Ghana politics and election news

Some twenty-three Members of Parliament are operating without offices, because of inadequate space in the multi-million dollar office complex for legislators.

A former head of the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice [CHRAJ], has called for thorough independent investigations into bribery allegation being levelled against the finance committee of the previous parliament.

Emile Short believes the allegation against the committee is very serious and could have dire implication for the house. It will also dampen the trust reposed in the legislature by Ghanaians as a check on other arms of government.

Documents intercepted by Accra based JoyFM has revealed the National Lottery Authority [NLA] made attempts to influence the finance committee of the previous parliament, to speed up the passage of amendments to the National Lottery Act, 2006 (Act 722).

Former Chairman, James Klutse Avedzi, has admitted the committee received a total of Ȼ100,000 from the NLA upon a request.

This contradicted earlier claims by legal adviser of the NLA, David Lamptey, that the money was used to facilitate a workshop by his outfit for the committee members to enlighten them on the amendments to the act.

Commenting on the development on JoyFm, Justice Emile Short said the independent investigations should analyse payment vouchers, and other receipts documents to establish the facts.

He believes this is crucial to maintaining the credibility of the house especially after questions were raised about how parliament handled another bribery scandal involving the appointment committee few weeks ago.

President Akufo-Addo has appointed Thomas Kusi Boafo as the New Chief Executive Officer to the Public-Sector Reforms.

A draft bill by the Attorney Generals department for the establishment of the office of a Special Prosecutor has proposed a seven year tenure for the office, and will soon be sent to cabinet for their views on it.

The seven years proposed by the AG’s department is expected to enable whoever appointed into the office deal with cases brought before him without any interference from the appointing authority.

As a step to clamp down on corrupt practices in the country, the New Patriotic Party in the run-up to the 2016 general election promised to establish the anti-graft body to prosecute cases of corruption in the country

Attorney General Gloria Akuffo in an interaction with civil society groups in Accra on the draft bill said the establishment of the office will be a major step to reduce, if not eradicate, corruption from the Ghanaian society. The office under Public Procurement Act 203(63) will be mandated to investigate and prosecute individuals alleged to have be engaging in corrupt practices in the country.

She was hopeful the consultations over the bill have been factored into it and will be presented first to cabinet before finally laying it before parliament for debate and approval.

 

 

Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolga Central, Isaac Adongo, says   government's $19 billion deal with China is reckless and will have a dire effect on the country's economy.

Mr. Adongo, who is also the member of the Finance Committee of Parliament, said the situation created by Dr. Bawumia by accepting the money from the Chinese government is not only reckless, but frightening and scary.

Government has announced a $19 billion loan agreement with China, an amount which would help facilitate the One District, One Factory project.

But the Minority insist the amount would hugely affect the country's debt stoke and sustainability, and should not be encouraged.

According to him, the  Vice President spoke vehemently against the $1 billion of Eurobond during President Mahama's administration, so wondered why the very person expects praises to be heaped on him and the government, when the money is only adding up to the debt to GDP ratio.

"This government vilified the 72% debt to GDP ratio during the NDC administration as the worse that the country could ever have. Now to add $19 billion of additional loans in such a period will push our debt to GDP to a region of 120 to 130%, which is the worse that could be found in the world,"he stated on Accra-based Citi FM.

Mr. Adongo said Dr. Bawumia “who advised the people of Ghana to vote against the NDC for nearly borrowing $1 billion of Eurobond because that would have created a major problem for Ghana's debt profile to now ditch Ghana into a 130% of GDP, is frightening, scary and reckless."

He said China cannot make such an offer without the country having to leverage  certain natural resources for the loan.

Mr. Adongo said Ghanaians need value for money and would ensure the economy is not dragged into a ditch by reckless borrowing. He said the very government that said it was not going to borrow money to develop the country is now  in China expecting money to support development.

But  Deputy Minister for Finance, Kweku Kwarteng, said the agreement between the two countries is so far on the level of an MOU, and that conditions attached to the money are yet to be discussed. www.primenewsghana.com

 

 

More focus will be placed on the expansion of the economy to create gainful employment for the citizens, especially the youth.

For Ghana to continue enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of religious tolerance and harmony, we must all place emphasis and prioritize our common values and what binds us together.

The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has left Ghana, for 3-day official state visit to the Republic of Zambia, on the invitation of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

The Mahama administration failed to secure a second term in office partly because his appointees did not deliver.

Leading member of the NDC and lawyer Nana Ato Dadzie says although former President John Dramani Mahama selected persons deemed competent into his government, the appointees did not work to the expectation of Ghanaians who were yearning for positive chances in their socio-economic wellbeing.

Speaking in an interview on JoyNews, Nana Ato Dadzie who supports a comeback for the former president in the 2020 elections, expressed the hope that President Mahama would pick lessons from his mistakes to become a better leader if he get another opportunity.

Leaders of the NDC have been on a fact finding mission since losing the 2016 to ascertain the reasons for their historic defeat at the hands of the NPP. A committee constituted to investigate, led by former finance minister Dr. Kwesi Botchwey last week presented its findings to party executives. The committee recommended among others the strengthening of the NDC's election collation system and more consultation with the intellectual backbone of the party.

It is not known if Nana Ato Dadzie’s suggestions are contained in the report, which is yet to be made public.

The lawyer who is of the firm belief that former President Mahama stands the best chance of regaining power for the NDC, prescribes a closer association between Mr Mahama and the larger population for feedback on the performance of his appointees if he gets another chance.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has asked all persons leaving in the Zongo and inner cities of the country to participate fully in the consultative forum for the Zongo development fund to help propel development in these areas.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has re-nominated 15 persons to the position of MDCEs.

Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, has described as wrong, the decision of the United States to strip former Ghanaian presidents of protocol privileges on visa acquisitions for personal purposes.

Minority Leader in Parliament Haruna Iddrisu has called on government to appeal against the decision by the United States government to strip off visa protocol for former presidents of Ghana.

Haruna Iddrisu said the appeal against the decision should be based on the strength of Ghana’s reciprocal gestures.

 During an interaction with Parliament, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Jackson, disclosed a directive from the US government which strips off all former presidents a visa protocol anytime they want to visit the States. The decision means former presidents and their staff will have to queue like any other Ghanaian visa applicant.

Commenting on the issue, Mr Iddrisu said a clear difference must be drawn between an official and a private visit. He believes the decision by the US government is a step to put an end to the abuse of privileges.

 He however noted that, the basis of negotiation between Ghana and the US should be on the grounds of reciprocity.

Mr. Iddrisu said until the US government reverses the decision, all US leaders who intend visiting Ghana should be subjected to the same directive.