Category: General

Ghana’s Parliament has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering greater transparency and inclusivity by engaging civil society organisations (CSOs) and think tanks in high-level dialogue. The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, spearheaded the initiative, lauding the critical role that CSOs play in shaping governance and policy.

Addressing the forum on the theme “Embracing Inclusivity, Engagement, and Collaboration with the Parliament of Ghana,” Speaker Bagbin called for a governance framework that transcends traditional parliamentary democracy to incorporate broader participation from civil society. He stressed that no one should be left behind, stating that CSOs are a fundamental pillar of Ghana’s democratic architecture.

Speaker Bagbin commended civil society organisations (CSOs) for their contributions to policy development, particularly through research and data-driven advocacy. He referenced key parliamentary initiatives, including anti-corruption efforts and local government reforms, that were supported by the input of civil society. “With Ghana ranking top in the 2022 Africa Open Parliament Index, these reforms demonstrate Parliament’s commitment to enhancing its democratic processes through a continuous partnership with civil society,” he noted.

One area in which the Speaker is particularly passionate is gender equity. He reiterated the importance of the Affirmative Action Act, which mandates more significant gender equity across all sectors of governance. “Equity, not equality,” he stressed, urging the implementation of gender equity policies within Parliament and government institutions. He acknowledged that progress has been slow and called for more robust gender equity initiatives in governance. He also urged support for the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, ACT 1121.

The Chair of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus in Parliament, Hon. Emmanuel Bedzrah, announced Ghana’s recent recognition at the Regional Meeting for Africa and the Middle East. He noted that technology and innovation have been essential in enhancing Parliament’s engagement with citizens, mentioning that Parliament’s website and data platforms have been continuously updated to meet the public’s needs. However, he stated that more can be achieved through collaboration. He alluded to an Action Plan that is yet to be launched, which would further strengthen these efforts and ensure that Parliament meets its commitments to an open and accountable government.

The Clerk to Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Djietror, emphasised that the theme of the meeting aligns with Parliament’s Corporate Strategic Plan, which seeks to enhance engagement with media, CSOs, and think tanks. He reiterated that Parliament’s role is to reflect the people’s will, as outlined in Ghana’s Constitution, ensuring that all governmental powers serve the welfare of its citizens.

The CSOs lauded Speaker Bagbin for his commitment to inclusive governance, particularly in promoting female leadership. However, some participants raised concerns about the lack of female representation in certain parliamentary committees, especially in areas such as health, where women’s perspectives are vital. They urged constitutional amendments to strengthen gender representation in government.
Additionally, they advocated for sustained collaboration with Parliament, calling for the full implementation of the Open Government Partnership Action Plan to enhance transparency and accountability.

Requesting an expansion of oversight responsibilities in Parliament, the Speaker presented copies of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament to CSOs to support their role in holding legislators accountable.

Members of Parliament, including Hon. Emmanuel Akwasi Aquah, Hon. Agyeman Prempeh, and Hon. Abednego Bandim, along with Deputy Clerk Dr./Mrs. Gloria S. Kumawu and other parliamentary officials, attended the engagement.

Among the participating CSOs were IMANI Africa, the Ghana Integrity Initiative, the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-GH), Parliamentary Network Africa, the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Star Ghana, ACEPA, the Media Foundation for West Africa, the Gender Center for Empowering Development, CAMFED, the Legal Resource Centre, and Youth Advocate Ghana.

Ghanamps.com

As Ghana leads in the crusade of addressing waste menace in the system in Africa and the West Africa sub-region, Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP), a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies is attracting some countries from both Africa and the sub-region to understudy its operation and replicate same in their respective countries.

A tour by members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) to ACARP on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, saw a high-powered delegation from Ethiopia visiting the facility.

Managing Director of the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) Michael Padi Tuwor in an interview noted that after ten, fifteen, and twenty years, the Jospong Group is stepping out as they have invested and built capacity.

“We have built enough resources and replicating this in Africa and the West Africa sub-region. We are in Nigeria Lagos, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Guinea Conakry and Liberia”.

Almost every week they have a country visiting their facility to learn what they are doing.

Mr. Michael Padi further pointed out that their mandate is to receive waste generated in the capital from respective homes, marketplaces, among others. And when they are brought to their facility their duty is to recover as much as they can from the waste, add value to it, and send it back into the system for re-use.

“The organic component of the waste, because the waste that we generate is not separated at source, it is mixed, that is the reason for all the investment you see here. So, when the waste comes here, we use the MRF that is the material recovery facility, to recover the various fractions like organic fractions, the plastics, card boards and scrap metals.”

“We add value to these ones – the organic we turn it into compost for agriculture purposes, all the plastics we process into pellets and then also give it out to the plastic manufacturing companies for further production into Household items.

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The Managing Director of the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) Michael Padi Tuwor said the culture of separating plastic waste from other wastes is catching up well with Ghanaians in the capital.

According to him, in the homes people are separating the plastics waste from other things. But the problem is that it’s only one truck that would usually come for the waste; hence everything that is separated ends up in the same truck. If we have more trucks like the way Zoomlion has and the truck can come twice in a week it will help, because then in the first day in the week it will come for organic materials, and the second day its coming for recyclable things that in a way would have helped; but it’s a gradual process, we are getting there once people get to understand what we call waste is not a waste but resource.

He affirmed that there is value in waste and people will keep it and sale, stating that these days people wait for you at events to finish drinking just so they can pick the empty bottles because they know there is value in it. “That is where we are heading to, and for us that is what we expect into the future”, he added.

The ACARP MD further noted that Jospong Group has introduced campaigns on free dustbins and one million free dustbins to households, just so to store the waste.

He asserts that per our by-laws the polluter has a responsibility, once you generate the waste you are to store it; once it is lifted the responsibility and liability is transferred to the government, that is why you are charged for the lifting. When it comes to the downstream treatment and disposal that is when the government also comes in and its paid for, he added.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

General Manager for Private Sector Business (PSB) of Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited (SSGL), Lola Asise Ashitey has appealed to the government for increased and timely financial support to expand the company’s liquid waste treatment plants across all 16 regions of Ghana.

This appeal was made during a media briefing as part of a five-facility tour of Zoomlion Ghana’s liquid waste treatment plants on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
According to Ashitey, SSGL currently operates six liquid waste treatment plants in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi. She emphasized the impact these facilities have had on public health, particularly in reducing the incidence of cholera in the Greater Accra Region.

“Since we started operations in 2017, we don’t have cholera in Greater Accra like we used to. The records are there. This must be replicated in all other regions to make sure that our people are healthy and can contribute to the nation’s development,” she stated.

Challenges with Improper Waste Disposal

Lola Ashitey mentioned a significant challenge faced by SSGL — the improper disposal of solid waste into liquid waste systems.

She described how people often dump diapers, sanitary pads, and even human remains into public toilets and streams, which disrupts the treatment process and clogs their pumps.

“Ghana is our country. If we do it right, we do it right for ourselves. But when people dump solid waste in public toilets and streams, it comes back to us. It makes it difficult for us to treat the waste properly. Maybe without these challenges, we could be having 10 treatment plants by now instead of six,” she noted.

A Call for Collective Responsibility

She urged Ghanaians to adopt responsible waste disposal practices, stressing that the fight against cholera and other sanitation-related diseases requires a collective effort.

“We don’t want what is happening in other regions with cholera outbreaks to happen to our people. We cannot do it alone. We all need to put our hands on deck to make sure we’re doing things right,” she appealed.

Future Plans and the Need for Support

SSGL aims to expand its operations to all 16 regions, ensuring better sanitation and healthier communities.

Ashitey expressed hope that with increased government support and prompt payments, this vision can become a reality.

She said, “Our key is for the government to support us more. We are already getting some support, but we would love to be paid regularly so we can replicate these plants across the country,” she added.

The expansion of liquid waste treatment facilities could significantly reduce the spread of waterborne diseases, improve public health, and create a cleaner environment across Ghana.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Rt Hon Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has inaugurated the 9th Parliamentary Service Board where he urged lawmakers to prioritize accountability, bipartisan collaboration, and responsive governance as the 9th Parliament works to address pressing national challenges.

During the ceremony, he underscored the Board’s pivotal role in strengthening institutional integrity and fostering a legislative environment anchored in public trust and democratic principles.

The Board, which Is chaired by the Rt Hon Speaker, has the following members:

Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror – Clerk to Parliament
Mahama Ayariga – MP for Bawku Central and Majority Leader
Alexander Afenyo-Markin – MP for Effutu and Minority Leader
Angela Oforiwa Alorwu-Tay – Former MP for Afadjato South
Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah – Former MP for New Juaben South
The first and second deputy Speakers

Hon. Bernard Ahiafor-MP for Akatsi South and Hon. Andrew Asiamah -MP for Fomena and 2nd Deputy Speaker are co-opted members.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) on Sunday, March 16, 2025, abstained from participating in the question-and-answer session on the 24-Hour Economy Policy at the ongoing 2025 post-budget workshop in Parliament.

Mr Augustus Goosie Tanoh, President John Mahama’s advisor on the 24-Hour Economy was on the floor of the House to explain the policy to MPs.

But when it got to question time, some Minority MPs rose to their feet to ask questions but were prevailed upon by their leadership not to ask their questions.

Meanwhile, MPs on the Majority side of the House took the opportunity to either offer explanations, suggestions or ask questions for more light to be thrown on the 24-hour economy policy of the John Mahama led administration.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is not a Father Christmas, they are not there to make business but definitely they are there to survive and falling back on IMF comes with cost; the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin noted at the start of the 2025 post budget workshop in Parliament.

According to him the Country must do everything not to get back to the IMF; and as the nation engages with them, we should be cautious of some of the things they approve.

He further pointed out that it is important that Members of Parliament (MPs) focus on the workshop and emphasis the need for opportunities for the lawmakers to ask critical questions, hence the reason why there are technical experts around at the workshop.

Again, the management of Ghana’s debt is central to the sustainability of its fiscal policy, and questions may relate to, for instance, balance borrowing and investment in growth as well as how to ensure sustainable debt levels.

Governance, he stated is about the welfare of the people and does not make profit; making profit thus belongs to the private sector, hence MPs should do all that it takes to understand the policy goal of the budget and how to align it with the broader development agenda.

The Speaker also urged the MPs to hold government accountable for its promises, thus there is the need for deep understanding of what those promises entail.

Speaker Bagbin advised the lawmakers to focus on the 24-hour Economy policy to explain to their constituents like the previous government did with the Free Senior High school, which had implementation challenges; “and I did say that such an important policy is good to be brought to the House for it to be debated”.

He asserts that Parliament’s role in such policies is not to know about such big policy, but to make inputs, and for MPs to be able to explain to their constituents.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

President John Dramani Mahama’s government has stayed true to the people of Ghana with several promises particularly abolishing of taxes.

The Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson in presenting the government’s 2025 Budget Statement and Fiscal Policy on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 in parliament announced that the government has “programmed the following nuisance taxes for removal in line with our manifesto promise”.

These include;

• we will abolish the 10% withholding tax on winnings from lottery, otherwise known as the “Betting Tax”;
• we will abolish the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) of 1%;
• we will abolish the Emission Levy on industries and vehicles;
• we will abolish the VAT on motor vehicle insurance policy; and
• we will abolish the 1.5% withholding tax on winning of unprocessed gold by small-scale miners.

The removal of these taxes, he stated, will ease the burden on households and improve their disposable incomes; and will support business growth and improve tax compliance.

Meanwhile, he has also announced comprehensive Value Added Tax (VAT) reforms this year to review the current distortions and cascading structure of the VAT regime.

“Ghana’s effective VAT rate is about 22 per cent. This is because GETFund Levy of 2.5 per cent, National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) of 2.5 per cent and COVID-19 Levy of 1 percent are all added to the base for the final determination of the VAT rate of 15%.”

He said they have requested Technical Assistance from the Fiscal Affairs Department of IMF on VAT reforms and it is expected that the IMF Mission will commence in April 2025, adding that the recommendations from the Technical Assistance Mission will inform the VAT reforms.

Ahead of this, the finance minister said he will inaugurate a VAT Reform Task Force to hold broad consultation with key stakeholders for their inputs.

“Mr. Speaker, the parameters for the VAT reforms which will be completed this year will include:

• abolishing the COVID-19 Levy;
• reversing the decoupling of GETFund and NHIL from the VAT;
• reducing the effective VAT rate for households and busineses;
• reversing the VAT flat rate regime;
• upwardly adjusting the VAT registration threshold to exempt micro and small businesses from the collection of VAT; and
• improving compliance through public education and awareness.

Ghanamps.com

As President John Dramani Mahama’s government prepares to present its first budget statement to Parliament, the Minority has served notice that they will reject any attempt to smuggle in new taxes or increase existing taxes.

“We the Mighty Minority will join the people of Ghana to resist any attempt to smuggle in new taxes or increase existing taxes. We owe it a duty to hold the government accountable for their promises to the people of Ghana”, the said when they presented the ‘true State of the Nation Address’ at a press conference in parliament on Monday.

The Minority contends that the ongoing National Economic Dialogue, is intended to whitewash the unfounded and baseless claims of the mismanagement of our economy under the erstwhile NPP administration; and further asserted that the government was scaring the people of Ghana by putting out unaudited outstanding claims on government.

“We believe these unholy moves by the NDC are intended to buy time to cover for its incompetence in managing the economy and to establish the basis for increasing taxes and introducing new taxes in the 2025 Budget Statement, even as they are promising to scrap E-Levy, COVID-Levy and others.

Ladies and gentlemen, does it make sense to scrap E-levy and betting tax, and replace them with new taxes on the mining, telecommunication, the financial sector and real estate industries, which will all be passed on to customers?

The people of Ghana should wait for the deception of the NDC government when they present the 2025 budget – taxes galore!”

“This is how they intend to tax Ghanaians to collect their target of GHS200billion in tax revenues this year. This government accused us of overtaxing the people of Ghana because by the end of 2024, the NPP administration collected GHS152.9 billion which is 17% tax to GDP ratio taking it from President Mahama’s 13% in 2016. How do you then turn around to expect to collect GHS200 billion in a broken economy?” They queried.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin has admonished lawmakers not to depend on the Executive arm of government to develop their constituencies.

In his address at the ongoing orientation for Members of Parliament in Ho, the Volta Region capital, he advised the MPs to rather go beyond the executives to solicit and mobilize resources to support their constituencies and themselves as there are many opportunities out there.

“I got all my outside travels in the first and second parliament of the fourth Republic from institutions outside Parliament. Because of the role I was playing, I was invited; they sponsor me to many international conferences”.

“And I learnt from them. It started as far back as 1994, I am a patron of a number of them and I assist them to mobilize resources any time they run out of budget, they send people to come and interview me as to the benefit and the need of it to such organizations.

“I do it for them to get funding, so do not struggle to catch the eye of the president; do all you can to catch the eye of the Speaker and that is not just a skill, it goes beyond that, you can always catch the eye of the Speaker”.

He assured the MPs that he would be cracking the whip this time around. “I would disapprove of your travels if I see you misbehaving; this is a notice, do not beg me, parliament is not just the corner stone of democracy, it is democracy; that is the only institution that is democratic”, he emphasized.

He said the Executive arm of government belongs to one party, and it is very difficult for them to reach out to all the citizens of the country, but parliament can easily do it; that is why I love this initiative from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources about how to fight illegal mining because you are the people who can lead that crusade.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com