News
‘Retract and Apologise’: Ablakwa clashes with Oppong Nkrumah over “bully pulpit” remark
Tempers nearly flared when Chairman of the Parliamentary Assurance Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa strongly demanded for a retraction and apology from the Works and Housing Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
This follows a controversy over the delays in completing housing units for victims of the Akosombo dam spillage.
Against this backdrop, Mr. Ablakwa insisted that the Minister’s comments were inappropriate and requested a formal apology.
“Honourable Minister you will be well advised to watch your diction. You will be well advised. You will be well advised. I will not take that. To suggest that I am using this position as a bully pulpit,” he said.
He proceeded to add that, “You have to retract that because that is not what I am doing here. You must retract and apologise. I am well within my standing orders. You have to retract that. You have to retract and apologise.”
Responding to the Chairman of the Committee, Mr.Oppong Nkrumah said he has the right to defend himself against the attacks on national television.
He quizzed, “It is okay for the Chairman of the committee and the committee to accuse the Minister of being insincere, of deflecting without more and I do not have the right to answer or to share a different view?”
According to Mr.Oppong Nkrumah, “…If you choose to accuse me of insincerity of introducing red herrings of deflecting, that is not about the people. That is you accusing me and if you are accusing me I must have a right to respond.”
Despite this, Mr. Ablakwa cautioned the Minister of his choice of words, maintaining that a retraction and apology were necessary, as he was acting within his rights in accordance with parliamentary standing orders.
But Mr Nkrumah shared a different view, emphasizing that if he is accused of insincerity or introducing red herrings, he must have the right to respond.
Against this backdrop, proceedings were halted for a while for calm.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
VRA Senior Staff picket against proposed merger with Bui Power Authority
Senior staff of the Volta River Authority (VRA), along with members of the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), staged a protest at the VRA headquarters in Accra on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
The protest was in opposition to a proposed merger between the VRA and the Bui Power Authority, which the group believes would undermine the operations of the VRA.
The draft bill currently in Parliament also seeks to consolidate the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and create an independent Thermal Power Authority from VRA’s thermal plants.
Speaking to Citi News during the protest, Theophilus Tetteh Ahia, Chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association, called for the immediate withdrawal of the merger bill, citing concerns about the future viability of the VRA under the proposed changes.
“Our demand is just for the bill to be withdrawn for a peaceful existence. Because VRA has been established for all these years…The bill that has been laid in parliament should be withdrawn and that is all we are looking for,” he stated.
He continued: “We will continue praying seeking the face of God and we will do everything possible to resist it.”
Source: Citinewsroom.com
News
Africa Remittance Conference UK scheduled for September 21
The much anticipated Africa Remittance Conference UK 2024 dubbed “Market of Remittance” will be hosted in London, the capital of the United Kingdom on Saturday September 21, 2024.
It is scheduled to take place at the Canary Riverside Plaza Hotel (E14 8RS) in East London from 12noon to 6pm.
The event is being organized by Akwaaba UK in collaboration with Emergent, OmniBSIC BankGhana Limitedand Unity Link, under the theme“Leveraging Fintech and Banking Partnership for Growth”.
According to the organizers, Akwaaba UK, Africa Remittance Conference UK 2024, is a premium networking brand and the largest gathering of leading players, key and relevant stakeholders in the Remittance industries in the United Kingdom, across Europe and Africa.
Speaking on the rationale behind the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Akwaaba UK, Mr. Dennis Tawiah, indicated that the annual event is the first of its kind and a platform created for all recognized players in the Remittance Industry in the United Kingdom, Europe and Africa.
“We are excited to be hosting the Africa Remittance Conference UK 2024 after years of working with key players within the sector within the UK, Europe and across the African continent,” he said.
According to him, “We have identified the need to enhance growth and development in the sector. Remittance contributes to ending poverty and hunger, promoting good health, quality education, clean water and sanitation, decent work and economic growth, and reducing inequalities.”
On his part, the International Relations and PR Manager for Akwaaba UK, Chris Koney, highlighted the importance of the Africa Remittance Conference UK 2024and the need for corporate entities to be interested in the conference.
“Strategic partnerships and progress on remittances go hand in hand. Participants at the Africa Remittance Conference UK 2024 will acquire valuable insights, new trends and get to know opportunities in the sector. In addition, the event provides an avenue to explore ways of developing the industry, practitioners and other professionals within the value chain,” he further stated.
In addition to the list of distinguished resource persons and speakers, there will also be Networking and Business-to-Business sessions, Deal Room for Negotiations, Investor Pitching sessions and Exhibition of Innovative Financial and Fintech products and services
