Odekro | What has your MP done for you?

Mr. Speaker

Order! Order! Correction of Votes and Proceedings, Wednesday, 7th December, 2005. Pages 1…7? Yes, hon. Member?

Mr. A. W. G. Abayateye

Mr. Speaker, page 7, item 6 (ii) (c) - the amount is SDR 31.1 million, and not SDR 3.1 million.

Mr. K. Krah Mensah

Please, page 12, Mr. Speaker, there is no hyphen in my name - item 3 (i).

Mr. C. S. Hodogbey

Mr. Speaker, I was at the meeting of the Committee on Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises, but my name is not mentioned here.

Item (d) - Chairman of the Committee on Health -- [Pause.] That is also deferred.
Item 5 - Motions.

Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing (Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang)

Mr. Speaker, a little
correction on the Order Paper; it should read the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing. The Gazette is out; the Executive Instrument is out.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House approves the sum of ¢1,326,840,000,000 for the services of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing for the 2006 fiscal year and which is broken down into a Government of Ghana (GOG) component of ¢109,244,000,-000, Donor component of ¢1,038,714,000,-000, Internally Generated Funds (IGF) of ¢1,993,000,000 and HIPC funds of ¢177,000,000,000 respectively.
T h e G O G c o m p o n e n t o f ¢109,244,000,000.00 is broken down into:
i. Item 1 - Personal Emolument -- ¢36,036,000,000.00
ii. Item 2 - Administration Expenses -- ¢9,978,000,000.00
iii. Item 3 - Service Expenses -- ¢5,011,000,000.00
iv. Item 4 - Investment Expenses -- ¢44,678,000,000.00
v. Investment Matching Funds -- ¢13,541,000,000,00
Total -- ¢109,244,000,000.00
The Donor component of ¢1,038,714,000,004.00 made up of Grants and Loans is also broken down into:
i. Item III - Services Expenses -- ¢78,154,000,000.00
ii. Item IV - Investment Services -- ¢960,449,000,000.00
Total -- ¢1,038,603,000,000.00
i. Internally Generated Funds (IGF) -- ¢1,993,000,000.00
ii. HIPC Funds -- ¢177,000,000,000.00
Total -- ¢178,993,000,000.00
Mr. Speaker, during the 2005 financial year, the Ministry was granted an amount of ¢99.7 billion (of which IGF was ¢7.5 billion) and donor funds of ¢865.0 billion respectively,

bringing the total to ¢964.7 billion.

Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing takes care of Government Departments and Agencies like the Water Resources Commission, Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Ghana Water Company Limited, the Hydrological Services Department, Rent Control Department, Department of Rural Housing, Public Servants Housing Loan Scheme Board, Technical Services Centre, Technical Services Department, the Architects Registration Council and the Public Works Department.

Water

Mr. Speaker, one of the biggest challenges in this country and indeed for the whole world and Africa is the provision of potable water. There has not been a single hon. Member of this House who has not approached our Ministry to request for improved delivery of water in his or her constituency. Most of our diseases are either water-related or water- borne, and every effort is being made by the Government to ensure that delivery of safe, potable water is achieved.

The Government's commitment towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of 78 per cent of water coverage by 2015, and the Ghana Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy objective of 87 per cent coverage by 2015 remains unflinching.

The Ministry has therefore been aggressive in pursuing the delivery of potable water, both in the rural and urban communities.

Concerning rural water, Mr. Speaker, access to potable water for rural communities has increased from 46.4 per cent to 51.7 per cent. This figure will see tremendous increase in the next two years.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, in the

sub-region Ghana is regarded as relatively more endowed than its neighbours, however, our commitment to development in the water sector remains one of the lowest. Whilst countries like Burkina Faso and Benin allocate over 10 per cent of their Budgetary Resources to the water sector, Ghana on the other hand commits less than 5 per cent. The level of funding which has been complained about by donor partners may in a way compromise the availability of the over ¢1 trillion cedis that the Government has allocated to the water sector as most of this funding may be provided by counterpart funding.

In accordance with the GPRS objectives and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets of accelerating the delivery of sustainable safe water and improved sanitation facilities to rural communities and small towns, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) will undertake a number of activities in the year 2006.

For example, the Ministry is to commence the drilling of 1,000 boreholes, 3,000 household latrines, and 200 institutional latrines in Ashanti to be jointly funded by KFW, the Government, and the African Development Bank. Another project for the construction of 800 boreholes and two pilot small town pipe systems for communities in the Ashanti Region will commence in 2006. This is also to be funded by the African Development Bank.

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the provision of safe water in the rural communities, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) will undertake the following activities:

i . C o n s t r u c t i o n o f 1 , 1 5 2 new boreholes;

ii. Rehabilitation of 118 boreholes;

iii. Construction of 49 new hand- dug wells;

i v. C o n s t r u c t i o n o f 8 s m a l l com- munities pipe systems;

v. Construction of 89 new small town pipe systems;

vi. Rehabilitation of 6 small town pipe systems;

v i i . Cons t ruc t ion o f 11 r a in catchment systems;

v i i i . C o n s t r u c t i o n o f 6 , 1 7 0 new household places of conve- nience; and

ix. Construction of 740 new i n s t i t u - t i o n a l p l a c e s o f convenience.

On the guinea-worm eradication, Mr. Speaker, in our desire to eradicate the guinea worm disease by 2004, an initial amount of ¢36 billion was released from HIPC source to provide 406 boreholes in guinea worm endemic communities in the Volta, Northern, Brong Ahafo, Upper East, Upper West and Eastern Regions.

Mr. Speaker, naturally, the Ministry is dismayed by the alleged increase in the

Yes, sir. Mr. Speaker, my hon. Colleague is misleading
this House. Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that an Executive Instrument has been published, gazetted and our Standing Orders oblige us that if any Gazette has been done, it is for us to find out. If he does not know, he cannot just get up and inflict his ignorance on us and tell us that because he does not know, it has not been done. Mr. Speaker, he is out of order.

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Members, let us go on with this matter. I am sure in the mean time, we will look out for the appropriate Instrument.

Mr. Speaker, well, I still insist -- In fact, in moving the motion, the hon. Minister indicated that the Instrument will soon come out - [Interruption.] He said so when he was moving the motion. But be it as it may, they will do this House a lot of good by giving information on the Executive Instrument that changed the Ministry from that of “Works and Housing”.

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Deputy Minority Leader, that is what I have said.

Mr. Adjaho

Mr. Speaker, the second reason why I think that this motion should not go through in this form is that if you look at page 8 of the Committee's report,
we are being told that we are going to lose ¢1.3 trillion; we risk losing a rich donor capital of about ¢1.3 trillion because we have not made sufficient local component or GOG support on donor funding in this Budget.
Mr. Speaker, we are among the leading guinea-worm infested countries in Africa. Sometime ago - [Interruption] - I learnt in the whole world - [Interruptions.] It means we cannot get our priorities right. The donors want to help us; we need to make provision in our Budget so that the money that the donors are bringing, we can use it to provide community water to the rural areas and so that guinea-worm infestation can be reduced to the barest. Yet we do not want to take this donor money and make provision for GOG support on it.
Mr. Speaker, this is inconsistent with our own Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) programme. The essence of the Budget is to achieve the GPRS targets, and Mr. Speaker, if you look at the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Annual Progress Report, 2004, on the GPRS I, the indicators with regard to these areas are rather disappointing. Unless we want to say that the GPRS is only on paper and the Budget is not supposed to be used as an instrument of achieving the targets in our GPRS.
Indeed, if the essence of the Budget is to achieve targets in the GPRS, then I believe strongly that the possibility of losing ¢1.3 trillion cannot be supported by this honourable House. We want to eradicate guinea-worm in this country; I believe Government itself is committed to that cause. Government is committed; they have stated several times that they are committed to that cause and yet they will bring a Budget that does not address the concern. And Mr. Speaker, we know where these guinea-worms are. We know urban water, we know rural water and we know
this is an area which is under Community Water and Sanitation Agency.
Mr. Speaker, I cannot support such a motion that will not give water to the rural poor. [Interruption.] I learnt even in Parliament House there is no water.

Mr. Osei-Prempeh

Mr. Speaker, I want my hon. Friend there to be clearer. Mr. Speaker, I do not see how a cut in the administration vote of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency from ¢10.8 billion to ¢4.7 billion would make the agency lose a donor capital of ¢1.3 trillion.
Mr. Speaker, certainly there is no sense, no connection in there and my hon. Friend is making a capital out of it. If he could explain because there is nothing there which indicates that. What is there is that their administration vote was cut and there is a sentence out there that the donor capital of ¢1.3 trillion could be lost. How does he connect the two and why is he saying that the budget should be rejected so that people do not even get the little that they will get at all? If it is so, the fault is rather from him or from the Committee and I need an explanation.

Alhaji Seidu Amadu

Mr. Speaker, this issue came up at the Committee's meeting; the Agency itself gave out this information that we are talking about here as counterpart-funding and that in previous allocations, Government failed to meet this condition and therefore the donor is threatening and that if Government is not able to pay its portion of the commitment then they risk losing this amount of money; and this is what the Committee is saying.

So our plea is just to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to ensure that they give a lot of money to the agencies. The monies that are supposed to be released to the agencies, they should do so and the donors should also give us their funds.

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Member, continue.

Mr. Adjaho

Mr. Speaker, I know that under the Constitution we do not have power to raise money. But we can do adjustments in the allocation of that particular sector so as to get this money within the framework of the figure allocated to a particular Ministry and in this case the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing.
For example, the expenditure on the Peduase Lodge and the Flag Staff House can be shifted so that our rural poor can get water - [Hear, Hear!] - So Mr. Speaker, I represent a rural constituency and I do not know how I can vote for a motion when I know that sufficient provision has not been made for the sector to enable the rural areas to get water; I will not vote for such a motion. If they are prepared to do the necessary adjustments, Mr. Speaker, I am all for it. But Mr. Speaker, in this state where there is the likelihood of they losing 1.3 trillion cedis, I am opposed to this motion.

Prof. A. Wayo Seini (NDC - Tamale Central)

Mr. Speaker, I rise to contribute to this motion. Mr. Speaker, we are all aware that water is a very important commodity. At the same time, it is a commodity that is very scarce in our country. Even here in Parliament, at times one would go into the washroom and there is no water to use. But Mr. Speaker, the water situation becomes very critical when it comes to our environment in Tamale. In
fact, Tamale's case has been heard several times over the last few years and I am glad the budget has made a provision of five million euros to start the Tamale project.

Mr. S. K. B. Manu

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member misled the House when he made a statement that even in this House sometimes there is no water. Mr. Speaker, he should have said most of the time - [Laughter] - As we speak, today I wanted to use the washroom, the place was locked and they said there is no water and we have been sitting here since morning. How do they expect us to stay here? So it is rather most of the time, not sometimes - [Laughter.]

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Member, this is not a point of order. Let him continue.

Prof. Seini

Mr. Speaker, the point I was trying to make is that we should come out with programmes to encourage water harvesting in this country, especially the small streams and the dug-ups in the north. We should try to dam them so that we can collect enough water during the rainy season for use in the dry season.
Mr. Speaker, the point has already been made that Burkina Faso, for example, is damming a lot of its streams some of

Prof. Seini

which feed the Volta River. I am made to understand that such damming would only cause short-term problems but in the long-term the main river, that is the Volta River, would adjust and there would be enough water for Akosombo to continue operating. It is in this light that I hope that we can and should encourage the damming of some of our streams in certain parts of the country to provide water for household and general use.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to housing I remember sometime ago there was contemplation that there should be a policy to encourage public servants to take loans to build their own houses instead of taking loans to buy cars. There are so many public servants who, when they retire, do not have anywhere to move to. I do hope that the Ministry would come out with a policy and back it up with finance to ensure that civil servants are enabled to move into their own houses when they retire.
Mr. Speaker, another problem which is worrying and I believe it is under this Ministry is the sanitation situation in the country. In all the big cities in this country waste is a major sanitation problem and I believe that more resources should be made to the Ministry to tackle this sanitation problem particularly in the big cities like Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Sekondi/Takoradi, et cetera. It is a very serious problem and I do hope that the Ministry would tackle that problem.
Mr. Speaker, what is baffling me -- and I am glad the Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning is around -- is that if you look at almost all the Ministries, the investment budget, I tend to have a feeling that a lot of the items that are listed under investment are not actually investment. A lot of them come under services rather than investment. If one looks at the
Ghana Statistical Service's classification of services, things like mobile phones and cars come under services and not investments. I do not know whether what I am saying is correct or not, but if I am right, I do hope that in future the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning would take particular note of some of these items that come under investment. They are not strictly investment if my knowledge is correct and I am not being ignorant; I think they come under services and they should be considered as such.
With these few words I do support the motion on the floor.
Northern Regional Minister (Mr. Saddique Boniface): Mr. Speaker, I wish to associate myself with the motion on the floor and also call on hon. Members to support in approving the budget for the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing. In doing so I would focus my attention on rural water supply.
Water, as it is said, is life and at least we all agree that 70 per cent of the world's land mass is occupied by water and the human body is also made up of about 70 per cent of water. Mr. Speaker, it looks as if little attention is being given to the rural water supply. And you will realize that that is re-igniting the guinea-worm problem. As we say, a healthy nation depends on a healthy people. Of course, if one is attacked by guinea-worm his productivity or per capita income will dwindle. And of course it will affect national income and productivity.
It is therefore very important that as we look at the total budget of the Ministry, the Ministry should be supported. In fact, I would have wished that the whole one trillion cedis be given to the rural sector in terms of water because that would help a lot.
Recently, there was water shortage back in Tamale, as it is mentioned, and I

But one point is that I would want to call for a collaboration between the Ministries of Ports and Harbours, Water Resources and Works and Housing, Food and Agriculture, and Energy to see to the dredging of most of the waters we have because there is too much siltation into the lake and therefore the water is evaporating. So much siltation into the lake will sort of reduce the water that we have in the country and therefore we will have ourselves to blame by saying that Akosombo water is going down.

If we continue with constant dredging, I think we will maintain the water level that we are expected to have and therefore I will call for a total collaboration between the various Ministries like Energy, Water Resources and Works and Housing, Food and Agriculture, and Ports and Harbours to do well to support us.

So on this note, with these few words, I support the motion. I hope it will help eradicate guinea-worm; which is very compatible with the ideology of the GPRS II and that will reduce poverty in the rural areas.

Mr. Dan. K. Abodakpi (NDC - Keta)

Mr. Speaker, I rise to contribute to the motion and to ask that we should support the motion on the floor. Just some very quick points. Mr. Speaker, it is true that the Keta Sea Defence Project is almost completed; I will not say it is fully completed. I will say is it about 95
per cent completed. The hon. Minister himself visited the place and he knows that the town of Vodza is currently facing an acute problem where it is left in a trap.
So much sand has been heaped behind the town which is creating serious environmental problem. Resources are needed to fill in that place. That was left out because of lack of funds and I hope that that is going to be factored in whatever allocation we have for this year so that we can save the people of Vodza, level the place and bring it at par to all the other places in the area.
It is only when we do that that we can claim that the engineering aspect of the project is completed. The issue of the creation of a development authority sounds quite interesting but I do hope that the concept and the principle behind this concept will be fully debated, discussed and at the end of the day the District Assembly and the Anlo Traditional Council need to take ownership of any such concept in order that it can serve as a useful tool for development.
If ownership is located in Accra and it is remote from the people, we stand the danger of it not meaning much; the relevance to the people will be lost and again that can even create problems for ownership rights, et cetera. So I think this matter would be open to debate and the principles clearly underscored to ensure that equity is brought into the establishment of the development.
Mr. Speaker, again, the hon. Minister is aware that the few houses that have been completed have serious problems of water and sewerage. In fact, somebody would say that the hon. Minister is “losing face” because he has been there, he gave promises to the people but because of lack of funding nothing has been done. I hope that with the little resources that he has, something concrete is going to be done to

Mr. Speaker

Very briefly, hon. Member for Bawku Central.

Mr. Speaker, having checked with the Clerk's Table, I think we can take items 24 and 25.

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Members, let us move to these outstanding Resolutions -- item 23, pages 9 and 10.

Minister for the Interior (Papa Owusu-Ankomah)

Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House approves the sum of ¢906,885 million for the services of the Ministry of the Interior for the 2006 fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of the Interior consists of the main Ministry and the undermentioned agencies, namely, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Immigration Service, National Disaster Management Organisation and the Narcotics Control Board. Additionally, the Ministry is responsible for the handling of issues relating to refugees and the proliferation of small arms through the following agencies, namely: Ghana Refugee Board and Ghana National Commission on Small Arms.
The Ministry of the Interior has, as its broad aim, the maintenance of the country's internal security. It is therefore important that the necessary resources are made available to the Ministry and its Agencies to make the country safe and secure, not only for its citizens to live in and work, but also attractive to investors to support the various initiatives that the Government has put in place.
Mr. Speaker, an appraisal of the performance of the Ministry in 2005 may be seen in the remarkable improvement in the security situation in the country due to a number of initiatives. On a previous occasion, I came to address this House on
the robbery situation in the country and I believe that contrary to the perception that there was an increase in robbery, the statistics indicated that there had been a remarkable improvement on the situation as it was last year.
Mr. Speaker, for this year the Ministry and its Agencies, out of the funds allocated by the budget, distributed as follows: The Ghana Police Service would have ¢476.5 billion, representing 52.5 per cent of the budget; Prisons -- ¢134.8 billion, representing 14.9 per cent; Fire Service -- ¢120.9 billion, representing 13.3 per cent; Ghana Immigration Service -- ¢30.4 billion, representing 3.4 per cent; National Disaster Management Organisation -- ¢47.3 billion, representing 5.2 per cent; Narcotics Control Board -- ¢5.9 billion, representing 0.7 per cent; and the Ministry of the Interior including the Ghana Refugee Board and the Ghana National Commission on Small Arms - 1.2 per cent.
Additionally, we are going to have HIPC funds -- ¢20 billion; donor funds -- ¢56.8 billion; and internally-generated funds -- ¢3.7 billion.
Mr. Speaker, in terms of the Ministry and its Agencies, the main focus of activities for the year 2006 would be as follows:
For the Ministry of the Interior, we hope to establish a Peace Building Support Unit as part of the infrastructure for the management of peace in the country.

Secondly, we will establish a Migration Unit to have overall responsibility for the development of a framework for managing migration in the country. The establis-hment of a Senior Staff College for the training of superior officers of the Agencies under the Ministry will also start.

In the case of the Police we hope to recruit and train about two thousand personnel as part of the process towards reducing the police population ratio which stands at 1:1,131 to the United Nation's (UN) standard of 1:500. Again, we hope to revitalize and equip the Criminal Investigations Department to improve its intelligence gathering and crime investigation process, and also to improve the existing communications network and computerization of the Regional and Divisional Headquarters.

For the Ghana Prisons Service, with

the allocation, we hope to renovate major prison establishments, especially the Kete-Krachi Prisons. Secondly, we hope to enhance the industrial capacity of the prisons as part of the process for the rehabilitation of inmates. Thirdly, we hope to establish more prison camps or prison settlement farms.

For the Ghana National Fire Service,

with the allocation, we hope to enhance co-operation with the Ministry of Health on the operation of the Ghana Ambulance Service, and increase public education and sensitization programmes on fire prevention and the procurement of more fire-fighting equipment, chemicals and protective clothing to enhance the operations of the Service.

For the Ghana Immigration Service, their major activity for the 2006 budget year would be a review of the existing legislation, taking into account the expanding role of the Service; implement a comprehensive restructuring exercise to modernize the operations of the Ghana Immigration Service; and to enhance migration management and of course the establishment of a Border Control Unit

Minister for the Interior (Papa Owusu-Ankomah)

In the case of the National Disaster

Management Organization, it is hoped that in the coming year the legislation would be reviewed leading to the establishment or the conversion of the organization into a Ghana Emergency Management Service to bring more focus on the thrust of their activities.

For the Narcotics Control Board, we hope to complete the headquarters complex of the Board which is presently housed on the ground floor of the Ministry's building. Then we hope to open offices at Aflao, Elubo and Sampa.

For the Ghana Refugee Board, we

hope to build the capacity of the Board for the management of refugees so that they can play the lead role in the registration, issuance of identity cards to refugees and asylum-seekers and the monitoring of refugees in this country.

For the National Commission on Small

Arms, in the coming year, we hope to enact legislation to establish the Commission, embark on an intensification of public sensitization programmes on the dangers of small arms operations, by launching of regional awareness-raising campaigns and most importantly to provide alternative livelihood for small arms manufacturers.

Mr. Speaker, in this year's budgetary allocation to the Ministry and its Agencies, we know that there would be a substantial shortfall and the programmes that the Ministry has set itself and its Agencies would not be achieved as we would want it. Mr. Speaker, we know that we now have the problem of inadequate communication equipment for the Police as well as inadequate offices and residential accommodation. Day in and day out, Members of Parliament bring in requests for the setting up of police stations, provision of barracks; and of course, for the prisons, we have had the problem of inadequate resources to

provide for prisoners' ration.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I would

want to say that it is globally acknowledged that the attainment of a country's socio- economic development goals depends on the maintenance of peace, safety, security and stability which is provided by the Ministry and its Agencies in close collaboration with allied agencies.

Mr. Speaker, I beg to move that this House approves the sum of ¢906,885 million for the activities of the Ministry of the Interior for the 2006 financial year.

Vice Chairman of the Committee

(Mr. Joe Kingsley Hackman) (on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee): Mr. Speaker, the Chairman of the Committee is unavoidably absent so with your indulgence I wish to second the motion and to present the Committee's Report.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 The hon. Minister for Finance and Economic Planning delivered the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government to the House on Thursday, 10th November, 2005. Following this, the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of the Interior was referred to the Committee for its consideration and report in fulfilment of article 179 of the Constitution and Orders 140 (4) and 158 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

1.2 In considering the Budget Estimates for the Ministry, the Committee met with the Minister for the Interior, hon. Papa Owusu-Ankomah, his Deputy and Officials from both the Ministry and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. The Committee wishes to thank them for their invaluable contribution.

The Ministry of the Interior consists of the Headquarters and the underlisted Agencies:

a) Ghana Police Service

b) Ghana Prisons Service

c) Ghana National Fire Service

(GNFS)

d) Ghana Immigration Service

(GIS)

e) National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO)

f) Narcotics Control Board (NCB)

The Ministry has additional res- ponsibility of overseeing the affairs of the Ghana Refugee Board and the Ghana National Commission on Small Arms.

2.0 References

The Committee made reference to the underlisted documents during its deliberations:

a) The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana

b ) T h e S t a n d i n g O r d e r s of Parliament

c) The Budget Statement and Economic Pol icy of the Government for the 2006 financial year

d ) T h e 2 0 0 6 A n n u a l Budget Estimates of the Ministry of the Interior.

3 . 0 R e v i e w o f 2 0 0 5 B u d g e t and Performance

3.1 A total sum of ¢780,000,000,000 including an Internally-Generated Fund of ¢6,000,000,000 and a Donor Fund of ¢7,390,000,000 was allocated to the Ministry of the Interior for the 2005 financial year. An amount of ¢356,410,000,000 was allocated for Item 1, Personal Emoluments, whilst ¢209,008,-0000,000 was allocated to cover Administrative expenses for the Ministry and its Agencies. Service Expenditure and Investment allocation were ¢22,573,- 000,000 and ¢39,079,000,000 respectively.

3.2 In the year under review the Headquarters of the Ministry continued its co-ordination of activities with stakeholders to promote peace in the country. It was able to solicit funds for all the Security Agencies. The headquarters initiated a project for the establishment of a joint Senior Staff College for the Agencies. The Ministry also increased awareness on the dangers associated with the proliferation of small arms.

3.3 The Ghana Police Service on its part recruited 1,864 persons, acquired over 120 vehicles and improved on the overall crime situation in the country. The Service established a Rapid Development Unit and also improved human resource development of personnel.

3.4 The Prisons Service on the other hand was able to improve the state of the Ankaful Maximum Security Prisons, improved sanitation and acquired 25 vehicles. Human resource development for all categories of staff was improved.

3.5 The Ghana Nat ional Fire Service improved public education on the management of fire. The Service

recruited 300 personnel to augment its staffing levels and also developed its human resource.

3.6 The Ghana Immigration Service computerized its operations, especially at the Kotoka International Airport, Aflao and Elubo borders.

3.7 Under the Poverty Reduction Support Programme, NADMO was able to provide support to a number of Disaster Volunteer Groups. It also increased public awareness on management of disasters.

3.8 The Narcotics Control Board intensified its programme of arrest around the country, especially at the main Airport, which led to the arrest of over seventy drug couriers. It also continued its Alternative Development Programme and the rehabilitation of drug addicts. The Board increased its awareness programmes on the dangers associated with narcotic drugs.

3.9 Finally, the Ghana National Commission on Small Arms carried out sensitization campaigns in all regions in the country, completed Baseline Survey on small arms and destroyed illegal arms.

4.0 2006 Annual Estimates and Activities

4.1 The Ministry in 2006 will continue to co-ordinate the activities of the Agencies as part of the process of ensuring that Ghana is safe and secure for the attainment of its development objectives. The Ministry would facilitate the passage of a legislation to give legal backing to the Ghana National Commission on Small Arms. The Arms and Ammunition Act would also be reviewed.

4.2 In sustaining Peace and Security the Police Service would embark on the creation of more stations at the District and Divisional levels. The existing data communication network and computerization of the Regional and

Minister for the Interior (Papa Owusu-Ankomah)

Divisional Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service would be improved. The Service would also recruit and train two thousand officers to reduce the Police- Population ratio of 1:1,131 as against the UN standard of 1:500.
4.3 The Ghana Prisons Service as a way of easing the congestion at the Prisons, would continue the construction works on the Ankaful Maximum Security Prison, and also recruit 400 officers into the Service.
4.4 The Ghana Immigration Service on the other had intends to establish Border Control Unit in line with Cabinet Decision, while recruiting 250 officers to beef up the existing staff.
4.5 The Ghana National Fire Service plans to establish fire stations at the Districts with support from the District Assemblies. Fire Tenders would be acquired for the new fire stations and also for existing ones, which do not have such equipment. In implementing the Early Warning System, GNFS would intensify efforts to prevent fire in strategic National Installations such as the Harbours, Volta River Authority, Tema Oil Refinery, Kotoka International Airport and the Castle. It is expected that 500 officers would be recruited into the Ghana National Fire Service in 2006.
4.6 NADMO and the Narcotics Control Board would increase its sensitization programmes on fire outbreaks, proliferations of small arms, dangers associated with disaster and drug abuse. Rehabilitation of drug addicts would also be intensified by the Narcotics Control Board.
4.7 For the Ministry to ensure the maintenance of internal security for
the year 2006, a budgetary requirement of ¢1,224,885,000,000 was estimated. However, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning provided an amount of ¢906,885,000,000, leaving a shortfall of ¢318,000,000,000. The additional funds needed is to cater for the crucial needs of the Ministry and its Agencies such as poor state of logistics, office and commercialize equipment, residential and office accommodation as well as low staffing levels.
The breakdown is shown in the table below:
Table 1. (IN CEDIS)
5.0 Observations and Recommendations
5.1 The Committee noted that the Police Service faced financial crisis in the year under review. It was therefore compelled to use part of the provision meant for operational purposes, for payment of salary-related allowances of the personnel to the tune of ¢2.07 billion. The Committee anticipates that the Police Service would face the same problem in 2006 because provision made for salary- related expenses is inadequate.
5.2 Another observation made was in the area of public demonstrations. The Committee was informed that the ‘Wahala' demonstrations in Accra, Kumasi and Techiman alone cost the Service ¢400 million in terms of ration. This caused a severe drain on the meagre resources of the Police Service since the provision to cover demonstrations in the 2005 Budget did not anticipate the frequency at which
the ‘Wahala' demonstration travelled.
5.3 The Committee observed that in spite of the receipt of new vehicles in 2004 the Prisons Service still needed vehicles to ameliorate the transportation challenges of the Service. The inadequate number of vehicles makes it difficult, if not impossible, for officers to visit the various prison establishments. This is quite glaring in the face of continuous reliance on the use of old vehicles to convey prisoners to courts, hospitals and farms.

experience accommodation problems. The existing Barracks cannot accommodate the increasing number of personnel. In the circumstance, officers are housed in rented premises where they are often threatened with ejection notices for non-prompt payment of rent.

5.5 Another observation made with respect to the Prisons Service was in the area of ration for prisoners. A greater chunk of its vote continues to be swallowed by Prisoners' ration. As a result, only a small percentage of the allocation is left for the procurement of uniforms/protective clothing, prisoners clothing, bedding, drugs, staff training, fumigation of cells

and other logistics. The Committee was informed that the deplorable nature of the infrastructure accounted for some jailbreaks.

5.6 The Committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning must consider making extra funds available to the Prisons Service, especially for rations and also for construction works on the Ankaful Maximum Security Prison to ease congestion.

5.7 The Committee noted that the performance of the Ghana National Fire Service has been hindered by inadequate funds. Funds provided are not enough for the running and maintenance of official vehicles. The non-release of

Minister for the Interior (Papa Owusu-Ankomah)

12.10 pm -- p6
specific warrants for the continuation and completion of ongoing projects has been a hindrance to the effective operation of the GNFS. To assist the Ghana National Fire Service, the Committee recommends that the District Assemblies support GNFS by providing offices and residential accommodation in the various districts.
5.8 The Committee noted that inadequate number of vehicles and the lack of effective communication equipment accounted for a lot of security challenges to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) thereby making it difficult to totally secure the nation's frontiers. The Committee was gratified to note that a memorandum on the issue was currently before Cabinet for its consideration. The Committee hopes that something fruitful would emerge from the deliberations.
5.9 Inadequate resources for training and improvement of infrastructure at the country's border posts have had grave consequences on the work of the Immigration Service. This has affected the morale of the personnel.
5.10 The Committee was informed that some Fulani herdsmen were engaged in unacceptable activities and practices, which were beyond the control of the Ghana Immigration Service. The Committee recommends that other Security Agencies collaborate with the Ghana Immigration Service to control the influx of Fulani herdsmen into the country.
5.11 The Committee observed that in 2005, NADMO could not carry out most of the planned activities due to financial constraints. The organization's poor conditions of Service for staff led to some resignations during the year. The Committee recommends that NADMO be provided with adequate logistics and financial support to enable it perform its strategic function of disaster manage-
ment.
5.12 The Committee noted that drug use, peddling and trafficking has assumed an alarming proportion and complexity, hence the need for a well-trained staff to be able to detect the commission of such crimes. The Narcotics Control Board would therefore have to be well resourced to undertake this job.
6.0 Conclusion
6.1 For accelerated socio-economic development to be ensured in the country, the importance of peace, security and stability must not be underestimated. The Ministry of the Interior plays a very crucial role in maintaining peace and security in the country. However, the Ministry is seriously handicapped in human, material and financial resources to effectively implement its activities. Since the Government is the main source of funding for the Security Agencies, it would be essential for Government to increase its funding substantially to facilitate their operations.
6.2 The Committee hereby recommends to the House that a total budgetary allocation of nine hundred and six billion, eight hundred and eighty-five million cedis (¢906,885,000,000) be approved for the Ministry of the Interior for the 2006 financial year.

Question proposed.

Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor (NDC --

Lawra/Nandom): Mr. Speaker, I rise to make my contribution to this motion on the proposed appropriations to the Ministry of the Interior and its line agencies.

Mr. Speaker, from the onset, it is very important and instructive to register the fact that our security sector agencies normally run into a number of financial difficulties; and there are calls annually for us to make increased budgetary allocations. These budgetary allocations are always in

competition with other equally important sectors. But given the nature of services that these agencies normally provide to the country, it is important that we have a very systematic and pragmatic arrangement so that Ghanaian taxpayers can understand what they are being called upon to fund.

It has always been my view, basically, that we would want subsequently to really justify the type of expenditures that we are incurring in the Ministry of the Interior. We would want to see the specific nature of internal threats that we are exposed to and the efforts the line agencies are making to identify those threats. I say so because quite often, when we are engaged in public debates, it becomes very difficult to justify why we must spend twice on the Police Service as against health.

It is simply because Ghanaians have not been treated to the possibility of seeing the nature of the threats that are handled by all these line agencies and the

Mr. Speaker

Order! Order!

Dr. Kunbuor

This statement has
actually been made in both paragraphs 5.3 and 5.12 about how our security situation had actually improved over the past one year. The hon. Member did indicate that there was available statistics to actually show that the situation of crime, at least, has reduced. I think this contradicts sharply with paragraph 5.12 in which the same report is indicating how the drug menace is reaching very alarming proportions.

Mrs. Elizabeth K. T. Sackey (NPP -- Okaikoi North)

Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the motion on the floor of this House to approve the sum of ¢906,885 million for the Ministry of the Interior.
Mr. Speaker, to be brief, I would like to say something about the Prisons Service, being the warehouse for various degrees of crimes, and more specifically the James Fort Prison. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to visit the James Fort Prisons on 2nd September, 2005.
Mr. Speaker, James Fort Prison was built in the year 1672, precisely 333 years ago as a trading post for Europeans who traded in slaves. This building has undergone several changes and currently it has become a prison for remand prisoners.
Mr. Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, this prison accommodates law offenders from Ashaiman, Tema, Dodowa, Accra and its suburbs and also from Kasoa in the Central Region. Mr. Speaker, I got to know that offences committed by the inmates there are murder, armed robbery, defilement, rape, defrauding, stealing and so many other crimes.
But Mr. Speaker, I stand here this morning to support the amount because there is a lot to be done at the prisons. The building itself, looking at the number of years, is deteriorating. There are a lot of cracks, the rusty iron bars, electric wires and so many other things. It needs renovation. Mr. Speaker, I also think that

Mr. John Mahama

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, it looks like my hon. Fair Lady on the other side needs some water -- [Uproar] -- we cannot hear her properly.

Mr. Speaker

Hon. Member for Okailkoi North, please continue.

Hon.
Deputy Minority Leader, what do you have to say?

Mr. Adjaho

Mr. Speaker, we have our
Standing Orders and when hon. Members from this House rise on a point of order, they should be guided by the rules. I did not know - Unfortunately, none of them referred to any Standing Order in their submissions. Mr. Speaker, Order 93(1) is very clear. With permission I quote:
“Reference shall not be made to any matter on which judicial decision is pending in such a way as may, in the

Mr. Speaker, last year
when we looked at the allocations made to the Ministry, it was obvious that the allocations for service expenses was woefully inadequate, the variance was
very significant and yet if you look at the allocations that we have made again for this year it is equally woefully inadequate; and yet this is a Ministry that is a service- related Ministry. As a service-related Ministry, there is no doubt that we need to make sufficient allocation to the Ministry to be able to provide the kind of services that are needed to ensure that our legal system is able to support our development initiatives and catch up with it where necessary.
Mr. Speaker, one key area that I wish to
emphasise on is the area of the provision of legal aid. Mr. Speaker, the right to legal aid is provided for in our Constitution but if there is any right that has been respected more in its violation, then it is the right to legal aid. If you look at our system we are trying to ensure that there is the rule of law, that is well established. That means that when people have grievances they should resort to our legal institutions in order to have redress.
Obviously you and I know how expensive it is these days to seek redress in our courts of law and many people do not have the resources to be able to seek legal support when their rights have been infringed upon. Mr. Speaker, when you look at the allocations day in, day out that we make to the Legal Aid Board, it is woefully inadequate and it cannot provide for the increasing number of requests for legal aid. So I would urge that we should begin to look seriously at the issue of legal aid. It is at the base of our democratic process that people should be able to go to court and access justice when they have to.
Indeed , the pro tec t ion of the
Constitution is fundamental and many people are unable to do this on their own but if we have a system where adequate resources are made available for legal aid, many people would be able to resort to our courts to take measures to ensure that our Constitution is protected.
Mr. Speaker, this year's allocation to the Legal Aid Board is certainly inadequate but I would urge that in looking at our HIPC resources we should consider making adequate allocations to the Legal Aid Board. This is because HIPC money is supposed to be used to address serious issues of poverty and I believe that people who cannot on their own pay for legal services are very poor and that we should make sure that they have adequate resources from the HIPC money to be able to pay for legal services.
Mr. Speaker, another issue that we have to pay some attention to is the area of recruitment of lawyers to service the Attorney-General's department. Mr. Speaker, there are many cases that drag on for years. People are arrested, they are sent to court and then the case drags on for years because there are not enough lawyers at the Attorney-General's department to be able to prosecute those cases. You may find many people detained and it takes a long time before we are able to establish their innocence or guilt, and in the process it takes years.
Indeed, there was a case I was involved in which took about nine years and he was still at Nsawam Prisons, and finally the courts just had to grant him bail and the case just ended there. So the problem is that if the Attorney-General's department has not got adequate human resources, it would not be able to prosecute our commitment to the rule of law in this country. So we should make enough resources available to that Ministry so that it would be able to recruit more lawyers and provide them with the conditions of service that would allow them to stay, otherwise it might recruit but if the conditions of service are inadequate they would leave at the next opportunity for a better job. We need to look at our

commitment to the rule of law and see if we can make allocations to the Ministry to be able to recruit some more lawyers.

Mr. Speaker, on that note I would urge my hon. Colleagues to vote in favour of the motion that has been brought to the House.

Mr. Francis A. Agbotse (NDC - Ho West)

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take two departments under the Ministry. These are Council for Law Reporting and Registrar-General's Department.
Mr. Speaker, these are two departments which can be on their own if well organized. For a long time now we have not seen any report from the Council for Law Reporting. The problem, we are told, is that they do not have money to publish the manuscripts they got ready but an individual in this country is publishing law reports and he is selling them and making profits. Why can the Council for Law Reporting not publish its reports, sell them and make the necessary profits that they could?
The second department is the Registrar-General's Department. For about five years now this House granted that they retain fifteen per cent of their internally-generated income to be used for their services. Up till now the instrument which will make this operational has not been brought by the Attorney-General to this House for passage. I am hoping that they can do this. The Registrar-General's Department has also the capacity to be autonomous and not come under the budget of the Ministry of Justice. This should be looked at very carefully.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I have looked through the budget but I have not found any sums of money allocated to the Ministry of Justice for private prosecutors to be employed. The Attorney-General's Department has been authorized to appoint private legal practitioners as prosecutors but there is no funds in the budget to carry

Mr. Speaker, in supporting the motion I would want to re-emphasize the need to rename the Ministry, as has been said by the last hon. Member who spoke.
Mr. Speaker, if you look at the mission statement of the Ministry, the objective of the Ministry, it all boils down to science and technology and so there is the need for us to rename the Ministry, as has been said. I think this is very important and we need to do it as early as possible for the Ministry to be called Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.
Mr. Speaker, to me the most important Ministry in this country should be this sector. I think that if we are to develop or move the economy forward then we need to attach greater importance to this Ministry. Why am I saying so? If you look at the environment, it is the basis of development because it helps to address issues before they escalate - science and technology, basis for development. In the whole world, every country that has developed did so because of science and technology and so we need to attach greater importance to this sector.
Mr. Speaker, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to me, must be given adequate resources. The EPA is called upon every now and then to perform
Mr. Speaker, you would be surprised to know that GAEC performs functions that hitherto I never knew. You go there and you see the kind of research that they do in terms of food, crops, pineapple and what have you. So we need to give much attention to this Ministry so that we can move forward.
Mr. Speaker, as has been said, and is being always re-echoed, we want to move into the middle-income group, and it is when we place much emphasis on this Ministry that we can get to where we want to go.
On this note, even though the budget is inadequate, I support the motion.

Mr. E. T. Mensah (NDC - Ningo- Prampram)

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the motion on the floor and to make a couple of interventions.
Hon. Yieleh Chireh talked about the need to relocate the Town and Country Planning Department. It is saddening that it has become a ritual; we have said this over and over, and over again. The location of the department is very important. When you look at the Local Government Act, it is quite clear that the District Assembly is the highest administrative and planning authority. And when you look at all the previous Local Government Acts you would find the responsibility of the Town and Country Planning, which is part of the development programme of the Assemblies, located in the same place.
We have put Town and Country Planning Department somewhere else, and we need to relocate it. Where should it go? It should go to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. The Town and Country Planning Department must be properly resourced because as we talk now the Ministry of Works and
its duty, for instance, in the mining areas. Mr. Speaker, I was among a delegation that toured the mining areas - Prestea, Tarkwa, Bogoso and the rest - and I think that for the EPA to remain focused we need to give adequate resources to that very sector so that they can perform. This is because they do monitor every now and then activities in the various areas. They need to monitor and bring miners to book when they are out of place.
One other area that I would want us to take note of involves the operation of the Volta River Authority (VRA). The VRA has been allowed to operate on their own without much check, and that is the reason why we are having problems in the Lower Volta Basin. I think that the EPA must be equipped adequately so that they monitor the activities of the VRA.
As at now, like I have been saying every now and then on the floor, the activities of VRA are affecting the people of the Lower Volta Basin and EPA seems not to be adequately resourced or empowered to check this situation. Mr. Speaker, if this situation is not checked it will escalate one day and it will create problems for us. Life in the Lower Volta Basin is becoming unbearable and I think the EPA must be able to bring the VRA to book so that they can know that eyes are on them.
Mr. Speaker, I think it is unfortunate that this Ministry has not been allocated part of the HIPC funds. We want to urge the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, as has been recommended, that adequate resources from the HIPC fund must be placed at the disposal of this Ministry so that the Ministry and all the agencies under it, they are all important - Town and Country Planning, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC).

Mr. E. T. Mensah (NDC - Ningo- Prampram)

Housing performs part of the functions of Town and Country Planning.

All the issues that we are trying to address, the insanitary conditions that we are trying to address, are the end results of bad planning. If we resource the Town and Country Planning Department very well and relocate it where it should be, we believe that the problems that we are having to go and look for funding to deal with refuse dumps and drainage and what have you, would be a thing of the past. Maybe, they should come under the Town and Country Planning Department.

We were saying that the District Assemblies which have been given this responsibility do not even have some of the wherewithal because the District Assemblies have PWD located in many of the towns where we have the District Assemblies and they work through the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing. So PWD today - We need to know the history behind why PWD was set up by the colonial government. Today, we talk about the District Assemblies being the planning highest authorities and yet they do not have what it takes.

They have got engineers who live in Accra. The PWD Regional Office is better equipped than the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, yet we expect so much from these agencies. So it is imperative for Government to try and rationalize, look at the various Ministries and then look at the Department as well and locate it where it should be located.

On page 5, we are talking about the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for instance. Sensitising who for what? The people at the District Assembly level know what it takes. They need to have protective measures which have not been spelt out in our legislation out there. You

look at the Legislative Instrument for all the District Assemblies. They spell out what they should do, so they have been sufficiently sensitised already. The little money that we put there should rather go to them to implement what has been presented for us to have good sanitary situations in our respective areas.

Mr. Speaker, I want to also talk about the issue of inadequate resources that we are talking about. We need to sit down as a people, as a Government, to know how to deal with the IMF and the World Bank. All the Ministries, they go with their proposals to the Ministries and then they go for budget hearing, and they are told that the IMF has decided that they cannot go beyond a certain point. So whether what we are given is inadequate or not we are not able to do anything.

What we need to do is to identify areas where we want to achieve results in the urban areas, for instance, and then agree with the IMF so that we can be given adequate resources so that we would be able to achieve our targets. I have given these examples - When I used to be the Minister for Youth and Sports, we did something about the Winneba playing field. The contractor said he needed ¢120 million to finish within six (6) months, but you send your proposals there and you are given ¢70 million; so you do not touch it at all.

So the following year they will tell you that you have not used the money. Meanwhile, the money was inadequate. It happens under various heads so the problem is to sit with our development partners and agree on what we want to do. If they want us to work on the service sector of the economy within a year, they should give us the adequate resources and then the following year we would go on and get the project done, rather than what we have been doing back and forth.

Mr. John Gyetuah (NDC - Amenfi West)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the motion on floor.
Mr. Speaker, I will just dwell on one particular point, that is the Department of Town and Country Planning. The Department has the statutory responsibility of undertaking efficient and effective human settlement planning, land use management and others, all with a view to promoting development in the cities, towns and villages.
Mr. Speaker, statistics from the Department of Town and Country Planning indicate that out of 138 districts 54 have no Town and Country Planning establishments; 87 have no professionals; and this is a very serious thing. A statement was made on this floor and I believe we have to take this very seriously.
Mr. Speaker, inadequate planning officers and lack of logistics are also part of the problems facing them. When you get to the district offices you would realize that not even a motorbike, let alone a car, is being used by the officers. But we are all aware that the work is field-based and we need to support them.
Mr. Speaker, the ratio of professional Town and Country Planning Officers to the total Ghanaian population is 1:198,000 and one can imagine the sort of problem that the Town and Country Planning Department is going through. I was very glad to see in the Report of the Committee that a mobile team would be set up to go round to ensure that efficient and effective monitoring of activities would be done, and I believe this will not be a mere rhetoric but it will be a reality.
Mr. Speaker, it is also stated that the
Department will embark on an intensive education drive just to sensitise the people, and I believe this should be done. When you look at the whole system, looking at the way we plan, it is very bad and we need to address this problem. This has caused a whole lot of problems to the country - like flooding, building in waterways, building in lorry parks and other things - but we see nothing wrong with it. Irrespective of the fact that at times we see written, “Produce permits”, do this and that, they still go on to do it; and I believe it is very important that we have a look at it and correct the anomaly.
Mr. Speaker, on this note I would take this opportunity to congratulate those who planned communities like Duayaw Nkwanta, Berekum, Sunyani and Abesim. When you get there you will see the sort of planning there. It is very appropriate and we need to emulate that very good example so that in future we will not get into any web.

Fair
enough. I think there is no other issue; we can go ahead. The hon. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice may continue.

Mr. Otoo

Mr. Speaker, as I was
saying, the Judicial Service is one of the three arms of Government of Ghana which is charged with the responsibility of promoting the smooth and efficient administration of justice to all manner of persons without fear or favour, thereby creating an enabling environment for our laws and good governance.
The Judicial Service is committed to the true and proper interpretation of our laws and Constitution to ensure that democracy thrives, including services ensuring independent accessibility, user friendliness, cost-effectiveness and the maintenance of high standards of efficiency at all levels through manpower development.
Mr. Speaker, the Service is mindful of the limited resources to the entire country and has therefore taken drastic steps to reduce waste. This notwithstanding there is the need to continue with the modernization and reforms in the Service. Consequently, the output for the Service for the year 2006 is presented as follows:
Investments - To renovate thirteen magistrate courts in the southern sector which are as follows: Ashanti region - Nkawie, Tepa and Obuasi. Western Region - Axim, Agona Junction. Central Region - Apam, Elmina, Ajumako. Eastern Region - Suhum, Koforidua. Greater Accra Region - Amasaman, Dodowa and Madina.
Mr. Speaker, the Judicial Service will require the following for the 2006 fiscal year: Personal Emoluments -- ¢73.7; billion, Administration ¢47.8

Mr. Otoo

billion; Service activities -- ¢8.3 billion, and Investments -- ¢47 billion. The figure came to ¢176 billion but the recommendation is that this House approves ¢154,863 million.

Mr. Speaker, I beg to move.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr. Yaw Baah)

Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion and in so doing present the Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction and Background
1.1 In accordance with article 179 of the Constitution, 1992 and Standing Order 140 (4) of the Parliament of Ghana, the hon. Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, on the authority of His Excellency the President, presented to Parliament the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2006 fiscal year on Thursday, 10th November 2005.
1.2 Pursuant to article 179 (5) of the 1992 Constitution, and Standing Order 117 (1) of the Parliament of Ghana, the estimates of the Judicial Service with the corresponding recommendations from H.E. the President, were referred to the Judiciary Committee for its consideration and report.
2.0 Acknowledgements
The Commi t t ee me t on 29 th November 2005 and held discussions with distinguished officials of the Judicial Service, including His Lordship Mr. Justice Seth Twum -- Justice of the Supreme Court, His Lordship Mr. Justice Victor Ofoe -- Justice of the High Court, Mrs. Regina A. Apotsi -- Judicial
Secretary. The Committee expresses its deep gratitude to them for their useful insights and contributions made during the deliberations.
2.1 Reference Documents
i. The Constitution, 1992 of the Republic of Ghana.
ii. S t a n d i n g O r d e r s o f t h e Parliament of Ghana.
iii. The Annual Budget Estimates for the 2006 Fiscal Year.
iv. Report of the Judiciary Committee on the 2005 Budget Estimates of the Judicial Service.
v. The Draft Budget Estimates of the Judicial Service for the 2006 Fiscal Year.
vi.Recommendations from H.E. the President to Parliament on the 2006 Draft Budget Estimates of the Judicial Service.
3.0 Mission Statement of the Judicial Service
The Judicial Service is one of the three arms of the state of Ghana charged with the responsibility of promoting the smooth and efficient administration of Justice for all manner of persons without fear or favour, affection or ill-will thereby creating an enabling environment for the operation of our laws resulting in good governance.
The Service is committed to the true and proper interpretation of the laws of Ghana to ensure social and economic development within a liberal democracy.
3.1 The Service seeks to:
i. Promote the rule of law, transparency, e ff ic iency and expedi t ious administration of Justice;
ii. Improve access to justice, especially to the vulnerable and excluded;
iii. Strengthen Human Resource capabilities, especially towards the protection of the vulnerable and excluded;
iv. Improve publ ic image and confidence in the Service; and
v. Boost morale and to improve conditions of service at all levels of its manpower.
4.0 Overview of the Operations of the Judicial Service During the 2005 Fiscal Year
To meet its expenditure for the fiscal year 2005, the Judicial Service requested the sum of two hundred and fifty billion, one hundred and fifty-six million, five hundred and fifty-five thousand, nine hundred and thirty-seven cedis (¢250,156,555,937). It was, however, allocated a total amount of one hundred and fifty-seven billion, four hundred and eighty-four million cedis (¢157,484 ,000,000) for its expenditure for the 2005 fiscal year. The breakdown of the 2005 budgetary allocation is as follows:
NO. ITEMS

Mr. Alfred K. Agbesi (NDC-- Ashaiman)

Mr. Speaker, I rise to contribute to this motion and urge the House to accept the amount that has been recommended for the Judicial Service for the year 2006.
Mr. Speaker, I want to say that the issue

An hon. Member: Mr. Speaker, I thought I heard the hon. Member say that “we consider”. I do not know whether he is referring to the Committee whose Report is being considered or the “we” refers to some other body. I say so because I am a member of the Committee; in fact, I am the Vice Chairman and I am not aware that we have decided that we consider this matter to be so serious; and so I need some clarification.

Mr. Speaker, I am coming to the point.

Mr. First Deputy Speaker

What is
the point? Come to the point straightaway.

Mr. Owusu-Ansah

Mr. Speaker, my hon. Friend is saying that in his area free accommodation has been provided. I thank him for that information but that simply means that majority of the Assemblies are not supporting the Judiciary.

Mr. First Deputy Speaker

Well, that is a qualified statement. Let us continue.

Mr. E. T. Mensah

Mr. Speaker, he is in Accra and he is aware that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly has been supporting the Judiciary over the years -- Dangbe West, Dangbe East District and several of them. So it is really, wrong. It is not correct that the District Assemblies are not doing well.

Mr. First Deputy Speaker

He has changed his position. He has admitted that some of them are not doing so. So let him continue. Some are doing it but more should join. I think you can continue.

Mr. Owusu-Ansah

Mr. Speaker, a great number should join, thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, in the report the Judiciary is said to be embarking on a housing scheme for senior members of the Judiciary. I think that is a very laudable thing. Indeed, previously, members of the Judiciary were all going to the Public Servants Housing Loan Scheme Board for money to be able to put up their own housing and that was not forthcoming regularly, so it is a good thing. But Mr. Speaker, we should not rest there. We know that senior members on the bench, from High Court and above have as part of their conditions of service, provision of vehicles with chauffeur. The members who are on the lower bench, the judges in the circuit courts and the magistrates do not have any such facility. I would suggest that in the not distant future we should be able to institute a vehicle fund for the junior benchers so that they would be able to get loans and purchase their own vehicles to be able to do their work as we all expect of them.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I only want to revisit the point that has been made by hon. Osei-Prempeh about the provision of Court of Appeal facilities in Kumasi. I think that is laudable and we all must support it because it does not really make any sense for somebody having a case in
Wa to travel all the way to Accra before his appeal can be heard at the Court of Appeal. So that is a great step in the right direction.
Mr. Speaker, lastly, the addendum that has been provided in the report, it has a recommendation to Government to give some additional ¢22 billion to the Judiciary to make the total ¢176 billion. I think that it requires the approval and the support of this House so that next year, the ¢22 billion extra will be found for the Judiciary to enable them carry on their work properly because we need the Judiciary for good governance.

Mr. Otoo

Mr. Speaker, I just want to draw perhaps the hon. Members on the other side's attention - [Interruption.]

Mr. Haruna Iddrisu

Mr. Speaker, I accept that for want of time we are unable to allow more debate on this issue. But I needed your guidance on a very important issue that I feel strongly about and it is that in relation to the comments of the President, and if you shall permit me, I would refer hon. Members to article 179 of the Constitution and in particular clause 3 (a), (b) and then clauses 4 and 5. Mr. Speaker, my view is that successive Parliaments have failed the Judiciary, not just this Parliament. My view is that if you read, and with your permission, Mr. Speaker, I do so:
“The Chief Justice shall , in consultation with the Judicial Council, cause to be submitted to the President at least two months before the end of each financial year, and thereafter as and when the need arises --
(a) the estimates of admi-
nistrative expenses of the Judiciary charged on the

Mr. Haruna Iddrisu

Consolidated Fund under article 127 of this Consti- tution; and

(b) estimates of development

expenditure of the Judiciary.”

Mr. Speaker, the paragraph goes further to clause 5 and it reads as follows

“The estimates shall be laid before Parliament under clause 4 by the President without revision . . .”

Mr. Doe Adjaho

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, I think that the hon. Member is misleading this House as far as he is quoting that article to be the basis of his argument. We have been complying with that provision of the Constitution. If this particular - I was not here when the motion was read, I am not a member of that Committee. In the last Parliament. I was a member of that Committee and we made sure that we complied with those provisions of the Constitution so I do not know what he is talking about that successive Parliaments including this one have failed. We have been complying with those provisions of the Constitution and I want to put it on record.

Mr. First Deputy Speaker

Please, the hon. Member is new to this House; allow him. I think he is making a point. Maybe, after he has made the point he could be corrected.

Mr. H. Iddrissu

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that. As much as I am new the statistics are available. My emphasis is on the word “revision”, that the administrative and the development expenditure of the Judiciary shall not be varied; all these Parliaments have varied it -- [Hear!
Hear!] -- And my view is that we are doing something which is wrong. We have varied it, that is my view. [Interruption.]

Mr. First Deputy Speaker

Hon. Member, you are out of order. Let him continue - [Interruption.] Hon. Member, I say you are out of order. Let the hon. Minister continue.

Mr. Otoo

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind hon. Members quickly that under article 144, the Chief Justice himself is appointed by the President. On the issue of when magistrates would start sitting over the weekend, there is already a parliamentary Question standing in the name of hon. Alfred Agbesi and we shall look at it at the appropriate time. Another issue about comments that were allegedly made by His Lordship the Chief Justice on whether Judges write their judgments or not, I believe, is a newspaper report and we may have to go into the matter if at all the Chief Justice said so.
On these points, I would pray that the Estimates of the Judiciary be approved.
Question put and motion agreed to. Resolved:
That this honourable House approves the sum of ¢154,863 million for the services of the Judicial Service for the 2006 fiscal year.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Speaker, if I heard you right, you said we approve of that sum, the sum that you quoted for the services of the Judicial Service. Mr. Speaker, it is for the entire budget of the Judicial Service, including the services of the Judicial Service. It is for the entire budget of the Judicial Service, not the service item alone, Mr. Speaker, with respect.

Mr. First Deputy Speaker

It is the
budget for the Judicial Service. That is all. I think we are right. The motion has been carried. Yes, the last one is item 10 -- hon. Minister for Public Sector Reform.

Minister for Public Sector Reform (Dr. Paa Kwasi Nduom)

Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House approves the sum of ¢13,006 million for the services of the Ministry of Public Sector Reform for the 2006 fiscal year.
1.0 Introduction
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Public Sector Reform (MPSR) is the agency of Government responsible for the facilitation and co-ordination of all Public Sector Reform (PSR) programmes and projects. The Ministry is responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of all PSR programmes and projects and to ensure that all reform projects meet the goal of Government and to support the development priorities of State.
2.0 Goal
The focus of current reform initiatives being planned by the Ministry is three fold. These are:
1. To deliver prompt, efficient and cost-effective public services to assist in meeting national goals (GPRS, etc.)
2. To make public sector organizations more responsive to the needs of the private sector; and
3. To provide improved, timely, t ransparent and product ive service to the executive branch
of Government - particularly ad- visory support to Ministers of State and the Presidency.
3.0 Implementation Objectives
The Ministry's role principally is to provide policy direction, mobilize resources and provide implementation support, through advocacy and public education, to sector Ministries and other public service institutions, for the:
Preparation of a Comprehensive Work Programme for Public Sector Reform;
Organizational restructuring of the Civil Service and developing training programmes for the entire Civil Service;
Finalization of a professional Human Resource Management Policy Framework to attract and retain a corps of highly skilled and competent employees for delivery of efficient service; Establishment and implementation of regulatory framework for Sub- vented Agencies;
Facilitate the development and Implementation of a commu- nications enhancement strategy;
Help in the improvement of Public Financial Management;
Pursuing Reform initiatives in the broader Public Sector;
Restructuring the larger MDAs, Central Management Agencies (CMAs) and Strategic Management Agencies (SMAs);
Facilitate the deployment of ICT infrastructure (backbone) and skill

Minister for Public Sector Reform (Dr. Paa Kwasi Nduom)

within the Civil Service in order to facilitate the efficient execution of government programmes;

Support to the judicial training programme and to Parliament;

Establishment of a procurement cadre in the Civil Service.

Mr. Speaker, for the 2006 financial year the key initiatives that the Ministry will work on in collaboration with other MDAs include:

pay reforms including implemen- tation of the Ghana Universal Salary Scheme all Public Services;

strengthening recruitment, training and retention in the Civil Service in particular;

ensuring better performance management in all public services; the restructuring of a number of subvented agencies including the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and supporting the Public Services Commission, Office of the Civil Service, the State Enterprises Commission and others to improve the services that they provide.

Mr. Speaker, I am very much aware that the budget that has been provided to us is relatively small. As a new Ministry, perhaps it is understandable that the allocation given to the Ministry is relatively small. However, Mr. Speaker, we do believe that over the course of the year 2006 we will be able to attract in excess of ¢40 billion from the development partners to assist in meeting the stated objectives of the Ministry and also a number of the initiatives that we intend to implement in the year 2006.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that this House approves the sum of ¢13,006 million for the services of the Ministry of Public Sector Reform.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr. Paul Okoh)

Mr. Speaker, I rise to second the motion on the floor and proceed to present the Report of the Committee.
1.0 Introduction
In pursuance of article 179 (1), (2) and (10) of the Constitution of the Republic and Standing Order 140 (1), the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2006 Financial Year was presented to the House on Thursday, 10th November 2005 by the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu.
In compliance with Standing Orders 140 (4) and 184, the 2006 Draft Estimates of the Ministry of Public Sector Reform were referred to the Select Committee for consideration and report, and the Committee having held a meeting to so consider the Estimates reports as follows:
1.1 Acknowledgement
The Committee is grateful to the Sector Minister, the Ag. Chief Director and officials of the Ministry who attended the Committee Budget hearing session to assist the Committee deliberate on the Estimates.
2.0 Reference Documents
In considering the Estimates of the
Sector Ministry the underlisted documents were referred to:
i) The 1992 Constitution of the Republic;
ii) The Budget Statement and Economic Pol icy of the Government of Ghana for the 2006 Financial Year;
iii) The Budget Statement and Economic Pol icy of the Government of Ghana for the 2005 Financial Year;
iv) The Annual Estimates of the Ministry of Public Sector Reform; and
v) The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.
3.0 Mission Statement of the Ministry of Public Sector Reform
The Ministry of Public Sector Reform exists as the home of all Public Sector Reforms performing the role of a facilitator and co-ordinator of reform initiatives. The Ministry ensures, by working with all heads of MDAs, that reform projects are prioritized, time-bound and fully costed for which the Ministry would identify fund sources. The Ministry conducts follow-ups, monitoring and evaluation of all reform activities to ensure that implementation is effective.
4.0 Objectives of the Ministry of Public Sector Reform
In order to realise its Mission Statement, the Ministry of Public Sector Reform has set for itself the following objectives:
To Formulate, Implement, Co- ordinate, Monitor and Evaluate Policies on Public Sector Reform and report to the President.
To establish institutional capacity in the Public Sector.
To ensure the review and imple- mentation of Service Delivery.
To implement agreed reform agenda. 5.0 Review of the Ministry's Performance in 2005
The Ministry of Public Sector Reform started operations mid-2005 and has since been provided with a total of three billion cedis (¢3,000,000,000 under GOG for its activities.
The breakdown of the said amount of three billion cedis (¢3,000,000,000.00) is as follows:
Item P E Administration Service Investment Total
GOG 450,000,000
1,000,000,000 1,550,000,000
3,000,000,000
Fig 1
5.1 Personal Emoluments

Chairman of the Committee (Mr. Paul Okoh)

The Committee was alarmed by the non-commitment of funds to cater for Personal Emoluments but the situation was explained off as being the result of the Ministry relying solely on transferred staff whose emoluments had been catered for in the budgets of their respective parent Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

5.2 Achievement

The Committee noted with satisfaction, the modest achievement made by the Ministry in spite of the teething problems relating to its physical establishment.

The Committee was impressed with the pace at which the Ministry was able to develop a comprehensive Public Sector Reform programme with its implemen- tation plan for the ensuing year. More impressive was the Ministry's ability to develop the 3-year public sector reform programme in addition to completing the process of drafting a Bill on the reform programme which had been laid before the House for consideration all within such a relatively short space of time.

6.0 2006 Budgetary Allocation for the Public Sector Reform

In order to achieve the set objectives with particular reference to the Work Programme for the 2006 financial year, the Ministry of Public Sector Reform is being allocated an amount of thirteen billion and six million cedis (¢13,006,000,000.00) made up of nine billion, one hundred and fifteen million cedis (¢9,115,000,000.00) from GOG sources and a donor component of three billion, eight hundred and ninety- one million cedis (¢3,891,000,000.00).

Figure 2 below presents the distribution of the said sum under the various cost centres and also gives indication of the source of funding.

ITEM P. E. ADMIN.

SERVICE INVEST. TOTAL

GOG 1,000,000,000 2,615,000,000

2,000,000,000 3,500,000,000 9,115,000,000

PRAYERS 10:10 a.m.

CORRECTION OF VOTES 10:10 a.m.

AND PROCEEDINGS AND 10:10 a.m.

THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.

Mr. A. W. G. Abayateye 10:10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.

Mr. K. Krah Mensah 10:10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.

Mr. C. S. Hodogbey 10:10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.

Mr. Owusu-Adjapong 10:10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.

PAPERS 10:10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.

Mr. Owusu-Adjapong 10:10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.

CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL 10:20 a.m.

ESTIMATES 10:20 a.m.

Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing (Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang) 10:20 a.m.

ATMA 10:20 a.m.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr. Samuel Johnfiah) 10:20 a.m.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr. Samuel Johnfiah) 10:30 a.m.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr. Samuel Johnfiah) 10:40 a.m.

Alhaji Seidu Amadu (NDC - Yapei/ Kusawgu) 10:40 a.m.

Alhaji Seidu Amadu (NDC - Yapei/ Kusawgu) 10:50 a.m.

Mr. B. D. K. Adu (NPP -- Okere) 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.

Mr. B. D. K. Adu 10:50 a.m.

Mr. Alfred W. G. Abayateye (NDC - Sege) 11 a.m.

Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (NPP - Suame) 11 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

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

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

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

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

Alhaji Boniface 11 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

Alhaji Boniface 11 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11:10 a.m.

Mr. Poku-Adusei 11:10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11:10 a.m.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:10 a.m.

Mr. Lee Ocran 11:10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11:10 a.m.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:10 a.m.

Mr. E. K. D. Adjaho (NDC -- Avenor/ Ave) 11:10 a.m.

Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang 11:10 a.m.

Mr. Adjaho 11:10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Adjaho 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11:20 a.m.

Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Bagbin 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Bagbin 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Adjaho 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Adjaho 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Osei-Prempeh 11:20 a.m.

Alhaji Seidu Amadu 11:30 a.m.

Mr. Speaker 11:30 a.m.

Mr. Adjaho 11:30 a.m.

Prof. A. Wayo Seini (NDC - Tamale Central) 11:30 a.m.

Mr. S. K. B. Manu 11:30 a.m.

PRAYERS

CORRECTION OF VOTES

AND PROCEEDINGS AND

THE OFFICIAL REPORT

Mr. Speaker

Mr. A. W. G. Abayateye

Mr. Speaker

Mr. K. Krah Mensah

Mr. Speaker

Mr. C. S. Hodogbey

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Owusu-Adjapong

Mr. Speaker

PAPERS

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Owusu-Adjapong

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL

ESTIMATES

Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing (Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang)

ATMA

Chairman of the Committee (Mr. Samuel Johnfiah)

Chairman of the Committee (Mr. Samuel Johnfiah)

Chairman of the Committee (Mr. Samuel Johnfiah)

Alhaji Seidu Amadu (NDC - Yapei/ Kusawgu)

Alhaji Seidu Amadu (NDC - Yapei/ Kusawgu)

Mr. B. D. K. Adu (NPP -- Okere)

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. B. D. K. Adu

Mr. Alfred W. G. Abayateye (NDC - Sege)

Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (NPP - Suame)

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Speaker

Alhaji Boniface

Mr. Speaker

Alhaji Boniface

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Poku-Adusei

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Lee Ocran

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. E. K. D. Adjaho (NDC -- Avenor/ Ave)

Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang

Mr. Adjaho

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Adjaho

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Speaker

Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Bagbin

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Bagbin

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Adjaho

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Adjaho

Mr. Osei-Prempeh

Alhaji Seidu Amadu

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Adjaho

Prof. A. Wayo Seini (NDC - Tamale Central)

Mr. S. K. B. Manu

Mr. Speaker