Major Shake Up Imminent In Parliament

News available to newsmen can confirm a major shake up in the leadership of Parliamentary Committees on both sides of the House. The more drastic changes are however expected in the minority wing where there have been significant changes in the ranking memberships.
The major casualty is the minority Spokesman on Finance and MP for Nabdam, Moses Asaga.

Newsmen can confirm Mr. Asaga is giving way to Dr. Benjamin Kumbour, MP for Lawra/Nandom. Asaga who has been Spokesman on Finance since 2001 is on his way to the Mines and Energy Committee as ranking member. He is replacing the North Dayi MP, Dr. Kwame Ampofo.

Sources say Mr. Asaga is being replaced because he's lost focus. The sources say the minority leadership is particularly not happy with his approach to tackling financial matters including budget statements and some loan agreements.

One source said he is generally soft on the government and unnecessarily politicizes issues.

Dr. Benjamin Kumbour, a lawyer with a solid development planning background is currently spokesperson on security matters and is considered within the minority ranks as the man to give the government's finance team a real tough time.

He has been involved in the review of most development planning documents including the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Dr. Kwame Ampofo's removal from the Energy Committee is said to be causing an uneasy calm within the minority's ranks.

Dr. Ampofo, an energy expert will however remain on the committee but without clout. Also hit is the MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga. He resigned as ranking member on the House's Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee after choosing to join the Prof. Atta Mills campaign camp.

But that decision has also cost him his membership on that committee as well as the Judiciary Committee. Sources within the minority say Mr. Ayariga has not been kept on the two committees because it is feared he would outshine the ranking members of those committees.

Mr. Ayariga, a lawyer by profession is heading for the Health and Privileges Committees. The MP for Ashaiman, Alfred Kwame Agbesi is the new ranking member for the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. MP for Ada, Alex Tetteh Enyo will no longer be the Spokesman on Education. He is being sent to the Poverty Reduction Committee.

Central Tongu's Joe Gidisu will be named the new minority Spokesman for Education. Edward Salia of Jirapa has also been removed as Spokesman on Road and Transport. He will now speak on Works and Housing matters.

Alhaji Seidu Amadu who is currently the Spokesman on works and housing takes over Road and Transport. Dr. Kwame Ampofo is maintained as Energy Spokesman, John Mahama remains as Spokesman on Foreign Affairs as well as Haruna Iddrisu for Communications.

On the majority side all seems well except on who heads the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee where controversy is brewing.

The majority MPs are opposed to their leadership's decision to make the MP for Asuogyaman, Kofi Osei Ameyaw Chairman of that committee.

Their favourite is the MP for Kumawu, Yaw Baah who is considered a more experienced lawyer and more abreast with the issues on the committee than Mr. Osei-Ameyaw.

Mr. Osei Ameyaw, a lawyer with extensive practice in Australia was until recently, the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry. The House's Selections Committee's report is expected to confirm the changes next week.