Debates of 12 Feb 2008

MR. SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10 a.m.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10 a.m.
MINISTRY OF CHIEFTAINCY AND 10 a.m.
CULTURE 10 a.m.
Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture (Mr. S. K. Boafo) 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the dispute involves an issue of succession filed for hearing before the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs on 16th February, 2004 between:
1. Bimbilla-Na, Salifu Dawuni
2. Juo Regent Osman Mahama
and
1. Andani Dasana of Bimbilla
2. Azuma Nantogma of Bimbilla
Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture (Mr. S. K. Boafo) 10 a.m.


The first sitting was held on 14th October, 2004. In view of the importance attached to the case, no stone has been left unturned by the Northern Regional House of Chiefs and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture in ensuring that the case is speedily brought to a successful conclusion.

In fact, between October 2004 and January 2008, the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs hearing the Bimbilla chieftaincy issue had sat for twenty-seven times. It is expected that judgement will be proffered accordingly by the House in the course of 2008.

Mr. Speaker, note has to be taken of the fact that the Bimbilla chieftaincy dispute is only one of several cases pending before the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, which the House in collaboration with my Ministry, is working around the clock to ensure smooth administration of justice.
Mr. Abass 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the Answer of the hon. Minister, he referred to one of the people involved in the dispute as Bimbilla-Na, Salifu Dawuni. How consistent is this with the fact that this matter is before the Judicial Committee as in his Answer it appears he is saying that somebody is already designated as Bimbilla-Na?
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I think title of the case talks about Bimbilla-Na Salifu and it is being heard by the Judicial Committee of the House. That is the legal position.
Mr. Abass 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am a bit in doubt as to the Answer the hon. Minister has given that the heading of the case is Bimbilla-Na Salifu. If you look at the second paragraph of his Answer that says
and Mr. Speaker, with your permission, I beg to quote:
“In view of the importance attached to the case, no stone has been left unturned by the Northern Regional House of Chiefs and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture in ensuring that the case is speedily brought to a successful conclusion.”
It appears that he has already drawn a conclusion by referring to one of the contestants as Bimbilla-Na Salifu.
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, with the greatest respect, I can call myself Bimbilla- Na and I may not be the Bimbilla-Na. That is the title that the person filed the suit with; who am I to challenge it? It is for the Judicial Committee to decide at the end of the case. They have sat for 27 times and I hope that by the latter part of the year judgement would be given.
Mr. Abass 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when in 2008, by his estimation, this matter would come to an end.
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I think my hon. Colleague would know that I cannot intervene. But I hope that given the facts before me, they having sat for 27 times and the hearing taking place, surely, between now and the end of the year judgement should be given.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister whether he does not consider his Answer in paragraph 1 (1) prejudicial to the determination of the final matter, when he makes reference to Bimbilla-Na Salifu Dawuni.
Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
Hon. Member for
Tamale South, I thought the answer was that that was the title of the case. That is what I think he has said.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, there is no case titled Bimbilla-Na, Salifu Dawuni v anybody. He is just hiding under it. The case before the court which we have all followed is that Na Salifu Dawuni is contesting the kingship of Andani Dasana of Bimbilla and all contestants to it. Therefore, he has no right to determine who the Bimbilla- Na is until the final determination of the matter before the Judicial Committee. And he is a chief. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for that.
Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
That is not a question.
Mr. Mahama Ayariga 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's Answer to the Question, he says that the Northern Regional House of Chiefs and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture are ensuring that the case is speedily brought to a successful conclusion. Mr. Speaker, when he was asked the question, what date we will get judgement or a ruling of the House of Chiefs, he said he did not know because he did not want to interfere with the work of the House of Chiefs.
Mr. Speaker, the question is, what is the Ministry doing to ensure that the case is speedily and successfully brought to an end without interfering with the work of the Regional House of Chiefs?
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, each time the House of Chiefs sits they need logistics, and it is the Ministry that provides -- Whenever there are no logistics the hearing would not take place, and it is my duty to do that. I have also given them vehicles. So there is the need for them to speed up and they have no
more excuses for adjourning the case. I am also a neutral person. I want to assure him.
Alhaji Sumani Abukari 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
I would want to know from the hon. Minister whether he is aware that there is no such case that is entitled “Bimbilla Na, Salifu Dawuni v . . . There is no such case. What is there is Nakpaa Na, Salifu Dawuni is a chief. It is Nakpaa Na, and not Bimbilla Na. Bimbilla Na is Andani Dasana, and that is what is being disputed before the Northern Regional House of Chiefs. So is he aware that there is no such case as Bimbilla Na, Salifu Dawuni versus anybody?
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am not aware. What I am aware of is what I have indicated.
Mr. E. K. D. Adjaho 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture whether in his records there is a Bimbilla Na, properly so called and properly registered with the National House of Chiefs.
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I think the information is what I have provided. If my hon. Friends have further information, I will be prepared to check it.
Mr. Adjaho 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member is the Minister responsible for Chieftaincy Affairs; so he should have record of all chiefs in this country who have been registered under the laws of this country. I want to know, in his record, and at the National House of Chiefs whether there is a Bimbilla Na.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Deputy Minority Leader, come properly.
Chieftaincy Disputes
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.


(Measures to Resolve them)

Q. 1399. Mr. Stephen Kunsu asked the Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture what measures the Ministry was putting in place to resolve the numerous chieftaincy disputes pending at the various regional houses of chiefs.
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, for some time now, many of the regional houses of chiefs in the country had no counsel to assist the Judicial Committees of the Houses as required by the 1992 Constitution in the hearing of chieftaincy cases brought before the houses of chiefs. This has constituted a source of delay in the resolution of chieftaincy disputes. However, with the establish-ment of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture in May 2006, a consistent effort has been made to assist the regional houses of chiefs to recruit counsel.
Mr. Speaker, currently, most of the regional houses of chiefs with the exception of Northern, Central and Eastern Regional Houses of Chiefs have their own counsel. Arrangements have been made with the Attorney-General's Department to second lawyers to service the Northern and Central Regional Houses of Chiefs whilst the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs is being serviced by the counsel of the Greater-Accra Regional House of Chiefs.
Mr. Speaker, in order to eradicate or minimize disputes brought about by issues of succession which constitute one of the major issues of conflicts, there is an ongoing project by the National House of Chiefs to codify lines of succession to stools and skins in the country. This project, when completed, will doubtlessly go a long way to resolve the many chieftaincy disputes now plaguing our Chieftaincy Institution. Research on lines of succession has so far been completed on twenty-one stools/skins distributed within
seven regions of the country.
This research project has however been put on hold between January 2007 to date for lack of funding which has been the major problem militating against the research work. The Ministry is making the necessary effort to invite donors to support this important project and it is hoped that Parliament will approve more funding in the Ministry's budget in due course for the continuation of this research project which is expected to be the panacea for the numerous chieftaincy disputes.
Mr. Kunsu 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister how many cases are currently pending at the regional houses chiefs?
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, with the greatest respect, I will need notice on this so that I can be accurate about it.
Mr. Kunsu 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that as a result of the protracted chieftaincy disputes in Mo, Kintampo North Constituency to find a successor to the late Paramount Chief of Mo, since 2000, the funeral of the deceased chief has not yet been held, and as a result, the three ailing widows are still being subjected to widowhood rites? [Laughter.]
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Hon. Member, this is
not a Supplementary Question.
Mr. Kunsu 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to draw the hon. Minister's attention to what is happening in my constituency, at Mo. The widows are suffering. For eight good years they have not had their freedom, and that is why I wanted to draw his attention to this.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Do you have other questions?
Mr. Kunsu 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, yes. Mr. Speaker, can the hon. Minister give assurance to the people of Mo that he will expedite action in the liberation of the widows?
Alhaj i Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak: Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's Answer, he was talking about a research that has however been put on hold between January 2007 to date due to lack of funding. May I ask the hon. Minister whether Government had ever funded this research or it has always come from a non-governmental agency (NGO)?
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I think the GTZ has been very, very helpful to the Ministry in respect of codification. This year, we are putting it in our budget also for the Government to assist, and we are appealing to other donors. Definitely, it is the NGOs that have been helping us.
Ms. Akua Sena Dansua 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know from the hon. Minister what he can do to alleviate the sufferings of the three widows that we have spoken about. The women are quite elderly and they are suffering already. So I want to know what he can do -- [Interruption] -- It is not government business but it is related to chieftaincy -- so I want to know what he can do to help them.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Deputy Minority Whip, come back properly.
Dr. Kwame Ampofo 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know from the hon. Minister why he has not factored the funding for the research into the budget if he finds this project so important and on which I also agree with him. Why have we not seen it in the budget?
Mr. S. K. Boafo 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, if the hon. Member heard what I have stated in my response to the question from the hon.
Member for Asawase, Mr. Mubarak, he would recall that I said that this year we are going to factor it into the Government budget itself.
Mr. Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Hon. Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture, thank you very much for appearing to answer these Questions. You are discharged.
Mr. Adjaho 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, with the greatest respect, I would like to crave your indulgence regarding Question No. 1221. We know that the hon. Member was not here when you called, with the greatest respect.
Mr. Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Yes, he came late.
Mr. Adjaho 10:20 a.m.
When you called the hon. Member, he was not there, but he is now in, and we are pleading -- [Interruption.]
Mr. Speaker 10:20 a.m.
I do not think I have to deviate from my general pattern. But the Answer is on the Order Paper.
Mr. Adjaho 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, given the benefit of supplementary questions, which would clarify certain positions, we are pleading with you. Mr. Speaker, we know you are right; but we are pleading with you -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Order! Order! Deputy, make another request at a later date, but let us make progress.
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS 10:20 a.m.
Minister for Communications (Dr. Benjamin Aggrey-Ntim) 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is the Government's desire to ensure the availability of telephone services to all parts of the country and to this end, every effort is being made to enable the service providers to expand their networks to cover all towns in the country.
Over the years, we have witnessed progressive improvements in this regard as our penetration level has exceeded 30 per cent of the population.
Mr. Speaker, for the Amansie East District, the Ghana Telecom network has already covered parts of the district, especially at Bekwai and its surrounding towns. Planning is ongoing to extend coverage of telephone facilities to Asiwa, Danso and Anyimaso and the initial forecast for this rollout is the fourth quarter of 2008.
Millicom (Ghana) Limited namely tiGO would extend service to Amansie East District, specifically, Asiwa, Danso and Anyimaso by the end of the third quarter of 2008.
Mr. Speaker, the Mobile Telecommu- nication Network (MTN) has planned to have the first phase of its network coverage to the Asiwa, Danso and Anyimaso townships of the Amansie East District by the third quarter of 2008.
Meanwhile, Kasapa Telecom Limited on its part will reach this area within 2008.
Nana Ofori-Kuragu 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the light of a newly-created district; the hon. Minister would know that it is absolutely essential that we have communication set up in Asiwa in particular. So I would be grateful if he would fasttrack this project
as the district is going to be inaugurated at the end of this month.
Mr. Speaker 10:20 a.m.
This is not a supple- mentary question.
Worawora Community Information Centre (Commissioning)
Q. 1306. Mr. Emmanuel Kwasi Bandua a sked the Minis te r fo r Communications when the Worawora community information centre would be com-missioned.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Community Information Centre (CIC) initiative is a universal access innovation by Government to provide a hybrid for- profit telecentre and non-profit community resource centre. The purpose is to provide access to Internet-enabled computers, fax machines, printers, copiers, and telephones in the remote communities at the earliest opportunity.
The Ministry is constructing the CICs with its allocation of HIPC funds provided in the budget and this entails the construction of the physical infrastructure, the establishment of a Local Area Network (LAN) and a Wide Area Network (WAN) and the provision of Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services where necessary.
Mr. Speaker, these facilities have been completed for Worawora CIC, and the Ministry has also provided five computers, a network printer, a scanner and a switch to the centre. Indeed, the Centre is now operational and after the initial trial period to ensure the functioning of the equipment, the Ministry will formally arrange with the District Authority to hand over the Centre with guidelines to the community, who would own, operate and manage the CIC to meet their ICT needs.
Mr. Bandua 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister has said in his Answer that the Centre is now operational and after the initial trial period the Ministry will formally arrange with the district authority to hand over the Centre with guidelines to the community to ensure the functioning of the equipment. And I am asking when the trial period began and when it would end.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, as I speak, in fact, there is a team from GIFTel -- GIFTel is responsible for the arrangements that I have mentioned -- which is going round and actually looking and testing these various Community Information Centres (CICs) that I have mentioned. Mr. Speaker, what we want to do is to try and cover more than one when we go to any one region because there are about 30 of these that are going to be commissioned this year. So we want to come up with a programme so that we can do all these methodically.
Mr. Bandua 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in his Answer, the hon. Minister said that the Ministry would arrange formally with the District Authority to hand over the centre with guidelines to the community. I want to find out from the hon. Minister which Body or Authority in the community would handle the Centre.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the management of the CIC is squarely in the hands of the District Assemblies. When we hand over, indeed, we would be handing over to the District Assembly, where we have trained various information officers and it is the District Assembly that would be responsible for the management of the Centres.
Mr. Bandua 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister what role the community would play in the management and operation of the Centre since initially he said that the Centre would be handed over to the community and he is now saying that it is the District Assembly that would handle the Centre.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, these Centres are being provided for use by the community. We are simply saying that clearly, the main body that is responsible for the activities of the communities in a given constituency is indeed the District Assembly. Therefore, it is up to the District Assembly to actually appoint members of management teams who must come from the community.
Mr. Albert Abongo 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know from the hon. Minister, who is responsible for providing the funds for the construction of the main building of the community information centres (CICs)? Is it the District Assembly or there is a special allocation in his Ministry for that purpose?
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in my main response to this Question, in fact, I have mentioned that these funds are provided by the HIPC Fund and that is the fund that we use for the construction of the main building.
Mr. Speaker, we are also doing this in cooperation with UNDP and therefore, between us and the UNDP, UNDP provides a component of this amount. And it is from this amount that we also subsequently provide connectivity, as I have mentioned in the response.
Mr. G. K. B. Gbediame 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, may I know from the hon. Minister whether it is the policy of the Government
Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.
It is not a Supplementary Question, hon. Member. Question number 1327, hon. Member for South Dayi (Dr. K. Ampofo)?
South Dayi Constituency (Ghana Telecom Services)
Q. 1327. Dr. Kwame Ampofo asked the Minister for Communications when Ghana Telecommunications Services would be extended to the South Dayi Constituency to serve such important townships and populated communities as those in the Peki Traditional Area, the Traditional Areas of Kpalime and Tongor and Kpeve New Town.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, Ghana Telecom plans are underway to provide telecommunication services to towns and communities in South Dayi constituency. Suitable sites for placement of masts/towers for GSM coverage in the following towns -- Vakpo; Golokwati; Liati Abonyra; Fodome Xelu; Wli; Have; Kpeve; Goviefe Todzi, Peki Tsame and Anum Boso have been located to ensure extensive coverage.
Mr. Speaker, sites for Peki and Kpeve are expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2008. In-frastructure and design drawings are being put together before project commencement.
Kasapa Telecom Limited plans to implement network coverage of the South Dayi Constituency and the Peki Traditional Areas before August 2008.
Dr. Ampofo 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to know from the hon. Minister if the sites he is referring to in paragraph two (2) “. . . sites for Peki and Kpeve are expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2008” -- Does this mean the sites would be ready to offer services or the
sites would be ready for masts erection?
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, clearly, the two are very well connected. The towers have to be ready before the provision of the services. The information that we have clearly says that sites are being prepared for the towers. So the time that we have shown here is for the completion of the mounting of the towers and hopefully soon after that services would commence.
Dr. Ampofo 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I further wish to know from the hon. Minister whether the services referred to would cover particularly in the Kasapa instance. He has said that they would cover Peki Traditional Areas before August 2008. The South Dayi Constituency consists of other functions apart from the Peki Traditional Area. I want to know from the hon. Minister whether the services would cover such important townships in the consistency as Kpeve New Town, Kpalime-Tongor, Dzemeni and Chanakpe areas that are located closer to the Volta Lake.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, generally, when the tower is mounted, it covers a certain catchment area. So we have said that this covers traditional areas and that means the important areas that are around Peki. As to the details of the Question, perhaps, I may need to do further research to give him specifically the external lines for the reception of the services.
Dr. Ampofo 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I finally wish to know from the hon. Minister whether his Answers given can be taken as assurances so that we do not have to come back and find explanations to why the services are not provided after the second quarter of 2008 which is June.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we are all stakeholders in this exercise. When I say that, I mean the Ministry

relies on the service providers and we take their word when they do inform us. Apart from exigencies and emergencies that may happen, in the past we have not had the cause to unduly complain against the information they pass on but we do appreciate the point he is making.
Mr. George Arthur 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to know from the hon. Minister whether the communities mentioned are going to receive a single mast each or there is only going to be one mast which is going to supply all these communities.
Mr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in my response, I did say mast/towers. So certainly it is more than one. Generally, a mast covers certain distance. In the case of Kasapa, the distances are much wider than the GSM. Therefore, when we way ‘mast', that is the reason that they do actually have to undertake the primary studies because they have to determine how many masts would cover a given area.
Mr. J. Z. Amenowode 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would want to ask the hon. Minister if we are to presuppose that the communities listed in the first paragraph of his Answer are also to expect their towers by the second quarter of 2008.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, yes, that is the implication of the Answer that I have given.
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Question 1378?
Telephone Lines to Rural Ghana Under GIFTel Fund
Q. 1378. Mr. Haruna Iddrisu asked the Minister for Communications when the Ministry would roll-out telephone lines (fixed) to rural Ghana under the GIFTel Fund.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Ghana Investment Fund for Telecom- munications (GIFTel) is a universality fund into which Telecom Service providers contribute one per cent of their revenues to subsidise the cost of providing telecommunication services in the rural, un-served and under-served areas. This is a Licence Obligation designed to promote universal access to telecommunication services.
Ghana Telecom and Westel are the only companies licensed to roll-out Fixed Telephone lines in the country and their roll-out programmes to rural Ghana are eligible for GIFTel assistance.
Meanwhile, under the Universal Access to Telecommunications Project to support the provision of telecom services to rural communities, the GIFTel has completed the construction of eight masts or towers for Common Telecom- munications Facility sites at Fetentaa, Nandom, Maame Krobo, Maluwe, Banda Nkwanta, Kyekyewere, Agona Amenfi and Wellembelle to facilitate coverage for 65 rural communities.
In addition, 31 common facilities sites are at different stages of completion for the provision of coverage for three hundred (300).
Mr. H. Iddrisu 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister in his Answer, page 6, the first paragraph, indicated that telecom service providers contribute 1 per cent of their revenue to this Fund. May I know from the Minister how much so far has accrued to the GIFTel Fund?
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would have to come back on this specific question and give the total. But he may want to know that the providers have met their obligations.
Mr. H. Iddrisu 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, on 11th July, 2006, the National Communications Authority zoned the country into five for local service providers to provide fixed telephone services to rural Ghana. May I know when the bidders will be announced.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I do find this question actually outside the confines of this specific Question that is here. But if the hon. Member would want us to give real information on this question which is completely different from the original one, perhaps we can -- [Interruption.]
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
You should not be distracted. If you do not have the Answer, sit down, please. Just resume your seat; you do not have the Answer.
Mr. H. Iddrisu 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister in his Answer, has mentioned 65 communities and 300 communities as beneficiaries of GIFTEL assisted projects. May I know when they will benefit from fixed telephone facilities under it?
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I have had an occasion on previous attendance here to inform this House that with the convergence that is happening in the ICT field, the provision of a service does not have to come from a given type of either fixed or mobile. Presently, what we are looking for is the end result, namely the service. If this service can be provided by mobile facility, if it can be provided by fixed, fine.
But the movement in recent times, at this era of communication development, is towards the provision of these services by mobile telecom facilities. So I wanted to make this absolutely clear that we are not in fact now committing any operator to use a particular type of telecommunication equipment. What we are rather looking for is the results, the provision of a given set.
Maj. (Dr.) (Alhaji) Mustapha Ahmed (retd): Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that masts or towers would be sited at certain locations. I would like to know from him what are the health hazards of these masts which make use of magnetic forces.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I take it that this is a relevant question on telecommunication. In fact, we are in the process of preparing comprehensive information on electro-magnetic fields as they relate to towers and masts. If you would permit me, this study is not finished and I would hope that at a later date we can come and report to Parliament on this important issue.
Mr. E. K. Salia 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the hon. Minister what the specific purpose of the masts that are to be located in these communities that he has mentioned is. What is their main purpose?
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, clearly, the purpose of this mast is to provide inter-connectivity. You will notice that a particular sound is produced at a given point. How do you actually extend this sound from one location to another? So the erection of the masts is an attempt to connect a sound from one location to another through these towers.
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Question 1394? Mafi Asiekpe, Mafi Kumase, etc
(Telephone facilities)
Q. 1394. Mr. C. S. Hodogbey (on behalf of Mr. J. K. Gidisu) asked the Minister for Communications when telephone facilities would be extended to Mafi Asiekpe, Mafi Kumase, Mafi Sasekpe and Kpoviadzi in the North Tongu Consti- tuency.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, Ghana Telecom will be extending telephone facilities to Mafi Asiekpe, Mafi Kumase, Mafi Sasekpe and Kpoviadze in the North Tongu Constituency by the last quarter of 2008. Kasapa Telecom Limited on its part plans to cover Mafi Asiekpe, Mafi Kumase, Mafi Sasekpe and Kpoviadze in the North Tongu Constituency within
2008.
Mr. Speaker, while efforts are being made to extend telephone services to all towns, the Ministry of Communications has received complaints from the Telecom Service providers that exorbitant business operating permit demands and other levies from Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies often discourage them from embarking on their network expansion to the areas.
Recent massive increases in charges for 2008 by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) similarly affects their expansion plans.
The Ministry of Communications is accordingly consulting with the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, the Ministry of Aviation, and the Ministry of National Security to agree on a uniform charge that can be levied at national level with the concurrence of the National Communications Authority (NCA).
Mr. Hodogbey 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's Answer, he enumerated some difficulties that the telecommunications companies are facing. I do not know whether these particular problems are peculiar to the North Tongu Constituency because he did not state these reasons in earlier Answers to similar Questions.
I would like to know if North Tongu

District Assembly has complained to him about this particular thing.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the second part of the information was general. Indeed, it has caught my attention and I just wish to inform him that as we are trying to provide the services, we also have these other concerns. So I must admit, this may not specifically apply to the North Tongu Constituency as he has observed.
Mr. Hodogbey 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my next question is, in providing these telephone services, is the hon. Minister referring to only voice modulation systems or it includes also internet services?
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the emphasis has been on the provision of voice. And we are happy with that because we are creating the platform for moving from voice to the provision of data. Some of the operators have a combination of both. Clearly, at the end of the day, the important thing is the bandwidth with which one is working. Where one has adequate bandwidth then one can immediately do both voice and data.
But clearly, it is slightly more expensive to do both voice and data because all these depend upon the frequency bandwidth.
Mr. Hodogbey 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my last question is, they have allowed telephone companies to erect their masts. Is there no technology in Africa, and for that matter in Ghana, whereby only one mast is necessary to provide telephone and other communication services, instead of each company erecting its own mast?
Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Hon. Minister, you do not have to answer it; it is not a supple- mentary question.
Dr. A. A. Osei 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's Answer, he said that and I quote:
“Recent massive increases in charges for 2008 by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) similarly affects their expansion plans.”
Could the hon. Minister explain to this House how massive increases by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority could affect the expansion plans of the telephone service providers.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, only a few days, I met the operators in my office and I was informed that the charges from the GCAA have gone up by a factor of ten. Clearly, this is an Authority from which permits have to be obtained before the erection of towers. So again, if any operator is having to cope with an increase by a factor of ten, clearly, it is going to affect the number of towers or masts that can be erected for a given budget.
Mr. E. K. D. Adjaho 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister whether these problems that he has mentioned in terms of exorbitant business operating permits and demands and other levies from the Metropolitan/Municipal/ District Assemblies as well as the recent massive increases in charges for 2008 by the GCAA will affect extension of telephone facilities to the communities mentioned in the first paragraph of his Answer for the year 2008.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:50 a.m.
Clearly, in locations where the plans have been completed, it will mean that they would have actually sought the permission of these bodies and therefore they will not be drastically affected.
But this is a warning to all of us that as you try to collect too much money from the operators, eventually it is going to affect their services to our communities.
Mr. Adjaho 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister whether he is giving assurance to this House, because
these problems are not going to seriously affect the facilities -- that in 2008, these communities mentioned in paragraph (1) of his Answer, would have telephone facilities.
Dr. Aggrey-Ntim 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the information that I have given here is correct as of now.
On the information with respect to the various charges, I am giving warning to all of us, that we need to be careful and to work together so that we do not create one problem as we resolve another.
Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Hon. Minister for Communications, thank you very much for appearing to answer these Questions. You are discharged.
Item 4 -- Statements -- Statement by the hon. Minister for the Interior.
STATEMENTS 11 a.m.
Minister for the Interior (Mr. Kwamena Bartels) 11 a.m.
1. Introduction
Mr. Speaker, with your kind permission, and on behalf of the Government, I would like to provide an update on the communal clashes between the Kusasis and Mamprusis at Bawku and its environs to this noble House by making the following statement. It is also in fulfilment of my obligations under Act 471.
2. Latest Development
Mr. Speaker, since my last Statement on the floor of this House on the crisis of 31st December 2007, I am pleased to report that we have been able to maintain law and order in the area as a result of the presence of the security agencies and the commitment demonstrated by

the leaders of the two groups, chiefs and political leaders, particularly, the hon. Members of Parliament (MPs) of the area. Government, therefore, would like to, once again, thank all these people for cooperating with the Government to achieve this relative normalcy in the area.

However, Mr. Speaker, despite the relative peace and stability in the area, five main incidents of security importance have occurred since my last Statement to the House, and I consider it appropriate to bring them to the attention of the House whilst at the same time letting you know what is being done to ensure justice.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, one more person has died as a result of the conflict, and this brings to eleven (11) the total number of people who have lost their lives since the outbreak of the violence. The latest victim was allegedly murdered by an unidentified group of people at a place between Sabon-Geri and Sagabo, a suburb of Bawku on 5th February, 2008.

The body, which was initially deposited at the Bolgatanga Government Hospital, has since been released to the family for interment after performing the necessary autopsy on him. The case is still being investigated by the security agencies under the leadership of the Upper East Police Command.

Mr. Speaker, on 5th February 2008, the Upper East Police Command arrested three persons who were in possession of five hundred and one (501) packets of cartridges with the total of eleven thousand, one hundred and seventy-five (11,175) units.

Mr. Speaker, subsequent Police investigations led to the arrest of the main suspect in Kumasi who claimed ownership of the cartridges but indicated that the three suspects initially arrested had no knowledge of the contents of the

consignment that they were transporting. Accordingly, the Police granted the three suspects Police enquiry bail whilst the main suspect was put before court yesterday, 11th February 2008 and has been remanded in custody to reappear on 25th February 2008.

Mr. Speaker, again on the 2nd and 4th of February, 2008 respectively, the alertness of the security agencies led to the arrest of two persons, who were in possession of two locally-manufactured pistols. One of them was arrested at the Binduri Police check point whereas the other one was arrested at Missiga during curfew hours. The two suspects have since been sent to court and have been remanded in custody to reappear on 20th February, 2008.

Mr. Speaker, a house at Possum, a suburb of Bawku, was burnt down by unidentified group of persons who are presently at large. Mr. Speaker, the timely intervention by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service helped in limiting the extent of the damage. The security agencies are still investigating the incident.

Mr. Speaker, finally the 22 persons initially arrested in connection with the disturbances, appeared in court on 31st January, 2008 and they were again remanded in prison custody to reappear on 20th February. The Police have been requested to speed up their investigations to ensure justice.

Mr. Speaker, Security Intelligence reports indicate that although the Bawku Municipality and its environs have remained relatively peaceful, the situation still remained tense amongst the different ethnic groups as a result of increased mistrust. The latest incidents attest to this fact.
Minister for the Interior (Mr. Kwamena Bartels) 11 a.m.


Government Strategies towards Ensuring Peace and Security

Mr. Speaker, these recent develop- ments justify the continuous imposition of the curfew and the continuous presence of the security agencies on the ground, and I must say that the Government is not leaving anything to chance. We are determined to work with all stakeholders to ensure that peace, tranquility and security prevail in the area. In the interim, the Government will continue to pursue both short and long-term strategies in its determination to bring peace to our brothers and sisters in the area. The following strategies are therefore being pursued:

i. By Executive Instrument, the Minister for the Interior, acting on the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC), reimposed the dusk-to-dawn curfew on Bawku Municipality and its environs on 12th February, 2008 and this is to assist the security agencies in the management of the situation. The curfew hours still remain from 8.00 p.m. to 5.00 a.m.

ii. Also, the Minister for the Interior's order prohibiting all persons in the Bawku Municipal area, Garu township and their environs from carrying arms and ammunition or any offensive weapon is still in force.

iii. The security presence on the ground, with about over one hundred and thirty (130) soldiers and two hundred and fifty (250) policemen which is aimed at ensuring normalization of the situation, will remain and when necessary this would be

reinforced.

iv. Government is also giving serious consideration to the proposal for the establishment of a military base in the Upper East Region. Mr. Speaker, I must say that whilst the Government is very keen on this strategy, we want to use a consultative approach to the issue by meeting the leaders of these communities, listening to them and incorporating their concerns into the final decision by Government.

v. Government is also considering the proposal for putting in place a non-violent conflict resolution mechanism under the auspices of National Peace Council to create and facilitate space for dialogue and reconciliation between the two groups.

vi. The Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) is organizing a meeting of all opinion leaders on both sides of the divide on Friday, 15th February, 2008 to look at ways to reconcile the two factions and promote peace in the area.

vii. The National Disaster Mana- gement Organisation (NADMO) has been tasked to source for funds to procure relief items to the displaced persons. The Government is also considering how best it would support those families who have had their houses destroyed.

viii. Finally, the process of holistic investigation of all incidents by the Security Agencies and the prosecution of all persons found culpable remain non-negotiable.
Minister for the Interior (Mr. Kwamena Bartels) 11 a.m.


Conclusion

Mr. Speaker, due to the security measures put in place, including the curfew and the commitment to peace demonstrated by the two groups, politicians of the area and the Ghana CAN 2008 tournament's uniting influence, relative normalcy has returned to the area. However, the latest developments indicate that the situation is still volatile and must therefore continue to be a matter of concern to all of us.

Mr. Speaker, let me therefore conclude my Statement on the note that the Government will not run away from its overriding responsibility of ensuring law and order. We would continue to support the Security Agencies to ensure that the full rigorous of the law is brought to bear on any individual or group of persons whose actions will lead to the breach of the peace.

However, Mr. Speaker, Government is spending a substantial amount of money each month in its pursuit of peace. These monies, Mr. Speaker, could have been used for the development of the affected area instead of peacekeeping.

It is in the light of this that I wish to sincerely plead with the two factions to give peace a chance, and I hope that we can continue to count on the support and cooperation of my hon. Colleague Members of Parliament, particularly, those from the area, leadership of the two groups and other opinion leaders of the area in our quest to ensure peace and stability are achieved as soon as possible.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. John A. Ndebugre (PNC - Zebilla) 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I wish once again to congratulate the Minister for the Interior
and the Government for having kept a close eye on developments in the Bawku area, and also to indicate that the security agencies are doing their best to manage the situation but from the report given by the Minister himself and from reports that some of us coming from the area receive daily their best is simply not enough to bring the situation under the normalcy that all of us are desirous of having.

I had said on the 29th of January when the hon. Minister for the Interior made his first Statement that I had been privy to earlier peace initiatives that were aimed at resolving this long standing issue at Bawku. I indicated that the discussions at that time which were held at Damongo led to a communiqué that was signed among various ethnic groups in the area and which we now call the Damongo Declaration.

Mr. Speaker, it is my considered view that the long-term solution to this problem is to go back and pick up the Damongo Declaration and then work from there. Because of this, I crave the indulgence of Mr. Speaker, to highlight some of the points that were raised at Damongo and which led to the Damongo Declaration. In fact, the preamble of the declaration were in these words:
Mr. John A. Ndebugre (PNC - Zebilla) 11:10 a.m.


“We, the Kusasi, Mamprusi, Bissa, Moshie, Dagomba and Hausa delegations; Meeting together in the Peace and Reconciliation Consultations held at Damongo from June 4 to 8, 2001:

Having heard, considered, discussed and debated the perspectives, perceptions and appeals of each group, particularly those of the Kusasi and Mamprusi as protagonists in the conflict in Bawku;

Believing that all ethnic communities have a crucial role to play in the building of peace in Bawku;

D e t e r m i n e d t o r e s o l v e a l l outstanding contentious issues and to lay the foundation for durable and stable peace for sustainable development;

Convinced that it is in the best interest of our respective peoples that we create an enabling atmosphere of peace that will foster social reintegration, mobility, economic co-operation and development as individuals and as groups;

Accepting that our individual a n d g r o u p a s p i r a t i o n s f o r development can only be achieved in an atmosphere of forgiveness, tolerance, moderation, compromise, co-operation and the peaceful resolution of our differences;

Now commit ourselves to the following objectives:

1. That we use dialogue as a means of resolving all disputes;

2. That we use the allocation and patronage of the Bawku Market

as a unifying force for the people of Bawku;

3. That we use inter-marriages between Kusasis and Mamprusis as another unifying force;

4. That we stop the arbitrary confiscation of lands, especially from farmers;

5. That the Bawku Naba be recognized and given the necessary courtesies and respect by all, including important official guests to the town;

6. That we take steps to positively influence the confirmation of the President's nominee as District Chief Executive for Bawku East as a means of building bridges for peace;

7. That we take urgent steps to create the necessary conditions for the return to work of all categories of workers who fled the district in the wake of the conflict;

8. That we embark on sustained programme of stopping or at least curbing the purchasing and stockpiling of arms in the district;

9. That all should do away with violence in order to get out of conflict and develop peace since violence only encourages the proliferation of arms, suffering and poverty;

10. That we respect and patronize each other's socio-cultural practices such as weddings, funerals and festivals;
Mr. John A. Ndebugre (PNC - Zebilla) 11:20 a.m.


11. That the identity of Kusasis should be recognized and respected;

12. That we actively discourage the creation of factional markets;

13. That we eschew the conduct of politics on the basis of ethnicity in the district;

14. That we embark on joint educational programmes on the need to consolidate the peace in the district;

15. That we appeal to all religious bodies to continue praying to God/Allah for peace in Bawku.

Mr. Speaker, these were 15 points that we set down and the declaration was signed by four representatives each of the Kusasi and Mamprusi delegations including my goodself and two representatives each of the Bissa which is also called Busanga of which hon. Alhaji Dr. Ahmed is a member - Bissa, Moshie, Dagomba and Hausa delegations. And it was witnessed by a consortium of NGOs including the West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP), headed by Dr. Mbani of whom you have been hearing quite lately.

The Christian Council of Ghana (Northern Sector Office), Action Aid Ghana, Catholic Relief Services, World Vision Ghana, Bawku East Women's Development Association, UNICEF and Northern Ghana Peace Project. So Mr. Speaker, there is a basis for continuing this peace process.

Attached to the communiqué which is also the declaration was a true programme of certain events and activities that should take place in order for peace to be consolidated. But somewhere along

the line, there was a hiccup and the programme got derailed somehow.

Mr. Speaker, it is my view that if the Minister for the Interior, and the Government for that matter, is desirous of pursuing a long-term peace strategy for Bawku, it is better to go and take this declaration and get together all these civil society organizations I have mentioned to look at the document and find out which of the points is creating a problem and iron them out and proceed; and I believe very strongly that we can find a solution through this.

When we met at Damongo on the first day, Mamprusis were looking west and Kusasis were looking east. But after five days, we were embracing and we were dancing together and I have a video clip of it which I can show to anybody who wishes to see; the leading lights of the two groups dancing together and holding each other's hands and so on. So I believe very strongly that we can find a long-term solution to the problem.

Meanwhile, I wish again to thank the Government and particularly the hon. Minister for the Interior and the Minister for Defence who have been very much concerned about the situation. Once again, permit me to extend condolences to the families of the persons who died after our last Statement and to sympathise with those whose properties have been lost and whose houses have been burnt since 29th January when the hon. Minister first made his Statement.

With these words, I support the hon. Minister's Statement.

Mr. Mahama Ayariga (NDC - Bawku
Mr. John A. Ndebugre (PNC - Zebilla) 11:20 a.m.


Central): Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the Statement that has been made by the hon. Minister for the Interior. Let me first and foremost express the appreciation of the chiefs and people of that area for the effort to restore law and order in the Bawku Municipality. I commend the increase in the number of soldiers on the ground. I also commend the increase in the number of peace men on the ground. The presence of such a large force has been very instrumental in restraining both sides and preventing the further outbreak of conflict.

Let me particularly use this occasion to thank the hon. Minister for Defence, hon. Kan-Dapaah. A few days ago, we had a situation on our hands; the Interior Minister had travelled to London for an international conference, and when I got in touch with the hon. Minister for Defence before the following morning, he had increased the size of the men on the ground and police officers on the ground. It indeed contributed a great deal to ensuring that we prevent the outbreak of further violence in that area.

It is in that light and the situation that we had on the ground that I support the hon. Minister for the Interior as he seeks to re-impose the curfew in the Bawku Municipality. I wish that it were otherwise and that our people would henceforth be free to go about their businesses. But the situation on the ground does not encourage us to lift the curfew and allow free movement between the hours of 8.00 p.m. and 5.00 a.m.

We hope that before the next time the hon. Minister comes here to make a Statement, the situation would have improved to a point where we can all confidently stick our necks out and call for the lifting of the curfew in he Bawku Municipality.
Mr. John A. Ndebugre (PNC - Zebilla) 11:20 a.m.


I also wish to indicate my support for the proposal to set up a military base in Bawku, not necessarily in the Upper East Region. I noticed the hon. Minister say that it should be in the Upper East Region. The call is for a military base in Bawku, not necessarily in the Upper East Region. Of course, Bawku is in the Upper East Region but we do not want a situation where we would go and site the military base somewhere other than Bawku.

I have been reading the statement very cautiously and he says that they intend to use a consultative approach to the issue by meeting the leaders of both communities and listening to them and incorporating their concerns in the final decision by the Government.

I hope that this consultative approach is not going to be an excuse for inaction in the process of setting up a military base in Bawku. Let us be clear in our minds that to secure the place, to ensure that each time there is a problem in that region of the country that we are able to move in speedily, there is the need to have a military base there, and once the decision is taken, I do not believe that it has to be based on the consent of any side in the Bawku situation.

It is a decision that should be taken by the President and from all indications the Minister has expressed their commitment to that. Therefore, the language of a consultative approach should not be used as an excuse for inaction.

Lastly Mr. Speaker, I also wish to express my support for the ongoing effort to promote dialogue. There is no doubt that the Police and the Military can do as much as they can only with the support of the people on the ground. There is a limited number of people that can be sent to the place as police officers and soldiers.

Unless they have cooperation from the people on all sides, there is a limit to what they can do to restore law and order in the Bawku municipality.

And the only way we can do this is not to focus too much on the military and policing aspect but also to look at the promotion of dialogue by all sides. And my hon. Colleague has already talked about the fact that we should not focus on only the Kusasis and Mamprusis but also on all the ethnic groups that have influence on the Bawku municipality.

Yesterday, I had some meetings with non-governmental organizations and northern leaders who are interested in the Bawku issue and I urged that we should extend the dialogue beyond those who are currently in Bawku to the diaspora of Bawku because there is no doubt that outside Bawku, there are actions and inactions that tend to influence the goings-on within Bawku itself. And so I use this occasion to urge all citizens of Bawku and of course, all northerners who have an influence in that area to let their influence be brought to bear on the process of promoting dialogue and building peace in the Bawku area.

One contentious issue that still remains to be settled between myself and the hon. Minister for the Interior is the issue of the rehabilitation of those who have been affected by the conflict in the Bawku area. Once again, he has been very crafty in responding to this situation. He says that the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has been tasked to source for funds. It means that the hon. Minister is still at the stage of tasking NADMO to source funds not to think of relief items.

We are almost going into two months since this conflict occurred and these people have been homeless. Look at

the vagaries of the weather, look at the current economic conditions and the situation relating to food because we just got afflicted by harsh weather conditions and so the farms did not do well this year. So for two months now, the hon. Minister is still at the stage of tasking NADMO to source funds, not go and buy the food items.

I think that I would use this occasion to commend the hon. Minister for his commitment and to also urge him to go beyond tasking NADMO to source funds and to actually move relief items to the Bawku municipality now. It has been long overdue.

Mr. Speaker, he does not state his position on the reconstruction of the homes in Bawku. I have heard people comment publicly that it is irresponsible to engage in conflicts and burn houses. There is no doubt about that. To engage in conflicts and burn houses is irresponsible conduct. But we must not forget the principle that the protection of every individual remains the responsibility of the Government of the country and that responsibility extends to ensuring that you put in place measures to protect him from the conduct of even his immediate neighbours.

If as a nation we have not been successful in protecting people from having their houses being burnt, we should not shirk the responsibility of moving in to help them after those houses have been burnt. It is not a waste of resources, it is not setting bad precedence but it is just correcting our own mistakes as a nation. We have a responsibility and so let us live up to that responsibility.

And so I urge the Government, considering the enormous resources available, to contribute as much as possible
Mr. John A. Ndebugre (PNC - Zebilla) 11:30 a.m.


to help those people to rehabilitate their homes so that the children and the women can be housed.

Mr. Speaker, let me use this opportunity to mention and applaud the effort of one individual in Bawku. When there was a near crisis last week and there was an attempt to lynch a particular youth in the Mamprusi area, one Youngman braved the odds and stood up and rejected the attempt to lynch this boy and took him on his own motorbike to safety - to his people.

Mr. Speaker, I think that in a situation like this, there would be a lot of pressures and it takes very brave, courageous people, considering the pressures, to stand up for what is right and to make sure that they do what is right. At this moment, that is what we need - people on both sides standing up for what is right and working to promote peace and reconciliation in that area. The name of that young man is Baba Yakubu and I want to use this opportunity to applaud his effort and to express my own personal profound gratitude for the work that he has done towards contributing to peace.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, currently many of the schools are not functioning effectively. Many of the teachers are leaving the place. Some schools have closed down. Many of the pupils are not attending school yet at the end of the year, all of them would be writing the same examinations with children in the rest of the country.

I use this opportunity to urge the teachers and the security agencies to pay particular attention to areas where schools are sited so that children and parents and the teachers can be confident to attend school and return from school on a daily basis.

On that note, Mr. Speaker, let me once again reassure the Government and the hon. Minister that the hon. Members of Parliament from that area remain committed to the process and would continue to support Government's effort to ensure that peace and normalcy return to the Bawku municipality. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Some hon. Members - rose -
Mr. Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Minority Leader, you may wish to contribute.
Minority Leader (Mr. A.S.K. Bagbin) 11:30 a.m.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a few words. Mr. Speaker, Ghana is an epitome of Africa. We have so many flashpoints in Africa just like how we have in Ghana. Efforts have been made to find solutions to these crisis but I believe the efforts have always been short-lived. We have always passionately and emotionally tried eliminating hostilities and violence but we do not proceed after that to try to build peace.
Therefore, you have such points festering for sometime and then because chieftaincy, politics, land disputes and ethnic feelings are interwoven, from time to time, these triggers would once again ignite violence and we get destruction, loss of lives and property.
Mr. Speaker, the Bawku peace initiative which hon. Ndebugre referred to was a very bold initiative by all stakeholders in the crisis in the Bawku area. It is clear that what we are experiencing in Bawku is not just a conflict between two tribes. As stated, all the other resident tribes there are involved in the conflict and therefore it is important that emphasis is not just put on Mamprusis and Kusasis but the other tribes are also carried along because they
Minority Leader (Mr. A.S.K. Bagbin) 11:30 a.m.


have been compelled by the situation to take sides.

Again, Mr. Speaker, the crisis is well beyond the ambit of governments. It goes into governance and it goes into very critical local issues such that all sons and daughters of the area will have to put their hands on deck.

They do not manufacture arms in the Bawku municipality apart from a few illegal local manufacturers. AK 47s and the G3s are not manufactured in Bawku. We know the economy of the area is not the best and that poverty is on the increase in the Bawku area, yet people are able to buy these sophisticated arms and ammunition and to use them allegedly for self-defence. Mr. Speaker, it is just like anywhere else in Africa where the various flash- points are crying because of poverty and yet they are able to buy serious arsenals to engage in conflict. That is the same in the north and in the Bawku area.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, it is important that we focus continuously on finding a solution to the problem. As I said, it is far, far beyond the ambit of Government. Government will always, from time to time, try to enforce peace and try to create the environment for the other stakeholders to play their part.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the call which my Colleague, hon. Ayariga has made for the establishment of a military base in Bawku is just one of the instruments of enforcing peace. But for peacemaking you need to rely more on the local elements than on imported solutions.

Therefore, it is important that we learn. After all, these flashpoints did not start in the North. There were serious flashpoints down south here. My senior

Colleague hon. J.H. Mensah would share his experience about his own village. These were all flashpoints but they found a solution to the problem - Odumase No. 1, Odumase No. 2.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that we learn from some of these experiences and see how we can resolve some of the land disputes, the chieftaincy disputes and the political tensions that we mount there. It is important that we look at the ethnic differences. We have come to live together, we intermarry, we are bringing forth children who do not know whether they belong to Akwapen or Dagarti. So it is important that we ourselves try to be equitable and share whatever we have together equitably.

Unfortunately, I think that some people feel cheated and this is what brings up the tensions. But particularly, during an election year, I think we would have to appeal to ourselves as leaders, particularly political leaders, to be a bit decorous and sensitive with our language and our actions. This is because some of these flashpoints are just festering, waiting for an excuse to use political parties and to use politicians to go on the rampage and say because Mr. ‘A' is not supporting Mr. ‘B' he was seen greeting one chief and not shaking the hands of the other. As a result of that people move to violence. Mr. Speaker, that should not be tolerated at all.

I would just want to end with a call on all stakeholders to sit up and support the Government. But it is important that also in our actions as the political leaders and government of the country, we bring clarity and neutrality in the actions that we take to resolve the conflict.

I am particularly not comfortable with statements like “Bawku and its environs”
Minority Leader (Mr. A.S.K. Bagbin) 11:40 a.m.


because it is not clear. Even if it is Bawku municipality then there are boundaries governing the municipality. But when you say “and its environs” then there is a problem there, and we need to come out clearly on that.

Mr. Speaker, we are with them; we share in the sorrows and the sadness of the people of Bawku and all those who were affected. We extend our condolences to all the bereaved families. But we passionately appeal to them to lay down their arms and let us try to get an alternative means of livelihood so that people will not engage in the battle. I think that the Municipal Assembly should focus on peace building as the number one priority. The physical structures are not helping but I think that the Bawku Peace Initiative could not be completely implemented because of lack of resources and logistics. And it is there that I believe the Municipal Assembly faltered and should relook at the issue.

Since we have both Members of Parliament luckily from different political parties, not even the party in power, they should assist the Assembly to come out with some resources to support the local initiative to find a lasting solution to the conflict in Bawku. Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for making the Statement.

National Chocolate Day
Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations (Mr. Stephen Asamoah- Boateng) 11:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, this Thursday, the 14th of February 2008 marks the second celebration of our National Chocolate Day. Incidentally, it also happens to be a Valentine's Day.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Tourism
and Diasporan Relations introduced the National Chocolate Day to coincide with the Valentine's Day to emphasize the significance of chocolate and for that matter cocoa in the expression of the spirit of love, gift giving, health and Ghana's enviable position in the global cocoa industry.
Mr. Speaker, we are all aware of the significance of cocoa in our economy, and for us to link cocoa or chocolate, for that matter, to our Valentine's Day is very important. The Ministry in projecting the premium quality of our cocoa seeks to promote Ghana's premium chocolate and make Ghana a chocolate tourism destination. We are hopeful that a successful educational and promotional programme through the National Chocolate Day will make the people of Ghana benefit from the health and the economic values of our cocoa. Mr. Speaker, chocolate has spiritual values that have been known for centuries. Chocolate is produced from cocoa; we know that.
The scientific name, I am told is Theobroma cacao, which means - and I quote: “the food of the gods”, the word “cacao” is a Mayan from Central America but the crop is believed to have been cultivated first by the Aztecs which is a tribe in South America. Chocolate is believed to have been drunk as a beverage as far as the Olmec civilization in some three thousand years ago.
Over centuries, many cultures have used the seeds of cocoa crop from which chocolate is made as a sacred symbol in religious ceremonies, as a source of medicinal products and as icon of love and devotion. It is a fact that eating chocolate gives you strength, health, faith and passion.
Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations (Mr. Stephen Asamoah- Boateng) 11:40 a.m.


Experts ascribe magical properties to chocolate with powerful values in health and serenity. Mr. Speaker, the famous Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes who lived from the year 1485 to 1547 and conquered the Aztec empire of Mexico in 1519, described the chocolate drink as - and I quote:

“The divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk, and for that matter a woman to walk a whole day without food”.

Mr. Speaker, chocolate has a lot of therapeutic properties and some traditional healers in Latin America still use chocolate for medicinal purposes. For instance, healers in Oaxaca, Mexico use chocolate to cure bronchitis and also to treat bee and scorpion stings.

Contrary to popular misconceptions, eating lots of chocolate does not raise one's cholesterol level. According to clinical studies, chocolate contains stearic acid which is a neutral fat that does not increase bad cholesterol. In fact, the cocoa butter in chocolate contains oleic acid, a mono-saturated fat which is the same type of fat found in olive oil that may actually raise good cholesterol levels.

Drinking a cup of chocolate before meals actually diminishes one's appetite and helps you to lose weight and eat healthily and normally.

Mr. Speaker, it is known that a Harvard University study has found that men who eat chocolates live one year longer than those who do not eat chocolate. Many people eat chocolate when they are sad or when they are feeling down or when they are happy or when they are in love.

Mr. Speaker, some others are addicted to chocolate for its unique taste of smell.

Some claim that chocolate relaxes them or helps them lose weight; some see it as an aphrodisiac while others cherish it for a gift that expresses love and appreciation. Chocolate remains a predominant food and a health product as well as a gift item in many cultures.

Mr. Speaker, for this year, the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations has themed our National Chocolate Day, “Chocolate: A Gift of Love and Health” to capture all the sentiments I have expressed in this Statement. It is a theme that is set to express the profound value in chocolate that expresses love and appreciation and also as a gift that gives good health.

Mr. Speaker, it is also meant to help in the ongoing education to shift the attention of our youth from sexual activities on Valentine Day which does not help them or help the nation in most instances and do focus their attention on showing devotion, care and true love to loved ones, such as family members, husbands, wives and those we love, not as a sexual encounter.

To commemorate the day, the Ministry together with its partners will make donations of chocolates and other cocoa products to some sections of our community. There will also be a day's trip of school children and other tourists to Tetteh Quarshie's farm at Mampong Akwapim.

Last year, we in the Ministry introduced 75 chefs of the Ghana Chefs Association to the art of developing various chocolate dishes through training. This year, these 75 chefs will be displaying the results of their training at an open exhibition of various chocolate dishes at the National Theatre to mark the day.
Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations (Mr. Stephen Asamoah- Boateng) 11:50 a.m.


The Chocolate Avenue will be opened to display various chocolates; and all are welcome to make their purchases for their loved ones. In the evening Mr. Speaker, a local radio station will play host to a hot chocolate pool party for the youth. In the other regions, similar presentations will be made to old-aged people. The Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations invites hon. Members and all Ghanaians to give a gift of chocolate on the 14th of February,

2008.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, we have assembled chocolates just behind us in the lobby - courtesy of Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) - and hon. Members are invited to take free chocolates after the Sitting. We also hope that hon. Members will make the Chocolate Day and Valentine Day a memorable one and a truly chocolate day of love and health development in the country. This will ensure or enable us make Ghana a chocolate destination of the world.

Mr. Speaker, the Ministry takes this opportunity to salute and thank our hard- working and industrious cocoa farmers who have given us this unique fame with the quality of our chocolate. We also thank our partners in this endeavour - Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), Nestle Ghana Limited, Cadbury Ghana Limited, the Ghana Chefs Association, the Chocolate Avenue, HelpAge Ghana, Hot FM, Fox FM, Joy FM and Peace FM in Accra and many others for their support.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me end with an advice given some 330 years ago by Marie de la Bouton, who I am told, is a French writer, on February 11,1677 -- He said and with your permission, I quote:

“If you are not feeling well, if you have not slept well, chocolate will revive you.”

Mr. Speaker, I wish to add my own, that if you want to be stronger and healthier, then take chocolate every morning before you go to work.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to make this Statement.
Mr. Joseph Yieleh Chireh (NDC -- Wa West) 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to make brief comments on the Statement that my hon. Friend and Colleague has made on Chocolate Day. Of course, he has been trying to be a pharmacist and at the same time a historian which qualifications, I doubt he has. What is important about Chocolate Day is not the celebration and giving out these things.
We have heard these things a number of times and we Ghanaians do not need these lectures as to how good chocolate is. We have heard it directly from the President; and a few years ago, he came here and recommended cocoa to us as an aphrodisiac. Today, the hon. Minister is reemphasizing that. But what I want to ask is, the last few days when we hosted a large number of people, how many points were set up to serve people chocolate?
How much money could we have made from such chocolate distribution points? That is where we emphasize too much on celebration rather than achieving the objective. After this day, how many times can we at national ceremonies be served chocolate or make it a point for chocolate to be regularly served in our restaurants and hotels?
We must move from glamorous occasions like Valentine's Day statement; we must do things concretely and make policy decisions that would encourage people to consume chocolate. We know the benefits that we derive from this. I
Mr. Joseph Yieleh Chireh (NDC -- Wa West) 11:50 a.m.


would urge the Ministry to go beyond that and let larger numbers of people consume chocolate.

By so doing, they would have been making a lot of contribution towards the national economy. I would want again to urge the Government to make it a policy to encourage schools, to encourage educational institutions, the restaurants and hotels to serve chocolate and all the other cocoa drinks regularly.
Mr. Moses Asaga 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. My point of order is just to discourage him to continue. This is a man from Upper West Region who does not know anything about cocoa and he is talking about chocolate. [Laughter.]
Mr. Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon. Member for Wa West, please, continue.
Mr. Chireh 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, he thinks I come from the Upper West Region. But I could have been a cocoa farmer, a labourer in the cocoa farm and know how to produce cocoa. Beyond that, I am a pharmacist by training and I did analyze cocoa, as he was indicating, to know the constituents of cocoa and the value of cocoa. That is why I am talking confidently about the medicinal aspect of it. And I am telling the hon. Member that he needs it more than anybody else.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I was saying that sadly at our cocoa stand here which should
have displayed cocoa, it is tea and coffee stand. You go there and you want cocoa, and they tell you, you must make special arrangement. That is very sad; we are not living by example. We should encourage more cocoa to be served there. Indeed, I have seen some other things being sold there instead of chocolate. In the morning we should have chocolates there.
On this note, I would urge the hon. Minister to go beyond the day's celebrations and indeed for the hon. Ministers for Food and Agriculture and Finance and Economic Planning to concretely bring this to bear on our cocoa production as a nation.
Mr. S.K.B. Manu (NPP - Ahafo Ano South) 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I also rise to contribute to the Statement made by the hon. Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations.
Mr. Speaker, cocoa is a commodity in this country that has carried on its shoulder the wellbeing of the country, without which the country could not have gone so far. Cocoa has seen a lot of Ghanaians progressing in life. The universities that we have in this country were built on the sweat and toil of cocoa farmers. Our roads, the motorway and other major projects in this country were all funded from the proceeds of cocoa. Yet the cocoa farmer still lives in conditions that are not the best.
As we celebrate Chocolate Day, I want us to focus attention on the people who make the chocolate possible; it is not the factory owner. It is the farmer who goes to the bush to grow the cocoa, harvest the cocoa, dry it and sell the cocoa to the Government before the factory owner can get the cocoa for the chocolate. Today, go to the cocoa growing areas and some
Mr. S.K.B. Manu (NPP - Ahafo Ano South) noon


children may not even know about the chocolate that we are talking about here.

I am suggesting that under the School Feeding Programme, it should be made possible for that child, particularly those in the cocoa growing areas to know and taste cocoa. By this I am suggesting that in the morning, they must be made to drink chocolate so that they would know what it is that their parents are producing. And when they go back and tell their parents they were given chocolate in school, it would encourage the parents to produce more cocoa.

Mr. Speaker, let me inform hon. Members who may not know that I am on the Board of the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), and we are carrying out a very major expansion of the factory. But the problem we are envisioning is that if cocoa production is not stepped up, if conditions in the rural areas are not bettered for the youth to get attracted to farming, very soon, cocoa production in this country would go down and the mighty factories that we are putting up would be without cocoa. At best, we may have to import cocoa from outside to feed the factories; and that would not be economical enough for us to do.

I am as a son of a cocoa farmer and a cocoa farmer myself, therefore asking that - we pay attention to the cocoa farmer. We must encourage him to produce more so that when it is the 14th day of February and the “Valentines” are enjoying themselves, they can get the chocolate that we are promoting today. Other than that, we are promoting the chocolate and people would acquire the taste, but very soon they may not have the chocolate we have encouraged them to consume.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, what I am saying is, I applaud the hon. Minister for his Statement. But the cocoa that we need to produce the chocolate must be given greater attention; and the prime person involved is the cocoa farmer who should be given particular attention in this country.
Mr. G. K. Arthur (NDC - Amenfi Central) noon
Mr. Speaker, I would like to contribute to this important Statement made by my hon. Colleague. Mr. Speaker, my interest in this Statement is not about the celebration of the Valentines's Day which has been linked with this National Chocolate Day, but the significance of this celebration to our ordinary farmer. What do our farmers who have invested so much of their time and life in planting these seeds gain from such a celebration?
Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo noon
On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, he talked about the fate of the iced-water seller being better than that of the farmer. Mr. Speaker, this is not correct. It is important to note that cocoa price has gone up from $3.5 million a tonne to $9.2 million a tonne within six years. Therefore, efforts have been made by this Government to improve the lot of the cocoa farmer; and this is a fact and therefore he should not mislead this
Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo noon


House.
Mr. Speaker noon
Hon. Member for Amenfi Central, please, take it on board.
Mr. Arthur noon
Mr. Speaker, I still stand on the point I made and I can explain to the hon. Minister to understand that a farmer who has two acres of cocoa land has to hire labourers, has to hire other hands to help him harvest the cocoa. After all these works, even the insecticides which ought to be given free of charge to these farmers are being sold to them. [Interruptions.]
Mr. Speaker noon
Hon. Member, please, comment on the Statement. This is not the time for debate.
Mr. Arthur noon
Mr. Speaker, by the time these farmers take their final money, most of it have been taken by these labourers, by the private buyers, by other people. They adjust their scales; they delay the buying process and so the weight of the cocoa also reduces.
Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, the seller of iced-water who lives in Accra can sell about 10 bags of iced water a day and make a profit of about GH¢10.00 a day or at least GH¢5.00 by 30 days and multiply it by 360 days and compare it to the farmer who has about 10 acres of cocoa and see who makes more money.
Mr. Speaker noon
Hon. Member, are you contributing to the Statement?
Mr. Arthur noon
Mr. Speaker, I am contri- buting to the Statement. What I am saying is that, Mr. Speaker, the farmer has no right to increase the price of his cocoa; he has no
Mr. Speaker noon
Hon. Member for Amenfi Central, please contribute but comment on the Statement. Do not draw us into any debate please.
Mr. Arthur noon
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So I had wished that anywhere these cocoa buyers took their cocoa to sell, these companies would give a tin of Milo or a packet of chocolate to these farmers to enjoy the fruit of their labour. But these things are not done.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah noon
Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order and request that the hon. Member no longer be heard. I refer to Order 93(4) --
“The speech of a Member must have reference to the subject matter under discussion”.
Mr. Speaker, the subject matter under discussion is National Chocolate Day. It is not about the cocoa industry. The hon. Member has repetitively been referring to the cocoa farmer's plight, the farmer not being treated fairly. You have directed his attention to address himself to the subject- matter under discussion, but he has just ignored it. So I am appealing to you that you rule the hon. Member completely out of order and that he no longer be heard.
Mr. Arthur 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I do not think this day can ever be celebrated without cocoa. This National Chocolate Day can never be celebrated if these farmers do not plant and bring out this cocoa. If you are celebrating such an occasion , this Chocolate Day, why do you not recognize the very people who made it possible for us to celebrate this occasion? We have been celebrating this occasion several times. [Interruption] -- Even during this very Minister's own time, this occasion has been celebrated several times. But we do not pay any attention to the people who made it possible for us to celebrate this occasion.
Mr. Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon. Member, do you want to draw us into any debate?
Mr. Arthur 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, let me proceed. I do not want to draw us into any other debate but my point is that we should also recognize the very people who help us to get this product, that made it possible for us to celebrate this occasion.
Ms. Christine Churcher (NPP - Cape Coast) 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this very important Statement made on the floor. I was wondering till I came here this morning and heard the Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations talk about the medicinal value of chocolates - the fact that it made men stronger and, of course, women too and the fact that it shed the high blood pressure and it promoted good health.
So my understanding this morning is that the Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations is not saying that the 14th February is not Valentine's Day but Chocolate Day. What he is saying is that because Valentine's Day is a day to show love, there is no better way to show love than by presenting chocolate which
Ms. Christine Churcher (NPP - Cape Coast) 12:10 p.m.


I come to this important issue; the question is that of affordability. I believe that when you are talking about chocolate and love, you would want every Ghanaian, everybody to be able to have access to chocolate. But chocolates are not free and sometimes the price is too high. I am therefore appealing to the Minister that in view of the medicinal value, in view that good health promotes even good education, in view that workers would work better when they are more healthy, consider making it a policy to bring the price of chocolate so low that every Ghanaian, wherever that person is, will be able to afford it.

Mr. Speaker, talking about chocolate also reminds me about something. Valentine's Day is also a time for parents to show love to their children. It is also a time for some of the fathers who have forgotten about their children also to try and link up with them. I would suggest that 14th February is celebrated not only with chocolates from fathers to mothers, et cetera but chocolates from fathers who have forgotten their children to their children.

I have had the opportunity in my own constituency and in many places and times when I was in education, et cetera to have children come to me and say:

“Mummy says that my father's address is this, but I do not know who my father is”.

I want to be able to say on the floor of the House that Valentine's Day should be decreed a day of reconciliation between parents and children. I am linking chocolate with this because if we do not have peace, how can we eat chocolate in peace? When parents who because
Dr. A. A. Osei 12:10 p.m.
On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, my senior Colleague, hon. Papa Owusu-Ankomah has earlier on made a statement about point of relevance. We are talking about Chocolate Day and now I am hearing parents and decrees. With all due respect, if my hon. Colleague can stay on the subject-matter - She was doing very well until she went to that angle, especially since we do not want any more decrees.
Mr. Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Please, continue.
Ms. Churcher 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member who was trying to derail me gives the impression that he is my lecturer and he is marking me on what I am saying. If anybody is showing relevance, it is the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast. Why? It is because we are talking about Valentine's Day and the importance of chocolates. And I am saying that because Valentine's Day is a day to show love - not only love between spouses, love between parents and children, love between daddies and children, mothers and children, as much as possible those of us who can afford chocolates, let us give chocolates to our children to show love.
How irrelevant is it? Unless the hon. Member does not appreciate what I am saying - If the hon. Member has had the opportunity to meet children who do not even know who their fathers are, he would be telling us today that every father should endeavour to send a chocolate to the child
who has been forgotten. Finally, when you are talking -
Dr. A. A. Osei 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I respect my hon. senior Colleague. I am a father of three children; I see a lot of children and I have worked with a lot of children. I fully appreciate the point she is making. But the Statement made by my hon. Colleague was about Chocolate Day and not Valentine's Day. So if she stays with that matter, it will be all right.
There will be another time to talk about the responsibilities of parents on Children's Day. We will have the opportunity to talk about that. So with all due respect, I object to her saying that if I had had the opportunity of seeing children who do not have parents - I see them all the time and so if she can withdraw that statement, it will please me.
Mr. Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Let her go on.
Ms. Churcher 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, the issue is that the hon. Minister for Tourism makes a Statement in this House and in that Statement he is recommending that we use chocolates to celebrate love on Valentine's Day. And I stand here and recommend that as parents, if we are saying we should show love, why do we not show love by giving chocolates to our children? I do not see the irrelevance in what I am saying.
The point I am making is that when love is being shown on Valentine's Day, let nobody think that we want chocolates and nothing more. I do not want a situation where people would say “my wife, they say chocolate, so one chocolate”. Sometimes you have to go beyond chocolate, though.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, because of the importance of chocolate in promoting health, I wonder whether our athletes, our
Ms. Churcher 12:10 p.m.


sportsmen, our footballers, were given any chocolates when they were in camp. I am recommending that we should feed our athletes, our sportsmen and women on as much chocolate as possible if it would help them.
Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang 12:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would want our Sister to educate us because I believe that on one occasion the hon. Minister of State at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing said that we should be drinking the raw cocoa. And now she is talking about chocolate which has got sugar in it. Sugar is sometimes not very good for our health. So I want to know which one is healthy.
She referred to it as being healthy but I know that due to the sugar it is not good for the teeth. So which is which? I think the hon. Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations and the hon. Member for Cape Coast should clarify the point so that we know which one to drink or which one to eat.
Mr. Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon. Member, this is not Question time.
Hon. Member for Cape Coast, please, continue.
Ms. Churcher 12:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am taking a cue from the Statement made by the hon. Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations. He talked at great length on the importance of chocolate. Mr. Speaker, we are not talking about those kinds of chocolate which are loaded with fats and other things. We are talking about our kind of chocolate here which is bitter. That is what we are talking about. I understand it and I presume that all of us understand.
Mr. Speaker, finally, when we are talking about chocolate, I have been asking myself how come that when we receive important visitors, we do not serve
them cocoa drink and koose? I do not know whether koose means beans-cake. I would suggest that when we receive visitors, because we want to sell and market our cocoa, we should serve them with cocoa and koose, that is, beans-cake.
Mr. Speaker, it is important that charity begins at home. Mr. Speaker, a cup of cocoa drink for every parliamentarian will go a long way to strengthen us to do our work. Cocoa is never found anywhere here and I wish that as hon. Members of Parliament, we start from here.
To all of us, if good health is linked with love then all of us here should endeavour to say that we will buy at least ten packets of cocoa or chocolate to send to our loved ones and they will appreciate it very much.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the Ministry for the important Statement. Men are being told to eat more cocoa but they should eat the right kind of chocolate.
Mr. Speaker 12:20 p.m.
At the Commencement of Public Business - Item 5 - Committee Sittings.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, there are three very important committee Sittings slated for today. And having exhausted the items on the Order Paper, may I move, that this House do now adjourn until tomorrow at 10 o'clock in the forenoon.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 12:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 12:20 p.m.