TIG Post

Tag: Assembly Member

  • Ghana received €55m from EU Member States for vaccine manufacturing – Report

    Ghana received €55m from EU Member States for vaccine manufacturing – Report


    In 2023, European Union Member States collectively contributed almost 55 million euros to facilitate Ghana’s transformation into a vaccine manufacturing hub in Africa.

    Additionally, they have inaugurated a new solar power plant in Upper West, supporting Ghana’s energy diversification efforts, financed by Germany and constructed by Spain.

    During the 2024 Europe Day Reception in Accra, Irchad Razaaly, the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, hailed these initiatives as prime examples of the “Best of Team Europe” collaborations.

    Europe Day, commemorated annually on May 9, celebrates peace and unity in Europe, marking the anniversary of the historic ‘Schuman declaration’ that laid the groundwork for a new era of European political cooperation, ultimately leading to the formation of the European Union.

    This year’s Europe Month theme is “Youth and Skills,” emphasizing the EU’s commitment to empowering Ghanaian youth through Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) and supporting young entrepreneurs.

    Ambassador Razaaly reaffirmed the EU’s unwavering belief in Ghana’s future, pledging sustained support for its youth and endeavors towards sustainability.

    Acknowledging the fruitful collaboration with Ghanaian Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, he lauded the successful partnerships and anticipated even greater cooperation in the future.

    He emphasized the EU’s keenness to strengthen its partnership with Ghana, highlighting upcoming milestones such as the opening of Austria’s embassy and the exploration of further collaborations.

    He said, “We share an interest in building a sustainable future for the next generations in Ghana, as a partner, this is what sets us apart, the EU believes in your future, and we are here to stay.”

    These developments underscore the strong EU-Ghana relationship, characterized by shared priorities, interests, and values, including a commitment to upholding the rule of law and democracy.

    Furthermore, they reflect Ghana’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity amid the ongoing Russian aggression.

    Security cooperation has emerged as a cornerstone of the EU-Ghana partnership, with significant investments in military equipment and security programs.

    The Global Gateway initiative has transitioned from planning to implementation in Ghana, driving substantial and transformative investments.

    Kobina Tahir Hammond, Ghana’s Minister of Trade and Industry, underscored the enduring ties and shared values between Ghana and the EU, emphasizing their mutual respect and commitment to common goals.

    He hailed the EU’s instrumental role in supporting Ghana’s development across various sectors over the years, fostering a meaningful partnership that continues to benefit both sides.

  • Dead Assemblyman aspirant wins election in Western Region

    Dead Assemblyman aspirant wins election in Western Region

    In an astonishing turn of events, the late Assembly Member for the Tebrebe Electoral Area in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region, Manasseh Addison Sackey, has posthumously secured victory in the District Level Elections by a mere one vote.

    The news of this unexpected triumph has reverberated throughout the community, leaving residents in a state of disbelief and wonderment at the peculiar circumstances surrounding this electoral outcome.

    Manasseh Addison Sackey, who also served as the headteacher of Aboponiso MA School, tragically met his demise while campaigning on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.

    En route from Tebrebe to Mile 10 and a half, the canoe he was traveling in, one of several he had recently donated to the community, capsized, resulting in his drowning and that of another passenger.

    The untimely loss of the incumbent assembly member had cast a pall over the political landscape. However, the unexpected victory has injected a renewed sense of vitality into Sackey’s legacy.

    The solitary vote that secured Sackey’s triumph has become a focal point of community discussion, with speculation running rife about the identity of the voter.

    Residents, grappling with a range of emotions from disbelief to admiration, find comfort in the unforeseen continuation of Sackey’s influence.

    One resident succinctly captured the prevailing sentiment, stating, “It’s as if he is still with us, guiding our community from beyond.”

  • Somanya police arrest suspect after a speeding car killed an assembly man

    Somanya police arrest suspect after a speeding car killed an assembly man

    Police in Somanya are holding a suspect in relation to the death of Eric Narh Aglazo, the assembly member for Sra electoral area.The deceased met his untimely death in a car accident on Monday, April 10, 2023.

    Police started investigation almost immediately after news emerged that the assemblyman who was riding on his motorbike had been hit a speeding vehicle leading to his death.

    The incident took place on Easter Monday in front of the Kings Pizza in Somanya.

    Although the length of the road from Trom via Somanya to Nuaso has had an asphalt overlay since 2016, there are no road markings or signs, despite the fact that a lot of schools are located along that route, a Citi News report stated.

    Police are yet to ascertain the exact cause of the collision and or the release details of the suspect.

  • Stormont: Bill to slash assembly members’ pay to be introduced

    On Monday, new legislation will be introduced in Westminster to give the Northern Ireland secretary the authority to reduce the salaries of assembly members.

    As the executive had not been restored, Chris Heaton-Harris confirmed the move earlier in November.

    The Executive Formation Bill will give parties more time to return to power-sharing government.

    It will also clarify civil servants’ “limited decision-making” powers in the absence of ministers.

    Extra provisions are also being made to allow a regional rate to be set, should an executive not be in place, as well as powers for the approval of some public appointments.

    Mr Heaton-Harris said the bill would address the “realities of the governance gap in Northern Ireland during the present impasse”.

    Under the new legislation, a fresh timeline will be set for the restoration of a power-sharing government.

    If the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) refuses to end its boycott of the Stormont institutions by 8 December, Mr Heaton-Harris has the option to either call an election – which would be for some time between mid-January and the beginning of March – or extend the deadline by six weeks to 19 January.

    If nothing changes by then, an election could take place by 13 April.

    Setting out details of the bill, the secretary of state said people in Northern Ireland were being “denied full democratic representation”.

    “The government’s priority is to see politicians elected to return to fulfil their roles in a strong, devolved, locally-accountable government as laid out in the Belfast Good Friday Agreement,” he said

    “I urge the Northern Ireland parties to use this extended time to come together and deliver for the interests of all the people in Northern Ireland, particularly in this time of rising costs.”

    Dates for the diary

    Northern Ireland has been without a government since February as the DUP has refused to return to power-sharing in protest over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

    Unionist politicians argue the post-Brexit trading arrangement undermines Northern Ireland’s position in the UK.

    It keeps the region aligned with some EU trade rules to ensure goods can move freely across the Irish land border.

    Despite an assembly election in May – in which Sinn Féin won the largest number of seats – and four attempts to elect an assembly speaker, the DUP continued to refuse to nominate executive ministers.

    The UK and EU remain in talks about the protocol, in the hopes of getting a deal to suit both sides.

    Analysis: More movable deadlines could come

    Three weeks after he backtracked on his legal obligation to call an assembly election, Chris Heaton Harris is playing for more time.

    By providing the extra space with two new deadlines, he hopes the UK and EU will strike a deal over the Northern Ireland Protocol, which could pave the way for the DUP’s return to the Northern Ireland Executive.

    That is a big ask given the gaps which remain between London and Brussels.

    Don’t be surprised if we end up with more dates to circle in the calendar once the two set today join the long list of Northern Ireland’s movable deadlines.

    As for cutting assembly members’ salaries, let’s see if that is a threat the secretary of state will stick to.

    The bill also gives the secretary of state the power to amend assembly members’ salaries while the assembly is “unable to conduct business and maintain public service delivery”.

    This could see their wages cut by 27%, or just over £14,000, reducing their incomes from £51,500 to £37,337.

    “At present MLAs (members of the legislative assembly) are not in a position to fulfil the full range of their duties, so it is right that we take steps to reduce their salaries, especially in the current economic climate,” Mr Heaton-Harris said.

    He also criticised outgoing ministers for “poor decisions” which he said helped create the current £660m black hole in public finances.

  • Weija Dam Spillage: We’ve never seen anything like this before – Assembly Member

    The Assembly Member for Tetegu a suburb of Accra, Bright Adablah has said the spillage from the Weija dam is the worse so far to hit the community.

    Hundreds of houses in Weija, Tetegu, and the surrounding areas have been flooded leaving many residents displaced as a result of the spillage by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) from the Weija Dam.

    According to GWCL, the rainy situation in the Eastern Region in the last weeks has contributed to the rise of the water level in the Weija Dam.

    Speaking in an interview, Mr. Adablah called on President Akufo-Addo to take up this year’s situation and investigate what might have caused it adding that, “someone didn’t do his work well and that has caused the whole community to suffer.”

    The Assembly Member questioned why Ghana Water Company should wait for the water to get to its highest level before allowing for spillage.

    “Because no one is giving any reason or talking to anyone about anything, all they are saying is that the people should move out of the community. As to what is causing the problem no one knows and the dam can’t contain the volume of water coming in.”

    “This has never happened before in the history of Tetegu and it is a very serious and terrible one. But we just thank God no casualty has been recorded so far. The whole community is flooded, with no place to step, and our properties are in the water. Usually, what happens is a portion of the community will get flooded and within some days it’s okay but this is beyond control,” Mr. Adablah narrated.

    He continued: “The notification didn’t come early. Maybe you will hear it a day before or during the spillage then they will say people living along the river should move, but I think this spillage is beyond expectation.”

    He, however, added that the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) is currently in the area to move people to safer places.