Page 17, Tuesday Jan 31, 2012
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
FOUR ambassadors accredited to Ghana yesterday paid separate courtesy calls on the Speaker, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, to hold bilateral talks on how to improve relations between Ghana’s legislature with those of their respective countries.
They are Mrs Sharon Bar-li, Israel; Ms Irene Vida Gala, Brazil; Mr Tullio Guma, Italy; and Mr Jorge Fernando Lefebre Nicloas, Cuba.
When she called on the Speaker, the Brazilian Ambassador, Ms Gala, said it was important for the two countries to focus attention on the socio-economic wellbeing of women and children.
She said efforts should be intensified to increase women representation in the legislatures of the two countries.
Ms Gala said Ghana was high on the agenda of Brazil and would continue to provide assistance towards Ghana’s development efforts.
She informed the Speaker that plans were being made to enable the Brazilian President to visit Ghana to cement the cordial relationship among the two countries.
For his part, the Italian Ambassador, Mr Guma, applauded Ghana for the strides it had made in its socio-economic development and pledged to work hard to improve on the existing relation between the legislatures of Ghana and Italy.
The Israeli Ambassador, Mrs Bar-li, said Israel considered Ghana as an important ally and expressed the hope that Israel and Ghana would continue to co-operate in the various sectors in the interest of their peoples.
For his part, the Cuban Ambassador praised Ghana for its democratic credentials in Africa and beyond and expressed the hope that Ghana would continue to set the pace for other countries to follow.
Responding, Mrs Bamford-Addo attributed the economic gains of Ghana to the stable political environment that the country had enjoyed since the inception of the Fourth Republic.
She assured the ambassadors that the December general election would be peaceful, since Ghanaians were peace-loving people.
Mrs Bamford-Addo said Ghana had a lot of resources, adding that the recent addition of oil was an advantage for the country to make further economic gains.
She gave an assurance that Ghana was committed to efficiently and effectively managing its resources for the benefit of the entire population and not for the privileged few.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Parliament repeals National Fiscal Stabilisation Levy Act
Page 12, Sat Jan 28, 2012
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT yesterday repealed the National Fiscal Stabilisation Levy Act (Act 785), as amended in Act 812, through the passage of the National Fiscal Stabilisation Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2011.
The National Fiscal Stabilisation Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2011 was presented and read for the first time in Parliament on December 16, 2011 and referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report.
The National Fiscal Stabilisation Act, 2009 (Act 785) was introduced in the second half of 2009 to raise funds for national development.
Even though it was initially to last for 18 months, the government extended the duration for an additional year by way of an amendment (Act 812) with a pledge to discontinue the levy.
Meanwhile, the House also passed the Customs and Excise (Duties and other taxes) (Amendment) Bill, 2011 to reduce the environmental excise tax imposed on plastic packaging materials from 20 per cent to 15 per cent.
The Finance Committee of the House, which dealt with the bill, observed that pharmaceutical and agricultural products were exempted from the ambit of the environmental excise tax.
It also noted that the reduction in the environmental excise duty on plastic packaging materials from 20 per cent to 15 per cent would help decrease the input cost for the production of packaged products.
Meanwhile, the President is expected to deliver the State of the Nation Address in Parliament in the middle of next month.
The Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Avoka, who informed the House when he presented the business statement for next week, however, could not give the exact date when the President was expected to deliver the address.
He stated that the Business Committee had taken note of the fact that the House might possibly rise on March 23, 2012 to enable MPs to support the forthcoming voters registration exercise to be carried out by the Electoral Commission (EC), aside the statutory commitment at the international level scheduled for the fourth week in March 2012.
Mr Avoka said having regard to those issues, the Business Committee proposed that extended sittings be introduced by the third week of February to enable the House to expeditiously dispose of its agenda before rising.
But his announcement for the rising of the House on March 23 did not go down well with the MPs who suggested that the House should rather rise earlier, since they would want to be in their constituencies for some days before the starting of the registration exercise on March 24, 2012.
The suggestion, which was made by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Old Tafo, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, was supported by all the MPs who contributed to the ensuing discussions on the matter.
They called on the leadership of the House to engage the EC to see if it could amend its scheduled date for the commencement of the voters registratio
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT yesterday repealed the National Fiscal Stabilisation Levy Act (Act 785), as amended in Act 812, through the passage of the National Fiscal Stabilisation Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2011.
The National Fiscal Stabilisation Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2011 was presented and read for the first time in Parliament on December 16, 2011 and referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report.
The National Fiscal Stabilisation Act, 2009 (Act 785) was introduced in the second half of 2009 to raise funds for national development.
Even though it was initially to last for 18 months, the government extended the duration for an additional year by way of an amendment (Act 812) with a pledge to discontinue the levy.
Meanwhile, the House also passed the Customs and Excise (Duties and other taxes) (Amendment) Bill, 2011 to reduce the environmental excise tax imposed on plastic packaging materials from 20 per cent to 15 per cent.
The Finance Committee of the House, which dealt with the bill, observed that pharmaceutical and agricultural products were exempted from the ambit of the environmental excise tax.
It also noted that the reduction in the environmental excise duty on plastic packaging materials from 20 per cent to 15 per cent would help decrease the input cost for the production of packaged products.
Meanwhile, the President is expected to deliver the State of the Nation Address in Parliament in the middle of next month.
The Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Avoka, who informed the House when he presented the business statement for next week, however, could not give the exact date when the President was expected to deliver the address.
He stated that the Business Committee had taken note of the fact that the House might possibly rise on March 23, 2012 to enable MPs to support the forthcoming voters registration exercise to be carried out by the Electoral Commission (EC), aside the statutory commitment at the international level scheduled for the fourth week in March 2012.
Mr Avoka said having regard to those issues, the Business Committee proposed that extended sittings be introduced by the third week of February to enable the House to expeditiously dispose of its agenda before rising.
But his announcement for the rising of the House on March 23 did not go down well with the MPs who suggested that the House should rather rise earlier, since they would want to be in their constituencies for some days before the starting of the registration exercise on March 24, 2012.
The suggestion, which was made by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Old Tafo, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, was supported by all the MPs who contributed to the ensuing discussions on the matter.
They called on the leadership of the House to engage the EC to see if it could amend its scheduled date for the commencement of the voters registratio
Gbediame grateful to delegates
Page 13, Wed Jan 27, 2012
Gbediame grateful to delegates
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament for Nkwanta South in the Volta Region, Mr Geshon Gbediame, has expressed his profound gratitude to the rank and file of the National Democratic Congress in his constituency for giving him the nod to contest for the seat in the December general elections.
Mr Gbediame parried off the stiff challenge posed by four other contestants to win another primary to enable him contest the seat for the fifth time.
He won the contest with 182 votes while his closest opponent, Mr Stephen Oboisah, had 101 votes during the primary.
Mr Gbediame assured his constituents that he would not disappoint them, explaining that he was going to work hard in order to retain the seat.
The MP, who is also the Majority Chief Whip, also appealed to NDC supporters in the constituency to continue to support the course of the party in order for it to win the December general elections.
He said that the Eastern Corridor Road Project was on course while as many as 15 new communities in the area would be hooked to the national grid this year.
In addition, Mr Gbediame stated that inaccessible communities in the area would also enjoy solar power.
He also thanked the four other contestants for giving him a stiff challenge and appealed to them to join hands with him to fight the NPP.
Gbediame grateful to delegates
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament for Nkwanta South in the Volta Region, Mr Geshon Gbediame, has expressed his profound gratitude to the rank and file of the National Democratic Congress in his constituency for giving him the nod to contest for the seat in the December general elections.
Mr Gbediame parried off the stiff challenge posed by four other contestants to win another primary to enable him contest the seat for the fifth time.
He won the contest with 182 votes while his closest opponent, Mr Stephen Oboisah, had 101 votes during the primary.
Mr Gbediame assured his constituents that he would not disappoint them, explaining that he was going to work hard in order to retain the seat.
The MP, who is also the Majority Chief Whip, also appealed to NDC supporters in the constituency to continue to support the course of the party in order for it to win the December general elections.
He said that the Eastern Corridor Road Project was on course while as many as 15 new communities in the area would be hooked to the national grid this year.
In addition, Mr Gbediame stated that inaccessible communities in the area would also enjoy solar power.
He also thanked the four other contestants for giving him a stiff challenge and appealed to them to join hands with him to fight the NPP.
Speaker refers nominees to Appointments Committee
Page 12, fri Jan 27, 2012
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Speaker of Parliament, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, has referred nine ministers and deputy ministers designate to the Appointments Committee of Parliament for consideration and report after reading a communication from the President about their nominations to the House.
They are Mr Moses Asaga, Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr Lee Ocran, Minister of Education, Mr Fritz Baffuor, Ministry of Information, Mr Dominic Azumah, Presidency, Mr William Kwasi Abuah, Ministry of the Interior and Alhaji Amin Amidu Suleman, Upper West Region.
The deputy ministerial nominees are Mr Stephen M.E.K Ackah, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Isaac Vandepuye, Greater Accra Region and Mr Henry Ametepe, Volta Region.
The mentioning of the names of the nominees by the Speaker was met with “hear, hear” from the Majority side while the Minority MPs shouted “injury time ministers”.
Meanwhile, the issue as to whether the President should communicate to Parliament when he reshuffles his cabinet or give any minister additional responsibility as an acting minister in another ministry arose in Parliament today.
Currently the practice is that it is only when the President nominated a new minister that he communicated to Parliament through the Speaker.
However, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Old Tafo and Minority Spokesperson on Finance, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, raised the matter today when the official report for business of the House on January 24, 2012 was presented to the House.
In the report, the Dr Benjamin Kunbuor was referred to as the acting Attorney-General and Minister of Justice but the MP said it was not proper that the House should take issues reported in newspapers and radio stations as the gospel truth.
The issues generated a prolonged debate with a lot of MPs supporting the line of argument of Dr Akoto Osei but the Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Apul Avoka, said even though the issue raised might be proper as far as good governance was concerned, the current practice had being in place since the country returned to constitutional rule.
He explained that in practice, the various Presidents during the Fourth Republic had directed ministers to act for their colleague ministers without notifying Parliament about his directive.
“Madam Speaker may be for the sake of governance and best practices. The House should be officially informed when a minister has been swapped, reshuffled or directed to act for their colleague ministers”.
In another development, the House resolved and waived the tax liability on equipment and materials to be imported or purchased locally, corporate as well as expatriate income taxes in respect of Mampong Water Supply Rehabilitation and Expansion Project in the Ashanti Region.
The corporate and the expatriate income taxes to be waived added up to US$4,666,833.00 and GHC1,368,139.98 respectively.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Speaker of Parliament, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, has referred nine ministers and deputy ministers designate to the Appointments Committee of Parliament for consideration and report after reading a communication from the President about their nominations to the House.
They are Mr Moses Asaga, Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr Lee Ocran, Minister of Education, Mr Fritz Baffuor, Ministry of Information, Mr Dominic Azumah, Presidency, Mr William Kwasi Abuah, Ministry of the Interior and Alhaji Amin Amidu Suleman, Upper West Region.
The deputy ministerial nominees are Mr Stephen M.E.K Ackah, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Isaac Vandepuye, Greater Accra Region and Mr Henry Ametepe, Volta Region.
The mentioning of the names of the nominees by the Speaker was met with “hear, hear” from the Majority side while the Minority MPs shouted “injury time ministers”.
Meanwhile, the issue as to whether the President should communicate to Parliament when he reshuffles his cabinet or give any minister additional responsibility as an acting minister in another ministry arose in Parliament today.
Currently the practice is that it is only when the President nominated a new minister that he communicated to Parliament through the Speaker.
However, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Old Tafo and Minority Spokesperson on Finance, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, raised the matter today when the official report for business of the House on January 24, 2012 was presented to the House.
In the report, the Dr Benjamin Kunbuor was referred to as the acting Attorney-General and Minister of Justice but the MP said it was not proper that the House should take issues reported in newspapers and radio stations as the gospel truth.
The issues generated a prolonged debate with a lot of MPs supporting the line of argument of Dr Akoto Osei but the Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Apul Avoka, said even though the issue raised might be proper as far as good governance was concerned, the current practice had being in place since the country returned to constitutional rule.
He explained that in practice, the various Presidents during the Fourth Republic had directed ministers to act for their colleague ministers without notifying Parliament about his directive.
“Madam Speaker may be for the sake of governance and best practices. The House should be officially informed when a minister has been swapped, reshuffled or directed to act for their colleague ministers”.
In another development, the House resolved and waived the tax liability on equipment and materials to be imported or purchased locally, corporate as well as expatriate income taxes in respect of Mampong Water Supply Rehabilitation and Expansion Project in the Ashanti Region.
The corporate and the expatriate income taxes to be waived added up to US$4,666,833.00 and GHC1,368,139.98 respectively.
Parliament debates Intestate Succession Bill amendment
Pagee 17, Jan 26, 2012
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
Parliament debates Intestate Succession Bill amendment
PARLIAMENT yesterday inched towards the passage of the Intestate Succession Bill when the bill passed through its second reading stage.
The Bill, which was laid before the House on November 3, 2009 and referred to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and report, seeks a more responsive approach to the needs of nuclear families whose parents and spouses die intestate.
According to members of the committee, they had spent more than two years to deliberate on the bill because of its sensitive nature.
When passed, the bill will replace the Intestate Succession Act, 1985 (PNDC Law 111).
According to the memorandum accompanying the bill, its objective is to remove the anomalies in the present law relating to intestate succession and to provide a uniform intestate succession law that would be applied throughout the country irrespective of inheritance system of the intestate and the type of marriage.
According to the memorandum, the present law on intestate succession appears to be overtaken by changes in the Ghanaian family system.
The importance of the extended family system was gradually shifting to the nuclear family as pertained in other parts of the world.
However, the well-entrenched family law system had provided very little protection for surviving spouses and children.
In its deliberation, the committee observed that intestate succession and its attendant socio-legal issues continued to pose challenges largely due to the pluralistic nature of the family law system of the country.
It said after over 25 years of the coming into force of PNDCL 111, there were still difficulties in its implementation due to the increasing importance of the nuclear family.
The committee’s report said some key issues that emerged during deliberations, particularly during the public hearings, had been addressed in the bill.
They included the need for enhancement of provisions for children of school age, the need to put a cap on the amount to be treated as household property, the need for enhancement of entitlements for the longest serving spouse within the context of a polygamous marriage, status of additional spouse married under customary law in relation to the spouse under the ordinance.
The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Ebo Barton-Odro, moved the motion for the bill to go through the second reading and he was seconded by the Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bandua.
The second reading stage of a bill is a stage when the principles underlying the introduction of the bill.are discussed.
But before he could move the motion for the House to debate on principles of the bill, some members from the Minority side raised concerns about the whereabouts of the substantive Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
The Minority argued that a deputy minister was put in place to assist the substantive minister and in a case where there was no substantive minister, “who is the deputy minister there to assist?”.
After a lengthy debate, however, he was allowed to move the motion.
The Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, observed that the time was ripe for Ghana to take the bull by the horn and enact an interstate succession law that would stand the test of time and enhance the wellbeing of children whose parents died before they become independent in life.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
Parliament debates Intestate Succession Bill amendment
PARLIAMENT yesterday inched towards the passage of the Intestate Succession Bill when the bill passed through its second reading stage.
The Bill, which was laid before the House on November 3, 2009 and referred to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and report, seeks a more responsive approach to the needs of nuclear families whose parents and spouses die intestate.
According to members of the committee, they had spent more than two years to deliberate on the bill because of its sensitive nature.
When passed, the bill will replace the Intestate Succession Act, 1985 (PNDC Law 111).
According to the memorandum accompanying the bill, its objective is to remove the anomalies in the present law relating to intestate succession and to provide a uniform intestate succession law that would be applied throughout the country irrespective of inheritance system of the intestate and the type of marriage.
According to the memorandum, the present law on intestate succession appears to be overtaken by changes in the Ghanaian family system.
The importance of the extended family system was gradually shifting to the nuclear family as pertained in other parts of the world.
However, the well-entrenched family law system had provided very little protection for surviving spouses and children.
In its deliberation, the committee observed that intestate succession and its attendant socio-legal issues continued to pose challenges largely due to the pluralistic nature of the family law system of the country.
It said after over 25 years of the coming into force of PNDCL 111, there were still difficulties in its implementation due to the increasing importance of the nuclear family.
The committee’s report said some key issues that emerged during deliberations, particularly during the public hearings, had been addressed in the bill.
They included the need for enhancement of provisions for children of school age, the need to put a cap on the amount to be treated as household property, the need for enhancement of entitlements for the longest serving spouse within the context of a polygamous marriage, status of additional spouse married under customary law in relation to the spouse under the ordinance.
The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Ebo Barton-Odro, moved the motion for the bill to go through the second reading and he was seconded by the Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bandua.
The second reading stage of a bill is a stage when the principles underlying the introduction of the bill.are discussed.
But before he could move the motion for the House to debate on principles of the bill, some members from the Minority side raised concerns about the whereabouts of the substantive Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
The Minority argued that a deputy minister was put in place to assist the substantive minister and in a case where there was no substantive minister, “who is the deputy minister there to assist?”.
After a lengthy debate, however, he was allowed to move the motion.
The Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, observed that the time was ripe for Ghana to take the bull by the horn and enact an interstate succession law that would stand the test of time and enhance the wellbeing of children whose parents died before they become independent in life.
PNC members urged to unite for December polls
Page 16, Jan 25, 2012
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE People’s National Congress’ (PNC) Member of Parliament for Sissala West, Mr Haruna Bayirga, has called on members of the party to unite and prepare towards the December general elections now that the court case that entangled the party was over.
“Now that the court case has come to an end, I am appealing to the rank file of the party to bury their differences and come together as a united party in order to have a peaceful congress to elect out leaders”, he said.
Mr Bayirga, who was also the Chairman of the Government Assurance Committee in Parliament, said while thinking about the election of candidates for the 2012 general election, efforts should also be made to unite the Nkrumah-Limann family.
“We should not completely abandon the Nkrumahist unity talks”, he said, adding that whenever the opportunity comes our way again, “we should see how we can press on for the unity of the family”.
Touching on the importance of smaller parties, Mr Bayirga opined that efforts should be made in order not to allow the big political parties to swallow them up.
He explained that during both the fourth and the fifth parliaments, it was through the assistance of the PNC and other smaller political parties that helped to ensure that there were no hanged parliaments.
“The acceptance of PNC to always assist the Majority to have the needed numbers to ensure that government business in the House was conducted without difficulties had helped to stabilise the country’s political dispensation”, he said.
Mr Bayirga said attempts by the big political parties to swallow up the smaller parties would not augur well for the country’s democratic path and called on businessmen, donors and all sympathisers to assist such smaller political parties to play their roles as expected of them.
He added that it was only when there were smaller political parties who had the strength to balance the inter-play of power between the NDC and the NPP that the country’s democracy would be secured.
Mr Bayirga commended the founder of the PNC, Dr Hilla Limann, for his vision and sacrifice adding that his statement that he would heal the wounds of Ghanaians had stood the test of time and that the role that MPs from the party were playing now in Parliament had made the statement a prophetic one.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE People’s National Congress’ (PNC) Member of Parliament for Sissala West, Mr Haruna Bayirga, has called on members of the party to unite and prepare towards the December general elections now that the court case that entangled the party was over.
“Now that the court case has come to an end, I am appealing to the rank file of the party to bury their differences and come together as a united party in order to have a peaceful congress to elect out leaders”, he said.
Mr Bayirga, who was also the Chairman of the Government Assurance Committee in Parliament, said while thinking about the election of candidates for the 2012 general election, efforts should also be made to unite the Nkrumah-Limann family.
“We should not completely abandon the Nkrumahist unity talks”, he said, adding that whenever the opportunity comes our way again, “we should see how we can press on for the unity of the family”.
Touching on the importance of smaller parties, Mr Bayirga opined that efforts should be made in order not to allow the big political parties to swallow them up.
He explained that during both the fourth and the fifth parliaments, it was through the assistance of the PNC and other smaller political parties that helped to ensure that there were no hanged parliaments.
“The acceptance of PNC to always assist the Majority to have the needed numbers to ensure that government business in the House was conducted without difficulties had helped to stabilise the country’s political dispensation”, he said.
Mr Bayirga said attempts by the big political parties to swallow up the smaller parties would not augur well for the country’s democratic path and called on businessmen, donors and all sympathisers to assist such smaller political parties to play their roles as expected of them.
He added that it was only when there were smaller political parties who had the strength to balance the inter-play of power between the NDC and the NPP that the country’s democracy would be secured.
Mr Bayirga commended the founder of the PNC, Dr Hilla Limann, for his vision and sacrifice adding that his statement that he would heal the wounds of Ghanaians had stood the test of time and that the role that MPs from the party were playing now in Parliament had made the statement a prophetic one.
Speaker calls for calm in political discourse
Page 3, Jan 25, 2012
Speaker calls for calm in political discourse
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Speaker of Parliament, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, has advised Members of Parliament (MPs) to be circumspect in their discourse as the political barometer of the country charges towards the December general election.
“Already, there are simmering indications of this thick politically charged crowd moving around us but at least thankfully not in the House”, she said.
Mrs Bamford-Addo gave the advise in her remarks when Parliament resumed for the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic today.
“Let us bury our political hatchet once we are in the House since our overriding concern, as I always say, is the national interest”.
She asked the MPs to be the forerunners preaching the peace and the need for the consolidation of the democratic culture and all that it entailed to the people of Ghana.
Mrs Bamford-Addo stated that even though the two sides in the House might disagree on some issues, it was important for them to co-operate to carry on the business of the House at all times.
She prevailed on the MPs to avail themselves to the call of duty in plenary as well as in committees of the House amid few challenges in the course of the work.
Welcoming the House, the Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Avoka, congratulated the MPs from the Majority side who won their primaries last weekend and urged those who lost their bid to contest for their seats once more and not lose hope.
“You should not think that this is the end of your political career but rather continue to hope for a better future”, he said.
For his part, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, also congratulated his NDC colleague who, according to him, avoided the thorns and tussle of the political terrain to come out triumphant.
The Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament is the last of four sessions of this Parliament. It comprises three meetings; the first of which would end just before the Easter festivities.
The second meeting would commence in May and end in July after which the House would, after a long recess , resume in October for the third meeting.
This current Parliament would end when the House completed the third meeting before the December general election for another Parliament to begin in January, 2013.
Members of Parliament would, therefore, have a tight schedule this year as they combined the work in the House in addition to their campaign programme in their bid to retain their seats during the December general elections.
Speaker calls for calm in political discourse
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Speaker of Parliament, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, has advised Members of Parliament (MPs) to be circumspect in their discourse as the political barometer of the country charges towards the December general election.
“Already, there are simmering indications of this thick politically charged crowd moving around us but at least thankfully not in the House”, she said.
Mrs Bamford-Addo gave the advise in her remarks when Parliament resumed for the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic today.
“Let us bury our political hatchet once we are in the House since our overriding concern, as I always say, is the national interest”.
She asked the MPs to be the forerunners preaching the peace and the need for the consolidation of the democratic culture and all that it entailed to the people of Ghana.
Mrs Bamford-Addo stated that even though the two sides in the House might disagree on some issues, it was important for them to co-operate to carry on the business of the House at all times.
She prevailed on the MPs to avail themselves to the call of duty in plenary as well as in committees of the House amid few challenges in the course of the work.
Welcoming the House, the Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Avoka, congratulated the MPs from the Majority side who won their primaries last weekend and urged those who lost their bid to contest for their seats once more and not lose hope.
“You should not think that this is the end of your political career but rather continue to hope for a better future”, he said.
For his part, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, also congratulated his NDC colleague who, according to him, avoided the thorns and tussle of the political terrain to come out triumphant.
The Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament is the last of four sessions of this Parliament. It comprises three meetings; the first of which would end just before the Easter festivities.
The second meeting would commence in May and end in July after which the House would, after a long recess , resume in October for the third meeting.
This current Parliament would end when the House completed the third meeting before the December general election for another Parliament to begin in January, 2013.
Members of Parliament would, therefore, have a tight schedule this year as they combined the work in the House in addition to their campaign programme in their bid to retain their seats during the December general elections.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Halla Energy to invest in Ghana
Page 28, 24/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
A KOREAN energy company, Halla Energy and Environment, has begun a six-month feasibility studies aimed at paving the way for the establishment of a 300-megawatt solar energy project in the country.
Officials of the company, who held talks with Energy Commission officials in Accra last Thursday, indicated that they would collaborate with their Ghanaian counterparts for the execution of the project should the feasibility studies prove successful.
The Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Kim Byung, told journalists after holding a close-door meeting with officials of the Energy Commission that Halla Energy and Environment was committed to contributing to the country’s energy mix efforts.
He said Ghana’s climate was very conducive for the establishment of the solar energy project.
Mr Byung said his meeting with officials of the Energy Commission had informed him about the way forward and expressed the hope that the feasibility studies would prove successful to ensure the commencement of the project.
He added that it was time for African countries to invest in renewable energy facilties in order to meet its growing energy demands.
Mr Byung explained that the company, which had been in existence for about half a century now, had help in the industrialisation process of South Korea through the development of renewable energy facilities and would, therefore, want to replicate its success story in Ghana.
On environment, he stated that for over 30 years , Halla Energy and Environment had successfully completed a lot of environmental projects and developed high technologies in waste treatment, waste water treatment and air pollution control.
He said the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), was involved in the arrangement to bring the company into the country in collaboration with Magcor Ghana Limited and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Afigya-Sekyere East, Mr David H. Yeboah.
For his part, Mr Yeboah explained that private companies were now allowed to enter into the energy sector and expressed the hope that the intention by Halla Energy and Environment to establish a 300-megawatt solar energy project would see the light of the day.
Page 28, 24/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
A KOREAN energy company, Halla Energy and Environment, has begun a six-month feasibility studies aimed at paving the way for the establishment of a 300-megawatt solar energy project in the country.
Officials of the company, who held talks with Energy Commission officials in Accra last Thursday, indicated that they would collaborate with their Ghanaian counterparts for the execution of the project should the feasibility studies prove successful.
The Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Kim Byung, told journalists after holding a close-door meeting with officials of the Energy Commission that Halla Energy and Environment was committed to contributing to the country’s energy mix efforts.
He said Ghana’s climate was very conducive for the establishment of the solar energy project.
Mr Byung said his meeting with officials of the Energy Commission had informed him about the way forward and expressed the hope that the feasibility studies would prove successful to ensure the commencement of the project.
He added that it was time for African countries to invest in renewable energy facilties in order to meet its growing energy demands.
Mr Byung explained that the company, which had been in existence for about half a century now, had help in the industrialisation process of South Korea through the development of renewable energy facilities and would, therefore, want to replicate its success story in Ghana.
On environment, he stated that for over 30 years , Halla Energy and Environment had successfully completed a lot of environmental projects and developed high technologies in waste treatment, waste water treatment and air pollution control.
He said the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), was involved in the arrangement to bring the company into the country in collaboration with Magcor Ghana Limited and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Afigya-Sekyere East, Mr David H. Yeboah.
For his part, Mr Yeboah explained that private companies were now allowed to enter into the energy sector and expressed the hope that the intention by Halla Energy and Environment to establish a 300-megawatt solar energy project would see the light of the day.
Jaman North DCE commends Suma Rural Bank
Page 23, 16/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Jaman North District Chief Executive, Hajia Amina Amadu, has commended the Suma Rural bank for its contribution to the socio-economic development of the area.
She said the bank, since its formation, had assisted the assembly to undertake projects to improve the wellbeing of the people.
Hajia Amadu said this at the 25th annual general meeting of the bank .
The Bank recorded GHC108,435.00 as its profit before in 2010 as against GHC64,27.00 it made in 2009.
It also recorded significant growth of 54 per cent in it deposits from the GHC2,030,841.00 at the end of December in 2009 to GHC3,126.00 at the end of December in 2010.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Johnson Ofori Asubonteng, made these known at the meeting.
According to him, the bank’s share capital also went up from GHC155,903.00 as of 2009 to GHC173,399.00 in 2010 while the total asserts grew from GHC2,688,885.00 to GHC3,894,358.00 with the period under review.
Mr Asubonteng also indicated that loans and advances also increased from GHC1,065,430.00 in 2009 to GHC1,176,438 in 2010 while the bank purchased a total of GHC401,000 as against GHC177,492.00 bought in 2009.
He stated that the bank recently opened a new agency at Berekum to increase its agencies to four.
The Senior Manager of the Bank, Mr Martin Adjei Amponsah, who stressed the importance of micro-finance programme said the bank would continue to strengthen its products.
He announced that the bank would soon establish another module under the bank’s micro-finance programme to assist taxi drivers and their owners.
“The product is being packaged by the bank to improve the lots of taxi drivers and their owners to enable them acquire vehicles to improve transport services in the area”, Mr Amponsah explained.
For his part, the Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr Eric Osei Bonsu, whose address was read on his behalf, commended the management and staff of the bank for the impressive performance over the years.
While commending the bank, he also cautioned the board, management and staff of the bank not to be complacent but to work harder than before to achieve more laurels in future.
Page 23, 16/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Jaman North District Chief Executive, Hajia Amina Amadu, has commended the Suma Rural bank for its contribution to the socio-economic development of the area.
She said the bank, since its formation, had assisted the assembly to undertake projects to improve the wellbeing of the people.
Hajia Amadu said this at the 25th annual general meeting of the bank .
The Bank recorded GHC108,435.00 as its profit before in 2010 as against GHC64,27.00 it made in 2009.
It also recorded significant growth of 54 per cent in it deposits from the GHC2,030,841.00 at the end of December in 2009 to GHC3,126.00 at the end of December in 2010.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Johnson Ofori Asubonteng, made these known at the meeting.
According to him, the bank’s share capital also went up from GHC155,903.00 as of 2009 to GHC173,399.00 in 2010 while the total asserts grew from GHC2,688,885.00 to GHC3,894,358.00 with the period under review.
Mr Asubonteng also indicated that loans and advances also increased from GHC1,065,430.00 in 2009 to GHC1,176,438 in 2010 while the bank purchased a total of GHC401,000 as against GHC177,492.00 bought in 2009.
He stated that the bank recently opened a new agency at Berekum to increase its agencies to four.
The Senior Manager of the Bank, Mr Martin Adjei Amponsah, who stressed the importance of micro-finance programme said the bank would continue to strengthen its products.
He announced that the bank would soon establish another module under the bank’s micro-finance programme to assist taxi drivers and their owners.
“The product is being packaged by the bank to improve the lots of taxi drivers and their owners to enable them acquire vehicles to improve transport services in the area”, Mr Amponsah explained.
For his part, the Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr Eric Osei Bonsu, whose address was read on his behalf, commended the management and staff of the bank for the impressive performance over the years.
While commending the bank, he also cautioned the board, management and staff of the bank not to be complacent but to work harder than before to achieve more laurels in future.
President's directive to EOCO worrying--Minority
Front page, 06/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minority in Parliament has prevailed upon President John Evans Atta Mills to relieve the Minister of Education, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, of her post and institute a truly independent enquiry into the circumstances leading to the payment of a whopping GH¢41,811,480.59 to a business man, Mr Alfred Agbesi Woyome, for the settlement of a claim involving the rehabilitation of three stadia in the country.
According to the Minority, the huge and unjustified payment was based on the terms of settlement brokered by the then Attorney-General, Mrs Mould-Iddrisu, who did not file any defence to the claim against the government by Mr Woyome, who had neither put in a bid nor entered into any contract with the government.
In a statement read by the Minority Leader, Mr Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Minority accused Mrs Mould-Iddrisu of negligence and admission of mistake, thereby enabling Mr Woyome to obtain a judgement of GH¢105,540,548.24 and costs of GH¢25,000 against the state on May 24, 2010.
“We demand investigations into this manifestly fraudulent conduct in this stadia saga and possible prosecution for defrauding the Republic of Ghana through misinterpretation and dubious claims in obtaining in default of defence,” it said.
The Minority also described as “unfortunate” a statement by President Mills on his return from his recent trip abroad when he demanded a report, explaining that the said report he was demanding “is clearly a smokescreen seeking to buy time and once again protect one of his own”.
It added that given the sequence of events, the President “is aware and part of the grand scheme of corruption by either omission or commission”.
The Minority, therefore, demanded that “instead of the self-serving report the President has asked for, an independent public enquiry aired on all national TV networks and radio stations for all and sundry to actively participate in must be instituted”.
Giving the background of the saga, the statement said when Ghana was awarded the right to host the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, the then NPP government decided to build two new stadia at Essipong and Tamale and refurbish the Ohene Djan (Accra) and the El-Wak stadia towards the hosting of the tournament.
It said on July 20, 2005, the committee set up to evaluate and make recommendations on financial proposals met one of the shortlisted companies for the project, VAMED Engineering Company, to ascertain the credibility, viability, timeliness and the current status of financial proposals from the firm.
VAMED, an Austrian firm in Ghana, had proposed to raise funding of about 764,117,646 euros from the Bank of Austria for the project and Mr Woyome, then the Deputy Honorary Consul for Austria in Ghana, was part of the negotiating team of VAMED.
The firm’s condition for raising funds for the project included the requirement to subject the project to MIGA guarantee and charges, the approval of credit terms by IMP, the setting up of a special purpose company by VAMED and the government, the issuing of an irrevocable sovereign guarantee by the government to the Bank of Austria and the attachment of a health and wellness centre to the stadia to be built.
The statement explained further that the committee advised the government that the conditions and processes to be met by both the government and VAMED could span three to four months, which was a potential source of delay for the project.
Given the urgency of the project, the committee further recommended to the government to seek an alternative option of securing its own line of funding.
It said it was at that stage that the then Ministry of Education and Sports informed VAMED on August, 22, 2005 that it was discontinuing with the tendering process due to time constraints and high financial commitments implied in the submissions.
It added that on August 27, 2005, Waterville Holdings Limited, said to be part of the VAMED consortium, which also included Micheletti and Co Limited, responded to the letter by the Ministry of Education and Sports and requested for negotiations to resolve what it regarded as “breach of process”.
Eventually, the statement added, Waterville Holdings could not raise the funds and collaborated with Micheletti and Co to build the Ohene Djan and the El-Wak stadia, and with CONSAR to build the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
It said letters from the then Attorney-General, Mr Joe Ghartey, dated August 1, 2006, and those from the Office of the President, dated October 24, 2008, confirmed that the government had no claims to settle with any party or individual after Micheletti and CONSAR had agreed to pay amounts outstanding to Waterville Holdings.
The statement, therefore, questioned what it called “the bizarre and highly controversial” manner in which Mrs Mould-Iddrisu dealt with Mr Woyome, who was neither known as a shareholder nor director of VAMED, since the then government did not deal with him in his personal capacity.
Front page, 06/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minority in Parliament has prevailed upon President John Evans Atta Mills to relieve the Minister of Education, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, of her post and institute a truly independent enquiry into the circumstances leading to the payment of a whopping GH¢41,811,480.59 to a business man, Mr Alfred Agbesi Woyome, for the settlement of a claim involving the rehabilitation of three stadia in the country.
According to the Minority, the huge and unjustified payment was based on the terms of settlement brokered by the then Attorney-General, Mrs Mould-Iddrisu, who did not file any defence to the claim against the government by Mr Woyome, who had neither put in a bid nor entered into any contract with the government.
In a statement read by the Minority Leader, Mr Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Minority accused Mrs Mould-Iddrisu of negligence and admission of mistake, thereby enabling Mr Woyome to obtain a judgement of GH¢105,540,548.24 and costs of GH¢25,000 against the state on May 24, 2010.
“We demand investigations into this manifestly fraudulent conduct in this stadia saga and possible prosecution for defrauding the Republic of Ghana through misinterpretation and dubious claims in obtaining in default of defence,” it said.
The Minority also described as “unfortunate” a statement by President Mills on his return from his recent trip abroad when he demanded a report, explaining that the said report he was demanding “is clearly a smokescreen seeking to buy time and once again protect one of his own”.
It added that given the sequence of events, the President “is aware and part of the grand scheme of corruption by either omission or commission”.
The Minority, therefore, demanded that “instead of the self-serving report the President has asked for, an independent public enquiry aired on all national TV networks and radio stations for all and sundry to actively participate in must be instituted”.
Giving the background of the saga, the statement said when Ghana was awarded the right to host the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, the then NPP government decided to build two new stadia at Essipong and Tamale and refurbish the Ohene Djan (Accra) and the El-Wak stadia towards the hosting of the tournament.
It said on July 20, 2005, the committee set up to evaluate and make recommendations on financial proposals met one of the shortlisted companies for the project, VAMED Engineering Company, to ascertain the credibility, viability, timeliness and the current status of financial proposals from the firm.
VAMED, an Austrian firm in Ghana, had proposed to raise funding of about 764,117,646 euros from the Bank of Austria for the project and Mr Woyome, then the Deputy Honorary Consul for Austria in Ghana, was part of the negotiating team of VAMED.
The firm’s condition for raising funds for the project included the requirement to subject the project to MIGA guarantee and charges, the approval of credit terms by IMP, the setting up of a special purpose company by VAMED and the government, the issuing of an irrevocable sovereign guarantee by the government to the Bank of Austria and the attachment of a health and wellness centre to the stadia to be built.
The statement explained further that the committee advised the government that the conditions and processes to be met by both the government and VAMED could span three to four months, which was a potential source of delay for the project.
Given the urgency of the project, the committee further recommended to the government to seek an alternative option of securing its own line of funding.
It said it was at that stage that the then Ministry of Education and Sports informed VAMED on August, 22, 2005 that it was discontinuing with the tendering process due to time constraints and high financial commitments implied in the submissions.
It added that on August 27, 2005, Waterville Holdings Limited, said to be part of the VAMED consortium, which also included Micheletti and Co Limited, responded to the letter by the Ministry of Education and Sports and requested for negotiations to resolve what it regarded as “breach of process”.
Eventually, the statement added, Waterville Holdings could not raise the funds and collaborated with Micheletti and Co to build the Ohene Djan and the El-Wak stadia, and with CONSAR to build the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
It said letters from the then Attorney-General, Mr Joe Ghartey, dated August 1, 2006, and those from the Office of the President, dated October 24, 2008, confirmed that the government had no claims to settle with any party or individual after Micheletti and CONSAR had agreed to pay amounts outstanding to Waterville Holdings.
The statement, therefore, questioned what it called “the bizarre and highly controversial” manner in which Mrs Mould-Iddrisu dealt with Mr Woyome, who was neither known as a shareholder nor director of VAMED, since the then government did not deal with him in his personal capacity.
Kaaseman Rural Bank makes profit
Page 39, 09/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Kaaseman Rural Bank in the Western Region recorded profit before tax of GH¢702,047 in 2010 as against the GH¢352,139 it made in 2009.
The total deposit of the bank also increased from GH¢8.56 million in 2009 to GH¢18.99 million.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Kwame Twumasi Ankrah, announced this at the 23rd annual general meeting of shareholders of the bank at Sefwi Kaase in the Bia District.
He added that the bank’s share capital went up from GH¢202,038 in 2009 to GH¢253,520 as at December 2010 while its total assets grew from GH¢10.27 million to GH¢18,99 million during the same period.
In addition, the bank gave out GH¢4.33 million as loans and overdrafts in 2010 as against GH¢3.27 million it advanced to its customers in 2009.
On the purchase of cocoa, Mr Ankrah said the bank purchased a total of GH¢31.71 million in 2010 as against GH¢10.52 million in 2009 and attributed the increase to the high crop yield and the increase in the producer price of the commodity.
Mr Twumasi said that the good performance of the bank had enabled it to carve an image for itself in the corporate world, explaining that currently the bank occupied the 22nd position in the Ghana Club 100.
Commenting on the operational challenges of the bank, Mr Ankrah noted that loan default remained one of the major challenges and called on all loan defaulters to repay their loans to enable others to benefit from such facility.
For his part, the Chief Manager of the Bank, Mr David Gbeblewu, said under the Millennium Challenge Account Computerisation Programme, all branches of the bank had been computerised and added that all branches would be networked to enable customers have access to their accounts at any branch.
In an address read on his behalf, the Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr Eric Osei Bonsu, commended the bank for its impressive performance over the years, making it the third among the three rural banks in the Western Regional and fifth among the 133 rural banks throughout the country.
He called on rural banks to continue to educate their shareholders to enable them to fully appreciate some of their challenges.
Page 39, 09/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Kaaseman Rural Bank in the Western Region recorded profit before tax of GH¢702,047 in 2010 as against the GH¢352,139 it made in 2009.
The total deposit of the bank also increased from GH¢8.56 million in 2009 to GH¢18.99 million.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Kwame Twumasi Ankrah, announced this at the 23rd annual general meeting of shareholders of the bank at Sefwi Kaase in the Bia District.
He added that the bank’s share capital went up from GH¢202,038 in 2009 to GH¢253,520 as at December 2010 while its total assets grew from GH¢10.27 million to GH¢18,99 million during the same period.
In addition, the bank gave out GH¢4.33 million as loans and overdrafts in 2010 as against GH¢3.27 million it advanced to its customers in 2009.
On the purchase of cocoa, Mr Ankrah said the bank purchased a total of GH¢31.71 million in 2010 as against GH¢10.52 million in 2009 and attributed the increase to the high crop yield and the increase in the producer price of the commodity.
Mr Twumasi said that the good performance of the bank had enabled it to carve an image for itself in the corporate world, explaining that currently the bank occupied the 22nd position in the Ghana Club 100.
Commenting on the operational challenges of the bank, Mr Ankrah noted that loan default remained one of the major challenges and called on all loan defaulters to repay their loans to enable others to benefit from such facility.
For his part, the Chief Manager of the Bank, Mr David Gbeblewu, said under the Millennium Challenge Account Computerisation Programme, all branches of the bank had been computerised and added that all branches would be networked to enable customers have access to their accounts at any branch.
In an address read on his behalf, the Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr Eric Osei Bonsu, commended the bank for its impressive performance over the years, making it the third among the three rural banks in the Western Regional and fifth among the 133 rural banks throughout the country.
He called on rural banks to continue to educate their shareholders to enable them to fully appreciate some of their challenges.
Bia-Torya Community Bank makes strides
Page 29, 29/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Bia-Torya Community Bank in the Western Region recorded profit of GH¢412,431.51 as against GH¢316,298.82 recorded in 2009.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank, Mr Samuel Danquah, said the assets of the bank also grew from GH¢7.34 million to GH¢16.89 million during the period under review.
Addressing the 6th Annual General Meeting of the bank at Sefwi Bonsu Nkwanta in the Juabeso District, he said, the bank also increased its deposit base from GH¢6.1 million to GH¢13.3 million.
In addition, loans and advances increased from GH¢450,870.64 to GH¢1,267,786.57, representing an 181 per cent increase over the previous figure.
The chairman pledged that officials of the bank would continue to work hard in order to maintain its enviable status among rural and community banks in the country.
In an address read on his behalf, the acting Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr Duke Osam-Duodu, said the domestic money transfer being operated between the ARB Apex Bank and the rural and community banks was receiving steady patronage.
He said the system had indeed come to fill a void in the money transfer business.
Mr Osam-Duodu stated that the impressive performance of the bank had made it to be ranked as fifth out of the 13 rural banks in the Western Region and 10th among the 133 rural banks nationwide.
He said that notwithstanding, a lot of work still needed to be done in the area of capitalisation if the bank wanted to be considered one of the best rural banks in the country.
“It is only by improving the capital base of the bank that will enable you to open more agencies to better serve the unbanked and under-bank members of your operational communities,” he said.
For his part, the Senior Manager of the bank, Mr A.K. Foli, appealed to loan defaulters to pay their loans to enable others get more assistance from the bank to expand their farms and businesses.
He called on shareholders and the general public to buy more shares from the bank.
Page 29, 29/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Bia-Torya Community Bank in the Western Region recorded profit of GH¢412,431.51 as against GH¢316,298.82 recorded in 2009.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank, Mr Samuel Danquah, said the assets of the bank also grew from GH¢7.34 million to GH¢16.89 million during the period under review.
Addressing the 6th Annual General Meeting of the bank at Sefwi Bonsu Nkwanta in the Juabeso District, he said, the bank also increased its deposit base from GH¢6.1 million to GH¢13.3 million.
In addition, loans and advances increased from GH¢450,870.64 to GH¢1,267,786.57, representing an 181 per cent increase over the previous figure.
The chairman pledged that officials of the bank would continue to work hard in order to maintain its enviable status among rural and community banks in the country.
In an address read on his behalf, the acting Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr Duke Osam-Duodu, said the domestic money transfer being operated between the ARB Apex Bank and the rural and community banks was receiving steady patronage.
He said the system had indeed come to fill a void in the money transfer business.
Mr Osam-Duodu stated that the impressive performance of the bank had made it to be ranked as fifth out of the 13 rural banks in the Western Region and 10th among the 133 rural banks nationwide.
He said that notwithstanding, a lot of work still needed to be done in the area of capitalisation if the bank wanted to be considered one of the best rural banks in the country.
“It is only by improving the capital base of the bank that will enable you to open more agencies to better serve the unbanked and under-bank members of your operational communities,” he said.
For his part, the Senior Manager of the bank, Mr A.K. Foli, appealed to loan defaulters to pay their loans to enable others get more assistance from the bank to expand their farms and businesses.
He called on shareholders and the general public to buy more shares from the bank.
Indianapolis University Prof, students support three schools
Page 15, 21/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
A PROFESSOR at the University of Indianapolis in the United States of America (USA), Dr Jodie Ferise and some of her students have presented 8,000 assorted books worth over GHC20,000 to three schools in the country.
The beneficiary schools are the Precious Kids Academy at Ashaiman, Bethel A.M.E Zion School Complex, also at Ashaiman and the Ochripey Community School, near Salaga in the Northern Region.
Dr Farise and her students were invited to the country by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mission Resources Ghana International last year and decided to mobilse the books for distribution to the schools to assist in the education of pupils.
The joy of pupils and parents of Precious Kids Academy, where the presentation of the books took place, knew no bounds when the books were presented to them. They joyfully sung, danced and thanked the donors for the gesture.
In his remarks, Dr Farise praised Ghana for efforts being made to educate children to support the country’s future development.
“I am so impressed about the enthusiasm with which these school children are learning to enable them to become useful future leaders”, she said.
Dr Farise said it was with love that students from the University of Indianapolis collected books for donation to the three schools.
She advised Ghanaians not to be interested in events which only concerned them, but should also be interested in the welfare of others.
“We are here because we love these kids. We are here because we attach importance to the welfare and the proper growth of these kids”, she said.
Dr Farise said when she visited the country last year, she donated a number of computers to the schools and gave the assurance that she would continue to mobilise resources to assist the schools to enable them stand to properly educate the pupils.
She later cut a tape to inaugurate the library for the Precious Kids Academy which was stocked with books which she presented to the school.
Books stocked in the library included reference books, science, mathematics, fiction, non-fiction, encyclopaedia, classics and devotional books, among others.
The President of the Ghana Missions Association, Pastor Enoch Nyador who dedicated the books urged pupils in the beneficiary schools to read widely in order to enrich their knowledge.
For his part, Apostle Sampson Dorkunor, Head of the Living Bread Mission, proprietor of the Precious Kids Academy thanked the donors for their gesture and announced that the school’s library would be opened to children in the entire community.
The Headteacher of the academy, Mr Innocent Todzi, who received the books pledged that the pupils would use the book to enrich their knowledge in order to become useful adults in future.
Page 15, 21/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
A PROFESSOR at the University of Indianapolis in the United States of America (USA), Dr Jodie Ferise and some of her students have presented 8,000 assorted books worth over GHC20,000 to three schools in the country.
The beneficiary schools are the Precious Kids Academy at Ashaiman, Bethel A.M.E Zion School Complex, also at Ashaiman and the Ochripey Community School, near Salaga in the Northern Region.
Dr Farise and her students were invited to the country by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mission Resources Ghana International last year and decided to mobilse the books for distribution to the schools to assist in the education of pupils.
The joy of pupils and parents of Precious Kids Academy, where the presentation of the books took place, knew no bounds when the books were presented to them. They joyfully sung, danced and thanked the donors for the gesture.
In his remarks, Dr Farise praised Ghana for efforts being made to educate children to support the country’s future development.
“I am so impressed about the enthusiasm with which these school children are learning to enable them to become useful future leaders”, she said.
Dr Farise said it was with love that students from the University of Indianapolis collected books for donation to the three schools.
She advised Ghanaians not to be interested in events which only concerned them, but should also be interested in the welfare of others.
“We are here because we love these kids. We are here because we attach importance to the welfare and the proper growth of these kids”, she said.
Dr Farise said when she visited the country last year, she donated a number of computers to the schools and gave the assurance that she would continue to mobilise resources to assist the schools to enable them stand to properly educate the pupils.
She later cut a tape to inaugurate the library for the Precious Kids Academy which was stocked with books which she presented to the school.
Books stocked in the library included reference books, science, mathematics, fiction, non-fiction, encyclopaedia, classics and devotional books, among others.
The President of the Ghana Missions Association, Pastor Enoch Nyador who dedicated the books urged pupils in the beneficiary schools to read widely in order to enrich their knowledge.
For his part, Apostle Sampson Dorkunor, Head of the Living Bread Mission, proprietor of the Precious Kids Academy thanked the donors for their gesture and announced that the school’s library would be opened to children in the entire community.
The Headteacher of the academy, Mr Innocent Todzi, who received the books pledged that the pupils would use the book to enrich their knowledge in order to become useful adults in future.
Ghanaians have stake
in ensuring free polls - MP
Page 13, 21/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Ahafo-Ano North, Mr Richard Akuoko-Adiyia, has reminded Ghanaians that they all have a stake in ensuring that the 2012 general election is transparent, free and fair.
“The government alone cannot be entrusted to ensure that the impending elections were conducted in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere”, he said adding that the Atiwa, Akwatia and Chireponi bye-election should be a yardstick for all Ghanaians to judge how the government would handle the elections if the people were not vigilant.
He said since free, fair and transparent election could not be guaranteed only during the day of election, Ghanaians owed it a duty to take part in registration of voters and in addition be vigilant to ensure that the right things were done during such an exercise.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Mr Adiyia noted with concern the practice whereby people were bused from different constituency to register in another constituency in order to give advantage to a particular candidate.
He said until Ghanaians became vigilant to prevent such malpractices, the beauty of the 2012 election would be marred from day one.
Mr Adiyia also asked Ghanaians to put aside political considerations and rather consider the interest of the country since “governments will come and go, political parties will win power and lose power, but Ghana will continue to be our cherished country”.
The MP cautioned Ghanaians from having the notion that what was happening elsewhere as a result of election malpractices could not happen in Ghana.
“Let us not be complacent but work around the clock and make conscious efforts to ensure that all players in the election play their part as expected of them”, he said.
Mr Adiyia also called on politicians to refrain from politics of insults and rather base their electioneering on issues stressing that it was important for both politicians and their supporters to educate their voters about issues at stake rather than tarnish the image of their opponents in the name of politics.
in ensuring free polls - MP
Page 13, 21/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Ahafo-Ano North, Mr Richard Akuoko-Adiyia, has reminded Ghanaians that they all have a stake in ensuring that the 2012 general election is transparent, free and fair.
“The government alone cannot be entrusted to ensure that the impending elections were conducted in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere”, he said adding that the Atiwa, Akwatia and Chireponi bye-election should be a yardstick for all Ghanaians to judge how the government would handle the elections if the people were not vigilant.
He said since free, fair and transparent election could not be guaranteed only during the day of election, Ghanaians owed it a duty to take part in registration of voters and in addition be vigilant to ensure that the right things were done during such an exercise.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Mr Adiyia noted with concern the practice whereby people were bused from different constituency to register in another constituency in order to give advantage to a particular candidate.
He said until Ghanaians became vigilant to prevent such malpractices, the beauty of the 2012 election would be marred from day one.
Mr Adiyia also asked Ghanaians to put aside political considerations and rather consider the interest of the country since “governments will come and go, political parties will win power and lose power, but Ghana will continue to be our cherished country”.
The MP cautioned Ghanaians from having the notion that what was happening elsewhere as a result of election malpractices could not happen in Ghana.
“Let us not be complacent but work around the clock and make conscious efforts to ensure that all players in the election play their part as expected of them”, he said.
Mr Adiyia also called on politicians to refrain from politics of insults and rather base their electioneering on issues stressing that it was important for both politicians and their supporters to educate their voters about issues at stake rather than tarnish the image of their opponents in the name of politics.
Ofori-Kuragu pledges allegiance to NPP
Page 17, 11/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Bosome-Freho, Nana Yaw Ofori-Kuragu has pledged his unflinching allegiance to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and promised to work hard to enable the party’s Presidential candidate, Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo to double his votes in the area during the 2012 general elections.
He said issues that pushed him to go independent during the 2008 general election had now being solved and called for total unity among the rank and file of the party to enable the NPP continue to chalk more success in the constituency.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Nana Ofori-Kuragu explained that since he declared his intension to stand on the ticket of the party once again, he had received the needed support and expressed the hope that “we will continue to work together to fight our common opponent, the NDC”.
He said at a recent get-together he organized for the constituency executives of the NPP and some opinion leaders, it was clear that the party was now united and poised to win more votes than ever during the 2012 general elections.
Nana Ofori-Kuragu said “we are however not going to be complacent but go the extra mile to ensure a total victory”.
Hed stated that his two terms had been successful explaining that the elevation of the constituency to a district status had been accompanied by a lot of development projects to uplift the living standards of the people.
Nana Ofori-Kuragu promised to use his third term in office, if given the nod, to fight for the establishment of a second senior secondary school to be located at the Lake Bosomtwe side of the district.
On electrification, the MP said efforts would be made to ensure that communities without electricity were hooked to the national grid.
Nana Ofori-Kuragu, who won the seat in 2004 on the ticket of the NPP, stood as an independent candidate in 2008 and won.
As an independent candidate in 2008, he used the cutlass as his symbol but campaigned for the NPP Presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo and chose to belong to the Minority side in the present Parliament.
He is one of the three independent MPs in the Minority side, the other two being Mr Joe Osei-Wusu (Bekwai) and Mr Seth Adjei-Baah
Page 17, 11/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Bosome-Freho, Nana Yaw Ofori-Kuragu has pledged his unflinching allegiance to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and promised to work hard to enable the party’s Presidential candidate, Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo to double his votes in the area during the 2012 general elections.
He said issues that pushed him to go independent during the 2008 general election had now being solved and called for total unity among the rank and file of the party to enable the NPP continue to chalk more success in the constituency.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Nana Ofori-Kuragu explained that since he declared his intension to stand on the ticket of the party once again, he had received the needed support and expressed the hope that “we will continue to work together to fight our common opponent, the NDC”.
He said at a recent get-together he organized for the constituency executives of the NPP and some opinion leaders, it was clear that the party was now united and poised to win more votes than ever during the 2012 general elections.
Nana Ofori-Kuragu said “we are however not going to be complacent but go the extra mile to ensure a total victory”.
Hed stated that his two terms had been successful explaining that the elevation of the constituency to a district status had been accompanied by a lot of development projects to uplift the living standards of the people.
Nana Ofori-Kuragu promised to use his third term in office, if given the nod, to fight for the establishment of a second senior secondary school to be located at the Lake Bosomtwe side of the district.
On electrification, the MP said efforts would be made to ensure that communities without electricity were hooked to the national grid.
Nana Ofori-Kuragu, who won the seat in 2004 on the ticket of the NPP, stood as an independent candidate in 2008 and won.
As an independent candidate in 2008, he used the cutlass as his symbol but campaigned for the NPP Presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo and chose to belong to the Minority side in the present Parliament.
He is one of the three independent MPs in the Minority side, the other two being Mr Joe Osei-Wusu (Bekwai) and Mr Seth Adjei-Baah
New Edubiase MP optimistic, despite criticisms
Page 17, 11/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for New Edubiase,Mr Enerst Kofi Yakah has expressed optimism about his chances of winning the impending primary despite criticisms by some people in the constituency about his administration.
Mr Yakah received bashing from the queen mother of the New Edubiase, Nana Akua Dwum II during a durbar held recently in the area over for not using his share of the Common Fund and others for the benefit of the people.
But Mr Yakah told the Daily Graphic that he had judiciously his share of the various funds to provide social amenities for the wellbeing of his constituents.
He enumerated some of the projects that he had executed as the Quansakrom D.A Primary, Fahiakobo D.A Primary, Obuobikrom D.A Primary, a place of convenience at Atobiase, Adansi Praso Market, Akutreso Health centre, Akroso footbridge and a 24-seater Vault Chamber place of convenience at the New Edubiase Zongo.
He explained that part of his share of the Common Fund had also been used to reshape the Akutreso-Subriso while part of his HIPC Fund had also been used to reshape the Menang Junction to Dotom, the Opare Kojo to Dwendama and the Bronikrom-Kwame Adjei roads.
Mr Yakah added that currently plans were ongoing for the rehabilitation of the New Edubiase Abbatoir, some pavilions at the New Edubiase Market, uncompleted projects at Agravi and Aboabo No 3 as well as teachers’ quarters at Odomase.
The MP said countless communities had also benefited from the funds with the provision of roofing sheets, cement, water, footballs and jerseys.
Mr Yakah said he had also used part of the funds support the extension of electricity to some parts of New Edubiase and its surrounding villages and expressed the hope that the beneficiaries of the various projects appreciated his efforts to contribute to the development of the area.
He thanked the rank and file of the NDC in the constituency for the confidence reposed in him over the years and expressed the hope that the delegates would renew his mandate during the impending primary.
Page 17, 11/01/12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for New Edubiase,Mr Enerst Kofi Yakah has expressed optimism about his chances of winning the impending primary despite criticisms by some people in the constituency about his administration.
Mr Yakah received bashing from the queen mother of the New Edubiase, Nana Akua Dwum II during a durbar held recently in the area over for not using his share of the Common Fund and others for the benefit of the people.
But Mr Yakah told the Daily Graphic that he had judiciously his share of the various funds to provide social amenities for the wellbeing of his constituents.
He enumerated some of the projects that he had executed as the Quansakrom D.A Primary, Fahiakobo D.A Primary, Obuobikrom D.A Primary, a place of convenience at Atobiase, Adansi Praso Market, Akutreso Health centre, Akroso footbridge and a 24-seater Vault Chamber place of convenience at the New Edubiase Zongo.
He explained that part of his share of the Common Fund had also been used to reshape the Akutreso-Subriso while part of his HIPC Fund had also been used to reshape the Menang Junction to Dotom, the Opare Kojo to Dwendama and the Bronikrom-Kwame Adjei roads.
Mr Yakah added that currently plans were ongoing for the rehabilitation of the New Edubiase Abbatoir, some pavilions at the New Edubiase Market, uncompleted projects at Agravi and Aboabo No 3 as well as teachers’ quarters at Odomase.
The MP said countless communities had also benefited from the funds with the provision of roofing sheets, cement, water, footballs and jerseys.
Mr Yakah said he had also used part of the funds support the extension of electricity to some parts of New Edubiase and its surrounding villages and expressed the hope that the beneficiaries of the various projects appreciated his efforts to contribute to the development of the area.
He thanked the rank and file of the NDC in the constituency for the confidence reposed in him over the years and expressed the hope that the delegates would renew his mandate during the impending primary.
TTB Boss denies Ecobank's claim
11/01/12, Page 3
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Managing Director of the The Trust Bank (TTB), Mr Larry Yirenkyi-Boafo, has denied claims by Ecobank that the payment of end-of-service benefits to some top officials of TTB was not approved.
Writing through his solicitors, the Faith Chambers, Mr Yirenkyi-Boafo said the payment of end-of-service benefits was “discussed and approved at an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors of The Trust Bank on Monday, August 8, 2011”.
He said a copy of the minutes of the said emergency meeting, together with a schedule containing the names of the affected officers, was made available to the Managing Director of Ecobank, Mr Samuel Ashittey-Adjei.
Reacting to a front-page story carried in the January 9, 2012 issue of the Daily Graphic, Mr Yirenkyi-Boafo said the issue was fully addressed in his December 29, 2011 reply to a query from Mr Ashittey-Adjei.
He said in the circumstances, the purported averment contained in the publication in the Daily Graphic that, “The Ecobank source said though the interdicted boss of TTB had claimed the package was approved by the old board of TTB before its dissolution last month, there were no minutes to that effect” was false.
In addition, Mr Yirenkyi-Boafo denied that the payment was done on the blind side of the new owners of the bank, Ecobank, as reported by the Daily Graphic, saying that the claim that he alone took home GH¢1.88 or US$1.3 million was also false.
He stated that the story cast an aspersion on his reputation as a successful banker and might likely diminish his chances of securing employment with any reputable financial institution, either locally or internationally.
He, therefore, called for a retraction of the story that he had taken home GH¢1.88 million or US$1.3 million as his end-of-service package and demanded an apology for the embarrassment caused him.
A compensation and redundancy package document made available to the Daily Graphic indicated that the executive committee members of the bank were to be compensated as per Section 19 of the Contract of Service in case of reconstruction, merger or amalgamation, as they were not likely to be offered positions and terms as they currently enjoy.
According to the document, members of staff with 10 or more years of continuous service with the bank were to receive five months’ gross for each year served and pro rata, while those with less than 10 years’ service were to receive three months basic salary for each year served with pro rata.
“Where a staff is made to resign in such a way as to make him or her redundant, he or she shall continue to enjoy benefits such as medical, security and utilities for a period of one year, while staff affected by a redundancy exercise who had up to five years or less years remaining before attaining the statutory retirement age of 60 years, the bank would calculate and pay to the staff the pension contributions for those years,” the document said.
According to the document, there were two categories of people to be settled.
The first group comprises executive committee members, including the secretary of the bank, who are not expected to receive an amount not exceeding GH¢7.1 million.
The second group comprises heads of departments who are approximately 55 years and above, the idea being to give these people the opportunity to either opt to stay or take an early retirement.
An amount of GH¢2.67 million has been earmarked for the five people whose profiles had been provided.
These include Ms Leah Dickson, the Head of the Human Resource Management Department; Mr Emmanuel Obeng Adjei, Head, ICT and E-Banking; Mr Michael Yaw Barimah, Head, Foreign Operations; Mr Robert Danso-Boakye, Head, Credit Administration.
In all, according to the document, “the board approved, at its August, 2011 meeting, and adopted a resolution authorising the payment of GH¢9.8 million to the executive members and the five heads of departments who opted out of the merger”.
11/01/12, Page 3
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Managing Director of the The Trust Bank (TTB), Mr Larry Yirenkyi-Boafo, has denied claims by Ecobank that the payment of end-of-service benefits to some top officials of TTB was not approved.
Writing through his solicitors, the Faith Chambers, Mr Yirenkyi-Boafo said the payment of end-of-service benefits was “discussed and approved at an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors of The Trust Bank on Monday, August 8, 2011”.
He said a copy of the minutes of the said emergency meeting, together with a schedule containing the names of the affected officers, was made available to the Managing Director of Ecobank, Mr Samuel Ashittey-Adjei.
Reacting to a front-page story carried in the January 9, 2012 issue of the Daily Graphic, Mr Yirenkyi-Boafo said the issue was fully addressed in his December 29, 2011 reply to a query from Mr Ashittey-Adjei.
He said in the circumstances, the purported averment contained in the publication in the Daily Graphic that, “The Ecobank source said though the interdicted boss of TTB had claimed the package was approved by the old board of TTB before its dissolution last month, there were no minutes to that effect” was false.
In addition, Mr Yirenkyi-Boafo denied that the payment was done on the blind side of the new owners of the bank, Ecobank, as reported by the Daily Graphic, saying that the claim that he alone took home GH¢1.88 or US$1.3 million was also false.
He stated that the story cast an aspersion on his reputation as a successful banker and might likely diminish his chances of securing employment with any reputable financial institution, either locally or internationally.
He, therefore, called for a retraction of the story that he had taken home GH¢1.88 million or US$1.3 million as his end-of-service package and demanded an apology for the embarrassment caused him.
A compensation and redundancy package document made available to the Daily Graphic indicated that the executive committee members of the bank were to be compensated as per Section 19 of the Contract of Service in case of reconstruction, merger or amalgamation, as they were not likely to be offered positions and terms as they currently enjoy.
According to the document, members of staff with 10 or more years of continuous service with the bank were to receive five months’ gross for each year served and pro rata, while those with less than 10 years’ service were to receive three months basic salary for each year served with pro rata.
“Where a staff is made to resign in such a way as to make him or her redundant, he or she shall continue to enjoy benefits such as medical, security and utilities for a period of one year, while staff affected by a redundancy exercise who had up to five years or less years remaining before attaining the statutory retirement age of 60 years, the bank would calculate and pay to the staff the pension contributions for those years,” the document said.
According to the document, there were two categories of people to be settled.
The first group comprises executive committee members, including the secretary of the bank, who are not expected to receive an amount not exceeding GH¢7.1 million.
The second group comprises heads of departments who are approximately 55 years and above, the idea being to give these people the opportunity to either opt to stay or take an early retirement.
An amount of GH¢2.67 million has been earmarked for the five people whose profiles had been provided.
These include Ms Leah Dickson, the Head of the Human Resource Management Department; Mr Emmanuel Obeng Adjei, Head, ICT and E-Banking; Mr Michael Yaw Barimah, Head, Foreign Operations; Mr Robert Danso-Boakye, Head, Credit Administration.
In all, according to the document, “the board approved, at its August, 2011 meeting, and adopted a resolution authorising the payment of GH¢9.8 million to the executive members and the five heads of departments who opted out of the merger”.
Parliament to reopen Jan 24
10/01/12, Page 12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT reopens for the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament on January 24, 2012.
According to a release signed by the Speaker of Parliament, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, the House will commence sitting at exactly 10.00 a.m. on the scheduled date.
“In pursuance of Article 112 (1) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 37 of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana, I, Rt Hon Justice Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo, Speaker of Parliament, hereby give notice that the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic will commence on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at 10 O’clock in the forenoon at Parliament House, Accra.”
The fourth session, which ends in December this year will be the last session of this current Parliament.
The three meetings constituting the session promise to be a hectic one for Members of Parliament (MPs) whose attention would be divided towards their parliamentary duties and their campaign programmes for re-election.
10/01/12, Page 12
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT reopens for the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament on January 24, 2012.
According to a release signed by the Speaker of Parliament, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, the House will commence sitting at exactly 10.00 a.m. on the scheduled date.
“In pursuance of Article 112 (1) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 37 of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana, I, Rt Hon Justice Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo, Speaker of Parliament, hereby give notice that the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic will commence on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at 10 O’clock in the forenoon at Parliament House, Accra.”
The fourth session, which ends in December this year will be the last session of this current Parliament.
The three meetings constituting the session promise to be a hectic one for Members of Parliament (MPs) whose attention would be divided towards their parliamentary duties and their campaign programmes for re-election.
Parliament under review
02/01/12 Page 13
Article: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
WHEN Parliament went on recess on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 for the Christmas festivities, the House ended the Third Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic and also the Third Meeting of the Fifth Parliament.
During the Third Session, that is, from January to December 2011, many issues came before the august House for deliberation and this piece is meant to take a retrospective look at some of the major happenings in Parliament over the period.
Even though the House passed a number of bills during the year, three that were remarkable and engaged the attention of both Members of Parliament (MPs) and the general public were the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill, the University of Energy and Natural Resources Bill and the University of Health and Allied Sciences Bill.
From the beginning of the First Meeting, the House was poised to pass the PRMB, since, though the country had started the production oil in December the previous year, there was no law in place to guide the management of revenue accruing from its sales.
The country, therefore, heaved a sigh of relieve when, after the bill had gone through a lot of amendment, it was finally passed on February 3, 2011.
However, those who followed the journey of the passage of the bill would recall that Clause Five on whether the country could use the oil as collateral or not became the bone of contention and a tug–of-war between the Majority and the Minority sides of the House.
In the end, as they say in parliamentary parlance, though the Minority had its say, the Majority had its way and the clause was amended to enable the country to use the oil as collateral.
The passage of the two bills for the establishment of the two public universities to be sited in the Brong Ahafo and the Volta regions did not meet with any difficulty from both sides of the House during the Third Meeting.
Parliament exercises its control over the country’s purse by approving loans contracted by the executive for development and the approval of budgets.
Well, during the year, the House approved a number of loan agreements, but two of such loans which attracted discussion both in the House and outside the House were the $3 billion Chinese loan and the $105,370,177 loan from the Brazil Development Bank for the purchase of the Ember 190 and related logistics support and the construction of one hangar.
Even though the House was on recess after the Second Meeting, the MPs were recalled to approve the $3 billion Chinese loan in August. After an intense five-day debate, the House approved the loan through a majority decision.
The $105,370,177 loan from the Brazil Development Bank, which was approved on July 20, 2011, also caught the attention of most Ghanaians.
The approval of the loan became an issue because the Minority used the occasion to pay the Majority back for opposing a similar loan facility for the purchase of the Presidential Jet when the current Minority was in government but in the end the loan was approved.
One issue that happened in Parliament and which cannot be forgotten was when the Speaker, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, unceremoniously left the House during sitting on May 20, 2011.
Before she left, she accused the Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Apul Avoka, of taking an unco-operative stance.
The Speaker’s action followed her ruling that the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Rashid Pelpuo, should withdraw the word “chaotic” he had used to describe the atmosphere in the House that day.
But Mr Pelpuo dragged his feet over the apology.
What seemed to be the last straw was the attempt by Mr Avoka to defend the Mr Pelpuo and the circumstances in which he had used the word.
Mrs Bamford-Addo was, however, prevailed upon to return to preside over the day’s sitting by the leadership of the House.
On March 18, the MP for Afram Plains North, Mr Aboagye Didieye, made a bad name for himself when he was referred to the Privileges Committee of Parliament for describing MPs as womanisers during discussions on the ‘Dwaso Nsem’ show on Tema-based Adom FM.
The Second Deputy Speaker, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye, took the decision when one MP raised the issue on the floor of the House, but the committee is yet to submit its findings to the House for a final decision to be taken on the MP.
The President’s sessional address on February 17 and the refusal of the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to join the leadership of the House to usher the President out, as tradition demands, attracted a lot of discussions, with the Majority side demanding an apology and a possible referral to the Privileges Committee.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stood on his grounds and declared that he owed nobody any apology, describing the President’s address as divisive.
The high point during the Third Meeting of the Third Session was the presentation of the 2012 Budget to the House by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, on Wednesday, November 16, 2011.
The House took five weeks to scrutinise and approve the budget. While the Majority described the budget as an encompassing budget to fulfill the ‘Better Ghana Agenda’, the Minority described it as a recycled budget full of unfulfilled promises to deceive Ghanaians to vote for the NDC during the 2012 general elections.
All in all, Parliament had an eventful third session, a development which compelled the Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Avoka, to state that the House “continues to deliver on its mandate”, albeit under difficult and challenging circumstances.
“I wish to thank the chairpersons of committees, ranking members and all members who have worked on bills, not forgetting the Winnowing Committee, of which my colleague the Minority Leader played an active role. I thank members of the committee for their commitment and industry in getting these bills processed and passed,” he said.
He admitted that there were still a number of bills before some committees and appealed to the leadership of those committees to endeavour to submit those bills to the House for deliberation so that they could be passed before the dissolution of Parliament next year.
These bills include the Presidential Transition Bill, the College of Education Bill, the Intestate Succession and the Property Rights of Spouses bills.
Even though he was happy that Ghana’s democracy was receiving praise around the world, he called on members of the House to guard the basic tenets of democracy jealously and called for respect for individual opinions and views in Parliaments.
For his part, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu reiterated the commitment of the Minority to co-operate with the Majority side to facilitate the implementation of government policies and called on the Majority side to reciprocate that gesture.
”We expect this to be reciprocated by the Majority as well. Oftentimes, some people get afflicted with the we-and-them, winner-takes-all mentality, but Parliament is an arm of government with its own system of operation,” he noted.
Both leaders commended the Speaker and her deputies, the Clerk to Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Anyimadu, and his deputies, staff of the Parliamentary Service and the Parliamentary Press Corps for discharging their duties effectively to ensure a successful end of the session.
02/01/12 Page 13
Article: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
WHEN Parliament went on recess on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 for the Christmas festivities, the House ended the Third Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic and also the Third Meeting of the Fifth Parliament.
During the Third Session, that is, from January to December 2011, many issues came before the august House for deliberation and this piece is meant to take a retrospective look at some of the major happenings in Parliament over the period.
Even though the House passed a number of bills during the year, three that were remarkable and engaged the attention of both Members of Parliament (MPs) and the general public were the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill, the University of Energy and Natural Resources Bill and the University of Health and Allied Sciences Bill.
From the beginning of the First Meeting, the House was poised to pass the PRMB, since, though the country had started the production oil in December the previous year, there was no law in place to guide the management of revenue accruing from its sales.
The country, therefore, heaved a sigh of relieve when, after the bill had gone through a lot of amendment, it was finally passed on February 3, 2011.
However, those who followed the journey of the passage of the bill would recall that Clause Five on whether the country could use the oil as collateral or not became the bone of contention and a tug–of-war between the Majority and the Minority sides of the House.
In the end, as they say in parliamentary parlance, though the Minority had its say, the Majority had its way and the clause was amended to enable the country to use the oil as collateral.
The passage of the two bills for the establishment of the two public universities to be sited in the Brong Ahafo and the Volta regions did not meet with any difficulty from both sides of the House during the Third Meeting.
Parliament exercises its control over the country’s purse by approving loans contracted by the executive for development and the approval of budgets.
Well, during the year, the House approved a number of loan agreements, but two of such loans which attracted discussion both in the House and outside the House were the $3 billion Chinese loan and the $105,370,177 loan from the Brazil Development Bank for the purchase of the Ember 190 and related logistics support and the construction of one hangar.
Even though the House was on recess after the Second Meeting, the MPs were recalled to approve the $3 billion Chinese loan in August. After an intense five-day debate, the House approved the loan through a majority decision.
The $105,370,177 loan from the Brazil Development Bank, which was approved on July 20, 2011, also caught the attention of most Ghanaians.
The approval of the loan became an issue because the Minority used the occasion to pay the Majority back for opposing a similar loan facility for the purchase of the Presidential Jet when the current Minority was in government but in the end the loan was approved.
One issue that happened in Parliament and which cannot be forgotten was when the Speaker, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, unceremoniously left the House during sitting on May 20, 2011.
Before she left, she accused the Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Apul Avoka, of taking an unco-operative stance.
The Speaker’s action followed her ruling that the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Rashid Pelpuo, should withdraw the word “chaotic” he had used to describe the atmosphere in the House that day.
But Mr Pelpuo dragged his feet over the apology.
What seemed to be the last straw was the attempt by Mr Avoka to defend the Mr Pelpuo and the circumstances in which he had used the word.
Mrs Bamford-Addo was, however, prevailed upon to return to preside over the day’s sitting by the leadership of the House.
On March 18, the MP for Afram Plains North, Mr Aboagye Didieye, made a bad name for himself when he was referred to the Privileges Committee of Parliament for describing MPs as womanisers during discussions on the ‘Dwaso Nsem’ show on Tema-based Adom FM.
The Second Deputy Speaker, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye, took the decision when one MP raised the issue on the floor of the House, but the committee is yet to submit its findings to the House for a final decision to be taken on the MP.
The President’s sessional address on February 17 and the refusal of the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to join the leadership of the House to usher the President out, as tradition demands, attracted a lot of discussions, with the Majority side demanding an apology and a possible referral to the Privileges Committee.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stood on his grounds and declared that he owed nobody any apology, describing the President’s address as divisive.
The high point during the Third Meeting of the Third Session was the presentation of the 2012 Budget to the House by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, on Wednesday, November 16, 2011.
The House took five weeks to scrutinise and approve the budget. While the Majority described the budget as an encompassing budget to fulfill the ‘Better Ghana Agenda’, the Minority described it as a recycled budget full of unfulfilled promises to deceive Ghanaians to vote for the NDC during the 2012 general elections.
All in all, Parliament had an eventful third session, a development which compelled the Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Avoka, to state that the House “continues to deliver on its mandate”, albeit under difficult and challenging circumstances.
“I wish to thank the chairpersons of committees, ranking members and all members who have worked on bills, not forgetting the Winnowing Committee, of which my colleague the Minority Leader played an active role. I thank members of the committee for their commitment and industry in getting these bills processed and passed,” he said.
He admitted that there were still a number of bills before some committees and appealed to the leadership of those committees to endeavour to submit those bills to the House for deliberation so that they could be passed before the dissolution of Parliament next year.
These bills include the Presidential Transition Bill, the College of Education Bill, the Intestate Succession and the Property Rights of Spouses bills.
Even though he was happy that Ghana’s democracy was receiving praise around the world, he called on members of the House to guard the basic tenets of democracy jealously and called for respect for individual opinions and views in Parliaments.
For his part, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu reiterated the commitment of the Minority to co-operate with the Majority side to facilitate the implementation of government policies and called on the Majority side to reciprocate that gesture.
”We expect this to be reciprocated by the Majority as well. Oftentimes, some people get afflicted with the we-and-them, winner-takes-all mentality, but Parliament is an arm of government with its own system of operation,” he noted.
Both leaders commended the Speaker and her deputies, the Clerk to Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Anyimadu, and his deputies, staff of the Parliamentary Service and the Parliamentary Press Corps for discharging their duties effectively to ensure a successful end of the session.
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