We present you highlights of major events during the 2nd week of the 2nd Session of the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic.
Compilation of list of government lands transferred to private individuals
The Lands Commission is compiling the list of Government Lands and Landed Properties disposed of and transferred to private individuals from 1993 to date.
Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, said this was in accordance with the highest standards of transparency and candor to give a better picture of government lands and landed property transferred to private individuals and how much they were sold for.
The Minister made the disclosure in his response to a question on the floor of Parliament by Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Adaklu.
Mr Agbodza wanted to know from the Minister which government land and landed property had been transferred to private individuals since 2017, and the cost of each of the properties transferred.
World Cancer Day: Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa MP advocates increased funding for prevention
Mr Alhassan Kobina Ghansah, the MP for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, has advocated an increase in funding for cancer research and prevention.
In a statement on the floor of Parliament to mark World Cancer Day, which falls on Friday, February 04, 2022, Mr Ghansah underscored the importance of cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment.
World Cancer Day is an international day marked annually on February 4 to raise awareness on cancer and encourage its prevention, detection and treatment.
Finance Minister to reintroduce E-levy Bill on February 11
Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance, has given indications that barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will withdraw the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) Bill and reintroduce same in Parliament on Friday, February 11, 2022.
This was made known by Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, when he presented the Business Statement of the House for the week ending Friday, February 11, 2022.
He said the Minister of Finance had given indication of the likelihood of the withdrawal of the Bill and reintroduction of same after his nationwide engagement with the citizenry.
“In the event that he is unlikely to withdraw and reintroduce the Bill on Friday, February 11, 2022, he may do so on Tuesday, February 15, 2022,” the Deputy Majority Leader stated.
Government must address Speaker's security concerns – Rashid Pelpuo.
The Upper West NDC MPs Caucus has called on the Government to address the security concerns of the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Kingsford Alban Bagbin, following government unilateral withdrawal of part of his security details.
According to the group, the lack of sufficient response by government to the present situation was worrying.
“Essentially for every public figure, security is crucial and must be taken seriously,” Dr Rashid Pelpuo, the MP for Wa Central, said this on behalf of the Caucus during an interaction with the media in Parliament.
Coups are not the panaceas to Africa's hydra-headed challenges – Ablakwa
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has reiterated that coup d'états are not the panaceas to Africa's hydra-headed and intractable socioeconomic challenges.
He said although the promised democratic dividend had remained largely elusive on the Continent, democratic governance was the best system.
He said the only real solution to the coup epidemics could not be the African Union or ECOWAS' sanctions and called on African leaders to develop a bold master plan to address the issues threatening the regional security.
These include the acute unemployment and opportunities for the youth, marginalisation, corruption, nepotism, proliferation of arms, insurgencies, dictatorship, economic mismanagement, foreign exploitation, and clueless leadership.
Mr Ablakwa said this in Parliament in his statement, dubbed: “The Disturbing Resurgence of Coup d'états in Africa”.
