Category: General

Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) has launched a new campaign – Parliaments for the Planet, designed to mobilize parliaments and parliamentarians to act on the climate emergency.

The campaign will encourage parliaments and those who work in them to lead by example, reduce their own carbon footprint and take concrete measures to implement the Paris Agreement on climate to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The campaign consists of two parts. Part one encourages parliaments and parliamentarians themselves to become greener and decarbonize. To support them, the IPU has published a guide: 10 Actions for Greener Parliaments (and those who work in them).

The 10 actions include measures to make parliamentary work more sustainable, by, for example, tracking the emissions of the parliament itself and setting targets to reduce them; switching to renewable energy; implementing green procurement practices; and embracing digitalization.

Parliamentarians are encouraged to become climate champions by raising awareness among their constituents and working across party lines to accelerate green policies both within and outside parliament.

Part two of the campaign is designed to empower parliaments and parliamentarians to produce effective legislation on climate change, vote in the necessary budgets and scrutinize government action, especially progress on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to implement the Paris Agreement.

The NDCs set out the efforts being made by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impact of climate change.

The campaign will encourage parliaments to engage more closely with the processes of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, especially in the lead-up to COP28 in the United Arab Emirates in December 2023.

In parallel with the campaign, the IPU will serve as a platform to share good parliamentary practice on climate action by highlighting initiatives that parliaments and parliamentarians are taking to become greener, as well as examples of effective legislation.

Over 3,000 examples of climate laws and policies have already been gathered together in the climate change laws of the world database, produced by the London School of Economics’ Grantham Research Institute in partnership with the IPU.

The IPU works closely with UN organizations and technical partners to ensure parliamentarians have access to the latest scientific knowledge and solutions concerning climate change. The campaign is also supported by the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University.

To link in with the campaign, the 2023 Cremer-Passy Prize will be awarded to an MP or group of MPs who have made an outstanding contribution to climate action. The Prize is named after the IPU founders William Randall Cremer and Frédéric Passy, visionary parliamentarians from Great Britain and France, who convened the first meeting of the IPU in Paris in 1889.

The campaign was launched at the 146th IPU Assembly 146th IPU in Manama, Bahrain in front of hundreds of parliamentarians from some 130 countries.

Ghanamps.com/IPU

The 146th Assembly of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) which ends today in Manama, Bahrain welcomes back into its fold Liberia’s Parliament to its global Parliamentary Community. IPU’s membership now stands at one hundred and seventy-nine (179) with all African countries now represented.

Liberia was one of the nine founding members of the IPU along with Belgium, Britain, Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy, Spain, and the United States of America.

In 1889, Mr. Leopold Carrance, an MP from Liberia, joined 94 other parliamentarians attending the first Inter-Parliamentary Conference in Paris, France.

Ms. Jewel Howard-Taylor, President of the Senate, addressing the IPU Assembly, said “It is a humbling duty for me; on behalf of my nation Liberia and the Liberian Legislature; to accept the call for my Nation Liberia to return to the fold of the IPU; after a long absence.

This return to the IPU is of significance, especially taking note of the historical fact that Liberia was one of the original founding member Parliaments of the Organisation in October 1889; at a time when there were no established means for Governments or parliaments to work together internationally.”

The Liberian Parliament is made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives with 73 directly elected members (of which 11% are women) and the Senate with 30 directly elected members (of which 6.7% of women).

Ghanamps.com/IPU

Minister for Health Kwaku Agyeman Manu on Thursday, March 9, 2023 briefed the House on shortage of some childhood vaccines stating that it regrettably coincided with the performance of the economy towards the second half of last year thus affecting the normal procurement processes which resulted in delays for vaccines we would have needed in 2023.

Despite the delay in our procurement processes, we had stocks which carried us through 2022, resulting in our end of year national coverage of 95% measles, OPV, 90%, and BCG 96%.

A district is said to be in an outbreak when there are two or more laboratory confirmed measles cases that are temporally related (with dates of rash onset occurring 7-21 days apart) and the cases are linked, he said.
In this context, five districts in the Northern Region have been in an outbreak situation including Tamale Metro; Kumbungu; Savelugu; Karaga and Nanumba North.

The vaccination coverage for 2022 for the 5 districts are moderately high and are as follows; Savelugu 80.5%, Tamale Metro 107.8, Karaga 101.9%, Kumbungu 96.3% and Nanumba North 74.2% and we believe this is enough to prevent an outbreak.

“Mr. Speaker, one major contributor to measles outbreak is accumulation of unvaccinated persons over a period of time. These children constitute a cohort of vulnerable groups who become the focus of infection. This is why the country has been conducting mass catch-up and follow-up measles (and rubella) vaccination campaigns every three to five years with support from Gavi, WHO, UNICEF and other Partners. And this year’s Mass campaign is yet to be undertaken and discussions with our Partners are on-going”.

“It is important to correct the erroneous impression that, there have been deaths from measles in Ghana recently. For the avoidance of doubt, there have been no deaths from the recent recorded spike in measles cases”.

Indeed there have been no deaths since 2003 though we have recorded cases annually, mercifully, no child has died in this outbreak.

The Ministry, working with WHO and other Partners, has initiated an application to the International Coordination Group (ICG) for supply of Measles-Rubella vaccines for outbreak response vaccination campaign.

“Mr. Speaker, we have made all necessary efforts to ensure that we secure adequate stocks within the next few weeks., working with UNICEF, we are fast-tracking the processes and it is expected that the vaccines will be supplied in the next few weeks, all things being equal”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

President Nana Akufo-Addo is set to deliver the message of the State of the Nation Address today, Wednesday, March 8, 2023 in fulfillment of Article 67 of the 1992.

As at the time of writing this story, the media, security and staff members were set and ready to receive the president to the legislature to perform this constitutional duty.

As part of today’s programme, various Committees of Parliament are expected to have sittings.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Two former Speakers of Ghana’s Parliament on Monday, March 6, 2023 called on former Speaker Professor A. Michael Oquaye to empathize with him on the passing away of his wife the late Major (Rtd) Mrs Alberta Oquaye (nee Asafu-Adjaye).

The former Speakers were Rt. Hon Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo and Rt. Hon  Edward Doe Adzaho who were later joined in by the current Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin.

Rt. Hon Professor A. Michael who welcomed his visitors further indicated to them that her late wife’s family would give notice as to when the funeral would be carried out.

The late wife of the former Speaker passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023.

  Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Parliament of Ghana has commiserated with the family of late Ghanaian international footballer and philanthropist, Christian Atsu Twasam who lost his life in the tragic 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck South-Eastern Turkey and Syria last month.

A delegation led by Chairman and Ranking Member of the Youth, Sports and Culture select committee of Parliament to the family house conveyed the commiseration on behalf of the Speaker and Parliament.

Chairman of the committee, Kwaku Agyenim-Boateng and Ranking Member of the Committee, Kobena Mensah Woyome signed the book of condolence on behalf of the delegation.

Mr Kwaku Agyenim-Boateng on behalf of the delegation expressed a heartfelt condolence of Parliament to the bereaved family and the nation for the loss of Atsu whom he said paid his due to the country.

According to him the deceased football star made his life count by living a purpose-filled life through the sacrifices he made for the national team and his impactful charitable works.

He assured of Parliament’s readiness to assist the family when the need arises.

The delegation presented packs of mineral water and an undisclosed amount to the bereaved family.
The family thanked the parliamentary delegation for the visit.

Other members of the delegation include Member for Upper Denkyira North, Daniel Ohene Darko, Member for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Alhassan Kobina Ghansah, Member for Cape Coast North, Dr Kwamena Mintah Nyarku, Member for Talensi, Benson Tongo (BT) Baba and Member for Akwatia, Henry Yiadom Boakye.

Christian Atsu was one of the victims of the over fifty thousand people estimated to have lost their lives in the catastrophic earthquake that hit Turkey on February 6, 2023.

Christian Kpesese/Ghanamps.com

The Ashanti Region Director of Health, Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang has emphasised the importance of adding behavioral change communication to the strategy of eliminating malaria in the wake of efforts to achieve this target with government providing funds through the National Health Insurance component.

According to him as far as malaria elimination is concerned results can only be achieved if behavioral change communication is added otherwise we would not get results. “We need a bigger thing than what we are doing now and it is a truthful medical fact and base on scientific reasons”.

He made this remarks in Kumasi when the Health Committee as part of its oversight role digs to verify at first hand if funds being pushed into the malaria elimination strategy are yielding results and to ascertain if there are challenges.

Dr. Tenkorang on his part further told the Committee that the programme is having some challenges, stating that as the Committee goes round, they would notice some of those challenges including people throwing rubbish at places that the team has gone to carry the exercise.

“We need to add on awareness creation, good education and behavioral change communication; people do not understand what we are doing and publicity on malaria issues is quite low, we need to tell the people that we have pushed in so much; this is what we want”, he told the Committee.

He further added that all along because the programme has detached what they are doing from the community, all they see is that there is spraying going on; until they add the behavioral change communication to it through the budget whatever they are doing is likely that they would not achieve much.

Also if funds are there it should rather go towards communications on behavioral change that would help the programme and there is the need for the community to own the programme; otherwise the programme would be talking about elimination and without the Community involvement, malaria elimination would not work, he emphasized .

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

As part of playing its oversight role, and checking whether funds approved for the elimination of malaria is being put to good use and achieving results, the Health Committee of Parliament has embarked on a tour to some districts in the Ashanti Region after touring the Brong Ahafo specifically Berekum East.

The first port of call was the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate where chairman of the Committee Dr. Ayew Afriyie noted that the trip is about reducing mosquito in our societies hence the need for them to play their oversight by visiting some districts, Old Tafo and Effiduase/Asokore.

Dr. Ayew pointed out that before embarking on the field visit it was only proper to come and greet the Ashanti Regional Health directorate who are landlords stating that the project seeks to eliminate mosquito in our societies and just to ascertain if the work is being done properly.

On his part Ranking Member of the Committee Kwabena Mintah Akandoh also pointed out that on their tour they expect to be told about the challenges on the grounds so that when they get back to parliament they would address those challenges as they approve budget through the National Health Insurance Scheme which has a component in addressing the elimination of malaria.

And as representatives of the people they have to keep in touch with them and to be at a distance and whatever the challenges are should be pointed out so that when they are debating the budget and working on policy issues those issues would be taken on board.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

President Nana Akufo-Addo would deliver State of the Nation Address on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 in fulfillment of Article 67 of the 1992 constitution.

This was made known on Friday, February 24, 2023 when the Business Statement was presented by Frank Annoh Dompreh, on behalf of the Majority Leader Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

He drew the attention to his colleagues that the earlier anticipated February 28, 2023 announced could not hold due to unforeseen development.

The Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Bagbin on his part noted that he got in touch with the Majority Leader and they had an extensive discussion on the date and the long and short of their discussion the date had to be shifted.

“It’s for a good reason that the president finally agreed to the new date, the 6th March is an important day for all of us. There would be an important national event at Ho, the president has to be there to perform his duty; and for good reasons it cannot be held on the March 7, 2023”.

They both had to agree to sacrifice for some other assignments to do the SoNA on the Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

In his goodwill message to Parliament as it launches a year-long celebration of 30 years of parliamentary democracy under the 4th Republic, President Nana Akufo-Addo has noted that Ghana is the beacon of democracy and stability.

According to him, where respect for the principles of democratic accountability, human rights and the rule of law have enabled Ghana to oversee eight (8) presidential elections in the 4th Republic, with five (5) presidential transitions, and three (3) peaceful transfers of power, through the ballot box, from one party to another.

In his speech presented on his behalf by the Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Opare she noted that, Ghanaians have the right to be proud of this, and the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the 4 Republic should inspire us, even further, to hold on to this status.

This milestone is to the great credit of the ordinary men and women who make up the fabric of our nation, and, indeed, to the credit of Parliament, the second arm of government. I fear that, often than not, many underestimate the importance of Parliament, and, consequently, undermine its work, he stated.

“Again, we cannot emphasize enough the role of Parliament in exercising the checks and balances needed on the Executive; Parliament is the voice of the people and we cannot emphasize enough the role of Parliament in setting the tone for public discourse in the country.

It is for the good of the country that Parliament continues to develop the capacity to insist on accountability in all aspects of our lives, and No institution is better suited for this than the representatives of the people”.

He assured that as President of the Republic, we owe it a duty to our children and grandchildren, and to generations yet unborn to protect our democracy and his government will do everything it can to help strengthen Parliament.

“Let me reassure you of the commitment of Government to working with Members of the House for the peace, progress and prosperity of Mother Ghana. All of us have a joint responsibility to work together, with our different views and our different perspectives, for the Ghana project and a united Ghana”.

He recounted that some of the most interesting times of his political life have been in the chamber of Parliament, and, dare say that, this is where with the help of colleagues, like the current Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, whom he came to meet in the House in 1997, and who became a good friend of his, the Majority Leader, with whom he entered Parliament on the same side at the same time, they did some of the work with long lasting effect on the Ghanaian society.

“Saturday, January 7, 2023, was exactly thirty (30) years since the Constitution of the 4th Republic came into force. It has inspired the longest period of stable constitutional governance in our history, with a consensus emerging that democratic form of governance is preferable.

Indeed, upon the coming into force of the Constitution, we resolved to build, under God, a united nation, grounded in democratic values and the rule of law, and we have gone a long way towards realising this vision”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com