News
Speaker inspects Parliament renovation ahead of House’s recall: All you need to know
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has inspected ongoing renovation work on the parliamentary chamber, with the House expected to reconvene in 11 days.
The decision to adjourn Parliament three weeks ago sparked fierce criticism from the Majority caucus.
However, the Speaker explained that the adjournment was necessary to allow for essential renovation work on the floor of the House.
During his visit, Alban Bagbin outlined some of the challenges facing the House, including issues with voting, quorum, and malfunctioning audiovisual systems.
He recalled that in 2014, Bosch DICENTIS Multimedia Company was commissioned by former Speaker Doe Adjaho to transform the House into an E-Parliament, a move aimed at reducing costs associated with bulk printing, paperwork, and other related expenses.
He revealed that the former Speaker, Prof Mike Ocquaye, later reviewed the initial contract and decided to install biometric gadgets in the Chamber.
This led to a competitive tendering process, with the contract awarded to Michel Africa Parliament Services.
Bagbin also clarified that the adjournment on July 30 was partly to allow attendance at an international parliamentary conference in the United States.
The renovation of the chamber, which is set to cost €2.26 million, is being funded by the government.
While the work tables are being produced locally by a company called Fernac, all other equipment will be imported.
The renovation is expected to be completed by the end of October 2024.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
News
Steps underway to repeal L.I 2462 – Prez assures
President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that steps are underway to repeal Legislative Instrument 2462 as part of efforts to protect the country’s forests and water bodies.
During his media encounter at the Jubilee House, the president explained that the repeal will formalise the ban on mining in forest reserves and strengthen enforcement against illegal mining.
He stressed that his administration is committed to safeguarding the environment, reclaiming degraded reserves, and deploying more personnel to protect river bodies across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
9 forest reserves recovered from illegal mining – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced the recovery of nine forest reserves from illegal mining under his government’s intensified environmental protection drive.
Addressing journalists at the Jubilee House, the president explained that hundreds of excavators, water pumps and other equipment have been seized as part of the operation, while degraded areas are being reclaimed and restored.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to end mining in protected areas, deploy more personnel to safeguard river bodies and strengthen laws to secure Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
This notwithstanding, President Mahama revealed that two of the retrieved forest reserves had gone back into the hands of illegal miners, however, adequate measures have been put in place to reclaim them.
By: Jacob Aggrey
