Author: Enestina GhanaMPs

The Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin has revealed that in the first Parliament of the fourth Republic of Ghana, he proposed that sitting of the House should be in the afternoon to get the public involved but because he was an active practicing lawyer, it was misconstrued as making the proposal to favour him.

The first meeting of the first session of the ninth Parliament has already suffered two early adjournments due to lack of quorum of 91 members to transact business and the Speaker was forced to remind the House of his early proposal at the beginning of the fourth republican parliament.

The meeting of Wednesday,12 February 2025 has to be pushed to the afternoon for the Committee on Selection to meet and compose various Committees, as the Minority Chief Whip Frank Annor-Dompreh has led a crusade demanding its formation for serious business and oversight work of the House to start.

“Members have a lot of things to do more especially when you have a lot of pressure from your constituents. We have to attend to them almost every morning, we have to go round looking for jobs for them, and so the morning is always crowded. The fuel you are giving is not sufficient, you have to do more to buy fuel which is a tall order”.

This would not be the first time since the eighth parliament at a point moved all its proceedings to the afternoon.
According to the Speaker, it would be prudent if the House agrees to sit in the afternoon to allow MPs attend to other things in the morning.

“Why not agree for us to sit in the afternoon and even up to eight pm; we can then get the public participating at the gallery and see senior citizens relaxing and watching you on their TV because we are doing live broadcast, it will assist me to manage you”, the Speaker stated.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Ad-Hoc Committee set up by the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin, to investigate what led to the chaos at the vetting of Ministers is set to present its report to the House on Thursday, February 13, 2025.

Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin had written to the Speaker expressing concern over alleged bias by the Chairman of the Committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah towards Minority members on the Committee; a development that led to the Minority boycotting the public hearing of the Committee.

Ghanamps.com investigation can attest that that the Committee has asked for two days extension to present its report as the ten days given them was not enough; and they needed the extra days to conclude with putting together their report.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Immediate past Chairman of the Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Osei-Nyarko has taken a swipe at the Ministry of Roads and Highways for issuing a statement over the weekend suspending an Act of Parliament, the National Roads Authority 2024 Act 1118 that seeks to manage Ghana’s road infrastructure by merging the Ghana Highways Authority, Department of Urban Roads and Feeder Roads.

According to him, he is more shocked and down founded that the sector Minister Governs Kwame Agbodza who took former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government to the cleaners for abolishing road tolls and made a lot of noise today in charge of the Roads sector is doing otherwise.

In an interview, he pointed out that if the Executive arm has an issue, they know the procedure; and what to do is to come to Parliament with an amendment of the portion they feel there is an issue with.

“I have picked information that the National Labour Commission, wrote to the Ministry to suspend the implementation, “Does an independent body have such powers? NLC is a creation by an Act passed by Parliament; if they think some workers are going to be affected they have two avenues to use; is either the affected workers should petition Parliament or they go to court to seek a review”.

He further advised the sector Minister to move cautiously stating that he is starting on a bad note and should withdraw the press release and apologize to Parliament and the people of Ghana for taking a decision he does not have power to take.

Mr Kennedy Osei-Nyarko further explained that the Act was to deal with some mischief, some challenges which have bedeviled the road sector for a very long time. “If you look at the Roads and Highways Ministry, there are about three key agencies – highways authority, urban roads, and feeder roads. They cannot be doing the same work, hence the need to merge them”.

We do not have enough resources to do everything; and because of resources constraints, we want to utilize the little resources we have. When you have a sector that duplicates the role of the other agencies, it delays projects and leads to insufficient maintenance on our road network.

So in the wisdom of the past government, they thought it wise they should come under one Authority which will deal with all these and it’s a very good thing having one Authority to manage all these three agencies, he added.

According to him, the idea behind passing this law was to know work schedules, adding that there was extensive consultation; “we spent a lot of resources, time and everything to pass this Act only for the new government led by its Minister to issue a press statement that it has suspended the implementation of an Act of Parliament.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Minority in parliament has presented a petition to the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Kingsford Bagbin on concerns over the Chairman of the Ad Hoc committee Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah’s task to investigate the chaos that erupted during the vetting of Ministers designate.

According to the Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, they had earlier written to raise concerns about the Chairman being bias and were waiting the response of the Speaker who is outside the jurisdiction.

“We the Minority caucus consider it prudent to wait the Speaker’s response before taking any further steps in relation to the Committee’s work”.

The Minority has copied the Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga in same letter copied to the Speaker Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin.

He further pointed out that this should not be misconstrued as unwillingness on the part of the Minority to engage with the Committee, but rather it’s a necessary step to ensure that due process is followed, and the process remains fair, impartial and credible.

Mr Afenyo-Markin further noted that they hope the Speaker will address their concerns in a manner that will uphold the integrity of the Committee’s work and the broader interest of Parliament.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has provided evidence to prove that his Airport Hill residence is never his bonafide property; rather a rented one.

Contrary to the Chairman of the Appointments Committee’s decision not to allow Mr Okudzeto to disclose details of his (Okudzeto) status at the said residence during his vetting to becoming the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the MP who said the house neither belong to him nor any of his family members on Saturday during an exclusive interview with Alfred Ocansey on TV3’s Key Point program, disclosed details of the ownership of the facility and his status as a tenant.

In the details provided by Finali Limited, the Management of the Airport Hills, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and his Wife are indeed tenants.

The confirmation was made after a request by the Mr. Ablakwa to Finali Limited to furnish the appointments Committee with relevant details including the name of the owner, size of the plot and occupancy at Plot No. 565, No. 1 Wilshire Boulevard.

Mr Ablakwa also debunked the assertion that MPs are only paid GHC15,000.00 as salary, stating that they also receive rent allowance among others.

He said he is not worried about attempts to smear his reputation as he has not done anything wrong except to say that he has accepted to chair the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) team.

He said he will continue to do his work to the best of his ability without any fear.

View the two letters below:

Request letter to Finali

Response by Finali

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

Parliament was forced to adjourn early on Friday 7, 2025 as the House failed to form a quorum for business.

The First Deputy Minority whip Habib Iddrisu raised the issue of quorum when the required number was obviously lacking in the chamber. Even the Majority with all their huge number failed to raise 91 out of their 187.

According to him Article 102 of the 1992 constitution says for business on the floor of the House to go on the House needs 91 MPs on the floor of the House and at the start of the Business they had only 30 members on the floor of the House hence his decision to raise the issue of quorum with the first deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor presiding.

Addressing the media, he noted that his call for a quorum pushed the Majority to get their members in which only pushed the number to 71 out of the 276.

“It’s clear the super Majority is not ready to do business and they have no government business to do. If they were serious with the numbers that they have, they should be able to get 91 of their members into the chamber this is a clear indication of how weak the NDC Majority is and how unserious they are”.

And if they do not have the numbers, I will continue to raise this issue; it is stated in the constitution, Article 102, you need to have 91 to commence business when it comes to decision you need to have 138, he concluded.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Minority Chief Whip Frank Anoor-Dompre has expressed worry over the absence of various Committees weeks after the 9th Parliament commenced.

According to him it has been long overdue and does not understand why the long delay as members of parliament want to know the Committees they belong to.

In response, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga indicated that the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin, who is the Chair of the Committee of Selection, is out of the jurisdiction and when he is back it will be worked on.

On Friday, February 7, 2025, the issue of Committees being put in place came up on the floor of the House when the Majority whip Nelson Dafeamekpor reiterated that the Speaker will be back soon for work of the Committees to be done.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh Dompreh has come under heavy criticism for inciting supporters of the New Patriotic Party to engage in violent acts against supporters of the National Democratic Congress.

Mr. Annoh Dompreh addressing NPP supporters at Ablekuma North when the Minority Caucus visited Akua Afriyie, the NPP Parliamentary candidate urged supporters of the party to team up with their fellow NPP members to beat up supporters of the NDC in the event of any misunderstandings or brawl.

“If indeed you are a member of the NPP and you go to meet your fellow party member fighting a member of the NDC, join your party member to beat the NDC member,” he declared.

a visit by the NPP caucus leadership to the party’s parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma North, Akua Afriyie, Annoh-Dompreh stated: “If indeed you are a member of the NPP and you go to meet your fellow party member fighting a member of the NDC, join your party member to beat the NDC member,” he declared.

Mr Annoh-Dompreh who gave the Electral Commission one week to declare the result threatened that when the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga and the NDC will not see reason for the NPP candidate to be declared the MP-elect for the area based on available evidence, there will not be any peace in parliament.

“If the NDC, led by Mahama Ayariga, does not act reasonably and continues to prevent the EC from completing the collation, they will never know peace in Parliament.”

He also affirmed that if the IGP will allow the NDC to continue to prevent the re-collation of the results, they will continue to demonstrate.|

He also ruled out any possibility of a re-run of the election as being speculated and accused the NDC of destroying electoral materials because they know they lost the election.

But many on various media platforms including social media have described his comments as irresponsible and far below his persona as a parliamentarian.

To many, his unacceptable behavior is becoming one too many having been one of the subjects of suspension in parliament following the chaos that erupted during the vetting process.

However, not too long after an apology from the Minority Leader to the Speaker and the Ghanaian Public which led to the Speaker lifting the suspension, he was again involved in this public incitement of violent act.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

Former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Samuel Awuku, has called for a comprehensive reform in the management of lottery proceeds.

The Akuapem North Member of Parliament pointed out some key issues relating to the misuse of funds, the prevalence of illegal lottery operations, and the need for tax incentives.

Presenting a statement on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 6, 2025, Mr. Awuku proposed a detailed approach to optimize the benefits of lottery revenues for the nation.

“Rt. Honourable Speaker, as the immediate past Director General of the National Lottery Authority, I wish to bring to your attention the untapped potential of lottery proceeds in contributing to the development of our country,” Mr. Awuku stated.

He underscored the fact that while the NLA generates over 300 million cedis annually, these funds are often sent into the Consolidated Fund, losing their intended impact on targeted development programmes.

Drawing comparisons from successful global models, he cited the World Lottery Association’s contributions of over USD 91 billion in the fiscal year 2023 to support education, healthcare, and other social initiatives across the globe.

He further pointed to the United States, South Africa, and the UK, where lottery proceeds are directly channeled into public services, such as education, sports development, and healthcare programmes.

“Ghana, too, can reap similar rewards if we amend the National Lotto Act of 2006 to direct a percentage of the lottery’s revenue to specific sectors like health, education, and social welfare,” Mr. Awuku said.

He also called for the establishment of social intervention programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities, the elderly and marginalized communities.

Mr. Awuku also took the opportunity to address the pressing issue of illegal lottery operations, which he claims account for 60% of the market in Ghana.

He proposed stricter penalties for illegal operators, including higher fines and longer jail terms, in addition to the forfeiture of assets acquired through unlawful activities.

“The current penalties under the National Lotto Act are insufficient. The illegal operators have deep pockets and can easily pay fines and return to their illicit activities,” he argued.

The MP recommended the implementation of tax incentives for licensed lottery operators to encourage growth and innovation within the sector.

He suggested that these incentives could help the NLA increase its annual revenue potential to over 600 million cedis by addressing inefficiencies and fostering a legal, transparent lottery market.

He called on the House to enact reforms that will allow lottery proceeds to better serve the public good, emphasizing that “with a more strategic use of these funds, we can enhance national development and improve the lives of Ghanaians.”

He urged Parliament to consider these measures as a crucial step toward ensuring that the lottery system in Ghana becomes a sustainable model for societal benefit.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

In a historic moment in Ghana’s Parliament, on Wednesday, February 5, Mr Ohene Kwame Frimpong, an Independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akyem North, delivered a full contribution to parliamentary proceedings entirely in Asante Twi language.

Speaking in Twi, Mr Frimpong, who now aligns with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Majority Caucus, emphasised the need to improve road infrastructure across the country to boost local tourism.

His comments were in support of a statement made by a colleague on the Floor of the House on tourism.
Mr Frimpong, also drew the attention of the House to inefficient streetlights on roads and alleged prostitution in his Constituency.

However, he was later compelled by the Second Deputy Speaker, Mr Andrew Asiamah Amoako who presided over the proceedings to translate his comments into the English language.

According to Order 63 of the new Standing Orders of the House, an MP may use any of the local languages subject to interpretation and translation to ensure understanding by all.

This provision was expected to take effect during the Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament.
In 2024, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, announced that necessary facilities, including translators and gadgets were being put in place to facilitate the use of local languages in Parliament. “…. So, barring any hitches, the new measure will take off after the Easter break,” Mr Bagbin said.

Mr Frimpong’s bold move has sparked interest in the use of local languages in Ghana’s Parliament, promoting diversity and inclusivity in the country’s legislative processes.

Elsie Appiah-Osei