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I’m disappointed in 8th Parliament; we’ve achieved very little – Joe Wise
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has openly expressed his deep disappointment in the performance and conduct of the Members of the 8th Parliament of Ghana.
In an interview with Citi News, Joe Wise, as he is popularly called, described the current parliamentary session as lacking focus, riddled with controversies, and failing to prioritise its core responsibility of lawmaking.
According to Joe Wise, the 8th Parliament has failed to meet the legislative standards set by previous sessions, ultimately falling short of expectations.
In his remarks, Joe Wise lamented the state of the 8th Parliament, pointing out that instead of concentrating on its primary duty of making laws, the House has frequently been sidetracked by unnecessary and unproductive disputes.
The Deputy Speaker specifically highlighted the insufficient number of laws passed during this parliamentary session as compared to previous ones.
He emphasised that the legislative output of the 8th Parliament has been conspicuously low, both in terms of major laws and smaller legislative instruments.
“Let me say that I am disappointed in the eighth Parliament, generally. I said the other time that we have done very little in legislation. You can just take the number of laws and smaller legislations we have done. We have wasted so much time on inconsequential things, inconsequential matters. Our main job is making laws,” he expressed his disappointment.
“You go and take the number of laws we have made in the last four years and compare with the other Parliaments and you see that the eighth Parliament has been the least,” he added.
He “It has been full of controversy. Matters that previously we used to sit down and discuss and overcome and do, now we take them into fisticuffs and that is most disappointing to me.”
Source: Citinewsroom.com
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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.
