Hon. Member for
Takoradi, you will be given plenty of time to contribute but at this stage you are out of order.

Mr. Speaker, in spite of all that we are saying or the objections that they are raising, I still want the site of Antoa to be developed to become an international tourist centre. That is the point I am making.
Mr. Speaker, apart from the Antoa
Nyamaa we have some eco-tourist activities that go on in my constituency. The wood- carving centres at Ehwia, the Adinkra making industry at Ntonso, the kente industries which centre around Asuromaso, Adahumasi and Hondo, are all very important tourist sites.

Mr. Speaker, the point I am making here is that these industries are dying out because of lack of funding, and so I was glad when I heard the President say that a micro-financing scheme has been set up, with affordable terms, to promote the development of small-scale enterprises. What is even more commendable is that the scheme would be decentralised to all the regions.

Mr. Speaker, I want to humbly appeal to the President to decentralise it beyond the regions to the districts to make it easily accessible. This will go a long way to remove all the bottlenecks in the administration of the micro- finance scheme to the advantage of the practitioners. It will also ensure that it is the practitioners, irrespective of their party affiliation, who will be the beneficiaries.

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the Government that th is ass is tance in entrepreneurial training and skills promised by Government will go a long way to help the recovery of loans and the radical growth in tourism in my constituency and Ghana in general.

Mr. Speaker, on human resource development, I would want to comment only on the first-cycle education under the broad topic of human resource development. One cannot talk about human resource development without talking about quality education, and one cannot talk about quality education without talking about or putting emphasis on first- cycle education. This is the reason why I agree with the President totally on the radical decisions on education stated in his Message.

Mr. Speaker, the first-cycle is the foundation on which the whole educational structure is built. Therefore, every effort must be made to make it as solid as a rock. The idea of formal education starting at age four, with two-year kindergarten, is really laudable. Truly, the kindergarten

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Member for Kwabre East, continue.

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Member for Kwabre East, continue.

Mr. Kofi Frimpong

Mr. Speaker, I am still dealing with tourism. [Interruption.]

Mr. Kofi Frimpong

Mr. Speaker, I am still dealing with tourism. [Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker, I thought that I was being kind to my hon. Colleague across by just drawing his attention to relevance. But if my hon. Colleague, the Majority Chief Whip wants me to go on the block and say things as they are, I want to indicate that the hon. Member is using invectives on somebody, a member of the public, who is not -- [Inter-ruptions.]

Mr. Tia

Mr. Speaker, I thought that I was being kind to my hon. Colleague across by just drawing his attention to relevance. But if my hon. Colleague, the Majority Chief Whip wants me to go on the block and say things as they are, I want to indicate that the hon. Member is using invectives on somebody, a member of the public, who is not -- [Inter-ruptions.]

Mr. Speaker, what I am saying is that even though the cocoa industry did very well in 2004, farmers in my constituency, which is Juabeso, have not yet received their 2003/2004 cocoa bonuses. At the beginning of the 2004/2005 cocoa season, the Ghana Cocoa Board, in conjunction with the Cocoa Research Institute, detected some defects in the cocoa beans called “purple beans”. Mr. Speaker, this purple bean as claimed by the Cocoa Research Institute is as a result of inadequate fermentation by cocoa farmers, and this resulted in a serious problem in the cocoa industry.

Mr. Ahi

Mr. Speaker, what I am saying is that even though the cocoa industry did very well in 2004, farmers in my constituency, which is Juabeso, have not yet received their 2003/2004 cocoa bonuses. At the beginning of the 2004/2005 cocoa season, the Ghana Cocoa Board, in conjunction with the Cocoa Research Institute, detected some defects in the cocoa beans called “purple beans”. Mr. Speaker, this purple bean as claimed by the Cocoa Research Institute is as a result of inadequate fermentation by cocoa farmers, and this resulted in a serious problem in the cocoa industry.

Mr. Speaker, it will interest you to know that for the year in question, farmers from the Ashanti Region and the Eastern Region have received their bonuses but the rest of the farmers, especially farmers from my constituency are yet to receive their bonuses.

Mr. Ahi

Mr. Speaker, it will interest you to know that for the year in question, farmers from the Ashanti Region and the Eastern Region have received their bonuses but the rest of the farmers, especially farmers from my constituency are yet to receive their bonuses.

Mr. S. K. B. Manu

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member who just spoke is misleading this House and the country at large. The Government has paid bonuses to all those who sold their cocoa beans to Government agencies. If the farmers in his constituency decided to sell their cocoa to private companies and they have not been paid their bonuses, he should go and hold them responsible. The Government has paid bonuses to all farmers who sold their cocoa to government agencies.

Mr. S. K. B. Manu

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member who just spoke is misleading this House and the country at large. The Government has paid bonuses to all those who sold their cocoa beans to Government agencies. If the farmers in his constituency decided to sell their cocoa to private companies and they have not been paid their bonuses, he should go and hold them responsible. The Government has paid bonuses to all farmers who sold their cocoa to government agencies.

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Member, please, continue.

Mr. Eric Opoku

Mr. Speaker, on a point of information. Mr. Speaker, farmers in the Brong Ahafo and Western Regions have not been paid their bonuses for the 2003/2004 cocoa season. The mode of payment has been changed. Hitherto, it was paid through the licenced buying agencies. Now, when you get to the Brong Ahafo and Western Regions, what COCOBOD is trying to do is to pay directly to farmers; and this is not easy.

I am a farmer myself and I went to my constituency last Monday to collect my bonus and I was not paid because my name was not on the list, even though I had a genuine slip.

I presented my identity card, as a registered cocoa farmer with Akuapa Cocoa Limited, but my name was not on the list. Many of the farmers have been complaining seriously considering the fact that somebody has to travel for more than twenty-four kilometres to Sankore or to Kukuom before he is paid. That was not the practice previously so we have to complain. The system must be amended to suit the farmers; that is what the hon. Member is saying.

Mr. Opoku

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. Mr. Speaker, farmers in the Brong Ahafo and Western Regions have not been paid their bonuses for the 2003/2004 cocoa season. The mode of payment has been changed. Hitherto, it was paid through the licenced buying agencies. Now, when you get to the Brong Ahafo and Western Regions, what COCOBOD is trying to do is to pay directly to farmers; and this is not

easy. I am a farmer myself and I went to my constituency last Monday to collect my bonus and I was not paid because my name was not on the list, even though I had a genuine slip.

I presented my identity card, as a registered cocoa farmer with Akuapa Cocoa Limited, but my name was not on the list. Many of the farmers have been complaining seriously considering the fact that somebody has to travel for more than twenty-four kilometres to Sankore or to Kukuom before he is paid. That was not the practice previously so we have to complain. The system must be amended to suit the farmers; that is what the hon. Member is saying.

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Member, you should take notice that the hon. Member for Juabeso has a time-frame within which to make his contribution and the time allotted for your information is added to his time.

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Member, you should take notice that the hon. Member for Juabeso has a time-frame within which to make his contribution and the time allotted for your information is added to his time.

Mr. Ahi

Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of the year 2004/2005 cocoa season, the Ghana Cocoa Board, in conjunction with the Cocoa Research Institute detected some disease in the cocoa bean called purple. This purple disease as explained was as a result of inadequate fermentation which halted activities in the industry for almost two months since the Quality Control Division (QCD) -- [Inter- ruption.]

Mr. Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the motion on the floor of the House.
Mr. Speaker, as indicated by the President, the object of Positive Change Chapter 2 is accelerated growth which is contingent upon a firm foundation laid under Chapter 1 of Positive Change. Mr. Speaker, this firm foundation embodied, among other things, the positive economic indicators in the form of low interest rates, declining inflation and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 5.8 per cent.
Mr. Speaker, when you consider a rise in the GDP to 5.8 per cent, it creates the impression that there is improvement in the standard of living; it creates the impression that these are exciting times, but realities on the ground portray directly the opposite picture.

Capt. (rtd.) Effah-Dartey

Mr. Robert Sarfo-Mensah

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. Member on the other side is misleading the House by giving a general statement that the gap between the rich and the poor is widening, without giving us statistics. He should give us the statistics to prove his point; otherwise, it is general and a loose statement.

Mr. Robert Sarfo-Mensah

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. Member on the other side is misleading the House by giving a general statement that the gap between the rich and the poor is widening, without giving us statistics. He should give us the statistics to prove his point; otherwise, it is general and a loose statement.

Mr. Opoku

Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member for Asunafo North is the representative of the people of Asunafo North, and I am representing the people of Asunafo South. Being one of the leading members of the President's “praise choir”, who do not see anything wrong --[Interruption.]

Mr. Opoku

Mr. Speaker, since the

Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, the extension of the senior secondary school level from three years to four years, in my opinion, is one of the best legacies, if not the best legacy, the New Patriotic Party Government can leave for Ghanaians in the twenty years to come.

So, Mr. Speaker, I would like to entreat all hon. Members, and in fact, all well- meaning Ghanaians to embrace it without further questioning. The decision, Mr. Speaker, is of national interest and must be treated as such. It touches on our human resource development, so we should not allow some political reasoning, possibly to score some political points, to water down the very essence of the extension made.

Mr. Speaker, I am very passionate about this because I taught at Prempeh College for over five years. Experience, and meetings I attended reveal that the three-year period is woefully inadequate to make any meaningful impact on the way of teaching our subjects. We could not handle the syllabi because of lack of time.

So the extension is going to give them more time to teach, give them more time to explain matters to students and students would be in a position to ask questions, make inputs, elaborate on issues and they can understand things better. They will be well prepared to come into the world to contribute to whatever is being done outside. They were not able to teach subjects the way they had wanted to. Students did not get the time needed to contribute. The situation, Mr. Speaker, has not changed. Students go to the examination hall ill-prepared; a good number of them lack confidence when it comes to examinations. Mr. Speaker, I

could go on and on and on but for time limitation.

But I would like to conclude that a country's most valuable asset is the human resource, so I cannot bring myself to perceive what the money needed for the extra one year to develop a child in school, could bring to a parent or a guardian. It is a good vision the President has for the nation, so please, let us all embrace this. Long live Ghana.

Mr. Alex Kyeremeh (NDC -- Techiman North)

Mr. Speaker, it is my greatest pleasure to contribute to the motion to thank the President on the State of the Nation Message delivered on Thursday, 3rd February, 2005. This year's Address by the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Incorporated was businesslike and I applaud His Excellency the President for that.
Let me quickly go to the main issues. The first one is on education. I have read the White Paper on Educational Reforms and the key to these reforms is effective supervision. I am extremely glad that the committee recommended the inspection of schools from Ghana Education Service (GES) to the Ministry of Education. I am referring to page 13 of the White Paper and I think the routine inspection should also be added to the same Ministry to enhance the independence and effective-ness of supervisors.
Mr. Speaker, I was privileged to supervise many basic schools in the early days of the Reform. Many instructional hours are lost if proper supervision is not put in place to check teachers and the final result is abysmal performance of pupils. It is sad that in most district offices, circuit supervisors receive a gallon of petrol for a week. I think this is woefully inadequate and as a matter of urgency the Government should provide a separate
vote for supervisors to enhance their work.
Mr. Speaker, permit me to read what the President said about polytechnic education on page 8, paragraph 3 -- and with your permission, I quote:
“. . . I must also place on record here, Government's commitment to the Polytechnics. That is the place to train hands-on technical personnel the nation needs to move the economy. Government will continue to invest in the polytechnics and help them to grow in self-confidence.”
Mr. Speaker, it is heart-warming that the Government is investing a lot in almost all these institutions across the country, courtesy the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). The thing left now is for much attention to be placed on the job markets of these graduands and their progression. It is my humble plea that the Government would stop paying lip-service and come out with definite agenda for these institutions. A country like Nigeria is a shinning example of success and pragmatic policy of polytechnic education. One needs to visit Yaba Polytechnic in Nigeria where PhD's are attained in related fields of these institutions.
Mr. Speaker, His Excellency the President also talked about infrastructural development in rural areas and mentioned roads, among others. It is my hope that the Government would put on board Asuyei Junction to Bouyam road where Bat Cave is becoming a tourist destination in Brong Ahafo, and Tuobodom-Offuman road which links many farm settlements where the bulk of our tomatoes and other foodstuffs are produced. Mr. Speaker, graders were put on these roads a week before elections, and after the elections they were taken away. It is sad that all the feeder roads in my constituency have not seen grading for the past four years and
food that can reach the market only get rotten at the farm gate. These roads are now footpaths. These feeder roads are not different from many others --
Minister for Food and Agriculture (Mr. E. A. Debrah) -- rose --

Ms. Hilda Josephine Addoh (NPP -- Kwadaso)

Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, the extension of the senior secondary school level from three years to four years, in my opinion, is one of the best legacies, if not the best legacy, the New Patriotic Party Government can leave with Ghanaians in the twenty years to come.

So, Mr. Speaker, I would like to entreat all hon. Members, and in fact, all well- meaning Ghanaians to embrace it without further questioning. The decision, Mr. Speaker, is of national interest and must be treated as such. It touches on our human resource development, so we should not allow some political reasoning, possibly to score some political points, to water down the very essence of the extension made.

Mr. Speaker, I am very passionate about this because I taught at Prempeh College for over five years. Experience, and meetings I attended reveal that the three-year period is woefully inadequate to make any meaningful impact on the way of teaching our subjects. We could not handle the syllabi because of lack of time.

So the extension is going to give them more time to teach, give them more time to explain matters to students and students would be in a position to ask questions, make inputs, elaborate on issues and they can understand things better. They will be well prepared to come into the world to contribute to whatever is being done outside. They were not able to teach subjects the way they had wanted to. Students did not get the time needed to contribute. The situation, Mr. Speaker, has not changed. Students go to the examination hall ill-prepared; a good number of them lack confidence when it comes to examinations. Mr. Speaker, I could go on and on and on but for time limitation.

But I would like to conclude that a country's most valuable asset is the human resource, so I cannot bring myself to perceive what the money needed for the extra one year to develop a child in school, could bring to a parent or a guardian. It is a good vision the President has for the nation, so please, let us all embrace this. Long live Ghana.

Mr. Alex Kyeremeh (NDC -- Techiman North)

Mr. Speaker, it is my greatest pleasure to contribute to the motion to thank the President on the State of the Nation Message delivered on Thursday, 3rd February, 2005. This year's Address by the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Incorporated was businesslike and I applaud His Excellency the President for that.
Let me quickly go to the main issues. The first one is on education. I have read the White Paper on Educational Reforms and the key to these reforms is effective supervision. I am extremely glad that the committee recommended the inspection of schools from Ghana Education Service (GES) to the Ministry of Education. I am referring to page 13 of the White Paper and I think the routine inspection should also be added to the same Ministry to enhance the independence and effective-ness of supervisors.
Mr. Speaker, I was privileged to supervise many basic schools in the early days of the Reform. Many instructional hours are lost if proper supervision is not put in place to check teachers and the final result is abysmal performance of pupils. It is sad that in most district offices, circuit supervisors receive a gallon of petrol for a week. I think this is woefully inadequate and as a matter of urgency the Government should provide a separate vote for supervisors to enhance their work.
Mr. Speaker, permit me to read what the President said about polytechnic education on page 8, paragraph 3 -- and with your permission, I quote:
“. . . I must also place on record here, Government's commitment to the Polytechnics. That is the place to train hands-on technical personnel the nation needs to move the economy. Government will continue to invest in the polytechnics and help them to grow in self-confidence.”
Mr. Speaker, it is heart-warming that the Government is investing a lot in almost all these institutions across the country, courtesy the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). The thing left now is for much attention to be placed on the job markets of these graduands and their progression. It is my humble plea that the Government would stop paying lip-service and come out with definite agenda for these institutions. A country like Nigeria is a shinning example of success and pragmatic policy of polytechnic education. One needs to visit Yaba Polytechnic in Nigeria where PhD's are attained in related fields of these institutions.
Mr. Speaker, His Excellency the President also talked about infrastructural development in rural areas and mentioned roads, among others. It is my hope that the Government would put on board Asuyei Junction to Bouyam road where Bat Cave is becoming a tourist destination in Brong Ahafo, and Tuobodom-Offuman road which links many farm settlements where the bulk of our tomatoes and other foodstuffs are produced. Mr. Speaker, graders were put on these roads a week before elections, and after the elections they were taken away. It is sad that all the feeder roads in my constituency have not seen grading for the past four years and food that can reach the market only get rotten at the farm gate. These roads are
now footpaths. These feeder roads are not different from many others --
Minister for Food and Agriculture (Mr. E. A. Debrah) -- rose --

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Minister for Agriculture, do you have any point of order to raise?

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Minister for Agriculture, do you have any point of order to raise?

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, I share boundaries with the hon. Member and there is a road from my district to his constituency which is under the Feeder Roads routine maintenance. Every year, we reshape that very road, that is, Wenchi to Ofuman. So it is not correct that for the past four years no grader has been put on the road.

the policy that the NDC set up in caring for rural schools. As one of us here said, supervision is a factor in education. This is because one can always find out that most people present here like to send their children to private schools because of the supervision. Most of the private schools produce better results.
So if these headteachers' houses that were started had been continued to ensure that teachers were near their schools, and also if supervision had been forthcoming then we would not be crying that the standard of education has fallen. It has always fallen in the rural areas but I know in the urban areas, it has not. Let us look into it because the people in the rural areas also need to take their share of the coffers because they are also taxpayers and have contributed much. Most of us owe our presence here a lot to the rural areas.
On the issue of rural electrification -- This is a programme that most of us who were struggling during the campaign period were reminded of by the rural people. In certain places that I got to in my constituency, they had placards that read, “no light, no vote”. Again, if you get to my constituency, in most of the communities you will find a pile of electricity poles which were put there about five years ago during the NDC era. These were for electricity connections for rural industries. But, since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) came into power these poles have been left to the mercy of termites.
Since the President is preaching good governance to promote the second chapter in his Administration, I am reminding him to take good care of the rural electri-fication programme. This is because he has spoken about giving training to artisans, and most of the children in the rural areas drift to the urban centres to improve upon their skills. But if electrification in the rural areas is improved upon then they would also stay
back and be given the training indicated by the President.

So I am appealing to the President to go further to raise the poles that are found all over in my constituency and to connect these communities to the national grid. But with all that I have raised, including these two points, I still commend the Head of State for all that he said in his Address, except that he should not forget the rural folk.

Mr. E. A. Gyamfi (NPP -- Odotobri)

Mr. Speaker, I feel honoured to associate myself with the motion on the floor, that this honourable House thanks His Excellency the President, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, for delivering the State of the Nation Message on the 3rd of February 2005.
The motion moved by hon. Yaw Osafo-Maafo and seconded by hon. J. D. Mahama is appropriate and indeed, it is in the right direction. The Address is a masterpiece from a mature and experienced statesman. Though short and simple, it was comprehensive, concise, thought- provoking and focused. The Address is multi-sectoral in nature and it is geared towards solving the multi-faceted problems of Ghana.
Mr. Speaker, the three strategic areas selected by the President, that is, the vigorous human resource development, private sector development and continuing good governance, attest to the fact that His Excellency the President knows where we are, where we want to go and how to get there. These priority areas hold the key to Ghana's accelerated growth and development.
Mr. Speaker, I want to zero in on human resource development and specifically
comment on basic level education. The inclusion of two years kindergarten in the formal educational system is very laudable since my constituents have been requesting for it. Having stayed in the rural community, it is sad to see children, who are supposed to be in school but are at home, taking care of their siblings whilst their parents have gone to the farm.
Mr. Speaker, the worst situation happens when these children are taken to farms. The immediate resultant problem is poor childhood development. The benefits to be derived from the formalisation of the kindergarten in our educational system are indisputable. Early childhood development which provides good foundation for formal education would be achieved. Again, it would allow mothers more time to engage in productive economic activities.
Mr. Speaker, another area which I want
to touch on briefly is the Free, Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE). Mr. Speaker, permit me to quote the 1992 Constitution, article 25. It says:
“(25) (1) All persons shall have the right to equal educational opportunities and facilities and with a view to achieving the full realisation of that right --
(a) basic education shall be free, compulsory and available to all;”
Mr. Speaker, the FCUBE educational policy is being implemented in its broad terms. There is one aspect which needs to be given much attention, and that is the compulsory aspect. Mr. Speaker, how compulsory is it when some parents grossly ignore their responsibility to enrol and maintain their wards in school? Why should some parents allow their children to work as househelps knowing that they should be in school? Mr. Speaker, I

humbly submit that this honourable House should take this seriously and begin to do something about it, so that the FCUBE policy would be complete and successful.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the President for his unflinching support for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). We all do concede that the “cash and carry” health delivery system is inimical. Many lives which otherwise could have been saved have perished, thanks to the “cash and carry”.

Mr. Speaker, to remedy the situation is the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme. Many Ghanaians, especially those in rural areas, have little knowledge about insurance. It is therefore imperative for all to embrace the scheme and give the necessary public education in our own respective small ways to make it a success.

Mr. Speaker, I want to conclude by commenting on the provision of infrastructure. I represent a deprived constituency, that is Odotobri constituency, which is now raised to the status of a district -- Amansie Central District. Many attempts have been made to improve infrastructural facilities with respect to roads, electricity, water and telecommunication by previous and current government. The situation still leaves much to be desired. Less than 10 per cent of the settlements in my constituency have access to electricity. Even though some roads have been upgraded over the past few years, there is still no tarred road within my constituency.

Ghana Telecom landlines have not reached the district capital, Jakobu. The district capital with a population of over 8,000 depends on only four boreholes.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to call on the Ministers for Road Transport , Energy, and Communications to come to our aid to

Mr. Awuni

supervision is a factor in education. This is because one can always find out that most people present here like to send their children to private schools because of the supervision. Most of the private schools produce better results.
So if these headteachers' houses that were started had been continued to ensure that teachers were near to their schools, and also if supervision had been forthcoming then we would not be crying that the standard of education has fallen. It has always fallen in the rural areas but I know in the urban areas, it has not. Let us look into it because the people in the rural areas also need to take their share of the coffers because they are also taxpayers and have contributed much. Most of us owe our presence here a lot to the rural areas.
On the issue of rural electrification -- This is a programme that most of us who were struggling during the campaign period were reminded of by the rural people. In certain places that I got to in my constituency, they had placards that read, “no light, no vote”. Again, if you get to my constituency, in most of the communities you will find a pile of electricity poles which were put there about five years ago during the NDC era. These were for electricity connections for rural industries. But, since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) came into power these poles have been left to the mercy of termites.
Since the President is preaching good governance to promote the second chapter in his Administration, I am reminding him to take good care of the rural electri-fication programme. This is because he has spoken about giving training to artisans, and most of the children in the rural areas drift to the urban centres to improve upon their skills. But if electrification in the rural areas is improved upon then they would also stay back and be given the training indicated by the President.

So I am appealing to the President to go further to raise the poles that are found all over in my constituency and to connect these communities to the national grid. But with all that I have raised, including these two points, I still commend the Head of State for all that he said in his Address, except that he should not forget the rural folk.

Mr. E. A. Gyamfi (NPP -- Odotobri)

Mr. Speaker, I feel honoured to associate myself with the motion on the floor, that this honourable House thanks His Excellency the President, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, for delivering the State of the Nation Message on the 3rd of February 2005.
The motion moved by hon. Yaw Osafo-Maafo and seconded by hon. J. D. Mahama is appropriate and indeed, it is in the right direction. The Address is a masterpiece from a mature and experienced statesman. Though short and simple, it was comprehensive, concise, thought- provoking and focused. The Address is multi-sectoral in nature and it is geared towards solving the multi-faceted problems of Ghana.
Mr. Speaker, the three strategic areas selected by the President, that is, the vigorous human resource development, private sector development and continuing good governance, attest to the fact that His Excellency the President knows where we are, where we want to go and how to get there. These priority areas hold the key to Ghana's accelerated growth and development.
Mr. Speaker, I want to zero in on human resource development and specifically comment on basic level education. The inclusion of two years kindergarten in
the formal educational system is very laudable since my constituents have been requesting for it. Having stayed in the rural community, it is sad to see children, who are supposed to be in school but are at home, taking care of their siblings whilst their parents have gone to the farm.
Mr. Speaker, the worst situation happens when these children are taken to farms. The immediate resultant problem is poor childhood development. The benefits to be derived from the formalisation of the kindergarten in our educational system are indisputable. Early childhood development which provides good foundation for formal education would be achieved. Again, it would allow mothers more time to engage in productive economic activities.
Mr. Speaker, another area which I want
to touch on briefly is the Free, Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE). Mr. Speaker, permit me to quote the 1992 Constitution, article 25. It says:
“(25) (1) All persons shall have the right to equal educational opportunities and facilities and with a view to achieving the full realisation of that right --
(a) basic education shall be free, compulsory and available to all;”
Mr. Speaker, the FCUBE educational policy is being implemented in its broad terms. There is one aspect which needs to be given much attention, and that is the compulsory aspect. Mr. Speaker, how compulsory is it when some parents grossly ignore their responsibility to enrol and maintain their wards in school? Why should some parents allow their children to work as househelps knowing that they should be in school? Mr. Speaker, I humbly submit that this honourable House should take this seriously and begin to do

something about it, so that the FCUBE policy would be complete and successful.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the President for his unflinching support for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). We all do concede that the “cash and carry” health delivery system is inimical. Many lives which otherwise could have been saved have perished, thanks to the “cash and carry”.

Mr. Speaker, to remedy the situation is the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme. Many Ghanaians, especially those in rural areas, have little knowledge about insurance. It is therefore imperative for all to embrace the scheme and give the necessary public education in our own respective small ways to make it a success.

Mr. Speaker, I want to conclude by commenting on the provision of infrastructure. I represent a deprived constituency, that is Odotobri constituency which is now raised to the status of a district -- Amansie Central District. Many attempts have been made to improve infrastructural facilities with respect to roads, electricity, water and telecommunication by previous and current government. The situation still leaves much to be desired. Less than 10 per cent of the settlements in my constituency have access to electricity. Even though some roads have been upgraded over the past few years, there is still no tarred road within my constituency.

Ghana Telecom landlines have not reached the district capital, Jakobu. The district capital with a population of over 8,000 depends on only four boreholes.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to call on the Ministers for Road Transport , Energy, and Communications to come to our aid to enable my constituents also become

Mr. Speaker, I do not want to go back because more than three questions were put to me here and I answered effectively on what was happening with the Women Development Fund. Mr. Speaker, nobody can say that poverty is on the ascendancy in this country after all that has been done.
As I said earlier on, poverty means education, health, water, sanitation. Considering the number of schools that have been built in the country, the level of training that has been provided in the country, and the amount of water and boreholes that have been provided in the country, no one can say that poverty is on the ascendancy in this country. It is never true.
Mr. Speaker, majority of the women of this country are very happy because the President in his wisdom set up a fund for them. They are now proud holders of bank accounts. They walk into a bank con- fidently to access credit; they are happy.

Mr. Speaker, this is what we term in literature “labour lost”. My hon. Colleague was just labouring --

Mr. Speaker, there is an attempt to define what should be essential elements in the State of the Nation Address. There was a suggestion that we should look at the past, we should look at the present and we should look at the future. Mr. Speaker, I started laughing because within the short period, there were three documents that had been made available to us and each of them was being used.

Mr. Speaker, on the 4th of January, 2005 we had a Statement on the State of the Nation delivered by His Excellency the President to the immediate past Parliament. And there was heated argument, as to whether that should be subject to debate or not and I advised that that was not the intention of the framers of the Constitution. The President was winding up. They were handing-over notes but people could take note of it and then use it at the appropriate time. Today, I have realized how, led by the hon. Minority Leader, these past statements have been used. That is healthy for our evolving democracy.

On the 7th January, we had the Inaugural Address and then on the 3rd of February, we had this Message on the State of the Nation which is expected to be an Address for 2005. There must be good reasons why we should distinguish the past Parliament's State of the Nation Address from this one.

There has been the argument that the President did not go far enough, that he should have made all manner of statements, including how many doctors we should have, why they are not in certain areas. And I advised some people that that one was to be said when we came to looking at the Budget. Therefore, this particular State of the Nation Address is taking note of the fact that the President told us what we achieved during the last four years on 4th January, 2005 and so he need not say anything on that one.

He has given us his vision for the four years, that is the Inaugural Address, and he has given his vision for this particular year. Therefore, those of our hon. Colleagues who were expecting that there should be more details, should please wait because they may get the details from the hon. Minister for Finance and Economic Planning. The only advantage I see from

[HAJIA MAHAMA] [MR. BAGBIN]

the contributions is that it means a number of people would have finished --

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, my hon. Colleague opposite is talking about a new twist, but we are aware that during the debate he was absent from this House most of the time. So I am sure he read what he is talking about from the Hansard and not that he himself was here. In fact, apart from this motion, hon. Members who moved the motion earlier had always consistently sat and taken notes. So it is a new twist that he himself was absent most of the time during the debate, and he should refer to that too in his contribution.

Mr. Osafo-Maafo

Mr. Speaker, that is why we have the Hansard. Studious parliamentarians spend time looking through the Hansard. I would be quoting in my presentation to show him that I have knowledge of everything he and others have said. And you need not be in Parliament to know what is going on in Parliament, because we have the Hansard.

Mr. Speaker, we should address a very interesting point in this particular Message. His Excellency the President did mention his areas of priority and in the discussions hon. Members indeed addressed these three; but others went further to complain that areas like infrastructure had been left out, and so on and so forth.

Irrespective of that, how do we resolve the points I am raising with you?

Order please! Let us resolve this matter. We will resolve it. Hon. Member for Sekondi, are you on a point of order?

Mr. Bagbin

No, Mr. Speaker, they cannot be dealt with because we are talking about unconstitutionality; we are talking about an Act that is already receiving serious attention by the proposers of this legislation. They are already implementing the taxes and levies and collecting them. Mr. Speaker, motion No. 6 only sought to suspend our Standing Orders, that is all.

Hon. Member, address the Chair, please.

Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, Schedule 4 -- delete and insert the following:
Social Impact Mitigation Levy
Premium Petrol -- ¢442.56 per litre.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Schedule 4 as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.
The Long Title ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Debates of 23 Feb 2005

PRAYERS 10:20 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:20 a.m.

MOTIONS 10:20 a.m.

Mr. A. Umar Abdul-Razaq (NDC -- Tolon) 10:20 a.m.

Ms. Theresa Tagoe 10:30 a.m.

Ms. Theresa Tagoe 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Abdul-Razaq 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Abdul-Razaq 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Abdul-Razaq 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Abdul-Razaq 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Abdul-Razaq 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Abdul-Razaq 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Abdul-Razaq 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Abdul-Razaq 10:40 a.m.

Mrs. Asmah 10:40 a.m.

Mrs. Asmah 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Mrs. Asmah 10:40 a.m.

Mrs. Asmah 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Mr. E. T. Mensah 10:40 a.m.

Mr. E. T. Mensah 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Mrs. Kusi 10:40 a.m.

Mrs. Kusi 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Abdul-Razaq 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Abdul-Razaq 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Abdul-Razaq 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Abdul-Razaq 10:40 a.m.

Mr. Kofi Frimpong (NPP -- Kwabre East) 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Kofi Frimpong (NPP -- Kwabre East) 10:50 a.m.

Mr. J. A. Tia 10:50 a.m.

Mr. J. A. Tia 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Tia 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Tia 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Tia 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Tia 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Kofi Frimpong 11 a.m.

Mr. Kofi Frimpong 11 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

Mr. Kofi Frimpong 11 a.m.

Mr. Kofi Frimpong 11 a.m.

Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11 a.m.

Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11 a.m.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

Mr. Tia 11 a.m.

Mr. Tia 11 a.m.

Mr. Sampson Ahi (NDC -- Juabeso) 11 a.m.

Mr. Sampson Ahi (NDC -- Juabeso) 11 a.m.

Mr Joe Danquah 11 a.m.

Mr Joe Danquah 11 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

PRAYERS

Mr. Speaker

MOTIONS

Mr. A. Umar Abdul-Razaq (NDC -- Tolon)

Ms. Theresa Tagoe

Ms. Theresa Tagoe

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Abdul-Razaq

Mr. Abdul-Razaq

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Abdul-Razaq

Mr. Abdul-Razaq

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Abdul-Razaq

Mr. Abdul-Razaq

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Abdul-Razaq

Mr. Abdul-Razaq

Mrs. Asmah

Mrs. Asmah

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mrs. Asmah

Mrs. Asmah

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. E. T. Mensah

Mr. E. T. Mensah

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mrs. Kusi

Mrs. Kusi

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Abdul-Razaq

Mr. Abdul-Razaq

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Abdul-Razaq

Mr. Abdul-Razaq

Mr. Kofi Frimpong (NPP -- Kwabre East)

Mr. Kofi Frimpong (NPP -- Kwabre East)

Mr. J. A. Tia

Mr. J. A. Tia

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Tia

Mr. Tia

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Tia

Mr. Tia

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kofi Frimpong

Mr. Kofi Frimpong

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kofi Frimpong

Mr. Kofi Frimpong

Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Tia

Mr. Tia

Mr. Sampson Ahi (NDC -- Juabeso)

Mr. Sampson Ahi (NDC -- Juabeso)

Mr Joe Danquah

Mr Joe Danquah

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker