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Omanhene of Nsein rallies chiefs to protest against bad T’di, Agona Nkwanta highway
The Omanhene of Nsein Traditional Area, Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, has lamented over the deterioration of the Takoradi-Agona Nkwanta highway and appealed to groups in the Western Region ‘to speak out’ on the matter.
Awulae Kwame raised these concerns when he addressed a news conference on Sunday, at his Onzayeye farms in the Nzema East municipality, on the state of roads infrastructure, cabinet appointments and the performance of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in the Western Region.
He said “The Western Region has the minerals, the rubber and even oil and gas. Let’s tell them enough is enough.”
Awulae Kwame expressed worry about the state of the Takoradi- Agona Nkwanta highway and complained how recently, commuters plying that route spent about three days before reaching their destinations, due to the breakdown of two haulage trucks.
Others, he said had to detour through long and bushy routes, exposing themselves to high risks.
The Omanhene recalled that at a Regional House of Chiefs meeting the Western Regional Minister, mentioned that the road would be awarded on contract but wondered if it had not been done.
He proposed that the end-of-year meeting of the House would not be about sittings, but rather a visit to the Regional Minister to ask when the Takoradi-Agona Nkwanta road would be awarded on contract.
“I urge all our chiefs (Amanhene) to also meet; If we don’t rise up, the roads will continue to rot even more than what we see. We’ve slept for long, and we will not sleep again,” said the Omanhene.
Roads, he stated, promoted intra-trade and smooth political and administrative functions of government operations.
Awulae Kwame recalled that historically, Ghana operated with a triangular route beginning from the north through Kumasi, Obuasi, Dunkwa to Takoradi while another runs along the coast to join the Kumasi- Nsawam-Accra route.
On cabinet appointments, the Omanhene argued that the 1992 Constitution guaranteed regional balance but noted that Western Region had no minister on it.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Zaeyeye
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Prof. Mike Oquaye accuses gov’t of ‘secret trial’ of Chief Justice
Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has criticised the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) over what he described as the mishandling of the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
He is unhappy with the constitutional provision requiring the hearing of the Chief Justice’s case to be held in-camera.
“I am concerned about certain issues that I consider vital, particularly the trial in-camera provision. You will ask yourself what the rationale is for that provision in our constitution, what is its purpose, and if we are to give it a purposeful interpretation, where shall we go? The purpose is it to benefit the people of Ghana as a whole, that the Chief Justice must be trial in-camera…”
He added, “From the very beginning, the constitution tells us justice belongs to the people, it emanates from the people, justice belongs to all of us people, one may say that this provision could be advarance to the one that says trial must be done in-camera.” he said in an exclusive interview with JoyNews.
Prof. Oquaye also raised concerns about the transparency and integrity of the process.
He argued that the judiciary must be insulated from political interference, adding that the current handling of the matter risks eroding confidence in the rule of law.
The Chief Justice was recently suspended following allegations of misconduct, after which a formal petition was submitted to President John Mahama, prompting the formation of a committee to investigate the matter.
The proceedings, however, have largely been conducted in-camera, drawing criticism from sections of the public and some legal minds.
While the NDC government maintains that the suspension was carried out in accordance with constitutional provisions, Prof. Quaye argues that the secrecy surrounding the process undermines the principles of accountability and due process.
Source:Myjoyonline.com
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Committee on Roads and Transport engages Transport Ministry
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport has paid a familiarization visit to the Ministry of Transport and its agencies to perform its legislative oversight and foster collaboration in Ghana’s transport sector.
The visit by the 17-member Committee led by its Chairman, Isaac Adjei Mensah, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Wassa East Constituency in the Western Region, was aimed at getting updates on ongoing projects and foster direct dialogue with agencies under the Ministry’s purview.
The Chairman of the committee described the visit as “a strategic and symbolic gesture” and emphasized the importance of direct engagement with sector leadership to enable informed legislative support.
The Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe outlined some reforms including a framework to regularize commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada by lowering the minimum rider age from 25 years to 21 years, which is near completion and will soon be presented to Parliament.
He also mentioned the reviving of Ghana’s national carrier via a public-private partnership, upgrading airport infrastructure, studying coastal routes to ease road congestion, opening a new DVLA branch in Adenta, and upgrading the Ghana Civil Aviation Training Academy.
The minister also disclosed that the ministry is in the process of procuring new buses for Metro Mass and STC.
The other Members of the visiting Committee were Chiwitey Dari Andrew, Vice Chairperson and MP for Sawla/Tuna/Kalba; Osei Nyarko Kennedy, MP for Akim Swedru and the Ranking Member; Francis Asenso-Boakye, MP for Bantama; Frimpong Kwame Ohene, MP for Asante Akim North; Cudjoe Doyoe Comfort, Ada MP; Marfo Ahenkorah Kofi, MP for Achiase; Mahama Toure Naser, Ayawaso East MP; Ziedeng Anwataazumo Bede, MP for Lawra and Mubarak Seid, MP for Sunyani East.
The Committee also visited the Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Training Centre to be acquainted with its functions and operations.
