Tag Archives: Committee

News, Politics

$1.4bn Needed to Complete Agenda 111 Projects – Committee

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The Health Committee of Parliament has announced that an estimated amount of $1.4 billion will be necessary to complete all ongoing Agenda 111 projects.

According to the committee, as of November 2023, over $251 million has already been spent on the hospital projects, with 90 out of 102 projects currently at various stages of construction.

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee, expressed his concerns about the government’s commitment to the Agenda 111 projects, labeling it as mere lip service.

He stated, “The committee observed that, as of November 2023, $251.4 million has been spent and that they require about $1.4 billion to complete all the projects.

The commitment of this government to Agenda 111 is just lip service.”
Akandoh went on to highlight the slow progress of the project, emphasizing that the $251 million released to date would not be enough to complete even 20 percent of the entire project.

He questioned the government’s decision to allocate approximately GH¢1billion in this year’s budget, suggesting that the project could have been rolled out in phases, allowing for more efficient allocation of funds.

Furthermore, Akandoh revealed concerning information regarding the condition of the ambulances procured by the government in 2020. Out of the 307 imported ambulances, 79 are currently non-operational and 12 have been involved in accidents.

He warned that if the trend continues, the fleet will be seriously depleted within the next four years.
The Agenda 111 project was initiated by the government with the aim of constructing 101 district and regional hospitals, as well as upgrading the appropriate hospitals to meet international standards.

It is envisioned that these projects will greatly enhance the healthcare infrastructure of the country and improve access to quality healthcare for all citizens.

The Health Committee’s revelation regarding the significant funding gap and the challenges facing the ambulance fleet highlights the importance of addressing these issues urgently.

Efforts should be made to secure the necessary funds and ensure the timely completion of the Agenda 111 projects to fulfill the government’s commitment to improving the healthcare system in Ghana.

 

Source: Daily Guide

News, Politics

Anti-gay bill: Committee Chairman goes ‘AWOL’ as House begins consideration

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Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, who has been on the radar was conspicuously absent on Friday, December 8, 2023, during the consideration stage of the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values 2021” popularly known as the anti-gay bill.

His absence has fueled suspicions about possible complicity with opponents of the bill especially because the Chairman of the Constitutional Legal and Parliamen¬tary Affairs Committee, Kwame was earlier present in the Chamber.

This promoted the Ranking Member, Bernard Ahiafor, to take charge and lead the House in taking the bill through its amendment stage.

Mr Ahiafor had earlier joined one of the sponsors of the bill, Sam George, MP for Ningo Prampram in a ‘protest’ press conference against the decision of the sit in Speaker to defer the laying of the bill because of the Chairman’s absence.

The bill, which was initially scheduled for consideration on Wednesday, faced a setback when the First Deputy Speaker, Joe Osei-Owusu and the Majority leadership raised concerns about proceeding without the Committee Chairman. This decision led to frustration among the sponsors of the bill, who accused the Majority leadership of hindering its progress.

This compelled Samuel Nartey George, MP for Ningo Prampram, to raise suspicion, amidst threats to expose the NPP MPs allegedly influenced by LGBTQ+ advocates.

The development also triggered attacks on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin who had vowed to supervise the passage for what, critics described as surprise feet dragging, amidst questions about his absence when he places much emphasis on his wish.

However, the Speaker re-assured the House on Thursday that the bill will be enacted before the Christmas recess.

On Friday, despite the Committee Chairman’s conspicuous absence, the Speaker announced the consideration stage, raising eyebrows given the prior advertising in the Order of Paper.
Speaker Bagbin maintained that the House could proceed with the bill’s consideration despite the Committee Chairman’s absence, and indeed, it did. The bill contains 17 proposed amendments, and the House addressed Clause 1, encompassing five amendments during the session.
The object of the Bill as contained in the memorandum accompanying the Bill, is to provide for proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values; proscribe LGBTQ+ and related activities; proscribe propaganda of, advocacy for or promotion of LGBTTQQIAAP+ and related activities; provide for the protection of and ensure the protection and support of individuals, especially children, associated with LGBTQ+ matters.