhanaMPs

Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has appealed to Ghanaian businessmen/women not to rush to change their cedis into dollars as government is doing its best to stem the depreciation of the cedis.

According to him instead of changing the cedis into dollars Ghanaian businessmen and women should rather buy treasury bills or have fix deposit and save in cedis; adding that by so doing they will not find themselves in difficulty in the near future when the government’s efforts finally yield results.

The Effutu lawmaker noted at a press conference that, the exchange rate will be coming down when it happens, as was the case in 2022 where people lost money because people who were responding to the pessimisms of the Minority NDC at the time that the Ghanaian economy was collapsing and there was no future for the economy and went to change their dollar at the rate of one Ghana cedis to fourteen and fifteen dollars when the rate drop to eight dollars, “here we were they have lost huge amount.”

“I would encourage Ghanaians business person not to rush to change cedis to dollars, they should be optimistic the government has a plan in place, we had the rate going high but through prudent management it dropped. Ghanaians should have confidence in the economy and not change cedis to dollars if you do not have immediate need for it”.

Majority leader further pointed out that the Minority is throwing dust into the eyes of Ghanaian and confusing people that local contracts and agreement of multi-year value cannot come under Article 181 clause 5.

“As a businessman myself, I know the effect of the pronouncement of the Minority, its effect on industry which at the long round will affect the economy. We know the situation with our cedis, if a politician who does not understand business will come out for the sake of politics and just makes any pronouncement, the market would respond as a result of unreasonable comment that seems to be affecting the business environment”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Majority cautions Minority against obstructing government business

Posted on by Kwaku GhanaMPs

The Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamen Afenyo-Markin has taken a swipe at the Minority caucus in Ghana’s Parliament to stop obstructing government business and scaring investors away which is affecting the economy.

According to him the press conference held by the Minority which they pointed out that the Public Financial Management Act section 33 is being breach is not true.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, as part of the Majority putting up the fact series which is aimed at ensuring the right information is put out in the Ghanaian public space, he noted
“We are doing this to ensure, the NDC Minority does not take advantage of spreading falsehood, more especially when we know we are approaching a general election in December 2024”.

Again, the PFM Act section 33 of the said law and compared it to the constitution Article 181 requires that such contract should come to Parliament; and we need to remind them that they do not have to make parliament a busy body putting its nose at things that are not part of its mandate. Our job as Parliament is provided for in the constitution, he indicated.

“By their act they are obstructing government business and scaring investors and that affects the economy. If businesses are hearing such news, they are not going to give off their best. Basically people will keep their money and that would affect the good people of Ghana.

They quoted the law mischievously for their political purpose. Act 921 section 33 states, “a covered entity shall not enter into any agreement with the financial commitment that binds the government for more than one financial year or that result in a contingent liability except where the financial contingent is with prior approval of the Minister authoritised by parliament in accordance with article 181 of the constitution”

So, the question is what does article 181 says? For this purpose, its clause 5 says this articles with the necessary modification by parliament apply to an international business to economic business to which government is a party as it applies to a loan.

So, the contract in reference must be an international transaction that is where our colleagues should pay attention to. It does not mean every contract with multi year contract should come to parliament and they should stop misleading the public, he added

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Achiase MP breaks ground for two new school blocks

Posted on by Kwaku GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Achiase Constituency, hon. Ahenkorah Marfo has broken ground for the construction of two school blocks to help improve educational infrastructure in the constituency.

They include one six-unit classroom block at Ahuntam and another four-unit classroom block at Apamso.

The projects are expected to provide accessible and conducive learning environment for the children in the communities.

It will also improve the quality of education and reduce the dropout rate due to difficulty in accessibility.

Ghanamps.com

Health Committee holds in-camera discussion on non-release of funds to the NHIA

Posted on by Kwaku GhanaMPs

The Committee on Health is holding an in-camera discussion with the social cluster of Committees to discuss non-release of funds to the National Health Insurance Authority.

Committees that are to appear before the Committee for discussion are the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the National Health Insurance Authority and the Controller and Accountant General Department.

The initial public hearing of the Committee’s meeting turns up to be an in-camera discussion after which the chairman of the Committee Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye assured the media they would be briefed after their discussion.

As to what is informing the sudden turn around, the chairman of the Committee told journalists this is a standard practice; and apart from the Appointment Committee of Ghana’s Parliament they are a Committee that had held public hearing.

Ranking of the Committee Kwabena Minta Akando had a different view of the chairman and pointed out that since this is a public institution there is nothing to hide.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Parliamentary candidate for Akuapem North donates moto bike to Rev Obou for evangelism

Posted on by Kwaku GhanaMPs

Director General   National Lotteries Authority (NLA) and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Akuapem North, Lawyer Sammi Awuku has donated a motor bike to the Tutu Presbyterian District Minister, Rev Johnson Obou Manu.

The donation is a surprise gesture to help the Reverend Minister with his evangelical works in the district.

Mampong Akuapem Apesemakahene, Nana Yirenkyi I, who presented the motor bike on behalf of the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Akuapem North in the church last Sunday, narrated that Sammi Awuku had paid a visit to Rev Obuo Manu and he pleaded for a motor for evangelism in the district.

In fulfilment of his promise to that request, lawyer Sammi Awuku gave a motor bike out for onward presentation to Rev Obuo Manu.

Rev Obuo Manu thanked Sammi Awuku for supporting the work of God and prayed for his dream to come true.

Ghanamps.com

 

5G spectrum deal: Minority kicks against opaque deal

Posted on by Kwaku GhanaMPs

The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament has expressed worry over move by the Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia led government to give away the nation’s 5G spectrum to a shadowy entity, Next Gen Infraco Limited for the next ten to fifteen years.

According to the Minority next Gen Infraco limited has exclusive right to build, own and operate the entire 5G infrastructure network across the country for the use of all mobile network operators, internet service providers and other interested entities.

In a press statement issued by the Minority Leader on Monday, June 3, 2024 Dr. Ato Forson noted that executive approval was given by the president on August 22, 2023 barely one week after the company was incorporated in August 16, 2023; and was done through a non-transparent arrangement without any competitive process whatsoever.

The Minority caucus sees the deal as inimical to the national interest after preliminary study leading to the opaque transaction and says so because of the following reasons.
1. Lack of value for money
Our conservative analysis shows that the State could have generated up to USD400 million to USD$500 million upfront if the government had opted for a more competitive process.
This revenue could have been channeled into critical development projects in this time of economic bankruptcy and excruciating hardships. Sadly, the corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government is giving away this important asset for a paltry USD$125million payable in yearly installments on a work-and-pay basis over the next 10 years.

2. Unfair monopoly and exclusivity.
This opaque ‘work and pay’ 5G agreement will ensure that: i. NEXT GEN INFRACO would be the ONLY COMPANY to offer wholesale 5G mobile DATA and VOICE services in the country for a period of 10 years.

ii. All existing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)-MTN, AT, TELECEL and Internet Service Providers ((ISPs) in the country cannot offer DATA and VOICE services to their numerous customers nationwide without passing through NEXT GEN INFRACO.

iii. NEXT GEN INFRACO would control substantial 62.5% of every DATA/VOICE bundle package every mobile user buys, with only 7.5% going to Government and 30% for Mobile Network Operators and Internet Service Providers. We hold the view that the monopoly and exclusive rights granted Next Gen Infraco under this opaque deal is unfair to other industry players and unacceptable.

3. Absence of Parliamentary Approval
This 5G spectrum transaction awarded to Next Gen Infraco Limited is a multi-year contract, hence subject to parliamentary approval per section 33 of the Public Financial Management Act 2016 (Act 921). Unfortunately, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government is almost concluding this deal at the blind side of Parliament. This renders the entire transaction unlawful, null, void, and of no legal effect whatsoever.

4. Some of the entities in the Consortium which are the beneficiaries of this opaque transaction, are mushroom entities owned by cronies of President Akufo-Addo and the Minister for Communication, with questionable track records.
As a matter of fact, some of these entities have been engaged by this same government in similar arrangements that have offered no value for money for the state.

5. The regulatory framework and operational modalities and guidelines for this opaque arrangement have not been clearly defined by the Akufo Addo/Bawumia government, which appears to be in an indecent haste to give away the country’s 5G spectrum for a pittance.

6. The investment that this Consortium is expected to make to justify their humongous 63% stake in Ghana’s 5G network services revenue has also not been clearly defined. The NDC Caucus in Parliament holds the view, that at a time that the country is in dire need of foreign exchange and non-tax revenue, it is unconscionable that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government will hand over the precious and highly sought-after 5G spectrum of the country to a shell company for a pittance.

Clearly, this deal for all intents and purposes is inimical to our national interest and the NDC Minority Caucus has, therefore, flagged this transaction for eagle-eye scrutiny.

In the coming days, we shall be addressing the media and, by extension, the Ghanaian people on these vexed matters and collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure that our national interest is upheld.

Ghanamps.com

Seven-Member Delegation from Pan-African Parliament calls on Clerk to Parliament

Posted on by Kwaku GhanaMPs

A seven-member delegation from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) in South Africa has called on the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah, to solicit views on how to enhance female participation and equality on a number of issues within the African continent.

Briefing the gathering on the purpose of the visit, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Gali Massa Harou, noted that the Pan-African Parliament is in the process of putting together an African Model Law on Gender, which will serve as a guide to all African member countries that have difficulties in implementing laws bordering on issues of gender.

Equal access to education, employment, land, law, reproductive rights, and protection of women, as well as economic and social opportunities for women were few indicators listed by the delegation.

Responding to the subject matter, the Deputy Clerk in charge of Corporate and Financial Management Services, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, who represented the Clerk to Parliament, was of the view that the model laws must be tailored to fit the culture and religious values of member countries.

He cited the Property Rights of Spouses Bill as having been in the books of Ghana’s Parliament for the past 20 years, stressing that the Bill has not been passed due to issues with a few clauses, including a cohabitation clause that seems to create disagreement among Members of Parliament and some civil society groups.

He added that if such an African Model Law was implemented, it could be useful to Ghana’s Parliament in passing the Property Rights of Spouses Bill.

He, however, cautioned the delegation to do extensive consultations before finalizing its report.

The delegation was taken through a number of Acts and policies that would help its cause. They include articles 12 and 35 of the Constitution, which talk about equality and inclusiveness; the Domestic Violence Act; the abolition of female mutilation; and the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act.

Also present at the meeting were Coordinators of Departments, Directors, and some senior officers of the Parliamentary Service.

Ghanamps.com