News:
December 21, 2017
The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has inaugurated a nine member Ministerial Advisory Board to advice his outfit in the performance of its duties.
Inaugurating the Board in Accra, the Minister said it is the objective of the Ministry to serve as an interface between Parliament and the Executive and Civil Society.
The Ministry he said will also receive petitions on behalf of Parliament and prosecute the intents of same which so far been a challenge to the house whiles serving as a feed-back channel to Parliament and the Executive in a structured manner.
He noted that Ministry since its creation in the early years of the fourth republic has chalked significant achievements especially in reducing tension in Parliament resulting in cordiality.
The Ministry has also helped in reducing unhealthy competition between Members of Parliament and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives during general elections.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu who is MP for Suame and Majority leader stated that the Ministry was dissolved during the tenure of President Atta Mills due to the perceived assertions by analysts to the effect that its role was in conflict with the Parliamentary service thus weakens the institution of Parliament.
An African Peer Review Mechanism report released in 2014 claimed and suggested that the Ministry existed to as a device resorted to by the Executive to weaken Parliament
However the Minister assured that the rebirth of the Ministry will rather enhance collaboration in Parliament, promote good governance, reduce tension which sometimes degenerates and promote inclusiveness among others.
Members of the 9 member board are; Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Minister, Nana Rex Owusu Ansah, former Clerk to Parliament, William Ofori Boafo, a former MP, Abraham Osei Aidoo former MP and Minister, Ace Ankomah, a private legal practioner, Yaw Boadu- Ayeboafoh, Director, News papers, Graphic Communications Group, Gifty Joyce Oteng Bosomprah, Deputy Director Finance and Administration, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Azu Sam-Aziakor, a Director at the Ministry, Dorothy Adadzewa Twumasie, Member Secretary and Personal Assistant to the Minister.
On behalf of the board, Abraham Osei Aidoo thanked the Minister for the opportunity to assist in developing its policies and programs.
“We will do our best, day or night to succeed” he said.
Abraham Osei Aidoo who spoke on behalf of the Board Members stated that it is time to enhance the collaboration with Parliament through capacity building for MPs among others.
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs was established by Act 460 whose objective among others is to enable the leader of the house to gain deeper understanding of government policy to better relay them to Parliament.
People who have served as Ministers of the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry include; J H Owusu Adjepong, Dr Kwabena Agyei, J H Mensah, Papa Owusu Ankomah, Felix Owusu Agyapong, Abraham Osei Aidoo and now OseiKyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
Members of the Board including the Minister took the Official Oath,Oath of allegiance and Oath Secrecy.
By Christian Kpesese ghanamps.com