News
Gender Minister inaugurates 3 water projects in Agona West
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mrs Cynthia Morrison, has inaugurated three water projects to provide potable water to some communities within the Agona West Municipality.
The project formed part of a broad initiative in ensuring that potable water becomes accessible to residents of the area and adjoining communities.
It was part of her ‘Safe Water’ campaign in the Agona West Constituency with support from DirectAid Society, an international non-governmental organisation, and geared towards reducing acute water shortage in the communities.
The beneficiary communities are Agona Samuel, Upper Bobikuma and Otsenkorang.
Mrs Morrison, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Agona West, in her remarks, said the project was conceived as a priority initiative to the beneficiary communities which she said, had witnessed difficulty in accessing water for a long time.
She said, a total number 20 water projects would be constructed across the constituency to ensure that all residents have access to potable water.
“It is said that, ‘water is life’. So, access to clean water is essential for humanity. My clean water campaign is on the right track in line with the global ‘Water For All’ agenda” she said.
Mrs Morrison said Agona West Constituency had vast land of water bed that would be effective for the provision of mechanised boreholes in every community, adding that, “the government is committed to ensure that social amenities such as potable drinking water, electricity supply, health facilities and good roads, among others, are fairly provided to improve standard of living.”
In his remarks, Ebusuapanyin Kojo Osam, Regent of Agona Otsenkorang, commended Mrs Morrison for fulfilling a promise made to the people which centred on the provision of potable water.
He said members of the community were overwhelmed with the speedy completion of the project, and appealed to the MP to also facilitate processes that would lead to the reshaping of the bad road linking the community to Agona Nyakrom.
The Minister later visited Agona Bosompa to inspect progress of work on a six-unit classroom block being constructed for the community, where the chief of area, Nana Kojo Gyesi I, expressed his gratitude to Mrs Morrison for the prompt response to their request for a school.
The Minister was accompanied by the Agona West Municipal Chief Executive, Mrs Justina Marigold Assan and officials from DirectAid Society.
FROM DAVID O. YARBOI-TETTEH, AGONA SWEDRU
The Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has defended the conduct of the Minority in Parliament during Tuesday’s chaotic sitting, insisting their actions were to protect what they believe is a violation of parliamentary procedure.
Explaining the incident, he said the Minority was reacting to developments surrounding a letter which allegedly directed that a seat belonging to the MP for Kpandai be declared vacant despite an earlier ruling by the Speaker.
He argued that the Speaker’s ruling should stand unless overturned by a competent court, and described the sudden reversal as shocking and against parliamentary precedent.
Mr Ahmed said the Minority only attempted to make a statement to register their displeasure, but tensions rose when the Majority Leader insisted on responding instead of commenting, which he said was against the rules.
He also denied claims that Minority MPs crossed the aisle, stressing that they remained within their side and only sought the Speaker’s attention.
He further complained that during proceedings, the Mace—the symbol of authority in the House—was not present and Minority microphones were disconnected, making the process one-sided.
He said the caucus intends to continue pushing to ensure that the MP for Kpandai retains his seat, adding that their next steps will be strategic.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Mahama has stated that it is too early for anyone to call for the scrapping of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) despite recent controversies surrounding the institution.
He argued that the office remains an important part of Ghana’s fight against corruption.
He explained that government is strengthening anti-corruption bodies such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office and the OSP, noting that the OSP is the only agency with the power to independently prosecute cases without going through the Attorney General.
President Mahama said many people distrust the Attorney General’s office because it is headed by a government minister, and some fear it may be slow to prosecute its own.
He believes an independent body like the OSP offers stronger accountability, regardless of who is involved.
He admitted that citizens want to see more prosecutions and visible results, but urged the public to give the OSP time.
He encouraged the office to speed up its investigations to show that it remains relevant in the fight against corruption.
By: Jacob Aggrey
