Category: General

A section of the Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Volta Region disrupted a press conference called by the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin on Friday, November 12, 2021 when he showed a picture of sand winning activities in Ketu South as being part of the reason for the tidal waves that wreaked havoc and displaced hundreds of households in some communities in Keta, Ketu South and Anlo Constituencies.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin was in the process of showing printed pictures of sand winning activities in Keta to the media and had told them that was the root cause of the tidal waves in some communities in Keta.

While addressing the media, the NDC MP for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah came through and shouted, “the picture is not correct”.

He then walked away and in less than a minute returned in the company of the NDC MP for South Dayi, Rockson Dafeamekpor.

Journalists covering Afenyo-Markin’s briefing had anticipated that perhaps, the NDC MPs will wait, listen to what the deputy Majority Leader was telling the press, and counter react after he has done with his submission.

Alas, that wasn’t the case as Dafeamekpor, a key Member of the Volta Caucus, rushed to the podium and whisked the laminated pictorial evidence from the hands of Afenyo-Markin away to the cafeteria and showed it to Helen Adwoa Ntoso, who was on her way to the chamber and met the press conference and expressed her disapproval of the picture in question.

Mr. Dafeamekpor had contested the pictorial evidence of sand winning activities in Keta, a position which Ntoso affirmed, stressing that the said community where the picture was taken was not in Keta.

His reaction attracted a quick response from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Nhyiaso, Stephen Amoah, who approached Dafeamekpor and demanded he returns the laminated pictorial evidence of sand winning activities in Keta to Afenyo-Markin. This resulted in a brief scuffle between the two MPs who at a point used unprintable words against each other. However, the situation was brought under control trough the interventions of the media practitioners at the press briefing.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Eight -nation Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan held in its national capital has emphasized the need for Afghanistan’s territory not to be used for, sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist act”.  National Security adviser Ajit Doval chaired the dialogue, which was attended by his counterparts from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

India hosted the dialogue to firm up a common approach for practical cooperation in confronting increasing threats of terrorism, radicalization and drug trafficking following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul. Afghan representatives were not invited, while Pakistan and China declined to attend the meeting, with Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf last week calling India a “spoiler” and not a “peacemaker” in Afghanistan.

Delhi declaration on Afghanistan

The third Regional Security dialogue on Afghanistan called for support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan. It called for collective cooperation against menace of radicalization, extremism, separation and drug trafficking.

And stated tat the dialogue on Afghanistan has condemned in strongest terms all terrorist activities and reaffirmed firm commitment to combat terrorism.  It should be ensured that fundamental rights of women, children and minority communities in Afghanistan are not violated, the declaration mentioned.

Participants at the Delhi dialogue discussed evolving situation in Afghanistan, its regional and global ramifications, the declaration informed.  The eight-nation meeting, hosted by India, stressed on the importance of inclusion of all sections in the administrative and political structure imperative of successful reconciliation in Afghanistan, the said declaration also mentioned.

Time for close consultations, greater cooperation: Doval

The recent development in Afghanistan have important implication not only for the people of that country but also for its neighbours and the region, NSA Ajit Doval said at the eight-nation dialogue.
Chairing the meeting, Doval in his opening remarks said it is time to have close consultations, greater cooperation and coordination among the regional countries on the Afghan situation.

Tajikistan says situation on border with Afghanistan complicated

Mr. Nasrullo Rahmatjon Mahmudzoda, Secretary, Security Council of Tajikistan, said: “As we have a long border with Afghanistan, the current situation creates extra risk and possibilities for drug trafficking, terrorism. The situation on Tajik-Afghan border remains complicated”.  And further said they as their neighbouring countries are ready to participate in all programs that can help the people of Afghanistan.

Iran calls for inclusive government 

Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Secretary, National Security Council, Iran said: “There’s crisis of migration, refugees in Afghanistan and the solution can come with the formation of an inclusive government and participation of all ethnic groups. Hoping to come up with a mechanism to revolve it and further pointed out that its unfortunate that today. Afghanistan is involve in terrorism, poverty and misery.

And added that the issues of which have already destroyed Afghanistan would be discussed, “I am very much proud and happy to the fact that the meetings in Tehran have been continued and we are able to consult each other in order to resolve the crises”.

Afghans should be extended help: Kyrgyzstan official  

Mr. Marat M. Imankulov, Secretary of Security Council of Kyrgyzstan, also added that it is very a difficult situation in their region and all over the world. Talking about “terrorist organisation in Afghanistan and added that with joint efforts, help should be extended to Afghans.

Multilateral meetings help talk challenges, threat, says Russian NSA 

Mr. Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, at the meeting noted that multilaterals should help in discussing issues linked to the development situation in Afghanistan, counter challenges, threat emanating from the country, and establish long lasting peace.

Joint effort can restore peace: Uzbekistan

To restore peace in Afghanistan and in the region altogether, they have to find a collective solution, as it is possible only through joint efforts the Secretary to the Security Council of Uzbekistan said at the dialogue hosted by India.  The participants of the meeting have thanked India for holding the  Third Regional Security Dialogue on  Afghanistan  in New Delhi and agreed to hold the next round in 2022.

Ghanamps.com

Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afiriyie Akoto on Thursday, November 11, 2021 told Parliament his Ministry has received an approval for an amount of forty-three million, nine hundred and eight four thousand, seventeen cedis and seventeen pesewas (43,984,017.17) to deal with bird flu disease in the country.

The minister explained that the fight against the bird flu has really been challenging due to limited budget and inadequate poultry professionals in his ministry.

He further noted that, the approval of 43.9 million Ghana Cedis is going to help the Ministry to recruit 1,100 veterinary service officers to help the Ministry in the fight against the disease for the next three years.

 And between 2021, 2022 and 2023, part of the money would pay for compensation to poultry farmers whose birds were affected and killed either by the disease or the ministry to prevent further spread of the disease.

Dr Afiriyie Akoto indicated that, currently, nine regions out of the sixteen have been affected with the bird flu disease, when he addressed the media after briefing Parliament House on the floor of the House on the subject matter.

On the floor of the House, he told Members of Parliament that Ghana recorded the latest bird flu in July 7, 2021, whiles previous cases were in 2007, 2015 and 2018 as the bird flu poses a threat to the Ghanaian poultry industry and some of the measures put in place included ban on importation from neighbouring countries.

And ban of poultry product from affected regions and strict inspection of poultry birds in transit by the veterinary service and the Ministry intensify field services as additional measure.

As to when farmers would receive compensation as the Minister has said in his presentation, he told the House as soon as funds are available since it is an emergency situation the Ministry would roll out compensation to poultry farmers whose birds got destroyed as a result of the flu.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Akara, Bulpielsie, Zangiribuliga, Tubong, Baroaka, and Kugraogo residents would have to wait a bit longer to have their hope of getting connected to the national electricity grid materialised.

These communities according to the Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh do not form part of any of the Ministry’s projects.

He however assured that response the communities have been noted and will be considered for connection to the National Electricity Grid in subsequent phases of the electrification program.

Mr. Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, Member of Parliament for Tempane who asked the question on hearing the Minister’s response wondered why the situation was so, because some of the aforementioned communities have already been wired with transformers installed, but the projects stalled since 2016.

Unfortunately, the said he was not aware of such project and would have to enquire more on it.

He, however, failed to give a timeline when the communities would be rolled into the project.

Dominic Shirmori/Ghanamps.com

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame said the government has nit incurred any judgement debt in the Heritage Imperial Ltd vs. Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources case.

“There 1s no arbitral award of Fifteen Million United States Dollars (USS$1Sm) against the Republic of Ghana in the above-mentioned case. There has never been such arbitral award.

There is also no award of the sum of USS15m as judgement debt in any dispute between the parties stated above in action filed in court”

Responding to the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Mr. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor’s question on what circumstances led to the arbitral award of US$15m against the nation in the case of Heritage Imperial Ltd vrs Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Attorney-General with suit No.CI/34/2019.

According to him, on 30th July, 2021, the High Court Kumasi presided over  by Justice Diawuo upheld the application by the Atteney-General and set aside the judgment entered by the court over a year ago.

“Thus, there is no judgement debt against the Government of Ghana as contained in the question of the Honourable Member. I understand an appeal has been filed by the company but the effect remains that, there is no judgement against the State. At the time, the question was filed, Mr. Speaker, there was no judgement debt against the state.”

Facts of Suit No. C1/34/2019 — Heritage Imperial Limited vrs, 1. Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources

 Sometime, in 2017, the Government of Ghana, in order to tackle the menace of illegal mining, set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee on [legal Mining To enforce its mandate, the committee was assisted by a taskforce made up of members of the security forces and Environment Protection Agency (LPA) officials. On 6″ December, 2018, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining invaded Heritage Imperial Company’s mining concession and seized its equipment, machinery and monies for suspicion of being engaged in illegal mining.

Claiming that the invasion and seizure were unlawful, the company on 20% February, 2019, instituted an action for the following reliefs endorsed on its writ of summons:

1. Declaration that the invasion of the plaintiff’s mining site and the seizure of its excavators and equipment is unlawful.
2. An order directed at the defendants to release the plaintiff’s machineries, equipment and monies seized by the Taskforce of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal mining from its concession.
3. Or in the alternative the cost of the machineries and equipment to be assessed and the value paid to the plaintiff.
4. General damages.
5. Cost of these proceedings including counsel’s fees on a full indemnity basis.

After the trial, the Court on 30 July, 2020, gave judgment as follows:

“… enter judgement for the plaintiff as follows.

1. Declaration that the invasion of the plaintiff’s mining Site and the seizure of its excavators and equipment is unlawful;
2. Recovery of the sum of USS15,304,.714.20 being the value of machinery and equipment seized from the plaintiff’s site by the Inter-ministerial task force on illegal miming on 6 December 2018 or its current value in Cedis;

¢. General damages of GHC500,000,

1. Costs of GHC100,000”.

The matter he said was handled by the Office of Attomey-General in Kumasi, Ashanti Region from February, 2019 until judgment was delivered in July, 2020.

Mr. Dame said on assuming office as Attorney-General, he got to know about the entry of judgment against the state in or about July, 2021 when same was being discussed on a radio programme about illegal mining popularly called “Galamsey”.

And upon enquiring about the existence of the judgment, factors accounting for its entry, he formed the view that in spite of the lapse of over one year since judgment had been entered, the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court itself could be invoked to consider the gross fundamental issues affecting the jurisdiction of the Court over the conduct of the action. One 13^th July, 2021, I invoked the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court for an order setting aside the judgment which had been entered in July, 2020.

Grounds for the challenge

“Our contention was that the commencement of the action by plaintiff without regard to the mandatory statutory stipulations of the State Proceedings Act, 1998 (Act 555), was unlawful.

Further, that, the order for payment by the Government of Ghana of the sum of US$15.304,714.20 was manifestly unlawful and without basis, as no endorsement on the writ of summons issued in the action supported same. The rules of court require a writ of summons to be indorsed with a concise statement of the nature of the claim made, or the relief or remedy required in the action.

However, in no part of either the writ of summons or the pleadings of the respondent did the respondent claim the sum of US$15.304,714.20 against the applicant herein. The Court thus did not have jurisdiction to grant the relief of US$15,304,714.20.

Further, the failure of plaintiff to claim the relief of (US$15,304 714.20 on its writ of summons was clearly intended to deceiver the Court and avoid the payment of appropriate filing fees. The act of the plaintiff in concealing the specific cost of the equipment it alleged to have acquired, was one calculated at overreaching not only the Court but also the Government of Ghana, and therefore ought not to be rewarded by a court of law and equity.”

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

Ghana’s Parliament on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 adopted the report of the Community Parliament’s, seminar and extraordinary session held in Winneba Ghana.

The seminar was on the theme, “two decades of democratic elections in ECOWAS member states: achievements challenges and the way forward”.

Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in his contribution commended Parliament for holding its meeting for the first time outside the national capital of an ECOWAS member state, and further commended the Ghanaian delegation for the bold initiative “holding this meeting outside Accra for the first time”.

“Mr. Speaker, sending it to Winneba a city of Pan-African significance, Winneba has served as a training ground for many Pan-Africanist of many reputes, the Kwame Nkrumah ideological institute was established in Winneba, that is where many presidents including our current president were trained on the ideals and values of socialism and on why Africans must take their destine into their own hands.”

Again, ECOWAS should be about the entire Community, that is why it is Economic Community of West African States, “it should not be seen as an elitist group just a few politicians in capitals across the sub-region”.

The people of West Africa must feel involved and should have a sense of belonging, and must feel the importance of ECOWAS hope and aspiration of our founding fathers for establishing this West African sub-regional body must not elude the citizens, “particularly the choice of Winneba”.

Member of Parliament for Mfantseman, Ophelia Mensah Hayford in her contribution expressed delight that the session was held in Ghana, and touted that the nation Ghana has exhibited true democracy with the various democratic transition it had achieved.

In her contribution she pointed out that parliament had good topics to discuss at its seminar more especially touching on the adoption of ECOWAS Member States on a legislation on the democratic governance of political parties, transparency in party financing and the separation of their resources and activities from those of government point.

The deputy chair on Defense and Interior noted that political parties have played a lot of roles in other to ensure democracy or anarchy, and was glad this discussion came up at the meeting and ECOWAS is looking at the role of the political parties in the West African sub-region.

“If we go by the recommendations by the Parliament at its seminar, there would be peaceful elections across the sub region”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanammps.com

Parliament has once again changed date for the presentation of the 2022 Budget Statement to November 17, 2021.

It is a departure from the earlier date announced by the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin last week Friday, who gave the date as November 15, 2021, when the finance minister would be in the House to present the 2022 budget.

The Second Deputy Speaker Andrew Amoako Asiamah announced to the House before the start of business on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 that the 2022 budget would be taken on November 17, 2021 as originally planned.

According to him Parliament has an equally important assignment on Monday, November 15, 2021, hence the decision to take the budget on the 17^th of November 2021.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs would on Thursday, November 11, 2021 hold a series of public hearing on LGBTQ+ bill which had attracted a lot of attention both home and abroad.

The Committee would hold a public hearing on a private member’s motion on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Right and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021.

And would be held in Parliament at the Justice D. F. Annan auditorium, at job 600.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament wants the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame removed from office.

They have thus filed a motion to the Speaker of Parliament for the necessary actions to be taken.

It comes in the wake of the AG’s refusal to facilitate the admission of some 499 students who were denied admission to the Ghana School of Law despite Parliaments resolution on the subject matter.

Parliament had directed the General Legal Council, through the Attorney General, to admit the 499 candidates, but the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice had said the request is illegal.

Below is the motion filled by the Minority chief whip:

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament have taken a swipe at the Leadership of the Majority side of the House in its attempt to undermine the authority of the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, and said they are trying to weaken the Institution of Parliament.

According to them, Ghana is governed by law and they, the Minority would always uphold the cardinal principles of natural justice guaranteed under the Constitution.

In a statement issues by the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, they serve notice that, “We will continue to uphold and respect those democratic values and ethos”.

Read below the statement issues by the Minority Leader: The Bare Facts

Indeed, the Ghana Police attempted to arrest Hon. Francis Xavier Sosu, the MP for Madina on the 25th of October 2021, the day of the demonstration without reference to Rt. Hon Speaker as required under articles 117 and 118 of the 1992 Constitution.

The MP complained to the House about the Police Service’s attempt to arrest him without following the laid down procedures and the matter was subsequently referred to the Committee of Privileges by the Speaker.

Again, the police attempted to arrest him on Sunday 31st October 2021 while he was worshiping in church. This was in spite of the fact that the police wrote to the Speaker on 27th October, 2021 and the Speaker replied and reiterated the fact that there is a procedure that is to be followed with respect to inviting a Member of Parliament to assist in investigations and until that procedure is followed, he as Speaker would not entertain their request. Criminal summons was subsequently issued against the MP with charges to appear before the court on 8th November, 2021

The Majority Leadership is being mischievous and disingenuous by ignoring the fact that the Police refused to comply with the established protocols of dealing with matters affecting MPs by not first of all contacting the Speaker who would have then made the necessary arrangements for them to meet with the affected MP.

The Majority Leadership has lost its way for abandoning the truth and the facts of this Francis-Xavier Sosu matter. The Rt. Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana has not changed any rule. The request of the Police Service for release of MPs who have complaints lodged against them at the Police Service are invited to the Office of the Speaker. After listening to them, the Speaker will then inform them of the decision to release them to the Police Service for investigation.

Again, the Speaker will then convey his decision to the Investigators and remind them of the practice established by his predecessors of conducting the investigations in the Conference Room of the Speaker in the presence of their lawyers. The MPs are informed of the date to appear and attend to the investigations and to answer the enquiries of the Investigators and the MPs comply This is the practice.

In the case of Hon Francis Xavier Kojo Sosu, the Police Service neither invited him directly nor through the Rt. Hon. Speaker. The Police personnel went to his constituency where he was performing his duties as an MP in the company of Police officers lawfully detailed by the Regional Police Service to provide guidance and protection for him and a procession of youth in the Madina Constituency against the sorry state of roads in the constituency to arrest him. He was then addressing the constituents. In such a situation, the constituents will do everything to protect their MP. His personal bodyguard, lawfully assigned to him by the Parliament Police Protection Unit, a Division of the Ghana Police Service, managed to drive the MP out of danger and to safety.

The Hon Sosu then became a wanted man by the Police. It is on record, that the Speaker contacted the MP who confirmed the story.

Convinced that this conduct of the Police constituted contempt of Parliament, the MP drew the attention of Parliament at a plenary sitting to the breach. By the Standing Orders of Parliament, the Speaker has the discretion to either refer or decline reference to the Privileges Committee. The facts and evidence adduced by the MP in the complaint raised serious concerns that merit investigation by the Parliamentary Committee. The Speaker therefore referred the complaint to the Committee for investigation and report to the House. It is the House that will decide whether the conduct as investigated constituted contempt of Parliament or not. It is not the Speaker who will take that decision. And this is public record.

As to complaint by the Majority Leadership of the Speaker not consulting the Leaders on such matters the law on instructions from suspects to a lawyer or a person in a similar role is privileged information. The Minority is therefore of the firm belief that Speaker was not convinced that these are information subject to disclosure to third parties.

While we believe that the Speaker is open to better knowledge and advice on this matter, we are sure the Speaker doubts the legal validity of the opinion of the Majority Leadership in this matter who totally disagrees with same.

The issuance of this Press Statement by the Majority Caucus leadership is unwarranted for two reasons. Firstly, they are aware that the Speaker and the Leaders are not in the country and secondly a criminal summons has already been issued and as such the police should follow the laid down procedures as per articles 117 and 118.

The rule of law is not about selective justice. The rule of law abhors persecution and selective prosecution. What the Minority despise is the fact that only Minority MPs are wrong and are being persecuted. The Minority has no intention to undermine the very laws that has ensured the stability of our society and sustained our democracy. We, therefore, wish to remind the Majority that they cannot continue to connive with the Executive to use the security agencies to abuse some sections of Ghanaians including non-NPP MPs under the cloak of rule of law.

We are inviting the whole country to see how the Majority Leadership in conjunction with the Executive wants to undermine the forward march of our democracy and we call on all Ghanaians to resist this creeping dictatorship in our body politic.

What wrong has the Rt. Hon Speaker done in this whole matter?

On 29th October, 2021 the Rt. Hon Speaker directed the Deputy Director of Legal Services of Parliament to inform the Police that he was unable to release the Hon Member for Madina but added that it is the expectation of the Rt. Hon Speaker that the Ghana Police Service will conduct its investigations mindful of the provisions of articles 117, 118 and 122″

Consequently, the Parliamentary Service of Ghana in a Press Release dated 3rd November, 2021, by a Deputy Clerk (on behalf of the Clerk to Parliament) reiterated the position of the Rt. Hon Speaker and noted that

-Members of Parliament are not above the law. The issue is not that a Member of Parliament cannot be investigated or arrested. The issue is the procedure to follow to investigate or arrest a Member of Parliament.

The Rt. Hon Speaker further added that

—the Police Service requires the support of everyone to conduct their affairs and that support will be granted, provided their services are within the boundaries of the law and rules established by the provisions of the 1992 Constitution and other laws governing democracy and all civilized societies. “

As we have indicated, the Minority will always uphold the rule of law.

The Hon Member for Madina will subject himself to the appropriate lawful authorities when those agencies follow due process. We shall not be cowed into servitude by persons who claim and chat “rule of law”, encourage and champion the “power of arrest” by Police only when the person of interest is a member of the Opposition. Let us all be guided by the provisions in Order 30 of the Standing Orders of Parliament and articles 117, 118 and 122 of the 1992 Constitution. The Majority should not pick and choose the provisions of the Constitution and other laws of the country. They cannot engage in continuous “legal fishing” by picking and interpreting provisions and precedents for their own parochial partisan benefit.

We are disappointed in the Majority for this needless attack on the Office of the Speaker.

We in the Minority will always support a stronger Parliament to serve the public better and to hold the Executive accountable.

Signed:

Mr. Haruna Iddrisu

Hon Minority Leader

4th November, 2021

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