News:
June 12, 2024
At media engagement with members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) at the beginning of the third meeting, Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin pointed out that the third meeting of parliament would be short; and as the new standing orders come into force, a lot of Committees would be re-aligned.
According to him the former Committee on Defense and Interior will now be Intelligence Committee which would be separate from the old one as well as Committee on Finance and Economy. This is to help MPs focus on key subjects in some areas and prepare them for the task.
For legislation, he said there are some critical laws for consideration like the Parliament Bill and Presidential Transition Bill before the House. Others which are also high on the agenda include Consumer Protection Bill, Housing Authority Bill, the Architect Registration Bill, Economic and Crime Office Amendment Bill, Environmental Protection Agency Bill as well as Vacation Manufacture and Development Bill.
The Majority Leader further noted that, with the way and manner the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) carries their mandate, there are human right issues there, and that the amendment would help tidy up things.
He further disclosed that the Affirmative Action bill which was attended to by the Committee had issue and was withdrawn; thus the committee would zoom into serious action and look at it.
On education, he stated that the Education Minister would present the Free SHS Bill to the House; adding that Chapter 5 of the 1992 Constitution provides some aspirational indication policy of government; “when put into action to make it an enactment, there are provisions in the constitution that you cannot enforce; you cannot claim right to those provisions; the fact that they are there does not mean you can apply to the court to enforce those rights, they are only aspirational and should be given life.”
And if the House considers it, it becomes mandatory for government to implement it. You have to repel it and no government would say I will not implement it; free SHS now there is a law if you fail a citizen would apply to the court for the court to judge in his or her favour”, he added.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com