Category: General

The Minority in parliament has challenged the legality of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Committee sets up by the president in his quest to recover looted state resources, enforce accountability, and ensure good governance.

The Minority accused the Minister designate for Attorney General and Minister of Justice for justifying unconstitutional establishment, and putting together people who go about harassing former government officials.

Addressing the media in parliament, the Member of Parliament for Suame, John Darko said the Minority believes the establishment of the ORAL Committee violates or flies in the face of the constitution. “So one would have expected that a law professor in the person of Dr. Ayine would have condemned it; but rather he justified it”.

He asserts that the nominee’s justification of ORAL has put the work of the Police CID, EOCO, the Special Prosecutor and all constitutionally established bodies out of business.

According to him, no serious country will entertain anything such as this; adding that the development is concerning and they (Minority) want the people of Ghana to know.

He advised all ex-government officials to boycott any invitation by the ORAL team, saying, “We are not going to be part of it, because we believe that there are constitutionally established bodies that can investigate any so-called and misdeed of a government. What they are doing is to go about disturbing people, entering homes, taking vehicles, seizing vehicles, and more or less taking over lands from people who have genuinely purchased lands”.

He defended the actions of former appointees who have acquired properties saying “what the former government appointees have done is to acquire properties that legally they could acquire; no illegality has taken place”.

He also accused members of the new government of also buying state properties in the prime areas many years ago.

ORAL
The Operation-Recover-All-Loot (ORAL) is an initiative by President John Dramani Mahama in his quest to recover looted funds and public assets, punish perpetrators as well as make corruption unattractive to people especially government appointee.

On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the president announced a five-member ORAL team to perform the following:

•Investigating Corruption Cases: Establishing a specialized task force to scrutinize suspected corruption cases under previous administration.

•Recovering Misappropriated State Resources: Prioritizing the retrieval of stolen state funds, property, and other assets for national development projects.

•Prosecuting Offenders: Committing to prosecuting individuals or entities found guilty of embezzling public resources, including members of the outgoing NPP government and serving as a deterrent to future offenders.

Ghanamps.com

The Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged first-time Members of Parliament (MPs) to take their four days orientation seriously, which will help them grasp the practices and conventions of the House as the 9th Parliament of the fourth Republic has started.

According to him it is important to provide the first-time MPs with the needed requisite skills through the workshop and training. He made these remarks on Saturday, January 11, 2025, in Parliament House when the House started its first batch of training for first timers.

The Effutu MP further pointed out that one will have disagreement with the Rt. Hon. Speaker who is presiding but admonished both government and opposition side of the House not to be antagonistic to the Speaker but rather manage whoever the Speaker is.

Again, do not look down on yourself and do not punch above your weight if you are to survive the hallow chamber, and urged the first-timers to tell themselves they will survive as MPs.

None of you should fear speaking his or her mind as the acting clerk has said; and in addition never get personal with your dealings on the floor of the House, respect colleagues, use language that is acceptable, and you will survive.

Also do not under rate staffs of Parliament if you are to survive as a lawmaker; you do that at your own cost. I survived in the chamber because I made them my friends. Do not think because of your privilege of being an MP you are above them, if you see their CVS you will be shocked. Some have three masters, some have PhD but they do not even use it, they are very experienced and will teach you how to survive in the chamber, he advised.

The Minority leader also entreated them to make the Hansard their friend; “look for it, read it, you will be heckled but once you refer to the Hansard, you will be good to go, refer to precedents of the House”.

“We should check ourselves in the chamber with the coming in of social media else our mistakes become the news”. He gave example of the funeral of the late president of the United States of America, where former President Obama and President-elect Donald Trump were chit-chatting. The international media instead of focusing on the funeral as news, the chit-chat became the news.

And your success depends on how well you know the standing Orders of the House, he concluded.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Acting clerk of Ghana’s Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror has told New Members in the 9th parliament who are undergoing a four day orientation to sharpen their skills as the task ahead is daunting.

According to him there is high public expectation of MPs to perform their functions and duties which to a large extent is not consistent with their core responsibilities as mandated by the constitution of the Republic.

In his welcome remarks, he pointed out the need to examine what has become the new normal role of expectation of constituents and the actual responsibility and roles of MPs. “Your representation, what is it, what is the nature of that role, and what is required of you under the constitution; adding that these may be diametrically opposed to the views and expectation of their constituents, and sometimes a section of the public.

And going through this training, the real role of the MP is one issue that will come up and dominate our discussions. In order to confront it and address the many expectations, it is important for the MPs to seek the requisite knowledge and skills on platforms such as this orientation and induction program, and short courses organize by the parliamentary training institute as well as coaching and mentoring by senior colleagues. When you do that, you will be able to balance your statutory duties and representational roles by articulating the concerns and addressing the needs of your constituents.

As part of educating your constituents and the public on the proper role of an MP, the parliamentary service board, under former Speaker Oquaye and current Speaker Bagbin restructure the communications division by having public engagements, media relations for the public to understand the role; and this education needs to be continued for it to register in the minds of Ghanaians that MPs have a specific role that they have to play; many other expectations will be a matter of appealing to the MPs, he said.

“We believe this is very critical to take off the pressure on MPs and the parliamentary service board under the leadership of the Speaker we will work with you in this direction”, he added.

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Former Member of Parliament for Wenchi West, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has said in the 9th Parliament of the fourth Republic of Ghana, the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Majority has accepted that the views of the Minority matters.

According to him being in the Minority does not mean you do not love your nation and was happy with the process leading to the election of leadership of the House.

In an interview just after the inauguration of the 9th Parliament, and the selection of the Speakers, he noted that in the immediate past 8th Parliament, the importance of the Minority was not recognized; the NPP were thinking that if you are in the Minority nothing of yours counted.

So, in the decision process your ideas were discarded and were not taken serious. They only see something good when it was coming from them. For instance E-Levy brought about a lot of brouhaha; they themselves came out to say it’s not good, and promised to scrap it off when voted into power.

“When the E-levy was being passed, they knew what the then Minority NDC was saying was right, but because it was coming from the Minority, they did not want to work with it. We are not like that so if you look at the election that took place, when they were in the Majority, they did not want the second deputy speaker to come from us the NDC, they gave it to an independent candidate. We could have given the second deputy speaker to anyone of the independent MPs, but we did not do that looking at the fact that they are new.

And, if we do not give it to the NPP, we will not be helping the nation. That is why we gave it to Asiamah, the Fomena MP; he has worked in the House and we believe in his ability. The fact that he is not with us does not mean if we have his contribution we cannot use that to build this Nation, he added.

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Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Aseidu Nkiatia has taken a swipe at the Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo –Markin for suggesting that President John Dramani Mahama was wrong for recommending to NDC MPs-elect to select Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin as Speaker for the 9th Parliament.

According to him they will use their Majority in the current 9th Parliament to help build Ghana. “If you have this kind of Minority and you do not want us to work for the nation we will push you aside”, he stated when speaking after the inauguration of the 9th parliament and subsequent selection of the Speaker.

He said he was surprised at the argument being put forward by Afenyo-Markin with regards to the President’s letter to the MPs-elect, adding that Afenyo was pretending or intentional as though the practice was unheard off.

He noted that it is ironic that the NPP has no problem with a system that has a Minister for Parliamentary Affairs appointed by the president and goes to cabinet, same person doubles as the Majority leader in parliament, yet the same people are raising issues with a president-elect recommending the appointment of someone to the position of a Speaker.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The 9th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana has been inaugurated.

In all 275 Members of Parliament elect out of the total 276 seats were inaugurated.

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin administered the oath of office to the MPs-elect shortly after he (Speaker) was also sworn in by the Chief Justice.

Earlier, the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Djietro announced an injunction served on parliament and the Clerk of Parliament not to entertain the swearing in of the MP-elect for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi.

However, he chose to continue with the process and bear the consequences thereof hence his inclusion in the swearing in.

The Ablekuma North collation has still not been concluded and the Electoral Commission did not submit any name to parliament for swearing in, the clerk stated.

Leadership

Meanwhile, the House has also elected the full complement of the Speakers, thus the first and second deputy Speakers.

Bernard Ahiafor, the Akatsi North Member of Parliament was elected the 1st Deputy Speaker whereas the 2nd Deputy Speaker went to Andrew Asiamah, the Fomena Member of Parliament.

In effect, the NDC Majority has produced the Speaker and the 1st Deputy and the NPP settled for the 2nd Deputy.

Mr. Andrew Asiamah, like the Speaker Alban Bagbin, is having a second opportunity at his position having been the 2nd Deputy Speaker in the 8th Parliament as an independent Member of Parliament.

Ghanamps.com

The Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Djietro has disclosed that no representative for the Ablekuma North constituency will be sworn in or partake in proceedings as the House has not yet received any writ of election from the Electoral Commission for the said constituency.

Presiding over sitting on the midnight of the inauguration of the newly elected MP for the ninth Parliament, Mr. Djietro noted that there are outstanding issues with two constituencies; Akwatia and Ablekuma North.

He announced to the House that no representative for the Akwatia constituency will be permitted to partake in the proceedings of the first sitting of the ninth Parliament and election of the Speaker because of an injunction served on the Clark and Parliament by the Koforidua High Court. More so, the Electoral Commission (EC) has also not served any writ of election for the Ablekuma North constituency.

“Two issues relating to two constituencies are outstanding and the constituencies are Ablekuma North and Akwatia. The case of Ablekuma North is known to all of us and we don’t have writ of elections from the EC in respect of Ablekuma North and therefore it is impossible to proceed with any matter relating to Ablekuma North in terms of roll call and in terms of the eligibility of a member for that constituency to participate in the election of the Speaker,” he stated.

In the case of Akwatia constituency, the Clerk noted that the House has received a court restraining order not to permit the MP-elect for the constituency, Ernest Yaw Kumi to partake in the first sitting of the ninth Parliament.

However, the Clerk referred the MP-elect for Akwatia, Ernest Kumi to article 105 of the 1992 constitution which stipulates the repercussions for any member who is not entitled to sit or vote in Parliament but decides to do so.

“Subsequently, it has come to our attention that there is a restraining order of a court, restraining not just the Member, Ernest Yaw Kumi but also the Clerk to Parliament from proceeding with the member’s participation in the election of the Speaker. This is a matter that honourable members ought to know. This is a court order which restrains the Clerk to Parliament from proceeding or dealing with the member in this matter, I find myself constrained”.

“I have brought this matter to the attention of the House that is my pleasant duty to do. The Member may decide to do so but in doing so I am drawing attention to article 105 of the constitution,” he announced to the House.

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin affirmed Ernest Kumi’s decision to proceed with activities in the House and face the consequences with respect to article 105 of the constitution.

“The member so desires to proceed to be sworn-in and to also partake in the election of the Speaker and bear the consequences himself,” he said.

Ghanamps.com

 

The Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has sworn in Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin as the Speaker of the 9th Parliament.

This was after he was selected by the Leader of the Majority, Cassiel Ato Forson and ably seconded by the leader of the Minority, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

In his acceptance speech he expressed gratitude to the President-elect for the trust and confidence reposed in him for his leadership style.

According to him having presided over a hanged 8th Parliament, he has garnered a lot of experience which would be brought to bear in this 9th Parliament for greater results.

Ghanamps.com

The curiosity of the public to see changes in the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 9th Parliament was not to be as the caucus has maintained the same leadership.

Having graduated into the Majority Caucus in the 9th Parliament it was the expectations of many political watchers that some new names would be injected into the leadership as some have tipped some of the current leadership to be promoted to ministerial roles.

But at the time of the dissolution of the 8th Parliament and subsequent inauguration of the 9th Parliament things remain the same.

The New Patriotic Party, now in the Minority however, earlier announced their leadership in which they maintained all except the deputy whip, Alex Tetteh Djornobuah who was replaced by Jerry Ahmed.

LEADERSHIPS IN PARLIAMENT

Majority

* Majority Leader: Cassiel Ato Forson (MP for Ajumako Enyan Essiam)

* Deputy Majority Leader: Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP for Ellembelle)

* Majority Chief Whip: Governs Kwame Agbodza (MP for Adaklu)

* Deputy Majority Chief Whip: Ahmed Ibrahim (MP for Banda)

* 2nd Deputy Majority Whip: Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe Ghansah

Minority

* Minority Leader: Alexander Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu

* Deputy Minority Leader: Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, MP for Asokwa

* Minority Chief Whip: Hon. Frank Annoh Dompreh, MP for Nsawam/Adoagyiri

* First Deputy Minority Whip: Habib Idrisu, MP for Tolon

* Second Deputy Minority Whip: Jerry Ahmed Shaib, MP for Weija Gbawe.

Ghanamps.com

The eighth parliament of the fourth republic has passed 60 bills out of a total of 100 despite some challenges.

The Speaker of the 8^th Parliament of the Republic of Ghana Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin who disclosed this stated that this feat was achieved despite the COVID-19 pandemic that derailed the workings of parliament during the period.

According to the Speaker, the workings of parliament goes beyond what the public see and charged the Members of Parliament to do their best to educate their constituents about happenings in Parliament, so that they do not limit their understanding of the works of parliament to the few events that are captured by the press and on television

In his closing remarks to dissolve the 8^th Parliament on Monday, December 6, 2025, he recounted some important bills passed by parliament including Affirmative Action Bill which is an important legislation; Gender Equity Act; Human Sexual and Family Act, which did not receive assent of President Nana Akufo-Addo; Public Financial Management Act; and Criminal Offenses Amendment bill, very important one dealing with witch craft.

“We crafted a bill against witch craft, also a bill against death penalty which decriminalizes attempted suicide. These are the key legislations and we need to bring to the attention of the people we represent here. They are going to correct many of the wrongs of our societies and are ground breaking bills”, he added.

The Speaker noted that, some countries sought support to emulate Ghana’s examples and added that it was because of these bills that Ghana was able to convince the global community to give Ghana a seat in the human rights council of the UN.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com