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Majority Leader Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has admonished his colleagues to respect the decision of their flagbearer on who he presents as his running mate and who the New Patriotic Party (NPP) structure accepts as the running mate.

In the wake of Andy Appiah Kubi making unfavourable remarks about the possible candidature of his colleague Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the running mate, the Majority Leader further pointed out that officially the part has not announced who the running mate is.

In an interview he stated that names of those likely to be running mates coming up are respected party members who have worked hard for the party, and it would be inappropriate for one individual to call out one person and denigrate the person.

He discouraged colleagues from coming out with some attacks, described people in bad manner. This game of politics when destiny choose you is like that, it does not matter your age and height, educated or not educate, humble or not, we should all wait and ensure the unity of the party.

Again, when Professor Jane Nana Opoku was chosen, the decision was around thirty five percent we know, but when the decision was announced they rally and we did not hear a single soul in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) coming out publicly to say no; none is perfect, we have to manage each other and see what the person brings on board and cautioned that his colleagues should be mindful of what they say out there if the decision is eventually made.

We should support the party and not attack the decision of the party and the flagbearer; we have done so much for this country, we will make Ghana proud by protecting our legacy, he emphasized.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Contrary to some media speculations that the Chairman of the Finance Committee Kwaku Kwarteng is being demoted, Majority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin says he is rather being elevated.

According to him with the revision of the standing orders, the new standing orders has s a Committee on Finance and Economy; and with election 2024 approaching, any serious political party would want to project its bests.

“And our respected colleague Kwaku Kwarteng, the very hard-working Chairman of the Finance Committee, during former President Kufour’s time was government spokesperson on the economy”.

Again, when we were elected to power in 20216, he was made the deputy minister for finance and appeared on many media outlets speaking for government on the issue of the economy, he added.

At a media briefing, he pointed out that finance is a subset of the economy so “we felt that, with this new committee coming up, it is important to elevate our respected colleague to this new committee to chair it so that he can take the fight to the NDC. So far they claim they have answers to the economic challenges but they know that our colleague who has better knowledge on the economy can better show case our issues on the economy when made majority spokesperson on the economy. That is good news, it is not fair to the issue for any media house to say he has been removed”, he emphasized.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Leader of Government Business Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has pointed out that the current ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has nothing to hide regarding the national cathedral project, saying the government has been transparent, hence the reason the Deputy Majority, Leader Patricia Appiagyei filling a question about the project.

According to him the Asokwa lawmaker has filled an urgent question on how much has been paid on the construction of the national cathedral and if there has been value for money audit made.

Again, it should not be said that only Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who cares about Ghana and the opportunity is for the Minister for Finance to come to the House so that they all know if the right thing was done. “My colleagues have been in government before, they know that with government money, you just do not wake up and pay it into an account, there are structures at the ministry, and audit would have to be done”.

The Majority Leader made these remarks on Friday, June 28, 2024, after he presented Business statement for the ensuing week and members wanted to know when monies pumped into the foundation for the building of a National Cathedral would be accounted for.

He asserts that the Minister is going to bring all of these to the House, “and if there was work done before payment, we will know. If at that point anyone is dissatisfied, and we want further probe we would do that. There is no problem at all, this government is a transparent government. That is why a deputy Majority leader would file such a question; we are not covering anything up, we know the essence of transparency in government; that is what we are doing”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the Member of Parliament for Sunyani East inspected the progress of work on the construction of a standard astro-turf facility at the Penkwasi ‘Sakora Park” in the Sunyani Municipality.

Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh, also the Board Chairman of the Bui Power Authority (BPA), the managers of the Bui Generating Station, performed the ground breaking ceremony for work to begin on the GHC5.5 million artificial football pitch with ancillary facilities in December last year.

The BPA is funding the 500-seater capacity project, which has VIP stands, changing rooms and floodlights. The execution of the project, however, was delayed due to some emerging challenges emanating from the siting of the stands, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) learnt.

Checks revealed the Sunyani Traditional Council had, however, resolved the matter, and the contractors, Accra-based Wembley Sports Construction Company Limited (WSCCL) is expected to move to site.

The GNA noticed the main pitch was almost complete as the contractor began the laying of the artificial pitch-carpet.

Accompanied by Mr John Ansu Kumi, the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and some New Patriotic Party (NPP) constituency executives, Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh told the GNA the facility was aimed at helping to unearth and nurture football talents in the municipality and even beyond.

He said football was now a lucrative enterprise, hence the need to scout, and help build the talents of the young people.

“We also have football talents and it’s my utmost desire and determination to ensure that these talents are built to feature in the national teams, the premier league and even international derby,” he assured.

Describing the facility as far-fetched, Mr Kumi, the Sunyani MCE advised residents to cooperate with the contractor to speed up work and complete the project for use.

By: Dennis Peprah

Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, has broken grounds to build a new classroom block for the Esiama Anglican Primary School.

The ultra-modern classroom block would come with a 12-unit seater toilet facility and a water project.

The move follows the dilapidated nature of the Esiama Anglican Primary School block, which is not conducive for smooth academic work.

The project, when completed, would be the third Primary school block facility initiated by Mr. Buah in the area.

The MP pledged to build the new school when he visited the chief and elders during the last Christmas celebrations.

Mr. Buah said Esiama was one of the oldest towns in the Nzema area where education started, which produced many had distinguished scholars in responsible positions in the country and abroad.

He said his tenure as the MP had witnessed major developmental projects in Esiama from asphaltic overlay of town roads, water project, schools, toilet facility, and lighting system, among others.

He said the former NDC administration spearheaded several key projects and brought some industries to the Nzema area.

The Tufuhene of Esiama on behalf of the Chief of Esiama, Nana Ainoo Kwagyan, lauded the leadership style of Mr Kofi Buah since he entered Parliament in 2009.

He said the MP had continued to spearhead development of the Esiama Township in particular and Ellembelle in general.

Nana Kwagyan said the good works of the MP continued to follow him wherever he went and asked the people to pray for him since he was one of the greatest assets to Nzemaland.

The Chief lauded the MP for the numerous projects he had initiated so far with special reference to the street lighting system.

Nana Kwagyan called for a level playing field devoid of any manipulations in the run-up to the December 7 elections.

Nana Nyamekeh Fofole, Chief of Ambainu, who is a member of the Inspectorate and Monitoring team at the Ellembelle District Education Office, lauded the commitment of the MP towards education.

He was happy that education continued to be the priority of Mr Buah for the overall benefit of the people.

Nana Fofole thanked the MP for sponsoring the annual District MOCK examinations for BECE candidates since 2009 and for providing Mathematical sets to BECE candidates.

He also acknowledged the construction of school blocks and the Ellembelle school bus initiative, all pushed by the MP.

P.K. Yankey/Ghanamps.com

Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin on Thursday evening, June 27, 2024, just after adjournment admonished his colleagues in the Majority to respect the party’s structure and understand the times in which they are ahead of December 7, 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

“We should be very mindful of how we express certain views in the public space; yes we have all heard matters regarding running mate of the NPP to complement our ticket, but no decision has been made yet and the party structures are there”.

“So, I will want to encourage colleague members of parliament and that we are in this together. There is no perfect person in this world and perfect character in this world. Again, none of us can tick every box, let us be careful how we say things about each other and how we approach things, the language we use it may not be helpful”, he emphasized.

The Majority Leader’s admonishment follows a comment by a member of the Majority Caucus, Andy Appiah Kubi that the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia needs a running mate who will help the flagbearer and not one that will lead him, when the name of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh popped up in the media space as likely running mate of the NPP.

In a quick press briefing, the leader noted that colleagues on the Majority side should be measured in their language and should have confidence in the party, “and I believe we would use the structures of the party to come out with certain decisions.”

In addition, let us wait and respect the leadership of the party. We should not go out of our way to denigrate ourselves; we should not go out of our way to describe each other in a way that would be unacceptable, he affirmed.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

As part of motivating students at the basic schools in the Ellembele district to take seriously the study of science and maths, Member of Parliament for Ellembele, Emmanuel Kofi Amar Buah has sponsored the first ever science and maths quiz in his district.

Following a successful contests, the MP also sponsored finalists of the competition to visit Parliament on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

According to the Ellembele lawmaker, he was motivated by the performance of the students hence his invitation to them to visit Parliament, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and the National theater.

“They came to Parliament and were recognised by the second deputy Speaker who was presiding in the chair, and I did this for them to serve as role model for their colleagues and inspire so many young people”.

Again, they are going to tell their story to everybody in the district that if you study hard and excel you are going to go places, he added.

Mr. Buah further noted that he is going to monitor the performance of the pupils and added that he would give sponsorship to any smart student in the district.

And was more emphatic that he is more concerned about the girl-child who are keen in studying maths and science and would be proud if the students can be the best in the whole of Western Region.

“I am looking at the next engineers, scientist, astronauts who would go to space and change the world, some of them have told me what they want to be. If you are looking for hope for Ghana, those for the next generation are these young students”, he said.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Ekow Vincent Assafuah, born on September 27, 1990 is the youngest Male Member of Parliament of the 8th Parliament of the fourth Republic of Ghana.

A native of Anomabo Anomansa, he represents the people of Old Tafo in the Ashanti Region at the legislature at the Majority side of the House.

Currently, he is the Deputy Minister for Local Government Decentralization and Rural Development.

Click here for more information

Shang Annang Papa Nii/Ghanamps.com

Member of Parliament for Amenfi East Nicholas Amankwah has commended the Deputy Minority leader Emmanuel Kofi Amah Buah for sponsoring students at his district who distinguished themselves in this year’s district Science and Math’s quiz competition to visit Ghana’s Parliament.

Students from four basic schools in the Ellembele District; Kikam SDA Basic School 1st; Kingdom Preparatory School, 2nd; Rock of Ages Academy, 3rd; and A.B. Bokazo Basic School, 4th.

They visited Parliament on Wednesday, June 27, 2024, to witness how the House works.

Hon Nicholas Amankwah commended the Deputy Leader for sponsoring the kids to Parliament, as well as the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and other interesting places in Accra.

The Amenfi East lawmaker commended the Deputy Minority Leader for being down to earth and open adding that despite being in the same party sometimes it is difficult to approach your leader, but he is very open and those of them from the Western Region, they look up to him.

“He is Nkrumah in the making, we look up to him. He has a good heart and those of us from the Western Region in the Minority look up to him”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Minister for Trade and Industry, K. T. Hammond has argued that Ghanaian would be better served if there is an Authority in place to regulate pricing of cement, as prices keep sky rocketing.

According to him it has become a normal practice where you buy cement today at eighty Ghana cedis and the following morning it has escalated to one hundred Ghana cedis.

He made this assertion at a media briefing in Parliament on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in the wake of him laying a Legislative Instrument L. I. to set up an Authority to regulate cement pricing in Ghana which has been met with some level of resistance.

The Minister further added that Ghana is producing a lot of cement in the country and has a stored capacity of eleven million tons; but the demand is not that much, so it has become a profitable enterprise for the producers.

“It behooves on those in responsible position to ensure that Ghanaians do not buy it at that high price, I think there is something fundamentally wrong with the cement pricing in the country. We had similar situation during President Kufuor’s time in the petroleum industry where we had an Authority established to regulate it”.

Again, we should have a situation where, a price in the Northern part of Ghana should be same as the Southern Part of Ghana and we should have a holistic look at it and look at whatever factors that goes into it, he affirmed.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com