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NLA donates to NGO supporting mentally challenged
His love for the mentally challenged in society is unmatched as he has dedicated his personal time and resources to the welfare of the neglected in society.
Mr Eliasu Baba, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bahass Foundation in the Upper West Region is committed to ensuring that persons with mental health conditions are well catered for.
So contrary to usual practice where some people distance themselves from such persons in society on the streets, Mr Baba gathers these persons once every month and with the help of his staff, give them a warm bath, shave their hair and dress them up for homemade meals.
Even though he has no permanent place to keep them, he is able to provide their immediate needs and get their clothes changed to ensure that they are kept warm on the street and also make the beneficiaries feel loved.
It is, therefore, welcoming when the National Lottery Authority (NLA) donated assorted commodities valued at GH¢15,000 to the Foundation to hep support its activities in the region.
The donation which included bags of rice, oil, maize, bales of second hand clothing and detergent was meant to be distributed to persons with mental health conditions at Jirapa, Lawra, Nandom and the Wa Municipality of the upper West Region.
The Deputy Coordinator of the NLA’s ‘Good Causes Foundation’, Madam Ama Frimpong said the donation at Wa was to cushion the Bahass Foundation to provide quality care and support to the target beneficiaries in the region.
She said NLA had the mission of undertaking corporate social responsibilities as well as sustaining the gains in order to create shared values of social cohesion and national development.
She said persons with mental health conditions deserved love in order to feel good about themselves stressing that the Foundation would continue to identify and help vulnerable members in society.
She commended the Bahass Foundation for the great job they were doing and encouraged them to continue to work harder to ensure the wellbeing of persons with mental health.
Mr Baba who received the items thanked the NLA for the gesture and assured them that the items would be fairly distributed to the target group as the foundation was focused on putting smiles on the faces of persons with mental health conditions on the street.
He called on other well-meaning institutions and organisations to come to the aid of persons with mental health conditions and other vulnerable groups in the region and help provide a comfortable washroom for them.
From Rafia Abdul Razak, Wa
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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.
