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7 Walking Myths Workouts and Facts to Know

Caleb Qwofi Right
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There are lots of reasons walking workouts are so popular. Walking boasts all the health and fitness benefits of other low-intensity steady-state cardio (LISS) workouts.

Plus, they’re convenient and accessible. You don’t need a fancy gym or a lot of equipment to walk. Walking workouts are customizable to your personal ability. And they’re good for people of all fitness levels and ages.

TikToker @exactlyliketheothergirls claims to have coined the term “hot girl walk,” which has taken the social media platform by storm. Her January 2021 video shows her weight-loss transformation that she attributes to the “hot girl walk” (which details her playlist and other recommendations). The video was viewed three million times and sparked the trending hashtag #hotgirlwalk (540.3M views) that appears on videos like those from @meeksbruh (16.6M views), @virginiakilmartin (1.6M views), and @nataliexelise (1.6M views).

But are the glories of walking overrated? Here we bust a few myths and back up the cold hard truth about walking as exercise.

1. Myth: Walking 10,000 Steps a Day Is Ideal

Many people use 10,000 steps as a benchmark for a daily goal, but this number actually originated as part of a marketing campaign rather than coming from scientific evidence, explains Amy Bantham, DrPH, CEO and founder of Move to Live More, a health and fitness consulting company. Bantham has conducted research on physician exercise referrals and patient exercise behavior change.

There isn’t yet conclusive scientific evidence showing that this number is the ideal target for better health than a lower daily step count, Bantham says.

One study published earlier this year in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine did show that walking more steps each day was incrementally linked to more benefit when it came to reduction in cancer and heart disease incidence, as well as mortality up to 10,000 daily steps, at which point the benefit leveled off.

Anthony Wall, personal trainer and director of international business development for the American Council on Exercise (ACE), says what is clearer from the research is that more steps are generally linked to more benefit. According to another study, published in JAMA in 2020, people who took 8,000 steps a day had a 50 percent lower risk of dying than those who took only 4,000, for instance. And people who took 12,000 steps had a 65 percent lower risk of dying than those who only took 4,000.

The bottom line is that the jury is still out on an exact minimum number of daily steps that delivers the most benefit. And while step counts are good tangible goals that work for many people, there are other good fitness markers like time and frequency, Wall says.

2. Fact: Walking Helps Immune Function and Digestion

People who walk tend to experience fewer colds because mild exercise stimulates your immune system, says Michael Fredericson, MD, sports medicine physiatrist, doctor, and surgeon at Stanford Medicine. According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, people who reported exercising five days a week or more (the study specifically looked at aerobic exercise, but not necessarily just walking) are 43 percent less likely to be sick with an upper respiratory tract infection (like a common cold) than those who didn’t exercise during the week. The study showed that even partaking in moderate exercise for 20 minutes at least one day a week, you are less likely to get sick. (The researchers looked at whether study participants got sick over a 12-week period to reach these conclusions.)

When walking, or exercising, you are increasing your heart rate and blood flow, which increases circulation of immune cells in the body, Fredericson says.

The increase in blood flow is also what gets your digestive tract rolling. One small study, for instance, found that walking and drinking water after a meal kept things moving through the digestive tract (referred to by the researchers on the study as “gastric emptying”) better than consuming a digestif, like brandy, aquavit, espresso, or water alone.

3. Myth: Walking Can Cure Depression and Anxiety

Most exercise is associated with mental health benefits, but in most cases no single exercise, like walking, can by itself cure a clinical disorder.

How does walking affect mood? Most people operate in a sympathetic or more stressful state, Fredericson says, and exercising can bring a person into a parasympathetic or more relaxed state.

And the increased blood flow in the brain produces more endorphins. “It can help us reset, recharge and refocus, whether we are children trying to concentrate in the classroom or adults trying to overcome writer’s block,” she says.

4. Myth: Running Is Always Superior to Walking

Walking is a low impact exercise that offers benefits such as promoting endorphin release, increasing blood flow to the body and the brain, and improving bone health, without exerting the extra strain on your joints, Bantham says.

For the general public, walking is easier on the body than running, Fredericson says, and there is less chance of injury. Plus this low impact activity is something that everyone can do. Running is more of a skill, and some people have bodies that better accommodate this type of activity, he says. Hip and knee alignment, body weight, and the shape of your foot’s arch can either predispose you for issues or lead to your success when running, he says.

A lot of people ask should they run or walk, Wall adds, and it comes down to one simple thing: What is your goal? If you are looking to get fit and improve things like oxygen capacity and CO2 output, then running is a better tool, he says. If you are looking for things like blood pressure reduction, feeling better, or better sleep, walking is better for this.

Moderate to intense walking can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes when expending the same amount of energy as running, research has found.

5. Myth: You Shouldn’t Walk Every Day of the Week

Because walking is a low-intensity activity, it is perfectly reasonable for people to get out and walk each day, Wall said. “If you think about any population in a city in the United States, these walkable cities, people are walking every day,” he says. “One of the benefits is it’s something that most people, assuming they don’t have preexisting conditions, can do on a daily basis.”

However, if you are really exerting yourself on your walks, Fredericson says, then it might be good to take one rest day a week or incorporate other forms of exercise like cycling or swimming into your routine.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PDF), adults should do 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (such as brisk walking) a week, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity (such as running) a week for substantial health benefits.

6. Fact: You Must Walk Faster to Burn More Calories

While any activity burns calories, the more intensity you bring to your workouts, the more calories you burn. That’s true for walking, too. The number of calories burned in a given workout depends on the individual’s weight and body composition, Bantham says.

Harvard Health published comparisons of calories burned in 30 minutes based on the activity and weight range. A 155-pound person burns 133 calories per 30 minutes of walking at 3.5 miles per hour, and 175 calories per 30 minutes of walking at 4 miles per hour.

That means if someone’s goal is fat loss, you’re going to need to walk at a higher intensity or walk for much longer than other activities to see those desired results, he says.

To make your walks more of a challenge and up the number of calories burned during your walk, intervals (alternating between higher and moderate or lower intensity periods of movement) are a great way to do this, Fredericson says. Incorporating intervals are great for fitness because your heart rate is more elevated than when you leisurely walk, ultimately burning more fat and calories.

7. Myth: You Have to Walk 30 Minutes Continuously to See Health Benefits

Based on the HHS Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans’ goal of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, Wall recommends people walk 30 minutes every day, five times a week to reach this baseline.

A common misconception, however, is that you must complete these 30 minutes consecutively, Fredericson said. You can break it up into smaller segments and walk five to 10 minutes at a time multiple times throughout the day and still get the same benefits of walking 30 minutes once in a day, he says

Source: Everydayhealth

Ronaldo benched again! for Morocco

Caleb Qwofi Right
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Cristiano Ronaldo was named on the bench again for Portugal’s quarter-final against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, having already missed out on the starting XI in the emphatic 6-1 win over Switzerland in the last 16.

Goncalo Ramos hit a hat-trick as Portugal hammered the Swiss at the Lusail Stadium with the forward having come into the side after Fernando Santos took the huge decision to drop Ronaldo for the match. Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao were also on the scoresheet as Portugal laid down a marker ahead of their quarter-final against Morocco with the 37-year-old clearly not missed by his team.

Ronaldo did still emerge from the substitutes’ bench to play some part in the match – but as became the case at Manchester United before his high-profile forced exit, he is having to make do with being an impact sub rather than a starter.

WORLD CUP

‘LEAVE RONALDO ALONE’ – SANTOS AND FELIX COME OUT FIGHTING AGAINST RONALDO EXIT RUMOURS

YESTERDAY AT 13:14

And his fears that he has been reduced to a bit-part player were heightened on Saturday when he was named among the substitutes for the last-eight meeting at Al Thumama Stadium. So can the former Real Madrid superstar accept his new role within the Portugal squad?

Let’s recap what the fall-out has been to Ronaldo being dropped amid hysterical reports of the forward apparently threatening to walk out on his team, reports that have been refuted but not successfully dismissed from the relentless news cycle surrounding the star.

But first…

WHY WAS RONALDO DROPPED BY SANTOS AT THE WORLD CUP?

Ronaldo, who had started all three group matches in the tournament, scoring once, looked to have been thoroughly displeased when he was substituted in Portugal’s 2-1 defeat by South Korea.

Raising his finger to his lips, the player claimed it was a misunderstanding and that he was actually just directing his ire towards an opposition player, although many did not buy that reasoning and interpreted it to be towards his manager.

“I didn’t like it,” said Santos pretty emphatically ahead of the Switzerland game and subsequently left his captain on the bench. Was it because of his reaction to being substituted? It is not entirely clear but that does seem to be a reasonable explanation.

Alternatively, Santos may have just made the decision on purely footballing grounds, sensing what many pundits and fans thought all along: that Portugal would be more energetic, vibrant and team-oriented without their star man in the starting line-up.

If this was the reason, that Santos simply wanted to confine Ronaldo to the bench to enable his other players to flourish in his absence, it certainly worked.

Speaking after the game, the 68-year-old quickly downplayed any suggestions of a rift with Ronaldo, saying: “There is no problem with our captain. We’ve been friends for years. We spoke before the game and he had no issue with my decision. He’s an example.”

Ramos, Ronaldo’s highly-successful replacement, added of the man he had usurped: “He’s the captain, he’s the leader and we always look forward to playing side by side with him.”

As for the ever-influential Pepe? “Ronaldo is happy and totally focused,” he said. “He knows the most important thing is the national team.”

Source:EuroSport

Staying healthy as respiratory illnesses spread this holiday season

Caleb Qwofi Right
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The holidays are back to their pre-pandemic glories, with the airline industry already expecting record-breaking travel days. But your loved ones aren’t the only ones coming to town this season: A team of highly-contagious respiratory viruses may also visit, and they likely have no plans to leave anytime soon.

Unseasonably-early waves of the flu and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, are hitting cities across the U.S. and filling pediatric hospitals with sick children. While most older children and adults with healthy immune systems can fight such an infection with little issue, the viruses can still cause nasty symptoms, like cough, congestion, fever and body aches.

It may seem like avoiding the circulating ailments is impossible, but public health experts say there are ways to lessen the likelihood of getting sick. Here’s what you need to know to protect your family and friends as you celebrate the holidays:

COVID-19 safety measures work for other viruses, too

Though mask mandates are largely lifted and social distancing is a relic of the past, the same public health measures used to stop the spread of COVID-19 can also prevent RSV and flu infections, said Catherine Troisi, an infectious disease epidemiologist with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.

“We know that masks work because we weren’t seeing flu and RSV back at the beginning and middle of the pandemic when people were wearing masks,” Troisi said.

Practicing good health hygiene, and teaching children how to do the same, is also a good idea. This includes washing your hands before eating and coughing and sneezing into your elbow or a tissue rather than your hands, said Dr. Lauro Romano, a hospitalist at Cook Children’s in Fort Worth.

Symptoms of RSV, the flu, COVID-19 and the common cold often look the same. Doctors can run tests to determine which infection someone has, but, for most people, that knowledge won’t change the course of treatment.

Regardless of what type of virus someone, staying home until symptoms subside is the best way to avoid spreading the illness to others.

Respiratory illnesses affect different people in different ways

Some groups are more susceptible to severe illness from RSV, the flu and COVID–19 than others. While RSV looks similar to a cold in most older children and adults, the virus can lead to hospitalization and even death in infants and the elderly.

About 96% of inpatient beds at pediatric hospitals in North Texas are full as of Thursday, said Steve Love, president and CEO of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council. Adult hospitals have also noted increases in flu patients.

For people visiting loved ones who are high-risk for serious infections, basic public health measures like masking, social distancing and hand washing can go a long way, said Dr. Gilberto Salazar, an emergency physician at Parkland Health and associate professor of emergency medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

“Folks who have family members who are particularly vulnerable, like very young children or folks with respiratory illnesses, I think they should proceed with caution,” Salazar said. “I’m never going to be extreme about things, but having some additional caution is going to be worthwhile.”

Prevention is key

Getting vaccinated is still one of the most effective ways to prevent getting severely sick from the flu or COVID-19. There is no RSV vaccination, although scientists are working to develop one.

The body takes about two weeks to develop antibodies against the viruses after vaccination, so it’s not too late to get protected for holiday celebrations in December. It’s safe to receive both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines on the same day.

Anyone 6 months and older can receive the flu shot and the initial COVID-19 vaccine series. The new bivalent booster dose, which protects against both the original and omicron COVID-19 strains, is available for anyone 5 and older who received their previous COVID-19 dose at least two months prior.

Source:Medical Experts

RSV cases surging earlier than in previous years

Caleb Qwofi Right
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Cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are usually at their worst during the winter months. This year, however, has seen a marked increase of cases in the summer, leading to overcrowding in hospitals throughout the United States.

Medical experts have provided several explanations for the increase, including prevention methods that were taken during the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 which led to less exposure to infectious respiratory diseases that help builds immunity.

Researchers have also found other possible factors that could be contributing to the surge of RSV cases among individuals, particularly those age 4 and under.

A recent study led by Natalie Johnson, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health and vice chair of the Interdisciplinary Program in Toxicology, has shown that air pollution exposure, particularly during pregnancy, alters the fetal lung development in a way that predisposes the infant to more severe infection.

“If moms are exposed to pollutants during periods of development in pregnancy, then infants may be more susceptible to severe infection,” Johnson said. “Our research team is one of a handful of groups investigating how prenatal exposure to air pollution alters fetal pulmonary immune development predisposing babies to RSV.”

RSV is a lower respiratory tract infection, and it enters the body through the eyes, nose or mouth. It spreads easily through the air on infected respiratory droplets. Individuals can be infected if someone with RSV coughs or sneezes near them and it can also be passed to others through direct contact such as shaking hands.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States.

Maternal exposure to particulate matter air pollution is a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality due to complications related to preterm birth, infant low birth weight and lower respiratory tract infections in children.

According to Johnson and the research team, since RSV infection is a significant cause of infant morbidity and mortality, policies and interventions to reduce early life air pollution exposure and impact on acute respiratory disease are likely to have a large public health impact and are highly warranted.

“The effect can be huge on public health because there are few preventive interventions, no current vaccine, and hospitals are currently overwhelmed,” Johnson said. “If we can reduce air pollution exposure, we may be able prevent some of the more severe infections seen in infancy.”

Source:Medicalxpress

US sports journalist dies in Qatar during Argentina v Netherlands game

Caleb Qwofi Right
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A prominent football journalist from the United States has died while covering the World Cup in Qatar.

Grant Wahl, 48, collapsed as extra time began in the Argentina-Netherlands game on Friday night.

Early reports suggest he may have had a heart attack, but this has yet to be officially confirmed.

Last month Mr Wahl was briefly detained by Qatari authorities for trying to enter a stadium wearing a rainbow shirt, in support of LGBT rights.

In a statement, the US Soccer Federation said it was “heartbroken” by the news.

“Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists,” it said.

In a tweet, Mr Wahl’s wife, Céline Gounder, said she was in “complete shock”, adding that she was “so thankful” for the support she had received from friends.

Mr Wahl celebrated his 48th birthday on Thursday with friends in Qatar, a day before he collapsed. He wrote on his website on Monday that he had been unwell in the last 10 days and was on a course of antibiotics for suspected bronchitis.

“My body finally broke down on me,” he wrote. “What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort.

“I didn’t have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic and the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Mr Wahl’s love for football was “immense”, adding that his reporting would be “missed by all who follow the global game”.

Tributes have poured in from several UK journalists. Piers Morgan described Mr Wahl as a “brilliant journalist”, while the Times’ Henry Winter said he was a “fine man” and “giant of the press box”.

BBC Sport’s Dan Roan tweeted: “Grant Wahl was a renowned and hugely respected journalist and the flood of tributes is testament to the esteem in which he was held.”

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber tweeted: “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken over the tragic passing of Grant Wahl. He was a kind and caring person whose passion for soccer and dedication to journalism were immeasurable.”

US tennis icon Billie Jean King also paid tribute to Mr Wahl, describing him as an “advocate for the LGBTQ community and a prominent voice for women’s soccer”.

A spokesperson for the Qatari body responsible for planning the World Cup, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of the US journalist Grant Wahl.

“Grant was known for his enormous love of football and was in Qatar to cover his eighth Fifa World Cup.

“He fell ill in the Lusail Stadium media tribune, during last night’s quarter-final match between Argentina v Netherlands. He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital.

“We are in touch with the US Embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes.”

Earlier this week, Mr Wahl was presented with an award by Brazilian football legend Ronaldo for reporting on eight consecutive World Cups – his first was in the US in 1994.

Source:BBC

Shatta Wale an inspiration’ – DJ Azonto

Caleb Qwofi Right
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Ghanaian music act DJ Azonto guesting on CTV’s Class Showbiz, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, has revealed two ways in which Shatta Wale is an inspiration.

He had been asked about what led to the transition from disk jockeying to being a recording artiste.

“I’m even surprised God gave me the voice to do music, because I don’t really have a good voice for singing,” he confessed.

“But [observing] Shatta Wale and a host of others, I’ve noticed music is not necessarily about a [good singing] voice,”

Clarifying that he seeks not to disrespect the Shatta Movement (SM) leader, he saluted: “He’s my senior man.”

Following Sammy Flex’s lead, he mimicked Ghanaian star King Ayisoba performing, to underscore his point of one not needing a conventionally good voice to be a successful music act.

“The truth is difficult to say,” he calmed down after laughing.

“People like Shatta Wale inspired me to know that you can also make it. You know Shatta Wale is full of inspiration. I always say if following Shatta Wale, the only disadvantage is you may become [puffed up and] disrespectful, in the sense that he gives you so much motivation it becomes clear that it’s simply God at work and no one else,” he returned to the place of the Reggae/Dancehall superstar in his professional life.

“It’s true. You know why?” the ‘Fa No Fom’ hitmaker endeavoured to explain what he meant by following Shatta Wale may lead one to become arrogant and disrespectful.

“I’ve stopped befriending some bloggers and some presenters because they frustrate and make the work too difficult at times,” he said. “Excuse me to say, they always want you to give them money.”

“It’s as if you are indebted to them forever and ever,” he rubbed his beard. “Sammy, can we do this work successfully with this attitude?”

He admitted that media personalities “are promoting us, and every worker deserves to earn their fair due. If I go for an engagement and see the producer of show and give them money, it’s fine, and in this world, if you want to be given you give, but don’t make giving [a matter of force and extortion] and threaten to stop playing our music if we don’t comply.”

At this point, he asked rhetorically if media personalities and radio DJs are paid for playing foreign songs “like ‘Buga’.”

“The media should simply support [local musicians],” he stressed.

“This is why I say if you follow Shatta Wale too much, he’ll inspire you to the extend that you’d not respect some people because [you’d notice even when they sideline or blacklist you], by God’s working, you still succeed,” DJ Azonto asserted.

He also revealed his first song ‘Choices’ though a flop, “because no one knew me then,” was better than Sarkodie and Criss Waddle’s.

Source: classfmonline.com

My husband’s too busy to manage me- Ceccy Twum

Caleb Qwofi Right
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Ghanaian Gospel music star Cece Twum stating that she finds nothing wrong with an artiste being managed by their spouse has disclosed it is not the case for her because he husband is simply too busy.

Ms Twum was on Accra-based Hitz FM when she was asked about female Gospel musicians being managed by their husbands.

“It’s cool. So far as you all agree to work with each other, it’s fine,” she responded.

However, “my husband for instance, he doesn’t even have that time to be following me around,” she shared.

“I move a lot and he’s also been travelling to go preach here and there,” the ‘Your Grace’ hitmaker added. “Imagine having a programme, is he going to leave his work and then follow me?”

“It’s not going to happen,” she concluded.

Cece Twum famously married at 19 and is in her 23rd year of marriage to husband Prophet Alex Twum of Word Vision Chapel International, Ghana.

Management of female musicians has for a while been a controversial subject.

Some pundits and members of the public hold that it is impossible to manage a female music act without an amorous connection. Due to this, some female musicians prefer their boyfriends or husbands being their manager to avoidthe presumed sexual temptation or harassment.

On the influence of a spouse, especially a husband on an artiste also, some pundits have advised female musicians to desist from using their husbands’ last names as their professional moniker since, should there be a rift or divorce, they will be in a fix as to whether to maintain the name or change it, risking the tasking work of rebranding.

Source: classfmonline.com

Debt Exchange Programme: ‘Take a second look’ – UTAG tells government

Caleb Qwofi Right
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The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), has asked the government to take a second look at the Debt Exchange programme following concerns raised by stakeholders.

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, launched the Debt Exchange Programme as part of efforts to save the ailing economy.

Under the Programme, domestic bondholders will be asked to exchange their instruments for new ones.

After the launch of the program, groups such as the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the Ghana National Union of Traders Association (GUTA), and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have all rejected the programme.

In a statement, UTAG said it is convinced that the debt exchange programme may negatively affect the Ghana Universities Salary Superannuation Scheme (GUSSS) as well as Tiers Two and Three Pension Funds of its members.

“In particular, we reject the wholesale implementation of the recently announced debt exchange programme.”

“We are convinced that the debt exchange programme may negatively affect the Ghana Universities Salary Superannuation Scheme (GUSSS) as well as Tiers Two and Three Pension Funds of our members. It would also result in significant reduction in the principal and/or interest payments due members who have invested in mutual funds and may need resources to meet emergency needs.”

“Again, given that the individual savings of many of our members are lodged with the various Credit Unions on our campuses, part of which have been invested in bonds, any attempt at wholesale implementation of the announced debt exchange programme would ultimately harm the savings of our members.

“We, therefore, reiterate our vehement opposition to any straight-jacket implementation of the announced debt exchange programme. It should not, in any way, affect the pensions and other investment returns of the hardworking Ghanaian.”

“Government should consider the genuine concerns raised by various stakeholders and rethink the debt exchange programme. UTAG is willing to brainstorm and support Government to find lasting solutions to address the current economic challenges,” excerpts of UTAG statement read.

Source: atinkaonline.com

Bagbin’s formal statement on Ofori-Atta vote of censure motion

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FORMAL STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT RT HON ALBAN SUMANA KINGSFORD BAGBIN ON MOTION TO PASS A VOTE OF CENSURE ON THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR FINANCE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 2022

Introduction

Hon Members, I come under item 2 of the Order Paper to make this statement. I also seek refuge under Standing Order 70 (1) of the Parliament of Ghana. The said Order states as follows;

“70. (1) Mr. Speaker may make statement on any matter of interest to the House.”

For the first time this House is confronted with handling a motion calling on it to pass a resolution of a vote of censure on a Minister of State in accordance with Article 82 of the Constitution and Orders 106 and 108 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

I am of the firm opinion that the procedure to adopt is a matter of interest to the House and of even more importance to the general public, whose interest we serve in this House. Furthermore, the novelty of the matter makes it compelling that I guide the House on the process and procedure to follow to resolve to pass or not to pass a vote of censure.

Hon Members, it is my humble submission that a combined reading of Articles 93 (1), 95 (I), 101 and 102 of the 1992 Constitution, together with Standing Orders 5, 6, 8, 40 (1), 151 (1) and (2) and the spirit and letter of the Standing Orders of Parliament, in general, define the composition of Parliament to include not less than one hundred and forty (140) elected members and the Speaker of Parliament.

Order 7 defines “House” to mean Parliament. Accordingly, the House is made up of not less than 140 elected members and the Speaker of Parliament.
Hon Members, on Tuesday, 10th November 2022, the Minority Leader, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, moved a motion calling on the House to resolve to pass a vote of censure on the Minister for Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, in accordance with Article 82 of the 1992 Constitution. The motion for the vote of censure was based on seven grounds as stated on the Order Paper.

The Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, raised a preliminary objection to the motion, contending that the procedure adopted by Parliament pursuant to Article 82, offends the ultra vires and audi alteram partem rules.

According to the Deputy Majority Leader, Parliament had no judicial authority or mandate to conduct investigation into the grounds stated in the motion as the basis for the vote of censure since some of the allegations levelled against the Minister border on the commission of a crime and Parliament is not clothed with the mandate to conduct a criminal trial of any person. To the Hon Deputy Majority Leader, what Parliament was invited to do by the Minority Leader amounted to an invitation to conduct a criminal trial of the Minister.

The Deputy Majority Leader further contended that even if Parliament had jurisdiction over the matter, the Minister responsible for Finance is entitled to be heard in defense. He had to be put on notice by being served with the grounds for the vote of censure. In other words, the procedure for a vote of censure ought to provide a right to a fair hearing as guaranteed under Articles 19 and 296 of the 1992 Constitution.

I straight away overruled the preliminary objection. In my ruling on the preliminary objection, I indicated that it was not within my powers as Speaker to interpret the Constitution but to apply it. Issues on constitutional interpretation and enforcement clearly belong to the remit of the judiciary and not the Speaker. I did not give reasons beyond this. What is however clear is that the process for a vote of censure is not a trial, what more a criminal trial. The is a quasi-judicial process of a political nature and carries no legal consequences or liability, whether civil or criminal. Article 19 of the Constitution which deals with criminal trials is not thus applicable. Parliament is therefore intra vires and not ultra vires in admitting and permitting the Minority Leader to move the motion to invoke the powers of Parliament to resolve to pass a vote of censure on the Minister for Finance.

On the issue of the audi alteram partem rule (i e, listen to the other side or let the other side be heard as well) relied upon by the Deputy Majority Leader as the bases for the preliminary objection, the provisions in both the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House amply provide for it.

The rules provide for an opportunity for the Minister to be heard in defense. This forms the bases for my assurance to the House that the Hon Minister responsible for Finance is entitled to a fair hearing and will surely be given ample opportunity to be heard in defense. Both the Sponsors of the motion for the vote of censure and the Minister will be given uninhibited opportunities to put across the reasons for and against the motion to enable the House take the vote.

In accordance with Standing Order 86, I enquired to know whether there is a seconder to the motion. Hon Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the Minority Chief Whip seconded the motion. After the motion had been seconded, I decided to refer the matter to an Ad hoc Committee and in consultation with the Leaders, constituted an Eight-Member Ad-hoc Committee to inquire into the matter and report to the House within seven working days for debate and vote.

Controversy

Hon members, you will recall, the referral of the matter to the Ad-hoc Committee was vehemently objected to by some Members of Parliament and the public. This School of thought opined that the procedure adopted by me was irregular and unsupported by law and insisted the debate on the motion should proceed and vote taken that day.

Hon. Members, the call for a vote of censure is novel in this Parliament. What I sought to do, after extensive consultation, was to provide for a procedure to guide the House. And I am convinced, my decision to refer the matter to a committee of the House is the right thing to do. I now proceed to refer to the facts and the law in support of the decision.

On the question of facts, the pre-sitting consultations with leadership of both sides of the House revealed that the Minister was out of the jurisdiction of this House on the 10th of November 2022 on official assignment and could therefore not be present in the House. The absence of the Minister was also visibly loud and manifest on the floor of the House that day. How could the debate proceed and end that day without the Minister being given the opportunity to be heard in defense before the vote is taken that day?

On the question of law, Order 106 (1) is clear. It says;

“106 (1) The House may pass a resolution to remove the President, the Vice-President, Mr. Speaker, and Deputy Speakers and a vote of censure on a Minister of State. The House may consider such motion and come to a decision or refer it to a Committee on a motion made by any Member”.

Hon Members, emphasis is on a Committee. There is no such existing Committee on motions to pass a resolution to remove or on a vote of censure on a Minister of state. Therefore, I am of the view that a member could not have moved a motion to refer the matter to an non-existing Committee

The Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament have provided a solution in the absence of such a Committee. I will deal with that shortly

A vote of censure

Hon Members, it is important to draw your attention to this underlying guiding concept of the custom and law of Parliament and the underpinnings of parliamentary practice and procedure. The law and custom of Parliament and parliamentary practice and procedure are more in the world of politics than law.

The law is in the bosom of the judge and not Parliament or the Speaker. The reason why judges are referred to as the law lords. Politics is in the bosom of the polity, the community, the people. Parliament is the House of the people and Parliamentarians are the representatives of the constituents. But the House must perform its functions and conduct its mandate in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the Standing Orders, and what is generally referred to as the law and custom of Parliament. Parliament must provide unlimited opportunities for open debate in consonance with the rights and freedoms, privileges and immunities of members and officers of the House.

Hon. Members, a careful reading of the rules of procedure set out in the Constitution and the Standing Orders, leaves nobody in doubt that there are legal prerequisites before a motion to consider a vote of censure is admitted.

To paraphrase the prior requirements for the admission of such a motion, the law says, a motion for a resolution to censure a Minister under Article 82 shall (i) be signed by not less than one-third of all the members of Parliament and (ii) be received by the Speaker.

But before such a motion could be moved after been admitted, two further requirements must be complied with; (i) seven days’ notice should have been given of the motion; and (ii) the motion shall be debated within 14 days after the receipt by the Speaker of the notice for the motion.

A notice of a motion is received by the Speaker when it is acknowledged in the office of the Speaker as so received. A notice of a motion is received by the House when the motion is published on the Order Paper of the House as Notice of Motion. All these prescriptions were meticulously followed and complied with. In consultation with leadership of both sides of the House, the 14th day after receipt of the motion by the Speaker fell on the 10th of November, 2022. The motion of censure was thus programed and published on the Order Paper to be moved on that day.

Opportunity to be heard in Defense

Hon. Members, controversy emerged on the procedure to adopt to provide a fair opportunity for the Minister to be heard in defense. The disagreement centered on the import of Clause 4 of Article 82, which states that “A Minister of State in respect of whom a vote of censure is debated under Clause (3) of this article is entitled, during the debate, to be heard in his defense”. It is important to note that Article 82, Clause 3 of the Constitution, specifies that the vote of censure “shall” be debated by the House. This constitutional provision is repeated in Order 108 (b) of the Standing Orders of the House. A Minister of State in respect of whom a vote of censure is debated is thus entitled to two procedural rights,

i. Is entitled to be heard in defense.
ii. Is entitled to be heard during the debate.

In so far as debates in Parliament are concerned, Articles 101, 110 and 111, of the Constitution and Order 86 of the Standing Orders of Parliament set out in great detail the rules which regulate debates in this House. A reading of the Order and the Constitution, will leave no doubt in any anyone’s mind that it provides only for Members of the House and by virtue of Article 111 of the Constitution, includes the Vice-President, or a Minister or Deputy Minister, who is not a member of Parliament. These are the only persons who are allowed to speak and debate during plenary sittings of the House.

Defined by Article 295 (1) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 7, “sitting” “includes a period during which Parliament is sitting continuously without adjournment and a period during which it is in Committee.”
Hon Members, all other persons outside this category, are referred to as strangers. Defined by Standing Order 7, “stranger” means any person, other than the President, Vice-President, Mr. Speaker, Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are not Members or officers of the House; Clearly this Standing Order has included the President and Mr. Speaker. But in the case of Mr. Speaker, Standing Order 90 settles the matter. “Mr. Speaker shall not take part in any debate before the House”.

To Be Heard in Defense

Hon Members, both the Constitution and the Standing Orders require that the Minister against whom a vote of censure motion is moved is entitled to be heard in defense. What does to be entitled to be heard in defense mean? And how is Parliament to make rules for the practice and procedure for the Minister to be heard in defense?

Hon Members, there is not much procedural guidance in both the Constitution and the Standing Orders on the issue of a vote of censure on a Minister of State apart from the terse framework capture in Article 95 and Orders 106 and 108 of the Standing Orders of Parliament. In the case of the removal of the President, Vice-President, Speaker and Deputy Speakers, an elaborate procedure has been detailed out in both the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House.

Members may read both Articles 69 and 95 of the Constitution and Orders 106 (2) and 107 (1) of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

Hon Members, time will not permit me to go into detail, but suffice to say that in both situations, the phrase to be entitled … to be heard in defense is repeated. For instance, in the case of the removal of the President, Article 69 Clause 7 states as follows;

“69. (7) The President shall be entitled during the proceedings of the tribunal or of the medical board to be heard in his defense by himself or by a lawyer or other expert or person as the case may be, of his own choice.”

This provision is repeated in the rules of practice and procedure in the Standing Orders thus;

“106 (2) (f) A motion for resolution to remove from office the President or Vice-President shall … during prior proceedings in a Committee appointed in that behalf, the President or the Vice-President shall be entitled to be heard in his defense either by himself, by Counsel or by an expert as the case may be.”

In the case of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker, the Constitution is not so elaborate on the practice and procedure of removal. See Article 95 (2) of the 1992 Constitution. The Standing Orders of Parliament has however taken care of the procedure. Order 107 (1) (c) says “prior proceedings shall be taken in a Committee appointed in that behalf. The Speaker or the Deputy Speaker shall be entitled to be heard in defense either by himself or a representative.”

Such a provision is absent in the proceedings of a vote of censure on a Minister of State. Both the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament do not provide for such an elaborate procedure. The Constitution and the Standing Orders simply say in Article 82 (4) that “a Minister … is entitled, during the debate, to be heard in his defense” and Order 108 say “during the proceedings on the motion, the Minister shall be heard in his defense.”

Hon Members, it is my humble view that in such a situation, I am called upon as the Speaker, to perform my duty to provide for such a rule or procedure not provided for. In accordance with Order 6 of the Standing Orders of the House;
“6. In all cases not provided for in these Orders, Mr. Speaker shall make provisions as he deems fit.”

Hon Members, let each and every one of us ponder over this matter.

1. How could Parliament be seen to have given the Minister a fair hearing in a motion to pass a vote of censure without an inquiry into the grounds on which the motion is based? Can the Minister’s lawyer or expert participate in plenary debate, as counsel or expert, in the exercise of the Minister’s right to be heard in defense, when the counsel or expert is not a Vice-President, or Mr. Speaker, or Deputy Speaker or Minister of State or Member of Parliament but a stranger?

2. Can members of Parliament or the Minister, during a debate at plenary, tender documents, records, books and be cross-examined in the course of such debate?

3. Can the Minister’s lawyer raise objections during such a debate?
Hon Members, the Orders 106, 107 and 108 of the Standing Orders of Parliament admit of a situation where the House or a Minister in respect of whom a vote of censure is to be passed, summons or calls witnesses in accordance with the provisions of Articles 103 (6) and 121, and Standing Orders 201, 202, 203, 205, 206, and 207 to attend or be compelled to attend, to be examined on oath, affirmation or otherwise, and to give evidence or to produce a paper, book, record or other documents before the House. Such a witness is entitled, in respect of his evidence, or the production of the document, as the case may be, to the same privileges as if he were appearing before a court. Please. Let us ask ourselves, can this be done in the course of a debate at plenary? The answer is an obvious NO.

Decision to constitute an ad-hoc Committee

It is in the light of the above that upon consultation with the Leaders of the House I decided to adopt the rules of practice and procedure in respect of the phrase to be heard in defense, laid out in the Constitution and the Standing Orders in the case of the removal of a President, Vice-President, Speaker or Deputy Speaker. I read the absence of such rules in the Standing Orders in the case of a vote of censure on a Minister as an oversight.

Hon Members. I am of the firm opinion that equal opportunity would be provided in such a situation for both the proposers and the Minister, to detail out the facts, supported by the necessary documents, on which it is claimed that a resolution on a vote of censure be passed against the Minister, and the Minister to be heard in defense, during the proceedings and debate on the motion.

It is informative to note that under Standing Order 201, a Committee shall have power to request the Attorney-General to attend upon it to give assistance and a witness before any Committee may also be represented by counsel.

Hon Members, the House has no appointed any Committee on this subject matter. The House is yet to establish a specific Committee to do so as has already been done by other Parliaments. The process we are developing now, in my humble view, will be of immense assistance to Parliament in its ongoing efforts to revise the current Standing Orders of Parliament.

Conclusion

The information I have shared with you and the public leaves me in no doubt whatsoever that the procedure adopted by the referral of the matter to the ad hoc Committee for inquiry is well rooted in law.

I am convinced that the public hearing conducted by the Committee has vindicated my decision and allayed the fears of all those who had thought otherwise.

Fortified by this conviction, I rule that the referral of the motion to pass a resolution on a vote of censure on the Minister of Finance to an ad hoc Committee for inquiry is proper and in accordance with the law.

Hon members, the House may now proceed to debate the motion.

Hon. Members, I thank you for the audience.

Pastor pleads guilty for stealing, remanded in custody pending sentencing

Caleb Qwofi Right
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Kwaku Adinkra, aged 43, a Pastor at Divine Favour Ministry at Asante Bekwai, has been remanded in Police Custody for allegedly stealing items worth GH¢2,500.00 from his girlfriend, one Ms Sophia Yeboah a hairdresser from Assin Atonsu in the Assin Fosu Municipality of the Central Region.

The Assin Fosu District Court presided over by Mr Abdul Majid Illiasu, charged the accused with stealing, contrary to section 124 (1), of the criminal and other offences Act 29 (60).

He pleaded guilty to the charge and the case has been adjourned to Monday, December 12, 2022, for judgement.

Inspector Benjamin Doe Kuwornu, the prosecutor, said on Tuesday, November 08, 2022, the complainant visited her parents in Kumasi and, while returning, met the accused person in an Assin Fosu-bound vehicle.

The accused proposed love to the complainant and she agreed and the two exchanged contacts.

The accused paid a visit to the complainant’s house and workplace and the two started living as lovers.

During his stay, the accused told the complainant that he had a bad dream concerning where she worked.

He later asked the complainant to buy a spiritual oil for him to perform some rituals so that the complainant could attract more customers to her workplace.

On Saturday, November 26, 2022, while the two were at the complainant’s shop, the accused told his lover that he was going to town.

Unknown to the complainant the accused secretly took one key belonging to her, went home, and stole five pieces of wax print cloths, one piece of Kente cloth, three new towels, one Iphone six plus, one home theatre system, a standing fan, a bag of five kg rice and five sachet spaghetti valued at GH¢2,500.00 and left for Bekwai.

The complainant, upon arrival at home, discovered that the said items had been stolen and when she contacted the accused, the accused confessed to the complainant that he was the one who stole the items.

On Saturday, December 03, 2022, at about 14:00 hours, the accused was spotted in town by a friend of the complainant who informed her, and they lodged a complaint to the Police leading to his arrest.

The Police, during investigation, retrieved the Kente cloth, home theatre system and the iphone six plus from him.

Source: GNA

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