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Bagbin calls for legal reforms to protect journalists

Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Alban S. K. Bagbin has called for reforms in the existing legal framework to protect journalists and uphold the freedom and independence of the media as enshrined in the constitution.

He said his office and the legislature will remain committed to the promotion of free speech as a guarantee means of advancing the democratic credentials chalked under the Fourth Republic.

The Speaker made the call when the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Kati Csaba called on him at his office in Parliament.

He noted that the media has played a critical role in all sectors of the country, serving as the mirror of society.

And further noted that, the role of the media was even more promising for a country like Ghana that thrives on democracy.

“There is the need to support the media some more because the media is so important and so valuable that any country that embarks on democratic development, exposes itself to great danger if it doesn’t empower the media to be able to operate freely without hindrances,” he said.

The Speaker also highlighted how he had in the past played a lead role in encouraging the freedom and independence of the media.

The two further held discussions on promoting parliamentary diplomacy, cooperation in the areas of education, health and trade investments between the two countries.

Canadian High Commissioner Csaba commended the Speaker for being an advocate for media freedom, women empowerment and social inclusion.
Ghanamps.com

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Notice is hereby served to the general public to be careful and meticulous with persons who would contact them as MPs or Special Assistants to MPs promising to assist them to gain employment into various public institutions.

Ghanamps.com has in recent times received a number of complaints from members of the public who would have been duped by these fraudsters but for their vigilance and the quest for deeper insight into the purported recruitment scams, and contacted us.

Be mindful that these fraudsters create FACEBOOK ACCOUNTS bearing the names of MPs with their PICTURES giving the impression to their unsuspecting preys that they are dealing with the MPs.

It is therefore important to verify the authenticity of anyone who might contact you in this regard, and when in doubt contact Ghanamps.com for assistance on the following numbers:

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Ken Ofori-Atta to re-appear before Appointment Committee today

Finance Minister-designate Ken Ofori-Atta who appeared before the Appointment Committee on   Thursday, March 25, 2021 at the new Parliamentary Office Complex has been rescheduled to reappear before the Committee on Friday, March 26, 2021 to complete his vetting process.

The Committee had to suspend proceedings on Thursday to continue on Friday due to the Minister-designates health condition.

The Minister-designate had some complications after recovering from COVID-19 and had to travel to the United States of America to deal with the complication and could not be part of the initial vetting.

In an interview with the Deputy Chair of the Appointment Committee on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, after the House has suspended, he confirmed that the Committee would hold its public hearing, but added; “For today’s public hearing, only the leadership of the committee will be allowed to ask questions.”

The Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Joseph Osei Owusu made the announcement after about some six hours of vetting on Thursday; a decision accepted by the minister-designate.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

I don’t trust our MPs, they are corrupt – Prof. Badu Akosah

A fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Prof. Agyemang Badu Akosah has described Ghana’s Parliamentarians as a bunch of very corrupt people who are out there to enrich themselves.

According to him, his judgment of the country’s Legislators is based on personal experience he has had with them while serving in Public Service as a Director General of the Ghana Health Service.

Speaking to Fiifi Banson on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.3 FM, Prof. Agyemang Badu Akosah condemned the attitude of Members of Parliament where they always scheme to get monetary gains out of their constitutionally mandated function as law makers.

“I don’t trust our Parliamentarians; I’ve been a senior public servant before. Look, take your law to Parliament,……. what you have to do even before your case goes to the sub-committee for discussion. I say this and I don’t fear being hauled before the Privileges Committee. The fact of the matter is that this is exactly what happens”.

He added: “They are a very cozy political class and they look after themselves very well, as in remuneration and giving monies to themselves, after all the Majority Leader Alban Bagbin himself has said there is corruption in Parliament and I have no doubt about that.”

The trained Pathologist noted: “If you enact a law and Health Service has Bills before you and even approval of budget for Ministry of Health, you’ll have to send the Health Select Committee of Parliament somewhere for a workshop to scrutinize the budget, why? Just because of per diem for some five days for the committee members before they’ll approve your budget. That is why you can’t restrict them; one committee has so many members and interestingly when they come for the workshop, just one or one and half days they vanish”.

Prof. Agyemang Badu Akosah stated that he cannot wait to see the revelations that will come out from ace investigative Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ investigation of Parliament.

“I hear Anas has investigated Parliament, eii God….God… God, hmm, we wait to see what will be unearthed”.

GhanaMPs.gov.gh/Kwadwo Anim

Parliament pardones Prof. Alex Dodoo

Parliament has unconditionally pardoned Prof. Alex Dodoo, a lecturer at the School of Medicine and Dentistry of the University of Ghana for his contemptuous comments made against Members of Parliament.

The decision was reached after the Privileges Committee’s report urged the House to accept Prof. Dodoo’s apology since he showed a great deal of remorse after he realized he had disrespected Parliament.

The Associate Professor in Clinical Pharmacology about a month ago on various media networks, condemned the reaction of MPs to the Phase one of the Ebola vaccine trial which was to take place in Hohoe, referring to them as “ignorant”, among other things.

The MPs had kicked against the trial and called for broad consultations because tests of that nature were of national dimension.

The Majority Leader, Alban Bagbin requested the Speaker to summon the Professor to the Privileges Committee due to what he described as unsavory comments he made about Members of Parliament on a private Radio Station in Accra.

The MP for Manhyia South, Matthew Opoku Prempeh who supported the application by the Majority Leader, added that it was high time people became circumspect in their speech.

Their request was granted by Rt. Hon. Speaker Doe Adjaho by summoning Prof. Dodoo before the Privileges Committee to explain himself.

Upon attending before the Committee, Prof. Dodoo unreservedly apologized for his unfortunate comment that constituted an affront to Parliament.

GhanaMPs.gov.gh

Vetting: “One nominee a day would have been perfect”—Madina MP

Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis Xavier Kojo Sosu has said if the Appointment Committee were to be vetting a nominee per day, it would have been the most appropriate way to go.

According to him he understands the constrain of time and COVID-19 balancing that with the desire of President Nana Akufo-Addo to set up a government that he has to run, because whatever it is, they have a four year mandate to deliver.

He added however, that by and large two nominees a day has not been too bad, but days that the Committee had to take three nominees was a bit more tighter.

And further indicated that there should have been opportunity to interrogate nominees who referred the Committee to documents that were readily not available but when made available members of the Committee should have the opportunity to do further interrogation.

Meanwhile, the Madina lawmaker has dismissed the idea that members of the Committee are using the platform to serve their political interest and pointed out that they are vetting Ministers-designate who are going to take public office and it is perfectly right if they have made statements which is not worth making as public officers they  are interrogated on it.

“Your life as a public officer whether in private or public and you have made statements not appropriate, it is upon us to bring that to the fore. You can be sure that our colleagues in the Majority side would not want to raise those issues in a way to embarrass their colleagues in the same party”.

Mr. Sosu emphasised that, as Minority members of the Committee, it is their duty to ensure the right people with the right attitude and competency mount the very important offices they have been nominated to occupy, “it is a potion of trust for and on behalf of the people of Ghana”.

  Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Appointment Committee: Finance Minister-designate seeks new date for vetting

Finance Minister-designate Ken Ofori-Atta is seeking new date with the Appointment Committee as he is unable to appear before the Committee on Tuesday, February, 2021.

He is seeking medical attention in the United States following post COVID-19 complications.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Sunday, February 14, 2021 noted that he would be away for two weeks and leadership of parliament has been duly notified for a new date to be fixed upon his return.

“After recovering from COVID-19 last December, Ken Ofori-Atta has had medical complications which doctors advise, requires further interventions not currently available in Ghana”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

E. Mensah elected as Greater Accra Council of State member

Former Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram Enoch Teye Mensah has emerged as the elected member of the Council of State representing the Greater Accra Region.

The former Mayor of the Greater Accra Region attempted to be elected for this same position last year but was unable to be victorious.

He was declared winner on Friday, February 12, by George Kwame Amoah of the Greater Accra Electoral Commission Directorate.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Finance Minister designate to face Appointment Committee today

Finance Minister-designate Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to be vetted today by the Appointment Committee of Ghana’s Parliament.

A group known as, the Dynamic Youth Movement of Ghana (DYMOG) has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin, against the former Finance Minister’s re-appointment.

The petition, signed by the Executive Convener of DYMOG, Edward Tuttor, on February 6, 2021, was hinged on grounds that “Ken Ofori-Atta, while being the Minister responsible for finance in the preceding Government, was found by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to have occupied a private office of emolument, being the office of a director in Ventures and Acquisition Limited (a private company)”.

According to the petition, Ken Ofori-Atta occupied the private office “without the due permission of the then-Right Honorable Speaker of Parliament”.

The petition also noted that Ofori-Atta was found by CHRAJ “to have superintended the issuance of 95% of government of Ghana sovereign bonds to a company (Franklin Templeton Investment Ltd) in which his business and close relation by name Trevor Trefgarne was a director, without making the said bond transaction open to the investor-public for competitive bidding”.

The group also mentioned in the petition, the Finance Minister-designate’s failure and refusal “to declare his shareholding in Data Bank Financial Services Limited, Data Bank Brokerage Limited, and Data Bank Financial Holdings Limited, to the Auditor-General before taking office” in the immediate past government, contrary to Article 286(1)(a) of the 1992 Constitution.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Language barrier makes it difficult getting Ghanaians into ECOWAS—Minister designate

Deficiency in language is making it difficult for Ghanaians to jet jobs in the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWA) institutions, Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botwe told the Appointment Committee of Parliament.

According to her Ghana is the second largest in terms of paying the ECOWAS levy after Nigeria and he who pays the piper calls the tune.

“We are not seeing that many employees in ECOWAS and ECOWAS is currently going through a process of confirmation, we would make sure Ghanaians are confirmed”.

She further revealed that countries are given quota, and Ghana has not exhausted hers, “we would ensure that we get as many Ghanaians”.

This remark was made on Thursday, February 11, 2021 when the Minority Leader wanted to know what efforts the Minister-designate would put in to get more Ghanaians into ECOWAS institutions.

In a related development, the Tamale South Member of Parliament again, sought to know from the Minister as to why it has become difficult for Ghanaians nationals abroad to get visa home in recent times.

 The Minister-designate noted that, it has to do with the current novel coronavirus pandemic, staff strength at the various missions had to be scaled down and staff are to be protected, “but when we have emergency cases that calls for travels, our officers ensure that they provide the needed services”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com