The RTI bill focuses on kidnappings as Parliament returns from the break today

General News on Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Source: citinewsroom.com

2019-01-29

MPs will be here later today [Tuesday], convenes recess to begin the first sitting of the Third Session of the Seventh Parliament.

Given the badurances of the House leadership, the Right to Information Bill, which is currently under review, is expected to be adopted during this session.

The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has defined the end of February 2019 as the last deadline for the adoption of the bill on access to information, following pressure groups of civil society.

"The bill has seen many years and several parliaments and it is delicate in many ways. The budget and other important issues were also discussed. We have already done 80% of the work and we will finish the bill completely, I think, and professionally by the end of February 2019, "he said in his closing remarks before the Christmas holidays. .

The Local Content Bill, the Affirmative Action Bill, the Disability Bill and the Business Insolvency Bill are some of the notable bills that should be considered.

This session of the House will also welcome President Nana Akufo-Addo for the State of the Nation address, in accordance with Article 67 of the Constitution.

The winner of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, which is yet to take place, will also be sworn into the House after the death of his deputy, Emmanuel Kyeremateng Agyarko.

Convocation for kidnappings

Security issues related to the kidnapping of three girls in the Western Region are a topic that should be addressed in Parliament.

Ruth Quayson, Priscilla Blessing Bentum and Priscilla Koranchie, abducted in the Sekondi-Takoradi area between August 2018 and January 2019.

Seth Acheampong, chairman of the House of Commons and Defense Committee, revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante Appeatu, was expected to honor an invitation to Parliament to respond to questions regarding the abduction.

Defense and National Security Ministers Dominic Nitiwul and Albert Kan-Dapaah are also expected to attend Parliament on the same topic.

Mr. Acheampong stated that the invitation was necessary to enable them to provide the public with a first-hand account of the cases.

"We are going to have the IGP testify before the committee. We will write to them and prepare them. This week, they come to us. The Minister of the Interior will come with the people from his sector who we need to give us some badurance that the country is safe. We will then write to the Minister of National Security, "said the MP in Citi TV's Point of View.