Poverty Driving Child Labour in Ayensuano District

An oversight visit to the Ayensuano District by Members of Parliament and officials from UNICEF Ghana and ACEPA has revealed that poverty and parental neglect are the main causes of child labour and trafficking in the area. The District Chief Executive, Joseph Tawiah Lartey, explained that many children are forced into menial jobs such as selling, farming, […]

Drokrochiwa Chief Rejects Galamsey Bribe

The Chief of Drokrochiwa Dawu in the Eastern Region, Barimah Ogyenhobo Anom, has boldly rejected a bribe from illegal miners who sought permission to operate in his area. Speaking during a community engagement, he emphasized that his duty is to protect the land and the well-being of his people, not to serve personal gain. Barimah Anom condemned[…]

Child labour persists in Ayensuano as over 10,000 children remain out of school

Child labour continues to pose a serious threat to the well-being and future of children in Ghana, with the situation in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region described as particularly alarming. Recent data from the Department of Social Welfare at the Ayensuano District Assembly shows that an estimated 10,108 children are currently out of school, many[…]

Ghana passes Social Protection Bill 2025 Into Law

Parliament has passed the Social Protection Bill 2025 to establish the Social Protection Fund to provide a legal framework for social protection programmes to improve accessibility and equity in the delivery of social services to the underprivileged in society. This comes after strong opposition from the Minority in Parliament on Wednesday, July 30, who cited the lack[…]

Parliament Approves Four (4) Deputy Ministers

On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Parliament adopted the report of the Appointments Committee and approved four nominations for appointment as Deputy Ministers. The Committee by consensus recommended to the House for the approval of Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey, MP for Jomoro, Deputy Minister for Transport, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, MP for Assin North, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs,[…]

Parliament passes the Road Maintenance Trust Fund Bill 2025

On Friday, July 25, 2025, Parliament passed the Road Maintenance Trust Fund Bill 2025. The bill, presented by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, aims to address the persistent institutional and legal constraints that have hampered the performance of the existing Road Fund. It was passed under a certificate of urgency last Friday. The[…]

NDC’s Parliamentary super majority poses risks if misused – ACEPA

The Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Rasheed Draman, has cautioned the Majority in Parliament against abusing their two-thirds dominance. He warned that such control could lead to constitutional overreach, rubber-stamping of legislation, and the marginalization of minority voices. His remarks come in the wake of Ewurabena Aubynn’s swearing-in as the new Member[…]

Akwatia seat brouhaha: Ghana’s laws, Standing Orders of Par’l do not provide room for sympathy, mourning or emotions – Dr. Draman

Dr. Rasheed Draman, Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), has bemoaned the 1992 Constitution’s insensitivity regarding procedures upon the demise of a President or an MP. He says the constitution and the standing orders of Parliament don’t provide for a deceased person to be mourned, something he believes should be reconsidered, so the[…]

Death of Akwatia MP: ACEPA boss calls for gap in official announcement of MPs’ death to be addressed

Dr. Rasheed Draman, Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), is calling on Parliament to relook at the provision in the constitution regarding procedures upon the demise of a President or an MP. Ghana’s 1992 Constitution has no specific provision detailing the exact procedure for informing Parliament about an MP’s death. But, Article 97(1)(b)[…]

Prioritise national interest over personal allegiances – Dr Rasheed tells Minority MPs

The Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr Rasheed Draman, has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to uphold their constitutional responsibilities and prioritise the national interest above personal or political loyalties. His comment comes after the Minority MPs on Thursday staged a walkout, following the arrest and detention of Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman,[…]