Author: Enestina GhanaMPs

The Minister of Health Kwabena Minta Akandoh has told Parliament that his Ministry is fully committed to addressing the cholera and meningitis outbreaks as they work with their partners to control the outbreak to protect the health of all Ghanaians.

According to him they are implementing a range of measures to address these challenges including:
* Strengthening surveillance to detect and track cases.
* Providing timely and effective treatment to those affected.
* Raising public awareness about prevention and control measures.
* Collaborating with local and international partners to coordinate our
response.

In addition to that he pointed out that together with his team they have been to the following places:
• Upper West (Meningitis Response)
• Regional Health Directorate
• Wa Na’s Palace
• Nadowli District Hospital
• Queen of Peace SHS
• Wa Regional Hospital
• Greater Accra and
• Central Regions
For Cholera Response, the team visited
• Mamprobi hospital
• Martyrs of Uganda School
• Winneba Municipal Hospital
• Winneba Township
• Winneba Beach front and
• Swedru Municipal Hospital

He further encouraged all health workers especially those in the hard-hit districts to support the ongoing response to the outbreak.

Similarly, he called on the Municipal/District Assemblies including local authorities responsible for water, sanitation, and food safety, to actively play their part in enforcing local bye-laws, ensuring access to safe water as well as the media to support the public education and awareness some more to fully prevent any further spread of these outbreaks.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Members of the National Democratic Congress in the Dendo Sasekope Ward in the South Tongu Municipality have received a cash donation of five thousand Ghana cedis for delivering the highest percentage of votes in the December 7, 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary elections in the constituency.

The event was graced by constituency executives, branch/ward leaders and local electorates, reinforcing the strong ties between the Member of Parliament Maxwell Kwame Lukutor and his people as he fulfilled his promise.

Addressing the community, the MP expressed deep appreciation for their overwhelming support and assured them of his dedication to both legislative duties and constituency development.

He emphasized the importance of investing the funds wisely to address local challenges, urging the community to use the donation for a sustainable project that would benefit everyone.

“This is a reward for your hard work and loyalty to the NDC. Your determination contributed significantly to our party’s success. However, this money will only be meaningful if used to solve a problem or improve the community. Let’s make it count,” he stated.

The Dendo-Sasekope ward recorded an impressive 75% voter turnout, with a staggering 94% of votes cast for NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama.

This contribution helped South Tongu to achieve a national-best performance of 93.33% for the NDC. The landslide victory saw Mr Lukutor secure a commanding 40,668-votes margin over the NPP, further solidifying the party’s dominance in the constituency.

Hon. Kwame Lukutor’s strong grassroots connection and leadership approach played a pivotal role in securing this trust and loyalty. His fulfillment of campaign promises signals a new era of accountable leadership, setting an example for political representatives across the country.

Ghanamps.com

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has told Parliament that the Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson will present President John Dramani Mahama’s first budget on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 on the floor of the House on behalf of the President.

According to him the Finance Minister indicated that he was prepared to present the budget on Monday, March 10, 2025 but he indicated to him that the House does not sit on Mondays hence the need to push it to Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

This came to light on Friday, February 14, 2025 when the Minority wanted to know when the Finance Minister will be in the House to present this year’s budget.

Meanwhile, the Leader of Government Business has revealed to the House that the President will be in the House on Thursday, February 27, 2025 to deliver his message on the State of the Nation (SONA).

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The South Tongu lawmaker, Kwame Maxwell Lukutor believes for accelerated development at the various constituencies and Assemblies there is a need for strong collaboration between Members of Parliament and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDAs).

According to him he has decided not to take sides as to who becomes the next Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) in his Municipality so he has decided to stay neutral.

He affirmed that he was elected to represent the people at the legislature and not as an MCE, and that is what he is focused on. But hopes who ever will be given the opportunity would be someone who will deliver effectively whether the MP is there or not. “You must be sure someone is keeping your back not withstanding his position”.

He believes that any party member who has helped the party to come to government and is competent for the role and being appointed should not be an issue.

For us, once we all believe we are from one constituency and understand each other we hold it a duty to work together to promote development. We should be able to help whoever is given the nod to play his or her role as an MCE. “There were ten people for that slot, I called all of them and assured them I was positively neutral and wish all of them well”, he said in an interview.

He disclosed that in the build-up to their short listing, there were some misunderstandings and “I tried to resolve them and cautioned people to tone down because we are one people; it’s only one who will be selected and appointed. Some have been short listed, we are waiting for the one person to be appointed by the president, we will all be behind and ensure the assembly members confirm them”.

On the issue of MPs not being development agents, he maintained that despite their primary role as lawmakers, they owe some responsibility to their constituents, adding that one cannot only come to make laws and leave development out in the constituency.

“The responsibility given to you as an MP, you need to widen your scope with the MPs common fund; you need to leverage on your position to get more for your constituents” stating that he has had some meetings with leadership of some companies to see what they can do in terms of corporate social responsibility to be able to help the constituents.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Mr Bawah Muhammad Braimah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ejura Sekyeredumase, has implored the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to institute an investigation into the burning down of the Ejura Police station by some irate youth on January 11, 2025.

The legislator also asked the Police Administration to bring all perpetrators involved in the incident to book to serve as deterrent to others.

In a statement read on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 13, Mr Braimah appealed to the IGP to urgently rebuild the police station and increase the number of police personnel to ensure effective policing in the town.

It will be recalled that on January 11, 2025, some irate residents from Ejura attacked the Ejura police station and set it ablaze following the sudden demise of Masaudu Shaibu, a suspect in lawful custody, assisting the Police in investigation over alleged purchase of a stolen mobile phone case.

The MP stated that the deceased, while in police custody, complained of stomach upset, and was subsequently rushed to the Ejura Government Hospital.

However, he died on admission at the health facility.

The news of Shaibu’s death spread like a wildfire in the Ejura township, infuriating the youth to mobilise themselves to attack the police station and set it ablaze.

The legislator expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and also condemned in no certain terms the burning down of the police station.

He bemoaned the recent youth vandalism of state facilities anytime there is a report of demise of a suspect in lawful custody.

The MP observed that most of the mob attacks were fuelled by misinformation over alleged police brutalities of victims.

While contributing to the statement, Mr Frank Afriyie, the MP for Afadjato South, expressed dismay over the frequent violence posture by the youth and advised that they employ dialogue in finding solutions to nagging matters.

The legislator expressed concerns about the First Aid administration in the country’s police stations and called for it to be taken seriously to save lives.

Mr Sanja Nanja, the MP for Atebubu Amantin and Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the MP for Assin South, both shared their thoughts on the statement and added their voices for the IGP to investigate the matter and punish those involved in the arson attack on the police station.

Godwill Arthur- Mensah

The Appointment Committee of Parliament would on Monday, February 24, 2025, start vetting deputy minister nominees.

Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, Minister designate for public sector, will be the first to appear before the Committee, followed by Thomas Nyarko Ampem deputy Finance Minister designate, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Interior and Sampson Ahi, Deputy Trade and Agribusiness and Industry.

Tuesday, February 25, 2025, will be the turn of Deputy Education Minister designate, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, Richard Gyan-Mensah, Deputy Minister designate for Energy and Green Transition, Deputy Minister designate, Food and Agriculture John Kofi Setor Dumelo.

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, Deputy designate for Roads and Highways, Justice Srem-Sai Deputy Justice and Attorney General, Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Yusif Sulemana and Yussif Issaka Jajah Deputy Tourism Culture and Creative Arts will also have their turn.

The final lists of the first lists to be vetted on Thursday February 27, includes Rita Naa Odoley Sowah Deputy Minister designate for Local Government, chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Deputy Minister Works, Housing and Water Resources Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui and Ernest Brogya Genfi Deputy Minister of Defence.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The third Deputy Speaker of the Community Parliament and Minority Leader in Ghana’s 9th Parliament Alexander Kwamena-Afenyo Markin has lauded his former colleague at the Community Parliament and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga for his special skills in conflict resolution.

The former first rapporteur on the Committee of Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), and the current Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, Mahama Ayariga promised to investigate the raiding of the private residence of the former Finance Minister when a statement was made on the floor of the House to condemn the act.

The Leader of Government Business promised the House to cross check and get back to the House, on Thursday, February 13, 2025 and true to his words came back and apologized for the unlawful entry into the private residence of the former Finance Minister.

“On behalf of the President John Mahama who believes in upholding the rights and liberty of individual Ghanaians, I believe the act was unfortunate”, he state.

The Minority Leader, Afenyo-Markin in response assured the Majority Leader that their side will engage them constructively to do politics in a very descent way. “Let us respect each other and use words that are complementary to each other. I am an NPP, proudly so; you are NDC, proudly so; we should not use this platform to denigrate each other, sometimes the way we go after our leaders, the little said about it the better”.

He cautioned his colleagues to be mindful of the kind of politics they do, stating that if one checks the 2024 election results, “the percentage turn out in the Central Region, we did not go beyond 60, same in the Volta region; around the same percentage in Ashanti, Upper East and Western, then almighty Greater Accra where all the mighty politics is done find out the percentage turn out”.

He said what this means is that “a percentage of our population is getting fed up with us with the political class, because of our conduct”, he stressed.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has told Parliament that the unlawful entering of the private residence of the former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori Atta is regrettable and has gotten assurance from the National Security Coordinator that it will not be repeated.

This follows a statement made by the deputy Minority whip Habib Iddrisu on the floor of the House on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, and the Majority Leader promised to carry out some investigation and brief the House when various commentaries were made on the floor of the House.

“I am making these remarks on behalf of the President John Dramani Mahama who said he will reset Ghana which means everybody should act in compliance with the law and the mandate of the state institutions”.

He stated that it is true that the private residence of Ken Ofori Atta was raided by the operatives of the National Security and police led by someone who works at the National Security Coordinator’s office, Mr. Gyakpa. And added that they have investigated the matter and assured Ghanaians and Parliamentarians that they have received assurance of the National Security Coordinator that it was not their intention for that to happen; adding, “that occurrence is most regrettable and unfortunate” and giving his word to the House that a thing like that will not happen again.

Again, we have a constitution to uphold; it has in it embedded fundamental human rights and right to privacy and President John Mahama remained committed to ensure that the right and liberty of every individual is respected.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Minority has expressed worry over state sponsored intimidation, selective justice and political witch hunt of former government officials under former President Nana Akufo-Addo as Tuesday, February 11, 2025, army military officials, police officers and plain clothed security operatives without warrant or justification stormed the private residence of Ken Ofori-Atta former Finance Minister.

Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei at a press conference on Thursday, February 13, 2025, noted that the Government was officially informed of the former Finance Minister seeking medical attention outside the country stating that both the former and current chiefs of staff were notified.

Similarly, the former director of operations at the Jubilee House, Lord Commey’s residence was raided to unlawfully seize vehicles as well as the former Minister of Defense, Dominic Nitiwul’s residence.

She accused the very leaders who cried foul over what they claimed to be military intimidation while in opposition are now wielding state power in an even more reckless tyrannical manner.

Madam Patricia Appiagyie further revealed that Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh was invited by the National Intelligence Bureau for questioning over comments he made concerning the disputed Ablekuma North parliamentary election results as his call for NPP supporters to protect their own was deemed inciteful.

“We will not remain silent while political persecution takes root in Ghana, as Ghana belongs to all of us and no administration has the right to weaponize state institutions against political opponents. And we demand an immediate transparent and independent investigation into these political motivated attacks”.

“No democracy can survive when its institutions become weapons for political vengeance, as if no citizen matter and due process is replaced with brute force”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The President John Dramani Mahama is expected to give his first Message of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by the end of this month the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin revealed on the floor of the House on Wednesday, 11 February 2025.

This is a constitutional requirement under the 1992 Republican Constitution that the president delivers a message of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in fulfillment of Article 67 of the constitution which states, “the president shall at the beginning of each session of the parliament and before the dissolution of Parliament deliver to Parliament the Message of the State of the Nation Address”.

The Speaker further added that there is the urgent need to put in place the various Committees as the finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson is expected to present the 2025 budget in first week of March 2025.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com