Month: February 2025

The Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh Dompreh has come under heavy criticism for inciting supporters of the New Patriotic Party to engage in violent acts against supporters of the National Democratic Congress.

Mr. Annoh Dompreh addressing NPP supporters at Ablekuma North when the Minority Caucus visited Akua Afriyie, the NPP Parliamentary candidate urged supporters of the party to team up with their fellow NPP members to beat up supporters of the NDC in the event of any misunderstandings or brawl.

“If indeed you are a member of the NPP and you go to meet your fellow party member fighting a member of the NDC, join your party member to beat the NDC member,” he declared.

a visit by the NPP caucus leadership to the party’s parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma North, Akua Afriyie, Annoh-Dompreh stated: “If indeed you are a member of the NPP and you go to meet your fellow party member fighting a member of the NDC, join your party member to beat the NDC member,” he declared.

Mr Annoh-Dompreh who gave the Electral Commission one week to declare the result threatened that when the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga and the NDC will not see reason for the NPP candidate to be declared the MP-elect for the area based on available evidence, there will not be any peace in parliament.

“If the NDC, led by Mahama Ayariga, does not act reasonably and continues to prevent the EC from completing the collation, they will never know peace in Parliament.”

He also affirmed that if the IGP will allow the NDC to continue to prevent the re-collation of the results, they will continue to demonstrate.|

He also ruled out any possibility of a re-run of the election as being speculated and accused the NDC of destroying electoral materials because they know they lost the election.

But many on various media platforms including social media have described his comments as irresponsible and far below his persona as a parliamentarian.

To many, his unacceptable behavior is becoming one too many having been one of the subjects of suspension in parliament following the chaos that erupted during the vetting process.

However, not too long after an apology from the Minority Leader to the Speaker and the Ghanaian Public which led to the Speaker lifting the suspension, he was again involved in this public incitement of violent act.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

Former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Samuel Awuku, has called for a comprehensive reform in the management of lottery proceeds.

The Akuapem North Member of Parliament pointed out some key issues relating to the misuse of funds, the prevalence of illegal lottery operations, and the need for tax incentives.

Presenting a statement on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 6, 2025, Mr. Awuku proposed a detailed approach to optimize the benefits of lottery revenues for the nation.

“Rt. Honourable Speaker, as the immediate past Director General of the National Lottery Authority, I wish to bring to your attention the untapped potential of lottery proceeds in contributing to the development of our country,” Mr. Awuku stated.

He underscored the fact that while the NLA generates over 300 million cedis annually, these funds are often sent into the Consolidated Fund, losing their intended impact on targeted development programmes.

Drawing comparisons from successful global models, he cited the World Lottery Association’s contributions of over USD 91 billion in the fiscal year 2023 to support education, healthcare, and other social initiatives across the globe.

He further pointed to the United States, South Africa, and the UK, where lottery proceeds are directly channeled into public services, such as education, sports development, and healthcare programmes.

“Ghana, too, can reap similar rewards if we amend the National Lotto Act of 2006 to direct a percentage of the lottery’s revenue to specific sectors like health, education, and social welfare,” Mr. Awuku said.

He also called for the establishment of social intervention programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities, the elderly and marginalized communities.

Mr. Awuku also took the opportunity to address the pressing issue of illegal lottery operations, which he claims account for 60% of the market in Ghana.

He proposed stricter penalties for illegal operators, including higher fines and longer jail terms, in addition to the forfeiture of assets acquired through unlawful activities.

“The current penalties under the National Lotto Act are insufficient. The illegal operators have deep pockets and can easily pay fines and return to their illicit activities,” he argued.

The MP recommended the implementation of tax incentives for licensed lottery operators to encourage growth and innovation within the sector.

He suggested that these incentives could help the NLA increase its annual revenue potential to over 600 million cedis by addressing inefficiencies and fostering a legal, transparent lottery market.

He called on the House to enact reforms that will allow lottery proceeds to better serve the public good, emphasizing that “with a more strategic use of these funds, we can enhance national development and improve the lives of Ghanaians.”

He urged Parliament to consider these measures as a crucial step toward ensuring that the lottery system in Ghana becomes a sustainable model for societal benefit.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

In a recent interview on TV3, the chairman of the committee investigating the chaos that erupted at the ministerial vetting, Emmanuel Bedzrah made startling revelations about the incident.

 The chairman disclosed that an individual, believed to be not a parliamentary staff member or a Member of Parliament (MP), was directly involved in the disruption that occurred during the vetting session.

According to the chairman, the individual in question was present at the vetting to support an MP who was undergoing the process: and “he was directly involved in the lifting of the table”.

Meanwhile, he emphasized that the individual has since been identified and is prepared to testify before the committee as part of the ongoing investigation.

Mr Bedzrah, however assured the public that the committee is committed to uncovering the full truth and ensuring accountability for those responsible for the chaos.

Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses, with the committee poised to take decisive action based on the findings.

In a historic moment in Ghana’s Parliament, on Wednesday, February 5, Mr Ohene Kwame Frimpong, an Independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akyem North, delivered a full contribution to parliamentary proceedings entirely in Asante Twi language.

Speaking in Twi, Mr Frimpong, who now aligns with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Majority Caucus, emphasised the need to improve road infrastructure across the country to boost local tourism.

His comments were in support of a statement made by a colleague on the Floor of the House on tourism.
Mr Frimpong, also drew the attention of the House to inefficient streetlights on roads and alleged prostitution in his Constituency.

However, he was later compelled by the Second Deputy Speaker, Mr Andrew Asiamah Amoako who presided over the proceedings to translate his comments into the English language.

According to Order 63 of the new Standing Orders of the House, an MP may use any of the local languages subject to interpretation and translation to ensure understanding by all.

This provision was expected to take effect during the Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament.
In 2024, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, announced that necessary facilities, including translators and gadgets were being put in place to facilitate the use of local languages in Parliament. “…. So, barring any hitches, the new measure will take off after the Easter break,” Mr Bagbin said.

Mr Frimpong’s bold move has sparked interest in the use of local languages in Ghana’s Parliament, promoting diversity and inclusivity in the country’s legislative processes.

Elsie Appiah-Osei

A group of concerned representatives from the Klottey Korle Constituency stormed Parliament today to present a petition demanding action against derogatory remarks made about their Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, on February 4, 2024.

The petition, formally handed over to the Clerk of Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, calls for swift intervention from the Speaker to address the issue and take appropriate disciplinary measures against those responsible for the offensive comments.

On February 4, 2025, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin while speaking on the floor of parliament, a member on the Minority side was heard yelling at the MP for Klottey Korle Constituency Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings “Daughter of a murderer, sit down.”

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the representatives expressed deep concern over the disrespect directed at Dr. Zanetor Rawlings, stressing the need to uphold dignity and decorum within the political landscape.

They emphasized that Parliament should set the standard for professionalism and respect and that any form of verbal attack on members should not be tolerated.

The delegation urged the Speaker to launch a thorough investigation into the matter, ensuring that those behind the derogatory remarks are held accountable.

They also called for proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, advocating for a culture of unity and civility in the House.

“We must foster an environment where all members, regardless of political affiliation, treat each other with mutual respect. Parliament should be a space for constructive debate, not personal attacks,” a spokesperson for the group stated.

The petitioners reiterated their demand for accountability, stressing that upholding high ethical standards is crucial in maintaining public trust in Parliament. They urged leadership to take decisive action to safeguard the integrity of the legislative body.

As the nation awaits a response from the Speaker, many Ghanaians will be watching closely to see how Parliament handles this call for decorum and professionalism.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin on few occasions on the floor of the House has raised issues with attendance of the Majority side of the House to proceedings in parliament accusing them of failing to be present to do government business despite their huge number.

This he said shows that the Majority still needs the Minority to achieve their goals in parliament especially so when the president has made a lot of the appointments from the House.

But the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings responding to the observation of the Minority Leader in an interview with Ghanamps.com said it is still early days yet in the first meeting of the first session of the ninth parliament to make assessments on attendance to business on the floor of the House.

She affirmed that the low attendance from the Majority side notwithstanding, when the numbers are required to take a decision on the floor, the Majority side will get the numbers.

She argued that the new government is still in the process of having its full complement of Ministers and those appointed would also have to familiarize themselves with their new portfolios.

“Bear in mind that some members have been going to the vetting and others re-orienting themselves with their ministerial appointments” and that going forward things will turn out better.

“But the reality is that you will not always have the seats full all the time given the fact that many of the president’s appointments are coming from Parliament there will be other duties that other members of Parliament have to play.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Immediate past Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Abu Jinapor has denied calling his colleague Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle as “daughter of murder” as making rounds on social media.

According to him anyone who follows his career and involvement in Ghanaian public life in all modesty will confirm that he does not speak in that nature, “the words which are being falsely attributed to me, they are not my words; I will never use such words, that is not the way I speak”.

In an interview on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, he pointed out that he does not know such words have been uttered; I found out this morning when this was trending in a video that was brought to my attention. “What I can say to that is it’s totally false, it cannot be correct”.

“Again, anyone who has followed my career will know Abu will not speak this way and I do not speak across the House when I am in Parliament. When I have anything to say, I catch the eye of the Speaker to speak; I did not follow the proceedings which emanated into this unfortunate statement.”

“I have huge respect for late former president Rawlings, anyone who knows me very well knows that, when he was alive, he took a lot of interest in me and I visited him multiple times.

Furthermore, when he passed, on the floor of Parliament in the previous parliament the one who read the tribute in memory of the former President Rawlings, Haruna Iddrisu then

Minority Leader that was the first time I spoke, I was then a first- timer, I was the one who contributed after the Minority Leader.”
When his children set up his foundation of tree planting, I was the guest of Honour; its on record what I said about the former president, I have a personal relation with former President Rawlings and respect the family particularly the daughter and my colleague Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings; I will not say such a thing, it will not even cross my mind, he added.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

John Dumelo, the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon and a first timer in Ghana’s legislature has been deputy Minister –designate for Food and Agriculture while Alhassan Suyibu Suhuyini is also heading to Roads and Highways Ministry as deputy.

They are among host of others whose names the President John Dramani Mahama has submitted to the Parliament through the Speaker for prior approval.

The President has also nominated Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba as Minister of State, Public Sector Reforms.

See below the full list of deputy Ministerial nominees

Former Majority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza appearing before the Ad Hoc Committee investigating the chaos that occurred during last week Thursday, January 30, 2025 disclosed that some guests of nominees who could not be vetted had to sleep in Parliament.

According to him as someone in the immediate past leadership, there should have been agreement to vet nominees who were not vetted on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, because Oliver Vormawor was taken on that day when he had alleged that nominees were giving bribes to the Committee.

“In the case of Kwabena Minta Akandoh it came to light that he had brought chiefs all the way from Juabuso who could not go back, he stated.

Governs Agbodza revealed that some nominees had as many as one hundred chief and could not accommodate them in a hotel and had to beg colleagues to allow their visitors sleep in their offices because it was late and the nominees had to be vetted the following day.

As to whether the marshal and the police gave quick response to the chaos, the Road Minister said they responded in a timely manner but because they were dealing with members of parliament they were hesitant in their actions.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com