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Author: Kwaku GhanaMPs

Ningo-Prampram MP advocates for head teachers to be served with written project details

Posted on by Kwaku GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George Nartey has suggested to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to recommend that the Ghana Education Service (GES) serves Heads of Schools with details of projects being undertaken by contractors in the various schools.

Sam George made these suggestions during the Third Zone Public Hearing in Ho, Volta Region to consider the 2022 Auditor-General’s Report on the Pre-University Educational Institutions for the year ended 31st December, 2022.

According to him if the Heads of School were given the information of the projects they would be able to contact the contractor when the need arises and know what to say when they appear before the Committee.

Meanwhile, the Ranking Member of the Committee Kofi Okyere Agyekum has cautioned the management of the Ayensuano District Assembly to avoid incurring a lot of infractions cited against them by the Auditor-General.

About 24 Municipal and District Assemblies from the Eastern Region appeared before the Committee. Out of that 103 infractions were cited against them with an average of 5 infractions per Assembly. However, Ayensuano Assembly alone was cited for 19 infractions.

Some of the Assemblies that appeared before the Committee included Birim Central, Fanteakwa South, Upper Manya Krobo, Yilo Krobo, Akuapem North and South.

Abetifi Presby SHS, Apedwa SHS, Benkum SHS, Holy Family NTC, Koforidua SHTS, New Juaben SHS, Pope John SHS and St. Francis SHTS were some of the schools cited in the 2022 Auditor-General’s Report in the Eastern Region that appeared before the Committee.

Ghanamps.com

Techiman North MP commissions ten-seater WC for Ayeasu Community

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The Member of Parliament for Techiman North Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare has commissioned a te- seater WC toilet facility for the people of Ayeasu community.

The MP who was joined by the chiefs and people of the Community said the project is in response to a request made by the chief and people of Ayeasu during her visit last year and forms part of her water and sanitation project in the Techiman North Constituency.

“My heartfelt appreciation to the President, Chief Executive Officer and the entire team of Helping Africa Foundation; USA based NGO, for the provision of funds for the project”, she said in her facebook post.

Ghanamps.com

SLM brouhaha: Let us not kill Ghanaian businesses — Majority Leader

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Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has admonished his colleagues in the Minority not to encourage the “killing” of Ghanaian businesses, in the wake of KPMG auditing the contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) in which the NDC Minority is calling for prosecution despite no wrongdoing has been found.

According to him SLM opened its doors to Parliament’s Committee on Mines and Energy to inspect and see the nature of their operations.

“Again, often times under the guise of due diligence and transparency, we often get out of control and destroy Ghanaian business whiles foreign firms who operate in certain sectors get the kind of protection that makes them develop their business,” he said.

At a press conference he pointed out that, often times Ghanaian businesses surfer; they are looked at with all kinds of suspicions and, “as someone coming from the private sector into this public space, I would not encourage that to be done. We have seen the case of the company producing our Ghana card recently when the parliamentary oversight committee visited them we hear the recommendation that came from the Minority Members.”

“Meanwhile, we know how this company was lambasted in the early days when the government engaged it. Today we know how Mr. Agyapong of Zoomlion fame is expanding in various aspect of our economy.”

Hon. Afenyo-Markin also pointed out that, ten to fifteen years ago his company became a subject matter of political rally and if we encourage Ghanaian business persons they do better; we should encourage our state institution to do business with Ghanaian business people with good initiatives.

“Where there are challenges we should comment and act within the remit of those challenges and should not be over speculative”, he cautioned.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Fourth Estate and Akufo Addo commended on SLM-GRA saga

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The Majority caucus of Ghana’s Parliament has commended media house The Fourth Estate owned by Manase Azure for holding government in ensuring that the democracy we are practicing as a country is sustained through interventions such as what he undertook to bring up issues of SLM monitoring of petroleum in the downstream sector.

Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin addressing the media further went on to commend the President H. E. Nana Akufo-Addo for not sweeping such report under the carpet by being bold and courageous to do further interrogation which led to a referral to a reputable firm KPMG to look at the contract critically.

The Majority leader further noted that the report came up with some recommendations which the Majority side has become aware of that after the president received the report of KPMG, he went into action by issuing certain directives to GRA which in their view would help address some procedural challenges that the contract itself presents.

It is clear from the KPMG report that, what the company is doing especially in the downstream of the petroleum sector it critical and had helped government to generate revenue. Prior to their engagement, we had a lot of leakages with the manual system which made it difficult for government to determine in real time such revenues, he added.

“It’s clear from the report of KPMG which the president gave highlight to GRA that this company does not only have experience, what they are doing is a novelty”.

“Meanwhile, we are aware our friends in the NDC are calling for certain prosecution; “I think they have not paid attention to the whole issue and they just want to do politics as usual their call is unfounded, there is no establishment of proof of any officer of state causing financial lose.

Again, what they think are payments to SML are not those that of government revenue; if you look at the agreement they are paid out of what they generate. NDC has to pay attention to the details they have been paid zero point zero five percent of a litter of revenue they generate as a result of the system they have put in place to monitor the downstream activity of our petroleum sector.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Minority cautions Health Minister designate to stop holding himself as a representative of the President

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The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament has cautioned the Minister of Health designate Dr. Okoe Boye to stop holding himself as representative of the President in a purported creation of new appointment by the chief of staff.

According to a statement signed by the ranking member of the select Committee on Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ghanaians and the Minority were shock to hear the Minister for Health designate going on an unannounced inspection tour of health facilities as though his appointment is complete as a sector minister.

“Justifying what was arguably a misrepresentation that he had received a Nicodemus letter from the Chief of Staff purporting to have appointed him as the Representative of the President to the Ministry of Health”.

First and foremost, there is no provision within the 1992 constitution that supports the creation of representatives of the President in Ministries of State. Therefore, for a highly regulated power centre such as the Presidency, it is ultra vires for the Chief of Staff who derives all her powers from the President as prescribed by the 1992 constitution to be creating new offices alien to the constitution.

Article 78(1) of the 1992 constitution states, “Ministers of State shall be appointed by the President with the prior approval of Parliament….”.

This clearly indicates that the appointment process can only occur after approval of Parliament and therefore, Minister-designates are at most nominees whose presence in government institutions should amount to nothing more than a visit of an ordinary citizen and that without Ministerial privilege or authority whatsoever.

It is therefore illegal for any person to hold himself out as a Representative of the President to a Ministry exercising any form of executive authority of superintending, overseeing, directing, or controlling state institutions in the name of the President.

It is for this reason that where a substantive appointment has not been made to a specific ministry, a Minister appointed to another ministry and clothed with the constitutional instrument of office is directed by the President to act as ‘caretaker’ Minister for the ministry.

“President’s Representative to the Ministry of Health clothed with the authority and power of the President to represent him in the Ministry of Health is Hon Ursula Owusu Ekuful the Minister for Communications and Digitalization who is currently acting as the caretaker-Minister for the Ministry of Health and not Dr. Okoe Boye”.

The Minister-designate who is only a nominee of the President has no authority whatsoever to instruct or direct, implement or propose policy changes for agencies within a sector ministry. Therefore, under what power or authority does he/she summon CEOs and other heads of institutions and functions, who may be busy with their official schedules, to grant him audience or presentations on their management of state institutions?

The Minority in Parliament would therefore like to advise the Chief of Staff to revoke all illegal appointments appointing Minister-designates as Representatives of the President, persons so appointed to stop holding themselves out as Representatives of the President to designated Ministries and all members of the public with special emphasis on public sector workers should not extend any privilege reserved for Ministers to such persons, the Minority stated.

Ghanamps.com

Fifty premix fuel automated dispensing projects completed; others at various stages—Minister

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Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mavis Hawa Koomson has told the Government Assurance Committee that fifty (50) of the premix fuel automated dispensing projects have been completed whiles the rest are at various points of completion when she appeared before the Committee on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

According to her the project is expected to cure the diversion of premix fuels. She also used the opportunity to apologise to the Committee for her inability to honor their invitation adding that it was not deliberate.

Her remarks came up as a result of the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije wanting to know from the Minister the current state of the premix fuel dispensers.

Meanwhile, the ranking member on the Committee, Oti Bless drew the attention of the Minister to take note that whatever will be said at the Committee level, they as a committee would move for a field verification.
The Minister responded by saying she is sure of what she is saying and would not come before the Committee to say anything that cannot be verified.

As to the locations of the fifty premix dispensers, she said though it was not part of the question sent to her to verify the places, on top of her head, she can say Elmina has three, whiles Salt Pond has one and there is another one at KEEA, she told the Committee.

“Again, in Accra we have Nuguah, Chorkor, and in the Volta Region – Adidome, Kpando, South and North Dayi among others”.

As to whether with the introduction of the premix fuel dispensers there has been improvement to curb stealing of the product, the Minister responded in the affirmative, saying fishermen get the premix fuel as measures have been put in place including one needs a card to draw the fuel.

“Mr. chairman thirty thousand litters which is supplied does not finish a day; it takes a week before it gets finished and we have used digitalisation to minimize theft”, she added.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

PAC Ends Zone Two Public Hearing In Sunyani

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The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has ended its four-day Zone Two Public Hearing in Sunyani.
The Zone Two Public Hearing covered Western North, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions.

The PAC is considering the 2022 Auditor-General’s Report on the Management and Utilisation of District Assemblies Common Fund and Other Statutory Funds for the year ended 31st December 2022, Accounts of District Assemblies (IGF) for the year ended 31st December 2022, the Pre-University Educational Institutions for the year ended 31st December 2022 and Public Accounts of Ghana – Polytechnics for the period ended 31st December 2022.

Most of the infractions cited against the Assemblies and the schools were unearned salaries, payment vouchers unaccounted for, abandoned projects, no collection of textbooks and calculators and also non-gazzetting of bye-laws by the Assemblies.

The Chairman of the Committee in his closing remarks thanked the Members of the Committee, National and Regional Auditors, Vice-Chancellors, Heads and Principals of the various schools, Districts and Municipal Chief Executives, Coordinators, Clerks to the Committee and supporting staff of the Parliamentary Service for contributing to the success of the Public Hearing.

Ghanamps.com

Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh at ECOWAS Parliament

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Hon Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh is currently the first Rapporteur of the Industry and Private sector Committee of the 6th ECOWAS Legislature.

He is one of eight-member delegation representing Ghana at the community parliament in the 6th legislature.

Hon Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh is not new to the community parliament having represented the country since the 4th parliament and even served as the leader of the Ghanaian delegation in the 4th Parliament at the time he was the Majority Chief whip in the 7th Parliament of Ghana.

In the immediate past 5th ECOWAS Parliament, he was the chairman on the Trade, Customs and Free Movement Committee.

His experience in the Community Parliament and vast knowledge on various issues affecting the bloc would come handy as the new leadership seeks to work to address many of the challenges confronting the sub-region.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

ELECTION 2024: Akim Oda MP to increase NPP votes from 79 percent to 90 percent

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A head of December 7,2024, general elections, Member of Parliament for Akim Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah has given indications that he would work hard to increase the percentage of votes for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

According to him in his first term he had seventy-nine (79) percent of the votes but in election 2024 he would work harder to get about ninety (90) percent of votes for himself and the flagbearer of the NPP Dr. Bawumia as a lot have been done in the constituency since he became the Member of Parliament.

“Anyone who goes into politics, as you go higher your votes drops, but I would be able to and have the confidence of increasing it to 90 percent. I know how well I am accepted by my people and I know how responsive I have been to them. When they are in need they come to me and those needs are met; those who did not believe in me now believe in me”.

On the erratic electricity situation in the Country as to what the situation is in his constituency, he told Ghanamps.com in an interview that, there are challenges but in his constituency the electricity is not erratic, it’s a bit scheduled.

And they are getting information on what is happening when it comes to electricity from the authorities, “We are hopeful that this is not going to be a long lasting situation; it would be resolved.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Emmauel Kwasi Bedzrah and the ECOWAS Parliament

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Hon Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah without doubt has been one representative that was not particularly enthused with performance of the 5th Parliament.

This, he did not hesitate to voice his disappointment anytime the opportunity presents itself.

The Ghanaian Member of Parliament and a member of Ghana’s delegation to the 6th Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament is serving his second term in the community parliament; and currently serves on the Committee on Administration, Finance and Budget as a Second Rapporteur.

In the 5th ECOWAS Parliament, he served as a member on the Committee of Legal Affairs and Human Rights.
According to him, he did his best serving on the Legal Affairs Committee in the previous parliament even though he is not a lawyer and very hopeful to do his best when it comes to the Committee on Administration, Finance and Budget.

“That is where most of the work is done; budget, and midyear review, recruitment and so on. A lot of things would be on our neck, I am told that is the only committee that has meetings in Abuja, Nigeria more than three times so I will be busy in Abuja every now and then”.

He has a lot of expectations from the current leadership of the 6th Parliament to be more proactive and result oriented to lead the parliament to address many of the issues that remained unresolved in the bloc and continue to impact negatively on the lives of the ECOWAS citizens.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com