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AGA constructs GH¢893,000 washrooms for Anwiamu community

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The new washroom facility

In a significant step towards improving the quality of life for its host communities, AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine has handed over a newly constructed 20-seater eco-friendly washroom block to the people of Anwiamu in the Obuasi East District.

The project – which cost the company GHC893,166.72-  has modern sanitation facilities designed and built to meet the needs of the Anwiamu residents.

The facility has accessible washrooms, disability-friendly considerations and hygienic waste disposal systems.

Mrs. Mavis Nana Yaa Kyei speaking at the function

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Mrs. Mavis Nana Yaa Kyei, Social Development and Gender Superintendent of AGA noted that the various amenities embedded in the washroom are expected to significantly reduce water-related diseases and improve public health outcomes for the hundreds of residents in Anwiamu and the surrounding communities.

She expressed the company’s appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to make the project come to light.

Mrs. Mavis Nana Yaa Kyei expressed the hope that the facility will be sustained to make it last longer for the benefit of the community and the Obuasi East District.

Rev. Dr. Nana Owusu Achiaw Brimpong, Obuasi Bogobiri Odikro who represented the Akrokerri Divisional Council lauded AGA for the construction of the facility noting that some big towns may not be privileged to get such a facility.

He called for a strict maintenance culture to help prolong the lifespan of the washroom.

The Anwiamu Odikro, Nana Kwabena Boafo noted that the community has been patronizing an old toilet and thanked the management of AGA for providing them with the ultra-modern facility.

From Frederick Danso Abeam, Anwiamu

Public Employment Centre Commissioned at Konongo

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SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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The newly commissioned Public Employment Centre at Konongo

The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations has thrown a lifeline to prospective job seekers, with the commissioning of a modern Public Employment Centre at Konongo in the Asante Akim Central Municipality.

The Toyota Hillux pick-up vehicle for the Konongo PEC

The facility, fully furnished with the Ghana Labour Market Information System (GLMIS) serves Labour and Employment issues in the Ashanti region.

It is one of 16 newly constructed Public Employment Centres across the country for the Labour department to provide quality services to employers, jobseekers and training institutions.

The Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah, who commissioned the facility last Tuesday, said the Employment Centres come under the Ghana Jobs and Skills project, which is aimed at improving capacities to support skills development and job creation in Ghana.

He said the project will also provide opportunities for Ghanaians through the Ministry to enhance the capacity of the Labour Department at the National, Regional and District levels.

The sector minister hoped the PECs will contribute to the development of critical skills set for national economic transformation, minimize the skills mismatch and help reduce unemployment.

The Minister also presented a Toyota Hillux pick- up vehicle to the new Public Employment Centre.

Ignatius Baffour Awuah addressing the forum

The Member of Parliament for Asante Akim Central, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, acknowledged as being instrumental in the siting of the facility at Konongo, under the government’s Agenda for jobs, urged jobseekers to take advantage of the centre for Labour related and Employment issues in the area.

Nana Asiedu Kotwi, Krontihene of Odumasi, who represented the Konongohene urged the staff to prioritise maintenance and to ensure a prolonged lifespan of the facilities.

Editorial: Harmonised Prospectus ForSenior High Schools Is The Way To Go

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THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

According to a news report by graphiconline, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has released a harmonised prospectus for Senior High and Technical Schools in the country.Known as the “National Prospectus”, it is designed for all prospective first-year students and spells out the uniformed requirements for all fresh students.

Consequently, all schools are expected to adhere to the national prospectus without imposing any extra items, apart from those that have been officially prescribed.

By this arrangement, parents will no longer have to wait until the rollout of the Computerised School Selection and Placement before going out to shop for their children.

The national prospectus is in three categories, with each sub-divided into basic needs and cleaning materials to make it easier for parents.

For far too long, The Chronicle has observed that the lack of uniformity in school-specific prospectuses has been a source of anxiety and financial strain for parents. In many cases, parents were presented with long, expensive and often unnecessary lists of items required for their children to start school.

It eases the financial burden on parents, promotes fairness among students and enhances transparency within the admissions process. These lists were not only inconsistent from school to school, but also seemed to increase yearly, contributing to the perception that entering Senior High School was becoming an overly costly endeavor. The National Prospectus addresses this challenge by establishing clear, uniform requirements for all first-year students, a move that is both timely and commendable.

Also, we are of the view that the categorisation of items into three groups, with a focus on basic needs and cleaning materials, further demonstrates the GES’s commitment to easing the burden on families.

One particularly praiseworthy aspect of the harmonised prospectus is the attention given to Day students. By ensuring that these students are only required to procure essential school items like a mathematical set, calculator and decent footwear, the GES recognises the distinct needs of day students and avoids overburdening them with unnecessary costs.

We strongly believe that this is a welcome approach that will make education more accessible to students from various economic backgrounds, particularly those who might have struggled with the financial demands of boarding schools.

Furthermore, the directive to heads of schools to strictly adhere to the national prospectus is a step in the right direction to prevent the practice of adding unnecessary items that inflate costs. The GES’s insistence on compliance by school heads underscores a broader effort to standardise and streamline educational practices across the country.

By eliminating school-specific prospectuses, GES is reinforcing the principle that all students, no matter which school they attend, should have equal access to education without being subjected to arbitrary financial demands.

However, the GES must remain vigilant in ensuring that the implementation of the harmonised prospectus is strictly monitored. Dr. Eric Nkansah, the Director-General of the GES, rightly warned Heads of Schools or Staff who might attempt to exploit parents by demanding money for placement or introducing new, unofficial requirements. Such actions undermine the spirit of the reform and should be met with swift accountability measures.

However, its success will depend on rigorous enforcement and monitoring to ensure that school heads and administrators adhere to the new guidelines. The GES has laid the groundwork, but it is essential that this initiative is sustained and improved upon in the years to come.

Understanding The Necessity Of New GES Academic Calendar For Second Cycle Institutions

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admin
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Opinion

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has recently announced its 2024/2025 academic calendar for second-cycle institutions, with the academic year commencing on 30th October 2024. This has generated a wave of reactions from various stakeholders, including parents, educators, and education advocacy groups, many of whom have raised concerns about the number and quality of contact hours students will receive under the new schedule.

These legitimate concerns stem from fears that the compressed timeline may affect the quality of teaching and learning. However, upon closer examination of the GES’s The Ghana Education Service (GES) has recently announced its 2024/2025 academic calendar for second-cycle institutions, with the academic year commencing on 30th October 2024.rationale, it becomes clear that the changes are part of a broader, well-considered strategy to restore and stabilize the academic calendar, which has been disrupted in recent years.

Addressing Legitimate Concerns

It is important to acknowledge the validity of some of the issues raised. First, the concern that students might not have enough time to fully cover the curriculum, especially in critical subjects, cannot be ignored. The limited time for contact hours might also raise questions about whether teachers will be able to deliver lessons effectively, or if students will be adequately prepared for their final examinations. In this light, the academic community is rightly worried about the possible long-term impact on students’ overall performance and readiness for higher education or the job market.

The concerns around scheduling are particularly critical given the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the temporary implementation of transitional academic calendars, hybrid learning, and other emergency measures. While these measures were necessary during the pandemic, the resulting disorganization has had lingering effects, and the latest calendar adjustments are part of the effort to correct course.

The Strategic Reasons Behind the New Academic Calendar

Despite these concerns, sources within the GES have explained that the new calendar is necessary for multiple strategic reasons. The most pressing of these is Ghana’s membership in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). As a member state, Ghana’s academic calendar must align with that of other countries in the region to ensure that students can write the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) alongside their counterparts in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana’s calendar was fully synchronized with the regional academic cycle, with students writing the WASSCE in May/June each year. However, the disruptions caused by the pandemic led to a series of adjustments that pushed the academic calendar out of alignment.

The government, through the GES, is now taking deliberate steps to revert to the pre-COVID calendar. The 2024/2025 academic year will begin on 30th October 2024, to gradually restore the September start date for academic years by September 2025.

This means that, by the 2025/2026 academic year, Ghanaian students will be writing their WASSCE in May/June 2026, along with their peers in other WAEC member countries. This regional alignment is essential for standardizing academic assessments and ensuring that Ghanaian students are not disadvantaged by an off-cycle calendar.

Additionally, the GES aims to realign the Senior High School (SHS) calendar with that of tertiary institutions, as was the case before the pandemic. A synchronized academic schedule between secondary and tertiary education is important for smooth transitions between levels, minimizing overlaps, and ensuring a more cohesive education system.

For instance, delays in completing the SHS curriculum often lead to delays in tertiary admissions, which has a ripple effect on the entire education pipeline.

Breaking Down the Transition for First-Year Students

To understand the implications of the new calendar, it is essential to consider the specific case of first-year students in Transitional Calendar Schools. These students are currently completing their 2023/2024 academic year, which is scheduled to end on 28th October 2024. Upon completion, they will be promoted to Form 2 and immediately begin the new academic year on 30th October 2024.

However, there has been some misinformation circulating that suggests these students have only been in school since late September 2024, leading to fears that their promotion to Form 2 is premature. This is not accurate. In fact, these first-year students began their first semester as far back as 4th December 2023, which ended on 5th March 2024.

The second semester commenced on 13th May 2024, with a break between 9th July and 27th September 2024. Therefore, these students have been attending classes throughout the year, and the timeline for their promotion to Form 2 is in line with the overall academic plan.

It is crucial to clarify that these students have had adequate time to complete their first-year studies, and the idea that they are being rushed through the academic process is not accurate. The GES has designed the academic year with careful consideration of the student’s progress and contact hours, ensuring that they are sufficiently prepared for promotion and the subsequent academic year.

The Larger Goal: Stabilising the Academic Calendar

The overarching objective of the new GES academic calendar is to stabilize the entire education system, bringing it back in line with pre-pandemic standards and regional expectations. The transition to the 2024/2025 academic year is part of a broader roadmap that will see the academic calendar revert to a September start by 2025, thereby ensuring that Ghanaian students are no longer isolated from the WAEC cycle.

This shift is also intended to improve the synchronization of SHS and tertiary calendars, ensuring that students can progress from one level of education to the next without unnecessary delays. This alignment is essential for students who are transitioning to higher education institutions, as it will reduce the backlog of students waiting to matriculate into tertiary programs, streamline admissions processes, and improve overall system efficiency.

Conclusion: A Necessary Step for Long-Term Stability

While concerns about contact hours and student readiness are valid and should be addressed through continuous engagement with stakeholders, the GES’s decision to implement the new academic calendar is grounded in a clear strategy. The long-term benefits of aligning with WAEC’s regional schedule, restoring the September academic start, and synchronizing secondary and tertiary education calendars far outweigh the temporary inconveniences and adjustments that schools, students, and teachers will have to navigate in the short term.

By the 2025/26 academic year, Ghana’s education system is expected to have fully reverted to its pre-pandemic calendar, providing stability for students, teachers, and institutions alike. This effort, though challenging, is critical for the continued success of the country’s education sector and the international competitiveness of Ghanaian students in the global academic arena.

By Raymond Acquah  

Credit: myjoyonline.com

Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle

Man remanded for alleged robbery and rape

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Accra Circuit Court

The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, has remanded Isaac Odai Afotey, a 25-year-old labourer in custody after he pleaded not guilty to charges of robbery and attempted rape.

The case has been adjourned to November 4, 2024 for further proceedings.

Afotey is facing three counts in connection with an incident that occurred on October 10, 2024 at Nungua, a suburb of Accra.

Details of the Charges

In Count One, Afotey is charged with robbery under Section 149 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

He is accused of robbing Patience Ebi of her iPhone Xs, valued at GH¢5,500.

In Count Two, he is also charged with robbery for allegedly stealing Emmanuel Emegor’s iPhone 6s, valued at GH¢1,800 – a wristwatch worth GH¢800 and slippers worth GH¢400,totalling GHC3,000.

In Count Three, Afotey is charged with attempting to commit rape, contrary to Sections 18(1) and 97 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Daniel Ofori Appiah, Afotey and an accomplice, identified only as Jonathan, alias ‘Gucci’, who remains at large, attacked two siblings, Patience Ebi and Emmanuel Emegor, while they were at the beach near the Sea Water Desalination Plant.

The prosecution revealed that on the night of October 10, 2024 the complainants, Patience Ebi, a caterer and her brother, Emmanuel Emegor, a barber, went to the beach to pray.

They were suddenly attacked by Afotey and Jonathan, who were armed with knife, sticks and stones. The attackers assaulted the siblings and robbed them of their belongings.

While Emmanuel managed to escape, leaving his sister behind, the accused and his accomplice divided the stolen items between themselves.

Jonathan fled the scene, leaving Afotey with Patience.

Afotey allegedly attempted to rape her, ordering her to undress and forcing her to prove she was menstruating by inserting her fingers into her cervix, while he watched.

Emmanuel later returned to the beach with two others and found his sister with Afotey. They apprehended him and took him to the police station, where a search revealed Patience’s stolen phone in Afotey’s possession.

During police interrogation, Afotey admitted to the robbery in his caution statement.

The court has ordered that Afotey remain in custody while police efforts to apprehend Jonathan continue.

The prosecution is set to continue when the case reconvenes on November 4.

Another GH¢110 million suit against Twifo Atti Morkwa Omanhene

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SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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District Court

The Omanhene of Twifo Atti Morkwa Traditional area in the Central region, Oseadeaye Kwasi Kanin V, has come under intense pressure from another legal suit against him by nine mining companies.

The plaintiffs are; God Made Mining Enterprise, Dana Mining Enterprise and Truly Shepherd Mining Enterprise, Follow the Shepherd Mining Enterprise, Nazareth Mining Enterprise, Better Shepherd Mining Enterprise and Servant Mining Enterprise.

They are suing for recovery of GHc90 million against the defendant chief and three co-defendants for the quantity of gold mined illegally from the plaintiffs’ concession.

They are also suing for general damages of GHC20 million, as well as seeking an order directing the defendants to undertake compulsory environmental reclamation and revegetation of the area mined by the defendants.

The purported reclamation and revegetation exercises are to be done under the supervision of the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The plaintiffs also want an order for injunction restraining the defendants, their agents and their workers from interfering with the plaintiffs’ mining concession at Twifo Atti Morkwa in the Central region.

The court was moved yesterday, October 23, 2024 to hear the plaintiffs, per their lawful attorney, but His Lordship Justice Samuel Faraday Johnson, who is also presiding on the suit by Bright Kwabena Obeng in a previous suit, prefers to give its ruling on October 28, 2024 whether it has jurisdiction or not, before it decides to entertain the GHc90 million suit against the beleaguered OmanheneOseadeaye Kwasi Kanin V, Okyeame Yaw Asamoah, Ernest Ahirlu and Wu Ming Ji as defendants.

The embittered Oseadeaye Kwasi Kanin V is already facing a GHC15 million suit for similar claims by an individual before a Kumasi High Court, for which the defendants have raised an objection to the venue and thus seeking an order for transfer of the suit to an appropriate forum in Cape Coast.

The first defendant has deposed that the disputed land lies in a mining concession at Twifo Atti Morkwa and that the nearest High Court (Commercial Division) to the disputed land is the High Court of Cape Coast in the Central region and, therefore, the appropriate venue to hear and determine the suit.

The plaintiff, Bright Kwabena Obeng, who is seeking to recover a total of GHc35 million, including seeking general damages of GHc20 million jointly and severally against the defendants, has reacted that the Kumasi Court has jurisdiction geographically to hear the matter on a full-scale trial basis, describing the defendants’ objection as materially incompetent, misconceived, and unsustainable both in substantive and procedural jurisdictions of the court.

The court will give its ruling on Monday, October 28, 2024.

Soldier, 4 Others Remanded for Kidnapping and Robbery

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Court gavel

The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah, has remanded a military officer and four others, in connection with charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and robbery, involving a Dutch national.

The accused persons, including W.O.1 Elorm John Ahiakpor, a 50-year-old military officer stationed at Burma Camp, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The others are Silas Amewonye, 25, farmer; Farouk Nuodio, 32, trader; Daniel Kwesi Obiri Yeboah, aka Aljazeera, 49, trader; and Michael Nana Addo, 25, carpenter.

The accused faces multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit kidnapping, actual kidnapping and conspiracy to commit robbery under the Criminal Offences Act of 1960 (Act 29).

Prosecutor ASP Kofi Anane presented that the complainant, Lodewijk Marinus Frederikus, a Dutch national, arrived in Ghana on October 17, 2024 to meet Silas Amewonye, whom he allegedly had a personal relationship with.

The accused, including Farouk Nuodio and Michael Nana Addo, lured the complainant to Alexis Lodge in Afienya and later to Amewonye’s residence.

On October 20, 2024 when the complainant expressed desire to leave the country due to suspicious behaviour by Amewonye and his accomplices, he was forcefully confined.

The group, including the military officer W.O.1 Ahiakpor, subsequently kidnapped him and demanded a ransom of €15,000.

After negotiations, the ransom was reduced to €8,000.

The complainant was forced to withdraw GH¢6,000 from a Stanbic Bank ATM at gunpoint while the accused awaited the €8,000 transfer.

Fortunately, the complainant managed to alert the police, leading to his rescue and the arrest of the accused individuals.

The accused admitted to the offences during police interrogation and they were charged accordingly.

The court adjourned the case to October 29, 2024 for further proceedings and investigation.

Fondation BotnarJoins Koforidua NJSM Assembly Youth Townhall Meeting

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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A group photograph of participants, Assembly Authorities and partners

FondationBotnar, a Swiss philanthropic foundation, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 participated in a townhall meeting held for the youth and the New Juben South Municipal Assembly (NJSMA) in Koforidua, Eastern Region of Ghana.

The townhall meeting was a platform for the youth of the municipality to hear the activities of the assembly and for the authorities to pick feedback from the youth on further issues to be addressed.

Partnerships Coordinator of Fondation Botnar, Zur Oren giving a brief message

The exercise, which was highly patronised, with funding from Fondation Botnar, is aimed at enhancing youth participation in governance and empowering them to help in the development of the municipality.

The aim of the townhall meeting aligned with what FondationBotnar is known for, and thus participated as a funding partner to the New Juben South Municipal Assembly, through its partners like the Star-Ghana Foundation, Kofkro.

Through its thematic areas, FondationBotnar works to improve the wellbeing of young people living in growing cities around the world.

By supporting innovative initiatives and bringing partners from across sectors to enable youth voices, FondationBotnar is in the NJSMA with its Our City Project.

The town hall meeting was on the theme: “Promoting civic engagement, role of the youth in development.”

ADDRESSES

In a brief message, Partnerships Coordinator for FondationBotnar, Zur Oren, said the forum was an opportunity for him to witness the engagement between the municipal authority and the youth.

He informed the youth that it is important for them to fully participate in making the municipality great by brainstorming homegrown solutions and supporting the authority to implement them.

Zur was particularly happy that the working relationship that commenced two years ago was manifesting physically, benefiting the youth and people of Koforidua.

The Portfolio Manager of Star Ghana, Raymond Danso, said the event was a partnership forum that allowed for idea sharing that encourages youth participation in the development of the municipality.

He said Star Ghana was open for innovative solutions to grow the assembly and assured the gathering that their collaboration would continue further.

The Municipal Coordinating Director of the Assembly, Edward Abazing, welcomed participants to the meeting and specially commended the youth for taking keen interest and attending in their numbers.

He expressed appreciation to FondationBotnar for the partnership, adding that the forum enabled the assembly to account to the people and also hear their concerns.

The Municipal Chief Executive of the Assembly, Isaac Appaw-Gyasi, recalled his trip to Romania, courtesy of FondationBotnar.

According to him, his experience enlightened his understanding about youth participation in development. He commended the Star Ghana Foundation and FondationBotnar for their support of the assembly.

He made a PowerPoint presentation of the activities the assembly had undertaken, which set the tone for an open forum.

OPEN FORUM

The Assembly was commended by Edmund Duodu, a youth, “for the participatory governance system,” saying it encourages their voices to be heard, as the youth feel involved in every scheme of affairs.

Stephen Asante Tetteh, another youth, urged the assembly to intensify security, especially as Ghana heads to a general election to elect a new president and parliamentarians on December 7, 2024.

A physically challenged youth speaking during the open forum

He also highlighted that the assembly faced issues with water and appealed that measures were taken to address that problem. A student from Oti Boateng Senior High School appealed to the assembly to help construct a dining hall for her school.

The MCE took time to respond to the several questions from the youth. He assured that the assembly had put measures in place to ensure that the municipality was always safe. He added that the security agencies were capable of protecting the assembly and there was no cause to feel insecure.

Responding to the issue of water, the MCE admitted that the assembly faced a challenge and the immediate remedy was to construct a borehole, which he appealed to Star Ghana to come to their aid.

CYBERSECURITY

The meeting ended with a session on cybersecurity, where the youth were educated on how to combat misinformation and disinformation.

Inviting the Cybersecurity Authority to speak to the youth, Dr. Ernestina Korliki-Tetteh said October was a cybersecurity month and Ghana had taken part in sensitising its people.

The officials from the Cybersecurity Authority advised the youth to prioritise fact-checking, among others.

Bagbin Requested For Bomb Detectors From Army To ‘Sweep’ Parliament Chamber Before Yesterday’s Sitting

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MAXWELL OFORI
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Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament

The military personnel were not in Parliament to interfere with proceedings, but to sniff for explosive devices or harmful substances, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has clarified.
According to GAF, the military personnel were deployed on the request of the Speaker of Parliament, through the Clerk.

GAF has said that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, on Monday, October 21, 2024 formally made the request to the GAF, to conduct routine canine and bomb sweeps of the Chamber, which is a “standard procedure.”

A statement dated Tuesday, October 22, 2024 signed by the Director General Public Relations of GAF, Brigadier General E. Quarshie-Aggrey, attempted to kill the misinformation, which he said, if allowed to fester, would tarnish the reputation of GAF.

“The Speaker of Parliament, through the Clerk, formally requested security assistance from GAF for routine canine and bomb sweeps of the Chamber,” the GAF said.

The release continued that “it is essential to clarify that GAF personnel were not present at the Grand Arena to interfere with parliamentary proceedings.

“Their role was exclusively to conduct these routine sweeps to ensure the safety and security of the facility by checking for any explosive devices or harmful substances.”

Assuring the public that the GAF remained committed to ensuring the security of the state, the statement also urged the media to refrain from disseminating false information and to report responsibly on matters of public interest.

REQUEST

The Chronicle has also sighted the letter from Parliament that requested the assistance of GAF, an application that was premised on the “pronouncement” of the Speaker on the controversial seat saga last Thursday.

“The Rt Hon. Speaker would, therefore, be grateful if the Ghana Armed Forces would conduct canine and bomb sweeps of the Chamber on the first sitting day of the week (mostly Tuesdays),” Parliament told the GAF.

DEMOCRACY TEST

In the last months, Ghana’s 32-year-standing democracy has been witnessing controversies in the run-up to the 8th consecutive general election under the current Republican dispensation.

The current controversy arising from the vacation or otherwise of some four parliamentary seats placed the entire nation on tenterhooks, with fears of turmoil.

The pronouncement by the Speaker that four seats are vacant, followed by the drama by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament, created tension in the country.

As if that was not enough, the judiciary stepping in to stay the execution of the pronouncement by the Speaker further heightened the tension. Legal brains and political analysts are split over the ongoing test of the democracy.

NO DRAMA

The NPP MPs assured the public that they would not be part of the drama the NDC MPs were seeking, but would rather rely on the law.

On Tuesday, the NDC MPs, who had declared themselves as the majority, occupied the seats on the right-hand side of the Speaker, but the NPP MPs decided to yield the Chamber to them, to avoid any chaos, as the NPP MPs were not ready to sit on the left-hand side of the Speaker.

The NDC MPs maintained that they were operating with the communication by the Speaker on Thursday, which translated them into having more seats in the House than the NPP MPs.

According to the NDC caucus, they will only change their stance of referring to themselves as the majority, if the Speaker gives another communication to restore the composition to what it was earlier.

RULING SERVED

Speaker Bagbin took his seat after meeting leaders of both caucuses at a pre-sitting meeting and informed them that he was going to adjourn indefinitely.

In the Chamber, Speaker Bagbin followed the normal procedure of leading the House to pray and recite the national pledge, but skipped a roll call of the House, which at the moment was made up of some members of the NDC MPs.

In his communication to the House yesterday, Speaker Bagbin mentioned that he had been served the ruling of the Supreme Court in relation to the matter, but did not say more.

“Yesterday (Monday), I received a process from the Supreme Court, which is a ruling from the Supreme Court, pursuant to an ex parte application, directing Parliament to recognise and allow the four affected members of Parliament to duly represent their constituents and conduct full scope of duties of their offices as members of Parliament, pending the final determination of a suit filed by Honourable Alexander Afenyo-Markin.”

QUORUM

The Speaker then notified the House about the lack of quorum to take decisions, except for the transaction of business, citing Article 102 of the 1992 Constitution and Order 64.1 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

Article 102 of the Constitution reads that a quorum of Parliament, apart from the person presiding, shall be one-third of all the members of Parliament.

However, Article 104(1) forbids the House in taking decisions, as the Speaker noted that “the numbers [in the Chamber] are not sufficient for us to take decisions.”

Article 104(1) says, except as otherwise provided in the 1992 Constitution, matters in Parliament shall be determined by the votes of the majority of members present and voting with at least half of all the members of Parliament present.

“Honourable Members, we don’t have at least half of all the members of Parliament present [in the Chamber].

ADJOURN SINE DINE

Consequently, the Speaker indicated that he would adjourn the House, particularly as there was a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament and the public interest in the issue.

“I want to quote Standing Orders 59.1. It says the Speaker may, in consultation with leadership, suspend a meeting of the House indefinitely or for a period determined by the Speaker, having regard to the public interests and the exigencies of the state of affairs in the country.

“Honourable Members, I have consulted leadership, and I am exercising my discretion to decide to suspend the meeting of the House indefinitely. The House is accordingly adjourned sine die,” Bagbin said.

We Won’t Follow Minority’s ‘Patapaa’ –Afenyo-Markin

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admin
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NPP MPs, led by their leader leaving the Grand Arena.

The Majority members in Ghana’s Parliament say they are committed to peace, vowing not to resort to violence, after the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament (MPs) took over the Majority bench at a sitting on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin

Speaking to journalists after staging a walkout from the floor of Parliament, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said the path to the Majority bench isn’t through “patapaa” (brute force), urging the NDC Minority Group to respect the Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin’s orders.

This ruling, issued on Friday, October 18, 2024 allowed four previously barred MPs to represent their constituents and declared their seats no longer vacant.

Afenyo-Markin advised the NDC to persuade Ghanaians to vote for them, if they believe they have the electoral appeal to win the Majority.

“That’s how we secured the Majority benches in 2017 and 2021, that is how it is done elsewhere, not through threats or intimidations. The path to the Majority bench is not carved through brute force or ‘patapaa’, in the hope that the seats on the Speaker’s right will be surrendered”, he noted.

On Friday, October 18, 2024 the Supreme Court of Ghana temporarily overturned Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin’s ruling, which had barred four Members of Parliament (MPs) from representing their constituents and declared their seats vacant.

The apex court, accordingly directed Parliament to recognise and allow the four affected MPs namely; Andrew Amoako Asiama, Independent MP for Fomena and 2nd Deputy Speaker, Cynthia Mamle Morrison, NPP MP for Agona West, Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, NDC MP for Wassa Amenfi East and Kwadwo Asante, NPP MP for Suhum, to perform their duties.

The decision followed the granting of an ex-parte application filed by the Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, praying to the Court to stay the execution of Bagbin’s ruling, declaring vacant the seats of four MPs and ordering the said MPs to vacate their seats in Parliament, on account of his declaration.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Minority Caucus, led by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on Sunday, October 20, 2024 declared the NDC’s readiness to protect their new Majority status, citing the Speaker’s ruling that shifted the balance of power, giving the NDC Caucus a slight advantage with 136 MPs, compared to the NPP’s 135.

The Minority Leader said the NDC MPs were resolute in defending what they believe to be their rightful majority.

“The effect of the Speaker’s declaration is that currently, we no long have an independent Member of Parliament. The NPP has 135 members. This effectively utters the configurations of Parliament significantly.

“The NPP Group is now the Minority Caucus as defined in Order 6 of the Standing Orders of Parliament. The Minority Caucus means members of the party or parties that have the send largest number of seats in Parliament”, he stated.

The Minority Group backed their words with action by taking over the Majority bench at a sitting on Tuesday.

However, Afenyo-Markin emphasised that his side will always respect the court’s decisions and not resort to violence. “If they insist on entering the chamber with advertised thuggery, we will quietly leave and stay away from the House”, he stated.

The walkout led to a conclave meeting between the Speaker and the Leadership of Parliament, but it wasn’t enough to convince the two sides to resume sitting, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House sine die.

By Stephen Odoi-Larbi

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