Author: nii Ghanamps

In the wake of the act of vandalism of vehicles in parliament on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, security has been beefed up at the premises of the lawmaking House.

Parliament’s security personnel could be seen giving thorough checks on visitors who were coming to the premises of Parliament House.

Even journalists signed to the House were directed to display their identification cards for checks before being allowed into the premises.

On Wednesday, December 18, 2024 two suspects namely Wisdom Ahlie, forty-two and Christopher Okyere, thirty-three were apprehended by the police in Parliament House for vandalizing windscreens and side glasses of parked vehicles in Parliament House.

Five vehicles were involved; two Toyota Land cruisers belonging to Members of Parliament, a Toyota Rav 4, and twoToyota Camry belonging to staff of the parliamentary service.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The sitting of the seventh meeting of Ghana’s Parliament has been reverted to the chamber, after the previous three days meetings were held at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre when the chamber was not fully finished.

As at the time of writing this story Ghanamps.com saw Members of Parliament talking among themselves discussing the new look of the chamber.

Members of Parliament are waiting for estimates of the first quarter of next year being worked on to be presented on the floor for approval.

The new chamber has an upgraded microphone which pops up when the Rt. Hon. Speaker recognizes you to speak and goes off after the presiding Speaker has finished recognizing you.

As expected, Members of the Majority side have not shown up on the floor of the House

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

It was a moment of joy for the people of Akim Oda and its environs on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 when the President of the Republic Nana Akufo Addo commissioned the new Oda Central Market.
The over 1000 capacity modern Oda Central Market, not only have stores and stalls, but have other facilities including crèche, fire station, restaurant, washrooms among others that guaranteed convenience and safety of the traders.

At the commissioning, the President flanked by Members of Parliament in the area including the host MP, Alexander Akwesi Acquah and the common fund Administrator expressed gratitude to the people for their support or the years, reminding that they remain one of the constituencies that ensured his rise to the presidency.

He was delighted that his contribution as president to uplifting the image of the constituency has also been appreciated by the people as they did not hide their Joy over the completion of the market project.
The Member of Parliament for Akim Oda, Alexander Akwesi Acquah revealed that it took the president to intervene for the initial plan for the reconstruction to be changed and improved to include the facilities and increased capacity in order that more people would be accommodated in the market. This, he added attests to the love the president has for the constituents.

Oda Market Fire
On September 13, 2021, the Oda Central Market suffered a major inferno damaging a large part of the market and people’s wares running into millions of cedis were destroyed.

The Government assessing the extent of damage pledged to give the people a new market befitting of their status.
And through the District Assembly Common Fund Administrator, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, the government restored hope to the people and commenced the reconstruction process.

The initial plan had to be changed with additional facilities with directive from the president as stated by the MP for the area, Alexander Akwesi Acquah.

It is also worthy of note that, even before the reconstruction of the market, government intervened with soft loans to the traders especially those affected by the inferno to help them get back on their feet and be able to make ends meet.
Ghanadistricts.com

Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah has served notice of withdrawing as independent candidate in the upcoming election. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmaker had served notice of contesting the December 7, 2024 parliamentary election as an independent candidate. He was therefore one of the four MPs whose seats were declared vacant by the Speaker of Parliament that the Supreme Court eventually declared as unconstitutional.

In a release to announce his withdrawal, the MP stated, “Pursuant to the decision by the High Court and the Electoral Commission to clear the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for this year’s election, I believe that my reasons for filing to contest the election as an independent candidate are no longer tenable”, he said in a statement.

He added that, he would like to thank the Elders of the party and other leading members of the party for their invaluable counsel that has led to this decision in the supreme interest of the party.
“Long live the NDC, long live Amenfi Central, long live Ghana”, he added.
Ghanamps.com

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament has challenged President Nana Akufo-Addo, his Vice Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, Education Minister Dr. Adutwum and his deputy Rev Ntim Fordjour to publicly consume the remaining samples of Moshosho rice from India.

According to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa the contaminated rice has criminally and callously been re-barged, twenty-two thousand barges in 50kg and used to feed Senior High School (SHS) students across the country.

The act, he said was done by the National Food Buffer Stock Company and Lamens Africa Investment Ltd which have been at the center of the scandal from December 2023 to April 30, 2024, and further expressed worry that the Education Ministry is defending the company despite the company admitting culpability.

“We strongly condemn this irresponsible and reckless conduct of the Ministry of Education and the government; and the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government must provide answers to the following pertinent questions from the people we represent in this parliament”.

• Why has the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government failed to initiate an independent, impartial and credible investigation into this heart-wrenching matter and why has the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government become spokespersons for the notorious Lamens?

  • Again, why was Lamens not blacklisted in 2020 when the Auditor-General made damning findings against the company about other unwholesome food items it distributed to schools?

  • Why did NAFCO, led by Alhaji Hanan Abdul-Wahab and Nana Boakye permit their NAFCO storage facility in Kumasi to be used by Lamens for this criminal re-bagging?

  • Why did NAFCO enter into this callous and criminal conspiracy with Lamens to put the lives of our students at risk?

  • Did NAFCO not seek approval from the FDA for the dubious repackaging exercise. NAFCO failed to comply with the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) which requires that all NAFCO storage facilities across the country be registered?

  • As at today, NAFCO has failed to comply with utter impunity and continues to put the health of our children at great risk. Is the claim by the Education Ministry that the FDA extended the best before date from December 2023 to April 30, 2024, accurate?

  • If this claim is accurate, can the FDA explain to Ghanaians under what law and authority they extended the expiry date for Lamens as claimed by the Education Ministry. What are the FDA’s protocols for such strange extensions? How did Lamens manage to obtain this extension the same day it applied to the FDA?

  • Why has the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration not sanction any official involved in this grave matter? Who are the shadowy government actors who ensured the release of officials of Lamens after their arrest and who are the unpatriotic and dangerous government officials who put pressure on the FDA to change their position on this matter?

  • How did Lamens move from a culpable and fined company to a darling company of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government?

  • Have, the directors of Lamens escaped prosecution all these years?

“The NDC caucus asserts that President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia cannot remain silent on this grave matter which jeopardizes the health of millions of Ghanaian students. The nation is looking up to them to offer leadership, punish culprits who are largely their appointees and implement reforms to ensure the safety of our children. The NDC Caucus also demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of the directors of Lamens Investments Africa Limited”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin has given indication of recalling parliament in early November.
The Speaker gave the indication when a five-member delegation of the Council of State, led by the Chairman, Nana Otuo Siribuor, called on him on October 30, 2024 over the impasse in Parliament leading to the Speakers indefinite adjournment of the House.

A release from the Parliamentary Service noted that “The Rt. Hon. Speaker however indicated that he will return to Ghana earlier than anticipated, due to a request by Members of Parliament to recall Parliament. He indicated that his office has already started processes to recall the House in early November.

This was after the Speaker informed the delegation that he was compelled to lead the Ghana parliamentary delegation to attend the 67th Conference of the CPA international at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from the 3rd to the 8th of November, 2024.

Ghanamps.com

The Council of state has intervened to resolve the impasse in parliament resulting in the indefinite adjournment of the House.

This follows a courtesy call on the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin by a five-member delegation of the Council of State, led by the Chairman, Nana Otuo Siribuor, to ascertain at first hand, happenings in the legislature in recent times, resulting in the adjournment of the House indefinitely. Per a release from the Parliamentary Service, dated October 30, 2024, after a long deliberation, members of the Council assured the Rt. Hon Speaker of their preparedness to assist him and the leadership of the House to resolve whatever impasse there may be, to pave the way for a recall of the House.

The Speaker, who gave a brief about the situation and the basis of his pronouncements on the floor of the House, assured the delegation of his commitment to the development of the country’s democracy and its people.

The Council applauded the efforts of the Speaker, in keeping the democratic credentials of the country high, through efficient handling of the legislature and his leadership as the President of Parliamentary Organizations like the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, International, (C PA), Conference of the Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) and an Executive member of the International Legislative Advisory Council of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in the United States of America. This, HRH Nana Otuo Siribuor encouraged him to continue with the good works in the interest of Ghana and all Ghanaians.
Meanwhile, the Speaker has informed the delegation that he was compelled to lead the Ghana parliamentary delegation to attend the 67th Conference of the CPA international at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from the 3rd to the 8th of November, 2024.

A five-member delegation of the Council of State, led by the Chairman, Nana Otuo Siribuor, today called on the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin to ascertain at first hand, happenings in the legislature in recent times, resulting in the adjournment of the Howe indefinitely.
After a long deliberation, members of the Council assured the Rt. Hon Speaker of their preparedness to assist him and the leadership of the House to resolve whatever impasse there may be, pave the way for a recall of the House.
The Speaker gave a brief of the situation in Parliament and the basis of his pronouncements on the floor of the House. He assured the delegation of his commitment to the development of the country’s democracy and its people.

The Council applauded the efforts of the Speaker, in keeping the democratic credentials of the country high, through efficient handling of the legislature and his leadership as the President of Parliamentary Organizations like the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, International, (C PA), Conference of the Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) and an Executive member of the International Legislative Advisory Council of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in the United States of America.
HRH Nana Otuo Siribuor encouraged him to continue with the good works in the interest of Ghana and all Ghanaians.

Mr Speaker has informed the delegation that he was compelled to lead the Ghana parliamentary delegation to attend the 67th Conference of the CPA international at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from the 3rd to the 8th of November, 2024.

Ghanamps.com

The National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) position as Majority in parliament is short-lived as the Supreme Court of the land barely 24 hours stays execution of ruling of the Speaker of Parliament declaring four seats vacant pending determination of the substantive suit.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court on Friday, October 18, 2024, granted the stay of execution following an ex parte application filed by the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

Ghanamps.com

The Deputy Minister of Health, Alexander Akwesi Acquah has urged his colleague politicians particularly Members of Parliament to desist from politicizing issues of health as that could hinder confidence in the health sector in the country.

Reacting to the Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh’s visit to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital regarding the broken down elevators, Mr Acquah said the action of the Ranking Member smacks of someone with political motive than seeking to find genuine solution to the problem.

“My brother, health is health, we need to decouple health from our political issues”, he affirmed.

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, he noted, is Ghana’s premier health facility that takes referrals from all other health facilities across the country, and anyone is likely to end there in search of health delivery. Therefore, it is not healthy to make the place look like a grave yard due to the negative image we give it, he said.

Mr. Acquah who was reacting on GhOne TV argued that instead of storming the place with cameras, Mr. Akandoh could have just called authorities at the facility to get briefing; and added that if the Ranking Member had done that, he would have been told that management was already working to solve the problem.

He asserts that that Korle Bu like any other institution has management that oversees the running of the facility and it was within their remits to find solution to the problem, and they were at it before Mr. Akandoh went to whip up public sentiment with the cameras that he sent there.

HE berates the action of the Ranking member saying it did not expose anything as the management was already aware and dealing with it.

“The Korle Bu administration knew about it and they’ve been working at it, Korle Bu has a CEO  who has underlying managers, it doesn’t take the Minister or the deputy to know that Korle Bu’s lift is not working; and they are working at it. This is a regular routine maintenance”.

He said the traffic alone that uses the lift at the facility is quite on the high side and these breakdowns are expected from time to time, and management would always step in to make them functional again. “And so if for a moment the lifts are spoilt and the technicians are working at it, it doesn’t have to take honourable Akandoh, to come there before it is fixed; no it has been fixed, they were working on it, they had fixed some and they were working on the remaining ones.

He said this attempt to always make government look bad, is not helping the sector as the Ministry’s mandate goes beyond just fixing elevators.

The Deputy Minister who revealed that he equally patronizes the services of the Korle Bu Hospital because he carries out all his health check-ups in Ghana said the lifts works all the time, and reiterates that the traffic on it accounts for why it breaks down from time to time because it is a gadget.

Ghanamps.com

The Parliament of Ghana at its third meeting of the eighth parliament passed some five bills consisting as indicated in the chart.