Author: Kwaku GhanaMPs

The Parliament of Ghana has clarified that the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin is currently out of the jurisdiction for official assignment.

A statement put out by the Media Relations outfit of Parliament point out that the social media enquiry asking of the whereabout of the speaker sought to impugn the absence of speaker from the jurisdiction portraying the speaker in a negative light.

Parliament is currently on recess in line with its Calendar and Standing Order 57 which provides for the suspension and adjournment of the House. During such times, Members and officials of Parliament are able to interact with their constituents and attend to other assignments, in line with their Parliamentary duties, including international assignment.

In consequence, the Rt. Hon Speaker is currently leading a parliamentary delegation at the International Renewal Energy Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

It must be noted that, Parliament as an arm of government, is a rule-based institution and Members of Parliament are aware of the established procedures to communicate with the Rt Hon Speaker if need be. If there is a need for Members to request for a recall of Parliament during a recess, Order 53 of the Standing Orders provides that: “15% of Members of Parliament may request a meeting of Parliament and the Speaker shall within 7 days after receipt of the request, summon Parliament.”

It is instructive to note that no such request has been made by any Member of Parliament and so, the calls for a recall of Parliament by persons outside of Parliament is frivolous and vexatious, and amounts to meddling in the work of Parliament.

In any case, per the provisions of Order 12(4) of the Standing Order, the presence of the Rt. Hon. Speaker and/or his Deputies is not required for Parliament to sit. Moreover, Order 52 provides for virtual Sitting so one’s physical presence is not necessarily required in today’s virtual world.

Parliament is aware of the need for collaboration and consensus building because of its hung nature and the Speaker, has sought throughout his tenure, to remain neutral and fair in his dealings. Therefore, to insinuate that the Speaker is not heeding calls for a recall because of his political allegiance to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is unfounded and unfortunate.

Parliament wishes to state that baring any emergency or unforeseen circumstance, it is likely to reconvene in the latter part of May 2024. Parliament reiterates its commitment to upholding the rule-based nature of the institution and fostering effective governance for the benefit of our nation.

Ghanamps.com

Lawyer Kwabena Boateng, the second vice chairman for Ejisu NPP has been declared winner to become the parliamentary candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming by-election in Ejisu in the Ashanti Region slated for 30th April, 2024.

He polled 394 votes out of 1033 total valid votes cast ahead of his closest contender, Helena Mensah, who polled 302 votes, followed by Yaa Gyamera, who obtained 229 votes .

The Ejisu parliamentary seat become vacant following the death of the late John Kumah, who was the Member of Parliament and also a deputy Minister of Finance

Below are the results per the candidates balloting position;

1. Lawyer Kwabena Boateng-394 votes

2. Dr.Evans Duah-61 votes

3. Kinsman Karikari Mensa-2 votes

4. Helena Mensah-302 votes

5. Abena Pokuaa Amoah-Boaitey-0 votes

6. Portia Acheampong -6 votes

7. Lawyer Kwasi Nyantakyi-35

8. Aaron Prince Duah-2

9. Yaa Gyamera Aboagye-229

Ghanamps.com

The 1st Meeting of the 4th Session of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana was a significant period in the country’s political scenery, characterized by various key occurrences and highlights that shaped the direction of governance.

The period witnessed remarkable events that molded the country’s legislative landscape. From engaging in legislative debates to the successful passage of crucial bills, Parliament played a pivotal role in addressing pressing national challenges and fostering progress.

The meeting began on a historic note with the implementation of new Standing Orders (written rules regulating parliamentary proceedings), the previous one having undergone significant revisions, after serving Parliament for almost thirty years.

The revised Standing Orders introduced innovative practices and procedures including a roll call, the recital of the National Anthem and the National Pledge. Other provisions of the new Standing Orders include the conduct of parliamentary business through virtual platforms, as well as open committee sittings, and a clear delineation of the hierarchy of Parliament’s leadership.

The provisions in the new Standing
Orders are aimed at addressing the evolving needs of Ghana’s dynamic and hybrid parliamentary democracy and to enhance the effectiveness of parliamentary processes and procedures, in response to the changing landscape of Ghana’s political system. Parliament has subsequently trained Members and staff, Civil Society players and the Parliamentary Press Corps on the new Standing Orders.

The exiting of the Black Stars from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the group stage propelled the organizers of the “Save Ghana Football” demonstrators to present a 15-point petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, which was received by Leadership of the House. The petition elicited a passionate debate on the floor of Parliament. The petition was referred to the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture for investigation and report to the House.

This Meeting recorded a novelty when a Member presided over proceedings, in the absence of the Rt. Hon. Speaker and his two deputies. The Clerk to Parliament, pursuant to Standing Order 12(4), invited nominations from the House for a Member to preside over the Sitting as the Member Presiding. The Member for Sunyani East, Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, was elected to chair proceedings for the day. In subsequent days, the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, and Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Kobina Tahir Hammond also took the Chair as Member Presiding due to the absence of the Speaker and his two deputies.

The long serving leader of the Majority Caucus was replaced by his Deputy as Majority Leader, following his announcement on the Floor of his resignation. Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu made a statement in which he informed the House of his voluntary resignation as the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business.

The Hon. Member for Effutu, Mr. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin was selected as his replacement. As well, the nomination of the Hon. First Deputy Majority Whip, Ms. Lydia Seyram Alhassan as the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources necessitated further changes in the Leadership of the Majority Caucus as follows:

i. Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin – Majority Leader
ii. Hon. Patricia Appiagyei – Deputy Majority Leader
iii. Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh – Majority Chief Whip
iv. Hon. Habib Iddrisu – First Deputy Majority Whip
v. Hon. Alex Tetteh Djornobuah – Second Deputy Majority Whip

Another notable event during this Meeting was the delivery of the Message on the State of the Nation by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution. The details of the President’s speech gave insights into the county’s development trajectory, challenges, and vision.

The Meeting witnessed the introduction of some notable bills and legislative proposals aimed at addressing key issues facing the country. These issues ranged from economic development to social welfare and governance reforms. Parliament passed significant Bills, including the Death Penalty Bill, Witchcraft Bill, Ghana Anti-doping Bill and the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. The Bills received support from a coalition of Christian, Muslim, and Ghanaian traditional leaders, and backing among Members of Parliament.

Some of the Bills are yet to be assented to by the Executive President who, in various communications signed by his secretary to the Clerk to Parliament, assigned reasons including citing two pending legal actions at the Supreme Court, as reasons for his not being able to assent to the Bills. The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin described one of the letters as contemptuous of Parliament, the wrong application of dangerous legal principle of interim injunction and an affront to the tenets of democracy.

The Rt. Hon. Bagbin in same vain, also brought to the attention of the House, the receipt of a process from the Court which sought to restrain the Speaker from proceeding with the vetting and approval of the names of the persons submitted by the President until the provisions of the Constitution are satisfied.

Applying the same principle, Mr. Speaker stated that the House was unable to continue to consider the nominations of the President in the “spirit of upholding the rule of law “until after the determination of the application for an interlocutory injunction by the Supreme Court”. A quotation he borrowed from the letter of the Secretary to the President.

There were somber and melancholic moments during the Meeting. The passing of Member for Ejisu and Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah on Thursday, 7th March 2024 was one such occasion.

The 1st Meeting of the 4th Session of the 8th Parliament of Ghana was marked by significant acts, critical to legislative and political development. The role of the Speaker of Parliament was crucial in facilitating productive debates and maintaining order in the Legislative Chamber. He was instrumental in ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament and upholding democratic principles.

Parliament has since gone on recess and is expected to commence the Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament soon.

MEDIA RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
PARLIAMENT OF GHANA

The former Majority Leader Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has admonished the Asante Patriotic Network Diaspora (TAPN-D) to respect Article 13 of the ruling New Patriotic Party’s Constitution which relates to selection of the vice presidential candidate.

According to him clause 3 sub-clause (1) of the said article provides that “The Party’s Presidential Candidate shall, in consultation with the National Council, nominate the Vice-Presidential Candidate.”

He made this post on his Facebook wall when he pointed out that it has come to his attention that a publication by a group describing itself as ‘The Asante Patriotic Network – Diaspora’ is “recommending my humble self to the Vice- President to nominate me as his running mate in the impending Presidential election.”

I acknowledge the recognition accorded me by the group, and for considering me worthy of this esteemed position.

The pivot in the selection process is the Presidential Candidate. There was no spirited canvassing by any person or persons to get Professor Adu Boahen to nominate Lawyer R.I Alhassan as his running mate.

Again, there was no pressure on Candidate J.A. Kufour to choose Alhaji Aliu Mahama as his Vice-Presidential Candidate. There was no orchestration to have then Candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to select Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as his running mate.

In much the same way, there must not be any attempt, even seemingly, to bring pressure to bear on the Presidential Candidate on who he should select as his Vice-Presidential Candidate.

The Presidential Candidate has grown and matured in the party. Dr. Bawumia, as we all attest to, is analytical, calculated and purposed in his considerations.

Above all, let us remember that this is the first time that the New Patriotic Party or, indeed, the UP tradition has elected a northerner as leader of the party. Let us respect his competence to do what is right for the party, he added

Ghaanamps.com

The Speaker Alban S. K. Bagbin has described the late Hon Modestus Ahiable as a man of conviction who approached his earthly endeavors with calculated precision and strong principles.

According to him, this attribute of the late former regional chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) endeared him to the late former President Jerry John Rawlings who appointed him regional minister for the Volta Region.

Speaker Bagbin paid this tribute when the family of the late Modestus Ahiable called on him in Parliament on Monday to formally announce his passing and details of the funeral arrangements.

They were led by the Member of Parliament for the Ketu North Constituency Hon James Klutse Avedzi who is also chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

Recounting the memory of Mr. Ahiable who was popularly called ‘Eku’, Speaker Bagbin expressed the need to celebrate the contributions and memory of people who dedicate and devote their lives to serving their nation.

This, he said, helps to inspire and uplift younger generations to commit themselves to a life of service.

“When I was minority leader, these were the men of wisdom whose support I could count on in my moment of difficulty. He sparingly spoke and when he did, you will see commitment in it,”-Speaker Bagbin said.

He described the passing of the man he called his friend as a great loss to humanity, the country, the NDC and the family.

The Speaker assured the family that Parliament will support them to give him a befitting burial according  to the family, the mortal remains of Mr. Ahiable will be laid to rest on April 27, 2024 in Dzodze, Volta Region.

Ghanamps.com