Author: Kwaku GhanaMPs

The Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee of Parliament investigating the leaked audio tape on a plot to oust the IGP Dr George Akufo Dampare has denied allegation of bias leveled against him by Lead Counsel for the IGP Mr. Kwame Gyan.

According to him all the principal witnesses were present at the Committee hearing and the issue of the IGP leaving a bit early has to do with health issue.

He expressed disappointment about the allegation and said he has rather handled the affairs of the committee well.
Samuel Atta Akyea made the comment on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 after an in- camera hearing of the committee attended by the IGP, Chief Bugri Naabu and three Senior Police Officers who are witnesses before the committee.

Responding to a question from the media on why he Samuel Atta Akyea prevented members of the Police Management Board (POMAB) from sitting in today’s hearing, Samuel Atta Akyea said the in-camera hearing was meant only for the witnesses and members of the Committee.

And Ghanaians appreciate the work he is doing he cannot manufacture anything against the IGP and the work they are doing is being recorded and transcribed.

Ghanamps.com

Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has admonished his colleague Member of Parliament for Assin North Kennedy Ohene Agyapong aspiring to be flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party to stop the tribal and religious politics against the vice president Dr Mahmoud Bawumiah.

According to him Ohene Agyapong at his rally at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi asserted that the Majority Leader, whilst playing a lead role in the campaign to elect the Vice President, H.E. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumiah is resorting to “tribal and religious politics”.

The office of the Majority Leader responds as follows:

1) That nothing can be farther away from the truth as the statement made by the MP for Assin North relating to the conduct of Hon Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu indicated.

2) The character trait of Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is truthfulness, pragmatism and realism and these have always guided and guarded his statements, discussions and conversations. His discourses are well- reasoned; not philippic, in other words, not statements that bitterlyattack other persons; or petulant, that is, ill-tempered or peevish; or populist.

3) Also, the Majority Leader has not condoned or connived with anybody to “hijack the party”. On the other hand, he, together with others at the National Executive Committee and National Council, stood firmly and thwarted attempts by some of the presidential hopefuls to set aside clearly stated, unambiguous provisions of the NPP Constitution. If that amounts to “hijacking” or “intimidation” or “collapsing the party”, intheopinion of Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, then it can only be described as unfortunate.

4) Dr Mahamudu Bawumiah, the Vice President, is not known for bellicosity, belligerence or hot-headedness. He does not spew vitriol. He is well focused. On his rounds he has never attacked any of the contestants. He speaks to his own track-record in the party, his experience and his vision to reposition the party and the economy. He does not issue and has not issued any threats to anybody, including, in particular, any officer of the party at any level. Dr Mahamudu Bawumiah is a lamb who has exhibited long-suffering and preaches peace. It is for these traits that people like Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu as well as the over 130 Members of Parliament have aligned with him. Notwithstanding, if Mr Ken Ohene Agyapong, the Honourable Member for Assin North, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior and a Presidential hopeful for the NPP has any mustard- seed evidence of “intimidation or coercion”, or “party-collapsing adventures” on the part of Dr Mahamudu Bawumiah, or “any tribal or religious politics” on the part of Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Honourable Majority Leader, let him (Mr Ohene Agyapong) bring the pieces out for redress in the supreme interest of the party.

5) The Majority Leader is very much aware of the fragility of the NPP Majority Caucus in Parliament and that is why he is very circumspect in his response to naked and blatant attacks. In this regard, the Leader has always been mindful of his language and, accordingly, he entreats all in the NPP family to recognise that the endeavour to select a Presidential Candidate (not merely a Flagbearer) is a family contest and not a do-or-die battle. Pursuant to that, the Majority Leader strongly insists nothing should be done or encouraged that has the potential to impede or forestall unity within the rank and file of the party, after November 4, 2023.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has threatened to report Dr Ernest Addison, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), and his deputies to the Office of the Special Prosecutor regarding contracts awarded for the construction of a new central bank headquarters.

In a letter dated October 2, 2023, and addressed to the BoG Governor, Ayariga expressed his frustration with the lack of transparency and information provided by the leadership of the central bank regarding the contract awards.

“I write to inform you that I will refer you and your deputies to the Office of the Special Prosecutor for investigation and possible prosecution. This is in relation to the matter of the award of a contract for the construction of a new head office building for the Bank of Ghana.

I suspect that your team, in collusion with the contractors, overpriced the project with a possible view to obtaining personal gain. I reject your use of “national security considerations” as a reason to refuse to answer my questions properly.

My decision to report you is in view of your refusal to provide a proper response to my request for information pursuant to the Right to Information Request.”

He further warned that he would persistently pursue the BoG Governor until he provides clarity on the contract awards to Messrs. Goldkey Properties Limited.

“Let me assure you that we will pursue you until you come clean on how a project which you yourself had originally priced at USD100, 857,924.48 for 73,000sq.m got awarded to Messrs. Goldkey Properties Limited, in the same year, at USD121, 807,8517.94 and how a variation in scope of works of about 36.9% increase has led to a project cost escalation of 84% increase which has resulted in the 107,737sq.m now costing USD 222,799,760.55. This is a project priced in United States Dollars. This we do for the love of country and in pursuit of A Better Ghana,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament is scheduled to stage a demonstration on Tuesday, October 3, against the Governor for alleged mismanagement of the central bank, which they claim has resulted in the loss of GH¢60 billion.

Ghanamps.com

Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is advocating for deliberate efforts to populate Parliaments around the world with Women as their representation has come under constant talk with their low representations.

According to him in the jurisdiction that has the first past post system, it is usually difficult to have enough representation of women in Parliaments; and questioned how do we effectively counter this; “would we require constitutional amendment?”

The Vice Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu made this remarks at the media briefing as Ghana hosts the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference and journalists wanted to know what is being done to get more women into the Legislature.

HE also stated that those of them who present themselves to the first past post system, it is not easy to populate your Parliament with sufficient of women just as you see in Canada and the UK and even in America, Ghana and Australia except those of them who submit to proportional representation.

“Also, has the time arrived for us as a country Ghana to have a second look at our constitution, because I believe if any authority is vested in a person, that is the president; let say to appoint women to Parliament we can all envisage what may happen there should be a better system of populating our Parliament with women”, he noted.

And further pointed out that at the end of the 66th CPC conference on going in Accra, the programme should have a communiqué which should capture the deliberation which would encapsulate the important issues so that they know what the conference was able to achieve.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Leader of Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, Alexander Afenyo Markin has asserted that there should not be any justification for military coups to overthrow democratically elected regimes in the sub-region; not even the barbaric onslaught from jihadists and terrorists groups and the economic challenges of the various countries.

According to him, the answer to these acts of terror and economic challenges lies within our democratic institutions, standing as bastions of hope and fortitude amidst the turmoil.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin speaking at the opening ceremony of the High-Level Interactive Seminar and the Extraordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament on September 29, 2023 noted that “the recent resurgence of military coups threatens to drag us back to an era we have fought tirelessly to transcend. We must firmly CONDEMN the coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, and Gabon, along with the hostilities in Sudan.

These actions are a betrayal of the democratic principles we hold dear, and we demand a swift return to constitutional rule. We must affirm, unequivocally, that regression is not the solution. Our golden age lies ahead of us, not in the shadows of the 1960s to 1980s.”

The theme of the discourse is, “The Challenges of Tenure Elongation and Unconstitutional Regime Change in West Africa – The Critical Role of the ECOWAS Parliament”.

According to him, it is under the shade of democracy that we can cultivate the progress we aspire to. It is here that we can construct the schools that will nurture the minds of our future leaders. It is here that we can build modern hospitals to heal our people and foster technology to propel Africa into an era of supreme industrialization in the wake of the AfCFTA. “Together, we can construct robust and resilient economies that will position Africa as a formidable competitor on the global stage.”

The Deputy Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament said the theme for the seminar is not just a call for reflection, but a clarion call for action as the sub-region finds itself at a pivotal moment in history where the pillars of democracy are being challenged and shaken.

He, however noted that, taking inspiration from Kofi Annan that “though there is no one model of democracy, it is essential that the principles of democracy, human rights and freedoms are upheld universally”; it gives a renewed commitment to enhance our democratic systems, making them more responsive to the needs and aspirations of every citizen, regardless of where they find themselves on the broad spectrum of society.

“Indeed, no form of governance has ever been perfect, yet history has proven time and again that democracy stands as the best option for nations seeking development in peace and harmony. Even in its imperfections, it carries within its structures the capacity to rise above the ills that afflict it, fostering environments where innovation, justice, and freedom thrive. It is incumbent upon us, the custodians of this sacred trust, to continually refine and enhance these structures, ensuring that they remain resilient in the face of the ever-changing challenges that our societies encounter”, he stated.

He condemned the actions of leaders who unlawfully modify their constitutions to perpetuate their hold on power; stating that it is a grave affront to the principles of democracy, which enshrine the fundamental rights of citizens to choose their leaders and to live under a government that is held accountable for its actions.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin thus indicated that “as we traverse this difficult period, we must remain vigilant, standing firm against the erosion of these principles and fighting to protect the sanctity of our democratic processes.”

Ghanamps.com

Outspoken NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo South, Eric Opoku is at it again; this time round, he punches holes into recent producer price of cocoa announced by President Nana Addo- Dankwah Akufo – Addo.

The MP who also doubles as Ranking Member on Agriculture in Parliament did not spare the COCOBOD and its Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Joseph Boahen Aidoo, while delving into issues on global Cocoa prices and developments therein.

According to him there have been vast discrepancies in the producer price of the commodity between the President’s and that of the COCOBOB CEO’S.

He maintained that whereas the President’s producer price rests on GH¢ 1308, representing 70.5%, that of the CEO hovers around GH¢ 1255, representing 70.03%.

Mr. Eric Opoku made these assertions at Dadiesoaba in the Asunafo South Constituency in the Ahafo Region last Wednesday, September 12, 2023.

Mr. Opoku together with the Minority Caucus in Parliament had converged in the auditorium of the Church of Pentecost there with Chiefs, Queen Mothers, Farmer – groups and party faithful to be briefed on current developments vis-à-vis the recent producer price as announced by the President, Nana Akufo- Addo in what was termed Cocoa Farmers and media encounter on the theme “Cocoa Sector stake holder’s management”.

According to the President, the price increment first in 50 years, was the highest in the West African sub – Region. This position was however rebutted fiercely by Eric Opoku, who maintained that this was a palpable lie.

According to him, this year should be the happiest in the history of Ghanaian Cocoa farmers. This, he said was due to the fact that Cocoa beans had come into short scarcity on the world market because global demand had outstripped global supply.

He maintained that Ghana’s Cocoa being the best in the world Ghana is given a premium of $4300 per tons. Subsequently if Ghanaian the Cocoa farmer should enjoy most, it is this year. However, the producer price as announced by the President is most unfair and short priced for the Ghanaian cocoa farmers.

According to him, even with the June Cocoa price, a tons of cocoa is supposed to be sold on the world market for $25,015 and a bag of it should be sold for 2500 Ghana Cedis for the farmer.

He bemoaned that instead; government had taken a chunk of it, 58.2% and given the farmer about 42%. He stated that the GH¢ 1308 given farmers is short listed and that farmers should insist on their right price, which the NDC Caucus in Parliament will pursue till Justice is done farmers.

Hon. Eric Opoku intimated that instead of the NPP Government giving the farmer the desired amount, it has become the reverse with the farmer getting less while Government takes the chunk of it.

COCOBOD RUN LOSES SINCE 2017, YET….

According to Eric Opoku, COCOBOD under the management of the current CEO, Joseph Boahen Aidoo had been recording loses since 2017. Yet it has been paying bonuses and building houses for the staff of COCOBOB, while farmers who toil and moil to produce the commodity wallow in poverty.

He revealed that even as at September 11, 2023 the World Market price for a ton of Cocoa was $3808 per ton. So plus the premium, a ton could hit over $4000, for which farmers need better treatment. “The NPP Government had not dealt well and fairly with Ghanaian farmer at all! “He said, attracting cheers and applause from the agitated farmers around.

FARMERS DENIED BONUSES, FERTILIZERS, INSECTICIDES BY NPP
The Ranking Member stated that since coming into power in 2017, the NPP has refused to pay bonuses to farmers and also refused to continue with the free supply of fertilizers, insecticides and mass spraying exercise during the NDC era.

He said because of this, free fertilizers that were marked not for sale, were left to rot when NPP came to power, it made these fertilizers got rotting thereby incurring huge sums as contained in pages 255 and 260 of the Auditor General Report.

IMF, EU halt cocoa road projects – NDC
Mr Eric Opoku, Ranking Member on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs has maintained that during the NDC era, government used proceeds from Cocoa on the construction of Cocoa roads, school buildings, solar energy, the extension of electricity to deprived communities and many more.

However, with the advent of the NPP, things have been messed up so much that government has gone bankrupt owing over 44 metric tons of cocoa.

And it is against this background that government has opened this year’s season in September instead of October. And without coming to Parliament for prior approval of the syndicated loan for the purchase of cocoa this season, COCOBOD has gone ahead to open the 2023/2024 Season.

“Though the government has opened the season, it has no money to pay farmers”, he stressed.

Accordingly, the IMF and ICCO have sanctioned the NPP government against embarking on construction of cocoa roads, payment of bonuses and free supply of fertilizers and insecticides, a situation which has declined cocoa production in the country.

He said the decline had been compounded by the influx of buyers of cocoa from Togo and La Cote d’Ivoire, buying both dry and wet cocoa beans at higher prices.

Also depreciation of the cedi and rise in exchange rate had made nonsense of the so called increment as against the NDC era, when farmers could make better use of their producer prices.

All efforts to get the version of COCOBOB proved futile as in the absence of the CEO, Fiifi Head of Public Relations said he was attending meeting and therefore could not avail himself.

S. O. Ankamah Dadiesoaba/Ghanamps.com