Author: Enestina GhanaMPs

Professor Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, the Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan has raised serious concerns over the lack of emergency medical kits or services for parliamentarians in Parliament.

“Since joining Parliament a few weeks ago, I have taken the time to walk around the premises, and I am deeply concerned about the lack of emergency medical services available to us. I have not seen any emergency kits, AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators), or other essential emergency equipment in the bathrooms, hallways, or other key areas”, she said on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 on the floor of the House.

She said the issue was further highlighted recently when the former president Nana Akufo Addo’s ADC fainted in the chamber at his final State of the Nation Address.
According to her, the way and manner the situation was handled did not meet the standard of care expected in such emergencies.

“As a trauma surgeon, I would like to propose, with your indulgence, the establishment of a committee to assess and improve emergency preparedness within Parliament. This committee could include an emergency services team to evaluate the premises and implement necessary measures.

Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah thus suggested offering training programs such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); and Stroke Care to parliamentarians, staff, drivers, and house helpers.

These programs, she affirmed would equip individuals with the skills to provide proper first aid during emergencies, reducing morbidity and mortality. “Studies have shown that immediate response significantly improves outcomes in critical situations, she added.

“Mr. Speaker, the absence of these services poses a serious risk. Should an emergency occur in this chamber, the lack of immediate care could have dire consequences. I urge this House to prioritize this matter for the safety and well-being of everyone in Parliament”, she emphasized.

Ghanamps.com

The Minority is calling for a deceive action against Victoria Hardcastle Emeafa Acting Chief Executive of the Petroleum Commission for her contemptuous conduct when he came to the Appointment Committee yesterday, Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

According to the Minority the conduct of the Petroleum Commission head was one of the most flagrant attacks on parliamentary dignity in recent memory and demands an appropriately stern response from the House.

Hardcastle’s attempt to direct the Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Frank Annor-Dompreh, on the execution of his parliamentary duties, coupled with her unconscionable description of a senior Member of Parliament as “silly”, constitutes an egregious assault on parliamentary authority that cannot go unchallenged. Such strikes are conducted at the very foundation of our democracy and must be met with the full force of parliament.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

The matter is particularly concerning as it comes mere weeks after President Mahama called on his appointees to eschew “arrogance or disrespect” towards the people of Ghana in their public service.

And when this matter was raised on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday by Hon. Annor- Dompreh, the overwhelming bipartisan condemnation demonstrated Parliament’s united stance against such contemptuous behaviour. Members from both sides of the House expressed justified outrage at this blatant display of disrespect towards the Legislature.

The Rt. Hon Speaker’s decision to personally hear representations from both parties on Thursday, 30th January 2025, given the current absence of a constituted Committee on Privileges and Immunities, underscores the gravity of this matter. We anticipate that Friday’s report or ruling by the Speaker will send an unmistakable message of deterrence to all public officials and indeed any person who might contemplate similar contemptuous conduct in the future.

Throughout the Fourth Republic, various Parliaments have demonstrated their resolve in dealing decisively with contempt cases. The sanctity of parliamentary proceedings and the protection of Members in the discharge of their duties are not mere ceremonial considerations but fundamental and unshakeable pillars of our democratic governance.

Furthermore the Minority leadership maintained that Ms Hardcastle’s conduct represents an intolerable breach of parliamentary privilege and contempt of the House, demanding exemplary sanctions.

Parliament must send a clear, unequivocal message that any attempt to undermine its authority or dignity will face severe consequences; public officials must understand that interaction with Parliament and its Members demands the highest standards of decorum and respect.

“We expect that the appropriate sanctions under our Standing Orders, including fines, imprisonment, restriction from parliamentary precincts, and mandatory public apology, will be applied with appropriate severity to reflect the gravity of this offence.”

As we await the Speaker’s determination on Friday, we call on all stakeholders to note that this case will set a crucial precedent for future interactions between public officials and Parliament. The dignity of Parliament is non-negotiable, and those who choose to assault it must face commensurate consequences, they added.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor has apologized to the Appointment Committee and promised to pull down his social media post that has generated a lot of brouhaha.

According to him what he posted, “So all the monies the ministerial appointees are being asked to pay to the Appointment Committee just to get approval, are those ones not affected by ORAL? Strange Republic” was not intended to disparage the Committee; but was quick to point out that the second post, “NDC members on the vetting Committee take money from Mahama’s ministerial nominees before approving them, the Deputy Speaker must submit himself to ORAL”, was not done by him.

After almost two hours of back and forth at the committee, he noted that he will not do anything to disparage Benard Ahiafor, Chairman of the Appointment Committee and that the second post was fake not done by him.

“Again, I am not an NDC member, I am CPP. When I was making the post, I was referring to information I have heard and also to allegations that come up often against this committee. The post was intended to reach out to those who were reaching out to me that there should be a process by which they submit themselves.”

I did not pull down the post so that originality will be there. The Committee chair has to interject to ask Oliver not to make a long statement and urged him not to read the statement but proceed to apologize.

Oliver thus apologized saying, “I apologize, my words have been twisted that is why I have not deleted it, I am happy to pull it down”.

He was also advised to do a disclaimer of what he said and provide the committee with the apologies in the various medium he published them.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Appointment Committee of Parliament has summoned activist Mr. Oliver Barker-Vomawor to appear before it today, Wednesday, January 29, 2025, to substantiate an allegation of bribe taking he posted on his twitter account.

“So all the monies the ministerial appointees are being asked to pay to the Appointment Committee just to get approval, are those ones not affected by ORAL? Strange Republic”, he wrote on his twitter page.

The Appointment Committee through a statement has invited him to appear before the Committee and further added that, he also alleged same on the political desk of ghanatoday.

“NDC members on the vetting Committee take money from Mahama’s ministerial nominees before approving them; the Deputy Speaker must submit himself to ORAL”.

The statement issue by the Committee reads; “The Committee take this allegation seriously and in accordance with Article 103 (6) of the 1992 constitution and order 134 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, you are hereby summoned to appear before the Appointment Committee to provide evidence to substantiate your statement.”

Ghanamps.com

The Tamale South Member of Parliament Haruna Iddrisu has condemned the insults on Nsawam Adoagyiri lawmaker Frank Annoh-Dompreh by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle following the altercation with the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, during the appointment committee sitting on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

According to him there was no way lawmakers should accept such conduct and insults.

“To Honorable Members, we do not, and we should not, accept such conduct and insults. Today, it is him; tomorrow, it maybe you. That is why we must stand united in condemning it.” – Haruna Iddrisu said on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, January 28.
He further said that “To the Honorable Minority Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, I am pleading with you that, because she is a woman, and you know Ghanaian society and our patriarchal values, forgive her.”

Hon Annoh-Dompreh, lawmaker for Nsawam Adoagyiri took offense at the description of his caucus as ‘micro’ by the Petroleum Commission CEO.

In response, the Minority Chief Whip allegedly threatened to take Hardcastle on.
“You are threatening me that you will take me on because you are who? My friend, don’t bring yourself. What do you mean you are taking me on?” Hardcastle fumed.
Annoh-Dompreh, however, emphasised the offense in the descriptive words used by the acting CEO to describe his caucus.

“You called us micro minority?” the MP questioned.
“But you are a micro minority. Doesn’t Afenyo (Minority Leader) himself use that phrase?” Hardcastle retorted.

“You think you can bully me here?” she added.
Mr. Dompreh accused the acting CEO of referring to him as “silly.”
“Please, please, please. You cannot call me silly… We will deal with this matter,” he stated.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

In the 7th and 8th Parliament of the fourth Republican constitution, as much as ninety-four (94) attrition rate has hit the Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso has lamented.

According to him money is playing a dominant role and very quiet alarming, despite the fact that he believes in politics there are three things, good message, strong machinery and money.

But it looks like money has taken over and it has become seventy percent, he said in an interview.

He believes the system should be blamed considering the fact that it is the MPs (representing political parties) who go to the people every four years to solicit their votes and in doing so end up promising so much even though MPs are not development agents.

However, the wining political party ends up appointing MMDCEs clothed with the duty of overseeing the development of the constituencies, yet the people always blame MPs if their needs are not met. So if you have a government that is not too focused on the things the MP promised then it weakens the MP’s chances at the poll.

“In one of my arguments when I made a statement on this on the floor, I said we need to revive the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives so that the constituents can hold them responsible if they do not see development in the constituencies.”

We should also change ways of selecting parliamentary candidates, because the delegate system is quite expensive, he added.

He said he proposed the PASO system in Argentina in which on a particular day all parties select their candidates. This time it is not some delegates but members of the party or even registered voters who lean towards a particular political party will get the opportunity to vote.

“If you have large numbers it is difficult for people to influence them with money; it now comes down to your vision, your track record and how consistent you are touching base with your constituents and how we are able to make MPs accessible to their constituents.

He indicated that Assemblies have offices where they operate, but the MP does not have an office in the constituency. “We need to revive this whole argument of finding an office for the MP in the constituency. Parliament is not ready to construct but can make some funds available to MPs to go in there and look for office spaces with some small staffs to ensure the presence of MPs in the constituency so that people can reach out to them then they can engage in clinics, workshops, and meetings.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

In the 7th and 8th Parliament of the fourth Republican constitution, as much as ninety-four (94) attrition rate has hit the Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso has lamented.

According to him money is playing a dominant role and very quiet alarming, despite the fact that he believes in politics there are three things, good message, strong machinery and money.

But it looks like money has taken over and it has become seventy percent, he said in an interview.

He believes the system should be blamed considering the fact that it is the MPs (representing political parties) who go to the people every four years to solicit their votes and in doing so end up promising so much even though MPs are not development agents.

However, the wining political party ends up appointing MMDCEs clothed with the duty of overseeing the development of the constituencies, yet the people always blame MPs if their needs are not met. So if you have a government that is not too focused on the things the MP promised then it weakens the MP’s chances at the poll.

“In one of my arguments when I made a statement on this on the floor, I said we need to revive the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives so that the constituents can hold them responsible if they do not see development in the constituencies.”

We should also change ways of selecting parliamentary candidates, because the delegate system is quite expensive, he added.

He said he proposed the PASO system in Argentina in which on a particular day all parties select their candidates. This time it is not some delegates but members of the party or even registered voters who lean towards a particular political party will get the opportunity to vote.

“If you have large numbers it is difficult for people to influence them with money; it now comes down to your vision, your track record and how consistent you are touching base with your constituents and how we are able to make MPs accessible to their constituents.

He indicated that Assemblies have offices where they operate, but the MP does not have an office in the constituency. “We need to revive this whole argument of finding an office for the MP in the constituency. Parliament is not ready to construct but can make some funds available to MPs to go in there and look for office spaces with some small staffs to ensure the presence of MPs in the constituency so that people can reach out to them then they can engage in clinics, workshops, and meetings.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Member of Parliament for Central Tongu, Mr. Alexander Gabby Hotordze, has expressed dissatisfaction with the geopolitical criteria as one of the benchmarks adopted for vetting and selecting Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

Speaking on the third day of the ongoing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) vetting process in Ho, which involved aspirants from Central Tongu and South Tongu, Mr. Hotordze stated that the criteria could create division within the party if not thoroughly discussed.

“I am not comfortable with it. This should have been discussed extensively as a party before implementation. If this criterion is enforced as it stands, it could cause problems. The party must prioritize rewarding hard work and loyalty over geopolitical considerations,” he said.

The MP stressed that appointments should be based on merit and contributions to the party, rather than geographical or ethnic considerations.

“The party should reward those who have truly worked hard and been loyal. We cannot allow individuals who claim they have contributed when there is no evidence to support it. Appointments must reflect dedication, not mere appearances,” he added.

The NDC’s National Secretary, Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, had earlier directed that the selection process considers the customary, geographical, and ethnic composition of districts to ensure balanced distribution of political power and influence.

He argued that this approach would foster unity and rally communities around a shared developmental agenda.

Togbe Komla Sakpiti V, Chief of Bakpa Awadiwoekome, welcomed the geopolitical criteria, noting that it could finally allow the Bakpa Traditional Area to have one of its own as the DCE for Central Tongu.

“We have two traditional areas in Central Tongu: Bakpa and Mafi. The MP is from Mafi, so this is the time for Bakpa to also receive its reward, as outlined by the General Secretary,” Togbe Sakpiti stated.

He explained that the chiefs from Bakpa Traditional Area came out in large numbers to support aspirants from their community, expressing confidence that the President would listen to their plea.

“Since the advent of democracy, Bakpa has not had an indigenous DCE. We are pleading with the President to appoint someone from Bakpa to address our challenges and foster peace in the district,” Togbe Sakpiti added.

The geopolitical approach has sparked a mix of support and criticism, highlighting the delicate balance between meritocracy and representation in local governance appointments.

As the debate on whether the Member of Parliament (MP) is a development agent or purely for formulating and passing laws ranges on, the Member of Parliament for Kintampo North, Joseph Kame Kumah believes MPs are means to development but not development agents.

According to him Ghanaian voters thinks Ghanaian MPs are development agents, “we are not running away from being development agents but rather we are means to development. We are conveyer belts through which development gets to our constituencies”, he said in an interview.

He said they as MPs lobby for development for their areas and they will continue to deliver on that aspect of their mandates.

On the high attrition rate in parliament, he used the opportunity to thank his constituents for bringing him back to Parliament for the second time; a journey which has not been easy in his case pointing out that he had five contenders.

He was however quick to point out that his former colleagues lost their primaries, but he was so fortunate, and none of his contenders were government appointees, they came on their own to contest. Those of our colleagues who could not make it for the first time when you interact with them the story are that some powerful hands within their own Government pumped in money to help them unseat them, or a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of government agencies properly planted somewhere used money to unseat him.

According to him, the Cletus Avoka, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Joseph Osei-Owusu and the likes who decided not to come back to parliament did so because of how others started dealing with them from behind.

So, if you research and see that things may not go well, it is better to step down for others to go.

I was fortunate to be a judiciary committee member of the previous Parliament who visited House of Commons and House of Representative to understudy them. “By their system, the Kyei and Joseph Osei-Owusus, they will not let them go. They will let them stay behind for others to understudy them; that is why they are reach in democracy, lawmaking. Their former Chief Justices are persons who they consult and let them be in Panels for institutional memory purposes”, he added.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

On the numerous promises made by then presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and now President John Dramani Mahama, Member of Parliament for Mpraeso Davis Opoku Ansah assured that the Minority in Ghana’s ninth Parliament will ensure that the president keeps his promises he made to Ghanaians.

According to him they are in the business of doing the Minority business, and they are not in Parliament to stop government business rather “we are here to enhance our democracy and ensure the proper things are done.”

In an interview, he pointed out that the Majority should expect an effective and constructive opposition from the Minority, “and we are here in Parliament as Ghanaians; some ten thousand people voted for me.”

And for John Mahama, over six million Ghanaians voted for Mahama, what they expect of me is that as their MP, I keep reminding him of the promises and he has a responsibility to deliver, he added.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com