Category Politics

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• March 24, 2025
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• 2 minutes Read

Minority caucus accuses Attorney-General of power abuse

The Minority in Parliament has accused the Attorney General of overstepping his authority by ordering raids, arrests, and investigations into former government appointees.

The caucus contends that these actions represent an abuse of power and a deviation from the Attorney General’s constitutional role.

According to the Minority, the Attorney General’s primary duty is to provide legal counsel to investigative agencies and support the judiciary in the fair dispensation of justice. However, they argue that his current approach undermines these principles and threatens the independence of Ghana’s legal system.

Addressing the press on Monday, 24 March 20254,  the Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, criticised the Attorney General’s conduct, stating that he was acting beyond his remit.

“The Attorney General is an officer of the court. His interest is to assist the court in dispensing justice when investigators bring their case and evidence. The posture of the new AG undermines this role. He is no longer acting as an officer of the court but instead acting as someone who has conducted his own inquisition, determined the guilt of a suspect, and is seeking to force his views on the court,” he asserted.

The Minority further condemned the recent raid on the residence of the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, describing it as unlawful. They revealed that the National Security Coordinator had personally apologised to Dr Addison, a move they claim affirms the illegality of the operation.

Raising questions about the conduct of the security operatives, Shaib stated: “If indeed a court-issued warrant existed, why was it not presented to Dr Addison before or during the raid? Why was force used to overpower his private security? Why was the CCTV camera dismantled and taken away? Transparency is a hallmark that ensures lawful enforcement.”

He emphasised that such operations cast doubt on the legality and intent of the government’s actions.

“No amount of legal or public relations spin can undo the facts. Dr Addison’s home was raided under highly questionable circumstances. If their actions were truly lawful and above board, why did the National Security Coordinator feel compelled to apologise? If there was no wrongdoing, what exactly was the apology for?” he questioned.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• March 22, 2025
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• 2 minutes Read

Adwoa Safo referred to NPP disciplinary committee over media remarks

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• March 13, 2025
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• 2 minutes Read

Ato Forson accused of using unaudited figures in primary balance computation

The former Minister of Finance and current Ranking Member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, has accused Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson of relying on unaudited figures to compute the country’s primary balance.

According to Dr Amin Adam, the figures presented in the 2025 Budget lacked credibility and should not be taken at face value.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, March 13, on behalf of the Minority Caucus, Dr Amin Adam questioned the accuracy of the fiscal data presented by the Finance Minister.

He argued that without proper auditing, the numbers used in determining Ghana’s primary balance could be misleading.

“It is unacceptable for the Finance Minister to use figures that have not been audited to compute the country’s primary balance.

This raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability in public financial management,” he stated. Dr Amin Adam further contended that such practices undermine the credibility of the government’s economic reports and could distort Ghana’s true fiscal position.

He urged the Finance Ministry to uphold standard financial reporting principles by ensuring that only audited data is used in national budget statements.

“Ghanaians deserve accurate and verifiable figures, not numbers that have been hastily put together to create a favourable impression,” he added.

The former Finance Minister also warned that the reliance on unverified data could have long-term consequences on Ghana’s economic planning and credibility in the eyes of investors and development partners.

He called on Parliament to scrutinise the budget figures closely to ensure that they reflect the actual state of the economy.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• March 13, 2025
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• 2 minutes Read

NPP government handed a strong and healthy economy to NDC – Minority

Former Finance Minister and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, has insisted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration left behind a robust and stable economy before handing over to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

He maintained that key economic indicators prove the economy was in good shape despite attempts by the new administration to suggest otherwise.

Speaking at a press conference for the Minority Caucus on Thursday, March 13, Dr Amin Adam accused the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, of manipulating fiscal data to paint a negative picture of the economy.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, the manipulation of the fiscal data notwithstanding, the strong health of the economy the NPP handed to the new NDC government continues to be vindicated by other economic indicators,” he stated.

He cited Ghana’s Debt-to-GDP ratio, which stood at 61.8% by the end of 2024, as a key sign of economic strength.

According to him, this achievement was not accidental but rather the result of “skilled negotiations and the implementation of a good debt strategy” by the previous government. He criticised Dr Forson for failing to acknowledge this accomplishment in his budget speech.

“The Hon. Minister could not even acknowledge this important development by the imminent absence of this ratio in his budget speech. Sad!” Dr Amin Adam remarked.

He argued that the NPP’s economic management had positioned Ghana for long-term stability, and any claims of mismanagement were unfounded.

Concluding his remarks, Dr Amin Adam asserted that history would ultimately recognise the achievements of the Akufo-Addo administration.

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• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• March 11, 2025
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• 2 minutes Read

Minority Caucus describes 2025 Budget as “Nnaadaa”

The Minority in Parliament has described the Mahama government’s maiden Budget Statement and Economic Policy as “Nnaadaa Budget” that fails to address the worsening cost of living crisis in the country.

Addressing a press conference after the Budget presentation yesterday, the former Minister of Finance, Mohammed Amin Adam, said the budget ignored the pressing economic hardships Ghanaians were confronted with, such as the rising food and fuel prices, high utility costs and inflation.

He indicated that the Ghanaian people voted for the NDC due to the rising cost of living. He therefore wondered how the government could be so insensitive as to fail to even comment on it, let alone initiate any measures to address the situation.

“The budget did not address cost of living issues. Transport fares continue to increase. There was no mention of stabilising petroleum prices. It did not address energy bills, electricity bills, or water bills. Looking at all the indicators, these bills will continue to increase. We thought that, having campaigned on the cost of living crisis and come to power with the support of the Ghanaian people, the least the government could do was present a budget that would address the cost of living crisis in terms of transport fares, petroleum prices, and energy bills,” he stated.

Dr Adam also criticised the Finance Minister for trying to deceive the masses regarding the country’s real economic status, stating that the Minister preferred instead to lament with his own ‘cooked’ figures while hesitating in announcing the country’s current economic indicators.

Doing a comparative analysis of the economy the erstwhile NPP government inherited in 2017 and the economy left for the new government, Dr Adam stated that real GDP growth for the last quarter of 2024 was 5.7%, as released by the Ghana Statistical Service and confirmed by the Finance Minister, against a growth rate of 3.4% in 2016 and a projected growth rate of 4% in 2025.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• March 11, 2025
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• 1 minute Read

Afenyo-Markin: 2025 Budget “uninspiring and lacking vision”

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• March 8, 2025
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• 2 minutes Read

Let’s deal with our grievances internally- Afenyo-Markin tells NPP

The leader of the Minority caucus in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to remain resolute and united despite the outcome of the December 7 general elections.

In a video shared on his Facebook page on Friday, March 7, 2025, Afenyo-Markin, speaking in Twi, acknowledged the disappointment and heartache felt by party members following their electoral defeat.

“Members, I know that we are all heartbroken. We are disappointed, we are all depressed, and we are not happy about the outcome of the elections. That is to be expected. Because when you go into an election and you don’t win, it comes with a lot of disappointment. But that was yesterday. Today is another day,” he stated.

The Member of Parliament for Effutu urged his fellow party members to move past their grievances and focus on the future, drawing inspiration from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), whose internal unity and efforts helped secure their victory in the 2024 elections.

Afenyo-Markin emphasized the importance of hard work, forgiveness, and collective determination in rebuilding the party.

He stressed that divisive behavior, such as calling each other names or making inflammatory statements on media platforms, would only harm the NPP.

“The way to prepare for the future is through hard work, forgiveness, and a collective determination to sacrifice for the good of the party. I plead with all of us, let’s move on,” he said.

The NPP suffered a significant defeat in the 2024 elections, losing both the presidential and parliamentary races by a landslide, including over 40 parliamentary seats, many of which were traditionally strongholds of the party.

Watch the video below:

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• March 8, 2025
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

Parliament approves Deputy Ministers and Minister of State

Parliament has approved the deputy ministers and a minister of state following their vetting last week, with a recommendation for their approval by consensus.

The approved nominee for Minister of State in charge of Public Sector Reforms is Lydia Akanvariba, who is expected to spearhead efforts to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within the public sector.

Additionally, seven deputy ministers were approved to support key government ministries:

• Thomas Ampem Nyarko – Deputy Minister for Finance
• Ebenezer Terlabi – Deputy Minister for Interior
• Samson Ahi – Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry
• Clement Apaak – Deputy Minister for Education
• Richard Gyan Mensah – Deputy Minister for Energy
• John Dumelo – Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture

This was announced by First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor on Friday, March 7, 2025. Shortly after this, the House considered and approved a second batch of deputy ministerial nominees.

The approvals, which took place after vetting and deliberations, saw a mix of unanimous and majority decisions.

Those approved unanimously include Alhassan Suhuyini as Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Rita Naa Odorley Sowah as Deputy Minister for Local Government, Gizella Tetteh as Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, and Ernest Brogya Genfi as Deputy Minister for Defence.

Meanwhile, Justice Sai as Deputy Attorney General, Yusif Sulemana as Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and Yusif Isaka Jajah as Deputy Minister for Creative Arts and Tourism were all approved by a majority decision.

Source: myjoyonline.com

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• March 6, 2025
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• 3 minutes Read

Abu Jinapor criticizes President Mahama’s appointments, claims 100 Ministers in disguise

The Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has claimed that President John Dramani Mahama appointed a total of “100 ministers”, in disguise, despite public assertions that he had reduced the size of government. He has, therefore, raised concerns over the financial burden posed by the large number of  presideintal appointees.

Speaking during the debate on the 2025 State of the Nation Address, Mr. Jinapor emphasised the increasing costs associated with presidential appointments. He argued that the growing number of advisors and staffers were both unnecessary and costly for the national budget.

Mr Jinapor pointed specifically to Dr. Valerie Sawyer, Senior Presidential Advisor responsible for Government Affairs, who holds a position at the rank of a Cabinet Minister.

The MP argued that the financial package for Dr. Sawyer, which includes salary, benefits, and office expenses, was equivalent to that of a Cabinet Minister who also serves as a Member of Parliament.

He questioned the justification for such appointments, particularly those involving positions like Presidential Advisors on Economy, 24-Hour Economy, Special Aid to the President and Diaspora Affairs.

“The President has appointed numerous staffers, including Presidential Advisors for various sectors, yet many of these appointees do not undergo parliamentary vetting,” Mr. Jinapor noted.

He referenced the extensive list of appointments, predicting that the President might soon appoint a “Presidential Advisor on ‘nkukɔ nkitin nkti’ or ‘Okada’ business.”

He also condemned the appointment of 16 Presidential Staffers tasked with overseeing the 16 regions. He compared these positions to that of Deputy Ministers of State, suggesting that these regional staffers effectively mirror the role of a Deputy Minister while adding unnecessary costs to the national exchequer.

He also criticized the President’s extensive media and communication team, which includes one Presidential Advisor for Media, four Directors of Communication, five Deputy Directors, two Communication Specialists, five Technical Communication Assistants, one Media Aide, one Assistant Media Liaison Officer and one Communications Consultant.

“Mr. Speaker, I’ve done the mathematics, and I can confidently state that the President has effectively appointed 100 Ministers and Deputy Ministers,” he stated, stressing that the financial implications of these appointments could not be ignored.

Despite his strong critique, Mr. Jinapor made it clear that his comments were not made from a partisan standpoint.

Drawing on his previous experience as Deputy Chief of Staff, he called for greater prudence in government spending and better management of public funds.

He stressed that his criticism was based on the need for efficiency in governance, describing  the current system was “wasteful and unsustainable”.

“I do this not from a partisan lens, but as someone who has had the privilege to serve in government. I know how it works. These appointments are excessive, and they place an undue burden on the national budget,” Mr. Jinapor said.

He urged the government to reassess its approach to appointments and focus on reducing unnecessary expenditures for the benefit of the country’s financial stability.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• March 5, 2025
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• 2 minutes Read

‘Don’t make yourself a tool for political football’ – Afenyo-Markin to BoG Governor

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has advised the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Johnson Asiama, to avoid political controversies and maintain the independence of his office.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, March 5, during Dr. Asiama’s appearance to address concerns regarding the cost of the BoG’s new headquarters, Afenyo-Markin cautioned against selective scrutiny of the central bank’s actions.

“I recall that in the 2015 State of the Nation Address, Mr. President [John Dramani Mahama] raised concerns about poor supervision of the banking sector by the Bank of Ghana. The governor today was the deputy governor then. Are we now picking and choosing which matters we want the governor to brief us on?” he questioned.

He further urged Dr. Asiama to resist political influence, warning, “Mr. Governor, don’t make yourself a tool for political football. The role of the governor of the central bank is critical to the economy of this country. I do not want to politicise the office of the governor, and I urge others to do the same.”

Additionally, Afenyo-Markin called on the Majority in Parliament to approach economic discussions with caution, emphasizing that their handling of such matters could have significant consequences for Ghana’s financial stability.

His remarks came amid ongoing debates over the BoG’s new headquarters, with the Minority opposing the session, arguing that due process had not been followed, while the Majority defended its legitimacy.

Source: citinewsroom.com