Parliament to tackle Anti Money Laundering Bill

Accra, May 11, GNA - Parliament is reconvening next Tuesday with a number of Bills, including the Transfer of Convicted Persons and the Anti-Money Laundering Bills slated for passage during the Second Meeting of the year.

The next session would run for over 10 weeks.

The Transfer of Convicted Persons Bill, 2006, the Interpretation Bill, 2005 and the Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill are currently before the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

The Anti-Money Laundering Bill also before the joint Committees on Finance and Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for scrutiny would be brought before the House and taken through the various stages of passage when the House begins sittings.

Meanwhile, Parliament would see some changes when the House reconvenes with the installation of various gadgets and security devices.

As part of security measures, Members of Parliament, (MPs) staff and members of the Parliamentary Press Corps would have to use individual electronic identification cards, which would have to be swiped before gaining access to House.

Mr Jones Kugblenu, Director of Public Affairs at the Parliament House, told the GNA that the session would also witness live coverage of parliamentary proceedings on the internet.

He said it was also expected that by the end of June the House would start using a video conferencing system, which would allow MPs to contribute to debates in the House when outside the chamber.

In a related development, Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader, has described Mrs Georgina Wood, the Chief Justice Elect, as a pious and intelligent person with impeccable records.

The Minority leader told the GNA that although, one cannot anticipate questions that would be thrown at her during vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament, one could be sure that very controversial and legal questions would be put before her. The Chief Justice Elect would be appearing before the Appointment Committee when the House reconvenes for parliamentary approval in line with the constitution.