Category: Uncategorized

Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson has said the nation is under the plague of unprecedented spate of illicit, illegal, uncontrolled and unregulated mining activities.

According to him the nation is on the precipice of a self-inflicted environmental genocide.

He made these remarks at the fifth meeting of the fourth session of the fourth Republic on of the eighth Parliament on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, when the House resumed from recess as part of his opening remarks.

“Our beautiful country, once called the Gold Coast to underscore the rich mineral deposits God has bestowed on us is fast becoming a pale shadow of itself. Our lands with all their rich flora and fauna are being destroyed by the day”, he lamented.

And further pointed out that, our once pristine rivers and water bodies are now looking as brown as coffee, having been poisoned to satisfy the insatiable greed of an unscrupulous few.

Again, many farmlands including cocoa farms have been destroyed and in their place are unattended pits and gullies from uncontrolled mining activities.

According to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), it may take up to 300 years to restore the quality of soil damaged by illegal mining.

“Rt. Hon. Speaker, it appears we are at war against ourselves, and the destructive effects are frightening and far-reaching. The reckless and criminal discharges of heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cyanide into our waterbodies and lands have already begun to have dire consequences on our health”.

He opined that medical experts have delivered a scary verdict on babies being born with various deformities such as the absence of limbs, eyes and other vital body parts we are at crises point. At the heart of this crisis are leadership failure, official complicity and lack of political will by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government.

This House must rise to the occasion and bring the necessary pressure to bear on government to act, he affirmed.

The Minority leader also urged government to guard against the temptation to spend what it does not have as the country gears up for another election cycle, adding that such reckless fiscal indiscipline is what has landed our country in a debt hole and brought untold hardship on Ghanaians.

“I am reliably informed that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government intends to dole out about GHS3, 000 per person and other assorted election-driven handouts to some 800,000 so-called farmers in the name of drought relief”.

It is obvious that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government has not learned any useful lessons from the misuse of Covid-19 funds and borrowed funds on reckless consumption-driven expenditure.

This NPP government must be reminded that Ghana’s economy which they have badly mismanaged is still not out of the woods. Hence, strict adherence to fiscal responsibility rules must be upheld even in an election year, he emphasised.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Majority leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo has filed an injunction at the Supreme Court against the decision of Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu to declare four seats in Parliament vacant.

Mr. Afenyo Markin who disclosed this explained that, he received a copy of a memo written by Mr Haruna Iddrisu to Mr Speaker to declare three seats of the majority including Kwadwo Assnte of Suhum constituency, Cynthia Maamle Morrison of Agona West and Andrew Amoako Asiamah of Fomena as well as Mr Peter Ackah of Amenfi central on the minority side vacant.

Mr Afenyo Markin further said, he has sent the matter to court to place an injunction on the Parliament to the process of declaring any seat vacant until the Supreme Court itself comes out with its interpretation.

The leader made this known today when the leadership of Parliament met with the Parliamentary Press corps to outline some of the programs the House would be dealing with within the next three or four weeks.

Ghanamps.com

The Parliament of Ghana resumes today, October 15, 2024 for the fifth meeting of the eighth parliament.

The legislature would conduct their business at the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) as a temporal location following ongoing renovation works at the main chamber.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin earlier in September notified the Members of Parliament of the official reconvening, thus they were prepared for this even though most of them have been busy campaigning for the upcoming elections.

Ghanamps.com

The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George has called for a collective responsibility in the illegal mining fight.

He is therefore urging politicians, chiefs, and all stakeholders to unite in the fight against illegal mining.

Speaking on Metro TV on Wednesday (Oct 9, 2024), he compared the galamsey crisis to a potential global conflict over water, a resource increasingly under threat.

He warned of dire consequences for future generations if the issue is not addressed immediately. “Water survival is critical,” he stated, adding that even those in power would feel the effects of polluted water. “The water you bathe with is beginning to seep into your skin. It will get into your bloodstream.”

He likened the organisation of illegal mining in Ghana to the operations of drug cartels, urging the government to adopt stronger measures. “Galamsey is Ghana’s drug crisis,” he said, explaining that illegal mining in forests and around water bodies mirrors the way criminal cartels operate.

The MP expressed deep concern over the severe pollution of water resources caused by illegal mining, warning that Ghana risks depleting its fresh water. “It is predicted that the next global war will be fought over fresh water,” George said. “We have it, and we are destroying it.”

Ghanamps.com

Member of Parliament for Akwatia Henry Yiadom Boakye said politicising illegal mining “Galamsey” in Ghana which is leading to the pollution of major water bodies in the Country is not in the interest of any political party.

According to him Ghanaians need to stand firm in their fight against galamsey, adding that he is coming from an area where mining has been done for years in West Africa, “we have GCBL, that is consolidated Diamon limited which is situated in my constituency and in the past years what I have experienced”.

Mr Boakye stated that he was once a stakeholder in the industry, “I was in the industry before I became a politician; we did not have such challenges as we are seeing today with galamsey in my constituency. What we had was contributors’ association”.

This, he explained to mean that when the big companies fished mining out, their site is given to the indigenes (small scale mining companies) of the constituency to work on under the same license that the big company worked, thus it cannot be described as illegal mining because “it’s a mine out area that has been given to the indigenes to work on to have a livelihood and survive”, he pointed out in an interview.

Hon. Henry Boakye Yiadom, a member of the Government Assurance Committee further added that he is not impressed with the answers given by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Minerals Commission Mr. Martin Ayisi when he appeared before the Committee on Monday, October 7, 2024, in Parliament House.

He added that figures given by the CEO of the Minerals Commission with regard to license on mining activities is not clear and they do not have a report of the thirteen regions that mining activities take place.

He was confused about government’s intransigent posture as it continuous to issue more mining licenses despite the public uproar following the level of pollution of our major water bodies.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Member of Parliament for Ho West Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah has indicated that he is prepared to participate in Business of the House as the House resumes from recess on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

According to him he is prepared to meet anywhere if it is under a tree as the House will be meeting at the Dome, with work on the chamber still underway. and not completed yet and express joy, returning to the House.

The MP who in an interview expressed delight over the return of the House also pointed out that he knows it is an election year and a lot of his colleagues will be busy campaigning.

Again, those who decided not to come back to the House and those who lost their primaries will be a bit free whiles others will be campaigning for their presidential candidate as well.

“I have witnessed such a situation before, I have been in the House for the past four terms and I have seen that of 2012, 2016 and 2020 and so you will be surprised that you will get to Parliament and you have only two or three people there and the rest are campaigning in their various constituencies.

As we all know, no one plays around election and election year and you cannot predict how things will go, so you need to put your house in order and make sure you are ready for it despite being in Lome – Togo here on ECOWAS Parliament assignment”.

“I rush to the constituency to go and campaign; we have just ended the third Extraordinary meeting, of the ECOWAS Parliament, I am prepared to get back to the constituency and hit the ground running before October 15 and rush back to the Ghanaian Parliament”, he said.

He said representing his constituents is a social contract that he signed with my constituents to serve them both at the national and outside the national parliament, stating that the election period is more of assessment by the very people you represent to see if you are fit to be sent back or not.

“It is my prayer that my party and our flagbearer John Dramani Mahama emerge victorious to move Ghana forward, we have moved two steps back in the last eight years, and this is an opportunity to reset Ghana”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.co/Lome Togo

Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Majority side of the House on the Government Assurance Committee on Monday, October 7, 2024, did not show up for the public hearing of the Minerals Commission when they appeared before the Committee.

According to Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Yiadom Henry Boakye he was a bit taken aback when he noticed that not a single member of the Majority side of MPs showed up at the Committee’s public hearing.

Previously the Majority side of the House chaired the Government Assurance Committee until the new Standing Order came into implementation, which has now reverted to the Minority side chairing the Committee and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is the new chairman of the Committee.

“I ask the chairman of the Committee same question, and Hon Samule Okudzeto Ablakwa said the clerk posted the meeting over the weekend with the hope that members will be at the committee meeting. So, chairman will be in the best position to answer this question whether he was called that they cannot make it and have taken permission”, he stated.

When Ghanamps.com contacted the chairman of the Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, he indicated that his colleagues on the Majority side on the Committee, did not give any indication that they will not be coming, and he was expecting that they will show up for them to do their work as a committee.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Ghana’s Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has said utilizing renewable energy resources which abounds on the African continent presents an opportunity for industrialization in Africa, offering economic, environmental and socio-economic benefit.

According to him addressing the exiting financial, technical, policy and ecological challenges, capitalising on the opportunities, African Countries can unlock the full potential of renewable energy to drive sustainable industrial growth and improve the quality of life for their people.

He made these remarks, in Arusha Tanzania where he presented a paper on the theme: “harnessing abundant renewable energy sources in African to speed up industrialisation opportunities and challenges”, at the 53rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Region Conference.

Current Energy landscape in Africa:

The 2020 IEA and World Bank report revealed that 46% of Africans were without access to electricity in 2018. Approximately 900 million individuals in Africa rely on traditional biomass for cooking. Biomass usage, especially, firewood and coal from felled timber, degrades the environment and negatively impacts climate change.

This emphasises the critical importance of addressing energy poverty in Africa and implementing sustainable solutions for reliable and clean energy access. Universal access to electricity and clean cooking is paramount for many nations, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 25 countries grapple with energy crises and frequent blackouts.

Opportunities of industrialisation:

Renewable energy projects can stimulate local economies by cultivating and nurturing associated industries and services.

It is projected that Africa could potentially experience a substantial 6.4% increase in GDP between 2021 and 2050, directly attributable to the energy transition.

This anticipated economic growth is expected to be propelled by public investment and expenditure, private investment in energy transition technologies, and favorable net trade differences.

Challenges:

While Africa is rich in potential for renewable energy, several challenges have combined to restrict its ability to harness the abundant renewable energy resources fully.

First, one of the primary challenges many African countries face is the significant capital cost required for renewable energy projects. Limited access to international finance and high perceived investment risks compounds the struggle to secure the necessary funding.

Secondly, certain major regions face challenges related to the lack of grid infrastructure to support large-scale renewable energy projects.

Thirdly, there is a shortage of technical expertise and skilled labour necessary to design, install, and maintain renewable energy systems in these areas.

The Government of Ghana has acknowledged renewable energy as a crucial option to mitigate the negative effects of energy production on the environment.

Currently, the energy mix in respect of electricity is about 30% renewable to 70% non-renewable, but in terms resort to total energy use, the picture is scary: for in that regard, the energy mix consists of 10% renewable and 90% non-renewable sources.

There is a pressing need for more sustainable energy alternatives to mitigate the impacts of potential energy crises in Ghana.

The country’s heavy reliance on imported petroleum fuel makes energy security precarious. In response, the government has established targets for the energy sector, including achieving a 10% contribution of renewable energy in the electricity generation mix by 2025 and increasing investment to meet renewable energy targets of adding 2000mw of solar power to increase the renewable energy stock to 3500MW by 2028.

For electricity generation, the mix then will be by 2028 47% renewable to 53% non-renewable. Commensurately though, given the high cost of thermal power generation, demand for it, would wane and thereby decrease its component in the energy mix to below 45% by 2028.

Renewable Energy Potentials in Ghana

Studies indicate that Ghana’s current and future energy requirements can be met through the utilisation of renewable energy sources. Presently, renewable energy accounts for 80% of the country’s total energy potential and 20% of its electricity generation.

Wind power

The Energy Commission of Ghana has reported that there is significant potential for wind energy generation in the country. Data from the Ministry of Energy indicates that the annual wind speeds consistently exceed 50m, with certain areas experiencing speeds of 8.4 to 9.9 m/s. The primary wind resources are concentrated along the narrow stretch of the eastern coastline of Ghana and on the hilltops surrounding Volta Lake and the border with Togo.

Bio-mass
Biomass encompasses wood used for fuel, charcoal, agricultural waste, waste-to-energy, and burnt palm kernel shells utilised for heating and cooking. In Ghana, traditionally, approximately 40% of households rely on wood for cooking, while close to 33.7% utilise charcoal. Charcoal production and sale are prevalent in certain regions of Ghana, particularly the central and northern areas. Over the years, Ghana has heavily depended on biomass energy sources.

In comparison to electricity and petroleum, biomass consumption in Ghana has experienced a decline from 54% in 2005 to 43% in 2010 and as of 2020 declined further to 30%. This trend suggests a gradual shift towards the adoption of sustainable energy sources such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and biogas by the Ghanaian populace.
Solar Power.

Ghana has abundant solar resources, with an average solar radiation ranging from 4.4 to 5.6 kWh/m2/day and sunshine duration between 1,800 and 3,000 hours annually. Until recently, there has been little exploitation of this resource. However, the solar market has started to be tapped for photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar water heaters. The Government of Ghana has also begun using solar energy to light some major streets.

Hydropower
The hydropower potential in Ghana is estimated to be approximately 3,000 MW. The Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric plants, located on the White Volta, along with the Bui plant on the Black Volta, collectively generate 1,580 MW. According to the Ghana Sustainable Energy for All Action Plan, there are nearly 22 potential minihydro sites in Ghana that can be developed for power generation.

Renewable energy Policy in Ghana
Ghana’s energy policy is based on the Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 832) of Ghana.. Renewable energy sources include hydro, ocean energy, biofuel, landfill gas, biomass, wind, solar, and geothermal energy. These sources are abundant in Ghana and can be harnessed to achieve sustainability. The Act is based on the following principles: achieving long-term energy supply through public, private, and foreign investment; expediting privatization activities; and ensuring the optimal and sustainable development and operation of all renewable energy sources. The overall aim is to use energy sources sustainably while minimizing environmental damage due to development programs.

The main challenge in using renewable energy in Ghana is its low energy intensity. There are significant barriers that need to be addressed to increase the use of renewable energy in the market, including the cost of technologies, financing issues, and scientific and technical barriers.

Ghanamps.com

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has launched the second phase of the “Skill-Up Ellembelle” initiative to create employment opportunities for about 1,000 young people in the Constituency.

This phase targets 1,000 young people in Ellembelle constituency.

Mr Buah, who is also the Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, presented start-up kits to beneficiaries, including 500 sewing machines, 200 hair dryers, and 500 hair clippers.

As part of measures to eliminate financial barriers, and ensure uninterrupted training, the MP absorbed the entire cost of their apprenticeships.

Mr Buah said the ‘Skill-Up Ellembelle initiative was designed to provide comprehensive skills training across a diverse range of hands-on trades and empower the teeming youth to seize job opportunities and build sustainable livelihoods.

He said: “I am committed to transforming lives and equipping our youth with valuable skills to be self-reliant and to also contribute meaningfully to the larger society.”

By: P.K. Yankey

In the wake of the military leaders in the Three Sahel Countries (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger) closing their doors to any negotiation to avert their exit plan from the West African bloc, despite efforts by Authority of Heads of States and Government, the ECOWAS Commission and Parliament, one of the MPs is calling for a survey among the citizens of those countries on whether or not they endorse the exit of their respective countries from the bloc.

A member of Ghana’s delegation to the Community Parliament, Hon Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah in a telephone interview in Lome Togo where he is attending the third Extraordinary Session of the Parliament agreed that there should be a survey to find out if indeed the citizens of the three Sahel Countries (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger) will want to exit the West African bloc.

And further pointed out that, if the military junta had open up to hear from ECOWAS, “we will not be here contemplating on survey to find out if the citizens agree with their entrenched position of exiting the bloc”.

He revealed that at the last ordinary session in Abuja, they agreed to send an Ad Hoc Committee to the three countries, adding that ground works have started in earnest. “It is left with our colleagues, who are working with the ECOWAS institutions to speak to their Heads of States to allow for communications to see how best to resolve the situation”.

“We are better as ECOWAS than the three of them to have Sahel Alliance; and I hear some Community member states are preparing to join them from the rumors on the ground and that will be a disaster for ECOWAS if that happens”.

He further stated that there is a meeting with the Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) on Ghana’s upcoming presidential and Parliamentary elections, Senegal and Guinea Bissau’s National Assembly being dissolved and the exit of the three Sahel countries from the sub-regional bloc.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com