GRi Press Review 09 – 07 – 2003

Speaker of Parliament lives in his own home

Deputy Minister embarrassed by Parliament

 

 

Speaker of Parliament lives in his own home

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 9 July 2003 – The office of Parliament has stated that the Speaker still lives in his private residence and not in an official bungalow. It also explained that the Speaker had caused the renovation of any bungalow, which cost the nation ¢600m.

 

A release issued by the Public Affairs Department of the Office of Parliament stated these in reaction to recent reports in a section of the media regarding a purported allocation of an official bungalow to the Speaker. It noted that under normal circumstances, reports of such nature could be treated as incidence of occupational hazards.

 

“However, persistent radio discussions mounted on the same issue and the degree of spitefulness had compelled the Office of Parliament to react by setting the records straight in the hope that the matter will be put to rest,” it said.

 

The Speaker, the release said, “regrets that, it is painful and disconcerting that after an official bungalow allocated to him had been withdrawn, he should be shouldered with the moral responsibility for the expenses made for renovating and refurbishing such residence”. It noted that attempts by a section of the media to portray the Speaker, as a spendthrift was unfortunate.

 

The release said the Speaker would like to encourage free speech to nurture Ghana’s young democracy, but such a licence should not be abused to defame hardworking, selfless and dedicated citizens of the land – Evening News

 

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

 

Return to top

 

Deputy Minister embarrassed by Parliament

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 9 July 2003 – The Deputy Minister of Communications, David Gyau, was yesterday heckled in Parliament when he was unable to answer supplementary questions concerning his ministry.

 

The sector minister, Albert Kan Dapaah, was said to be attending an emergency meeting at an unnamed place, according to the Deputy Majority Leader, Abraham Ossei Aidoo. Gyau, who made his maiden appearance in the Chamber since his appointment a couple of month ago, had the unpleasant duty of consulting the deputy leader on a number of occasions – thus drawing sarcastic comments from the floor of the House.

 

On another occasion when Adioo rose to save him from further exposure of the limited knowledge about the ministry, he was ordered to resume his seat by the Speaker, Peter Ala Adjetey, saying, “I have not called you.”

 

The minority members, realizing the deputy minister’s weakness, bombarded him with supplementary questions to which he replied, “Mr Speaker, I will require prior notice to this question.”

 

Let off the hook by the Speaker, Gyau was further embarrassed when a voice from the minority bench bade him farewell saying, “don’t come here anymore.” In a written answer to three questions, which stood in the names of the members for Wa Central, M. A. Seidu and Fanteakwa, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the minister said in line with the terms of the agreement between Telenor Management Partner (TMP) of Norway, Ghana Telecom will expand its fixed network to enable it provide a minimum of 400,000 fixed lines by 2005, in order to extend telephone services to every town with a senior secondary school, teacher training or university.

 

Under those conditions, the minister explained, many settlements in all districts including health centres, clinics and security installations will be served with the facility. – Chronicle

 

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

 

Return to top