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Member of Parliament for Effutu Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Martin has been confirmed as the Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament on Friday, February 23, 2024.

The National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) confirmed Alexander Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu, as the new leader of the majority caucus in Parliament.

This change follows a recent interpretation of parliamentary procedures and aligns with the Speaker’s ruling on the selection process.

The confirmation was made at a meeting led by the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong.

The meeting, which involved members of the Majority Caucus, deliberated on recommendations from the National Executive Committee concerning the leadership reshuffle.

The General Secretary presented the recommendations, along with the concurrence letter from the Majority Caucus to the National Council, which approved them at a meeting at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.

This process adheres to the stipulations of Order 6 of the Standing Orders of Parliament (2024), as interpreted by Speaker Alban SK Bagbin.

The Speaker’s interpretation clarified that while parliamentary caucuses play a pivotal role in leadership selection, the involvement of political parties in this process cannot be sidelined, ensuring a balance between internal party democracy and parliamentary norms.

The Speaker of Parliament will officially announce the leadership changes on the floor, following the receipt of a detailed letter from the NPP General Secretary confirming the changes.

This will be followed by a farewell statement from the outgoing Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, symbolizing the end of his tenure.

In a ceremonial act of transition, Kyei Mensah Bonsu, along with Adansi Asokwa MP, KT Hammond, will then formally install Alexander Afenyo-Markin as the new Majority Leader.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

President Akufo-Addo of Ghana has finally yielded to mounting pressure for a government reshuffle, as announced February 14, 2024. Despite nearing the end of his term, the President has initiated significant changes within his administration, a move that some find surprising given the limited timeframe remaining in office.

The decision, communicated via a statement dated February 14, 2024, and issued by Eugene Arhin, the Director of Communications at the Presidency, comes with immediate effect.

In this reshuffle, several ministers and deputy ministers have been relieved of their duties while new persons also have been given the opportunity to serve.

The list, however, shows that the parliamentarians have been the biggest beneficiaries.

Above is the infographic of MPs appointed as ministers under the reshuffle.

Shang Annang Papa Nii

President Akufo-Addo of Ghana has finally yielded to mounting pressure for a government reshuffle, as announced February 14, 2024. Despite nearing the end of his term, the President has initiated significant changes within his administration, a move that some find surprising given the limited timeframe remaining in office.

The decision, communicated via a statement dated February 14, 2024, and issued by Eugene Arhin, the Director of Communications at the Presidency, comes with immediate effect.

In this reshuffle, several deputy ministers have been relieved of their duties while new persons also have been given the opportunity to serve.

The list, however, shows that the parliamentarians have been the biggest beneficiaries.

The above infographic of MPs appointed under the reshuffle.

Shang Annang Papa Nii / Ghanamps.com

The Committee on Mines and Energy has requested the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) to furnish it with information on the alleged expenditure of US$I2 Million expended by MIIF on Agyapa Royalties with supporting evidence, if any.

A letter from the Committee dated February 20, 2024 and signed by Benjamin Tachie Antiedu, Esq., Senior Assistant Clerk/Schedule Officer to the Committee on Mines and Energy to the Chief Executive Officer of MIIF states that their action is based on publications and public discourse relating to the above subject matter.

The Committee notes that the purpose of the request is to guide the Select Committee on the appropriate steps to take in respect of the allegation.

Meanwhile, MIIF has been given up to Tuesday, February 27, 2024, to have the information delivered to the Secretariat of the Committee.

Ghanamps.com

The Deputy Education Minister, Rev Ntim Fordjour said the Ghana Education Service has adopted play-based education system as the way to train children at their early stages in school.

He explained that, GES has realized that, early childhood education is very vital that’s why GES has partnered Lively Minds, Liberty Creation, Right to Play and others to use playing to introduce formal education to Ghanaian children at their early stages in order to build their interest in learning.

The deputy minister added that, government is training about 48,000 teachers that would be handling kids in the kindergarten and nursery to help build children with such knowledge in their local languages (mother tongue).

Rev Ntim Fordjour made these comments soon after he contributed to a statement made by MP for Tamale North, Mr Suhuyini Sayibu Alhassan on how to design educational programs through playing for children in early childhood education.

Ghanamps.com

The first deputy Speaker of Parliament and MP for Bekwai, Mr. Joseph Osei Owusu said, he is disappointed that Mr. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu took the decision to resign.

He asserts that Mr. Kyei-Mensah is a fantastic leader and the caucus should have kept him to the end of the 8th Parliament.

He explained that, Mr Kyei Mensah has been extremely hard working both in his role and leadership as majority leader.

Mr Osei-Owusu added that, though he was disappointed, their caucus will take steps to fill his position with equally qualified person who would be able to hold the fourth peacefully.

He denied the speculation that, the NPP caucus has elected Mr. Alexander Afenyo Markin as the Majority Leader and that the caucus will remain focused in achieving its objectives.

The lawmaker shot down the suggestion that the former Leader, Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu was forced to step down.

Mr Joseph Osei Owusu made these comments at a press interaction soon after the adjournment of proceedings on Thursday.

Ghanamps.com

The minority through its ranking member on the Health Committee of parliament and MP for Juaboso, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has called on the Majority side in Parliament to cooperate with the Minority to investigate into the COVID-19 expenditure.

He explained further that, an Ad-hoc committee involving both health and finance committee which was constituted by the Speaker to investigate into the expenditure has failed to do its work since it was formed.

Mr Akandoh further said, the Chairman of Committee, Dr Ayew Afriyie is not showing any seriousness about the mandate assigned to them as a committee and has called for meeting just once.

Mr Akandoh used the opportunity to call on the Chairman to show leadership by calling members on the committee to begin the investigation immediately for Ghanaians to know everything about the COVID-19 expenses.

Ghanamps.com

The Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin has withdrawn his proposals to the Anti-Gay bill.

His motion was to give an alternative to convicted persons a community service instead of custodial sentence were all shot down by the House.

The leader was surprised about Speaker’s directive to withdraw his amendments since those proposals are alien to the process of law enactment in the House.

On another proposal from Mr Afenyo Markin on the mandatory commission of counselling to the convicted persons was also shot down and finally withdrawn from the Bill.

It is the sense of the House that there will be no further delays in the passage of the Bill.

The Nigo- Prampram MP, Mr Samuel Nartey George argued that the proposal of Mr. Afenyo Markin which seems to introduce a mandatory counselling will put cost on the consolidated fund which is contrary to the constitution of Ghana on private members’ Bill.

But the Deputy Majority Leader argues that the custodial sentence in the current form still puts a charge on the consolidated fund.

Ghanamps.com

In a meeting on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 with President Nana Akufo-Addo and the National Officers of the ruling NPP party, Majority Leader Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu turned in his resignation letter as leader of the caucus.
He thanked President Nana Akufo-Addo for the opportunity to serve the Party as its Majority Leader.

“I have served the Party diligently ever since I entered Parliament on the same day, January 7, 1997, with the President. I believe I have served the Party very well to the best of my ability, and I have no regrets.

There is a difficult battle ahead of us, to which enterprise all of us must commit ourselves. We are at a critical juncture that requires absolute unity and peace within our ranks to successfully prosecute the “Breaking the 8 Agenda”.

In my absence from the Country, certain issues had been raised to which I have been connected. I do not want to be the eye of the storm. Nothing should be done that would precipitate cataclysmic consequences. That is why I am stressing peace and unity, he stated.

He extended his sincerest gratitude to his colleagues for all the partnership and assistance they have provided to propel the agenda of the Party, and latterly, government.

“At this stage, I would want to inform Mr. President, the Members of Leadership, herein present, the Leadership of the Party, and all others, that I voluntarily declare my intent to step down as the Majority Leader before you my colleagues here and now, in order to afford the Caucus the opportunity to choose their leader.

I thank you Mr. President for the opportunity afforded. Thank you all once again.”

Ghanamps.com