Author: Kwaku GhanaMPs

The Member of Parliament for Amenfi West Eric Afful has appealed to Ghanaians to be measured in their expectations from the months old John Dramani Mahama led government.

According to the Chairman of the Committee on Economy and Development, the promises made by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 presidential elections would be fulfilled in due time.

In an interview, he pointed out that, the government has just been given its maiden budget by parliament through the appropriation and this is the time that government is going to do a lot of expenditure within the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the government has started to hit the ground running and “all we have said within the Manifesto, we are going to tackle it. The expectations people are having in this government with our promise, we are going to do it”.

He advised that the citizens should see this government as a young one and it cannot do everything it has promised at the same time within the short frame of time, adding that the situation is not different with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) as their maiden common fund has not come in yet. “As we speak today, most of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) are not in place, “if funds are given to the various MMDAs who are going to expend these funds?” He queried.

Let us make sure the MMDCEs are sworn in first before the funds can be expended.

As to whether the expectations should be after a year, he noted that until all the Ministers and MMDCEs are fully in place, expectations should be well managed.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

In view of the revision of Ghana’s Parliamentary standing orders, a new Committee has been curved out of the Finance Committee – Economy and Development Committee.

According to the chairman of the Economy and Development Committee Eric Afful, this is a new Committee and it has a critical role to play, as it would work hand in hand with the Finance Ministry when it comes to fiscal policy, revenue expenditure and tax within the fiscal space.

The Chairman further added that same Committee has an oversight role over the Bank of Ghana on Monetary Policy and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).

Again, we have oversight responsibility with all the Ministries, Department and Agencies on how they are spending the appropriation sum approved for them in the 2025 budget. More especially in which areas they are spending the funds; how much was appropriated to them by the Ministry of Finance; and if they got the amount appropriate to them.

Mr Afful further revealed that, they have something to do with the development Authorities – they have oversight over the Middle Belt Authority, Northern Belt Authority and Southern Belt Authority. “Our mandate also covers them and their mandate is broad”.

And anything that relate to the Finance Ministry, which is related to development which would have an economic impact would be referred to them; adding that the government’s 24-hour economy programme is also the work of this committee.

The Committee has to work with the 24-hour Economy Secretariat for them to explain to Ghanaians better how it would impact their lives. “It is a new committee and we need to let its functions well known; and we have drawn up our programme for the year. We are going to monitor various MDAs as to how they are expending their appropriated amounts”.

He disclosed that the Committee is likely to hold public hearing where “we invite all the MDAs; we have to let Ghanaians know what they are doing. The mandate of the committee we cannot keep this committee in the dark, so that people would know the work the Ministries, Department and Agencies are doing.”

He explained that unlike the Public Account Committee (PAC) that relies on the reports of the Auditor General, the Economy and Development Committee would work directly with the MDAs. “We would invite you and you tell Ghanaians the work you are doing. You have been allocated money; we will call you to tell us how you are working to develop this economy”, he concluded.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Deputy Ranking on the Committee on Security and Intelligence Kofi Amankwa-Manu has commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for visiting Bawku in the wake of the escalating Bawku conflict.

He was however not enthused about alleged comment by the IGP in which he said to have asked the youth to lay down their tools and they would be considered for recruitments.

“I am reading from social media, if that is true then the IGPs visit is rather going to create more problems. To say that lay down your tools and then we would consider you for recruitment is something that one cannot understand. It is important to get all parties involved to lay down their tools; for me it would be absurd to recruit people into the security based on the fact that they have laid down their tools which means If you do not meet the criteria to be recruited into the security service, you would be given the opportunity because you have laid down your tools?”.

He expressed worry over the burning of the House of the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for the area Mahama Ayariga; and further added that his colleague the Member of Parliament for Pusiga Laadi Ayii Ayamba was also affect and the steps taken by the IGP is a step in the right direction.

The former deputy defence Minister in the Akufo-Addo led administration, who was speaking at a press conference by the Minority in parliament on Friday lamented that the IGP’s call to the youth is not the way to go, because “we all know the sensitivity surrounding the Bawku issue.”

“So, if one ethnic group laid down their tools and they are recruited into the security service, we all know the chaos it is going to create for the nation. The minority would support every move to get solution and bring finality to this conflict in Bawku. As a border town, if care is not taken and we get these armed groupings to use Bawku as a weak point the entire country would be on its knees”.

Meanwhile, the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh adding his voice to the Bawku conflict situation lamented that this is a major statement made by the IGP since he was appointed; and maybe the statement was made just on the spare of the moment and it’s clearly an unfortunate statement. “If any other person says this, no seriousness would be attached to it but from the IGP, the ramification of that statement is so critical”, he added.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Minority in Parliament has charged the government to take urgent steps to douse the recent violent clashes in Bawku as the New development is worsening and endangering lives and property in the area.

They assert that the intensity and frequency of attacks including sporadic shootings, arson and home invasions have escalated the death toll with many more people said to be missing than those reported dead.

The Minority is particularly disturbed about the growing sophistication of weaponry used in these attacks, which raised questions about the sources of arms and the effectiveness of measures to curb their proliferation. “Recent developments, including targeted bus attacks and the setting ablaze of the residence of Hon. Mahama Ayariga, reflect the increasing volatility of the situation and the level of frustration among sections of the youth”.

At a press conference addressed by the Ranking Member on the Committee of Defense and Interior, Rev. John  Ntim Fordjour contends that any failure to de-escalate tensions leads to a cycle of reprisals, which, if unchecked, will further entrench insecurity in the area.

As a Strategic border town, Bawku’s instability poses a wider national and regional security risk. The expansion of attacks to other regions, including the North East and Ahafo, further underscores the urgent need for a more coordinated response, he emphasized.

They also expressed deep regret at the devastation the conflict is imposing on critical sectors such as education, health noting that not only are schools been forced to shutdown, depriving children of their right to education, but key institutions and businesses are fleeing the area due to safety concerns while various professionals are refusing postings to the area for sale reasons.

Ghanamps.com

The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Mary Ekue Yanzuh, has finally acquitted and discharged the Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.

This brings an end to a protracted three-year legal battle over charges including perjury, forgery, and false declaration.

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, comes after the court found that the prosecution failed to produce sufficient evidence to support the charges brought against the embattled lawmaker.

Gyakye Quayson, who had rejected an offer by the new Attorney General to drop the case, stood trial over accusations stemming from his alleged dual citizenship at the time of filing to contest the 2020 parliamentary elections. The charges included deceit of a public officer, forgery of passport or travel documents, knowingly making false declarations, and perjury.

Had the prosecution made a compelling case, the MP would have been required to open his defence. However, Justice Yanzuh ruled that the evidence was inadequate to warrant such a move.

Mr. Quayson, whose original election in 2020 was nullified by the Supreme Court in 2023 leading to a by-election he subsequently won, expressed relief and vindication following the judgment.

“This is justice for Assin North, and justice for Ghana. This is justice for everybody,” he told the media shortly after his discharge.

Mr. Quayson insisted the case against him was politically motivated and said attempts were made to convict him using falsified documents. But he remained confident throughout the ordeal.

“When you are not wrong, there’s nothing you should be worried about. No matter where you put the person, they will bounce back,” he added.

Ghanamps.com

Agona East Member of Parliament, Queenstar Pokuah Sawyerr made her annual visit to the Islamic communities in Agona East Constituency.

The visit began with a house-to-house outreach to the elderly, where they received special packages containing undisclosed amounts of money.

The Member of Parliament was accompanied by Samuel Oscar Mensah, the Constituency Chairman, and other party executives.

During the visit, donations were made to the communities, including bags of rice, oil, milo, and milk. A prayer was said for the MP and President John Dramani Mahama.

The Muslim community expressed gratitude to the National Democratic Congress government for reducing Hajj fees and building the Hajj village at Accra International Airport.

Hon  Queenstar Pokuah Sawyerr thanked the community for their support in the general elections and promised to represent their interests in Parliament. She also committed to developing the Zongo community and Agona East as a whole.

Ghanamps.com

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced that Government has successfully reclaimed all lands belonging to the Ministry.

“We have reclaimed all of the Ministry’s lands, and I can boldly say that the adjoining lands to the Foreign Ministry and they are now fully belonging to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the people of Ghana “.

The Minister who disclosed this in parliament on Friday affirmed that they have served notice that no ministry’s land would be up for sale .

Relatedly, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that they have stopped the attempted sale of diplomatic properties in Nigeria and Zambia, affirming that they have declared a zero tolerance against the sale of diplomatic assets.

He said “under President Mahama’s government, no diplomatic property would be sold, and we are leading by example, and the attempted sale in Nigeria and Zambia have been g and sanctioned”, he stated.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition John Abdulai Jinapor has vowed to ensure he secures all the missing containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana, (ECG).

“As the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, currently my vision is simple, I want all the 1346 containers accounted for; 1346 containers, whatever it takes I would bring these containers to where they ought to be”.

Setting the record straight on the controversies with regards to the numbers being churned out since news about the missing ECG containers broke out, Mr Jinapor on the floor of Parliament said, “there’s not been any inconsistency; at the Transition Committee, Hon. Ayariga was there, they gave us a figure of 3000, then they told us it had incurred a demurrage of 1.5 billion; I was sworn into office on the 17th, on the 24th, I visited the harbour. At the harbour, I was told the containers were 2500; that is what aroused my suspicion. I didn’t say at the harbor that the containers are 2500; I couldn’t have counted 2500 containers instantaneously”

He continued that he briefed the president on the 27th “and by 31I had established this committee”.

He disclosed that the auditing was done by Professor Senyo, a Chartered Procurement expert and it was during the presentation of the report that he was told that contrary to the figures given out, over 1300 containers cannot be accounted for. “These are the facts and nothing but the facts”, he added.

The Minister, however, assured that he would not be deterred by publications on social media about the development, and would do all it takes to secure the containers and bring the perpetrator to justice.

He disclosed that he and the National Security operatives visited four warehouses at Kpone on Friday; two of which are factories, “and what they’ve been doing over the years is that they buy these containers with brand new aluminum cables and then melt them into aluminum rods and export them”.

He also affirmed the president’s commitment to getting to the root of the problem, stating that “yesterday when the President Mahama called me, his message was simple, Jinapor you have my full backing, go the full trotting”.

He assured that they are working to achieve the president’s wish thus some Chinese Nationals have been arrested and they are on the trail of some Indian Nationals who have bolted.

According to him, he has received a lot of briefing; and he is getting to know the people behind it”, stating that these unfortunate actions have been going on for years but he will stop it.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has taken a swipe at the Majority side of the House in their delay in presenting the 2025 budget estimates and lists of re-composed delegation to the Pan African Parliament when the House met on Monday, March 24, 2025.

He states, “the 2025 budget estimate no show, lists of re-compose delegation to the Pan African Parliament no show, and a member to the Pan African Parliament in the eighth Parliament Collins Dawuda, who is in the chamber and want to represent Ghana at the continental Parliament looks sad”.

But the Minority Chief Whip’s comment did not go down well with the Asutifi South MP who pointed out that, he has always been happy in the past eight years even when he was being prosecuted.

“When it comes to approval of budget estimates, what has changed? When he was Majority whip in the eighth Parliament, it was same thing we should rather appeal and not satisfy the gallery”.

Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor on his part pointed out that since they have 24-Hour Economy, Members of Parliament should be prepared to work within the twenty-four-hour economy.

Hon Matthew Nyandam on his part stressed the need for welfare of MPs to be taken seriously, stating that sitting late into the night was not good for health of MPs more especially a government which claims its resetting.

“We should not sit beyond 10:00pm; if this was being done previously that is why we had the change and said we are resting so March 28, 2025 as the House goes on recess we should not sit late into the night”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com