Page 31, Nov 10, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
DELEGATES at the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) held in Sham El-Sheikh, Egypt, have called for the reform of the international financial system to ensure development in a fair, just, inclusive and orderly manner.
They also called for an increasing representation and voice of developing countries and opposition to protectionism in all forms, stressing that FOCAC would always stand to uphold an open and free trade and investment environment.
In a communiqué jointly presented by the Foreign Minister of China, Mr Yang Jiechi, and his Egyptian counterpart, Mr Ahmed Abu Alghet, at the end of the meeting, the delegates said, "We will continue to advance the Doha Round of trade negotiations on the basis of observing the negotiating mandate, sticking to the development agenda and respecting the existing outcomes," and called for an early and successful conclusion of the negotiations by taking into account the interest of African countries.
It stated that African countries were greatly encouraged by China's sustained, steady and fast economic growth and appreciated the significant actions taken by that country in response to the financial crisis.
"We believe that these actions have not only contributed to stabilising the world economy but also helped the African economy towards achieving recovery and growth," it said.
It expressed concern over the effect of the financial crisis on developing economies, noting that if nothing was done, it would be impossible for fragile economies, particularly those in Africa, to achieve targets of the Millennium Development Goals.
It, therefore, called on the international community, particularly developed countries, to pay particular attention to the negative impact of the crisis and adopt measures to mitigate its effects by fulfilling their commitments in aid, debt relief, promoting and increasing investment, opening up and accessing market and assisting developing countries to promote economic growth to achieve sustainable development.
The communiqué said China applauded Africa's achievement in strengthening governance, resolving regional conflicts, advancing poverty relief and development and speeding up the integration process.
"China reaffirms its support for African countries in their efforts to strengthen themselves through unity and resolve Africa's problems. It appreciates the positive role of African countries, the African Union (AU) and other regional organisations," it added.
The communiqué added that the two sides would continue to hold onto the decade-long co-operation between China and Africa, saying that that co-operation had produced fruitful results and delivered considerable benefits to their peoples.
"It is a good example of South-South co-operation," it noted.
It said China would continue to cut and cancel debts owed her by African countries, expand investment in Africa and further open China's market to strengthen practical co-operation with Africa.
The two-day forum was attended by African foreign ministers, diplomats and their counterparts from China.
It was held on the theme, "Deepening the new type of China-Africa Strategic Partnership for sustainable development".
Thursday, November 12, 2009
China announces measures to improve ties with Africa
Page 17, Nov 9, 2009
From Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
THE Chinese Prime Minister, Mr Wen Jiabao has announced eight new measures to improve on the country’s relation with Africa.
Addressing the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC), which opened in the Egyptian tourism city, Sham El-Sheikh , he announced that China would build up the financing capacity of African countries with the provision of $10 billion in concessional loans and support Chinese financial institutions in setting up a $1 billion special loan for small and medium-sized African businesses.
The meeting, which is being co-chaired by the Egyptian President, Mr Hosni Mubarak and the Chinese Prime Minister, is expected to give an overall review of the implementation of the various co-operative agreements between China and Africa and chart a new course for the development China-African relations.
A number of bilateral agreements are expected to be signed to boost economic and trade co-operation and help Africa develop as well as deal with the global economic crisis.
Ghana's delegation to the meeting is led by the Vice President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, who is accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni.
The meeting is expected to issue the Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration and also an action plan for 2010-2012 as a blueprint for bilateral co-operation in various areas within the next three years.
Mr Wen said "We will further open up China's market to African products. We will phase out in zero-tarrif treatment to 95 per cent of the products from least developed African countries having diplomatic relations with China starting with 60 per cent of products within 2010".
He added that China would also assist Africa in the agricultural sector by increasing the number of agricultural technology demonstration centres built by China in Africa to 20 and send 50 agricultural technology teams to Africa, train 2,000 agricultural technology personnel in order to strengthen Africa's ability to ensure food security.
On human resource and education, Prime Minister Wen announced that China would build 50 China-Africa friendship schools and train 1,500 school principals and teachers on the continent adding that by 2012, China would increase the number of Chinese scholarships in Africa to 5,500 and train a total of 20,000 professionals of various fields over the next three years.
He said the Chinese people cherished sincere friendship towards African people and China's support to Africa's development "is concrete and real".
“Whatever change may take place in the world, our friendship with Africa will not change, our commitment to deepening mutual beneficial co-operation and achieving common development with Africa will not change and our policy of supporting Africa's economic and social development will not change, he declared.
Giving accounts of the benefits of the FOCAC so far, Mr Wen said the two sides had strengthened economic co-operation explaining that China-Africa trade exceeded $100 billion and the number of African countries trading with China grew to 53.
He stated that China had begun the construction of six economic and trade co-operation zones in Africa adding that nearly 1,600 Chinese enterprises had started businesses with a direct investment stock of $7.8 billion.
Mr Wen said the plan to cancel 168 debts owed by 33 African countries was about to be completed while $5 billion of concessional loans would be fully in place soon. The China-Africa Development Fund, whose first tranche reached $1 billion, had also become operational as scheduled.
In addition, he said exchanges and co-operation in culture, education, health and human resources had grown rapidly, explaining that China would by the end of the year complete the training of 15,000 people of different professions for African countries.
Mr Wen called on the international community not to waiver in its resolve to help Africa achieve the Millennium Development Goals (Mugs) saying that "It should take credible steps to honour the commitment of assistance to enable Africa to actively foster an enabling external environment of international economy, trade and finance.
"The co-operation between China and Africa is indispensable to the growth of the world" he declared and urged the international community to recognise the peculiar problem of the Africa and assist the continent to achieve its Millennium Development Goals (Mugs).
For his part, the Egyptian President, Mr Hosni Mubarak expressed optimism that the Sham El-Sheikh Forum would lift the relations between China and Africa to a higher level.
Eight heads of state, five Prime Ministers and Vice Presidents, among others addressed the opening session of the forum which was held at the plush Maritime Congress Centre in the heart of Sham El Sheikh.
From Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
THE Chinese Prime Minister, Mr Wen Jiabao has announced eight new measures to improve on the country’s relation with Africa.
Addressing the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC), which opened in the Egyptian tourism city, Sham El-Sheikh , he announced that China would build up the financing capacity of African countries with the provision of $10 billion in concessional loans and support Chinese financial institutions in setting up a $1 billion special loan for small and medium-sized African businesses.
The meeting, which is being co-chaired by the Egyptian President, Mr Hosni Mubarak and the Chinese Prime Minister, is expected to give an overall review of the implementation of the various co-operative agreements between China and Africa and chart a new course for the development China-African relations.
A number of bilateral agreements are expected to be signed to boost economic and trade co-operation and help Africa develop as well as deal with the global economic crisis.
Ghana's delegation to the meeting is led by the Vice President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, who is accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni.
The meeting is expected to issue the Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration and also an action plan for 2010-2012 as a blueprint for bilateral co-operation in various areas within the next three years.
Mr Wen said "We will further open up China's market to African products. We will phase out in zero-tarrif treatment to 95 per cent of the products from least developed African countries having diplomatic relations with China starting with 60 per cent of products within 2010".
He added that China would also assist Africa in the agricultural sector by increasing the number of agricultural technology demonstration centres built by China in Africa to 20 and send 50 agricultural technology teams to Africa, train 2,000 agricultural technology personnel in order to strengthen Africa's ability to ensure food security.
On human resource and education, Prime Minister Wen announced that China would build 50 China-Africa friendship schools and train 1,500 school principals and teachers on the continent adding that by 2012, China would increase the number of Chinese scholarships in Africa to 5,500 and train a total of 20,000 professionals of various fields over the next three years.
He said the Chinese people cherished sincere friendship towards African people and China's support to Africa's development "is concrete and real".
“Whatever change may take place in the world, our friendship with Africa will not change, our commitment to deepening mutual beneficial co-operation and achieving common development with Africa will not change and our policy of supporting Africa's economic and social development will not change, he declared.
Giving accounts of the benefits of the FOCAC so far, Mr Wen said the two sides had strengthened economic co-operation explaining that China-Africa trade exceeded $100 billion and the number of African countries trading with China grew to 53.
He stated that China had begun the construction of six economic and trade co-operation zones in Africa adding that nearly 1,600 Chinese enterprises had started businesses with a direct investment stock of $7.8 billion.
Mr Wen said the plan to cancel 168 debts owed by 33 African countries was about to be completed while $5 billion of concessional loans would be fully in place soon. The China-Africa Development Fund, whose first tranche reached $1 billion, had also become operational as scheduled.
In addition, he said exchanges and co-operation in culture, education, health and human resources had grown rapidly, explaining that China would by the end of the year complete the training of 15,000 people of different professions for African countries.
Mr Wen called on the international community not to waiver in its resolve to help Africa achieve the Millennium Development Goals (Mugs) saying that "It should take credible steps to honour the commitment of assistance to enable Africa to actively foster an enabling external environment of international economy, trade and finance.
"The co-operation between China and Africa is indispensable to the growth of the world" he declared and urged the international community to recognise the peculiar problem of the Africa and assist the continent to achieve its Millennium Development Goals (Mugs).
For his part, the Egyptian President, Mr Hosni Mubarak expressed optimism that the Sham El-Sheikh Forum would lift the relations between China and Africa to a higher level.
Eight heads of state, five Prime Ministers and Vice Presidents, among others addressed the opening session of the forum which was held at the plush Maritime Congress Centre in the heart of Sham El Sheikh.
Parliament worried over Kwabenya Landfill
Page 16, Nov 5, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Daniel Nkrumah
THE PARLIAMENTARY Select Committee on Local Government has expressed its disquiet over the delay in the completion of the Kwabenya Land Fill Project and urged the government to take a quick decision on the fate of the project.
The site, which was identified in 1991 had sparked intense agitation as locals and artisans engaged in stone cracking at the site vehemently opposed the project.
During a visit to the site, the Chairman of the Committee Mr Dominic Azumah, expressed concern over the delay and also expressed worry that people continued to encroach upon the land.
Presently, some private developers have encroached upon the land and when the team visited the place, some of them had their workers on site putting up structures.
“If we cannot continue with the project, we must take a final decision; if we can, we must start it now,” Mr Azumah stressed.
The Project Co-ordinator, Mr Daniel Aidoo, said the project formed part of the Urban Environment and Sanitation Project II to be funded by the World Bank and the Government of Ghana.
He said originally the project was expected to cover a land size of 465 acres but the size was reduced to 364 acres after agitation from some local people.
He explained that the project had primarily delayed because of the agitation of the local people, who had now agreed to accept compensation so that they can relocate to enable the project commence.
Mr Aidoo said about 700 hundred stone crackers and 89 individuals and families were to be compensated and indicated that they had been formally written to with the compensation offer and they in turn had written in response.
He said the framework for the Environmental Impact Assessment had already been done and only needed to be upgraded.
He explained that somewhere in 2006, there were plans to commence payment of compensation but the World Bank requested for a Resettlement Action Plan before the payment of any compensation.
He said the site was an engineered land fill site that would serve the Greater Accra Region for close to between 20-25 years to be constructed at the cost of about $12 million dollars.
The team also visited a composting site being constructed by Zoomlion Ghana Limited in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
The facility, upon completion will cover an 80-acre land and will help in the effective management of waste.
The project, which is located at Medie in the Ga West and Akuapem South Districts has been strategically sited to serve some districts in the Greater Accra, Eastern and Central regions. The first phase of the project is to be completed in June 2010.
During a tour of the site by Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government and Rural Development and some pressmen, the Head of the Composting and Recycling Unit, Mr George Rockson, said the first phase would focus on the sorting out of solid waste and the treatment of solid waste to produce compost.
He said the second phase would cover the treatment of liquid waste adding that faecal matter would also be aerobically treated to produce compost from the solid waste, and liquid fertiliser and biogas and fertiliser from the liquid waste.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Daniel Nkrumah
THE PARLIAMENTARY Select Committee on Local Government has expressed its disquiet over the delay in the completion of the Kwabenya Land Fill Project and urged the government to take a quick decision on the fate of the project.
The site, which was identified in 1991 had sparked intense agitation as locals and artisans engaged in stone cracking at the site vehemently opposed the project.
During a visit to the site, the Chairman of the Committee Mr Dominic Azumah, expressed concern over the delay and also expressed worry that people continued to encroach upon the land.
Presently, some private developers have encroached upon the land and when the team visited the place, some of them had their workers on site putting up structures.
“If we cannot continue with the project, we must take a final decision; if we can, we must start it now,” Mr Azumah stressed.
The Project Co-ordinator, Mr Daniel Aidoo, said the project formed part of the Urban Environment and Sanitation Project II to be funded by the World Bank and the Government of Ghana.
He said originally the project was expected to cover a land size of 465 acres but the size was reduced to 364 acres after agitation from some local people.
He explained that the project had primarily delayed because of the agitation of the local people, who had now agreed to accept compensation so that they can relocate to enable the project commence.
Mr Aidoo said about 700 hundred stone crackers and 89 individuals and families were to be compensated and indicated that they had been formally written to with the compensation offer and they in turn had written in response.
He said the framework for the Environmental Impact Assessment had already been done and only needed to be upgraded.
He explained that somewhere in 2006, there were plans to commence payment of compensation but the World Bank requested for a Resettlement Action Plan before the payment of any compensation.
He said the site was an engineered land fill site that would serve the Greater Accra Region for close to between 20-25 years to be constructed at the cost of about $12 million dollars.
The team also visited a composting site being constructed by Zoomlion Ghana Limited in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
The facility, upon completion will cover an 80-acre land and will help in the effective management of waste.
The project, which is located at Medie in the Ga West and Akuapem South Districts has been strategically sited to serve some districts in the Greater Accra, Eastern and Central regions. The first phase of the project is to be completed in June 2010.
During a tour of the site by Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government and Rural Development and some pressmen, the Head of the Composting and Recycling Unit, Mr George Rockson, said the first phase would focus on the sorting out of solid waste and the treatment of solid waste to produce compost.
He said the second phase would cover the treatment of liquid waste adding that faecal matter would also be aerobically treated to produce compost from the solid waste, and liquid fertiliser and biogas and fertiliser from the liquid waste.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Parliament approves mid-year budget
Page 16, Aug 28, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE mid-year budget estimates presented to Parliament by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, today received the approval of the House after intense debate.
So intense was the debate that the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho had to occasionally appeal to the leadership of both the Majority and the Minority to restrain their members to adhere to the rules governing the House to ensure a smooth debate of the supplementary estimates.
The Government had requested the House to give approval of GH¢ 252,790,947 as the supplementary estimate for the 2009 financial year.
The motion which was moved by the Dr Kwabena Duffuor last Tuesday, was seconded by the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament, Mr James Klutse Avedzi. Seconding the motion, Mr Avedzi said there was the need for the Government to get additional funds to undertake projects and programmes it had set for itself.
The beauty of the debate was marred by frequent point of orders, shouting and flipping of hands from both sides of the House.
In the ensuing melee, Mr Adjaho was not spared as he received some bashings from the Minority MPs, who accused him of being a biased Speaker.
The Member of Parliament for Kwabre East, Mr Kofi Frimpong nearly incurred the displeasure of the Mr Adjaho during his submission when he remarked that “I have not seen such a Speaker before”.
But he was prevailed upon to withdraw his remark. He explained that he was not aware that his microphone was switched on.
As if that was not enough, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also expressed some misgivings about the debate and accused the Speaker of giving the Majority side too much room to heckle the Minority MPs without giving the Minority side chance to make their point of orders.
When he took his turn in the debate, the Minority Ranking Member of Finance, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei took a swipe at the Finance Minister’s assertion that the Government inherited a rundown economy from the Kufuor administration.
He made references to the economy the Kufuor led Government inherited from the NDC in 2001 and asked Ghanaians to judge for themselves which of the two scenarios could be referred as a rundown economy.
So emotional was Dr Akoto Osei that some MPs from the Majority side occasionally heckled him through point of orders by asking him to tone down his emotions for the sake of his health.
He explained that in 2001, the Kufuor led Government inherited 41 per cent inflation, but was able to beat it down to 18 per cent before it left office while it increased the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $290 to $712; reduced interest rate from 50 per cent to 27 per cent, reviewed minimum wage from 42 pesewas to GH¢ 2.20 and reduced poverty level from 39.5 per cent to 28 per cent.
He, however, conceded that the budget deficit in 2008 was 14.5 as against the 8.5 that the previous Government inherited from the NDC Government in 2001 and attributed that to the exigencies of the period.
He wondered why the minister of finance should write to the World Bank to praise the NPP Government for its economic achievement and turn around to do politics by telling to Ghanaians that the Government had inherited a rundown economy.
The Majority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, on a number of occasions, had to come in to defend the Government and asked Dr Akoto Osei not to attack the personality of the finance minister, explaining that the current figures were there for everybody to see.
For his part, the NDC MP for Nabdam, Mr Moses Asaga noted that the depreciation of the cedi as a result of bad economic situation in 2008 was gradually improving due to the prudent management of the economy by the NDC.
He said with the space of six months, the Government had recorded a budget surplus of $125 million.
Mr Asaga explained that the Government was not spending frivolously by prioritising its expenditure adding that the Government was on course to achieve its set targets.
“The mid-year estimate will touch on the lives of the ordinary Ghanaians”, he stated, explaining that some social interventions included in the budget would go a long way to improve on the lives of the ordinary Ghanaian.
Mr Asaga mentioned the introduction of the free school uniform, the proposed mechanisation of agriculture, the enhancement of the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme.
The MP ended with an advice to politician across the divide to always present the true economic picture to the people, especially when they assumed office.
Other MPs who contributed to the debate were Mr Dominic Azumah, NDC, Garu-Tempane, Mr Joe Ghartey, NPP, Essikado-Ketan, the Minority Leader, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and the Majority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE mid-year budget estimates presented to Parliament by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, today received the approval of the House after intense debate.
So intense was the debate that the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho had to occasionally appeal to the leadership of both the Majority and the Minority to restrain their members to adhere to the rules governing the House to ensure a smooth debate of the supplementary estimates.
The Government had requested the House to give approval of GH¢ 252,790,947 as the supplementary estimate for the 2009 financial year.
The motion which was moved by the Dr Kwabena Duffuor last Tuesday, was seconded by the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament, Mr James Klutse Avedzi. Seconding the motion, Mr Avedzi said there was the need for the Government to get additional funds to undertake projects and programmes it had set for itself.
The beauty of the debate was marred by frequent point of orders, shouting and flipping of hands from both sides of the House.
In the ensuing melee, Mr Adjaho was not spared as he received some bashings from the Minority MPs, who accused him of being a biased Speaker.
The Member of Parliament for Kwabre East, Mr Kofi Frimpong nearly incurred the displeasure of the Mr Adjaho during his submission when he remarked that “I have not seen such a Speaker before”.
But he was prevailed upon to withdraw his remark. He explained that he was not aware that his microphone was switched on.
As if that was not enough, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also expressed some misgivings about the debate and accused the Speaker of giving the Majority side too much room to heckle the Minority MPs without giving the Minority side chance to make their point of orders.
When he took his turn in the debate, the Minority Ranking Member of Finance, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei took a swipe at the Finance Minister’s assertion that the Government inherited a rundown economy from the Kufuor administration.
He made references to the economy the Kufuor led Government inherited from the NDC in 2001 and asked Ghanaians to judge for themselves which of the two scenarios could be referred as a rundown economy.
So emotional was Dr Akoto Osei that some MPs from the Majority side occasionally heckled him through point of orders by asking him to tone down his emotions for the sake of his health.
He explained that in 2001, the Kufuor led Government inherited 41 per cent inflation, but was able to beat it down to 18 per cent before it left office while it increased the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $290 to $712; reduced interest rate from 50 per cent to 27 per cent, reviewed minimum wage from 42 pesewas to GH¢ 2.20 and reduced poverty level from 39.5 per cent to 28 per cent.
He, however, conceded that the budget deficit in 2008 was 14.5 as against the 8.5 that the previous Government inherited from the NDC Government in 2001 and attributed that to the exigencies of the period.
He wondered why the minister of finance should write to the World Bank to praise the NPP Government for its economic achievement and turn around to do politics by telling to Ghanaians that the Government had inherited a rundown economy.
The Majority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, on a number of occasions, had to come in to defend the Government and asked Dr Akoto Osei not to attack the personality of the finance minister, explaining that the current figures were there for everybody to see.
For his part, the NDC MP for Nabdam, Mr Moses Asaga noted that the depreciation of the cedi as a result of bad economic situation in 2008 was gradually improving due to the prudent management of the economy by the NDC.
He said with the space of six months, the Government had recorded a budget surplus of $125 million.
Mr Asaga explained that the Government was not spending frivolously by prioritising its expenditure adding that the Government was on course to achieve its set targets.
“The mid-year estimate will touch on the lives of the ordinary Ghanaians”, he stated, explaining that some social interventions included in the budget would go a long way to improve on the lives of the ordinary Ghanaian.
Mr Asaga mentioned the introduction of the free school uniform, the proposed mechanisation of agriculture, the enhancement of the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme.
The MP ended with an advice to politician across the divide to always present the true economic picture to the people, especially when they assumed office.
Other MPs who contributed to the debate were Mr Dominic Azumah, NDC, Garu-Tempane, Mr Joe Ghartey, NPP, Essikado-Ketan, the Minority Leader, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and the Majority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin.
House begins debate on mid-year budget today
Page 24, Aug 27, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
DEBATE on the mid-year review of the budget statement and supplementary estimates for 2009 presented to Parliament by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning will begin today.
Already, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, has referred the document to the Finance Committee for consideration and report.
The nominations of three Justices of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court by the President, have also been referred to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report.
They are Mr Justice Benjamin Teiko Aryeetey, Mr Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe and Ms Justice Vida Akoto-Bamfo.
Last Tuesday, the government sought the approval of the House to spend approximately GH¢253 million additional resources to shore up its general expenditure.
If comments by some members of the Minority are anything to go by, then the debate, which may last for only two days, will be uncompromising.
They were apparently unhappy about what they termed as “the politicisation of the supplementary estimates”. Some of them chastised the minister for painting a good picture of the economic performance of the government.
To them, Ghanaians were the best judges of the economic performance of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government over the past eight months.
Speaking to journalists soon after the presentation of the review, a former Deputy Minister of Finance in the Kufuor administration, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, who is also the Member of Parliament for Dormaa West, noted that the government was not spending, thus creating hardships among the people.
He said the government did not have a clear policy direction on how to manage the economy, eight months into assuming the reins of government. “What the government is doing is only to collect taxes."
The NPP MP for Wenchi, who is also a former Deputy Minister of Finance, Professor George Yaw Gyang-Baffour, stated that all the figures that painted a good picture of the economy were not true.
“His figures are not in the marketplace,” he said, explaining that the depreciation of the cedi and inflation were all there for Ghanaians to see.
Responding to the criticisms of the Minority, the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament and NDC MP for Ketu North, Mr James Klutse Avedzi, said measures being taken by the government were all appropriate to fix the battered economy it inherited.
He explained that while efforts were being made to generate more revenue, the government had also reduced its spending to meet its economic targets.
Mr Avedzi said the government was now focussing on agriculture to increase production in order to improve on the economic performance of the country.
He added that the prudent handling of the economy was beginning to show and called on the revenue collection agencies to do more to meet their targets to enable the government to implement its projects.
Meanwhile the House yesterday paid tribute to the former MP for Chereponi, the late Doris Asibi Seidu, who died on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and was buried at Chereponi on August 10, 2009.
In a tribute, the MP for Tarkwa/Nsuaem, Mrs Gifty Kusi, acknowledged the contribution of the late MP to the development of her constituency.
“We acknowledge the pains you had gone through for the past five years to bring joy to children, women and men in your constituency. You were a catalyst ordained by the Almighty to make all equations to balance for them,” she stated.
She said it was unfortunate that the number of women MPs which was reduced from 25 in the previous Parliament to 20 in the current Parliament had further been reduced to 19 through the untimely death of the MP.
Contributing to the statement, the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Ambrose Dery, advocated the proportional representation method to increase the number of women in Parliament, explaining that the present arrangement did not augur well for women representation.
He said the contribution of the late MP to the development of her constituency should be enough proof to people in the three northern regions that women could do better when given equal opportunities.
The Majority Leader, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, said the House shared in the grief and pain of the bereaved family and called for an incident-free by-election to honour the MP, who he described as “a cool and peaceful person”.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
DEBATE on the mid-year review of the budget statement and supplementary estimates for 2009 presented to Parliament by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning will begin today.
Already, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, has referred the document to the Finance Committee for consideration and report.
The nominations of three Justices of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court by the President, have also been referred to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report.
They are Mr Justice Benjamin Teiko Aryeetey, Mr Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe and Ms Justice Vida Akoto-Bamfo.
Last Tuesday, the government sought the approval of the House to spend approximately GH¢253 million additional resources to shore up its general expenditure.
If comments by some members of the Minority are anything to go by, then the debate, which may last for only two days, will be uncompromising.
They were apparently unhappy about what they termed as “the politicisation of the supplementary estimates”. Some of them chastised the minister for painting a good picture of the economic performance of the government.
To them, Ghanaians were the best judges of the economic performance of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government over the past eight months.
Speaking to journalists soon after the presentation of the review, a former Deputy Minister of Finance in the Kufuor administration, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, who is also the Member of Parliament for Dormaa West, noted that the government was not spending, thus creating hardships among the people.
He said the government did not have a clear policy direction on how to manage the economy, eight months into assuming the reins of government. “What the government is doing is only to collect taxes."
The NPP MP for Wenchi, who is also a former Deputy Minister of Finance, Professor George Yaw Gyang-Baffour, stated that all the figures that painted a good picture of the economy were not true.
“His figures are not in the marketplace,” he said, explaining that the depreciation of the cedi and inflation were all there for Ghanaians to see.
Responding to the criticisms of the Minority, the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament and NDC MP for Ketu North, Mr James Klutse Avedzi, said measures being taken by the government were all appropriate to fix the battered economy it inherited.
He explained that while efforts were being made to generate more revenue, the government had also reduced its spending to meet its economic targets.
Mr Avedzi said the government was now focussing on agriculture to increase production in order to improve on the economic performance of the country.
He added that the prudent handling of the economy was beginning to show and called on the revenue collection agencies to do more to meet their targets to enable the government to implement its projects.
Meanwhile the House yesterday paid tribute to the former MP for Chereponi, the late Doris Asibi Seidu, who died on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and was buried at Chereponi on August 10, 2009.
In a tribute, the MP for Tarkwa/Nsuaem, Mrs Gifty Kusi, acknowledged the contribution of the late MP to the development of her constituency.
“We acknowledge the pains you had gone through for the past five years to bring joy to children, women and men in your constituency. You were a catalyst ordained by the Almighty to make all equations to balance for them,” she stated.
She said it was unfortunate that the number of women MPs which was reduced from 25 in the previous Parliament to 20 in the current Parliament had further been reduced to 19 through the untimely death of the MP.
Contributing to the statement, the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Ambrose Dery, advocated the proportional representation method to increase the number of women in Parliament, explaining that the present arrangement did not augur well for women representation.
He said the contribution of the late MP to the development of her constituency should be enough proof to people in the three northern regions that women could do better when given equal opportunities.
The Majority Leader, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, said the House shared in the grief and pain of the bereaved family and called for an incident-free by-election to honour the MP, who he described as “a cool and peaceful person”.
Review of 1992 Constitution in right direction — Dery
Page 16, Aug 27, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Ambrose P. Dery, has said the proposition by the Government to review some aspects of the 1992 Constitution was a step in the right direction.
“Having been in operation since 1992, it is appropriate for some aspects of the document governing the country to be subjected to review,” he said.
Mr Dery, who was speaking to the Daily Graphic about the recent pronouncement by the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, on the review of the constitution, said such a review should rather emanate from the people.
He noted that the 2008 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, also campaigned for the review of the Constitution.
Mr Dery, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Lawra/Nandom and lawyer, mentioned fusing of the Executive and the Legislature as the main aspect of the constitution that should be reviewed.
He noted that having been in operation for some time now, it had become clear that the Executive and the Legislature should be separated from each other to ensure a true separation of power.
“Although the concept is good in theory, it has a lot of drawbacks in practice,” he said.
On the immunity clause in the constitution, the deputy minority leader said he would not advocate its removal from the constitution.
He explained that after the national reconciliation exercise, such a clause in the constitution could serve as a bridge between the past and the present.
However, Mr Dery said that if Ghanaians thought that the clause had outlived its usefulness and decided otherwise, he would have no problem with their choice.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Ambrose P. Dery, has said the proposition by the Government to review some aspects of the 1992 Constitution was a step in the right direction.
“Having been in operation since 1992, it is appropriate for some aspects of the document governing the country to be subjected to review,” he said.
Mr Dery, who was speaking to the Daily Graphic about the recent pronouncement by the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, on the review of the constitution, said such a review should rather emanate from the people.
He noted that the 2008 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, also campaigned for the review of the Constitution.
Mr Dery, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Lawra/Nandom and lawyer, mentioned fusing of the Executive and the Legislature as the main aspect of the constitution that should be reviewed.
He noted that having been in operation for some time now, it had become clear that the Executive and the Legislature should be separated from each other to ensure a true separation of power.
“Although the concept is good in theory, it has a lot of drawbacks in practice,” he said.
On the immunity clause in the constitution, the deputy minority leader said he would not advocate its removal from the constitution.
He explained that after the national reconciliation exercise, such a clause in the constitution could serve as a bridge between the past and the present.
However, Mr Dery said that if Ghanaians thought that the clause had outlived its usefulness and decided otherwise, he would have no problem with their choice.
Dr Asare sworn in as MP for Akwatia
Page 17, Aug 26, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE newly-elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia, Dr Kofi Asare, was sworn into office yesterday when Parliament resumed for the first special sitting.
Dr Asare won the Akwatia Constituency seat after the re-run of six polling stations as a result of electoral malpractices in those staions during the general election on December 7, 2008.
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, informed the House that the Clerk to Parliament had received a writ of election from the Electoral Commission informing Parliament that Dr Asare won the Akwatia parliamentary seat.
Dr Asare thereafter walked to the podium and swore the oaths of office and allegience administered by Mr Doe Adjaho.
When he was marched to his seat by the Marshal of Parliament, Dr Asare was greeted by the Minority side.
Welcoming the new MP to the House, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, stated that Dr Asare was most qualified to occupy the Akwatia seat to render his services to the people.
He recounted incidents that occurred during the re-run of the election in the six polling stations during which many people got injured while some cars were either burnt or smashed.
"Mr Speaker, these incidents must be condemned by all since it reminded us of the dark days of the country's politics", he said and called for lessons to be learnt from the Akwatia election.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated that Ghana had earned international reputation as a result of previous elections and had thus become the beacon of hope in Africa.
"What happened recently at Akwatia was a dent in our enviable democratic credentials and we should resolve not to allow such indicents to mar our hard won positive image", he stressed.
The Minority Leader said the forthcoming bye-election at Chireponi would be a litmus test as to whether Ghana would be able to maintain its reputation as a good example of democracy in Africa.
He advised the new MP to face the realities of the House and learn the rules and procedures quickly in order to achieve the targets he had set for himself and his constituency.
For his part ,the Majority Leader and Leader of the House, Mr Alban Bagbin, reminded Dr Asare that he was now a dignified member of the House.
He stated that the culture in the House was different from what he witnessed during the election in the Akwatia Constituency.
Mr Bagbin explained that in Parliament, MPs debate and agree to disagree before arriving at a decision devoid of violence and unparliamentary pronouncements.
He said it was unfortunate that Dr Asare could not be sworn in with his other colleagues at the beginning of the fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic as a result of the violence that marred the 2008 election in the Akwatia Constituency.
Mr Bagbin called on the law enforcement agencies to deal ruthlessly with those who committed crimes to serve as a deterrent to others.
"This is not politics. Politics is a decent profession to serve the people", he stated.
Mr Bagbin assured the new MP of co-operation from the Majority, and urged him to fraternise with the defeated candidate in the election in order develop the constituency.
He advised the defeated candidate to accept defeat in humility and co-operate with the elected MP for the sake of the progress of Akwatia.
Mr Adjaho, for his part, called on the new MP to serve those who voted for him and those who did not vote for him as well since he was now the MP for Akwatia and not for a section of the people.
With the swearing in of the Akwatia MP, Parliament now has 229 parliamentarians.
The conduct of the Chireponi by-election will enable the House to have the full compliment of its 230 membership.
Mr Adjaho informed the House about the nomination of three justices of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court and referred their nominations to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report.
They are Justice Benjamin Teiko Aryeetey, Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe and Justice Vida Akoto-Bamfo.
•Dr Kofi Asare (left), the NPP MP for Akwatia, being sworn in by the Mr Doe Ajaho, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE newly-elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia, Dr Kofi Asare, was sworn into office yesterday when Parliament resumed for the first special sitting.
Dr Asare won the Akwatia Constituency seat after the re-run of six polling stations as a result of electoral malpractices in those staions during the general election on December 7, 2008.
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, informed the House that the Clerk to Parliament had received a writ of election from the Electoral Commission informing Parliament that Dr Asare won the Akwatia parliamentary seat.
Dr Asare thereafter walked to the podium and swore the oaths of office and allegience administered by Mr Doe Adjaho.
When he was marched to his seat by the Marshal of Parliament, Dr Asare was greeted by the Minority side.
Welcoming the new MP to the House, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, stated that Dr Asare was most qualified to occupy the Akwatia seat to render his services to the people.
He recounted incidents that occurred during the re-run of the election in the six polling stations during which many people got injured while some cars were either burnt or smashed.
"Mr Speaker, these incidents must be condemned by all since it reminded us of the dark days of the country's politics", he said and called for lessons to be learnt from the Akwatia election.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated that Ghana had earned international reputation as a result of previous elections and had thus become the beacon of hope in Africa.
"What happened recently at Akwatia was a dent in our enviable democratic credentials and we should resolve not to allow such indicents to mar our hard won positive image", he stressed.
The Minority Leader said the forthcoming bye-election at Chireponi would be a litmus test as to whether Ghana would be able to maintain its reputation as a good example of democracy in Africa.
He advised the new MP to face the realities of the House and learn the rules and procedures quickly in order to achieve the targets he had set for himself and his constituency.
For his part ,the Majority Leader and Leader of the House, Mr Alban Bagbin, reminded Dr Asare that he was now a dignified member of the House.
He stated that the culture in the House was different from what he witnessed during the election in the Akwatia Constituency.
Mr Bagbin explained that in Parliament, MPs debate and agree to disagree before arriving at a decision devoid of violence and unparliamentary pronouncements.
He said it was unfortunate that Dr Asare could not be sworn in with his other colleagues at the beginning of the fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic as a result of the violence that marred the 2008 election in the Akwatia Constituency.
Mr Bagbin called on the law enforcement agencies to deal ruthlessly with those who committed crimes to serve as a deterrent to others.
"This is not politics. Politics is a decent profession to serve the people", he stated.
Mr Bagbin assured the new MP of co-operation from the Majority, and urged him to fraternise with the defeated candidate in the election in order develop the constituency.
He advised the defeated candidate to accept defeat in humility and co-operate with the elected MP for the sake of the progress of Akwatia.
Mr Adjaho, for his part, called on the new MP to serve those who voted for him and those who did not vote for him as well since he was now the MP for Akwatia and not for a section of the people.
With the swearing in of the Akwatia MP, Parliament now has 229 parliamentarians.
The conduct of the Chireponi by-election will enable the House to have the full compliment of its 230 membership.
Mr Adjaho informed the House about the nomination of three justices of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court and referred their nominations to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report.
They are Justice Benjamin Teiko Aryeetey, Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe and Justice Vida Akoto-Bamfo.
•Dr Kofi Asare (left), the NPP MP for Akwatia, being sworn in by the Mr Doe Ajaho, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
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