Page 17, March 30, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT has approved the formula for the distribution of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) for this year.
A total of GH¢ 236,197,500 allocated in the 2008 budget for the DACF was approved by the House after it had satisfied itself with the proposed formula for the sharing of the fund by the district assemblies.
The amount represent 7.5 per cent of the total national revenue meant to be paid statutorily into the DACF.
The percentage is an increase on the five per cent that had been paid into the DACF since the inception of the fund.
The formula for the distribution of the DACF is based on need , responsiveness, service pressure, equity and sanitation factors.
For the GETFund, a total of GH¢ 163,025,000 was allocated. The current formula took into account the priority needs highlighted in the current Education Strategic Plan and the Education Sector Reforms.
Under the formula Academic for tertiary education, Facilities and Infrastructure had 12.3 per cent, Scholarship Secretariat, 3.1 per cent, Students’ Loan Trust, 4.9 per cent, Faculty Development and Research, 1.8 per cent, Special Support for Medical Studies, 1.8 per cent, Special Support for Telecom University, 1.2 per cent, Open Universities, 1.2 per cent and Colleges of Education, 5 per cent.
A total of GH¢ 31,323 million, representing 19.2 per cent, has been allocated for secondary education contingencies, which include MPs Emergency Projects and other emergencies had GH¢3,450,000 representing 2.1 per cent.
Meanwhile, the formula for the distribution of subsidies to be paid to Licensed District Mutual Health Insurance Schemes for 2008 has also been approved by the House.
The National Health Insurance Fund is expected to realise GH¢ 2345,420,000????? based on projections of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning for 2008.
This is an increase of 33.83 per cent over the previous year’s budgetary allocation of GH¢179,911,000.
The registration target of 65 per cent has been set for 2008 by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) while it projects to operate 148 schemes within the year.
The NHIA is also to increase the subsidy per person from GH¢ 12.00 to GH¢ 14.00 as a result of the rising medical bills submitted by service provides and the Review Medicine List and Tarrif Structure.
The report of the Committee of the Whole of Parliament, which deliberated on the issue noted that at the close of 2007, GH¢153,809,624.54 which remained in under the NHIS yielded GH¢23,960,000.
The committee recommended that the National Health Insurance Law should be amended to include the mentally ill as indigents while children under 18 be made to register unconditionally to become members of the scheme.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Training Centre for MPs inaugurated
Page 17, March 30, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
A multi-purpose training centre aimed at improving the functioning of Parliament has been inaugurated at Osu, Accra.
The facility, provided by the Canadian Parliamentary Centre (CPC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has a well-equipped liaison office for the regular interaction and review of the collaborative efforts of the Audit Service and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament.
It would also provide opportunity for Members of Parliament (MPs) to network with their colleagues from other parliaments across Africa.
Inaugurating the centre, the Chairman of the PAC, Mr Samuel Sallas-Mensah, said the relationship between Parliament and the CPC had existed for a long time during which the NGO organised capacity building programmes for the PAC and other committees and staff of the Parliamentary Service.
He noted that the effectiveness of every Parliament depended on MPs capacity to effectively discharge their duties as expected of them.
He said it was, therefore important for members of the various committees of Parliament to be well informed about the subject area of their respective committees in order to facilitate proper deliberations on issues referred to them for consideration.
Mr Sallas-Mensah said that the success of the recent public sitting of the PAC was a testimony of the effectiveness of the capacity building work of the CPC.
He said the CPC, through the Department for International Development (DfID,) was very instrumental in supporting the public sitting of the PAC, adding that the inauguration of the centre would enhance the work of the PAC and other committees of Parliament.
Mr Sallas-Mensah expressed gratitude to the CPC, DFID and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for supporting Parliament to ensure the attainment of power balance among the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.
For his part, Dr Rasheed Draman of the CPC thanked the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), CIDA, DFID and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for supporting the CPC to undertake the project.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
A multi-purpose training centre aimed at improving the functioning of Parliament has been inaugurated at Osu, Accra.
The facility, provided by the Canadian Parliamentary Centre (CPC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has a well-equipped liaison office for the regular interaction and review of the collaborative efforts of the Audit Service and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament.
It would also provide opportunity for Members of Parliament (MPs) to network with their colleagues from other parliaments across Africa.
Inaugurating the centre, the Chairman of the PAC, Mr Samuel Sallas-Mensah, said the relationship between Parliament and the CPC had existed for a long time during which the NGO organised capacity building programmes for the PAC and other committees and staff of the Parliamentary Service.
He noted that the effectiveness of every Parliament depended on MPs capacity to effectively discharge their duties as expected of them.
He said it was, therefore important for members of the various committees of Parliament to be well informed about the subject area of their respective committees in order to facilitate proper deliberations on issues referred to them for consideration.
Mr Sallas-Mensah said that the success of the recent public sitting of the PAC was a testimony of the effectiveness of the capacity building work of the CPC.
He said the CPC, through the Department for International Development (DfID,) was very instrumental in supporting the public sitting of the PAC, adding that the inauguration of the centre would enhance the work of the PAC and other committees of Parliament.
Mr Sallas-Mensah expressed gratitude to the CPC, DFID and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for supporting Parliament to ensure the attainment of power balance among the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.
For his part, Dr Rasheed Draman of the CPC thanked the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), CIDA, DFID and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for supporting the CPC to undertake the project.
23 vocational students pass out
Page 22, March 29, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE first batch of 23 students of the Pro-Link Vocational Institute at Danfa in the Ga East District of the Greater Accra Region, has passed out.
The institute was established by Pro-Link, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to the improving the lives of the needy.
Currently, it is training its students in hairdressing, dressmaking, carpentry, electrical installation, masonry and catering.
In an address read on his behalf, the Ga East Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Kofi Alottey, noted that but for the institute, the youth in the area might have fallen prey to teenage pregnancy, rural-urban drift, armed robbery and other social vices due to the adage that “the devil finds work for the idle hands”.
He, therefore, asked the youth to take advantage of the institute, which was close to their doorsteps, to acquire employable skills to enable them to be self-sufficient.
“These graduands, having acquired skills, will provide services to the society and thereby contribute to national development,” he said.
Mr Alottey advised the graduands to realise the investments that had been made in them and challenged them to be innovative and creative in employing strategies that would enable them to provide services to generate sufficient income to support themselves, as well as their families.
He acknowledged the help offered by Tools for Self-Reliance, a United Kingdom (UK) based NGO, which had provided kits for the institute.
Mr Alottey commended Pro-Link for establishing the institute and described the gesture as a timely intervention to provide employment for the youth in the area.
The Ga East Municipal Director of Education, Mrs Emma Baaba Quarcoe, commended Pro-Link’s efforts.
He called on chiefs and parents in the area to co-operate fully with the NGO to ensure the training of more youth.
The Executive Director of Pro-Link, Ms Bernice Heloo, said the NGO would continue to train the youth in acquiring skills to reduce the unemployment rate in the country.
The UK NGO, Tools for Self-Reliance, provided the graduands, who specialised in dressmaking, carpentry and joinery and electrical installation, with start-up tools, while Pro-Link gave kits to those who specialised in hairdressing to enable them to start their businesses.
Picture: Some of the graduands in a pose after the graduation ceremony.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE first batch of 23 students of the Pro-Link Vocational Institute at Danfa in the Ga East District of the Greater Accra Region, has passed out.
The institute was established by Pro-Link, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to the improving the lives of the needy.
Currently, it is training its students in hairdressing, dressmaking, carpentry, electrical installation, masonry and catering.
In an address read on his behalf, the Ga East Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Kofi Alottey, noted that but for the institute, the youth in the area might have fallen prey to teenage pregnancy, rural-urban drift, armed robbery and other social vices due to the adage that “the devil finds work for the idle hands”.
He, therefore, asked the youth to take advantage of the institute, which was close to their doorsteps, to acquire employable skills to enable them to be self-sufficient.
“These graduands, having acquired skills, will provide services to the society and thereby contribute to national development,” he said.
Mr Alottey advised the graduands to realise the investments that had been made in them and challenged them to be innovative and creative in employing strategies that would enable them to provide services to generate sufficient income to support themselves, as well as their families.
He acknowledged the help offered by Tools for Self-Reliance, a United Kingdom (UK) based NGO, which had provided kits for the institute.
Mr Alottey commended Pro-Link for establishing the institute and described the gesture as a timely intervention to provide employment for the youth in the area.
The Ga East Municipal Director of Education, Mrs Emma Baaba Quarcoe, commended Pro-Link’s efforts.
He called on chiefs and parents in the area to co-operate fully with the NGO to ensure the training of more youth.
The Executive Director of Pro-Link, Ms Bernice Heloo, said the NGO would continue to train the youth in acquiring skills to reduce the unemployment rate in the country.
The UK NGO, Tools for Self-Reliance, provided the graduands, who specialised in dressmaking, carpentry and joinery and electrical installation, with start-up tools, while Pro-Link gave kits to those who specialised in hairdressing to enable them to start their businesses.
Picture: Some of the graduands in a pose after the graduation ceremony.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Majority unhappy about minority stance
Page 17, March 26, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Majority in Parliament has expressed its dismay at attempts being made by the Minority in Parliament to throw dust into the eyes of Ghanaians concerning the genuine efforts being made by the government to re-equip the Ghana Air Force.
“It is regretted that the NDC Minority in Parliament, in their desperate effort to equate the present acquisition of aircraft to the very irregular, fraudulent and infamous acquisition of the Gulf Stream II, which was tainted with irregularity in 2000 by the NDC government, told a pack of lies and outright distortion of facts to the Ghanaian public,” it said.
In a statement in reaction to a press conference by the Minority on the acquisition of jets for the Air Force, the Majority said since the NPP government assumed office in 2001, there had been persistent requests by the Ghana Air Force to equip the force, adding that the President had shelved the request in view of the socio-economic conditions of the time.
It said today the economic conditions of the country had significantly improved and so it had now become necessary to bring the matter back from the back burner, given the fact that by 2010 the F2B and F27 aircraft of the Air Force were going to be decommissioned, explaining that the planes cost the nation about one million euros in repairs every year.
The statement added that in going for the new planes, the government was not seeking its comfort, as stated by the Minority in its press conference, but rather it was “part of the demonstrable commitment of the President to build institutions of state for the benefit of the state and not his comfort”.
It explained that another palpable lie of the NDC was that the aircraft were not for the Air Force, saying that it was common knowledge that the Air Force, as an institution of state, was the custodian of the executive jets which were used by state institutions.
It said it was not true that the government had paid five per cent as advance payment and had, therefore, breached the Constitution, explaining that the very contract that the NDC referred to stated that the whole agreement was subject to verification by Parliament.
“We challenge the NDC Minority to produce evidence of payment or retract and apologise, not to the government but the good people of Ghana,” it stressed.
The statement admitted that while there were still problems with getting potable water, electricity, roads, health facilities and educational institutions to every corner of the country, the government was still working hard to meet those challenges.
It added that the government was not going to make a down payment of $100 million, as was being peddled by the NDC, explaining that the country’s obligation was to pay $1.857 million and thereafter make another payment of $3.715.
“We would like to assure Ghanaians that the whole transaction is so transparent that any Ghanaian can verify the contract sum and obligations on the Internet.
It said unlike the NDC’s acquisition of the Gulf Stream which in a single day went through three different parties, the present transaction was manifestly transparent, well thought of and could stand the litmus test.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Majority in Parliament has expressed its dismay at attempts being made by the Minority in Parliament to throw dust into the eyes of Ghanaians concerning the genuine efforts being made by the government to re-equip the Ghana Air Force.
“It is regretted that the NDC Minority in Parliament, in their desperate effort to equate the present acquisition of aircraft to the very irregular, fraudulent and infamous acquisition of the Gulf Stream II, which was tainted with irregularity in 2000 by the NDC government, told a pack of lies and outright distortion of facts to the Ghanaian public,” it said.
In a statement in reaction to a press conference by the Minority on the acquisition of jets for the Air Force, the Majority said since the NPP government assumed office in 2001, there had been persistent requests by the Ghana Air Force to equip the force, adding that the President had shelved the request in view of the socio-economic conditions of the time.
It said today the economic conditions of the country had significantly improved and so it had now become necessary to bring the matter back from the back burner, given the fact that by 2010 the F2B and F27 aircraft of the Air Force were going to be decommissioned, explaining that the planes cost the nation about one million euros in repairs every year.
The statement added that in going for the new planes, the government was not seeking its comfort, as stated by the Minority in its press conference, but rather it was “part of the demonstrable commitment of the President to build institutions of state for the benefit of the state and not his comfort”.
It explained that another palpable lie of the NDC was that the aircraft were not for the Air Force, saying that it was common knowledge that the Air Force, as an institution of state, was the custodian of the executive jets which were used by state institutions.
It said it was not true that the government had paid five per cent as advance payment and had, therefore, breached the Constitution, explaining that the very contract that the NDC referred to stated that the whole agreement was subject to verification by Parliament.
“We challenge the NDC Minority to produce evidence of payment or retract and apologise, not to the government but the good people of Ghana,” it stressed.
The statement admitted that while there were still problems with getting potable water, electricity, roads, health facilities and educational institutions to every corner of the country, the government was still working hard to meet those challenges.
It added that the government was not going to make a down payment of $100 million, as was being peddled by the NDC, explaining that the country’s obligation was to pay $1.857 million and thereafter make another payment of $3.715.
“We would like to assure Ghanaians that the whole transaction is so transparent that any Ghanaian can verify the contract sum and obligations on the Internet.
It said unlike the NDC’s acquisition of the Gulf Stream which in a single day went through three different parties, the present transaction was manifestly transparent, well thought of and could stand the litmus test.
Owusu-Adjapong nominated for Energy
Frontpage, March 20, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu Gyamerah
President J.A. Kufuor has nominated the former Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Felix Kwasi Owusu-Adjapong as the Minister of Energy.
His nomination ends months of speculation that the substantive Minister of Energy, Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, has been removed from office.
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, announced Mr Owusu-Adjapong’s nomination in Parliament yesterday evening.
The House was debating a report on the purchase of equipment for the Ghana Air Force when Alhaji Yakubu suddenly made the announcement from the Presidency, which was treated with “Hear! Hear!” from both sides of the House.
Some Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Minority side, apparently stunned by the turn of events, shouted, “Oh Adda, what happened?”
Mr Adda, who was in the house when the announcement was made, smiled and remained calm in his seat.
The nomination has been referred to the Appointments Committee of the House for consideration.
In December, a local FM radio station speculated that the minister had been relieved of his post. However, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mrs Oboshie Sai Cofie, said he was just on an extended leave period.
Mr Adda had since not been seen performing any public assignments.
He was conspicuously absent when new oil finds were announced in February this year and during the subsequent oil conference.
He was at first the Minister of Manpower Development, Youth and Employment and during his tenure the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) was initiated. He was moved to the Ministry of Energy in April 2006.
His tenure as Energy Minister was characterised by a year of nation-wide power black outs, resulting in calls for his removal.
Story: Emmanuel Adu Gyamerah
President J.A. Kufuor has nominated the former Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Felix Kwasi Owusu-Adjapong as the Minister of Energy.
His nomination ends months of speculation that the substantive Minister of Energy, Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, has been removed from office.
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, announced Mr Owusu-Adjapong’s nomination in Parliament yesterday evening.
The House was debating a report on the purchase of equipment for the Ghana Air Force when Alhaji Yakubu suddenly made the announcement from the Presidency, which was treated with “Hear! Hear!” from both sides of the House.
Some Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Minority side, apparently stunned by the turn of events, shouted, “Oh Adda, what happened?”
Mr Adda, who was in the house when the announcement was made, smiled and remained calm in his seat.
The nomination has been referred to the Appointments Committee of the House for consideration.
In December, a local FM radio station speculated that the minister had been relieved of his post. However, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mrs Oboshie Sai Cofie, said he was just on an extended leave period.
Mr Adda had since not been seen performing any public assignments.
He was conspicuously absent when new oil finds were announced in February this year and during the subsequent oil conference.
He was at first the Minister of Manpower Development, Youth and Employment and during his tenure the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) was initiated. He was moved to the Ministry of Energy in April 2006.
His tenure as Energy Minister was characterised by a year of nation-wide power black outs, resulting in calls for his removal.
Parliament approves loan for Ghana Air Force
Page 35, March 24, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
IT took Parliament more than six hours intensive debate to approve a $31,577,500 loan agreement between the government and Societe Generale (SG) of Paris for the purchase of two aircraft as part of a strategic plan to re-equip the Communication Squadron of the Ghana Air Force.
Speaker Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes had to call for a headcount to decide on the matter after the voice vote had produced no clear winner. After the headcount, a majority decision of 118 votes against 63 won the day before the House adjourned for the Easter break.
Within a period of more than six hours, the Speaker and his First and Second deputies, Mr Freddie Blay and Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, respectively took turns to steer the affairs of the debate.
In addition to the loan from SG, the government is providing $62 million from its budget as part of its contribution for the purchase of the two aircraft.
The Majority, led by the Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, argued that it was necessary to acquire the two aircraft for the Air Force, while the Minority, led by its Spokesperson on Defence and Interior, Alhaji Abubakari Sumani, contended that the two planes were not the types urgently needed by the Air Force.
Alhaji Sumani said the House had to deal with the unconstitutionality of the contract entered into by the government since Ghana paid five per cent of the total amount involved soon after the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, appended his signature to the contract.
He said instead of the government buying the two aircraft for the cost of $105,150 million, it would have been better for the country to have purchase the four other aircraft requested by the Air Force at a total cost of $90,731,969.
He wondered why the government was bent on purchasing the two planes to the exclusion of the other four, which he considered as very important for use by the Air Force.
Alhaji Sumani noted that Ghanaians were baffled as to why the president was in a hurry to purchase a presidential jet when he was about to leave office and called on all Ghanaians who cared for the nation to reject the use of scarce state resources for the purchase of a presidential jet.
Replying, Mr Kan-Dapaah explained that the choice of purchasing the aircraft was made according to the recommendation made by the Ghana Air Force and not because the government was bent on buying those types of aircraft.
He added that the average age of the various aircraft of the Air Force was 30 years and said the country therefore had no choice but to purchase new ones in order not to ground the operations of the force by 2010.
Mr Kan-Dapaah stated that the Ghana Air Force had always operated a Presidential Jet, adding that "It is not possible to conduct modern day business without a presidential jet".
He said it was unfortunate that the Minority was creating an impression that the economy of the country would come to halt when the aircraft were purchased, explaining that by the terms of the agreement the country would pay $1.856 million this year towards the payment for the two jets.
"We should have the courage now to buy the aircraft to save our presidents from travelling to neighbouring countries to connect flights to their destinations to transact business on behalf of the state," he said.
When he took his turn in the debate, the Minority Spokesperson for Finance, Dr Ben Kunbuor, argued that the $62 million contribution by the government should not be allowed to be part of the committee's report since it was not a loan.
He called for the rejection of the committee's report because the House would be endorsing an illegality.
When the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Nii Daku Adu Mante, attempted to alter the original $43.15 million loan as indicated on the Order Paper to $37.15 million, the Minority rejected this, saying that the chairman had no power to do that without the consent of the other members of committee.
The Speaker at that stage stood the motion down and asked the leadership of the Joint Committee of Finance, Defence and Interior, which deliberated on the loan, to go back and confer in order to adopt a compromise stand on the matter.
When they came back to the House, they had agreed to decouple the $62-million government contribution from the loan agreement, while the $43.15 million loan agreement had been reduced to $31,577,500.
So deafening was the voices of both the Majority and Minority when the Speaker called for the endorsement or otherwise of the report that he resorted to the headcount to settle the matter.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
IT took Parliament more than six hours intensive debate to approve a $31,577,500 loan agreement between the government and Societe Generale (SG) of Paris for the purchase of two aircraft as part of a strategic plan to re-equip the Communication Squadron of the Ghana Air Force.
Speaker Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes had to call for a headcount to decide on the matter after the voice vote had produced no clear winner. After the headcount, a majority decision of 118 votes against 63 won the day before the House adjourned for the Easter break.
Within a period of more than six hours, the Speaker and his First and Second deputies, Mr Freddie Blay and Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, respectively took turns to steer the affairs of the debate.
In addition to the loan from SG, the government is providing $62 million from its budget as part of its contribution for the purchase of the two aircraft.
The Majority, led by the Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, argued that it was necessary to acquire the two aircraft for the Air Force, while the Minority, led by its Spokesperson on Defence and Interior, Alhaji Abubakari Sumani, contended that the two planes were not the types urgently needed by the Air Force.
Alhaji Sumani said the House had to deal with the unconstitutionality of the contract entered into by the government since Ghana paid five per cent of the total amount involved soon after the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, appended his signature to the contract.
He said instead of the government buying the two aircraft for the cost of $105,150 million, it would have been better for the country to have purchase the four other aircraft requested by the Air Force at a total cost of $90,731,969.
He wondered why the government was bent on purchasing the two planes to the exclusion of the other four, which he considered as very important for use by the Air Force.
Alhaji Sumani noted that Ghanaians were baffled as to why the president was in a hurry to purchase a presidential jet when he was about to leave office and called on all Ghanaians who cared for the nation to reject the use of scarce state resources for the purchase of a presidential jet.
Replying, Mr Kan-Dapaah explained that the choice of purchasing the aircraft was made according to the recommendation made by the Ghana Air Force and not because the government was bent on buying those types of aircraft.
He added that the average age of the various aircraft of the Air Force was 30 years and said the country therefore had no choice but to purchase new ones in order not to ground the operations of the force by 2010.
Mr Kan-Dapaah stated that the Ghana Air Force had always operated a Presidential Jet, adding that "It is not possible to conduct modern day business without a presidential jet".
He said it was unfortunate that the Minority was creating an impression that the economy of the country would come to halt when the aircraft were purchased, explaining that by the terms of the agreement the country would pay $1.856 million this year towards the payment for the two jets.
"We should have the courage now to buy the aircraft to save our presidents from travelling to neighbouring countries to connect flights to their destinations to transact business on behalf of the state," he said.
When he took his turn in the debate, the Minority Spokesperson for Finance, Dr Ben Kunbuor, argued that the $62 million contribution by the government should not be allowed to be part of the committee's report since it was not a loan.
He called for the rejection of the committee's report because the House would be endorsing an illegality.
When the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Nii Daku Adu Mante, attempted to alter the original $43.15 million loan as indicated on the Order Paper to $37.15 million, the Minority rejected this, saying that the chairman had no power to do that without the consent of the other members of committee.
The Speaker at that stage stood the motion down and asked the leadership of the Joint Committee of Finance, Defence and Interior, which deliberated on the loan, to go back and confer in order to adopt a compromise stand on the matter.
When they came back to the House, they had agreed to decouple the $62-million government contribution from the loan agreement, while the $43.15 million loan agreement had been reduced to $31,577,500.
So deafening was the voices of both the Majority and Minority when the Speaker called for the endorsement or otherwise of the report that he resorted to the headcount to settle the matter.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Minority opposes arrangement for purchase id aircraft
Page 3, March 19. 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minority in Parliament said yesterday that while it was not against the re-equipping of the Ghana Air Force, it is opposed to the whole arrangement of the planned purchase of the aircraft because it is unconstitutional, lacks clarity and insensitive to the real needs of the country.
At a press conference to state the position of the Minority in Parliament, the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, said what was before the House was not an application for the acquisition of aircraft for the Ghana Air Force but the acquisition of two luxury aircraft for “Presidential comfort”.
He explained that the first aircraft, a luxurious Falcon 900 Ex Easy, with a capacity of only 12 passengers, was being purchased at the cost of $43,150,00 with a buyer’s credit of $37,150,000 from Societe Generale of Paris, while Ghana was making available a budgetary amount of $6 million. The loan is repayable within five years.
Mr Bagbin said the Corporate Jet was also being financed from a loan of $52 million from an undisclosed source and an additional government support of $10 million.
“The Minority take issue with the purchase of the two luxury aircraft at this time of HIPC, where the refrain for failure to execute projects is ‘when funds are available’,” he said.
He said it was important not only to look at the legalities or otherwise of the transaction, but also to examine “the issue of how trustees of political power use the resources of the society for their personal interest in preference to the interest of the disadvantaged members of the society”.
Mr Bagbin explained that the House had been called upon to approve the report of a joint parliamentary committee and resolve to mandate the government to purchase 1 Unit 319 ER Corporate Jet from Airbus Industry at the cost of $62 million and 1 Unit Falcon 900 Ex Easy aircraft from Aviation SA at the cost of $43.14 million
The acquisition, according to the government’s memo and the Parliamentary Committee report, was being done in “pursuit of the Ghana Armed Forces five-year strategic development plan spanning 2005-2010”.
He said it was important to know that in 2003, Parliament approved a $55-million Barclays loan from which four transporter helicopters were purchased, while the Gulf Stream III was also exchanged for K8 Chinese –made trainer/light attack military jets and one flight simulator for the Ghana Air Force.
He said the sale contract of the current transaction between the government and the Dassault Aviation SA was signed on February 13, 2008 by the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, and officials of the company and explained that the payment schedule of the contract stipulated that five per cent of the price due must be paid on signature.
The payment of deposit which involved the withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Fund without parliamentary approval contravened Articles 178 and 181 of the 1992 Constitution.
“It is ironic that the very same people who raised objections in 1999 to the NDC acquisition of the Gulf Stream on grounds of misplaced priority are today asking Parliament and the nation to approve the acquisition of two luxurious Presidential Aircraft whose costs are exorbitantly higher than that of the Gulf Stream,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Majority in Parliament is to hold a press conference today apparently to respond to issues raised by the Minority on the issue.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minority in Parliament said yesterday that while it was not against the re-equipping of the Ghana Air Force, it is opposed to the whole arrangement of the planned purchase of the aircraft because it is unconstitutional, lacks clarity and insensitive to the real needs of the country.
At a press conference to state the position of the Minority in Parliament, the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, said what was before the House was not an application for the acquisition of aircraft for the Ghana Air Force but the acquisition of two luxury aircraft for “Presidential comfort”.
He explained that the first aircraft, a luxurious Falcon 900 Ex Easy, with a capacity of only 12 passengers, was being purchased at the cost of $43,150,00 with a buyer’s credit of $37,150,000 from Societe Generale of Paris, while Ghana was making available a budgetary amount of $6 million. The loan is repayable within five years.
Mr Bagbin said the Corporate Jet was also being financed from a loan of $52 million from an undisclosed source and an additional government support of $10 million.
“The Minority take issue with the purchase of the two luxury aircraft at this time of HIPC, where the refrain for failure to execute projects is ‘when funds are available’,” he said.
He said it was important not only to look at the legalities or otherwise of the transaction, but also to examine “the issue of how trustees of political power use the resources of the society for their personal interest in preference to the interest of the disadvantaged members of the society”.
Mr Bagbin explained that the House had been called upon to approve the report of a joint parliamentary committee and resolve to mandate the government to purchase 1 Unit 319 ER Corporate Jet from Airbus Industry at the cost of $62 million and 1 Unit Falcon 900 Ex Easy aircraft from Aviation SA at the cost of $43.14 million
The acquisition, according to the government’s memo and the Parliamentary Committee report, was being done in “pursuit of the Ghana Armed Forces five-year strategic development plan spanning 2005-2010”.
He said it was important to know that in 2003, Parliament approved a $55-million Barclays loan from which four transporter helicopters were purchased, while the Gulf Stream III was also exchanged for K8 Chinese –made trainer/light attack military jets and one flight simulator for the Ghana Air Force.
He said the sale contract of the current transaction between the government and the Dassault Aviation SA was signed on February 13, 2008 by the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, and officials of the company and explained that the payment schedule of the contract stipulated that five per cent of the price due must be paid on signature.
The payment of deposit which involved the withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Fund without parliamentary approval contravened Articles 178 and 181 of the 1992 Constitution.
“It is ironic that the very same people who raised objections in 1999 to the NDC acquisition of the Gulf Stream on grounds of misplaced priority are today asking Parliament and the nation to approve the acquisition of two luxurious Presidential Aircraft whose costs are exorbitantly higher than that of the Gulf Stream,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Majority in Parliament is to hold a press conference today apparently to respond to issues raised by the Minority on the issue.
House to lose veterans, So far 14 MPs not seeking re-election
Frontpage, March 18. 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Albert K. Salia
AS the country prepares for the next general election in December, it is now clear that the next Parliament will miss the services of at least 14 experienced parliamentarians who have publicly declared their intention not to seek re-election.
The number could, however, go up in the event of some of the experienced ones either losing out during their respective party primaries or the parliamentary elections in December.
Among the 14 experienced parliamentarians not seeking re-election are three National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs who have been in Parliament since 1993.
They are Mr Samuel Sallas-Mensah, Upper West Akim, Mr Ken Dzirasah, South Tongu, and Mr Francis Agbotse, Ho West.
From the New Patriotic Party (NPP) side, veteran MPs who will not seek re-election are Mr J.H. Mensah, Sunyani East, Mrs Gladys Asmah, Takoradi, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Akyem Oda, Nana Akufo-Addo, Abuakwa South, Ms Theresa Amerley Tagoe, Ablekuma South, Mr S.K. Boafo, Subin, Mr Kwamena Bartels, Ablekuma North, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Offinso North, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Manhyia, Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Sunyani West, and Mrs Grace Coleman, Effiduase-Asokore.
So far, seven veteran MPs have indicated their intention to continue to be part of the next Parliament and bring their experience to bear on parliamentary proceedings.
They are Mr Alban Bagbin, NDC MP for Nadowli West, Mr E.T. Mensah, NDC MP for Ningo/Prampram, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, NPP MP for New Juaben, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, NDC MP for Avenor-Ave, Mr John Akologu Tia, NDC MP for Talensi, Mr Ishmael Ashietey, NPP MP for Tema East, and Mr G.K.B. Gbediame, NDC MP for Nkwanta South.
Mr Sallas-Mensah, who has been in Parliament for 15 years, told the Daily Graphic, “I think I have served my people to the best of my ability and it is now time to quit and allow others to come in and pay their due.”
He said he took the decision not to contest again soon after the 2004 elections.
“I think enough is enough,” he said, adding, “I think I have done my national service. I want to work in another area. It could be within the executive when the NDC comes to power or any other public office or civil organisation.”
He thanked his constituents for the trust they had reposed in him all these years, even though he was not an indigene but just a resident of the area.
Ms Tagoe, whose announcement that she would not contest the seat took many by surprise, has been in Parliament since 1997.
The 64-year-old MP said her decision was based on pressure being mounted on her by her children to quit in order to have time to rest after more than 12 years of active politics.
Ms Tagoe also told the Daily Graphic, “I feel it is now time for me to give a chance to the up-and-coming politicians in the constituency to contribute their quota towards national development.”.
She said the young ones who had been on the sidelines since the country returned to multi-party democracy should now be encouraged to build on the foundation she had laid over the years.
She, however, admitted that the rate at which experienced MPs were leaving the legislature was not the best for the growth of parliamentary democracy in the country.
Ms Tagoe described Parliament as a classroom where MPs had to learn, “so if people come and go just like that, it will not augur well for the human resource development of the legislature”.
For the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Adjei-Darko, his decision not to contest the Sunyani West seat he had occupied since 1997 was taken in 2004.
“If I decide to contest the seat during the forthcoming election, I will win outright because my deeds will carry me through,” he stated.
But, according to him, he had decided not to contest again because “I consider my tenure in Parliament as a stage. I have played my part and it is important for me to give way for others to come and play their part”.
Mr Adjei-Darko explained that when a person reached his peak, it was better for him to realise it and quit before he began to fall.
The MP stated, however, that he was not quitting parliamentary practice and politics all together, since he would be around to offer assistance to his successor.
He thanked his constituents for giving him the mandate to serve them in Parliament for three terms.
Unlike his colleagues who had given up their seats, the Minority Chief Whip, Mr Tia, who has been an MP since the country returned to constitutional rule in 1993, has decided to contest the seat for the fifth time.
The MP, who started as a back bencher in 1993, has risen through the NDC leadership in the House to become the Minority Chief Whip. He is one of the few MPs in the House who are going to contest for the fifth time.
In fact, Mr Tia is known among his peers as “a regional MP” due to his commitment not only to his constituency but also the whole Upper West Region.
He told the Daily Graphic that he did not have a personal drive to contest the seat and that his fifth attempt was a decision from the rank and file of members of the NDC from his constituency and the national leadership, saying that,
according to them, “I have performed well as an MP and there is still more that they will gain from me if I win the seat for the fifth time.”
He said a survey conducted by the NDC executive of the constituency revealed that the people “still need me as their MP”.
Secondly, Mr Tia said if parliamentary democracy was to be entrenched, there should be a precedence that people could refer to.
He explained that the country’s democratic dispensation could be seen to be maturing if the wish of the majority of the people was carried through and not that of a few minority.
Mr Tia stated that the high rate at which MPs were being changed during every election was a threat to the development of the country’s legislative structures.
“My third motivation is, therefore, to see most of the experienced MPs being retained in the next Parliament to enable them to become sources of inspiration and information on parliamentary practice and procedure to the incoming ones,” he said.
He stated that it had taken Parliament a lot of effort to ensure consensus building between the Minority and the Majority and attributed that to the experience of some MPs from both sides of the House.
One of the MPs on the NPP side of the House whose skills in debating have won admiration is the MP for Asante Akim North, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu.
As the current Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, he has been responsible for the presentation and defence of the government’s economic and financial policies in the House since 2005.
Already he has won the seat for three consecutive times and is now poised to contest the party’s primary to give him the mandate to contest the seat for the fourth time.
Although some members of the party in the constituency are poised to contest the big man, Mr Baah-Wiredu said he was not deterred “because democracy thrives on competition”.
He told the Daily Graphic that he still had an unfinished business, both for the constituency and the party, and that had informed his wish to contest for the fourth time.
He advised people who would be in the next Parliament to strive to have a total grip of the House’s Standing Orders and the provisions of the Constitution to enable them to contribute to debates on the floor of the House from an informed position.
The Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, who is seeking election for the fifth time, is one of many MPs who are unhappy that many of the experienced sitting MPs were not seeking re-election.
He said for parliamentary democracy to be consolidated and entrenched, “we need pillars not only in terms of institutions but the human resource whose expertise must be tapped for the general good of all”.
Mr Bagbin said in a Parliament where there was a high attrition rate, there was barely any institutional growth as the institution kept on re-inventing the wheel.
“It is on that basis that I call on my colleagues contemplating not to seek re-election to reconsider their decisions and let us continue to serve Mother Ghana,” he pleaded.
He said it was an honour to serve one’s people and country, for which reason he would forever be grateful to the people of his constituency and Ghanaians for giving him the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.
The Minority Leader said he entered Parliament in January 1993 with abundant zeal and enthusiasm to make an impact on his constituents in terms of physical and human development.
“By the grace of God I had ample opportunity to serve not just my people in the constituency but the cause of humanity in general. I started as MP in Ghana and now I’ve been MP in the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) since 2001, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association since 2001 by virtue of my position as Minority Leader, a founder member of the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), served with the African Parliamentarian Network Against Corruption, among others,” he said.
“With this kind of exposure and opportunity, I find myself amassing a lot of political capital, giving me experience, expertise and the right linkages globally,” he added..
The MP for South Tongu, Mr Kenneth Dzirasah, also one of the longest serving MPs since the return of constitutional democracy in 1993, said his decision not to seek re-election was based on his determination to give way to young people in the constituency to have a feel of leadership.
Although he subscribed to MPs being in Parliament for long, he said such MPs must give way when age was not on their side and also realise the fact that they could not be leaders in perpetuity.
“For this reason, I decided I will step down for others to come in to contribute their quota in Parliament and the country,” he said.
He said he would be available to offer his services to the new Parliament in any position.
For his part, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor said although he would not contest the elections, he would continue to work towards the development of the area and the country as a whole, Michael Donkor reports
He said two people had so far shown interest in contesting his seat on the ticket of the NPP and described the two as intelligent with a strong commitment to the development of the area.
‘I expect a peaceful contest in Manhyia and promise to fully support whoever wins to maintain the seat for the NPP.” Dr Addo-Kufuor declared.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Albert K. Salia
AS the country prepares for the next general election in December, it is now clear that the next Parliament will miss the services of at least 14 experienced parliamentarians who have publicly declared their intention not to seek re-election.
The number could, however, go up in the event of some of the experienced ones either losing out during their respective party primaries or the parliamentary elections in December.
Among the 14 experienced parliamentarians not seeking re-election are three National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs who have been in Parliament since 1993.
They are Mr Samuel Sallas-Mensah, Upper West Akim, Mr Ken Dzirasah, South Tongu, and Mr Francis Agbotse, Ho West.
From the New Patriotic Party (NPP) side, veteran MPs who will not seek re-election are Mr J.H. Mensah, Sunyani East, Mrs Gladys Asmah, Takoradi, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Akyem Oda, Nana Akufo-Addo, Abuakwa South, Ms Theresa Amerley Tagoe, Ablekuma South, Mr S.K. Boafo, Subin, Mr Kwamena Bartels, Ablekuma North, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Offinso North, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Manhyia, Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Sunyani West, and Mrs Grace Coleman, Effiduase-Asokore.
So far, seven veteran MPs have indicated their intention to continue to be part of the next Parliament and bring their experience to bear on parliamentary proceedings.
They are Mr Alban Bagbin, NDC MP for Nadowli West, Mr E.T. Mensah, NDC MP for Ningo/Prampram, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, NPP MP for New Juaben, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, NDC MP for Avenor-Ave, Mr John Akologu Tia, NDC MP for Talensi, Mr Ishmael Ashietey, NPP MP for Tema East, and Mr G.K.B. Gbediame, NDC MP for Nkwanta South.
Mr Sallas-Mensah, who has been in Parliament for 15 years, told the Daily Graphic, “I think I have served my people to the best of my ability and it is now time to quit and allow others to come in and pay their due.”
He said he took the decision not to contest again soon after the 2004 elections.
“I think enough is enough,” he said, adding, “I think I have done my national service. I want to work in another area. It could be within the executive when the NDC comes to power or any other public office or civil organisation.”
He thanked his constituents for the trust they had reposed in him all these years, even though he was not an indigene but just a resident of the area.
Ms Tagoe, whose announcement that she would not contest the seat took many by surprise, has been in Parliament since 1997.
The 64-year-old MP said her decision was based on pressure being mounted on her by her children to quit in order to have time to rest after more than 12 years of active politics.
Ms Tagoe also told the Daily Graphic, “I feel it is now time for me to give a chance to the up-and-coming politicians in the constituency to contribute their quota towards national development.”.
She said the young ones who had been on the sidelines since the country returned to multi-party democracy should now be encouraged to build on the foundation she had laid over the years.
She, however, admitted that the rate at which experienced MPs were leaving the legislature was not the best for the growth of parliamentary democracy in the country.
Ms Tagoe described Parliament as a classroom where MPs had to learn, “so if people come and go just like that, it will not augur well for the human resource development of the legislature”.
For the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Adjei-Darko, his decision not to contest the Sunyani West seat he had occupied since 1997 was taken in 2004.
“If I decide to contest the seat during the forthcoming election, I will win outright because my deeds will carry me through,” he stated.
But, according to him, he had decided not to contest again because “I consider my tenure in Parliament as a stage. I have played my part and it is important for me to give way for others to come and play their part”.
Mr Adjei-Darko explained that when a person reached his peak, it was better for him to realise it and quit before he began to fall.
The MP stated, however, that he was not quitting parliamentary practice and politics all together, since he would be around to offer assistance to his successor.
He thanked his constituents for giving him the mandate to serve them in Parliament for three terms.
Unlike his colleagues who had given up their seats, the Minority Chief Whip, Mr Tia, who has been an MP since the country returned to constitutional rule in 1993, has decided to contest the seat for the fifth time.
The MP, who started as a back bencher in 1993, has risen through the NDC leadership in the House to become the Minority Chief Whip. He is one of the few MPs in the House who are going to contest for the fifth time.
In fact, Mr Tia is known among his peers as “a regional MP” due to his commitment not only to his constituency but also the whole Upper West Region.
He told the Daily Graphic that he did not have a personal drive to contest the seat and that his fifth attempt was a decision from the rank and file of members of the NDC from his constituency and the national leadership, saying that,
according to them, “I have performed well as an MP and there is still more that they will gain from me if I win the seat for the fifth time.”
He said a survey conducted by the NDC executive of the constituency revealed that the people “still need me as their MP”.
Secondly, Mr Tia said if parliamentary democracy was to be entrenched, there should be a precedence that people could refer to.
He explained that the country’s democratic dispensation could be seen to be maturing if the wish of the majority of the people was carried through and not that of a few minority.
Mr Tia stated that the high rate at which MPs were being changed during every election was a threat to the development of the country’s legislative structures.
“My third motivation is, therefore, to see most of the experienced MPs being retained in the next Parliament to enable them to become sources of inspiration and information on parliamentary practice and procedure to the incoming ones,” he said.
He stated that it had taken Parliament a lot of effort to ensure consensus building between the Minority and the Majority and attributed that to the experience of some MPs from both sides of the House.
One of the MPs on the NPP side of the House whose skills in debating have won admiration is the MP for Asante Akim North, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu.
As the current Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, he has been responsible for the presentation and defence of the government’s economic and financial policies in the House since 2005.
Already he has won the seat for three consecutive times and is now poised to contest the party’s primary to give him the mandate to contest the seat for the fourth time.
Although some members of the party in the constituency are poised to contest the big man, Mr Baah-Wiredu said he was not deterred “because democracy thrives on competition”.
He told the Daily Graphic that he still had an unfinished business, both for the constituency and the party, and that had informed his wish to contest for the fourth time.
He advised people who would be in the next Parliament to strive to have a total grip of the House’s Standing Orders and the provisions of the Constitution to enable them to contribute to debates on the floor of the House from an informed position.
The Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, who is seeking election for the fifth time, is one of many MPs who are unhappy that many of the experienced sitting MPs were not seeking re-election.
He said for parliamentary democracy to be consolidated and entrenched, “we need pillars not only in terms of institutions but the human resource whose expertise must be tapped for the general good of all”.
Mr Bagbin said in a Parliament where there was a high attrition rate, there was barely any institutional growth as the institution kept on re-inventing the wheel.
“It is on that basis that I call on my colleagues contemplating not to seek re-election to reconsider their decisions and let us continue to serve Mother Ghana,” he pleaded.
He said it was an honour to serve one’s people and country, for which reason he would forever be grateful to the people of his constituency and Ghanaians for giving him the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.
The Minority Leader said he entered Parliament in January 1993 with abundant zeal and enthusiasm to make an impact on his constituents in terms of physical and human development.
“By the grace of God I had ample opportunity to serve not just my people in the constituency but the cause of humanity in general. I started as MP in Ghana and now I’ve been MP in the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) since 2001, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association since 2001 by virtue of my position as Minority Leader, a founder member of the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), served with the African Parliamentarian Network Against Corruption, among others,” he said.
“With this kind of exposure and opportunity, I find myself amassing a lot of political capital, giving me experience, expertise and the right linkages globally,” he added..
The MP for South Tongu, Mr Kenneth Dzirasah, also one of the longest serving MPs since the return of constitutional democracy in 1993, said his decision not to seek re-election was based on his determination to give way to young people in the constituency to have a feel of leadership.
Although he subscribed to MPs being in Parliament for long, he said such MPs must give way when age was not on their side and also realise the fact that they could not be leaders in perpetuity.
“For this reason, I decided I will step down for others to come in to contribute their quota in Parliament and the country,” he said.
He said he would be available to offer his services to the new Parliament in any position.
For his part, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor said although he would not contest the elections, he would continue to work towards the development of the area and the country as a whole, Michael Donkor reports
He said two people had so far shown interest in contesting his seat on the ticket of the NPP and described the two as intelligent with a strong commitment to the development of the area.
‘I expect a peaceful contest in Manhyia and promise to fully support whoever wins to maintain the seat for the NPP.” Dr Addo-Kufuor declared.
Monday, March 17, 2008
NPP deserves another mandate-Ashitey
Page 16, March 17, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema East, Mr Ishmael Ashitey, has said the party deserves to be given another mandate since it had kept faith with its electoral promise to seek the welfare of the people.
He said the implementation of a number of programmes such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme and the construction of numerous social infrastructure across the country were visible indication of the party’s commitment to the needs of the people.
Mr Ashitey who is seeking to be elected to Parliament for the fourth time said the record of the party,coupled with his own zeal to solve problems confronting people in the constituency would enable him to win the seat once again.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on his achievements as MP, Mr Ashitey stated that more than GH¢100,000 of his share of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund and other funds had been used for a number of projects which had gone a long way to alleviate the plight of the people.
He mentioned the establishment of a youth training centre, post office and the renovation of the Presbyterian Primary, TMA JHS, Methodist Primary and the Police Station, all at Tema Manhean as part of the projects he had undertaken during his term in Parliament.
At Tema Community I, the MP said the Anglican Primary School, Mante Din Primary School, Padmore Primary School, Twedease Primary School, TMA Day Nursery and the Police Station had all been rehabilitated while a canteen had also been constructed for the Mante Din Primary School.
In addition, the two schools at Communities 7 and 8 had been provided with electricity with one of them being provided with a 25-seater water closet place of convenience.
Mr Ashitey stated that almost all schools in the constituency had been provided with dual desks while for the first time a warehouse had been constructed at the Canoe Landing Beach while a bridge had also been built across the Chemu Lagoon.
The MP stated that from his share of the common fund, the premium of 420 needy people had been paid under the NHIS, while 512 needy brilliant students had been assisted with monies ranging between GH¢50.00 and GH¢1,200.00 to enable them continue their academic pursuits.
Mr Ashitey thanked his constituents for the confidence reposed in him, and expressed the hope that he would win the primary and go on to win the seat for the fourth time.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema East, Mr Ishmael Ashitey, has said the party deserves to be given another mandate since it had kept faith with its electoral promise to seek the welfare of the people.
He said the implementation of a number of programmes such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme and the construction of numerous social infrastructure across the country were visible indication of the party’s commitment to the needs of the people.
Mr Ashitey who is seeking to be elected to Parliament for the fourth time said the record of the party,coupled with his own zeal to solve problems confronting people in the constituency would enable him to win the seat once again.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on his achievements as MP, Mr Ashitey stated that more than GH¢100,000 of his share of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund and other funds had been used for a number of projects which had gone a long way to alleviate the plight of the people.
He mentioned the establishment of a youth training centre, post office and the renovation of the Presbyterian Primary, TMA JHS, Methodist Primary and the Police Station, all at Tema Manhean as part of the projects he had undertaken during his term in Parliament.
At Tema Community I, the MP said the Anglican Primary School, Mante Din Primary School, Padmore Primary School, Twedease Primary School, TMA Day Nursery and the Police Station had all been rehabilitated while a canteen had also been constructed for the Mante Din Primary School.
In addition, the two schools at Communities 7 and 8 had been provided with electricity with one of them being provided with a 25-seater water closet place of convenience.
Mr Ashitey stated that almost all schools in the constituency had been provided with dual desks while for the first time a warehouse had been constructed at the Canoe Landing Beach while a bridge had also been built across the Chemu Lagoon.
The MP stated that from his share of the common fund, the premium of 420 needy people had been paid under the NHIS, while 512 needy brilliant students had been assisted with monies ranging between GH¢50.00 and GH¢1,200.00 to enable them continue their academic pursuits.
Mr Ashitey thanked his constituents for the confidence reposed in him, and expressed the hope that he would win the primary and go on to win the seat for the fourth time.
Popular participation in governance- The district assembly factor (feature)
Page 26, March 15, 2008
Article: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
GHANA’s decentralisation process was initiated prior to the re-introduction of partisan party politics in the country in the early 1990s.
In 1988, the PNDC government introduced a major legislative reform, the Local Government Law (PNDC Law 207) which increased the existing 65 districts to 110 throughout the country’s 10 regions, with non-partisan district assembly elections held initially in 1988/89 and subsequently every four years (1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006).
In addition to the two-thirds of assembly members elected on an individual, non-party basis, one-third was appointed by the central government, along with a chief executive for each district.
In 2005, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government increased the number of the assemblies to 138 until the creation of new assemblies recently to further increase the number to 170.
The idea to create more districts is to get more people involved in the decision-making process for them to own their own development process.
The stated aim of the 1988 Local Government Law was “to promote popular participation and ownership of the machinery of government by devolving power, competence and resource/means to the district level.”
The 1992 Constitution which marked the transition to multi-party democracy at the national level, endorsed the 1988 reforms. It consolidated the aim of decentralisation within the overall context of a liberal democratic constitution, yet essential democratic elements remained compromised, especially through the retention of presidential appointments and non-partisan local elections.
The 1992 Constitution and the Local Government Act of 1993 gave six broad functions of the district assemblies as follows:
*To give political and administrative guidance, give direction and to supervise all other administrative authorities in the district;
*To exercise deliberative, legislative and executive functions;
*To be responsible for overall development of the district and ensure the preparation of (a) development plans of the district, and (b) the budget of the district related to the approved plans; Effective mobilisation of the resources necessary for overall development of the district;
* Promotion of productive activity and social development;
* To co-ordinate, integrate and harmonise the execution of programmes and projects under approved development plans for the district and other development programmes promoted or carried out by ministries, departments, public corporations and other statutory bodies and non-governmental organisations in the district.
Despite adherence to the rhetoric of decentralisation, the political commitment of national governments to the devolution of power to local authorities is often limited. It is evident that the autonomy of local government is compromised and undermined in a number of ways, indicating that the central government control remains very real.
Recent incidents in some parts of the country where government appointees of certain district assemblies whose appointments were terminated because they opposed the appointments of district chief executives (DCEs) can be cited as examples.
The District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) is one way of transferring economic power to the district assemblies, as it enables them to determine their development priorities.
However, after 20 years of vigorous decentralisation, there are still problems that need to be tackled to make the process more effective to achieve its objectives.
The central government still controls some aspects of statutory funding of the district assemblies. Sometimes, before the DACF is transferred, some deductions are made.
The DCEs owe allegiance to the President who appoints them. Instead of becoming accountable to the people, they always look to the central administration so most of their actions are informed by political expediency.
The way forward is to elect DCEs who would be acceptable to the people. If this is done, the DCEs would always campaign openly and present their positions on the development challenges facing the country.
An elected DCE is not likely to face interference from the central government in policy decision-making. A case in point is the exercise embarked upon by some metropolitan assemblies to decongest the cities. The central government interfered with this exercise for political expediency.
In this part of the world, people are divided along political lines and, therefore, in a unitary state, the chances that an elected DCE is likely to undermine the policies of the central government cannot be ruled out.
But a way can be found out of the circumstance since district assemblies are to have development plans that fit into the national agenda, so they cannot undermine the development efforts of the central government.
The country’s development would be enhanced if more power is transferred from the central government to the localities.
It is the hope of this writer that the decentralisation process would be further deepened to ensure that governance is brought to the doorsteps of the people to make them to participate actively in decisions affecting their development.
Some of the new districts and their capitals are Birim South with Akyem Swedru as the capital; Upper Manya-capital, Asesewa; Kwahu East-capital, Abetifi; Shama-capital, Shama; Prestea-Huni Valley-capital, Bogoso; Sefwi Akotombra-capital, Sefwi Akontombra; Gomoa East-capital, Afransi; Awutu Senya-capital, Awutu Breku; Upper Denkyira West-capital, Diaso; Biakoye-capital, Nkonya; Ketu North-capital, Dzodze, and Nkwanta North-capital, Kpasa.
Others include Offinso North-capital, Akomadan; Atwima Kwanwoma-capital, Twedie; Kumawu Afram Plains-capital, Kumawu; Nsuta Kwaman Beposo-capital, Nsuta; Afigya-Kwabre-capital, Kodie; Bosome Freho-capital, Asiwa; Sunyani West-capital, Odumase; Dormaa East-capital, Wamfie; Nkoranza North-capital, Busunya; Cheriponi-capital, Cheriponi; Kpandai-capital, Kpandai; Lambussie Karni-capital, Lambussie, and Kassena Nankana-capital, Paga.
Article: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
GHANA’s decentralisation process was initiated prior to the re-introduction of partisan party politics in the country in the early 1990s.
In 1988, the PNDC government introduced a major legislative reform, the Local Government Law (PNDC Law 207) which increased the existing 65 districts to 110 throughout the country’s 10 regions, with non-partisan district assembly elections held initially in 1988/89 and subsequently every four years (1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006).
In addition to the two-thirds of assembly members elected on an individual, non-party basis, one-third was appointed by the central government, along with a chief executive for each district.
In 2005, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government increased the number of the assemblies to 138 until the creation of new assemblies recently to further increase the number to 170.
The idea to create more districts is to get more people involved in the decision-making process for them to own their own development process.
The stated aim of the 1988 Local Government Law was “to promote popular participation and ownership of the machinery of government by devolving power, competence and resource/means to the district level.”
The 1992 Constitution which marked the transition to multi-party democracy at the national level, endorsed the 1988 reforms. It consolidated the aim of decentralisation within the overall context of a liberal democratic constitution, yet essential democratic elements remained compromised, especially through the retention of presidential appointments and non-partisan local elections.
The 1992 Constitution and the Local Government Act of 1993 gave six broad functions of the district assemblies as follows:
*To give political and administrative guidance, give direction and to supervise all other administrative authorities in the district;
*To exercise deliberative, legislative and executive functions;
*To be responsible for overall development of the district and ensure the preparation of (a) development plans of the district, and (b) the budget of the district related to the approved plans; Effective mobilisation of the resources necessary for overall development of the district;
* Promotion of productive activity and social development;
* To co-ordinate, integrate and harmonise the execution of programmes and projects under approved development plans for the district and other development programmes promoted or carried out by ministries, departments, public corporations and other statutory bodies and non-governmental organisations in the district.
Despite adherence to the rhetoric of decentralisation, the political commitment of national governments to the devolution of power to local authorities is often limited. It is evident that the autonomy of local government is compromised and undermined in a number of ways, indicating that the central government control remains very real.
Recent incidents in some parts of the country where government appointees of certain district assemblies whose appointments were terminated because they opposed the appointments of district chief executives (DCEs) can be cited as examples.
The District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) is one way of transferring economic power to the district assemblies, as it enables them to determine their development priorities.
However, after 20 years of vigorous decentralisation, there are still problems that need to be tackled to make the process more effective to achieve its objectives.
The central government still controls some aspects of statutory funding of the district assemblies. Sometimes, before the DACF is transferred, some deductions are made.
The DCEs owe allegiance to the President who appoints them. Instead of becoming accountable to the people, they always look to the central administration so most of their actions are informed by political expediency.
The way forward is to elect DCEs who would be acceptable to the people. If this is done, the DCEs would always campaign openly and present their positions on the development challenges facing the country.
An elected DCE is not likely to face interference from the central government in policy decision-making. A case in point is the exercise embarked upon by some metropolitan assemblies to decongest the cities. The central government interfered with this exercise for political expediency.
In this part of the world, people are divided along political lines and, therefore, in a unitary state, the chances that an elected DCE is likely to undermine the policies of the central government cannot be ruled out.
But a way can be found out of the circumstance since district assemblies are to have development plans that fit into the national agenda, so they cannot undermine the development efforts of the central government.
The country’s development would be enhanced if more power is transferred from the central government to the localities.
It is the hope of this writer that the decentralisation process would be further deepened to ensure that governance is brought to the doorsteps of the people to make them to participate actively in decisions affecting their development.
Some of the new districts and their capitals are Birim South with Akyem Swedru as the capital; Upper Manya-capital, Asesewa; Kwahu East-capital, Abetifi; Shama-capital, Shama; Prestea-Huni Valley-capital, Bogoso; Sefwi Akotombra-capital, Sefwi Akontombra; Gomoa East-capital, Afransi; Awutu Senya-capital, Awutu Breku; Upper Denkyira West-capital, Diaso; Biakoye-capital, Nkonya; Ketu North-capital, Dzodze, and Nkwanta North-capital, Kpasa.
Others include Offinso North-capital, Akomadan; Atwima Kwanwoma-capital, Twedie; Kumawu Afram Plains-capital, Kumawu; Nsuta Kwaman Beposo-capital, Nsuta; Afigya-Kwabre-capital, Kodie; Bosome Freho-capital, Asiwa; Sunyani West-capital, Odumase; Dormaa East-capital, Wamfie; Nkoranza North-capital, Busunya; Cheriponi-capital, Cheriponi; Kpandai-capital, Kpandai; Lambussie Karni-capital, Lambussie, and Kassena Nankana-capital, Paga.
Lack of accommodation hampers police recruitment
Page 13, March 15, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister of Interior, Mr Kwamena Bartels yesterday told Parliament that the Police Service is unable to recruit more police personnel to man the various districts because of lack of accommodation.
He said the government was, therefore sourcing for funds to enable it provide permanent office and residential accommodation for police stations lacking these facilities.
Mr Bartels said this when he appeared before the House to answer questions posed by a number of Members of Parliament on issues concerning his ministry.
He said most landlords renting their houses to the police were demanding their property back due to low rates being offered them as rents.
Mr Bartels explained that though the issue of the provision of accommodation to the police was the responsibility of both the ministry and district assemblies, they had not been able to meet that obligation due to lack of funds.
Answering a question posed by the MP for Ahafo-Ano South, Mr Stephen Kwaku Balado-Manu, he stated that while efforts were being made to provide accommodation for the police stations lacking such facilities, the district assemblies should assist to provide accommodation to police personnel posted to their areas.
The MP told the House in his question that Mpasaaso Number Two in his constituency currently had only one police officer at post.
He assured the minister that the Ahafo-Ano North District Assembly had made accommodation ready and appealed to him to post more policemen to the area.
In another development, the wanted to enquire MP for Tolon, Mr Razaq A Omar enquired from the minister why a police station, which was built at Tolon in 2004 would be put to use.
Mr Bartels said the station had not been put to use because no accommodation was added to the station when it was constructed and gave assurance that efforts were being made to provide accommodation to ensure that the station was put to use.
He also told the House that the recent decision by the Police Administration to ban police checkpoints with the exception of a few was informed by the behaviour of some policemen who misconduct themselves when they were assigned duties at such checkpoints.
When it was the turn of the MP for Odododiodoo, Mr Jonathan Nii Tackie-Komme the ministry would fence the James Town Police Station to prevent the land from encroachment.
Mr Bartels urged the police personnel at the station to be vigilant to ensure that the land was not encroached upon until the ministry secured funds for the fencing of the station.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu laid four papers before the House for consideration.
They are the Customs, Excise (Duties and other Taxes) (Amendment) Bill, the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, the National Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill and the 2007 Supplementary Appropriation Bill
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister of Interior, Mr Kwamena Bartels yesterday told Parliament that the Police Service is unable to recruit more police personnel to man the various districts because of lack of accommodation.
He said the government was, therefore sourcing for funds to enable it provide permanent office and residential accommodation for police stations lacking these facilities.
Mr Bartels said this when he appeared before the House to answer questions posed by a number of Members of Parliament on issues concerning his ministry.
He said most landlords renting their houses to the police were demanding their property back due to low rates being offered them as rents.
Mr Bartels explained that though the issue of the provision of accommodation to the police was the responsibility of both the ministry and district assemblies, they had not been able to meet that obligation due to lack of funds.
Answering a question posed by the MP for Ahafo-Ano South, Mr Stephen Kwaku Balado-Manu, he stated that while efforts were being made to provide accommodation for the police stations lacking such facilities, the district assemblies should assist to provide accommodation to police personnel posted to their areas.
The MP told the House in his question that Mpasaaso Number Two in his constituency currently had only one police officer at post.
He assured the minister that the Ahafo-Ano North District Assembly had made accommodation ready and appealed to him to post more policemen to the area.
In another development, the wanted to enquire MP for Tolon, Mr Razaq A Omar enquired from the minister why a police station, which was built at Tolon in 2004 would be put to use.
Mr Bartels said the station had not been put to use because no accommodation was added to the station when it was constructed and gave assurance that efforts were being made to provide accommodation to ensure that the station was put to use.
He also told the House that the recent decision by the Police Administration to ban police checkpoints with the exception of a few was informed by the behaviour of some policemen who misconduct themselves when they were assigned duties at such checkpoints.
When it was the turn of the MP for Odododiodoo, Mr Jonathan Nii Tackie-Komme the ministry would fence the James Town Police Station to prevent the land from encroachment.
Mr Bartels urged the police personnel at the station to be vigilant to ensure that the land was not encroached upon until the ministry secured funds for the fencing of the station.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu laid four papers before the House for consideration.
They are the Customs, Excise (Duties and other Taxes) (Amendment) Bill, the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, the National Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill and the 2007 Supplementary Appropriation Bill
Friday, March 14, 2008
Centre donates photocopier to the Library of Parliament
Page 49, March 13, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
The Ghana Parliamentary Committee Support Project Phase 2 (GPCSP II), funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has donated an IR 2020 Canon photocopier worth GH¢5,500 to the library of Parliament as part of its support to the Parliament of Ghana.
The GPCSP II is being implemented by the Canadian Parliamentary Centre in partnership with the Parliament of Ghana and local partner institutions.
Speaking at the presentation, Mrs Marilyn Aniwa of the centre said that the purpose of the project was to strengthen key parliamentary committees including the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Finance Committee (FC), Poverty Reduction Committee, Local Government Committee, Gender and Children Committee and Government Assurances Committee to perform their roles and to promote accountability, transparency and participation in the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) process.
She said the Parliamentary Centre had been working with the Parliament of Ghana to improve its performance since early 1994 adding that “our support is, however, not limited to the six committees, but includes support to other committees, the parliamentary service and staff”.
Mrs Aniwa explained that the centre’s support to parliament had focused mainly on training activities in such areas as macro-economic policy, procedures involved in national budget making and financial accountability measures.
She added that the library of Parliament plays a major role in any jurisdiction, through the provision of accurate information, resources and services such as photocopying, access to the Internet and e-mails to all members of the House.
Mrs Aniwa added that the recent Public Accounts Committee public hearing process required the documentation and photocopying of copious data which requires the use of high performance and efficient equipment.
“ It is in view of the above that the centre finds it expedient to present the photocopier to the library of Parliament to assist in strengthening its work”.
The Clerk of Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Anyimadu, who received machine on behalf of the library, thanked the centre for its continued assistance to the parliamentary committees.
He urged other institutions to emulate the example to strengthen parliament and ensure the rapid growth of the country’s democracy.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
The Ghana Parliamentary Committee Support Project Phase 2 (GPCSP II), funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has donated an IR 2020 Canon photocopier worth GH¢5,500 to the library of Parliament as part of its support to the Parliament of Ghana.
The GPCSP II is being implemented by the Canadian Parliamentary Centre in partnership with the Parliament of Ghana and local partner institutions.
Speaking at the presentation, Mrs Marilyn Aniwa of the centre said that the purpose of the project was to strengthen key parliamentary committees including the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Finance Committee (FC), Poverty Reduction Committee, Local Government Committee, Gender and Children Committee and Government Assurances Committee to perform their roles and to promote accountability, transparency and participation in the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) process.
She said the Parliamentary Centre had been working with the Parliament of Ghana to improve its performance since early 1994 adding that “our support is, however, not limited to the six committees, but includes support to other committees, the parliamentary service and staff”.
Mrs Aniwa explained that the centre’s support to parliament had focused mainly on training activities in such areas as macro-economic policy, procedures involved in national budget making and financial accountability measures.
She added that the library of Parliament plays a major role in any jurisdiction, through the provision of accurate information, resources and services such as photocopying, access to the Internet and e-mails to all members of the House.
Mrs Aniwa added that the recent Public Accounts Committee public hearing process required the documentation and photocopying of copious data which requires the use of high performance and efficient equipment.
“ It is in view of the above that the centre finds it expedient to present the photocopier to the library of Parliament to assist in strengthening its work”.
The Clerk of Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Anyimadu, who received machine on behalf of the library, thanked the centre for its continued assistance to the parliamentary committees.
He urged other institutions to emulate the example to strengthen parliament and ensure the rapid growth of the country’s democracy.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Talktax bill under consideration
Page 16, March 28, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Finance and Communications on the Communications Services Tax Bill was laid before the House for consideration.
The objective of the bill is to impose a communications tax on communication service usage charged to consumers by the communication service providers who are licensed by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
The bill was laid before the House on February 20, 2008 and referred to the committee for consideration and report.
The tax forms part of efforts by the government to widen the tax net in order to increase revenue.
In the report jointly signed by the chairmen of the Finance and Communications committees of the House, Nii Daku Adu Mante and Kojo Armah respectively, members of the joint committee expressed the need for the establishment of an effective mechanism to monitor the systems of communication service providers in order to track down their actual revenues for the purpose of applying the tax.
According to the report, though members of the Minority on the committee actively participated in the consideration of the bill, they expressed their opposition in principle to the imposition of the service tax.
The committee, however, recommended to the House to adopt the report and pass the bill subject to amendments proposed.
The stage is now set for a heated debate on the bill between the Majority members who are expected to argue in favour of the bill and the Minority members who have already indicated their opposition to the bill.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Finance and Communications on the Communications Services Tax Bill was laid before the House for consideration.
The objective of the bill is to impose a communications tax on communication service usage charged to consumers by the communication service providers who are licensed by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
The bill was laid before the House on February 20, 2008 and referred to the committee for consideration and report.
The tax forms part of efforts by the government to widen the tax net in order to increase revenue.
In the report jointly signed by the chairmen of the Finance and Communications committees of the House, Nii Daku Adu Mante and Kojo Armah respectively, members of the joint committee expressed the need for the establishment of an effective mechanism to monitor the systems of communication service providers in order to track down their actual revenues for the purpose of applying the tax.
According to the report, though members of the Minority on the committee actively participated in the consideration of the bill, they expressed their opposition in principle to the imposition of the service tax.
The committee, however, recommended to the House to adopt the report and pass the bill subject to amendments proposed.
The stage is now set for a heated debate on the bill between the Majority members who are expected to argue in favour of the bill and the Minority members who have already indicated their opposition to the bill.
Project for dry season farming designed for three northern regions
Page 15, March 12, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Ministry of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and other donors has designed a project to support dry season production in the three northern regions, the sector minister has announced.
Mr Ernest Akubuor Debrah told Parliament yesterday that the ministry was currently distributing water pumps, PVC pipes, seeds, fertilisers and pesticides to several farmer groups in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions to support production before the rains start.
Mr Debrah was answering questions posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sissala West, Mr Haruna Bayariga, in Parliament yesterday.
The MP had asked the minister whether the ministry had plans to provide resources to farmers in the three regions during the 2008 farming season.
The minister stated that since many farmers in the area lost their crops during the last year’s flood, it was expected that they would not have seeds and other planting material for the 2008 production year.
“My ministry is making all efforts to supply planting material to all such farmers who were affected by the 2007 floods,” he said.
Mr Debrah added that for 2008, the ministry had planned to provide support for the production of selected commodities in all the 10 regions, explaining that that would involve the provision of production inputs that were meant to demonstrate the effectiveness of various technologies to farmers.
The MP for Kintampo North, Mr Stephen Kunsu, asked the minister whether the ministry was taking steps to seek compensation for farmers whose farms were destroyed three years ago during the construction of the New Longoro Irrigation Project near Kintampo.
Mr Debrah stated that the project was one of the 26 irrigation schemes being constructed under the small-scale projects in the country with funding from the African Development Bank and the government.
He explained that the agreement that was signed between the project and the farmers required that the farmers formed an Irrigation Farmers Association (IFA) to acquire the land and show evidence of land ownership as a prerequisite for the commencement of the project.
He added, therefore, that compensation for crops destroyed as a result of the development was to be paid by members of the IFA.
He said that in all the 26 schemes, including the New Longoro one, the government was not responsible for the payment of any compensation.
Mr Debrah also informed the House that the Tomato Processing Promotion Centre project proposed in 2002 to be sited in Techiman as a pilot project to reduce the high post harvest losses would be inaugurated in August, this year when tomato for test trial would be available in the system.
He explained that when the project was proposed, it took almost two years to get additional support from the Italian government to continue with the procurement process.
Answering another question posed by the MP for Techiman South, Mr Simon Addai, Mr Debrah explained that the existing structure at the factory could not accommodate the steam boiler and thus necessitated the construction of a boiler house and that also caused a delay in the installation programme.
He stated that the processing plant, which was imported from Italy, was ready at the site for installation while a transformer had been installed with the extension of power to the factory would be completed by the end of this month.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Ministry of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and other donors has designed a project to support dry season production in the three northern regions, the sector minister has announced.
Mr Ernest Akubuor Debrah told Parliament yesterday that the ministry was currently distributing water pumps, PVC pipes, seeds, fertilisers and pesticides to several farmer groups in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions to support production before the rains start.
Mr Debrah was answering questions posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sissala West, Mr Haruna Bayariga, in Parliament yesterday.
The MP had asked the minister whether the ministry had plans to provide resources to farmers in the three regions during the 2008 farming season.
The minister stated that since many farmers in the area lost their crops during the last year’s flood, it was expected that they would not have seeds and other planting material for the 2008 production year.
“My ministry is making all efforts to supply planting material to all such farmers who were affected by the 2007 floods,” he said.
Mr Debrah added that for 2008, the ministry had planned to provide support for the production of selected commodities in all the 10 regions, explaining that that would involve the provision of production inputs that were meant to demonstrate the effectiveness of various technologies to farmers.
The MP for Kintampo North, Mr Stephen Kunsu, asked the minister whether the ministry was taking steps to seek compensation for farmers whose farms were destroyed three years ago during the construction of the New Longoro Irrigation Project near Kintampo.
Mr Debrah stated that the project was one of the 26 irrigation schemes being constructed under the small-scale projects in the country with funding from the African Development Bank and the government.
He explained that the agreement that was signed between the project and the farmers required that the farmers formed an Irrigation Farmers Association (IFA) to acquire the land and show evidence of land ownership as a prerequisite for the commencement of the project.
He added, therefore, that compensation for crops destroyed as a result of the development was to be paid by members of the IFA.
He said that in all the 26 schemes, including the New Longoro one, the government was not responsible for the payment of any compensation.
Mr Debrah also informed the House that the Tomato Processing Promotion Centre project proposed in 2002 to be sited in Techiman as a pilot project to reduce the high post harvest losses would be inaugurated in August, this year when tomato for test trial would be available in the system.
He explained that when the project was proposed, it took almost two years to get additional support from the Italian government to continue with the procurement process.
Answering another question posed by the MP for Techiman South, Mr Simon Addai, Mr Debrah explained that the existing structure at the factory could not accommodate the steam boiler and thus necessitated the construction of a boiler house and that also caused a delay in the installation programme.
He stated that the processing plant, which was imported from Italy, was ready at the site for installation while a transformer had been installed with the extension of power to the factory would be completed by the end of this month.
Cabinet approves toll points
Page 17, March 10, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
CABINET has given approval for tolls to be collected from vehicles which use eight stretches of roads and a bridge to ensure that more funds are raised for the maintenance of roads in the country, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Transportation has revealed.
The roads are, Adenta-Dodowa, Tema-Sogakope, Kpando-Worawora, Yamoransa-Takoradi, Abuakwa-Bibiani. Takoradi-Tarkwa, Nsawam-Ofankor, Nkawkaw-Anyinam and the Oti Damanko Bridge.
Mr Geofrey Bayon Tangu, who was answering an urgent question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Oforikrom, Ms Elizabeth Agyeman, said 10 more stretches of roads which had currently been rehabilitated had also been earmarked for tolling.
They are Pantang-Manfe, Accra-Yamoransa, Apedwa-Anyinam, Sefwi-Bekwai-Bibiani, Nkawkaw-Konongo, Awaso-Bibiani-Gambia No 2, Cape Coast-Kumasi, Kumasi-Anwiankwanta, Bole-Wa, Kumasi-Offinso and Bawdie-Asankragwa.
Ms Agyeman had enquired from the minister whether it had plans to install toll booths on the many reconstructed roads in the country for the purpose of collecting revenue.
Mr Tangu told the House that one serious constraint that had affected roads in the country had been inadequate financial resources for maintenance.
He stated that efforts had been made to build a secure and dedicated source of funding for road maintenance through the enactment of the Ghana Road Fund Act, Act 536.
Mr Tangu explained that the present accruals of revenues of the Ghana Road Fund covered about 50 per cent of funding required for the desirable level of maintenance work of the country’s road network of 61,000 kilometres.
To address that problem, the ministry had proposed an amendment to the road tolls for approval by cabinet, adding that when that was done, the present contribution of the road and bridge tolls to the Ghana Road Fund would increase from its present 1.8 per cent to 5.06 per cent while that of the Road (Vehicle/User) Fees would increase from 1.5 to 2.33 per cent.
Tolling is the direct charge for the use of a specific road or bridge and this is done based on substantial improvement of the roadway and roads with reasonably high traffic volumes.
Currently, there are only 25 toll collection points on some selected roads and bridges throughout the country.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
CABINET has given approval for tolls to be collected from vehicles which use eight stretches of roads and a bridge to ensure that more funds are raised for the maintenance of roads in the country, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Transportation has revealed.
The roads are, Adenta-Dodowa, Tema-Sogakope, Kpando-Worawora, Yamoransa-Takoradi, Abuakwa-Bibiani. Takoradi-Tarkwa, Nsawam-Ofankor, Nkawkaw-Anyinam and the Oti Damanko Bridge.
Mr Geofrey Bayon Tangu, who was answering an urgent question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Oforikrom, Ms Elizabeth Agyeman, said 10 more stretches of roads which had currently been rehabilitated had also been earmarked for tolling.
They are Pantang-Manfe, Accra-Yamoransa, Apedwa-Anyinam, Sefwi-Bekwai-Bibiani, Nkawkaw-Konongo, Awaso-Bibiani-Gambia No 2, Cape Coast-Kumasi, Kumasi-Anwiankwanta, Bole-Wa, Kumasi-Offinso and Bawdie-Asankragwa.
Ms Agyeman had enquired from the minister whether it had plans to install toll booths on the many reconstructed roads in the country for the purpose of collecting revenue.
Mr Tangu told the House that one serious constraint that had affected roads in the country had been inadequate financial resources for maintenance.
He stated that efforts had been made to build a secure and dedicated source of funding for road maintenance through the enactment of the Ghana Road Fund Act, Act 536.
Mr Tangu explained that the present accruals of revenues of the Ghana Road Fund covered about 50 per cent of funding required for the desirable level of maintenance work of the country’s road network of 61,000 kilometres.
To address that problem, the ministry had proposed an amendment to the road tolls for approval by cabinet, adding that when that was done, the present contribution of the road and bridge tolls to the Ghana Road Fund would increase from its present 1.8 per cent to 5.06 per cent while that of the Road (Vehicle/User) Fees would increase from 1.5 to 2.33 per cent.
Tolling is the direct charge for the use of a specific road or bridge and this is done based on substantial improvement of the roadway and roads with reasonably high traffic volumes.
Currently, there are only 25 toll collection points on some selected roads and bridges throughout the country.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Parliament approves Anane's appointment
Page 16, March 6, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT yesterday approved the nomination of Dr Richard Winfred Anane as the Minister of Transportation.
The House approved the report of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, which recommended after vetting the nominee that he should be approved by consensus.
Dr Anane, who is the MP for Nhyiaeso, resigned as minister of transportation in 2006 to seek redress in the court over a ruling against him by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
The commission made adverse findings of conflict of interest, abuse of office and perjury against Dr Anane and recommended, among others, his removal from office.
He, therefore resigned his post and contested the matter at the High Court, where the CHRAJ’s decisions were quashed.
However, CHRAJ’s application filed at the Supreme Court for certiorari, which sought to quash the High Court’s decision was dismissed by a 4-1 majority decision after which some of the admirers of the former minister called for his re-instatement.
When the President nominated him to re-occupy the seat he resigned from, the decision met a lot of criticism within the media and political circles with some calling on Parliament not to approve the nomination.
However, when the nominee appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament he stated that as far as he was concerned, all the records concerning his purported investigation by the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) did not exist.
Hundreds of people crammed into the small Speaker’s Conference Room to be part of that historic second appearance of Dr Anane before the committee.
The Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Mr Freddie Blay, who presented the report said the committee dutifully performed its function under the Standing Orders of the House and in accordance with the Constitution in respect of Dr Anane.
“Having met the requirements of the law in full, the committee hereby recommends the nominee, by consensus to this honourable House for approval”, he said.
In a debate that ensued after the presentation of the report, the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin told the House that the committee discharged its function and at the end of it, it found out that nothing could disqualify the nominee.
“We are prepared to defend the decision of the committee anywhere and any day”, he said amid shouting of “hear, hear” by the House.
The MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu called for the review of the law that established CHRAJ into being in the face of the ruling by the Supreme Court on Dr Anane’s issue.
Mr Blay, on the other hand thanked the MPs for their comments during the debate on the committee’s report.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT yesterday approved the nomination of Dr Richard Winfred Anane as the Minister of Transportation.
The House approved the report of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, which recommended after vetting the nominee that he should be approved by consensus.
Dr Anane, who is the MP for Nhyiaeso, resigned as minister of transportation in 2006 to seek redress in the court over a ruling against him by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
The commission made adverse findings of conflict of interest, abuse of office and perjury against Dr Anane and recommended, among others, his removal from office.
He, therefore resigned his post and contested the matter at the High Court, where the CHRAJ’s decisions were quashed.
However, CHRAJ’s application filed at the Supreme Court for certiorari, which sought to quash the High Court’s decision was dismissed by a 4-1 majority decision after which some of the admirers of the former minister called for his re-instatement.
When the President nominated him to re-occupy the seat he resigned from, the decision met a lot of criticism within the media and political circles with some calling on Parliament not to approve the nomination.
However, when the nominee appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament he stated that as far as he was concerned, all the records concerning his purported investigation by the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) did not exist.
Hundreds of people crammed into the small Speaker’s Conference Room to be part of that historic second appearance of Dr Anane before the committee.
The Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Mr Freddie Blay, who presented the report said the committee dutifully performed its function under the Standing Orders of the House and in accordance with the Constitution in respect of Dr Anane.
“Having met the requirements of the law in full, the committee hereby recommends the nominee, by consensus to this honourable House for approval”, he said.
In a debate that ensued after the presentation of the report, the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin told the House that the committee discharged its function and at the end of it, it found out that nothing could disqualify the nominee.
“We are prepared to defend the decision of the committee anywhere and any day”, he said amid shouting of “hear, hear” by the House.
The MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu called for the review of the law that established CHRAJ into being in the face of the ruling by the Supreme Court on Dr Anane’s issue.
Mr Blay, on the other hand thanked the MPs for their comments during the debate on the committee’s report.
LIs for assemblies before Parliament
Page 15, March 6, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
FOUR Legislative Instruments (LIs) establishing four metropolitan assemblies were yesterday laid before Parliament for consideration.
The assemblies are the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (LI 1926), Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (LI 1927), Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) (LI 1928) and Tema Metropolitan Assembly (LI 1929). The Deputy Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Maxwell Kofi Jumah, laid the instruments on behalf of the sector Minister, Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, after which the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, referred the four LIs to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of the House for consideration and report.
Mr Adjei-Darko later explained to the Daily Graphic that it had become necessary for the laying of the LIs for the establishment of the Sekondi-Takoradi and the AMA because some portions of their areas of jurisdiction had been carved out to form new districts.
While the Teshie area has been severed from the AMA, the Shama area of the former Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly has been calved out, giving way to the establishment of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly.
In the case of Tema, while Ashaiman and Adenta have both been elevated to municipal status, the original Tema Municipal Assembly has been elevated to a metropolitan status.
The Cape Coast Municipal Assembly has also been elevated to a metropolitan status, hence the need for the instrument to give legal backing to its new status.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Chief of Staff, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, appeared before the House yesterday to answer questions.
He told the House in an answer to a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West, Mr Yiereh Chireh, that there were currently 27 ministries and listed all the departments and agencies under the various ministries.
To another question posed by the MP for Tamale South, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, about the share composition of the Ghana International Airlines (GIA) and the financial commitment made by the shareholders of the airlines and the financial contributions made by Ghana, Mr Mpiani referred the MP to the Ministry of Aviation.
“Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Aviation exercises sectoral responsibility over the Ghana International Airlines,” he explained.
He explained further that before the Ministry of Aviation was established, the GIA was under his ministry, adding that although he answered questions on the GIA in the past, all such questions should now be directed at the Minister in charge of the Aviation sector.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
FOUR Legislative Instruments (LIs) establishing four metropolitan assemblies were yesterday laid before Parliament for consideration.
The assemblies are the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (LI 1926), Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (LI 1927), Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) (LI 1928) and Tema Metropolitan Assembly (LI 1929). The Deputy Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Maxwell Kofi Jumah, laid the instruments on behalf of the sector Minister, Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, after which the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, referred the four LIs to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of the House for consideration and report.
Mr Adjei-Darko later explained to the Daily Graphic that it had become necessary for the laying of the LIs for the establishment of the Sekondi-Takoradi and the AMA because some portions of their areas of jurisdiction had been carved out to form new districts.
While the Teshie area has been severed from the AMA, the Shama area of the former Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly has been calved out, giving way to the establishment of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly.
In the case of Tema, while Ashaiman and Adenta have both been elevated to municipal status, the original Tema Municipal Assembly has been elevated to a metropolitan status.
The Cape Coast Municipal Assembly has also been elevated to a metropolitan status, hence the need for the instrument to give legal backing to its new status.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Chief of Staff, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, appeared before the House yesterday to answer questions.
He told the House in an answer to a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West, Mr Yiereh Chireh, that there were currently 27 ministries and listed all the departments and agencies under the various ministries.
To another question posed by the MP for Tamale South, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, about the share composition of the Ghana International Airlines (GIA) and the financial commitment made by the shareholders of the airlines and the financial contributions made by Ghana, Mr Mpiani referred the MP to the Ministry of Aviation.
“Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Aviation exercises sectoral responsibility over the Ghana International Airlines,” he explained.
He explained further that before the Ministry of Aviation was established, the GIA was under his ministry, adding that although he answered questions on the GIA in the past, all such questions should now be directed at the Minister in charge of the Aviation sector.
9 Parliaments in 51 years, that's our story so far (feature)
Page 28, March 5, 2008
Article: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE development of parliamentary democracy in Ghana has not been all rosy as attempts made on four occasions did not survive because they ended abruptly through coups d’etat.
Although the executive and judiciary arms of government have operated for the entire period of the country’s nationhood, the legislature (Parliament) has not had that privilege.
Legislative power was first exercised in the Gold Coast during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-9001). During that time the Gold Coast had its own Legislative Council which consisted of the governor and at least two other persons designated by Royal instructions.
The council was empowered to make “all such laws, institutions and ordinances as may from time to time be necessary for the peace, order and good government”.
Since independence, Ghana has practised both the Westminster system, where the Prime Minister was a Member of Parliament (MP), and the American type of presidential system, where the President held both ceremonial and executive powers.
Ghana’s Independence Parliament of 1957 was short-lived, because of the people’s anxiety to become a republic. That status was achieved on July 1, 1960.
Despite the considerable total periods of military rule, there have been as many as nine parliaments, namely the Independence Parliament (Nkrumah), the two parliaments of the First Republic (Nkrumah), the Parliament of the Second Republic (Busia), the Parliament of the Third Republic (Limann) and the four parliaments of the Fourth Republic (Rawlings and Kufuor).
At independence in 1957, Ghana adopted the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy. This was practised almost flawlessly from 1957 to 1960 in the First Republic and 1969 to 1972 in the Second Republic. The Third Republic Constitution of 1979 was, however, based on the American system with strict separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislature.
Both the 1969 and 1979 constitutions of the Second and Third republics respectively provided for 140 elected members while the 1992 Constitution of the Fourth Republic provided for 200 elected members. However, the constitution has since been amended to increase the number to 230 whose term of office is four years just as the President.
Since the Old Parliament House could not accommodate the 200 MPs, Parliament operated temporary at the Accra International Conference Centre before moving to its present location.
The Fourth Republican Parliament has proved to be the most successful of all the parliaments. So far four elections have been held successfully while Parliament has operated successfully. The 1992 Constitution itself is a hybrid of the American and British constitutions. Although it provided for an Executive President, some of the cabinet members have to be chosen from Parliament.
The First Parliament of the Fourth Republic consisted of three parties, namely the National Democratic Congress (189 seats), the National Convention Party (8 seats) and the EGLE (1 seat). It had 16 women, two of who were independent members.
The main opposition parties — the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the People’s National Convention (PNC), the People’s Heritage Party (PHP) and the National Independence Party (NIP) — boycotted the parliamentary elections because they accused the NDC of rigging the presidential election which was conducted earlier.
The minority parties, however, participated in the 1996 parliamentary elections during which the NDC had 133 seats, NPP — 61 seats, People’s Convention Party (PCP) — five seats, PNC — one seat, with the number of women increasing from 16 in 1992 to 18.
The 2000 election brought the opposition NPP to power after waiting at the sidelines and it was the first time one party in power handed over to another.
In that election, the NPP had 100 seats, NDC — 92 seats, PNC — three, CPP — one, and Independent candidates — four. There were 19 women, including one seat won in a by-election. In six by-elections held after the general election, the NPP won all the seats, including three that were occupied by the NDC.
It is also important to point out that in that Parliament, the members of the minority parties decided to be with the Majority side of the House.
In the 2004 elections, the NPP maintained its majority in Parliament and increased its number to 128, NDC — 94, PNC — four, CPP — three and Independent — one. It must be noted that the seats in Parliament were increased from 200 to 230. The number of women in the House also increased to 25.
The members from the PNC, CPP and the independent member also decided to belong to the Majority, since Members of Parliament (MPs) have to either belong to the Minority or the Majority.
Ghana’s parliamentary democracy has now passed its rocky stage and now countries from all over the world look to our Parliament as one of the best examples on the continent.
It is heart-warming that consensus building has been one of the hallmarks of the current parliamentary democratic dispensation. Both the Majority and the Minority sides collaborate on more than 90 per cent of issues and motions that are tabled in the House.
It is unfortunate that the few disagreements that arise in the House are used to judge Parliament as being a polarised House. Ghana’s parliamentary democracy has grown within the past 50 years to become a showpiece and every encouragement should be given to Parliament to continue to develop to its highest level in the coming years.
Article: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE development of parliamentary democracy in Ghana has not been all rosy as attempts made on four occasions did not survive because they ended abruptly through coups d’etat.
Although the executive and judiciary arms of government have operated for the entire period of the country’s nationhood, the legislature (Parliament) has not had that privilege.
Legislative power was first exercised in the Gold Coast during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-9001). During that time the Gold Coast had its own Legislative Council which consisted of the governor and at least two other persons designated by Royal instructions.
The council was empowered to make “all such laws, institutions and ordinances as may from time to time be necessary for the peace, order and good government”.
Since independence, Ghana has practised both the Westminster system, where the Prime Minister was a Member of Parliament (MP), and the American type of presidential system, where the President held both ceremonial and executive powers.
Ghana’s Independence Parliament of 1957 was short-lived, because of the people’s anxiety to become a republic. That status was achieved on July 1, 1960.
Despite the considerable total periods of military rule, there have been as many as nine parliaments, namely the Independence Parliament (Nkrumah), the two parliaments of the First Republic (Nkrumah), the Parliament of the Second Republic (Busia), the Parliament of the Third Republic (Limann) and the four parliaments of the Fourth Republic (Rawlings and Kufuor).
At independence in 1957, Ghana adopted the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy. This was practised almost flawlessly from 1957 to 1960 in the First Republic and 1969 to 1972 in the Second Republic. The Third Republic Constitution of 1979 was, however, based on the American system with strict separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislature.
Both the 1969 and 1979 constitutions of the Second and Third republics respectively provided for 140 elected members while the 1992 Constitution of the Fourth Republic provided for 200 elected members. However, the constitution has since been amended to increase the number to 230 whose term of office is four years just as the President.
Since the Old Parliament House could not accommodate the 200 MPs, Parliament operated temporary at the Accra International Conference Centre before moving to its present location.
The Fourth Republican Parliament has proved to be the most successful of all the parliaments. So far four elections have been held successfully while Parliament has operated successfully. The 1992 Constitution itself is a hybrid of the American and British constitutions. Although it provided for an Executive President, some of the cabinet members have to be chosen from Parliament.
The First Parliament of the Fourth Republic consisted of three parties, namely the National Democratic Congress (189 seats), the National Convention Party (8 seats) and the EGLE (1 seat). It had 16 women, two of who were independent members.
The main opposition parties — the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the People’s National Convention (PNC), the People’s Heritage Party (PHP) and the National Independence Party (NIP) — boycotted the parliamentary elections because they accused the NDC of rigging the presidential election which was conducted earlier.
The minority parties, however, participated in the 1996 parliamentary elections during which the NDC had 133 seats, NPP — 61 seats, People’s Convention Party (PCP) — five seats, PNC — one seat, with the number of women increasing from 16 in 1992 to 18.
The 2000 election brought the opposition NPP to power after waiting at the sidelines and it was the first time one party in power handed over to another.
In that election, the NPP had 100 seats, NDC — 92 seats, PNC — three, CPP — one, and Independent candidates — four. There were 19 women, including one seat won in a by-election. In six by-elections held after the general election, the NPP won all the seats, including three that were occupied by the NDC.
It is also important to point out that in that Parliament, the members of the minority parties decided to be with the Majority side of the House.
In the 2004 elections, the NPP maintained its majority in Parliament and increased its number to 128, NDC — 94, PNC — four, CPP — three and Independent — one. It must be noted that the seats in Parliament were increased from 200 to 230. The number of women in the House also increased to 25.
The members from the PNC, CPP and the independent member also decided to belong to the Majority, since Members of Parliament (MPs) have to either belong to the Minority or the Majority.
Ghana’s parliamentary democracy has now passed its rocky stage and now countries from all over the world look to our Parliament as one of the best examples on the continent.
It is heart-warming that consensus building has been one of the hallmarks of the current parliamentary democratic dispensation. Both the Majority and the Minority sides collaborate on more than 90 per cent of issues and motions that are tabled in the House.
It is unfortunate that the few disagreements that arise in the House are used to judge Parliament as being a polarised House. Ghana’s parliamentary democracy has grown within the past 50 years to become a showpiece and every encouragement should be given to Parliament to continue to develop to its highest level in the coming years.
Monday, March 3, 2008
'Closureof border is posts to protect country'
Page 16, March 3, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister of the Interior, Mr Kwamena Bartels, has explained that the decision to close all border posts to travellers at 6pm is aimed at protecting the country against trans-national crimes and political violence across the borders.
He observed that the West African sub-region had been an arena of political instability, characterised by civil strife and export of insurgency, which threatened to spill over to neighbouring countries.
“These have been worsened by the increase of trans-national crime with the proliferation of small arms, narcotic trafficking, cross-border robberies, currency trafficking, human smuggling and trafficking and terrorism,” he explained.
He was answering a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South, Mr Albert Kwasi Zigah, who wanted to know when the Aflao and Elubo border posts would be opened to travellers of the sub-region for 24 hours.
Mr Bartels stated that the control of land border posts, including Aflao and Elubo was a sovereign security issue, which was determined by the National Security Council, adding that as such, the decision to close all border posts at 6:00 pm to travellers had been set within national and sub-regional security concerns which still persisted.
He explained further that during the Togolese political crisis in the early 1980s, the Togolese decided to close their side of the border until 1995, when through bilateral negotiations, they accepted to open their border from 6:00am to 6:00pm, adding that this had, however, been reviewed to 6:00am to 10:00pm.
Mr Bartels said the current practice was that the border opened from 6:00am to 6:30pm, owing to the current crisis in the La Cote d’Ivoire, stating that any further review of the various border posts would be considered within the context of improved security concerns in the sub-region.
Meanwhile, Mr Zigah had appealed to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to expedite action on the renovation of office buildings and staff accommodation at the Aflao border to enhance delivery of services by the Customs, Excise and Prevention Service (CEPS) and other government agencies.
When the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Professor George Gyan-Baffour, answered questions in Parliament last Thursday, he disclosed that the Ghana Commercial Bank and the Ecobank had agreed to provide a GH¢10.6million loan facility for the project, which was expected to be completed in three years.
Mr Zigah told the Daily Graphic that since the Aflao border was an important gateway to Ghana, there was the need for the ministry to expedite action on the project to provide adequate facilities to enhance the delivery of services to travellers.
The MP thanked the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Professor Dominic Fobih, for his promise to provide some senior high schools with buses to enhance the administration of the schools.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister of the Interior, Mr Kwamena Bartels, has explained that the decision to close all border posts to travellers at 6pm is aimed at protecting the country against trans-national crimes and political violence across the borders.
He observed that the West African sub-region had been an arena of political instability, characterised by civil strife and export of insurgency, which threatened to spill over to neighbouring countries.
“These have been worsened by the increase of trans-national crime with the proliferation of small arms, narcotic trafficking, cross-border robberies, currency trafficking, human smuggling and trafficking and terrorism,” he explained.
He was answering a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South, Mr Albert Kwasi Zigah, who wanted to know when the Aflao and Elubo border posts would be opened to travellers of the sub-region for 24 hours.
Mr Bartels stated that the control of land border posts, including Aflao and Elubo was a sovereign security issue, which was determined by the National Security Council, adding that as such, the decision to close all border posts at 6:00 pm to travellers had been set within national and sub-regional security concerns which still persisted.
He explained further that during the Togolese political crisis in the early 1980s, the Togolese decided to close their side of the border until 1995, when through bilateral negotiations, they accepted to open their border from 6:00am to 6:00pm, adding that this had, however, been reviewed to 6:00am to 10:00pm.
Mr Bartels said the current practice was that the border opened from 6:00am to 6:30pm, owing to the current crisis in the La Cote d’Ivoire, stating that any further review of the various border posts would be considered within the context of improved security concerns in the sub-region.
Meanwhile, Mr Zigah had appealed to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to expedite action on the renovation of office buildings and staff accommodation at the Aflao border to enhance delivery of services by the Customs, Excise and Prevention Service (CEPS) and other government agencies.
When the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Professor George Gyan-Baffour, answered questions in Parliament last Thursday, he disclosed that the Ghana Commercial Bank and the Ecobank had agreed to provide a GH¢10.6million loan facility for the project, which was expected to be completed in three years.
Mr Zigah told the Daily Graphic that since the Aflao border was an important gateway to Ghana, there was the need for the ministry to expedite action on the project to provide adequate facilities to enhance the delivery of services to travellers.
The MP thanked the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Professor Dominic Fobih, for his promise to provide some senior high schools with buses to enhance the administration of the schools.
‘34 businesses closed down’
Page 15, March 3, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THIRTY-FOUR businesses in Accra belonging to foreign nationals who had entered the local distributive commercial trade against the Ghana Investment Promotion (GIPC) Act have been closed down.
The Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Professor George Gyan-Baffour, who made this known in Parliament yesterday, said under the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act 478, 1994, non-Ghanaians wishing to undertake trading activities in the country were required to invest a minimum foreign equity capital of $300,000 either in goods or cash or a combination of the two.
He was answering a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashaiman, Mr Alfred Kwame Agbeshi, who had wanted to know whether foreign nationals who had entered the local distributive commercial trade had complied with the requirements of the law on foreigners trading in Ghana.
Professor Gyan-Baffour said in order to ensure compliance with these requirements, a national task force was set up to monitor activities of non-Ghanaians in the trading sector.
He explained that when the task force started operation, some companies were found to be trading without GIPC registration permit while others were operating in marketplaces, such as Makola.
Under the law, such companies must also employ at least 10 Ghanaians.
Prof. Gyan-Baffour said while those who were operating without permit were asked to regularise their operations, those operating in the marketplace were advised to relocate elsewhere.
He added that the GIPC Act was under review and one of the key features to be introduced would be a significant upward review of the minimum foreign requirement for the trading sector to at least $1 million.
The deputy minister explained that the measure was to ensure that the country attracted a certain level of trading houses and preserve the middle and lower end of the retail sector for Ghanaians.
Answering another question posed by the MP for Kintampo South, Mr Stephen Kunsu, he said the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning had identified late submission of documents by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) and late submission of incomplete and inaccurate information, among others, as causes that delayed the payment of claims to pensioners.
Mr Kunsu wanted to know measures put in place to remove the frustrating bureaucratic bottlenecks that confronted would-be retirees in accessing their claims.
Professor Gyan-Bafour said the ministry had started educating the MDAs about the need to submit the pension documents of their would-be retired staff on time in addition to setting up a pension committee to resolve some of the grey issues involving pension.
In addition, the ministry had engaged information technology experts to automate the file tracking system at the pension section, explaining that the project, which is expecting to be completed by April, 2008, would forestall the delays.
When it was the turn of the MP for Ketu South, Mr Albert Zigah, he enquired from the deputy minister what plans the ministry had for the completion of the office buildings and staff accommodation at the Aflao Border to enhance efficient delivery of services by the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Immigration Service and other government agencies.
Professor Gyan-Baffour stated that the ministry had reached an agreement with the Ghana Commercial Bank and Ecobank Ghana Limited for funding to complete the entire Aflao Border complex project.
He said the project would commence as soon as modalities for the repayment of the GH¢10.6 million are concluded and approved, adding that the project would be completed in three years.
Meanwhile the debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address to Parliament had been completed.
The MP for North Dayi, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, summed up the debate for the Minority while the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, did so for the Majority side.
Ms Dansua expressed regret about the failure of the President to touch on the failures of his administration, such as his inability to fight corruption and the drug menace.
He blamed the President for the current polarised society, explaining that his gestures and pronouncements over the years had not been conciliatory.
For his part, Mr Baah-Wiredu stated that there was the need for an effective planning to lay down a solid foundation for future development.
“This is what the President has done over the last seven years,” he said, and called for lessons to be learnt from the country’s political dispensation to ensure a continuous development to benefit the future generation.
He announced that a draft bill for the Northern Development Fund was nearing completion for submission to Parliament.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THIRTY-FOUR businesses in Accra belonging to foreign nationals who had entered the local distributive commercial trade against the Ghana Investment Promotion (GIPC) Act have been closed down.
The Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Professor George Gyan-Baffour, who made this known in Parliament yesterday, said under the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act 478, 1994, non-Ghanaians wishing to undertake trading activities in the country were required to invest a minimum foreign equity capital of $300,000 either in goods or cash or a combination of the two.
He was answering a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashaiman, Mr Alfred Kwame Agbeshi, who had wanted to know whether foreign nationals who had entered the local distributive commercial trade had complied with the requirements of the law on foreigners trading in Ghana.
Professor Gyan-Baffour said in order to ensure compliance with these requirements, a national task force was set up to monitor activities of non-Ghanaians in the trading sector.
He explained that when the task force started operation, some companies were found to be trading without GIPC registration permit while others were operating in marketplaces, such as Makola.
Under the law, such companies must also employ at least 10 Ghanaians.
Prof. Gyan-Baffour said while those who were operating without permit were asked to regularise their operations, those operating in the marketplace were advised to relocate elsewhere.
He added that the GIPC Act was under review and one of the key features to be introduced would be a significant upward review of the minimum foreign requirement for the trading sector to at least $1 million.
The deputy minister explained that the measure was to ensure that the country attracted a certain level of trading houses and preserve the middle and lower end of the retail sector for Ghanaians.
Answering another question posed by the MP for Kintampo South, Mr Stephen Kunsu, he said the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning had identified late submission of documents by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) and late submission of incomplete and inaccurate information, among others, as causes that delayed the payment of claims to pensioners.
Mr Kunsu wanted to know measures put in place to remove the frustrating bureaucratic bottlenecks that confronted would-be retirees in accessing their claims.
Professor Gyan-Bafour said the ministry had started educating the MDAs about the need to submit the pension documents of their would-be retired staff on time in addition to setting up a pension committee to resolve some of the grey issues involving pension.
In addition, the ministry had engaged information technology experts to automate the file tracking system at the pension section, explaining that the project, which is expecting to be completed by April, 2008, would forestall the delays.
When it was the turn of the MP for Ketu South, Mr Albert Zigah, he enquired from the deputy minister what plans the ministry had for the completion of the office buildings and staff accommodation at the Aflao Border to enhance efficient delivery of services by the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Immigration Service and other government agencies.
Professor Gyan-Baffour stated that the ministry had reached an agreement with the Ghana Commercial Bank and Ecobank Ghana Limited for funding to complete the entire Aflao Border complex project.
He said the project would commence as soon as modalities for the repayment of the GH¢10.6 million are concluded and approved, adding that the project would be completed in three years.
Meanwhile the debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address to Parliament had been completed.
The MP for North Dayi, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, summed up the debate for the Minority while the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, did so for the Majority side.
Ms Dansua expressed regret about the failure of the President to touch on the failures of his administration, such as his inability to fight corruption and the drug menace.
He blamed the President for the current polarised society, explaining that his gestures and pronouncements over the years had not been conciliatory.
For his part, Mr Baah-Wiredu stated that there was the need for an effective planning to lay down a solid foundation for future development.
“This is what the President has done over the last seven years,” he said, and called for lessons to be learnt from the country’s political dispensation to ensure a continuous development to benefit the future generation.
He announced that a draft bill for the Northern Development Fund was nearing completion for submission to Parliament.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Ministry disburses funds to women groups
Page 11, March 1, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) disbursed GH¢10,077,300 to 104,090 women groups throughout the country between 2004 and 2007 to support their businesses in the informal sector.
The amount was disbursed under the ministry’s micro credit facility which formed part of its planned economic empowerment programmes to improve the living conditions of women, particularly the poor and vulnerable
The Deputy Minister for the ministry, Mr Daniel Dugan, told Parliament on Thursday that the former National Micro Finance Centre (NAMFIC), which co-ordinated the programme, drew a repayment schedule of between 12 and 36 months depending on the businesses of the various beneficiaries.
He was responding to a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, who wanted to know how much the ministry disbursed as credit to women’s groups between 2004 and 2007 and how much had been recovered.
The deputy minister stated that so far a total of GH¢1,536,204 had been recovered, explaining that in September, 2007 the Micro Finance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), which took over the co-ordination of the programme from NAMFIC, instructed that all monies recovered should be paid into a central account before any on-lending was made.
He said that the operational guidelines authorised the banks to revolve the funds, by recovering and recycling, adding that many of the groups were receiving credit from the banks under the third phase of the programme.
Answering another question by the MP for South Dayi, Dr Kwame Ampofo, the deputy minister stated that 100 community child protection teams had been established in the regions to organise sensitisation programmes in their communities and sensitise parents to child rights issues.
He stated that the promotion of girl-child education at all levels had ensured the enrolment and retention of girls in school, enabling the country to achieve a gender parity index of 0.97 enrolment at the basic school level.
Mr Ampofo wanted to find out what the ministry was doing to put a stop to forced marriages of girls, especially those underage and in school with particular reference to a story which was reported at the front page of the November 4-10, 2006 issue of the Weekly Spectator, an Accra weekly.
In the said story, the paper reported that a 16-year-old junior secondary school pupil who was forced by her aunt to marry a 60-year-old farmer, Anafo Akelbona, faced persistent harassment from her would-be husband when she refused to yield to her sexual demands.
He explained that the ministry collaborated with the law enforcement agencies to take measures to ensure enforcement of laws relating to forced or early marriages and other offences against children.
Mr Dugan, however, indicated that the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service was confronted with situations where families of abused girls preferred to settle such cases out of court.
On the incident reported by the Weekly Spectator, the deputy minister stated that no arrest had been made so far, since the family of the victim preferred that the matter be settled amicably.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) disbursed GH¢10,077,300 to 104,090 women groups throughout the country between 2004 and 2007 to support their businesses in the informal sector.
The amount was disbursed under the ministry’s micro credit facility which formed part of its planned economic empowerment programmes to improve the living conditions of women, particularly the poor and vulnerable
The Deputy Minister for the ministry, Mr Daniel Dugan, told Parliament on Thursday that the former National Micro Finance Centre (NAMFIC), which co-ordinated the programme, drew a repayment schedule of between 12 and 36 months depending on the businesses of the various beneficiaries.
He was responding to a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, who wanted to know how much the ministry disbursed as credit to women’s groups between 2004 and 2007 and how much had been recovered.
The deputy minister stated that so far a total of GH¢1,536,204 had been recovered, explaining that in September, 2007 the Micro Finance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), which took over the co-ordination of the programme from NAMFIC, instructed that all monies recovered should be paid into a central account before any on-lending was made.
He said that the operational guidelines authorised the banks to revolve the funds, by recovering and recycling, adding that many of the groups were receiving credit from the banks under the third phase of the programme.
Answering another question by the MP for South Dayi, Dr Kwame Ampofo, the deputy minister stated that 100 community child protection teams had been established in the regions to organise sensitisation programmes in their communities and sensitise parents to child rights issues.
He stated that the promotion of girl-child education at all levels had ensured the enrolment and retention of girls in school, enabling the country to achieve a gender parity index of 0.97 enrolment at the basic school level.
Mr Ampofo wanted to find out what the ministry was doing to put a stop to forced marriages of girls, especially those underage and in school with particular reference to a story which was reported at the front page of the November 4-10, 2006 issue of the Weekly Spectator, an Accra weekly.
In the said story, the paper reported that a 16-year-old junior secondary school pupil who was forced by her aunt to marry a 60-year-old farmer, Anafo Akelbona, faced persistent harassment from her would-be husband when she refused to yield to her sexual demands.
He explained that the ministry collaborated with the law enforcement agencies to take measures to ensure enforcement of laws relating to forced or early marriages and other offences against children.
Mr Dugan, however, indicated that the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service was confronted with situations where families of abused girls preferred to settle such cases out of court.
On the incident reported by the Weekly Spectator, the deputy minister stated that no arrest had been made so far, since the family of the victim preferred that the matter be settled amicably.
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