Author: Kwaku GhanaMPs

The Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah said for his side of the House to work with the Majority side of the House there is the need to work with two key things – trust and respect for each other.

According to him his side is committed to ensuring that Ghanaians’ business is attended to in the House and work that comes to the House is done.

“We should work together in trust and respect; we believe if we can get that and trust each other all the things the Speaker has said we are committed to work together at the Committee of the whole”.

The Deputy Leader was responding to an urgent appeal made by the Speaker to both side of the House to jaw jaw on matters that comes to the floor of the House where both sides have strong opinion on the matter.

Ghanamps.com gathered that at the Committee of the whole meeting after adjournment on Thursday, February 23, 2023 the police had to be called into the chamber as tensions were high which nearly resulted in physical fight on the Constitutional Instrument which seeks to make the Ghana card the only authentic reference document to acquire a voters ID.

Rt. Hon Speaker Alban K. Sumana Bagbin said, “I am happy to hear that because outstanding issue should be resolved, I do not want you to come and repeat what happened on Thursday”. He made this remarks on Friday before the House was adjourned.

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The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram Samuel Nartey George has said the LGBTQI+ Bill would be laid before Parliament before the end of March this year.

According to him, he met the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 who agreed that the Bill is in its best form and would help address the intended purpose of the Bill.

Addressing the media, he noted that sponsors of the Bill have also engaged the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and can confirm that much progress has been made on the Bill.

And further pointed out that their meeting that last close to ninety minutes when the Attorney General brought his memo on the matter, he was assured that his concerns have be addressed on the clause to clause.

The AG raised issue on cost on some human right issues and his attention was drawn to the fact that those issues have been addressed. One issue that was addressed was what “proper canal knowledge” is; the second has to do with marriage where marriage is recognized as between man and wife as the sponsors were clear on that welcome by the AG.

“If you go and contract marriage between same sex, if you get into the jurisdiction of Ghana it becomes null and void and the AG appreciated our Bill”.

And the AG was happy where the Bill strengthened the child’s Act section 86 K, it is clear and was an amendment pass by Parliament, with that nobody in a same sex relationship can come and adopt a child.

In his media briefing Samuel Nartey noted that within a week the report of the Committee should be on the floor of the House.

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A member of the Ghanaian delegation to the Community Parliament who is part of the Parliament’s observer team, ahead of Nigeria’s Saturday, February 25, 2023 general elections, Ayaba Abdul-Aziz Musah believes Nigeria would make Africa and the sub-region proud.

According to him Nigeria being big brother of Africa, in terms of its economy and population is not a joke more especially considering the role it plays in the West African sub-region.

In an interview on Thursday, February 23, 2023 before embarking on his trip to Nigeria, he noted that Ghana, Nigeria and other sub-regional countries are champions of democracy and expect that whatever would happen in Saturday’s election would enhance Africa and West Africa’s democracy.

“We are certain and hopeful that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security would be able to come out of the election successfully. It’s going to be a tough election, its expected, if you monitor what is going on from the various campaign teams”.

“What we expect is that the election would be peaceful, free and fair; we are certain, I am a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, we know what Nigeria brings to the table when it comes to democracy, we expect so much from them and I am certain we would not be disappointed”, he emphasised.

According to him, even in developed democracies they do have challenges with their elections and in the case of Nigeria, should there be issues the way and manner in which those issues would be handled that is where they have interest.

He further noted that, Nigeria would learn from their upcoming general election which would add on to the future electoral reforms.

In addition, he noted that this is his first as a lawmaker in Ghana’s Parliament and the ECOWAS Parliament, hence his first time in observing elections on the ticket of ECOWAS.

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Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said Ghana needs a constitution that would frown on a democratic practice where after election the winner-takes-all and rather promote collaboration.

According to him collectiveness and consensus building in decision making at all levels of governance is the way to go in his remarks to launch the 30th anniversary of Parliament democracy which was done on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 on the floor of Parliament.

He further pointed out that, there is also the need to have a constitutional order that would ensure gender equity and, in many respects, equality to promote real development.

He disclosed that the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) has resolved that by 2025 all Parliaments in the world must comprise at least 30% of women, the CPA has adopted a similar position since last year, and queried how prepared the Parliament of Ghana is to align without the relevant amendment to the Constitution.

Again, “we need a constitutional order that will mitigate the winner-takes-all and prevent the do-or-die combat associated with our elections”.

We need a new constitutional order that will prevent the constant increase in the numbers of seats in Parliament. A new constitutional order that will put a cap in the number of Ministers of State; a new order that will ensure that the Speaker of the Parliament is a serving member of Parliament and that the Parliament of Ghana does not remain as one of only 9 Parliaments in the world whose Speakers are not Members of Parliament.

Additionally, a new constitutional order that will accord Parliament the financial independence that is required to enable Parliament stand on its own feet; a new constitutional arrangement that will liberate Parliament to perform its legislative functions without impediments, intended or unintended.

As well as, an order that will give birth to an economic paradigm which will engender wealth creation, entrepreneurial spirit and talent development as well as jobs for our people, especially, the youth with active partnership of Parliament.

A new constitutional order that will remodel the composition of the NDPC to purge it of the overly party-coloration and populate it with neutral citizens who will develop a real Long-Term National Development Plan around which parties would extract their manifestoes and therefore ensure that succeeding administrations continue the programs and projects started by their predecessors in order to prevent the wanton dissipation of the scanty resources of the country.

A new constitutional order where the Auditor-General would respect the fact that he is a tool for Parliament in the performance of Parliament’s oversight functions and therefore, cannot unilaterally exact and prosecute surcharges and, even before submitting his reports to Parliament, find a way to leak the recommendations to the general public.

A new constitutional order where assets declared by public servants can be traced and tracked by the Auditor-General for purposes of tax compliance and not to encourage a system where public servants declare assets that they do not have but assets that they hope to have.

A new constitutional order that will better define the role of the Council of State. Should it be transformed into a second chamber.. Should the composition be more democratic?

A new constitutional order where the appointment of officers of the Constitutional creatures, in particular, Electoral Commission, CHRAJ, NCCE, Media Commission, etc. would be subjected to the prior approval of Parliament, perhaps using absolute, not simple majority.

A new constitutional order where there will be no place for public tribunals. A new order where the qualification criteria to the apex court of the land would be enhanced and there will be a cap on the number of Justices for the Supreme Court.

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Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin has called for serious effort to be placed on strengthening Ghana’s democratic institutions if we have to sustain the country’s democracy.

He made this remarks on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 when Ghana’s Parliament launched its 30 year anniversary under the 4th Republican constitution which was on the theme – “30 years of Parliamentary Democracy in the Fourth Republic: Challenges and Prospects”, and is a year-long celebration.

In his speech the Speaker noted that, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) will hold its annual conference here in Accra.

The tentative date is from 30th September to 6th October, 2023 and selecting Ghana to host this prestigious conference in itself is an honour. Beyond that, it is proof of how the world sees and rates our parliamentary democracy.

“We have indeed come very far as a democratic country. We should keep this in mind as we prepare to host the CPA in Accra. Let us put our A Game on display in whatever role we are assigned so that at the end of the day, the CPA conference in Accra will leave lasting memories on the minds of participants”.

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Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson mince no words in stating that his side (the National Democratic Congress) has proven to Ghanaians they are the trusted alternative to government of the day led by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

According to him Parliament as an institution performs its legislative, financial, deliberative, representational and oversight roles, but much is expected from the Minority group in Parliament.

The oversight role of Parliament is reserved for the Minority as members on his side are required to question the acts and omissions of the Executive, raise critical issues, demand answers and hold government accountable.

He made this remarks at the launch of the 30th anniversary of Parliamentary democracy under the fourth Republic and emphasised that the Minority, is the obvious side that perform the onerous task of putting government in check.
The Minority will, therefore, require the assistance and cooperation of civil society organisations, the academia, professional bodies, trade unions, students, and indeed, each and every Ghanaian to enable it hold the Government accountable. It is through this that we can all enjoy the fruits of our parliamentary democratic dispensation, he stated.

“Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate 30 years of stable parliamentary democracy, it is important to reflect on some of the issues that resulted in the death of the first three Republics. It has been suggested by the people behind the 1966 overthrow of the Nkrumah Government that he was abusive and corrupt and that he failed to adhere to democratic principles.

I do not intend to refute or assert these allegations, I only seek to remind myself and other politicians that any party in power, should endeavour not to engage in any act that will suggest to our people that we are abusive, corrupt and undemocratic”, he said.

Mr Speaker, permit me to briefly comment on the issues that were suggested to have provoked the overthrow of the Prime Minister Busia’s Progress Party (PP) government 1972.

Busia’s government is said to have inherited US$580 million in debts. This amount was about 25 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of 1969. By 1971 the US$580 million was increased by US$72 million in accrued interest payments and US$296 million in short-term commercial credits.

And led to economic difficulties which compelled Prime Minister Busia to, on the recommendations of International Monetary Fund (IMF) introduce austerity measures. This led to freezes in wages, tax increases, currency devaluations, and rising import prices. This led to protests particularly by the Trades Union Congress (TUC). The Army moved in to occupy the TUC headquarters and to block strike actions. The rest of the story is history.

Also, he asked Ghanaians to reflect on the allegations of the masterminds of the coups that saw the overthrow of the Nkrumah’s Government in 1966 and that of Busia in 1972. In our reflection, let us be mindful of our current economic challenges and work together as a common people to address them. Nobody can benefit when the economy collapses. We cannot also underestimate the reaction of our people. If we failed to act, I am afraid, we would have let down the very people we represent. That is why I endorse the call of Mr. Speaker that:

“The electorates are looking up to us to help find solutions to these existential issues. If there is a time that we as Members of Parliament ought to set aside our partisan cloaks and think Ghana, it is now”.

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A member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament’s Committee on Judiciary, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah said he expects smooth elections in the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Nigeria.

According to him Nigeria has had four smooth democratic elections with the upcoming one as the fifth, and one should expect democracy to be the winner at end of the day by allowing free and fair elections and a smooth transition with whoever emerges as a winner.

He further noted that Benin has already held its parliamentary elections but unfortunately some of his colleagues in the current Community lost their bid to retain their seats – the leader of the Benin delegation and chairman of the Public Account Committee Bida Nouhoume Youssoufou Abdouramani.

Mr. Bedzrah in an interview noted that Liberia and Sierra Leone as well as Guinea Bissau would be going to the polls before the end of the year and at the first Extra Ordinary Session of the Community parliament, one of the things discussed had to do with democracy within the sub-region despite the fact that they touched on common payment platform for the sub-region.

In Liberia the current President would be seeking re-election same with the President of Sierra Leone.
And in Sierra Leone instead of voting for lawmakers from the various constituencies, it is now proportional based on the number of votes that would be secured the highest vote of the various regions is how they would proportionally share the seats.

“So is going to be different from the normal that we know, you represent one constituency when you win that constituency you become a member of parliament and I hear the Supreme Court has affirmed it. So there is going to be some changes in their electoral system; I pray that things would be done properly and whoever wins would be given the opportunity to serve”.

Additionally, in the case of Liberia, he was part of the ECOWAS Parliamentary delegation that went for the early warning signal mission, and one of the things they noticed was the fact that the Biometric Registration (BVG) has not yet been done even as they have few months into the elections as there were issues with procurement.

“So the president appealed to us that if it is creating problem the manual system should be the way to go, so that after the election then they can revert to the BVR but the EC is also insisting that they want to go through the BVR system”.

And added that, there has been problem, but they have not heard of the BVR registration taking place yet. “I am hopeful that that would be done if that is where the EC want to go and there should be an understanding among them before the election. I pray that the sub-region would become peaceful before, during and after the elections”.

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A member of the Minority side on the Appointment Committee, Mahama Ayariga has served notice that his side would vote against approving Ministerial nominees made by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

According to him their side of the divide is not happy with the size of government more especially in this economic hardship when government has to deal with domestic debt exchange, with already eighty-five (85) Ministers. He said with three (3) of the ministers resigning, the government is still made up of eight-two (82), and they should be re-assigned.

Answering questions from journalists after the Minority Press conference, as to whether the Minority is calling for the scrapping of the Ministries for Trade and Industry, Food and Agriculture, the Bawku Central lawmaker noted that they are key Ministries that any government have. But all they are saying is Ministers of state already in government should have been re-assigned instead of nominating new Ministers.

Again, the President is not showing signs of wanting to make sacrifices and run a small size government; as such the Minority has made a promise to use their vote to back their promise of seeing a lean government.

As to whether this time around there would be any difference as the House in the current Parliament witnessed the Minority saying they would not approve certain Ministers but ended up approving them, he noted that as a Minority they agreed to pass some Ministers and reject others previously but those were not the views of some of his colleagues, but in the current case the one hundred and thirty-six (136) stands to get in this case.

He however failed to affirm if their action can prevent the nominees from becoming minister; but assured that they will vote to demonstrate that. “We would make every effort to stop government from expanding the size of government that is the issue today”.

And they would make efforts to compel President Nana Akufo-Addo to reduce the size of government since it’s an issue of principle and probably the President might have forgotten that the country is going through economic crises; their stand would force him to withdraw some of the nominees.

“Within the NDC Minority, we would not break ranks on this matter when it comes to the vote, we would see all of us working to getting to make this statement, we believe there are some people in the Majority who support our views”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com