Category: General

The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament has expressed worry over move by the Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia led government to give away the nation’s 5G spectrum to a shadowy entity, Next Gen Infraco Limited for the next ten to fifteen years.

According to the Minority next Gen Infraco limited has exclusive right to build, own and operate the entire 5G infrastructure network across the country for the use of all mobile network operators, internet service providers and other interested entities.

In a press statement issued by the Minority Leader on Monday, June 3, 2024 Dr. Ato Forson noted that executive approval was given by the president on August 22, 2023 barely one week after the company was incorporated in August 16, 2023; and was done through a non-transparent arrangement without any competitive process whatsoever.

The Minority caucus sees the deal as inimical to the national interest after preliminary study leading to the opaque transaction and says so because of the following reasons.
1. Lack of value for money
Our conservative analysis shows that the State could have generated up to USD400 million to USD$500 million upfront if the government had opted for a more competitive process.
This revenue could have been channeled into critical development projects in this time of economic bankruptcy and excruciating hardships. Sadly, the corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government is giving away this important asset for a paltry USD$125million payable in yearly installments on a work-and-pay basis over the next 10 years.

2. Unfair monopoly and exclusivity.
This opaque ‘work and pay’ 5G agreement will ensure that: i. NEXT GEN INFRACO would be the ONLY COMPANY to offer wholesale 5G mobile DATA and VOICE services in the country for a period of 10 years.

ii. All existing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)-MTN, AT, TELECEL and Internet Service Providers ((ISPs) in the country cannot offer DATA and VOICE services to their numerous customers nationwide without passing through NEXT GEN INFRACO.

iii. NEXT GEN INFRACO would control substantial 62.5% of every DATA/VOICE bundle package every mobile user buys, with only 7.5% going to Government and 30% for Mobile Network Operators and Internet Service Providers. We hold the view that the monopoly and exclusive rights granted Next Gen Infraco under this opaque deal is unfair to other industry players and unacceptable.

3. Absence of Parliamentary Approval
This 5G spectrum transaction awarded to Next Gen Infraco Limited is a multi-year contract, hence subject to parliamentary approval per section 33 of the Public Financial Management Act 2016 (Act 921). Unfortunately, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government is almost concluding this deal at the blind side of Parliament. This renders the entire transaction unlawful, null, void, and of no legal effect whatsoever.

4. Some of the entities in the Consortium which are the beneficiaries of this opaque transaction, are mushroom entities owned by cronies of President Akufo-Addo and the Minister for Communication, with questionable track records.
As a matter of fact, some of these entities have been engaged by this same government in similar arrangements that have offered no value for money for the state.

5. The regulatory framework and operational modalities and guidelines for this opaque arrangement have not been clearly defined by the Akufo Addo/Bawumia government, which appears to be in an indecent haste to give away the country’s 5G spectrum for a pittance.

6. The investment that this Consortium is expected to make to justify their humongous 63% stake in Ghana’s 5G network services revenue has also not been clearly defined. The NDC Caucus in Parliament holds the view, that at a time that the country is in dire need of foreign exchange and non-tax revenue, it is unconscionable that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government will hand over the precious and highly sought-after 5G spectrum of the country to a shell company for a pittance.

Clearly, this deal for all intents and purposes is inimical to our national interest and the NDC Minority Caucus has, therefore, flagged this transaction for eagle-eye scrutiny.

In the coming days, we shall be addressing the media and, by extension, the Ghanaian people on these vexed matters and collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure that our national interest is upheld.

Ghanamps.com

A seven-member delegation from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) in South Africa has called on the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah, to solicit views on how to enhance female participation and equality on a number of issues within the African continent.

Briefing the gathering on the purpose of the visit, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Gali Massa Harou, noted that the Pan-African Parliament is in the process of putting together an African Model Law on Gender, which will serve as a guide to all African member countries that have difficulties in implementing laws bordering on issues of gender.

Equal access to education, employment, land, law, reproductive rights, and protection of women, as well as economic and social opportunities for women were few indicators listed by the delegation.

Responding to the subject matter, the Deputy Clerk in charge of Corporate and Financial Management Services, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, who represented the Clerk to Parliament, was of the view that the model laws must be tailored to fit the culture and religious values of member countries.

He cited the Property Rights of Spouses Bill as having been in the books of Ghana’s Parliament for the past 20 years, stressing that the Bill has not been passed due to issues with a few clauses, including a cohabitation clause that seems to create disagreement among Members of Parliament and some civil society groups.

He added that if such an African Model Law was implemented, it could be useful to Ghana’s Parliament in passing the Property Rights of Spouses Bill.

He, however, cautioned the delegation to do extensive consultations before finalizing its report.

The delegation was taken through a number of Acts and policies that would help its cause. They include articles 12 and 35 of the Constitution, which talk about equality and inclusiveness; the Domestic Violence Act; the abolition of female mutilation; and the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act.

Also present at the meeting were Coordinators of Departments, Directors, and some senior officers of the Parliamentary Service.

Ghanamps.com

The Majority caucus in Parliament has taken a swipe at the Minority in Ghana’s Parliament led by its leader Dr. Ato Forson for leading the charge to obstruct government business on its policy of one District One Factory (1D1F).

The Majority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin putting the matter in a proper perspective said the government’s policy on 1D1F requires certain tax incentives be given out to producers.

However, “the Minority has been stampeding this whole policy and they have not given up on these efforts and they have been throwing dust into the eyes of Ghanaians led by the Minority Leader”, he said at a press conference on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

Again, the Minority Leader is leading this charge on behalf of the Minority caucus and the main aim is to obstruct government business and to prevent the people of Ghana the needed economic growth which would result in some businesses investing in the country and expanding their businesses.

According to him, on May 17, 2024, when the Speaker recalled the House, the issue of 1D1F was part of the issue to be dealt with. Unfortunately we could not deal with the referrals that were before the finance committee for over three years.

But we know that in 2016, this country experienced the most outrageous tax giveaways ever seen in Ghana, when the NDC led by John Mahama handed a tax waiver of eight hundred and thirty two million dollars to Meridian Port Services at the time they apply for a tax waiver nine hundred and eighty two million for the port project and through the vigilance of the Minority then we short it down to eight hundred and thirty two million dollars.

And we saved the government and the people of Ghana some hundred million and even requested that some further work be done. Those who led the charge in parliament were Seth Tekpe, the Finance Minister and Dr. Atto Forson, Deputy Minister of Finance then.

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As the push for full Legislative powers for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament surges, leader of the Liberian delegation to the 6th Parliament, Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. has cautioned for the push to be carefully done as Heads of States have their own concerns in this regard.

According to him, in national parliaments of member states there are times where the Executive arm of government and the parliament clash.

“And we do not want to do a regional clash, so we have to nature this process and assure the Heads of states we are not ruing for legislative powers because we want to rub shoulders. Rather, we want to enhance the tenancy of democracy, work with them and project the true image of ECOWAS like is being done in the European Union (EU).

He assured that they are going to work on this, adding, “I am happy that we have a Speaker now who was part of the past Bureau; those things that the past Bureau did not achieve, she would put them on the front burner so that she as a Speaker in her tenure would be able to achieve them.”

As to whether there are better days ahead for the sub-regional Community Parliament, he noted that there are challenging times, but he is hopeful as a person that things are going to get better, more especially as the Parliament has Guinea back in its fold.

In addition, like the Speaker noted in her acceptance speech, he chaired the Committee on selection; one of the provisions was that they would make provision for Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in the different Committees.

So that, they still have slots there and those are some of the things we would take to them whenever we meet them and engage them to return to the fold of the sub-regional bloc.

He was speaking in an interview on the sideline of the just ended Extraordinary Session in Kano Northwest of Nigeria.

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Parliament is expected to resume fully on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin in a statement dated May 27, 2024 announced that Parliament would commence the third meeting of the fourth session of the eighth Parliament of the fourth Republic on Tuesday, 11th June 2024 @ 10:00 am at Parliament House, Accra.”

Members of Parliament are expected on the floor of the House as session will commence promptly at 10:00 am and will see the introduction of numerous legislative bills for consideration.

The Legislative arm of government has been on recess for some months now and had to be recalled at some point to some urgent government business including the approval of newly vetted ministers and deputy ministers.

That meeting also witnessed the swearing in of the Member of Parliament elect for Ejisu, Kwabena Boateng after the by-election necessitated by the demise of John Kumah who was the MP.

Ghanamps.com

The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to elect the first female speaker in the annals of the regional legislative arm.

The Parliamentarians representing Togo at the ECOWAS Parliament are already in Kano North West, Nigeria, where the 2024 Extraordinary Session of the Sixth Legislature of the Community Parliament is ongoing.

It is expected that the delegation from Togo will be sworn in on Thursday and subsequently the new Speaker would emerge among them as the position has been allotted based on the rotational system of the parliament for the Speakership.

Statements emerging from the floor of the Parliament showed that a female parliamentarian, Memounatou Ibrahima, will emerged as the speaker,

Ibrahima was the third Deputy Speaker in the fifth Legislature of ECOWAS Parliament; she has been in the ECOWAS Parliament since 2021.

She is primed to take up the baton from the Nigerian leader of delegation, Senator Barau Jubrin who was elected the First Deputy Speaker at the inauguration of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament on April 4th 2024, had to act as the Speaker to avoid creating vacuum of leadership at the Community Parliament,

During the inauguration of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS on April 4th 2024, the delegation of the Republic of Togo was not present because they had not conducted election to enable the country send their representatives to the Community Parliament.

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The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has proposed the appointment of Ad hoc Mediation Committee to prevail on the three member states Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger not to leave the regional bloc.

The Acting Speaker of the Community Parliament, Rt. Hon Barau Jibrin, who is also the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, disclosed this at the opening of the 2024 Second Extraordinary Session of the Sixth of the ECOWAS Parliament in Kano State, North West Nigeria.

Senator Jibrin, who is the first Deputy Speaker of the regional Parliament, emphasised that there is no alternative to a strong united regional bloc.

Senator Jibril disclosed that, “I will, in consultation with my colleagues on the Bureau, be proposing the appointment of an Ad hoc Mediation Committee whose mandate will be to work with all stakeholders in getting our brothers to rescind their decision and come home and work towards promoting dialogue with a view to resolving conflicts in the region. It’s no doubt that we are stronger and there is absolutely no alternative to our collective aspirations of a united, peaceful and secure ECOWAS.”

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso had in January this year announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.
The junta-led countries had been suspended from the regional bloc for coup d’état and were urged to return to democratic rule.

Reacting to the suspension, the three military governments took the decision to withdraw from ECOWAS as according to them it was a “sovereign decision” to withdraw from the regional block.

Senator Jibril disclosed the session will also provide an opportunity for the Community Parliament to deliberate and provide fresh perspectives on pressing issues in the ECOWAS Region and proffer recommendations on how peace, security and stability can be attained.

”As the Parliament looks towards to facilitating the promotion of democracy, checks and balances, as well as accountability in the ECOWAS Community, having a strong ECOWAS Parliament is indispensable. I have had the esteemed honor of leading this Parliament for barely two months and I have concluded that much needs to be done in terms of asserting the independence of the Parliament in the exercise of its important roles of parliamentary oversight and representation.

There is, also, a compelling need to build strong collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission and undertake joint initiatives aimed at strengthening regional security and advancing development. While it is true that each institution has its unique prerogatives, the fact remains that there exist cross-cutting issues that are best addressed with enhanced collaboration among the community institutions.”

On the delegation of Togo to the parliament, Senator Jibril disclosed that the delegation from that country that the speakership of the sixth legislature has be zoned to, is expected to be sworn in as members of the parliament before the end of the session.

“I wish to also inform this house that a Parliamentary Fact-finding mission was dispatched to the Republic of Togo. The delegation ascertained circumstances surrounding the notable absence of the Togolese delegation, which, by virtue of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of the Powers of the Parliament, deserves the Speakership, and held discussions with national stakeholders on other political issues. I am pleased to report that we received very favorable response from the Togolese authorities that our brothers from Togo will be inaugurated as soon as possible.

He noted that since the inauguration of the sixth legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament on Thursday, April, 2024, it has been able make some notable achievements and participated in various regional, continental and international programmes.

“Within this short period, the ECOWAS Parliament participated in the Third Parliamentary Policy Dialogue on the Protection of Vulnerable Targets against terrorism, which was hosted by the United Nations Office on Counter Terrorism, a Capacity Building Training on Labor Migration Governance under the auspices of the African Union Commission and the International Conference on enhancing the role, relevance, and effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice through the strengthening of synergies between the Court and national stakeholders, which was hosted by our sister Institution the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.

Additionally, members of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarian Association were invited by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies to share experience with the National Assembly of Nigeria on the modalities in establishing a multi-party women’s caucus in the Nigerian National Assembly. We look forward to more of such engagements, especially with our counterparts at the National Level, with the view to promoting regional integration.”

In his address the Kano state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, emphasized the need to tackle the citizenship issues among ECOWAS member countries, regional security, integration, environmental and natural resources challenges, and higher education, employment, poverty, and democratic volatility.

He cautioned against allowing global powers to turn the region into a dumping ground for finished goods, stressing that Africa is not a dumping ground for global markets.

The Kano Governor urged the Regional Parliament to revisit the issue of a common currency and passports, which would enhance the region’s economic viability and global competitiveness.

Governor Yusuf expressed concern about the proliferation of illicit drugs and arms and light weapons, calling for concerted efforts to combat these menaces.

Governor Yusuf said that, despite challenges, the West African regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at $633 billion as of 2023, highlighting the region’s potential to become a significant global economic key player.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria, Yusuf Maitama Tugga in a message who assured the community of Nigeria’s Government continued support identified ECOWAS Parliament as vital institution in fostering regional integration.

Tugga, represented by Ambassador Musa Nuhu, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS stressed the need for ECOWAS Community to strengthen its democratic institutions for the benefits of the region.
He said, “we need to collaborate with all organs and institutions within the ECOWAS. You have at your disposal so many instruments to use for you to achieve that.”

The Minister urged the ECOWAS Parliament to use its various mechanisms to engage member countries that currently under unconstitutional changes of government.

Tugga said, “as regional Parliamentarians, you have a role to play in harnessing the cooperation of our people. The Parliamentarians are closer to our populace and that is why you have to underscore the importance of the role you have are occupying today especially in this period where our sub-regional organization is so much challenged with numerous issues.”

He described the hosting of the regional meeting in the commercial city of Kano as important as it will greatly bridge the gap between the citizens and the regional community.

During this session, the regional parliament is expected to hold deliberations and adopt three very important instruments which bear heavily on the progress and effective implementation of our mandate.

They are, the Rules of Procedure of the Sixth Legislature, which was deferred from our Inaugural session. The Strategic Plan of the Sixth Legislature, and The Work Plan of the year 2024.

The Rules of Procedure serves as a guide and direction for the parliament in checking procedural deficiencies.
The Strategic Plan, on the other hand, serves as a crucial and indispensable tool in ensuring that the programs and activities of the parliament are directly linked with the overall strategic institutional objectives of ECOWAS, while the Work Plan sets the agenda for the engagements the year.

Five parliamentarians were sworn in as members of the regional parliament at the opening of the session by the acting speaker of the parliament, Senator Jibrin.

The ceremony was attended by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, the Emir Karaye, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar II and Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim.

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A member of the Nigerian delegation to the 6th Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Senator Mohammed Ali-Ndume said efforts to ensure that the three Sahel Countries (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger) who have threatened to leave the sub-regional bloc to rescind their decision is highly possible.

According to him, he is confident the return of the three Sahel countries to the West African bloc would happen, as their threat per the ECOWAS protocol has a year within which this threat can be carried out.

“I am not happy with what happened with the three countries because of the military takeovers, and the reaction of ECOWAS initially that led to the suspension of the three countries and their threat of leaving”.

In an interview on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 when the second Extraordinary meeting of the Community Parliament opened in Kano North West part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he pointed out that in the case of Niger the 5th Legislature set up an Ad hoc Committee which was already working to resolve the problem.

“We had achieved a lot and the first deputy speaker of the 5th Legislature Ahmed Idris Wase was the chairman of the Ad hoc Committee and I was part of that Committee and I hope this meeting would come out with a better result after this session in Kano”.

Again, we are in dialogue with the representatives of the various countries; we are achieving a lot, we hope to come out better, meanwhile this is the first time outside Abuja in the Northern part of Nigeria particularly we are hosting this important session we hope to achieve much.

“In fact the ordinary Nigerian in the North is full of expectations and I assure them that we are not going to disappoint them, you know Niger is surrounded by seven neighboring states in Northern Nigeria. So, that is very much important that we deal with this matter. The major problem we had in the case of Niger has to do with the sanctions; now ECOWAS has lifted it, we are only to put finishing touches to those agreements.

As to whether the Russian influence with the Sahel Countries in itself is not going to make their return a problem, he noted that it is not new as all African nations except few have been colonized by Western countries.

“We are making progress and I am very confident of the return of the three Sahel countries back to the fold of the sub-regional bloc, we would get there”, he added.

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Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh Dompreh has challenged the Minority Leader Dr. Atto Forson to put out his evidence of 30 slot for Majority MPs for recruitment into the security services by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government.

According to him the NDC when they were under the IMF programme there was a freeze on public sector employment and since the NPP came to office within the eight years it was only on three occasions that there has been an advert of recruitment into the security services.

And further pointed out that it is wrong for one to say why for some time now there has not been advertisement for recruitment into the security services. “You cannot advertise when you are not ready to recruit. Before you do that you have to put your house in order and secure the financial clearance to do that and as we have been told that is in the domain of the interior Ministry.”

“We’re amazed with all these allegations; and perhaps that was what they were doing when they were in office and they are thinking we are doing same that is not the case. We challenge Ato if he has better particulars he should put them out or forever be silent on this matter”.

Again, this year’s election would be on facts and figures, we know psychologically they know they are down and knowing that they would be throwing tantrums they would just be causing confusion and putting wiled allegations out there.

Their colleague James Agalga is a Ranking member on the defense and Interior Committee, we would challenge them on this, and we are not happy about this; there is not truth in it, disrespect their claim, he said after the press conference and was answering questions.

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The Majority in Parliament has described as baseless allegations levelled by the Minority that Majority MPs have been given 30 recruitment quota into the security services.

According to the Deputy Majority Leader Patricia Appiagyie no Parliamentary candidate or Member of Parliament has been allotted slot to recruit anyone into the security services, stating that not only is the allegation false but a desperate attempt by the Minority to incite the public against the government as we approach the 2024 general elections.

She further pointed out at a press conference on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 that the Minority’s assertion that 276 NPP parliamentary candidates, including 138 sitting MPs, have each been given 30 recruitment slots is mathematically and administratively ludicrous.

“To suggest that 8,250 new recruits could be absorbed into our security forces, in a system that traditionally accommodates between 1,000 to 1,200 recruits annually, shows a profound misunderstanding of the operational and financial frameworks of our security institutions.”

She noted that the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s assertion is deliberate distortion of reality and a malicious fabrication aimed at undermining the integrity of the government.

Such allegations serve only to provoke unwarranted tension and foster an environment of mistrust and political rivalry that our country does not need.

The Interior Minister Henry Quartey, has already outlined the government’s recruitment strategy, which focuses on giving a second chance to qualified Ghanaians who previously applied but were not selected.

This approach is not only fair but also thoughtful, avoiding unnecessary financial burdens on applicants by not reopening the recruitment process widely.

We urge the Minority to refrain from spreading misinformation and to respect the intelligence of the Ghanaian public. Such tactics are beneath the dignity of our democratic processes and could potentially endanger the peace and security of our nation.

As the governing party, we remain committed to fairness, transparency, and the rule of law. We will not be swayed by these groundless accusations but will continue to work diligently to ensure the safety and security of all Ghanaians.
We call on all parties and media houses to demand factual accuracy and to contribute responsibly to the political discourse of our nation. Let us move forward, not with falsehoods and fear, but with facts and faith in our democratic institutions, she emphasised.

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