The Minority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has criticized Parliament for its failure to properly hold the Executive in check, saying it is partly to be blamed for the many challenges facing the country.
He argued that if the legislators have been exercising their gatekeeping responsibility effectively, Ghana would not be experiencing some of the problems facing it currently.
“If Parliament were to exercise its functions properly, a lot of the ills that have been afflicting this country will not arise in the first place,” he said, adding “Parliament has the power of purse function; it is the gatekeeper of the national purse”.
He explained that the country’s financial administration and economic development would be guaranteed should Parliament insist and ensure that no president exceed budget allocations as captured in the Appropriation Act.
“If parliament insisted that it will not allow any president to exceed the ceiling of allocations as captured in the appropriations act and provided sanctions against presidents or executives who flout this, there will be sanity in our financial administration and economic development will be guaranteed” he said.
Speaking at a Symposium on Law and Public Policy, here in Accra, the minority leader indirectly questioned the process used in the election of parliamentarians and approval of presidential appointees.
He asked whether the people were electing the right people as parliamentarians whose expertise would shape development of the country and the laws that are made in the House.
“Given the utmost importance of parliament and indeed the role of parliamentarians, are we by the conduct of business in the various political parties electing the right caliber of persons to parliament to make the relevant laws that will shape the future developments of Ghana?” he queried
Mr Mensah Bonsu added: “If parliament were to comply with the constitutional imperatives during the approval process, the nation will be spared the ‘Mipaa Miniee’ syndrome which leads us to the create, loot and share”.
By Mercy Dalyne Lokko|3FM|tv3network.com
![Goil Brand Ambassador, Azumah Nelson [L] and Mr Nyarko [R] examining the new Fuel Analyzing machine](https://i0.wp.com/233prime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/file-photo-119.jpg?resize=564%2C337&ssl=1)
Ghana Oil Company limited, GOIL has taken delivery of modern equipment for deployment to its fuel service stations across the country to check fuel adulteration and dilution.
Meanwhile, a resource technician for the manufacturers of the fuel analysing machine, Decoltot Sullivan from France, took GOIL officials and technicians through the use of the analysing machine.
In attendance was GOIl Brand Ambassador Azumah Nelson.
By tv3network.com|Ghana
Michael Essien has denied stories that he is unfit and about to be sent packing by Greek side Panathinaikos.
Kumasi Asante Kotoko have won their first back to back games of the season but Accra Hearts of Oak have failed to win in a third straight league game on a busy schedule of Ghana Premier League action.
![The mangled taxi [L] being cut-opened and [R] the tricycle](https://i0.wp.com/233prime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/file-photo-110.jpg?resize=564%2C337&ssl=1)
Eleven persons have died and one other seriously injured in two separate fatal accidents in Accra and Dadiesoaba in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The severed body being removed from the mangled taxi. [Right] A luggage from the taxi
The eyewitness, Kofi Boateng told TV3 the accident occurred at about 5:30, adding “the taxi is destroyed beyond recognition. We can’t even identify the number plate and the make of the car.”
“Officers from the Fire Service and the Police are trying to cut the taxi to remove one of the occupants whose body has been dismembered,” he added.
He said the both the truck and the taxi were from the Pokuase area heading towards Awoshie junction, noting that when the cars got to the traffic intersection, they then tried to make a U-turn and in the process, the truck fell on the taxi which was in another lane on the trucks right-side.
The accident has caused traffic on the road which links the N1 Highway at Awoshie junction.
Dadiesoaba accident
Eyewitnesses say the tricycle with registration number M- 696- 15 which was carrying people collided head on with the sand tipping truck with the registration AS 5427-15 at a sharp curve on the Twabidi – Dadiésoaba road in Asutifi South, Brong Ahafo Region on Tuesday.
According to a witness, Nana Agyemang Opambour, the tricycle which was said to be speeding, bumped into the truck at the sharp curve and lost control in an attempt to swerve the truck. A child, said to be about five years old, fell from the tricycle onto the asphalt road.
He said the driver of the truck also tried avoid running over the child but the tricycle which had lost control unfortunately, collided with the truck killing 8 people instantly and left two critically injured. However, one of them passed on Wednesday, leaving the child as the only survivor.
By Stephen Kwabena Effah|tv3network.com|Ghana
Twitter @steviekgh
The Poultry Farmers Association of Ghana has confirmed that some birds at a poultry farm in New Takoradi, a suburb of Tarkwa in the Western Region, have been affected with the avian influenza (bird flu).
The Ghana Premier League resumes on Wednesday with a few coaches under pressure and Wa All Stars poised to continue their fine start to the season. Here is our preview of matchday eight of the Ghana Premier League.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed worry over the raging controversy on the way forward regarding getting an authentic voters’ register for the 2016 elections.
The personal photographer and bodyguard of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo have been released from the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), TV3 can confirm.
A team of Police from the Brong Ahafo Region has rescued the Municipal Chief Executive of Asunafo North and management members of the Ayum Timber Company who were held hostage for over six hours Tuesday.