Gri Parliament Review 20-1-99

Accra(Greater Accra), 20 Jan.  

Mr Felix Owusu-Agyapong, NPP-Akim Swedru, speaking for the Minority Group, told the House today that the group is glad that the President in his sessional address mentioned that inflation is declining and the cedi is stabilising.

He said, however, that he would have wished the President had acknowledged and praised the Minority side for the numerous useful suggestions, including recommendations on the regulatory and supervisory role of the Bank of Ghana on the other financial institutions which, he said, helped to make these achievements possible Mr Owusu-Agyapong was seconding a motion by Alhaji Ahmed Musah, NDC-Asokwa East, asking the House to thank the President for his sessional address last week, which formally opened the third session of Parliament.

He said he was pleased that in the face of the inability of the Ministry of Finance to produce a mid-year review of the economy for 1997 and 1998, the President has committed himself to the publication of a quarterly performance review by the sector ministry to stakeholders, including Parliament.

He questioned why the President referred only to the NDC government in the sessional address when it came to achievements but called on all Members of Parliament, irrespective of political party, to play a leadership role in the crusade for a better Ghana.

"I pray that the official counsellors to the President should in the interest of mother Ghana justify the expenses on them and the respect of that office by advising the President to place Ghana first and above the NDC party.

"The counsellors themselves must desist from portraying themselves as appendages of the NDC to the extent of donning samples of NDC party colours at official state functions."

Mr Owusu-Agyapong said he was sad that the "Youth in Agriculture Programme" could not take off in 1998 as envisaged and accused the NDC government of raising funds for a non-productive organisations like the 'Verandah Boys and Girls'.

"Let us not deceive ourselves as to the source of funding for such a parasitic organisation", he added.

Mr J. H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture, on a point of order, denied the allegation, stressing that the government has never raised any funds to sponsor the Verandah Boys and Girls Club and called for the withdrawal of the allegation.

Mr Owusu-Agyapong chose to reframe his allegation, saying while the Youth in Agriculture Programme could not take off as promised, the President was unconcerned when the NDC party was funding an unproductive organisation like the Verandah Boys and Girls.

This statement also did not find favour with the Majority Group, some of whom heckled Mr Owusu-Agyapong, insisting that he withdraws the reframed statement or substantiate.

After shouts of "withdraw!", "withdraw!" from the Majority side and persuaded by Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, the Speaker, the Minority Member withdrew the statement.

When the Speaker allowed him to continue with his contribution, Mr Owusu-Agyapong touched on some issues raised in the 1998 sessional address, including an assurance by the President that a review of the existing laws on political parties would be undertaken.

But, he said, "come 1999, all that the President says is that the views have been collated and sent to the Attorney-General's office to form the basis of a revised Political Parties Act.

"There is no commitment or sense of urgency to improve our electoral laws.

Is it because the present system somehow seems to support the incumbent, favours the President and his party.

" We need real free and fair elections in 2000 to guarantee our people 's confidence in the electoral system and, therefore, improve the security of our state."

Mr Owusu-Agyapong told the House that he has drafted a bill on real estate brokerage, which he intends to table in Parliament during the current meeting.

He hoped members would adopt a bi-partisan approach to the draft proposal to ensure its speedy passage.

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