The Women Caucus of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Parliament has welcomed the confirmation of Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman as the running mate to the party’s flagbearer, Former President John Dramani Mahama in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Their endorsement was made just a few hours after the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party had formally confirmed the nomination of the flagbearer.
Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang is a distinguished academic and leader renowned for her dedication to education and public service. Having served as Minister for Education and as the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, she has emerged as a trailblazer for women in leadership across Ghana.
The General Secretary of the NDC, FIFI Fiavi Kwetey, in a press release issued on March 7, 2024, confirmed the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party’s acceptance of the nominee of the flagbearer.
The release indicated that “Her nomination underscores the NDC’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and women's empowerment in leadership roles. Possessing extensive qualifications and experience, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the NDC’s presidential ticket. “
Addressing the press in Parliament on Thursday, March 7, 2024, the Chairperson of the NDC Women Caucus in Parliament, Hon. Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghanza, indicated that the caucus stands united in support of the nomination to complement the ticket of the party in the upcoming elections.
“As a former running mate and a distinguished leader in her own right, Prof. Naana Opoku Agyeman embodies the values of integrity, commitment, and dedication to public service that are central to the NDC’s vision for Ghana”, she stated.
The Women’s Caucus expressed their appreciation to the flagbearer and the party leadership for presenting them with the best gift ever ahead of International Women’s Day which falls on March 8, 2024, because it is an inspiration for women leadership.
“As female Legislators, we recognize the historic significance of having a woman at the forefront of Ghana’s political landscape. Professor Naana Opoku Agyeman’s nomination not only paves the way for greater gender inclusivity in governance but also serves as an inspiration for all young girls across the country to aspire to leadership roles and pursue their dreams without limitations.”
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
[post_date_unix] => 1709838954 [post_date] => March 7, 2024 [post_modified] => March 7, 2024 [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/ndc-women-caucus-in-parliament-endorse-prof-opoku-agyeman-as-running-mate-to-john-mahama/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1845] => Array ( [post_id] => 1845 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1846 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/prof-kingsley-nyarko-a-promising-first-time-mp-from-kwadaso-and-a-good-asset-to-the-npp/ [post_title] => Prof. Kingsley Nyarko – A Promising First Time MP from Kwadaso and a Good Asset to the NPP [post_title_attribute] => Prof. Kingsley Nyarko – A Promising First Time MP from Kwadaso and a Good Asset to the NPP [post_excerpt] => In this article, I want to highlight the Member of Parliament for the Kwadaso Constituency in the Ashanti region, Prof. Kingsley Nyarko, as one of these group of promising new Members of Parliament who deserve another term in office based on their demonstrated output and dedication to their Parliamentary duties. I will first of all proceed on the premise that he has received top recommendations from seasoned Members of Parliament for his work. [post_content] =>The Eight Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana has unique qualities that set it aside from all the previous Parliaments.
Aside from having equal numbers of Members of Parliament (137) as well as equal numbers of female MPs (20) for each of the two main rival political parties (NPP and NDC), with an independent candidate tilting the majority scale towards the Governing party by electing to do business with the NPP; it has also been blessed with some fantastic new entrants to the Legislative arena.
In this article, I want to highlight the Member of Parliament for the Kwadaso Constituency in the Ashanti region, Prof. Kingsley Nyarko, as one of these group of promising new Members of Parliament who deserve another term in office based on their demonstrated output and dedication to their Parliamentary duties. I will first of all proceed on the premise that he has received top recommendations from seasoned Members of Parliament for his work.
Before he became a Member of Parliament in January 2021, Professor Kingsley Nyarko was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, played the Executive Secretary role at the National Accreditation Board, and held the Executive Directorship position of the Danquah Institute.
Commendations by Experienced Legislators.
This first-time Member of Parliament from the fold of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is fast becoming a toast to the connoisseurs of Parliamentary democracy. The latest endorsement came from the Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Bagbin himself.
I remember On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, the Speaker acknowledged the leadership qualities of the Kwadaso MP when he moved from the back bench to assist with the leadership roles of his front bench in the absence of the substantive leaders. And this was not the first time he had naturally stepped into the leadership space and been eagerly urged on by his colleagues.
On two other occasions, the Speaker has had to commend the Kwadaso MP for his meticulousness and prolificness in his Parliamentary duties even as a first-time MP. He is one of the first-time MPs who has shown huge promise of staying focused on his Parliamentary duties and taking time to learn the ropes very quickly. He seems to have stricken the right chords and has caught the attention of the experienced Parliamentarians.
The Member of Parliament for Tamale South and immediate past Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, openly commended Professor Kingsley Nyarko on the Floor for his active participation in the activities of the House. Noting that he is one of the few first-timers who care to pay attention to the Votes and Proceedings of the House and is constantly found on his feet to effect one correction or the other at the start of Parliamentary work.
Excellence in Parliamentary Duties on the Floor
He has not relented on his oversight duties over the Executive even though he is a member of the Governing party. He has caused many Ministers of State to be hauled before Parliament to account for their stewardship through the many Parliamentary questions he filed during the period concerning matters relating directly to his constituency or pertinent national issues.
As a good academic researcher, he has succeeded in making some important statements on the Floor on relevant subjects that require national attention such as his statements on “the Growing Concern for the need to take the English Language Proficiency Test”; and “Ghana’s presence on the United Nations Security Council: Prospect in Promoting Peace and Security within the Subregion”; and the “International Day of Women and Girls in Science” among others that were made on the Floor of the House on February 3, February 10, and February 11, 2022, respectively.
As a former lecturer, he has impacted the law-making process with varied perspectives owing to his academic prowess and good debating skills which were exhibited in his debate on the message of the State of the Nation Address in April 2022, and on the Budget Statement in December 2023.
The Need to Replace retiring MPs with Promising ones
In the wake of the news that as many as 18 incumbent Members of Parliament of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have decided not to return to Parliament, these rare Parliamentary Leadership qualities which could be identified in the MP for Kwadaso becomes even more important at this time for the Party going into the next Parliament.
Some very senior Members of the party and experienced Legislators who have played major roles in the governing party and the Leadership bench in Parliament on behalf of the party including the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, have declared their intention not to go for re-election in the impending party Parliamentary primaries.
This will undoubtedly affect the general output of the 9th Parliament given that the main counterpart opposition party in Parliament, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has also lost about 18 incumbent MPs through their party primaries.
However, the NPP is likely to be impacted more in the next Parliament because their side is shedding more experienced MPs as compared to their NDC counterparts as far as the confirmed list of incumbent MPs not going to participate in the 2024 Parliamentary election before the NPP parliamentary primaries are concerned. The least of these MPs have served at least two terms in office.
This is why I think, the New Patriotic Party in Kwadaso should ensure that it puts its best foot forward by presenting the incumbent MP, Professor Kingsley Nyarko, who has shown promise of excellence for a possible second term in office to stand a good chance of being among the leadership front in the next Parliament.
This is because his reelection may come with benefits that could accrue to the constituency when their representative is part of the leadership structure in Parliament. The developmental concerns of such privileged constituencies do get priority attention from the Executive branch.
By Clement Akoloh,
Managing Editor, Parliamentnews360.com
Senior Member, Parliamentary Press Corps.
senaakoloh@gmail.com
[post_date_unix] => 1705603541 [post_date] => January 18, 2024 [post_modified] => January 18, 2024 [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/prof-kingsley-nyarko-a-promising-first-time-mp-from-kwadaso-and-a-good-asset-to-the-npp/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1841] => Array ( [post_id] => 1841 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1844 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/presidents-refusal-to-sign-pmb-bills-untenable-pnafricas-sammy-obeng/ [post_title] => President’s Refusal to Sign PMB Bills Untenable – PNAfrica’s Sammy Obeng [post_title_attribute] => President’s Refusal to Sign PMB Bills Untenable – PNAfrica’s Sammy Obeng [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>The Executive Directed Directed of the Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica), Sammy Obeng, has expressed concerns about President Akufo Addo's spirited defence of his position not to assent to a couple of Private Member Bills Passed by the Parliament of Ghana.
The Leader of the Parliamentary Monitoring Civil Society Organization headquartered in Ghana, has urged the President to concentrate on playing his role as the head of the Executive arm of Government and leave the interpretation of the Constitution to the Judiciary.
Sammy Obeng wrote on his social media pages to question the validity of the President's citing constitutional breach of as a reason to decline the signing of the Bills that have gone through all the required legislative due processes by a competent Legislative body.
Below is the full text of his write up.
On 29th December 2020, our President assented to the first Private Members Bill (PMB) which is now known as the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2020 (Act 1054).
That piece of legislation, sponsored by the following MPs: Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Haruna Iddrisu, Ras Mubarak and Ben Abdallah Banda, has its long title as “AN ACT to amend the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683) to proscribe acts that constitute dangerous driving that result in the injury or death of a human foetus or dangerous cycling that result in the injury or death of a human foetus and for related matters.”
Just like the current PMBs in question, Act 1054 also has the same concerns of prison terms and the cost to Ghana (taking care of inmates, health’s etc) which have been cited by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as reasons why he’s refusing to sign these new passed Bills.
In his Memorandum to the Speaker of Parliament of Ghana, the President cited the absence of fiscal impact assessment accompanying these Bills as per PFM Act 921 as another concern.
I am waiting to see any single Bill in Parliament (aside the attempts by the Research Department of Parliament on the RTI Bill when it was before the House), that has come with a fiscal impact assessment in the way the PFM Act requires.
It is my considered opinion that the (un)constitutional nature of a bill passed by parliament should not lie in the mouth of the President to determine. When he does what the Constitution mandates him to do, he can instruct for the issue to be brought before the body clothed with the power to interpret the Constitution to do its job.
We need to stand up to a President who is resorting to covert ways to kill the PMB regime in Ghana, a situation that will erode some of the modest gains made with our parliamentary practice.
I do not want to talk about the fact that one of the Bills the President appears to be vetoing - Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022 - is already clocked in as Act 1101 following what we know as the President’s move on that Bill on 2nd August 2023.
Is this new thinking of the President an afterthought?
Contact the Communications Department via mail - info@parliamentafrica.com
or Cell - +233244993616
[post_date_unix] => 1704475695 [post_date] => January 5, 2024 [post_modified] => January 5, 2024 [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/presidents-refusal-to-sign-pmb-bills-untenable-pnafricas-sammy-obeng/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1838] => Array ( [post_id] => 1838 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1839 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/inauguration-of-27th-commonwealth-speakers-and-presiding-officers-conference-cspoc-uganda/ [post_title] => Inauguration of 27th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference (CSPOC)- Uganda [post_title_attribute] => Inauguration of 27th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference (CSPOC)- Uganda [post_excerpt] => The inauguration of the 27th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference (CSPOC) has marked a momentous occasion as it has been unveiled by His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the esteemed President of Uganda. The grand opening ceremony has served as a platform for leaders, dignitaries, and representatives from across the Commonwealth to converge and engage in meaningful discussions. [post_content] =>The inauguration of the 27th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference (CSPOC) has marked a momentous occasion as it has been unveiled by His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the esteemed President of Uganda. The grand opening ceremony has served as a platform for leaders, dignitaries, and representatives from across the Commonwealth to converge and engage in meaningful discussions.
The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among has played a pivotal role in extending a warm welcome to her counterparts and other distinguished leaders present at the conference. Among other leaders is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and technical staff from Parliament.
The gathering is not only celebrating the rich diversity within the Commonwealth but also fostering a spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding.
H.E Yoweri Museveni's involvement in inaugurating the conference has underscored the significance of the event on the global stage. His presence has not only added prestige but also highlighted Uganda's commitment to promoting dialogue and cooperation among Commonwealth nations.
The Speaker's welcoming address has set the tone for the conference, emphasizing the shared values and goals that bind Commonwealth countries together. The exchange of ideas and experiences during the conference promised to strengthen the ties between the participating nations, fostering a sense of unity and solidarity.
As leaders engage in discussions over the course of the conference, it is evident that the 27th CSPOC is aimed to address pressing issues facing member nations. The exchange of insights, best practices, and collaborative strategies shall play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of the Commonwealth.
The official opening ceremony, graced by the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Museveni and led by the Speaker of Parliament, has not only showcased Uganda's hospitality but also emphasized the nation's dedication to diplomatic initiatives. The event is a testament to the Commonwealth's enduring commitment to democratic values, human rights, and socio-economic development.
In conclusion, the official opening of the 27th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference is a moment of significance, marked by the presence of President Museveni and the warm welcome extended by the Speaker of Parliament. The conference stands as a beacon of unity, providing a platform for leaders to collaborate, exchange ideas, and collectively address the challenges and opportunities facing the Commonwealth in the 21st century.
[post_date_unix] => 1704450737 [post_date] => January 5, 2024 [post_modified] => January 5, 2024 [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/inauguration-of-27th-commonwealth-speakers-and-presiding-officers-conference-cspoc-uganda/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1835] => Array ( [post_id] => 1835 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1836 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/understanding-the-workings-of-parliament-the-role-of-parliamentary-press-corps/ [post_title] => Understanding The Workings Of Parliament: The Role Of Parliamentary Press Corps [post_title_attribute] => Understanding The Workings Of Parliament: The Role Of Parliamentary Press Corps [post_excerpt] => Parliament is seen as the citadel of Democracy. It is the nerve center of our democratic culture. Its absence creates a huge lacuna in our democratic system. Therefore, it is the heart and the compass of this culture of our democracy. [post_content] =>Parliament is seen as the citadel of Democracy.
It is the nerve center of our democratic culture. Its absence creates a huge lacuna in our democratic system. Therefore, it is the heart and the compass of this culture of our democracy.
The 35 million Ghanaians are represented by the 275 members of the House.
Members of Parliament represent their constituents, debate on all national and constituency matters, legislate on productive laws for the citizens, and play oversight roles over the Executive and other constitutional bodies.
All these roles being played or carried out by our representatives should be heard, listened to, and read by the members of the public including the constituents of the elected members.
It is therefore important for the members of the corps who report on the workings of the House, to understand and appreciate what transpires on the floor of the House.
A Parliamentary correspondent should have an excellent working relationship with the members of the House, but he or she should demonstrate the traits of balance, objectivity, and fairness. He should report accurately without lacing his or her partisan or personal interest in their reports.
The reporter must understand the proceedings of the House, and use some terminologies, and other essential tools used by the members.
In a recently organized workshop for the members of the Corps by the Office of Parliament through its Media Relations Department, all the speakers ranging from the Director of Media Relations to the resource persons stressed the important role PPC plays in feeding the public about the role Parliament plays in our democratic culture.
They have therefore appealed to the members of the Corps to sustain their sterling performance by informing and educating their audience with fair, objective, balanced, and accurate information.
A Deputy Chief Whip from the stock of the Minority, Hon Ahmed Ibrahim, advised Members of the PPC to strive for excellence and continue to play their watchdog role very well.
Hon Ahmed Ibrahim, who is also the Member of Parliament for Banda, appealed for financial assistance to the media personnel especially those who cover Parliament.
He assured the audience that he would lobby the leadership to make it an attainable thought.
One of the resource persons, Mr Edwin Arthur asked members of the corps to be abreast with the various elements of Parliamentary reporting. He appealed to the members to include research in their work.
He mentioned the 1992 Constitution, the Standing Orders, various Conventions, and practices as necessary tools in the work of a parliamentary correspondent.
Parliament and the Media Relations Department should be commended for this opportunity offered to the corps to build their capacity in parliamentary reporting. Capacity building for the corps is key in making the role of the members beneficial to the people.
Ahmed,
The Servant
Some Members of Parliament from the Volta Region have registered their displeasure at the exclusion of the Volta Region from a national project aimed at diversifying tree crops in the country.
This came up on the Floor of Parliament on Friday, December 8, 2023, during the consideration of the Finance Committee’s Report on the Credit Agreement between the Government of Ghana and the World Bank Group for an amount of Two Hundred Million United States Dollars (US$200,000,000) to finance the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (GTCDP).
The GTCDP is designed to be implemented by the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) and Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) under the supervision of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA). The five-year development strategy (2022-2027) targets six priority tree crops: cashew, shea, mango, coconut, rubber, and oil palm.
It aims to regulate and develop a sustainable sector focusing on (i) research support, (ii) production and value chain support including commercialization; (iii) capacity building, and (iv) licensing and regulation.
Tree crops generate income for subsistence households as well as for commercial producers. While production constitutes just 24 percent of the land area cultivated, and 9 percent of the total volume of crops produced, they account for 85 percent of Ghana’s total agricultural exports, 70 percent of which is cocoa.
During the consideration of the Committee’s report, the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor first raised the House’s attention to the fact that the Volta region is very prominent in the production of Coconut, yet has been conspicuously missing from the list of regions to benefit from the tree crop investment project.
He therefore demanded that the coastal areas of the Volta region which have a history of producing coconut trees in the country, be included in the beneficiary areas before the approval of the loan.
He said, “Mr. Speaker, I am sad because as a Government we have decided to implement this policy in some regions minus the Volta region. Mr. Speaker, when we talk of tree crops, in fact, my hometown “hwe” which is called Cape Saint Paul, cannot be left out. Mr. Speaker, the disease that destroyed coconut in this country first originated from Cape Saint Paul and so the disease is called “Cape Saint Paul.” So, if you want to replace coconut plantations in this country, it has to start from the Volta Region.
“When we speak of ecological zones in this country that support the growth of coconut, I believe the Volta Region will rank first or second. Mr. Speaker, even the famous Western Region is omitted. So, on what basis were the ecological zones selected?
“Mr. Speaker, I speak passionately about this matter. Even though I want to support the approval of this facility, Mr. Speaker I am demanding that as a citizen of this country that hails from the Volta Region, we should be included in the first phase of this project. Mr. Speaker, there is no basis why the Volta Region should be omitted.”
The Member of Parliament for Keta in the Volta Region, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, also showed that the Volta region already has a thriving industry around coconut, mango, and cashew production. He therefore submitted that he believes that the Volta Region was deliberately removed from the list for reasons that were unclear to him because the region is among the prominent tree crop producers in the country.
“Mr. Speaker, in this country the Volta region, Central and Western Regions produce coconut more than any other region. And then when the Tree Crop Development Authority is going to promote tree crops such as coconut, which regions are these supposed to go to?
“In Volta Region, we produce coconut, mango, and cashews. When you are earmarking the regions and zoning them for this facility, the Volta Region was deliberately removed from the list. Why am I saying this?
“Volta Region was not included in the loan facility concerning coconut. Meanwhile, we want to maximize and produce more coconut. In terms of value addition, there is a component of the loan that will support value addition. These must be put at strategic areas where coconut from Central, Western, and the Volta regions can be processed,” he lamented.
There was a sharp rebuttal by the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Kwaku Kwarteng who observed that the stands taken by the MPs were rather unfortunate and were not good for national cohesion because the Volta Region was not deliberately omitted. He emphasized that the selection was done by technical people with empirical information.
“Mr. Speaker, we have just done a facility for the coastal areas dedicated largely to the Volta Region, and for a Member of Parliament to speak as though there is a deliberate strategy to exclude people who should be included in this facility is most unfortunate and we should move away from that.”
On the same day, the House also approved two additional loan facilities including the Concessional Financing Agreement between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association for an amount of One Hundred and Fifty Million United States Dollars (US$150,000,000.00) for the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2).
The other is the Additional Financing Agreement for an amount of One Hundred and Fifty Million United States Dollars (US$150,000,000.00) to finance the Ghana Productive Safety Net Project 2.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
[post_date_unix] => 1702163686 [post_date] => December 9, 2023 [post_modified] => December 9, 2023 [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/volta-mps-decry-exclusion-of-region-from-tree-crop-diversification-project/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1826] => Array ( [post_id] => 1826 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1827 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/anti-lgbtq-bill-sponsors-threaten-to-mention-names-of-mps-frustrating-its-passage/ [post_title] => Anti-LGBTQ Bill Sponsors Threaten to Mention Names of MPs Frustrating its Passage [post_title_attribute] => Anti-LGBTQ Bill Sponsors Threaten to Mention Names of MPs Frustrating its Passage [post_excerpt] => Promoters of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, have threatened to Mention the names of MPs who are frustrating the passage of the Bill by Parliament if it is further delayed. [post_content] =>Promoters of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, have threatened to Mention the names of MPs who are frustrating the passage of the Bill by Parliament if it is further delayed.
“Those who have gone and gotten influenced by persons interested in LGBTQ should return whatever influence they have collected because we will fight and the next time, we address the media, I will mention names. I have been impressed upon my co-sponsors not to mention names today but next time I will mention names,” a leading member of the promoters told the press.
It came down to a showdown in Parliament on Wednesday as the House failed to take the Bill listed on the Order Paper for some time now to go through the consideration stage.
The Spokesperson for the Sponsors of the Bill, Samuel George, did not take it kindly on the Floor of the House when Hon. Joseph Osei Owusu, the Presiding Speaker on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, declined the invitation for the House to consider the Bill in the absence of the Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, the MP for Asante Akyim Central.
Outside the Chamber, the Member of Parliament for Ningo Prapram, George Samuel Nartey addressed a press conference on behalf of the Bill sponsors where he expressed the displeasure of the group about the undue delay of the Bill in Parliament.
According to him, some deliberate delay tactics are being deployed by some elements in leadership positions of the House to ensure that the Bill does not get passed. He therefore indicated that they were no longer going to tolerate dragging of feet on this matter but would go ahead to expose who are behind this delay.
“We are very aware of people in leadership on the Majority side who are reaching out to the sponsors of the Bill asking us to step down the Bill. Is that why the Majority side is fighting against the Bill?” he quizzed.
“The excuse given today that the Chairman of the Committee is not in the Chamber so we can’t take the amendment is alien to the practice of this House because the Ranking Member was present,” he added.
The Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, Speaking to Parliament News360 in an interview later, denied the accusation that he and some other elements in leadership on the Majority side of the House are deliberately delaying the passage of the Bill which has been before the House for the past three years.
He explained that he was not privy to any agreement between the Speaker and the Leadership of the House to work on the Bill and he has deliberately stayed away from the House as has been alleged. According to him, he was absent from the House because the Minister for Interior had delegated him to represent him at a ceremony for the Ghana National Fire Service.
Besides that, he said, “If we start today, there is no way we can finish these amendments before this meeting ends. So, why should I start? At any rate, if he says it is their Bill, he should not accuse the wrong person. Nobody has said they don’t want it to go on. If leadership agrees that we should go ahead with the consideration stage then so be it. But there are other quizzes that we need to finish up and we need one meeting to finish it up.”
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
[post_date_unix] => 1701904074 [post_date] => December 6, 2023 [post_modified] => December 6, 2023 [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/anti-lgbtq-bill-sponsors-threaten-to-mention-names-of-mps-frustrating-its-passage/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1819] => Array ( [post_id] => 1819 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1820 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/dealing-with-the-misconceptions-between-the-qnet-brand-and-the-q-net-fraud-note-the-difference/ [post_title] => Dealing with the Misconceptions about the QNET brand and the Q-NET Fraud: Note the Difference [post_title_attribute] => Dealing with the Misconceptions about the QNET brand and the Q-NET Fraud: Note the Difference [post_excerpt] => QNET is an international direct selling and Multi-Level Marketing brand headquartered in Hong Kong with a presence in more than 25 countries worldwide through subsidiaries, branch offices, agency partnerships, and franchisees. It has succeeded in putting a lot of people into business and it spends a lot of resources to ensure that they are well-trained for the job. [post_content] =>QNET is an international direct selling and Multi-Level Marketing brand with its headquarters in Hong Kong with a presence in more than 25 countries worldwide through subsidiaries, branch offices, agency partnerships, and franchisees. It has succeeded in putting a lot of people into business and spends a lot of resources to ensure that they are well-trained for the job.
However, the activities of this company in Africa, especially in Sub Saharan Africa including Ghana, is fraught with a lot of misconceptions because of brand misrepresentations.
A cursory search of the brand name on the internet in Ghana instantly introduces one to a barrage of negative stories about QNET which can easily cloud one’s judgment about the brand and prejudice him or her against any product or service proposals by the brand. That is one of the reasons why the company has embarked on educational and awareness campaigns to fight against scams and misrepresentation.
It must be noted that there is a world of difference between the QNET brand and the so-called Quest Net (Q-NET) which is at the center of all the fraudulent claims reported in the media.
QNET VCON MEDIA WEBINAR
With the curious mindset of the journalist in me, I harbored some of these misconceptions and misgivings about the QNET brand until I had an invitation from a friend to join the QNET VCON Media webinar organized by QNET.
It was an interactive info-sharing Webinar that introduced me to the QNET Regional General Manager, other QNET officials, and journalists who attended VCON in 2022 and 2023 in Malaysia. The key objective of the webinar was to continue engaging the media with credible information that will help address the misconceptions about the QNET brand in Ghana. QNET’s V-Convention (VCON) is an extraordinary gathering of QNET’s Independent Representatives (IR) from across the globe.
An opportunity was created for the Regional General Manager of QNET for Sub Saharan Africa, Biram Fall, to elaborate on the QNET brand and some of its products and services. Through the eyes of some seasoned Ghanaian journalists who had attended the annual gathering of Independent Representatives all over the world in Malaysia in 2022 and 2023, recounted their experience to demystify misconceptions about QNET’s true existence, and the impact of the media Junket to journalists in Ghana
I had my “Damascus experience” during that encounter where my eyes were opened to the stack difference between the real (QNET) and fake (Q-NET) business entities living side by side on the marketing scene as QNET and Q-NET, but with two different sets of priorities and management.
I learned that QNET, is one of Asia's leading e-commerce-based direct-selling companies offering a wide range of health, wellness, and lifestyle products that enable people to live better lives.
QNET, not Q-NET
The company stated in 2022 that the QNET brand is completely different from the hyphenated Quest Net or Q-NET Investment Limited which is in the middle of all the fraudulent claims on the market.
“The name Quest Net does not refer to nor is meant to refer to QNET. They are effectively entities which are entirely separate and distinct and with no relationship or incorporation internationally,” the statement from QNET said.
The statement further maintained that the company has continually been cooperating with the relevant authorities in the country and placed Quest Net or Q-NET on notice that there was no relationship, connection, or nexus of any kind with the Ghana-registered local entity and QNET Limited.
I learned also that QNET has a presence in more than 25 countries around the world through subsidiaries, branch offices, agency partnerships, and franchisees and operates businesses in many countries, including Ghana, via Independent Representatives (IRs) who are properly trained and accredited individuals that undertake the business in compliance with best business ethics and practices.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
[post_date_unix] => 1701448416 [post_date] => December 1, 2023 [post_modified] => December 2, 2023 [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/dealing-with-the-misconceptions-between-the-qnet-brand-and-the-q-net-fraud-note-the-difference/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1817] => Array ( [post_id] => 1817 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1814 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/speakers-unfair-choice-for-a-division-led-to-our-decision-to-walkout-of-parliament-majority/ [post_title] => Speaker’s Unfair Choice for a Division Led to Our Decision to Walkout of Parliament – Majority [post_title_attribute] => Speaker’s Unfair Choice for a Division Led to Our Decision to Walkout of Parliament – Majority [post_excerpt] => The Majority Group in Ghana’s Parliament has asserted that the unsolicited choice of the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Bagbin to resort to a “Division” instead of a “Headcount” was the cause of its decision to stage a walkout of Parliament on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, during the approval of the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy on the Floor of Parliament. [post_content] =>The Majority Group in Ghana’s Parliament has asserted that the unsolicited choice of the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Bagbin to resort to a “Division” instead of a “Headcount” was the cause of its decision to stage a walkout of Parliament on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, during the approval of the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy on the Floor of Parliament.
A statement by the Majority Caucus signed by the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin, on Thursday, November 30, 2023, recounted the events that had played out on the Floor of the House the previous day which had led to their eventual walkout of the House.
“Following the conclusion of the debate on the budget yesterday, the Speaker, as per the established protocol of the House, was to put the question regarding the approval of the policy and principles underpinning the budget. After a period of deliberation, the Speaker posed the question and announced that the "ayes" had it. Subsequently, the Deputy Minority Leader, Armah Kofi-Buah, rose on account of Order 113(2) to contest what he (Mr. Armah Kofi-Buah) deemed as a ruling by the Rt. Hon. Speaker. As a result of the challenge, he called for a headcount. This prompted an intervention from the Majority Leader and Deputy Majority Leader. They raised procedural issues in respect of the application brought before the Speaker.
“Despite the procedural objections raised, the Speaker declined to acknowledge these concerns and expressed his intention to proceed with a headcount as demanded. At this juncture, the leadership of the majority caucus insisted on their readiness to submit to the headcount that was being sought. The headcount, a process where members indicating "aye" or "no" rise to be counted, typically takes approximately 10 minutes. The results are then tallied by table officers and presented to the Speaker, who announces the outcome.
“Instead of sticking to the request of the headcount, the Speaker then said that he was drawing the attention of the House to the possibility of resorting to a division, and indeed the Speaker then called for a division. This came as a surprise to Members of the Majority Caucus, since no such application for a division had been presented to the Speaker.
“The decision to call for a division was certainly not the initial application.
“Leadership of the Majority, —well aware that under our rules, being absent during a headcount disqualifies a member from being recorded present, whereas in a division, absent members who rush in can be counted as participants, even if they were not present when the question was initially put-; moved to halt this process that would have allowed some of the minority MPs who were outside Accra at the time to be able to proceed to Parliament to be counted, even though the Majority was fully aware that it was not going to give the minority any advantage.
“This departure from the call for a headcount generated heat and was set to frustrate government business; at the same time undermining the sanctity of the parliamentary processes.
“Since 1993, Parliament has never resorted to a division in making decisions.
“The Majority concluded the choice for a division was unfair under the circumstances, leading to their decision to stage a walkout.
“It is essential to note that despite the Speaker's indication that the "ayes" had prevailed, and despite a petition presented to him, a petition that hadn't followed due process, the Speaker's initial ruling on the "ayes" retaining their advantage stands. Consequently, the budget has been duly passed until the appeal for a headcount is dealt with, not the division that the Speaker had called.” Said, the statement.
Meanwhile, a press release issued on behalf of the Speaker by the Media Relations Department of the Parliament of Ghana has insisted that the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy is still before the House and that its fate will be decided in the subsequent week.
“The Parliament of Ghana wishes to bring it to the attention of the general public that the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the year ending 31st December 2024, is still before Parliament awaiting approval. A consensus approach is being pursued towards its approval.” The release said.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
[post_date_unix] => 1701378049 [post_date] => November 30, 2023 [post_modified] => November 30, 2023 [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/speakers-unfair-choice-for-a-division-led-to-our-decision-to-walkout-of-parliament-majority/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) ) [loop_pagination] => Array ( [pagenavi_options] => Array ( [pages_text] => Page %CURRENT_PAGE% of %TOTAL_PAGES% [current_text] => %PAGE_NUMBER% [page_text] => %PAGE_NUMBER% [first_text] => 1 [last_text] => %TOTAL_PAGES% [next_text] => [prev_text] => [dotright_text] => ... [dotleft_text] => ... [num_pages] => 3 [always_show] => 1 ) [paged] => 3 [max_page] => 37 [start_page] => 2 [end_page] => 4 [pages_to_show] => 3 [previous_posts_link] => [next_posts_link] => ) [category_id] => 51 )
