Friday’s showdown in Parliament saw legislators battle it out to uphold the positions of their respective sides.
The Majority had argued for President Akufo-Addo’s new appointees to be approved while the Minority fought back sighting a bloated government was not favourable for an economy in turmoil.
Though the secret ballot went the way of the Majority, fresh information suggests some NDC Members of Parliament made hard choices just to stack up the numbers in the House.
The House business for the day had coincided with a very important moment on the calendar of La Dadekotopon legislator, Rita Odoley Sowah.
According to NDC member Dzifa Gunu, the MP had lost her father with the final funeral rite slated for this same week.
On Friday, the house had tabled the crucial debate on the nominees as part of its line-up.
However, due to the exigency of the proceedings, Rita “spent less than three hours at the church service”.
“Friday, the final day of your late dad’s funeral, you spent less than 3 hours at the church service, you couldn’t stay to even watch his coffin being carried to the cemetery, you left to Parliament house,” Dzifa wrote.
But after hours of disagreements, a brief suspension, and a secret ballot, Parliament finally approved President Akufo-Addo’s six ministerial nominees.
On Thursday, whilst your late dad was laying in state to be buried on Friday, you were in Parliament because you were responding to a call to SERVICE
Friday, the final day of your late dad’s funeral, you spent less than 3 hours at the church service, you couldn’t stay to even watch his coffin being carried to the cemetery, you left to parliament house
At a point the Regional Chairman called me to enquire if you were in parliament, indeed you were in parliament for the rest of yesterday
Unfortunately, sadly, your sacrifice was in vain, the reason why you couldn’t fully be at your own dad’s funeral didn’t materialise.
I don’t have the courage to point accusing fingers at anyone, I don’t.
All I pray for is that the Lord gives you the strength to survive the pain and disappointment as you wouldn’t have another opportunity to perform a funeral worthy to enough in memory of your dad.
This means Rita’s sacrifice on the day failed to yield the desired results.
Adansi Asokwa MP, Kobina Tahir Hammond was confirmed to head the Ministry of Trade and Industry, with Dr Stephen Amoah appointed as Deputy. Abetifi MP, Brian Acheampong was approved as Agriculture Minister and Karaga MP, Mohammed Amin Adam, was okayed as Minister of State at the Finance Ministry.
Stephen Asamoah Boateng is the new Minister for Religious and Chieftaincy Affairs, while Osei Bonsu Amoah heads to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development as Minister of State.
The outcome of the Parliamentary proceeding has left a sour taste in the mouth of many NDC members including former President John Mahama, and Majority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson and the NDC leadership.
Read the full statement on Rita Odotey’s situation below.
On Thursday, whilst your late dad was laying in state to be buried on Friday, you were in Parliament because you were responding to a call to SERVICE
Friday, the final day of your late dad’s funeral, you spent less than 3 hours at the church service, you couldn’t stay to even watch his coffin being carried to the cemetery, you left to parliament house
At a point the Regional Chairman called me to enquire if you were in parliament, indeed you were in parliament for the rest of yesterday
Unfortunately, sadly, your sacrifice was in vain, the reason why you couldn’t fully be at your own dad’s funeral didn’t materialise.
I don’t have the courage to point accusing fingers at anyone, I don’t.
All I pray for is that the Lord gives you the strength to survive the pain and disappointment as you wouldn’t have another opportunity to perform a funeral worthy to enough in memory of your dad.
The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has openly criticised former President John Dramani Mahama’s economic management, describing it as the worst among Ghana’s Fourth Republic leaders.
According to him, during Mr. Mahama’s tenure, the economy experienced substantial setbacks across multiple sectors, marked by soaring inflation, sluggish growth, and increasing unemployment.
Speaking at the Ghana CEO Presidential Gala in Accra last Thursday, Dr. Bawumia asserted that his criticism was based on hard economic data rather than partisan views.
He contrasted this with what he described as Ghana’s improved economic trajectory under NPP leadership, asserting that Mr. Mahama’s tenure represented a “decisive failure in economic stewardship.”
Dr. Bawumia stressed that his analysis was intended to highlight the need for sound economic management and that his remarks were meant to shed light on measurable outcomes of Mr. Mahama’s policies, which he said weakened the country’s economic resilience.
The NPP presidential candidate expressed his commitment to building on the progress achieved under the Akufo-Addo administration.
He underscored the importance of data-driven policies and positioned himself as the candidate most capable of navigating Ghana through future economic challenges.
“Despite the impact of global economic challenges, it might surprise some, including the former president himself, that his administration ranks the lowest in economic performance among all Fourth Republic leaders,” Dr. Bawumia reiterated.
He continued, “Yet, he speaks about our economic performance as though his was superior.”
Business Development
Dr. Bawumia also used the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to strengthening business development in the country, stressing that resilient businesses are foundational to a thriving economy.
He praised the role of the private sector in creating jobs, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable growth.
The NPP flagbearer detailed policies introduced by the current administration to support Ghanaian businesses, including initiatives aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship, expanding access to credit, and advancing digitalisation.
According to Dr. Bawumia, these steps are critical to building a competitive, innovative, and resilient business sector.
He promised that, if elected, he would continue to prioritise business growth in order to ensure the Ghanaian economy remains vibrant and competitive on a global scale.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as you may know, Bawumia means business! From banking to vice presidency, my commitment to business development has been unwavering.
“Strong businesses lead to a strong economy—show me a prosperous nation, and I’ll show you resilient businesses behind it,” he concluded.
The Ghana Union Movement (GUM) has criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for “mismanaging the country” and supervising the sale of state-owned businesses bequeathed by previous governments.
The Party said the sale of state-owned factories to private individuals and failure to revive defunct state enterprises largely accounted for the growing youth employment situation that had bedeviled the country.
These were contained in a news release issued by the Party’s founder and leader, Reverend Christian Kwabena Andrews, and shared with the Ghana News Agency.
The GUM urged the youth to “be concerned about their future” and vote to break the duopoly enjoyed by the NPP and NDC for decades.
“Embracing both NDC and NPP as a party is just endorsement of the continuity of the Ghanaian predicament. Ghanaian youth must rise to vote massively against these parties, because they were the source of our problems today,” it said.
The GUM said the slow pace of development since the commencement of the Fourth Republic in 1992 justified the call for the “total overhaul” of the 1992 Constitution “considering the mess caused by both NDC and NPP government respectively.”
The Party proposed the adoption of what it termed as “Hybrid African Democracy” which it said was suitable governance model for the country.
“The current model was copied line, hook, and sinker from the West, where they have established and structured institutions to make their democracy work,” it said.
The GUM also called for downsizing of Parliament to reduce the cost of running the business of the House.
The Party said that salaries and benefits awarded to 275 Members of Parliament as well as Article 75 Office Holders “drain the national purse than building it.”
“We urge the public to vote for the Ghana Union Movement for a reliable, better Ghana with the Ghanaian youth as its core,” the Party said.
The GUM caused a stir when it placed third in the 2020 presidential election, beating the traditional Convention People’s Party, People’s National Convention, and the Progressive People’s Party.
The party garnered 105,548 votes, representing 0.805 per cent of the total ballots cast.
Rev. Andrews has indicated that the Party would build on its achievements in 2020 and affect the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The GUM has promised to establish factories in every region and operate a free port to boost economic activities and improve the living conditions of the people.
In a significant development, Ghana’s Parliament Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin is set to address the media on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
The press conference, scheduled for 2:00 pm at the Justice D.F. Annan Auditorium, Job 600, Parliament House, aims to tackle critical issues affecting Ghana’s parliamentary democracy.
Recent Developments
Alban Bagbin’s address comes amidst significant political developments in Ghana.
As Speaker, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s legislative agenda.
His leadership has been marked by efforts to strengthen parliamentary oversight and promote transparency.
The engagement seeks to provide a platform for the media to discuss pressing concerns impacting Ghana’s democratic growth.
The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, is expected to shed light on recent events that have shaped the country’s political landscape.
