Author: Enestina GhanaMPs

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

A group of concerned representatives from the Klottey Korle Constituency stormed Parliament today to present a petition demanding action against derogatory remarks made about their Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, on February 4, 2024.

The petition, formally handed over to the Clerk of Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, calls for swift intervention from the Speaker to address the issue and take appropriate disciplinary measures against those responsible for the offensive comments.

On February 4, 2025, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin while speaking on the floor of parliament, a member on the Minority side was heard yelling at the MP for Klottey Korle Constituency Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings “Daughter of a murderer, sit down.”

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the representatives expressed deep concern over the disrespect directed at Dr. Zanetor Rawlings, stressing the need to uphold dignity and decorum within the political landscape.

They emphasized that Parliament should set the standard for professionalism and respect and that any form of verbal attack on members should not be tolerated.

The delegation urged the Speaker to launch a thorough investigation into the matter, ensuring that those behind the derogatory remarks are held accountable.

They also called for proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, advocating for a culture of unity and civility in the House.

“We must foster an environment where all members, regardless of political affiliation, treat each other with mutual respect. Parliament should be a space for constructive debate, not personal attacks,” a spokesperson for the group stated.

The petitioners reiterated their demand for accountability, stressing that upholding high ethical standards is crucial in maintaining public trust in Parliament. They urged leadership to take decisive action to safeguard the integrity of the legislative body.

As the nation awaits a response from the Speaker, many Ghanaians will be watching closely to see how Parliament handles this call for decorum and professionalism.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin on few occasions on the floor of the House has raised issues with attendance of the Majority side of the House to proceedings in parliament accusing them of failing to be present to do government business despite their huge number.

This he said shows that the Majority still needs the Minority to achieve their goals in parliament especially so when the president has made a lot of the appointments from the House.

But the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings responding to the observation of the Minority Leader in an interview with Ghanamps.com said it is still early days yet in the first meeting of the first session of the ninth parliament to make assessments on attendance to business on the floor of the House.

She affirmed that the low attendance from the Majority side notwithstanding, when the numbers are required to take a decision on the floor, the Majority side will get the numbers.

She argued that the new government is still in the process of having its full complement of Ministers and those appointed would also have to familiarize themselves with their new portfolios.

“Bear in mind that some members have been going to the vetting and others re-orienting themselves with their ministerial appointments” and that going forward things will turn out better.

“But the reality is that you will not always have the seats full all the time given the fact that many of the president’s appointments are coming from Parliament there will be other duties that other members of Parliament have to play.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Former Majority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza appearing before the Ad Hoc Committee investigating the chaos that occurred during last week Thursday, January 30, 2025 disclosed that some guests of nominees who could not be vetted had to sleep in Parliament.

According to him as someone in the immediate past leadership, there should have been agreement to vet nominees who were not vetted on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, because Oliver Vormawor was taken on that day when he had alleged that nominees were giving bribes to the Committee.

“In the case of Kwabena Minta Akandoh it came to light that he had brought chiefs all the way from Juabuso who could not go back, he stated.

Governs Agbodza revealed that some nominees had as many as one hundred chief and could not accommodate them in a hotel and had to beg colleagues to allow their visitors sleep in their offices because it was late and the nominees had to be vetted the following day.

As to whether the marshal and the police gave quick response to the chaos, the Road Minister said they responded in a timely manner but because they were dealing with members of parliament they were hesitant in their actions.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Parliament on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 unanimously approved the appointment of four Ministerial nominees.
This was done after the usual debates on the floor between the two sides of the House.

The Minority as part of their recommendations affirmed the competence of the four nominees and found them competent for their designated portfolios thus joined the Majority side to approve them.

The approved nominees are
• Dr Rashid Pelpuo as Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment
• Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed as Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology
• Kofi Adams as Minister for Sports and Recreation and
• Joseph Bukari Nikpe as Minister for Transport.

The Minority refused to accord two nominees; Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, and Samuel Nartey George, Minister-designate for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations the same courtesy, thus they were subjected to vote.

The Minority, however, abstained from the participating in the voice vote that approved the two by Majority decision.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanadistricts.com