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Anti-LGBTQ bill: If you politicise this bill, it will drag the process – Majority to Minority
Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs in Parliament has cautioned the Minority to be cautious in their criticism of the processes that will facilitate the passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill.
According to Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, casting insinuations and politicising the proposed legislation will leave a negative effect on the process.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament, the Asante-Akim Central MP explained that “let no person attempt to cloth this deal with any political colour. The moment it is clothed with political colours, I am sure that my people will support me and we’ll have a statement on this bill.”
This comes after sponsors of the controversial bill grew furious over the lack of action on their bill on Wednesday, December 6.
The private members’ bill, sponsored by Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam George, has been stuck at the consideration stage for months without progress.
But Mr Antwi insists that there are new developments with the bill that need to be addressed at the committee level before it can progress any further.
He found it worrying that this reasoning does not sit well with the sponsors who have taken some Majority MPs to the cleaners for following what he sees as due process.
“I overheard my friend casting insinuations at the First Deputy Speaker. That is Sam George saying that when the main speaker that is the Right Honourable Speaker is not there, then the First Deputy Speaker or the Second Deputy Speaker, who didn’t want to prosecute this in this house.”
“I am not aware that as a chairman, you just get up you get to the house and you prosecute your agenda, irrespective of whether you are ready or not,” he said on Thursday, December 7.
The Committee Chairman added that the aim is to pass a bill that would withstand the test of time, hence the need for scrutiny.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
The Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, says Parliament and government officials are working closely with authorities in the Netherlands following the detention of the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Kwame Ohene Frimpong.
Speaking on the matter on Channel One news yesterday, Mr. Dafeamekpor disclosed that the MP was detained at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on Sunday while travelling on a private trip.
According to him, Mr. Frimpong personally informed him about the incident around 5 a.m. on the day of the arrest.
He said the issue was immediately escalated to parliamentary leadership and other state officials for intervention.
Mr. Dafeamekpor explained that the Majority Leader, who was in transit at Heathrow Airport in London at the time, travelled to Schiphol to engage the detained MP and better understand the situation.
He added that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ghana’s Ambassador to The Hague, the Attorney General, the Speaker of Parliament and the Clerk to Parliament had all been involved in efforts to address the matter.
According to him, a Ghanaian lawyer based in The Hague and qualified to practise there has also been engaged to represent the MP.
“The lawyer is dealing with the issues, but let me confirm that he is fine,” Mr. Dafeamekpor stated.
He noted that Parliament and the legal team were still waiting for official documents, including an authenticated copy of the arrest warrant and other details from Dutch prosecutors handling the matter.
The South Dayi MP therefore urged the media and the public to avoid speculation until all facts surrounding the case are confirmed.
“We want to urge all the media houses not to be throwing in things that have not been confirmed,” he said.
Mr. Dafeamekpor further explained that Parliament’s involvement was partly because the MP was travelling with a diplomatic passport.
He noted that extradition and detention cases involving political figures are not uncommon internationally, citing examples such as former Chilean leader Augusto Pinochet and Julian Assange.
According to him, authorities are hopeful the matter can be resolved for the MP to return to Ghana safely.
He appealed to the MP’s family, colleagues in Parliament and the public to remain calm while diplomatic and legal processes continue.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana Water Ltd has announced temporary water supply interruptions in several parts of western Accra following technical challenges at the Weija Water Treatment Plant.
In a press release issued on May 13, the company explained that the challenges had affected water production and distribution in some communities.
According to the management of the company, residents in areas including Dansoman, Mamprobi, Mataheko, Laterbiokorshie, Korle Bu, La Paz, MacCarthy Hill, Gbawe, Mallam, Tesano, Darkuman, North Kaneshie, Dome, Achimota, Anyaa and Ablekuma may experience low water pressure and erratic water supply.
Management noted that engineers and technical teams were working to fix the problem and restore normal water supply as soon as possible.
The company advised consumers to store water whenever there is flow in their communities in order to manage the temporary disruption.
It urged essential service providers to contact their Assembly Members or the Ghana Water Ltd Call Centre for assistance.
The company apologized to customers affected by the situation and appealed for calm and cooperation while efforts continue to resolve the challenge.
By: Jacob Aggrey
