Author: Kwaku GhanaMPs

President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, Justice Edward Amoako Asante has lamented over the inability of one hundred and six (106) of its judgment to be enforced my member states whiles another eleven (11) are outstanding against ECOWAS institutions at the opening of the 2023 first Ordinary Session in Abuja Nigeria.

According to him Parliament is the custodians of the peoples’ mandate within the West African democratic architecture, hence parliament will need to contribute its effort to ensure the survival of our democracy.

And in the spirit of deepening relations between their two institutions, the interest of the community will be better served if they work together to secure a significant improvement in the level of enforcement of the decisions of the Court because of the inherent benefits to the democratic journey.

The court has contributed immensely to the strengthening of some underpinnings of democracy such as respect for human rights and the protection of the freedom of expression by holding Member States accountable for their International Treaty obligations.

However, recent democratic reversals in the three Member States of Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali eloquently demonstrate the fragility of our cherished democracies across the region and the need for collective vigilance and coherent action in its protection.

He further noted that, the military coups in these three Member States and the tension that accompanies elections in Member States point to the need for the identification of the underlying issues that confront our democracy and the implementation of measures for securing it, which are mainly governance related as well as other issues in order to ensure that our democratic practice responds to the yearnings of our people.

Justice Edward Asante therefore noted that, it’s reassuring that female parliamentarians under the aegis of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) hosted a town hall meeting last week on how to Rejuvenate Democracy by giving voice to Women and Youth.

In addition, he pointed out that he understands that, the first Ordinary session of parliament will, among other things, be mainly devoted to the consideration of the report of the President of the Commission on the implementation of the Community Work Programme. “Considering the enhanced role of the parliament, I am confident that through the consideration of the report and the ensuing discussions, recommendations will emerge that will enhance the realization of the objectives of the Community”.

And hopes the current session of parliament will also propose measures that will contribute to improving the level of enforcement of the decisions of the Court through their joint efforts for the benefit of the region, particularly its citizens who see in the Community the ultimate platform for improving their lives through collective action.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Rt. Hon Dr. Sidie Mohammed Tunis is optimistic the direct election of lawmakers to the legislative body is achievable and proud of the awareness created around the subject matter.

He expressed this sentiment in his opening remarks at the 2023 first Ordinary Session in Abuja Nigeria saying, “I strongly believe that sooner rather than later, when the time is right for the first vote to be cast for ECOWAS Members of Parliament, this legislature will be remembered for its invaluable role played in getting it achieved”.

According to him they are aware that since the inauguration of the first legislature, Parliament has not achieved its goal of being a full-fledged Legislative body. Nevertheless, this august body can be very proud of its achievements thus far.

“We have made sufficient advocacy for the election of Members by direct universal suffrage, which we believe is vital towards giving this Body more enhanced power and build our capacity to adequately exert our influence as a truly legislative body”.

Dr. Tunis further noted that on the regional scene, they remain very concerned over the pace at which the transitional processes are unfolding in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso and are equally worried about the proliferation of terrorist activities in the Sahel, which has resulted into the killings of innocent lives.

It is expected that the President of the ECOWAS Commission, during the presentation of his report, would kindly provide detailed explanations on these issues to inform Parliament’s position. Additionally, they are closely following events in Sierra Leone and Liberia, as they prepare to hold Presidential and Legislative elections in June and October respectively.

He thanked the government of Sierra Leone for its commitment to upholding the principles of democratic elections and commend all stakeholders for being committed to the democratic process.

In Liberia he commends ECOWAS and the United Nations, under whose auspices the Farmington Declaration was signed, committing all Political Parties to a violence-free election. They shall continue to engage with both countries within the framework of ensuring that both elections are peaceful, free, fair and transparent.

The Legislative elections are also expected to be held in Guinea Bissau in June of this year, following months of dissolution of Parliamentary activities and applaud the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the peaceful conduct of the presidential, federal legislative, governorship and state legislative elections.

He congratulate President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the polls and expressed best wishes on behalf of the membership of the ECOWAS Parliament for his success as he prepares to take up the responsibilities and challenges of his office.

“I also extol the statesmanship of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari for sticking to his term limit and facilitating a smooth transition to his successor. More so, I thank the aggrieved parties for seeking redress in the court of law. Such is the democracy we crave for, and I am grateful that Nigeria, our biggest democracy, is leading by example”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former General Secretary and flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party took his campaign trail to Ghana’s parliament house and had a townhall meeting with the NPP parliamentary caucus on May 3, 2023. In an address, he re-echoed his vision for the creation of a NEW DAWN on Ghana’s political landscape.

Ing Agyepong posited to the MPs that the NPP needs a new era of thinking, new dimension and new direction. He added that the NPP requires a decisive flagbearer to rejuvenate party base and recreate the necessary enthusiasm for the grassroots to deliver the elusive third consecutive victory in 2024. Ing Agyepong added humbly that he has the right experience, skill-set and character to lead the party if given the mandate by the delegates.

KAA as he is affectionately called, reiterated the need to impose order and discipline, compliance of regulations, Quality Control and Quality Assurance in all facets of public financial transactions.

In an answer to a question, Ing Agyepong affirmed his intentions to drastically reduce waste in the public sector by running a lean, effective and efficient administration primed to deliver on its mandate. He told the MPs that he will work closely with Parliament to introduce a cap of 9 on the Supreme Court as well as reiterating his call for the removal of the compulsory retirement age of 70 for the SC.

He was confident that the NPP can retain power if the upcoming internal elections are conducted in a spirit of fairness and equity devoid of manipulation, coercion, favouritism and utmost respect for the party’s Code of Conduct.

He called on the Parliamentary group and the newly elected national executives to observe same.

In attendance were the majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu; 1st Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Wusu; Majority Chief Whip, Annoh-Dompreh; Lydia Alhassan, Deputy Majority Chief Whip and several cabinet ministers.

Ghanamps.com

An aspiring flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has sent a heartfelt message to Ghanaian workers, congratulating them for their hard work and assuring them of his trust in them.

In a statement signed and released in Accra on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in commemoration of this year’s International Labor Day celebrations, Dr. Afriyie Akoto noted that, “I salute all workers of Ghana for their immense contribution to our nation building. I believe in the potential of our workers to advance the development of our dear nation”.

International Labor Day also known as May Day is celebrated every year across the world on May 1. It is mainly celebrated in recognition of the struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement. It is also celebrated to raise awareness about the rights and opportunities every labor should get for their welfare and betterment.

Monday, May 1, 2023 which marks May Day has been declared a Statutory Public Holiday in Ghana by the Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery.

The Day will be marked at Bolgatanga, capital of Upper East Region where the President of the Republic of Ghana is expected to address thousands of Ghanaian workers.

To Dr. Afriyie Akoto who is also the immediate past Minister of Food and Agriculture, Ghanaian workers deserve commendation considering their enormous contributions to economic growth and stability of Ghana.

“I congratulate you for your hard work and wish you well in the years ahead of us. Ayekoo”, he noted in his statement.

Ghanamps.com

The Rt. Hon Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis has written to the Chief Clerk of the Central Criminal Court in the United Kingdom for leniency for the former Speaker in the third Parliament (2011 to 2015) Senator Ike Ekweremadu who later also served as First Deputy Speaker in the second legislature (2007 to 2011), over breach of UK laws relating to organ trafficking and modern slavery.

Ghanamps.com can reveal per the letter sighted written to the court three weeks ago on behalf of the parliament, that he is against the crime for which the senator and his spouse have been convicted same with the parliament.

“We do not support organ harvesting in anyway and by any method. Nevertheless, we believe that lessons have been learnt, not only by Ekweremadu, but by everybody. I wish to fervently appeal to the honorable court, on behalf of the ECOWAS Parliament, for leniency in meting out justice to the couple”.

He further added that he understands the position of the law, but only appealing for human face in this circumstance and justice should be tempered with mercy, considering his good behavior and contribution to the good of society, the less privileged, and democracy.

Dr. Tunis added that the former Speaker gives to charity work and experienced in lawmaking in Nigeria and internationally, could also be very useful to his nation and the international community in public enlightenment as well as legal reforms campaign on organ trafficking to curtail such incidents drawing from his personal experience.

Ghanamps.com can further reveal that former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria H. E. Olusegun Obasanjo had early written to the court appealing for leniency.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu is highly appreciated in the sub-region for his sterling roles in the development of the Community Parliament in the preservation and stabilization of democracy. As First Deputy, he chaired the Parliaments Ad Hoc Committee on the political situation in Niger and the Republic of Guinea.

As his effort contributed in no small measure towards resolving the impasses in the two ECOWAS member states and visited almost every flashpoint, sometimes at his very personal expense.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Aspiring National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) Parliamentary candidates for Akuapem South in the Eastern Region, Samuel Nuamah Donkor has appealed to NDC delegates in Akuapem South to give him the nod come May 13, 2023 to win the seat for the party.

In an interview he pointed out that he knows the problems in Akuapem South.

According to him he has stayed in Akuapem South since childhood and he is the only candidate who can win the seat.

He added that he has helped so many people in the constituency, scholarship, getting a job for youth and others.

Mr. Samuel Nuamah Donkor finally appealed to NDC delegates in Akuapem South to vote him to win the seat for NDC come December 2024 general election.

Ghanamps.com

Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has asserted that Africa is not deterred by the veiled threats of withdrawal of investments and international aid, and other stringent economic measures that have attended the continent’s effort at protecting its culture, values, and societal norms and to safeguard the future of its youth.

He was speaking at a meeting with an array of Members of the British House of Lords and the House of Commons at Westminster in London.

This came as a result of concerns to the British Members of Parliament as the law passed in Uganda recently on the LGBTQI phenomenon, and the bill on Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values currently before Ghana’s parliament.

“Threats are not the way to go. If your neighbour or partner has a problem, you help him to solve it. Boycotts and threats do not solve problems: engagement and understanding do”, said the Rt. Hon. Speaker.

He explained that once a group of people is in agreement on what constitute Human rights, values and principles, they move on. What is required is alignment and understanding of their context.

Rt. Hon. Bagbin told his hosts that the role of parliament is to receive bills from civil society or interest groups, usually through the process that allows for a Private Member’s Bill, or from the executive. Parliament then takes the bill through its processes and procedures outlined in its Standing Orders and in consonance with the provisions of Ghana’s constitution.

“There is nothing untoward; nothing wrong with the efforts by Ghana’s Parliament to legislate on the promotion of human sexual rights and family values in Ghana, using our constitution as a compass”, he declared.

There is urgent need of legislation in the area of LGBTTQR± in Ghana. Parliament is aware of the copious human rights provisions in the Constitution of the country. Parliament knows that “any legislation that detracts from the human rights and freedoms guaranteed by our constitution will be a candidate for litigation in our court of law”.

Responding to a question on the role of the President in the bill under reference, the Speaker insisted that Ghana’s Parliament has the mandate and the capability to legislate on the subject, and will not countenance any interference from the executive.

He explained that the role of the President is to accent to bills submitted to him by Parliament. In the process, the President can make recommendations for the consideration of Parliament. However, final legislative powers rest with the legislature, not the executive. “Ghana’s democracy is based on the rule of law, not the rule of man”, he pointed out.

Besides, he said, Ghana’s constitution is heavy on the promotion and protection of various fundamental human rights and freedoms, and gave an assurance that curtailing human rights is not the target of the bill under reference; rather, it is about the protection of rights as well as values; so is it about the healthcare and welfare of Ghanaians, particularly those whose sexual orientation has implications for their health.

According to the Speaker, the legislature has engaged in very wide and broad consultations whilst working on the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. Members of the select committee working on it have held consultations in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, EU and Canada, among others for a deeper appreciation of the issues at stake.

In addition, the committee has received and considered about 400 memoranda on the issue and has granted audience to many advocacy groups, professional associations, traditional leaders, civil society groups, and religious leaders. He said the approach to this bill has been to “think global and act local”.

Ghanamps.com