Category: General

President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou has appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the youth and civil society organizations to urgently use dialogue for early amicable resolution of the social unrest, and maintain the image of the country as a bastion of law and order.

According to him in an effort to address the demands of the protesting youth, the government should take a decision regarding the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), and ensure comprehensive police reform and investigate the cases of brutality.

In a statement signed by the Commission President, it noted that the ECOWAS Commission rocognise the rights of citizens to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and protest. However, those rights should be exercised in a non-violent manner.

“We call on the protesters to remain peaceful in the conduct of their demonstrations, as well as the Nigerian security operatives to exercise restrains in the handling of the protests and act professionally”.

Mr. Kassi Brou further expressed the Commission’s condolences to families and friends of those who lost their lives during the protests and wished the injured speedy recovery.

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The Ministry for Parliamentary Affairs (MOPA) would engage the security agencies on Monday, October 26, 2020 ahead of the December 7, 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections in Accra.

As MOPA seeks to support build confidence initiatives by the state and non-state actors towards a peaceful election and also encourage a broad national consensus relation between peace and national development.

Areas to be tackled include emerging security threats as election 2020 approaches, the preparedness of the security agencies to provide a safe and secured environment for the conduct of this year’s election, and elicit support of the security agencies, political parties and candidates in the conduct of peaceful, free, fair, transparent and accountable elections.

The engagement is on the theme, “2020 election and its implications for peace and security in Ghana”.

In an earlier interview with the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh pointed out that they are going to be busy engaging stakeholders in this year’s elections like the security agencies, Council of State and probably the media.

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Parliament on Friday, October 16, 2020 passed the Complementary Education Agency Bill, 2019 with the objective of the Bill being to provide programmes outside the formal education system.

Deputy Educational Minister, Dr. Yaw Adutwum explained that the yet to be singed Bill into an Act would provide opportunities and complement education for those who are outside the mainstream formal educational system, and help equip them with the requisite knowledge and skills.

In an interview with journalists in parliament, he further explained that the needs of the old aged who did not have access to formal education due to some circumstances and were left behind in class during their childhood age would be addressed.

He added that it is a great day, because in the history of the nation President Nana Akufo-Addo through the Education Ministry is transforming the process of adult learning in the country.

“Government is going to create many learning centers across the country to enable adult who were left behind access education through the passage of this Bill”, he added.

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Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye has dismissed the idea of holding a bye election at Mfantseman in the wake of the murder of the sitting Member of Parliament, Ekow Hayford.

He pointed out to Article 112 (6) of the 1992 constitution; “Notwithstanding clause (5) of this article, a by-election shall not be held within three months before holding of a general election”, he told the House.

He made this remark, when the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu drew the attention of the House of the Speaker to some reportage in the media, pointing out that with the demise of the MP there was going to be a by-election.

Mr. Iddrisu cautioned the media not to mislead the Ghanaian general public on the issue.

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Mr. Kwesi Jonah a senior research fellow of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) has said despite the funding challenges that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country are faced with even as the December 7, 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections are approaching.

CSOs would work hard to ensure that Ghana’s elections are peaceful, credible and acceptable to Ghanaians including the international community.

According to him looking at Ghana’s democratic reputation, it has a big reputation to maintain. Global Peace Index has ranked Ghana first and second on the African continent and now third which means it’s within the first-class zone when rated.

At a forum organised by the Ministry for Parliamentary Affairs on the theme, “CSOs and democratic elections in Ghana: The 2020 elections in focus”, speaking on behalf of CSOs, he pointed out that they are wholly funded by international donner organisation. And the outbreak of COVID-19 coupled with some domestic issues have affected their prominent role they play during previous elections.

Mr. Jonah further pointed out that stakes are very high in this year’s elections where for the first time in the nation’s history, a former president is contesting a sitting president, as previously it has been a sitting president going for a second term and it was a referendum on what he has been able to achieve.
“In this case, a former president coming back saying I delivered a lot of infrastructure development, vote for me let me come back and it’s a do or die for his supporters”.

He further pointed out that, previously IDEC would have conducted parliamentary debates but that is not the case now because of their constrains, and again election observers are going to be cut down drastically, due to financial constrains in the wake of the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Again, Collation of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and IDEC which got four thousand and thousand two hundred observers out there, this would not be the case this time around, he said.

Mr. Jonah further lamented that, seven months into a general elections, previously in all regional capitals IDEG usually sets up a situation room to keep watch of political campaign within a particular region. But as at Thursday, October 15, 2020 they are yet to set up such an office despite the fact that they are late they are going to set it up.

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The Chief Director of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh has justified the engagement the Ministry has held with various stakeholders with the four years period of its re-establishment.

According to him the various engagements have brought out various critical issues that had been put on the public agenda which would lead to a lot of changes in the system.

“We are operating on the assumption that ideas matter, with our interactions with all the key stakeholders we have flagged a number of issues for consideration”.

He made this remark when Ghanamps.com wanted to know if the engagement has yielded any benefit to the country, within the four years.

Dr. Aggrey pointed out that, in the case of the Electoral Commission, they cautioned them to strengthen their Public Relations outfit and insulate the Commissioners from daily engagement with the media. “There has been a total change in the way they engage the media”.

Again, on the Independent Governance Institutions, he said a platform has been created for them to network among themselves and share ideas of dealing with their challenges that would collectively enhance their work.

He argued that change does not occur overnight, it takes time, as discussion of the critical issues put on the public agenda would improve the quality of public discussion. Again, “we on the high attrition rate and when we see an issue is close for action to be taken we flag and put it into the public agenda and it gathers momentum”.

In addition, last year we put the issue of monetization on the public agenda and had a national engagement on the subject matter.

Institute for Democratic Governance took on the issue of monetization this year, and when the issue gathers momentum, policy makers would pick on them.

Dr. Aggrey further noted that the issues that come up are given to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. And being the majority leader, he needs to have the capacity as Leader of Government Business, and to be sensitive to the different perspectives that exist within the different society.

“The engagement would provide the Minister with all kinds of perspectives and helps shape his appreciation of legislative proposals”, he said.

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Ahead of the December 7, 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, Chief Director of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Evans Aggrey-Darkoh has said they would engage the Council of State, Security Services and probably the media again.

According to him the Ministry is going to be busy engaging all kinds of stakeholders who have proper stake in Ghana’s governance system.

In an interview on Thursday, October 15, 2020 just after the Ministry’s engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the them, “CSOs and Democratic Elections in Ghana: The 2020 Elections in Focus”, he pointed out that a lot of contributions were made by CSOs more especially from the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), admonishing the media to be civil, decorous and professional by putting the interest of the nation first.

“Over partisan interest and selfish interest which is a huge statement coming from the GJA president and I believe would go down to the border media practicians”.

And further pointed out that, CSOs have been charged to continue to interrogate the workings of political parties and workings of governments and their various institutions of state that is consistent with the public good.

“Critical discussions on constitutional reforms were also brought up; whether we need it at all, nations are developed by ideas not just minerals, and that is what we are seeking to do with our governance in general. So that at the end of the day we improve upon the governance which the public would enjoy the dividend of democratic governance”.

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Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 asked non-Members of Parliament, the media and the public to leave the chamber, when the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery was ready to start his briefing.

According to him in the contest of privilege, if the sector Minister on Interior and National Security want to brief the House it should be so.

“I should not go and bring spectators before the House to be briefed when he has requested so, please this is my order at this stage, non-members of the House should leave and MPs are going to be briefed by the Minister and listen to him”.

This happened in the wake of the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu requesting that non-members of the House be part of the briefing.

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Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye has urged lawmakers in the seventh Parliament of the fourth Republic to approach the third meeting of the fourth session with all seriousness despite the upcoming December 7, 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.

According to him, regardless of the elections, the third meeting is crucial and all promptness should be attached to it, and Members of Parliament cannot afford to abandon the work of the House.

In his remarks to welcome MPs for the third meeting, he reminded them that it is important they leave a legacy for the next generation, as MPs were encouraged to submit various thematic areas, they have identified in their constituencies to be used in drafting the Private Member’s Bill.

He also announced the publication of a well-researched “parliament of Ghana’s, statements on the floor” in an upcoming book.

The Speaker added that, the Parliamentary Service Board at its twenty-fifth regular meeting August this year approved in principle proposal for the establishment of a virtual parliament, and a committee comprising the first Deputy Speaker and the Minority Leader to assist in realignment of the Standing Orders towards the implementation of the virtual Parliament.

“Hon. Members, the opportunity to work for our country is a rare one, thus, let us strive for our hard-work to speak for itself, and I wish you all the best”.

Speaker Oquaye further told the lawmakers that he led a parliamentary delegation to commiserate with the former President Jerry John Rawlings, on the occasion of the demise of his mother, Madam Victoria Agbotui.

And the House had the opportunity of hosting a twelve-member delegation from the Federal Republic of Nigeria led by the Speaker of the House of Representative, Dr. Femi Gbajabiamila at his invitation.

Adding that a bilateral discussion held centered on matters pertaining to the relations between the two countries in the wake of the disquiet arising from the implementation of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, 2013 (Act 865).

The two speakers expressed their commitment of their respective legislatures to continuously employ legislative diplomacy as tool to complement efforts of the Executive in the promotion of peace, security, economic integration and development between both Ghana and Nigeria and on the African continent as a whole.

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Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Rt. Hon. Sidie Mohammed Tunis on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 in the company of a high-level delegation from the Parliament met with the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Guinea, M. Kabinet Cisse and his team.

He congratulated the Commission, and commended their efforts to ensuring a solid electoral process.

Speaker Tunis further stressed that the process of cleaning up the voter’s roll was a major boost in the Commission’s preparation for a free and fair elections, and admonished the Commissioners to maintain their neutrality at all times.

And further affirmed that Community Parliament’s goal is to offer support to the Guinean people, and reiterated parliaments neutrality and respect for their constitution, and prepared to provide technical support when needed.

“Guinea’s peace is cardinal to the stability of the sub-region and the parliament would do all in its authority to secure free, fair and credible elections in the Republic of Guinea”, he said.

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament indicated that, a team of fifteen-member delegation would be sent to observe the upcoming presidential election as part of the ECOWAS observer mission, and called on all stake holders to be law abiding as he wished the people of Guinea a peaceful election.

Republic of Guinea is expected to hold its presidential elections on October 18, 2020 as there would be twelve candidates vying for the presidency, including the incumbent President Alpha Conde.

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