Features
Parliament has a duty to salvage our downward economy from the present mess
Parliament on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, resumed sitting of the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana after it adjourned sine die from plenary sessions on the 22nd December, 2022.
The resumption of the House was a historic and momentous occasion characterized by a lot of leadership changes, especially among the Minority caucus which was headed by a popular and indefatigable Haruna Iddrisu, the then Minority Leader. You can call it a coup detat or a palace coup and you may not be far from right.
RESHUFFLING OF NDC CAUCUS
Few days towards the resumption of Parliament, the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), aided by its Council of Elders, threw in what could be described as a bombshell by causing a major reshuffle within the leadership of the NDC Parliamentary caucus.
It was an issue that nearly caused a disintegration within the rank and file of the party. The new General Secretary of the NDC, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, by a letter dated 23rd January, 2023, to the Speaker of the House, Rt Honourable Alban Sumana Bagbin, announced a major reshuffle within the top hierarchy of the Minority caucus.
The new leaders who took over from the previous Minority leadership in parliament are, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson who replaced Haruna Iddrissu as Minority Leader, Hon. Kofi Armah Buah, Deputy Minority Leader, Hon Kwame Agbodza, Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, First Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Comfort Doyoe, who retains her position as Second Deputy Chief Whip.
RESOLUTION OF GRIEVANCES
Thank God, the controversy surrounding that major shake- up has been resolved by the top hierarchy of the party assisted by the Council of Elders, thus instilling sanity and understanding within the party and among members, especially those who were substituted. It is the hope of every Ghanaian that the new leadership will cooperate with the outgone leaders to ensure vibrant opposition and positive result in parliament. That is, indeed, a positive democratic practice in the world.
What was, indeed, profound and refreshing was the Speaker’s welcome address which touched on this important very issue within the Minority caucus especially those affected by the changes. Hear him, “The former members of the leadership, led by Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, must be applauded too.
“Their record of performance is visible for all to see and I hope the new leadership will continue to draw from their fountain of wisdom, trove of wealth and experience. I know what it entails as a veteran of this journey and experience, to lead a populous Minority caucus in Parliament.”
SPEAKER’S COMMENDATION TO HARUNA’S TEAM
“All I can say to the former leaders is, the Lord is your Shepherd, you shall not want. When one door closes, many doors open, and l tell you for sure, that many of the open doors are better and higher than the closed door. Look at the opened doors and the closed one. With these opening remarks, I welcome all of you, once more”.
A PROFOUND ADVICE TO THE NEW NDC LEADERSHIP
To the new leadership of the Minority Caucus, Speaker Bagbin forewarned them to prepare themselves for the hot duty bestowed on them by the executives of the opposition NDC.
“The new leaders have all been in this house for a while and are conversant with the culture and law of Parliament. I have confidence in their ability to meet the high expectations of our stakeholders. On behalf of the House, I warmly welcome them to the hot seat of the leadership of Parliament. Congratulations and I wish you well”, he said, urging them not to be troubled because he would support them.
Indeed, that was an encouraging and profound welcoming statement by Hon Speaker Bagbin, who appeared resolute and happened to have seen it all when it comes to parliamentary affairs and duties. He had served in various capacities within the NDC in parliament and held responsible leadership positions before assuming his latest role as the Speaker of the august Ghanaian parliament.
No wonder, he prides himself as the Third Gentleman of the land after the President and his vice. He is a force to reckon with as far as parliamentary procedures and duties are concerned and he continues to exhibit those qualities through some fatherly advice to both the Majority and Minority sides of the House.
He has not allowed his affiliation to the NDC to influence his sense of judgement when it comes to parliamentary duties in the house. Even though, on few occasions he had been accused by the Majority side of supporting the Minority, he always stood firm and resolute in his judgemental opinions.
WELCOME ADDRESS TO THE HOUSE
Welcoming the whole house, Mr. Bagbin stated that the members re-connected as well as established strong bonds and warm relations with their constituents and the public during the Christmas and New Year Season. He said their impact had given a boost to the democratic credentials of the country and congratulated them on a good job done.
During this session, members we are told, have 51 bills to consider, 49 instruments to be presented, 230 papers to be presented, 827 questions both normal and urgent and additionally, there will be 34 Private Members and three petitions before the House. This implies that it will be a busy schedule, indeed.
HECTIC PERIOD FOR PARLIAMENT
From all intent and purposes, the work in parliament this year is going to be tough, strenuous and hectic, considering the harsh economic conditions and the deplorable state in which Ghanaians find themselves in at the moment.
The total hardship and sufferings by the people have assumed an alarming proportion and Ghanaians are finding things difficult to manage. The current social problems in the country include, rural-urban migration, unemployment, forest encroachment and desertification, corruption, poverty illiteracy, inaccessibility of quality education among others. Besides, the country is faced with a debt crisis, high inflation rate and devaluation of the local currency.
The issue about the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme vis-a-vis attempts by government to include pension funds towards the restoration of macroeconomic stability of the country which has been raging on for some time now and giving the government a sleepless night as a result of the rejection by pensioners and other affected individuals, is a matter that will engage the attention of Parliament as it resumes sitting.
Parliament is so passionate about this particular issue which has attracted a lot of publicity in the media. No wonder, the Speaker has to summon the Finance Minister to appear before the House to brief members about the entire programme.
IMF BAILOUT AND OTHER URGENT ISSUES
Another pressing issue that will engage the attention of Parliament, is the call by Ghanaians to the President to downsize his government and to reshuffle some of his ministers and introduce freshness into his administration to propel the wheel of progress and also to assist the Executive to address the numerous challenges the country is facing.
The issue about whether the government has been able to satisfy the laid down conditions for a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and whether the loans being expected will be advanced in due course, are matters that will be discussed by the august House.
From all intents and purposes, we expect parliament to be very busy and to tackle the myriad of problems that have bedevilled the economy in order to restore the macroeconomic stability of our dear country.
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By Charles Neequaye
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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