Governance under President Mahama

“Good governance, transparency and the fight against corruption form an integral part of the Agenda for Transformation. The country’s progress in this area has been commendable. Ghana ranks high in all major governance indicators, human rights, transparency and rule of law assessments. We have a vibrant civil society and media, which operate in a very free and open environment”.

 – President John Dramani Mahama State of the Nation Address, 2015.

 
Parliament
As part of efforts to strengthen Parliament to carry out its mandate, Government has completed work on the Job 600 project. This project has made offices available to members of Parliament to enable them function effectively.

The chamber of Parliament has been reconfigured and equipped with modern communication gadgets to adequately accommodate all 275 Members of Parliament for the efficient and effective discharge of their legislative functions.

 
Parliament is benefitting from the e-Transform project being undertaken by Government. The e-Parliament component of the project will allow near paperless flow of information and also enhance the operations and activities of Parliament to improve upon citizen’s participation in governance.

The office complex for parliamentarians

Corridor of the office complex

The renovated parliament house

An office square

Meeting lounge

Judiciary
Government has financed the construction of a modern multiple court complex in Accra to provide the Judiciary with a conducive environment for the administration of justice.

The prototype design of the court complex

Government is injecting US$5million into the e-Justice project. Already three video-conferencing and telepresence equipment to enable the Judicial Service conduct face-to-face interaction with judges in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi have been provided. It also allows remote participation in meetings both locally and overseas.

The completed court complex in Accra

President Mahama and Chief Justice Georgina Woods commissioning the new court complex

Court room

Institutional strengthening

Various state institutions have been strengthened to intensify the fight against corruption in order to safeguard the public purse.

The Sole Commissioner on judgment debts has presented his report. Far-reaching reforms are being carried out to stem the tide of judgment debts.

Already positive results are being recorded in this effort as the Attorney General’s office has, through greater vigilance and careful scrutiny, prevented the payment of huge judgment debts or substantially lessened the state’s obligation in some cases.

The following examples highlight the gains made so far:

1. Sweater & Socks Vrs. The Attorney General
The State has avoided payment of US$28.9 million dollars by setting aside the order for payment made by the High Court against the state.

2. Angmorte Vrs. Attorney General
The High Court awarded a sum of approximately GH¢99 million against the State. Dissatisfied with the judgment the State appealed. The Court of Appeal agreed with the State and set aside the judgment of the High Court. The result is that the State avoided payment of about GH¢ 99 million to the plaintiffs by pursuing and winning the appeal.

3.China Jinlin International Economic and Technical Corporation (CJIETC) Per S.A. Danquah, Director Vrs. The Attorney General, Ministry of Road and Transport.

CJIETC sued the State for damages for breach of contract and other reliefs.
Judgment was given against the state. Subsequently, in November 2014, CJITEC’s Solicitors served the state with an entry of judgment claiming a colossal sum of GHC352, 623, 144.40 and USD1,006,093.00 as being the sum they were entitled to by the terms of the judgment.
The state appealed and applied for stay of execution. The High Court stayed execution and limited payment to less than GHC100,000.00.

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Credit: http://greenbookghana.com/governance  

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