Friday, March 29, 2024

Majority Leader Fears Akosombo Dam Spillage Could Compound Food Inflation and Poverty

The Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, is concerned about the effect of the Akosombo Dam spillage in the lower Volta area on the economy of Ghana, saying it will exacerbate the current food inflation in the country as a result of farmlands being washed away among others.
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A temporal embargo has been placed on all activities of the Ministry of Finance in Parliament until the Minister for Finance; Ken Ofori-Atta comes to account to Parliament on the 19 billion COVID-19 expenditure.

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, gave the directives on the Floor of Parliament on Thursday, June 16, 2022 after the Finance Minister failed to honor a scheduled appearance in Parliament to give accounts to the House for the utilization of the COVID-19 funds as well as provide answers to some 17 Parliamentary questions filed by Members of Parliament concerning his Ministry.

The Members of Parliament in the Minority group were disappointed when the scheduled appearance of the Finance Minister in the House as was captured on the provisional Order Paper for the previous day, was left out in the order of business to be conducted for the day.

They did not take it kindly when they were later informed that the Finance Minister had asked Parliament to reschedule his appearance before the House to next week Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

The Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, raised the matter on the Floor of the House, insinuating that the Minister was avoiding accountability since his appointment with Parliament has been missed twice already.

The Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, defended the Finance Minister when he indicating that Mr. Ofori-Atta had sought permission from him to be given some more time to come and give the accounts to Parliament and that there was no way the Minister was going to run away from any accountability.

Though the Speaker admitted that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, had sought permission from him to be rescheduled to appear before the House next week, he reiterated his directive to withhold every transaction from the Finance Ministry until he has come to account for the resources already approved for the COVID-19 expenses in the past.

“Until he comes to respond to the questions and to submit a statement including explanations as to how that money has been applied, we will not entertain any business from that Ministry. Mark my words,” the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban Bagbin emphasized.

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com

[post_date_unix] => 1655427522 [post_date] => June 17, 2022 [post_modified] => June 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/finance-ministry-blocked-from-doing-business-with-parliament-until-minister-accounts-for-covid-funds/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1375] => Array ( [post_id] => 1375 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1379 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/afram-plains-north-mp-donates-equipment-to-health-facilities-schools/ [post_title] => Afram Plains North MP Donates Equipment to Health Facilities & Schools [post_title_attribute] => Afram Plains North MP Donates Equipment to Health Facilities & Schools [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>

The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Afram Plains North constituency in the Eastern Region, Betty Nana Afua Krosbi Mensah has presented medical equipment including incubators, delivery beds, electronic beds, dual desks, mono desks, exercise books and story books to health and educational facilities in the community in her quest to help improve the delivery of these services in the Afram Plains  area.

The items donated by the MP for distribution to health and educational facilities in include, 16 electronic and manual hospital beds and 16 mattresses, 100 pieces of hospital aprons, 100 pieces of surgical nose masks, 30 walking sticks and clutches, 50 wheel chairs and 100 diapers.

Other include two (2) incubators for the Donkokrom Presbyterian Hospital which is the only referral facility serving both Afram Plains North and South Districts to help improve maternal healthcare.

The lawmaker also presented 100 bicycles to given to farmers and school pupils who walk long distances to their farms and schools. Five (5) Corn and cassava mills to help advance agribusiness as part of the gesture.

The educational items gifted by Hon Betty Krosbi Mensah to enhance education delivery include one thousand and two hundred  (1,200) exercise books,  one thousand and two hundred  (1, 200) story books, 500 dual desks, 100 mono desks for teachers and 20 teachers tables and chairs.

The intervention by the MP was made possible by kind curtesy of her donor partners in Canada, namely YEG Rotary Club, Sinkunia Community Development Organisation and Emmanuel Foundation.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Hon Betty Nana Afua Krosbi Mensah  said the gesture is to help improve maternal health delivery especially issues with still birth and to address the challenge of school pupils sitting on the floor and improve farming activities.

Hon Krosbi Mensah urged all political actors to eschew excessive partisanship and work collectively for the development of the island community which is highly disadvantaged as compared to other parts of the country. 

She express gratitude to her donor partners YEG Rotary Club, Sinkunia Community Development Organisation and Emmanuel Foundation for coming to the aid of the Island community with  the items.

Hon Betty Krosbi Mensah spent an estimated amount of Ghc 90, 000 on freight charges and transportation of the items from Canada to Accra and to Donkokrom.

The Kwahu Afram Plains North District Director of Health Services, Francis Kwotua Apungu who received the health related items for onward distribution to health facilities thanked the lawmaker for her continuous efforts at improving health care in the area.

He appealed to the MP to support in expanding the Donkokrom Presbyterian Hospital which serves both districts.

General Manager Presbyterian Health  Services, Kwahu, Rev Ezekiel  Amadu Daribi who received the two incubators, four electronic beds and two delivery beds on behalf of the Hospital said the equipment are of enormous importance in enhancing health delivery for the area.

The  Kwahu Afram Plains North District Director of Education, Mr Solomon Akrogo Azubila and head teachers of beneficiary schools expressed gratitude to the MP for her benevolence saying the desks especially will help curb the phenomenon where school pupils lie on the floor during classes as a result of lack of tables and chairs.

The Guest Speaker, who is MP for Central Tongu, Alexander Roosevelt Hotordzie urged residents to support their MP to deliver more for them.

He cautioned against individualism and the influence of money whiles urging the people to rally behind the young lawmaker whom he described as a workaholic.

The Krontihene of Donkokrom, Nana Okai Kwaku Nkansah II who chaired the event prayed for God's guidance and wisdom for the MP in her efforts in developing the Afram Plains area.

Nana Krontihene urged his people to unite behind the MP who is determined to transform the island community.

The event which was dedicated to Rev Ezekiel Amadu Daribi (outgoing General Manager) who is credited for transforming the status of the Presbyterian Hospital into a modern facility was attended Chiefs, religious leaders, staff of Ghana Health Service, staff of Ghana Education Service, representative of Member of Parliament for Afram Plains South, Hon Joseph Appiah Boateng, Presiding Member for the Kwahu Afram Plains Assembly, the Afram Plains North constituency Chairman of the NDC and other executives of the party.

parliamentnews360.com

[post_date_unix] => 1655420241 [post_date] => June 16, 2022 [post_modified] => June 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/afram-plains-north-mp-donates-equipment-to-health-facilities-schools/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1368] => Array ( [post_id] => 1368 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1369 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/parliament-aught-to-lead-the-way-to-restore-hope-in-the-power-of-democracy-speaker-bagbin/ [post_title] => Parliament Ought to Lead the Way to Restore Hope in the Power of Democracy – Speaker Bagbin [post_title_attribute] => Parliament Ought to Lead the Way to Restore Hope in the Power of Democracy – Speaker Bagbin [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban. S. K. Bagbin, wants Parliament to take its rightful position in society as an institution of hope and trust to restore the confidence of the people in multiparty democracy as a preferred governance system.

According to him, there is the need for the House to arise above partisanship to address the weaknesses of Parliament since many citizens have already lost faith in democracy's ability and promise to improve their lives.

The Speaker stated that "the wave of disillusionment that has affected many countries, including Ghana, should be reversed to restore hope in the power and promise of democracy. The role of Parliament is critical in this reversal effort.”

The Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Bagbin made these remarks in his address at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) in Accra, on the occasion of the 'Third Eminent Guest Lecture Series' on the topic "The Future of Parliament in Ghana's Democratic Governance."

Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin

The Speaker emphasized the importance of strengthening Parliament's oversight drive, acknowledging that while Parliament is endowed with broad powers under several Articles of the 1992 Constitution (103, 69, 82, 181, and so on), the Legislature's oversight mandate has been the weakest link during the Fourth Republic.

He believes that the only way to effectively implement this oversight function in order to improve accountability and transparency is for both sides of the House to take a bipartisan and neutral approach in how Parliament monitors the management of the State and its resources.

"The economic incentives and carrots that can be gained for siding with the executive, facilitated by extreme loyalty and strict party discipline," he said, "have all contributed to the weakening of Parliament's position and oversight power."

Speaker Bagbin and the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrissu and his Deputy James Avedzi

He noted that in the future, Parliament will need to achieve financial autonomy in order for the Legislature to be fully equipped with the power to oversee the Executive.

He emphasized that "despite the design of the Constitution, Parliament has the power of the purse, and approval from the Consolidated Fund can only be given by Parliament for government to undertake their projects." Ironically, the executive approves Parliament's budget, giving the executive enormous and overbearing powers over the Legislature. The current arrangement, in which the Executive approves Parliament's own budget, has the potential to undermine the legislature's oversight capacity.

Minority Leader Haruna Iddrissu and his Deputy James Klutse Avedzi

Under the shadow of a hung parliament, Rt. Hon. Bagbin called for strategic engagements, consensus building, and conflict resolution, which will provide a channel for both sides of the House to approach societal issues with a single goal in mind: the interests of the Ghanaian people.

He emphasized the importance of including traditional and religious leaders, as well as civil society organizations (CSO) in the work parliament, in order to improve parliament-citizen relations even further. "One such initiative will be the 'Citizen Bureau,' which will be Parliament's partnership with CSOs," he says.

This will enable such civil society actors to legislate using residual powers in order to establish a governance organ. By doing so, Speaker Bagbin believes that Parliament will become more aware of its shortcomings and the gaps that need to be filled in order for the Legislature to improve.

Parliamentnews360.com

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The Parliament of Ghana has adopted a report of the Finance Committee on the guidelines for considering and approving requests for the granting of tax waivers to companies in the name of the One District, One Factory (1D1F) programme.

The guidelines which seeks to establish the conditions under which a new or an already existing company may or may not qualify for tax incentives under the initiative aimed at pursuing an industrialization agenda by building at least one factory in each district in Ghana, was shepherded through Parliament by the Finance Committee. This guidelines is aside the main Tax Exemption Bill which is currently before the Finance Committee.

The Finance Committee had its recommendations approved by the House on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 with some additional amendments to the document after a fruitful bi-partisan debate which has further enriched its contents.

Under the guidelines, a scope of tax waivers will be granted to companies moving to set up factories in new districts; and a limited scope of waivers for companies that are not moving to new districts but need help to expand. However, import taxes will not be approved for materials which are available in Ghana.

This became necessary after some Members of Parliament raised concerns in the past about the blanket approval of Tax waivers requested by the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Trade and Industry on behalf of 1D1F companies. It came to light when the House considered and granted the Tax incentives to some four prominent companies under the programme .

The House resolved not to approve any further tax waivers for any 1D1F company until it is presented with a framework which would guide Parliament’s decision to approve or not to approve any such requests.

When the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Kweku Agyeman Kwarteng, presented the report to the House, he indicated that it had taken the Committee a while to report back to Parliament because it had to take time to consult the Ministry of Trade and Industry as well as other stakeholders in order to ensure conformity with the financial laws of the country and to meet the goals of the policy.

While Seconding the motion for the adoption of the Committee’s report, the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, Cassiel Ato Forson, indicated that the 1D1F policy was being abused by businessmen in the country, hence the need for the Government and Parliament to regulate the policy in such a way that it would not be abused.

“We want them to benefit but we need to regulate the taxes. We have come to a conclusion that, if you are new company coming into the economy for the purposes of 1D1F, we will be giving you the full scope of tax exemptions.

“But Mr. Speaker, we said that if you are an existing company in the system already and you want to expand and you want to take advantage of the tax exemption regime, we would give you a limited scope of this tax exemption regime,” the Ranking Member indicated.

The scope of tax incentives that could be granted a company seeking to set up a factory in a District in which the said company has no existing factory shall be: a. Import GETFund Levy, b. Import National Health Insurance Levy, c. EXIM Levy, d. Import Duty, e. Import VAT, f. Corporate Income Tax for the first 5 years of operation.

Below is a summary of the guidelines as approved by the House to be applied in considering all requests for the grant of tax waivers under the 1D1F programme.

The scope of tax incentives that could be granted a company seeking to expand an existing factory shall be: a. Import GETFund Levy b. Import National Health Insurance Levy c. EXIM Levy d. Corporate Income Tax for the first 5 years of operation.

Parliament shall not approve the waiver of import taxes on imports that are available in Ghana.

Import tax waivers approved by Parliament cannot be applied retroactively or retrospectively to an import for which any Customs Declaration had been made prior to the passage of the Parliamentary Resolution, irrespective of the customs regime under which the import was first declared.

A company applying for I1D1F tax incentives shall provide: a. evidence of financial close for financing the expansion or new factory; and b. in the case of a new factory, evidence of land acquisition in the District in which the company is initiating the new factory.

A Company applying for 1D1F tax incentive shall not be exempted from the payment of tax on projects in more than two (2) Districts.

Where a District has already benefitted from a 1DIF tax incentive, another Company set up in that District shall not be eligible for the 1D1F tax incentive.
Where a Company sets up a number of factories/projects across a number of Districts, that Company is not eligible for 1DIF tax incentive beyond the first two factories/projects established.

A Company applying for 1D1F tax incentive shall indicate how many jobs the Company is expected to create in three (3) years.

A Company that applies for 1D1F tax incentive shall show evidence of full compliance with all tax obligations required by law as condition precedent for the grant of the request.

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com

[post_date_unix] => 1655391769 [post_date] => June 16, 2022 [post_modified] => June 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/parliament-of-ghana-approves-guidelines-for-granting-tax-exemptions-to-1d1f-applicants/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1359] => Array ( [post_id] => 1359 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1360 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/new-bureau-of-the-pap-to-be-elected-as-parliamentary-activities-resume-from-june-27/ [post_title] => New Bureau of the PAP to be Elected as Parliamentary Activities Resume from June 27 [post_title_attribute] => New Bureau of the PAP to be Elected as Parliamentary Activities Resume from June 27 [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>

A New Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament is set to be elected later this month as the continental Legislative body prepares to resume normal Parliamentary activities after a troubled session last June.

This follows the intervention of the African Union in resolving the impasse which marred the elections of a new Bureau of the PAP held in Midrand, South Africa from May to June last year.

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislative arm of the African Union (AU), is scheduled to hold an ordinary session from 27 June to 02 July 2022 at the Parliament’s headquarters in Midrand, South Africa.

The main business on the agenda of the upcoming Session is the election of the new Bureau of the PAP, slated for 29 June 2022. The leadership of other structures of Parliament, including Permanent Committees and regional and thematic caucuses, will also be renewed during the Session.

The PAP is headed by a Bureau which consists of a President and 4 Vice-Presidents. The members of the Bureau represent the five regions of the continent. The Bureau is responsible for the management and administration of the affairs and facilities of Parliament and its organs among other responsibilities.

The Chairperson of the African Union, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security are expected to attend the upcoming election of the PAP Bureau Members, with the electoral process to be conducted and managed by the Office of the Legal Counsel.

Furthermore, Permanent Committees are expected to finalise and adopt workplans in line with the AU theme for 2022: ’’Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development.”

The resumption of parliamentary activities follows the Executive Council Decision (EX.CL/Dec.1294(XXXIX)) and subsequent policy decisions and consultations, which resolved the impasse that transpired among Parliamentarians during the proceedings of the Plenary on 31 May and 01 June 2021, as the PAP was looking to elect the President and Vice-Presidents of its Bureau.

Proceedings were suspended three times during the proceedings when delegates clashed over the election process of a new president. The contention was whether the presidency should move around in the different blocs of the continent on a rotational basis or not.

Several Parliamentarians from different countries will be sworn in as members of the PAP following elections in a number of African States and rotation within delegations.

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com with additional files from the Pan-African Parliament

[post_date_unix] => 1655298592 [post_date] => June 15, 2022 [post_modified] => June 15, 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/new-bureau-of-the-pap-to-be-elected-as-parliamentary-activities-resume-from-june-27/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1354] => Array ( [post_id] => 1354 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1355 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/dome-kwabenya-mp-summoned-to-appear-before-privileges-committee-on-july-6/ [post_title] => Beleaguered Dome Kwabenya MP Summoned to Appear before Privileges Committee on July 6 [post_title_attribute] => Beleaguered Dome Kwabenya MP Summoned to Appear before Privileges Committee on July 6 [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>

The Chairman of the privileges committee in Ghana's Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, has caused to be published to all media outlets, his summons to the beleaguered MP for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, to appear before the Committee on July 6, 2022.

The Member of Parliament and Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, who is said to be currently playing her motherly role in the United States of America, is expected to appear in person or via Zoom next month to answer queries for her absence without permission in the 1st Meeting of the 2nd Session of this 8th Parliament.

This summons by the Chairman of the Committee was contained in a press release signed by the Parliament's Public Affairs Director, Madam Kate Addo, for distribution to all media organizations for publication. The release stated that, “This comes after all attempts to reach the Honorable Member by the Committee failed.”

The summons form part of the Committee’s work, referred to it by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, pursuant to Article 97(1)(c) of the Constitution, and Orders 15 and 16(1) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, for consideration and report to the House, on the absence of the Member from Parliament for more than fifteen Sittings, without permission in writing of the Speaker, during the First Meeting of the Second Session of the Eight Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.

It would be recalled that, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo failed to appear before the Committee of Privileges when two other MPs including: the MP for Assin North, Kennedy Ohene Adjapong; and MP for Ayawaso Central, Henry Quartey, were cited for breach of the Standing Orders of Parliament and the Constitution of Ghana for absenting themselves without permission for more than 15 sitting days.

Speaking in an interview in the media circles outside Parliament from her hideout in the United Sates, the MP for Dome Kwabenya claimed that no official invitation was extended to her to appear before the Committee at the time.

In this latest release, it has been stated that all efforts have been made to reach out to the MP on all channels available including: her personal office in Parliament; her Ministry where she has not been active as a Minister for some time now; all her known email addresses; her pigeon hole in Parliament for receipt of official and unofficial messages; as well as through her Research Assistant; and all her known social media handles.

“The Committee has employed all available means, both official and unofficial to serve the Member with invitation letter, including sending the invitation letter to her office and pigeonhole in Parliament, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, where she superintended as Sector Minister, her official email addresses, known social media handles, and through her personal Assistant,” the release indicated.

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com

[post_date_unix] => 1655292336 [post_date] => June 15, 2022 [post_modified] => June 15, 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-kwabenya-mp-summoned-to-appear-before-privileges-committee-on-july-6/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1347] => Array ( [post_id] => 1347 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1348 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/expect-no-cooperation-on-other-bills-if-you-continue-to-delay-the-anti-gay-bill-minority-warns/ [post_title] => Expect no Cooperation on Other Bills if you Continue to Delay the ‘Anti-Gay Bill’ – Minority Warns [post_title_attribute] => Expect no Cooperation on Other Bills if you Continue to Delay the ‘Anti-Gay Bill’ – Minority Warns [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>

The Minority Group in Ghana's Parliament has given clear indications that it would not cooperate with the Majority Group to consider and pass other Bills before Parliament if it continues to delay the consideration and passage of the Bill nicknamed "Anti-gay Bill" which is currently before the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

The Bill which is named, the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, is a Private Members Motion filed by some Minority Members of Parliament in a bid to outlaw gay and homosexual acts in the country. The controversial Bill aims at tightening the noose on the vague provisions of the country's laws on all related activities concerning homosexuality.

"You are deliberately wasting time and delaying the Bill at your Committee and I can assure you and your front bench with what you have done and trying to justify, no bill will pass through this House without our resistance,” the Minority Chief Whip, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, gestured in protest.

“If you say what I am saying is a lie, work hard in a week and you will be able to bring the report but you are deliberately wasting time because you don’t want the Bill and that is a fact,” he added.  

The Group has accused the Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi of deliberately delaying the Bill at the Committee level beyond the three month period permitted.

Backing the Minority's protest for the undue delay on the Floor of Parliament on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, the Minority Chief Whip, argued that the unusually cumbersome stakeholder engagement procedure adopted by the Chairman of the Committee is the cause of the delay.

According to the Chief Whip, the Chairman deliberately ignored the advise to hold a one off engagement with the public and then handle the rest at the Committee level and at plenary. But rather chose a winding process.

He said, “You opted to use a vehicle that gave people unfettered time meanwhile you know of the Constitutional provision, Article 106 (4) which states that a Bill introduced to this House shall not be delayed for more than three months at any Committee.

“If you realized there will be a delay the only thing you do as a Chair is come back and tell the House because of such and such reasons there will be some delays.”

The Member of Parliament for Ho, Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah had earlier raised concern about the Bill during the presentation of the Business Statement on Tuesday and the time it is taking the Committee to present its report.

In his defense, the Chairman of the Committee indicated that private hearings have commenced after the public hearing as part of the timetable of the Committee.

According to him, he was surprised at the posture of the MP who first broached the issue because just last week, they had an in-camera meeting with all the sponsors of the Bill, where Hon. Kwasi Bedzrah was also invited to the meeting.

“I want to set the records straight that the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs is on course so far as the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill is concerned,” he stated

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com

[post_date_unix] => 1654740183 [post_date] => June 9, 2022 [post_modified] => June 9, 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/expect-no-cooperation-on-other-bills-if-you-continue-to-delay-the-anti-gay-bill-minority-warns/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1342] => Array ( [post_id] => 1342 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1343 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/cpa-conference-ghana-moves-motion-on-role-of-african-parliaments-in-accelerating-intra-african-trade/ [post_title] => CPA Conference: Ghana moves motion on role of African Parliaments in Intra-African trade [post_title_attribute] => CPA Conference: Ghana moves motion on role of African Parliaments in Intra-African trade [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>

Ghana’s delegation at the 52nd CPA Africa Regional Conference has moved a motion on the role of African Parliaments in accelerating Intra-African trade.

The motion which was moved by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu on behalf of the Rt.Hon. Speaker, Alban Sumana Bagbin and the Parliament of Ghana, is expected to fashion out ways to stimulate local and intra-African trade in a bid to reduce the shocks of the global crises on African countries.

In moving the motion, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, outlined the significance of the trade agreement which he said will turn around the extremely low economic growth being witnessed on the African market as well as its unsustainable fiscal deficits and the constant increase in rising debt levels.

“As a direct consequence of COVID-19, African economies experienced negative to extremely low economic growth, unsustainable fiscal deficits, rising debt levels, huge populations being pushed below the poverty brackets and balance of payment problems. As African economies were about to emerge from the shocks of COVID-19, entered the war in Ukraine which is affecting food, fuel, and steel products prices as well as access to international finance.

“Besides, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, intra-African Trade will undoubtedly play a key role in ameliorating the poor living conditions of the disadvantaged and repositioning them towards medium to long term inclusive and sustainable growth.”

Making a strong case for member countries to engage in intra-trade, the Majority Leader referenced a recent World Bank report which he said, “the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would yield the following results; Lift 30 Million Africans out of extreme poverty and boost the income of 70 Million others who live on less than $5.50 a day; Boost Africa’s income by $450 Billion by 2035 (a gain of 7%) while adding $76 Billion to the income of the rest of the world, Increase Africa’s export by $560 Billion mostly in manufacturing, and Boost wages for both skilled and unskilled workers by 9.8% and 10.3% respectively.”

The 52nd Regional conference and annual general meeting which is on the theme "The Role of African Parliaments in Building inclusive society to counter growing insecurity in Africa" is expected to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Africa.

Source: Yesmeen Abubakar Tetteh

[post_date_unix] => 1654631394 [post_date] => June 7, 2022 [post_modified] => June 7, 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/cpa-conference-ghana-moves-motion-on-role-of-african-parliaments-in-accelerating-intra-african-trade/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1335] => Array ( [post_id] => 1335 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1336 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/late-john-ndebugres-family-and-chiefs-call-on-speaker-bagbin/ [post_title] => Late John Ndebugre’s Family and Chiefs call on Speaker Bagbin [post_title_attribute] => Late John Ndebugre’s Family and Chiefs call on Speaker Bagbin [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>

The family of the late John Akparibo Ndebugre has called on the Speaker and Leadership of Parliament to formally announce the death and funeral arrangements of the Former Member of parliament for Zebilla in the Upper East region of Ghana.

The family delegation accompanied by some Kusasi chiefs and elders, and led by the current Member of Parliament for the Zebilla constituency, Cletus Avoka, apprised the Speaker and his entourage of the details of the funeral arrangements which is scheduled in the middle of the month of July this year.

He indicated that the Pre-burial service will be held at the forecourt of Parliament on the 14th of July, while adding that his remains will be sent to his hometown in the Upper East region on the 15th, followed by the burial service on the 16th of July.

While the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, empathized with the family for their loss, he appealed to the Speaker to use his good office to call on the President to grant him a state funeral as one of the exclusive legal brains from the Upper East and for his immense contribution to the state.

The Minority Leader said the Late Ndebugre was forthright person who always fought for justice. He therefore used the opportunity to call on the Kusasi Chiefs and the elders present to give a lasting peace a chance in the Bawku traditional area.

"He was a strong nationalist who has always been advocating for justice. This opportunity should be used to bring peace to the Bawku area which is undergoing some turbulence at the moment," he observed.

The Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban Sumana Bagbin, who also supported the sentiments of the Minority Leader, promised to engage the Presidency for the late MP to be granted a befitting state funeral.

He observed that the Legal Luminary was a strong character whose life story deserves to be documented for the new generation to emulate.

“There should be more biographies about strong leaders in the country such as John Ndebugre for those coming up to learn from their stories. Ndebugre, is a man of strong views who did not compromise on his convictions,” the Speaker said.

He told the family to feel proud that the late MP and brilliant lawyer came from their family even though they have suffered a painful loss. He added, “we have really lost a person who has helped us all to shape our lives better.”

The Late John Akparibo Ndebugre was born on 12 March 1950 and passed on 6 May 2022. He was the Member of Parliament representing the Zebilla constituency of the Upper East Region of Ghana in the 4th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana on the ticket of the People's National Convention.

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com

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