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Minority berates government for using military to enforce compliance of ban on cereals

The Minority through its ranking member on Defence and Interior committee who doubles as MP for Builsa North, Mr James Agalga has condemned the deployment of the military to enforce compliance of ban on cereals at the various borders of the country.

He explained that, it is a core mandate for immigration and customs to secure our borders with respect to goods moving both inside and outside the country; therefore, it is a misplaced priority to use the military for such operations, more also where the minister failed to indicate that the enforcement task is beyond the immigration and customs.

Mr Agalga further added that, the decision of government to use the military at the various borders is a strategy to prevent Ghanaians living outside Ghana from coming to vote during December 7 elections.

He indicated that, it is a plan of the government to use the military to threaten people from coming to vote on December 7, more especially as the minister for food and agriculture, Mr Bryan Acheampong has said, the NPP won’t hand over power to the NDC.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Majority women caucus backs Lydia Alhassan’s legal suit against John Dumelo

The Majority women caucus in Ghana’s eighth Parliament has thrown its support for Lydia Seyram Alhassan in her pursuit seeking justice as she seeks redress in a case when Mr. John Dumelo accused her of somehow involvement in the death of her late husband.

Mr Dumelo made the vile and groundless claim during a recent debate organize by TV3 in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.

At a press conference addressed by the chair of the Majority Women caucus,Patricia Appiagyei, she noted that, “this outrageous and contemptible statement is not only a vicious attack on the MP but also an insult to all women who work tirelessly to serve their communities and the nation in position of leadership”.

“We encourage her to take this matter to a court of competent jurisdiction where Mr. John Dumelo will be compelled to prove his baseless and malicious allegations, this legal action should serve as a powerful warning to anyone who attempts to slander or defame women for political gain”

“And for a public figure to so callously and recklessly malign a woman who has endured the profound loss of her spouse is both deplorable and unforgivable”.

“Does his comment also mean same for the NDC MP for Shai Osudoku, Hon Linda Obenawaa Akweley Ocloo who also became MP when her husband sadly died?”

We urge all political actors and members of the public to conduct their discourse with respect, truthfulness and decency, refraining from personal attacks that undermine our democratic process. And the progress of our democracy depends on the ability of all participants to engage in meaningful debate on ideas and policies without descending into the gutters of unfounded and disrespectful allegations, she stated.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

La Dadekotopon MP worried over no show in Kpeshie Lagoon dredging

The Member of Parliament for La Dadekotopon Rita Naa Odoley Sowah has expressed worry over the absence of dredging of the Kpeshie Lagoon for the past four years pointing out that it’s the cause of flooding that they experience.

In an interview she pointed out that she posed question to the then Minister for Works and Housing in June 2021 and currently in 2024 but nothing has happened.

Hence as a member of the Government Assurance Committee she asked a question on it when the sector minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah appeared before the Committee.

“We experience flooding when it rains and as we speak there has been a lot of encroachment along the Lagoon which will make working very difficult for them. Three years down the line entering the fourth year, where I had to bring up some concerns of my constituents, there are some projects they fast tracked; they go through the procurement system hurriedly”.

And I do not agree with the Minister and the ministry at the pace at which they are working. They talked about a committee doing this, they are very slow on it, they might not get access to the Lagoon to dredge as we have encroachment ongoing; they should speed up, she added.

She noted that, “in 2021, then Minister when I ask the question said they are looking forward for the bridge to be constructed before they carry out the dredging, but it has taken forever and the bridge has not been completed and the Ministry of Roads should also fast truck the road construction which we are told is delaying”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Akosombo Dam Spillage: 1,125 houses under construction for resettlement

The Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has revealed that a total of 1,125 houses are currently under construction for settlement of people who were displaced by the Akosombo dam spillage.

He explained that 115 houses are currently being constructed as another budget has also been approved for another 1,010 houses to get all affected people a permanent place to live.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Government Assurance Committee and MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzato Ablakwa was not pleased with the responses from the minister since he believes, the victims of the spillage have not been treated fairly even though their issue was a national disaster.

All these comments came up when the Minister appeared before the committee to respond to questions about the spillage and what the government has done about it so far.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Government Assurance Committee Hearing: $5 billion needed to address flooding in Ghana – Dr. Kissi

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Hydrological Authority, Dr John Kissi has disclosed that the country needs five billion dollars ( $5 Billion Dollars) to address the flooding challenges in the country.

He explained that, an estimate conducted on the current flooding incidents in the country and the level of its impact, such an amount would be required to mitigate the challenge but only GHC 92 million cedis was allocated to the agency in addressing flooding for the entire country.

Also, the Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said, Ghana is far behind about 15 to 20 years with respect to the kind of resilience infrastructure to contain flooding or climate change.

These comments came up when the ministry appeared before government assurance Committee to answer questions of flood in general as well as measures put in place to dredge Kpeshie Lagoon, Keta Lagoon and others.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Effutu MP donates to Winneba Health center

The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has made some donations to Winneba model health Center.

On Wednesday, August 28, 2924, the MP made the donation to the center located near the UEW’s South Campus.

The donated items include drugs, non-drugs (weighing scale, HB strips, etc), a generator, a deep freezer, 3 refrigerators, 6 foldable tables, 30 plastic chairs, dustbins, mobs, and laminator and toners.

The ceiling of the center has also been repaired.

There is also an ongoing construction of washrooms and other facilities at the centre.

Ghanamps.com

Dam Spillage: Ablakwa unhappy about lack of engagement with affected people

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Chairman of the Assurances Committee of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed concern over lack of engagement and interface with the affected people of the Akosombo water spillage in his Constituency.

He made this statement when he appeared before the Ad- Hoc Committee set up by Parliament to Investigate the Akosombo Dam Water Spillage at its first public hearing at Justice DF Annan Auditorium in Parliament.

In furtherance, the North Tongu Legislator posits that, the Inter-Ministerial Committee set up by Government to help deal with issues emanating from the spillage has not worked to his expectations, adding that, he is very disappointed in the thirteen Member Inter-Ministerial Committee; saying ‘’ we don’t know when the Committee is going to meet us, whether is still in force, they are still working, we don’t know when they are going to have their first meeting with us” he stressed.

He indicated that over twelve thousand people who lost their livelihoods due to the spillage without any compensation from government in his constituency will seek legal redress soon.

However, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Suleman Adamu Sanid, MP for Ahafo Ano North Constituency in the Ashanti Region pointed out that, he is impressed with the honest submissions from the various stakeholders who appeared before the Committee.

He said ” the witnesses have been very honest, very fair with the facts on the ground and I think we are in a position to submit a very good report to Parliament.

Mr. Suleman emphasized that the Committee is in a position to present a good report that will be acceptable to all.
The Chairman has directed that, all the water and electricity bills of the affected people living in the safe havens be paid by the District Assemblies.

The District Chief Executives have been charged to pay the bills. “These are initial recommendations that we have made, and we think that this shouldn’t wait for our report but should be acted upon as quickly as possible”
The Volta River Authority (VRA) and two more District Assemblies are also scheduled to appear before the Committee soon.

Ghanamps.com

PAC directs Central Gonja District Assembly to pay workers minimum wage

The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, James Klutse Avedzi, has directed the Central Gonja District Assembly to pay its workers the daily minimum wage.

This directive was issued during the Committee’s public sittings in Tamale, which commenced on Monday.

Over the next two days, the Committee will review the Auditor-General’s reports for the fiscal year ending 31st December 2023.

The report indicated that the Central Gonja District Assembly has been employing contract workers and paying them as little as 100 Ghana Cedis per month, while also being in arrears for the past year.

Responding to the concerns raised, the District Chief Executive, Iddrisu Salia, assured that the Assembly has fully complied with the Auditor-General’s recommendations by recruiting permanent staff and ensuring that they are paid the daily minimum wage.

The zonal public sittings of the PAC will also review infractions cited in the Auditor-General’s report, including unearned salaries, unsupported payments, and uncollected rents from workers and institutions.

These institutions include Senior High Schools, Technical Universities, Colleges of Education, and Polytechnics located in the Northern, North East, Upper West, and Upper East Regions.

Ghanamps.com

Obuasi West MP donates 1000 desks to 12 schools

Mr. Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Obuasi West Constituency, has donated 1000 desks to the Municipal Education Directorate for onward distribution to 12 public schools in dire need of furniture.

Procured from his share of the Common Fund for Members of Parliament (MPs), the expectation is that the desk would enhance quality teaching and learning in the beneficiary schools.

At a short ceremony to hand over the desks, Mr. Kwarteng said he had always supported schools in the constituency with furniture in his quest to address furniture deficit in schools.

He said the presentation of the 1000 desks was in response to a request by the Director of Education to fix the furniture challenges facing some public schools in the constituency.

“I have always put a premium on education, so, I had to respond quickly to the request of the directorate on the lack of furniture in some schools. We will continue to supply furniture to schools to ensure our children are comfortable in their classrooms,” the Obuasi West MP stressed.

Mr. Kwarteng seized the opportunity to highlight key interventions he had provided in the education sector, indicating that quality education was the most integral component of development in any society, and pledged to put premium on quality education delivery in the area.

He mentioned the rehabilitation of the Apitikooko School where a computer lab and staff common room had been provided, the provision of WASH facilities at Kokoteasua School and the Obuasi Complex Schools as well as the provision of classroom blocks at Nhyieso School as some of the key projects he has undertaken over the years.

The Former Deputy Minister of Finance said he would not relent in committing more investment into improving the quality of education in schools in the Municipality.

Receiving the desks on behalf of the schools, the Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, Mr. George Alfred Koomson commended the MP for the quick response to the request.

Mr. Koomson assured that he would liaise with heads of the beneficiary schools to ensure that the furniture was properly maintained.

Ms. Jacqueline Asante, Headmistress of Kwabena Fori Primary School lauded Mr. Kwarteng for the various educational interventions he had rolled out over the years.

She said the donation was a welcome relief to the heads of the beneficiary schools who had been saddled with the challenges of inadequate furniture in their schools.

Gomoa Central MP Presents Motor Bikes To Okada Riders

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Gomoa Central, Mrs Naana Eyiah Quansah, has presented 15 motorbikes to Okada riders in the constituency on work and pay basis as part of efforts to empower them financially to improve on their livelihoods.

The MP also presented GHC200.00 each to the recipients as start-up capital to buy fuel to commence their operations.

She also presented driving licenses to 100 taxi drivers who had financial difficulties acquiring a license from the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).

Addressing the riders and party supporters, Mrs Naana Eyiah who is also the Deputy Interior Minister said the prevailing employment for many school leavers in Gomoa Central constituency was the driving profession.

According to the MP, she gave the motorbikes to the riders at reduced cost to enable them pay as they worked since it was difficult for them to purchase them outright.

The MP renewed promises by the government to create more job opportunities for the youth to avert economic hardship currently facing them.

She urged the youth to rally support for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to win the December 7, polls to continue its good policies and programmes.

The Deputy Minister called on the electorates in Gomoa Central constituency to vote massively to maintain her as MP and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming December elections.

Mrs Eyiah Quansah further explained the reasons to maintain her candidature as MP to enable her to do more to help improve the quality living of the electorates.

The Deputy Minister appealed to the chiefs and people in the Gomoa Central constituency to support the government and ignore propaganda campaigns by the opposition NDC since they had nothing good to offer Ghanaians.

Mr. Benjamin Kojo Otoo, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Gomoa Central, urged the recipients to well maintain the bikes.

The DCE urged the people in the Constituency to rally support for the party and government to continue rollout good policies and programmes to enhance quality living standards.

The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the MP and pledged to support her and Dr Bawumia to win the elections.