Author: Akumaa GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Yagaba/Kubori and Minister for Youth and Sports, has spearheaded an initiative that promises to revolutionize healthcare delivery in the Mamprugu Moagduri District. Partnering with Supplies Overseas (SOS) International in the USA, the MP donated a substantial 40ft container filled with essential medical equipment.

Accompanied by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Abu Adams, traditional rulers and local officials, the MP symbolically handed over the donation to the District Health Directorate for distribution to hospitals and health centres across the district.

The container consists of a treasure trove of medical supplies ranging from state-of-the-art equipment to everyday essentials. From diagnostic tools, and anaesthesia machines to life-saving apparatus, the donation is said to be “a testament to the power of collaboration and compassion.”

Speaking during the donation exercise, the MP said, “Together, we are not only improving healthcare provision but also strengthening the fabric of our community. This is a tangible demonstration of what we can achieve when we come together for the greater good.”

The District Health Director, Dr Suleimana Abdul Rauf, said, “This medical equipment will not only impact the people of Mamprugu Moagduri District, but it will also serve the neighbouring districts and beyond. With improved access to quality healthcare, residents can look forward to a brighter and healthier future.”

“Some of these machines will be used for the first time in this district”, he added.

In the spirit of gratitude and solidarity, the Mamprugu Moagduri District through its District Chief Executive and traditional rulers extended their heartfelt appreciation to the MP for Yagaba/Kubori, the Supplies Overseas (SOS) International, and all those who played a role in making this transformative donation a reality.

Myjoyonline.com

The Member of Parliament for the Jirapa constituency in the Upper West Region, Mr. Cletus Seidu Dapilah, has cut the sod for the construction of male and female wards at the Hain Polyclinic.

This move will expand the hospitals capacity to make it more accommodating and spacious for patients.

On April 1, 2024, the lawmaker donated 100 bags of cement for the construction and pledged to provide all the necessary materials needed for the completion of the project.

Mr. Dapilah further promised to work towards upgrading the facility to full-fledged hospital status.

He appealed to everyone to join forces to ensure that the Polyclinic receives the needed upgrade and expansion by providing communal labor.

Mr. Dapilah later visited all the patients admitted to the hospital and gave them gifts to celebrate the Easter festivities.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Polyclinic, Mr. Ayarigah, the medical superintendent, thanked the lawmaker for his consistent donations to the facility and pledged to use the materials for their intended purpose.

CitiNewsRoom

Following the demise of Mr. John Kumah, one of the deputy ministers at the finance ministry, president Akuffo-Addo has reassigned Dr. Stephen Amoah to the Finance Ministryas deputy Minister.

Dr Stephen Amoah, until this latest move was the Deputy Trade and Industry Minister.

Per the press statement from the Communications Director at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, the decision took immediate effect from Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Part of the statement reads: “The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has reassigned the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry and Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Hon. Stephen Amoah, as Deputy Minister for Finance.”

“Hon. Stephen Amoah, until his re-designation, was the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, and he takes over from the late Hon. John Kumah, who passed away on 7th March 2024. His appointment takes effect immediately.”

Meanwhile, the President has also nominated Mr. Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, Member of Parliament for Achiase, as Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry subject to parliamentary approval.

And the President also called for expedite vetting and approval process for the nominee to ensure swift commencement of duties.

Ghanamps.com

The Minority in parliament has demanded the immediate increase in the farm-gate price of cocoa following soaring cocoa prices on the international market in recent time, hitting an all-time high of $10,000 USD per ton.

The price hike is occasioned by the global shortage of cocoa because of significant decline in cocoa output in Ghana and Cote D’ Ivoire, the two leading cocoa producers that contribute approximately 70 percent of the total volume of cocoa produced globally.

The Minority, thus raised concerns about the rather sharp decline in Ghana’s cocoa production volumes under the current government with a reported 450,000mt for the 2023/2024 crop season; the lowest in the past two decades. This is said to even get worse in the coming year.

The Minority in a statement on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 signed by the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, Eric Opoku noted that the decline in Ghana’ cocoa production is fast eroding the incomes and purchasing power of the already-impoverished cocoa farmers, a situation that calls for a significant increase in the farm-gate price of cocoa to compensate for the loss in income of farmers.

“It is instructive to note, that the average international market price of cocoa currently stands at Ten Thousand United States Dollars ($10,000) per ton (16 bags) of cocoa. This is a equivalent to GHS130,000 per ton, at a conservative exchange rate of $1 to GHS13. This means a bag of cocoa is currently being sold on the world market at about GHS8,125, while the Ghanaian farmer is being paid a paltry 1,308 by the insensitive and corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government.”

This, the Minority described as a rip-off of the Ghanaian cocoa farmer by the government; and demand the immediate increase to reflect the recent unprecedented hikes in the world market prices of cocoa.

The Minority also called out the government for the gross mismanagement of the cocoa sector and the shortchanging of the cocoa farmers; stating that last year, Ghana lost about 150,000mt of cocoa valued at almost $400,000,000 to smuggling because the government failed to offer competitive prices to the farmers.

Also worrying is the fact that while the cocoa farmers continue to be shortchanged, COCOBOD’s administrative cost keeps increasing from GHS500 million in 2016 to GHS1.7 billion in 2020, and ballooned further to GHS2.5 billion in 2021.

Ghanamps.com

Former Minority Chief Whip Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka has cautioned the leadership of Parliament not to overload them with work as the Business Statement presented on the floor of the House looks light.

His comment follows the fact that the House will go on recess on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, and with his experience he knows more work would be added.

According to him as MPs they are going through a lot of stress and that is what is killing most of his colleague sitting lawmakers; “let us plan things well”, he added.

According to him, it is a common practice that towards the end of the sitting, they are overloaded with work; they close very late in the night.

Monday, March 18, 2024 the House would meet to do business as it prepares to go on recess on Wednesday, March, 20, 2024.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Member of Parliament for Akim Oda constituency Mr Alexander Akwasi has cut sod for the asphalting of 1km inner roads in the Akim Aboabo Township.

The contractor Joe Mint Constructions who will be in charge of the project is expected to construct drain and road in the area to improve the quality of existing roads.

The contractor is expected to start work and complete the project within two months.

The MP said at the sod cutting ceremony that he is not only representing the voice of his constituents but also advocating for the progress and development of his constituency.

On his part the chief of Akim Aboabo, Nana Ampomah Kubra Yeboah III during the ceremony affirmed his commitment to Aboabo development and expressed gratitude to the Member of Parliament for his support and acknowledgement.

Ghanamps.com

The Deputy Minister designate for Health, Alexander Akwesi Acquah has opined that the way to addressing the challenges of uncompleted health facilities would be to focus on those that are at advanced stages of completion.

Responding to a question from the Ranking Member on the health Committee of Parliament Kwabena Mintah Akandoh on the nominee’s take on the numerous uncompleted health facilities across the country, he said the 50 million budgetary allocation in the 2024 budget is woefully inadequate to complete all the facilities hence the focus would be to address the problem gradually focusing on those that are near completion.

The nominee who himself is into hospital business admitted that managing health facility is capital incentive and that the number of months left for this government, not much can be done by way of completing all the abandoned health projects, but government would do its best to tackle some of them.

When approved, Mr. Akwesi Acquah would be one of two deputies at the health ministry and is expected to bring to bear his business acumen in the health sector.

Ghanamps.com

With seven (7) Speakers so far under the fourth Republic of Ghana, the issue of the male dominance cannot be overemphasized.

After three successive male speakers from January 1993 to January 2005, Madam Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo broke the jinx when she became the Speaker from January 2009 until January 2013 and remained the only female Speaker so far under the fourth republic.

Three subsequent Speakers after her have continued with the male dominance.

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Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Ejisu, John Kumah has been reported dead.

Ghanamps.com has learnt that the 45-year-old MP reportedly died after a short illness.

He left behind a wife and six children.

John Ampontuah Kumah, popularly called Lawyer John Kumah, in Ejisu, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, was commonly described by his constituents as a man of integrity with a focus on job creation and inspires hope for the future in both young and old.

Ghanamps.com

Even before the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values (“Anti-LGBTQ”) Bill passed by Parliament on the 28th of February, 2024 is submitted to the president to assent to it, the Finance Ministry has recommended some actions to help minimize the impact of the bill on the 2024 budget.

Among the recommendations include:
a. H.E. the President may have to defer assenting to the Bill until the court rules on the legal issues tabled by key national stakeholders (CSOs and CHRAJ).

b. structured engagement with local conservative forces such as religious bodies and faith-based organizations to communicate the economic implications of the passage of the “Anti LGBTQ” Bill and to build a stronger coalition and a framework for supporting key development initiative that are likely to be affected;

c. an effective engagement with conservative countries, including the Arab countries and China. This could help trigger resources to fill in the potential financing gaps to be created; and
The recommendation is based on assessment carried out by the Ministry on the implications of the passage of the Bill on the 2024 budget of the country.

Per the assessment, it is believed that the reactions triggered by the passage of the bill from some of Ghana’s Development Partners, International Financial Institutions and CSOs in the country is an indication that the country would suffer some dire consequences by way of financial support from these institutions.

The report concludes that “the passage of the new Bill calls for fortifying local financial systems, strengthening African financial institutions as well as our development journey in partnership with other countries. In line with the Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda, Ghana can navigate the complexities of international relations and emerge with a robust, resilient economy with Ghanaian ownership of the commanding heights of the economy.”

Read below the full document on the

Implications of – Anti-LBTQI BILL_240304_082203

 

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