The 'Better Ghana Agenda' and 'Changing Lives Transforming Ghana' mantra of the John Mahama led administration has hit Parliament as the House has gone “high-tech” with Members of the House now using electronic devices to conduct business of the House.
The Members of Parliament (MPs) now access the Order Paper, Votes and Proceedings, Business Statement of the week and other documents using the paperless system provided during the renovation of the chamber.
Welcoming the MPs from the Christmas break yesterday to commence the fourth session of the sixth Parliament, Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho noted that as part of cost cutting measures, the House will no longer print Order Papers and Votes and Proceedings.
Mr. Adjaho further announced that the Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi will address the House next week when he visits the country.
Fourth Session of Parliament
During the Fourth Session of the House, President John Dramani Mahama is expected to present the State of the Nation address.
The House is also expected to work on the following bills; Ghana School of Law Bill, 2016; Legal Service Bill, 2016; Road Safety Bill, 2016; Tax Administration Bill; Electronic Communication Bill; Presidential Transition (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and Prison Service Bill, 2016 among others. There are 15 Bills at Committee Level which are still being worked on and these include; Companies Bill, 2013; Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Bill; Whistleblower (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Ghana Aids Commission Bill; Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2015 and Ghana Deposit Protection Bill, 2015 among others.
Bills and instruments
In addition, nine Bills are at the Consideration stage and these are; Conduct of Public Officers Bill, 2013; Intestate Succession Bill, 2013; Right to information Bill, 2013; Immigration Service Bill, 2015; Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill, 2013; Plant Breeders Bill, 2013; Minerals Development Fund Bill, 2014; National Disaster Management Organisation Bill, 2015 and The Chartered Institute of Taxation Bill, 2014.
There are 23 other instruments to be presented at the meeting, three instruments at the Committee Level and 41 Papers to be presented.
Eight motions have been tabled for debate and 95 other referrals of Bills at the Committee. The date for their next recess is immediately not known; however, sources say the MPs may go on break for the Easter festivities during the last week of March, 2016. I ncome Tax Act
The House is also expected to review and halt the operation of the controversial Income Tax Act which permitted the banks to charge a one percent tax on interest paid on savings and dividends and on other investments.
This policy took effect on January 1, 2016, but a huge public outcry has compelled the government to go back to the House to seek a review and possibly halt its operation.
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