Member of Parliament for South Dayi,Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has disagreed with those who question whether the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) committee is legal.
President John Dramani Mahama set up the ORAL committee to investigate cases of corruption and the misuse of state resources by former government officials.
Speaking in an interview on TV3’s KeyPoints, the South Dayi MP stated that the committee’s work is backed by law.
“I think he got his analysis wrong because the activities of ORAL, the committee that has been set up to do evidence gathering for purposes of some further action by government is probably anchored in law.
He further referenced article 41(f) of the constitution to back the formation of the ORAL committee. Article 41 (f) states:
“The exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms is inseparable from the performance of duties and obligations, and accordingly, it shall be the duty of every citizen to protect and preserve public property and expose and combat misuse and waste of public funds and property.”
Dafeamekpor was responding to the former Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu who opined that the ORAL committee’s modus operandi is against the law.
“I think those including my roommates who are making these complaints fell into an error of legal reasoning,” the South Dayi MP added.
The lawmaker further claimed that criticisms from members of the oppositionNPP now smacks of shame and disgrace.
“If a government is rolling out its project and you cannot suggest constructively, don’t question its legality because it is neither here nor there. In fact, some of the criticisms is becoming ignominious, they are falling in ignominy, he noted.
State Attorneys have reversed their stance in the mandamus case initiated by Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, which seeks to compel the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and President Akufo-Addo to take action on the Anti-LGBT+ Bill within seven days.
Initially, the State had indicated to the Court that it wouldn’t oppose the substantive application but would instead respond on legal grounds.
However, during the court session on Thursday, April 18, the State unexpectedly filed an affidavit in opposition, surprising both the Court and the applicant’s lawyers.
The High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Ellen Lordina Serwaa Mireku, had previously adjourned on April 9 for the Attorney General’s Office to submit legal submissions.
However, a Principal State Attorney, George Tetteh Sackey, stated that they filed their affidavit in opposition on April 17.
As a result, the case has been adjourned to April 29 for the applicant’s lawyer, led by Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, to file a response to the Attorney General’s affidavit in opposition.
Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson-Dafeamekpor, has brought the application to the High Court, seeking to compel the Speaker of Parliament to present the Anti-LGBT+ Bill to the President within seven days.
Additionally, the Plaintiff requests the Court to compel the President to either accept the bill and sign it or indicate to Parliament his inability to assent within the same period.
The application for Judicial Review, in the form of Mandamus, filed on March 22, is based on the grounds that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill has been duly passed by the Parliament of Ghana in accordance with Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
“When I gained consciousness, I realized I was at a different place – the place was very beautiful. The place was even more beautiful than this world. The people who live there are just like humans, just that some of them are short like genies while others are very tall.
“After I gained consciousness, I cried for two months. I became like a source of entertainment for them, when they touched me and I cried they became happy. But after I stopped crying, they sat and stared at me quietly,” she said in Twi.
She added, “The place was very beautiful, it is in a very huge stone, I wish I was not brought back. Where we slept was amazing… I don’t even know how to describe it”.
The Plaintiff argues that the Bill “must be transmitted to and received by the President of Ghana for assent or otherwise” in accordance with Article 106 of the Constitution.
South Dayi Member of Parliament Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has called for a comprehensive audit of the Electoral Commission’s IT system, citing concerns over the commission’s inability to track lost BVDs and laptops, which he deems criminal.
Dafeamekpor’s call follows similar concerns raised by the National Chairman of his party, Johnson Asioedu Nketiah, who emphasized the need for an independent audit to address doubts about the EC’s IT system.
” we are getting to a point where we will call for an independent audit of the EC’s IT system to lay to rest all doubts. we want a complete audit and this will be in the interest of all parties,” Mr Asiedu Nketia told journalists in Accra.
In a post on his X platform, Mr Dafeamekpor said “I agree with the Chairman General that we need an immediate independent audit of the IT Systems of the EC. The EC’s inability to account for lost BVDs & Laptops is Criminal.
“We were told by the EC in Parliament that these machines have trackers. So why can’t they be located?”
Despite Deputy Chairman Dr. Bossman Asare’s reassurances that the missing laptops would not affect the integrity of the 2024 elections, concerns persist.
Dr. Asare clarified that the stolen laptops were separate from the Commission’s Registration Data Systems and lacked sensitive information, emphasizing that they require activation before use.
“These allegations are not true. No BVD has been stolen. To set the records straight, the Commission recently undertook routine servicing of its Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Kits. It was during this maintenance that we discovered the theft of five (5) laptops from the Biometric Voter Registration kits, not seven BVDs as erroneously stated.
“For clarification, Biometric Voter Registration Kits, which comprise a laptop, camera, scanner, and printer, are entirely separate from the Commissions Registration Data Systems and are incapable of manipulating election outcomes as suggested. These kits, though crucial for voter registration, require specific activation to function accordingly. Without such activation, they serve no purpose beyond their individual components as a laptop, camera, scanner, or printer. What this means is that, they are of no value beyond what they were manufactured to be.
“Similarly, the stolen laptops, cannot be utilized for voter verification or registration. It remains just a laptop. As such, they cannot be used to compromise our systems and undermine the credibility of the upcoming elections in December 2024. The integrity of our systems and elections remain intact. Again there seem to be some confusion as to the use of our equipment. It’s imperative to understand that the Commission utilizes two (2) distinct equipment for its operations: the Biometric Voter Registration kits which is used for voter registration and the Biometric Verification Devices to verify voters using their fingerprints or facial features on election day. These devices, in isolation, cannot fulfill the functions of registration or verification without proper activation.
“It is important to note that at the completion of every registration exercise, all data captured are erased from the laptops in a process termed ‘End of Life’. As such, we assure the public that the stolen laptops contain no sensitive or valuable data.
Consequently, the theft bears no impact on the integrity of upcoming elections, nor does it serve any political agenda as insinuated. Upon detection of the theft, the Commission promptly notified security agencies involved in the maintenance process, and investigations are actively ongoing to apprehend and prosecute the suspects. The Commission places high value on its assets including the Biometric Voter Registration Kits and Biometric Verification devices hence its continuous reliance on the Police and other security devices to protect all its installations.
“The Commission urges public figures and citizens alike to exercise due diligence by verifying information before dissemination. This responsibility is paramount to maintaining public trust and preventing unwarranted fear or panic. The Electoral Commission remains committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and integrity in its operations and elections.”
He reiterated that the stolen laptops cannot compromise the election process, as they serve no purpose beyond their individual components.
The Commission is actively cooperating with security agencies to investigate and prosecute the suspects involved in the theft, ensuring the integrity of its operations and elections.
The Supreme Court has rejected a petition seeking an injunction against the confirmation of President Akufo-Addo’s new ministerial appointees.
The petition, filed by Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, a legislator from South Dayi, was dismissed by the apex court, which labelled it as frivolous and an abuse of legal procedures.
Today’s proceedings at the Supreme Court were marked by intriguing developments as the court deliberated on the petition brought forward by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament.
The fate of recently nominated ministers and reshuffled appointees under President Akufo-Addo was hanging in the balance.
This petition was the basis on which the Speaker of Parliament had decided to postpone the approval of the new appointees following their vetting process.
Dafeamekpor, in his legal action against the Speaker of Parliament (the 1st defendant) and the Attorney General (the 2nd defendant), contended that the President should have sought parliamentary approval before reassigning ministers whose appointments were terminated.
President Akufo-Addo’s reshuffle on February 14, 2024, resulted in the removal of 13 ministers and 10 deputy ministers from their positions, while 6 others were reassigned to different portfolios.
During today’s court session, there was a notable absence of the applicant, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, and his legal representatives.
At one juncture, the court adjourned briefly to verify certain facts related to the case, particularly regarding whether the bailiff had properly served the parties, especially the Plaintiff, Mr. Dafeamekpor, with a hearing notice.
The Attorney General criticised the conduct of the MP’s lawyer, labelling it as the highest form of disrespect towards the apex court and as professional misconduct.
Despite the non-appearance of Mr. Dafeamekpor and his lawyer, the court proceeded with the case, leading to an interesting development as the NDC legislator’s attorney refused to accept court documents, including a hearing notice.
The legal representatives for the Speaker of Parliament opposed the injunction application, arguing that it did not meet the necessary requirements for an injunction to be granted.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court dismissed the case.
The panel of judges overseeing the case included Justice Kingsley Koomson, Justice Mariama Owusu, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo (Presiding), Justice Amadu Tanko, and Justice Yaw Darko Asare.
Despite the absence of Mr. Dafeamekpor’s legal team, the Supreme Court ruled against the injunction application.
Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, argues that the President’s Secretary, Nana Bediatuo Asante, shouldn’t view Parliament as just another part of the Executive branch.
He believes that Parliament and the Executive have equal power in government, with neither being subordinate to the other.
Dafeamekpor, speaking on JoyNews, criticized a press release from the President’s office. It requested Parliament not to send the anti-LGBTQ+ bill to the President until the Supreme Court resolved an ongoing matter. He felt this request was disrespectful.
“So, when you are conducting yourself in relation to another organ of state, you must conduct yourself within the protocols and the ethics of those offices. You do not communicate with parliament as though we are subsidiary to the Executive. The Clerk to Parliament is akin to the Chief of Staff of the Presidency; he is akin to the Judicial Secretary who occupies an office and operates under the office, operates and serves the Judicial Counsel, and serves the Chief Justice,” he said on the AM Show on March 20, 2024.
Mr. Dafeamekpor pointed out that in writing the press release, Bediatuo Asante, the Secretary to the President, was addressing his superiors, suggesting that his language and tone should have been more respectful.
He noted that Bediatuo held the position of secretary to the President when the minority in Parliament questioned the constitutionality of the e-levy law. During that case, the presidency invoked the “presumption of the function of the President” argument.
Mr. Dafeamekpor argued that the same “presumption of the function of the President” applies to the current LGBTQ case.
“If you look at the stipulation in Article 1068 of the Constitution in respect of this matter, there are clear timelines to be followed when this happens. When the bill goes through the mill and is passed into law and remitted to the office of the president, the president cannot say that he would not receive the bill.
“He must receive the bill and take steps. What steps are available to him? Within seven days, you must inform parliament that instead of giving parliament an immediate accent to the bill, ‘I have referred it to the Council of the State for advice, and in that referral to the Council of the State, the president is to indicate to the Council of the State the portion of the law or part of the law that he thinks they must pay attention to and advise him.
“He has to give that indication; if he is not making a referral to the Council of the State and wants to veto it properly, he must, within 14 days of exercising that veto, inform parliament regarding a portion of the bill proposing amendments to them and justifying the amendment.”
Co-sponsor of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values bill, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has voiced his disagreement with President Akufo-Addo‘s decision to suspend assenting to the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill until the court challenges are resolved.
The Office of the President formally requested Parliament to hold off transmitting the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill for the President’s assent.
This request was outlined in a letter dated March 18 and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo.
The reasoning behind the request stemmed from ongoing applications for an interlocutory injunction in the Supreme Court.
Dafeamekpor, the South Dayi MP, argued on JoyFM’s Top Story on March 19 that no pending court case should hinder the President from fulfilling his constitutional duty.
He cited previous instances where similar challenges did not impede presidential functions, particularly regarding election result disputes.
“If you read the Supreme Court decision in the dismissal of the Electoral Commissioner Charlotte Osei, no court can injunct a president from performing his functions under the constitution.
“That is why there is a presumption of regularity of performance of functions of the president until a court otherwise removes him.
“So for instance, when a president is elected into office, sworn in, and takes the oath of office, and another who contested is aggrieved and goes to the Supreme Court, what the President does until the court pronounces on the validity or otherwise of the election of that President is not declared venality. So you cannot say that because the election of the President is challenged, you can bring an action to injunct the President not to perform the functions imposed upon the office of the President,” he said.
The MP clarified that an interim injunction should not prevent the President from executing his responsibilities, including assenting to a bill.
“It can only be, going forward, the decision of the court can only be going forward but it cannot affect any decision that he takes whilst occupying that office. That is why if anybody and in any case let’s this make clear you can only challenge an act of Parliament, a bill is not an act of Parliament properly so called.
“So it only when a bill is declared unconstitutional that its effect can be challenged,” he added.
He emphasised that until a court rules otherwise, there is a presumption of regularity in the President’s actions.
“If the President decides not to sign the bill or assent to the bill but to wait for the court to pronounce on it, I think the President is doing the right thing. So, all we have to do is to wait for the President for him to make the determination of the injunction. I think that is what the President is trying to say,” he said.
Furthermore, Dafeamekpor noted that the court’s decision would only impact future events, not past actions taken by the President.
He highlighted the distinction between challenging an act of Parliament versus a bill.
On the same program, Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua from the University of Ghana Law School remarked that the situation should not escalate into a constitutional crisis.
He suggested that President Akufo-Addo’s decision to await the court’s verdict could be seen as a prudent move, particularly after criticisms surrounding the E-levy bill’s assent amid an injunction application.
Regarding the letter from the Executive Secretary regarding the President’s stance, Appiagyei-Atua expressed reservations about its credibility, noting that it lacks the direct endorsement of the President himself.
A brewing constitutional dispute is unfolding as Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, co-sponsor of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, accuses President Akufo-Addo of recklessness in dealing with the legislation’s assent process.
The Member of Parliament from the South Dayi constituency contends that the President is circumventing constitutional obligations, sparking concerns about the rule of law.
“I think the President is being constitutionally reckless in the sense that, there’s a presumption of regularity of the performance of the President until a court pronounces otherwise. That is why even when the president’s election into office is challenged, all the actions that he would undertake are presumed to be regular and constitutional until he’s removed by a court of law, which is the Supreme Court,” Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor stated.
Despite the bill’s parliamentary approval, President Akufo-Addo, in a recent diplomatic engagement, assured the international community of Ghana’s commitment to human rights.
He explained that the bill is facing legal challenges in the Supreme Court, and until a resolution is reached, no government action will be taken.
Dafeamekpor argues that the President is deviating from constitutional norms, insisting that Akufo-Addo should either propose amendments or outright rejection, as allowed by the constitution.
“Where you have a strong disposition to not assenting to a bill, it is not your business under law to keep it. Perhaps, your reservation about the bill is in respect of some provisions or the entire bill; just say so to Parliament.
“Now, if parliament finally remits this bill to the office of the President, he’s going to detain it until maybe two or three years when the Supreme Court makes a determination in the matter. Parliament will not be able to proceed as determined under Article 106 which says where the President remits in terms of the bill back to parliament with explanatory amendments and all that, parliament is mandated to refer that back to a committee to consider, return to the house and then it will be considered and approved by a two-thirds majority, and when that is done, it is remitted to the office of the President for his assent without hesitation.”
He alleges that the President might intentionally delay the bill’s passage using what he deems as flimsy excuses.
In response to these accusations, Dafeamekpor points to previous instances where the President withheld bills beyond the constitutionally mandated 14-day period.
He warns that such delays could impede the legislative process, leaving Parliament unable to proceed without a clear position from the President.
“What are you going to act on? Because there’s no memo from the President saying that I have refused assent or not. So he’s holding everybody to ransom and that’s not the rule of law. And you can’t have an executive President acting this way” he fumed.
The situation has taken a legal turn, with journalist cum lawyer Richard Dela Sky filing a lawsuit against Parliament at the Supreme Court.
The lawsuit seeks to restrain President Akufo-Addo from assenting to the bill and prevent the Speaker of Parliament and the Clerk from presenting the legislation for approval. This adds to an existing lawsuit against the anti-LGBTQ bill, further complicating the legal landscape.
As the constitutional clash intensifies, the country awaits the Supreme Court’s decisions on these legal challenges, leaving the fate of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill hanging in the balance.
Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has dragged the Chief Executive Officer of the Railway Development Authority, Mr Yaw Owusu, to court over the extension of his post-retirement contract.
The MP contends that Mr Ernest Yaw Owusuhas exceeded the maximum five-year engagement period stipulated by the Constitution, as granted to him by President Akufo-Addo and is not entitled to the purported one-year post-retirement contract extension spanning from December 18, 2023, to December 17, 2024.
He is therefore pursuing a declaration asserting that, in accordance with Article 199(4) of the Constitution, a public servant can serve for a maximum of two years at a stretch, not exceeding a total of five years if required due to service exigencies.
Additionally, he is petitioning for a declaration that, under Article 199(4) of the Constitution, a retired public service officer can only be awarded a maximum post-retirement contract of five years, divided into periods not exceeding two years each.
Furthermore, he seeks a declaration stating that the CEO is ineligible for a one-year post-retirement contract extension, having completed the maximum five-year engagement period prescribed by the Constitution.
The Member of Parliament additionally requests an order to rescind the one-year post-retirement contract extension granted to the CEO by the President of Ghana.
In bolstering his argument, the MP underscores that the CEO was granted an additional two-year post-retirement contract, commencing on December 16, 2021, and concluding on December 15, 2023, in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of the Authority. This arrangement was confirmed by a letter dated December 15, 2021, signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante.
Furthermore, he referenced a letter from the Ministry of Finance, dated August 5, 2022, and signed by Hon. Abena Osei Asare, which cited the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
This letter suspended approval for Post-Retirement Contract Appointments, except under circumstances where the retiring officer’s skills are scarce and indispensably required.
The Minority in Parliament has declared its intention to take the matter to the Supreme Court if the five reassigned ministers are not brought before Parliament for screening.
The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, contended that since the president revoked the appointments of the ministers in question, their reassignment must undergo parliamentary scrutiny.
Dafeamekpor stated in Parliament on Friday, “I am saying on the authority of the constitution that those persons’ appointments were revoked by the president, and their re-assignment must be subjected to parliamentary scrutiny.
“So, we are demanding that those five ministers he has reassigned must be subjected to parliamentary vetting, and that is the procedure, so they cannot escape parliamentary scrutiny,” he said in Parliament on Friday.
He added “We will do our duty as the constitution demands, and we will demand that their names be submitted to parliament for them to be vetted, and if this call is not heeded, we will proceed to the Supreme Court for legal interpretation.”
President Akufo-Addo recently executed a ministerial reshuffle, ten months before the end of his tenure.
While some ministers, including Ken Ofori-Atta, were dismissed, others like Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and Francis Asenso Boakye were reassigned to different portfolios.
The reshuffle was announced in a press release dated February 14, signed by Eugene Arhin, the Director of Communication at the presidency. According to Arhin, the President expressed appreciation for the commitment and hard work of the departing ministers and wished them well in their future endeavors.
Minister of Communications and Digitization, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has asserted that the government has no intentions to divest its 30% shareholding in Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited (Vodafone Ghana).
In a definite statement to Parliament, she disclosed that Vodafone Ghana, holding a 70% stake in the Ghana Telecommunications Company, completed the transfer of its shares to the Telecel Group in February 2023.
On Monday, December 11, 2023, the Minister made this known while responding to a query from Mr. Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamekpor, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi. Mr. Dafeamekpor sought clarification on the government’s intentions regarding the sale of its shares in Vodafone Ghana.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful highlighted that according to the shareholders agreement, the consent of the minority shareholder (Ghana Government) is not necessary for Vodafone Ghana (the majority shareholder) to transfer or sell its shareholding in Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited. She emphasized that the agreement does not mandate the concern of the minority shareholder.
Mr Dafeamekpor asked the Minister whether she would be able to tell the House the value for the 70 per cent share that Vodafone Group Plc got in transferring its share in Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited to Telecel Group.
“Mr Speaker, the question was specific, as to whether the Government has any plans of selling its shares in Vodafone Ghana Ltd. The answer has also been specific, that (the) Government has no such plans,” she said.
“If the Honourable Member requires any further information, I suggest that he files a substantive question to which I will come and give a response. I do not have that information at the top of my head. Thank you, Mr Speaker.”
NDC Member of Parliament for South Dayi,Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has voiced his disapproval of the former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Prof Stephen Adei’s recent comments on the Minority in Parliament’s decision to picket at the Bank of Ghana premises.
The professor is on record to have said it is not simplistic to demand the resignation of a central bank governor and more so that the BoG premises was a security zone.
But in response, Mr Dafeamekpor said his comments lack basis.
“Prof Addae is crying that, BOG is a security zone. He has so soon forgotten that Occupyghana used to Occupy the Flagstaff House under JM. Isn’t the seat of Govt a security zone then? The hypocrites have found their voices suddenly,” his posted on Twitter on August 15.
He is not the first NDC MP to go after the academic and economist. Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza also tweeted: “It is rather sad that people like Prof. Stephen Adei have constantly chosen to be part of the problems of our nation and not the solution. Time and again, Prof. Adei has demonstrated through his hypocritical and lopsided positions and commentary on critical national issues, that all he cares about is his political affiliation and loyalty to his friends in government.”
The Minority in Parliament has described as flimsy, an attempt by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to explain questions they have raised about details in the central bank’s annual report for 2022.
Responding to a press statement by the Bank of Ghana dated August 9, 2023, the minority said BOG engaged in deliberate distortions while failing to justify the GHC60.8 billion loss and negative equity of GHC55.1 billion it recorded in 2022.
“In the said press statement, the Bank of Ghana attempts to shamelessly justify its recklessness and mismanagement which resulted in the huge losses of GHS60.8 billion and the negative equity of GHS55.1 billion it recorded in the year 2022.
“As a matter of fact, the Bank of Ghana’s unsigned press statement, is full of deliberate distortions and flimsy justifications which do not address the serious matters that were raised in our Moment of Truth presser last Tuesday,” the statement signed by the leader of the Minority, Cassiel Ato-Forson said.
The minority which earlier held a press conference accusing the Bank of Ghana and the Ministry of Finance of breaching laws guiding their operations said the central bank in its August 9 statement failed to address the core issues it raised earlier.
“The referenced Bank of Ghana’s statement does not address the most fundamental issue which has to do with the printing of money by BOG for the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government in 2021 and 2022 in clear contravention of Section 30 of the Bank of Ghana (Amendment) Act, 2016 (ACT 918). Indeed, throughout the statement, BOG does not and could not have offered any reasonable justification for printing a whopping GHS35 billion in 2021 and GHS 42 billion in 2022 to finance the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government, in clear breach of their governing law.
“It is an indisputable fact that the amount of monies printed by BOG for the reckless Akufo Addo/Bawumia government both in 2021 and 2022 far exceeds the legally acceptable threshold of 5% of the previous fiscal years’ total revenue,” the statement said.
While describing the action by the central bank and the ministry of finance as illegal, the minority raised further questions around the decision to write-off GHS 48 billion in debt owed by the government to BoG.
The minority also questioned the construction of a $250 million office complex by the central bank describing the basis as untenable.
MP for Okaikoi Central and a member of the majority, Patrick Yaw Boamah, rebuked Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the MP for South Dayi and a member of the minority, for expressing reservations about the quorum shortage in the House.
During a recent parliamentary session conducted on Wednesday, July 19, a debate over quorum in the House arose between two Members of Parliament, one representing the majority and the other representing the minority.
The session had to be adjourned because the required number of 92 legislators were not present for business activities to proceed, and this adjournment was initiated by Dafeamekpor’s application.
During the debate in Parliament, Mr. Boamah accused Dafeamekpor of engaging in mischievous behavior by leaving his committee meeting, which was being televised, and entering the chamber to raise the issue of quorum.
The Okaikoi MP argued that this action portrayed Parliament in a negative light and suggested that such conduct should be addressed.
Mr. Dafeamekpor, representing the minority, defended his motion for adjournment and refuted the allegation of being mischievous.
He pointed out that records indicated the House was not adequately formed for business activities, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the quorum requirement as determined by the Supreme Court.
“My brother Patrick Boamah makes the point that members come to sign and go for committee meetings, but he has forgotten that when you attend committee meetings, your attendance is marked again so that is not the argument because the Supreme Court says that anytime Parliament is convened there should be a quorum to be determined,” stated Dafeamekpor in response to the accusation.
In response to the Majority caucus’s allegations of sabotage against the Minority in Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the MP for South Dayi, has strongly retaliated.
During an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Friday, the NDC MP expressed his views and urged the Majority Caucus to refrain from engaging in hypocrisy.
This development occurred following the third instance where Parliament was compelled to suspend its sessions without addressing vital matters outlined in the order paper, including significant government affairs.
The forced adjournments have been due to the Minority’s boycott of the House to attend court in solidarity with the Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson who’s facing a criminal trial.
The Majority on the back of this accused the Minority side of trying to sabotage the House.
But Mr Dafeamekpor says that is not the case. He explained that members of the opposite side were equally not present in the House to transact government business.
“Please cut the hypocrisy, you have over two-thirds of your members following the Vice President in touring the Ashanti region, that is why they are not in the chamber, but you are rather concerned about Minority members who are solidarising with our colleague, Quayson in court, Minority Leader in court, Collins Dauda in court. That is what bothers you; but your people following the Vice President around campaigning doesn’t bother you?” he asked.
According to him, article 97(1) is very clear as to the grounds upon which a member can leave parliament, and that they are simply exercising that right.
“Is it not the government that is persecuting our members in court? So, nobody in government should be crying for us withdrawing consensus in Parliament,” he added.
Additionally, he reiterated that the Minority will persist in their decision to boycott parliamentary proceedings whenever a member of their party is scheduled to appear before a court.
Member of Parliament for South Dayi and Ranking Member on the Constitutional and Legal Committee in Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has expressed his dissent towards the critics of Dormaahene Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II.
According to the legislator, there is no ethical wrongdoing in the chief’s request for the cessation of James Gyakye Quayson‘s trial.
Dafeamekpor further stated that the current Appeals Court Judge did not violate any code of conduct within the judicial service.
These remarks were made by the politician during his appearance on Joy FM, a radio station based in Accra.
“I disagree totally with the immoral suggestion they made, that this matter be looked into by the judicial council, especially the disciplinary committee of the judicial council,” he said.
About calls made by the former President of the Ghana Bar Association, Sam Okudzeto for the judicial council to take action against the Dormaahene, Dafeamekpor added that there was no need for sanctions as the Attorney General, Godfred Dame and President Akufo-Addo have passed prejudicial comments but have been punished.
“The Dormaahene, first of all, he is the Dormaahene – the Paramount Chief of the Dormaa Traditional area and he was invited to the function in that capacity. Two – he is a trained lawyer, three – he is a member of the judiciary of this country. Is anyone saying that the Dormaahene in these various capacities cannot speak to a matter such as this in the manner that he did?” he asked.
“Didn’t the Attorney General himself go to court to say that Quayson will go to jail? Didn’t the Attorney General go to a court of law to make a very prejudicial comment? Didn’t the President of this republic stand on a political platform and mention that Quayson will go to jail?
“So if the Dormaahene in all these says that if all these prejudicial comments preceded the election and the election has been held and he thinks that because he succeeded, the Attorney General should exercise his mandate under Article 88 and enter a nolle prosequi, what is so immoral about this?” he quizzed.
The Dormaahene Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, currently a High Court judge, called on the government to file a nolle prosequi in the Quayson trial explaining among others that it was time to move on and not appear to disrespect the people of Assin North and Ghana.
He also criticised the Supreme Court decision that ousted Quayson from office as an MP triggering the June 27 by-election which Quayson won.
James Quayson had pleaded not guilty to five charges of deceit of the public officer, forgery of passport or travel certificates, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury and false declaration for office.
The charges relate to his participation in the 2020 polls at a time he supposedly held dual citizenship.
South Dayi MP and Minority Chief Whip, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has blamed the Supreme Court for stalled development in the Assin North Constituency.
In a tweet, he told President Akufo-Addo that Assin North has not witnessed the needed development because the deposed Member of Parliament James Gyakye Quayson was stopped by the court from holding himself as an MP which affected his move to develop the constituency.
Mr Dafeamekpor indicated that if the constituency has not witnessed the required development, the President and government should be held accountable, not the opposition party.
“Assin North voted for Nana Addo and an NPP MP in 2016 yet both couldn’t develop Assin North by 2020.
“NDC MP wins in 2021 and immediately the Court stops him from working. Meanwhile, Nana Addo remains President yet he blames the injuncted NDC MP for not developing Assin North. Excuse promax,” Mr Dafeamekpor tweeted in reaction to President Akufo-Addo campaign message to Assin Nortn residents ahead of the byelection on Tuesday, June 27.
Meanwhile, President Nana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has told constituents in Assin North not to vote for a candidate who is standing trial in court during the by-election.
Assin North voted 4 Nana Addo & an NPP MP in 2016 yet both couldn’t develop Assin North by 2020.
NDC MP wins in 2021 & immediately the Court stops him from working. Meanwhile Nana Addo remains Prez yet he blames the injuncted NDC MP for not developing Assin North. Excuse promax
— Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Esq. MP. (@etsedafeamekpor) June 26, 2023
Addressing a gathering in the constituency on Sunday, June 25, he said for the constituency to witness the needed development, a candidate with legal issues should not be voted for.
“They say even if Gyakye Quayson is in jail they will vote for him, are we going to vote for someone who is going to prison?
“What benefits will the people derive from voting for such a person? We want someone when he is voted for can come to me and plan how to develop the constituency.”
But former President John Dramani Mahama told him that the facts of the cases involving Adamu Sakande, the late Bawku Member of Parliament who was sentenced to two years imprisonment after he was found guilty of false declaration of office, perjury, and deposed Assin North lawmaker James Gyakye Quayson who is also standing trial for the same charges, are not the same.
Mr Mahama also told a gathering in the constituency on Sunday that “Don’t deceive the people of Assin North to believe that the two situations are the same.
“Adamu Sakande went to prison because he lied and concealed his passport. Gyakye Quayson has not hidden his passport. Prior to voting for him in 2020 Canada had accepted that he was no longer a Canadian citizen, what crime has he done?”
Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has dragged a member of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Peter Appiahene, to the Supreme Court over his alleged affiliation with the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The legislator contends that under Ghana’s constitution, a person is not qualified to be an EC member if that person is a “known sympathiser, a member or openly affiliates or identified with a registered political party in Ghana”.
President Akufo-Addo in March this year swore in three new members of the electoral management body including Dr Appiahene.
Three civil society organisations comprising the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), the Star-Ghana Foundation and the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) held a news conference urging Dr Appiahene to resign.
The CSOs maintained this appointment is unconstitutional.
The South Dayi MP is asking the Apex Court to revoke the appointment.
“An order revoking the appointment of the Ist Defendant by the President of the Republic of Ghana as a member of the 2nd Defendant Commission.
“An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Is Defendant from acting as or holding himself out as a member of the 2nd Defendant Commission pending the determination of the suit.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from acting as or holding himself out as a member of the 2nd Defendant Commission.”
Member of Parliament for South Dayi,Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has expressed disappointment regarding from results of the Kumawu parliamentary by-elections.
According to him, the results from some of the polling stations suggest that some of the branch executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) did not even vote for the candidate of the party.
In a tweet shared on Tuesday, the MP added that the NDC must re-audit its register and look at the people it chooses as grassroots leaders.
“The Kumawu results have poured in quick & fast. I was part of the Ashanti Reg Reorganization Project in 2022 but these Kumawu votes show we’ve to re-Audit our Register & Branch Executives.
“We’ve 9 Executives but has 3 & 4 Votes in some branches so where are our 9NDC Executives?” parts of the MPs tweet said.
Early results from Kumawu indicated that the candidate of the New Patriotic Party is leading by a huge margin.
View the MP’s tweet below:
The Kumawu results have poured in quick & fast. I was part of the Ashanti Reg Reorganization Project in 2022 but these Kumawu Votes shows we’ve to re-Audit our Register & Branch Executives. We’ve 9 Executives but has 3 & 4 Votes in some branches so where are our 9 Ndc Executives?— Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Esq. MP. (@etsedafeamekpor) May 23, 2023
In a recent interview granted by the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, revealed the mounting pressure that some National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs are facing ahead of the upcoming primaries on May 13.
Dafeamekpor explained that MPs are being overwhelmed with requests from constituents to cover various personal expenses such as education, medical bills, and funeral expenses.
According to Dafeamekpor, MPs often feel the need to sponsor these requests not only out of kindness and goodwill, but also to maintain good relationships with their constituents. He noted that this pressure becomes more intense during political seasons, when constituents believe that politicians are under pressure to fulfill their demands.
Dafeamekpor revealed that these requests are coming in “bits and pieces” from various constituents and sometimes include expenses that are not directly related to their role as MPs. He stated that he has personally received requests for funding for naming ceremonies, building school blocks, child support, and farming expenses.
The South Dayi MP also spoke about the financial burden that these requests put on MPs, especially during the primary season. He stated that MPs are already under financial pressure due to the cost of running a campaign, and the added pressure of fulfilling personal requests can be overwhelming.
“There’s a very queer feeling to this as though you maintain the constituents for all these years, maintain your branch executives as well. You sponsor a lot of things, funerals, pay for rent, education, child support, farming, and the demands come in bits and pieces,” he said.
Despite the financial strain, Dafeamekpor emphasized the importance of maintaining good relationships with constituents. He stated that sponsoring some of these requests can go a long way in building trust and goodwill with constituents.
“This continues and when it comes to another election cycle such as this, everyone thinks that well then this is the time to put my demand across because we are under pressure to meet it so that we don’t incur somebody’s wrath,” he added.
The NDC is scheduled to hold its primaries on May 13, 2023, to elect a flagbearer and various parliamentary candidates in the various constituencies nationwide. Dafeamekpor’s comments shed light on the challenges that MPs face during primary season, and the financial burden that comes with maintaining good relationships with constituents.
The issue of politicians fulfilling personal requests from constituents is not unique to Ghana. It is a common challenge that politicians face in many countries around the world. In some cases, politicians are accused of using public funds for personal gain, or using their position to enrich themselves.
However, it is important to note that not all requests from constituents are illegitimate. In many cases, these requests are genuine and reflect the needs of the community. Politicians have a responsibility to respond to the needs of their constituents and to use their position to improve the lives of the people they represent.
At the same time, it is important to ensure that there is transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. Politicians must be held accountable for how they use public resources, and should not use their position to enrich themselves or their families.
In Ghana, there have been several cases of corruption and misuse of public funds by politicians. The government has taken steps to address this issue, including the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the passage of the Right to Information Act.
However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that politicians are held accountable for their actions, and that public funds are used for the benefit of the community.
Dafeamekpor’s comments highlight the challenges that politicians face in maintaining good relationships with their constituents, while also fulfilling their responsibilities as elected representatives. It is important for politicians to respond to the needs of their constituents, but also
A case contesting the government’s decision to allow Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCE‘s) to continue serving in their positions in an acting capacity has been dismissed by the Supreme Court in a unanimous ruling.
The government’s directive, according to South-Dayi’s representative in parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, is unconstitutional.
Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor
At the start of his second term, President Akufo-Addo invited MMDCEs to serve in an acting capacity while he conducted consultations in order to make permanent appointments.
The lawmaker brought the case to the Supreme Court with the help of his attorneys, who included Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo.
He sought the following reliefs;
1. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 243(1) and Article 246(2) of the 1992 Constitution, the President of the Republic of Ghana has no power or authority to instruct or direct Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to remain in office in an acting capacity.
2. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 243(1) of the Constitution, 1992, the prior approval of the members of the District and Metropolitan Assemblies is a mandatory pre-condition for the President to direct, instruct or appoint any person to either act or hold office as a Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive.
3. A declaration that the Presidential directive dated 11th January, 2021 with reference number SCR/DA 39/314/01 directing Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to continue in office in an acting capacity contravenes Articles 243(1) and 246(2) of the 1992 Constitution and is therefore null and void and of no legal effect.
4. A declaration that all acts, decisions, orders and rules made by the said acting District, Municipal and Metropolitan executives pursuant to the Presidential directive dated the 11th of January, 2021 contravene Articles 243(1) and 246(3) of the Constitution, 1992.
5. A declaration that all public expenses arising and pursuant to those decisions, acts, orders or rules made by the acting District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives are unlawful.
6. A declaration that all agreements or contracts entered into and decisions made by the said acting District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives are unlawful and same are not binding on the Republic of Ghana.
7. A declaration that all liabilities or obligations or demands placed on the Republic of Ghana as a result of the acts, decisions, orders, agreements or contracts entered into by the acting District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chiefs Executives during the period of their acting capacity are not binding on the Republic of Ghana.
8. An order directed at all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives continuing in office pursuant to the above-mentioned Presidential directive to vacate office with immediate effect.
9. Any other Order(s) or Direction(s) that this Honourable Court may deem necessary.
But the seven-member panel presided over by Justice Jones Dotse on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 ruled that the case was without merit.
The court stated that its full reasoning will be made available in the coming days.
Other panel members are Justices Nene Amegatcher, Mariama Owusu, Lovelace Johnson, Henrietta Mensah Bonsu, Gertrude Torkonoo and Prof Mensah Bonsu.
Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkonoo, Chief Justice nominee
Meanwhile, Gertrude Torkonoo has been appointed by President Akufo-Addo as the new Chief Justice.
The president wrote to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, calling for the swift approval of Justice Josephine Torkornoo as Chief Justice of Ghana.
The president emphasised the urgency of filling the position without delay and noted that the approval process should not hinder the timely dispensation of justice.
Justice Torkornoo has had a long and illustrious career in the legal profession, serving as a Judge in the High Court and the Court of Appeal before being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019.
Her nomination has been widely welcomed by the legal fraternity in Ghana, with many praising her as an experienced and competent jurist.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has begun evaluating the illegal mining report authored by Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Chairman of the now-defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM).
The decision comes after Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi in the Volta Region filed a complaint.
He has accused government officials of colluding in the fight against illegal mining, despite the report having been dismissed by the Presidency but Mr Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the MP has asked the Commission to investigate the issue.
Other stakeholders are also calling for an independent probe into the allegations.
Joseph Whittal, Commissioner of CHRAJ, explained that various procedures would be initiated before a full-scale inquiry begins because the procedures of CHRAJ required it to make an assessment of the complaints.
He pointed out that procedures of the Commission required they made an assessment of the complaints and not every complaint that was filed met the standards expected of a complaint that could be admitted for investigation.
“We will do the assessment, determine which of the mandates, if any, has been evoked by the petition, after which if there are any further and better particulars in terms of clarification of documents, we will ask for that from the lawyers of the complainant,” Mr. Whittal indicated.
Mr. Dafeamekpor called for public hearing as CHRAJ launched a probe into unlawful mining activities in the country.
In a 37-page document, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, accused important government political actors of poisoning significant water bodies.
Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, lawyer for the MP, after presenting the petition, said he believed the committee would conduct a thorough investigation and cautioned that the nation would be importing water in future.
He noted that just as the public had shown interest in the filing of the petition, they should follow up processes and ask questions about how far the investigations had got to and not seem like the issues were solely for the petitioner.
According to him, the petitioner would be issuing letters to check up on the issues every week to find out what was happening saying “I have been given utmost assurance the issues would be taken seriously, so l leave the rest to the commission.
“We will give them the benefit of the doubt to do an excellent job since they have done that in the past and CHRAJ stood up to issues of corruption and public interests which is existential matter and must be thoroughly investigated,” Nii Addo intimated.
The member of parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has demanded the arrest and prosecution of any government employees who received Covid – 19 vaccines that were given to the state near to the time of their expiration.
According to the lawmaker, the government front-liners who were supposed to oversee the well-being of Ghanaians received over 1 million vaccines which were close to expiration.
“Officers that led to receiving these expired vaccines should be prosecuted, you see what has happened is a crime against humanity. You see the government declared a state of emergency that we’re sick and we gave them money to go and buy vaccines for us, and they went to get expired ones. That’s inefficiency and irresponsibility of public officers,” he said.
His comments follow the Auditor-General’s reports on the money the government spent to fight Covid -19 between the period of March 2022 and June 2022. The A-G’s report states that about 1,022,348 donated vaccines which were delivered to the state close to expiration.
The Auditor-General report added that the fear that the vaccines could accidentally be issued among the wholesome ones for vaccination which could pose a public health threat to the country, should be disposed of.
The Auditor-General further stated that the programme’s manager of the health directorate explained that the vaccines were donated vaccines that were delivered to them close to expiry.
Databank, a company partly owned by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has reportedly bagged GH₵159million from government for its Transaction Advisory services on government bond issuance since 2017.
The claim is being made by the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor who said his calculations were based on a document supplied to the committee that probed the Vote of Censure motion against Ken Ofori-Atta last month.
In a tabular representation of the figures, Dafeamekpor alleged that government paid GH ₵85 million to Databank in 2021. The lowest figure was 2019 where GH₵11.83million was paid to Databank.
The document, posted on social media, was captioned: “This is how much Ken Ofori Atta and his company have made from the borrowings he’s made so far for this Govt….very staggering amount of money in fees. How much taxes has he paid on these huge fees earned from the borrowings?”
One of the grounds for the censure motion against Ken Ofori-Atta was claim of conflict of interest over the involvement of Databank in Government of Ghana’s Capital Market transactions.
His counsel at the time, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko defended that the Commission of Human Right and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and not Parliament was clothed with the power to investigate issues of conflict of interest.
After rounds of legal banter between Gabby Otchere-Darko and Dr Dominic Ayine who was the co-chair of the committee, conflict of interest was struck out as one of the grounds for the investigations.
One of Ofori-Atta’s deputies, John Ampontuah Kumah asked critics of the Finance Minister to seek interpretation at the Supreme Court over the matter.
“Those who are so pained by the current situation should go to court, the Supreme Court or the High Court. So that we can all be guided because, as far as I am concerned, these two public officers have acted within the law. Even at their vetting, they’ve disclosed this; every information has been put out there. All of a sudden, it is turning out to be another unheard of situation,” he said.
The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has reacted to comments against the Russian Federation by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at a meeting in Washington, on Thursday, December 15, 2022, stated that Ghana’s security apparatus has noticed the activities of Russian mercenaries along its borders in the northern parts of the country, who have been contracted by the Burkinabe government.
Addressing officials of the US government, including Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Akufo-Addo said that the Burkinabe government had contracted these mercenaries to help them fight Islamic militants in their country and is paying them with a mining concession.
Akufo-Addo also stated that Ghana was against Russia’s occupation of Ukraine and the use of African countries as training grounds for foreign powers, particularly Russia.
“Apart from not accepting the idea of great powers once again making Africa their theatre of operation, we have a particular position that you know about over the Ukraine war, where we have been very, very vocal and up front about condemning the invasion of Ukraineby Russia,” he said.
Reacting to this in a tweet shared on Friday, December 16, 2022, the MP said that Akufo-Addo’s comments against Russia hurts Ghana’s status as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) – nations that do not align with or are against any of the world powers.
He added that Akufo-Addo revealing a security briefing he had received in public is also not the best.
“As an MP & a Citizen, I’m terribly worried about the laissez-faire manner the Prez revealed what appears to be contents of classified security briefings on Burkina Faso to a foreign power in this video.
“More worried about how Russia will react. Are we still a Non-Aligned Nation?” parts of the MP’s tweet read.
See the MP’s tweet, plus a video of Akufo-Addo’s statement below:
Akufo-Addo ‘cries’ to US over presence of Russian mercenaries on Ghana’s borders
Akufo-Addo ‘cries’ to US over presence of Russian mercenaries on Ghana’s borders
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at a meeting in Washington, on Thursday, December 15, 2022, stated that Ghana’s security apparatus has noticed the activities of Russian mercenaries along its borders in the northern parts of the country, who have been contracted by the Burkinabe government.
Addressing officials of the US government, including Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Akufo-Addo said that the Burkinabe government had contracted these mercenaries to help them fight Islamic militants in their country and is paying them with a mining concession.
Akufo-Addo also stated that Ghana was against Russia’s occupation of Ukraine and the use of African countries as training grounds for foreign powers, particularly Russia.
“Apart from not accepting the idea of great powers once again making Africa their theatre of operation, we have a particular position that you know about over the Ukraine war, where we have been very, very vocal and up front about condemning the invasion of Ukraine by Russia,” he said.
Reacting to this in a tweet shared on Friday, December 16, 2022, the MP said that Akufo-Addo’s comments against Russia hurts Ghana’s status as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) – nations that do not align with or are against any of the world powers.
He added that Akufo-Addo revealing a security briefing he had received in public is also not the best.
“As an MP & a Citizen, I’m terribly worried about the laissez-faire manner the Prez revealed what appears to be contents of classified security briefings on Burkina Faso to a foreign power in this video.
“More worried about how Russia will react. Are we still a Non-Aligned Nation?” parts of the MP’s tweet read.
See the MP’s tweet, plus a video of Akufo-Addo’s statement below:
As an MP & a Citizen, I’m terribly worried about the laissez faire manner the Prez revealed what appears to be contents of classified security briefings on Burkina Faso to a foreign power in this video. More worried about how Russia will react. Are we still a Non-Aligned Nation? pic.twitter.com/mTAsTR17Eu
— Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Esq. MP. (@etsedafeamekpor) December 16, 2022
The Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has urged his colleague National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs not to listen to the plea of New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko on the 2023 Budget.
Gabby Otchere-Darko asked MPs from the minority caucus to join the 2023 budget reading on Thursday, November 24, 2022.
According to him, the 2023 budget is important in Ghana’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund as well as in restoring investor confidence in the country.
“Thursday’s 2023 budget is crucial. It can’t suffer a fate similar to the 2022 budget and its revenue measures. It could completely derail negotiations with the Fund if not passed. Critical to this are its revenue generation measures. We plead the NDC joins NPP in this for Ghana,” a tweet the NPP stalwart shared on November 23 read.
But Dafeamekpor, while reacting to Gabby’s tweet, said that he (Gabby) cannot be trusted and his plea is not sincere.
The MP, in a tweet, added that the minority caucus MPs do not need the advice of the NPP’s leading member.
“Beware of the Greeks bearing a Gift Horse in the face. This call by Otchere Darko is a typical Trojan Horse.
“Gabby, be reminded that the NDC and its powerful Minority Caucus of which, I’m a proud Member, won’t take advise from Ofori Atta’s lawyer on Social Media. Advise the IMF,” parts of the tweet read.
Gabby Otchere-Darko asked MPs from the minority caucus to join the 2023 budget reading on Thursday, November 24, 2022.
According to him, the 2023 budget is important in Ghana’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund as well as in restoring investor confidence in the country.
“Thursday’s 2023 budget is crucial. It can’t suffer a fate similar to the 2022 budget and its revenue measures. It could completely derail negotiations with the Fund if not passed. Critical to this are its revenue generation measures. We plead the NDC joins NPP in this for Ghana,” a tweet the NPP stalwart shared on November 23 read.
But Dafeamekpor, while reacting to Gabby’s tweet, said that he (Gabby) cannot be trusted and his plea is not sincere.
The MP, in a tweet, added that the minority caucus MPs do not need the advice of the NPP’s leading member.
“Beware of the Greeks bearing a Gift Horse in the face. This call by Otchere Darko is a typical Trojan Horse.
“Gabby, be reminded that the NDC and its powerful Minority Caucus of which, I’m a proud Member, won’t take advise from Ofori Atta’s lawyer on Social Media. Advise the IMF,” parts of the tweet read.
View the MP’s tweet below:
Beware of the Greeks bearing a Gift Horse in the face. This call by Otchere Darko is a typical Trojan Horse. Gabby, be reminded that the Ndc and it’s powerful Minority Caucus of which, I’m a proud Member, won’t take advise from Ofori Atta’s lawyer on Social Media. Advise the IMF pic.twitter.com/7uMCVf717a
The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has alleged that the government is paying remunerations to some workers who are supposed to be working at a port in Keta.
In a tweet shared on Monday, November 21, 2022, Dafeamekpor questioned who these salaries were going to because there is no port in Keta, a coastal town in the Volta Region.
The MP, who made these remarks while reacting to a purported document indicating the approval of annual bonuses for workers of ports, including the port at Keta, bemoaned the fact that the workers were even going to be paid bonuses.
“How can we be paying monthly salaries, allowances and End of Year bonuses to workers of a nonexistent Port at Keta?
“Again, per para 5, what’s the meaning of para 5? “A Retired Staff who ‘worked’ for more than 6 months or more during the year will be entitled to full bonus..”?” parts of the MP’s tweet read.
The MP shared a document from the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority addressed to the directors of the ports at Tema, Takoradi, and Keta, confirming the approval of the payment of bonuses to workers at these ports.
The government started processes to construct the third commercial airport in Ghana at Keta in 2019.
It has so far signed an executive instrument that demarcates the area for the port, advertised for tenders for feasibility studies, and appointed a director for the proposed port.
As of now, the only structure at the demarcated area for the Keta port is a sign post, but the Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, has stated that the government remains committed to the construction of the proposed Keta port.
Member of Parliament for the South Dayi Constituency in the Volta Region, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has explained that there is no law that makes entrapment illegalin Ghana.
Speaking on the Ade Akye Abia show on Okay FM he said that unlike in America, where there is a lawful way of obtaining evidence but in Ghana, there is no lawful way of obtaining evidence.
“One the evidence is relevant or is of importance, the court will admit it. The court does not consider how you got the evidence that the principal we work with in this country. It is immaterial how you got the evidence but ones the material will help your case, the court will admit it. Many have raised concerns about entrapment, entrapment is not part of the jurisprudence we are practising here.
“If someone has evidence that you want to take bribe or you are willing to take bribe or it shows that you are corrupt, the court will consider it and make a determination. They won’t look at how it was obtained. So, entrapment does not work in Ghana. In America, there is a lawful way of obtaining evidence, but in Ghana, we don’t have a lawful way of obtaining evidence, what we have is relevant evidence,” he said on the show.
Some Ghanaians have raised concerns about the method used by ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas for his exposés, as many have described the method as “entrapment.”
It is based on these concerns Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor indicated that there is no law that makes entrapment illegal in Ghana.
Aremeyaw Anas’s latest exposé, dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy’ has compelled President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to sack the Minister of State in Charge of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, from office.
Charles Adu Boahen alleged on video that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia needs just USD 200,000 as an ‘appearance fee’ and some positions from an investor for his siblings to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
South Dayi Member of Parliament Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor has said the plan by the government to sell the Saglemi Housing Project to a private person is the most economically depressing piece of policy he has seen from this government.
He questioned whether the Attorney-General aware that the Saglemi Housing Scheme, which is a subject of Criminal Prosecution of the Hon Collins Dauda & others in court is being sold to a private person?
The Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso Boakye has announced the government’s intention to explore the sale of the Saglemi Housing project to private sector investors for completion.
This is at no cost to the State and to reinvest the proceeds of the transaction into other affordable housing projects, he said.
Addressing a press conference Accra on Sunday November 13, he said the decision was taken after a painstaking consultation verification and assessment.
The Bantama lawmaker said “After a painstaking period of assessment, verifications and consultations government has decided to explore the possibility of selling the Saglemi Housing project, covering the 1506 housing unit , at the current value to private sector entity to complete and sell at no further cost to the state.
“Proceeds from the sale will come to the state and reinvested into affordable Housing project.
“To facilitate the process a technical working team has been set up, comprising professionals and experts to oversee and spearheads all engagements required for the completion of the project.”
The project was initiated in 2012 for the delivery of 5000 housing units at a total cost of 200,000,000 under and Engineering-Procurement-Contracting (EPC) Agreement with Messrs Construtora OAS Ghana Limited.
By the end of the stipulated completion date the original contract of the project had been amended three times with the project scope reducing from the initial 5000 housing units to 1506housin units although $195,854969.52 representing 98 % of the project funds had been expended, he further stated.
Commenting on this in a tweet, Mr Dafeamekpor said “This is the most economically depressing piece of policy I’ve seen from this Govt. Is the Attorney-General aware that the Saglemi Housing Scheme, which is a subject of Criminal Prosecution of the Hon Collins Dauda & ors in court is being sold to a private person?”
This is the most economically depressing piece of policy I’ve seen from this Govt.
Is the Attorney-General aware that the Saglemi Housing Scheme, which is a subject of Criminal Prosecution of the Hon Collins Dauda & ors in court is being sold to a private person? pic.twitter.com/ZnNKavHPFM
According to the MP, the Minister for Interior, Ambrose Dery, made this revelation when he appeared on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
“In an answer to a Question in Parliament, the Hon Ambrose Dery says that the NIA has registered 34,935 Chinese in Ghana. Registered Nigerians are 26,342,” parts of a tweet Dafeamekpor shared on the same day read.
Some countries on the list Dafeamekpor shared include India, the United States and Germany.
It is not clear whether the MP was indicating foul play because foreigners are entitled to acquire a Ghana Card for non-Ghanaians at a fee if they are going to stay in the country for a long period.
Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson- Nelson Dafeamekporhas expressed displeasure over the cancellation of the second entrance exams by the Ghana Law School last Friday, September 23, 2022.
The entrance examination for the Ghana School of Law to be taken by prospective students was cancelled by the Independent Examination Committee of the General Legal Council (GLC) as the set of questions had been leaked on social media hours before the paper.
The paper was later written during the day. That was the second time the GLC had to cancel an exam paper due to leaks this year.
Speaking on the subject, Mr. Dafeamekpor said that the ongoing situation is in violation of the respect and prestige associated with the legal profession and undermines the ability of the Independent Examination Committee to conduct a transparent examination process.
“It is becoming a worrying situation when these leakages are becoming regular. Just 14th July this year, the Independent Examinations Body of the General Legal Council had to cancel the Civil Procedure paper which was scheduled to be taken on July 15, 2022.
The more these instances are recorded, the more it raises questions about the body responsible for the examinations,” he stated.
The number of people interested in pursuing a career in law, according to Mr. Dafeamekpor, will decrease as a result of the recurrence of exam paper leaks.
The legal practitioner therefore demanded that “the General of the General Legal Council had had to cancel the Civil Procedure paper which was scheduled to be taken on July 15, 2022.
The more these instances are recorded, the more it raises questions about the body responsible for the examinations,” he stated.
The number of people interested in pursuing a career in law, according to Mr. Dafeamekpor, will decrease as a result of the recurrence of exam paper leaks.
The legal practitioner, therefore, demanded that “the General Legal Council must, as a matter of urgency, ensure to institute measures to prevent these incidents from occurring in the future.”
He insisted that investigations must be carried out to unearth the individual(s) responsible for these incidents.
The exam malpractice comes at a time when there are discussions on opening up access to the Ghana School of Law given the rising interest in individuals who want to get training in the legal profession.
Mr Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor is of the assertion that the less number of students admitted has allowed desperation to creep into the hearts of many, where they will engage in unethical acts to gain access to legal education.
According to him, access to legal education has been restricted through “the employment of means including compelling lawyer hopefuls to sign undertakings that take off their rights, including rights not to appeal for remarking, coupled with the unpublished passing criteria.”
Nonetheless, he stressed that “the general public needs to hold strict confidence in the legal profession even as discussions continue to dominate on easing access to professional legal education in order to provide quality and qualified legal practitioners for the various legal services that are required in this country and beyond, and for that matter, the General Legal Council through the Independent Examination body must ensure integrity in the system.”
In a tweet on September 6, Dafeamekpor premised his argument on the fact that the purported Ghana Card of Aisha Huang which has surfaced online was issued to her on Sunday, February 27, 2022.
“Evidence is that on Sunday, 27th February, 2022, Aisha Huan a.k.a Aisha En got her NIA Card issued to her by Govt. Same Govt said she had long been deported to China. Look, this woman was never deported that’s how come her biometric details could be captured for this weekend job,†Dafeamekpor tweeted.
Background
Chinese national and galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang evaded immigration authorities and re-entered Ghana to conduct illegal business despite her controversial deportation in 2018.
Whilst the report is silent on when she first reentered and how many times she has been in and out of the jurisdiction, it turned out that she also used a different name on her return.
This was established with evidence that upon her return, Huang applied for and obtained the Ghana Card in February 2022 using the name “Huang En.”
The year of issuance of the non-citizen Ghana Card has however been dismissed by NIA.
The Citi News report added that she always sneaked out of Ghana when she got intelligence about the possibility of an arrest.
Despite coming in through Aflao, Aisha made the Ashanti Regional capital of Kumasi her base from where she engaged in the business of selling mining materials. She was arrested with other accomplices at Ahodwo in Kumasi.
On Monday, September 5, 2022, the Accra Circuit Court 9 presided by Samuel Bright Acquah, remanded Aisha Huang, into custody.
This was after Miss Huang, together with three other Chinese nationals, were brought before the court on charges including engaging in the sale and purchase of minerals without a license and mining without a license.
The court could not take into record the pleas of the four suspects because there was no interpreter to help translate proceedings for the Chinese nationals.
The accused persons were not represented by a lawyer. The court adjourned sitting on the case to Wednesday, September 14, 2022.
Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has alleged that Chinese galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang was never deported from the country as claimed by the government in 2018.
In a tweet on September 6, Dafeamekpor premised his argument on the fact that the purported Ghana Card of Aisha Huang which has surfaced online was issued to her on Sunday, February 27, 2022.
He said the Chinese national was in the country for which reason her biometric details were able to be captured on a weekend.
“Evidence is that on Sunday, 27th February, 2022, Aisha Huan a.k.a Aisha En got her NIA Card issued to her by Govt. Same Govt said she had long been deported to China. Look, this woman was never deported that’s how come her biometric details could be captured for this weekend job,†Dafeamekpor tweeted.
Background
Chinese national and galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang evaded immigration authorities and re-entered Ghana to conduct illegal business despite her controversial deportation in 2018.
Reports by Accra-based Citi News revealed that Huang despite last leaving by air, returned to Ghana via the eastern land border i.e. Togo.
Whilst the report is silent on when she first reentered and how many times she has been in and out of the jurisdiction, it turned out that she also used a different name on her return.
This was established with evidence that upon her return, Huang applied for and obtained the Ghana Card in February 2022 using the name “Huang En.”
The year of issuance of the non-citizen Ghana Card has however been dismissed by NIA.
The Citi News report added that she always sneaked out of Ghana when she got intelligence about the possibility of an arrest.
Despite coming in through Aflao, Aisha made the Ashanti Regional capital of Kumasi her base from where she engaged in the business of selling mining materials. She was arrested with other accomplices at Ahodwo in Kumasi.
On Monday, September 5, 2022, the Accra Circuit Court 9 presided by Samuel Bright Acquah, remanded Aisha Huang, into custody.
This was after Miss Huang, together with three other Chinese nationals, were brought before the court on charges including engaging in the sale and purchase of minerals without a license and mining without a license.
The court could not take into record the pleas of the four suspects because there was no interpreter to help translate proceedings for the Chinese nationals.
The accused persons were not represented by a lawyer. The court adjourned sitting on the case to Wednesday, September 14, 2022.
