Month: October 2024

Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament is to attend the 67th Conference of the CPA international at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from the 3rd to the 8th of November, 2024.

The Speaker informed a five-member delegation of the Council of State, led by the Chairman, Nana Otuo Siribuor, when they called on him on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 over the impasse in Parliament leading to the Speakers indefinite adjournment of the House.

Mr. Bagbin is leading the Ghana Parliamentary delegation to the conference, which also includes the former Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Suame, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the two Leaders of the House, two Whips, the Clerk to Parliament, and other officials of the Parliamentary Service.

Speaker Bagbin, the immediate Past President of CPA International is expected to hand over to the newly elected President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Speaker of the Parliament of New South Wales, Australia.

Ghanamps.com

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin has given indication of recalling parliament in early November.
The Speaker gave the indication when a five-member delegation of the Council of State, led by the Chairman, Nana Otuo Siribuor, called on him on October 30, 2024 over the impasse in Parliament leading to the Speakers indefinite adjournment of the House.

A release from the Parliamentary Service noted that “The Rt. Hon. Speaker however indicated that he will return to Ghana earlier than anticipated, due to a request by Members of Parliament to recall Parliament. He indicated that his office has already started processes to recall the House in early November.

This was after the Speaker informed the delegation that he was compelled to lead the Ghana parliamentary delegation to attend the 67th Conference of the CPA international at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from the 3rd to the 8th of November, 2024.

Ghanamps.com

The Council of state has intervened to resolve the impasse in parliament resulting in the indefinite adjournment of the House.

This follows a courtesy call on the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin by a five-member delegation of the Council of State, led by the Chairman, Nana Otuo Siribuor, to ascertain at first hand, happenings in the legislature in recent times, resulting in the adjournment of the House indefinitely. Per a release from the Parliamentary Service, dated October 30, 2024, after a long deliberation, members of the Council assured the Rt. Hon Speaker of their preparedness to assist him and the leadership of the House to resolve whatever impasse there may be, to pave the way for a recall of the House.

The Speaker, who gave a brief about the situation and the basis of his pronouncements on the floor of the House, assured the delegation of his commitment to the development of the country’s democracy and its people.

The Council applauded the efforts of the Speaker, in keeping the democratic credentials of the country high, through efficient handling of the legislature and his leadership as the President of Parliamentary Organizations like the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, International, (C PA), Conference of the Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) and an Executive member of the International Legislative Advisory Council of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in the United States of America. This, HRH Nana Otuo Siribuor encouraged him to continue with the good works in the interest of Ghana and all Ghanaians.
Meanwhile, the Speaker has informed the delegation that he was compelled to lead the Ghana parliamentary delegation to attend the 67th Conference of the CPA international at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from the 3rd to the 8th of November, 2024.

A five-member delegation of the Council of State, led by the Chairman, Nana Otuo Siribuor, today called on the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin to ascertain at first hand, happenings in the legislature in recent times, resulting in the adjournment of the Howe indefinitely.
After a long deliberation, members of the Council assured the Rt. Hon Speaker of their preparedness to assist him and the leadership of the House to resolve whatever impasse there may be, pave the way for a recall of the House.
The Speaker gave a brief of the situation in Parliament and the basis of his pronouncements on the floor of the House. He assured the delegation of his commitment to the development of the country’s democracy and its people.

The Council applauded the efforts of the Speaker, in keeping the democratic credentials of the country high, through efficient handling of the legislature and his leadership as the President of Parliamentary Organizations like the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, International, (C PA), Conference of the Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) and an Executive member of the International Legislative Advisory Council of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in the United States of America.
HRH Nana Otuo Siribuor encouraged him to continue with the good works in the interest of Ghana and all Ghanaians.

Mr Speaker has informed the delegation that he was compelled to lead the Ghana parliamentary delegation to attend the 67th Conference of the CPA international at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from the 3rd to the 8th of November, 2024.

Ghanamps.com

Former Majority Leader and a Member of the Parliamentary Service Board, Abraham Osei-Adu said the commotion between the Legislature and Supreme Court in the declaration of some four seats vacant may lead to some disaster.

According to him every Ghanaian is concerned about the seeming commotion between the two arms of Government.

In an interview, he pointed out that Ghana needs to have a national budget before the end of the year December 2024, “we cannot go on like this”, he lamented.

Ghanamps.com learnt that there is a Parliamentary Service Board meeting today, but the issue of the commotion is not part of their agenda and their mandate.

“It is for the MPs and the Speaker, but we will see what we can do about it; we are heading towards a disaster”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin has inaugurated a Parliamentary Supplementary Office Complex in the presence of Parliament House.
A former Majority Leader in the fourth Parliament Abraham Osei-Adu has lauded the whole idea of the office Complex that houses the Parliamentary Institute and called for efforts to better maintain and hope it produces quality products.

In an interview just after the inauguration, he noted that it is a nice day for Ghana as the institute will train Members of Parliament (MPs) and non-MPs.

“Mayors, Assemblymen and women and chiefs before they get appointed and elected to office can come and have training here”, he said.

He added further that, when they visited the Republic of India, they saw such a fantastic facility there and it is his hope that, the Ghanaian Parliamentary Institute will even be better than that of India.

Again, he said that there should be a Bill in Parliament to give it legal backing and make it permanent by passing an Act.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament Rt. Hon Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin has inaugurated a Parliamentary Supplementary Office Complex adjacent to Members of Parliament Office complex at job 600.

According to him the Parliamentary Service Board for the past three year and half years has implemented various polices and measures to improve support service to Parliament. Central to the reform has been the approval of a new organisational structure and recruitment of some new officers to fill vacancy in key positions to bring more professionalism.

In addition, at the commencement of these reforms, the Board observed the urgent need to further expand and improve infrastructure of the Institution alongside the reforms.

The Office Complex will accommodate the Parliamentary Training Institute and other Specialist Departments.

He noted that the board, together with Management, will continue to improve the infrastructural facilities and create working environment of comparable international standards.

As we unveil this building for use by the Service, I encourage each of you to take ownership of this space; let us make it our own by taking very good care of it through proactive maintenance culture. It is my prayer that this facility will continue to stay fit and functional for the benefit of the present and future generation, he stated.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Bawku Community has once again been placed under a 6:00PM to 6:00AM curfew starting Monday, 28th October 2024, until further notice.

The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Naana Eyiah in a press release dated October 28, 2024 said the imposition of the curfew was as a result of recent disturbances that resulted in the loss of numerous lives in Bawku and its environs, with looming threat of escalation beyond Bawku.

The release noted that “the return to Bawku, on 24th October 2024, of Mr. Seidu Abagre, who was illegally enskinned as Bawku Naba in February 2023, subsequent to the vacation by the Court of Appeal, sitting in Kumasi of the warrant for the arrest, has led to significant disturbances affecting public peace and security in the area”.

The statement assured that the government is committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the people of Bawku and its environs.
As such security agencies have been directed to enforce strictly the curfew and maintain law and order.
Read below the full release:

Ghanamps.com

Speaker  of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Parliament  Rt. Hon Vital Kamerhe said Members of Parliament on the African continent have key roles to play in conflict resolution and can add to the peace process with their knowledge as local actors.

According to him as a board member of the Association of Parliamentaire de la Francophonie they are committed to support all democratic programmes leading to normal elections if this was not the case and in all African countries, face with conflict.

Addressing the 2nd General Assembly of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislators (CosPAL) in Accra Ghana, he said “we should establish dialogue for us to have unity restored. The Francophonie Assembly in the previous years has had a meeting and unique parliamentary dialogue between the parliament of Rwanda and Congo. This resulted in a resolution last year, adding that a high level mission will be sent to the various regional capitals under the leadership of the Speaker of Ivory Coast”.

In other to resolve this conflict and give support to the president of Angola, a country currently facing serious humanitarian disaster, high death toll, and massive displacement of people where other neighbors are indifferent, same with the world; “Africans must love Africans”, he admonished

Again, he said there should be a cease fire on African soil; the guns must go silent and wiliness to embrace a common objective. “We need to write our own history, and cooperate among ourselves as equals”.

“If this conflict that has lasted for too long is still ongoing and we have the effect beyond the borders of the countries that are involved, then we all have challenges”.

He noted that it is undeniable fact that the Great Region is to give support to Africa and end poverty looking at the great natural resources that abounds. And that explains why Francophone Assembly deplores a holistic approach which takes into account the social, cultural, and political aspect as well.

“As a regional win – win cooperation, we are forced to co-exist looking at our geographical location. We have to co-exist because no one can move Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It is time to rise as Africans to show our capabilities to resolve our own problem using our own resources.

Looking at the review of the regional system, the suspension of non-elected parliament is not something of order; we need to come to a consensus with the political actors and electoral calendar to restore democracy and give priority to mediation and dialogue” he emphasised.

He called for the success of CoSPAL, stating, however that what becomes of CoSPAL is the collective duty of various Assemblies; and other institutions involved.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com