The Rt Hon Speaker of the 8th Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has today Tuesday 16 March, 2021 clearly stated that, Parliament will never allow itself for the executive to impose anything they wish on them.
He said, Parliament has the final power to approve or disapprove any request from the executive or Presidency.
Mr Bagbin further explain that, it is not for the executive to impose ceiling on the Judiciary or Parliament and that, the executive have to do the proper thing by making a recommendation on the 2021 annual budget for Parliament to make a final decision on its approval but not to receive an order or instructions from the executive to give an approval to the budget estimate for the year 2021.
He sounded a warning that, if the executive does otherwise, he the Speaker of Parliament will not pen or submit any letter to the Present for his Ascent.
Mr Kingsford Sumana Bagbin comments came up at the plenary when Parliament received a communication from the Secretary to the President of Ghana, Nana Asante Bediatuo asking Parliament and Judiciary to maintain their financial allocations in the 2021 annual budget, since no extra funds could be added to financial allocation for Parliament and Judiciary as requested by Speaker of Parliament soon after the presentation of annual budget last Friday 12 March, 2021.
The chiefs and Opinion Leaders in the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Region have hailed their District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon Kwadwo Banahene for undertaking marvellous developmental projects in the area.
In a various visits to the three paramount chiefs in the District to account to them under his stewardship what has been achieved, the chiefs upon seeing and hearing the achievement endorsed his second coming as DCE for the area to continue his good
Paramount chiefs of Sekyere Central
According to them, the DCE has proven beyond doubt since he assumed office and has therefore called on the President to stay put with him to continue the good work he has done in the District.
He said the DCE has always listened to the needs of the people in the area having addressed to the various drainage problems there, they also eulogies Hon Banahene Bediako for his maximum efforts to salvage the district from under developed.
Upon the chief observation, Sekyere Central is noted for poor roads network but is of the view that, the situation has changed under the indefatigable DCE tenure in office.
On education, he indicated there has been an improvement in the infrastructure of schools and on his way eliminate the schools under trees from the district.
The citizens affirmed they are impressed with the marvellous performance of the DCE, hence his endorsement.
“All the 3 paramount chiefs in this area want the President to stick to the DCE because he has done a lot for the District.
Hon Kwadwo Banahene Bediako DCE Sekyere Central
He is a respectful guy and also humble. He listens to the needs of the people and solves them. Looking at what he has done, we all want him to stay in the President second term of office” they plead.
“We’ve taken anything from the DCE just to praise him but the truth is that his hard work is making us beg the government to retain him as our DCE, paramount chiefs fumed.
We believe that, with what Hon Kwadwo Banahene Bediako has done within these few years he will do more when he is given the opportunity again”.
According to the Ghana criminal code act 29 section 132, it is defrauding by false pretense to take money from a man as transport money and deliberately refuse to show up. In view of the above, A police officer has admonished women especially young ladies to desist from the act as it can end them up in jail for up to 5 years.
Chief inspector Amoah explained that if a lady tells you to send her money for transport to come over and you send her the money and she decides not to visit and does not do the needful by refunding your money she can be dealt with accordingly per the Ghana criminal code.
The law enforcer said that a case can be filed against such persons with reference to the act 29 section 132 of the Ghana criminal code for defrauding by false pretense.
“Dear men, if a lady tells you to send her money for transport to come over and you send her the cash and she decide not to visit you, and does not refund the money, you can refer to ACT 29 SECTION 132 of the criminal code and file a case of defrauding by false pretense against her.
She can be jailed for up to 5 years. Know your right my brother, and for some of the women be warned” the officer noted.
Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central is the new head of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament.
The house is in the process of forming its committees and document sighted by GhanaWeb indicates Kennedy Agyapong has been appointed as the chairman for the Defence and interior committee.
In the seventh parliament, Kennedy Agyapong served as the head of the Communications Committee.
The Defence and Interior committee will have oversight responsibilities on all security-related matters in the country.
The committee is composed by 18 MPs, nine from either side of the house.
James Agalga of the National Democratic Congress is ranking member with Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings serving as deputy ranking member.
The vice chair role is reserved for the Member of Parliament for Mankessim, Ophelia Mensah.
Caretaker Finance Minister Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu and President Nana Addo
The 2021 budget statement presented to parliament by leader of government business Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has pegged Ghana’s fiscal deficit at 13.7 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This deficit, according to the budget, includes the cost of the financial sector cleanup up.
“The fiscal deficit including the financial sector cost for 2020 is 13 .7 per cent of GDP,” the budget said adding that “it was financed from both domestic and external sources.”
Regarding Ghana’s debt stock, the budget said the total debt rose from 122billion in 2019 to 291.6billion as at the end of December 2020.
The debt include the cost of the financial sector cleanup, the majority leader added.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu further assured Ghanaians that there is no cause for alarm in the face of the coronavirus crisis, which hit the country in March, 2020.
He said the measures taken by government so far makes Ghana better positioned to recover economically from the pandemic.
“Government succeeded in protecting virtually all jobs and incomes in public sector. For the people of Ghana have witnessed since the coronavirus pandemic ahead of the rest of the world, a leadership that is responsible, creative, courageous, decisive and above all very caring.
He said the policies such as the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP) have seen major results recorded “that have made it easier for people to cope with this unprecedented crisis”.
For him, the measures taken were to save lives, protect livelihoods and safeguard economic activities and they did just that.
“Mr Speaker, today Ghana is better positioned to recover and rebuild an even more resilient economy. Nobody says we know how to do it but also because the grace of God has we are in a good State.
The sex workers in Some part of Kumerican Ashawos in Ashanti Region, Kumasi Bantama have increased their price per night. They said, foods and other items have been increased hence they need to increase their prices.
They urged their customers to comply with the changes.
According to the information, there has been some increase in the demand for Ashawos in Kumasi and Bantanma, hence, the increase in price.
Maa Akoto Fordjour who is an insider confirmed the news and added that the Ashawos used to charge GHc45 per night.
However, with the increment, these commercial workers are now charging GHc60 per night.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday swore into office 16 regional Ministers vetted and approved by Parliament. He entreated them to ensure peace, law and order in their respective regions to further Governments agenda for the development and progress of the country.
“All our plans and programmes will come to naught if there is no peace. You must be careful and tactful in managing issues of intelligence and security,” the President told the regional ministers at a short ceremony at the Jubilee House, Accra.
The regional ministers are George Boakye- Ahafo, Simon Osei-Mensah- Ashanti, Justina Owusu-Banahene- Bono, Kwaku Adu Gyan- Bono East, Justina Marigold Assan- Central, Seth Kwame Acheampong- Eastern, Henry Quartey- Greater Accra, Shani Alhassan Saibu- Northern, Yidana Zakaria- North East and Joseph Makubu- Oti.
They rest are Saeed Muhazu Jibril- Savannah, Stephen Yakubu- Upper East, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih- Upper West, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa- Volta, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah- Western and Richard Obeng- Western North.
President Akufo-Addo told the ministers that regions were the natural target for all the programmes that his first term administration embarked on, and is introducing in the second term to grow the national economy, saying, “This is a good time to be in charge of your regions as you have the opportunity to help transform the regional economy.”
“In our pursuit of rapid industrialisation and value addition to agricultural produce, the regions will continue to be the focus of our drive towards mondernising our agriculture, improving production and efficicney, and food security, as well as profitability for our farmers.”
The President urged the ministers to acquaint themselves with relevant laws and work closely with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives in their respective assemblies, traditional authorities, opinion leaders, religious leaders and other key stakeholders in their respective regions.
“As you assume your respective offices, I urge you to provide leadership that will ensure that the work on which we are collectively embarked benefits the progress of our nation and helps raise the living standards of our people… that is why we were here. And that is why the people voted for us again.
“I pray that you will not let the citizens of your respective regions down, that you would not let government down, and that you will not let me down. I’m expectant with the various backgrounds and experiences of each one of you will bring value to the governance of our nation and enable us also to deliver on the commitments of our Manifesto.
“I am counting on you to add to the work of government so that together we can deliver on our mandate from the Ghanaian people. I look forward to working closely with you to bring progress and prosperity to our nation,” the President said.
Thursday’s ceremony brings to 45, the number of ministers so far sworn into office by the President in his second term.
Dog meat sellers at Sandema in the Builsa North Municipality of the Upper East Region were disappointed when they visited the major market in the area to buy dogs and prepare for their customers.
The sellers discovered on visiting the dog market that the usually filled market had been deserted.
There were however other animals such as sheep and goats for sale.
Dada Bee, a popular dog meat seller at Sandema who expressed worry about the situation, told the GNA: “I went to the dog market this morning at about 0900hours only to realise there was only one dog in the market for sale.
“We were six dog meat sellers in the market at the time, all bargaining to buy the dog. I was able to buy it because I offered to pay GH¢185.00 for what I would have ordinarily bought for GH¢140.00.”
Dada Bee explained that it was a market day, and he could not afford to disappoint his customers, who usually trooped to his place to buy their favourite delicacy by midday.
He said the situation had compelled him to increase the price of the meat, “I used to sell the thigh of the dog for GH¢25.00, but now, I am selling it for GH¢30.00, the neck which I used to sell for GH¢18.00 or GH¢20.00, now goes for GH¢25.00.”
He said some customers who were aware of the shortage were comfortable with the prices, while those who did not know still bargained for the old price.
“Though some customers will initially complain about the prices today, when I tell them the situation, they understand and buy at the price I offer,” Dada Bee said.
Dada Bee and his colleagues could not give the exact cause of the shortage except to jokingly say “The people have eaten all the dogs”.
The dog meat sellers usually move from home to home to buy the animals and also travel to other markets such as the Fumbisi, Yagba and Kubori markets to buy.
“For the past week, all the markets could not give us the numbers we usually buy so demand for the meat has gone higher than we can supply”, they said.
Mr Abdulai Arimeyaw, a Butcher, told the GNA that “I deal in sheep and goats, but we were all surprised this morning when we came and realised the shortage of dogs in the market.”
According to him, there was general shortage of all animals in the market, which led to price increase. “Now unless you have GH¢200.00 or more, you will not get a sizeable goat or sheep, which used to be sold at GH¢ 150.00 to buy. I came and couldn’t buy any, and so I am returning home.”
Owing to the shortage of dogs in the market, most vendors slaughtered pigs for their customers, while others shutdown their joints.
The delicacy is usually served with powdered dry pepper and chopped onions depending on the buyer’s choice, and it is the favourite of many residents of Sandema and its environs.
One of Dada Bee’s customers who was seated at the joint to buy his favourite part of the dog meat while it was on fire, said “I rushed here from my office to buy the meat and return. I just heard this morning that there was shortage of dogs in town.
“But despite the shortage, I knew Dada Bee will not disappoint his customers. The only problem is that the shortage will affect us because the prices of the meat will definitely go up,” he said.
Caretaker Finance Minister, Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu and President Nana Addo
Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has been appointed as the caretaker Minister for Finance.
The appointment was communicated in a letter from President Nana Akufo-Addo to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.
President AkufO-Addo indicated that the Suame legislator, who is currently the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, will handle the Finance Ministry as a temporary additional responsibility.
“I write respectfully to inform you that, pursuant to Order 140 Rules 2 and 3, of the Standing Orders of Parliament, I have assigned temporarily responsibility for the Ministry of Finance to the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Member of Parliament for Suame,” the letter, as read by Alban Bagbin said.
Ken Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister in Akufo-Addo’s first term from 2017 to 2021, was nominated by President Akufo-Addo in January 2021 to serve in the same portfolio in his second term, but he is yet to be vetted by Parliament’s Appointments Committee due to health reasons.
Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu.
Ahead of his scheduled date for vetting, the Finance Ministry announced in a statement on February 14, 2021, that Ken Ofori-Atta was being flown to the UK to receive medical attention after suffering complications from COVID-19.
According to the ministry, he recovered from the disease but suffered some complications later.
His constitutional duty of delivering the 2021 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in Parliament has already been tasked to Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu who will do that on Friday, March 12, 2021.
It remains unclear when Mr. Ofori-Atta will return to the country, be vetted and take up the role as Finance Minister if approved by the House.
The former Central Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Bernard Allotey Jacobs, has stated that he is no longer with the opposition party.
In a panel discussion on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo morning show hosted by Kwame Sefa Kayi, the ‘educated fisherman’ declared that his decision is hinged on the sound and good leadership of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
‘’Kwame, I have resigned from the NDC. I am no longer part of the National Democratic Congress. President Akufo-Addo is providing the kind of leadership that is unprecedented in our recent history, and that’s how come I have quit the NDC” he told Sefa Kayi.
According to Uncle Allotey as he is popularly called, President Akufo-Addo, despite the kind of vilification he suffered in opposition, he has never been vindictive towards those who subjected him to such ordeals.
He also said that despite a challenging economy bequeathed to him, coupled with the deadly coronavirus pandemic, President Akufo-Addo has built roads, factories and many other developmental projects unlike the previous administration. These, he believes, make Akufo-Addo stand tall amongs his peers in recent times, and that has informed him to support him to succeed.
Though he indicated that he has no intention of joining the New Patriotic Party, the little he has seen has convinced him to throw his weight behind His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
Mr. Allotey Jacobs, hitherto, had been suspended by the opposition party for praising President Akufo-Addo’s leadership style in a radio discussion.
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