Audio By Carbonatix
The Minority in Parliament has described the Covid-19 National Trust Fund established by President Nana Akufo-Addo as ‘unnecessary’.
Ranking Member on Parliament's Defence and Interior Committee, James Agalga indicated that although the act of the President must be lauded, it is only a duplication of the National Disaster Management Act 2016.
He told Joseph Opoku Gakpo that the NADMO Act which was passed to tackle emergency situations like the COVID-19 pandemic has not been operationalised hence there was no need for government to introduce another Trust Fund.
“I do not think that it is necessary to saddle Parliament the passage of another Act when we haven’t operationalized a law which was passed in 2016.
“Let us operationalize things that are in existence if there are pitfalls we could then decide that we want to introduce some amendments to that particular legislation,” he stated.
Mr Agalga further argued that setting up a new fund in a state of emergency only prolongs the process of handling the issue at hand since it is required to undergo legislative processes.
The Builsa North legislator then disclosed that the Minority will kick against the establishment of the Fund when it comes before the House.
“It is unacceptable not to operationalize an existing law and then bring up another bill for passage to bring into existence yet another fund.
“The setting up of the COVID-19 fund is duplicitous and thereby unnecessary. Let us operationalize what is already in existence for this particular emergency,” he stressed
President Akufo-Addo in a televised national address on Friday, March 27, revealed that his government has established a Covid-19 Fund and donated three months of his salary.
On Sunday, March 29, he outdoored a committee chaired by the former Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akufo to oversee the fund to raise money to support Ghanaians impacted negatively by the virus particularly the frontline workers.
Latest Stories
-
GPL 25/26: Bechem spank Kotoko in penultimate round
4 minutes -
Socrate Safo Speaks: When the Lion dances Alone – A lesson for NPP ahead of 2028
4 minutes -
Ghana Premier League: Samartex pip Hearts in Samreboi
6 minutes -
African Athletics Championships: Joe Paul finishes 5th in 200m final
46 minutes -
Margins Group CEO appointed ICC Vice-Chair
52 minutes -
UNHCR backs refugee athletes competing at African Championships in Accra
56 minutes -
IMF Exit: Ghanaians now expect stable utility tariffs and exchange rate, less taxes, lower cost of living
1 hour -
From refugee camps to Accra: Athletes pursue continental glory against the odds
1 hour -
UN Working Group raises alarm over land, seed and livelihood crisis in Ghana’s rural communities
1 hour -
DJ Slim Jerry releases ‘Abonteen’ as he explores Afro House sound
1 hour -
MTN Ghana launches 30th anniversary celebration with renewed digital transformation commitment
1 hour -
Two brothers drown while attempting to rescue sibling in abandoned quarry pit at Akatsi
2 hours -
Tidal wave collapses 13 houses in Moree; over 80 rendered homeless
2 hours -
Aid model has failed – Ghana pushes global development reset at OECD Summit in Paris
2 hours -
Vice President delivers keynote address at 16th Oxford Africa Conference
2 hours