Inside PM Express Interview: Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor ( Majority Chief Whip) Speaks Out

Added: 2026-06-02

[00:00:05]Well, the last time we spoke the issues were completely different and tonight I have the honor to actually host the majority chief who Roxen Nelson Femco and he's our guest uh for tonight. A number of issues to be spoken about uh from the parliamentary front party issues I mean personal issues. Uh the conversation tonight is very rich and remember he's the man who knows a lot about uh you know that that issue that we all want clarity and updates on the the detention of the Asantia North MP.

[00:00:38]Uh he will update us tonight uh on the progress of that issue. In fact it's been 15 days since the arrest of that member of parliament. What has been the update? My guest will give us you know all he knows about that issue. uh and in fact it's been 55 days parliament was on recess they are back a number of issues to I mean this today saw the debate that heated debate in parliament between uh the majority and minority leader on whether e levy is back he will be speaking to us uh on that as well but a litany of issues uh that we'll be speaking about here uh on the show um and also the media budget is coming up uh in July we've had a number of ISS issues where uh the lockdown funds close about 10.5 billion GN savings and loans uh issues as well as those who belong to the uh you know Gold Coast capital are requesting or asking that government should include them uh in the upcoming midyear budget review pick on that. How far with a delta of a murderer uh you know statement investigations and committee report what has been uh the status of that constitutional reform proposals and he knows a lot also about the legal education law the new one I mean he'll be giving us updates also on that implementation of that new uh you know law and what has been in terms of the mining and petroleum space as well there's a lot to actually talk about uh I mean this today we saw a number of papers laid in parliament especially reports coming from the uh private uh public partnership um you know reports and then also the the debt report that has been laid and referred to the uh the finance committee um he knows also a lot about that and other issues that we will be talking about but most importantly will be the makeup of parliament why this the reason why this is important is that currently we we still do not have that independent uh you know MP who decided to do business uh with government. Uh we simply do not know the update on that issue, but as far as I'm concerned, he is the man who knows a lot about this issue and he'll be giving us update also on that. So stay with me.

[00:02:56]There's a lot to actually chew on this evening. Uh after this short break, my guest is Roxen Nelson Dapo, Majority Chief Whip. We'll have a sweet conversation. Trust me, that will happen here on PM Express.

[00:03:13]And tonight's a very special conversation with the majority chief whip and also member of parliament for the good people of Saudi. Honorable Nelson Roxin Democrs issues and all of that. And I know that tonight will be will be bit different because there are a number of issues coming up from the the government space also from parliament the executive you know petitions all over the place from the minority and some other personal uh issues that we'll talk about but the show as you always know is brought to you by cintest tongue it is strong it is tough pepsiden cavity fighter toothpaste and stamic cib Impact series and you already know that if your tongue doesn't have uh the totest sign on it then is not the right one because center stank is built to withstand our Ghanaian weather rain or shine and as you always know it is strong h it is tough and as we eat we all know that foods we eat sugars and food I mean food I mean we know that sugars are trapped and and between our teeth and brushing your teeth at night is very important because sometimes if you don't do that you leave your mouth with decays and sometimes gum disease that's why pepsid and cavity fighter is important important and watching PM Express. I I've always said you need to brush your teeth before you sleep. And let's talk about stumb CIB because some will always see challenges.

[00:04:45]Stanic will will actually see opportunities where others will sees challenges. they'll actually unlock value and that is why the stamic CIB CIB team is very important and you can call them on 030281578 9 to speak to any of their CIB teams or visit stanb bank.com. GH Stan corporates and investment banking driving growth creating sustainable uh impact and that is our sponsors uh for the show. But honorable I wanted to start from your recent post that you made on social media that got you viral and I and I want to read what you actually posted.

[00:05:26]There's the reason why I said we're going to have a sweet show because you said some sweet stuff in that post. She said uh a very special happy birthday wishes to this brilliant woman, a sweet wife and a wonderful mother. From the entire family, we wish you good health and fortitude of mine to continue uh with to transform your beloved Tema as mayor. Tons of love and a mighty heart from me and the kids. Spiritus Invictus, who are you speaking about?

[00:06:00]cuz um speaking about my wife, I was trying to >> wish her like everyone does wish my wife uh a simple birthday, >> M, >> you know, and somehow this spar out of control and so uh that was it. Just wishing a a happy birthday.

[00:06:26]Well, maybe the the reason why that went viral was was was the kind of person involved and the fact that many were shocked that you were able to keep your marriage um from the from the public lens especially your wife was was actually a parliamentary candidate as well and a member of the MP NDC now a term mayor and the fact that you are the majority chief whip and people didn't know that there was that connection uh as far as you know marital status between the two of you maybe that was the reason why it went that viral.

[00:06:57]Right.

[00:06:58]>> Yet um you see it's important that in in public in public service >> as part of your public life you you are able to insulate your family and family life and children from >> what we do you know in the tournament of the >> national politics your children can get hurt >> your family members can get hurt. So as much as possible um you try and I was I was tutored early. I was under the tage of speaker Bagbin and >> General and J Rollins and those people who I got close early. They they they advise you, they they speak to you how to conduct yourself, how to take care of your family, how to uh ensure that your family life is protected, >> you know, from because when people want to come after you, they can decide to go after your children or go after your your family. I I remember about two years ago one of my uh my in fact my adult son >> today so let me use the opportunity to wish my eldest son >> Michelle okay it's a third year >> computer engineering student university of science and techn science and techn >> today is his 21st birthday and he I posted his image you know, and somebody called me and said, "No, that's your son." I said, "Yes, no, take him off." And I said, he said, "No, no, take it off." So, I did.

[00:08:52]>> You know, I think I made a mistake again and posted my youngest son or papa.

[00:08:59]Again, I was reminded. So as much as possible you are ever reminded to ensure that you don't expose your children or your family life too much.

[00:09:10]>> But it's one that you can't you cannot you know take it down. That is the the post you made about your wife because now >> yes. No actually I do that nearly every year. Okay.

[00:09:19]>> If you check but I think this time I added a bit too much.

[00:09:24]>> The sauce was too much. So somebody was able to, you know, my birthday is on the 9th of December.

[00:09:31]>> M >> and so last year, 9th December, she she she also tweeted something. So somebody went back to >> connected. Oh, I see.

[00:09:40]>> Yes. And connected it. Ah, that was when they should have they ought to have known, you know. So these things happened. But I She's a very um hardworking woman, very articulate, very brilliant, smart. is and she's also a politician. So, >> and you try and and keep things tight, you know, these are not things that you you you deposit on billboards and or you you you post them on your chest and and run around with. You you should be able to have a way of, you know, having, you know, undisturbed domestic life.

[00:10:21]>> Interesting. I mean, I like that. But I mean away from the the the personal issues, there's an important point. The last time we we spoke.

[00:10:28]>> Yes.

[00:10:29]>> Um I remember the focus was on the election petitions that the party was was chasing after >> and I know this the subdate. We we know that the party was not able to win the the pandai seat in in other Supreme Courts. The the the judgment went >> the other way. Uh you listed a number of election petitions and seats that were under contention. What's the update so far? Does it include the one that your wife actually contested?

[00:10:54]>> Yes, we actually in court. We are before the Tama High Court.

[00:10:59]>> That's also what people don't know. And so um that's how it is. The Kandai one like I indicated we are back in court and we are on review. And so this matters you you don't talk too much about it. You leave it in the hands of the judges. Review is arguably is actually the highest the end. M and so we are living we are leaving this matters in their capable hands because you see if you look at what happened in Kandai the court up to now hasn't touched the merits of the matter okay what has transpired so far is for the court to pronounce on on technicalities but we are saying that where there is fraud that's been alleged can Can you use technicalities to to not interrogate the issue of fraud because fraud visiates all >> m >> okay and then we also saying that even the constitution mandates that when a decision of a court is disagree with you have within 6 months to appeal as of right and after the 6 months you have another 6 months within which to seek leave to appeal.

[00:12:23]Now these have been re rehashed in our rules of court. So if you read the court of appeal rules, these things are clearly stated but this is specifically in respect of elections. M. Now the PNDC law that says that in in matters of election you have 21 days within which now the argument is whether the terms of this PNC law and the terms of the constitution that guarant that that actually guarantees an enlarged time time limit >> 6 months >> of 6 months.

[00:13:00]>> Okay.

[00:13:01]>> Whether it is not inconsistent >> but these are legal matters.

[00:13:05]>> Interesting argument.

[00:13:05]>> Yeah. These are constitutional arguments. So we'll leave them in the hands of the court and see what happens.

[00:13:10]>> Keep give me an update s. How many cases were you were you know pursuing in court? How many do we have?

[00:13:16]>> So we pursued we the the central one is before the term high court.

[00:13:22]>> Then one which eventually >> central one is the one involving your wife. Right. Okay. Okay. Which is pending. Then we have the ablman one which eventually the electoral commates if you recall. So eventually we had to use some process in parliament to get the electoral commission to go back to agree with the parties using some modalities >> to eventually have that resolved. Then if you recall we also went to court in respect of uh uh equitia.

[00:13:58]>> Yeah.

[00:13:59]in a we lost >> but tragically the the member also died subsequently and we had to go back through a bi-election >> and warn it and then we also pursued um the uh my friend not on prayer but eventually the court found favor found uh in in his favor then the suhom the suhom seats. You know, the candidate was an M PP who decided to go independent and so we were throwing our support behind because we were hoping that if he had won would have come to do business with her but that two eventually didn't go in his favor. Then Timan South. So, Tuman South um North Okar >> Tema >> there were group of seats that we took to the high court.

[00:15:02]>> Yeah.

[00:15:03]>> Then went to the Supreme Court and came back. Yeah.

[00:15:06]>> So as we speak the the high court angle the Supreme Court angle in respect of Timman Timan South and and in fact central but that's a separate action they all pending maybe Pandai.

[00:15:21]>> Yes. No Kandai was a separate one.

[00:15:23]>> Okay.

[00:15:23]>> Uhhuh. But they're all part of the states >> that we we fought for in court.

[00:15:29]>> Let's talk about the Panda issue because it's interesting that you you filed for a review. Yeah.

[00:15:35]>> Any update on that? When are we expecting you know the Supreme Court to >> review is simply procedural.

[00:15:42]>> Okay.

[00:15:43]>> You know it's the procedures are pretty straightforward. So you file your statement of case the respondents are giving leave to also file or sometimes the court will decide that you all file within a certain time frame. So those processes have been done. Now I the the lawyer updated me that I think he missed some deadline. M >> so he's gone back to court to seek leave to file that. I I saw the process. I I don't know whether as of today that leave had been granted.

[00:16:12]>> Now the the Supreme Court decision was on the technical issue of the the 21 days right >> of the Gaz.

[00:16:19]>> Exactly. I I don't know whether the review is is categorically on the technical issues or you are also placing the substantive issue also before the court.

[00:16:29]>> Yes. You know in in review you you're asking the court to review its position given the plethora of evidence available.

[00:16:37]>> The court the court ruled on the technical issue not the main issue right?

[00:16:41]>> Yes and it's a technical issue that travel it was a sa actually >> okay but >> to quash the decision of the of the tal the point is that well you say that a lot in parliament that you cannot >> place something on nothing. Yeah.

[00:16:55]>> So if there are technical issues, why do you have a strong feeling that you could possibly win the >> I action before the the the the substantive court which is the high court was the issue of fraud.

[00:17:11]>> Yeah.

[00:17:12]>> And the court proceeded to go into the merits of the matter.

[00:17:17]>> The court didn't rule in our favor. M >> he didn't rule in the favor of even the the respondents. What did the court say?

[00:17:26]The court says given given the the level of the irregularities that be devil that particular election the electoral commission is directed to do a rerun.

[00:17:39]The court didn't declare the seat for us. It didn't also take it away from the respond. It's only saying that the elections as held on January 7, 2024 cannot pass as a regular election.

[00:17:53]>> And I think that it was a very fair position to take.

[00:17:57]>> How how long how long do you anticipate this matter could travel especially at the Supreme Court?

[00:18:02]Well, um I believe when all the processes are filed, the court will give a date for >> their judgment in the matter.

[00:18:11]>> Okay. Let's let's go more into parliamentary business and and the the business of government. Today I I observe or I watched the proceedings in parliament and the beginning was a bit you know controversial with with that kind of you know uh um debate between the majority and the minority leader. I saw that you got up to the majority leader to to whisper something in his ears and the the main the main conversation was on the the minority saying that well there could be e levy that is back. What is what is the status of that levy? I know the bank of Ghana has actually directed that.

[00:18:46]>> Let me let me tell you what happened.

[00:18:48]>> It should be suspended. Now in in parliament we the order paper the order paper determines how business is conducted the orderliness of it.

[00:19:00]>> Now under uh under order 216 I believe the business committee of which I'm a member programs business for every day every parliamentary sitting day. Now when we do that we generate what we call business statement which guides the priorities of businesses for each day and it's presented on every Friday morning.

[00:19:25]>> M >> so today we had business but it's also captured on the order paper. Now we had hardly finished with in the in terms of the order. We had hardly finished with the correction of rules and proceedings of Friday city than the the minority leader got on his feet and began to make some statements.

[00:19:50]And in order to do that, we ought to have gotten to the the the the portion of the business of the house which is listed under statements.

[00:20:00]>> And being leaders of the house have they have such latitudes. So he he he he got up a bit too early. He jumped the gun.

[00:20:09]So because under the statement they can they can rise under a matter of urgent public importance to make them it would have been in an orderly manner. So my boss said no no no we cannot allow this.

[00:20:24]We cannot get up at any stage of proceedings in parliament and begin to do what ought not to be done.

[00:20:31]>> You do you understand? So, so the the honorable majority lead that was trying to um ensure that procedure as we know it was followed and he was very he was very harsh because he thought that as leader of the house he ought to be a junior member then he the minority leader would have put the junior >> yeah I remember he asking who are you and all of that right >> so so leader was simply ensuring that we follow the rules Even if >> let's let's talk about the substantive issue that the minority leader was trying to raise which is the >> the questions about uh that charge on your direct transfer from your mobile bank account. Yeah.

[00:21:16]>> Only parliament has the >> but the question is no no hold on is I'm answering you only parliament has the mandate under law to impose a tax only parliament >> or a levy.

[00:21:30]Now the announcement came from a private company owned by MTN I believe if that's I think >> I think they are separate now we have the MML which is the fintech side of >> mobile yeah mobile money >> mobile money company >> fintech limited >> good is it owned by MTN >> subsidiary it's it's a subsidiary but it's it's a completely different entity from MTN Ghana that t okay But is it a subsidiary of MTN? But whatever it is, >> a private company announced that for my service, for my service, if you are transferring money from your bank into my into your momu wallet or whatever it is, I will levy a charge of 0.75 Ghana cities.

[00:22:23]>> And the minority is saying that this is an E levy.

[00:22:27]You know the history of E Levy. E Levy came to parliament through a bill properly sponsored by government >> defended by members of government at the time. We fought we fought against it in parliament. It was passed by parliament.

[00:22:44]Is is this is the do we have the same scenario playing out? Now the bank of Ghana is stepping and say no you cannot just get up and impose a levy on financial transactions.

[00:22:56]And so if you intend to do anything like that uh you will come and consult >> you understand in any case if this will be done it has to be brought to parliament for parliament to to enact that that that that law to mandate any entity at all and so it's totally I look they are just they are just trying to push that angle for the sake of propaganda because it is no e levy not in form not in character not in nature at all.

[00:23:28]He has no relationship with E Levy.

[00:23:30]>> But let's let's look at the nature of the of the levy, right?

[00:23:35]>> Now, now, but let me also ask let me also ask you, >> have I disabused your mind with the explanation?

[00:23:41]>> I'm not sure.

[00:23:42]>> You are not sure. So, you also believe that is an E- Levy?

[00:23:45]>> I I don't believe that's why I'm asking you.

[00:23:47]>> I'm not sure.

[00:23:48]>> Well, because my explanation ought to have been abused. So, it is not an E levy. It's a levy. nomenclature wise is not an >> levy. It's a levy. It's a levy that a private intended to impose.

[00:24:01]>> Yes, that that's the reason why my next question for me I think is important.

[00:24:05]Look at the nature of the levy is 0.75 >> pesos >> on every transfer from your mobile money wallet to your bank accounts right and from your bank account I think to your mobile money wallet. Now look at the nature of the e levy that was introduced somewhere 2023 or 2024 I think 2023 it was also the same structure in terms of electronic transfer from your momo to and I remember even with the e levy at a point there was an exemption where if you are transferring to your own bank account there was no e levy right and the reason why people are asking is that this is although MTN is a separate entity from the fintech We all know the number of Ghanaians, the total number of Ghanaians registered, you know, mobile accounts which is now more than 20 30 million you know um I mean accounts and the quantum of transactions that actually happens in this country on a daily basis on a monthly basis and many said that well if majority of us are on this channel and we are going to pay 0.75 pesos on every transfer we make from our momo to our bank account then it possibly qualifies to have the same weight as EV. Don't you think so?

[00:25:18]>> Okay. You are still basing your question on suppositions.

[00:25:22]>> Suppositions I've just told you that this this supposed levy is not backed by any law and the only parliament is mandated under the constitution to impose a tax.

[00:25:36]>> So abin is it is no levy in the nature, character and form of e levy.

[00:25:43]>> Maybe not from government.

[00:25:44]>> No. Yes, but if it's not from government, how can you impose it?

[00:25:48]>> But a private entity is imposing it.

[00:25:50]>> No. So, so it may be a service charge, but even then because we are a fintech, Bank of Ghana says, "No, let us let us review the nature and character of the service charge.

[00:26:02]>> But you see my our political opponents won't call it a service charge."

[00:26:06]>> They want to you see it's like give you a a dog a bad a bad name and hang it. M >> they want to say that it is E Levy so that they can they can even the the dise equilibrium.

[00:26:18]>> Do you understand >> that oh the NP introduced E Levy >> and it it met the displeasure of the of the multitude of Ghanaians and therefore the NDC is also using a backdoor approach to introduce E Levy and therefore we are the same. We are never the same.

[00:26:36]>> Well, of course I agree with you that.

[00:26:37]>> No. So, so you >> you have a voice >> your media your media platform which >> reaches out to millions of viewers and listeners.

[00:26:47]>> So to you yourself so that you can reformulate your questions from tomorrow morning. It is no e levy because it is not backed by any legislation.

[00:26:58]It's not it's not even an intended bill meant for parliament.

[00:27:03]This is coming in the form of a service charge and the bank of Ghana has called has called them out and say no stop it >> suspend it suspend it and come for stop it suspend whatever it is there's a blockade you cannot impose it you must come for further explanation or consultation so the attempt to label it as e levy fails flat it falls flat it won't fly but but but doesn't have the same impact and weight as EV.

[00:27:35]>> No. So the issue that you speak of as being similar >> in terms of the rate the EV was 1.5.

[00:27:43]Have you forgotten? It wasn't 0.75.

[00:27:46]When we proposed even when my my leader at the time my >> that was a proposed >> Yeah. He proposed 1 CD.

[00:27:53]>> Yeah.

[00:27:53]>> It was shut down.

[00:27:55]>> Then it came to 1%.

[00:27:57]>> Did it?

[00:27:58]>> No. they they they impose 1.5 earlier and then in the course of the implementation they drop it to 1%.

[00:28:05]>> So it has no relationship with this.

[00:28:08]This is a service charge.

[00:28:09]>> A service charge which is 0.75%.

[00:28:12]>> Right? Service charges are normally a percentage of what they do or a flat rate. M >> the banks today me my account every every every month my my bankers NIB they send me what do they send me alerts sometime you see three cities deducted from my account for what they tell you for maintaining the account that's a service fee you understand so I am saying that this is a service fee is never in the nature character and form of e levy it's not backed by No, it's not backed by it's not sponsored by government. It's not sponsored by even a government agency.

[00:28:54]>> So these are the clear material distinctions.

[00:28:58]So don't be hoodw by a >> No, I'm asking the question from behalf of of the ordinary Ghanaian who are who actually looking for explanation in communicating this matter to ordinary Ghanaians. M >> I will urge you to to to make the point that this is not sponsored by government not introduced by a government agency is not backed by a law before parliament a bill that is pending before parliament to warrant this sort of discussion. So the discussions must be tailored in in context and that the company must be the the questions must be directed at the company the basis for which they'll be they'll be levy a service t of this >> but but parliament is is the master of all laws. So the reason why I'm asking is that if you look at the the effects, >> yeah, >> can parliament come in at a point to actually save >> you're still insisting and believing that it's in the nature of e away from that. You you've clarified that it's not e levy is far from that. I'm asking >> that before even the bank of Ghana came in to suspend it. Was there a point where parliament had that you know power to say that well a private entity possibly should suspend the implementation of such levy or such you know >> I believe I believe that the remedy wouldn't lie with parliament but parliament cannot >> stop a private entity from levying a service charge >> okay >> it it may be it may be a beneficiary >> of that system who may go to court and say that no uh based on ABCD reasons they think that they're in position ition of this service charge is lawful or unlawful.

[00:30:36]>> It cannot take parliament to stop it.

[00:30:39]>> Do you understand what I'm saying?

[00:30:41]>> But it's being stopped because because it's it's not backed by I I believe that as part of the regulations that the central government has.

[00:30:51]>> Yeah. It's a fintech. So definitely and the bank of Ghana. Yeah. Not the Ministry of Communication.

[00:30:56]>> Yes. So they are saying that no you can't impose it.

[00:31:00]>> Okay. So away from that I want to stop more.

[00:31:02]>> So the government should rather be commended for stopping this. I believe I believe as part of the media communication should do that. The government his excellency John Dmani's Mama's government the NDC government should be commended.

[00:31:15]>> Well you've explained this. I'm sure people understand >> for stopping this service charge from a private company that has been couched in a manner to confuse the people as though a levy that is addressed in this manner.

[00:31:30]It is not okay at all.

[00:31:32]>> That point well made. But let's let's talk about the issue that almost everybody in this country wants you know update on is the the detention of their Santi not MP right. you are the I mean the authority in terms of the information.

[00:31:49]He's he called you first when he was detained and you actually said that you went you were actually far away but you had to pick his call and did the connections and and and you gave update about how you were putting together a legal team and then also a diplomatic team. Uh it's been 15 days now. What is the status? What is the status at the moment? Is it still in Amsterdam? Hasn't been extradited to the US. what is the status of the of the member of parliament?

[00:32:16]>> Okay. So, um it speaks to this matters with some reservation. It's it's not >> it's not easy to have my caucus member.

[00:32:30]>> If you understand the work of the chquip you the welfare of members, >> it's your responsibility.

[00:32:35]>> It's your responsibility. So um but let me commend my leader for the leadership that he's given so far honorable Ma Maya.

[00:32:46]So the update that the families were also with me I believe last Friday they also got some updates. So um the lawyers have successfully filed for his bill today.

[00:33:02]>> Okay. They filed a bill today successfully and so we are praying that they'll be given a hearing sometime within the week um so that the bill hearing can be expeditiously conducted.

[00:33:18]Um every support that we can give from parliament uh we have given the government has also supported um the foreign minister has been able to um coord has been able to coordinate um the the work of the our ambassador to the H >> ambassador Edison I mean trying to support and offer him every assistance and ces that are available so that he can competently defend himself in the preliminary hearing in terms of the bail application.

[00:34:02]So that's where we have >> but where is he now at the moment? Is he still in? Yes, he's still in in in custody >> in Amsterdam. And so the hearing will be done in in the Dutch court in the H in Amsterdam. Let's let's look at what the speaker said you know when parliament resumed. He made a statement that people were trying to make some level of inference about whether this was about the Asantia not MP the speaker saying that well law enforcement agencies do not need don't need his you know approval before they can arrest members of parliament. Uh do you think that that statement possibly came at a at a time where we in a very sensitive moment where a a member of your caucus was was in detention because there were there were arguments about whether the speaker knew about it and why the US didn't trust our system and why was he arrested okay >> somewhere else and not in Ghana. And then came the speaker statement on on he not needing approval from >> understand what the old man said. Yeah.

[00:35:05]I call him sometimes my father >> if I understand what father said at the time >> it was after he had given some by way of announcement that we have we have been notified of the unfortunate arrest of member for Asantia Chimnoff and that we have as parliament as an organ of state we've offered every assistance and support we could at the time or up to that time when he was speaking and that if there is any further development >> he would brief the nation or he will inform the nation and the the the update I'm giving now came just about an hour ago the successful filing of the of the bill application because we we knew that today it will be done >> but why did it take that long >> it's been no this are these are >> bigger issues >> people you know when I spoke people said how is it possible that you can arrest somebody with that? Look things things are not uniform in in in the world things things are done differently >> you know and if you if you look at the warrants it's a very t warrant test you know just like one two paragraph that's all doesn't disclose any look so but but he's been detained as a result of that do you understand >> and so but luckily >> fortitely The bail has been successfully filed. I think that's where we are by tonight.

[00:36:43]It's been done. Tomorrow I intend to brief the old man and brief my leader and uh the clerk that this is where we are and tomorrow is not I don't know whether it's a holiday in Holland even though it's it >> I don't know it's a public holiday.

[00:36:59]>> There was a there was a public holiday this week in Holland but I'm not sure.

[00:37:03]the lawyer says um they are >> they are asking for expeditious hearing within the week within the week. Today is Tuesday.

[00:37:10]>> Yeah.

[00:37:11]>> So if they are granted that application then it means by Friday we should be um hearing some some news about the outcome of the bill. So I want to use this opportunity for um to to pray the entire nation to to remember my brother in their prayers. the family uh they need our support, emotional support. Um our colleagues in parliament, everybody should remain calm. Um we think that he will he will succeed. He will prevail with the bill application. You see it's a matter that is being investigated as for investigations.

[00:37:53]He can continue you know so but he should have his interim freedom to be able to do his work. He will not evaporate and go anywhere. He will not be a fugitive of justice. He's an elected representative of the of the of the parliament of the National Assembly of Ghana.

[00:38:11]>> So does does his detention have any form of >> you know image impact on parliament?

[00:38:19]>> Well any arrest of any member of parliament will certainly have an image impact on parliament >> with the status and the way he was arrested. No, no, no.

[00:38:28]>> And detention for 15 days.

[00:38:30]>> Me?

[00:38:31]>> Me?

[00:38:31]>> I was arrested in a rambusta because I jumped a red light >> in your in your own country.

[00:38:37]>> Yeah. Yes. Not that I intentionally, but it was yellow and you know how these things I was arrested and practically wanted they wanted to handcuff me as a member of parliament. It happened to my brother Suzu to the extent that it became headline news. My deputy leader at the time, the honorable amu, the now minister for lands and natural resource.

[00:39:00]As for him, he was arrested. He was prosecuted. He was arrested, ared before CP and actually convicted >> and fined. We can't believe that a a deputy minority leader. You do you understand what I'm saying? So these things it's >> but I I love that you you you mentioned this you actually give this list and that's why I love comparative >> an you know not not too long ago I what I'm saying is that in the recent past >> in this country >> but look at the nature of his arrest >> where he is at the moment the fact that he's been detained for 15 days we have written to the FBI and they've decided to keep mute about the reason for his arrest I don't know whether you have any update whether you've been given reasons for his arrest but there are a number of issues >> have been vindicated >> speculating >> if the FBI had put out the reasons for his arrest I believe would have been all over media space now so vindication lies in the womb of time when you applied >> by way of request they deny him they didn't tell you >> have they has parliament written to them to also ask for >> they've requested for some information we have supplied but >> did that include the reason for his arrest No, no, no, no. What I'm saying is that they requested for some information >> from parliament.

[00:40:22]>> From parliament >> and you we have written.

[00:40:24]>> Did you also request for any information from them? Why?

[00:40:28]>> Why should we we >> but we we need to know the reason for his arrest? He's been detained for 15 days.

[00:40:33]>> Yes. So, we have lawyers in the matter.

[00:40:37]They are fighting for him to get >> and the lawyers have not requested for the reason for his arrest. Now they've I know that they've requested >> what is the update now the the what I what I know what I know is that they say he's under investigations >> for what for if if if if I remember from what the lawyer told me for fraud or listen no fud fraud >> and or I think money laundering >> you understand under investigations Now do you detain somebody for this long for under investigations? That is why we are saying that we should allow the bail application to be gone into and then we'll see how he goes. But but I mean the the charge or the the the reason for his arrest here is is heavy compared to maybe you jumping a red light.

[00:41:37]>> Why?

[00:41:37]>> I mean fraud and and moneyaundering. No, not even on the tangent of bill granting him bill but in terms of the kind of image he's brought to parliament the the damage he's allegation my brother yes but of course I understand it's an allegation but but this is the reason given by those who have detained him >> and I'm asking that the fact that is even just an allegation alone has some level of impact you mentioned the fact that >> that is not how our law our laws work our laws says you are innocent until proven guilty.

[00:42:13]>> Anybody, anybody, in fact, even me, an allegation of some sort can be brought against me. Does that does that immediately render me >> he's not convicted anyway? He's not guilty anyway.

[00:42:27]>> In fact, the phrase is that he's under investigation.

[00:42:29]>> But don't you think it's concerning that a member of parliament, whether alleged or not, is under investigation for fraud and and and and moneyaundering? Why haven't we investig Isn't Isn't the the prosecutotorial institutions in this country, the AG's office, the Yoko SFO investigating members of parliament for similar allegations?

[00:42:54]>> Aren't we aren't members of parliament in court in this country for similar or more allegations?

[00:43:00]>> This has international outlook.

[00:43:02]>> No, a crime is a crime. Allegation of a crime is an allegation of a crime. Do do you understand what I'm what I'm saying? So the fact that it's another country that is making this allegation doesn't make it less of a crime or less of an allegation of a crime.

[00:43:19]>> So let's let's look at the extradition treaty between Ghana and the US.

[00:43:25]What made it so difficult for the US to entrust you know such powers in our hands that well this is what we are getting about this member of parliament.

[00:43:34]Can you help us with with some questioning arrest? Why must he arrested? You see, you may have to ask the US ambassador >> cuz I'm not. Now, the other the other question that >> uh my my sister Amanda Clinton >> spoke too eloquently the last time was that normally this these warrants are advertised and publicized on the Interool website. I think people have gone to dig and there's nothing.

[00:44:04]>> Yeah.

[00:44:05]>> Okay. There's nothing. So it's we all we all befled by the non notice okay the non notice to either the man himself or to the government of which is is an elected member of parliament of or any any relevant agency here but I cannot speak for them. My concern as his whip, as his colleague in parliament is to pray that within the laws that govern, you know, we are we all we are an international committee of of of nations that observe laws. M >> so I believe that the laws provides how certain things be done and if there are procedural lapses I believe that we will reach them and he can he may on those basis the court in Amsterdam may find favor with him and grant him the intering reprieve. Maybe finally on on on this issue, do you think that it's it's still prudent to go ahead with the with the extradition treaty between the two countries? Because recently we've handed a number >> it's still prudent >> on behalf of Ghana >> on behalf of Ghana because there are those who have the argument that this is a disadvantage for us because you look at how robust their legal system is possibly are not getting the same thing here but I know a number of people have been able to block their extradition even in Ghana. But look at the number of Ghanaians we've handed over especially to the US and how difficult it has been for Ghana to to bring you know certain people from the US to Ghana. Many said that well if there if there's no balance why still continue. Now I I don't think there's any nation on planet earth that enjoyed a balanced relationship with the US in anything.

[00:46:00]>> Let let me let me be that blunt. Let me be that blunt. Even in our in our consular relations, you will hardly hear an American denying visa.

[00:46:14]America wishing to visit Ghana. You will hardly hear unless for some stated major offense.

[00:46:22]They are normally granted visa to visit.

[00:46:25]But thousands of Ghanaians apply for visas and we are turned down for some reasons. But the relationship continues in all other African countries in some relationship with with the US. The US enjoys the dominant partnership in those relationships. So that cannot be a basis to discontinue an agreement that is in place. M >> we can always look forward to having an equal opportunity or equal rights in terms of implementation of >> which we are struggling to get right are we not >> in terms of many >> in terms of many so that so I I'm trying to make a generic analysis here that it's no in respect of only the extradition relationship in consular relationship even in commercial agreements now are you aware aware that this country we entered into an agreement with the US and um under Nado I believe for them to have a base a US base here military base here >> that I was spoken about. Yeah.

[00:47:32]>> Good. Have you looked at the terms of that relationship?

[00:47:37]All right. To the extent that when when Americans come here, they are not even subjected to any any check. They bring equipment and all and they use our facilities. If you read the terms of the agree but we signed.

[00:47:51]>> So as a people we can question how sometime lopsided the terms of the agreement are. We can do that >> but it cannot be a basis for us to say we discontin the relationship. There will be nothing of the sort. Let's let's let's do um something on party issues, right? Why why is your party running to thank you talks?

[00:48:19]Why gratitude is everything in life? M >> so when a people it's even biblical it's Christian >> it's religious to show gratitude >> when a favor has been done you so when the multitude of Ghanaians and the thank you to is not only for NDC people >> I I I think that is where the communication has been totally >> is directed >> the thank you to by the president and and and mind you this is not his first thank you tour. He has done the thank you tour already. This is a reset tour, reset agenda tour.

[00:49:05]>> I still have thank you to >> no. Yes.

[00:49:07]>> Yeah.

[00:49:08]>> So you see he's done the thank you tour.

[00:49:09]He visited every region >> after the after his installation.

[00:49:15]>> Yeah.

[00:49:16]Now the national chairman the party felt that when we were campaigning we did constituencies but because of a time limited at the disposal of the president he couldn't do the individual 276 constituences.

[00:49:36]>> So he did 16 regions. So there's a deficit and it ought to be done quickly. So the national chairman or the party headed by the national chairman decided to now visit the various constituencies in the various regions explaining you know there's been some disquite about job opportunities and all. So he's been explaining the difficulties we came to meet the efforts being made to ensure that our interest of our base is met.

[00:50:09]That is specifically to the party.

[00:50:12]Now the president is thanking communities.

[00:50:16]>> So when he goes he's not meeting only NDC people in community. It's meeting chiefs queen mothers market women and expousing his policies renewing policies underpinning the agenda.

[00:50:30]>> So the president the president needed somebody to do the kett razor before he goes.

[00:50:34]>> No no no no. I have told you that the in fact the the the national chairman's tour is rather the president's thank you to preceded that of the national chairman's tour of the constituencies >> so I want everybody to appreciate the distinction the president told the regions because of limitation of time the national chairman is touring the constituencies which are which are many >> okay that that's your explanation That is not no please please >> that's what you you think is the the >> no that is not that is that is it >> the reason why I'm asking >> any other person who is saying something different may not be in the NDC or doesn't that doesn't even understand what's happening you need to ask questions >> then there there is somebody >> yes >> who was the former minority leader >> yes >> currently the education minister >> who believes that what the president is doing is the proper Thank And what someone else is doing though he didn't mention any other person's name is just a kitten razor and this is the proper one definitely or certainly there's somebody in your party who believes or who doesn't you know believe in the analogy you you're painting at the moment I I I think that if you watch I I know what you speak of talk to me about it yes if you if you watch carefully what the honorable Harona said >> I think he said it in just if if you saw his demeanor and not all I think he said it in just in >> yes because um I don't think it was by it was something he was saying by way of policy or anything it was things said in justest do you understand what I'm saying >> so I don't think he's trying to discredit or discount what the national chairman has done >> cuz the national chairman is the chairman of the party in government.

[00:52:33]>> Mhm.

[00:52:34]>> And he didn't begin the his tour of the constituencies yesterday. He began them in fact last year.

[00:52:42]>> M >> in fact he came to my constituency I think last year as part of his talks. He came to the VA regime and came to my constituency last year. He's trying to finish the other outstanding constituencies. M.

[00:52:57]>> So I think you the media are rather trying to look for trouble where there's none and making a storm out of a teacup.

[00:53:09]And >> well I'm not I'm not sure that is the case because if well >> actually is rather making a storm in a teacup.

[00:53:18]>> Let's let's let's let's if if you listen to your your party chairman especially on on leadership issues in parliament, right? He says, "Well, I was the coach in the leadup to the election and I believe that if we really needed if we wanted to win the election or if we had to win the election, we had to make some changes especially in parliament where we changed the the leadership in parliament the the the minority leader was changed. Um Harry Niger changed to Kalata force and a number of leaders were also changed. This is certainly a party chairman who didn't believe that harinu then possibly could not lead a party to victory and you have harrisu also making a point about he doing possibly making curtain raises for the president in terms of the thank you talk. Don't you think that there's any form of you know friction between the two? Although both of them have said that well there is no friction but politically you can actually send that >> is you the media who are stoking these fires >> and I don't think that it's good for you to do that. I think the the position of the national chairman when he went to Tamil South >> then of course the the somebody asked that question and he tried to explain but what the media what you have done you the media have done is to focus on the earlier part of his submission and completely gloss over the latter part of the same explanation. Talk to me about that. He said as as the coach and he he he disclosed that when he took that decision the flag buyer disagree with him and he disagreed with the for disagreeing with him >> and insisted that it ought to be done.

[00:55:08]>> Now that had been done and victory has come. So we've all put that behind us and he had gone ahead to actually advocate for executive appointment for the two and they have been appointed and so they have been working together well ever since. Well, where is the problem in this? So much so that you the media will forget about that and focus on a matter that happened 3 4 years ago.

[00:55:37]>> So So you you you think that for the chairman of the party to say that what the leadership we had in parliament then was not that strong enough to win as an election is not a problem.

[00:55:47]Do you know how many leaderships I have seen in parliament and served under in parliament?

[00:55:55]James Aji was a deputy leader. He was part of the change that occurred.

[00:56:01]>> Now the honorable atu forcing came he came with the honorable amibua and the honorable govern.

[00:56:09]They have also been changed.

[00:56:11]>> They've taken new position.

[00:56:12]>> Yes. But that's that's that's a change.

[00:56:14]I mean if they hadn't received executive appointment perhaps they may not also have continue as leaders and we have coming >> do you understand so there's always change in leadership in parliament some stay long some don't stay long so how will how will you how will you feel as the majority chief whip >> yes if the chairman of the political party says that well I don't believe that your leadership is strong enough to win us an election don't you think that that's an indictment Ah but no but you are evaluated and he did you see let's let's also make >> so so you speak about no no you speak about evaluation does that mean that Harry Nigo didn't pass the evaluation >> I don't know but I'm saying that the chairman has given a reason he said he got to a time he needed to change to make changes >> and he did that and we won the match that was the the analogy he he he He he submitted and so he should rather be applauded for being an effective coach making changes and winning the match.

[00:57:24]Sometime you may be the best player but it will come to a time you may have to be substituted.

[00:57:30]>> That's that's the language he put out.

[00:57:32]Now I did appoint myself.

[00:57:36]Do you understand? is the party that appointed me. Is the party that appointed my bossy is the party that appointed the deputy also my boss Rick Sean is the party that appointed my two deputies. We are five in fact in choosing committee leadership is the party that has the major say as to who which MP should lead which committee to chair which committee or second chair which committee or rank which committee.

[00:58:05]So the party makes this decision. Nobody in parliament in some leadership or extended leadership position appointed himself.

[00:58:14]>> Do you understand? We also don't elect leaders. We appointed by the party.

[00:58:22]>> Do do you understand me? Even the caucuses that we have the regional caucuses is the caucus members that decide who and who become their caucus leaders.

[00:58:32]>> So So what what was the reason? I don't know. But we've not gotten any substantive reason why. I know um there was an argument about the fact that the election was big in the leadup to the election. That's why you needed somebody who >> the election was was was big on um economy in the leadup to the election.

[00:58:50]The economy was a big issue. Maybe that's the reason why you had to change from Harry Naidu to Dr. Castella to Foren. But there are those who are still asking what sort of assessment did you do and what was the reason backing the removal of the Den leadership to replace it with the one that the chairman claims won the election. Uh but do you are you following the insistence of those who are looking for a reason that is non-existent or you want to follow the official reason given >> what's the official reason >> you just mentioned >> if you >> that's one of them if you just no no is it just one issue >> no no even if it's one >> a position was was given that because the election will be fought on economic terms that's why they think that at should come I think if you Google And and I think that should suffice and and and to be told the work we did under Haruna >> and I was very close with him and Haruna and Muntaka was the work at Abuja and um Amaku were built on moving into it.

[00:59:59]>> So why couldn't they finish?

[01:00:01]>> I don't know. But I'm saying that in in in parliament in leadership you don't appoint yourself. is the party that makes the decision and the party is not a oneman party. The party is constituted by regional executives, consu executives, branch executives, um a functional executive and a national executive committee.

[01:00:22]>> Was this a consensus decision?

[01:00:23]>> We even have we even have a political committee made up of nearly all the political heavyweights in the in the party.

[01:00:31]>> Was this decision based on consensus?

[01:00:32]>> But can one person remove leadership in party? the candidates your candidate then disagreed no the the candidate then in the person of John Romani Mahama >> disagreed with the position of the of the the chairman >> and clearly you can make an inference that this was a chairman's decision how is that the chairman's decision because the candidate then disagreed if the candidate disagreed it should rather tell you that it means the party is not controlled by one person >> you understand it means that the party is not controlled by one person that is rather what the message that you should get from that.

[01:01:08]So this insistence and pushing for some some voodoo is is non-existent. But but they had also say that that change you made in parliament although possibly warn you the election in 2024 that has created a certain false line that will be difficult for you to repair.

[01:01:31]>> How is that?

[01:01:34]We also say that that will be tested in your internal election possibly next year.

[01:01:38]>> I believe that when you ask the question, you should wait for some answers.

[01:01:43]>> Okay? And and don't push don't push.

[01:01:46]>> No, I I need I'm asking you go ahead with that. Now the response I have is that with that team and are you not here when the honorable Harris honorable Maka mobilize and let campaign in the north and in the shanti in the shanti region for the first time we actually won eight seats if the honorable montaka didn't contribute you think we would have doubled the number of seats we had in Asanti region it look it took a lot of efforts from In the north, the number of seats we recaptured and some of the new ones that we have never won was through the instrumentality of the honorable Haronu.

[01:02:32]They supported at leadership. So this renewed attempt to to to drive a wedge between them and I I I I don't I don't see where this was at for leadership or they work for the president. The flag bearer did >> I speak of parliament.

[01:02:50]I speak of asking you about we were no no hold on issues we were 137 MPs in that parliament now we are 189 and I'm telling you that when under two forces leadership >> the two the two leaders who were removed or who who were asked to give way for the new leaders to come supported the then their new leadership And I believe that we should focus on that. Maka supported harris supported.

[01:03:26]They took zooms and move into the field. They mobilized resources and mobilized voters and and with and the result showed their efforts on the ground.

[01:03:36]>> Maybe maybe the opportunity cost of not supporting was greater than supporting.

[01:03:41]>> That's a theory you are pushing and that theory will fall flat. But who wants to who wants to live in opposition? That's why maybe they supported but they may have grievances.

[01:03:50]>> But but even if they have grievances, I don't see it.

[01:03:55]>> You have to weigh their contribution in this government.

[01:03:58]>> You don't see it.

[01:03:59]>> You don't see it in the body language of the of Harry when he speaks about the chairman of the party and the chairman of the party when he speaks about the removal process.

[01:04:10]>> You don't see any line.

[01:04:11]>> Is this the first time the the national chairman will be responding to questions about the change that happened? Maybe not in this nature.

[01:04:18]>> No, this is not the first time.

[01:04:20]>> He's always been explaining even at rallies, even at meetings, opport when opportunity come, people ask, he's always spoken this way. But the the portion that you the media, some of you have always decided not to focus on is the unity that that that was fostered after that process going into the election which delivered this massive results. If we were disunited, we couldn't have delivered this massive results. We couldn't have.

[01:04:53]And now the effort is to maintain the number of seats that we have and also to increase it if we can. You're talking about maintenance, right? Or maintaining the number of seats you have and the momentum you have. you're going possibly going into the I mean you're going into the next election without the leadership of the current president who was then your flag bearer and definitely >> the surveys that we have seen and polls we have seen shows that there is some level of competition within the party when the president leaves and with the the number of people who are hoping to replace him where many believe that there are false lines between them. Do you think that the party is possibly yet to face the worst when it comes to internal party elections?

[01:05:39]>> Do you know when we faced the west?

[01:05:41]>> Talk to me about it.

[01:05:42]>> When the great Jerry Rollins left, >> people thought that was the end of the NDC, >> but we >> You lost the following election.

[01:05:50]>> No, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on. People thought that was the end of the NDC >> because um somehow we lost the 2000 elections. Mhm.

[01:06:04]>> to President Kufur. All right. And so going to a position without the front the front and the doineering leadership of Geronis because he had to take a backstage. People thought that was that was going to be our denum >> our end our unraveling of the end of the NDC.

[01:06:28]But we rose from the ashes like the furnace.

[01:06:33]and came back returned bigger stronger with professor Mills.

[01:06:38]>> All right.

[01:06:40]Now, Professor Mills tragically left us.

[01:06:45]His vice stepped in and has provided very solid leadership since then. Even as president contesting, he was contested. Have you forgotten?

[01:06:56]>> Yeah, he was contested. You you are you you are aware that he was contested hotly and people thought that contest was going to to to to render the NDC as no we again molded together and return much more stronger.

[01:07:19]>> But do you believe that contest was hot?

[01:07:22]Do you believe it was hot?

[01:07:23]>> It was >> with with the president winning more than 80% of the votes. Was it hot? No.

[01:07:29]>> For people who who actually served under him to line up to contest him, you is the same you media people say, it means that we didn't they didn't have trust in him. Those were some of the punchlines you were told. But the people decided the party people decided that no, we we'll reinvest our trust in him. What if that was a strategy? By whom? Why people who are contesting how will they met their strategy? But what the NDC is capable of doing is that we are capable of of of re re regroup. We regroup quickly. We are capable of regrouping quickly after the battle is done to face the external foe because once we were done with the in-house battle, our focus tends to the the the external f. Yeah.

[01:08:26]>> Now with the issue of GMs, GM's obvious living the same.

[01:08:33]>> Now you use the phrase leadership.

[01:08:38]He may not be in the front >> but he will still be available God willing to provide leadership to provide guidance to provide he is going to be our only surviving president.

[01:08:51]You understand?

[01:08:52]>> In the NDC >> in the NDC because we've lost Jerry Rollins. We've lost props and mills.

[01:08:58]You understand? Those were our former presidents that the party folded.

[01:09:05]You are you getting the point? So he's going to be available to provide very solid and stable leadership to whoever will make the flag bearer of the party. Now, now camps are forming.

[01:09:21]We we are we we are getting indications of that especially towards your next >> general election. I I didn't get a question.

[01:09:27]>> Yeah. Camps are forming >> camps.

[01:09:29]>> Camps. Yeah.

[01:09:30]>> Says who?

[01:09:32]>> Says reports we are seeing and and intelligence we are getting the source of that report.

[01:09:35]>> And in fact if there say your your party chairman do is on a thank you tour but he's also campaigning for himself for flag bearer.

[01:09:46]The number one I I don't know I speak to speak to the party chairman >> ever often >> even today we spoke >> but I haven't had opportunity to ask him about this >> what I do know is that he's been doing this tour from about April 2025 >> just when JM um finished with the appointment of ministers and did the regional tours and then the deficit of not visiting the constituencies came up and mind you came up at the national executive meeting that complaints were coming that the the old man came around and they understood but the party ought to come the old man you mean President Mama but the party ought to come to the grounds and come and show gratitude because they fought hard. We've been we've been in opposition for 8 years and so he had been doing this for the past one year. You know, logistical mobilization to visit one and 16 conencies is no joke. So he's been doing it methodically. I think he will soon finish. So his movement to go to the people to the constituencies and thank the party people and stakeholders like chiefs and queen mandates and some groups who supported us didn't start yesterday and so I don't know how that dubtails or feed into some agenda of campigning as a flag. I I know you want to come in but but there are those who say that just by doing that or putting him in that position you are offering him an unfair advantage over possibly those who will decide to contest him if he decide that he's contest. I I think the question you should ask the people is that is the is the chairman going around claiming to be to be a flag bearer or is >> he decides to hold >> you see that is an intention you are you now you are imputing proper motives to him >> the questions I'm asking >> no you are imputing proper motive what if hold on if you hadn't gone wrong you the media would have said the NDC chairman is sitting down and he's not visiting the party in the in the in the in the hinterlands in the parties in crisis. He's just sitting in a car.

[01:12:14]>> Did he do a similar tour in 2020 >> 2021 when he lost the >> Yes, we were in opposition. Go and check the records.

[01:12:22]>> Was it was it that visible like we are seeing now?

[01:12:24]>> It was you see because we were in opposition people thought that it was a matter of cause. Even NPs were asked to contribute at the time. Anytime he visited we asked to support cuz we were in opposition. M >> he did it. He kept to my constituency.

[01:12:41]In fact, that one he visited three zones >> in my constituency. He visited PE, he visited Piki, he visited Tongo.

[01:12:50]We took him to the Germany market when we you know 2020 we actually won.

[01:12:57]So that was when he went to tell the people that we have moved from 106 to 137 and he wants to assure them that we were we had won the elections but we were cheated so they should keep faith with us and that in 2024 he's going to lead the team and and he will annihilate the NP those were some of the messages he took round and that was general for you.

[01:13:25]So it is not true that this is the first time he's doing thank you tour as chairman after a general election. No. And that one to took so long. It took so long for him to complete the tour.

[01:13:42]Well, I really love that. I mean, I really wanted to ask more questions about that, but unfortunately time will not allow it. So I want to ask about your position on the office of the special prosecutor. The president seem to have a different position. He says that well the office needs time. You have made a fiscal you know um argument about the fact that if you look at how much we have spent on the office >> there is no correlation between that and the work that the office has done so far. What is your current position on?

[01:14:11]Have you changed your mind based on the recommendations made by the president or what the president actually suggested?

[01:14:16]>> I have of course I believe in the wisdom of the president. So, and this is not the first time you asking since we disengaged from that enterprise.

[01:14:27]But I believe that like the president said, he himself knows that the OSP could do better.

[01:14:33]>> And so if you recall, he said we should disengage and that we should all give the OSP the second chance so that we give them time to blossom. Now, how do we want them to blossom? We've given them a mandate under the OSP act to establish regional offices.

[01:14:54]>> Don't be cocooned in Ara and seek to fight crime. Crime is not only good terminus to the people or the lifestyle in the capital in metropolitan NAR in term. No, if you check the auditor general's report, crime is pervasive in the districts within the assembly especially because of peering and and a deliberate deliberate decision on on behalf on on the part of public servants to simply ignore the law and do what they will do and pila from the public purse. So have district offices also have regional offices to coordinate your offices in the various districts.

[01:15:38]If if every district knows that there is an OSP office of the special prosecutor officer resident in the district >> certain things will happen in the assemblies and some of the statutory agencies operating in the district.

[01:15:51]>> So do you still believe do you believe that they need time? Yes, you need time.

[01:15:55]But when you are not committed to expanding, then I have a problem with you. Then I have a problem. Then I will question why we give you so much money and yet you are you are you are delivering so little.

[01:16:08]>> Okay. Yeah.

[01:16:09]>> Now maybe final one will be on legal education.

[01:16:12]>> Yeah.

[01:16:12]>> For the status.

[01:16:14]>> Now again let me commend his excellency for this bill >> for asented. We were told that he won't ascent to it. where you asented to say the implementation will happen this year but you see the implementation is being ruled out now the council I know that some efforts are being made to get the councils established under section one of the law to be constituted and to be sworn in >> then the council again will set up what we call the national examinations uh board is it board of committee and then They will appoint a director general registra. They will be the principal officers to deal with the accredititation matters and this should all happen in the then in the next couple of months.

[01:17:04]>> Okay.

[01:17:04]>> So that some roll out can be done for provisional accreditation under section I believe section 21 of the law. Once that is done and the institutions who put in application are granted provisional licenses they can then roll out admission. So, so, so will there be a uniform entrance exams across the various institutions or the institutions have their own independent you know ways and means?

[01:17:29]>> No, under section under section 451A >> we introduce entrance exam and that is specifically in respect of entry onto the LLB level.

[01:17:40]>> Okay. Okay. Now we do not intend any entrance exams when you are moving from after completion of LLB to enter into the professional which is just one year.

[01:17:53]>> Okay.

[01:17:54]>> But we are also not saying that when you enter when you enter into the training to become a lawyer you will not be examined. And so I've been making the point that no law student fears examinations. So how how was how was students transitioned from LLB to main street there be exams what what will be there you see under section 453 >> we are leaving that modality in the hands of the council >> okay >> but it will be uniform so when you enter inst >> across all the institutions nobody will have a different admission criteria and it is the council that will make that determination so when you enter University of Capo's law school and you obtain your LLB and you don't even want to pursue the professional then you come to say UPSA or my own school University of Ghana Law School you will just apply in pursuance of the admission modalities available.

[01:18:50]>> Okay.

[01:18:51]>> Yeah.

[01:18:51]>> So, so final one before we go will be >> LGBTQ bill.

[01:18:56]>> Yeah.

[01:18:57]>> When should we expect it passage party says it will be passed?

[01:19:00]>> The report will be laid on Thursday. The report is ready. It will be in fact two of them that one plus the I believe interstate section bill.

[01:19:12]>> Yes. The committee has done it work.

[01:19:14]They will be laying the report on Thursday. When is laid we can we can take the report debate it. That's as part of the principles for second reading and adopt it. Once it's adopted we move into consideration.

[01:19:28]Consideration we can even decide to do consideration on Friday and pass. You see the LGBT bill, the family, the Ghanaian family values life, we have already passed it.

[01:19:38]>> It was a certain president who decided not to sign. So the terms of the bill are essentially what parliament had already passed.

[01:19:46]>> Will the new bill be passed this year?

[01:19:48]>> Yes. In a couple of weeks, not even months, we will pass it once we do second reading on Thursday or Friday.

[01:19:56]consideration we but but when we do consideration expeditiously let the PPP not shout that we are abusing certificate of agency because it will be rapidly done >> because we cannot be reenacting what we have already reacted >> more questions but unfortunately this time while our conversation honorable Roxen Nelson the fem grateful that you could join us also this where time our conversation on PMP press enjoy the rest of Good evening. My name is Isaac Kof.

[01:20:27]Feet.