Debates of 8 Jan 2009

MADAM SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:45 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:45 a.m.
Madam Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon. Members, we move on to Correction of Votes and Proceedings and the Official Report. The Votes and Proceedings are before you and we will move from page to page.
Minority Leader (Mr. Osei Kyei-
Mensah-Bonsu): Madam Speaker, on page 1, that is, the motion moved for you to take the Chair as the Speaker of this House -- Yesterday, in moving the motion, the hon. Majority Leader, who moved the motion, mentioned your name as Mrs. Justice Joyce Adeline Bamford- Addo. Now we have Mrs. Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo. With respect, I believe the name of the Speaker should be properly captured so that we know the true identity of the person presiding. I think it is a formality that we need to know to set the records straight.
Madam Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon. Majority Leader, I think I gave a letter of consent. You saw it, did you? Clerk to Parliament, what did I put in the letter of consent, minus the Adeline?
Majority Leader (Mr. A. S. K.
Bagbin): Madam Speaker, we thank

the hon. Minority Leader for drawing our attention to this. I believe this is something that the Clerk's Office can handle and we will get to know as we go on. But the name I used was actually, Mrs. Justice Joyce Adeline and not Adelaine Bamford-Addo. That was what I used. But as I said, the Clerk's Office will handle that.
Madam Speaker 10:55 a.m.
The Clerk's Office will take notice of this concern about the name. The name has not changed, it is Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 10:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I did not hear the Hon Majority Leader well. I do not know whether the pronunciation of your second name is Adeline or Adelaine.I want the pronunciation please.
Madam Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon Papa Owusu- Ankomah, I have been with you for so long at the Attorney-general's Office, and it is just a pity that with that name before you all this time -- [Interruption.]
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 10:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, that may be so but for the purposes of the records of the House.
Madam Speaker 10:55 a.m.
It is Adeline.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 10:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, this being the first day, I believe many names may be misspelt, titles may be omitted. I will plead with you if you could let hon. Members look through the names and if there is any correction, they refer it to the Clerk at the Table and it is corrected otherwise this is going to take us the whole day.
Madam Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Thank you for the serious suggestion. Hon Bagbin, I think this is in order, do you agree that they should go there and correct it?
Mr. Bagbin 10:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, that is in order and it is also proper to remind hon. Members that they have to catch the eye of the Speaker before they start speaking. They do not put on the microphone and start talking; they have to catch the eye of the Speaker and the Speaker will have to give them the go ahead before they do that.
Madam Speaker 10:55 a.m.
We will move quickly on to page 5 and if your name is not correct or spelt wrongly or any other corrections, you contact the Clerk.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, in respect of page 8, item 14, and Madam Speaker, with your permission, I beg to quote:
“The following Heads of State and other dignitaries were in atten- dance:”
I believe that conspicuously lost are very prominent dignitaries who took part in yesterday's activity. For the purpose of the records, it would be important that they are recognised, namely: the former Prime Minister of Japan, the leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, His Excellency President John Agyekum Kufuor, former President of the Republic of ghana and former President Jerry John Rawlings.
I do not think that we should take it for granted. If you say “dignitaries” they were very important dignitaries. My list may not be conclusive; The Hon distinguished Kofi Annan was also present. I thought it would be important that we captured that for the records.
Madam Speaker 11:05 a.m.
I think you are
right since it says “Heads of State and
Dignitaries.” So we go to the next page, page 9.

We move on to Statements. Hon. Members, I am informed that no Statements have been filed. At the Commencement of Public Business. Majority Leader, can we hear you on this?
Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, we have on the Order Paper, Committee Sittings. Committees are not yet composed so the proper item should have been Caucus Sittings. I believe we would take this opportunity to kick- start the composition of the Committee of Selection and it is the Committee of Selection that would lead this House to compose the various committees so that we can start business in earnest.
With the indulgence of the House and the permission of Madam Speaker, I may at this time move that we do adjourn until tomorrow at 10.00 o'clock in the forenoon so that Leadership could start some action on the issue of the Committee of Selection.
With this, Madam Speaker, I beg to move.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I rise to second the motion as moved by the Hon Majority Leader.
Question put and motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 11:05 a.m.