TIG Post

Tag: Speaker Alban Bagbin

  • We need stronger systems to fight cybercrime Speaker

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has said that Ghana could win the fight against cybercrime activities if stronger systems are in place.

    According to him, those engaged in cybercrime activities are always improving upon their modus operandi, insisting that it is only stronger systems that could counter and triumph over them.

    For instance, he said that Ghana’s cybersecurity machinery should be linked to the Information Communication Technology Department of the Parliament of Ghana, believing that would contribute to curbing the menace.

    “As we move towards a cashless economy, there is the need to build stronger systems to counter cybercrime. This is very important as we develop as a country”, he noted.

    The Speaker made this observation when a delegation led by the Executive Director of the Center for Cyber Watch and Data Protection paid a courtesy call on him.

    Commenting further on the issue, Rt. Hon. Bagbin said there is also the need to work on the mindset of Ghanaians and as well, raise awareness in order to bring change.

    His comment follows a report by the Director of the Center for Cyber Watch and Data Protection, Abubakar Issakar, that cybercrime activities were on the rise in the country.

    As a part of the measures to curb the menace, Mr. Issakar proposed the need to build a cybersecurity system for Parliament.

    Further to that, he proposed the need to scale up advocacy for cybersecurity and capacity building for medium and small-scale enterprises.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Speaker Alban Bagbin visits state institutions unannounced

    The Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin on Thursday, June 24, paid a surprise visit to the National Buffer Stock Company and the School Feeding Programme offices to ascertain their successes and challenges.
    According to Mr Alban Bagbin, it is his duty as the Speaker to familiarise himself with the challenges of these institutions to appreciate their concerns when they are brought before the House.
    This is despite the fact that there are specific Parliamentary Committees assigned to perform their oversight responsibilities over these state institutions.
    Welcoming the Speaker to the Offices of the National Buffer Stock Company, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hanan Abdul-Wahab noted that the staff strength of the company has been increased and their offices have expanded from operating in three regions to all the 16 regions since he took over in 2017 therefore their inputs have improved.
    Speaker visits state institutions unannounced Credit: Parliament of Ghana
    He mentioned the lack of big ware houses and inadequate allocation of funds as major challenges of the company.
    Speaker visits state institutions unannounced Credit: Parliament of Ghana
    At the School Feeding Programme Secretariat, the National Coordinator Mrs. Gertrude Quarshigah revealed that most of the caterers are complaining because the current 97 pesewes per head for a day is woefully inadequate considering the increase in prices lately.
    She indicated that the Caterers are asking for GHc3 per head and can also feel the pain of Government in the wake of economic crisis across the globe.
    Speaker visits state institutions unannounced Credit: Parliament of Ghana
    She assured the caterers that all outstanding payments would be made as soon as the Controller releases funds.
    Speaker visits state institutions unannounced Credit: Parliament of Ghana
    The Speaker assured the Heads of the institutions that he will lead the House to make sure that enough funds are allocated to solve the above mentioned challenges.
    Speaker visits state institutions unannounced Credit: Parliament of Ghana
    Speaker visits state institutions unannounced Credit: Parliament of Ghana
    Speaker visits state institutions unannounced Credit: Parliament of Ghana

  • Parliament approves €74.1 million loan agreement for Tarkwa Water Project

    A buyer’s credit facility agreement worth EUR 74.1 million for the Tarkwa Water Supply Project has been approved by Parliament.

    A commercial contract worth €65 million plus the associated €9.1 million Credendo premium for the Belgian Export Credit Guarantee makes up the total.

    The Project involves KBC Bank NV and Commerzbank AG (as arrangers and original lenders) are involved (as agent).

    By increasing the capacity of the existing Bonsa Water Supply System and extending service to neighbouring communities like Bonsa/Bonsaso, Bankyem, Charliekrom, Efuanta, Kwabedu, Mantrem, Agona Wassaw, and Nsuta, this project aims to improve the availability of potable water to the people of Tarkwa and the surrounding area.

    Tamso, Fanti Mines, Senyaekurase, Akyempem, Simpa, Dompin-Papase, Brofroyedu, Atoabo, Aboso, the University of Mines and Technology, and other communities make up the rest.

    To meet the current demand of 15,000m3/day (3.3MGD) and the projected water demand for the Municipality in 2040, the Project will increase the capacity of the existing water supply system from 2.8m3/day (0.6MGD) to 27,000m3/day (6MGD).

    Upon handing over each fully functional component to the client, a 12-month defect liability period will begin counting down from the project’s anticipated completion date of 36 months.

    Parliamentary Finance Committee Chairman Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng, who introduced the motion to approve the loan, argued that the Committee, after reviewing the Agreement in detail, was convinced that the Facility, if approved, would help expand access to water in Tarkwa and its surrounding areas.

    The motion was seconded by Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Ranking Member for the Finance Committee, who said that they had been informed that the Government of Ghana would be paying a commitment fee of 0.4% and an upfront fee of 1% to support the Tarkwa Water Supply Project.

    “Mr Speaker, my concern relates to the fact that the Government of Ghana is taking a loan of €65 million but we are paying an insurance premium of €9.1 million,” he said.

    “Mr Speaker, this means that the insurance for the facility alone is 14 percent of the loan amount, I recognise that, this is high but I will only urge the Ministry of Finance going forward to start working on our insurance premium.”

    “Mr Speaker, it looks as if Ghana is paying so much insurance on some of these export credit agency loans.”

    The loan itself, he said, was inexpensive, but the insurance premiums were something Ghanaians should be concerned about.

    He also voiced his displeasure over the fact that the Finance Ministry had not conducted a value for money audit prior to the loan’s implementation.

    The Majority Leader, Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, agreed with the Ranking Member on the value for money audit and said that it was time for Parliament to start using the services of experts to conduct such audits before approving loans.

     

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Bagbin puts Finance Ministry business on hold over Ofori-Atta no-show in Parliament

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has put all business from the Ministry of Finance on ice until all pending questions are answered, and a COVID-19 Expenditure statement is delivered by sector to the Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

    Already, a 75 million Euro facility for a COVID-19 response program has been suspended pending the delivery of the account statement to the house.

    “Until we go through the accountability process, we will not take that motion… Today, he has another request before us. That will also be affected.”

    “Until he comes to respond to the questions and to submit the statement giving an explanation as to how the money has been applied, we will not entertain any business from that Ministry,” Mr. Bagbin said.

    The Minister was scheduled to answer questions and deliver an important statement on the floor on Thursday before he put in a late request for the session to be postponed.

    The Minister has 16 questions to answer on a number of issues, including the utilization of COVID-19 funds.

    The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu came to the defence of the Minister following the postponement of the session.

    According to Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Mr. Ofori-Atta was yet to go over the responses to the question he was expected to deliver in Parliament.

    “He pleaded that he should see them [the questions] first, read them and appreciate what the technical people have brought  and if there are any other matters to be added on he does so becomes to this House so that he will be able to give a comprehensive response.”

    The Majority Leader also stressed that Mr. Ofori-Atta was not running away from the questions.

    “For anybody to jump to the conclusion that the minister is running away from responsibility, I shudder to think of how that is coming about.”

    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said it has been recommended that the Finance Minister appear before Parliament on Wednesday, June 22.

    Source: Citinewsroom

  • Bagbin gives Defence & Interior Committee one week to probe Islamic SHS disturbance

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has handed down a one-week ultimatum to the Defence and Interior Committee to embark on a fact-finding mission to Kumasi over the incidence of alleged police brutality at the Islamic Senior High School (SHS).

    A protest in the school turned chaotic when police met students with force, leading to several persons sustaining injuries.

    Member of Parliament for Asawase, Muntaka Mubarak, raised the matter on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.

    The Speaker, in giving the directive, said: “I will direct the committee on Defence and Interior to take this matter up and report next week. In other words, the committee members should visit the IGP to the regional police commander and the school in question, visit the injured persons and report by Tuesday with the findings and await the final investigations and if there is the need for us to take any further action, we will do that.”

    Some students of the Islamic Senior High School, Abrepo, Kumasi, took to the streets on Monday and blocked sections of the road to demonstrate against frequent motor traffic accidents in front of their school.

    http://tigpost.co/2022/06/islamic-shs-police-clash-no-live-bullets-were-fired-ministry-of-education/

    In a bid to help open the road to normal traffic flow, police responded by firing warning shots and opening tear gas and pepper spray on the students.

    “The students pelted the police with stones and the police used pepper spray and fired warning shots in an attempt to disperse them,” police said in a statement.

    Some students were injured following the disturbances and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

    According to the police service, although nobody died during the disturbances, the way its officers handled the situation was poor and fell short of standard operating procedures on crowd control.

    Police clinical psychologists were subsequently deployed to visit the school to offer psychosocial support to the student body.

    http://tigpost.co/2022/06/islamic-shs-shooting-deputy-regional-police-commander-removed-2-senior-officers-interdicted/

    The Ghana Police Service has removed its Deputy Ashanti Regional Commander, DCOP Kwasi Akomeah Apraku and has also interdicted two other senior officers over the incident.

    The Ministry of Education says calm has returned to the school.

    Deputy Education Minister, John Ntim Fordjour, after a visit to the school on Monday night, said all the injured students are currently safe and responding to medical treatment.

    He also said: “Out of the thirty-eight (38) students hospitalised, twenty-two (22) have been discharged and have joined their colleagues on campus.”

    Source: Citinewsroom

  • Ghana must support and embrace initiatives for women’s empowerment and equality – Speaker

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has emphasised the need for citizens to support and strengthen equality and women’s empowerment initiatives in the country.

    He added that the Affirmative Action bill requires immediate attention and that the legislature is committed to working cohesively with the Executive branch to ensure that the draft bill is presented to the House in order to create a window of opportunity for women, the elderly, the disabled, and members of minority groups.

    “Given Ghana’s enviable democratic credentials in Africa, there is still a need to promote women’s sense of worth and their right to influence and lead developmental change,” he stated.

    He made these remarks in Accra to a delegation from the Canadian Senate led by the Senator and Co- Chair of Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, Hon. Amina Gerba, who had paid him a courtesy call in Parliament to understand the delicate situation in which Ghana’s Parliament finds itself.

    In response to the concerns raised by the Rt. Hon. Speaker, the High Commissioner of Canada to Ghana, H. E. Kati Csaba, informed the group that Canada had approved a programme to assist Ghana’s Parliament in the areas of gender equality, equity, and inclusiveness.

    According to her, this action will foster and develop a relationship between Ghana and Canada that is mutually beneficial.

    Hon. Amina Gerba commended Speaker Bagbin for his commitment and service in carrying out his responsibilities to Mother Ghana and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association with diligence.

    In addition, the Speaker stated that due to the nature of the Ghanaian Parliament, both sides of the House must commit to consultations and consensus building in order to gain public support.

    In reference to the current composition of Parliament, Mr. Speaker stated, “The glaring flaws in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution necessitate a review, and until its successful implementation, members of both parties must engage in strategic engagements and compromise.”



  • Dress ‘properly’ or be sent out of the Chambers – Speaker warns MPs

    Members of Parliament (MPs) have been reminded by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to dress properly as required by House rules.

    Alban Bagbin announced during Friday’s sessions that MPs who do not follow the House’s dress code will be asked to leave.

    He stated that offending legislators will not be allowed to contribute or make any submissions on the floor of Parliament.

    “The dress code mandates and enjoins us to come to this house formally dressed. They used the term decent but some of the things I see you wearing are singlets and when you wear singlet into the house you are naked and therefore you have difficulties in catching the eye of the speaker.”

    Alban Bagbin directed leaders on both sides of the House to ensure that their members are dressed properly before coming to the House.

    “Leaders please pick up the role so that the proper thing is done, particularly the Whips that is why you are there. That is your area of focus to maintain discipline and order.”

    “I have seen it for some days now, I will not recognize any naked person in this house, you will be seen as a stranger and you will be walked out of this house,” he iterated.

    Meanwhile, the Speaker, announced his decision not to wear the cloak of the Speaker on regular sitting days.

    This, he said is part of his resolve to change the dress code and code of conduct of parliamentarians. He said the cloak will be worn for ceremonial purposes.

    His decision, he said is to promote made in Ghana attire and help the market for locally produced items.
    “You may be seeing me more in traditional dresses. I may use that [the cloak] only for ceremonial occasions, which is what is in the literature of Ghana concerning that cloak and gown.”

    “We also have to provide the market for our produce. We cannot always rely on what others manufacture and sell to us when we are capable of manufacturing even better ones,” the Speaker said.

    Source: The Independent Ghana