The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has demanded ministerial accountability from the Various Ministers in charge of government business. He first raised serious concerns regarding the recent directive by the Minister for Communication and Digital Technology, Honorable Sam George’s immediate shutdown of Gumah FM Station in Bawku.
Addressing Parliament, he emphasized the role of the National Media Commission (NMC) in overseeing such matters and questioned the minister’s unilateral action.
“Mr. Speaker, in my view, the National Media Commission is [the] body responsible for making certain determinations and making recommendations as to the conduct of some of these frequencies, I mean radio stations in our country. I find it very strange that the minister would issue such a directive.”
Alexander Afenyo-Markin Minority Leader
The minority leader insisted that the Speaker invites the minister to appear before Parliament to provide clarity on the rationale behind the decision.
Afenyo-Markin further drew attention to the challenges facing the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
“Mr. Speaker, we all know that GBC is the nation’s number one media house. Every support needs to be given to GTV. I have been watching GTV, and they are one station that is able to reach the remote parts of our country. They need support.”
Alexander Afenyo-Markin Minority Leader
He expressed concern over the declining prominence of GTV in state-sponsored programs and the lack of live broadcasts, attributing these setbacks to inadequate resources
“Mr. Speaker, if it’s about resources, I would again want the Minister of Government Business to program the Minister of Communication and Digitalization to come to this House to brief us on steps that the ministry is taking to resource GBC. Mr. Speaker, they have very nice programs, especially their breakfast show, which is very educative. And if GBC does not get the support, they are likely to collapse.”
Alexander Afenyo-Markin Minority Leader
Galamsey Devastation in Forest Reserves
Shifting his focus, another major issue raised by Afenyo-Markin was the alarming encroachment of illegal miners into Ghana’s forest reserves.
“Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Honorable Armah Kofi-Buah, came to this House to make a certain revelation. That revelation was to the effect that over nine out of our 44 forest reserves have been completely taken over by illegal mining task with impunity.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Forestry Commission no longer has access to these forest reserves in the short term. The forest guards and the Forestry Commission’s rapid response team are unable to confront these miners effectively because they lack the advanced weaponry the Galamsey operators possess.”
Alexander Afenyo-Markin Minority Leader
The Minority Leader criticized the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources for failing to outline immediate interventions to curb the menace.
“Mr. Speaker, the minister only lamented and fell short of assuring the nation what steps the government was going to take to address this with alacrity. Mr. Speaker, based on that, you [should] invite the Leader of Government Business to program the minister to come back and brief us on the intervention that he intends to put in place.”
Alexander Afenyo-Markin Minority Leader
Afenyo-Markin also highlighted the severe water crisis affecting various parts of the country, particularly in Greater Accra. He pointed out that residents are being forced to rely on expensive alternative sources due to shortages.
“Mr. Speaker, in Winneba, the hospitals were complaining that Ghana Water is unable to provide water. We know water is life. Ghana Water has its own challenges, and our water bodies are also being polluted.”
Alexander Afenyo-Markin Minority Leader
Given the dire nature of the situation, he called on the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources to appear before Parliament and outline measures to address the crisis.
The Minority Leader’s statements underscored pressing national concerns, from media freedoms and government support for state institutions to environmental degradation and water shortages.
His call for ministerial accountability signals the Minority’s commitment to ensuring that government officials take proactive steps to address these urgent matters. The ball is now in the court of the Leader of Government Business to ensure that these issues are given the attention they deserve in Parliament.
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