Category: General

Lawyer Kwabena Boateng, the second vice chairman for Ejisu NPP has been declared winner to become the parliamentary candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming by-election in Ejisu in the Ashanti Region slated for 30th April, 2024.

He polled 394 votes out of 1033 total valid votes cast ahead of his closest contender, Helena Mensah, who polled 302 votes, followed by Yaa Gyamera, who obtained 229 votes .

The Ejisu parliamentary seat become vacant following the death of the late John Kumah, who was the Member of Parliament and also a deputy Minister of Finance

Below are the results per the candidates balloting position;

1. Lawyer Kwabena Boateng-394 votes

2. Dr.Evans Duah-61 votes

3. Kinsman Karikari Mensa-2 votes

4. Helena Mensah-302 votes

5. Abena Pokuaa Amoah-Boaitey-0 votes

6. Portia Acheampong -6 votes

7. Lawyer Kwasi Nyantakyi-35

8. Aaron Prince Duah-2

9. Yaa Gyamera Aboagye-229

Ghanamps.com

The 1st Meeting of the 4th Session of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana was a significant period in the country’s political scenery, characterized by various key occurrences and highlights that shaped the direction of governance.

The period witnessed remarkable events that molded the country’s legislative landscape. From engaging in legislative debates to the successful passage of crucial bills, Parliament played a pivotal role in addressing pressing national challenges and fostering progress.

The meeting began on a historic note with the implementation of new Standing Orders (written rules regulating parliamentary proceedings), the previous one having undergone significant revisions, after serving Parliament for almost thirty years.

The revised Standing Orders introduced innovative practices and procedures including a roll call, the recital of the National Anthem and the National Pledge. Other provisions of the new Standing Orders include the conduct of parliamentary business through virtual platforms, as well as open committee sittings, and a clear delineation of the hierarchy of Parliament’s leadership.

The provisions in the new Standing
Orders are aimed at addressing the evolving needs of Ghana’s dynamic and hybrid parliamentary democracy and to enhance the effectiveness of parliamentary processes and procedures, in response to the changing landscape of Ghana’s political system. Parliament has subsequently trained Members and staff, Civil Society players and the Parliamentary Press Corps on the new Standing Orders.

The exiting of the Black Stars from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the group stage propelled the organizers of the “Save Ghana Football” demonstrators to present a 15-point petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, which was received by Leadership of the House. The petition elicited a passionate debate on the floor of Parliament. The petition was referred to the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture for investigation and report to the House.

This Meeting recorded a novelty when a Member presided over proceedings, in the absence of the Rt. Hon. Speaker and his two deputies. The Clerk to Parliament, pursuant to Standing Order 12(4), invited nominations from the House for a Member to preside over the Sitting as the Member Presiding. The Member for Sunyani East, Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, was elected to chair proceedings for the day. In subsequent days, the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, and Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Kobina Tahir Hammond also took the Chair as Member Presiding due to the absence of the Speaker and his two deputies.

The long serving leader of the Majority Caucus was replaced by his Deputy as Majority Leader, following his announcement on the Floor of his resignation. Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu made a statement in which he informed the House of his voluntary resignation as the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business.

The Hon. Member for Effutu, Mr. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin was selected as his replacement. As well, the nomination of the Hon. First Deputy Majority Whip, Ms. Lydia Seyram Alhassan as the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources necessitated further changes in the Leadership of the Majority Caucus as follows:

i. Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin – Majority Leader
ii. Hon. Patricia Appiagyei – Deputy Majority Leader
iii. Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh – Majority Chief Whip
iv. Hon. Habib Iddrisu – First Deputy Majority Whip
v. Hon. Alex Tetteh Djornobuah – Second Deputy Majority Whip

Another notable event during this Meeting was the delivery of the Message on the State of the Nation by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution. The details of the President’s speech gave insights into the county’s development trajectory, challenges, and vision.

The Meeting witnessed the introduction of some notable bills and legislative proposals aimed at addressing key issues facing the country. These issues ranged from economic development to social welfare and governance reforms. Parliament passed significant Bills, including the Death Penalty Bill, Witchcraft Bill, Ghana Anti-doping Bill and the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. The Bills received support from a coalition of Christian, Muslim, and Ghanaian traditional leaders, and backing among Members of Parliament.

Some of the Bills are yet to be assented to by the Executive President who, in various communications signed by his secretary to the Clerk to Parliament, assigned reasons including citing two pending legal actions at the Supreme Court, as reasons for his not being able to assent to the Bills. The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin described one of the letters as contemptuous of Parliament, the wrong application of dangerous legal principle of interim injunction and an affront to the tenets of democracy.

The Rt. Hon. Bagbin in same vain, also brought to the attention of the House, the receipt of a process from the Court which sought to restrain the Speaker from proceeding with the vetting and approval of the names of the persons submitted by the President until the provisions of the Constitution are satisfied.

Applying the same principle, Mr. Speaker stated that the House was unable to continue to consider the nominations of the President in the “spirit of upholding the rule of law “until after the determination of the application for an interlocutory injunction by the Supreme Court”. A quotation he borrowed from the letter of the Secretary to the President.

There were somber and melancholic moments during the Meeting. The passing of Member for Ejisu and Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah on Thursday, 7th March 2024 was one such occasion.

The 1st Meeting of the 4th Session of the 8th Parliament of Ghana was marked by significant acts, critical to legislative and political development. The role of the Speaker of Parliament was crucial in facilitating productive debates and maintaining order in the Legislative Chamber. He was instrumental in ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament and upholding democratic principles.

Parliament has since gone on recess and is expected to commence the Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament soon.

MEDIA RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
PARLIAMENT OF GHANA

The former Majority Leader Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has admonished the Asante Patriotic Network Diaspora (TAPN-D) to respect Article 13 of the ruling New Patriotic Party’s Constitution which relates to selection of the vice presidential candidate.

According to him clause 3 sub-clause (1) of the said article provides that “The Party’s Presidential Candidate shall, in consultation with the National Council, nominate the Vice-Presidential Candidate.”

He made this post on his Facebook wall when he pointed out that it has come to his attention that a publication by a group describing itself as ‘The Asante Patriotic Network – Diaspora’ is “recommending my humble self to the Vice- President to nominate me as his running mate in the impending Presidential election.”

I acknowledge the recognition accorded me by the group, and for considering me worthy of this esteemed position.

The pivot in the selection process is the Presidential Candidate. There was no spirited canvassing by any person or persons to get Professor Adu Boahen to nominate Lawyer R.I Alhassan as his running mate.

Again, there was no pressure on Candidate J.A. Kufour to choose Alhaji Aliu Mahama as his Vice-Presidential Candidate. There was no orchestration to have then Candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to select Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as his running mate.

In much the same way, there must not be any attempt, even seemingly, to bring pressure to bear on the Presidential Candidate on who he should select as his Vice-Presidential Candidate.

The Presidential Candidate has grown and matured in the party. Dr. Bawumia, as we all attest to, is analytical, calculated and purposed in his considerations.

Above all, let us remember that this is the first time that the New Patriotic Party or, indeed, the UP tradition has elected a northerner as leader of the party. Let us respect his competence to do what is right for the party, he added

Ghaanamps.com

The Speaker Alban S. K. Bagbin has described the late Hon Modestus Ahiable as a man of conviction who approached his earthly endeavors with calculated precision and strong principles.

According to him, this attribute of the late former regional chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) endeared him to the late former President Jerry John Rawlings who appointed him regional minister for the Volta Region.

Speaker Bagbin paid this tribute when the family of the late Modestus Ahiable called on him in Parliament on Monday to formally announce his passing and details of the funeral arrangements.

They were led by the Member of Parliament for the Ketu North Constituency Hon James Klutse Avedzi who is also chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

Recounting the memory of Mr. Ahiable who was popularly called ‘Eku’, Speaker Bagbin expressed the need to celebrate the contributions and memory of people who dedicate and devote their lives to serving their nation.

This, he said, helps to inspire and uplift younger generations to commit themselves to a life of service.

“When I was minority leader, these were the men of wisdom whose support I could count on in my moment of difficulty. He sparingly spoke and when he did, you will see commitment in it,”-Speaker Bagbin said.

He described the passing of the man he called his friend as a great loss to humanity, the country, the NDC and the family.

The Speaker assured the family that Parliament will support them to give him a befitting burial according  to the family, the mortal remains of Mr. Ahiable will be laid to rest on April 27, 2024 in Dzodze, Volta Region.

Ghanamps.com

The Majority caucus of Ghana’s parliament has defended the upward review of fees for passport acquisition from one hundred Ghana cedis (GHS100) to five hundred Ghana cedis (GHS500) as reasonable.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Andy Appiah Kubi on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, addressing members of the Parliamentary Press Corps said government was subsidizing the fee for passport acquisition by GHS300.00 hence passport applicants were paying only GHc 100.00 prior to the recent passport fee review.

According to him passport was a main document for people to prove their Ghanaian citizenship, however, the Ghana Card is now an important alternative means for proving one’s citizenship hence the decision by government to withdraw the subsidy on passport which is used by only 20 percent of Ghanaians to travel.

He further pointed out that increment in the fees for passport acquisition will help government to open more passport application centers across the country to reduce the inconvenience in the acquisition of passport.

Again, within the West African sub-region Ghana’s passport is the cheapest and the whole House both the Majority and Minority encouraged the Ministry to increase the passport fees, the subsidiary legislation agreed to this co -chaired by the Minority.

“So for anybody to step out to say they oppose the upward review is neither here nor there and those doing that are not part of the Committee. It is not the work of the Foreign Affairs committee which I chair and Okudzeto Ablakwa is the ranking; it never came up at the committee meeting that there was protestation to the upward review”, he stated.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced a parliamentary primary to elect a candidate for the Ejisu constituency by-election.

The seat became vacant following the death of John Ampontuah Kumah, Member of Parliament and Deputy Finance Minister, on March 7, 2024.

Key Dates:
Saturday, April 13, 2024: The date for the NPP’s Ejisu constituency by-election primary.
Tuesday, April 2 to Thursday, April 4, 2024: Three-day nomination window for aspiring candidates.

Nomination Fees:
Application Fee: GHC 3,000 (non-refundable)
Filing Fee: GHC 35,000 (non-refundable) for regular candidates
GHC 17,500 (non-refundable) for women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs)
Reduced Filing Fee for Women, Youth and PWDs:

The NPP is offering a 50% discount on filing fees for women, youth, and persons with disabilities who wish to run for office. This initiative encourages participation from these underrepresented groups in the upcoming by-election.

Ghanamps.com

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S. K. Bagbin has reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill unanimously passed by parliament.

According to his aid Peter Bamfo at the 2024 Suma Akwantu Kesie Festival in Suma in the Bono Region,he noted that the passage of the bill marked a triumph of the country’s democratic principles and a reaffirmation of its commitment to upholding traditional values.

He, therefore, called on the traditional leaders to continue their advocacy for the preservation of the country’s true values.

He commended the Suma Traditional Council for its visionary leadership in reimagining the festival as a catalyst for development in the traditional area.

He also praised the Council for the initiative to establish an ultramodern social centre in honour of the late Nana Kwadwo Adinkra, who invented the Adinkra symbols.

“The Adinkra Center will serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity, providing invaluable resources for youth training, cultural education, and socio-economic empowerment,” Speaker Bagbin said.

The Speaker also called on the people of Suma to rally behind their leaders to ensure the development of the area.

Ghanamps.com

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has described as bizarre and unfortunate the Majority Caucus’ claim against the Speaker, RT. Hon. Alban Bagbin of arbitrariness and falsely claiming that the Speaker and the Minority Caucus are sabotaging so-called government business.

The Minority said the Majority Caucus has only fallen on its own dagger in Parliament on Wednesday; stating that “the Majority Caucus is engaged in deliberate distortions and grand propaganda to whip up public sentiments against the Rt. Hon. Speaker and the Minority Caucus with these claims.

According to the Minority, in a statement issued on Thursday March 21, 2024, on Wednesday, there was no tax waiver business before the House, and that the claim by the Majority Caucus is false. “Clearly, they intended smuggling the tax waivers into the last-minute business of the House. In its present form, we are opposed to these tax waivers. We have stated our opposition on these waivers time without number. They are tainted with corruption and designed to siphon state resources into private pockets.”

The Speaker on Wednesday, suspended the approval of the President’s Ministerial nominees citing an interlocutory injunction filed by Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, Member of Parliament for South Dayi which prevents parliament from carrying on with the approval process until the determination of the case by the Supreme Court.

The Speaker said his decision was based on the precedence set by the President in which the President wrote to the Clark of Parliament urging him not to transmit the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2021 passed by Parliament to the President to assent to until two injunction cases at the Supreme Court are determined.

But the Majority Caucus would have none of this and accused the Speaker and the Minority of sabotaging government business.

The Majority Leader in a statement noted that the President is entitled to respect the legal injunctions pending before the Supreme Court; and that the presidency’s stance does not undermine Parliament’s authority.

BACKGROUND
The Executive Secretary to the President on March 18, 2024 wrote to the Clark of parliament to cease and desist from transmitting the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2024 to the President for assent until the matters before the Supreme Court are resolved.

This has brought some level of tension between the two arms of government.

The Speaker in an official statement to the House also expressed regret concerning the conduct displayed by the Presidency following Parliament’s successful unanimous passage of the Human Sexual Values Bill, 2021; adding that the behaviour exhibited by the Presidency in refusing to accept the transmission of this bill not only deviates from established democratic practices but also undermines the spirit of cooperative governance and mutual respect for the arms of government.

“This is a principle that forms the cornerstone of our political system. Such actions, if left unchecked, risk setting dangerous precedents that threaten the integrity and functionality of our democratic institutions”, the Speaker stated.

The Speaker disclosed that a disturbing pattern seems to be emerging from the Executive branch, which points to a concerning disregard for the foundational principles enshrined in the Constitution, 1992, citing President’s refusal to assent to three critical bills that had been duly passed via as a Private Members’ Bill.

Ghanamps.com

In a rather unexpected response from parliament, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has served notice parliament would not be able to consider the approval of the new ministerial appointees.

According to the Speaker a law suit has been filed against the Speaker and parliament. And taking cue from the precedent set by the president, parliament is an able to act until the determination of the case.

“Be that as it may, Hon Members, I also bring to your attention, the receipt of a process from the Courts titled Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor vrs. The Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney -General (Suit no. J1/12/2024) which process was served on the 19th of March 2024 and an injunction motion on notice seeking to restrain the Speaker from proceeding with the vetting and approval of the names of the persons submitted by His Excellency the President until the provisions of the constitution are satisfied.

Hon. Members in the light of this process, the House is unable to continue to consider the nominations of His Excellency the President in the “spirit of upholding the rule of law “until after the determination of the application for interlocutory injunction by the Supreme Court.”

In a formal statement on the floor of the House, the Speaker expressed his profound regret concerning the conduct displayed by the Presidency following Parliament’s successful unanimous passage of the Human Sexual Values Bill, 2021.

He said the behaviour exhibited by the Presidency in refusing to accept the transmission of this bill not only deviates from established democratic practices but also undermines the spirit of cooperative governance and mutual respect for the arms of government.

“This is a principle that forms the cornerstone of our political system. Such actions, if left unchecked, risk setting dangerous precedents that threaten the integrity and functionality of our democratic institutions.”

Citing a disturbing pattern emerging from the Executive branch, which points to a concerning disregard for the foundational principles enshrined in the Constitution, 1992, he said the President’s recent refusal to accept the transmission of the Human Sexual Values Bill adds to similar action when the president refused to exercise same “to three critical bills that had been duly passed via as a Private Members’ Bill.

He indicated that he had course to speak about the president’s refusal to assent to bills; and “underscored the troubling nature of the President’s justifications for his actions, or rather, the lack thereof, particularly highlighting that his failure to assent on grounds of alleged unconstitutionality, paradoxically stood in violation of the very constitution he invoked.”

Letter From The Office Of The Secretary To Parliament On 18 March, 2024, the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, issued a letter to the Clerk to Parliament directing him to cease and desist from submitting the Human Sexual Values Bill, 2021 to the President until the matters before the Supreme Courts are resolved.

The Executive Secretary in the said letter noted that the Office of the President was aware of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction seeking to restrain the Clerk and Parliament from transmitting the Bill to the President.

And that the Attorney General had on 18 March 2024 informed the President that he had received the two applications and had advised the President not to take any step in relation to the Bill until matters raised by the suit are determined by the Supreme Court. As a result, the Presidency conveyed to the Clerk that it was unable to accept transmission of the Bill.

Ghanamps.com

Majority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo said his side disagrees with the position taken by Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin that the president is undermining democracy by not assenting to a bill passed by Parliament and making reference to a Supreme Court case on the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill and should have resorted to the constitution in making certain communications.

According to him in the letter sent to the House the president limited himself to the process before the court and the fact that parliament itself has filed an affidavit in opposition and is in court.

“In fact parliament is a party to the suit; for us we do not see how this would have to affect the proceedings of parliament. In any event, the Speaker should have referred issues to the leadership of the House to guide him in the conduct of business this morning”.

The leadership of the House sat together to discuss the various items to be taken, we were done with some and some that we were supposed to take; we were told that the Speaker would have to take the chair. It is very disappointing that after the Speaker has made known his own views about the letter from the presidency to the clerk, he adjourned the House sine die without given room to the leadership of the House to even comment, he lamented.

In addition, we find this very strange, this is a democracy as he himself has said that this impasse call for reflection, I would play that out to the Speaker himself that we all need to reflect on going forward as a nation.

Again, he said he was not going into the matter as this would undermine same but we all know that the very issue that was raised by Dafeamekpor had to do with the continuing ministers who have been reshuffled to other ministries, the issue of constitutionality of certain nominees has been determined by the going vetting process.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com