Debates of 27 May 2005

MR. FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:26 a.m.
CORRECTION OF VOTES 10:26 a.m.
AND PROCEEDINGS AND 10:26 a.m.
THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:26 a.m.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:26 a.m.
Hon. Members, the next item is correction of Votes and Proceedings of yesterday, Thursday, 26th May 2005. Are there any corrections to be made? Page 1 …7.
Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo 10:26 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, on page 7, number 6, Mr. Speaker, I made the Statement yesterday and not the hon. Member for Amenfi West (hon. John Gyetuah).
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:26 a.m.
Hon. Member, I am not following what you are saying.
Mr. P. E. Aidoo 10:26 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am saying that I made the Statement and not the hon. Member for Amenfi West (Mr. John Gyetuah).
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:26 a.m.
All right. Fair enough.
Mr. P. E. Aidoo 10:26 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, page 7, number 6 - [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:26 a.m.
Page 7, number 6, hon. Member for Sefwi- Wiawso, your name is lost.
Mr. P. E. Aidoo 10:26 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
my name is hon. Evans Pual Aidoo, Member of Parliament for Sefwi-Wiawso constituency.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:26 a.m.
The Office of the Official Report will make the relevant correction.
Hon. Members, that will be all the correction that we have effected on this; that is, rendering what we have in hand as reflecting what took place yesterday, 26th May 2005.
We also have two issues of the Official Report. First, for Tuesday, 24th May 2005. Hon. Members, check your copies, especially those of you who might have made contributions. Even if you did not make any contribution and you realize something went wrong with the Report, come out with your corrections.
Mr. P. E. Aidoo 10:26 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, on page 273, the second paragraph, I made an attempt to make a Statement on Tuesday; so the name, “M. T. Nyaunu” should read “Mr. Evans Paul Aidoo”. Then the third name hon. Michael Nyaunu should also read “Mr. Evans Paul Aidoo” and not “Mr. Nyaunu” - page 273.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:26 a.m.
I have seen that. Indeed, the mistakes come from me. I thought you were hon. Nyaunu. I called your name out as hon. Nyaunu, not knowing you are hon. Aidoo. I think the mistake should be corrected.
Then the Official Report of Thursday, 26th May 2005 as well. Any corrections?
All hon. Members: We do not have it.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:26 a.m.
You do not have it? I am sorry. We will defer that for some other time.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:26 a.m.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs/ Majority Leader (Mr. Felix K. Owusu- Adjapong) 10:26 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Committee met yesterday, Thursday, 26th May 2005
and determined Business of the House for the Third Week ending Friday, 3rd June 2005. Mr. Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows:
Arrangement of Business
Question(s)
Mr. Speaker, the Committee has scheduled five (5) Questions to be answered by the honourable Minister for Road Transport during the week.
Urgent Questions
Mr. Speaker, the Committee has also scheduled three (3) Urgent Questions to be answered during the week under reference.
Mr. Speaker, the details are as follows 10:26 a.m.
Name of Questioner Minister to Respond to Urgent
Question
Mr. Speaker, the details are as follows 10:26 a.m.
i. Dr. Kwame Ampofo (South Dayi) Minister for Energy
ii. Ms. Akua Sena Dansua (North Dayi) Minister for Finance and Economic Planning
iii. Mr. Joseph Yaani Labik (Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo) Health Mr. Speaker, in all, eight (8) Questions are expected to be answered in the week.
Statements
Mr. Speaker may allow Statements duly admitted to be made on the floor of the House.
Bill, Papers and Reports
Mr. Speaker, Bills, Papers and Reports may be presented to the House for consideration.
Motions and Resolutions
Mr. Speaker, Motions may be debated during the week.
Committee of the Whole
Mr. Speaker, the Committee of the Whole is scheduled to meet on Thursday, 2nd June 2005 to discuss the Proposed Formula for the Distribution of Subsidies to be paid to Licensed District Mutual Health Insurance Schemes.
Mr. Speaker, prior to the discussions, the Council for the National Health Insurance would organize a briefing session for the honourable Members of the Finance and Health Committees on Friday, 27th May 2005 at the Greenland Hotel, Swedru.
Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Mines and Energy will depart for Greenland Hotel on Sunday, 29th May 2005 and on Monday, 30th May 2005, commence deliberations on the National Petroleum Authority Bill.
Mr. Speaker, honourable Members of the aforementioned committees are therefore urged to hold themselves in readiness for the exercise. Conclusion
Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160 (2) and subject to
Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this honourable House the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week.

Urgent Question --
Dr. Kwame Ampofo (South Dayi) 10:26 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Energy what events have led to the Government's directive to ask the Chairman and the Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission to step aside from their respective duties at the Commission.
Statements
Committee Sittings

Urgent Question --

M r. J o s e p h Ya a n i L a b i k (Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo): To ask the Minister for Health when a Bill to change the status of the Tamale Regional Hospital to a Teaching Hospital would be presented to Parliament.

Statements

Committee Sittings --

Committee of the Whole to discuss the Proposed Formula for the Distribution of Subsidies to be paid to Licensed District Mutual Health Insurance Schemes.

Urgent Question --
Ms. Akua Sena Dansua (North Dayi) 10:26 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning what the current status of the Social Investment Fund (SIF) is and when the SIF will be released for the implementation of projects in the North Dayi constituency.
Statements
Committee Sittings

Questions --

Minister for Road Transport - 1, 2,

3, 4 & 13.

Statements

Committee Sittings
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Hon. Members, that is the proposed business for the coming week. Are there any comments thereon?
Dr. K. Ampofo 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am scheduled to ask a Question on Tuesday, 31st May, but I am the Ranking Member for the Committee on Mines and Energy and we are scheduled to be at Swedru Greenland Hotel to consider a Bill. We shall be away from Sunday through Tuesday, 31st. So I shall not be able to put the Question on that day. I wish to ask if we can shift it to either Wednesday or Thursday.
Mr. Owusu-Adjapong 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, then I need to talk to the Minister for Mines and Energy, but for the moment, the change is that, we are going to ask the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning to shift to Tuesday. If I am able to
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Hon. Dr. Ampofo, is that not satisfactory enough?
Dr. Ampofo 10:40 a.m.
Well, it is but if it is going to pose a problem, then maybe we would rather suspend the meeting at Swedru so that this Question can be taken.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
I think this can be sorted out - not on the floor of the House.
rose
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Hon. Gidisu, before you ask your question - [Interruption.]
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is not a question. I want to find out from the Majority Leader whether the committee meeting is not ending on Monday, 30th May.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Hon. Gidisu, that is also a question, so please - [Interruption.]
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 10:40 a.m.
If it is ending on Monday, 30th, then my hon. Colleague can ask his Question on Tuesday.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Very well.
Mr. Owusu-Adjapong 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my attention has just been drawn to a possible fact, that the likelihood is that the
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Are there any other comments on the proposed Business for the Week? Hon. Members, in the absence of any amendments of the proposed Business, we will therefore in principle accept it and work with it, subject to any changes as and when necessary from the Business Committee.
We now move to Questions - There are two Urgent Questions standing in the name of the hon. Member for Central Tongu (Mr. J. K. Gidisu).
URGENT QUESTIONS 10:40 a.m.
MINISTRY OF FOOD AND 10:40 a.m.
AGRICULTURE 10:40 a.m.
Minister for Food and Agriculture (Mr. Ernest A. Debrah) 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my Ministry has put measures in place to address issues in the rice and poultry industries.
Rice Production
I wish to start from measures put in place to increase rice production. Measures being pursued to increase rice production include, among others:
Rehabilitation of Irrigation Schemes
Currently, Mr. Speaker, existing irrigation schemes are producing under
capacity. Out of a total irrigable area of 9,600,ha, only 6,100 ha is being effectively cropped. Under the Agriculture Sub-Sector Improvement Programme (AgSSIP), being implemented by my Ministry, nine irrigation sites -- Aveyime, Sata, Afife, Bontanga, Subinga, Tanoso, Akumadan, Kpando Torkor and Weija have been earmarked for rehabilitation at a total cost of ¢54.6 billion. The rehabilitation involves installation of new pumps, canals and drain construction, as well as desilting of choked canals.
The process for awarding the contract is far advanced and work on the schemes should start in the second half of this year.
At the end of the rehabilitation, an extra 3,500 hectares of irrigated land can be brought under cultivation and this can add over 22,000 mt (with two cropping seasons) of polished rice to present production.
Non-Irrigated Production Systems
Mr. Speaker, irrigated rice production is only one of the three production systems in the country. The other two are inland valley and upland rice production systems.
My Ministry has embarked on interventions to also increase rice production in the inland valley and upland production systems.
Inland Valley
Mr. Speaker, with support from the French Government through AFD, that is the French Development Agency, my Ministry implemented a Lowland Rice Development Project (LRDP) in the Northern Region. The Project which ended in 2003 was a big success. Due to the successful implementation of the project, my Ministry has asked for a second phase. The European Union has shown interest to
partner AFD for the second phase.
Currently, feasibility studies are under way for the implementation of the second phase to cover 5,000 ha of lowland rice in the northern sector. Under the project, provision has been made for credit facility for production and processing. This project is expected to add about 11,000 mt of polished rice to the national rice stock.
Mr. Speaker, with the assistance of the African Development Bank, my Ministry is developing another 4,500 ha of inland valley rice cultivation by providing water management structures, credit facilities for farmers/millers and brokers/marketers. In all, 9,000 farming families will be involved.
This 5-year project, when completed, will add about 13,000 mt of polished rice to the national stock.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, my Ministry has developed a programme to expand rice production at inland valley and irrigated sites by an additional 40,000 ha in the next five years. This year, 2005, is being used to prepare the ground by improving infrastructure for production to start in earnest in 2006. Taking into consideration the challenges on the ground, it is my hope that another 55,000 mt of polished rice from this hectrage could be expected.
Upland
Mr. Speaker, the upland fields have the lowest yield and the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) has been developed to address the low yield. The NERICA variety, which was developed by the West African Rice Development Association (WARDA), is tolerant to drought and has higher yields, as compared to the existing local varieties. While the local varieties yield an average of one tonne/ha, the NERICA can give up to three tonnes/ha under good management.

With the support of the African Development Bank, I have just launched a 5-year project to promote the growth of NERICA in selected communities in three districts namely: Tolon Kumbungu, Ejura- Sekyeredumasi and Hohoe.

The NERICA will be cultivated on 32,000 ha of land and will be expected to add some 62,000 mt of polished rice to the nation's stock.

Mr. Speaker, going through the interventions as I have already indicated, should add about 163,000 mt of polished rice to the national stocks in the next 5 years.

My Ministry will continue to explore other ways to increase rice production to ensure continued production increase in rice.

Processing, Packaging and Marketing

Mr. Speaker, to improve processing and packaging of rice, my Ministry has facilitated and encouraged a group of private investors/brokers to enter this sector of the industry. This partnership has worked well. This is an important intervention because the problem with local rice is the quality, arising out of poor processing and packaging techniques.

MOFA, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, has agreed to supply some subvented institutions with local rice. Under the arrangement, the brokers pick paddy from farmers, mill and supply to some educational institutions in Northern Ghana, the Prisons, the Military and the Ghana National Fire Service. Monies then meant as subvention to these institutions
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Hon.
Gidisu, do you have any supplementary question?
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in
the earlier submission of the Minister, he noted that existing irrigation schemes are being rehabilitated, and according to him, plans are far advanced to award the contracts. But in the same vein, he was
saying that the projects would have taken off by the second half of the year and Mr. Speaker, the second half of the year is just starting next week. How can he assure us that the programmes, as mentioned by him, would really be in place to let the projects take off as he has noted?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
So hon.
Gidisu, what is your question? You are asking, “How can he assure us”?
rose
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Hon. Minister, hold on for a second.
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 10:50 a.m.
What I mean is that
the second half of the year is starting just next week and the contract is yet to be awarded. How can he assure us that the second half of the year will really see the materialisation of the projects?
Mr. Debrah 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I think one
of the projects is in the hon. Member's constituency, that is Aveyime, and I am saying that in the second half of the year, the contract would begin. The proof of it will be that he will see work started on Aveyime Irrigation Project; that is the second half of the year. If he does not see it, he should come back and ask me the question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would want to find out from the Minister, how all those nice things he talked about, would trickle down to the rice farmer on the farm at Aveyime. [Pause.] I am trying to find out from him all those things because the rice farmer is the tail-end of all these things. From the Minister's presentation, how does he envisage this would affect the production line and the life of the rice farmer at those levels and in the country
as a whole?
Mr. Debrah 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, when
we prepare the irrigation system which includes creating canals, land bonding for the farmer so that at the tail-end of it, the farmer is provided with the necessary water ground resources to produce the rice -- and that is where the rice farmer benefits from it.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
Your last
supplementary, hon. Joe Gidisu.
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the
hon. Minister noted that they are going out to produce these maize and soya beans. I want to find out from him if these are going to be sold at subsidized prices to the poultry farmers as a government measure to support their work.
Mr. Debrah 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the talking
of subsidies, high prices and all the others arise from the fact that our unit cost of production is high. When the unit cost of production is high, the farmer sells his product under very high price before he can break even. The method that we are putting in place is to modernize agriculture so that you can increase yield per unit area. When that happens, the price of maize will come down to a point that the farmer would benefit and the poultry farmer would also be able to buy and run his poultry without any intimidation. The basic problem now is how to increase the yield per unit of land so that the value of the crop would not be too high to deter the poultry farmer from buying and at the same time, the price offered will satisfy the farmer.
If you increase the yield per acre of land of maize, for the three to four bags that they usually get to care, then the farmer selling at even ¢180,000 per bag

can earn ¢1.5 million as a profit so that at ¢250,000 per bag, he is getting ¢1 million for a bag of maize. So the emphasis by the Ministry is to improve the yield by the application of modern method of farming so that there can be a balance between the poultry farmer and the crop farmer. So that will address the issue that we are talking about.
Mr. G. K. B. Gbediame 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
in talking about marketing, he mentioned that government institutions are going to be supplied with the local rice. I want to know from the Minister how they are going to get the general public to switch off from the imported rice consumption to the local rice consumption.
Mr. Debrah 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, Ghanaians
have been getting some locally-produced rice from the market. What we are saying is that subvented institutions, that is institutions that depend on Government for subvention will now be supplied with the local rice. That does not mean that there would be no local rice on the market. As we move on, and we are able to produce more and more rice, more of our locally- produced rice would be made available on the market. But it does not mean that no rice at all will come to the market.
Mr. G. K. B. Gbediame 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
the question is, changing the taste from imported rice to locally-produced rice; I am not talking about the availability of the rice on the market.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon. Gershon Gbediame, your question again. I did not follow it. I want you to ask your question again.
Mr. Gbediame 11 a.m.
My question is, with
the government established institutions, these locally-produced rice would be sold out to them outright and they would not have any problem about the consumption,
but having been used to the imported rice, what programme do they have in place to switch the taste of Ghanaians from imported rice to the locally-produced rice?
Mr. Debrah 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I do not think I have got the magic wand to change the taste of Ghanaians from imported to local rice, but what we are doing now with the educational institutions is like catching them young. So I believe that as we give this rice to the educational institutions, they would grow up to like the taste of the rice. But I believe that as Ghanaians, we ourselves can mature and develop our taste with what we produce in this country.
Mr. C. S. Hodogbey 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
my question to the hon. Minister is that -[Interruption.] His measures spelt out the way to increase rice production and poultry, but the most important thing facing the poultry and the rice farmers today is the challenge of competition, which has been created by the very Government reducing tarrifs on poultry and rice. My question is, in his statement he failed to tell us whether the Government would be able to subsidise - [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
The hon.
Minister has not issued a statement, he answered Questions. If you want to ask a question, hon. Member for North Tongu, then ask your question.
Mr. Hodogbey 11 a.m.
My question is when
will the Government be able to give subsidy to poultry and rice farmers so that they can also become competitive with those coming from other countries where the governments have subsidised theirs.
Mr. Debrah 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I think I
want to read a paragraph of what I read to the hon. Member, that is with regard to the establishment of the Poultry Development Board. And I said:
“One of the objectives of the Board is to work with Government
to promote some policies for monitoring and review of duties and taxes on imported raw materials as well as poultry products so as to maintain the competitiveness of locally-produced poultry and poultry products vis-à-vis imports.”
So it is a part of the Board's responsibility to look at the poultry industry as a whole and advise Government on policies relating to poultry products and import that would make our local poultry competitive. So I think the Board will advise us on the advances that that is the issue. There are so many issues in the poultry industry and the Board would advise us if they find it necessary.
Mr. C. K. Humado 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Hon. Member, I have given you the floor to ask a question, not to argue. So ask your question.
Mr.C. K. Humado 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my question is whether the Ministry has undertaken any studies following the reduction in tariffs to determine its impact on rice and poultry production.
Mr. Debrah 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry

[[MR. DEBRAH] has done some studies with regard to the poultry industry and there are a lot of factors affecting the poultry industry. It is not only the reduction in tariffs that is affecting the poultry industry; the whole industry needs to be modernized. The equipment that we are using are obsolete . They bring in day-old chicks that have high mortality rate, and the quality of feed is not up to standard.

So a whole lot of things have to be done and that is why the Government has found it necessary to establish the Poultry Board to focus attention solely on the poultry industry. The Board will look at these factors and advise the Government on the right way to go. So these measures that we have put in place will surely address not only the imports that we are talking about but all the problems associated with the poultry industry.

We want to revamp the poultry industry; we do not want to take a measure today which will then prove not useful tomorrow. So the Board is supposed to take account of all these things and I am sure that when it starts working and comes out with these policies, we shall all be happy about it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Ken Dzirasah 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am aware that the hon. Minister is a very successful farmer and he is very conversant with competitiveness in pricing. The question I want to ask is, would it not have been better if all these nice programmes were put in place to serve as a shock absorber for the poultry farmer and the rice farmer before the reduction in tariffs so that the products can be competitive now? I am saying this against the background of the fact that currently, these two industries are labouring under very low prices from imported goods and high production costs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Hon. Member, I would not allow the question. It is soliciting for an opinion which is not permitted by the rules.
Mr. Lee Ocran 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I have two questions for the hon. Minister.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
I would first of all allow you to start with your first question.
Mr. Ocran 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, farmers in the United States of America have the highest yield per hectare because of the methods used in their production. But those methods also make the unit cost of production very high. That is why the United States Government subsidizes the cost of production of rice -- [Interrup- tions] -- I am coming to the question. The highest cost of production in Ghana is land preparation and the highest unit cost is fuel that we put in the tractors. What plans has his Ministry to help farmers procure fuel at reasonable prices?
Mr. Debrah 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am doubting where he had his statistics from, that the cost of land preparation in United States is quite high. It depends upon so many things that go in - [Interruption] -- For example, when you come to Ghana, land preparation for rice is higher in an irrigated area than in an inland valley. It is higher in upland rise when you are in the transitional zone and the forest zone than in the Northern Region. So you cannot just say that it is higher here than there; it depends on so many conditions.
But having said that, what we are putting in place is improving the yield to ensure that the unit cost of production comes low. We want to improve and modernize production so that the unit cost of land comes low. He is an agriculturalist
himself and so he knows if you prepare an acre of land and plant at the right planting distance and apply the fertilizer at the right time, you are likely to make fifteen bags of maize per acre.
Someone who does it the normal way will get three to four bags per acre so before he can get fifteen bags per acre, he must do five acres. Look at land clearing for five acres; look at weeding five acres, just by the simple application of a planting method. So we are trying to improve the cultural practices by modernizing farming to ensure that the unit cost of production goes down. That is the only way that we can bring the farmer up and these are the methods that we are currently applying.
With regard to the price of petroleum products, the decision will depend on how we buy fuel from outside because we have agreed here that there will be some cost recovery from fuel. That is not for the Minister for Agriculture to determine.
Majority Leader (Mr. Felix Owusu- Adjapong) 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to satisfy what hon. Ampofo said. We have managed to get the hon. Minister for Health to come on Tuesday to answer the Question from hon. Labik and then we shift hon. Ampofo to his former position. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Hon. Ampofo, are you all right with it?
Dr. Kwame Ampfo 11:10 a.m.
I am all right with that, Mr. Speaker.
Repackaging of Quality Grain Project since 2001
Mr. Joe Kwashie Gidisu asked the Minister for Food and Agriculture what had become of the Quality Grain Project since its repackaging in 2001.
Mr. Debrah 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in 1996,

[[MR. DzIRASAH] the Government of Ghana agreed with the Exim Bank of the United States of America to guarantee a loan to be released to a US company called Quality Grain Incorporated to establish a rice farm and a mill in Ghana to supply the country's rice requirement and also for export. The project was not executed to completion. The Government of Ghana therefore took over the assets of the company in May 2001.

Following the formal take-over of the assets of the Quality Grains Company by the Government of Ghana, a five-member Interim Management Committee (IMC) was formed by the hon. Minister for Food and Agriculture in July 2001. The IMC was charged with the day-to-day management of the assets of the Aveyime Rice Project. The IMC was also to find practical ways of utilizing the machinery and equipment of Aveyime Rice Project until such a time that the Government of Ghana took a final decision on the Aveyime Rice Project.

For the meantime, to boost the production of rice in the country, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has been collaborating with local rice brokers to bag paddy rice from local sources for milling, using the facilities at the project for a fee. The moneys generated have been used to pay salaries and to maintain the machinery and equipment.

Mr. Speaker, in the course of time, some local and foreign companies expressed interest to use the mill of the project to mill imported paddy rice. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture consequently decided that some guidelines be developed to facilitate a decision by the Ministry on the best option for the implementation of the rice project at Aveyime.

Mr. Speaker, in July 2004 the Ministry constituted a committee to assess proposals that had been received from local and foreign companies which had expressed interest in the use of facilities of the project. A key recommendation of the committee was that the Ministry, in its negotiation with potential investors, should make sure that local rice production is not sacrified for private imports.

In reference to the committee's report, Mr. Speaker, my Ministry is in the process of recruiting valuers to value the land, the mill and the other machinery/ equipment on the farm. This is important for Government to know the value of the property and to guide Government in negotiations with investors. Given the level of technology in the case of the mill, equipment, an advertisement has been sent to the World Bank Development Journal inviting interested international valuers to submit proposals for the valuation of the mill.

Other invitations have gone to professional bodies locally to have their interested members submit proposals for consideration, to value the land. The valuation would form the basis for further negotiations with investors. My Ministry would invite interested investors through an open tender system to ensure that Ghana has the best in terms of proposals that would promote and develop the local rice industry. Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would want to find out from the hon. Minister whether he is satisfied with the level of performance, in terms of the situation at the project site, of the Interim Management Committee for the last four years in managing the place.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Although it is asking for an opinion, I think I would
allow that. Although that is soliciting an opinion on the matter, I will allow it. Hon. Minister, are you ready to give an answer to that?
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister has been to the site, he has seen what has gone on there in terms of the management of the place. The Interim Management Committee which has been set up for the past four years -- The level of performance there, he as the supervising Minister, is he satisfied with the performance of the Interim Management Committee so far?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
And I said though, it is asking for an opinion, in this circumstance, I will allow that. Would you please answer the question.
Mr. Debrah 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I visited the Aveyime project with the hon. Member of Parliament. Mr. Speaker, the machines, equipment were properly kept under shed. I walked through the mill with them; the place was neat; I did not find anything wrong with the level of keeping the machines. I am not an engineer to know the level of maintenance that is there, but from what I saw I think they have done definitely well.
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would want to find out from the hon. Minister whether he wants to tell this House, from his own submission, that for the past four years they were not able to do evaluation of the project as envisaged under the so- called repackaging.
Mr. Debrah 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I think I have made my point quite clear that before I enter into any negotiations, I would want to know the value of the asset; and this is what I am doing. I have invited people to give me value for the asset and I think
that is what any good negotiator would do. You would want to know the value of the asset before you go into any repackaging or negotiation or whatsoever and this is what I have set into motion now.
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, so for the past four and a half years, it is only now that he would tell us that the Ministry is trying to evaluate the project. For the past four and a half years, is it only now that the Ministry is coming out to start a fresh evaluation of the project?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Hon. Minister, his question is that you have taken that long, and it is only today you are telling us that you are valuing the assets of the project. What do you have to say to that?
Mr. Debrah 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, evaluation of a project is different from valuation of the assets of a project, there is a difference. I am saying that I want the assets valued before I enter into any negotiation. Somebody might evaluate the project and look at the profitability of it but I am looking at what the costs of the whole assets are before I enter into any negotiations. That is it.
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is the same situation, whether evaluation or valuation. Does the hon. Minister want to say that for four and a half years now, it is only now that he is coming up with evaluation of the machines and the land at the project site, to come up with - [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Yes, hon. Minister, you have not answered the question yet. He wants to ask you about the fact that you have taken more than four years or getting to about four years to value the assets, not the project itself; and he is saying that the asset valuation has dragged on for too long.
Mr. Debrah 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I do not know about that, but I am saying that, right now, as the Minister for Food and Agriculture, I would not take a decision on a project I have not assessed. It is the value, as at today, that will guide me to take a decision on the asset. So even if the thing has been valued earlier, I would rather need a re-evaluation to establish the current value of the asset before I enter into any negotiations. So what I am saying is that we at the Ministry have put in place measures to find the current value of the assets before taking a decision as to where to go from there.
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 11:20 a.m.
Why has he taken - [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
No, hon. Gidisu, I have not given you the floor. Yes, hon. Member for North Tongu?
Mr. Charles S. Hodogbey 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister for Food and Agriculture is, his predecessor stated among other things that the reason for closing the Quality Grain Project was “lack of feasibility studies”, that is what he said -- lack of feasibility studies. He is also saying that he is doing evaluation, but he has already repackaged the project. My question is, is he telling this House that he does not know the value of the machinery of what they are re-packaging - [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Hon. Member, the hon. Minister has just said that he wants to find the current value of the asset. He has said it before that even if there was an existing value of the asset - [Interruption] -- So could you ask some other question; if you do not have any other question - [Interruption.]
Mr. Hodogbey 11:20 a.m.
The project has already been repackaged. What is the value of the repackaging he is giving to
the public?
Mr. Debrah 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, this is the paper that I read. Would the hon. Member come and show me where I said I have re-packaged the project?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Hon. Minister, would you answer his question, please - [Interruptions.]
Mr. Debrah 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I did not say that I have repackaged the project. I said I am in the process of valuing the asset to enable me know what to do with the Aveyime project; so I have not re- packaged the project.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
His question was, how much is the value of the asset? Is that not what you asked, hon. Member? He wants to know the value of the asset before the repackaging.
Mr. Hodogbey 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I was on the field with the hon. Minister - [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
You were on the field with him?
Mr. Hodogbey 11:30 a.m.
Yes, I was with him. He saw the magnitude of the machinery at Aveyime. I do not know if he is aware that milling of rice is going on now. How long is it going to take them to officially declare the factory operational?
Mr. Debrah 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, as I said, milling is going on but the factory is not fully completed. It is the mill section that is being used and we are only doing that because we do not want to keep the machinery idle, so that we can make use of the machinery and at least use it to maintain the mill. So what we are doing right now is to just use the portion of the mill that is complete to mill rice, to ensure that workers are kept to look after the machine.
Mr. Debrah 11:30 a.m.


There are security people and other people there who are supposed to be oiling and doing so many things; so it is only that portion that we are using. The mill is not yet fully completed and that is why we need to fully assess the value of the mill before we take any decision.
Mr. A. K. Agbesi 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want
to know from the hon. Minister how long it would take to revalue the mill. How long would the revaluation take?
Mr. Debrah 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would not be able to answer the question right now, because we said we have advertised for people to apply to revalue the assets. When they come and they bring their proposals then we will be able to know how long it would take to revalue the assets.
Mr. Agbesi 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, this is a follow-up question. Already we are being told that the factory has been there for four and a half years, and the hon. Minister cannot tell us how long the revaluation would take. I want to assume that it is going to take another four and a half years to revalue this factory which is - [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Hon. Member, you said it was a follow-up question; could you go straight and ask a question. Do you want to ask a question or not?
Mr. Agbesi 11:30 a.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, I want to know whether this revaluation would take another four and a half years?
Mr. Debrah 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it will
not take four and a half years. I think we shall be through with the evaluation. I did not want to give a specific answer to this because the people must bring their proposals that would show the date that they would be able to carry out the exercise; and all these would be taken into account in giving the thing out. But I am sure that the revaluation of the factory, as we get the proposals and evaluate them,
would not take too long. So we would finish the revaluation soon.
Mr. Yaw Effah-Baafi 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am the Member for Kintampo South. Mr. Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister whether the Government's policy to cut rice importation by 30 per cent can be realized?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
I believe
the hon. Member's question is whether the Government's policy of cutting rice importation by 30 per cent would be realized. Is that your question?
Mr. Effah-Baafi 11:30 a.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Debrah 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is
Government's policy to optimize the use of our land and water resources; that is government policy. So we shall use our areas that are best suited for the cultivation of rice in cultivating rice. We shall, maybe, move above 30 per cent; I do not know as I stand here. But the measures that we have taken right now that I read to you would take us far above 30 per cent at the end of the fifth year, if consumption remains as it is today.
Mr. Kenneth Dzirasah 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know from the hon. Minister whether after the evaluation Government intends selling part of the assets. To be more specific, the two combined harvesters, about ten tractors and the aircraft -- whether the Government intends selling those parts of the assets after re-evaluation.
Mr. Debrah 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, when we get
to the river we shall cross it. [Laughter.] The essence of the valuation exercise is to get to know what I have and what I can do with it, the condition of the equipment, and so on, that would let me know which way I should go. But if I have not looked
at the assets, their worth, and how they can be used, then I cannot determine whether I would sell them or not. I cannot determine whether I would go into partnership or I would not go into partnership. So these options would be decided when I have the value and the condition of the mill ready.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Hon. Members, that will be the end of Question time. Hon. Minister, we thank you for making yourself available to answer Questions of hon. Members of this honourable House.
Hon. Members, we now move on to Statements. Today is Friday but we have two short Statements, one from the hon. Kwame Owusu Frimpong, Member of Parliament for Ahafo- Ano North; and the other from hon. Akua Dansua, Member of Parliament for North Dayi. We shall first proceed with that of hon. Owusu Frimpong. If you are here, hon. Member, go ahead.
STATEMENTS 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Kwame Owusu Frimpong (NPP - Ahafo-Ano North) 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I thank you very much for permitting me to make this Statement on the floor of this august House on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary and Speech and Prize-Giving Day of Tepa Secondary School.
Tepa Secondary School is 40 years old and on this august and memorable occasion which culminates in a Speech and Prize-Giving Day, I wish to bring my felicitation and salutation to the school, the Board of Governors, the headmaster and the staff, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Old Students' Association and
all who have the school at heart for their hard work and dedication, resulting in the school producing many academicians in various occupations, and also the promising young people who will grow up to effectively take over the economic, social and political development of the country.
Mr. Speaker, the school started as a co-educational four-year teacher training college in 1965. It was founded by the Government of the First Republic in collaboration with the local community. It was turned into a secondary school in September 1971 and gradually the teacher training college was phased out.
In the early eighties, Tepa Secondary School was a great force to reckon with in cross-country sports and even now continues to chalk many successes in other disciplines such as an admirable cadet corps.

Still in the political domain, the Acting District Chief Executive of Ahafo-Ano North, hon. Akwasi Adu Poku is also a product of the school. Indeed, this is a big plus and laudable achievements attained by the school in the political sphere.

Mr. Speaker, being the pioneer of the schools in Ahafo-Ano North, the school was selected for upgrading into a model school and it will be appreciable if immediate and serious view is taken at the programme for the school to solve the acute accommodation problems for both tutors and students alike.
Mr. Paul Okoh (NPP - Asutifi North) 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I thank you for permitting me to associate myself with this Statement made by hon. Kwame Owusu Frimpong. I want to join him in congratulating Tepa Secondary School on celebrating its 40th Anniversary.
Mr. Speaker, Tepa Secondary School is among the several other schools in the Ahafo area and in 1980 it was an up-and coming school. But like all the other schools like Maabang Secondary School, Mim Secondary School, Gyamfi Kumaning Secondary School and all the others in the Ahafo area, Tepa Secondary School suffered from lack of attention, lack of infrastructures, like classrooms, offices, staff accommodation and the rest. These problems have made the schools in the area less attractive to potential students and this negates the fact that the Government wanted to bring education to the doorsteps of the people.
Now, Tepa Secondary School luckily, like Hwidiem Secondary School, has been selected for upgrading; and this is a laudable idea. But Mr. Speaker, I would want to plead with the Government that it should impress upon the contractors who are working on these schools to upgrade them, to speed up the work that they are doing over there.
Furthermore, I would want also to appeal that schools like Gyamfi Kumaning Secondary School, which is a technical/ vocational school, and those that have
not been selected for upgrading, should not be neglected; they should be given the necessary push. The school that I have just mentioned, Gyamfi Kumaning Secondary School, is a vocational/ technical school at Wamahinso and it is the only technical/ vocational school in the area; but it cannot boast of even one spanner.
It is therefore necessary that the Government takes it into consideration in trying to upgrade all these schools so that education would be brought to the doorsteps of all the others.
Mr. Speaker, before I sit down, I would want to again congratulate Tepa Secondary School on their 40th Anniversary.
Mr. S. K. Adu-Gyamfi (NPP - Aowin) 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I also wish to associate myself with the Statement to salute Tepa Secondary School on their 40th Anniversary.
Mr. Speaker, “Open Days” for schools, in educational management are to advertise the schools for support from individuals, organizations and the Government. I think it is pertinent for such support to go to Tepa Secondary School on this occasion.
Mr. Speaker, truly, rural secondary schools must be given priority and special attention in terms of development. If we are really aiming at reducing poverty then these rural schools should be developed so that we can harness the talents of the gifted children who are in these communities.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to say that if we want to select secondary schools for upgrading, then schools like Tepa Secondary School and those in the villages around should be looked at very carefully. This is because if people should move from these communities and come to urban schools and if their parents cannot also afford, it really becomes a problem for rural dwellers.
Mr. Speaker, at this juncture,I wish to encourage individuals and organizations
who are interested in education to support rural schools to supplement the efforts of the Government.
Mr. Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo (NDC - Wa Central) 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, while congratulating the hon. Member for bringing this into the public domain, at this very high level, I would want to draw the attention of this House that it is a reminder to me that the first secondary school in my region is still not 40 years old. This is to tell the Government that there is the need to pay more attention to education in the Upper West Region and that the policy of upgrading one senior secondary school in each district will not be fair to a region like the Upper West Region where we do not have enough of these schools to even upgrade.

Capt. Effah-Dartey (rtd.): Mr. Speaker, with all respect, I just wanted your guidance. The hon. Member is making a commentary or a contribution on the Statement made by the hon. Member concerning Tepa Secondary School, but he is talking about the upgrading of schools in Upper West Region. Mr. Speaker, I do not see the relevance of Upper West Region schools and Tepa Secondary School's 40th Anniversary. Mr. Speaker, if he wants to make a Statement he can come back.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Yes, hon. Member, do you want to contribute to the
Mr. Pelpuo 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, what I am simply saying is that it is a reminder. Tepa Secondary School is 40 years old; we are all happy. It has been brought to the public domain, it is a reminder to the fact that 40 years ago there was no secondary school somewhere. And as we are discussing senior secondary schools -- [Interrup-tion.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Honestly, you are hijacking the Statement. If you want to contribute, do so; if you do not want to do that, I might as well ask you to take your seat.
Mr. Pelpuo 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am contributing to the Statement and I am just taking the opportunity to make mention of the fact that since we are in the country -- [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
A mention in passing is allowed, but if you continue the way you are going about it, I might be obliged to let you take your seat.
Mr. Pelpuo 11:50 a.m.
All right, Mr. Speaker. So I am just reminding the Government that Tepa Secondary School is 40 years old and it is a reminder to the fact that 40 years ago some schools were not in existence, and that more attention needs to be paid to those schools or to those areas where education is much needed; the quality of education needs to be upgraded and that - [Interruption.]
Mr. Baidoe-Ansah 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am a little bit confused here.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
It is not my fault - [Laughter.]
Mr. Baidoe-Ansah 11:50 a.m.
I agree. It is a point of order. Mr. Speaker, I am wondering whether Tepa is in the Upper West Region. Possibly there is another Tepa there and he is a little bit confused. I do not know, or is it that I am confused as well. Maybe, there is Tepa in the Upper West Region.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
No, that one has since been thrashed out. Have you finished, hon. Member?
Mr. Pelpuo 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the conclusion of it is that under the canopy of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Tepa Secondary School, we are calling on the Government to pay particular attention to the Upper West Region, where 40 years ago there was no such secondary school. [Hear! Hear!]
Mr. Robert Sarfo-Mensah (NPP - Asunafo North) 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to associate myself with the Statement made and to congratulate Tepa Secondary School on the achievements that they have chalked so far.
I would like to say, Mr. Speaker, that I pass through Tepa before I get to my constituency. The secondary school is just beside the Bechem-Nkwanta-Goaso highway. I am surprised to hear this morning that Tepa Secondary School is 40 years old because looking at the level of development, in terms of infrastructure and other things, it does not befit the status of a school which is 40 years old. That goes to emphasize the fact that Tepa Secondary School has been neglected for quite a long time.
Mr. Speaker, I am personally happy that the school has been selected as one of the schools to be upgraded under the President's model schools. I would like to use this occasion to impress upon the hon. Minister for Education and Sports to

ensure that Tepa would be selected among the schools that would be upgraded this year.
Ms. Dansua 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my point of order is in reference to his mention of women farmers. I want to know from him if it is only the women farmers who go through the school on their way back - [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
This is not question time. Hon. Member, continue. [Laughter.]
Mr. Sarfo-Mensah 11:50 a.m.
So if the District Assembly would try to build some fence or wall around the school - [Interrup-tion.]
Dr. Kunbuor 11:50 a.m.
My point of order is on some statements that the hon. Member is making in his contribution - [Interrup- tion.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
I can hardly hear you, hon. Member.
Dr. Kunbuor 11:50 a.m.
The statements being made by my hon. Colleague could be very derogatory to our rural farmers. I do not think that just because it is a secondary school, it suddenly turns into an environment which women farmers who are passing through it do not add to the beauty of it, but rather derogate from its atmosphere.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon.
Mr. Sarfo-Mensah 11:50 a.m.
Before I resume my seat, I read from the back page of The Daily Graphic of yesterday that there have been some abandoned projects for so long in the Tepa Secondary School, which are harbouring dangerous reptiles at the teachers' bungalows. So I would like to impress upon the hon. Minister for Education and Sports and the Tepa District Assembly, that is, Asunafo South District Assembly, to ensure that they complete those projects on time so that they do not kind of become a problem for the school; because most teachers in that area need accommodation.
Once again, I want to congratulate Tepa Secondary School on attaining those successes.
Deputy Minister for Education and Sports (Mrs. Angelina Baiden- Amissah): Mr. Speaker, as I congratulate Tepa Secondary School on their 40th anniversary, I wish to highlight a few issues concerning 31 secondary schools which were mentioned and what we are planning to do afterwards.
Mr. Speaker, we have realized after collecting the results of the structures on the ground, with regard to the 31 secondary schools, that some contractors are not performing and for which reason we have decided to terminate their contracts and reaward new contracts to contractors who we know will actually work.
For those that have already been started, we realized that some of them have got to 70 per cent completion stage, others 50 per cent completion stage. Whatever be the case, we have started going round; we sent people to go round to see what is happening. The hon. Minister will also go round to see exactly what is happening. We want to make sure that we finish all the 31 secondary schools this year and then next year we shall tackle the rest. So I want hon. Colleagues to rest assured
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Would you say something about Tepa Secondary School? [Laughter.]
Mrs. Baiden-Amissah 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I realized that as hon. Members were congratulating Tepa Secondary School, a lot of them tried to chip in their problems and they also emphasized the issue about the 31 secondary schools; and that is the reason I have decided to come in at this stage to explain what is happening on the ground. If they know that those we have tackled are finished then they will relax. Tepa Secondary School, a Deputy Minister will go to the school to see exactly what is happening there and see what we can do for them. [Hear! Hear!]
Mr. Speaker, it is for this reason that we have started training teachers; we are training and retraining teachers so that they can take care of the schools, especially these schools that we are talking about. Even furniture -- By the time schools are reopened, especially first-cycle institutions, they would have received the furniture and textbooks. We have sat on it; we have put our hands to the wheel; so please rest assured that something good will come up.
As I end this, I want to congratulate Tepa Secondary School. Forty years is not a joke, they have done well; but they should rest assured that something good will come and that they will smile.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker noon
Hon. Members, that brings us to the end of the contributions on Tepa Secondary School.
Tribute in Memory of Togbe Tamtia V, Fiaga of Botoku
Traditional Area
Ms. Akua Sena Dansua (NDC -

North Dayi): Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to make this Statement in memory of Togbe Tamtia V, Fiaga of Botoku Traditional Area.

Mr. Speaker, Togbe Tamtia V, in whose memory this Statement is being made, was the Fiaga (Divisional Chief) of Botoku Traditional Area, where I hail from. [Hear! Hear!]. Togbe Tamtia, known in private life as Fritz Yawo Atsu Domenya Akatu, at his passing, was aged 94 and reigned for 52 years. In fact, he was one of the oldest chiefs in central Volta Region.

Mr. Speaker, the late Togbe Tamtia was largely unknown to many Ghanaians but deserves recognition and honour because of the many monumental things he did during his lifetime not only in his chiefdom but in his immediate traditional council area and also throughout the Volta Region.

In the early sixties, he served as President of the Ablode Local Council with its headquarters at Vakpo, and between 1988 and 1990, was member of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs. He was also a senior member of the Akpini Traditional Council.

Mr. Speaker, for the people of Botoku, Togbe Tamtia in his 52-year reign left his footprints in the sands of time. Togbe's pet projects were particularly in education perhaps because his own education was prematurely truncated so that he would become a cocoa purchaser for the then UAC, the popular vocation in his youthful days, and subsequently to become a divisional chief.

Mr. Speaker, whilst initiating physical infrastructure, Togbe Tamtia also insisted on quality education through simple but effective processes to get the pupils and teachers giving of their best. Togbe was also instrumental in getting a rural housing project in Botoku in the 1980s.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to emphasize that Togbe succeeded in holding his people

together with a common unity of purpose. Indeed, he showed leadership by example and as such commanded respect among his people.

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, Togbe Tamtia's influence transcended his own Chiefdom. Indeed, Togbe was instrumental in setting up an Association of “Balimefiawo”, that is, an association of 10 other chiefs in the ‘Valley', that is geographical location of our area. This association, apart from bringing his colleague chiefs together, also helped to erase the suspicion and mistrust that usually existed among chiefs in those days. The association's members are now very supportive of each other's developmental agenda, thus erasing the acrimony that years ago characterized the siting of developmental projects in the area.

Mr. Speaker, beyond the ‘Valley', Togbe Tamtia was a highly respected and senior member of the Avazorli Union, a unique association of the chiefs and people of Botoku, ziavi, Kpedze Todze, Mepe, Etordome, Kpando Nyigbe, that is, Aziavi, Fesi and Aloyi who in their escape from the tyrannical rule of King Agorkoli of Notsie in those bad days, left as a group but settled individually based on factors like proximity to water, farm land and the weather among others. Togbe in his life time ensured there was unity of purpose among these geographically independent but closely knit sisters and brothers.

Mr. Speaker, one could attribute Togbe Tamtia's success at home and abroad to certain unique qualities he had. Togbe was very, very humble, selfless, sympathetic and above all, very accommodating. Such was the stature of the late Togbe Tamtia V and I am sure that most of us here have such calibre of chiefs in our regions. But either intentionally or by default, these great chiefs are allowed to pass without recognition and honour. In fact, they die unsung. Mr. Speaker, the time has come for us to rethink our position on such monumental chiefs.

For a long time, Ghanaians have tended to be attracted to only highly lettered, professional or rich chiefs, some of whom may not equal these unsung chiefs in terms of developmental impact on their people.

Mr. Speaker, the time has come for us to identify and recognize such humble but effective chiefs in the countryside and give them their due whilst alive. I urge my colleague journalists who possess the skills and tools for providing this exposure, to lead this rethinking process.

Mr. Speaker, by his passing, the chiefs and people of Botoku, Balimetowo, Avazorliawo and indeed the people of Volta Region have lost a great chief; a chief of wise counsel, humility and service. I urge the kingmakers of Botoku to find a worthy successor for Togbe Tamtia and timely too so that the vacuum created by his passing will not be for too long felt which will therefore affect negatively Botoku's development.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to use this opportunity to invite your goodself, Leadership and hon. Colleagues to join us in Botoku to give a befitting burial to Togbe Tamtia V, a legendary chief, on Saturday, May 28, 2005, that is tomorrow.

Thank you very much.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker noon
Hon. Members, I will take three more contributions on that; one from you, hon. Member for Ho West.
Mr. Francis A. Agbotse (NDC - Ho West) noon
Mr. Speaker, I join hon. Akua Sena Dansua, Member of Parliament for North Dayi, to pay tribute to Togbe Tamtia V, Fiaga of Botoku Traditional Area. Mr. Speaker, I am doing this especially because of his role in the Avazorli Association which comprises towns from Botoku, ziavi, Kpedze Todze, where I come from, Mepe, Etordome,
Kpando Nyigbe, among others. This is a group which together moved from Notsie to escape the tyrannical rule of Togbe Agorkoli.
Maybe, most of us have read about Togbe Agorkoli but are not aware of the extent of his wickedness in those days which led the Ewes to move from Notsie to various parts of the Volta Region and beyond. One example was that, Togbe Agorkoli gave his people the task of making twines from mud. The Ewes sought counsel and asked Togbe Agorkoli to give them a sample of the twine from mud; this he could not do.
Ewes are scattered all over the country and they moved in various groups. It is to the memory of Togbe Tamtia that he and others thought it fit to group the Avazorli group into one united body from Kpando in the very north -- not so much to the north -- to Mepe in the Tongu constituency. I am hoping that the kingmakers would select a worthy successor to this great chief so that the unity of the Avazorli group will not be disrupted by a chief who will not be sensitive to the unity of this group.
I am hoping that the Speaker and other Members of Parliament will take the invitation so generously extended by hon. Akua Dansua and be at the funeral tomorrow to bid farewell to the great chief of Botoku Traditional Area.
Deputy Minister for the Interior (Capt. Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey (rtd.)): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to associate myself with the Statement made by hon. Akua Dansua on the passing away of the chief of her town, the Botoku Traditional Area.
Mr. Speaker, there are three points I want to make about this Statement.
Mr. Francis A. Agbotse (NDC - Ho West) 12:10 p.m.
The first one is the fact that the Fiaga ruled for 52 long years. That means that, I was not born when he was installed a chief. And Mr. Speaker, for a chief to rule for 52 years, it means that he ruled with fairness and justice. Otherwise, he would have been destooled by his people. And I think that all chiefs in Ghana should emulate it to make an effort to endear themselves to their people, so that they can maintain the respect that is associated with chieftaincy.
On this note, Mr. Speaker, I think I would want to salute the late chief for having achieved such a remarkable feat of being on the throne for 52 years.
The second point I want to make about the Statement, Mr. Speaker, is a remarkable point that hon. Akua Dansua made which was that we should not wait for chiefs or, for that matter, remarkable people to die before we eulogise them, before we acknowledge the feat that they accomplished whilst they were alive. I think that it is a statement that is worthy of emulation because all over the country, until you die, the good things that you are doing are not recognized by anybody and you just continue to toil. On the day, when you are dead and your corpse is sent to the grave then we publish all sorts of tributes, pages upon pages.

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the hon. Member for North Dayi (hon. Akua Sena Dansua) that all journalists like her, all over the country, should make an effort to bring to light all these good deeds of many people who are scattered all over the country, so that they can serve as role models for the young ones who are coming up.

Mr. Speaker, the third and last point I would want to make about the Statement made by hon. Member for North Dayi (hon. Akua Sena Dansua) is the fact that chiefs continue to remain the symbol of our people. When you go to every traditional area, especially we the politicians, you cannot be said to have visited a village unless you enter the palace to pay your respects to the chief. It is for this reason that Mr. Speaker, chiefs must rule and they must reign with the consciousness that society looks up to from them. There are some chiefs who busy themselves in doing all sorts of nefarious activities. Some of them sell lands to several buyers without shame, Mr. Speaker. And some of them engage in all types of negative deeds in the dark which when they come to light soil the good name of chieftaincy.

So Mr. Speaker, we have now a shining example of a chief who reigned for fifty- two years and did not get involved in any of these things but has died and he is going to get a glorious and befitting burial.
rose
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon. Member, are you on a point of order?
Mr. Agbesi 12:10 p.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my hon. Colleague on the other side is making a serious statement about chiefs in general. He is imputing a lot of things to chiefs. Some of them sell lands and do this or that. Mr. Speaker, the chiefs are not on this floor here and he is making a very serious statement about chieftaincy, which is a very important institution of this country.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
You are out of order -- [Laughter.]
Dr. Kwame Ampofo (NDC -- South Dayi) 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the Statement made by the hon. Member for North Dayi in her tribute to Togbe Tamtia V.
Mr. Speaker, in the Statement, the hon. Member for North Dayi paid tribute to the great chief and made us understand that this was one chief who was a role model -- a role model because he was so humble, respected all and therefore all respected him. These attributes of humility are what made Togbe Tamtia V stand out as a special chief for the traditional area of Botoku.
Mr. Speaker, I think, as the hon. Member for Berekum (Capt. Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey (rtd)) said, for a chief to rule for this long -- fifty-two years -- it shows that he, indeed, must have been a man of remarkable qualities. Such qualities I think, Mr. Speaker, are what is needed in this our present or modern times. Under our democratic dispensation, where also the institution of chieftaincy is integrated into modern governance, it is necessary that our traditional rulers know how to
fit into the system and be leaders of their people: leaders in terms of development: leaders in terms of bringing education to their people, as has been highlighted in the case of Togbe Tamtia V.
I think as an institution, Parliament should identify and encourage such chiefs so that they become role models for other chiefs to follow.
Mr. Speaker, it is well known that many of the chiefs, particularly in the Volta Region do not have financial resources that will make them the kind of leaders that we would want. So I know for sure that the allowances that are paid to these traditional rulers are nothing to write home about. Some of the chiefs have actually spoken to me about this issue.
The hon. Member for North Dayi (Ms. Akua Dansua) just whispered to me that they receive ten thousand cedis a month; and this is pathetic. Parliament and, for that matter -- I think the Ministry responsible for chieftaincy affairs must look into this so that chiefs then will not be tempted to sell lands, as we have been told, or indulge in other negative social practices that will bring down the good name of the institution.
Mr. Speaker, I assure the hon. Member for South Dayi that I will be at the funeral because I would want personally to pay my last respects to such a great but humble leader. And I wish by so doing that I will also be humble and great like him.
Mr. Speaker, thank you.
Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (NPP -- Suame) 12:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to associate myself with the Statement made by the hon. Member for South Dayi, announcing to this House the death of Togbe Tamtia V.

Mr. Speaker, certainly we should be commiserating with the chiefs and people of Kotoku Traditional Area.

Mr. Speaker, I am told that it is “Botoku” and not “Kotoku”. I heard “Kotoku”. I am sorry.

Mr. Speaker, we have heard about the good qualities of the man, the unity that he espoused, the humility of the person himself and above all his emphasis on giving his people good quality education.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the death of the great chief should focus our attention to celebrate the life and achievements of the chief as we have been told. The demands of modern living include ensuring good quality education and these demands place so much emphasis on education; educating his people, elevating their status in society, then such an achievement, Mr. Speaker, was very commendable.

Mr. Speaker, chieftaincy still has great relevance in our contemporary times, but certainly the relevance of the institution depends very much on the actors; it depends very much on the chiefs and kings that we have.

Mr. Speaker, not the least is some of the issues raised by my hon. Colleague, the Member for Berekum (Capt. Effah- Dartey (rtd.)).

Mr. Speaker, we may also talk about succession plans for great chiefs. More often than not, there is no clear succession plan and wherever we have lost great chiefs, their achievements are made to pale into insignificance because of the confusion that arises from their death.

Mr. Speaker, we want to urge the chiefs and people of Botoku to put in place a

good succession plan to come up with a credible personality who would take the place of the departed chief to continue the good works which were started by Togbe Tamtia, as we have all been made aware of this morning.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you for your indulgence.
Mr. Lee Ocran (NDC -- Jomoro) 12:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the Statement made by hon. Akua Dansua and to express my condolence to the people of Botoku and hon. Akua Dansua in particular on the death of Togbe Tamtia V.
The mark of good leadership is how that leadership is passed on to his people; many a time, we see delegations trooping to the Castle when chiefs die. Invariably, these are chiefs from big traditional areas whose only credit to fame is what their ancestors might have done and not what they as chiefs might have achieved for their people. Very often, the small chiefs in the rural areas who have impacted positively on their people are forgotten. I am yet to see a delegation from a very small traditional area trooping to the Castle to announce the death of their chief; they may not even be allowed; I have not seen it before.
But these are the people who lead their people, who lead the very traditional areas on behalf of Central Government. They are not the type of chiefs who board planes to go to Canada, United States and Britain to see their subjects, because they may have very few subjects in those areas. They are chiefs who stay with their people, suffer with them, lead them and direct them as to how to improve their lives.
Mr. Speaker, we of this House must begin to recognize the ‘small' people who make our lives possible and while not ignoring the ‘big' ones, I think it is time that we paid tribute to chiefs who
rose
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon. Christine Churcher, are you on a point of order?
Ms. Churcher 12:20 p.m.
On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member, in supporting hon. Akua Dansua's Statement, said that he would be going to the funeral because he has been there before, et cetera. Is he then saying that those of us who would be going but have not been there should never go? [Laughter.] Mr. Speaker, I am going because I know hon. Akua Dansua as a very good sister and a Member of Parliament and I trust that her chief is one of the best. But by saying that he was there last year and so he is going there, et cetera -- it makes me a little jittery -- as if those of us who have not visited the constituency cannot go. I want clearance, Mr. Speaker. [Laughter.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon. Member, you are out of order.
Mr. Ocran 12:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I have already agreed with the hon. Minister that I am going with her to the funeral in my car; she knows. [Laughter.] Mr. Speaker, I wish to, on this note, once again, express
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon. Member, do you want to say something before he lands?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:20 p.m.
That is so, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this time around, we know hon. Lee Ocran; if indeed he goes, he would be going there to attend the funeral of the late chief. He has told us that last year he went there and forcefully so with hon. Akua Dansua. What did he go to do? [Laughter.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
It is not Question time. Hon. Member, I believe you have landed, have you not?
Mr. Ocran 12:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my condolence to the people of Botoku and to wish that they select another chief of the stature of Togbe Tamtia. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon. Members, on that note, we draw the curtain on the Statement, except that I would also add that on behalf of this House, we extend our condolences to the people of Botoku for the loss of their chief, Togbe Tamtia V which is a loss to chieftaincy in this country.
We wish them a peaceful and very grand burial and funeral celebrations.
Hon. Members, that brings us to the end of proceedings of business today, except that there would be some committee meetings which we expect Members belonging to those committees to attend and work very hard at, so that all businesses before the House could be attended to as early as practicable.
At this juncture, I would be advised by the Leadership of the House as to what

to do.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, just to emphasise that after the Statements have been made, we have entered the domain of the Public Business and if I may, there are a couple of committees scheduled to meet. Indeed, one of them is already meeting at Swedru; another one is expected to meet at a different location in Accra.
Mr. Speaker, on that note, and having exhausted the business for the day, I beg to move that this House do now adjourn until Tuesday next at 10.00 in the forenoon. I so move.
Mr. Ocran 12:20 p.m.
I beg to second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 12:20 p.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 12.30 p.m. till 31st May, 2005 at 10.00 a.m.