The Speaker says making access to information from the public sector mandatory through the passage of the Bill without including private businesses, will lead nowhere.

In Prof. Oquaye’s view, state officials suspected to be corrupt usually have links to the private sector.

“I was not happy, particularly with one aspect. That is, information can only be compelled from the public service, but that private businesses, foreign companies and others cannot be compelled. I said: but there is a symbiosis between corruption, corrupt officials and the businesses they do business with, and increase contracts by 10, 20, 30 percent.”

“I would suggest publicly that it must encompass everybody; the private sector, the public sector, the business promoters, the business consultants and those people who have some very interesting titles but who themselves are the real promoters of corrupt practices. For those persons, the Right to Information Bill must stretch to all of them before it can really be meaningful,” Prof. Oquaye said.

Background of RTI Bill

The RTI Bill,which is expected to make information easily accessible by the media and Ghanaians to boost the fight against corruption, has been in legislation for well over 17 years now because successive governments have failed to implement it despite several assurances.

Efforts by several advocacy groups to put pressure on the duty bearers to have the bill passed have also not yielded any positive results.

At his last address to Parliament, outgoing President John Mahama begged Parliament to pass the bill at the last minute but his call was ignored.

Although the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has promised to pass the bill, it is unclear how soon that would be.

Cabinet yet to hold talks on RTI bill – Hamid

Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid, in January 2018 claimed that Cabinet had not held discussionson the RTI bill.

“Cabinet has proposed to have a special session to look at this particular bill because of the importance that it has before we then pass it and take it to Parliament…The bill is before Cabinet. It will be discussed. If you ask me when, I will not be able to say, but I am sure pretty soon the Cabinet Secretary will get a day when the entire Cabinet will retreat in order to look at this bill properly and then when we have a final consensus on it, we can then take it to Parliament,” he added.

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By: Zoe Abu Baidoo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post RTI Bill ‘meaningless’ without covering private sector- Prof. Oquaye appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 2nd Republic came into being in 1969. That republic also came to an end in another coup led by General Acheampong. In 1979 we had the 3rd Republic led by President Limann. Rawlings staged the 31st December Revolution/Coup in 1981 and ended the 3rd Republic.

On January 7, 1993, the 4th Republic was brought into being and Chairman Rawlings became a constitutional President.

No single constitution was ever restored. Each republic had its own constitution. It was new, fresh and different. When we celebrate July 1 as Republic Day and any foreigner asks: “which republic are you celebrating?”, what do we tell that person? Every reference in official circles speaks of the 4th Republic, including Parliament, etc. and that is what we must be celebrating. That is the Constitution which gives birth to a new hope for all Ghanaians.

A little history will be useful. On March 6, 1957 Ghana emerged the first African nation south of the Sahara to become independent from colonial rule. Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, whose CPP had won a convincing victory in the 1956 general election, became the first Prime Minister and Dr K.A. Busia emerged leader of the opposition.

The governor was the representative of the Queen as Head of State, with essentially ceremonial functions while Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Head of Government, vested with the Executive power of the State. Ghana was a member of the Commonwealth of nations and was exerting itself in the global family of nations.

When Ghana became a Republic in 1960, it essentially was to remove the last remnant of colonisation. Our independence had been won already but like India, there was a clamour for a Ghanaian Head of State, as well as Head of Government. This aspiration began in India which became independent earlier in 1947.

In Ghana, however, Dr Kwame Nkrumah decided to combine the two positions of Head of State and Head of Government. This is how Dr Nkrumah became President after the 1960 general election under the 1960 Constitution.

Notably, nobody spoke of the First Republic throughout the era of Dr Nkrumah. It was simply the Republic of Ghana. That is what applies in the USA. That republic which came into existence in 1789 has never fallen nor changed. That, unfortunately, does not apply to Ghana.

In Ghana, we have had the First Republic, Second Republic, Third Republic and Fourth Republic. Each one had its own Constitution which was different. There is no single continuum in any of the Constitutions. Each was an era of its own. When constitutional rule was restored after each military intervention, a new constitution was established.

In fact, the First Republic was totally different from the other republics in terms of historicity and ideology. The 1960 Constitution was never restored. Indeed, it was repudiated in 1969. The former did not provide fundamental human rights, while the latter was a charter of liberty.

Meaning

If we simply celebrate Republic Day without knowing what we are celebrating, we will be groping in darkness.

If we take 1st July as “Ghana’s Republic Day”, what Republic Day are we talking about? Are we celebrating that which was destroyed, abandoned, repudiated on February 24, 1966 or January 7, 1993, the day on which the 1992 Constitution was brought to being? How do you celebrate that which is otiose, dead and gone and replaced with another?

Ghana should not appear to be confused at all. I remember when President Kufuor was going to be sworn into office on January 7, 2001, Ghanaians who had been used to ‘handover’ after military rule were preparing for a handover from Rawlings to Kufuor.

Some of us stood vehemently against this and prevailed. The truth is that under the 4th Republican Constitution, there is nothing such as a handover. The Chief Justice administers an oath, the incoming President is sworn into office and the President becomes President.

An ex-President attends the ceremony simply as another special dignitary.

Ghana has been through three republics and is experiencing the 4th Republic (which we all believe, hope and pray will be the last). July 1, 1960 is no more our Republic Day. Historically, it is only one of the republic days of the past.

Today, so long as the 4th Republic continues, a President will forever be sworn in on January, 7.

January 7 is, therefore, a memorable day. It reminds us that we have a President, freely elected by us, who will rule Ghana by the tenets of our Constitution which came into effect 7 January, 1993. Our anthem today is different from the anthem during the 1st Republic.

There was nothing in the old anthem requiring Ghanaian to “resist oppressors rule” and no charge to the people to be “bold to defend for ever the cause of freedom and of right….”

Change

The conceptualisation has totally changed and we cannot persist in the old order which is fundamentally different.

January 7 is significant for another reason. It was the birthday of the 1992 Constitution. What does it mean? Answer: From January 7,1993, Ghanaians can only be ruled by law – The Rule of Law; Separation of Powers; Freedom of Speech and other liberties; no detention without trial, freedom of the Judiciary; nobody (no President) can change a verdict of the courts of Ghana; Chieftaincy is sacrosanct and no President can depose a chief, etc.

On every January 7, we should celebrate the cause of freedom and of right. In the years that a President is not being sworn in, we should still dedicate the day to the most priceless of all God’s gifts to humanity – freedom and justice. We should say: “Never Again” to all acts of man’s inhumanity to man, military/civilian brutality and every act of oppression”. This is to ensure that our liberties once trampled upon will never be abused again. Never Again!

January 7, 1993 is the “Republic Day” of the Republic of Ghana. May God bless our homeland Ghana, May He save the Republic – the only Republic in current and legal terms – January 7,1993. We should celebrate that and not those which have been deliberately replaced. It is noteworthy that senior citizens will continue to have their special place on that day.

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Author: Prof. Michael Oquaye

The post Prof. Oquaye writes: What is Republic Day in Ghana? appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He asked the House to forgive Mr. Ayariga who was found guilty of contempt of Parliament for falsely accusing some members of bribery.

The Speaker, while giving his final ruling on the matter cautioned Mahama Ayariga not to repeat his action in the future else “will have himself to blame.”

Prof. Oquaye’s ruling comes after he accepted an apology letter from the Mahama Ayariga on the matter which was made orally and written.

The Bawku Central MP was charged with contempt for making unmerited bribery allegations against Members of the Appointments Committee and the Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko.

A special committee, chaired by Joe Ghartey, the Essikado-Ketan MP that was constituted by the Speaker to investigate the matter concluded that Mr. Ayariga flouted Article 122 of the 1992 Constitution, Section 32 of the Parliament Act, 1965 (Act 300) and Orders 28 and 30 (2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament in his claim that the Chairman of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Joe Osei Owusu was used as a conduit by the Minister for Energy, Boakye Agyarko to distribute a GH¢3,000 bribe to minority members of the Appointments Committee to facilitate Mr. Agyarko’s approval after his vetting.

Prof. Oquaye reiterated his appeal to Joe Osei Owusu not to go to court but channel any challenge to the House for redress.

Ayariga’s letter

Mahama Ayariga who was expected to apologize to the House when the Joe Ghartey Committee report was first read issued a reluctant one after which the House descended into chaos.

He has however formally apologized in his letter to Prof. Oquaye.

In the letter, he said, “Pursuant to paragraph 141 of the Report of the Special Committee to investigate the Bribery Allegation and the decision of this Honourable House adopting the report, I hereby render an unqualified apology to this Honourable House of Parliament.

Thank you.

Hon. Mahama Ayariga”

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post Oquaye forgives Ayariga for ‘false’ bribery claim appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

It will however be given “in due course”, said the speaker today [Friday].

Speaking on the floor of Parliament today [Friday] after adjourning sitting on Thursday evening, following a heated debate on the report, Prof. Mike Oquaye said “matters regarding ruling on the special committee findings and matters arising will be delivered in due course.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”aDCj3rxRw3tixsZwtBy1J3UtUHCVJ6Pr”]There was a heated debate on the floor of house on Thursday [March 30, 2017], when the house convened to consider the report by the special fact-finding committee looking into the bribery case.

The report among other things said the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, had been found guilty of contempt of parliament and must render an unqualified apology to the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Joe Osei-Owusu.

However, in his comments about the report’s recommendations, Mr. Ayariga reluctantly apologized, saying “Mr. Speaker if you say I should apologize, I apologize.”

He further questioned why the committee would cite him for being in contempt when the bribery commission did not use a criminal prosecution procedure.

This provoked contentions in the house, forcing the Speaker of Parliament to defer the matter to Friday, March 31, 2017.

The Speaker however on Friday expressed belief that it was not the right time to deliver a ruling on the matter hence has deferred it indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Parliament has extended its sitting for this meeting by an additional week. This is according to majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu.

The house was expected to rise yesterday, Thursday [March 30, 2017].

But presenting the business statement to the house, the Leader said due to additional government business the house is expected to deal with, it will rise next by Friday 7th April, 2017.

The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu has however proposed that the House rises by Wednesday, 4th April, 2017.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post I’ll deliver ruling on bribery report ‘in due course’ – Oquaye appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

His comment revives the long-standing debate about the actual founder of  Ghana especially after the president, Nana Akufo-Addo subtly also suggested so in the address he delivered at Ghana’s 60^th independence anniversary parade.

[contextly_sidebar id=”JlVkzmbhRyrL0ltXVcZOaHKLdh6yZQdt”]The Political Science Professor argued that the independence struggle was not championed by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah alone and the glory of independence could therefore not be attributed to him alone.

Speaking at the Institute of Economic Affairs’ (IEA) showing of a documentary of the political history of Ghana between 1844 and the Fourth Republican Constitution, Prof Mike Oquaye condemned the current history curriculum which credited Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as a founder of independent Ghana and said it was misleading.

“We are not searching apparently about anything including our GDP, Tema Oil Refinery debts, vital statistics that are simple to ascertain in many parts of the world. And this has been an unfortunate part of our history so much so that, today we celebrate one founding father which is palpable false, we have founding fathers. I’ll like to see Nkrumah celebrated by way of a holiday in his honour as the first President. A president who had a lot of vision in terms of education, health, African unity and so many area of our national development but definitely not as the founder of this nation because it is palpably false,” he said.

The erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government with the approval of Parliament declared Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s birthday, 21st September as a statutory public holiday; thus Founder’s Day, to recognize Nkrumah for his tremendous contribution towards the independence of Ghana and Liberation struggle for the entire African continent.

But according to Prof. Oquaye, he expects that the country celebrates a founders’ day, which will honour all others who contributed to Ghana’s independence and not single out Nkrumah.

“It pains me particularly that we teach our children such false history. I look forward to the day where the founder’s day will be founders’ day and we shall all celebrate those who really together founded this nation, including Kwame Nkrumah,” he said.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post Nkrumah not the founder of Ghana – Mike Oquaye appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

His nomination as speaker was met with no opposition from both sides of the divide.

In his acceptance speech, he pledged to create and maximize opportunities for all members of Parliament (MP) and called on old MPs to mentor the new ones.

He also bemoaned the low figures of female representation in Parliament.

Find the full speech below:

INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY RT. HON. PROF. MICHAEL AARON OQUAYE SPEAKER OF THE 7TH PARLIAMENT OF THE FOURTH REPUBLIC.

Introduction

Your Ladyship the Chief Justice, My Lords Spiritual and temporal, Hon. Members of Parliament-Elect, Your Excellencies, Nananom, Niimei, Naamei, Political Parties Representatives, Press Corp, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

In the first place I thank the Almighty God for the great favour He has reposed in me. I thank the entire leadership of my Party including the President-elect, the Vice President-elect and the MPs for their support. I also have to thank the Clerk of Parliament for guiding the House up to this time. His priceless guidance will further be valued in future.

It is a great honour to be nominated and elected as Speaker of this Honourable House. I see my presence here as a home-coming albeit with a greater responsibility. I am grateful to all who reposed resounding trust in me to make this possible. I pray to the Almighty God that I shall successfully travel the path pursued by various Speakers and begun by the legal luminary Rt. Hon. C.E. Quist also from my hometown Osu, Accra.

I wish to congratulate all of you Hon. Members for winning your seats. It is a unique opportunity to serve our dear nation. I look forward to maximizing the opportunities for every member to contribute. I trust the experienced ones will mentor the up-coming. Those who sit in front should please learn to look behind them to allow others to contribute and remember that whereas they cannot normally see from the back of their heads I have been placed on this platform so that everyone can catch my eye. I intend to be fair to all and therefore seek your understanding in advance.

I encourage new entrants to prepare and present statements on any issue of interest. Apply the Question Time well. Your brilliant visibility will affect your re-election. I will meet with leadership on this and seek support of the leading Think Tanks in Ghana to help you deliver. A comprehensive mentoring process is vital for improved performance.

I need to remind the new MPs that the highly procedural nature of Parliament calls for an equally high level of commitment to the rules and procedures of the institution. Serious learning will therefore have to be undertaken to sharpen your competencies in order to function optimally.

To the majority, let me remind you that we have a two-party Parliament heavily dominated by you. There is however the need to be guided by high ethical consideration so that we do not relapse into ultra majoritarianism, a symptom of the tyranny of the majority. We will encourage healthy debates. To the minority, even though most parliamentary business is organized on majoritarian principle, the time-honored rights of minority to open, frank, fair and honest debate so as to make your case and offer constructive alternatives will be respected under my stewardship. Both the majority and the minority must be guided by the mandate given to the government to build a vibrant society anchored on the principles of fairness and equality of opportunities.

The promotion of good governance requires a parliament that can effectively perform the three cardinal functions of representation, oversight regarding the executive and law making. Our ability to control public expenditure will be good service to our people.

Ghanaians everywhere are looking up to Parliament and government for the solutions to the problems that confront them on daily basis. It cannot be business as usual. Our people expect us to help fix the economy, provide jobs for the unemployed, improve access and quality of education, health care and generally give them hope.

This Parliament is for the people of Ghana and they want us to be honest accountable and responsive to their needs. I ask for cooperation from all and sundry to make our stewardship a success.

Challenges

The Fourth Republic Parliament has been seeking to re-establish its role as a key public institution. The challenges have been myriad. During the dark days after independence anytime a coup occurred, Parliament was dissolved while the Executive continued, even if in a different shape. This instability has affected the development of Parliament. When Parliament reconvened in 1993 after several years of military rule, for example, only one member had been an MP before. Hence institutional memory was negligible. Strides have since been made and we congratulate all those who have helped the process of restoration of the ideals, beliefs and values of Parliamentary democracy in the Fourth Republic. Nevertheless, a huge task still remains ahead of us and I trust we shall rise to the occasion.

Standing Orders

Parliament operates by Rules and Procedures called the ‘Standing Orders”. Incidentally, in Parliament itself, it is generally agreed that there is the need to revise the rules as a whole. Committees have been set up to revise these rules but for over a decade, the process has stalled. Sometimes proceedings become jerky in the House as leaders and members recall conflicting experiences from memory. I am committed to completing this lingering exercise and I will take this up with the leadership soon.

In this connection, there is another issue to tackle – rulings of Speakers in the past will be captured to serve as guidance and precedents for smooth operation of the House. The Indian example, is thorough, published together as “Rulings from the Chair”. I will make copies of the full series available so that we should have Ghanaian precedents well recorded for posterity. This is how institutions grow scientifically, systematically and with responsibility.

Private Members Bills

The controversy relating to private members bills should be resolved. It is tragic that currently, it appears to us that Members of Parliament cannot initiate legislation independent of the Executive. Article 108 of the Constitution provides that once a bill has financial implications, it can only be introduced by the Executive. The narrow view has been taken that every bill has financial implications including the paper on which it is printed and the Clerks who work on it who are paid by government. Hence only governments can initiate legislation. This should change. We learnt the practice from the UK Parliament. The principle was that the Commons would not give to the King/Queen, monies that the Crown had not asked for. But over the years the British Parliament has developed means of allowing private members to introduce legislation. Recent studies I have made show that there are a number of procedures whereby Private Members may initiate bills.

Certainly, the Executive cannot sit aside while Parliament alone passes laws which impose obligations which the Executive cannot meet.

We shall broaden our horizon in the lawmaking process to benefit our people.

If a Private Members Bill seeks to make a law that will tighten the strangle-hold on corruption, how can that per se be a charge on the public purse?

How will a law that protects our women, children and persons with disability better per se be a charge on public funds? I do not see how laws which protect our environment, improve upon our tax collection be inimical to the public purse?

Indeed if Parliament should introduce a law which will enhance the collection of revenue by the GRA, we shall be contributing to the public purse not a liability regarding same.

The introduction of Private Members Bills will release the best of the innermost capacities of Hon. Members, broaden the horizons of the Members and gain the respect of the populace.

Hon. Members, I challenge you to help improve our laws on elections. We have a lot to learn from others, including Kenya who learnt the hard way after brutal post-election civil war. To sanitize the system, they enacted “The Electoral Offences Act”. We should copy and improve upon it.

Let me give you few examples. Why should our law allow any two adults who are registered to vote, to stand in for a person whose age or nationality is in doubt? Why should just any two people be allowed to do this? If you do not stand in loco parentis, how do you tell the age of a person you hardly know? We shall define only a small category of persons who can give guarantee. They should swear to an affidavit verifying the truth and should be jailed for 5 years if caught in falsehood. Will this not be a deterrent? Those who steal ballot boxes, those found with ballot papers and who commit other electoral offences should be jailed for 5 years. This House can introduce such law to help save this Republic and that will not be a charge on the consolidated fund.

Committee System

The capacity and scope of the Committees of Parliament deserve attention. The Committee is the workshop of Parliament. When Committees are weak, Parliament is seriously dented. Bi-partisanship is the hallmark. Not only should Committees be sharp in their routine tasks, but also, they should exercise singular initiative in enquiring into all matters of public interest from Archaeology to Zoology. This inquisitorial power of Parliament will be applied to its logical conclusion. The Committees should be fully equipped to work.

The Committees are closely related to the powers of Parliament as a House of Inquisition. In England, in 2012, the Committee on Education in the House of Commons quickly sprang into action when poor Advanced level examination results rocked the nation. It was a pleasure to read the entire proceedings and the effect it had on the British System. Parliament can act proactively, responsively and with appropriate capacity on issues relating to health, education, agriculture, oil etc. This development should take place to enhance the capacity of the institution and good governance as a whole. It will enable Parliament to help in the fight against corruption and thereby protect the public purse. I urge Honourable Members that no work of CHRAJ, a Presidential Commission or others should estop Parliament in the exercise of its inquisitorial powers. Deference may only be given to cases pending before Courts of competent jurisdiction.

We should look forward to the day when Parliament as a House of Inquisition will develop capacity akin to a Senatorial Enquiry in the USA where every topmost state official can be summoned and questioned in the interest of the state. We can enhance our system and serve our people better.

Boycotts and Walkouts

These have become too fashionable in our system. I trust this House will develop systems of accommodation, tolerance and openness that will minimize this practice to the barest minimum. We should commission a study to document all such boycotts and walkouts; how long each lasted; reasons for staging them; and make an assessment of their impact on the growth and development of democracy in Ghana. Some recommendations on how to forestall such boycotts and walkouts as well as their management when they do occur, I believe would be sponsored by our partners in due course.

Record Keeping

Our library, record keeping process and related activities need modernization. Parliament today does not keep any record whatsoever of how individuals vote. This is in sharp contrast with the US system and other jurisdictions which have detailed record of all Senate voting. President Obama’s Voting Record became an issue and an asset in his victory. Both President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo and President Mahama, though very successful former MPs, had no such record to show in their presidential bid of 2012 and 2016. It would have been interesting and most useful to have such record. How did they vote on issues relating to gender, children, environment, rights of persons with disability etc? Such matters enhance the politics of issues and devalue the politics of vituperation.

The record-keeping system has several advantages:

Sharpens the responsibilities of individual members as they build a record for their future political career;
Makes legislators aware that they are being critically watched;
It highlights issues and makes MPs respond to specific issues;
It is an avenue towards promoting Private Members Bills in the Legislature;
It helps the assessment of MPs generally through specific data collection;
This is the Parliament that Ghanaians want to see as we enhance the parameters of democracy in our dear nation.

Parliamentarians and Their Constituents

A question worth asking is: what do constituents expect from MPs? There is also growing evidence that, public opinion is divided as to the role of MPs in Ghana. A significant majority of Ghanaians are of the view that Parliamentarians should undertake development projects within their constituencies. To others, MPs exist to pay school fees, give funeral donations, attend weddings and other social events. Debating, passing legislation and holding the Executive branch of government to account rank low in the public perception of the role of MPs. This also accounts for the high attrition rate of MPs. A programme dubbed – “Parliament/Citizen Encounter” is envisaged and will be pursued with the assistance of Think Tanks.

Women Representation

One of the main problems facing Ghana’s democratization process is the role of women in politics. Article 17(1) of the 1992 Constitution provides that ‘’ All persons shall be equal before the law’’. Furthermore under Article 17(2) ‘’ No person shall be discriminated against on grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status’’. The Constitution provides an instructive meaning of discrimination – to give different treatments to different persons attributable only or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, gender, occupation, religion or creed, whereby persons of one description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another description are not made subject to or are granted privileges or advantages which are not granted to persons of another description’’- Article 17(3).

A very disturbing aspect of Ghana’s Parliamentary democracy is the abysmal low representation of women in Parliament. There is a compelling need for a comprehensive study of the factors which militate against the effective representation of women in Parliament. An Affirmative Action law could be the only way of using the law as an instrument of social engineering and mischief correction to ensure equality.

Hon. Members, our democratic development is not impressive at all in this regard. The Inter-Parliamentary Union in their latest publication on 1st December 2016 classified nations in a descending order by the percentage of women representation in Parliament. Out of 193 nations Ghana was number 150. Very sad. Rwanda, was first, Bolivia, second, Cuba, third, Iceland, fourth, Nicaragua, fifth, Sweden, sixth. U.K, Germany, Switzerland were all listed.

Algeria, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Lesotho, Morocco, Zambia, Liberia all beat us to it. I have added the Report as an Appendix to my speech to show all Members how deeply I feel about this tragedy. The methodology to ensure equality is available. This Parliament must do it for Ghana.

In the previous Parliament we had 30 women MPs. Today we have 35 women MPs-elect. But there is really no cause for rejoicing. We are far behind the world. The women who are in Parliament should be assisted to become effective role models in qualitative governance. I have some ideas I will share with leadership on both sides very soon to promote a programme.

Conclusion

Hon. Members, we have a need for a New Chamber, good library, books, mimeographs, researchers which go beyond National Service Personnel. I believe I can help in seeking the needed assistance for Parliament to improve the salaries and condition of work for MPs. I want to use this opportunity to convey to our country men and women – we should seriously better the lot of our MPs. Why can’t MPs be given official vehicles for their work as pertain in other places? Then they can get loans for other vehicles for other uses.

The dignity of this House is crucial and with your cooperation that dignity shall not be compromised. We owe this to all Ghanaians. You have Parliamentary immunity and immerse privileges which cannot be toyed with by any person, body or authority. I shall help to maintain this without fail.

Hon. Members, to whom much is given, much is expected. This is the motto of Legon Hall, University of Ghana. Though I belong to Akuafo Hall, this dictum must guide us all. You will be issued with Diplomatic Passports for example. There are privileges and responsibilities. If you abuse the trust, you will be dealt with.

No charge of corruption or abuse of office should come nigh thee. If you fall foul of the law the Special Prosecutor will not be expected to spare you.

A law maker cannot be a lawbreaker.

Our attitudes in militate against our development. Hon Members, our attendance and punctuality in the House should change to set an example to all Ghanaian workers. A Google search will inform you that the Kenya Parliament has been digitized through a new biometric system to record attendance in Parliament with time and movement etc. a machine will in future register the attendance of MPs automatically. This will be arranged and I trust MPs will embrace it to set a good example to all Ghanaian workers. Ghanaians have said in a research that when parliament is in session half of the room should not be empty.

Hon. Members, let us resolve to do something different in the lifetime of this Parliament. I will conclude in the words of Lord Alfred Tennyson which I learnt in Presec:

“The Lights begin to twinkle from the rocks;

The long day wanes; the slow moon climbs;

The deep Moans round with many voices.

Come my friends,

‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world

Push off, and sitting well in order smite

The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds

To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths

Of all the western stars, until I die”.

I thank you once again for this high trust you have so dutifully reposed in me. I know with God on our side we will deliver.

Thank you.

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Mike Oquaye’s inaugural address as Speaker of 7th Parliament [Full text] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Multiple sources within the New Patriotic Party have disclosed to Citi News that co-founder of Databank, Ken Ofori-Attah, Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul and former deputy Attorney General, Ambrose Dery have all made it into Akufo-Addo’s ministerial list.

Whereas Ofori-Attah will be the Finance Minister, Dominic Nitiwul and Ambrose Dery will also head the Defense and Interior ministries respectively.

Akufo-Addo who was elected the President of Ghana on December 7, 2016 earlier this week asked for more time from the NPP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in order not to rush in announcing his proposed ministers.

He is expected to officially take over the administration of the country on January 7, 2017.

Citi News earlier reported that there was massive consensus around Prof. Oquaye for the Speaker position.

Under Ghana’s Constitution and the rules of Parliament, for a candidate to emerge as Speaker, he or she must have been elected by members of the House or persons who are qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament.

Ghana’s amended presidential transition act also requires that the new speaker should be elected 24 hours before the inauguration of a new president after national elections.

NPP insiders, both in Parliament and the party, say there is a firm degree of certainty that has been established around the idea of Prof. Oquaye as the country’s next Speaker and that he is upbeat about accepting the role.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ocquaye for Speaker, Nitiwul for Defence, Ofori-Atta, Finance appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.