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Mama Aku Seme II bringing hope, development to Avetakpo community
The role of a ‘mother’ in our local community has become synonymous with the traditional and modern roles of a queen mother; promoting health, education, liaison for infrastructure development and as special adviser to the chief and elders on women affairs.
Thirty eight-year old Mama Aku Seme II of Avetakpo, a deprived rural community in the Ho West district of the Volta Region, is one of such models.
Known in private life as Joyce Aku Dzifa Amedorme, she was enstooled as queen mother in 2019 and has already embarked on some developmental projects in her community.
Two years into her role, Mama Aku Seme II lobbied and got the US Ambassador Self Help Aid to build a three-unit classroom block for the community. This is the first school building in the settler community.
“This development brought joy to my people and the children, especially who had longed for a school building for years,” she said beaming with smiles.
She stated that it is her desire to build a community school up to the Junior High School (JHS), a clinic and a public toilet for residents of Avetakpo.
In 2023, during the Akosombo Dam spillage, which displaced thousands of people in Mepe, she donated clothing and other relief items to the victims.
Through her foundation, known as Mama Aku Seme II Charity Foundation, she has supported over 200 needy children and orphans with clothing, food items and other essentials in order to bring smiles to the faces of children.
When asked about her passion for the welfare of children, she said “I love to see them happy; their smile warms my heart.”
Mama Aku Seme II is from a family of six and a mother to two boys in a family of six. She is currently works with Forever Living Company limited.
And she has an advice for the youth.
“The youth must show seriousness in whatever they do. That is what would define their future.
They must be disciplined, respect the elderly and just be nice to people because one could find him or herself at a place of need.”
Mama Seme speaks Deutsch, English and four Ghanaian languages- Ewe, Twi Fante and Hausa.
She loves sports and loves to play tennis at her leisure time.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
