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Parliament will not approve your ministers- Speaker Bagbin to President Akufo-Addo
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has told the President that Parliament will not be able to approve his ministers due to a pending matter against them in court.
This follows the Office of the President’s request to Parliament to refrain from transmitting Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values also known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill to President Akufo-Addo for his assent.
In a letter signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo to Parliament on Monday, March 18, a request was made in light of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction currently before the Supreme Court.
However, the Speaker of Parliament views the letter as contemptuous of Parliament.
Against this backdrop, the Speaker yesterday replied the letter by saying, “Hon. Members in the light of this process, the House is unable to continue to consider the
nominations of His Excellency the President in the “spirit of upholding the rule of law until after the determination of the application for interlocutory injunction by the Supreme Court.”
He went further to say, “The contents of the letter, albeit not formally presented to us, have come to our attention,
compelling us to confront the issues it raises. It is a matter of great concern that the executive branch has chosen to disregard the established constitutional structures that facilitate constructive dialogue and collaboration between the branches of government.”
He added that “according to our 1992 Constitution, the President has no VETO.”
The Speaker noted that, when important legislative work, the product of rigorous debate and consensus-building within this House, is disregarded without just
cause, it not only disrespects the legislative branch but also disenfranchises the citizens
we are sworn to serve.
“This blatant disregard for legislative processes and constitutional mandates risks setting a perilous precedent
that could weaken the very fabric of our
governance structure,” he added.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
