Debates of 20 Jul 2007

MR. SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:05 a.m.

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:05 a.m.

Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Hon. Members, correction of Votes and Proceedings for Thursday, 19th July 2007.
Mr. F. K. Owusu-Adjapong 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, perhaps, we may need to check up with the Clerk's office, whether they are available. We do not seem to have copies, so if we can defer it for some few minutes.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
You do not have your Votes and Proceedings? It happened yesterday and it appears that it has been repeated today.
Mr. Owusu-Adjapong 10:05 a.m.
So, Mr. Speaker, if you can defer it for some minutes for us to sort it out.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Fair enough. We would skip that for now.
Let us go through the Official Report of Thursday, 12th July, 2007. I believe if hon. Members have their copies, we can go through that now.

Can we now go on with the Votes and Proceedings of yesterday? I believe they have taken the task of distributing them.

Votes and Proceedings for Thursday, 19th July, 2007, page 1. . .6 and 7.
Mr. Isaac Asiamah 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would want to seek your clarification and counsel on item (3), page 6: “The following hon. Members were absent with permission” -- firstly, we all know the condition of our hon. Member -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Which page are you referring to?
Mr. Asiamah 10:05 a.m.
Page 6, item 3: “Absent with Permission”.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Yes, what do you want to find out?
Mr. Asiamah 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we all know the condition of the hon. Member for Keta, Mr. Daniel K. Abodakpi. I want your advice and guidance on this. When it comes to Standing Order 15 -- and with your permission, I would like to read:
“(1) Every Member shall attend the service of the House unless leave of absence has been given him by Mr. Speaker.
(2) Leave of absence may be given by Mr. Speaker to any Member who shows sufficient cause justifying his absence or who is away on official or parliamentary duties.”
Mr. Speaker, I want to know whether permission has been granted to our hon. Colleague to be where he is. I am asking this because as a concerned democrat, I am also concerned about the people of Keta and how they are being fairly represented in Parliament. That is my concern, and I want your advice or guidance on this.
rose
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Yes, hon. Minority Leader, do you want to make some input?
Mr. Bagbin 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member for Keta, Mr. Daniel Abodakpi, did submit a written application to the Speaker -- I am fully aware of that -- giving the reason why he is unable to be here and that is as a result of his
Any corrections for pages 8, 9, 10 . .
. 20.
In the absence of any corrections, hon. Members, we would assume that what you have in hand is a true reflection of what took place yesterday.
Yes, hon. Majority Leader?
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:15 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, the Committee presents its report to this honourable House as follows 10:15 a.m.
Arrangement of Business
Question(s)
Mr. Speaker, the Committee has invited five (5) Ministers to respond to various Questions.
The details are as follows:
No. of
Question(s)
incarceration by the law enforcement agency. He is still battling with them for his liberty and as a result of that he cannot present himself daily in Parliament. This permission was granted him and that is the reason why it is being captured as “absent with permission”.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:15 a.m.
Let us continue. Pages 8 and 9 --
Mr. P. C. Appiah-Ofori 10:15 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to find out whether he is paid, whether he receives his salary and who authorizes it because a person cannot absent himself in that circumstance and draw salaries. So whoever authorizes it, we should know and let us see whether it conforms with -- [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:15 a.m.
Hon. Members, let us continue.
Mr. Appiah-Ofori 10:15 a.m.
Why? [Uproar.]
Some hon. Members -- rose --
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:15 a.m.
Hon. Members, could you all take your seats and let us proceed with the correction of the Votes and Proceedings?
I think that answers your question. Could you also take your seat, hon. Member for Atwima-Mponua.
i. Minister for Finance and Economic Planning 4
ii. Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Environment 5
iii. Minister for Health 5
iv. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice 4
v. Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines 1
Total Number of Questions 19
Mr. Speaker, in all, nineteen (19) Questions have been scheduled to be answered.
Statements
Mr. Speaker, you may allow Statements which have been duly admitted to be made in the House.
Bills, Papers and Reports
Mr. Speaker, Bills, Papers and Reports may be presented to the House for consideration and other businesses which have already been presented to the House would also be considered.
Motions and Resolutions
Mr. Speaker, debate of a Private Member's Motion on algae in the marine waters of the Jomoro District has been scheduled for Wednesday, 25th July 2007.
Mr. Speaker, other motions may be debated and the appropriate Resolution taken where required.
Mr. Speaker, the Appointments Committee will meet as from next week to consider the nominations of H.E. the President for Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial appointments. Mr. Speaker, the House will proceed to debate the motions for adoption or otherwise of the reports of the Appointments Committee when they are presented.
End of Meeting Ceremony
Mr. Speaker, a Special End-of-Meeting Closing Ceremony is being arranged to take place on Tuesday, 31st July 2007. Mr. Speaker, H.E. Busumuru Kofi Annan, the immediate past Secretary-General of the United Nations Organisation, is expected to address the House during the said closing ceremony. Hon. Members are urged to be present for this special occasion.
of America with Government of the Republic of Ghana as Guarantor, for an amount of one hundred and twenty-three million and forty-four thousand United States dollars (US$123.44 million) for the purchase and construction of oil storage tanks and pipelines.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Anti-Money Laundering Bill --

Committee Sittings.

Questions --

Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Environment - 759, 863, 864, 942 and 986.

Laying of Papers

Motions --

Private Member's Motion

That this honourable House request Government to take appropriate measures to remove the algae in the marine waters of the Jomoro District which have greatly affected the livelihood of the people of the area.

(Mr. Lee Ocran)

Committee Sittings.

Questions --

Minister for Health -- 1008, 1053, 1074, 1086 and 1096.

Laying of Papers --

Report of the Appointments Committee on H.E. the President's

nominat ions for minis ter ia l appointment.

Motions --

Second Reading of Bills --

Interpretation Bill

Committee Sittings.

Questions --

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice -- 921, 975, 1102 and 1112.

Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines -- 1045.

Motions --

Third Reading of Bills --

Anti-Money Laundering Bill

Committee Sittings.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:15 a.m.
Hon. Members, that is the proposed business for the Eleventh Week ending 27th July, 2007. Are there any comments thereon?
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 10:15 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, last week hon. Ford Kamel drew the attention of the hon. Chairman of the Business Committee to the National Communi- cations Authority Report for 2005 which was laid before the House. Subsequently, it was tabled that a motion would be moved in respect of it. It did not happen last week and one would have thought that since the House is rising shortly -- having laid the report -- and there are very important issues that we need to raise on it, especially the quality of mobile service in Ghana and some other unresolved discrepancy -- Mr. Speaker, conspicuously lost in his Business Statement is an indication as to when they would move the motion for
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 10:15 a.m.
Conclusion
Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160 (2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this honourable House the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week.

Questions --

Minister for Finance and Economic Planning -- 944, 1043, 1084 and

1100.

Laying of Papers --

(a ) Repor t o f the F inance Committee on the Credit Agreement amongst the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company Ltd., Citibank, N.A. and Export-Import Bank of the United States of America with Government of the Republic of Ghana as Guarantor, for an amount of one hundred and twenty-three million and forty- four thousand United States dollars (US$123.44 million) for the purchase and construction of oil storage tanks and pipelines.

(b) Report of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the Interpretation Bill.

Motion --

Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Credit Agreement amongst the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company Ltd., Citibank, N.A. and Export- Import Bank of the United States
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 10:15 a.m.


adoption of the report.

Mr. Speaker, the second issue has to do with a Question I had filed earlier for the hon. Minister for Justice and Attorney- General to respond to, on when he would bring before this House the Freedom of Information Bill. It was tabled for him to respond to it. I understand he was bereaved and therefore was not available.

Nothing has been heard on it yet he is supposed to reappear next week. I think it is only prudent that it was added to the Questions that he would answer. Mr. Speaker, these are the concerns I would like to raise.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:15 a.m.
Hon. Member, did I hear you say the hon. Minister for Justice and Attorney-General was briefed and for that reason he was not available or otherwise? Are you implying that he was trying to avoid answering the Question?
Mr. H. Iddrisu 10:15 a.m.
No, not at all. He is genuinely bereaved and I am aware of it. I am not questioning that but at least since he has been tabled now to come back to answer some other Questions it is only fair that the earlier Question is added unto him to respond to.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon. Minister, there are two issues that the hon. Member thought would appear because the Business Committee had been made aware of them. The hon. Minister is supposed to come and answer Questions and the hon. Member is wondering why his has not been added to them.
Mr. Owusu-Adjapong 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, that can be considered. I believe in the
Mr. A. K. Agbesi 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, a great concern is being raised in the country about the continued killings or murder of innocent Ghanaians. Mr. Speaker, the House, being the representative of the people, is due to rise shortly. Mr. Speaker, as we go on recess, we are going to meet our constituents, and they would like to know what we their representatives are doing about the current concern. Mr. Speaker, I think this is a matter which the Business Committee, the Majority Leader, et cetera, should tell this House about.
Mr. Speaker, I think, as we have just a week to go, the Majority Leader and Chairman of the Business Committee should tell this House something so that when we meet our electorate, we can also tell them what is happening now.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister for the Interior who is also a Member of this House has something to tell this House which we should take home. I think this is a very necessary or vital matter which we should not gloss over before we leave next week to our various homes and constituencies.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know from the Majority Leader and Chairman of the Business Committee what this House is doing about this matter -- [Inter-ruption.] Mr. Speaker, I have just been reminded that he is just on his way out but at least he should do something before he leaves the House.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon. Member, I thought we are talking about the business proposal for next week. Are
you giving an impression that you filed a question that ought to be answered by the Minister for the Interior or you are asking the Business Committee to come out with a statement on the matter? I am at a loss as to what exactly you want the House to do.
Mr. Agbesi 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my concern is that the Minister for the Interior should have an opportunity before we leave, to brief this House on what the condition or the situation is because we are so much afraid ourselves as to what is happening in this country. The contract killings, this and other killings are issues which we would want the hon. Minister for the Interior to tell us about -- [Inter-ruptions.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon. Minister, that is what the hon. Member is saying, that he would prefer if the hon. Minister comes, maybe, to give a Statement on what he personally considers to be extremely important. Do you have anything to say about that?
Mr. Owusu-Adjapong 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am having a problem with the procedure he is using, and that is why I am suggesting to my hon. Colleague the Minority Leader to advise him on procedure for such issues.
Like you said, the hon. Member could have come with an Urgent Question and if it is admitted, it would be answered. He could have come with a Statement and if it is admitted, it would be made on the floor. If the hon. Member wants us to arrange for the hon. Minister to come, one of the methods is to talk to his Leadership and there would be consultation even before the Business Committee.
I would still recommend that in future, when he has such lovely ideas, he can take it up with his Leadership and then we can consult on the matter. At the moment, I
am not too sure which part of the Standing Orders he wants me to rely on to say that I am coming with the hon. Minister.
I take note of his concerns and I would discuss it with my hon. Colleague, the hon. Minority Leader and see whether there could be something that could be done on the matter. I think we should be conversant with our procedures.
Mr. E. T. Mensah 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, on a very light note, when the oil was found, no notice was given: the hon. Minister just called upon the House and broke the news so he should do something about the -- [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon. E. T. Mensah, what is your point? What exactly are you trying to imply? What are you driving at? [Interruptions.]
Mr. E. T. Mensah 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I filed two Questions, one was to ask the hon. Minister for Education, Science and Sports to let us know how much money was contributed by the private sector towards the preparation for the 2006 World Cup which just ended, and also how much the Government put in and the amount that FIFA contributed and how these monies were disbursed.
I was told by the Chairman when I raised the question the last time that the hon. Minister for Education, Science and Sports was not around. But I saw him this week and I am surprised that there is nothing here.
The other one was on School Feeding Programme, that we needed to know the number of schools which are being covered, district by district, region by region and the amount involved so far. Nothing has happened; I can see that these Questions are missing here. I would want to know why.
Mr. Owusu-Adjapong 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would place the matter before the Business Committee at their next meeting and see
Mr. Owusu-Adjapong 10:25 a.m.


what appropriate action can be taken.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
I believe that the hon. Member is trying to say that he would have preferred the Questions to be answered at this time of our Meeting, and that the coming week would be too long because we are going on holidays.
Mr. Owusu-Adjapong 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
unlike what the hon. Member for Tamale South raised, where it was easy for me to just say it is a deal because the Minister is coming and it was the issue of adding one more Question -- I have gone through the programme for next week -- we have not checked up with the Minister to find out whether he would be available.
Most of the time, we have to check with the Minister at the Business Committee meeting to be sure that the Minister would be around. As I am standing here, if I say that the Minister would be brought only to be told that he has already taken another equally important appointment in the interest of the State, maybe, we may not be able to do the right thing; that is why I am saying that I would have to take it up with the Business Committee.
Mr. Speaker, the Business Committee can meet any time; it is not that we only meet on Thursdays; we can meet at anytime to find a solution to such problems. In the absence of the Business Committee, the Leadership can also take decisions on such matters. So I should do the preliminary findings and then after that we can take the next course of action.
Mr. Speaker, we work as a team and therefore if I am not around it does not matter; my Deputy is around so there should be no more statements on the matter.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
I think
Mr. E. T. Mensah 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon. E. T. Mensah, the hon. Majority Leader has indicated that the Business Committee could meet and consider it, considering the volume of business, particularly the Questions that we have for the week, and possibly the Leadership could even factor it in so that your Questions could be taken aboard. I believe that should work out for you in that regard.
Mr. E. T. Mensah 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my point is that the hon. Minister is used to taking important initiatives and so he can take the initiative without even the Business Committee meeting and slate this Question in -- [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
We are
going by our Standing Orders, so please do not press the hon. Minister or the Majority Leader to take decisions outside our Standing Orders.
Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
I did not get the Chairman of the Business Committee clear. Is it that parliamentary Questions are subject to the availability of Ministers? [Interruption.] When a notice is served that a Question has to be answered, it is now left for the Minister to make himself available and not the other way round, that once a Question goes --
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
I think you have a point there but we should also be a bit practical in terms of convenience and other priorities. But I agree with you that what happens here should take pre- cedence over anything else -- when it comes to dealing with Ministers coming to answer Questions in this House. I agree with you perfectly.
Hon. Members, would there be any other comments on the proposed business for next week? We have taken a little bit of time over that. In the absence of any other comments thereon, I would say that we would adopt this in principle as business for the week subject to changes as and when necessary.

We are now moving on to Question time. There are a number of Questions to be answered by a few Ministers. I will first of all ask the hon. Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture to make himself available to answer the last Question. The Chair has used its discretion to arrange so.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:35 a.m.

MINISTRY OF CHIEFTAINCY AND 10:35 a.m.

CULTURE AFFAIRS 10:35 a.m.

Mr. Addai 10:35 a.m.
I would like to find out
from the hon. Minister by what means this support should be accessed; whether by writing or sending a delegation to the Ministry.
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, now
that the Ministry is aware of the project, it would be captured in the budget that is being prepared now. So there are some relationships between us and the donor countries and I would liaise with them to get the project started.
Mr. Addai 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the face of
the present influx of foreign culture, would the hon. Minister consider it a national policy for all traditional councils to have cultural villages?
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, yes, I think it is a laudable idea. That is why I praise the people of Techiman for the initiative and I think that in the last Statement I made in Parliament, I made mention of that. I would recommend to all District Assemblies to do that.
Mr. Addai 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister the type of support available in his Ministry for the people of Techiman.
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10:35 a.m.
If the hon. Member heard me well, Mr. Speaker, I said that we are now going to capture this particular programme in the Budget and therefore the next budget would determine what sort of support I would give to them.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Thank you very much, hon. Minister for Culture and Chieftaincy Affairs for making yourself available to answer these Questions.
MINISTRY OF ENERGY 10:35 a.m.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Joseph K. Adda) 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Nante community forms apart of the ongoing SHEP-3 Phase-3 project. Installation works for the High Voltage (HV) and Low Voltage
(LV) networks have been completed in the community.
The major outstanding work to be done is the connection of the VRA high voltage shield wire system and the installation of transformers. The Ministry of Energy has requested the Volta River Authority to implement the shield wire connection to allow for the completion of the project.
The project will be considered under the VRA's upgrade programme for shield wire schemes in some communities in the Kintampo District, which is scheduled for completion in June 2009.
Mr. Effah-Baafi 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to tell us whether the installation of the transformers and the connection of the high voltage shield wire system would be carried out simultaneously.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Hon. Member, that is quite a technical question to put, but hon. Minister, would you like to answer?
Mr. Adda 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I will have to come back to him on this question.
Towns in the Sefwi-Akontombra Constituency (Electricity)
Q. 778. Mr. Herod Cobbina asked the Minister for Energy what arrangements the Ministry had put in place to extend electricity to the following towns in the Sefwi-Akontombra constituency:
(i) Bopa
(ii) Asantekrom
(iii) Asanteman
(iv) Nkwadum
(v) Besibema
(vi) Sikaneasem
(vii) Kramokrom
(viii) Wuruwuru.
Mr. Adda 10:35 a.m.
The Bopa, Asantekrom, Asanteman, Nkwandum, Besibema and Sikaneasem communities form part of the SHEP-4 programme. These communities however do not form part of the ongoing SHEP-4 Phase-1 project. They would be considered in the subsequent phases of the SHEP-4 in line with the implementation schedule and the availability of funding.
Mr. Speaker, the Kramokrom and Wuruwuru communities have not been listed under any of the Ministry's on-going electrification programmes. They would be considered under the subsequent phases of the SHEP if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Mr. Cobbina 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, electricity being extended to these communities is not in sight. His Ministry has not been able to extend electricity to these towns. What collaboration existed between the Ministry and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment for the supply of television sets to such communities in the Akontombra constituency?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon. Member, that question will not be allowed. If you have any other question, please, ask.
We will move on to the next Question then; and that stands in the name of hon. Cobbina, again, Member of Parliament for Sefwi-Akontombra. Question Number-
779 -
Ayisakrom, Kofikrom, and Bopa
Junction (Electricity)
Q. 779. Mr. Herod Cobbina asked the Minister for Energy when the following three communities, which have been under the main electricity lines from Sefwi-Wiawso to Nsawora for the past six years would be connected to the national electricity grid:
(i) Ayisakrom
(ii) Kofikrom, and
(iii) Bopa Junction.
Mr. Adda 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Ayisakrom, Kofikrom and Bopa Junction communities form part of the SHEP-4 programme. These communities however do not form part of the ongoing SHEP-4 Phase-1 project. They would be considered in the subsequent phases of the SHEP-4 in line with the implementation schedule and the

availability of funding.
Mr. Cobbina 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, these
communities have been under electricity line for almost six years -- Ayisakrom and Bopa Junction. Will his Ministry collaborate to provide transformers to finally connect these communities, if assistance comes from the hon. Member of Parliament?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon.
Minister, he is proposing to be of help to his community.
Mr. Adda 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry will be very glad to assist the hon. Member of Parliament, if he is able to assist his community to meet the eligibility criteria.
New Edubiase Hospital
(Transformer)
Q. 781. Mr. Ernest Kofi Yakah asked the Minister for Energy what plans the Ministry had to provide New Edubiase Hospital with a transformer.
Mr. Adda 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, following a request from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the Ministry of Energy has provided a transformer to the hospital which is currently being installed. The transformer is expected to be commissioned by July 27, 2007.
Mr. Yakah 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's Answer, he said that the transformer is currently being installed, and it is expected to be commissioned by July 27. I would like to know from the hon. Minister, what the level of completion of the installation is.
Mr. Adda 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am not able
to report on that today. I would have to come back to my hon. Colleague.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Very well. The hon. Minister has promised
to come back, assuming you insist on knowing from him that answer to your question.
Kwabenakrom (Electricity)
Q. 782. Mr. Stephen M. E. K. Ackah asked the Minister for Energy when Kwabenakrom in the Suaman constituency would be connected to the national electricity grid.
Mr. Adda 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Kwa- benakrom community has not been listed under any of the Ministry's ongoing electrification programmes. The community would be considered under the subsequent phases of the SHEP if it meets the eligibility criteria.
Mr. Ackah 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the community will be considered under the subsequent phases of the SHEP. Which phase specifically is he referring to?
Mr. Adda 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it will depend on the speed with which they are able to meet the eligibility criteria. If they come to us relatively shortly, we might be able to consider them in the earlier phases.
Some Communities in the Lower Volta Basin (Electricity)
Q. 783. Mr. David Tetteh Assumeng asked the Minister for Energy when the following communities in the Lower Volta Basin in Osudoku would be connected to the national electricity grid:
(i) Duffour-Osudoku
(ii) Kortorkor
(iii) Adakopey (iv) Jorkpo
(v) Abuviekporm
(vi) Klebuse
(vii) Agbekotsekpo.
Mr. Adda 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, with the exception of the Kortorkor community, which is part of the SHEP-4 programme, the remaining communities, namely Duffour-Osudoku, Adakopey, Jorkpo, Abuviekporm, Klebuse and Agbe- kotsekpo have not been listed under any of the Ministry's ongoing electrification projects. These communities would be considered under the subsequent phases of the SHEP if they meet the eligibility criteria.
The Kortorkor community, although part of the SHEP-4, does not form part of the ongoing SHEP-4 Phase-1 project. It would therefore be considered under the subsequent phases of the SHEP-4 programme in line with the implementation schedule and the availability of funding.
Mr. Assumeng 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Minister, for at least including Kortorkor in the programme. However, I just want to say that these are communities in the Lower Volta Basin, as I have been saying always, that are being affected as a result of the construction of the Akosombo and the Kpong Dams and it is unfortunate that these communities are not enjoying the national electricity grid -- [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon.
Member, are you asking a question or you are making a statement?
Mr. Assumeng 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to clarify the situation before - [Inter- ruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
But you
are clarifying. You are making a statement. Please, go ahead and ask a question.
Mr. Assumeng 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, as I said,
it is just pathetic that these communities are not enjoying and I just want to plead with the hon. Minister that as at now, I have managed to procure about 90 low tension poles for some of these communities in the area; because of the problem -- he should consider the areas so that one day the situation in the area will not degenerate as we are witnessing in Nigeria.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon.
Minister, he is pleading that, since he has helped his community, you should consider connecting those towns he has mentioned to the grid. That is a very serious plea from a Member of this House. What do you say to that, hon. Minister?
Mr. Adda 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I commend the hon. Colleague highly, and wish to extend an invitation to him to meet me in my office so that we can discuss the possibility of helping him.
Mr. Mahama Ayariga 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
in this particular Answer, and in almost all the Answers that the hon. Minister has provided, he has said that these communities will be connected if - or they will be put on subsequent phases of SHEP4 if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Mr. Speaker, the question that I wish to ask the hon. Minister is, is there an impartial mechanism for determining whether or not a community has met the eligibility criteria, or it is solely the Ministry and the Minister who determine whether a particular community has met the eligibility criteria or not.
rose
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Do you want to answer that for the hon. Minister,
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.


hon. Member?
Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, follow-up questions are supposed to be supplementary to specific Questions. This is an omnibus supplementary question. I want to know which is the substantive Question that he is addressing this Answer to.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Yes, hon. Minister, can you react to the question posed by the hon. Member?
Mr. Adda 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I have stated time and again in this august House what comprise the eligibility criteria. These are criteria set by policy and they are not subject to anybody's whims and caprices. So long as any community meets the criteria we consider that community within the context of the funding constraints that we have. Mr. Speaker, so it is not subjective.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Thank you, hon. Minister, for that answer. We move on to the next Question and that stands in the name of hon. R. Sarfo- Mensah (Asunafo North).
Mr. E. A. Gyamfi 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my hon. Colleague is attending to a constituency assignment and has asked me to ask the Question on his behalf, with your permission.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Please go ahead, hon. Member.
Manhyia, Dankwakrom, etc. (Electricity)
Q. 803. Mr. E. A. Gyamfi (on behalf of Mr. Robert Sarfo-Mensah) asked the Minister for Energy what plans the Ministry had to extend electricity to the following communities:
(i) Manhyia
(ii) Dankwakrom
(iii) Aboaboso
(iv) Tweneboa
(v) Bodedwo
(vi) Komoso
(vii) Mensakrom
(viii) Aniape
(ix) Odurokrom
(x) Agragro.
Mr. Adda 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Manhyia, Dankwakrom, Aboaboso, Tweneboa, Bodedwo, Komoso, Mensakrom, Aniape, Odukrom and Agrogro communities have not been listed under any of the Ministry's ongoing electrification programme. They would be considered under the subsequent phases of the SHEP if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
You have some supplementary questions to ask?
Mr. Gyamfi 10:55 a.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
All right, go ahead. What is your question?
Mr. Gyamfi 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's Answer, he said the mentioned communities -- [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon. Member for Bawku Central, are you rising on a point of order?
Mr. Mahama Ayariga 10:55 a.m.
On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, the presence of the hon. Minister for Presidential Affairs is stirring some unease in the House.
[Laughter.] Mr. Speaker, we want to know whether he has brought another list.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Please, hon. Member, ask your question.
Mr. Gyamfi 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's submission, he said the above- mentioned communities have not been programmed for the current phase and I believe we have the SHEP-4 Phase 2 at the moment. Which of the phases would be captured for electrification?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon. Member, I believe what the hon. Minister said, and subsequently, is on SHEP-4. And I do not believe you want to pin him down to a particular phase of the SHEP-4. There would be other phases, is that not it? I think it is implied, so if you have any other question, could you ask that.
Mr. Gyamfi 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to ask the hon. Minister for Energy if he can mention the three most important criteria for a community to be eligible to be considered under this -- [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon. Member, I am sorry I have to come in here. This Parliament has an institutional memory; I do remember very well that the hon. Minister had been here and had talked about that. Let us move on to Question 1095 from hon. Simons Addai (Techiman South).
Some hon. Members: He is not here.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
I am sorry. Then, hon. Minister, thank you very much. Thank you for making yourself available to answer Questions from hon. Members of this august House. There is a Statement standing in the name of hon. Ekua Sena Dansua.
Hon. Akua S. Dansua -- rose --
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
That is why I do not like to call the name, she has always had the inclination to correct my pronunciation of that name. Hon. A. S. Dansua has a short Statement. The House is ready to listen to it.
Ms. Akua S. Dansua 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I thought you were married to my sister Voltarian; and we pronounce Ekua Akua so you should not have any difficulty at all in mentioning my name.
STATEMENTS 10:55 a.m.

Ms. Akua Sena Dansua (NDC -- North Dayi) 11:05 a.m.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to make this very important Statement on the poor handling of consumables and its implications on the health of Ghanaians.
Mr. Speaker, we have tended to overlook the very rampant occurrence and its serious implications on the health of Ghanaians by the way we handle our food items, that is, consumables like water, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and even medicines.
Mr. Speaker, Ghanaians generally take for granted the quality of food, medication and drink items we consume, con-sumables most of which are stored and marketed under very undesirable conditions. Apart from very few shopping malls, super markets and stores in this country, all other sales outlets such as, shops, container shops and markets, keep most consumables under very deplorable conditions.
Mr. Speaker, let me with a few examples emphasise my point. Consumable items such as bottled water or water in sachets, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, biscuits, rice, flour, corn and cassava

dough, vegetables and fish in our markets, onions, et cetera which are supposed to be stored under very low temperature are displayed in the open blazing sun under temperatures ranging from 20oC to 40oC every day and for as long as the stock last. Some of these items are not displayed on stalls but are dumped directly on the ground.

Mr. Speaker, our pharmacies and medicine stores are not exempt and with the debilitating effect of the energy crisis, medicines are intermittently exposed to heat which affects the efficacy of the drugs when taken.

Mr. Speaker, I wonder what the Food and Drugs Board and their inspectors are doing. In certain countries, consumers interest is very well protected with stakeholders including consumers themselves who have formed various pressure groups to ensure that their interest is not compromised as far as quality is concerned.

In such countries one hardly finds consumables displayed in the open as we do in Ghana and to the extent that one finds sachet water, fruits and others covered with polythene and left on stands in front of shops for days on end before innocent consumers buy them. These items are often exposed to dust and wind with faecal content.

Mr. Speaker, it is time whoever is concerned took action before the majority of us are exposed to inexplicable health hazards. We should wage a major crusade against unhealthy and despicable handling of consumables. The District Assemblies must take the lead role and get their health
Mr. Speaker, section 2 (3) also states, and with your permission I quote 11:05 a.m.
“Food shall be deemed adulterated if:
(a) any constituent has in whole or in part been omitted or abstracted,
(b) damage or inferiority has been concealed in any manner,
(c) any substance has been
substituted wholly or in part of it.”
Clearly, these actions of food vendors are against the law because they have dyed the food items to conceal the original nature, which they consider inferior. Section 7 of PNDCL 305 (b) states cate- gorically and with your permission I quote:
“Any person who sells, prepares, packages, conveys, stores or displays for sale any food under insanitary conditions commits an offence.”
Mr. Speaker, food sold uncovered and exposed to health hazards, falls within the category that this section deals with.
Mr. Speaker, the least said about imported unwholesome food, the better. The Ghana Standards Board we often hear seizes and destroys food items deemed unwholesome for consumption such as rotten pig feet and expired confectioneries but sometimes, such products are advertised, sold, purchased, used and consumed. This presents a high risk to consumers, albeit unsuspecting.
Mr. Speaker, we need to apply the Food and Drugs Law (FDL) to save our people from disease and death. If we do not ensure that people eat well to ensure good health and long life, we shall spend all the National Health Insurance funds treating diseases that are preventable. We need to take our nation's health more seriously.
Mr. Speaker, I urge hon. Colleagues to support this call and get us to action. Thank you very much for the opportunity.
Ms. Christine Churcher (NPP -- Cape Coast) 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend the maker of the Statement, hon. Akua Dansua for a good Statement, which is not only timely but of importance to this country.
Ms. Christine Churcher (NPP -- Cape Coast) 11:15 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, listening intently to what she said, what came to my mind was not the absence of good laws to protect the consumers, because she quoted laws which are there to protect the consumers; but her problem, which should be a problem for all of us, is the enforcement of those laws.
Mr. Speaker, talking about poor handling of consumables is indeed an issue which should be of grave concern to this country -- the food which should be covered which are uncovered; dirty hands handling food; too much heat on food which otherwise should not be exposed to so much heat and the accompanying health hazards.
Mr. Speaker, what interested me most about the Statement was the fact that most of what are hazardous about food are those ones which are unsuspected. Mr. Speaker, if you are travelling on a highway and your baby is hungry or your child is hungry, you just stretch your hand through the window and you get something probably uncovered. Mr. Speaker, who are those who should ensure that food sold everywhere, whether on the highway or in the villages, are well kept hygienically.
Mr. Speaker, another issue that struck me was the absence of washrooms and rest rooms on our highways. I am using as an example the Accra-Kumasi highway. Mr. Speaker, they have some rest rooms; I have seen them -- some rest stops; I have seen them. But Mr. Speaker, if you dare decide to visit one of the rooms after you have eaten or have had some drink you would be shocked as to whether anybody ever inspects the places of convenience on our roads. We need to have rest rooms along all our highways -- enough rest rooms.
Mr. Speaker, if we do not have enough rest rooms, then what happens is that
most people just eat and -- [Interruption] -- That is about it. Most people want to attend to nature's call and there is no place for them. Mr. Speaker, having good, adequate, well-catered-for rest rooms on our highways is a necessity, a matter of urgency.

But Mr. Speaker, talking about even our rest rooms I also want to emphasise the fact that it looks like in Ghana many people are more concerned about where they sleep than what kind of rest rooms they have. It is very easy to find a very beautiful hotel, a very beautiful restaurant but decide to go behind and look for the rest room; and it is terrible as if they do not matter.

The important thing is that many of us are buying diseases. We are buying diseases by the kind of food that we eat, the kind of food that we purchase even as we travel. But I am also very interested in the kind of medicines that the hon. Member who made the Statement referred to.

One would think that in pharmacies and pharmaceutical shops, I know there are laws but the hon. Member who made the Statement, hon. Akua Dansua was talking about exposure; sometimes they are exposed to too much heat and then the potency of the drugs are reduced. Who takes care? Who ensures that these are done, and done properly?

Talking also about health and food, there is a problem about washing of hands. It looks like in our country and in most homes you wash your hands thoroughly with soap. You add all kinds of things when you have finished eating, but before eating nobody is worried about washing one's hands. The concern is washing your hands very well after eating and not

before eating.

The kind of germs that we are purchasing and depositing in our bodies, causing us all kinds of health hazards are as a result of improper washing of hands before eating.

When we were young, in the schools, we used to have beautiful places where they put bowls and soap for children to wash their hands in schools; I wish to recommend that we go back to that. We need to know that washing our hands should be more respected and more of our concern.

After eating even if you do not wash your hands, who cares? But before eating if you do not wash your hands properly, the kind of germs, the kind of hazards which accompany the delicious food inside you are of such proportions that this Statement should be a Statement that all of us should support.

The District Assemblies, what are they doing about the kinds of foods that are sold? What are they doing? We know that the laws are there but even when you look at the roadside, you will find out that sometimes foods are packaged; they are packaged. But the people who sell the packaged foods are people who should take your appetite running very far because they are dirty. The people selling the foods are such that they are not even hygienic themselves.

The time has come for us as a people to look at the little things that we can do to save ourselves and our health. We do not have to do so much, but let us make sure that those who handle the things that get into us are themselves neat and that the food that we are handling are also hygienic.

Mr. Speaker, talking about enforce-

ment, I wonder what happens. A friend once told me and I laughed. He said, “you get by the roadside where they are making some kebab, there is no washroom around. Do you ever endeavour to find out what happens to the one who is behind the kebab when he wants to visit nature's call?”

I said, “Well, listen; somebody is making kebab; nobody cares. All we know is that this man's kebab is sweet.” That is how we put it. There is no water anywhere around the person so you wonder whether the person even washes the hands before grilling the kebab. As a people, let us enforce the laws and let us educate people to know the right thing.

Finally, only yesterday, a retired school teacher from my constituency visited me and she gave me a joke which was very important, which I want to share with hon. Members. She said that in their time, in most of the district courts, the magistrates then were whites and that in one part of the Central Region, a fishing village, one of these sama sama, people as my Colleague (hon. Asamoah-Boateng) will say, went inspecting and found the faeces of a hen somewhere around the house; so the woman was summoned to court.

When the woman was summoned to court, the woman went carrying the hen at her back. The question was clear. “Were you the one who defecated at this place?” She said: “The question must be put to the hen and not to me, I was not even around when they came; the fact is that the hen should be made to answer; it is not me”.

Eventually, the woman was set free because they did not have enough grounds to fine her. What came into my mind when I listened to this story was the fact that enough education should be given us to be responsible for what happens in our homes. If you leave your animals to roam about, if you leave your food uncovered,
Ms. Christine Churcher (NPP -- Cape Coast) 11:15 a.m.


what do you say? Do you tell the judge or the magistrate that your hen was the one which defecated or your goat? You do not do that.

It is against this background that I congratulate hon. Akua Dansua for such a Statement and wish that all of us will support this Statement seriously and look at the consumables, and how to protect the consumables.
Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio (NPP -- Atwima-Nwabigya) 11:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge hon. Members to congratulate the hon. Member who made the Statement for a well-thought-out and a well-delivered Statement.
I think it is time we all took or paid much attention to food preservation in Ghana. We are fortunate; I will say we are fortunate because it looks like we consume a lot of hot foods that is why we do not come across people dying through food poisoning a lot in Ghana. Even with the bird flu issue, I will say we are fortunate because we boil our food very, very well before we eat it. That is why we are being saved these problems.
But then, what I would want to say is that it looks like what we call HACCP (Hygienic Analysis and Critical Control Point) in food preservation is absent in Ghana here. This is because in Ghana, you do not see people paying particular attention to food right from the time it is being prepared to its movement to the selling point; and also at the selling point to the time it is being consumed, and then if it is not even consumed wholly, the preservation time as well before maybe it is eaten again.
These are very, very critical points which have to be looked at but it looks like no particular attention is being paid to this.
I would attribute this to lack of education.
The current Food and Drugs Board Chief Executive is doing a lot and we would need to actually congratulate him for the job that he is doing. But I think it is not enough if they only concentrate on moving into the supermarkets to look on the shelves and then seize the expired and the unwholesome products that are being sold in the shops. Rather they have to continue from that end and also go into the markets and try and talk to the food vendors, by educating them.
I think they actually need to set up a basic food and hygiene course maybe in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Food and Drugs Board and then also HOTCAT and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment for them all to have just a basic course. This course should not be a course that is difficult. At least it should be one that anybody who can read or write must be able to go through and then when the person passes through, that person must be given a certificate that will allow him or her to work as a food vendor anywhere in Ghana.
For instance, if we take those selling fried rice and who are called check-check and those selling chop bar fufu and others, every vendor must have at least one staff member who should be holding such a certificate so that at least that person would be able to train the others so that they would also pay particular attention to food preservation.

Mr. Speaker, one thing happening also -- With this energy crisis, sometimes I shudder when I enter a supermarket to buy an item, especially the cold storage side -- You may be there and you would realise
Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio (NPP -- Atwima-Nwabigya) 11:25 a.m.


of the Ministry for a while and we have taken steps to make sure that the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment ensures that the Assemblies enforce their bye- laws. These are all well written and they are in the books of the Assemblies but for some reason the inspectors have not lived up to the standards that we have set. Of course, it means that we must make sure that they all do their jobs properly and that we can enforce the bye-laws.

Of course, the courts must also come in and whenever somebody is sent to court for violating a bye-law or not doing what the bye-laws and the regulations say, we must then punish the person, which then serves as a deterrent to others.

Having done that, we also need to put in place a few measures to be able to protect ourselves and also encourage people to know the best way to handle food. We call on those involved in the food industry to have a self-regulatory mechanism. This is because we can do so much with enforcement but when people do not abide by simple rules, enforcing them would be difficult across the country.

Sometimes, by even informing the public not to buy certain items if they are not properly done is enough for the public to heed the advice of authority so that they can shirk away from that responsibility and then we can all make sure that people do the right thing. In fact, sometimes I wonder when the authorities issue a piece of advice to the general public not to patronise certain things, people just ignore it because really they do not care.

The question I ask is that -- If we have authority in place and our job or the job of the authority is to ensure that we are protected and people do not listen, then we are not living as a civilised nation. I

want us to make sure that everybody has a responsibility and to listen to those whom we have given responsibility to, to enforce laws; people have to listen to them so that we can all make sure that we do not go into such unhealthy food buying spree.

Mr. Speaker, the Ministry has also been looking at ways and means to improve conditions in our markets and I am aware that you are keen on getting the market at Nkroful to be constructed; and so I bring the markets in as a special interest to you. Our markets have not been designed to protect food. Of course, as the hon. Member who made the Statement indicated, foods are displayed on the floor, even cooked food, and you see gentlemen in neck ties and suits sometimes eating by the gutter -- eating waakye and stuff like that.

Mr. Speaker, what we intend to do -- and we have started the process -- is to design our markets in such a way that we can have protective glasses or glass cases to protect food; and this is something that we have put in place. The designs have been drawn up and I hope that we can bring that on board and get the requisite resources to be able to build our markets so that our market women and those who trade go there, knowing very well that these are protected food and something that we can be sure that is healthy and has not been exposed to all dangers or diseases.

So, Mr. Speaker, the Ministry is taking the responsibility well and we would send the word once again to all the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies; and I call on them to listen to the Statement on the floor of the House, that we do not have to send another word to them. Of course, the Ministry would do that but this Statement must go out to all the Assemblies that we mean business.

The Inspectors must do their job and if they do not, then of course, the consequences would fall on them. But above all, the general public must all help us to maintain the healthy nation that we all aspire to have.

On this note, I lend my support to the Statement and I urge all my hon. Colleagues to support it.

Some hon. Members -- rose --
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon. Members, this is a weekend and I will plead with you that much as I would have preferred to call some of you to contribute, we have a lot of business to attend to. So I draw the curtain down on contributions to this Statement.
BILLS -- FIRST READING 11:25 a.m.

Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Item 7.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, may we seek your indulgence to allow the hon. Minister for Presidential Affairs to lay the paper captured as item 7 (a) on the Order Paper on behalf of the hon. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs.
PAPERS 11:25 a.m.

Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Item 8.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, before, item 8, may I crave your indulgence in respect of item 6. Mr. Speaker, may we plead with the Committee -- Legal, Constitutional and Parlia-mentary Affairs -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Which committee would you want it to be referred to?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
The Legal, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, that they work rather fast on this Bill because we may need to go through the motions before this House hopefully
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.


adjourns on Friday, next week.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
What you are asking is that we should bring it forward. Which committee are you specially asking that it should be referred to?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is meant to be placed before the Committee on Legal, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Very well. You are also asking that they work on it as a matter of urgency.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
Yes, as a matter of urgency.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Very well, it is accordingly referred to that particular committee.
Item 8, what do you say to that, hon. Chief Whip? Are we dealing with item 8 or we are standing it down?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we are ready for it.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Are you ready for it?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, that is so. May I further ask your permission and indeed, the indulgence of the House to allow the Deputy Attorney-General to do so on behalf of his substantive Minister.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Very well. Hon. Deputy Attorney-General.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am not rising to second the motion.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Then you are out of order, please can you take your seat.
Mr. H. Iddrisu 11:35 a.m.
I am going to ask for a Second Consideration of the Bill and this is the appropriate time that I may do that. I therefore move for a Second Consi- deration of the Transfer of Convicted Persons. There was one major issue that we could not resolve and I think it is proper that we reach a consensus on that particular issue before the Third Reading.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Minister moved the motion but it was not seconded, so for now there is nothing before the House and so he cannot interject.
May I rise to second the motion ably
moved by the Deputy Minister.
Mr. H. Iddrisu 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, before you put the Question, I beg to move for the Second Consideration of the Transfer of Convicted Persons Bill to allow us to resolve one other clause which we raised questions on. Even though it was debated I still think that it is a contentious issue for which we need consensus. I would respectively move for a Second Consideration of that Bill.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Any seconder?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, a person moving for a Second Consideration should clearly state which section, which provision, which clause he is alluding to. He has spoken in general terms; may he advert our minds to the specifics.
Mr. H. Iddrisu 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, clause 4; we were calling for an addition to the provisions after (g). Mr. Speaker, in respect of it, add a new clause to read -- [Interruptions.] Clause 4, I am specific now.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Have you discussed it with other members of the Committee?
Mr. H. Iddrisu 11:35 a.m.
Indeed, it was moved by the hon. Dr. Ben Kunbuor. The fact that it was withdrawn does not make it a bad proposition.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
You are asking for a Second Consideration and you have very good reasons for that. He is moving for the House to have a Second Consideration.
Mr. Osei-Prempeh 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is a Member's right to move for a Second Consideration; I would not deny him that. [Interruptions.] Mr. Speaker, he has signalled me that he is withdrawing.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Are you seconding the Second Consideration?
Mr. Osei-Prempeh 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, he says -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
He has already moved. Any seconder?
Mr. H. Iddrisu 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to abandon my objection. You may proceed.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
You are no more interested in that?
Mr. H. Iddrisu 11:35 a.m.
No, Mr. Speaker.
BILLS -- THIRD READING 11:35 a.m.

Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Before we move on to item 9 on the Order Paper, can we now take the item on the Addendum Order Paper -- That this honourable House adopts the report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Performance Audit Report of the Auditor- General on Funding of Ghana Road Fund -- Chairman of the Committee.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose for asking to bring it forward was indeed to allow the Chairman to make the presentation. Unfortunately, the Chairman has had to leave the Chamber, so if we can go by the chronological order of the items listed.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
The Vice- Chairman of the Committee is around.
Mr. A. W. G. Abayeteye 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am the Vice-Chairman, but I wish we could have gone to item 9 before this.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Very well, if you are not ready for it we could move on.
Hon. Members, we now move on to item 9 on the Order Paper -- the Anti- Money Laundering Bill.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to seek your permission and the indulgence of the House to allow the Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning to move this motion on behalf of the Minister.
BILLS -- SECOND READING 11:35 a.m.

Alhaji Seidu Amadu (NDC - Yapei- Kusawgu) 11:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, when the law on the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was brought to this House there were a lot of hon. Members who raised series of apprehensions. Some argued that it was a law meant to more or less harass businessmen and that it was going to lead to a loss of confidence in business circles.
Today, what do we see and what do we find about the activities of SFO? I think that it turned out to be one of the best laws we have had in this country to check fraud in the various activities we undertake.
Similarly today, in the West Africa sub-region, the trade in narcotic drugs has become a national issue and it has attracted such public outcry and international attention and we know that wherever we are, narcotics play a major role in the activities of people. It goes or comes with it a lot of criminal activities and having this law will at least, help the country to check the activities of those in

the narcotics trade such that they may not have it easy to launder their money for whatever purposes.

Mr. Speaker, West Africa has also been identified as a region for blood or conflict diamonds and the effect this has had on such countries as Sierra Leone and Liberia in particular, and even la Cote d”Ivoire -- Therefore, a law of this nature will help track down or at least prevent those who are involved in this type of trade and laundering of money to be caught or at least to be denied the opportunity of laundering their moneys through our banks in Ghana.

Mr. Speaker, West Africa is also an area noted for the proliferation of small arms which has been identified as one of the major causes of the conflicts that we have experienced in some parts of this sub-region. I believe that most of the people involved in these activities take advantage of the banking system to pass their resources which at the end of the day they use to finance criminal activities.

Mr. Speaker, also, with the liberal

economic system that we have in this country, a lot more new banks have been attracted to open or operate in Ghana, thereby creating the fertile ground for easy facilitation of the transfer of moneys between banks. I think that this Anti- Money Laundering Bill is good because it is being put in place to ensure that most of the activities that are being funded that are criminal in outlook will for now, be made difficult for these criminals to get their moneys passed around very easily.

It is on this note that I wish to urge my hon. Colleagues to support this Bill

and hope that the authorities that have been tasked with the responsibility of monitoring and ensuring the imple- mentation of this law will live up to expectation to make sure that all the loopholes are blocked to prevent any narcotic and drug barons, conflict diamond or black diamond, manganese and small arms dealers in this subregion from passing their moneys or routing their moneys through Ghana for onward transmission to other areas where they send their profits to.

Mr. Haruna Iddrisu (NDC -- Tamale

South): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to associate myself with the Anti-Money Laundering Bill and to urge hon. Members to support it.
Mr. Speaker, in doing so, I would like to make the following observations 11:55 a.m.
First of all, Mr. Speaker, I would like to refer you to page 19 of the Committee's report, in particular, the first paragraph. Whether this law will work or not depends upon that major recommendation of the Committee; and with your indulgence, I quote:
“ T h e C o m m i t t e e d u r i n g deliberations noted that money laundering and related criminal transactions transcend national boundaries and as such, combating it would require among others, maximum in te rna t iona l co- operation.”
Mr. Speaker, it means that passing this law will not be an end in itself. We will need to co-operate with other countries which are like-minded. There are some countries which may be beneficiaries of such capital flight and may be hesitant in terms of what level of co-operation they may give to us.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Which
page are you reading? Is it page 3 or page 2?
Mr. H. Iddrisu 11:55 a.m.
The pages are there. It
says that it will be an extraditable offence -- I am getting the respective paragraph for you. I am just emphasizing that for you to get international co-operation, you must have some treaty agreement with these other countries so that for the purpose of extradition, this law can work. Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is a very good law. It is estimated that in Africa, over US 50 billion dollars is normally lost as a result of capital flight.
Mr. Speaker, my other major concern is that as you peruse your Committee's Report, reference is always made to paragraph 5.0 -- the object of the Bill. Mr. Speaker, the Bill seeks to prohibit money laundering and related crimes including terrorist financing.
Mr. Speaker, for our purposes, we should include illicit drug trade. That is very important, especially as our country has become a major hub and transit point for narcotics. It is important that one of the motivations of this legislation must be to deal with such related money and the purposes for which it is being used and not just the question of terrorism; I am referring to paragraph 5.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon.
Member, I believe you are referring to
Mr. H. Iddrisu 11:55 a.m.
There is no specific
mention of drugs. Terrorism is not the same thing as drugs, Mr. Speaker. I maintain that they are two separate issues and we need as a country to associate ourselves with that. The illicit drug trade -- They definitely do not depend on legitimate money. They depend on such fraudulent funds that fly out. Indeed, corrupt politicians may also be perpetrators of money laundering; moneys that are meant for the State, they will find a way to put it in some dubious accounts abroad. That is why this Bill is important and that is why we are supporting it.
But Mr. Speaker, my other concern has to do with page -- There is reference made to the High Court and the Circuit Court -- paragraph 6.6 of your Committee's report. Indeed, that was the earlier paragraph I needed when I made reference to extraditable offences.
Mr. Speaker, as grave as the offence is, I do not think that we should be allowing this matter to be handled by Circuit Courts. It should be restricted to the High Court because the jurisdiction of a court explains how much sentencing they can impose. If you say that money laundering is grave then do not make reference to the Circuit Court. I am sure when we come to the Consideration Stage, we can agree on it to make sure that this is a triable offence at the level of the High Court.
But Mr. Speaker, just in conclusion, we are told again in the Committee's Report, as part of the recommendations they have made -- Clause 47 -- amendment proposed “. . . Trial court and proceedings . . .”, they are seeking to define the ingredients of the offence which is not
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Yes, hon. Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr. A. O. Aidooh 11:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I understand that there are some consultations going on in respect of item number 10. So if we may move to item number 12.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Yes, item 12?
Mr. A. O. Aidooh 11:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I
consistent with the Interpol definition of it which is captured in the opening paragraph of the Committee's Report. I think that we will need to do some redrafting of the words there. If you say trial court -- with your permission, Mr. Speaker, I quote:
“In a trial for an offence for money laundering under this Act, the prosecution proves its case if it establishes that the accused person
. . .”
Mr. Speaker, we all know what the burden of proof is in a criminal case -- you are a respected lawyer. It is not for us to do our own drafting. I hope that this will be consistent with existing legislation, especially in respect of the Criminal Code.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
This is
Second Reading and so if you have some other matters to raise, you could raise them when it comes to the Consideration Stage.
Mr. H. Iddrisu 11:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I
respectfully support the motion and I thank you.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
And
lastly, hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu. Let it be brief.
Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (NPP
-- Suame): Mr. Speaker, in rising to add my voice to the motion before us, I just want to say that this is a very important piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, this House has passed laws relating to Internal audit. We have passed the Procurement Act, the Whistle Blowers Act and I believe that this is a necessary sequel to those laws that we have passed in this House -- that corruption, money laundering would be stopped in this country or perhaps at least, minimized.
understand those reports are not ready. We could move on to item number 15.
Nii Adu Mante: Mr. Speaker, it is rather item number 18.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Very well.
MOTIONS 12:05 p.m.

Chairman of the Committee (Nii Adu Mante) 12:05 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and International Development Association (IDA) for an amount of SDR 16.4 million (US$25.00 million equivalent) to finance Nutrition and Malaria Control for Child Survival Project.
1.0 Introduction
The Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Asso- ciation (IDA) was laid in the House on Friday, 13th July 2007 and referred to the Finance Committee in accordance with article 181 of the Constitution and Order 171(1) of the Standing Orders of the House for consideration and report.
The Committee therefore met with the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, hon. Kwadwo Baah-Weridu, the Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, hon. Dr. A. Akoto Osei and a technical team from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Ministry of Health and reports as follows:
2.0 Background

In 2001, a pilot project named the Community Based Poverty Strategy Project was undertaken at the cost of US$15 million to test approaches and mechanisms for service delivery of poverty reduction interventions in selected districts. The project had three main components, namely:

Community Based Nutrition and Food Security Project (CBNFSP);

Street children; and

P o v e r t y M e a s u r e m e n t a n d Monitoring.

The project ended on 31st December, 2005. However, the Implementation Completion Report (ICR) showed that CBNFSP was satisfactory. Since its closure, a fair number of communities continued the child growth monitoring and promotion activities despite the lack of support.

Furthermore, due to the satisfactory outcome of the CBNFSP component of the CPRP, the World Bank has agreed to provide additional funding of US$25.0 million to scale up nutrition with the inclusion of malaria control for child survival component.

As a result, the Government has successfully negotiated the draft Financing Agreement for an amount of SDR16.4 million (US$25.0 million equivalent) to support the proposed Nutrition and Malaria for Child Survival Project.

3.0 Objective

The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve utilization of selected community-based health and nutrition services for children under the age of two and pregnant women in the selected districts.

4.0 Project Components

The project component directly feed into the Five Year Draft Programme of the Ministry of Health (2007-2011). They are:

Insti tutional Strengthening for coordination, implementation, and Outcomes and these include

i) Developing an effective inter- sectoral coordination, Owner- ship, and accountability for nutrition towards the establish- ment of a coherent national programme;

and

(ii) Strengthening the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service to effectively coordinate implementation of the com- munity-based and nutrition programme supported by the project.

Community-Based Health and Nutrition Service Delivery -- this will involve the scaling up of community-based health and nutrition service for children under two and pregnant women based on a community-level package of Essential Nutritional Actions (ENA).

Malaria Prevention -- this is intended to increase the utilization of Long Lasting Insecticide-treated mosquito nets in order to reduce malaria-related mortality among children under one and pregnant women.

[NII ADU MANTE] [NII ADU MANTE]

5.0 Terms and Condition of the Credit Agreement

Credit Amount -- SDR16.4 million (US$25.0 million

Grace Period (Moratorium) -- 10 years

Commitment Charge -- One-half of one per cent (1/2 of

Service Charge -- three-fourths of one per cent (3/4

Repayment Period -- 40 years Shall be paid by semi-annual instalments commencing on January 15, 2008 and ending on July 15, 2048. Each instalment to and including the instalment payable on April 15, 2018 shall be one per cent (1%) of such principal amount and each instalment thereafter shall be two per cent (2%) of such principal amount.

6.0 Observations

The Committee observed as follows:

that the project when completed will lead to the effective allocation of health resources to the most vulnerable segments of society.

that the project will also lead to the acceleration of the provision and promotion of the utilization of long- lasting insecticide-treated nets for the prevention of malaria for infants. This is aimed at reducing the incidence in infant morbidity as a result of malaria.

that the project will further contribute to improved productivity as well as reduction in health costs. that the project would enhance worker productivity and lead to an increase in cognitive abilities (higher IQ) in people through

sensitization on the use of iodine and iron supplements.

The Committee noted that the project will improve nutritional and health status of the population within the project area through the provision of quality health interventions.

The Deputy Minister informed the Committee that the main target groups under the project are children under the age of two years and pregnant women. Schemes such as Selected Child Survival and Malaria Control Interventions would be undertaken as part of the project to target children aged between 24 and 59 months.

equivalent

1%) per annum

of 1%) per annum

The Committee was informed that under the project, programmes such as community-based health and nutrition will be implemented in all the districts in the Northern, Upper West, Upper East, Volta and Central Regions.

7.0 Conclusion

In view of the foregoing and the benefits to be derived from the project, the Committee respectfully invites the House to adopt this report and approve by Resolution the Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Develop- ment Association (IDA) for an amount of sixteen million, four hundred thousand Special Drawing Rights (SDR 16.4 million) (twenty-five million United States dollars (US$25.0 million equivalent)) to finance the Nutrition and Malaria Control for Child Survival in accordance with article 181 of the Consti-tution and section 7 of the Loans Act 1970, Act 335.

Respectfully submitted.
Mr. P. C. Appiah-Ofori (NPP -- Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa) 12:05 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion and in so doing, I would like to make a brief intervention. Any country that does not prepare for its young ones is not doing the best because if we the older ones leave the scene, it is the younger ones who will replace us. But if the younger ones would struggle to die with us, then there is no future for the country. And the major killer of the younger ones have been malaria and malnutrition.
The Government, conscious of this, has decided to go round the world to look for money to fight this. This loan therefore is intended to give long life to the younger ones so that when we are not there, we get people to replace us. The
loan is a give-away thing. Repayment period is 40 years and out of this, there is a moratorium period of ten years. Therefore, it would not cause any hardship on the Government's cash flow if we access the Fund. I therefore recommend it to anyone here to support it and give approval.
Question proposed.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu (NDC -- Tamale South) 12:05 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to associate myself with this report and to urge hon. Members to support it. Indeed, it is consistent with the objective of the Government's GPRS' document, if you do a review of the progress report. In particular, we have made some commitment in attaining the millennium development goals, one of which is to reduce infant and maternal mortality.
The progress report gives a worrying revelation, especially of cases of malnutrition which is still dominant in certain parts of the country and to that extent, I think that it is a worthy intervention. Even the Greater Accra Regional Minister, in his commitment to fighting mosquitoes, a related malaria issue, made public declarations about it.
Mr. Speaker, malaria is a major killer disease. If you go through health statistics in our country, it gives a very worrying trend and it accounts for infant mortality, especially children between the ages of one day and five years who largely suffer as a result of malnutrition and related malaria. But in supporting this, one would wish that we know the affected districts.
If you look at the Committee's Report, it says that the project has two main components, referring to community- based nutrition and food security projects. It made mention of that but we do not know which communities would be affected and in which regions or districts. It is important because the prevalent rate
of malnutrition and the prevalent rate of even child survival differ from community to community. I believe that it is even a very good hallmark for determining the poverty status of a particular area.
You may have it as a major issue in urban poor areas in Greater Accra and some parts of the Ashanti Region. You still have it as a big issue in northern Ghana, especially where you have threats of food insecurity. So Mr. Speaker, it would be important that the Ministry furnishes us with the communities and districts that are likely to benefit from this facility.
With this, Mr. Speaker, I urge hon. Members, to support it.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:15 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, we can now move to the addendum. Item 19 first, and it would be moved by the hon. Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, with your indulgence and that of the House.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Very well.
RESOLUTION 12:15 p.m.

THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 12:15 p.m.

H E R E B Y R E S O LV E S A S 12:15 p.m.

Chairman of the Finance Committee (Nii Adu Daku Mante) 12:15 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Performance Audit
Report of the Auditor-General on Transport Operations in the
Ministry of Health
Vice Chairman (Mr. A. W. G.

Abayateye) (on behalf of the Chairman): Mr. Speaker, I beg to move,

That this honourable House adopts the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Performance Audit Report of the Auditor-General on Transport Operations in the Ministry of Health. And in so doing, I would like to present the Report of the Committee. I would like the Hansard Office to capture the Report as read whilst I read out the salient points.

Introduction

1. The Performance Audit Report of the Auditor-General on Transport Operation in the Ministry of Health was laid before Parliament on 18th March, 2005. In pursuance of Order 165 (2) of the Standing Orders of the House, the Report was referred to the Public Accounts Committee for consideration and report by Mr. Speaker.

2. The Committee held two sittings to deliberate on the Report. Evidence was taken from the hon. Deputy Minister for Health and officials of the Ministry. In attendance were officials from the Audit Service. The Committee wishes to extend its gratitude to the Deputy Minister and officials of the Ministry for their input.

Reference

3. The following documents were used as reference during the Committee's deliberations:

i. Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992

ii. The Standing Orders of Parliament

iii. Ministry of Health Transport Policy

i v. O p e r a t i o n a l P o l i c y a n d

Guidelines of Ministry of Health

Purpose and Scope of the Report

4. The mission of the Ministry and the Ghana Health Services (GHS) is to improve the health status of all people living in Ghana through the development and promotion of proactive policies for good health and longevity and the provision of quality health services that are affordable and accessible. One important com-ponent for the realization of this mission is transportation.

5. Earlier studies conducted by MoH identified inefficient transport support as a barrier to effective and efficient health delivery. The Ministry and some donors have expressed concern at the seemingly endless requirement for new vehicles for the health sector without being able to measure the impact of such vehicles. The primary objective of the Ministry's transport services is to ensure availability and reliability of transport as an essential logistic for the delivery of health services. This is to be done in a most cost-effective and efficient manner.

6. The audit was therefore to examine the general management of the transport operations of the MoH and to determine whether or not this was done in the most cost-effective and efficient manner in supporting quality health delivery and to make appropriate recommendations to enhance economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

7. The audit therefore looked at the acquisition, allocation, management and maintenance of transport resources in support of healthcare delivery in Ghana over the period, 1997 to 2004.

Findings of the Audit

8. The audit revealed a lot of factors

that have contributed to the inefficiencies in the transport management of MoH in four key areas, namely, acquisition, allocation, maintenance and management of transport.

Acquisition of Transport

9. The audit observed that the Replacement Policy on which the Ministry bases its transport needs assessment, projection, procurement planning and fleet management is not being followed due to inadequate financial resources. According to the Policy, vehicles and motorbikes are to be replaced five and three years respectively after acquisition. Because the Replacement Policy was not being followed, the need for new vehicles keeps increasing every year. The inability of the Ministry to implement the Policy, according to the audit, was due to inadequate financial resources.

10. The average age of the Ministry's

fleet rose from 6.3 years in 1997 to 8 years in 2001. The Report also noted that the average percentage of vehicles due for replacement also rose from 65 per cent in 2000 to 69 per cent in 2001 whereas that of motorcycles rose from 52 per cent in 2000 to 60.8 per cent in 2001. The audit further observed that some health institutions used their IGF to procure vehicles that are already old and thereby compounding the replacement need.

11. The audit however observed that the Replacement Policy notwithstanding, there were vehicles older than the replacement age that were still in fairly good condition. According to the audit, about two-thirds of vehicles between the ages of 6 and 10 years were in fairly good condition.

Transport Allocation

12. Vehicles within MoH were supposed to be allocated in compliance with its Standard Transport Model (STM) which specifies the criteria for the allocation of vehicles. On the contrary, the audit noted that the Transport Model was not being used in the allocation of vehicles and there was no evidence of any other clear and generally accepted criteria for the allocation of vehicles during the period.

13. The audit further observed that, the non compliance with the STM led to instances of uneven distribution of vehicles among the regions and institutions. The STM indicates the minimum transport resources required to efficiently operate in every health institution.

14.The audit also noted that the Ministry's total fleet exceeded its minimum requirement by 22 per cent. The Ministry's existing fleet as at 2002 was 895 vehicles whereas the minimum requirement was 735, an excess of 160 vehicles. The audit however indicated that about a third of these vehicles were not in good condition.

15. The audit further noted that the existing vehicles were not fairly distributed. The distribution did not comply with the Transport Model. According to the Report, Ashanti Region, the two teaching hospitals of Korle Bu and Komfo Anokye and GHS Headquarters have about 90 per cent of their minimum vehicle requirement whereas five other regions had more than 140 per cent of their minimum requirements (for example, Upper East and Upper West Regions).

Fleet Maintenance

16.The audit revealed that the Ministry has developed a Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) Scheme which is intended to ensure that the Ministry's vehicles are regularly serviced and
Chairman of the Finance Committee (Nii Adu Daku Mante) 12:15 p.m.


repaired at periodic intervals at its regional mechanical workshops. The objective is to ensure that vehicles are available at all times for healthcare delivery. The audit however showed that the PPM was not carried out as planned.

The audit observed that factors such as the remote location of workshops, the poor quality of work done at the workshops, the lack of spare parts and insufficient maintenance budget, have made it difficult to carry out the Planned Preventive Maintenance Scheme.

17. According to the audit, most health facilities are remotely located from the regional capitals where the workshops are located. This scenario, coupled with the high demand for use of these vehicles by the health facilities, discourages them from patronizing the regional workshops for PPM to be conducted on the vehicles.

18. The audit further noted that some of the spares used in these workshops are of inferior quality and in some cases, fast moving spares are non-existent. Mechanics at the workshops are also not given any training after their recruitment. The workshops are equally poorly equipped.

19. The Report under consideration also indicated that a Spare Parts Revolving Fund (SPRF) which was intended to finance the stocking of spares for the workshops did not function as expected. Health facilities were not able and willing to pay for parts from the SPRF. Some facilities claim the prices were too expensive whilst the directors of the workshops did not enforce payments by health institutions.

Transport Management

20. The audit disclosed that contrary

to the provisions of the Transport Policy which provides details on the mana- gement structure, operational procedure, authorization, planning and scheduling, there were cases of non- compliance in almost all these areas of transport management.

21. The audit observed that vehicle request forms and fuel coupon control forms were not being regularly used and in some cases the transport officers were not involved in the issuance of fuel coupons. Managers in some of the regions were not even aware of the fuel coupon control form (Form 8). Vehicle log books were also not properly entered, particularly in the Northern Region, where about 90 per cent of the drivers were illiterates.

22. The audit also observed that odometers in about 60 per cent of vehicles in the regions visited were not in working order. As a result, performance measurement indicators such as mileage travelled could not be measured. Data recording was therefore poor and this affected decision-making.

23. It noted further that the Policy on pooling of vehicles was not being followed at the Headquarters. The Pooling Policy entails putting all means of transport under one authority such that they can be allocated to officials as and when required for specific activities. Unfortunately, it was observed that programme vehicles were under the control and management of programme officers who are also the controllers of running and maintenance budgets of these vehicles. The staff were also noted to have very little knowledge on the administrative procedures and requirements for documentation of data on vehicle performance.

24. The audit also noted a very high incidence of theft of motorbikes belonging to MoH. These motorbikes were procured

to enhance healthcare delivery in the hinterlands. Between 1998 and 2001, 177 motorbikes were reported stolen out of which only 9 were recovered. The 168 unrecovered motorbikes were valued at US$453,600 or ¢3.3 billion at the time of audit.

25. The audit team further observed high incidence of accidents within the Ministry. A total of 100 vehicles and 25 motorcycles were involved in accidents between 1998 and 2001. These accidents resulted in 19 deaths. It was noted that some of the cases that were reported to the Police were not followed up by management to determine the cause, parties involved, liability and remedial action. At the time of the audit, 38 cases were unresolved in four regions.

26. Proceeds from auction sales were also not paid into the Consolidated Fund contrary to Regulation 106 of L.I. 1234 at the time. Examination of records at Headquarters revealed that proceeds from auction sales amounting to ¢102.3 million were not paid into the Consolidated Fund.

27. Furthermore, auction proceeds totalling ¢124.6 million for the period 1995 -2000 were not paid into the Consolidated Fund by the Ashanti and Northern Regional Health Administrations. In addition, the Northern Regional Health Administration was yet to retrieve an amount of ¢37.9 million from two auctioneers.

28. The audit also revealed an undue delay in the disposal of vehicles and this resulted in further deterioration of the vehicles and a reduction in their value.

Observations by the Committee

Replacement Policy

29. The audit Report revealed that the Ministry was not complying with its five- year Replacement Policy. It further indicated that the five-year cycle was unrealistic.

30. Officials of the Ministry confirmed before your Committee that the five-year cycle was not being followed. They indicated that their resources could not support the five-year cycle as the proceeds from the disposal of vehicles and the Ministry's budgetary allocation for transport was far inadequate to meet the replacement requirement.

31. The Ministry stated that a study has shown that with good maintenance, most of the vehicles can still have a useful life after five years. The five-year replacement cycle was accordingly reviewed to seven years.

Auction of Vehicles

32. Your Committee observed from the Report that the disposal of vehicles was fraught with irregularities, including long delays. The Committee observed that at the time of audit, the Ministry required approval from the Chief of Staff before any asset of the Ministry could be disposed of.

33. The request and approval process however resulted in undue delays as the Chief of Staff, upon receipt of the request, would have to satisfy himself that the item to be disposed of has indeed exceeded its useful life.

34. Your Committee was however informed that with the enactment of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), the cumbersome process/procedure for the disposal of assets have been mitigated. Section 83 of Act 663 grants the head of a procurement entity the authority to convene a Board of Survey which shall recommend the disposal and method of disposal of any asset. The Ministry
Chairman of the Finance Committee (Nii Adu Daku Mante) 12:15 p.m.


therefore, under Act 663, does not require the approval of the Chief of Staff.

35. The Committee noted that the process as captured in the Act will also reduce the political and official interference in the disposal of the Ministry's vehicles, as captured in the Report.

36. The Committee further observed from the Report that there was no evidence that auction proceeds totalling ¢226.9 million had been paid into the Consolidated Fund contrary to the provisions of L.I. 1234 at the time (now Regulation 15 of L.I. 1802). The Report further indicated that some of the proceeds were used by the Directors of Health Institutions to procure vehicles.

37. Your Committee was informed by Management that all the amounts have been retrieved and paid into the Consolidated Fund per details of the following receipts.

38. Management further indicated that the procedure for the acquisition of vehicles with IGF has been reviewed. A Director of a BMC would have to formally submit a request with justification to the Director of Health Services, through the Regional Directorate for approval. The BMC must provide evidence that they have enough IGF to support the expenditure. According to Management, with this procedure, the problem of misapplying auction proceeds by BMCs may therefore not recur.

Allocation of Vehicles

39. Your Committee noticed from the Report that there was uneven allocation of transport and that most of these were concentrated at Headquarters rather than the districts where they are most needed. It was explained by Management that

the apparent large pool of vehicles at Headquarters also includes vehicles for the Greater Accra Region.

40. They further indicated that most of the vehicles at Headquarters are programme vehicles and therefore even though they are classified under Headquarters pool, the activities for which they are used are in the districts. They cited the example of the Malaria Preven- tion Programme where the vehicles are primarily used in the malaria endemic districts but are part of the Headquarters pool of vehicles.

Theft of Motorbikes

41. Your Committee was informed that about 250 motorbikes were reported stolen as at end of 2006, an increase of 73 from the 2001 figure of 177 motorbikes. It was noted that the problem was more prevalent in the three Northern Regions and that most of the stolen motorbikes were sold in the neighbouring countries.

42. Officials confirmed that the motorcycle used by the Ministry, the Yamaha AG 100, was of high value and of high demand in the neighbouring countries. This makes the Ministry's motorcycle brand highly attractive to thieves.

43. The Committee was informed that the Ministry has instituted measures to arrest the situation. These include adaptation of standard colours (blue and white) for easy identification, provision of security alarms and head locks, as well as collaboration with security personnel within Ghana and at the border posts of neighbouring countries.

The Ministry is also in the process of reviewing its brand of motorbikes for other equally high performing motorcycles that are less attractive to thieves. The Ministry has also instituted disciplinary

action against some of its personnel where investi-gations revealed their culpability in the stealing of some of its motorcycles.

Insurance Policy for Vehicles

44. Your Committee observed that the Ministry has no insurance policy for its vehicles. Your Committee observed that this issue pertains to almost all MDAs. Government and MDAs have over the years not made any budgetary provision for vehicle insurance. As a result, MDAs and victims of accidents involving official vehicles cannot benefit from any compensation.

45. It was observed that the Ministry recorded 100 and 25 road traffic accidents involving vehicles and motorcycles respectively between 1998 and 2001. These accidents resulted in 87 injuries and 19 deaths. Eight of the vehicles were written off. It is the view of your Committee that the cost of replacement or repair of accident vehicles, downtime and medical treatment, etc would have been covered by an insurance company had the Ministry insured their vehicles.

46. Ironically, your Committee noted, the Ministry and other MDAs, usually have a budget provision to meet the above- mentioned expenditures but have none for insurance.

47. The Committee was informed that the Ministry has introduced a discri- minatory insurance policy in favour of its high-trekking vehicles and that the policy would be extended to other vehicles in the course of time.

Recommendations

48. Your Committee in the light of evidence before it wishes to make the following recommendations.

Replacement Policy

49. Your Committee recommends that the seven-year replacement cycle for the replacement of old vehicles adopted by the Ministry in place of the five year-cycle should be adhered to, in order to ensure availability of vehicles to assist in quality health delivery in the country.

Auction of Vehicles

50. The Committee urges management to fully comply with section 83 of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) pertaining to disposal of obsolete items to ensure timely and efficient disposal of its worn-out vehicles.

Theft of Motorbikes

51.Your Commit tee wishes to recommend that the Ministry should fast- track the process of reviewing the current brand of motorbikes in favour of other equally high performing motorbikes that are far less attractive to thieves.

Insurance Policy for Vehicles

52. In view of the high road traffic accidents involving vehicles and motorbikes, your Committee recommends that the recently introduced discriminatory insurance policy in favour of high- trekking vehicles should be extended to cover all vehicles of the Ministry.

Conclusion

53. The Ministry and GHS have good transport systems and procedure in place. What is required is the efficient and effective implementation of these systems and procedures to enhance transport operation.

54. Respectfully submitted.
Mr. K. K. Mensah (NPP -- Amansie West) 12:15 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion and in doing so, I would make a few comments.
The Committee noted that there are too many irregularities in the Ministry in connection with the disposal of vehicles. I think it is high time we did something about it. There are too many vehicles there yet they are not well kept, maintained or even procured. So we should take steps to regularize as soon as possible and immediately.
I also want to talk about theft of motorbikes. It is common knowledge that all the motorbikes in the Ministry are stolen and taken over to the neigbouring countries. So it is our view that as soon as we can discourage the use of Yamaha, which is the most popular theft item, perhaps, those may be minimized to some extent.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to comment about insurance. These days when insurance has become so vital, I think it is about time Government addressed its attention to the high number of vehicles all of which are not insured. I understand there is a policy where if one is knocked down by one of government vehicles, one will be covered by the insurance. But this does not appear to be enough to solve the problems of the victims. So insurance coverage should be comprehensively adopted and enforced.
With these comments, Mr. Speaker, I support the motion.
Question proposed.
Mr. Joseph Yieleh Chireh (NDC -- Wa West) 12:35 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me commend the management of the transport system of the Ministry of Health, for the conclusion of the Report says that they have done a very good job. This, I think buttresses the point raised about employing people who are qualified transport administrators. I know they have one or two of them in the Ministry who have the appropriate qualifications so I am not surprised the conclusion says that they have a very good transport system. That is a call for the other MDAs to recruit qualified persons.
Mr. Speaker, the findings of the Auditor-General is a little worrying for me. When you look at page 6, paragraph 26, it says -- and with your permission, I quote:
“Proceeds from auction sales were also not paid into the Consolidated Fund contrary to Regulation 106 of L.I. 1234 at the time. Examination of records at Headquarters revealed that proceeds from auction sales amounting to ¢103.3 million were not paid into the Consolidated Fund.”
Then you come to page 8, paragraph 35 -- and with your permission, I quote:
“The Committee noted that the process as captured in the Act will also reduce the political and official interference in the disposal of the Ministry's vehicles, as captured in the Report.”
And paragraph 36 says -- and with your permission, I quote:
“The Committee further observed
from the Report that there was no evidence that auction proceeds totalling 226.9 million had been paid into the Consolidated Fund contrary to the provisions of L.I. 1234 at the time (now Regulation 15 of L.I. 1802). The Report further indicated that some of the proceeds were used by the Directors of Health Insti-tutions to procure vehicles.”
Now paragraph 37 says that the Committee was informed that these monies were retrieved and paid but I expected the Committee to be able to retrieve the money and see that the actual payments were made and not to be informed by the Directors of management of the Ministry.
The issue about Chief of Staff having to give authority as against what is in the Procurement Act is something that amounts to political patronage and this must be stopped. In any case, we cannot be sure that we are getting value for the money for the vehicles that we are disposing of at this stage; and I want to urge that certain measures be taken to prevent any MDAs from seeking any advice on a situation where you would have a list of people who should benefit and these people go and get the vehicles at prices that are obviously not auction prices. It is not right.

More importantly, how can you say that you have auctioned a vehicle, you have been paid the money and you are refusing to pay it into the Consolidated Fund? And some go to the extent of even using it without authorization, for that matter.

These are very serious observations and I think that beyond just making comments on the floor of the House, the committee

that is expected to be set up by this House to make sure that these things are properly handled be set up now, otherwise it would be a ritual. We have a number of these reports here now and virtually every one of them has a similar story to tell.

Mr. Speaker, that is why I am saying that from now on, let us insist that the Procurement Act, concerning how these items should be disposed of should be complied with rather than allowing political patronage where people lobby and get vehicles allocated to them. Of course, I know that it has been going on for a long time, but it must now stop.

Question put and motion agreed to.

Resolved accordingly.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
Hon. Members, there is another report of the Auditor-General that is on the Addendum. Can we take that now?
Mr. A.W.G. Abayateye 12:35 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to ask that we suspend this. We are not yet through with it, please.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
You are not ready with it?
Mr. Abayateye 12:35 p.m.
No, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
Very well, then it would be accordingly deferred. Today is Friday and a weekend; I wish to be advised by the Leadership.
Mr. A.O. Aidooh 12:35 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, there is another item on the Order Paper and that is the Committee of the Whole sitting to discuss the approval of an increase in the allocation of the District Assemblies Common Fund. So I would move that we adjourn formal proceedings and sit at committee -- [Interruption.]
COMMUNICATION FROM THE 12:35 p.m.

PRESIDENT 12:35 p.m.

THE CASTLE -- OSU 12:35 p.m.

PARLIAMENT HOUSE 12:35 p.m.

VICTORIABORG 12:35 p.m.

ACCRA 12:35 p.m.

DEPUTY MINISTERS 12:35 p.m.

Mr. A. O. Aidooh 12:35 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I earlier on moved for adjournment.
Mr. E. T. Mensah 12:35 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 12:35 p.m.

  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 12.40 p.m. till 24th July 2007 at 10.00 a.m.