|
Vice presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman has urged women to turn the enthusiasm that greeted her nomination by the flagbearer John Dramani Mahama into reality by voting massively for the party. On Thursday, July 16, 2020 the Minority women caucus together with leadership of women organizers of the party paid a courtesy call on her to congratulate her for her nomination at her resident in Cantonment in Accra. Professor Opoku Agyeman in her welcome remarks noted that the time would come for her to make her maiden statement then everyone would know the direction she want to move to as she would not want to go ahead of herself. And thanked the women groups for their solidarity and love shown to her and encouraged women in the Minority women caucus in Parliament and the party at all levels to work harder for the party. The vice presidential candidate of the opposition NDC gave assurance to the women groupings that visited her that there would be more time for them to talk the more about so many things. In acknowledging head porters (kayayie) who came to her resident and pointed out not that she does not like the other women, “you have proper names you deserve the respect like any other person, do not allow anybody to disrespect you, without you our society would not be at where it is”. She further pointed out to the kayayie to be confident in themselves and if they have not attained the level they wanted to in life they should ensure their children would climb high. Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com |
Author: Fred GhanaMPs
“We would continue to call on Nigeria to open its borders”—Ayariga
Ahead of the Second Extraordinary Session of the Community Parliament via zoom from July 20 to 25, 2020, Bawku Central lawmaker and a representative of Ghana has said this issue of Nigeria closing its borders would be raised.
According to him lawmakers in the Community Parliament would continue to call on Nigeria to open its borders.
Before the official closure of borders within the sub-region because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria took a decision to close its border because of smuggling of rice into their country and the issue came up strongly in the fourth Parliament.
Mr. Mahama Ayariga in an interview noted that the border closure by Nigeria is bad. It has been spoken about severally and Nigeria has defended its stand of smuggling activities hurting its economy.
He further noted that countries within the sub-region have same problem like Nigeria but have not resorted to closure of their borders and pointed out that Nigeria should respect the protocols, since there are other ways of dealing with smuggling of products across the borders.
“I do not think border closure is the best way in solving this problem, given the leadership of Nigeria the precedent is not helpful Nigeria should open its borders to allow movement of goods, for now all countries have closed their borders and restricted the movement of persons because of the pandemic”.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com
Attack on Auditor-General is an attack on Parliament — Ahmed Ibrahim
The Deputy Minority Chief Whip Ahmed Ibrahim has taken a swipe at President Nana Akufo-Addo on his decision asking the Auditor-General, Daniel Domelevo to take his accumulated leave.
According to him the Auditor-General is part of Parliament and not the Executive Arm of government when it comes to the discharge of his duties.
“Parliament has acted in bad faith for doing nothing about the directives given by the President and the action of the President is an attack on the Legislative arm of government”.
In interview, he noted further that the action has been taken against Domelevo because of his findings and exposure against the Senior Minister on issue of corruption and his further action of going to the court for an interpretation of his findings at the same office.
He added that without the function of the Auditor-General the work of Parliament would not be perfectly executed.
The one hundred and forty two days leave according to the ranking member of finance, has to do with the Auditor General sending signal that his outfit would conduct an audit into the COVID-19 fund; and this, has not gone down well with the President”.
The Banda MP revealed that over two thousand civil society organisations have spoken against the action of the President, and that was what he was drawing the speaker’s attention to, that there is something going on in the country, “as an institution how do they deal with it”.
He noted that the Speaker would not allow him speak on the matter, rather what he said was he should use the appropriate channel. “Tomorrow the President can ask the Speaker to proceed on leave, all I wanted from the Speaker to give direction on the matter”.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com
ECOWAS should have common dates of opening airports and borders—Mahama Ayariga
A representative of Ghana, in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Mahama Ayariga is advocating for common dates, for the re-opening of airports and borders in the sub-region in this COVID-19 period.
According to him working in the sub-region independently without reference to one another is not good as he hears Ivory Coast and some others are planning to open their airports.
Again, other countries have not given indications of when they would open their airports and borders, that is very unfortunate, he said.
In an interview he pointed out that there should be a common measure at the various entering points, “I should not be subjected to a different regime when I enter Liberia and Niger when I enter Lagos, I should have same regime”.
He further pointed out that it should not be the case that when he enters Ghana he has to observe fourteen days quarantine and added that it becomes meaningless when countries within the sub-region do not have the same set of standards.
Ahead of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Second Extraordinary Session via virtual zoom, starting from July 20 to 25, 2020 Mahama Ayariga noted that the issue would come up for debate and hope imputes would be made for the consideration to the Council of Ministers despite being too late in the day.
This is an issue that should have been on the table of the Authority of Heads of States long ago and working together on and added that he has the feeling that they are not working together but rather working separately as individual countries.
Mr. Ayariga revealed that the sub-region should realize that the various borders are porous and no country can effectively police its borders, and explained there are some border towns in the West African sub-region that only a water body separates the two countries.
“There are people who live in country A but attend market in country B, there are no walls separating them they have same culture, speak same language so the boundaries are artificial, we should work together and stop pretending that we are separate entities if we want a common solution to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com
GAMA collaborates with others to reduce surge in COVID-19 cases
The Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) Sanitation and Water Project with funding from the World Bank and support from the Sanitation and Water Resources Ministry, is collaborating with InGenius Africa and Graphic Communications Group to sensitize Ghanaians on behavior change through corona life series to reduce the surge in COVID-19 cases.
On Tuesday, July 14 2020, GAMA launched an educational series designed to attract the needed attention of the Ghanaian masses purposely in the local Ghanaian languages with known actors and actress Micky Osei Berko and Gloria Sarfo.
The series would be in television, radio and social media on corona life to sensitize the Ghanaian public on improved sanitation, good hygiene and observing the recommended protocols on COVID-19 to effect willful behavior and attitudinal change.
Coordinator of GAMA Ing. George Asiedu in his address applauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo’s government and the front-line health Ghanaian workers towards the fight against the spread of covid-19.
These efforts include the closure of our borders, partial lockdown, supply of PPEs, enhanced contact tracing, mass testing, setting up of isolation centers, supply of essential recommended drugs/medication for management of infected persons, implementation of social intervention and support services; including support to the vulnerable, provision of free electricity and water supply, as well as other relevant positive actions by government to reduce the economic impact of the pandemic on the individual and businesses
.
He, however, noted that the nation continues to record increasing number of positive case standing at twenty-four thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight (24,988) with one hundred thirty-nine deaths (139) and twenty-one thousand sixty-seven recovery and discharge.
In as much as Ghana’s situation appeared much better compared to the global spread of covid-19, Ghana’s infection rate is (0.8) percent compared to (0.16) percent across the world, recovery rate of 84 percent compare to 55.2 percent worldwide and death rate of 0.6 percent compared to 3.9 percent.
Ing. Aseidu noted that since 2014 GAMA has been pursuing the objective of increasing access to improved sanitation and water supply targeting mainly the vulnerable and the low-income people in Greater Accra.
As the project has also facilitated behavior change campaigns on good hygiene improved sanitation safe water to over four hundred thousand people (400,00) in GAMA and supported two hundred and twenty-five thousand (225,000) low income beneficiaries with access to over thirty thousand (30,000) improved household toilets facilities.
Through Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) three hundred and sixty-eight thousand (368,000) low income beneficiaries access water supply through ten thousand and forty (10,040) new household water connections.
And also improve the educational lives of some two hundred and thirty-two thousand (232,000) school people in two hundred and forty-three (243) schools in GAMA through the provision of fit for purpose, disability friendly and gender sensitive school sanitation facilities with adequate water supply and hand washing facilities.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com
Wa West MP urges women to ensure Ghana has a female vice president
Member of Parliament for Wa West, Joseph Yieleh Chireh is advocating for women in Ghana to vote for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to ensure that its running mate Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman becomes the vice president of the country.
According to him the time is ripe for a female to be Vice President and move on to become President of the nation and some NPP female Ministers were happy for her nomination but because of the party they belong to would not vote for her.
He further supports his point by saying looking at the contribution of women since the days of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah it is more appropriate to have a woman vice president of the land.
“Professor Jean Naana Opoku Agyeman in an intellectual and in the days of former President Kufuor and Mills they had a committee made u of foreigners who gave advice in the areas of law and economics”.
Mr. Yieleh Chireh further pointed out that as a president and a vice president ruling the country does not necessary mean everything should come from one individual rather it is a collective responsibility and those who hold political power are to reflect the views of the people.
“She is a humble person that is why I admire her choice to our flag bearer John Dramani Mahama as his running mate, with people attacking her have you heard her replying them no she is focus and working”.
Again, since her nomination international organisations have congratulated her and a lady who has been a vice chancellor of a university and manage masses, she is capable of becoming a vice president of the land, he added.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com
ECOWAS Parliament to hold 2nd Extraordinary Session virtually
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament would hold its second Extraordinary Session virtually from July 20 to 25, 2020 after early postponement due to technical challenges.
In an interview with the Speaker of the Community Parliament, Rt. Honorable Sidie Mohamed Tunis he pointed out that he has directed for the conveying of the Session to get the participation of the entire membership to discuss important referrals received from the ECOWAS Commission.
Also the meeting would enable the Community Parliament to input into the implementation of the Community levy, with certain documents which are going to be tabled by the Commission at the Head of State meeting.
Speaker Tunis revealed that this would be done through the Bureau of the Community Parliament, which consists of him and his four deputies who have the power to review and approve the document on behalf of parliament in line with the Supplementary Act 2016, but says he feels the right to get the input and thorough scrutiny from the Community lawmakers.
Meanwhile, the first inaugural session of the Parliament was held in Niamey, Niger, early this year by the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of States and President of Niger, His Excellency Mahamadou Issoufou.
The second extraordinary session of the Parliament in 2020 which is going to take place virtually from 20th to 25th July, 2020 will have the composite activities lined up as follows:
1. Meeting of the Bureau: 20th July 2020
2. Meeting of the Conference of Bureau: 20th July 2020
3. Extraordinary Session: 21st to 25th July 2020
Furthermore, the meeting of the Conference of Bureau on the 20th July 2020 shall consist of the Bureau, the Chairmen and the first Rapporteur of each of the Standing Committees. They work with the Bureau of the Parliament to prepare the draft annual work-plan taking into account the priority of Community programmes.
The ECOWAS Parliament is composed of one hundred and fifteen (115) seats from each of the fifteen (15) member states.
This particular 2nd extraordinary session would be held via videoconference apparently because of the dreadful impact of Coronavirus in the West Africa sub-region.
The Coronavirus Pandemic has caused all ECOWAS Members to shutdown entry points, and because of social distancing, conveying individuals for the extraordinary session is impossible. However, the Parliament based on the directive of the Speaker, Rt. Honorable Sidie Mohamed Tunis has resolved to hold a videoconference session.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com
Government wants to sale terminal 3 to cronies — Agbodza
Ranking Member on Roads and Transport, Governs Kwame Agbodza has taken a swipe at government for its intention to privatize the country’s airport terminal 3 to its cronies.
According to him that is why government is saying Ghana Airport Company is broke just to test the waters and know the response of Ghanaians, hence the claim of strategic investor is required to help government improve infrastructure.
“As we speak, Kotoka International Airport is under capacitated, it is so much that we may not be able to have its full use in the next five to six years. Terminal 2 is not even in use, Ho Airport completed under lock and key, Wa and Kumasi are under full capacity”.
In an interview the ranking member questioned what the so-called investor would be adding to terminal 3, and added that the statement by the Aviation Minister Joseph Kofi Adda that building of terminal 3 got Ghana Airport Company broke was very unfortunate, reckless and show how incompetent the current administration is.
Mr. Agbodza noted that the previous administration put in money to build airport infrastructure to get the various airports in place, and the least the current administration could do was to manage the facilities.
He again pointed out that in their interaction as a Committee with the Ministry of Aviation, it never came out that Ghana Airport Company has missed payment of any of the loans they have contracted to build terminal 3 or ventures they had embarked on.
As to what the Minority would do next, the Ranking Member noted that the move is not in the interest of Ghanaians and when the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) comes to power it would take a second look at whatever agreement the investor would have reached with the current government should they go ahead with their intentions.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com
“Let us not politicize coronavirus spread, rather work against its spread”—Ursula
Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West Ursula Owusu-Ekufful has said for the country to fight against the spread of coronavirus its best for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) not to politicize issues to do with the virus.
According to her, Carlos Ahenkorh cannot be prosecuted as the General Secretary of the NDC Aseidu Nkertia is calling for unless one can show he had the virus and infected people during his monitoring of the voter registration exercise.
“It would be difficult to establish that, it is say but would you have the evidence to prosecute if its punishment we want the former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry has laid down his position do we want to beat a dead horse what would we achieve by his prosecution?”
Again the coronavirus is not bias for one to put a blood on his or her door step like in the bible story, where the virus would pass over NDC people and infect NPP supporters, “we should be careful it is simple to obey the protocol”.
“I would urge the largest opposition party to work with government to ensure that we all observe the protocols and expose those who do not respect the protocols do the right thing, instead of pointing fingers and hoping to score political points”.
And gave an example of driving along the street of Accra where some Ghanaians put their facemask on their chin and others holding their facemask without putting it on, and added that she signals them to mask up.
“Let us all take it upon ourselves to educate people on the importance of the facemask, I am sorry for what has happened to Carlos it can happen to anybody, again I had a problem with the media at the recent primaries held in Dome/Kwabenya were social distance is not observe whiles interviewing you crowd yourselves”.
Mrs Ekufful reiterated that the former Deputy Ministers of Trade and Industry should be applauded for taking personal responsibility of his action as hardly would a person in position accept when they go wrong.
She further gave an example of herself when her husband returned from the UK because the virus was high there she demanded that he goes into mandatory quarantine and isolate himself from the rest of the family.
Ones you know you have the virus it is imperative that you isolate and added that if one does not do that he or she might unknowing spread the disease so one needs to take the necessary precautions.
“Unfortunately at the heat of the moment Carlos felt compelled to monitor the ongoing registration exercise despite the fact that he said he took all the necessary pre-cautions, it was incumbent on him to isolate whiles fighting the virus. My heart goes out for him, he is an excellent material in the Ministry”.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com
“Soldiers are not entering houses in Oti and Volta Regions”—Deputy Defense
Deputy Defense Minister (Major Rtd) Derrick Oduro has denied claims by the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu and his colleagues that the military in the Oti and Volta Regions are entering into peoples’ houses and becoming Ghanaian citizen inspectors.
According to him the military has never taken sides in any political endeavor, they did not do that yesterday and would not do that today either.
In an interview in parliament he explained that the soldiers have been at the borders since last year. There was no complain and further pointed out that the North Tongu lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa demanded that the Interior Minister comes to the House to brief it of steps being taken for terrorist not to attack Ghana as Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali had been attacked. He thus pointed out that the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery did exactly , and indicated to the House that troops had been deployed to the borders and they had been there since last year, “ No one complained, why the complain now?”
He further explained to journalists in Parliament that when the Ghanaian borders were closed, the Ghanaian soldiers went to the borders to assist the Ghana Immigration Officers to ensure that no one with coronavirus enters the country to spread it.
He also emphasised that the Minority is propagating untruth and whatever they claim they can go ahead to do their propaganda, it would not help them.
“The opposition NDC is going round with past military exercise video, if you want to come to the country and you are a Ghanaian go through the proper channels we have embassies in Togo, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. Those who are not Ghanaians and foreigners when we sending them back to their country we take them through the proper channel”
And emphasized that the security agencies at the borders would not allow any one come through unapproved routes and if anyone makes such an attempt the person would be arrested and handed over to the appropriate authority for the appropriate measures to be taken after investigation.
“Are soldiers cooks to be visiting peoples kitchens, they are deployed to the borders and not peoples bedrooms and homes. If there is a video making the round someone can generate this video and circulate”.
Major Rtd Oduro pointed out that with the exercise going on, the military commanders at all levels are also going round to ensure that the soldiers are performing their duties.
Meanwhile in a related development, the Member of Parliament for Ellembele Emmanuel Armah -Kofi Buah said that soldiers were seen in pickups intimidating voters despite the place is not a border town.
The Deputy Minister said it is untrue because only soldier deployed were engaged in “operation calm life” to ensure arm robbers do not have a free day to perpetuate their crime, and all the opposition NDC is doing is to tarnish the image of the Ghana Arm Forces (GAF).
“Let me tell the Minority we have only one Ghana Arm Forces they should stop tarnishing their reputation today they are in opposition tomorrow they would be in power”.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com.