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Minority describes approval of 2022 Budget as a nullity
The Minority in Parliament has described as a nullity the approval of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government by the House on Tuesday, November 30.
On November 26, 2021, 137 Members on the Minority side voted to reject the Budget, during which the Majority side staged a walkout.
Tuesday’s reinstatement and approval of the Budget was carried out by the 137 Majority MPs as the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, MP of Bekwai presided.
However, the Minority was absent from the Chamber of the House.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, speaking at a press conference after the Majority’s approval, said he was unhappy with the decision of the First Deputy Speaker, who sat in as the Speaker to include himself and to exercise a vote in order to meet their mandatory defined 138 majority votes without recourse to the Standing Orders of Parliament and to the 1992 Constitution.
“Standing Order 109:2 reads that Mr Speaker has neither an original nor a casting vote and if upon any question before the House, the votes are equally divided, the motion shall be lost,” he said.
He said the Constitution says “A Deputy Speaker or any other Member, presiding, shall not retain his original vote while presiding”.
“So, constitutionally they were also 137, so Ghanaians should also expect that what they had done is also a nullity to quote them if we are to respect the provisions of the Constitution.”
The, First Deputy Speaker, however, explained later that he counted himself for the records and not to cast a vote.
On why the Minority did not participate in Tuesday’s sitting, Mr Iddrisu said the Majority Side did consult them prior to the sitting and that they were to approve the Budget subject to concessions granted by the Minister of Finance.
However, there were no concessions in the Budget; he said, adding; “and, therefore, what are they approving?”
Mr Iddrisu said the Minority’s views were that the Budget should be revised to reflect those concessions before it would be approved by Parliament.
The Minority was against the introduction of the Electronic levy (E-levy) and the re-introduction of the Agyapa Deal in the 022 Budget and wanted a downward revision of the E0-levy to one per cent for the good of the Ghanaian people.
The Minority Leader said they were determined to support the Government in its efforts to redeem the economy. -GNA
Ghana’s singing Prophet, Joseph Atarah, has released a video for his new song dubbed ‘Increase’. The video was directed and shot by renowned director, Sky Web.
The motivational video exhibits captivating dance moves, set against the vibrant and beautiful city of Accra. Prophet Atarah co-wrote the song with Nana Boateng.
Touching on the message during an interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz, he said, ‘Increase’ is a motivational song telling people not to give up in their present situation. According to him, with determination and a relentless desire to succeed, God will make everything beautiful.
“As you trust in God’s plan, remember that ‘INCREASE’ is on the way. Just as seeds grow into harvest, your faith is growing into abundance. God’s got you, and His increase is surrounding you,” he added.
Prophet Atarah resigned from the military band in 2006 after an encounter with God to start his prophetic ministry and commenced his music journey about four years ago.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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President John Dramani Mahama, in in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has made donations on behalf of the people of Ghana to Jamaica, Sudan and Cuba to support those countries as they struggle to rebuild.
On behalf of Ghana, he donated over 2,400 bags of made-in-Ghana rice, assorted clothes, mattresses, made-in-Ghana cocoa products, bags of sugar, polytanks and other essential items to the victims of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica , Cuba , and the people of Sudan suffering from war.
The decision stems from Ghana’s solidarity with the affected compatriots.
President Mahama in his address during the presentation at the presidency, said the humanitarian items were worth GHC10 million.
He said 50 percent of the items will go to Jamaica, 30 percent to Cuba, and 20 percent to the International Red Cross for their camps in Sudan.
President Mahama said they appealed to private individuals among others who generously contributed towards the humanitarian course.
Foreign Affairs minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed the country’s appreciation to institutions and private individuals who supported in raising the items.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
