Bagbin refers Ghc187m kitchen cabinet scandal to Finance Committee for investigation
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has tasked the Finance Committee to investigate an exposé by North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa which he terms the Kitchen Cabinet Scandal. According to Ablakwa, cousin to President Akufo-Addo and leading member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has been harassing officials of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to pay an amount of 187.3 million cedis to his client West Blue Company. The ranking member for the Foreign Affairs Committee argues that though the company is not entitled to the amount, Gabby in collusion with the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame and officials of the Ministry of Finance are putting pressure on GRA to effect payments. Addressing the media in parliament, Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed the Finance Committee will get to the bottom of the matter. The lawmaker charged officials of the GRA not to succumb to threats and intimidation to pay the said amount. Mr. Ablakwa questioned the silence of the finance minister on the matter since he made the scandal public. “We are saying that 48 hours after this exposé the silence of the Attorney General is too loud, the silence of the Ministry of Finance is too deafening and of course the silence of the master perpetuator, the ground master of the President Akufo-Addo’s kitchen cabinet, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko is definitely too loud. “We expect the Ministry of Finance to be accountable to the Ghanaian people and they own the Ghanaian people on this matter. We will not allow them to keep quiet and coil into their shelf,” the lawmaker stated. He continued: “We have brought these matters formally to the attention of Parliament and more specifically to the attention of the leadership of Finance Committee. We have had assurances from the Finance Committee of Parliament, particularly from the ranking member on Finance Committee that during the break they will be inviting GRA to look further into this matter.” Starrfm
7 Member committee set to probe leaked tape
Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has ordered for the establishment of a seven member special committee to assist in the investigation of a leaked audio planning the removal of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare. The Speaker made the decision following the request made by the Deputy Minority Leader, Armah Kofi Buah in Parliament.” The terms of reference of this investigation will be to establish the following: The authenticity of the leaked audio recording Investigate the conspiracy to remove the current Inspector-General of Police Investigate any other matter contained in the audio recording Recommend sanctions to persons found culpable where appropriate Make recommendations for reforms where necessary Make such other recommendations and consequential orders as the committee may deem appropriate. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Bagbin sets up 8-member bipartisan c’ttee to probe minority’s charges againt Ofori-Atta
Speaker Alban Bagbin has set up an eight-member bipartisan committee to investigate conflict of interest allegations levelled against Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta by the minority caucus. The ad hoc committee has the minority caucus’ Bolgatanga East MP Dominic Ayine and the majority caucus’ Adansi-Asokwa MP K.T. Hammond, as co-chairs. Mr Bagbin put the committee together on Thursday, 10 November 2022 when the minority caucus moved a motion of censure against Mr Ofori-Atta for mismanaging the Ghanaian economy. The other committee members include Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and Bernard Ahiafor (from the minority caucus) and Patrick Yaw Boamah, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi and Andrew Agyapa Mercer (from the majority caucau. The committee has seven working days to finish its work and submit a report. “The evidence will be placed before the committee”, Mr Bagbin told the house, adding: “The minister will have the opportunity to defend himself”. “A report will be presented to the house and we will debate that report,” Mr Bagbin noted. In the view of the minority caucus, Mr Ofori-Atta has run the economy down and cannot be trusted to superintend his own mess. The majority caucus, led by Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, however, argued that the law of natural justice provides that the minister is given an opportunity to defend himself against the allegations of reckless borrowing, conflict of interest and gross mismanagement that have led to the unbridled depreciation of the cedi, soaring prices of fuel and foodstuffs, among others. In his recent national address on the economy, President Nana Akufo-Addo said ongoing talk with the IMF for a $3-billion extended credit facility would be concluded by the end of 2022. He admitted the economy was in a crisis but said his government was doing all it could to fiz things. Read the president’s full address below: ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO, ON THE ECONOMY, ON SUNDAY, 30TH OCTOBER 2022. Fellow Ghanaians, good evening. Back in 2020, at the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, I started a regular conversation with you that came to be popularly known as Fellow Ghanaians. It was a time of great fear of the unknown, and the entire world felt at risk. I came into your homes regularly to tell you what the experts were discovering about the virus, and what we should do. Now that we have seen the worst of the COVID-19, I can tell you that there were moments during those times when I was distraught, there were moments when I was in despair about the apparent inadequacy of our health facilities, and there were moments when I wondered if the dire predictions made about dead bodies on our streets would truly happen. But I knew that I owed it to all of us that, as your president, I had to hold my nerve, show leadership and take us out of the crisis. With your help and support, and the great mercies of the Almighty, we can say that we emerged from the ravages of the pandemic with one of the lowest mortality rates globally. In fact, Ghana’s handling of the pandemic won universal acclaim. We could all see in real time the devastation that was being wreaked on economies during the pandemic, but I doubt that anyone imagined the extent of the damage. Our economy, here in Ghana, like many, many others around the globe, was thrown into turmoil. When I said, at the height of the COVID pandemic, that we knew what to do to bring the economy back to life, but not how to bring people back to life, it was not said in jest. We had done it before, and we were on course to doing it again. Ghana’s economy grew by a remarkable 5.4% in 2021, signifying a strong recovery from the 0.5% growth recorded the previous year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, in the last quarter of 2021, our economy grew at seven percent (7%), only for the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the first quarter of this year to aggravate the effects of COVID-19, and plunge the global economy into even greater turmoil from which it has not yet recovered. The whole world has been taken aback by the speed with which inflation has eaten away people’s incomes. Economies, big and small, have experienced, over this year alone, the highest rise in cost of living over a generation; the highest rise in government borrowing in over fifty (50) years; the highest rise in inflation for forty (40) years; the steepest depreciation in their currencies to the US dollar over the last thirty (30) years; the fastest peak in interest rates for over twenty (20) years; and the greatest threat of unemployment in peace time; with over a hundred million people being pushed into extreme poverty. Between the end of 2019 and now, inflation in Ghana has increased by five-fold, in Togo by sixteen-fold, by eleven-fold in Senegal, and by seven-fold in Cote d’Ivoire. In truth, however, the fact that there are petrol queues in France does not make it more tolerable that the trotro price from Kasoa to Circle has doubled in the past one year, nor does it make it any more tolerable that the price of cooking oil goes up every other week. It is important to state that mentioning the increases in prices worldwide is not meant to belittle the scope of suffering here, but simply to help us put things into some perspective, and, hopefully, learn some useful lessons about how other people are coping. Fellow Ghanaians, this is why I am back in your homes this evening to ask for your support, as we work together to get our economy back into good shape. In April, after the Cabinet retreat of the first quarter, and recognising the deteriorating macro economy, my government announced a thirty percent (30%) cut in budgeted discretionary expenditures, and a thirty percent (30%) cut in salaries of the President,
Speaker of Parliament kick starts unannounced visit to govt institutions
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. A.S.K Bagbin as part of his newly instituted unannounced working visits to state institutions has visited the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO). Hon. Bagbin visited the National Food Buffer Stock Company led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hanan Abdul-Wahab as the first institution. However, Mr. Hanan Abdul-Wahab briefed the Rt. Hon. Speaker on the operations, challenges and achievements of the 11-year-old company. Below is his post on Meta CEO of NAFCo, Alhaji Hanan Aludiba writes, This morning, we became the very first institution to be visited by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. A.S.K Bagbin as part of his newly instituted unannounced working visits to state institutions. The Speaker and his team were welcomed by the management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hanan Abdul-Wahab, who briefed the Rt. Hon. Speaker on the operations, challenges and achievements of the 11-year-old company. The Speaker commended the company for working hard to remain viable despite state subvention. He promised to brief Parliament and other state organs about the challenges of the company and the need for it to be made financially relevant. In July 2021, NAFCO was the first company to be visited by the newly appointed Minister of State for Public Enterprises, Hon. Joseph Cudjoe when he embarked on his outreach to SOEs operating under the State Interest and Governance Authority ( SIGA). Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Bagbin vows to crack whip on Akufo-Addo appointing MPs to boards
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin says he will not sit aloof for the President to appoint sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) to serve on boards, some even as Chief Executives, of state institutions without his certification as stipulated by the constitution. He said the action smacks of political patronage and he is going to crack the whip on that. Speaker Bagbin expressed these sentiments on Monday, April 3 when he swore in newly elected executives of the Parliamentary Press Corps. He insisted that appointments of MPs to board positions and suchlike by sitting Presidents only leaves the House with Minority members to debate issues. But he said the situation has been left to fester because Presidents breathe on the neck of Speakers while they get the tacit approval of the masses including the MPs themselves. “I am not under that pressure and I can sail my own boat and I intend to do that,” he said. “Before anybody is given an appointment, the Speaker must give that certificate. It is not just for the president to sit down and dictate and co-opt everybody and leave Parliament with only the Minority to rather be critical of the government’s actions and inaction. “That is not helpful to our democracy and we have to crack the whip on this matter.” 3news
‘I never asked for military bodyguards nor given any’ – Oquaye
Speaker Alban Bagbin’s immediate predecessor Prof Mike Oquaye, has denied ever being given military bodyguards while in office. In a signed statement issued on Monday, 17 January 2022, Prof Oquaye said claims to that effect were “palpable” falsehood and should be disregarded. “I was never offered military protection nor did I request for any”. “Indeed, I had only three policemen to move with me and provide security at all material times”. “This information can be easily verified by anyone who cares for the truth at the office of the Clerk to Parliament at any given time,” his statement read. It follows claims by Sagnarigu MP A.B.A. Fuseini that Mr Bagbin is not the first Speaker to enjoy military protection. According to him, Prof Oquaye enjoyed it, too. “What was the initial decision to beef up the [security] with the military? Even Speaker Oquaye enjoyed military protection as well; he did. Let them not project this as if this is the first time, it’s not”. Mr Fuseini also said at a time that the government has stripped Mr Bagbin of his military bodyguards, there are still soldiers who carry things for some ministers of state. “Are you not aware that even some ministers have military people carrying things for them? As they have withdrawn Mr Speaker’s team, there are some of the military people carrying things for the ministers. I know that as a matter of fact”, Mr Fuseini told Valentina Ofori-Afriyie on Class91.3FM’s midday news 12Live on Monday, 17 January 2022. The Ghana Armed Forces withdrew the four military personnel detailed to the office of the Speaker with the reason that they were improperly assigned. A letter from the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, NP Andoh, addressed to the Speaker, identified the four military men as WO1 Jafaru Bunwura, WOII Apugiba Awine David, S/Sgt Agbley Prosper and Sgt. Bonney Prince. They have been protecting the Speaker since January 2021. The letter to Mr. Bagbin said: “It is humbly requested that the personnel are withdrawn with effect from 14 January 2022 while efforts are made to regularize their attachment”. The minority in parliament is, however, furious about the development. Condemning the move, Mr. Fuseini said the government is up to no good. “When they have a sinister motive and others, we can read into it and that is what they are trying to do”, he observed. “But let them be aware that no force can intimidate the right honorable Speaker or we, the members of the NDC on that side. No force. Let them get it right. No force can petrify us or intimidate us and cow us into submission”, he warned. “It will never happen. So, let us make it clear”, he stressed. Mr Fuseini advised the army to shield itself from political interference so as to safeguard its enviable world reputation. “I’ve always said that our military has one of the most professional standards; they should not allow this government to compromise them and use them to do their dirty work. They should stand up”, he urged. In his view, “the image and integrity of our armed forces is so high across the world; they should not allow this government to compromise them for the sake of their integrity and for the sake of this country”. “They are up to something”, he alleged in connection with the development, adding: “It is a signal to be sent to the Speaker that we can take out some of your cover and your security will be more compromised and you have to think twice”. The opposition lawmaker believes the government is orchestrating the move to force the Speaker to play ball as far as the controversial e-levy is concerned. “Look at the timing; why are they doing it now? They are doing it because it’s at this time that this e-levy has become a problem for this government. We are not kids in this country and we are all political animals and we know – we can tell a ripe corn by its look”. —classfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Withdrawal of Bagbin’s military politically motivated–Minority
The minority in parliament has said the action of the military high command in connection to the withdrawal of the Speaker of Parliament’s military security detail is a politically motivated and calculated one to diminish the speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin confidence in his bid to impartially and independently steer the affairs of the legislative arm of government. The minority’s position came after the military high command announced the withdrawal of the military protection of the Speaker. According to the military command, the soldiers assigned to the Speaker did not follow the proper procedure. Below is the full minority statement: STATEMENT BY THE PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS OF THE NDC ON THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE MILITARY SECURITY DETAIL OF THE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, RT. HON ALBAN BAGBIN BY THE NANA AKUFO ADDO LED GOVERNMENT. The Minority in Parliament is saddened and strongly denounce the withdrawal by President Akufo-Addo’s government of the military detail attached to the office of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin with effect from the 14th January 2022. It is pertinent to note that the only reason given for the shameful withdrawal of Mr. Speaker’s security detail is that the attachment was done without following the proper procedure. Curiously, the government fails and/ or omits to spell out the procedure for the attachment of military personnel to high profile personalities such as the speaker of Parliament. If the action of the military high command is in good faith, the irregularity in relation to the attachment could be rectified without necessarily having to withdraw the personnel. The only logical conclusion a reasonable mind would draw with respect to the failure of government to indicate the nature of the procedure supposedly breached by Mr Speaker’s outfit is that proper procedure was followed for which reason the military high command had no difficulty attaching the military personnel in question to his office. Indeed, the Clerk to Parliament on the 21st January 2021 did write to the chief of staff of the Armed Forces and duly requested the attachment of the military personnel in question. At this point, the chief of staff did not detect any procedural irregularities in relation to Mr Speaker’s request. However, one year on the same chief of staff who on behalf of the military high command granted the request now wants Ghanaians to believe that he acted in error in the first instance? The posturing of the chief of staff in this regard is, to say the least, preposterous. The minority states further without any equivocation that the attachment of military personnel to the office of the speaker is not an isolated incident at all. For instance, members of the executive branch of government other than the president and Vice President who are below the speaker of Parliament in terms of status and rank as provided for in the constitution have at various times had soldiers attached to their offices. A notable example is the current Attorney General and Minister for Justice who, even as deputy Attorney General had a soldier for his bodyguard. Another example of a state official below the speaker in terms of status and rank who roams town with military protection is the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, madam Jean Mensa. Flowing from the above, the minority is certain that the action of the military high command relative to the withdrawal of Mr Speaker’s security detail is politically motivated and calculated to diminish his confidence in his bid to impartially and independently steer the affairs of the legislative arm of government. In the circumstances, the minority shall hold the government of President Akufo-Addo responsible should the security of Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin, the speaker of Parliament be compromised in any way. We further call for the immediate withdrawal of the letter with ref no: GH/ 1002/ 01/ COS written on behalf of the armed forces by the chief of staff and purporting to withdraw the military personnel attached to Mr Speaker’s office. Signed: Minority leader Hon Haruna Iddrisu.
The staging of a walk-out does not render Parliament incapable of performing its functions –Bagbin
Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has said, staging a walk-out is a legitimate form of protest and is part of Ghana’s Parliamentary norms and practices. Apexnewsgh.com report The speaker pointed this when addressing Members of Parliament on Thursday, 16 December 2021 during his first sitting after returning from Dubai. Read below the Speaker’s full address to parliament on Thursday: Formal Statement by the Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin Speaker of Parliament, on the rejection or rescission of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government Introduction Hon Members, before I proceed to address the topic of my official communication, permit me to praise and glorify the Almighty God/Allah, my fortress and my Lord, for the travelling mercies and the regeneration and renewal of my body and life. Thanks be to you, oh Lord, the creator and master of the universe. I am eternally grateful to you for your grace and love. I also thank Hon Members for holding the fort in my absence, despite the fact that the conduct of some Members raises fundamental issues bordering on a complete disregard of parliamentary practice, procedure and process of the House. I have taken my time to read the Order Paper, Votes and Proceedings and the Official Reports of the days in issue. And I am convinced we should accept the view of the conscience of the nation that we owe Ghanaians an apology and I will proceed to do just that. As the Head of Parliament, the voice of the Legislature, who speaks for and on behalf of Parliament, hence the title Speaker, I, with all humility apologise on behalf of the House and all the members, for the aberrations of conduct and behaviour of members on those days. I take responsibility for what happens in the House and I admit the House is neither dignified nor exalted by that rancorous and unruly behaviour of members. I promise to do everything within my power and authority to lead the House to chart a path of transformation, decency and change, a change for the better. The conduct of members on those days also touches on the legality of the decisions arrived at in the House and how we arrived at those decisions. It will help for members to look at these issues dispassionately, in humility, devoid of egos and partisanship. As a House of honour, dignity and measureless might and majesty, members of Parliament should, for a while, allow the 1992 Constitution, the enabling laws, precedents and the Standing Orders of the House to lead the way. Members need to think about how to strengthen the work of this House and by extension, strengthen Ghana’s democratic governance. Members need to consider the precedents we set by every decision and action we take in this house. Over and above that, members must bear in mind that as Members of Parliament, they also represent the people – the citizenry – not just political parties. Hon Members, just try to recollect, or view a playback of the proceedings or read the Official reports of those sittings, and you will appreciate what I am referring to. What happened was grave disorder with its resultant comedy of errors and I will not take lightly a repeat of such disorder and indiscipline in the House. Hon Members, I will not bore you or our audience with a recount of the scenery of those proceedings, it is, however, incumbent on me to make a pronouncement on these matters and provide some direction on the path to be taken as a House to ensure we are taking steps to fulfil our sacred duty to the people of Ghana. To do this, it is necessary to summarize a few proceedings in order to lay a foundation for me to propose the way forward. Quorum for the Conduct of Business and Quorum for Voting in Parliament Hon. Members the first matter that requires some pronouncement is the matter of a quorum which formed the basis for the decision taken by the House to rescind the rejection of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government. Admittedly, the Constitution prescribes the quorum for the conduct of business of the House; a lack of quorum meant the business cannot be done. A quorum for one-third of members is required for the commencement of business; a quorum of not less than one-half of members is required to determine, for example, a resolution for approval of international loans and a quorum of not less than two-thirds of members is needed to amend some provisions of the constitution. Depending upon whether it is just to legitimize it to conduct business of Parliament, or take an ordinary decision or make a resolution. See Articles 69 (11), 75 (2) (b), 82 (1), 95 (2) (d), 102, 104, 106 (10), 113 (2), 174 (3), 181 (1), 268 (2), and 291(3). The provision that deals with the basic components of a quorum to transact business are; One-third of all members of Parliament, except the one presiding. Hon. Members, the question of whether or not a quorum exists either for the conduct of Parliamentary business or for taking of vote in Parliament is, therefore, a question of fact. The practice in all Parliaments since the inception of the 4th Parliament has been to raise the issue of quorum on the floor of Parliament at the time the business or the vote is being taken. Hon. Members, admittedly it is a responsibility of the Chair to make a determination if there is a quorum at the beginning and at any time during the sitting of the House. However, there is a presumption of quorum to undertake business unless a question is raised. The Chair may in the absence of an objection to the contrary, presume that the House is duly constituted for its work. It is only when such an objection has been raised that the Speaker may then take steps in compliance with Order 48 of S. O. of
MPs must bear in mind they represent the people, not just political parties–Bagbin
Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has admonished Members of Parliament to understand that they represent the people and not just a political party. The speaker pointed this when addressing Members of Parliament on Thursday, 16 December 2021 during his first sitting after returning from Dubai. “Members need to think about how to strengthen the work of this House and by extension, strengthen Ghana’s democratic governance. Members need to consider the precedents we set by every decision and action we take in this house. Over and above that, members must bear in mind that as Members of Parliament, they also represent the people – the citizenry – not just political parties”. the Speaker said on Thursday, 16 December 2021 during his first sitting after returning from Dubai. Read below the Speaker’s full address to parliament on Thursday: Formal Statement by the Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin Speaker of Parliament, on the rejection or rescission of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government Introduction Hon Members, before I proceed to address the topic of my official communication, permit me to praise and glorify the Almighty God/Allah, my fortress and my Lord, for the travelling mercies and the regeneration and renewal of my body and life. Thanks be to you, oh Lord, the creator and master of the universe. I am eternally grateful to you for your grace and love. I also thank Hon Members for holding the fort in my absence, despite the fact that the conduct of some Members raises fundamental issues bordering on a complete disregard of parliamentary practice, procedure and process of the House. I have taken my time to read the Order Paper, Votes and Proceedings and the Official Reports of the days in issue. And I am convinced we should accept the view of the conscience of the nation that we owe Ghanaians an apology and I will proceed to do just that. As the Head of Parliament, the voice of the Legislature, who speaks for and on behalf of Parliament, hence the title Speaker, I, with all humility apologise on behalf of the House and all the members, for the aberrations of conduct and behaviour of members on those days. I take responsibility for what happens in the House and I admit the House is neither dignified nor exalted by that rancorous and unruly behaviour of members. I promise to do everything within my power and authority to lead the House to chart a path of transformation, decency and change, a change for the better. The conduct of members on those days also touches on the legality of the decisions arrived at in the House and how we arrived at those decisions. It will help for members to look at these issues dispassionately, in humility, devoid of egos and partisanship. As a House of honour, dignity and measureless might and majesty, members of Parliament should, for a while, allow the 1992 Constitution, the enabling laws, precedents and the Standing Orders of the House to lead the way. Members need to think about how to strengthen the work of this House and by extension, strengthen Ghana’s democratic governance. Members need to consider the precedents we set by every decision and action we take in this house. Over and above that, members must bear in mind that as Members of Parliament, they also represent the people – the citizenry – not just political parties. Hon Members, just try to recollect, or view a playback of the proceedings or read the Official reports of those sittings, and you will appreciate what I am referring to. What happened was grave disorder with its resultant comedy of errors and I will not take lightly a repeat of such disorder and indiscipline in the House. Hon Members, I will not bore you or our audience with a recount of the scenery of those proceedings, it is, however, incumbent on me to make a pronouncement on these matters and provide some direction on the path to be taken as a House to ensure we are taking steps to fulfil our sacred duty to the people of Ghana. To do this, it is necessary to summarize a few proceedings in order to lay a foundation for me to propose the way forward. Quorum for the Conduct of Business and Quorum for Voting in Parliament Hon. Members the first matter that requires some pronouncement is the matter of a quorum which formed the basis for the decision taken by the House to rescind the rejection of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government. Admittedly, the Constitution prescribes the quorum for the conduct of business of the House; a lack of quorum meant the business cannot be done. A quorum for one-third of members is required for the commencement of business; a quorum of not less than one-half of members is required to determine, for example, a resolution for approval of international loans and a quorum of not less than two-thirds of members is needed to amend some provisions of the constitution. Depending upon whether it is just to legitimize it to conduct business of Parliament, or take an ordinary decision or make a resolution. See Articles 69 (11), 75 (2) (b), 82 (1), 95 (2) (d), 102, 104, 106 (10), 113 (2), 174 (3), 181 (1), 268 (2), and 291(3). The provision that deals with the basic components of a quorum to transact business are; One-third of all members of Parliament, except the one presiding. Hon. Members, the question of whether or not a quorum exists either for the conduct of Parliamentary business or for taking of vote in Parliament is, therefore, a question of fact. The practice in all Parliaments since the inception of the 4th Parliament has been to raise the issue of quorum on the floor of Parliament at the time the business or the vote is being taken. Hon. Members, admittedly it is a responsibility of the Chair to make a determination if there is a
Alban Bagbin and Haruna Iddrisu likely to be considered as running mates–Dr.Duffuor
The former governor of the Bank of Ghana Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has hinted, that if things go well for him on his ambition of becoming Ghana’s President, his preferred choice for a running mate will be between the current Ghana Speaker Alban Bagbin and the current Minority leader in Parliament Haruna Iddrisu. He said, “I was the Finance Minister so I was in politics but we have not started talking about the NDC presidential race yet, if we get there and I am given the nod why not?” he told TV3 in an interview with Roland Walker monitored by Apexnewsgh.com “There are two people who are doing very well in politics, they are lawyers. Look at Bagbin [Speaker of Parliament] with over 30 years in politics, look at this young man Haruna [Minority Leader], any of them. If I have Haruna Iddrisu or Bagbin, any could be my running mate, they are working hard, they are in politics and they will compliment me,” he pointed. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093