Essilfie Bondzie not yet a Supreme Court
Judge
Parliament continues business on retirement
benefits
Essilfie Bondzie not yet a Supreme Court
Judge
Accra (Greater Accra) 04 January 2001
The fate of President Rawlings' last nominee to the Supreme Court remained hanging in the balance as Parliament deferred a vote for his approval or otherwise for the second time on Wednesday.
Mr. Justice Essilfie Bondzie, who went through the vetting process of the house about three months ago, may know his fate on Thursday. The Minority have indicated that they cannot support the elevation of the judge.
"We are unable to support him, we have made our position clear. Advise the President to withdraw his nomination," Nana Akufo Addo, Minority Spokesman on Constitutional and Legal Matters said.
He said apart from their decision, the house did not have the quorum to vote on the subject.
Alhaji M.A. Seidu, Deputy Majority Leader, however, reminded members that the vote was part of the unfinished business of the house and they were obliged to decide before it passed away.
" It is not for us to advise the President to withdraw the nomination. I think it is our duty to vote on it."
The Minority found an unlikely spoiler in Squadron Leader Clend Sowu, NDC-Anlo.
"Bring Fuzzy Torbay's appointment back because it is also part of the unfinished business" he said. The Minority frustrated Mr Torbay's nomination as Minister of State.
An intervention by the Speaker, Mr Justice Daniel Annan, who supported the majority's view that the two were different cases, could not calm matters.
The Minority said even if he is appointed for four days, it will enrich his (curriculum vitae) CV.
GRi…/
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Parliament continues business on retirement
benefits
Accra (Greater Accra) 04 January 2001
Parliament on Wednesday continued deliberations on retirement benefits for out-going members of the executive and legislative arms of government as well as the top hierarchy of the Judiciary.
The Committee of the WHOLE, under the chairmanship of the Speaker Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, met behind closed doors to discuss what should be paid as emoluments for specified state functionaries.
The Committee will be expected to discuss the retirement emoluments for the President, the Vice President, Ministers of State and members of the Council of State.
It will also consider entitlements for the Speaker and his two Deputies as well as Members of Parliament and members of the Judiciary ranging from the Chief Justice through to High Court judges.
Other state functionaries to be covered by the discussion include the Auditor General and high-ranking officials of Commissions and other bodies.
A document released by the Clerk of Parliament put the emoluments to the beneficiaries under Salary, Privileges and Facilities, and Retirement Benefits.
Listed for business on Salary are four allowances classified as Duty, Special, Entertainment and Clothing.
Accommodation, Chauffeur-driven cars, Medical Services and Utilities such as telephone, water and electricity are categorised under privileges and facilities while retirement benefits include pension, house, office and domestic and support services.
For some categories of functionaries there is the provision for a free travel abroad at least once a year.
GRi…/
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