Minority in Parliament Archives

Minority shun 1.5% E-levy reduction by government

The government proposal to reduce the rate of the proposed Electronic Transactions Levy from 1.75% to 1.5 percent has been rejected by the Minority in Parliament. The reduction according to government, is informed by the concession from Telecommunications to cut down their 1% charge on transactions by 0.25%. The e-levy was introduced by the government through the Finance Minister during the 2022 Budget on basic transactions related to digital payments and electronic platform transactions. Per the Finance Minister, the E-levy will apply to electronic transactions that are more than GHS 100 on a daily basis. This is different from the 1% telecommunications charge on transactions. According to the budget, up to 0.25 percentage points of the 1.5 percent e-transaction levy or 16.7 percent of the yield from the levy, should be used to support road infrastructure development. Ten percent of the 0.25 percentage points, i.e. 1.67% of the yield from the levy, would be dedicated to the improvement in public transportation, including the purchase of buses. However, the levy since it announcement by the Finance Minister has received some level of criticism especially from the opposition NDC, because of its impact on mobile money transactions and poor Ghanaians that use it. The minority said they will not support the E-levy passage in Parliament. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093

Opinion, Politics

Persuade your MPs to pass e-levy and hold me accountable for all expenditure—Ofori Atta to Ghanaians

A Development Economist with the University for Development Studies (UDS) Dr. Michael Ayamga-Adongo has cautioned the government not to take Ghanaians for granted by their way of thinking that Ghanaians do not understand the meaning of the Electronic levy charge which has so far received some level of backlash from some set of Ghanaians especially the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). The Minister echoed that the time has come for citizens to share the burden in the development of the country with the Government by paying that tax. Mr. Ofori Atta insisted that the e-levy would help increase revenue as the country moved into an e-commerce economy, and invest such revenues into debt sustainability, infrastructure development and youth entrepreneurship. “What I was really expecting Parliament was to say, we’re going to get 6.9 billion from this new tax revenue measure. So how then do you Finance Minister report to me Parliament on a quarterly basis on the uses of the fund and its application so that we move on,” he stated. Meanwhile, touching on the concerns by some people that the 1.75 percent was high, Mr. Ofori-Atta, explained that the Government had engaged telecommunication operators to accept a 0.25 percent absorption to cushion Ghanaians. “You go to the issue of 1.75 percent e-levy and people will say that’s too high even though we exempted transfers of less than a 100 cedis. The arguments were coming ‘fast and furious and we had to listen and reassess that in terms of the impact of the 1.75 percent. We were able to come down by 0.25 percent by the telcos, which means that the impact will go down for the average Ghanaian,” he said. “We will still be able to retain revenues needed for these three critical areas of debt sustainability, infrastructure build-up and ensuring that our YouStart programme becomes a standard in our socio-economic development.” He pointed Mr. Ofori-Atta said this at the closing ceremony of the 73rd University of Ghana Annual New Year School and Conference in Accra on Wednesday. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093

Opinion, Politics

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.

Opinion, Politics

Minority position regarding 2022 Budget Consideration

According to the Minority, the Appropriation Bill for 2021 to cater for ordinary government business for 2022 has just been passed. The killer E-Levy bill has yet to be considered by Parliament. For the avoidance of doubt, the Minority continues its opposition to the e-levy. However, a statement signed by the Minority leader Hon. Haruna Iddrisu said: “We in the Minority remain committed to exploring lawful and democratic means of getting the government to abandon this insensitive, obnoxious and regressive tax. Absolutely nothing can be more Ghanaian and progressive at this stage, than a demand that Government considers the economic challenges of the ordinary Ghanaian in rolling out taxes”. Below is the full release: Minority’s Press Statement on Developments Regarding 2022 Budget Consideration The minority group in parliament have since the beginning of this parliament demonstrated fidelity to the collective aspirations of the people of this country and most importantly to the constitution of the republic. In commitment to these democratic tenets, the group on some occasions have been the subject of attacks by otherwise concerned members of its own political party. It is therefore without basis for anyone to suggest that this minority group seeks to obstruct government business at the least opportunity. On the contrary, we have at every instance demonstrated commitment to good governance, the 1992 constitution and the standing orders of parliament. An objective overview of the group’s stance on the current budget amplifies our fidelity to the national interest. Right after the Minister for Finance presented the government’s budget on behalf of the President, the minority group through its leadership indicated its opposition to aspects of the budget and called for a review, failure of which would compel the minority to reject the budget. Consistent with this call for a review which were not heeded to, the minority got the required votes to reject the budget policy on the 26th of November 2021. The Majority responded to this lawful rejection with an irregular and illegal procedure purporting to rescind the earlier rejection and the nation looked on as they debased, in their usual fashion, democratic tenets. The minority’s efforts to reverse such rape of the constitution and gross disrespect of parliament’s standing orders were frustrated by an extremely partisan majority group and 1st Deputy Speaker. Nonetheless the Minority group’s action compelled an engagement with the finance minister who have since made all concessions but one(The Killer E-Levy) on behalf of the President. He has written officially to parliament to modify the initial budget statement to reflect these concessions. Taking into consideration these concessions and modifications to the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, the Minority have since examined the sector ministries estimates, but remain vehemently opposed to that which the government remains adamant to withdraw, the killer E-Levy of 1.75%, which undoubtedly will subject Ghanaians to immense financial pressure and further thwart our nation’s ease of doing business and digitization drive. The Appropriation Bill for 2021 to cater for ordinary government business for 2022 has just been passed. The killer E-Levy bill has yet to be considered by Parliament. For the avoidance of doubt the Minority continues its opposition to the e-levy. We in the Minority remain committed to exploring lawful and democratic means of getting the government to abandon this insensitive, obnoxious and regressive tax. Absolutely nothing can be more Ghanaian and progressive at this stage, than a demand that Government consider the economic challenges of the ordinary Ghanaian in rolling out taxes. We shall continue to hold government accountable and do so in the best interest of this country at all times. Thank you. HON HARUNA IDDRISU MINORITY LEADER Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your adverts and credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093

Politics

Budget Approval: We are resolved to pursue this matter further with the Right Honorable Speaker upon his return–Minority

The Minority in Parliament has said it will continue with its action to turn the 2022 budget approval. In a statement sighted by Apexnewsgh.com dated December 13, 2021, said “in that regard, we are resolved to pursue this matter further with the Right Honorable Speaker upon his return.” According to them, “The NDC Minority Caucus which I lead, and my good self, vehemently disagree with your position on the motion and your conduct in this matter. We take the strong view that your conduct affronts Orders 79, 81, 82, and 90 of our standing orders and can no longer be tolerated,” the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu reiterated in his response to the First Deputy Speaker’s letter rejecting his motion. Attached is the full response from the Minority Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your adverts and credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093

Opinion, Politics

We will probe over GHC32m spent on conferences even under COVID–Muntaka Mubarak

The Minority side in Parliament has indicated that it will not let any cat out of the bag in probing the government’s spending on COVID-19. Apexnewsgh.com report According to the Asawase Member of Parliament Muntaka Mubarak his side would get involved in every proceeding in the House and “will hold their (Majority) legs close to the fire to make sure that everything is accounted for, every pesewa that was approved in 2021.” He reiterated, that the Minority Caucus will make sure that Ghanaians know how the nation’s scarce resources are being used by the NPP administration. “I can tell you this, a lot of these Ministries are sweating, I mean if people can choose to spend Ghc32million on conferences during COVID, you have to provide details. And if one particular office can spend 1billion, we need details and they are sweating already,” he revealed. “We do not want these things to stand uncontested and exhaustive because if you allow it to stay, it becomes part of rules of the House. We want to be sure that all avenues would be exhausted then we are certain that this is what we want to be part of the proceeding of the House. Remember, I have always said the House is by three things, the Standing Orders, the Constitution and our practice,” he pointed. “Our concentration is to do our bid and our bid is that we are holding the government to account for its stewardship. We are saying that we will not allow you to waste our resources, resources that have been given to you. You must account for it properly. If you want to do anything use the right procedure,” he said. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your adverts and credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093

Politics

Gov’t amends 2022 budget to suits Minority demands.

The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia led government, has amended the 2022 budget through the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta considering certain demands already made by Minority Caucus in parliament. In a press conference organized on Monday, 6 December 2021, Mr Ofori-Atta revealed, that he has officially written to the Speaker of parliament concerning the modifications. “On behalf of the President, I have written to the Right Honorable Speaker of Parliament with details of amendments in response to emerging concerns by all stakeholders including the Minority Caucus”, Mr. Ofori-Atta pointed. Below are the modifications: Agyapa Royalties deal: We shall amend paragraphs 442 and 443 to take out references to mineral royalties collateralization. It is important to note that any reference to Agyapa was for informational purposes and, as such, was not reflected in the fiscal framework Tidal Waves disaster: In respect of the unfortunate tidal waves which rendered about 3,000 people homeless in Keta, we shall make the necessary budgetary allocations of at least GHS10 million to complete the Feasibility and Engineering studies for the coastal communities adversely affected. We will broaden the scope of the study to consider a more comprehensive solution to protect Ghana’s 540 Km of coastline, including the 149 Km between Aflao and Prampram. Meanwhile, NADMO has responded to the humanitarian crisis created by the tidal waves on the Keta coastline. Aker Energy transaction: We shall amend paragraph 829 of the 2022 Budget on the acquisition of a stake from Aker Energy and AGM Petroleum by GNPC, to reflect the resolution of Parliament dated 6th July 2021 that “the terms and conditions of the loan for the acquisition of the shares shall be brought to Parliament for consideration pursuant to article 181 of the Constitution; and Benchmark values: We shall avert any hardships to importers and consumers while safeguarding the interest of local manufacturing industries to secure and expand jobs for our people. This administrative exercise, which reviewed 43 out of 81-line items, has the objective to promote local manufacturing and the 1D1F policy, including the assembling of vehicles. It is important to note that this adjustment affects only 11.4% of the total CIF value, of which 50% is for vehicles. From our analysis, the potential increase in retail prices should be relatively insignificant and therefore inflation should be muted. The YouStart policy will also support our accomplished Traders with appropriate training and access to capital to become Manufacturers in order to expand the industrial base of our society and our import substitution strategy, in line with our Ghana Beyond Aid agenda. E-Levy: On the matter of the E-levy, having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultations with the Minority Caucus in Parliament and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to achieving consensus and reverting to the House in the shortest possible time. Mr Ofori-Atta noted: “We will work with the relevant Committees of Parliament to reflect these modifications in the 2022 Budget, as is the usual practice before the Appropriation Bill is passed. Any other concerns which may emerge shall be addressed during the discussions of the estimates by the Committees, as has been the tradition”. Following the stalemate over the budget, the Minority made five demands, which it said needed to be met before it could support the passage of the budget. Others includes: Suspend the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy): The Government should suspend the E-Levy and properly engage stakeholders to agree on a reasonable policy. How can mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances be charged 1.75 per cent? The policy is not retrogressive, not pro-poor, and does not support the much-touted digitalization agenda and cash-lite economy that we all yearn for. Withdrawal of Agyapa: The NDC Minority will not support any collateralization of our revenues, particularly mineral resources. The future of our country will be bleak if we continue in that regard. We cannot jeopardize the future generations of our country just for our present desires. Provide for Tidal Waves Disaster: The Government should incorporate in its revised Budget adequate measures to address the issue relating to the Tidal Waves Disaster in Keta and other communities. The victims should be supported. And the Phase II of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project must find space in the Budget. Properly re-construct the wording relating to the Aker Energy: Relating to GNPC acquisition of stake from Aker Energy and AGM Petroleum, the revised Budget should reconstruct paragraph 829 of the rejected Budget to reflect the decision of the House as captured on 6th August 2021 Votes and Proceedings of Parliament. 5. Review the Benchmark Value for Imports: Government should, in a revised Budget, reconsider paragraph 247 of the rejected Budget which sought to restore the Benchmark Values of imports by suspending the 50 per cent discount on selected General Goods and the 30 per cent discount on vehicles. Some concession should be given to the importers. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.

Opinion

Kindly disregard the decision by Speaker Alban Bagbin- Majority Caucus pleads

The statement issued by the Majority Caucus of the 8th Parliament of Ghana says, “The Majority Caucus of the 8th Parliament of Ghana here notifies the Ghanaian public to kindly disregard the decision by Speaker Alban Bagbin, that 137 members of Parliament have the power to take a decision for parliament and have consequently rejected the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana”. Kindly read the full statement below: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093

Opinion, Politics

Minority claiming they won’t approve 2022 budget, is a demonstration of Immaturity—Nana Obiri Boahen

The National Deputy Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Obiri Boahen has described Minority protest of not going to approve the 2022 budget read by the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta as a ‘demonstration of Immaturity’. According to the private legal practitioner, is pre-mature for the minority to say they won’t approve the budget when they have not discussed and debated it on the floor of parliament. Lawyer Obiri Boahen was speaking to Apexnews Ghana “Is Pre-mature for them to be talking like that, with due respect is a demonstration of immaturity. I am saying this because, a budget has been read and people are making their own interpretation and all sort of things. The parliament is an august body, the government cannot implement the contents of the provisions of the budget without parliamentary approval. So, why don’t you wait and listen, discuss and debate and interrogate it dispassionately and not from a partisan camp and then arrive at a conclusion”. He said “So, what message are you sending as Parliamentarians? They should all live without the entrenched partisan camp. They should think of the welfare of Ghana”. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093

Politics

We won’t approve 2022 budget if… – Minority

The Minority in Parliament have threatened not to approve the budget statement for the 2022 fiscal year if the Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta fails to show how the 2021 budget was spent. Member of Parliament for Asawase, Muntaka Mubarak, said it was necessary for the government to tell the people of this country how the previous budget was utilized. The Finance Minister Mr Ofori Atta is scheduled to present the budget statement in Parliament on Wednesday November 17. Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, had said Parliament would start the debate on the budget from Monday, November 22, and conclude on Friday, November 26, 2021. Speaking in an interview with TV3, Muntaka Mubarak said “ This budget, we have sent signal that if you don’t bring the details on how you spent the 2021 budget you are going to have it very difficult with us getting approval for 2022. —3news Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093

Afenyo-Markin Accuses NDC Government of Enabling Illegal Mining Through Gold Board Policy

SIC Insurance PLC Defies Economic Headwinds with Stellar 2024 Performance

Nearly 2 million tickets sold for 2026 FIFA WC, as 3rd phase begins Dec 11

Speaker Bagbin Rules Nyindam Can Remain in Parliament Pending Appeal Window

Ministry of the Interior Renews Curfew in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Amid Ongoing Security Efforts

Deputy Education Minister Refutes Claims of Inflated Sanitary Pad Costs for Schoolgirls

Ghana Condemns Guinea-Bissau Military Coup, Calls for Restoration of Democracy

Majority Caucus Demands Immediate Vacancy of Kpandai Seat After Court Annuls Election

Dr. Alex Ampaabeng Refutes Claims of Responsibility for MIIF Gold-for-Reserves Audit Concerns

UER: Youth Groomed for District-Level Leadership under Youth Leadership Fellowship Programme

Minority shun 1.5% E-levy reduction by government

Persuade your MPs to pass e-levy and hold me accountable for all expenditure—Ofori Atta to Ghanaians

Withdrawal of Bagbin’s military politically motivated–Minority

Minority position regarding 2022 Budget Consideration

Budget Approval: We are resolved to pursue this matter further with the Right Honorable Speaker upon his return–Minority

We will probe over GHC32m spent on conferences even under COVID–Muntaka Mubarak

Gov’t amends 2022 budget to suits Minority demands.

Kindly disregard the decision by Speaker Alban Bagbin- Majority Caucus pleads

Minority claiming they won’t approve 2022 budget, is a demonstration of Immaturity—Nana Obiri Boahen

We won’t approve 2022 budget if… – Minority

About

Categories

Quick Links

Contact