Author: Kwaku GhanaMPs

During the 65th CPA General Assembly which took place at the 65 Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Canada, Members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) elected Hon. Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP (United Kingdom) as the new Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee.

 He has held the role of Acting Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee since April 2021.

The CPA Chairperson is elected for three years by the CPA General Assembly and works with the CPA Secretary-General and the CPA Headquarters Secretariat to lead the Association.

Members also endorsed the appointment of Hon. Shri Anurag Sharma, MP, and Member of the Lok Sabha at the Parliament of India as the new CPA Treasurer.

 The Treasurer, who is a Member of the Association nominated by the Executive Committee, is appointed for three years by the General Assembly and works with the CPA Secretary-General and the CPA Headquarters Secretariat to monitor the finances of the Association.

The CPA Treasurer also heads the Trustees of the Association.

The 65th CPA General Assembly was followed by a meeting of the new CPA Executive Committee during which Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, MP, Majority Leader and Member of the Parliament of Ghana was confirmed for the position of Vice-Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee. The position of Vice-Chairperson is for a term of one year and the holder is also a Member of the CPA Co-ordinating Committee.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) organises its annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) to address global political issues and developments in the parliamentary system through conference workshops and sessions for leading Parliamentarians representing Parliaments and Legislatures throughout the Commonwealth.

The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

Ghanamps.com /CPA news

Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has been elected as the sole candidate for vice chairmanship position of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Ghanamps.com can confirm that at the ongoing 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference in Canada, the Executive Committee unanimously chose Ghana’s Minister for Parliamentary Affairs as sole candidate on Wednesday, August 24, 2022.

His confirmation for the position is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Thursday, August 25, 2022, during the plenary session of the ongoing 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. The personal aid to the Minister noted that so far the various meetings have gone on well as planned.

The lawmaker expressed optimism that the conference recognised Ghana’s enormous contribution through his intervention in the Commonwealth parliament.

“I guess they have all appreciated Ghana’s contribution and my interventions, the result is that, by unanimity, the Executive Committee has resolved to put me up as the sole candidate for the Vice Chairmanship of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. It will be done tomorrow at plenary”, he said

In a related development, a UK MP Hon. Ian Liddell-Grainger was also elected as the sole candidate for the chairmanship position.

If confirmed the two parliamentarians would be working together to steer  affairs of the Commonwealth Parliament Association.

The UK MP is also the Chairperson of the CPA UK Branch Executive Committee.

Ghanamps.com

The Minority in Parliament has taken a swipe at government for the current increases in utility tariffs; electricity and water stating that it would worsen the already difficult economic hardship of Ghanaians, particularly so when the performance of the cedi against other major trading currencies keeps deteriorating. They noted that the Cedi has in recent times witnessed a free fall-reaching almost 50% and currently rated amongst the worst performing currencies in the world.
The Minority in a statement signed by John Abdulai Jinapor, Ranking Member, Mines and Energy Committee said “the country is already reeling under a galloping inflation estimated at about 32%, thus, this utility tariff increment will only exacerbate the current high cost of living and will thus worsen the plight of the already impoverished Ghanaian”.

Even more troubling is the fact that prior to this electricity tariff increment, “Petroleum products at the pumps have witnessed a colossal increment of about 100%.”So far the Energy Debt Recovery Levy has seen an increase of 20%; the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy is up by 40%. The Unified Petroleum Pricing Formula has been increased by 164%, whilst the BOST margin has been increased from 3 Pesewas to 9 Pesewas representing 200% increase. As if this is not enough, the fuel marking margin levy has also been increased by another 233%”.

They also debunked the misleading conclusion that the PURC has increased the Electricity tariffs by 27% for all consumers. “A critical look at the tariff structure as announced reveals that all residential consumers who falls between 0-300 kWh bracket have witnessed a price increase from GHp/kWh 65.4161 to GHp/kWh89.0422, representing an increment of almost 34%. It should be noted that the bulk of residential consumers fall within the 0-300 kWh bracket and will therefore be adversely affected by the 34% adjustment”.

In view of this, the Minority is calling on the government to take measures to cushion Ghanaians who are going through unimaginable hardships with ever worsening poverty levels. They argued that government has made unexpected windfall of about USD500,000 from Ghana’s share of petroleum resources from crude exports which accrued in the 2022 mid-year budget statement, which can be used to cushion the struggling masses.

Ghanamps.com

The Member of Parliament for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA), Samuel Atta Mills has lobbied Ghana Gas to construct Astroturf and an ultramodern classroom with ICT center in Komenda as part of bringing development to the people of Kissi in Komenda. A sod cutting ceremony has been held to officially commence works on the projects which would also see improvement on the drainage system in the area where the facility will be constructed.

In an interview with Ghanamps.com, the lawmaker for KEEA pointed out that there are a lot of second division teams in his constituency and the youth are more than eager to do something meaningfully with their God given talents, and believes the construction of the astroturf will really help showcase their talents and be able to play football at higher levels; “who knows any of the kids here could end up playing for the Ghanaian national team or outside the country”.

Mr. Samuel Mills further pointed out that Kissi in Komenda where the astroturf would be constructed has problems with flooding when it rains; and as part of the facility, there would be works on the drainage to improve the flow of water in the town and stop the flooding. According to him, Ghana Gas is embarking on the projects as part of their corporate social responsibility; “this is where I was born, and went to school, and I know what I have gained out of education in this town, and it’s a nice way to pay back and glorify Ghana’s former late President John Atta Mills.

This is where “he trained as a sports man and it’s good to do something befitting like these in our hometown”. Touching on the Komenda Sugar Factory, he noted that when it was operational previously the town of Komenda and Kissi were very vibrant; it brought in quite a lot of people who help with development. And was an idea of his late big brother John Evans Atta Mills as it creates seven thousand direct and indirect jobs and will boost the economy of KEEA. As such he is going to fight for it, and recounted that when he was young he used to sell ‘sweet bad’.

He assured that this will not be the only project that he will lobby for his constituency as there are so many other projects that he has gone to lobby for the constituency. “This is the first one that has come on at Kissi, there are several projects that are coming on and other projects for KEEA, and this is not the only astroturf coming to KEEA, there is a second one coming and the appropriate time the town will be named”, he stated.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Member of Parliament for the Atebubu-Amantin constituency, Sanja Nanja has pledged his support for a ‘child parliament’ project in his constituency.

The project undertaken by the Atebubu-Amantin municipal office of the National Commission For Civic Education with funding from World Vision Ghana is aimed at imparting onto the children drawn mainly from first and second year pupils in junior high schools in the municipality, the workings of parliamentary democracy as well as the functions and importance of the legislative body.

According to Mr. Patrick Tampugre, the municipal director of the Commission, it also seeks to imbibe in them the art of public speaking, lobbying skills, and advocacy especially on issues affecting child well-being in their communities.

Addressing the child-parliamentarians at an inaugural ceremony in Atebubu, the MP urged them to take the opportunity to study the duties of a Member of Parliament to help address some of the misconceptions that go with the functions of that office.

He praised World Vision Ghana for the numerous interventions in the municipality over the years and called for adequate resources for the NCCE to enable it better execute its mandate.

Hon. Sanja Nanja made a cash donation for the refreshment of the children.

A representative of World Vision Ghana, Mr. Michael Clottey said the ‘child parliament’ concept is in tandem with the focus of his outfit which is to ensure the wellbeing of children.

He said as the non-governmental organization gets ready to exit the municipality, it is concerned with the sustainability of the gains it has made hence the decision to fund the project which he hoped will help children advocate for the necessary resources and facilities that will make life a bit more comfortable for their communities especially children.

The forty member house deliberated on the issue of child marriage looking specifically at the causes, effects and remedies after which they took an oath of office administered by Hon. Gariba Issa who deputized for the municipal director of education.

Present were Mr. Eric Boakye who represented the immediate past Member of Parliament for the constituency Hon. Kofi Amoakohene, Mr. Abdul Aziz Suglo Toyibu, Planning Officer of the municipal assembly who stood in for the Chief Executive and a number of teachers.

Daniel Oduro-Steward/Ghanamps.com

The Parliament of Ghana on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 approved a loan facility of One Hundred and Thirty-Five Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighteen Euros and Thirty-Eight Cents (€135,396,518.38) for the design and construction of phase 1 of the Suame interchange and ancillary works project at Kumasi.

The House in accordance with article 181 of the 1992 Constitution approved by resolution, the

i. Buyer’s Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Deutsche Bank S.A.E. (as Arranger, Structuring Bank Mandated Lead Arranger and Agent) for an amount of One Hundred and Thirty-five Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighteen Euros and Thirty-Eight Cents (C135,396 518.38) [supported by a CESCE Insurance Premium] to finance the Design and construction of Phase 1 of the Suame Interchange and Ancillary Works Project at Kumasi, Republic of Ghana.
ii.  Commercial Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Deutsche Bank S.A.E. (as Arranger, Structuring Bank, Mandated Lead Arranger and Agent) for an amount of Twenty-One Million Euros (€21,000,000.00) to finance the Design and Construction of Phase 1 of the Suame Interchange and Ancillary Works Project at Kumasi.

SCOPE OF WORKS

The Suame Interchange is made up of a 4-Tier interchange with the following functional characteristics:
I.  First Tier – This is a roundabout at the ground level. It caters for left and U-turns movements.

II. Second Tier – This level is for through movement from Kejetia towards Offinso and also caters for movement from Kejetia to Mampong.

III. Third Tier – This tier, provides for movement for movement from PV Obeng Road towatds Western  by-pass and PV Obeng Road towards Offinso Road.

IV.  Fourth Tier – This level is for movement from Offinso Road to PV Obeng Road

V. The interchange shall be 4 composite of steel and concrete structure. The beams shall be steel box girders.

Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for the Suame Constituency described the traffic situation in the area as bad due to poor road network and expressed optimism that the construction of the interchange and the ancillary roads would bring relieve to the travelling public.

He called on the people living in the area to bear with the inconveniences that come with the project and cooperate with the contractor to do the work.

Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu had the unpleasant experience of being pelted at with sachet water and chased out of the area because of the poor road network; as such the loan approval comes as good news to everybody.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin has cautioned that investments made by the President Nana Akufo-Addo government should not be allowed to be watered down.

According to him government would be beyond aid and is focused on the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy without which parents could not afford to pay for school fees of their children.

“I stand here as MP by luck and the grace of God that took me through secondary education; if 1995 and 1997 grace was not sufficient,  I will have dropped out in my final year. It took the bursary of Paa Kwesi Nduom  which I worn which got me to register for my final exam and we talk about the many Ghanaians then and now who were in my situation and did not get any help”.

Addressing the media on Monday, July 25, 2022, he noted that many Ghanaians are benefiting from the Free SHS, without which many Ghanaian students from the hinterland will not have gained admonition to first class schools.

“I believe we must sustain Free SHS and government says it is not giving up on it. Previously, we had many of our nurses graduating who have to stay home for four and five years, and I dare any NDC MP to say we have a nurse stay home for three years; all of them have been absorbed into the system”.

And further added that there has been recruitment of security personnel’s to the newly created districts as the sector Minister provided the figures and it is for the NDC MPs to challenge it. “Again we are not comparing ourselves to their colleagues in the NDC”.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin cautioned Ghanaians not to allow themselves to be lied to as a way of returning to power, stating that it is the same NDC appointees leading them for another quest for power, “what did they do when they had the power? They are not better than us”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin has set the record straight that the Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta did not come to Parliament on Monday, July 25, 2022 to see parliamentary approval in the presentation of the 2022 Mid-Year Budget review.

According to him, he already has approval on every expenditure he is making within the threshold and the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu could not attack the Finance Minister on unconstitutional conduct because the Minister was well fortified by the provision of the constitution.

In a media engagement on Monday, July 25, 2022, he noted that the Finance Minister as part of his obligation to Parliament as provided in the constitution Article 148 came to the floor and he made it clear that he was not before, “us to move for a motion, but to make a statement under the appropriation Act. We provided a celling, so once the Minister is not going outside the celling, it is proper for him to update the House”.

Anyone who would attempt to say there was a requirement for a motion to be moved may be in error. This is what he said at paragraph 82, “We concede that times are hard and things are not what we desired, but believe in the overcoming spirit of the Ghanaian people, a spirit that does not cower in the face of challenges. It is this spirit that inspires us as a Government to provide the leadership that is required”.

According to him, the NPP government upon assumption of office took immediate steps to implement without delay every single intervention programme it promise while in opposition. In doing so government is not attempt to increase taxation, rather reviewed the taxation they inherited from the NDC government, some were reviewed downwards and some taken off completely.

E-Levy is the first major fiscal policy in terms of taxation that government introduced. “The first major, of cause someone may talk of the pollution levies; all those are minor levies but “I am saying a major levy that was introduced to address some challenges is the E-Levy”.

When the NDC was in power Ghanaians pleaded with them to reduce the electricity tariffs they could not do, and when NPP under Akufo-Addo took office electricity tariffs were reduced between 17 to 30 percent, household and cooperate institutions enjoyed rebate, bulk users enjoyed rebate, those are facts that anyone who does not like this government can attest to, he emphasised.

One macroeconomic indicator he noted that from 2017to 2019 this country was enjoying a steady growth even enjoying  a single digit inflation, then COVID-19 pandemic struck which took us all by surprise not only Ghana, the world all over,  so should NDC appointees and MP “come to you and tell you that the difficulties we are in is as a result of mismanagement it is one of the propaganda because the world over every government is complaining one way or the other”.

He said for NDC to go to IMF when there was no such crises to turn round and claim they are better managers of the economy because we  have to go to the IMF now for sustainability,  for them to support us to balance our payment means Ken Ofori Atta is incompetent is rich to say the least.

“I see the NDC posture as their usual politics as Mr. Speaker describes it is unfortunate and that we were all thinking the democracy has come this far, they will not want to reason with us by looking at the real issues. As a government we are focusing on reviving the economy that is why government is still putting in place incentive to support the economy”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com