Debates of 22 Jul 2005

MR. SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
Order ! Orde r ! Correction of Votes and Proceedings, Thursday, 21st July, 2005. Pages 1, 2…..6 -- [Interruption.]
Mr. Kofi osei-Ameyaw 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I absented myself yesterday with permission, however, my name is recorded as being absent. I would be grateful if that can be corrected.
Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
The correction would
be done. Pages 7, 8…..22? [Pause.] We have the Official Report for Tuesday, 19th July, 2005. If there are any omissions or corrections, kindly draw the attention of the Clerks at Table. Item 3, Business Statement for the Twelfth Week.
BUSINESS oF THE HoUSE
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs/
Majority Leader (Mr. F. K. owusu- Adjapong) 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Business Committee met on Thursday, 21st July 2005 and determined Business of the House for the Twelfth Week ending Thursday, 28th July 2005. The Committee presents its report to this honourable House as follows:
Question(s)
Mr. Speaker, the Committee has scheduled fifteen (15) Questions to be answered by various Ministers of State during the week.
The details are as follows:
N o . of Question(s)
i. Minister for Education and Sports 5
ii. Minister for Communications 5
iii. Minister for Energy 5
Total Number of Questions 15
Statements Mr. Speaker, you may allow duly
admitted Statements to be presented in the House. Bills, Papers and Reports
Mr. Speaker, Bills, Papers and Reports may be presented for consideration by the House.
Motions and Resolutions
Mr. Speaker, motions may be debated and the appropriate Resolutions taken where required.
Double/Extended Sittings of the House
Mr. Speaker, the Business Committee, having regard to the state of Business
of the House, do recommend double/ extended Sitting of the House on Tuesday and Wednesday next.
Mini Tilapia Fair for Members of Parliament
Mr. Speaker, under the auspices of the Ministry of Fisheries and in collaboration with the Chefs and Cooks Association of Ghana, a mini tilapia fair is being organized for hon. Members of Parliament.
The objective of the fair is to deepen the understanding of hon. Members about the potentials of aquaculture in the economy of the country. The fair will also indicate the direction which the sector Ministry wish to move in order to revamp the fishing industry.
The fair has been fixed for Thursday, 28th July 2005. Other details of the fair will soon be communicated to the hon. Members.
Mr. Speaker, the House is expected to rise sine die on Thursday, 28th July 2005.
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.

Questions --

Minister for Education and Sports

-- 81, 82, 100, 119 & 234

Laying of Papers --

(a) Report of the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation on the West African Gas Pipeline Regulations, 2005, L.I. 1814.

(b) Report of the Committee of the

Whole on the Allocation for Utilisation of HIPC Funds for the year 2005.

Motions --

Second Reading of Bills -- Minerals and Mining Bill

Human Trafficking Bill

Committee Sittings

Questions --

Minister for Communications --

179, 180, 181, 183 & 184

Motions --

Adoption of the Report of the C o m m i t t e e o n S u b s i d i a r y Legislation on the West African Gas Pipeline Regulations, 2005,

L.I. 1814.

Adoption of the Report of the Committee of the Whole on the Allocation for Utilisation of HIPC Funds for the year 2005.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Minerals and Mining Bills

Human Trafficking Bill

Committee Sittings

Questions --

Minister for Energy -- 121, 122,

123, 124 & 125

Motions --
Dr. Kwame Ampofo 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the other day I brought to the attention of the hon. Majority Leader an Urgent Question that I had filed to the hon. Minister for Energy which had not appeared on the Order Paper and in the programme. Again, since we are rising next week, I was expecting that this Question, by his own assurance, would appear before we rise. Mr. Speaker, I wish to know what is happening and if it could be included in the programme for the coming week.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Hon. Majority Leader, I hope you would take it up with the Business Committee.
Mr. owusu-Adjapong 10:10 a.m.
Thank you,
Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Hon. Members, item 4
-- Questions.
Mr. owusu-Adjapong 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
if we can start with the Question for the hon. Minister for Information.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Yes, I recognize the hon.
Minister for Information is here, so maybe we would take him first. oRAL ANSWERS To QUESTIoNS
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 10:10 a.m.

Minister for Information (Mr. Dan Botwe) 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, a 5 kW Transmitter for TV has been installed as well as a 2.5 kW Transmitter for FM transmission. They are both ready for use except that a three phase electricity power supply is required to operate them.
The Bia District Assembly (BDA) is collaborating to draw the requisite power supply to the transmission site at Osei- kojokrom.
The BDA indicates that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) at Sekondi is mobilizing the necessary materials for the job. A 60 kVA generator is meanwhile available at the site for emergencies but it would cost ¢1,200,000.00 (one million, two hundred thousand cedis) daily to operate the machine on routine use.
Mr. Boampong 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want
to know from the hon. Minister whether the Ministry cannot assist the District Assembly to routinely operate the 60 kVA generator in terms of finances before the power supply gets there.
Mr. Botwe 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry
has not made budgetary provisions for this and that is why we are collaborating with the Bia District Assembly to see whether they can support us in doing that. But all efforts are being made to put enough pressure on the Electricity Company of Ghana to get the problem resolved.
Mr. G. K. Arthur 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I
would like to ask the hon. Minister why
his Ministry decided to put the transmitter at Oseikojokrom. What I know about the transmitter is that it works within a radius. Oseikojokrom is about three kilometres to Ivory Coast. If the transmitter is sited at Oseikojokrom, most of the signals would be going to Ivory Coast so I thought it would have been better if it was sited closer to Ghana than the Ivory Coast border. So I want to know why they decided to put the transmitter at Oseikojokrom.
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
(Mr. A. osei-Adjei) -- rose --
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Hon. Deputy Minister,
do you have a point of order?
Mr. osei-Adjei 10:10 a.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Botwe 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would have to ask the technical personnel of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation why the transmitter was sited where it has been sited.
Mr. Kojo Armah 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to know from the hon. Minister what plans his Ministry had to train people to man transmitters that have been sent to the various districts in view of the frequent breakdowns. I am asking this question because in my own district and that of Jomoro our transmitters that are just about two to two and a half years old respectively break down ever so often and it takes such a long time -- In fact, for the past one year or so the technicians have not been there. So I want to know from the hon. Minister if they have any plans to train local people to handle such simple problems if they arise with the transmitters.
Mr. Botwe 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am informed that technicians have been trained to man
the transmitters. Like any other system, which can break down, when they do break down the technicians act quickly to restore them. I am quite aware of what the hon. Member is talking about but I think he also knows that the problem in his district has been resolved and the technicians are always at work.
Mr. Moses Asaga 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want
to ask the hon. Minister for Information whether if he contacts his technical people and they advise otherwise they are going to dismantle it and bring it closer to the neighbourhood that would not send signals to la Cote d'Ivoire?
Mr. Botwe 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to believe that the technicians would make the best technical decision.
Mr. M. A. Asaga 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the event that there would be a relocation, would that be a financial loss to the State?
Mr. Botwe 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the issue of financial loss, I do not see how it arises in this matter. I am saying that the technicians would change the site not because a question has been asked here but it would be because they think that it is important to move it from there for technical reasons. But I want to believe that the transmitter is sited where it has been sited because that was what the technicians thought was the best place that it should be.

TV Reception in the Krachi East constituency

Q. 172 Mr. Wisdom Gidisu asked the Minister for Information what plans his Ministry had to improve TV reception in the Krachi East constituency.
Mr. Dan Botwe 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, to
improve TV reception in the constituency, a 10 kW capacity transmitter has been installed at Kete Krachi. It operated for some time but was unfortunately struck by lightening, causing some faults, which
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, according to the hon. Minister, VRA and GBC are discussing the possibility of placing GBC on a separate transformer. I would want to know from him when specifically this discussion would be finalized for the people of Krachi East, West and Nkwanta to have a clear and stable transmission.
Mr. Botwe 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would be unable to state specifically when this discussion will end but I can state, however, that I have taken personal interest in the discussion; I have been in touch with the District Chief Executive almost on daily basis to monitor work being done on Kete Krachi. And I can assure the hon. Member that the discussion will end very soon because I am taking personal interest in that.
Mr. G. K. B. Gbediame 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, on the 30th of June I asked a similar Question; this transmitter he is talking of covers my constituency. And the Answer then was that the following week a technical team was going to be sent to
bring out an audit report as to when the project could be completed for a clear transmission. I would want to know from the hon. Minister whether the technical team had gone and done their work and what report they brought back.
Mr. Botwe 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the transmitter at Krachi extends to Nkwanta. It is true that I did tell the honourable House that a technical team was being sent to Krachi. It is true the technical team has been there and that is why I just said that I have personally been following the progress of work. I have personally been talking to the District Chief Executive, and in fact what he told me two days ago was that reception was better in Kete Krachi. The technical team has been there and they have rectified the fault and so the reception is better in the area of the hon. Member.
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would want to know from the hon. Minister whether he is aware that the installed transmitter has made the Unique FM overshadow other FM stations in the district. If the answer is in the affirmative, what does he think can be done about it?
Mr. Botwe 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am not aware that Unique FM, which is the FM station for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, has overshadowed other FM stations. I am not aware of that.
capt. G. K. Nfojoh (retd): Mr. Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether he is aware that TV reception for GBC is a problem in the whole of the Volta Region. It is only Metro TV that enjoys good reception instead.
Mr. Botwe 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, when I had the opportunity to answer Questions the other time I was in the House, I made mention of the fact that a delegation led by the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs called on me at my office and we discussed that problem.
Since that time the Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, the Deputy Director General and the technical team have been dispatched to the Volta Region. We are constantly in touch with the Regional Minister and the technical team. The problem has been of the thunder that continues to strike at Amedzokpe and every effort is being made to resolve that problem.
Mr. John Ndebugre 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would want to confirm that -- I have made complaints about Unique FM being a problem for local FM stations. So now that the hon. Minister is aware that there is such a problem, what does he intend to do to solve that problem?
Mr. Botwe 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my attention has just been drawn to the fact that Unique FM, which is the FM station of the State, is disturbing other local FM stations. I would contact Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and we would have a discussion as to how best they could resolve that technical problem, if indeed it is a serious problem.
TV Transmission Station at Kintampo
Q. 182. Mr. Stephen Kunsu asked the Minister for Information when the TV transmission station at Kintampo would become operational.
Mr. Botwe 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, a 10 kW Transmitter each has been installed for TV and FM transmission and both are ready for use. However, a three phase power supply is required to operate them.
The Kintampo District Assembly (KDA) is collaborating to supply that power capacity to the site. The KDA intimates that VRA plans to get the power there in August or September 2005.
A 100 kVA generator is at the station for emergencies and it would cost ¢2,000,000.00 daily to operate it routinely.
Mr. Speaker, the TV transmission problems in the case of all the three situations are the results of inadequate power output by VRA or ECG to satisfy simultaneously all electricity requirements in the areas, and resource constraints on GBC to provide the alternative power from generators either in place of national grid source or to supplement it.
Mr. Kunsu 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to find out whether the hon. Minister is aware that because of the inadequate power supply, over one hundred and forty thousand people from the two districts -- Kintampo North and Kintampo South -- have been denied the opportunity to view TV for the past eight months.
Mr. Botwe 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am aware that the people in Kintampo District have problems with TV reception but not the fact that they have been having this problem for eight months. I am also very much aware that discussions with the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) are ongoing, and in fact, I have also talked to the Minister for Energy to see how VRA and ECG can speed up and send this power supply to these areas.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to add that because
of VSAT transmission the site for these TV transmitters are normally sited a little bit far away from town and not near where the town is, so extra efforts and resources are always required to extend power supply to these areas.
But I am having discussions with the Ministry of Energy and I am quite confident that, as stated here, by August or September 2005 TV transmission in the Kintampo District area would have been improved considerably.
Mr. Kunsu 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, what immediate step is the Ministry taking to support the Kintampo District Assembly in respect of the high operational cost of the 100 kVA generator, should the power supply go beyond the stipulated time of August or September?
Mr. Botwe 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry
of Information would not be in position to support the Kintampo District Assembly with financial resources, but what we are in a position to do is to liaise with the Ministry of Energy and to get their support in operating the 100 kVA generator. In case we are unable to fulfill our promise of getting better transmission by September 2005, we would fall on the support of the Ministry of Energy.
Mr. J. K. Arthur 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, what
I know is that radio stations in Ghana are not allowed to operate beyond 5000 watts which is 5 kW of transmission. Here, the hon. Minister is saying that they have installed 10 kW for each, which means 10 kW transmitter for the radio stations. I want to know whether the FM transmitter is allowed.
Mr. Botwe 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I believe
the National Communication Authority (NCA) gives permission before these things are sited and once it has been done, I want to believe that it has been properly done with clearance from the NCA.
Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.
Minister for Infor- mation, I thank you very much for appearing to respond to these Questions. You are hereby released.
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT 10:30 a.m.

Minister for Road Transport (Dr. R. W. Anane) 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Dadieso- Juabeso road is engineered and passes through towns including Kalo and Kwesikrom. It provides the shortest route from Juabeso to Dadieso and is located in the Aowin-Suaman District. The road is in fair condition.
The inhabitants of these towns are predominantly farmers. There are some sections, mostly along steep hills, which are slippery due to the loss of gravel. There are also water crossing points and soft spots that require the installation of culverts. Some of the sections require gravelling.
Future Programme
The Dadieso-Juabeso road was awarded for spot improvement last year under Ghana Cocobod funding. The contractor, Messrs Madare Limited however failed to commence works. After several warning letters, the project was finally terminated in May this year due to non-performance.
Dadieso-Kwasuo
The 11 km Dadieso-Kwasuo Road is in the Western Region. It is a section of the Regional Road (R129) which links Kramokrom to New Debiso in the north of the region. There are several low-lying and stream-crossing points on the road. The road has never been engineered. It is
in a poor condition.
Programme
The road is being developed in stages. The sections taken in the first stage include culvert construction and filling of approaches.
Km 0-6
Because it is being done in stages, the contract for the construction of six (6) culverts was awarded on 26th October, 2004 to Messrs Trustsam Ltd. at a contract sum of ¢591.3 million for completion by 25th April, 2005.
The works are 100 per cent complete.
Km 6-9
The contract for the construction of six (6) culverts was awarded on 26th October, 2004 to Messrs Asirop Limited at a contract sum of ¢504.8 million for completion by 25th April, 2005.
The works are 100 per cent complete.
Km 9-10
The contract for the construction of five (5) culverts was awarded on 28th September, 2004 to Messrs Hasan Construction Limited at a contract sum of ¢504.8 million for completion by 28th March, 2005.
The percentage complete is 20. This comprise four half completed culverts.
The project has been delayed. However, no certificate has been raised for payment. Notice of intent to terminate the contract was issued to the contractor on 19th May,
2005. The region has been notified to follow up.
Km 10-11
A similar contract for the construction of five culverts was awarded on 1st October, 2004 to Messrs Sela Construction Limited at a contract sum of ¢530.9 million for completion by 31st March,
2005.
The percentage completed is 15. This comprises three half completed culverts. The project has been delayed. An advance mobilization of ¢68 million has been paid to the contractor. Notice of intent to terminate the contract was issued to the contractor on 19th May, 2005. The region has been notified to follow up on the need for the termination of the contract, repackaging and reaward.
General comments
After the completion of these works, the road would be considered for more extensive works under the road component of the Transport Sector Development Programme (TSDP)(2007-2010).
However, until that time and also to ensure that this road is motorable, we would continue to do routine maintenance on the road.

The Dadieso-Adiepena-Abogu road, so to speak, is not a road but just a link. It is unengineered and located in the Aowin- Suaman district. Mr. Speaker, this link provides access to communities that are mostly farmers. It is in poor condition and needs to be reconstructed.

Mr. Speaker, this link has been

programmed for construction in the year 2007 as stipulated above. Feasibility and
Minister for Road Transport (Dr. R. W. Anane) 10:40 a.m.


engineering studies are currently being conducted under financial support from the World Bank, that is, the International Development Agency. The studies are expected to be completed by December this year. The consultants engaged for the studies are Messrs Municipal Development Collaborative Consul Limited and Plan Info Consult Limited.

On the Dadieso-Asuopokua-Ganyo

road, it is also a tract; it is located in the Aowin-Suaman district. Mr. Speaker, this tract is in poor condition and also needs to be constructed. The tract has also been programmed for spot improvement under COCOBOD Funding in the year 2006. Currently, survey and designs are ongoing and this will be completed by September this year.
Mr. Ackah 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the roads in
the constituency in question are highly patronized “cocoa roads”. The area is densely populated by cocoa farmers and knowing that cocoa is the backbone of this country's economy, I want to know from the hon. Minister what criteria the Ministry used to select cocoa growing areas roads for rehabilitation.
Dr. Anane 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my hon.
Colleague would also appreciate the fact that this is a very good cocoa producing area in the country. My hon. Colleague would also appreciate the fact that even though this corridor has been producing so much cocoa, these lengths of tracts have never been opened; some of them have never been engineered. We have taken them up. We are doing our studies and surveys and we would want to put them in shape because they deserve to be done. So as I have stipulated in my Answers, some are currently undergoing feasibility and engineering studies, designs are being done so that they will be captured properly
and be constructed.
Mr. Ackah 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon.
Minister has in his Answer conceded that the Dadieso-Kwasuo road is in a poor condition. The contractors who are working on the culverts for kilometre 9 and 10, and 10 and 11 have actually performed poorly looking at the extent of work of 20 per cent and 15 per cent respectively since September and October 2004. Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister is just telling us that they are thinking of terminating the contract and maybe repackaging and reawarding it. I want to find out when specifically this repackaging and reawarding would take place so that work can be completed on the road.
Dr. Anane 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the contracts
normally are awarded from the Regional Tender Board. We have done our evaluation of the works done; we have communicated our discomfiture with respect to the execution of the job by these two contractors. We have caused a letter to be sent to these contractors on our intention to terminate the contract. The Region must be notified and the Regional Tender Board would take action. I will be in touch with the Regional Tender Board to make sure that these things are done so that we can, first, terminate, repackage for reawarding so that it would be done because we are also desirous of ensuring that this corridor is opened up for use by the people living there. But as I stand here now, Mr. Speaker, I will not be able to tell when the Regional Tender Board would be having its next meeting to do the termination.
Mr. Ackah 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, there is a
dilapidated wooden bridge over the Toya River on the Dadieso-Toya road which has become a death trap to motorists and pedestrians. I want to find out from the hon. Minister what measures he is taking to get this bridge repaired to facilitate the
evacuation of cocoa, foodstuffs and other farm produce which are locked up there to the main centres at Dadieso.
Dr. Anane 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure
Mr. Ackah 10:40 a.m.
Dadieso-Toya-Aboba
road.
Dr. Anane 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I do not think
I have it here -- Dadieso-Adiepena-Abogu road -- that is the one he is talking about. Mr. Speaker, as I said, this, so to speak, is not a road captured under our road access. It is just a tract and that is why you find it as it is. But Mr. Speaker, we have noted that it is necessary to have it constructed and that is why we have started feasibility and engineering studies on this particular road and that is also why we have ensured that it is captured under our programmes for the necessary steps to be taken to make it into a road for the people living in that corridor. All these years, it has never been touched, so it is a mere tract and I am sure my hon. Colleague knows that.
Mr. Ackah 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to find
out from the hon. Minister, looking at the dangerous condition of the bridge, whether it will be beyond the Ministry's capacity to provide in the interim a Bailey bridge on the river?
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Kindly repeat the
question.
Mr. Ackah 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am asking
whether it will be beyond the Ministry to, in the interim, provide a Bailey bridge on this river looking at the dangerous condition of the bridge.
Dr. Anane 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure
whether my hon. Colleague got what I said, if he is still referring to the Dadieso-
Adiepena-Abogu road. Mr. Speaker, I said it is not a road, it is a tract and before we can tackle anything we have to do our studies, we have to do our designs and it is out of the studies and designs that we can know what will be required to be done there.
So Mr. Speaker, I will be unable, as I stand here, to say that a Bailey bridge will be the best or any other bridge. It is out of our studies that we can know the right thing to be done. We definitely want to do the right things for the people living in the corridor. So I will want to, with the indulgence of my hon. Colleague, wait a while as we finish with the studies and the design so that we can do the best for the people living in that corridor.
Mr. Sampson Ahi 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, at
the moment, the bridge that lies over River Bia and the Dadieso-Juabeso road has collapsed and the Western Regional Minister himself is aware of this. Last three weeks the people of Aowinya had to do communal labour by constructing a wooden bridge on the River Bia. Now, the work has been repackaged for reawarding in September. I want to know from the hon. Minister, whether between now and September he has some plans to make sure that, at least, the bridge is constructed so that the people can use the road.
Dr. Anane 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in my Answer, I said there are several water crossing points and soft spots that required the installation of culverts. And when I mentioned culverts here, perhaps I want to believe that that is exactly what my hon. Colleague is referring to; “culverts may be a term used by lay people. Mr. Speaker, we do appreciate the need to have these culverts installed, but we can only outsource the installation of the culverts to contractors.
Unfortunately, the contractor to whom
this was our source was unable to perform what he was asked to do and that is why we have had to terminate the contract for
Dr. Anane 10:50 a.m.


reaward. Mr. Speaker, we are in July and I believe that by September we would have done the reawarding for the contract. So again, I will ask my hon. Colleague and constituents living in the area to bear with us as we try to do the best possible.

Nii Amasah Namoale: Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister, from his Answer said that the Dadieso-Kwasuo road has never been engineered. I want to know in his opinion, the difference between an engineered and an unengineered road. As far as I know, you cannot construct a culvert which is hundred per cent completed without doing engineering works.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:50 a.m.
Mr.
Speaker, the questioner clearly indicates that he is seeking the personal opinion of the hon. Minister. Mr. Speaker, that is unacceptable under our rules. That is precisely what he said.
Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.
I thought the question
was for the Minister to give the difference between the engineered and an un-engineered road. Minister for Road Transport, if you have an answer, give it.
Dr. Anane 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, if my hon. Colleague wants to know what an engineered road is and what an un- engineered road is, I am sure my hon. Colleague would want to give some notice so that I come with a substantive answer. Even though I may -- to say a few things but I would want to give a formal answer to such a question.
Apowa-Mpohor-Benso Road (completion)
Q. 93. Mr. Anthony Evans Amoah asked the Minister for Road Transport when the 10-kilometre stretch of the Apowa-Mpohor-Benso road currently under construction would be completed.
Dr. Anane 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Apowa- Mpohor-Benso feeder road is engineered and is 38 km long. The road cuts across three political districts, namely Ahanta West, Mpohor Wassa East and the Wassa West districts. The road provides access to predominantly farming communities. The first 5-km was surface-dressed or tarred in 2001 under the GOG funding. That section of the road is in good condition.
Mr. Speaker, the stretch from km 5-15 which is the Phase 2, was awarded for surfacing in December 2002 for completion in June 2004 at a contract sum of ¢5.592 billion. The contractor executing the project is M/s Legna Construction Works Limited. The project which is under the GOG funding is 52 per cent completed. Some of the works carried out include the clearing and reshaping of the 10-km stretch, construction of 3.3 km. concrete U-drains and the construction of 10 No. culverts.
Mr. Speaker, the project is behind schedule but scarcity of suitable gravel materials in the project area has contributed to the delay in the execution of the project. The problems of scarcity of gravel and chippings have now been resolved and work is progressing. The project is now expected to be completed by March 2006.
Mr. Amoah 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would want to know from the hon. Minister whether his Ministry would consider awarding the next phase of 10 km from Mpohor to Adum Banso on contract in order to solve the perennial problem that those people in the community are facing.
Honestly, apart from being a farming community, that road provides access to big oil tankers that convey oil palm from Benso Oil Palm Plantation (BOPP) and Ayiem Oil Mills. About one and a half months ago, as a result of the bad nature
of the road, one of the oil tankers actually was involved in an accident and all the contents were spilled. So I would want to know from the hon. Minister whether the next stretch will be awarded to a different contractor.
Dr. Anane 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my hon. Colleague does appreciate that this road is 38 km and I have indicated that the road is being done in phases. That notwithstanding, Mr. Speaker, we keep the other portion which is not under tarring, under routine maintenance to ensure that it is motorable. So as we go along we ensure that the road is at least motorable for users. But Mr. Speaker, we are dealing with phases and therefore it is under consideration for continuation of the tarring project.
Reconstruction of Trunk Roads in the Sefwi Akontombra constituency
Q. 106. Mr. Herod cobbina asked the Minister for Road Transport when the following trunk roads would be reconstructed:
(i) Akontombra-Sefwi-Wiawso
(ii) Akontombra-Dadieso
(iii) Akontombra-Juabeso
Dr. Anane 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the three listed roads are major roads in the Western Region and it is the conviction of the Government that these roads need to be constructed properly. Mr. Speaker, because of this, the roads have been considered for reconstruction under our next phase of the Road Component of the Transport Sector Development Programme.
But. Mr. Speaker, in order to keep the roads in good motorable condition, contracts for routine and recurrent works
have been awarded for the various sections of the roads.
Mr. Speaker, the Akontombra Sefwi- Wiawso road is 69 km and forms a section of the Regional Road (R126) in the Western Region. It is gravel and its conditions varies from fair to poor.
The contract for the routine maintenance works was awarded on the 20th of April 2005 to Messrs Hodna Construction Ltd at a contract sum of ¢1.5 billion for completion by 31st December 2006.
The first grading works have been completed.
Mr. Speaker, the Akontombra-Dadieso road is 28 km and which also forms part of the Regional Road (R126). It is gravel- surfaced and its condition varies from fair to poor.
As a first stage development of the road, 24 culverts were constructed last year, (2004) to improve the low lying and soft spot areas.
Mr. Speaker, this year the contract for the routine maintenance works was awarded on 20th April, 2005, again to M/s Hodna Const. Ltd. at a contract sum of ¢1.5 billion for completion by 31st December, 2006.
The first grading of the road has also been completed.
Mr. Speaker, the Akontombra-Juabeso road which is 63 km forms part of the National Road (N12) in the Western Region.
It is a gravel road and its condition also varies from fair to poor.
Contract for the works was awarded on the 1st of April 2005 to M/S Midwest Construction Works at the contract sum of ¢1.577 billion for completion by 31st December 2006.
Dr. Anane 10:50 a.m.


The first grading works have been completed.
Mr. Herod cobbina 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would want to ask the hon. Minister for Road Transport his concern and programme in reconstructing the Tano bridge at Nsawora which has been partly damaged and has been hanging for the past two years on Akontombra-Sefwi- Wiawso road.
Dr. Anane 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in my
introductory rendition, I mentioned that the Government recognized that these three roads were major roads, which needed to be constructed. But as major roads that need to be constructed, we have to do some preliminary studies and other things. But Mr. Speaker, because also that they need to be done properly, we have captured them for reconstruction and not just mere rehabilitation under our next road sector development programme. And it is under the construction of this road that the changes that the hon. Colleague is requesting would be done. However, we would want to make sure that this road is kept open and motorable, and that is why we have awarded routine maintenance works and we have installed even culverts in some other roads that need to be improved for use for a long time.
Mr. cobbina 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker --
Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.
You did not catch my eye.
Mr. cobbina 11 a.m.
No, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.
Anyway, let me give you another opportunity. Yes, go ahead ask your supplementary question.
Mr. cobbina 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, apart from one culvert at Bokaso on the Dadieso Akontombra road, which was actually constructed, he said that 24 culverts were constructed on that particular road during the year 2004. Would the hon. Minister explain and show where on that road the 23 have been constructed. And further -- [Interruption.]
Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon. Member, ask one question at a time please.
Mr. cobbina 11 a.m.
All right, Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Dr. Anane 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in my Answer, I said 24 culverts and I do maintain that. Twenty-four culverts were constructed last year to improve the low lying and soft spot areas. So these areas were identified on the corridor and these culverts were installed to ensure that they would permit free flow of traffic. Mr. Speaker, standing here, I am unable to give the specific locations, and if my hon. colleague would want to seek further clarification, maybe, a Question would permit me to go and give the particular spot. But 24 of these culverts which had never been done before were done last year.
Asesewa-Akateng Road (Tarring)
Q.154. Mr. Stephen Amoanor Kwao asked the Minister for Road Transport when the tarring of the Asesewa Akateng road which began in December last year (2004) will be completed.‘
Dr. Anane 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Asesewa- Akateng feeder road is 14.3 km long and is located in the Manya Krobo district. Mr. Speaker, the road is engineered and serves predominantly fishing and farming communities. The road is in good condition. Mr. Speaker, the section within km 0-6 was awarded for surfacing in October 2004 to M/s M. K. Appiani & A. Ayeh Ltd at a contract sum of ¢2.593
billion. The project which is under GOG funding commenced in July 2005 and is expected to be completed in July 2006. Mr. Speaker, the percentage of works completed to date is 10 per cent. Work is progressing according to schedule.
Mr. Speaker, the remaining stretch within km 6 to 14.3 which is in good condition will continue to be maintained under DFR rout ine maintenance programme. This road will be programmed for future surfacing upon completion of the first six kilometres currently under contract.
Mr. Kwao 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister in his Answer said that the section within 0-6 kilometres was awarded for surfacing in October 2004 to Messrs M.K. Appiani and A. Ayeh Limited. He again said that the project which is under Government of Ghana (GOG) funding commenced in July 2005. I am confused. Mr. Speaker, which project is he talking about this time?
Dr. Anane 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, this refers to an already mentioned issue and the mentioned issue is the construction or surfacing of the section within kilometre
0-6.
Mr. Kwao 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in December when the President came to Asesewa, he promised the people that the road in question would be tarred. Is the hon. Minister referring to surfacing as tarring or what? I do not understand him.
Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon. Member ask a
question. What is your question?
Mr. Kwao 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, is the hon.
Minister talking about tarring of the road or gravelling? I do not understand him when he talks of surfacing.
Dr. Anane 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am sorry for using the word “surfacing”, if that is the confusion. Mr. Speaker, surfacing and tarring can be used interchangeably.
Mr. Kwao 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, may I know
from the hon. Minister the reason why the whole stretch of the Asesewa-Akateng road was not awarded for surfacing at the same time, knowing very well the importance of Akateng as one of the major fish baskets in the country.
Dr. Anane 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my hon.
Colleague would also appreciate that for nineteen years this road was not tackled and therefore, if we are doing it now, we would want to do it at a pace that could be accommodated.
Mr. Kwao 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, could the hon. Minister say when the programme for the second phase of the road would commence, having said that the first phase will end by July 2006.
Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon. Member, what is your question?
Mr. Kwao 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am asking
when the second phase of the programme will commence having said that the first phase would end by July 2006.
Dr. Anane 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the last part
of my Answer was that the road would be programmed for future surfacing or, so to speak, tarring upon completion of the first 6 kilometres currently under completion. What we mean is that we are phasing the tarring of the road. So after the completion of the first 6 kilometres, we will award contract for further tarring.

Akatawia Junction-Sekesua Road (Tarring)

Q.157. Mr. Stephen Amoanor Kwao asked the Minister for Road Transport when the Akatawia Junction-Sekesua
Dr. Anane 11:10 a.m.


road which is in a very poor state would be tarred.
Dr. Anane 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Akatawia Junction-Sekesua road is engineered. It is 7.8 km long and is located in the Manya Krobo district. The road which has a bituminous surface is in poor condition.
Currently, pothole patching contract on this road together with two others namely, Osiem-Bogoso and Bunso-Bososo has been awarded under the Ghana Highway Authority routine maintenance pro- gramme.
The contract was awarded to Messrs Kodaf Engineering and Construction Ltd. on 19th April, 2005 at a contract sum of ¢1.02 billion for completion by 31st December, 2006.
The works have commenced and are 21 per cent complete.
The road has been programmed for re-surfacing in the year 2007 under GOG funding.
Mr. Kwao 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister knows that the road is in a very poor state. Why has he or his Ministry opted for filling of potholes rather than the actual resurfacing?
Dr. Anane 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we do
appreciate that this road was tarred a long time ago. We also do appreciate that a lot of gaping potholes do exist on this road currently, and the first phase of our development programme is to make sure that the road is usable. That is why we are patching all the potholes under the current programme. After this, we intend to resurface the entire stretch.
Mr. Kwao 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, can the hon.
Minister explain why filling of potholes on just a 7.8 kilometre road should take the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) as long as one calendar year, if indeed 21 per cent
of the work is already done?
Dr. Anane 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my hon.
Colleague would have noted in my Answer that the contract comprises three (3) projects -- the Akatawia Junction- Sekesua road, the Osiem-Bogoso road and the Bonsu-Bososo roads, so it is the package of the three projects or three roads which is going to take us that length of time for completion. The contractor is expected to be on the road to ensure that no new potholes develop within the 2-year period.
Mr. Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Hon. Member for Upper Manya, your last bite.
Mr. Kwao 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, will the current and future programmes for the Akatawia-Sekesua road include the rehabilitation of the Sekesua township roads?
Dr. Anane 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I thought the Question was on the Akatawia Junction- Sekesua road; but if we are going to do our programmes, we would consider all other existing issues which need attention. But I am unable, as I stand here now, to confirm what my hon. Colleague is asking.
Mr. Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Minister for Road Transport, thank you very much for appearing to respond to these Questions. You are hereby discharged. We now move to item 5 on the Order Paper -- Statements.
STATEMENTS 11:10 a.m.

Mr. Lee ocran (NDc -- Jomoro) 11:10 a.m.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to make a Statement on the state of the textile industry in Ghana.
Mr. Speaker, in the immediate post- independence period, the then Govern- ment in its attempt to arrest the growing
unemployment problem and also to move the economy from subsistence level into a modern one embarked on an industralization programme. Ghana's industrial philosophy initially was import substitution, that is to manufacture locally the items that were used on daily basis and for which the raw materials were either wholly or partially available locally. Among these items were textiles.
It is a fact that most industrialized countries began their process of industrialization with the establishment of textile mills. Technology in this sector is easy to master, the industry offers mass employment and the products are easily sold. In England, the industrial revolution was propelled by the textile mills of Manchester whilst the Asian tigers made their debut into the industrial world through textile manufacturing. And so when Ghana decided to embark on industrialization, it was natural that textile manufacturing, milling and printing became the first industries to be established.
Thus in the mid-1960s and early 1970s, a number of companies producing textiles sprang up -- Ghana Textile Manu-facturing Company (GTMC), GTP, Juapong Textiles, Akosombo Textiles, Freedom Textiles and many others were established. These companies offered jobs and skills to the youth. Our northern farmers were encouraged to go into cotton cultivation and cotton ginneries were established in the northern part of the country. Some of these textile companies apart from providing employment also invested in other social activities in the localities where they were. An example is Akotex Sporting Club of Akosombo Textiles.
Although not all was rosy for these industries, especially during the mid 1970s and early 1980s when there was scarcity
of foreign exchange and thus foreign inputs were not easily available, the industries managed to survive. Even after the liberalization of the economy and the elimination of the import licensing system, the textiles companies continued to hold their own against imported goods until recently when our markets got flooded with all manner of foreign textiles.
The local production of textiles which peaked at 130 million metres per annum in the 1970s has dropped to under 39 million metres per annum currently and the labour force consequently reduced from 25,000 to under 3000 as of now. Many of the companies have closed down and those that are in operation have reduced their activities to the barest minimum. The most recent closure is Juapong Textiles -- a company on which the very existence of the town of Juapong depends. GTP is on its way out.
Mr. Speaker, may we ask, what are the causes of these problems in the textile industry?
( 1 ) U n f a v o u r a b l e operational environment
(2) Smuggling
(3) Under-invoicing
(4) Dumping
Mr. Speaker, smuggling in the textile industry is estimated to cost the State over ¢300 billion in lost revenue. These activities are not indulged in by small timers but rather by big business people who are well connected and therefore not too difficult to identify but not too easy to touch.
The problem of under invoicing is the result of laxity in the performance of the functions of the destination inspection agencies as well as Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) activities at

the frontiers.

Unfavourable operational environ- ment is highlighted by high taxes and high utility cost, making the products quite expensive at the end of operation. There is therefore the need for Government to take appropriate measures:

(1) To stop the smugglers, smoke them out and punish them;

(2) To remove or lower some of the undesirable taxes on imported inputs and give tax incentives for the use of local cotton and starch;

(3) Within the World Trade Organi- sation (WTO) regulations, measures must be taken to protect our textile industry from unfair competition.

Mr. Speaker, it is hoped when such measures are taken among others we may once again bring back our textile industries to their 1970s status.
Mr. H. F. Kamel (NDc -- Buem) 11:20 a.m.
Thank you Mr. Speaker, for favouring me with the opportunity to associate myself with the Statement.
Mr. Speaker, the textile industry, like other local industries of rice and cotton, is seriously in danger; the poultry industry also faces similar crisis. Mr. Speaker, the problems confronting the textile industry are enormous and hydra-headed, and I think that only a strong national effort can bring operations of the textile industry back to normalcy.
Mr. Speaker, the situation prevailing
in the local textile industry in Ghana is confronting that industry in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, even in America
and Canada, and a lot of measures are being invoked to check the influx of cheap foreign textile prints.
Mr. Speaker, about the issue of smuggling, I think that Ghana has a strong anti-dumping case to make against our competitors because what is happening on the continent now amounts to dumping. Unfortunately, I am not very sure whether we have any contingency protection measures such as anti-dumping or countervailing safeguards. I would want to see a situation where, maybe, the Executive and this House would work together to put in safeguards so that in the event of such crises, we could invoke some of these measures to protect our industries.
Mr. Speaker, I think that recently, the sector Minister introduced new administrative policy guidelines, at least, to reduce the incidence of pirating, smuggling and others. Some of these measures include single-corridor entry point, hundred per cent physical examination and others. But Mr. Speaker, at the committee level, we interacted with stakeholders in the private sector. Their concerns are that yes, the policy guidelines are fine; everything is perfect, but what is lacking is the institutional capacity of the various institutions to be able to enforce these directives.
Do we have adequate personnel? Do we have the right infrastructure? Do we have adequate logistics? Are the personnel well motivated and well resourced to be able to enforce the directives of the Ministry? I think that this is what we should also be looking at.
Mr. Speaker, when this influx hit Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, their Governments took the problem as a serious national one and they played a very vital role in bringing the operations of the textile industry back to normalcy.
In Nigeria, for example, a lot of
Mr. K. T. Hammond 11:20 a.m.
On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, he needs an answer. He wanted to know if the “Golden Age of Business” is alive and kicking. Mr. Speaker, he is informed that it is alive, healthy and kicking. [Laughter.]
Mr. Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Hon. Member for Buem, I hope you are winding up.
Mr. Kamel 11:20 a.m.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I have got the answer. Well, as far as I am concerned, the indictment on the “Golden Age of Business” is so strong and we must collectively look at the issue very dispassionately and then try to see how we can resolve it. Because, we are not only talking about the closure of textile factories; we are also talking about the loss of people's jobs.
And when we talk about the loss of people's jobs, we are actually talking about livelihoods. When this problem hit
Mr. Joe Baidoe-Ansah (NPP -- Effia Kwesimintsim) 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is worth examining why the collapse of the textile industries in this country. But Mr. Speaker, when examining this, the issue to really take into consideration should be looking at the real cost of production.

Mr. Speaker, it is not very good just slapping taxes as a form of protecting industry; industry must learn to be efficient and this is what we should be looking at in this country.

Mr. Speaker, one may ask why is it that people in China -- Some of the factories in China have people who are even better paid than people in Ghana and so why can they produce at a cheaper cost than industries in this country? These are the issues that we should be looking at because just slapping taxes as a form of protection does not help make our industries efficient.

Some of the issues, Mr. Speaker, should be looking at the origins of the raw materials. We have situations in this country where other people within the textiles industries are doing very well. New industries are springing up. Quite recently, I was at one of the places called Virgins Textiles, and they have a lot of orders and they are making it. So why is it that those that we used to have are going down? Is it because they have high cost

of production? Is it because they have not identified new areas of bringing cost to the barest minimum?

Or is it because they are not training their staff enough to meet the challenges that are in the industry? Mr. Speaker, these are the things that we should be looking at than just slapping mere taxes which would in turn affect consumption in the country.

Mr. Speaker, with this, I am done.
Mr. Francis A. Agbotse (NDc -- Ho West) 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in supporting the Statement on the floor of the House, let me bring it to my region. The only government-sponsored factory in the Volta Region is the Juapong Textiles Limited; and this factory has been closed down. It is because of this factory that other industries are developed in the Juapong township. For example, it was from the factory product (cotton) that the pillow industry in Juapong was established and this has helped the people to sustain themselves; they got their incomes from it. With the closure of the factory, this industry too would die.
Mr. Speaker, I have heard the hon. Minister for Trade and Industry telling us that those who are importing textiles to Ghana should pass through the Takoradi Harbour. In the same vein, they are saying that the textiles are being smuggled. Would the smuggler take his smuggled goods to Takoradi Harbour to be assessed? The answer is no; the problem is still there.
It has happened in the European Union (EU) countries, it has happened in America, Canada, Nigeria. The governments of these countries took action to resolve the problem. What are we doing in Ghana? I am calling on the Minister for Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiative (PSI) to come to this
Mr. Kwamena Bartels 11:30 a.m.
On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, I think we need to clear one point before the hon. Member who has just spoken gets too far. Mr. Speaker, this is a sectoral responsibility which is with the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Mr. Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Member for Ho West, over to you.
Mr. Agbotse 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am not calling on all the sectors to come and brief us. I am calling on the hon. Minister for Private Sector Development and PSI to take the information from all the sectors to come to this House to brief us on what he is doing so that these private companies would come back to life to employ the thousands of people that are being laid off everyday.
Mr. Speaker, with that, I support the Statement.
Mr. David oppong-Kusi (NPP -- ofoase/Ayirebi) 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the Statement made by the hon. Member for Jomoro (Mr. Lee Ocran). I would like to say that our textile industry calls for some support from the Government as well as Parliament as a whole. This is a very distressed industry and we need to help them find ways to survive.
Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the market for textiles -- the kind that we produce in this country -- is dwindling rather than growing. Perhaps, this industry needs to be recapitalized and modernized so that they can move into producing other types of textiles. The kind of textiles produced constitute only one aspect of the clothing market. Mr. Speaker, it is said that the great American railways companies collapsed
because they considered themselves as part of the railway industry instead of the transportation industry.
I think that our textile industries should begin to see themselves as being part of a bigger industry, that is, the clothing industry. More and more people are shifting from the use of African textile to other more fashionable clothing. These days, jeans, skirts, shirts and other types of clothing seem to be the preferred option for most young and old Ghanaians. I think the time has come for a strategic view of the whole industry to be taken. Our industries should read through and take advantage of the modern trends in fashion so that they can stay competitive.
Mr. Speaker, with this, I beg to associate myself with the Statement.
Mr. Alfred K. Agbesi (NDc -- Ashaiman) 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the declining nature of the textile industry is a sad story particularly in my constituency, Ashaiman. Mr. Speaker, we used to have the Ghana Textiles Printing (GTP), the Tema Textiles Limited (TTL) and the Ghana Textiles Manufacturing Company (GTMC) in Tema. All these three textile industries were sources of employment for a lot of people in Tema and Ashaiman. Mr. Speaker, these three textile companies used to have estates and houses for their workers. Today, all those people have no places to lay their heads. There is no work because the textile companies are not producing at full capacity at all.
Mr. Speaker, even if we go further in
terms of sports, these three companies that I have mentioned formed football teams which were employing footballers, and that was also another source of employment to the people who were looking for jobs. Today, those avenues are no more. If we go further, the batik and tie-and-dye industry which was flourishing
Mr. Alfred K. Agbesi (NDc -- Ashaiman) 11:40 a.m.
in Ashaiman was part of these companies in Tema because they supplied materials to them for their work. Today, they are not there to supply raw materials for the batik and tie-and-dye industry.
Mr. Speaker, Akosombo Textiles Limited and Juapong Textiles Limited -- These textile companies also had football teams which were producing teen footballers on a national level but today all these things are over. We have to seriously act to avert what is happening in the textiles industry. This Statement has come at the appropriate time and I believe sincerely that the sector Ministry must seriously sit up and do something about this decline in the industry.

Mr. Speaker, I want to say that if we have to talk about even increase in agriculture, cotton production, which we could be exporting and which could be feeding our textile industries -- This thing is also on the decline because the textile industries are down. Mr. Speaker, this is a very serious situation which needs to be looked at very seriously.

I would urge the sector Ministers concerned, the Minister for Trade and Industry and others to sit up for this industries to come up so that our boys who cannot go further into other areas can be put to the things that -- In fact, we used to have Akosombo Textiles Industry which had a very strong football team. We used to have Ghana Textiles Products (GTP) which also had a very good football team and all these served as a source of employment for our boys.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the Ministries to do something for the dying industry. I support the Statement and I thank you very much for allowing me to continue.

Minis ter for Pr ivate Sec tor Development and PSI (Mr. Kwamena Bartels): Mr. Speaker, I would preface my very brief contribution with a quotation from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. This is a statement made by Cassio to Brutus, and Mr. Speaker, with your permission, I quote:

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves, that we are underlings”.

Mr. Speaker, while I agree with some of the reasons that have been given by the hon. Member for Jomoro who made the initial Statement, I think we need to look at other factors that are affecting the textiles industry in this country. I am happy that he talked about the period of President Kwame Nkrumah and imports substitution, and I am happy that our hon. Colleague from Ashaiman also talked about those factories that were established in Kwame Nkrumah's time with estates which suddenly seem to have evaporated into thin air.
Mr. Joe Gidisu 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister is misleading this House. His outfit controls the President's Special Initiative and if he knows that those factories have obsolete machines, what initiatives has he put up to revamp those factories? [Interruptions.]
Mr. Bartels 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would get to the PSI in textiles and garments pretty soon. The other factor, Mr. Speaker, is the production of cotton in this country. For this period, from Kwame Nkrumah's time to date, nineteen years plus, we in
Mr. Lee ocran 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, he is misleading this House. From Kwame Nkrumah's time to present is not nineteen years; that is all.
Mr. Bartels 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I was actually referring to the nineteen years of -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Hon. Member, continue.
Mr. Bartels 11:40 a.m.
I was actually referring to President Rawlings' time, which was a total waste of this nation's entire life -- [Uproar.]
Mr. Speaker 11:40 a.m.
There are several hon. Members upstanding.
Mr. Bartels 11:40 a.m.
And Mr. Speaker, we have the hon. Member of Parliament for Juapong who comes talking about total -- [Interruption.]
Mr. Agbotse 11:40 a.m.
On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister is deceiving this House because before the nineteen years of the Rawlings period this country descended into absolute nothingness -- [Uproar] -- The infrastructure, the roads of this country were in total ruins. I am sure that those who are shouting “No! No! No!” were living in Europe as refugees; they were not in Ghana to notice what was happening in the country -- [Uproar.]
Mr. Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Hon. Members, let us have order.
Mr. owusu-Adjapong 11:40 a.m.
On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, I think my hon. Colleague, the Member of Parliament for Ho West has made some reference to hon. Members here, that they were refugees living in Europe and I think it is a statement that I want him to withdraw because I was just going to stage private
lessons for him and if he had cared to study Juapong he would not have made the statement he made on the floor and to refer to my hon. Colleagues behind me who were responding to the journey abroad as refugees. I expect him to withdraw that.
Mr. Agbotse 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, what I said, if he was not listening to me properly at the time, was that those who were shouting there “No! No! No!” maybe have been refugees out of this country -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Hon. Member for Ho West, as far as we know, there is no refugee here so you may advise yourself and withdraw that word.
Mr. Agbotse 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I know hon. Asamoah-Boateng was not in this country at the time -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Hon. Member for Ho West, let us make progress; withdraw and let us make progress.
Mr. Agbotse 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I withdraw -- [Interruptions]
rose
Mr. Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Hon. Member for Mfantsiman West and Deputy Minister for Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City, you are not a refugee, are you?
Mr. Asamoah-Boateng 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, he may have withdrawn but I take exception to the fact that he mentioned my name and did say that -- [Interruption.]
Some hon. Members: He has with- drawn.
Mr. Asamoah-Boateng 11:40 a.m.
Whether he has withdrawn or not he should not have even mentioned it in the first place. He was a chairman of a Committee for Defence
Mr. Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Order! Let us have decorum. Hon. Members, we are dealing with a very interesting and instructive subject, let us make progress. Hon. Minister, you may be winding up; we do not have much time.
Mr. Bartels 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would be very brief. But Mr. Speaker, part of the problem can be seen -- [Interruptions.]
rose
Mr. Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Hon. Member for Chiana-Paga, do you have a point of order to raise?
Mr. Pele 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my point of order is to the statement he made earlier on that this country has witnessed 19 years of wasted life -- [Uproar.]
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon. Member, are you contributing?
Mr. Pele 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, he has made a misleading statement and I am trying to make a factual statement to show how misleading that statement is.
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon. Members, let us continue. Hon. Minister, please wind up.
Mr. Bartels 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I will be very brief. Part of the problems facing the Ghanaian textiles industry is exemplified in the outfit of the hon. Member who said his constituency houses the Juapong Textiles which has collapsed. He is wearing a suit when he should be wearing Ghanaian-made dress -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Order! Order! Hon. Members, let us have decorum -- [Interruptions.]
Some hon. Members -- rose --
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon. Members, resume your seats, please.
Mr. Bartels 11:50 a.m.
And Mr. Speaker, the Member -- [Interruption.]
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon. Minister, you must realize that I am also wearing a suit
Mr. Bartels 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, your position and outfit require that. But Mr. Speaker -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Order! Order! Allow the hon. Minister to wind up.
Mr. Bartels 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, I would wind up in one minute. [Interruptions.]
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon. Members, we do not have much time. Let him wind up.
Mr. Bartels 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member for Ashaiman also is in a suit. We are not creating the market for our locally produced -- [Hear! Hear!] -- And Mr. Speaker, there is a need for the industry -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Order! Order! Hon. Minister, please, forget about wearing of suits; forget about that for the time being.
Some hon. Members -- rose --
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon. Members, I have dealt with that matter. Please resume your seats. I have dealt with it.
Mr. Bartels 11:50 a.m.
I asked for just a minute -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon. Members, we do not have time. I have dealt with this matter of suits.
Mr. Pele 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, you made a ruling and he has not obeyed it, that he should withdraw that statement on nineteen years of wasted life.
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon. Member, have I called you?
Mr. Bartels 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I was on the point that the industry needs -- [Interruption.]
Some hon. Members -- rose --
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon. Minister, let me hear from one of the gentlemen over there.
Mr. Agbotse 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, hon. Members would notice that it is not only on Fridays but most of the time I am in local attire; most of the time I am in a local attire. But apart from that, today I am dressed like the President of the Republic of Ghana -- [Uproar.]
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Please, wind up, hon. Minister.
Mr. Bartels 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am going to wind up in one minute. I believe that the Ministry of Trade and Industry would respond to the issues that have been raised. But I would like to add that the industry needs to readjust and Government is actually now facilitating this readjustment by helping them to move to the making of garments for export, taking advantage of the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) which has been instituted by the American Government to create a market for African countries to export to the United States of America.
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon. Minister, I thought you were winding up.
Mr. Bartels 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, yes. Mr. Speaker, I would want to make one last point. The last point is that there have been suggestions about value. But Mr. Speaker, we need also to balance out the interest of the ordinary person on the street who is now being given the opportunity to access fairly reasonably priced goods. And it is important for us to improve upon
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon. Members, I will take the hon. Member for Keta, and then take the hon. Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry.
Mr. Daniel K. Abodakpi (NDc -- Keta) noon
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this very important Statement.
Clearly, the problem of the textile industry in this country must be seen and treated as a national problem. The textile industry, if it is thriving well, is a major employment generator. This includes the multiplying effects that it has on the other sub-sectors within the economy. That is why the problems affecting the industry must receive total national attention and support given.
I am aware of the latest efforts that the Ministry of Trade and Industry has made to address the problems of the textile industry. But I would want to believe that these measures are inadequate to meet the challenges that confront the industries when one takes into account the environment that the Ghanaian textile industry operates in vis-à-vis what happens in our subregion.
When we make a comparison between the pricing of the textile industry in Ghana in relation to Nigeria and the opportunities offered between the two countries, we can find out easily why the Ghanaian textile industry is not competitive and cannot be competitive under those circumstances. For example, we know that the Nigerian Government provides an expansion grant to the textile industry in that country; we do not have that one. We also know that the Nigerian Government provides what they
call an export grant to the textile industry but we do not have that one.
We know that the Nigerian Govern- ment does not charge VAT on the textile industry but we do. We know that the Nigerian Government does not have a National Health Insurance Levy on its textile industry but we have. All these lead to cost build-ups.
When we relate the fiscal regime within which our industry operates to that of China, there the differences are even more glaring. Even though we have achieved macro economic stability to a large extent now, and interest rates have come down, it is known that lending rates in China are about five per cent but our lending rates are quite higher. Inventory carrying costs in China are quite minimal, whilst in Ghana it is very high.

Export subsidies exist in China; we do not provide that. So if we take these in their totality, it would be most unfair to say that the Ghanaian textile industry should operate on the same keel with those from other countries. We have blamed to a very large extent the problem of the collapse of some critical industries on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and procedures. I do not share in that understanding. I do believe that the WTO, as a rules- based organization, does provide some safeguards which, if we take advantage of, can create a relatively level playing field for our industries, especially the fact that if caps, ceiling bindings for industries in this country are about 90 per cent.

Unfortunately, that cap that we ourselves have negotiated and achieved, we are not able to take advantage of because of the cross-conditionalities that the Bretton Woods Institutions impose upon us. Unfortunately, also, we are not

like our neighbour, Nigeria where we have oil power and therefore can tell the Bretton Woods guys in the face that, we would not mind them and go ahead to ban imports as they have done to protect their industries. But we would need a total examination of the entire fiscal regime in this country in other to create the opportunities that we need to create for the textile industry to survive.

The situation of our textile industry has even become worse off with the lapsing last year of the multi-fibre agreement which gave us some leeway to operate. So we are in a free-for-all kind of situation. If one is in a free-for-all kind of situation and conditions are uniformed across country then one can expect that all the players in that particular industry would have a level playing field but it is not the same.

We have tried to create conditions within the Free Zone programme which has allowed for the establishment of the President's Initiatives (PSI) but the conditions we offer in the Free Zone programme do not pertain to conditions that factories outside the Free Zone operate from, so we consciously did create a discriminatory arrangement to promote export. But should we be examining that right now to see whether we can offer some of those opportunities to those outside the Free Zones? I do know that perhaps some of our industries can improve their cost structures; but what counts first?

Should we insist that they should do industry audit, re-examine their cost before we put in place some of the measures that would enable them to achieve a level playing field with others? These are critical issues that as a country we should be examining and until we do that some of the measures that our colleagues have currently put in place might not give us the kind of results that we intend having.

The maker of the Statement stated that
Mr. Mahama Ayariga 12:10 p.m.
On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, every hon. Member of this House has a pigeonhole downstairs; he might as well put what he is reading here in there for us to read later on -- [Interruption.] Mr. Speaker, he is reading.
Mr. Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon. Member, this is not a point of order.
Mr. osei-Ameyaw 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme accelerated the demise and the closure of a number of factories because under the liberalized monetary and fiscal regime these factories could not compete favourably. The accompanying drastic exchange rate percentage jump also affected a number of industries including the textile industry. That is not to say, Mr. Speaker, that the Structural Adjustment Programme did not have its positive impact.
Currently, Ghana has only four main textile manufacturing companies, namely Textile Company Limited, formerly known as GTP, Akosombo Textile Limited, Printex Limited and Ghana Textile Manufacturing Limited. The total output of the textile mills in Ghana fell from a peak of 130 million metres in 1975 to less than 60 million metres in 2004. The local mills satisfy about 50 per cent of the demand in the textile market.
Mr. Speaker, the local manufacturers cannot currently satisfy all the local demand -- hence the importation of textiles in accordance with existing regulations regarding such imports. It would therefore be inexpedient, Mr. Speaker, to propose a ban on importation
rose
Mr. Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon. Member for North Tongu, do you have a point of order to raise?
Mr. Hodogbey 12:10 p.m.
Exactly so, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Go ahead.
Mr. Hodogbey 12:10 p.m.
The hon. Member is actually deceiving the House. He said the Structural Adjustment Programme undertaken by the Government affected several -- [Pause] He went on to say it is because of certain factors that -- But he failed to state that the Government's President's Special Initiative on textile has not given any support to cotton farmers and the textile industry within the country. So these are the factors rather than the Structural Adjustment Programme and other things.
Mr. Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon. Member, continue.
Mr. osei-Ameyaw 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of hon. Colleagues let me enumerate the factors that hinder local textile mills -- [Interruption.]
rose
Mr. Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon. Majority Chief Whip, are you taking a point of order?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, on a point of information. Mr. Speaker, the point was made yesterday
Mr. Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon. Majority Chief Whip, you are out of order.
Mr. osei-Ameyaw 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, high production cost and non-availability of quality local cotton; furthermore plants and machinery of these factories are outmoded and therefore the line of efficiencies are low. Mr. Speaker, importation of used clothing is also a factor, owing to the low purchasing power of consumers they resort to purchasing second-hand clothing rather than locally manufactured textile. Mr. Speaker, the full implementation of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) by Ghana whilst other member states have failed to reciprocate, an example being Nigeria, has been a very serious cause for concern.
I should take this opportunity to propose to our ECOWAS parliamen- tarians to raise the issue on the floor of the ECOWAS Parliament. Mr. Speaker, cheap imports coming from the Far East, especially China, with its low foreign exchange regime, less stringent factory environmental conditions, cheap labour, fake products and marginal cost pricing resulting in cheap imported products are also part of the cause.
Mr. Speaker, smuggling -- this is an illegality that confers undue advantage to some of the foreign-made textiles. Extensive research has been conducted on how best to handle the problem enumerated above. To address the concerns, the
Ministry of Trade and Industry has set up an Economic Intelligence Unit and a taskforce.
Mr. Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon. Deputy Minister, are you winding up?
Mr. osei-Ameyaw 12:10 p.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker. This measure was taken to reduce the cost of production of textiles. I must indicate that that position is still under review and we might review it and bring it further down.
Mr. Speaker, we have created a single corridor for entry of African textile prints through the Takoradi Port. In addition, there is a 100 per cent physical examination jointly undertaken by officers from CEPS and the Ghana Standards Board. This measure, Mr. Speaker, aims at eliminating under-declaration and mis- description of imported textiles. It also aims at curbing the activities of dubious importers who use porous entry points and short-put payments of import duties and other charges which will compel importers to sell their products at appropriate prices.
rose
Mr. Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon. Member for Bongo, do you have a point of order?
Mr. Abongo 12:10 p.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, I have a point of order here. Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister is supposed to be making a brief sum-up of the Statement. But it appears he has also come to this House with a prepared speech that he has been reading for 30 minutes -- [Laughter] -- So I would like to urge that he goes by the Orders of this House.
Mr. Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon. Member, you are out of order. Let him go ahead.
Mr. osei-Ameyaw 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, realistic values for the various brands of African textile prints in line with the World Trade Organisation (WATO) and General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) valuation code based on the information from the issuing units of the destination inspection companies, development in global textile trade and local market surveys are being implemented. Mr. Speaker, these values, of course, will constantly be subjected to review to reflect changing trends in the global market. Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier on, an Economic Intelligence Unit and a Taskforce would be put in place. The Taskforce is to check smuggling and organize periodic swoops -- [Interruption.]
Mr. Asaga 12:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I think that the hon. Member is not addressing the issue. We are talking about the textile industry which is collapsing. What can we do to revamp it? And he is talking of World Trade Organization (WTO) issues. Meanwhile, he is from Asuogyaman where there is the Akosombo Textiles. He should have just been telling us the situation at Akosombo Textiles but he is going about Global Village, WTO, and so
on, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Deputy Minister, you may wind up.
Mr. osei-Ameyaw 12:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, an intensive public education will be launched very soon on the negative impact of under-invoicing, smuggling, as well as the need for record keeping by all traders and business concerns.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry is discussing with the local textile manufacturing companies the possibility of assisting them to retool through their plant and machinery. By retooling, it would enable them to increase production efficiency so that they can become more competitive.
The policy to revamp the cotton industry is carefully being structured to ensure that such initiative in support of the textile industry would match the current developments in the global cotton market. It is anticipated that when the initiative comes to fruition cotton that would be produced can yield both quantitatively and qualitatively to feed the local industry as well as for export.
Mr. Speaker, it is envisaged that full implementation of the measures outlined would go a long way towards levelling the playing field for the local textiles manufacturing sector. The levelling of the playing field, Mr. Speaker, would enable the companies to produce at 100 per cent capacity. Mr. Speaker, until we are able to make the playing field even, we would not be able to resolve this problem.
Mr. Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Are you winding up?
Mr. osei-Ameyaw 12:20 p.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker. Under the Government's retooling policy, we would be waiting to get our textile industries well organized, competitive and we will get more employment from the industry. Mr. Speaker, I believe that without the support of all our textile industries, we will not get where it should get to.
On that note, Mr. Speaker, I will leave it here and urge my hon. Colleagues to see the Ministry for further information on how we propose to deal with the textile industry and bring it to its past glory.
BILLS - FIRST READING 12:20 p.m.

PAPERS 12:20 p.m.

BILLS - THIRD READING 12:20 p.m.

Mr. Moses Asaga 12:30 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg
to second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Report of the Finance committee on the Request for Tax and Duty Exemptions in Respect of the Livestock Development Project
Mr. Kwadwo Agyei-Addo (on behalf of chairman of the committee on Finance) 12:30 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the request for tax and duty exemptions totalling UA562,470.00 (US$843,-705.00) on vehicles and motorcycles, office equipment, field equipment and supplies in respect of the Implementation of the Livestock Development Project (LDP).
Mr. Speaker, the above request for
tax and duty exemptions was laid in the House on Wednesday, 20th July 2005 and referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report in accordance with the 1992 Constitution and Standing Orders of the House.
The Committee met with the Deputy Minister for Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, hon. (Ms.) Anna Nyamekye, officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, as well as Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs and reports as follows:
2.0 Background
2.1 Mr. Speaker may recall that the House approved by resolution on 12th July 2002 a Loan Agreement between the Government of Ghana and the African Development Fund (ADF) for an amount of UA19,580,000 Units of Account (US$24.8 million equivalent) for the implementation of the Livestock Development Project (LDP).
2.2 The Government applied for financial assistance from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to develop the country's livestock sub-sector. The African Development Bank, as well as Cabinet and Parliament, gave approval for the request.
Mr. Kwadwo Agyei-Addo (on behalf of chairman of the committee on Finance) 12:30 p.m.


The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is therefore seeking approval for tax and duty exemptions totalling UA562,470 (US$843,705.00) on vehicles, motor cycles, office equipment and field equipment to be used for the project.

The activities to be undertaken by the project include:

(a) promoting the expansion of livestock production for increased output and improved quality of livestock and livestock products;

(b) facilitating access to rural finance for livestock production;

(c) building the human resources and institutional capacity for farmers, farmer groups/associations, private sector processors and traders and agricultural extension agents and supporting HIV/AIDS, guinea worm and malaria prevention campaigns.

3.0 Benefits of the Project

Some of the benefits of the project are that:

the output and quality of locally produced meat and milk will increase;

the incomes derived from livestock product ion , p rocess ing and marketing activities will increase leading to reduction of poverty levels in rural communities;

control of major livestock diseases will reduce livestock mortality and consequently improve human health;

the dissemination of HIV/AIDS control and malaria prevention messages to the project beneficiaries
APPENDIX I 12:30 p.m.

DEPUTY MINISTER 12:30 p.m.

COMMISSIONER OF CEPS 12:30 p.m.

CEPS HEAD OFFICE 12:30 p.m.

Mr. M. A. Asaga (NDc -- Nabdam) 12:30 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to second the motion moved by the Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee that we should approve the tax and duty exemptions that are being requested by the Livestock
Development Project.
In concluding, I wish to state that the Chairman of the Finance Committee is here but I do not know whether she is sick and that is why she could not move the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Nemene contradicente.
RESoLUTIoNS
Tax and Duty Exemptions in Respect of the Implementation of the Livestock
Development Project (LDP)
Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning) Dr. Anthony Akoto osei) (on behalf of Minister for Finance and Economic Planning): Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House
is respectfully requested to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS by the provisions of article 174 (2) of the Constitution, Parliament is empowered to confer power on any person or authority to waive or vary a tax imposed by an Act of Parliament;
THE ExERCISE of any power conferred on any person or authority to waive or vary a tax in favour of any person or authority is by the said provisions made subject to the prior approval of Parliament by resolution;
BY THE combined operation of the provisions of section 26 (2) of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (Management) Law, 1993 (PNDCL 330), the Export and Import Act, 1995 (Act 503), the Export Development and Investment Fund Act, 2000 (Act 582), the Value Added Tax Act, 1998 (Act 546), the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2000 (Act 579) and other existing Laws and Regulations applicable to the collection of customs duties and other taxes on the importation of goods into Ghana, the Minister for Finance may exempt any statutory corporation, institution or individual from the payment of duties and taxes otherwise payable under the said Laws and Regulations or waive or vary the requirement of such statutory corporation, institution or individual to pay such duties and taxes;
IN ACCORDANCE with the provisions of the Constitution and at the request of the Government of Ghana acting through the Minister responsible for Finance, there
LI 12:30 p.m.

V 12:30 p.m.

ES 12:30 p.m.

TO 12:30 p.m.

C 12:30 p.m.

K 12:30 p.m.

N 12:30 p.m.

Mr. Abuga Pele 12:30 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Agreement between the Government of Ghana and KHI 01 Ghana Limited in Relation to the Ambassador Hotel,
Accra
Deputy Minister for Tourism and Modernization of the capital city (Mr. Steven Asamoah-Boateng) (on behalf of Minister for Tourism and Modernization of the capital city): Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that
WHEREAS by the provisions of article 181 of the Constitution the terms and conditions of any international business or economic transaction to which the Government of Ghana is a party shall not come into operation unless the said terms and conditions have been laid before Parliament and approved by Parliament by a Resolution supported by the votes of a majority of all Members of Parliament;
PURSUANT to the provisions of the said article 181 of the Constitution, and at the request of the Government of Ghana acting through the Minister responsible for Tourism and Modernization of Capital City, there has been laid before Parliament the terms and conditions of a Support Agreement between the Government of Ghana and KHI 01 Ghana Limited in relation to the Ambassador Hotel, Accra and the Sub-lease Agreement between the Ghana Tourist Board and the KHI 01 Ghana Limited;
THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 12:30 p.m.

H E R E B Y R E S O LV E S A S 12:30 p.m.

Mr. osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:30 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
LI 12:30 p.m.

V 12:30 p.m.

ES 12:30 p.m.

TO 12:30 p.m.

C 12:30 p.m.

K 12:30 p.m.

N 12:30 p.m.

R 12:30 p.m.

Majority Leader (Mr. Felix K. owusu-Adjapong) 12:30 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, as advertised, we have a meeting of the Committee of the Whole and I therefore beg to move, that this House do now adjourn till next week Tuesday, 26th July, 2005 at 10.00 o'clock in the morning.
Mr. Abuga Pele 12:30 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion.
ADJoURNMENT
The House was accordingly adjourned at 12.40 p.m. till 26th July 2005 at