News
Majority Leader to trigger a recall of Parliament
The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has announced plans to trigger a recall of Parliament on Wednesday, October 23.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Tuesday, October 22, the Effutu MP expressed concerns over the recent decision by Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to indefinitely adjourn the House.
Afenyo-Markin suggested that the Speaker’s move is part of a broader strategy by National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs to obstruct parliamentary business, accusing them of attempting to derail Ghana’s economy.
The Majority Leader emphasized that the NPP is determined to counter these efforts and ensure that government business continues unhindered despite the opposition’s alleged tactics.
“God willing, tomorrow [Wednesday, October 23], the Majority will trigger the recall of Parliament because the actions of the Speaker are undermining Parliamentary work so that the economy will suffer and so we will trigger the recall of Parliament and we will see what he [Bagbin] will do.
“A court has ordered you to take action and you are going around the issue meanwhile he is not Parliament so we will trigger a recall.”
Speaker Bagbin announced the indefinite adjournment of parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, October 22 after a tussle over which caucus was to sit on the Majority side of the House.
The Speaker announced that his decision to adjourn the House was reached after consultation with leadership which Afenyo-Markin disagreed.
He noted “He [Bagbin] respectfully invited us to his office for a meeting and said he had received the court ruling and was going to inform the House and that many people had visited him and asked for more time for consultation and that he was going to adjourn the House and I asked him what about the Supreme Court’s ruling.”
He said, “I drew his attention that his colleagues had taken our seats and he said he is not responsible for the seating in Parliament but the Clerk and I asked the Clerk if he changed the name tags and he said no. It is like when the Minority speaks, he is taken aback and behaves as if he is afraid of somebody.”
Source: Citinewsroom.com
News
‘Nipahiamoa’ residents cry for basic social amenities
Residents of a farming community in the Nkoranza North District of the Bono East Region are living under conditions that directly reflect or connote the name of the township, Nipahiamoa.
The name of the town, Nipahiamoa, when translated directly means ‘humans need help.’
Despite the contribution in ensuring there is sufficient food in not only the region but the country at large, Nipahiamoa lacks basic social amenities to make life enjoyable after their farming activities.
water for the people of Nipahiamoa
According to some of the members of the community that The Spectator spoke to during a visit to the area, they lacked basic needs such as potable water, health post, among others.
This, they claimed, was impacting negatively on their general wellbeing and appealed to authorities to come to their aid.
The Unit Committee chairman of Nipahiamoa, Mr James Najohnbo, told this paper on Thursday that successive governments have neglected the town over the years.
“It is the reason we are where we are today in this era of development. Some people poke fun that our condition is a reflection of the name of the town but I don’t believe that. We have been neglected by governments over the years. There are no government initiatives here,” he explained.
The community, inhabited by over one thousand people, mostly settlers, is located on the Techiman-Kintampo stretch of the Trans-ECOWAS highway which connect from Tema to Mali.
Mr Najohnbo, who conducted this reporter around, revealed that a borehole constructed for the community by the former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, Major Derrick Oduro, had since broke down, compelling the people to turn to the Bono manso waterfalls which they trek several kilometres for their source of water.
Mr Najohnbo stated that their children are not left out in this challenges as they had to trek to either Manso or Dweneho, about two kilometres to access healthcare and education.
He added that a wooden structure constructed in 1994 currently serves as the only primary school for the community.
“Our kids had to trek several kilometres to Manso to attend school which come at cost to most parents.”
A 30-year old hairdresser, Rebecca Dibenpong, also appealed to authorities to come up with income generating activities to boost economic lives of the people.
She alleged that politicians often claimed they don’t have enough numbers to attract development, hence such initiatives were directed to bigger communities.
Like the name suggest, Nipahiamoa, the community needs urgent attention to make life meaningful for the people who contribute to the national economy by way of their farming activities.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Nipahiamoa
News
Maternal mortality rate increases in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Health Service has revealed a staggering statistic of 1,000 women losing their lives during childbirth in the Ashanti Region between 2020 and 2024.
This alarming number, according to the Regional Health Director, Dr Frank Adomanko Boateng, highlights the persistent challenge of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
Dr Adomanko Boateng, therefore emphasized on an urgent need for stronger interventions to curb the high rate of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the 2024 Regional Health Forum, he indicated that “Ghana is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr Boateng stressed that time was of the essence, saying, “The clock is ticking, and we must double our efforts.”
He called for intensified measures over the next six years to bridge the gap and prevent further loss of lives.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio, he noted, has been declining from 760 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.
However, “the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in regions like Ashanti.”
To address the issue, he said, Ghana has been working to improve maternal healthcare through various initiatives, including the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The country aims to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and enhancing community engagement
From Kingsley E. Hope,
Kumasi
