Category: General

Finance Minister’s delay leaves Ghana on edge amidst fears of a January Government Shutdown.

Ghana’s Parliament has been adjourned to January 2, 2024, following the Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam’s failure to present the anticipated 2025 Mini-Budget before the end of the current session.

The Mini-Budget, a constitutional requirement to outline the fiscal outlook for the upcoming year, was expected to address critical economic priorities, including revenue generation and expenditure planning. Its absence has sparked fears of a potential government shutdown on January 1, 2025.

Speaker Alban Bagbin adjourned proceedings amid heightened tensions, leaving lawmakers and stakeholders questioning the government’s preparedness for a smooth fiscal transition.

Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson expressed dismay, accusing the outgoing administration of neglecting its duty to ensure public services are funded in early 2025.

He assured Ghanaians that the incoming NDC government would act swiftly after taking office on January 7, 2025.
In contrast, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin attributed the delay to the “lawlessness” of the Minority and assured that the Finance Minister would submit the expenditure proposal when Parliament resumes.

Ghanamps.com

Hon. Martin Adjei Mensah-Korsah, the current Member of Parliament(MP) for Techiman South Constituency, has broken his silence regarding the confusion surrounding the constituency’s election results.

The delayed announcement by the Electoral Commission has fueled tensions, with both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) claiming victory.

Speaking on Accra-based Asempa FM, Hon Mensah-Korsah confidently stated, “I was leading by over 7,000 votes after collating 141 polling stations,” adding that the NPP collation showed he secured a clear victory.

He revealed that he was leading with over 7,000 votes before discrepancies arose, which he attributed to disruptions by opposition supporters.

“I have evidence on my pink sheet. I carefully calculated the results with my team,” he explained, emphasizing their diligence in ensuring accuracy. To safeguard the process, his team duplicated the pink sheets, retaining a copy before submitting the original to the Electoral Commission for validation.

ghanaguardian.com

The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Bagbin has served notice that the grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre will serve as the meeting place as the House has been recalled back after the indefinite suspension.

A statement from the Speaker’s office on Thursday, December 12, 2024 indicated that the seventh meeting of the fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic will hold on Monday, December 16, 2024.

In an earlier visit to the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Ghanamps.com reporter observed work ongoing steadily in preparation to receive members of Parliament elected for the 9th Parliament.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, Member of Parliament for Asawase has attributed his continued triumph in the parliamentary elections over the years, to the profound bond he has with the people.

“My continue stay in power is not a product of financial influence, but rather, the trust and faith the people of Asawase have in me as their representative in parliament”, Alhaji Muntaka, told the media after he was declared as the MP-elect for the constituency by the Electoral Commission.

He pointed out that though wealth was important, love surpassed its significance, adding that “with genuine affection towards fellow human beings, the prospect of failure diminishes.”

Alhaji Muntaka secured his sixth consecutive term as NDC MP for Asawase in the December 07, 2024 elections.

He polled 41,667 out of the 73,001 valid votes cast to beat Manaf Ibrahim of the NPP, who had 31,049 votes.

GNA

The Electoral Commission has overturned the earlier declaration of Haruna Apaw-Wiredu of the Opposition National Democratic Congress as winner of Fanteakwa North Constituency after a pink sheet review.

Initially, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Haruna Apaw-Wiredu, was declared the winner on December 10, 2024, after securing 11,138 votes as against Kwame Appiah Kodua’s 10,847.

However, disputes over pink sheets from two polling stations prompted the EC to halt proceedings for further review.

In a decisive turn, the Deputy Returning Officer announced that the seat now belongs to the NPP candidate, overturning the earlier result

This development marks a dramatic shift in the constituency’s electoral outcome.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Leader of the ECOWAS Parliamentary delegation observing Ghana’s Presidential and Parliamentary election held on December 7, 2024 Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. has praised Ghana for its shining democratic credentials in the just ended polls.

According to him since 1992 Ghana has earned that enviable position with always peaceful transition and election, as in any election there will be contestation and disagreement.

“The will of Ghanaians have always been respected. If there is the need to challenge things through the legal system, it is done and all parties have respected the outcome of the legal system. We are not surprised that the elections have gone on so peacefully”.

In an interview he pointed out that election started on time, on Saturday, December 7, 2024, when he visited some polling stations at the 37 Military Hospital, Osu, and reports that reach their situation room indicates that across the length and breadth of the Country everything went on well.

And further noted that there were some challenges in the Northern part of the Country but in general it was a peaceful election, and the issue of limiting media access to the collation center, was also addressed.

Additionally, he noted that the ECOWAS observer mission does not interfere in the electoral process of any member states when there are issues with the process of the election, but as preventive diplomacy, they can make suggestions to the Electoral Commission.

And he believes the directive to limit media access to the collation centers should be reversed.

Senator Snowe Jr. was impressed with the two major political parties; the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and National Democratic Congress (NDC) having their seals on the ballot box and well represented by their agents on the voting day.

And provision was made for the visual impaired person to cast their ballot as well as person with disabilities, and hoped that Ghana will leave up to expectation with its democratic credential she has won for itself over the years.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

A number of incumbent New Patriotic Members of Parliament have lost their seats in the just ended December 7, 2024 Parliamentary elections and will not be returning to the ninth Parliament.

The major wave of change was visited upon these personalities Darkoa Newman of Okaikwei South, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful of Ablekuma West, Henry Quartey of Ayawaso Central, Sylvester Tetteh of Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro, Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer of Sekondi.

The others are Ophelia Mensah H. of Mfantseman, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Ayawaso West Wuogon; Dr. Prince Armah, MP for Kwesimintsim; Andy Appiah Kubi, Asante Akyem North; Farouk Mahama, Yendi; Mireku Duker, Tarkwa-Nsuaem; John Peter Amewu, Hohoe; Twum Barima, Dormaa East.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Chairman of the Community Parliament Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Senator Edwon Melvin Snowe Jr. is leading the Parliament’s delegation to observe Ghana’s December 7, 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

Other law makers among the delegation are Hon. Senou SOKLINGBE, Hon. Koné GNANGADJOMON, Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie ABIANTE, Hon. Rosa Lopes ROCHA, Hon. Veronica Kadie SESAY and Hon. Bio Sika Abdel Kamel OUASSAGAR.

Staff members on the delegation are Dr. Adesina SOTUMINU, Mr. Edwin D. MILLER Jr. and Mr. Caesar Winimi AYAMBA.

The delegation will be arriving in Ghana on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, ahead of Saturday, December 7, 2024, general elections.

The Community Court of Justice will also send representatives to observe the election.

In an earlier interview, the Head of the Electoral Assistance Division of ECOWAS, Serigne Mamadou Ka noted that over one hundred (100) election observers would be deployed on December 7, 2024.

And added that an initial team of 16 long-term observers arrived on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, while a group of 90 short-term observers would arrive on December 2 or 3.

This, he said, would bring the total number of observers to over 100, adding that a team of five core members would be based in Accra, with 16 long-term observers being deployed across the 16 regions.

Mr. Ka, who is also the Permanent Secretary of ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONE), disclosed this in an interview in Accra last Thursday shortly after ECOWAS had given a grant totaling $210,000 to support two state institutions and two civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ghana to promote free, fair, peaceful, credible and transparent elections and help deepen the country’s democracy.

Mr. Ka said the ECOWAS observer team would be led by a former Nigerian Vice-President, Nnamadi Sambo, who would arrive with the short-term observers between December 2 and 3.

“ECOWAS has a history of deploying observers to member states to ensure peaceful and credible elections. This mission is part of the organisation’s efforts to promote democracy and stability in the region,” he said.

“We want peaceful elections,” Mr. Ka emphasised, adding that, “Election is an event that is constitutionally mandated. When it comes, everyone wants to win. But at the end of the day, there is only one winner, and the others will have to follow.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has rejected a request from the Majority Caucus to reconvene Parliament ahead of the December 7, 2024 elections, stating that the timing is incompatible with the current electoral season.

The Majority Caucus, in a letter dated November 22, 2024, and signed by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, proposed holding an emergency session on November 28 and 29 to address urgent government business.

However, Speaker Bagbin, in a memo issued on Tuesday, November 26, firmly declined the request, emphasizing the need to respect the parliamentary calendar and the demands of the election period.

“The House will resume sitting after the elections to complete all essential matters before a seamless transition to the 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana,” Bagbin stated in his response.

The Speaker also urged members of Parliament to prioritize the national interest and approach their duties with dignity and respect during this crucial period.

“The national interest would better be served if members exhibit conduct of honour, empathy, and humility in the performance of their duties. In the circumstances, I am neither inclined nor disposed to exercise my discretion in favour of your request. The request is accordingly declined,” he wrote.

Bagbin further reminded Afenyo-Markin and the Majority Caucus of the importance of the election season for Ghana’s democratic process. He noted that this period is dedicated to government officials, political parties, and candidates presenting their manifestos and justifying their four-year mandates to the electorate.

“This season is for the government, parties, and both presidential and parliamentary candidates to present their manifestoes to the people and to account and justify the mandate given them by the voters for the four-year term of office has been applied to the benefit of the people,” he explained.

The Speaker’s decision has underscored the focus on the upcoming general elections, with parliamentary activities set to resume afterward to address outstanding matters and prepare for the transition to a new Parliament.

Ghanamps.com

Is the current state of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) any concern to the Authority of Heads of States and Government, where the Community Parliament is unable to organize its Second Ordinary Session due to what is believed to be financial constraints?.

How can it be said that a sub-regional bloc of 15 countries with programs and policies to better the lives of its citizens have such magnitude of financial crisis that it cannot meet over its budget, a session critical to the smooth running of the bloc for the ensuing year, as it is at that session that the draft 2025 Consolidated Budget of the Community  would be examined.

What signal would the leaders be sending to the citizens who look forward to improved living conditions if the creation to spearhead their welfare is financially deficient to the extent that its own deliberations cannot be financed?

Remittances from the two giants of the bloc, Nigeria and Ghana should be enough to provide face-saving moments for the bloc at least in ensuring there is enough to prepare for the ensuing year.

It should be known that any failure to ensure the holding of this Second Ordinary Session would be a global embarrassment.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria, the big brother to all the member states currently occupies an enviable position as President H. E.  Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the Chairman of ECOWAS. The transfer from Nigeria alone which is about 40% is worth relying on for giving the bloc some financial breathing space. With Ghana proving about 17.4 percent, these two countries offer more than 50% of levy. So,  does it mean these two giants are also reneging on their remittances?

It is common knowledge that most countries delay in transferring their remittances to the bloc. But how endemic is this phenomenon that the bloc is this broke?

As a journalist following and reporting on the activities of ECOWAS, the frustrations expressed by Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Community parliament over the lackadaisical approach by member states towards their remittances to the bloc is disheartening and does not augur well for accelerated development.

One is not oblivious of the economic challenges faced by member states, but there are specific key areas that are levied for the purposes of financing the bloc.

It is, therefore, unpardonable for ECCOWAS to be facing this level of financial crisis.

Perish the thought, but with this unfolding situation does it mean when the three Shale member states Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali break away from the sub-regional bloc without the concern of their citizens, the bloc will face dire financial challenges.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso and Dominic Dela Shirimori/Ghanamps.com