Withdraw Ban On Importation of Used Electrical Appliances – Minority Caucus

The Minority has described the decision by the Government, acting through the Energy Commission, to ban the importation of all used electrical appliances into the country as most unfortunate.

According to the Minority, the decision must be reviewed immediately.

This policy if not reviewed, the Minority believes will not only render a vast majority of those who trade in these appliances unemployed, but would equally have severe economic consequences on the already impoverished Ghanaian consumer, since most many depend largely on these appliances.

A statement signed by John Abdulai Jinapor, MP-Yapei/Kusawgu Constituency and Ranking Member, Mines, and Energy Committee, said the way and manner in which the Legislative Instrument (LI) was rushed through Parliament without adequate consultation and extensive engagement with the various stakeholders was most unfortunate and appalling.

“It is important to remind the Energy Commission that best practices will require the Commission to engage in extensive consultations particularly with the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, to solicit their views and input on such an important LI before implementation.

“Even more disturbing is the lack of a grace period or transition period before implementing this policy. For such a policy that has far-reaching consequences, it is only proper that some transition period is allowed to enable traders and consumers ample time to adjust to the policy, especially this time that the uncertainties in the Ghanaian economy are abound,” the statement said.

It noted that some of these used electrical appliances can be more energy efficient and durable than new ones depending on the make, brand, and standards.

This policy, the statement said clearly contradicts the Government’s position that the country has so much excess capacity.

“For the records, it must be noted that the current electricity tariff structure is graduated in bands with higher payments for higher electricity consumption which serves as a gentle caution for consumers to acquire energy-efficient appliances whether new or used ones.

“By this policy, even a returnee Ghanaian is not allowed to come along with his or her 3-month-old electrical appliance, which, by all intends and purposes, could still be as good and useful as a new one. This current policy is not only unfair but discriminatory,” it added.

The solution to achieving energy efficiency and preventing ‘DUMPING’ according to the Minority is to resort to the use of standards and effective regulatory measures rather than “this very harsh policy of banning all used electrical appliances.”

“So, the government must be ready to engage, learn from best practices, and adopt sustainable regulatory measures to achieve results other than reacting inappropriately to situations such as this.”

The Minority has, therefore, called on the Energy Commission and for that matter the government, to as a matter of urgency, withdraw this current policy and allow for further consultation, engagement with the relevant stakeholders and a possible review and adjustments before the implementation of the policy.

Source: www.GhanaCNN.com

NDC Emergency Meeting On Removal of Haruna As Minority Leader Postponed Indefinitely

The planned meeting that the Minority in parliament was going to have with the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday, January 31 over the removal of Haruna Idrisu, Muntaka Mubarak and James Kluste Avedzi as Minority Leader, Minority Chief Whip, and Deputy Minority Leader respectively, has been postponed indefinitely.

TV3’s Parliamentary correspondent Komla Kluste reported that the National Council of the NDC is inviting the members who have petitioned against the changes to first hear on their concerns.

The Council of Elders urged all MPs of the party, leadership at all levels and, indeed, all concerned members to refrain from further public pronouncement on the recent changes to the Minority leadership.

According to the Council, this was in the larger interest of the party.

“This is a time to be circumspect in order not to play into the hands of our detractors,” the Council said in a statement issued on Saturday, January 28.

Signed by Chairman Alhaji Mumuni Iddrisu, the statement disclosed that a petition has been received from some members of the Minority Caucus regarding the changes.

“The Council has initiated steps to act expeditiously on the petition and related matters,” Alhaji Iddrisu stated.

“While this process is underway, the Council urges our Honourable Members of Parliament, Party leadership at all levels and all concerned persons to refrain from further public pronouncements on the matter in the larger interest of our great NDC.”

The Council assured the rank and file of the party of an “early” and “principled” resolution of the issues for the NDC “will emerge stronger and more united”.

“We urge all members of the NDC to re-dedicate themselves to working for victory in the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in 2024, to alleviate the suffering of the Ghanaian people.”

The NDC on Tuesday, January 24 wrote to the Speaker of Parliament through its General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, to ring changes to the Minority leadership.

Hitherto Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu was replaced by the Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, while Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi, was replaced by Ranking Member on the Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

Minority Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed was also replaced by Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee Governs Kwame Agbodza.

The 1st and 2nd Deputy Minority Whips – Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah respectively – were, however, maintained.

The changes have divided the font of the Minority.

For instance, Zebilla East Member of Parliament Cleruc Avoka said the Speaker of Parliament has not informed the Minority caucus and the entire House of any changes made to the leadership of the Minority therefore, Haruna Iddrisu and the other removed leaders of the opposition lawmakers still remain at pos.

Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Thursday, January 26, he said “For us there is no reshuffle yet, the Speaker has not communicated to us.”

Muntaka Mubarak who is also lawmaker for Asawase asked the NDC to sit up.

He is unhappy with the changes that have been made to the leadership of the Minority by the party.

Source: www.GhanaCNN.com

Mahama Must Know Ghana Is Governed By Laws – Kamal-Deen On Charlotte Osei’s Removal

The deputy Communication Director for the governing NPP, Kamal-Deen Abdulai says the former Electoral Commission (EC) boss, madam Charlotte Osei was lawfully removed from office.

According to him, the laws will apply on anybody irrespective of the offender’s status in the country adding that when you flout it you cannot escape the consequences that come with the offends.

His comments come on the back of former President John Mahama questioning how State institutions have been bastardized in the country by the current administration.

Delivering a lecture on “Africa’s Strategic Priorities and Global Role” at Chatham House, London last Friday January 27, 2023, the former President also recounted how the former EC boss was removed.

Commenting on the lecture by the former President on Starr News, Mr. Kamal-Deen stated that it is unfair for former President Mahama to describe the removal of the former EC boss as frivolous on an international stage such the Chatham House.

“No matter who you are, our constitution is clear that no one is above the law and for His Excellency John Dramani Mahama who hascbeen the President of the republic of Ghana before, and who swore according to the constitution of Ghana and swore to uphold all the laws of Ghana.

“It will be very unfair to the system when he says that reasons for the asking of Charlotte Osei from office were frivolous. The question that comes to mind is that was Charlotte Osei taken out of office as a result of due process of the law? As a result, she has relented on her duties and to the extent that she has flouted the laws of this country or not, and if the answer is yes then I think that President Mahama should come again.

“I think it is unfair for a statesman to make such a statement. With the young people growing up we all have learnt that we need to be bonded by the laws of the country. We need to actually work with them and Charlotte Osei.

“The accusations that came for her removal emanated from the same institution, people she was working with. Even Commissioners that were at the same table had problems with her and she had problems with them.”

Mr. Kamal-Deen stated that the former President should not sit anywhere and formulate any story while the accusations and counter accusations from EC under the leadership of Charlotte Osei got her out of office.

“Me I will maintain that no matter how little a law appears and no matter how little a crime appears it is still a crime. So long as it is defined by the law as a crime and if it is punishable and if consequences are to come with them, they are supposed to come with them and of course you will face them as well.”

Source: www.GhanaCNN.com