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Parliament: Political will critical to attaining 30% female representation target — Dr. Zanetor

The parliament of Ghana’s struggle to hit the 30 percent female representation continues to be a mirage with each passing parliament, a situation the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings requires political will to attain.

Speaking to Ghanamps.com, she said the passage of the Affirmative Action Act must bring some awakening to the political parties to institute measures geared towards actualizing the 30 percent female representation target, adding that parliament itself has no role to play in this, as the whole process of who comes to parliament is carried out on political platforms though independent participation is also allowed.

In the eighth (8th) Parliament, the female representation out of the two hundred and seventy-five seats, was forty females representing 14.5 percent; and the current 9th Parliament also currently has 40 females with Ablekuma North outstanding which by all indication will add one female to the number in parliament as both contenders are females. And that will increase the percentage to 14.8 percent, he stated.

She asserts that there is the need for a paradigm shift to include a lot of sensitization across board, so that people will understand the importance of having the 30 percent and how it will enhance our nation building.

“So the understanding of the value of bringing more women to the decision making table needs to be shared, and not something like being able to attend international conference and all of that; but actually Ghana will suffer for not achieving the thirty percent women representation in Parliament”.

She disclosed that some of the international parliamentary organisations have made it clear that countries that do not reach the thirty percent female representation are not welcomed; and as of last year Ghana was on that lists that has not met that particular requirement.

“It’s unfortunate we know what the percentage of women are in Ghana, we know the value of having women, not just when it’s time to campaign but at the decision table that ultimately affect policy; it also affects legislation which then affect the community as a whole”.

She asserted that we  definitely not doing well enough and that the political parties must do better with regard to representation of women.

“We should stop paying lip service to issues of women representation and actually implement it”, the lawmaker stated.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

NCCE needs to educate Ghanaians on the role of MPs — Mpraeso MP

With the confusion that has clouded the real roles of the Member of Parliament particular on the issue of spearheading developments in their various constituencies, as to whether he or she a development agent because he is elected and their role as law makers the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Opoku Ansah has pointed out that the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) would have to improve their engagement with the Ghanaian public to let them know the actual functions of their representatives in parliament .

“Our role as MPs, coming to Accra as legislators is to have oversight responsibility over the Executive arm of Government. When that education goes down well, Ghanaians will begin to appreciate the role of the MP. Then a lot of pressures will be lifted off the MP. If he or she is to ensure that laws are passed, that is the work they are supposed to do rather than MPs coming to fix gutters, toilets and build schools”.

As to whether Parliamentary Candidates or Members of Parliament should not take part of the blame as they go out there to campaign and give a lot of promises, the lawmaker pointed out in an interview that at the time the lawmaker to be was going round campaigning, the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) are not yet known, and it takes the parliamentary candidate to sell the programmes and policies contained in the manifestoes of the political parties they represent.

So in doing so, the people assume the promises were coming directly from the PCs, forgetting that they have presidential candidates seeking executive power who would spearhead the development agenda including the construction of roads, schools, hospitals among others through the MMDCEs who are actually the development agents at the assemblies.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Annoh Dompreh, 3 others to serve two weeks suspension

The Speaker of Parliament’s disciplinary axe has fallen on four Members of Parliament.

The four;
Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi;
Frank Annoh-Dompreh, MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri;
Alhassan Sulemana Tampuuli, MP for Gushegu; and
Jerry Ahmed Shaib, MP for Weija-Gbawe have been suspended from Parliament for two weeks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin announced.

Their suspension is in relation to their involvement in the Thursday, January 30, 2025 chaotic scene at the vetting conducted by the Appointment Committee of Parliament.

A disagreement over whether or not the Committee should continue with the vetting of Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Kwabena Mintah Akandoh Ministers -designate for Foreign Affairs and Health respectively resulted in a brawl disrupting the vetting process.

The unfortunate development also resulted in the destruction of properties including tables and microphones at the vetting centre.

The Speaker described their actions as a direct affront to the dignity of Parliament, warranting immediate punitive measures.

”Let there be no doubt, Parliament’s credibility has been seriously undermined, and urgent punitive action must be taken, as this was done contemptus Parlamenti in facie parlamenti. Consequently, the following members are suspended from the sittings of Parliament for two weeks from today”, he said.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

“We will not surrender to Majority intimidation” — Minority

The Minority at a press conference on Friday, 31st January, 2025 and addressed by the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin said they will not surrender to intimidation by the Majority with the verbal attack suffered yesterday.

According to him, last night, but for the vigilance of the police to escort them out, the thugs in the premises who support the NDC Majority would have attacked them; and commended the police for their professionalism.

Again, we are concerned by the attempt by the majority to disregard pre-sitting agreements on the number of nominees to appear before the committee.

Yesterday we had agreement to have three nominees for the day but change to four and later five; after that, we only saw that they wanted to smuggle Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in; he was fully dressed with the wife and family members and other regional minister who have not been programmed but they came to the committee.

“The Majority worn an election and they are to govern together with us; we will not allow them to use their majority to intimidate us; it will not happen, we are not going to boycott any proceedings. It is not part of us, we will stay in and protest; we have been in government before and we know governance; we will not obstruct government business”.

He further added that the Minority is at the risk of criticism from their own party members for not taking Mahama’s appointees through critical questioning; we believe it’s better to have the president have his ministers in place early rather than leave the Ministry for civil servants to run.

Again, we have invited memos fourteen days ahead of the appointment Committees public hearing, we have cooperated with the Majority side greatly, he stated.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Appointment Committee offers unqualified apology to Speaker and Ghanaians

Chairman of the Appointment Committee, Bernard Ahiafor has offered unqualified apology to the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Kingsford Bagbin, the leadership of the House and Ghanaians in general over the chaos that erupted on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

The Chairman in a statement before the commencement of vetting on Friday said as a committee they will work for the growth of Ghana’s democracy and implore all Members to conduct themselves in ways befitting Members of Parliament, bearing in mind that the rules and procedures governing parliamentary practices are upheld at all times.

“The brouhaha led to the destruction of some furniture and microphones in the Committee room and a disruption of proceedings, causing the sitting to end abruptly. The damage to these items affected the functionality of the Committee and has also tarnished the dignity of the institution and its members.

Upon assessment of the extent of the damage, one microphone was damaged beyond repair and has been replaced. Fortunately, this morning’s proceedings will carry on without any technical hitch. It is essential that we ensure a swift return to order and maintain the integrity of our Parliamentary processes.”

The actions that unfolded last night have drawn significant concern from the public and are a cause for reflection on the conduct and professionalism of our Members of Parliament and the Institution of Parliament. It is crucial that we restore confidence in our committee’s ability to function effectively and responsibly, he added.

According to him, while forceful disagreements during Plenary and Committees are common place, and indeed heckling and filibustering between and among Members are permissible, physical altercations are totally prohibited and the laws of our country emphatically prohibit same. “What happened last night is totally unacceptable and we take full responsibility for the unfortunate incident”.

Growing a democracy he noted is always a difficult process but agreeing to disagree with colleagues is an honorable way to handle issues.

He urged his colleagues to keep in mind that the duties given to them put them in privileged positions to serve our country and be good examples for those who will come after us.

“The people who put us here in parliament expect us to act in ways that will unite us as a people, and it is incumbent on us to take this task seriously. Please let’s conduct ourselves in this manner”.

And we assure you that appropriate measures will be put in place to address this issue and prevent a recurrence of such incidents in future.

We as members of this Committee will continue to work in unity and dignity for the furtherance of our parliamentary democracy and the good of our multiparty democracy, he concluded.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

You did not smuggle yourself in yesterday; we apologise – Ahiafor to Ablakwa

The Chairman of the appointments Committee of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor has apologized to Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs for the lapse that occurred in him being present for vetting on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

The Chairman’s apology was in response to the nominee’s request for the Ranking of the Committee Alexander Afenyo-Markin to render an unqualified apology to him, and his guests for accusing him of smuggling himself to be vetted yesterday.

Mr. Ablakwa who made the request at the beginning of his vetting indicated that the Minority Leader at a press conference accused him of smuggling himself to the committee on Thursday even though he was not scheduled to be vetted.

However, Mr. Ablakwa presented and read the letter inviting him to appear before the Committee on Thursday including the request to submit 10 guests who will be following him.

He did not only accuse the Minority Leader but also one other Minority Member who posted on his Facebook post accusing him of same.

The actions of the Minority, he noted, appears to be a pre-conceived agenda to cast a slur on his reputation and thus called on the Chairman to take action on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Chairman acknowledge that the shortfall was occasioned by some disruption to their calendar and that they the committee should have communicated the changes to him.

Ghanamps.com

Clerk to Appointments Committee is a typical NDC – Minority Leader declares

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the Clerk of the Appointments Committee of being partisan, alleging that she is working in favour of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking after a chaotic session on Thursday evening, Afenyo-Markin did not mince words in expressing his frustration.

“The committee is on a partisan track. Indeed, she is a typical NDC. She agrees with them and then advertises and informs people to come,” he claimed.

According to the Minority Leader, the Clerk acted outside the usual procedures by unilaterally making decisions without agreement from both sides.

“The practice has always been that the chairman and ranking would agree on who and who will come. Yesterday, there was no agreement. The Chairman was with me—no meeting. Then, at 10 pm, the Clerk advertised for 10 this morning,” the Effutu MP stated.

Mr Afenyo-Markin further alleged that the Clerk’s actions were part of a broader strategy by the Majority to push through more nominees than had been agreed upon.

“Today, we agreed to do three nominees and my deputy was here. They had a pre-sitting and agreed on three. Later in the afternoon, they said four. Then again, they said, ‘Oh, let’s compromise on one more.”

“We said okay, and they made it five. Just as we finished the three, we realized they had paraded several other nominees, thinking we would boycott. We will not boycott,” he declared.

He also accused the NDC of attempting to intimidate and sideline the Minority in the vetting process.

“NDC is always out to intimidate people, always bullying. They can call us a ‘micro minority.’ They can say whatever they want to say. But we have been cooperating with them,” he stated.

Despite the disruptions, Mr Afenyo-Markin maintained that the Minority would not back down.

“Nothing will stop us from asking the relevant questions,” he insisted, making it clear that his side would continue to scrutinize nominees without fear or intimidation.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Majority and Minority clash at Appointment Committee

The Majority and Minority turn the Appointment Committee into a chaotic place on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in the evening as tensions flared between members of the Minority and Majority, leading to a heated confrontation.

This escalated into a point where tables and microphones were destroyed, prompting the intervention of the police to restore order and prevent further destruction.

The Majority insisted on proceeding with the vetting session beyond 10 PM, but the Minority strongly opposed the move, declaring that they were done for the day.

Members of the Minority started to lose the arranged tables and in the process, most of the microphones fell off and got broken.

After about 30 minutes into the confusion, the Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and other leaders stepped in and calmed tempers.

He announced that with the tables broken and microphones destroyed, sitting can’t continue forcing the Committee to reschedule for today.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Chaos scenes marred Appointments Committee vetting on Thursday

Vetting proceedings in parliament were disrupted in the night of Thursday, January 30, 2024.

The whole vetting process turned chaotic when the Minority refused to allow continuation of proceedings just after the Sports and Recreational Minister designate finished his turn.

The Majority wanted to continue the vetting process with the remaining two nominees scheduled for the day, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Health Minister-designate and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Foreign Affairs Minister-designate. But the Minority would have none of that.

The Melee got intense when Mr. Mintah Akandoh took the seat to take his oath for his vetting to start forcing the Minority to get to their feet in protest.

The confusion led to another moment of shame in Ghana’s Parliament as there were not only verbal exchanges but also destruction to properties at the place.

Prior to this development, the Minister-designate for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George was subjected to 5 hours of grilling with the Minority Leader and Ranking on the Committee, Alexander Afenyo-Markin alone spending about 3hours on the nominee.

It took the intervention of the Chair of the Committee, Bernard Ahiafor to cut short the Ranking Member to bring that part of the vetting to a close.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanadistricts.com

We’ll do a proper SIM re-registration again—Minister designate

The Ministerial nominee for Communications, Digitalisation, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George has announced plans to conduct a proper SIM re-registration exercise if approved for the role.

According to him the new process would be more efficient and technology-driven to avoid the long queues that characterised the previous exercise.

Speaking during his vetting by the Appointments Committee on Thursday, January 30, Mr George criticised the past approach, stating that a more logical and seamless process would be implemented.

“We will do a proper SIM re-registration again, and this time, there will be no queues because common sense will prevail, and we will use technology to do it,” he assured.

He reiterated that the re-registration was in the best interest of Ghanaians, ensuring secure and reliable telecommunications services.

According to him, leveraging digital solutions would make the exercise convenient for citizens while achieving its intended purpose of improving national security and preventing fraud.

He assured the Committee that, under his leadership, the Ministry would prioritise efficiency and innovation in all digital initiatives, including SIM registration, to foster a more robust and inclusive telecommunications sector.

Ghanamps.com