TIG Post

Tag: Members of Parliament

  • Ill be back in Parliament in 2024 – Ras Mubarak

    The outgoing Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarakhas hinted at plans to contest the seat again.

    The legislator will no longer be returning to parliament following his defeat in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party primaries.

    Ras Mubarak lost the slot to Dr. Hamza Adam who polled a total of 401 votes while the incumbent MP polled 278 votes.

    Speaking to Kwabena Agyapong on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, Ras Mubarak said he will seek re-election in the future.

    He revealed to the host the possibility of him contesting the seat in Kumbungu is high.

    Ras Mubarak was grateful that his residents voted for him to represent them in parliament.

    According to him, “When you have life, you have everything. God willing, in 2024, I will contest as an MP.”

    The MP said he was hopeful to serve in the 8th Parliament because it is a unique House with a hung Parliament.

    “As somebody who enjoys lawmaking, I would have wished to be part of the 8th Parliament but God worked in different ways. If I am alive in 2024, I will contest,” he added.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Akufo-Addos final State of the Nation Address to be delivered in Parliament today

    In line with Article 67 of the 1992 of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will today in Parliamentdeliver his last State of the Nation Address for his first term in office.

    “The President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliamentand before a dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the state of the nation,” reads the provision in the constitution.

    Thus, the president will today deliver a review of governments works in the year 2020, as well as give an overall account of his first term in office to parliament today.

    In a statement, the Public Affairs Directorate of Parliament has directed that the event set to commence at 10:00 am is strictly by invitation due to COVID-19 and the need to adhere to required protocols.

    With the 2020 elections out of the way, the current Parliament is set to be dissolved on January 6, 2021 for the inauguration of the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic on January 7.

    President Akufo-Addo will also be sworn in as president for another term later that same day having been declared winner of the 2020 presidential polls by the EC.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Clerk of Parliament exposed as controversy rages over Amewus injunction

    The Parliament of Ghana has been exposed over claims that it never received any communication to the effect there is an injunction on the Hohoe Parliamentary seat paving way for Mr. Amewu to be duly cleared to register as a lawmaker.

    Parliament claimed at the time of going to the press it had not through the clerk, been notified of any court injunction on the Hohoe MP.

    The MP registration which started from 2nd January is expected to end on Wednesday the 6th of January, 2020 with a swearing-in to take place on 7th January which saw Mr. John Peter Amewu taking part in view of the disclosure by parliament.

    But a letter sighted by MyNewsGh.com from Zenith Law Consult dated December 24, 2020, to the Clerk of Parliament received with a stamp date of December 24, 2020, reads in part “May I extend to you compliments of the Christmas Season and best wishes for the New Year.

    As solicitor for the applicants in the above-named case in which the applicants are seeking enforcement of certain fundamental rights, including their right to vote and be represented in Parliament, I hereby bring to your attention orders of injunction made yesterday 23rd December 2020, by the High Cotton in Ho on the basis of an ex-parte application we made to the court. Attached herewith is a certified true copy of the said orders.

    We specifically draw your attention respectfully to the third order which enjoins the 3rd Respondent Peter Amewu from presenting himself to be sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Hohoe constituency or otherwise holding himself out as such. This order is obviously relevant to your role in preparations for the next Parliament. We wish to underline the fact that these orders of the Ho High Court are in the exercise of its human rights enforcement jurisdiction.

    Source: My News GH

  • Parliament passes anti-money laundering bill

    Parliament on Thursday, 17 December 2020 passed the Anti-Money Laundering Bill.

    The Bill is to upgrade the existing anti-money laundering regulatory framework to make it more consistent with international standards.

    According to Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Mark Assibey-Yeboah, the bill when assented to by the President will also empower the Financial Intelligence Center by ensuring adequate funding and logistics to clamp down on terrorism, money laundering and also investigate the unexplained wealth of citizens.

    Mr Assibey Yeboah is confident that Ghana will soon be taken off the European Union’s money laundering blacklist due to the strengthening of its financial laws.

    The concealment of the origins of illegally obtained money, typically by means of transfers involving foreign banks or legitimate businesses.

    Source: Class FM

  • Give MPs developmental role and not only lawmaking NPP MP-elect

    Member of Parliament (MP)-elect for the Ejisu Constituency in the Ashanti Region Lawyer John Kumah has suggested an amendment of the law to include developmental roles in the duties of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the various constituencies across the country.

    “We have the capacity to build this country without aid; we can do it… we have to put our mind into it, we can do it. This is why I have suggested that we have to redefine the role of the MP and make it a development focus project”. Lawyer John Kumah said this in an interview with Kumasi-based Nhyira FM monitored by MyNewsGH.com.

    Members of Parliament are not responsible for developing their constituencies; however, most of them when contesting for the position tend to make huge promises to their constituents.

    In most occasions, these members of Parliament fail to fulfil their promise incurring the wrath of constituents.

    But speaking to Nhyira FM, Mr. John Kumah noted that giving MPs the opportunity to go into development will go a long way to make their constituencies better.

    According to him, lawmakers must also focus on some key sectors in their constituencies which can be explored, to make them useful, create jobs and make money out of them for the development of the country.

    He insisted that, the agriculture sector alone has greater prospects for development if Members of Parliament engage themselves in the sector.

    Source: My News GH

  • Speaker expresses hope of fair elections as 7th Parliament comes to an end

    The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye is confident the 2020 December general elections will be an orderly, fair and credible one.

    The Speaker made the comment in his closing remarks when the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana was closed over the weekend.

    The Speaker also expressed hope for a peaceful transition after the elections, saying “the house is making adequate preparations towards the dissolution of the 7th parliament and I urged all to work in tandem for a seamless transition. As the 2020 general elections approach, I wish you all the very best and I pray that our nation will be law-abiding as we know it has always been and that every official will play his or her part according to the requirements of the law of our country. Honourable Members, I am confident that together, we can have an orderly, fair and credible election.”

    On his part the Majority Chief Whip, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh called for heightened public awareness on the COVI-19 pandemic whiles the Majority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu reiterated the need for peace as the nation heads into the December polls.

    The 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic was inaugurated on the midnight of January 6, 2017 and has worked to be one of the most successful in the history of the country having passed on a record number of legislations.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanas 7th Parliament on recess ahead of December polls

    Members of Parliament can now focus on campaigning for the 2020 elections following the conclusion and adjournment of the seventh parliament of the fourth republic over the weekend.
    The house, brought everything to a halt on Saturday to allow the MPs visit their constituencies and convince their constituents on why they deserve to be re-elected.


    Addressing the house, the Speaker of Parliament expressed the hope that Ghana will come out of the December 7 elections with its reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa still intact.
    He also sent goodwill message to members of the house who are contesting the elections.


    “Honourable members, the house is making adequate preparations towards the dissolution of the 7th parliament and I urged all to work in tandem for a seamless transition”.


    “As the 2020 general elections approach, I wish you all the very best and I pray that our nation will be law-abiding as we know it has always been and that every official will play his or her part according to the requirements of the law of our country. Honorable Members, I am confident that together, we can have an orderly, fair and credible election,” he said.


    Majority Chief Whip, Kwesi Ameyaw Cheremeh called on Ghanaians to adhere to the safety protocols on the coronavirus pandemic.


    The leader of the Minority group, Haruna Iddrisu reiterated the need for the country to protect its peace before, during and after the elections.


    One of the key decisions taken by the house before its adjournment was the revocation of the membership status of the MP for Fomena.


    After failed persuasion attempts, the NPP on which ticket Andrew Amoako Asiamah contested the 2016 elections sacked him following his decision to contest as independent candidate in the upcoming elections.


    The party notified the house of their decision and after weeks of deliberations, Parliament decided to declare his seat as vacant.


    This move by the August house has been contested by the law professor, Kwaku Azar who motions that the right to take such decision does not lie within the purview of the Speaker of Parliament.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Q1 2021: Parliament approves GH¢27.4 billion for government expenditure

    Parliament has approved the government’s expenditure in advance of appropriation for January to March 2021.

    The Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation was presented to Parliament on Wednesday, 28 October 2020 by the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

    The budget was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report pursuant to Article 180 of the 1992 Constitution and the standing orders of the house.

    Mr Ofori-Atta requested for some GH¢27billion in respect of the period January to March 2021.

    Debating the Minister’s request today, Minority Leader, Haruna Idrissu raised concerns about Ghana’s rising debt stock expressing worry this could spell doom should a new government take over the affairs of the country after the elections.

    But Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the Akufo-Addo-led government has regardless of the challenges positioned the economy well to forestall any hiccups in 2021.

    The Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation is a standard practice rolled out in election years to prevent transitional challenges in the smooth running of government for the first three months in the year after elections.

    Source: Class FM

  • Scrap MPs security allowances Prof. Azar to government

    US-based Ghanaian legal practitioner, Professor Kwaku Asare is calling for an immediate halt in the payment of security allowances given to Members of Parliament (MPs).

    This comes after the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery directed the Inspector General of Police(IGP) James Oppong Boanuh to deploy 200 police officers to serve as guards to Members of Parliament till the end of the year following the killing of the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman constituency, Ekow Hayford.

    Speaking to Citi News, Prof. Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Prof. Azar said the state is not justified in paying the said amount once it is providing security to the MPs.

    “They were given 10% of their basic salary because they had no police protection. Some MPs who double as ministers had police protection even before this conversation sprung up. For those who had no police protection, it was approved that they get 10% of their basic salary, which is GHS2,000 a month to hire their own security.”

    “For them to have police protection and keep receiving the allowance is deceptive, unethical, and unlawful,” he added.

    200 police officers deployed to guard MPs

    The Ministry of Interior has deployed 200 police officers to serve as guards to Members of Parliament (MPs) till the end of the year.

    The officers will operate under the Parliamentary Protection Unit.

    The sector minister told members of the Parliamentary Press Corps after an in-camera session with MPs that under the new arrangement every MP will be entitled to a police officer as a bodyguard.

    He also disclosed that plans are underway to provide 800 additional police officers to protect the homes of the MPs.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Police protection: MPs not being given preferential treatment OB Amoah

    Following the public disagreement that has met the decision to give Members of Parliament personal police protection, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Osei Bonsu Amoah has downplayed assertions that the move is a preferential treatment being given to members of the legislature.

    OB Amoah who is a member of Parliaments Subsidiary Legislation Committee has urged Ghanaians to do away with the notion that Members of Parliament are being given a preferential treatment with the deployment of police officers to serve as their individual personal bodyguards considering their role in governance.

    “It is only when you move to the Executive before they think about security. But when you are part of the legislature, your security as far as escort and detail are concerned, may be looked at differently. So if the Ministry of Interior thinks that, this should be addressed, I think it is in the right direction. The public should not see it as giving preferential treatment to certain persons. Because we are public persons and play a major role in our governance system,” the MP is reported to have told Citi Fm.

    The Minister of Interior, Ambrose Derry announced in parliament that about 800 police officers will be deployed to provide security at the residence of MPs well as bodyguarding service.

    This means every MP will eventually receive 3 officers, two of whom will provide security at their private residence while the remaining officer will provide bodyguarding services.

    Until the Ghana Police Service is ready to provide the full complement of the 800 plus police officers to be attached to the Parliamentary Protection Unit, the police in the interim have made available 200 officers who will serve as bodyguards to the MPs.

    This action comes after the murder of the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman, Ekow Quansah Hayford in a suspected highway robbery attack which prompted the leadership of parliament to invite the Interior Minister to provide a detailed plan for the protection of MPs.

    Even though Members of Parliament and the government have justified the decision to provide personal security for MPs, Civil Society groups, security analysts and other Ghanaians are criticizing the move as selfish and self-serving.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Parliament reiterates calls for Police protection for MPs

    The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has reiterated calls for Police protection for MPs.

    Speaking during a visit to commiserate with the family of Mr. Ekow Quansah Hayford, the slain Member of Parliament (MP), the Speaker stressed the need for urgent steps to protect MPs to prevent further attacks on them.

    “We will have to look at this seriously because it is urgent. I believe that the Interior Minister will go all out and ensure that MPs are given maximum protection,” he said.

    He said per the nature of their job, they will attract enemies for themselves, hence the need for some protection for them.

    Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, Majority Leader also wondered how many more MPs would have to die before the state realizes the need for their protection.

    “Some of us have been calling for protection for MPs for some time now but people do not understand and say all sorts of things. How many more MPs will have to die before people understand that MPs need police protection,” he said.

    He added that the late MP could have survived if he had police protection.

    For his part, the Minority Leader, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu described the late MP as a fine gentleman, who always beamed with joyful smiles.

    He said the cruel murder of the MP must be a reawakening of policing in Ghana and called for protection for MPs.

    “I pray that God will give you the fortitude to accept your loss,” he said while conveying his condolences to the family and hoped that justice would be served at the end of the day.

    Source: GNA

  • Dont abandon work in Parliament for your re-election bid – Speaker to MPs

    Speaker of Parliament Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye has cautioned members of Parliament against abandoning their work in the chamber for their re-election bid.

    The caution of the speaker follows the failure of many MPs to turn up for work on the first day of sitting this week.

    The house resumed work from the more than a month break to a near-empty chamber.

    This low turnout has been attributed to the filing of nominations by members seeking re-election. But in his welcome address, Prof. Oquaye charged the MPs to pay attention to work in the chamber too.

    The Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Seventh Parliament will be the final meeting of the year before the House is dissolved on the 6th of January 2021.

    Members of Parliament will sit for the next six weeks during which Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta will present the 2021 First Quarter Budget.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Pending LIs pushes Parliamentary calendar

    Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has announced that Parliament would go on recess on Monday, August 10, 2020 instead of the earlier scheduled date of Friday, August 7, 2020.

    If the House adjourns sine die on 7th August, 2020 as scheduled, some LIs laid before the House will not mature as expected, and date of adjournment has thus been rescheduled for 10th August, 2020

    The number of days to elapse for some Legislative Instruments (LIs) to mature and two public holidays soon are to affect the parliamentary calendar for the current meeting.

    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu announced the rescheduled date in the Business Statement for the Eleventh Week Ending Friday, 31st July 2020, presented to the House on Friday.

    He explained that since the country is expected to observed two public holidays- Eid ul-Adha on Friday, 31st July, 2020 and Founders Day on Tuesday, 4th August 20202-and the two holidays would affect the calendar of the House, particularly in relation to the legislative instruments which were anticipated to come into force before adjournment sine die.

    One notable instrument on the table is Public Elections Regulation, 2020.

    The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs also indicated that the debate to approve the Mid-Year Review of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government and Supplementary Estimates for the 2020 Financial Year was scheduled to begin on Monday, 27th July, 2020 and conclude on Tuesday, 28th July, 2020.

    He said both the Majority and Minority Leaders were expected to wind up the debate on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.

    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also noted that the Security and Intelligence Bill, 2020, would be taken through all the stages of passage during the last week of this meeting, notably 3rd to 10th August, 2020.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Its time we end the era of appointing MPs as ministers – Ras Mubarak

    The Member of Parliament for Kumbungu constituency, Ras Mubarak has underscored the need for Ghana to review the provision that enjoins the president to appoint MPs as Ministers.

    He argued that some MPs are only interested in getting ministerial appointments and thus neglecting their core function as lawmakers, a situation he said weakens parliament.

    The MP was of the view that Ghana needs a clear separation of powers between the executive and the legislature.

    To the legislator, parliament ought to be able to be independent enough to put the executive to check.

    He said we need to change the constitution so we will separate the legislature from the executive.

    He used Kenya as a case study where he said Kenya was formally practising this system but abandoned it after realising it was not helpful.

    Mr. Mubarak stressed a clear separation of the legislature from the executive is more beneficial to the country than carries more benefits and will contribute more to the development of the nation.

    Article 78 (I) of the 1992 constitution states, “Ministers of State shall be appointed by the President with the prior approval of Parliament except that the majority of Ministers of State shall be appointed from among members of Parliament.”

    But Ras Mubarak says Ghana needs an independent legislature to hold the executive to account. “When we are able to do this, it will lead to checks and balances”.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Infected MPs hiding coronavirus status due to fear of losing seats – Prof Osafo

    Associate Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology, Prof Joseph Osafo has waded into the controversies surrounding Parliament where it is alleged that some Members of Parliament who have tested positive for COVID-19 are ‘hiding’ and refusing to isolate themselves.

    He said as role models in society, it sends out the wrong signal to their constituents and followers and can affect the fight against the virus.

    Parliament has been rocked with confusion after members subjected themselves to be tested for COVID-19.

    The Minority reported that a number of MPs have tested positive to the virus; however, the Majority in the House insisted that they were peddling falsehood.

    Reports were rife that some MP’s, parliamentary staff and Journalists who have tested positive for the virus were refusing to self-isolate and were still coming to the House.

    Health Minister

    Then President Akufo-Addo confirmed on Sunday evening in his 11th address to the nation on the coronavirus pandemic that the Health Minister, who is also a Member of Parliament for Dormaa Central, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu had tested positive and was in a stable condition.

    MPs not bold

    Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, Prof Osafo said the MPs are not bold enough to declare their status because “the stigmatization is deeply rooted in officialdom . . . when you have officials who are infected but are denying, their followers can emulate because they are like moral examplers; the ordinary people can also hide their status.”

    He further said others (MPs) might be afraid of losing their seats and so they will prefer to hide their status.

    “Some of them may be subscribing to some myths and fear that as an MP and in an election year; (if they declare their status), how will they campaign; so there’s that fear,” he added.

    Majority Leader’s Caution

    Presenting the business statement before the House last Friday, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader cautioned persons who have been infected with coronavirus to stop visiting the House.

    The Suame MP noted that the affected persons have defied the communications from the COVID-19 team that they should stay away following their positive results.

    On his part, Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu assured that the confidentiality of medical records remains of extreme paramount importance hence urged the said patients to avail themselves.

    Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Aaron Oquaye said the medical team will conduct another test for MPs and staff.

    He warned that any MP or Journalists who fail to conduct the test will be banned from entering the premises of Parliament.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • All MPs, Speaker of parliament must be quarantined immediately Ben Epson

    Pollster Ben Ephson is pushing for all Ghanaian members of parliament and the speaker, Prof. Mike Ocquaye, to be quarantined on the back of admission that some MPs and parliamentary staffers have contracted the deadly novel coronavirus.

    He argued that Parliament is no different from other institutions where persons are quarantined once a COVID-19 case is recorded among the people, hence the MPs must be subjected to the same COVID-19 protocols to protect the larger society.

    Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu revealed Friday that some MPs and parliamentary staffers who tested positive for the virus and were supposed to be in isolation were still having contacts with others.

    “The arrangement was that anybody who, unfortunately, tested positive, will not be openly identified but that the testing team will have the arrangement to contact them behind the curtain and have the situation managed,” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said.

    He claimed that some people have ignored directives from the COVID-19 team to self-isolate “and they visit parliament and endanger the lives of all of us.”

    Commenting on the issue, Mr Ephson who is the Managing Editor of the Dispatch Newspaper has said “I think that all Members of Parliament, from the Speaker to all the 275 MPs, all the staff in parliament, all the journalists working in there should all be quarantined as soon as possible.

    Speaking to Alfred Ocansey on the Sunrise morning show on 3FM 92.7, he said once someone contracts the disease and gives out the names of persons he has been in contact with, “the ambulances go there with armed policemen to take them for testing”.

    “So once the Majority leader has opened up the can of worms that there are members of parliament and staffers who have tested positive they should all be quarantined as soon as possible.”

     

    Source: 3 News

  • Parliament accuses Finance Minister of starving it of funds

    Parliament has accused Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta of starving the institution of funds for its activities.

    Consequently, some MPs are advocating a radical stance to compel the Finance Minister to make available funds for activities of the Legislature.

    According to the Leadership of Parliament, allocations to the House approved in the budget are constantly not released thus making the work of the institution near impossible.

    Speaking at a meeting between the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, and leadership of various Committees Chairman for the Local Government Committee and Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong charged the House to tie the release of funds from the Minister to the approval of his budget.

    Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu equally lamented the difficulty the house has had to grapple with as a result of the action of the Finance Minister.

     

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • No question yet on Covid-19 expenditure returns Parliament

    Parliament says no member of the house, including the member for Ajumako Enyan Essiam, Cassiel Ato Forson has filed any question demanding accountability for the monies voted to mitigate the Covid-19 lockdown period.

    There are claims a question on the expenditure returns of an amount of GH¢280.3 million allocated for the fight against the Corona Virus during the lockdown period is yet to receive an answer three weeks after the question was filed.

    Parliament however says no such question exists in the house, and that if it did, the house would apply the rules as is the norm.

    In a statement issued Tuesday evening, June 2, 2020, Parliament said it has no record that Cassiel Ato Forson had filed any such question contrary to a claim by him on radio.

    “From our records in Parliament, there is no specific Question with the said amount filed by the Honourable Member or any Member for that matter.

    “Per the rules and practices of Parliament, Questions are not filed in the name of, or by Caucuses. Rather a Member seeking a response to a specific issue would file a Question in his or her name, signed by the Member as provided for in Standing Order 64.

    “The Office’s interaction with the Honourable Member does not disclose that he had filed an earlier Question. Rather reference is made to a Question filed earlier by a Member of the Minority seeking to “ask the Minister of Health what emergency preparedness and response plan the Ministry has put in place to help contain the spread of COVID-19 virus and the details of how the 100 Million Dollars announced by the President will be spent.”

    “Upon further consultation with the Honourable Member, he indicated that he intends to file a Question today on the matter raised in the media. Once the question is filed, it will be processed in accordance with the rules of the House.”

    The statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate also dealt with a claim that the Majority Leader, who is also the Chairman of the Business Committee had allegedly alluded to the creation of new constituencies in his presentation on Friday 20/05/2020 of the Business Statement for this week.

    “No such presentation has been made by the Majority Leader. In fact, the Majority Leader in the said presentation, stated categorically that Committee on Subsidiary Legislation should endeavour to submit its report on the Public Elections (Registration of Regulation of Voters) (Amendment) 2020 for the consideration of the House on or before the coming into force of the Instrument.

    “He insisted that the Committee must submit their report to the House by Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 for consideration on Thursday June 4th, 2020. The attribution to him with regards to the creation of new constituencies is therefore wrongful.”

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • ‘Parliament did not lie’ over MPs Covid-19 tests results

    Parliament has rejected the claim that it lied over test results of members and staff tested for Covid-19.

    The claim by the Minority Chief Whip, Mubarak Muntaka Wednesday appeared to pour cold on demands by the house on a media outfit for a retraction of a publication that had said some members of parliament and a number of staffers there had tested positive for the new coronavirus.

    The Directorate of Public Affairs however, says in a statement it issued Thursday night that the House did not lie when the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu called the publication ‘speculative Journalism’ and demanded a retraction.

    Below is the statement by the Public Affairs Directorate of Parliament.

    PARLIAMENT DID NOT LIE, MAJORITY LEADER, NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR COVID-19 RESULTS

    Contrary to reports in the media, that Parliament lied about the results of the COVID-19 tests results, Parliament would like to state categorically that no untruth was peddled in the said matter. This follows allegations by the Honorable Minority Chief Whip that the Director of Public Affairs lied in the said matter and that these were told to her by the Honorable Majority Leader.

    We would like to put on record that the Majority Leader is in no way involved with the process of the testing. The duty of coordinating the testing process is that of the Medical Director in Parliament, who told Parliament specifically that the results of the tests were not yet known by Parliament as at Tuesday 26/05/2020. To attribute lies to the Public Affairs Department, the Majority Leader and the entire Parliament is therefore unfortunate.

    Parliament wants to put on record that it has no particular interest in hiding the results of the tests. Parliament would also like to make specific reference to a news release dated 26/05/2020 signed by the Director of Public Affairs which requested the media house to pull the story down on the basis that the facts were not true since they were not known to the directorate and would like to state that this assertion does not mean that the House denied the possibility of anyone testing positive for COVID-19. It therefore is rather unfortunate that this was interpreted to mean a denial of a possible positive test result, leading to media reports that Parliament lied.

    We wish to state categorically that the Majority Leader is the leader of the House and performs his duties as such. He does not deal with the day to day running of the various departments of the institution and could not have told the Director of Public Affairs to lie either on his behalf or on that
    of the institution.

    ISSUED BY;
    THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Be transparent about MPs coronavirus infections Mahama to Parliament

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has called for transparency following the confusion over the state of COVID-19 infection in Parliament.

    In a statement, Mr Mahama said although it is good to offer hope to Ghanaians in the wake of the virus, it is crucial that people get to know the full extent of the disease.

    “Reports that the virus has spread to the Chamber and offices of Parliament is very disturbing. It adds to the urgency of the situation we face as a country, and while it is important to give hope to citizens it is absolutely necessary to be transparent and communicate the full picture of the extent of the disease,” Mahama wrote.

    He also reiterated his criticisms of government response to the pandemic so far.

    “Government has unfortunately not managed public education on coronavirus efficiently, while the latest communication creates the false impression that all is well with the management and spread of the disease. The advice from the President and other government officials that we should begin to learn to live with the disease suggests that you and I must take our destiny into our own hands as far as COVID-19 is concerned.

    “This is coming at a time that public education on the disease has dwindled to the extent that observance of hygiene and distancing protocols, as I indicated earlier, appears to be waning.

    “The benefit of wearing face masks at this time is obvious, and I reiterate my call on government to utilize some of the funds from the Stabilization Fund and the IMF to enhance local production and free distribution of re-usable face masks to especially vulnerable communities and groups”.

    He also urged government to be cautious about opening schools.

    “I must indicate here my support for the position of the various teacher unions and parents who have spoken and cautioned against the hasty reopening of schools. Government must pay close attention and take into consideration, the concerns of the various unions and parents.”

    “Finally, as I have always said, any decision taken by government to ease restrictions must be based on the utmost respect for human life and the science of the disease we are dealing with.”

    Source: Starr FM

  • We’re not in a hurry to name Covid-19 infected MPs – Speaker

    The Speaker of Parliament has stated that it is not the responsibility of anyone or institution to unilaterally put out in the public domain the names of persons who have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Ghana.

    He said engaging in such acts only amounted to sensationalism that could fuel stigma about the disease and against individuals and families affected by the disease.

    According to him, it was only those who had tested positive for the disease that had the right to do so, reports Graphic Online’s Parliamentary reporter, Nana Konadu Agyeman.

    “We should not be in a hurry to unilaterally put out in public domain anyone who has tested positive. We should not sensationalise this as news,” he said on the floor of Parliament Wednesday.

     

    “You cannot unilaterally put into the public realm that a person is positive, let everybody know this, let every lady and gentleman, every person know this in this Republic, and it has been well stated in this Honourable House. You cannot unilaterally put in the public realm that a person is positive.”

    “It is only for an individual to voluntarily, put it in the public realm and we are all learning from this as descent and honourable people and this Honourable House will follow that line of example, that is our public duty.”

    “If you allow me to quote from what Honourable Dr Oko Boye said, we should show that we are not in a hurry to disclose names worthy of a headline and it is my view that such sensationalism, what is going on must stop, because they rather encourage stigmatisation.

    “When you sensationlise news, you encourage stigmatisation.” the Speaker of Parliament said.

    2 MPs, 13 staff have indeed tested positive for Covid-19 – Muntaka says denial is ‘a big lie’

    During a television interview on Accra based Joy Prime on Wednesday morning [May 27, 2020], the Minority Chief Whip in Parliament, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka revealed that two Parliamentarians and 13 staff in the Parliament of Ghana have so far tested positive for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

    According to him, the infected persons were informed of their status after the Speaker of Parliament directed mass testing of all members and staff of the House last week.

    The Chief Whip explained that the infected MPs and staff have been isolated while contact tracing has commenced.

    His reaction followed an earlier denial on Tuesday by the Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo that a media report of the confirmed infection in Parliament was false.

     

    According to her, the results of Covid-19 tests conducted on personnel have not been received.

    Joined by the Majority Leader and the Minister of Parliament Affairs, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and the Resident Medical Doctor in Parliament at the press conference, she asked for a retraction of the media report of the infection which was earlier reported by Starr FM.

    But Mr Muntaka in the television interview [Watch video below] described the assessment as untrue adding that it has the potential of causing fear and panic in the House.

    At the Tuesday press conference, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the media report was “speculative journalism.”

    They consequently asked for a retraction of the report published by Starr FM.

    The media report published Tuesday, May 26, 2020 suggested that two MPs and 13 staff of the lawmaking chamber have tested positive for Covid-19 after results of voluntary testing requested by the Speaker trickled in.

    It added that following the development, the Speaker has ordered for mandatory testing of all staff and MPs as a move to ensure effective contact tracing since MPs interact among themselves often.

    But reacting to the publication at a press conference Tuesday afternoon [May 26, 2020], Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu denied and said the leadership of the House was not aware of anything of that sort.

    “…anybody who tested positive, the information will not be transmitted to all of us. It is between the person and the people who did the test. Some confidentiality is required in these matters and we needed to be very circumspect.”

    “The reason why we decided to do this, as I sit here, …if Kate [Addo – Director of Public Affairs at Parliament] has tested positive, I wouldn’t know, if the Clerk [of Parliament] has, if I [Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu] have, they wouldn’t know. So it is part of the agreement that we all came to, so nobody knows whether anybody has tested positive. The people who will know will be perhaps, those of them who did the test.”

    “So just to emphasise the point that what that medium [media house] has done, amounts to nothing but speculation. They are only speculating that two Members have tested positive. Its speculative journalism. We would want to let you know that there is no truth in that.”

    “…As Speaker indicated, because we are all here together, we are appealing to all staff in the House, all Members of Parliament and even non staff as you are [parliamentary media personnel] that everybody must subject himself or herself for your own sake and for the sake of your households, your friends and others that you come into contact with at work places and the various houses so that we are able to protect ourselves as a family within the prescints of Parliament.”

    “So that is how it is, the agreement was that if anybody’s results came out positive, it will only be known to that person, be a staff, journalist or a Member of Parliament. I don’t know, the Clerk to Parliament doesn’t know, the Director of Public Affairs wouldn’t also know, so I will plead with you not to be engaging in such unhallowed speculative journalism.

    It becomes difficult when you want to invite people to be here to submit themselves, if you go out there and be engaging in such speculations… it is not worthy to be engaging in that exercises. You may be succeeding unconsciously in repelling people, by discouraging people to submitting themselves, and yet we need these things for the survival of Parliament as an institution… so lets be circumspect,” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said.

    The Director of Public Affairs at Parliament, Kate Addo said the media report has created a situation of “panic amongst us.”

    “As we sit now, this is very uncomfortable for us and it has created a lot of panic amongst us because we know what one person being infected in an environment like this means.”

    “We recognise that media houses do have their sources and may have spoken to persons outside of Parliament but we also do want to state that as an institution we are very cautious .. and such reports tend to create fear and panic and we will like that the respected station will retract and come to us, we are ready to give them whatever information that we have and if they have very concrete information they will put it out so that we will have our peace of mind.”

     

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Parliament lied, 2 MPs have indeed tested positive for Covid-19 Muntaka Mubarak alleges

    Minority Chief Whip Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka has revealed that two Parliamentarians and 13 staff have so far tested positive for Covid-19.

    According to him, the infected persons were informed of their status after Speaker of Parliament directed mass testing of all members and staff of the House last week.

    Speaking to Daniel Dadzie on Prime Morning on Joy Prime, the Chief Whip explained that the infected MPs and staff have been isolated while contact tracing has commenced.

    Earlier, Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo said reports of confirmed infection were false adding that results of Covid-19 tests conducted on the personnel have not been received.

    But Mr Muntaka described her assessment as untrue adding that it has the potential of causing fear and panic in the House.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Speaker orders mandatory testing after allege positive cases within legislature

    Speaker of Parliament Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye has ordered for every worker, members of Parliament and members of the press corps to undergo a mandatory Covid-19 testing.

    The move follows suspicion of some MPs and parliamentary service staff testing positive for the virus following a voluntary testing exercise undertaken last week.

    Speaking in parliament today, the speaker ordered for all MPs, Staff of the parliamentary service and the media who failed to undergo the exercise to avail themselves on Thursday and Friday to get tested.

    Failure to do so, according to Prof. Oquaye will attract sanctions.

     

    Source: Kasapa FM