Debates of 18 Mar 2009

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the late Hon Edward Kojo Salia, Member of Parliament for Jirapa Constituency.

4 says that and I quote:
“As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9: 4)
On Wednesday, 17th February, 2009, a pall of gloom descended on Parliament as news of the passing away of Hon Edward Kojo Salia was officially conveyed to us by the Rt. Hon Speaker. We were all deeply saddened by the loss of our Colleague and Brother, who until his death, was the Member of Parliament for

Jirapa. In all ages and in every clime, it has

been the custom of every distinguished nation to commemorate the transition of the renowned, thereby enshrining their memories in the hearts of succeeding generations and causing their heroic deeds to be emulated and initiated by those who come after them. It is therefore proper, for Parliament, to offer a befitting and an affectionate tribute to the memory of our late Colleague.

Son of the late Bagehuru Salia and Habiba Yiringsaa, the late Hon Member, first entered Parliament in 2001, filled with energy, radiance, wisdom and a true sense of self. Before then, the late Hon Salia served as Minister for Roads and Highways and later as Minister for Transport and Communications for a total period of eight years.

Although he was elected a Member of Parliament in the election that his party lost, he was a highly regarded Member having endeared himself to Colleagues on both sides of the political divide by his invaluable contributions and unceasing efforts in ensuring that Parliament discharged its constitutional duties without fear or favour.

Madam Speaker, the late Edward Salia, earned our admiration and respect as a gentleman who was considerate and who cared deeply for his friends and Colleagues. He was a man of varied activities and in all his relations, whether professional, social or official, he was filled with a happy faculty of inspiring confidence.

Madam Speaker, having worked with the late Hon Salia closely for about eight (8) years, I reckon him, together with a good number of our Colleagues and

describe him as a reasonable combination of tradition and flexibility. His mind spanned issues with ease and his devotion knew no bounds. Indeed, he was one of the most meticulously prepared Members who held government's feet to the fire with his interventions on the floor of the House, especially on issues relating to telecommunication, roads and transport.

During his tenure as Minister for Transport and Communications in 1997, he was instrumental in signing the agreement between the Government of Ghana and Telecom Malaysia. Under his stewardship, the Ministry of Communi-cations was able to open up the sector to private investors like MObiTel, Celltell and KAsAPA. This helped to broaden the mobile horizon for telephony in Ghana.

The trail he blazed led to the establish- ment of the National Communications Authority, which has oversight res- ponsibilities in regulating the telecom- munication industry in Ghana. Indeed, he spearheaded the telecommunication sector reform programme in 1997.

His statement to the House on 6th February, 1997 ended with his quotation:

Ghana has taken a landmark decision. We are in the forefront of telecom reform in Africa and there is no doubt in my mind that in the next few years, Ghana would be the telecom hub for West Africa.”

In fact, he could best be described as the father of modern day telecommunication in Ghana.

With his in-depth knowledge in planning, administration and business, Hon Salia took much pride and seriousness in the development of his region and the country at large. This demeanour served him in good stead in advancing the interest

of his consti-tuency. His generosity, humility and perpetual smile, made lasting impression on all who worked with him.

The late Hon Member Madam Speaker, had been in declining health for some time now. Hope lingered in the hearts of many Members and everything was done by the House to enable him regain his health. When re-elected for the third time, he was able to take, but a little active part, in the Business of the House. On the few occasions that he was in the House, he indeed, displayed recuperative powers that surprised most of us. But alas, the Master wanted him for a tenant in his heavenly home.

The esteem in which Hon Salia was held has been demonstrated in many ways; while he was in good health, during the days of his illness and even after his death. As the saying goes --

“It is the happy lot of but few useful men to create so little antagonism, to encounter so little evidence of ill will and to leave behind so rich a memory of work well done.”

Madam Speaker, on his death, Parliament has sustained an irreparable loss. Though we miss him and mourn him, we are comforted by fond memories of a person who was greatly unique. But what shall we say of the void in his dear family? We can but hope and pray that his worthy mantle may fall upon an equally responsible and honest family member to bear the heavy load imposed on them.

Our hearts go out to his widows, children, family and the people of Jirapa.

May his soul rest in perfect peace in the bossom of the Almighty.

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the

Madam Speaker, on occasions like this we always remember the good times we had with departed colleagues.
I came to know the late Hon Edward Kojo Salia when I entered Parliament in 1997 and he was then a member of Government. We have related with people with diverse backgrounds whilst in politics. But there is one thing that I can say about Hon Edward Kojo Salia; I never saw him angry.
Indeed, at times when very, very scathing political remarks were made about him, he always remained calm and I distinctly recall that on the occasion when he came to make a Statement on Communications, particularly the agreement between the Government of Ghana and Telecom Malaysia, we on the Minority side made very, very un- complimentary comments.
But on no occasion did Hon Edward Kojo Salia become angry and whilst in Parliament he was always calm, even when the House was in a tumult, even when Hon Members were shouting at each other on opposite sides, he always maintained his calm during the storm.
Some of us got to know that Hon Edward Kojo Salia had been unwell for some time, but he never displayed it, he never complained and on one occasion I asked him, “My brother look, in this business you have to also consider your health.” And he said, Oh! We are here to serve our people and even when I am not well, I feel compelled to come to the

Madam Speaker, I rise to support the Statement and to speak on the tribute that is being paid to the late Hon Salia.
I first heard of the late Salia in 1993, when I was then a final-year student of the Institute of Professional Studies. He was then in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government and the Minister for Roads and Highways. But the first time that I came close to him was when I entered Parliament on the 7th of January, 2005.
Madam Speaker, I knew Salia when I entered Parliament, and having heard of him several years before meeting him, he was somebody that I personally liked so much, because he was somebody who, as said by the Hon Member who spoke
earlier, one would not see being angry whenever remarks were made about him or remarks were made about his party. Even though he found it difficult to speak because he had a problem with his voice, this never deterred him from speaking his mind.
When there was a motion on the floor and he needed to contribute, Madam Speaker, he would speak, no matter how faint his voice was. I became very close to him when we all served on the Finance Committee from January, 2007. His contributions at the committee meetings and on the floor of the House would tell you he was somebody who had knowledge and spoke his mind about issues that he knew. Today, we are here paying tribute to the late Salia.
For 16 or more years of his working life, he served the people of Ghana, both in Government and in Parliament. Today, he is no more and we are paying him tribute and what we are doing today by paying tribute, should send a signal to the whole country that people who have devoted their time to serve this nation should be treated very well. What he suffered from or what had led to his death, probably could have been catered for better than we did.
Madam Speaker, as Members of Parliament and members of Government, most of the times when issues affect Members of Parliament particularly, the public looks at it differently. This one is happening today; the tribute that we are paying today to the late Salia should let the people of Ghana know that whatever Members of Parliament are doing, it is nothing but service to the nation. As we pay tribute to him we know it is a great loss to the country, especially the people of Jirapa, and his immediate family.
We just want to say that he has been called by the Almighty God, maybe, to serve in a different area than he did in Ghana or this country.
Madam Speaker, with these few words, I sympathize and lend my support to the Statement that has been made by the Hon Member.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity to say a few words in memory of our departed Hon Colleague.
Madam Speaker, I met the late Hon Salia in January, 2005 the first time in this Honourable House. Personally, he was one of those whom I could describe as a friend on the other side of the House.
Madam Speaker, we had a lot of personal discussions together. We had several cups of tea together on many occasions and he attracted me as a man who was cool, calculated and full of equanimity. Madam Speaker, it did not only reflect in his personal relationship but actually it transcended into his mode of debate in this Honourable House in terms of speaking his mind on the issues without acrimony.
Madam Speaker, he struck me also as a very punctual Hon Member of the House and very often at 9.30 a.m. he was available for discussions of all types in prelude to Sitting times.
Madam Speaker, our departed friend and brother was a devout Catholic and took his Christian principles very seriously. In fact, he himself spoke of the fact that within the context of his faith, he had become a born-again Christian and the

Madam Speaker, I also wish to add my voice to the Statement which had been made by Hon John Tia Akologu. I knew Hon Edward Salia not as a Member of Parliament, but during our days at the University of Ghana between 1970 and 1973 when he was also a student at Commonwealth Hall. He was regular at the observatory where many of us students used to sit and debate political issues of the day and also to make, sometimes, very interesting remarks about people passing through Commonwealth Hall to go to the Great Hall.
I can tell you that Hon Salia was never found to make an unsavory remark about anybody, but he did have a generosity of heart which made it possible for him to encompass the views of others and I am
certain that this quality is what took him into this House and also into Government. He was affable, very, very kind, self effacing and yet very vocal in his views. Those who knew him will tell you that humility was his hallmark.

I recall that when I came into this House, very recently, I walked over to the other side and had a word with him. I noticed that he was very ill and I asked him how he was doing. He said I just want to continue to serve my people, I am happy that my party is back in power but I may not have the strength to serve in the manner that I had hoped I would be able to.

On the way to the Independence Square we sat on the same bus and you could tell that he was looking far away. He only said “I hope that this thing does not take me away too soon”, but at last, man proposes and God disposes. So my Hon Friend will be missed by me and many other Vandals who knew him in the 1970s. He has made his contribution to the country and I am pleased to say that the country is recognizing the contribution that he has made.

May he, his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed in the mercy of God, rest in perfect peace.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Hon
Member. Hon Members I wish to re- cognize the presence in the House of a delegation from Parliaments of the Republics of Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Ghana.
Kenya: Hon Dr. Julius Kones, Hon Daniel Muoki, Hon Sophia Noor.
Nigeria: Senator Adefemi Kila, Hon Chijioke Edeoga, Hon Elizabeth Ogbaga.
Tanzania: Hon Castor Raphel Ligallama, Hon Mwanawetu Zarafi.
Ghana: Hon Samuel Atta Akyea, Hon Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh, Hon Alfred Abayateye.
Committee Clerks: Mr. Ifeanyi Abraham (House of Reps, Nigeria); Mr. Jamo Suleiman (Senate, Nigeria); Mr. Lawrence Makigi (Tanzania); Ms. Wanjiru Ndindiri (Kenya); Mr. Emmanuel Akrofi- Tibo (Ghana).
Hon Members, the delegation is on a training programme at the Parliamentary Centre, Accra.
Hon Members on my own behalf and on behalf of the House, I wish the delegation a pleasant stay.

Madam Speaker, I want to pay tribute to my Friend and Brother Mr. Edward Kojo Salia and I do so with a very heavy heart because the last few moments, I was virtually one with him in terms of briefing him regularly when he could no longer participate in some of the activities of Parliament.
As for his being a politician, all of

you who have spoken and attested to that, not only was he concerned about his constituency, he was always concerned about how widespread the national cake was shared. So when people were asking questions about a road to their constituencies, he would ask about how the resources have been distributed on region to region basis and also district to district basis. That means that, Mr. Salia was a very fair minded person who believed in fairness and justice.
As you know, he spoke his mind when he felt strong about things but he never on any occasion, sought to annoy or irritate anyone. He made his point clear and as a politician, he was also a very well organized person and he organized his constituents.
Indeed, before he entered formal politics after the lifting of the ban on political activities, Mr. Salia spoke at a forum in Wa when the late Justice D. F. Annan and the National Commission for Democracy at that time were asked to seek the views of Ghanaians about what form of government they would prefer. He made a very forthright statement and a speech and for a long time people hailed him. It was not long when the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) after his outdooring speech, made him the PNDC Regional Secretary for the Upper West Region in 1982. I took over from him as a Regional Minister after the elections.
He had always insisted on making sure that democracy is the way forward and means we should listen to people, listen to their arguments, make yours, try to convince and persuade them to come over to your side. If he failed, he stood his grounds but never created a problem.
Mr. Salia, the one thing we all know about him was that he was an astute businessman. Unlike many of his people, he did not shy away from doing business. He started his exploits as a business person far back in his school days. And we all at one stage were calling him “MD” which stands for Managing Director because from school he did the national service at the then Upper Regional Development Corporation, where he stayed on and eventually became the Managing Director and later became the Managing Director of the Farmers Services Company (FASCOM) of the Upper Regional Agricultural Development Programme (URADEP) with the longest period in the whole of the Upper West and the Upper East Regions then.
Mr. Salia distinguished himself in these areas, he networked widely with people in the business circles. And it is not surprising that when he stood as a Member of Parliament he got everybody, the business people saying “Yaa! We now have our own coming into politics”. But before then he was made Minister, and again, the exploits, the expertise he had developed from business helped him greatly to look at how to privatise the Ghana Telecom and that was one of the pioneering events in Africa.
So many of the Ministers who met him in international fora and who knew him, he became to them like a star pupil in this new area. I am not surprised therefore that, those who came after him to the Ministry still agree that he did a good job. That was Mr. Salia, both politician and a businessman. But above all, Mr. Salia too had many aspects and indeed, again those of you who met him in the university, you know that he could have easily become one of the professors of any of the academic institutions, but for his early entry into politics.
He had actually got an award to pursue a PhD in Canada. And all the time that we met, his interest was how he could become somebody who will influence others, either through teaching or by the examples that he led. He had believed that if he had not entered politics earlier, by now, with the numerous universities that we have in Ghana, he would have been a lecturer in many of them.

But one thing that we should all not forget about Mr. Salia is that he was a developer. He was, and whatever he thought about development still stands. Indeed, when he became the President of Jirapa Area Youth Development Associa- tion (JAYDA), that was when he made that political speech. But before then, he organized them and is one of the brains behind the Sonzelle Rural Bank of Jirapa and indeed his organizational skills I tell you, were always geared towards getting development.

Those who know him, if he met you, he wanted you to talk about something that would change your situation, help develop Ghana and move it in the right direction. That was Mr. Salia for you.

Today, Mr. Salia is not here. We are all going to miss him. Indeed, I feel very bad because I have lost one of my trusted friends. Why? I listened to his counsel, we debated issues, he was more, as we said, business oriented and any time we argued -- people called him names because he was a principled person. He did not like cheating at all and people who wanted to cheat him know. He did not like laziness, so those who worked under him found him a very hard person.

But he did all those things always to ensure that what was required of everybody, you put in. After that he also ensured you got a fair pay for what you have worked for, and that is Mr. Salia. He was a social man, Salia was a very nice person to relate to. He and his family were close and I share in their grief in this matter because they cannot find another friend, another father, another husband in anyone else.

That is why I will ask that this funeral

that the State is going to give him should be one that should encourage the young ones to emulate what he did.

In fact, when he could hardly move, when he could hardly speak, he still insisted on attending the meetings and participating in the activities. I had to beg him that “look, I will come and get whatever brief” and the day before he died, we engaged in a very lively discussion. I could not believe that the following morning I would be told that my friend had passed on.

Mr. Salia told me that Joe, you know I cannot stay back in the house, lie down and wait for death to come to me. I have the fighting spirit and I will keep on until God says no more. He stood for the election and everybody said why are you standing for the election?

He stood for that election to prove a point and the point he wanted to prove was that it is not sick people who die, it is human beings who die because at one stage people wanted to make an issue of his health in the campaign and for me one happiness I have is that he has won the election. He told me he was not going to live throughout to serve his term but he wanted to prove a point and that point was that it is human beings who die and not sick people.

Madam Speaker, the late Edward Kojo Salia was an elder brother. Madam Speaker, I first met the late Edward Kojo Salia in l974 at a student meeting when I was then a student in the secondary school. He was in charge of a raffle and after my sixth unsuccessful attempt at winning a prize, he looked at me in the eyes and said, “My brother, come” and when I got to him he said “I think you have suffered enough, take a consolation price”.
So he struck me as a very kind person. Subsequently, I got closer to him. When he left the University of Ghana he became a hero of mine. He served well as the Managing Director of the then Upper Regional Development Corporation and later on as Managing Director of Farmers Services Company (FASCOM). Madam Speaker, in his life time, he addressed me always as “Small Bro” and I responded “Big Bro”. I was privileged later to be his lawyer especially in the case of “Edward Salia against Chronicle” in which judgement was given in his favour because he was unduly defamed.
He has been a hero to most of my Colleagues from the North. He was an intelligent person, very humble and as I have said before kind - and I cannot say it enough - he was very kind. I would say that the rest of the good things that he did have been mentioned by others.
In politics I did not meet him as a Member of Parliament for long. I just met him in this House for a few weeks and I remember one day he told me “Small Bro, I am happy for you whatever happens to me”. On many occasions he told me he was dying and I encouraged him that it was not for him to pass a death sentence on himself.
Madam Speaker, I think Salia has died in body, but the good example that he has set and being a model to the younger generation of northerners, he will remain alive amongst us. Madam Speaker, he is one of the few who have lived and of whom we can say after their death a piece that is attributed to an unknown source which talks about the immortal con- tribution and achievement of a person and with your permission, I quote and it says:
“Do not stand by my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. Do not stand by my grave and cry, I did not die.”
May Salia rest in peace.

Minister for Communications (Mr.

Haruna Iddrisu): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to associate myself with the Statement of a tribute to the late Hon Kojo Salia, former Member of Parliament and Former Minister of State.

Madam Speaker, one unique issue

about the Hon Salia, my readings and from my personal interactions with him is that he left a respectable footprint or legacy wherever he was - whether in school, whether out of school, whether in government or outside government.

Madam Speaker, a few years ago, when this House had cause to pay tribute to another departed Colleague, the late Hon Salia remarked that if it was not the wish of the Almighty, that other Colleague would

have been with us. Today, we say same in memory and we have every reason to eulogize his life and his contribution to our national life.

Indeed, I was a personal beneficiary of his counsel and wisdom. I recall one early morning when I was to grant an interview on a very complex matter within the telecom industry, I almost ended up having one phone hanging to my right ear, taking briefs from the Hon Salia, while struggling to keep the interviewer to the other left in order to have an under- standing of the questions that were posed to me as a person.

Even as I walked into the Ministry of Communications, I was reminded on the staircase of his legacy as former Minister for Communication and indeed, the Deputy Majority Leader captured it succinctly when he said that he led the liberalization of the telecom sector.

Today, our country is benefiting enormously from that separation of P&T, then Post and Telecommunications entity, now separated into two entities of Ghana Post and the Telecom Sector. Today, Ghana has a mobile population of about 11 million Ghanaians benefiting.

We owe that to his vision and indeed, as was captured by Prof. Mike Oquaye -- he was deeply concerned about the extension of telephony to rural Ghana and his vision inspired the setting up of what is now known as (GIFTEL) -- the Ghana Investment Fund for Telecommunications. And instrumental lately, even ensuring that some allocation of that Fund was made available to some rural areas within the Eastern Region and the Upper West Region to benefit from rural telephony.

Madam Speaker, as we pay tribute to

the late Hon Salia, he was legendry in his demand for fairness and equity and his passion and concern for a developed Ghana - He was very particular about the Northern-South divide of development and underdevelopment respectfully.

I recall a delegation he led as Leader of the northern caucus with the Hon Member for Tamale North (Alhaji Sumani Abukari), myself and two other Hon Members to the Tamale Teaching Hospital. When we returned, I hesitated in getting the report of the visit available. I attempted avoiding him at the entrance to the Minority Leader's office and he said:

“Old boy, we need to get your report ready in order that we can make recommendations as to what to do to support the Tamale Teaching Hospital for the sake of the Univer- sity for Development Studies.”

Madam Speaker, as we mourn the late Hon Salia, one lesson that I believe he quietly shared with people that he was intimate with is that, all of us at all times, when we are told certain things about any person, we should do well to investigate those sayings.

He was sharing his personal experience with me about how he left Government in those days as Minister for Roads and it appeared very strongly to him, and I believe he was very much hurt by it, that he was a victim of convicting the innocent, even though the explanation may not have been given but circumstances which surrounded his exit meant that somebody may have said certain things which were untrue about his role or conduct but he had to suffer and pay that bitter price as an innocent person.

Madam Speaker, he was an astute politician and at a point in year 2000, working for the National Democratic

Madam Speaker, I also rise to join Hon Members in the celebration of the life of our dear departed Colleague Hon Edward Kojo Salia.
Madam Speaker, Hon Salia was a man whose waters indeed had been stilled by Jesus Christ whom he served with much devotion. He was not one to be ruffled by criticisms and travails. Even the visibly terminal illness that afflicted him, the late Hon Member served the nation in
several capacities. But the place where he left an indelible mark is the Ministry of Communications where he presided over the private sector participation in the then Post and Telecommunications outfit.
He was a man who was very measured, disciplined, principled, balanced, humble, accommodating and above all, very humane. When it came to the Business of Parliament, he was most diligent, most scrutinuous, and he was a very great debater in this Parliament. On my part Madam Speaker, I have lost a personal friend with whom I had a common vision and a shared purpose.
On the occasion of his transition to the greater beyond, may I join Colleagues in condoling his family? We join them in shedding tears in this moment of distress and grief knowing that the tears of his family alone would not be enough to ferry our great Brother to the greater beyond.

The State funeral which His Excellency President Atta Mills has scheduled for him should mark a new beginning for all Hon Members of Parliament who bow to the beckoning of death in the service of this country and I am happy that together with the Hon Majority Leader, I contributed to fashioning this new scheme for Hon Members of Parliament.

Madam Speaker, may his soul rest in perfect peace.

Thank you, Hon Member. Hon Members, at this juncture, shall we observe a minute's silence for the late Hon Salia.

May his soul rest in peace.

Hon. Members, I have two other

Statements, one from Hon Inusah Fuseini, Tamale Central [interruption.] He is not here? There is another one from Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Member of Parliament for Weija -- [interruption.] She is not here?

At the Commencement of Public Business. I will call upon Hon Akolugu. Any indications?

Madam Speaker, I think we have come to the end of the Business for the day but I have a few indications.
Tomorrow, 19th March, 2009, has been slated for a State funeral in honour of the late Hon Edward Kojo Salia, our Colleague. The filing past will begin at 7.00 a.m. and the funeral service will be at 9.00 a.m. Hon Members are to be seated by 8.00 a.m. We should note that apart from the immediate family, we are also the most bereaved. So we should take the service very seriously.
Under the circumstances, Leadership has agreed and decided that the House will not Sit tomorrow. However, commit- tees can continue with deliberations on the budget estimates for their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) after the funeral.
Madam Speaker, Leadership also wishes to draw the attention of Committee Chairmen and their Clerks to the fact that sitting of committees can only begin or
commence after the House has formally Sat. So we are directing that sitting of committees should normally commence at 11.00 a.m. after the House has Sat at

Madam Speaker, with these few indications, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn till 10.00 in the forenoon on Friday, the 20th of March, 2009.

Madam Speaker, in seconding the motion, I just want to draw attention to the fact that the Business Committee was scheduled to meet at 9.00 o'clock tomorrow, but obviously it cannot be possible. So I guess the Committee will meet soon after the ceremony at the forecourt so that people do not forget that it is important for the Business Committee to proceed to the Chamber Block. The other committees would be finding out their respective destinations.
Madam Speaker, I second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
ADjOURNMENT
The House was accordingly adjour- ned at 12 noon till 20th March, 2009 at