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Deputy Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources Amidu Chinnia Issahaku has noted that water-borne diseases account for a large percentage of mortality and morbidity in developing countries and general spike in numbers during epidemics flooding and drought.

According to him it is crucial for Ghana to double their efforts in their commitments in providing access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene to all by 2030 when he presented a statement on the floor of the House on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 to mark World Water Day.

As Ghana joins the International Community to observe the day under the theme, “Accelerating change”, it is import for Ghanaians to reflect on their individual commitment to the global water action agenda.

It is interesting to note that barely seven (7) years to 2030 billions of people across the globe still do not have access to safe water and toilets, but in Ghana the narrative is a bit different as government has prioritized the water sector which has led to interventions that has increased the provision of portable water and improved sanitation to thousand of households and communities.

And according to the ministry’s annual progress report 2022 eight seven point senven (87.7%) of Ghana’s population have access to basic drinking water services while access to basic sanitation services is twenty-five point three (25.3%) .

Despite these efforts, human activities such as illegal mining, sand mining, discharge of waste into the rivers and water bodies, clearing of vegetation along the river course among others, floods and drought as well as climate change, threatens the gains in the provision of clean water to many Ghanaians.

The deputy minister told the House government is not relenting in helping communities to access adequate clean water as a key essential component in their drive the ministry through its agencies is considering nature-base solutions and climate smart approach to promote water conservation and effective watershed management to create healthier landscape that are more resistant to droughts and floods.

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Minister for Defense Bingab Aduna Dominic Nitiwul has called for residents of Ashaiman and the military to learn to leave together when the Committee of Defense and Interior and the Defense Minister visited Ashaiman over the military brutality that occurred in Ashaiman causing huge public outcry.

According him, this is not the first time that there have been issues between the Ghana Armed Forces (GAM) and the residents, and noted that the development suggests that there is a fundamental problem that needs to be resolved because the military and residents of Ashiaman share boundary.

Again, all over the world, the military finds the people in communities they find themselves as friends, and criminals never come to such communities because of the presence of the military.

It will be difficult for people to come in to commit crime in communities that have the military presence; they are safe communities.

“We would look into the issues and make sure they are dealt with properly. The military high command has accepted that the decision to take a swoop in both Ashaiaman, Ashairman New Town and Official Town were sanctioned at the highest level by the Military. They also added that it was intelligence led; it means part of this swoop was in planning for a long time. We do not do intelligence in two days. If you look at their statement, they did say that they said something’s were done but that should not have been done”.

The Minister noted that, he needs to listen to the residents themselves and not only take report from the committee, military or the police and he did listen to the lawyer who spoke for the residents. “I heard him mention specifically instances what has happened, what did not happen; I have taken my time to glance through the books to see some of the pictures and some of the police statement that was put there”.

He recounted that he has gone through four conflicts 1981, 1991, 1994 and 1995 so he knows the effect of conflict; he was involved in four major conflict in Ghana, “so I know what it means to be in a conflict situation and I know what it means when the police and military are operating”.

Again, I know it and I have experienced it like the chairman of the committee said, we should all ensure that the laws work if you are complaining that the law does not work due process should have been used; make sure that the law works that is why I would say to all of us here we should find a way of protecting each other, it does not matter if you are police civilian or military.

Ghana is the most peaceful in West Africa today as I speak the military and police needs civilians, same way civilians needs military and police, we should find away to ensure that all of us gel together.

“I believe there are young person’s here, if they have the opportunity they will want to be serving in the military, let us ensure that the people of Ashaiman benefit more from the military, whether it is recruitment, protection, whether its ordinary jobs like fixing of roads use the military to do that more and be friends with the military and they would do that for you; that is why I say you and the military would go to market together – what we are doing is a fine balancing act”.

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Ranking Member on Roads and Transport Committee, Governs Kwame Agbodza has served notice that his side will only support the re-introduction of road tolls if funds that would accrue from it would be used for only road related expenditure.

According to him they would not be part of any re-introduction of tolls that will not go to road expenditure and they cannot be part of misuse of public funds.

In an interview, he noted that he does not take pride in saying “I told you so”, as road tolls are essential components of the road fund, no matter how small the revenue is would be able to pay for part of the huge debt in the sector.

Again, it was not a prudent move by the finance minister to stop the collection of the road tolls because in his words the money is too small; “seventy two million Ghana cedis as we speak is indebted to contractors who have certificate that may be twelve billion seventy two cedis – is not a lot but can do something when it comes to Small Medium Contractors (SMC)s.

The move by the Finance Minister to the Road Transport Minister by writing a letter re- introducing tolls, first the Finance Minister should do some explanation as to whether the point he made about suspension of the road toll of vehicles causing pollution, “if they have reduced or he stand by his point made previously?”

He said he would also want to know if his submission of introducing road tolls on new roads constructed under private-public partnership still holds adding he is not aware if that position has changed. Also the argument that if VAT is increased, we would get more revenue and there would not be any need for road tolls.

“Yet VAT is here and we are all paying, why is he bringing road tolls back. Is it the case that he was insincere to the people of this country? He should first of all explain these things, he cannot just think he is in government so he can do anything he likes”.

He further noted that, he has taken notice of proposal on the amount to be charged in terms of various classifications on vehicles. “I think it’s premature to begin that suggestion. We in the minority have already said that the only way we would be interested in having this discussion of re introduction if first there is a change in the law where road funds is totally decapped where all accruals to the road fund goes to only road related expenditure”.

And currently, Appendix three (3) B and C of the 2023 budget three (3) B would be talking about revenue and three (3) C is about expenditure.

“We project to collect two point four billion Ghana cedis into the road fund but three (3) C will tell you that the expenditure side they interned to spend only one billion of that money on road related expenditure”

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Minister for Health Kwaku Agyeman Manu has assured Parliament of Ghana that within two to three weeks the issues of shortage of some routine childhood vaccines in the country would be addressed.

He made this known on Thursday, March 9, 2023 on the floor of the House when the Ranking member of the Health Committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh wanted to know when the country would have vaccines in the wake of the shortage.

The Minister came to the floor of the House to make a state regarding shortage of vaccines and added that as a Ministry; they have done all the necessary arrangements. “Let me be honest with you, there are certain activities that are not controlled from the Ministry when it comes to vaccine procurement shipping and all that we have done all the necessary things”.

Again he pointed out the Ministry placed an order a week ago and has done all the necessary arrangements and are getting indications that they would get them either in two or three weeks, but he does not know how quickly they can get it.

“We are doing all things very possible to make sure we even get some of this vaccines earlier, but the specific time it would come it would be difficult for me to assure the House if I come and tell you Friday and these are things we do not have control over”.

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Rt. Hon Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin is leading Ghana’s delegation to attend the 146th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Manama, Bahrain.

The 146th Assembly of the IPU and its related meetings are scheduled to be held in the Arab country from Saturday, March 11, to Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

All IPU statutory bodies, including the Governing Council, Standing Committees, Committees on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians and on Middle East Questions, as well as the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs, will convene during this Assembly.

The General Debate is expected to provide a platform for delegates to deliberate, exchange views and galvanize parliamentary action in the area of fighting intolerance and promoting peaceful coexistence.

Ghana’s parliamentary delegation headed by Speaker Bagbin comprises leaders of the House, Majority and Minority Leaders, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, respectively.

Also included in this delegation are the First Deputy Minority Whip Ahmed Ibrahim and Second Deputy Majority Whip Habib Iddrisu.

Female MPs Patricia Appiagyei and Dzifa Gomashie, the Director of Parliamentary Relations & Protocol, Sheba Nana Afriyie-Osei, Richard Acheampong, Head of the Speaker’s Secretariat, among others.

The delegation will represent Ghana’s interests, including Parliament, in the Conference and related meetings. The conference, under the theme “promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: fighting intolerance”, will explore and share ideas and perspectives on strengthening democracy worldwide.

The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded more than 133 years ago as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. The IPU comprises 178 national Member Parliaments and 14 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes democracy and helps parliaments become stronger, younger, gender-balanced and more representative. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee of MPs worldwide.

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Minority Member of Parliament for Dormma West, Vincent Oppong Asamoah is confident that the proposal to elect Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) would ensure that development reached the local levels.

According to him he support the idea of electing MMDCEs and thinks all the political parties do same but as to the process that is where the difference is, as to whether it should be partisan or not – that is where the issues is.

He noted in an interview that the advantages of electing MMDCEs cannot be overemphasized; “it should happen, we need to consider this during election 2024 seriously because let me tell you I would be happier to be a DCE that is elected by the people with that I would maintain my seat at the Assembly”.

Again, he argued that when elected, he would like to put in more efforts to develop the place because in rural areas people appreciate development, “so much whiles you are giving me water and sanitation you are improving my health and education, why would they not elect you so you can be there forever?”

It also affords the people to elect someone capable of doing the work better for them. “So I am hundred percent for electing MMDCEs but on non-partisan basis”.

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Member of Parliament (MP) for Dormma West, Vincent Oppong Asamoah said lawmakers in the rural constituencies carry out more developmental activities than the Assemblies do, stating that MPs are over tasked all because they were voted for and during campaigns a lot of promises are made.

According to him once allocations are made to MPs, more projects are executed – be it water sanitation, education and health all these areas are so critical.

“Most of the of the time you go to the District Chief Executives, most of them do not care because at the end of the day his or her picture would not be on ballot papers but you the MP you are forced to at least fulfill most of your campaign promises”.

In an interview, he pointed out that, there are civil societies that have gone into ranking of MPs in terms of their performance and can say some of them are a bit political. “If you have an institution like the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) going into these areas where at least, politics wound not be the yard stick, it will encourage most of the MPs to utlilise their Common funds very well especially those in the rural areas; their needs are completely different from those in the urban areas and “if you look at the monies given to MPs it is negligible looking at the demands we receive from our constituents, he stated.

He stated further that the highest they have received so far is a little over hundred thousand Ghana cedis for a quarter and even as low as sixty-seven thousand and if you go to some of their constituencies, they have to virtually depend on non-governmental organisations for support to meet most of their campaign promises. “So I am suggesting that a special dispensation be given to MPs more especially rural MPs where the challenges are higher and statistics would help appreciate the description I have given better”.

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Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon Lydia Seyram Alhassan on Saturday, March 4, 2023 organised a health walk for her constituents when she presented “walking the talk” as part of energizing her base to the party to break the eight (8).

Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Sandra Owusu Ahenkorah, constituency chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and tertiary students were present to support the health walk.

The MP asserts that “we need to be healthy, we need to energize ourselves for the task ahead and I thank you for your understanding that the task ahead is not a small job, so therefore we need this regularly; a healthy nation is a wealthy nation and it’s something we would do regularly”, she said when she addressed her constituents after the exercise.

The MP further added that the New Patriotic Party needs to prepare and be ready for the great task ahead in 2024 and emphasised the need for unity as a constituency, as they work together a few people who are not part of the training should join the training for them to work together in breaking the eight (8).

She pointed out that her constituents are aware of the happenings across the globe, and Ghana as a country has been equally affected but assured that measures that have been put together, it would not be long the economy would boom again.
On the upcoming limited registration, she urged her constituents who were unable to undertake it, whiles others because of COVID-19 were somewhere else that this is the time to register and transfer their votes.
She also admonished them to get involved in the Assembly elections and not to assume it is for only a section of the constituents.

The lawmaker recounted that within four years as the representatives of the people in parliament she has been able to push for developmental projects in Abelekpe where she renovated their school building and pushed for the construction of an Astroturf and almost all the electoral areas have received one project or the other.

“My constituents, you have a lot to be proud of; you have the message and a product to sell and we are looking up to you, I would work for us to achieve victory again”, she stated.

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Majority Leader Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the sole use of the Ghana card as registration for voter identification card has come to sanitize and purify the Ghanaian system as currently various institutions are recognizing the integrity of the National Identification Authority and the Ghana card.

According to him the call by his colleagues in the Minority pushing for birth certificate, national health insurance card and passport to be reintroduced is untenable, stating that with the NIA system of acquiring Ghana card, one is required to swear an oath before a commissioner when need be. And the sanction are well spelt out such that even ten years after, if you are found out not to tell the truth you will go to prison and you would be disenfranchised eternally.

“So people are afraid the EC system is a bit loose, you go and I know this person, we are in the same house, I know him to be a Ghanaian, I swear before myself and the ground that I know him and that is all”.

Addressing members of the Parliamentary Press Corps on Thursday, March 2, 2023, he further noted that when the drivers licenses was taken off it did not serve as a restraint on citizens right to register to vote, same with birth certificates.

He added that a number of cards issued in the lead up to the 2012 elections, the enactment came into force February 2012 at the time less than ten thousand across the country Ghanaians had been issued with the Ghana Identity cards against the voting population of twelve million Ghanaians in the 2016 elections.

The then EC Chair Charlotte Osei could not resort to the Ghana card, as less than two hundred and twenty thousand Ghana card was issued against a targeted voter population of close to fifteen million Ghanaians in the lead up to the 2016 elections.

The registration exercise done by the EC did not rely solely on the Ghana card despite the fact that they used it at the time; those who had Ghana card could go with it to register but said they did not rely on it solely for the purposes of registration. The EC accordingly decided to resort to it as one of the instrument of identification of Ghanaian citizens.

At that time Ghanaians with the Ghana card had significantly improved such that at the time of the 2020 elections, EC had informed Ghanaians that by February 2020 the number of Ghanaians who had been issued with the card total just about under seven million against the voting population of close to seventeen million.

So, they could not rely on it solely for the purposes of registration but they used it as one of it and indeed by December 2020 when the voting took place the number had improved from seven million to ten million.

The NIA’s issuance of cards, their system is much more better than that of the EC, “why do I say this; in the compilation of the register of the NIA, it came to light of the number that had registered on their role, ninety five thousand nine hundred and forty two people attempted to register multiple times and were found”.

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The deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, told Parliament that Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, warned the West African nation against the ‘begging bowl’ and went on to predict that a deaf ear to his warning will one day plunge the country into economic mess.

Alas, 57 years down the line after his overthrown, Dr. Nkrumah’s prediction has come to pass with Ghana now classified as a high risk debt distress country which needed an external help to salvage it from crashing.

“The Great Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah predicted that the begging bowl will only lead us into indebtedness-well we now know”, the deputy Minority Leader noted while eulogizing Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on the 57th anniversary of his overthrown on February 24, 1966.

A begging bowl is a term used in reference to an earnest appeal for financial help. The Collins Dictionary also explains that, “if a country or organization approaches other countries or organizations with a begging bowl, it asks them for money”.

To Hon. Buah, if Dr. Nkrumah’s predecessors had heeded to the advice of the former Ghanaian leader and also continued to build on his vision or policies and initiatives, Ghana and the rest of the African continent would have been a better place to live in that what the citizenry are experiencing today.

As at September 2022, Ghana’s public debt was GHS67.4billion. Out of this amount, 42% was domestic debt while 58% was external debt, according to records by the Bank of Ghana.

This represents more than 100% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta is hoping to bring the ratio down to 55% by 2028 should the country gets the external support that it is seeking for.

Ghana is currently before the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seeking for a three-year bailout program worth US$3billion.

To Hon. Buah who is also the NDC MP for Ellembelle, the hard lesson Ghanaians must learn from the Osagyefo Dr. Nkrumah’s overthrow is “never to allow themselves to be deceived into discarding great leaders”, stressing that without the leadership of Dr. Nkrumah, Ghana lost its vision as a country and has since been roaming around for 57 years for the answers to her developmental agenda.

“We never appreciate the value of water, until the well runs dry”, he quoted the American writer, scientist and statesman, Benjamin Franklin, in support of his advice to Ghanaians.

He said it was through the leadership of Osagyefo Dr. Nkrumah that the Tema Harbour and Tema Motorway were constructed. That notwithstanding, it was through the policies and initiatives of the former Ghanaian leader that the Ghanaian currency, the Ghanaian Industrial Holdings Corporation (GIHOC), and the Volta River Project were all established.

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