MINORITY PROMISES TO SUPPORT SOLUTIONS TO BRING FINALITY TO BAWKU CRISIS. The minority has promised to support solutions that will bring finality to the Bawku crisis. Speaking to the media, the Deputy Ranking on the defence and interior committee, Mr Kofi Amankwa-Manu commented on some reportage circulating on the social media which indicates that, the inspector General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh-Yohunu promising the youth of Bawku to lay down their tools in exchange of recruitment into the police service. Mr Amankwa-Manu recommended that IGP's visit to the area says it is in the right direction but condemned his alleged promise to the youth of Bawku. "If what am reading from social media is true, then the IGP's visit to Bawku is rather more harm than good" He said it is important for all stakeholders to lay down their tools in the process to de-escalate the Bawku situation. "But for me, it will be absurd to recruit people into the security services based on the fact t

MINORITY CHARGES GOVERNMENT TO RESTORE CALM IN BAWKU. The minority in parliament has condemned the current violence ongoing in Bawku and has called on the government to restore calm and peace in the area. Addressing the press, the ranking member for the Defence and Interior committee, Rev John Ntim Fordjour called on the government to demonstrate greater urgency and decisiveness as the deteriorating situation in Bawku is a national concern. He said the government must take immediate action to prevent further escalation. The recent development from the area indicates attacks on bus and setting ablaze of the residence of Hon Mahama Ayariga the current Majority Leader in parliament and Hon Laadi Ayii Ayamba who comes from Pusiga. The Assin South MP explained that, a strategic border town like Bawku poses a wider national and regional security risk which further underscores the urgent need for a more coordinated response. He cited some measures to solving the situation. He menti

AKROFUM EDUCATES OKADA RIDERS ON NEW REFORMS Member of parliament for Akrofum , Hon Joseph Azumah has engaged Okada Riders ahead of new reforms, promise to help them obtain training and licences. Hon Joseph Azumah has met with a section of commercial Motor cycle users to explain to the them the benefits of the new Reforms of their type of transport system. According to him, this will help them to be recognised legally and avoid being harrased by the police and also boost their business. This is the first time a National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament has promised to lead them to obtain the necessary training set aside by the government and also get them license. Amongst some of the new Reforms are; one must be 25 years and above ,Must have a Valid National ID card, Purchase the right protective gear. Also, sit for proficiency exams, eye tests, DVLA Okada riding card, and go for training for a unique yellow plate. Users must in addition have Passenger helmet num

The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament,Hon. Bernard Ahiafor has been nominated as the president of Democracy and Human Rights Committee for the African Geopolitical Group of the Interparliamentary Union (IPU).He achieved this feat at the ongoing 150th Assembly of the IPU which is taking place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 5-9 April 2025. This Committee as part of its mandate examines current and developing challenges to democracy and human rights. It also proposes parliamentary action on these at both national and international level through the political resolutions it sets out once a year, and which are adopted by the entire IPU membership. Credit: Ghana parliament

PARLIAMENT APPROVES GHC ¢6,371,467,598 FOR DEFENCE MINISTRY. Parliament has today approved the sum of six billion, three hundred and seventy-one million, four hundred and sixty -seven thousand, five hundred and ninety- eight Ghana cedis for the implementation of the programs of the ministry of defence and its agencies for the 2025 financial year. According to the report of the defence and interior committee on the 2025 budget estimates, this amount will further empower the armed forces to effectively play their constitutional mandate. The report revealed some updates from the ministry. It stated that, the Afari Military Hospital in Kumasi will be operationalised by the end of this financial year. Some lands belonging to the Armed forces are constantly encroached by private individuals without course to the ministry. The ministry has however, initiated steps to liaise with the lands commission to ensure legal documentation to protect the lands. In their recommendati

PRU EAST MP CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION ON WATER CRISIS. The Member of Parliament for Pru East Constituency in the Bono East Region, Emmanuel Kwaku Boam, has raised concerns over the acute water shortage affecting his constituency. He has called on the government to implement urgent measures to address the situation. Speaking to the press in Parliament, Boam highlighted the severe impact of the crisis on residents of Yeji and its surrounding communities. He revealed that the lack of access to clean drinking water has led to a surge in waterborne diseases, with over 187 people, including children under the age of two, contracting cholera and typhoid. Several severe cases required surgery. Boam emphasized the irony of the situation, noting that Pru East is surrounded by the Volta Lake. He urged the government to put in place the necessary infrastructure to ensure that residents can benefit from this natural water resource. He further stated that once the national budget is approved, he

PARLIAMENT ABOLISHED 10% ON BETTING TAX As of March 26, 2025, the Ghanaian Parliament has passed a bill to repeal the 10% withholding tax on betting and lottery winnings. This tax, introduced in 2023, applied to all gross gaming winnings. The repeal is pending presidential assent to become law. The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, praised this development, stating it fulfills a promise made to investors and stakeholders in the gaming industry. The abolition is expected to boost participation in the formal gaming sector and encourage compliance within the industry. After the bill went through the third reading, The 1st Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor presiding at the time thereby ensured that the bill was duely passed.

PARLIAMENT REPEALS E- LEVY Parliament has officially repealed the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), a tax imposed on electronic transactions such as mobile money transfers. The decision was made on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, and will take effect once the president gives assent. The E-Levy, introduced in 2022 to broaden the country’s tax base and increase government revenue, faced widespread opposition. Critics argued that the levy disproportionately affected the poor and negatively impacted the economy by discouraging digital transactions. Fulfilling a campaign promise, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government moved to abolish the tax upon assuming office. The motion to repeal the levy was led by the Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo. Presenting the committee’s report, Mr. Adongo highlighted that the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022 (Act 1075), imposed a 1% charge on electronic transactions, including mobile money payments, bank transfers,

2025 Budget: Government to Incorporate Constructive Criticism – Finance Minister The Minister of Finance, Ato Baah Forson, has assured that the government will take into account constructive criticism raised during the debate on the 2025 Budget Statement. Expressing gratitude to members on both sides of Parliament following the conclusion of the budget debate, the minister emphasized that all concerns raised will be considered as part of efforts to reset Ghana’s economy. “Mr. Speaker, we have set ourselves key targets, and we are confident that these targets will be achieved. Our goals include growing the economy by at least 3.4%, reducing inflation to a minimum of 11.9%, stabilizing the exchange rate, and accumulating international reserves to cover no less than three months of imports. Additionally, we have set an ambitious target to improve the primary balance to a surplus of 1.5% of GDP and beyond,” he stated. He further assured that the government is committed to reviving the

INVESTING IN WOMEN IS INVESTING IN GHANA' S FUTURE - JOMORO MP. Majority member of parliament, Madam Dorcas Affo-Toffey has made some statements on the economic empowerment and financial literacy of women on the floor of parliament. According to her, women are major contributors to our economy owning nearly 44% of businesses and contributing about 20% to our GDP. She said despite this, many women struggle to access credit due to lack of collateral,high interest rates and limited financial education. The MP for Jomoro said addressing these challenges is not just about fairness but about ensuring Ghana's economic prosperity by unlocking the full potential of half of our population. She commended H.E John Dramani Mahama and the Finance minister, Mr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson for allocating seed funding for the Women's Development Bank in the 2025 budget . She explained that, this initiative is a bold step towards closing the financial gap for women, ensuring that women have acce

WHY RENDER AN APOLOGY IF THERE IS NO WRONG DOING - MINORITY QUESTIONS JAKPA. The Second Deputy Minority Whip, Mr Jerry Ahmed Shaib has questioned the National Security Coordinator Mr Richard Jakpa as to why he apologized to Dr Ernest Addison former BoG governor if there was no wrong doing in raiding his house unlawfully. Addressing the press, Mr Ahmed Shaib said his attempt to sanitize his actions by claiming he had access to legal counsel does not address the fundamental question. " Was the raid a necessary and lawful exercise or was it an abuse of power designed to intimidate and humiliate? He lamented. The member of parliament for Weija Gbawe assured that, the minority will not remain silent while state institutions are used in that manner. He added that Mr Jakpa's actions appears to be part of a broader pattern of politically motivated actions, targeted in a manner that suggests a deliberate attempt to harass and intimidate rather than pursuing legitimate legal process.