Category: General

A number of incumbent New Patriotic Members of Parliament have lost their seats in the just ended December 7, 2024 Parliamentary elections and will not be returning to the ninth Parliament.

The major wave of change was visited upon these personalities Darkoa Newman of Okaikwei South, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful of Ablekuma West, Henry Quartey of Ayawaso Central, Sylvester Tetteh of Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro, Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer of Sekondi.

The others are Ophelia Mensah H. of Mfantseman, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Ayawaso West Wuogon; Dr. Prince Armah, MP for Kwesimintsim; Andy Appiah Kubi, Asante Akyem North; Farouk Mahama, Yendi; Mireku Duker, Tarkwa-Nsuaem; John Peter Amewu, Hohoe; Twum Barima, Dormaa East.
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Chairman of the Community Parliament Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Senator Edwon Melvin Snowe Jr. is leading the Parliament’s delegation to observe Ghana’s December 7, 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

Other law makers among the delegation are Hon. Senou SOKLINGBE, Hon. Koné GNANGADJOMON, Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie ABIANTE, Hon. Rosa Lopes ROCHA, Hon. Veronica Kadie SESAY and Hon. Bio Sika Abdel Kamel OUASSAGAR.

Staff members on the delegation are Dr. Adesina SOTUMINU, Mr. Edwin D. MILLER Jr. and Mr. Caesar Winimi AYAMBA.

The delegation will be arriving in Ghana on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, ahead of Saturday, December 7, 2024, general elections.

The Community Court of Justice will also send representatives to observe the election.

In an earlier interview, the Head of the Electoral Assistance Division of ECOWAS, Serigne Mamadou Ka noted that over one hundred (100) election observers would be deployed on December 7, 2024.

And added that an initial team of 16 long-term observers arrived on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, while a group of 90 short-term observers would arrive on December 2 or 3.

This, he said, would bring the total number of observers to over 100, adding that a team of five core members would be based in Accra, with 16 long-term observers being deployed across the 16 regions.

Mr. Ka, who is also the Permanent Secretary of ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONE), disclosed this in an interview in Accra last Thursday shortly after ECOWAS had given a grant totaling $210,000 to support two state institutions and two civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ghana to promote free, fair, peaceful, credible and transparent elections and help deepen the country’s democracy.

Mr. Ka said the ECOWAS observer team would be led by a former Nigerian Vice-President, Nnamadi Sambo, who would arrive with the short-term observers between December 2 and 3.

“ECOWAS has a history of deploying observers to member states to ensure peaceful and credible elections. This mission is part of the organisation’s efforts to promote democracy and stability in the region,” he said.

“We want peaceful elections,” Mr. Ka emphasised, adding that, “Election is an event that is constitutionally mandated. When it comes, everyone wants to win. But at the end of the day, there is only one winner, and the others will have to follow.”

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Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has rejected a request from the Majority Caucus to reconvene Parliament ahead of the December 7, 2024 elections, stating that the timing is incompatible with the current electoral season.

The Majority Caucus, in a letter dated November 22, 2024, and signed by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, proposed holding an emergency session on November 28 and 29 to address urgent government business.

However, Speaker Bagbin, in a memo issued on Tuesday, November 26, firmly declined the request, emphasizing the need to respect the parliamentary calendar and the demands of the election period.

“The House will resume sitting after the elections to complete all essential matters before a seamless transition to the 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana,” Bagbin stated in his response.

The Speaker also urged members of Parliament to prioritize the national interest and approach their duties with dignity and respect during this crucial period.

“The national interest would better be served if members exhibit conduct of honour, empathy, and humility in the performance of their duties. In the circumstances, I am neither inclined nor disposed to exercise my discretion in favour of your request. The request is accordingly declined,” he wrote.

Bagbin further reminded Afenyo-Markin and the Majority Caucus of the importance of the election season for Ghana’s democratic process. He noted that this period is dedicated to government officials, political parties, and candidates presenting their manifestos and justifying their four-year mandates to the electorate.

“This season is for the government, parties, and both presidential and parliamentary candidates to present their manifestoes to the people and to account and justify the mandate given them by the voters for the four-year term of office has been applied to the benefit of the people,” he explained.

The Speaker’s decision has underscored the focus on the upcoming general elections, with parliamentary activities set to resume afterward to address outstanding matters and prepare for the transition to a new Parliament.

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Is the current state of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) any concern to the Authority of Heads of States and Government, where the Community Parliament is unable to organize its Second Ordinary Session due to what is believed to be financial constraints?.

How can it be said that a sub-regional bloc of 15 countries with programs and policies to better the lives of its citizens have such magnitude of financial crisis that it cannot meet over its budget, a session critical to the smooth running of the bloc for the ensuing year, as it is at that session that the draft 2025 Consolidated Budget of the Community  would be examined.

What signal would the leaders be sending to the citizens who look forward to improved living conditions if the creation to spearhead their welfare is financially deficient to the extent that its own deliberations cannot be financed?

Remittances from the two giants of the bloc, Nigeria and Ghana should be enough to provide face-saving moments for the bloc at least in ensuring there is enough to prepare for the ensuing year.

It should be known that any failure to ensure the holding of this Second Ordinary Session would be a global embarrassment.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria, the big brother to all the member states currently occupies an enviable position as President H. E.  Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the Chairman of ECOWAS. The transfer from Nigeria alone which is about 40% is worth relying on for giving the bloc some financial breathing space. With Ghana proving about 17.4 percent, these two countries offer more than 50% of levy. So,  does it mean these two giants are also reneging on their remittances?

It is common knowledge that most countries delay in transferring their remittances to the bloc. But how endemic is this phenomenon that the bloc is this broke?

As a journalist following and reporting on the activities of ECOWAS, the frustrations expressed by Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Community parliament over the lackadaisical approach by member states towards their remittances to the bloc is disheartening and does not augur well for accelerated development.

One is not oblivious of the economic challenges faced by member states, but there are specific key areas that are levied for the purposes of financing the bloc.

It is, therefore, unpardonable for ECCOWAS to be facing this level of financial crisis.

Perish the thought, but with this unfolding situation does it mean when the three Shale member states Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali break away from the sub-regional bloc without the concern of their citizens, the bloc will face dire financial challenges.

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The Apex Court of Ghana has released its full reasoning that quashed Speaker Bagbin’s declaration of four seats vacant.

On November 12, the Supreme Court by a 5-2 majority decision declared Speaker’s decision as unconstitutional, thus clearing the way for the affected four MPs to return to parliament.

The Court clarified that an MP can only be deemed to have vacated their seat if they change their political identity and continue serving in Parliament under this new affiliation.

The Court explained that an MP’s seat becomes vacant if they cross the floor to join another party while serving in Parliament. Similarly, independent MPs who align themselves with a political party must vacate their seats, as their original mandate was under an independent status.

ALEXANDER-AFENYO-MARKIN-VRS-SPEAKER-OF-PARLIAMENT-ANOR

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Leader of the Liberian delegation to the Community Parliament, Senator Edwin Melvine Snowe Jr. has called on the West Africa sub-region to prioritize harmonization of a single currency and telecommunication systems.

This, he stated though important, but would have to be achieved over time as Members of the Community Parliament still express divergent views in approaching and addressing the subject matter.

In an interview, on the subject matter of having a common constitution in the sub-region, where most of the time English speaking West African member states have a different constitution from French and Lusophone speaking member states, Chairman of the Community’s Parliament Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) noted that, it will take many years to achieve and added that there is the need to look at things that affect our day-to-day life of our people in the sub-region.

“If I leave Ghana now, travel two and half hours to the border with Ivory Coast, Togo, I have to look for a way of getting a new currency on that side, so our market women who are doing cross border trading, they are going through a lot of challenges”, he lamented.

“Again, same market women moving from Liberia to Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast all the four member states within the Manu River Bassen they have different currencies, so trading in that small region you have to change currencies for every jurisdiction that you enter into which makes it very challenging.

So, harmonizing our regional constitution is possible; but will take many, many more years to achieve. What is more pressing for me for now is currency, telecommunication and transportation”, he emphasized.

As to whether as a sub-region, we will ever get there, he noted that it’s has been quite challenging and he has had the thinking that to get there “we need to do it in phases. I have suggested we look at the Francophone Countries; they already have a single currency with the exception of Guinea that has the Guinea France”.

“So, you put all the French member countries and Lusophone together, you join them with Cape Verde which has their own currency then they have one currency and do the same with English speaking member countries. Then you start with two currencies, and as time goes on the two currencies will be metamorphosed to a single currency for the West African sub-region.

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As Parliament of Ghana is recalled for an emergency meeting today, Thursday, November 7, 2024, chief whip of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the House, Governs Kwame Agbodza has served notice that none of the four affected persons whose seat has been declared vacant should show up on the floor of the House.

In the wake of the development at the Supreme Court, Amenfi Central’s Yaw Peter Kwakye-Ackah of the NDC is contesting the December 7, 2024 election as an independent candidate same with, Suhum and Agona West, while the only independent candidate, Andrew Asiamah Amoako rejoined his mother party the NPP.

At a press conference addressed by the NDC group in Parliament, they indicated that if their former colleagues show up, it will be a breach of the portion of the 1992 Republican constitution; and Article 97 is clear that if you go independent you vacate your seat automatically.

Again, the constitution of Ghana is bigger than the Supreme Court, the President and Parliament.

“We are not here to do whatever the Supreme Court said, I am here knowing we have more of the numbers than the NPP; whatever is in court we are not in court under any condition and the Speaker has told you he cannot tell us where to seat in the chamber; leave the court issue for those interested in the court issue”.

“Whatever will happen, will happen tomorrow, and the Parliament of Ghana should remain supreme; the health of every democracy is the health of the Parliament. South Arabia has courts we should not toy with the democracy of Ghana”.

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The Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban Bagbin has accused the Executive and Judiciary arms of government of colluding to weaken parliament following their recent interference in the workings of Parliament.

At his media engagement on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, the Speaker stated that, “recent acts of the Judiciary and Executive interference in the workings of parliament pose a direct challenge to the essence, jurisdiction, authority, powers, and functioning of the esteemed institution of parliament, which is the repository of the sovereign will of the people of Ghana. It is becoming increasingly clear, the Judiciary and the Executive are seemingly colluding to weaken parliament”.

“The powers of the Judiciary ends where the nose of the Parliament starts. The Constitution is very clear on freedom of speech and of proceedings of parly. Article 115 and 116 grant members of parliament privileges and immunity of speech, debates, and proceedings on any matter or thing brought by a member, in or before Parliament, by petition, Bill, motion or otherwise”. Thus, happenings in parliament must remain in parliament.

He said the current brouhaha in parliament may be likened to a “power play between the arms of government,” and it has the potential to undermine our democracy and the authority of Parliament. Its outcomes could subvert Ghana’s constitutional order and the democratic system Ghanaians have toiled, sacrificed their lives, and shed blood to establish for decades.

He said Ghanaians in 2020 chose consensus and collaborative governance to a winner-take-all government, thus rejecting the majoritarian system, “where the Minority have a say, but the Majority have its way”.

With this in mind, it is unfortunate that the courts are replete with debates and proceedings of Parliament mostly initiated by members of parliament, and even leaders of Parliament, who ought to know better.

This, in his opinion may be one of the reasons parliament and MPs are not respected and treated with disdain, and was exhibited by the President’s refusal to even receive the LGBTQ+ Bill duly processed and passed by Parliament.
“The Judiciary is supportive of such a conduct by the receipt and processing of a suit on this subject matter. These are dangerous precedents in our democratic journey. They have sinned against the Constitution and must seek the opportunity to confess and repent to be forgiven”, he stated.

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Former Speaker of the Liberian House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Edwin Snowe Jr. said in terms of the democratic journey in the West African sub-region, member states are not yet there but are on course to achieving their goals.

“We are not there yet; like I say to most of you who interview me, I see as a glass half full not half empty. Will we get there? Yes, I believe we will get there”.

The chairman of the Community Parliament’s Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in an interview said, Ghana is a key actor in our political dispensation in the region.

That is why we are always concerned when anything seems to be unstable or get sensitive in Ghana. “We get concerned, Ghana has been a symbol of our democracy in the sub-region; Ghana has done well and set high standards in the Region and we look up to Ghana to do it right”.

This, he said in reference to the upcoming general elections on December 7, 2024, when the country will elect the next president and legislatures for the next four years.

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The Rt. Hon Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin will today, Wednesday, November 6, 2024 address the media on recent development in Parliament in the wake of both the Majority and Minority insisting they form the Majority leading to the Effutu lawmaker taking the matter to the Supreme Court.

A press release issued by the Public Affairs sub-division of Parliament said broader issues concerning democratic development in Ghana will also be addressed by the Speaker.

“This engagement aims to provide an opportunity for the media to discuss critical issues affecting Ghana’s parliamentary democracy, including recent events that have led to significant political developments,” the release dated November 5 stated.

It added that, “The address will take place on Wednesday, 6th November 2024 at 2:00 pm, at the Justice D.F. Annan Auditorium, Job 600, Parliament House.”

Parliament is currently not sitting because Mr Bagbin on October 17 adjourned the House indefinitely. This followed his declaration of four seats vacant, a ruling which he has since been ordered by the Supreme Court not to implement.

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