Features
Are our parliamentarians devt agents or lawmakers?
A Parliament is made up of a group of people who make or change the laws of a country, whilst parliamentary is used to describe things that are connected with a parliament. The active players who are experts on parliamentary procedures, are known as Members of Parliament.
Ghana has a unicameral Legislature (one chamber) composed of 275 Members of Parliament (MPs) from single-member constituencies with an Executive President who appoints Ministers, majority of whom by the 1992 Constitution, have to come from Parliament. The Constitution further provides that the Speaker shall preside in Parliament at all sittings and in his absence, a Deputy Speaker should be in-charge. Another important positions in Ghana’s Parliament, are the Majority and Minority Leaders, who are supposed to initiate the Business of the House.
COMPOSITION OF GHANA’S PARLIAMENT
The current Speaker of Parliament is Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin with Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, as the Majority Leader and Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader. These are the most important personalities as far as the parliamentary procedures in Ghana are concerned. They are the people who are supposed to champion the cause of law making in this country and are, therefore, highly revered.
The debate which is currently going on within the society is that, looking critically at the functions of our august Parliament, the question that arises then is; Are our Parliamentarians development agents in their constituencies or purely lawmakers? This particular question, surfaces as a result of a comment purported to have been made by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during his recent tour of the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region.
PRESIDENT’S VERBAL ATTACK ON JOHN JINAPOR
During his interaction with the chiefs and people at Yepei in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region during his two-day official visit to the region, President Akufo-Addo, took the MP for the Yapei-Kusawgu, John Abu Jinapor, to the cleaners, accusing him of failing to connect 17 communities in his constituency to the national electricity grid. That was when the Paramount Chief of the Yapei Traditional Area, Yapeiwura Dr. A.B.T. Zakariah, made an appeal to him to extend electricity to the 17 communities in his traditional area.
Hear the President: “In my lifetime, the Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency has produced two members of parliament, Alhaji Amadu Seidu, who was a former colleague in parliament and John Jinapor, also known as ‘J J’, who was one-time Deputy Minister of Energy. It is, therefore, surprising that about 17 communities in the constituency are still not connected to the national grid.” He said the MP for the area, John Jinapor, had failed to bring the needed development to the constituency and urged the people to reconsider their voting pattern in the 2024 election by voting for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He said the educational development under John Jinapor was wanting as “there is no Senior Technical High School in the whole of Kusawgu area”.
The President’s verbal attacks on John Jinapor, has indeed, heightened the debate as to whether MPs should concentrate on development projects in their respective jurisdictions alongside their lawmaking function.
DIVERGENT VIEWS OF MPS ON THE ISSUE
There have been divergent opinions from some of our MPs themselves on this relevant issue which needs to be interrogated in order not to make it a political issue or gimmick.
As far back as February 2018, during the first term of President Akufo-Addo, his Majority Leader in the then Parliament and MP for Suame in the Ashanti Region, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, stated emphatically that MPs were not agents of development. According to him it was not the role of parliamentarians to fix roads, build health clinics, construct schools and expand other infrastructural development in their constituencies. He said the President, Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies and sector Ministers, were the only mandated bodies to provide development projects across the country.
Explaining the roles of MPs at a public forum in Tamale during that time, he said MPs were not agents of development and advised voters to stop judging their MPs based on number of roads they fixed. He buttressed his argument with past experiences in the Northern Region in 2016, in which some MPs who had served at least two terms and had gained some level of experience, lost their mandate, largely due to an alleged non-performance in the area of infrastructural development. Some of those MPs were also faced with stiffer competition and lost during their party’s internal elections, while others narrowly won to represent their parties. The notable losers included Ibrahim Abubakari Dei, former MP for Salaga South, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, former MP for Nanton and the late Abubakari Sumani, former MP for Tamale North.
MAJORITY LEADER’S OPINION
The Majority Leader, therefore, affirmed the commitment of parliamentary leadership to counter that growing culture through literacy crusade to educate voters on how MPs operate. Again in September 29, 2021, during an interview on an Accra-based Kingdom FM, the then Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Lawyer Appiah Kubi, discounted the perception that lawmakers were development agents and described that as false. He maintained that the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) were responsible for the development at the local level. He asked MPs to desist from creating the perception in the minds of their constituents that they were development agents.
OKUDZETO ABLAKWA THINKS OTHERWISE
But, contrary to these opinions, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu in the Volta Region, has a different opinion, saying that MPs are agents for development not only lawmakers. To him, while the primary job of parliamentarians is more of lawmaking, they must equally focus on developments in their respective constituencies. “I think that if you want to be an effective MP, you have to be versatile. Particularly, for a developing country like ours, you cannot say you will be an MP who focuses only on lawmaking. So, you can have part of you that develops the ability to be an agent for development. How to lobby for projects, how to pursue initiatives which will ease the burdens that your constituents have,” he said on Ghanaweb TV’s current affairs talk programme.
With some of these divergent views in vogue, some of the constituents still have the notion that it is the duty of their MPs to bring developments to their constituencies, hence the frequent confrontations and attacks on their MPs when they are not seeing these development projects. Just recently, some artisans at the Suame Magazine in the Ashanti Region attacked, pelted with sachet water and hooted at Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, MP for the area, as an expression of displeasure with the lawmaker over failed promises, especially the bad nature of their roads.
PRESIDENT’S REMARKS INAPPROPRIATE
It is unfortunate that the President knowing very well that MPs are not sole agents of development but rather to complement the work of MMDCEs as far as development projects are concerned, should blame the lawmaker, John Jinapor, for not bringing development project to his constituency. In any case, the MP who belong to the minority side, will need financial backing from the government as he lobbies for projects for his constituency and also to prosecute that development agenda which the President spoke about when he addressed the people.
These empty promises during electioneering by most of our aspiring parliamentary candidates, can also be attributed to these frequent attacks and confrontations by the electorate. In the event that, they have promised to deliver certain projects during their campaigns and cannot meet these expectations of the people who gave them their mandates, the controversies and attacks will surely emanate. It is necessary for our politicians, especially prospective MPs to tone down some of these vain promises if they want to have their peace to continue with their work in parliament.
Contact email/WhatsApp of author:
ataani2000@yahoo.com
0277753946/0248933366
By Charles Neequaye
Features
Preventing the brain’s melting point with BOS
The human brain is a complex and delicate organ, susceptible to damage from various factors, including extreme temperatures.
The brain’s melting point, also known as the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, is a critical concern for individuals seeking to maintain optimal cognitive function.
Fortunately, the Brain Operating System (BOS) offers a revolutionary solution to prevent the brain’s melting point.
Understanding the brain’s melting point
The brain’s melting point refers to the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, leading to irreversible damage.
This temperature threshold varies depending on individual factors, such as age, health, and environmental conditions. However, research suggests that the brain’s melting point is approximately 104°F (40°C) to 107°F (42°C).
The role of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
BOS, a cutting-edge technology, plays a crucial role in preventing the brain’s melting point. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, ensuring that it remains within a safe range.
How BOS prevents the brain’s melting point
BOS prevents the brain’s melting point through several mechanisms:
1. Temperature regulation: BOS continuously monitors brain temperature, adjusting neural activity to maintain a stable temperature.
2. Heat dissipation: BOS enhances heat dissipation through increased blood flow and sweating.
3. Neuro protection: BOS protects neurons from heat-induced damage.
Benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
The benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point are numerous:
1. Prevents brain damage: BOS prevents brain damage caused by excessive heat.
2. Maintains cognitive function: BOS ensures optimal cognitive function by maintaining stable brain temperature.
3. Enhances brain resilience: BOS enhances brain resilience to temperature fluctuations.
Real-World applications of BOS
BOS has various real-world applications:
1. High-performance computing: BOS enables high-performance computing by maintaining optimal brain temperature.
2. Medical applications: BOS has medical applications, such as treating heat-related illnesses.
3. Space exploration: BOS is crucial for space exploration, where extreme temperatures pose a significant risk.
Conclusion
BOS is a revolutionary technology that prevents the brain’s melting point, ensuring optimal cognitive function and overall well-being. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, protecting against heat-related damage.
Glossary:
1. BOS: Brain Operating System.
2. Brain’s melting point: Temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade.
3. Neural interface: Connects human brain with digital devices.
Contact Information
virginvtech@yahoo.com
Additional resources:
1. BOS research: Explore scientific studies.
2. Neural interface resources: Discover books and articles.
3. Brain-computer interface communities: Join online forums.
Future directions
As BOS technology continues to evolve, we can expect:
1. Improved temperature regulation: Enhanced temperature regulation mechanisms.
2. Increased cognitive enhancement: Advanced cognitive enhancement capabilities.
3. Expanded applications: New applications in various fields.
By harnessing the power of BOS, individuals can safeguard their brain health and maintain optimal cognitive function, even in extreme environments.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
Features
Lotto wahala and Tuobodom palaver
In Sikaman lotto is not a game. It is a profession, a noble career which people aspire to. It is the highest paying profession after armed robbery and the most widespread job on this side of the Atlantic.
In places like China, lotto is a disease that has no cure. Once you are infected, no doctor on earth can cure you. May be Kofi Larteh, Ghana’s most celebrated magician, can help ease the symptoms, but no definitive cure will be forthcoming.
Coming back to Sikaman, lotto has been the financial messiah of many. That is how people look after their large families, pay school fees, marry two wives and do their own ‘monkey things.’
If you are very poor and you win a lottery, chances are that you will die before you even collect the money. You’ll die out of excitement or you’ll start day-dreaming in the streets and an articulated truck will hit you.
As such, very heavy wins are not recommended for poor people, lest they get listed too soon in the obituary columns.
The sad story is told of a heavy-duty caterpillar driver who had a very heavy lotto windfall of several millions, his first big win after several years.
CATERPILLAR
He was driving the caterpillar home when he saw his son running towards him, shouting. “All your numbers have dropped! All your numbers have dropped! He could not believe his ears.
All the four numbers he had staked had dropped and his son, who had gone to stake them for him, was himself over-excited. The poor caterpillar man just could not handle the good news. He suddenly stepped on the brakes and the caterpillar jolted him a trifle too violently, throwing him off. He landed right in front of the still moving heavy-duty machine and it crushed him flat.
I don’t think the bloke would have died if he had won a smaller amount. Sometimes too much cash is not good for the health.
Seldom, people get too confident and that can also result in a wake-keeping, like that of a man who used his lifetime savings and borrowed extra money to crack the machine with a two-sure that the compiler must compulsory drop or the world will end.
Even the shadows of the numbers or their counterparts were nowhere near the winning numbers. His shock-absorbers crumbled under the weight of the heavy disappointment. He crashed to the floor and started foaming at the mouth. He was declared dead on arrival at the nearest clinic.
WINDFALL
Recently, there was a countrywide lotto windfall, and in Kumasi it was more than a festival. Most stakers had between ¢30m and ¢40 million on two-sure that the lotto magicians had predicted at least three weeks earlier,
Kejetia chop bars were besieged with overnight millionaires, carrying huge appetites induced by Opeimu Bitters popularly called Opeimu Peters. All the meat and mudfish got sold out within an hour and procurement agents had to double up to restock.
While some were celebrating, others were weeping and gnashing teeth. The problem was that, three weeks beforehand, the two sure numbers were declared by all the lotto sorcerers, dreamers, magicians, tellers and all the self-appointed and self-promoted forecasters.
Everybody including 10-year-olds, who staked and lost. The following week, they were advised to continue staking. The faithful did continue but the faithless stopped. All of them lost. In the third week or so, a good number of confident stakers had lost faith in the two numbers. That was when the number landed.
So the windfall was for only those who had the unshakeable faith in the numbers. See what faith can do? It can move dollars. Don’t waver, so saith the holy scriptures.
The faithless indeed gnashed teeth. The winners on the other hand celebrated with a song that is as controversial as the business of lotto. It is a song played by the group called Nkasei and has something to do with a town in the Brong Ahafo Region called Tuobodom whose capital we hear is Jinijini.
I hear it is a derogatory song and the queen mother of Tuobodom got charged and breathed out electric current during her protest on air. She allegedly ended up demanding a mobile phone from Nkasei so that she could communicate with them to settle the matter peacefully, lest wahala.
Well, the song is rising up the charts and Nkasei are making the dough, but should it be at the expense of a whole townsfolk, their forebears and generations to come?
WATERPROOF
Waterproof, the famous comedian, was allegedly given hefty slaps at the Kumasi rail station by some Frafra jingoists who felt he was deriding their tribe. And Bob Okala had to run with his tail between his legs when he was confronted and realised that slaps were going to be visited on his lean face.
Let’s not use words and lyrics to cause discomfort to others.
This article was first published on Saturday July 9, 2005
