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Ranking member on the Finance Committee of parliament Isaac Adongo has slammed the government over its performance with regards to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Opening comments on the 2024 budget review and economic policy presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic planning Dr. Mohamed Amin Adams on Thursday, July 25, 2024, Mr Adongo revealed that two years into the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Ghana is undertaking, the government has already missed out on six (6) performance targets.

He added that in Ghana’s previous IMF programme, performance on wage bill and international reserve was missed, and the current government run to the IMF to allow it to borrow and never concluded on the programme.

“Today, we are getting back to the same thing; government has spent four point five billion Ghana cedis on accumulation of arrears despite they said we should not do that whiles with the programme. They were supposed to have cabinet approval for Bank of Ghana Act as at now no such amendment has been presented”.

We were supposed to see change in our international reserves, we missed it in March and June of this year, we miss it and we are looking at September of this year; we were supposed to have a social spending, we have missed expenditure on that we are heading towards the same situation in 2019”.

According to him, the government has always blamed COVID-19 for the current situation we find ourselves, but the Bank of Ghana issue a statement as at the time we exited the programme in May 2019, five months later raising concerns about the fiscal environment and disclosed that we were likely to end with huge fiscal deficit.

He asserted that the Finance Minister in his presentation of the mid-year budget review for 2024 did not provide any hope to the people of Ghana, adding that there was no single message to alleviate the suffering of Ghanaians.

He said by the time the minister left the floor, dollar was almost fifteen cedis and “we were buying diesel fifteen cedis a litter and they have mismanaged the economy to register depreciation in the cedis about fifty-four percent in 2022”.

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Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Abena Osei-Asare contributing to the 2024 mid-year budget review said the Ghanaian economy is on the path of recovery, with the policy being put in place despite being under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

According to her in the first quarter of 2024 growth moved around 4.7percent, this is way higher than what we saw in 2023 same year which was around 3.1 percent.

The most exciting thing she noted is that it is industry that is driving this growth rate. Industry went up by 6.8 percent followed by agriculture by 4.1 percent and services 3.1 percent. “This should tell you that the economy is on the path of recovery and we are happy with the policy we are putting in place to ensure the economy gets back on track”.

“Mr. Speaker, we all saw inflation going up by 54.1 percent in December 2022, currently this year June inflation has fallen to 22.8 percent due to policy put in place and the Bank of Ghana monetary policy exchange rate being moderated.

We want to bring it to a level that works for all of us. Gross International Reserves is improving compared to 2023 it was around two point five months of import but as we speak its 3.1 months import at the end of June.

Trade balance and all our external balance are trending in the positive so this should tell you we are making some recovery and it is the structure reforms we have put in place to get to where we are.

We never derailed the IMF programme prior to 2022, we were on truck and completed fully prior to 2020; and again currently we just received our third tranche of three hundred and sixty million dollars bringing the total to one point five billion dollars. We are bent on living within the IMF programme, she affirmed.

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Chairman of the Finance Committee of parliament, Yaw Patrick Boamah has disclosed that the government knows the hardship in the system hence the decision not to introduce any new tax in the 2024 mid-year budget and economic policy review.

According to him there was nothing on revenue generation in the budget review and government is a listening one and would not want to burden Ghanaians.

In an interview as to whether the New Patriotic Party government is defaulting in the IMF bailout, he indicated that he would give his response on the floor of the House when the debate starts on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

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The Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has today ordered the Marshall (head of Security in Parliament ) to drive Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso who was also the immediate past Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Kwaku Afriyie out of the Chamber whilst proceedings were underway.

Speaker’s order came as a results of a challenge Dr Afriyie posed at him (Speaker) for certain comments he made after reading a communication from the President, proposing two justices for the Supreme Court.

Ghanamps.com

The newly sworn in board chair of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin says he is coming on board with four proposed agenda;

• operational efficiency,

• financial sustainability,

• employee empowerment and

• regulatory compliance.

“My diverse expertise equips me with unique perspectives and strategies that I intend to leverage to help my colleagues on the board of ECG propel this great institution into a new era of growth and innovation. We stand on the shoulders of these efforts, learning from both their successes and their challenges. Our task now is not to start anew but to continue this trajectory of thoughtful reform and innovation. Let us celebrate and build upon the work of those who have led the way, as we chart a new course forward for ECG”.

In his acceptance speech, he noted that the road ahead will be challenging, as we face ageing infrastructure, financial constraints and a rapidly evolving global energy landscape. Yet, I believe that within these challenges lie opportunities for transformative change.

“And I want to assure you that under my leadership of the ECG Board, we will deploy our best efforts to improve what we came to meet at ECG. Let us begin by embracing a spirit of innovation and efficiency. We can start by deepening the deployment of smart grid technologies in big cities like Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi.

This technology has the power to reduce outage response times, boost businesses and enhance the quality of life for our citizens. We must also prioritize customer service, by developing a more interactive and user-friendly digital platform; we can reduce complaint resolution times and improve overall customer satisfaction”.

Again, let us embrace innovative financing instruments like green bonds; this will not only support infrastructural upgrades but also    but also align with global sustainability trends, securing a greener future for Ghana.

In addition, let us approach these possibilities with a sense of purpose, urgency and responsibility. We have a short timeframe, but we have a long-term vision. We are not just building for today; we are building for tomorrow. We are not just building for ourselves; we are building for our children and our grandchildren, he added.

He commended the employees of ECG, saying “your dedication has kept this company running through difficult times, your insights will be crucial as we implement these changes. To our partners in government and the energy sector: We need your continued support and collaboration to succeed”.

He assured of setting ambitious targets, though admitting that there would be obstacles. “But as we’ve seen throughout our history, when Ghanaians unite behind a common purpose, there’s no challenge we cannot overcome”.

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Hon. Moses Amadu Yahaya served as the Member of Parliament for Kumbungu Constituency in the Northern Region of Ghana from 2013 to 2017, representing the Convention People’s Party (CPP). Elected in a by-election in 2013, he focused on infrastructure development, education, and healthcare in his constituency. During his tenure, he contributed to parliamentary committees and worked on projects that improved roads, schools, and healthcare facilities.

Shang Annang Papa Nii/Ghanamps.com

The newly sworn in Board Chairman of the Road Fund Management who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Nsawam Addoagyiri, Mr Frank Annor Dompreh has assured that, he and the rest of the members would strive hard to achieve great success for the Roads and Highways Ministry and for that matter, Ghanaians in general.

He explained that, as the ministry is embarking on serious maintenance culture in making sure the needed maintenance works are carried on our roads to prolong the lifespan of roads in the country, the board would give its best to get this policy work for the benefit of the country.

Mr. Annor Dompreh reassured the Roads and Highways Minister, Mr Asenso Boakye that, as chairman of the road fund infrastructure board, every effort and dedication would be committed into their work for the success of all.

He finally expressed his gratitude to the President, Nana Akufo-Addo for honoring him by offering such a great position and promised not to disappoint him with respect to discharging his duties as a board chairman.

Mr. Annor Dompreh made these remarks today when he and two others were sworn into office as a board chairman and members respectively of Ghana road fund infrastructure of the ministry of road and highways.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo Markin has been appointed the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited.

A letter dated 16th July, 2024 and signed by NanaBediatuo, Secretary to the President urges the Minister to take the necessary steps to give effect to the President’s nomination in accordance with the Companies Act, 2029 (Act 992 and the Registrations of the Company.

By this appointment Afenyo replaces Herbert Krapa , the new Minister of State at the. Energy Ministry.

Ghanamps.com

The Majority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annor Dompreh, has chastised the Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, for displaying acts of cowardice and hypocrisy by not owning up to a proposal the NDC MPs included in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Regulations for consideration and approval by Parliament.

The new Legislative Instrument had included provision granting certain public officials, including Ministers of State and the 275 Members of Parliament (MPs), the privilege to use sirens on the road and not be liable for exceeding speed limits.

The intention of the government for introducing that amendment in the Legislative Instrument was to include the Vice-President, the Speaker of Parliament and the Head of the Judiciary Service who were not originally captured in those privileges as captured in the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (LI 2180).

However, the NDC MPs on the Subsidiary Legislation Committee led by Dominic Ayine, insisted that if MPs were not included in those privileges, they will not participate in the consideration and passage of the Amended Legislative Instrument.

In view of this, when the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah resisted those efforts made by the Minority NDC MPs, they even delayed the laying of the Amended Legislative Instrument for over two months until consensus was made to include their proposal.

Following the laying of the Amended Legislative Instrument by the government through the Ministry of Transport on Monday, July 14, 2024, the inclusion of the 275 Member of Parliament received a public backlash with vehemence.

This has compelled the Minority NDC MPs to hurriedly release a press statement signed by its leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, calling for its immediate withdrawal.

However, in an interview with the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh on Tuesday, July 15, 2024, he expressed shock that the minority through its Leader, Ato Forson, is not owning     up to the proposal they made in the Legislative Instrument at the Committee level.

“I was rudely shocked when I saw that statement. Even though from my sources, it appears to be a personal statement he had issued. Members of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee were engaged extensively by the Minister of Transport because he wanted to pick their views on the Amended Legislative Instrument”, he noted.

He added “In the 2012 L.I. the Vice-President doesn’t have a provision; the Chief Justice and the Speaker of Parliament were all not included in those privileges. And for that matter, the intention of the Transport Minister was to include the Vice-President, Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice. Then there was a strong suggestion led by the Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee, Hon. Dominic Ayine who insisted that they Members of Parliament be captured in the L.I. But the Transport Minister resisted it. But the Minority NDC MPs made it a condition else they won’t participate”.

He said it was after the proposal to include Members of Parliament that were captured in the Amended L.I. that the Minority gave the green light for it to be laid.

Nevertheless, Annoh-Dompreh noted that the Ministry of Transport has withdrawn the Amended Legislative Instrument for further consultations.

Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh further noted that the behavior and the attitude of the Minority Leader, Hon Ato Forson, for feigning piety after the huge the public uproar is what baffles him, creating the impression that the NDC MPs had no hand in it.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Minority side of parliament has cautioned the Majority that government businesses would suffer if they (Majority) don’t correct their ways.

In what is becoming a growing trend on the floor of the House where the Minority Members of Parliament show up in their numbers on the floor of the House while their colleagues in the Majority abstain themselves from the floor of the House, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Murtala Mohammad told the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin that, the Minority would not carry government business if the members on the majority side are not ready to show up in Parliament to lead in that regard.

On Monday July 15, 2024 the Tamale Central lawmaker expressed serious reservation on the Majority side to have abandoned the core mandate in Parliament only to follow the flag bearer of the NPP’s campaign in the constituencies of the minority seeking for votes.

He said members of the Minority could have done the same by abandoning their duties in Parliament and also campaign for themselves and their flag bearer to enhance their chances in the general elections.

The Tamale Central MP’s comments came up when he raised the issue of quorum (stopping proceedings of Parliament for lack of required numbers of 91 MPs).

The best numbers on the floor of the House was 41 of which 31 of that were from the Minority side and only 10 Majority MPs.

This forced the speaker to call for not more than an hour suspension of the House, and when they returned they were compelled to adjourn proceedings because they did not have the required numbers to do business.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com