Sunday, March 24, 2024

The Parliamentary Press Corps: The Broken Piece in Ghana’s Celebration of 30 Years of Parliamentary Democracy

This article is meant to highlight the unfortunate omission of the media, and for that matter, the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) from the activities mapped out for the celebration and the failure of the organizers to acknowledge the PPC as an important stakeholder that has contributed immensely to the stability of the country’s democracy. We cannot belabor the point that journalists played an integral role in shaping the destiny of the country’s Parliamentary Democracy which milestone is being celebrated today.
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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revoked the appointment of Hon. Sara Adwoa Safo, as the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection.

A press release issued on Thursday evening, July 28, 2022 and signed by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin on, indicated that the President’s decision was to take immediate effect.

According to the release, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, will continue to act as caretaker Minister until such a time that a new substantive Minister is appointed.

The beleaguered Member of Parliament for the Dome Kwabenya Constituency, has been the talk of town lately for a long absence in performing her parliamentary duty and Ministerial duties.

She has been referred to the Privileges Committee for a determination of her fate either to declare her seat vacant or not for breaching the provisions of the constitution which prohibits Members of Parliament to absent themselves in Parliament for at least 15 sittings within a single meeting.

Interestingly, Parliament failed to take a concrete decision on her issue because the House could not agree on the right procedure to adopt in handling the recommendation by the Privileges Committee to declare her seat vacant.

Rt. Hon Speaker, Alban Bagbin asked to be given more time to give a full ruling on the subject after the House returns from recess in October this year.

Source; Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com

[post_date_unix] => 1659043691 [post_date] => July 28, 2022 [post_modified] => July 28, 2022 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/dome-kwabenyas-sara-adwoa-safo-sacked-as-gender-minister/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1458] => Array ( [post_id] => 1458 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1459 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/ashanti-mps-to-meet-president-akufo-addo-over-uncompleted-projects/ [post_title] => Uncompleted Projects Force Ashanti MPs to Meet with President Akufo-Addo [post_title_attribute] => Uncompleted Projects Force Ashanti MPs to Meet with President Akufo-Addo [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>

The Ashanti Caucus in Ghana's Parliament mainly made up of MPs from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have expressed the intention to urgently meet the President over numerous uncompleted projects in the region which is the stronghold of the party.

There are agitations for the completion of some social amenities such as roads, hospitals, and schools among others by some supporters of the Governing party in the region which is necessitating this important meeting with the President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo.

This follows the unfortunate attack on the Leader of Government Business and Member of Parliament for the Suame Constituency, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, by his constituents during a field visit to inspect some uncompleted projects.

The constituents booed at him and pelted him with stones and sachet water and demanded that he leaves the premises. But for the swiftness of his handless who managed to whisk him away from the angry crowed, the worse could have happened.

According to the Caucus, though the Akufo-Addo-led NPP government has undertaken lots of projects in the region, many more have not been completed and while some are ongoing, others have been abandoned.

Addressing the Press Corps in Parliament on Thursday, July 21, 2022, the Spokesperson of the Ashanti Caucus, Hon. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, and the MP for Asante Akim Central, expressed disappointment at the conduct of the constituents for being so hard on the Majority Leader whose mandate is not to build roads and hospitals.

Though he acknowledged that some of the areas in the constituency had very bad roads, they should have exercised restraints as their representative continues to engage the Government for the best solution to their predicament.

Hon. Anyimadu-Antwi said they have taken notice of the complaints of the constituents in the region and have resolved to meet the president for an extensive discussion to arrive at an amicable solution.

“There are three issues that we have planned to actually meet the leadership of the government to discuss and these are roads, Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Program (IPEP) projects and all the projects under the Middle Belt Development Authority.”

“We believe that if these projects are completed our constituencies would have confidence in the government.”

The MPs, he said, are not unconcerned about the situation but stressed the unfortunate Suame incident should not be the way to address the situation.

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com

[post_date_unix] => 1658439823 [post_date] => July 21, 2022 [post_modified] => July 21, 2022 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/ashanti-mps-to-meet-president-akufo-addo-over-uncompleted-projects/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1455] => Array ( [post_id] => 1455 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1456 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/military-brutalities-on-ghanaian-illegal-miners-at-anglo-gold-ashanti-condemnable-minority/ [post_title] => Military Brutalities on Ghanaian Illegal Miners at Anglo-Gold Ashanti Condemnable – Minority [post_title_attribute] => Military Brutalities on Ghanaian Illegal Miners at Anglo-Gold Ashanti Condemnable – Minority [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>

The Minority group on the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament has condemned the alleged manhandling of some Illegal miners arrested on Anglo-Gold Ashanti concession at Obuasi.

According to the group, it has received very disturbing reports on the inhumane treatment meted out to suspected illegal miners arrested by the Military on the premises of Anglo-gold Ashanti, a mining company in Obuasi.

Addressing the press in Parliament on Tuesday, 19 July 2022, the Minority spokesperson on Mines and Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, indicated that they were well informed that following the arrest of these suspected miners on Friday 15th July, the suspects were subjected to severe torture leading to scores of human rights abuses.

“Though the minority vehemently condemns all forms of illegal mining activities and encroaching, we are equally opposed the use of brute, excessive and disproportionate force in the fight against illegal mining.

“The flagrant disregard for our laws under the Akufo-Addo led Government is most unfortunate and must be condemned in the strongest terms as possible. We find this incident despicable, unfortunate and highly reprehensible,” he said.

According to the Minority, the brut force used by the military against these miners was uncalled for and very discriminatory in the sense that the same level of force has not been deployed in the past against some foreign illegal miners operating in the country.

The Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee, John Abu Jinapor, led the Minority Members on the Committee to condemn the action by Government at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com

[post_date_unix] => 1658435940 [post_date] => July 21, 2022 [post_modified] => July 21, 2022 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/military-brutalities-on-ghanaian-illegal-miners-at-anglo-gold-ashanti-condemnable-minority/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1450] => Array ( [post_id] => 1450 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1451 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/how-my-brother-died-as-president-is-nobodys-business-emmanuel-atta-mills/ [post_title] => How my Brother Died as President is Nobody’s Business – Samuel Atta Mills [post_title_attribute] => How my Brother Died as President is Nobody’s Business – Samuel Atta Mills [post_excerpt] => The blood brother of the Late President John Evans Atta Mills, Emmanuel Atta Mills has asked persons seeking to poke their noses into their family affairs concerning the cause of death of his late brother, to mind their own business. [post_content] =>

The blood brother of the Late President John Evans Atta Mills, Samuel Atta Mills has asked persons seeking to poke their noses into their family affairs concerning the cause of death of his late brother, to mind their own business.

He says he would rather the memory of his brother is honored with the contribution he made to the country as a lecturer, as a Vice President and as a President, and not the unwarranted fixation on the cause of death as has been the focus of some political commentators over the years.

According to Samuel Atta Mills, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abrem (KEEA) constituency, his brother really served the country with all his might in modesty, humility, and honesty and therefore emphasis should be laid on these attributes in any attempt to eulogize his memory.

The KEEA MP recounted how his brother, even as a sitting President, used to sleep under a leaking roof at the castle just because he refused to inconvenience Ghanaians with the presidential motorcade by shuffling between his home at the Spintex road and his office every morning and evening.

He made the comment on the Floor of Parliament on Thursday, July 21, 2022 in a contribution to a statement made by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to commemorate the 78th Birthday of the Late President Mills, who was born on 21st July 1944 in Tarkwa.

According to the North Tongu MP, the Late President Mills had some leadership qualities he exhibited while in office, which would better serve the interest of the country if leadership could emulate him.

Marking the 10th anniversary of the departure of the late Professor to his ancestors, Mr. Ablakwa said, “I intend to honor the memory of the Asomdwehene with these 10 “Millsian” attributes which I consider to be epitomizing and defining of the character of his works.”

He said, “Professor John Evans Atta Mills left a legacy of high-grade integrity. He didn’t have to say it, he just lived it. Both those of us who worked with him closely and those who observed him from afar knew that his true character was that of integrity.

“Throughout his tenure as a lecturer, tax administrator, Vice President, and President, never was he embroiled in any scandal. That was a rare achievement for the extremely sensitive positions he held.”

The other contributors to the statement from both sides of the House sang from the same hymn sheet which beautifully eulogized the memory of Ghana’s 3rd President in the Fourth Republic, the Late President John Evans Atta Mills who sudden death was announced on July 24, 2012.

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com

[post_date_unix] => 1658425552 [post_date] => July 21, 2022 [post_modified] => July 21, 2022 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/how-my-brother-died-as-president-is-nobodys-business-emmanuel-atta-mills/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1447] => Array ( [post_id] => 1447 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1448 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/pap-joins-efforts-to-promote-lasting-peace-in-africa/ [post_title] => PAP joins efforts to promote lasting peace in Africa [post_title_attribute] => PAP joins efforts to promote lasting peace in Africa [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>

The Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) participated in the pre-launch event of the inter-regional knowledge exchange (I-RECKE) on Early Warning and Conflict Prevention, held ahead of the 4th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (MYCM) in Lusaka, Zambia.

I-RECKE is an institutional community of practice for intra-continental and cross-regional learning to build peace. It is a Pan-African mechanism for developing, capturing and documenting knowledge and also sharing lessons learned, and experiences on governance and conflict prevention on the continent.

Led by the African Union Commission for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), I-RECKE has been described as a critical area of cooperation between the African Union and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in promoting peace and security on the continent.

The pre-launch was conducted in the presence of representatives from the eight RECs and Regional Mechanisms (RMs) on the African continent, given their central role in ensuring the implementation of preventive measures to maintain peace and security in the region.

Speaking at the pre-launch event, the President of the Pan-African Parliament H.E. Chief Fortune also Charumbira pledged full support for the initiative given its relevance with a core function of the Continental Parliament, which is to promote peace, security and stability.

“Our Permanent Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution consider policy issues on international cooperation and international relations on behalf of the Parliament and AU. It also deals with conventions and protocols linking Parliament with regional and international institutions. The Committee examines revisions of AU protocols and treaties and provides assistance to Parliament in its conflict prevention and resolution efforts. Permanent Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution,” said the PAP President.

H.E Chief Charumbira further called on the RECs to work closely with the PAP given the intertwinement of the mandates of their issues of peace and security.

“The PAP and the RECs are one. In fact, the PAP is called upon, as part of its functions, to promote the coordination of the RECs’ policies, measures, programmes and activities. We are also tasked with consolidating democratic institutions and culture, good governance transparency and the rule of law by all AU organs, including RECs and the Member States. Our cooperation is critical for the advancement of African integration. “ said H.E Charumbira.

The pre-launch of the platform was expected to be followed by the official launch during the meeting for the Heads of State.

Source: PAP

[post_date_unix] => 1658098899 [post_date] => July 17, 2022 [post_modified] => July 17, 2022 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/pap-joins-efforts-to-promote-lasting-peace-in-africa/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1440] => Array ( [post_id] => 1440 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1441 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/au-executive-council-celebrates-the-pan-african-parliament/ [post_title] => AU Executive Council celebrates the Pan-African Parliament [post_title_attribute] => AU Executive Council celebrates the Pan-African Parliament [post_excerpt] => The Conference Hall of the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia, where the 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union was being held, was in a celebratory and joyful mood when the report on the implementation of the Executive Council decision EX.CL/Dec.1128(XXXIX) on the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) was presented. [post_content] =>

The Conference Hall of the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia, where the 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union was being held, was in a celebratory and joyful mood when the report on the implementation of the Executive Council decision EX.CL/Dec.1128(XXXIX) on the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) was presented. The new Bureau of the legislative organ of the Union was formally and officially unveiled to African Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

The Executive Council described the recent elections of the Bureau of the PAP, and the subsequent resumption of Parliamentary activities as a triumph of African unity and Pan-Africanism. In what was a moment of celebration following the stalemate that caused uncertainty at the PAP, the Council welcomed the sense of responsibility and the spirit of compromise of Parliamentarians that prevailed during the elections, which saw the application of African Union values, rules, and regulations, including the principle of geographical rotation of the Bureau. 

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs congratulated the newly elected leadership and all members of the PAP for acting in a manner that has redeemed the image of the Parliament as well as the image of the Union. A sharp contrast to the unfortunate incidents of May and June 2021 that led to the suspension of the activities of Parliament. The report, which hailed all the efforts deployed by all structures of the Union to restore calm and harmony at the PAP, was unanimously adopted.

Cameroon, DRC, Egypt, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Angola, Ethiopia, Saharawi Republic, Libya, Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cape Verde are some of the Member States who took turns to express the significance of the PAP as a continental Parliament and the extreme satisfaction with the outcome of the interventions by the AU to ensure a peaceful resolution to challenges faced by the Parliament in May 2021.

They called it a “moment of celebration for the continent”. According to the Executive Council, the ideals embodied by a continental Parliament and how these ideals contribute to a more integrated Africa, demand that all efforts be made to preserve the PAP.

The Executive Council was therefore adamant that it is time to focus on solutions that will make the Parliament more effective in delivering its mandate. These efforts must be deployed with the same resolve and urgency that delivered a new leadership at the PAP, following the impasse. As the first order of business, the Council unanimously and consensually agreed to the appeal made earlier by the new President of the PAP for more resources to be allocated to the Parliament.

On the opening day of the Ordinary Session, H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira passionately and pertinently requested additional financial and logistical resources to enable the Bureau to effectively carry out its mandate for the 2022 operational year; and a review of the 2023 draft Operational Budget to allow the PAP to perform its functions effectively for the 2023 operational year.

A visibly humbled President of the PAP also intervened after the presentation of the report on the implementation of the Executive Council Decision of October 2021.

He expressed gratitude for the overwhelmingly positive response received by the Bureau and the PAP at large during the 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council. He showed the deepest appreciation for the manner in which the AU leadership including the Assembly, Executive Council and African Union Commission mobilised and provided guidance when the PAP needed it the most. The President of the PAP also expressed gratitude to South Africa as host country to the PAP for providing the usual logistical support and facilities for the successful conduct of the elections.

“As the Pan-African Parliament, we are humbled and proud of the way the AU as a whole has mobilised and rallied behind the PAP. I am accompanied to this meeting by other members of the Bureau to showcase the unity that has returned at the PAP. We are also here to reaffirm that the PAP is back to full functionality and is ready to carry on with its mandate of ensuring the full participation of the African peoples in the development and economic integration of our continent and advancing Agenda2063.

He added: “As the Bureau, our principal objective going forward will be to repair the image of the Parliament, and indeed the AU, whose image was also tarnished last year. We are now embarking on the process of restoring the confidence of the peoples of Africa in the PAP.”

H.E Mrs Aissata Tall Sall, Chairperson of the Executive Council and Senegalese Minister of Foreign said that the case of the PAP is a clear illustration of how African problems can find African solutions.

“Now the onus is on us to finish what we started by empowering the PAP. Even as we await the ratification of the Protocol giving it full legislative powers, the continental Parliament remains an important tool to keep all of us in check. Let’s work even harder to enhance the PAP’s oversight role given its mandate to defend and represent the interests of our citizens. We demand that the Permanent Representative Committee (PRC) works with relevant Sub-Committees to provide the PAP with the necessary resources as requested,” said H.E Tall.

H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of AUC, who led from the front and successfully presided over a delicate election Session of Parliament last month, commended Parliamentarians for showing wisdom and putting Africa first. He echoed the sentiment that the PAP needs to be enabled to enter the next phase of its evolution.

“The key objective of the ongoing institutional reforms of the Union is to bring the AU closer to the citizens. We have come to the conclusion that a Parliament remains the only viable mechanism to achieve this rapprochement and carry the aspirations of the people. Now more than even ever, the ratification of the Malabo Protocol becomes an imperative. We also need to encourage AU organs and different institutions to subject themselves to regular engagements with the PAP, where plans and policies are presented to the representatives of our people. This exercise does not have to wait for the Malabo Protocol to be in place as we are still accountable to the citizens of Africa for the decisions that we take as a continental body.” Concluded H.E Faki.

Finally, the Executive Council of the African Union further resolved, among other things, to:
* Commend the leadership and personal involvement of H.E. Macky SALL in resolving the crisis in the PAP which has resulted in the successful organisation of the elections on 29th June 2022;
* Appreciate the leadership of H.E. Cyril RAMAPHOSA for having ensured the proper conduct of the elections held in Midrand, South Africa at the Headquarters of the Pan-African Parliament;
* Commend the Chairperson of the Commission for the participation and the leadership demonstrated during the election proceeding of the PAP Bureau.
* Recall its decisions EX.CL/Dec.979(XXXI), EX.CL/Dec.1018(XXXII) and EX.CL/Dec.1128(XXXIX) that reiterated the application of the African Union values, rules, and regulations in managing all activities of the organ, including the principle of geographical rotation of the Bureau including that of the Presidency of the Pan African Parliament and direct the Pan-African Parliament to apply the rotation formula outlined in the election Modalities for Election of Bureau Members of the Sixth Pan-African Parliament in all future elections of the Bureau;
* Direct the Office of the Legal Counsel in close collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pan-African Parliament to urgently review the Rules of Procedure of the Organ to ensure alignment with African Union values, rules, and regulations as well as established practices of the Union including the principle of geographical rotation;
* Encourage the Members States that have not yet done so to ratify the revised Malabo Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the African Union relating to the Pan- African Parliament of 2014.
* Further recalls its decision EX.CL/Dec.1028(XXXII) that directed the PRC to hold a retreat with the PAP to address all the concerns that affect the delivery and operations of the Organ, therefore the need to urgently convene the said retreat and report back to its next Ordinary Session in 2023.

[post_date_unix] => 1658086088 [post_date] => July 17, 2022 [post_modified] => July 17, 2022 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/au-executive-council-celebrates-the-pan-african-parliament/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1437] => Array ( [post_id] => 1437 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1438 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/reporting-from-parliament-a-specialized-field/ [post_title] => Reporting From Parliament, A Specialized Field [post_title_attribute] => Reporting From Parliament, A Specialized Field [post_excerpt] => Parliament is a unique institution among the three arms of government or the state. [post_content] =>

Parliament is a unique institution among the three arms of government or the state.

It is described as the citadel of democracy. The citizens are represented by their elected representatives, who are elected by their electorates.
currently in Ghana, we have 275 Members of Parliament representing 30.8 million Ghanaians.

A member of the House does representation, legislation, deliberations, oversight, finance, and investigations.

When a Member of the House makes submissions, asks questions, makes statements, or does anything parliamentary or unparliamentary, they must be reported to the world, or the public must be made to know.

A journalist who does the dissemination of what transpires on the floor of the House is a parliamentary reporter.

He informs the world of the happenings in the House.
He does it by being balanced, accurate, fair, and objective in his reportage.
Circumspection and diplomacy should also be added elements for consideration when performing his tasks.

Because reporting from the House, where there is too much partisanship requires the above-mentioned traits or elements on the part of the journalist.
He has to use the right jargon and explains them very well.
His Tools

His tools must include the 1992 Constitution, the standing orders of the House, the Constitution of the Parliamentary Press Corps, Code of Ethics of the Ghana Journalists, Votes and Proceedings and Order Paper of the House.
Parliamentary Press Corps

It is an association or an umbrella body of the various journalists who report from the House. These include those from the private and public media houses ranging from the print, broadcast and online. Also included are freelancers.

The corps has an executive body that runs it activities on a daily basis.
The members of the executive body are elected according to the dictates of the corps Constitution.

It has other various committees that aid the executive body to perform its functions. These include vetting, welfare, disciplinary committees etc.
Reporting from the House is a specialized area that requires training and other motivation.

Challenges.
A journalist who reports from Parliament faces some challenges in his job.
These include

1 Lack of training opportunities to understudy from other jurisdictions
2 Being tainted as supporting a particular party by an opposing MP
3 At times,refusal on the part the of an MP to release information or procrastination on the part of an MP to give information to the journalist
4 Editors and media owners rampant changes of their correspondents or reporters from the House affect specialization. (Attrition rate)

Journalists reporting from the House serve as mirrors for the public.
They need to be encouraged and assisted to continue feeding the public with the right information to enrich parliamentary democracy in our political environment.

A Parliamentary journalist is a pivot in our parliamentary democracy.

By Ahmed Osumanu Halid
A member of the Parliamentary Press Corps.

[post_date_unix] => 1657989180 [post_date] => July 16, 2022 [post_modified] => July 16, 2022 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/reporting-from-parliament-a-specialized-field/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1434] => Array ( [post_id] => 1434 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1435 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/ghana-may-not-have-a-credible-voter-register-for-2024-elections-if-the-ec-insists-on-compiling-a-new-one-minority/ [post_title] => Ghana May not Have a Credible Voter Register for 2024 Elections if the EC Insists on Compiling a New One – Minority [post_title_attribute] => Ghana May not Have a Credible Voter Register for 2024 Elections if the EC Insists on Compiling a New One – Minority [post_excerpt] => Ghana may not have a credible voter register to run the 2024 general elections if the Jane Mensa led Electoral Commission should insist on compiling a new voters register relying solely on the current National Identification Card popularly referred to as the Ghana Card [post_content] =>

Ghana may not have a credible voter register to run the 2024 general elections if the Jane Mensa led Electoral Commission should insist on compiling a new voters register relying solely on the current National Identification Card popularly referred to as the Ghana Card.

This is according to the largest Minority Group in Parliament made up of the Members of the main opposition political party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The Leader of the group in Parliament, Haruna Iddrissu, told the Parliamentary Press that they have information the Electoral Commission is scheming to have Parliament approve a Constitutional Instrument (CI) which would make the Ghana Card the only source document for getting unto the register.

A Member of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor has already confirmed to the media that the Electoral Commission has already forwarded such an instrument to the committee to be considered.

According to the Leader of the Minority, it would not make statistical sense to want to use the National ID card as the source document for that exercise because the number on the current voters register far exceeds the number of registered National ID card holders.

“If we use that instrument of a National ID card against a voter population of 17 million, then there is a critical technical departure from the requirement. We may not even have a voter register to rely on for the conduct for the 2024 presidential and Parliamentary elections. Because the number of Ghanaians on the voter register far exceeds the number of Ghanaians on the National ID card. And yet the National ID card has other persons including foreigners on it,” he said.

The Minority Leader further observed that, “the Electoral Commission by law and by duty, aught to have conducted limited voter registration exercise in 2021 and 2022. They failed to undertake this national exercise and therefore eligible Ghanaians who have attained age 18 and above, have been denied so to speak, the opportunity to get registered and to exercise their right to vote as Ghanaian citizens.” Watch video here

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com

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The Minority Group in Ghana's Parliament have raised concerns about the attempt by the Jane Mensa led Electoral Commission to replace the current voters register with the Ghana Card as the only source document for registration.

According to the group, this move is a recipe for chaos leading up to the next elections in 2024 and would therefore be resisted fiercely by the Minority.
Addressing the press in Parliament on Tuesday, July 12, 2024, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrissu, indicated that the current register which was compiled for the 2020 elections caused the tax payer some 80 million Dollars.

It therefore does not make sense for a new register to be compiled just after an election, and more so under the current economic circumstances the nation finds itself in.

"Our understanding as we pick it up is that the Electoral Commission of Ghana is desperately planning to discard the 2020 voter register and replace it with a new voter register, which register caused the tax payer and the people of Ghana to build with 80 million US Dollars there about,” he indicated while He added that the EC unilaterally took a decision against every advice to undertake a new voter registration exercise which currently put the voter population at 17,041,340.

The Minority’s main concern is that the Electoral Commission is seeking through a Constitutional Instrument to be placed before Parliament, to replace the voters register of 2020 by making the National ID Card the sole reference document for getting unto the register.

According to the Minority Leader, there are many Ghanaians who are still struggling to have access to a National ID Card legitimately. That public good must be made increasingly available to every qualified Ghanaian.

“Currently, the National Identification Authority has registered 16,654,000 persons; cards printed 16,341,000; card issued 13,300,000 against a voter register of 17 million. If we will use that instrument of a National ID card against a voter population of 17 million, then there is a critical technical departure from the requirement.

“We may not even have a voter register to rely on for the conduct of the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Because the number of Ghanaians on the voter register far exceeds the number of Ghanaians on the National ID Card data and yet the National ID card has other persons including foreigners on it,” he observed. Watch video here.

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com

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