Majority Leader?
Majority Leader/Minister for
Parliamentary Affairs (Mr. F. K. Owusu- Adjapong): Mr. Speaker, firstly, let me welcome the New Presidential Aspirant, hon. Alban Bagbin -- [Laughter] -- When he addressed us as “my colleague presidential aspirants”, I was wondering whether it was for the 2008, or for the 2012. Whatever it is, I think there is still room for more people to become aspirants -- [Laughter.] After all, those who used to present single candidates have now been able to progress to four, five candidates. And therefore, those of us who used to present eight candidates, if it is simple arithmetic -- [Uproar]-- then we should be talking about 32-40.
Mr. Speaker, today ends the Second Meeting of the Third Session of the Fourth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.We are gradually moving in our forward march towards a stable and sustainable democratic governance. The enthusiasm with which Members have executed the Agenda for this Meeting is a clear manifestation of my earlier predictions that Members rested enough during the last recess and were in a good shape and state of readiness to work exceptionally hard.
I thank the Almighty God for giving us the enabling environment for successfully ending this Meeting. It is my prayer that
He will continue to give us guidance, wisdom, strength and spirit of togetherness as we strive to deepen democracy in our dear country.
Mr. Speaker, at this time permit me to present to the House Business so far executed during this Meeting. A total of three (3) Bills were introduced in the House for its consideration during this Meeting. This includes, the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, Bui Power Authority Bill and Data Capture (Registration), Protection of Personal Information and Privacy Bill.
I am happy to say that by dint of hard work, the Bui Power Authority Bill, 2007 in addition to the National Accreditation Board Bill, 2007; the Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill; and the Transfer of Convicted Persons Bill which were already at the Consideration Stage before the House reconvened for this Meeting, have been passed into Law.
Three (3) Legislative Instruments -- Labour Regulations, 2007 (L.I. 1833), Free Zone (Exclusive and Concession) Regulations, 2007 (L.I. 1834) and Manufacture and Sale of Spirits Instrument, 2007 (L.I. 1835] were also laid and considered in the House at this Meeting. Twenty (20) Loan Agreements were considered and approved.
Mr. Speaker, the House also played host to several dignitaries during this Meeting. There were delegations from the Ogun State Legislature, Nigeria, the National Assembly of Kenya and the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, on familiarization and study working visit to our Parliament. We had very fruitful and interactive discussions with them and it is my hope that greater collaboration would be forged between our Parliament and these respective Parliaments.
Mr. Speaker, I cannot be boastful of successes of this Meeting without expressing our sincere appreciation and gratitude to you and your Deputies for the able manner in which affairs of this Meeting have been steered. It is my hope that God will always give you such wisdom and exceptional qualities to direct us to discharge our duties to the best of our abilities.
The Committee Chairpersons, Ranking Members and indeed the entire members of the various committees also deserve gratitude for their effort and dedications towards matters placed before them. I hope that same level of commitment would be exhibited for subsequent Meetings in the life of this Parliament. I entreat them as well to endeavour to find time and meet during the recess to complete all unfinished referrals.
I would like to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to also congratulate Mr. Emmanuel Anyimadu on his appointment as the Clerk to Parliament. It is my hope that he will emulate and continue the good works of his predecessors and perhaps work extra hard to provide the needed administrative and other necessary support to enable Parliament play its role effectively for nation building. I wish the former Clerk and his family a happy stay in retirement. Parliament and indeed, the entire nation will forever remember him for his meritorious and non-partisan service to the good people of Ghana.
The Staff of Parliament also deserve commendation for their tireless and continued efforts behind the scenes to ensure that the work of the House went on successfully and as scheduled.
Democratic governance, Mr. Speaker, relies heavily on the availability and accessibility of information to both the
Government and the governed. This cannot be achieved without the support of the media. I would therefore like to commend the Parliamentary Press Corps, for their immense role in disseminating information on Parliament.
Mr. Speaker, next Meeting will witness new faces on the floor of this august House to answer Ministerial questions. Congratulations to all colleague Members who have been appointed to Ministerial levels. I am particularly happy about the number of females who have been elevated or introduced into the Government. I believe that this is as a result of the relentless efforts of our female counterparts in fighting for women's right and empowerment.
Let me make special mention of the appointment of hon. Abraham Ossei Aidooh, my able Deputy Majority Leader as the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. I believe this is the reward for dedicated and selfless service to Parliament of Ghana, the New Patriotic Party, President Kufuor's Government, the people of Ghana, Africa and Humankind.
I have had fruitful discussions with the Leadership of our Party on his appointment as the Leader of the Majority in Parliament and consequently, Leader of the House. He will maintain residual powers in this House
I sincerely believe that my colleagues in the Majority Caucus will also endorse the Party's decision so that the next Meeting of Parliament will see a new Leader of the House. This naturally will free the “GREAT LEADER” to campaign for the Owners of the New Patriotic Party to elect him as the next Leader. I hope my hon. Friend, the Minority Leader and the entire Leadership would lend their support
